The First Thing You Must Check

Children are almost universally taught to read by having them read aloud. How else would it be done? This establishes the habit I call "mouthing". When we read to ourselves we are saying the words to ourselves silently. The mouth is a part of silent reading. This must be remedied.

I have found mature adults that mouth the words to themselves as they read. If no one ever stopped them then why would they not do so? The teacher who taught them to read had them read to the class and never warned them not to "mouth" the words when reading to themselves. Now, I am telling you, if your mouth moves when you read you will be a slow reader. Even if you have a doctors degree and read to others a lot you need to be on guard that you do not become a "mouther".

The solution is simple. I tell students to bite their toungue as they read. That makes it impossible to use the voice devices when they are reading silently. Most people will find it "different" at first. Chances are very good that if you have not been taught to guard against "mouthing" you do it to some degree. It is a natural thing to do. I check often to be sure that I have not reverted to the natural ways. I often read my computer screen while drinking coffee. I know! No drink around keyboards. I am careful and it belongs to me.

Be certain that you are not using your voice devices when you read to yourself. Hold your tongue between your teeth when you read for a while. This alone may increase your reading speed. Your eyes are scanning the lines and you are limited only by the speed of your mind. If the page starts to smoke slow down. Be vigilant! Check yourself from time to time!

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