Passages for Language Learners
This is a list of passages or articles written with language learners in mind. Although some of the language-learning topics are primarily for English language learners (ELLs), they cover principles that apply to learners of other languages.
These passages or articles are geared toward not only the language-learning experience but also American language and culture, linguistics, and other language-related topics.
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Select Your Reading Level:
Legend: Passages may contain practice video audio
Basic (A-Level)
Learning English and Doing the Hard Work
Learning a language is not only about having fun. Sometimes you need to work hard. Marc Franco has some insight to motivate you to get the most out of your learning. Read the passage…
English hasn’t always been an international language
English has become an international language only recently. What was the global language before English? How did English become the international language? Read the passage…
Language Bias and Discrimination
Language biases exist against people with certain speech characteristics. Such biases can have serious consequences. Read the passage…
Level of Formality in American Language and Culture
What level of formality is appropriate in the US? How do you know? How can you avoid social blunders? Read the passage…
Intermediate (B-Level)
How to deal with native speakers breaking the grammar rules that you’re learning
Learn how English-language learners can get confused by native speakers' use of grammar and how they can deal with understanding and learning non-standard grammar used in everyday spoken English. Read the passage…
Language Bias and Discrimination
Language biases exist against people with certain speech characteristics. Such biases can have serious consequences. Read the passage…
Level of Formality in American Language and Culture
(Intermediate/Advanced Reading Level) What level of formality is appropriate in the US so you can avoid social blunders? Read the passage…
What is Grammar (for a linguist)?
(Intermediate/Adv. Reading Level) Grammar means something different for linguists and the layperson. Read the passage…
Accents and Idiolects
(Intermediate/Advanced) Franco explains what accents and idiolects are and draws on his own experiences to discuss their sociolinguistic nature. Read the passage…
5 Steps to Break through the Socio-Cultural Bubble
Franco builds on the previous passage (below) and discusses 5 steps for language learners to “break through the bubble” and increase their chances of learning a local language. Read the passage…
Learning English in the United States and the Socio‑Cultural Bubble
(A Case Study)
Learn how language learners can sometimes isolate themselves from the speakers and culture. Read the passage…
Advanced (C-Level)
Language Bias and Discrimination
(Intermediate/advanced level) Language biases exist against people with certain speech characteristics. Such biases can have serious consequences. Read the passage…
Level of Formality in American Language and Culture
(Intermediate/Advanced Reading Level) What level of formality is appropriate in the US so you can avoid social blunders? Read the passage…
What is Grammar (for a linguist)?
(Intermediate/Adv. Reading Level) Grammar means something different for linguists and the layperson. Read the passage…
Accents and Idiolects
(Intermediate/Advanced) Franco explains what accents and idiolects are and draws on his own experiences to discuss their sociolinguistic nature. Read the passage…
5 Steps to Break through the Socio-Cultural Bubble
Building on the previous passage (below), Franco discusses 5 steps for language learners to “break through the bubble” and increase their chances of learning a local language. Read the passage…
Learning English in the United States and the Socio‑Cultural Bubble
(A Case Study)
Learn how language learners can sometimes isolate themselves from the speakers and culture. Read the passage…
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