Simple English Stories
A great way to improve your English is to read English stories.
This actually helps on several aspects:
1) You improve your vocabulary by learning and repeating new words while reading.
2) You see how this vocabulary is used. How the words combine together, which prepositions are used and when, and other important data that can only be learned when working on entire SENTENCES and reading PASSAGES.
3) You improve your grammar by observation (simply seeing it used IN PRACTICE).
4) One of the great benefits of stories is that if well written, they can actually be fun! Funny stories, or stories with a punch line, can encourage you to read more.
However, for a story to really be an effective learning tool, it must be adjusted to YOUR level. Reading way above your level, or way below your level, would probably do very little for your English.
Find some interesting reading materials that fit you. Check any new words you encounter in a good dictionary. Try to use and practice the things you learn. And you should see your English getting better and better!
You can click here for English short stories for beginners.
Ola Zur is the editor of Really Learn English Vocabulary and Easy English Grammar, an illustrated guide to English.
Hey Ron, thanks for the links and the info. I’ll pass this along to my students!
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Comment by Mary Prokhorova — February 15, 2011 @ 09:01
Very good article. I think that when you learn English you have to focus on the basic things, the most frequent, core, fundamental, important parts of the language.Main focus of your learning must be the fundamentals, the high frequency words, the most common grammar structures, and the basic pronunciation of the language. You should never stop practicing those, and never stop improving them. Repetition is the key to success in English learning.
Comment by Mark Spolsky — February 21, 2011 @ 18:37
Thanks for sharing your tips.
You can also practice reading aloud when alone…
In the comfort of your own room of course..:)
Comment by K.H — March 1, 2011 @ 01:05
READING IN ENGLISH.
Extensive reading in English with the help of a good English dictionary on a variety of real life topics is one of the ways to learn English vocabulary. Since there is an enormous amount of reading material in English, a learner of English has to prioritise reading in subjects according to learner’s needs for using English to encompass first the most necessary, relevant and frequently used vocabulary. Day-to-day topics ought to come first in reading.
Reading materials can be arranged by level of difficulty of vocabulary – for learners at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels.
Learners can master the most important English vocabulary by reading thematic texts (materials), first of all on everyday topics with important content, for example: Practical Tips and Advice to Make Everyday Life Easier and Better (practical solutions for everyday problems). Such self-help books on settling everyday matters are available at book stores.
In addition to thematic informative texts (materials), learners can read thematic dialogues (samples of real life conversations between people), narrative realistic stories, fine literature, newspapers, magazines, Internet materials, books in various subjects, general thematic English dictionaries, etc.
Good general thematic English dictionaries arrange vocabulary by subject matter (topics) and provide clear word usage explanations and also a few usage sentences for each word meaning, which is especially important. English synonym dictionaries provide usage explanations and usage examples for words with similar meaning. Thematic general English dictionaries combined with English synonym dictionaries are a valuable tool for mastering English vocabulary logically, comprehensively and intensively for real life needs of learners.
Good public libraries and the Internet have a wide selection of English reading materials.
It is better for learners to write down unknown vocabulary in whole sentences to remember word meanings easier. It would be a good speaking practice for learners telling the content of the texts that they have read. Learners can write key words and phrases, or main ideas as a plan, or questions on the text that require long answers to make easier for learners to tell the content of the text. I believe it is a good idea to read each logical chunk or paragraph of a text and to narrate each paragraph separately, and then the whole text. As people say, practice makes perfect.
Comment by Michael Shelby — September 6, 2011 @ 12:16