Expert calls for changed habits to read faster
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)