Reading "El Quijote" in three languages........

How to be a better reader

The importance of reading

Reading is an extremely important skill. It is by reading that you learn much of what you need to know for your different school subjects.Reading is also an excellent way to improve your general English. You can only learn from reading, however, if what you read is not too difficult. For this reason, it is important to know what makes texts difficult and how you can improve your chances of understanding them.

What makes texts difficult to understand

Most of your reading difficulties will be caused by a problem on the list below. Of course, when two or more of these problems happen together, your chances of understanding will be even smaller.

• the text has many unknown words
• the text has long, complicated sentences
• the text is about a topic you know nothing about
• the text is about a topic you find boring
• the text has small print, long paragraphs, no pictures
• the text has been badly written
• you are feeling tired
• you are distracted
• you don't know the important cohesion markers
• you don't know why you have been asked to read the text

How to understand more of what you read

You can do nothing about some of the reading difficulties: for example, you can’t change the print in a book or make poor writing better. But there are many things you can do that will give you a better chance of understanding what you read. Here are some suggestions:

1. 1. Know your reading purpose - The way you read a book or a text depends very much on your reasons for reading it. This is why it is so important to know your reading purpose. You should read a question in your math exam differently from an entry in an encyclopaedia which you are looking at quickly to find out the date of an event. The kind of reading you do in class or for your homework is different from how you read a novel for pleasure in the summer vacation.If you know your reading purpose - perhaps by looking first at the questions you must answer after reading - you can choose the best reading method.
   If your teacher gives you something to read and doesn't tell you what you need to find out from the text or what you will do after the reading, ask her (or him)!
   
2. 2. Choose the appropriate reading speed - ESL students often take a long time to do their work because they read everything slowly and carefully. Often, however, one of the following speedreading methods will be the best choice:
   
   
   • Skimming - this is reading a text quickly to find out what information it contains. You should skim when, for example, you want to check if a text has the information you need to answer some questions or write a project. It is often enough to look at the first (and last) sentences in each paragraph.
     
   • Scanning - this is reading quickly to find a specific piece of information. You should scan when, for example, you are looking for the answer to a question which you know is in the text.
   In general, students should be trying to increase their reading speed. (Click to do some speed reading practice.)
   
3. 3. Get background information - Find something out about the topic you have to read. The more background information you have, the easier it will be to understand the text. You can get this background information background in your own language. For example, if you are studying the Italian Renaissance, you could read an encyclopaedia or textbook in your own language to find out the most important details about this historical period. Your parents may also be able to give you useful background information. Talk to them in your language.You can sometimes get background information from the text itself. Many writers include a conclusion or summary; if you read this first, it may give you a good start.
   
   
4. 4. Use all the information in the book - Good textbooks are well-organised, with titles, sub-titles, introductions, summaries or conclusions. Many books also have pictures with captions. Look at all these first before starting to read.Another aspect of good writing is that each paragraph has a topic sentence. A topic sentence is a sentence, usually the first one in a paragraph, that contains the main idea of the paragraph. If you concentrate on understanding the topic sentence, this may help you to understand what comes next.
   
   
5. 5. Increase your vocabulary - Of course, reading itself is an excellent way to improve your vocabulary, but there are many other things you can do. (More advice on learning vocabulary.) The better your vocabulary, the easier you will find your reading.
   
6. 6. Use your dictionary sensibly - A common mistake of ESL students is to look up each unknown word in the texts they are given to read. Occasionally this is necessary - for example, when reading examination questions. But it takes a long time and can be very boring. It can even make understanding more difficult because by the time you reach the end of the paragraph you have forgotten what you read at the beginning! (Advice on how and when to use your dictionary.)
   
7. 7. Learn the important words that organise text - When you read texts in your science or history books, you will find that most good writers organise their writing with cohesion markers (also calledtransition words). These are words that connect different parts of the writing and help writers structure their thoughts. If you learn the important cohesion markers, you will find it easier to understand the text.Here are some important cohesion markers: also, therefore, except,unless, however, instead, (al)though, furthermore, moreover,nevertheless, on the other hand, as a result, despite, in conclusion.
   
