High School Tutoring Trends

High School Tutoring TrendsThe boom in the number of online tutoring companies is the main reason for the popularity of high school tutoring trends. Most parents have good grades, especially those whose children have had stellar experiences in the real world, are quite anxious to get back into that world. With online high school education, however, you can help students learn more efficiently and quickly, so that they learn with less time lost on reading, thinking, and memorizing. These tutoring services can help teenagers develop their own study strategies that will allow them to learn more effectively than if they relied solely on their personal tutors.One of the most important high school trends is the growing trend toward online learning. Many schools have joined the online learning bandwagon. Online tutoring has become a convenient and inexpensive alternative to conventional tutoring, because it allows students to study at their own pace and in the comfort of their own homes.Onl ine tutoring also creates opportunities for student feedback. Students who can provide constructive feedback about their academic performance can make a positive difference in their academic success. This results in a more positive atmosphere and even better academic results.Teenagers who are smart and capable of taking care of themselves are likely to be more motivated in life than those who lack discipline and self-discipline. Most parents of bright students feel that the best way to help their children reach their educational goals is to instill self-control and a disciplined attitude as early as possible. Online tutoring provides these parents with an easy, cost-effective way to help their child get back into high school with their abilities intact.Another important trend is that, with the increasing availability of technology, more parents are now allowing their teenagers to study from home or with student aides, provided that the student's need for structure does not conflict with his or her need for independence. Many parents are willing to let their teenager to do his own homework, instead of giving him or her to complete homework assignments. As a result, some teenagers go home with homework they have written on their own.Several students have started using online software such as Flash and PDF programs to read and study course books. They can't read the text because they don't have an external keyboard or monitor, but they can browse online courses or browse all the course books they want without being told to stop. Some students use online software to do research on subjects and they can scan a set of pages to find out what questions they need to answer. Others use online tools to fill out personal essays.The addition of new high school trends to the traditional approach of traditional classroom instruction is a positive development. However, parents should realize that parents are responsible for choosing the curriculum for their children. They mus t make sure that all high school academics are taught within the principles of the principles of our democratic society. When parents let their children learn in an environment that respects their individuality and creativity, then we can safely say that this is indeed a good thing.

