Types of Reading: Scanning, Skimming, Extensive and Intensive reading

There are four main types of reading

• Scanning
• Skimming
• Extensive reading
• Intensive reading

Each type differs in how deeply the content is explored and in the purpose of using the information.

Scanning: Search Reading

Scanning is a type of reading used to find specific information in the text. There is no need to read the entire text. Instead, you go through the text until the required information is found. This information can be specific, such as a date or number, or more detailed, like a description, argument, or rule. It might include dates, names, distinguishing features, or sections to translate.

Mastering the skill of scanning is useful not only for answering questions or providing necessary data. In everyday life, scanning information saves time when full reading is unnecessary. For example, you may scan a transport schedule to find a route, or scan a list of recommendations to find a specific item.

Tasks for developing scanning skills include finding names, dates, descriptions, and other specific data. Additionally, "True/False" tasks can be used to confirm or refute statements based on the text.

Skimming: Overview Reading

Skimming is reading for general understanding. It involves quickly going through the text to grasp the main idea and get a sense of the meaning. The key skill is to identify and understand the most important words. It's important not to focus on details or analyze them. You don't need to get distracted by unfamiliar words or grammatical structures. The main goal is to be able to summarize the text.

Skimming can be described as "reading diagonally." It is used to get an overall idea of the text, its plot, or to briefly skim through information before deciding whether to dive deeper into the details.

Particular attention should be paid to the first and last paragraphs (one or more, depending on the length of the text), as they usually contain the main information. The middle part is read quickly, focusing on key points.

Tasks for practicing skimming include:

• Choosing or creating a title for the text
• Matching sentences or the text with images
• Predicting events based on key points in the plot, and more

Extensive Reading

Extensive reading involves reading longer texts for pleasure and to improve language skills. With extensive reading, you engage with the details of the text but don't get bogged down by unfamiliar words if their meaning is clear from the context. This is continuous reading, often referred to as “reading for gist.”

The ability to extract the main information from a text depends on distinguishing between primary and secondary details. The primary information should be fully understood, while secondary information can be understood approximately, without distortion.

When reading extensively, understanding 70% of the information is sufficient. Based on this understanding, you can answer questions or express your opinion on the text. To reinforce understanding, you can do tasks like organizing events logically, dividing the text into meaningful parts, and similar exercises.

Extensive reading helps reinforce and expand vocabulary, internalize the structure of the language, and gradually introduce new words through contextual understanding.

Intensive Reading

Intensive reading is a detailed and focused reading aimed at thoroughly understanding the content and memorizing the information. This type of reading requires a full comprehension of both primary and secondary information.

The text is analysed completely: unfamiliar words and phrases are studied, and grammatical structures are examined to understand the logical connections within sentences and between different parts of the text. All available resources can be used for understanding, such as working with a teacher, using a dictionary, and more.

Intensive reading is essential when studying books, articles, or texts in educational materials.

The goal of intensive reading is to achieve 100% comprehension. Tasks for practising this skill can include a variety of activities, such as correcting statements, matching statements to speakers, answering questions (both direct and paraphrased), summarizing, and retelling the content.

Benefits of All Types of Reading

When learning English, it is important to master all types of reading and switch between them easily, depending on the purpose of information gathering. Each reading mode offers its own advantages:

• Expanding vocabulary
• Learning grammar (especially through extensive and intensive reading)
• Practising spelling: By reading, you memorize words and phrases, their spelling, and usage, which improves both literacy and spelling.

Tasks aimed at developing reading skills may focus on one specific type. However, it's essential to practice all types, whether through separate exercises or combined tasks.

Text comprehension is tested in exams of any kind, including those for obtaining TESOL or TEFL certificates. Completing these courses and passing the exams demonstrate a solid command of all types of reading and full understanding of texts. Therefore, when learning English, choose a teacher with a TESOL/TEFL certificate. These certifications indicate a high level of qualification and effective teaching methods.