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Books, Books Lovely Books

It’s World Book Day. I’ve got my daughter off to school dressed up as her favourite book character, and I’m now thinking about World Book Day in relation to our language school.
Specifically, the different ways we use books for learning English. 
 

At Blue Noun, books are an integral part of our language guest’s English immersion experience.

We teach mostly through conversation, but the written word is our trusty backup.

Of course, we need our preferred dedicated language books to check grammatical oddities (the last one was the rules for when to say ‘eldest and when to use oldest’), and ELT course books. 

Our Language School Library

However, more importantly, we also need a vast array of books in our reading library.

All our language guests can help themselves and also come read within our space by day, evening and weekend.


Topics

We have non-fiction books on most subjects, but particularly Travel, Scotland, Art, Design, Fashion, Ecology, Business/Management and Autobiographies.

We have many and varied fiction books for learning English and a burgeoning collection of work by contemporary Scottish authors.

 

Books are an integral part of our hub vibe. We love sharing books, culture and conversation.
Mostly because there’s nothing better than falling in love with a book.  
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Books for Learning English in Scotland

So this World Book Day, let’s celebrate books by giving you a peek into the Blue Noun English Language School library.

Let me show you just some of the books we use books for English learning.
 
Books for Learning English Jenna McDonald workshop

A creative film sketch of Blue Noun’s non-fiction book collection with overlaid sound collage. Made for World Book Day. 

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It’s Personal

Our fiction books are chosen to include some English literature classics, to showcase some Scottish authors who we admire and to provide a range of accessible but interesting and entertaining stories – which even includes young person’s fiction (these too can be great stories, but have reliably simpler language).

 

We love matching a good book to an English language learner, and if we don’t already have it, we’ll buy it for them.
Books for Learning English Instagram post

Instagram post from former student Annalisa

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Tips for Using Books for Language Learning

If you are learning a language, reading is a wonderful way to keep improving your vocabulary, grammar and comfort within a language.

Chose a book which you would find addictive in your own language – for this reason, lots of people chose J.K. Rowling‘s Harry Potter, as you just want to keep reading – it’s a ‘page-turner’.

While some people plough through it with a dictionary, conjugating every verb as they go, others (my camp) just try to forget that they are reading something ‘other’ and sink into the story.

If the book is matched at the right level, it is amazing how quickly you surrender completely to the new experience.

Treat Yourself

I often recommend books within the ‘chick-lit‘ category too. Not only do they have great storylines (in a boy meets girl kind of way), they are packed with typical conversational language, everyday terminology and contemporary cultural references.

Life Changing Moments  

We’ve all got books which have changed our lives, and it’s hard not to try to share them. For example, one of my favourite teaching book is:

I Thought My Father Was God

I Thought My Father Was God, a NPR Story Project compiled by Paul Auster.
 

This is an anthology of true-life stories, written by Americans answering an NPR short story project request. They are mostly short, vivid narratives that give very complete glimpses of a fragment of peoples lives – times of passion, grief, heartbreak or wonder.

Perhaps I like it so much because I lived in America for three years, but reading this book is to realise that physical travel is only one way to discover a country and its people: a book like this can get you into places (and minds) you would never ordinarily find.

Each story is short, sweet and thought-provoking: perfect for including into  English class, then discussing.

Books for Learning English I THought My Father Was God Book Cover

 

“It’s really important to us that all our language guests can help themselves to these books, and come read within our space by day, evening and weekend. We’ve even got cosy blankets!

Ruth, 2019

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Our Non-Fiction Books for English Learners  

Here are some gems from our non-fiction reading library. They are each very specialist interest, but for the right person, a fabulous find.

We try to have something for everyone on our shelves.
Books for Learning English fiction Blue Noun English School

Non-fiction from the Blue Noun Language Hub book library.

 

I often recommend books within the ‘chick-lit‘ category too. Not only do they have great storylines (in a boy meets girl kind of way), they are packed with typical conversational language, everyday terminology and contemporary cultural references.

Ruth, 2019

Recommended Books for English Learning | Fiction

Our English language guests help themselves to our fiction library.

There may be some unexpected things in it, such as the complete series of Andy Stanton‘s Mr Gum books. (These are there because they are hilarious and great to read out loud).

We have numerous copies of Mark Haddon‘s, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
It is by far our most recommended book for English learners – because of its fairly simple language narrating a story of powerful human interest with a fairly classic much-loved murder mystery format.
Books for Learning English fiction Blue Noun English School

Fiction from the Blue Noun Language Hub book library

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Curl Up With a Book!

Most of our English-learning guests have been book lovers.

 

We have a reading area at Blue Noun Language Hub with comfy sofas and chairs.

Because our language guests are welcome to hang out in our space from 7 am to 10 pm, it’s a great place to spend time, enjoy a coffee (or a whisky) with your nose in a book. 

We often work with English learners from creative industries, so our library is quite full of interesting art books. 
We are always keen to match our clients’ interests (and personalities) with new ways of learning – and we really couldn’t do it so well without so many books! 
 
Live language learning!
English Language School Library Books for Learning English

The Blue Noun Language Hub Reading Area, 2020

Find out more about Paul Auster’s anthology here.

 

 

More for Bibliophiles

We hope you’ve enjoyed us sharing our love of books with you.

You might like to glance at some Scottish poetry – and pick up some tips for English learners while you’re at it.

3 Tips for English learners in Scotland | Learn English and Scottish Culture

 

Your English Language Challenge

 

Tell us about how you consume books. Where do you buy them? When do you read them? How do you choose them? How do you read them? What are the taboos? What would you never do? 

Lend and borrow are often confused by English language learners. Remember lend (give) & borrow (receive).

Use lend and borrow in your answer

 

How do you read yours?

As usual, if you want us to correct any sentences, just write CP (correct please at the end of your comment).