12 Best English Workbooks for ESL Learners

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English textbooks both for kids and adults are essential when you’re learning English, but they’re not the only tools you should have in your toolbox. One important item every English learner should also have? An English workbook!

Of course, knowing that you should have an ESL workbook and buying a decent one are two different things! Lucky for you, I’m an expert (self-proclaimed!) on such matters.

Today, I’ve compiled a list of the best English workbooks for ESL learners you can buy today.

Why use English workbooks

Before we jump into the best English workbooks out there, first we must know: why use English workbooks?

Well, to be truly fluent in English (or another language in general), you need to be able to speak in English, listen to English (and understand it!), and read English. ESL workbooks can be one of the best ways to facilitate all these different types of skills you’ll need to learn.

English workbooks are often also designed to be companions to other English learning books such as textbooks, grammar books, and vocabulary books. These workbooks help review each module before you move on to the next lesson in the textbook. They also give you extra practice in writing and reading the materials.

Many English workbooks aren’t directly linked to a textbook, but are still incredibly useful! Not only do they provide practice and review, but the best ESL workbooks will teach you concepts in new ways and introduce new materials.

Read on for the ultimate list of the best English workbooks you can buy today (on Amazon, for ease of shipment all over the world).

English workbooks for adults

1. English For Everyone Practice Book by DK

Whether you’re at the beginning of your English journey, know the basics, have a solid foundation, or are in the intermediate to advanced range, the English for Everyone Practice Book is a great option for you!

Packed with clear and engaging exercises, this book is ideal for those looking for a fun, easy way to learn English. It includes exercises for English grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing. The bonus audio also enables practice in English pronunciation and speaking.

This excellent ESL workbook for adults, and kids, makes English more accessible for everyone, and is great on its own or as a companion to the English for Everyone Course Book.

This book is also available on LoveReading.

What I like about this book:

• It’s part of a large series (over 26 books) that covers all levels and many specialties
• The high-quality visual aids reinforce learning
• It works inside the classroom and for individual study

2. New English File Workbook by Clive Oxeden et al.

New English File is a well-known textbook for those learning English at every level—but did you know there’s also an accompanying workbook?

The New English File Workbook is designed to “get students talking,” and introduces grammar and vocabulary primarily through speaking exercises.

Purchasing the workbook also gets you access to the online community, connecting you to English learners all over the world. This English workbook is especially ideal for students aiming to learn British English (more on the American English File series later!). 

What I like about this book:

• A strong online community for extra support
• Available answer keys to review work
• Focuses on speaking and pronunciation to improve spoken English quickly

3. Complete English Workbook by Explore To Win

If you’re looking to learn English quickly, and especially learn to speak it as quickly as possible, the Complete English Workbook for Adult Beginners is for you!

This ESL newcomer workbook aims to help you “become conversational today,” and is designed to promote confidence and comfort (learning English can be daunting, after all!).

The Complete English Workbook provides step-by-step guidance to enhance your communication skills, while also diving into the fundamentals of English grammar and vocabulary. This book is best for self-taught students who still want a structured learning plan.

What I like about this book:

• The included 30-day study plan
• English flashcards that come with a pronunciation guide
• Helps you master the basics using real-life context

4. Learn English Through Stories by Donald Wells

There are other ways to learn English rather than in a classroom with a traditional textbook. One such way is through stories!

Reading while learning English is ideal, as you’ll be naturally introduced to grammar, vocabulary, and context. Even native speakers benefit from reading a lot, after all.

Learn English Through Stories is a five-volume series filled with traditional English stories that not only expose you to English grammar and vocabulary but also to English culture. Each volume has stories designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners, that progressively get more difficult as you read.

Pro tip: read some of the stories aloud, to keep practicing that pronunciation!

What I like about this book:

• It introduces grammar and vocabulary naturally
• Exposure to English traditions and cultures through stories
• Builds up reading skills as a foundation for English fluency

5. American English File Workbook by Christina Latham-Koenig et al.

Just like the New English File Workbook detailed above, the American version is also aimed at conversational English that builds a foundation in English basics along the way. The American English File is an American English workbook, rather than British English (unlike the New English File). 

This book uses topics that engage students, inspire conversation, and emphasize pronunciation. Most of all, this ESL student workbook, which has versions for all levels, builds confidence in your speaking skills, which is necessary to reach true English fluency.

What I like about this book:

• Strong pronunciation guide to promote communication
• Plenty of online website support for more guidance and materials
• Interesting topics to appeal to a wide variety of learners

Best ESL vocabulary workbooks

6. Practice Makes Perfect: English Vocabulary Games by Chris Gunn

Gone are the days when learning a new language is endless grammar drills and memorization—now we know that incorporating fun and games improves language acquisition.

Enter Practice Makes Perfect: English Vocabulary Games! Filled with engaging games including crosswords, word searches, and word jumbles, this workbook aims to introduce a variety of new useful vocabulary words throughout each unit.

