Expert calls for changed habits to read faster

JAKARTA (JP): The ability to read is taken for granted -- but there are many habits which should be changed for more effective, faster reading.

Several deep ingrained habits must be changed to speed up reading and comprehension, a librarian said yesterday.

Mental pronunciation of words, or subvocalization, is the hardest habit to change, Soedarso, who works at the Center for Strategic and International Studies said.

The habit is the main roadblock to rapid reading, even among experienced readers, Soedarso told an audience at the Jakarta Book Fair 1996.

Rapid reading, he pointed out, is one feature of many historical figures.

"(Late U.S. President) John F. Kennedy could read as many as 1,000 words per minute," he told a seminar on rapid reading techniques.

Indira Gandhi, India's late prime minister, was also a rapid reader, he told more than 100 participants.

A low rate is 125 words per minute, he said, which is the rate of many people.

"The most important thing when we read, is to get the points of the text," Soedarso said at the Senayan indoor stadium in Central Jakarta.

Written symbols, he said, must not be studied, or subvocalized.

Speaking at a seminar on rapid reading techniques, he also disclosed other reading habits that could slow down reading.

Other habits are vocalizing words, pointing words, moving lips or head, regressing words in the text while reading.

"These habits, without our realization, could really slow down our reading speed," Soedarso said.

"It takes speed nowadays to be able to cope well with our environment," he added.

American adults who have never been trained to read fast can read the speed of 200 to 250 words per minute (wpm).

Few could reach 325 to 350 wpm, and all of them with 70 percent comprehension, he said.

"After training, reading speed could be stepped up to 350 to 500 word per minute," he added.

Seminar participants got a chance to try techniques to overcome roadblocks to rapid reading.

Enthusiastic participants were found to have speeds of around 175 to 200 words per minute. One person could reach 300 wpm.

Soedarso suggested participants to chew bubble gum, or put their fingers to their lips while reading -- a technique aimed to stop the reading aloud habit.

Yesterday's seminar was a part of the programs featured during the Book Fair which will end next Sunday. (26)