In recent history, some educators have tried to teach reading by doing seemingly unrelated activities, such as playing chess and increasing music instruction. But literacy activist and expert on second language learning Stephen Krashen believes that the best way to improve reading is to read. He will present “Anything but Reading” at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 27, in the Katzer Room, 347 Hinds Hall.
Krashen’s talk is the 2010 Distinguished Lecture, sponsored by SU’s Center for Digital Literacy (CDL)—an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to understanding the impact literacies have on society.
“Stephen Krashen is, arguably, one of the staunchest advocates for school and public libraries as essential components of every child’s education,” says School of Information Studies (iSchool) Meredith Professor and Director Ruth V. Small. “I am so pleased that our students will have an opportunity to hear and learn from him, either in person or virtually.”
Krashen, professor emeritus in the Rossier School of Education’s Language and Learning Department at the University of Southern California, has researched reading and language acquisition for more than two decades. He has written more than 350 publications on second language acquisition, language development and bilingual education. His empirical findings in support of reading galvanized his role as a reading activist, and as an advocate of public and school libraries.
He says his goals for the lecture are to “alert education professions about the media and their ignorance about education and reading in particular, and to spread the news about the amazing research supporting reading and libraries.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 28, Krashen will give a second talk as part of the iSchool’s Brown Bag Lecture Series. The presentation will cover four questions:
The lecture begins at noon in the Katzer Room, 347 Hinds Hall.
Krashen’s lectures are funded by the CDL, the iSchool and the School of Education.
