Monday, March 18, 2013

Reading Habits & Resources

Please tell me about your English reading habits by posting a comment below.

  • What kind of reading do you do? 
  • Where do you get most of your reading material?
  • What kind of materials (books, magazines, online articles, blogs) and topics (literature, fashion, sports, entertainment, etc.) do you find most interesting and/or useful?
  • What are the biggest obstacles you face to developing an active reading habit (e.g. laziness, cost, finding appropriate level material) 
Please make sure to include your name and the URL's (website addresses) of any online sources of reading materials. 

You can find hundreds of leveled readers (books for extensive reading) right by the entrance of the BUFS Library.

Assignment
: Bring at least 30 minutes of enjoyable reading material for next week's one hour class block (ENG317-2: Monday, ENG317-3: Friday)

Throughout this semester, I encourage you to read as much enjoyable material as possible.  Please document your reading and learning by going to the course website (jefflebow.net/eng317), clicking on your class Reading Notes and finding your personal Reading Record.  List (and link to if possible) what you have read, add brief comments, and post any words or phrases that you learned. I suggest looking up words you don’t know after you’ve finished reading.  While this is not a required assignment, it will be considered when calculating grades at the end of the semester. More importantly, I hope this will be a helpful habit for you to develop on your lifelong journey of language learning. Go Bookworms Go! Reading Notes:   Eng317-2     Eng317-3


Selected Readings from Jeff  (printable versions)



Possible Online Sources of Reading Material

News
Entertainment
Literature

40 comments:

  1. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/sports/figure-skater-kim-yu-na-is-back.html?_r=0

    This site is newyork times.
    My favorite english reading site.
    When i study web english class, i visit first this site.
    I like sports part of essay.
    The essay theme is figure skate world championship won of the kim yun a.
    Thank you~.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Actually I don't like heavy topic, though this is special case. I've got many stuffs from my other English class.I usually find it through online articles. As everyone already knows, Hugo Chavez passed away 2weeks ago. and i learned about his achievement things like that. During I read this articles, I feel like sick and tired cuz It is not appropriate comparing my reading level. There are lots of formal words and idioms either. That's why I had a long time to understand

    ReplyDelete
  3. 박용위 20061163 Park Young WeMarch 18, 2013 at 11:01 PM

    l try to read a couple of news articles posted by CNN reporters through CNN web-site on a daily basis. Most topics that l read are about justice, business and all articles related to Korea, including North Korea. These are very useful when l have a conversation with my friends in accordance with them. Additionally, it can make me look intelligent by useing professional vocabulary such as "net price" in business. Laziness is one of my obstacles to news acticles because l have many chances to look at them but l listen to music rather than reading them on my way to school.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. in acorrdance with x -> in relevance to
      to (read) news articles

      Delete
  4. • What kind of reading do you do?
    - I usually read articles on the internet.

    • Where do you get most of your reading material?
    - As I said earlier I get most of my reading material on the internet. Especially, Koreaherald is my favorite website.

    • What kind of materials and topics do you find most interesting and/or useful?
    - I think online articles are very useful and convenient. They offer various topics. Such as nation, life, entertainment, sports and world. Also I can get these reading materials at anytime and anywhere with my smart-phone. The most interesting topic is life style. There are less technical term than other topics. So it is easy for me to read and understand the articles. Also it can increase my concentration and make me read articles steadily.

    • What are the biggest obstacles you face to developing an active reading habit?
    - Sometimes, it is hard for me to find appropriate level materials. There are a huge number of materials. So, I spend much time to find it, not to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 문창식 20090209 Moon chang sikMarch 20, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    I read news articles on the internet website 'Koreaherald'. I'm trying to read most of the materials, but I don't have enough time to read and some materials are hard to understand because of some terminologies. So I usually read travel and movie materials. These articles are easy to read and most of them have simple terms. Lack of vocabulary is the biggest obstacle of reading articles.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 이상호 20091535 Lee SanghoMarch 20, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    이상호 20091535 Lee Sangho

    I usually read a short story. What I am reading books is almost in our universty library. I read a book level 4. Sometime I try to read newspaper or magazine. The reason I am reading short story is that I like short story like novel and I hope to increase my english reading skills.What I interested in topics are Life, Health, Sport.I am not go usually wepsite like cnn,abc because that's text vocaborary word is too dificully for me.So when I encounter dificult word, I am feeling not to do reading text.

