Why is it almost impossible to improve reading skills just by memorizing words and texts?

The scientific principles might seem complex, but understanding them will save you a ton of time when learning English.

It's going to be all about science of language acquisition.

Also stick around, it's gonna take a while.

All human brains have two language areas, Broca's area and Wernicke's area.

The letter handles language comprehension while the former manages language production.

So when the auditory system receives sound signals, it sends them to Wernicke's area for interpretation and understanding.

If a response is needed, it goes to Broca's area to create language output, which then becomes meaningful speech through vocal organs.

Now since Broca's and Wernicke's areas are innate, listening and speaking abilities are natural.

For example, if you put a child under 12 in the US or Canada, they'll speak English like a native in 2 years or so.

And here is why.

Only by understanding this brain system can we comprehend how reading works.

So first, the visual system sees text and sends it to the brain's letter recognition area.

Then the brain identifies letter combinations, sends them to Broca's area to hear the words internallybefore finally reaching Broca's area for comprehension.

Simply put, reading is the brain using the listening and speaking system to say written symbols to itself before it can finally understand them.

Therefore, your listening ability determines your reading ability.

Now try reading this sentence silently.

See, even though you are reading silently, you can hear your brain trying to pronounce these words, right?

So compared to listening and speaking, reading is far more complex because human brains simply haven't evolved their special reading area.

So reading requires coordination across different brain regions.

This is why good readers have higher cognitive and logical abilities.

It shows well-developed brains.

And this skill requires training for at least 5-7 years.

Therefore, English learning should follow listening, speaking, reading and writing patterns.

So only after developing listening and speaking skills can children build reading and writing skills.

Unfortunately, Chinese public schools often skip listening and speaking and jump straight to reading, which is the root cause of widespread English learning difficulties.