As part of my language teaching program I tend to ask students if they like to read, since it’s a good way to acquire vocabulary, to learn grammatical structures and most of all to improve language. I have been astonished at the high number of students whose answer is, “I’m not a good reader” or “I don’t like reading.” I find this tragic, not because of the student, but because I feel we have failed younger generations.
I remember when Mom picked me up from grade school I’d pick up every piece of paper that I found and ask her to read it to me. We would stop, sit on the sidewalk and she would read to me. Eventually, I learned how to read, to tell you the truth I don’t recall how that happened, what I do remember is Dad asking me to read his medicine books out loud while sitting on bed or on the couch. I remember it was difficult for me to decode some words, but he was patient enough to help me.
Later in life if I had questions about History or Geography my Dad would look into his books, give me one and ask me to look for the answer, I’d go back and explain what I understood. Many times he would add information or correct my interpretation, other times he would draw the answer and explain it, this was so much easier for me to understand. He would also teach me how to best relate my reading comprehension to real life events.
Now that I’m older when I look back at these memories, I realize this is the best way to teach, not only because learning is meaningful, but also because emotions are involved. My father cared for my learning, he wanted me to be able to make my own conclusions and create my personal opinion on the matter, that will forever be priceless!
I wonder how many times we as teachers have done something similar with our students or any other person who asks us to help them learn something. Do we really spend time explaining how to acquire the ability or do we just give them a short answer because it’s easier.
Teaching is difficult, but it’s also rewarding. Knowing that your kid or student succeeds is the greatest of accomplishments. Spend time helping to appreciate the power of words, the importance of understanding the context of a text, and most of all the freedom of creating their own opinion on any given topic.