ESL Textbooks and ESL Books for Adults | Smart Choice | Four Corners

Are you looking for an ESL textbook for high school students, university students, or adults to help make learning English easier? If your answer is, “YES!”, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find my top picks, along with ESOL books, coursebooks and workbooks to choose from.

I’ll review my favourite ESL books for adults. I have 10+ years of experience teaching adults in South Korea so I’ve seen all the ESL textbooks come and go. I’ve done all the hard work for you and narrowed down your choices to the top ones.

Top ESL Books for Adults

Here are my top ESL textbooks for adults, along with my favourite ESL activity book that you can use to supplement your lessons. Choosing one of these books will ensure your class goes smoothly and they’ll also save you time because you won’t have to supplement them with a ton of other things.

While these ESL Textbooks for Adults are all 4-skill books, the focus in all of them is primarily on speaking, with a nice variety of communicative activities perfect for beginners to advanced students.

All of these ESL textbooks would work well with high school or university students and adult ESL learners.

Keep reading for my picks for some of the best ESL textbooks for teenagers as well as adults. These ESL books are just what you need to have a great course semester.

Are you ready to get to the top picks? Let’s take a look at the top-rated ESOL textbooks, including ESL books for beginners.

Best ESL Textbooks for Adults

• Smart Choice
• World Link
• 4 Corners 
• Touchstone
• Interchange
• Jazz English
• Side by Side 
• Market Leader
• 67 ESL Conversation Topics
• ESL Reading Smart

#1: Smart Choice: A Nice Pick for an ESL Textbook

Smart Choice by Ken Wilson is a great choice if you want to make your classes interesting and educational with this ESL book for adults.

The pages contain a good mix of information presented in a clear way and practice exercises. The topics are reasonably interesting for university students and there isn’t much in the way of irrelevant or annoying stuff.

Best for Young Adults or University Students

Overall, I would strongly recommend this series for young adults at the high school or university level. In my opinion, it’s one of the best ESL conversation books for university students or adults, especially if you get the teacher’s resource book that goes along with it.

The only major negative to smart choice is that there isn’t a lot of material on each page. Some teachers may love this, but I often found that there wasn’t really enough to do, especially if you’re in a program where you have to teach a specified number of pages per day.

Supplement with Activities in the Teacher’s Resource Book

However, the topics in Smart Choice are interesting enough and it’s easy enough to supplement with some ESL activities and games.

You can easily get the Smart Choice ESL Textbook series on Amazon today. Check now for the best prices and don’t forget to see if this book is eligible for fast, free shipping with a Prime membership:

Do you want to know more about one of my top picks for an ESOL textbook? You can check it out for yourself right here in this short video:

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#2: World Link, A Solid ESL Textbook for Adults

World Link makes an excellent choice for beginner adult students. It’s definitely one of my favourite ESL books for adults.

The World Link Intro in particular is easier than most of the other 4-skills ESL textbooks. This makes it one of my favourite ESL books for total beginners.

Excellent Communicative Activities

World Link has so many great activities in it that you won’t need to spend a lot of time doing additional prep. They present the grammar and vocabulary sections in a simple way that’s manageable for a single class.

The Teacher’s Resources Book and Teacher’s Edition also come with lots of useful supplementary materials. This fact alone makes it one of the best ESL textbooks. Not a lot of prep? Yes please! I’ll take that in an ESL textbook just about any day.

Focused on Speaking

Although it’s a 4-skills book, the focus is mostly on speaking. This makes it a particularly good choice for an ESL conversation book.

I personally used this book for years and loved it. My university students in South Korea did too-the topics are interesting and the activities are engaging. It’s also one of the best ESL books for beginners.

Shop Now

Get the World Link series on Amazon today. It’s certainly one of the best ESOL textbooks available:

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#3: Four Corners: Best New ESL Textbook for Adults

Four Corners is an excellent 4-skills book with a heavy emphasis on communicative spoken activities. This makes it one of my favourite ESL conversation books.

High School, University or Adults

The students are active, engaged and interested in the topics and the grammar and vocabulary are nicely presented in a way that’s really easy to understand. 4 Corners makes a great choice for your high school, university or adult ESL classes.

Every Page is Usable—It’s Lesson Planning Made Easy

The best part about this ESL textbook is that there isn’t any fluff. Quite literally, almost every single page in the entire textbook is solid and I’d use it in my classes without hesitation.

Compare this to some of the crappy ESL textbooks, where I’d only use about 5-10% of the material in the book. If you want to make your lesson planning easy, check out Four Corners. You’ll find that you have to supplement very few lessons with extra material.

