hey friends I hope you're doing great I've noticed that some friends are working really hard to learn English but it's not easy for them no worries though today I've got a special tip just for you it's like a secret weapon to boost your English speaking and reading skills so listen up and pay close attention some of you might wonder why do I need to read in English you go to classes do your homework and watch films in English so why should you read books actually reading is the best way to improve your English and I'll tell you why first reading is very important right now in 2023 more jobs require good reading and writing skills whether you work in an office or as a mechanic reading helps a lot reading is also great for your language skills it helps your speaking writing vocabulary and grammar while it may not improve your listening skills directly it will help you learn new words a better vocabulary makes listening easier too let me tell you a story back in 1966 in some American schools there were boys who made some bad choices they were given free books like James Bond Adventures the adult adults told them they didn't have to read the books if they didn't want to but guess what the boys read the books eagerly some even finished a whole book every 2 days two years later those boys did much better in reading and writing tests than the boys who didn't get the books they even started to enjoy School more this isn't just true for native speakers they did a similar experiment in Fiji with students learning English and the results were the same you might think reading in English is too difficult I have to use the dictionary all the time it's boring I understand that's why you should read books that are easy and fun only read things in English that you enjoy if a book is too hard or boring put it down and find another one Comics magazines detective stories and romance stories are all great options you can also read translations of books you already know in your native language this makes reading easier and more enjoyable when I learned about this I was curious in 2017 I decided to do an experiment I wanted to learn French I didn't learn much in normal classes so I decided to read a million words in French a million words is about 20 novels it was a lot of work but I started with very easy reading then I read translations of books I knew in English like Harry Potter after finishing the million words I found that I could understand almost everything I read and heard in French I could also hold conversations I learned more in one year of reading than most students would in 5 years of normal classes another great technique is the shadow technique this involves listen listening to audio in the language you're learning and trying to speak along with it matching the speaker as closely as possible this helps improve your pronunciation intonation and Rhythm of the language to make reading enjoyable and beneficial start with easy books here are some suggestions children's books are designed for easy comprehension and often come with pictures to help you understand the story young adult novels are slightly more advanced but still easier than adult novels comics and graphic novels combine text and images making it easier to follow the story short stories are less daunting than fulllength novels and give you a sense of accomplishment when you finish one set realistic reading goals for yourself don't name to read an entire novel in a day if you're just starting begin with 10 to 15 minutes of reading a day and gradually increase the time as you get more comfortable celebrate small Milestones to keep yourself motivated joining a reading group can be very beneficial it provides a supportive environment where you can discuss the books you're reading share recommendations and get motivation from other members it's also a great way to practice speaking and listening skills as you discuss the books in English reading aloud can improve your pronunciation and fluency it also helps you become more confident and speaking English start by reading easy texts aloud and gradually move on to more difficult ones you can also record yourself reading and listen to the recording to identify areas for improvement keep a vocabulary Journal where you write down new words you encounter while reading include their meanings example sentences and any other notes that help you remember them review this journal regularly to reinforce your learning listening to audiobooks is another excellent way to improve your language skills it allows you to hear the correct pronunciation and intonation of words while following along with the text this can be particularly helpful for improving listening comprehension and speaking skills there are many apps and online resources available that can make reading in English more enjoyable and effective some popular ones include dingo which offers a variety of reading exercis es and stories for different levels and Link you which allows you to read and listen to texts in your target language with built-in tools for learning vocabulary Project Gutenberg provides free access to thousands of classic books in English consistency is key to improving your English through Reading make it a daily habit even if it's just for a few minutes the more you read the more you'll improve over time you'll notice sign significant progress in your language skills sometimes reading for specific purposes can be more motivating and beneficial for example if you're interested in business English read business articles journals and books if you're into science find materials related to that field this not only improves your language skills but also expands your knowledge in areas of Interest don't limit yourself to one genre exploring different genres can make reading more exciting and expose you to a wider range of vocabulary and language structures try reading fiction non-fiction poetry drama and more reading offers numerous benefits Beyond language learning it enhances your cognitive skills improves concentration and focus reduces stress and provides a great source of entertainment it also broadens your horizons and introduces es you to new ideas cultures and perspectives it's normal to face challenges when reading in a new language you might encounter difficult words complex sentences or unfamiliar cultural references don't get discouraged take it one step at a time use context clues to understand the meaning and don't hesitate to ask for help if needed reward yourself for achieving your reading goals this can be a great motivator treat yourself to something you enjoy after finishing a book or reaching a milestone it could be a favorite snack a movie or a small gift keeping a reading log can help track your progress and motivate you to read more write down the titles of the books you've read the dates you started and finished them and your thoughts about each book it's also a good way to see how much you've accomplished over time share your reading Journey with friends family or online communities discuss the books you're reading share recommendations and celebrate each other's progress this can create a sense of community and support that makes the learning process more enjoyable remember reading is a powerful tool for learning English choose books that are easy and fun set realistic goals and stay consistent enjoy your reading journey and happy learning if you want more tips and stories check out my YouTube channel happy reading embarking on a reading journey in English can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding by selecting the right materials setting achievable goals and maintaining a consistent practice you can significantly improve your language skills reading not only enhances your vocabulary and grammar but also opens up a world of knowledge and enjoyment so grab a book find a cozy spot and start reading today happy reading and happy learning