BRADFORD College Library has set up virtual reading clubs to support students who speak languages other than English.

The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students, who are aged between 16 and 18, have been meeting remotely with library assistants over Microsoft Teams.

ESOL lecturer, Marie Pacchiarini said she has had two reading sessions with two of her groups so far.

The idea came about when Ms Pacchiarini and Academic Liaison Librarian, Lakshmi Banner, were looking at ways of improving access to online books for the students during lockdown, so they could continue to develop their reading and English skills.

The books used by the library include a biography of Gandhi, factual books such as "Chocolate" and "Curse of the Mummy" and classics including Frances Hodgson Burnett’s "The Secret Garden", Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Arthur Conan Doyle and "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde.

Academic Liaison Librarian, Lakshmi Banner, explained this trial had been "so successful" that the library would be purchasing 100 new titles, ranging in reading level.

She said: “The trial has been so successful that we are going ahead and purchasing four collections at different levels, with 25 different titles in each collection.

"We are supporting this roll out with more reading groups run by the library assistants, and hope to continue this through lockdown and perhaps beyond, as we expect some form of blended learning to continue.”

Library assistants, Emma Luby and James Golab, said the reading clubs had "gone very well" so far.

Ms Luby added: “We have a book we’re all reading together online, 'The Adventures of Ibn Battuta' by Ross E. Dunn.

"We open the book in our separate groups of around six learners, share the screen and read a section of the book at a time.

"We answer any questions they have as we go along and if they have difficulty pronouncing any words, we can help them.

"The groups are going really well and everybody seems really happy with it so far."

Mr Golab said: “We sit down like friends and read the books together.

"The group is responding really well to the relaxed nature of the clubs.

"The book we’re currently reading is also a really nice bit of escapism.

"The groups show their willingness to learn and they have really improved their reading."