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 for Results course 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.
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