Best English textbooks for beginners

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15 November 2024

English-learners

Oleksandra Kulish

Book expert

Any professional in their field knows very well how important it is to speak English if you want to continue to develop as a specialist. It is an international language that opens up a lot of opportunities for education, professional networking, expanding your activities and finding new clients. In general, English is the language of modern culture and multimedia, so for comfortable social interaction today you need at least a basic level of proficiency.

If your goal is to learn English as quickly and effectively as possible, this text is for you. Here we will tell you about the most popular and proven educational literature, which will allow you to choose the best English textbook for beginners.

Best English textbooks for beginners: review and recommendations

Many people think that textbooks for elementary level English plus or minus are all the same and with no or very basic knowledge, they can use any of them. This is not quite true. The point is that different textbooks are designed for different forms of language learning. Some are for independent learning, while others are for studying with a teacher, in a group, etc. Besides, there are Russian textbooks and American or British textbooks, where all explanations are in English, and this can sometimes make the level of initial knowledge required to use it different.

Firstly, decide how you are going to learn the language. If you are learning the language on your own, you should choose a single piece of literature; if you are studying in a group or with a teacher, you are likely to be recommended something specific. For people with zero level of English, it is better to start with the most basic English textbooks, YouTube videos or primitive mobile applications, which will collect basic vocabulary and describe the basics of grammar. We will not dwell on the latter category today, as this educational material is quite unified and freely available.

What is the best textbook to start learning English with

The choice of a textbook for beginners does not depend primarily on the language level of the student, but on his/her age and purpose, as this will influence the presentation of the material. For example, in books for children the material will be presented in a more playful way, while in reference books for adults it will be more intensive presentation of information and vocabulary on necessary topics (everyday communication, travelling, etc.). On this basis, let us divide all literature into adult and children's books.

English textbooks for adult beginners

Here are three English textbooks for adult beginners that you won't go wrong by picking up:

English for Everyone (Dorling Kindersley).

One of the most popular and useful textbooks for beginning adults. It is perfect for self-study. There are many different exercises, as well as very detailed step-by-step explanations of grammar rules. If you are looking for a basic textbook, this one is a great choice.

Roadmap Student's book (Liz and John Soars).

In this manual, which consists of books for different levels of English, you will find a wide variety of both vocabulary and grammar exercises to improve your spoken English. The structure of the lessons is very well worked out, so you can simply follow the scientific plan made by the book, and it will offer you tasks for repetition and consolidation of the material. All the assignments are very interesting and quite relaxed, which makes learning easy and fun.

Speak Out Starter (Pearson Education).

This textbook is more oriented towards developing conversational skills. The materials present real-life situations and provide the basic grammar and vocabulary needed for communication. A special feature of this textbook is that it contains BBC videos that help to improve pronunciation and listening.

English textbooks for beginner children

Now let's talk about popular children's textbooks that are sure to be a great choice for little students.

Smart Junior for Ukraine (Macmillan).

A good choice for young schoolchildren. Here you will find colourful illustrations, various tasks and games, which makes it easier for children to absorb the material. A great book for the first steps in language learning.

Family and Friends (Oxford University Press).

This is an excellent textbook for comprehensive language learning. There are a lot of interesting tasks on grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening. In the process of learning, children are immersed in colourful stories that make the process educational and exciting. Each lesson is supported by interactive tasks, songs and games, so kids will learn with pleasure.

Islands (Pearson).

The textbook is aimed at learning English in a playful way, which makes it suitable for a young child. The course is based on familiar and interesting topics for kids. Here they will find entertaining exercises that will help in the formation of basic vocabulary and communication skills. A wonderful English for Beginners textbook that makes learning English easy and fun.

How to choose an English textbook for beginners

When choosing an English textbook for beginners for children or adults on your own, you can either turn to the classics, examples of which we have given above, or you can pay attention to a number of points that will help you.

Determine the purpose of learning the language. Some people need English for travelling, work, and others for everyday communication or academic purposes. Usually the book review will give you this information.

Consider your age and level of training. Textbooks for beginners are not the same. They may still be designed for students with different levels of proficiency, such as A1 or A2 on the CEFR international scale. Pay attention to this point.

Evaluate the availability of additional materials. If you want to learn the language in a more interactive way, consider textbooks that come with audio and video materials. In any case, they will not be superfluous, as they are excellent for developing listening and pronunciation skills, which are important for the full mastery of the language. Some textbooks even come with convenient mobile apps.

Choose a textbook that suits your learning style. Some people absorb information better through visual materials, others are more comfortable with text. Or maybe you are an auditory learner and would prefer a large number of audio assignments. Determine which method you prefer and look for a textbook that supports it.

Read reviews and testimonials. Read reviews from other students or even teachers on forums. This way you can find out how much the textbook helps you develop the skills you need and how easy it is to study on your own.

In addition, today you can quite try a book before you buy it. Some publishers offer demo versions or introductory chapters in electronic form and after looking through a few pages, you will be able to understand how clear and convenient the textbook is for you personally.

Top English textbooks for elementary level learning

In addition to the textbooks mentioned above, we offer you another small list of book series that are educator-tested and would make excellent teaching aids for adults:

English File (Oxford University Press);
Navigate (Oxford University Press);
Speakout (Pearson);
Cutting Edge (Pearson);
New Total English (Pearson);
Upstream (Express Publishing);
Global (Macmillan);
Open Mind (Macmillan);
Face2face (Cambridge);
Empower (Cambridge).

And then there's a selection of literature series for the child:

My Little Island (Pearson);
Super Safari (Cambridge);
Pop-Tropica English (Pearson);
Academy Stars (Macmillan);
Family and Friends (Oxford);
Spotlight (Express Publishing);
Starlight (Express Publishing).

A well-chosen textbook can turn learning English into an exciting journey, where each new lesson is a step towards discovering new possibilities. After all, learning a language is not just about learning a set of rules and vocabulary, but about discovering a new world, a new culture. So choose a textbook that will inspire you to move forward and keep you interested every step of the way. It will make your English journey a real adventure, not just a learning goal!