ESL Study Guide

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Speed Reading

Speed Reading

Getting Started:

Speed Reading helps improve your reading ability by helping you text faster. On tests such as the TOEFL, speed reading will ensure you have more time available to complete the test. With the reading section of exams being a common weak point of second language learners, increasing your reading speed is essential.


The first step in increasing your reading speed is determining how fast you read.

http://www.eslstudyguide.com/section/reading/speed/speedreaderdiagnostic.php


After reading choosing a level and a passage, complete the questions to find your reading speed.


Improving your speed:

http://www.eslstudyguide.com/section/reading/speed/speedreader.php

Once you know your reading speed you can begin working on improving it. For example, if you find that you read at 200 words per minute (wpm). Using Speed Reader, choose a level and passage and then enter your reading speed. If you find you are answering 100% of the questions correctly, you need to enter a higher reading speed to practice with. As an optimal range, try using a reading speed where you find yourself answering 70% - 80% of the questions correctly. You should not overwhelm yourself, but you also need to ensure you are not making it too easier.



Something to keep in mind:

While you are reading, keep in mind the number of words you read at a single time. If you find yourself only being able to reading a single letter or word at a time, it is a point you can work to improve. Reading warmups is designed to increase the speed at which you move your eyes as you read. Watch as pictures appear and then disappear, then click on the matching picture. As you consistently choose the correct one, the picture will appear and disappear faster and faster.




Good luck with your studies,
ESL Study Guide

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Saturday, October 28, 2006

Reading Comprehension

article link: http://blog.scifi.com/tech/archives/2006/10/26/liquid_bandage.html

This is an interesting article about some scientific researchers that have made bandages out of liquids. When you are reading the article, you should keep two things in mind.

1.) What is the main point of the article?
2.) What are the supporting details?

Improving your reading comprehension can be accomplished by first answering what is the main point of the article. In this article the main point of the article is the introduction of liquid bandages. The supporting details are additional information about the bandages.

An additonal point to consider is not knowing certain vocabulary. You should not let yourself get caught up in the vocabulary. In the next post I will discuss vocabulary in context, which is the ability to guess the meaning of unknown words from the way they are used in a sentence.


Enjoy your weekend,
ESL Study Guide

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