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Testimonials |
The Academic Associates® Reading ProgramWhat is it?
The Academic Associates® Reading Program is a very complete course in reading and comprehension. Although taught one-on-one, it is not “tutoring” as traditionally defined. It encompasses all the sounds, rules and processes of reading, beginning with word-attack skills and progressively encompassing comprehension and fluency. In my experience in teaching this self-paced course over the last 19 years, students usually require about 30-45 hours to complete the program—and graduates (including many with learning disabilities) typically have advanced at least 2 grade levels! The course is a curriculum with a beginning, middle and end. I do not use workbooks, flash cards (promotes memorizing), pictures (promotes guessing) or computer equivalents. All students are taught in a warm, supportive atmosphere using positive reinforcement to build self-confidence and self-esteem. There are no “tests” and no “wrong” answers.The Academic Associates® Reading Program is now taught at well over 230 licensed learning centers like mine in the United States and around the world, and has helped tens of thousands of all ages. This phonics-based program works consistently, even when other methods have failed. Aren’t all phonics programs alike?No. Most of them barely scratch the surface. They teach only the most basic sounds and leave out large blocks of essential skills. Some of these programs are helpful, but they are like a puzzle with many missing pieces. They often leave students confused and discouraged (see testimonials). While it’s true that some students (about one third) learn to read proficiently without any instruction at all, others (about one third) will never read well without being taught all 44 sounds and all of the rules of phonics in a logical, sequential and explicit way. It has to do with the way individual brains function and has nothing at all to do with intelligence (see how the brain processes reading). The middle third of students may have learned to read without the benefit of a comprehensive phonics program, but it is likely that they will read with some difficulty, limiting their success in all academic areas (see reading and research). Our program starts with the 16 letters that normally make only one sound each. Then letters and combinations that make other sounds are gradually added. Practice words are sounded out at each stage, incorporating all the prior sounds so that the process is continually reinforced throughout the program, becoming increasingly automatic. The goal of many first grade reading courses is to teach 200-600 words. In our very first lesson, our students, including those with learning disabilities, read at least 300 words and are empowered to read hundreds more.Reading comprehension is addressed in the latter stages of the program when the student can give more attention to meaning because less mental energy is needed just to decode the words. I usually find that comprehension has already improved dramatically at this point just from the shift in energy and attention arising from improved phonics skills. What kinds of students can benefit from this program?Reading is the key that helps students of all ages to succeed in school and in life. I have worked with students ages 6 to 60. Some have come to me not knowing how to read at all. Others were high school students actually getting A’s and B’s—but aware that reading was unnecessarily difficult for them making schoolwork a struggle. Our program has helped:
My students enjoy their time with me and often want to keep going even when their lesson is over. This is because I make learning to read fun and easy. I teach in a systematic step-by-step way that increases self-confidence at the same time. From the very first lesson, they experience only success in the process of learning to read (see testimonials). How do we get started?Let me show you how Academic Associates® can work for you. Call me for a free no-obligation reading evaluation for your student. If your child needs help in reading, this is one of the most important calls you will ever make. As a parent and educator, I know that reading is one of the most important skills we have taught our own children. Our reading course is the most advanced reading program ever developed, yet is so easy that children and adults quickly grasp the concepts. The Academic Associates® Reading Program supplies all the pieces of the puzzle and helps students fit them together into a complete, harmonious whole. |
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Academic Associates of the Gold Country |
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