The Editor



My name is Kieran McGovern and I write books and online materials for English language learners. These include original stories like Race Against Time, (Heinemann) and Love by Design (Macmillan) and simplified versions of classics like Henry James' Washington Square. You can see a partial list of my books here.

I was very pleased that three of my readers (including my version of The Secret Garden) were singled out for 'their particular excellence' in Bamford & Day's Extensive Reading in the Second Language Classroom (Cambridge, 1998). The authors very kindly described me as being 'amongst the best writers of language learner materials in English.’

The Fred & Rita series is linked to ESL Young Learners & eslreading.org. It has links with Extensive Reading, the British Council and many other organisations promoting language learning through reading. In February 2009 it won the EnglishClub.com Site of the Month Award.

ESL Reading/Young Learners features in Tips for Teaching with Call (2008, Pearson/Longman).

You can read a short extract from one of the selected readers here - there's also an audio recording and learning activities here.

I have also written for Ming Pao Daily and IATEFL Voices. In August 2009 I was the BBC World Service Teacher Blogger - it was great fun and I'm pleased that they've asked me to blog again in the future. My websites feature in Tips for Teaching with Call: Practical Approaches to Computer -Assisted Language Learning (2008, Pearson/Longman).


Love by Design: Elementary (Macmillan Reader)



Guide for ESL, EFL & ESOL Teachers

What is ESL Young Learners?
An independent website providing free resources for English language teachers and students. These include reading and listening materials for use in the classroom or online.

Which resources can I use with my students?
Think of ESL Young Learners as a library. Materials are broadly categorised by age and/or level - but visitors can use any materials they can manage.
  • Materials for the Age 5+ range in level from Beginners to Pre-intermediate.
  • Materials for the Age 10+ range in level from Pre-intermediate to Upper Intermediate.

Less confident older learners may want to try the materials for younger children or vice versa.