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How to improve your English reading skills by Louisa Walsh
To improve
your English, we recommend you practice all the key skills of reading,
writing, speaking and listening in English. In this
article we will focus on improving your reading skills in English.
Practicing reading in English will help improve your
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Understanding
of English
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Knowledge
of English vocabulary/phrases
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Understanding
of English grammar
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Reading does not need to
be boring. Below we look at ways of improving your reading skills in
English - and we link to some top websites so you have instant access to
authentic and interesting English reading material.
How to improve your reading skills in English
If your English is already a good level, try newspapers. Popular
'quality' UK newspapers have online sites:
The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/
The independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/
The Times http://www.timesonline.co.uk/uk/
Newspaper articles are sometime difficult because they often use slang,
idiom or specific cultural expressions which will be difficult for a low
level learner to understand. For example, a couple of recent newspaper
stories began: 'How Leonardo DiCaprio scored big with
Scorsese'(was immediately popular with) and 'Iraq policy has
lead to Blair's downfall' (decline in power,
popularity or status.)
If modern short stories are more 'your bag' (your preference)
I like this site: http://talesetc.com/copyrights.htm The stories are
short so they are suitable for reading on the Internet and easy to
understand. You should find a theme to interest you.
Are you interested in English culture/traditions/food? Then visit http://www.woodlandsjunior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/index.html
I love this site. It is written for children and so the language is very
simple but it is very comprehensive, covering all aspects of daily life in
England. There is a great section on typical English food. If you are
feeling very brave, why not try one of the recipe ideas following the
instructions in English
http://www.woodlandsjunior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/food/index.htm
But what if you don't like reading stories, are not interested in English
culture or you find English newspapers on the Internet boring or too
difficult? Then don't read them! You will learn more if you read about
something that interests you. Whether you like sports, film reviews or
gardening, there will be a site on the Internet for you, so read about your
particular pastime on the Internet in English, rather than in your own
language.
Top tips to improve your English reading skills:
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As
mentioned, choose a theme/website/book that interests you.
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Practice
reading in English regularly; at least once or twice a week.
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Be
confident! You don't have to understand every word to understand the
general meaning. Try reading a text once through first to get a 'sense'
of the meaning. This can be more important than understanding every
single word.
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Keep
a dictionary with you while you read. Advanced learners, try this online
dictionary: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
Get into the habit of looking up phrases that are difficult while you are
reading. Doing it afterwards might mean you forget the context.
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Are
you having to look in your dictionary for every second word? Then the
text you have chosen is too difficult for you. Choose something else -
not too easy, though. It is good to have a bit of a challenge.
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Happy reading!
Have you got any
reading tips to share?
Have you got any great reading sites you can recommend?
Did you find this page useful?
Tell me your comments and suggestions: info@phone-english.net
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