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Exposure matters
Sujatha's views on the declining habit of reading among children ("Sound Off", April 22) are true. For most kids, television is only for cartoons. As they grow they graduate to movies and movie songs. During the season it is only cricket, and the CD invariably refers only to a movie. They haven't ever been guided into the world of quality entertainment. They haven't been taught that entertainment is only meant for leisure hours; that TV and CDs can be used in many other ways too; and that books too form part of entertainment.
The very reason children don't love books is that they haven't been exposed to them. Most language teachers don't realise that teaching their subject requires skill. Hence answers to questions are dictated. The student who best reproduce these is awarded `excellent'. Comprehension, appreciation and creativity are totally absent among most children, as a consequence. So the concept of language teaching in the minds of teachers first needs revamping. Then books in the printed or CD form would reach children leading to a gradual change in the situation.
P. Laurent
Guduvanchery
Send your feedback to metromail@thehindu.co.in (in text format) or Metromail, MetroPlus, The Hindu, Kasturi Buildings, 859/860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.
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