English is a global language. English is a very common language all around the world. Be you student, worker, or visitor, good English gives confidence to you. But this language is not easy to learn. It seems like a huge amount of work. Most of the students have a universal question. That is: What is the best book to improve English?
The truth is, there is no book for everyone. Various books cover different aspects. Some cover grammar, and others cover vocabulary and practice speaking. Your book of choice would vary with your level, reason, and learning style.
In this blog post, we will explain some of the best English learning books, how they can help you, and how you can apply them to your daily life.
Why Books Are Needed for English Learning
Books are best to acquire a language. They give you systematic information, practice exercises, and examples. As compared to random videos or brief courses on the web, books are written by specialists who give content step by step.
There are few advantages due to which books are helpful:
- They teach rules of grammar in complete detail.
- They give you practice exercises.
- They give you vocabulary with meanings and examples.
- They improve reading skill and comprehension.
- They provide reference material in the long term.
How to Choose the Best BookÂ
It may not be feasible that every book is the best for you. Ask the following questions before a choice is made:
- What is my current level of English?
- Do I need help with grammar, vocabulary, speaking, or all three?
- Do I prefer simple explanations or academic elaborate material?
- Do I need exercises and activities or theory alone?
Choosing a great book saves you from frustration and boredom.
Best English Improvement Books
Following are some of the best and most suggested books for English improvement:
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
This is one of the best vocabulary builder books. It will teach you where the words originated and lead you to word families. It’s easy, practical, and fun. If you happen to need to do some spelling and vocabulary drills. Then this is a good place to begin.
English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy
This is the English Grammar Bible for students. It describes rules of grammar simply with examples. It also contains exercises at the end of every chapter, so it is perfect for self-study.
Essential English Grammar by Murphy
This is the first-time English Grammar in Use. It is extremely easy to read and perfect for students who are learning English Grammar for the first time.
Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar and Composition
A time-tested grammar textbook with coverage of grammar, composition, and writing. The description is old-fashioned, but it’s a good method to establish a good foundation.
Rapidex English Speaking Course
It is one of those books for students who want to become proficient in speaking English as native as one can. It consists of dialogues, everyday use sentences, and drills. It’s very trendy among South Asians.
Practice Makes Perfect: English Grammar for ESL Learners by Ed Swick
This book consists of short explanations on grammar and practice. It is dedicated to non-native speakers and provides step-by-step building confidence.
William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White’s The Elements of Style
A short but powerful writing guide. It helps with sentence building, clarity, and style. It is advanced but is perfect for students who want to write at a professional level.
Fluent English: Perfect Natural Speech by Barbara Raifsnider
Most suitable for students who want to sound more natural. It drills on idioms, and phrasal verbs. Also on how the native speakers actually speak.
English Idioms in Use by Michael McCarthy and Felicity O’Dell
Idioms are the key to fluency. This book analyzes idioms through example sentences. It assists in making the learner sound natural when they speak.
Children’s Story Books (e.g. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White or Matilda by Roald Dahl)
Children’s books are great for beginners. They have simple words, short sentences, and interesting stories.
Making the Most of Books
It is not enough to buy a book. You must use it appropriately. Some principles are:
- Read one chapter a day, and do not read hastily.
- Do all the exercises, not just read them.
- Revise regularly.
- Make your own sentences from new words.
- Synthesize book learning with spoken practice.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Fortunately, most students make the mistake of studying from books. Some of the common ones to avoid are:
- Practice without repeating rules.
- Using a book that is above your level of difficulty.
- Not revising older lessons.
- Using only one book for all.
- Perks of English Learning through Books
- Books offer systematic learning.
- They enhance vocabulary, grammar, and speech.
- They offer long-term practice material.
- They increase confidence during exam writing, interviews, and speaking.
- They offer discipline and focus to students.
Questions and Answers on Best Book to Improve English
What is the best book for beginners to learn English?
For a start, Murphy’s Essential English Grammar or children’s books like Matilda would suffice.
What is the most appropriate book for acquiring vocabulary?
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis is the ideal book for vocabulary.
What is the most appropriate book for speaking English naturally?
Rapidex English Speaking Course and Fluent English are easy to speak.
Can English be learned from novels?
Yes, books like The Alchemist or Harry Potter are okay for vocabulary and natural sentence formation.
How fast will I improve using books?
If you practice every day. Then you will see the result in a couple of months.
Last Thoughts
There is no single book to which you must study English in order to get better. It depends on your level and requirement. If you require grammar, use English Grammar in Use. If it’s vocabulary, start with Word Power Made Easy. To speak, use the Rapidex English Speaking Course.
Remember, too much practice won’t help you unless you don’t practice too. Practice sentence writing, and read every day. Practice speaking with others. Consistency is the key to improvement.
Choose a book today, and read it line by line. Then take it as your best friend while learning. With passage of time, you will realize that your vocabulary is expanding. Your grammar has become simple, and English is as natural as it is meant to be.