Lifelong fan and teacher with a question

[shaitan]

Speaking from personal experience. I attempted to tackle "Needful Things" after being in the country for about four years. I failed miserably - couldn't get past page 15. That's with more than adequate English skills. What got me was idioms, which SK's texts are peppered with, not to mention transliteration of regional accents. Now, after 20 years in the country, "takin' a pitcher" and "full of idears" are no longer an issue for me, along with the majority of idioms and allegories. However, once in a while, I do have to go back and do a double-take on some passages.
That being said, in my opinion, trying to explain these things to someone with only rudimentary English will most likely cause a lot of confusion. I think, it'd be a good idea to explain some idioms based on SK's works excerpts.

 

[doowopgirl]

Welcome. I'll be interested to know what you choose and how it goes with your students.

 

[Aloysius Nell]

Re-thought this one; how about The Breathing Method? Again, kinda long, but it's a doctor telling the story so there's probably not much in the way of idiomatic speech; I agree that would be problematic.

 

[mjs9153]

I think the Eyes of the Dragon..introduction to Randall Flagg in his earliest incarnation,but in a manner easy for high school students to identify with as the protagonists are in their age group..engaging little book..

 

[asoul]

So my question is, what do you think is the best, simplest, most engaging SK short story, poem, or excerpt to use with students whose English proficiency is still quite limited?

I think the Eyes of the Dragon is a good book for reading in such case. English is not my native language. But I was able to read this book almost without dictionary.

 

[Aloysius Nell]

I re-thought again...what about The Ledge? Grrrrreat short story! Plus, they can learn a little old-fashioned slang (welsh on a bet). A little of the rougher side of life, but nothing objectionable in a school setting. And it's always been engaging to me.

 

[SpazzTheBassPlayer]

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

+1

If the OP is still teaching high school English as a second language to "high schoolers", this would be the one

 

[AToyStoryInCali]

I have to recommend the story "Everything's Eventual."

 

[Neesy]

I think the Eyes of the Dragon..introduction to Randall Flagg in his earliest incarnation,but in a manner easy for high school students to identify with as the protagonists are in their age group..engaging little book..

I think the Eyes of the Dragon is a good book for reading in such case. English is not my native language. But I was able to read this book almost without dictionary.

Me, too - Eyes of the Dragon was written for Stephen King's daughter Naomi when she was 13. It's a fantastic fairy tale type story, yet still appeals to all ages.

 

[mal]

Mr. Murder