As a teacher and school director specializing in English as a Foreign Language (EFL), I witnessed far too many students with dyslexia struggle through grammar lessons that were not designed with their needs in mind. Traditional methods relied heavily on abstract rules, dense texts, and rote memorization—none of which served students who learn best through visual, kinesthetic, or auditory experiences.
But this wasn’t just professional for me—it was personal. My brother is dyslexic, and I saw early in life how educational systems can fail brilliant minds. That experience inspired me to create Grammie & Max, a fully inclusive grammar learning program rooted in the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), multisensory instruction, and joyful engagement.
I created this innovation because I believe grammar can be playful, colorful, and accessible—not intimidating or exclusive. I wanted to develop a tool that supports not just English learning, but self-confidence and emotional safety in the classroom.
Grammie & Max was born out of a real classroom need. It was developed by working closely with students, teachers, and therapists and has been successfully piloted in inclusive language centers in Greece. It fills a gap in ELT resources: a methodically structured, teacher-friendly, and child-centered way to teach grammar that works for both neurodivergent and neurotypical learners.
My ultimate goal was not just to teach grammar—but to reimagine it.
In the classroom, Grammie & Max is a multisensory, story-based grammar experience. Each lesson begins with characters Grammie and Max introducing grammar through playful storytelling, helping students connect emotionally and cognitively.
Key grammar concepts are taught using color-coded visuals, movement, rhymes, and hands-on activities. For example, parts of speech are introduced with symbols and colors, while verb tenses are practiced through games and gestures. Every task engages visual, auditory, and kinesthetic pathways.
The lessons are structured for all learners—especially those with dyslexia, ADHD, or working memory challenges. Activities are scaffolded, differentiated, and UDL-aligned, ensuring everyone can participate with success.
Teachers are supported with ready-to-use materials and guidance, making it easy to implement—even for those without special education training.
Grammie & Max is used in diverse classrooms and four certified Teaching Brightly centers across Greece. Results show improved grammar accuracy, confidence, and participation—even among students who previously avoided writing.
This innovation transforms grammar into something joyful, accessible, and empowering.
Grammie & Max began in a single inclusive language center in Athens but quickly gained momentum due to its accessibility, simplicity, and visible results. As word spread through educator networks and teacher training events, more teachers began requesting training and access to the materials.
To meet demand, I launched the Teaching Brightly Partner Network, which currently includes four certified centers across Greece. These centers receive training, ongoing mentorship, and exclusive resources to implement the program effectively in their own communities.
The program has also spread through teacher workshops, national webinars, and international conference presentations (IATEFL, ELTA, PALSO), reaching hundreds of educators across Europe. Many teachers who attend workshops adopt the approach immediately and report increased engagement and confidence in learners with dyslexia and other learning difficulties.
The publication of the Grammie & Max books by Brightales Publishing helped further scale its reach. Teachers from various countries have begun implementing it in private tutoring and small group instruction. Through these efforts, Grammie & Max is growing organically, school by school, teacher by teacher—with high levels of replication and success.
Grammie & Max has evolved based on real classroom feedback and collaboration with specialists. Initially created for A1–A2 grammar learners, it has been adapted for students with ADHD, anxiety, and low working memory, incorporating more visual cues, step-by-step guided writing, and emotional check-ins.
We’ve added multisensory flashcards, puppets, color-coded writing frames, and differentiated versions of core activities. Teachers can choose based on students’ strengths (visual, kinesthetic, auditory) and modify tasks easily.
It has also expanded to include teacher training materials, ready-to-use PowerPoint slides, and assessment tools designed for neurodiverse learners.
Future versions will include digital activities and interactive storytelling extensions.
Educators who want to try Grammie & Max can begin by visiting www.vickykaperoni.gr , where they can download the Teacher’s Book for free and view sample pages of the printed materials. The Teacher’s Book includes detailed lesson plans, scripts, and ideas for multisensory activities—all designed to be accessible even to educators with no background in special education.
The core student book (Grammie & Max) can be purchased through the site, and it’s structured so that teachers can immediately implement the lessons in any EFL classroom.
We also offer:
• Introductory webinars
• Email support for first-time users
• Access to our Teaching Brightly Network for ongoing guidance
• Opportunities to attend hands-on training events
Whether you want to try a single lesson or adopt the full approach, the materials are ready-to-use, inclusive, and engaging. You don’t need special tools—just your voice, creativity, and a desire to make grammar joyful for all learners.
