In a recent article, Minister Chan Chun Sing highlighted the importance of reading beyond school years to tackle the decline in literacy skills among adults. At WRITERS AT WORK, we strongly agree. While formal education builds the foundation, lifelong reading is key to maintaining and improving literacy skills.
How to Improve Literacy Skills of Students: Building a Reading Habit
Improving literacy starts with developing a passion for reading. Encouraging children to read beyond textbooks fosters critical thinking, vocabulary development, and comprehension. In our experience at WRITERS AT WORK, we find that when students learn to read for pleasure, it becomes a gateway for curiosity and independent learning. Beyond textbooks, children who explore diverse genres—fiction, non-fiction, and even newspapers—build a broader understanding of language and its applications in real life.
The emphasis that reading not just for school but for the sake of lifelong learning is a mindset that allows students to approach literacy with enthusiasm, ensuring they continue to develop their language skills long after they graduate.
The Long-Term Impact of Literacy on Success
Minister Chan Chun Sing’s article highlighted that reading beyond school years helps adults keep their literacy skills sharp, a vital asset in today’s knowledge-driven economy. Strong literacy empowers individuals to think critically, communicate effectively, and navigate complex situations. When students read regularly throughout their academic years, they develop these skills early, setting them up for success in both school and their future careers.
This is why we at WRITERS AT WORK advocate for students to engage deeply with texts, encouraging them to build confidence in expressing their ideas clearly. Whether it’s through written assignments, presentations, or even casual conversations, the ability to communicate effectively opens doors in every aspect of life. To support this, we provide carefully selected reading materials as additional resources when teaching specific topics and concepts, guiding students through the process of deliberate reading. Heavy engagement in their early years helps cultivate a strong reading habit that carries through in later years.
Nurturing Confidence through English Tuition
At WRITERS AT WORK, we know that literacy isn’t just about passing exams—it’s about giving students the tools to succeed in life. By nurturing their love for reading, we help students develop the confidence and skills they need to excel in academics and beyond. Being able to fluently communicate their needs and ideas is important in building confidence in students both in and out of school. This confidence is vital in their journey out into society and is hence something WRITERS AT WORK is committed to prioritising. Our English tuition programs integrate both the foundational aspects of language learning with creative exercises, ensuring students not only understand grammar and structure but also cultivate an appreciation for language.
As an Enrichment center for both Primary and Secondary students, it is not just about performing well in exams but about becoming articulate, independent thinkers who can make a mark in the professional world.
The Role of Parents in Encouraging Lifelong Literacy
Parents can play a vital role by making reading a fun, daily habit at home. Introducing books that align with their interests and encouraging open-ended discussions about the stories they read can spark a lifelong passion for literature. Regularly talking to children about the texts they encounter, whether it’s a novel, an article, or a poem, allows them to critically engage with the content and helps reinforce comprehension.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we support parents by providing not only structured learning but also advice on how to encourage reading habits at home. However, we understand that supporting your child’s learning at home can be challenging. To assist parents in guiding their children effectively, we offer a variety of resources, including our comprehensive Ebooks available on our e-bookshop. These digital materials are designed to provide structured exercises, writing prompts, and tips for fostering a deeper understanding of English, making it easier for parents to support their child’s literacy development. With our engaging content, we aim to empower both parents and students to achieve their academic goals while cultivating a love for learning.
Intentional Reading
At WRITERS AT WORK, we strongly believe that lifelong reading is essential for overcoming the decline in literacy skills. By cultivating a habit of intentional reading early on, we equip students with the ability to process text swiftly and efficiently—an invaluable skill for both academic success and future careers. The skill involves not only reading for enjoyment but also actively engaging with the content through annotation and analysis. Intentional reading not only enhances comprehension in primary and secondary school but also fosters the ability to articulate thoughts clearly in the workplace. Our holistic approach integrates structured learning with the development of a genuine passion for English, ensuring students excel academically and professionally.
Together with parents and educators, we can foster a love of language that will empower the next generation for a lifetime of learning and success.
WRITERS AT WORK: Who We Are
As an established English tuition center in Singapore since 2012, WRITERS AT WORK has been dedicated to helping students build strong literacy skills and excel academically. Recognized as one of the top English tuition centers in the country, we provide the resources and structured guidance needed for your child’s improvement. Our results speak for themselves—90% of our PSLE students have achieved AL1-4, while 90% of our secondary school students have improved by at least three grades.
We understand that tutoring your child at home can be challenging. Many English techniques are complex and require time, patience, and expertise to teach effectively. That’s why we focus on more than just exam preparation—we equip students with the writing skills, confidence, and critical thinking abilities that will serve them well in school and beyond.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we believe that strong English skills open doors for a lifetime of opportunities. Whatsapp us at 8404 9281 today to explore how our English tuition programs can help your child build a strong foundation in literacy and set them on the path to lifelong success!
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Commonly Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is It Worth Getting an English Tutor?
If your child needs help in school, it could be worth considering getting an English tutor as English is a compulsory subject at school. English is used in all areas of life and learning how to read critically and write essays are highly important skills which should be learned early.
2. Why Do Students Have Poor Writing Skills?
Students often have poor writing skills as they do not have the knowledge of good exam habits to practise. For example, many students often do not plan their essays, which lead to a poor writing habit of rambling, going off on irrelevant tangents, and forgetting to list all good arguments.
3. How Does My Child Benefit From Writing Classes?
Writing classes build systematic thinking and logic in children. Crafting a story plot is the same as thinking, step by step, what events chronologically happen in the context of a given scenario. Students will be able to express their ideas and thought processes in a coherent and concise
4. Why Is It Important to Attend English Enrichment Classes?
Students will be able to develop important skills such as critical thinking which will serve them well in all areas of life. Students will learn how to incorporate critical thinking and analysis skills when they read comprehension passages and plan their ideas and arguments out for essays.