Best New ESL Textbook for Adults

This is the best new ESL Textbook to come onto the market in years! If you’re serious about communicative, engaging and fun ESL classes that are focused on speaking, then Four Corners is what you need.

You can get the Four Corners ESL Textbook for Adults on Amazon today:

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#4: Touchstone Second Edition

If you’re looking for a 4-skills ESL textbook series that can take students from high-beginner to very advanced, Touchstone is it. There are 4 levels in this series that cover just about all the major grammar and vocabulary points that beginner-high intermediate students could possibly need. It’s one of the most well thought out, detailed ESL books for adults that you could ever want!

A Well-Thought Out Progression from Beginner to Advanced

If you want to bring your students from beginner to high intermediate level or even advanced level, then Touchstone will do that. It’s obvious that this ESL textbooks series is written by pros who really know how to help students progress in a well thought out, organized way.

Second Edition: An Excellent English Learning Book for Adults!

I previously didn’t like Touchstone that much, but Cambridge has really improved the quality of their second version and I now recommend it without hesitation. The second version has lots of solid material and it’s easy to teach from this book without a lot of supplementary materials.

Also, check out my Full Review of the Touchstone ESL Textbook Series.

Or, just get the book for yourself on Amazon. It’s one of the best ESL books for beginners:

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#5: Interchange 4-Level Series

If you’re looking for a very solid, 4-skill English language textbook, this one might be it. It goes from beginner (can already read and knows basic vocabulary) to high intermediate. It looks and feels quite similar to the Touchstone series.

Lots to Like About Interchange

There are a number of reasons why you might consider this one over the others:

• A nice balance of reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar and vocabulary
• Wide range of activities in the book that’ll make your lesson planning easy. You’ll find that you need very few supplementary activities with this textbook.
• Good use of white space and colourful pictures so that each page isn’t overwhelming.
• A useful teacher’s book
• Supplementary online practice
• Workout with additional practice is available

Grammar: Could Be Explained a Bit Better

Just about the only negative to Interchange is that the grammar sections could be explained a bit more clearly. If my students relied solely upon what’s in the book, they might actually be quite confused. I often found that I had to make a separate PPT or handout with the same material, but presented in a clearer way.

You can check out this 4 skills ESL book for adults on Amazon:

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#6: Jazz English: An ESL Textbook for Free-Talking

It’s not uncommon to have a class with adults where the goal is, “free-talking.” They often just want to chit-chat about everyday things. This works well if students are chatty, excited to be talking to you, and have a lot to say. For example, in Europe, students usually aren’t shy and it’s easy to have this free-wheeling style of class.

Great for Free Talking Classes

However, in places like South Korea, students are often quite shy and reluctant to share their opinions in class. This can make it extremely difficult on the teacher to have a “free-talking” class. I, myself hated these classes when I taught in South Korean university and would generally avoid them at all costs.

If forced to do them, I would often use this ESL textbook for adults,  Jazz English, Freestyle Conversations Using Real-World English. Students loved the topics, and it got them almost “free-talking.”

It’s much easier for them to do it when they’re shy if they have a list of questions they can talk about with their partner. A bit of support goes a long way, and it also makes it much easier for you!

Jazz English made me actually enjoy “free-talking” classes! Yes, believe it or not!

This ESL English Book is Designed for Korean Students

The biggest negative to this book is that it’s designed for Korean students. There are Korean-English translations, etc. However, it can be used by teachers in other countries because the topics are mostly universal.

But, don’t suggest that your students buy the book unless you live in Korea. Keep Jazz English on your bookshelf as a resource for free-talking lessons.

You can buy Jazz English ESOL textbook on Amazon:

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#7: Side by Side

Another top pick for ESL textbooks for adults that cover a wide range of skills, topics, grammar points and vocabulary sets is Side by Side. It’s a 4-part series that has been around for years and countless teachers have found it very easy to teach from. According to the publisher, over 25 million students have used this book to learn English from!

Requires Few Supplementary Materials

The goal of the book is to build proficiency and prepare students for a wide range of real-world English speaking situations. In my experience, it’s a solid book that has some nice activities, well-presented grammar and recycles vocabulary very well. I found that I didn’t have to spend a ton of time looking for supplemental activities. This fact alone makes it a nice choice for an ESL book.

Get the Extra Resources for this ESL Coursebook

Be sure to pick up the teacher support package as well which includes a Teacher’s Guide, along with additional activities and tests. You may also want to consider assigning the corresponding Side by Side workbook to your students for homework. It’s one of the best ESL workbooks for adults.

