5 English learning books to boost your language skills

College is one of the best academic environments to hone the relevant skills needed to survive and thrive! From analytical & critical thinking abilities to reasoning and language skills, students are provided all-around training. Of the different skills students learn during college, language abilities prove to be one of the most crucial requirements in the world today. The university environment provides excellent exposure for the development of remarkable language and communication skills. However, you may need to supplement your learning with English learning books that not only help you understand the language properly but also give you a sense of confidence while speaking or writing.

English is the most widely-spoken language in the world, with more than 1.5 billion people displaying proficiency in communicating in English. Therefore, excellent English language skills can yield several remarkable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Polishing your English language skills during the formative years of college can be a great way to boost your communication abilities. Refining your language abilities can help you understand the rules of excellent communication in personal and professional environments. 

Keep reading to discover 5 English learning books to boost your language skills while you are in college!

1. Oxford Modern English Grammar 

Written by Bas Aarts, Oxford Modern English Grammar is a definitive guide to studying the language rules. One of the key aspects of this book is that it covers both American and British English. There are several examples on speaking and writing, allowing you to gain a holistic understanding of the language rules. 

This guide is divided into four parts for ease of use, with a systematic and comprehensive course for English grammar. The guide also boasts a descriptive source of reference, which is an excellent tool if you want to delve deeper into the language. This is also a recommended book for students preparing for competitive exams during their college years. 

2. Raymond Murphy – Intermediate English Grammar 

This book is among the most economical English-learning books to buy and has roughly 350 pages. The Intermediate English Grammar book can be used as a self-reference guide and is replete with questions and detailed answers. It comes with language presentation on the left-hand side pages and practice exercises on the right-hand side pages. The pattern is uniform throughout the book to prevent unnecessary confusion and quicken the learning process. 

The Intermediate English Grammar is especially great for students who have a strong foundation in the language and want to improve their skills. The level of teaching in this guide progressively increases with each chapter. Hence you develop a firm understanding of grammar rules by the end of the book. 

3. Practical English Usage 

A mistake commonly made by English-learning books is that there is an excess of information provided to readers. Practical English Usage is a book that breaks free of this norm with concise and point-based explanations. This is a book recommended for trainee teachers, professors, and advanced-level students seeking answers to English language questions.

The guide has two comprehensive parts: Grammar and Vocabulary. Both the parts cover more than 600 entries by experienced English speakers and writers. The several topics covered in this book include –

• Article issues 
• Proper use of tenses 
• Use of conditionals 
• Formatting guidelines 
• Avoiding offensive language 
• Differences between British and American English 

4. Practice Makes Perfect: English Conversation 

This book is among the best English-learning books to polish word usage, syntax, grammar, and pronunciation abilities. Designed with non-native English speakers in mind, each section includes several exercises to boost practice and confidence. 

One of the defining characteristics of this book is that it teaches you several common idioms and phrases via detailed conversations. As a student, you will be able to perform the following after studying from this book –

• Retell a conversation or narrate a story 
• Express needs and wants clearly and concisely 
• Express opinions, likes, and dislikes with your peers 
• Introduce yourself and other people without making mistakes 

This book is also replete with English dialogues that illustrate several practical conversations. Each sentence and phrase is highlighted with exercises to help you understand daily usage. The comprehensive answer keys provide instant feedback on performance with respect to the practice questions. 

5. Ship or Sheep? 

Ship or Sheep? is an excellent book for students learning English at home. Similar in structure to English Grammar in Use, the book does not follow a progressive format. Each unit of this guide focuses on specific sounds, allowing you to learn the rules of speaking English effectively. The book places systematic emphasis on the practice of English pronunciation with several activities and interesting exercises. 

The guide additionally comes with a set of 4 pre-recorded audio CDs to help you practice speaking and vocabulary. As a student, you will also be able to learn about the English language’s 24 consonants as well as different vowel sounds. Moreover, the book has dialogues, games, and practice exercises that can be done with a tutor, classmate, or study partner for fun learning! 

Key Takeaways 

• College is a stimulating environment that emphasizes the development of relevant skills for learning and growth. 
• Polishing your language skills during these formative years is a great way to develop the habit of effective and clear English communication.
• Support your learning and refine your language skills with the 5 listed English-learning books! 

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FAQs 

Q1. Can these books be downloaded on a Kindle? 

Answer – Yes, most of the listed books can be downloaded on a Kindle at a certain cost. 

Q2. Is there a prominent difference between British and American English?

Answer – British and American English have different rules for language skills. The differences are subtle and can be picked up with practice and exposure. 

Q3. What is the best way to improve your English speaking skills?

Answer – Practicing with the above-mentioned guides and engaging in conversations is one of the best ways to improve English speaking skills.