Monday, March 23, 2020

German Lessons in Leeds

German Lessons in Leeds Honing German Language Skills in Leeds ChaptersGerman Speaking Opportunities for StudentsStudy German Through Private TuitionTake a German Language Course in a Training CentreLearn German with CactusAt the height of summer, it is admittedly difficult to think about Christmastime, when our German Christmas market is open for business.Maybe you ran across some pictures you took of it last year, which forced your recall...On the other hand, summer is the perfect time to think of a holiday abroad; are you planning to visit Berlin, Bremen or some other city in Germany?The Yorkshire-Germany ties reach far back into history; at one point in time, we were neck and neck in industrial output, innovation and socio-cultural ideas.Leeds’ fascination with German expressionism in art and culture made her unique in British society. The appeal was such that the region produced Jacob Kramer and Bruce Turner, expressionist artists directly influenced by the German movement.Do you need more incentive to seek out German lessons?One of our s ister-cities is Dortmund, herself a former industrial powerhouse in the Ruhr Valley of Germany.That city was nearly totally levelled during the bombing raid of 1945, an event that holds the dubious record for the most bombs dropped on a single target.Today, Dortmund is known as one of the most sustainable and digital cities in all of Germany. She has turned away from heavy industry and now is a leading producer of biomedical technology â€" the same as us!It's no wonder we have partnered with her.Maybe you are currently planning your holiday to Germany; wouldn’t it be great to talk with native speakers of German while you’re there?Or perhaps you are relishing the prospect of Oktoberfest when, for two weeks, when you can treat yourself to an authentic bratwurst and beer â€" while not necessarily having to wear lederhosen or a dirndl.Before all of those events come to pass, you have time to apply yourself to German lessons!Your Superprof is right on task; we now find the best Germa n courses in an around Leeds.speaking German in a more relaxed, natural environment.Yorkshire is home to some pretty dynamic German clubs and they all have one overarching goal: to promote German language and culture through a host of engaging activities.Wharfedale German Circle meets once a month but they also host many student events and gamesHuddersfield German Circle has their agenda planned through Spring of next year!They meet with other German groups in the area for the most fun and learning possibleBradford Circle for Foreign Language actually has members who are native German; they don’t offer lessons but they provide an opportunity for you to use your communication skills in a live settingAre there such German clubs in Birmingham?Granted, none of these language clubs provides formal language lessons but the opportunity for you to immerse yourself into a German-speaking environment will do wonders to help you become fluent, faster!Disclaimer: when we said ‘students’, we didn’t mean just school students. All language students can benefit from participation in these clubs, whether you have been learning German online or in a language school.That means that you, too, can build fluency while having fun with like-minded friends!Find out what German learning opportunities exist in Edinburgh...Study German Through Private TuitionHere again, is a solution to language learning that applies to students of all stripes.It might be especially viable for those who have put off language classes because there is simply no time or energy to dash off to language school after a busy day of work and family concerns.A private tutor is also an ideal solution for school students looking for supplemental language instruction outside of their German language courses, or perhaps just a shot a practising their conversational skills.The advantage of learning German with a tutor is that s/he will customise the curriculum to your needs.Maybe your speaking and listening ski lls are satisfactory but your writing skills need a boost? What if you’re cruising along in your studies but your partner has trouble grasping new language?Or, it could just be that you are getting ready to holiday abroad and would like a bit of intensive language training before you go?Tutors are up to the task in all of these situations and more.You might baulk at the cost of such lessons; would they exceed what you might pay for a language course in a formal setting? That might be the case... unless you learn with a Superprof tutor.On average, Superprof tutors in the Leeds area charge £16 per hour of instruction.Besides having your first hourlong lesson at no charge, what do you get for that money?You might choose to work with Tobias, who is a native speaker of German and has taught others how to speak German for the past five years.Emily has recently graduated from Leeds; she now holds a First Class degree in German (and French).She prefers tailoring her lessons to your prefe rences; if you need help with your German pronunciation, your lessons will consist of mostly oral exercises but if grammar is your trouble area, that is where her focus will be.Superprof has 16 German tutors in the Leeds area and thousands more ready to engage in online language learning with you.Do Superprof tutors also work in the Belfast area?So, if your life is hectic or you simply would rather learn at home â€" online or face to face, engaging a private tutor is not such a bad idea, especially not a Superprof tutor.Personal tutors are a great idea for homework help or practising speaking German Image by Gerd Altmann from PixabayTake a German Language Course in a Training CentreWe are quite fortunate that, all across the UK, there are several language training franchises with branches in just about every major city.Are there such centres teaching German in Glasgow, as well?Their vast proliferation means proves a point: they are good at what they do. We now present them in with n o particular recommendation or endorsement.Language TrainersThe teachers at Language Trainers know why people want to learn German: for business, for travel and for intellectual curiosity.With those bases well covered, you could sign up for classes with them secure in the knowledge that you won’t waste a lot of time discussing the academic aspects of the German language â€" verb conjugation and dissertations of works by Goethe, for example, if all you need is conversational German.If you can already speak German at the intermediate level or are in doubt about your level of German, you should take a placement test to see which of the Language Trainers’ classes you would best fit in with.Obviously, if you are an absolute beginner, there is no reason to test your level.You can take this test for free on their website, where you will also find their contact details.With the two-to-one class structure offered at many language schools, you and your partner can study German together Im age by StartupStockPhotos from PixabayListen and LearnWith a slightly different model but equally successful as their competitor, Listen and Learn offers German lessons to individuals or groups, in Business German or General German.Here too you may choose one-to-one instruction or two-to-one private lessons â€" an arrangement that would be perfect for you and your partner to learn German together. You may also join a larger group (provided you are on the same level as them) or you may choose to take lessons strictly online, with or without your partner.This company also offers a free placement test online and, right now, they are promoting their language training service by offering a summer discount.Did you know that Cardiff also has a Listen and Learn centre?Learn German with CactusThe Cactus language school is staffed by experienced teachers, most of whom have at least travelled abroad, if not worked and lived there.Their evening courses last for ten weeks and are arranged by lev el â€" beginner, elementary, intermediate and advanced. Here again, you may take a placement test on their website to determine your level of language proficiency.You may also be interested to know that Cactus provides Business language courses; they work directly with companies, conducting classes at select firms around the country.If you work for an international company, you may suggest to your training manager that such lessons would be of great benefit!You can believe that people looking for German courses in London would benefit from such classes!Loiners are lucky to have such a strong connection with Germany.Through their German appreciation clubs, with the many facilities that promote learning German as a second language, as well as the degree programmes offered at the University of Leeds, one might say that the Yorkshire region is certainly making a rich investment into their ties with Germany!Now discover where you could find German lessons all over the UK...

