Introduction
In recent times, many college and university students are pursuing English as their major subject. The use of the English language has been a major challenge for some individuals leading to poor expression of feelings and emotions. Speaking in English becomes a big challenge especially when talking with foreigners. Reading is an important aspect of learning English. Reading can be described as the process of interpreting written or printed symbols, mentally. According to linguistic studies, reading forms part of learning English. Reading is of crucial importance in learning the English language.
The importance of studying English
The main importance studying English language is to be able to communicate effectively and fluently with others. An individual will be confident in speaking with a foreigner if the communication skills are perfect. The only way an individual’s communication skills can be perfect is through reading English. Apart from communicating with foreigners, there are various reasons why one has to read to learn English. Reading is usually important for mental development and helps to stimulate eye muscles. According to linguistic studies, reading is a process that demands a lot of concentration and adds conversational and communication skills to a reader. Reading will also help a reader to acknowledge and understand some new words and phrases.
Factors necessary in learning English
There are myriad factors, which are involved in learning English. For instance, an individual should be prepared to take any challenge when learning English. This implies that a lot of effort and determination is necessary for one to learn English. By contrast, one cannot manage to learn English if he or she does not put into consideration concentration. Listening skills form another important aspect of learning English. Listening is important since one has to understand and internalize what a person says. In this aspect, an individual should carefully listen and grasp their point of thinking. Reading skills are also important in learning English. Learning English involves both speaking and writing in English. In so doing, one will improve his or her spoken English. The last important aspect in learning English is to converse with people. This helps a person to develop and improve in English.
Importance of Reading
Absorbing Various Kinds of Information
In the current world, there has been improvement of technology, intellectual economy, and increase in human capital. People need to catch up with the recent drastic changes in order to match the high-tech and digital generation. As a result, one has to read these advancements in technology, understand, and be able to implement the idea. In this regard, reading is necessarily an important aspect in linguistics.
Development of interest
In the 21st century, people have developed the desire to learn extra knowledge through reading materials such as magazines and original books. As a result, people are encouraged to read the English language. In so doing, one develops skills in reading while acquiring knowledge
Intelligence
Reading can help an individual to develop and broaden knowledge, point of view, increase performance, have a great sense of vision, and improve intelligence. Reading English makes an individual approach issues from a wider perspective and come with possible solutions.
Reading Skills
Reading is basically divided into two categories: intensive and extensive reading. Intensive reading can be used to describe the practice of a specific reading and a thorough study of linguistic text. Extensive reading can be described as the practice of reading a wide coverage of text. In extensive reading, confidence and fluency are of put into consideration. There are other classifications of reading which include the following;
Intensive Reading
Intensive reading involves reading and making some notes about a reading material. Notes will comprise of some good phrases and new words. The reader may engage in some questions in order to understand the content. Language classes in North America practice intensive reading. Students read and make notes of some vocabulary and later confirm their meaning in the dictionary.
Extensive Reading
Extensive reading, on the other hand, involves fast reading, and ability to skip and scan over the content. It is the practices of going through an article while capturing the key words, drift of articles, and topics in the article.
Oral Reading
Oral reading is a complex where a reader is expected to bond with listeners in understanding an article’s content. Students who indulge in oral reading tend to perfect their communication and improve their speech. In oral reading, students are allowed to practice by themselves or in groups. This helps the students gain confidence and become competent English readers. Students are given time to practice before participating in oral reading.
Since oral reading involves the participation of the reader and listeners, listeners are expected to coordinate with the readers in order to make the process a success. Students are advised to read orals to various groups of people to have confidence in addressing individuals. There are myriad benefits of listening since students improve their skills.
Speed Reading
Speed reading is a reading skill which helps a student to read article content within the quickest time possible. There are various ways in which a student can improve reading speed. A reader can read an article from top to bottom without intervals to get an idea about the whole article. This helps the reader to improve his or her speed skills. In speed reading, the reader should not waste much time on new words and single sentences. When practicing speed reading, the reader can point at the words with a finger or a pen in order to move eyes fast. Speed reading is very much helpful in our day to day lives. For instance, speed reading will help students in exam rooms and in business meetings where there is a display of new products. Students gain numerous skills from speed reading since they gain the ability to go through many books at a limited time span. Speed reading is a practice that nurtures students to improve on their reading speed and become effective within a limited time. There are also some linguistics materials which aid the reader in improving speed reading. Speed reading helps students gain and improves on reading skills.
How to Improve Reading Skills
In the modern times, reading is an important aspect in linguistic and thus students should practice reading to improve on their reading skills. There are myriad ways in which a student can learn to improve his or her reading skills.
Knowing the reason for reading
The reason for reading should be established first to facilitate improvement in comprehension and interest of reading an article. Reading is a practice that is enjoyable and makes the reader gain interest and improves reading skills.
The student should not read everything
In reading practice, not every article contains important information. In this case, the reader is expected to ignore some words that do not add to the meaning of the essay or article. Students are advised to choose the best reading materials in order to save time when reading.
The reader should scan the article
Before embarking on reading an article, the reader is supposed to scan and have an overview of what the essay is about. The reader should look at the topics, captions, and table of contents to have a glimpse of the content.
Prioritize reading
A reader should be able to read the important details first before reading the whole essay. Prioritization enables the reader to figure out the important sections of an article before time elapses.
Reading environment
A reader should choose an environment that is comfortable and suitable without external interferences. One is expected to choose a suitable environment before he or she begins to read.
Focus
Since an individual has a purpose for reading, one has to put all the focus on the material in order to attain his or her objective. A reader should concentrate when reading a material to avoid interruptions when reading.
Conclusion
Reading is a crucial linguistic aspect of studying English. Speed reading skills, and communication skills are improved through reading. English learners should improve on reading in order to develop perfect skills. Practice and experience in reading helps to acquire reading, speed reading, and communication skills significantly.
Works Cited
Gavin Dudeney, Nicky Hockly. Learning English as a Foreign Language For Dummies. London: John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
Snauwaert, Fabien. How to Learn English: A Guide to Speaking English Like a Native Speaker. New York: Fabien Snauwaert, 2010.
