Reading speed is often one huge factor that determines whether we pass an exam or not. Not only that, when we can read fast and accurate, we can absorb information fast, and that means we can make decisions fast as well.

Here’s a well-known technique in applied linguistics’ circles, but one that still doesn’t seem to be implemented in classes that much. The trick is very simple:

Read a whole lot of stuff that uses almost exclusively words you already know.

That’s it.

This means language that you know is either at your level, or below it. The easiest way to do this is to read stuff that you’ve already read before. But if you can, do it with a timer or some way of pushing yourself to read faster.

It works, I’ve done it myself, and seen students improve this way too. Try it.