Literature Talk 2025

This year the Library and the English Department at Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou joined forces once again to deliver our annual Literature Talk. The event aims to help our new students dispel uncertainty about reading, settle quickly into an English-medium academic environment, and kindle a lasting enthusiasm for reading in English.

We invited English teacher Mr Matthew Geer and two outstanding students— Norman X from Year 11 and Michelle L from Year 13 — each of whom has been personally transformed by reading and has chosen to pass that experience on to the next cohort.

From the Teacher: Unlocking the power of reading for lifelong learning

Mr Geer emphasised the wider purpose behind the event, noting that “this talk is a key step in laying the foundations for reading for our Year 10 students — not just for now but for the rest of their lives at Dulwich.” He described the library as a space he hopes students will come to feel comfortable where somewhere they can read, explore and encounter ideas beyond the classroom.

When asked how the English Department sustains students’ reading beyond the talk, Mr Geer explained the year-long collaboration between department and library: for example, Year 11 First Language classes read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and a range of reading challenges are organised across the year to support students’ academic growth both inside and outside the library.

Mr Geer also offered a practical tip for parents: sit down with your child and talk about what kinds of books they might enjoy, choose a genre and a book together, and read slowly over a few weeks — sharing reflections at dinner is a simple, powerful way to strengthen family bonds while boosting children’s academic and intellectual development.

From the Students: Passing the torch: from listening to leading

For Norman, stepping up as a speaker this year was a natural continuation of last year’s experience as an audience member. “Actually my own experience as a listener in last year's Literature Talk is what truly inspired me to step up as a speaker this year,” he said, adding that hearing senior students discuss how to use the library and choose books “made a huge difference” in his own transition. 

That talk proved to be a turning point. Norman recalls that prior to the event he mainly read texts assigned in class, but the seniors’ wide-ranging reading recommendations — from graphic novels to science fiction and non-fiction on topics they were passionate about — opened new horizons for him. He began exploring different sections of the library and picked up his first English book purely for pleasure; reading more widely for enjoyment, he says, boosted his vocabulary and fluency without feeling like study.

Returning to the podium for a second consecutive year, Michelle spoke with empathy and practical insight. “I was inspired by my teacher,” she explained, recounting how a senior’s presentation had demystified the library for her when she first arrived: “I was so confused about the library system — I didn’t know where to start. A Year 13 student’s presentation really helped me, so I was glad to pass on that help.” 

Michelle’s central message to new students is simple and direct: find books that truly suit you. She shared her own “trial and error” — selecting a dense science-fiction book first, which contained advanced mathematics and physics that put her off reading — and how switching to fantasy and fiction rekindled her enjoyment. Her advice for new students is clear: choose books that spark your interest, so reading becomes a lasting pleasure rather than a chore. 

The reading journey has only just begun

Although this year’s Literature Talk has concluded, the reading journeys of DHSZ students are only beginning. The library’s doors remain open, and a wealth of books awaits exploration. Our English Department remains ready to guide and support every student as they develop confident, joyful reading habits.

Every thoughtful share becomes a lantern that lights a new path. We hope our new students will take this moment as a starting point to write their own rich and rewarding reading stories at Dulwich.