Rob Waring

Thammasat University, Thailand

About

Dr. Rob Waring, is Emeritus Professor at Notre Dame Seishin University in Okayama and Visiting Professor at Thammasat University, Thaland. He is an acknowledged expert in Extensive Reading and vocabulary acquisition. He has published over 80 articles and has given hundreds of lectures, plenaries and featured speaker presentations in 32 countries. He is an Executive Board member of the Extensive Reading Foundation responsible for the promotion of Extensive Reading globally. He is also author and series editor of a six series of graded readers by various publishers and has recently published Teaching Extensive Reading in Another Language with Paul Nation.

Sessions

Adult ERF Affiliates reports more

Sat, Sep 6, 12:20-13:05 Asia/Tokyo

In this session, the ERF affiliates will report their activities in the previous two years. They will also present their plans for the upcoming years. Anyone is welcome to attend. Those who are interested in setting up their own ER Association or who wish to be affiliated with the ERF are welcome to attend.

Rob Waring

All Levels Writing Graded Readers more

Fri, Sep 5, 17:30-18:50 Asia/Tokyo

This workshop will be a hands-on look at how graded readers are written and how ideas become books. Writing compelling graded readers requires more than just simplifying language—it involves thoughtful design, creative storytelling, and a deep understanding of learner needs. This interactive workshop will guide participants through the entire process of writing graded readers, from concept development to final draft. We will explore how to choose topics that engage learners, balance linguistic control with natural language, and build progression across levels. Participants will examine techniques for adapting existing texts and crafting original stories, incorporating CEFR-aligned vocabulary and grammar. Special attention will be given to voice, pacing and chapter structure among other elements. The session will also cover tools for planning, drafting, and editing. Whether you're new to writing or looking to refine your approach, this workshop offers practical strategies and inspiration to help you create effective, enjoyable graded readers.

Rob Waring Michael Lacey Freeman

All Levels From Foreign to Familiar: Making Graded Readers for Thai Learners more

Sun, Sep 7, 11:45-12:30 Asia/Tokyo

Graded readers are essential for language acquisition, but their effectiveness depends on quality stories, linguistic accessibility, and cultural relevance. While many graded readers exist, few are tailored to specific local cultures. Many stories are based on Western norms, which may not resonate in non-Western countries. This presentation focuses on developing graded readers for Thai learners of English, considering their cultural perspectives, reading preferences, and linguistic challenges. Drawing from a project funded by The Fundamental Fund, Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), the session explores narrative styles, familiar themes, cultural frameworks, interests, and vocabulary needs that align with Thai sensibilities. It also discusses how the materials from this project align with the Thai National Curriculum to enhance motivation and comprehension. The session provides practical insights for educators, publishers, and curriculum designers looking to create engaging and culturally sensitive reading materials.

Suparuthai Sumonwiriya Nuchsara Choksuansup Thongsan Chutipa Kongsombut Rob Waring

College and University The Enlightenment of ER in a Vietnamese Public University more

Sun, Sep 7, 14:35-15:20 Asia/Tokyo

This presentation first examines the current state of reading and especially extensive reading in the university context in Vietnam. This review shows that EFL reading classes in Vietnam almost exclusively teach reading intensively with little to no effort made to engage the students in systematic ER programs. We will then discuss the potential solutions to more smoothly implement an ER program in Vietnam by providing an example of one such ER program at our university. The particulars of our ERF supported ER program will then be explained followed by a review of its goals and achievements. In closing, we will propose some future steps we plan to take to not only embed ER more deeply into our curriculum, but mention ways to expand this model to other universities and schools in the region.

Tram Nguyen Rob Waring

Adult Graded Readers: Challenges, Opportunities and Creative Rewards more

Sat, Sep 6, 15:10-15:55 Asia/Tokyo

This panel discussion brings together experienced graded reader authors to explore the unique challenges of creating engaging and impactful fiction and non fiction while working within strict linguistic constraints. The session will also examine what the key priorities for writers are, what opportunities and challenges the genre offers, and how teachers themselves can delve into the art of crafting stories of their very own for their students.

Michael Lacey Freeman Rob Waring Paul McAleese Catriona Chalmers Sarah Gudgeon

All Levels ERF Graded Reader Writing Consortium: A discussion more

Sat, Sep 6, 16:05-16:50 Asia/Tokyo

The Graded Reader Author Network in Thailand (GRANT) group and the Graded Readers Authors in Indonesia (GRAIN) groups have formed to write graded readers with local sensibilities. The reason for these initiative is that graded readers from the major publishers are often Western-centric and few SE Asia names appear in these book and even fewer deal with issues young SE Asians face. Very few if any local legends, fables and fairy tales are available in a well-structured syllabus. The aim of both groups is to train authors to write graded readers with SE Asian and local sensibilities. Some training has already taken place in Thailand and will take place in Malang, Indonesia on October 6-7th. This is a session for the ERF to discuss and co-ordinate with the GRANT and GRAIN groups and to discuss a range of issues they will face when co-operating in the coming years.

Rob Waring Anik Wulyani Michael Lacey Freeman Chutipa Kongsombut Suparuthai Sumonwiriya Fenty

All Levels Reviving the Legacy of Michael West more

Sun, Sep 7, 18:15-19:00 Asia/Tokyo

The session will focus on the contributions of Michael West, the third Principal of Teachers’ Training College, Dhaka, who worked here from 1920 to 1932. He observed that few pupils had real reading ability in English, were not able to speak more than a few disjointed sentences and could write very laboriously. A focus on reading, he thought, could provide students with a foundation which would be useful in developing other language skills as well. Therefore, he developed The Reading Method, supplemented by graded readers, which became popular worldwide. The tradition continued even after the birth of Bangladesh in 1971 in the form of Rapid Readers, but was discontinued on the grounds of being improperly used. Michael West Study Centre (MWSC) was established at Dhaka TTC in 2024 with a view to reviving supplementary graded readers for different levels of education.

A. M. M. Hamidur Rahman Ranjit Podder Rob Waring

All Levels Extensive Reading Foundation Open Board meeting more

Mon, Sep 8, 10:55-11:40 Asia/Tokyo

All attendees are welcome to join the ERF Board meeting to listen in on what we are doing. Attendees are welcome to add their thoughts and make suggestions during this session.

Rob Waring