Seven Practical Tips for Reading Your First Book in English
Seven practical tips for reading your first book in English — audiobooks, bilingual books, graded readers, and how to make the habit stick.
Many English learners want to start reading books in English as soon as possible. Sometimes they pick a book that’s too difficult and can’t follow the plot. As a result, they get demotivated, quit after a chapter or two, and never try again. But reading in a foreign language is a skill you build. Here are seven tips that’ll help you improve your English and enjoy the process.
1. Use Bilingual Books
For beginners, bilingual books (also called dual-language books) are a great option. They present the text in two different languages on the same page or side by side. Typically, English appears on one side, while your native language appears on the other. This lets you quickly understand the meaning without having to use a dictionary. Over time, this builds confidence and makes reading in English feel more natural.
2. Choose Graded Readers
A good book for beginners should be both interesting and appropriate for your English level. However, if a book you’re interested in is written in advanced English, it can be difficult to follow. That’s why graded readers exist. Basically, a graded reader is a short book using simplified language. It may be an adaptation of an existing book (for example, many classics of world literature are available as graded readers) or a completely original work. Ideally, it should be close to your current English level. A book that’s too easy might not be challenging enough, while a book that’s too difficult can quickly become frustrating. Graded reading is supposed to be relatively easy and enjoyable, which it certainly won’t be if you have to look up every other word. This is where Bookscope comes in handy. It shows you the book’s most frequent words and their CEFR levels upfront, so you can check whether the vocabulary matches your level before you start reading.
3. Combine Audiobooks with Reading
Listening to audiobooks trains a different aspect of English — listening rather than reading — but it can still be very effective. Combining it with reading might work wonders and be easier than just reading alone — it trains your eyes and ears at the same time. Try listening while following the text you’re reading. When you become more confident, you can try audiobooks alone.
4. Read on a Device With a Built-In Dictionary
Modern technology can also make reading easier. Many e-readers, such as Kindle and Kobo, have built-in dictionaries. If your goal is to learn new words and remember them in context, a built-in dictionary makes it much easier to look up unfamiliar words without interrupting your reading. All you need to do is tap on a word. Additionally, you can save new words to a list and review them later. However, don’t look up every unfamiliar word. If you can understand the sentence from context, keep reading. Look up words that are important, appear repeatedly, or prevent you from understanding what’s happening.
5. Don’t Limit Yourself to Fiction
You need to be interested in the subject you’re reading about, or you’ll soon get bored and give up. Are you a fan of sports, films, or fashion? Find a non-fiction book, a magazine, or a blog related to your interests. Reading about a subject you’re already familiar with can also make things easier because you already know something about it. Even when you don’t know every word, you can often guess the meaning from context.
6. Build a Consistent Reading Habit
If you want to build a habit of reading books in English, consistency always beats intensity. Reading daily for only ten minutes is much better than two hours once a week. One simple approach is to attach reading to something you already do every day. This makes it easier to turn reading into a routine. Try habit-stacking: read for ten minutes right after your morning coffee, on the bus to work, or before bedtime. Soon, reading in English will be a part of your daily life.
7. Find a Reading Buddy or Join a Book Club
Accountability is a powerful thing. Even one friend reading the same book as you might increase the chance that you’ll finish it. A shared discussion also sparks interest and keeps motivation alive. If you don’t have a friend to read with, online book clubs and communities such as Goodreads groups are a great alternative.
Reading your first book in English doesn’t have to be a struggle. There is no single right way to do it — just the way that keeps you reading. Try a few tips and see which ones work for you. Incorporate them into your daily life and let consistency do the rest. And if you’re not sure a book matches your level, Bookscope can help you check its vocabulary before you start reading.