What is the relationship between oral language and reading success?

Strong oral language skills are crucial for supporting reading comprehension and fluency because they lay the foundation for understanding and processing text. When children have well-developed oral language abilities, they possess a rich vocabulary, an understanding of sentence structure, and familiarity with narrative elements. This knowledge enhances their ability to make connections between the words they read and the meanings they convey.

As students encounter text, their oral language skills allow them to decode words and understand the context, which is vital for grasping more complex ideas. Furthermore, the ability to verbally express thoughts and ideas leads to greater fluency as students practice reading aloud, thereby improving their overall reading abilities. Hence, students with strong oral language skills are better equipped to comprehend texts, making the relationship between oral language and reading success a significant one.