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Quel est votre niveau de lecture en français ?
If you understand that question, your French reading skills are off to a great start! But how can you improve them further?
There are endless tips and tricks on how to keep improving your reading skills long term, but it boils down to two things: what you learn and how you learn it. That means:
- Learning new vocabulary and grammar
- Using learning methods that help them stick
In this article, we'll tell you all you need to know about these two points. Read on for the best ways to improve your French reading skills!
Expand Your Knowledge
While "practice makes perfect" is true, poring over French literature for hours isn't a smart strategy for improving your French reading skills. Whether you read for a short or long period of time, we'll discuss the two areas you need to focus on below.
Vocabulary
For your French reading skills to improve, you need to expand your vocabulary. Then you can move on to more advanced pieces to keep progressing.
What's the best way to widen your vocabulary?
There are two basic strategies:
- Learn words as you come across them
- Deliberately study new and relevant vocabulary
The first strategy happens organically as you consume French media. When you read a word you're unfamiliar with, learn its definition. But before you jump for the dictionary, try to discern its meaning from the context. Then use the dictionary to check if you were correct. This is great practice for when you come across more complex, unfamiliar words in the future!
The second technique is great for learning words you anticipate you'll need in the future. For example, before a trip, you might learn useful phrases that you'll have to use or understand. Our lists of vocabulary exercises are a great place to get started
Grammar and Syntax
If you're an intermediate or advanced learner, we're sure you know the Subject-Verb-Object rules of basic French. But have you ever read a sentence in which you knew all of the words but still couldn't grasp the meaning?
That shows there's more grammar and syntax for you to learn!
Just like with vocabulary, when you come across a phrase you can't decipher, research its meaning as well as how it can be used in other contexts. Then you'll be able to understand it in the future and use it yourself.
Reading Practice Methods
Now that we've got the basics out of the way—learn new words and rules—how should you do it?
Strategies for French Reading Practice
The most effective reading improvement strategy is deliberate practice. That means:
- Intentional practice
- Using your current knowledge as a foundation
- Access to immediate, focused feedback
- Learning by repetition
How can you apply these tips, whether you're reading a novel or doing an online exercise?
In your self-study, make a deliberate effort to learn the words and phrases you don't know. When you come across them, you can choose to study them immediately or note them down for later. But either way, when you study, drill the new knowledge repeatedly.
This leads us to our second tip: recall and reconsolidation. These are powerful strategies to employ during deliberate practice.
Rather than just rereading your new vocabulary and grammar, recall them. This method of testing yourself is 300% more effective than just rereading.
Reconsolidation is a similar concept; recalling your new knowledge in varying contexts. Rather than drilling the same sentence over and over, study and recall how new words or phrases fit in different sentences. These slight modifications can double the speed at which you learn!
Tools for French Reading Practice
Now that you know the tricks, where should you start?
As we said, you can apply these reading strategies to any written material. Reading longer pieces of literature is a great way to see how ideas and concepts are developed in written French.
Responsive reading tools, though, can be even more effective.
Our online French reading exercises immediately test your knowledge and provide accurate feedback. They also let you choose the exact topic and CEFR level you want to work on. This helps you overcome any potential learning plateaus, as Kwizbot specifically advises what you should focus on to progress.
To that end, Learn French With Alexa and Kwiziq offers you a Brainmap that shows you what you've studied and how proficient you are in each area. And your Study Plan shows you which reading exercises you need to tackle next.
French Reading Practice for Every Level
Did you know that all of our reading exercises are created by native French teachers?
That means they teach French to English speakers day in and day out. They've specially designed lessons, exercises, and kwizzes that help you not just retain your French but keep improving faster.
Don't know where to start?
That's okay—Kwizbot does! To find out your French level, get a tailored Study Plan, and access all our free reading resources, create your own free Learn French With Alexa and Kwiziq account today!
