Improving Speed Reading
The world of information is a very vast one today. There is so much to learn about and to read about. This is why you find that you need to deal with a lot of reading on a daily basis; and it is better to turn to speed reading to read more efficiently and to cope with the demands of work, study and leisure. Instead of just learning speed reading, it is better to aim at improving speed reading too.
The first thing that you have to consider about improving speed reading is to learn what it involves and how it can be used in your daily life. Your brain takes in about 16 bits of information in a second while the unconscious brain taking about 11 billion bits of information in the same time span. It is aiming to close this gap that leads to improving speed reading.
When trying speed reading, it is important that you also understand whatever you read. Before you actually try improving speed reading, it is better to improve your vocabulary. This is because with a limited vocabulary, it will be difficult for you to understand texts and this in turn slows down reading. Reading is the best means of improving vocabulary where you have to check on the meanings of new words with the help of dictionaries.
Make it a point to learn a fixed number of new words per day; preferably ten but even three words increases your vocabulary by 1000 words in a year. When learning the meanings of words, make a note of numerous examples of the words in context. With this, you understand the meaning better and can use it better. When reading, read something that you are motivated to read. There is no point in reading something you are not interested in as you won’t be able to concentrate and without any concentration, understanding is minimal.
While improving speed reading, you have to preview the material first by looking at table of contents, headings, blurb, index, pictures and graphs to define the relevant content of the material. To read quickly, you then have to read a few words at a time which is possible by expanding your visual field and looking at 3 or 4 words instead of one. This is possible with practice.
Having a habit of vocalization, or reading aloud, inhibits reading speed. Some people also use sub-vocalization to read where the word is said in the head while reading. Though this was taught to you when reading as a child, it can be eliminated from your mind through practice and patience. Once you visualize several words at a time, you reduce sub-vocalizing and thus improve speed reading.
So you can see that it is possible to improve speed reading by first increasing your vocabulary, then reading several words and not only one at time and then cutting down on vocalization and sub-vocalization where you get to save time. The faster you develop these skills, the easier and faster it is in improving speed reading.