How to Start Reading in Your Second Language

15 November 2019

Trying to learn a second language, either as a hobby or through a class, is hard. When you set your mind towards learning a language, any language, it can be intimidating to figure out where to start. I've been learning French seriously for about six years now, and it's been one of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done. When people ask me for advice on where they should begin with learning a language, the first thing I like to suggest is to start reading in your new language.

Reading can seem like a weird place to start for some people. There are so many aspects of language that you don't even notice until you try to learn one from scratch. Besides learning to speak, you have to learn how to write, construct grammar, listen affectively, and memorize vocabulary with a second language.

Learning to read all over again can seem intimidating, and learning a language through reading can almost feel like jumping into the deep end of a pool before you've learned how to swim. To me, though, learning to read in your second language is a way to incorporate several layers of the language all at once. As you throw yourself into a book, you're forcing yourself to learn the vocabulary, grammar, and structure as you go. It is essentially a way to learn through immersion without leaving the country. But how can you start reading in a second language and get the most out of the experience?

First, you must carefully pick the book you'll read. It's easy with Amazon to find books in nearly every language you could possibly want to learn. But despite the choices, you have to be realistic about what you can and can't handle. If you are a true novice in the language, children's chapter books, even picture books, are the best way to start. For French learners, for example, I would highly recommend starting with Le Petit prince, or Petit Nicholas, which are easy children's books to read.
If you have more experience, then you can afford to be more ambitious. Just be aware of what you can actually handle because picking books that are beyond your comprehension level will most likely discourage your learning, not enhance it. 

Another good way to choose a book to read in your second language is to read a translation of a book you're already familiar with. One of the first books I picked up in French was a translation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, or as it's known in French, Le Lion, la sorcière blanche, et l'armoire magique. Reading a story I already read in English made it easier to follow what was going on. I also was able to pick up on the translated vocabulary I didn't already know. I learned that the French word for Beaver is castor. Reading a translated favorite childhood book is a great way to begin!

Once you've decided what book you're going to read, it's important to remember that you won't be able to read through a book as quickly as you can in your native language. This part of language learning is particularly frustrating for me, since I normally read so much. But taking your time and going at an easy pace is the best way for your brain to absorb the language. 
Make sure you have a good grasp of what's happening on a page before you move on to the next one. Keep a dictionary by your side while you read. I love my paper copy of a French-English dictionary, but websites like wordreference.com and Google Translate are great resources to look up individual words, verb tenses, and conjugations.

While it is important to give yourself time to truly understand what you're reading and to expand your vocabulary, don't feel pressure to look up every single word. Look up what you think is important, or words that come up in the text several times. The goal is to get a sense of what's happening in the book in the language you're trying to learn, not to create a translated version in your head. This will help you begin to actually read and think in the language.

Finally, one of the best things you can do as you read to learn as much as you can is to read the book out loud to yourself. Taking your time and reading out loud will help you improve your speaking and pronunciation as you read. It will help you to pay attention to how the language is formed, even if the writing isn't as conversational as people would normally talk.

Of course the best way to start any language is to just get started! Whether you do decide to read, or write, or join a class, I think learning any language is something that everyone should try at least once in their life.
"Le monde est un livre dont chaque pas nous ouvre une page" --Alphonse de Lamartine

8 comments

  1. I'm trying to learn Spanish, and I've thought of reading Harry Potter in Spanish because it's so easy to get a hold of (our library has it for example). I think I'm going to have to start much lower than that though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you're just starting out then it probably would be a good idea to start smaller than Harry Potter, but I'm sure you'll be able to work your way up in no time with practice! Good luck with Spanish!

      Delete
  2. Hey, Hannah! I recently found your blog and oh my goodness, your design is GORGEOUS!!! You have such a compelling writing style, and I can't wait to stick around your blog
    for more. <3

    This post is so informative, I loved all these tips! And that is so cool that you're learning French...I've been wanting to learn a new language for quite a while now. :D

    - Ash

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw thank you so much, Ash! Your encouragement made my day!
      You should try to learn a language! It's so fun! ♥︎

      Delete
  3. This is really neat -- C.S Lewis and Tolkien inspired me to learn languages by reading and I love the idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tolkien is definitely a big inspiration for me too! I do hope you give it a try sometime!

      Delete
  4. As someone currently reading a book in Spanish and learning SO much about the language through that, I very much agree with this!!! And it's a great reminder for me because I've been a little discouraged in my learning of Spanish, so thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw I'm so glad you found encouragement through my post! It's a reminder for me to do it more too!

      Delete