How To Overcome The Fear Of Reading In A New Language

For some people, reading in a new language can cause them a lot of anxiety. This is perfectly normal, it is a difficult task and you will be very uncomfortable with the whole process for some time.

However, this fear needs to be overcome. Reading is extremely important when you are learning a language and this simple task can really make a world of difference. 

Reading really can take your language skills to the next level, so I will go through some of the ways you can make it easier for yourself and hopefully lower your anxiety so you can actually make some progress.

Why Are You Scared Of Reading In Your New Language?

The biggest fear around reading is simply not being able to understand what you are reading, which makes sense.

However, you need to remember that this is okay. You are learning you are not meant to know everything at the moment. Too many of us suffer from perfectionism and if we can’t read something perfectly, then we don’t want to do it at all.

The reality is that we are going to spend a very long time reading things and not being fully sure what they mean. As long as you can get a general idea of what the text is about then you are winning, over time you will make progress and things will get clearer.

Don’t let perfectionism stop you; you need to embrace the fact that you don’t. 

(You can read more about – Why Is Reading In A New Language So Difficult?)

Read Simple Things

If you are worried about reading you should take a step back and focus on some simpler material. It is very easy to get out of your depth and be totally lost. Trying to read something simpler is just going to be more beneficial for you.

You are going to find it easier, but more importantly it will boost your confidence. You will feel like you can actually do something in the new language and often a little bit of encouragement is what you need to push you on to read some harder material.

(You can read more about – Reading Resources For Language Learning)

Reading Slowly Is Normal

Some people get worried about reading as they are incredibly slow. This is to be expected and is really something you can overcome with practice. 

You will find you are slow because you do not know the words, you are not comfortable with them, your internal voice will also not be quite sure if what you are reading sounds right and you will be filled with doubt.

This is going to be even worse if you are reading a language that has a different script. I find this happens to me all the time in Japanese. I have to sound out each letter to read the word. I am basically reading like a small child. It’s extremely frustrating, but it’s just a part of the process.

The more you practice, the faster you will get, you just have to struggle through it now, but it will get faster.

(You can read more – How To Get Faster At Reading In A New Language)

Take Your Time When Reading

You should also take your time when reading. As I have just discussed, you will naturally be quite slow at reading. This is normal and it is actually better to go slow anyway.

Take your time and read all the words properly, it can seem a little strange, but you will find you actually pick up more than just trying to rush through it at your usual speed.

As I’ve already said, you are not comfortable with the language, so take your time to get to know it as such, don’t just rush over it.

Going slow and steady will make things easier. As your comfort levels increase you will find that you naturally increase you speed anyway, so it’s nothing to worry about.   

(You can read more about – Common Mistakes When Reading In A New Language

Read In Small Chunks

If you are getting stressed out by reading, you should just break it down into small chunks.

You don’t need to sit and read a whole book, which would be pretty intense. Break it down, read a chapter, or a page, even a paragraph and if that is even too much, just read a few sentences.

Just trying to read one line is something you can do. Just take your time and go over it properly. This is going to be far less overwhelming.

Then all you need to do is just repeat that again later and after enough time you will have gone through the whole book.

 It doesn’t matter how long it takes you, just break it down into little chunks that you can manage and go from there. It is better to do something, even if it small, than nothing at all.

(You can read more about – What Are The Benefits Of Reading In A Second Language?)

Practice Reading More Often

This one sounds too simple, but it is actually the easiest way to overcome your worries. Just face the problem head on and start reading more.

The main issue is that you are not comfortable with the language and reading is awkward. You just have to battle through and eventually you will feel comfortable. 

This is a lesson you can take to anything you struggle with in life. Just do more of the thing and you will get better and then struggle less.

This of course if not going to make reading any easier right now, but if you combine this with the other techniques I talk about here, then you should be able to make it happen.

Just always remember that practice will make thing easier, so keep pushing.

(You can read more about – How To Practice Your Reading Skills In A New Language)

Re-read Things

If you are not re-reading material you need to start doing this. It’s always less intimidating the second time around.

When you read something, you will sort of get the context of what is going on. However, when you re-read it, you will be starting with this context and it really makes a difference.

You are firstly not going to be so stressed as you know what is going on before you start and you know there is going to be no real surprises as you have read the material before.

You will also usually find that you just generally have a better understanding after you read something a few times, which this alone will help you feel like you are making progress and have less anxiety.  

 (You can read more about – Frequently Asked Questions About – Reading In A Second Language)

Conclusion

As you can see there are a number of different ways to overcome the fear of reading, but really they all revolve around just reading more.

The more you practice the less stressed you will be. I know it’s hard at the beginning but it is worth the effort to push through. You will find it easier and you will also make some really great progress with your language.

Just keep reading, it will help you a lot. 

(You can read more about – Is Reading The Best Way To Learn A Language?)