Reading Strategies
Reading Strategies
Today, we are going to look at 5 strategies:
Predicting
Skimming
Scanning
ELZA method
Intensive reading
Reading strategies
A reading strategy is a tool that can help you out when trying to understand a text.
If you learn how to use these strategies, reading becomes:
Easier
Less time-consuming
More fun
Predicting
1. What do you think the text is about?
2. Look at the title and headings
3. Look at pictures.
4. What kind of text is it?
Skimming
Skimming can be used to find out the main idea of a text.
How to skim:
Read the text quickly, read the title, headlines, look at images
Look for key words that stand out
You don't need to know all the words to understand a text
Skimming
Question:
What do you think this text is going to be about?
What do you think this text is going to be about?
Possible correct answer: The text is about a change in the law when it comes to testing cigarettes, because there is something wrong with the current method.
Scanning
Scanning is reading for specific information, for example when a question asks about something specific.
How to scan:
Let your eyes go over the page slowly
Try to find key words that also show up in the question (a name, date, etc)
When you find the key words, read very carefully. Also read the sentences around it.
Scanning
Question: What was the reason the workers couldn't give their families a good quality of life?
ELZA method
ELZA stands for: Eerste Laatste Zin Alinea. These sentences often contain important information about what you can find in the paragraph.
How to use the ELZA method:
Read the first and final sentence of the paragraph and think about what the paragraph could be about
Read the rest of the paragraph if you think it's relevant to answer the question
ELZA method
Question: What point is this paragraph trying to make?
What point is this paragraph trying to make?
Possible correct answer: That having a dog can help a child become a more responsible person.
Intensive reading
Read the complete text, the goal is to understand the text completely
Pay attention to the introduction and subheadings (=tussenkopjes)
Look for the most important sentences and words
Look up the meaning of difficult words
Reread challenging paragraphs and read actively
TIPS
First read the QUESTION+ANSWERS, then read the TEXT.
You don't need to know all the words in order to understand a text.
Practice, practice, practice! Skills need to be TRAINED.
Useful websites: British Council Teens - level B1/B2 or the regular British Council website.
toevoeging: and, also, too
tegenstelling: but, however, although
oorzaak/gevolg: because, since, so
voorbeelden geven: such as, for example
Signaalwoorden (key words)
Deze woorden geven verbindingen aan in de tekst. Zo geven ze je meer informatie over hetgeen dat gezegd wordt.
Adviezen
Brede belangstelling helpt - lees de krant, volg het nieuws. Kijk bijvoorbeeld elke dag Newsround / BBC one minute news.
Lees Engelse boeken, artikelen.
Brede woordenschat maakt teksten lezen gemakkelijker.
PRACTICE
- Examenvoorbereiding oefenen op FACET B1.