HATRIQA’s Soccer Reader Method™

With the Oxfordshire FA

Developed by HATRIQA in collaboration with staff at UCL's Institute of Education, the Soccer Reader Method™ is a comprehensive literacy and English language learning program that uses football to engage and inspire learners.

The method includes specially adapted Jamie Johnson graded readers, which allow students at different reading levels to enjoy and benefit from Dan Freedman’s hugely popular stories, alongside workbooks and teaching materials that support systematic literacy and English language development.

This innovative approach helps address the critical challenge of literacy and language development by connecting reading and writing to students' passion for football.

We are delighted to be working with OXFA to promote the method across Oxfordshire.

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  • Oxford being a worldwide centre of education we are especially proud to play our part in providing support through football throughout Oxfordshire.

    Jonathan Duckworth, Chief Executive, Oxfordshire FA

  • What makes this partnership with Oxfordshire FA so exciting is how it combines the community reach of grassroots football with an innovative approach to literacy, I've seen firsthand in thousands of school visits how football stories can be the key that unlocks reading for young people

    Dan Freedman, Author, Literacy Pioneer

  • Having experienced playing for Crowmarsh Boys (now Wallingford and Crowmarsh FC) when I was growing up, I know firsthand the positive impact Oxfordshire FA has on young people's lives. Being able to bring the Soccer Reader Method back to my home county and work with OXFA to inspire the next generation of readers and players is a fantastic opportunity.

    Tim Gentles, Head of Publishing, HATRIQA

HATRIQA’s Soccer Reader Method™

  • Born to Play US Edition Cover

  • Born to Play Graded Reader Cover

  • Born to Play Graded Reader Student Workbook Cover

  • Born to Play Graded Reader Teacher's Book Cover

  • Ready to Score Graded Reader Cover

  • HATRIQA Language Learned Notebook 3D Cover

  • “I almost feel like I am Jamie Johnson now.”

    Jude Bellingham

  • “If you have football mad kids, they’ll love this.”

    Gary Neville

  • “An inspiring read for all football fans.”

    Gary Lineker

  • “Unlike any books written in the world”

    Brad Friedel

  • "You'll read this and want to get out there and play.”

    Steven Gerrard

  • “If you like football, this book is for you.”

    Frank Lampard

Dan Freedman talks of his excitement about the Jamie Johnson Readers

Born to Play

Jamie Johnson had a happy family and great friends at home in the U.S. But one day everything changed, and Jamie and his mom were in cold, wet England with no friends and no money.

But Jamie had his dream.

He wanted to become a great soccer player.

Ready to Score

Jamie Johnson is captain of the school team for an important game against the boys of old rivals, Stonecroft School. It is Jamie’s hardest game — ever — against a big, strong team.

But then one of the Stonecroft players has a problem — and Jamie has a big decision to make.

  • “Had me flipping the pages faster than lightning”

    Sports Illustrated Kids

  • “I really believe the Jamie Johnson program has a huge potential.”

    Carmel Kent, Head of Educational Data Science, UCL Institute of Education

  • “My students have already gone crazy with the first book. They have been begging to read every recess, lunch, and independent work time opportunity. This is not typical… I can’t imagine when the class next door finds out about this craze!”

    Virginia Perez, Elementary teacher, East LA

  • "We use the Jamie Johnson series in afterschool programs with elementary and middle school students. I’m excited for these early readers so we can expand the grade bands we work with!"

    Leiah Groom-Thomas, Final Third Foundation

The Jamie Johnson Series

The story of a boy who lives and breathes football.

Who has great skills, and who wants to get to the top.

In each book in the series, we see Jamie as he learns more and follows his dream. He plans to become one of the greatest football players in the world.  Laced with the kind of real-life experiences that all kids face growing up, Dan’s stories transcend football and allow kids of all backgrounds and interests to be enthralled by the world of Jamie Johnson.

Book sales have broken the million copy landmark in the UK and the series has been adapted into a major BBC TV drama which has been running for seven series, is screened in 70 countries and is the UK’s most-downloaded children’s TV drama on BBC iPlayer.

HATRIQA’s Jamie Johnson Graded Readers

With simple and engaging language, simplified – or graded and written for learners of English as a Second Language, HATRIQA’s ELT Graded Readers bring Jamie's world to life, filled with the passion and joy of football on every page.

As you read, you'll learn new words, improve your understanding, and gain confidence in your English language skills.