| ESL students often need advice on how to | | | | when you read around the word you can guess it |
| improve their reading skills. Unlike speaking and | | | | probably means actor (dbyntillthy is not a real |
| listening, reading skills development is something a | | | | word of course!). |
| learner can do alone, therefore is a skill that can | | | | 4. Use a dictionary to look up key words only (like |
| improve quickly. Here are some useful tips: | | | | nouns and verbs that you must understand to |
| 1. Do not try to understand every word you read. | | | | get the message). Do not look up every word - |
| Reading exposes you to new language, but it is | | | | this stops the flow of thinking. |
| not a 'vocabulary' activity. Focus on developing | | | | 5. Read books written for children and/or |
| reading comprehension - understanding the main | | | | teenagers (depending on your level of English). |
| ideas in the text, and searching for key | | | | The English language and grammar are more |
| information. | | | | simple, and the concepts are easier to understand. |
| 2. If you are reading a short text - such as an | | | | 6. Reading newspapers can be difficult. The |
| article - the first step is to read the whole text | | | | language structure is different, and the concepts |
| quickly to get your mind connected to the | | | | are advanced. Some newspapers are written for |
| information. Then read the article again, but | | | | university educated readers, while others are |
| slowly, to pick out more detail. Always read like | | | | written for the general public. Read online English |
| this on the reading section of a test. | | | | newspapers written for less educated English |
| 3. When you come across a word you do not | | | | speakers - they will be much easier to read! For |
| know, read the information 'around' the word, and | | | | example, in Australia, The Australian is more |
| then read the sentences before and after this. | | | | advanced than the Daily Telegraph. In England try |
| They will give you clues about what that word | | | | the Daily Mail, and in Canada the Toronto Star. In |
| might mean.For example: | | | | addition, many non-English-speaking countries have |
| "I love going to see movies. I really enjoyed the | | | | an English-language newspaper, such as the Korea |
| last one that Bill Blue was in. He is a great | | | | Times or Viet Nam News. |
| dbyntillthy. My favorite in fact!" | | | | One final thought...if you can read this, thank a |
| You don't know what 'dbyntillthy' means, but | | | | teacher! |