How reading shapes your brain
5/14/20267 min
Do you remember what it was like before you learnt to read? It's hard to think back that far! Scientific research has shown that learning to read changes the way our brains work. Not only that, but depending on the language you are reading, your brain changes in different ways. Becca and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.
Find a transcript and worksheet at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english\_2026/ep-260514
Got another 6 Minutes? Try Real Easy English to learn from natural English conversations: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/real-easy-english/ Learn English from the biggest news stories from around the world: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news\_2026
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsGeorgie· Host0:00
Got another six minutes? We have lots more to help you with your English. Try Real Easy English to learn from natural English conversations, or learn some English from the biggest news stories from around the world. Search BBC Learning English in your podcast app to find our other programs, or find much more at bbclearningenglish.com.
Speaker 20:21
[upbeat music] Six Minute English.
Becca· Host0:25
From bbclearningenglish.com. Hello, welcome to Six Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Becca.
Georgie· Host0:36
And I'm Georgie. Remember, you can find all this episode's vocabulary, along with a transcript and worksheet, on our website, bbclearningenglish.com. Now, Becca, do you read a lot?
Becca· Host0:47
Hmm. I don't read often. I just feel like I don't have the time, Georgie. How about yourself?
Georgie· Host0:53
I would love to read more, um, but I don't read very much at the moment. I read mostly before bed because I feel like it helps me relax and go to sleep.
Becca· Host1:02
Mm.
Georgie· Host1:02
And today, we're talking all about reading. We'll be hearing from some experts about how reading can change our brains, and as usual, we'll be learning some useful new words and phrases.
Becca· Host1:13
Let's start with a quiz question. The longest novel in the world is widely thought to be by French author Marcel Proust, a book which when translated into English means Remembrance of Things Past, but how many words does the book contain? Is it