Introduction to course outline and overview of Reading for Academic Purposes

Reading for Academic Reading

HOW TO BECOME A BETTER READER

            Why Is reading important when you are learning a new language? Here are some of the reasons:

• ·         Reading helps you learn to think in the new language.
• ·         Reading helps you build a better vocabulary.
• ·         Reading makes you more comfortable with the language.
• ·        Reading may be the only way for you to use English if you live in a non-English-speaking  country.
• ·       Reading can helps if you plan to study in an English-speaking country

This book will help you learn to read better in English. You will work on four things in this book.

1.      Reading for pleasure

Read as much as you can. Read books, magazine, newspapers, stories. Read anything you like. The more you read, the better you will read.

            Choose a book from the list in part 1. Or find another book that is interesting to you. Your teacher can help you find one at the bookstore or the library.

            Read you book very day. Time your reading. Keep a record of your reading rate on the chart on page 275.

            Be sure to talk about your book with your  teacher, your classmates and your friends.

2.      Working on your Reading Skills.

When you read use many different skills. You need to work on them one at a time. here are six important skills you will work on :

·       Previewing, Before you start reading, find out something about what you will read. Then you can start thinking about the subject. You will be able to read faster and with more understanding.
·       Asking questions as you read, this keeps your mind on what you read. Asking questions helps          you pay attention. It also helps you to remember what you read.
·       Guessing what new words mean. It takes too much time to look up every new word. And if you        stop, you may forget what you are reading. Use the whole sentence or paragraph to guess words.
·       Finding the topic and the main idea, The topic and the main idea let you know what is                      important. To find the topic and the main idea, ask two questions.
      What is this about?
      What does writer want to say about this?
·       Understanding patterns in English. A pattern is a way of putting ideas together. If you find the            pattern, you can understand better when you read faster.
·       Using signal words. Some words are like signposts on a highway. They tell you what direction the writer is going. And they help you to follow the writer’s ideas. Signal words also help you guess what you will read about.

3.      Learning To Read Faster

Reading faster is very important because of the way your brain works. When you read slowly, Your  brain does not get enough information. You understand better when you read faster.

4.      Learning to think in English

You also to work on understanding English sentences. Learn how to get the meaning of sentences. Find out how ideas follow each other in English.

Learning Outcomes of Reading for academic Purposes :

1.      A considering of the central role of  reading  in your study

2.      The idea of  ‘Active Reading’

3.      The importance of  what is known as ‘ clear thinking’ whilst reading

4.      The description of different strategies for effective reading

5.      The idea that you should always challenge what you  read

6.      The importance of  keeping a record of what you  read

            Reading is likely to take up a vast proportion of the time you devote to your university work and also reading plays a key role in almost every course of study. This chapter will show  you that there is more to reading  than understanding the shapes of letters and the words which they build. There are few  readers who could not improve the way that they read, especially in relation to studying-reading for pleasure is in many ways quite different. This chapter will introduce you to some of the approaches which have been used by successful student readers, with different preferences and learning styles and you may well discover a way to improve the way that you approach your reading.

Active Reading

            Reading will be a crucial element of your study in higher education. in previous study your reading may well have been and supported  by teacher and this may continue to be the case for you now, initially at least, but there is a much greater expectation and requirement, if you are to be successful, to read more independently and more widely than you may have previously. Yet many students do their reading in and unfocused way. This can often lead to poor result. So, let us start by trying to clarify our ideas about reading.

                                                                                                                                                                                          

Reasons for reading

1.      Think of as many reasons for reading a book as you can.

2.      Which of them would you describe as academic reasons?

3.      Is there any connection between your purpose in reading a book (or an article) and the way that you read it? should there be?

Academic Reading

            Academic reading is a process, a journey rather than a destination. The academic reading consists of three long  passages with around thirteen or fourteen question in total and candidates one hour to complete the test.

Academic Reading some strategies  :

1.      it has a purpose

2.      There is a lot of it. The language of the texts you are reading  may be dense and complicated

3.      It has to be active and purposeful

4.      There is usually a deadline

5.      It can be thrilling