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English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012): A Treasure Trove for Language Learners
If you are learning English as a second or foreign language, you might have heard of graded readers. These are books that are specially written or adapted for language learners, with simplified vocabulary, grammar, and structure. They are designed to help you improve your reading skills, expand your vocabulary, and enjoy reading in English.
English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012)l
But where can you find a good selection of graded readers that suit your level and interest? How can you access them easily and affordably? And how can you make the most of them for your language learning goals?
In this article, we will introduce you to the English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012), a massive online archive of over 2500 graded readers from various publishers and levels. We will explain what it is, how it came to be, and what it contains. We will also give you some practical tips on how to use it effectively for your reading pleasure and progress.
What are graded readers and why are they useful?
Graded readers are books that are written or adapted for language learners at different levels of proficiency. They use a limited number of words, sentences, and paragraphs that are appropriate for the target level. They also provide glossaries, illustrations, exercises, and audio recordings to support comprehension and learning.
The benefits of graded readers for language learning
Graded readers have many benefits for language learners, such as:
They provide extensive reading practice, which is essential for developing fluency, accuracy, and confidence in reading.
They expose you to a wide range of vocabulary, grammar, and discourse patterns in context, which helps you acquire them naturally and effectively.
They offer you a variety of topics, genres, and styles that cater to your interests and preferences, which motivates you to read more and enjoy reading.
They enhance your cultural awareness and knowledge by introducing you to different aspects of life, history, literature, and culture in English-speaking countries and beyond.
They stimulate your imagination and creativity by engaging you with stories, characters, plots, and themes that appeal to you.
The criteria for choosing graded readers
When choosing graded readers, there are some criteria that you should consider, such as:
The level: You should choose a book that matches your current level of English or slightly above it. You can use the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) or other scales to determine your level and find corresponding books. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to understand at least 95% of the words in the book without looking them up.
The genre: You should choose a book that belongs to a genre that you like or want to explore. There are many genres of graded readers, such as classics, mysteries, thrillers, romances, biographies, non-fiction, and more. You can browse the catalogues of different publishers or online platforms to see what they offer.
The style: You should choose a book that has a style that suits your taste and purpose. Some books are more descriptive and literary, while others are more dialogic and conversational. Some books are more factual and informative, while others are more emotional and expressive. You can read the blurb, the introduction, or the first page of the book to get a sense of its style.
What is the English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012)?
The English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012) is a huge online archive of graded readers that was created and shared by an anonymous user on the Internet Archive website in 2014. It contains over 2500 books from various publishers, levels, and genres. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of graded readers available online for free.
The origin and content of the collection
The origin of the collection is not clear, but it seems that it was compiled by someone who had access to a large number of graded readers in digital format and decided to share them with the public. The collection is divided into 27 parts, each containing about 100 books in compressed files. The files can be downloaded individually or in bulk from the Internet Archive website.
The content of the collection is diverse and rich, covering a wide range of publishers, levels, and genres. Some of the publishers included in the collection are:
Penguin Readers
Oxford Bookworms Library
Macmillan Readers
Cambridge English Readers
Heinemann Guided Readers
Longman Simplified English Series
and many more.
Some of the levels included in the collection are:
Starter (CEFR A1)
Beginner (CEFR A1)
Elementary (CEFR A2)
Pre-intermediate (CEFR A2-B1)
Intermediate (CEFR B1)
Upper-intermediate (CEFR B2)
Advanced (CEFR C1)
and some others.
Some of the genres included in the collection are:
Classics (e.g., Pride and Prejudice, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Dracula)
Mysteries (e.g., Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, The Da Vinci Code)
Thrillers (e.g., The Bourne Identity, The Firm, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)
Romances (e.g., Bridget Jones's Diary, Love Actually, Twilight)
Biographies (e.g., Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs, Barack Obama)
Non-fiction (e.g., The World of Music, Climate Change, The History of Football)
and many more.
The format and availability of the collection
The format of the collection is mainly PDF, with some books also having MP3 audio files or DOC text files. The quality of the files varies depending on the source and the conversion process, but most of them are readable and usable. Some files may have minor errors or glitches, such as missing pages, misaligned text, or broken links.
The availability of the collection is limited by the Internet Archive website's bandwidth and storage capacity. The website may experience occasional downtime or slow loading due to high traffic or technical issues. The website may also remove or restrict access to some files due to legal or ethical reasons. Therefore, it is advisable to download the files you want as soon as possible and keep a backup copy on your own device or cloud service.
How to use the English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012) effectively?
The English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012) is a great resource for language learners who want to practice and improve their reading skills in English. However, simply downloading and reading the books is not enough to achieve optimal results. You need to use them strategically and systematically to maximize your learning outcomes.
The steps for selecting and reading a book from the collection
Here are some steps that you can follow to select and read a book from the collection:
Browse through the collection and find a book that interests you and matches your level and genre preferences. You can use the file names, the covers, or the online catalogues to help you choose.
Download the file and open it on your device. You may need to unzip it or use a PDF reader to view it. You can also print it out if you prefer.
Read the book at your own pace and enjoy the story. You can use the glossary, the illustrations, the exercises, or the audio files to help you understand and learn new words and expressions. You can also use a dictionary or an online translator if you encounter a word that you don't know and can't guess from the context.
