To improve English reading comprehension, read diverse materials consistently, actively engage with the text by asking questions and summarizing, build vocabulary, use context clues, and practice strategies like previewing, visualizing, and rereading to understand main ideas and supporting details. Breaking text into smaller chunks and finding a quiet space helps focus, while discussing books with others deepens understanding.
This video provides a good overview of techniques to improve reading comprehension:
- Skim the text: Look at titles, headings, bold words, and introductions to get the main idea.
- Ask questions: Predict what the text will be about and what you expect to learn.
While Reading (Active Engagement)
- Read actively: Don’t just passively read; pause to think about what you’re reading.
- Build vocabulary: Look up unfamiliar words or use context clues to guess their meaning.
- Identify main ideas: Find the central point of paragraphs and the overall text.
- Visualize: Create mental images of the characters, settings, or events.
- Look for transitions: Pay attention to words like “however,” “therefore,” and “in contrast” to understand relationships.
- Read aloud: This can help you process the words and integrate auditory learning, suggests Scholar Within.
- Break it down: Divide longer texts into smaller sections to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
You can watch this video for a demonstration of how to practice reading aloud: