Pat WW TP4

I had a forth tutoring session with Cyriaque today at the library. I have learned to structure my lessons around whatever questions Cyriaque has generated during the week. So, before I start my lesson I always ask how his week was, which usually leads us into his pending questions.

Today question was about deciphering a letter from a firm in Miami Beach that specializes in translating and assessing degrees earned outside the US. Their prices were really, I thought, outrageous! They wanted $350 per document and had many extra charges as well. They wanted every detail of a person’s life as well as their financial history and social security number. We looked up the company on the net and they looked legit. Then I showed Cyriaque how to access the Better Business Bureau and he was pleased that such an organization existed. We didn’t find any negative information on the company but I lectured Cyriaque on the absolute need to keep his SS# private. I emphasized this and I think I scared him a little (good!). This company, I concluded, was in the business of researching and making the assessment as to the quality of a foreign degree. They would consider the differences between a degree from Oxford as compared to one from Brighton Community College. In any case, what he was looking for was a simple translation of the French on his various certificates.

I saw that Cyriaque had bought a smaller notebook for is vocabulary study but still had not made flashcards. I tested his vocabulary knowledge from his book, and then from some hastily made flash cards. He did better with the flashcards but I sense he’s still resistant. Perhaps the third time will be a charm.