Shop Now for Side by Side English Book

Overall, Side by Side is a solid 4-skills ESL book for adults that is easy to use. Check it out for yourself on Amazon:

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#8: Market Leader

If you teach business English to adults, then one of the top picks for ESL books is Market Leader. It’s a 5-level coursebook series that covers a range of skills but they all focus on the grammar and vocabulary needed for success in the business world.

Interesting Topics

As far as using it in classroom, my own experience is that it’s very easy to teach from. There are a range of interesting topics and activities and the grammar points and vocabulary sets are organized in a fashion that doesn’t require a lot of supplementary materials. The students find the topics relevant and engaging.

Interesting Case Studies in this ESOL Textbook

Perhaps my favourite thing about Market Leader is the case studies. They are very useful for the students and are easy to organize an entire class or group project around. It’s even possible to base exams around activities related to them.

Ideal for Teachers of Business English

If you teach business English and want to find out more about one of the best business English ESL books, head over to Amazon for all the details right here:

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#9: 67 ESL Conversation Topics

If you’re looking for some super-solid English conversation lesson plans, then you’ll want to check out this book. Each of the 67 conversation topics contains the following:

• Warm-up question
• Vocabulary challenge
• Phrases & idioms
• 14 conversation questions
• 2-3 writing prompts that are ideal for homework

Each lesson is ideal for a 1-2 hour class with intermediate or advanced teenagers or adults. Have a look at the book on Amazon:

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#10: ESL Reading Smart

If you want to help your students improve their reading skills in a big way, then consider using ESL Reading Smart. The series is ideal for kids as well, but the ones you might be interested in are those designed for students in intensive English programs who are bound for university.

Here are a few of the features of ESL Reading Smart that you’ll want to know about:

• Ideal for adults
• 126 reading selections (various levels)
• Online activities
• Perfect for CALL
• Ideal for homework
• Can be used for private tutoring or group classes
• Incorporates other skills besides reading too

#11: Great Debates for ESL

If you have higher-level students, then you may want to consider some debate topics. In this book, you can find 39 of the most important debating topics, designed for English learners.

Pick up a copy of the book and get ready for some interesting discussions! Each lesson has everything you need for a class, so prep time is minimal! You’ll love it. Find out more here:

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ESL Workbooks

If you’re looking for the ESL workbooks that correspond to each of these ESL textbooks previously mentioned, check out these links which will take you to Amazon:

Smart Choice Workbooks

World Link Workbooks

4 Corners Workbooks

Touchstone Workbooks

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ESL Activities and Games for Adults

If you’re looking to supplement your ESL or EFL classes with teenagers, university students or adults, then the book you’ll need is 101 ESL Activities: For Teenagers and Adults. There are tons of fun, engaging and interesting ESL activities to make your classes awesome. Plus, it’ll help save lots of time when planning your lessons.

Stop Wasting your Time

Maybe you used to spend so much time searching around on the Internet for those one or two ESL activities you could actually use in your classes? No more! Just pull this book down off your shelf and away you go. Everything in the book is classroom tried and tested, and what’s left is just the good stuff you can actually use. No fluff and filler = ESL Awesome!

Digital and Print Versions

The best part about 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults is that it’s available in both electronic and print formats. The (cheaper!) e-version can be read on any device-Mac, PC, smartphone, or tablet. You just have to download the free Kindle reading app.

You can get yourself some of this ESL activity book awesome on Amazon today:

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What about ESL Textbooks for Kids?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered for that too! Here are some of our picks:

English Textbooks for Kids

What Makes a Good ESL Textbook? 

It’s a big decision that can actually make or break a class. Here are just a few of the factors that you’ll want to consider.

There are a Clear Framework and Methodology

Whatever it is, that’s fine (many use presentation, production practice). But the best textbooks choose one approach and then stick with it throughout. Learn more about the various ones here: ESL teaching methods.

Real Images

Stick figures, black and white images, no images. That’s a thing of the past and the sign of a low-quality production. Real, authentic images are useful in helping our students stay engaged with the material. They should also be high in quality.

US or UK English?

What do your students know? Get an English textbook that is consistent with this. Lift? What’s that. Boot? Hmmm.

Meaningful Tasks that Require Communication

The best activities give students a reason to talk to each other. And they also give the students a reason to complete the task.

Even basic grammar activities will ask students to compare or check with a partner for example.

