Thirty years ago two child psychologists, writer Annabel Seargeant and school principal Anthony Earnshaw, created a learning program with a deceptively simple goal: to help young children to become proficient readers. That program, I Can Read, has since evolved from a local concept into an international success.
The foundation of I Can Read is a phonetics-based system designed to develop independent reading skills at an early age.
When the pair took their concept to Singapore, a 12-month trial with a primary school led to 10 centres opening up within a few years. Today there are 200 centres, some managed and some franchised, delivering this early reading program to thousands of young children.
The founders then sold the rights to the Singapore business, and returned to Australia to expand the concept here.
I Can Read program helps young kids’ literacy
The brand is now poised for its next phase of growth in Australia under the leadership of Sue and Nabil Belramoul who are committed to scaling the unique, results-driven model through franchising.
Sue started working in the head office 10 years ago. “I was only three days into the job when I realised this is quite an extraordinary program,” she says.
When she visited the Chatswood centre and heard a young child reading unusual words proficiently, she was surprised to find out the girl was just four years old.
“The whole idea of the program is that rather than teaching children to memorise words we teach children to segment words and blend sounds together,” she explains.
I Can Read is based on phonetics – children learn the sounds of the words, developing their phonemic awareness. The process enables them to access more words, more easily.
All children in the I Can Read program will learn from university-qualitifed teachers. Each session is a one-hour class with a maximum of five children allowing individual attention.
“We are outcomes based and pride ourselves on exceptional results,” Sue says.
Each child is assessed prior to enrolment and placed in a suitable class. This enables everyone from high achievers and those students who are struggling with reading to advance their skills.
Driving growth in the business
Sue purchased the Chatswood centre in 2016 and quickly grew student numbers from 88 to 240 within the first year and 550 by the fifth year. Despite Covid, numbers continued to grow with the centre now accommodating over 900 students.
In December 2022, Sue went on to acquire I Can Read Australia. She remains clear about the brand’s purpose.
“We are not all things to all people. This is a streamlined business with a personal touch. We have never advertised, and the bulk of our students come through referrals. We continue to expand the brand’s footprint through further franchised centres,” she says.
“We cater to a diverse range of students including Mandarin, Indian, Caucasian and others. For Mandarin speaking parents, there is a WeChat facility to help translate.”
Sue remains committed to the team effort, noting that strong, long-term teachers are integral to the longevity of the business. She is proud of the brand’s legacy, saying, “We’ve taught thousands of children to read… we might have played a part in our local areas highest NAPLAN results in the country.”
The I Can Read success story proves that focusing on quality, clear methodology, and a personal connection can turn an educational concept into an enduring international powerhouse.