Can Chinese Characters Help You Learn Chinese?

Can Chinese Characters Help You Learn Chinese?Can Chinese characters help you learn Chinese? That's a good question, as I've found that many people are asking this question. The fact is that there is a wealth of information available for free if you know where to look.Books like 'Learn Chinese With Me' by Barry J. Lynn is very well written and very easy to follow. There are a few different sections in the book with different topics, which is good because you will have plenty of time to work on each section to master the language.A wonderful resource for learning Chinese is the television show 'Cantonese Dragons' which airs on a Chinese network in China. You can tune into the Chinese network in your area and see the Chinese cast discussing their characters, and the show is very educational. It also uses actual dialect for most of the scenes in the show, so you get the best of both worlds.There are also lots of sites online that use English pictures, but when you link your computer to the Chinese site and watch the same pictures they translate the characters for you, then you can just turn your computer off while you do it. But what happens when you're out of the house and can't get to your computer to check your emails or download your favorite picture, such as a star ship to match up with your reading of the Chinese characters?There are websites that can help you learn Chinese by helping you find photos of the characters you need to learn. Many sites now also provide a good way to download the text file, with links to the Chinese characters. The images are often very large and you will not be able to download them all at once.Another option is to use an English dictionary to find the character you are looking for. It is important that you don't get frustrated when this happens, as you may just be doing it wrong.In conclusion, if you're thinking about learning Chinese, whether you want to do it the hard way or a natural way, I would recommend that you read 'Lear n Chinese With Me' and go to the many sites online that offer resources. You will get a good understanding of what the language is all about, as well as how to use it if you go to the Chinese sites and try it out.

A Guide to Reviewing MCAT Practice Exams

A Guide to Reviewing MCAT Practice Exams MCAT Medical School Admissions When studying for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), most students tend to focus on studying through content review and reading preparation books. However, an essential method for preparing for this exam is taking numerous practice tests to prepare for the format as well as the arduous length of the exam. A critical portion of this practice is to effectively review exams in order to assess strengths and weaknesses in both content and testing strategies. Below we will discuss tips to optimizing your practice exams and strategies for reviewing them. Track exams on a spreadsheet Just as an athlete tracks their progress in training, a student should track their progress on practice MCAT exams. This tracking can be as simple as recording the composite and section scores in an excel sheet or it can be more complex. Students may record scores and progress by breaking down their performance in various content areas, timing, and other factors. It is truly up to the student as to how they mark their progress. However, most students tend to benefit from tracking more factors and analyzing their progress in terms of timing and content areas. Recording progress also prevents students from accidentally retaking the same test. It also allows them to notice overall trends in exams from different companies and in their performance over time. Overall, this process gives students a definitive way to measure progress and decide if they are meeting their goals. Review content weaknesses by section After completing a practice exam and recording scores, students typically benefit most from looking an analysis of scoring in different content areas. Most test preparation companies will include this feature in their practice exams. A detailed review of percentage correct in content areas gives students an idea of what areas within each section they are struggling with. Ideally students should make note of these areas and target them for review in the weeks prior to their next practice exam in order to see if poor scoring is due to content weakness or a strategy issue. Content weakness is typically resolved through additional studying, whereas strategy can be developed from encountering the topic through additional practice problems and passages. Review the test question by question While it is tempting to review only questions that were marked as incorrect, a great deal of learning can occur through reviewing an entire MCAT test. Some answers to questions may have been guesses or correctly answered but with the wrong application of concept knowledge. This can cause incorrect answers on similar questions later if not identified and corrected. Furthermore, reviewing correct answers reinforces material and serves as a quick review over a large amount of content. Reviewing every question on a practice exam is essential to large improvements to scores and scoring in the higher percentile ranges of the MCAT. Take notes In addition to reviewing the exam, students should be making notes on content to review. Whether they are notes inserted directly into their review books, personal written notes, or a separate Microsoft word document, they should be easily accessible for review. These notes should be reviewed within a week of taking the practice exam to reinforce the concepts they struggled with. In addition, these can serve as last minute study resources prior to their official test date. This allows students to recall topics they continually struggled with and gives them one last chance to review them prior to their exam. Evaluate your performance Finally, students should develop a method of self-evaluation on performance. Some students choose to rate their performance prior to seeing their score report and compare that with their scores after. This allows students to develop a standard on how they perform on test day. Some students prefer to assess their performance only after reviewing the test in its entirety so that they can decide whether their score is a matter of content weakness, timing, or strategy. Be wary of the second method, as students tend to be more generous in hindsight. It is easy to blame a low score on timing or changed answers. Students should make sure to hold themselves accountable and be honest with themselves in how they are performing on their practice exams. This practice is a good way to subjectively measure progress and assess preparedness for the exam. A final word of advice on practice exams… Practice exams are a great resource to prepare students for test day. Make sure as you approach test day, you do not overwhelm or exhaust yourself with too many practice exams. The week prior to your exam should be a rest week where you review notes and old exams but do not take any new tests. This rest is vital to refreshing your brain prior to the exam. Make sure you take time to rest so that you perform well on your test! About the Author Jordan Salley is one of MyGuru's most accomplished MCAT tutors. Click here to learn more!

