There are few, often no schools of higher learning. Society is fuedal. Lack of social mobility impedes growth of literacy. He may have read two other books on the same subject. He reads sections of the book and makes comments.
Students take extensive notes in order to be able to recall something from the course later.
The vast majority of books are printed in Latin. Often the village priest is illiterate. There are very few teachers. Only the highest nobles can afford private tutors. Most villages, most cities do not have a teacher.