Summer’s (nearly) here and the time is (nearly) right, for dancing in the street! After what’s been a challenging year in so many ways, teachers and students alike are looking forward to a well-earned summer break. But before we dismiss our class, we might set them a task or two to keep up their English: summer’s long over here! Last year I wrote a post with ten top tips for summer activities. In the coming weeks, my colleague Anita Derecskei will be looking at getting our students working autonomously on their writing and speaking and then grammar and vocabulary. But today, I’d like to suggest that classic summer activity: reading a book. And I’d like to share five of my favourite stories to suit different tastes and levels. But this is just the tip of the iceberg – click here to see more!
-
The Twits
This Roald Dahl classic is one of my son’s favourite books, I must have read it to him a dozen times, I never get bored of it and neither does he. It’s hilariously funny and The Twits are deliciously evil! Imagine putting a ‘Skillywiggler’ in your wife’s bed and telling her ‘It’s got teeth like screwdrivers!’ We repeat this line every time we see a big insect in the countryside. Give it a go with your young learners: you won’t regret it!
2. Sherlock Holmes Short Stories
Six short stories for your B2 learners: one for each day at the beach?! Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation, has really stood the test of time and is probably the world’s most famous detective. Our students might recognise him from recent film adaptations, or the Netflix film about his sister (watch it, it’s really good!). How about giving the books a go?
3. Gulliver’s Travels
This timeless classic about an adventurer and the tiny Liliputians is over 150 years old but its message that different cultures can learn from each other is very relevant today. This adaptation is a great way to bring your learners into Jonathan Swift’s fascinating world. Find out more here.
4. 1984
I must say that I do have a bit of a penchant for dystopian societies in both novels and films! And 1984 is arguably THE dystopian novel. It is absolutely gripping and the harrowing ending will have your intermediate students on the edge of their deckchairs.
5. Pride and Prejudice
One of the most famous novels in English literature with arguably the most famous opening line: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” But Jane Austen gets us challenging ‘universally acknowledged truths’ is a book that shows us not to jump to conclusions. And a very funny book at that!
So, those are my five beach recommendations for you and your students. Do any of them take your fancy? Happy Reading and have a great summer! 🙂
To have a look at more readers, click here
For more ideas for summer activities click here and here
