Reading Experiences: England vs. Hungary! Dorothy, Witches, and Required Reading

When I think about what has shaped my life, the immense power of stories comes to mind. They don’t just entertain; they teach, inspire, and often have a life-changing impact on us.

I myself was late to enter the "world of stories," and not because some wicked witch held me captive, but simply because… well, life.

On one hand, there were those elementary school years when I spent half my day at the circus arts academy. Mornings were spent in the classroom, while afternoons were a battle for survival, hanging upside down from a high trapeze or teetering on shaky wooden balance stilts. Imagine that even Dorothy wouldn’t have made it back to Kansas after a day like that, let alone find time to read! In high school, fencing became my new "superpower," stealing away any free time I had. So yes, books somehow slipped through the cracks of my daily life.

On the other hand—and I’m not one to point fingers, but… okay, maybe just this once! There’s the matter of the Hungarian education system.

The Hungarian Education System – Or How Not to Fall in Love with Reading

Many Hungarian students have experienced that bittersweet moment when encountering mandatory reading didn’t ignite a love for literature but rather pushed them away, like a sudden flick of a magic wand that turned books into looming towers of doom in the corner. Unfortunately, I was one of them. While I consider "The Baron's Sons" and "Eclipse of the Crescent Moon" to be masterpieces of Hungarian literature, even as an adult, they can feel as heavy as an "overloaded" magic wand. I believe these works don’t really resonate with younger generations, so it's no surprise that many students turn away from reading rather than embracing it.

Unfortunately, in the Hungarian education system, it’s still common for mandatory reading lists to be out of sync with students' ages and maturity levels. The dry and often complex texts, which frequently require an abstract understanding of historical context, can deter young readers and, over time, diminish their enthusiasm for reading.

In contrast...

The English Education System: A Magical Library

The English education system is like stepping into a magical library, where every book invites you on a new adventure. Here, students aren’t confined to a single mandatory reading assignment; instead, they are presented with an enchanting list of diverse books from which they can freely choose. This list typically considers the students' age, interests, and reading level, offering them the chance to select a book that truly captivates them.

For younger students, the list might include books like Roald Dahl’s Matilda or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. These books are not only entertaining but also carry valuable messages. For older students, popular works like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series or Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games trilogy are available, ensuring that they can find stories that resonate with them.

In the English education system, students have the opportunity to engage with their reading materials at their own pace, allowing them to fully process and reflect on what they’ve read. As part of the learning process, they are encouraged to express their own opinions, fostering a deeper connection with the texts.

Instead of struggling through a rigid text analysis (as if they were trying to decipher a spell of their own making), students are encouraged to write a short essay or take a test that focuses on their interpretation and personal thoughts.

Overall, I believe that fostering a love for reading is crucial, and giving students the freedom to choose what they read is a key part of this process. The English system sets a positive example by showing how the freedom of choice, personalized reading lists, and flexible assessment methods can help children and young people develop a lasting enthusiasm for reading.