Summer Vocabulary - English Collocations and Idioms

Summer Vocabulary - English Collocations and Idioms Are  you getting excited about summer? Even though we in the UK are getting far too many grey days during the summer, we are still very excited when it finally arrives. Lets get ready for summer and explore some English summer vocabulary.In this post I also want to focus on popular   summer idioms that you can use in your daily English conversations. And you will find them below the infographics. Summer Vocabulary - Useful Collocations Don't keep this to yourself, tell the world: KEEP OUT OF THE SUNExample: Be careful when youre on holiday. Apply lots of sun cream, keep hydrated and keep out of the midday sun if you can.SIT IN THE SUNExample: I cant sit in the sun for very long with my fair skin.THE SUN IS IN YOUR EYESExample: The sun is in my eyes, I cant see a thing.SHIELD YOUR EYES FROM THE SUNExample: I wear a wide hat to shield my eyes from the sun.A DROP OF RAINExample: Their simple wedding ceremony   couldnt have been more perfect, and there wasnt a drop of rain that day. English Collocations about Summer GLORIOUS WEATHERExample: Yesterdays match was played in glorious weather with plenty of warm sunshine.  THE BEST OF THE WEATHERExample: It got clearer as I went North, so we must have got the best of the weather.  FEEL THE HEATExample: I could feel the heat of the sun on my back as I cycled through the park.ESCAPE FROM THE HEATExample: In summer, many people leave the city for the seaside to escape from the heat.DIVE INTO WATERExample: He dove into the water and started swimming.   10 English Idioms related to Summer THE CALM BEFORE THE STORMa quiet period before an expected hectic activity or a period of troubleExample: It was like the calm before the storm, as I knew difficult times were to come.  AN INDIAN SUMMERa period of warm, dry weather in the late autumnExample: Although the Indian summer is expected to bring us summer-like temperatures during September, we are now into the autumn season.DOG DAYS OF SUMMERvery hot summer daysExample: The dogs days of summer are over and the kids have gone back to school!FULL OF HOT AIRif someone is full of hot air, they are full of nonsense, they talk a lot without saying anything worthwhileExample: I did not believe a word she said. She was full of hot air.  UNDER THE SUNeverything or anywhere in the worldExample: Londons Oxford street has every shop under the sun, it is always at its busiest on a Thursday.A PLACE IN THE SUNa position which provides you with wealth and happiness, or whatever you have been hoping to achieve in lifeExample: He was one of those people who was always looking for  his place in the sun.ONE SWALLOW DOESNT MAKE A SUMMERone fact or event doesnt prove the rule, it may be an exceptionExample: Their first album was a success, but they know that one swallow doesnt make a summer and theyre prepared to work hard.A COLD DAY IN JULYsomething that will never happenExample: Itll be a cold day in July before I buy you a new car.TO BE IN HOT WATERto be in a lot of troubleExample: The Minister was in hot water last week after admitting he lied about attending a controversial meeting.TO MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINESto not waste time, to take advantage of an opportunity as soon as it arisesExample: Our competitors will catch on to our strategy soon, so lets make hay while the sun shines. 10 English Summer Idioms Don't keep this to yourself, tell the world: Summer Vocabulary SIESTAnot really an English word but used frequently. Particularly relevant in the summer when a quick “nap” or “forty winks” in the afternoon is just what you need to be ready for a long summer evening.Nap and forty winks refer to a quick sleep or rest.A QUICK DIPIf you are feeling a little hot and need to refresh a swim is often a good idea. A quick dip refers to a jump into a pool, river or sea to refresh yourself.TOP UP THE TANEveryone likes to look good and when the sun shines we can get that “good feeling” with a sun tan. People like to catch the sun rays on a regular basis over the summer to keep the tan looking well naturally.Twenty minutes in the sun a few times a week may just be enough to top up that tan!A NINETY NINE (a 99)Ice cream is a great way of cooling down when the sun gets a little too hot. Kids and adults all love the flavours. An old favourite and still available from all the ice cream stalls in UK cities is the 99. It’s a cone with ice cream a cho colate flake stuck into the ice cream and usually some strawberry syrup added. If you haven’t tried it you haven’t lived!!A BUTLINS HOLIDAYBefore flying to the sun became popular and within easy reach of the ordinary man, workers spent their two week summer vacation (usually the first two weeks in August) in a holiday camp organised and run by a company called Butlins. They still operate summer holiday camps in the UK today. They provide accommodation (chalets or small apartments) and entertainment for all the family. A good old British tradition still going strong today.THE BUCKET AND SPADENo holiday for the kids was complete without their traditional bucket and spade. These simple tools keep children of all ages occupied for hours on the beaches in any type of weather. Building sand castles and other impressive constructions with the help of Dad (or Mum) of course is a great diversion for all the family.What is summer holiday like in your country? Summer Vocabulary Songs There are many wonderful songs with beautiful lyrics describing that summer feeling when we throw off the winter/spring clothes and get ready for the warm lazy summer days.Summertime and the living is easyFish are jumpingAnd the cotton is highThese are the opening lyrics of an old song from an opera called “Summertime” based in the deep southern states of America.OrHere comes summerSchool is out, oh happy dayHere comes summerIm gonna grab my girl and run awayHere comes summer“Here comes summer” song is a little more upbeat and goes back to 1959!!! Whatever the year we all look forward to those long hot summer days and endless nights. Here are some words and phrases for your English summer vocabulary that you might just find useful.

Monday Link Roundup (August 7)

Monday Link Roundup (August 7) How Goofing Off Helps Kids LearnOne reason why free time is good for kids: it gives them mental space to process information and build their strengths.What Works for Getting Kids to Enjoy ReadingThe implication of these examples is that books should not just be available, but virtually falling into children’s laps, or at least, visible in as many locations as possible: in the classroom, in every room of the house, in the car, and so on.Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?The article everyones talking about this week: a sobering discussion of the effects of smartphone use on teenagers. Especially applicable in Silicon Valley where it seems like everyone has the latest technology.California State University Officially Ends Long-Time Use of Placement TestsInstead, the school will look at a combination of high school grades, SAT scores, and AP scores to decide if incoming students are ready for college-level work.Why Kids Cant Write |  What Parents Can Do to Nurture Good Writers |  How to Conquer the Admission EssayA solid collection of articles from the New York Times about writing, including a timely piece on writing the college admissions essay. Helpful advice: Choose a topic you really want to write aboutA good topic will be complexDont brag about your achievements. Instead, look at times youve struggled or, even better, failed.Sending Sons Off to College, and Finding Solace in a Big Box StoreCaitlin Flanagans reflection on her twin boys leaving the nest and heading off to college, and the inexplicable emotional draw of Bed Bath Beyond in this moment.Your Go-To Guide for Dorm Room EssentialsStill feeling the need to outfit your childs dorm room after reading Caitlin Flanagans story? Heres your shopping guide, courtesy of the New York Times.

