What to Know About Middle School Math

What to Know About Middle School Math With the introduction of newand often challengingconcepts, middle school math can be a roadblock for many students. To best offer guidance to middle school students who are apprehensive about their math class, there are specific things parents should know about middle school mathsuch as how students can establish good study habits, ways to encourage development of strong subject-specific skills, and how to identify opportunities for advancement. Middle school math can be intimidating for students and parents alike. Keep reading to learn what to know about middle school math: Middle school math allows students to establish strong study habits Your students middle school math class is a great time for them to practice excellent study habits that will foster future success. Middle school math classes often involve a plethora of assignments that may feel unlike previous classes workloads. Therefore, its a great opportunity for your student to gain useful study skills. At the start of the semester, ensure your student understands where to find homework assignmentswhether this be in the course syllabus or through the schools online platform. Regardless, good study habits begin with students remaining consistent and up-to-date on all class assignments. If a student encounters concepts they find challenging, its important to address these questions with their teacher. Remind your student that its beneficial to be proactive and to ask questions before grades become negatively affected. At times, students are unable to identity their own mistakes; therefore, discussing concepts and assignments with teachers can give students insight into how to improve. When reviewing for quizzes or exams, its key to do all the practice problems provided. Encourage your student to analyze incorrect answers in order to identify areas of improvement. [RELATED: How to Help Math-Phobic Students This School Year] Middle school math involves a number of foundational concepts Math classes in middle school introduce students to concepts they likely lack a high level of familiarity with. That being said, the large amount of information students are expected to learn can be overwhelming at first. You can help your student ease their concerns by noting concepts they may encounter, including: Substitution Equations Percents Proportions. Its key to understand that concepts learned in middle school math are often the foundation for higher-level courses students will take in the future. Skills learned now, for example, may come into play in high school geometry or calculus. Note that math classes build upon each other. Therefore, if students experience knowledge gaps at this level, its important to address them before moving on. Always encourage your student to discuss any concerns they may have with both you and their teacher. Support development of these concepts by assisting your student in finding strategies that suit them best. Its critical for students to find specific techniques that work best for their individual learning styles. If your student is a visual learner, they can research at home the concepts learned in class to find related educational videos. Students may also color-code notes to help further absorb information. Encourage your student to be honest with themselves about what helps them learn these important concepts best. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help Students Setand AchieveAcademic Goals] Middle school math can provide opportunities for advancement While not every middle school has honors math classes, it could be beneficial to inquire about the opportunities for advancement available to your student. If your student would thrive in an honors-level course, discuss with his or her teacher what options are available and what they would entail. These types of classes can provide the extra challenge some students are looking for. Additionally, taking honors math classes in middle school can gain students admission to higher-level high school math courses. [RELATED: Must-Try STEAM/STEM Activities for Fall] Middle school math doesnt have to be a source of stress for you or your student. Have an open discussion with your student about their interests and concerns. Remind them to always approach teachers if they have questions or concerns, and to utilize appropriate study practices. This is a great opportunity for your student to take ownership of their learning and to seek out ways to excel. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Learning German Discover the German Language

Learning German Discover the German Language Everything You Need to Know About Germany’s Official Language ChaptersDiscover the Fabulous History of the German LanguageGerman: A Germanic LanguageThe Peculiarities of German CulturesWould You Pass a German Citizenship Test?10 German PersonalitiesGreat German WritersDid you know that German is the most spoken language in Europe?In fact, with almost  100 million speakers worldwide, Germany’s official language surpasses English in the European Union.The UK has a close diplomatic, economic, and commercial relation to Germany.When you learn German, you’ll inevitably want to go to Germany or another German speaking country and you'll probably learn more about German culture and even German grammar!Do you feel like living in Germany? (Source: Pixabay.com)Don’t forget that language and culture go hand in hand. It’s important to learn about the German language if you want to learn about German culture and there are a few things you should know if you want to become bilingual or study in a German university.What are the origins of the German l anguage?  How has it changed over time?The German language is full of surprises. It’s your turn to discover them.was as German as they come! We say “was” because he fled Nazi Germany in 1933 shortly after Hitler came to power and became stateless. He subsequently became Swiss and then Swiss-American and died in Princeton in 1955.When it comes to famous Germans, it’s hard not to mention Martin Luther, the father of Protestantism and the leader of the Christian religious revolution. You’ve heard of the Lutheran bible, right? He translated the Bible into German!Anne Frank is also a well known German. She is famous as a symbol of the suffering at the hands of the Nazis during the Second World War. Anne Frank’s Diary, which was written while she hid from the Nazis during the the Second World War, is a literary classic. She was killed aged 15.Finally, here are a few more famous Germans:Claudia Schiffer, modelImmanuel Kant, philosopherLudwig Van BeethovenBoris Boris Becker, ten nis legendKarl Lagereld, fashion designerJohann Wolfgana von Goethe, writer. The Shakespeare of GermanHorst Tappert, actor who played DerrickKarl May, writerGreat German WritersThere are plenty of famous German writers. If you’ve never studied German literature, it’s not too late! Check out our  short list of the must-read writers!To start, you need to read Johann Wolfgang von Goethe as he is to German what Shakespeare is to English. The German Shakespeare, if you will. He is the author of Prometheus, Faust, Part One, Faust, Part One, and Elective Affinities.We shouldn’t forget Patrick Süskind, either. He’s the author who wrote the thriller “Perfume”.Finally, here are a few other great German writers that are worth mentioning.The Brothers GrimmThomas MannStefan SweigYou can learn even more by attending german lessons london.

