Reading with curiosity

In contrast to listening and speaking, the skill of reading in another language is slow and focused. Aside from work related documents, (which you might be studying under pressure,) spending time reading something you actively choose, is a really enjoyable way to learn new words at your own pace.

The challenge factor
So, as summertime is fast approaching and you calmly contemplate longer evenings and time spent on the beach, you might be wondering what book to read. People regularly ask me for book recommendations to improve their English, and while reading a book could be a great challenge, it’s not always realistic. Your motivation has to be very high to sustain reading a whole book from beginning to end in another language, and can often end in frustration as you never accomplish the challenge you set yourself. Instead, I would recommend starting with a book in which you can select key chapters, or alternatively, a range of articles and interviews that will demand less time. (You’ll have a much better chance of reaching the end!)

The enjoyment factor
Your level of enjoyment is of great importance. Sometimes you might want to just enjoy reading, or ‘skim’ read an article (meaning: to read in ‘diagonal’/ or, not in detail.) This is great for general practice, but what if you want to go deeper and really learn, or revise new words?

Tips for getting the most out of your reading:

• Consider printing your chosen book chapter or article, and highlight any new words
• If a new word limits your general comprehension, stop and check the meaning. If not, continue reading and go through all your doubts at the end
• Start creating your own personal dictionary. Buy a notebook with an A-Z index, and record new vocabulary for later revision
• Practice an attitude of curiosity and enjoy the process

Resources
When you’re genuinely interested in the content you’re reading, there’s a much higher probability you will stay focused. Read something that is either necessary (for your work,) or of personal interest to you. Check below for some recommended resources for finding great articles and interviews.
*Also, remember that subscribing to regular newsletters is the perfect way to find new reading material fast, and keep you updated.

The Talks
If you want a break from business related topics, The Talks is a great resource for discovering interviews with inspiring personalities working in Food, Sports, Architecture, Literature, Film etc.
https://the-talks.com/

The Economist
The Economist digital platform has a wide range of resources for reading, listening and improving your political, social, financial vocabulary. Subscribe to their newsletter to access their articles and other content.
https://www.economist.com/

aeon
A brilliant mix of essays and videos with rich and deep content. It’s definitely worth signing up for the free newsletter and keeping up to date with their latest stories.
https://aeon.co/

Ideas.TED.Com
In addition to the famous TED talks, TED also has a very comprehensive blog where you can find thought provoking articles under the topics Tech, Business, Science, Art & Design & We Humans.
https://ideas.ted.com/category/business/

The Guardian Long Read
The British newspaper, The Guardian offers many resources including The Long Read. A series of long articles focused on a wide range of topics both current and historical from guest writers and editors.
https://www.theguardian.com/news/series/the-long-read

Credit – Main Photo (man reading book in the sea) : Toa Heftiba