English Classes

As grades become increasingly important to advanced students, we understand that there are a few courses which are particularly hard to master. Writing courses are notoriously difficult for even the best students, especially if they are taking them in a competitive school. This is why we are proud to introduce our Weekend Classes.

We believe that students learn best and most efficiently when they immerse themselves in a subject. When students have a chance to preview and learn the material before taking it at their regular schools, it dramatically enhances their ability to understand and retain what they learn. The Weekend Classes are modeled after and synchronized with the same courses taught in local high schools. With 2 hours of class per week taught one week in advance, we believe these courses offer students an invaluable and irreplaceable opportunity to learn difficult materials without the pressure of being judged or the fear of falling behind. More importantly, our students have the opportunity to learn difficult subjects more than once, allowing them the chance to make necessary mistakes along the way to mastery. We feel this greatly increases their chances of obtaining a good grade at their regular schools. Schedule Video Demo

Since we are located in Cupertino and Fremont, our Weekend Classes are designed after the course materials at Monta Vista and Mission San Jose High School. We encourage students from different schools to take these courses despite the slight differences in the curriculum.

Fundamental Writing Courses

ThinkTank Learning has created a sequential course system designed to help students write clearly, logically, and concisely. Beginning as early as 3rd grade level and eventually progressing to the 12th grade level, our courses teach the fundamentals of writing and build upon such fundamentals to foster critical thinking and analysis. Our small class sizes increase personal attention to each student, and our standardized evaluation method allows for close monitoring of each student?s progress. ThinkTank Learning's writing courses are a great way to help students improve their grades and to become better writers. To better serve the different levels of our student body, we are currently organizing these courses on different levels: Elementary, Junior High, and High School

Elementary English Courses

Introduction to Writing and Literature 1

Writing 1 encourages young readers and writers to deepen their understanding of literature and writing in a fun and interactive classroom environment. Every week in Writing 1, we will read together as a class and practice thinking, talking, and writing about our reading. We will explore different genres in our reading and our writing throughout the course. Writing 1 will also introduce basic grammar concepts in a fun and relevant way. The main goal of Writing 1 is to develop young students' skills, self-confidence, wareness, and enthusiasm as readers and writers, preparing them to succeed in the reading and writing challenges of their futures. Schedule Video Demo

Introduction to Writing and Literature 2

As a supplement to students' regular school studies, Writing 2 provides students with a fun and interactive classroom environment that challenges them to become both more thoughtful and critical readers and increasingly clear and precise writers. Much of Writing 2 will be spent learning how to think, talk, and write about what we read and then practicing these skills. Learning and practicing "active" reading will influence our own writing as we strive to express our thoughts in ways that are pleasing to read. Since an understanding of English structure and conventions is essential to communicating clearly, a grammar lesson will comprise a part of every class session. The main goal of Writing 2 is to provide students with a strong foundation for success in literature and writing by providing them with the skills to engage with literature and the ability to communicate their ideas clearly. Schedule Video Demo

Junior High English Courses

ThinkTank Learning's New Middle Class English Program is designed to teach fundamental reading and writing skills that are essential to students? success in high school. To enhance these essential skills, ThinkTank Learning uses the learning objectives and guidelines set by the SSAT and ISEE (entrance exams used by most private high schools) in its curricula.

Vocabulary Foundations

English is a language created through the merging of several other languages centuries ago: mainly Latin, Greek, and German. After the Norman invasion of England in 1066, French entered the language with many borrowed and adapted words. Think Tank?s Vocabulary Foundations class takes an etymological approach to strengthening the student?s reading, writing, and speaking vocabulary through a foundation in the Latin and Greek roots of English. This is specifically helpful in the areas of science and math. From this base, we will build further through study of the historical meaning of commonly misunderstood English words, such as indolence (lazy or slothful), maudlin (tearfully), or meander (a winding way). Foreign words still used in English, such as embargo (Spanish), crescendo (Italian), and motif (French), will be also be covered. These words are of particular benefit in the areas of business, political science, and economics. The class includes instructive lectures, in-class practice exercises, weekly homework (including memory work!) and three examinations. Class Schedule

Comprehending Critical Reading

Think Tank Learning's Comprehending Critical Reading class takes a step-by-step approach to teaching the student how to find the important information in sentences, paragraphs, and entire articles. Building on basic techniques of organization, this class instructs students in the art of note-taking and text-marking. Ever wonder why some people seem to easily grasp the overall meaning of a passage, or remember its details? The key is knowing what information is important and how to record it for yourself. This class will use contemporary articles in a variety of fields for instruction with in-class lectures and practice exercises. Homework will consist of producing concise notes and text marking, writing explanatory paragraphs, and selecting the correct details from specific passages assigned. Learn to spend your study time effectively and retain what you read. Schedule Video Demo

Grammar & Essay Composition

For students to become strong writers, essential for school coursework, college admissions exams, and future success in the business world, it is imperative that they acquire solid building blocks in English grammar and writing. Perfect for students interested in either strengthening their grammar fundamentals or honing their writing skills, Grammar & Essay Composition provides instruction in structure, mechanics, voice, and grammar. Intense and designed to capture the interest of junior high school students, the course is geared toward preparing students to tackle the complexities of the written English language. Schedule Video Demo

High School English Courses

ThinkTank Learning's New Upper Class English Program is designed to teach fundamental reading and writing skills that are essential to students success in college. To enhance these essential skills, ThinkTank Learning uses the learning objectives and guidelines set by the SAT in its curricula.

Advanced Critical Reading

Students will develop and strengthen reading comprehension skills crucial to increasing scores on standardized tests, improving performance in challenging high school humanities classes, and better preparing them for the rigors of university-level academics. Through advanced readings in varied subjects, students will not only acquire active-reading and speed-reading techniques to efficiently boost general comprehension, but more importantly, learn to think and read critically and analytically. Schedule Video Demo

Perfecting Grammar & Style

This class will provide students with the solid foundation in grammar, style, and mechanics they need in order to score high on the SAT Writing section as well as improve overall quality in their academic writing. Students will develop a thorough understanding of the syntax of the English language as well as learn to identify and avoid common grammatical mistakes. These lessons will be applied not only in their own expository writing, but will also be geared toward improving scores on the multiple choice section of the SAT. Schedule Video Demo

Intensive Vocabulary Mastery

An expansive vocabulary is essential for any student to enhance performance on standardized tests, improve the quality of his/her academic writing, and increase overall reading comprehension. In this concentrated course, students will rapidly expand their vocabulary through advanced readings, interactive classroom games, and rigorous assessments. Students will focus on challenging words commonly found on the SAT and attain strategies for acquiring and mastering new vocabulary. Class Schedule