Some Tips When Looking For a Personal Tutor Near Me

Some Tips When Looking For a Personal Tutor Near MeThere are quite a few things to consider when looking for a chemistry tutor near me. You need to make sure that you will be working with a person who is reliable and will understand the needs of people who require their services. You also need to look for someone who can guide you in the right direction so that you can easily learn the material at your own pace. Before you start looking for a tutor for yourself, you need to ask yourself some questions about what you expect from a tutor and how you will be able to learn from him or her.Before you hire a tutor, you need to ask yourself whether you are really qualified to learn the material or not. In this field, you need to be an expert in your own field to be able to apply it in a proper way. This means that you need to have the necessary skills and knowledge on the subject. Also, you need to meet all the requirements for hiring the tutor.Ask the tutor what exactly he or she is going to teach you. This will help you make sure that you are getting the best service from the tutor. Also, if the tutor only teaches one subject, then the tutor cannot provide you with all the other things that you might need. So, it is best that you check if you are capable of learning everything that the tutor is teaching you.You also need to ask the tutor if you will be provided with textbooks or a library of books. If the tutor will only provide you with the material, then you might not be able to find the answers to your questions. You might also find it difficult to learn the material since you do not have enough time to study.A good tutor will teach you the subject at your own pace. This means that you should be able to learn at your own pace. It is best that you get to know more about what you should expect from the tutor. The tutor should have all the skills and knowledge that you need in order to learn the material.Check for reviews of the tutor that you are considering. Revie ws of tutors are available in many places. You can look for the reviews about the tutor in his or her professional website. You should be able to see for yourself if the tutor can really give you the answers that you need or not.Get a tutor who knows the subject well. It is important that the tutor will be able to explain what he or she is talking about to you. Sometimes, there are people who do not know the material well and this can become a big problem later on.Find out whether the tutor will be flexible when it comes to time. If the tutor is too strict about his time schedule, then you might end up staying at home for too long. It is best that you be able to work on your own schedule. It is always better to have flexibility than to be at home all the time.

