
No matter what academic subjects interest you and align most with your future career goals, your literary skills will be crucial to success. Fortunately, there are many strategies you can employ in order to speed up your language learning. All students should use a method called close reading when they study, do research for essays, and deal with any document they may encounter in everyday life.
Close reading refers to critical analysis of a text. It involves investigating each phrase, clarifying the meaning of new expressions within the text, and questioning the material you’re reading. In many ways, close reading is the opposite of summarizing which requires students to simplify the text they’re reading. Instead, close reading requires you to focus on details. Though the process can be time consuming, close reading will be beneficial to your comprehension, critical thinking skills, and your writing skills. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Close Reading in ESL program Boosts Comprehension
One major goal of close reading is to fully understand a text. During your analysis, you should seek to comprehend the purpose of a text, the author’s intent, and clarify the meaning of any unknown words and expressions within it. Close reading encourages you to fully grasp the fine details in any reading material in addition to its overall message. As you complete our ESL program, you can benefit greatly from close reading by improving your reading comprehension, identifying literary devices, widening your vocabulary, following assignment instructions, and navigating everyday life.

2. Students In Our ESL Program Can Improve Their Critical Thinking Skills Through Close Reading
Critical thinking skills are valuable for academic success and your personal development. Good critical thinking involves simultaneously analyzing multiple aspects of a single subject, objectively evaluating a text, and developing your own conclusions. Critical thinking gives you intellectual confidence and greatly improves your effectiveness. You’ll improve your critical thinking during close reading when you question the text you’re reading. You may ponder questions like:
- Are there symbols present in the text?
- What voice is being used in this text?
- What cultural implications may affect the way this text is written?
- Do I agree with the text? Why or why not?
Questioning the texts you’re working with is a form of active learning and allows you to retain new information faster and more effectively.
3. Improve Your Writing Skills With Close Reading
Close reading involves evaluating the writing style being used in the text you’re evaluating. Even professional writers seek inspiration and learn new tricks by analyzing the work of other writers. As you strive to improve your English literacy in our fast track university prep school, using close reading will help you to notice different writing styles, identify writing mistakes to avoid, and find your own writing voice which will serve you as well during assignments that involve communicating your personal thoughts and opinions.

After our ESL program, you will be fully prepared to meet the demands of any rigorous English-speaking academic program. With skills like close reading, you can significantly improve the literacy skills you need to navigate your education and personal life with mastery and confidence.
Are you ready to attend our prestigious private school?
Contact the Great Lakes College of Toronto to learn more!