Like It or Dislike It Facebook Working on Dislike Button

Like It or Dislike It Facebook Working on Dislike Button Photo Credit: abcnews.go.com The Like button, which first appeared on Facebook in 2007, is denoted by a thumbs up symbol, though the Dislike  button may not necessarily be a thumbs down. In fact, theres already discussion over whether the button is needed, what kind of impact it will have on the social media site, and even about whether it will really be a Dislike button at all. Facebook users have been clamoring for a Dislike button for years now, but it seems like now that they may get it, people are considering the ramifications of the feature. After the announcement, Facebook users went on Zuckerbergs Facebook page to talk about the idea, and many wrote they had no interest in seeing a Dislike button added to the site. Elsewhere on the internet, like YouTube and Reddit, you have the ability to immediately like and dislike or upvote and downvote a post, in addition to being able to comment on a video or posting. This isnt always a good thing, and people are worried that if Facebook adds a Dislike button, it will promote negativity and may even lead to cyberbullying. Those are some of the reasons that Facebook didnt originally offer a way to dislike something the social network didnt want to have a Reddit-style system since that wasnt the real purpose of the site â€" and also they didn’t want the ability to “Dislike” to lead to disrespecting or attacking others on the site. However, from what Zuckerberg has said about the development of this feature, the Dislike button may not really be that at all. Rather than showing your aversion to something, the tool Facebook is working on may be more of an Acknowledgement or Empathy button, for times when “Liking something isnt the appropriate response. Not every moment is a good moment, Zuckerberg said. Some people have asked for a dislike button because they want to be able to say that thing isnt good, and were not going to do that I dont think thats socially very valuable, or great for the community. Photo Credit: mashable.com For example, when someone posts about a death or a natural disaster, its not quite fitting to Like the post, and some may not want to comment on the matter. Right now, Facebook users dont have any other option but to Like something if they want to let someone know they saw their post and are thinking of them, even if they may not exactly Like whatever the person is sharing with the world. Facebook is focused on allowing people to interact and engage with each other, and its highly unlikely the site will just offer a Dislike right next to the Like button on posts and other actions on the social network. The reason for this so-called Dislike button isnt about negativity, its about offering users a way to connect with each other in a more sincere way. It will also give the content a higher probability of being seen as it competes with posts that get a lot of Likes since Facebooks News Feed algorithm is biased towards showing content thats received lots of thumbs up. Facebook has been working on the feature for a while now, and though it seems like an uncomplicated concept, the thought behind it and the exact idea of what it will be, the symbol that will denote it, and what its meant to do, have made the execution of the tool more complex. In fact, many have already been speculating about what the icon for this new feature will be and making suggestions. Some ideas that have been offered include an “Ear” button, which would allow users to tell others that they hear them and doesn’t hold negative or positive connotations, and two hands clasped in the shape of a heart or a hand holding a heart, which would convey empathy, among others. No specific date has been announced yet as far as when whatever this “Dislike” button ends up being will appear on Facebook, but it’s already got a lot of people talking, and users seem to be split about whether they “Like” this idea or would thumbs down it if they could.

7 Tips To Make Networking Less Scary For Introverts

7 Tips To Make Networking Less Scary For Introverts platzi.com 2. Live on campus. By living on campus I don’t mean living in dorms or university housing (although that can work to your advantage as well), I mean being on campus as much as possible. University campuses have loads to offer: libraries, student centers, fitness rooms and more. Utilize these. Rather than only showing up for class and darting home, spend some time in the library regularly or some mornings at the gym. When you see people of a similar schedule, smile and say hi. An easy way to make yourself known on campus is to be on campus. Before you know it, youll start running into familiar peers and professors all the time. 3. Work on campus. The only thing better than just being on campus is working on campus. Working on campus not only forces you to be present and to interact with people, but also gives you great professional ties. If your professors and peers see you consistently around, they’re likely to find you more approachable and dedicated. Your university employer will probably have strong ties to other professors and heads of departments around the college; talk to them about your career aspirations. As long as you are polite and work hard, they’ll be instrumental in helping you score potential higher up positions. 4. Become a regular. Sometimes half the battle is just showing up and you would be surprised what being a punctual, consistent student can do for your networking. When teachers recognize you as a regular in their class, they’re more apt to remember your name and help you further. Sometimes you might find it hard to speak up in class, but that’s okay. Nodding, taking notes, sitting near the front, and looking interested can be just as good. If talking in class isn’t your thing, you can always visit their office hours or send them an email. 5. Ask small questions. If you want to build better connections with your professors, ask for small favors from them. An easy way to break the ice first is to go up and introduce yourself after class in the first week. Shake their hand and say that you’re looking forward to learning more. Show them that you have an interest in their teaching by asking them a question. Send them an email about what they think you should read on a certain subject or shoot them an idea for a paper. This can be in person, over phone, or over email (as long as you keep it clean and professional). They’ll see you as a driven student and will rave about your good habits should you use them for reference. Becoming acquainted with your professors can also make speaking up in class less harrowing. 6. Use your friends’ connections. Sometimes your friends are better at networking than you are and that’s okay. Talk to your friends (and family too) about potential job openings or opportunities in areas you might be interested in. Dropping the employer an email with your friend’s name in it can be a huge step in securing a spot in the opening. Don’t expect to be hired immediately, but know that having a present employee as a reference can be the difference between getting a response or not. http://www.medicaltourismcongress.com/ 7. Keep it professional. Being outgoing may not be your strong suit, but being professional can be. Looking and acting professional isn’t as much social talent as you think. Make sure to smile, introduce yourself, and shake hands while doing so. Give a simple greeting or smile when passing someone. Use polite words like “please” and “thank you” often. The simple phrase “it was nice to see/meet you” can go a long way. Being attentive and listening well can work wonders. Overall, networking isn’t about seeking out the top employers at a company and charming your way to the top. Networking can be done simply by acquainting yourself with the people around you. Especially on a university campus, there are loads of people to help you along. Sometimes being polite and present is the best way to build a network.

