Personal Growth Success

You might have heard that if you learn speed reading you can take in information considerably more quickly than usual, thereby enhancing your skills as well as upping your value as an employee.

For some people reading fast is the primary goal, whereas for others, it is far more important to improve their understanding and retention of information. A high-quality speed reading program can do both, and consequently amp up both your personal and professional life.

The average reading speed is about two words per second with normal comprehension. For normal reading needs this may well be enough, however a basic speed reading course can help increase the average reading speed to four (possibly six) words per second with the same comprehension level.

However, some people have very specific reading needs and may desire to increase their reading speed to ten or more words per second with higher than average comprehension. A comprehensive speed reading program with lots of practice and testing can help them reach their objective.

Most speed reading courses are designed to help readers decide on the fly what words are worth reading and which ones are not. You will learn to read phrases or even sentences rather than words individually as well as skimming over unimportant words and getting to the heart of the meaning of the text.

Improve Speed, But Don’t Lose Comprehension

Sometimes individuals who undertake to learn speed reading encounter difficulties with the practice of sub-vocalization. Children in their early years are taught to read to themselves, causing them to sound out every word in their head as they are reading. In speed reading, a primary focus is on developing the ability to not sub-vocalize while you read. In its place, you are taught to concentrate only on the words that have significance to the general context. You will become skilled at intentional reading and will therefore increase understanding at the same time as speed.

There are various ways of teaching speed reading, as well as different ways that each individual learns. Some techniques will get better results for some readers than others. Fundamentally, speed reading aims to train the brain to recognize only relevant words without sounding them in one’s head. If you have difficulty with one approach, find another speed reading software program or course that teaches these skills in a way that will assist you to progress more efficiently.

As with learning any new skill, regular speed reading practice will improve your reading speed over time.