Read about Australia: my new non-fiction EAL readers
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
Beach Safety: An updated ESOL resource list
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
Writing from your own migrant heritage: thoughts and tips from Lauren Piovesan
I interviewed Lauren Piovesan about her ESL Reads project back in 2022 and 2023. As always, it’s so exciting to have Australian resources written for multilingual learners. However, this time I wanted to talk about how her own family’s migrant experience had informed her writing of EAL/D resources – like her latest reading book, ‘Linda’s Busy Week’. I also asked … Continue reading
Authentic cross-cultural stories for English language learners: an interview with Claire Kamber
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
What’s new at ESL Reads? An interview with Lauren Piovesan
How things change! Back in March 2022 I talked to Lauren Piovesan about her new readers. The stories offered terrific cultural and language support for learners with low literacy / refugee background, at four reading levels. She had so many plans and goals for her ESL Reads project, and such a lot has happened since then, including an expansion of her … Continue reading
