March 14, 2011
Being able to read competently in a second language requires that you perform fast and automatic decoding of words, linking the different concepts each one presents into a concrete idea. There are many factors that can play into your ability to read well, each of which should be part of areas you work on during your language learning journey.
- Exposure to reading materials. Early on, arrange to give yourself exposure to the variety of elementary-level materials in the target language. Despite a lack of competence in your reading ability, repeated exposure will help you become comfortable with the language, preparing you for later reading efforts.
- Knowledge of language cultural concepts. You need to build up a strong enough grasp of language and cultural concepts for the target language, such that you can quickly tie disparate elements in a logical manner. Doing so will help you infer meaning from context, which can be very useful during early reading efforts (you’ll know enough of the words later on that context isn’t necessary).
- Vocabulary. A stock of 100 or 200 words might make holding conversations possible, but will likely leave reading competently just out of your reach. Work towards building up your list of active words, such that you won’t need to constantly refer to your language software dictionary while reading.
April 20, 2010
Language learners immersed in the culture usually learn new words from hearing other people use them. If you’re not in the same setting, though, we’ve found reading to be a more than adequate substitute, especially as an accessory activity to using a language study software.
Obviously, you won’t be improving your Russian vocabulary by reading The New York Times. Instead, you should look for materials written in the target language to help beef up your own speaking. It doesn’t matter what kind of book, publication or periodical you choose. Heck, you can check Google for blogs in the target vernacular and use them to spruce up your reading list.
The important thing is what you do during the reading activity.
Since you’re looking to build vocabulary, it will serve you to always keep a paper and pen handy whenever you do your readings. When you come upon a new word, write it down, along with an educated guess about what it means. Later, so as not to completely disrupt your momentum, you should look up what it actually means, as well as practice using it in sentences.
To make reading less of a chore than it probably could be, you should look towards picking up writing on subjects that interest you. Chances are, there’s a ton of books, articles and publications about them in the target language too, so use it to your advantage.
December 13, 2009
It’s a well-known fact. Reading a lot helps build your vocabulary, especially when you’re learning a second language. Of course, you have to be smart while you’re doing it – you can’t just passively go through text and hope that it sticks.
Because of that, you should always keep the guidelines of active reading in mind when you’re doing it to support your language software studies – read slowly, take time to understand what you’re reading and highlight items you want to recall. When you come upon words or passages you can’t understand, look for context clues, rather than simply moving on and forgetting about it.
Most authors always include context hints about the meaning of potentially unclear passages, whether consciously or unconsciously. Rather than take the literal interpretation, you can use those to come about the real meaning of a specific passage.
1. Definitions. Some authors overtly include a definition to help the reader arrive at the actual meaning of potentially unclear terms. Of course, it will likely be integrated into one of the succeeding statements, rather than laid out like in a dictionary.
2. Synonyms. You can also look for parallel ideas that use a synonym to reinforce the passage.
3. Antonyms. Similar to their use of synonyms, some authors will use the opposite of the word to clarify its meaning.
4. Descriptions. Look for succeeding passages that describe the previous statement.
5. Summary. In this one, the author shows examples that summarize what the unclear passage means.
6. Visual. This one’s mostly done in reports and features, using visual elements such as pictures, charts and graphs to help you arrive at the intended meaning.
December 10, 2009
While it’s not a good primary vehicle for language learning, reading can prove an especially beneficial activity, in addition to your primary medium, such as a targeted course or a strategic language learning software. We highly recommend partaking in it as an immersion strategy to better familiarize yourself with the second language you’re trying to learn. However, just opening up a book and reciting words from a page isn’t likely to help much.
Read Actively. Be active when you read, keeping your goal of eventually acquiring the language in mind. Don’t just passively go through each line, sentence by sentence. Instead, think about what you’re reading, looking to gain a thorough comprehension of what the writer is looking to communicate.
Read Slowly. If you don’t understand a specific passage, don’t rush through it. Go back and read it again. If you still can’t work it out, then gander a guess – you’ll eventually find out whether your conjecture is right as you read further. The better you learn to read, the faster you’re going to write, especially in a language you’re unfamiliar with.
Highlight Texts. Highlight significant words and phrases so that they stick out. They could be especially helpful when you’re reading through the material again, trying to find those new bits of knowledge that you can add to your language arsenal.
October 8, 2009
When you’re learning to write in a foreign language, reading is an equally important aspect of the process. Simply put, the stronger of a reader you are in the vernacular, the more you are likely to develop the necessary nuances to become a good writer.
Reading In The Target Language
Reading materials in the target language exposes you to proper grammar and vocabulary, apart from an understanding of how it’s regularly employed by people who are well-versed in it. There is a reason that children learn to read before they learn how to write – there are so many aspects of the language that you can pick up by simply poring through texts written in it. Paired with a good language learning software, they can facilitate a faster degree of overall development.
In fact, most of your early writing will likely be a reflection of the materials that you have been introduced to. The more materials you involve in your reading activities and the better written they are, the higher your chances of developing stronger writing skills within the shorter time.
Reading Materials
What kind of reading materials will be good to read for improving your writing on a second language? For developing a short and direct writing style, news pieces are excellent sources to base from. Same with magazine articles and other short pieces, where reader attention and space is an important consideration.
Try to steer clear of heady material, such as academic papers and research documents. Much of it will require serious formal training in the vernacular and will likely go over your head.
September 5, 2009
Trying to improve your English grammar skills? As a second-language learner, it’s usually very tough to approach grammar the way it’s usually handled in a classroom setting. For many ESL students, the best way to see improvements is through natural means – letting the rules governing the language’s grammar to sink in, rather than force it.
Reading is one of the best ways to get this done. Both passive and active performance of the activity, coupled with the use of a good language software, can lead to gains that may surprise you. For active reading with the intent of improving grammar, we highly recommend keeping these tips in mind:
Avoid converting to your language. Make an effort to avoid translating any English text you read into your native tongue. It’s self-defeating and rarely helps your overall development when you do.
Focus on tenses and forms. If you’re studying English grammar, make it a goal to highlight the use of one particular tense or form in any English writing that you are perusing. The mere act of recognizing and marking them can help integrate it into your skillset over time.
Work on identifying particular elements of speech. One day, you can work on marking off main verbs in each sentence you read through; the next day, you can do the same for adjectives. Which elements you choose to focus on will probably depend on where you are in your grammar studies, but using the reading as an opportunity to reinforce the lessons will contribute immensely into your overall learning.
Find linking words. Some words like one sentence (sometimes, even one paragraph) to the next. Mark them in your readings over several sittings – they’re a particular stumbling block for ESL students and it will serve you well to get them down pat.
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