The new online platform Langlezend!, an initiative by PXL University of Applied Sciences, ECRU, and the libraries of Beringen, Dilsen-Stokkem, Genk, Hasselt, Heusden-Zolder, and Pelt, aims to enhance the reading skills of young people. The platform gathers inspiring practical reading activities for teachers, librarians, and organizations, allowing them to find ideas and share successful practices.
International studies like PIRLS and PISA indicate a concerning decline in reading comprehension among Flemish youth. Schools and libraries have long focused on reading promotion, but effective initiatives often remained fragmented. Langlezend! now centralizes this practical knowledge in one place. The goal is to foster a greater enjoyment of reading among children and adolescents, which is crucial for developing their literacy skills.
The platform is the result of close collaboration, with teachers from the region also sharing their experiences. Researcher Sarina Wijnen emphasizes the importance of knowledge sharing: “With Langlezend!, we want to prevent everyone from reinventing the wheel. An activity that works in one school or library can also engage young people elsewhere.”
Langlezend! is a dynamic platform where users can add their own inspiring activities, fostering a vibrant library of reading promotion ideas fueled by the field. Although the collaboration is currently mainly anchored in Limburg, new partners from other regions are welcome to join.
PXL University of Applied Sciences builds on previous research into reading motivation and policy with this project. Research head Karen Reekmans of PXL-Education Research states that reading motivation is a key building block for quality education. The platform translates research findings and practical examples into immediately usable material for educators and librarians. These insights also enhance PXL's teacher training programs.
