英文を読むコツ〜小学生でも英検２級レベルを取りたいなら
今回の記事では、英検２級レベル（高校卒業程度）のリーディングを読むよになるためのちょっとしたコツを書いていきたいと思います。
ありがちなのが、「単語を覚えなさい」「小テストを毎回しなさい」など、どこか根性論的な指導です。
この記事はそんな根性論に一石を投じたく作成しました。
まずは読んでみよう
The concept of cash, in the form of physical currency or money, has a long and diverse history that spans thousands of years. Here is a brief overview of the history of cash.
Barter and Commodity Money: Before the advent of cash, people relied on barter, exchanging goods and services directly. However, this method had limitations as it required a coincidence of wants. Eventually, certain commodities like shells, beads, or livestock began to be used as a form of standardized exchange.
Metal Coins: The use of metal coins emerged in ancient civilizations. Around 600 BCE, the Lydians in present-day Turkey introduced the world's first standardized metal coins made from electrum, an alloy of gold and silver. This innovation facilitated trade and economic growth.
Paper Money: The use of paper money originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). Merchants and governments began issuing promissory notes or bills of exchange as a more convenient alternative to carrying heavy coins. These notes represented a claim on a specific amount of precious metal held by the issuer.
Fiat Currency: Fiat currency is money that is not backed by a physical commodity but relies on the trust and confidence of the public and the authority of the government. It became more prominent during the 20th century. Governments established central banks to manage the money supply and stabilize economies through monetary policy.
Electronic Money: With the advent of computers and digital technologies, electronic money has gained prominence. Debit and credit cards, online payment systems, and mobile payment apps have revolutionized the way transactions are conducted. This form of money exists purely in electronic form and is represented by digital records.
Cryptocurrency: In 2009, Bitcoin, the first decentralized cryptocurrency, was introduced, revolutionizing the concept of money. Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies that use cryptography for security and operate on decentralized networks called blockchains. They provide an alternative form of currency outside traditional financial systems.
It's important to note that the evolution of cash is an ongoing process, with emerging technologies and financial innovations constantly reshaping the way we perceive and use money.
さて読み解けましたか？読み解けなかった人のため、まずは「お金の歴史」について学びましょう。
背景知識を理解しよう
参考までにリンクを貼っておきます。どこで勉強してもらっても構いません。要は、背景知識を入れた上で英文を読むと、少々単語がわからなくても大体の意味はわかるよってことです。
もう一度英文を読んでみましょう
The concept of cash, in the form of physical currency or money, has a long and diverse history that spans thousands of years. Here is a brief overview of the history of cash.
Barter and Commodity Money: Before the advent of cash, people relied on barter, exchanging goods and services directly. However, this method had limitations as it required a coincidence of wants. Eventually, certain commodities like shells, beads, or livestock began to be used as a form of standardized exchange.
Metal Coins: The use of metal coins emerged in ancient civilizations. Around 600 BCE, the Lydians in present-day Turkey introduced the world's first standardized metal coins made from electrum, an alloy of gold and silver. This innovation facilitated trade and economic growth.
Paper Money: The use of paper money originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). Merchants and governments began issuing promissory notes or bills of exchange as a more convenient alternative to carrying heavy coins. These notes represented a claim on a specific amount of precious metal held by the issuer.
Fiat Currency: Fiat currency is money that is not backed by a physical commodity but relies on the trust and confidence of the public and the authority of the government. It became more prominent during the 20th century. Governments established central banks to manage the money supply and stabilize economies through monetary policy.
Electronic Money: With the advent of computers and digital technologies, electronic money has gained prominence. Debit and credit cards, online payment systems, and mobile payment apps have revolutionized the way transactions are conducted. This form of money exists purely in electronic form and is represented by digital records.
Cryptocurrency: In 2009, Bitcoin, the first decentralized cryptocurrency, was introduced, revolutionizing the concept of money. Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies that use cryptography for security and operate on decentralized networks called blockchains. They provide an alternative form of currency outside traditional financial systems.
It's important to note that the evolution of cash is an ongoing process, with emerging technologies and financial innovations constantly reshaping the way we perceive and use money.
背景知識の有無が大きな差になる
いかがでしたか？背景の知識を少し勉強するだけで、ぐんと読みやすくなったのが体感できたかなと思います。
特に、小学生や中学生で、まだ知識が不足している方は、いきなり英文で内容理解のトレーニングを始めるのではなく、まずは日本語で英検や入試に出題されやすいトピックを理解することから始めることも検討してみてはいかがでしょう。
例えば、上の「お金の歴史」もそうですし、「SDGs」「環境」「医療」「生物」など、問われやすい分野はほぼ決まっています。
簡単でいいので、頭の片隅に置いておくだけでも、読解に十分な効果が見られるでしょう。
単語帳での勉強は効率的とは言えない
受験生の方や、学校でも「単語帳で単語を覚えなさい」と言われてことありませんか？
確かに、出やすい順で効果的に覚えられるのかもしれません。しかし、そこには大きな罠も潜んでいます。
覚えにくい
単語帳を覚えやすいという方はそれで結構です。しかし、ほとんどの人が単語帳は覚えにくい、つらいのではないのでしょうか。
さらに学校で小テストがあるからと言っても、小テストのある授業前の休憩時間に慌てて覚えて、テストが終わるとすぐ忘れますよね？笑（私もそうでした）
教科書や単語帳を何周も読むことは効率が悪い
実際に科学的にも検証がされています。教科書を何周も読むことによる学力向上の優位性はほぼなかったそうです。
さらに、ハイライトをつけることもほぼ意味がないそうですよ。詳しくはこちらを参照してください。
その他にも英文を速く理解する方法はある
単語はもちろんですが、英語を速く読むための訓練や方法はまだまだたくさんあります。この記事では紹介できませんが、今後紹介する予定です。
少しでも興味のある方はフォローをよろしくお願いします。
阪急武庫之荘駅北側徒歩５分の個別指導塾
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また英語はもちろんのこと、全教科対応可能です。
詳しくは公式HPまたは06-6432-1440（当校代表電話）まで
随時体験授業も受講可能です！