Meet & read: Student growth through shared literary reading

Language students experience a lack of early teaching experience, which hinders their personal and professional development. They need opportunities to "learn how to learn" and discover their talents and interests early on.

In this innovation project, we are developing a "meet-&-read" module. University students and high school pupils read literature together using the "shared reading" method. This allows students to gain practical teaching experience early in their bachelor's degree, while pupils get a taste of university (language) studies. The module will be structurally integrated into the "Personal and Professional Development" track of the five modern language programs at Radboud University.

Shared reading is a meaningful way to connect: reflecting on literature contributes to personal growth. The selected literature focuses on themes relevant to both groups, such as choosing a degree, the transition to university, and moving out of the family home.

Through this module, students can better orient themselves toward their future careers. By combining preparation, practical experience, and "reflection-in-action," students learn about their own learning process and that of others, explicitly developing their metacognition and self-efficacy.