virgo0vir

[virgo0vir]

What should you be reading to maximize your language learning?

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of literature we can learn from. Baby books bore you, but you’re not ready for any type of novel, so what’s left?

Here are some tips 

For beginner/A1/A2 learners

Watch a YouTube video in your target language, then read the comments

you’ll already have vocabulary from watching the video, most of the comments will probably use that vocab

it’s a short enough text that you won’t get fatigued

the only downside is that sometimes people utilize abbreviations and slang terms, but even these are good to know

Read news headlines and if you find one you understand almost fully, try to read the full article

sometimes the vocabulary used is not common in everyday usage, but it’s a total win for an A1 learner to fully read and mostly understand any text

while vocab is not used everyday, it will give you the ammunition to talk about that particular topic

Watch Netflix in target language with subtitles in the same language

believe it or not, you will learn to read better, especially because you don’t have to understand written description of visuals (usually uses very niche vocab) or emotion

and now you can slow down or speed up 

I watched DARK in German before I felt like I could read a book, and I understood 85% of it. This is because I looked up some vocabulary in the first episodes and they continued to use it throughout the show so it really cemented in my head to the point where I don’t even think about it. Now, I had to rewatch some conversations the characters had, but that’s much better for understanding than switching it to English or looking up full phrases and sentences. 

For intermediate/B1/B2 learners

read fanfiction

it’s ALWAYS good to read about something you’re interested in so if you like any major movies, books, television, this is the perfect option for you

most people use relatively basic language and you can choose the length 

find a comic book or graphic novel

like watching tv, that visual aid really helps with understanding of the plot without all those tricky descriptions

read a book in your target language that you’ve read and loved in your native language

this is by far my favorite way

you don’t have to worry about trying to understanding the bigger picture because you already know what’s happening/what will happen, you really have to discover the meaning of each sentence and then you begin to picture the scene using only your target language

Check out my other post for methods of how to get the most out of reading !

[virgo0vir]

hallo! my name is virgo. i am really into dark academia. i love to paint and read. i also really enjoyed cursive and france, i plan to move to france when i save up enough money. i am blogging to show my progress, ill be showing my progress of learning french, how to write in cursive, and altogether my progress on planning to move to france. im blogging for myself but if you enjoy my post it would be highly appreciated if you followed along and game we tips! :) i hope everyone is having a good day. see you when i write my next post :)

lots of love, virgo

2.9.21

[virgo0vir]

dark academia / winter

• waking up in your warm bed, seeing the condensation on your windows & looking out to see all the snow that fell down during the night

• wearing your softest slippers to go get the post in the morning & noticing the thin layer of ice on the pavement faintly cracking at each step all the way to the mailbox where you pick up the newspaper that still smells of fresh ink

• making a big cup of ginger tea, wrapping yourself up in a thick blanket & reading prose in the soft armchair by the fireplace

• listening to j. s. bach’s oratorios while practising chess – you don’t quite know how to play yet, but you are determined to learn

• the fire crackling softly in the library as you are working, black ink sliding feverishly on thick, cream paper, to finish your very last essay before the holidays

• the cold, sharp air hitting your nose when you step out of the door & the smell of fresh snow all around you

• draping a long, warm scarf around your neck one more time as you look up to see delicate, light-as-feather snowflakes falling from the bright blue sky

• ice-skating on a frozen lake in the woods & taking breaks to drink warm cocoa, holding the warm cup in both hands to warm up your fingers

• feeling the little tingling on your cold cheeks as you get back inside, wearing your warmest wool jumper & putting up fairy lights

• drinking mulled wine out of an old russian tea glass & feeling the warm liquid make its way to your stomach as you are reading poetry about the darkness of winter out loud with your closest friends

[virgo0vir]

dark academia / winter capsule wardrobe

tops

• a black turtleneck. preferably cotton or cashmere.

• a white collared shirt. silk, cotton or linen.

• a dressier top. something to wear with jeans when having poetry nights with your friends; i would still advise to go for black, but the style can be more extravagant – puff sleeves, maybe?

• a basic long-sleeved t-shirt. choose a dark, muted colour or go for black.

• an oversized knit. white, grey or black; wool is best at keeping you warm.

• basic knit. possibly black; doesn’t have to be boring in style – could be a wrap cardigan, a turtle or mock-neck, balloon-sleeved…

bottoms

• a pair of black straight-leg jeans. stick to 100% cotton.

• a pair of black or dark grey trousers. wool or cotton is good.

• a black skirt. mini or midi; wool is, again, great for winter, but anything will do.

dresses

• a long-sleeved little black dress. pick a style you like, be it frilly or clean cut.

• a dark knit dress. just try to stay away from acrylic & polyester, they won’t keep you warm.

underwear

• a few pairs of bras. go for neutral colours & comfort.

• enough underpants. black or baby pink lace is always nice; cotton is good.

• different types of socks. black & white, thick & thin; make sure your ankles are covered.

• black tights. they keep your legs warm when you wear a skirt or a dress.

jewellery

choose gold or silver, whichever suits you best, & stick to it.

• two dainty necklaces. you can wear them on their own of stacked together.

• a few rings. one bigger & more interesting, the rest more minimal to complement the more intriguing piece.

• a pair of everyday earrings & a more elegant pair. if you wear earrings; make sure both pairs fit your other jewellery.

accessories

• an over-the-shoulder leather bag. black or brown; it should fit your school papers & at least a few extra books.

• a small bag for special occasions. whatever style you like; it should go together with your little black dress & fit at least a lipstick & everything you might need at a party – a tiny bottle of vodka & a small notebook?

• a black or checkered (but dark in colour) umbrella. for those beautifully gloomy, rainy days.

• a leather belt. black or brown, depending on the colour of your bag & shoes.

• a scrunchie. black velvet or white satin.

shoes

• a pair of black or brown boots. either a chelsea boot or a dr. martens type shoe; these should be the same colour as your everyday bag.

• a menswear-inspired shoe. should match your bag; oxfords, brogues, derbys…

• occasion footwear. type depends on your style; could be heeled ankle boots, pumps, ankle-strap heels, loafers, ballerinas or even the same derby shoes from the previous point.

outerwear

• a long woollen coat. preferably black; could also be a checkered dark grey.

• a tweed jacket or checkered blazer. in grey or brown tones; could be worn under the oversized coat for added warmth.

• a pair of mittens. in a dark colour; maybe a friend or a lover knitted them for you?

• a big long scarf. matches the mittens; favour natural materials for warmth.