This is so beautifully put. I didn’t read with any interest until my early twenties and I can relate to the feeling of a portal being opened! I’m now 32 and started undergrad English at Manchester last September. Loved the piece!
I used to be a teacher with a specialism in reading and language. Your experience is exceptional. Very very few people who are still not fluent readers in their teens go on to develop the ability to write in the way you do. As a teacher my mantra was always “ read to your children.” read their favourite book a gazillion times, read books they can’t read themselves yet but teach them that books are more fun than anything else. This is how we build, language, vocabulary and give them the tools to make sense of the world. Without that scaffold, to achieve what you have is extraordinary. Be very proud of what you’ve done.
This is beautiful Matt. Thank you for writing this.
Fantastic... Keep writing Matt and more importantly, sharing. You can make a difference to other people's lives.
Wow, how impressive. Love hearing about your journey
This is so beautifully put. I didn’t read with any interest until my early twenties and I can relate to the feeling of a portal being opened! I’m now 32 and started undergrad English at Manchester last September. Loved the piece!
I used to be a teacher with a specialism in reading and language. Your experience is exceptional. Very very few people who are still not fluent readers in their teens go on to develop the ability to write in the way you do. As a teacher my mantra was always “ read to your children.” read their favourite book a gazillion times, read books they can’t read themselves yet but teach them that books are more fun than anything else. This is how we build, language, vocabulary and give them the tools to make sense of the world. Without that scaffold, to achieve what you have is extraordinary. Be very proud of what you’ve done.
You write so well, Matt. I'm loving hearing your journey.
If I get some work soon, I'll upgrade - I promise