Friday, March 6, 2020

Spanish Lessons Leeds

Spanish Lessons Leeds Mapping Spanish Classes in Leeds ChaptersFinding Spanish Lessons in LeedsWhat to Look for When Arranging for Spanish ClassesLearn Spanish with a Spanish TutorRain and drizzle fall from a gunmetal sky. It’s cold and wet in Leeds this time of year; some wonder if the sun will ever shine again.If we told you the sun is shining in Madrid right now, would you pack your bags with a swiftness? After all, there are 14 different ways to get to Spain from Leeds; some of them take only a few hours!Eagerly you search the attic; where did you put those suitcases?Wait; not so fast! How will you communicate once you get there?Granted, English is the lingua franca of these modern times but that doesn’t mean that everyone understands even a modicum of English.No, it would be much better if you learned a bit of Spanish before setting out.Besides, learning a second language has proven health and cognitive benefits, so why wouldn’t you study the language of Cervantes?And then, by the time you return home from your vacaciones en e l sol â€" holiday in the sun, you may have already decided to continue your Spanish language studies.You so enjoy the mellifluous tones of spoken Spanish...Say no more!Superprof is on task to find you the very best Spanish courses in and around Leeds, suitable for A-Level candidates and younger, adventurers looking for new horizons to explore or desperados craving type of sunshine that can only be found near the equator.For the wealth of Spanish courses available to Loiners, one might say nothing could be easier than finding Spanish classes!In fact, if you are enrolled at the University of Leeds, you may already be working toward fluency through their Spanish language program. Take note, A-Level candidates: this may be the course for you!What if you’re not headed to university or there already but still want to learn how to speak Spanish?Leeds City College would be the place for you. There, you could find a range of lessons, from beginner Spanish to intermediate level lessons.What ’s so great about these courses is that they intertwine language and culture so that you get a deeper understanding of the language, its roots and the people who speak Spanish.The downside is that they are not necessarily suitable for children younger than, say 14 years old.If you are planning for your entire family to study Spanish together, we may have to direct you elsewhere...We’ll discuss those options in our next segment.Suppose you are in a real hurry to grasp the fundamentals of Spanish vocabulary and grammar ahead of your holiday. You could sign up for intensive language training with Cactus.Established 20 years ago in the UK, the Cactus learning network has expanded to include language tutors and training schools all over the world!You would think that such a facility would have a hefty price list but you might be surprised to know that Spanish courses are their lowest-priced!So reputable is Cactus that their client list reads like a Who’s Who of the business world: Tripadvisor, Siemens, Eurostar... You?They don’t just teach Business Spanish or Medical Spanish for people going abroad for work, either. Indeed, Cactus does private as well as corporate language training, either one to one or in small groups.See? That’s the perfect solution for your family to learn together!Are you curious about how families learn Spanish in Birmingham?We would be remiss if we failed to mention you could learn Spanish at the Instituto Cervantes.The Cervantes Institute is dedicated to teaching the languages of Spain as well as the diffusion of Spanish culture in different Spanish speaking countries.Languages of Spain? Plural?  That is a salient point, Dear Learner.Not only is there more than one type of Spanish spoken in Spain and all of its outposts, such as Majorca, but the Spanish spoken in Chile is vastly different than what you would hear in Argentina or Mexico.We’ll discuss that in our next segment; for now, let us talk about the Spanish courses on offer at this wonderful Institut.Their courses are set up to mirror the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, with A1 representing absolute beginners, B2 being high-intermediate and C1 being fluent.Their language classes, taught by native speakers, are meant to be progressive; as you move from basic Spanish to the next level, you would build your vocabulary and grammar foundation that will support any future learning.The best part about learning Spanish at Instituto Cervantes is that your learning will be well-rounded.Instead of following a language learning guidebook â€" first greetings, then directions and then colours and numbers and so on, you will be immersed into the very culture of Spain, both through your curriculum and participation in cultural activities the institute regularly hosts.They even offer preparation for Spanish language exams and online tutoring!  There’s that word again... tutoring: we’re getting there; promise!What if you need Spanish classes i n Manchester?If you intend to explore the works of Gaudi in Barcelona, you'd better learn to speak Catalan! Source: Wikipedia Credit: BaikonourWhat to Look for When Arranging for Spanish ClassesTo our knowledge, Instituto Cervantes is the only language training school in the UK that specifies which type of Spanish they teach.As we mentioned before, this is a very important point to consider when arranging Spanish lessons.If you were learning Spanish to travel or relocate to Spain, the language you learn should depend on the region you intend to frequent.Whether you are a potential holidaymaker or a prospective international student in any of Spain’s fabulous universities, at some point you will surely have a conversation with native speakers.Castilian Spanish is not the same as Catalan and both of these are wholly different languages than Mexican or the Spanish they speak in anywhere in South America â€" should any of those countries be your desired destination.For this reason, yo u should make sure your Spanish teacher or tutor will instruct you on the language that will suit your goals.Spanish teachers in London are especially mindful of which type of Spanish they teach...Learn Spanish with a Spanish TutorFinally, we get to what we’ve been alluding to all along: engaging a private tutor to teach you Spanish!There are many advantages to working with a tutor; the main one being is that your Spanish learning is tailored specifically to your language learning needs.Do you wish for more emphasis on conversational Spanish or do you think equal time should be spent on reading and writing? Whatever your learning goals are, a home tutor will work hard to help you reach them.That contrasts with classroom learning which tends to be more of a set curriculum; where your learning is guided by the professional leading the class.A further benefit is that tutors often work with small groups of learners, so if you and your family or you and a group of friends wish to learn together, your tutor would happily oblige!You should, of course, discuss such matters in your initial consultation. It wouldn’t do to arrange for private lessons and then show up for class with a group of people!Obviously, when we think ‘tutor’, the first answer is Superprof.Leeds is home to more than 45 Superprof tutors, any of which would work with you in your home, their home or online.Mostly, they are native speakers of Spanish, with a few bilingual Spanish speakers thrown in.Ana has taught at private academies and secondary schools; she also teaches adults and young childrenMadeleine is a language virtuoso whose focus is teaching conversational Spanish; she has earned high praise as a Spanish teacher!Franco-Antonio is doing his postgrad work at the University of Leeds. He has a wealth of experience tutoring his native Spanish to school-aged children and adultsEsther teaches Spanish to students as young as three; she also works with students preparing for exams and adults .All of these tutors and others have a proven track record of teaching success and the credentials to affirm their ability to teach Spanish.Perhaps more enticingly, the average rate for a Superprof Spanish tutor in Leeds is £18 per hour and they all offer their first hour of lessons at no cost!How much does a Spanish tutor in Glasgow or Edinburgh charge?Exploring wildlife in Costa Rica would call for a different Spanish altogether! Source: Pixabay Credit: Fintan O'BrienFind out the best places to take Spanish lessons in Belfast and Cardiff here.One couldn’t say the same for Spanish tutors on the Italki platform... although to be fair, Italki tutors post a discounted rate for their introductory sessions.Italki is a tutoring marketplace where you first create your learning profile, after which you would peruse tutor profiles to select a possible match.Through their built-in scheduling utility, you would then select your meeting time and, logging in to Skype, your sessions begin!Eve rything happens online; learning as well as payment. No chance of an Italki tutor materialising on your doorstep.The same holds true with Live Lingua, whose tutors do permit no charge for their first lesson.However, unlike Italki, Live Lingua tutors do not set their own rates, so you have a more even price range to budget for.Furthermore, if you pay in advance for a block of lessons, you will be treated to a discounted per-lesson rate!Are you feeling a sunny Spanish getaway coming on?Lessons first! Your Spanish teacher will be delighted to help you make the most of your holiday by making sure you learn Spanish quickly and well.But s/he probably won’t help you pack.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

