Why is reading so important to improving my child’s reading and spelling and vocabulary skills?

I have spoken in a number of previous blog posts about the disproportionate focus that the CEM exam gives to a child’s skill and ability with the English language. English is the one subject where a child cannot ‘cram’ for their exam. It is a skill that needs to be developed, crafted and honed over time. Even a thorough knowledge of grammar and spelling rules does not expose a child to the complexities of the English language. Every language has ‘exceptions to the rule’. The English language is a composite of, and has been influenced by, a number of historic European languages and it therefore contains many anomalies that have to be learnt. These exceptions are more easily grasped if the child reads widely and is, therefore, subconsciously absorbing the complexities that make up the modern English language.

How does a parent encourage their child to read a wide variety of books to help them develop the skills they need? The best thing a parent can do is create an environment where reading is fun and sparks a child’s imagination. We know how creative children can be, as they make up many stories themselves and naturally play inventively. Exposing them to books builds on this creativity and encourages children to develop their imagination even further.

Because we know how important it is for a child to have a strong vocabulary, AE Tuition’s sister company, AE Publications has developed a series of Spelling and Vocabulary workbooks. These workbooks cover the dictionary meaning, contextual use and the spelling of over 5,000 words. Our Creative Writing workbooks and our new Comprehension workbooks show children how to write interesting stories and how to approach literary text. The new Semantics workbooks cover the use of synonyms, antonyms and homonyms and our Verbal Activity workbooks cover all forty different approaches to Verbal Ability and Verbal Reasoning.

Booking for our September 2025 courses is STILL open!

BOOK NOW

Thinking about enrolling on a course? Is there a concern that is stopping you?

I couldn't enrol on the session I wanted for my child
We understand that family schedules can be hectic so it can be challenging to find the perfect group for your child to attend their weekly sessions. We recommend enrolling in a group that best fits your current schedule. This way, you can join waiting lists for any fully booked sessions. If a place becomes available in a group you're waitlisted for, we will contact you directly to see if you would like your child to switch groups.
Courses are too expensive
We understand that paying for the course in full can be challenging. That's why we offer interest-free standing order payments, allowing you to spread the cost over monthly instalments throughout the duration of the course.
There isn't a tuition centre near me
We're delighted that parents want to enrol their child nationwide and even worldwide on our courses. This is why we offer remote courses for our pupils to login to their weekly sessions from anywhere.

It doesn't matter if a child is enrolled on a remote course or a classroom-based course, our methodology stays the same. Pupils who attend our remote-learning courses will experience the same high standard of tuition, provided by experienced, UK-qualified teachers who have also been trained to deliver AE Tuition's specialised programmes.
I'm concerned that there will be too much work for my child
We understand that parents may be concerned about their child's workload. Please be reassured we are here to support both you and your child every step of the way. We take pride in our unique partnership between pupils, parents and teachers, which ensures open communication. If you ever feel that your child is struggling, we strongly encourage you to speak with their teacher or a member of our teaching team as soon as possible so that we can address the issue immediately.
I'm confused which course I need to enrol my child on
We offer a range of courses for children aged 7 to 15 years, and we understand the importance of choosing the right one for your child. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact our Customer Service team by filling in the contact form or calling us on 020 8867 2727 (Mon-Fri, 09:00 to 14:30).
I have another reason why I haven't enrolled my child yet...

    If you would like to talk to AE Tuition directly, please feel free to contact our Customer Service team by filling in the contact form or calling us on 020 8867 2727 (Mon-Fri, 09:00 to 14:30).