Many students of this generation struggle with reading books, newspapers, and even articles because they believe that they would rather find a summary of that material on Google and save time, energy, and effort.
However, students fail to recognize that reading does not only portray the storyline but teaches various other valuable skills as well!
There are some strategies which the students can employ to enhance their comprehension.
They are as follows:
- Boost your reading skills: The students who struggle with comprehension i.e. have trouble understanding certain words or texts, would benefit the most by reading as reading aids understanding and so, reading for understanding is one of the best ways to enhance comprehension skills. Thus, it is important that students boost their reading skills for maximum benefit and this can be done by reading materials which cater to the interests of students. For instance, those interested in cars or sports can read relevant material on that and those interested in fashion or entertainment can read relevant material on that so students do not find it boring but can maximize their benefits as well! This is an excellent way for understanding the power of reading and how it can benefit them in various ways.
- Set goals: If students acknowledge that they struggle with comprehension of certain reading materials, they would be aware of how much they want to improve. Thus, they can set goals according to how much progress they want to make in understanding comprehension. For instance, they may set goals that they want to read a 100-page book by the end of the year and would want to comprehend all of it. Thus, they would start preparing to achieve that goal by practicing frequently so their goal can be achieved by the end of the month.
- Ask questions: Students may struggle with understanding something. However, one way to aid their understanding is by asking questions regarding it. For instance, if they are reading a book and come across a difficult sentence or phrase, they can ask their parents or teachers to explain it to them which would aid their understanding.
- Online resources: Similar to the strategy above, students can ask questions and find answers via online resources as well. For instance, there are book discussions online and so, if the student is struggling with a phrase or sentence in that book, readers who have read that book before, can help the student. Moreover, other online resources such as websites like Dot and Line provide expert tutors who can help students enhance their English language skills which would in turn improve their reading and comprehension skills as well.
- Take notes: When students are engaged in reading, they can note down the key takeaways from that material or write summaries in their own words. This way, students will be able to understand the context and the words used, in their own understanding and own words which would make it easier for them to understand complex words. Moreover, it would also aid in the retention of students as seeing something written in their own words would make it easy for them to remember it as they would be able to understand it better.
- Monitor comprehension: When students read something and come across unfamiliar words, they must seek the meaning of those words promptly. That is because if students move forward without clearly understanding what certain words mean, it would not only make them forget to go back and seek the meaning, but it would also hinder their understanding of the context and they may even incorrectly understand certain words due to the context they have been used in. Thus, students must stop at that moment and seek out the meanings of those words before proceeding to read the material.
- Visualize: When students come across difficult words and search for their meanings but are still afraid that they would forget, they can try visualizing those words by forming mental images or mental diagrams. This way, they would be able to understand those words more effectively and engagingly. Students could even form an imaginary scenario to incorporate the understanding of words which they deem as complex.
- Discuss and teach: One way of retaining new words and revising understanding is by discussing those words with others or teaching others about those words. So, students can discuss their reading materials with their families and peers and teach them about the new words they have learnt. This way, they will revise what they have learnt, and discussing those words would make it more interesting and engaging which would be an effective way of comprehending those words.
- Stay consistent: Just like any other habit or improvement requires consistency, comprehension also requires consistency. Thus, students should make it a habit to read material frequently so that they can improve in a timely and effective manner. That is because if there are gaps in reading, students would fall out of the habit of reading and would forget about the strategies which ensure effective reading and comprehension. Thus, practicing these skills regularly would provide the maximum benefits to students.
FAQs:
- Are these strategies effective for all types of material, such as textbooks, articles, or novels?
Yes, these strategies can be applied to various types of material. However, you may need to adapt them to suit the specific nature of the content you’re engaging with. For example, visualizing may be more useful for understanding scientific concepts, while summarizing and discussing may be more relevant for literary works. Thus, these strategies can be employed in various reading materials.
- How long does it take to see improvements in comprehension using these strategies?
The time it takes to see improvements can vary from person to person. It depends on factors such as your current level of comprehension, the complexity of the material, the help you have such as if you have enrolled in any English courses online, and the consistency with which you apply these strategies. With regular practice and refinement of these techniques, you should gradually notice improvements in your comprehension skills.
- What if I don’t have much prior knowledge about the topic I’m reading?
If you’re encountering a new topic or subject, you can start by looking for introductory resources or background information to familiarize yourself. Begin with basic concepts and gradually build your knowledge. As you read, actively seek connections with what you do know, even if it’s in a different domain. Over time, you’ll accumulate more prior knowledge, making it easier to comprehend related materials.
- Can these strategies be helpful for non-native English speakers?
For sure! These strategies can benefit both native and non-native English speakers. Actively employing these techniques can be particularly useful for non-native speakers, as they provide a structured approach to understanding and acquiring new language skills. The more you practice comprehension strategies, the better you’ll become at understanding and using the language effectively.
- How can I overcome distractions and maintain focus while reading?
Distractions can be a challenge, but there are several techniques you can use to stay focused. Find a quiet environment, turn off or silence electronic devices, and set specific time blocks dedicated to reading or studying. Break down your reading into manageable chunks and take short breaks in between to maintain engagement. Using active reading strategies, such as note-taking or asking questions, can also help keep your mind actively involved in the material. Moreover, enrolling in book clubs can help in overcoming distractions and maintaining focus as well as you would have a deadline in mind to finish reading those materials.
