A second-grade teacher reading aloud to the class primarily helps students to:

Reading aloud to a class is an effective way for students to learn what fluent reading sounds like. When a teacher reads with expression, appropriate pacing, and correct pronunciation, students are exposed to the natural rhythm and flow of the language. This modeling of fluent reading helps to develop their own reading skills as they listen and begin to internalize how words and sentences are constructed.

Moreover, this practice highlights the importance of prosody—how the voice conveys meaning—allowing students to connect the sounds of language with the printed words. This auditory experience lays a strong foundation for developing their own reading fluency as they progress in their reading development and subsequently practice reading aloud themselves.