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Alan is an extremely dynamic course presenter. He succeeded in making the time
go quickly because we were never bored! I thoroughly enjoyed the course and
absolutely believe that every teacher in the country should be trained to use
THRASS. It is genius in its logical and “naturalness” and simplicity.
Brilliant! What a sea-change! I am motivated and ready to teach phonics well!
Your enthusiasm is contagious.
Enjoyed the course – logical – cleared concepts learnt at school. Excellent
presentation – can’t wait to implement THRASS. Excellent balance of theory and
practical presentation.
Thank you for the energy and passion that inspired and motivated me to be
involved right from the start! Thank you for the content, the fantastic
amalgamation of many years of research and real practical truth that you have
shared with us. We are inspired as a school to become THRASS facilitators as our
learners have special education needs and therefore need to go to the true heart
of the whole picture! Everything was presented in a dynamic way and very
relevant and personally meaningful.
Wow! What an amazing experience. I have not only heard a great deal of new
information. I have had many laughs!
Outstanding. Very charismatic. Not one dull moment. This course very lively
presented. Mind boggling. I need to make a serious mind-shift. Very challenging.
Very interesting. Material very well set out.
The course was very informative and interesting. I think the learners are really
enjoying it. Hope more educators can get a chance of attending. Thank you for
making it interesting.
Absolutely amazing. You were so alive and knowledgeable that I was taken back.
To think we have been teaching in such a boring way for so many years and you
have this modern way, which is a definite inspiration. Was so organised, well
presented and exciting. You made it look so simple but I will study it in
detail. Many thanks for two good days/well worth every second.
Very interesting – a refreshing and challenging approach to phonics. Good use of
charts and resources. Good practical ideas for the classroom. Well presented,
animated and held our interest. I enjoyed examples from other countries as well
as local examples. Course was well planned in terms of timing. Very enjoyable
and thought provoking – a lot of detail to absorb, but well worth it.
Wow! Exciting, inspiring and it all just makes sense! This has been the most
worthwhile course I have been on. I cannot wait to go back and encourage our
school to change over to THRASS asap!
I was so excited about this course, I could not contain it and went to our
principal to set it up before Monday. I am totally excited to share this
wonderful experience with our schools. I felt I was totally ill-equipped before
to teach English, I am now more confident.
Fantastic, comprehensive! I am so happy now because I’ll be able to explain to
learner that some letters have different jobs and sound, of which at first, I
couldn’t explain. I would let the learners memorise without understanding, that
caused a problem in the long run. I hope and trust that I will no longer going
to brainwash my learners. ANYMORE!
Alan Davies is the great tutor, the best that every learner is looking forward
to in his class everyday. Teaching and learning is a great experience for every
learner and the manner in which learning is presented in this course makes a
person learn more, where you seem to gain knowledge and evaluate yourselves a
teacher. The course was well presented and surely needs one to look at his/her
teaching methods. Thanks Alan. It was great.
Very good course – extremely valuable. Should have been done over a longer
period with shorter sessions so that “information overload” won’t take place.
Finally, there is a way to teach children in a system that makes sense. Alan is
a very good presenter and his passion and knowledge is inspiring.
Fantastic! Really enjoyed it.
Very interesting! Would have been better to have shorter hours over more days,
as it was difficult to process it all in two days! Thank you for the picture and
grapheme chart! They’re great!
Alan is a great presenter. Enjoyed the course. As a high school teacher I feel I
need a special course to be able to implement it with older learners. Hopefully
I will be able to use some of the ideas to start an effective reading programme
at my school.
I was a little lost in places as I have not had to use the basics of spelling
and language creation on a daily basis in years. This has given me hope on how
to help my own children. I’m not exactly sure how to implement this at high
school level. Frustrating as I found the course very informative (and lively!).
A very lively, interesting presentation. I learnt a lot during this two days.
Now I can see light for the child in my class who can’t read at all. Very
informative. Thanks a lot.
Well conducted, full of motivation and encouragement of teaching the language as
a whole. Facilitator very active and kept awareness throughout. Made everyone
participate.
Enjoyable. It was a challenge to change my traditional way of thinking. I was
the sole representative from my school, wish more colleagues could have come
with me. Thanks for great material – will help me to feed back to my colleagues
at school. Hope it comes into the government schools soon. Thank you for a
beneficial experience. Interested in more input.
