7 tips for effective reading

1. Start simple

When choosing what to read, it’s a good idea to start with simpler (and shorter) texts, such as magazine articles, short stories or even children’s books. It will keep you motivated and you will be surprised how much new language there is in gossip columns or fairy tales.

2. The more familiar, the better

It’s a good idea to read a book which you have already read in Slovak. Are you a fan of Dan Brown or Jo Nesbo? Good! Get a copy of your favourite book in English. The fact that you are familiar with the story will take away the stress of not understanding every detail and allow you to focus on the language, how ideas are expressed, which words are used to express them and so on.

3. Classics can wait

No matter how noble your ambition to read Charles Dickens in the original may be, with all due respect, it will probably be too hard and not much fun. You’ll get there eventually but for now it’s a much better idea to choose something contemporary. You’ll be familiar with both the language, the setting and the references and all of this will help you understand the text a lot better. (Unless, of course, you know all Jane Austen’s novels by heart, in which case, experience them again in the original. :-))

4. So can dictionaries

Try to resist the urge to translate every new word you come across. Instead, try to focus on the main idea and only look up words which are crucial to understanding the main idea (the key words), words which are often repeated or words which you find interesting. Reading with a dictionary takes your mind off the context, which could help your comprehension and, more importantly, feels like a school lesson. Not much fun at all!

5. No need to impress anyone but yourself

We know that in Slovak you only read quality literature but remember, you are trying to improve your command of a foreign language. For that purpose, simple ideas and straightforward plots are much more helpful. And where can you find them? You know, paperback romance, beach holiday crime stories and the like. After all, you don’t need to tell anyone. J

6. Read between the lines

If you don’t understand something, don’t worry about it too much. Even if you have to skip a few lines, keep reading. As long as you haven’t completely lost track of what’s going on, it’s still worth it.

7. Too hard? Never mind. Next!

If, however, you have lost track of what’s going on and need a dictionary for every other word, maybe it’s time to give that particular book up and choose something simpler. If it’s too hard and no fun, it’s not worth it any more.You can always come back to it later when you feel more confident. Hardly anybody can tell you what their first book in English was about, anyway. 🙂

Have a great summer!