By Kim Kruger
Curriculum Lead Language and Literature
The Language and Literature Department at Northbridge International School Cambodia firmly believe that reading and literacy are essential skills that have a profound impact on an individual's personal and professional life.
“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”
Harper Lee (American novelist is best known for her 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird)
Reading not only helps to improve vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills but also fosters a love for learning and a desire for self-improvement. Therefore, we believe it is crucial to inculcate a reading culture at NISC to develop lifelong learners who can apply their critical and analytical skills in the real world and navigate the ever-changing media landscape.
At its core, literacy is the ability to read and write. However, it goes beyond mere proficiency in these skills. Literacy is the foundation for communication, learning, and social interaction. It is the key to unlocking a world of knowledge and opportunity. We prioritize literacy and reading across all subjects and grade levels.
Inculcating a reading culture is essential in developing a lifelong love for learning. Reading provides a gateway to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences beyond the classroom. By encouraging students to read widely, schools can spark their imaginations and inspire them to explore new topics and ideas. This, in turn, fosters a culture of curiosity and self-improvement that will stay with them for life.
Reading is not just about developing language skills; it is also about relating to the real world and developing an understanding of diverse cultures and experiences. Reading exposes students to different perspectives and expands their worldview. It helps them develop empathy and understanding for others, which is essential in today's diverse and interconnected world.
In addition to developing a love for learning, reading and literacy also help to develop critical and analytical skills that are essential in the real world. By reading and analysing different texts, students learn to evaluate arguments, identify biases, and make informed decisions. These skills are essential in the workplace, where critical thinking and problem-solving are highly valued.
Furthermore, today's world is inundated with media from various sources, and it is essential to be aware of the manipulation and biases that exist within the media. By developing critical and analytical skills through reading and literacy, students can learn to identify and analyse media messages, and make informed decisions about what to believe and what to disregard.
By prioritizing reading and literacy across all subjects and grade levels at NISC, we hope to foster a love for learning, expand students' worldview, and develop the critical thinking skills that are essential in today's world.
World Children's Day (WCD) is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.
The readers of this article have all likely experienced a ‘traditional’ exam setting. Rows of desks, pen and paper, and exam papers that are primarily constructed to test knowledge and recall of the course content. There is certainly some value to an exam paper that assesses a student’s knowledge, but ultimately, knowledge and recall represents a very narrow range of the skills actually needed in the modern world. Recognising this, the IB has taken an revolutionary look at assessment in the middle years, with the eAssessment.
