FAQ's
Q. How do I know if I can benefit from Readable English?
Ans: Readable English is suitable for anyone wanting to learn English or improve their reading skills. Readable English offers a range of products including interactive and fun lessons, games, an eReader to practise reading skills, as well as access to Readable English eBooks and apps.
Q. Are there any specific requirements to register for Readable English?
Ans: There are no specific requirements to join the Readable English program, but you will need a valid email address for registration. Readable English is particularly helpful to people who are struggling with reading.
Q. How do I register to start learning with Readable English?
Ans: Please fill in the short form at the top of the homepage. You will need to provide some basic details, as well as a valid email address. Your email address will be used as your username and you will be asked to create a password that you will use each time you sign in. Please make sure you fill in all of the fields marked with an asterisk. If you don’t have a valid email address, you can sign up for a free email account at gmail.com, hotmail.com, or yahoo.com.
Q. I am already a registered user, but I’m having trouble signing into the system.
Ans: Check that you are connected to the internet, and make sure you have entered your username and password correctly. If you don’t remember your password please click on the “Forgot Password” link and follow the instructions. It’s best to use the web browser Google Chrome. If you don’t have Google Chrome you can download it for free.
Q. How can I change my Password?
Ans: Once you are signed in, click on the “Change Password” link. You will be asked to replace your old password with a new one. Please enter your new password and click on the “Change Password” button.
Q. Now that I’m registered, how do I get started?
Ans: After you sign into the Readable English website, go to the lessons in the Read It section. You can complete the Readable English module to learn the Readable English system. Alternatively you can learn the glyphs with the interactive charts in the Quick Guides section.
Q. How do I navigate the Lessons on the website?
Ans: You should start with the Readable English lessons. You can also access an Introduction to the Basics module if you need extra revision of letter sounds. The lessons are divided up into steps with videos, games, reading and pronunciation practice and quizzes. Follow the instructions on the screen for each step. The help icon also provides more information.
Q. The record your voice in the Pronounce tool feature does not work for me.
Ans: You will need a headset with microphone or a built-in or external microphone connected to your computer. It is best if you use the web browser Google Chrome. If you don’t have Google Chrome you can download it here for free. You must also click “Allow” when the browser asks permission to use your microphone.
Q. The record feature asks me to give permission to use my microphone.
Ans: The first time you use the record feature, you will be prompted to give permission to access your microphone. Click “Allow” and and then you may close the message box and start recording.
Q. Can I take a quiz on what I am learning?
Ans: There is a quiz at the end of each lesson. At the end of the quiz, you will receive your quiz results and missed answers. You can retake the quiz as many times as you like.
Q. What do the Star Words lists do?
Ans: The Star Words lists allow you to create lists of words to practice. You can “star” a word in any of the tools, then access these lists later for practice. For example, you can “star” a word on the Search page, then go to the Pronounce page and open your Star Words list to practice pronouncing that word.
Q. How does the Pronounce tool work?
Ans: The Pronounce tool allows you to practice your pronunciation of sounds, syllables and words. You can record yourself reading a word, and then listen to your recording compared to the provided recording to see if you read the word correctly. You can also drag and drop the two recordings into the customisable playback feature, so that you can hear yourself compared to the standard recording in quick succession.
Q. Is there a place on the website where I can see all of the Readable English glyphs?
Ans: Yes. Check out the “Quick Guides” section. These interactive charts show all of the sounds of the English language and all of the Readable English glyphs.
Q. What if the glyphs for a word do not reflect the exact pronunciation of that word?
Ans: Pronunciation varies as different speakers have different accents and some words can be pronounced in different ways. Readable English is meant to be an easily recognisable guide that will lead users to the correct word. The glyphs for specific words may not always be perfect, however they should indicate the correct pronunciation closely enough for you to be able to successfully sound out the word.
Q. Is there a way to look up the definition of words?
Ans: You can search words directly from your user dashboard in the search widget. You will be directed to the dictionary page and provided with the definition. In the eReader, if you click on a word, you will also see the definition of the word in the pop-up box.
Q. How do I use the Readable English eReader?
Ans: In the eReader, you can type your own text directly into the text box or copy and paste text there. Click on the “convert” button to convert the text into Readable English. Your documents will be saved automatically under “My Documents” so you can access them later. You can also check out some of the provided materials under “Practice Materials” that you can use for reading practice.
Q. What functions are available in the eReader?
Ans: In the eReader, you can click on the Setting icon to customise the eReader to suit your reading style. You can turn on and off all the features of Readable English. You can also customise the font size and colour, background colour, as well as adjust line, word and character spacing. At the top of the page you can also click the “play” icon to have the text read to you.
Q. What can I do in the Book Store?
Ans: In the Book Store you can purchase books available in Readable English. These books will go into your library under “My Books”. More books will be available soon!
Q. What reading practice materials are available on the website?
Ans: The Reading Practice module contains levelled reading passages with comprehension questions. There are also books available in the Book Store, and some additional reading practice materials in the eReader under “Practice Materials”. Students and teachers can also create their own practice lists, and save their own materials in the eReader.
Q. Are there any Readable English apps?
Ans: Yes, currently Readable English offers the Choose or Lose game and the What’s Changed game as native apps. We also offer a Readable English dictionary, which displays words in Readable English and sources definitions from Macquarie Dictionary. Currently, apps are available for Apple and Android.
Q. I’m a teacher/principal and I’m interested in signing up my school for a Readable English Free Account?
Ans: That’s great! Go to the Schools and Teachers link at the footer of the public homepage. You can fill in the contact form and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.
Q. I’m a private tutor working with a student. Should I sign up as a teacher or a parent?
Ans: You can sign up as a teacher for a free account to have a look at the site. But we also recommend that you contact us via the form on the Schools and Teachers page (which you can get to by clicking the link at the footer of the public homepage) to negotiate a rate.