    ReplyDelete
  7. 20110166 Lim Su-Jin

    When I have enough time, I read a short story book can borrow at the library. These days, I'm reading a book named 'The snow of Kilimanjaro' by Earnest Hemingway.
    I get most of my reading material in the library and Internet. But, I want to recommend you guys to use the Internet. I want to recommend a website http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek.html
    There are many world news, and you can read many parts of the news like politics, business, fashion. I think the newses in this website are easier than CNN, or TIME.
    I'm interested in novel, and online articles about entertainment.
    My biggest obstacles of my reading habit is laziness. Reading a book to the end is hard to me because of my laziness.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Reading something is a good way to improve English skills. I also try to read many stuff on the internet at Korea Hereld, Koreatimes, and Jungang daily. But I think listening is as important as reading. I usually visit TED web site. There are many lectures on that site. I can choose my interest in science and entertainment. Also TED is providing English and Korea subtitle. It is hard to understand everything so I used to see with English subtitle.

    ReplyDelete
  9. frankly speaking, I rarely read a book, article, journal etc.
    I interested in traveling and sports, especially soccer. so sometimes I read a article at the internet FIFA homepage. the biggest obstacles is the laziness. when I faced some difficult words, skiped to find that words. it's also one of the biggest obstacles.
    I want to read about travels, I don't care where it is. but I still didn't find these site.

    ReplyDelete
  10. 20110169 장한빛
    I don't read much because when I read in English, I look up dictionary a lot to find words. But sometimes I use Joongang Daily site for assignment. Website is http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/ .
    I find interesting in sports and entertainment article. Recently, I read YunAh Kim's article. The title was very impressive, "Leader Kim has rested, not rusted".

    ReplyDelete
  11. When I have a free time in my shcool life, or stay in my home , sometimes I read a short story book. It is too difficult to read a book but I understand whole story. One of most important things is reading books help me to improve my English skills. But I know all things that can be help my English skills but when I read a book, I was always fall asleep in my bed. I will try to make my bad habits better. I don't have any websites about article, journal or travel. Sometimes I enter Soccer journal website but not frequently.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like reading short story books. If you go to the 1st floor of the school library, there are plenty of books that you can choose according to your reading level. Those books also have many topics such as biography, love story, mysteries, etc. I like to read mystery books because it makes me excited. My biggest obstacle is laziness. When I took a Reading class last semester, I was required to read as many books as possible in order to get a good grade. But now, nobody push me to do so. I hope that I keep reading those books persistently.

    ReplyDelete
  13. 20090212 박 영 경March 21, 2013 at 12:48 AM

    I love to read many kinds of materials aloud. I don't care about subject because I just enjoy reading newspaper,article, magazine and book so on in English. Only a few years ago, I felt nerves and lost my confidence in English pronunciation. However, I tried to read newspaper and easy book in English everyday so that I could improve my pronunciation skill. Therefore, I think reading is very good manner to increase English ability especially readig newspaper and book. But I think I really really getting lazy with reading thesedays since I think much better than before.

    ReplyDelete
  14. 20100078 나연우(Jamie)March 21, 2013 at 2:06 AM

    Actually, I can't help but read Korean SAT's English question sheet and textbooks everyday because I'm teaching students in the institute. My job was to explain a lot of sentences and paragraghs. And if I want to do so, I should correct my pronunciation and memorise vocabularies reading all kind of highschool textbooks. The books were about various field including economy, history, science, IT, environment and all. At first, I was really annoyed because I thought reading these books is not only boring but wasting my time. But, eventually, this job improved my reading skill. Frankly speaking, I don't want to recommend reading text books. It's really, really lame. I prefer to read novels like Harry Poter Series or Twightlight. I'm a big fan of fantasy novels.

    ReplyDelete
  15. 20090098 안민선March 21, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    http://www.koreaherald.com/

    Sometimes I read news articles and I also read novels such as Harry Potter and Eat Pray Love, etc. When I read a book in English, I try to guess the meaning of words from context. If I don't understand, I look up a word in a dictionary. Therefore, it improved my vocabulary and reading skill.

