ReadOasis Step 4 (Part 1) On June 2, 2010, President Barack Obama stood on a small stage in the White House. In the audience sat a mix of elite leaders and famous musicians. The President was about to give America’s highest award for popular music to Paul McCartney of the... Read more
By Robert Louis Stevenson ReadOasis Step 3 Photo by NASA The lights from the parlour and kitchen shone out Through the blinds and the windows and bars; And high overhead and all moving about, There were thousands of millions of stars. There ne’er were such thousands of leaves... Read more
Reading Makes Words Stick in Your Brain
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ReadOasis: So here we are with Dr. Paul Nation, Professor Emeritus at the University of Wellington, Victoria (New Zealand). And of course one of the most well-known linguists in the world. It’s an honor to have him. Just one quick question for our learners: How can extensive graded reading help... Read more
ReadOasis Step 4 The Spanish painter Picasso demonstrated remarkable artistic aptitude at a very young age. According to his mother, his first words were "piz, piz." "Piz" is short for "lápiz," which means "pencil" in Spanish. Picasso's father was an art professor who raised his son in a world... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. Charles Dickens (1786-1851) Most people know Charles Dickens for his famous ghost story: A Christmas Carol. But many people don’t realize that Dickens was the most notable English author of the... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) "I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow. Vice President Ford will be sworn in as President at that hour in this office." These words were spoken by President Richard Nixon on August 8, 1974 on national television. They came after many months... Read more
A Nap is Better than Coffee (Step 4)
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ReadOasis Step 4 When you are tired from work or study, what do you do? Many people are addicted to coffee for staying alert, or they crave an energy drink to refresh themselves. But one study suggests that a short sleep might refresh you more than a cup of... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 In 1966, Richard was 16 years old. He was a student, but he was annoyed with the way he was taught in school. He wanted to change his world, and he was going to do something about it. He resolved to publish a magazine that was... Read more
A Force for Good in Music
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ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) U2 in Concert It was a cool winter night in January 2002 in New York. The city that never sleeps was wide-awake and full of movement. Even in the cold, you could feel the energy of arts, entertainment, culture, and money. That week, top... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 The word renaissance means "rebirth." In history, the Renaissance refers to the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries in Europe. We call the period before this the Middle Ages. In the Renaissance, people changed the focus of their learning. They took serious interest in the cultural achievements... Read more
By Robert Louis Stevenson ReadOasis Step 4 Through all the pleasant meadow-side The grass grew shoulder-high, Till the shining blades went far and wide And cut it down to dry. Those green and sweetly smelling crops They led in wagons home; And they piled them here in mountain tops... Read more
Johnny Cash: The Man in Black (Step 3)
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ReadOasis Step 3 Johnny Cash was a man of great presence, as if born from an ancient legend that reveals the contradictions of human life. Cash died in 2003, but he gave us a vast collection of over 50 years of music. He also created his own genre, between... Read more
Gandhi: Promoter of Peace (Step 3)
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ReadOasis Step 3 Mohandas Gandhi is known as the father of India. He was a politician, patriot, philosopher, and religious leader. In Gandhi's time, the British had ruled India for about 190 years. And many Indians suffered under the British. The British did not give Indians equal status. And... Read more
By Zoe Nova ReadOasis Step 4 Japan is a land of festivals, and on the third day of the month of March, many Japanese families celebrate the Doll Festival, which is called "Hina Matsuri” in Japanese. This special day is also called Girl's Day, a day when families pray... Read more
Hawaiian Treasure
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ReadOasis Step 3 Far into the middle of the Pacific Ocean rest the Hawaiian Islands. They are a paradise of nature and human civilization. They stand like green gardens in the center of the deep blue sea. Creative Commons Picture by Paul Bica Hawaii was first settled by Polynesians... Read more
ET and Intelligent Life
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ReadOasis Step 4 The film ET charmed the hearts of millions of children and adults. It was humorous and compelling, and it told an inspiring story about love and companionship. In one scene, ET points his finger to the sky, and he says, "ET phone home." This simple phrase... Read more
Your Cross-Cultural Purpose
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ReadOasis Step 2 Viktor listened to the sound of hard coughing. He looked at the man in the bed next to him. The man coughed and fought for air. Other men in the room coughed hard, too. Just then, the door burst open. A cold wind filled the room,... Read more
International Etiquette
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ReadOasis Step 3 Note: Mr. Woodward is President of Associates in Cultural Exchange (A.C.E.). A.C.E. has language institutes at two university locations: A.C.E at Seattle Pacific University and A.C.E at Montana State University. This story comes from experiences of traveling, teaching, and doing business in over 45 countries. The... Read more
A Definition of Health (Step 4)
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ReadOasis Step 4 A medical doctor was examining a patient. He summarized his diagnosis in the following way. "You're in superb health, and you'll live to be 80." The patient responded, "But, doctor, I am 80 right now. The doctor replied, "See, now what did I tell you? But... Read more
The Adventures of a Folk Singer
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ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) "I think a poet is anybody who wouldn't call himself a poet." - Bob Dylan It was January 1961. In the cold north of Minnesota, a young man of 19 years packed his bags and his guitar. He was crossing 1,900 kilometers to New... Read more