Reading and writing in your second language
Here we present tips and resources for students with English as a second or foreign language.
Studying in a second language
Reading and writing in a second or foreign language tend to be more demanding and time-consuming than reading and writing in your first language. Even when your English is good enough to participate in conversations, understand films, or write posts online, you may find it difficult to read course literature and write assignments in English. This is because the topics treated are complex and many subject-specific terms and expressions are used.
It is always harder to understand subtle nuances and express yourself accurately and idiomatically in a second or foreign language. But don't be daunted – academic English is nobody's first language!
Below we present our writing support sessions focusing on second-language students, as well as additional resources that you may find useful in your studies.
Academic writing
Academic reading strategies
If English is not your first language, or if you just find it difficult to read academic texts in English, try some of the following strategies:
- Activate your background knowledge on the topic before reading the academic text – in English, Swedish or another language. Are there popular scientific overviews of the topic that may give you the necessary background knowledge to better understand the text you have to read?
- Obtain an overview of the text, even if you don't understand all words and concepts. Do this by quickly skimming the text. Many of the words you don't understand at first will become clearer once you've read more. Mark all the works you need to look up. Try to avoid interrupting your reading flow constantly at this stage.
- Identify central concepts and keywords (these are often repeated, or may be printed in bold or italics). Make sure you know what they mean. Sometimes definitions are provided in the text, but you can also use the subject-specific and general dictionaries listed above under "Resources for improving your academic English".
- Be prepared to reread the whole text or at least the key passages you identified to make sure you understand the details.
- Use Readlang, a web extension, when reading course literature written in English. The software provides a direct translation when you click on a word or phrase, and you can use it to compile your own vocabulary lists and flashcards so that you can practise later.