Reading Helps in Learning A New Language

Learning a foreign language is a plus, but if you don’t read regularly, perhaps it’s time to start. Reading helps in learning a new language and mastering the unknown vocabularies and complex grammar that seems to make no sense.

In this section, we have a complete guide to help you learn how to use reading as a skill to learn new words and improve fluency in your chosen language. It doesn’t matter if you are getting started or failed before; it works for everyone.

Why bother reading in your language

The first step is to understand what reading is, and why do it. Why learn a language using stories rather than textbooks. These are the questions you should be able to answer.

Well, if you are reading a lot of books, you are likely to find a more productive language with more useful phrases that might be useful in your learning. Reading exposes you to good quality and natural language.

Is it a source of vocabulary learning?  Yes, it is, it includes more words and vocabularies. Similarly, it is a hub that sharpens your skills regarding grammatical structures and language patterns. It is something to remember as you engage your brain with visual basics of a language.

Picture yourself learning something and getting a chance to apply it in real life. Reading does all that, and you have an opportunity to see materials you are learning and put them into action.

Did you know that you can read a book from your native language in a second language taking advantage of the situation? It is called killing two birds with one stone. Be glad; you heard it here first.

Ten steps of the reading process

How do you get started once you have selected the language and you are ready to learn it? These tips will help you get started.

Tip 1: Grab something simple to read

For beginners, don’t use advanced materials or you may end up hating the language. Instead, grab something simple, a child’s book may be or an adaptation and juggle your brain slowly by slowly. Next, take an audiobook and train yourself how to read and listen at the same time so that you can be proficient in pronunciation.

Tip 2: Read Aloud

You may want to read the words aloud to hear yourself. The more you repeat them, the better the understanding of what you are reading. Try it out!

Tip 3: Read within the shortest time possible

Read a book from chapter one all through. Preferably, go for one with you read within a shorter period of time. Remember, your aim is to reach the end of the chapter, try to summarize what you have read and reread it to understand the plot of the story better.

Tip 4: Look for something that interests you

If you are a fan of reading, I am sure you know perfectly well what subject you are most interested in reading. Therefore, the best thing to do is to select something that you find enjoyable reading.

Tip 5: Read for fun

Reading is fun to the mind. Therefore, do not stop in the middle to look up all the words you might not know. No need to worry if you encounter something that you don’t understand. Work out only those words and phrases which are crucial for the context understanding.

Tip 6: Read extensively

The idea is to read broadly to master the repetitive words and phrases as much as possible. As a result, make it a habit of reading those words that can be forgotten quite quickly.

Tip 7: Look for books with dual language reading

By now, you should have an understanding of all the main events of the reading process. Support your reading with books that pair language reading in parallel texts. It’s another way to help you master what you are learning.

Tip 8: Write down words or phrases you don’t understand

While reading, you will encounter words or vocabularies that you don’t understand. Pay attention to these interesting forms of speech, write them down and find their meaning later.

Tip 9: Switch to intensive reading

At this point, I guess that you have mastered a lot and as being an experienced leader now, you can concentrate on intensive reading by simply reading a few pages with more engagement into the main context.

Tip 10: Go for physical books

Having read everything now, you can decide what works for you better between physical and digital books. Most preferably, go for physical books rather than digital ones. It boosts your desire to read and if you need something to refer to at the end of a chapter, be sure to underline, encircle or put a mark on the margin. It will ease the task of retrieval when you need to refer to something.

In Conclusion

I am sure these tips will help in accelerating your language learning.

Gabriela Jacob from the Arapahoe Library in Colorado.

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