I'm currently preparing a very talented student for FCE and have encountered a certain problem. While reading, the student doesn't want to employ scanning techniques and tends to read everyhting in detail.A strict timing was an obvious solution. First, I ask her to skim the text and give her only 3 minutes to do it (usually it's enough). After asking questions on general understanding, we move on to the questions.For every question I give her 30-40 seconds for each and set the clock.
To make it more fun, you can employ a hangman strategy. When every 30 seconds passes you can draw a part of a hangman, although I prefer a different kind of story. I read this idea somewhere on the web and use it ever since. The principle is completely opposite. Teacher draws a parachutist with many straps attached to his back. As given time passes one strap is erased. So if there are 7 questions, I give my student about 5 minutes (allow some extra time) and draw 8 straps. When every 40 seconds passes a strap is erased. My student finds it really fun and motivating. She usually gets the scanning done before the parachutist falls from the sky.
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