What You Need to Know When Choosing a Computer Science Tutor

What You Need to Know When Choosing a Computer Science TutorA computer science tutor is someone who is going to help you learn how to use computers and improve your proficiency with them. They are the ideal person to work with in your quest to learn the fundamentals of computers as well as, the basics of programming and computer systems and more.While hiring a tutor, you should keep in mind that they will work closely with you and be your personal advisor. It is vital that you hire a tutor that you trust and who can guide you through your learning as you make progress.However, you need to understand that this will not be a one-time appointment for the tutor to help you with your studies. It is necessary that you continue to work with the tutor until you have mastered the fundamentals of computers and programming. Therefore, it is important that you are able to get up to speed on your computer skills quickly.One way to ensure that you receive the best tutoring and learn the fundamenta ls of computer knowledge to fast is to get a tutor on a monthly basis or every few weeks. If you are able to meet the tutor at a specified time, then you are going to be able to avoid having to pay for tutoring services over an extended period of time. Even though this is not always practical, it may be beneficial to your education to know that you are able to get a tutor that works well with your schedule.A tutor that can work with your schedule is especially important for you if you plan on staying in a home that does not offer enough time for homework or class. There may be times when a tutor may be unavailable at a specific time, but if you are able to find a tutor that can be available to meet your needs on a regular basis, you will be able to speed up your learning process.Another thing that you should look for in a computer science tutor is someone who will be in charge of your homework and studies. You should be able to look forward to receiving assignments that will focus o n computer basics. For instance, you may be able to get your assignments online or in a booklet that has a lot of information about computer programming.Another thing that you should be looking for in a computer science tutor is someone who is going to have a healthy relationship with you as you learn to be proficient with computers. If you do not see the right people around you, it is likely that you will have a difficult time developing computer skills that will lead to better job skills and success in the future.

OFSTED grades are misleading, and often inaccurate - Tutor Hunt Blog

OFSTED grades are misleading, and often inaccurate OFSTED grades are misleading, and often inaccurate, says ex government advisor OFSTED grades are misleading, and often inaccurate, says ex government advisorSchoolsWith no way to objectively assess how good one school is over another many people will simply rely on anecdotal evidence. Parents may select a school they attended many years ago, wishing for their child to enjoy the same educational benefits that they benefited from - or they might choose another school they have heard is academically good, perhaps from friends whose children are pupils there. Like any institution schools can change over time: headmasters and mistresses will come and go, much of the teaching staff will be entirely different decade to the next; and funding structures from local councils may vary over time. All these factors can have a dramatic influence on the school. How is it possible then for parents, when trying to select a place for their child, to objectively judge how good a school is? League table results can be misleading, as schools often have the practice of only allowing pupils of appropriate ability to sit certain exams. Ofsted reports seem like the perfect solution to determining just how good, or bad, a school may be. The institution itself is a non ministerial department of the UK government, unaffiliated with any particular school or university, and is an independent institution which reports only to parliament. Schools can be visited at any point during the term, and though they used to have to give 48 hours notice, this is presently set to change to a mere 15 minutes notice, with Ofsted announcing their imminent arrival with a phone call. New research published by the EDSK, a new Education and Skills think-tank, has cast serious doubt as to the reliability and objectivity of Ofsted reports. The results are indeed astonishing, with separate international studies conducted during 2012 and 2013 revealing that different inspectors are able to arrive at vastly contrasting assessments about the very same school. A small discrepancy would be expected in any kind of large scale review - but the research from the EDSK has shown that, in as many as 50 per cent of inspections, simply having a different inspector can mean the same school receives a vastly different grading. Tom Richmond, Director of the EDSK and former advisor to the Education Secretaries Michael Gove and Nicky Morgan, has said the whole rating system is misleading parents in as many as half of all cases. He did express understanding at how parents consider Ofsted reports to be helpful when selecting a school for their child, but cautioned as to their reliability: `We know that many parents use Ofsted grades when choosing a school for their child. But these same parents have never been told these grades could be very misleading in terms of how well a school is performing.` `Instead, we should focus on giving parents simple, accessible information to help them decide if a school is right for their child rather than Ofsted trying to come up with all the answers themselves.