World Read Aloud Day is a global event that takes place on the first Wednesday of February each year, and is meant to encourage reading out loud to promote literacy and a love for reading. In 2024, this event took place on 7 February, and Unisa Library and Information Services staffers Itumeleng Mpete, Mokgadi Senyolo and Busisiwe Manala, in collaboration with Dr Modiehi Rammutloa from the Department of Information Science, celebrated the power of reading out loud with Norridge Primary School learners by reading short stories and poems to rekindle and invigorate their interest in reading aloud. The school is located in Eersterust, Tshwane.
Norridge Primary School learners with, from left, Itumeleng Mpete from Unisa Library and Information Services, Dr Modiehi Rammutloa from the Department of Information Sciences, and Mokgadi Senyolo from Unisa Library and Information Services
Upon arriving at the school, Unisans were warmly welcomed by Olivia Matlhanya, the school’s Acting Deputy Principal, and Lauren Willies, HoD of the school’s Language Department, who were excited about the initiative and requested that stories be read with Grade 4 to Grade 7 learners.
The learners were empowered in several ways. They read aloud an Afrikaans short story and translated it into English, and their listening skills were assessed by discussing the main characters. Boosting their self-confidence was also part of this activity as learners were encouraged to read and speak louder. Rewards were also given, motivating them to exercise their reading skills, regardless of their challenges.
Literacy is for everyone, irrespective of gender, and thus Unisans made sure that both girls and boys were given equal opportunity to become leading readers by reading out loud short stories and poems from Platinum English and Afrikaans sonder grense books. Reading aloud is about story telling – not just reading, but the art of reading aloud. Learners were therefore also taught to use body language and facial expressions when reading out loud.
The Unisa group concluded their reading by taking a walkabout in the school’s Media Centre, and it was discovered that books and other reading materials were available at the school although not classified accordingly.
During their discussion, Matlhanya saw an opportunity to request Unisans to assisting with setting up the Media Centre according to an acceptable library system, which will be easy for the school learners to use.
* By Busisiwe Manala, Project Talent Link (Marketing), Department of Library and Information Services
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