Reading skills that work - for tests and in class

Summary

James from EngVid delivers a lesson on improving reading skills, emphasizing active reading techniques. He suggests asking W5 questions to engage the brain, breaking down introductions to identify main ideas and the author's thesis, and summarizing chapters by their content and function. For speed and comprehension, he recommends the 'finger method' for quick reading and paraphrasing to ensure understanding. James encourages daily practice with these methods for enhanced reading efficiency and enjoyment.

Takeaways

• 😄 The video is a lesson on improving reading skills, inspired by a previous video on reading comprehension.
• 🎬 The reference to Eddie Murphy's movie 'Delirious' sets a light-hearted tone for the lesson.
• 🔍 The video aims to help viewers read faster, improve their reading skills, and enjoy the reading experience.
• 🤔 It emphasizes the importance of active reading over passive reading, where one hopes to understand by simply looking at the text.
• 📚 The introduction of a text is crucial and should be broken down into its subject, main ideas, and the author's thesis.
• ❓ Asking W5 questions (Who, What, When, Where, Why) helps to inform the brain about what to look for in the text.
• 🛑 The myth that every word in a text must be read is debunked; instead, focus on pertinent information.
• 📝 Summarizing each chapter in terms of what it says and what function it serves is key to understanding and retention.
• 👨‍🏫 Teaching someone else what you've read is a good way to test your understanding and solidify your learning.
• ⏱️ Daily practice of 15 minutes using the 'finger method' to read faster and then paraphrasing the text ensures comprehension and speed improvement.
• 📈 Consistent daily practice leads to gradual improvement in reading speed and comprehension.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video by James from EngVid?

The purpose of the video is to teach viewers how to improve their reading skills, particularly for those who want to read faster and better without the aid of a dictionary, as well as to enjoy the reading experience.

What does James suggest is the first step to improve reading skills?

James suggests that the first step to improve reading skills is to engage in active reading by asking questions that inform the brain about what to look for and what's important in the text.

What is the significance of the 'W5' questions in the context of reading?

The 'W5' questions are significant because they help the reader to identify the key elements of the text such as 'Who', 'What', 'Where', 'When', and 'Why', which in turn helps in focusing on the pertinent information.

Why is breaking down the introduction important when reading a text?

Breaking down the introduction is important because it usually contains the topic, main ideas, and the author's thesis, which helps the reader to understand the overall structure and purpose of the text, making it easier to skim and focus on relevant information.

What does James mean by 'fluff' or 'filler' in a text?

By 'fluff' or 'filler', James refers to the unnecessary or non-essential parts of a text that do not contribute to the main ideas or arguments, which can be skipped to save time and focus on the important content.

How does summarizing each chapter in two parts help in understanding a text?

Summarizing each chapter in two parts helps in understanding a text by not only capturing the content ('what it says') but also the function ('what it does'), such as presenting an idea or providing evidence, which aids in grasping the overall structure and purpose of the text.

What is the 'finger method' that James introduces for improving reading speed?

The 'finger method' is a technique where the reader uses their fingers to guide their eyes down the text at a faster pace, with the aim of increasing reading speed while maintaining comprehension.

Why is paraphrasing important after reading a text quickly?

Paraphrasing is important because it ensures that the reader has understood the text. By putting the information into their own words, they can verify their comprehension and identify any gaps in understanding.

What is the recommended duration for daily practice to improve reading skills according to James?

James recommends a daily practice of 15 minutes, using the techniques discussed in the video, to gradually improve reading skills.

How can engaging with others help in assessing one's understanding of a text?

Engaging with others, such as teaching them what you've learned, can help in assessing one's understanding because it requires you to explain the concepts clearly, which in turn solidifies your own comprehension.

What is the website mentioned by James for further learning resources?

The website mentioned by James for further learning resources is www.engvid.com, which offers a variety of lessons to improve English skills.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 EngVid Introduction and Reading Skills Enhancement

James from EngVid starts the video with a humorous reference to Eddie Murphy's line from the movie 'Delirious', explaining the meaning of 'delirious' in the context of laughter. He introduces the video's purpose, which is to teach active reading skills to improve reading comprehension without the use of a dictionary. James emphasizes that the earlier video focused on general reading understanding, while this one aims to enhance speed and enjoyment of reading. He mentions that the techniques are applicable for both test-taking and personal study, and uses the phrase 'throw out the baby with the bathwater' to caution against discarding valuable information.

05:05

📚 Active Reading Techniques and Questioning

James discusses the concept of active reading, suggesting that readers should engage with the material by asking questions to inform their brains about what to look for. He introduces the W5 questions (Who, What, When, Where, Why) as a tool to guide the reading process and emphasizes the importance of understanding the introduction of a text, which typically includes the subject, main ideas, and the author's thesis. James advises viewers to avoid unnecessary details or 'fluff' and to focus on pertinent information to save time and improve comprehension.