` Ofsted are planning to make changes to the way it assesses schools, with their new system being rolled out this September. The new grading system will apparently focus more on children`s behaviour, with the whole school being marked down if any unruly or discourteous conduct is observed. The new framework for the report will feature a `personal development` category, which will judge how schools are planning to build up their pupils` `resilience and confidence.` A spokesperson Ofsted has recently declared: `We are open to serious debate about how we inspect, as shown through our recent consultation on a new inspection approach. We will be publishing the outcome soon.` The proposed changes have met with positive comments, with The Association of School and College Leaders saying the alterations Ofsted are proposing are a `step in the right direction`. Tom Richmond, Senior Research Fellow at Policy Exchange think-tank in Westminster has said that there`s no evidence that suggests a benefit to `summarising an entire school in a single number or phrase.` Ofsted itself have criticised the report, and rejected the judgement that their school grading system is `inaccurate.` Despite their defence, it seems that Ofsted is planning a major change to its assessment system. Schools do need to be independently graded - parents need a comprehensive tool to help them select the right school for their child; and school`s themselves need to be kept under check, to ensure standards do not slip. 11 months ago0Add a Comment

Your Complete Guide to Foreign Language Podcasts

Your Complete Guide to Foreign Language Podcasts Your Complete Guide to Foreign Language Podcasts Serial.What does that word make you think of?For millions of people, their first thought wont be a serial number, serial code or serial killer, but rather a podcast.Serial  has completely captivated its audience, holding  the record for  the fastest podcast ever to break 5 million downloads on iTunes (when season one premiered  in 2014).Lucky for us language learners, podcasts arent just made in English.That means  the sources  you use  to improve your listening skills could be addicting podcasts like Serial.Sure, there  are lots of podcasts out there specifically made for  language learners, but thats not what this is about. Im talking about podcasts made by native speakers  for other native speakers.  Not only will your listening skills bloom, but youll improve your vocabulary, gain cultural insights and, if you choose wisely, even learn about something else that interests you.Podcasts are  also an easy way to incorporate language learning into net time,  time when youre doing some thing else which doesnt require much concentration, like washing dishes or commuting.To help you benefit from this valuable resource,  Ill show you where  to find such podcasts, how to pick the best one for you,  plus  strategies for using them the most effectively. Your Complete Guide to Foreign Language PodcastsWhy Use Podcasts as Part of Your Foreign Language LearningImprove your listening skillsListening skills are essential to language fluency, but there arent that many ways to practice listening exclusively, in a way that is totally devoid of visual cues that can serve as a crutch for the times you dont understand something.Podcasts solve that problem since they are usually audio-only, which means you need to pay attention to the words being said.Learn new vocabularyPodcasts meant for native speakers of your target language will give you exposure to a huge variety of vocabulary that would not make it into any book for language learners.You might not pick up everythingâ€"at l east not at firstâ€"but listening to podcasts on a regular basis will expand your vocabulary significantly. Youll also become familiar with words you learn elsewhere and get a better feel for the rhythms of the language.Improve your cultural knowledgeLike a TV show or movie, a podcast is a small window into a foreign culture. As you listen to podcasts in your foreign language, youll get a peak at how speakers of that language see the worldâ€"or, if the podcast is about a very specific subject, how they approach that specific subject.Either way, the more you listen to podcasts the more youll be able to understand subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between your own culture and that of your target language.Getting Technical: How to Find Podcasts in a Foreign LanguageOn iTunesPerhaps the easiest way to find podcasts in your target language is through the app store on iTunes. This strategy requires essentially zero knowledge of local culture or celebrities and allows you to easily br owse subjects, so its a great place to start.Open iTunes and click on iTunes store.Scroll all the way down to the bottom and click on change country.Find a country that speaks your target language (preferably the country that speaks your preferred dialect of your target language) and click on it.Click on the podcast icon on the upper-left-hand of the screen. If you dont see the podcast icon, click on the more icon or scroll all the way down to the bottom and click on podcasts.Once youve done that, you can start browsing for podcasts in the language! You can either look at the most popular podcasts for that country (on the right-hand side) or you can search for a particular subject. I like anything related to food and cooking, so I often look for podcasts about food.To get that specific, put the subject in the search box in the upper-right-hand cornerâ€"in your target language, of course. For example, I can