Integrates All The Skills

If you’re looking for a 4-skills English textbook, you’ll want a nice mix of listening, speaking, reading, and writing along with some grammar and vocabulary mixed in there. Some books lean more heavily on the speaking (Four Corners for example) because this is often what the students want.

Review and Recycling of Grammar/Vocabulary

The top English textbooks have a review page or two at the end of each unit. And they also recycle grammar and vocabulary from previous units into the current one.

A Clear Progression

For example, a unit on telling time is useless without covering numbers up to 100 first!

Or, talking about obscure careers without covering the basics first (teacher, doctor, driver, etc.)

Listening Activities

You’ll find to find an ESL textbook with accompanying listening activities. I personally love ones that have a variety of accents and non-native English speakers.

A Terrible ESL Textbook Doesn’t Have to Mean a Terrible Class

I remember back to the days when I first started teaching in Korean universities and how clueless I was about basically everything. That first semester, I was given a total piece of crap textbook to teach English conversation from (which shall remain nameless) for my freshman classes.

Of course, it was a disaster. Instead of using some of these strategies I’ll talk about in a minute, I soldiered on through the terrible ESL textbook with awful results.

Don’t let a terrible ESL textbook ruin your class! It really is possible to salvage the class and make some awesome for yourself, as well as the students. Follow these tips instead.

#1: Choose Your Own Book if Possible

The best-case scenario is that you could choose your own ESL textbook. That way, you can avoid a terrible one in the first place. However, this often isn’t the reality because those decisions are often made by program administrators.

#2: Only use the Concepts, not the Content in the Textbook

For the most terrible ESL textbooks, I’ll generally use only the concepts, but not the actual content from the book. For example, if chapter one is “simple past,” I’ll teach that same grammar point but I’ll use my own supplementary material.

In my experience though, if you make the students buy the textbook, use it for at least a few minutes each class or the students will be angry. The grammar practise or the listening exercise is often a good place to do this in a kind of painless way. The games and activities aren’t that great usually, so skip them and create your own.

To supplement, I use better textbooks, authentic level-appropriate materials (newspaper articles work well), videos, or materials that I design myself. Remember to whatever you design in Google Drive so you can reuse them next semester.

#3: Skip the Worst Chapters of a Terrible ESL Textbook

In most ESL textbooks, there are one or two chapters that are terrible for whatever reason. Maybe they’re confusing, or perhaps they’re not so bad, but just irrelevant to students in the country you’re teaching in.

Skip them. It’s better to do that than to power through a topic that students really don’t care about. In my experience, I’ve found that I usually have way more material than not enough.

#4: Use Lots of Games and Activities

I love me a good ESL game or activity. Once you introduce a concept such as the simple past, use a couple of activities to get students practicing with the language. They’ll have fun and be learning English at the same time. Scroll around on this site for a ton of activities and games for ESL students.

#5: Collaborate with Colleagues

If you’re required to use a terrible ESL textbook, chances are you’re not alone. Your coworkers probably have to as well. Collaborate with them to see how they’re coping with it.

Perhaps you can share some ideas for games or activities. Maybe share the supplementary materials you’ve created. Make PowerPoints for that lesson together. Join classes for a special activity.

There are a ton of ways that you can work together with your colleagues to make your own classes better. Take advantage of this amazing resource!

FAQs

There are a number of questions that people have about ESL books for adults. Here are the answers to some of the most common ones.

What Does ESL Stand For?

ESL is a common abbreviation for “English as a Second Language.” It’s often used interchangeably with EFL which stands for “English as a Foreign Language.” ESL can refer to programs in schools, teachers or the students themselves who are learning English.

What is the Goal of ESL Programs?

The goal of ESL programs is to help students improve their English ability. The class may focus on different skills such as reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar or vocabulary depending on students’ needs and interests. To this end, a wide variety of ESL textbooks and supplementary materials are used.

How can I Teach English as a Second Language?

Here are some tips for teaching English as a second language:

1. Begin with the alphabet and numbers 1-10
2. Teach proper pronunciation from the beginning
3. Teach basic nouns like classroom objects
4. Explain some basic adjectives
5. Teach a few basic verbs
6. Teach students the past and present tense
7. Practice some common phrases
8. Teach more numbers
9. Increase vocabulary gradually
10. Work on reading skills

What are the Best ESL Textbooks and Workbooks? Join the Convo

Please comment below and let us know what are the best ESL textbooks that you’ve seen. Or, perhaps the best ESL conversation books. Have you tried out any of the ESL books from this list? We’d love to hear from you.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other busy teachers, like yourself, find this useful resource.

 

Last update on 2025-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API