Learning a second language is hard, but you can make it a little bit easier on yourself if you have the right review books to help you along. The best ESL books are going to be ones that make learning the language as simple as possible, while still giving you the information you need. English is a difficult language to learn, but you absolutely can do it.
We’re going to take a look at nine different books that you can use to learn more about English as a second language. More than that, these books are going to help you feel more confident as you go through your education as well. So, let’s dive into the ESL textbooks for intermediate students and new students we think will help you, whether you’re just getting started or you’re further along in your studying.
If you want to just get back to studying, get our top pick for ESL books here
Last update: 2024-04-26
Our Favorites for Best ESL Books
These are the best book for self-learning English that we think are going to help you out the most. These ones have a whole lot of information, and they dive deep into everything that you need to know. They give you more of an understanding and can help you out wherever you are on your learning.
English for Everyone: Level 1 by DK
If you’re just starting out with English as a second language, you’re definitely going to want to check out English for Everyone. You’ll get the information that you need to get started, including plenty of everyday topics and some basic grammar. In fact, English for Everyone starts you out with a great foundation of grammar, vocab, and plenty of exercises to make sure you know how to apply all of the content in real conversations and situations.
You’ll get a free app and online access to much of the same content, and some additional content as well. With English for Everyone, you’ll also get some further assistance toward the TOEFL, and you can check out the other books in the series to find out more and continue to advance your education. English for Everyone focuses on pictographic methods of teaching the language to make it easier for younger and newer learners.
Why Choose This ESL Book:
- Pictures make it easier for anyone to learn new words
- Prepares you for the TOEFL exam by focusing on all different areas of the English language
What Makes This ESL Book Unique:
- Includes free access to an app as well as online access to more information
- Covers grammar, vocab and provides exercises in one book for easy learning
- DK (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 184 Pages - 06/28/2016 (Publication Date) - DK (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-04-26
Reading, Writing and Learning in ESL: A Resource Book for Teaching K-12 English Learners by Suzanne F. Peregoy & Owen F. Boyle
Designed for those who are teaching ESL, Reading Writing, and Learning in ESL is a great guide to focus on all of the different aspects of the subject. With Reading, Writing, and Learning in ESL, you’ll get advice on various methods to stay motivated and to really involve yourself and your family or friends in learning English. You’ll learn the research, figure out more about how to be engaging, and even learn how to use different methods of learning.
Reading, Writing, and Learning in ESL offers online access that makes it even easier for you to study while you’re on the go and also gives you access to the full text. You’ll get plenty of different activities and writing samples as well as different videos, assessments to gauge your progress and a whole lot more. On top of that, because you’re getting a teacher’s guide, you can help others as you go.
Why Choose This ESL Book:
- Offers learning methods as well as motivational content to keep you wanting to study
- Provides activities and writing samples to help you with learning or to allow you to help others
What Makes This ESL Book Unique:
- Includes online access to the full text so you can study whenever and wherever you want
- Includes videos to focus on more in-depth content and enhance pronunciation
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- F., Peregoy Suzanne (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update: 2024-04-25
The ESL/ELL Teacher’s Survival Guide by Larry Ferlazzo & Katie Hull Sypnieski
You can learn how to teach ESL to students at literally any level with The ESL/ELL Teacher’s Survival Guide. What’s even better about that is you will learn beginner and advanced strategies and content to improve your English skills along the way. On top of that, you’re going to learn about how to make your speech more friendly for ESL learning and how to create your own assessments.
With The ESL/ELL Teacher’s Survival Guide, you’ll actually learn about creating everything from worksheets to lesson plans, which means you can enhance your learning. You can also help others in your family or people you know to learn more about ESL if you’re looking to teach. Overall, with The ESL/ELL Teacher’s Survival Guide, you’re going to discover plenty of tips and techniques that will allow you to practice the material and continue to improve your skills for yourself and others.
Why Choose This ESL Book:
- Offers content on creating lessons and worksheets to enhance practice
- Includes material that can be used for learning at all levels of current knowledge
What Makes This ESL Book Unique:
- Learn how to teach others within your friends, family or elsewhere, which can improve ESL retention
- Offers plenty of resources and information about where to go for additional support and learning
- Ferlazzo, Larry (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 552 Pages - 04/12/2022 (Publication Date) - Jossey-Bass (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-04-25
Runner Ups for Best ESL Books
These are the books that we think are pretty good, but they’re not quite as good. There might still be some of the best advanced English learning books in here. They’re just going to be more focused on specific areas rather than in-depth.
ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar by Mary Ellen Munoz Page & Dr. Steven Michael Gras
With ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar, you’ll get precisely what you would expect. You’ll get advice and assistance in improving your grammar skills through explanations, skill-building exercises, and even help with test-taking. In fact, ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar is designed for students who are non-native speakers and who are currently in high school or college. You’ll be able to focus on different tips and methods for learning, including using the various exercises and even following along with the answer keys.
In ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar, you’ll get explanations that help you understand what you’re learning. You’ll also get a comprehensive glossary that will help you find all of the content that you need. Add in the preparation and skills that you’ll learn for the TOEFL, and you’re going to be even more prepared for anything. All you need to do is go through ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar for yourself, and you’ll learn a great deal or add it to your current course for more help.
Why Choose This ESL Book:
- Focuses on grammar that you will need in order to pass the TOEFL
- Provides assistance to those who are further along in their ESL learning
What Makes This ESL Book Unique:
- Offers explanations for grammar, so you know why different rules apply
- Can be used for self-guided or classroom learning for more versatility
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Munoz Page, Mary Ellen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update: 2024-04-25
Practice Makes Perfect: English Conversation, Premium Third Edition by Jean Yates
For those who want more information about real conversations in English, Practice Makes Perfect is the way to go. You can study a number of different sentences and even interactive dialogue, plus some of the most common phrases. Practice Makes Perfect provides you with audio exercises to make sure that you have a good understanding of the pronunciation related to the terminology. Not only that, but there’s access to an online platform and an app.
If you’re looking for assistance in really mastering the language but have an intermediate basis, then you can use Practice Makes Perfect can really help. You’ll get a continually updated guide that offers excellent information and helps you to learn more about how to speak English just like a native. You’ll also get questions that help you learn more about the grammar required for English.
Why Choose This ESL Book:
- Includes questions to test your understanding of the material and the English language
- Offers audio exercises that help you focus on pronunciation skills
What Makes This ESL Book Unique:
- Includes interactive dialogue and common English phrases to help you speak like a native
- Provides access to online platform and the app
- Yates, Jean (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 192 Pages - 03/25/2020 (Publication Date) - McGraw Hill (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-04-25
Celebrate the American Way: A Fun ESL Guide to English Language & Culture in the US by Sheila MacKechnie Murtha & Jane Alrey O’Connor
One of the most fun aspects about learning a new culture is having some fun with the celebrations. That’s precisely what Celebrate the American Way is all about. Because you’ll learn how to enjoy some of the best traditions and holidays that America has to offer. The key is learning the English language in a way that really highlights the fun of the culture as well.
With Celebrate the American Way, you’ll be able to learn more about all of the special events, why they’re celebrated, how they’re celebrated, and even how to enjoy them yourself. There’s even a quiz included to help you learn more about different terms and plenty of ways to start practicing as well. There’s also an audio system that will allow you to learn more about pronunciation and even listening skills through dialogue.
Why Choose This ESL Book:
- Highlights learning about English from the viewpoint of learning about fun and celebrations to make it entertaining
- Offers audio to teach more about proper pronunciation
What Makes This ESL Book Unique:
- Teaches authentic dialogue through different mediums for easier conversation
- Allows you to learn how to participate and enjoy different American customs and holidays
- Murtha M.A., Sheila MacKechnie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 256 Pages - 09/18/2015 (Publication Date) - Research & Education Association (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-04-25
Value Picks for Best ESL Books
Finally, these are the books that you should take a look at if you’re on a budget. They aren’t bad books at all. They’re great books. They’re just a little less expensive than the others, and they might be a little less in-depth and more focused on specific areas. You might want to look at a few more of them to get the full idea.
This is Me by Elizabeth Claire
This is Me is one way that you can teach even a small child about ESL. In fact, the key is encouraging your children to learn some of the basics about the English language. They’ll learn things like foods, feelings, families, and more through This is Me. What’s even better is that you’ll get alphabet cards and even worksheets that can be taken out to take along with you wherever you want to go.
With This is Me, you’ll get a focus on recognition and formation of words and phrases. Not only that, but you’re going to have sequenced materials that help you build upon your knowledge. You also don’t need to have any understanding of the English language to start because it’s based on teaching smaller children. If you’re just starting out, This is Me is excellent for older users as well.
