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Can you advise please?

I have two private, male students, both 20 years old.

I have assessed them at the intermediate level.

As part of their speaking and listening lesson plan I want to work through a story.

Can anyone recommend an English (UK English) book for us to read and work through, one that is relatively modern but avoiding common slang and idioms? We tried The Thirty Nine Steps by John Bucan, an excellent story, but the level of English, sentence construction were too advanced, also many words were outdated. We then tried Treasure Island by R.L.S., and that too had outdated, archaic words.

Help, what can someone recommend ?

Thanks...

Hi,

I think if you choose a book written for native speakers there will always be something that students don't understand: archaic language, slang, cultural concepts. If you really want them to read authentic literature, choose a book or author that the students like and deal with the difficult language.

If you're thinking of readers, the series by Philip Prowse is good. They're written with adults in mind and not just watered down versions of adult books.

Best,
Lucy

Yes, just checked out Philip Prowse on Amazon, great, thanks.