A Student Review of Washington University in St. Louis

A Student Review of Washington University in St. Louis The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Mimi is a Chicago tutor specializing in various foreign languages tutoring, Algebra tutoring, Writing tutoring, and more. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2009 with a Bachelors degree in French and Economics. Check out her review of her school: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban orsafe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Mimi: Wash U is set in a somewhat urban-suburban setting. The main campus straddles Clayton, which is a fairly tony, first-ring suburb of St. Louis, and the city of St. Louis itself. The campus is very safe, partly because there are relentless police patrols at night. Students have a pass for the public transportation system, which includes buses and the light rail, which go where you would generally need/want to go. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teachingassistants? Mimi: Responses to emails come frighteningly quickly and there are advisers galore. You are assigned a faculty advisor who stays with you throughout your time at school and I found it invaluable to discuss my academic goals, questions, and uncertainties with someone who knows me well. The professors are there to teach and interact with students. I took a seminar with the head of a major research institute who lamented the size of the class (there were 12 of us), which he felt prevented him from being as interactive as he would have wanted. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options,location, socialization opportunities with other students? Mimi: Students tend to be very involved on campus and with their residential communities, which are a hub of social activity. There's generally an inverse relationship between the size of your room and the level of sociability of a dorm, and students who choose cozier accommodations tend to have more opportunities to interact with dorm- and floor-mates. That said, I recently heard that the undergraduate dorms now have TempurPedic mattresses, which boggles my mind. I met many of my college friends in my first two years of undergrad, but obviously, many friendships develop at all different times. People at Wash U are very easy to get along with, and to this day, I've never found it difficult to spark up a good conversation with a Wash U alum. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Whatdid you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting yourparticular area of study? Mimi: Many incoming students have an eye on the sciences. However, there are plentiful opportunities to do research and independent study at the undergraduate level in almost any field. I majored in French and Economics, and my academic advisor helped me through the process of obtaining a two-year funded research fellowship from a national foundation. I also worked as a translator and research assistant for one of the literature professors. Students in the sciences who are interested in research often work as research assistants and lab techs in one of the many Wash U-affiliated labs. Wash U is a powerhouse research institution, and students generally take advantage of the opportunities. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friendsas a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus sociallife? Mimi: It was very easy to meet people as a freshman, especially since everyone in college is looking to expand their circle. Rush takes place at the beginning of second semester, and a noticeable minority of students take part in Greek life. However, membership in a fraternity or sorority is not at all essential or even that important in finding friends. It's simply another way to be involved and to meet people you may not otherwise meet through your residential community, clubs, or classes. VT: How helpful is the Career Center and other student supportservices? Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Mimi: The Career Center was wonderful. I was matched with a career counselor and he was the one who took all of my subsequent Career Center appointments. We workshopped my rsum, discussed my goals, and talked about recruiting strategies. Many blue chip companies recruit on campus, and the student body is a healthy mix of the romantic and the careerist, which helps put students in roles that are good learning opportunities for internships and after graduation. VT: How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union,and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Mimi: I've never had a problem securing a study area. Go for it! VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments/things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere inbetween? To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the cityversus staying near campus? Mimi: St. Louis is small enough to not be overwhelming but large enough to have places to go to. The Delmar Loop is right off campus and is an easy afternoon/night of eating, walking, shopping, and live music. One great thing about St. Louis is the fact that all the museums in Forest Park (all dating from the 1904 World's Fair) are free. The park itself is great, too, of course. Across Forest Park is the Central West End, where more adventurous undergrads and grad students tend to spend time. Alternatively, you can gather up a good group of people in your dorm and stay up until all hours entertaining each other. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased ordispleased with the typical class sizes? Mimi: I have no complaints. The school has a mid-sized student body and most of my classes were small. The smallest class I took had four people in it and it was one of the best of my life. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class.Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Mimi: First, the regret: I took Statistics with a brilliant professor who seemed to be an expert in all things software-related, but the class was too basic for any of us to have been able to fully learn from even a fraction of the knowledge he had. I just regret not having taken a more advanced class with him. The absolute best: There are two. I took an Economics Systems course that opened up my worldview, made me hone my critical thinking skills, and think on my feet thanks to the Socratic method and made experimental design thrilling (how would you measure corruption by proxy?). Then, there was the four-person Women's Literature class in which everyone bonded, we explored all sorts of texts, and I refined my sense of critical theory. Check out Mimis tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

