There are so many benefits to improving your reading skills if you are learning a new language.
But at the same time, reading is harder for ESL learners because it involves not just learning new words, but also understanding grammar, culture, and context, all while developing effective reading strategies.
Hang on. Strategies? I need a strategy to read in English?
Well, you don’t NEED one, but they sure make your life simpler if you use them.
There are three essential reading strategies, skimming, scanning, and intensive reading, that are used depending on your objective.
Let me explain how I use them.
1. Skimming: The “What’s This All About?” Approach
What I do: When I just want to know if something’s worth my time, I skim. I read the intro, the headings, and maybe the first line of each paragraph. I’m not worried about details—I just want the gist.
Try this:
- Glance at headings and bold words
- Read the summary or conclusion first
- Ignore the small stuff and just look for the main ideas
2. Scanning: The “Where’s That Fact?” Move
What I do: If I’m trying to answer a specific question (like “What year did that happen?”), I scan. I keep my eyes peeled for keywords or numbers and skip everything else.
Try this:
- Know what you’re looking for before you start
- Let your eyes jump to numbers, names, or bullet points
- When you spot your keyword, read the sentence around it for context
Skimming and scanning are helpful for previewing material, deciding what to read in detail, or locating facts quickly.
However, they do not provide the depth of understanding needed for intensive reading.
3. Intensive Reading: The “Let’s Get Serious” Session
What I do: Sometimes, you really need to understand every detail: maybe for a project, a presentation, or just because the topic is tricky. That’s when I slow down, take notes, and even look up new words if I have to.
Try this:
- Highlight or jot down key points as you go
- Pause and summarize each section in your own words
- Don’t be afraid to re-read tough parts
- Ask yourself: What’s the main message here? Do I agree? Why or why not?
Intensive reading is particularly valuable in language learning, where in-depth understanding and retention are required. And it’s a fantastic way to ‘feel‘ how words are used – not just learn their definitions.
Mix and Match
If you want to improve your intensive reading skills (and unlock the magic for language learning), you may think you need to skip the skimming and scanning strategies.
But skimming and scanning can be really useful at the very start of an intensive reading session,to preview or locate sections of interest. However, there’s no getting past it, the core of intensive reading is slow, careful, and analytical work.
If you are planning on starting to improve your intensive reading skills, my best tip is to find a topic that’s really interesting to you! Enjoying the process is key. If you don’t enjoy it, you won’t continue with it.
Joining a book club can be a fun way to commit to building your reading skills. Like this 4 week book club starting in August.
Final Thought
Reading doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Mix and match these strategies depending on what you need, and don’t feel guilty for not reading every word.
The smartest readers are the ones who know when to slow down and when to speed up.
