Spreading reading culture in schools

Teacher Tran Thi Lanh, Nam Sach High School, reads books with students

Actively seek out reading

During recess, under the shade of trees at the stadium of Gia Hoa Primary School (Yet Kieu Commune, Gia Loc), groups of students are engrossed in reading books and stories. According to Doan Hai Dang, class 3B, every time he reads a book, he feels relaxed and comfortable, without getting tired eyes like when watching TV or on his phone. He can look at the images in the book over and over again, so he remembers them for a long time. Every week, he tries to read 5 books or stories borrowed from the school library.

Families and many teachers at school always care and guide children to form the habit of reading books and love stories from an early age. "When I was little, my father often read stories to me in his free time, before going to bed. When I grew up, when I achieved high academic achievements, my father rewarded me with a book, which helped me develop the habit of reading books," said Luong Van Hong, a 10th grade student at Nguyen Van Cu High School (Hai Duong City).

Reading books and newspapers helps shape personality from an early age, fostering love for family and friends. Since childhood, Doan Thi Huong Thao, a 4C student at Thanh Son Primary School (Thanh Ha), has had a special love for books and newspapers, especially Vietnamese fairy tales such as The Hundred-Joint Bamboo Tree, Tam Cam... She won the excellent prize in the "Reading Culture Ambassador" contest in 2022. "Through fairy tales, I see many meaningful lessons, helping me stay away from bad habits, and love my parents, teachers, and friends more," Thao said.

Variety of forms

Reading books and stories helps students improve their understanding, form a lifestyle, moral standards, and stay away from the negative aspects of society... Realizing that importance, each school has different ways to inspire love and practice reading skills for students.

Student Doan Hai Dang, class 3B (far right) Gia Hoa Primary School (Yet Kieu commune, Gia Loc) strives to read 5 stories and books every week.

For many years, in the timetable, Gia Hoa Primary School has fixed each class to have 1 reading period/week in the school library. Since 2021, the school has built "E-books" by selecting good books to read and record. With many works, teachers have also painstakingly integrated vivid images and sounds to attract students. In summary sessions or through competitions, the school rewards students with books or stories. Every year, the school also organizes a "Good Reading" contest, drawing pictures of characters on favorite topics to encourage students to be proactive in reading. The school cooperates with Hai Duong Books and Educational Equipment Joint Stock Company to display books right at the school for students to visit and experience. With the spirit of "Contribute a small book, read thousands of good books", in addition to the school library, each classroom has a part of the area to make its own small library. "The school has many ways to inspire passion and guide students in reading habits, and has brought initial results. Many students have proactively gone to the library to read and borrow books to read," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh, Vice Principal of Gia Hoa Primary School.

To encourage the reading movement, the Nam Sach High School Youth Union organized the movement "Each member has a book as a friend", introducing "Good books about Uncle Ho" in the weekend activities. To introduce a favorite book, the student must read and learn the main content. For many years, Nam Sach High School has built a "Poetry and Literature Writing Club" attracting many talented students who love literature to participate. The school library has thousands of books, including a bookshelf donated by poet Tran Dang Khoa, a former student of the school's 11th class, always creating conditions for students to borrow books to read and research. "With new teaching methods as well as using many forms of propaganda, students have been more proactive in reading books. In addition to books for studying, they also read literary works and books about social life to supplement their knowledge and understanding", said Ms. Tran Thi Lanh, teacher in charge of the school's Poetry and Literature Writing Club.

Although schools have tried and made efforts to inspire reading, today due to the development of information technology, students' reading is still limited. To encourage and arouse students' passion for reading, it is necessary to have cooperation from the family. From a young age, parents should read books with their children, help them choose suitable books, and limit their use of electronic devices...

THANH HA