English Vocabulary related to Movies - English Lesson via Skype

English Vocabulary related to Movies - English Lesson via Skype Despite all the home entertainment we can enjoy these days and in  spite of all the many  other distractions, going to the movies is still as enjoyable as ever. So let’s look at English vocabulary related to movies and learn some English  words and phrases connected with movies.And  at the end, you will also find  English movie idioms. Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: English Vocabulary related to Movies What verb should we use to describe going to the movies? Well,  simply going to is  sufficient as it sums up the exact action of leaving your home and travelling to the cinema to  watch what ever is on.We can of course as easily say to see a movie or to watch a  movie.I am going to see a movie with my friends,  would you like to come along?We are  watching that old movie you like will you sit down and join us?What movie are we watching  tonight then? I saw that movie last week it is great.Have you read the reviews  (what people  had to say about it).What did the critics  (professional reviewers) say?  Did they give it the  thumbs up  (positive)  or did they pan it  (say it was bad)?Nowadays,  we usually book the seats (buy tickets)  in advance online so we just  have to turn up (arrive)  a few minutes before it starts and swipe our credit card and the  tickets print automatically.In the past people either phoned the booking office (or ticket office)  to reserve seats (to have  seats available on the night)  and gave their credit card details over the phone or they  went  along to (visited)  the cinema , waited in a queue  (a line)  at the ticket office/box office and  paid for the tickets in advance.You usually get a choice as where you would like to sit.Front, middle or back.This means  where in the cinema would you like to be seated. The front row, the middle rows or at the  back. The back row traditionally was the favourite place for young couples  who  actually may not see too much of the film!! English Vocabulary related to Movies The movie itself has changed very little over the years. There are still big blockbuster  movies that are that bit better than the rest and those movies with less hype  (excitement) that nonetheless  (even so)  can still be extremely enjoyable.In the past movies used to be shown in  single screen cinemas. However,  today most cinemas are multi-screen (many  screens)  complexes  showing all of the latest movies at a variety of times to provide films of interest for almost  all of us.  Of course,  don’t leave home without your 3D or 4D glasses which are a must  (very  necessary)  to enjoy the modern releases.Before you go into your screen you can buy  some sweets,  pop-corn or soft drinks.  Once  purchased,  you can make your way (go to) to the screen shown on your tickets, show your  tickets to the usher  (official employee of the cinema who checks your tickets)  and take your  seats  (find your row and number and sit down),  relax and watch the trailers and adverts  before your sho w begins.If you have ever been invited to a film premier then you have had an ever better  experience. The premier is usually the opening night of a special movie before it goes on  general release (released in all cinemas).  This special night often includes members of the  cast (the main actors/actresses)  appearing in the cinema to sign autographs and have their  photos taken for the daily papers.  The actors get the full red carpet treatment  (literally walk  on a red carpet and are presented to the audience).So what type of movies do you like? This is usually where the problem starts. Which film you  go to depends on whether you can reach agreement as to the type (genre)  of movie that  most people will enjoy. There are many genres.horror movies scary movies with  frightening scenesromcom romantic comedies (with poor story lines usually)scifi  or science fiction any story related to the future or in outer spacethriller a movie with suspense and murder plot or any story that thrills the viewercomedy a film that tries to make people laughdocumentary a film that shows a true story, often shown on televisioncowboy movies   very old fashioned American  wildwest  moviesaction movie a movie with car chasesMarvel movies very popular movies full of super heroes like Spider-Man English Vocabulary related to Movies Here are some phrases related to going to the movies that you may find useful:What’s on? What can we see there?What’s showing at the local? What film is on at the local cinema to your homeWhen does it start?   What time does it start atHow long is it running for?   How many weeks will it be on forWho’s in it?   Who are the key actors/actressesWhat’s it about? What genre or type of film is it English Movie Idioms And here are some  English idioms related to movies:THE SHOW MUST GO ONOf course, show  refers to the movie or theatre performance and  even if there was a tragedy or serious event whilst filming the directors and actors in one  voice would cry “the show must go on”.  So today in our ordinary lives we use this phrase  for the same reason.Example: Michael had spent weeks organising the business presentation but when the day arrived he had a terrible flu and wasn’t sure whether he good present it properly. However, his boss told him to take some tablets and do it as it was very important. “The show must go on”.TO RUN THE SHOWWhen someone is trying to run the show it usually means someone is  trying to control everything. This could refer to business or in a family or even just  organising a party.Example: David and Mary were annoyed with Stephen, he kept emailing them with new ideas and plans for the family get together at Christmas. “Who does he think he is? He always want s to run the show.”TO STEAL THE SHOWWhen someone in the cast or in a performance (amateur or  professional) performs above everyone else we usually say  that they stole the show.Example: Sam was playing the part of one of the main characters. His voice and mannerisms (way of acting) was very impressive. The audience loved him and he really stole the show.GET THE SHOW ON THE ROADThis refers to getting something started.  Example: Peter and Mary were planning a trip away with their 3 children. Once everything was ready, packed in the car and everyone seated, Mary said: “Right, let’s get the show on the road.”