Foreign Language Courses The Smartest, Best and Free-est

Foreign Language Courses The Smartest, Best and Free-est Foreign Language Courses: The Smartest, Best and Free-est Deciding to learn a language is a breath of fresh air.Theres nothing quite like the excitement of starting out on a language adventure, whether youre learning a brand-new language or returning to one you studied previously.Youre ready for anything that comes at you, and your mind is open and free.Now where to begin?There are plenty of things you can take into consideration when looking for a learning resource.Do you prefer working on your computer at home or using your phone when youre out and about?Do you always want to be online and interact with others or are you sometimes  happy working offline at your own pace?But these days, its hard to narrow things downâ€"it seems like everybodys coming out with a new language course.And chances are, youre already aware of many of the popular ones, but you want to know which are the smartest, most straightforward options that will really deliver and not distract you from the important goal of actually learning your language.Sure, you can fork over big bucks for one of those colorful packages of software and books. But it would probably be ideal if you could start learning right away without having to deal with the order and set-up processes, and maybe not even pay anything right away, either.In other words, you really dont want to waste your time or money.And you definitely dont want to ruin that awesome fresh-air feeling by having to spend weeks wading through iffy material and fretting over bad decisions.Thats why weve put together a list of the top places to take accessible, free or affordable online courses  (some of which include offline material, too!) for the serious, budget-minded learner.But before we look at these, lets look at a few pieces of advice for how to get the most out of these online courses. What You Should Keep in Mind When Starting a Foreign Language Course1. Manage your study time by managing your leisure time.Like every journey, language learning starts with a single step: beating procrastinat ion and distraction. No matter what you do in life, time management is crucial.When youre learning a new skill, it becomes even more essential.When you ignore language learning, your progress really does slide backwards. But sticking to an exact schedule can be tricky sometimes. So how can you take control?The key is to always keep language learning at the back of your mind. Turn your goofing-off time into language time.  Personally, Ive developed the habit of mentally keeping an eye on what Im doing online to see if its beneficial in some way.For example, if youre slacking off watching cat videos, try searching for cat videos in your target language! Then get back to your actual course as soon as you can. Its important to allow yourself time to relax away from studying, but if you can develop a small voice in your head reminding you about languages, youll never be too far away from your language learning goals.2. Be consistent with your study time.Just like all the gyms in January, most online courses tend to be packed during the first few weeks of the year.Slowly, everyone stops attending. Its possible to have a valid reason to miss class, but, speaking from experience, sometimes the reason is as simple as being lazy.Sure, having made the decision to learn a new language is fantastic. Sticking to it regularly, however, is far more important.Everyone whos learned a language to fluency can tell you that they only got there by sticking to their studies. Youre not going to learn anything by cramming for a week and then slacking off for a month.Be realistic with your goals so they can be easily achieved consistently. Its far more effective to study just half an hour every day instead of for three hours on Sundays alone.3. Do your assigned coursework or the work required by your goals.This might seem obvious, but its important, especially since many of the courses below require you to hold yourself accountable for your own schedule. We all know that homework is bo ring and that we dont like to do it, but it has its purposeâ€"to seal what youve learned. Plus, completing it is often a huge confidence booster.If you hold on to the three points outlined above, youll give yourself direction and avoid becoming overwhelmed. But in case life has happened and clashed with your routine, just remember that you can always get back on track.The hardest part is beginning. Once you take that first step of writing an answer or checking a definition, youll find that you suddenly have the momentum to continue.Now that weve established the key elements to succeeding in an online foreign language course, lets look at your best options.Foreign Language Courses: The Smartest, Best and Free-estSome of the resources below offer multiple course options, and some of these options vary depending on the language youre studying. Get ready to dive in!MemriseAs you might be able to guess from the name, this is a resource aimed at people wanting to memorize words and phrase s in their target languages. It uses a great spaced-repetition algorithm to remind you of what youve learned just before youre about to forget.Memrise offers user-made and professional vocabulary courses in heaps of languages.You can sign up free and upgrade for more features, like chatbots, if you like. For widely studied languages like French and Chinese, youll find tons of courses that help you with specific vocabulary for official placement exams.And even if youre studying more far-flung languages, youll likely be able to find the most common words with native speaker audio to help.Vocabulary review and learning is where consistency really shines, so make sure to study your words every day!CourseraCoursera offers online courses from the best universities in the world. Theres something for everyone here, from business English to Chinese for the HSK.Simply sign up, pick a course, and enroll. There are both free and paid options, and an opportunity to try a paid course for a week f or free.The more well-known courses tend to come with a price tag, but its a fraction of what it would cost to actually attend that university. This way you get all the benefits of the worlds best professors, all from the comfort of your home.FluentUFluentU offers flexible, personalized and customizable courses that are easy to use. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into language lessons that meet your needs.You can sign up to start using FluentU right away, try it free for two weeks before deciding if its right for you and study multiple languages at multiple levels under one convenient plan.And FluentU isnt just about watching videos! It creates bottomless quizzes for you to work your way through as you study the vocab from your chosen videos, and gives you the option to explore your language further through interactive captions with definitions, memorable images and example sentences.Because FluentU has a robust framework for learning but feels casual, its great for staying motivated and keeping to your goals. You can even keep track of your study streak and adjust your learning goals for each language.MIT OpenCourseWareMIT OpenCourseWare is a website hosting MIT course materials free of charge, permanently. You can read course notes, read over the exams and even watch recorded lectures without having to sign up or enroll.Because its a resource repository, you dont get the benefit of a course completion certificate, however, for the independent language learner looking for something new, this is a great opportunity.The online courses include some major languages, go back more than fifteen years, and often cover fascinating related and cultural subjects well beyond just language. Have a look at French Photography or Communicating Across Cultures!Open CultureIf you think you would enjoy a Peace Corps member explaining how to make your conversation in Arabic more fluid and natural as opposed to textbook, or learn about typical Chinese foods while listening to a stroll across a food market in the southern provinces, this is the site for you.Open Culture contains a wealth of free, varied resources for the language learnerâ€"audiobooks, online courses, movies and textbooks, to name a few.This is essentially a gigantic collection of tons of different resources across the web that will enable you to learn a new language in whichever way you please.UdemyUdemy works for both learners and linguists who can monetize their expertise through creating and selling their language courses.Sign up is mandatory, but enrolling and progress is at your own pace, and while not accredited, Udemy does offer certificates of completion.Udemy offers full-length paid courses and many shorter free options, so if youre after a free language refresher or are willing to invest in your language learning this might be the right option for you. There are even refunds available if you find a cour se not to your liking.One of the best parts about Udemy is the number of diverse options you’ll have for teachers. Many different teachers with different styles offer courses, so youll have tons of options to figure out how you learn best.Word2WordWord2Word is a connection hub for language lovers that gives you access to a huge database of information on world languages.The design is a little bare-bones, but dont let that stop you. To use it, you just have to go through their list of resources and find what you need.Right near the top is a list of free language courses that dwarfs any other list found online. Youll find links to resources for a truly staggering number of language courses, as well as dictionaries, pronunciation guides, foreign newspapers and more.DuolingoDuolingo is one of the most popular free language learning apps and a great resource for people either starting a new language or refreshing an old one.Both the website and the app are easy to navigate and fun to u se, so your study time will feel more like a game than a chore. Duolingo is designed to be fun, competitive and educational.If you already know your way around the language, you can use the placement test option to start at the right level. If youre a novice, you can work your way down the skills tree from the beginning.Users are asked to translate sentences back and forth, transcribe the target language and match pictures with vocabulary words. Both the desktop and mobile versions offer courses for English speakers to dozens of languages, with more constantly in development.EdXEdx is another resource for free online language courses from the best universities. A quick sign-up process will get you access to tons of different courses.These courses can be either audited for free, which means you can learn all the material in a stress-free environment and receive no certificate, or you can choose to receive a verified certificate at the end of your course for a small fee.EdX is a great opportunity to take advanced courses in your target language as you push your language learning beyond the basics into academic and expressive language use.Remember, in order to truly profit from a language course and avoid becoming overwhelmed, you have to manage your time effectively, become a procrastination-fighting champion and get hooked on completing your assignments regularly.Completing your work and accomplishing your goals will bring you a sense of pure joy. Languages are fascinating in and of themselves, and mastering one is a true achievement that you should be proud of.Always keep learning and always keep growing.Yassir Sahnoun is a content strategist, writer, polyglot and co-founder of WriteWorldwide. You can learn more about Yassir at YassirSahnoun.com.

