Ultimate Guide for reading in English

Well, guys, today's topic, as you might have guessed, is reading! Why is reading important? Because it's one of the best ways to acquire a new language. So, our job now is to give you some tips on what you need to do in order to make it more useful in terms of actually learning something. 'Ultimate Guide' is the clickbait here.

Summary if you do not want to read this article: read as much fun stuff as possible.

Try to read in English as often as possible. Doing it a little bit every day or two helps a lot. Go back and re-read texts a second time and a third time. This helps familiarize you with the use of English in real sentences and expressions.

BUT the best thing here is that reading does not equal reading serious literature. As long as the material is authentic, you can read WHATEVER you like. A funny tweet, a Reddit post, or a short blog on a hobby you love can be your perfect start. Reading can be fun and easy when it connects with your world.

Hence, our first and the most important tip is...

Reading is at its most enjoyable when the flow is uninterrupted, when you get absorbed in a good story or an interesting article, and when time flies by. It’s no different when you read in another language. If a text is too difficult, or if there are too many words or phrases you don’t understand, then reading becomes a chore and stops being fun. Where possible, don’t just read for study and work purposes; read things that interest you as well.

Explore Social Media: Platforms like Twitter(X) and Reddit are goldmines for short, engaging content. Follow accounts or subreddits related to your hobbies or interests. For book recommendations, consider subreddits like r/books or r/suggestmeabook.

Blogs and Online Magazines: Identify blogs or e-magazines in your areas of interest. Sites like Medium offer a plethora of articles on various topics, from personal development to technology. Use their search function to find content that intrigues you. Medium’s user-generated content ensures a diverse range of voices and perspectives.

Substack: Known for its newsletter format, Substack allows writers to share content directly with their subscribers. Many writers and experts use it to discuss topics like politics, culture, and more. Explore Substack for newsletters that pique your interest.

Don't jump into the classics, read things you can actually read.

Short Stories and Articles: Begin with shorter pieces of text. Websites like Electric Literature or The New Yorker’s Fiction Section offer a range of short stories.

Daily Science Fiction: Great for fans of science fiction and fantasy, with new short stories every weekday. Visit here.

Flash Fiction Online: Offers very short stories across genres, perfect for quick reads. Visit here.

Xpress English: A treasure trove of short stories spanning various genres, easily accessible in an A-Z format. Ideal for readers who enjoy exploring a diverse range of narratives and styles. Visit here.

You know that English is the key to accessing a wealth of knowledge, with plenty of useful (and untranslated) information waiting to help you. So, try to search in English.

Search for anything from "latest tech trends" to "how to bake a perfect cake," and you’ll find more detailed guides and discussions in English than in most other languages. Love history or science? Get info straight from the horse's mouth. Search "Einstein's theories" or "ancient Greek history" for content that hasn't lost its essence in translation. Each search not only answers your query but also teaches you a bit more English. It's learning on the go!

Best way to kill the joy? Checking every single words you don't know. Forget about them and stop doing it. You can understand the plot without them? Wonderful, skip 'em. Enjoy the process.

Adapted books are books with a sign of level on the cover page. They can be a great help in learning English. Rarely used words are replaced by simpler and more frequently used ones. You can find books for your level of knowledge here.

Literature might take time, but it's not hard to check out the comment section under a Reel or explore the lively discussions under a popular tweet, like Elon Musk's latest dad joke or a viral Twitter (X) thread. Doesn't matter what you're reading, but do it every day.