This is such a beautiful and profound reflection. Every time I visit a school or see children who aren't at school I often feel sad that a lot of them they will never know the joy of reading a book or being lost in different worlds that books and reading can open up. My paternal grandmom was fully illiterate too and used signs to remember how many clothes she gave for ironing is what my grandad once told me. That story always made me sad as a child. I am always overwhelmed by how lucky we are to be born in a generation where going to school was not necessarily optional. Truly enjoying reading your thoughtful and profound words and the way your string together your thoughts so beautifully and powerfully!
This is a beautiful reflection. I lived in Nepal for a period of time and did language lessons while I was there, and I vividly remember the moment the dots connected and I could suddenly read Nepali! It made me realize that I don't remember learning how to read in English, and it was a moment infused with wonder for me. I taught high school to students who were learning English as a second language for 4 years, and the combo of life circumstances and the way the American school system is overburdened meant that there was always a handful of my students who couldn't really read at all (in English or in their first language), and quite a few more who were reading significantly below what we deem to be a high school level. It deeply impacted their school experiences and the opportunities they had for the future. I became disabled by COVID and had to leave teaching, but as I regained a little energy last year, I started volunteering with a program that pairs volunteers with elementary kids to read together. It was a good option for my schedule, but I also wanted to do something to increase literacy at a younger age so less students had to face high school without the ability to read. I've been on the fence about returning next school year due to my limited energy, but this feels like a nudge to do it again if I'm able to. So often we take reading as a for granted skill here in America, and I think it's important to remember that it is a privilege, and not one that everyone has access to. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kelly, thank you so much for the thoughtful comment and for sharing your experience. How cool that you lived in Nepal and learned how to read Nepali - very impressive! You sound like a wonderful teacher, and I hope you find the right path to get back into it in whatever way works for you. The work that you’re doing is so fundamental and important, and we all owe those like you who’ve been on the front lines a debt of gratitude!
I remember times when I met people in my life who weren't able to read/write and I could not help but notice how deeply this had impacted their self-esteem and what they thought of their capabilities.
Thanks, Shubhanshi! Your observation is very true. I’ve had illiterate folk tell me about how vulnerable and powerless they feel. It breaks my heart, truly.
Thanks for this Ramya, and thanks for the personal anecdotes which really brought the message home. Reading is such a privilege and being able to experience the world and traverse it through words is definitely something I hope everyone gets to have. You are also right about the responsibility of writers and this post was a reminder for me. My mum told me that I started being able to read texts at 5, and I know I loved reading from a young age (Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl for the win!) We had a house help who couldn’t read and I tried to teach her and experienced the difficulty you recounted! Thanks again for this!
Thank you, Ehae, I’m so glad that it resonated. And I too was a big fan of Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl! It’s lovely that you tried to teach your family helper to read - it’s indeed not an easy undertaking AT ALL.
This is such a beautiful and profound reflection. Every time I visit a school or see children who aren't at school I often feel sad that a lot of them they will never know the joy of reading a book or being lost in different worlds that books and reading can open up. My paternal grandmom was fully illiterate too and used signs to remember how many clothes she gave for ironing is what my grandad once told me. That story always made me sad as a child. I am always overwhelmed by how lucky we are to be born in a generation where going to school was not necessarily optional. Truly enjoying reading your thoughtful and profound words and the way your string together your thoughts so beautifully and powerfully!
Sudha, thank you so much for reading and for the kind comment. We are indeed very lucky!
This is a beautiful reflection. I lived in Nepal for a period of time and did language lessons while I was there, and I vividly remember the moment the dots connected and I could suddenly read Nepali! It made me realize that I don't remember learning how to read in English, and it was a moment infused with wonder for me. I taught high school to students who were learning English as a second language for 4 years, and the combo of life circumstances and the way the American school system is overburdened meant that there was always a handful of my students who couldn't really read at all (in English or in their first language), and quite a few more who were reading significantly below what we deem to be a high school level. It deeply impacted their school experiences and the opportunities they had for the future. I became disabled by COVID and had to leave teaching, but as I regained a little energy last year, I started volunteering with a program that pairs volunteers with elementary kids to read together. It was a good option for my schedule, but I also wanted to do something to increase literacy at a younger age so less students had to face high school without the ability to read. I've been on the fence about returning next school year due to my limited energy, but this feels like a nudge to do it again if I'm able to. So often we take reading as a for granted skill here in America, and I think it's important to remember that it is a privilege, and not one that everyone has access to. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kelly, thank you so much for the thoughtful comment and for sharing your experience. How cool that you lived in Nepal and learned how to read Nepali - very impressive! You sound like a wonderful teacher, and I hope you find the right path to get back into it in whatever way works for you. The work that you’re doing is so fundamental and important, and we all owe those like you who’ve been on the front lines a debt of gratitude!
Super thoughtful!
I remember times when I met people in my life who weren't able to read/write and I could not help but notice how deeply this had impacted their self-esteem and what they thought of their capabilities.
Thanks, Shubhanshi! Your observation is very true. I’ve had illiterate folk tell me about how vulnerable and powerless they feel. It breaks my heart, truly.
Wow this has really stirred my heart and will stay with me for a while I’m sure of it. Thank you 🧡
I’m so happy to know that it resonated with you, Sarina 🙏🏾
This is so powerful. Thank you for the reminder of what a blessing and a privilege it is to read.
Thank you so much, Noha!
Thanks for this Ramya, and thanks for the personal anecdotes which really brought the message home. Reading is such a privilege and being able to experience the world and traverse it through words is definitely something I hope everyone gets to have. You are also right about the responsibility of writers and this post was a reminder for me. My mum told me that I started being able to read texts at 5, and I know I loved reading from a young age (Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl for the win!) We had a house help who couldn’t read and I tried to teach her and experienced the difficulty you recounted! Thanks again for this!
Thank you, Ehae, I’m so glad that it resonated. And I too was a big fan of Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl! It’s lovely that you tried to teach your family helper to read - it’s indeed not an easy undertaking AT ALL.