Reading without nonsense

Frank Smith is a cognitive psychologist and researcher of how people learn to read and use forms of language. In this book he sets out to prove that reading is a natural activity that should not be forced on pupils, but rather taught as a way of engaging with interesting experiences and alleviating boredom.

He argues that it is vital that educators do not force pupils too much when teaching reading, and try to understand that it is a natural process that will occur over time. Instead, he believes they should find ways to engage pupils and encourage them to read by planning lessons and activities that interest them.

He lists nine basic rules to help pupils learn to read, including learning and using phonics; teaching letters and words one at a time; and making sure these basics are learnt before moving onto more advanced materials