The Importance of Reading English Stories
During your English language development journey, I’m sure many of you have come across English stories in one way or another. You may have tried reading them and perhaps even been tested on the stories you’ve read. Many English educators recommend reading as a way to improve your English skills, and finding books with stories tailored to your level is often considered the best approach.
For those just starting with English, it’s common to perceive English as being solely about grammar. Some may wonder why their English skills aren’t improving despite having a strong grasp of grammar. However, the process of language learning encompasses four major components: reading, writing, speaking, and grammar. Therefore, having a good understanding of English grammar alone does not necessarily mean you have a strong command of the language.
Today, I’d like to emphasize the importance of reading English stories because reading covers all four essential language skills you need to acquire during your English education: reading, writing, speaking, and grammar. By reading stories, you can effectively work on all these skills at once.
Why is reading stories so crucial?
First and foremost, improving your reading ability and enriching your vocabulary are achieved through English readings. Finding a suitable reading book for your proficiency level can be challenging. Therefore, reading stories designed for various proficiency levels can provide you with an easier path to progress. Additionally, by gradually increasing the difficulty level of the stories you read over time, you can witness your English skills improving, which can be a great source of motivation.
Reading stories not only enhances your vocabulary but also allows you to see how words come to life in real-life contexts. Words you encounter in your reading and try to decipher within the context of a sentence will become more ingrained in your mind. Furthermore, you’ll have the opportunity to learn various usages and meanings of a single word, expanding your overall understanding of the language.
Within stories, you can observe the application of different grammar topics. You can learn how grammar concepts are used within the context of a paragraph, which will contribute to more accurate and appropriate writing in the future. This practice will be especially beneficial when working on English compositions.
As someone who has developed their English skills by reading various stories, I can attest that reading stories also has a direct impact on your ability to speak English. Imagine reading conversations within a story as if you were an observer present during those dialogues. By doing so, you learn how to react in similar situations, what people from that culture say, and which words to use. This knowledge directly affects your ability to engage in conversations.
In conclusion, one of the best activities you can engage in during your English education is reading English stories. It offers you the opportunity to enhance multiple language skills simultaneously, making it a valuable and effective way to improve your English proficiency.