Free reader school: What is a free reader?

What is a free reader?

Every parent looks forward to their child graduating from reading scheme books, but how and when do they make the leap? We explain what a ‘free reader’ is and when your child is likely to graduate from reading schemes.

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In the first few years of primary school, listening to your child read is a nightly task as they plough through the levels of their school reading scheme.

But at some point, they reach the major milestone of moving on from Biff, Chip and Kipper to books of their own choosing. This is known as becoming a free reader, and is an exciting new step for your child – and for you, too.

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What is a free reader?

The term ‘free reader’ usually refers to a child who has finished the reading scheme used in their school, and is now allowed to choose from a wider selection of non-scheme books.

They won’t necessarily have read every single book in the reading scheme – it’s common to skip titles or even whole stages as they progress – but will have worked through the levels to a point where their teacher feels their reading skills and comprehension are solid.

At this stage, they’re able to tackle longer and more complex books, both fiction and non-fiction.

When should your child become a free reader?

There’s no universally recognised point at which a child becomes a free reader. It will depend on their own reading level and the school’s practices. For example:
 

• Some schools allow children to become free readers once they have finished the foundation levels of a reading scheme (such as Oxford Reading Tree stage 9).
• Some require them to have finished the entire reading scheme, including the upper levels (for example, up to and including Oxford Reading Tree stage 16).
• Some allow children to combine reading schemes and free reading, choosing one reading scheme book and one title of their own choice at a time.

Children need to have demonstrated a good level of competence in both decoding and comprehension before they can move onto free reading. This usually equates to Oxford Reading Tree level 9 or thereabouts (although, as explained above, some schools continue to follow the schemes into their upper levels). Most children reach this stage around the end of Key Stage 1 or beginning of Key Stage 2, although some will hit it sooner or later.

Some schools will move children onto free reading whenever they feel they’re ready, regardless of their age. Others have different policies, such as not letting children become free readers before Key Stage 2, no matter how competent they are.

Because there are no hard and fast rules, it’s important to find out how children become free readers at your child’s school, and not compare them with children in other schools.

What can your child read now they’re a free reader?

Just as the definition of a free reader varies, there are no set rules about what children can and should read once they reach this stage. They’re likely to be reading longer, more complex chapter books, but these could vary from Rainbow Magic to Harry Potter.

The National Curriculum does state that Key Stage 2 children need to read from a variety of texts and genres, including fiction, poetry, plays, non-fiction and reference books. Some of these will be tackled in class, but the selection of free reading books that they can choose from should reflect the breadth of material they’re expected to be tackling.

Can they choose their own books?

Again, this varies. Some schools are happy for children to read whatever they like, and to choose titles from their own bookshelves or the public library. Others ask them to choose their books from a selection within the classroom (perhaps linked to the topic they’re working on), or from the school library.

Children are usually taught the skills they need to choose a book they’ll enjoy, for example:

• Looking at the front cover
• Reading the blurb
• Reading a small section of text.

In the initial stages of free reading, an adult will usually help them to choose books that are of the right level, but as they get better at self-selecting, their teacher may just ask to see the book before giving them the go-ahead to read it.

Will someone still listen to your child read at school?

There’s no statutory requirement for teachers, Teaching Assistants or helpers to hear your child read at school, and it does tend to happen less in Key Stage 2 as more children move onto free reading. In some schools, children will still be heard regularly, but in others, it may be infrequent – maybe only once or twice a term.

Teachers will still keep an eye on your child’s reading progress, however, through activities such as guided reading (reading in small groups of a similar ability), using reference books in class and reading comprehension. If you’re worried that your child isn’t being listened to enough, have a word with their teacher.

Should you still hear them read at home?

You might breathe a sigh of relief at no longer having to listen to reading scheme books, but it’s important that you do still hear your child read at home, even if it’s only a page or two at a time.

