The history of Rapid English:

Rapid English was originally conceived by its creators during post-graduate studies at Manchester University, under the professorship of Dr. Patricia L. McEldowney. (For academic context – a book of hers “English in Context” is worth a read.) Studies focused on the application of English teaching methods.

In an analysis of 40 experienced teachers, who had taught in 39 countries, is was found that mistakes being made were very similar for native and non native speakers. Mistakes were caused by certain aspects of the teaching method. By breaking the language down into logical steps, teaching effectiveness could be dramatically improved, no matter what the nationality.

By refining the theory, Norman and Margaret Hore applied this with secondary school students in Morocco on a TEFL basis. Norman and Margaret continued to refine the teaching practicality. They then moved to France to set up a consultancy firm – teaching to high level industry. The result was to make foreign executives operational English speakers in under 40 hours. They there for 20 years. They also had their text books (in paper form) published by Penguin, selling over 50,000 copies.

The firm grew very large, but the difficulty was getting new teachers to maintain the teaching effectiveness of the original system. With the onset of computing, Norman realised that the computer could more easily control the delivery of information, preventing teachers from falling into bad habits. Still working as consultants, the software began to develop, also with native students (1998 approx). At this point, the software was only designed to support conventional teaching methods.

In 2004, Norman was brought in to Reading Youth Offending Service to revolutionise the delivery of literacy provision for Students. Youth Justice was a great test-bed for developing the software because they were less constricted by conventional curriculums. They were highly responsive to result-based progress, and results were extraordinary! It was clear that results for native students were just as impressive as non-native.

The system grew to incorporate all forms of communication, including advanced auditory development, handwriting, and detailed grammatical diagnostics, making it possible for anyone to conduct advanced English delivery to students. Rapid English software, still in beta form, grew locally, getting two outstanding Ofsted evaluations (2008 Reading YOS – 2009 Wokingham YOS). By 2009 ,the software, was in a position to be delivered to external clients, with a minimal amount of training.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rapid English today

Since its success within Youth Justice, the Rapid English Course is now being used by around 60 client organisations, predominantly in Berkshire and Kent. Clients include; prisons, schools (particularly SEN departments), Alternative Provision, Connexions, Charities, etc.

Software remains in a permanent state of BETA. Developments and refinements continue to take place. We have a client feedback process which allows us to prioritise developments. Updates are made on a bi-annual basis, and upon renewal, clients are entitled to the latest developments.

All the while, Rapid English has conducted its own extensive research on the language, allowing us to carefully prioritise each aspect of the teaching method, and to pinpoint the aspects of the language which are holding students back.

The Course, because of its grounding in teaching pedagogy, actually supports students all the way up to university level, though it is mainly used to support students with learning difficulties.