An English Summer and Improving Your Literacy With the holidays upon us, why not follow our top tips to improve your literacy skills this summer? Whatever your level of English, there are lots of fun activities below that you can follow to improve your reading and writing skills. Our English teachers have provided a wide range of recommended books to read, as well as links to websites or Apps which will allow you to test your knowledge with some fun quizzes and games. We hope that you take advantage of these top tips and enjoy your holiday.

With the holidays upon us, why not follow our top tips to improve your literacy skills this summer? Whatever your level of English, there are lots of fun activities below that you can follow to improve your reading and writing skills.  Our English teachers have provided a wide range of recommended books to read, as well as links to websites or Apps which will allow you to test your knowledge with some fun quizzes and games.  We hope that you take advantage of these top tips and enjoy your holiday.

Read, Read, Read!

Try reading a range of new and different books. Why not try some new genres and authors? There are huge amounts of amazing books out there. Some great websites for Primary School aged children include:

• BBC Nursery songs A collection of nursery songs from the Early Learning series Listen and Play and Playtime.
• Book Trust Suggested books for children and advice on how to read with your child.
• Love Reading Expert recommendations and opening extracts of books.
• Oxford Owl Phonics advice and access to free E-Books. Free to register.
• Pearson Publisher’s website designed to give parents help and advice for reading with children.
• Read for my school Reading competition for Years 3- 4 featuring a great range of books, including those for the struggling reader.

While Secondary School students can look at the following websites for recommendations and inspiration:

• Readbrightly Find book picks, reading tips, and activities for teens.
• NPR Your Favorites: 100 best-ever teen novels.
• Love Reading 4 Kids The biggest and best recommendation site for children's books.

Listen to audio versions of books with friends, family or alone. It can be great to listen to them with others on long journeys or at bedtime to help relax.

Create a quiz based on a book you have enjoyed and test your friends and family.

Write reviews and/or recommendations of books you have read and share with friends and family.

Keep a holiday journal - record your thoughts, feelings and reflections about what you see and do each day.

Comic-strip challenge. Have a go at creating a comic-strip about a character in a story you have enjoyed (you could base one on yourself too if you like). See if you can keep the comic-strip going over the holiday. Read plenty of books and some classic comics for inspiration.

Try a new activity this summer and then write about it. Have fun describing it, or reviewing it, and recommending it to others (or not)! You could create an advertisement, persuading others to have a go.

EAL: Keep Your English Going Over the Summer in Fun and Productive Ways!

Read a recommended book from our list.

Read a selection of articles at www.readworks.org using your existing username and password to enter.

Play games:

• (A2-KET, B1-PET, B2-FCE) 
• (A2-KET, B1-PET)
• (A2-KET, B1-PET)
• (A2-KET) 
• (A2-KET)

Choose from a variety of activities (A2-KET, B1-PET, B2-FCE)  

Improve your listening with ‘Virtually Anywhere' (B1-PET, B2-FCE)

English Quiz App

Quiz your English is a fun way to practise and improve your English. Go head-to-head with other players from around the world, challenge your friends through social media, and quiz your English language skills. Download Quiz your English for free. (A2-KET, B1-PET, B2-FCE) 

Virtually Anywhere

Improve your English listening skills with our new audio series, Virtually Anywhere. The series tells a story about university students Geeta and Paul. They are struggling with their coursework, when a mysterious professor offers to help. Click here to download the app!

More Activities for EAL Students 

To help you prepare for your exam, Cambridge Assessment have produced free materials such as sample papers, worksheets, vocabulary lists and exam guides for you to download from their website.

• Practice tests for all levels (A2-KET, B1-PET, B2-FCE) 
• IELTS exam (B2-FCE, C1-CAE)

On the move? No problem! Download an app...

• ‘Quiz your English’ app (A2-KET, B1-PET, B2-FCE, C1-CAE) 
• ‘Vocabulary Builder’ app for free now on Android or iOS (A2-KET, B1-PET, B2-FCE, C1-CAE)

Don’t worry or think about it too much! Use your English with family and friends over the summer and have lots of fun!