Mastering reading comprehension is essential for your online job.
Most communication happens through chats and emails, so you should comprehend written instructions effectively.
However, reading comprehension is declining due to several factors, especially in Filipinos.
In fact, according to a 2018 study by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Filipino 15-year-olds ranked the lowest in reading comprehension among 79 countries.
Digital distractions such as social media, smartphones, and constant internet connectivity significantly contributed to declining reading comprehension by fragmenting attention spans and discouraging deep, focused reading.
Furthermore, fewer Filipinos read for pleasure, and there is a lack of emphasis on critical thinking skills in education.
Fortunately, it’s not too late to do something about it.
Here are 7 tips to improve your reading comprehension:
Set Goals
First, determine what you want to achieve from reading the material.
It guides your reading process by providing direction and purpose, whether it’s gaining specific information, understanding concepts, or extracting key points.
Having a clear goal helps you stay focused and engaged while reading, increasing your comprehension and retention of the material.
Use Visualization
Try visualizing what you read.
It engages your imagination, making the information more tangible and easier to comprehend.
This technique can also enhance your memory retention, as visual cues can help you recall information better later on.
Active Reading
Another helpful technique is active reading.
Active reading involves asking questions, making predictions, and summarizing key points while reading to enhance understanding and retention.
This approach keeps your mind focused and alert, which improves your understanding and retention of the material.
It also develops critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze and evaluate information more effectively.
Try Chunking
Chunking is a cognitive strategy that involves breaking down information into smaller, more manageable parts or “chunks.”
When reading, break down the text into smaller sections or paragraphs and focus on understanding each one before moving on.
By dividing information into meaningful units, you can process and remember larger amounts of information more effectively.
Use Context Clues
At times, certain texts might seem less straightforward and harder to comprehend. So it’s helpful to use context clues.
Context clues are hints within a text that help readers understand the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases.
So pay attention to surrounding sentences, paragraphs, or images to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words or concepts.
Take Notes
Jotting down key points, summaries, or questions helps you organize your thoughts better so you can process the information more comprehensively.
Furthermore, notes are useful for reviewing material later, which helps reinforce comprehension and enables further study or application of the concepts.
Read More Materials in Your Industry
When starting an online job in an unfamiliar industry, grasping the material can be challenging at first.
So it’s best to read more materials in that industry to expose yourself to specialized vocabulary, concepts, and trends relevant to it.
By immersing yourself in industry-specific literature, you become more familiar with the terminology and ideas commonly used in your profession, which improves your ability to understand more complex texts.
With the tips above, you can boost your reading comprehension to increase productivity in your remote career.
However, if you’re still looking for home-based jobs in the Philippines, you can sign up with Remote Staff for the best opportunities for Filipinos.
Remote Staff can match you with long-term clients, giving you more opportunities to improve your reading comprehension skills in real-life situations.
Register today!
