Reading and Language Skills Development at the Heart of European Exchange of Experiences

Representatives from eight European countries discussed these issues at an online meeting organized as part of the initiative of the Consortium of Institutions for Development and Research in Education in Europe (CIDREE), dedicated to improving students’ reading and language skills. Seventeen representatives from eight countries attended the meeting, while Montenegro’s Institute for Education was represented by Biljana Ćulafić, a teacher of Montenegrin-Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian Language and Literature at Pavle Rovinski Primary School in Podgorica. Participants exchanged experiences on why students have difficulties reading and understanding texts, what could contribute to better results, and how teaching can provide greater support for developing these skills. Biljana Ćulafić particularly emphasized the importance of teachers’ knowledge, competencies and motivation, noting that their role can be crucial in encouraging children to read, understand and think critically about what they read. It is therefore especially important to encourage direct communication within families and educational institutions, particularly during preschool and the first years of primary school, while using digital devices carefully and appropriately. The exchange of experiences showed that better results require combining high-quality curricula with continuous support for teachers and creating an environment in which reading, discussion and learning are encouraged every day.