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Reading fluency is a person’s ability to read or speak in an even, polished manner. Without fluency, you can be one of the smartest people in the world, but no one would ever know it if your out-loud reading was choppy. Fluency in reading is important for more than just outward appearances, though. Once you’re able to read smoothly, you will begin to remember what you’ve read more easily. If you have trouble reading well, don’t fret. Listed below are four tips for improving your fluency.
1. Read as many books as you can. Practice really does make perfect when it comes to reading fluency. Worrying about your ability to read well and never attempting to read do not mix. By getting regular reading practice in, you’ll start to understand how phrases are put together. You’ll work up a muscle memory of sorts, and your speech will get much smoother.
2. Look ahead. As you’re reading, keep your eyes one or two words ahead of what your mouth or brain are reading. Being ready for the words and punctuation to come will keep you on your toes and prepared for different outcomes. Remember, the focus is on fluid reading; so getting caught up in certain words can cause you to stumble through sentences.
3. Don’t get stuck on pronunciation. Although it’s important to pronounce words correctly, sometimes just being able to get through a passage without stumbling is a confidence booster. You can always go back and sound out the word giving you trouble. And when you do that, the next time you read through that same passage, you will do so smoothly and accurately.
4. Re-read familiar books. The key here is that you are aware of the words included and will be able to focus on polishing your delivery.
Strengthening fluency is not an easy task, but with practice and dedication, it’s highly achievable.
