Reading in a Foreign Language

Reading a novel in a foreign language is not always easy. After all, the author is writing for native speakers, not for language learners. At first, your progress is likely to be slow, but if you’re patient, you will see results. Have fun!

Check first. Before you buy a novel, read the first few pages in the bookshop – or online – to check that the language level is right for you.

Look up words. Try to understand the meaning of words from the context before you reach fro your dictionary to look them up. As you read, mark words that you are not sure about. Stop only to look up several words at a time, maybe at the end of every line. Write the translations in the novel so that you can refer back to the, if the words come up again. Or, create your own vocabulary book. Use a small notebook to collect expressions that appear a lot. Carry the notebook around with you and look up the definitions later.

Buy two. Buy a Russian version and an English version of the same novel. Read the English one and refer to the Russian version only when you don’t understand something. It’s quicker that looking up individual words in a dictionary, which can be useful when the book gets exciting! Or try reading the English translation of your favorite Russian novel.

Save it for later. If you have to look up words very often, then maybe you should start a different book. Keep the difficult novel for when your English has improved.

Be realistic and give yourself a reward. Choose books that really interest you. It’s hard enough to find time to read a book in English, so at least make it one you will enjoy. Choose novels that are easy and long, rather than difficult but short. It’s motivating to finish a novel in English, even if its an easy one. Reward yourself with a treat when you finish the novel.