What is it Like to Attend University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

What is it Like to Attend University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences, as well. Kisha graduated from University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2006 with a Bachelors degree in English. She is now a Houston tutor specializing in Writing tutoring, Essay Editing tutoring, Reading tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Check out her review of University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Kisha: The campus setting at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is very urban; however, it is a safe environment. There are buses, but they are very limited. You may need a car if you do not live on campus or in the surrounding neighborhood. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Kisha: The professors were very available, especially in my departmentEnglish. I do not remember a lot of teaching assistants, but I do remember quite a few student-led organizations for each major that helped freshmen and upperclassmen on campus. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Kisha: I lived off-campus, so I do not know much about the dorm life, but there were plenty of opportunities to socialize with classmates on campus once I arrived. There were dances and balls on campus, as well as a theatre where we could watch students perform. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Kisha: Although the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a liberal arts university, agriculture plays an important role at this campus, as well. I studied English because I enjoy literature and rhetoric. The university is one of the oldest historically black schools in the nation, so the university supports students in any area of study as much as possible. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Kisha: Because Pine Bluff is a small city, it was not hard to meet others on campus and to get to know them throughout the city, as well. Yes, Greek life was an exciting part of the campus social life. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Kisha: The Career Center was extremely helpful. I was a part of the Youth Motivational Task Force that our career services department created for students on campus. Each spring semester, employers would come to our campus for an entire week to speak to students, network, and review resumes. As an upperclassman, I had the opportunity to escort employers around campus to speak to students about life after college. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Kisha: Although I always chose to study at home, each one of the above study areas were available, easily accessible, and spacious if I needed to utilize any one of them. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Kisha: Pine Bluff, Arkansas is a small retirement town, and the towns surrounding Pine Bluff were equally small, if not smaller. Most of us chose to go to Little Rock to enjoy the nightlife or to connect with other college students. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Kisha: I was generally pleased with my class sizes. The ratio was normally 1:15 sometimes maybe 1:20. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Kisha: There were a lot of memorable professors. They were supportive in their efforts to teach us to think creatively. My African Studies professor always encouraged us to be creative and proactive, and he supported and assisted us with the first English club on campus. We would host poetry nights and have talent shows, as well. Through this club, I learned a lot about teamwork and getting involved in the community. Check out Kishas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Definition of Accounting - Online Tutoring

