[alexpotato]

I grew up bilingual (English first language, Italian from my mother) and the "read a book you liked in your first language but translated into your desired language" is an excellent way to get exposure.

For several reasons:

- You liked the book originally so you won't mind reading it again

- You know the story so if you get to a part where you don't understand the language, you can infer the meaning based on the your knowledge of the story

- Because it was translated, it's good to see how a phrase you know well in your primary language was converted into the new language. This is particularly helpful for your own "on the fly" translation when you are speaking.

In my particular case, I knew "family" level Italian very well (e.g. how you would speak to your parents, siblings at home etc). What I didn't know was more formal and inter-adult language grammar. Reading books by one of my favorite English authors translated into Italian was a real game changer.

[aidenn0]

When I did an exchange in Germany, I picked up Der Kleine Hobbit for that reason. My first week it was mentally exhausting just reading a page or two, but things picked up quickly from there.

[jamiek88]

Never thought of this but makes a great deal of sense.

Same with movies. Watch your fav movies in French lang. for example. You’ll know what yippekayeh mother fudger is!