Snooze Buttons and English Idioms About Sleep with Listening Exercise

Snooze Buttons and English Idioms About Sleep with Listening Exercise Do you know what a Snooze Button is? Does it have a name in your language? Well, I know the snooze button all too well. I hit snooze a few times each morning, to give myself time to wake up. Do you have this habit?Talking about sleep is interesting, especially because in our fast paced world it seems that no one is getting enough sleep. Siestas are becoming a thing of the past and getting only 4 hours of sleep a night has become normal.Not only is talking about sleep interesting, it also introduces English learners to a lot of useful phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions.Do you know what it means to be dead tired? Do you sleep like a log? Are any of your co-workers asleep at the wheel? What do these idioms about sleep mean? Take a guess!Our listening exercise is about using the snooze button on your alarm. Listen to the research about whether or not you should use the snooze and answer the questions below. After that try completing our sleep idioms multiple choice game.1. Is it the beginning of a never ending cycle that ends in you being late and _____ tired.2. What would happen without alarm clocks?3. Body temperature ______sleep becomes ________.4. What is the problem with alarms?5. The ______ the sleep the _____potent the sleep intertia.6. Why does the snooze button do more damage than good?7. What is better than the snooze button?8. What can you do to help you feel less tired?9. What is the saying? What does it mean?Ok. Now for some sleep idioms. Answer which is the best definition of the sleep idiom in your multiple choices.1. Sleep like a loga. to sleep terribly      b. to be uncomfortable in your bed           c. to sleep really well2. Asleep at the wheela.  to fall asleep while driving                        b. to be irresponsible in regards to your work and duties                                                c. to sleep alongside the road3. Cat napa. when cats are sleeping                              b. to take a short nap during the day                                                             c. to daydream4. To sleep on somethinga. to sleep on something hard like a rock in your bed                                    b. to take some time to make an important decision                                      c. to sleep outside on the ground.If you want to clarify some of these important sleep idioms then take a class with us! Your teacher will introduce you to many English idioms about sleep and you can have a great conversation class that targets some pretty useful language in English. After all, isnt sleep one of the most important things we can talk about.Sleep tight! Maybe Hello, I would like to ask, what is the answer to the 6th question (there is a word beginning with m the body started which I dont understand) and what exactly the saying means (9th question)? Thank you! LOIEnglish #6: as a result the second alarm may cause you to feel even more tired. #9: You snooze, you lose. It means that if you are not awake and attentive youll miss opportunities.

