The First Australians features a brief history of Australia and its first inhabitants. It contains three reading texts for beginners. They are suitable for adult ESL, EFL, and native English speaking Literacy students, but can also be used in primary schools or with secondary students with reading difficulties.
The first of the texts is targeted at true beginners, students at 0+ on the ISLPR scale (approximately level 1 on the NRS and level 3 on both the NLLIA ESL and Indigenous Bandscales). In this text the illustrations provide some 50% of the information. The second text repeats the same basic content and the same illustrations but contains slightly more information and slightly higher linguistic demands. (Approximately 1- ISLPR, 1-2 NRS and level 4 on the Bandscales)
The third has a further increase in complexity of both content and linguistic features. (Approximately 1+ ISLPR, 2 NRS and level 5 on the Bandscales)
There is an audiocassette/CD to accompany the reading passages and the Workbook contains teachers' notes which are followed by additional background information and photocopiable stimulus pictures designed as a basis for discussion activities.