Read, Understand, and Remember! Improve your reading skills with the KWL Method

Summary

In this educational video, Emma introduces the KWL method to enhance reading comprehension and retention. She addresses common challenges faced by students when reading complex texts, such as textbooks, newspapers, and scientific journals. The method involves three steps: 'Know' to assess prior knowledge, 'Want to know' to formulate questions, and 'Learned' to reflect on new insights. By applying this technique, readers can better understand and remember content, ultimately saving study time.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video aims to teach viewers how to improve their reading skills, particularly for difficult or complex material.
• 🤔 Emma suggests considering the challenges one faces when reading, such as understanding English literature or complex academic texts.
• 🧐 The script identifies various types of reading materials that can be difficult, including textbooks, newspapers, internet sources, magazines, journals, and classic literature like Shakespeare.
• 🏫 The video is particularly relevant for students in high school, college, and university, as well as professionals who need to read journals.
• 🚫 Emma notes that while the KWL technique discussed is useful for practice, it may not be suitable for actual TOEFL or IELTS exams.
• 🔄 The KWL method involves three stages: 'Know' (what you already know), 'Want to know' (questions you have), and 'Learned' (what you discovered).
• 🏃 The reading process is compared to exercise, with the emphasis on having a warm-up, main activity, and cool-down to enhance understanding and retention.
• 📝 The 'Know' section serves as a warm-up, helping to activate prior knowledge and prepare the reader for the text.
• ❓ The 'Want to know' section encourages the formulation of questions to guide the reading and increase engagement with the material.
• 📖 The 'Learned' section acts as a cool-down, allowing the reader to reflect on and record new information and insights gained from the reading.
• 🌟 Emma provides an example using a book about Albert Einstein to illustrate how the KWL method can be applied in practice.
• 💻 The video encourages viewers to visit www.engvid.com for additional resources and a quiz to practice the KWL method.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Emma's video?

The main topic of Emma's video is teaching viewers how to be better readers.

What are some reasons people might find reading difficult?

People might find reading difficult if they are reading in a non-native language, studying complex subjects like science or history, or trying to read challenging texts such as Shakespeare or professional journals.

What is the KWL method that Emma introduces?

The KWL method stands for Know, Want to know, and Learned. It is a technique to help readers understand and remember what they read by organizing their thoughts before, during, and after reading.

Why does Emma compare reading to jogging or running?

Emma compares reading to jogging or running to emphasize the importance of preparation and reflection. Just like jogging requires a warm-up and cooldown, effective reading involves preparing your mind before reading and reviewing what you've learned afterward.

What should you do under the 'Know' section of the KWL method?

Under the 'Know' section, you should write down what you already know about the topic you're about to read. This acts as the warm-up phase.

What type of questions should be written under the 'Want to know' section?

Under the 'Want to know' section, you should write questions about what you want to learn or understand from the reading material. This helps focus your attention on the key points while reading.

What is the purpose of the 'Learned' section in the KWL method?

The 'Learned' section is used to write down what you have learned from the reading. This serves as the cooldown phase, helping reinforce memory and comprehension.

Can the KWL method be used for different types of reading materials?

Yes, the KWL method can be applied to various reading materials, including textbooks, newspapers, internet sources, magazines, professional journals, and even practice tests for exams like TOEFL or IELTS.

What example does Emma use to demonstrate the KWL method?

Emma uses the example of reading a book about Albert Einstein to demonstrate the KWL method. She outlines what she knows about Einstein, what she wants to know, and what she learned from the book.

What are the benefits of using the KWL method according to Emma?

According to Emma, the KWL method helps readers understand and remember more of what they read, reduces the need for rereading, and saves time by making reading more efficient and effective.