Reading mentors wanted (Star Metro-Central, 1/1/2008)

MCA Lifelong Learning Campaign (LLL) is looking for avid readers to be reading mentors for their reading club.

“We are looking for people who will act as a group leader or 'mentor' for other readers at the LLL Reading Club events. If you like to read and share your ideas or appreciation of a book with other readers, you are just the person we want,” said LLL acting director Quek Ngee Meng.


Launched last November, the LLL Reading Club aims to foster the love of reading and create a platform for like-minded readers to discuss and share ideas and knowledge. This is where the mentors come in, as they will be the facilitator or moderator, added Quek.

“With the mentor's guidance, the other readers will get a chance to delve deeper into specific areas as well as strengthen their communication skills through group discussions.”


Quek Ngee Meng: With the mentor's guidance, the other readers will get a chance to delve deeper into specific areas as well as strengthen their communication skills through group discussions.
The LLL Reading Club had identified five subject areas namely Life & Health, Parenting Skills & Education, Literature & Classics, Business & Management and Social Science.

Under each category, a panel had carefully selected titles that will not only pique readers' interest but also enhance their knowledge in the area.

Selected books include The Man and his Ideas by Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting; A thousand splendid suns by Khaled Hosseni and For one more day by Mitch Albom.

Participants are expected to master the essence of the book with the guidance of the mentors who would each be assigned based on his or her professional knowledge or experience.

For those who are interested in becoming mentors but lack experience, a training workshop will be organised by the Lifelong Learning Secretariat to train them in the basic skills of leading a reading club.

In the workshop they will learn about the role of the LLL Reading Club mentors, and the principles and approaches in leading the club.

At the end of the workshop, a mock reading club will be organised so that participants can apply the skills they learnt.

The Mentor Training Workshop, which is open to all interested in becoming an LLL Reading Club Mentor or just picking up mentoring skills, will be held this Saturday, at 2pm at KTAR Learning Centre, Wisma MCA, Jalan Ampang, here. The Hainan Association Book Club executive advisor Stanley Yong will conduct the workshop.

Starting from this month, the LLL Reading Club will be set up in different Lifelong Learning Centres, MCA divisions as well as the premises of Chinese NGOs and community organisation centres.

For more information, visit the LLL website: www.lll.net.my, call 03-2161 8044 or email reading@lll.net.my

Original post:
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/1/1/central/19890083&sec=central