English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012) 14: A Huge Resource for Extensive Reading
English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012) 14: A Review
If you are learning English as a second or foreign language, you might have heard of graded readers. These are books that are specially written or adapted for learners of different levels of proficiency, from beginners to advanced. They are designed to help you improve your vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and fluency in a fun and engaging way.
English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012) 14
But with so many graded readers available in the market, how do you choose the best ones for your needs? And where can you find them easily and affordably?
In this article, we will review one of the most comprehensive and popular collections of graded readers online: the English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012) 14. We will explain what it is, what it contains, what are its advantages and disadvantages, how to use it effectively, and where to download it for free.
By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of whether this collection is suitable for you and how to make the most of it.
What are English graded readers?
English graded readers are books that are written or adapted for learners of English at different levels of difficulty. They use simplified language, controlled vocabulary, and clear illustrations to make reading easier and more enjoyable for learners.
Graded readers are based on the idea that reading is one of the best ways to learn a language. By reading texts that are appropriate for your level, you can expose yourself to a large amount of authentic language input, learn new words and expressions in context, practice your grammar and pronunciation, and develop your reading skills and strategies.
Graded readers also offer many benefits for your motivation and confidence as a learner. They allow you to choose topics and genres that interest you, such as fiction, non-fiction, classics, mysteries, romance, etc. They also give you a sense of achievement and satisfaction when you finish reading a book or a chapter.
The benefits of reading graded readers
Reading graded readers can help you improve your English in many ways. Here are some of the main benefits:
Expand your vocabulary: Reading graded readers can expose you to a lot of new words and phrases that you might not encounter in other sources. You can learn them from the context or from the glossaries that are often provided at the end of each book. You can also review them using flashcards or quizzes.
Reinforce your grammar: Reading graded readers can help you review and consolidate the grammar rules that you have learned in class or from other materials. You can see how grammar is used in natural sentences and paragraphs, and how it changes according to the tense, mood, voice, etc.
Enhance your comprehension: Reading graded readers can improve your ability to understand written texts in English. You can practice different skills and strategies, such as skimming, scanning, predicting, inferring, summarizing, etc. You can also check your comprehension by answering the questions or doing the exercises that are often included in each book.
Boost your fluency: Reading graded readers can increase your speed and accuracy in reading English. You can read more texts in less time and with less effort. You can also improve your pronunciation and intonation by reading aloud or listening to the audio versions of the books.
The levels and types of graded readers
Graded readers are usually classified into different levels according to their difficulty. The difficulty is determined by various factors, such as the number of words, the complexity of the sentences, the familiarity of the topics, etc.
There are different systems for grading readers, but one of the most common ones is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which divides learners into six levels: A1 (beginner), A2 (elementary), B1 (intermediate), B2 (upper-intermediate), C1 (advanced), and C2 (proficient).
Each level corresponds to a certain range of words that learners are expected to know or learn. For example, a level A1 reader might have 300 words, a level A2 reader might have 600 words, a level B1 reader might have 1200 words, and so on.
Graded readers also come in different types according to their genre or format. Some of the most common types are:
Original stories: These are stories that are written specifically for learners of English. They usually have simple plots, realistic characters, and contemporary settings. They are often based on themes or issues that are relevant or appealing to learners, such as culture, travel, friendship, love, etc.
Adapted classics: These are stories that are based on famous works of literature from different countries and periods. They are simplified and shortened to make them accessible and enjoyable for learners. They often include some background information and notes about the original authors and works.
Non-fiction: These are texts that provide factual information about various topics, such as history, science, art, sports, etc. They are usually written in an engaging and informative style, with illustrations, diagrams, maps, etc. They often include some activities or projects to help learners apply or expand their knowledge.
Biographies: These are texts that tell the life stories of famous or influential people from different fields and backgrounds. They highlight their achievements, challenges, and contributions to society. They often include some quotes or anecdotes to make them more personal and inspiring.
What is the English Graded Readers Mega Collection?
The English Graded Readers Mega Collection is a huge collection of graded readers that was uploaded to the Internet Archive website in 2012. It contains over 2500 books from various publishers and series, covering all levels and types of graded readers.
The collection was created by an anonymous user who wanted to share his or her passion for reading and learning English with other learners around the world. The user wrote in the description: "I hope you will enjoy this collection as much as I do. It took me a lot of time and effort to gather all these books from different sources. I think it is worth it."
