I am the owner of software engineering firm. I can’t tell you how often I struggle with brilliant engineers, computer scientists, and mathematicians that cannot write a proper sentence. From informal emails and inter-office memos to sales presentations and multi-million dollar proposals, we end up doing a lot of writing at my company. I am frequently reminded about how poorly even highly educated and well-compensated professionals are at basic reading comprehension and writing. What good is the most brilliant software product if my staff can’t communicate the concepts to a potential customer through a professionally developed sales presentation?
This is by no means isolated to the software industry. My company does a lot of college recruiting across all majors, and the fact is that graduates today are not equipped with what I would consider basic language skills.
As Ms. Price states in the article, there are rules and techniques that must be learned in English before anyone can advance to a mastery of the language. It is not possible to obtain this mastery through rote memorization; the underlying logic must be understood. With enough practice and the proper instruction, nearly anyone can obtain a high level of proficiency.
I did not receive the practice and instruction that I needed in public school. I learned those skills from Ms. Price. I consider my skills in reading and writing, developed over years of after-school sessions with Ms. Price, to be one of my most significant strengths in business. I just wish that this instruction was available to more people through a standard public school curriculum.
Business Executive
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My daughter and I started working with See Me Read before she was three years old. Today she is four and recognizes all the letters and knows the sounds. She is starting to read. We accomplished all this in ten minutes per day playing and having fun with See Me Read. She didn't even realize she was learning.
Third Grade Mother and School Teacher
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Thanks to your program, my 6-year-old had a huge start in kindergarten and more importantly, he enjoys reading every day! His 4-year-old brother is starting See Me Read now, and we have already ordered a copy for our 13-month-old to have ready when he's ready. See Me Read has presented us with quality time together that I never thought of in the beginning stages. Your program takes a good common-sense approach to learning the sounds letters make, and the stickers really make it fun.
Physician/Surgeon
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See Me Read is a uniquely simple, yet clever approach to the early stages of reading. Each lesson provides quality time with their child.
Reading Tutor, County School System
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Had a call last night round 9 p.m. from a former student-parent in Virginia to tell me that her son continues to stay an honors student (8th grade now; I taught him during 2-3rd grade) but that he had just made a perfect 600 score on his language arts SOL state test--the only perfect score in his school. Another student here, 5th grade, got perfect writing score. Such wonderful news--no wonder I stay on a high with the adrenalin such "goodies" provide.
Co Author, Betty G Price ***