Why teachers should encourage reading – and how they can do it.
Karthik Swaminathan

It isn’t an exaggeration to say free reading is facing a terrible setback among young people. Compared to the olden days when internet and sophisticated gadgets were unknown and fantasy in fiction was significant, where witches and hermits with a magical wand or a bowl with holy water would do miracles, stories were printed on paper along with hand-drawn illustrations that invoked curiosity and excitement … the process of igniting one’s imagination was a wonderful experience.

In the past, young readers were eager and fascinated to read comics and fiction. There were many publishers and story writers that fed this hunger. There were novels and biographies of great leaders that moulded readers’ personalities to a great extent. However, today the invention of modern technology has filled the gap in the number and quality of books that children can read. This has made children believe entertainment through
technology is absolute.

Reading triggers cognitive development, contributing to enhancement of intelligence practical and emotional. When success is measured in numbers, certainly, the quality of life takes a backseat. From a broader perspective, reading is directly proportional to one’s quality of life. Extensive reading uplifts academic excellence. Most of the low rankers fare poorly when reading is tested. Making it routine, forming a habit, would see students on
the margins perform well.

Bearing this in mind, reading has to be encouraged among the young population at schools and colleges. Teachers’ role in inspiring the students is eminent as students often see them as role models.

Here are some recommendations for teachers to set up a plan to set a reading practice in motion:

• Allot an hour or two everyday for a library session; make it compulsory.
• Make a wide range of books available to stimulate students’ interest in reading. Illustrated short stories can attract their interest and keep them motivated to read.
• Primarily, teachers’ role is to encourage them to choose books of their interest and language level. Books suitable to language levels will help them overcome reading
  difficulties.
• Supervise and monitor students’ progress at every stage and give them the next level of
  books to read. This will challenge them, take the reading experience to the next stage and make them confident.
• Be accessible to readers anytime during the reading session to clarify and help them with any questions that arise during the reading.
• Schools can form reading clubs in the name of leaders, renowned scientists and freedom fighters and conduct storytelling and oratory competition based on the books and biographies read by students.
• Participants can be awarded with mementos and small gifts appreciating their progress. Awards can be given based on the number of books read and the time spent in the library.

Karthik Swaminathan is a certified English Language Trainer, member of TESOL Canada.