In Brain Science 136 we discuss "Language at the Speed of Sight: How We Read, Why So Many Can’t, and What Can Be Done About It" by Mark Seidenberg. We consider the disturbing gap between our scientific knowledge of reading and current education practices in the US. This episode will provide the listener with some important basics about how reading changes our brains and what is known about how children learn to read. Learning to read is not as automatic as learning to talk and when problems arise, early intervention is essential. We also consider some of the fascinating differences between written languages and how they reflect underlying differences between spoken languages. Plus---- Why speed reading is as myth! Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for extra content. Send feedback to [email protected]. For more references and episode transcripts please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com.