Master Ohio's Reading Challenge 2025 – Ace Your OAE Foundations of Reading!

Oral language plays a critical role in developing reading skills primarily because it helps build vocabulary and comprehension skills. When children engage in conversations, listen to stories, and participate in discussions, they are exposed to new words and phrases, which enriches their vocabulary. This vocabulary is foundational for reading, as a robust vocabulary allows for better understanding of texts. Furthermore, oral language enhances comprehension strategies by helping learners understand sentence structures, narrative styles, and the meanings behind words in context.

Through verbal interactions, learners also develop their ability to infer meaning, make predictions, and summarize information—all of which are essential skills for reading comprehension. In sum, the active use of oral language prepares children not only to decode words but also to deeply understand and engage with the material they read.