Embedded Files
Online Reading Opportunities
Below are a number of my favorite websites for students who want to read interesting things and improve their reading skills. Most of these sites are fairly easy to read or they provide helps (glossaries, sound, explanations, etc.) for better understanding.
Rikai.com Great Help for Reading Online!
Paste an English text or the URL for a page you want to read into the window and hit "go." You'll see the text or webpage in a new window. It'll look the same, but this time, when you pass your cursor over a word, you'll automatically see a "pop-up" definition in Japanese. You can also do Japanese to English.
POPjisyo.com Great Help for Reading Online!
Similar to to Rikai.com, POPjisyo.com allows you to view webpages with pop-up readings and definitions in Japanese or English. Also has a variety of dictionary tools available.
Read AND listen to over 1,000 stories and texts in easy English. Also build your vocabulary using the site's word learning system.
This site features MANY short readings at levels A2 - C1 on all kinds of topics. Most include interactive comprehension exercises, as well.
Read and listen to current news stories on a wide range of interesting topics. Easy-to-understand articles limited to basic 2,500 word vocabulary (dictionary available). Downloadable/streaming audio is a bit slower than normal, for easy listening. Some newscasts also available by video. Site includes links to talking dictionaries, word games and reading exercises. If you enjoyfiction, be sure to check out the American Stories section!
BBC World Service - Learning English
This great site for upper elementary and above features complete video courses at various levels, with a variety of themes. Also read and listen to news, human/cultural interest stories, business news, interviews, reviews and dialogs. Most stories include pictures, streaming audio or video and glossaries. Some include comprehension quizzes and audio scripts. Also try grammar & vocabulary exercises, interactive quizzes & games, and discussion boards. Explore!
This terrific site from Sean Banville offers a simplified article from the current news every 3-4 days, with mp3 audio. Read, listen or read & listen, and try the provided reading (including speed reading), vocabulary, spelling and grammar exercises (answers provided). In addition to recent lessons, check out the "See all ... lessons" archive. You can also download everything for study off-line.
The many ads on the site can be confusing, but once you get used to it, this site will provide many hours of useful reading, listening and language practice.
Great site full of richly illustrated and narrated e-books for children, age 4-11. Series include Oxford Reading Tree, Project X, Treetops, etc. College EFL students enjoy these, too!
Features short news articles with hypertext glossaries and Japanese summaries. Requires log in. Challenging-- for intermediate to advanced learners.
News stories with glossaries, audio, video, reading and vocabulary lessons, etc. Content focused on Thailand. Intermediate to advanced level.
Helps for learning to read and e-books aimed at young children. Some older students may enjoy, as well.
English Language Newspapers in Japan
Mainichi Daily News--Up-to-date articles, most featuring convenient link to Japanese version.
Japan Today--Articles include comments from readers.
The Asahi Shimbun--Includes links to articles and study aids from Asahi Weekly.
The Japan News - from the Yomiuri Shinbun
Links Collections - These pages provide links to many sites offering online reading opportunities. Try them!
Reading from Rong Chang--Another nice group of links to easy reading online.
4Kids.org - Cool Spots--This is another site with links to recommended websites for young people. Lots of interesting information. Take a look.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse