How We Read Podcast

In this bonus episode, Professor Tommy Koh speaks about why reading literature is vital for understanding technology, mastering a language and comprehending the world. A top-notch negotiator and seasoned diplomat, Professor Koh believes that the study of literature is one of the best investments he has made. Episode Guest Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rector of Tembusu College at the National University of Singapore and Chairman of the National Heritage Board Recommended Reads Humanities at the heart of a holistic education in a tech-driven world by Professor Tommy Koh. Literature in the 21st Century Professor Tommy Koh’s Recommended Reads for Understanding America See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode re-imagines the future of reading. We examine whether reading in print or digitally has an impact on the way we read, and on the evolution of our species as a learning species. We ask, what does the skills future of reading look like? And how do we ensure we embrace all the different complexities and elements of reading as parents, educators, learners, and citizens? Episode Guests Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rector of Tembusu College at the National University of Singapore, and Chairman of the National Heritage Board Dr Angelia Poon, Associate Professor, National Institute of Education Dr Victor Lim Fei, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Education Ng Kah Gay, Publisher, Ethos Books Recommended Reads Links 7 ways the printing press changed the world What my students taught me about reading: old books hold new insights for the digital generation Reading literary fiction improves theory of the mind EU Common Framework for Intercultural Digital Literacies Mark Pegrum Overview of Digital Literacies See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this world of ceaseless information, how do we make sense of what we read and decide what counts, what works and what is real? In this episode, we break into the world of journalism to find out how these investigators sieve truth from falsehood and decide what counts as news. We explore how online reading has changed our reading consumption and learn how to be critical readers. Episode Guests Dr Csilla Weninger, Associate Professor, National Institute of Education Mr Tan Tarn How, Former Journalist, Playwright and IPS Fellow Mr Jaime Ho, Chief Editor, CNA Digital Dr Jiow Hee Jhee, Associate Professor, Singapore Institute of Technology and Member of the Media Literacy Council (IMDA) Recommended Reads S.U.R.E., the National Library’s Learning and Information Literacy Resources Quick Tips on Fact-Checking by Media Literacy Council Factitious, an online game that tests your ability to detect fake news Singapore MOE National Digital Literacy Programme Tandoc, E.C, Jr., Lim, Z.W., & Ling, R. (2018). Defining “fake news.” Digital Journalism, 6(2), 137-153. doi: 10.1080/21670811.2017.1360143 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we examine the power of poetry and ask why we should read poetry in today’s fast-paced and multicultural world. What does poetry do for the soul, the mind and the heart? We interview professors and personalities to inspire us to get started on our own poetic reading journey. Episode Guests Dr Joel Gwynne, Associate Professor, National Institute of Education Ms Esther Vincent, Poet, Teacher and Editor-in-Chief of The Tiger Moth Review Mr Marc Nair, Poet and Photographer Recommended Reads Orality, Literacy, and the Memorized Poem poetry.sg, a home for Singapore poetry Quarterly Literary Review Singapore, an online literary journal Humanities at the heart of a holistic education in a tech-driven world by Professor Tommy Koh See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Adventures of Sherlock Sam is a bestselling adventure series about a 10-year old boy detective. Join us for this bonus episode with author Felicia Low-Jimenez as she shares about how she, together with Adan Jimenez, comes up with ideas for their books. Episode Guest Ms Felicia Low-Jimenez, co-author of The Adventures of Sherlock Sam See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do people read comics or graphic novels? Is there a distinction between the two? Who reads comics? This episode delves into the world of comic reading to explore why comics hold such attraction for not just children and teens, but adults and seniors. We make a case that comics have a place for the entertainment, education, and edification of children and adults. Episode Guests Ms Felicia Low-Jimenez, Children’s Book Author and Founder of Difference Engine Mr CT Lim, Educator and Country Editor for International Journal for Comic Art Ms Teo Xing Zhi, Associate Librarian, NLB Ms Sarah Mounsey, Director of Libraries at Dulwich College (Singapore) Mr Tay Tze Ern and Ms Tay Min Ern To find out more about the National Library Board comic and book offerings, you