Reading is extremely important in acquiring a new language. To be able to read well, students must learn to recognize sounds and patterns, comprehend the words they read, and understand how the words work together in a sentence to convey meaning.
No matter what is the Native language of a student, whether it shares or not the alphabet of English, reading in a new language and getting into its flow will feel unique and somewhat foreign anyway.
As the end of the year is usually a calmer period and provides us with more time for ourselves I wanted to encourage our present and future students – take a book in English into your hands! Here you will find some thoughtfully selected recommendations with the main idea that reading a book in English will not only boost your language skills, but possibly your entire life and your ways of thinking!
Dare to do it. Even if reading in English, for some of you just the thought of it, may make you feel impatient, frustrated, tired or even hopeless. English teachers use a bunch of techniques to help the students to discover the fun, magic and usefulness when they read: by asking to summarize the text; searching for main ideas or important details; sequencing; starting discussions of real life experiences and relating them to the text; making inferences (reading between the lines); drawing conclusions, comparing and contrasting; distinguishing between facts and opinions; self-questioning; problem solving; using flashcards or various pictures; adding games; reading out loud; and so much more.
The same rule as everywhere goes here – you need practice practice practice to stop being that one person in the class everyone else is waiting around to catch up!
1. The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results
by Gary Keller
The book discusses the value of simplifying one's workload by focusing on the one most important task in any given project of life. Uncover the modern myth of multitasking.
2. The Compound Effect
by Darren Hardy
Learn the expression and power of the compound effect. It will teach you how small adjustments to old habits can lead to massive life changes.
3. Ikigai and Ichigo Ichie
by Hector Garcia
Hector Garcia is a Spanish author who fell madly in love with Japan, its culture, and after living there for over a decade, is now a citizen of the country. Reading his book you’ll learn some beautiful Japanese life concepts: ichigo ichie – that every moment in life are opportunities that don't really repeat themselves the same way ever again; and ikigai – the crucial importance of finding your reason why each morning you wake up from bed.
4. The Blue Zones
by Dan Buettner
Learn about a few spots around the world that have the largest communities of centenarians and discover the simple secrets of their lifestyles that you could incorporate into yours. Facts speak for themselves, use a chance to boost your physical, mental and spiritual health!
5. The Power Of Now
by Eckhart Tolle
A great reminder that true life is what’s happening now, not yesterday or tomorrow. An effective read for stress relief.
6. The Art of Happiness
by Dalai Lama
Through conversations, stories, and meditations, the famous Tibetan leader and Buddhist Dalai Lama shows us how to defeat day-to-day anxiety, insecurity, anger, and discouragement.
7. I Am Malala
by Malala Yousafzai
Malala is probably one of the most passionate people in the world about education and its importance. Knowing dark recent events in a political world, this comes out as a beautiful read of big hope for a brighter tomorrow and an example of real action how to achieve it.
8. The Little Prince
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Once you learn the story, keep enriching yourself by reading it in different languages!
9. Jonathan Livingston Seagull
by Richard Back
Another classic, a spiritual journey that teaches about life and learning to fly in it. Literally and figuratively.
10. Reread Native classics that you know! Use translation for vocabulary or expressions where necessary, find simplified versions or audiobooks, whichever option works for you!
For example, click here.
Read for purpose. There are plenty of books to choose from. Most importantly – just start!