A question that is often asked of speed reading trainers
is whether or not anyone can improve their reading
speed. The simple, straightforward, answer to this
question is "yes", they can. However, this is not to say
that the leaner will not have to provide some input of
their own: after all, all learning is a form of
trade-off. In this regard, the following are seen as the
four essential elements that a student of speed reading
will need to bring with them if they want to learn to
speed read:
1. A desire to improve
Strange as it may seem, not everyone is willing to
accept that there is a better method of reading than the
one currently being used by the student. Most likely,
the student has learnt their current reading method at a
very formative age - probably on their mother's knee. As
a result, it can be hard to try and convince students to
adapt to new methods of reading, a skill we see as so
fundamental, none of us is really willing to accept that
we do not know how to do it, and do it well, already.
Therefore, a real desire to improve your reading speed
is the first essential element you'll need to bring with
you to class.
2. A willingness to accept new ideas
Another concept that we learn in our formative years is
to sound out our words (technically called subvocalize)
as we read them. In part this is done so that we learn
how to pronounce the word, not read it! However, in
later life this habit can be extremely difficult to
break. But, if you want to be able to improve your
reading speed, it is a habit you will have to break.
In addition, most of are taught at some stage in our
life that if we have not comprehended, or understood,
what we have just read, to go back and reread the
passage. Again, this is a habit which speed reading
courses see as a no-no. You will have to discard it if
you want to improve your reading speed. However, it's
not easy to do. Finally, whichever of the speed reading
methodologies you select to learn, it is likely that
you'll need to learn to read large chunks of information
at the same time, or to skim read. As children we are
taught that these practices are not good for us - we
will likely miss information, or misinterpret it.
As you can see then, a
willingness to accept new ideas is going to be essential
if you want to learn to improve your reading speed.
Tip! Use speed reading techniques: Use one hand to hit
the Page Down key and the other hand to hold and operate
a guide such as a ruler. Holding the guide an inch or so
away from the screen, move it down at a reasonable rate,
or use sweeping motions across the screen.
3. Motivation
Although motivation may be considered similar to desire,
the essential difference is that not only do you need to
have the desire to learn, but you need to keep that
desire for, potentially, a long period of time. In
practice, learning the proper speed reading technique
only takes a very short time. But the real test is in
having to practice and practice everyday.
Speed Reading. Increase Your Comprehension And Reading
Speed.
This means that a student of a speed reading course is
going to need to maintain the motivation to learn how to
improve their reading speed over a prolonged period.
Indeed, some would argue that you never stop learning to
improve your reading speed.
4. Practice
The adage is "practice makes perfect", and nowhere is
this adage more appropriate than in the reading learning
process. Anyone who wishes to improve their reading
speed is going to have to practice over prolonged
periods.
Conclusion
To sum it up, if you want to learn how to improve your
reading speed, all you is (i) desire; (ii) willingness;
(iii) motivation; and (iv) practice.
Melvin Ng teaches speed reading through his 16-Minute
Speed Reading Audio Program. This breakthrough technique
Guarantees to Double your reading speed in just 16
minutes!
http://www.bestspeedreadingcourse.com