How Reading Silently Can Help You to Learn English

If you have enrolled in English as a second language course, you may have come across certain learning techniques which may appear strange. One such learning technique is reading silently rather than reading aloud.

Your teacher will be setting you new challenges to help you learn English as a second language, but reading silently can be a huge help when learning English. But, you may still be wondering why reading silently is so important when learning English as a second language.

Read on to find out the many benefits to reading silently when learning English.

It Will Make You Read Faster

When you read out loud rather than in your head, you naturally read slower. This could be because you are taking more time over the words, making sure the pronunciation is correct and so on. When you read silently, you reduce your reading speed and therefore cover more learning ground.

It Will Improve Your Understanding

As said above, when you read out loud you are concentrating on your pronunciation rather than reading the words in front of you. You absorb much more information, and understand more, when you read silently.

It Will Help You With Your Pronunciation

When reading English text silently, you can ‘hear’ the words as you read them. This helps you with your pronunciation as it allows you to concentrate on smaller pieces of text.

Helps You To Filter Out The Information

When you read aloud you have no option but to read every single word you come across. When reading silently, you can afford to skip the parts that are not as important. You can always go back to the sections you have skipped at a later date, but if time is of the essence, you can just read the most important parts of the text.

Allows You To Reread For Comprehension

Sometimes, when you read a section of text for the first time, it can be hard for the information to really sink in. Rereading is a proven practice that allows you to go back and read what you have just read. This helps you to fully understand the words that are being used, and the message that is being put across.

Reading Silently Involves Everyone

If you are in a class learning English rather than at home, it’s beneficial for all students to be able to read the same information. If everyone is reading aloud, it would be very difficult to hear and to understand what is being said. However, if the whole class is reading silently, it makes it much easier for everyone to work on the same piece of text.

Copying Bad Habits

Another reason why reading silently is more beneficial when in a class is that not everyone has good pronunciation. It is easy to listen to, and to pick up, another student’s bad habits when pronouncing certain words and phrases. Being allowed to read silently, and then speak English in a small group is a much better practice.

You may also find that your pronunciation is different when reading text out loud and speaking freely. Practising natural speech is much better for your pronunciation skills than reading aloud is.

Helps Exam Skills

If you are taking a course with a final exam, you won’t be allowed to read the questions or problems out loud. You will have to read them silently and then answer the questions. Being given time to practice reading silently will give you a head start when it comes to those final exams.

It Will Help Your Listening Skills

Listening as you and others read out loud whilst reading English text, and listening to native speakers talking freely will be very different. Native speakers will speak much faster than you can read aloud. Reading silently allows you to read at the pace that native speakers will naturally talk at.

There are many ways why reading silently in class or at home, is beneficial to you as an English student. These are just some of those ways, and when put into practice, they will help you improve your English language skills.