Reading Skills Stories: Resources for Beginning ESL Literacy

Teachers across Minnesota have been asking for more accessible, adult-appropriate phonics materials—and Phonics Stories deliver. Keep reading to learn why we’re excited to highlight this resource!

Developed by Literacy Centre of Expertise at The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) in Canada, Phonics Stories is a comprehensive collection of four sets of phonics readers created specifically for adult English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners. Each collection features ten short stories designed to build essential decoding and early reading skills through accessible, meaningful content. Materials are available as downloadable PDFs or in an interactive online format. Integrated video and audio resources add multisensory support, making the materials adaptable for diverse learners.

The stories follow a clear problem–solution structure centered on everyday situations—like fixing something at home, dealing with car issues, or navigating a rainy day. These relatable scenarios help learners stay engaged and draw connections to their own lives. Each story is paired with a workbook that provides focused phonics practice, creating a whole–part–whole learning experience that strengthens foundational skills.

The four collections include the following:

The Initial Sounds Collection is especially valuable for learners who are engaging with books for the first time—whether in English or any language. These stories introduce key print concepts, help learners understand that print carries meaning, and support the development of foundational literacy behaviors.

Each Phonics Story Collection comes with:

• A Teacher’s Guide offering structured instructional support
• An instructional video demonstrating practical strategies for teaching early literacy and phonics
• A curated set of useful websites and teacher training resources
  

Grounded in research-based practices, the Phonics Stories materials strengthen learner confidence, promote reading fluency, and provide adult-appropriate content that reflects learners’ daily lives. Instructors appreciate how seamlessly the stories, workbooks, and multimedia supports work together to build skills in a way that is engaging and relevant.

The digital collection also includes student-facing literacy content, making it a flexible tool for classroom instruction, tutoring, small groups, or independent practice.