Every learner has a story Find out how our products transform learners’ lives

3 Every learner has a story Introduction

4 Learning for a busy life Zuriel’s story

7 Scoring a dream job Mohamed’s story

8 Unlocking potential Parwana’s story

11 A second chance Tremayne’s story

12 The joy of learning Elizabeth’s story

14 The perfect preparation Andani’s story

Every learner has a story Here are just a few of them

Zuriel Takes a different approach to learning.

Mohamed Always daydreamed about becoming a football coach.

Parwana Desires to achieve a degree in nursing and then return to Afghanistan as a nurse or midwife.

Learning is an endlessly fascinating journey, and each of us chooses our own personal route. For some people, it’s an odyssey shaped purely by their natural curiosity and desire for knowledge. For others, it’s the route to a more rewarding job or career and the opportunity to support themselves and their family.

Andani Aims to start up a software development company.

Elizabeth Wanted to enrich her life and speak English fluently.

Tremayne Hopes one day to start his own construction business.

Cover image by Antonio Gallardo

Whatever the motivations, learning transforms everyone’s lives, promising a richer, more interesting journey filled with exciting discoveries, challenges, and opportunities. Here you’ll learn about the stories of six of our learners: people from all over the world, with different ages, genders, and backgrounds.

What they all have in common is that their lives have been transformed by our products and services. Because at Pearson, we’re dedicated to providing access to learning that helps people make real progress in their lives—whoever they are, wherever they live, and whatever their ambitions.

We hope you’re inspired by their stories.

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THEMES: FLEXIBILITY DIGITAL LEARNING

Learning for a busy life Zuriel keeps learning, whatever else she’s doing

“ Because it’s online learning, it allows me to do my extracurricular activities.”

Zuriel Takes a different approach to learning.

Watch Zuriel’s story at youtu.be/EboDtzbgMyA

92% of parents with students enrolled in schools supported by Connections Education would recommend the program to other families, and 95% agree that the program is high quality (2014 Parent Satisfaction Survey).

For students enrolled in Connections Education –supported full -time schools, the 2013 –14 SAT scores for Reading, Writing, and Combined continued to exceed the national average.

CONNECTIONS ACADEMY

A flexible virtual learning program, Connections Academy offers students everything they need to reach their highest potential.

IMPACT

95% 92% Originally from Nigeria, Zuriel now lives with her family in California. She’s a busy girl. Like many 12-year-olds, she likes basketball, soccer, and track sports and is learning to play the piano, recorder, and violin. Unlike most 12-year-olds, she’s also a documentary filmmaker.

For someone so young, Zuriel has already achieved a lot. She’s the youngest person ever to have a documentary film featured on the big screen. She’s also the founder of a lobby group for African girls’ education and has been listed in Forbes and in New African magazine as one of the 100 most influential Africans.

With so much going on in her life, it’s difficult for Zuriel to attend school like other children of her age. So she takes a different approach to learning.

“At Connections Academy, I have friends and we go to field trips, and science academies for biology wet labs,” she says. “Because it’s online learning, it allows me to do my extracurricular activities like traveling overseas, doing documentaries, and interviewing African leaders. When I get back, I’m not behind on my school work —I can just pick up where I left off and continue the course.”

Zuriel’s big achievements are matched by her lofty ambitions. With the help of Connections Academy, Zuriel can tailor her learning to her unique situation and make sure she’s getting the solid foundation she needs to help her achieve them.

Let’s give Zuriel the last word on her plans: “When I get older, I’d like to become the president of the United States of America because I want to make a difference in the world.”

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BTEC*

Designed to meet the needs of employers, BTECs are work -related qualifications for learners who are taking their first steps into employment, progressing through their careers, or planning to enter university.

IMPACT

In 2014, 98,230 UK BTEC students successfully applied through UCAS† to higher education after studying a BTEC qualification.

* Part of World-Class Qualifications

† UCAS: Undergraduate Courses at University and College

98,230

THEMES: NON-TRADITIONAL LEARNING CAREER PREPARATION

Mohamed Always daydreamed about becoming a football coach.

“ It really changed my whole perception of how to look at studying as a young student.”

Watch Mohamed’s story at youtu.be/aCmbs2W0vH8

Scoring a dream job Mohamed follows his life’s ambitions, thanks to BTEC

Mohamed always daydreamed about becoming a football coach, but at school in London he had a reputation as a naughty kid, always more interested in sports than studying. He was worried about not achieving his ambitions, but became determined to find a way to make them a reality. Thanks to BTEC, he was able to turn his passion for sports into a solid qualification.

