Language learners immersed in the culture usually learn new words from hearing other people use them. If you’re not in the same setting, though, we’ve found reading to be a more than adequate substitute, especially as an accessory activity to using a language study software.
Obviously, you won’t be improving your Russian vocabulary by reading The New York Times. Instead, you should look for materials written in the target language to help beef up your own speaking. It doesn’t matter what kind of book, publication or periodical you choose. Heck, you can check Google for blogs in the target vernacular and use them to spruce up your reading list.
The important thing is what you do during the reading activity.
Since you’re looking to build vocabulary, it will serve you to always keep a paper and pen handy whenever you do your readings. When you come upon a new word, write it down, along with an educated guess about what it means. Later, so as not to completely disrupt your momentum, you should look up what it actually means, as well as practice using it in sentences.
To make reading less of a chore than it probably could be, you should look towards picking up writing on subjects that interest you. Chances are, there’s a ton of books, articles and publications about them in the target language too, so use it to your advantage.
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