How You Can Learn About the Atomic Theory of Atoms

How You Can Learn About the Atomic Theory of AtomsIf you are interested in science, you might want to study the atomic theory of atoms. This is a subject that deals with how matter is structured and composed by atoms. The structure of matter is important for understanding science and how it works.Atoms are made up of protons and neutrons. There are seven types of atoms, but each has its own function. When an atom interacts with another, they will fuse together and form a new element. These atoms have different properties that allow them to interact with each other and also the elements that they are bound to.These properties vary greatly among the different atoms. An atom is considered to be composed of two parts, a nucleus and an electron. The bonds between the nuclei and electrons allow them to combine to form a molecule.You can use your research skills to learn more about atoms. There are books and courses available on the internet that will teach you more about atoms. There are a lso classes that you can take at the university or college level if you are already a student.You might want to look into someone's chemistry or physics to help you study this subject. As you learn more about atoms and how they interact with each other, you can gain a better understanding of science. This type of knowledge can be used for future careers in science.If you are a high school student, you can use your skill set in basic chemistry and physics to understand the subject. This will give you a better understanding of the subject and help you find jobs when you graduate.If you are interested in this subject, you should start by learning more about it and the way the subject is created. It might help you in future jobs inscience as well.

What Are the Benefits of Learning English As a Second Language?

What Are the Benefits of Learning English As a Second Language?There are numerous benefits of learning English as a second language. There are many benefits to this that may interest you if you're serious about learning. I have tried to address the benefits of learning English and how they will benefit you. While some of them are much more important than others, each one is extremely important.If you're interested in moving to an area where English is spoken, you'll learn quickly because of the use of the language. It can be hard to learn a new language if you've been in the same country for an extended period of time. One of the best ways to overcome this is to learn the language. Not only will it help you communicate with others in the area, but you'll also be exposed to a different culture and new people. This isn't a bad thing.Some of the other benefits of learning English include some great career opportunities. When you do English as a second language, you will be able to enter the professions, the social arenas, and even the political arena. You can enter this world with ease because you already speak the language. You're also able to enter the workforce and advance your career as you've earned your language. You'll even find yourself able to get a higher paying job because of this.Speaking English can also help you reach out to the elderly and disabled. Many of the elderly and disabled in our society don't have friends and family who speak their native language. Those who do speak English understand the value of learning the language. It's just good to be able to be part of their lives.Speaking English also helps to build international relationships. As I mentioned above, those who speak English are able to reach out to other countries and people. This is something that can be important when you're attempting to sell or trade products overseas.Another benefit of learning English is the fact that you will be a better communicator. When you don't speak th e language, you will often speak slower and lose the power to connect with others. With the power of English, you will be able to be more confident and convey your message easily. This is not something that you'll have the ability to do if you haven't learned the language.In conclusion, there are many benefits of learning English as a second language. It's a wonderful way to increase your life and career and to help your country as well. A language is like any other tool. You can use it to advance your life and achieve your goals.

Should I Go To University of Colorado Denver

Should I Go To University of Colorado Denver The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Kate received her Bachelors degree in Psychology and her Education Specialist degree from University of Colorado Denver. She is currently a tutor in Miami specializing in English tutoring, Public Speaking tutoring, Writing tutoring, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at University of Colorado Denver: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Kate: One of the best parts of the University of Colorado system is the ability to partake in the full college experience on the Boulder campus, as well as the urban experience on the Denver campus. (Many students take classes in both places.) RTD Denver provides excellent transportation throughout the greater Denver/Boulder area, and it was recently rated one of the top transit systems in the United States. I walked through both campuses at night on many occasions, all without incident. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Kate:Most professors and advisers were accessible and very helpful. In addition, many professors and teaching assistants encouraged undergraduate students to participate in research projects and off-campus internships. One of the advantages of attending University of Colorado Denver was the ability to explore different academic interests while still earning college credits. Opportunities were also available to take graduate-level classes with instructor permission. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Kate:Student housing near the University of Colorado Denver campus was more like living in a downtown apartment than it was living in a university dorm. The housing available on Curtis Street is directly across from the Performing Arts Complex. It is also only a few blocks from the main campus, in the center of downtown Denver. This makes getting to different activities easy. There were many opportunities to socialize with other students, friends at work, and peers in the downtown community. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Kate:I studied Psychology, which was one of the most popular undergraduate programs at University of Colorado Denver, along with Biology and Business. The University of Colorado Denver provided phenomenal support inside and outside of the classroom. The Internship Coordinator helped me secure an internship at Judis House, a world-class counseling center for bereavement. It was easy to contact professors and to help with research I was personally interested in. Additionally, the Scholarship Coordinator was extraordinarily helpful. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Kate:Greek life plays a significant role on the Boulder campus, but it is not very noticeable on the University of Colorado Denver campus. I found it very easy to make friends and meet new people during my first semester at University of Colorado Denver. Personally, I enjoyed the ability to have different groups of friends at school and at work, as well as in extracurricular activities. Denver has a reputation for being an exceptionally friendly city for a reason! After already living downtown, I found it very easy to rent an apartment nearby. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Kate:The Career Center and Student Support Services were very helpful. Many students would drop in for free math or writing tutoring. Similarly, many students would use Student Support Services to help polish their resumes and cover letters. Not many reputable companies actively recruited on campus. However, many students found gainful employment after completing local summer internships. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Kate:The library at University of Colorado Denver was spacious. Students could easily request materials from the medical campus, but the library would always become a bit of a madhouse during finals week. On nice days, many students would choose to study on the lawn or walk to nearby coffee shops. There are also many hidden computer labs on campus. They are almost always empty, and many do not track how many sheets students print. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Kate:Downtown Denver and Boulder are each fun in their own ways. University of Colorado Denver students almost always go to the city center, which is where many student housing units are located. Boulder has more of a college town vibe, and it is an easy bicycle ride away from world-class hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Even better, it is a quick drive or bus ride from Boulder to Denver (and vice versa). In the winter, students like to visit nearby ski slopes. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Kate:40,000 students attend the Auraria campus, which is shared with University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the Community College of Denver. Academic resources tend to be better due to the shared campus, and students can easily take elective classes from different colleges. Class sizes range from over 100 students to 15 students. Overall, I was pleased with class sizes, and I felt like most professors had enough time to provide individual support to students. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Kate:I enjoyed the opportunities I could find on a large campus. One of the most memorable experiences I had was working as a bereavement counselor at Judis House, a Denver non-profit. I was able to find out what working in the industry was all about while earning credits toward graduation. Additionally, I was able to draw from prior experience working as a research assistant in Dr. Allens Relationship Laboratory at University of Colorado Denver to assist with an ongoing research effort between Judis House and University of Colorado Boulder. Internship and independent study classes largely focused on the experience, which I appreciated. Final papers were usually literature reviews, which helped enrich the experiences instead of detracting from them. Check out Kates tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How To Improve Your Chinese Fast