“What BTEC offered suited me much more than what we know as the traditional route. It really changed my whole perception of how to look at studying as a young student.”

Mohamed completed his BTEC with top marks and graduated as one of BTEC’s top 25 students. After this he went on to study sports science at a Russell Group University, continuing his success story with an award for “student leader of the year.”

He’s now working as a coach for one of the world’s biggest football clubs. With the help of BTEC and a healthy determination, Mohamed has turned his dream into reality.

“Seeing the development of the players, and seeing them move on to greater and better things, and me being a teacher within that framework is what I drive off. Success does come with results, but for me it’s all about doing what I want to do.”

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71% 65%

MYLAB / MASTERING Unlocking potential Parwana plans to use her success to help other women

In Afghanistan, the adolescent literacy rate for females is only 32%,* but thanks to her mother’s determination, Parwana successfully completed her studies in Afghanistan and seized the opportunity to study in the United States. Parwana’s ambition is to achieve a degree in nursing and then return to Afghanistan as a nurse or midwife.

“My desire is to go back to Afghanistan and really invest in women’s and children’s lives because the infant mortality rate and pregnant women’s mortality rate are so high there,” she says.

At college, Parwana took traditional face-to­face classes and also used MyMathLab and MasteringBiology to help improve her vocabulary and master the relevant content. As an English learner, she found that the animations helped with her studies.

“I loved the animations because I was able to picture the material in my mind like a movie,” she remembers. “It was a great way to unpack the most difficult biological concepts. And when I went to take a test, I remembered seeing the material just like a movie and how it all worked.”

After two years, Parwana transferred to the nursing program at the University of Kansas Medical Center and is on track to graduate in 2016. She plans to attend graduate school and then work in the United States for a few years to gain experience before returning home.

“Afghanistan desperately needs the younger generation’s help,” she explains, “and I am excited to finish my education and go back to make a difference in women’s and children’s lives.”

* The 2015 State of the World’s Children Report, statistical tables by country, UNICEF unicef.org/infobycountry/afghanistan_statistics.html

Watch Parwana’s story at youtu.be/5SIKYJT-un8

“ I am excited to finish my education and go back to make a difference in women’s and children’s lives.”

Parwana Desires to achieve a degree in nursing and then return to Afghanistan as a nurse or midwife.

MYLAB & MASTERING

A collection of online homework, tutorial, and assessment products designed to engage students before, during, and after class. MyLab & Mastering provide content to help students quickly master concepts, develop problem -solving skills, and improve their results.

IMPACT

THEMES: IMMIGRATION MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Students who used MyMathLab —Development Intermediate Algebra achieved an average final exam score of 71% compared to 65% for those who didn’t use it.

8

MYLAB / MASTERING

GEDTS

The GED Testing Service is a joint venture between the American Council on Education (ACE) and Pearson. The GED Testing Service offers the only learner -centric program that is recognized and portable across the United States.

IMPACT

67%

“ When I received my diploma, I was so proud of myself. I wasn’t used to accomplishing much in life and I realized that I could really do anything I put my mind to.”

Tremayne Hopes one day to start his own construction business.

In 2014, 67% GED® graduates went on to a college or career program.

THEMES: CAREER READY PREPARE FOR COLLEGE

Watch Tremayne’s story at youtube.com/watch?v=qFv9_p2ewMU

A second chance Tremayne finds a way to learn that really suits him

Living in Maryland in the United States, Tremayne was 19 years old when he realized that dropping out of high school was a big mistake—and that he wanted to make something of his life.

“I realized that without a high school diploma or GED,* I wouldn’t be able to go far in life and … with no diploma no one would hire me.”

He knew he needed a change, so he turned to the GED Testing Service to help him and found that the online MyGED portal fit well with his lifestyle.

“Having the GED portal online was very convenient, very quick. I used to access it on my phone. I wouldn’t have to go into a GED office and make an appointment, I could just do it on my phone, on the website.”

When it came time to take the test, Tremayne was nervous, but he successfully passed and he’s delighted with his GED® credential.

“When I received my diploma, I was so proud of myself. I wasn’t used to accomplishing much in life and I realized that I could really do anything I put my mind to.” Tremayne was also happy with the help he received after the test. “[MyGED] can match you with colleges that teach the major you would like to study, check careers and salaries.”

