7 Best-Selling EFL Books Millions Love

Discover best-selling EFL books authored by leading experts like Mario Rinvolucri and Stephen Sloan, valued for practical impact and teaching excellence.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially in the field of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Millions of learners and educators worldwide have turned to certain key titles that consistently deliver engaging, effective approaches to language teaching and learning. EFL remains a vital skill globally, and these books represent methods with proven value, helping students and teachers alike navigate this complex journey.

These books are authored by educators and researchers with extensive experience in EFL instruction, such as Mario Rinvolucri and Stephen Sloan. Their works have influenced classrooms internationally by providing fresh perspectives on grammar, speaking, assessment, and cooperative learning. This enduring authority lends confidence to educators seeking reliable, research-backed resources.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific EFL needs might consider creating a personalized EFL book that combines these validated approaches. Personalization can bridge general methods with individual goals, making your learning or teaching journey more efficient and rewarding.

Best for engaging grammar instruction
Mario Rinvolucri is a prominent author and educator in English language teaching, recognized for his innovative methods that enrich student learning experiences. His work, including this book, reflects a commitment to making grammar instruction more interactive and enjoyable, which has earned widespread use among educators worldwide. Drawing from his extensive background, Rinvolucri crafted Grammar Games to help teachers integrate motivating and varied grammar activities into their classrooms.
1985·146 pages·EFL, English, Learn English, Grammar Practice, Drama Activities

Unlike most EFL books that lean heavily on drills and rote repetition, Mario Rinvolucri's Grammar Games offers a fresh take by blending cognitive, affective, and drama-based activities to teach English grammar. You’ll find well-specified games tailored to various grammar points, complete with details on materials, levels, and timing, making it easier to pick the right activity for your class. This resource invites you to transform grammar practice into engaging, interactive sessions rather than tedious exercises. It’s especially suited for educators aiming to motivate and involve their students actively, though self-learners might find the teacher-oriented design less accessible.

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Stephen Sloan’s book offers a thorough collection of cooperative and communicative activities tailored specifically for EFL learners from junior high to adults. This resource stands out for its practical design that supports learner-centered classrooms, focusing on real-life themes and group problem-solving tasks that encourage interaction and confidence in English. Whether you are new to cooperative learning or seeking fresh, adaptable activities, this book provides a structured yet flexible approach that complements any instructional material. It addresses the core need of integrating communication and collaboration skills into language education, making it a valued tool among educators looking to deepen student engagement.
1991·160 pages·EFL, Cooperative Learning, Communicative Activities, Group Work, Language Skills

What makes this book a trusted staple in EFL teaching is Stephen Sloan's deep experience with cooperative learning methods. He crafted a collection of activities that aren’t just engaging but also strategically designed to build communication and teamwork skills in intermediate learners, adaptable for various levels. You’ll find themed units like "Car Trouble" and "Buying Music" that encourage real dialogue, alongside jigsaw puzzles that foster problem-solving in groups. It’s especially suited for educators focusing on interactive and learner-centered classrooms, giving you tools to boost both confidence and practical language use among students.

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Best for custom teaching plans
This AI-created book on EFL teaching is written based on your specific challenges and teaching background. You share which learner difficulties you want to focus on and your current skill level. The result is a book tailored precisely to your needs, combining proven methods with your unique context. This personalized approach makes it easier to apply effective techniques and overcome hurdles in your EFL classroom.
2025·50-300 pages·EFL, EFL Methods, Learner Challenges, Teaching Adaptations, Classroom Engagement

This tailored book explores battle-tested EFL teaching methods carefully matched to your unique learner challenges and teaching context. It examines proven techniques that have empowered millions of educators and learners alike, combining well-established approaches with insights customized to your background and goals. The book delves into practical lesson adaptations, learner engagement strategies, and effective assessment tools, all focused on addressing your specific classroom needs. By focusing on your interests, this personalized text facilitates efficient learning and teaching improvements, making complex concepts accessible and relevant. It offers a rich exploration of language acquisition hurdles, motivation tactics, and custom lesson design, supporting a more impactful EFL experience.

