Throughout the year, some students approached me asking how they could enhance
their knowledge and improve their skills to be better equipped to face the
demands of the course. Apart from mentioning attending Self Access and handing
in homework, I insisted on the importance of reading - a habit which,
frequently because of lack of time, we neglect.
On Sep 30th, Fundación Leer launched the 9th
National Reading Marathon. Students, teachers, relatives and volunteers
gathered to enjoy reading at schools, libraries, clubs, etc. I thought it was a
good opportunity to remind students of the importance of reading, so we celebrated
this event in the library, devoting part of the class to reading for the sheer
pleasure of it. After the initial surprise (students did not expect to have a
class in the library!), they chose some short stories and sat down comfortably
in the armchairs. When they finished reading, they made their recommendations
on “literary emoticons”, and shared their comments about the stories with other
students.
As a follow-up activity, the students designed a poster combining images
and their quotations on reading. We all participated enthusiastically and benefitted
greatly from the activity.
