If you don’t mind me asking, were you raised speaking English, too? As a monoglot, it blows my mind when people are fluent enough in a second language to enjoy reading fiction in that language. I’ve tried to learn Spanish, and would love to get to that point, but I really wonder if I’d be able to enjoy reading for leisure in another language, or if it would feel like a chore.
I’ve tried to learn Spanish, and would love to get to that point, but I really wonder if I’d be able to enjoy reading for leisure in another language, or if it would feel like a chore.
It’s a pain at first, don’t get me wrong, but if you start with a decent amount of knowledge you should be fine. Definitely not something to do before you have confidence in your command of the language, though.
I also mostly read books (or consume media in general) in English and I was not raised speaking English. I had English in school but most of my English skills come from watching movies/TV shows in English with subtitles in my language. After a while I switched subtitles to English too.
It was not easy to take the plunge, first few books were definitely harder to read but I got used to it after a time - it also really helps your English to consume the media in it. I see it as easier alternative to go living in English speaking country - by far not on par, but was good enough for me (I’d not say I’m fluent though)
If you don’t mind me asking, were you raised speaking English, too? As a monoglot, it blows my mind when people are fluent enough in a second language to enjoy reading fiction in that language. I’ve tried to learn Spanish, and would love to get to that point, but I really wonder if I’d be able to enjoy reading for leisure in another language, or if it would feel like a chore.
It’s a pain at first, don’t get me wrong, but if you start with a decent amount of knowledge you should be fine. Definitely not something to do before you have confidence in your command of the language, though.
Source: Learning Japanese, been there.
I also mostly read books (or consume media in general) in English and I was not raised speaking English. I had English in school but most of my English skills come from watching movies/TV shows in English with subtitles in my language. After a while I switched subtitles to English too.
It was not easy to take the plunge, first few books were definitely harder to read but I got used to it after a time - it also really helps your English to consume the media in it. I see it as easier alternative to go living in English speaking country - by far not on par, but was good enough for me (I’d not say I’m fluent though)