Like all other life skills,
reading takes time and effort to develop. So, practice yours as often as you
can during your IELTS training period. Follow
the dos and don’ts below to enhance your ability to read, comprehend, and
analyze English!
DO peruse a wide selection of English reading materials.
You
don’t have to confine your reading selection to formal and academic topics. Find
well-written texts that you enjoy or find interesting. Read fiction and
non-fiction literature. Browse blog articles, feature websites, and news
portals. Don’t be afraid to explore your options.
DO keep a dictionary, notepad, and pencil handy.
Encountering
unfamiliar words and expressions is part and parcel of reading.
So,
always have a dictionary on hand. You can either keep a pocket-sized one on
your person or add a dictionary app to your mobile phone. Also, take note of
every uncommon terminology you encounter. Jot down their definition. Make it a
point to use them when you write or talk during your classes at your IELTS review center in the Philippines.
DON’T read in places that are not study-conducive.
Find
a quiet or private spot. It’ll help you concentrate on what you’re reading. However,
if you can’t find a study-conducive place to read, just get rid of as many
distractions as you can. Do the same (minimize distractions) whenever you
conduct self-study sessions throughout your IELTS
training period.
DON’T rush.
Take
your time. It’s okay if you only read a page or two today, provided that you
understood and retained what you read. Remember, you’re not only honing your
reading skills. You’re also sharpening your comprehension abilities.
DON’T take everything you read at face value.
Analyzing
and questioning what you’re reading improves not only your comprehension but
also your retention. So, ask questions as you read. What are the short- and
long-term effects of what the character did? What is the author trying to say
or imply? Did the structure, perspective, and word choice of the material affect
how you understood the story/issue? Asking questions like these will help you
get a deeper understanding and appreciation of what you’re reading.
Want to learn more ways to
enhance your test performance? Don’t cut corners for your IELTS exam preparation. Prepare
with the best IELTS review center in the Philippines!
References:
Geikhman,
Yuliya. "How to Effectively Improve Your English Reading Skills on Your
Own." FluentU Spanish Educator Blog. July 14, 2018. Accessed September 14,
2018. https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/how-to-improve-english-reading-skills/.
Geikhman,
Yuliya. "Is Reading English Hard? Improve Your Reading Skills with 8 Easy
Steps." FluentU Spanish Educator Blog. July 15, 2018. Accessed September
14, 2018. https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/how-to-improve-english-reading/.
Tips for
Improving Your English Language Reading Skills. Accessed September 14, 2018. https://ieltscanadatest.com/2017/01/tips-for-improving-your-english-language-reading-skills-part-two/.
WikiHow.
"How to Improve Your Reading Skills." WikiHow. July 31, 2018.
Accessed September 14, 2018. https://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Your-Reading-Skills.
