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Instant-Message
Acronyms Show Parents What It's Like to Have Reading Difficulties
San
Diego, California - May 3, 2002 - UROK Learning Institute today
announced an innovative application of the current Instant Messaging
trend that is sweeping the Internet. By incorporating Instant-Message
acronyms into written communication, UROK can demonstrate the frustration
children feel when they cannot read certain words and thus cannot
understand what is presented in their schoolbooks. For example,
AAMOF, many poor readers POAHF when they really feel like HHIS.
Translation: 'As A Matter Of Fact, many poor readers Put On A
Happy Face when they really feel like Hanging (their) Head In Shame'.
Helping
parents better understand reading difficulties and the resultant
frustrations they cause is extremely important in light of the fact
that 38 percent of fourth-grade students nationally cannot read
at a basic level. UROK Learning Institute is addressing this critical
problem in the San Diego area by offering affordable, one-on-one
instruction and training in phonemic awareness …a technique proven
to dramatically improve reading skills.
Teenagers
popularized Instant Messaging acronyms as they chatted with friends
over AOL's Instant Message (AIM) software. Participants of Instant
Message sessions began to use and expand their vocabulary of e-mail
abbreviations to speed and simplify communication. They began with
well-known acronyms such as ASAP (As Soon As Possible) and FYI (For
Your Information). This "shorthand" soon developed into a virtual
language. Today there are hundreds of Instant Message acronyms,
such as OTP (On The Phone), NRN (No Reply Necessary), as well as
more hip expressions such as BEG (Big Evil Grin), UROK (You Rock)
and POs (Parent Over Shoulder). This hipster language is being rapidly
adopted by corporate America eager to find ways to improve productivity.
"Instant
Messaging is a natural for UROK since our name itself is an instant
message, which either stands for 'You Are OK' or 'You Rock'," said
Alex Urbano, President of UROK Learning Institute. "In addition
to helping parents understand their children's frustrations with
reading, we find that familiarity with the acronyms helps us keep
in touch with the student culture. It's also just a fun way to communicate."
UROK
Learning Institute has compiled a large growing list of Instant-Message
acronyms, which might be of interest to parents. The live list is
available on the UROK web
site. A partial list is printed on a free bookmark that
is given away free at literacy-related events like the Dr. Suess
Race for Literacy, which benefits the San Diego Council on Literacy.
About
UROK Learning Institute
UROK
Learning Institute is an educational products and services company
based in San Diego, California. The institute offers students, teachers
and schools a variety of clinics, workshops and services to enhance
and enrich the learning process for students of all ages. Inquiries
can be directed to UROK Learning Institute, 2655 Camino Del Rio
North, Suite 115, San Diego, CA 92108. Phone 619-299-2282 or toll-free
at 877-358-9999. Fax 619-491-3198.
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