UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)
College of Human Sciences — Department of English Studies
⋄
ASSIGNMENT 01
Semester 1 — 2026
⋄
Module Code: ENG2611
Module Name: Applied English Language for Foundation
and Intermediate Phase First Additional
Language
Assignment No.: 01
Due Date: 29 April 2026
Semester: Semester 1, 2026
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for ENG2611
at the University of South Africa.
, UNISA | ENG2611 The Importance of Reading
The Importance of Reading in Everyday Life and Academic Contexts
Reading is one of the oldest and most essential human skills, yet it is still widely underesti-
mated. It does far more than decode words on a page. From reading a taxi sign in Johannes-
burg to analysing a research article at university, the act of reading shapes how people make
sense of the world, connect with others, and grow intellectually. This essay argues that read-
ing is a cornerstone of both everyday functioning and academic success, and that literature,
in particular, plays a unique role in developing the critical thinking skills that learners need
throughout their lives.
Reading as a Tool for Understanding the World
Reading touches almost every part of daily life. Street signs, WhatsApp messages, food la-
bels, bank statements, news feeds — all of these require a reader who can interpret and re-
spond. As the study guide notes, reading helps people understand their immediate surround-
ings, engage with others through social media and visual literacy, and gain knowledge from
newspapers and textbooks (TUT501, 2020:8). In South African classrooms, where learners
often encounter English as a First Additional Language, this everyday reading competence
has a direct bearing on whether a child can navigate school, community, and eventually the
workplace.
Gebremariam and Weldeyohannes (2024) describe reading as a foundational skill that has a
measurable effect on academic achievement and overall life outcomes. What this means in
practice is that a learner who reads regularly builds vocabulary, background knowledge, and
contextual awareness at a pace that is hard to replicate through any other means. The world
is, in a sense, a text — and those who read it well are better positioned to participate in it fully.
Critical Reading Versus Simply Recognising Words
There is a meaningful gap between being able to read words and being able to read critically.
Basic reading means recognising text, following a sequence, or retrieving a fact. Critical read-
ing, by contrast, requires the reader to analyse, evaluate, question, and interpret what is on the
page. It is an active process, not a passive one.
Page 1 of 4
College of Human Sciences — Department of English Studies
⋄
ASSIGNMENT 01
Semester 1 — 2026
⋄
Module Code: ENG2611
Module Name: Applied English Language for Foundation
and Intermediate Phase First Additional
Language
Assignment No.: 01
Due Date: 29 April 2026
Semester: Semester 1, 2026
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for ENG2611
at the University of South Africa.
, UNISA | ENG2611 The Importance of Reading
The Importance of Reading in Everyday Life and Academic Contexts
Reading is one of the oldest and most essential human skills, yet it is still widely underesti-
mated. It does far more than decode words on a page. From reading a taxi sign in Johannes-
burg to analysing a research article at university, the act of reading shapes how people make
sense of the world, connect with others, and grow intellectually. This essay argues that read-
ing is a cornerstone of both everyday functioning and academic success, and that literature,
in particular, plays a unique role in developing the critical thinking skills that learners need
throughout their lives.
Reading as a Tool for Understanding the World
Reading touches almost every part of daily life. Street signs, WhatsApp messages, food la-
bels, bank statements, news feeds — all of these require a reader who can interpret and re-
spond. As the study guide notes, reading helps people understand their immediate surround-
ings, engage with others through social media and visual literacy, and gain knowledge from
newspapers and textbooks (TUT501, 2020:8). In South African classrooms, where learners
often encounter English as a First Additional Language, this everyday reading competence
has a direct bearing on whether a child can navigate school, community, and eventually the
workplace.
Gebremariam and Weldeyohannes (2024) describe reading as a foundational skill that has a
measurable effect on academic achievement and overall life outcomes. What this means in
practice is that a learner who reads regularly builds vocabulary, background knowledge, and
contextual awareness at a pace that is hard to replicate through any other means. The world
is, in a sense, a text — and those who read it well are better positioned to participate in it fully.
Critical Reading Versus Simply Recognising Words
There is a meaningful gap between being able to read words and being able to read critically.
Basic reading means recognising text, following a sequence, or retrieving a fact. Critical read-
ing, by contrast, requires the reader to analyse, evaluate, question, and interpret what is on the
page. It is an active process, not a passive one.
Page 1 of 4
