How To Learn English With Emails - Online Tutors Can Help

How To Learn English With Emails - Online Tutors Can HelpAre you planning to learn English as a second language (ESL) or to communicate in the workplace? While it may seem rather easy to write an email or even an essay, it is very different to be writing in a language that is completely foreign. So, how do you think your writing would be? You might not believe that you could be writing in a strange language.This is especially true if you have never had a conversation with your boss, a colleague or a client. Even if you are familiar with a language that you like to read, what if the person you are speaking to did not know English at all? This would be even more devastating if they understood you only through reading you. Even more unfortunate is if they understood you only through a transcription of your written words.There are several online tutors who help students learn English easily. However, the disadvantage of online tutors is that they do not have the opportunity to interact w ith you face to face.The point is, even if they have a way to learn English, they would not be able to understand your tone of voice or to know the exact meaning of your sentences. There are two ways to overcome this problem and both are equally effective.A simple solution to overcome this problem is to have an online tutor for your English writing emails. Although a private tutor would cost much more than what you would pay for an online course, you would still be saving a lot of money by hiring a personal English writing tutor. This will allow you to study for more than one hour a day, almost as much as you can spend reading or watching TV.Moreover, most online tutors offer a free trial and you would get to try out their services first before committing yourself to the course. So, all you need to do is to check the details of their programs and decide which one best suits your needs. Once you have found a suitable program, it is important that you follow it closely to avoid any pr oblems.If you wish to start learning English as a second language, I am sure that you would want to do it very soon. However, as you learn this new language, you will not feel good about yourself and this would turn out to be a very big problem.

How To Navigate Russian Grammar

How To Navigate Russian Grammar Basic Russian Grammar for Beginners ChaptersVerbs in RussianSome Basic Russian VerbsBuilding Russian SentencesUsing Games to Learn RussianFind Russian Lessons Near YouEager to start learning Russian and find out more about the land of the Tsars, maybe even take a trip to Moscow or St. Petersburg? Learn to read Tolstoy or Pushkin or other greats of Russian literature in the original language?Wonderful! This Slavic language is spoken by about 154 million people worldwide, and while at first, it may seem daunting to learn a whole new alphabet, Russian grammar, while quite different from English in many ways, is in others also much simpler.So once you have mastered the Cyrillic alphabet and learned a few basic Russian words and phrases, it’s time to study the core of the Russian sentences and how to build them - and how to continue your Russian lessons London and make learning Russian fun!EditAspectGroup lessons Private tutorTimeforce you to take time to learn - great if you always have an excuse for rescheduling.adapt t o your schedule if your job doesn’t leave you time off at the same time every week.TeachingStrict curriculums and set exercises. Wonderful if you tend to go off on tangents when learning.Adaptable curriculum that lets you advance at your own pace. Perfect if you find learning a language difficult.Feedback. You can learn from the questions other students ask - the ones you didn’t realise you needed to ask, too.Your teacher will help you ferret out and work on your weak points.Motivation.Other students are in the boat as you. You will have a support structure and study buddies if you revise best in a group.Your teacher will notice a lack of motivation and help you overcome it by adapting their teaching style or offering a mix of games and study.Missing a lesson.You’ll have to catch up!No need to make up that lesson since it simply didn’t take place. Continue where you left off when you see your Russian tutor again.With the help of Russian language tutors, you can learn how to read this sign. Photo credit: Ilya Khuroshvili on VisualHuntFinding Russian teachersAssuming you live somewhere where Russian is not a popular language to learn and you need a private tutor. Where can you find one?Here are a few tips:Is there a university near you? If so, you can look for Russian private tutors either at the Russian faculty if they have one, or simply go around campus putting up leaflets looking for a Russian native speaker. Russians studying in the UK may be eager to earn a few extra pounds by teaching you their language and culture!Is there a Russian community in your town or near it? Look for Russian Orthodox churches online and contact them to see if it’s all right for you to put a leaflet on their message board, or if the priest might recommend someone to you.Or look online! Here at Superprof, we have hundreds of Russian tutors eager to give you private lessons at home or via Skype.Check out our platform for the best  Russian teacher.With these tips, you are primed and ready to take the leap and improve your listening comprehension and accent at a more advanced level, perhaps even with language immersion or a trip to Russia!

