Resources: Reading

(source:http://www.speedreading
trainingbook.com/?p=4)

Of course, there are many resources for reading in a different language. Just go to your closest library, they definitely will have books in different languages.

But with this entry, I want to give you several links where you can exercise your reading skills:


http://www.5minuteenglish.com/reading.htm (This homepage offers many texts concerning different aspects. The all include a comprehension quiz as well as a vocabulary section, so you can improve your vocabulary, too.)

(source: http://www.english-to-go.
com/newsletter/march09/march09.htm)

http://www.eslgold.com/reading/exercises.html (Here, you will find many texts with vocabulary, but no explanations for the vocabulary. You will also have pre-reading questions to prepare yourself for the text. After reading you will find comprehension questions, which go beyond true/false questions. I recommend this homepage an intermediate learner.)

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/eye-exercises-for-speed-reading.html (This article is about exercising your eyes and therefore, improving your speed reading skills.)

http://www.world-english.org/improve_reading_skills.htm (This homepage shares many links with various reading exercises. It is divided in the different levels of learners.)

http://www.readingsoft.com/ (You want to test your speed reading skills? Here, you can measure how many words you are able to read within a minute.)

http://esl.about.com/od/businessreading/ (This homepage offers links concerning texts about business. It also offers comprehension tests.)

Tips for speed reading
(source: http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/249263/no.-25-weekly
-perfrasis-verbales-practice-exercise-terminar-de-infinitivo)

Learning different reading strategies

Now I want to introduce you various reading strategies, which will help to enhance you reading skills.

If you search online, you will find many homepages with a lot of different reading strategies. Here, I will focus on those strategies which I find the most important.

Predicting

Sometimes, when we read an article, we skip some parts of the sentences or do not read them very carefully. This is because we usually know how the sentences end. We predict the information. Let me give you a quick example: “After washing the salad, you need to cut it and place it in a bowl. Add tomatoes,…” Of course you will know that the numeration will contain vegetables. The sentences were about the preparation of a salad and you will know what belongs in a mixed salad; or what NOT belongs in a salad. So you will be very sure, that the sentences won’t end with: “Add tomatoes, … and screws and nuts.”

Skimming
(source:http://javieralfonsouny.
blogspot.com.es/)

Skimming

Skimming is a form of speed reading. This means that you do not read the text in full detail, but rather look for key words or ideas. Just imagine yourself in a pizza restaurant. You are not sure what they have on offer and you do not want anything in particular. You just skip from every menu entry to the next one, looking for anything you might like. This is skimming.

Skimming also comes in handy when you learn a new language. You will need less time looking for desired information.  Usually, you only read the first sentence of a paragraph before moving on to the next paragraph.

If you want to learn more about skimming and also exercise your skimming skills, have a look at that homepage. It gives you more insights and also various exercises: http://www.uefap.com/reading/efficien/skim/skim.htm .

Scanning

Scanning
(source: http://library.wrdsb.ca/
research/reading-for-information/)

Scanning is also a form of speed reading. Again, you do not read the text in full detail, but you look at it more closely than you would do when skimming. When you think about the pizza example: You know which pizza you want to have, but yet, you still have a look in the menu to look if this restaurant offers your choice.

So, when you scan for information, you already have an idea in mind. Now you just look into the text to see if it says anything about your idea.

This game will help you improve your scanning skills: http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/game/en05skim-game-the-big-scan .

But, when to skim and when to scan?

This depends on your purpose of reading. If you are not sure about the needed information, but want to get an overview, it is better to skim the text. If you know which information you are looking for, you will scan the text.

Another strategy, which most of the language learner use is “intensive reading”.

You read the text word for word and in full detail. People tend to do intensive reading when they do not speak the language well or look for very specific information in a text.  Another reason is the level of the text. If you read a very scientific text, you will read it more careful then a magazine with recipes.

Introduction to Reading

In my next blog entries I will write and report about the four language skills: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.
Today I am going to write about Reading skills.

What is the problem of language learners and reading? 
A lot of people who acquire a second language are very careful readers because they are afraid to make mistakes or they do not understand every single word. They tend to read and use a dictionary at the same time, which is, of course, very time consuming.

Why is reading so important?

What is reading?
(source: http://libraries.pewinternet.org/
2012/04/04/the-rise-of-e-reading/)

When we read a text or story in a different language, it helps us to enhance our comprehension. We will learn language patterns, new vocabulary, and expressions. While reading, we will unconsciously memorise words, too. The more you read, the faster you will get while reading. This is good because you will need less time to understand and comprehend everything. After a while you might be able to read texts without any problems.

What should a good language learner consider to become a good reader?
Here, I will present you some ideas and tips to become a better reader. As I pointed out already, it is important to read a lot over an extended period of time.
But reading in a different language needs to be learnt.

Read a text which suits your level of expertise. Do not start with a highly scientific article about microbiology or the latest novel of George R.R. Martin. If you just started learning a new language, read short texts on blogs or in newspapers. For example, Langenscheidt Verlag in Germany sells calendars with short stories for every day. On the back you will find questions and translations of difficult words. 

