A very common question I get from my IELTS students is ‘How do I improve my reading skills?’
Initially I always answer this question with a question, ‘Let me ask you something, do you read or understand every word when you’re reading in your own language?’
The answer is always ‘No’ which means that you already have some reading skills and strategies in your own language for understanding a text even if you don’t read/understand every word.
All we have to do now is use these same reading skills when we read in English. The language may be different but the skills are basically the same.
So what are these skills?
The four reading skills I’m going to discuss in this post are ‘Skimming’, ‘Scanning’, ‘Extensive reading’ and ‘Intensive reading’.
Skimming
Skimming is used when we want to understand the main idea or ‘gist’. You basically run your eyes over the text and gather the important information. You don’t need to understand every word when you skim read.
In ‘real life’, we often skim read newspapers to get the general news. In the IELTS Reading Test, it is usually to get the main idea of the passage as in my post Tips for answering different question task types in the IELTS Reading Test.
Scanning
Scanning is used when we need to find a particular piece of information. You basically run your eyes over the text and look specifically for the particular piece of information you need. As with skimming, you don’t need to understand every word when you scan read.
In ‘real life’, we use scanning for timetables or a guide to an exhibition or conference. In the IELTS Reading Test, it is to get specific information required in certain task types as in my post Tips for answering different question task types in the IELTS Reading Test.
The next two types of reading are used to improve your reading skills in general.
Extensive reading
Extensive reading is usually used for longer texts for pleasure. It is not necessary to understand every word; you are reading for enjoyment, to generally improve your reading speed and to get a general understanding.
I always tell my students to read what actually interests them in their free time. So, sure, if you like reading novels and literature in your own language then read novels and literature in English. If you don’t, read magazines in English or comics or whatever you read in your own language. I’ve seen too many students unsuccessfully try to read Charles Dickens in English when they’ve never read a novel in their own language.
Intensive reading
Intensive reading is different from the other types of reading we’ve discussed in that it is important to understand each word and fact. It is basically accurate reading used for detailed understanding. We usually use intensive reading on shorter texts to gain specific information.
We use Intensive Reading when we are checking bank statements of for reading a documents we are about to sign.
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Skimming and Scanning are strategies you will actually use when doing IELTS Reading Tests. Extensive and Intensive Reading will be strategies you will implement when trying to improve your reading skills in general.
There are varioius ways to practise these strategies. Over the years, I have taught from many different IELTS books and I always recommend that my students purchase Adams & Austen IELTS books. These books contain so many useful practice exercises for IELTS.
Don’t forget that if you buy these books here, I will mark an IELTS Task 1 Writing and an IELTS Task 2 Writing from the book you have purchased.
Here’s to the best IELTS score possible!
Hey Alanna,
I am really impressed by all the strategies that yu provide. u r doing a commendable job.
Even i recommend ADAMS AND AUSTEN IELTS books to all of my candidates
Thank you very much, I really appreciate the feedback.
Do you have a website so I can have a look?
howdy!
just wana ask:
can I answer the reading section using capital letters?
if yes, in answering the matching headings section which requires roman numerals like i, v, ix, and I wish to answer using all caps, is the headings section an exception, meaning i can’t answer using V or IX?
lastly, in using the letter “i” in capital, shall I use “I” or the “straight bar?”
hoping for your response and thanks much!
i meant, the capital “numeral i” or the “straight bar (l)”
Hi John,
There’s no real reason why you can’t use capital letters but I always recommend that my students do exactly as they would in a writing test and only use capital letters when necessary (for people’s names, place names, the start of a sentence etc).
For Roman numerals, you’d use the straight bar I, II, III, IV etc.
hey alanna,
I am a newly graduate dentist from INDIA and seeking to go to CANADA.My exam is on the 24th of this month.,your guidance has been exceptional,but still I always make blunders in true/yes,false/no or not given.Is there any other simpler way to get the answers right?
Hi Mihir,
Good Luck on 24th. Check out the reading test posts on http://posterous.com/bestieltsonline
Alanna
hello.
its me saleem sunny wanna know about more information about reading skill
how i can make more better reading skill.
thanks
saleem sunny 0093 782172705
Hi, I want to get some information from you as in next month I am going to have my ielts test and I am supposed to get 7 band.please tell me how can I improve my academic writing. Thanks
helpfull.
Dear Alanna,
Its nice to have the guidence of reading, so going forward i will keep in mind these feedback of reading like Skimming, Scanning, Extensive and Intensive.
Generally we do this in daily life at work and off work, now i need to bring into more practise for IELTs.
Regards, Asgher.
I want to get 6.5 band plz help me how can I improve my academic litening,reading,wrting,speaking
Good luck Asgher.
Kind Regards,
Alanna
hello sir
i am really impress with your idea it really useful to me inorder to improve my english
thanks sir
HI
I’AM GIVING IELTS FOR 5 TIMES BUT EVERYTIME I’AM GETTING 5.5 BAND ON READING CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME TO IMPROVE MY LEVEL . MY OTHER BAND ARE GETTING BETTER REGARDLESS WITH READING …
THANKS
Hi dear,
i have ielts exam on 24th of April, my mian problem is in reading and writting task 2 skills plz help me in this way i will be greatfull
thank you
I am available for tutoring from the end of May.
Kind Regards,
Alanna