Reading to kids significantly improves language acquisition: Oxford professor

SHILLONG, Aug 3: Reading to children, whether at home or in school, significantly improves language acquisition, said Prof. Sonali Nag of Education and Psychology, Oxford University, while presenting her findings on the importance of home learning during a programme here on Wednesday.
Prof. Nag was addressing a gathering at Lititia A. Suchiang Oration at Martin Luther Christian University.
A statement in this regard informed that the oration was named after a young MLCU faculty member, who passed away in 2018.
Prof. Nag, in her address during the programme, spoke on ‘The Learning Continuum: Home, School and Beyond’.
Even in a slum like Dharavi, some poor households are able to provide a conducive home learning environment which complements school learning, she said.
Prof. Nag also emphasised the usefulness of embedding learning in story books, which, she said, are more effective as a learning tool than conventional teaching methods.
Reading to children whether at home or in school significantly improves language acquisition, she said.
The programme was also attended by Prof Badaplin War of Department of Khasi, NEHU, who touched upon the difficulties that Khasi and other tribal children face in learning language.
The oration was preceded by a recital of Khasi lullabies by Tata Samvad Fellow and a PhD scholar, Amabel Susngi.
Paintings of mothers and children were also put on display during the programme.
The statement informed that Dr Nag’s academic work has covered a broad range of research topics spanning the disciplines of Psychology, Education, Linguistics and Sociology.
“Her work has influenced research agenda, funding portfolios, education policies, curriculum frameworks and learning materials for children, their teachers and caretakers,” the statement said.