Advantages of Reading
When you learn a language,listening,speaking and writingare important,but reading can also be very helpful.There aremany advantages associated with reading,including:
Learning vocabulary in context
You will usually encounter new words when you read.If thereare too many new words for you,then the level is too high andyou should read something simpler.But if there are a maximum offive new words in each page,you will learn these vocabularieseasily.You may not even need to use a dictionary because you canguess the meaning from the rest of the text or from the context.
A model for writing
When you read,it gives you a model.Texts that you readshow you structures and expressions that you can use when youwrite.
Seeing corrected structured English
When people write,they usually use correct English with aproper grammatical structure.So,by reading you see and learngrammatical English naturally.
Working at your own speed
You can read as fast as or as slowly as you like.The choiceis yours.You cannot easily do this when speaking or listening.This is one of the big advan-tages of reading.
Personal interest
If you choose something that you like to read,it can actually be interesting and enjoy-abIe.For example,if you like to read about movie stars in Chinese ,why not read in English?Then you can improve your English.
What to Read
Read wbat interests you.Choose a magazine or a book about a subject that you like.
Newspapers
Newspapers are interesting because they are about real life and the news.But try readingnewspaper if your level is intermediate(中級) or above.
Magazines
Many magazines have pictures which can help your understanding.
Books
Books are divided mainly into:
Non-fiction ( history, biography, travel, cooking, etc );
Fiction(stories and novels).
Poetry
Some books are easier to read.It often depends on the author or the purpose.If you likepoetry,try read some English poems.Poems may not be easy to understand,but if you work atthem,you may get an idea of what the poet is trying to say.
Good luck with your reading.h will help you make a lot of progress in learning English!