Important Reading Skills

Reading is an essential skill that everyone ought to possess. However, many see reading as a complicated and challenging task. Therefore, it is helpful to acknowledge that reading requires specific skills if a person is to become better at it.

The first skill to note is the ability to decode sounds. The ability to decode sounds is rooted in phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness refers to an awareness of distinct sounds in words. Decoding also involves the ability to link sounds to letters. An in-depth understanding of the relationship between letters and their respective sounds makes pronunciation while reading easier.

Fluency is another essential reading skill that helps to increase the pace with which one reads and understands words and sentences. It involves the ability to read quickly without making errors. Fluent readers can also appropriately modulate their voices and pace their speech when reading out loud.

Fluency in reading can not be achieved in a single day - it requires regular practice. According to a study by the National Reading Panel, reading aloud frequently positively impacts one’s reading fluency, comprehension, and word recognition.

Similarly, vocabulary skills are essential in reading. Vocabulary refers to the collection of words in a specific language. Vocabulary skills imply understanding the meaning of words and their connection to other words used in a particular context. While one may acquire vocabulary skills through instruction, one can master them through reading regularly.

Besides being a critical reading skill, having a broad vocabulary helps understand complex texts or passages. It further helps to become more confident with speech.

Equally, the ability to make proper inferences is an essential reading skill. It involves reading between the lines and making necessary connections and conclusions about the meaning and purpose of a text within a passage. While reading a passage, we often try to link the texts to our ideologies and opinions to understand better what is being read.

Retention is another reading skill that should be mastered. Comprehension in reading is largely hinged on the ability to retain information. One can hone their retentive skills by reading more and remembering what was read.

Further, spelling skills are essential in reading. Research has shown that the ability to spell and read is rooted in understanding the relationship between words and sounds. According to Catherine Snow, an American educator, spelling words correctly helps the reader be more fluent. Another study by Ehri and Snowling suggested that navigating letters and identifying letter combinations help one become better at reading.

Attention and working memory are reading skills that are sometimes referred to as executive functions. Working memory means that a reader can hold on to information and use it to understand what is being read. On the other hand, attention allows the reader to process information from the text or passage without distraction.

Finally, reasoning and background knowledge are crucial skills for effective reading. These skills are essential because most readers can relate better to what they know and have experienced. Therefore, most skilled readers are often abreast of and knowledgeable about a broad range of issues. Also, background knowledge and reasoning skills can help readers draw logical conclusions and useful inferences while reading.