Plain talk

By Mursi Saad El-Din

The idea was born after it became clear that younger generations are reading less than the older ones. Many reasons were given for this tendency, one of which is the disinterest shown towards literature at large and the classics in particular.

In an interesting article Stephen Logan, the director of studies in English at St Edmund's Hall, Cambridge, claims that the assumption that by the time students reach A level standard they are competent readers is only half-true. The main impediment in the way of reading classics is linguistic. The language of Fielding's Tom Jones made it difficult for students to enjoy the novel. According to Logan, "it soon became apparent that these well-educated students had difficulty in reading Fielding's prose." He believes that the most obvious obstacle to good reading is lack of the necessary kinds of linguistic knowledge.

Logan adds that what is less obvious but more damaging "is the loss of faith in reading as a potential source of wisdom. This has weakened the principal motive of becoming a versatile reader." Which brings me back to the National Year of Reading.

The education ministry has published an advice leaflet entitled A Little Reading Goes a Long Way which is freely available. The leaflet starts with the assumption that parents are a child's first educators, and it urges them to find 10 or 20 minutes each day to share a book with their children. By reinforcing good teaching at school, the leaflet continues, "parents can make a difference, whatever their background."

The campaign also comprises television advertising and advertisements in shops, on consumer goods and in television soap operas.

The National Year of Reading is part of the British government's 59 million pound national literacy strategy. Primary schools already have a daily literacy hour in which children are given the opportunity and the time to study reading and writing "in a concentrated spell of activity".

In his article the secretary of state for education expresses his belief that it is never too early to introduce youngsters to the delights of reading. The programme also aims at adults who have a literacy programme that can reinforce their role with their children. Parents should read to their children their favorite stories over and over again. This will help children to become familiar with vocabulary items. Teachers should also read aloud to children, which can inspire them to start learning to read themselves.

An interesting proposal in the leaflet is that, in addition to providing books, it is a good idea to give children the opportunity to read words in everyday situations: shop signs, advertisements, street names, etc.

One of the strategies of the campaign is to have children retell stories in their own words. This will help develop their interest in reading as well as develop other skills "such as comprehension and communication".

A proposal I feel happy to have suggested before is to encourage retired people, especially former teachers, to become mentors to young readers. They can be attached to children's clubs and libraries where they can be of great assistance to the teachers and librarians.