| Is it really possible for someone to learn faster | | | | achievable as it is more of a physical action than a |
| reading skills? The reason why most people read | | | | mental one, like sub-vocalization. Instead of trying |
| at a slow pace, is because this is the way we | | | | in vain to silence the mind, the speed reader must |
| were taught to read. In order to learn faster | | | | rather try to replace the act of sub-vocalization. |
| reading skills, we first need to unlearn some of | | | | Even advanced speed readers never usually |
| the 'slow reading' habits that were ingrained upon | | | | manage to totally eliminate sub-vocalization. |
| us as children. | | | | Firstly, don't overstress about sub-vocalization. |
| Usually by the 3rd grade most students are able | | | | Your thoughts will not be directed towards the |
| to read quite well. Unfortunately, while we are | | | | reading if your mind is only thinking 'stop |
| learning how to read, we are taught that | | | | vocalizing!' Faster reading skills can be achieved by |
| sub-vocalization is necessary. Sub-vocalization is | | | | replacing sub-vocalization by giving your mind a |
| the sound of the words, either spoken out loud or | | | | purpose for the reading. Ask yourself questions |
| in our heads. While this is good for learning how to | | | | such as: "What do I need from the material? |
| read, it is one of the most significant factors that | | | | "Once I have learnt the material, what will I do |
| inhibit our faster reading skills. Adults don't usually | | | | with it?" "What is the author trying to tell me?" |
| need to read out loud to be able to read | | | | "How am I able to do this?" By asking these |
| effectively, but the majority still do exactly that, | | | | questions, or any other you can think of, before |
| silently, in their minds. | | | | starting to speed read will transform how your |
| Sub-vocalization can be understood as having four | | | | mind responds to the words. |
| phases. First of all, we will look and see the words. | | | | Another helpful way of phasing out |
| The words are then spoken in your mind, then | | | | sub-vocalization is by asking yourself, "What's this |
| heard in your mind, and lastly we then understand | | | | about?" as you are reading. You will 'hear' |
| the words. We are only able to talk and | | | | something as your mind answers the question. |
| understand the spoken word up to an absolute | | | | This is fine, as you are not aiming to silence the |
| maximum of 600 words per minute. Therefore, it | | | | mind. Part of the answer may be directly from |
| is impossible to acquire faster reading skills while | | | | the text (this is normal and fine) and the rest of it |
| caught up in this habit. | | | | in your own words. The main point is that you are |
| It is virtually impossible to just quit this habit. The | | | | no longer following the process of seeing, saying, |
| usual 'bad habits', such as biting your fingernails, | | | | hearing and then understanding. Your mind is now |
| can be stopped by using will-power and | | | | responding, interpreting and summarizing the |
| commanding ourselves not to do it. This is | | | | information. |