reading skills   Introduction The following set of learning materials in reading and critical thinking will help the user learn how to read effectively and practise a range of key reading strategies by applying them to different kinds of texts. All of the activities are linked with reflection and practice Top   Learning Objectives To familiarise the user with a range of techniques and strategies for effective reading at an advanced level To increase the user's confidence in reading authentic texts in English To provide the user with practice in reading at speed, reading for gist and scanning for specific information To enable the user to distinguish fact from opinion and extract the main points from a text To help the user learn to recognise a variety of text types To provide the user with practice in reading a text critically Top   Language Prerequisite This learning material is designed for users who have already demonstrated some competence in their reading skills and who consider themselves to have an intermediate to advanced level of English.   Top   Table of Contents Introduction to reading skills   Outline - This learning material will help you to review your understanding of what the main reading skills consist of and follow this with skim-reading practice. Reading online and printed texts   Outline - These activities will introduce the differences between print and online reading and you will consider how you can adapt your reading strategies to deal with online text. Prediction strategies for reading   Outline - In these activities, you will consider the kinds of clues at textual level which you can use to make predictions about a text. Speed reading and scanning practice   Outline - In these activities you will explore some techniques for improving your reading speed. You will also practise scanning a text for specific information. Reading part of a business case study   Outline - You will use a business case study for reading practice. Reading to identify main points and distinguish fact from opinion   Outline - These activities will help you to identify the main points in a text and learn how to distinguish fact from opinion. Identifying text types   Outline - In these activities, you will practise identifying text types and the kinds of readers that texts may be written fo. Scanning for specific information   Outline - You will develop and practise your scanning skills using a text. Reading and critical thinking   Outline - You will explore what critical reading involves. You will then practise applying some key aspects of critical reading. Skimming practice   Your will practise your skimming skills through a series of tasks based on several online texts. Top   Duration up to 7.5 hours for 10 Learning Objects Top