How To Improve Your Chinese Fast Tips Tricks for your Chinese Lessons ChaptersRe-read the Previous Lessons Carefully Before Your Next Chinese LessonSumming Up Your Chinese Lessons and Making FlashcardsImmerse Yourself in the Chinese Language Just Before Your LessonTrain on Your Favourite Chinese Learning App“There is no single way of learning something.”This maxim, spoken by Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC), well illustrates the fact that any learning methodology needs to be not only efficient, but tailored to each individual student as well in order to better learn and assimilate.For example, when learning Chinese, some students find it more difficult than others to memorise, pronounce and reproduce the tones of the Chinese language, while others have difficulty remembering the Chinese characters, or understanding written Chinese.Our memnonic capabilities are not created equal. Some people have a more oral memory, others a more visual one - in other words, some retain anything they hear spoken while others remember better if they read some thing, as if their eye were taking a mental photograph. Still others need two or three times as long to memorise Chinese characters, for example.Taking Chinese language courses doesn’t just mean showing up at your Mandarin lesson: it’s a long and hard road that requires motivation, discipline and diligence. It requires a daily dose of independent work. Here on Superprof we have worked out four tips to help you arrive at your Chinese class perfectly prepared - a necessary step in the process of learning Mandarin Chinese.Also read these tips for the best ways to learn Mandarin... NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discove r all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRe-read the Previous Lessons Carefully Before Your Next Chinese LessonIt bears repeating: learning Chinese is not easy.This millenia old language goes back to the dawn of history and even the most educated of Chinese - academics and other men and women of letters - don’t know all of the Chinese characters by heart.As you can see, any beginner Chinese student has a long, steep road ahead of them!However, notwithstanding the prospect of rapid progression, getting better at the Chinese language is obviously not impossible.In fact you “only” need to know about 400 Chinese characters - about 2/3 of the most frequently used characters - to get along tolerably after three years of Chinese language courses.But how to get there when you are just starting your beginner Mandarin classes?The main thing is to carefully re-read your lessons as you go. Don’t let it slide or you will be overwhelmed or find yourself with gaps in your knowledge.It is all the more important if you are taking beginner Chinese lessons. Remember:Being attentive in class and listening to your teacher is 50% of the workRe-reading your notes and  reviewing regularly with a clear head makes up the remaining 50%“Memory is the best camera there is” - Kevin Spacey.Here are our recommendations to help you prepare your Chinese lessons and memorise them:Make sure the conditions during your lessons are suitable to learning, allowing you to focus your concentration and keep a good postureWhen you are revising your previous lesson, disconnect all your devices: computer, smartphones, tablets…Take a small break every half hour: 5-10 minutes to have a glass of water or air out your mindAvoid time-consuming distractions such as Facebook or televisionWhen re-reading your Chinese lessons, make notes of things you did not understand so you can ask your Manda rin teacher the next time you see them (a specific translation, Pinyin transcription, the order and direction of the lines in Chinese calligraphy, the meaning of certain Chinese symbols…)Re-read your Mandarin lessons and notes every day: the best time is at night, shortly before going to sleep, as we memorise best at night.You still have trouble learning Mandarin despite these good habits?You still need to take the time to sum things up at regular intervals.Summing Up Your Chinese Lessons and Making FlashcardsSummary flashcards are an excellent way to help you memorise your Chinese language lessons - or, indeed, learn French, English or Spanish - more rapidly.Don’t hesitate to put up posters with Chinese characters to help you work on your Mandarin pronunciation and vocabulary.While I was a student at University, I was rarely stressed out when studying for exams because, instead of re-reading dozens and dozens of longhand A4 sheets, I had previously summed up the main points of the lessons in bullet points on little flashcards. This helped nudge the brain into retaining only the important information, to help me understand without learning by heart.Learning Pinyin becomes easier when you use flashcards. Photo credit: http://klarititemplateshop.com/ via Visualhunt / CC BYYou’re not very organised, even a little lazy?Here are some tips to help you learn Chinese:After each Chinese language class, take up your notes and reformulate them digitally or longhandSum up each part of your Chinese lessons in a few simple bullet points, keeping sentences shortRestructure your class notes so they follow a clear progress: titles, subtitles, bullet pointsColour-code your notes: underline, highlight or circle the essential pointsLook over the key words, definitions, translations of Chinese wordsFigure out mnemonic devices to remember Chinese charactersMake charts and graphs to illustrate points of Chinese grammar or the order of Mandarin charactersMake one flash card per idea: Pinyin