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There are different opportunities for a person who wants to learn how to speed read. There are speed reading courses, speed reading software applications, and self-learning through simple speed reading tips and methods.

Speed reading courses can be highly efficient; but they also require an investment of time and money. And some speed reading courses are better than others.

The same applies to speed reading software. So, make sure you purchase a speed reading course or invest in speed reading software only after careful analysis.

If you are self-learning how to speed read, then you will need to keep yourself motivated.

For the self-learner, here are some simple methods of speed reading you might want to try:

• Make an appointment with an optometrist. Some people who have difficulty reading have an undiagnosed vision problem. If you have a medical problem, then you might experience difficulty focusing on words and your capabilities in so-called “ensemble vision” of the text might also be reduced.
• Time your reading speed. You can time your reading speed in several ways: use a stopwatch to see how fast you can read a certain number of pages or a given number of words; use online speed reading tests that test your reading speed and comprehension level; use speed reading tests that come with commercial speed reading software, such as the popular 7-Speed Reading software.
• Eliminate any source of distractions. Some people think it helps to have background classical music or jazz music, or to read in a coffee house, or even in the bustling atmosphere of a common room or study hall. But these are all distractions. You will maximize your comprehension level and your reading speed if you read in a quiet, solitary place.
• Adjust your reading speed to the type of text you intend to read. Comprehension is what you desire when reading a text. Depending on the type of text, you may need to have a deeper understanding than merely a rough appreciation of the main points. For example, when reading a newspaper, you only want to know the highlights of the story, so you do not need to pay attention to the entire text; as a result, your reading speed may be higher than when you are reading an economics thesis, where you need to thoroughly understand all the aspects of the problem discussed.
• Figure out beforehand the likely main points of the essay or book. When reading a book or a long essay, skim through the pages first to find the main ideas. This skimming exercise will help you when you read the material a second time more thoroughly.
• Reduce the habit of rereading text you have already read. You can do this by using cards that hide the previous line, and thus your attention will be better focused on the line you have in front of you.
• Try not to subvocalize. Subvocalizing happens when you read the text to yourself, either out loud or in your head. Most people, when they read, hear what they are reading in their heads. Subvocalization significantly slows down your reading speed. To reduce subvocalization, visualize the word as you read it rather than pronounce it.
• When reading, use your hand, your finger, or a pencil or other object, and move it in front of the text you read, so that you begin to read faster. Your vision is stimulated by the moving object, so you are able to concentrate better on your reading.
• Read blocks of words. Most people read only one word at a time. For increased reading efficiency, try reading two or three words at a time.
• Always try to better yourself. Note every success, congratulate yourself on achieving a personal best, and always try surpassing yourself the next time.

If you want to learn how to speed read, try to follow at least half of the above tips.