Listening to your child read helps you ensure that they’re not glossing over new or tricky words, and that they understand what they’re reading. You can establish that by asking them questions such as:

• What kind of book is this?
• What has happened so far?
• What do you think might happen next?
• Where is the story set?
• Who is your favourite character, and why?
• How would you like the story to end?
• Can you explain what this word means?
• Who would you recommend this book to?

Some schools also ask children to write a short book review once they’ve finished a title to show that they’ve understood the story before they move into their next choice.

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TOP 11 Free Online Speed ​​Reading Courses [2023] for Beginners from Scratch

Author Alexey Shapolov To read 10 min Views 38.4k.
Updated 04/07/2023

Beginners in 2023.

1. Speed ​​Reading: How to Learn to Read Fast by 4BRAIN

Take the course

Language : Russian.

Duration : 5 lessons.

Learning format : text lessons + video lessons + tests + additional materials.

Difficulty level : for beginners.

Feedback : no.

Without certificate

Training program:

1. Attention training.
2. Articulation suppression.
3. Visual skills.
4. Structuring.
5. Speed ​​reading and memory.

What you will learn and learn:

• Ways to train memory and develop visual skills.
• The ability to concentrate on a particular book.
• Fast processing of information and saving time on reading.

Course features:

• A theory exam is included.

As an advertisement. Online course «Effective reading» from Advance

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Course duration : 1 month = 16 lessons.

Format : video lessons + homework.

What you will learn :

• Read at least twice as fast, fully understanding what you read
• Maximum concentration of attention and at the same time increase the speed of perception
• Memorize large amounts of text materials
• Read aloud with perfect diction — clear and distinct

Features :

• Free trial lesson
• Lots of positive feedback

Try it for free

2.

Mann, Ivanov & Ferber’s Reading Accelerator

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Language : Russian.

Duration : 8 lessons.

Learning format : text lessons with practical exercises.

Difficulty level : for beginners.

Feedback : no.

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What you will learn and learn:

• Why read more books.
• How to get the most out of a book.
• How to improve the assimilation of information with the help of notes.
• How to start reading in words and sentences.

3. «Lessons of Speed ​​Reading and Secrets of Success» from the Academy of Intellect Development «‎Neuronics»

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Language : Russian.

Duration : 38 lessons ranging from 4 minutes to 2 hours. The total duration is 6.5 hours.

Learning format : video tutorials.

Difficulty level : for beginners.

Feedback : no.

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What you will learn and learn:

• How speed reading contributes to professional growth.

№

• Secrets and techniques of fast reading.
• How to learn to absorb information better.
• How to get out of an intelligent overload condition.

№

• Techniques for the development of memory and imagination.
• Typical errors in speed reading.

About the author of the course:

Alexandra Rudamanova

• Author of courses and trainings on the development of memory, attention and acceleration of thinking.
• Founder of the Neuronika Intelligence Development Center.
• Champion of the Crimea in 2002 in speed reading with a personal record of 30,000 words per minute with 95% assimilation of information.

4. “Speed ​​reading lessons online. Learn to read fast on your own‎” by Magic Speed ​​Reading

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Language : Russian.

Duration : 1-3 hours.

Learning format : text lessons + practical exercises.

Difficulty level : for beginners and advanced.

Feedback : no.

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What you will learn and what you will learn:

• How to expand the angle of view while reading.
• How to read in speed reading mode.

5. “Speed ​​Reading Technique‎ in 8 lessons” from the TV channel “Culture”

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Language : Russian.

Duration : 8 lessons lasting 6 minutes. Total duration 49minutes.

Learning format : video tutorials.

Difficulty level : for beginners and advanced.

Feedback : no.

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Training program:

1. General principles of content marketing.
2. Types and features of content (video, infographics, visual).
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5. Rules for the design and layout of content.
6. Ways to promote content.

What you will learn and learn:

• Read faster, remember information better and analyze the read text.
• About non-traditional methods of obtaining speed reading skills and about effective practical exercises that will help improve concentration.

Features of the course:

• The course is composed of fragments of the program “Black Holes. White spots».

6. «Speed ​​Reading» by Alexander Mitin

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Language : Russian.