Eileen Huntington - Entrepreneur Magazines Women to Watch

Eileen Huntington - Entrepreneur Magazine's Women to Watch FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Eileen Huntington, Co-Founder and CEO of Huntington Learning Center, Profiled In Entrepreneur Magazines January 2015 Franchise 500 Issue Oradell, New Jersey December 29, 2014 Huntington Learning Center announces its co-founder and CEO, Eileen Huntington, named by Entrepreneur magazine, as one of three Women to Watch in 2015. The Entrepreneur profile documents Huntington Learning Centers rise to the top of the tutoring and test prep industry, and delves into Eileens leadership style of positivity and high expectations. Under Eileens leadership, Huntington Learning Center has climbed ten spots on Entrepreneurs annual Franchise 500 rankings due to the companys financial strength and stability, growth rate, system size, years in business and low startup costs. This is the eighth year ranked as a Franchise 500 company. Eileen and Ray Huntington opened the first Huntington Learning Center in 1977 when, as Eileen tells Entrepreneur at the time, there was no real tutoring industry there was no model to follow what do we have to lose? That grit and entrepreneurial spirit are the reasons why she is franchisings woman to watch. Today, Eileen, Ray and the entire Huntington team lead the #1 producing tutoring franchise, producing 50% more in revenue than their closest competitor. Huntingtons financial results are a direct result of student performance. In just three months, on average, Huntingtons tutoring students increase 1.2 grade levels in reading and 1 grade level in math. On average, Huntingtons test prep students increase 192 points on the SAT and 4.2 points on the ACT in just 2 months. Huntington began franchising in 1985 and now has over 260 locations across the United States. In 2013, the company changed its franchise model to lower its initial franchise fees. Now, individuals looking to take control of their lives and own their own business can become a franchisee for a total upfront investment of less than $100K. Huntington offers financing options, great flexibility, with part-time startup, and tremendous training and support. Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Eileen shares with Entrepreneur, Were working with children. When a child calls up and says, I got on the honor roll for the first time, you are just over the moon for that. This sums up what Huntington does; it changes lives and helps students achieve their academic goals. Fittingly, Entrepreneur rated the childrens businesses category as the fourth largest sector in its rankings. According to the magazine, From companies that offer preschoolers a head start to tutoring services that help high-schoolers boost SAT scores, franchises are earning high marks by supplementing the traditional education system. Huntington has been named a Top 20 Childrens Services and Education Franchise in Opportunity World magazine, an AllStar Franchise by AllBusiness, a Top 100 Franchise by the World Franchising Network and a Top 50 Franchise for Minorities by the National Minority Franchising Initiative. Huntington is nationally accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Read the full 2015 Franchise 500 ranking at http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500/index.html. About Huntington Learning Center Huntington Learning Center is a tutoring and test prep leader with certified teachers providing individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry and other sciences. Huntington preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams.The skills, confidence, and motivation developed by Huntington helps students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards.Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible.Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. Press Contact Laura Gehringer Director of Marketing and Advertising Huntington Learning Centers, Inc. 496 Kinderkamack Road Oradell, NJ 07649 Phone: 201 957 9431 Email: gehringerl@hlcmail.com

4 Reasons to Take Notes During Class - TutorNerds

4 Reasons to Take Notes During Class - TutorNerds Tips from a Fullerton Private Tutor: 4 Reasons to Take Notes During Class Taking notes during a lecture is an extremely important part of understanding the class material and being able to recall important information later on. Many students find it difficult to focus on the teacher and take notes at the same time, tempting them to forgo note-taking altogether. Although it can be a challenge to divide attention between listening and writing, note-taking is one of the most valuable skills a student can learn. If theyre currently struggling with note-taking, students are encouraged to work on it with their teacher or tutor so they will be able to utilize the skill in future semesters. Students who take notes efficiently and regularly will see a huge improvement in their GPA over time our private Fullerton tutors are filled with tips for succeeding in class. 1. Recall important information When a student is listening to the teacher during a class lecture, they often think they will remember everything that is said later on. However, they may need this important information a day, a week, or even a couple of months later. Its almost impossible for anybody to remember the details of any given lecture several days later without something to jog their memory. When students take notes, they remember every important thing the teacher said. Whether its a due date, pages for a homework assignment, or an important change in the class material, the student wont have to remember it because everything will be right there in front of them. If students arent sure exactly what to write, they should look at what the teacher is writing on the board. This is a pretty good starting point (4 Great Ways to Organize Your Time in High School). 