B1 English Reading: How to Learn a New Language (Intermediate ESL)

Alex
2 hours ago
3 min read

B1 intermediate English reading. Read the text, answer the questions, and listen to the audio. Includes a free PDF for self-study or ESL classroom learning. — B1 English Reading Practice: How to Learn a New Language

This high B1 English reading is ideal for B1 learners who can clearly express their ideas about common topics with simple, compound, and complex sentences. They can connect multiple ideas together and more confidently derive meaning from context. Grammatically, they have adequate command of the past, present, and future simple, the past and present continuous, present perfect, and first and second conditionals.

Read the text and answer the comprehension questions. You can also listen to the audio to practice your listening and speaking skills.

Level B1 Intermediate English Reading Practice: How to Learn a New Language

Download the PDF for self-study or for the ESL classroom.

So, you have decided to learn a new language. Before you begin, you ask yourself two of the most common learning questions: "Where do I start?" and "What's the best way to learn?" In brief, if you want to learn a new language, you need to do the following things:

CLARIFY YOUR NEEDS

It's important to understand your needs so you can focus your learning. If you want to read books in their original language, you should do a lot of reading. If you know that it is difficult for speakers of your first language to pronounce certain sounds in your target language, make sure you focus on that immediately. Be as specific as possible about your needs.

GET MEANINGFUL INPUT

Listening and reading are the most important parts of learning a new language. With regular input, you learn how the language sounds and how its grammar works. This is also how you learn new vocabulary and start developing a sense of the language. Start with short texts and audio recordings, and move on to longer texts and recordings as your skills grow.

GET MEANINGFUL OUTPUT

Produce written and spoken output in your target language. Write about your day. Watch a short video and write a summary of it. Listen to dialogues and repeat them. Learn and practice sounds, phrases, and sentences that are useful for you. Make your writing and speaking personal and relevant to your interests.

USE GRADED MATERIALS

Find and use resources that are good for your level. Don't expect to understand movies or to read novels in your target language right away. Remember: You have to learn to crawl before you learn to walk. If you're a beginner, use beginner materials. If beginner materials are too easy, try intermediate materials, and so on.

USE A VARIETY OF LEARNING TECHNIQUES

Some learning techniques will work better for you than others. If you don't like reading dialogues, try shadowing (repeating what people say and how they say it). If you don't like studying vocabulary lists, try reading short texts and learning through context. There is no perfect single technique. You must find a mix of techniques that works best for you.

By clarifying your needs, getting meaningful input and output, using graded materials, and using a variety of learning techniques, you can make significant progress in your new language. Good luck!

Comprehension Questions

Why is it important to clarify your needs?
a) You can focus your learning.
b) You can learn more.
c) You can read books.

Practicing a weaker sound in your target language is an example of _______________.
a) meaningful input
b) using graded materials
c) focusing your learning
What is an example of meaningful input?
a) Reading a short text.
b) Leaving a phone message.
c) Writing an email.