If you can read this, thank a teacher

The researcher observed that “effective teachers have a tremendous impact on children’s success.” Common sense individualised learner-focused instruction stimulates self-awareness, self-perception and self-discovery by offering learners the knowhow to find themselves through a mindful silent conversation with their inner being. We read to feel assured that we are not alone.

If you can read this, thank a dedicated teacher committed to doing it right and doing it well. A solid basic skills foundation uses an architect’s blueprint and building block construction tools to encourage living a morally ethical life. There is ample evidence that one of the major differences between good and poor readers is the quantity of time devoted to quality choices – something worth reading that will stretch their imagination, help make sense of their own lives and enable them to reach out toward others whose lives are radically different from their own. Once children learn to read meaningfully and fluently, their fantasies begin to take flight, soaring into vast unknown worlds as effortlessly as young birds take to the sky.

The connection between speed reading and comprehension parallels a movie made up of myriad still images. Reading word by word, like frame by frame, prohibits the flow of understanding and slows innovative ideas comprehension. Even at the earliest levels, motivated readers must reflectively master the gist of five- to seven-word phrases rather than isolated word by word interpretation. An adventurous passion for reading expands abstract critical-thinking habits, adopts fresh viewpoints, shares insightful experiences, makes new faithful friends, travels to strange worldwide destinations and grows to appreciate cross-cultural multiversity. In our interconnected www, .dot com free e-expression is the most e-effective weapon against ignorance, intolerance and indifference.

Charles Frederickson

Bangkok