English Courses in Rome Archives - Globally Speaking

Learn English through stories: the power of literature

admin@itmoon.co.uk — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:41:12 +0000

The benefits of learning English at a young age

by Lara

What if improving your English could feel less like studying and more like getting lost in a good book?
Students are often familiar with the recommendation to watch movies, listen to music, or follow podcasts in English to improve their skills, and these are excellent tools. However, as a teacher, I’ve noticed that literature is often overlooked. Reading a book requires more focus and time than scrolling through videos or songs, but it also provides a depth of learning that is hard to match.

Whether it’s a short story, a novel, a poem, or a play, literature can be one of the most effective ways to improve your English skills while also making learning an enjoyable process.

So, why is literature such a powerful tool for learning English? Let’s take a closer look.

1. Vocabulary that sticks

One of the biggest challenges of learning English is remembering new words. While textbooks and vocabulary lists are helpful, they can often be easily forgotten without constant revision. However, in a story, words appear in meaningful situations. Learners are able to see how they are used, the emotions that they carry, and how they connect to characters and events.

As research shows, reading English literature written for native speakers helps learners become more familiar with the types of languages they will encounter in real-life situations.This makes discovering and remembering new vocabulary much easier. For example, in one lesson where I read an excerpt of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen with a student, he learned and absorbed more new vocabulary in a single class than in weeks of traditional practice. The story gave the words life, and that made them unforgettable.

2. Grammar in action

Textbooks do a great job at explaining grammar rules, but literature shows us how they work in real life. Reading exposes us to different tenses, sentence structures, and writing styles naturally. Over time, without even realizing it, readers develop an instinct for what “sounds right”, making grammar feel practical, not just theoretical.

3. Understanding more than words

Literature challenges us to go beyond word-for-word translation. It encourages to guess from context, interpret meaning, and think critically about characters, themes, and hidden messages. These are the same skills needed in our everyday conversations, where people rarely speak in perfect, literal sentences.

4. Culture, empathy, and perspective

On top of helping with grammar and vocabulary, literature also encourages us to explore different cultures, time periods, and viewpoints. Every story opens a door to a new world. This not only improves English but also builds on empathy and curiosity, which are skills that make learning far more meaningful.

5. Improving speaking and writing skills

Literature doesn’t just improve reading and comprehension skills. By turning the reading experience into conversations, debates, or even creative writing exercises where learners retell events, share opinions, and borrow phrases from what they’ve read, students can naturally strengthen their speaking and writing skills.

6. Motivation through storytelling

A good story will make you forget that you are studying. It will make you want to know what happens next, keeping you engaged and motivated. That excitement turns learning into something enjoyable rather than forced.

Interested in trying reading as a way to improve your English? Here are some tips to help you get the most out of every text:

Choose the right level – Choosing the right piece of literature is vital in making reading a meaningful and useful learning device. Learners often gravitate towards choosing a text with language that is quite easy and familiar for them to read. However, to improve your skills, it is important to choose a text that will challenge you without being too difficult to understand. Graded readers geared towards a specific CEFR level are highly recommended, and students at Globally Speaking can borrow these for free.
Keep a vocabulary journal – Whenever you come across a new word, write it down alongside its definition, as well as the example sentence from the text you read. Reviewing your growing personal dictionary regularly will help you remember them easily. Over time, you will start to notice your vocabulary expanding naturally.
Read actively – Do not just pass your eyes over the text. Highlight and underline new and interesting words and expressions that you come across. Take notes, ask yourself questions and take your time to consider what the words on the page are truly trying to convey.
Discuss with others – Reading does not have to be a solitary activity! Share your thoughts with your teachers, friends, and classmates. Talking about a text helps you remember details as well as practice speaking and seeing other perspectives.

Literature is much more than just entertainment; it is a powerful learning tool. Every page helps us expand our vocabulary, strengthen grammar, sharpen comprehension, and connect with culture. Most importantly, it makes learning English enjoyable and personal. And remember, you don’t have to choose alone. Teachers at our school are always happy to recommend books that match your level and interests. The right story could be the spark that makes your English truly come alive.

The post Learn English through stories: the power of literature appeared first on Globally Speaking.

The benefits of learning English at a young age

admin@itmoon.co.uk — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:37:17 +0000

The benefits of learning English at a young age

by Amelia

Like many other parents, you might be wondering when is the right time for your child to start learning a new language. The answer is simple: now is the perfect time.

Children learn languages naturally

Children’s brains are amazing learning machines. From birth to early teens, the flexibility of a child’s brain is impressive. The ability to absorb a new language through sounds and patterns gives children the advantage of learning languages at a faster rate. They are able to copy accents, rhythm and intonation quickly, creating a more natural flow of pronunciation and understanding, even without conscious thought. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your child can pick up new vocabulary and expressions!

Children are also not scared of making mistakes and their curiosity helps them improve faster than adults. At Globally Speaking, we design fun activities that feel just like playing but are carefully structured to build real language skills. As parents come to pick their children up after lessons, they often tell us that their children are still singing in English on the way home.

Academic advantages: let’s think about the future

Learning English as a second language can support a child’s learning in many areas of school life. They will develop stronger skills in reading comprehension and problem solving, and also enhance their memory and ability to focus. These skills, as you will know, are crucial nowadays and can also lead to better performance in future exams.

Watch this video to learn more about these advantages.

My colleagues and I have met students starting their English learning journey in primary school and then followed them through to see them succeed with confidence in high-level Cambridge English exams, with support from our highly qualified teachers.

Confidence and communication: the key

When children realise they can understand and speak another language, their confidence grows exponentially. Every new word is a little victory, and deserves a celebration!

Boosting children’s self-esteem helps them become more open and expressive, and create healthier relationships when interacting with other people. We’ve seen many shy students transform in the classroom throughout a year, going from whispering single words to speaking in full sentences. Being able to manage their tone in English will also benefit their first language as a result.

That’s why we celebrate every step, no matter how small, so children stay motivated and proud of their progress.

Future opportunities: better English, better job

English truly is the global language of study, travel and work. Children learning English from a young age are given a strong foundation for life, with international study programmes becoming more accessible, and a wider variety of career opportunities available. Even the process of learning additional languages becomes easier.

Why choose Globally Speaking?

There are many ways to learn English, but the right environment truly makes all the difference. That’s why we have created a space where English is not just another school subject, but instead a place to sing songs, play games and learn stories to naturally incorporate the new language into your children’s lives.

At Globally Speaking we are confident that our approach with fun and interactive lessons is the key to our success in teaching children. Our teachers create a positive and confidence-building environment where children’s learning thrives.

Find out more about our Young Learners courses.

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