Future School
Testimonials from Schools who have used the Future School programs
"Dear Future School Team, I am the Intensive English and ESL support teacher for St Phillips Christian College and I have been using the Discovering English Program extensively for the past 3 years. In fact, this program is the basis on which our Intensive English is constructed and we could not possibly operate without it.
- It enables us to teach students of various ability levels in one class.
- They work at their own pace and ability level, with one on one guidance and input from the teacher.
- Advisory involvement is essential for the oral recording sessions and the final writing and speaking lesson at the conclusion of each unit.
- Each unit is constructed around teaching a particular grammar point.
- This is done is such an engaging manner;
- With excellent use of graphics, dialogue and varying assessment methods, so that the students remain so engaged that they are often reluctant to stop;
- Oral presentation is emphasized using a pronunciation feature available for each word in the reading exercises and a recorded chat session;
- There is equal emphasis on grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking and writing;
- The standard of achievement required ranging from Elementary to Intermediate Levels 1 and 2.
- The completion of this program is an excellent basis for entry into Year 10 after the students achieve 5.5 in the IELTS qualifying examinations.
- For younger students, or even older students with poor English skills, the primary levels 1 – 6 are very useful and engaging for the students.
- The graphics are delightful and the grammar points are taught in a thorough and thoughtful manner.
- Students may require vocabulary assistance for other subjects such as Maths, Science, Commerce and Geography.
As a tool for ESL teaching, I have never seen anything else that is so adaptable,
engaging and effective in allowing students to improve at their own pace. I have
found that students who commence the program at Intermediate level can
usually finish Level 1 and Level 2 in six weeks. However, we allow 15 weeks
because some students begin at elementary or pre-intermediate level.
Our students study Intensive English, 6 periods a day, 4 days a week. Our
primary teachers are encouraged to use of the program in regular classrooms to
support ESL students in a less intensive manner.
I feel privileged to be using this program with my students and have no
hesitation in recommending it for use in all other educational institutions."
Margaret D Mulligan - Intensive English Teacher - St Phillips College
"The unique ability of this system to capture the pupil’s attention, facilitate
interaction and motivate learning.
This is what makes it so valuable in terms of enhancing the teaching and learning
process."
Mr K Dudakia, Independent Registered OFSTED Inspector.
"The system was able to hold the pupils' attention - even those with concentration
difficulties - and it was easy to use by those who lacked confidence using IT.
The children are receiving good National Curriculum teaching when they use the
programme and it’s like having a class assistant who gives you interesting and
valuable reports on each individual whenever you ask."
The Deputy Head teacher from St Joseph’s RC Primary School.
"Future School is like having another teacher in the classroom. Each child has its own
individual teacher giving them one to one attention which is what every parent wants
for their child."
The Head teacher at St Francesca Cabrini Primary School.
For those teachers concerned about learning the new technology.
"For anyone who might be IT shy, they needn’t be. Future School is an extremely easy
system to use for both teachers and pupils alike. It explains everything to you step by step.
I’ve had a very positive reaction from the teachers I have trained so far and they’re
looking forward to using it."
Michael Larkin, IT Co-ordinator for St Francesca Cabrini Primary School.
"It is impossible for any school to keep up with the fast moving technological
developments within education ICT. However, what we can do is look at which resource
will genuinely maximise the expertise of our teachers and therefore be of greatest
benefit to our children. Future School is the first teaching and learning system
available to schools in this country which enables teachers to become interventionists
and work smarter, rather than harder. For the first time we have a package that not
only offers rapid learning gains to students but also facilitates assessment for learning
rather than assessment of learning."
Mr David Triggs, Head teacher at Greensward College which has been awarded Technology College Status in the past.
"This is the first software system for schools that I’ve seen which has some serious
teaching potential. It merges video technology with information technology, giving
us an extremely powerful tool to help teachers teach our future generations."
Mr Steve Monks, Head teacher, Sinfin Community School, Derby.
Testimonial: Future School Literacy Programme
"St Leo’s Catholic College implemented the Future School system in all Year7-10 English classes in 2009 to support the college literacy focus. Used primarily as a homework tool, students have benefited from consolidating their classroom lessons though engaging interactive on-line lessons. The ability to track student progress has been extremely helpful to teachers, and more recently the ability to individualize the programme for each student has made it more responsive to individual needs."
Brenda Timp. English Co-ordinator.
"FS is a tremendously exciting system development in teaching and learning methods
which exists today. Not only is this new system like having a teacher for every
single pupil in the class, something all parents wish for their child, but it also
helps teachers do their job even better."
Mr Geoff Allen, Deputy Head teacher, St Joseph’s RC Primary School, Birmingham.
"The Government is making funds available for all schools across the country to put
towards networked computer systems. Future School is now available and is a core curriculum
solution to providing independent learning opportunities for children through the
use of ICT, and ties in perfectly with the aims of the NGFL."
Mr Lee Regan, Head teacher, St John the Baptist Primary School, Solihull.
"Using Future School to help teach maths has added another dimension to learning.
As well as giving pupils a renewed enthusiasm for the subject, it helps to increase
concentration levels and boost self esteem across the board."
Mrs Jill Forbes, Head teacher, Emerson Valley Combined School, Milton Keynes.
"Future School helps teachers respond to problem areas more efficiently,
without disturbing the whole class. The system is very user-friendly.
Teachers do not need a vast knowledge of ITC and can be confident in using Future
School with as little as two hours training."
Mrs Margaret Hedley, Deputy Head teacher.
"The educational material graciously donated by Future School will have an enormous impact on schools in the Pacific in two major ways.
First for the schools that are grossly under resourced, it will give them materials to work with that are simple to use and easy to adapt to their particular cultural setting. Many of these schools have no textbooks to work from.
Second, it provides structured approach that will take any student from where they are currently scholastically and progress them to their full ability especially in the areas of Maths and English grammar.
For the students in Vanuatu and Tahiti the French programs will be invaluable as well.
The material is set out well enough that untrained teachers will be able to work from them.
The Education Department of the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church wishes to thank all involved at Future School for this amazing gift.
The schools throughout the Pacific are already excited about receiving such a quality resource."
Ken R Weslake, Associate Director of Education, South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.