What to read after Ollie the Elephant: English Basic Words: Booklets 1–8?

This book is a compilation of lessons from the first two sections of the Ollie the Elephant — Learning Made Easy™ English Basic Words series. It includes the booklets, exercises, and drills of those sections. We created this compilation as an introductory starter package for those who are new to this program.

What is the Ollie the Elephant — Learning Made Easy™ English Basic Words series?

There are key common words which are primary building blocks of grammar and sentence structure in the English language. These are used quite frequently, but, when asked, many people cannot say what they mean. 

This hidden but prevalent lack of understanding of overlooked yet vital elements of the English language can prevent both children and adults from speaking and understanding English easily and properly.

Two of the most frequent uses of this series are:

1. To teach anyone (adult or child) who is learning English as a second language the correct uses and meanings of key common words.

2. To teach a native-English-speaking child or adult to read and properly understand the key common words which are used in most sentences.

At the beginning of each booklet, you will find a definition of a key English word, followed by illustrated examples that use that definition.  

The booklets are followed by exercises and drills. It is vital for the student to do these exercises and drills. In on-the-ground studies, working with students of many ages and nationalities, we have found these drills to vastly improve understanding.

The only exception we have found has been while working with very young children, under the age of six or seven. If you are working with a very young child, you may want to start with the booklets only. You can go back and add the drills later, after the child has progressed further in speaking and reading.  

We have used the drills successfully with children as young as the age of seven, while we have found that reading the booklets with children at ages three and four (without the drills) has had great results for that age level. We encourage you to use your judgement and work with the child in front of you.

Aside from that exception, we strongly encourage you to do the training in full, including the study of the booklets, the exercises, and the drills. We suggest you find a partner to work with. Together, you can get one another through each exercise and drill.

We wish you the best of luck with these lessons!