THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD SKILL: READING
Reading Quiz
Check your answers below.
1. Easy Question:
It is necessary to understand every word in the newspaper article to understand what the news is.
a) True b) False
2. Easy Question:
It is necessary to understand every word in an email from your co-worker to understand the message correctly.
a) True b) False
3. More Difficult:
People read agendas to…
a) decide which product to buy b) know what a meeting is going to be about c) get the news
4. More Difficult:
People read food labels to…
a) check if there are any chemicals in the food b) to check what nutrition the food provides c) both a and b
5. Difficult:
Reading a newspaper and reading an email require different reading techniques.
a) True b) False
6. Difficult:
To improve your reading skills, you need to identify which area actually needs improvement.
a) True b) False
Check your answers below.
The Most Misunderstood Skill: Reading
As a new immigrant to Canada, you need to ask yourself two questions regarding reading: ‘What do I need to be able to read?’ and ‘Why do I need to read it?’ Your level of required comprehension is determined by the reason you are reading a particular text. For example, when reading a newspaper, it’s okay to understand 50-60% – your goal is to learn some of the news. However, if you’re reading an email from a co-worker and there are some words you are not familiar with, you will need to use your dictionary to ensure you understand the message correctly.
Your Reading List in Canada with Main Purpose:
Forms (online and paper)
- to fill them out correctly
Letters from your bank, government, etc.
- to understand what actions you need to take
Emails
- to communicate with your co-workers and management
Product descriptions and reviews
- to decide which product to buy
Blogs, forums, internet articles
- to learn something useful or interesting
Agendas
- to know what work meetings are going to be about
Memos
- to stay informed at work
Notices
- at work and in public places, to understand what you can or cannot do
Newspapers
- to get the news
Magazines
- to learn something new and interesting
Fictions books
- for entertainment
Self-help books
- for advice
Nutrition labels
- to decide which foods to buy and which to avoid
Textbooks
- to learn some information for tests and exams
Improving your Reading
To improve your reading skills, you need to identify which area actually needs improvement. Why is your reading so slow? Is it a vocabulary problem? Is it your grammar or spelling? Do you need to improve your knowledge of various types of texts or test formats? Or perhaps it’s your vocalization or subvocalization that is in the way? Click HERE to figure out what’s holding you back.
Reading Faster
Reading a newspaper and reading an email require different reading techniques. Similarly, different techniques are used to help you read faster – it all depends on what you need to read. Please click HERE to find out more about the techniques that can help you read faster.
When NOT to read
Reading can be dangerous if you’re trying to improve your speaking and listening. English is a very special language. Click HERE to figure out if you are reading too much.
Reading Food Labels
One of the most important skills that your need to keep your family in Canada is knowing how to read food labels. The amount of chemicals that goes into food during food manufacturing process is disproportionately large. A lot of these chemicals are poisonous to the body and the only way your body know to keep you safe is to ‘package’ them in fat cells and hide them. Know how to choose good healthy food for you and your loved ones. Click HERE to keep reading.
Read next: