Below you can read some examples of how our research is providing solutions to many of the challenges education practitioners and learners face.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2023\/11\/Classroom-door-scaled-e1753893308189.jpg\")
[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Improving multilingual education<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\nBy helping teachers to understand how language knowledge and skills develop, researchers at the IoE are equipping them to better meet the needs of their pupils \u2013 including those whose home language is not English.<\/p>\n
Language and literacy skills are widely considered as vital to develop at an early age. For those learning English as an additional language, these skills are a gateway to academic success. Learning another language such as French, German or Spanish can bring many social, emotional and economic benefits, including enhanced creativity, empathy and understanding of others\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n
However, teachers\u2019 capacity to fully develop these skills is hampered by a lack of understanding of how to meet the needs of EAL learners, how to make best use of the often limited lesson time they have for foreign language teaching, and what kind of progress learners should be expected to make. They may also lack confidence in their own language abilities.<\/p>\n
Drawing on evidence from a range of long-term studies conducted in collaboration with teachers, we are providing important insights into talk-rich teaching<\/a> <\/span><\/strong>strategies that support EAL learners\u2019 literacy development, rates of progression in primary languages<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, and how teachers can maximise the benefits to learners of foreign language study using digital tools<\/span><\/strong><\/a>. Our work also has important implications for making sure that all learners\u2019 transition from primary to secondary school is an effective one.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4410″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4411″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4412″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_separator border_width=”2″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nReady to Read\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nReady to Read is an early literacy project in Reading, Berkshire. Our mission is to bring books and a love of reading to young families across the Reading and beyond and to provide support to parents, teachers and other community members who are passionate about getting children reading.<\/span> We take a participatory approach because we know that there is essential knowledge and expertise within communities and by harnessing this, we are more likely to develop engaging and successful initiatives.<\/span> We work with Reading Borough Council<\/a><\/span><\/strong> and Brighter Futures for Children<\/span><\/strong><\/a> to ensure that our initiatives are available to those who are most likely to benefit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Read our article in The Conversation<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a> about the importance of understanding local community needs, strengths and barriers<\/span><\/li>\n
- Read our paper<\/span><\/strong><\/a> on using participatory approaches with vulnerable or neurodivergent community groups<\/li>\n
- Watch our researchers talking about the project here<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Project website: Ready to Read<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/h3>\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/05\/5.png\")
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__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<\/span><\/p>\nMaths Through Stories<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\nTransforming the way mathematics is taught and learned globally\u00a0– one mathematical story at a time<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe idea of using\u00a0<\/span>mathematical story picture books (MSPBs)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/a>to enrich mathematics learning is not a new idea. In fact, it has been around for almost three decades, particularly in the early years setting. What is less common is using MSPBs to enrich mathematics learning beyond the early years level. But this approach could also benefit mathematics learning of older pupils. The use of MSPBs could:\u00a0<\/span>foster pupils\u2019 conceptual understanding through multi-representation of mathematical concepts, variation of mathematical situations and the use of\u00a0common misconceptions as a teaching point; develop language skills; and foster engagement with mathematics learning<\/span><\/i>. This project investigates that possibility.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nProject website: https:\/\/www.mathsthroughstories.org\/<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4876″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4877″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4696″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator border_width=”2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nRaising aspirations and inspiring learning: Working with local communities<\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Through projects aimed at improving parents\u2019 and young peoples\u2019 confidence and educational aspirations and children\u2019s literacy, IoE researchers and residents in local communities are developing shared insights into how to improve lives through education.<\/p>\n
Our research has shown that confidence is internalised in people’s self-identity and how this affects their own educational aspirations and ambitions can and does impact those of their children. Drawing on these findings, IoE researchers set up the Marvellous Mums<\/span><\/strong><\/a> project. They worked with a group of 27 mums from Reading on a 10-week programme to boost confidence through setting goals, focusing on skills, and self-reflection. The project helped raise aspirations of both mums and their children.[\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/Y3D9rL-ouZY?si=zRbyLboGFxYQPY7n” el_width=”80″ align=”center”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4863″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4387″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4669″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ready to Read\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nReady to Read is an early literacy project in Reading, Berkshire. Our mission is to bring books and a love of reading to young families across the Reading and beyond and to provide support to parents, teachers and other community members who are passionate about getting children reading.<\/span> We take a participatory approach because we know that there is essential knowledge and expertise within communities and by harnessing this, we are more likely to develop engaging and successful initiatives.<\/span> We work with Reading Borough Council<\/a><\/span><\/strong> and Brighter Futures for Children<\/span><\/strong><\/a> to ensure that our initiatives are available to those who are most likely to benefit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Read our article in The Conversation<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a> about the importance of understanding local community needs, strengths and barriers<\/span><\/li>\n
