Sue H. answered • 09/15/19
Learning Specialist - Tutor and Consultant About Special Needs
Subvocalizations when reading are typically an over-reliance on the auditory system to "hear" the words in order to comprehend. It takes a lot of practice, but to wean off the reliance on hearing the words, start with short passages that have a lot of description. As you read, force yourself not to move your mouth. Try to make a photo or video in your mind of what you are reading. The more you practice, the more you will be able to "trust" your visual system for comprehending. Then you will be set up to practice speed reading. As long as you still need to subvocalize when you read, it is unlikely your reading rate will be able to move beyond 200-250 words per minute.
A tutor can provide the appropriate passages and accountability for practice to make that change smoother and easier without giving up. Coaching, feedback, and strategic questions can help you more effectively use your visual system for comprehension.
Best wishes and happy reading!
Sue H.
