Reading English Books in the Library: Tips and Strategies
As a nonnative English speaker, reading English books in the library can be a challenging and rewarding experience. On one hand, it gives you access to a wealth of information and knowledge that can improve your language proficiency and broaden your horizons. On the other hand, it requires some skills and strategies to deal with the difficulties that you may encounter along the way. Here are some tips and strategies that can help you make the most of your visit to the library and enjoy your reading experience.
1. Choose the right level of difficulty
When you browse through the shelves, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of books available. To save time and avoid frustration, it's important to choose the books that are at your level of proficiency. If you're a beginner, look for books that are written for children or young adults, which tend to be simpler in vocabulary and syntax. If you're an intermediate or advanced learner, you may want to challenge yourself with more complex and specialized books, such as academic or technical texts. However, be aware that reading a book that is too difficult may discourage you and hinder your progress. It's better to start with easier books and gradually move up the ladder.
2. Preview the content
Before you check out a book, take some time to preview the content. Skim the table of contents, read the introduction, and flip through the pages to get a sense of the structure, style, and topic of the book. This will help you decide whether the book is worth reading and whether it matches your interests and needs. It will also give you a preview of the vocabulary and concepts that you may encounter in the book, so that you can prepare yourself mentally and look up the unfamiliar words in advance.
3. Use a dictionary and other aids
When you encounter unfamiliar words or expressions, don't hesitate to use a dictionary or other aids to look them up. Nowadays, there are many online and offline resources that can help you expand your vocabulary and improve your comprehension. You can use a bilingual or monolingual dictionary, a thesaurus, a translation app, a grammar guide, or a book of idioms and phrasal verbs, depending on your needs. Just make sure to choose the ones that are reliable and accurate, and that don't distract you too much from your reading flow.
4. Take notes and summarize
To remember the key points of the book and consolidate your learning, it's a good idea to take notes and summarize the content in your own words. You can use a notebook, a smartphone app, or a voice recorder, depending on your preference. Write down the main ideas, examples, quotations, and questions that arise in your mind as you read, and try to connect them into a coherent whole. This will help you retain the knowledge better and apply it in your own writing and speaking.
5. Discuss the book with others
To enhance your understanding and see different perspectives, you can discuss the book with others who share your interest or who have different backgrounds or viewpoints. You can join a reading club, attend a language exchange event, or simply chat with your friends or classmates who also read English books. Share your thoughts, insights, and questions, and listen to theirs. This will help you expand your vocabulary, improve your pronunciation, and enhance your critical thinking skills.
By following these tips and strategies, you can make your reading experience in the library more enjoyable, productive, and rewarding. Remember that reading English books is not a sprint, but a marathon. It takes time, effort, and patience to reach your goals, but it's worth it. Happy reading!
