Ideas for a reading group?

Question

Hi,Some of my students want to have an informal reading group this summer.  Do you have any ideas for books that might work well for this kind of group?  I'm looking for something that is beyond basic English but without overly complex English that would make it difficult or discouraging to non-native readers.  They are...intermediate and advanced ESL students at a US collegemales and females 18-50 years oldmotivated to continue learning English outside of a formal class.The students aren't sure what they want to read, so I'm going to make a list of possibilities they can research and then choose from.  Maybe you have some suggestions that I can add to the list. Thanks for you ideas! Brenan

Peaceblinkfriend · Accepted Answer

Hi Brenan

I'm a ESL student myself. One of the most interesting books we've read in class is The China Coin by Allan Baillie. He is an Australian writer and this books has won many awards.

This 200-page book doesn't have a lot of complex English because a large part of it is writen through the eyes of a teenage girl who finds herself caught between two different worlds. I've learnt a number of interesting and useful literary techniques through reading this book. It features internal monologues in a very easy-to-grasp way as they are contrasted with other narrative techniques such as third person narration.

http://www.penguin.com.au/lookinside/spotlight.cfm?SBN=9780140347531

http://www.allanbaillie.com.au/china.htm

PBF

Lucille · Answer

Hello Brenan!

Well, I'm an english student and I can suggest you some books that I liked.

My favourite was "The Great Gatsby" of F.S Fitzgerald. I didn't find it very difficult, it has a vocabulary simple to understand. The only problem is that maybe it is a bit long, not very much, but I don't know how long has to be a book for a reading group of summer. Also, with this book, you can do a type of introduction, talking about the "lost generation" and the ideas of that ages. I think the book could interest your students.

I also have another idea. You can choose "The Catcher in the Rye" of J.D.Salinger. I don't know, but maybe this is a very well-known book and they all have read it, but if your students don't know nothing about this book, I think they will like it. This is shorter than the first one, and I think the vocabulary is easily too. I have read this book in spanish so I can't talk about the original one, but I suppose it's easy. With this book, you can do a introduction to the writter, Salinger, because he has a interesting life to study; Salinger life has made Salinger's book. I don't know if you are understanding what I mean, I hope yes.

Well, I have no more ideas now. Maybe I have arrived late and you have started your classes now, but I hope I had helped you a bit.

Bye!

Overmatik · Answer

Well, I'd recommend Lord of the Flies, 1984, Brave New World and any book by Stephen King. They're all interesting and without a complicated vocabulary.

And, of course, a thriller by the King is also great for discussing.

Ideas for a reading group?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions