When it comes to learning English, most people think the best way is to speak more, practise listening, or memorise vocabulary.
But what if I told you the real secret to faster, better language learning is something else—something almost too simple?
That secret is reading.
In this article, I want to explore why reading is a powerful tool for improving your English. We’ll break it down using three key techniques:
Smooth Pursuit
Subvocalisation
Sustained Reading
Let’s begin by understanding how your eyes and brain work together while you read.
What Are Saccades and Why Should You Care?
Most people don’t realise this, but reading isn’t a natural activity.
Our eyes are designed to constantly move and scan the environment—this movement is called a saccade.
It’s how we survived in nature by spotting danger.
When you read, your eyes want to jump around, which makes it harder to focus on the words on the page.
If you’ve ever lost your place while reading, you’ve experienced a saccade.
Summary:
Reading is not automatic—your eyes need training to move smoothly from word to word.
1. Smooth Pursuit – Use Your Finger to Train Your Eyes
The first technique to help your brain and eyes work together is called Smooth Pursuit.
This simply means guiding your eyes smoothly across a line of text.
Try this: Use your finger or a pencil to follow the line as you read. This keeps your eyes focused and helps reduce distractions.
By doing this, you improve:
Reading speed
Concentration
Comprehension
You also start to see more vocabulary in context, which helps you recognise and remember new words more easily.
2. Subvocalisation – Practise Speaking Without Speaking
Have you ever noticed a voice in your head when you read?
That’s subvocalisation—your brain silently saying the words.
Even if you don’t move your lips, your brain and vocal cords are slightly activated.
This is a powerful tool because it:
Helps you practise pronunciation
Improves listening comprehension
Makes you more familiar with English sentence structure
When you read “The cat is on the chair,” your brain is saying it and hearing it at the same time. (Try it now!)
That’s why reading is like practising both speaking and listening—without opening your mouth!
3. Sustained Reading – Repetition Builds Speed and Memory
The more you read, the more familiar words become.
Over time, your brain will recognise common words instantly without needing to decode them.
This is why sustained reading—reading often and regularly—is the third essential technique.
The more you expose yourself to words like the, and, car, because, the more fluent you become.
Bonus:
As you read more, you read faster. As you read faster, you understand more.
And the cycle continues!
The 85% Rule: Pick the Right Material
To benefit from these reading strategies, choose material where you understand at least 85% of the words.
If the text is too difficult, your brain will struggle and you’ll lose interest.
If it’s too easy, you won’t learn anything new.
Choose books, stories, or articles that are:
Slightly challenging
Interesting to you (this is vital!)
At your English level or just above
Skimming – A Special Trick for Advanced Learners
While the main goal is deep learning, there’s a useful shortcut you can try: skimming.
This is especially helpful for students in college or university who have to read a lot.
Here’s the trick:
Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph
Use your eyes to “jump” (saccade) over the middle
Pick out key points or interesting words to focus on
Warning:
This works best for non-fiction and informational reading. It’s not great for learning vocabulary, grammar, or sentence structure—but it’s a helpful tool in time-limited situations.
Why Reading Helps With Writing
Good writing comes from seeing good writing.
Every book or article you read shows you grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and sentence flow.
You can absorb all this naturally through consistent reading.
In fact, writers across the world agree:
“If you want to become a good writer, read more.”
Reading exposes you to different voices, styles, and levels of formality.
It’s like having thousands of language teachers from all over the world—alive or dead—waiting to help you learn.
Conclusion: The Reading Formula
If you want to truly improve your English skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, start with this simple formula:
✅ Use Smooth Pursuit – Guide your eyes with your finger
✅ Allow Subvocalisation – Let your brain silently speak
✅ Keep Sustained Reading – Read often, even just 10–15 minutes a day
✅ Choose material at 85% comprehension level
✅ Try Skimming when you need a quick overview
Reading may not feel as exciting as chatting or watching videos—but it is one of the most powerful tools for mastering English.
Start Today!
There are millions of books and articles out there, waiting for you—from children’s stories to classic literature to modern blogs.
Pick one up, use these techniques, and transform the way you learn English—forever.
And why not check out my lesson plans too? Ideal for reading and improving your English.
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