FAQs

1. What is Ladybird Readers?

Ladybird Readers is a graded reading series specifically written for children learning
English as a foreign or second language. The series combines a fantastic range of
content (new fiction, popular characters, traditional tales and non-fiction) with
carefully structured progression required by young learners.

2. What syllabus does the series follow?
The series is aligned to the Common European Framework (CEFR), taking children
from pre-A1 to A2 level.
The Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) exams requirements have been used
to develop the series. The Readers and accompanying Activity Books cover
objectives from the Starters, Movers and Flyers stages.
Each title has also been Lexile levelled, which measures the complexity of the
reading material.

3. What components are available?
Print:
o Readers
o Activity Books
o Ladybird Readers User Guide
o Flashcards (available January 2017)
Online:
o Audio
o Answer Keys to the activities in the Readers and Activity Books
o Title-specific lesson plans and teaching ideas (coming soon)

4. How many levels are there?
There are four levels in the Ladybird Readers series.
Level 1 is pre-A1 and YLE Starters, with 100-200 headwords.
Level 2 is A1 and YLE Movers, with 200-300 headwords.
Level 3 is A1+ and YLE Movers, with 300-600 headwords.
Level 4 is A2 and YLE Flyers, with 600-900 headwords.

5. What are the entry/exit language levels?
Level 1 is suitable for CEFR pre-A1 and YLE Starters).
Level 4 is suitable for children working towards CEFR A2 and YLE Flyers.

6. What age is Ladybird Readers suitable for?
We recommend the Ladybird Readers for children aged 5-9, depending on their
language level and reading abilities.

7. How many titles are there in Ladybird Readers?
There are 10 titles in Level 1.
There are 10 titles in Level 2.
There are 4 titles in Level 3.
There are 4 titles in Level 4.

8. Will new titles be added to Ladybird Readers?
The series will develop and grow, including the addition of a new Starter level in
2017, so check back regularly for new titles and more teacher support.

9. Are there Workbooks?
Yes, there is a full-colour Activity Book to accompany each Reader.
The Activity Books supplement the activities found at the back of each Reader. The
Activity Books include listening activities and songs, as well as the reading, writing,
speaking, critical thinking and YLE practice activities found in the Reader exercises
too.

10. Is there a Teachers Guide?
A User Guide to accompany the series is available in print or online
(www.ladybird.com/ladybirdreaders).
Title-specific lesson plans and teaching ideas for each Reader will be available from
the website soon.

11. Do you provide teacher training for Ladybird Readers?
Please contact your local distributor if you are interested in teacher training sessions
for Ladybird Readers. A list of our distributors around the world is available on the
website.

12. Is there audio?
Audio tracks to accompany each Reader and Activity Book are available to download
from www.ladybird.com/ladybirdreaders.
The tracks are available in both UK and US accents choose which suits your setting
best.
Track 1 is always the full text from the Reader. Tracks 2, 3 and 4 accompany the
Activity Books, including the song on page 16.

13. Is Ladybird Readers British or American English?
The series uses International English, with American spellings where appropriate.
The audio tracks are available to download in British and American accents.

14. Does Ladybird Readers cover all-round literacy skills?
Ladybird Readers provides opportunities to develop and practice all four core skills:
reading, writing, speaking and listening. There are also activities that specifically
target spelling and singing.
The range of activities at the back of the Readers and in the Activity Books develop
comprehension and higher order thinking skills, through individual, pair and group
work. Children are encouraged to discuss the Readers with their partners, and to
write words and whole sentences. Vocabulary acquisition is key to the series, with
subtle repetition used to familiarise children with the key words used in each
Reader.
Icons are used in the Readers and Activity Books, to help teachers and parents
identify the key skill(s) targeted by each activity.

15. Does Ladybird Readers help children to develop critical thinking and 21st century skills?
Yes, the question mark icon identifies activities that encourage children to engage
critical thinking skills to analyse, infer or respond to the Reader.
 Children are encouraged to work together to complete some of the activities,
developing communication and collaboration skills.

16. Does the series support differentiation in the classroom?
The familiar stories and popular brands used in Ladybird Readers will engage
children who lack motivation or who are reluctant readers. The fiction and non-
fiction topics cater to a wide range of interests.
Teachers can assign different activities to different groups of children. The wide
range of activities in each Reader and Activity Book means that the whole class can
work from the same book, but focus on developing different skills.
The title-specific teachers resources, available on the website soon, will include
ideas for supporting reluctant readers and stretching fast finishers.

17. How can I buy Ladybird Readers?
Please contact your local distributor if you are interested in buying Ladybird
Readers. A list of our distributors around the world is available on the website.

18. How much does it cost to buy Ladybird Readers?
Please contact your local distributor if you are interested in buying Ladybird
Readers. A list of our distributors around the world is available on the website.