Definition of Accounting - Online Tutoring Accounting is the process where business normally records its financial transactions and presents them to internal and external clients or customers. All transactions are recorded on a company balance sheet by using the following basic accounting formula: Assets= Liabilities + Owners Equity Assets: Assets are those that company has value. Assets can be divided in to two categories: fixed assets and current assets. Fixed assets include building, furniture, fixtures and long term assets whereas current assets include cash, bills receivables and short term securities. These current assets normally used to pay for current liabilities. Liabilities: Liabilities can also be divided in to two categories: Current and non-current liabilities. Current liabilities include bills payable, short term notes. A non-current liability includes long term debt,and bank loans. These liabilities should equal to the current and non-current assets in the accounting equation, leaving the remaining balance in the owners equity accounts. Owners Equity: Owners equity is considered the startup money that owner has invested in the business. Money that is invested from external source is called shareholders equity and is included in the owners equity. Any money that business earns as a profit is considered retained earnings and if reinvested in the business is also included in owners equity.

Difference between Older and Elder - English Lesson via Skype

Difference between Older and Elder - English Lesson via Skype I explain the difference between older and elder in this short video lesson. As always, with plenty of examples.  Scroll down to read the transcript of this lesson. Difference between Older and Elder - Transcript Hi there my name is Harry. Welcome to English in a minute and we bring this to you by englishlessonviaskype.com.Today were going to talk about the adjective OLD and its comparative and superlative uses OLD OLDER and OLDEST.Other  three forms:My old cat. My older dog.The  oldest animal.When were talking about things or people we can use OLD OLDER OLDEST.For example:The old man. The older  woman. The oldest person I know.So it  doesnt matter whether it is an animal  or a person old older oldest.The other  format is OLD ELDER ELDEST.But we can  only use elder and eldest when were  referring to immediate family.For  example:My elder brother is a doctor.My  eldest sister is a nurse.So here were  talking about immediate family members, brothers and sisters so we can use old elder and  eldest.Of course, we can use old older  and oldest. But when were talking about immediate family, we can only use elder and  eldest.Okay.So another rule that I would like to bring to your  attention is that when were using elder  we can only use it when its followed by  a noun.My elder sister.My eldest  brother.But if I say My brother is older than me   that is correctbut I cant say  My brother is elder than me because in  this situation elder is not followed  immediately by a noun.Okay.   So there are the  rules concerning the adjectives old,  older, oldest or old, elder and eldest.So  remember to subscribe to my channel and as always join us on www.englishlessonviaskype.comand really important  announcement is that weve just launched  a Grammar course and a grammar lesson and I was very special offer for you at  $9.99  and you can get the link here below. Difference between Older and Elder - Image to share Don't keep this to yourself, tell the world:

