Build a Japanese extensive-reading habit

The idea

Choose a text you can follow without frequent dictionary stops, such as a graded reader or a short article on a familiar topic. Set a small time and a regular cue, like ten minutes before bed. Read for the gist, skip nonessential unknown words, then record the title, time and a one-sentence summary. At the end of the week, use your log to adjust the length or difficulty.

Examples

• 毎晩まいばん、寝ねる前まえに十分じゅっぷんだけ読よみます。Every evening, I read for just ten minutes before bed.
• 知しらない言葉ことばがあっても、まず話はなしの流ながれを追おいます。Even if there are unfamiliar words, I first follow the flow of the story.
• 難むずかしすぎる本ほんは置おいて、もっと読よみやすい本ほんを選えらびます。I put aside a book that is too difficult and choose an easier one.
• 読よみ終おわったら、内容ないようを一文いちぶんで書かきます。When I finish reading, I write the content in one sentence.
• 気きに入いった記事きじを、翌日よくじつもう一度いちど読よみます。I read an article I liked again the next day.
• 読書どくしょの記録きろくを見みて、次つぎの週しゅうの目標もくひょうを決きめます。I look at my reading log and decide on a goal for the next week.

Watch out

Extensive reading is not a race or a ban on dictionaries. If the main idea is unclear or reading feels like work, switch to an easier text; look up a word when it is essential.

Try it yourself

1. 毎晩まいばん、寝ねる前まえに＿だけ読よみます。（十分じゅっぷん／一時間いちじかん）

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   十分

   十分 means ten minutes: a small, repeatable session before bed.

2. 難むずかしすぎる本ほんは置おいて、もっと読よみやすい本ほんを＿ます。（選えらび／売うり）

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   選び

   選び completes 選びます, “choose”: replace the overly difficult book with a more readable one.

3. 読よみ終おわったら、内容ないようを＿で書かきます。（一文いちぶん／一冊いっさつ）

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   一文

   一文 means one sentence: a brief summary checks the gist without turning reading into a long writing exercise.

Use it today

Choose an accessible text and read for ten minutes on three days this week. Record each session and one sentence about what you understood; use the record to choose next week’s goal.