ABSTRACT
BEING ABLE TO read is a valued skill in most technologically advanced societies. The recent efforts by the UK government to increase levels of reading proficiency in schoolleavers testify to the importance accorded to this particular ability. Decisions like this being made at such a high level suggest that reading is a skill that needs to be taught within a formal environment (unless the government has been misinformed!). This seems to be the case; whereas nearly all children develop the ability to speak a language, not all learn to read, and this seems to be attributable to a lack of experience and teaching. However, before you can learn to read, you do need to have a substantial understanding of language.
