I should say that this is not a lesson but rather an idea to put into your reading lessons.

Recently at my school we were running some sessions on developing reading skills and I remembered a website I used to use quite a lot to help students read more quickly and to read in chunks instead of one word at a time.

The idea is simple:

1. Choose a text
2. Copy it into online teleprompter software
3. Choose the speed
4. Set the task
5. We all read together…

For students who tend to read one word at a time instead of in chunks, it forces their hand a little.

There are just a few things to take into consideration though:

• Your students may find it stressful at first. It’s very important that you explain to the students what you are doing and why you are doing it.

• The task must be appropriate. It should probably just be a gist question as you are asking them to skim read the text really.

• It’s important that you don’t just test their reading skills. You have to help them to develop. After choral reading, discuss how they felt, what their strategies were. Discourage them from reading one word at a time.

My favourite website to use is this one as it’s easy to use and soooooooooooooo free.

Check it out and let us know how you get on.