Former Journo Launches a Course to Help Learners Pass Matric

The news that MyExamSlayer, a brand-new and innovative study tool, is making its debut this week will excite students in Grade 12, especially as matric trials are about to start. High school learners are the target audience, and it is completely free for students attending underprivileged rural schools. Each student’s grade can rise by up to 26%.

This online course is being given by retired journalist and former valedictorian of one of the most elite schools in South Africa, Richard Lyon.

“After experiencing firsthand the struggles faced by rural Zulu children and receiving an exceptional education at Michael house, I chose to concentrate on the primary issue these kids face: no one teaches them how to write exams,” said Lyon.

Lyon said that one of his site visits where his wife works he was appalled by the conditions these kids were in. His wife works for an NGO in the education sector

“I thought back to the difficult days I had studying and taking exams. I not only finished my coursework at school, but I also finished both of my degrees at [the] University of South Africa while taking care of two young children and working a full-time job,” he said.

“People who had gone through it before would understand that there weren’t many study hours available, therefore I couldn’t risk losing any exam points. I was pretty confident that most children today felt the same way my classmates and I felt when we had exams.,” Lyon said.

It was at this point he decided to establish this course.

“I decided to look into the possibility of developing a foundational course that would teach students how to maximise their results by avoiding the many common mistakes that test writers make,” he said.

According to him, there have been several obvious cases of people giving the wrong response, misreading the directions, or spending too much time on a five-mark question in order to have time for a 20-mark question.

Lyon went on to note that he has also used some advice from his time as a professional athlete to help him feel in control of the situation and handle exam anxiety.

“Although it’s nearly cliche to say that you should “control the controllables,” these youngsters don’t really get that, so we educate them what they can control and how to get it. Additionally, we include some fundamental guidelines for stress management, such practicing breathing techniques to lessen the likelihood of a panic attack.”

“Since the course is offered online, enrolled students have unrestricted access,” Lyon explained.

Because students can use any laptop, tablet, or smartphone from anywhere at any time of day, learners can actually study at their own speed.

“It also helps educators, who are also under stress this time of year, by relieving some of their burden,” he said adding that the course was not magic nor have rocket science,

“But we see how MyExamSlayer can change a “failed” performance into a pass or an ordinary pass into a distinction.”

Tablet, laptop, and smartphone users can access the course online at www.myexamslayer.co.za.

Editor’s note: This online course is being given by retired journalist and former valedictorian of one of the most elite schools in South Africa, Richard Lyon.

Description: Lyon claimed that one of his site trips where his wife works he was disturbed by the situation these youngsters were in. His spouse is employed for an NGO in the field of education. That’s how he started the free course to help learners.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Do4SA