12 Simple Ways to Get Foreign Language Immersion Without Going Abroad

12 Simple Ways to Get Foreign Language Immersion Without Going Abroad 12 Simple Ways to Get Foreign Language Immersion Without Going Abroad Living abroad is arguably the best  way to learn a foreign language.Cant hop on a plane tomorrow?Stay tuned. Youre about to learn how to simulate foreign language immersion.Lots of us language learners are far,  far away from the countries where our  target languages are spoken.It feels like a darn shame, because being surrounded by the language every day provides  endless opportunities for learning and practice. Plus, while living abroad you never have to go far to find someone who speaks the language youre trying to learn.Since its a common problem, that means that there are tons of solutions out there.As it turns out, you can immerse yourself in language even if you  dont have the time, money or desire to become an expat tomorrow.You can do this without leaving your community, your home or even your bed.The key is to put yourself into situations where language learning is inevitable.  Here are 12 ways to get started. 12 Simple Ways to Get Foreign Language Immersion Without Going Abroad1. Make technology work for youYou know that you arent living in France  or China, but your computer doesnt know that!Immerse yourself and learn technical vocabulary by changing the digital language settings  on your phone, camera, computer or TV. In addition to changing the universal settings on your devices, you can change the settings in individual programs, such as your internet browser. You can also change the language on websites or apps you use frequently.This simple change can make  language learning a part of  the activities you do most, and this helps to reinforce a sense of foreign language immersion and ongoing commitment to your language learning goals.2. Entertain yourself like a localWe all need  to take breaks, but why not use  your breaks as  opportunities to continue to learn?Instead of lazing on the couch with an English language TV show, find a show or video in the language you want to learn.Soap operas can be a particularly good way to practice your langu age skills. Regardless of your personal feelings about them, you cant deny that soap operas feature consistent characters and ongoing plot lines that stretch over a series of episodes. This repetition can help improve your comprehension and ensure that you have a chance to understand whats happening before the action moves elsewhere.Ask native speaking friends for suggestions about which shows are best, or do an online search for the most popular ones.  If you have a TV channel that broadcasts in your target language, this is an ideal place to start. If not, look online for sites that provide clips and full episodes.Still need inspiration? Check out  FluentU.  FluentU takes real-world videos  and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.  Weve got something for everyone, with content ranging from the Hunger Games and Sharknado to cartoons, documentaries, dramas, music videos, Coca Cola commercials and broadcast news.With FluentU, you  can just sit back, relax and read along with the subtitles. Alternatively, you can kick things up a notch with interactive learning features like flashcards and vocabulary lists. Not to mention, everythings personalized for your learning level and style based on the content youve been watching. Its perfect for figuring out which types of video resources work best for you!With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people 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 ScreenFluentU 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 interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz 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.Social media sites are another fun way to practice your language skills. Try looking things up or chatting with people  in your target language  using Pinterest, Reddit, Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites.You can also listen to the radio, check out foreign-language podcasts and enjoy music in your target language.  If you start entertaining yourself in your target language, you might be surprised how much additional learning you gain without feeling like youre doing any work.3. Keep up on news and current eventsOne of the best ways to sound like a native is to be aware of the hot topics within the community and use the same  vocabulary locals  use to talk about these things.Youd probably follow the local news and t alk with people on the streets if you lived abroad, but its remarkably easy to stay abreast of foreign news from your own home. Check out one of many  online news sources.  Ask native speakers what sites they use most, and browse the foreign language versions of international sources like  the BBC and Google News.4. Find a conversation partnerIf you want to immerse yourself without leaving home, you need to find someone to talk with on a regular basis. Thats where a conversation partner comes in.A conversation partner does not need to be a teacher.  In fact, sometimes its better if your conversation partner isnt a teacher because your goal isnt to drill new vocabulary or work through lessons in a book. Its about having a friendly conversation with a native speaker.That friendly conversation can help you practice what youre learning at home and give you  a feel for the flow of the language. Youll  learn colloquial phrases and deepen your understanding of another culture. It can also keep you  motivated, since you know youll need to use your language skills at least once every week or two.To find a partner, start by talking to your friends and family members, and use Facebook  to ask online friends for suggestions. You might be surprised how many people know someone who could help you.  If this doesnt work, post an announcement on a local  community listserv, or try posting a note on the bulletin board at your library, school or coffee shop.Another option is to use an online language exchange site such as Coeffee, Lingoglobe or My Language Exchange.5. Sign up for a conversation clubLike a conversation partner, a club can give you opportunities to practice your target language and learn new vocabulary.Although conversation clubs might not give you as many speaking opportunities as a one-on-one conversation might, there are many  other advantages to a  club. First, the more the merrier! A club can introduce you to numerous  other people interested in the language youre studying, and these people may be able to provide you with information about new language learning opportunities or resources.You also have the opportunity to hear many different voices in a conversation club. Experiencing the ways different people use language and watching other learners use the language can help you experiment with new ways to express your own thoughts.Another advantage of a conversation club is that it gives you a chance to listen to a higher level of language than you may be comfortable speaking. This is especially useful for beginners, who may not be able to sustain a long conversation but can gain a lot by listening to more advanced speakers.So, where to find clubs like these?Many libraries offer conversation clubs, and so do some universities and colleges. Another option is to look for clubs through sites such as Meetup.  