How to Effectively Improve Your English Reading Skills on Your Own

Reading is like exercise for your brain.

It can improve your focus and memory.

It can help you learn new words and teach you things you didn’t know.

People read to relax, to learn or just to have fun.

But reading in English can be difficult if you’re still learning the language.

It can be really tough if you’re trying to read material that’s too hard for you.

You can improve your English reading skills by yourself.

You can do it right from home in your free time.

Getting Ready to Read

Before you start reading, take some time to prepare. Here are a few steps to get you ready for reading.

Determine your reading level

Knowing your reading level will help you find good reading materials and keep track of your progress.

There are a few different ways to determine your reading level.

Choose the kind of reading you want to doWill you be reading books for kids or adults? Fiction or non-fiction? Are you studying English so you can get a job or make friends? All these questions are important in choosing the kind of material to read. Find writing that’s interesting or relevant to you.

Visit your local library…or don’t 

You can get English books and other reading materials from your local library. If the selection there is not that great, try your library’s digital lending section.

Find a good time to read

Pick a time and place where you can read without interruption. Choose someplace quiet and well-lit, where you can sit comfortably for a while.

Have a notebook nearby

Have a notebook and pen or pencil close to you. This way, you can jot down new words as you read, or write notes if you like.

Now you’re ready to start reading…right?

How to Read?

So you have your perfect book. You’re sitting in a comfortable place and you have plenty of time. Next to you is your handy notebook.

To improve your reading skills, read a lot

As they say, practice makes perfect! The more you read, the better you’ll get.

Take your time

There’s no need to rush. It doesn’t matter if you read one page or one hundred. What matters is that you understand what you read. Pause if you’re tired. Re-read if you’re confused.

Read along with an audiobook if you can

If the book you’re reading has an audiobook version, read along with the narrator. This may force you to read at a slightly faster speed than is comfortable, which can help improve your fluency.

Read phrases, not words

Have you ever gotten stuck reading one sentence over and over…and still not understanding it? Try backing away from the sentence. Try not to see it as being made out of words. Instead of reading the words one by one, read entire phrases. Don’t try to understand the meaning of each word. Just try to understand what they mean together. (If you’re getting stuck on words you don’t know often, that might be a sign you should move to a slightly easier book.)

Learn sight words

To learn to read entire sentences instead of individual words, work on learning sight words. Sight words are common words that appear often in texts. You can find a list of some sight words . Sight words are words that our eyes glide over as we read because we already know them.

Use context clues, Use your imagination,Read for meaning, and test your understanding. 

Remember: The best way to learn is to practice.

So read read read!