Have you ever wondered how reading might help you speak better English? It turns out that reading not only helps you understand and enjoy stories but also makes you a better speaker. Written articles, stories and books can boost your spoken language skills, making your conversations richer and more enjoyable.
How does it work?
Well, when you read regularly, your brain starts to get used to more complex sentences. You might notice that your spoken English becomes more sophisticated. For example, adults who read often tend to use more complicated grammatical structures, such as passive sentences, when they speak. This means that reading can help you sound more fluent and articulate in conversations.
Reading doesn’t just make you use more complex sentences; it also helps you understand them better. When you come across difficult grammatical constructions in books, your brain works hard (behind the scenes) to figure them out. Over time, this practice makes it easier for you to understand and use these structures when you speak. So, reading helps you become more confident in your grasp of English grammar – without actually studying that grammar!
Another great benefit of reading is that it expands your vocabulary. When you read, you are exposed to many new words. As you see these words in different contexts, you learn their meanings and how to use them. This richer vocabulary then shows up in your conversations, allowing you to express yourself more clearly and effectively. Imagine being able to choose the perfect word to describe how you feel or what you think – reading can help you do that!
Interestingly, reading affects different parts of your brain in different ways. It improves both your explicit knowledge (the rules you know and can talk about) and your implicit knowledge (the skills you use automatically without thinking).
However, the benefits might be more noticeable for explicit knowledge. For example, you might find it easier to judge whether a sentence is grammatically correct. Scientists are still studying how reading influences these different aspects of language, but it’s clear that both are important for becoming a better speaker.
One thing is clear, however: spending time with books (and other written material) can greatly improve your spoken English.
Reading helps you use more complex sentences, understand grammar better, and expand your vocabulary. While the exact ways in which reading impacts your language skills are still being explored, there’s no doubt that it makes you a more confident and effective communicator. So next time you pick up a book, remember that you’re not just enjoying a story – you’re also becoming a better speaker.
If you’re looking for practical ways to improve your spoken English, consider setting aside regular time for reading. Choose materials that interest you, whether they’re novels, newspapers, or online articles. The more you read, the more you’ll see the benefits in your everyday conversations. So find something you enjoy and dive in!
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Sources
Dąbrowska E. How Writing Changes Language. In: Mauranen A, Vetchinnikova S, eds. Language Change: The Impact of English as a Lingua Franca. Cambridge University Press; 2020:75-94.
Favier, S., & Huettig, F. (2021). Long-term written language experience affects grammaticality judgements and usage but not priming of spoken sentences. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 74(8), 1378-1395. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218211005228
Mackie, C., & Dockrell, J. E. (2004). The impact of oral language skills on the production of written text. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 74(3), 427-442. https://doi.org/10.1348/0007099041552370
Montag, J. L., & MacDonald, M. C. (2014). Effects of Text Exposure on Spoken Sentence Production. In Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (Vol. 36, No. 36).
Samaraweera, S. G. S. (2023). Second Language Reading and Vocabulary Acquisition by Adult Learners of English. Vidyodaya Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 8(1), 158-173. https://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v08i01.11