Why SORA Is Perfect For South African Schools

In an era where screens dominate and attention spans are shrinking, cultivating a strong reading habit in students has never been more crucial. Reading remains the cornerstone of academic success, creativity, and lifelong learning. Yet many schools face a growing challenge: how do we ignite a passion for reading in young minds, especially when competing with digital distractions?

The answer lies not in resisting technology, but in using it smartly. Enter SORA, the award-winning reading app from OverDrive, brought to South African schools by Booktalk. With its digital library of eBooks and audiobooks, SORA makes reading accessible, engaging, and truly enjoyable.

Why Reading Habits Matter

A consistent reading habit improves vocabulary, comprehension, concentration, empathy, critical thinking, and self-expression, not to mention confidence. According to educational research, students who read for pleasure are more likely to perform better across all subjects. Regular readers also show stronger writing skills and emotional intelligence—qualities needed in today’s fast-evolving world.

However, creating a culture of reading goes beyond textbooks. It requires access, variety, and a sense of personal ownership over what and when students read.

The Modern Library, Reinvented: SORA

SORA revolutionises school reading by placing thousands of age-appropriate eBooks and audiobooks directly into the hands of learners—on their smartphones, tablets, or Chromebooks. With just a school login, students can explore a vast digital collection, anytime and anywhere.

From best-selling fiction to curriculum-aligned non-fiction, SORA’s catalogue supports reading for enjoyment and academic development. Its clean interface, built-in dictionary, and reading statistics allow students to track their progress and develop a routine at their own pace.

5 Ways to Build a Reading Habit in Your School with SORA

1. Start with Choice
   Empower students by letting them choose what they read. SORA offers books across genres, levels, and interests—from fantasy to science, mystery to history. When students feel they have a say, they’re more likely to engage. 
2. Make Reading Visible
   Promote a reading-friendly culture by encouraging book talks, posters, and digital leaderboards using SORA’s usage stats. Highlight top readers, celebrate milestones, and share book reviews during assemblies or on social media. 
3. Integrate Reading Across Subjects
   Encourage teachers to assign SORA books for different subjects. Whether it’s a biography in History or a scientific deep dive in Life Sciences, integrating reading across the curriculum reinforces its importance. 
4. Set Digital Reading Challenges
   Gamify reading with friendly competitions and class challenges. Who can read the most pages in a month? Which grade reads the most books? SORA’s usage dashboard makes this easy to track and fun to reward. 
5. Encourage Audiobooks for Reluctant Readers
   Not every student loves print reading, but audiobooks can bridge that gap. SORA provides high-quality audiobooks perfect for auditory learners or students who struggle with traditional reading. 

In a country where access to physical books may be limited, SORA offers a solution that is inclusive, mobile-friendly, and cost-effective. With a growing collection of local and international titles, students in even the most remote schools can be connected to a world of stories and knowledge.

Final Thought

Creating lifelong readers doesn’t happen overnight. It takes planning, exciting resources, and supportive teachers. With SORA from OverDrive, schools now have the tools to bring back the magic of reading, making it part of every student’s daily life.

Let’s empower learners to read, grow, and thrive—one page at a time.