Growth Mindset and Motivation

Growth Mindset and Motivation When you think about ADHD symptoms, things like distractibility, impulsivity, or hyperactivity usually come to mind. But along with these typical symptoms comes another challenge: low motivation. Kids with ADHD often struggle to muster up the motivation they need in order to be successful, particularly when it comes to schoolwork. Perhaps not surprisingly, research has shown that factors like motivation, the desire to improve, and persistence all greatly impact academic performance. But when you have a child with ADHD, what can you do as a parent that will really make an impact on your childs motivation for schoolwork? There are several behavior management strategies that help to improve motivation on a moment to moment basis. Ive talked about some of them here in this blog including setting up routines, using rewards to motivate kids to try new behaviors, and strategies for helping your child engage with reading. These strategies are essential components of effective ADHD treatment plans, and can go a long way in helping to set your child up for success. However, these behavior plans do little to address underlying motivational challenges. To truly address motivation and particularly motivation as it relates to academics and school, you need to also consider your childs mindset or the way that he or she thinks about his or her abilities and potential to improve. Im a big fan of Carol Dwecks seminal work, The Growth Mindset and how it helps all kids including kids with ADHD rethink success and failure and how they think about their own learning and intelligence. Individuals with a Growth Mindset believe that the have the ability to improve their intelligence and abilities through hard work and the use of good learning strategies. This belief is backed by decades of science showing that we do in fact have the ability to grow our brain and improve our intelligence. When children are armed with this knowledge, they are motivated to work hard and tackle challenges because they believe that they can improve and overcome obstacles with effort. In contrast, individuals with a Fixed Mindset believe that their intelligence and abilities cannot be changed. When faced with a difficult task in a subject that they are not good at, they will shy away from the challenge and instead put their efforts into hiding their weaknesses and avoiding the task at all cost. Sound familiar? Kids with ADHD may be more likely to get stuck in a Fixed Mindset than kids without ADHD. After all, theyve had years of experience with their ADHD symptoms getting in the way and preventing typical learning strategies from working for them. So, theyve inadvertently collected a great deal of evidence supporting the notion that nothing they do will help them improve in the areas that are hard for them. In addition, neuroimaging studies have shown that the part of the brain that controls ADHD symptoms (the prefrontal cortex), is also responsible for motivation and mindset. In other words, they may be biologically predisposed to fall into a Fixed Mindset more quickly. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

