While much is written about reading aloud to children, and as a teaching tool, far less is known about the oral reading that adults do at home, at work or in the community. This article presents the results of a national survey into whether, what, how and why adults across Britain may read aloud rather than in silence. Analysing data from 529…

This paper focuses on the reading and educational practices of common soldiers during the First World War. It argues that the question of how war libraries were imagined and constructed by civilians needs to be framed in the larger context of pre-war Edwardian debates surrounding the "value of books" in society. Indeed, it was within…

Examines the results of the Schools Council study in Britain on children's reading habits and interests, concluding that the results need to be acted on if the reading of British children is to be improved. (RB)

Presents the results of a survey on the reading habits of elementary and secondary school students in Britain and analyzes the reading materials according to category and age level. (RB)

Reports on a study using data from 13,395 young people to investigate displacement of book reading by television viewing. Found no general displacement of time from one activity to another. (ARH)

A longitudinal study compared the progress of 324 10-year-olds from four schools on reading attainments, attitudes, and habits. Two schools were given extra books to supplement their normal stock. Although results indicate important changes in reading attainments, no simple differential gain was identified in relation to attainments or attitudes.…

A discussion of how a Briton's educational level, social class, sex and age all go to determine the degree of linguistic difficulty he finds acceptable in reading matter; and how these determinants of acceptability relate to readability as measured by word and sentence lengths. (Author)

"The English Common Reader" was the first comprehensive and systematic exploration of how the ordinary Englishman became a reader. A social history as well as a history of the English reading public, the book has become a classic. This updated edition has a new preface and an extensive new bibliography. The book is divided into two broad…

Investigates, in a pilot study, the range of reading experiences offered to British junior level students. Finds that quiet reading periods (although brief and frequently disturbed) and the sharing of texts were common features in the classrooms observed. Finds a wide range of reading experiences in some cases but aimless and superficial reading…

Reports on the reading habits of boys and girls, ages 10 through 14. Argues that boys need to be encouraged to understand how they have been socially constructed as readers and that they need to discuss the implications of the reading choices they make. Suggests that such discussions will help both sexes become more discerning and critical…

Four groups of British primary school special education teachers (total N=30) met to identify and discuss the special education needs books that most influenced their work. The 47 books identified indicate that these practitioners value extending their knowledge base by reading both theoretical and practice-based books. (Contains 11 references and…

This book draws attention to the issue of access to literature and highlights some of its complex aspects--physical, psychological, educational, and economic--to discover ways of increasing that access. Focusing on what the barriers between people and literature are and on how they may be removed, the book uses interviews to investigate the…

Introduces reading research from Great Britain, Sweden, and Australia. Discusses three conclusions from this literature particularly relevant to college reading specialists. (SR)