If you cant find a club in your community, why not start one yourself? All you need is a native speaker and a handful of people inter ested in learning the language.6. Label your homeWant to get organized and improve your language skills at the same time? Start putting  foreign-language  labels on the things you use regularly.Label your desk, window, coffee mug, bookshelf, anything you want! All it takes is masking tape and a pen (or if you like to be fancy, a label maker).Seeing the word every time you use an item reinforces it in your mind and can help keep you motivated to learn more. Its also an amazing way to bring language learning  into your home and make it an everyday part of your life.Just make sure you ask before labeling your roommates or spouses things!The trick is sometimes mustering the motivation to create all the labels. Luckily, you can outsource your label-making for the most important words by using a Vocabulary Stickers set, which gives you well over 100 words to put on items you use and see every day around your home and office. Theyre durable yet removable, andâ€"for languages that have gend ersâ€"they’re even conveniently coded by grammatical gender, so you learn the gender of each word as you learn the word itself.7. Wine and dineWe all have to eat, and most of us enjoy doing it. Since food is an important element in all cultures around the world, it can be an excellent bridge to help you learn a foreign language.Start with a cookbookFind a book that will instruct you how to prepare the cuisine of the country or culture where your target language is spoken. Even if the cookbooks in English, cooking some dishes will help you better understand the daily life and culture of the people who speak the language you want to learn.For more language practice, look up recipes and cooking shows online. Following a recipe in  a foreign language gives new meaning to the cooking and eating experience and can help you develop the vocabulary you need to talk about important dishes  in your target language.Another option is to find a restaurant that serves the cuisine of the  people who speak your target language. Practice your pronunciation when you place your order, and engage the owners and waitstaff in friendly conversation. Ask for recommendations and learn what dishes are most popular in the country they come from. If you get particularly close with the staff, you might even ask for a cooking lesson!8. Do your errandsYou have to buy groceries, drop off your dry cleaning and grab a double mocha frappuccino (okay, maybe that last one optional). Why not get some language practice in at the same time?Seek out a local immigrant community that speaks your target language and find the shops they use. You may be able to find an ethnic food market, convenience store, laundromat, dry cleaner, coffee shop, bakery and more. Doing your errands at these places can open more opportunities to practice your language skills with the owners and the other customers. It can also be a way to meet new friends and conversation partners.9. Volunteer in your target languageVolunte ering helps others, but it can also help you.Better your community.  Look for ways to get involved in organizations that work with  people in your community who speak your target language. Schools, nonprofits, libraries, places of worship and medical clinics might need your help. Refugee resettlement agencies may also be looking for help introducing new refugees to your city.There are a wide range of things you might do in a volunteer position. You might lend a hand by  watching kids while their parents take ESL classes, helping translate basic information, serving as an English conversation partner or driving people to medical appointments.Even if a position requires work to be done in English, you may meet a lot of people who speak your target language and can open new doors for you.Look for postings on sites like Craigslist or VolunteerMatch, or see if your city has  a volunteer match program of its own.10. Make your job work for youMost of your time is probably spent doing your day job, so this is an ideal place to look for additional opportunities to study the language you want to learn.To arrive to work in a language learning mindset, start practicing during  your morning commute  by playing music or listening to the news in your target language.If youre in search of a job, consider opportunities at restaurants, companies or shops where your target language is spoken. If youre lucky enough to  already  have a job where the language is spoken, never miss an opportunity to practice with your colleagues.You can also improve your  language skills by doing job-related research in your target language. When you need to look up information, try a search in your target language and see if you can understand some of the articles.If your company offers funds for professional development, jump at the chance to apply for money to help you take a course or pay for a private tutor.11. Record your thoughtsWrite your way to a happier life and practice your language skil ls by journaling in your target language.You can write short stories, record your impressions from the day or simply keep track of your language learning progress. The possibility are endless.12. Have fun!The best way to keep learning is to make it fun.Find ways to do your hobbies while learning your target  language. Do you like to read? See if your library has books and magazines in your target language. Do you like to dance? Take a class that teaches  dances from a country or region where your target language is spoken.You can also look for foreign language blogs and videos related to your hobbies. Try to connect with an international audience that  also enjoys doing whatever it is that you like to do.If video games are more your style, search for smartphone apps or online games in your target language.You might also be able to find old-fashioned board games such as Scrabble in foreign languages. If you have friends or family members who are learning the same language, this can b e a fun way to practice together.Ultimately, the best way to immerse yourself in a foreign language is to do whatever you would normally doâ€"just in your target language.Look for opportunities for foreign language immersion online and in your community so you can truly immerse yourself without leaving your hometown.Katherine Kostiuk is a freelance writer with  professional  experience in international education and English teaching. She has lived in four foreign countries and studied five different foreign languages.

