The whole text first
Don't get stuck on the first unknown word. Read the whole short text first and ask yourself: what is it about overall?
Familiar words, keywords and the context all help: is it a message, a notice or an ad? Who is writing to whom? That is often enough to see the main point.
Overall or in detail?
Understanding a text overall means you know what it is about and what the main point is. Understanding it in detail means you pick out one specific piece of information – a time, a price or a place, for example.
This topic is about understanding the overall meaning. The details come afterwards – if you need them at all.
An example
A postcard: ¡Hola! Estoy en Madrid con mi familia. Hace sol y el hotel es muy bonito. Mañana vamos al museo.
The main point: someone is on holiday in Madrid with their family and is having a good time. The weather, the hotel and the museum visit are details. You don't need to know every word to understand that.
Examples
- ¡Hola! Estoy en Madrid con mi familia.
- Hace sol y el hotel es muy bonito.
- Mañana vamos al museo.