One of the Most Effective Tools in Life
Learning, Life December 14th, 2007
I’ve learned that one of the most effective tools in life is reading. Its not that long ago that I learned this either, which I wrote about here, but I’m amazed at the difference it has made in my happiness, career, spirituality and in my ability to help others. A few scary stats…
- The average reader spends about 1/6th of the time they spend reading actually rereading words.
- Good readers in 5th grade may read 10 times as many words as poor readers over a school year.
- More than 20 percent of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level – far below the level needed to earn a living wage.
- In a survey of 2,000 adults, a third had not bought a new book in the previous 12 months. 34% said they did not read books.
- 58% of the US adult population never reads another book after high school.
- 80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.
- 70% of US adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.
Reference: http://www.readfaster.com/education_stats.asp
Reference: http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/Database/stats/readingstats.html
There are many other scary statistics about adult reading habits. What’s scariest to me however, is that children are never really taught to read in schools. They are taught to sound out the words, learn a vocabulary and to be able to read aloud text in class. After this, they are left to themselves to read and learn from it. The problem with this, is that it leaves a LOT of children reading in a audible way (called sub-vocalizing) which keeps there reading speed slow and well below the rate that the brain needs to stay focused. This leads to loss of attention and having to re-reading. Schools don’t teach anything about this, let alone scanning skills, training the eye muscles or any speed techniques. These could be taught in literally a few days and can make an amazing difference in one’s reading skill. Its no wonder if these are new to you, but I do encourage you to research reading skills a bit and to teach your children to read. Test their speeds, practice reading and measure for improvement. Its one of the best things you can learn or teach someone. I’ve pointed a few friends at these techniques and they have also helped them, so I can only hope this also helps you to improve your reading skills and gain access to a whole new world of knowledge with books. Some of these links should help to explore this subject further, please feel free to post your own online resources for reading. There are many other applications and reading courses available, this is a just a starting point!
More info and articles:
Software Applications:
“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”
– Confucius
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”
– Frederick Douglass
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Mike King
December 30th, 2007 at 9:46 AM
The http://www.readfaster.com website also has a software application for speed reading, have you tried it? And if so, did you think EyeQ was better? Because I’m thinking of purchasing a software, and I want to make sure it’s a good one.
December 30th, 2007 at 10:23 AM
Victor, I haven’t tried that one. EyeQ was the only one I tried as it was based on a couple of review sites I found that recommended it (a couple years ago now). I am interested in getting another to continue to boost my speed though. I find the EyeQ one once you complete all the lessons doesn’t have a lot of continual practice other than the same reading texts over and over. You can’t import anything and stuff either from what I know of.
This one (The Reader’s Edge) looks like it has all these features and I found the following review site after a few quick searches. It looks like the best option if you ask me!
2008 Speed Reading Software Reviews – http://speed-reading-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
Let me know if you try this one, I’d love to hear how it works for you!
July 19th, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Evelyn Wood was the creator of Speed Reading, and she was
my business partner graduating 2 million, including the
White House staffs of four U.S. Presidents.
Our experience is that Software apps do not cut it for
creating permanent skills. In fact they suck.
A learning tool is required to develop our peripheral
vision that triggers your V1 (Primary Visual Cortex).
We use a handheld Laser-Pacer to underline as you scan.
Is it expenseive? Yeah, but it wins the game.
If you want a bargain, you can buy a book for $8.50,
but for a lifetime skill to triple your reading speed
premanently, and 2x your long-term memory – check out
http://www.speedlearning.org No brag, just fact for those who
want to be indispensable in their career, and ace school.
Hal
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October 17th, 2012 at 7:05 AM
What statistics! I sooo love reading and cannot imagine not having at least two [non-fiction] books on the go at any one time. Really intersting article, thank you.
October 17th, 2012 at 7:37 AM
Thanks Carole, yes it is quite scary actually. I was one of those statistics before I “learned to read” about 5 years ago. Now I could never even dream of giving it up or learning in a better way. I only find a challenge in how to find time for more than about 30 books a year. Thanks for stopping by, great website you have, love the content on limiting beliefs! You should connect with Jonathan Wells at AdvancedLifeSkills, as he is a master on that subject as well !!