How To Improve Reading Skills
Many people who want to improve reading skills are already enthusiastic readers. One of the chief objectives for these folks is to have the ability to read faster while retaining more information precisely. This is not a very easy job. Even the well versed reader will admit taking in a lot of written information quickly does not usually result in comprehension and recall.
However, having the ability to read well and to improve the reading processing skills is definitely a valuable skill that everyone who reads must be able to do so.
Teaching Vocabulary to Improve Reading Comprehension
But what if we could improve reading skills to the point where we could take in a plethora of written information in a fraction of the time and still recall that information accurately? This is possible but it takes a lot of time and a lot of practice. If you have never taken a course in speed-reading, here are some strategies that make retaining information quickly and accurately within reach for anyone who wants to improve reading skills in this manner.
The first thing to remember is that you can remember. People often question their ability to retain information and this lack of confidence is behind the inability to read quickly and accurately. We tend to second guess ourselves when it comes to our abilities. In order to effectively improve reading skills we need to embrace the idea that we can succeed with a little effort.
The SQ3R which is a study method used to improve reading skills among students for their classroom studies. This method of gathering and retaining written information is extremely valuable whether you are studying a textbook or whether you are perusing your favorite magazine.
SQ3R is quite simple to remember. The letters stand for survey, question, read, recite and review. This may sound like a lot of work but you will find that you improve your reading skills so much through this method that it is worth the effort. Once you have mastered this approach to perusing text then it will become almost second nature to you. You will read quicker and retain more information than you ever thought possible.
The first thing you want to do when applying the SQ3R method is survey the material. This should take a matter of minutes and gradually seconds as you become accustomed to the system. Make mental notes about the subject headlines and major points as you survey.
Next you want to question what the article or text is about. This will help you work with information you already know. Working with what you have already learned is a big step to improve reading skills.
Reading Pathways: Simple Exercises to Improve Reading Fluency (Jossey-Bass Teacher)
The next three steps are obvious: read, recite and review. After you read the text actively recall the information for yourself while it is fresh. Quickly review what you have learned through the text. This may sound like a lot of work but believe me this is one of the best ways to improve reading skills. It beats reading the entire article all over again and again to recall what you have read. Try this and see how many books you can read!
How To Improve Reading Skills
How To Improve Your Reading Processing Skills
