From Screens to Books: Compatibility with Stories

Introduction:

Think to yourself and wonder, when was the last time I thoroughly read a book? Books are often forgotten and bear minuscule meaning in modern society. That is what many students believe, but that is simply the case. With rapid, expansive technological growth, books are seen as outdated and boring by many. Instead of actively using their brains to enjoy something, people tend to scroll through their phones or watch a TV series for entertainment. While it may reduce stress and be a great way to pass the time, constantly bingeing and spending several hours on electronics will seriously harm your life. There are times when you will need to turn off the TV, drink water, and start to read.

Impacts of Screens:

The term “Screenager” has been widely used for teenagers around the world as they are constantly on their screens. We are all guilty of getting consumed in the whirlwind of social media. It is addictive at times, and it is difficult to prevail against it. Due to the addiction being difficult to triumph against, many people succumb and scroll for hours, losing track of time and destroying their schedule altogether. This is horrific for yourself. Screens are a great way to access quick information and a source of entertainment, but excessive use can have negative effects on your eyes and brain.

Why are Screens Harmful for English Speakers?

Obviously, many individuals use screens to learn English. Many people access online books or websites for their benefit. However, people tend to lose track of their goal and start scrolling or playing video games. The brain is already stimulated by learning English, and further stimulation will overload it with information. It increases not only stress but also anxiety. English should be fun, not enduring to learn and express. People shouldn’t be scared to learn a new language; rather, they should be joyful.

Reading is a Great Substitute:

People may forget, but reading was the primary source of entertainment in past centuries. People didn’t have the internet to scavenge and play around with. Books and the arts were the main source of entertainment. Books allow for the brain to be engaged thoroughly rather than sitting back and taking in unnecessary information. Books allow for connection. The next time you read a book, think,

• Why is this character important?

• Is this plot applicable to real life?

• What have I learned from this book?

Simple questions such as these allow the brain to think and formulate ideas. Your brain will answer your own questions for you. Reading also opens up debate and online forum opportunities. Chat with others and use their critiques to improve your own mastery. The elephant in the room is vocabulary. Reading is often the best way to improve vocabulary and grammar, as your brain physically sees words in action and proper structure. TV shows and YouTube videos may speak in slang, and there is literally no punctuation between thoughts. People can talk for a second up to a minute at a time. Whereas in a book, sentences are fixed. 

Routine:

Work and school will shorten your time, but they will not completely eliminate it. We need to shorten and split our time spent on devices.

• Once home from work/school, read a newsletter for 15-20 minutes

• Try to read a couple of chapters of a book every day

• Write a paragraph about what you’ve learned from reading

• Try to text and ask people about a certain trend you’ve found from your readings

• Connect ideas from reading with prior knowledge.

It is important to follow your skill sets and abilities. If it is difficult to read for prolonged periods or to engage thoroughly, try reading for 5 to 10 minutes or a graphic novel.

Conclusion:

It is unbelievable how many applications English offers. Reading is a quintessential skill for English learners, yet it is often overlooked. Many people practice and improve their skills through textbooks, Quizlet, or online courses, but reading is the primary way to drastically improve their skills. Reading can be a beginner skill, but it is important to understand basic words, phrases, and grammar rules so you don’t spend an immense amount of time on a page. Try to read regularly once you’ve reached intermediate levels of English, and push yourself to read higher-level books each month. We hope to motivate our learners to master every skill. English is a beautiful language, and we will share our knowledge of it.