You bet! Listening to recordings is passive. You can be an active listener but the temptation is there to just let things slide by. But reading is an active skill, it builds mental muscle. I noted something really disturbing recently during a YouTube show which was playing TicToks recorded by frustrated American elementary teachers who are in a state of despair because during the last 10 years, especially the last 5, reading skills in elementary and high schools have declined at a terrifying rate. Grade 8 teachers are saying that over half of their classes are reading four and six years behind grade level. everyone blames the universal use of cell phones. One kid said, "Why should I learn this when AI can always give me the answer?"
But the most horrifying story was from a teacher who reported that her middle school (grade 4-6?) kids cannot understand a simple sentence, and they cannot spell their own names and they cannot tell the address or the names of their parents – because they go and come from there and never read the street name or house number. It sounded to me like mental deterioration because they do not read. Since they do not read they do not learn how to remember, think, discriminate, etc. If one of these kids were kidnapped and later rescued by police they would be helpless to identify themselves. How long would it be until a kid like this loses ALL sense of identity?
Excellent post, and super advice. One of your best, I'd say, maybe because you are clearly so enamored with these things... reading and language and Shakespeare and being made of steel...
I think I shall do what you advise myself, although I've read a bunch of Shakespeare, it's been a long long time ago. How else can I learn not to bark everything I think?? Wurf! xo
Thank you Jim! I fully agree. And it's important to READ, not just listen to recordings.
You bet! Listening to recordings is passive. You can be an active listener but the temptation is there to just let things slide by. But reading is an active skill, it builds mental muscle. I noted something really disturbing recently during a YouTube show which was playing TicToks recorded by frustrated American elementary teachers who are in a state of despair because during the last 10 years, especially the last 5, reading skills in elementary and high schools have declined at a terrifying rate. Grade 8 teachers are saying that over half of their classes are reading four and six years behind grade level. everyone blames the universal use of cell phones. One kid said, "Why should I learn this when AI can always give me the answer?"
But the most horrifying story was from a teacher who reported that her middle school (grade 4-6?) kids cannot understand a simple sentence, and they cannot spell their own names and they cannot tell the address or the names of their parents – because they go and come from there and never read the street name or house number. It sounded to me like mental deterioration because they do not read. Since they do not read they do not learn how to remember, think, discriminate, etc. If one of these kids were kidnapped and later rescued by police they would be helpless to identify themselves. How long would it be until a kid like this loses ALL sense of identity?
Excellent post, and super advice. One of your best, I'd say, maybe because you are clearly so enamored with these things... reading and language and Shakespeare and being made of steel...
I think I shall do what you advise myself, although I've read a bunch of Shakespeare, it's been a long long time ago. How else can I learn not to bark everything I think?? Wurf! xo