There is a myth that only English experts can read books in the original. But today you will be convinced that even a beginner is able to master a literary work and understand its meaning (especially if these are adapted books in English for beginners). In addition, you can always click on an unfamiliar word and see its translation.
Why is it so important to read books at a beginner level?
>- First, reading books guarantees a deeper immersion in the language than texts from textbooks.
- Secondly, this is a huge plus for self-esteem and motivation, which is very important for further language learning.
- And finally, this is one of the easiest and most interesting activities if the appropriate literature is selected.
That's why we found it for you the best adapted versions of foreign works(just follow the links). All books have been rewritten by professional linguists and significantly shortened: the average volume of a simplified version is approximately 10-20 pages, which is quite possible to read in one evening.
A story about the friendship of two smart mice from France and Great Britain, concerned about the fate of Shakespeare's cultural heritage. This book often uses direct speech, which means that in the future you will not have problems with spoken English.
by Mark Twain (beginner - 7 pages)>It's hard to find someone who hasn't heard about the exciting adventures of Tom Sawyer. And reading about them in the original is even more fun. The vocabulary of the story is suitable even for those who “yesterday” started learning English. |
by Sally M. Stockton (elementary - 6 pages)>An ageless story about a brave archer who fights for justice. After reading the book, you can watch one of the many film adaptations. |
by Andrew Mathews (elementary - 6 pages)>A wonderful story about a teenage girl, Susie, living in the shadow of her more attractive friend Donna. Susie hates her freckles and thinks they make her look ugly. Find out how the story ends and whether Susie's attitude towards herself will change. |
by John Escott (elementary - 8 pages)>There was also room in our selection for a ghost story. The author has a very vivid narrative style, so it is difficult to tear yourself away from the story. This means you can easily master 8 pages in one go. |
by Mark Twain (elementary - 9 pages)>Another work by Mark Twain in our selection will delight you with the story of Huckleberry Finn. A great chance to remember your childhood. The adapted version of this children's book is a real find for a beginner! |
More than ten pages - success! Simple books in English for beginners
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by Peter Benchley (elementary - 12 pages)>An adapted version of the famous “Jaws” - a novel about a great white shark attacking vacationers in a resort town (brrr, horror!). Due to the long common sentences, the book may seem difficult for elementary level, but we believe that 12 pages will not be a problem for you. |
Hercules Serpents Shadows by Timothy Boggs (elementary - 13 pages)>If you like the myths of Ancient Greece and stories about heroic deeds, then the story of Hercules is on our list especially for you. Get ready to expand your vocabulary with a couple dozen epic words. |
by Lewis Carroll (elementary - 13 pages)>A wonderful opportunity to once again find yourself in Wonderland and learn the names of the heroes in English. The book is read very quickly and easily - tested from my own experience in elementary school. |
by Jack London (elementary - 15 pages)>A heart-warming story about a dog's life during the Gold Rush. The book focuses on the relationship between humans and animals. In my opinion, this work is one of the best in our selection in terms of plot and writing style. |
by Roger Lancelyn Green (elementary - 16 pages)>A great opportunity to get acquainted with the exploits of King Arthur and the famous knights of the round table. Welcome to the English Middle Ages. |
For those who are serious. Reading books in English for beginners
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The second story by Arthur Conan Doyle, dedicated to the investigations of Sherlock Holmes. The simplified version of the work perfectly preserves the beauty of the narrative and the mystery of this detective story. |
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by Elizabeth Gaskell (pre-intermediate - 51 pages)>The novel North and South describes the confrontation between factory owners and aristocrats during the Industrial Revolution in England. The book will appeal not only to fans of romantic classics performed by Jane Austen, but also to those who like historical works. |
Books in English with translation for beginners
>This article will help everyone who wants or has been trying to learn English and more. I have made a selection of various applications, courses and programs for learning English which I used myself. They can be used both on the road and at home, on a mobile phone or netbook. If you cannot decide on the required course, then leave comments with questions below, I will definitely answer and help you with your choice. So let's get started.
