About
Reading Town
Reading Town – The Most Comprehensive Learning System Ever!
Welcome to Reading Town.
Our elite programs in Language Arts (reading, writing, presentation) and Math programs have been formulated 30 plus years ago and modernized through decades of experience, observation, feedback, and continual testing. Through our unceasing efforts to develop the best-in-class educational programs, our students were able to achieve higher GPAs with marked improvements in their reading comprehension, advanced writing, speech presentation, and math computational skills. Since we opened our first center in Flushing, New York in 1986, we have disseminated our proven and highly effective programs globally and now operate over 200 centers and counting!
Our philosophy is that effective learning is the single greatest investment you can do for yourself, and it is an investment that keeps on returning to you. In accordance with this philosophy, we are proud to announce our new comprehensive curricula, which incorporates our core Language Arts and Math programs along with SAT/ACT test prep and GT.
Each Reading Town center is equipped with our versatile curricula and top-notch faculty to address the diverse academic needs and challenges of students in K-12 grades worldwide. Our innovative approach to highly effective instruction will empower students to develop learning habits to conquer any educational challenges and achieve their academic goals.
Programs
Mathematics
Our Objective
Math shouldn’t be the subject that you feel fear. Rather, it must be the subject you can enjoy after you understand the basic concepts and how to apply your understanding of them. Hence we firmly set our objective in math: You can absolutely overcome any math challenges and learn new math concepts within 6 months.
Our Beliefs
1. We believe that six months is all you need to learn new math concepts.
If you devote six months to resolve your math challenges, you will be able to overcome any math problems now and in the future.
2. We believe that 1x3 is greater than 3x1.
Mathematically, the value of 1x3 is the same as 3x1. However, if you work to understand one math concept thoroughly, your confidence and capability will improve faster than cramming many concepts partially.
3. We believe that your math skills will not improve by solving a lot of math questions.
We will never force you to solve math questions tirelessly. It is more effective to learn new concepts gradually than hurriedly.
4. We believe that repetitive drills make math boring.
Studies have shown that old-fashioned repetitive drills are less effective than previously expected. “Quality” learning is more important than “quantity” learning.
5. We believe that if you cannot explain a math concept simply, you do not fully understand it.
To quote Albert Einstein, you should be able to explain a math concept in your own words if you fully understand it. Otherwise, your understanding is incomplete.
6. We believe that mental math skills are far more important than knowing how to use a calculator.
Calculators are a great tool to quickly solve math problems, but a terrible a tool to understand math concepts. This is why we prioritize and promote mental math skills by providing our proven and effective computation speed training.
Our Approaches
Our approaches to help you achieve your math goals are made possible through:
1. Most accurate assessment
We can pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses in math through our proprietary E-Scan Math assessment tool.
2. The optimized and customized math curriculum
By assessing your math level and areas for improvement, we can customize a math program for you to optimize your learning.
3. Comprehensive math curricula
We have designed nine major math programs with the help of math experts and professors to address the diverse needs of students.
4. New age technology and modern programs
Our math programs utilize new IT technologies and modern techniques to keep you engaged and focused from start to finish.
5. Self-enlightenment
Once you fully understand a math concept, you are able to apply your enhanced math knowledge and learning ability to other math problems by yourself.
6. No boring repetition, only effective check-ups
Our programs do not contain boring drills, endless repetitions, and unrealistic math questions. However, we check to make sure you are grasping new concepts consistently and to monitor your progress toward your math goals.
Our Programs
There are 9 highly effective math programs that can help you overcome your math weaknesses and improve your math skills within 6 months.
1. 7-Step Success Problem Solving (1st ~ 8th Grade)
You will learn how to illustrate the solution steps by using simple drawings and number(ed) sentences. Through this method, you can improve your understanding of math logic and inference significantly. If you have already experienced Singapore Math, then you will love our 7-Step Success Problem Solving.
2. Common Core (3rd ~ 7th Grade)
This program covers all Common Core State Standards in each grade level, which will allow you to excel in your school’s math classes.
3. Speed Math (1st ~ 5th Grade)
Speed Math utilizes various mental calculation strategies and enables you to compute quickly, confidently, and accurately.
4. Computation Wiz (Kinder ~ 7th Grade)
The Computation Wiz program helps you navigate each lesson easily using detailed examples and 4 different types of problems in practice sets.
5. Magic Math (Kinder ~ 8th Grade)
Magic Math is systematically-designed to help you master computation skills rapidly and effectively. If you have experienced Kumon Math, you will love our Magic Math.
6. Math Wiz (3rd ~ 7th Grade)
Math Wiz includes all the “must-know” concepts in each grade level. This program contains every math topic required at each grade level in the Concept-Test-Application format.