A New Perspective on Academic Success

A New Perspective on Academic Success Improving Academic Performance The average person probably believes that a critical key to success in life, particularly one’s academic life, is intrinsic intelligence as measured by IQ. Yes, most of would say, hard work matters a lot too, but at least in many academic situations, no amount of hard work can really make up for a lower level of raw intelligence or aptitude for certain types of academic or cognitive skills. Some of us are “math people” and some of us just aren’t, right? Not really. A large body of academic research has been developed over the past two decades which suggests that the above sentiment is fundamentally misguided; it’s much closer to wrong than right. And as Mark Twain once said, it’s not what we don’t know that gets us into trouble, “it’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.” In this “Ted Talk,” the popular author Malcom Gladwell explains how the story of David and Goliath, where David, a small, unarmed underdog carrying a few rocks, slays Goliah, a giant-like, fully armed warrior, is one gargantuan misconception and mischaracterization of the facts. For literally thousands of years, people have used the David vs. Goliath analogy to describe situations where a smaller, weaker, opponent with very low odds of success somehow miraculously pulls off a victory. If you watch the video, it turns out David may have been a sharp shooting, battle trained member of the artillery, firing rocks out of a sling with the force of a modern day revolver. Goliath, on the other hand, may have been a giant with a medical disorder that made him move slowly and suffer from double vision. In other words, David was the favorite. He was more likely to win. But consider this. When people misuse the “David vs. Goliath” analogy, it doesn’t actually matter that the original story might not be true. There certainly are many cases of “underdogs” who are underestimated and thus able to pull off a victory, so the analogy is still useful in helping people understand and frame situations the encounter in their lives. But, when parents and students believe that success in general, or even in certain classes or areas, is in large part pre-determined by IQ or natural aptitude, that can be a huge, debilitating problem that prevents students from realizing their potential. It leads to lower levels of effort, higher stress, and poor academic outcomes that the student believes were pre-determined, but which actually were not. Academic success is actually a very complicated process to understand, and much more in every student’s control than many parents and student seem to believe. In fact, your raw intelligence is somewhat “malleable” â€" it can improve over time. Most cognitive or “pure” academic skills (i.e., mathematic, reading comprehension, etc.), like those tested on the ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT, which seem to correlate with IQ, can clearly be developed with practice. Even performance on IQ tests themselves can change over time (i.e., there is evidence that simply having more education seems to lead to improved IQ scores). And in any case, non-cognitive skills unrelated to IQ, like the ability to pay attention, be curious, plan ahead, and persevere through initial failure and adversity, may be what really lead to success in high school, college, and beyond, anyway. The academic research that supports the above points is generally very strong. But, our society’s general understanding of why some people succeed in school while others don’t has not kept up. The emphasis is still on IQ and aptitude, when it should be on practice and perseverance. There have been a variety of entertaining, insightful, and award winning books based on this research with titles like “The Talent Code” and “Brain Rules” and “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.” We feature some of these books on our virtual bookshelf. Each of these books, in its own way, tells part of the “story of academic success.” A parent or student, after reading one of these books, walks away with a few new insights and more tools to increase the odds of success in school, at work, and in life in general. There is a problem, however. The problem is that success is not easy to understand. The true story of academic success is a complex one. Even though it may not be true, it’s easy to understand the idea that your IQ in large part determines how well you perform in your math class. In fact, it’s even an excuse, or at least an explanation, for any given student’s average or worse performance. In that sense, it’s a belief that some may want to hold on to on some level. Particularly when you are starting from the above point of view, the idea that how well you perform is actually a function of your mindset about intelligence in general, your ability to pay attention, how you approach homework, how well you plan ahead, and how you deal with obstacles, etc. just seems hard to digest. Based on my understanding of the current research, I’d like to introduce a framework for understanding what leads to academic success. In future blog articles, we’ll explore each element of this framework. From my perspective, academic success is a function of: Recognizing that cognitive (math, reading comprehension) and non-cognitive (grit, work ethic, etc.) skills are equally important and complementary PLUS Developing the right mindset about intelligence and cognitive skills PLUS Practicing deliberately to build your cognitive skills PLUS Building non-cognitive character skills, like curiosity, determination, and perseverance PLUS Developing non-cognitive executive functioning skills, like the ability to focus, plan ahead, and self-monitor PLUS Bringing it all together through longer term, strategic educational planning To learn more about these topics, you can continue to read future articles on this blog, check out our virtual bookshelf, or sign up for our book summary distribution list, where we’ll systematically and concisely summarize some of the most important recent research on what really explains academic success. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'bf23a065-a3c9-4ac9-bab1-42400c7da48e', {});

