Are you fond of stories? Do you like learning English from them? Albert Learning firmly believes that the most efficient way to acquire a new language is through captivating stories. With that in mind, this week we embark on a fresh BookTok, exploring the captivating stories of Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic, Alice Adventures in Wonderland, which is a world full of inspiring characters, clever wordplay, and timeless lessons. In case you missed it, we spoke about The Wizard of Oz in our previous BookTok, and if you enjoyed that, this one will not disappoint you.
Why This Book is Perfect for Learning English
Learning English can be fun and effective, and doesn’t have to be dry and mechanical, especially from Alice’s adventures as described below.
- Humorous language and word play: Carroll’s puns and riddles teach you English humor and word play.
- Range of speech styles: You’ll get to know different registers, from Victorian politeness to nonsense rhyme.
- Iconic characters: White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, and Queen of Hearts make learning vocabulary fun.
- Singing sentences: Reading aloud also practices pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm.
At Albert Learning, students are guided with the same story-based techniques to help them acquire new vocabulary and improve their spoken English naturally.
A Quick Summary of the Story
Wonderland is a strange and wonderful world where animals speak, where a girl named Alice lands after falling down a rabbit hole. In her new surroundings, nothing is rational and a new escapade awaits her. Alice encounters:
– The Cheshire Cat, a puzzling feline with a sly smile.
– The Mad Hatter and March Hare, the mad tea party’s hosts.
– The Queen of Hearts, an over-dramatic ruler who is quick to anger.
– The Caterpillar, who makes Alice question her identity.
In addition to being a delightful story, this book is filled with idioms and expressions one can treasure.
Famous Quotes and Learning Tips
As I mentioned previously, these statements are extremely helpful to the comprehension of the book, and I would advice memorizing them in order with their phrasing. Here is a more descriptive guide for their usage, along with additional context.
1. Falling into Wonderland
Original: “Down the rabbit-hole went Alice.”
Interpretation: As Alice fell down and ventured across new and unfamiliar realms, so you do when you decide to pick up the study of the English language.
Tip: Express as “I fell down the rabbit hole of English podcasts.” This is a simile, and you can try creating other similes.
2. The White Rabbit Panics
Original: “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!”
Interpretation: The White Rabbit was anxious about being late.
Tip: Practicing the phrase “Oh dear!” with sincerity and different tones would help in your fluency and intonation.
3. A Riddle With No Answer
Original: “Why is a raven like a writing desk?”
Interpretation: This is a riddle, and the maker of it understands that there is no answer to it.
Tip: Appreciate how humour in the English language can be witty and imaginative.
4. “We’re All Mad Here”
Original: “We’re all mad here.”
Interpretation: It is replaced by the idea that being “mad,” or different, is considered an ordinary thing within Wonderland.
Tip: This phrase is used in making witty English conversations and is delightful to remember.
5. Off with his head!
What it means: The queen’s ordering someone’s execution, and she means business!
Quick tip: This is a classic example of a command in English.
6. Curiouser and curiouser!
What it means: Things are getting really weird.
Quick tip: Have fun with English! Make up your own silly phrases.
How to Learn English with This Book
Helpful tips to maximise learning with Alice’s adventures:
- Read bites at a time: Limit to just a couple of paragraphs daily.
- Simultaneously listen and read: Improve your intonation by following along with an audiobook.
- Dialogue role-play: Perform the dialogues either with friends or in structured lessons with Albert Learning.
- Maintain a vocabulary log: Keep track of unfamiliar words and expressions.
- View adaptations: Identify linguistic contrasts by comparing the book to its cinematic version.
The integration of reading, listening, and speaking strengthens the retention of vocabulary and enhances the pleasure of learning.
Cool Facts About the Book
Lewis Carroll, who was a math teacher that liked puzzles and logic, wrote the book, and that’s why it has those brain-teasing riddles.
The story got way more popular after people translated it into over 80 languages.
Some of the book’s interesting sayings have stuck around in English, like curiouser and curiouser.
What’s Next with Albert Learning
Reading old books is a great start, but lessons can help you learn even better. Albert Learning has courses that:
- Help you learn and remember words through stories
- Let you practice speaking, so you get better at it
- Give you one-on-one help
- Start learning English and try a free lesson!
Final thoughts
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland isn’t just a kids’ story—it can help you learn a language! It’s great for English learners of any level since it’s full of words, fun conversations, and characters everyone knows.
Grab the book, follow Alice down the rabbit hole, and learn new words and sayings by using your imagination. And don’t forget, Albert Learning is always there to help you learn English.
