Many of us with a passion for literature have fond memories of the school library as a place that nurtured our love of the written word. This is why I read with disappointment the findings from a recent survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) about library provision in UK schools. Although 94%…
With China leading the way in academic achievement, it makes sense for us in the UK to observe the Chinese schools’ methods of teaching and see what, if anything, can be learnt from the Chinese education system. The three episodes of BBC2’s programme ‘Are Our Kids Tough Enough? Chinese School’ aimed to do just that…
Reading forms a central part of the English curriculum in schools and the benefits that children receive by encountering a range of different texts in an academic setting are varied and many. Spelling, grammar, creative writing ability and comprehension skills are all improved when children are introduced to challenging literature at an early age. As…
As an education expert, I am calling on families across Britain to keep their children’s minds active during the long summer holidays. Studies, and anecdotal evidence from teachers, have shown that children academically regress following the six-week break. As a teacher, tutor and education author, I have noticed that quick and fun learning activities can…
The Oxford English Dictionary defines comprehension as simply ‘the ability to understand something’. More specifically, the term ‘reading comprehension’ can be understood as the process of simultaneously extracting and constructing meaning through interaction and involvement with written language. It is a vital skill, which should form the basis of every child’s linguistic development. Without comprehension,…