Letter to editor

We Should Read

27 June 2013 at 01:42 | 1944 views

By Federido Gómez

“The decrease in the reading habits of a people implies a true mental step back for society. It reduces its creative imagination, its intelligence and its sensitivity.”

The quote above is by Ibáñez Langloise, a Chilean poet with whom I totally agree. As an educator, I verify that students who are fond of reading encounter fewer hitches in their studies, get better grades and are usually more mature.

It is just logical —reading improves spelling, vocabulary, written and oral expression, it builds up culture and helps thinking. And people that think are capable of internalizing values.

In addition, reading can contribute to knowledge of the truth, achievement of good, and appreciation of beauty, which helps us improve as human beings.

On the other hand, reading is the best antidote to boredom, since you do not need others in order to have a good time. One of the most exciting challenges we parents and educators face is to encourage reading among our children and students.

How? By reading more ourselves; it is the example that draws in, as you can only convey what you experience.

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