English language acquisition in the 21st century transcends the realm of optional skills; it has evolved into an essential tool for global communication. Presently, a staggering 1.75 billion individuals worldwide possess functional proficiency in English, equating to approximately one in four people globally. Furthermore, an escalating number of educational institutions and multinational corporations have adopted English as their standard corporate language, signalling its indispensability in today's globalised world. Major companies like Airbus, Nokia, Samsung, and Microsoft in Beijing have all made this transition in recent years.

In light of this prevailing trend, the mastery of a common linguistic medium is not merely advantageous but imperative for individuals aspiring to engage in an international community, whether for educational pursuits or professional endeavours. Amidst the myriad of approaches to learning English, from formal classroom settings to language-learning apps, the enduring efficacy of a well-crafted, comprehensive textbook is unparalleled.

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With this imperative in mind, let us delve into a thoughtfully curated selection of some of the most eminent books tailored for mastering the English language.

Best for: Improving your English Vocabulary

Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (OALD), by Hornby A. S.

First on our list of the best books to read to learn English is the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.

Designed specially for students who wish to attend an English-speaking university, it’s one of the world’s largest English learning dictionaries with over 60,000 words and 109,000 written examples of how to use those words.

The OALD offers far more than any other dictionary on the market, including descriptions of English synonyms and collocations to make your speaking and writing more fluent. There’s even a digital app you can download which responds to verbal communication. So, if you know how to say the word, but don’t know how to spell it (a common problem with many English words), the app will intuitively find exactly what you’re looking for.

Most importantly, the dictionary also features the Oxford 3000 – a list of the most useful, frequently used and must-know words in any English-speaking country. According to the dictionary, once you’ve mastered those 3,000 words, you’ll be able to understand 80-90% of all English; both in written and spoken form.

English Collocations in Use, by Michael McCarthy & Felicity O’Dell

Learning a new word can be really difficult. First you need to learn what it means, then you need to familiarise yourself with how to pronounce, spell, and then understand its purpose in a sentence. And perhaps, what can be even more challenging; learning how to use the word naturally as though you were a native speaker.

To speak natural English, you will need to study collocations. These are a group of words that fit together in order to form a natural relationship and sound. Some examples include: “to do homework,” “to make the bed,” “to take a walk,” etc.

Fortunately, the University of Cambridge has created an excellent series of books that can equip you with some of the most common English phrases as well as those trickier to learn sentences.

They’re perfect for intermediate learners, using your established vocabulary to teach you how words work together with fluency. If you want to expand your vocabulary even further, they also have similar books helping you to learn English idioms and phrasal verbs.

English for Everyone: English Vocabulary Builder, by DK

Research suggests that one of the fastest ways to learn the English language (or any language in fact) is by using pictures. After all, a large part of our brains – the visual cortex – is devoted to processing visual information.

In fact, it’s the way we all learn our very first words. Think about babies. They see a picture of a tiger, hear others using the word ‘tiger,’ and then learn to say that exact word when they want to talk about tigers.

For language learners, there are many picture-learning books available, filled with the most common objects, places, and all the other things you could ever need to know about when travelling to an English speaking country.

One of the best is DK’s English for Everyone book series, which includes over 3,000 words, phrases and pictures of ordinary objects, activities and situations. There’s even additional sections for learning common grammar rules, and idioms, and, for those of you looking to broaden your future career opportunities – a section on business phrases.

In addition, the DK books also provide sections within their books that are devoted to listening and review exercises, so you can practice speaking and pronunciation too. It couldn’t be any easier either – just log onto their website or use their free app to start learning on the go!

Best for: Improving your Grammar

English Grammar in Use, by Raymond Murphy

Another great addition to the University of Cambridge’s English as a foreign language book collection is the English Grammar in Use.

It’s one of the most popular grammar books in the world, with simple explanations, lots of examples and practice questions. When you finish the book, there’s even a test you can take to identify the areas of English grammar which you may spend some extra time focusing on.

The book comes in three different levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. The Intermediate version is written for those with around a B1 or B2 level of English, so if your skills lie higher or lower than that, you should look at the other books available to you.

Practical English Usage, by Michael Swan

Created by language expert, Michael Swan, at the University of Oxford, Practical English Usage answers some of the most commonly asked questions about English grammar and vocabulary, as backed by simple definitions and relatable examples.

This comprehensive book features more than 600 different entries across a range of topics in the English language, including:

• Understanding how to use tenses
• Rules for word formation and spelling
• The varying formalities of written communication
• Understanding conditionals
• Politeness
• Expressing opinion
• How to avoid offence

Also, and rather helpful, the book also comes with a guide to over 250 common word problems in the English language and how to overcome them – great for giving you a quick knowledge boost!

