7 tips on how to read the original language and not lose motivation

1. Choose books your level

The book you choose to read a foreign language should not be too difficult or too easy. For the initial level (Beginner, or A1) proceed to the literature can be too early - even too small grammar and vocabulary. But if you read enough of the training program, try to master the short texts.

Starting with the Elementary level, when you have the time and learn basic vocabulary, you can begin to literary adaptation. A huge list of books in the public domain is on English e-Reader (To register).

Some disparagingly refer to the simplified texts and for good reason. Adapted from the book - it's not a summary, and the same product, but with a more accessible vocabulary and grammar. After all, it is difficult to assess the originality of the author's language, when you do not know most of them used words and turns of speech.

On average, Intermediate level is already possible to proceed to the original texts, but with a simple vocabulary and grammar. And in any case, especially if you are unsure of their language level, use the following rule.

On one page of the text must be no more than 10 unknown words. Ideally - from three to five.

Well, when you can look through a book before you buy and figure out how many in her unfamiliar and difficult for you words. You can also select the product that you have already read in the translation or adaptation of whom watched. Although the plot will not be, but it will be more understandable content.

2. Read contemporary literature

Save motivation easier if you read a book that really interest you. But if it is a novel of the XIX century with a set of historicism or fiction with a bunch of incomprehensible words and definitions, the reading will be too difficult to enjoy it.

Prefer contemporary prose with simple dialogues and conversational speech. Especially in the life of this vocabulary is clearly useful to you anymore. Pay attention to new books and try to start with them.

3. Consider the amount of books

Full novel in a foreign language can be really motivating, "such mastered volume in the original - will reason to be proud! "But keep in mind that reading in a foreign language unless you know it perfectly, at times slower. And, if after a month you will see that it is not read and the half - can give up on the idea and throw it.

A small book is a little different: a week or two you will notice that the back is already a substantial portion. This will give strength and inspiration to move on. For those who have just begun to read in the original, it can be very important.

4. Read fewer pages every day

capacity quick read books in a foreign language comes with experience and knowledge. it is difficult at the beginning, a long and tedious. Time is running out not only on the prescription of unknown words, but also to transfer to the mind and the awareness of reading.

Therefore, do not try to overpower the 50 pages of the evening. There is nothing wrong in the fact that you start with one page per day, gradually increasing the volume. Even 5-10 pages independent reading per day - an excellent result. Main - regularity.

5. Prefer paper

Electronic format - it is very convenient. But they are not always suitable for learning. Select paper version - it is easier to make notes and bookmarks, to sign the translation back to the marked location and look in the dictionary, if there is one. Do not get too regret the book: it's still a tool for learning, and need to use it to the maximum. Short texts and works can be printed.

Write new words and phrases is also better on paper. Here it even more advantage over gadgets: making notes by hand, we are betterHandwriting versus Keyboard Writing: Effect on Word Recall remember information.

6. Use a dictionary moderately

Try to look in the dictionary only in three cases:

• Word is important to understand, can not understand the meaning of the sentence without it.
• A token is very common in the text.
• You just want to know the exact meaning of the word (you somewhere have seen it, and it sounds cool).

And even in these cases, do not rush. Trust linguistic conjecture - the ability to determine the meaning of words in context. To understand it, even approximately, can be of the surrounding text. If it is not clear from the proposal, what I mean, think about what a paragraph. If it is not clear from the paragraph, think of the chapter as a whole. Check your guess by using a dictionary if you are unsure.

So, if you learn to look less to the dictionary, reading becomes easier and faster. In addition, even at a high proficiency level you will encounter unfamiliar words in texts and in speech. Therefore, the skill of language guess still come in handy. At first, to develop it can be very difficult, but the main thing - do not be afraid of mistakes.

7. Alternate reading with memory

Tired of reading - switch to the prescribed word. No need to memorize them. Instead, include fantasy and start make them phrases, sentences, small stories. Describe the main character, give an assessment of his actions, think of how events can develop further. Active work with new vocabulary much more productive and interesting ordinary memorization of words.

After some time you will realize on their own experience, that the reading in the original language enriches vocabulary, and you become easier to draw up proposals to deal with grammar and dialogue. That is what will serve as the strongest motivation to to open a new book.