Oxford English Home Language – Grade 1 Big Book 2 | Oxford University Press

Oxford English Home Language Grade 1 Big Book 2 is a CAPS-aligned large-format shared reading resource published by Oxford University Press, continuing the structured early literacy programme begun in Big Book 1. Designed for whole-class instruction and shared reading in the Grade 1 English Home Language classroom, Big Book 2 builds on the foundational skills introduced in the first book — extending vocabulary, deepening reading comprehension, and developing phonemic awareness through vibrant, age-appropriate texts and carefully sequenced lessons.

The large-format Big Book design ensures that every learner in the classroom can see and engage with the text and illustrations simultaneously, making it the ideal resource for interactive, participatory shared reading sessions in the foundation phase.

What This Big Book Provides

• Continued shared reading for whole-class instruction — the large-format design supports teacher-led shared reading with the full class, building reading fluency, comprehension, and confidence in every Grade 1 learner
• CAPS-aligned content — all content, texts, and language activities are fully aligned with the CAPS English Home Language curriculum for Grade 1, ensuring progression and continuity across the series
• Extended foundational literacy development — builds systematically on the skills introduced in Big Book 1, further developing phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and oral language in Grade 1 learners
• Vibrant illustrations and engaging stories — rich, colourful illustrations and age-appropriate stories that capture learners’ imagination, promote visual literacy, and make shared reading a genuinely enjoyable experience
• Interactive and participatory learning — texts and activities that encourage active participation, oral response, and learner engagement throughout every shared reading session
• Phonics and vocabulary progression — carefully sequenced phonics and vocabulary content that supports Grade 1 learners as they continue to develop their decoding, word recognition, and language skills

Benefits for Educators and Learners

• Supports whole-class engagement — the Big Book format ensures every learner can see the text, participate fully in shared reading, and engage actively with the lesson
• Builds reading confidence and fluency — shared reading with a Big Book is one of the most effective strategies for developing reading confidence, fluency, and a love of reading in foundation phase learners
• CAPS-aligned — fully aligned with the CAPS English Home Language curriculum for Grade 1, ensuring all content meets national curriculum requirements
• Structured progression — part of the Oxford English Home Language series, providing a coherent and progressive English literacy programme for Grade 1 learners

Publisher: Oxford University Press
Series: Oxford English Home Language
Grade: Grade 1 (Foundation Phase)
Format: Big Book (Large Format Print)
Prescribed for: English Home Language (CAPS-aligned)
ISBN: 9780190746698