Developing Reading Skills The Myth and The Reality

In the age of explosion of information reading continues to be one of the important means of acquiring knowledge. Today’s youngsters go through more reading material than the older generation literates. One has to read a lot on mobile screens, web pages, newspapers, books, reference materials, etc. Hence, the ability to read rapidly has become an important asset. Those who read fast grasp more quickly what they read. Reading is one of the most important skills which contribute a lot for second language learning. It is one of the effective means of providing exposure to the learners and develop their language skills required for practical purposes. Developing reading skills means emphasis on improving reading speed and comprehension. The learners need to be trained to read unfamiliar texts at an appropriate speed and with reasonable comprehension. This book aims to cater to the interests of ESL teachers and students of English. It may also help syllabus planners. In addition to comparison of reading comprehension and reading speed in first language and second language, the book includes exercises in developing reading efficiency of undergraduate learners.

Dr.Ravindra B. Tasildar is Assistant Professor in the Department of English, S. N. Arts, D. J. M. Commerce and B. N. S. Science College, Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Maharashtra,India. He specializes in English Language Teaching and is interested in Linguistics and English for Specific and Academic Purposes.