Reading Resources for English language learners

A Christmas Carol

Note for Teachers

My abridged, slightly simplified version of the opening of A Christmas Carol is aimed at
  • English language learners
  • GCSE English Language students
  • Unconfident readers.
I have tried to maintain the spirit (!) of the original and most of the dialogue remains in its original form.


I hope you find something useful for your classes. If you don't like the idea of any change to the original, I can only say 'Bah! Humbug!' You can find the original in any bookshop or as an e-text here. There is also an elementary Macmillan reader here.

Introducing A Christmas Carol to your class
Activities * Crossword * Who said what? * Cloze




Note for ESL, EFL & ESOL Teachers
What is ESL Reading?

An independent website providing free resources for English language teachers and students. These include reading and listening materials for use in the classroom or online.


ESL Reading is edited by Kieran McGovern, described as 'amongst the best writers of language learner materials in English'. It has links with Extensive Reading, the British Council and many other organisations promoting English language learning through reading.

More about ESL Reading here.