Episode 10 - Building English Reading Habits from Scratch!

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Episode 10 - Building English Reading Habits from Scratch!

Jerry: Welcome to Effortless English Podcasts!

Jerry: Before we jump into today’s discussion, let me share some helpful information with you.

Jerry: First, we have a full transcript available for this episode.

Jerry: If you want to follow along or review what we talk about later, you can find the link in the description below.

Luna: That’s right! And if you find it easier to listen with subtitles, don’t forget to enable the CC option.

Luna: We’ve made sure to include subtitles in multiple languages to help more listeners follow our episodes.

Jerry: Subtitles are a great tool, especially for non-native speakers who are still improving their listening skills.

Jerry: So feel free to use them as needed.

Luna: Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about today’s topic.

Luna: We’re focusing on something super important for anyone learning English: reading comprehension.

Jerry: That’s a challenge for so many learners, isn’t it?

Jerry: Even people who know a lot of vocabulary and grammar often find it hard to truly understand what they’re reading.

Luna: Exactly! It’s one thing to know the words, but it’s another to connect them into meaningful ideas.

Luna: Sometimes, even native speakers struggle with this, depending on the content.

Jerry: And when it comes to learning English, reading comprehension plays a key role.

Jerry: Whether you’re reading for school, work, or fun, understanding the text is essential.

Luna: But let’s face it—many people feel frustrated or even defeated when they try to read in English.

Luna: They might get stuck on unfamiliar words or lose track of what the text is trying to say.

Jerry: That’s where we come in!

Jerry: In this episode, we’ll break down the reasons why reading comprehension can be so tough.

Jerry: We’ll also share some practical, effective strategies that anyone can use to improve their skills.

Luna: Plus, we’ll talk about some common mistakes that people make and how to avoid them.

Luna: So, if you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or just plain stuck while reading in English, don’t worry.

Luna: You’re definitely not alone, and there’s a lot you can do to get better at it.

Jerry: We’ll also share a few personal experiences and tips that have worked for us and others we’ve talked to.

Luna: It’s going to be an interesting discussion, so stick around.

Jerry: Alright, let’s get started!

Jerry: Let’s start by discussing why so many people find English reading comprehension difficult.

Jerry: I think one of the biggest reasons is a lack of vocabulary.

Jerry: What do you think, Luna?

Luna: Oh, definitely. If you don’t know enough words, it’s hard to understand even simple sentences.

Luna: And sometimes, even knowing the words isn’t enough.

Luna: People might know the dictionary meaning of a word but not understand how it’s used in context.

Jerry: Exactly. Words often have different meanings depending on the situation, right?

Jerry: For example, take the word “run.”

Jerry: It can mean to move quickly, to manage something, or even something like “the program is running.”

Luna: Right! And when people don’t know these variations, they can get confused.

Jerry: That’s why building vocabulary is so important.

Jerry: But there’s more to reading comprehension than just knowing words.

Jerry: Another common problem is ignoring the structure of a text.

Luna: Oh, you mean like paragraphs, headings, or even the flow of ideas?

Jerry: Exactly. The way a piece of writing is organized often gives clues about its meaning.

Jerry: If someone overlooks this structure, they might miss the bigger picture.

Luna: That makes sense. I think a lot of people try to read English the same way they read their native language.

Luna: But they forget that English has its own rules and patterns.

Jerry: Yes, and those patterns can really help when you’re trying to make sense of a text.

Jerry: Skipping over things like topic sentences or transitions can leave readers feeling lost.

Luna: And then there’s the habit of translating every single word.

Luna: I see this a lot with people who are just starting out.

Jerry: Oh, that’s such a common mistake.

Jerry: Translating word for word not only slows you down but also makes it harder to understand the overall meaning.

Luna: Totally. It’s like focusing on the trees and completely missing the forest.

Luna: When you do that, you might end up with a sentence that doesn’t even make sense in your language.

Jerry: That’s true. English is full of idioms and phrases that don’t work when translated literally.

Jerry: Take “it’s raining cats and dogs,” for example.

Jerry: If you translate that literally, it sounds ridiculous.

Luna: Yeah, and people might think, “Why are animals falling from the sky?”

Luna: But if you understand the idiom, you know it just means it’s raining heavily.

Jerry: Right. So instead of translating word by word, it’s better to focus on understanding the general idea.

Jerry: That’s a skill that takes time to develop, but it’s worth the effort.

