What is the relation between oral language and reading?

• A. Reading has no effect on oral language
• B. Oral language is essential for decoding but does not affect vocabulary
• C. Oral language enhances phonemic awareness and increases vocabulary
• D. Reading improves only spelling

Answer: (C)

Oral language provides the foundation for reading by boosting both phonemic awareness and vocabulary. When children have rich spoken language, they become better at hearing and manipulating the individual sounds in words, which is essential for decoding unfamiliar words. At the same time, a broad spoken vocabulary gives them a larger set of words to recognize while reading and to understand in context. This dual impact—strengthening the ability to decode and expanding word knowledge—best explains how oral language relates to reading. The other ideas miss one of these critical pieces or oversimplify the relationship.