    ReplyDelete
  16. 20110190 최유정March 21, 2013 at 7:56 PM

    I usually read romance, fantasy and mystery novels. And I get the most books in Aamazon free Kindle books. Frequently, I am hard to concentrate on books because difficult words. I try not to look in a dictionary but guess the meaning of words. However, before I knew it I refer to a dictionary. Also, finding appropriate level is another obstacle to me and I think it is very important. I pick up the books depend on the title not my level. Therefore, sometimes the books too difficult to read and I lose interest. Whenever, I wish someone would tell me my reading level and I really want to know it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. 20112511 정진모March 22, 2013 at 3:14 PM

    I ususally read the Bible. I'm interested in it and also it's interesting. This is written easy words on the whole except name of people, city and etc. It's difficult for me to pronounce them. Of course there is many words I've never seen and heard. But I know the story so I can read it easier than another book. I rarely read articles about Korea written in English in the internet. I absolutely thought it's interesting. But I often gave up reading it because of my vocabulary (sometimes idioms and grammar). And I think my biggest obstacle is laziness. Patience is very very important.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Well.. Since I am a student, I know I have to read many books, newspapers and so on. However, for the non-native speakers, it is not easy to go in for reading books everyday. So do I not like books as well, but when I was involved with a small study group, one of the members said to me, "Why don't we read a small article in the website and talk it over with teammates later?" He mentioned very strongly about his opinion,So I was forced to do it as a first step. I was looking for many kinds of articles in the web. Most of articles were focused on what ESL students wanted that there were easier to understood to me comparing with those I had been learned through the web sites. From now on, I sometimes print 'six-minute English' out from BBC that try to tune in to what they are talking about. Without a script,I could not understand their conversation during the six minute,but I am willing to listen it as long as possible, I wish I would my listening skill would be stepped up at the end of this semester.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 20070020 김민수(Patrick)March 23, 2013 at 5:23 PM

      http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2013/03/130321_6min_traffic_jam.shtml

      Delete
  19. 윤예은 (Sophia)March 25, 2013 at 1:14 PM

    I usually read an English article or book when it is realted to my class. I find them on WIKIPEDIA, GOOGLE, or in the library. The most interesting topics for me is the sports & entertainments because I don't feel bored while reading them. Laziness and is biggest obstacle that I face to develop my active reading habit. However, by taking your class, I will try to read an English articles and book as much as possible I can and be deligent and not to be lazy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is a typing error in my comment. The word 'and' after the word 'Laziness. Sorry sir:)

      Delete
  20. What kind of reading do you do?
    -I usually read articles or the material i get from the class.
    Where do you get most of your reading material?
    -I get most of the material from the internet.
    What kind of materials (books, magazines, online articles, blogs) and topics (literature, fashion, sports, entertainment, etc.) do you find most interesting and/or useful?
    -Easy books or blogs can attarct me most because i have spontaneous purpose to read it. Education and literature is the most interesting topic.
    What are the biggest obstacles you face to developing an active reading habit (e.g. laziness, cost, finding appropriate level material)
    Difficult words are the biggest obstacles to read and also there is not enough motivation to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. 20110636 김연주 Kim Yeon-JuMarch 26, 2013 at 5:54 PM

    Actually I prefer reading a romantic story, impressive non-fiction, and a useful guidebook on everyday English usage or real-life. However, when I became a sophomore, I had to expose myself to difficult articles such as diverse religions, policies, and literatures. It was too hard for me at that time. Sometimes, it was beyond my ability because I had to compensate the lack of knowledge by searching one by one. I usually find the reading materials from the Internet or books to get information. The Internet is the most convenient way to collect materials. Short stories and online articles are the most interesting. The articles which is related to fashion or entertainment, especially rather shocking issues attract my attention. To have extensive reading habit, the laziness is the biggest obstacle for me. Sometimes, concentrating on reading a book or article at a given time is really boring. Thus, it is very important to find proper level materials for me and repeat reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 20110636 김연주 Kim Yeon-JuMarch 27, 2013 at 3:03 PM

      I forgot to attach the URL.
      http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/
      http://www.vogue.co.uk/

      Delete
  22. 20110043 김나경(Becca)March 26, 2013 at 7:21 PM

    What kind of reading do you do?
    : Actually, I rarely read English book. When I had class which must read English book or article, I read.

    Where do you get most of your reading material?
    : I usually go to our university library or find Internet site.

    What kind of materials (books, magazines, online articles, blogs) and topics (literature, fashion, sports, entertainment, etc.) do you find most interesting and/or useful?
    : I think I already burnt out reading English book. That’s why I have been read English text book or boring topics. However, I know that it is very not good attitude to learn English. I love to read online articles and blogs about beauty, fashion, entertainment and novel (about human) which were written Korean language. So from now on, I will read English book which I already read before as written Korean language. It helps me more understandable so that I read twice. (Korean language 1, English 1)

    What are the biggest obstacles you face to developing an active reading habit (e.g. laziness, cost, finding appropriate level material)
    : My obstacles are vocabulary and grammar. I heard my former professor that vocabulary is not problem because we can guess the meaning, reading books. However it is too hard to me. Moreover, English grammar is very difficult, so I have difficulty in reading English book even though I know meaning of vocabulary. But my major headache is laziness.