search for food podcasts in French by putting cuisine  (cooking)  in that sea rch box. And I get loads of results!On radio stationsThis is a slightly more difficult way to search for podcasts, but entirely valid. Most radio station these days offer specific programs as podcasts that can be downloaded and listened to anytime. These podcasts are often but not always available on iTunes. But they are available directly on the radio stations website.The first step to finding podcasts directly on the producers websites is to find a list of radio stations in your target language. You can accomplish this through Google searches or lists of radio stations like the one on Live-Radio.net.Secondly, you should poke around the website and look for something like programs or podcasts. In most cases, youll be able to find something and download the programs directly onto your phone or computer and be on your way!On blogsA related way to search for podcasts is to visit the websites of influential bloggers and podcasters in your target country. This is the most difficult opti on, because it requires you to know who those bloggers or podcasters are, or do a Google search to find them.If you do search with Google, its a good idea to first change your language preferences in Google so that you get results in your target language!Want a couple suggestions? Here are some thoughts on the best podcasts for French, Japanese, Spanish and German learners.How to Choose  an Appropriate PodcastChoose a level-appropriate podcastNot all podcasts are going to be equally easy to understand, even if they are produced for native speakers. Like with learning material, its important to choose a podcast that matches your language level.Only choose the most difficult kinds of podcast (humor, local dialects) if you already speak your target language very, very well.  Otherwise, stick to something easier. Just being able to listen to something meant for native speakers is a win.Here are some guidelines to help you  find a level-appropriate podcast:The easiest podcasts include:Na tional news programsDocumentary-style radio programsNiche subjects that are still quite mainstream, like parenting, fitness or filmsInterviewsMore difficult podcasts might cover:More technical niche subjects, like cooking, cars, DIY instructions, economicsLocal news (local news programs are more likely to have local dialects)Very difficult podcasts include:Any kind of humorAnything produced in a local dialect or non-standard languageTalk shows that involve people interrupting each otherKnow your interestsIts best to choose a podcast that fits both your language level and your interests. When youre looking for a podcast to listen to, choose one that will be interesting to you for reasons other than language learning. If you like to travel, for example, listen to travel podcasts.If youre just starting out with podcasts, try to choose a podcast thats in the easier category. After youve practiced for a while you can move up to listening to comedy routines!Settle on 3-5 podcastsThe major advantage of podcasts is that there are recurring episodes, recorded by the same narrator and about the same subject. This means that (a) once you find a podcast you like, you dont have to spend any more time searching for listening material, and (b) you get used to the voice and language pattern of the podcast narrator.Since most podcasts have regular episodes, you dont need very many podcasts to give you a good amount of listening material. For language learning purposes, its really better to listen to a small number of podcasts regularly than to listen to a large number of podcasts sporadically. So find 3-5 podcasts that you like and stick with them.4 Ways  to Use Foreign Language Podcasts for Effective Learning1. Listen to each podcast several timesPodcasts also have the advantage of allowing you to repeat them as often as you wantâ€"and thats something you should take advantage of! Especially at the beginning, as you get used to listening to a native speaker talk normally and to the format and vocabulary in the specific podcast, listen repeatedly. This will allow you to take note of any unknown vocabulary you need to look up, and to repeat any phrases or grammatical constructions that didnt make sense.Usually, the best bet is to listen to the podcast once all the way through without stopping, even if you dont understand everything. Then listen a second time, stopping to make sure you understand most of the vocabulary and grammar.The third or fourth time you listen to the podcast, you should be listening without stopping againâ€"but this time, you should understand everything. After youve listened a couple of times, try talking along with the narrator and mimicking his or her voice, pronunciation and rhythm.2. Study specialized vocabularyIf youre listening to a podcast about a niche subject, study some specialized vocabulary ahead of time. If its a subject youre interested in anyway, this will be particularly useful vocabulary.If youre into cooking, for e xample, words for poach or rolling pin are going to be usefulâ€"both in understanding the podcast and talking to people about cooking later on.3. Read comments and participate in the commentingOne of the best aspects of listening to podcasts directly on a radio station or blog homepage is that there is often the ability to comment. Reading through the comments will both give you extra reading practice and let you make sure that you understood the podcast in the first place.If youre feeling especially ambitious, start participating in the comments yourself! It will serve as extra writing practice and allow you to build a virtual community with people in your target language.4.  