How to Find Your Study Space

How to Find Your Study Space Sometimes, when it comes to studying, its all about where you are. If youre having trouble getting through the material or focusing on the task at hand, dont immediately assume its because the work is too difficult and that you cant handle it. Students are quick to get frustrated and give up when an assignment becomes too strenuous. They may end up blaming the material for being too complicated or the teacher for not explaining it logically enough or worse, end up blaming themselves for seemingly lacking the comprehension skills. That negative train of thought must be avoided. Students should not be so quick to doubt themselves, the class, or anyone else. Often, the difficulty of the situation can easily be attributed to the environment that students surround themselves with. There is a large plethora of options out there for students to choose as a study space, but they tend to gravitate toward whatever is easiest or most convenient. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesnt, but the most important thing to recognize is that you have the freedom to study anywhere. Dont feel restricted to a particular place just because your friends like to go there or because it has a great reputation. Sometimes what others deem to be helpful isnt something that suits you personally. Maybe you need absolute silence when you study, or perhaps a bit of commotion puts you at ease. Music or coffee may be necessary. The good news is, there is always a place somewhere that can address all of your needs. All you need to do is explore a little and find it. The Library: This is good for students who cannot have any distractions whatsoever while they study. A library will provide you with the kind of pin-dropping silence you can rarely find anywhere else. The never-ending selection of books lined up on shelves all around you will create an atmosphere of academia that is hard to ignore. Tables and chairs set up all over the place ensure that you have room to work and computer labs are often available as well. There is no shortage of academic resources in this environment for you to turn to. From pencils to a thesaurus to heavy research material, you will not be left with an excuse to stop studying. Additionally, the studious people sharing this space with you will be doing the exact same thing you are, so it will be nearly impossible to feel out of place and transition to doing something else. Your Room: Ideally, this is the most comfortable place in the world for you. Its personally tailored to who you are and has everything you need. If youre the type of person who dislikes being in foreign territory when studying, then this is where you should be. Sit at your desk, lie on your bed, or set up camp on the floor. This is your haven and you can situate yourself as you please, so pick the area that makes you the most relaxed. Once youre truly relaxed, youre likely to focus much better and comprehend your study material far more quickly. Turn on some music at a soft volume if that completes the atmosphere. Plus, being in your room means you dont have to worry about bothering anyone else, so feel free to speak your thoughts aloud. Sometimes a technique like that can really help you feel comfortable with the material and identify with it personally. Overall, if you find that your room complements who you are in your every-day routine, it may complement your studying just as wel l. Coffee Shops: This environment is for students who look for a balance between the comfort of their home and the sharp silence of a library. Coffee shops give you the reassuring atmosphere of other people reading and studying, but they also include people socializing and rushing in and out. Nothing is too obnoxious, but nothing is perfectly calm either. A coffee shop allows you to get outside of the restricted study habitat and do something slightly fun. Yet, at the same time, it give you space to work and of course, countless drink orders to keep you fueled. Especially for those who crave caffeine to focus, a place like this will cater to your every need. Outside: Obviously, this can only really apply to when the weather is nice enough. Once that sun is out and the temperature is just warm enough for your liking, studying outside can be absolutely intoxicating. The benefits of a beautiful day can easily get the best of you and leave you feeling content enough to confidently set your mind to an assignment. Be warned, however, a beautiful day can also easily distract you and leave you wanting to do anything but study. One way to avoid this is by only going to areas where there isnt a great amount of people around. For instance, if you are a college student and you set up your study session on the quad in the middle of campus, the students playing Frisbee and rushing to class may not be conducive to your situation. Go somewhere peaceful where you can hear your own thoughts and enjoy the fact that you are being productive without feeling trapped indoors. School: Why not go right to the source? For high school students, there are often various areas such as certain classrooms or counseling offices that are designated for studying. Dont hesitate to spend a lunch period there once in awhile or show up before or after school. It is a school, after all they encourage it. For college or graduate students, check out certain academic buildings that have reputations for having great study lounges you will find no lack of these on any campus. A study space like this puts you directly in the learning and testing environment. Never underestimate how much those blunt educational conditions can inspire you. The list does not stop there hidden gems of study spaces exist everywhere and in all forms. Figure out what is most important to you to get your work done and then take yourself to the place that encompasses it all.