    ReplyDelete
  23. 이선아 20110143March 26, 2013 at 8:27 PM

    What kind of reading do you do?
    I didn't read English book rarely...

    Where do you get most of your reading material?
    I usually get reading material from library. I often read English newpaper of school paper.

    What kind of materials (books, magazines, online articles, blogs) and topics (literature, fashion, sports, entertainment, etc.) do you find most interesting and/or useful?


    What are the biggest obstacles you face to developing an active reading habit (e.g. laziness, cost, finding appropriate level material)
    my biggest obstacles is vocabulary and laziness.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I usually read the newspapers through the Time and sometimes practise reading fast for Toeic or Toefl within a limited time so I hardly remember the specific stories after finishing it. What I find most interesting topic is usually about entertainment gossips or environmental
    phenomenons. I personally think that even though there are a mount of materials and time,I don't feel like reading books because of the lack of will. Also this website, www.people.com is advisable.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I sometimes read english articles. Especially Asia's news. I frequently read articles through my cell. I think fashion is the most interesting topic. Also online articles are the most useful. I believe the biggest obstacle is finding appropriate level material. Because lots of people just write down something. They don't concern about the level.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What kind of reading do you do?

    I usually read novel and essay, but not in English.
    I read English books only when I have to read it for class or it depends on my mood.

    Where do you get most of your reading material?

    I go to library.
    Library is my favorite place in school and there's many books in several languages. so useful.

    What kind of materials (books, magazines, online articles, blogs) and topics (literature, fashion, sports, entertainment, etc.) do you find most interesting and/or useful?

    I like all kinds of reding materials. Books, magazines, articles... but inter alia, I love literature book.
    It's interesting to read someone's fruit of imagination.

    What are the biggest obstacles you face to developing an active reading habit (e.g. laziness, cost, finding appropriate level material)

    Personally, I find obstsacles when I try to translate English to Korean unconsciously.
    I think accept English vocabulary as English is more helpful to understand.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I usually read some news or articles on the internet.
    I also like to read essay or autobiography to get more knowlegde.
    However recently I barely read books. Rather reading books, I think it's useful for me to use that time studying for license.
    I think we all know that reading English books can help you to increse your English skills ,but in reality students think that memorizing
    vocabularies or solving question skills are more useful.Of course we find obstacles trying to translate in Korean too. It takes lot of time.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love reading novel and self-development.
    when I have free time, I'd like to read a small book.
    usually I buy it so whenever I can read again.
    but these day I go to library.
    I also like all kinds of reading material like magazines and online articles, blogs so on. but for me literature book is my favorite.
    I can get many knowledges and learn lots of stuff I don't know.
    my biggest obstacles is laziness.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Actually I started trying to keep reading books during any rest time from begining of this year. It's not that easy to me but I'm still trying it.

    But sometimes books are so boring then I often read on-line news with my cellphone. When I browse on the internet the articles come up naturally with the titles of them in bold so I can easily find which one is the latest and how many people red them. I usually follow the community's interests. I have some problems about reading. I can't concentrate on books. And so that I can't read fast nor remember the whole story.

    ReplyDelete
  30. What kind of reading do you do?
    I usually read internet news in korean, and rarely English novels.

    Where do you get most of your reading material?
    From an internet homepage(naver, nate...), or a bookstore.
    When i have some time, i go to bookstore or library, and find a funny title of books. Than i choose an interesting one, and read. :D

    What kind of materials (books, magazines, online articles, blogs) and topics (literature, fashion, sports, entertainment, etc.) do you find most interesting and/or useful?
    I think Books are interesting for me. I like the sound of shuffling papers and it makes me feel that i'm doing good job.
    I also love interesting stories that makes me absorbed like love stories, and old stories. I just like literature.

    What are the biggest obstacles you face to developing an active reading habit (e.g. laziness, cost, finding appropriate level material)
    Sometimes it's hard for me to concentrate on just reading. haha
    And in English reading, i can't read fast because i read the sentense's each words. I mean i make the sounds of words in my mind together when i read the words.(It's hard to explain ;o) haha

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  31. sorry for late, I now find class URL at all ;-(
    I took professor Nelson's ENGLISH CONVERSATION class for a one year before, since then I love reading. He continued to encourage us to read more books and enjoy them. I still borrow some books from school library, prof Nelson's class is done, though.
    I prefer detective & mystery stories to boring love stories.
    honestly, I'm big fan of SHERLOCK HOLMES'. among his events, I love
    "The Hound OF Barskerville" the most.--I'm afraid that spells are not correct..
    umm, I don't mean that I'm a good reader. when Im busying with homeworks, reports and test, I don't read any books without textbooks.
    Actually, I bought a book,title of "Pride and Prejudice",but it was too challenging to me, so it is now sleeping somewhere in my bookshelves ;-)
    BUT I can say I like reading.

