Reading at A2–B1: Get to 180–220 Words per Minute
At A2 or B1 level, reading English can feel slow. Getting to 180–220 words per minute makes school books, stories, and easy news much faster and less tiring. These steps are simple — start small and practice a little every day. You will get better soon.
Your Reading Journey
Now: Slow reading → Goal: 180–220 WPM → University: Easy reading
1. Use Texts with Lots of Pictures 📖🖼️
Choose very short stories or news with big pictures.
- Look for pages where pictures help tell the story.
- Read the text while looking at the pictures — the pictures make it easier to understand.
- Read the same short text 3 times: first with pictures, then again a little faster, then try without pictures.
- Tip: Try "News in Levels" (Level 1) or simple story websites with pictures.
2. Read Aloud with Audio Help 🎧📢
Read together with audio — this helps your eyes and mouth work faster.
- Find a short text with audio (YouTube read-aloud or free story apps).
- Listen and read at the same time — follow with your finger.
- Do this 2–3 times with audio, then turn audio off and try to read the same speed.
- Tip: Start with slow audio (0.75 speed) — it feels easier at first.
3. Stop After a Few Sentences and Say What Happened 🛑🗣️
Read 3–5 sentences → stop → say what happened in easy words.
- If you can't remember, read again — this helps your brain hold the story.
- Do this with the same text 3 times — each time try to stop and say it faster.
- Tip: This makes reading stronger — you understand even when you read a little quicker.
4. Practice the Same Text Until It Feels Easy 🔄✅
Pick one short text and read it many times until it feels simple.
- Day 1: Read slowly with pictures or audio.
- Day 2: Read without help — time yourself.
- Day 3: Read again faster — try to beat your time from Day 2.
- Keep going until you read it quickly and understand everything.
- Tip: When it feels easy, pick a new text and start again — this is how you get faster little by little.
Ready to practice and get faster?