Background: Commercial speed-reading training programs are typically marketed with the promise to dramatically increase reading speed without impairing comprehension. From the perspective of reading psychology, it seems quite unlikely that speed-reading training can indeed have such effects. However, research on the effectiveness of modern…

Silent reading frequently entails engaging the "inner voice," a phenomenon in which individuals sub-vocally articulate words in their minds. This inner voice is understood to stem from the internalization process, wherein external verbal speech transitions into internal dialogue. However, the mechanisms through which foreign language…

Presenting techniques for using the whole mind, this book describes PhotoReading, a reading program that teaches not just how to read faster, but how to learn at speeds many times faster than before. The book notes that PhotoReading teaches readers how to "mentally photograph" the written page directly into their "other-than-conscious" mind,…

Investigates whether a freshman reading improvement training program will produce gains in reading rate (normal reading rate, not skimming). Finds positive results for the program. (SR)

Written so that the reader participates almost as if in a game, this book is aimed at achieving five goals: reading faster, understanding better, remembering longer, learning more easily, and thinking more clearly. Chapters discuss the following: (1) reading dynamics; (2) Evelyn Wood; (3) how to increase reading speed; (4) how to increase…

The essential point of this article is the value of reading comprehension as compared to the value of reading rate. (RK)

THE RESEARCH RESULTS FOR SEVEN AREAS OF THE SPEED READING CONTROVERSY ARE REPORTED. TERMINOLOGY FOR THE PROGRAM IS A PROBLEM AREA. MANY PEOPLE CONTEND THAT SPEED READING IS NOT READING IN THE TRADITIONAL SENSE. MEASUREMENT IS OFTEN LIMITED OR EMPHASIZES READING RATE ONLY. FIRMS, ESPECIALLY THOSE NOT CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH SCHOOLS, SOMETIMES MAKE…

Reports an investigation of the effectiveness of "Speedway: The Action Way to Read" in increasing the reading rate and efficiency of adult readers. (FL)

This study determined the effectiveness of a rapid reading program in improving comprehension and rate of approximately 300 fifth and seventh grade students. Repeated measures analyses of variance were used to compare changes in rate and comprehension during an eight week rapid reading program with three groups of students: those instructed by a…

A total of 118 students were enrolled in the Multi-Language Rapid Reading Program, and by the end of 9 weeks they were able to read intermediate French and Spanish with rates up to 35,000 words per minute (w.p.m.) in Spanish and 25,000 w.p.m. in French. No student scored less than 750 w.p.m. in either language, with 65 percent the lowest…

TRENDS EVIDENT IN ADULT READING DURING THE 1960'S IN THE AREAS OF ADMINISTRATION, PROGRAMS, TEACHING, TECHNIQUES, RESEARCH PROJECTS, AND METHODS OF PROMOTION OF READING PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED. TWO INSTANCES OF COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION BASED ON INTENSE AND OFTEN FALLACIOUS ADVERTISING AND ON PUBLIC IGNORANCE ARE CITED. A POSITIVE TREND IN THE AREA…

Concerned that the present 2-year, compulsory, language program in secondary schools is unrealistic in the instructional objectives it asserts, the author proposes that a strong reading program be offered to interested students. Some discussion of current curricular problems, reading materials, and transfer of learning is made. The Ebacher Rapid…