- Read our paper<\/span><\/strong><\/a> on using participatory approaches with vulnerable or neurodivergent community groups<\/li>\n
- Watch our researchers talking about the project here<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Project website: Ready to Read<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/h3>\n<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<\/span><\/p>\nMaths Through Stories<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\nTransforming the way mathematics is taught and learned globally\u00a0– one mathematical story at a time<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe idea of using\u00a0<\/span>mathematical story picture books (MSPBs)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/a>to enrich mathematics learning is not a new idea. In fact, it has been around for almost three decades, particularly in the early years setting. What is less common is using MSPBs to enrich mathematics learning beyond the early years level. But this approach could also benefit mathematics learning of older pupils. The use of MSPBs could:\u00a0<\/span>foster pupils\u2019 conceptual understanding through multi-representation of mathematical concepts, variation of mathematical situations and the use of\u00a0common misconceptions as a teaching point; develop language skills; and foster engagement with mathematics learning<\/span><\/i>. This project investigates that possibility.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nProject website: https:\/\/www.mathsthroughstories.org\/<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4876″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4877″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4696″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator border_width=”2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nRaising aspirations and inspiring learning: Working with local communities<\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Through projects aimed at improving parents\u2019 and young peoples\u2019 confidence and educational aspirations and children\u2019s literacy, IoE researchers and residents in local communities are developing shared insights into how to improve lives through education.<\/p>\n
Our research has shown that confidence is internalised in people’s self-identity and how this affects their own educational aspirations and ambitions can and does impact those of their children. Drawing on these findings, IoE researchers set up the Marvellous Mums<\/span><\/strong><\/a> project. They worked with a group of 27 mums from Reading on a 10-week programme to boost confidence through setting goals, focusing on skills, and self-reflection. The project helped raise aspirations of both mums and their children.[\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/Y3D9rL-ouZY?si=zRbyLboGFxYQPY7n” el_width=”80″ align=”center”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4863″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4387″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4669″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
- \n
- Read our article in The Conversation<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a> about the importance of understanding local community needs, strengths and barriers<\/span><\/li>\n
- Read our paper<\/span><\/strong><\/a> on using participatory approaches with vulnerable or neurodivergent community groups<\/li>\n
- Watch our researchers talking about the project here<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Project website: Ready to Read<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<\/span><\/p>\n
Maths Through Stories<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Transforming the way mathematics is taught and learned globally\u00a0– one mathematical story at a time<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The idea of using\u00a0<\/span>mathematical story picture books (MSPBs)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/a>to enrich mathematics learning is not a new idea. In fact, it has been around for almost three decades, particularly in the early years setting. What is less common is using MSPBs to enrich mathematics learning beyond the early years level. But this approach could also benefit mathematics learning of older pupils. The use of MSPBs could:\u00a0<\/span>foster pupils\u2019 conceptual understanding through multi-representation of mathematical concepts, variation of mathematical situations and the use of\u00a0common misconceptions as a teaching point; develop language skills; and foster engagement with mathematics learning<\/span><\/i>. This project investigates that possibility.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Project website: https:\/\/www.mathsthroughstories.org\/<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4876″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4877″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4696″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator border_width=”2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Raising aspirations and inspiring learning: Working with local communities<\/strong><\/h2>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Through projects aimed at improving parents\u2019 and young peoples\u2019 confidence and educational aspirations and children\u2019s literacy, IoE researchers and residents in local communities are developing shared insights into how to improve lives through education.<\/p>\n
Our research has shown that confidence is internalised in people’s self-identity and how this affects their own educational aspirations and ambitions can and does impact those of their children. Drawing on these findings, IoE researchers set up the Marvellous Mums<\/span><\/strong><\/a> project. They worked with a group of 27 mums from Reading on a 10-week programme to boost confidence through setting goals, focusing on skills, and self-reflection. The project helped raise aspirations of both mums and their children.[\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/Y3D9rL-ouZY?si=zRbyLboGFxYQPY7n” el_width=”80″ align=”center”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4863″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4387″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4669″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
- Read our paper<\/span><\/strong><\/a> on using participatory approaches with vulnerable or neurodivergent community groups<\/li>\n