Reading's Role in Learning English

When I was in middle school, my English was just so-so. In this period of time, I endeavored to improve math, physics, etc., leaving little time for English.

After I entered the university English department, I found most of my classmates had read a lot of things before they entered university. So I felt nervous, worrying I could not catch up with them. Meanwhile, our extensive reading teacher required us to read a classical novel and write a journal (post-reading notes) every two weeks. That's when I began to touch my own English world.

At first I felt it difficult for me to read through the novels, as my vocabulary was so small. There were so many new words, impelling me to get the very detail. However, after a period of training, I found my English improved a lot. The most obvious improvement was that I didn’t need to consult the dictionary too often to slow down my reading.

Later, I began to read 21st-Century, English World and other newspapers and magazines. I found it an effective way to improve my English.

Firstly, my vocabulary became larger and larger. I read very extensively, which enables me to touch all kinds of materials, from Shakespeare to Pentagon; from fossils to the market economy, etc.

Secondly, useful information was involved in these medias. Through this, I know a lot about the system of the American presidency and the benefits of China entering the WTO.

Thirdly, during the period of improving English, I entertained myself. I like reading fiction, and reading English fiction has almost the same entertainment value as reading Chinese ones; however at the same time it enriches my English knowledge.

Reading really plays an important role in my English study. I will continue this good way of learning English.

 - Annabel (Bu Hongxia) -

Reading Like a Robot

Last winter I went to the GRE class of New Oriental School for 20 days and found my reading level was far from that required in GRE. I simply could not understand the reading materials and answered most questions incorrectly. But 5 months later, I did well in the pre-test and finally scored 750 in the verbal section of GRE.

You may wonder how I made such a great improvement. I think this was largely due to the mechanical training during the last period of my preparation for GRE. According to my schedule, I had to do all the reading exercises in 8 days, which normally would have taken at least half a month. If not, I would ran out of time. So I skipped most of the classes, got up at 8'o clock in the morning every day, turned on my computer and began to read until 11 o'clock in the evening. The only breaks were for meals and a nap after lunch.

I worked like a robot and my brain was extremely tired. But at that state, I soon found I answered the questions correctly and I understood those abstruse articles. My previous work of memorizing vocabulary and reading provided me a solid foundation, while that exhaustive process finally did the work.

 - Monica -

 Reading for Relaxation

To me, English is just a tool. I began to learn it when I was a middle school student. But I never succeeded in getting the highest score in my class, which made me think that I had no talent in learning English. But in order to enter the university , I didn’t give up. Nevertheless, one thing changed my view to English. It is no longer just a tool.

One day, I was doing my homework hard. There was so much work to do that I almost wanted to copy others. Just then, a chemistry question baffled me. The harder I tried, the less confidence I had. At last, I totally gave up, not even willing to copy others?work. Then, I took up an English short story and started to read it. A few minutes later, an answer to that chemistry question, unexpectedly, came to mind. I felt so happy that I jotted it down at once.

Ever since then I have a habit of reading English short stories when I come across difficult questions or feel tired after a long time doing homework. Now, to me, English is a way of relaxation.

 - Hannan -

Speed Reading

It was in my freshman year that reading posed a big obstacle in my English study. I tried many ways to improve it, but  I lacked the strong motive to finish reading as quickly as possible. One day a novel by Agatha Christie caught my eye.

I started reading it. Other English novels are always difficult and unfriendly for beginners, but Christie's are simple and attention-grabbing. I couldn't wait to know who was the real murderer, so I had to continue reading, and more importantly, had to speed up in order to feed my curiosity.

A 110-page novel was finished in two days - a fantastic speed I had never dreamt of. By continuing to read Agatha Christie, my speed and interest improved immensely. Therefore, I realized that personal interest is the best place to start.

 - Cindy (Shen Cuihua) -