The Best in Parallel Text Books Online 8 Refined Resources

The Best in Parallel Text Books Online 8 Refined Resources The Best in Parallel Text Books Online: 8 Refined Resources Lets say youre in a place where you cant read the local language.You cant read any stickers,  pamphlets, slogans or warning signs in that language.Only there are signs in both English and the primary spoken language, so you can still understand everything.This scenario is a reality in many countries and regions, which means you can use the English as a backup while you work with your budding skills in the other language. Its not a bad way to learn.Wouldnt it be great if you could also work with longer texts like articles, stories and whole books like this?Well, you can.Not only are parallel texts helpful for travelers, but they can be used as an integral part of acquiring a foreign language.And you can find entire books full of them.In this post, were going to look at why you should use parallel texts to teach yourself a language.Then, were going to look at some great places where you can find parallel texts in book form. A New Way to Read? Features and Benefits of Parallel Text Bo oksFirst, lets look at exactly what parallel texts for learners look like.Parallel text books often place one language meant to be familiar to the reader (like English) on one page and the target language on the other side. This is often whats meant when parallel texts are mentioned. Another, less common type of parallel or dual text comes in the form of  interlinear books, which show a translation of the line youre reading directly underneath it.Both of these types of texts  allow you to get a sense of big-picture comprehension without translating in your head.There are multiple ways that people use parallel texts to learn languages. Really, all of them are helpful, and each person just has to come up with their own technique, but well discuss some specific ideas below to get you started.Using these techniques can help you learn the language faster and retain it more by developing mental connections with what youre reading.The most common way to use these texts is to only use your native language when its absolutely necessary for understanding whats going on in the text. This keeps you from just leaning on a language you already know.By only consulting the teaching language when absolutely necessary, you get the experience of extensive reading without the pain of having to do it in the normal way. This also means that all the input youre getting is comprehensible, which helps grow your vocabulary, grammar and other subtle aspects of the language.In the end, the goal of the parallel text books is to help you understand and learn at the same time by helping you when you need it and not helping you when you dont need it.If you can learn to use parallel text books correctly, theyre incredibly powerful tools that can teach you a very nuanced version of the language youre trying to learn.How to Use Parallel Text BooksTo make the most of using parallel text books, follow these steps.1. Dont read both languages all the time.This is the most important step on this lis t. Dont read both languages every time you readâ€"your native language is just an aid for understanding the target language and should be treated as such.If you start reading both languages all the time, youre basically giving your brain the green light to always translate in your head.This is very important not to do because translating in your head is tiresome and only slows you down and keeps you from sounding natural when you speak.2. Read often.Reading in a new language is just like learning to read again. You need to be reading as much as possible so you can grow as much as possible. Take in as many different types of books as you can and read them until you can digest and retain the information in them.Not only is reading often important to get used to the method of reading parallel texts, but it also just gets you comfortable around your new language and helps you begin to think in that language when youre using it.Essentially, the more you read, the better youll speak, read and write in the language that youre studying.3. Read out loud whenever possible.This will probably make you uncomfortable at first, because most of us dont regularly read out loud.However, its very important to read books out loud when youre reading in a foreign language because it solidifies the information and grammar and helps you with things like pronunciation, rhythm, tone, etc. Especially if you combine this activity with listening to native speakers read the same book that youre reading.4. Dont just read.While reading is definitely one of the best ways to pump up your language skills, you cant let other skills, like listening, go neglected. One easy way to engage in multiple ways of interacting with a language on a daily basis is with FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons. With bilingual interactive captions, FluentU can be used in much the same way as parall el texts can, with the added benefit of visuals and sound.5. Read interesting books.If you do a quick Google search for books in your target language, probably what comes up are some textbooks to learn the language and some graded readers.While graded readers and childrens books are a great way to learn the basics of a language, good, full-length parallel text books with interesting stories are a far better way of practicing, getting better at real speech and learning the ins-and-outs of the language like a native.So where do you find these good books? Heres a list of online resources to help you find the parallel books you can use to jumpstart your learning and enjoy yourself at the same time.The Best in Parallel Text Books Online: 8 Refined ResourcesPenguin Parallel TextsPenguin Parallel Texts  are a fantastic resourceâ€"especially for your first parallel text book project. They offer quite a wide variety of languages, so theyll probably be a good option even if youre not learning one of the more common languages like Spanish or French.These books contain a wealth of short stories that you can read, which is  great for people who are new readers in their target language. A full book all at once can be way too much, but a few short stories each day gives you time to rest and take breaks.If youre new to reading in your target language, you should consider using Penguin Parallel Texts to boost your abilities.Polyglot Planet PublishingPolyglot Planet Publishing  offers a methodical system