Why Choose This ESL Book:
- Designed for small children or complete beginners for easy learning
- Focuses on recognition and forming words and phrases from the alphabet
What Makes This ESL Book Unique:
- Provides alphabet cards and worksheets that can be used to study on the go
- Focuses on feelings, foods, families, and other simple concepts for small children.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Claire, Elizabeth (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update: 2024-04-25
Practice Makes Perfect: English Vocabulary for Beginning ESL Learners, Premium Fourth Edition by Jean Yates
Practice Makes Perfect gives you 1,500 of the most common words you might encounter using the English language anywhere. Whether you’re going to use this language at work, at school, or even just wandering around the town, you’re going to have plenty of words to use, and you’ll be able to feel more comfortable speaking in the language as well. Not only that, but you’ll learn terms that relate to clothing, doctors, numbers, ways to converse in daily life, and more.
You’ll get a reference book that actually explains different parts of speech and makes sure that you know how to use them in this new language. With Practice Makes Perfect, you’ll get a total of 200 different exercises that are intended to make it a lot easier for you to converse. But what’s even more important is that you’re going to have a whole lot easier time learning a lot more words in the language when you start. By the time you’re done with Practice Makes Perfect, you’re going to feel great about talking to a native speaker and expressing yourself.
Why Choose This ESL Book:
- Focus on some of the most important words within the English language so you can quickly get by
- Practice with over 200 exercises to help you learn conversational skills
What Makes This ESL Book Unique:
- Provides worksheets and references about parts of speech and ways to create your own sentences
- Works for those who are brand new to learning the English language
- Yates, Jean (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 256 Pages - 11/12/2021 (Publication Date) - McGraw Hill (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-04-25
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation: An Easy-to-Use Guide by Jane Straus & Lester Kaufman, et. Al.
If you need help with grammar and punctuation related to learning your English language, you’re going to want The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. You’ll get easy-to-follow information and a great guide to help you build as you go. With The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation you will learn in a way that’s ideal for younger and older learners as well as something that’s updated frequently. That’s because Straus and Kaufman pay attention to the latest rules.
With The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, you’ll get content that’s geared toward those who are seventh grade and up. If you’re interested in all of the grammar rules that go along with the English language, you’ll be able to learn a great deal more about them here. In fact, you’ll get all of it presented in a straightforward way, so you can easily understand what you’re doing. Not only that, but you’ll have no problem even copying pages out to use however you like.
Why Choose This ESL Book:
- Focuses on grammar and punctuation for English learners
- Continuously updated information to ensure you get the latest grammar rules
What Makes This ESL Book Unique:
- Ideal for middle school students to adults, making it great for more intermediate learners
- Offers an easy-to-follow format to help build upon the information as you go along
- Kaufman, Lester (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 242 Pages - 05/04/2021 (Publication Date) - Jossey-Bass Inc Pub (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-04-25
How to Choose the Best ESL Books for You
Let’s take a look at what you need to know to choose the right ESL books for you. You’re going to want the option to pick up more than just the books we’ve talked about, after all. So, these are things you should be looking at when you choose that next book.
1. How knowledgeable are you? Where are you in learning ESL? Have you only just started? Have you been studying for a while? You want to get a book that’s geared toward whatever level you’re currently at. A beginner book is definitely not going to work if you’re advanced in the subject. But you don’t want a book that’s too advanced for you either.
2. How do you study? Do you want a book that just gives you words and their meaning? Do you want a book that’s more like a textbook to walk you through everything? These are different ways that different people learn, but it’s going to help you get a book that you actually like.
3. Are you taking a class? If you’re taking a class, you might want to get a supplemental book that will go along with what you’re learning. Your teacher might be able to help you find an excellent supplement to the textbook, for example. If you’re not taking a class, you may want a coursebook anyway that can help you along.
Wrapping Things Up: The Best ESL Books
We’ve gone over a lot today. Here’s a helpful table to consolidate every ESL books we went over:
Last update: 2024-04-26
If you’re looking for the absolute best books to learn ESL, you’ll want to take a closer look at each of these.
Our top book, out of the favorites section, is English for Everyone. This book gives you some fun and also makes it easy even for the earliest users.
Out of our runners up, we definitely recommend ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar, which will give you all of the information that you need about typical English grammar.
Finally, our value pick is This is Me. It offers a workbook style that is great for beginning learners and younger individuals.
Did you find this helpful? You may also enjoy our guide to the best reading book lists here:
> Best English Vocabulary Books
