What Is More Important Than Reading 100 English Books?

 

A Child Who Can Talk About What They Read Has Truly Read the Book

When I speak with parents, I often hear the same question:

"My child reads a lot of English books. Why isn't their English improving as much as I expected?"

This question actually highlights one of the most important aspects of English education.

Many parents place great importance on reading English books. I do too. Reading is undoubtedly one of the most important foundations of language learning.

However, there is something worth thinking about.

Is the goal simply to read a large number of books?

Or is the goal to understand what we read and be able to express our thoughts about it?

I believe the latter is far more important.

Reading More Is Not the Same as Reading Well

After a child finishes a book, try asking a few simple questions:

"What was the story about?"

"Who was the main character?"

"What was your favourite part?"

Surprisingly, many children struggle to answer.

Some have finished the book without fully understanding the story. Others may understand it but have never practised expressing their thoughts.

On the other hand, some children can read just one book and explain it clearly.

For example:

"A dog lost its ball, and its friends helped find it."

"The main character was scared at first, but later became brave."

These children are not simply reading words on a page.

They are understanding, organising, and communicating ideas.

That, in my opinion, is what real reading looks like.

In International Schools, Understanding and Speaking Matter

In international schools, reading alone is not enough.

Teachers constantly ask questions such as:

"Why do you think that happened?"

"What is the theme of the story?"

"Do you agree with the character's actions?"

Students are expected to express their opinions in English.

This is why reading naturally connects to speaking.

Children need to talk about what they have read.

Eventually, they also need to write about it.

Reading, speaking, and Writing are not separate skills.

They work together and support one another.

Questions Parents Can Ask After Reading

Instead of focusing only on comprehension worksheets or vocabulary tests, try asking your child simple questions after reading:

• What was the story about?

• What was the most interesting part?

• Which character do you remember the most?

• What would you do if you were the main character?

• Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why?

At first, answers may be short.

But over time, these conversations help children organise their thoughts and express themselves more confidently.

This process plays a significant role in developing real English ability.

GLC's Approach to Reading Education

At GLC, we do not believe reading should end when a child closes a book.

We encourage students to discuss what they have read, answer questions, and share their own ideas.

Because English is not simply a school subject.

It is a language.

And language grows through use.

Of course, reading many books is valuable.

However, if a child can truly understand one book and explain it in their own words, that single book can be far more meaningful than reading dozens without comprehension.

What matters most is not reading 100 English books.

What matters is having the ability to understand, think, and talk about what has been read.

So today, after your child finishes a book, try asking one simple question:

"What was the story about?"

That question might be the beginning of genuine language learning.

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