Two short readings for teen ESL learners: one American culture topic and one U.S. history topic.
Topic: school life in America
In many American schools, students eat lunch at school. Some students bring lunch from home. They may bring a sandwich, fruit, milk, or a small snack. Other students buy lunch in the school cafeteria.
A cafeteria is a big room where students eat together. Students usually stand in line, choose food, pay for lunch, and sit with friends. In some schools, students use a lunch card or a student number to buy food.
School lunch is not always the same. One day students may eat pizza. Another day they may eat chicken, rice, vegetables, or pasta. Many schools also have milk, juice, apples, bananas, and salad.
Lunch time is also social time. Students talk with friends, ask questions, and relax before the next class. For a new student, lunch can feel scary at first. But it is also a good time to meet new friends.
Students answer orally. Teacher helps them expand each answer.
Topic: courage and civil rights
Rosa Parks was an African American woman. She lived in Alabama, in the United States. At that time, life was not fair for Black people in many places. On buses, Black people had to sit in the back. White people sat in the front.
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks took a bus after work. She was tired. She sat in a seat. Later, the bus driver told her to give her seat to a white man. Rosa Parks said no. She did not fight. She did not shout. She stayed in her seat.
The police came and took Rosa Parks away. Many people were angry because the rule was unfair. Black people in Montgomery stopped taking the bus. They walked, shared cars, and helped each other. This protest lasted more than one year.
Rosa Parks became an important person in American history. Her quiet “no” helped change the country. Today, many people remember her as a brave woman who stood up for justice.
Students answer orally. Keep answers simple but complete.