transcription, pronouncing the Chinese phonetic alphabet with its 23 initial consonants and 35 final vowels, the tones of Mandarin speech, Chinese grammar rules, the direction of strokes in Chinese calligraphy, Chinese vocabulary by theme…By grouping each lesson into summary flashcards, vocabulary and pronunciation exercises will become easier. For example, you might try repeating these words aloud every day:Learn how to say “hello” in Chinese: « ni hao » (? + ?)Learn how to say “good-bye” in Chinese: « zài jiàn » (? + ?)Review your numbers: ? (two), ? (five)If you can’t contact your Mandarin teacher, get help from the internet.Work daily in smaller chunksWhether you are learning to play the piano or guitar or learning Chinese, there is no point in revising just before your lesson.To assimilate the Chinese language, it’s better to work on it 5 to 10 minute a day than during an intensive, hours-long revision.It can also be helpful to pretend you are in China right now…Why not make use of some of these great Mandarin learning tools, too?Immerse Yourself in the Chinese Language Just Before Your LessonImmerse yourself in the language? Already? But why? Your trip to China isn’t until next year!It’s quite simple: it lets your brain soak up the music of the Chinese language.Since the language of Confucius is a tonal language, its phonemes sound odd to our ears.In order to better understand the aids your teacher will give you in class, it can be helpful to hear Chinese spoken every day by native Mandarin speakers for listening practise.Let’s look at the possibilities:Listen to Chinese, Taiwanese or Singapore newsWatch Chinese movies (if need be, with English subtitles)If you live in a city with a Chinese quarter, go do some of your shopping thereDownload Chinese podcasts suach as this one  or these.Speak Chinese on social networks or with Chinese friends you’ve met on your travels (if you know any)Install a free Chinese lear ning app to listen to one lesson a day and get ahead of your Mandarin course.Watch Chinese films at film festivals in the original language, or else stream them or buy them on dvd or blue ray. Photo credit: digitALWINner via Visualhunt / CC BYWatch Chinese videosIt has been frequently noted that online videos - from YouTube, for example - can help you learn a language easily. Learning Chinese is no different.However, YouTube is not available in China. They use a similar site calledYouku.Of course, a beginner Mandarin student will not understand anything and it is important to know some basics of the Chinese language and understand spoken Chinese to follow the videos.However, even before you understand what they say your brain will learn to identify the tone and sounds of new words better in the future.Find a native speakerOne last tip to soak in the language while learning Chinese at home: find a native Chinese speaker. Hook up with a language partner - a native speaker who will hel p you learn Mandarin while you help them with their English.There are a lot of Chinese students out there who want to better their English. Photo credit: maltzevans via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-NDMosalingua has created a page with links to various tools that will help you learn to speak Chinese like a native. Among them is Italki https://www.italki.com/home, a site that lets you find a language partner or else a native speaker to help you with Chinese lessons.It’s like a Chinese Superprof!The app is very easy to use. The catch? It costs about $15 to $27 per hour to for a teacher who is also a native Mandarin speaker. However, the language partners are is free - a true intercultural training programme, with a free, internation exchange of linguistic competence.A must for preparing your Chinese classes London!Discover how to find the perfect Chinese teacher for your learning needs...Train on Your Favourite Chinese Learning AppAre you looking for a smartphone app that will help you rev ise for your Chinese lessons? Nothing simpler!How better to work on your Chinese vocabulary everywhere you go than to have it on your smartphone?There are more than 500 million Chinese watching videos online, and giving Chinese lessons is a way for them to make some money while learning English, French, Spanish, German or Portuguese.With language apps, there are no walls between native speakers and students of Chinese. Photo via Visualhunt.comHere, we’ll be describing Hello Talk, one way among many to learn the Chinese language and speak to native Mandarin speakers.This app has more than one million users throughout the world and fits you to one of the thousands of language partners.It’s a bit like the Facebook of foreign language courses: you can send a message to whomever you like and start trading languages!Here is what you need to do (it’s quite simple):Download the app onto your smartphoneCreate a profile (e-mail address, password, name, birthdate, profile photo)Enter the information about your native tongue and land of originMention Chinese as one of the languages you want to learnIndicate your level of proficiencyFind a language partner!It’s ideal for a free Mandarin lesson and for practising your written Chinese.Is your trip to China coming up soon?The Internet is a gold mine for discovering Chinese culture between two lessons, practice your Chinese and take a language immersion course before even setting foot in China!How much do you think Mandarin lessons should cost? Find tutors to learn Chinese with Superprof. No mater where you live, you'll be able to learn Mandarin London to Lincoln, from Plymouth to Portsmouth.

