Reading is one of the most important personal skills that we can develop.
It allows us to acquire knowledge, broaden our horizons, and engage with the world around us.
However, despite the many benefits that come with reading, many people struggle to develop strong reading skills.
So, I wanted to share my journey of developing strong reading skills and provide some strategies for those who want to improve their reading abilities.
Reading is a fundamental skill that underpins many other aspects of our lives.
Without strong reading skills, it can be difficult to engage with written material, whether it is a book, a newspaper, a job application, or comments online.
Weak reading skills can hinder academic, professional, and even personal success.
For instance, a student who struggles to read effectively may find it challenging to complete assignments or understand lecture materials, and someone who struggles to read job applications may miss out on employment opportunities.
Developing strong reading skills is crucial for acquiring knowledge and expanding our understanding of the world.
Reading enables us to explore new ideas, perspectives, and cultures, broadening our horizons and increasing our empathy for others.
Through reading, we can gain a deeper understanding of different topics, ranging from history and science to literature and philosophy.
Reading helps to develop critical thinking skills, enabling us to analyse and evaluate information, make connections between different ideas, and form our own opinions.
Another significant benefit of developing strong reading skills are improved communication abilities.
Good readers tend to have strong vocabularies and the ability to communicate their ideas effectively.
Reading exposes us to new words and phrases, enabling us to expand our vocabulary and develop a better understanding of how language works.
Reading also enhances our writing skills by providing us with models of good (and bad) writing and allows us to practice different styles and structures.
Despite the many benefits of developing strong reading skills, many people struggle to read effectively.
This could be due to various factors, including a lack of exposure to reading materials, a lack of motivation, or challenges with reading itself.
Regardless of the reason, there are several strategies that you can use to improve you reading abilities, one of which is to read regularly.
Reading is a skill that can be improved with practice, and the more often you read, the better you become.
To make the most of my reading, I aim to read materials that are interesting and engaging to me, rather than forcing myself to read something I find boring or difficult – there’s more than enough of that at school and at work.
Setting aside a specific time for reading each day, whether it is during a commute or before bed, is helpful in forming a habit.
I set a focus on comprehension.
Good readers don’t just read words on a page – they actively engage with the text, making connections between different ideas and evaluating the information presented.
To improve comprehension, I take the time to analyse what I’m reading, asking questions and seeking clarification when necessary.
Taking notes while reading, summarising key points or jotting down questions that arise as I read are all helpful methods to help me better understand what I’ve read.
Vocabulary is an integral part of reading.
And reading has developed my vocabulary exponentially.
Don’t be afraid to stop reading to look up a word that you’re unfamiliar with.
You can also write it down to look it up later, but I find that if I leave it for later, that later never comes.
Besides, when I’m struggling to understand what I’m reading, looking up an unfamiliar word after the fact doesn’t help me when I’m reading it.
Outside of reading you can also develop your vocabulary by using flashcards or other memory aids to reinforce new words if you want to.
Developing a strong reading skill is fundamental.
Words are more important today than they’ve ever been.
We navigate the world around us with words as the world has gone online, we have a greater need to comprehend what we’re reading, and be able to articulate our own thoughts.
As Neil Gaiman said, reading is a gateway drug to reading.
The drive to know what happens next, to want to turn the page, the need to keep going, even if it’s hard, because someone’s in trouble and you have to know how it’s all going to end… that’s a very real drive. And it forces you to learn new words, to think new thoughts, to keep going. To discover that reading per se is pleasurable. Once you learn that, you’re on the road to reading everything. And reading is key.
– Neil Gaiman: Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming
Want to get more out of reading books?
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