Use the podcast as an icebreakerIf you have a language tutoring session or a language exchange, talk about the podcast. Try to integrate any new words or grammar into your discussion.Try to summarize the podcast as well as give an opinion about its contents: Do you think the travel destination discussed in the podcast sounds interesting? What do you think about current events the podcast mentions? Use the vocabularyâ€"and ideasâ€"from the podcast to start a conversation!Podcasts are a fantastic  resource for language learners. They provide a window into the target languages culture and a never-ending amount of listening material. Plus most  are also free.Like with so many other language learning activities, youll get the most out of podcasts if you focus on material  that is both level-appropriate and intrinsically interesting to you. So choose a podcast about something youre already passionate about and watch your language skills skyrocket!Emily Liedel  is a writer and polyglot. She speaks French, Spanish, Russian, German and Mandarin Chineseâ€"her goal is to speak all of the official UN languages fluently (HINT: Arabic is the language left on her list). She writes about language learning and living abroad at  www.thebabeltimes.com. And One More ThingIf you enjoy learning languages wi th podcasts, youll love learning with FluentU.FluentU takes real-world videos like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks, and turns them into language learning experiences, 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 interactive 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 com puter or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the iTunes store  or Google Play store.

7 Steps To Take After Your Internship Interview

7 Steps To Take After Your Internship Interview www.snagajob.com Ending Questions Ending an internship interview can be a smooth process in itself. All you are doing is telling them thank you for taking the time to speak to you and that you look forward to hearing from them soon. They will most likely ask you if you have any questions for them and if you do,  MAKE SURE TO ASK THEM! They aren’t just saying this so that you don’t; they genuinely want you to ask them things. This makes you seem interested in the company and it makes you look like you want to become more invested in this job. Asking questions can also give you more insight into things that may help you make a more accurate decision on whether or not this internship is for you. Handshake This one is simple. A handshake can tell a lot about a person. At the end of an internship interview, giving your potential employer a firm handshake can tell them a lot about you. There are many types of handshakes that mean various things and can send certain signals to the interviewer. Make sure your handshake is firm, but not a hand crusher. Also make sure your palms aren’t sweaty; that is a no-no and also kind of gross. Check Email Sometimes interviewers will send additional files or things for you to do when you get home. Or the email they send you may just be a thank you for interviewing with us email. Regardless of which they send, it would be good to check your email just in case anything of importance comes in. lifehacker.com Thank You Email Sending a thank you email can go a long way. Not all companies will care if you send one or not, but it’s always nice to send just in case. Personally, I know that sending thank you cards is what many students do when they interview for medical schools and even graduate schools; therefore, why not go the extra mile for your internship? It may just be an internship, but an internship can take you a long way if you learn a lot from it. Many online sites have templates for thank you emails, if you are lost on how to start one. Waiting Game Those days/weeks of waiting to hear whether or not you got the job can be agonizing. Unfortunately, some employers will choose not to email you or contact you at all if you did not get the internship. I’ve had this happen through personal experience, but if they do decide to contact you whether the news is good or bad, you still say thank you and whatever else and you move on. The Call/Email When you get that call or email stating that (in this case) you got the job, you can internally do a little dance and freak out, but the idea is to focus and make sure you get all the information you need before your first day. If any paperwork needs to get sent to you or if you need to send anything in return, you need to make sure you don’t miss anything. metro.us First Day Make sure you are there on time, dressed to impress and ready to work. Your boss will expect you to know what you are doing or go straight to them to learn your new tasks. Possibly, you will have a supervisor to go to and who you direct all your questions towards. The first couple of days is to learn how to do things and commit certain things to memory. After that you can choose to flourish in your new job or you can choose to fall to rock bottom. I would choose the first one. The interviewing process is hard enough, there is no need to add more stress to yourself during the aftermath of said internship interview. These tips are meant to help guide you through the small window of waiting time between the interview and the company’s decision whether to hire you or not. Unfortunately, there aren’t classes you can take on how to conduct yourself AFTER an interview. In the end, you will have to figure out what works for you and what seems to get you the best results. It is all about how much you want that internship.

