Reading requires not just decoding words but also understanding the sentences and paragraphs in which those words occur.
Biemiller (2025) makes the following arguments:
- In primary school, a student’s maximum reading comprehension level is determined by listening comprehension.
- Listening comprehension begins to develop around 12 months of age.
- Upon entering Pre-primary, children in the 75th percentile are about 1 year ahead of the average and those in the 25th percentile are about a year behind.
- Although language continues to develop during primary school, this gap becomes wider.
- There are few opportunities in primary classes for language development.
- Reading comprehension typically begins to develop in Pre-primary or Year 1.
- The level of language used is often limited to what children can read and write.
- In upper primary, students with significant vocabulary deficits, show increased comprehension difficulties even when decoding is not a problem.
- The average child begins to be able to read words they have heard around Year 7 or 8.
The question then, is how do we increase the oral vocabulary and comprehension of students?
Reference
Biemiller, A. (2025). Oral comprehension sets the ceiling on reading comprehension. The Bulletin. 61, 10-11.