The presentation reports on projects in Vancouver, Canada, Hong Kong and Xi'an China. These projects involved the teaching of English language and reading skills to children whose first language was not English. The projects emphasized both reading and oral language skills. Developing oral language skills, including phonological awareness, and phonics skills resulted in a positive transfer to reading and writing. With good instruction, the reading and oral language skills of the children with ESL were similar to native English speakers. The emphasis on oral language development and the involvement of the teachers were the key ingredients in the success of the programs.