Welcome to Readably, your personalized language learning platform! If you haven't signed up yet, we recommend starting with our Getting Started guide. Once you've created your account, you're ready to dive into one of Readably's core features: reading personalized texts.
Accessing the Reading Feature
To begin your personalized reading experience, follow these steps:
- Log into your Readably account and navigate to your dashboard.
- Locate and click on the "Reading" feature.
- You'll see a list of your existing wordbanks. Choose one and click "Practice".
If you don't have any wordbanks yet or would like to create a new one, don't worry! Creating a wordbank is a simple process. Click the plus (+) button to add a new wordbank, then start adding words you'd like to practice. For a more detailed guide on creating wordbanks, check out our Creating Your First Wordbank tutorial.
Generating Your Personalized Text
Once you click "Practice" on a wordbank, you'll be taken to a new page where your personalized text will be generated. Here's what happens:
- You'll see your text being generated in real-time. It's fascinating to watch as the AI crafts a unique piece of content just for you!
- Words from your chosen wordbank will appear in green within the text. This visual cue helps you easily identify the vocabulary you're focusing on.
- The AI seamlessly integrates your chosen words into a coherent and engaging text, providing valuable context for your learning.
Customizing Your Reading Experience
Readably offers several options to tailor your reading experience to your preferences and learning goals:
Text Type
On the left sidebar, you can choose between two types of generated text:
- News Article: Perfect for learners interested in current events or those wanting to improve their formal language skills.
- Fictional Story: Ideal for those who enjoy narrative texts or want to explore more creative uses of language.
Difficulty Level
Adjust the difficulty of the contextual text (the text surrounding your inputted words) to match your proficiency level:
- A1/A2: Beginner level, using simple vocabulary and sentence structures.
- B1: Intermediate level, introducing more complex language.
- B2: Upper-intermediate level, featuring more nuanced vocabulary and grammar.
- C1: Advanced level, incorporating sophisticated language use.
Remember, the difficulty increases in this order. Start at a level where you feel challenged but not overwhelmed, and gradually increase the difficulty as your skills improve.
Translation Feature
To support your comprehension, Readably offers a translation feature:
- Once your text is generated, look for the translation toggle in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Click to activate the translation to your native language.
- Use this feature to check your understanding of the text, but try to rely on it less as your skills improve.
Drag and Drop Mode
For an interactive learning experience, try the Drag and Drop mode:
- Activate this mode using the toggle switch provided.
- Your inputted words will be replaced with underlines in the text.
- A wordbank containing your inputted words will appear at the bottom of the screen.
- Challenge yourself to drag and drop the words into their correct positions in the text.
- This exercise helps reinforce your understanding of word order and context.
Making the Most of Your Reading Practice
To maximize your learning, consider these tips:
- Experiment with different wordbanks: Try generating texts using various wordbanks to expose yourself to diverse vocabulary in context.
- Explore different themes: Alternate between news articles and fictional stories to practice language in various contexts.
- Challenge yourself: Gradually increase the difficulty level as you become more comfortable with the language.
- Use the Drag and Drop mode: This interactive feature can help reinforce your understanding of how words fit into sentences.
- Minimize translation use: While it's a helpful tool, try to understand the text without translation first, only using it to check your comprehension.
Beyond Reading: Exploring Other Readably Features
While the reading feature is a powerful tool for language learning, Readably offers much more. We encourage you to explore our other features:
- Listening Practice: Improve your comprehension of spoken language with personalized audio content.
- Conversation Practice: Engage in AI-powered conversations to enhance your speaking skills.
- Spaced Repetition: Use our scientifically-backed system to memorize vocabulary more effectively.
Each of these features integrates with your wordbanks, providing a comprehensive, personalized language learning experience.
The Power of Personalized Reading
Reading texts tailored to your vocabulary needs is a powerful way to improve your language skills. By seeing your chosen words in context, you're not just memorizing isolated vocabulary, but learning how to use these words naturally in sentences and paragraphs.
Remember, language learning is a journey, and consistency is key. Try to make reading personalized texts a regular part of your study routine. Even just 10-15 minutes a day can make a significant difference in your language proficiency over time.
Feedback and Support
At Readably, we're committed to providing the best possible learning experience. If you encounter any issues while using the reading feature, or if you have suggestions for improvement, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us refine and enhance our platform.
Next Steps
Now that you're familiar with the reading feature, we encourage you to:
- Generate your first personalized text
- Experiment with different wordbanks and settings
- Try the Drag and Drop mode for an interactive challenge
- Explore our other features to round out your language learning experience
Remember, every text you read brings you one step closer to your language learning goals. Enjoy your personalized reading journey with Readably!