7. My Math (1st ~ 6th Grade)
My Math focuses on grade level math problems. Each chapter starts with easy computation questions and provides many problem-solving and multiple-choice questions.
8. Math Wiz Algebra / Geometry (8th ~ 11th Grade)
Math Wiz Algebra focuses on all topics in Middle School and High School math classes. This program includes important terms, formulas, methods, and supportive examples to help you excel at an advanced level in algebra and geometry.
9. Power High School Math (9th-12th Grade)
This program is created to provide you with a foundation to develop high-level math skills in preparation for college. It is segmented by our proven Power Algebra, Power Geometry, Power Pre-Calculus and Calculus courses. Our students have seen a significant boost in their high school math GPAs and standardized math tests (SAT/ACT) after taking this program.
Reading
OUR OBJECTIVE
Reading is a fundamental skill and being a strong reader is a requisite for future success. There is a reason why the single most common bond shared between the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and billionaires is reading. Bill Gates is known to read up to 50 books per year and billionaire investor Warren Buffet once said, “Read 500 pages every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.”
As you get nurtured by our reading programs, you will make substantial improvements in your reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Our program will help you reach your potential as an excellent student and a lifetime reader.
We aim to improve your reading level by at least 2 years ahead of your school grade and train you to become a life-long avid reader.
OUR APPOACH
We first assess your current reading level using our proprietary assessment tool called E-ScanTM. After assessing your reading levels, we customize our reading programs for you and assign reading books and relevant course works to maximize your reading progression. Each week, you will choose one to two books from our center’s in-house library. You will read one to two books per week at home or at your local Reading Town, and actively engage in discussion about the books with your instructor. Next, you will test your understanding of the reading material by answering comprehension questions on our web-based learning management system called E-Learning GateTM, a huge quiz database.
As you navigate different reading levels, we will monitor your progress and recommend different genres of books for you to read. We will also supplement your reading with our interactive NextBuksTM, our own published web-based e-books. Your customized reading program will provide a balance between fiction (literature) and non-fiction (informational text): K to 4th grade (50%:50%), 5th to 8th grade (45%:55%), and 9th to 12th grade (30%:70%).
We have also diversified our vocabulary programs to help you learn more grade-appropriate, domain-specific, and content-based words. These programs will enable you to understand the nuances of words and meanings in context, in addition to frequently-used, grade-relevant Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meanings of words.
Lastly, since all passages of SAT and other standardized tests are getting longer and more complex, you will be expected to read and decode the given passages faster than ever before. Our programs will train you to be a fast reader and our team will periodically measure your reading speed (WPM: words per minute) to track and assess improvement.
Reading Programs
We have formulated and implemented various reading programs to meet the diverse needs of reading. We recommend the following programs by grades;
- For Pre-K to 1st graders: Easy Start, Jump Start
- For 1st to 3rd graders: Reading Wise, Classic Starts, Easy Chapter books
- For 3rd to 11th graders: Comprehensive Reading
- For 6th to 11th graders: Speed Reading, Test Prep Reading
To learn more about each reading program, please contact your local Reading Town center.
Library BOOKS
We have multiple collections in our in-center library and online library, which are composed of about 4,000 hand-selected books. Our prized trove of literature includes original classics, autobiographies, and literary and informational texts, including many Newbery and Caldecott winners.
A. In-Center Library
To meet Common Core Standards and each grade level’s diverse reading requirements, we have continually expanded and modernized our in-center library collections. Our goal is to provide a balance between fiction and non-fiction genres, including reading series with high interest among teens. Our in-house library enables you to read must-read books from a wider variety of genres and subjects than ever before.
- Original fiction collections: 500 titles
- Classics: 200 titles
- Nonfiction: 500 titles
- BTN collection: 450 titles
- 1,000 collection: 850 titles
- Total Printed Book: 2,500 titles
B. Online Library
We also offer more than 1,500 highly-interactive e-books called NextBukTM in 13 different genres for Kindergarten to 8th graders, which can be accessed anywhere and anytime. NextBukTM is the next-generation e-book, which integrates interactive stories, artwork, workbooks, and tests into a single online platform.
- NextBuk series: 1,080 titles
- Classic series: 216 titles
- HIP series: 256 titles
- Total Online Books: 1,552 titles
Writing
OUR OBJECTIVE
Strong writing and communication skills are critical for success in all areas of society. Writing is a lifelong skill that forces you to organize your thoughts in a clear and concise manner, whether it be through a text message, an e-mail, a school paper, a college resume, or a job application. Being able to effectively communicate your thoughts and opinions will improve your understanding of new information and help your work be recognized by your peers, your future career, and your community.
