Reading for results

Reading rate is the number of words a person can read accurately in a minute. It is important for people to be able to read correctly and at a consistent rate as this improves their reading fluency. If people are unable to read fluently, their progress will be compromised.

Learning to read starts with the sounds of different letters (decoding words). A fluent reader has moved beyond the sounds in each individual word to recognition and the meaning of each word. This then extends to the understanding of sentences. If people are still decoding words, they may reach the end of the sentence and have no recollection of what they read at the beginning of the sentence. Clearly this compromises progress.

The reading rate assessment has been designed to improve people’s reading skills and fluency. There are several reading extracts, each having been written in an accessible and academic style to give people practice in reading beyond decoding to word recognition and meaning. The extracts are followed by questions to test recall of facts that have been read. This is to encourage focused reading for meaning as opposed to merely decoding words.

It is anticipated that people will start at a relatively slower reading pace, but this will improve with practice. People are able to monitor their own reading rate as the reading of the extract will be timed. Following this, they will be required to answer the questions from memory without access to the extract. This will allow the people to assess themselves in terms of reading for meaning which translates into comprehending what they read.

There are reading extracts of 400 and 500 words in length but participants can proceed to 600 word extracts to refine their reading abilities even further.

Are you an avid reader? Do you struggle to find books that you are able to immerse yourself in? Do you lose yourself in books and find yourself transported to other worlds and times? If this describes you – then you have found the forum to connect with other like-minded readers. Finding genres and writers that you enjoy can be challenging. Maybe you have read the famous dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and are searching for similar novels. Who better to ask than other ardent readers who can recommend similar themes or writers. The Reading Community offers you the opportunity to share recommendations and discuss the merits of books that you have read with people who, like you, love reading.

Boston Language School is proud to be the forum for avid readers who would like to share the wonder, awe and loss they experienced when they completed an amazing book. Paul Sweeney said: “You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend”. If you immerse yourself in reading novels, then this feeling will be familiar to you. Look out for our reading competitions where you will get the opportunity to write a review on one of your favourite books and inspire others to read it.