Improving Skills and the Internet: Reading Text

Hands up if you like to read!

Did you know World Literacy Canada estimates that 22% of Canadians struggle to read road signs, prescription bottles and can’t fill out application forms?

And did you know that reading text is one of the 9 Essential Skills identified by the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills?

ABC Life Literacy even calls reading a muscle, and like all muscles, if you don’t use it, you lose it.

So, what do you do if you want to improve your reading, but you don’t really know where to begin.

Well, as my colleagues already know, I’m a strong believer in the power of the Internet and what it can give back to the user, and I think that the Internet can be a powerful tool to improve your reading skills.

So, let’s explore some ways that you can use the Internet to improve your reading.

1. Use TTS technology.

TTS, or text to sound is a wonderful tool that you can use for free. It does exactly what it says it does, it takes a paragraph and reads it back to you. So, if you want to catch up on the news, find out who Drew Hayden is, or discover the world of micro-organisms, you can use a TTS program to read along with the text. What a great way to improve your reading skills. Here’s a good program to use. Natural Reader will read back any text that you paste into the reader box.

2. Use a dictionary.

Did you know that Google is like a dictionary?  Try it out. Type in the word matriculate in your search box. The definition will pop up right away! So when you are reading and you come upon a word that you’re not quite sure of, use Google.

3. Follow the links.

Those blue and underlined words that you find on a web page aren’t just for decoration. If you click on them, you’ll be taken to a whole new world. My favorite way to learn about things is to go to Wikipedia. Go ahead, click on the blue word. Then, type in a famous person or event that you want to learn more about. If you’re not comfortable, use your TTS to read the words while you follow along.

4. Take a Reading Class.

We offer reading and English courses that help you with your reading skills. By signing up with us, you can take any of our courses for FREE. You can even call us at 866-550-0697 (free call) to talk to someone about your learning goals, or visit our website to see our course calendar for times and dates.

5. Read Your Favourite Song.

That’s right, read it.  Websites like songlyrics.com and elyrics.com hold tons of lyrics to popular music. Reading the words to your favorite songs will improve your reading ability AND you’ll finally get the words right!!

6. Play games.

Playing word games is a fun way to improve your reading skills. Check out websites like wordgames.com and Faceboook.  Yes, Facebook.  The social media platform has many word games to improve your reading skills.  Check out this article on the top 5 word games on Facebook.

7. Read what you love.

I believe that the things that we are good at are the things that we love. So, when you’re improving your reading skills, don’t read something you’re not crazy about. Read stuff that you are passionate about. Once you are more comfortable and are ready for more, explore: there is a whole world out there waiting for you.

So, what do you think?

Will some of these jump-start your reading journey? Do you have other ideas about using technology to improve reading?

Use the comment section below to leave your thoughts.

A Lesson in Bravery

I’ve been teaching online for almost a year now and absolutely love it! I don’t get nervous talking to a group of learners online at all. I completely enjoy the entire 2 hours of each class and am often surprised when we’re getting close to the end of our time together. The time always goes by so fast.
 
However, talking to a group of people that are actually sitting in front of me is a whole other story. I’m not sure what the big difference is, but there definitely is one! I guess it must be all the eyes watching me? I’ve always been this way. I distinctly remember the terror I felt in Elementary school whenever I was asked to get in front of the class and share something.

Public Speaking is a BIG phobia of mine.

This fear continued into high school as well. I would absolutely dread it each time and would try to avoid it at all costs–sadly, even sometimes choosing to lose marks by opting out of presentations. My fear becomes so intense that it actually triggers biological reactions in me: my face turns red, my neck gets all blotchy, and I end up talking at a ridiculous speed where no one can really understand me. Oh, and eye contact? Forget about it!
 
So a couple of weeks ago I was asked to participate in the Remembrance Day ceremony we were putting together at the Adult Education Centre. I was more than happy to help out with the assembly because Remembrance Day holds a special place in my heart, and I think it is really important that it be properly recognized each year.
 
They were looking for people to read things like poems and write ups about why we wear a poppy and why Remembrance Day is on November 11th. They were all lovely pieces and wouldn’t take anyone more than a minute to read. As much as I wished I could, I just couldn’t bring myself to volunteer for it.  We were to ask our learners if any of them would like to help out with the readings. Even though I felt like a hypocrite for trying to encourage them to do something I clearly couldn’t, I still asked. To my delight, a learner quietly stepped forward to volunteer. I was surprised, relieved and then a little nervous for him too.
 
The big day came. Everyone gathered into the auditorium. As I was sitting there with my learners, watching all the people take their seats, I was thinking that I had made the right decision in not volunteering. The ceremony started. It was my learner’s turn. I was SO nervous for him. I could tell that he was nervous too. He began speaking and his voice started cracking. He stumbled some words and apologized. Then silence. I was crawling in my seat, wanting to help him out so badly, but I was helpless. I wasn’t sure he was going to be able to continue. My heart sank.
 
But then, he took a deep breath and started from the beginning again. He gracefully and courageously finished the rest of the reading. It was beautiful. I was so proud of him that I wanted to clap, to stand up, to yell “Way to go!” but it was a Remembrance Day so not really the appropriate time.
 
I couldn’t wait to speak to him after the ceremony so that I could congratulate him on what a fantastic job he did. I really admire people who are able to speak in front of groups. When I saw him, I gushed and gushed telling him how wonderful he did and how proud I was of him. He just stood there modestly smiling. Then, I’m not sure why- because I already knew the answer was yes-but I asked him a question. I asked him, “Were you nervous?”.
 
His answer is something I will never forget. He said, “Yep, I sure was. But I figured if all those soldiers were brave enough to go and fight and risk their lives for us, I figured it was the least I could do to be brave enough to say a few sentences in remembrance for them.” Sigh. I was speechless. Simply amazing. Every time I think of his answer, I am moved.
 
I love how one sentence so simply stated by another person can totally change how you have felt about something your entire life. I am so inspired by that one learner’s answer, that I feel like next time, I will be able to be brave too.

The Poppy: A Symbol of Bravery