Nowadays everyone knows that reading provides us with a lot of benefits. If we want to use them fully, reading classic literature is best.
According to studies conducted by Berkeley, University of California, reading classic literature extends our vocabulary by 50 % and regular reading increases brain activity, improves memory functionality and slows down growing older. It can be considered a form of brain exercise. Reading also helps us to concentrate, which leads to better comprehension of the text.
After a hard and demanding day, reading enables us to relax, eliminate stress, and often helps us fall asleep. In other words, it calms down not only the body but also the brain. All of these benefits are extremely useful for children with special needs.
Among other benefits of reading, however not less important, is the development of imagination, creativity, and knowledge. Students who read regularly get better results in education. All these aspects support our decision to participate in the Erasmus+ project BiblioLingua with the aim to make reading accessible for everyone.
Reading is also an effective way to acquire a foreign language, especially for introverts who experience inhibitions when it comes to speaking in public until they become fluent.
Charles W. Eliot once wrote,
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.”
There are many reasons to read in a foreign language, in our case, English. Nevertheless, the most important include:
- an improvement in vocabulary and the correct use of the language
- an increase in self-confidence while speaking English
- more opportunities at the job market
- The opportunity to gain knowledge about new cultures, opinions, personalities, and more information related to your areas of interest.
One of the most important goals of the BiblioLingua project is to prepare pieces of European Classic literature at different levels, accompanied by pedagogical packages, various modules, and guides to make reading in English more attractive and accessible. Students will learn how to read effectively in a foreign language, how to combine extensive and intensive reading, and develop those reading skills they often take for granted in their mother tongue.