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Learner-Centered Methods
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Best for enhancing speaking pedagogy
Keith S. Folse, Ph.D., Coordinator of TESOL Programs at the University of Central Florida and author of over 35 language textbooks, brings extensive expertise to this work. His background in second language acquisition and experience with vocabulary and speaking instruction uniquely position him to explore what truly makes speaking activities effective in ESL/EFL classrooms. Folse's commitment to bridging research and practice helps you understand not just what to teach, but why it works, making this a practical guide for educators seeking to enhance their teaching strategies.
2006·296 pages·EFL, Teaching, Language Learning, Speaking Skills, Fluency Development

Keith S. Folse draws on decades of experience coordinating TESOL programs to challenge common assumptions about teaching speaking in ESL/EFL classrooms. You’ll find detailed analysis of research-backed speaking activities, with chapters like "Twenty Successful Activities" and "Ten Unsuccessful Activities" breaking down what truly advances fluency. The inclusion of real classroom case studies from around the globe offers concrete examples of pitfalls and triumphs, while appendixes on vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar provide essential support for lesson planning. This book suits teachers looking to refine their approach with evidence rather than intuition, especially those eager to understand both the theory and practice behind speaking pedagogy.

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Best for interactive grammar practice
Shenanigames offers a unique approach to EFL grammar instruction through interactive games that promote both language accuracy and student engagement. This book’s long-standing appeal comes from its practical design, featuring 49 games and 96 photocopiable masters that let teachers bring energy and targeted grammar practice to their classrooms without extra prep. Suitable for a wide learner age range, it addresses grammar topics from adjectives to verb tenses, helping educators create lively lessons that foster natural conversation and vocabulary growth. Its focus on interaction makes it a valued resource for those aiming to make grammar lessons less mechanical and more dynamic.
1997·152 pages·EFL, English, Grammar Practice, Interactive Activities, Student Engagement

After analyzing classroom interactions and grammar acquisition, James Kealey and Donna Inness developed this collection of 49 interactive games designed to make grammar practice engaging for ESL and EFL students. The book provides 96 photocopiable masters that require no preparation, focusing on grammar points like modals, conditional sentences, and participles, while encouraging natural conversation and vocabulary use. You’ll find activities suitable for learners ranging from middle school age to adults, making it a flexible tool for diverse classrooms. If you're looking to energize grammar lessons and foster student interaction, this book offers targeted practice without tedious drills.

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Best for language assessment professionals
Rating EFL Written Performance offers a unique window into the assessment of English language learners' writing by examining how raters think aloud while scoring. Published by Walter de Gruyter, this book reflects extensive research involving teacher trainees who were trained and then recorded their thought processes during evaluation, shedding light on the complex cognitive activity behind rating. If your work touches on language assessment, teacher training, or educational evaluation, this book provides a solid, research-based framework to understand and improve how written performance is judged in EFL contexts.
2014·424 pages·EFL, Language Assessment, Teacher Training, Written Performance, Rater Cognition

Drawing from her expertise in language assessment and teacher training, Katalin Bukta explores the nuanced process of rating English as a Foreign Language (EFL) written performance. Through detailed analysis of teachers' think-aloud protocols while they assess scripts, the book uncovers how subjective judgments are formed and how training impacts consistency. You'll gain insight into the cognitive steps raters take and the challenges inherent in evaluating learner writing, supported by real examples from 37 teacher trainees. This book is especially useful if you're involved in language assessment, teacher education, or interested in the psychology behind scoring written work.

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Best for rapid speaking gains
This AI-created book on EFL speaking fluency is crafted based on your current language level, interests, and specific speaking goals. You share which areas you want to focus on and your background, and the book is tailored to enhance your speaking skills efficiently. Personalization matters here because fluency requires targeted practice that fits your unique challenges and learning preferences, making your progress more effective and enjoyable.
2025·50-300 pages·EFL, EFL Fundamentals, Speaking Fluency, Pronunciation Practice, Vocabulary Building

This tailored book explores a step-by-step plan designed to accelerate your EFL speaking fluency within 30 days. It combines popular, proven techniques with insights personalized to your language background and interests, ensuring each lesson matches your goals. The content focuses on practical speaking exercises, vocabulary enhancement, and confidence-building methods that resonate with your specific learning style. By addressing your unique challenges and preferences, the book provides a focused path to noticeable improvement in oral communication skills. Through a personalized approach, it makes the journey towards fluency engaging and efficient, encouraging continuous progress in real-world speaking contexts.

