Chapter 1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

a. Introduction

Reading is a complex cognitive process of decoding symbols for the intention of constructing or deriving meaning (reading comprehension). It is a means of language acquisition, of communication, and of sharing information and ideas. Like all language, it is a complex interaction between the text and the reader which is shaped by the readers prior knowledge, experiences, attitude, and language community which is culturally and socially situated. The reading process requires continuous practices, development, and refinement. Readers use a variety of reading strategies to assist with decoding (to translate symbols into sounds or visual representations of speech) and comprehension. Readers may use morpheme, semantics, syntax and context clues to identify the meaning of unknown words. Readers integrate the words they have read into their existing framework of knowledge or schema (schemata theory). Other types of reading are not speech based writing systems, such as music notation or pictograms. The common link is the interpretation of symbols to extract the meaning from the visual notations.

Reading is typically an individual activity, although on occasion a person will read out loud for the benefit of other listeners. Reading aloud for one's own use, for better comprehension, is a form of intrapersonal communication.

Reading to young children is a recommended way to instill language and expression, and to promote comprehension of text. Before the reintroduction of separated text in the late Middle Ages, the ability to read silently was considered rather remarkable.

Currently most reading is either of the printed word from ink or toner on paper, such as in a book, magazine, newspaper, leaflet, or notebook, or of electronic displays, such as computer displays, television, mobile phones or ereaders. Handwritten text may also be produced using a graphite pencil or a pen. Short texts may be written or painted on an object. Often the text relates to the object, such as an address on an envelope, product info on packaging, or text on a traffic or street sign.

A requirement for reading is a good contrast between letters and background (depending on colors of letters and background, any pattern or image in the background, and lighting) and a suitable font size. In the case of a computer screen, not having to scroll horizontally is important. The field of visual word recognition studies how people read individual words. A key technique in studying how individuals read text is eye tracking. This has revealed that reading is performed as a series of eye fixations with saccades between them. Humans also do not appear to fixate on every word in a text, but instead fixate to some words while apparently filling in the missing information using context. This is possible because human languages show certain linguistic regularities.

Speed reading is not magic. It is a skill that can be learned and it mostly involves breaking the poor reading habits that you have developed since school. Simply becoming a faster reader is not the point either: You want to become a more efficient reader. There are some great techniques to use when practicing speed reading including reading blocks of works and breaking out of the habit of sub-vocalization. To increase your average reading speed, there are many ways to improve it and to determine your current speed level considered taking a comprehension test. It is always encouraging to see an improvement in the comprehension when you boost your reading speed. Reading is a thing that needs to be practiced in order for it to be mastered, so consider reading as a habit to get yourself up to the highest possible reading level, or at least to increase your reading speed.

b. Statement of the Problem The purpose of the study is to create a relationship between age and reading speed among the ages 11-30. English and Filipino languages are used as variable tools to determine the effect of age in reading. Specifically, this sought to determine the amount of time an individual consumed in reading an essay in English and Filipino language, to find if age is one of the factor contributes to the amount of time spend in reading.

c. Statement of Objectives The overall objective of this study is to create a relationship between age and speed reading using English and Filipino language as the two parameters. This study wants also to differentiate the time (in second) spent in reading the two versions which are in the form of English and Filipino. Lastly, to identify if age is a significant factor affecting the speed of reading of different individuals.

d. Significance of the Study The outcome of the study will greatly help the individuals such as the elementary, secondary and tertiary students, the newly graduates who are still seeking for jobs and professionals who are in their respective fields. The results of the study will be significant whether in a professional or in a student, reading is very important in whatever task you are performing and a speed reading skill is essential to be able to read quickly without wasting time and for understanding what you read in the shortest possible time. Irrespective of whether you are reading a text book, research material, a report, or even a newspaper, the ability of speed reading and comprehending whatever you read immediately will stand you in good stead. Reading is also the most important element of learning a language along with writing and speaking. Unless you can read with speed, you always will be at a disadvantage.

