Preface

Reading Your Way Into English and Learning About Canada is a collection of essays and exercises designed and written to improve skills in reading and writing English. Its major premise is that reading well-written material will improve an individual’s written English. A secondary purpose of the book is to help newcomers to Canada become familiar with this country’s geography, some of its history and culture, and some achievements of its people.

This book has been prepared for individuals whose first language is not English but who wish to improve their English language skills. The language in the collection of essays is similar in level and format to the English language found in many college and university texts.

Each chapter in Reading Your Way Into English and Learning About Canada has five sections. The first section begins with a vocabulary list made up of words that may be unfamiliar to some readers. The second section points out how the essay that follows illustrates some aspect of written English that should have particular relevance to readers for whom English is a second language.

Section three is the heart of every chapter, providing an interesting and informative essay on some aspect of life in Canada. Each essay is followed by a set of questions (section four) that will help readers to confirm that they have understood what they have been reading. The last section of each chapter provides a suggested activity that invites readers to practice their writing skills.

Readers of this book are encouraged to use the seven strategies outlined on page 3. If used regularly, these strategies will help readers improve not only their writing skills but also their speaking skills.

© Copyright University of British Columbia, 2002.

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