Do you think the decreasing interest in reading is a reason why so few learn languages to proficiency?

Our take

In an age where bite-sized content reigns supreme, a curious trend emerges: the dwindling interest in reading long-form material seems to correlate with the struggle to achieve language proficiency. Many language learners, both online and in classrooms, often confine themselves to course books, neglecting the rich tapestry of literature available in their target language. Yet, reading is a gateway to fluency. It immerses learners in authentic sentence structures and grammar usage, fostering an intuitive grasp of the language. This raises a thought-provoking question: are we witnessing a broader societal shift away from deep reading, where the allure of instant fluency overshadows the value of sustained engagement with texts? Ultimately, can we truly expect to master a language without embracing the words that breathe life into it?

Both on the internet and in the real world attending classes at all kinds of levels, I find it interesting that I barely meet anyone that reads or has an interest to read anything else than their course book in their target language. Especially when reading in one's target language is such a big help if one really wants to become proficient in the language. You get so much exposure to natural sentences, grammar usage and subconsciously start getting a feel of what's right and wrong in your own usage of the language. It also just helps a lot in real life when you encounter written text.

Is this just part of the broader trend that people nowadays are less inclined to read long-form books and content? That they expect to magically become fluent in a language after finishing every course book? What do you think?

submitted by /u/JadeMountainCloud
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#language evolution#philosophy of language#humor in language#creative language use#internet culture