Listen and read:
If you’re ready to start a new chapter with your English practice, then listen to this podcast about the joys and benefits of reading in English for pleasure!

Let’s be clear, this isn’t studying but it will greatly improve your English. It’s really important to choose a book, story, magazine article or blog because you are truly interested and curious.

The first thing to accept is that you won’t understand everything, but remember that this is a positive thing. One of the great things about reading is discovering new words. Begin your reading sessions with a relaxed, curious, positive and patient approach. Be prepared to underline words and phrases that are new and then consult a good online dictionary like wordreference.com, which will also give you the pronunciations.

How much you understand of a written text obviously depends on your English experience and the complexity of the book. You can often find short samples of books online to help you to decide if it’s an appropriate read for your experience.

If you don’t have a lot of experience in English then you can start by reading children’s books with illustrations to assist your understanding. There are some wonderful books like The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl, or The Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney.

Sometimes the length or size of a book can make people feel intimidated and uncomfortable, especially if when you were a child you felt like you had to finish books even if you didn’t want to. If you feel this way, a collection of short stories can make reading feel easier to approach.

Why not try an audiobook, like listening to this podcast on my website speakwithnick.it and reading the transcript at the same time. Listening and following the text in the same moment is a great way to improve your English, and if a word or phrase jumps out at you, repeat it out loud immediately after the reader. Then think about how you can integrate the new language into your daily speaking practice.

When you’re reading, always remember it’s not a race, it’s not a competition. You are free to read at your speed. Read as little or as much as you like at your pace. You are in control.

Probably the best thing about reading for pleasure is when you become lost in a story and its characters. You can easily forget you are reading in a different language! It’s in these magic moments that we naturally acquire new vocabulary without even trying to learn! 

A great idea is to join an English book club! In my Second Nature English community (you can find details on my website) I assist the members of our English book club. The books I suggest are contemporary so the language is in use in everyday communication.

Language isn’t only a series of grammatical structures with changing words, it contains poetic prose, phrasal verbs, idiomatic sayings and cultural references, so I’m also on standby for the members to give explanations if needed.

The other great thing about a book club is getting together with the other readers to discuss the story and the language, in English obviously!

Reading helps our brains make sense of the language, because when we are familiar with the visual structures of words and phrases, we feel more confident using them and it strengthens the connections in our memory.

So, make reading in English for pleasure a habit by dedicating regular time in your day to your favourite books. Obviously it’s more challenging than reading in your own language so choose a time when you’re most relaxed but awake. Most importantly choose books that truly interest you and don’t forget to consciously adopt a positive and curious approach!

Become a bookworm, as we say, enjoy your reading and improve your English!

Speak to you soon,
Ciao for now!