Styria seeks reading mentors for 5,500 children

About 5,500 children and young people in Styria need daily help with reading and learning German, prompting a campaign to recruit volunteer reading mentors, ORF’s Styria service reported.

The initiative “Wir für Österreich” says around 50,000 children across Austria understand their teachers little or not at all because of limited language skills. It aims to improve children’s reading ability and support social integration.

There are already about 500 reading mentors in Styria. Initiative president Irmgard Griss said supporting children’s language skills was “a service to society,” adding that understanding language was essential for people to participate as informed citizens in a democracy.

Griss said the recruitment process should be organised professionally by the education directorate and the Education Ministry. Prospective mentors should have a point of contact, clear information about what the role involves and some training before they begin helping in schools.

Carina Kerschbaumer, the initiative’s chairwoman and a reading mentor, said German coaches gave children a chance to learn even if they did not have supportive families at home. The mentors read with children and explain unfamiliar words.

Anyone interested and confident in their ability to work with children can attend an information session at 6 p.m. on November 24 in the town hall’s assembly hall in Graz, where they can also register.