The Westcoast Reader

08/21/2026

September is Literacy Month in B.C.

Literacy helps us read medicine labels, use a phone, fill out forms, follow recipes and understand the news.

Try this in class.

Ask learners, “Where did you use literacy today?”

Write one sentence or draw a picture.



Learn about this year’s Literacy Month campaign:

Celebrate Literacy Month in your community as part of Decoda Literacy Solutions' awareness and fundraising campaign in September.

08/20/2026

Children learn while they play.

This Level 2 article shares six easy activities families can do together.
Try this in class.

Ask each learner to choose one activity to try at home. At the next class, invite them to talk or write about what they did.



Read the article and download the directions:

Are you a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, older brother or sister? Here are fun activities to do with young children. These activities can help them become successful learners.

08/18/2026

Scam messages can look real. They may ask for a password, address or credit card number.

This easy-reading article explains what scam messages are and how to stay safe.

Try this in class.

Read one example. Circle the warning signs.

Ask learners, “What should you do before you click?”



Read the article:
https://thewestcoastreader.com/scam-messages/

08/17/2026

Literacy is everywhere. We use it at home, at work and in the community.

Try this in class.

Ask learners, “Where did you use literacy today?”

Did they read a sign, send a text, follow a recipe or check a bus schedule?

Write the answers. Talk about them together.

Find free, easy-to-read stories at The Westcoast Reader:

The articles in The Westcoast Reader are labelled with Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 book icons. The levels are comparable to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 2 to 6.

08/14/2026

Today is Financial Awareness Day.

Making a money plan can help you feel more prepared.

Try one step today:

Write down the money coming in.
Write down the money going out.
Choose one small savings goal.

Read Keep Your Finances in Good Shape for more simple tips:

https://thewestcoastreader.com/keep-your-finances-in-good-shape/

What is one money tip that works for you?

November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) partners with local businesses, charities and governments to hold events and share helpful information.

08/12/2026

Happy International Youth Day!

"Young people are already leading the way as organizers and innovators. But to go further, they need access to the skills that will shape the future – from critical thinking and problem-solving to digital literacy." - UN Secretary-General António Guterres

We need young people in literacy work.

Apart from being our future leaders, they are already thinkers, helpers, creators and community builders, and when they are invited into the literacy field, the work is carried forward with fresh energy, care and imagination.

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Young people have a valuable place in literacy work, from technology to storytelling and community programming.

08/10/2026

Reading is everywhere.

We read signs. We read recipes. We read messages. We read the news.

Every time we read, we practise.

The Westcoast Reader helps learners build reading and language skills with newsworthy stories at three reading levels, along with activities and online resources.

Read with us:

https://decoda.ca/our-work/the-westcoast-reader/

The Westcoast Reader is a monthly newspaper and online resource for learners. It helps develop reading and language skills through newsworthy articles.

08/10/2026

National Book Lovers Day — August 9

Today is a day to celebrate books and the joy of reading.

Foster Literacy supports school-age children who struggle with reading. Children practice and grow their reading skills with a trained tutor in a one-on-one setting, with the emphasis on making reading fun.

https://decoda.ca/our-work/foster-literacy/

08/06/2026

As adults, we forget how important it is to make learning fun. All learners can benefit from some sort of play, from the sandbox to a chess game.

No matter our age, we can learn through play.

Play is crucial for developing communication and language skills, as well as supporting learning and wellbeing.

Play unlocks opportunities for learners to practice their home language(s) and encounter new words.

Play removes barriers, it is inclusive and accessible to all. All forms of communication support play; including facial expression, body language, signing, touch, eye contact and speech.

https://literacytrust.org.uk/resources/10-reasons-why-play-important/

08/04/2026

Learning is easier to enjoy when it comes in practical bites...

Did you know?

Westcoast Reader shares clear news, stories and learning resources for English language learners, tutors and practitioners.

Follow us for classroom ideas, simple recipes, reading activities, useful vocabulary and everyday ways to build confidence in English.

Published by Decoda Literacy Solutions.

https://joyfoodsunshine.com/the-most-amazing-chocolate-chip-cookies/