Here's why:
* English is a language: It's a system of communication using words and grammar.
* Reading is a skill: It's the ability to understand written language.
Think of it this way:
* English is like a recipe book: It contains all the ingredients and instructions for creating language.
* Reading is like cooking: It's the act of using the recipe book to make something (understand what is written).
You can learn English without being able to read, and you can learn to read without knowing English (although it's more challenging).
In short, English is the language, and reading is the way we access and understand that language in written form.