Most enjoyable. I have learnt so much! Although a lot does not apply to high
school pupils there is still much that we will be able to use. Time was a factor
– a lot of material compressed into very little time. It would have been
wonderful if we could have taken time off and really done everything thoroughly
and in depth! At my age things do not sink in that easily any more! I had a
great time!
Well presented, clear, well explained. Went through every step clearly so that
one can understand exactly what THRASS is all about.
Fantastic practical course. Well presented. Excellent in terms of practical
application in the classroom.
Very interesting, well presented. Would like to hear more about more advanced
methods, for older children (gr. 10-12) e.g. sentence stress etc. Lovely
resource material.
Thoroughly enjoyable and insightful. Very user friendly. Passion and enthusiasm
from Alan is a breath of fresh air. Too many years wasted on “a,a,a,a,a”!
Materials are excellent. So many opportunities and variations have been opened
up with my teaching of phonics.
Mr Davies. A rather interesting approach to the “phonics” debate. Certainly a
novel idea that I believe would be undoubtedly effective. Thanks for this tool –
a true god-send!
Fantastic – it makes a lot more sense. I enjoyed the presentation and ideas that
were put forward. The anecdotes were very entertaining but at times distracted
me from the ideas being covered.
I came in very unsure wondering if this was just another money-making racket. I
have been delighted to find that all the strategies that I have been using have
been consolidated in a GREAT, COMPREHENSIVE programme. Thank you.
Well run course – I would have liked more practical examples for high school
pupils who need remedial assistance. Overall, though, an enjoyable, entertaining
and enlightening two days.
Have acquired greater perspective as to why learners make the errors that they
make. This teaching method can definitely be adapted for use in the high school
situation. Many games and ideas can be adapted to suit even much older learners.
Thank you – lovely well constructed, fabulous two days!
A very inspiring and motivating presentation. I feel very privileged to have
been able to attend. Possible suggestion. : spread over three days, but for
shorter duration (brain was dead after lunch!).
The course was very informative and interesting. It has created a new mind set
for me and it makes sense. Although quite overwhelming in two days, I look
forward to putting my new-found knowledge into practice (once I’ve gone over
everything again).
Inspiring and interesting. Dynamic presentation. A little overwhelming to take
in all the information and to try and relate it to high school environment.
Interesting. Needs a bit more time to do the activities properly giving one more
practice and confidence. Will be excellent when I teach my pres-school child but
will definitely help my grade 8 learners at school.
You were amazing. It was extremely exciting. I really enjoyed the course. I
can’t wait to start. My daughter is doing the course at university and we can
work together.
Fabulous, interesting, exciting programme. You kept us entertained and
interested. This will definitely be a great help in all schools. Can’t wait to
get going with this at school and getting our senior teachers on board. Children
will be motivated to learn about words. Also, scary to unlearn our own bad
habits to empower our children to enjoy words. Thanks, you were great.
An eye-opener! Changed my way of thinking – for that I say thanks! I am very
keen to start this with my class – and I am confident that they will learn so
much.
Presenter is entertaining and interesting. Content very useful. As a high school
teacher I would need to select certain areas which would be useful to my pupils.
I would love to implement this from a junior level! The course has certainly
shown me why certain problems exist amongst high school pupils.
Very well presented, kept me interested. Although the course as a whole is not
suitable for high school, there are many concepts and ideas which I feel can be
implemented within the high school system. Presenter was excellent and dynamic.
Thanks for a motivating presentation.
Well presented. Although it was more for primary school teachers, there is some
that can be used at high school level. Thank you for a stunning presentation,
Alan. I enjoyed your humour and enthusiasm.
Excellent course. Very dynamic. A lot of valuable information was passed on.
Concern is implementation with learners who’ve already been exposed to the “old”
method.
Brilliant, really enjoyed it. Great that it is so interactive and you give
practical, meaningful examples. I found some parts repetitive .. ( which some
people need, I understand!) Most of all I love the passion, integrity and
ideology/principles that drive you, your work and THRASS as a whole.
Very exciting and informative but felt bit “frazzled! by final session each day.
Sessions seemed to fly by, definitely not boring. Information very comprehensive
– can implement what we have learned, hopefully effectively. Liked the fact that
aids are available but not “pushed” at us, and you’re prepared to differentiate
“nice to haves” from essentials.
A wonderful, interesting programme. Learnt a lot. Will be able to help children
with problems. Can’t wait to start.
