Volume 2
Autumn 2009
Self-Access Language Learning in Hong Kong
Improving Reading Skills
through Self-Access
Language Learning
Vince Han Xiaohan
Reading, as a primary way through which learners acquire knowledge, plays a significant
role in daily learning experiences, and the efficiency of reading bears a close relationship
with one’s leaning efficiency as a whole. For learners using English as a second language,
weak reading skills commonly act as an impediment to deep comprehension and may
further cause reluctance in learning.
This journal article will mainly focus on using resources readily available in public libraries to
help improve one’s reading abilities. However, as the purposes of reading are diverse, and
the strategies adopted for different purposes differ accordingly, this article will primarily
introduce skills that may help develop one’s overall reading abilities rather than going into
any specific types of reading.
Resources
The resources available are abundant, ranging from formal reading textbooks that provide
step-by-step guidance, to magazines like Time and Fortune that may be used for reading
practice. Learners may choose different materials at different stages of learning.
Table 1 is an incomplete list of formal reading textbooks1,2,3 that are recommended for
improving general reading abilities4.
Title
Power Reading
Brief Descriptions
A detailed and comprehensive guide to improving
reading speed and comprehension.
Reading Tasks
A reading textbook with exercises and detailed
instructions.
Study Reading
A course in reading skills for academic purposes.
Table 1 Resources for improving general reading abilities
Apart from the above reading textbooks, learners can choose to read materials that they
consider interesting. Although textbooks provide systematic ways of making progress,
putting the techniques learned to actual use may help consolidate achievements. There are
numerous materials to choose from, and the contents and writing styles are also different.
How to choose and use the resources
For beginners who may have no idea where to start, following a reading textbook will be
convenient and beneficial. The reading textbooks listed above provide instructions and
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Volume 2
Autumn 2009
Self-Access Language Learning in Hong Kong
methods on how to improve one’s reading ability step by step, and they are usually
accompanied by audio and/or video materials. It is strongly recommended that learners use
these materials first to find a suitable landing point.
For each textbook, there would normally be a chapter of instructions on how to correctly
use the book, and following those instructions would greatly facilitate learning. For example,
Power Reading by Rick Ostrov, is a typical textbook giving instructions on improving reading
speed and comprehension, which are the two most commonly adopted criteria for judging
one’s reading ability. The book is a four-week long course. In the first week, the book puts
emphasis on full comprehension, and in order to help the learners read faster, it introduces
some techniques to free them from their old reading habits. In the following several weeks,
the focus will shift to how to speed up without losing the idea in the article. The book has a
clear structure and is easy to follow, but simply following the textbook will not guarantee
improvements. To consolidate the new reading habits, learners are advised to practice
regularly both along with and after the course.
Magazines and novels are helpful in that they contain writings of various styles and topics.
For reading practice, learners should only select articles that they consider interesting, as
compelled reading, even by learners themselves, will undermine the effectiveness of
practicing. It is suggested that learners should foster the habit of daily reading, and
gradually transition from intended practice to free reading. Also, to help improve
comprehension, taking notes of sentences and writing short reading summaries are quite
helpful.
Assessing learning progress
Normally textbooks will include assessments in the end, and there will be criteria for the
learner to evaluate achievements. Taking the book Power Reading as an example again, it
instructs the learner to use one selected article throughout the course to make comparison
between before and after using the textbook. Also, at the middle stage of learning, learners
can take similar tests by themselves. A typical method of examining reading efficiency is
timed reading. Learners are required to read for a period of time, for example 10 minutes,
and then calculate the words read per minute, and try to rewrite the main idea of the
material just read. By evaluating the reading speed and comprehension, the learner can get
a view of how well he or she can read.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to systematically improve one’s reading abilities, starting from a formal
reading textbook is a good option. After learning some techniques, learners should start
practicing instantly. However, better reading abilities are not easily achievable unless real
endeavour is put into regular practice. To improve comprehension and get a better
understanding of how language is used, taking notes and writing short summaries are
helpful. In the end, it will never be too late to emphasize the importance of persistence—as
long as the learner continues practicing incessantly, improvement is guaranteed.
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Volume 2
Autumn 2009
Self-Access Language Learning in Hong Kong
References
1. Ostrov R. 2002. Power Reading: The Best, Fastest, Easiest, Most Effective Course on
Speedreading and Comprehension Ever Developed!. North San Juan, Calif.: Education
Press. 217 p.
2. Benitez L, Castrillo JM, Cerezal N, & Suarez C. 1988. Reading Tasks. Harlow, Essex :
Longman. 109 p.
3. Glendinning EH & Holmström B. 2004. Study reading : A course in reading skills for
academic purposes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 159 p.
4. Virtual English Centre, The University of Hong Kong. ©2009. Reading. [online]. Available:
http://caes.hku.hk/vec/film/category.asp?start=1&crit=Reading Accessed: 2009 March 3.
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