Reading: Reading Fluency & Strategies (Strategic Reading): B2 Lesson 2: Adapting Reading Speed and Strategies to Different Text Types and Purposes

Reading: Reading Fluency & Strategies (Strategic Reading)

B2 Lesson 2: Adapting Reading Speed and Strategies to Different Text Types and Purposes

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The Flexible Reader

A truly fluent reader is a flexible reader. They understand that the way you read a novel for pleasure is completely different from the way you read a manual to fix something.

Today, we will learn how to adapt¹ your reading speed² and reading strategy³ to match your specific purpose⁴. Before you read anything, always ask yourself: 1. What kind of text is this? and 2. Why am I reading it?

Four Scenarios, Four Different Strategies

Let's look at four different reading tasks and the best way to approach each one.

Scenario 1: Reading an Academic Article for Study

Purpose: Deep understanding and to remember key information for an exam.

Best Strategy: The Full "Strategic Reading Attack Plan".

1. Predict: Use the title to guess the content.
2. Skim: Read quickly for the main ideas and structure.
3. Read for Detail: Read slowly and carefully, taking notes. Re-read complex parts.
4. Summarize: Explain the main points to yourself to ensure you understood.

Speed: Varies from fast (skimming) to very slow (analysis).

Scenario 2: Reading a Novel or Story for Fun

Purpose: Entertainment and enjoyment.

Best Strategy: Immersive Reading.

• Read at a relaxed, steady pace that feels comfortable.
• Focus on the characters, plot, and atmosphere.
• Don't worry about memorizing every detail. Allow yourself to get lost in the story.

Speed: Moderate and consistent.

Scenario 3: Following a Recipe to Cook Dinner

Purpose: To complete a task correctly in the right sequence.

Best Strategy: Precise, Step-by-Step Reading.

1. Read the entire recipe once to get an overview and check you have all ingredients.
2. Read Step 1. Perform Step 1.
3. Read Step 2. Perform Step 2. (And so on).

Speed: Very slow and deliberate. Accuracy is more important than speed.

Scenario 4: Finding a Friend's Comment on a Busy Facebook Post

Purpose: To locate one specific piece of information and ignore everything else.

Best Strategy: Scanning Only.

• Do not read sentences or other comments.
• Let your eyes move quickly down the page. You are only looking for the shape of your friend's name and profile picture.
• When you find it, stop and read only that comment.

Speed: As fast as possible.

Your Turn! Choose the Best Strategy.

Practice Quiz

For each situation, choose the most effective reading strategy.

1. You are looking at a bus schedule to find the departure time for the last bus to Phnom Penh.

• A. Read the entire schedule slowly from top to bottom.
• B. Scan the "Phnom Penh" column for the latest time listed.
• C. Read the schedule for enjoyment at a relaxed pace.

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Answer: B. Your only purpose is to find one specific detail. Scanning is the most efficient strategy.

2. You are reading a complex legal contract before signing it.

• A. Read every word extremely slowly and carefully, re-reading any confusing parts.
• B. Skim the document quickly to get the main idea.
• C. Scan the document for your name.

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Answer: A. For a legal document, the purpose is 100% comprehension of every detail. Accuracy is critical, so a slow, careful reading is required.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Adapt (verb)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: សម្រប
   To adjust or change your strategy to fit a new situation or task. ↩ back to text
2. Reading Speed (noun phrase)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ល្បឿននៃការអាន
   How quickly or slowly you read a text, which should change based on your purpose. ↩ back to text
3. Reading Strategy (noun phrase)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: យុទ្ធសាស្ត្រក្នុងការអាន
   A specific, conscious plan for reading a text (e.g., skimming, scanning, close reading). ↩ back to text
4. Purpose (noun)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: គោលបំណង
   The reason why you are reading a particular text. ↩ back to text

Homework Task

Reflect on Your Reading!

This week, pay close attention to two different reading tasks you do in English. For example, reading a message from a friend and reading a news article for a class.

1. For each task, write down your purpose (e.g., "to understand my friend's plan," "to find three facts for my report").
2. Describe the strategy and speed you used for each one.
3. Did your strategy fit your purpose? Was it efficient?

Thinking about *how* you read is the first step to becoming a more strategic reader.