4 Best Practices for Making Time in Your Schedule for a Job

4 Best Practices for Making Time in Your Schedule for a Job https://giphy.com 1. Organize your schedule https://giphy.com Crafting a multi-functional  schedule that fits all the things you need to do in a given week takes some practice. After all, if everyone had the natural gift of time management, then it wouldn’t be considered a skill. While you could use some trial and error to find a schedule that works for you, there is an easier way to work in time to study, sleep, go to class, eat, and go to work. The art of schedule-making is learning to make compromises. Unfortunately for you, those compromises will likely include omitting Wine Wednesdays from your weekly agenda, so you can you know study. Plus, you won’t be too hungover to go to work the next day; and by hungover, we all know you mean ‘under the weather.’ Additionally, you should prioritize your needs and desires on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis (depending on your preferences), so reroute your schedule around your personal, academic, and career needs. Most importantly, don’t forget to finagle in some ‘me time’ into your weekly, daily, or whateverly itinerary. Seriously, showing yourself some self-love can help you succeed in your classes, work, and social life. If you’re feeling a bit run down, how can you expect yourself to feel motivated enough to get out of bed for that 8 a.m.? Who are we kidding, it’s a struggle to get yourself out of bed for any early morning class, but you get the point. 2. You don’t need to have everything all at the same time https://giphy.com So what’s the ‘all? Well, that’s dependent on what your long-term and immediate aspirations are. While your friends might give you some flak for not being able to go out on a Friday night, if you need to study or need to go to work the next morning, you need to put your priorities before a night out. Your friends will understand. If they don’t, you might want to make some time to make new friends. After all, what friend doesn’t want to see their friends make money and succeed in school or do decent in their courses (we all have those classes)? Regardless, you need to take a page, or several, from Oprah and recognize that you can have it all, just not at once. Everyone’s weekly workload (and course load) differs day to day and week to week. Some weeks you might be able to get an A on a paper, finish all of your work assignments on time, and have time to have a movie marathon with friends. On other weeks, last minute work deadlines could come up, leaving you at work later than usual, which makes you rack in some late night hours. But it’s important that you don’t reminisce on that one week where you could do everything  because this week clearly isn’t that particular week. This week you barely have enough time to work on your course project, but you realize that no grade is worth being sleep deprived. Whereas, on a different day the roles could be reversed. Yes, we all have goals but we can’t have a perfect life or juggle a dozen responsibilities and still expect to be a partially functioning adult. Please, don’t make the excuse that “Sherry has it all;” Sherry probably don’t have it all. Sherry is either on the verge of a debilitating emotional breakdown or she has one part of her ‘perfect life on lockdown from Monday through Thursday. On Friday through Sunday, you have the rest down pat, but Sherry doesn’t have it all down pat. You will have it all, just not all in the same week or even the same month, and that is perfectly okay. 3. Take online classes giphy.com Online classes get a lot of criticism for not being ‘real’ classes, whatever that means. However, online courses are indeed real classes. If they get you one step closer to wearing that cap and gown, then they’re definitely legitimate credits. Don’t worry, you don’t have to take all of your classes online. Taking one or two courses online won’t necessarily help you magically develop free time. However, a few online classes will give you the freedom to watch virtual lectures, study, and complete assignments and test on your own time, wherever and whenever you want well any time before your deadlines. Having some flexibility in your schedule will save you from stress eating when you find out that you nearly forgot your roomie’s birthday tomorrow and you need to find them a gift ASAP. Thankfully, you just finished your Econ 101 quiz online, and you don’t have to physically go to a lecture tomorrow because you decided to commit to a virtual class. While online courses  allow you to work on your own time, online classes aren’t for everyone. Thankfully, you can still find some comfort in online work. 4. Work remotely https://giphy.com While virtual positions might not get the same type of flak as online classes, there’s still a stigma against working remotely. In reality, online jobs are more diverse than just some odd freelance work. Plus, there are some great websites, like WayUp, that make finding online jobs and gigs for online students virtually painless. WayUp is an innovative website that is teaming with virtual jobs in basically every industry. Plus, WayUp has an easy one-click-apply option on a lot of their job postings. Did I mention that this site is completely free to use? WayUp essentially does everything short of applying to jobs for you, though that would be an outstanding update to the website. Regardless, this company is constantly updating its website to ensure that college students and recent college grads get hired. Who knows, maybe WayUp will be the first company to create a virtual reality interview option? After all, phone interviews and video interviews lack face-to-face communication; throwing some VR into the mix will only make the virtual interview process more authentic. On the other hand, a VR interview would force you to put on actual pants during your home interview. On second thought, please don’t start the virtual reality interview trend. We aren’t ready for this technology. Though, you should be ready to take the lead and apply to some online jobs. Just like online courses, online jobs typically make your schedule more pliable, because you can clock in at any hour of the day or night. While you might need some time to get used to working from your home, being able to update an Excel file for your employer and walk two feet to your couch to begin annotating your text is well worth any adjustment period.

