What impact does reading aloud have on students?

Reading aloud has a significant positive impact on students, particularly in enhancing their listening skills and vocabulary growth. When teachers or caregivers read aloud, they provide students with access to rich language and complex vocabulary that they might not encounter in everyday conversations or their independent reading. This exposure helps to expand their language skills, enabling them to understand and use a wider range of words in their own speaking and writing.

Additionally, when students listen to stories or texts being read, they are prompted to engage with the content, improving their comprehension abilities. They learn to predict what might happen next, infer meaning from context, and develop a deeper understanding of narrative structure and character development, which are crucial components of reading comprehension. The act of listening to a fluent reader also models proper pronunciation, intonation, and pacing, further supporting literacy development.

In contrast, the other responses do not capture the benefits of reading aloud. While some claims might suggest it could lead to boredom, this often varies based on the delivery and the interests of the students. The assertion that it reduces comprehension contradicts the evidence that indicates reading aloud actually enhances understanding. Lastly, suggesting that reading aloud is only beneficial for young children ignores the benefits it can provide to learners of all ages, including older students who can gain