|
Portable
Document Format
Thank
you so very much for a most professional, well organised
course. THRASS is a brilliantly thought-out phonics programme
which should be taught in all of our schools. As therapists,
we are at an advantage with our background theory and
experience in the phonics sphere but having the resources
provided by the programme provides a consistent reference for
children to benefit from. I look forward to using this
programme with the deaf and language-learning challenged
children I encounter. Thank you again.
Thank you very much for an extremely interesting course. This
is a whole new view on teaching reading and spelling and I am
confident that this will open doors for educating the deaf.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience! Can't
wait to start!
What a wonderfully, inspiring two days you have given us! This
programme is so very carefully structured to address what we,
as teachers and teacher trainers, have in the past neglected
to reveal to our children and students. This is an essential
course for all teachers - I support your mission and hope I
can contribute in some small way. South African education
desperately needs this programme and the support for
implementing it successfully. Thank you Alan, Hilary and Laola
- I have "air under my wings"! To the teachers from
Fulton, your contribution was inspirational.
A good introductory tool for beginners handwriting. The
materials are children user-friendly because they are easy to
learn after use. I also recommend that the THRASS be applied
to blind learners also. I have learnt a lot in these two days
and wish the course may be spread over four to five days
because there was so much to learn within a short period.
This THRASS workshop has provided me with a greater
understanding/knowledge that will come of a great use to, when
teaching in our classroom workshop. I am a deaf teacher, and
this workshop has opened a wider understanding to a world of
language. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look
forward to taking what knowledge I have gained from the THRASS
workshop and applying it into the classroom environment as
will as to everyday learning situations. Many thanks.
Absolutely brilliant. Innovative, fun and very interesting.
Wow! Where do I begin to thank you! You have confirmed the
value of these wonderful courses. You have empowered so many
teachers of the Deaf, which will have life long influences on
all present and future deaf children. We will continue to make
it work and continue to share what we can with all educators
of the Deaf. Thanks so much!
Excellent presentation. Informative. Has provided alternate
activities for teaching young learners language skills (deaf
learners). As an educator 'the map' provides an excellent
resource, as many aspects of language can be developed using
it.
What can I say! It all makes so much sense. Each stage was
clearly presented. Excellent examples were used. The materials
are clear, beautifully prepared and presented. Thank you for
your generous sponsorship of the course and materials. Wow! We
are blessed. This will make a radical change in my treatment
of the children in my care and I think I'll make a lot more
sense to them. The demonstrations were amazing. Thank you!
The handwriting programme is a great eye opener for me,
especially with the reception year learners. The whole THRASS
training programme is excellent. I have learnt new language
skills and activities that will help me in the classroom with
the Deaf. It is good to try and share different skills. Keep
it up.
A 'mind-melting', worthwhile, valuable course that every
teacher needs to consider in the teaching of English. I love
that it dispels all the 'lies' we have long been putting in
place. I also love that you have the open-ended 'catch-all'
option that allows this programme to grow with the future and
move with new developments. Your passion and conviction were
inspiring. Thank you! What a dream!
I appreciated the skilled and purposeful way the course was
facilitated. This was an extremely worthwhile and enlightening
experience. Thank you for sharing your "mission" and
your passion so effectively with us.
The course was a fruitful two days course. I have been
teaching Deaf learners for ten years now trying to get a Deaf
learner to acquire language was a struggle but after the
course I feel I have something to offer for Deaf learners. It
is difficult when you teach without tools, now I have a tool.
As soon as I get to school I am going to implement THRASS and
I am going to give the information to the teachers in my
phase.
Excellent programme. Well structured. Suitable for deaf
learners with adaptations. Will help to improve spelling,
reading, writing and language levels in schools of the Deaf.
An extremely useful course. I had some idea of what THRASS is
all about but this "hands on" approach has really
opened my eyes to the incredible possibilities it offers. I
have personally never been good at spelling (and have tried to
hide this fact with dreadful handwriting) and THRASS has given
me instant better spelling ability. Good luck and best wishes
for the future.
Finally, a most valuable resource and support system for the
daunting world of reading, writing and spelling as well as
literacy skills for beginner learners (and those challenged by
these skills such as dyslexics). The possibilities are
endless. Thankyou.