8. 8. Choose the right place to read - You can’t really expect to understand a difficult book if you are trying to read in the same room with the television on and your little brother distracting you. The same goes for reading in the bus on the way to school. You also can’t expect to read a textbook and listen to music at the same time. Try to find a quiet and comfortable place with good light, and your dictionaries and other materials nearby.
   
9. 9. Choose the right time to read - If you have a difficult text to read for homework, it’s probably best to do this first. If you leave it until last when you are tired, you will find it even more difficult.
   
   Important: If you have tried the advice above and you still cannot understand a text, then it is simply too hard for you. Stop reading and ask someone to help you (your ESL teacher, for example!). Nobody likes to give up, but you will just be wasting your time if you continue to work at a text that is beyond you.
   

   What to read

   Most of the time you have to read what your teachers tell you to read. But as you know, reading is an excellent way to improve your English, and so you should try to do some extra reading each week. Here is some advice on how to choose what to read:
   
   
   
   
   • Try not to read something too difficult - There should be no more than about 6-10 new words per page; reading for pleasure should not be hard work!
     
   • Reading easy books is good for you -You will improve your reading skills even if you read simple books, as long as you readlots of them. (But you may find you don't really enjoy stories written in English that has been over-simplified.)
     
   • Try to read some non-fiction - Reading non-fiction books or magazines will help you learn some of the words you need to do well in your subject classes. There are millions of pages of non-fiction on the world wide web!
     
   • Choose something that is interesting to you - This is clear. In fact, if you are really interested in a topic, you will probably be able to understand texts that would normally be too difficult for you.
     
   • Surf the internet - You can learn a lot of English just by surfing around on the websites that interest you. This is particularly true if the webpages contain pictures that help you understand the writing.

Reviews I

Oscar and Mrs. Rose

I read a lot but one book especially drew my attention. ‘Oscar and Mrs. Rose’ is a novel written by a French writer Eric Emmanuel Schmidt. It tells the story of a seven-year-old boy who suffers from cancer. He spends the entire part of his life in hospital where he has friends in a similar situation. Although he knows that he will die, he doesn’t give up and tries to enjoy every single moment of his life. This book is very gripping and moving. It’s worth reading and it makes you think. It’s perfect for people of all ages. Oscar’s attitude to life can be a great example for us of how to live your life to the fullest. I’m sure that nobody will regret the time devoted to reading this book.

By Natalia Gazdecka

Kamienie na szaniec

My favourite book I’ve read is "Kamienie na szaniec", written by A. Kamiński. The characters of this book are 3 boys: Zośka, Rudy and Alek, who belongs to a scout team. When World War II starts, they have to defend their country. This is my favourite book because I like the plot.

By Marcin Stępień

Adolescent-friendly library

„Adolescent-friendly library”

In today’s world more and more people don’t go to the library to read and broaden their mind. Mainly young people don’t like attending a library. There are many elements which have an impact on this situation. For example, everyone has a mobile phone and prefers playing games to reading books. I think we can change it and make libraries more encouraging.

First of all, decoration inside the library must be modern and painted with vivid colours. It is very crucial, because young people like to be trendy and have their own style.

Next, in every library there should be a computer workstation and a wireless network available for everyone. It can make more adolescents work on computers looking for information for their homework.

I also think that a library should have a special zone for people who want to listen to music reading books at the same time. Some people, especially teenagers, enjoy learning while listening to music.

Next important thing is to enable young people to watch their favourite books on the screen in the form of a book adaptation. With great pleasure they will watch “Lord of the Rings” or “Hobbit” and compare the book with the movie.

Last but not least, everyone who belongs to a library club could get their own tablet with readings to read. It is an expensive solution but to my mind it is useful for everyone since technology is an inseparable part of our lives.

Summing up, in my humble opinion abovementioned suggestions could be implemented. Do you have any ideas to make libraries adolescent-friendly?

By Dawid Wnuk

Easter traditions from around the world

A few recipes for traditional Easter food from around the world!