    ReplyDelete
  32. 20100244 이유진 (You-jin Lee)

    1. What kind of reading do you do?
    I read books (mostly novel) in my spare time, and I like to read books slowly, so that I can get as much details as I can. I think it takes me a little longer than most people to finish a book.

    2. Where do you get most of your reading material?
    I love bookstores, and I like to spend hours looking through new books there. So I usually get my reading materials from bookstores.

    3. What kind of materials (books, magazines, online articles, blogs) and topics (literature, fashion, sports, entertainment, etc.) do you find most interesting and/or useful?
    I always prefer paper books, and I don't like reading off a computer screen. And I feel motivational and inspirational books for college students are very helpful.

    4. What are the biggest obstacles you face to developing an active reading habit (e.g. laziness, cost, finding appropriate level material)
    Laziness, definitely!

    ReplyDelete
  33. YoonJung Hong 20100198April 3, 2013 at 2:09 AM

    Somethimes i read books about a detective story and it made me attract in interested that's why my manor is Law. i usually search for on the internet(something like blog or cartoon) and go to bookstores. Also i can guess and think during the whole reading time so it does not boring. Hence it can improve my creative think and reasoning power.
    http://www.arirang.co.kr/index.asp

    ReplyDelete
  34. 20100197 현온유April 3, 2013 at 12:02 PM

    What kind of reading do you do?
    :I'm interested in reading entertainment articles and sports.

    Where do you get most of your reading material?
    :www.insideedition.com <- This site has a lot of entertaintment articles.

    What kind of materials (books, magazines, online articles, blogs) and topics (literature, fashion, sports, entertainment, etc.) do you find most interesting and/or useful?
    :I like reading online articles. It's pretty fast and useful.

    What are the biggest obstacles you face to developing an active reading habit (e.g. laziness, cost, finding appropriate level material)
    :I think most students have laziness in reading habit. Actuaaly, I'm the one. I should solve this problem.

    ReplyDelete
  35. 20110482 강민지 (Enlish name is MINJI KANG)
    •What kind of reading do you do?
    Usually magazines and novels!
    •Where do you get most of your reading material?
    Many ways like local library or Shool libarary.. through the Internet and so on.
    •What kind of materials (books, magazines, online articles, blogs) and topics (literature, fashion, sports, entertainment, etc.) do you find most interesting and/or useful?
    I prefer to read a lot of books, especially classics like "Remiserable" , "Pride & Prejudice".
    •What are the biggest obstacles you face to developing an active reading habit (e.g. laziness, cost, finding appropriate level material)
    I think the biggest thing is A "Vocabulary". Because a lot of term of meaning and vocabulary in the classics are sometimes really hard to understand(Indeed Lol).
    Please make sure to include your name and the URL's (website addresses) of any online sources of reading materials.

    You can find hundreds of leveled readers (books for extensive reading) right by the entrance of the BUFS Library.

    ReplyDelete
  36. 20110328 전요한, YOHAN JEON, JOHN
    What kind of reading do you do?
    * it's not clear to say. but, it's up to kind of 'the academic reasons' needed in some situations like.. if it's like i'm lacking of the information on one topic such as 'world cultures', i start reading books about that. if it's on the love, i read some psychology books. so.. yeah "information books".

    Where do you get most of your reading material?
    * almost in library.

    What kind of materials (books, magazines, online articles, blogs) and topics (literature, fashion, sports, entertainment, etc.) do you find most interesting and/or useful?
    * especially, i'd like to get some important information through online media. that's because..of its own convenience with readability enough to read faster at least than through books(i think so, but not exactly).
    and.. as written above, i'm interested in reading some books with a lot of information i could get as fast as i can go. it means.. whatever the book is, if that has a useful information, i'd read that. no matter what :)

    What are the biggest obstacles you face to developing an active reading habit (e.g. laziness, cost, finding appropriate level material)
    * of course, it's from my laziness. haha :P and when it comes to some difficulties in reading books written in foreign languages, totally it's because of my lacking in voca.

    ReplyDelete

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