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Is your reading getting the job done?<http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SuccessfulEnglish/~3/lMuMKuSlKQE/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email> Posted: 20 Aug 2010 09:59 AM PDT *Are you reading – or listening – effectively? If you’re a regular visitor to Successful English, you already know that reading is the key to acquiring language. Here’s a checklist – from two articles I read this week – to help you make sure your reading is helping you get the job done.* Here’s the list – thanks mostly to Dr. Richard Day and Dr. Stephen Krashen: Make it easy Read books, magazines, and comics that do not require a great deal of effort, that are well within your ability. There is nothing to be gained by “working” through texts that are “challenging” and require grim determination. Lower your standards When doing recreational reading, there is no need to read classics, no need to read “quality literature.” It’s okay to read books in translation. Read for pleasure If you get the greatest pleasure from stories, read stories. If you get the greatest pleasure from reading something else, read something else. But always read for pleasure. Don’t be afraid to discard If you discover that what you’re reading isn’t easy or enjoyable, stop! Find something that is. Read narrowly Rather than attempting to read widely, and becoming “well-rounded,” take advantage of narrow reading, that is, reading several books by one author or about a single topic of interest. If you really enjoy something, read more of it. Read faster rather than slower If you read too slowly, it will be difficult for you to stay “connected” with what you’re reading. And if you stop frequently – for example, to look words up in a dictionary – staying “connected” is almost impossible. Read as much as possible The more you read, the more English you will acquire. Carry the book or magazine with you everywhere Few people have “time to read.” Carry a book everywhere and assume that you’ll have time to read during the day, standing in line, waiting for a bus, waiting for service in a restaurant, etc. Remember – most of these rules also apply when you listen to acquire more English. One of my students wrote this week: “For me … there are two important things in my [English] journey: First, to talk to you on Fridays; Second, to put a novel into my rucksack. The perfect place to acquire language is anywhere…” He’s right! Warren Ediger References: Richard Day (2003), *Why Youngkyu Can’t Read*; Stephen Krashen (2006), *The Autonomous Language Acquirer.* Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ESL Podcast". To post to this group, send email to: [email protected] or just reply this message For invite your friends, visit: http://groups.google.com/group/eslpodcast/members_invite Know how help us, visit this FAQ at: http://groups.google.com/group/eslpodcast/web/frequently-asked-questions