After you finish reading the book, you can do some follow-up activities to review and consolidate what you have read and learned. You can check your answers to the exercises, write a summary or a review of the book, discuss it with your classmates or teacher, or do some further research on the topic or the author.
The tips for enhancing comprehension and retention
Here are some tips that you can use to enhance your comprehension and retention of what you read:
Before you start reading, activate your prior knowledge and make predictions about the book. Look at the title, the cover, the blurb, and the introduction and think about what you already know or expect about the topic, the genre, the characters, and the plot.
While you are reading, monitor your understanding and use strategies to overcome difficulties. For example, you can skim or scan for specific information, infer meaning from context clues, re-read or skip difficult parts, summarize or paraphrase what you have read, or ask questions to clarify doubts.
After you finish reading, reflect on your reading experience and evaluate your progress. Think about what you liked or disliked about the book, what you learned or found interesting, what surprised or confused you, what challenged or inspired you. Also think about how well you understood the book, how much vocabulary and grammar you learned, how fast and fluent you read, and how confident and motivated you felt.
The resources for further learning and practice
Here are some resources that you can use to further your learning and practice with graded readers:
The Internet Archive website: This is where you can find and download the English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012) as well as other collections of graded readers and audio books in different languages.
The Extensive Reading Central website: This is where you can find and access hundreds of graded readers online for free. You can also take quizzes, earn points, join competitions, and track your reading progress.
The Goodreads website: This is where you can find and join online groups of readers who share their opinions and recommendations of graded readers. You can also create your own profile, rate and review books, make lists of books you want to read or have read, and discover new books based on your preferences.
The TeachingEnglish website: This is where you can find and download teaching resources to use with graded readers in class. You can also watch videos, read articles, join webinars, and participate in discussions about using graded readers for language teaching.
Conclusion
In conclusion, graded readers are an excellent way to practice and improve your reading skills in English. They provide you with enjoyable and accessible texts that suit your level and interest. They also help you expand your vocabulary, grammar, and cultural knowledge in context.
The English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012) is a treasure trove for language learners who want to access a large number of graded readers online for free. It contains over 2500 books from various publishers, levels, and genres that cover a wide range of topics and styles.
To use this collection effectively, you need to select a book that interests you and matches your level and genre preferences. You need to read it at your own pace and enjoy the story. You need to use some strategies to enhance your comprehension and retention of what you read. And you need to use some resources to further your learning and practice with graded readers.
So what are you waiting for? Start browsing through the collection today and find a book that catches your eye. Read it and discover the joy and benefits of reading in English. And don't forget to share your thoughts and feelings about the book with others. Happy reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about graded readers and the English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012):
What is the difference between intensive and extensive reading?
Intensive reading is when you read a short text carefully and in detail, focusing on every word, sentence, and paragraph. You usually do this for academic or professional purposes, such as studying a textbook, a journal article, or a report. Extensive reading is when you read a long text quickly and broadly, focusing on the main idea, the plot, and the characters. You usually do this for personal or recreational purposes, such as reading a novel, a magazine, or a blog.
How can I find out my level of English and the corresponding level of graded readers?
You can use the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) or other scales to determine your level of English and find corresponding graded readers. The CEFR is a widely used standard that describes six levels of language proficiency: A1 (beginner), A2 (elementary), B1 (intermediate), B2 (upper-intermediate), C1 (advanced), and C2 (proficient). Each level has a set of descriptors that specify what learners can do in listening, speaking, reading, and writing at that level. You can take a placement test online or offline to find out your CEFR level. You can also use other scales, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which are based on the CEFR. Once you know your level of English, you can look for graded readers that match your level. Most publishers use the CEFR or similar scales to label their graded readers. For example, Penguin Readers use seven levels from Easystarts (A1) to Level 6 (C1), Oxford Bookworms Library use six levels from Starter (A1) to Stage 6 (C1), and Macmillan Readers use six levels from Starter (A1) to Upper (B2).
How many words should I know to read a graded reader comfortably?
A good rule of thumb is that you should know at least 95% of the words in a graded reader to read it comfortably. This means that you can understand most of the text without looking up words in the dictionary or using online translators. If you know less than 95% of the words, you may find the text too difficult and frustrating to read. If you know more than 95% of the words, you may find the text too easy and boring to read. You can estimate how many words you know by using online vocabulary tests or by checking the word lists provided by some publishers.
How often should I read graded readers?
You should read graded readers as often as possible, ideally every day or at least several times a week. The more you read, the more you will improve your reading skills and your language proficiency. You should also read for as long as possible, ideally for at least 15 minutes per session or longer if you can. The longer you read, the more you will develop your reading stamina and your concentration span.
How can I share my opinions and recommendations of graded readers with others?
You can share your opinions and recommendations of graded readers with others in various ways, such as:
Writing a summary or a review of the book and posting it online on platforms like Goodreads, Amazon, or social media.
Discussing the book with your classmates or teacher in class or online via chat or video call.
Joining an online book club or group that focuses on graded readers and exchanging views and suggestions with other members.
Creating your own blog or podcast where you talk about graded readers and invite feedback from your audience.
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