5 Strategies For READING In A Foreign Language | Language Learning Tips

Reading in foreign languages is one of my absolute favorite things, both for enjoyment but also as a method for improving my skills at various stages of learning! In today's video, we go over a brief review of five different strategies or approaches for going about reading in a foreign language for learning!

I hope this helps you find some great ways how to read books in a foreign language!

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[pigozs]

I'm at the 3rd year of Japanese self study. I'm starting to read actual novels and it's a great feeling. I'm using a variation of method 2. I read the novels on which some of my favourite anime shows are based so I know most of the context already.

[tylervick]

Just found this channel last night, and I knew I would love it the minute he held up a coffee mug and began talking about language learning. Thanks for the tips and I pray the channel grows! Subscribed :)

[RobinMacPhersonFilms]

Welcome to a new era of content on this channel!!! 🥳🎈

*VIDEO NOTE:* I had also filmed a section about annotated texts (or helper texts) but in a tragic video production accident, the audio was lost and I had to remove that section from the video 😭 I will talk about it in detail in the future!

*Helpful Links From The Video!*
(affiliate links -- thank you for your support 🙏🏼)

*My Favorite Beginner German Graded Reader Series:*

*My Favorite Intermediate German Graded Reader Series:*

*Chinese Graded Readers:*

*My Favorite Series Of Japanese Annotated Helper Texts:*

[ronlugbill]

I teach French. Yes, those ideas are great. I would also add in comic books, especially for French and Japanese. My students read Asterix, Tin Tin, Babar, Lou!, Caroline, and other comic books in French even though they are beginners. The pictures give them some context to help understand even if they don't know all the words. They will sit and read quietly and they enjoy reading silently for pleasure authentic books made for natives in French.

[DavDaJa]

Maaaann a lot of what you're talking about isn't only applicable to language learning. I would recommend replacing "in a foreign language" to "difficult topics" or make your titles and tags more generals. Your content is insanely useful to even people like me (tax practitioners) that read through Internal Revenue Code and Regulations. I've used some of the methods you mentioned, and I love how well you explain it man. Hope to see your channel blow up!

[jaglarmigsvenska]

Interesting topic. Reading is extremely important when it comes to learning a new language!

[jamesdavis-ford]

Way to start out the new series with a lightning strike, Robin. Solid advice, as always - and also advice that leaves a broad range of options to experiment with. The joy is not just in the goal, but in the process itself. Finding those processes and steps that help you unlock one's growing facility with the language is as sweet a nectar as the day one comes to grips with a challenging concept that one has been "noodling" on. Looking forward to Wednesday. Happy Monday, Robin!

[alexandredoliveira]

Robin you're the best so far youtuber to teach your tips and techniques to learn new languages, thank you so much because most of the others are so super superficial and always give those chichê advises such as "listen to music, watch tv shows, use this particular method....". I've always been quite lazy to read books and didn't believe that It would make such a good difference, but It kind of changed completely my way to go from intermediate to advanced.

[dwaynecunningham]

Dude! Your video booth inspired and helped me. Thanks!

[annap]

I remember the day when I got my first easy reader... it's one of my favourite memories. And holidays when I was reading it.... and my first real novel.

[artemsindyakin]

Outside is cold, soft bed, cozy cover, cup of hot coffee, interesting book:-) You are so right :-)

[CassandraTel]

I use a paper copy of the book in the target language combined with an audio in my native language. I read in the native and underline words I don't know. Then I read with eyes again while listening in my native and writing translations. At about A2/B1 in Finnish I have gone from 30 minutes a page to being able to pretty much read chapters without the audio within the first 100 pages, helps that it is a young adult book without too much varied vocabulary.

I want more graded readers for adults. In Finland they make learner editions of books for learners, selkokirjaa. So authors take bestsellers and rewrite like a graded reader. They cost 25-30€ though.

[michelgolabaigne]

I found so-called easy-reading books extremely boring ... and normal books too difficult ... :)
You now make me a great taste for fresh start ...! :) :)
Many Thanks

[polyronin]

And he's back! 👍🤗 I missed your daily excitement the last few days.

[JohnJohnson-oxuc]

Right on cue as I start reading Alice in Wonderland in my current target language. Some great new strategies for me to try. Though I have actually never read the books, I am familiar with most of the characters and general story line.

I really like the new intro pulling from various previous videos. It was fun trying to remember which video each clip came from.

[irenemcnamara]

A great video! I can't wait to get into Dostoevsky!

[estherandherlittleworld]

I absolutely love reading! Thank you for your tips. Your videos are just great 😊

[Lara-bnfp]

Thank you very much for your videos 👍 I stumbled upon your channel a few days ago... i find your videos inspiring and motivational. Your ideas are very much practical...my husband and I immigrated to Cansda six and a half years ago. I was motivated to learn French fast... but it took me some time to adapt to the language... I was demotivated at some point thinking I'm not too smart for a new language after 50- I work at a daycare as an english educator. After watching your videos, I am more confident to practice French with my co workers and the community - even if I make some mistakes, I ask them to correct me. Keep safe and healthy 😊

[isaacross]

Hi Robin! Any advice for blended active/passive reading? For example, I am an advanced Spanish learner who wants to improve my subjunctive and use of accents. I am also an avid reader, and enjoy reading in Spanish to improve my comprehension, sentence composition and vocabulary. Are there any strategies for absorbing specific grammatical features that I encounter when reading?

[tallulah]

Great tips! Do you have any recommendations for graded readers in German?