may refer to the following websites: https://childrenandteens.nlb.gov.sg www.facebook.com/publiclibrarysg/ To read more about comics, you can explore the following links curated by Teoh Yong Qin: A Brief History of Comics and Graphic Novels The Power of Comics How Comics Help Students Learn Better comix.sg, an online database of Singapore comic creators See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Worldwide figures estimate that dyslexia, a learning difficulty related to language learning, affect 5-15% of the population. This bonus episode features an interview segment with Mr Edmen Leong, Director of Specialised Educational Services at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore, sharing about how we can help dyslexic children learn to read. Episode Guest Mr Edmen Leong, Director of Specialised Educational Services, Dyslexia Association of Singapore Recommended Reads Supporting Students with Dyslexia by Dr. Tan Chee Soon, NIE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children come to school differently resourced. Many children come to school knowing their ABCs and a rare few can read chapter books by the age of six. But what about children who have difficulty learning to read because of home circumstances? This episode explores the work of educators and volunteers who make it their mission to make reading for all a reality. Episode Guests Ms Michelle Yeo, Lawyer and Co-founder of ReadAble Ms Joy Tan, Teacher Volunteer at ReadAble Dr Tan Chee Soon, Lecturer, National Institute of Education Recommended Reads Neuman, S. & Celano, D. C. (2012) Worlds Apart: One City, Two Libraries, and Ten Years of Watching Inequality Grow. American Educator, 13-23. This is What Inequality Looks Like by Teo You Yenn The Tyranny of Merit by Michael J. Sandel Why Bedtime Stories are so Important to Helping our Children have a Headstart in Life See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we delve into the world of experts who work with pre-schoolers and primary school children to uncover how young children learn to read. We examine how the human brain learns to read, and ask how the capacity to read in different languages has an impact on our brain and social and cultural development. Episode Guests Dr Beth O’Brien, Principal Research Scientist, National Institute of Education Dr Sun Baoqi, Research Scientist, National Institute of Education Dr Mukhlis Abu Bakar, Associate Professor, National Institute of Education Dr Maryanne Wolf, Professor and Director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies Ms Ling Xin Jin & Nadia Recommended Reads Reader, Come Home by Maryanne Wolf The Reading Brain by Staislas Dehaene The Teacher Who Couldn’t Read Whorfian Hypothesis Sun, B., Loh, C. E. & Curdt-Christiansen, X. L. (2020) Leisure reading in multilingual Singapore: Reading Enjoyment, Habits and Preferences of Singaporean Children. Journal of Multilingual Theories and Practices 1(2), 313-339. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve heard many times the need for the bedtime story, and the importance of reading to children from a young age. But why is it important? How do we choose the right books? And is there a better way to read? In this episode, we learn just how important the bedtime story is, and invite guest storytellers to share with us their secrets to making a story come alive. Episode Guests Dr Jo Ann Shek, Lecturer, National Institute of Education Ms Lianne Ong, Children’s Author Mr Dwayne Lau, Actor, Performer and Storyteller Mr Hossan Leong, Actor, Producer and Comedian Mr Brendon Fernandez, Theatre Performer Mr Remesh Panicker, Theatre Performer Mrs Valerie Yong and children Resources recommended by Dr Jo Ann Shek Sim, S., & Berthelsen, D. (2014). Shared book reading by parents with young children: Evidence-based practice. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 39(1), 50-55. doi: 10.1177/183693911403900107 Hoff, E. (2006) How social contexts support and shape language development, Developmental Review, 26, 55– 88. Reading acquisition by Gough, P.B., Ehri, L.C., & Treiman, R McArthur, D., Adamson, L., & Deckner, D. (2005). As Stories Become Familiar: Mother-Child Conversations During Shared Reading. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 51(4), 389-411. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi, I’m Loh Chin Ee and welcome to the How We Read Podcast. I started this podcast because I wanted to help people better understand the art and science of learning to read. In my work as an educator and researcher at the National Institute of Education, people often ask me: How do I get my child to read? Can you recommend a book to make me a better reader? Does reading literature make a difference to my life? Join me as I interview experts and educators who share their rich experiences with us. The How We Read podcast launches on the 4th of January.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.