How do you read them?

I have an average knowledge of music! (grade 6 piano and grade 7 theory)

I don't! I can if pushed, but not fluently, and I don't really see the point... But hey.

They're essentially a representation of the strings and fretboard - the points marked on the tab indicate strings you should depress (and usually fingers you should use too).

Is that the things with the grid and the dots? If it is I think the dots represent where you put your fingers

Basically you have the 6 strings marked out. Then the numbers tell you what fret you have to play. The strings top to bottom start at the top E string and go down to the low E string. If it said on the second line down 4 then you would put your finger on the 4th fret of the B string, and then if it said 6 on the third line down then you play the 6th fret on the G string.

Hope that's handy!