Read something that interests you. If you read newspaper articles or magazines which are related to your interests, you might already know some words. With reading those articles, you will also extend your vocabulary. The other aspect of reading texts that interest you is motivation. If you are not motivated to read a text, you will have a lot of problems understanding it.

Try not to use your dictionary. I know that may sound impossible, but as soon as I have a dictionary close to me when I read, I look up every word I don’t know. This will slow down your reading process. Even if you do not know every word in a text, you will get the meaning and therefore, learn more. So, if you feel comfortable reading, try to stay away from the dictionary.

If you want to improve your reading skills, here are some links I recommend:

• http://www.ihes.com/learn/contents.html (This homepage offers texts in different levels. After reading, you can do a quiz to test you comprehension)

• http://www.gcflearnfree.org/reading/play (This homepage is designed in a playful way. You can choose various texts concerning different topics. If you want to, the texts will be read out for you, so you can practice your phonology, too.)

• http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/reading.php#.UtMMEPvuj4E (This homepage offers many different texts concerning scientific topics. Afterwards, you are asked to answer the comprehension questions.)

Learning Vocabulary

When acquiring a new language, learning vocabulary is the essential thing. The more vocabulary you know, the more fluent your speech and writing skills will be when you produce language. Learning and knowing vocabulary also helps with comprehension. You need to ask your conversation partner less to rephrase and repeat him- or herself. Learning vocabulary will be the most important and most time consuming aspect when you want to learn a new language.

But how can you learn vocabulary efficiently?

Well, there are many different strategies when you want to learn vocabulary. If you know your type of learning, it will help you a lot when you choose some vocabulary techniques. (If you do not know your learning style, have a look here: http://crs-training-english.blogspot.com.es/2013/12/learning-strategies-enhancing-learning.html)

Here are some tips for learning vocabulary and being a certain learning type:

Learning vocabulary for visual learners
(source: http://anuskateacher.blogspot.com.es/
2013/08/visual-vocabulary-family-members.html)

Visual: Write down the vocabulary; use flash cards, vocabulary books and lists. You can also use pictures to remember vocabularies concerning the same environment (for example learning vocabularies of animals). Use different colours to mark words which are easy and difficult for you to remember. Try to read dictionaries because sometimes it helps to understand and memorise the meaning of a word so you can retrieve it easier.

Auditory: Some people record themselves when they learn vocabulary. Afterwards, they listen to the recordings again and again to memorise the words. There are also professional programs which help you learning phrases and words. When studying vocabulary, say out loud the words. Then you hear the words and memorise them easier.

Kinaesthetic: This group of learners will have the most difficulties with studying vocabulary.  Usually, you need to sit down and concentrate on your list of vocabulary when you want to memorise them. Kinaesthetic learners can try learning vocabulary while walking around. They can also try to draw and say the words. Sometimes it also helps to use some signs. I sometimes use German Sign Language when I need to learn new vocabulary or just make up my own signs. Gestures are easier retrieved by memory than words and if you can connect them, even better.

Here are some general tips for learning vocabulary:

Take it slow!

When you start learning vocabulary, do not make a list with 200 words. Make “packages” of 10 to 20 words. If you are a good learner and it is easy for you to memorise things, you can use more words of course. But do not overreach your limit. If you have to study a lot of words in a certain time, try to organise everything and observe your learning process.

Test yourself and revise on a regular basis!

If you test yourself regularly, you will know if you really learned the vocabulary. If you learned some vocabulary, leave it for some hours and then try to remember everything. This will help you to figure out which words are more difficult for you to learn.

Logical connections.
(Source: http://www.onestopenglish.com/
support/methodology/grammar-vocabulary-and-skills/
grammar-and-vocabulary-techniques-for-
autonomous-vocabulary-learning/146470.article)

Use logical connections!

If you learn words in a different language, try to assemble them in logical packages. If you need to study words related to medicine and the body, divide them in those two categories. This will help you to remember them, but also to recognise connections between the words. Later, this will help you with fluency and comprehension, too!

Read, read, read!

Reading will help you to enhance your comprehension and your vocabulary. Words will appear in various contexts and connections and you will recognise them and keep that in mind. Depending on your level, read books, magazines, comics or newspaper. I often recommend children books. They have an easy register and no difficult words.

Here are some links, if you want to learn vocabulary online:

• http://www.vokabel.com/ (You can practice your language skills in English, German, Italian and Spanish. You will find various vocabulary tests as well as tests concerning the same topics)

• http://www.languagecourse.net/vocabulary-trainer.php (An online vocabulary trainer with 5000 words to learn. You can choose various scenarios to learn vocabularies, e.g. idioms, medicine, etc.)

• http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/alle_words.htm (This homepage offers many exercises in which you have to choose the correct word. This will help you to learn vocabulary connected to context.)

Characteristics of a Good Language Learner

Here you find a presentation I had to do for my class.

Characteristics of a Good Language Learner from AHolz