2. Get tips and tricks for the next exam Many teachers will provide important information about what will appear on the next exam during a course lecture. They will sometimes do this when it appears the majority of students are not listening. This means that the students who are listening and taking notes will be at an advantage over their classmates. Teachers may hint that a particular chapter will be more heavily covered on an exam or the students will need to focus on a particular part of the study guide to ace a test. 3. Separate important information from non-essential material A lot of class lectures will cover information that, although interesting, is just a background. It will explain the context of whats going on but may be too much for a student to write down. It can be hard to remember what information was just background material and which information was an essential part of the lecture. When students take notes, they separate this important information from the less important material, and when they go back to study later on, they wont become overwhelmed with things they dont need to know. 4. Get help studying for an exam or writing a paper Students will either have to take an exam or write a paper, or both, in any class they take. Many teachers will instruct students to refer back to their course notes as a study guide for the exam or instruct students to look through their notes to get ideas for their paper. Students who did not take any notes will be at a loss. Course notes serve as a great self-prepared study guide for any student in any course. Additionally, if students are struggling to come up with ideas for a paper or thesis statement they can easily refer back to their course notes to come up with ideas or an outline. Its never too early to start prepping for final exams and papers. Call us today for information on our experienced Fullerton private tutors. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Advanced Language Lessons Unique as You Are 15 DIY Tips

Advanced Language Lessons Unique as You Are 15 DIY Tips Advanced Language Lessons Unique as You Are: 15 DIY Tips You may not have a horn.But that doesnt mean youre not a glorious unicorn!Each language student is as special and rare as the majestic mythical beast.But the one problem with being so magnificent is that you set your own standard.The  best ways to learn a language  for other people might not be the best ways for you.And that means you need lessons  as unique and unmatched as you are.This is especially true once you get into the advanced stage. Going forward, you can no longer just rely on the basics.You need to start becoming yourself in your target language.But how do you accomplish that?While some  advanced language lessons  may be too formulaic and textbooks may not address your specific needs and concerns, theres one surefire way for you to keep improving your skills: By  crafting your own customized advanced language lessons.With a little effort and attention to detail, you can create your own advanced lesson plan to nudge you that much closer to fluency.These language study tip s and tricks will help get you on the right path! Why Use Your Own Customized Advanced Language Lessons?Advanced students have more diverse skill sets, so one size does not fit all. All beginners start at the same point. However, as learners skills grow, theres much more variation in what they can do. By the time students complete  intermediate language lessons, even those who started learning a language together may have vastly different skills. This means that by the time you get to an advanced level, you may very well need more customized lessons.As an advanced student, you have a much clearer idea of your own skills and what you need to work on than lower level students, which makes  advanced self-study  an appealing option. You know what rules you feel comfortable with and what youre more nervous about, so you might as well address your own needs.With more advanced skills and more experience learning a language, youre also skilled enough to know what works for you. Some peopl e enjoy reading textbooks. Others learn by doing. By the time youve reached an advanced level, you know what language learning methods work for you, so you can easily apply them to your own customized lessons.Putting together your own lessons is also usually cheaper and more flexible than traditional study methods. Conventional advanced classes can get pricey and weigh you down with a set schedule you must strictly adhere to. Putting together your own lessons can save you valuable coin and keep your schedule flexible and fun.How to Get the Most Out of Your Customized Advanced Language LessonsDont worry, in a moment were going to get into how to actually create great low-cost, low-effort advanced language lessons for yourself. But first, here are some general tips that will help you get the most out of your customized coursework.Focus on filling in gaps in your education.As your skills have gotten more advanced, chances are, some skills have lagged behind. Maybe your classes didnt co ver them. Maybe you just struggle with them. Or maybe, you learned them so long ago you cant remember the exact details. Regardless of the cause of the gaps in your education, using your DIY advanced lessons to fill them will help ensure your skills are well rounded and ready for action.Aim for native-level proficiency.If youve been taking conventional language classes, theres a strong chance that you speak your target language like a student. However, now that youre an advanced student, your aim should be to move towards native-level proficiency. You should be able to understand the speech of native speakers. You should be able to use the words and phrasing natives would lose. And, you should aim to make your pronunciation much more like native speakers. The best thing you can do to move towards more native-level proficiency is by using authentic resources intended for native speakers.Get more specific.Rather than focusing on broad grammar and vocabulary, hone in on the nitpicky ru les and words that separate students from natives. For instance, perfect tricky conjugations and irregular verbs and learn to use them seamlessly in context. Fine-tuning the little details can take your skills to the next level.Get hip with the lingo.Its time to learn slang! Slang is one big area that usually separates native speakers from students. While your language lessons may have taught you some basic, common slang, learning a wider array of regional slang can expand your functional vocabulary and help you recognize commonly-used words that you might otherwise