What are graded readers?
Graded Readers are books specially prepared for language learners. Some are original stories and some adaptations of classics.
Choosing a graded reader is like selecting any book. Some readers like romances. Some prefer thrillers or comedies.
The key is to choose something you would enjoy in your first language
Here are a the most popular series:
- Oxford Bookworms Library: Six levels ranging from Starter (beginner) to Level 6 (advanced).
- Penguin Readers: Contemporary stories, classics, and popular films adapted to the CEFR framework (A1-C2).
- Cambridge English Readers: Offers high-quality, original fiction aimed at different levels.
- Dominoes (Oxford): An interactive, illustrated series suitable for learners seeking visual support.
- Macmillan Readers: Provides a broad selection, including Macmillan Children's Readers.
How are graded text different to the original?
Graded texts are specially prepared for language learners. They are shortened and simplified to make them easier to read and/or listen to. On this site you will find short-stories and/or self-contained extracts from longer texts. Features include:- shorter paragraphs and sentences
- fewer unfamiliar words.
- a focus on the main narrative line.
- illustrations and contextual clues.
- links to the complete original text (when available)
Language levels
Texts graded by vocabulary, grammar and readability.Audio as with text, plus speed & clarity of delivery, contextual noise etc.
- Beginners IELTS score:1-2 (CEF) A1
- Elementary (IELTS score:3/TOEFL IBT Score: 32-42) (CEF) A1/2
- Pre-Intermediate (IELTS score:3.5/TOEFL IBT Score: 43-51) (CEF) A2/B1
- Intermediate (IELTS score:4.5/TOEFL IBT Score: 51-61) (CEF) B1/2
- Upper Intermediate (IELTS score:5-6.5/TOEFL IBT Score: 62-91) (CEF) B2
- Advanced (IELTS score:6.5-8.5/TOEFL IBT Score: 92-115) (CEF) C1/C2
Common European Framework * Cambridge Online Assessment * Graded Reading Scale
The Editor
I have written readers for three of the most popular series: Oxford Bookworms Library, Penguin Readers & Macmillan Readers
My titles include original stories like Love by Design (Macmillan) and simplified versions of classics including Washington Square by Henry James (OUP) & Oscar Wilde's The Picture Of Dorian Gray (Penguin).
You can see a partial list of my titles here.
Three of my titles were singled out for their ‘particular excellence’ in Bamford & Day’s Extensive Reading in the Second Language Classroom (CUP) where I was described as being ‘amongst the best writers of language learner materials in English’.