What do students say about their reading and writing at the end of a Developmental English course?

"I learned more in this English class than I ever did in high school."

"These reading assignments let our imagination do all the work. Seeing in my mind what happens in a book really gets me going."

"The I-Search project proved that I can do it, and I must never sell myself short."

"Now I don't get nervous and think negatively when I hear the word 'essay.'"

"My vocabulary increased so my papers sound more on a college level, as opposed to high school."

"I learned that I'm an excellent reader, and since reading 'Song of Solomon' I have developed a passion for it that maybe one day can take me somewhere."

"I feel very prepared because I learned the tools of doing a research paper."

"If you compare my old writing to my writing now you will see great improvement. Before, my writing was very choppy. Now, my ideas flow."

"Now I'm more open-minded about different ideas. For example, in my I-Search project I viewed both opinions of the bosses and the migrant workers."

"Our group discussions helped me improve my public speaking skills."

"The grades on my writing assignments outside of class are better."

"Reading books was the key to my improvement. I saw some of the same words, so I learned how to spell them. Reading gave me a chance to explore the depths of my mind and to be creative."

"I've been blessed by taking this course. It taught me how to express myself on paper, and allowed my usage of words to expand. [Changing] my thought pattern has also changed how I view the world. Instead of looking at it one-sided, I see how it is from other views."

What do students say about their instructors?

"He makes us feel better about ourselves."

"She encourages you to think and do your best."

"She makes learning easy no matter what the student's learning style."

"He does not give up on students."

"He is always encouraging and loves his job."

"She is a great teacher and won't let you give up."

"He will take the time to make sure you understand what he's explaining."

"She's hard but she's fair."

"He is one of the ones who cares!"

"We've become a class and not just a room full of bodies."