Duration : 5 lessons lasting from 3 to 7 minutes. Total duration 25 minutes

Training format : video lessons.

Difficulty level : for beginners and advanced.

Feedback : no.

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What you will learn and learn:

• How to highlight the main meaning in the text.
• What factors slow down the speed of reading.
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About the author of the course:

Alexander Mitin

• Teacher of the speed reading course at the St. Petersburg Television School.

7. “Speed ​​reading training. From Zero to Advanced‎” by BeBrain School

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Language : Russian.

Duration : 4 lessons lasting from 4 to 18 minutes. The total duration is 40 minutes.

Learning format : video tutorials.

Difficulty level : for beginners and advanced.

Feedback : no.

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What you will learn and learn:

• Read faster and remember information better.

8. Reading Effectively by Advance

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Language : Russian.

Duration : 23 lessons lasting from 2 to 15 minutes. The total duration is 2 hours 35 minutes.

Learning format : video tutorials.

Difficulty level : for beginners and advanced.

Feedback : no.

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What you will learn and learn:

• About popular myths about speed reading.

/

• About the secrets of effective reading.

9. «Free Speed ​​Reading Materials» by Neuromen

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Language : Russian.

Duration : 21 lessons lasting from 5 to 25 minutes. The total duration is 2 hours 15 minutes.

Learning format : video tutorials.

Difficulty level : for beginners and advanced.

Feedback : no.

Without certificate

What you will learn and learn:

• How to review a book in 5-10 minutes.
• Ways to warm up the eyes to increase reading speed.
• How to better remember the information you read.
• How speed reading can help you earn more.

About the author of the course:

Pavel Palagin

• Expert in speed reading and founder of the training center «Towards a Dream».

10. Speed ​​Reading and Memory Development by Mindvalley

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Language : Russian.

Duration : 43 lessons lasting from 2 to 40 minutes. The total duration is 3 hours.

Learning format : video tutorials.

Difficulty level : for beginners and advanced.

Feedback : no.

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What you will learn and learn:

• How to learn to read books quickly.
• Habits for quick start of the brain.
• Why there is no bad memory.
• How speed reading improves reading comprehension.
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• Speed ​​learning and memory training expert.
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11. “Speed ​​reading. How to read faster and remember what you read?‎” from the YouTube channel “Supermemory Speed ​​Reading‎”

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Duration : 38 lessons lasting from 1 minute to 1.5 hours. The total duration is 5 hours 20 minutes.

Learning format : video tutorials.

Difficulty level : for beginners and advanced.

Feedback : no.

Without certificate

What you will learn and what you will learn:

• Master the technique of speed reading and improve your memory with exercises to relax your eyes and train your memory.

Rate the author

13 Free Online Speed ​​Reading Courses in 2023

evgenev » Soft Skills

Author Evgeniy Volik Reading 10 min Views 2. 1k.
Updated 05/12/2023

Hello everyone, friends! ✌ Today we will look at 13 Powerful online courses for learning speed reading from scratch , which you can take absolutely free .

LETS GO! 🔥

1. “Speed ​​Reading: How to Learn to Read Fast”

Pass

No certificate issued

Tutorial : the student will be able to master the skill of speed reading, which is useful for effective reading of magazines, articles on the Internet. Plus, the skills will be useful for memory training.

• Study period: 5 lessons with learning content.
• Content form: lectures + video assignments.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Registration period per stream: no limit.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

Stuffing the study

• Remember more information.
• It is better to concentrate on a particular book.
• Process information faster and save time on reading.

2. Reading Accelerator

Pass

No certificate issued

Tutorial : Includes basic speed reading techniques, practice exercises and expert advice.

• Study period: 8 lessons with learning content.
• Content form: lectures.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Term of registration for the flow: without restrictions.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

Stuffing the study

• Why read more books.
• How to get the most out of a book.
• How to improve the assimilation of information with the help of notes.
• How to start reading in words and sentences.

3. «Quick reading technique‎ for 8 lessons»

Pass

No certificate issued

Tutorial : An expert will talk about ways to improve your speed reading skills and effective practice exercises to increase your reading speed.

