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ERAU Hunt Library

English Language Practice

This guide is intended to help users find reading material for English language practice for college-level students.

Choosing Reading Material

This guide is intended to help users find reading material for English language practice for college-level students.

Tips:

  • Many databases offer the ability to sort search results. Look for limiters like Lexile Score, page count, or short/medium/long to help narrow down results.
  • Choosing material from magazines and newspapers can be beneficial since the type of writing used is more common and easy to understand.

Databases

  1. Do a keyword search.
  2. In the results page, using the left-hand menu, select Length.
  3. Choose a desired length - short, medium, or long.
  1. Do a keyword search.
  2. In the left-hand menu, narrow results by Source Type
  3. Suggested source types:
    • Newspapers
    • Trade Journals
    • Magazines
  1. Click on the Advanced Search icon: 
  2. Once on the Advanced Search page, you can use the dropdown menus to select a Target Audience or a Content Level.

Databases

  1. You will be directed to the Advanced Search page.
  2. Scroll towards the bottom of the search page for the by Lexile reading level dropdown menu and select the desired reading level.
  3. Put in keywords and do a search. Your search should contain only results with the Lexile level you selected on the Advanced Search page.
  1. Once in the database, scroll (beneath the search bar) until you see the drop-down menu for Number of Pages to narrow down search results by page count.
  2. Selecting Publication Type may also be beneficial.

NewsBank is especially good for finding material for reading since newspapers tend to have easier-to-read language.

  1. Once in the database, click your desired geographical area.
  2. Use keywords to search.
  3. On the left-hand side of the results page, use the Source Type option to narrow down search results.