Thank you for a vibrant, energetic presentation. It has consolidated may facts
that I have always felt about the phonics programme in school. Being in the
transition phase between Foundation Phase and Intermediate phase I will find
this a very useful programme to utilise and implement. I can already see the
value for children with reading and spelling difficulties. It is great to have a
table for something I have been working towards for a while. I look forward to
the Afrikaans tools!
Very good, interactive. Perhaps it would be better if all teachers were from the
same grade (it would make it more age appropriate). Some things seem to only
apply to very young children. Otherwise, Fantastic – great course.
A very practical and insightful course. I hope the development of the Afrikaans
version will follow soon. This is a concept to implement asap into LD schools. I
am very excited. Please carry on with this wonderful work. If there are
follow-up courses – I will definitely attend.
How did anyone learn to spell before. Excellent course. But where do we get the
charts from? You held my attention fully. How do under-privileged schools manage
to pay for the material? All levels/grades to matric teachers should do this
course.
Thoroughly enjoyed your course, Alan. Feel more confident about implementing it.
Amazing, awesome, overwhelming, exciting!
Alan Davies has created a programme that will alleviate dyslexia in South
African schools. I wish that our government could make this course available to
all South African teachers in order to have competitive learners in near future.
Great course. Really brilliant. Can’t wait to start using it. I think it will
make a real difference in the quality of teaching. The course was presented
well. Lots of enthusiasm and very interesting.
Brilliant! Two days too short. I personally have learnt more about the English
language. Thank you for your enthusiasm and approach to teaching children to
read. Looking forward to teaching my staff and allowing them to attend all the
THRASS courses. Wish the ‘Government’ would come on board with introducing
programme and equipment.
Initially I was very negative – thought it was elitist. I am now converted. The
course has inspired me. It makes complete sense. The Gr 1s will be implementing
it from Monday. Our prep has already been changed to accommodate what we learnt
on the course. Thank you for the inspiration to an old teacher. The course was
professionally organised, prompt, with good material.
Reassuring – we do so much that you recommend! Awakening and motivating – I now
want to go back and implement THRASS and teach well. It all makes such sense! It
is definitely the way to teach. Presented totally amazingly!
Really enjoyed this course. Reminded me of lots of our own knowledge –
practices, that we have let lapse. Plan to implement this year. Positive
reinforcement for children – multi-sensory approach is vital.
Enjoyable. Open up our minds for new methods to teach. We hope to implement it
at our school as soon as possible.
10/10. After seven years of not teaching this, this has been an amazing
experience. I am motivated and inspired and can’t wait to “THRASS” my class on
Monday. Just one suggestion – 3 x days at a slower pace – I am “bushed” but boy
does it feel good.
Excellent presentation. Convinced that this is the right way to go. Will begin
planning and implementing as soon as possible.
Fantastically presented. Lovely ideas to use in the classroom. Everything said
made so much sense. I don’t feel “lost in the dark” about teaching phonics
anymore.
Very well presented, informative and educational. One has to think in a
completely new way when teaching, reading and spelling. At last the weak
spellers will now have the chance to improve. I now feel more confident to teach
THRASS.
Excellent! What a wonderful and lively presentation by Alan. We are more
enthusiastic than ever before! The THRASS can be implemented in all learning
areas! It is very, very interesting.
An excellent course. I enjoyed it very much. You were very good.
You are an excellent teacher. Coming in on this course knowing a little – I have
left feeling confident enough to go and teach it myself. I really love the fact
that it’s a multi-sensory approach and it makes so much sense. English is an
illogical language with exceptions to rules, weird pronunciation etc. You have
made it logical.
Very interesting course. I also learnt a lot as a teacher. It helps me a lot
with pronunciation of words.
Very impressive course. I would like to attend more of such training sessions.
Was I stupid!
Alan – where’ve you been all my life? Thank you for your inspiration and for
sharing your innovative ideas with us. It makes so much sense and I can’t wait
to “fix” my grade 8’s and 9’s! I do think, however, that you should consider a
position in the British Parliament – as Minister of Education! Thank you for
your time, effort and enthusiastic presentation.
Excellent presentation. Colourful.
Presenter – very energetic. Well prepared. Thank you very much. Very
informative. Can’t wait to put to practice. I think that other educators from
all other learning areas should also attend.
A very interesting, interactive and informative training session. Thank you for
your energy and hard work that went into preparing and delivering this training
session.