I can now see the benefits of THRASS even with hearing
impaired children. However, I do believe hearing children
would benefit more. Unfortunately, at this stage it would be
difficult and confusing for children (e.g. my hearing child)
who are already being taught the traditional method, to
enforce this as well. The only way is for South Africa
Education Department to recognise this system. There would
also have to be a phasing in and phasing out period. South
Africa does not have the infrastructure.
Very informative, well presented. A paradigm shift with regard
to reading, spelling and writing. I am interested in using
what I learned with my secondary special ed. pupils. Thankyou.
I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend this
course and receive the materials. The presentation was very
clear and practical with demonstrations to illustrate.
Speakers were clearly audible and visual aids easy to see. I
enjoyed the whole experience and hope to encourage the use of
THRASS in the schools I work with. I will definitely try it
out on my own children!
I can see THRASS working well for hearing kids. Would like to
use with my own kids at home. Application in high school in
particular my subject not sure will work because kids here
have no knowledge of any language - no idea what they
represent at all. Will study this and find a way.
Brilliant program but would like to see it in practice and
results of research. Colourful, handy learning support media.
Two days workshop - very practical, step by step introduction
and teaching of THRASS. Demonstrations helped to understand
programme. Thanks for the materials!
Lots of information given to make your brain 'steam'.
Information well researched, presented and displayed to all. A
pity it's come at such a late stage for some of us! but a huge
thank you for all your time, research and motivation. It was
worth it!
An outstanding programme. Well presented and outstanding
resources. There will be a need for follow-up.
I thoroughly enjoyed this two-day course! As a Grade R
educator, I feel equipped to go back to my school and
immediately implement what I have learnt. My learners are
definitely going to benefit! NO DOUBT. This must reach more
schools in S.A.
The course was presented in a professional manner and out of
it there is a lot that I gain, that I also think that they are
going to be useful for my teaching as well. I would also be
glad if you can also go to Cape Town whereby you can do this
training to other teachers as well, as we are facing a problem
of language. The reason why I said this, it was a fruitful
course where I feel that other members of the staff can also
gain a lot out of the THRASS training.
Thank you very much for conducting such a programme. It is
really challenging and I'm so motivated to see myself
practising it. I really thank you guys. Well done! Thank you
very much for the resources you have given us. At least is a
good start.
The course is very interesting and I've learnt new things I
was not aware of. It is very good for people who are deaf -
those who can speak their mother language but not know English
is not the same when you speak Zulu like: your - YO DOCTOR -
DOKTA, MOZAMBIQUE - MOZAMBIKHI. Thank you for everything.
It was a very interesting course with lovely attitudes from
the lecturers. It has achieved its aim though it needs
practise from me as one of the students who have seen THRASS
for the first time. I think if I can be privileged to get more
training and practice it can be good.
This workshop was an eye-opener to me. I hope if I can
implement it to my learners they'll be able to spell words
correctly and gain more vocabulary at an early level. I think
it will be more helpful if most of the educators in different
schools should attend such workshops.
Excellent program and presentation - looking forward to using
and implementing program at my school. Thank you for your
time, effort and resources! Very structured and well organised!
The course is really enlightening and demanding and would help
a lot in language learning. I wish I had the powers to
influence the Department of Education in my province so that
this programme can be cascaded there, especially for training
of trainers. Our general trainers lack a lot of knowledge. As
a language practitioner, I wish to get more opportunity to
learn more on THRASS and still implementation and research on
it - for the benefit of our deep rural learners/pupils.
It was a two-day gaining knowledge course, even if it was not
specifically for the deaf child only. I have gained much from
this course.
Wow! Thank you so much for affording us the opportunity to
hear your message. For me, it has been wonderful to hear about
THRASS from its creator! Obviously there is a huge mind shift
that needs to happen as we have been implementing Letterland
and Jolly Phonics. I really see the value of THRASS. My
challenge will be implementing this approach in my private
practice and changing teaching strategies. Thank you so much
for your generosity and kindness.
Really liked the way it was presented and organised.
Comparison to Letterland of use. Resources wonderful.
Demonstrations were great! Would have appreciated buying
resources now. Do realise that could cause practical problems,
though. Good mixture in group - parents, teachers, therapists.
