Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Did you know that chocolate can motivate you to learn English? Any kind of reward system helps, but chocolate is one of the best. When you think of chocolate your mouth begins to water. You can’t get chocolate off your mind. You’ll do anything to get your hands on some chocolate…even if it means studying English.

The classic novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is a book for all ages. Though written at a child’s level, any adult (especially choc-o-holics) will enjoy the tale. This is true of any Roald Dahl book, including the Twits, the Witches, and the BFG (all of which are equally as good, if not better, when you are an adult).

In the opening of the book you will meet Charlie Bucket. Charlie is a poor boy who lives in a tiny house with his mom, dad and both sets of grandparents. His father works in a toothpaste factory. Mr. Bucket supports the large family by screwing caps on tubes of toothpaste. As such, he can only afford to buy Charlie one chocolate bar per year from Willy Wonka’s factory. If you’re not motivated yet, read on…

Before you start reading this book, buy yourself one large chocolate bar (or one bag of chocolate chips). Each time you complete a page of reading, take one tiny nibble (this is all Charlie gets). By the time you get to the end, your chocolate bar will be complete. (You may need two bars if your bites are too big.) Not only will you have read a great story, you will learn the art of mindful eating.

After you read the book, you can read the sequel Charlie and the Glass Elevator and rent one or both of the film versions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Alternatively, you could borrow or buy a recorded version of this book. Reward yourself with chocolate as you watch and listen.

Even if you don’t get this book, you can still motivate yourself to learn English with chocolate. Buy yourself one bar today and enjoy a nibble each time you study English with English Club.

Wordchecker
makes your mouth water: the thought of something delicious causes saliva to form
can’t get something off your mind: can’t stop thinking of something
get your hands on something: to obtain something that you really want
nibble: very small bite of food

Which is your favourite chocolate bar and why?