Hank would never make it to the concert. There were too many problems. It was icy cold outside. He sat under a cover in the back of his light blue Cadillac car. He was heading to the city of Canton, Ohio, to give a big concert on New Year’s... Read more
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 the one. In... Read more
A Coach for Life (Step 2)
CoursesIdeasLevelsListen!PublicSports Step 2AStep 2StoriesTop Picks July 16, 2019 1
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) The students looked at the score of the game. And they could not believe their eyes. But the numbers still read Notre Dame – 71, UCLA – 70. It was impossible, even unbelievable. Between January 30, 1971, and January 17, 1974, UCLA did not... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) Johannes Gutenberg was in trouble. He borrowed money from investors, but he was about to lose it. He promised to make a special kind of mirror and sell lots of them. The mirrors were unusual. It was said that they could capture the holy... Read more
By O. Henry ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) Creative Commons Photo by Nephelim Many artists lived in the Greenwich Village area of New York. Two young women named Sue and Johnsy shared a studio apartment at the top of a three-story building. Johnsy's real name was Joanna. In November,... Read more
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
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 Mark Twain ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) I was at a dinner in London given in honor of one of the most celebrated English military men of his time. I do not want to tell you his real name and titles. I will just call him Lieutenant General... Read more
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 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 (Part 1) Mary lay down on the sofa with her book, and she opened it again. She couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. She loved science fiction, and this book was one of the most famous sci-fi books of all time: 2001: A... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 By W.W. Jacobs (Part 1) Outside the night was cold and wet. But inside the sitting room of the Whites' house, the curtains were shut and the fire burned brightly. Father and son were playing a game of chess. The son always took big risks when... Read more
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
A Simple Recipe for Learning English
LevelsListen!PublicStep 1StoriesStylesTop Picks June 19, 2019 2
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
Get Down to Business in English
BizBiz Step 2BCoursesLevelsProtectedStep 2StoriesTop Picks June 17, 2019 1
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) A Big Decision As usual, the boss spoke clearly and in short sentences. “Okay, it’s decided. This meeting is over. You all know what to do.” One by one, the managers closed their notebooks and stood up. There were no jokes and no laughter.... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) The Kingfisher is a beautiful bird. Like many kinds of birds, the Kingfisher takes a special journey when the seasons change. Birds take this journey to find food and better weather. But this is the amazing part. Birds take this seasonal journey without learning... Read more
Music as Medicine
CoursesInvention Step 3ALevelsListen!Music Step 3AProtectedSciencesStep 3StoriesTop Picks June 11, 2019 2
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) You are watching TV. On the screen, you see the two strong hands of a man. In his left hand, he holds a book of matches. In his right hand, he holds a single match. With his right hand, he strikes the match on... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) The professor 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 professor could move around behind it. As he faced the class, there were many windows on his... Read more
Making Work Fun: The Levity Effect (Step 2)
BizBiz Step 2BCoursesLevelsProtectedStep 2StoriesTop Picks May 29, 2019 1
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) 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 answered with great confidence. “Sir, your search ends... Read more
Experience Flow
CoursesLevelsListen!ProtectedSciencesSports Step 2AStep 2StoriesTop Picks May 28, 2019 0
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) Shaun White is a world famous snowboarder. Watch him slide down the pipe in slow motion. He goes up one side and flies into the air at an extreme height. Time stands still. Coming down, he gains speed and lands smoothly. Then he rises... Read more