Learn Dutch With Dutch Books And Newspapers

Learn Dutch With Dutch Books And Newspapers Reading Dutch Newspapers And Books To Maintain Your Fluency ChaptersImportance of Retaining the LanguageReading Dutch Books in the Original and Official LanguageA Good Newspaper To Help You Retain Your Language SkillsFree Language Learning Techniques For LiteratureSo you have decided to learn Dutch, taken some lessons and can even confidently communicate. Now what? Well, aside from learning the language one of the other common issues is making sure that you retain the language once you have learnt it. Now if you live in the Netherlands, Suriname, Aruba or Dutch Antilles where Dutch is natively spoken.Then you won’t have to worry too much, it is likely that throughout your day you are having to use the language which will work to keep it fresh in your mind. But if you are learning Dutch and living in a country that speaks another native language, then you will need to keep working on your fluency to ensure that you don’t lose your language level or confidence.When you have worked hard to learn a language, it can seem like a good idea to ju st move on to the next goal. But remember that speaking a language especially fluently is an ongoing goal that you have to continue to maintain regularly.For example, do you remember how long it took you to learn English or your mother tongue to a fluent level? It was perhaps 6-7 years on average, and you had permanent teachers (your parents or guardians). On top of that, you were completely immersed in the culture, and the language surrounded you. Every person, school, shows on TV or music were in your mother tongue. I assure you that if you stopped living in your native country and stopped speaking your mother tongue for a year. It would no longer be so easy to express yourself eloquently and fluently.Watch movies in Dutch to learn quickly. Amazon Netherlands here.The Tea Lords are the popular book by Hella S. Haasse available in Dutch and English. This is a book about the Dutch plantations and follows a wealthy landowner whose life is slowly unravelling. Haasse was born in Indone sia but moved to the Netherlands and has become a widely famous author there. Her first book was published in 1945 so she is considered a classical author and her work are well known. You can find this book in all places where books are sold.Harry Mulisch is an international bestselling Dutch author of many books with one of his most famous being The Discovery of Heaven. This book is available in both English and Dutch and focuses on the twentieth-century trauma through the eyes of a full spectrum of philosophical and suspenseful emotions. The Dutch version of the book can be purchased from Amazon Netherlands for your Kindle here. It is also available where the book is sold online.Find Dutch lessons in London here.A good newspaper can help you to retain your language skills. Photo Source: UnsplashA Good Newspaper To Help You Retain Your Language SkillsIf you find books to be too intimidating at this stage in your language training, then you could try to read Dutch newspapers. Of cou rse, this can be a challenge if you do not currently reside in a Dutch-speaking country. But thanks to the internet you can easily find free online Dutch newspapers that will provide a bite-sized reading for you on all of the days of the week.Also, the advantage of reading the news over reading books is that you will learn a lot about Dutch culture, Dutch history and indeed the general goings on. You may also get news on your home country which will give you a fresh spin on your own local news. So lets read the newspaper and fast-track our Dutch.De VolkskrantThis newspaper offers national and international news and has a light-hearted voice.https://www.volkskrant.nl/NRC HandelsbladThis paper has a more serious business focus and also includes culture such as the arts and book reviews https://www.nrc.nl/The Financieele DagbladThis newspaper is the Dutch financial times, so this is the one to read for all things finance.https://fd.nl/TrouwIs a long-running paper founded in the second world war, it is clear and very reader-friendly when learning Dutch. https://www.trouw.nl/Get to read and learn dutch via books. Photo Source: UnsplashFree Language Learning Techniques For LiteratureAdding some new methods to your foreign language routine is essential. Here are some tips to help you when learning Dutch as a second language.Read your Dutch book or Dutch newspaper and highlight new words, words that you find difficult or words that you can not read.With the new Dutch words you can make a vocabulary tree.Draw the trees trunk and some branches.Write your new Dutch word on a leaf and stick it to your tree.Read out loud.Reading out loud allows you to hear yourself and increase your reading fluency.Practice reading to Dutch person and ask them for an evaluation.Download the corresponding audiobook to go with your book.Listening to the audiobook if it is available and read along with the speaker's This helps your pronunciation and conversational skills stay sharp.Practice r eading then rewriting what you rememberPractising your comprehension while learning Dutch will help you to retain more of the languageExtract a sentence and write the following paragraph in your own wordsTake your favourite phrase from the text and then build on it in the Dutch languageExtract an expression and practice saying it in the different verb tensesFor example, if your sentence is 'he is walking' you can change the tense to the past 'he walked' and check for any mistake which are really just opportunities to improve.Get interactive; Join or create a Dutch book club/reading group for Dutch language learners and Dutch natives.Join a Dutch social group on Facebook and create your own language family. Have a conversation with the people there and even share what you are reading about in your Dutch books.This is an example of a free online group that focuses on Dutch learning experience - https://www.facebook.com/learndutch.org/If you enjoy reading the newspaper or a good book, why not pick up a Dutch edition next time and even if you find it challenging you can always use a Dutch dictionary to support your reading. No matter what you do to diversify your learning and development when learning the language. Dutch books and newspapers can be a great resource to integrate into your language learning program and routine.While learning Dutch is challenging the Dutch culture is rich with opportunities to support your learning and delve into new art forms. The Dutch language is a fantastic language, spoken by more than 23 million Dutch people, so you will always have a considerable number of people to talk to. Even if you cannot get to the countries themselves, you can still meet native speakers of Dutch online which is also the best way to access new content that you may not know about.