Folar de Pascoa- Portuguese Easter Bread

Makes 1 large bread, or 2 medium1 cup (250ml) warm water, divided1 tablespoon (11g) active dry yeast3/4 cup (170g) plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar750g (about 5 1/2 cups) all purpose flour (may need additional while kneading, about 1/4 cup)1 teaspoon salt1 stick (4oz or 114g)  unsalted butter, cut into cubes3/4 teaspoon pure lemon extract4 large eggs, lightly beatenEgg Wash1 large egg beaten1/2 tablespoon waterHard Boiled Eggs4 Large eggsSkin of 2 onions1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/4 warm water. Lightly sprinkle 1 tablespoon dry yeast over the mixture. Allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, salt, and cubed butter. Mix on low speed to combine. Add in the eggs, sugar, remaining 3/4 cup warm water, lemon extract, and yeast mixture. Mix on low speed to combine.  Mixture will be slightly wet. Switch to dough hook. Mix on medium-low speed for about 10 minutes. You may need to add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time during mixing if the dough feels too wet. You want to knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, and tacky but not sticky.

3. Coat a large bowl with vegetable oil. Shape dough into a ball, put into the bowl and turn to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl lightly with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm draught free area (I put into my oven with light turned on), for about 2 hours or until dough has doubled in size.

4. Meanwhile, bring 4 eggs (brown or white), salt, and peel of 2 yellow onions to a boil in a medium saucepan. The onion skin acts as a natural way to colour the white eggs brown, or enhance a brown egg. Once boiling turn off heat and allow eggs to sit for about 10 minutes. Remove eggs from water, and reserve.

5. Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. If using a baking stone, put in oven to preheat, or brush an upside down baking sheet with butter or oil. Reserve a small amount of dough, about 1/2 cup, to make cross decoration. Knead the remaining dough a few times to get the air out. Shape into a circle and  gently press the unpeeled hardboiled eggs into the dough. Create 2 long, flat pieces of dough to place over the eggs. Place the dough strips over the eggs and press the ends into the round dough to create a cross.

6. Brush the entire top of the dough with the egg wash.

7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is golden brown and there is a hollow sound when tapped. Set aside to cool.Storage: 3 days wrapped at room temperature, or wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month

Enjoy and Good Luck!

Recipe from: http://www.portuguesegirlcooks.com/2012/04/portuguese-easter-bread-folar-de-pascoa/

Polish white borscht (Barszcz biały)

Ingredients

2 tbsp. unsalted butter

2 lb. smoked kielbasa4 cloves garlic, finely chopped2 leeks, trimmed, sliced1 small yellow onion, sliced2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1″ cubes2 sprigs marjoram1 bay leaf1 ¹⁄₂ cups sour cream¹⁄₄ cup flour¹⁄₄ cup freshly grated horseradishKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste¹⁄₄ cup roughly chopped dill2 tbsp. chopped parsley4 boiled eggs, cut into wedges 

INSTRUCTIONS

Boil kielbasa and 8 cups water in a 6-qt. saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook to flavor broth, about 25 minutes. Pour liquid and kielbasa into a bowl; reserve. Return saucepan to medium heat. Add butter, garlic, leeks, and onion; cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Add reserved liquid, potatoes, marjoram, and bay leaf; boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Discard marjoram and bay leaf; purée soup in a blender. Return soup to pot; bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, whisk sour cream and flour in a bowl, add ¹⁄₂ cup soup, and whisk until smooth. Pour mixture into soup; cook, stirring, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Cut kielbasa into ¹⁄₂″-thick slices; add to soup along with horseradish, salt, and pepper. Garnish with dill, parsley, and eggs.

Recipe from: http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Polish-White-Borscht

Easter lamb from Italy 

2 lb lamb, (leg and ribs)
1 lb peas1 onion2 eggs1 ¾ oz grated Pecorino cheese½ cup dry white wine½ cup extra virgin olive oil1 tablespoon parsley, choppedsalt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION: Peel and chop the onion.Add onion and oil to a pot, preferably ceramic, and place over medium heat. As soon as the onion begins to turn golden, add the lamb, cut into 6 equal parts.Turn the meat often and add white wine. Once the lamb has browned on all sides, cover the pot and place it in a 350°F oven. If you do not have an oven-safe pot, transfer the pot contents to a baking dish and bake.After about 45 minutes, add the peas and finish cooking. In the meanwhile, beat together the eggs, Pecorino and minced parsley.As soon as the lamb is done cooking, pour the egg mixture on top and wait a couple of minutes before serving, so that the egg is cooked.

