Audiobooks have a range of positive associations, whether from being a central part of our relaxation time, a delightful way to unlock and enhance treasured stories, a way to expand our portfolio of reading, or being a quick and easy way to digest often complex concepts. Building on the sense of the last point, audiobooks are increasingly forming a central part of ensuring our next generation of readers continue to thrive.

The National Literacy Trust in the UK has recently highlighted some powerful research. It offers simple messages around how recording audio, the spoken word, and audiobooks can support and encourage a new generation of readers who choose audio as one of their preferred learning channels.

In particular, the research focuses on four key strands:

  • Encouraging reluctant readers;
  • Supporting wellbeing;
  • Reducing the reading gender gaps; and
  • Removing barriers to access.

As people build their reading competency, it’s good to be able to offer a range of solutions and supports. Audio provides another tool for parents and educators to draw upon. And the research suggests that audio may fill a gap for reluctant readers. The evidence shows that among this group audio is a preferred communication channel for 30% of them.

The therapeutic value of reading has long been explored for its benefits. There is much evidence of how it can support mental wellbeing, improved happiness, and even increased life span.

The Literacy Trust’s research provides further evidence of how audiobook saw both an increased uptake during the pandemic period, and that this upswing in activity supported people to feel better during this trying time for us all.

Uptake and preference for audio services has a much smaller gender gap than books and the written word. It’s a widely adopted, regularly used technology, with good, fair distribution across society. It could be used as a way to level-up people’s skills, knowledge, confidence and understanding in equitable ways. It has emerged as a powerful channel to engage audiences in accessible ways.

And building on that theme of accessibility, audio can convey much more complex and nuanced stories to emerging readers, inspiring them to persist in building their reading skills so they can access more advanced stories. 

Personalised audiobooks bring a fresh, additional and innovative layer to further enhance the ways in which audio can unlock literacy challenges. With voices that are recognisable, personally valuable to us, or represent reassurance and encouragement, we can bring further benefit to those who prefer audio as their communication and learning channel.

Personalised audiobooks bring the further accessibility feature of supporting multiple languages, so for those approaching English literacy as a second language, they can help unlock familiar stories from their culture in ways that promote understanding and confidence.

The use of audio to promote literacy skills is a fascinating emerging area of study. There is great potential in bringing together elements that are widely accessed and accessible in fresh and creative ways. It’s a fascinating journey to be on as we explore the ways in which personalised audiobooks can bring wider societal benefit.