How can I increase my reading speed?
There are 3 different types of reading: scanning, skimming and close reading. Be clear about which kind of reading you are trying to improve.
Scanning: When you try to locate a particular fact (like a date or a name); you ignore all other information.
Skimming: Reading very quickly in a strategic and selective way to understand the main ideas of a text. You deliberately skip parts of the text that provide details, examples, data and elaboration.
If there are a lot of words you don't know, it will slow you down because you won't understand what information is the main idea and what is details, examples, data and elaboration. The solution? Follow Chris' strategy in the Vocabulary course to improve your vocabulary.
To learn how to skim, use the "Learn how to skim and scan" lessons in the Bonus Section of your Reading Academy course.
You can also use the recordings of the Live Reading Lessons in the VIP Community to see how different teachers skim.
Close reading: when you read every word. If you can only do this very slowly, you probably need to improve both your vocabulary and your general reading skills.
Follow Chris' strategy in the Vocabulary course to improve your vocabulary.
Follow Susan's advice in the Reading Improvement Action Plan in the Bonus Section of your Reading Academy course.
You can also use a website called Spreeder.com to practice increasing your reading speed. Here's how.
