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Dear fellow teachers
The prime motivator for developing this
writing skills programme was the increasing numbers
of students in my classes who didn't know even
the most basic writing skills.
When I thought about it, I realised this situation
was a natural development from the early 1970s, when
edicts in education discouraged instruction in
written language. A decline in literacy skills followed,
so that now, whether you look internationally or
within New Zealand, our literacy figures are shocking.
The second reason for writing the programme
was to reach out beyond my own classroom - to help
as many New Zealanders as possible, including the
many teachers who have come through the education
system since the ‘60s and ‘70s, who also
missed out on learning the basics, and are now faced
with teaching them.
Students like the programme for several
reasons: they say it's fun (their first response!),
it's easy to use, it improves their confidence which
also reduces their stress levels, saves them time,
and improves their marks immediately.
Teachers like
it because it integrates technology into the teaching
and learning of writing, and offers support for teaching
and other classroom issues. They like its comprehensive
coverage, and the fact that it can be used either
as self-directed study (the answers are embedded
in the programme) or as a template for their own
grammar and punctuation lessons in NCEA, Bursary
and Scholarship. And, of course, they like its professional
reliability: the fact that it has been thoroughly
researched and trialled.
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Heather Ker BA Hons (1st class),
DipALT, DipTchg
© 2004-2009 Basic Writing Skills Limited
Author/Developer Better Writing: Better Grades™ |
