Reading speed & efficiency
Break inefficient habits, improve visual pacing and learn when to accelerate, slow down or preview material.
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About Iris Reading
Read faster. Remember more. Think clearer.
Iris Reading teaches practical speed reading, comprehension, memory and focus skills to students, professionals and organizations worldwide.
- 1M+
- Learners reached worldwide
- Flexible
- Live + self-paced
- Accessible
- Virtual + in person
Trusted in classrooms, boardrooms and high-performance environments
Google
NASA
Goldman Sachs
Microsoft
World Bank
Stanford University
Our mission
Help people feel capable—not overwhelmed—when the reading piles up.
The volume of information in our lives has changed. Most people’s reading habits have not.
Iris Reading teaches practical, repeatable techniques for navigating dense textbooks, research, reports, email, professional material and the books you want to read for yourself. We help learners become more intentional about how they read, more confident in what they can handle and more effective at retaining what matters.
Our goal is not to rush every page. It is to give you more control: the ability to choose the right reading strategy, pace and level of attention for the task in front of you.
What we teach
A complete reading and learning skill set
Our programs connect speed, comprehension, memory and focus so that improvement in one area supports the others.
Comprehension & recall
Read with a clear purpose, identify important ideas and use retrieval strategies to remember more of what you learn.
Focus & concentration
Build routines that reduce distraction, strengthen attention and make demanding reading sessions easier to sustain.
Study & productivity systems
Combine reading with smarter note-taking, planning and review so that information becomes useful action.
Who we help
Different goals. One essential advantage.
When you can process information with more confidence, everything from studying to decision-making becomes more manageable.
For students
Keep up with demanding reading without sacrificing understanding.
Build a more strategic approach to textbooks, journal articles, exams and research while strengthening focus and retention.
Explore courses for students- Approach dense academic material with a clear plan
- Improve note-taking and study efficiency
- Recall key ideas with greater confidence
For professionals
Turn information overload into clearer, faster decision-making.
Process reports, email, industry research and professional reading more efficiently while protecting time for higher-value work.
Build your professional skill set- Navigate long reports and technical material
- Reduce rereading and attention drift
- Retain useful ideas for meetings and decisions
For organizations
Give teams a practical learning advantage they can use immediately.
Private workshops can be customized for companies, universities, associations, leadership groups and professional programs.
Plan a private workshop- Live virtual or in-person delivery
- Content adapted to your audience and objectives
- Optional pre- and post-workshop measurement
For lifelong learners
Read more of what interests you—and get more from every book.
Whether you are pursuing a personal goal, learning a new field or returning to a long reading list, the right techniques make progress easier.
Choose a self-paced course- Create a sustainable reading practice
- Improve attention and mental endurance
- Remember and discuss more of what you read
Learn your way
Training designed around real schedules
Start independently, learn live with an instructor or bring the experience to your organization.
Online Courses
Self-paced programs with guided lessons, drills and lifetime-friendly access.
Explore coursesLive Classes
Instructor-led sessions for learners who value structure, interaction and practice.
View live options1-on-1 Coaching
Personalized virtual instruction shaped around your reading goals and challenges.
Explore coachingGroup Workshops
Custom training for companies, schools, associations and leadership programs.
Plan a workshopWhy Iris Reading
Techniques you can use on Monday—not theory you forget by Friday.
Our teaching is built around guided practice, useful feedback and strategies that transfer to the reading you already do.
Practical first
Every technique is connected to a real reading situation, not an abstract promise.
Comprehension always matters
Speed is useful only when it supports your purpose and understanding.
Progress is measurable
Practice and assessment help learners see changes in speed, comprehension and efficiency.
One size does not fit all
We teach learners to adapt their approach to the material, context and goal.
Selected clients
Trusted by organizations that take learning seriously
Iris Reading has worked with leading companies, government agencies, professional associations, colleges and universities around the world.
Companies & professional teams
- Microsoft
- Goldman Sachs
- American Express
- Accenture
- HSBC
- IBM
- FedEx
- Salesforce
- PayPal
- United Airlines
- The Washington Post
Government & public service
- NASA
- World Bank
- U.S. Department of Education
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- U.S. Air Force Special Operations
- U.S. Army Special Operations
- Social Security Administration
Colleges & universities
- Stanford University
- New York University
- University of Chicago
- University of Michigan
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Southern California
- National University of Singapore
- University of Notre Dame
- University of Florida
- Texas A&M University
- University of New Hampshire
- University of Central Florida
Selected organizations are shown for historical context. All names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Reading at the Speed of Thought™
Our story
Built from the learner’s point of view
Founder Paul Nowak built Iris Reading around a problem nearly every ambitious learner recognizes: information keeps multiplying, but most of us were never taught how to read strategically.
Through live workshops, private instruction and online courses, Iris Reading has since helped students, professionals and teams worldwide develop a more effective relationship with reading and learning.
The methods continue to evolve, but the purpose remains simple: help people spend less time feeling buried by information and more time understanding, remembering and using it.
About Iris Reading
Frequently asked questions
A quick introduction to who we are, what we teach and how to get started.
What is Iris Reading?
Iris Reading is a training company that teaches speed reading, reading comprehension, memory, focus, note-taking and learning strategies. Programs are available for individual learners and organizations.
Who are Iris Reading programs designed for?
Iris Reading serves college and graduate students, working professionals, executives, educators, researchers, lifelong learners and groups that need to process large amounts of information.
Does speed reading reduce comprehension?
Effective reading is not about using one fast pace for every document. Iris Reading teaches learners to adjust speed and technique based on difficulty, purpose and the level of comprehension required.
Do you offer private workshops for companies and schools?
Yes. Iris Reading offers live virtual and in-person workshops for companies, universities, associations, government teams and professional programs. Sessions can be customized around the group’s audience, goals and reading demands.
Can I learn online at my own pace?
Yes. Iris Reading offers self-paced online courses covering speed reading, comprehension, memory, focus and related learning skills. Live classes and 1-on-1 coaching are also available.
What is the best way to get started?
Individual learners can begin with the free Reading Efficiency Score assessment or explore online courses. Organizations can review the group workshop options and request a customized plan.
Your next chapter
Make reading one of your strongest advantages.
Start with a course, measure your current reading efficiency or bring a customized workshop to your organization.