miss.Use FluentU.Since FluentU comes pre-loaded with video language lessons for all levels of learner, you might wonder why were mentioning it here. Well, first of all, its automatically personalized, so its a lazy way you can always get complete customized lessons as an advanced language student.Plus, FluentU is a fun way to add authentic resources to any advanced lesson plan, including any you come up with from the ide as below.FluentU uses real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, news, informational talks, music videos and moreâ€"and converts them into powerful learning tools. Each video is captioned and the captions are annotated, so you can easily check any words definition, read example sentences and see an associated image.Want to change it up? Try quiz mode. In this mode, videos, example sentences and images are combined into activities and flashcards for an irresistibly interactive learning experience.Regardless of your skill level or how much time you have to commit, FluentU can work for you. Thats because you choose what you watch and for how long. Meanwhile, FluentUs algorithm tracks your learning to present you with level-appropriate questions that build on what you already know.Always have goals.Youve gotten pretty far in your language education; now is not the time to take your eye off the prize, so keep firm goals to drive your learning forward. Without clear goals, it can be temptin g to quit and assume youre already good enough at your target language. Youll never reach fluency that way!Advanced Language Lessons Unique as You Are: 15 DIY TipsVocabularyDevelop more specialized vocabulary based on your interests.As an advanced student, you probably already know a lot of the most common vocabulary words youll encounter. However, there are still plenty more vocabulary words to learn!One major vocabulary area you may not have fully explored is vocabulary based on your interests and plans. Learning terms related to things youre already interested in will not only expand your vocabulary, it will also provide you with words you might want to use in your personal and professional lives.For instance, if youre going into the medical field and youre studying Spanish, you might read a helpful book like Spanish for Healthcare Providers.Love movies? Learn more specific film terms. If youre studying French, you could check out a film website, like Cinéma français (French ci nema).As you go over materials in your target language, jot down vocabulary you want to learn. Then, you can use flashcard  resources to reinforce your new vocabulary. If you have FluentUs Plus plan, you can actually make your own customized flashcard sets and the program will automatically grab multimedia material to supplement your vocab list!Seek out sources for practicing targeted vocabulary in context.Consider what specific vocabulary youre studying and what sources might actively use that vocabulary. Then, seek out sources that are likely to use those words.For instance, if you want to practice industry- or interest-specific vocabulary, you can read trade or scholarly journals in your target language.  Spanish students can practice more advanced vocabulary with Spanish-language academic journals. German students can find specific, targeted vocabulary used in trade journals through Deutsche Fachpresse  (German Trade Press).Below, well give you more ideas for reading, writing, l istening and speaking activities that you can use for practicing vocabulary in context. Actually using the vocabulary youve learned will help reinforce it and prepare you to use it more seamlessly.GrammarHandle more complex ideas in reading and writing.Earlier levels of students often rephrase what they want to say to make it easier. Its a natural habit acquired through limited skill. After all, as a beginning or intermediate student, theres a lot you dont know how to say, and you have to adjust to accommodate this.However, advanced students need to break this habit to get a better handle on more advanced words and phrasing.At first, it might be best to practice this in low-pressure situations where youre not interacting with native speakers.You might even do it privately to see how it works out:1. Come up with the most complex sentence you can in English.2. Try to communicate the same idea in your target language. Jot down what you come up with.3. Check your work with an online tra nslator, your favorite language tutor or a friend whos a native speaker to see if it makes any sense.Determine which conjugation or grammar rules still require thought.For full fluency, you should be able to communicate without having to think about grammar rules. No one wants to pause mid-conversation to have a think break. Because of this, you should take a careful look at what rules you still struggle with and practice until these rules come naturally to you.One way to see what areas you might still be struggling with is by taking a language proficiency test. Transparent Language  offers free proficiency tests for an array of common languages. The tests examine grammar, vocabulary and reading. Most of the questions are fairly basic, but if you pay attention to the questions that take you the longest to answer, you might notice youre struggling with certain words, rules or conjugations. If you want a detailed breakdown of what you got right and what you got wrong, you can also hav e Transparent Language email you this information, giving you a more precise look at what you might be struggling with.Once you know what you need to work on, you can continue with the complex-sentence procedure above, putting the rules you need to focus on into practice.Have a tutor assess what specific skills or rules you should work on.Some issues are easy to notice. If you refuse to talk about what you did yesterday because of your phobia of past tense verbs, clearly thats a problem. However, some problems that advanced students have arent as obvious.To get a little extra direction on what specifically you should be working on, you might consider hiring a tutor. You could certainly take ongoing lessons in which the tutor also helps you correct your problems, but even a one-time session can help set you up for success. A good tutor can help you not only identify areas youre struggling