How to Study
READING
Elementary & Pre-Intermediate
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Student Academic Support Unit (SASU)
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What is Reading & Academic Reading?
Reading is about understanding written words and sentences. Academic reading is a specific type of reading focused on learning and studying complex ideas. It requires concentration and active thinking to absorb information for school, research, and assignments.
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Reading for Understanding vs. Speed
Reading for Understanding
Focus on meaning, details, and connections. This approach ensures deep comprehension, essential for academic success.
Reading for Speed
Quickly grasp main ideas and overall structure. Useful for getting a general overview or prioritizing information.
Balancing both techniques is crucial for effective learning and information processing. Different goals require different reading speeds.
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Skimming, Scanning, and Intensive Reading
Skimming
Quickly look for the main idea and overall structure of a text.
Scanning
Search for specific information, keywords, or data points.
Intensive Reading
Read carefully and thoroughly for deep understanding and analysis.
Choose the right method based on your purpose for reading. This will make your study time more efficient and effective.
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Intensive Reading
What it is:� Reading short texts carefully to understand every detail — grammar, vocabulary, and meaning.
Purpose:� To improve language accuracy and reading skills.
Examples:
Tips:� ✅ Use a dictionary to check new words� ✅ Take notes on grammar and structure� ✅ Highlight key points or unfamiliar phrases� ✅ Ask yourself comprehension questions
Annotating and highlighting actively engages you with the material, aiding memory and deeper understanding.
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The Benefits of Reading
Language Skills
Improves vocabulary, grammar, and writing abilities significantly.
Knowledge Expansion
Helps learn new information, diverse ideas, and different perspectives.
Cognitive Development
Develops better concentration, critical thinking, and memory retention.
Academic Success
Supports higher performance in school, research, and exams.
Regular reading is a powerful tool for personal and academic growth, opening doors to new understanding.
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Tips for Reading Academic Texts
Preview the Text
Look at titles, headings, subheadings, images, and captions to get an overview.
Ask Questions
Before reading, formulate questions based on the preview to guide your focus.
Highlight & Underline
Mark key words, phrases, or sentences that seem important for future reference.
Take Notes & Summarize
Write down main ideas or summarize sections in your own words after reading.
These active reading strategies will help you engage with academic texts more effectively and retain information better.
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Reading in Exams
Read instructions carefully: Understand what is expected before you begin.
Skim the text first: Get a general idea of the content to help you contextualize questions.
Scan for keywords: Efficiently locate specific information needed for answers.
Manage your time: Allocate time for each section and stay calm to maximize performance.
Effective reading strategies are crucial for navigating exam questions and demonstrating your understanding under pressure.
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Effective Reading Strategies:
Pre-reading Questions
Activate Prior Knowledge
Think about what you already know about the topic.
Predict Content
Based on titles and headings, predict what the text will be about.
Formulate Questions
Write down specific questions you hope the text will answer.
This strategy prepares your mind for the text, making your reading more purposeful and effective.
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Effective Reading Strategies: Annotating & Highlighting
-Mark lightly: Use a pencil or highlighter to lightly mark key words, phrases, and main ideas.
Write notes in margins: Add short summaries, questions, or connections to your prior knowledge.
-Use symbols: Develop a system of symbols (e.g., "?" for questions, "!" for important points).
Annotating and highlighting actively engages you with the material, aiding memory and deeper understanding.
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Effective Reading Strategies: Summarizing & Practice
Summarize passages
Condense the main points of what you read into your own words. This ensures comprehension.
Practice with News Articles
Read simplified news articles to build speed and understanding on current topics.
Explore Academic Journals
Engage with short academic texts or abstracts to get used to formal language.
Consistent application of these strategies will significantly improve your reading comprehension and confidence.
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The Importance of Mastering Reading for Language Exams
In exams like TOEFL, YDS, YÖKDİL, and IELTS, the reading section evaluates candidates' ability to understand thoughts clearly, coherently, and accurately.
These tests assess key skills like vocabulary knowledge, comprehension, identifying main ideas and details, and making inferences, which reflect your overall understanding and academic language ability.
Measuring reading skills in this way helps you develop the competence needed for effective communication in both academic and professional environments, increasing your competitiveness on international platforms.
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Recommended Materials for Practice
Consistent practice with diverse materials will significantly improve your reading comprehension and fluency in English.
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What to read
-Short Stories & Graded Readers
-Easy News Articles (Level 1)
-Simple Books & Readers
-Texts with Practice (LingQ mini stories (graded + listen & read,British Council Reading Practice for A1-A2)
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What to read
-Everyday Reading Materials
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✅ TIP: Choose texts that are…
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Resources
BBC Learning English
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
LingQ mini stories
https://www.lingq.com/en/learn-english-online/courses/
Breakingnewsenglish
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/
News In Levels
Duolingo Reading Exercises / Duolingo Stories
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Good Luck!
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