HOW TO BECOME A BETTER READER

READING POWER

BEATRICE S. MIKULECKY

Boston University

LINDA JEFFRIES

Introduction

HOW TO BECOME A BETTER READER

Why is reading important when you are learning a new language ?

Here are some of the reason :

* Reading helps you learn to think in the new language

* Reading helps you build a better vocabulary

* Reading makes you more comfortable with written English. You can write better English if you fell comfortable with the language

* Reading may be only way for you to use English if you live in a non-English speaking country.

* Reading can help if youplan to study in an English-speaking country.

1. Reading For Pleasure

Read as much as you can. Read books, magazines, newspapers, stories. Read anything you like. The more you read, the better you will read.

Choose book from the list in Part I. or find another book that is interesting to you. Your teacher can help

2. Working On Your Reading Skills

When you read, you use many different skills. You need to work on them one at a time. Here are six important skills you will work on :

© Priviewing. Before you start reading, find out something about what you will read. Then you can start thinking about the subject. You will be able to read faster and with more understanding.

© Asking question as you read. This keeps your mind on what you read. Asking question helps you pay attention. It also helps you to remember what you read.

© Guessing what new words mean. It takes too much time to look up every new word. And if you stop, you may forget what you are reading. Use the whole sentence or paragraph to guess words.

© Finding the topic and the main idea. The topic and the main idea let you know what is important.

    To find the topic and the main idea, ask two question :

What is this about ?

What does the writer want to say about this ?

© Understanding patterns in English. A pattern is a way of putting ideas together. If you find the pattern, you can understand more. You will also remember more.

© Using signal words. Some words are like signpost on a highway. They tell you what direction the writer is going. And they help you to follow the writer’s idea. Signal words also help you guess what you will read about.

3. Learning To Read Faster

Reading faster is very important because of the way you brain works. When you read slowly, your brain does not get enough information. You understand better when you read faster.

4. Learning To Think In English

You also need to work on understanding English sentences. Learn how to get the meaning of sentences. Find out how ideas follow each other in English.