3 Creative Ways to Have a Blast with Self-directed Language Learning

3 Creative Ways to Have a Blast with Self-directed Language Learning Learning a new language takes guts. After all, its a project that requires time. A lot of time.If you dont have the support of a class or teacher, it can be tough to keep yourself engaged in the process.And if you do have that support, it can still be tough!Whether youre learning your chosen language through immersion techniques  at home, or  enrolled in a university or community class, youll start to tune out if the methods youre using dont hold your interest.So how can you keep this from happening?Simple: Put that gutsy attitude to work for you.Take that same curiosity and out-of-the-box thinking that made you want to learn a language in the first place, and use it to take control of your learning and get creative with your techniques!While this might sound like Im leaving it all up to you, getting creative doesnt mean learning all alone or without help.It just means exploring routes you may not have considered, some of which may benefit your progress towards fluency immensely.In t his post, Ill equip you to get started on an independent and creative approach to language learning, so you can keep your motivation going strong and learn faster and better than you ever thought possible.Youll be on your way to being a confident, self-directed language learner in no time. A Self-directed Learner? Whats That?Basically, anyone who decides to take control of their studies and find what works for them is a self-directed learner.A self-directed learner might be an adult choosing to take up a language in his or her free time after work.A self-directed learner might also be a university student enrolled in a number of language classes who chooses to go beyond the requirements and try out different language learning methods after the school day is over.So how do you know if this is the right approach for you? Well, its quite simple, reallyAll Language Learners Can Afford to Be More CreativeClasses and classroom mentalities arent the only ways to learn new information. Ev en if youre studying on your own, its easy to keep thinking like youre taking a class. But with self-directed learning, there are a whole lot more options out there!Think about itâ€"most classes are designed to cater to groups of 10 to 30 children or adults, as they should be. Organized lessons and textbooks and quizzes help the instructor keep track of everyones progress.  Not all  learning is classroom learning, though, and you can always afford to think outside the box.  You’re one person, so even if youre taking a class, classroom rules need not apply to you when youre not in the classroom.Unfortunately, if youre like most people, the only learning style with which youre familiar is the one used in schools and universities. You may try to emulate this at home with varying levels of success and, likely, waning interest.Things can be different, though! You can stay motivated and work towards fluency by getting creative.Even being creative in small ways will keep you motivated an d learning until you reach your goals.Here are three tips to start you off with breaking the mold!3 Creative Ways to Have a Blast with Self-directed Language Learning1. Ditch method loyalty, and try all sorts of things!Just as some people might try to create a makeshift classroom and curriculum in their house for their language study, a lot of learners are liable to stumble upon one method and stick to it, regardless of how much value it has for them personally.There are a huge variety of language learning methods out there, and they all have some value.The benefit of being a vagabond language learner of any kind is that it allows you the freedom to experiment.Experimentation keeps things fun and exciting, because theres always something new to try. As long as its in the target language, it certainly cant hurt you!Here are some ideas of ways to branch out:Media-based immersion.  This means watching TV and movies, listening to radio and reading novelsâ€"all in your target language! T his is meant to imitate the experience of living in a country that speaks your language. YouTube has plenty of material in major world languages, and TuneIn  can lead you to radio stations in your target language! For a huge selection of handpicked videos that are just right for your level and pre-filled SRS flashcards (more on this later), check out FluentU.  FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.All kinds of language learning books. This might sound contrary to what was said above, but many people are unreasonably turned off by all textbooks. Textbooks can be an important resource; you just have to make them work for  you.  For popular languages, there are endless options. These can give you vocabulary for everyday circumstances and present grammar in an easy-to-understand way. Some newer books are pretty engaging and provide a lot of variety. Check out the Teach Yo urself  series (easily found on Amazon for many languages) for cheap, well-designed instructional books to use alongside whatever other methods tickle your fancy.SRS flashcards.  These are flashcards that are timed using an algorithm that maximizes the utility of your memory! This means that you can forget about forgetting vocab and grammar items. The great thing about SRS is that it works well with other methods.Shadowing. This is a method promoted by polyglot Alexander Argüelles  in which the student repeats audio in the target language, concentrating on rhythm and accent. The key is to speak each word as close to simultaneous with the audio as possible. For example, you could try shadowing an audiobook or a slowed-down dialogue created for beginners. Heres  a video that explains shadowing in plenty of depth.Babbling.  