The Original AVON Lady

Elizabeth Munroe, ESOL teacher writes:

A certain young man from Iran decided to come to New Zealand to study English. Even though he took English as a subject at school he was never any good at it, and failed his tests miserably. He was not allowed to take English in his final years at High School, because he just couldn’t pass. He needed English for his tertiary studies: He wanted to be a lawyer, and a lot of his text books woul… Continue

by Hannah du Plessis

With the way we communicate today it is often difficult to read between the lines that your child is in trouble with a subject at school. The phrases “Sarah can do better” or “Johnny can apply himself a bit more” is often used and can apply to anyone. I mean, if we are totally honest, most kids can do better.

Perhaps you started noticing your child coming home with lower grades. Or perhaps the report card is so tactfully worded that you can’t tell that the te… Continue

By Hannah du Plessis

When you attend any class today, you often hear the teacher say “Well done!” or “that’s excellent work” or “Susan is listening so nicely” or “Thank you, Johnny for doing such neat and tidy work.”

Is praise a good thing or is it a form of control? Who benefits by praise?

Praising kids would certainly work in the short run as they are hungry for attention and praise. However, using it too often can have damaging effects. Kids need our approval and they need lo… Continue

By Hannah du Plessis

The number one reason is always better grades: most children learn better with one-on-one tuition and undivided attention. They are more comfortable in asking questions, and not as self conscious as in a classroom situation.

Another reason would be that the environment is more conducive to learning than in a classroom, which makes it less stressful for the student. Tutors deal with students daily; know how to set them at ease, and how to get the best out of t… Continue