with, but also give you personalized tips to improve.If you need help finding a tutor, you might check out some quality online tutor services, such as  italki. Not only does italki help you find available language tutors, but tutor accounts feature useful profiles that help you find someone you truly want to talk to.ReadingRead academic journal articles or abstracts.Up for a challenge only suitable for advanced students and beyond? Dive into academic literature. Its not only great for learning about a specific field or industry, as mentioned above, but it can be challenging to read in any language, so it will be a much greater challenge in your target language. Its a great way to strengthen advanced-level reading skills and prepare yourself in case you ever want to study abroad.If you only have a moment, you can just read an articles abstract, which is a brief summary of the findings. If youre feeling more ambitious, you can delve into the whole article (including detailed methodology and findings).You can access many materials for free on Google Scholar. To find works in your target language, all you have to do is search in your target language. For instance, if you search ?? (medicine), youll find dozens of article titles and quite a few full-length articles in Chinese.Read full novels in your target language.Novels, whether they were originally written in your target language or translated into it, are intended to entertain native speakers. However, for non-native speakers, they can be a fun and entertaining way to improve your reading skills.You can easily find novels in your target language on  Amazon. There are several ways to find the right novel for you.Many popular novels are translated into a wide array of world languages. For instance, you can find the Harry Potter series in countless languages, including Japanese,  Russian  and so many more.If authentic works are more your style, you might look up popular international authors and then look for works in the original language. For instance, you can easily find O Alquimista (The Alchemist) in t he original Portuguese.There are also filtering and search options that ostensibly allow you to filter by language, but these searches still sometimes yield English-language results, so it may be faster to go in with a specific book or author in mind.Read news articles in your target language.Reading the news in your target language is so much more than great reading practice. You can also stay up-to-date on the latest events all while learning relevant vocabulary.News coverage usually assumes the reader is at least somewhat well-educated, so its particularly good practice for advanced speakers. Plus, its a self-renewing resource, so youll never run out of learning material.One of the most reliable places to find multilingual content is BBC News. They offer articles in a variety of world languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.WritingInteract on message boards and social media websites in your target language.Message b oards and social media can give you both reading and writing practice with your target language. Plus, the language use is authentic and colloquial, preparing you to understand the language as its used in real life (even though you might not learn this version in most classes).One way to interact online is through country-specific subreddits on Reddit. There are subreddits for a huge array of countries, so it shouldnt be hard to find a subreddit for a country where your target language is spoken. While these subreddits may contain some English, they also usually feature a hefty dose of the local language.For example, there are subreddits that focus on France,  Italy, Mexico,  Russia  and other countries.Start a blog in your target language.Getting enough writing practice in your target language can be hard. However, if you start a blog, you can get plenty of writing practice without having to think too much about it. And once you get some readers, youll feel that much more obligated to keep posting (and therefore practicing) regularly.Blog about whatever you like. You could start a makeup blog, an entertainment blog or just a personal blog. Each blog would feature different vocabulary, so your goals (and imagination) can help you find the right topic for you. If you need a little help getting started, check out this guide on starting a blog.In summation, there are plenty of easy, affordable ways to start up your own blog, whether youre using WordPress, Blogger or Tumblr. Getting your first followers can be as simple as posting in the comments section of blogs you already read in your target language. You might even reach out to bloggers to see if theyd like you to write a guest post.Plus, once you get followers, theyll probably be happy to point out any errors for you. After all, an eagerness to correct people is the same across cultures! Luckily, when youre writing in your target language, these corrections are handy learning opportunities.SpeakingStart a You Tube channel in your target language.Like a blog in your target language can get you writing practice, your own YouTube channel can get you speaking practice.You can talk about life where you are, your favorite hobbies or whatever you like. Over time, you might even try engaging with viewers in the comments section for additional reading and writing practice.Do a podcast in your target language.As with YouTube, podcasts can help give you valuable speaking practice. However, unlike YouTube, making a podcast is also great for camera-shy learners.Again, any topics work when youre podcasting. Podcasts can focus on business, unsolved crimes or virtually any subject you can imagine. You might even try teaching your native language. The Podcast Host can walk you through how to start your own podcast, but getting started doesnt require too much work. You can record using programs already on your computer and post to iTunes for others to enjoy.ListeningDo a Netflix binge without subtitles.Th eres a strong chance that Netflix  has tons of awesome shows in your target language, so go ahead, find your next favorite show and binge away. But dont go too easy on yourself! Turn off those subtitles.Your main focus should be on comprehension rather than entertainment. At first, it will require