10:09

🔍 Summarization and the Importance of Understanding

The video script highlights the importance of summarizing each chapter in two parts: what the text says and its function or purpose within the larger context. James explains that understanding the function of a paragraph or chapter helps in grasping the overall structure and quickly identifying necessary information. He also stresses the value of teaching what one has learned to another person as a method of testing comprehension. For test situations, he suggests focusing on the active reading strategies mentioned earlier.

⏱️ Daily Practice for Improved Reading Speed and Comprehension

James provides a daily practice routine for improving reading speed and comprehension. He recommends starting with an easy-to-read book and using a timer for 15-minute sessions. The 'finger method' is introduced as a technique to guide the eyes and increase reading speed. After reading, James suggests paraphrasing the content to ensure understanding. He emphasizes the importance of daily practice and gradually increasing the amount of text processed in each session to build reading proficiency.

Keywords

💡Delirious

Delirious is a state of being nearly crazy from laughing too much, as mentioned in the context of Eddie Murphy's movie 'Delirious.' In the video, it is used metaphorically to describe the effectiveness of the reading techniques being taught, aiming to make the learning experience enjoyable to the point of 'delirious' laughter.

💡Response

In the context of the video, 'response' refers to the action of addressing a specific issue or question. The video is described as a 'response' to a previous video on reading comprehension, indicating that it builds upon or reacts to the content of the earlier lesson.

💡Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension is the ability to understand and interpret written material. The video aims to improve this skill by teaching techniques that are not just for tests but also for personal understanding, emphasizing the importance of reading beyond the context of exams.

💡Active Reading

Active reading is a technique where the reader engages with the text by asking questions and seeking to understand the material deeply. The video suggests that instead of passively hoping to understand, one should actively participate in the reading process to enhance comprehension.

💡W5 Questions

W5 stands for 'Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.' These questions are used to gather comprehensive information about a topic. In the video, they are suggested as a method to inform the brain about what to look for in a text, thereby improving the reading process.

💡Introduction

In the context of reading, an 'introduction' typically sets the stage for the main content of a book or essay. The video emphasizes breaking down the introduction to identify the subject, main ideas, and the author's thesis, which helps in understanding and skimming the text effectively.

💡Thesis

A thesis is a statement in a text that presents the author's opinion or position on a topic. In the video, understanding the thesis is highlighted as crucial for grasping the main argument or point of view of the author.

💡Pertinent

Pertinent means being relevant or important to the matter at hand. The video advises readers to focus on pertinent information while ignoring the 'fluff' or unnecessary details, which is essential for effective reading and comprehension.

💡Summarize

To summarize is to provide a brief statement of the main points of something. The video instructs viewers to summarize each chapter in two parts: what it says and what it does, which helps in understanding the function and relevance of the content.

💡Paraphrase

Paraphrasing is the act of restating a text in one's own words to ensure understanding. The video suggests using paraphrasing as a method to confirm comprehension after reading quickly, as the inability to paraphrase indicates a lack of understanding.

💡Finger Method

The 'finger method' is a technique mentioned in the video for improving reading speed. It involves using fingers to guide the eyes down the text, focusing on following the finger rather than just the words, to increase reading pace.

Highlights

The concept of 'delirious' is introduced as a state of laughing so much that it feels like going crazy, relating to the enjoyment of Eddie Murphy's movie 'Delirious'.

The video aims to teach reading skills in response to an earlier video on reading comprehension, focusing on improving reading without a dictionary for test situations.

The importance of understanding the video's purpose is emphasized, which is to help viewers improve their reading skills for personal growth, not just for tests.

The video introduces active reading skills as a method to engage the brain and improve reading comprehension, especially for those studying independently or in school.

The 'W5' questions strategy is presented to inform the brain about what to look for in the reading material, enhancing active learning.

The significance of breaking down the introduction of a text is discussed, including identifying the subject, main ideas, and the author's thesis.

The concept of 'fluff' or 'filler' in texts is introduced, advising viewers on how to identify and avoid unnecessary information to save time.

Summarizing each chapter in two parts is recommended - what the text says and its function or purpose within the larger context.

The value of teaching others as a method to test and reinforce one's own understanding of the material is highlighted.

Daily practice of reading skills for 15 minutes using a timer is suggested as an effective way to improve reading speed and comprehension.

The 'finger method' is introduced as a technique to improve reading speed by following the text with fingers rather than eyes.

The importance of paraphrasing after reading to ensure understanding and to simplify complex information is emphasized.

A step-by-step guide for daily reading practice is provided, including setting a timer, using the finger method, and paraphrasing.

The encouragement to engage with the material daily and gradually increase the amount of text processed in each session is given.

The transcript concludes with an invitation to follow the channel on YouTube and visit the website www.engvid.com for more learning resources.

