Flash fiction is a type of storytelling that includes a limited number of words. Flash fiction is typically any story with fewer than 1,000 words, although flashes can sometimes be longer. The flashes in this volume are all under 1,500 words.

Flash fiction can be a helpful method of improving English language skills once a student has reached a higher level (B1 or B2) in the language. The student understands the basics of the language and should have a decent vocabulary, but they are not yet fluent.

Flash fiction, as opposed to novels or even novellas, are very short, self-contained stories. They include a minimal number of characters and often describe tiny moments rather than a larger story. There are simply fewer words and sentiments to miss in 1,000 words (a typical flash) as opposed to 80,000 words (a typical novel).

Each flash in this volume includes words in bold that a B1 or B2 student may not be familiar with. Each word in bold is defined in a vocabulary list immediately following its flash. Each phrasal verb or idiom that is underlined is also described in the pages following its flash.

Once the flash has been read and all its words understood, each has a series of exercises and comprehension questions meant to solidify the student’s understanding.