The 5 Best Polyglot E-books for Anyone Who Dreams of Becoming Multilingual

The 5 Best Polyglot E-books for Anyone Who Dreams of Becoming Multilingual The 5 Best Polyglot E-books for Anyone Who Dreams of Becoming Multilingual Technology  has made it possible to go beyond lugging heavy textbooks around.No need to stuff those  100  must-read books into your poor, tired backpack.Convenient, right?Well, e-books are way more than  just convenientâ€"theyve proven themselves to be great tools for learning a foreign language.First, you get quantity. With  e-books, you can tote several  great language learning books around at once and interact with diverse multimedia content.  Oh, and all of this valuable digital content is cheaper than whats in print.You also get  quality.  Some e-books out there are absolutely ideal for learning a foreign language.In my years as an English and ESL teacher, I realized that a surprising amount of students had never heard of books that  teach language learning strategies  (and not just languages themselves). Too many  students go straight for  the workbooks and language DVDs, skipping over the foundational approaches that are actually essential to  learning any language successfull y.The 5 Best Polyglot E-books for Anyone Who Dreams of Becoming MultilingualConsider these e-books life hacks for learning a new language. Whether it’s your first or  your third language  that youre studying, youve got to recognize that  training your brain to think a certain way  helps immensely when youre taking on such a big project.You need to get yourself in the language learning zone. What should you expect? What problems may crop up? What are the best learning  methods for you?  All these questions and many, many more are explored in the following books.Fluent Forever: How to Learn Any Language Fast and Never Forget ItCheck availability: Ama zon’s Kindle and  Barnes Noble’s Nook“Fluent Forever” is the lengthiest book on this list at a whopping 336 pages, but this in-depth guide is well worth the time it takes to read. At 36 years old, the book’s author, Gabriel Wyner, speaks six languagesâ€"all self-taught. In this book, Wyner introduces the strategies he’s ma stered through learning languages on his own.The overall focus is to help you formulate a  faster way of acquiring a new language, which Wyner does by showing you how to divide and conquer all the aspects of learning a language. For example, flashcards  are a common learning strategyâ€"but what’s the most efficient way to make and use flashcards for studying? Youll find out here.The book also stresses memory tactics, since the idea of remembering all the grammar and vocabulary that makes one fluent in a language can easily seem overwhelming.“Fluent Forever” starts with pronunciation and moves on to repetition techniques and exercises, which are based on the spaced repetition learning system  (SRS). Youll learn tricks that will help you associate sounds and spelling with images. Youll really get into the right frame of mind for  thinking in a language, rather than thinking first in your native language and then translating into your target language.Wyner makes a big promises: W ith his methodologies, you can learn 100 words in a month (that’s more than three words a day!) and this is all laid out for you from the get-go in a chapter on setting your vocabulary goals.Outside of learning strategies, the book also includes a useful FAQ section about language learning, such as how quickly one can realistically expect to become fluent in a language (spoiler: it depends) and what kind of books and resources youll need to move ahead (think workbooks and language groups).One of the greatest things about this guide is that the writing has a humorous and relatable edge. Wyner begins the book with an anecdote about how he had joined the fencing team in high school to get out of gym class. After that,  you feel like you really know and can trust the guyâ€"and youll need to trust him to let his great methods get to work on your brain.In addition to Amazon, this book is available on VitalSource, a place where you can rent or buy e-books and access them on the Bookshelf app (for Kindle, iPad, Android and Chromebook). Their World Languages section is quite robust, so its an excellent resource for dedicated language learners to check out.31 Steps to Learn a New LanguageCheck availability: Amazon’s KindleThe whole title of the book is actually “31 Steps to Learn a New Language: Fun, Fast Easy Steps Learn Any New Foreign Language You Want,” and fast it is: In just 44 pages, this motivating book proves to be a great tool for those who want to learn a language for the first time.Author Philip Veng is like a lesser-known version of do-it-quick, do-it-smart Tim Ferriss (author of “The Four Hour Work Week”), writing about quick routes to accomplishments that are seemingly impossible to the everyday person.