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When we learn a language, there are four skills that we need for a complete communication. When we learn our native language, we usually learn to listen first, and second to speak, then to read, and finally to write. These are called the four "language skills": Listening Speaking Reading Writing

As you can see, reading is the third language skill. It is important for acquisition of vocabulary, and also because it can be done alone.
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The four language skills are related to each other in two ways: The direction of communication (in or out) The method of communication (spoken or written) Input is sometimes called "reception" and output is sometimes called "production". Spoken is also known as "oral".

Reading is a complex cognitive of decoding symbols for the intention of constructing or deriving meaning (reading comprehension). It is a mean of language acquisition, of communication, and of sharing information and ideas. Like all language, it is a complex interaction between the text and the reader which is shaped by the readers prior knowledge, experiences, attitude, and language community which is culturally and socially situated. The reading process requires continuous practices, development, and refinement.

There are some approaches that will help you to get the maximum benefit from your reading, with the minimum effort:

Think About What You Want to Know:

Before you start reading anything, ask yourself why you're reading it. Are you reading with a purpose, or just for pleasure? What do you want to know after you've read it?

Reading Efficiently by Reading Intelligently: By choosing a useful document to gain helpful informations and to get a full understanding of the content.

 Read Actively: Here are four tips for active reading: Underlining and highlighting: If you are a visual learner, you'll find it helpful to use different colors to highlight different aspects of what you're reading. Note Key ords: Record the main headings as you read by Taking notes, Gathering information.

Read Actively:
Questions: prepare your reading by noting down questions you want to answer to while you're reading. Summaries: after you've read a section of text try to put what you've read into your own words.

Reading is a skill we developed as we grow up and as we become acquainted with different types of text. Once we started seeing these texts in a foreign language we are unable to decode the message. The problem is probably not that we are not using the correct techniques, but that we are unable to recognize the words and meaning. There are three kinds of difficulties :

Decoding Difficulties Comprehension Difficulties Comprehension Difficulties

Decoding Difficulties

Trouble sounding out words and recognizing words out of context Confusion between letters and the sounds they represent Slow oral reading rate (reading word-by-word) Reading without expression Ignoring punctuation while reading.

Comprehension Difficulties

Confusion about the meaning of words and sentences Inability to connect ideas in a passage Omission of, or glossing over detail Difficulty distinguishing significant information from minor details Lack of concentration during reading.

Retention Difficulties

Retention requires both decoding and comprehending what is written. This task relies on high level cognitive skills, including memory and the ability to gather related ideas: Trouble remembering or summarizing what we have read. Difficulty connecting what is read to prior knowledge Difficulty applying content of a text to personal experiences.

Reading is a very active process. It is true that the writer does a lot of work, but the reader also has to work hard. When you read a text, you have to do some or all of these: -imagine a scene in your head. -understand clearly what the writer is trying to say. -agree or disagree with the writer.

We can follow five steps to make it possible :

Tip #1: Try to read at the right level. Read something that you can (more or less) understand.

Tip #2: Make a note of new vocabulary. Try to guess their meaning as you read.

Tip #3: Try to read regularly. For example, read for a short time once a day. Fifteen minutes every day is better than two hours every Sunday.

Tip #4: Be organised. Have everything ready: -something to read. -a marker to highlight difficult words. -a dictionary -a pen to write down the new words. Tip #5: Read what interests YOU. Choose a magazine or book about a subject that you like.

Newspapers & Magazines:

Newspapers and Magazines are interesting because they are about real life and the news. Many magazines have pictures which can help your understanding.

Books:

Books are divided mainly into: -Non-fiction (history, biography, travel, cooking etc). -Fiction (stories and novels).

Short Stories:

Short stories can be a good choice when learning a language because they are...short. It's like reading a whole book in a few pages. You have all the excitement of a story in a book, but you only have to read 5,000 or 10,000 words.

Cornflakes Packets:

Means any product you can buy that has English writing on or with it. If you buy a box of chocolates, or a new camera, why not read the description or instructions in English? There are many such examples, and they all give you an opportunity to read real English: -cans or packets of food -tapes and CDs -user guides for videos, computers...

Poetry:

If you like poetry, try reading some English-language poems. They may not be easy to understand because of the style and vocabulary, but if you work at it you can usually get an idea - or a feeling - of what the poet is trying to say.

When you're a graduate people expect you to use a vocabulary which is wider than a school-leaver's. So, If you are determined and prepared to practise, then you should be able to train yourself to read faster and improve your concentration and level of comprehension. Remember reading improves with practice, and the more you are familiar with advanced reading texts the more quickly you will be able to get access to the information.

www.studyskills.soton.ac.uk/.../reading_skills.htm esl.about.com/.../englishreadingskills/English_Rea... eslus.com/LESSONS/READING/READ.HTM www.sil.org/lingualinks/.../whatarereadingskills.ht... edhelper.com/language/Reading_Skills.htm www.world-english.org/improve_reading_skills.h.. www.mindtools.com Learning Skills

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