Luna: So, to sum up, the three main reasons people struggle with reading are: not knowing enough words, ignoring text structure, and translating word by word.

Jerry: Yes, and these issues can all be fixed with the right strategies, which we’ll talk about later in the episode.

Luna: Stay with us, because the tips we’re going to share can make a big difference.

Jerry: Absolutely. Let’s keep going!

Jerry: So, let’s talk about why reading comprehension is so important, especially in English.

Jerry: For starters, it’s a skill that connects to so many areas of life.

Luna: Right. Whether you’re reading for school, work, or just fun, it plays a key role.

Luna: Imagine trying to follow instructions for a project or reading an email from your boss.

Luna: If you don’t understand the text, things can go wrong quickly.

Jerry: Exactly. And it’s not just about avoiding mistakes.

Jerry: Strong reading skills can also save you a lot of time and effort.

Jerry: Think about how much faster you can process information when you really understand what you’re reading.

Luna: That’s true. And in school, reading comprehension is essential for studying.

Luna: You need to read and understand textbooks, research papers, and even exam questions.

Jerry: Definitely. In fact, many exams, like the TOEFL or IELTS, test reading comprehension for this very reason.

Jerry: It’s because good reading skills show how well you can handle complex information.

Luna: And it’s not just about academic settings.

Luna: Reading helps in professional life, too.

Luna: A lot of jobs require reading reports, contracts, or even technical documents.

Jerry: Right. For example, when I worked as an engineer, I had to read technical manuals all the time.

Jerry: If I couldn’t understand them, it would have been impossible to do my job well.

Luna: That’s a great point. But reading isn’t just about work and school, is it?

Luna: It’s also a gateway to new ideas and cultures.

Jerry: Absolutely. Reading books, articles, or even social media posts in English can help you connect with people from around the world.

Jerry: It expands your perspective and gives you access to a huge amount of knowledge.

Luna: And let’s not forget that it’s also one of the best ways to improve your language skills overall.

Luna: When you read, you’re not just learning new words.

Luna: You’re also seeing how sentences are structured and how ideas are expressed.

Jerry: That’s right. Reading helps you understand grammar in action.

Jerry: It’s one thing to memorize rules, but seeing them used in real-life examples makes them much easier to remember.

Luna: And the more you read, the more natural English starts to feel.

Luna: Over time, you’ll notice your speaking and writing improve, too.

Jerry: So, to sum up, reading comprehension isn’t just a nice-to-have skill.

Jerry: It’s essential for learning, working, and connecting with the world.

Luna: And it’s something everyone can work on, no matter their current level.

Jerry: That’s the best part—it’s a skill you can build with practice and the right strategies.

Luna: Exactly. And in the next part, we’ll share some tips to help you do just that.

Jerry: Now that we’ve talked about why reading comprehension is so important, let’s move on to how you can improve it.

Jerry: And I think the first step is pretty clear—you need to work on your vocabulary.

Luna: Definitely. The more words you know, the easier it is to understand what you’re reading.

Luna: But just memorizing a long list of words can get boring fast, don’t you think?

Jerry: Oh, absolutely. Memorizing without context doesn’t help much.

Jerry: Instead, it’s better to learn new words by reading different types of content.

Jerry: For example, you could read novels, news articles, or even blog posts.

Luna: That’s true. And when you come across a new word, try to figure out its meaning from the sentence around it.

Jerry: Exactly! This is called using context clues, and it’s a skill that really helps.

Jerry: For instance, if you see the word “exhausted” in a sentence like “After running five miles, she felt exhausted,” you can guess it means very tired.

Luna: Right. You don’t always need a dictionary if you can understand the general idea from the text.

Luna: Plus, looking up every single word can slow you down a lot.

Jerry: That’s why context is so important.

Jerry: But learning vocabulary isn’t the only way to improve reading comprehension.

Jerry: Another useful technique is practicing skimming and scanning.

Luna: Oh, I love these! Skimming is when you read quickly to get the main idea, right?

Jerry: Exactly. And scanning is when you look for specific information, like a date or a name.

Jerry: These techniques are especially helpful for saving time when you’re reading longer texts.

Luna: And they’re super practical.

Luna: Think about reading a long email or report.

Luna: You don’t need to read every single word—you just need to focus on the parts that matter most.

Jerry: That’s a great point. These skills are also tested in many English exams.

Jerry: If you can skim and scan effectively, you’ll perform much better under time pressure.

Luna: And like anything else, these techniques get easier with practice.

Luna: You can start by setting small goals, like skimming a short article to find its main idea.

Jerry: Exactly. And for scanning, you could practice by looking through a menu or schedule to find specific details.

Luna: These might seem like small exercises, but they really help you develop stronger reading habits.

Jerry: And once you combine a larger vocabulary with better skimming and scanning skills, your reading comprehension will improve dramatically.

Jerry: You’ll be able to read faster, understand more, and even enjoy the process.

Luna: Totally. And don’t forget to keep challenging yourself with new and interesting reading material.

Luna: The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel.

Jerry: That’s right. It’s all about building habits that make reading a regular part of your life.

Jerry: And with those habits, you’ll see progress before you know it.

Luna: In the next section, we’ll talk about how to create those habits and make reading more enjoyable.

Jerry: Now that we’ve talked about techniques like skimming and scanning, let’s focus on building good reading habits.

Jerry: Luna, do you have a daily reading routine?

Luna: I do! I try to set aside at least 30 minutes every evening for reading.

Luna: It helps me relax and keeps my skills sharp.

Jerry: That’s a great idea. Setting a specific time each day makes reading a consistent habit.

Jerry: It’s like exercising—you need to make it part of your routine to see results.

Luna: Exactly. And it doesn’t have to be a long session, especially at first.

Luna: Even 15 or 20 minutes a day can make a big difference if you stick with it.

Jerry: That’s true. The key is to have clear goals.

Jerry: For example, you might aim to finish one chapter of a book or read two articles each week.

Luna: Goals are super motivating.

Luna: But one thing I’ve noticed is that distractions can really get in the way.

Jerry: Oh, absolutely. If you’re constantly checking your phone or thinking about other things, it’s hard to focus.

Jerry: What do you do to stay focused while reading?

Luna: I like to find a quiet spot and turn off notifications on my phone.

Luna: I also try to keep my reading sessions short but focused, so I don’t lose concentration.

Jerry: That’s smart. I think it’s also helpful to choose reading materials that genuinely interest you.

Jerry: If you’re reading something you enjoy, it’s easier to stay engaged.

Luna: Totally. And when you’re reading for fun, you’re more likely to make it a habit.

Luna: But what about people who want to track their progress? Do you think that’s important?

Jerry: Definitely. Keeping a reading journal or log is a great way to see how far you’ve come.

Jerry: You can write down what you read, how much you understood, and even new words you learned.

Luna: That’s such a good idea.

Luna: It’s also motivating to look back and see all the progress you’ve made over time.

Jerry: Exactly. It helps you stay consistent, too.

Jerry: When you see your reading streak growing, it encourages you to keep going.

Luna: And for people who are really busy, it’s okay to start small.

Luna: Even reading a few pages during a lunch break can be a good way to fit it into your day.

Jerry: That’s a great point. The most important thing is to make reading a regular habit, no matter how much time you have.

Luna: And once it becomes a habit, it feels less like a chore and more like something you look forward to.

Jerry: Exactly. With the right habits, you can make reading not just a skill, but also a source of enjoyment.

Luna: So to sum up, set a regular reading time, stay focused, and track your progress.

Luna: These simple steps can make a big difference in how you approach reading.

Jerry: And they’ll make the whole process feel a lot more rewarding.

Jerry: One common mistake many English learners make is translating word for word while reading.

Jerry: Luna, have you seen this happen?

Luna: Oh, all the time.

Luna: It’s like people are trying to decode each sentence instead of just understanding the main idea.

Jerry: Exactly. And while it might feel like the right approach, it usually makes reading harder and slower.

Jerry: Plus, English doesn’t always translate perfectly into other languages.

Luna: Totally. A lot of phrases lose their meaning when you translate them word by word.

Luna: That’s why it’s so important to focus on understanding the overall meaning of a paragraph or section.

Jerry: Right. Instead of looking at each individual word, try to step back and think about the bigger picture.

Jerry: Ask yourself, “What is this part of the text trying to say as a whole?”

Luna: That’s such good advice.

Luna: And another thing that helps is summarizing what you’ve read in your native language.

Luna: Not sentence by sentence, but just the main idea.

Jerry: That’s a great practice.

Jerry: For example, if you’re reading a news article, you could ask yourself, “What’s the main story here?”

Jerry: Then try to explain it briefly in your own words.

Luna: Exactly. And doing that helps you see the text as a complete message, not just a collection of words.