that you can use to find something to read at whatever level you find yourself. By progressing through the difficulty levels of their short-story based texts, youll be building up core vocabulary and terminology.Another interesting and useful aspect of these books is that you can find some of them in specific categories, like business Spanish.Reading in the particular category that youre interested in can help you because youll learn more relevant information, which means youll learn faster and stay more engaged.Another great thing about these books is that some of them are available in audiobook format. Using the audiobook in conjunction with your normal reading can help you get a feel for pronunciation, rhythm and accent.Whether youre new to reading in your target language or have done it for a while, these books will be able to provide you with a great platform for improvement.Interlinear BooksAs we mentioned, interlinear books are a very different take on parallel texts, but theyre still very beneficial. Rather than showing the two languages on two different pages, they show both on the same page with the teaching language right below the original. This style of text can help you get a feel for the nuances of your target language.Interlinear Books  offers this learning method for  books that are considered classic literature, which brings in a ton of cultural value. These books are some of the most famous books written in each language, so you get to learn about things that have shaped a culture, be entertained and learn a lot of information at the same timeâ€"not to mention the fact that youll simply be reading some of the best-known books ever written.It’s also very easy to access these books because you download them right to your computer or tablet, which makes them accessible at any point throughout the day and great for a commute.Easy ReadersEasy Readers is another great source of parallel text e-books. These books are separated out by level, and by the specific CEFR levels, so its very easy to find the perfect book for your current level.Almost all of these books come with audio, which just adds another layer of depth to your learning and allows you to retain the information better while working on your pronunciation.If youve never tried it, you should definitely read a book at the same time that the audiobook is playing and try to mimic the exact sounds that the speaker makes. Easy Readers are a great way to get practi ce using this method.Another great thing about Easy Readers is that they occasionally run awesome sales where some of their books are completely free. Its definitely worth it to grab one!LonwebLonweb is an incredibly thorough database of language resources and is built around the idea that anybody can learn a language by themselves if they just have the right toolsâ€"and theyre giving you the right tools!Once you get to the website, youre greeted by literally hundreds of links to parallel texts in English and any of 55 other languages.The variety of content on offer means books will be formatted differently and structured differently, so you have the chance to really find something that works well for you.This is an excellent source for learners of all levelsâ€"just be prepared to do some digging. Hop on there and give it a try!Parallel BooksCurrently available for iOS devices, Parallel Books is an app that allows you to read books in other languages and reveal the text in your own language when youre ready to use it. This is an excellent system because it gives the reader flexibility and customization while using a parallel book.Because these are e-books, you can access many of them from the same platform andâ€"the best partâ€"theyre currently all free!Its hard to beat free and extensive language learning resources like what you have available on Parallel Books.This app is perfect for your commute in the mornings, because its portable and you can have as many books as you want at any given time.ParallelText.ioThis is another great, easy-to-use resource that has a huge collection of parallel textbooks sorted by language.What I love about this website is how well organized it is. You simply enter what language you speak and which one youre learning.Youre then taken to a page with tons of books that you can read in your target language with parallel text support. The books are more varied than any other collection on this list. They range from classic literature to basic level books.The books themselves are very well formatted and the parallel text is hidden until you want to see it. The only potential drawback is that you cant see the teaching language and the other language at the same time, but if you find it too tempting to read both languages on your parallel texts, this could be great for you!GoogleWhile it may seem obvious, dont overlook Google as a great resource for parallel texts. The sites and resources that I mentioned here arent the only places to get parallel text books. All you have to do to find others is to do a simple Google search for parallel texts in whatever language youre studying.If you want to get even fancier, you can customize your search with keywords applying to level, type of work or length. You could even search specific titles. What youre looking for might not be availableâ€"but maybe it is!Hopefully, Ive at least convinced you that reading is a great way to learn about language and culture while enjoying yo urself.One of the best ways to incorporate reading into your daily routine until you get to a level where you can read well by yourself is with parallel texts. They preserve all the fun of reading books, but they give you a little support when you need it.Today, we have access to more parallel texts than ever, so we might as well use it.My challenge to you is to stop reading this article, go find one parallel text book and read at least one chapter. I think youll find that you enjoy the process and that its a beneficial one.Good luck!And One More ThingIf youre excited to boost your language reading skills, youll love learning with FluentU.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, including movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now nati ve language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive Transcripts You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs Quiz Mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Access the full FluentU library on your web browser or, better yet, learn on the go when you download the app at the iTunes or Google Play store!