BOOKS:
Easy Reader Collection
The Easy Reader Collection is located at the beginning of the Paperback Shelves, (last row of the book stacks on the east side of the library). The readers are written in simplified English and arranged by reading level. Browse through the books until you find the best level for you. You can check out five books from this collection. The online catalog can show you a list of easy readers. Scroll through the titles until you find something that interests you..
English Language Grammar, Reading, and Writing
There are many books that can help with grammar and writing. They are located in the book stacks. The general call numbers are PE1112 through PE1413.
If you would like to browse the online catalog for books about specific subjects, select Subject from the drop-down menu, and type a heading such as:
Series Books
When you are ready to move beyond the Easy Reader Collection, it is time to try reading some of the series books that the library carries. The content of these books is suitable for adults, but the vocabulary and writing style are for middle school or high school levels. To find specific series names, search in the online catalog by typing the series name as a title search. All the books in the series will appear on the screen. The library carries more than 100 series names. Here are just a few that are already linked to the catalog. Select “SJCC” as Location, and then, “submit”:
Point/Counterpoint (social issues)
World Leaders (biographies)
Nations in Transition (global studies)
PERIODICALS
The library carries several magazines that are appropriate for the intermediate and advanced student, e.g. Reader’s Digest; People Weekly; Women’s Health.
AUDIO CDs
The CD Collection is located in a cabinet near the reference desk. Look under the category, Language Learning to find a variety of instructional CDs. You will find only the cover in the display; the actual CD must be checked out from the Circulation Counter. Here are some of the CDs that the library carries:
Accent America Essentials (all levels)
Easy American Idioms (Intermediate)
Easy English (Basic)
Easy English Vocabulary (Basic - Intermediate)
Easy Pronunciation (Basic –Intermediate)
English for the Real World (Intermediate – Advanced)
Getting Ahead in the U.S.(Advanced)
Easy Pronunciation (all levels)
Fluent English (Advanced)
ImproveYour American English Accent (Intermediate-Advanced)
Instant Immersion ESL
Ingles en100 Dias (for Spanish Speakers)
Ingles Movil (for Spanish speakers)
Ingles Para Conversar (for Spanish speakers)
Pronounce It Perfectly in English (all levels)
ESL Collection (includes Easy Readers, CDs and much more)
The library has many books and CDs to help you with English. If you would like to browse through a list of them, click here on ESLCollection Select “SJCC” as Location, and then, “Submit”. You can browse through more than 500 items. These materials are not all located in the same place. Ask the librarian to help you.
Magazine, newspaper and journal articles provide current information on many topics.
The following are a sample of the databases that provide some helpful features for the ESL student. You can also search the databases from home, or any off-campus location. You will be asked to enter your name and seven-digit college ID number.
This database specializes in current controversial issues. It gives overviews of topics, as well as magazine articles, images, statistics, websites, links to audio and video files and more. It is appropriate for the advanced ESL student, but offers no special aids.
You can find articles from magazines, newspapers, and encyclopedias. Adjust your search by selectin reading levels from Grade1 to Grade 12. Search by keywords, or browse topics of interest to you.
Articles about novels, short stories, poems, etc. are found in this database. It also makes some articles available in translation and provides ReadSpeaker.
Reference Books
Reference books are used often by librarians and students, so they cannot be checked out. Sometimes the library also has a copy in the book stacks that can be taken home. A librarian will help you find the best books for your needs. The following are examples of reference books that you might find helpful.
Dictionaries:
Random House Webster’s Easy English Dictionary (Beginner)
Ref PE1628.R2944 2001 Beginner level vocabulary – basic words,phrases, idioms;
example sentences; vocabulary words for TOFLexam.
American Heritage Dictionary for Learners of English
Ref PE 1628.A6229 2002. Intermediate level vocabulary – clear and precise definitions,
idioms, example sentences, grammar information.
Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners of American English
Ref PE2835.M33 2002 Detailed explanations of usage and meaning;
accompanying CD has real life spoken examples.
Firefly Visual Dictionary
Ref PE 1629.C67 2002 Illustrationsof 35,000 useful words for home, school,
work; e.g. tools, appliances, clothing, food, body.
Other useful titles:
TheBBI Dictionary of English Word Combinations
Ref PE 1689 .B46 1997 Essential word combinations; phrasal verbs; help with
unpredictable word combinations.
Barnhart Abbreviations Dictionary
Ref PE 1693 .B3 1995 examples: ADA;DMV; NYPD; UFO; UPS; VIP; etc.
Dictionaryof American Idioms
Ref PE 2839.D5 2004 Expressions and phrases taken from real life and based on
how Americans use them; includes example sentences.
Let’sTalk Turkey; the Stories behind America’s Favorite Expressions
Ref PE 2839 .O88 2008 examples: “Sayuncle”; “cut to the chase”; “keep your shirt
on”, etc.
Masterplots;Plot Stories and Critical Evaluations of the World’s Finest Literature
Ref PN 44.M33 1996 Summaries and critical evaluation of stories, plays, poems.
Novelsfor Students
Ref PN 3385.N68 Summaries of plots, characters, themes, style, etc.
Selected Books for ESL Students
Beginning:
American Manners and Customs PE 1127.M36 C42 2004
ESL Beginner: English as a second languagemade nice and easy PE 1128.E75 2009
Let's talk 1 PE1128.J624 2008
Master the basics--English PE1128.Y36 2006
The new Oxford picture dictionary PE1629.S52 1998
101 American English idioms PE1131.C65 2007
Word by Word; Basic Picture Dictionary PE1629.M582 1997
Intermediate:
Active Listening PE 1128.B877 2007
Correct your Englisherrors: avoid 99% of the common errors
made by learners of English PE1128.C69385 2009
Word strategies: buildinga strong vocabulary PE1128.G531 2007
101 English verbs: the artof conjugation PE 1271.R69 2007
Grammar in useintermediate: self-study reference and practice
for students of North American English : withanswers PE 1128.M775 2009
Let's talk 2 PE 1128.J625 2008
Slangman Guide to StreetSpeak PE2846.B86 2005
Word by Word; PictureDictionary PE 1629.M582 2005
Advanced:
Barron's English for foreign languagespeakers: the easy way PE 1128.L336 2008
Cheater's guide to speaking English like anative PE 1460.D43 2007
Mastering the American accent PE 1131.M65 2009
Read & think English PE 1129.S8R43 2008
25 business stories: a practical guide forEnglish learners PE 1127.B86B66 2008