My best tips for reading in a foreign language
A lot of non-French-native visitors come to the French Library and ask me how to start reading in French. It’s not easy to choose from the thousands of books we own in our catalog, but here are a few tips to help you improve your reading skills and actually enjoy your reading.
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Since I arrived in the United States, I have been trying to read books in English and, until recently, have been failing with this project. However, after many attempts, I think I am finally on the right track. Since many of you are trying to do the same with French books, I am willing to share with you a few secrets to complete the reading of a novel in a language you learn.
First and foremost, you must start slowly and be patient with yourself. If you have never read in French, don’t start with a novel. Set the bar lower. Try to read something you mostly understand, but for which you still have to look up words in the dictionary or Deepl (a great online translator). I usually recommend graphic novels or magazine articles. That is how I started. With graphic novels, the illustrations will provide you with the context and make it easier to understand words you have never encountered before. By not having to look for vocabulary all the time, the reading process will be smoother, and more enjoyable. You will want to go on!
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Patience is a virtue
Once you are comfortable with graphic novels, try articles. We have a great selection of magazines in the Ducrest Family Room (on your left when you enter the building) - we also sometimes give away past issues. Pick one with a topic of interest; we have all kinds: cooking, literature, history, fashion, or newsmagazines (you can access many others on our online platform, Culturetheque). Using articles, the context is very helpful, and you will quickly learn the vocabulary linked to one specific field. Journalists often use the same expressions/verbs/words that you can hear in everyday conversation. Magazines will bring you the vocabulary that everyone uses and references to the culture of the country of origin.
If you have made it that far, congratulations, you are almost there! Patience is a huge part of the journey; the other is consistency. To make progress, just like in any other field, you need to practice frequently. Studies show that the brain is like a muscle. It gets stronger when you use it. I know we are all very busy in life but think about all the time we waste on our phones. Using only 10 to 15-minutes of this time per day to read in French is a good starting point. By doing so, it will eventually become a habit and you will see significant progress from there.
Consistency is key
Ok, the moment has come to read a novel. Here you have different options. The first I would recommend is to dig into our easy readers’ collection, which consists of simplified versions of classics. We have a great selection of them from language level A1 to level B2 (you can click here if you don’t know your level). We also have dual language books. If you would rather read a full novel, pick one with less than 200 pages. The ultimate goal is to never lose your motivation. If it takes you six months to complete the reading, we all know you won’t do it. I wouldn’t either. Writers like Françoise Sagan, Colette, Saint-Exupéry, or Amélie Nothomb (among many others) are known for writing short books. You should start there (or ask your librarian for other recommendations). And again, just one or two chapters every day. I usually read for 30 minutes in English, using a notebook to write down any words I don't know, and then I switch back to French reading.
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By following these steps, there is a good chance you will actually enjoy the process. There's no need to feel obliged to start with the scary classics (Proust, Victor Hugo, Balzac...) And by the way, novels are not the only options: if you are not into fiction, read biographies, poetry, theater, or history books. It is as simple as that. Reading is supposed to be a relaxing activity. It must stay that way. One last piece of advice: self-motivation is one thing, but you can also rely on others to improve your skills. If you are a member of the French Library, you can join our Book Club (online or onsite once a month) or Theater Club (onsite only every other month) for free. They are suitable for all levels of French. We just ask the participants to read the book or the play and come discuss it with us. Good luck with your journey, and feel free to visit the library and ask questions if you need more help.
A lot of non-French-native visitors come to the French Library and ask me how to start reading in French. It’s not easy to choose from the thousands of books we own in our catalog, but here are a few tips to help you improve your reading skills and actually enjoy your reading.
****
Since I arrived in the United States, I have been trying to read books in English and, until recently, have been failing with this project. However, after many attempts, I think I am finally on the right track. Since many of you are trying to do the same with French books, I am willing to share with you a few secrets to complete the reading of a novel in a language you learn.
