{"id":37706,"date":"2017-12-13T13:20:16","date_gmt":"2017-12-13T12:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/?p=37706"},"modified":"2020-09-29T15:58:28","modified_gmt":"2020-09-29T13:58:28","slug":"9-ideas-to-kickstart-your-reading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/9-ideas-to-kickstart-your-reading\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Ideas To Kickstart Your Reading"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve heard about the four skills: reading, writing, listening<\/a> and speaking<\/a>. Some might be more important to you than others. Although they\u2019re normally tested separately, the four skills are actually interconnected.<\/p>\n

Reading power<\/strong><\/h1>\n

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So, even if reading English isn\u2019t one of your main needs, it could really help you improve other areas of your language.<\/p>\n

Why\u2019s that? Well, when you read, you\u2019re exposed to more sentences per minute than when you watch a TV show. And (unlike TV) you\u2019re in complete control. By stopping and re-reading sections, you can learn new vocabulary and gain awareness of how to use different grammar structures. Pretty awesome, huh?<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss our 6-week reading log template<\/a> just for you.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Beyond the book<\/strong><\/h1>\n

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At Oxford House we always encourage learners to develop self-study skills<\/strong>. To reach your goals it\u2019s essential to find ways to practise English outside the classroom<\/a><\/strong>. But when we talk to our students about reading, we often hear the same things\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019m ready for that\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t have time to read books\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no way I could read a novel in English!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Remember, \u2018reading\u2019 doesn\u2019t have to mean reading books. In this article we\u2019re going to give you a whole host of ideas<\/span><\/em>. With the Christmas holidays approaching, it\u2019s the perfect time to try them out!<\/p>\n

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1) Messaging<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

When we send messages via Facebook or Whatsapp we use a different style. Rich in everyday language, messaging is a great way to pick up<\/span><\/em> some more colloquial phrases and common abbreviations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

No contact with other English speakers? No problem! Go to the italki<\/a> website, find a language partner and start messaging!<\/p>\n

2) Linguistic landscapes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"9<\/p>\n

Reading can take place anywhere<\/strong>. In a multilingual city like Barcelona<\/a>, English is prevalent. So, if you\u2019re the kind of person who can\u2019t sit still, get out into the streets and take a look around you. You\u2019ll find signs and notices everywhere.<\/p>\n

In fact, there\u2019s a entire area of study dedicated this, called linguistic landscapes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3) News articles<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

We\u2019re living in the Information Age<\/a> and keeping with the news can feel like a full-time job. Why not kill two birds with one stone<\/span><\/em>? By reading English-language media, you can stay up-to-date with the latest events and develop your reading skills at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a 10-minute video and transcript for every news story, CNN 10<\/a> is the perfect place to begin!<\/p>\n

4) Travel articles<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Travelling to an English-speaking country can really help build your confidence<\/strong>. But you can make a start even before you take off<\/span><\/em>. Whether you\u2019re looking for inspiration or you\u2019re in need of practical advice to plan your trip, there are some beautiful travel websites out there.<\/p>\n

Two of our favourites are Maptia<\/a> and Lonely Planet<\/a> – check them out!<\/p>\n

5) Ebooks<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Ebooks are portable, practical and packed with additional features – and most importantly, they are an extremely valuable resource for English language learners<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Apps like iClassics<\/a>, created by a Barcelona startup, are taking things to the next level. Stunning illustrations and animation bring the stories to life, giving you a truly immersive and interactive reading experience.<\/p>\n

6) Reading tools<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Stopping to check unknown words can be a real drag<\/span><\/em>! If you need a detailed definition, we recommend using Wordreference<\/a>. However, if you\u2019re looking for a quick solution, it\u2019s best to download an extension.<\/p>\n

Readlang<\/a> lets you hover over<\/span><\/em> words to see their translations. Then, you can then save your new vocabulary and even create flashcards.<\/p>\n

7) Poetry<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Poetry can seem intimidating at first, especially in a second language. But thanks to their short and concise style, there are plenty of poems accessible to learners of English. Reading and reciting a poem is a great way to focus on the rhythm and intonation of a language<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Poetry foundation<\/a> has a vast collection of English language poetry from around the world and each poem is accompanied with audio recording.<\/p>\n

8) Comics<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Comics (sometimes called graphic novels) aren\u2019t just for kids! There are many different genres of comics available; they\u2019re not all about superheroes. The strong visuals and dynamic dialogues make comics a really engaging reading resource.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The best part? If you have an e-reader, there are loads of comics you can download for free<\/a>!<\/p>\n

9) Books<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Hopefully you\u2019ve got lots of new ideas to try out now. Even so, there\u2019s still something very special about settling down<\/span><\/em> with a real book<\/strong>. The way it smells. How it feels in your hands. The sound as you turn the pages\u2026<\/p>\n

So, why not make some time for yourself this Christmas and lose yourself in a book? And if you\u2019re stuck for ideas, here are a few suggestions from Bill Gates:<\/p>\n