Babbling is a stage of language development that all babies go through before they say their first words. Even though adults learn differently from babies in some ways (and also have mature musculature to their advantage), I think babbling can work well for adults, too! I like to think of it as the cousin of shadowing. Instead of focusing on following  audio word for word (as is explained in the video linked above), focus on simply  imitating  the sounds you hear. This works well for fast-paced talk radio or moviesâ€"audio in which you cant yet distinguish exact phrases or words. This is great for producing native-like intonation, the music of sentences and phrasing that sometimes gets lost when we think too much about each specific word. Think of it like youre mocking the speakers!Try a lot of methods and see what sticks.  Just because you try a certain textbook or program doesnt mean you have to stick with it forever, and it certainly doesn’t mean you have to only use whatever you started with.If youre a fan of immersion, try cracking open a textbook once in a while. If you love the organization of textbooks or audio courses, try listenin g to native talk radio or using SRS flashcards to shake things up. You never know whatll improve your fluency!Different tools are great for different things.  As someone taking control of their language learning, you have a level of independence that works only to your advantage. You can create your own curriculum (or supplement your classes) and decide on any combination of methods to use.You can also find a course that works for you to guide your learning, like polyglot Olly Richards  Grammar Hero (all about the building blocks) and Conversations (for fast fluency) courses.So keep an open mind, because theres a lot out there. And on the other hand, if something isnt working or bores you, toss it out and try something new!2. Leverage your time to your advantageIf youre taking on a language on top of work, school or family responsibilities, the task can seem pretty daunting at the beginner stage. Time is a commodity hard to come by these days, so how are you supposed to learn a lang uage? Or say youre in a class, but need to learn more outside of the classroomâ€"with a full course load and a job, things can start to seem impossible.But remember that with self-directed learning, you dont need to limit yourself  to traditional classroom time blocks of 30 minutes or an hour. You dont need to imitate  your three-credit college French class!Life is made up of three-minute chunks, not long stretches.Most people just  dont have hours of empty time to fill each and every day. Nevertheless, you probably have some three-minute chunks of time between classes, during breaks at work, early in the morning, during your commute, etc. You can easily take advantage of these momentsâ€"and they add up fast!So, what can you do with three minutes?SRS programs are made for short sprints of repetitions. If you have an SRS program on your phone, you can quickly review some flashcards whenever youre on public transportation or waiting in line. Its short, its quick and it doesnt even dra w attention!Podcasts are another great resource for limited periods of time. Many podcasts aimed at language learners, like the LanguagePod101 series, are quite short in length, and great for a moment of free time. Many podcasts aimed at native speakersâ€"like news and culture podcastsâ€"are also in the three-to-five-minute range. You can find these by searching for news in your target language on iTunes. You can also find interesting podcasts by switching your iTunes country to the one in which your language is spoken. All of the suggestions will now be in your target language! (While you cant buy anything outside of your actual region, you can still download the free podcasts.)Are you used to curling up with a good book for an hour or two? Well, it may seem counter-intuitive, but books also work great for short sprints. It takes some getting used to, but fitting in a page or two whenever you have a chance really does count towards larger reading goals. You can find books in your t arget language through Amazon third-party sellers, Multilingual Books  (a site that specializes in selling books in a number of languages) and Project Gutenberg.The same methods can be applied to TV episodes and moviesâ€"if you can download them onto your phone or tablet, theyre available all the time for some quick language practice. Waiting for a spare hour or two is too restrictiveâ€"imagining a movie or TV episode as something that can be broken up into smaller bits is freeing.Everyone is busy, but its what you choose to do with your small amounts of free time that really matters.3. Treat yourself like a kid again!I think its unfortunate that at some point after elementary school, teachers and textbooks stop using colors and pictures to teach people. They stop trying to engage adults and excite them visually or with humor.Remember when you lamented the lack of pictures in a book when you were a kid? Thats the kind of attitude you need with language learning. But you might have t o create visual excitement yourself. Think of language learning as an excuse to revert back to childhood. You get to experience the whole world a second (or third, or fourth…) time over!Pretty good deal, isnt it?But what exactly should you do?For a start, use the three Cs.The three Cs for language learning are color, cartoons  and comics.ColorBringing color into your language learning life will give you relief from your drier textbooks, and the language will seem way less scary and intimidating. Remember how your elementary school classrooms lookedâ€"bulletin boards covered in construction paper decorations, walls plastered with drawings, alphabet across the chalkboard, maps on every bare surface? You cant help but get a jolt of energy from it, can you?So how can you implement this? Get yourself to the store and buy some big boxes of crayons. Get some  markers and construction paper while youre at it, too. Make posters captioned with target language text from