The English language has many rules and endless exceptions to these rules. One thing that just about all English speakers agree on, however, is that the language is confusing! This is because many English word roots are borrowed from other languages, such as Ancient Greek and Latin.

And so, many students learning to read struggle to recognise, spell, and pronounce English words.

Understanding Greek and Latin word roots can be a powerful tool for young readers.

Word roots provide a pattern for readers.

Many English words, especially those in academic and scientific fields, are built on these roots. Learning them gives kids a strong foundation, making it easier to understand and decode new words.

Etymology = the study of words and their origins.

Scaffold students in 4th and 5th grade learning about etymology with these 10 worksheets.

Imagine the word “television.” Knowing “tele” means “far” and “vision” means “seeing” makes it clear that “television” involves seeing things from far away. By understanding roots like “tele” (Greek for “far”) or “aqua” (Latin for “water”), readers can start to see patterns in unfamiliar words. This gives kids a sense of control, allowing them to break down complex terms rather than memorizing every word.

These roots also help with understanding academic vocabulary. In subjects like science, where terms like “biology” (bio = life, logy = study of) or “geology” (geo = earth, logy = study of) are common, knowing the roots provides an edge. Rather than being intimidating, these big words become like puzzles that are easier to figure out.

Word roots create connections to word meanings.

Greek and Latin roots also create connections between words. When children recognize the root “dict” (to speak) in “predict,” “dictionary,” and “contradict,” they start to see how language is connected. These connections improve comprehension and vocabulary retention, giving kids the confidence to tackle more advanced texts.

Help students make reading predictable by recognising patterns and making connections between words.

In short, Greek and Latin roots help unlock the mystery of unfamiliar words, build confidence in reading, and open doors to learning. They’re not just a part of history – they’re a practical tool for every young reader today! By focusing on these roots, kids gain lifelong language skills that will serve them across all areas of study.