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Falling English standard among secondary students
and the lack of a reading culture in English are perennial
problems in local education. Dr Vivienne Yu, Deputy Head of
the Department of English, attempts to address these two problems
using an innovative approach. Her PhD thesis entitled "An
extensive reading scheme for secondary schools in Hong Kong:
its roles in second language develop-ment and curriculum renewal"
has not only brought her international acclaim, but most important
of all, it provides local teachers with deeper insight into
how extensive reading can enhance second language teaching
and learning.
Dr Yu has just returned from the USA where she
attended the Research Awards and Address Session of the International
Reading Association (IRA) Annual Convention 2003. The IRA
is a highly prestigious academic organis-ation dedicated to
the promotion of reading. Through its annual awards pre-sentation,
the sterling efforts of educators, authors and researchers
in the field of reading and literacy are commended. Dr Yu
has been honoured by the IRA for "outstanding scholarship
as a distinguished finalist for the Outstanding Dissertation
of the Year Award 2003", a significant recognition of
her work.
"Teachers
need to motivate students instead of just monitoring them.
Moreover, to perform their roles more effectively, they themselves
must also be keen readers."
Dr Vivienne Yu,
Deputy Head of the Department of English
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The focus of Dr Yu's study was on extensive reading for secondary
students. Her investig-ation provides important insight into
the roles of extensive reading in second language deve-lopment
and curriculum renewal. She found that extensive reading can
help students develop competence in reading with sustained
concentration, an important skill for lifelong learning. The
importance of teacher support for low-ability students with
less positive reading attitudes was highlighted. The development
of creative writing skills, the documentation of reading behaviours
and the identification of factors which can influence the
success of extensive reading schemes, were key areas of her
investigation.
Dr Yu hopes her study can help local teachers to improve
their teaching of English. She has been conducting seminars
for teachers on how to support students in reading development
and she emphasises the importance of motivation.
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