READING LEVELS

WHAT ARE READING LEVELS?

Our fiction stories, which are told in both ChiShona and English, are categorised into five reading levels. Rather than considering the age of a learner, these levels cater for different stages in reading development (for ChiShona reading).

HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT LEVEL?

Given below are descriptions for the different levels. These will help you choose a suitable level. The criteria apply to the ChiShona version of the story.

Beginner

  • Familiar words
  • Few words
  • High degree of illustration support
  • Simple text
  • Word range: up to 50
  • Word repetition
Level 1 (Early Reader)

  • Easy words
  • Popular topics (animal characters, adventure)
  • Short sentences
  • Text and pictures support each other
  • Word range: 51 to 150
  • Word repetition
Level 2 (Middle Reader)

  • Simple concepts
  • Stories with linear, engaging plots
  • Well sketched-out characters
  • Word range: 151 to 400
Level 3 (Upper Middle Reader)

  • Longer sentences
  • Topics mostly cover real life issues
  • Word range: 401 to 800
Level 4 (Advanced Reader)

  • Complex plots
  • Language play (metaphors, similes, etc.)
  • Longer, more nuanced stories
  • Rich vocabulary
  • Word range: 801+