If you can follow a conversation or write short texts without needing a dictionary, then you are ready to read a book in another language. It won't be easy at first, but don't let these little difficulties stop you from enjoying the pleasure of reading. It is more important to savor the book and the language than to understand every single detail of the plot or grammar.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Getting started
Step 1. To get started, choose a short, light book
It is always good to opt for a book you like, unless you are assigned a specific one. Children's books, full of images, are perfect for beginners, closely followed by children's fiction and comics. Intermediate readers can try their hand at a young adult novel, unpretentious fiction, blogs, and interesting articles. The classics are generally characterized by a more elaborate language and a complex grammar. Better try it later.
- Avoid books specifically for foreign students - they are often quite boring.
- Knowing what the book is about can be helpful. Classic fairy tales are excellent for this reason, as you have already read them in Italian.
- If you are bored with children's books, look for a translated one with the original text opposite. Read the translation only when you just can't understand the meaning of a passage.
Step 2. Share the experience with someone
If possible, share the reading (at least in part) with your language tandem partner, teacher or native speaker. Even a student who is about the same level as you can help you understand difficult sentences and motivate you to continue.
Step 3. Try reading aloud
Speaking and listening is equally important in learning a language. Practice reading some passages aloud. If you share the experience with someone, take turns.
Step 4. Try to get as much context as possible
Don't rush to open the dictionary every time you come across an unfamiliar word. Read the rest of the paragraph and try to understand the general meaning by taking it out of context. Search for a word only when it prevents you from understanding the passage or if you see that it appears multiple times in the book. Although difficult at first, making this effort enhances your understanding of the vocabulary and language.
Step 5. Use a quick access dictionary
A paperback or electronic one allows you to find a word much faster than a classic vocabulary. But don't give in to the temptation to look for everything.
Step 6. Take a break and summarize
Stop occasionally and summarize the events. If you have any doubts or can't understand the meaning, you should read it again and try again.
Step 7. If necessary, take notes
If you are serious about learning the language, keep a notebook handy. Write down any words and phrases you'd like to remember or grammar constructions you want to learn more about later, perhaps asking someone for help. This helps you dig deeper without interrupting your reading too much.
If you don't understand a colloquial expression or saying, an online search can be more useful than a dictionary
Part 2 of 2: Learn to Read Better
Step 1. Set goals
Even a funny book can be difficult to read. Setting daily goals is effective in keeping you on track.
For a beginner, reading a page or two a day is a more than reasonable goal. Add more as you improve
Step 2. Try to read texts that you find interesting
If a book bores you, choose another one: it may be too easy or too difficult for your taste, or it may not be your thing. Switch to another author or genre in case the topic or plot doesn't appeal to you.
Step 3. Expose yourself to new types of writing
If you want to understand the language better, try your hand at at least two types of languages: formal and colloquial. Newspaper articles represent a good intermediate point that can teach both contemporary language and more structured grammar.
Step 4. Distance yourself from the translation
Anyone who starts learning a foreign language tends to translate every single sentence into their native language. As you begin to master the language, you will learn to avoid it and understand without needing translations. Keep this in mind along the way and resist the temptation to think in Italian.
Advice
- If you still can't read quickly enough to find a text interesting, start by watching foreign films. Select the subtitles of the language you want to learn, so you can practice both reading and listening.
- Books written in another language show you another culture and another literary tradition. If you only read translated texts, you will miss out on a part of the experience.