Duolingo: Learn languages for free
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"Undoubtedly the best free language learning app." -The Wall Street Journal
Description
>Rosetta Stone Course and Totale Copanion (mobile versions from Rosetta Stone on Android OS)
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Now you can practice learning a language with Rosetta Stone on devices with Android OS. If you need an analogue of the PC version, which is described above, then your choice is Rosetta Stone Course. Just register and you can get access to free lessons. Not to be confused with Totale Companion, as it is a specialized application that will also help you learn a new language when you are on the go or away from your computer. The application is free, but only subscribers of the Totale course can use it, which is a huge disadvantage of the application, for the entire duration of their subscription. The full version of Rosetta Stone Course is paid, but there are also free lessons for several languages. If you are interested in this program, then look for it in the Play Market.
English according to Dr. Pimsleur's method for Russian speakers (90 lessons, full course). Audiolingual course from Paul Pimsleur
Year of issue: 2005
Dr. Paul Pimsleur
Course type: audiolingual
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: mp3
Course Description:
You don't need any tutorials! There is no need to cram anything! The basis of the course is the perception of English speech and pronouncing phrases out loud. Dr. Pimsleur's language programs are the only form of language learning that includes an original, patented memory training technique that ensures you remember what you learn. The course was created specifically for Russian speakers learning English. It consists of 90 lessons recorded in mp3 format. You hear explanations and comments about what you are studying in the course in Russian, and the speech is in American English.
ABBYY Lingvo Dictionaries
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- Year of issue: 2012
- Genre: Dictionaries
- Developer: ABBYY® Lingvo®
- Interface language: Multilingual
- Platform: Android 2.2+
- Interface: Russian
- Additionally: The program supports installation on SD (OS 2.2 and higher)
- Installer type: apk
Description. Perhaps the most popular dictionary for mobile devices based on the Android operating system and not only. The application provides fast and accurate translation of words and phrases without an Internet connection. It is worth noting the application’s ability to search for translations of words and phrases in several dictionaries at once, as well as high-quality content from the world’s leading publishers. With this dictionary you will have access to more than 250 translation, explanatory and thematic dictionaries for 30 languages, from which the user can easily create a vocabulary set to solve their problems. The most necessary thing for us is translation from Russian and back: Russian - English, plus Spanish, Italian, Latin, German and French. Thanks to the functionality of ABBYY Lingvo for Android, it will become an indispensable assistant when traveling, studying or at a business meeting. Thematic dictionaries are available for purchase from the application. These dictionaries will allow you to find a more accurate translation of words and phrases, as well as obtain additional information: other translation options, transcriptions, synonyms, examples of use and correct pronunciation from native speakers.
Key features:
- Detailed vocabulary material with many meanings, examples of word usage and tables with word forms
- Pronunciation of words, voiced by native speakers (in terms of dictionaries)
- A single vocabulary card with articles from several dictionaries
- Hints when searching for a word or phrase
- Search for words in any grammatical form
- Quick translation of words from the clipboard
Installation:
Move the “Lingvo” folder from the archive to the ABBYY folder on the phone’s internal memory (sdcard0) and install the *apk file through your device’s file managers.
“Harry Potter” in English is not very easy to read, but it is much more interesting than in Russian. There is nothing to say about “Alice in Wonderland”: no matter how many talented translations there are, all the puns can only be fully appreciated in the original. In general, reading in English is correct and useful. And we will help you choose a book that suits your level, so that it is also enjoyable.
In contact with
The more that you know, the more places you’ll go.
Dr. Seuss
Any English-speaking child will confirm: Dr. Seuss will not give bad advice. If you love to read, but are afraid to start with a long and full-length English novel, don't worry. Publishing houses publish adapted books in English specifically for educational purposes: for beginners, for intermediate levels, and so on. Yes, you will get a full idea of the work of fiction a little later, but you can congratulate yourself on the first English book you read already starting at the Elementary level!
1. Reading in English increases your vocabulary
>Reading in a foreign language enriches our vocabulary, even if we ourselves do not realize it. Of course, in order for new vocabulary to be absorbed more effectively, it is better to read a book, writing down unfamiliar words and memorizing their translation. When choosing books to read, be guided by your learning goals: if you need spoken language, pay attention to modern “light” prose, but if you want to master special vocabulary, the most obvious advice is to read literature from your area of professional interests.
2. Reading improves spelling
>English spelling is full of mysteries and surprises. The spelling of many words defies logic: you just have to memorize them. And the best way to do this is to read more English-language literature so that the images of words are stored in memory.