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Fluency Acceleration
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Best for digital-age teaching methods
Connectivism for EFL Teachers offers a unique look at teaching English through the lens of learning networks and digital tools. Thomas Jerome Baker draws from his rich experience with leading ELT professionals in Chile to craft a perspective that resonates with educators facing the evolving demands of today's classrooms. This book has gained attention for its thoughtful approach to blending connectivist theory with practical teaching, making it a meaningful resource for those committed to modernizing their language instruction and connecting with students in new ways.
2012·70 pages·EFL, Language Teaching, Digital Learning, Connectivism, Teacher Development

When Thomas Jerome Baker reflects on his journey as an English Language Teaching professional, he reveals a deep gratitude for the mentors who shaped his craft, especially those he encountered in Chile. This book distills his experience into a fresh perspective on connectivism tailored specifically for EFL teachers navigating the digital age. You’ll gain insights into how learning networks and technology intersect with language acquisition, helping you rethink traditional teaching methods. Though concise at 70 pages, it offers a thoughtful framework for educators eager to integrate digital tools thoughtfully into their classrooms, making it particularly useful for teachers embracing 21st-century learning challenges.

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Best for conversation skill builders
Larry Pitts is the creator of the widely used ESL Conversation Questions website and author of multiple ESL resource books. Drawing from his extensive classroom experience and contributions to resources at Yonsei University, he developed this book to meet the practical needs of ESL and EFL teachers. His approach centers on providing a straightforward, easy-to-use collection of conversation prompts that have proven effective in fostering lively student discussions.
2012·150 pages·EFL, Language Learning, Classroom Techniques, Speaking Skills, Vocabulary Building

When Larry W Pitts recognized the challenge teachers face in keeping ESL and EFL students engaged, he crafted a resource that focuses on sparking real conversation. This book offers over 1,000 questions across 100 topics aimed at intermediate to advanced learners, designed to improve fluency, vocabulary, and error recognition. You learn practical ways to prompt discussion without unnecessary distractions, as the clean layout supports easy photocopying and classroom use. The author shares insights from his extensive teaching experience, making this a grounded tool for educators seeking to enrich their conversation classes.

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Conclusion

The collection of these seven best-selling EFL books reveals clear themes: they emphasize interactive, learner-centered approaches; they ground teaching in research and real classroom experience; and they offer adaptable resources for diverse learners and educators. If you prefer proven methods to enhance grammar teaching, start with Mario Rinvolucri's "Grammar Games" or the engaging activities in "Shenanigames." For validated approaches to speaking and cooperative learning, combine "The Art of Teaching Speaking" with Stephen Sloan's activity book.

Those interested in assessment will find Katalin Bukta's "Rating EFL Written Performance" invaluable for understanding and improving evaluation practices. Meanwhile, Thomas Jerome Baker's "Connectivism for EFL Teachers" offers insights into integrating digital-age learning theories. For boosting conversation skills, Larry W Pitts' "1,000 Conversation Questions" provides ready-to-use prompts.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized EFL book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed and can be tailored to fit your specific EFL challenges and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Grammar Games" if you want engaging grammar activities or "The Complete ESL/EFL Cooperative and Communicative Activity Book" for interactive group learning. Both provide practical, proven methods that suit many learners and teachers alike.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to EFL?

No, many of these books, like "Shenanigames," offer adaptable activities suitable for various levels, including beginners. They focus on engagement and can be adjusted to fit your current skill.

What's the best order to read these books?

Consider beginning with grammar and speaking-focused titles such as "Grammar Games" and "The Art of Teaching Speaking," then explore cooperative learning and assessment books as your needs evolve.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick one based on your immediate goals—for example, choose "1,000 Conversation Questions" to improve speaking fluency. Each book targets specific skills, so select the one matching your focus.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"The Art of Teaching Speaking" offers a balance of research and practice, while "Connectivism for EFL Teachers" leans toward theory about digital-age learning. Most others emphasize practical classroom activities.

How can I tailor these expert books to my specific learning goals?

While these books provide solid frameworks, personalized content helps you focus on your unique needs. You can create a personalized EFL book that blends expert methods with your goals for efficient learning.

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