Motivating pupilsto read. : A study from the perspective of five compulsory school teachers

Abstract This study examines the approaches used by teachers to motivate their pupils to read and investigates what underlying factors they claim may explain why pupils feel no motivation to read. The study was conducted from the perspective of five active teachers, with data collection by interview. The study found that the interviewed teachers use psychological support as well as structured teaching such as reading aloud and book talks, along with a varied range of methods, to motivate their pupils to read. The interviewed teachers state that there must be motivation if a pupil is to become a good reader, and it is very important that pupils receive support from adults, both at home and in school. According to the teachers, pupils lose motivation if they are given texts that are too difficult for them to understand, or if other stimuli motivate them more than reading does. The attitude of parents or guardians to reading is also emphasized as significant for motivation, and hence for pupils’ reading development