“If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.”

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Reading.

It is one arduous task.

Why?

Most people hate books and hate reading in general. This is because of the wrong materials people choose to read.

Our minds wander in different directions once we begin reading. We often lose focus and as a result, we develop poor reading skills.

You have to always remember that people who read for enjoyment perform better in reading tests than those who don’t. You also can have a broader vocabulary and increased general knowledge and a better understanding of the things around you. Reading is the act of unlocking information.

There are ways for you to become better in reading. Let’s read on.

Start with what fascinates you.

This is very important.

Pick something that is all about your interests. This isn’t the same as reading books in school. Generally, you have to choose a book that you are well, very interested in whether it’s about arts and crafts, computers, food, or engineering. There are books that are about it.

You can opt for fiction or nonfiction books. Try out some graphic novels if you want to try something different. I like graphic novels.  It is written with text and images, similar to a comics. There are so many graphic novels out there. I recommend: The Sandman, Maus, Akira, Black Hole and a lot more.

Keep a list of all the great books you want to read.

Make it fun.

Who said you can’t making reading fun?

All you need are the following:

• Sweatpants (or no pants hahaha)
• A big cup of something to drink
• Keep your phone as far away as possible
• A blanket
• Imagination

Change your voice to go with the characters and the action. Say it loud and with feelings! Bring the story to life by acting it out. It will become more enjoyable.

Have reading day.

You can choose any day between Mondays through Sundays. If you can’t read every day, then just choose an available time for you to read. Try it at night when you turn off your TV and when you are not so busy with your phone.

I still think that you should have at least 10 minutes of reading time every day. As long as you are still practicing your reading skills. It’s a great start, and by itself would be an excellent daily reading habit.

Don’t rush.

When we’re reading something, we always want to finish it as soon as possible. Reading for learning and enjoyment should never be in a hurry. Just take your time. NEVER be discouraged if you think you are a slow reader. You need to learn to appreciate context. There might be a lot of unfamiliar words or ideas. Write them down if you can. You should really try to understand what the writer wants you to understand.

Remember:

Everyone learns at their own pace, so don’t pressure yourself to be at a certain level. Constant reading exposure is the best way for you to pick up reading.

Read in other languages.

If you enjoy reading in your own language, start reading in another language. It sounds difficult at first but sooner, you will get to enjoy it even more. Contextual learning is the best way to acquire new English words and expressions.

Once you have started reading something in English, you will be able to develop that habit of thinking in English. This is something that is really needed for English learners. It is also another way for you to develop natural English fluency.

Having said all of these, do yourself a favor an read. Never think that reading is a form of punishment. Just really enjoy it.

Don’t limit your reading to books. Magazines, newspapers, even shampoo containers make for wonderful reading opportunities.