5 Hacks for Reading Faster in English

Do you feel like reading in English takes forever? Or do you find yourself forgetting what you just read? What if you could read faster, remember more, and actually enjoy it?

Reading in English doesn’t have to be frustrating. In fact, it can be fun and exciting! But why does it feel so hard sometimes?

Why Should You Care About Reading?

Reading isn’t just about memorizing words. It’s about improving how your brain thinks in English. The more you read, the more your brain adapts to sentence structures, vocabulary, and meaning. It’s like a workout for your mind. You get faster at processing new information, and it becomes easier to understand the language.

But let’s face it—reading in English comes with its challenges. It’s not always smooth sailing. So, why is it so tough?

• Difficult vocabulary slows you down.

• Long sentences can confuse you.

• You feel like you forget what you read the moment you turn the page.

But don’t worry! There are easy ways to tackle these problems and make reading in English faster and more enjoyable.

1. Read Material Slightly Above Your Level

Ever feel like you’re reading the same types of books over and over? It’s comfortable, but it doesn’t help you grow. To get better, try reading books that are just above your level.

How Does It Work?

It pushes your brain to adapt to new vocabulary and sentence structures.

• How? Pick books that challenge you but aren’t too hard.

  Pick books with simple plots: If the story is easy to follow, you’ll be less distracted by the plot and can focus more on language.

  • Example: Choose something like “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. It has simple language but profound themes, and the story is engaging yet easy to follow.

• Read familiar genres: If you’re familiar with certain themes (like romance, mystery, or fantasy), try reading books in those genres. The repetition of familiar themes helps you focus on the language itself.

  • Example: If you enjoy fantasy, try “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis. It’s written in straightforward language, yet it introduces richer vocabulary as you go.

• Tip: Try using graded readers or books with built-in glossaries to reduce frustration.

2. Read with Your Finger

Have you ever found your eyes wandering while reading? It’s easy to lose focus. A simple trick to help is to use your finger as a guide.

How Does It Work?

Think of your finger as a guide. Place it under the line you’re reading and move it smoothly from left to right. Your eyes will naturally follow the movement of your finger. Over time, this simple habit will train your brain to process information faster.

Here’s an example:

• Without a finger, your eyes might scan the line, then jump back, re-read a few words, and struggle to stay focused.

• With your finger, your eyes stay on track and follow a consistent pace, reducing backtracking and improving comprehension.

The Benefits of Finger Reading

• Improved Speed: Your finger sets the pace, which trains your eyes to move more consistently. As you get used to it, you can increase your speed gradually.

• Better Focus: It’s harder to lose your place or get distracted when your finger keeps you anchored to the line you're reading.

• Versatility: This technique works on any medium—books, screens, or even e-readers. Whether you’re flipping through a paperback or reading an article online, your finger can help.

• If you're curious about how this technique works for speed reading, check out this detailed guide from Reading Horizons. You’ll see how small changes like this can lead to big improvements in reading fluency and focus.

3. Schedule Your Reading Time

Do you have a busy schedule? It can feel like you never have time to read. But if you make reading a habit, you’ll get better faster.

How to Make Reading a Part of Your Day

• Choose the Best Time for You: Think about your daily routine. Are you more focused in the morning, during your lunch break, or right before bed? Find a time when you can relax and focus, and stick to it.

• Make Use of “Hidden Time”:

  • During commutes: If you take public transportation, bring a book or read on your phone.

  • Waiting in lines: Use apps like Kindle or Libby to read on the go.

  • Gym sessions: Combine exercise and learning by listening to audiobooks or reading while on a treadmill or stationary bike.

• Set Realistic Goals: Start small. For example, commit to reading just one chapter a day or even five pages. As you build the habit, you can increase your time or pages.

Turn Reading Into a Daily Ritual

Want to make it even more fun? Pair your reading time with something you enjoy. For instance:

• Morning coffee + Reading: Start your day with a good book and your favorite drink.

• Evening wind-down: Replace scrolling on your phone with 20 minutes of reading before bed. This not only improves your English but also helps you relax and sleep better.

A Simple Challenge to Keep You on Track

If you’re looking for inspiration, try our “400 Daily Topics” eBook. It’s designed to help you improve your English step by step:

• What’s inside: 400 daily questions, sample answers from native speakers, and key phrases for real-life conversations.

• How it works: Spend 20–30 minutes on one topic a day. Practice the sample answers, learn the phrases, and dive into the extra tips.

• The result: In one year, you’ll master 99% of daily conversations. No pressure—just steady progress.

4. Cut the Inner Monologue: Stop Reading Aloud in Your Head

Do you hear a little voice in your head when you read? That’s your inner monologue, and while it’s perfectly normal, it’s also slowing you down. Most people silently “say” each word as they read, almost as if they’re reading aloud in their minds. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to “hear” every word to understand it. In fact, cutting this habit can make you a much faster reader.

Why Is the Inner Monologue Slowing You Down?

When you read with an inner voice, your brain processes each word one at a time—just like speaking out loud. This means your reading speed is limited to how fast you can “say” words in your head, often around 200–250 words per minute. But here’s the thing: your brain is capable of processing information much faster than that.

By training yourself to read without this voice, you can double or even triple your reading speed while still understanding what you’re reading.

Focus on Groups of Words
Instead of reading word by word, try reading chunks of 3–5 words at a time.

• Example: Instead of reading “The man walked slowly to the market” word by word, break it into chunks like:

  • “The man walked”

  • “slowly to the market”
    This trains your eyes to capture ideas faster and reduces the urge to “say” every word.

• Instead: Try reading in chunks of 3–5 words at a time.

• Example: Instead of reading, “The man walked slowly to the market,” try seeing “The man walked” and “slowly to the market” as chunks.

• Why? Your brain processes information faster this way, and you’ll understand the meaning without getting bogged down by each word.

5. Jump Over Unknown Words

Do you stop every time you don’t understand a word? It’s tempting to look up everything, but this can disrupt your reading flow.

• What should you do instead? Skip it and keep going. Focus on the context of the text.

• How? Highlight or underline the unknown words, and revisit them later. You’ll remember them better once you’ve seen them in context.

Final Thoughts

Reading in English doesn’t have to be a slow, frustrating process. By reading slightly above your level, avoiding distractions, scheduling your time, and skipping over unfamiliar words, you can improve your reading speed and understanding.

Make reading a daily habit, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you start seeing progress. Ready to read faster? Start today and see how enjoyable English can be!