FOOD HISTORY:Lamb is the most traditional Italian Easter food. This tradition dates back to the Old Testament in which the Jewish population would eat an entire lamb on Easter day. For the Jews, the tradition of eating lamb on Easter symbolizes the sacrifice God made for Israel and its people before they left Egypt. In fact, the night before the Exodus, Moses ordered his people to sacrifice a lamb and to cover the doors to their homes in its blood. Then, he told them to roast the lamb and eat it with unleavened bread. This tradition was passed down to the Christian religion, however, the lamb became the symbol of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to save humanity and therefore of the sacrifice God made for humanity (and not vice versa as in the case of the Jewish tradition.)

Recipe from: http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/puglia/easter-lamb.aspx

British hot cross buns

Ingredients:

For the buns

300ml/10fl oz whole milk

500g/1lb 2oz strong white flour

75g/2½oz caster sugar

1 tsp salt

7g sachet fast-action yeast

50g/1¾oz butter

1 free-range egg, beaten

150g/5oz sultanas

80g/3oz mixed peel

1 apple, cored and chopped

2 oranges, zest only

2 tsp ground cinnamon

sunflower oil, for greasing the bowl

For the cross

75g/2½oz plain flour, plus extra for dusting

For the glaze

3 tbsp apricot jam

Method:

Bring the milk to the boil and then remove from the heat and leave to cool until it reaches hand temperature.

Mix the flour, sugar, salt, yeast, butter and egg together in a bowl, then slowly add the warmed milk until it forms a soft, sticky dough.

Add the sultanas, mixed peel, chopped apple, orange zest and cinnamon, then tip out of the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough by holding the dough with one hand and stretching it with the heal of the other hand, then folding it back on itself. Repeat for five minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise for approximately one hour, or until doubled in size.

Divide the dough into 12 even pieces, and roll each piece into a smooth ball on a lightly floured surface. Arrange the buns on a baking tray lined with parchment, leaving enough space so that the buns just touch when they rise and expand. Set aside to prove for another hour.

Heat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7.

For the cross, mix the flour with about five tablespoons of water in small bowl, adding the water one tablespoon at a time, so that you add just enough for a thick paste. Spoon into a piping bag with a small nozzle. Pipe a line along each row of buns, then repeat in the other direction to create crosses.

Bake for 20-25 minutes on the middle shelf of the oven, or until golden-brown.

Gently heat the apricot jam to melt, then sieve to get rid of any chunks. While the jam is still warm, brush over the top of the warm buns and leave to cool. Gently rip the buns apart to serve, revealing temptingly soft edges.

Recipe from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/hot_cross_buns_74750

Doughnuts of easter (rosquillas de semana santa) from Spain

Ingredients:

2 eggs, at room temperature 335g (1 1/2 cups) caster sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh orange juice 250ml (1 cup) sunflower oil 1 teaspoon lemon rind, finely grated 350g (2 1/3 cups) plain flour, sifted 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Method:

Place the eggs, 115g (1/2 cup) of the sugar and baking powder in a large bowl. Use a balloon whisk to whisk until light and fluffy. Add the orange juice, 1 tablespoon of the oil and lemon rind, and whisk until combined.Step 2Place flour in a bowl. Make a well in the centre, add egg mixture. Use a wooden spoon to combine then use your hands to mix until a dough forms.Step 3Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Divide into 16 portions. Roll each portion into a ball then use your finger to make a hole in the centre of each. Gently stretch the balls to an oval ring.Step 4Combine remaining caster sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside.Step 5Heat the remaining oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add 4 dough rings and cook, uncovered, for 1 1/2 minutes each side or until golden brown. Use tongs to transfer to paper towel. Roll in the sugar mixture, then place on a plate. Repeat in 3 more batches with remaining dough rings.Step 6Serve immediately, with a glass of Spanish sherry if you like.

Recipe from: http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/12427/doughnuts+of+easter+rosquillas+de+semana+santa

... and watch this short video about 

Easter traditions around the world :

Link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEljzuRH2kY

12 Interesting Facts About Reading

 Nobody will be surprised to hear that print publishing is in decline. Yet, even in the digital age, reading is a critical skill. It's hard to do anything important in life without words. Here are a few facts that illustrate the challenges facing reading in the 21st century, and reasons why it's still so important.

