For the love of Reading

As English teachers, the stereotype suggests we are all avid readers and passionate bibliophiles (ˈbɪblɪə(ʊ)fʌɪl: a person who collects or has a great love of books). Speaking from our experience at iBOS, this stereotype is largely true—our love for literature is a cornerstone of our teaching philosophy.

The Journey into Literature

Many of our educators share a journey rooted in a childhood love of books. From spending hours lost among library shelves to exploring the expansive worlds created by authors, this early passion is what fuels our dedication today. Studying English Language & Literature at the university level further cemented the importance of reading, not just as an academic pursuit but as a way to engage with the world.

This enduring relationship with books highlights the profound truth: literature is a powerful medium for personal growth, critical engagement, and forging lasting connections—from the shared experience of fantasy epics to the intellectual stimulation of book clubs.

Why is reading important?

Of course, from my above life story intertwined with literature it would be quite clear that I am biased towards believing reading is a core and fundamental skill everyone should love and value. But beyond my own bias there is significant scholarly evidence and research to back the importance of reading. Being able to read well and confidently underpins everything we do in education – students need to be able to read before they can access any of the work they need to learn, whether that be in mathematics, science, geography or a language course. Reading is undeniably vital. Furthermore, reading is a key feature of learning to communicate in the world, as reading improves and expands our vocabulary. I would argue that in our increasingly technologically focused world we need to be reading more than ever!

Reading for pleasure

Beyond the academic improvements that reading can offer, it can also be a means of escape. I have certainly gone through difficult times, moving to a new country being one of the biggest challenges I have faced in the past few years. And reading has always been a comfort, a way to escape the stress of life into an imaginary world where anything can happen. Reading can help with depression and anxiety as well as being a good way to wind down after a long day before going to sleep. It’s time to stop scrolling through TikTok and try reading a book before bed!

What to read? When there are endless choices and you are an apprehensive reader it can be difficult to know where to start, we often have this conversation in English classes across KS3 and 4. I always urge my students to try and start with something light and something they are interested in – think about your hobbies, your interests, perhaps even a TV series or movie you enjoy – and then look for interesting novels from those ideas in mind! You never know what you may come across. For anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller, come to me for recommendations any day!