We all know that reading books opens the door to expanded vocabulary and the ability to succeed academically. While a reading habit is essential for everyone, it is even more important for IELTS candidates. Reading exposes you to different styles, helps you understand texts easily, and enables you to learn how to use different sentences accurately in IELTS Writing Test. You need to master reading skills to get a high IELTS score. If you are interested in learning more about the importance of reading habits, we are going to share the most important reasons with you.
What is the importance of reading?
1. Expands Your Knowledge: Reading books is a wealthy source of data. When developing a habit of reading, you broaden your knowledge. With each book you read, you get to know about different people, cultures, places, diverse societies and actualities. In fact, people who read, clearly tend to be more astute than individuals who do not. It is also proven that people with good reading habits show signs of higher intelligence.
2. Improves Your Communication Skills: While reading, you memorize some infrequent words and more complex vocabulary. It would be very beneficial if you try to find out the meaning or the synonym of all these words. This will improve your communication skills, both reading and writing, which will be beneficial during IELTS writing, speaking, listening, and reading tests.
3. Improves Contextual Understanding: Contextual understanding of the same words used in a different meaning can be understood better when you develop reading habits. You can assimilate the spellings of words or phrases in the English language and learn how to use them in different scenarios.
4. Boosts Your Self-Confidence: When you develop good reading skills, you will be able to portray your self-image in a better way. And this helps you build on your self-confidence levels.
Tips for developing a reading habit
Good reading habits have many advantages for your life, but it becomes more useful when you are taking the IELTS test. Here are some practical tips to develop a reading habit for IELTS candidates:
a) Set aside 30 minutes every day to read a book, magazine, journal or anything. For example, make it a habit to read during breakfast, lunch or when you go to bed. You can read for 10 minutes each time or 30 minutes a day at one specific time.
b) Check various IELTS resources and IELTS mock papers to find out what type of questions they ask for reading, writing, speaking or listening test. Then make a list of all the great books, magazines, or journals you want to read for your IELTS preparation. Keep a running list, and cross out the ones once you complete reading them.
c) Practice reading different kinds of texts in English to develop the habit of reading quickly. When reading text, try to recognize text types, such as Analytical, Descriptive, Discursive, and Narrative. If you learn how to recognize text types, you will be to score good in your IELTS exam.
d) When you make reading easy, you will stick to the habit more often. So bring your book or kindle wherever you go.
e) Try to target pages per day. Start reading 10 pages a day and your reading pace will increase gradually.
f) One of the most powerful but underrated aspects of building better reading habits is your environment. Schedule a library day every week. Libraries help you develop your goal of reading more and building a lasting reading habit.
Conclusion
Learning how to develop a reading habit is a great investment of time for IELTS candidates. Most successful people acknowledge the importance and value of reading habits. Building your reading habit will help you become a better version of yourself.
Remember, there is no quick fix to learning English or building the habit of reading. It takes time and effort. All you need is the will to begin. Following the aforementioned tips to cultivate the habit of reading.
Once you’re ready to take the IELTS exam, visit IELTS AOLCC to register for your IELTS tests. IELTS AOLCC has IELTS Test Centres in London, Kingston, Brampton, and Mississauga. These test centres offer both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests. Select the ideal IELTS dates in London, Kingston, Brampton, and Mississauga and book ahead anytime.