Vocabulary, fluency and the right usage are three important parts of learning any language. Fluency and usage can be picked up through conversation but the development of a rich vocabulary is possible only through reading. Fluency and proper syntax are also developed through reading. Here are 6 ways in which reading helps in learning a language.
Reading aloud: Reading aloud in class or at home, even reading to your children is important. Listening to the language being spoken and trying to read it helps in bringing clarity of pronunciation and diction. The process of reading aloud provides three stimuli to the learner through sight, speech as well as hearing.
Providing the right level of books: Reading a book should be the right mix of understandable and challenging. If the material is too simple, the child loses interest or doesn’t learn anything new. If it is too challenging, reading becomes tedious and since nothing can be understood, it will also cause a loss of interest.
Confer with the teacher: If you notice that your child has a lot of difficulty reading, ask the teacher for help with phonics. Specific activities and books are available to help your child learn to pronounce and read.
Practice: Just like any other activity, rereading a passage can help your child notice and learn certain things that they didn’t on the first read. It will also help in ingraining the right usage and improve fluency.
Talk about the book: When your child engages in dialogue, they will try to recall the themes of the book. They will be encouraged to go back and reread attentively. Showing an interest in what they read can be a brilliant way to encourage your child to read with more focus.
Pre-read: If your child is taking up a particular topic, provide a reading material discussing these themes in an easier to read the article. This will help the child understand advanced level passages in an easier way and draw comparisons to discover synonyms and patterns which will help better understanding.
These 6 basic steps can make reading and language development much more fun and effective for your child. Happy reading!