Audiobooks for Struggling Readers: Why They Help

It’s time to take advantage of audiobooks, especially for young, struggling readers. We know that reading is a primary access point for acquiring knowledge and building vocabulary. Audiobooks for struggling readers are a great tool for students who are decoding at lower levels than their classmates, letting them participate in the same subjects, topics, and vocabulary as their same-grade peers, without missing out. If reading is a challenge, or if a child has a diagnosis of dyslexia, audiobooks are a great option. According to the International Dyslexia Association, audiobooks and other assistive technology can give students with dyslexia genuine access to grade-level content while their decoding skills continue to develop.

Benefits of Using Audiobooks

Audiobooks may also be a gateway for students to actually enjoy the idea of reading. The pressure to decode new words is eliminated, so students can focus on their comprehension and receptive language skills instead. While listening, students receive verbal models for changes in inflection (questions vs. exclamations), reading rate, and pacing skills, like pauses between sentences or dialogue.

Readers can focus on visualizing the story or text, which expands their ability to connect a visual representation to the language they hear. This ability to create a mental image for what you hear is an essential skill for learning. Audiobooks can also give students access to reading material that matches their intellectual curiosity and interests, even before their decoding skills catch up.

Benefits of Using Text-to-Speech

Text-to-speech software, as used in audiobooks, is a common and useful accommodation for many students throughout their academic experience. Students can use text-to-speech software to follow along with texts at their current reading level. Some software even highlights the words being read, letting students practice following along with their finger. Text-to-speech technology levels the playing field for many students who spend more energy decoding than comprehending new information.

Where Do I Find Audiobooks?

Audiobooks can be accessed through a number of platforms, including Audible, Apple Books, Scribd, and Spotify. Take the time to show your child how they can listen to their favorite topics and authors through audiobooks. Now, just grab your favorite set of headphones and let your ears do some reading for you.

We’re Here to Help

If you have questions about your child’s reading development, contact our team at ETLC. We’re happy to help.