One option for learning to speed read is to get a speed reading book and study it on your own. There are a number of speed reading books to buy. Today I will give you some comments about 5 speed reading books, which you may consider buying.

Tony Buzan „Speed Reading“

It is one of my favorites. Covers different areas of speed reading. Starts with common reading problems. Much focus on improving you eye movement. Provides good tips for improving your concentration and vocabulary. Does not focus only on improving your reading speed, but also on comprehension. It is a good choice if you want to take learning speed reading seriously.

Abby Marks Beale “The Complete Idiots Guide to Speed Reading”

Well, this famous series has now reached speed reading. It is an easy and well explained book. Includes many exercises. Special focus on reading different types of texts such as magazines or texts from computer screen. If you are afraid that speed reading is difficult for you then it is a good choice for you.

Wade E. Cutler “Triple Your Reading Speed”

This book includes more practical exercises than most speed reading books. On the other hand it does not cover many areas of speed reading. Much focus on breaking old reading habits. Includes “two stop” reading method, which you are not likely to find from other books. In addition, it gives you tips for test taking.

Peter Kump “Breakthrough Rapid Reading”

It is a slightly old book, but it covers a wide range of speed reading topics. Besides technical tips lots of advice about developing the mind set of a speed reader and setting goals for reading. Provides tips for time management on speed reading. Includes lots of exercises.

Stanley D. Frank “The Evelyn Wood Seven-Day Speed Reading and Learning Program”

It’s a classical book on speed reading. Follows the methodology developed by a speed reading pioneer Evelyn Wood. Much focus on using your hands for reading faster. Not so many practical exercises in it, which is the weakness for the book. Besides speed reading provides you many tips about learning methods. The book is targeted to students.

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Classroom course

For learning to speed read there are basically four options. First, you can participate in a speed reading class. It means that you will take a classroom course and a speed reading trainer will teach you there. Typical courses will consist of 8-16 hours of training, which to a large extent involves many different practical exercises. Usually, it will take one or two days to complete a classroom course, but there can be evening courses, where you will have classes for 2 hours in the evening one or twice a week and that kind of courses will take several weeks to complete.

Classroom course is for many people the best option for learning to speed read as your trainer will see you how you are doing the exercises and he/she will guide you if you are doing something wrong. At the same time there is a possibility to ask questions and get instant feedback to your progress.

A drawback of the classroom courses is that you will depend on their schedule, if you are not going to buy an individual course, which may be possible. You have to find a speed reading course in your location for, but there may not be available any in your area, especially if you are not living in a big city. In addition, this is the most costly way for learning to speed read. It will cost you $300-$600 to participate in the course.

Completing a classroom course does not mean that you should not continue practicing on your own. It will take time for you to harden your skills, so you should continue individual practice for at least 30 days following the completion of the course.

Speed reading book

The second option is to buy a speed reading book and study speed reading on your own. You will get an overview of the reading techniques plus exercises for improving your reading speed from it. Some books include only description of the exercises; others include practice reading texts and other exercises in it.

Learning from the book will give you flexibility as you can choose when to deal with it. At the same time it requires lots of self-discipline and you have to follow the instructions carefully in order to get the techniques right.

By my opinion it is the least efficient way for increasing your reading speed. Many people buy speed reading books and read them, but they really do not work hard on them and therefore they will not succeed. On the other hand, it is the cheapest way. You can get an older speed reading book for about $10 or you can borrow it from the library. Recent books will cost you around $25-$40.

Speed reading software

Using different software packages for training your reading skills has become very popular. In comparison to studying from the book, using a computer program gives your more interactivity and it is more fun way to do it. These programs include many different exercises, majority of them focus on your eye movements. Usually, it is possible to track your performance and test you reading speed.

A negative aspect of these programs is that usually they do not provide you much knowledge about theoretical aspects of speed reading and they focus too much on developing mechanical reading speed. But there is more to learn, if you want to read fast then you have to get a new mindset.

Similar to studying from the book, it is time flexible, but it requires self-discipline. As it provides more interactivity then the chances are higher that you will be able to make progress. Still many people do not make use of these programs. The price range for speed reading software is comparable to books, although it may be slightly higher. Some programs will have free versions, which allow practicing 1 or 2 exercises, but if you want to take it seriously then you will still have to buy the program.

Online speed reading course

Finally, there is a possibility to enroll in an online speed reading course. Buying that kind of course means that you are provided access to a learning environment, where you have different kinds of materials available for improving your reading skills.

These courses are usually divided into chapters as books and before sending you to perform practical exercises they will give you theoretical background of different reading methods. In addition, many online courses include video material. There you can see how to perform the exercises correctly. If you are going to participate in an online course then I would recommend you to choose the one, which has video material included. It will help you to get the techniques right.

Online courses include many different practical exercises and some of them are similar to offline speed reading software. In addition it is possible to track your progress and test you reading speed during the course.

In addition, online courses may include an option of communicating with the trainer, for example by email. So it will allow you to get feedback as the classroom course.

From my point of view online speed reading course is the second best option for learning to speed read after the classroom course. Clearly, it beats studying from the book or by speed reading software. It will give you theory, practical exercises and feedback. Still, it requires self-discipline to complete the course, which is the reason why some people may not succeed with it. And the feedback by email is not so instant and direct in comparison to the trainer being in the same room with you.

For some people it can be the best solution. For example, if you do not have a class room course available in the location. Or if you do not have time to participate in it. Or if you prefer individual learning. In addition, it is less expensive than the classroom course. The price of the online courses ranges from $75-$200.