How to Make a Dress

How to Make a Dress Everything You Need to Know About Making a Dress! ChaptersHow to Make a Dress: The Different StepsEasy Ways to Make a DressHow to Make a Dress without a PatternThe Best YouTube Channels for Learning to Make a Dress“The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress.” - Hubert de GivenchyHow could you forget the magnificent black dress that Audrey Hepburn wore in her role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s?Did you know that it was made by Givenchy, the fashion giant?Whether in a famous film, a magazine, or just on an evening, a good dress is unforgettable, even those we imagine but can’t find in shops.Anyone can learn how to sew or knit a dress. You don’t need to be a famous fashion designer or an expert in dressmaking, you can learn to sew with sewing courses and then just follow a sewing pattern.Be it an evening dress, floral sundress, sleeveless shirt dress, maxi dress, wrap dress, party dress, baby dress, shift dress, circle skirt, etc, you can now get the wardrobe you alw ays dreamed of.Just follow our advice below and your creativity will do the rest. Sewing and creating handmade clothes to wear isn’t as hard as you might think.In this article, we'll be providing you with tips and resources for learning how to sew a dress and creating your own wardrobe!Look for sewing lessons London.Make a Dress with 4 RectanglesThere are also online blogs detailing how to make a dress with just four pieces of rectangular fabric.You can opt for a lighter jersey fabric or customise your dress by adding pockets or gathered shoulders, for example.Make a Strapless DressA strapless dress is a great style to start with. It’s very simple to make and can be worn on the beach or at a soirée, depending on fabric and clothing patterns you choose.You basically have to cut a 1m by 1m piece of fabric, sew the edge together to make a tube, place some elastic along the top and the middle to gather the fabric, make a hem, and you’re done!You could make yourself a bag after th at!The Best Sewing Tutorials for Making a DressThere are passionate bloggers who’ve set up shop on the web and offer free dress patterns and tutorials. Here are some of the best:Tilly and the Buttons: You may remember Tilly from The Great British Sewing Bee. Her website has a great blog full of tutorials on sewing, patterns, and online classes for those wanting to learn more about sewing and making their own clothes.Whipstitch: This blog has tonnes of information on making clothes for both adults and children as well as explanations of sewing techniques and terms.Sew Over It: This blog includes plenty of tutorials (including video tutorials) and there are patterns, books, and e-books available through the site.Purl Soho: This website belongs to a shop in New York City but just so happens to have plenty of projects and tutorials for people interested in making their own clothes, quilting, and sewing.If you want to take things even further, you could attend a workshop or private tut orials.  You’ll learn techniques like canvas mounting, which can be used to strengthen parts of a garment or a stitch, creating patterns, designing patterns on a fashion model, overcasting, etc.You’ll also learn about the different types of fabric, accessories, and piping, for example. You’ll be able to work with different types of materials and patterns: fleece, viscose, satin, velvet, patchwork, etc.How to Make a Dress without a PatternDoes the word “pattern” make you feel uneasy?Don’t worry! Working without a pattern can make you feel free!It can be quite easy to make certain summer dresses. (Source: Pezibear)There are also blogs and videos online showing you how to do this. The main things you have to do:Grab a tank top that fits you wellTake three measurements of itCut the length of the dress +3cmPut the tank top on the fabric with the top of the traps lined up with the top of the fabric, and trace the outline of the top onto the fabric.Measure the bottom of the fab ric (around the buttocks) under the topDraw the bottom of the dress as a circle arcAn elastic skirt is also really easy to make. Without a pattern, you can make a nice pleated skirt for either summer or winter, depending on the fabric you choose.To do this:Cut a rectangle twice the size you want and +4cm longer than you want.Measure the elastic to get the ideal lengthSew the sidesSew the hem where you’re going to insert the elasticInsert the elasticSew the other hemWhat about making your own trousers?The Best YouTube Channels for Learning to Make a DressThere are a lot of passionate YouTubers offering advice and tips on how to sew and make dresses. Whether you want to make a dress, blouse, tote bag, quilt, pillowcase, or doll clothes, here are a few of the best YouTube channels around:CraftsyIt doesn't take a genius to work out what this channel is about (it's crafts, by the way!). You can learn about quilting, knitting tops, sewing, as well as kitchen crafts like cooking and baki ng.Pink Chocolate BreakThis channel has playlists on different types of garments and different levels of abilities. Once you've got the hang of the easier projects, why not move onto more advanced stuff?Stitchless TVThis is a good channel for beginners. In fact, this is the main focus of the channel. If you're an absolute novice, looking for a skirt pattern or information on stylish projects, or wanting to make a summer dress, this is the place to go!All Free SewingIf you're on a budget, you probably enjoyed seeing the word “free” in this channel's name. There are loads of great projects and sewing tips on this channel. There are tutorials for beginners, projects for children (like making clothes for a doll), and how to recycle old clothes.Professor PincushionThis is a channel that's worth checking out once you've got to grips with sewing as there are plenty of advanced sewing techniques explained in great detail. However, the delivery is very clear and the methods are explained step-by-step so you might be checking out this channel sooner than you think. If you're looking for tutorials on embroidery, embellishment, ruffles, or pleats, this is the place to go!You don't necessarily have to sew by hand. (Source: moritz320)Now you can make your own original dresses... It's sew easy!See our guide on sewing trousers.Find out how to sew on a button.Discover how you can make a bag.

