Are you learning a new language?
Living abroad?
Do you love reading?
Don’t you mind reading your favorite books one more time?
Once you’ve reached a certain level you should challenge yourself to read more than textbook dialogues and articles. Reading a story you already know is one of the great ways to learn new words and train your brain to read in another language.
One of the advantages is that you won’t stress about understanding everything – you already know what happens. Besides, if you chose to re-read that book, I suppose you love the story and the experience will be pleasant and relaxed.
When I first came to Belgium I bought the book Mange, Prie, Aime which is the French version of Eat, Pray, Love. I had read it at least twice and also seen the movie, so my transition into reading “real things” in French was very smooth.
Living abroad?
Do you love reading?
Don’t you mind reading your favorite books one more time?
Once you’ve reached a certain level you should challenge yourself to read more than textbook dialogues and articles. Reading a story you already know is one of the great ways to learn new words and train your brain to read in another language.
One of the advantages is that you won’t stress about understanding everything – you already know what happens. Besides, if you chose to re-read that book, I suppose you love the story and the experience will be pleasant and relaxed.
When I first came to Belgium I bought the book Mange, Prie, Aime which is the French version of Eat, Pray, Love. I had read it at least twice and also seen the movie, so my transition into reading “real things” in French was very smooth.
Now that I am learning Dutch and reached a comfortable reading level (past comic books and magazines) I decided to go for my boyfriend’s Harry Potter series. The first one, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is called Harry Potter en de Steen der Wijzen.
There are many a-ha times like “Oh, that’s how you say______!” There are also times when I know a word “in real life” because I’ve read it on the book. Fun and effortless learning.
My only disappointment are the translated names: Hermelien (Hermione), Perkamentus (Dumbledore), Zweinstein (Hogwarts), Malfidus (Malfoy), Marcel (Nevile) and so on. Names are names, for God’s sake!
There are many a-ha times like “Oh, that’s how you say______!” There are also times when I know a word “in real life” because I’ve read it on the book. Fun and effortless learning.
My only disappointment are the translated names: Hermelien (Hermione), Perkamentus (Dumbledore), Zweinstein (Hogwarts), Malfidus (Malfoy), Marcel (Nevile) and so on. Names are names, for God’s sake!
Now, for training your listening skills and learning how to properly pronounce words: animations! Choose your favorites and re-watch them in the language you’re learning. The pronunciation in animation movies is very clear and easy to understand. Again: fun and effortless.
A foreign language can be stressful and frustrating, but we can find our own ways to lighten things up. What are yours?
A foreign language can be stressful and frustrating, but we can find our own ways to lighten things up. What are yours?