Transcripts

"I scream, I..." Hi. James from EngVid. That was for Eddie Murphy, and that line comes

from the movie "Delirious", which is hilarious. In fact, the reason why he used "delirious"

is because if you laugh so much, it's almost like you go crazy. Delirious.

Anyway, so are you ready? I'm going to teach you a lesson today. Actually, it's in response.

"Response" means I'm doing this back to something that was said about reading skills. I did

an earlier video -- go check it. It's on reading comprehension. That video was basically to

help you to understand. It wasn't about doing it for tests or anything special. It was for

you at home, by yourself, trying to understand. And it's valid, which means true, and it's

a good video. This is to help you. It's an -- not excess. It's an addition to, okay?

Which will help you in a different way. So for those of you people who are wondering,

"How can I do this on a test without a dictionary? This is a crazy method." You missed the point.

That was to help you just get better at reading. This one, I'm going to try and help you do

two things. Number one, go faster. Number two, improving your reading skills. And number

three, magically -- because it's magically delicious -- I want to actually have you enjoy

the experience of reading. That's right, boys and girls. I'm going to do what they couldn't

do in school. Yeah, right. Anyway, let's go to the board. First, reading skills that work.

These skills will work. The only thing that -- the only reason they won't work is if you

don't use them. So I'm going to tell you to use them now. Now, part of this is for if

you're in school. If you're at home studying by yourself in our farm country where you

can't get to school, don't worry. You can still apply this. I just used the word "test"

and for "school" for people who are going to be taking IELTS or TOEIC or TOEFL. That

may be you in the future as well. So don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, which

is an English expression for saying, "Don't get rid of everything because you're not happy

about something." Okay? So just keep in mind that if you can't use it now directly, you

will be able to later. Okay?

First, for tests and class, what I want to teach you is active reading skills. I was

actually by the Cornell -- they have a website, and I was checking out how they were teaching

university students, and I found this to be a very effective way, and I believe will work

for you. A lot of times, people take information in passively. That means they sit there, and

they hope that something magic happens. If I keep looking at the page, the page will

start to actually speak, and I'll understand. That's not going to happen. In order for you

to get better at reading, we need to be active or activate our brains and minds.

First thing we're going to do with that is when you start reading something, it doesn't

matter if it's a page or if it's a book, a magazine, comic book, Playboy -- yes, I said

it -- what you want to do is ask questions. Asking questions informs your brain what to

look for, what's important. Right? If the title is on something about history of man,

then it's about history. It also could be about science. It might be about psychology,

but it's probably not about cars. Right? So ask yourself W5 questions, and in this case,

it might be, "Why is this important? How has this affected the world? Why did my teacher

give this to me?" Or, "What do I have to learn from this? What am I expected to learn from

this?" These questions, as I said, will give you the ability to inform your brain. You

must look for this information, and it will actively look for it. Okay? It will also save

you time because it will say, you know, "This information doesn't help me with what I want,

so I can put it away." Or, "I'm not going to read any of this information at all. I'll

get another book."

Next, break down the introduction. The introduction -- I actually have a video on that, so if

you're not too sure, please watch the introduction video. The introduction usually has three

parts to it. It has a topic or subject, what the actual book or essay is about. It has

main ideas, what the author or the writer will actually talk about. And it also usually

has a thesis. I'm going to say this basically. A thesis is an opinion or an action statement

-- what you should do or what the writer thinks is true. You know, what they agree with or

don't disagree with. Okay? So you want to look at this. Break these down and just write

a sentence for each. The subject is this. The main ideas are this, this, and this. And

the author's opinion or action statement is this. Okay? Once again, this helps you skim

what you need, because once you have the topic -- you know, what you're talking about -- you

have the main ideas, and you know their opinion, you don't have to read what we call "fluff"

or "filler". A lot of times, when somebody wants to sell a book -- for instance, The

Eye in the Sky -- God only knows who would read this. Twenty pages are excellent. Then

the author says, "I need to make 252." So they just add pages of nothing. "The moon

was red and glowing in the glorious sky above." It doesn't add to the story, but it does add

to the cost of the book. Okay? So what we want to do is we want to know -- because I

don't have time. I'm doing a test or I'm in a class. I don't have time to read the filler.

I want to get to it. Boom. Okay? So this will help you. Once again, help your brain. This

tells you what to look for by the questions for what I'm supposed to learn, and this tells

me what I can skim. There's a myth in reading that you have to read everything in every

word. You don't. You have to get what's important. Another word is "pertinent". "Pertinent" means

"important". Okay? This will help you with getting what's important and ignoring what's

not important for you.

