If I asked you…
If I asked you “How do you improve your child’s O level English? What should they do?”
Your answer would probably be:
- Do more practice papers / assessment books
- Read widely
- Keep a vocab book
- Watch more English shows
Notice that “read widely” is highlighted. Reading widely is also linked to building your child’s vocabulary and it is important for both O Level English papers 1 & 2.
However, some parents are trying to figure out how to make their children read in the first place.
Many students (both primary & secondary) will say it’s boring and/or their attention span isn’t long enough to last a few chapters in a book.
If this sounds like a problem you are facing, continue reading to learn how you can encourage your child to read more!
Create a reading-friendly environment
A home filled with reading material is a good way to help kids become excited readers. Ask your child about their interests and you will be able to plan from there
Some things you can do to make your house a reading-friendly environment includes:
- Making it inviting:
- Make sure reading areas have good lighting. You can add seasonal books, rotate different magazines, and include books on topics your kids are interested in. Decorate the corner with your child’s artwork or writing.
- Create a special reading space:
- Place some of the books with the covers facing out so they’re easy to spot. Have a cozy reading corner, and encourage your kids to use it by setting up “reading corner time” each day.
- Keep reading activities family-centered:
- Guide your child in reading activities and media.
Offer choice & variety
After finding out your child’s interests, you can find the right reading materials. You don’t always have to use a book, there are other places your child can do their reading.
These include:
- Magazines
- Audiobooks
- Newspapers (good for secondary students as it can help with O Level English Oral exam)
- Comic books
- E-books
Incorporate reading into daily routines
When your child sets aside a period of time in their day to read, they will develop the habit, cultivate discipline, naturally like reading and increase their literacy skills.
If your child is not used to setting some time to read, you can start small. For example, start with 15 minutes of reading, and slowly increase to 30 minutes, then 45 minutes to an hour.
You can also ask your child to write down any new vocabulary they learnt. At the end of the week, they can revise and look through the new words they have learnt.
New vocabulary means an increased variety of vocabulary used in O Level English paper 1 which will ultimately boost their marks.
What if your child needs personalized feedback & guided practice instead?
Reading books can help your child improve the vocabulary aspect of the paper.
But if they lack answering techniques, or writing skills or they are unsure what they are doing wrong…
That’s when they need additional help (that reading can’t provide).
That’s why our teachers are here to help your child to improve in all areas of the O level English paper!
With our help, your child will be able to:
- Apply the correct writing methods in Paper 1
- Answer ALL question types in Paper 2
- Secure O level English oral exam marks easily
To learn more about our teaching methods & how your child can excel with us, click the buttons below!