Students faced with mountains of books to read for classes, exams, and papers … busy professionals with piles of paper waiting to be processed next to the computer on their desk (and even more documents waiting on line) … teachers and engineers and doctors who need to keep up to date with trade journals and new developments in their field … in short, everyone needs to be able to read faster to get through all of the material that comes their way every day. Abby Marks Beale has been teaching people the techniques to do just that, for over 25 years. We talked to her recently about the resources available at her website, www.RevItUpReading.com.
7S: What got you interested in speed reading in the first place?
AMB: I used to hate to read! I went through all four years of college without knowing anything about how to read better or faster. After I got my undergraduate degree (from Boston University), I was able to get a job that trained me how to teach kids in private schools speed reading and study skills. Once I was taught and then started teaching the kids, the light bulb went off in my head that prompted me to continue teaching this for the adult population (high school age and older). I started my own speed reading training company in 1989. And I have become a great reader!
7S: You’ve written two books on speed reading, and another one titled “Success Skills: Strategies for Study and Lifelong Learning.” Is speed reading one of those strategies?
AMB: Yes! Reading is the mother of all study skills. If you don’t know how to read well (or as I say “read smart”), it’s very difficult to do well in school. When you read smart, you are able to get through your reading assignments with greater ease, have decent concentration which leads to good comprehension and then solid retention. It also helps with your note taking ability from your academic materials and study ability.
7S: You offer both your online training and on-site training for students, as well as for professionals in companies and at conferences. You also have a “webinar” on speed reading – what does that involve?
AMB: I have microwaved my half-day corporate training to a three hour timeframe (three sessions at one hour each over three weeks or longer) deliverable over the internet. I provide folks with two e-workbooks where they do short timings to experiment with new strategies. It’s amazing what someone can learn in just three hours!
7S: Your free podcasts are a great way to get valuable information, since people can listen to them on their way to work or while exercising or jogging, for example. Are you going to continue adding new podcasts to the series?
AMB: Definitely! I am frequently asked to be a guest on blog talk radio and will continue to post the better interviews for folks to download for free.
7S: The online course is easy to use, but it requires an internet connection. What can people do to learn speed reading techniques if they don’t have full-time internet access?
AMB: Certainly a person can read a book on speed reading and get some good information. If they are lucky, they will be able to find a good speed reading course in their area. Otherwise, if the internet is a problem, consider using a public library or college for internet connection. When there is a will, there is a way!