We aim to improve your writing level to the top 5% of your school grade and provide you with the tools and guidance needed to become a productive and creative writer. Our program will help you learn how to communicate clearly to your audience and to respond logically to literary and informational sources.
OUR APPROACH
After assessing your writing level, our team will customize a writing program that focuses on three primary segments: persuasive writing (to persuade), expository writing (to explain), and narrative writing (to convey experience). The level of focus in each segment will depend on your grade level: K to 4th grade (30%:35%:35%), 5th to 8th grade (35%:35%:30%), 9th to 12th grade (40%:40%:20%).
These customized programs will educate you on proper sentence construction, (how to write sentences that are clear and grammatically correct), how different genres of writing need to be structured (i.e. narrative writing requires who, what, where, when, why?), and what to include to help a reader understand your message. Each week, you will choose from a selection of writing topics from our online STUDY ROOM. Next, you will write your first draft on either your writing notebook or on W2, our online writing platform. Your writing coach will evaluate your draft and instruct you on how to revise your work to clearly deliver your message or ideas. Lastly, you will complete your final version and your coach will do a final evaluation and list your areas for improvement.
Through repetition and continual collaboration, you will notice vast improvements in your writing ability.
Writing Programs
We have developed comprehensive writing programs to help you improve your writing skills quickly and effectively.
- For K to 2nd graders: Sentence Skills, Creative Writing
- For 1st to 9th graders: Writing Master, Essay Writing
- For 2nd to 6th graders: Writing Up
- For 4th to 8th graders: Research Writing
- For 7th to 11th graders: Test Prep Writing
To learn more details of each writing program, please contact your local Reading Town center.
WRITING RESOURCE
W2
We have upgraded our web-based interactive writing platform known as W2, an application that facilitates collaboration and in-depth review between you and your writing coaches. This platform also allows writing coaches and parents to monitor every step of your writing process. After you submit your first draft on a given prompt (topic), a writing coach will review your work and provide detailed comments on grammar, sentence structure, genre structure, and organization. Your writing coach will also offer recommendations and insight on how to approach certain writing topics and to make sure your writing is clear and concise. You will have access to your coach’s explanations and assessments anytime and anywhere. After you make updates to your first draft, you will then submit the final draft. The writing coach will do a final evaluation and will send a summary detailing your progress and areas for improvement. You will be expected to complete one essay every two sessions.
Grammar Skills and New Grammar Skills
You will master all conventions of standard English grammar and mechanics in record time by using our meticulously structured grammar workbooks called Grammar Skills and New Grammar Skills. These learning materials were developed in-house through years of research, inputs from experts, and continual testing. The workbooks will provide a gradual progression to understand all elements of English grammar and a writing coach will explain each grammar concept per chapter. You will solve the grammar questions in each chapter and test your understanding of the material by taking quizzes online.
Presentation
Our Objective
Presentation skills are often overlooked in our school system even though any leadership position in our society requires a person to be a strong speaker. The objective of this course is to coach you on the fundamentals of speech and verbal presentation so you can apply this skill in your school, future career, and community. We aim to build confidence and proficiency in your speech and presentation skills so you can deliver your message persuasively and effectively every time.
Our Approach
While learning writing and presentation in tandem, you will combine our interdisciplinary sampling of project material and source information (i.e. literature, current events, art, and culture). You will be instructed on the elements of what makes a persuasive speech and receive established guidelines on how to deliver a clear presentation in a public setting. Some people have outgoing personalities and are natural presenters, but the key to becoming a top-notch presenter is through practice, feedback, and more practice.
You will be required to choose one category among the following: Book Report, Biographical Reports, Campaign Speeches, Science Report, Geographic Report, Mathematical Report, Current Events Report, Personal interest Report, Community/School Report, and Issue Report. Next, you will choose a specific topic within that category.
Our speech coaches will work with you in setting your personal presentation goals, which will focus on the following speech styles: convincing, demonstrating, educating, entertaining, and informing. Then, you will learn how to write an outline of your speech and revise your drafts according to your coach’s feedback.
You will also learn and practice the 7 techniques for effective public speaking: (1) Good Eye Contact; (2) No Distracting Gestures; (3) Enthusiasm & Expression; (4) Meticulous Preparation; (5) Use of Voice and Tone; (6) Appropriate Talking Speed; (7) Strong Body Language. You will be required to practice these established techniques in front of your coach, classmates, family, or by yourself in front of a mirror.
Finally, you will make a final presentation that will be evaluated and recorded for your personal records.
Presentation Programs
We offer best-in-class presentation programs. Based on your grade level, we recommend the following programs;
- For Pre-K to 1st graders: Show and Tell, Oral Summary
- For Grade 1st to 2nd grades: Show and Tell, Storytelling
- For 3rd to 6th graders: Research Presentation
- For 6th to 11th graders: Expository Speech, Discussion, and Debate
To learn more about each presentation program, please contact your local Reading Town center.