Should I Go To Brown University

Should I Go To Brown University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jasmine is a Washington D.C. tutor specializing in Algebra tutoring, Biology tutoring, Literature tutoring, and much more. She graduated from Brown University in 2009 with a Bachelors degree in Human Biology Africana Studies. Check out her review of her alma mater: 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? Jasmine: Brown University has a very unique campus setting due to it literally being a college on a hill. Tucked away in Providence away from the downtown life, Brown sits up on a hill with a suburban feel to the campus. You will find no true separation between the campus and the residents of the town, which can sometimes lead to safety issues, but the Brown police are very vigilant and will provide rides to students concerned about walking around at night. Brown also offers a SafeWalk program and SafeRide, which provide assistance after dark until 2am. Public transportation provides a means for getting off the hill and traveling downtown, but this can also be achieved within a 15 minute walk. Having a car can sometimes be beneficial, but usually becomes more of a hassle and expense given the limited availability of parking spaces to upperclassmen and the high cost of renting a space in town. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jasmine: The professors, advisers, and TAs at Brown University are amazing. Many of the professors live on or near campus and thus are available more than professors who may commute at other colleges. Brown is very big on email correspondence and many professors will respond to an email within the hour, if not sooner. Advisers and teaching assistants follow the same communication pattern and go above and beyond to be helpful with classes. Having been a TA myself, I know that I maintained a very open policy with my students and would help them at any time of the day, no matter the subject. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jasmine: My experience with Brown University dorm life was a somewhat positive one. I lived in the same dorm for the first three years of college and moved to a nicer dorm senior year. Typically, I think the dorms at Brown are pretty comparable to those of other private colleges. Freshmen are given dorms that can range from a double to a triple and in rare instances of overcrowding, a quad. Many of the dorms have some type of heating control, which can come in handy during those cold winter months. Dorms are situated all over campus, with the freshman dorms being spread out in three main places of campus. However, given that Brown tries to provide housing for all undergraduates, there are upperclassmen dispersed in all freshman dorms. There are two main dining halls, which are both pretty substantial in options and quality. The VDub and Ratty, as students call them, offer the typical cafeteria style eating, with the VDub being a bit more restaurant-style and serving less students. Th e VDub is closed during certain hours of the day, which can be a pain when you are on that side of campus and dont want to walk to the Ratty, but once you get used to the hours, it becomes simple to navigate. Socializing at Brown is simple: just walk around. There are always people outside, even in the cold months, waiting to talk about any and everything. There are tons of clubs, teams, and events that provide means for meeting new students and getting out of your room. 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? Jasmine: Honestly, I think all of the programs of study are represented and supported well. Given that Brown doesnt have majors and has an open curriculum, there is a lot of support put into all concentrations, even the few that historically have only a handful of students to graduate. I did a double concentration in Africana Studies and Human Biology. I knew going into college that I would be studying some type of biology, so human biology was just an extension of that plan, but what really surprised me as a freshman was my very first Africana Studies class. I was in love with the department from the very first day and could not imagine not taking as many classes as I could. I felt at home in my Africana Studies classes, so it just made sense that I would finish a concentration in both of my passions. At first, I met some resistance to completing a double concentration in two very different areas of study, but much like finding the right shoe, I had to find the right adviser who und erstood my passions and how they could intersect in an independent study completing both concentrations. 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? Jasmine: I am an introverted person, so I think given that simple fact, it would have been hard for me to meet people and make friends at any college. In addition to my introversion, I was also very homesick my first year at Brown, so I didnt take advantage of all the opportunities to meet new people and make friends. However, I think my experience was not the norm. Many of the friends I have now made a lot of their friendships as a freshman and found it very simple to make new connections coming in. Greek life plays a role at Brown in limited quantities. There is a sorority/fraternity for everyone and not a lot of exclusionary practices. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Jasmine: I honestly never used the Career Center at Brown. I have friends who have used it and found it helpful when trying to fix their resumes and cover letters, but I cannot give an accurate description of something I have not used. As far as recruitment on campus, that is also something else that I am not sure of and would not want to speak on without a true experience. I can attest to the greatness of the Writing Center support service. The students who help out in the Writing Center are amazing and can help with any type of assignment, from science to literature, with great pointers and tips on becoming a better writer. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Jasmine: As I was leaving Brown, there were more and more study areas and lounges being built and renovated. One of the biggest renovations was done in Faunce Hall, which was remodeled and cleaned up to become an amazing student center and focal point of campus. Lounges are available in some dorms, but not all, and can range from being stuck as a multipurpose room to a nice room with couches and a TV. It all depends on where you are and if upperclassmen primarily live there. Given the sporadic nature of the students at Brown, many of the libraries, lounges, and study areas become crowded at random times of the day. Of course during finals, there isnt much room anywhere for studying, but most of the time there is space available, even if only for one person. 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? Jasmine: As I described before, Brown is a college on the hill. The downtown of Providence is down the hill, literally, from campus and can sometimes seem like a world away if you get caught in the Brown bubble effect. The more adventurous you are, the easier it is to find Brown as a somewhere in between college in terms of fun level, but if you are a student coming from a big city, you will quickly realize that Providence is a town trying to be a city. Most people stay on campus most days and will go downtown to catch a movie or go to the mall. There are a couple of colleges within walking distance from Brown, RISD and JWU, which can provide for a change of scenery and new people if the mood strikes. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jasmine: There are about 5,000 students in the undergraduate student body, with about 1,500 being freshmen. As Brown tries to admit more students, this number is obviously changing, but it generally provided small class sizes for upper-level courses and bigger class sizes for entry-level courses. This trend also depends on what area of study you are in and whether the class is offered only one semester per year and so on and so forth. The difference in area of study plays a huge role between the Humanities and Sciences. In my Africana courses, the biggest class was approximately 30 across all levels, whereas in my Science courses, the biggest class was approximately 300 in the entry-level courses. Given I went to a small private high school, I was not a fan of the bigger classes and did not like feeling like a number rather than a person, but in using TAs and discussion groups, it is sometimes easier to feel connected. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jasmine: This is a hard question for me because I tend to think of many memorable experiences in reflecting on my Brown life. However, I think an experience I regret the most is not taking my Medical Anthropology class more seriously. I tried to coast through the class on the bare minimum because I was more focused on other classes and extra-curricular activities, and let a negative impression of the professor in the first week shade my view overall. I stopped attending class and just read the books to be able to speak in discussion; looking back on that experience, I wish I had put in more effort. I wish I had given the professor a second chance and tried to maintain my vivaciousness for learning. Check out Jasmines tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Online Math Tutor - Smart Strategies For Error Free Math

Online Math Tutor - Smart Strategies For Error Free Math 0SHARESShare Math learners need not have inherent skills but need to follow certain strategies for avoidance of grievous pitfalls in their learning process. Math Tutor helps in finding the right problems and solving it easily. Following strategies help a student learn Math without error Attending each class Attending each class is essential since concepts are like a pack of cards built upon one another. If you miss one class, it will lead to missing threads in subject understanding and thus will lead to errors while solving problems. You have the classes supplement summarised and explained by the lecturer You can easily  ask the lecturer questions if you do not understand the ideas and concepts presented or covered in the readings If you Regularly attend and participate in class it will shows that you are a serious and genuine student Instant rectification of errors While solving problems, students commit lots of errors and they let them go just like that. Instead, students should explore the reason for the error, methods of rectification and right approaches so as not to commit these blunders in future. This is possible through an online Math tutor who points out their errors on whiteboard and suggests methods to correct them for error free Math. 100 Lesson Plans And Ideas For Teaching Math Strengthening basic skills Basic skills like multiplication tables are essential tools for easy Math without mistake. Many students may miss basic skills in Algebra or Geometry and they certainly need to brush up their skills in the relevant subject topics. Math online tutoring sites offer remedial classes and personalized tutoring sessions for revamping skills so as to enable students to keep track of current classes. Knowing how to use calculators Blindly using calculators will not give out right answers all the time. You should explore the uses of your calculator during leisure and know how it can work best for you. Will There Be Brick And Mortar #Classrooms In Future https://t.co/hvekDDcupd â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) February 11, 2016 Mastering Algebra 1 skills is essential Without Algebra 1 skills, mastering Calculus or advanced Math is difficult. Solving systems of equations, slope, simplification of radicals and graphing should be at the finger tips for successful later Math without error. Seeking help at once Once you find difficulty in doing Math or feel that something is going wrong, you need to approach tutors for instant help. Their exams tips for Math make your prep for tests easy and error free. [starbox id=admin]

