English Short Stories for Intermediate Learners
The Six-Step Reading Process

1.      Read the first chapter of the story all the way through. Your aim is simply to reach the end of the chapter. Do not stop to look up words in the dictionary and do not worry if there are things you do not understand. Simply try to follow the story.

2.      When you reach the end of the chapter, read the summary of the plot to see if you have understood what has happened. If you find this too difficult, do not worry.

3.      Go back and read the same chapter again. If you like, you can read in more detail than before. Otherwise, simply read it one more time and enjoy!

4.      At the end of the chapter, read the summary again, and then try to answer the comprehension questions to check your understanding of what happened. If you do not get them all correct, do not worry.

5.      By this point, you should start to understand the main events of the chapter. If you wish, continue to re-read the chapter using the dictionary to check difficult words. You may need to do this a few times until you feel confident. This is normal, and each time you read you will gradually understand more.

6.      Otherwise, you should move on to the next chapter and enjoy the rest of the story at your own pace, just like any other book.

 

Remember, at every stage of the process, there will be words and phrases you do not understand. Instead of worrying, try to focus instead on everything that you have understood. Congratulate yourself for taking the time to read in English.

Most of the benefit you get from this book will come from reading each story from beginning to end. Only once you have reached the end of the story should you go back study the language from the story in more depth.