Languages are generally taught and assessed in terms of the ‘four skills’: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Reading is a key component of learning a second language and it is without a doubt important as a language does not consist solely of the spoken word. There are many benefits to developing excellent reading skills in the target language; one benefit is the culture that one gains by reading in the target language. Through reading, students gain access to literature written in the target language. This literature shows the students what authentic materials in the target language look like as well as provides them with insight into the cultural beliefs and values.
These skills should be addressed in a way that helps students meet the standards you set for them and develop their communicative competence gradually.
Listening and speaking: these two skills are highly interrelated and work simultaneously in real life situations. So, the integration of the two aims at fostering effective oral communication. This integration will assure real-life and purposeful communication.
Reading and writing: they form a strong relationship with each other as skills. They are tools for achieving an effective written communication. Students need opportunities to develop their reading and writing skills. Developing students’ competencies in reading and writing requires exposing students to gradually challenging reading materials and writing tasks. The aim is making students read and write effectively.