Authors visit high schools to increase students' interest in literature and reading
To cut a long story short, the authors' visits have proved a resounding success, and there is general satisfaction among all involved: teachers, students and the authors themselves.
At the beginning of 2020 the Icelandic Literature Center launched a programme of authors' visits to high schools: the authors visit the students with the aim of encouraging them to read, and increasing their understanding of Icelandic literature and the work of writers.
Enhances interest and deepens comprehension
To cut a long story short, the authors' visits have proved a resounding success, and there is general satisfaction among all involved: teachers, students and the authors themselves. It is clear from the brief experience so far that there is an urgent need for such visits to high schools – to increase students' interest in literature and reading, and not least to deepen their comprehension of what they read.
Seven authors to four schools
The authors' visits started in the spring term of 2020. In the first round, four authors participated, taking part in students' lessons on Icelandic literature, where they discussed their books. Before an author's visit, the students have already read one selected book by that author, and they have the opportunity to ask the author questions and make comments after the reading.
Seven authors took part in the project in 2020: Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir, Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir, Hildur Knútsdóttir, Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir, Ragnar Ingi Aðalsteinsson, Ragnhildur Hólmgeirsdóttir and Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir.
High schools which participate in the project and have invited, or will invite, authors to visit their students this year are: Hamrahlíð High School, the Technical College, Kvennaskólinn in Reykjavík, Sund High School, West Iceland Comprehensive College, Commercial Collate, Kópavogur High School and Flensborg High School.
Good collaboration
The project is carried out in successful collaboration between the Icelandic Literature Center, the Writers' Union and the Association of High-School Principals, and with funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Our hope is that it will prove possible to finance the project and continue, inviting more schools and students to take part in the future.