The collection is divided into 14 parts, each containing about 180 books in compressed files (.rar). The total size of the collection is about 15 GB. The books are mostly in PDF format, but some are also in MP3 or DOC format.
The origin and purpose of the collection
The origin and purpose of the collection are not very clear, as the user who uploaded it did not provide much information about himself or herself or the sources of the books. However, based on some clues and comments from other users, we can make some assumptions:
The user was probably a learner of English himself or herself: The user wrote in broken English and made some spelling and grammar mistakes in the description and titles of the files. He or she also mentioned that he or she enjoyed reading graded readers and learned a lot from them.
The user probably collected the books from various websites and torrents: The user did not specify where he or she got the books from, but some users commented that they recognized some of the books from other websites or torrents that they had visited before.
The pros and cons of the collection
The English Graded Readers Mega Collection is a valuable resource for learners and teachers of English who want to access a large number of graded readers for free. However, it also has some drawbacks that should be considered before using it. Here are some of the pros and cons of the collection:
Pros
Cons
Variety: The collection offers a wide range of graded readers for different levels, genres, purposes, and audiences. You can find books that suit your interests, needs, and goals.
Quantity: The collection contains over 2500 books, which means you have plenty of choices and opportunities to read extensively and improve your English skills.
Quality: The collection includes books from reputable publishers and series that have been carefully written or adapted for learners of English. They have high standards of language accuracy, readability, and attractiveness.
Accessibility: The collection is available online for free. You can download it easily from the Internet Archive website or other sources. You can also share it with other learners or teachers who might benefit from it.
Legality: The collection might infringe the copyright laws of some countries or regions. It is not clear whether the user who uploaded it had the permission or the right to do so. You might face some legal risks or ethical issues if you use or distribute it without authorization.
Compatibility: The collection might not be compatible with some devices or software. Some of the files are in compressed format (.rar) that requires special programs to open them. Some of the files are in PDF format that might not display well on some screens or readers.
Completeness: The collection might not be complete or updated. Some of the books might be missing some pages or parts. Some of the books might be outdated or obsolete. Some of the books might not match the titles or descriptions given in the index files.
Support: The collection does not provide any support or guidance for learners or teachers who want to use it effectively. There are no instructions, recommendations, reviews, or feedback available for the books. There are no activities, exercises, quizzes, or tests included with the books.
As you can see, the collection has both advantages and disadvantages that you should weigh carefully before deciding whether to use it or not. You should also check the laws and regulations of your country or region regarding the use of copyrighted materials online.
How to use the English Graded Readers Mega Collection effectively?
If you decide to use the English Graded Readers Mega Collection for your own learning or teaching purposes, you should follow some tips and strategies to make the most of it. Here are some suggestions:
Choosing the right level and genre for your needs
The first step is to choose a book that matches your level and interests. You can use the index files that are included in each part of the collection to browse through the titles and descriptions of the books. You can also use the CEFR levels as a reference to find a book that is suitable for your proficiency.
You should choose a book that is slightly above your current level, but not too difficult or frustrating. A good rule of thumb is to choose a book that has no more than 5-10 unknown words per page. You should also choose a book that has a topic or genre that appeals to you, such as fiction, non-fiction, classics, mysteries, romance, etc.
You can also read some reviews or summaries of the books online to get an idea of what they are about and whether they are worth reading. You can use websites such as Goodreads or Amazon to find such information.
Reading strategies and tips for graded readers
The second step is to read the book in an effective and enjoyable way. You can use different reading strategies and tips depending on your purpose and preference. Here are some examples:
Do the activities: Many graded readers come with activities throughout or at the end of the book. Doing these can help you check your comprehension and focus on important vocabulary.
Listen to the accompanying CD (or online audio): Many graded readers come with audio recordings of the texts. Listening to these can help you improve your listening comprehension and pronunciation. You can listen to them before, during, or after reading the book.
Learn new vocabulary: Reading graded readers can expose you to a lot of new words and phrases that you might not encounter in other sources. You can learn them from the context or from the glossaries that are often provided at the end of each book. You can also review them using flashcards or quizzes.
Let the graded reader inspire your writing: Reading graded readers can also help you improve your writing skills. You can use the book as a model or a source of ideas for your own writing. You can write a summary, a review, a sequel, a diary entry, a letter, etc. based on the book.
Act it out: Reading graded readers can also help you improve your speaking skills. You can use the book as a basis for role-playing or dramatization. You can act out some scenes or dialogues from the book with your classmates or friends.
