Notes on learningby reading
Practical, research-informed writing on comprehensible input, reading, listening and keeping the habit going.
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The best reading apps
The best apps to learn a language by reading in 2026: LingQ, Readlang, Satori Reader, Du Chinese, Lute, Migaku and more, compared on price and fit.
LingQ alternatives: 7 reading apps compared honestly
Looking for LingQ alternatives? Where to switch based on why you’re leaving, what you give up, and how to carry your known words to a new app.
How to read a novel in Spanish: your first one
How to read a novel in Spanish for the first time: pick the right book, prepare for names and tenses, and use audio and summaries so you finish it.
Readlang vs LingQ: which reading app fits you?
Readlang vs LingQ compared on price, free plans, word tracking, imports, audio and flashcards, with an honest verdict on who should pick which one.
Best Spanish books for learners, from A1 to C1
The best Spanish books for learners, sorted by level from A1 to C1: graded reader series that are worth your time, and the real novels to read next.
LingQ vs Migaku: reading-first or video-first?
LingQ vs Migaku compared on price, languages, reading, video, flashcards and setup, so you can tell which immersion tool fits the way you actually learn.
How to learn Japanese by reading: a level-by-level path
How to learn Japanese by reading: kana and kanji, why furigana matters, free graded readers, NHK Easy, Satori Reader, manga, and a path through each level.
Comprehensible input, explained
What Stephen Krashen actually proposed, what the research does and doesn’t support, and how to turn the idea into a daily habit.
Migaku review: is it worth it in 2026?
Our Migaku review covers pricing, the browser extension, sentence cards, courses and limits, and who should pay for it versus pick LingQ or Readlang.
How to learn Korean by reading: a level-by-level path
How to learn Korean by reading: master Hangul fast, handle particles and verb endings, then move from graded readers to webtoons and news, level by level.
Sentence mining: a practical guide for language learners
A practical guide to sentence mining: what makes a good sentence to mine, how to build cards that stick, how many to add a day, and the mistakes to avoid.
How to learn Chinese by reading: a level-by-level path
How to learn Chinese by reading: why characters and words differ, how many you need, pinyin, graded readers like Mandarin Companion, and a path by level.
FSRS algorithm explained: how modern flashcards schedule
The FSRS algorithm explained in plain terms: stability, difficulty and retrievability, what desired retention really sets, and how it compares with SM-2.
How to learn a language from YouTube
A practical routine for turning videos into real listening progress: picking the right videos, using subtitles wisely, and the three-pass method.
How to Learn French by Reading: From A1 to Novels
How to learn French by reading: what to read at each level, how to handle silent letters and the passé simple, and free sources for French books.
Known words count: what your number really means
What a known words count really measures, how many known words LingQ expects at each level, and why 20,000 known words isn’t 20,000 word families.
Learn a Language with Netflix Subtitles: What Works
How to learn a language with Netflix subtitles: what research says about captions, native and dual subtitles, and which tools add them to Netflix and YouTube.
Extensive vs intensive reading: which builds fluency?
Extensive vs intensive reading for language learners: what Day & Bamford, Nation and Waring found, how much of each to do, and how to choose texts for each one.
Graded readers vs. native content: when to switch
Graded readers make reading possible early on. Native content makes it worth it. Here’s how to tell when you’re ready to move up, and how to bridge the gap.
How to Read EPUB Books in Another Language, Legally
How to read EPUB books in another language: where to find free legal ebooks, why DRM blocks imports, and how language learning apps handle EPUB files.
How many words do you need to be fluent? The research
How many words do you need to be fluent? What Nation, Laufer, Hu & Nation and Schmitt found, from 2,000 word families for chat to 9,000 for novels.
Krashen’s Input Hypothesis: What the Evidence Says
Krashen’s input hypothesis and his four other hypotheses, examined: what research supports, what critics like Swain, Long and Schmidt argued, and what holds up.
The 98% rule: how many words you need to enjoy reading
What lexical coverage research says about unknown words per page, why 98% feels so different from 90%, and how to use that when choosing what to read.
Shadowing in Language Learning: Research and How-To
Shadowing in language learning, explained: what studies by Kadota, Hamada and others show, how it differs from reading aloud, and a step-by-step routine to try.
Why a daily reading streak works (and how to keep one)
Small daily sessions beat occasional marathons. A look at spacing, habits and motivation, plus practical ways to protect your streak when life gets busy.
Getting started with Lumo: your first week
A day-by-day plan for your first seven days: setting a goal, reading your first story, importing something you love and building the habit.
