Reading novels is an excellent way to not only enjoy a great story, but also to discover new vocabulary and to become more familiar with different aspects of grammar and sentence structure. However, it's a very solitary way of learning, with no feedback from a teacher or from anyone else. And of course it doesn't help with the other essential skills such as listening, speaking, and pronunciation.
But if you love reading and want to use it as a building block for your learning, joining a book club could be a good solution. Then, you are not just reading on your own, but also able to discuss the book and its themes with other people. However, book clubs tend to be aimed at mother-tongue speakers, and whilst that could work well for someone at advanced level, it might be difficult or discouraging for learners at B1 or B2 level. I thought about this a lot when I first started teaching and then had an idea: what if I were to offer a “book club” course specifically for intermediate learners? This way, we could choose a book at the right language level, members could help and encourage each other, and my role as a teacher would be to facilitate discussions, help explain difficult vocabulary or grammar concepts and most importantly, offer feedback on every skill at every stage. Joining a course like this is also less formal and less expensive than having private lessons, and maybe a more fun way to learn and meet other English learners.
It’s still just an idea…but if you would be interested in joining an English learners’ book club, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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