Resources for migrant English learners in Australia
2026 Aug 25

Why read about Australia?

Covers of new Read about Australia ESL Easy Read books

I’ve just published four new Read about Australia titles, in what might be quite an extended series – there are so many topics I could write about. Why read about Australia? Well, I think of all the things I didn’t know when I arrived in Australia many years ago, and then all the things that learners have been confused by … Continue reading

2026 Apr 06

Read about Australia: my new non-fiction EAL readers

Covers of four Read about Australia ESL Easy Reads from Clare Harris at The Book Next Door

Where can new learners of English in Australia find out more about their new country? When librarians asked me for easy-read non-fiction for adult  beginners, I started making a list of ‘Read about Australia’ titles. I had to ask myself some questions: What would learners like to know about? What do they need to know about? Could I link the … Continue reading

2025 Nov 04

Decodable readers for adult and young adult learners

Pictures of ESL Reads decodable story book covers from Lauren Piovesan

Decodable readers for adult (or young adult) multilingual learners, anyone? It sounds like an obvious part of a literacy program, but they are SO hard to write as relatable stories, with meaningful context. (I say that as someone who has tried – and given up!) So it was wonderful to discover that someone else has persisted – Lauren Piovesan, from … Continue reading

2025 Oct 16

Beach Safety: An updated ESOL resource list

Beach Safety resources Australia

Counting down to the release of the first four books in the new Read about Australia series, including one on Beach Icons… and it made me realise that it’s been a while since I looked at resources that focus on beach fun and beach safety. In fact, last time was in February 2018, so here’s my update. I’d love to … Continue reading

2024 Oct 04

Authentic cross-cultural stories for English language learners: an interview with Claire Kamber

Claire Kamber from Milpera Publishing

I’m always excited to see reading books that reflect the real-life experience of multilingual learners here in Australia. These stories for high school and young adult students are all about settling in, living a new life in a different environment, while missing parts of the old life…how to find a new sense of belonging. I hadn’t heard of Milpera Publishing, … Continue reading

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