3. Reading broadens your horizons
>E-books and blogs, news sites and social media feeds: reading in the twenty-first century has reached a new level. A single information space makes it possible to learn about what is happening in the most remote corners of the world and to become familiar with the world’s cultural and scientific heritage.
4. Reading in the original language increases self-esteem
>Listen to how you feel when you finish the last page of your first English novel: a wonderful feeling. “She reads Orwell in the original” - sounds proud! Any psychologist will tell you: motivation is important when performing any task. So don’t miss an opportunity to praise yourself once again, this one is not superfluous at all! :)
How to choose a book to read
>- Select adapted books in English for your level (see the list of recommended books for levels A2-C1 later in the article).
- Choose works according to your strengths: start with short stories, gradually moving on to larger literary forms.
- The more exciting the learning, the more effective it is: try to find books that are interesting to you. Detectives, thrillers, mysticism, or any other topic that awakens your imagination and makes you read the book to the end are suitable.
Children's books in English
>If you only know a few hundred words in English, pay attention to children's literature: many children's books are also interesting for adults. In addition, children's literature, as a rule, is generously supplied with illustrations, which helps to understand the plot.
Interesting fact: the famous children's writer Dr. Seuss, who was discussed earlier in our article, wrote his best book The Cat in the Hat(“The Cat in the Hat”), using only 220 words. This list of children's first words was compiled by the publisher, obliging the author to use them in his work: everything to earn the love of the target audience!
Free English-language children's books can be found on the Internet. For example, on the KidsWorldFun resource.
Comics in English
>Like children's literature, comics are a great way to start reading in an unfamiliar language. There are a great many genres of comics: there are comics for children, for adults, entertaining and educational.
Film scripts in English
>One of the proven and effective methods of mastering a new language, recommended by many polyglots, is to read books in the target language that are already familiar in translation. The same applies to film adaptations: it is useful to read the scripts of the films you have watched. Advantages: the context is known, the plot is clear, you can guess the meaning of new words as the story progresses.
Books in English about personal development and professional literature
>By reading them, you kill two birds with one stone: you study vocabulary that is relevant to you in English and learn new things on a topic that is important to you. If you are keenly interested in something, why not read about it in English? Another advantage of such literature: it is easier to read than fiction novels. The style is simpler, the vocabulary is limited to the topic under consideration.
3 “life hacks” for beginning readers of English literature
>You don't have to understand every word
>Сontext is king(context is king)! If you have grasped the main idea of the story, that is quite enough. Moreover, if you understand everything you read, most likely you took a book of too low a level for yourself. Try to find books where about 70% of the vocabulary will be familiar (the rest will have to be written out and learned).
Read aloud in English
>It may seem strange, but reading has proven itself to be excellent in improving pronunciation and listening comprehension - if it is read aloud. By reading aloud, you tune in to the sounds of the language you are learning. However, it is important to work on pronunciation in addition to reading, otherwise the incorrectly “guessed” pronunciation of a particular word can annoy you for years later.
Listen to audiobooks when reading English
>When learning English, in which the same combination of letters can be pronounced in a dozen different ways, it is very important to pay attention to the correct pronunciation of new words. We have already written about the format: when reading an English book, you listen to its audio version, voiced by native English speakers. Very convenient for learning pronunciation!