How to Learn Japanese Efficiently

How to Learn Japanese Efficiently What Is The Best Way to Learn the Japanese Language? ChaptersMake Japanese WorksheetsHow Easy Is It to Learn Japanese?What Is the Best App to Learn Japanese?Practicing to Pronounce Japanese with the Help of VideosSo you've decided to learn Japanese!  You will need a good deal of motivation to progress quickly.Even if you are gifted with languages, Japanese is a language very different from English. For starts it doesn't use the Latin alphabet, just like Chinese, Arabic, Russian, and Korean.If you want to learn Japanese but are unable to do a language study program in the Land of the Rising Sun, it is very useful to have a private Japanese tutor, or to enroll in a language school at home.In addition to your classes each week, you will need to make regular efforts to review and prepare your Japanese language courses.Here is what you need to do in order to quickly progress in Japanese and learn to master the Japanese language.All of this means that, once you get passed the writing system, Japanese is surprisingly easy to learn.Interest in the Japanese language is also on the rise and therefore people are becoming more determined to learn it, meaning that they have the motivation need to persevere through the difficult moments.Why Are People So Interested in the Japanese LanguageWhere does this desire to learn Japanese come from?1. Japanese cultural exports are exploding.Japanese culture has given a lot to the world over the years. From sushi to manga, anime to origami, Japanese culture has long fascinated the western world. By learning Japanese, you can access things like Japanese films, comic books, and video games.2. Knowing Japanese will set you apart from the crowd.Japanese is one of many languages often overlooked in favour of Spanish, French, German, or Italian. By learning a different language, and one spoken by almost 128 million people, will make your CV stand out from the rest.What's more, having a knowledge of Japanese brings job opportunities due to its importance in the world of business. According to t he World Bank, Japan has the third largest consumer market in the world. This is partly due to the culture of saving in Japan, meaning people can afford to make big purchases, coupled with the high levels of disposable income in the country (an average of $3,800 per household per month).This makes the Japanese market a prime target for companies all over the world. And the key to winning business in the Japanese market? Speaking their language of course. This is because learning Japanese doesn't only teach you the language, it teaches you about the culture and the different business etiquette which is so important in securing deals with other companies.Learning Japanese before traveling to Japan is an added motivating factor!3. The Japanese are international tourists.With so much disposable income, the Japanese have converted themselves into globetrotters. About 18 million Japanese people left the archipelago in 2017 according to the JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization). This means that Japanese tourists are spending across Australia, Europe, and North America.Naturally, knowing Japanese will set you apart when it comes to jobs in your own country in any sector related to tourism because you will be able to communicate with one of the biggest overseas group of travellers in the world.Are you convinced you should learn this amazing language yet?Do you know the rates for a Japanese lesson?What Is the Best App to Learn Japanese?Learning Japanese requires a certain amount of rigor in your everyday life. In order for you to take pleasure in what can sometimes be a very difficult learning experience, books are great, but you can also learn in a more playful way  thanks to mobile applications. This will  even help you practice to improve your pronunciation:Skritter: teaches Chinese and Japanese. The flashcard system allows users to revise vocabulary words thanks to the touch screen. It will also help you to learn to trace the Kana and Kanji characters correctly .JA Sensei: this is a fun and learning-packed application: conversation, writing, exercises, courses, quizzes...You can trust this app to allow you to be well prepared for your Japanese classes.Learn Japanese online: this app is based on Japanese conversation. Sequences are used to understand a short conversation. With voice recognition, it trains you to speak Japanese. Another approach to the oral learning of the language.Kana Town: the must-have app for learning Kana (Hiragana and Katakana). Ideal to start learning Japanese. You choose the characters to study and will have to find the right way to pronounce them.Nihongo na kana: very good app to start with some Japanese writing as well as start to learn the 92 signs and derivatives of kana syllabary, with quizzes along the way to evaluate your progress.These applications will also help you enormously to prepare for a test in Japanese!Practicing to Pronounce Japanese with the Help of VideosYoutube is the best bet if you are looking to immerse yourself in the Japanese language!The videos you will find there will make sure your ear gets used to the sounds.Watching Japanese anime in the original version will mean that you will progress quickly with the language!So, how do you feel about learning Japanese through manga on video?When you begin, it's better to rely on channels offering courses in Japanese. Be careful when sorting through them. Make sure it is correct Japanese you are learning! You'll find this out easily by reading the user comments. People sometimes pretend to be bilingual!This will help you  to work on your pronunciation of Kana or Kanjiet and enrich your vocabulary at the same time. It may not be a miracle method but it is definitely interesting as a complement to your courses.Once you have acquired the basics as well as a little vocabulary, it will be interesting for you  to dive into anime (manga) and dramas (Japanese TV series). You will be able to approach the language in its specific contex t and gain fluency in oral comprehension.It is also an opportunity to see that the Japanese language has many variations depending on the speakers you are addressing. And as a bonus, you will discover a little more about the Japanese culture!With all these tips, you can progress quickly and stay optimistic about your learning! If want to find a tutor, try searching for Japanese classes in your city on the Superprof website.What's your next step then...? Going to live in Japan or taking a trip to Tokyo?Or searching for japanese courses london, perhaps? Or  Japanese courses  all over the UK?

