2 - Sundsy, June 21, 1987 - North Shore News

A two-month head start on
the fall school year can pay
worthwhile dividends for
children and their parents, ac-
cording to an innovative
educator who specializes in
helping youngsters reach their
full learning potential.

“For those students who
achieve good grades in school,
supplementary education can
enrich their enjoyment of stu-
dying and put them even fur-
ther ahead...”

“Many parents become
needlessly upset about a child's
year-end report card that shows
C's or D's? said Glenn Hogen,
PhD, vice president of educa-
tion for Sylvan Learning Cor-
poration, a network of franchis-
ed facilities that provides sup-
plementary education. There
are 14 Sylvan Leaming Centres
now open in Canada, with five
more scheduled to open
shortly.

“Grades are comparative, not
‘bad’ or ‘good’ in themselves?
Hogen asserted. “The main
message conveyed by a low
grade is that the student has a
learning gap that needs to be
filled? Hogen explained that a

‘gap’ can be caused by a stu-,

dent’s missing class on a day
when an important principle
was explained, or by not clear-
ly comprehending the approach
to solving math problems.

“Think of the year-end report
card as a quide io correcting a
learning difficulty? Hogen advis-
. ed parents. “A few hours a
week in a supplementary
teaching program — call it a
‘summer education camp —
can bring the child up to speed
and make the transition to the
fall school term easier’

“All students, even the
brightest ones, lack certain lear-
ning skills? said Hogen, who
develops the curriculum for the
Sylvan Leaming Centres, which
this year will introduce a new
study skills and homework sup-
port program. “The dual pur-
pose of supplementary educa-
tion” noted Hogen, “is to fill in
learning gaps in certain sub-
jects and, most important, to
help children acquire study
habits that will serve them for

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Sylvan HelpsStudents
Reach Their Kull Potential.

SEPTEMBER SCHOOL PREPPING SHOULD START IN JUNE

a lifetime?

If a child has had an un-
satisfactory year at school,
there is a danger that the stu-
dent will develop a_failure-
oriented view of learning. Sup-
plementary summer education
can restore children’s con-
fidence in themselves and head
off a self-fulfilling prophecy of
failing during the next term, ac-
cording to Hogen.

‘For those students who
achieve good grades in school,
supplementary education can
enrich their enjoyment of stu-
dying and put them even fur-
ther ahead? said Hogen. “As a
former public school teacher,
assistant principal and
superintendent, I've seen the
importance of positive rein-
forcement techniques. En-

clude comprehension, word
analysis, vocabulary and ap-
plied skills including oral
reading and study skills.

The math program focuses
on computation and applica-
tion. The algebra program
stresses numeration, fractions,
multiplication, time and
measurement.

Initially a student is given a
series of standard educational
diagnostic tests to determine
his capability levels. The tests
are approximately one and a
half to two hours in length and
cost $100.

Immediately _—_ following
testing, a Sylvan staff member
will confer with parents to
discuss the student's level of
achievement, skill gaps, and
most importantly, what the stu-

“With the constant guidance of a certified instructor, your child
will learn the reading or math basics he needs to reach his full

potential,”

couragement is the key to pro-
gress in learning’ reflected
Hagen. ‘It’s a key that can open
doors of opportunity for every
child?

If your child could use
supplementary education, the
Sylvan Learning Centre can of-
fer your child an individualized
learning program, in basic
reading or math and Algebra.

Reading skills programs in-

dent's individual needs are.

Testing results will dictate the
completely individual require-
ments that will make up the
student's program.

Teaching sessions are on a
one-on-three basis in terms of
teacher-student ratio; it is im-
portant to note that each stu-
dent is equipped with a learn-
ing program that is completely
and uniquely suited to his or

“Think of the year-end report card as a guide to correcting a

learning difficulty.”

her specific needs.

Classroom sessions are 60
minutes in length. On an
average, the student is asked to
address six or seven tasks and
all are accomplished during
class. Sylvan does not work
with homework assignments
and no homework is assigned.

The results? The results are
excellent. Based on diagnostic
test results, Sylvan can
estimate the time required to
reach grade level.

In addition to scholastic
results, the student also enjoys
increased self confidence and
esteem. Incentives are high,

and achievements are awarded
with Sylvan tokens, which can
be ‘spenf at the well stocked
Sylvan store.

During the summer months,
Sylvan is open for instruction
Tuesdays and Thursday mom-
ings with classes at 9, 10 and
11:00 a.m. Afternoon instruc-
tional hours begin at 4:30 until
6:30 and are held on Mondays
and Wednesdays.

If your child needs instruc-
tional assistance, the first step
towards helping your child this
summer is to arrange for an ap-
pointment at the Sylvan Lear-
ning Centre.

Call today for more
information. There's
no obligation.

Sylvan
Learning
Centre.

Because success
begins with the basics.

SOB Syeat | razon Conpetater

-201 - 1217 Lonsdale Ave.
North Vancouver

985-6811 -