ENGLISH

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

ENG139
Unit IV Reading Skills : Introduction
to reading skills
 Reading Skills
• Reading is a dynamic process in which the reader interacts with the
text to construct meaning.
• Inherent in constructing meaning is the reader’s ability to activate
prior knowledge, use reading strategies and adapt to the reading
situation.
 Reading Skills
• This definition of reading as a dynamic, interactive process means
that, a good reader is no longer defined as one who demonstrates
mastery of a series of isolated skills, but rather as a person who can
apply reading strategies independently and flexibly.
• Valid reading assessments therefore evaluate students’ ability to
apply their knowledge, skills and strategies to reading situations
that are representative of those they encounter in their daily lives.
 Reading for Literary Experience
• It involves reading novels, short stories, poems, plays and essays.
• It requires exploration of the human condition and the interplay
among events, emotions and possibilities.
• It requires knowing what and how an author might write in a
specific genre and forming expectations of how the text will be
organized.
 Reading for Literary Experience
• It involves looking for how the author explores or uncovers
experiences.
• It requires engaging in vicarious experiences through the text.
 Reading for Information
• It involves reading articles in magazines and newspapers, chapters
in textbooks, entries of business, encyclopedias and catalogs, entire
books on particular topics.
• It requires awareness of the features found in this type of prose
such as charts, footnotes, diagrams, subheadings and tables.
• It requires obtaining general information (e.g., scanning a magazine
article or obtaining information for a research project).
 Reading to Perform a Task
• It involves reading documents such as bus or train schedules,
directions for games, classroom and laboratory procedures, tax or
insurance forms, recipes, voter registration materials, maps,
referenda, consumer warranties and office memos.
• It requires understanding of the purposes and structure of
documents, which guide the selection, understanding and
application of information.
• It requires applying, not simply understanding the information.
 Factors Affecting Reading Skills
• There are various factors which affect reading speed;
comprehension ability and overall reading efficiency of a person
vary from person to person. Though the list of these factors may be
very exhaustive, some of the factors are listed below:
• Educational background: A well-educated person may have a
higher reading efficiency than one who is a literate.
• Physical capability: Sometimes, some physical defect in some
persons may hinder their efficiency to read and comprehend.
 Factors Affecting Reading Skills
• Mental capability: People have different mental capabilities. While
some are born intellectuals, others acquire intelligence through
their efforts. A higher mental capability will definitely lead to a
better reading efficiency and retention.
• Interest: If the reader finds reading material interesting, he will
definitely read it faster, understand it and retain it for a longer
time. On the other hand, if the reading material is boring or not of
interest to the reader, his efficiency will be hindered accordingly.
 Factors Affecting Reading Skills
• Practice: Reading speed is a by-product of practice and time spent
on reading. Avid readers enhance their reading skills by stepping
up their reading. It is rightly said, “Practice makes a man perfect.”
Thank You