English Spelling Rules for ESOL Learners

English Spelling Rules for ESOL Learners The Most Important Spelling Rules in English to Help You Progress Faster ChaptersThe Logic of English Spelling RulesThe 10 Most Common Spelling Mistakes in EnglishRules of English SpellingLearn English Spelling: UK vs the USChoosing the Right English Dictionary for YouWith its international status and easy conjugation, English is a brilliant language to learn, whether you learn english online or face to face.Gaining reading and writing skills with the possibility of achieving fluency in any language is highly beneficial for the future prospects of the learners, as acquiring valuable language skills is a small step in promoting healthy intercultural relations.However, there is one particularly tricky aspect of the English language, which causes all manner of problems for those learning English as a second language, as well as native English speakers.The offender is English spelling.With its silent letters making new words difficult to pronounce, and several different pronunciations for words ending in o-u-g-h, English spelling is anything but phonetic.The way that ‘tough’ rhymes with ‘rough’, but it doesn’t rhyme with ‘though’ is enough to make anyone dizzy.English also features silent letters, which appear in the spelling of a word but are not said aloud.Some examples of silent letters include the letter ‘K’ in ‘knife’ and ‘knead’, as well as the ‘G’ in ‘gnarl’ and ‘gnat’.Even the many English dictionaries on the market can’t seem to completely agree when it comes to the spelling of certain words, and whether compound words like ‘makeup’ should feature a hyphen to become ‘make-up’.From Westminster to Washington DC and beyond - English is an international language ¦ source: Pixabay - derwikiThe interestingness of English spelling is largely due to the early origins of the English language, as well as more recent variations that have surfaced with English being spoken in North America.English started life as, and still technically is, a part of the Germanic family of languages.But the N orman invasion of 1066 brought a Latin influence across the channel, which had a lasting impact on English language and how language was used within society at that time.When you learn to speak English as a foreign language, it is about more than your conversational English skills, listening comprehension and getting the hang of the latest slang to make an impression in your English lessons.Being able to speak English fluently isn't the be-all and end-all of acing your English course.As a non native English learner, knowing how to read and write in good English is an essential part of using English in every aspect of communication, and will stand you in good stead if you take any written exams in English.Its rich yet somewhat rocky history is what makes some aspects of English challenging, but it is nevertheless a truly unique language and a joy to learn!Shoe ? ShoesPhotograph ? PhotographsAngel ? AngelsHowever, this rule is only general, and there is a whole host of exceptions.Than kfully, since most of these exceptions follow the same pattern, you can easily learn how they work.Rules are made to be broken, and they definitely are in English spelling! ¦ source: Pixabay - MoneyforCoffeeLet’s start with words ending in ‘Y’.For words ending in a consonant followed by ‘Y’, you remove the Y and add ‘i-e-s’:Pony ? PoniesCompany ? CompaniesParties ? PartiesThe exception to this rule is the less common words which end with a vowel before the Y follow the usual rule or simply adding an ‘S’.Bay ? BaysKey ? KeysPlay ? PlaysSo, even though, as a speaker of another language, English spelling may seem to make people bend over backwards with its traps and inconsistencies, they’re not always too difficult to get the hang of.Another exception to standard pluralisation is words which already end in ‘S’, like ‘bus’, for example.The rule for pluralising these words is that you add ‘es’ instead of just ‘S’, and it applies to words ending in ‘ s-s’, ‘Z’, ‘c-h’, ‘s-h’ and ‘X’, too.Bus ? BusesKiss ? KissesWaltz ? WaltzesMatch ? MatchesBrush ? BrushesTax ? TaxesThis part of the pluralisation rule isn’t so difficult to remember since these words are nearly impossible to pronounce without the additional ‘E’ to facilitate a consonant.Learn English Spelling: UK vs the USAs English has become so widely spoken, there are areas where populations have adapted and added to the language to create their own version of English.This is particularly notable in the USA, where variant spellings have gained status as a standardised version of English.According to Oxford Dictionaries, these differences have arisen because British English has kept the original spellings of the words it has acquired from other languages, such as French in particular, whereas American English has adapted spellings to better reflect the way words are pronounced.One of the most noticeable of these variations is in words ending in ‘r-e’ in English, which American English spells ‘e-r’.The reason for this is exactly as Oxford Dictionaries explains: British English has stuck with the French spelling.FrenchBritish EnglishAmerican EnglishCentreCentreCenterThéâtreTheatreTheaterMètreMetreMeterOther examples of spellings that have been altered by US English are words which feature the vowels ‘O’ and ‘U’ side by side British English, but where the ‘U’ has been omitted in the American versions of these words.British EnglishAmerican EnglishColourColorHonourHonorNeighbourNeighborRegarding this phenomenon, BBC America explains that, just like the change in spelling of words ending in ‘r-e’, the omission of the letter ‘U’ was a deliberate change to make words better reflect their pronunciation.Removing the ‘U’ from words such as ‘color’ was to help differentiate them from words containing ‘o-u-r’ but which were pronounced differently, as ‘ower’.For example, ‘colour’ and ‘flour’ end with the same letters, but the ‘o-u-r’ in ‘flour’ is pronounced as ‘ower’.Other words which have been altered to make spelling more phonetic for the American English speaker include ‘plow’, which is spelt as ‘plough’ in British English, ‘catalog’, which was originally ‘catalogue’, and ‘ax’, which the Brits spell with an ‘E’, as ‘axe’.UK spelling vs. US spelling: the great debate ¦ source: Pixabay - ErikaWittliebThe variation in spelling between British and US English is always recognisable, however, it rarely gets in the way of reading comprehension.This is why to learn English is to open up a whole world of reading opportunity, as you can enjoy literature from both sides of the Atlantic!Choosing the Right English Dictionary for YouWhen you’re learning to speak English, you’ll undoubtedly need some kind of dictionary to help with practicing your literacy, vocab and spelling.But dictionaries come in all shapes and sizes: monolingual, b ilingual, rhyming, prescriptive, descriptive, electronic, comprehensive or pocket.However, being spoilt for choice can sometimes be overwhelming.So how do you choose the right English dictionary for you?Since each type of dictionary serves a different purpose, the one you choose will depend on your needs as a learner.Some dictionaries are simply for looking up the spellings of words, and may only have a simple definition, whereas others will have definitions accompanied by related words and their usage.It may surprise you that the dictionaries we know today started life as bilingual glossaries in medieval Europe, which were used by churchgoers to translate biblical texts between Latin and their native language.Similarly, the earliest English dictionaries in Great Britain were used to define Latin, French and Spanish words in English, and later developed to only contain English words with detailed definitions.The alphabetical dictionaries we know today came about in the year 1755, wi th the publication of ‘A Dictionary of the English Language’ by Samuel Johnson.Dictionaries, glossaries and word lists offered a standardisation of English spelling at a time when there were few reference resources.This made the dictionary a powerful tool when it came to influencing the way in which the English language developed, as Noah Webster, as American compiler, realised.Webster began making subtle changes to the spellings used by the Brits to make words better reflect their pronunciation, and these changes subsequently became responsible for what we know today as ‘US English’.The world of dictionaries is far richer and more interesting than anyone ever imagines, and every publication is much more than a simple book of words.The pros and cons of learning English as a native speaker of a foreign language are mainly due to the expanse of the English speaking world, but rest assured that help is never far away and from day one, you can reap the rewards.