a favorite TV show or book. Practice your writing and then draw a picture to go along with it.If youre learning a language that uses a different writing system, make posters with all of the characters you plan to learn that month.If a specific character is giving you trouble, draw a picture to go with it. Youll have a blast and feel like a kid again!CartoonsI know, I know. Youre a very intelligent and cultured person. You got into your target language for poetry, for film, for high literature! Thats great and all, but have you thought about what cartoons can do to get you to that point?Esoteric media like literature and arthouse films are wonderful, but theyre hard to understand for beginners and intermediate learners.Linguist Stephen Krashen  advocates using  comprehensible input to efficiently learn a language, and cartoons are darn comprehensible!Cartoons are full of plenty of visual humor that you can grasp even when you dont understand a lick of your target language. They use a smaller vocabulary s ince theyre aimed at children. As an added plus, Ive found that the voice-overs used for cartoons tend to provide much clearer speech than your run-of-the-mill TV show or movie.If you dont know where to start looking for cartoons in your target language, I would suggest trying to find dubbed versions of shows you liked as a kid. Search for the TV show in English (or other language) on Wikipedia, and then switch the site language to your target languageâ€"this is an easy way to find changes in the title when it was dubbed.Then, you can search that title on YouTube or a video-sharing website in your target language. If you want to own the cartoons, you can try Amazon third-party sellers, or buying through the regional Amazon website of the country in question. (Just make sure that you have the right equipment to play them!)Another idea is to find network websites of certain shows. Nickelodeon, for instance, has regional networks (Dutch Nickelodeon  and  German Nickelodeon, for example ) in a number of different countries, each with its own website. Many are region-locked, but if you can find a way around that, these websites often have a good number of complete episodes.If you dont have a specific cartoon in mind, I personally like to search [target language] cartoon (in English) on YouTube and see what the wellspring of the Internet will give me.As an additional idea, raw beginners can try cartoons meant for very small kids, ages 3-6 (preschool age) or so. These tend to be five to ten minutes in length and meant to be educational for native speakers of your language. This is great for the adult learner, because the characters point out certain objects and repeat things over and over.A great example is Pocoyo (or Pocoyó),  a Spanish kids show that has been dubbed in a number of languages. These kinds of shows are harder to find, but many English-language shows have been dubbed, so if youre familiar with those, you might be able to find them in your target langua ge. Just use the same techniques as above to hunt stuff down.To get more leads on cartoons for toddlers and young  kids, I would also suggest checking out forums that discuss your target languageâ€"this is especially helpful if you don’t live in the country. Surely someone does, and can tell you whats on TV. After that, again, check out YouTube, Amazon and TV network websites.Once you find some favorites, you can try applying some of the creative techniques above to get the most out of this great resource (shadowing the voices to your hearts content, doodling pictures of the characters to keep you entertained or writing out the titles of the show in crayon).ComicsThe rationale for using comics is similar to that of cartoonsâ€"comics have comprehensible input with plenty of context for you to easily pick up vocabulary and expressions. Still, many people avoid comics and head straight for novels and classics, even when their level isnt high enough just yet. The resulting  lagging mo tivation and frustration is something thats easy to remedy.Comics have visual humor aplenty, and the text is broken into smaller pieces. This gets you reading more from the startâ€"comics arent as intimidating as straight literature.As for finding comics, use the same techniques as above to see if your favorite childhood comics have been translated. Use the Wikipedia technique to find titles of translated comics, then search for those on Amazonâ€"with luck, third-party sellers will have what youre looking for.Multilingual Books, again,  is a good resource.If you already collect vintage comics, MyComicShop.com  has a variety of older comic books in a number of different languages. You can also search for fan-made translations of favorite comics online.Comics have an even more convenient medium, howeverâ€"webcomics! Webcomics can be short form (think newspaper comic strips) or long form (think graphic novels, superheroes and manga), but I find short form to be especially helpful in le arning a language.Heres a (Japanese-language) example  of a webcomic  about a Japanese woman living in Nanjing, China.Webcomics are  addictive and fun to read, and you get exposed to a sense of the humor in your target language. To dig these up, I recommend Googling in your target language best webcomics (webcomics might remain the same word depending on what your language is). You can add a nationality if you want to get more specific.Once youre reading comics regularly, try entering some short sentences into your SRS (with English definitions on the back of the cards!) so that you dont forget all the new words youre learning.If youre working with a new writing system, copy out the sentences in colorful marker and crayon to practice your penmanship.There you goâ€"three ways to get creative with your language learning.A lot of creativity just has to do with a simple change in mindset.Take control of all of the different ways to learn out there, and get experimenting!