Now that he’s achieved his GED credential, Tremayne is looking forward to exciting new opportunities. He’s been accepted into a local community college in Maryland and plans to transfer to a four-year school to study engineering. He hopes one day to start his own construction business.

“I wasn’t so used to accomplishing many things in life, but once I passed my GED test I was like, wow, that felt good. Now let’s try to do it again. Let’s move forward.”

* General Educational Development (GED) is a set of tests that show a student has achieved high school–level academic skills.

11

JOY OF LEARNING LIFELONG LEARNING

“ After studying at Wall Street, I made so many friends and feel so young at heart.”

WALL STREET ENGLISH

Wall Street offers English language courses ranging from absolute beginners to advanced speakers. There are 425 Wall Street English learning centers spread across 28 countries across the globe, and each center offers a near immersion experience with a method that is proven and aligned to global standards of language acquisition and education.

IMPACT

Wall Street English has a current enrollment of 190,000 students and has helped more than two million people realize their dream of learning English.

190,000

THEMES:

The joy of learning Wall Street English gives Elizabeth a new lease on life

A retired housewife from Hong Kong, Elizabeth has been learning English for five years. “The experience that made me want to learn was seeing other people speak English fluently. I thought to myself that one day it would be wonderful to speak like them.”

At first Elizabeth found it difficult to find the courage to speak using her new English skills, but thanks to the support of her teachers, she gradually gained confidence.

“When I first came to Wall Street English, I was not confident enough to speak English. But the teachers encouraged me to converse in English as often as I could. They told me no one would laugh at me, even if I made mistakes. I think back on those words and I now try to talk English as much as I can.”

Elizabeth has also been able to use her new English skills to help others.

“I was at a restaurant when a waiter came up and started chatting with me. The waiter was worried that his son was falling behind in English classes. I comforted the waiter and offered to tutor his son.

“After doing this for several months, the boy’s academic performance improved significantly and he became one of the top-scoring students in his class. I’m not suggesting I was a good teacher, but it showed he was talented. With only a little help from me, he was able to improve. I was overjoyed!”

Above all, Elizabeth has thoroughly enjoyed every minute of her studies and is delighted that learning something new has brought so much pleasure to her life.

“I had a lot of free time and wanted to enrich my life. This was very important. After studying at Wall Street, I made so many friends and feel so young at heart. I am so very happy.”

Elizabeth Wanted to enrich her life and speak English fluently.

Watch Elizabeth’s story at youtu.be/pqAvWCtCvCA

12

EMPLOYABILITY CAREER READINESS

The perfect preparation A successful career is just the beginning for Andani

Andani, a 24-year-old from Johannesburg, South Africa, has successfully graduated with honors in his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Midrand Graduate Institute (MGI).

Throughout his degree, Andani achieved numerous certificates of merit and excellence, including being awarded “best database achievement” for his third-year project. This led him staying on at MGI to tutor computer skills and software development to pass his knowledge and experience on to students.

He now works for Ernst and Young as an IT risk and assurance auditor and believes that MGI is responsible for much of his success.

“I cannot underestimate the role of MGI in my formation as an individual and preparing me for work life. It’s here that I learned to understand the value of academic

success and the importance of my skills development. MGI really prepared me well for the job market and the IT industry.”

Andani also believes that MGI has helped many of his friends to flourish professionally.

“I had made many friends at MGI, and we continue to support each other even so many years after graduation. Communicating with them, I see that success in life is not accidental—the majority of my ex-classmates have also succeeded. I’m inclined to think that the common denominator was our experience at MGI.”

Andani is now at Rhodes University furthering his education and aims to start up a software development company.

“ It’s here that I learned to understand the value of academic success and the importance of my skills development.”

MIDRAND GRADUATE INSTITUTE

Midrand Graduate Institute is a private university -level, degree -conferring institution —one of the first of its kind in South Africa.

IMPACT

76% MGI graduates strongly agree that they were “satisfied” with the teaching, 70% that they were ‘satisfied’ with the support provided by the institution, and 72% that they were “satisfied” that their qualification was worth the financial investment (CTI and MGI Graduate Destinations Survey 2014).

THEMES:

72% 70% 76%

Andani Aims to start up a software development company.

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Millions of learners, millions of success stories At Pearson, we’re dedicated to ensuring that our products deliver on our mission as a brand: to help people make progress in their lives through access to better learning. If you would like to find out how we are measuring and improving the efficacy of our products and services, please visit:

efficacy.pearson.com/progress