A student of the British School Manila (BSM) in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig is spearheading a project to help and encourage fellow students in public schools to enjoy reading and learn English at the same time.

Ethan Jao, 17, has established the Bookworms project with the help of BSM in 2021.

He said the project was aimed at fostering the English language and developing reading skills among students.

“This was because I had heard that our government was pushing to reduce the use of English in schools, in contrast to other Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand who are pushing to increase English proficiency,” he told the Manila Bulletin.

He added, “I am aware that our country’s proficiency in English is something we are well known for, and also being one of the factors for the overwhelming success of our OFWs. Furthermore, in addition to simply improving English, I understand how helpful reading can be throughout all of our lives.”

Jao narrated that his grandfather was unable to finish high school because he had to work to support his family. His great grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer when his grandfather was only 16 years old.

“Still, he was able to start his own business, and he often told me that he attributes his success to his persistent commitment to reading at the public library, to both improve his English and to increase his overall knowledge in a vast range of areas,” he said.

Jao said he completed the steps to establish the Bookworms club at BSM.

“I reached out to an old teacher of mine that now teaches at a government school in Caloocan, Bagumbong Elementary School, and quickly set up a meeting with their heads of school to pitch the project to them. Once we had agreed on the partnership, I set to work accomplishing the necessary work such as drafting a letter of collaboration, applying for funding from my school, and organizing the meetings,” he said.

An agreement was reached with the Bagumbong Elementary School to hold the book clubs with its Grade 6 students.

The funding from BSM helped in buying books which were sent to 15 students of the elementary school in August 2021.

BSM students discussed with the Bagumbong Elementary School students the New York Times bestseller “Wonder” book by American author R.J. Palacio.

Jao said this year, they will be continuing the Bookworms project with a new batch of Grade 6 students by adding five students at the elementary school.

A partnership will begin with the Judge Feliciano Belmonte Sr. High School in Quezon City and 20 students will be added for a total of 40.

Jao said he “really feels great to be able to help other students enjoy reading.”

“Throughout our sessions last year, I was able to marvel first hand at how quickly the students were growing. During the first few sessions, it seemed that most of them were shy and they were reluctant to speak during the meetings or even type something in the chat,” he said.

He added, “By the later sessions, two or three of them would be opening their mic whenever there was a question, and all fifteen would always be answering in the chat, sometimes even opening their mic, sometimes even before we had asked a question.”

Jao said that “it was incredibly heartwarming to see this growth, it reassured me that we were truly helping these students and encouraged me to expand the project even further this year, increasing to a total of 40 students.”

“Furthermore, we made it a habit to always ask the students how they were enjoying the book and the book club after every meeting, and it was so uplifting to hear how much they were enjoying the sessions every week,” he said.

He added, “By seeing how much the students have grown to enjoy reading, I feel gratified to see that my hard work has succeeded in helping the lives of these students, and it drives me to strive to continue effecting positive change in the lives of those around me.”