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 Entertainment | Books | July 2005 
Reading Books A Necessary Good
 Rhona Statland de López - The Herald
When I was teaching more than a decade ago, one student told me that he didn't have to read because he was going to inherit his father's business anyway and live a very comfortable life. As an avid reader and lover of books, I was so disconcerted by his comment that I didn't know how to respond.
When I was recently invited to give a talk to students about why they should read, I wasn't at all surprised. With the attractions of TV, the internet and video games, reading has taken a back seat. By now, I had had time to mull over all the reasons why reading was important. This column is dedicated to every teacher in Mexico who is called upon to explain to their students why they should read.
Books are the doorway to adventure. While sprawled on your couch, you can have exciting encounters that you may not be able to experience in real life. By reading biographies and autobiographies, you can learn about people who have reached success in different avenues of endeavor. Discovering how they triumphed can inspire you to meet your own challenges. Books can give you access to interesting ideas and intelligent people you might never meet otherwise.
Reading also helps you to become a better student. By reading more Mexican history, you can better understand your teacher's lectures about the revolution, for example, and add your cogent comments to the class discussion.
If you are studying English, reading in the language can help you learn it faster and better. Forget about memorizing the conjugation of verbs. Reading helps you communicate in English naturally and effortlessly, with correct verbs, proper tenses and varied vocabulary.
If you are thinking of going to college in the United States, you probably know that most U.S. institutions of higher learning require that you take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) which tests your vocabulary and reading comprehension. Practice makes perfect and the more you read, the more both will improve.
Encouraging a child to read should begin as early as possible. Reading will be considered a pleasurable experience when the child is sitting on his parent's lap, enjoying a colorful picture book. This can also serve as a powerful bonding experience between parent and child.
As the child grows, he or she should be introduced to entertaining stories that hold his attention. A parent reading to their youngster helps him learn correct speech patterns and encourages interest in books long before he is capable of reading the written word. As he grows older, it helps to keep the lines of communication open as children talk about the books with their parents which can lead to discussing their problems, hopes and fears.
If children are introduced early to the joy of reading, teachers wouldn't be called upon to express its value. Children would already know that reading about others' lives can make them more empathetic and understanding individuals.
One police force in Mexico City has actually started giving literature classes to the officers. Nezahualcoyotl mayor Luis Sanchez ordered the members of the municipal police force to read at least one book a month or give up the chance to be promoted. He explained, "We believe reading will improve their vocabulary and their writing skills. It will help them express themselves, order their ideas and communicate with the public." He summed it up by saying, "Reading will make them better police officers and better people."
Some of the books on their reading list include Paco Ignacio Taibo II's crime novels, "The Labyrinth of Solitude" by Octavio Paz and "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes. Chief Superintendent Omar Mela made the point that just as Quixote mistook windmills for giants, distinguishing criminals from law-abiding citizens is a key challenge for police.
The beauty of literature is that by reading about other people's lives, you can find parallels to your own. This makes readers able to find answers to problems or challenges they face in the pages of novels they turn to for enjoyment, entertainment, solace or solutions.
The next time a student asks you why he should read, don't be caught by surprise. Now you have plenty of reasons to give him.
Rhona Statland de López is always interested in her readers' comments. Please address them to rhonav@gmail.com |
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