Free practice SAT and ACT tests

Free practice SAT and ACT tests As we head into the holidays, just a friendly reminder that AJ Tutoring offers free practice SAT and ACT tests for current clients at our San Jose, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park offices.   Practice tests are offered most Saturday mornings at 8:30 am, and the tests are concluded by 12:30 pm.   The tests are administered and timed by one of AJ Tutorings test proctors, and tutors provide detailed feedback on test results.Practice SAT and ACT tests are an integral part of AJ Tutorings SAT and ACT prep programs.   Students who complete at least three full practice tests show better score improvement and feel more comfortable on the actual test.   Just like training for a marathon you wouldnt run the race without training for months beforehand! its vitally important to practice for the SAT and ACT marathon.   Each test takes close to 4 hours, which requires no small amount of concentration.   Make sure you have the right preparation by taking AJ Tutorings practice tests!For AJ Tutorings curr ent practice SAT and ACT test schedule at the San Jose, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park offices, please consult  our website.   If you would like to sign up for a practice test, please email info@ajtutoring.com or call (650) 331-3251.   Were looking forward to seeing you on a Saturday morning sometime soon!

Teaching abroad with your pet What you need to know

Teaching abroad with your pet What you need to know So, you want to teach English abroad? Even if the idea has only just now crossed your mind (or you’ve been dreaming of this plan for years), in all seriousness, living and teaching abroad is a wonderful, eye-opening and mind-broadening experience. If you have pets, though, that adds a whole new level of complexity to your planning. How do you bring them? And should you bring them? After all, taking your pet abroad is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Figure out whether moving abroad with your pet is a viable option. When making plans to teach abroad, even before you research pet entry requirements in your new country, it’s imperative that you consider every available option for your pet and carefully weigh up the pros and cons of each. Have a long and hard think about what’s really best for them. If the move is relatively short term (a year or two at, the most), you may want to consider leaving your pet at home, in trusted hands, if possible. Your pet’s health and well being should be considered above all else. The stress of flying can make pets ill. Conditions in the cargo hold of commercial jets are not always pet-friendly. Temperatures can fluctuate wildly, the noise can be terrifying to pets and the air pressure can drop at any time. There are also the practicalities to consider when you do make the move. In Asia, for example, pet-friendly accommodation can be difficult to find. In the UAE, dogs are banned from public areas and confined to designated dog parks. Some countries frown (or have an outright ban) on taking animals on public transportation. And depending on where you’re moving to (and from) an extreme climate can have a negative impact on your pet’s quality of life. Factors to consider when moving abroad with your pet. Most countries require some sort of entry permit for pets. The application process varies substantially from country to country. You’ll want to allow plenty of lead time in advance of the big move so you can be sure you’ve covered all your bases. If in doubt, then check whether your new country’s government website has a page detailing what you need to know about moving with your pet. Teaching in Europe with either a dog, cat or ferret, for example, is relatively straightforward. The days of drawn-out quarantines and indecipherable paperwork are long gone, thanks to something that sounds almost impossibly adorable - a pet passport! If your pet is another species, then national laws apply so you’ll need to do some more in-depth research into the pet regulations set by the country in Europe you’ll be teaching in. In Asia, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’re going to need your pet to be quarantined. You’ll also need to microchip and vaccinate your pet against rabies in Korea and Japan. While some countries ban snakes and birds altogether, others go one step further and impose bans of certain breeds of dogs. Check with the country’s consulate on whether they have laws in places restricting your dog’s breed. If you’ve decided to take your best friend with you, it’s also a good idea to research accessibility to pet services locally, like vets, animal hospitals, groomers and pet sitters. Is your pet’s food brand is readily available? Will your accommodation will come with a yard for your dog to roam in? Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Teaching overseas with your pet: A checklist of what to do. Because there are so many details to sort out and many different things to consider as you plan your move, you will want to be fully prepared every step of the way. Check out our tips below: Find a vet who specializes in pet relocation. Your current vet or state/government site might be able to point you in the right direction. If you’re based in the US, you’ll need an accredited vet to fill out an international health certificate for your pet. Get your documents in order. Pet Relocation has advice on transporting pets to different destinations overseas. If you’re coming from the US, you’ll need to get a health certificate from the US Department of Agriculture (USA). You’ll also want to bring a hard copy of your pet’s health records, to be on the safe side. Get your pet vaccinated and microchipped. Microchipping your pet is always recommended anyway, but many countries also require it. In Europe, for instance, you’ll need to get your pet decked out with an ISO microchip. You’ll need to redo your pet’s rabies vaccine at a specific time before you depart. Other immunizations you’ll need to for dogs include: Distemper Parvovirus Canine hepatitis Leptospirosis While cats will need the following vaccines ahead of time: Panleukopenia Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus Get a travel crate. Now’s the time to get your pet used to their travel crate. And check with the airline you’re flying with about whether to get a hard or soft-sided crate. Confirm any airline requirements. Every airline has their own set of policies in place when flying with pets. For instance, depending on the size of your dog and your destination, you might not be able to travel with your pet in the cabin. And as much as we hate to break it to you, some airlines don’t have the best track record when it comes to keeping pets safe. Oh, and no matter how tempted you are to sedate your dog for the flight, it’s really not advisable. Sedation can cause breathing difficulties. Set money aside for your pet ticket. Yes, air travel is now available to the furry masses. And some airlines even allow dogs to travel in the cabin, rather than the cargo hold. Either way, you will have to pay, although airlines do vary in their pricing structure for pets so you’ll need to check with them directly. If possible, try getting a direct, non-stop flight. And avoid holiday and weekend travel times like the plague. Also, have a think about the time of year you’re flying in. Is it extremely cold or hot? This can make conditions in the cargo hold harder on your pet. All set for you and your furry friend’s adventure teaching and traveling abroad? Be sure to check out these additional resources for new expat teachers: 5 teacher blogs to get you excited about teaching abroad How to avoid cold feet: The teach abroad edition Tax timeout: tax responsibilities for teachers heading overseas to teach

