HAVE OUR READING HABITS CHANGED WITH THE YEARS?
Children reading: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Red_House_School_English_class.jpg
Can you see the children? What kind of books are they reading? Do you think they seem interested or boring? Before continue rading, you can write your own opinion below in comments. Below, I will write mine.
I think these children seem quite boring. They are reading in silence a book that someone has chosen for them. Everybody the same book. Look at their faces, they don't seem pretty much concentrated or enjoying. They are serious. Of course, you don't need to smile while you read for pleasure and enjoy it. But these children are in a class, in a school, with a book that they didn't choose. For me, it's a poor way to start.
We need to enhance motivation of children while reading, that they enjoy the moment. Look at this picture:
By James Jin from North Yorkshire, UK - Man reading paper at Baimasi, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14780902
Can you notice the difference? This man is reading for pleasure. He chose the text, the format and he seeems very interested. He even chose the place and the sitting. Altough it doesn't seem very comfortable, he seems relaxed and concentrated. Why don't we copy the same strategy with our students providing them with a little of guidance?
In this way, they would feel more engaged in the actitivity of reading and they will see it as a hobbie.
People's feeling while reading can vary from one situation to another different one. When reading a tale to your daughter for example, you can feel connected with her ans she will recall it when she grows up, feeling nostalgic. When you read a book for obligation, you feel demotivated, boring...Whn you read for pleasure, you feel relaxed, concentrated and enjoying the time.
The texts I usually read can vary depending on the moment. For example, in my own language (Spanish) I read books about education, novels, history, science, poetry...In English, I usually read subtitles of films that I like, comics, short tales, messages, articles...
I usually choose different formats depending on my personal interests. In Spanish, books are normally larger and more difficult, while in English the vocabulary is simpler and the stories are shorter.
I like to read in paper, I'm a book lover. I have a uge library at home with books which I like. I normally read when I have free time and I feel relaxed.
And you? You can tell me commenting below.
