271: How to learn vocabulary from reading?
Kristin asks: "How can I learn vocabulary from reading without stopping every 5 seconds?" In Today's Episode: Consider this analogy: When you're pushing yourself on the treadmill and working hard, it can get uncomfortable. However, you keep going because you know it's doing you good. Try to extend that analogy to the act of "reading without stopping". By keeping reading, without stopping to look up words, you're pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. Some practical tips to make reading easier: Everyone has a strong desire to understand every word, but there is so much value in being content not understanding 100% To combat that, try a "zero stopping" policy for a while, and see how it feels. After you finish the entire chapter, go back and look at vocabulary. You'll find that - from continued reading - you've already understood words that flummoxed you earlier If you really must look words up, only look up vital words that keep coming up Read electronically so you can look up words instantly On Kindle, you can select your dictionary (monolingual, bilingual) and highlight words with one touch, then create flashcards automatically Separate the tasks of "reading" and "study" - Don't make flashcards while you're reading! Much of this comes back to our perception of vocabulary being everything. In many ways, it is! But that doesn't mean that stopping to look up every word is the best way to get there! Resources: How to read effectively in a foreign language - my complete guide to effective reading in a foreign language Helpful tools: LingQ Kindle Paperwhite Readlang Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: https://iwillteachyoualanguage.com//italkishownotes Do You Have A Question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest review and rating of the podcast on iTunes (click here to do that) iTunes reviews in particular re