Reading in a foreign language can be daunting, but with these 10 easy steps, you can learn how to read foreign languages like a pro. See also, learn English.
As the number of people who study a foreign language increases, there is a growing need for resources that make it easier to learn. One such resource is Learning Language.com, which aims to provide students with the tools they need to succeed in their learning. The site offers an extensive range of courses and activities that are aimed at helping students get the most out of their time learning a new language.
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We have listed down 10 important points to help you read in a second language without too much hassle:
1- Learn simpler words in the beginning:
A traditional way of learning is to learn a word every day, but in order for learners to really grasp how you read languages like Spanish and French, more fluency and understanding at this level will help them go deeper.
2- Reading in a foreign language is different than reading in your mother tongue:
When you’re trying to read in a second language, it’s usually harder than if you were doing the same thing with English. You have to remember far more pronunciations and meanings from both educated tongue as well as casual conversation. As such, this is where reading for pleasure becomes important and helps build vocabulary naturally within your everyday life.
3- Get into the habit of frequent reading:
Reading for pleasure is one of the easiest ways to build a strong vocabulary and help you develop your capacity as a reader. This can be easy practice in an electronic form, but it’s just as important when learning any new language by reading the news or blogs regularly (for example). Of course, this takes effort – particularly if you’re at work like me – so find something that works well with how busy your schedule happens to be.
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4- Realize that this is not an easy task:
Reading a new language is hard and by choice. It’s not meant to be something you spend all of your time doing; in fact, it comes at the same amount as reading English – around ten minutes each hour (source).
5- Set a time to get into the habit of reading:
Set aside a time each day to read the news, blog posts or magazine articles – just like I do. This sets an anchor in your mind of when and how you’re going to read for pleasure (instead of trying too hard at 60 minutes late). By doing this lots, over time it becomes easier and more natural.
6- Always carry a book everywhere or use an audio-book app:
This may seem like a no-brainer, but this is another incredibly simple and effective way to build up your vocabulary. By always having a book at the ready in case you need it as instant source of words or inspiration, your brain becomes more accustomed to recognizing words of interest. If there’s an app that allows offline access on any mobile device (which so many do these days), I’d highly recommend using something like Pocket or Instapaper when you’re on the move or away from home.
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7- Make a list of all the books you would want to read:
I definitely took this suggestion literally when I built up my personal library of books. When you have the time, think about all the titles that interest you and buy them on a wishlist. If eventually some become available in your language, read those first – then if several are still out there (articulation problems not withstanding) get one or more translated into your native tongue for future reference and/or to practice reading aloud just as well.
8- Enjoy what you are reading:
Enjoy whatever you’re reading – a book, magazine or newspaper. Make time for this and it will be more than just another task (although I know how tedious the grammar of translated texts can seem at times in your early stages). If what you are reading is not on point because of missing audio or visual support (e-books) skip all that if needed; but do try to include an active listening element whenever possible – especially when it tacks on to any immersive reading experience.
9- Take charge:
If you always tend to pick and choose your reading, don’t do that anymore. It’s a lost opportunity – as even the faster-paced texts take longer because of having been translated in such intricate detail for accessibility reasons. If it interests, get into it; if required research needs done use whatever language support is available (look at translations for video or audio files); but if there are any questions about what might be on those pages try not to be short with finding out.
10- Do not be tempted to reach out for the dictionary a lot:
If there is already so much text written in the target language first, this sometimes makes you stop or delay your reading even further. Be aware of how many different words you will be encountering while reading a foreign text; break up the word vocabulary into manageable chunks by using vowels from time to time and try also playing with homophones towards that end – especially when speaking what’s happening aloud (the meaning/professionality potential for translation memory material is vast, so don’t read it to yourself as a monologue all the time).
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In conclusion, there are many ways to help yourself with reading in a foreign language, but the most important one is to get into it – even if you’re just starting out.
For me personally, I started with learning French because of all the advantages of doing so:
(1) French is such a beautiful language and I wanted to master it;
(2) the history of France is interesting;
(3) there are tons of great movies in French (maybe this is not so cool anymore but we can’t change it);
(4) I got the opportunity to travel there – visiting areas (like the Swiss Alps, Lake Geneva and Paris) during summer vacations in school. You May Like foreign countries that speak English.