Thankyou.
I enjoyed the demonstrations. It showed me step by step how I
can present THRASS in the classroom. I have been exposed to
many ways that I can use THRASS to improve the literacy of the
children in my class. Thanks for all the hard work to improve
the children of the world's literacy.
I think this is a brilliant program. I am also glad that I had
a chance to learn more about it and could help my other
children, not only with spelling but English too. Take care.
Good luck to you all!
I think this course was very interesting and I learnt a lot
from it. The phonics were very interesting, knowing that we
don't have to use the old phonics. Thank you all very much for
the course.
I enjoyed the course very much and found it informative and
interesting. It showed me a new or different way or method of
introducing phonics to young children. Thank you very much for
enlightening us.
Alan, Hilary and Laola, I have enjoyed seeing the total
overview of THRASS. The concepts of name of sound vs. phoneme
(the job of the sound!) is an important concept. It was also
good to see examples of all the targets and how the total
system operates. I do believe it has application for deaf
learners. I also enjoyed it because my boys are now in a
THRASS school and as a mum I can assist my own children in
using THRASS in their spelling. I want to say a special
thankyou for your generosity in giving the THRASS teaching
guidelines, charts and a C.D. Thanks for a great practical
workshop. Best wishes.
This has been a most wonderful experience - your programme is
fantastic! I have learnt so much and look forward to
implementing all the ideas/strategies! Also, being able to
order the resources over the Internet soon and being able to
use the website are something to look forward to! Thankyou too
for all the handouts given today.
This was a worthwhile and invaluable workshop that helped
shape my perspective on the approach of teaching phonics and
spelling successfully to learners from the African background
using English as LOCT. The variety of materials, most
especially the C.D. can be a good support to the teacher who
cannot differentiate between similar but different sounds,
e.g. bird and bed. I would very much like to set up a workshop
and invite you to conduct such a workshop. I'll contact you
for further arrangements.
Thank you for all your time and effort. It is very in-depth
and detailed and it is very impressive that you have gone in
so much detail into the foundation of the English language.
Thanks.
The course was interesting and the knowledge I have gained is
of importance. The demonstrations were well prepared and that
served as a good example for one to see what is expected of
him/her. For our deaf pupils they mostly need visible things,
that is "PICTURES" for the lesson to be successful.
Teaching aids were well presented "Day One" for the
lesson of the little ones, and that was fantastic. Wishing
these could have been a course for one or two weeks that we
can maybe demonstrate whatever.
I found the course to be very interesting. Seems to be a very
practical "hands on" way to handle many
"problem" kids that I work with. Very intense! Hats
off to the creator of the course. Thank you very much for all
your input, hard work and patience.
Well done! You came with the piece, which was lost in my
teaching especially in mastering spelling and vocabulary. This
material of THRASS is a "must have" in each and
every classroom. Thank you very much.
Great. Well organised and presented. A lot of information to
process and will definitely access the web site.
Very informative. If the programme is followed strictly in
Primary School, we in the High School would have no problem
with comprehension and interpretation of questions especially
with Mathematics.
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to learn more about
this system. Thank you to the organisers, worker bees, foot
soldiers etc. and for all that has been provided and given.
Good to know that we can maintain contact via e-mail. More
please. Many thanks again. Joy and success in the future.
Course was excellent and very interesting. A lot of
information, which I hope we will implement successfully,
because I think it can really improve our learners skills. A
great presentation.
Excellent method to be taught at a very young age to prevent
difficulties. Very logical and practical to teach a variety of
skills. Astounded at the simplicity and "common
sense" involved.
Interesting but very short to comprehend the THRASS. I would
request the organisers of this THRASS should make follow-up
for the schools which attend this workshop. The material was
of utmost importance.
Wonderfully enlightening. Having started with THRASS 18 months
ago without proper training, the course has filled in lots of
gaps and helped to give an overview of where we are aiming
for! Very well presented and clear, entertaining and
fascinating. Wouldn't have missed it!
As a Remedial Teacher in our school (Gr 0-7) I have found this
course most valuable. I can't wait to use it! It is exciting
and innovative and I think has a fantastic future. Indeed I do
feel "at the beginning of a journey"! Thank you too,
for your most generous gifts of resources for use in our
schools. Thank you to Fulton for your fantastic hospitality!