Top Useful English Phrases connected with New Year Resolutions

Top Useful English Phrases connected with New Year Resolutions What is it about New Year’s Eve that persuades us to make promises we have great difficulty in  keeping? I have been making New Year Resolutions for more years now than I care to remember (I  would prefer to forget!). I can count on one hand  (there are not many) the number of resolutions  that I succeeded in keeping by accident or design  (by choice or simply by accident). We usually start with a list of things we would like to achieve such as: losing weight, going to the  gym more often, change jobs or some other life changing action (something very significant). To  stick to  (continue to try) or to give up  (stop trying) depends on our own personal motivation. Usually  the support of a partner (husband or wife or a family member) is really necessary to be  successful. Setting realistic goals  (targets) is also an essential requirement  (important factor) if you  are going to fulfil your dream.So many people quit  (give up) at a very early stage so if you can get over  (get past) those first few  weeks then you have a much greater chance of success. So whether you are cutting down  on (reducing) or cutting out  (giving something up completely) then set yourself many short term goals  measured in days or weeks and then it may not be such a struggle (so difficult). For example, if your  goal is to give up smoking for a year it might seem or appear a lo ng way off  (a long way away). Why  not give up for a month and then when you achieve that goal look for another month and so on until  you accumulate your overall goal (final goal). I tried this many years ago (one of the few resolutions I actually  achieved) when I decided to give up alcohol for 1 year. I measured it each month and did not think about the entire year until I got to September and then it was only another 3 months. It worked for  me!So if you have overindulged (eaten or drunk too much) over the Xmas and New Year, try shorter  term goals to get that resolution in the bag  (completed successfully).Good luck with what ever you set out to do  (what ever you attempt) and hopefully you have not  given up already!! Useful English Phrases connected with Resolutions life changing action   something very significantto stick to   to continue doing something that you have planned to do and not change your mindto give up   to stop doing somethinggoal   targetrequirement   important factorto quit   to give upto get over   to get past, to overcome (a difficulty)to cut down   to reduceto cut out   to give something up completelystruggle   forceful effort

Chicago Math Tutoring Program Delivers Big Changes

Chicago Math Tutoring Program Delivers Big Changes Chicago Math Tutoring Program Delivers Big Changes Chicago Math Tutoring Program Delivers Big Changes March 23, 2015 At Edwin G. Foreman High School in Chicago earlier this year, Avery Huberts watched as Christophir Rangel and Iann Trigveros worked on a math problem. Photo by Whitten Sabbatini for The New York Times If you have ever questioned whether individualized, intensive tutoring and positive relationships can make a difference, Match Educations ground-breaking program in Chicago is more proof that its absolutely possible. A column in The New York Times spotlighted some of the incredible results achieved by the math program for 1,300 students in 12 public high schools. Developed by Match Education in Boston, which seeks to correct the “mismatch” in academic preparedness common among minority students in impoverished areas, the program provides two-on-one math tutoring for hour-long sessions every day. In the first year, on average, students who received Match tutoring and mentoring increased their math learning gains by 1 to 2 years more than the control group, and their test scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress math exam reduced the black-white test score gap by a third. Furthermore, the tutoring also reduced math course failure rates by 50%, and overall course failure rates by 25%. By helping students in math every day, tutors are building students confidence so they are less likely to fail other classes or drop out of school, and also less likely to be arrested for violent crimes. According to the programs executive director Barbara Algarin, These students can make remarkable progress when they appreciate that their tutor is in their corner. The math connection leads to better study skills and a love of learning. Grades improve across the board. This column cites an issue that both HEART and Match address: It is difficult for teachers alone to provide the amount of individualized attention needed by students who are performing multiple years below grade level in math. Teachers must go back and re-teach a variety of critical math skills that were missed in previous years before their students can comprehend grade-level content. “Just a few years of this type of intervention could bring almost all students up to grade level,” said Jens Ludwig, a professor of social service administration at the University of Chicago and the director of its Crime Lab, in the New York Times report. “By then they can benefit from what’s being taught in regular classes and have real hope for a high school diploma.” This column also states that “American parents spend $7 billion annually on tutoring, in some cases as much as $400 an hour.” Match offers a relatively cheap solution: tutors earn $16,000 per year. To Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who plans to expand the program, the lesson is plain. “What this shows is, don’t ever throw the towel in on the kids,” the mayor said.

