Reading: Reading Fluency & Strategies (Strategic Reading)
B2 Lesson 2: Adapting Speed and Strategies
Listen to the scenario and key concepts.
Are You an Inefficient Reader or a Strategic Reader?
At a B2 level, you should not read everything the same way. Reading a social media post is different from reading a legal contract. A strategic reader saves time by matching their reading speed to their goal.
THE INEFFICIENT READER 😩
Panith needs to find one number in an 8-page report. He reads every single word from page 1. It takes him 30 minutes, and he is tired and frustrated.
THE STRATEGIC READER 😎
Channary needs the same number. She skims the headings to find the right section ("Financials"), then scans the page for the dollar sign ($). She finds it in 2 minutes.
Your Reading Toolkit: The 3 Speeds 🛠️
Think of reading like driving a car. You don't always use the same speed. You must learn to switch gears based on your purpose.
Purpose: To get the general idea (gist) of a text.
You ask: "What is this text generally about?"
- Reading news headlines.
- Previewing a chapter in a book.
- Deciding if an article is useful.
Purpose: To find a specific piece of information.
You ask: "Where is the [name, date, number, keyword]?"
- Finding a name in a directory.
- Looking for a price on a menu.
- Finding a date in an email.
Purpose: To understand everything in detail.
You ask: "What does this mean? What are the implications?"
- Studying for an exam.
- Reading a legal contract.
- Following complex instructions.
How to Choose Your Strategy: Ask "WHY?"
Before you read anything, take 2 seconds to ask: "Why am I reading this?" Your answer will tell you which speed to use.
THEN you should SCAN.
THEN you should SKIM.
THEN you must read INTENSIVELY.
Practice Your Strategy 🎯
Practice Quiz: Match the Task to the Strategy
For each task, choose the *best and fastest* reading strategy. Click "Check Answers" when done.
1. Task: You are reading a long legal contract before signing to buy a new house.
2. Task: You are looking at a restaurant menu to find the price of the 'Beef Lok Lak'.
3. Task: You open a news website (like VOA or BBC) and look at the homepage to see what the main stories of the day are.
4. Task: You need to find the word "strategy" in a dictionary.
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
-
To Skim
To read quickly to find the main idea (gist) of a text.
-
To Scan
To read quickly to find a specific piece of information (like a name or number).
-
Intensive Reading
To read slowly and carefully to understand all the details.
-
Gist
The main point or general meaning of a text.
-
Purpose
The reason why you are doing something (e.g., the reason for reading).
-
Efficient
Working well without wasting time or energy.
Your Mission: The 3-Text Challenge ⭐
Your mission is to consciously practice all three reading strategies this week.
- Text 1 (Skim): Find a long English news article (e.g., from the BBC). Give yourself 60 seconds to skim it. After, try to write one sentence explaining the main topic.
- Text 2 (Scan): Find an English restaurant menu online. Scan it to find the price of a specific item (e.g., "Beef Lok Lak" or "Pizza"). Time how fast you can find it.
- Text 3 (Intensive): Find one paragraph from an English textbook or a work email. Read it intensively until you understand 100% of it. Be prepared to explain it in your own words.