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All Levels I give permission to record or livestream Presentation (45 minutes)
Reading Habits of Prominent Telugu-Speaking Personalities
This presentation explores the reading habits of around 12 prominent Telugu-speaking personalities from the Telangana , Andrapradesh states in India and abroad. With over 96 million (according to 2022 statistics) Telugu speakers worldwide, the study highlights how reading in Telugu (L1), English (L2), and other languages shapes leaders across professions. Through interviews and questionnaires, the study captures how bilingual or multilingual reading nurtures creativity, leadership, and public engagement. Participants include politicians, professionals, writers, and artists who credit reading—especially in their mother tongue—as foundational to their growth. In a digital age, these stories aim to inspire a stronger reading culture, especially among Telugu youth. Emphasizing the role of mother tongue literacy, the presentation shows how reading in Telugu builds identity and deepens learning alongside global languages.
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Raju Lingala teaches English to secondary school students at Zilla Parishad High School, Narayanapur, Rajanna Sircilla District, Telangana. He has 16 years of teaching experience and holds a Master’s degree in English Literature, a Bachelor’s in Education, and a Post Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of English from EFLU, Hyderabad. Raju is a state-level resource person for English teacher training and actively conducts PTA meetings and school programs. A recipient of the Extensive Reading Foundation Scholarship, he promotes reading projects and co-authored Connecting Eight Effective ELT Classrooms, a research-based book led by Dr. Jason Anderson, Warwick University. As a Fulbright TEA Fellow, he enhanced his skills in blended learning and explored reading cultures in the USA. Raju’s goal is to establish a foundation promoting extensive reading among students and citizens of India.