e. Scope and Limitation of the Report This study focused mainly on the relationship between reading speed and age. The study included two different tools which is the Filipino and English language to examine the speed of different ages under 11-30. This paper will also tackle the two variables (Filipino and English Language) , if they contribute to the reading speed of an individual. The study included dependent and independent variable. The independent variable is the persons who are in the age between 11-30, secondary student, tertiary students, newly graduates and some professionals. Unlike the usually reading test or/and comprehension that contains a questions, we only consider the time ( in seconds) when the reader ends the article to compare their reading speed.

Chapter 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

a. Conceptual Literature Average reading speed is something that is often very difficult to compute. Many times, studies have shown that age, educational level, familiarity with the subject matter, and even the rate of speech have major impacts on the speed at which we read. Other times, studies have shown that these things do not matter at all. What is consistent in all is the simple fact that there is a huge variance in reading speed across all age levels. Reading speed of individuals varied greatly depending on the profession of the person, and as young child aged, they got much better in reading speed. People who do a lot of reading on their jobs were much better that who doesnt. The average reading speed of a child in primary school is around 200 words per minute (wpm). By the time we reach adulthood, it hasn't improved very much, as, on average, most adults read at a rate of about 200 - 250 wpm. While comprehension at this rate is considered reasonable, at 250 wpm it will be difficult to read large amounts of information in a short period of time. Certain individuals claim to read at speeds of 10 000 wpm or even 25 000 wpm and say they are still able to understand all they have read. Even though rates like this may be achieved by these exceptional individuals, a speed of 1000 - 1200 wpm is the rate at which contestants read at the World Championship speed reading competitions. Therefore, if your average reading speed comes

anywhere near this rate, you can consider yourself doing fantastically well. Do not feel that you need to reach championship levels in order to achieve your learning and reading goals. It is up to each and every individual to decide how far to push the speed limits. For a person interested in increasing his abilities, a goal of 500 - 800 wpm is an excellent target. At this rate it is possible to get through large quantities of work in a short time and maintain a comprehension level of about 75% or more. This is an excellent level of comprehension and probably more than adequate for any of your required purposes. Compare this to the average reading rate of adults (200 - 250 wpm), where their comprehension level is only half or slightly more of the material they have read. 800 - 1000 wpm would be an outstanding achievement. In order to have reached this level, an individual may have invested in an excellent speed reading course and practiced speed drills. Believe it or not, comprehension at this level is also outstanding, reaching levels of 100% or very close to 100%. Results of 100 - 200 wpm is considered a basic reading rate. In adult terms this is a below average speed, but for children between the ages of 6 and 12, it may be considered as average. Only low levels of comprehension are achieved at this rate. An adult who reads at this pace will be amazed at what some of the simple techniques will do for his reading speed. Reading at any pace below 100 wpm will probably be read by someone who is still learning to read or

perhaps by someone who is reading in a second or third language. At this rate comprehension will be difficult. Speed reading is not magic. It is a skill that can be learned and it mostly involves breaking the poor reading habits that you have developed since school. Simply becoming a faster reader is not the point either: You want to become a more efficient reader. There are some great techniques to use when practicing speed reading including reading blocks of works and breaking out of the habit of sub-vocalization. Whichever techniques you apply, you must always be aware of the purpose of your reading and decide whether speed reading is the most appropriate approach. When applied correctly and practiced diligently, speed reading can significantly improve your overall effectiveness as it frees up your precious time and allows you to work more efficiently in other areas as well. To increase your average reading speed, there are many ways to improve it and to determine your current speed level considered taking a comprehension test. It is always encouraging to see an improvement in the comprehension when you boost your reading speed. Reading is a thing that needs to be practiced in order for it to be mastered, so consider reading as a habit to get yourself up to the highest possible reading level, or at least to increase your reading speed.