New Position at italki Online Community Advocate

New Position at italki Online Community Advocate Update: This position has been filled as of January, 2013. As italki continues to grow, and we look to support our students and teachers better, we will be recruiting a new Online Community Advocate for our office in Shanghai. For interested parties, please email your resume to ross at italki.com. Introduction to the role:   We are a fast-growing tech startup looking for a native English speaker who would like to be part of an exciting, yet relaxed working environment. We need someone who is focused, motivated responsible with strong communications skills who is ready to work now. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:   Engaging with the italki online Community Responding to English emails and enquiries from italki teachers and students Managing social networking channels Facebook, Twitter Writing for newsletters, website, PR, advertising Co-ordination and implementation of direct mail and email campaigns Assisting in other general marketing initiatives Minimum Requirements:   Outgoing personality Very strong English communication skills Good organisational and planning skills Experience in community management, customer service Experience in marketing and communications Interested in technology, language learning Preferred Qualifications:   2+ years work experience BA in marketing and communications Mandarin Chinese New Position at italki Online Community Advocate Update: This position has been filled as of January, 2013. As italki continues to grow, and we look to support our students and teachers better, we will be recruiting a new Online Community Advocate for our office in Shanghai. For interested parties, please email your resume to ross at italki.com. Introduction to the role:   We are a fast-growing tech startup looking for a native English speaker who would like to be part of an exciting, yet relaxed working environment. We need someone who is focused, motivated responsible with strong communications skills who is ready to work now. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:   Engaging with the italki online Community Responding to English emails and enquiries from italki teachers and students Managing social networking channels Facebook, Twitter Writing for newsletters, website, PR, advertising Co-ordination and implementation of direct mail and email campaigns Assisting in other general marketing initiatives Minimum Requirements:   Outgoing personality Very strong English communication skills Good organisational and planning skills Experience in community management, customer service Experience in marketing and communications Interested in technology, language learning Preferred Qualifications:   2+ years work experience BA in marketing and communications Mandarin Chinese

6 Breathing Exercises For Test Taking

6 Breathing Exercises For Test Taking pexels.com 4. Muscle relaxation Muscle tension is something that often happens when you’re very tense. When trying to relieve that tension, focus on your muscles and relaxing them. An easy way to do this is by coordinating your muscle tension with your breathing. Take a long inhale and tense up all your muscles, then hold your breath and muscle tension before relaxing everything as you exhale. Doing this will help you realize what was already tense and also help you learn to combat such tension with your breathing and awareness. 5. Breath counting Perhaps another of the simplest exercises is to count your breath. Each exhale counts as one breath. However, the most important part of this is to make sure that when you count, you don’t go over five. This is to keep your brain occupied. If you lose count or go past five, you know that your mind has drifted from your breathing. You want to make sure that your mind doesn’t return to your anxiety but remains constant and on your breathing. 6. Belly breathing Sometimes when you’re anxious, you aren’t aware that your breathing has become shallow and unhelpful. A trick to developing fuller and better breaths is to place a hand on your stomach while you breathe. When you breathe this way, let your stomach push out as you inhale air. Try and take in as much air as comfortably possible. Don’t forget to exhale all of that air and feel your stomach deflate as well. This technique helps exercise your deep breathing skills and will keep your mind calm and focused. It may take some trial and error to determine which of these exercises works best for you. It may be wise to try different ones out at home the night before and then utilize the one you feel is most effective. When test taking, the most essential thing to do is clear the worries that will block your brain from remembering what it already knows. If you can keep your mind as a blank slate, only focused on the question in front of you, the answers will rise more easily to the surface. These are just some breathing techniques, but many other ones can be found all over the internet. Regardless of tests, there are tons of other situations  where controlling your breathing can be beneficial too. If you find this very helpful in curbing your stress and anxiety, it may be worth it to look into other techniques like meditation and yoga.