Reading comprehension in English and Spanish: how a love of reading begins at Alegra
At Alegra, reading does not begin when a child opens a book. It begins with listening to a sound, discovering that it has meaning and gradually understanding how words help us make sense of the world.
A reading journey from Nursery to Diploma
Two languages, one shared goal: helping every pupil learn to read and enjoy it.
Learning to read, learning to think
Reading underpins everything that follows. It helps pupils follow instructions, solve problems, interpret sources, compare ideas and find the words to express their thoughts. That is why, at Alegra, reading is neither an isolated skill nor confined to one subject: it is a coherent journey that accompanies our pupils from their earliest years through to the Diploma Programme.
“Spanish roots, English teaching, International thinking”. At Alegra, that journey unfolds in English and Spanish at the same time. Each language has its own method and pace, but both share a goal: to nurture independent readers who love books.
1 Nursery
It all begins with listening
From their very first week, Nursery children begin developing their listening skills. Guided by their teacher, they listen to sounds around them, learn to imitate them and tell them apart. It feels like a game — and it is — but it also lays the foundation for the phonological awareness they will need later on.
Before linking a sound to a letter, a child needs to hear it clearly. That is why listening skills, spoken language, rhythm, rhyme and the ability to distinguish sounds form the foundation of Phonics.
2 Reception
Sounds begin to form words
In Reception, pupils begin working with Read Write Inc. Phonics. They first learn how a word can be broken down into its sounds —c-a-r— and then how those sounds can be brought back together through blending. This helps pupils understand how graphemes and phonemes work instead of memorising unrelated words.
The programme introduces 42 sounds, represented by letters or groups of letters, before moving on to reading and writing words. It also introduces letter names and tricky words: common words with spelling patterns the pupils have not yet learned.
Reading well is more than pronouncing words quickly: it means recognising, understanding, making connections and enjoying the text.
Two languages that reinforce each other
Reading, step by step
Read Write Inc. provides a clear sequence for recognising sounds, blending them, reading words and building fluency. Guided reading, discussions about texts and tools such as Reading Eggs offer more opportunities to practise in and beyond the classroom.
Phonemes, meaning and comprehension
For Spanish, Alegra has developed its own programme, which also begins with phonemes. Pupils link sounds to letters, practise decoding until it becomes automatic, and gradually read with greater fluency and understanding. The aim is not simply to read accurately, but to understand and explain what they have read.
3 Year 1 and Year 2
Reading continues at home
Regular practice reinforces what children learn at school. Little books and the familiar Reading Record travel home each day with Year 1 pupils and some Reception pupils. Year 1 families receive a reading tutorial and practical support: books for beginning readers, the Reading Record and feedback on their children’s progress through the Phonics sound groups.
Parents have a simple role:
Every child follows their own path. Comparing progress does not help; calm encouragement does.
Build a habit: five minutes a day can go a long way. Consistency matters more than intensity.
Funny voices, imagination and time together can make reading a special family moment.
How to support reading at home
Phonics and reading at home
4 Juniors: Year 3 to Year 6
Reading across year groups
Year 3 pupils read with Diploma 1 pupils to strengthen reading and comprehension. For the younger pupils, it is motivating; for the older pupils, it brings responsibility and pride. When an older pupil listens, asks questions and encourages a younger one, both grow.
A library that invites pupils back
The Primary library is a place to choose, recommend and share books, as well as to help others. The author of the month opens new doors; new arrivals spark curiosity; and the Library Helpers learn to record loans, shelve and classify books, prepare recommendations and help younger pupils.
The reading competition turns progress into a visible celebration. Each participant wears a ribbon in her House colour and earns a badge to add to it whenever she finishes a book.
Another book read, another badge earned — and, above all, another story to carry with them.
Explore the reading competition and meet our Library Helpers
5 Middle Years Programme
Reading stories means reading the world
In the Middle Years Programme, reading broadens its scope. Pupils do more than follow a narrative: they compare sources, identify perspectives, argue from evidence and learn to distinguish facts from interpretations.
Spelling Bee
This popular annual competition rewards accurate spelling, vocabulary and confidence in speaking. The best way to prepare? Reading.
Spanish History Reading Project
From MYP 1 to MYP 5, the texts become more demanding as pupils mature: comparing sources, examining continuity and change, synthesising historical accounts and thinking over the long term.
Reading to build an argument
A reading habit is essential for every IB pupil. Debates, source packs, guided rereading and source analysis turn comprehension into independent judgement and respectful dialogue.
Reading with purpose
Age and year group recommendations help each pupil find suitable books, keep reading beyond the school timetable and continue growing as a person.
6 Diploma Programme
Finding a voice through reading
By the time pupils reach Diploma, understanding complex texts, writing with purpose and developing a personal perspective have become part of the same process. Reading enriches writing; writing calls for clearer, deeper thought.
Our pupils develop their creativity and take part successfully in literary competitions such as “Jero busca Prólogo”. Two Alegra pupils were finalists among entrants from across Spain, and one placed in the top five. The challenge gave them a chance to write not just to complete an assignment, but to reflect, create and find a voice of their own.
A love of reading is built every day
It grows when a child discovers she can decipher her first word. When they find a book they do not want to put down. When an older pupil sits down with a younger one. When a family sets aside five unhurried minutes to read together. When the library awards a merit badge for every book finished. And when a historical or literary text sparks a question that stays with the pupil after class.
This is the reading journey at Alegra: it begins with listening, moves through words and comprehension, and opens a door to independent thought. In English and in Spanish. From Nursery to Diploma. A journey designed to help our pupils learn to read, choose to keep reading and discover, through books, all they can come to understand and contribute to the world.
Reading and reading comprehension at Alegra
When do children begin learning to read at Alegra?
Preparation begins in Nursery with listening, spoken language and distinguishing sounds. In Reception, pupils begin systematic reading instruction with Read Write Inc. Phonics.
What is Phonics, and how does it help children learn to read in English?
Phonics teaches the relationship between speech sounds and the letters or groups of letters that represent them. Pupils learn to identify and blend sounds to read words.
How is reading taught in Spanish?
Alegra has its own programme, which also begins with phonemes. Linking sounds and letters gradually leads to fluency, vocabulary development and comprehension.
How can families help children develop a reading habit?
With patience, a short routine and shared enjoyment. Reading together for a few minutes regularly, talking about the story and respecting each child’s pace help more than turning reading into a test.