How to Plan Your GMAT Prep Schedule

How to Plan Your GMAT Prep Schedule Planning your GMAT prep schedule is the first step to success on the exam. But what should be on that schedule? How much time should you dedicate to certain topics? When should you implement specific strategies, like GMAT practice tests or study groups? How should you maximize your prep in the weeks close to the test? Lets look at a template for GMAT prep over a two-month schedule, which can be extended or compacted for your personal study needs. Here is a general overview: Suggested GMAT prep timeline Determine when you plan to apply to a graduate school business (MBA) program Register for the GMAT Take a practice exam to find out your current strengths and weaknesses Study and do related test prep Take additional practice exams to measure your progress GMAT Prep Schedule Week 1: Take a practice exam to determine your current starting point, even if you have taken the GMAT previously. Once you get your results, go back over the test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Did you perform better in the Quantitative section than you did in Verbal? Did you have difficulty with the Analytical Writing Assessment? Was it tough to put the pieces together for the Integrated Reading section? Figure out what areas need the most attention. Next, register for the GMAT. This will give you a definite end point to work toward. (For this template, the exam day will occur two months from the start date.) Then, create a study schedule. Dedicate consistent blocks of time on your calendar specifically for preparing for the GMAT, ideally two to three hours every other day. GMAT Prep Schedule Week 2: Start reviewing how to approach each question type, and complete practice questions from each section of the exam: AWA, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal. Note your performance on each question type and review the questions you answer incorrectly. Also, make a trial visit to the testing center. Plan alternate routes as well, in case there are any unexpected impediments on exam day. Introduce yourself to the center manager. Find out the locations of the lockers, water fountains, and restrooms. Advanced preparation is key to experiencing a smooth test day. GMAT Prep Schedule Week 3: Take your second practice exam. You should concentrate on building your familiarity with the material and applying the approaches you have developed to answer different question types. Based on your results, decide whether you should continue getting ready for the GMAT on your own or seek outside help with your preparation by possibly joining a study group or enlisting assistance from a GMAT tutor. Once you have made your decision, adjust your schedule accordingly and stick to it. GMAT Prep Schedule Week 4: Continue studying each section of the GMAT. Begin to spend more time on challenging sections while maintaining your skills in areas in which you have more proficiency. For instance, if you have mastered the art of sentence correction, but still have difficulty with the math covered on the exam, consider moving on to data sufficiency and problem-solving. You should notice some progress as you increase your understanding of the exam. GMAT Prep Schedule Week 5: Sit for your third practice GMAT. Now that you have more experience with the question types, take this opportunity to increase your stamina and further develop your test-taking abilities. Pace yourself as you move through the sections, and stay on track. Dont worry about getting every question correct. Focus on maximizing your score. Use your time wisely, and use all of the time provided. After you tabulate the results, compare your performance on this practice exam to your previous work. Determine where you are improving, where you still need work, and what changes you have noticed over your studying period. GMAT Prep Schedule Week 6: Keep goingdont give up! As you continue working through practice questions, take the time to look at where you started and where you are now. In addition to checking whether you answered a question correctly, examine the construction of the questions with which you have trouble. Are lengthy questions more challenging for you, or questions with variables, or ones involving inference? Patterns should emerge regarding your test-taking habits. GMAT Prep Schedule Week 7: Take your final practice exam. Simulate the testing center experience as well as possible by tackling all of the sections over a specific time period and taking your timed breaks. After completing the test, compare your results to your previous attempts. Look at what has changed and what has stayed consistent. Decide which areas you can improve over these last two weeks before your GMAT. GMAT Prep Schedule Week 8: During this last week of GMAT prep, focus your attention on fine-tuning your skills for the next six days. Then stopdo not cram on the day before the exam. You can feel confident that youve done tons of substantial preparation up to this point. Instead, use this time to rest or engage in an activity you enjoy. Make sure you get a good nights sleep on both the night before the exam and the previous night. You need to retain your energy for the big day. On the day after exam, celebrate! You survived the GMAT. It is now time to plan your next move in the MBA application process. If you are happy with your scores, start working on your essays or plan a campus visit. If you would like to increase your scores, then take a short break before you jump back into study mode and take the exam again. Either way, following this eight-week GMAT prep schedule can help make this standardized test experience less intimidating and more manageable. Two Month GMAT Prep Timeline Action Week 1 Register for a GMAT test date, take a practice exam Week 2 Do practice for each section of the exam, visit the testing location Week 3 Take another full-length practice exam Week 4 Continue test prep, determine if you need additional help (private tutoring) Week 5 Address specific areas for improvement Week 6 Take a third full-length practice exam Week 7 Continue to examine your progress, take another full-length practice exam Week 8 Avoid cramming the night before, prepare yourself mentally and physically for test day 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 atblog@varsitytutors.com.