Take a look and see how bad the situation is:

http://diply.com/different-solutions/culture-reading-facts/140590

Remember to encourage others to read !  

International Women's Day

The International Women’s Day is being celebrated each year on March 8.

It used to be called the International Working Women’s Day and this event is a commemoration of the incident in 1908 were 129 women died. It was said that these women are factory workers who have been demanding better pay, shorter work hours, voting rights, etc.

To avoid publicity, the owner of the factory locked them up and fire broke down which caused the death of the 129 women.

HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY!

*Today we want to share you the best books about women, written by women or for women! Enjoy!*

The House on Mango Street is a novel by Mexican-American writer Sandra Cisneros. It deals with Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl, and her life growing up in Chicago with Chicanos and Puerto Ricans. Esperanza is determined to "say goodbye" to her impoverished Latino neighborhood. Major themes include her quest for a better life and the importance of her promise to come back for "the ones [she] left behind". The novel has been critically acclaimed, and has also become a New York Times Bestseller. It has also been adapted into a stage play by Tanya Saracho.

A Three Dog Life. When Abigail Thomas’s husband, Rich, was hit by a car, his brain shattered. Subject to rages, terrors, and hallucinations, he must live the rest of his life in an institu­tion. He has no memory of what he did the hour, the day, the year before. This tragedy is the ground on which Abigail had to build a new life. How she built that life is a story of great courage and great change, of moving to a small country town, of a new family composed of three dogs, knitting, and friendship, of facing down guilt and discovering gratitude. It is also about her relationship with Rich, a man who lives in the eternal present, and the eerie poetry of his often uncanny perceptions. This wise, plainspoken, beautiful book enacts the truth Abigail discovered in the five years since the acci­dent: You might not find meaning in disaster, but you might, with effort, make something useful of it.

Anne Frank: The Diary Of A Young Girl is the real diary of a teenage girl that begins on Anne’s 13th birthday (12 June 1942) when she gets a diary. It tells the story of her family who live in Frankfurt, Germany and suddenly have to go into hiding as a result of Hitler and the Nazi Party’s treatment of Jews in Europe during the second world war. They escape to Amsterdam where they go into hiding with other Jews. The diary ends suddenly on 1 August 1944.

There are many important messages in this book, but the most important message is that all people have the right to live in freedom. Anne’s story shows us that just because people may be a different religion or race, doesn’t mean that they should be treated differently. The terrible treatment of Jewish people during the war has shown this. Her diary shows us things that people don’t think about now, for example how every day the people in hiding worried about maybe being found and punished.

A Piece of Cake: A Memoir is an autobiography by Cupcake Brown. The novel describes her descent into teenage prostitution and drug addiction. Although doubt has been raised as to the veracity of much of what transpired in the novel, Brown maintains that the events in the book are real. The story begins in January 1976 when the female protagonist gives a short account of why her mother named her Cupcake. Cupcake Brown's mother died in 1976, when Cupcake was 11. Since her biological father only acquired custody because he wanted to receive social security checks, she and her brother were placed in an abusive stranger's foster home, along with several other children. Their foster mother, Diane, forced them to clean her entire house every day and beat them if she wasn't satisfied. Diane's daughter, Connie, was also slightly sadistic in terms of the way she derived pleasure from tormenting Cupcake and the other children who resided in the foster home. For example, she is quick to point out to Cupcake that she is the real child of Diane as opposed to being a foster child. In Connie's mind, she believes that her 'status' entitles her to cause trouble for the foster children in any way that her cruel mind will allow.  

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

Many people, generally those who have never read the book, consider Wuthering Heights to be a straightforward, if intense, love story — Romeo and Juliet on the Yorkshire Moors. But this is a mistake. Really the story is one of revenge. It follows the life of Heathcliff, a mysterious gypsy-like person, from childhood (about seven years old) to his death in his late thirties. Heathcliff rises in his adopted family and then is reduced to the status of a servant, running away when the young woman he loves decides to marry another. He returns later, rich and educated, and sets about gaining his revenge on the two families that he believed ruined his life.

Although Wuthering Heights received neither critical praise nor any local popularity during its initial publication, the reading public has changed substantially since 1847, and now both critical and popular opinion praise Emily Brontë's singular work of fiction.