First and foremost, you must start slowly and be patient with yourself. If you have never read in French, don’t start with a novel. Set the bar lower. Try to read something you mostly understand, but for which you still have to look up words in the dictionary or Deepl (a great online translator). I usually recommend graphic novels or magazine articles. That is how I started. With graphic novels, the illustrations will provide you with the context and make it easier to understand words you have never encountered before. By not having to look for vocabulary all the time, the reading process will be smoother, and more enjoyable. You will want to go on!
****
Patience is a virtue
Once you are comfortable with graphic novels, try articles. We have a great selection of magazines in the Ducrest Family Room (on your left when you enter the building) - we also sometimes give away past issues. Pick one with a topic of interest; we have all kinds: cooking, literature, history, fashion, or newsmagazines (you can access many others on our online platform, Culturetheque). Using articles, the context is very helpful, and you will quickly learn the vocabulary linked to one specific field. Journalists often use the same expressions/verbs/words that you can hear in everyday conversation. Magazines will bring you the vocabulary that everyone uses and references to the culture of the country of origin.
If you have made it that far, congratulations, you are almost there! Patience is a huge part of the journey; the other is consistency. To make progress, just like in any other field, you need to practice frequently. Studies show that the brain is like a muscle. It gets stronger when you use it. I know we are all very busy in life but think about all the time we waste on our phones. Using only 10 to 15-minutes of this time per day to read in French is a good starting point. By doing so, it will eventually become a habit and you will see significant progress from there.
Consistency is key
Ok, the moment has come to read a novel. Here you have different options. The first I would recommend is to dig into our easy readers’ collection, which consists of simplified versions of classics. We have a great selection of them from language level A1 to level B2 (you can click here if you don’t know your level). We also have dual language books. If you would rather read a full novel, pick one with less than 200 pages. The ultimate goal is to never lose your motivation. If it takes you six months to complete the reading, we all know you won’t do it. I wouldn’t either. Writers like Françoise Sagan, Colette, Saint-Exupéry, or Amélie Nothomb (among many others) are known for writing short books. You should start there (or ask your librarian for other recommendations). And again, just one or two chapters every day. I usually read for 30 minutes in English, using a notebook to write down any words I don't know, and then I switch back to French reading.
****
By following these steps, there is a good chance you will actually enjoy the process. There's no need to feel obliged to start with the scary classics (Proust, Victor Hugo, Balzac...) And by the way, novels are not the only options: if you are not into fiction, read biographies, poetry, theater, or history books. It is as simple as that. Reading is supposed to be a relaxing activity. It must stay that way. One last piece of advice: self-motivation is one thing, but you can also rely on others to improve your skills. If you are a member of the French Library, you can join our Book Club (online or onsite once a month) or Theater Club (onsite only every other month) for free. They are suitable for all levels of French. We just ask the participants to read the book or the play and come discuss it with us. Good luck with your journey, and feel free to visit the library and ask questions if you need more help.
Benoit Landon
Librarian
After studying journalism in France, Benoit began his career in Paris where he lived and worked for over a decade. In 2018, he crossed the Atlantic for a research project on a typewriter he bought at a flea market. He ended up in Hartford, Connecticut, where he met his wife by accident. Many administrative forms later, he settled in Greater Boston. As an avid reader, Benoit is delighted to be surrounded by books and to stay in touch with the French culture he loves. Come say hello at the circulation desk!
My best advice is start with something you’re familiar with in your native language. For example, when I learned Latin a long time ago, I would read something from the Bible in English and then in Latin you could do the same thing read something you’re very familiar with in English then in French or for you vice versa something that you know very very well read it because you’re gonna guess the words that you don’t know and when we read in a language were familiar with we don’t read every word we take it in and big gulps. I think your advice is very very good and I wish you good luck in your pursuits I
I am learning French as French to me is like music to my ears. While walking at the park for an hour each day, listen to some French radio stations (mainly news and sort of talk shows such as Ça peut vous arriver). At first I dis not understand a word, even though I had taken some French in college. Then I started to actually make some of the word, and that gives me the opportunity to look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary and this way I learn new words. Now I want to start reading small articules so that I can cement what I have learned, and learn new vocabulary. Do you have any other Ideas I can add to my plan? I will appreciate your input.
I want to be part of this beautiful world of readers.