A Simple, Free Resource to Support Learners’ Reading Skills

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A Simple, Free Resource to Support Learners’ Reading Skills

Reading is a foundational skill for thriving in work, school, and daily life, and many adult English learners come to the English Empowerment Center to strengthen one or more of their decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. The science of reading and evidence-based reading instruction tells us that these skills develop with structured, intentional practice—but as a volunteer instructor or tutor, you may wonder:

  • How can I support reading development when I only see my learners a few hours a week?
  • What if I’m not sure how to teach reading strategies?
  • Is there an easy, effective resource I can use?

A high-quality, no-cost resource that can help is the Marshall Reading Program also known as Reading Skills for Today’s Adults (RSTA). This free online collection provides leveled reading passages with audio, comprehension questions, Quizlet vocabulary sets, and suggestions for other language practice, making it an excellent way to boost reading practice without requiring extra lesson planning.

Three Ways to Use the Marshall Reading Program

1. Develop Vocabulary with Interactive Quizlet Sets

Learners need repeated exposure to words in meaningful contexts—not just word lists. Every RSTA story includes a Quizlet set, allowing learners to practice new words through digital flashcards, matching activities, and games.

How to use it:

  • Before reading, introduce key words using the Quizlet set linked to the story.
  • Have learners practice flashcards independently or in pairs or small groups.
  • After reading, ask learners to use the words in sentences or conversations. There are sample questions and fill-in-the-blank sentences in the Supplement file available on each story page.

Tip: With beginning digital users, start with the “flashcard” mode in Quizlet, which doesn’t require an account.

2. Build Comprehension with Structured Question Types

Each RSTA passage includes a variety of comprehension questions, helping learners engage with the text at multiple levels:

  • Key Details – Who, what, when, where, why?
  • Main Idea – What is the story about?
  • Inference – What can we guess from the story?
  • Personal Connection – How does this relate to the learner’s experience?

Each story includes a Supplement with a printable PDF version of the questions and a Google Form, where learners can submit responses digitally and get instant feedback.

Tip: If learners complete the Google Form, it’s a great homework option or a quick check-in during class or during a tutoring session.

3. Strengthen Fluency with Read-Along Audio

Once learners understand the story, fluency practice improves pronunciation, pacing, and confidence.

How to use it:

  • After the comprehension activities, have learners listen to you or to the audio while following along.
  • Encourage them to read aloud afterward as a whole class (Choral Reading), focusing on expression and rhythm.
  • If tutoring, try:
    • Echo Reading – Read a sentence aloud first, and have the learner repeat it.
    • Paired Reading – Take turns reading sentences or paragraphs aloud, with the tutor modeling when needed.

Tip: This is a great take-home practice option for learners who want extra reading support.

 

How to Find the Reading Resources

The easiest way to access the RSTA materials is through CrowdED Learning’s website, which organizes everything in one place.

To find the resources:

  1. Go to CrowdED Learning – RSTA.
  2. Scroll down and click the Get The App button to open the full collection. This will bring you to a webpage where you can browse the reading materials.
  3. Select a topic or a level to explore the stories.
    1. Level A – roughly, a K-1st grade or beginning ESL reading level
    2. Level B – roughly, a 2nd-3rd grade or low intermediate ESL reading level
    3. Level C – roughly, a 4th-5th grade or high intermediate ESL reading level
    4. Level D – roughly, a 6th-8th grade or advanced ESL reading level
  4. Each story includes:
    1. a Quizlet vocabulary set
    2. the story, with audio read-along at three different speeds
    3. a Google Form with comprehension questions

The resources can be customized for your own use. For assistance, please contact EEC staff.

Give It a Try!

The Marshall Reading Program is simple to use, requires no logins, and can be adapted to any class or tutoring session.

Challenge: Try using an RSTA passage with learner(s) and see how it fits into your session—whether to develop and reinforce vocabulary, to build higher-level comprehension skills, or to provide more fluency practice.

Explore it here: CrowdED Learning – RSTA

For working with students with prior training in or an interest in pursuing a healthcare career, visit the companion Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers collection.

For more on the science of reading, watch the recording “Overview of the Science of Reading” and peruse these resources from the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center.