Books adapted for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of English (A2-C1)
>Level A2 - pre-threshold level (waystage level, elementary level)
The Fisherman and His Soul>Oscar Wilde Level: elementary A poignant romantic tale about the mad love of a dolphin fisherman and a mermaid. Download audiobook: mp3 (8 files, 52 minutes, 48 Mb) |
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Dracula>Bram Stoker Level: elementary A chilling story about eternal love and eternal damnation: that's where all the vampire sagas of our time come from. |
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The Million Pound Bank Note>Mark Twain Level: elementary A witty and instructive story about the exploits of a poor man with a million pound note in his pocket. Download audiobook: mp3 (8 files, 30 minutes, 28 Mb) |
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Mr. Bean is in town - Mr. Bean In Town>Level: elementary Mr. Bean will always find adventures for his wild little head! The eccentric eccentric continues to surprise and make the reader laugh. Download audiobook: mp3 (2 files, 31 minutes, 30 Mb) |
Level B1 - threshold or intermediate level
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The Picture of Dorian Gray>Oscar Wilde Level: average What is more important, the beauty of the face or the beauty of the soul? An incredible story about a beautiful mask and the terrible essence of a person. Mr. Gray, weren't you the prototype for the hero of Fifty Shades of Gray?.. |
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Appointment With Death>Agatha Christie Level: average Christie, Poirot, detective. A must read! |
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Forrest Gump>John Escott Level: average A book about a man whose fate makes you believe in the impossible. |
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Three Men In a Boat>Jerome K. Jerome Level: average Three cheerful friends decided to go on a trip. What came of it - read in the original. |
Intermediate level of English (intermediate, B1-B2)
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button>Francis Scott Fitzgerald Level: average A fantastic story about a man who “lived in reverse.” But you've probably already seen the movie?.. |
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George Orwell Level: average A landmark work of English literature that should definitely be included in the reading arsenal of every modern person. So that you don’t have to blush in polite society. |
Gladiator>Dewey Gram Level: average This book will tell about the difficult fate of the Roman gladiator. That's who had a really difficult job! |
Four Weddings and a Funeral - Four Weddings and a Funeral>Richard Curtis Level: average The best way to understand the culture of a people is to study their customs. A funny, touching, slightly frivolous book by Richard Curtis tells about the love between a British man and an American against the backdrop of four weddings and, alas, one funeral. Is there hope for a happy ending? Read about it for yourself. Screen adaptation: |
However, it is worth warning that no textbook will help you learn grammar without effort and a lot of practice. And practice consists not only of completing tests and exercises, but also of watching videos, reading books and oral communication, during which you will encounter real cases of the functioning of grammatical rules. Otherwise, after working through even the best English textbooks, you will only learn to insert the necessary grammatical tense in exercises, but in speech you will continue to use it incorrectly, since you will not have the skill of applying theory in practice.
In any case, you can’t go anywhere without a theoretical basis, so we present to your attention grammar textbooks by Russian and English authors.
1. Betty S. Azar, Stacy A. Hagen Fundamentals of English Grammar and Understanding and using English Grammar.
Fundamentals of English Grammar:
Understanding and using English Grammar.
Publisher: Pearson Longman
Format: PDF + MP3
Audio bitrate: 64 kbps
Download for free: Understanding and using English Grammar. (Students" Book, workbook, Audio accompaniment to the book):
These manuals are more suitable for students of American English. The first textbook is intended for students of English with a level low intermediate – intermediate, and the second is suitable for more advanced people with a level from intermediate and higher. The advantage of these textbooks is that in addition to theoretical material, the authors present many real examples of the use of all structures. To practice, of course, there are exercises, tasks for self-control and tables with systematized material. These manuals are ideal for self-study, but do not try to take them on if you have just mastered the basics of English.
2. Round-Up - another series of 6 textbooks from an English publishing house, which are recommended for use for classes with a teacher. But if you buy a teacher’s book with keys to the assignments, you can study them yourself. These textbooks are suitable for all ages (the first ones are even for children, since they have illustrations). Each textbook is divided into 15-20 lessons with theory, examples and exercises, and after every 5 lessons you will find a small test to test what you have learned.
Download free English textbooks
>New Round Up 0 Starter (SB + audio, TB):
New Round-Up Starter CD-Rom (EXE):
New Round Up 1 (Student's Book (+audio), Teacher's Book, CD-ROM):
New Round Up 2 (Student's Book (+audio), Teacher's Book, CD-ROM):
New Round Up 3 (Student's Book (+audio), Teacher's Book (+audio), CD-ROM):
New Round Up 4 (Student's Book (+audio), Teacher's Book, CD-ROM):
New Round Up 5 (Student's Book (+audio), Teacher's Book, CD-ROM):
New Round Up 6 (Student's Book (+audio), Teacher's Book, CD-ROM):
3. Among the textbooks for studying grammar, it is necessary to highlight the now iconic English Grammar in Use. This series contains textbooks for both beginners and advanced English learners. Advanced. Each textbook contains 136 lessons devoted to specific grammatical topics. This allows you not to go through all the topics in a row, but to address only those that cause difficulties. Although the textbook is written in English, all the explanations are very accessible, and clear, good examples help you quickly remember the information. It is worth noting that the lexical component of these books becomes more complex along with the grammar, which will help you kill two birds with one stone.
