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What is the best way to get a student who is already a fluent English speaker to become comfortable reading English literature and novels?

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Question added by Sally Majali
Date Posted: 2016/07/24
مها شرف
by مها شرف , معلمة لغة عربية , وزارة التربية السورية

I agree with experts answer. Thanks for the invitation. 

Christian Kakhia
by Christian Kakhia , Associate, Event Services, Football - Asia , Lagardere Sport

I see the problem you are concerned with seems to presuppose that a fluent english speaker has more motivation, or should possibly be more apt to read, than a less fluent speaker. While there is no good reason to suppose why the one would be more or less motivated than the other, I think it is better to suppose, for the purpose of this question, since it calls for a facile response, that this concern surveys the whole English literate peoples.

It is more likely that a person be driven to read if she finds herself someone to talk, discuss, argue and entertain the books she is set to read.

For one, there are truth's you and I find in our readings which seem to contain a universal element in them. Share these truth's when experience permits and make your sources explicit, that whoever sees something that is possibly similar to what we see would know where to look.

Shadi Alomary
by Shadi Alomary , Simultaneous Interpreter , Pegasus

If the purpose is to practice reading, these are not the way in my opinion . I would suggest read newsletters online " Although most of them nowadays are devastating to read and it will put you in a depression state of mind " , Anyway, read easy written books and what I mean by that NOT THE ELIZABETHIAN LITERATURE . because even English native people themselves would close these books back after reading one page. it is a torture.

But if your purpose is try and understand these kinda of novels and be attached to it as some people claim they are, try Audio books , maybe it will be less painful by taking the reading part. 

So, my golden rule if it is your thing go for it and if it is not your thing don't go for it and read something else.  and That is exactly why I don't read such novels or novels at all really , it is not my thing.  

Mohammed  Ferdous
by Mohammed Ferdous , Faculty, English , Pledge Harbor International School; Bhuiyan Academy; The Aga Khan School, Dhaka & Scholastica

Suggest those genre which are stimulating for that student: for example if a student loves romantic composition select romntic literature for her/ him, likewise if a student loves comic put comedy in his reading list. This technique shall help you to raise interest and make your fluent students comfortable in reading.

I think you should first start with reading ones that suits your language level the gradually read those which are more advanced .

Daniel Metz
by Daniel Metz , Math and Physics teacher , Limai Chinese-American (International) School

Dear Sally,

Just choose one and READ! There is no magic way. You will at first have to look up difficult words. Often novels have notes at the back to explain cultural references that are no longer known at present, so that will help you. You will become comfortable the more you READ. It's so simple!

Now the question is: what should you read? I suggest for you the novels of Jane Austen. Please start with Pride and Prejudice, and then read the others. I have read Mansfield Park and am now reading Northanger Abbey. Jane Austen writes in absolutely beautiful modern English, especially her dialogues. People must have spoken that way around 1800.I would then suggest two amazing Russian novels in English translation: Tolstoy's War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Amazing!

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