This blog post is AI-generated by Claude and inspired by the original PolyTripper video linked below.
Hi Language Buddy!
I hope you had a productive week. Today I want to answer a question about the self-study component of language learning that sparked quite a debate in one of our Facebook groups for Portuguese learners.
Someone asked: "What book should I read? I want to read a book—what book should I read?" This led to a lively debate about books versus other sources of reading material.
I'll tell you my opinion. You may not agree with it, but here's what I think.
If you're looking for reading material, don't reach for really boring, dry literature written by some 17th or 18th-century writer that uses verb tenses and words nobody uses nowadays.
Just because that's what you did in college—where teachers used those books to hide behind their own atrocious language abilities—doesn't mean it's effective for learning. This is bringing up a lot of PTSD for me, but let me share a better approach.
My recommendation to this Portuguese learner was to go online and find something like Teen Vogue. I actually found European Portuguese Teen Vogue for her.
I know I'm going to get people upset with this video, but hear me out. If you can stomach the content of those articles, I feel the actual quality of the language is excellent because it's contemporary, uses lots of slang, and employs vocabulary that's actually relevant.
You'd be surprised—Teen Vogue uses much more complex vocabulary than you might expect, despite being written for its target audience.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of language in Teen Vogue. The content isn't always my cup of tea, but if you can power through that, it's incredibly valuable for learning.
This reminds me of when I was living in Holland many years ago, before we had the Internet. I would buy romance novels because the language was just perfect—complex enough to challenge me, but not so complex that I couldn't work through it.
I eventually had to stop because I couldn't handle the subject material, but if I could have, it would have been excellent for my language learning.
Research supports choosing contemporary, engaging materials:
Comprehensible input theory: Dr. Stephen Krashen's research shows that materials should be just slightly above your current level (i+1) for optimal acquisition.
Motivation and engagement studies: Research consistently shows that interesting content leads to better retention and longer study sessions.
Frequency analysis research: Contemporary materials contain high-frequency vocabulary that learners actually encounter in real life.
Authentic materials research: Studies demonstrate that real-world texts provide better preparation for actual language use than simplified or antiquated materials.
Traditional literary choices often create several problems:
Outdated vocabulary: Words and expressions that haven't been used for centuries.
Archaic grammar structures: Verb forms and sentence patterns no longer in use.
Cultural disconnect: References and context that don't relate to modern life.
Demotivation: Boring or difficult content that discourages continued reading.
False preparation: Skills that don't transfer to contemporary communication.
Contemporary magazines like Teen Vogue offer several advantages:
Current slang and expressions: Language people actually use today.
Cultural relevance: Topics and references that matter in modern society.
Varied vocabulary: Surprisingly sophisticated language within accessible contexts.
Engaging topics: Content that keeps you reading even when challenging.
Regular updates: Fresh content that evolves with the language.
My time in Holland taught me about finding the sweet spot in reading material. Romance novels worked because they:
Used everyday language: Dialogue reflected how people actually speak.
Had emotional engagement: Story elements that kept me invested.
Provided context clues: Situations helped clarify meaning.
Maintained appropriate difficulty: Challenging but not overwhelming.
Offered volume: Lots of content to practice with.
The key is finding material that balances:
Linguistic challenge: Complex enough to teach you something new.
Content tolerance: Interesting enough that you'll stick with it.
Cultural relevance: Representative of how the language is actually used.
Volume availability: Enough content to sustain long-term reading practice.
Beyond teen magazines, consider:
Online newspapers: Current events with contemporary language.
Popular blogs: Personal writing that reflects natural expression.
Social media posts: Informal, current language use.
Genre fiction: Popular novels in mystery, romance, or science fiction.
Magazine websites: Digital versions offer more variety and updates.
If the content doesn't appeal to you:
Focus on language patterns: Notice how ideas are expressed rather than what's being said.
Skim strategically: Read enough to get language exposure without getting bogged down.
Set small goals: Read one article rather than committing to entire issues.
Mix sources: Combine appealing content with challenging but less interesting material.
Many language courses default to classical literature because:
Perceived prestige: Literature feels more "serious" and academic.
Teacher familiarity: Educators studied these works themselves.
Copyright issues: Older works are often freely available.
Cultural tradition: "This is how we've always done it."
But this approach often fails modern learners who need practical, contemporary language skills.
This is my opinion—you may not share it. I know my wife doesn't share this opinion. Don't take this as gospel; take it with a grain of salt.
The best reading material is whatever keeps you reading while challenging your language skills. If that's 18th-century literature, go for it. If it's Teen Vogue or romance novels, that works too.
The goal is sustained engagement with challenging, authentic language—not impressing your former literature professors.
That's my controversial reading recommendation for this week: choose materials that are contemporary, engaging, and linguistically rich, even if they're not traditionally "academic."
Take care, and I'll see you next week!
