First of it all, let’s just say i’m still practicing the language myself.
I started learning English when I was 11 years old. But it was more like an “accident”.
I’ve always like to watch American TV shows but always with subtitles in Portuguese, one day I just realized
I wasn’t reading much of the subtitles anymore.
I’ve never went to a school to learn the language and at that age I couldn’t afford it either.
But i did want to learn more on my own pace so I started to read News website in English.
Wasn’t too easy, also is not very interesting to read News when you are 12 years old, but it made me improve my skills and that made me go to the next step.
Reading Books to Improve Your English.
After getting tired of reading News and since I didn’t had friends who could speak English with me, I started to read books. I’ve always love books but always read them in Portuguese. After I started reading in English, it was life changing,
that not just improved my level but also made me learn about the culture and understand the vocabulary of a native speaker.
What to read?
My first advice is to read what you like.
My second advice is to find a book that has a simple vocabulary.
YA contemporary books usually has a very simple writing style and you can find books with really nice topics.
Don’t go straight to a high fantasy book or a philosophy book, you will be frustrated and probably will have a lot of problems understanding the content and what the book is trying to give to the reader.
With my reading on point I still had the speaking issue.
Where to find people to speak with?
These days is way easier than years ago. I spent years just reading in English without speaking,
so when I made a friend online and we actually met in person I was super shy to talk. But with practice, is not that hard anymore.
Language exchange is also an option and a really fun way to practice your speaking/listening and getting to know people who wants do practice the language and people who will be there to help you in case of any question you have.
Here is a list of a few books with simple writing that might help you.
All the books listing in here I have read myself.
- ・A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
- ・To all the Boys I’ve Loved Before bu Jenny Han
- ・Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
- ・Dear Martin by Nic Stone
- ・Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Cinthia
