Welcome to ESL Reading Generic_A6_colour

Here are some great stories for English language learners to enjoy.

Did that really happen?

  • Funny news stories first published in Ming Pao Daily.
  • With illustrations, a glossary, activities and audio links.
  • New stories added every week
  • Read about a Flying Monkey, why Lightning does strike twice, where to hide $54 million and many other strange tales.;
  • New: read about a young robber with no time to waste. 'Call me!' he says, writing down his mobile number.
  • A man is trapped in an elevator for 41 hours in New York
  • New audio: Pet Passports
  • listen to more strange facts about Lightning
Ghost Stories
  • Classic tales by Charles Dickens, Robert Louis Stevenson & others
The Story of The Beatles
  • The rise and fall of the the biggest band in the world.
The Story of Football
  • From the village game to the World Cup
The English Language
  • How much do you know about the language you are learning?
Young Learners
  • Stories, poems and activities for young English language learners
Eyewitness
Adventure Stories

The Prisoner of Zenda
  • Full length simplified version in two parts


For teachers ESL Reading is working in partnership with teachitworld.com, which has an excellent selection of resources.

There are also links to
extensive reading materials, and teaching tips for using stories in the pre school classroom.

For extensive listening practice a selection of the best ESL podcasts: including
VOA English Audio, ESL Podcast and Breaking News.