Students rate their Literacy Lab experience 4.75 out of 5 — showing high satisfaction across every visit this year.
The core of the Literacy Lab is cognitive coaching — a three-step approach any student can learn. You don't need to be an expert. You don't need to know the subject. You just need to be willing to listen and ask good questions.
Give the learner space to think. Don't rush to fill the silence. Silence means thinking is happening.
Reflect back what you heard in your own words. This shows you're listening — and helps the learner hear their own thinking more clearly.
Ask an open question that pushes the learner's thinking one step further. Not "what's the answer?" but "what do you think the next step might be?"
The coach never tells the student what to do. Every response follows the same pattern — paraphrase what the student said, then ask a question that opens up their thinking.
The coach never explained the report. Never gave advice. You'll learn exactly how to do this at the workshop.
Cognitive coaching teaches you to pause, reflect, and identify your next step — skills that make you better at every learning task you face.
The ability to listen deeply and ask a question that moves someone forward is rare. It changes how you communicate with teachers, peers, and people you've just met.
Leading a student coaching center — recruiting, training, and managing a team — is the kind of sustained, structured leadership that admissions teams recognize.
IST alumni credit the Lab with paid internships, leadership positions at university, and acceptance to top programs. The skills transfer directly to any professional setting.
We believe anyone can volunteer because to be successful they only need to rely on skills most already possess. Because no expertise is required, anyone can coach anyone else. A grade 6 coach can support a grade 10 learner. Coaches can work in any language. Confidence builds through doing.
Hear directly from IST graduates and coaches about what the Lab did for their learning, leadership, and life after school.
"I talked about the Literacy Lab as my key extracurricular for my college application. I think it was mainly this hands-on experience that set me apart and helped me get a full-ride scholarship to my dream university."
— Coach, Grade 12
"When I talk to people outside of school, I always pause after they speak, paraphrase what they said and then ask questions. This has made social interactions less pressuring and anxious for me — given that I am quite introverted and shy."
— Manager, Grade 10
"The fact that anyone could become a coach gave me encouragement. I joined thinking it would be a great learning experience — and it was."
— Coach, Grade 8
"When I talk to people outside of school, I always pause after they speak, paraphrase what they said and then ask questions. This has made social interactions less pressuring and anxious for me."
Coach, Grade 11
"The fact that anyone could become a coach gave me encouragement. I joined thinking it would be a great learning experience — and it was."
Grade 10 Coach
"Learning how to ask people probing questions out of genuine curiosity helped me a lot… Not just in coaching, but in real conversations."
Grade 9 Coach
Schools across Asia have contracted the Literacy Lab team for on-site professional development. It's the same two-day hands-on workshop — delivered at your school, for your students and staff. Cost varies by location and school context.
Spots are limited. Reserve yours now and bring your team — students and adults together get the most out of the two days.
Reserve a Spot →