Reading

When learning a new language, reading as much material as you can in that vernacular is one of the most effective ways of integrating comprehension into your skillset, apart from arduous study using a language learning software. Here are some tips to help ensure that your reading work gets you closer to the results you’re looking for.
1. Keep a bilingual dictionary handy. Any time you encounter a sentence or a phrase you don’t understand, try and look up the unfamiliar words. Avoid referring to a dictionary every time you encounter a new word – it’s not an efficient way to learn. Most of the time, you can understand a word even without knowing its meaning just from the context of the material.

2. Read slowly. The slower you read, the more your brain will be able to process the material it’s going through. If you find a hard time slowing down, try reading aloud – your brain will be forced to read at the pace of your voice and won’t be able to speed through the parts.

3. Summarize your readings. After you read a chapter a book, try and write down a summary of what happened. This forces you to think back to what you just read, improving your overall comprehension.