Dyslexic hails new learning system
A formerly dyslexic taxi driver claims he has created a revolutionary system of learning Irish and other languages.
The Smart Learning program patented by Pat Howe in conjunction with Dublin City University features an audio CD and pocket-sized memory cards.
Mr Howe, 57, from Palmerstown, Dublin, claims the colour-coded and phonetic structure of his invention can help people learn a new language in nine weeks.
"It puts the fun back into learning whatever your background or education level," said the father-of-two.
Smart Learning packs are already available in Irish, Spanish and Polish and are aimed at all ages, from students to workers.
Mr Howe, suffered from dyslexia as a schoolboy and left school at 14. However he has had a lifelong interest in learning and personal development.
He tested and honed Smart Learning system with parents and students over the past four years.
Each language is divided into three modules and it takes about three weeks to master a module.
A website is being launched and Smart Learning packs will be distributed to shops in coming weeks.
Mr Howe said: "Sometimes because of the way school is structured, people may not have entirely positive experiences of learning. Statistics show that the system may not suit about 40% of people.
"Because of the curriculum structure and large class sizes, somebody who may have been weak at a subject or had a learning difficulty in some way can get left behind. But Smart Learning puts the fun back into learning.
"With the CD you can learn with headphones or in the car. The colour-coded, phonetic cards can be carried around in your pocket or handbag to read during the day."
The Spanish and Polish versions of the Smart Learning system are aimed at Ireland's growing multicultural population.
"In everyday situations, you could have a good fried from Poland, but may be unable to communicate with him or her," Mr Howe said.
The taxi driver is promoting his project with the help of the Invent Centre at DCU.
Invent offers expertise and advice to entrepreneurs to research and market their business ideas.
Mr Howe added: "The brain is the final frontier in terms of science. Every other part of the human body has been mapped and understood. But we only use a tiny part of our mental capacity.
"The brain also controls how we learn, and what we need to accept is that different people have different ways of learning and recalling new information."
