Among many other exciting objectives, the British Council aims to promote students' reading habits through a special challenge - The Reading Challenge. This annual event motivates children to do lots of reading. When the students enrol, the challenge is to read 6 books in about 10 weeks. Throughout the challenge readers receive small prizes and at the end the readers who complete the challenge get a certificate and a medal.

Questseekers

This year - 2009/10 - the challenge is called "Quest Seekers". Almost 1,700 British Council students have taken part and over 3,000 books have been read by students in Lisbon, Miraflores and Parede. In Coimbra and Porto over 2,500 books have been read. This wonderful experience ended in lively certificate and medal ceremonies. The Quest Seekers and their parents were invited to give feedback which resulted in some very stimulating comments. Here are some comments:

			"We think that Quest Seekers helped our child learn and increase her vocabulary" - Luis Nunes (parent)
			"I liked reading the books because it's funny and I liked the books. I loved reading books" - Ana Rita aged 11
			"Reading is essential in life. Everything that helps - it's great" - Teresa Byrne (parent)
			"I like this, it was very funny. Also I learn information. It was very funny" - Beatriz aged 10
			"Quest Seekers really improved the English language skills of Guilherme, not only the reading but also writing and speaking. In addition, Guilherme really enjoyed the activity. It was a very good idea" - Celia Miguel (parent)
			"I liked Quest Seekers because it helps me to learn English. Quest Seekers was fun!" - Guilherme aged 11

Space Hop

The next Reading Challenge - Space Hop - is heading to all British Council centres so watch this space for more information.

Find out more:

Coimbra  239 853 700
Lisbon  213 214 500
Parede: 214 587 370
Porto  222 073 060

The Summer Reading Challenge TM in Libraries is a Reading Agency initiative supported by leading children’s publishers.
For more information, visit:
www.readingagency.org