StoryLearning Podcast 501: The real reason I wrote my language story books
Oct 10, 2025
Discover the inspiring journey of creating captivating short stories for language learners, starting from a kitchen table to selling over 1.5 million copies. Olly shares his belief in the power of reading for language acquisition and criticizes traditional graded readers for being dull. Learn about the thoughtful design behind his stories aimed at engaging beginners and the excitement of including underrepresented languages. Plus, get a sneak peek at upcoming titles, including Ukrainian and Latin!
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Reading Is The Core Of Language Learning
- Olly Richards argues reading is the most powerful way to develop core language abilities through broad exposure.
- You acquire language when you consume compelling input, even without active study.
Start Reading At The Right Level
- Start reading at high-elementary to low-intermediate (A2–B1) to gain the biggest benefit from stories.
- Avoid trying novels for native speakers early; choose graded, appropriately leveled texts instead.
Native Novels Aren't The Answer
- Native-target novels are elegant but inaccessible and stall learners.
- Graded readers bridge the gap but are often poorly produced and unengaging.