Learning to read and write English from the beginning
These materials are for complete beginners who are learning to read and write English, including learners who are unfamiliar with the English alphabet.
The learner materials are organised into three stages: handwriting, basic reading, and basic spelling & phonology. Teachers can also find guidance and further resources below.
1. Handwriting
Start with letters and progress to words, sentences and everyday language.
2. Basic Reading
Practise recognising letters, words and sound–spelling relationships.
3. Spelling & Phonology
Develop basic spelling patterns and awareness of English sounds.
1. Basic Handwriting
Begin with letter formation and gradually move towards words, sentences and useful everyday language.
- Handwriting 01: letters a–g — copying single and joined lower-case letters.
- Handwriting 02: letters h–n — copying single and joined lower-case letters.
- Handwriting 03: letters o–u — copying single and joined lower-case letters.
- Handwriting 04: letters v–z and short words.
- Handwriting 05: short words and minimal pairs.
- Handwriting 06: sentences about the learner's host family — with some substitution.
- Handwriting 07: telling the time — copying and producing words for clock times.
- Handwriting 08: dates and time — days, months, seasons and times of day.
2. Basic Reading
These exercises develop recognition of letters, words and relationships between sounds and written forms.
- Reading 09: upper- and lower-case letters — including a linking exercise.
- Reading 10: further letter-linking exercises — for example G to g, B to b and A to a.
- Reading 11: letters with the same sound — for example a–H–k.
- Reading 12: visual discrimination — matching letter strings.
- Reading 13: visual discrimination — matching word strings.
- Reading 14: transcribing upper- and lower-case letters — recording the learner's pronunciation.
- Reading 15: number symbols and words — recording the learner's pronunciation.
3. Basic Spelling & Phonology
Two exercises introduce basic spelling patterns and the relationship between English sounds and written forms.
- Spelling & Phonology 16: plural endings — /s/, /z/, /ɪz/, /vz/ and irregular forms.
- Spelling & Phonology 17: vowel spelling patterns — a, e, i, o, u, ee, ea, oo and ou.
Teacher Guidance & Resources
Further material for teachers working with learners who are developing basic literacy skills.
Monitoring handwriting sessions
Guidance on letter formation, spacing, letter height, guidelines, alignment and monitoring learners during practice.
Teaching reading
A discussion of phonics, look-and-say approaches and the development of reading skills.
Handwriting books
A bibliography of handwriting and literacy materials for teachers and learners of different ages.
Handwriting practice template
A printable template for producing handwriting practice materials on A4 paper.