focus to understand everything in your target language without subtitles, but this can help you transition towards full fluency. Part of why this works so well is that as you watch, youre likely to translate in your head less and less, instead understanding your target language itself rather than mere translations.But if theres a particularly challenging or fast segment, you can turn those subtitles back on for a moment. We wont tell anyone!Listen to audiobooks in your target language.Childrens stories can be fun. Short stories can fill in gaps in your schedule. But youre an advanced student nowâ€"try to delve into full-length adult audiobooks to practice your listening.Audible  offers ple nty of foreign language audiobooks. You can peruse non-English audiobooks before you even subscribe to see what sorts of options you might enjoy.Download the right audiobook before your next road trip or long flight, and youll jam-pack advanced language listening into your adventure.Watch news in your target language.Like reading news, watching news can be excellent language practice.The commentators usually speak clearly using standard language, but you may encounter challenging vocabulary that youre not yet familiar with.Again, BBC News  offers coverage in a number of different world languages, so its YouTube channel can be your go-to to watch news in Arabic, English, Portuguese or Russian.Spanish students might like the  Noticias Telemundo  YouTube channel for live coverage and a nice assortment of news videos, both new and old.With these ideas, you can craft advanced language lessons as unique and wonderful as you are.

Study a Language Abroad! Your Guide to Linguistic Adventure

Study a Language Abroad! Your Guide to Linguistic Adventure Study a Language Abroad! Your Guide to Linguistic Adventure Adventure.Intrigue.Romance (maybe).No, were not talking about the latest big screen hit.Were talking about studying a language abroad.While it might not have the star power or the dramatic background music of your favorite film, learning a language abroad  can be just as exciting.If youre studying a foreign language in college, youll hear a lot about studying abroad. While  learning a foreign language at home  has its appeal, theres nothing quite like living in another country to expand your horizons (and vocabulary).Even if youre not currently a student, you may be interested in study abroad options open to those who are looking at attending college in the near future, or other options if youre thinking about taking a gap year, in high school or have different specific needs.But with so many options for studying languages abroad, how do you choose? Here are some tips and resources to help you find the right study abroad program for you. Why Study a Language Abroad?First, studying a language abroad provides language immersion, which is a terrific way to learn quickly and thoroughly. If you study in a country that speaks your target language, youll be forced to do it every day. Whether youre watching TV, ordering coffee or making new friends, youll use the language in and out of the classroom. Since youre using the language more, youll also learn it better and faster than you otherwise would.Additionally, studying abroad adds to your cultural understanding. Culture and language go hand in hand. Studying your target language in a location where its widely spoken will help you understand the local culture more, thereby making you a more well-rounded learner.When you study abroad, youre also making yourself more employable. There are lots of  cool jobs for people who know a foreign language. While just knowing a language is useful, having studied abroad can really set you apart from other candidates. After all, if you were hiring someone to help negotiate deals i n China, who would you chooseâ€"a candidate who had studied Chinese in the U.S. or a candidate who had studied Chinese in China?Finally, studying abroad is fun. Learning a new language is exciting, and traveling is inherently fun, so it should come as no surprise that studying abroad can be intensely enjoyable.Study a Language Abroad! Your Guide to Linguistic AdventureWhat to Consider When Selecting a Study Abroad Language ProgramLocationObviously, what country youre going to makes a difference since this will affect language, culture, safety and more. However, there are other key factors.For instance, how big is the city youll be staying in? If you cant resist some hustle and bustle, you might seek out a major metropolitan area. This will also provide more people to interact with (and therefore possibly more opportunities to practice your language skills).However, if you find big cities intimidating, a smaller community may be up your alley. Since smaller communities often host few er language students, you might also find that the locals are more interested in interacting with you.Another factor to consider is climate. Things like festivals and street markets can be a great way to experience culture and meet people, but if youre averse to cold climates and studying abroad during winter, you might miss out.Your Level of LanguageDifferent programs are offered with different levels of study in mind, so youll want to make sure you choose a program that suits your level of familiarity with the target language.To get the most out of your stay abroad, its also a good idea to make sure you brush up on your language as the date of your program approaches. FluentU is a convenient resource for this that can continue to offer you individualized practice outside of your program for extra support during your stay abroad. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.SafetyWh enever you travel abroad, its important to take safety into consideration. Always review the U.S. Department of States Travel Advisories  and learn as much as you can about your destination. Nothing interrupts language learning like fearing for your safety!LifestyleLifestyle encapsulates a lot. It includes food, recreation, culture and so much more. Selecting a program where youll feel comfortable with the local lifestyle will help you focus more on your language study.Plus, if you can get out and enjoy life the way the locals do, youre more likely to make connections and practice your language skills!LodgingEach program has different housing, and this can influence your overall experience and learning.For instance, some programs house participants in dorms or apartments.If you room with other participants, you may connect with people with shared interests.If you room with locals, youre more likely to get serious language practice.Other programs offer home stays. This will give you great language practice and insight into local culture, but it may also be intimidating for some students.What the Program IncludesEach program includes different things, so pay attention to what you get for your money.For instance, some programs may include study tours, which are a great way to see more of the country and learn more about the culture.Others might include individual lessons, which can help you resolve any issues youre having with the language that group classes havent addressed.Some programs might even offer full instruction in the target language, allowing you to study specialized topics like education, medicine, engineering and more while getting valuable language practice.LengthProgram lengths vary. Some are just a few weeks long, while others can last a year.Shorter programs can often be less intimidating, especially if you havent spent a lot of time abroad. Since these programs are short term, they also often pack more instruction time into each day.Longer prog rams, on the other hand, immerse you in the culture more fully, allowing you to start to feel like a local.PriceOnce you start looking at study abroad programs, youll notice prices vary a lot.If youre on a budget, try not to stretch it too far. Selecting a program at the top of your budget will reduce your spending money, giving you less opportunity to get out and interact with locals, visit sites and experience culture.Regional VariationsLanguages vary regionally, and when you select a study abroad program, its important to keep that in mind.For instance, if you hope to use your Spanish skills in the future to conduct business in South America, your best bet is to study in South America rather than Spain.CreditsCredits can be complicated.If youre studying abroad through your own university, the study abroad office should be able to give you detailed information about how many credits youll receive and what requirements these credits will count towards.However, if you want to study abroad using a different program provider, you may need to give information on the program to representatives at your college or university to see what credits will count. Depending on your university, you may need to check with the study abroad office, the registrar or a transfer advisor from the admissions office.Regardless, checking on what credits youll receive ahead of time is an important way to ensure that your study abroad keeps you on track towards graduation. You dont want to find out your credits counted for nothing after youve put the time, effort and money into studying abroad!10 Exciting Resources for Language Study Abroad OptionsStudyAbroad.comDo you want to find an intensive language program? Maybe you prefer a volunteer opportunity. Or do you want to hit your career path running with an internship abroad?Any of these opportunities could provide you with great language practice, but how do you find a program that offers what youre looking for?StudyAbroad.com is a lis ting of study abroad opportunities from a variety of providers.Since the listings are grouped by type of opportunity, its easy to peruse specific categories, like intern abroad.The listings themselves give you a quick snapshot of key program details, like the location, the duration and information on credits.  With this information, StudyAbroad.com can help you find programs you may be interested in investigating further.Go OverseasNot finding the study abroad options youre looking for? Go Overseas lists thousands of different opportunities, so youre bound to find something thats right up your alley.Go Overseas includes listings for language schools, high school study abroad, internships abroad, gap year options and so much more.There are language schools listed for almost 20 different languages; however, many of the other programs will provide you with language practice, if not intensive instruction, so its important to consider all your options.Not only does Go Overseas provide yo u with appropriate program listings based on your interests, it also provides additional information on costs, the country/region and course types. Plus, users can submit reviews of programs, so you can read about which programs other students enjoyed.GoAbroadYoure never lacking for choice with GoAbroad, a service that allows you to search countless study abroad programs. Plus, if there are too many choices for you to sift through, GoAbroad can still help you!GoAbroad allows you to search programs by country, term and subject. The subjects include popular languages, like Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, so its easy to find a language program to fit your needs.You can also browse by program type, including language schools, degrees abroad and even jobs abroad.Most program listings provide a helpful, easy-to-read list to give you all the details you need, like what the program includes, what experience is required and how you can app ly. Plus, users can submit reviews, so you can read about what other participants have experienced.If all the study abroad options are too overwhelming for you, you can also fill out a form with your interests and an online advisor will get back to you with some programs you might like.KEI AbroadKEI Abroad is a study abroad provider that offers programs in nearly 20 countries, including popular options, like China, France, Japan and Spain.Many programs offer a broad variety of coursework, including both language instruction and instruction in other specific fields.Languages offered include Arabic, Chinese, French, Hindi/Urdu, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Turkish.Each program description gives a basic overview of the program, which often includes a list of required and elective courses (along with course descriptions and credit information), information on housing and student life, details on any included field trips and information on prices and