The Age of Success Doesnt Expire How to Learn and Love a Language at Any Age

The Age of Success Doesnt Expire How to Learn and Love a Language at Any Age The Age of Success Doesnt Expire: How to Learn and Love a Language at Any Age Success has no age limit.It can come during youth or in old age. Literary legend Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, is one such example. He spent his early life in the Spanish military where he sustained injuries from gunfire and eventually lost the use of his left hand.As if that was not enough bad luck, he was captured by Barbary pirates and enslaved for five years. After his release he worked as a tax collector but was imprisoned twice for mismanagement. Despite all of this chaos, he went on to publish his literary masterpiece in his late 50s!So if you think you have a lot of baggage, let him be an inspiration to you! Dont be fooled by those who say that you are too old for a new venture like language learning.And speaking of learning a language, what is the perfect age to learn one anyway?The truth is that there is no perfect time to learn a language. Each age group has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is just that children learn naturally, while adults learn bet ter. Because of this, it may appear as if children pick up a language faster and easier. However, adults are more efficient learners.Lets look at a popular theory that has led some to believe that young learners have an advantage when it comes to learning a language. The Problem with Our Current Understanding of Language AcquisitionIt is assumed that learning a language as a child offers profound benefits and native-like acquisition, illustrated in the Critical Period Hypothesis.This theory states that there is a specific window to acquire a language and suggests that language acquisition is a biologically-determined characteristic of a human being. This window is open from birth until sometime between the ages of five and the onset of puberty.Statistically, young learners do acquire near native like skills in their second language  and they also seem to outperform students who started their language learning pursuits later in life. However, there is no universally accepted theory of when the cut off age is (aside from being before the onset of puberty).And although researchers have taken the Critical Period Hypothesis into the realm of second language learning, it is important to note that the theory originally applied to the acquisition of a person’s first language. It did not necessarily have heavy implications for second language acquisition.The other issue we face when we hear that children learn a language better is that the idea of language is broad. There are the four tenets of languageâ€"listening, speaking, reading and writing. Within those tenets, we find other components like grammar, pronunciation, idioms, vocabulary, etc.In certain areas of language, young learners will have an advantage. But at the same time, adult learners also have strengths due to the strong foundation that has been laid in their first language.Lets break down some of the components of language and analyze which age group seems to learn a specific skill faster/better.Whos Got the Upper Hand in Each Language Component?SpeakingSpeaking  in a language quickly and naturally seems to favor young learners. That can be because they are generally not as self-conscious as adults and are not afraid of making mistakes. Fossilization is a concept that can hinder adults.This is when parts of the language, such as a grammar structure, were learned incorrectly and have been fossilized in the memory in such a way that it is nearly impossible to correct.Speaking expectations are also higher for adults. A child can say, No want! in their second language and its cute. An adult is expected to form complex, grammatically correct sentences. Of course, native speakers are pretty lenient when they understand someone is learning a language, but that doesnt change the expectations adults put on themselves!ListeningYounger learners have an advantage when it comes to listening comprehension  because they have more authentic opportunities. Language surrounds themâ€"from their p arents to other adults to the radio, or they are put in classrooms where they have to listen to a second language. As an adult, we have to find these authentic experiences and that can prove to be a little more difficult.However, when an adult is given the same types of opportunities, they will excel  because  theyll be able to identify the nuances of the language. That is, they know what to listen forâ€"grammar structures, inflection, cognates, etc. Also, their attention span is a wee bit more developed.This leads to pronunciation. Harboring good listening skills can help your ears distinguish between different sounds, especially sounds that are foreign to your native language. The younger you are, the easier it is to pick up pronunciation because your mouth has not fossilized into your native language sound set.Reading and writingReading and writing are learned skills that obviously improve with age and practice. Therefore, reading and writing favor adult learners. While young chi ldren are still learning the concept of print and writing, adults have a stronger grasp of grammar concepts and an arsenal of strategies for reading comprehension.In fact, many adult learners may even feel more comfortable reading and writing a language before they feel comfortable speaking it.Now that weve got an idea of where the strengths lie for different age groups, lets look at how a learner at any age can become fluent in a second