Learning English requires frequent contact with the language, and reading is one of the most effective ways to expand vocabulary, fix grammatical structures and improve general understanding. For those who want to do this in a practical way, the New Kindle from Amazon or any version of the device offers an optimized digital reading experience for language learners.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to use Kindle’s built-in features to study English independently, efficiently, and consistently — even without a teacher nearby.
Benefits of studying and learning English with Kindle
Built-in dictionary with immediate translation
Kindle lets you look up the meaning of English words by tapping directly on them. You can choose between monolingual dictionaries (explanations in English) or activate automatic translation into Portuguese, which makes reading more advanced texts easier.
Vocabulary Builder function
Each new word consulted is automatically saved in a list called Vocabulary Builder. With it, you can review vocabulary learned through flashcards, which stimulates long-term memory.
Organized highlights and notes
Kindle lets you highlight passages, write notes, and access it all easily in the “Notes & Highlights” section. This is ideal for reviewing important sentences, new expressions or grammatical structures.
Reading anywhere
If you don’t have your physical Kindle on hand, you can continue reading using the Kindle app for your cell phone, tablet or computer. Everything stays in sync, which makes it easier to maintain your daily reading habit.
How to set up your Kindle to study English
Learn how to configure your Kindle to study English correctly.
a) Activate an English dictionary
- Go to Settings > Language and Dictionaries > Dictionaries.
- Choose a monolingual dictionary (such as the Oxford Dictionary of English) or a bilingual one with Portuguese-English translation.
- Confirm activation for it to work by touching the words while reading.
b) Use the Amazon store to find books in English
- Access the Kindle store and search for terms such as graded readers, English learning, or bilingual books.
- Select books with content suited to your level.
- A good strategy is to start with adaptations of classics or children’s books before moving on to novels and nonfiction.
Effective study techniques with Kindle
The techniques below are useful to further enhance your study of English on Kindle.
Extensive reading (without pausing for each word)
Read entire chapters without stopping, even if you don’t understand 100%. The goal here is to develop reading fluency and contextual inference skills.
Intensive reading (with marking and translation)
Choose a short excerpt per day (1 to 2 pages) and analyze it calmly: highlight unknown words, consult definitions, write down observations and translate more difficult excerpts.
Weekly review with Vocabulary Builder
Access your list of weekly learned words and review with automatic flashcards. This consolidates the vocabulary that has been read throughout the days.
Types of books recommended for beginners and intermediates
To begin your studies, we recommend that you begin your studies following the following parameters:
Beginner level:
- Bilingual books (English-Portuguese)
- Children’s stories
- Short stories and narratives with simple vocabulary.
Examples: “Short Stories for Beginners”, Disney books, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”.
Intermediate level:
- Literature classics adapted for students
- Contemporary novels with accessible language
Exemplos: séries da Penguin Readers, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”.
Intermediate/advanced level:
- Nonfiction books with clear language
- Self-help works and popular biographies
Examples: “Atomic Habits”, “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson, “Educated” by Tara Westover.
Extra tips to enhance learning
- Read daily: 15 minutes a day is enough to see real progress in a few weeks.
- Read aloud: helps with pronunciation and memorization.
- Use the “Most Marked Words” function: see what other readers highlighted as important in each book.
- Combine with audiobooks: some Kindle books have a version with synchronized audio (Whispersync), allowing you to listen and read at the same time.
Conclusion
With its interactive features, tagging system, built-in dictionary and cross-platform synchronization, Kindle is one of the best digital tools for those who want to overcome the language barriers and he is learning English on his own.
Using Kindle to study English does not require investing in expensive courses. With discipline and the right strategies, you can expand your vocabulary, improve your fluency, and understand complex texts right on your device.
Start with simple books, build a daily reading habit, and take advantage of the built-in features. Over time, you will notice a real advance in your understanding of the language — in a light, continuous and practical way.