The units are organized thematically, with plenty of review for all the new words you’ve learned.tlove

What I like about this book:

• A variety of different games to entice all learners
• Over 100 games for many chances to learn new vocabulary
• Clearly organized by theme

7. The Vocabulary Builder Workbook by Magoosh

Forget flashcards, and use this workbook instead! (Actually, don’t totally forget flashcards—they’re useful, too).

Designed by a test-prep expert, The Vocabulary Builder Workbook aims to teach you over 1,400 essential English vocabulary words through its many activities and exercises.

Although this workbook is especially helpful if you’re preparing for a big test (ACTs, SATs, IELTS, TOEFL, and so on), it’s also designed for anyone who wants to improve their English vocabulary. The simple, engaging lessons make building your vocabulary nearly effortless.

This book is also available on Better World Books.

What I like about this book:

• The progressive approach increases difficulty as you advance through the book
• Lessons on root words to increase recognition of new words outside the book
• Easy-to-understand activities that promote retention

Best English workbooks to improve grammar

8. The Perfect English Grammar Workbook by Lisa McLendon

There’s no way around it—to learn English (or any new language!), you simply have to understand the basics of grammar. Although grammar can be intimidating, it doesn’t have to be, with the help of certain handy workbooks!

The Perfect English Grammar Workbook uses quizzes, exercises, and guides to introduce English grammar rules in a clear, approachable format. No part of English grammar is overlooked, from parts of speech to punctuation. Each chapter focuses on one theme, to help you avoid confusion and burnout (as grammar can be wont to do).

What I like about this book:

• End-of-chapter quizzes to review each grammar rule
• Focused practice for writing and reading in English
• A variety of exercises and questions to increase engagement

9. The Best Grammar Workbook Ever! by Arlene Miller

The grammar rules in English are extensive and can be complicated—so if you find the right workbook, it can feel like a treasure map! The exhaustive yet entertaining English grammar book, The Best Grammar Workbook Ever! will help you navigate the murky waters of grammar, from punctuation to verbs.

This workbook covers everything grammar you can think of (including an entire chapter on those confusing commas!), accompanied by pretests, chapter quizzes, and hundreds of engaging exercises.

The appendixes at the end are particularly useful, with writing tips, commonly misused terms, root words, and common misspellings.

What I like about this book:

• Makes grammar fun yet functional
• Useful for all levels and students (“from ages 10 through 110”)
• Clear, easy-to-understand, and comprehensive

Best English workbooks for kids

10. The Dragon Grammar Book by Diane Mae Robinson

Grammar is crucial even for the smallest English learners, and this is where fun is even more necessary to keep those wandering minds engaged. Ideal for ages eight and up, The Dragon Grammar Book makes English grammar fun and approachable for both kids and teens.

The easy-to-follow and adventurous lessons start with the basics, then gradually build up to the more complex grammar rules as the book progresses.

Students of all ages (and even you, as an adult!) will enjoy the humorous stories that introduce concepts such as parts of speech, sentence structure, verb agreement, and punctuation rules.

What I like about this book:

• Fun characters and stories to promote engagement
• Entertaining quizzes with answer keys
• A great reference for both home and classroom use

11. Learn English with Cartoons by Lingo Mastery

Speaking of fun ways to learn English, let’s talk about learning English with cartoons!

This ESL workbook for elementary students (and students of all ages) uses comics and illustrations to introduce new vocabulary and concepts, as well as games, quizzes, and other challenging yet fun activities.

Learn English with Cartoons has twenty chapters full of useful words with themes like relationships, likes/dislikes, family, school, body parts, food, and more. You’ll have chances to review the new terms with crosswords, category sort, and even with your own illustrations.

What I like about this book:

• Clear, engaging comics introduce natural language use
• Each chapter has a vocabulary key for reference
• Interesting stories and exercises to improve engagement

12. English For Everyone Junior: Practice Book by DK

We started with English For Everyone, and we’ll round out the list with the junior (kid) version. The ten books in this series include a course book, flashcards, sight words, grammar, and a dictionary.

The English For Everyone Junior: Practice Book, packed with beautiful illustrations, well-organized lessons, and hundreds of fun exercises, is ideal as a companion for the English For Everyone Junior: Course Book and on its own.

This ESL workbook for kids covers vocabulary, and grammar, and helps build confidence in all aspects of English.

What I like about this book:

• Engaging app and website, including audio materials, for extra support
• Bright, colorful, and fun to increase interest
• Dynamic lessons with a variety of different exercises

Conclusion

Adults and children, beginners and advanced students alike benefit from using an ESL workbook—both inside and outside the classroom!

Luckily, workbooks aren’t just tedious pages of dry grammar lessons anymore. The ones listed above incorporate games, stories, engaging exercises, and exposure to English in fun, easy ways.

Together with English learning apps, podcasts, tutors, and other English resources, these workbooks will help you master this beautiful language.

Have you tried any workbooks on this list? Or, do you have a great one you already use? Discuss below!