Luna: Plus, it builds your confidence because you’re actively engaging with the content.

Jerry: And once you’re comfortable with that, you can take it a step further.

Jerry: Try summarizing the text in English instead of your native language.

Luna: Oh, that’s a great exercise!

Luna: Even if your summary is simple at first, it’s still a huge step forward.

Jerry: Definitely. And the more you practice, the easier it gets.

Jerry: Over time, you’ll start to rely less on translation and more on your own understanding of English.

Luna: That’s the goal, isn’t it?

Luna: To think directly in English instead of translating back and forth all the time.

Jerry: Exactly. It’s about building a more natural connection with the language.

Jerry: And another tip is to pay attention to how ideas are organized in English texts.

Jerry: Often, the main idea is at the beginning of a paragraph, followed by supporting details.

Luna: That’s true. If you know where to look for the key points, it’s much easier to understand what’s going on.

Luna: And you can save a lot of time, too, because you’re focusing on the most important parts.

Jerry: Absolutely. So to break free from word-for-word translation, focus on meaning, practice summarizing, and pay attention to structure.

Luna: And don’t worry if it feels tricky at first.

Luna: It’s a skill that gets better with time and effort.

Jerry: That’s right. The more you practice, the more natural it will become.

Jerry: And soon, you’ll find yourself reading faster and understanding more without needing to translate at all.

Luna: That’s such a great feeling, isn’t it?

Luna: When you can just enjoy reading in English without overthinking every word.

Jerry: Absolutely. And with these techniques, anyone can get there.

Jerry: Alright, now it’s time to answer some common questions about improving English reading comprehension.

Jerry: Let’s start with one we hear a lot: “Is it possible that I’m just bad at reading and can’t get better?”

Luna: Oh, that’s such a common worry.

Luna: A lot of people think they’re not “naturally good” at reading.

Luna: But honestly, I don’t think that’s true at all.

Jerry: I agree. Reading comprehension isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a skill you develop over time.

Jerry: Think about how we learned to read in our native language.

Jerry: It took years of practice, didn’t it?

Luna: Exactly. And the same is true for learning to read in English.

Luna: It’s not about talent; it’s about effort and consistency.

Jerry: Absolutely. So if you’re struggling, don’t worry—it just means you’re still in the learning process.

Jerry: Now, here’s another question: “What if I can’t understand a text at all? Should I just give up?”

Luna: That’s a tough one.

Luna: It can feel super frustrating when you don’t understand anything.

Luna: But giving up isn’t the answer.

Jerry: Definitely not. When a text feels too hard, there are a few things you can do to make it more manageable.

Jerry: For example, you can start by skimming the text to get a general idea.

Jerry: Don’t worry about every detail—just focus on the big picture.

Luna: That’s great advice.

Luna: And if there are too many unknown words, try to guess their meanings from context instead of looking them all up.

Jerry: Exactly. And if you’re still stuck, it’s okay to break the text into smaller parts.

Jerry: Read one paragraph at a time instead of trying to tackle the whole thing at once.

Luna: That’s such a good tip.

Luna: Reading in chunks can make a long or complicated text feel less overwhelming.

Jerry: Right. And remember, it’s okay to reread parts of the text if you need to.

Jerry: The goal is to understand, not to rush.

Luna: Now, here’s another question we get a lot: “Should I read novels or news articles to practice?”

Jerry: That’s a great question.

Jerry: I think it depends on your goals and interests.

Luna: Totally. Novels are great if you want to enjoy a story and see how people use language in creative ways.

Luna: Plus, they often help you learn conversational English.

Jerry: That’s true. On the other hand, news articles are perfect for learning formal language and staying updated on current events.

Jerry: They’re also usually shorter, so they can be less intimidating than a novel.

Luna: That’s a good point.

Luna: And news articles are great for practicing skimming and scanning, since they’re designed to give you key information quickly.

Jerry: Exactly. So really, the best choice is the one that interests you the most.

Jerry: If you’re enjoying what you read, you’re more likely to stick with it.

Luna: And you can always mix it up!

Luna: Read novels for fun and articles for variety.

Jerry: That’s the best approach.

Jerry: The more you expose yourself to different types of content, the stronger your reading skills will become.

Luna: So to sum up: No, reading comprehension isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a skill anyone can improve.

Luna: Don’t give up on hard texts—find ways to break them down and keep trying.

Luna: And whether you choose novels or articles, the key is to read what you enjoy.