• Study period: 8 lessons with learning content.
• Content form: lectures.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Registration period per stream: no limit.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

Stuffing the study

• Read faster, remember information better and analyze the read text.

4. Speed ​​Reading

Pass

No certificate issued

Tutorial: the author gives practical exercises for those who want to learn speed reading in order to apply the skill in work, study and everyday life.

• Study period: 5 lessons with learning content.
• Content form: lectures.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Term of registration for the flow: without restrictions.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

Stuffing the study

• How to highlight the main meaning in the text.
• What factors slow down the speed of reading.
• How to improve memory and attention.

5. «Lessons of speed reading and secrets of success»

Pass

• Duration: 38 lessons with educational content.
• Content form: lectures.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Term of registration for the flow: without restrictions.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

No certificate issued

Educational program:

• How speed reading contributes to professional growth.

№

• Secrets and techniques of fast reading.
• How to learn to absorb information better.
• How to get out of an intelligent overload condition.

№

• Techniques for the development of memory and imagination.
• Typical errors in speed reading.

6. “Speed ​​reading lessons online. Learn to read fast on your own‎‎»

Pass

• Training period: 1-3 hours with educational content.
• Content form: lectures.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Term of registration for the flow: without restrictions.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

No certificate issued

Tutorial: With the help of speed reading lessons you can develop memory, attention, intelligence and other valuable skills. Speed ​​reading lessons will be useful for those who, by occupation, have to process a lot of information, For those who want to do as much as possible in this life. But the benefits of these exercises will only be if you do them not from case to case, but regularly for a long time.

7. “Speed ​​reading training. From Zero to Advanced‎»

Complete

• Training period: 4 videos with educational content.
• Content form: lectures.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Term of registration for the flow: without restrictions.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

No certificate issued

Tutorial: Speed ​​Reading is a lesson in speed reading from zero to advanced. All theory and practice will be available online to each of you. The materials are absolutely free and can benefit each of our viewers.

8. Effective Reading

Pass

• Training period: 22 videos with educational content.
• Content form: lectures.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Term of registration for the flow: without restrictions.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

No certificate issued

Tutorial: This playlist contains videos about increasing reading speed (speed reading) and improving reading efficiency. How to learn to read quickly and understand what you read.

9. «Free Speed ​​Reading Materials»

Pass

• Training period: 21 videos with educational content.
• Content form: lectures.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Term of registration for the flow: without restrictions.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

No certificate issued

Tutorial:

• How to review a book in 5-10 minutes.
• Ways to warm up the eyes to increase reading speed.
• How to better remember the information you read.
• How speed reading can help you earn more.

10. «Speed ​​reading and memory development»

Pass

• Training period: 27 videos with educational content.
• Content form: lectures.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Term of registration for the flow: without restrictions.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

No certificate issued

Tutorial:

• How to learn to read books quickly.
• Habits for quick start of the brain.
• Why there is no bad memory.
• How speed reading improves reading comprehension.
• How to improve reading efficiency.

11. “Speed ​​reading. How to read faster and remember what you read?‎‎»

Pass

• Training period: 27 videos with educational content.
• Content form: lectures.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Term of registration for the flow: without restrictions.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

No certificate issued

Educational program:

• Speed ​​reading and memory development

12. «Rhythm-knock to suppress the pronunciation of the text while reading»

Pass

No certificate issued

Tutorial: Speech noise can be used to suppress speech (articulation suppression). The essence of the method of speech interference lies in the clear tapping of a special rhythm by hand.

• Training period: 8 lessons with educational content.
• Content form: lectures.
• Communication with the teacher: no.
• Term of registration for the flow: without restrictions.
• Required level of knowledge: for beginners.
• Homework check: no check.
• Price: free.

Stuffing the study

• Read faster and remember information better.

13. «Speed ​​Reading Lessons: Speed ​​Reading»

Pass

No certificate issued

Tutorial: This is the first video in a series of speed reading lessons.