5 Ways Reading Can Improve Your English Skills

Did you know reading can improve your English knowledge effectively? Now you’re thinking about how it can be possible. 

Yes, it’s possible. Reading can help you improve English reading skills and indirectly enhances your skills in English- your pronunciation, vocabulary, accent, sentence structure, etc. 

Presently, you’re reading an English blog. That indicates that you are actively working on your brain. Reading is a very energetic activity. True, the writer puts in a lot of effort, but the reader must also work hard. When you read a text, you must do some or all of the following: 

• Imagine a situation in your mind
• Comprehend what the author is saying
• Decide whether you agree or disagree with the author

Know How Reading Can Improve Your English Skills

Let’s find out quickly how reading can help you improve your English skills in various ways:

1. Enhances grammar and punctuation

Grammar has so many rules that can confuse a novice to understand.   

Prepositions such as at, in, and on alone can be used in various contexts, which can be complicated for a novice. If you enjoy reading (and listening), you’ll eventually figure out where each preposition will fit into.   

The same is true for phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs are formed from root verbs, but their meaning cannot be determined from the root verb's meaning. Give up, give in, give away, and give out are all phrasal verbs derived from the root verb give. When you see phrasal verbs in context while reading, you begin to understand their meaning and utilise them naturally.  

Reading is also an excellent way to learn punctuation, particularly the benign-looking yet confusing comma. Therefore, you must improve English reading skills first to learn English. 

2. Improves vocabulary 

Do you get stuck when speaking English due to a lack of appropriate words?

Do you stretch your sentences when you cannot find a precise word to say in brief?

If you answered yes to either (first - pauses - is more serious), you should improve your vocabulary skills. However, answering no to both questions does not necessarily imply that you have a large vocabulary; it simply means that your vocabulary is adequate for continuing pauseless dialogues.

Any sort of reading will enhance your vocabulary. Because it consists of a lot of dialogue between different characters, fiction, in particular, will introduce you to slang and phrases used in spoken English. Mark the words (with a pencil or marker) whose meaning or usage (how they're employed in sentences) you're unsure of while reading. After you've finished reading, look up the definition and usage of these words in an online dictionary. 

Then use the words in the sentences; otherwise, only knowing the meaning of the words will not help you unless you apply it in your real situation. 

3. Reading loudly enhances your spoken fluency

Reading aloud has the following benefits for improving your fluency:

It improves the clarity of your voice by exercising your vocal cords (lips, throat, and tongue) for a variety of sounds.
It helps with pronunciation.
It can be used to practise intonation, pauses, emphasis, and pacing (of your speech).

4. Improves writing skills 

If you don’t have time to improve English reading skills, you won’t be able to improve your writing skills too. It's as simple as that.

Aside from learning the fundamentals of writing, such as grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary, you can also learn how popular writers use sentences and paragraphs, construct and defend arguments, research their stories, break written English rules, invest personality and style into their writing, and so on.

If you want to enhance your written English skills, read the books of famous writers, where you’ll find various sophisticated vocabulary and styles of writing.

5. Improves your knowledge 

If you’re not good at content, you will find it difficult to maintain dialogues or write persuasively, right?

Reading helps to remove this deficiency in your writing and makes you more knowledgeable in English. 

Improve English reading skills with spoken English class and get your English improved.

Use These Reading Methods To Improve Your English Skills

Improving your English skills can be a challenging task, but there are several reading methods that can make the process more effective and enjoyable. Here are some methods you can try:

• Read regularly: Consistency is key when it comes to improving your English skills. Try to set aside some time each day to read in English. Start with shorter texts and gradually work your way up to more challenging material.
• Read a variety of texts: To improve your vocabulary and comprehension skills, it's important to read a variety of texts, including newspapers, magazines, novels, and online articles. This will expose you to different styles of writing and a range of topics.
• Use context clues: When you come across unfamiliar words, try to use the context of the sentence to figure out their meaning. This can help you build your vocabulary and develop your comprehension skills.
• Take notes: While you're reading, jot down new vocabulary words or phrases that you come across. This can help you remember them later and give you a reference to go back to if you need to review.
• Discuss what you read: Find a language exchange partner or join an English reading group to discuss what you're reading. This can help you practice your speaking skills and gain a deeper understanding of the text.
• Challenge yourself: As you become more comfortable with reading in English, challenge yourself by reading more difficult material. This will help you continue to grow and improve your skills.

Conclusion

To conclude, reading will not only provide you with knowledge in a variety of areas that will be useful in striking and maintaining conversations on a wide range of topics, but it will also expose you to new concepts, assignments, and best practices that will be beneficial to you both personally and professionally. Remember, improving your English skills takes time and practice. By incorporating these reading methods into your routine, you can make significant progress and become a more confident English speaker and reader.