Next, finally, summarize each chapter in two parts. I'm missing something here because

it's so important. Instead of putting it in a box, I want to actually talk to you, and

I want you to listen, and I want you to get it. This is the pièce de résistance. This

is what makes everything work, the gas in the car, you know, the sing in my voice, and

that sparkle in my eye. When we summarize, it's not enough to write out the words. You've

done that kind of already. I need you to do it in two parts. Have you ever talked to a

girlfriend or boyfriend, and they say certain words, and you realize there's what they're

saying and there's what they mean? When we're writing, there's what it says, and that's

the information you need because you need to give it to someone else. And there's what

it does. What is the function of that chapter? What is the function of that paragraph? Is

it giving you evidence for something, saying this is why it's true, or is it giving you

information? Or is it introducing a new idea? That's one of the parts. What does this paragraph,

what does this chapter do? Is it presenting an idea, or is it giving me evidence? I need

to know that. Okay? So I need to summarize not only what it says, but what it does. That's

so important because when you know what it does, you can know it fits in the whole structure

and know what you need to know faster. Okay?

Now, this is finally summarized. I lied to you. I had to learn this, I studied it, and

now I'm teaching you. I know it's right because in teaching you, in my brain, I'm going, "I

know this, and I don't know that." This is the big key. If you really want to do well

-- now, of course, this isn't for a test because in a test, you can't turn to the person beside

you and say, "Dude, do you know what the teacher's asking? Do you know what this means?" They'll

kick you out. But in the classroom, a good way of testing how much you've learned, engage

someone else, teach. If you're teaching them something, and you're all of a sudden going,

"Oh. Oh, man. It was -- oh." And I don't remember, it's because you have to read it again. Remember

I told you about the other video about comprehension? Check it out, please. Okay? But if you can

explain everything and get the person to understand, it means you've understood what you've read.

This is a great skill to do in a classroom. For a test, all the other ones -- the first

ones I've written on the board -- are extremely important. Okay? So follow them. You'll get

a great benefit from it.

Now, all this is great, you're saying, "But, James, I need to improve. This is cool. I'll

do it on a test, but I need to go fast now. What can I do?" I'm going to tell you right

now. To generally improve your reading, here are the points I'm going to give you. Do these

points every day. 15 minutes is all that is required. You're going to do fantastically.

And then this will be even better. You ready? Let's go.

You almost caught me. Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do. Mr. E. Okay? Dude loves being in the picture,

and he wants you to improve, so he showed up just for you. Okay, first of all, get a

book that's easy to read. Okay? See what I'm saying? Get this book. Mr. E is not happy

that I'm making fun of this book, but I'm just saying get something easy. Don't get

something complicated or something you don't want to read. You cannot improve by doing

this. Get something you like. Okay?

Next, get a timer. A timer is a clock that will go ding-ding-ding-ding-ding when a certain

amount of time is finished. And specifically, we need one for 15 minutes. An egg timer or

a clock watch -- I don't have mine on -- they usually have timers on them for running, so

you can time it. What I want you to do is then, when you're doing this, read. So when

you're reading, you're going to use what I call the "finger method". You're going to

take your two fingers, put them on the outside of a sentence, like so, and read down. Try

not to go same speeds. Try and see the whole sentence. If that's too difficult, try this

one. It's easy. Just go like this. Get a timer. Follow your finger. Do not follow your eyes.

Follow your finger. Make the finger move and follow it as fast as you can. Okay?

Now, next, close the book. That wasn't so hard, right? 15 minutes, move your finger,

close the book. To really improve, reading fast without understanding is not very smart.

So what I want you to do is I want you to understand -- and here's what we do -- paraphrase.

Paraphrase means to take something and make it simpler. Find another way of saying it

so it's easier to understand. It's similar to when I said to you over here, "Teach someone

else." But you're going to actually teach yourself. What you cannot paraphrase or say

out loud is information you don't have. So what we want to do is make sure we understand

it and I can say it, because if I say it and I go, "Yeah, that's right. I got it right!"

then I understand it. So not only did I read quickly, but I understood the information.

Now, this is sort of like taking a shower or a bath or deodorant. Repeat every day.

This is not something you do once a week. Every day, 15 minutes. You'll start noticing

improvement. Try and go for one-sentence improvement to a paragraph each day. After a while, you'll

find that you're not doing just one page, but two pages. You're doing five. When I said

use the finger method, I forgot to mention count your pages. So when you cut that book

or you finish the book, you've got five pages today, get five pages in one sentence tomorrow.

The most important part is follow these steps and do it every day. Okay?

Now, look. I've got to go. You do this and leave a message in the YouTube. We've got

a YouTube subscription or on Facebook, and sign up for us. Sorry. YouTube, we have Facebook

and engVid. Where's engVid? Oh, got to find some room. We've got www.eng as in English,

vid as in video.com, where we have this lesson and others that will certainly tickle your

tummy, see Mr. E again, and improve your skills like reading. Thank you very much. See you soon.