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How to Study

Reading Skill��Intermediate & Upper-Intermediate

Pre-Advanced

What is Academic Reading?��

**Academic reading is the process of reading texts specifically related to academic study or research.

• It involves understanding, analysing, and critically engaging with complex and often specialized texts like textbooks, journal articles, research papers, essays, and reports.

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Why Reading Matters in Academic Settings

• Enhancing comprehension and critical thinking
• Improving vocabulary and writing skills
• Supporting academic success across disciplines

Common Reading Challenges at B1–B2 Levels

• Limited academic vocabulary
• Slow reading speed
• Difficulty understanding complex sentence structures
• Trouble identifying key information
• Lack of reading strategies

How to Read Effectively (Step-by-Step Reading Stages):�

How to Read Effectively (Step-by-Step Reading Stages):�

• Use skimming to get the main idea
• Use scanning to find specific details
• Take notes and highlight key points
• Learn academic vocabulary actively
• Practice reading regularly with different texts
• Discuss reading materials to enhance understanding

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How to Improve Academic Reading Skill�

1. Read a little every day.
2. Don’t translate —guess from context.
3. Read once for general idea, then again for details.
4. Underline or highlight key words and phrases.
5. Read about topics you enjoy (sports, movies, travel, etc.).
6. Review new words and add them to your vocabulary notebook.
7. Try reading aloud to improve speed and pronunciation

How to Create a Reading/�Academic Reading Skill STUDY PLAN (Basic Steps)

• 1. Set Clear Goals
• Decide what you want to achieve.
• Examples:
• Understand university-level texts.
• Improve reading speed and comprehension.
• 2. Assess Your Current Level
• Figure out your strengths and weaknesses.
• Take a reading practice test
• Time yourself reading academic texts (science, history, economics).
• Identify struggles (e.g., vocabulary, main idea, inference, time management).

How to Create a Reading/�Academic Reading Skill STUDY PLAN (Basic Steps)

• 3. Choose the Right Materials
• Use a mix of academic-level texts, such as:
• Textbooks, journal articles, and reports.
• Online platforms
• 4. Focus on Key Academic Reading Skills
• 5. Practice with Questions
• Use practice questions to reinforce skills:
• Multiple choice
• True/False/Not Given
• Matching headings
• Sentence completion
• Summary completion

How to Create a Reading/�Academic Reading Skill STUDY PLAN (Basic Steps)

• 6. Work on Reading Speed and Time Management
• 7. Track Progress and Adjust
• Keep a reading log or study journal:
• Record time spent reading.
• List new words learned.
• Note test scores or comprehension accuracy.
• Reflect on what needs improvement.

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How to Create a Reading/�Academic Reading Skill STUDY PLAN (Basic Steps)

Helpful Resources for Academic Reading�

1. Websites
1. British Council LearnEnglish
2. Linguapress.com
3. ExamEnglish.com
4. Test English
1. Graded Readers (General English)
1. Oxford Bookworms Library (Oxford University Press)�→ Classic and modern stories graded by CEFR levels
2. Penguin Readers (Penguin Random House)�→ Engaging fiction and nonfiction with B1–B2 editions
3. Macmillan Readers�→ Includes glossaries and activities for self-study
4. Cambridge English Readers�→ Original fiction written for learners at different levels

Helpful Resources for Academic Reading

3. News & Current Events (General and Academic)

• News in Levels – newsinlevels.com�→ News articles rewritten at three CEFR levels (Level 1–3)
• BBC Learning English: News Report�→ Short, authentic news audio and text with explanations
• Breaking News English – breakingnewsenglish.com�→ News-based lessons with vocabulary and comprehension exercises

4. Academic Reading Skills

• ReadTheory – readtheory.org�→ Adaptive reading comprehension practice; includes academic passages
• CommonLit – commonlit.org�→ Free literary and informational texts with questions and vocabulary
• Cambridge Academic English B1–B2 Series�→ Academic reading and vocabulary-building activities
• English for Academic Purposes (EAP) textbooks
• Oxford EAP: B1+
• Cambridge EAP Intermediate

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Helpful Resources for Academic Reading

5. Educational Platforms & Apps

• Duolingo English Stories�→ Short interactive stories with comprehension checks
• Khan Academy (Reading & Grammar)�→ Academic reading strategies for older students (with subtitles)

6. Books

• Reader at Work 1-2
• More to Read 1-2
• (Please check “The Useful Resources “part on the website!)

Good Luck!