ReadOasis Step 2 English is currently the world’s common language. It’s the international language of business, politics, and the Internet. About 400 million people speak English as a first language. And about a billion people are learning it today. To learn any foreign language, we need motivation. Motivation is... Read more
Word Power is Life
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ReadOasis Step 2 We all have something to say. A boy likes a girl, and so he says, “I like you!” A traveller gets lost, so he asks a stranger, “Can you show me the way?” A woman sees a man walk in front of a bus, and she... Read more
What’s the best way to improve your English? Of course, there are many ways. But big, easy reading is one of the best. And it probably has the most research and evidence to support it. What is big, easy reading? First, you read lots of books and stories. That’s... Read more
How to Acquire Language (Step 2)
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ReadOasis Step 2 How do humans acquire languages? The answer is surprisingly simple. All people everywhere acquire languages in the same way. “We acquire languages by understanding messages.” This is called the “comprehension hypothesis,” and it was made by the linguist Dr. Stephen Krashen. I give this idea an... Read more
3 Questions for Your New Year’s Resolution (Step 3)
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ReadOasis Step 3 At the start of every year, millions of people make new resolutions. This means that they promise themselves to do something differently, or to attempt something new. For example, many people want to lose weight, quit smoking, or change another bad habit. Others want to learn... Read more
3 Questions for Your New Year’s Resolution (Step 1)
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By D.S. Aims ReadOasis Step 1 At the start of every year, millions of people make new resolutions. This means that they promise themselves to do something differently, or to try something new. For example, many people want to lose weight, quit smoking, or change another bad habit. Others... Read more
Reading Should Be Fun!
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Interview with Dr. Charles Browne, Professor, Meiji Gakuin University. This is “Charles the Great,” from Meiji Gakuin University, and of course, English Central and many other places. And affectionately known as “Charlie.” We are going to ask him a couple of questions about extensive reading. first... 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
A Simple Recipe for Learning English
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ReadOasis Step 1 To learn English, we need words. Most English native speakers know between 12,000 and 20,000 words. Shakespeare used 31,534 words. And he probably knew more. How many words do you know? Naomi knows 95% of the words in Alice in Wonderland. She understands it without a... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 English is a global language. It is the main language in science, business, entertainment, and foreign affairs. There are about 400 million native speakers of English. And maybe one billion people speak it as a second language. English became international mainly through the economic and cultural... Read more
By James Baldwin ReadOasis Step 2 A long time ago, there was a King in Scotland. His name was Robert Bruce. He needed to be brave and wise, for the times in which he lived were wild and rude. The King of England was at war with Scotland, and... Read more
The Best Way to Learn Language
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ReadOasis Step 2 What’s the best way to learn a foreign language? As a linguist, I hear this question all the time. My students are in Japan, and many of them want to learn English. So they often ask me, “What’s the best way to improve my English?” Students... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 To inspire us to read more, it always helps to have a good role model. When I was a boy, my father read to me before I went to bed. I can still remember the books he read to me! In this way, my father showed... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 An Image of a Hobbit Frodo is a little man. Well, he's actually a hobbit. A hobbit is like a man, but only smaller. Frodo is small, but he has a big heart. He also has a big job. He holds a ring. It's a magic... Read more
ReadOasis Step 1 To inspire us read more, it always helps to have a good role model. When I was a boy, my father read to me before I went to bed. I can still remember the books he read to me! In this way, my father showed me... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 To inspire us read more, it always helps to have a good role model. When I was a boy, my father read to me before I went to bed. I can still remember the books he read to me! In this way, my father showed me... Read more
An Uncommon Song – Bohemian Rhapsody
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ReadOasis Step 2 Ray Foster sat at his big desk. He did not look happy as he said, "Bohemian Rhapsody? What is that?" Freddy said, "It's a great poem. And we are going to release it as our single for play on the radio." Foster's voice got louder. "It... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 There are many ways to learn English. But language study is often hard, and most people don’t enjoy it. After all, grammar books and language drills are not meant to be fun. Is there a fun way to learn English? The answer is a big “YES!”... Read more
Music and Mindfulness – with Christopher Hardy
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ReadOasis Step 2 Christopher took his seat in the middle of the concert hall. A flow of people filled the room. The lights went dark, and all the talking heads turned silent. In the quiet and dark, electricity filled the air as people waited for the music. And when... Read more
Making Work Fun: The Levity Effect (Step 3)
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ReadOasis Step 3 A manager at a company was interviewing a job candidate. The manager said, “We need a very responsible person for this job. We need someone who can take charge.” The candidate’s eyes lit up, and he responded with great enthusiasm. “Sir, your search ends here! I’m... Read more