The question of language learning is a hot topic for many parents and teachers. Learners with other family languages, especially recent migrants, often have difficulties in understanding the school language and the contents of learning materials.

‘Pedagogical Easy to Read books can be a step towards acquiring both the school language and new knowledge’, says Sabira Stahlberg, PhD, a researcher who has written a book about multilingualism.

‘With Easy books reading becomes a success. The chapters are short and the contents exciting and engaging. The feeling of succeeding and understanding the text can trigger the motivation to improve school language skills.’

Pedagogical Easy to Read books support the school curriculum. New or difficult materials can be acquired for instance when a learner reads an Easy book about the topic parallel with the materials.

For almost twenty years Sabira’s Easy books have been used in schools in several countries. Experiences show that school results improve, when multilingual learners get the opportunity to read Easy books.

Sabira adds:

‘When learners understand contents and contexts, they learn new terminology faster. Easy books explain difficult topics in an easily understandable language, but without simplifying the content.’

Reading suggestions: Easy to Read books

The project LäsLätt (‘ReadEasy’) 2020 for increasing and distributing information about Easy to Read is realised by Bokpil and Colorit ry.rf. and supported by The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland.