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