When initially learning a second language, it is essential to start at the very beginning, at the foundation, by learning the basics of the different structures of grammar, the most fundamentals of vocabulary, how to listen, how to read, and how to speak.
As learners progress and improve through the various levels of English, from Basic through to Advanced, so does their level of proficiency in the various skills and mechanics of the language.
Where this traditional principle of learning changes though is when students eventually achieve their B2 level and wish to continue their studies to a C2 level. This is when learning becomes deeper, more specific, and skills such as reading become more important in the journey to achieve their goal.
Reading, even slowly, is an extremely effective form of subliminal learning which exposes students to more sentences, grammar, context, and new vocabulary per minute than any other method. This is why students who read in a second language are able to speak more fluently than students who don’t, even if they have studied the same amount of classes because it essentially supports and feeds the brain with the correct language structures.
Improve your English through Reading
Reading is a very active process. It is true that the writer does a lot of work, but the reader also has to work hard. When you read a text, you have to do some or all of these:
- imagine a scene in your head
- understand clearly what the writer is trying to say
- agree or disagree with the writer
Advantages of Reading
When you learn a language, listening, speaking, and writing is important, but reading can also be very helpful. There are many advantages associated with reading, including:
Learning Vocabulary In Context
You will usually encounter a wide and varied selection of new words when you read. If there are too many new words for you, then the level is too high and you should read something simpler. But if there are, say, a maximum of five new words per page, you will learn this vocabulary easily. You may not even need to use a dictionary because you can guess the meaning from the rest of the text and from the context. Not only do you learn new words, but you see them being used naturally.
A Model For Writing
When you read, it gives you a good example for writing. Texts that you read show you structures and expressions that you can use when you write.
Seeing "Correctly Structured" English
When people write, they usually use "correct" English with a proper grammatical structure. This is not always true when people speak. So, by reading you see and learn grammatical English naturally.
Working At Your Own Speed
You can read as fast or as slowly as you like. You can read ten pages in 30 minutes, or take one hour to explore just one page. It doesn't matter. The choice is yours. You cannot easily do this when speaking or listening. This is one of the big advantages of reading because different people work at different speeds.
Personal Interest
If you choose something to read that you like, it can actually be interesting and enjoyable. For example, if you like to read about travel in your own language, why not read about travel in English? You will get information about travel and improve your English at the same time.
Professional Improvement
Today there are so many opportunities to improve your life professionally, yet most of them require some level of proficiency in English. Why not read manuals, search the internet for materials in pdf, or even buy books if that is possible and start learning your profession in English. This way, when opportunities arise, or the day comes when you are needed to use English as part of your job, then you will be prepared and able to reap the benefits.
Five Tips for Reading
Tip 1
Try to read at the right level, something that you can understand. If you need to continually stop to look in a dictionary, it won't be interesting for you and you will soon lose interest.
Make a note of new vocabulary. If there are four or five new words on a page, write them in your vocabulary book. But you don't have to write them while you read. Instead, try to guess their meaning as you read; mark them with a pen; then come back when you have finished reading to check in a dictionary and add them to your vocabulary book.
Tip 2
1. Word
2. Parts of speech
3. Synonyms
4. Meaning
5 Three sentences
For each new word you encounter, write the word on the first line, on the next line whether it is a noun, verb, etc, then on the third line, a selection of synonyms, then the meaning, and finally, three sentences using the word in the context of the original reading activity.
Tip 3
Try to read regularly. For example, read for a short amount of time every day. Try to set aside a regular time each day to read and stick to it. For example, you could read for fifteen minutes when you go to bed, or when you get up, or at lunchtime, or even on the bus or train as you travel to or from work each day. Also, if you have children, and you wish to introduce them to English from an early age, try "Story telling" as a regular activity.
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Tip 4
Be organized. Have everything ready:
- something to read
- a marker to highlight difficult words
- a dictionary
- your memory system
- a pen to write down the new words
Tip 5
Read material or books that interest you. Choose a magazine or book about a subject that you like.
Things to Read
Newspapers
You can find English-language newspapers in all large cities around the world. Newspapers are interesting because they are about real life and the news. BUT they are not easy to read. Try reading newspapers if your level is intermediate or above.
Magazines
Some magazines are published weekly, some monthly. You can find English-language magazines in many large cities around the world. If you cannot find the magazine you want in your town, you may be able to order it for delivery. Many magazines have pictures that can help your understanding. You will need at least an intermediate level for most magazines, but a pre-intermediate level may be ok for some magazines.
Books
Books are divided mainly into:
- Non-fiction (history, biography, travel, cooking, etc)
- Fiction (stories and novels)
Some books are easier to read than others. It often depends on the author. Jon Cleary, for example, wrote in an easier style and with simpler vocabulary than Stephen King. You can buy books in specialized English-language bookshops, you may also be able to find some English-language books in public, school, or university libraries. If you are truly dedicated, have a credit card, and want to start your own home library at home, you can buy books online through various companies such as Amazon.
Short Stories
Short stories can be a good choice when learning a language because they are short. It's like reading a whole book in a few pages. You have all the excitement of a story in a book, but you only have to read 5,000 or 10,000 words. So you can quite quickly finish the story and feel that you have achieved something.
Readers
Readers are books, either physical or online, that are specially published to be easy to read. They are short and with simple vocabulary. They are usually available at different levels, so you should be able to find the right level for you. Many readers are stories by famous authors in a simple form. This is an excellent way for you to start practicing reading.
Consumer products
By "Consumer products", we mean any product that you can buy that has English writing on it. If you buy a box of foreign cookies or a new video camera, why not read the instructions in English? There are many such examples, and they all give you an opportunity to read real English:
Poetry
Poetry, for some people, can be difficult to interpret, especially when it is in a second language because of the style and vocabulary. If you like poetry, try reading some English-language poems. They may not be easy to understand, but if you practice regularly, you can usually get a good idea of what the poet is trying to say.
Structured sequencing
This is the link to an article about improving English comprehension and proficiency through "Structured sequencing activities". It is extremely interesting and well worth considering.
Well, I hope that you enjoyed this article and that it is in some way able to help you to improve your level of proficiency in English.
Good luck with your reading. It will help you make a lot of Progress!
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