How to improve your reading fluency
One of the best ways to improve your reading fluency is with “graded readers”.
These are popular stories that have been adapted to use less complex vocabulary and grammar.
Although you do want to use complex grammar and vocabulary in your IELTS exam when you are building your reading fluency you actually want to work with an easier text.
If you already know your level, say B1 (CEFR) / band score 4.5 – 5, you should be reading a text or book which is aimed at a A2 student (band score 3.5-4).
If you don’t know what level of book to get, you can use the method below to find it out.
Open to any page (not the end! Don’t ruin the story!)
Make a fist.
Start reading from the top of the page.
Continue reading.
When you see a word that you don’t know and BECAUSE you don’t know the word you don’t understand the story or the paragraph, raise 1 finger.
Continue reading. If you see a new word and BECAUSE you don’t know the word you don’t understand the story or paragraph, raise a second finger.
Continue reading and repeat. DON’T raise a finger if you see a new word BUT YOU STILL understand the story.
When you finish the page look at your hand. If you have 1-2 fingers, throw the book away, it is too easy.
If you have 3-5 fingers, get the book, it is “i-1” and perfect for you. If you have 6 or more fingers, throw the book away, it is too difficult.
Some suggested graded readers:
Level 1
link to amazon
Level 2
link to amazon
Level 3
link to amazon
Level 4
link to amazon
Level 5
link to amazon