5
The benefits of reading engagement/lifelong reading
The
Teaching Reading in Europe
report summarizes research findings about the
importance and benefits of reading engagement:
It has been consistently shown that those who read more are better readers.
With an increased amount of reading, reading ability improves, which in turn
encourages more reading (Cunningham and Stanovich, 1998). Furthermore,
Clark and Rumbold's meta-review (2006) showed that reading for pleasure is
positively linked to text comprehension and grammar, breadth of vocabulary,
greater self-confidence as a reader and pleasure of reading later in life. (Eurydice
Network, 2011: 114)
Another report (Allan et al., 2005: 5) summarizes research findings regarding the
benefits
of
reading
for
enjoyment:
Children who say that they enjoy
reading and who read for
pleasure in their own time do
better at school. Reading for
enjoyment is positively associated
with reading attainment and with
writing ability (OECD 2002). Pupils
who read for pleasure also
demonstrate a wider general
knowledge (Wells 1986), a better understanding of other cultures (Meek 1991),
and more complex insights regarding human nature, motivations and decision-
making (Cunningham and Stanovich 1998, Bruner 1996).
The OECD report
Reading for Change: Results from PISA 2000
concludes that the
engaged reader can even overcome obstacles of low parental education and income:
- Being more enthusiastic about reading and being a frequent reader was more
of an advantage on its own than having well-educated parents in good jobs.
- Finding ways to engage students in reading may be one of the most effective
ways to leverage social change. (Kirsch et al, 2002: 3)
Krashen illustrates best the importance of reading engagement, and reading for pleasure
in particular: “Those who do not develop the pleasure reading habit simply don’t have a
chance--they will have a very difficult time reading and writing at a level high enough to