Practice your pronunciation: Reading graded readers can also help you improve your pronunciation and intonation. You can read aloud some passages or sentences from the book and record yourself. You can then compare your recording with the audio version of the book or with a native speaker's recording.
Assessing your progress and learning outcomes
The third step is to assess your progress and learning outcomes after reading the book. You can use different methods and tools to measure how much you have improved and what you have learned from the book. Here are some examples:
Take a test: Some graded readers come with tests or quizzes that you can take after reading the book. These can help you evaluate your comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and other skills related to the book.
Use a rubric: A rubric is a set of criteria and standards that you can use to assess your own or someone else's performance or product. You can use a rubric to assess your own writing or speaking based on the book. You can also use a rubric to assess someone else's writing or speaking based on the book, such as your classmates' or friends'.
Use a portfolio: A portfolio is a collection of work or evidence that demonstrates your learning and achievements. You can use a portfolio to showcase your reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities and products based on the book. You can also include some reflections or feedback on your learning process and outcomes.
Where to find and download the English Graded Readers Mega Collection?
If you are interested in using the English Graded Readers Mega Collection for yourself or for your students, you might wonder where to find and download it. Here are some possible sources and alternatives:
The Internet Archive website
The original source of the collection is the Internet Archive website, which is a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, music, websites, and more. You can access the collection by following this link: https://archive.org/details/EnglishGradedReadersMegaCollection15.2.2012.part01.
You will see a list of 14 parts of the collection, each containing about 180 books in compressed files (.rar). You can download each part separately by clicking on the "Download Options" button and choosing "RAR". You will need a program such as WinRAR or 7-Zip to open them.
You will also see some index files that list all the books in each part of the collection by title, level, publisher, series, etc. You can download these files by clicking on the "Download Options" button and choosing "PDF". You can use these files to browse through the books and select the ones you want to read.
Other sources and alternatives
If you are not able to access or use the English Graded Readers Mega Collection for some reason, or if you want to explore other options for graded readers, there are some other sources and alternatives that you can try. Here are some examples:
FluentU: FluentU is an online platform that provides authentic English videos with interactive subtitles, quizzes, and flashcards. You can watch videos on various topics and genres, such as movies, TV shows, documentaries, music videos, etc. You can also adjust the level of difficulty and learn new words and phrases from the videos.
Newsela: Newsela is an online platform that provides news articles with different levels of difficulty. You can read articles on current events and issues from various sources and categories, such as science, arts, sports, etc. You can also take quizzes and write responses based on the articles.
LingQ: LingQ is an online platform that allows you to read and listen to texts in different languages. You can choose texts from various topics and genres, such as stories, podcasts, blogs, etc. You can also create your own texts or import them from other sources. You can learn new words and phrases from the texts and track your progress.
Project Gutenberg: Project Gutenberg is a website that offers over 60,000 free ebooks that you can download or read online. You can find books from various genres and periods, such as classics, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc. You can also find books in different languages and formats.
These are just some examples of other sources and alternatives for graded readers that you can use for your English reading practice. There are many more to discover and explore online or offline.
Conclusion
In this article, we have reviewed the English Graded Readers Mega Collection (15.2.2012) 14, a huge collection of graded readers that was uploaded to the Internet Archive website in 2012. We have explained what it is, what it contains, what are its pros and cons, how to use it effectively, and where to find it.
Summary of the main points
Here are the main points that we have covered:
English graded readers are books that are written or adapted for learners of English at different levels of difficulty. They use simplified language, controlled vocabulary, and clear illustrations to make reading easier and more enjoyable for learners.
The English Graded Readers Mega Collection is a huge collection of graded readers that contains over 2500 books from various publishers and series. It was uploaded by an anonymous user who wanted to share his or her passion for reading and learning English with other learners around the world.
The collection has both advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before using it. Some of the advantages are variety, quantity, quality, and accessibility. Some of the disadvantages are legality, compatibility, completeness, and support.
The collection can be used effectively by following some tips and strategies. Some of the tips are choosing the right level and genre for your needs, reading strategies and tips for graded readers, assessing your progress and learning outcomes, and finding and downloading the collection.
The collection can be found on the Internet Archive website or other sources. It can also be replaced by other sources and alternatives for graded readers that are available online or offline.
Recommendations and suggestions
If you are interested in using the English Graded Readers Mega Collection for your own learning or teaching purposes, we recommend that you:
Check the laws and regulations of your country or region regarding the use of cop