| Body | Not sure of what you might like to read in the language you’re learning? Create a mind map to brainstorm genres and sources of reading materials based on your interests.
Mode(s): Interpretive, Presentational
Materials: Paper and pen or pencils, or a digital document. Optional: digital mind mapping tool (check out this list for examples)
- First, think about what topic you would be most excited to read about in the language you are learning. Or identify a genre of reading materials you are interested in (eg. social media posts, new articles, blog posts, books, etc.). Write (or draw) this topic or genre down to start your mind map. You can create your mind map by hand or by using a digital mind mapping tool.
- Then, add information related to reading about this topic or genre. You can add any written or visual information relevant to your chosen topic or genre. Think about the following questions, and use your answers to help you add information to you map:
- Why do I want to read about this topic? Why do I want to read this genre of writing?
- Where can I find writing about this topic, or in this genre? Is it available as printed or digital material? Are there audio recordings or audiobooks of it?
- Who writes in the target language about this topic or in this genre? Why do they write about it?
- Are there any specialized vocabulary related to the topic or genre you need to know? Is it written in the standard dialect or a different dialect?
- When was it written and/or published? Is it written using contemporary language?
- Do you want to read something that has visual components (like a social media post, picture book, comic book, etc.)?
- Organize the information you add to your map however makes sense to you! You can draw connections between words and concepts, write lists, represent ideas visually, etc.
- Then, search for reading materials. If you find reading materials that you like, add the titles, authors’ names, digital source location, or any other relevant identifying information on your mind map.
- Read your found materials!
- Continue to add to your map as you read new materials, brainstorming new ideas and connections. Or revisit your map to see what you have already read and enjoyed, or to review how you found those materials.
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