The dual language English-Ukrainian eBook will be available for schools and host families free of charge to help to support the acclimatisation of refugee children.
‘Dog Diaries’ is written by Dr Clare Lawrence and tells the story of Sam who wants nothing more than to have a pet dog but knows her family can’t afford one, and how she persuades her Mum to take on a charity hearing dog for deaf people.
The story is one of six dual language books being translated by the original publisher Badger Learning into free eBook PDFs for schools and families.
In the original English edition, the language in ‘Dog Diaries’ has been designed for children in Key Stage 2 (ages 8-11) with a lower reading age but with a simplified vocabulary and simple short sentences and controlled language which make it ideal for being translated to support language learning.
For the new eBook, the left-hand page will feature the story in English, and the right-hand page will use the Ukrainian (Cyrillic) translation. Each of the books will also include a dual language vocabulary list at the front and will be accompanied by an additional simple vocabulary list of commonly used words in both languages, with a phonetic guide to pronunciation for English speakers.
Dr Clare Lawrence is the English subject lead on the PGCE secondary course at Bishop Grosseteste University. She has written three children’s book in addition to seven books aimed at both parents and teachers about the challenges of making education accessible and appropriate for pupils with autism.
Clare said: This is a non-profit venture and I’ve waivered all royalties so it can be a free interactive language learning tool for schools or families supporting Ukrainian children as they build fluency in English, and to help English speakers with the vocabulary and pronunciation of Ukrainian words as they interact with children as they adapt to life in a new country.”
The eBook will be ready to download at the beginning of July, to register your interest, please visit: https://www.badgerlearning.co.uk/blog/free-reading-resources-for-ukrainian-pupils