Instilling a love of reading in Lebanese primary schoolchildren : an investigation of teaching strategies and their impact

النوع : Mémoire

Teaching in Lebanese primary schools, I always hear teachers complaining that students do not read. Recognizing that it is reading in childhood that lays the ground for a reading habit in adulthood, the greatest concern is the loss of young readers. In order to investigate the underlying teaching practices at the primary stage and its impact on the children’s attitude, I have conducted a survey in three Lebanese private schools. My data were gathered from three sources, namely, observations of three second-grade classes, teachers’ interviews, and students’ questionnaires. I have analyzed my results qualitatively. My findings showed that much of the reading instruction is failing to promote reading for pleasure by overemphasizing skills-building. It has also been inferred from my findings that the frequency of non-reading behavior such as Internet hours or other electronic entertainment adversely affects children’s motivation to reading. I have concluded by making tentative recommendations in the hope that they will provide guidance for teachers, parents, and the wider community towards inculcating into young learners a love of reading.