The Essential Skills of Effective Reading (and Studying)
(Level: this course is offered for junior and senior middle-school students.  Students will be placed in the appropriate level during the registration process prior to the start date.)
Taught by Michael Ford.  Click here for Michael's profile.

This course is based on the idea that the ability to read effectively and efficiently is one of the most valuable and enriching skills that a person can possess in his or her lifetime.  When proper reading habits are developed and cultivated early, children reap enormous rewards, establishing a strong foundation for life-long learning.  Reading is our window to the world's knowledge and wisdom as well as the fundamental exercise of an active and creative mind.  When reading is conducted effectively, it becomes one of the most pleasurable and rewarding experiences in our lives as well as a gateway to personal and professional success.

This course focuses on the critical skills that make reading easy, enjoyable, and efficient.  Reading is much more than just absorbing words on a page.  It is in fact a highly interactive process involving active thinking, an ongoing analysis of the material being read, the real-time organization of ideas and information, and, when appropriate, proper note taking.  It is no wonder that good readers are high achievers.  Numerous studies have shown that ease of reading is a common thread among people who live successful and fulfilling lives.

This course provides a rich tool kit for reading effectively and efficiently, integrating the skills in such a way as to make them second nature for each and every distinct type of reading encountered, whether it's fiction, hobby, or pleasure reading; academic reading for classes such as languages and literature, history, the sciences, etc.; test preparation (both classroom and standardized testing such as the SAT), homework assignments and projects, and reading for research or general scholarship.  Every aspect is covered from how to approach a given piece to implementing essential review/follow-up techniques.

The following topics are covered:

Reading dynamics
Clear thinking and organizing ideas
Critical thinking, reading below the surface
Analytic and logic skills
Skimming, scanning, clustering
Reader response and reading journals
Effective note taking and annotation (the who, what, where, when, why, and how of good notes)
Increase reading speed
Improve reading comprehension
Maximize retention of information
Optimal methods and techniques for building vocabulary
Summarizing
Reading for homework assignments
Reading for test preparation
Effective writing and communication
Identifying and staying focused on what's important in a text
Reading tips and tricks
Time management
Different types of reading and reading materials (how/when to apply the appropriate skills)
Inference and deductive reasoning
Identifying patterns and ideas
Identifying the different ways that texts are organized, the function and purpose of chapters, etc.
Reading multiple books and multiple types of material at once
Understanding your reading level and measuring your progress

Join us on this fascinating journey into the world of effective reading.  This is a rare opportunity to study under the guidance of one of the preeminent experts in this field.

Course Title: Essential Reading Skills
Tuition Fee: RMB 3200

Spring Session 2013: March 6th to May 11th

Section A: Wednesday evenings (6:30 PM - 9:00 PM)   Registration Closed
10 weeks from March 6th to May 8th (Course Code: RS103)
Location: ELC Learning Center

Section B: Saturday afternoons (1:00 PM - 3:30 PM)   Registration Closed
10 weeks from March 9th to May 11th (Course Code: RS104)
Location: ELC Learning Center

Fall Session 2013: October 9th to December 14th

Section A: Wednesday evenings (6:30 PM - 9:00 PM)
10 weeks from October 9th to December 11th (Course Code: RS103)
Location: ELC Learning Center

Section B: Saturday afternoons (1:00 PM - 3:30 PM)
10 weeks from October 12th to December 14th (Course Code: RS104)
Location: ELC Learning Center

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE

Registration Procedure:
First register online to reserve your place.  You will receive a confirmation email with further details and instructions.  Payment must be made on site at the ELC Learning Center during the payment dates shown below (you can come in person or send someone).

Tuition fee payment for the Fall Session 2013 will take place Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, September 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th.  The payment hours are 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Payments will be received in the Registration Office at the ELC Learning Center.  Payment must be received on time to complete your enrollment and maintain your reservation in the class(es) for which you have registered.

Register early to reserve your place, as many classes fill up quickly.  If the course for which you are registered does not reach the minimum enrollment requirement, you will be notified of the cancellation before the payment dates.  As such, we receive payments only for courses which are proceeding as scheduled.  Please note, we do not offer trial lessons or discounts of any kind.  Refund Policy: No refunds will be issued after the start of the term.