The Human Connection

Back to School

This great cartoon by Tom Gauld is a reminder for all students - read the book!  

If you're studying a foreign language, then in addition to following all the other good advice you hear, you should also read as much as possible in your target language. Reading is slow. At first it feels ridiculously difficult. "At first" meaning for a long time... it won't be easy.

When I say "book" I'm not just talking about tackling Don Quixote, or the fancy-sounding classics. When you are able, dive in to a big book. Go for it! Keep in mind, however, that fiction is difficult to comprehend. The art of fiction relies on creativity and subtlety. Find your level. Don't despise the small start. Read news articles, short stories, or magazine articles. (Pictures help!) Read about familiar subjects that already interest you. Read bilingual children's books. Seriously.

Time spent reading is never wasted. You're absorbing vocabulary, sentence structures, and subtleties that you may not catch at listening speed. You're also seeing correct spelling, grammar, and details that disappear when speaking. If a movie or a summary helps you understand context and storyline, that's okay. But remember that there is no substitute for reading.