Reading Children are reading less as their lives become more crowded with other activities, new research suggests. They are reading fewer novels, comics, magazines and websites, according to a National Literacy Trust study of 21,000 children and teenagers. While many enjoyed reading, some 17% said they would be embarrassed if a friend saw them with a book. A government spokesman said the findings showed the need to help young people develop a love of reading. Half of those questioned said they enjoyed reading very much, or quite a lot, almost the same as in 2005 when the figure was 51%. But the findings showed that just three in every 10 youngsters read daily in their own time, down from four in 10 in 2005. More than a fifth (22%) said they rarely or never read in their own time and more than half (54%) said they preferred watching television to reading. In 2005 more than three quarters (77%) of children read magazines, but now only 57% do. Comic reading has dropped from 64% to 50%, and reading on websites from 54% to 50%. The researchers said the figures highlighted "a clear issue with children's leisure time with many children enjoying reading but pushing it out in favour of other activities". 'Essential' reading time Jonathan Douglas, director of National Literacy Trust, said: "The fact that children are reading less than in 2005 signals a worrying shift in young people's literacy habits. We are calling for the Government to back a campaign to halt this reading decline and to give children time to read in their daily lives. "We need to make reading irresistible. We want to call on families and professionals working with children and young people to make ten minutes in their day for reading." The report said it was "essential" for children to make time to read because reading outside lessons was linked to strong academic achievement. It added that young people who read outside class on a daily basis were 13 times more likely to read above the expected level for their age. A spokesman for the Department for Education said: "The findings of this survey come as no surprise and shows that we need to continue our drive to encourage young people to develop a love of reading. In a world of so many distractions for young minds, the place of literature is more important than ever. "Children need to master the basics of reading as early as possible in primary school so they can then go on to explore magical and powerful books such as Private Peaceful, Harry Potter, and, in good time, books such as Lord of the Flies, Animal Farm and those by Charles Dickens. "That's why we've introduced a short and simple phonics check at the end of Year 1 to make sure children have mastered the basics." The study, which coincides with International Literacy Day on Saturday, comes as the World Literacy Foundation called on world leaders to tackle a global literacy crisis. Chief executive Andrew Kay said: "Globally, almost 800 million people are illiterate and 100 million children don't attend school each day".
Has dropped – снизилась Highlighted – выделенный Pushing it out – выталкивает Campaign – кампания Halt – остановить Decline – снижаться Irresistible – непреодолимый Linked – связанный Phonics – акустика Сoincides – совпадает Tackle – решения Chief executive – генеральный директор
How many per cent of teenagers feel embarrassed if their friends see them with a book? How many per cent of people claim that they love to read? How many per cent of children read comics nowadays? Who is Jonathan Douglas? How many people are illiterate nowadays?
I like to read very much. I think that an educated person is a person who reads a lot. Every new generation reads less and less. In my opinion, it’s a very big issue. And it’s our fault that we don’t instill a love of reading to children.
I like reading. Honestly i don't often read classic literature but i like fantasy and sci-fi. I have a lot of books at home. But now i start to read books on my computer
Teacher, I think that magazines and comics aren't the best reading for children. You can read it at your leisure. But it never teaches children anything good.
It is a very useful article. Of course, i have already known that children read less. It is a degradation in uor society. Now young people don't want to study. They aren't inretesred in literature, classical music. They became uneducated people. But we should correct this situation. I think that all is not lost. Children will be able to like reading again. We must try!!!
Well, the decreasing reading level is actually about whether children read fiction or not. But is reading only about reading fiction? There are other things that children probably read.
I like to read very much,too. I have a big home library. I read books over and over again. Our young generation is obsessed with the Internet. Reading level dropped. Reading is everything. It forms us as an integrated personality. The book helps form moral principles, cultural values, teaches to think, analyze, and evaluate your own and other people's actions. I think every person, whether it's a child or an adult, should read books, otherwise our society may become illiterate.
Answer: I totally agree with you that reading is really essential. However, the Internet is often indispensible.
Answers to the questions: 1) 17% said they would be embarrassed if a friend saw them with a book. 2) 51% 3)Comic reading has dropped from 64% to 50%. 4)Jonathan Douglas- director of National Literacy Trust. 5)800 million people are illiterate.
Of course, i have already known that children read less. It is a degradation in uor society. Now young people don't want to study. They aren't inretesred in literature, classical music. They became uneducated people. But we should correct this situation. I think that all is not lost. Children will be able to like reading again. We must try!!!
