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News | 27 November 2025

Teacher in Focus - Ms Embretsen

Unlocking Language Potential with Ms. Embretsen

Language is a key life skill, and we are confident that our students are in expert hands. We are pleased to introduce Ms. Embretsen, our Head of Swedish and Swedish as a Second Language. Find out how she plans to help our students develop their language skills and reach their full potential.

Lead Teacher in Reading Development and Engagement

 

Yasmine Embretsen Swedish Teacher & Head of Swedish/SVA (Years 4–6)

As a Swedish teacher and Head of Swedish/SVA for Years 4–6, I work to develop and strengthen the school’s reading instruction. In my assignment as Lead Teacher (Förstelärare) for Reading Development and Engagement, I drive a long-term project focused on creating a strong reading culture where both students and teachers grow in their language and reading development work.

My three main goals for the project are:

1. Increase reading engagement: To boost students' love of reading and provide colleagues and students with tools and strategies to make reading inspiring in daily classroom work.

2. Strengthen reading development: To focus on decoding and reading fluency (speed), and to identify students who require extra support.

3. Develop reading comprehension: To guide colleagues in how research-based methods can be integrated into teaching.

My work is based on both research and proven experience. During the academic year, I am implementing Anne-Marie Körling’s "text talks," the research-based Wendick model for assessment and reading development, as well as several of the Swedish National Agency for Education’s (Skolverket) recommended literature lists and methods.

 

Focus Areas During the Year – Reading Start, Assessment, and Engagement

Every term begins with all Swedish and SVA teachers assessing our students' reading speed and decoding skills using the research-based Wendick model (where students read words per minute). Following this, we engage in focused reading training (decoding) for four weeks and follow up on the results to map out and support the students who need extra assistance.

Early in the academic year, we also ensure that all classrooms in Years 4–6 have centralized visual aids (bildstöd) to promote reading comprehension. Together with our wonderful librarian, I also create a visible and inspiring bookshelf in the library featuring Skolverket’s recommended literature, and I share tips with guardians on how to spark a love for reading at home.

 

Projects During the Academic Year

• Reading Buddies: Older and younger students read to one another.

• Book Tipster of the Month: Students inspire each other with recommendations.

• Banned Books Week: We highlight books that are banned in other countries to discuss freedom of expression.

• Reading Break Challenge: Posters with book tips are put up all over the school, and students receive a "Reading Break" challenge with the chance to win a prize for the best "book selfie" from a library.

• Book Fair: Students are challenged to spend time in a reading-promoting environment.

• Digital Author Visits: Students meet current children's and young adult authors to spark reading interest and be introduced to new books.

 

World Book Day

On April 23rd, the school celebrates World Book Day, which will be one of the highlights of the year. This includes:

• Spirit Day: "Dress up as your favorite character!"

• Book Drive: Collection of books for the library and a competition between the Houses, where every donated book awards House Points.

• STOP DROP READ: A collective reading session for the entire school.

• Digital Author Visits.

The academic year concludes with book tips for the summer holidays and a final follow-up on the students' reading development.

Vision

This project aims to benefit students, teachers, and the entire school's learning culture. Strong reading skills are crucial in all subjects and support students in all their learning; therefore, the effect is school-wide.

My long-term goal is to, together with students, guardians, and teachers, create a school culture where reading is a natural, obvious, and appreciated part of everyday life, and where our students feel joy, curiosity, and pride in their reading development.