Guided reading approach pays dividends for ROC

2015/06/24

A guided reading approach aimed at fostering advanced learning is earning academic accolades at home and abroad for a Taichung City-based educational foundation.

Based on the principle of understanding how and why to read, the in-depth technique boosts a reader’s levels of comprehension, expression and thinking. It also dramatically improves knowledge retention, a process increasingly compromised by the effect of gaming and proliferation of smartphones, tablets and other handheld devices.

Albert Wang, chairman of approach facilitator Ming-Dao Culture and Education Foundation and president of Ming-Dao High School, believes that focused reading is key to the effective assimilation of information.

“Reading is really just the first step,” he said. “It opens a portal of knowledge through which one can discover and explore a kaleidoscopic world of words.”

According to Wang, the approach is paying handsome dividends on campus. “Students are encouraged to peruse a wide spectrum of materials and engage in critical analysis, with the ultimate aim of organizing their thoughts and channeling them into positive actions.

“Our reading passport campaign is especially fruitful in this respect.”

Under the campaign, students accumulate mileage of a million words and, in the process, transform their reading abilities. Some thought to have learning difficulties turn out to be excellent readers and go on to become accomplished academics or physicians.

A key plank in the approach is the staging of reading camps nationwide, Wang said. “We encourage local children to interact with their counterparts from overseas, particularly those from Singapore and mainland China. And in recent years, we have extended our reach to less developed parts of Africa and Southeast Asia via the School Without Borders initiative.”

By building the habit of reading, Taiwan youths are demonstrating an advanced level of confidence and ingenuity, Wang said, adding that he is optimistic the experience can be duplicated and disseminated worldwide.

“Many of our students are now engaged in international educational campaigns, lending a hand to those in need. We view this as the ultimate testament to our belief in the power of reading.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=231820&ctNode=413)