Reading to learn English faster and better

Students keep asking me how they can improve their English. I give them tips now and then but I thought writing about my experience could help them.

For me, reading was by far the most enjoyable and easiest way to perfect my English. Sure, as I began, it took maybe 10 days to finish a 100 pages book, but that’s just the way to go about. I‘ve probably read a few thousand books over the years, but the take off wasn’t easy. Our school did not have a library, you see. So unfortunately, unlike children in good schools where learning English came by default, I had my own little struggles as I manoeuvred to keep that undying zest to speak English going. My initial reading started with the comics—Tinkle was a hot favourite. I even had access to Tintin thanks to my friend’s brother who happened to be a fan. I read these first for entertainment but I also had a secret agenda—to improve my English--as I was told very often that reading was an assured way to get you to speak good English.

I upgraded to reading Reader’s Digest, but avoided the long stories. I would start with the “Humour in Uniform” and the little snippets here and there. The moment I started reading the long stories, I also began to take notes. I would write down all the phrases I thought I could use with my teachers and those few friends who spoke English. It sure did make me feel good that I was into real reading.

My first real novel was Jeffery Archer’s A Quiver Full of Arrows I barely understood any of the stories but it’s on record and it’ll go down in history as my first real book. As I went on reading, I also began to notice that my letter writings became more interesting. I took to writing answers on my own instead of mugging up the teacher’s notes during exams. I started participating in debates and essay writing competitions--in fact, all those literary activities in school that required the use of speaking and writing in English.

It was a conscious effort although the fact that I enjoyed what I did came as a bonus. If you still haven’t tried reading, start with the comics and the newspapers. Each morning as you wake up, get hold of the English newspaper. Start with the section that interests you the most. Skip words that make no sense to you. Get the hang of reading first, then you can start looking up the dictionary. Make it a habit-- keep reading and keep talking. Annoy people if you must--soon you’ll impress them. Being able to speak English will make you feel good about yourself and will definitely help you to get better in life.

Read a book or two this vacation!

Its summer vacation for schools here in India. A time to visit grandparents in villages, relish mangoes straight from the farm or the market. For some, it’s a time for more classes to hone their talents—singing, painting, dancing, acting, sports and the likes. For some other people it's sightseeing trips to foreign lands. Most of the kids in my colony are into playing cricket these days…I suppose it’s the IPL (Indian Premier League) influence. For the book lovers, I have some recommendations here...I know I know! nothing like beating the heat with a nice book and a cup of butter milk ;)

Journey to the river sea by Eva Ibbotson

I finished reading just last week and totally loved it! Packed with adventure, some romance here and there, nice lil suspense, harmless humor and some wicked characters to complete the plot. This book gives you a beautiful sight of the life in Amazon that you almost want to go and live there. Enjoy the adventure with Countess Maia, the boy from the Xante tribe, Clovis, Miss Minton, the twins and others. Read more reviews here

The witch of the blackbird pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Set in the 19th century, this is a book about a girl who goes to live with her relatives in Connecticut. The tone of the book is serious, and conveys the difficult choices one must make on the way to maturity. Read the preview of the book here

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

It’s about a little boy who lives with his divorced mother. All through his childhood, he writes letters to his favorite author about his loneliness frustration and his everyday life. The entire book consists of these letters, which start with Leigh as a 2nd grader , and progresses to being in 6th grade by page 10. A lovely book that lets you see the heart of a little boy. You’ll like it even more if you have younger brothers, and young boys will definitely appreciate it! …most times you will find yourself in the letters.. Read More

The secret garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

A spoilt 10 year old Mary Lennox goes to live with her uncle in Yorkshire. she has lost her parents to Cholera while living in India. There she meets her crippled cousin and encounters a life that she had never experienced. Set during the 1900's-1920's, the book teaches you about acceptance and never giving up.
Read more reviews here.

book counting

Over Facebook iRead listing a good friend of mine recently commented that I was ill-read as I had listed only a 100 odd books. While I have read a few hundred books, it is nothing compared to him who has read a few thousand books! (Thanks to a professor father and a university library, grumble!) All I ever read during my growing up days was fairy tales and comics. Our school did have a “library”, but it was kept in the Principal’s office in a steel cupboard where he also tucked away heaps of files. We were too scared to even enter his room leave alone browse for books , and our school never actually required us to read anything other than the textbooks.

A whole range of experience—children’s literature—remained completely unknown to me throughout childhood. In fact, it was only after I joined college that I discovered that there is something called a children’s literature.

Just the other day I happened to drop in at our local British library and was tempted to take a sneak peek at the colorful children’s section (spent more than an hour there, actually) only to be reminded of the opportunity I had missed. I know I said in an earlier post that I loved everything about my school, but here is something that, in hindsight, I wish had been different. I now wish we had had access to a good library with fun books—there are so many to choose from! Newberry, Plumes, Superfudge, Scholastic, Puffin…

Last year when I decided to build up my own library; I started with children’s books. I now keep buying them for my little cousins back home. I’m not sure if they read those books at all, but I know they are not going to miss an enriching experience, and that they won’t have the regret that I do when they grow up. This assurance, my own ever-expanding library, and my compulsive reading give me respite from that regret.