As a Grade 0 teacher I really appreciate the fact that the
children will have a whole picture of English from the
beginning of their school career. It can be used as whole
class teaching, groups and individuals. Having a cochlea
implant child as part of an inclusion programme I am rally
excited at the thought of embarking on "THRASS" with
her! Thank you for a most enlightening course.
The programme is good for teaching handwriting; reading and
spelling the information for was more for two days. I have
learnt but I'm not confident or sure enough that will be
enough for starting. I believe more days were needed for
learning. Through your support of material I will continue to
learn and I pray and hope should be successful for the
teaching and learning situation, as I wish to bring the change
in deaf especially in literacy. Thank you for your
contribution and efforts. We appreciate it a lot. Thanks.
Thanks very much for a very practical and enlightening course.
I am feeling a lot more confidant about using THRASS with my
Grade One pupils. Your aids are super and I am looking forward
to getting started. I am sure to use the website often. Many
thanks.
Maps are excellent resources. The potential as practice,
application of possibilities links well with the Revised
National Curriculum Statement. Congratulations with something
that demonstrates profound commitment and energy towards
excellence.
Very fruitful. I've learned a lot about how to teach my
learners handwriting, but I am still going to struggle with
reading and spelling as my learners can't hear. My own hearing
children are also going to benefit. I am really excited about
it. Alan and partners, keep the good work up. May god bless
you.
After having been 'thrown into the deep end' as a new teacher
trying to cope with sign language alone last year, and then
having to start teaching THRASS, it has all made it so much
clearer and more meaningful and I don't/won't feel like I'm
drowning anymore! It has inspired me to really get going now!
I am happy to see the THRASS. They worked hard for your THRASS.
We enjoyed with you. We had more learn the THRASS. I hope that
we will work hard for that. Thankyou.
This THRASS has given me lots of information, and I would like
to say a big thanks for the hard work as you have lots of
resources. I amazed to sit and listen a long explain
everything. I believe when we do the next day and do our best
teach as a THRASS. Really very interesting. I wish and I would
like to be same as yours. Thank you so much. God bless you.
I'm very interested in THRASS workshop for two days. I'd like
to say thank you very much for informing us how to develop
about THRASS. I'm very happy and wish I can teach my son what
you do with THRASS but my son hearing. Hope I'll teach him
what I teach about THRASS. Thank you a lot. Hope you enjoy
your travel and safe alive. Wonderful days, you have given us
a lot!
I'm grateful for this wonderful opportunity. There are ways
that the deaf children can benefit from it, especially for
language development. Many thanks for this kind of opportunity
you have given to all of us!
It's been a very interesting course meant to upgrade the
standard of education for the Deaf as their education is often
ridiculous to most communities at large because of their
English spelling problems, since their language needs full
understanding from qualified interpreters/educators that have
not been trained at special centres. Hope this can be
repeated! Facilitators, well done to you all!
I really enjoyed and I learnt lots sharing with you guys. It
was very interesting to have you guys. I wish you can come
more. God bless you. Keep well.
Thank you Alan for letting us attend the workshop. This was
wonderful for me to see how you use the THRASS programme. The
presentation of the workshop is very good and well prepared.
I have learnt so much from this course. I think it was
wonderful.
Every aspect of what encompasses written language has been
accounted for and so superbly constituted in an outstanding
programme. All of you are passionate about the programme and
what you do. That passion is for me what makes for outstanding
teachers. The material allows for anyone working with it to be
passionate because the material is so outstanding. Thank you
so much for sharing that passion and re-igniting mine.
The course has been very interesting particularly for me as an
educator. Presenters were competent and knowledgeable. Would
these be considered please: - Train the educators or delegates
who will be responsible to spread it over the Country. Lobby
with education department to incorporate this in their
department. Blacks - most second English speakers would
appreciate this programme, for they still struggle in English.
Keep well and prosper
The workshop was valuable. I believe it will change the way I
teach Deaf children. They will really benefit. The
demonstrations I have seen are incredible. Thanks a lot guys,
you deserve the best. Alan Davies and his team, keep it going!
Return to TOP
|
