Auntie Betty: How can I read and write well?

Dear Auntie Betty, I am a 16-year-old girl in junior high school (JHS) Form Two in one of the private schools in the Wa Municipality. My classmates laugh at me simply because I cannot read and write very well.

Anytime I report or complain to my class teacher he does not say anything. The attitude is discouraging me from staying in school and I am even thinking of dropping out of school. What should I do?
                                                                                                                                                                                                             Inaam, Wa.

Dear Inaam, Don’t be downhearted you can always work at it and overcome the problem. Don’t ever think of dropping out of school because education is key to your success in future.

You can start by reading simple storybooks which have simple English. Read them aloud and if you have older siblings let them help you with the big words and look them up in the dictionary to understand those words.

Don’t be shy if you make mistakes because constant practice will make you perfect. After you have mastered the simple books, try and summarise the stories on your own and give them to your English teacher to help you.

You will improve steadily. Try and ignore their taunts and work seriously at it and you will be amazed at how well you have improved. All the best.