Download the textbook English Grammar in Use 4-edition (2012)
>CD-ROM:
4. Series Oxford Practice Grammar similar to the previous one in structure. The textbooks are also divided into levels, each with more than 100 lessons, with 10-12 lessons followed by a test. The theory is explained in sufficient detail; at the end of the textbook there are answers and tables with irregular verbs, features of word formation and much more.
Download free Oxford English Grammar Course
>Intermediate with answers (Practice book + Pronunciation CD):
Advanced:
5. The British illustrated series Grammarway is still popular, despite the fact that it was released back in the nineties. The grammar rules are given here as standard, but the compilers spent a lot of time on the exercises. The practical part of each of the 12-20 lessons takes up several pages. In addition, tasks are given not after a whole theoretical block, but after each rule. Which, you see, is very convenient.
Download the Grammarway book series for free
>6. Without Michael Swan and Catherine Walter's The Good Grammar Book, our collection of the best authentic textbooks for learning English grammar would be incomplete. All benefits are divided into levels. Each textbook contains 21 sections, starting with a test (to identify your weak areas, which you should spend more time on). Grammar material is presented in small portions followed by a series of exercises to consolidate the theory.
Here you can download free programs for learning English. Programs for learning grammar, memorizing words, etc.
Computer programs
>Memorizing words
>A program for memorizing English words using associative pictures.
WordsTeacher 1.0
>The WordsTeacher program is designed for learning foreign words, phrases, short expressions, without interrupting the process of working on the computer.
Association 1.0
>A program for memorizing foreign words using the method of phonetic associations. Allows you to easily find associative keys to foreign words using a dictionary of 90,000 words of the Russian language.
BX Language acquisition
>The BX Language acquisition program is designed for learning foreign words.
English Grammar
>Another great program for learning English grammar. Thanks to the presence of a Russian thematic index, the textbook will not only teach you to understand English, but will also help you express your thoughts in English.
ETrainer 4800
>Trainer-examiner of English language skills. Tasks for translating sentences are given and a grade is given. You can set the number of tasks in the exam, limit the thinking time, and also keep a detailed protocol.
ETrainer 5000
>Mini version. Trainer-examiner of English language skills. Tasks for translating sentences are given and a grade is given. You can set the number of tasks in the exam, limit the thinking time, and also keep a detailed protocol.
FVords 1.11.22
>Program for students of English and German: Longman tips, tests, dictionaries for originals, parallel texts, prompter mode, settings, search, printing, statistics and much more.
The “download” link is a distribution package of the program without a database (the necessary databases will need to be downloaded separately. By the way, the program databases are constantly being updated.
Grammar
>A program for learning English grammar. The grammar in it is given using examples from the spoken language, which significantly expands the student’s vocabulary. The abundance of examples and illustrations for them helps to remember and better understand certain grammatical structures.
Repeng - English Tutor
>A program for training your vocabulary. Working with the program is carried out by selecting the correct translation option from several proposed ones.
Word Translation Trainer WTT 1.15
>Designed for learning the spelling of words in English. Testing is carried out in both directions using statistics on the success of the translation of a particular word.
Sentence Exerciser
>You can really improve your English level by solving many different grammar problems.
Android Applications
>English with Lingualeo
>Free English classes
- Suitable for any level of language proficiency
- Practical exercises
- Thematic courses
- English language practice: text, audio and video materials
- Possibility of learning English offline
- Automatic synchronization with the web version of the service
- Prompt technical support
Develop your listening comprehension of English, expand your vocabulary, improve your reading and writing skills in one application! Useful for those who know the alphabet and basic vocabulary.
The Teacher Method is a program for sequential learning of English: from beginner to advanced. Watch and listen to the teachers' explanations, take training after each lesson and an exam after each topic.
The app includes over 200 spoken English lessons, which includes the following:
Listening to improve your listening comprehension
- Questions to help you understand English better
- Conversation practice feature to improve your speaking
- Conversation recording tool to track your progress
Polyglot is a simple and fast way to learn English.
In just a few minutes a day you will learn how to write sentences in English.
We have specially optimized the lessons for mobile devices. Information is given in a compressed form, then, through repeated repetition, it is consolidated in memory.
In a short time, you will learn how to correctly construct simple expressions in English, and without noticing it, you will learn many new English words.