“31 Steps” will help you tackle things like setting goals, making a study schedule and determining your learning style. It lists some great resources for everyday learning (like listening to foreign radio stations and reading childrens boo ks) that you may not have thought of.Each chapter is quite shortâ€"averaging a page and a halfâ€"which makes it very digestible for those not looking to read a huge, in-depth book.The True Polyglot Guide: How to Learn Any Foreign Language Fast and for FreeCheck availability:  Amazon’s KindleThis 24-page guide is chock full of language learning methods and secrets that are ideal for those who want to add a second (or third!) language to their arsenal but arent sure how to start.Author Ryan Lair clearly understands the unique challenges of learning multiple languages (like mixing up vocabulary for similar languages). If you’re not sure what language you want to tackle yet, this book offers tips that will help you determine what the easiest language for you to study might be based on your learning style.The book covers the stages of language learning, like spelling, pronunciation and vocabulary, and outlines learning strategies unique to each of them.Lair doesnt leave out the motiv ational factor thats so crucial to the serious commitment of language learning, either. His book promotes the many, many benefits of being multilingual, issuing encouraging claims such as improved mental alertness and increased personal confidence.Fluent in 3 Months: How Anyone at Any Age Can Learn to Speak Any Language From Anywhere in the WorldCheck availability:  Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes Noble’s NookSome scientific studies have shown that the ability to learn a foreign language dips significantly after the age of 30, and this 256-page book does a pretty good job of disproving that theory.Yes, the book’s title certainly sounds like a big promiseâ€"but with dedicated effort many language learners have found this book to be true to its word.If you need proof, consider this:  Author Benny Lewis was named a 2013 “Traveler of the Year” by National Geographic Traveler magazine, and is a self-taught polyglot who speaks over 10 languages (he knew just one of them in 2003). Fo r that reason, this e-book offers the advantages of someone who has actually accomplished learning numerous languages at a relatively older  age.The book is divided into two parts: The first goes over how to begin learning a foreign language, and the second part covers how to move into the intermediate and advanced levels.The beginner section doesnt scare you away with the more technical aspects of language learning. Instead, it hones in on what you need to learn for your particular situation (are you a tourist or are you moving there for a job?) and gets you talking as a soon as possible. The second section stresses grammar mastery and immersion through multimedia, which Lewis believes are better saved for when youre more comfortable with your new tongue.Like “The True Polygot,” Lewiss e-book also does a good job of pep-talking you through learning a foreign language and debunks common myths, which makes this a great resource for true beginners.Learn World CalligraphyCheck avai lability:  Amazon’s Kindle  and  Barnes Noble’s NookThis is the best e-book Ive found for taking foreign language learning way beyond speakingâ€"where the emphasis so often liesâ€"and moving  it into writing, a key part of learning a language that doesnt share the same alphabet as your native tongue. It’s also a sure way to impress others, if nothing elseâ€"you can learn to write lesser-known scripts like Celtic, Ethiopian and Mongolian. You’ll also find Greek, Russian, Chinese and Arabic, among others.This beautifully laid out full-color book, which consists of 192 pages of gorgeous calligraphy and step-by-step instructions, is perfect for those who learn visually and by doing.In addition to teaching you how to write in a foreign language, it also provides a history of each language that brings a new appreciation to why scripts have ended up looking the way they do.Since e-books can be limiting when it comes to writing, one extra plus to this book is that you can print out free practice sheets on the author’s site.Theres something for everyone in these e-books, so shop aroundâ€"read some previews and ratings, and get a feel for what will work best for you!Jane K. Callahan is a former teacher turned writer who has traveled to over 30 countries across six continents. She has lived in Ireland, Thailand, Italy, Hawaii and New York City. You can follower her on Twitter at @JaneKCall.And One More ThingIf youre digging these polyglot strategies, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with inter active transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the iTunes store  or Google Play store.

