Reading plays a crucial role in success, both in language learning and in general. In fact, studies have shown that individuals who read well experience greater socioeconomic success. To put it briefly, the benefits of reading extend far beyond language acquisition. Reading habits contribute to our extensive knowledge and success.
Reading is an incredibly powerful tool for learning a new language. As a language learner, if I want to make real, significant progress, I challenge myself to read one million words per year in my target language. It’s quite the achievement to no longer rely on online dictionaries or tools like LingQ to understand and enjoy what you’re reading in another language. However, reaching this milestone takes time and comes with a handful of challenges.
Here are my tips to help you boost your language learning by reading one million words per year in your target language.
How Much Do People Read on Average?
The average person in the U.S. or Europe reads about 14-15 books per year, equating to over a million words. However, we also need to take into account the countless words read via social media, news articles, and online content. This demonstrates that reading a million words annually is actually quite an achievable goal, at least in our native language.
If you are committed to mastering a language, you have a clear, measurable goal. Read at least one book per month in your target language. Whether you’re learning English, French, Spanish, or Chinese, I’ll share with you a handful of tips to read in a foreign language more effectively, accelerate your progress, improve all aspects of your language skills.
Key Strategies to Reach One Million Words
Read & Listen Simultaneously
Connecting written words to their sounds is essential. Enhancing your reading with audio can significantly enhance comprehension and phonemic awareness. On platforms like LingQ, I can read and listen simultaneously for every lesson, with audio manually or automatically imported from YouTube or other sources. As I read, I develop a stronger sense of intuition for pronunciation, cadence, and more natural phrasing.
Read Interesting Material
To read consistently, you need to enjoy what you’re reading. Find material that engages you. For example, if you’re not a particularly big fan of literature, don’t force yourself to power through classic romance novels in your target language. Whether it’s novels, blogs, or news articles, selecting interesting content is what will keep you motivated and consistent.
Tip: Also consider engaging with the same content in multiple formats. For example, read a transcript of your favourite podcast on LingQ, study the lesson on your smartphone, or simply give the episode another listen while you wash the dishes. This can reinforce your vocabulary and comprehension.
Ignore Unfamiliar Words
This strategy is specifically for those who are attempting to read without digital tools. When reading a physical, paper book, do not stress about understanding every single word. Instead, try to follow the general meaning and develop a smoother reading flow. This is what leads to reading fluency over time.
To reiterate a previous point, for reading to become a consistent habit, it needs to be enjoyable. Constantly interrupting your reading to look up a word and jot down a definition prevents you from immersing yourself in the content. Focus on enjoying the process and tolerate the occasional unknown word.
Assess & Adjust
I believe that it’s absolutely possible to read one million words in your target language within a year. However, there are a couple of factors to consider when setting goals to read in a foreign language.
What if I’m currently studying more than one language?
If you’re dedicated to one language, reading a million words per year is absolutely an attainable goal. This can be achieved by reading one book per month and supplementing with online content, articles, and social media. If you’re learning multiple languages simultaneously, this goal becomes more difficult. Ultimately, the feasibility of this goal comes down to your reading speed, the amount of time you have available, and the consistency of your reading habits.
What level should I have in my target language?
If you’re on the verge of reaching an advanced level (C1), reading a book a week in the target language is a worthwhile goal. Combining reading with listening, such as using audiobooks alongside e-books, can enhance comprehension and fluency. If you’re not as advanced, this is still worth pursuing. However, it may be more fruitful to tackle shorter texts, articles, and podcasts while your familiarity with the language is still in earlier stages of development.
Final Thoughts
Achieving the goal of reading one million words a year in your target language is realistic and highly beneficial. It enhances vocabulary, listening comprehension, and overall language proficiency. The key is to stay consistent, choose interesting content, and integrate listening with reading. Consider using platforms like LingQ help you read a wider range of material more frequently and track your process. Well, there you have it! Are you up for the challenge?
comments on “How to Read One Million Words per Year in your Target Language”