Graded readers: start reading in a new language early

Graded readers are books written for language learners. Each level uses a limited set of words and simple grammar, so you can read a whole story long before you could read a novel. They are the gentlest way to start reading in a new language, and reading is where most of your vocabulary will come from.

Why reading early helps #

When you read a story you understand, you meet the same words again and again in new sentences. Your memory does the work without flashcards. You also learn how sentences are built, which helps you later when you speak.

Choose the right level of graded readers #

Read the first page. If you understand nearly every word and can follow the story, the level is right. If you stop at every line to look up a word, go down a level. Reading should feel easy. That is the point.

The Extensive Reading Foundation has guides to levels and lists of graded readers in several languages.

How to read them #

• Read for the story. Do not stop for every unknown word. Guess from the sentence and keep going.
• Note a few words. Write down only words that come up three or more times. Those are worth putting into spaced repetition cards.
• Read every day. A few pages a day keeps the story fresh, and you finish more books.
• Listen too. Many graded readers come with an audio version. Listening while you read links the written word to its sound.

The first book I finished in German was written for teenagers. I was more proud of it than of any exam.

After graded readers #

When the top level feels easy, try short stories or a children's novel you know in your own language. A known story lets you guess more. Then move on to the shadowing technique with the audio of a book you have read, so your speaking catches up with your reading.