Tips from an Irvine SAT and ACT Tutor Common Problems

Tips from an Irvine SAT and ACT Tutor Common Problems Tips from an Irvine SAT and ACT Tutor: Common Problems Tips from an Irvine SAT and ACT Tutor: Common Problems These pieces of advice are more specific to taking the actual tests themselves. If you are looking for general advice about how to study and what materials to use,   read my previous article. Instead, here I will cover more specific tips that can give you an edge on the test depending on your specific situation. These are common situations that I have found many of my students in when taking the tests, and implementing these tips has great success in helping them remedy their problems. These tips are not universal; you must take practice tests first to evaluate if these will apply to you. The Essay For the essay: First-grade essays you’ve written during practice tests using the guidelines and sample essays (or have a private tutor grade your essays for you) and determine where you are at and where you would like to be. If you have a low score looking to bring it closer to average, you need to determine where the problem lies. Three common scenarios I see with these scores are: not writing nearly enough, having very sloppy grammar and sentences, and failing to effectively respond to the prompt. Of these, the first and third are easiest to remedy. For students who aren’t writing enough, we practice timed writing. Using simpler prompts and shorter time limits, they focus on getting more sentences and ideas onto the page in the time limit. Unfortunately, speed can be a huge problem for many students taking timed standardized tests. And, as unfair as it may be, it negatively affects your score if you can’t write quick enough. The same strategy can be used if you aren’t answering the prompt effectively. Except, instead of writing many sentences in a short time limit, students should focus on making strong outlines or bullet points on how to answer the prompt. The essay needs to have substance, and that substance needs to be thought of quickly before it can be executed. Grammar and overall writing issues have less cookie-cutter solutions and vary even more on a case to case basis. It is important to write a lot and have someone to review and correct your mistakes. If your essay is already good but you are looking for an even better score, you can consider practicing implementing new elements to help improve your essay and make it stand out. This can include proper use of semi-colons and colons, more complex vocabulary words used correctly and appropriately, and varying sentence length and sentence structure throughout your paragraphs. Stay tuned for part two! Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.