Practical ideas

Practical idea - Involving families for whom English is an additional language

23 Feb 2011

Invite storytellers and authors from ethnic minorities to talk about the importance of reading in the home. If this isn't possible, local authorities often have links with translators who could also come and talk to families.
Enlist the help of the bilingual speakers in school to set up a reading club using books in other languages.
Integrate food into as many of the reading activities as possible. Food is often strongly linked with cultural identity and hospitality and can be used strategically to motivate families to attend events, for example make a recipe book of families' national dishes.
Link into key national events such as World Book Day and Refugee Week or organise a 'Multilanguage Month'. Highlight a different language every day/week that is relevant to your school and celebrate reading in this language.
Get the families to help translate slogans like 'Reading is fun' into as many languages as are spoken at the school and display them prominently.