CHAPTER 3

READING SKILL
Abdullahi Salih Abubakar (Ph.D.)

Introduction
There are different skills in English. These are listening, speaking, reading and writing
skills. Reading skill is an important part of learning any language. Reading either as a
mental (cognitive) or vocal exercise is aimed at understanding and interpreting written or printed
words, represented by symbols (mechanical task). This exercise is done by the use of eyes
(following symbols with the eyes) or fingers (tracing the symbols with the hand) or both.
Learning Outcomes
1. Given a passage for an examination, you should be able to identify two types of
reading skill that is required in that situation for comprehension accurately within one
minute.
2. Given a topic in a recommended textbook for GNS, you should be able to identify
and engage in various activities that would encourage reading for comprehension
with 80% accuracy within 10 minutes.
3. Given a material to read, you should be able to state the factors that will determine
the appropriate reading type within ten minutes with 70% accuracy.
Main Content
Reading
Reading either as a mental (cognitive) or vocal exercise is aimed at understanding and
interpreting written or printed words, represented by symbols (mechanical task). This
exercise is done by the use of eyes (following symbols with the eyes) or fingers (tracing the
symbols with the hand) or both.
Factors Determining Appropriate Reading Types
a. Reading purpose:
b. Reading environment and time
c. Reading posture
Types of Reading
a. Intensive reading: The word intensive literally means thorough reading or rigorous
one. Mechanically, it refers to a reading exercise in which energy is directed to a single
area or subject for the purpose of examination of any sort. Thus, intensive reading is a
reading deliberately done to enrich oneself academically and/or professionally. This is a
type of reading that demands that adequate attention is paid to every statement without
having to waste much time in doing so.
b. Extensive reading: Extensive reading, on the other hand, covers a larger area or wider
scope, with the sole intention of indulging in reading for enjoyment, general knowledge,
information on current affairs, material survey etcetera.
Approaches to Intensive Reading
(i) Reading skill 1 (Skimming): This is a process of searching for relevant materials
based on one's area of study or a particular topic through selective reading.
(ii) Reading skill 2 (Scanning): The next activity after skimming is scanning. This
activity consists of reading through parts of relevant pages already identified
during skimming. This reading enables you to decide whether the material is
worth being read further or not.
(iii) Reading skill 3 (Speed reading): Speed reading has to do with flexibility of a
reader's movement of his/her eyes. A good reader is expected to take in several
words and comprehend them with fewer eye movements. This flexibility must
match the purpose and available time for the reader. Habits like sub-vocalizing
(silent pronunciation of words), regression (going over a line more than once)
constitute big constraints to speed reading.
Approaching Extensive Reading
Preparatory Activities to Extensive Reading
As general as extensive reading is, you still have to approach it prepared. You have to
be selective from the abundant materials available for extensive reading, since what makes
every individual relaxed or gives him pleasure differs. For example, the materials to be
selected for these purposes will vary. In this case, the skills of skimming and scanning that
are discussed earlier are still relevant to extensive reading.
Summary:
Reading is a mental or vocal reproduction of printed words. Reading can either be intensive
or extensive. Intensive reading demands a detailed comprehension of the read material
while extensive reading serves the purpose of speed, preparatory or informative reading. The
choice of a type of reading is determined by the purpose of reading and environmental
factors.
Self -Assessment Questions
(i) List three activities that will encourage reading for comprehension.
(ii) List three factors that determine appropriate reading type.
(iv) List and explain two types of reading taught in this topic.

Tutor Marked Assignment

Read any novel of your choice and summarise it in a paragraph.

References
Abubakar, A. S. (2008). Historicism and political dialectics in Osofisan’s Nkurma
ni….Africa ni and Rotimi’s Ovonramwen Nogbaisi. In The Parnassus Journal of
Cultural Research, 4, 59- 60.
Nuttal, C. (1982). Teaching reading skills in a foreign language. London: Heinemann.
Obah, T. Y. (1981). Teaching for faster reading. In B. O. Oliukpe (Ed.) The use of
English for higher education. Onitsha: Africana FEP Publishers Ltd.
Williams, R. (1982). Panorama: An advanced course of English for study and
examinations. Essex: Longman.
Zimmerman, M., & Beth, S. (2012). An introduction to nutrition Vol. 1.
(http:2012books.lardbucket.org/pdfs/an-introduction-to-nutrition.pdf).

Further Reading:
Adegbija, E. E. (ed) (1987) Effective Study Skills and Use of English. Ilorin: University of
Ilorin.
Alabi, V. A., & S. T. Babatunde (eds.) (2005) Basic Communication Skills for Students
and Humanities. Ilorin: University of Ilorin, Ilorin.