Is Early L2 Reading of Children’s Literature a Good Idea? : How the attitudes to reading English children’s literature affect book access and teacher-library collaboration in two Swedish primary schools

Sammanfattning: This case study investigates how teachers’ and school librarians’ attitudes towards L2 reading in years 1-4, as well as their perceived book access and teacher-library collaboration, influence the use and reading of English children’s literature in two Swedish primary schools. This study is motivated by the importance the English language has in Sweden for higher education, the previous research proving powerful language benefits of extensive L2 reading, as well as the recent proposition to strengthen the school library’s role in Sweden. The data collected through qualitative, semi-structured interviews suggests that the participants’ attitudes affect book access, teacher-library collaboration and finally the pupils’ reading of English children’s literature at school. The results show that a confident and positive attitude towards early L2 reading appears to result in more reading, whereas more hesitant attitudes result in less reading. Despite the positive attitudes towards L2 reading in general, most teachers still displayed ambivalent attitudes toward dedicating ample class time to the reading of English children’s literature in the earliest years, often perceiving such reading as too difficult for their pupils. This ambivalence negatively affects the teacher-library collaboration, the inadequate access to physical books catering for the youngest pupils, as well as these learners’ early exposure to English reading. The results indicate that the interpretative nature of the English syllabus has teachers perceive the urgency of reading English children’s literature differently, consequently resulting in different reading practices. In a macro perspective, an unwelcome consequence for Swedish pupils may be an unequal reading preparation for the increasing English demands ahead.