Sometimes a reading comprehension teaches far more than English…

A fashion-loving international pupil could understand the English in a story set during Milan Fashion Week—but she had never heard of Milan. We paused to locate the city and discuss why it is associated with fashion. A few days later, she referred naturally to 'those fashion shops in Milan'. The knowledge had stayed because it connected language, culture and something she already cared about.

Learning: International pupils may understand every word in a text yet still miss the geographical, historical or cultural knowledge the writer assumes. Cultural literacy helps pupils follow lessons, join conversations and feel at home in a new culture.