dates.ISAIf youre looking for a program in a less common location, ISA might have an option for you.ISA is a program provider offering programs in nearly 30 countries. In many of these countries, there are even programs in multiple cities. With over 200 programs, theres no shortage of options.You can search programs by subject, location, term and language to help pinpoint the ideal program. If cost is an issue, you can also browse by affordable programs. Want a program that relates to your field of study? You can also look at programs related to your major.ISA programs are available for a wide array of languages, including popular options like Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. However, you can also find programs that cover languages that are not as readily offered in study abroad programs, such as Czech, Irish Gaelic and Ancient Greek.CIEEIf you need a little financial help to make your study abroad dreams a reality, CIEE might be the study abroad provider youre looking for.CIEE is a nonprofit study abroad provider that offers a number of scholarships based on need and merit.And CIEEs program offerings arent anything to sneeze at. CIEE offers over 200 programs in dozens of cities around the world.Plus, CIEE allows you to study many languages, including common options, like Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. However, with CIEE, your language education doesnt need to stop there. You can also study Czech, Dutch, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Kiswahili, Polish, Swedish and more.APIWhether youre looking to study a language or study other topics using exclusively your target language, API has programs for you.If you want to study another topic using your target language, you can use APIs program finder  to narrow your search. This way, you can find programs in medical sciences, communication, engineering and more that are taught in your target language.There are programs to teach you many com mon languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.API also offers diverse program locations, including standard options, like China, France, Germany and Spain. However, API also offers options you rarely see, like Bhutan and Qatar.In addition to offering programs in countries that are rarely visited by study abroad programs, API offers programs in cities that arent as well-known on the study abroad scene. They have programs in several smaller cities, so if you find international capitals intimidating, youll still have plenty of options. For instance, in Spain, you might choose to study in the well-known cities of Madrid or Barcelona, but you might also choose overlooked gems like Bilbao or Salamanca.Critical Language ScholarshipIf youre studying a language identified as critical to national security and economic prosperity or want to give one a try, you may be in luck! The U.S. Department of State offers an immersion program for U.S. undergrad uate and graduate students. Excitingly enough, if youre accepted, nearly all costs are covered.Students can apply to programs for Azerbaijani, Bangla, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Punjabi, Swahili, Turkish and Urdu without previous experience with these languages.With at least one year of prior study, students can apply for Arabic and Persian.Students with two or more years of prior study can apply for Chinese, Japanese and Russian.If youre admitted, its likely to be one of the cheapest and most immersive study abroad options you could hope for.Your college or universityMany universities offer their own study abroad programs, so its worth checking out your universitys website or study abroad office for more information.The benefits of studying abroad through your university are obviousâ€"before your trip, you can talk to a representative about what to expect, you can connect with other students who will be travelling with you and you might even get a ride to the airport. Plus, once yo ure back, youll have people to reminisce with.A school in your state or local areaIn the U.S., state schools often have different pricing for in-state and out-of-state students, even when it comes to studying abroad. Because of this, you might want to look up study abroad opportunities for state schools where you live.By virtue of living in the state, you might be able to find an affordable rate for a great study abroad opportunity. Plus, since other students on the trip are also likely to live in your state, at least some of your new friends wont be too far away.Now youre ready to star in your own adventure.Which study abroad language program will you choose?

5 best educational days out

5 best educational days out As a tutor, one of the hardest things can be motivating your students and making the topics come truly alive for them. But placing study in context, or providing the opportunity to be hands-on, can be hugely beneficial to a student's retention of the topic. Here we pick the best 5 days out, not including museums, nationwide. 1. Historic Royal Palaces - Actually five attractions in one, HRP looks after the most exciting of the country's old royal homes including Hampton Court, Henry VIII's stronghold and the notorious Tower of London, complete with Beefeater tours. 2. The Eden Project - A theme-park of plants, constructed in a worked-out mine pit to showcase sustainable building methods. This park, with its bubble-like biomes explores the relationship between nature and humanity. 3. MAGNA Science Adventure Centre - Housed in an old steelworks, MAGNA lets you explore science, using the framework of the four elements, Earth, Air, Fire, Water. A fifth zone, power, completes the experience. 4. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - Located on one of only three operating Naval bases in the UK, part of this Portsmouth site is given over to the Royal Naval Museum. It is most famous for housing the ghostly wreck of Henry VIII's warship, the Mary Rose and Nelson's impressive flagship HMS Victory. 5. Ironbridge and Blist's Hill - The first cast iron arch bridge in the world is an awe-inspiring site and a powerful icon of the Industrial Revolution, the nearby museum tells its story. Just up the road is the fantastic Blist's Hill, an open-air re-creation of a Victorian village - complete with sweetshop.