It’s true—reading English is no easy task. Sometimes letters represent one sound, and other times they represent different sounds. This is unlike “shallow” languages like Spanish, where each letter typically has only one sound. As a result, those languages are much quicker to learn when it comes to reading.
English, on the other hand, takes significantly longer to learn to read. However, it often carries more meaning within its words. The specific choice of letters in English spellings can convey additional layers of meaning—something that’s less common in shallow languages.
Take the word two, for example. Why does it contain a w if we don’t pronounce it? The answer lies in its roots. Two comes from Dutch and German word families that begin with “tw” and are all related to the number 2—like twin, twice, twelve, twenty, and twist.
Even though we don’t pronounce the w in two, its presence hints at the word’s origin and relationships with other words. Because this letter is silent, we must learn a pronunciation that doesn’t follow a one-sound-per-letter pattern. This adds complexity and slows down the process of learning to read words like two.
English can be tricky to learn because its spelling and sounds don’t always follow predictable rules. Unlike more straightforward languages, English words often carry hidden histories and extra meaning—like the silent w in two. This makes learning to read English more complex, but also fascinating.
If your child is struggling with reading, know that they’re not alone—and it’s not a s necessarily a sign of low ability. They may just need the right guidance and support to make sense of English’s quirks. As a reading tutor, I specialize in helping students break down these challenges, build confidence, and discover the joy of reading.
Need help with reading? Let’s talk.