Speed reading is a technique that allows for assimilation of several words or phrases at a glance. Speed reading helps take in as much as possible from the material in the shortest time possible. Speed reading can be acquired in many ways. Learning to speed read depends on the individual's capacity to learn and the style of learning that the individual is used to.

Here are a few simple steps on learning speed reading.

* Get rid of distractions: Even though you think you can read better while playing music or sitting at an office with a bunch of people, you can probably increase your speed reading if you reduce distractions to a bare minimum. Find a place that is comfortable for you, where there are no distractions and practice your speed reading. You will soon realize that your reading ability increases and you have more focus on the material.

* Train yourself not to reread: Many people have the issue of rereading a word or sentence to make sure they understood the meaning. This is usually unnecessary, but it can easily become a habit, and many times you will not even notice you're doing it. One exercise to help you avoid rereading is to take a sheet of paper or index card and drag it down the page as you read, covering each line once you've read it. Try to drag the card in a steady motion; start slowly, and increase your speed as you feel more comfortable.

* Time your current reading speed. It is important to find out how fast you read now so that you can track your improvement through subsequent timings. Not only will timing help you to tell if you're improving, but it will also keep you motivated.

* Practice reading blocks of words: Nearly everyone learned to read word-by-word or even letter-by-letter, but once you know the language, that's not the most efficient method of reading. Not every word is important, and in order to read quickly, you'll need to read groups of words - or even whole sentences or short paragraphs - instantaneously. The good news is you probably already do this to some extent: most people read three or four words at a time. Once you make an effort to be aware of your reading style, you'll discover how many words you read at a time.

* Read with your hand: Smooth, consistent eye motion is essential to speed reading. You can maximize your eyes' efficiency by using your hand to guide them. One such method is to simply draw your hand down each page as you read. You can also brush your hand under each line you read, as if you are brushing dust off the lines. Your eyes instinctively follow motion, and the movement of your hand serves to keep your eyes moving constantly forward. Note, however, that many speed reading instruction books warn off using a tracking member in speed reading as it inhibits the process.

Constantly applying these methods when you read will aid in increasing your speed reading techniques and skills. So wide spread is this desire to learn speed reading, that teaching this skill has flourished into a business. The various ways they have adapted their business is by establishing a host of companies that offer various books in speed reading, training sessions with tutors of speed reading, and even computer programs that teach the individual speed reading. Moreover the most important part on learning to speed read is to make sure that you have constant practice doing it.