Texts of the right reading level are neither too easy nor too hard for a particular reader. Choosing texts of the right difficulty and interest levels will encourage children to read and to enjoy what they are reading. Vocabulary, word length, grammatical complexity and sentence length are traditionally used to indicate the difficulty level of a text.The subject matter of a book is also an important factor. For instance, readers with substantial prior knowledge of a subject will be able to use their knowledge to read more difficult texts. Cultural factors are important when choosing books for non-native speakers. Some children’s books may contain references to situations, objects and experiences that are unfamiliar to non-native speakers. For both children and adults, native and non-native speakers, it is important to use authentic texts. This means materials written with readers in mind, not texts constructed to illustrate specific vocabulary or word forms. It is also important to use a variety of authentic texts, including both information texts and narrative or story texts. Students often have an easier time reading information texts when they can use their knowledge of the topic.
