3 Proven Tips to Read Faster in English

If reading in English feels slow and frustrating compared to reading in your native language, don’t worry—you’re not alone! The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to read faster and enjoy the process.

Here are 3 actionable tips to help you boost your reading speed while improving your comprehension.

1. Combine the Book with an Audiobook

This is a game-changer! Listening to an audiobook while you read helps you speed up your pace and makes the experience more fluid.

When reading in a second language, it can feel slow and mentally exhausting, but audiobooks can ease that burden.

Not only will this help you read faster, but it will also improve your listening skills and teach you proper pronunciation of new words.

Pro Tip: Make sure to buy the “Unabridged Audio” version so it matches the text exactly.

2. Stop Looking Up Every Word You Don’t Know

This may sound counterintuitive, but don’t pause every time you hit a word you don’t recognize.

Constantly stopping to look up words interrupts your flow and makes reading less enjoyable—similar to pausing a movie every few minutes.

Instead, rely on context clues to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Actionable Tip: If you come across a word that’s used frequently and seems important, underline it and look it up after finishing the chapter.

3. Focus on the Overall Story, Not Every Detail

It’s easy to get stuck on specific words or phrases, but try to zoom out and focus on the bigger picture.

Pay attention to the story, the characters, and the main ideas. This will not only help you read faster but also allow you to enjoy the book more.

Bonus: Pick a Series

If you love a particular author or book, pick a series! Reading multiple books by the same author helps you get used to their writing style, making it easier to read the next book faster.

By applying these tips, you'll not only read faster in English but also enjoy the process more. Remember, the key to improving is consistency and practice, so don’t rush it—enjoy each book as part of your learning journey!

Keep Learning

Don’t stop here—take your communication skills even further with these 43 Business Expressions You Should Know that will boost your confidence and fluency. Click here to dive in!

Also, sign up for your free, advanced pronunciation masterclass here.

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