Summer School
Our Objective
Summer is a great opportunity to further develop and strengthen your learning capabilities and get a head start for the new semester. Our summer programs provide an intimate classroom setting where you can actively work with teachers and coaches to achieve your educational goals. You can choose class times that best fit your schedule and participate in our elite summer programs to dramatically boost your scores, learning, and skills.
Our Objective
In this era of rapid technological and educational advancement, you will face much higher academic challenges than ever before. As a result, it is a great opportunity to upgrade your academic preparation during the summer months to adapt to the increased academic standards. For the past 20 years, we have recommended our established and proven summer programs, Honor’s Roll and Pick & Grow, to help students improve their academic competencies. We make sure to hire seasoned instructors and coaches to help guide you through educational challenges and create strategies for improvement. Lastly, we make sure our programs are continually refined to include the best educational practices and modern techniques.
Summer School Programs
Honor’s Roll (Morning Session / 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM) – 7~8 weeks
Welcome to our Honor’s Roll Program, where you will work with our veteran team of teachers and coaches to assess your areas for improvement. Together, you will collaborate and execute an improvement plan for the upcoming semester. You will study our core reading, writing, and math programs utilizing our latest learning material, systems, and curricula. You will also include other subject matters that you would like to prepare or improve upon for the new semester.
Pick & Grow (Afternoon Session / 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM) – 7~8 weeks
You will pick one or two of our most effective subjects below and receive highly-concentrated and interpersonal instruction during the summer. Your instructor and coach will be there to answer any questions and offer you perspectives on how to tackle problems and develop solutions. We guarantee your academic abilities will dramatically improve after you complete this program.
Change all grade format to Gr 4-8.
SAT/ACT Prep
Our approach
Our SAT/ACT Prep course, named CSTEM prep, has been developed with the help of SAT/ACT professionals and experts to increase test scores of our students within a remarkably short period of time. We understand the stresses, pressure, and difficulties that come with preparing for standardized tests. As a result, CSTEM prep is systematically designed to incorporate modern learning strategies and proven techniques to help students obtain higher target scores in standardized tests.
Let us reveal our four secrets briefly.
1. Systematic Preparation
There are four major procedures students should follow to achieve higher scores:
(1) Becoming familiar with all questions type
(2) Verification of their understanding
(3) Taking at least 10 practice tests under realistic simulations
(4) Focusing on their weaknesses with customized worksheets
2. Exact Simulation/Accurate Evaluation/Pinpoint Projection
Practice tests are conducted under a simulation environment that mirrors the conditions of the actual test setting. Once each practice test is complete, an accurate report card is generated instantly with a detailed analysis of each student's performance. All of their answers are scored, evaluated, and analyzed to pinpoint each student’s area(s) for improvement. Throughout this meticulous procedure, we can predict which types of questions a specific student may struggle with and create an action plan to strengthen their skillsets.
3. Self-Enlightenment
Though students can prepare for standardized tests in advance with the help of trained instructors and coaches, they are ultimately by themselves when taking the actual tests. Hence, CSTEM Prep focuses on helping students discover and learn for themselves on why they got wrong certain questions wrong. Our program provides students with a ‘Review’ window in ‘My CSTEM Room’ (online study room), where they can identify their mistakes and figure out how to solve these questions for the future. Our expert coaches will be available to answer any questions and provide explanations in a 1:1 setting.
4. Customized Worksheets
Our studies have shown that students gain the most points on their standardized tests by focusing on improving their weakest areas versus taking long, mind-numbing tests repeatedly. With the help of our state-of-the-art assessment tools, we can create individually customized worksheets that contain question types that each student struggles with the most. Students have to complete all given customized worksheets and be able to explain how to solve each question to their coach.
3. Self-Enlightenment
Of course, students should take care of themselves in actual tests. There are no tutors around them. That means students should build up their understanding of test types completely. Hence, students should realize by themselves why they got wrong certain questions. We provide them with tools called ‘Review’ in their individual online study room called ‘My C*STEM Room.’ Through their own work at ‘Review’ window, students can reduce simple mistakes, improve bad habits in tests, and enhance their capabilities. For questions which an individual student cannot understand, our coach explains to each student on 1:1 setting.
4. Customized Worksheets
As our other slogan says, we can tell which questions you may get wrong in actual tests. Therefore, it is the best strategy to focus on their weak areas instead of having them take boring tests repeatedly. We can create individually customized worksheets which contain only types of questions which each student are weak. Not only they should work all given customized worksheets, but also they should be able to explain how to solve each question to the coach in our center.
