From Eye Rolls to Page Turns: The 5-Minute Trick To Get Your Teen Reading Again

I just wrapped up the Rayse The Game 2024 Tour, where nearly 9,000 students attended my motivational study skills seminars.

It’s been a whirlwind, but off the back of that, I’ve got so much to share with you.

Something that’s I have noticed is that more and more students are struggling with English.

For many, English is their first language—you’d think it would be a favourite subject in school. But it’s not.

When I was in school, English was my favourite. I loved reading. I loved stories. I read novels. I enjoyed poetry and got a buzz out of Big Bill Shakespeare.

I still remember the textbook Exploring English 1 and the story Up the Bare Stairs. I even kept my copy of Soundings, the poetry book we studied.

However, things didn’t go as planned. The first time I sat the Leaving Cert, I got a D in Honours English. I was gutted.

This made me so mad. There was only option: repeat.

One of my teachers, Denis Craven, told me, “Cut out the fancy words and write in normal language.”

That advice changed everything.

In Leaving Cert 2, for the creative writing essay, I wrote a piece called Windows and created an imaginary world within an apartment block. (Stuart Window, my narrator, had cheeky observations about his neighbours like Alison Window, who was a “fine piece of glass.”)

And this time, I nailed it. I got an A. (Humble brag but back then only 2% got A’s in English so it is possibly my proudest achievement!)

Why Are So Many Teens Today Struggling with English?

Recently, I spoke with a Mom whose daughter is falling behind in English and Maths. She is seeking extra help and support.

The girl does not have a diagnosis. She does not have a learning difficulty.

For me the solution is simple: she needs to read more.

However, getting teens to read is a challenge.

According to the UK’s National Literacy Trust, only one in three children reads for pleasure—an all-time low.

While over half of primary kids enjoy reading, this drops to just three in ten by secondary school.

Books are struggling to compete with technology. TikTok is dumbing down society.

Reading is critical.

Kids who read develop better language skills, expand their curiosity, and grow into more empathetic people.

But how do we, as parents and educators, encourage it without turning it into another chore?

How to Help Your Teen Fall in Love with Reading

Here are some practical tips to make reading part of your teen’s life:

1. Make reading part of everyday life
   You don’t need to be a bookworm yourself. Growing up, my dad never read a book in his life. But he did read the newspaper every day at the kitchen table. That small habit made a lasting impression on me.
2. Model the behaviour
   Teens mimic what they see. I swapped out my Netflix habit for 30-minutes of reading – maybe you can do the same?
3. Try audiobooks
   For teens who struggle with focus, apps like Audible can make reading easier and more enjoyable.
4. Show interest in what they’re reading
   Even if you get an eye roll, asking what they’re reading shows you care.
5. Buy books they’ll enjoy
   Skip the Bronte sisters unless they’re interested. If your teen loves rugby, get them Johnny Sexton’s autobiography.

Small Wins, Big Results

Even five minutes of reading a day can be very powerful. That adds up to over 30 hours a year.

This is not just about better grades—it’s about helping your teen build curiosity, critical thinking, and empathy.

So if your teen is struggling with English, don’t panic.

Start small. Create a reading-friendly environment and meet them where they are.

Readers are leaders as the saying goes.

Until next time, keep RAYSING THE GAME!