How Think. Write Transforms IB and JC English Learning

A teaching methodology built on deep thinking before writing

Think. Write’s name was derived from a simple concept: One has to first think, pause to process the thoughts, and then compose the response. In other words, our teaching philosophy revolves around teaching our students how to think critically – not in the way that all centres promote “critical thinking” nowadays, but to truly understand how to dissect a piece of text, understand its essence, and know instinctively what to do with it.

Cliche expressions like “reading between the lines” or “reading beyond the surface” are not wrong, but the real questions remain: How do we know what we are doing is correct? Even if we are on the right track, how can we assess whether there are incremental improvements and decide the next steps to take?

Starting with personal assessments and our diagnostic tool

When students begin their journey with us, we will first conduct a series of diagnostic tests to identify their reading and writing issues, followed by a quick interview with each individual student to further understand any underlying concerns. Rather than just determine their issues via common mechanical issues like grammar, our team assesses the nature of the errors, specifically in terms of whether there is a coherent understanding of what is required of them.

This is partially done through DSCRIB, our proprietary tool that does keystroke logging for learning analytics. Through the writing patterns that cannot be seen with the naked eye, we are able to assess whether students have issues with specific parts of their writing. Whether it is in terms of choosing the right word, integrating an expression into an existing point, or constructing a piece of evaluation that requires more analytical language, these pointers provide an in-depth breakdown of an individual’s writing process.

Every writer is different, but not all these differences are immediately identifiable, much less solvable in limited spaces of time. From IP/IB Year 1s to students taking their O or A Levels, knowing every potential area of struggle makes it easier to streamline potential solutions and address the problems more effectively.

The most common concern that parents and students share is whether lessons are effective enough to address examination requirements. Given how language acquisition is not an easy process, it is a valid and relatively complex concern.

The common mindset is that students who are good at language have the talent in the first place, and the rest of the common population struggle because they do not have the same intuitive feel for reading or writing. Thus, it is not uncommon for us to have students who have relatively passive or even defeatist mindsets at the beginning, or the other extreme of having unrealistic aims of a distinction when the learning gap is a chasm.

This lack of awareness, and consequently control, is usually what hinders development. An individual seeking to improve cannot take the necessary steps if the starting point is not clear, or if the ambitions are too lofty and beyond one’s capabilities.

Empowering students to learn effectively and independently

Every Think. Write student is required to develop this sense of self-awareness. This is not only to promote holistic habits involving independent learning, but also to cultivate a sense of control over both the micro and macro parts of learning.

Rather than promote templates for rote learning, the Think. Write curriculum focuses on empowering our students. To borrow the wisdom from an aged proverb, it is never prudent to give the fish, as teaching how to fish has longer-term benefits. However, our students are taught to question what the fish IS in the first place.

Start your journey with Think. Write

At Think. Write, every student’s journey begins with understanding where they are and where they can go. Our free 30-minute consultation offers a chance to experience this first-hand. Bring along your past papers or assignments, and our tutors will walk you through an in-depth review of your strengths, areas for growth, and a clear recommendation of next steps to achieve your academic goals.