New Features My Home Page, Blackboard, Daylight Savings Time

New Features My Home Page, Blackboard, Daylight Savings Time Our product team has been working on a number of improvements on the website. Our latest improvement has been to reorganize the personal homepage. As soon as you login, you can see the new blackboard and layout. First, its easier to comment and ask questions on the new blackboard. In addition, now you will be able to see your blackboard posts combined with questions that you have asked. You can also reply in a thread, so your replies can stay linked together. Weve also added a side column that has updates from your italki friends. We hope this will make learning a language more social. Now you can see what your italki friends are doing. We hope youll spend a little time to answer questions from your friends, or help them with an language issue they are facing. Weve also made a change to timezones recently. Many of you may have noticed that you have been asked to reselect your timezone. This is important as many students are scheduling lessons on italki, and issues like daylight savings make it crucial to synchronize clocks. As always, please keep the feedback coming through our feedback link or through email (feedback at italki dot com). Your opinions really help us work on where we can improve the site. And keep checking out our blog. We have many more updates coming up soon, and well always let you know about them here. The italki team New Features My Home Page, Blackboard, Daylight Savings Time Our product team has been working on a number of improvements on the website. Our latest improvement has been to reorganize the personal homepage. As soon as you login, you can see the new blackboard and layout. First, its easier to comment and ask questions on the new blackboard. In addition, now you will be able to see your blackboard posts combined with questions that you have asked. You can also reply in a thread, so your replies can stay linked together. Weve also added a side column that has updates from your italki friends. We hope this will make learning a language more social. Now you can see what your italki friends are doing. We hope youll spend a little time to answer questions from your friends, or help them with an language issue they are facing. Weve also made a change to timezones recently. Many of you may have noticed that you have been asked to reselect your timezone. This is important as many students are scheduling lessons on italki, and issues like daylight savings make it crucial to synchronize clocks. As always, please keep the feedback coming through our feedback link or through email (feedback at italki dot com). Your opinions really help us work on where we can improve the site. And keep checking out our blog. We have many more updates coming up soon, and well always let you know about them here. The italki team

8 Resume Mistakes College Students Make

8 Resume Mistakes College Students Make via Pixabay 1. Typos and Grammatical Errors It’s completely unacceptable for misspelled words to be found in your resume. With dictionaries at the tips of our fingers and spell check, there is no reason that a word should be misspelled. This shows the hiring manager you are lazy and misleads them when you claim to be “detail oriented.” Before handing in a resume, ask two to three different people to look it over closely. A new set of eyes is better than one! 2. Length We get it, you may have a lot of stuff to put on your resume with all of your part-time jobs, extra curricular activities, and volunteer work. Rule of thumb is that your resume should be no longer than a page long, but no shorter than a page. It’s a little confusing, but almost everything about resume writing is. If you find that your resume runs onto two pages, make the font a little smaller and decrease the margins. You may have to take some details out and just leave your title and the company you worked for. via Pixabay 3. Format Now that you have your resume down to the length of one page, make sure the formatting is easy to read and does not look cluttered. There should be plenty of white space making it easy for the hiring manager to scan your resume and have an idea of your accomplishments in five seconds. Use bolded words for the most important information, such as companies you worked for and what position you held. Use indented bullet points to expand on your positions. Make sure to have headings for each section as well. via Pixabay 4. Focus on Accomplishments, Not Duties Contrary to popular belief, a resume is not an account of what you did while working at different jobs. You are not writing a job description. Instead, focus on the accomplishments you achieved while working in different positions. Be specific. If you won an award or were recognized for something, add it! If you grew a following on social media, add it! 5. High School Accomplishments Now that you are in college, most internships won’t care about what you did in high school. It’s cool that you were in the spring musicals as a background dancer, but that won’t get you the accounting internship. Don’t put down things that may have landed you a part-time job in high school. If you did something in high school that is transferrable to the position you are applying for and it is impressive, then you can put it on your resume. For example, if you were the team captain for the competitive mathematics team and won multiple competitions, then put it down if you are applying for a position in finance. 6. GPA This is one of the most controversial aspects of a resume for college students. Do you put your GPA since you’re in school? Some may say yes and some may say no. My rule of thumb is that if you have an extremely impressive GPA on top of extra curricular activities and part-time jobs, then put it. If it’s mediocre and doesn’t make people say “That’s great!” and mean it, don’t put it. Your boss probably won’t care about the grades you received in school. Working is much different than sitting in a classroom. via Pixabay 7. Being Vague Be specific about your accomplishments. Use numbers and things that are measurable. If you managed social media for an organization, put down how many followers you gained and in how many weeks. Add analytics and views each post received. If you write blog posts, specify how many times a week you write and how many words they typically are. 8. “One-Size-Fits-All” Resume You must cater your resume for each position you apply for. If you are applying for a marketing position, the hiring manager does not want to know that you used to be a line chef at a fancy restaurant. Your resume should express that you have experience in the field and that you can add value to their company. This may take some extra time, but it is worth it if it lands you an interview!