The Bridge THE BRIDGE-HELPFUL READING LITERACY STRATEGIES | Page 5

1 . I n t r o d u c t i o n
1. Introduction
The Croatian encyclopaedia of Miroslav Krleža Lexicographic Institute states that reading is a
process of text acquisition based on previously known at least language and writing, if not
excellent historical and cultural affiliation. It employs readers’ ability to notice, identify,
connect and interpret the signs with the purpose of final understanding of context, message,
idea, meaning or point which are generally held that the text conveys 1 .
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1 http://www.enciklopedija.hr/Natuknica.aspx?ID=13429
2 http://www.profil-klett.hr/skolski-portal/citanje-nezaobilazna-ljudska-aktivnost
Lidija Vešligaj considers reading to be the most complex form of human cognitive activity,
which means that our brain works intensely while we read. During the reading process, we
employ one third of our brain cells, and the brain conducts about 500 000 operations. While
reading the text, we form mental images of what we read, and thereby make our own
perception of place, time, events and characters. We enjoy reading, we go through different
adventures with the characters, we overcome obstacles and problems – and that is how we
boost our confidence. Through all these brain activities, we develop our imagination and
become more creative. It is known that the people who like reading have a lot of ideas, are
better at connecting facts, creating and writing. A common students’ problem is not
understanding what they have read. And it is usually a consequence of not understanding
words and phrases, not being concentrated or interested enough. The act of reading is an
individual and personal experience which greatly depends on the previous reading
experiences as well as the reader’s culture and level of education. To encompass all the
reading aspects, we have developed reading strategies 2 .
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