CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ASIA

There are 4 reading groups in this region.

Bangladesh

British Council Dhaka

The British Council Library, Dhaka runs a Readers' Club. Members can join for three months.
 

British Council

5 Fuller Road
PO Box 161
Dhaka 1000
Bangladesh

Telephone +880 (2) 861 8905-7; 8867-8

E-mail dhaka.enquiries@bd.britishcouncil.org

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Reading Groups in Secondary Schools and Universities

Six Reading Groups will be set up in secondary schools and universities. They will introduce young people to contemporary junior UK fiction and to pleasure of reading. Librarians may also set up Reading Groups at their libraries but in Russian or Kazakh.

First training for facilitators of the Reading Groups (teachers of English and librarians) will be provided. The training will cover all aspects of the reader development project: general information on development of reading skills; contemporary UK literature for children and young adults; reading programmes in the UK; how to set up a reading group; how to monitor reading groups and make them more attractive for children; how to choose books for reading and discussion; where to find additional information about the author, books and other relevant information; how to use the internet.

The British Council will support the Reading Groups with book advice, sets of books for reading, offering other book activities and promoting these groups via our web pages. If this project is a success it could be developed into a country-wide programme via the teachers' online network. The members of the British Council Reading Group will share their experience of book discussions and the books they have already read.

The schools will exchange the books every month and in December we'll have a mid-year general session at the British Council library. At this meeting the groups will share their experience of book discussion, present their favourites, participate in book review writing competition and quizzes and other activities. During the six month period they will be able to read six books.

Reading Group conference. The conference took place on 23 April 2005 during the World Book Day programme. The British Council invited an UK author from the reading list. The author met not only the members of the Reading Groups, but also students from literature faculties and young writers. There were literature sessions for children at local libraries and schools.

Contact: Tamara Filatova, Library and Information Services Manager tamara.filatova@kz.britishcouncil.org

British Council

13 Republic Square
Alamty 480013
Kazakhstan

Telephone +7 3272 720111, 506648 - ext 219 (direct line)

Fax +7 3272 720113

www.britishcouncil.kz

Reading Nomads

Meetings once a month to discuss books from the reading list selected by the Reading Nomads at their first meeting. At each meeting there is a different facilitator. Over the next year Reading Groups will be established at six secondary schools in Almaty. 

For more information read Starting a Reading Group by Tamara Filatova

Contact: Tamara Filatova, Library and Information Manager tamara.filatova@kz.britishcouncil.org

British Council

13 Republic Square
Almaty 480013
Kazakhstan

Telephone +7 (3)272 720207

Fax +7 (3)272 720113

E-mail general@kz.britishcouncil.org

www.britishcouncil.kz

Nepal

Reading Buds

The Reading Buds, an emerging group of eight enthusiastic young readers, launched their quest of finding appropriate books from the British Council library, for the readers of different levels since May 2005. With Kiran Bhattarai as their prime facilitator, this bunch of buds undergoes an extensive process for the sorting of the books.

'We initially choose a particular genre and then go for the book we want in majority. We read the book according to the Rota system and then discuss the characters, plots, use of language and anything that’s interesting. We finally end up writing a review of the book so that the library readers can sum out which book is meant for them,' quoted Sunami Gurung, a reading bud. 

This eight-member troop began their operation with the main objective of aiding the library along with the elevation of their own reading habits. They have also been undertaking the task of encouraging Nepalese youngsters to develop a better perception about 'leisure reading'.   

'I am really proud of being a Reading Bud. I not only extend my knowledge about different books, but also get to know lots of friends', said Nashib Rai, another group member. He also said that they are able to exchange views about books with people worldwide through the internet.  

 
The Reading Buds have plans about extending additional more members who would be really interested to work with the group. Furthermore, they are aspiring to boost students to be more analytical about the available reading materials. Let the Reading Buds bloom!

Pragya Rai, Reading Buds

Contact: Raju Shakya, Information Services Manager raju.shakya@britishcouncil.org.np

or Kiran Bhattarai, Learning Zone Co-ordinator kiran.bhattarai@britishcouncil.org.np

British Council

PO Box 640
Lainchaur
Kathmandu
Nepal

Telephone +977 1 4410 798

Fax +977 1 4410 545

E-mail general.enquiry@britishcouncil.org.np