How To Choose The Best Math Tutoring Center

How To Choose The Best Math Tutoring CenterIf you want to learn and master the concept of calculus and other math subjects in school, a high quality math tutoring center in Philadelphia is the perfect place for you. These centers are run by math teachers and offer personalized tutoring as well as programs for young students. They will guide you step by step and improve your learning ability.If you are unsure which center is right for you, one of the best places to start is by reviewing the criteria required for applying for the Depaul Math Tutoring Center. The standards that these centers need to meet are very high and they are a source of pride for parents and teachers. You will be able to learn and improve your understanding of math and prepare for a bright future.The center provides on-site tutoring for both young and adult students. The teachers are well trained and have years of experience in the field. Their program plans and curriculum are based on the subject and the needs of the students, so you can rest assured that you will get personalized attention and get the help you need.Many of the centers offer a variety of programs for students of all age groups. Whether you are an elementary student or a high school graduate, these centers offer a wide variety of activities to cater to your interests. This will ensure that you find something to suit your tastes and interests.Another advantage of the great centers is that they are completely confidential. Even if you feel uncomfortable discussing your personal life with a teacher, the staff won't even know. They are open about their programs and tuition fees, so you don't have to worry about being caught with your head in the sand.In addition to using the center at the local community college, you may also choose to enroll in a center online. There are several websites out there that offer valuable math and science tips and information that are perfect for those who are looking to get better at math. If you'r e still curious about the best option, start by looking up the criteria for the centers that you want to apply for and see what they offer.It is always helpful to have solid math skills in life. A math tutoring center in Philadelphia is the ideal place to get the learning experience you want.

The Ideal Time For Online Tutoring

The Ideal Time For Online TutoringTutor programming language has been put to use for about 10 years now. The educational group, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has been able to gain the support of various companies who offer support services, as they are a requirement to start off a business. However, to enroll students at school, they need to go in for tutoring, which is often done by computer programs such as these. But it will be required that you are able to find one, since most of the online tutoring firms do not have enough personnel to run a good system.As time goes by, various new developments are being made in the area of software, and tutor programming language is one of the recent developments. This new concept has the function of taking charge of the responsibility of the teachers in educating their students. With this approach, the whole process of teaching is geared to go towards flexibility of time and service in order to make the process easy for the student.Tut oring could be offered for a fee or on a salary basis. A lot of students prefer to go for the first option, but the other option is also being offered in the case of those students who cannot afford to pay fees for this. But this is not really necessary for those who require some sort of assistance in order to help them with their course work.These software packages are basically developed to help the tutor as well as the students. That is why it is important to be able to use it effectively for the sake of both. If you can get some experience of using such programs, you can get use of it. This way, you can be sure that you are going to get all the services that the program has to offer.But remember, you will have to learn how to use it for yourself, since most of the tutor programs are just simple training courses, which helps you to comprehend the inner workings of the program. There are alot of tutorials, which can help you get started on using it.In fact, it is also recommended to get some form of assistance to ensure that you are not doing anything wrong. This would make it easier for you to learn and make use of the software program effectively.Online tutoring is often just not that easy. You may have to take the assistance of someone who is comfortable with the subject matter and who is very much knowledgeable in terms of how to use the software program. Just make sure that you go for the one who is really trustworthy, and who has all the necessary qualifications.