How To Improve Your Reading Comprehension

Summary

In this video, Steve Kaufmann discusses strategies to improve reading comprehension, especially when learning new languages. He emphasizes the importance of consistent reading, as reading more leads to better comprehension and vocabulary growth. He suggests combining reading with listening to improve understanding, particularly when the language structure is challenging. Kaufmann also highlights the use of tools like sentence mode on LingQ and balancing reading materials by difficulty. Overall, the key to success in language learning is consistent practice, immersion, and expanding vocabulary through diverse content.

Takeaways

• 📚 The more you read, the better you read; reading comprehension improves with practice.
• 🎧 Combining listening with reading can significantly enhance reading comprehension.
• 🧠 A large vocabulary is crucial for reading fluency; unfamiliar words can slow down comprehension.
• ⏩ Reading speed is important because faster reading leads to better acquisition of information.
• 🔁 Improving reading skills is a cycle: the more you read, the more vocabulary you gain, which improves reading further.
• 📊 Balancing between challenging and easy reading material helps in building fluency and expanding vocabulary.
• 🎯 Listening to a text before reading it provides context, momentum, and improves comprehension.
• 🔤 Different language structures, such as those in German or Japanese, may pose difficulties, but more reading and listening can help overcome them.
• 📖 Tools like LingQ's sentence mode can break down reading material into manageable sections for better understanding.
• 🎙 Listening to native speakers helps with intonation and understanding complex sentence structures.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video discusses how to improve reading comprehension, especially for language learners.

Why is reading comprehension important, according to the speaker?

Reading comprehension is crucial because it helps in acquiring information more quickly and effectively. It is also linked to better vocabulary and speaking skills.

What is the first strategy mentioned for improving reading comprehension?

The first strategy is to read more. The speaker emphasizes that the more you read, the better you become at it.

What role does listening play in improving reading comprehension?

Listening helps with reading comprehension by providing a sense of intonation and momentum, which can make reading easier, especially in a foreign language.

Why does the speaker recommend using sentence mode on LingQ?

The speaker recommends using sentence mode because it helps focus on one sentence at a time, making it easier to understand and improve comprehension, especially in difficult languages.

How does vocabulary size affect reading comprehension?

A large vocabulary is essential for good reading comprehension because encountering unknown words can disrupt the flow of reading and slow down understanding.

What is the 'sweet spot' for the percentage of unknown words when reading?

According to the speaker, a sweet spot is around 15% of unknown words. This allows for learning new vocabulary while still maintaining reading fluency.

How can the structure of certain languages affect reading comprehension?

In languages with different structures, such as German or Japanese, the unfamiliar sentence patterns can make reading harder. The speaker suggests reading more and listening to native speakers to become accustomed to these structures.

What should people who struggle with understanding spoken language do?

The speaker suggests listening to audiobooks along with reading the text. This combination helps improve listening comprehension and reinforces reading skills.

What is the overall advice given to improve reading comprehension?

To improve reading comprehension, the speaker advises reading more, increasing vocabulary, using audio resources, and immersing yourself in the language.