Stephen D. Krashen

I got this book, since it's the book Steve Kaufmann talks about as the basis of his ideas of language learning. I found the book really interesting, expanding on the ideas I had already heard from some of Steve's YouTube videos. I think intuitively this has been always my approach. Although I think output like speaking and writing could come to language learning a little bit earlier than in this method. But I think the idea that you don't get corrected on everything reduces anxiety and adds to learning. I used to write my diary in English and no one ever saw this and I made a lot of mistakes, but I was also using the language and eventually I got better.

So, mainly the book confirmed a lot what I empirically have found true (isn't that the confirmation bias...). However, my knowledge is based on what has worked for me, while Dr. Krashen has actually quantitative data to back his opinion up. While based on academic research, the book is very easy and interesting read. Would recommend for any language learners.… (meer)

When I first met Dr. Krashen in the Washington D.C. railroad station, we hatched out the idea for his first book: The Power of Reading. That book was a huge boost for teacher librarians who sought evidence that large amounts of reading, free voluntary reading, and the reader’s choice of that reading was extremely powerful in helping young readers succeed in the quest for literacy. In this, his third book on the topic, he adds more and convincing research about supplying youg readers with choice and giving them time to read what they find compelling. It still makes sense. The research reported here includes new studies, and several have been conducted with this co-authors in China. The argument for large collections of books children and teens want to read, the power of storytelling, the power of choice and other important factors boost literacy even in the face of the powerful downward push of poverty. Using the marginal notes idea that we used in his first book, you can give this book to administrators, reading teachers, and parents who can quickly scan for interesting ideas and then dip into the main text of the book beside the quote for more information. It is extremely important to read this book and merge it into the ideas of the new AASL Standards to make your case for keeping reading a powerful program element alongside inquiry. An essential read!… (meer)