Best for: Improving your English speaking skills

Think English, Speak English: How to Stop Performing Mental Gymnastics Every Time You Speak English, by Dr Julian Northbrook

Designed for those with an intermediate to advanced level of English, this book claims to take you away from simply reading and understanding English to being able to speak fluently and understand what people are saying instantly.

But how?

Well, when we’re at the earlier stages of learning a language, we have to think and translate words in our head before being able to register and respond accordingly.

Think English, Speak English instead focuses on that very specific part of being able to master the English language: to help you stop that translation process and think directly in English so that you can understand and speak the language as though you were a native.

What’s more, it also comes with a free audio version which you can download onto your smartphone – perfect for those who find it easier to learn through hearing.

Ship or Sheep? An Intermediate Pronunciation Course, by Ann Baker

One of the best books on the market to improve your English speaking skills is Ship or Sheep?, an accessible pronunciation course for learners at the intermediate-level of the English language.

Focusing specifically on how different words sound based on the letters used to build them, each unit focuses on a specific sound – which includes English’s 24 consonants and 19 different vowel sounds. In this way, it’s designed for you to flick through to the areas where you feel you need the most improvement on – great if you know which areas you specifically want to target.

There are also some example conversations, exercises and games that you can play with your study buddy to mix up your learning and make it more entertaining.

Practice Makes Perfect: English Conversation, by Jean Yates

Another great book to help you master real-life conversations and speak English more fluently is the Practice Makes Perfect English Conversation book.

Targeted at those at a B2/C1 level of English, the book teaches you some of the most common phrases and idioms through sample conversations. There are also detailed explanations and practice exercises to help you better understand how to:

• Introduce yourself to people
• Express opinions – things you like and dislike
• Express your wants and needs
• Narrate a story or re-tell a previous conversation

In addition, there’s also an audio component which is available to download on your app, allowing you to listen to the conversations which are included in the book.

Best for: Motivation

Fluent in 3 Months, by Benny Lewis

Ok, so the last book on our list may not be strictly about learning the English language, but it’s an essential book to read to keep you motivated on your language learning journey.

Enter: Fluent in 3 Months, a book created by language hacker Benny Lewis who is on a mission to show you that you can learn any language – without having to leave your home – using just a simple toolkit and harnessing the power of the Internet.

In the book, Lewis outlines his key principles to help you become fluent within a 3-month period:

• Speak from day one: connect with native speakers online (or even in person)
• Don’t be self-conscious – try and maintain good flow
• Change your mindset: believe in yourself that you can do it!
• Stay focused and determined: even if you lack time, always bear in mind the end-goal you’re trying to achieve

It’s a great inspirational read and definitely one to help you maintain momentum when the motivation starts to lack!

Top tips for selecting the book that’s right for you

In this article we’ve covered a whole range of books you can read to learn the English language. But how do you choose the one that’s best for you? Take a look at some of our top tips for guidance:

• Check the skill level: Firstly, you want to ensure any book you choose is matched to your current skill level and ability. Most books come in beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of difficulty, though they may also make recommendations based on your graded level of English.
• Identify your learning needs: Which areas of the English language do you struggle with the most? Grammar? Speaking? Need to brush up on all areas? Once you’ve identified your areas of weakness, you’ll be able to select a book that targets your specific needs.
• Choose a learning style: How do you as a student learn best? Are you a visual learner who finds it easier to remember information through imagery? Perhaps you prefer listening to audiobooks? Or do you enjoy an interactive textbook with quizzes and example exercises? Many of the books on our list have audio and interactive elements to them – so choose the ones that match your learning preferences.
• Consider a dual language book: If you’re at the very beginning of your learning journey, dual language books can be really helpful. These are books that have the original text in your native language on one page, and then the English translation on the other. This means you can quickly reference your own language if you do not understand all of the English text.
• Read reviews: Still struggling to narrow down your options? Sometimes reading book reviews can be really helpful in deciding which book is right for you. Reviews should offer an honest opinion about a user’s experience of a language book and how it helped them improve their English. We recommend always browsing through reviews to ensure the book aligns with your learning goals.

Summary

In conclusion, the methodologies for mastering the English language are diverse, yet the enduring value of meticulously crafted textbooks remains unrivalled. These thoughtfully curated resources provide a structured and dependable foundation for learners, irrespective of their proficiency level. By immersing oneself in these well-crafted materials, learners embark on a transformative journey towards English proficiency, ultimately unlocking a world of opportunities for personal and professional growth.

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About the author

Rhys Mackenzie is the Website Marketing Manager at Oxford Summer Courses. With extensive experience in SEO and digital content management, they are passionate about showcasing the best that Oxford has to offer. Their previous role at Experience Oxfordshire gave them a deep appreciation for the city's unique cultural and academic offerings. Learn more about Rhys here.