Reading in a Foreign Language: The Ultimate Language Learning Tool?

You’ve probably heard this before if you’ve ever taken a foreign language class. And it’s true, reading truly is one of the best tools out there to really master a foreign language, and here’s why:

You can analyze the grammatical structures and nuances.

When you read in a foreign language, you can analyze how a native speaker employs certain grammatical structures. This, combined with the visual memory reinforcement that reading provides can help you to improve both your speaking and writing in your target language.

You are exposed to a large amount of vocabulary.

Reading is also an exceptional tool when it comes to learning new words. Not only are you able to learn these words, but by reading them in a book or in an article, you are able to see how they are used in context without relying on a translation. This will eventually allow you to express yourself more freely in the language you are learning.

What should I be reading to improve my language skills?

Anything, really. However, there are some types of reading material that are better than others. To start, if you have not been learning your target language for very long, it may be better to read children’s books, as they usually have simplified vocabulary that will be easier for you to understand in the beginning.

As you progress, reading books that you have already read in your native language are another great way that you can use to improve your language skills. It is a fantastic for picking up new words based on context clues and analyzing grammatical structure.

Finally, another useful tip is to follow along with an audiobook. Not only are you getting the benefits that reading in a foreign language provides, but you are also able to hear how a native speaker would pronounce these new words that you are learning. Moreover, you are able to work on your reading and listening comprehension skills simultaneously.

If you really want to improve your reading comprehension as well as your writing skills in another language, try to find material to read in your target language and just see how much you’ll improve!