5 best practices for background checks What international schools need to know

5 best practices for background checks What international schools need to know Hiring teachers internationally brings a whole set of challenges to your school’s candidate vetting process. Most school heads know from past experience that when it comes to background checks, there just isn't one prescribed strategy that works for every case and every country. With that in mind, we’ve outlined five key guidelines here you can follow when conducting your background checks, to help ensure a secure learning environment for your school’s students and safeguard your school from future liability issues: Get a criminal background check from your candidate’s country of citizenship, in addition to the country they currently reside in. International background checks are complex and notoriously difficult to carry out. Since there isn't a global database (yet!) that allows schools to look at a candidate’s information in one go, international background checks should consist of checking records in each country where the teacher has lived and taught in. To complicate matters further, each country has its own set of laws, and some countries prohibit any agencies from obtaining records. At minimum, if your candidate has been living or teaching abroad, they need to provide a criminal record check from the country in which they are teaching immediately before joining their new school, as well as their home country. Experienced international educators will usually have important papers ready to share with prospective schools, including a portfolio of criminal background checks from every country they’ve lived in before. Some schools might require teachers to have an uninterrupted criminal record history, with police checks for every country in which they’ve lived or taught in. However, there may be certain circumstances where it’s just not possible for a candidate to obtain a criminal background check. It may well be that the country your candidate lived in beforehand does not provide police checks, or requires that the candidate makes the request in person, so use your judgement in these rare cases. Make sure background checks are up to date. Technically speaking, a criminal background check is only valid on the day it was issued. However, due to the long turnaround times involved in securing checks, it’s likely impossible to have a certificate dated on the very day a new teacher starts at your school. That said, make sure that the latest criminal background check for a teacher you hire is no more than six months old on the day they depart. Three months is ideal, but certain countries take longer than that to issue a check so you’ll need to bear this in mind and adjust your requirements accordingly. Don’t forget to have a process in place to re-vet your teaching staff periodically (at least once every three years). Ensure criminal background checks are at the national level. Firstly, it’s really important to understand the difference between national and regional criminal background checks. Not all checks are made equal. In general, you should always require a national over a local check, and ideally one that’s specifically designed for individuals working with children (when this option is available). Most western countries will have special criminal background checks in places for individuals working with children. Be sure to inform your candidates during the interview process which exact documents will be required for employment, so they have time to request the necessary documentation. Country Best practice criminal record check Other checks available that should not be accepted Provider Average turnaround time USA Federal Level FBI Criminal Record Checks State level Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 60 days when ordered directly from the FBI, issued in 2-3 weeks when ordered from “Approved FBI Channelers” Canada Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Check Local Police Check, Regional RCMP Check Canadian Government Police Authority 120 days (due to high volume) UK Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced with Barred List) Check/International Child Protection Certificate UK Standard or Basic Police Check, Police Certificate/Basic Disclosure National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) 40 days Ireland Garda Check Local Police check National Vetting Bureau of the Garda Siochana 6 weeks South Africa Federal Police Check Local Police check South African Police Service 14 days Australia Federal Level Police Check State Police Check Australian Federal Police (AFP) 15 days New Zealand Federal Level Record of Criminal History Local Police check New Zealand Licensing and Vetting Services Centre 20 days Avoid third-party criminal checks. With the exception of US FBI checks (which allows for FBI approved channelers), international school heads should completely avoid the use of a third-party provider or private company to obtain criminal background checks. All background checks should be original, stamped documents and come directly from the relevant police department or government office. This almost goes without saying, but background checks that were ordered online and printed out should not be accepted. Get criminal background checks notarized/Apostilled. There may be special cases where you’re concerned about candidates fabricating criminal background checks. Or, perhaps you want to introduce an extra security measure to ensure documents are 100% authentic across the board, regardless of where your candidate is from. As an extra precaution, it’s advisable that original criminal background checks be notarized or Apostille authenticated (an Apostille is a type of US or international authentication for important documents). There’s one notable exception: Canada hasn’t signed the Apostille treaty as of yet, so Canadian teachers need to secure a consulate verification stamp as an alternative. There are currently 113 countries worldwide that issue Apostille certification. Click here for the full list. Remember, international school leaders ultimately have the responsibility to ensure that the teachers they hire have appropriate backgrounds and records to be working with children. If you’re working with an outside teacher recruitment service, it’s important that they also have strict vetting procedures in place for candidates. Don’t be complacent: ensure that they’re also following the best practices outlined above. Finally, you’ll want to communicate to your community that your school is proactive when it comes to properly screening teacher candidates. Clearly outline your screening protocol for new hires on your school website. This will go a long way in reassuring parents that your school is mindful of student safety and committed to providing a safe school environment.