#4386

School I give permission to record or livestream Presentation (45 minutes)

Making Extensive Reading Accessible for Reluctant & Struggling Readers

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Graded readers are often created with the assumption that all learners can seamlessly decode text, leaving behind those who struggle with reading. This session shows how I have adapted the Easy-Read standard —originally created for native speakers with intellectual disabilities, low literacy, or difficulty processing complex information—to make graded readers more accessible for lower-secondary language learners. By simplifying the language and the way it is presented on the page, these materials support those with reading difficulties and make the information easier to read and understand. I will demonstrate how modifications in layout, text structure, illustrations, dialogue, and narrative style enhance readability, alongside a progressive introduction of vocabulary and the integration of paratextual elements that provide a single-page reading experience without overreliance on glossaries. Additionally, I will discuss how AI-driven tools can streamline these adaptations through “student personas,” allowing educators to tailor texts to specific learner needs.

  • Margarita Pérez García

    Margarita Pérez García is a Spanish and French teacher based in NSW, Australia and a second language reading specialist. She uses communicative, comprehension-based methods to motivate student engagement. Her work centres on inclusive, accessible strategies that support struggling readers, foster language development and reading success, and respond to diverse classroom needs.