Learning English isn't only about learning grammar. You will also need to know how to read, understand and analyse texts. In order to improve your reading skills, you should:
Read, read, read ... sounds obvious, but it really works!
What should you read? Some people will tell you to read books. That's a great idea, but it's pointless if you don't enjoy reading.
Don't start reading a book you know you aren't going to enjoy. Making the right choice is important. Before you delve in and start reading "War and Peace", think about what kind of stories (or films) you enjoy. That will help you immediately rule out certain fields of literature. Or, if even that sounds daunting, start by reading magazines. It's better to read short articles that grab your attention, rather than spending hours or days reading something you're not going to enjoy. When you are ready to start reading novels, take a look at the JTC booklist for final year students. These books have all been approved as of the correct level for taking a HAVO or VWO exam.
Once you've read a text, try summarizing it in just three sentences. That will help you check whether you've understood the book. Talk about this with your teacher to check whether you've understood the text correctly.
If you're a student at the Jan Tinbergen College, get behind one of the school computers and practise your reading on the Intensief Lezen software available. The texts and questions are set at the right level for you and will help you learn.
For the older students, have a look at www.examenbundel.nl, where you can find past exam papers to practise with.
You should start reading more newspapers, academic journals and magazines. These are often the sources of exam texts, so if you get familiar with the style and level of writing early, you'll sail through your exams. Examples of such sources are: The Economist, Newsweek, Time, Financial Times, Scientific American.
Last, but not least, talk to your teacher about it. A problem shared is a problem halved, and together you'll find a solution that suits you.
What should you read? Some people will tell you to read books. That's a great idea, but it's pointless if you don't enjoy reading.
Don't start reading a book you know you aren't going to enjoy. Making the right choice is important. Before you delve in and start reading "War and Peace", think about what kind of stories (or films) you enjoy. That will help you immediately rule out certain fields of literature. Or, if even that sounds daunting, start by reading magazines. It's better to read short articles that grab your attention, rather than spending hours or days reading something you're not going to enjoy. When you are ready to start reading novels, take a look at the JTC booklist for final year students. These books have all been approved as of the correct level for taking a HAVO or VWO exam.
Once you've read a text, try summarizing it in just three sentences. That will help you check whether you've understood the book. Talk about this with your teacher to check whether you've understood the text correctly.
If you're a student at the Jan Tinbergen College, get behind one of the school computers and practise your reading on the Intensief Lezen software available. The texts and questions are set at the right level for you and will help you learn.
For the older students, have a look at www.examenbundel.nl, where you can find past exam papers to practise with.
You should start reading more newspapers, academic journals and magazines. These are often the sources of exam texts, so if you get familiar with the style and level of writing early, you'll sail through your exams. Examples of such sources are: The Economist, Newsweek, Time, Financial Times, Scientific American.
Last, but not least, talk to your teacher about it. A problem shared is a problem halved, and together you'll find a solution that suits you.
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