Book Reports in the ESL Class
Asking ESL students to read a book, write a report and present it as part of a small group discussion is a good way to incorporate multiple strands of language learning into an activity. Here’s one way to structure a book report lesson.
Step 1. Introduce the Assignment
A book report lesson has several stages. Steps 1 and 2 need to be completed in class several weeks before the due date.
What will the students do?
Each student will choose a level-appropriate book. They will read it and write a 1 to 2 page report. Then they will discuss the book in a small group. In small groups, students will listen and, hopefully, ask lots of questions to learn more or clarify points.
Why do it?
Reading level-appropriate books is a good way to improve English language skills. It builds vocabulary and helps students learn new ideas. If students read a lot, they will learn to read faster as well.
The activities in this lesson also touch on the four strands of language learning popularized by Paul Nation:
- Fluency development: reading an easy graded reader
- Meaning focused input: reading a book, listening to a short presentation
- Meaning focused output: writing a report, giving a short presentation
- Language focused learning: memorizing parts of the book report before giving a presentation
What book should the student choose?
There are two rules.
- The book should be interesting to the student. It should be a fun and enjoyable experience. Reading shouldn’t feel like work.
- The book should match the student’s reading level. Don’t try to read a book that is too hard to understand.
Graded readers are usually a good choice for ESL students. They are not too long and it is easy to find a subject and level that matches the student’s interests and needs.
How to find a book that matches my level?
Graded readers usually have a number which shows their level. But, different companies have different ways to rank a book. So, it’s hard to make sense of the level just by looking at the number on the cover.
Here’s an easy solution.
Pick a book that looks interesting and open it up to a page, say page 12. Read the page. If you understand 95% of the words without a dictionary, that level is probably good for you.
Is this for a grade?
In my class, the book report assignment is 10% of the final grade. My grading system is rudimentary. Some teachers may prefer a more developed rubric.
5% – written report
- 4-5: Good text that covers all of the book report items with reasonably good passages, evidence of proofreading
- 3-4: Looks promising but seems rushed and incomplete, looks like it was written the night before with no editing
- 0-2: poor effort, incomplete, less than a page, hard to understand, gibberish
5% – oral presentation and participation in group discussion
- 4-5: speaks well, at least 2 to 4 minutes, good eye contact with others, knows the book and can speak about it without reading notes, asks thoughtful questions to other speakers
- 3-4: basic outline of book, some reading of written text, unable to answer questions in detail, not active in discussions
- 0-2: incomplete, no evidence the person actually read the book, short presentation, minimal participation in group discussion
Step 2. Book Report Structure
A book report will have these basic parts.
- Introduction. Tell us the title of the book and the author’s name.
- Summarize the characters and setting.
- Describe the plot. This is where the action is.
- The end. What happened?
- What is the tone of the book? Is it funny, creepy, an adventure, or a mystery?
- What are the book’s good and bad points?
- What do you think? Did you like the book? Why or why not?
Are you reading a book of fiction?
- Tell us who is telling the story. Is it first person or third person?
- Give us some details about the main characters, plot and setting. What do the main characters want? Do they have a problem? What do they do? Don’t need to talk about every small detail, just include the most important information.
Are you reading a non-fiction book?
- What is the writer’s main idea?
- Don’t summarize each chapter. Just talk about the main points.
Step 3. Collect Book Names
After the lesson introduction, give students a week to find a book. Then ask students to bring the book to class. Write down each student’s name and book title. This is a small step, but a deadline helps motivate students to take action.
Be sure to set a firm deadline to complete the written book report. Three to six weeks after introducing the assignment should be sufficient for most students.
Step 4. Book Discussion Day
Break class into small groups. (e.g. 3 to 4 students per group).
In turns, each student will present his/her book report. The others listen and ask questions. Encourage students not to read from their written report (it’s too boring for the others).
As students present, the teacher moves through the room listening to the presentations.
Make notes about the quality of each student’s presentation, level preparation and participation in group discussions.
At the end of class, students hand in their written reports. One week later, hand back reports with feedback.
Teach writing?
Get the ebook Teach Essential Writing Skills. Transform the quality of EFL student writing by focusing on four essential skills. Click here for details about the ebook that should be part of every writing teacher’s resource library.
Save time. Teach well.
Cut your lesson prep time with this colossal collection of ESL resources that stimulate language learning and critical thinking. Simplify your lesson planning because teaching should be a joy, not a chore.