Effects of Speed Reading Techniques Training on Students’ Reading Comprehension

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to examine the effects of speed reading training on the improvement of the students’ reading comprehension. To achieve this objective, experimental research design was employed and two sections of freshman social science students of Ambo University 2022/23 entry were randomly selected and assigned to experimental and control groups. Then, reading tests adopted from different speed reading training books were administered as pre-tests and post-tests. The analysis of pre-test data showed that the students in both groups were at the same level in their reading speed and reading comprehension skills initially.  Then, the same contents of the reading were taught to both groups. However, the experimental group students were given intensive training for 16 hours in 8 weeks on how to improve their reading speed and their reading comprehension. On the completion of the training, a post-test was given to both groups. The collected data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests, and the result of these analyses revealed that the post-test scores of the experimental group in speed reading and reading comprehension activities were statistically significantly different from their pre-test score and the control group’s post-test scores. Hence, it was noted that the speed reading techniques training had a statistically significant improvement in the experimental students’ reading speed as well as reading comprehension scores. Based on these key findings, it is recommended that speed reading techniques lessons and exercises must be incorporated into students' textbooks and course books and given to students at all levels so that their reading speed and comprehension improve.