An amazing two days going through the “periodic table” of teaching handwriting,
reading and spelling skills. A lot to take in in two days – the crunch comes now
when we implement everything. Alan is a vibrant, amazing person, very passionate
about what he has produced – a real “Bible” to teach with.
A well presented course. I enjoyed your energy! I left your course motivated and
excited about starting THRASS as soon as possible. Visual aids were excellent.
It was a wonderful workshop. Will definitely use THRASS in my class. Alan was so
entertaining and kept us interested. THRASS will work very well in South Africa.
Very informative. Inspirational. A good experience. Presented with great
enthusiasm. I learnt a great deal and can’t wait to start with my little ones.
Thank you for your time and efforts!
The course was fantastic. It is not often humour is added to Workshops. Very
enjoyable. I definitely agree with your teaching method and what you said. Let’s
hope we get South Africa ‘Thrassing’.
A wonderful “eye-opener”. I’m excited to try this with my child – who has always
struggled with reading and spelling. I’m hoping to “target” a few “problems” in
my class too! A logical way of teaching spelling and phonics. Thank you for a
most informative presentation. I am looking forward to starting THRASS.
Well presented. Very informative. Charismatic presenter. Would really like
material to be available in South Africa and prices in South African Rands.
So much to learn and so little time! Most enjoyable, informative and inspiring.
Also, interactive and fun.
Enthralling, challenging, inspiring – well worth giving up a Saturday! A fresh,
new approach to teaching, reading and phonics. I’m so pleased I did the course
at the beginning of the year so that it can be implemented within the classroom
as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and enthusiasm.
Super, very informative and well presented. Good use of media. Great sense of
humour. Two days a bit short but we understand the time constraints. So good to
be extended and get the brain working.
Finally, I have found a summary of the phonemes of English – I’m thrilled to
have found it. I’m really hoping that this will help those teachers who have
asked for help with teaching reading, because I do believe that this is the
truth. (I would have liked a button to slow you down at times, though..)
An excellent course. It makes me wonder why we used the old phonic system for so
long. A lot to absorb but it’s exciting.
Clear and articulate detailing of English spelling. We have battled for ages
with a growing problem with literacy. This will give us a foundation from where
to begin again. Thanks for two informative and entertaining days.
This course was a real eye-opener. As someone who has never had difficulty with
spelling, it made things clearer to me as to why some children have difficulty
spelling different words. I can’t wait to start with this on Monday!
Enjoyed. Alan very lively, keeps you captivated throughout. Would have liked to
have worked in small groups as often less intimidating than asking questions in
front of a crowd. Thanks for all your help.
Enjoyed the course! Alan is a brilliant speaker and teacher. Can’t wait to get
back to school to get started. Thanks a million!
Alan, you were excellent! I learnt a lot.
Thank you for a wonderful course. I can’t wait to use what I have learnt.
Excellent! Very well presented – a lot to take in at times. I love the way it
involves children of all abilities. I’m still a little unsure of conveying it to
children. I guess I’ll have to practise. I love the way it preserves the dignity
of the children.
An exciting and entertaining course. Alan is an enthusiastic speaker and keeps
you on the edge of your seat. Thoroughly enjoyed the course and very excited to
start implementing the THRASS system. Thank you for opening our eyes.
Very interesting – needs to be used in all schools throughout South Africa.
Never been on such a long course before where I have enjoyed each and every
minute. A bit concerned as to where to start – but will revise at home.
I’m convinced. Alan is most entertaining – in fact he should be on stage! In two
days material – a lot of it – was clearly presented. To sum up in three words –
Interesting, Informative and Great!
I thoroughly enjoyed the course – Alan, you are a genius! The map you have
created is exactly what children need in order to be able to spell and read. For
the first time in my life I now understand where all the different sounds
(phonemes) of the English language live. I would like to thank you for all the
time and effort you put into explaining the THRASS programme to us. You spoke so
well and engaged us every step of the way. You have really motivated and
inspired me to use your programme and I can’t wait to get back to my school and
put it into action!
Absolutely wonderful! The best part of the course is that it is so practical.
Alan, you are a great presenter and your passion and love for children is
infectious! Keep it up with your wonderful work!
Exciting, motivating, refreshing, innovative. A great amount of information in a
short amount of time. Well-presented! Thank you for your passion and desire to
make extreme changes so needed. Well done!
Excellent. I have learnt a lot. Alan you are a star! You do keep us in fits of
laughter, you keep our attention and I wish you everything of the best for the
future. A course to remember and to build on.
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