So there are two people to whom I'm trying to teach Go the best I can. I'm not a particularly strong player myself, since I'm coming out of a long absence from the game. But these friends really want to learn, and I thought I could at least get them started.

But, of course, local stores don't carry anything in the way of Go books, and I'd like to give them some basic primer materials before suggesting they go off and order a book about the game. My explanations aren't the best, I admit--I'm rather like one of those math teachers who gets confused about why you don't understand what's perfectly clear to me. So I was hoping there was something I could print out to send home with them or else direct them to online. I know of a couple of sites with lots of information, but I don't want to overwhelm them right now. Something simpler might be better.

Any suggestions?

This is a good place to start: http://playgo.to/iwtg/

http://www.gokgs.com/tutorial/
http://senseis.xmp.net/?RulesOfGoIntroductory

I wish sensei's had a better introduction to life and death. The closest I can find is
http://senseis.xmp.net/?AliveIntroductory, and that's not exactly in a prominent place, i.e. neither Beginner Study Section, nor Life and Death, nor Pages For Beginners link to it. It would be nice to have a little tutorial showing how to capture the three space eye, etc. Maybe I can find some time to make it.

The best thing I've found for this purpose is a video that the Second Life Go Club made a couple years back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gECcsSeRcNo

There are 3 videos, the first is an overview and basic rules. The second explains the ko rule, scoring, ranks, etc. The third would be complicated for absolute beginners, but explains terminology and some strategy.

I usually recommend they watch the first two videos, then play some games and wait until later to watch the third.

Our own Nikolas73 has a nice website http://www.allaboutgo.com that has a good introductory section for new players. It's preseented either in Flash or text based and covers the basic rules, capturing, life and death, and ending the game. The topics are covered at a high level so someone new will will get a basic understanding.

After that I would follow-up with topazg's suggestion.

_________________
"Play confidently. Make the best of mistakes."
- Janice Kim, Learn to Play Go Vol. 1

Thanks, everyone! These links were exactly what I was looking for.

I'd recommend 321go.org. It has an online course that comes with lots of exercises. Once you have completed that training you should be somewhere between 12 and 15k.

Is there an English version? Because I can't read this website.

Yes, just click on the British flag.