Jerry: Well said. The most important thing is to keep reading and stay consistent.

Luna: That’s right. Progress takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Jerry: Now, let’s take a moment to share some of our own experiences with reading in English.

Jerry: For me, a lot of my reading practice came from my time working as an engineer.

Jerry: I had to read tons of technical documents, manuals, and reports.

Luna: That sounds intense. How did you handle all of that?

Jerry: Honestly, it wasn’t easy at first.

Jerry: The language in those documents was very formal and full of technical terms I didn’t know.

Jerry: So, I had to approach it step by step.

Jerry: I started by focusing on the key parts of each document, like headings and summaries, to understand the main ideas.

Luna: That makes sense. Skimming and scanning must have been really helpful in that situation.

Jerry: They were. And I also made a habit of writing down any new technical terms I came across.

Jerry: I’d look them up later and review them regularly.

Jerry: Over time, I built a strong vocabulary in my field, which made reading much easier.

Luna: That’s such a practical approach.

Luna: It shows how important it is to tailor your reading strategies to your specific goals.

Jerry: Exactly. What about you, Luna? How do you approach reading in English?

Luna: Well, my experience is pretty different from yours.

Luna: I like to focus on the emotional side of reading—how the text makes me feel and what ideas it sparks.

Luna: For example, I love reading stories and essays that are personal or creative.

Jerry: That’s a great way to connect with the language.

Jerry: Do you find it helps you stay motivated to read more?

Luna: Definitely. When I’m enjoying what I read, it doesn’t feel like work.

Luna: And I think that’s so important for anyone learning English.

Luna: If you’re only reading for exams or work, it can feel really dry.

Jerry: That’s true. Reading for fun can remind you why you wanted to learn the language in the first place.

Luna: Exactly. I also like to take my time with texts, especially ones that are more poetic or descriptive.

Luna: Instead of rushing, I try to absorb the atmosphere and imagine the scenes in my head.

Jerry: That’s such a unique perspective.

Jerry: It shows how flexible reading can be—you can adapt it to match your personality and interests.

Luna: Absolutely. I think the key is to find a balance between practical reading, like work documents, and emotional reading, like stories.

Luna: Both are valuable, and they help you grow in different ways.

Jerry: That’s a great point. So whether you’re tackling technical texts or getting lost in a novel, the important thing is to keep reading.

Luna: Exactly. And don’t forget to enjoy the process!

Jerry: Alright, let’s wrap up today’s episode with a quick summary of what we’ve covered.

Jerry: We started by discussing some common reasons why people struggle with English reading comprehension.

Jerry: Things like a lack of vocabulary, ignoring text structure, and translating word for word.

Luna: Yeah, and then we talked about why reading comprehension is so important.

Luna: It’s not just a skill for school or work—it’s something that helps you connect with the world and learn more about it.

Jerry: Absolutely. After that, we shared some basic methods for improving your skills.

Jerry: Like expanding your vocabulary, using context to guess words, and practicing skimming and scanning techniques.

Luna: And don’t forget the importance of building good reading habits.

Luna: Setting aside time to read, staying focused, and keeping track of your progress can make a big difference.

Jerry: That’s right. We also talked about how to stop translating word for word and focus on understanding the big picture.

Jerry: Techniques like summarizing and paying attention to structure can really help with that.

Luna: And finally, we answered some common questions about reading, like whether comprehension is a natural skill and what types of texts are best for practice.

Jerry: Exactly. So, if there’s one thing we want you to take away from this episode, it’s that reading comprehension is a skill anyone can develop.

Jerry: It just takes time, practice, and the right strategies.

Luna: And it doesn’t have to be boring!

Luna: Find materials you enjoy, challenge yourself, and remember to celebrate your progress.

Jerry: Speaking of progress, we’d love to hear from you.

Jerry: What’s been your biggest challenge with reading in English?

Jerry: Or do you have a tip or technique that’s worked well for you?

Luna: Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Luna: We read all of them, and your ideas might help someone else, too.

Jerry: That’s right. And who knows—we might even feature some of your questions or tips in a future episode.

Luna: For now, we just want to thank you for joining us today.

Luna: It’s always great to have these conversations, and we hope you found this episode helpful.

Jerry: Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, keep practicing and keep reading.

Jerry: With time and effort, you’ll see amazing improvements.

Luna: Absolutely. Thanks again for listening, and we’ll see you next time on Effortless English Podcasts!