Good Writing is Good Thinking
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsIdeasProtectedStep 3StoriesTop Picks 2
By Joseph Poulshock and Randall Short ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) Most people think that thinking is important. If you are a good thinker, then you probably have a better chance at success in life. But how do you know if your thinking is good? And how can you... Read more
ReadOasis Step 1 The boy was stressed. On his desk stood a tower of books. “I must study more,” he said. “Only three days till the test.” Again, he took his list of words and rules and studied all night long. The girl sat in an easy chair. She... Read more
The Science of Good (Step 3)
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsIdeasListen!ProtectedStep 3StoriesTop Picks 0
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) President Clinton stood in front of the microphone. He took a breath and swallowed. Then he began his apology. He was not apologizing for being with another woman. Not yet. And he was not apologizing for a personal failure. Not this time. He was... Read more
By Richard Wiseman ReadOasis Step 3 In 1884, the great American Philosopher William James had a radical idea. James argued that if you behave as if you’re a certain type of person, you become that person. Decades of research has shown that James’s idea applies to all aspects of... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 What is the meaning and purpose of life? Throughout human history, philosophers have answered this question in many ways. Aristotle suggested that humans find meaning in happiness. Zeno thought humans find meaning in freedom from suffering. Nietzsche claimed that life has no meaning. Augustine believed we... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 Aristotle was a great thinker. But he lived a long time ago (from 384 to 322 BC). He has been dead for more than 2,000 years, so why should we care about Aristotle? Can a dead man still be important today? The answer is "Yes." For... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) The bell rang. Jim's things were already in his red book bag, which looked brown under the white lights of the classroom. Zip! Zip! He closed the bag. He stood up and let out a sigh, "Ahhhh." Jim’s sigh was loud enough that other... Read more
Book Trailer by Charles Duhigg ReadOasis Step 4 Imagine for a moment that you have a habit that you really want to change. Let's say for instance, you go up to the cafeteria every afternoon, and you eat a chocolate chip cookie. This habit has caused you to gain... Read more
A Coach for Life (Step 3)
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsIdeasProtectedStep 3StoriesTop Picks 3
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) The students stared at the lights on the scoreboard. Through their tears, the numbers were hard to see. They rubbed their eyes in disbelief. But the numbers still read Notre Dame - 71, UCLA - 70. It was impossible, even unbelievable. Between January 30,... Read more
Are Lectures Effective? (Step 2)
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsIdeasProtectedSciencesStep 2StoriesTop Picks 0
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) The teacher stood in front of the class. He put his notes on a tall stand. The stand was in the middle of the room, and the teacher could move around behind it. As he faced the class, there were many windows on his... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 A dying man met with his Lawyer, Doctor, and Minister. They met around the dying man's bed. The man handed each of them a fat envelope. Each envelope was full of money, $25,000 in cash. Then the dying man said, "I ask you all to make... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) Creative Commons Photo by johnbailey63 It was a cloudy day in summer. The sun's light flickered on the green grass as clouds moved across the sky. The colors of the German countryside danced in the changing light. A cool breeze whispered in the trees.... Read more
Adapted from Mahalo.com ReadOasis Step 1 Mary and Joe are from Portland, Oregon. They are both sixteen years old, and they have many friends. But when they go to college, they may have to leave their home, family, and friends. Mary likes the arts, especially music. And Joe likes... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) In the eyes of the world, Donald Miller was a massive success. He had written a book about his life, Blue Like Jazz, and it became a New York Times bestseller. Movie producers approached him. They wanted to make a movie about his life.... Read more
Basic Tools for Good Thinking
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsIdeasListen!ProtectedStep 3Stories 0
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) Cats and dogs have different philosophies. A dog thinks, "These people I live with feed me, love me, and take good care of me. They must be gods." But a cat thinks, "These people I live with feed me, love me, and take good... Read more
The Good in Nature (Step 2)
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsIdeasListen!ProtectedStep 2Stories 3
ReadOasis Step 2 In November 2004, the BBC News reported this amazing story. Near the North Island of New Zealand, lifeguard Rob Howes was training in the ocean water. He was with two co-workers and his young daughter. Then, like a scene from a horror movie, a great white... 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
The Fastest Growing Religion
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsIdeasListen!ProtectedStep 2Stories 1
ReadOasis Step 2 The religion of Islam teaches that there is only one God. In Islam, God is called Allah. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Their holy book is the Koran. Muslims believe God gave the Koran to a man named Muhammad in the year 610. And Muhammad... Read more
ReadOasis Step 4 Once there was a famous philosopher. He was handsome and rich. He owned a large home on the ocean. And on the grounds of his home, there were horses and large areas of green grass where the horses could run. The philosopher also owned many cars,... Read more
A Big Idea: Critique of Pure Reason
B1-IntermediateBNC LevelsCEFR LevelsIdeasListen!ProtectedStep 3Stories 0
ReadOasis Step 3 By Will Durant (Re-presented in Basic and Essential English) Kant’s Critique is not a criticism, but a critical analysis. Kant is not attacking "Pure Reason." He hopes to show its potential. He wants to praise it above knowledge that is not pure and that comes through... Read more