language.The Age of Success Doesnt Expire: How to Learn and Love a Language at Any AgeBirth to Age 4To understand the effortless ease children seem to pick up a second language, it is important to understand their world. From the first year of life until the start of school, learning is not done through sit down classroom lessons and textbook assignments, but in a more holistic way. The world is something new that the child explores through the senses.They learn through sight, taste, smell, sound and touch. They experience the language. They are emb raced and embodied by the language. The language is just another stimulus among thousands of stimuli that the child is trying to make sense of.How to love language learning at this ageLanguage lessons should consist of pointing and naming objects, singing and playing games (the same types of activities you do in a childs first language). Children dont have the hang-ups that adults do, nor do they have to worry about first language interference or other language learning errors.Children will begin to understand way before they can speak, so take advantage of that time to lay the foundation of their vocabulary development. Avoid baby talk and have discussions with them in the grocery store. Use descriptive language around the house and get silly with your words! If only all language lessons were so low-key!Ages 5-12From ages 5-12 things begin to change. The child enters the early years of their formal education and learning focuses more on intellectual exercises such as reading and wr iting and less on the integration of the five senses. One new inhibiting factor is introduced into a child’s learning experienceâ€"fear of failure or inadequacy.As a child grows, it is common to see them hold back due to fear of being wrong. This can culminate into foreign language anxiety. Unfortunately, it is one of biggest enemies of language learning and can be present well into adulthood. A great way to overcome this is to realize that most people are happy to see a foreigner learning their language and are ready to help!How to love language learning at this ageSince were also concerned with a childs social/emotional development along with language development, one of the best things you can do is to model how to appropriately deal with embarrassment. Let children know that even if they make mistakes, its okay. Its part of the process! Offer generous amounts of encouragement. This provides the child with motivation to continue and find pleasure in the task at hand.When it com es to formal lessons, teachers can obtain the best results by incorporating movement into the lesson. Movement can help children focus better and help aid memory retention.Parents can also immerse the target language into as much of the familys daily routine as possible. Listening to music, playing or watching cartoons are great ways to support and and engage in your childs language learning!Another important factor to mention is that a childs knowledge of his or her first language has implications on second language acquisition. So at this age, its important to make sure there are no gaps in a students understanding of certain skills like phonological awareness and reading comprehension in their first language.Early Adolescence â€" Young AdultAfter the onset of puberty, a child is in the early adolescence to young adult phase, which spans from the ages of thirteen until your college years. This is the time period after the critical period.During this time, most school programs have already introduced foreign languages as a required subject. Unfortunately, its importance it not always stressed and some school districts even offer foreign language once a week instead of everyday.Language learning at this stage is heavily dependent on the school curriculum. The biggest limiting factor during these years is motivation. A determining factor of whether or not a child has interest in a foreign language can depend on the foreign language program and the way in which the teacher or professor engages with the class.How to love language learning at this ageIt is important that teachers and professors motivate and engage the students in such a way that they elicit an emotional response. This connection helps them relate to the material and gives them an incentive to learn.A great way to accomplish this is by making the content relevant to the students interests, while at the same time offering variety and a challenge. Take advantage of storytelling techniques or CLIL act ivities (Content and Language Integration Learning). This makes the lessons fresh, interesting and exciting.Like with young learners, parents should offer their support. However, encouraging tasks such as reading and watching films in the target language are more age appropriate since they are activities that can be done alone or with others.Adult LearnersIf you did not have the privilege of being brought up in a multilingual home (and learn two languages simultaneously with seemingly little effort on your part), learning as an adult might be the next best thing. As an adult you are learning a language because you want to.You are self-motivated and not forced to learn to fulfill a school requirement. Self-motivation is a great factor when it comes to achieving goals.This gives you the most important tools available to the language learnerâ€"determination and consistency! A language cannot be learned by cramming a lot of information in one sitting. It must be practiced little by litt le on a continuous schedule. Determination will help get you through the monotony of consistency.In addition, another advantage an adult has is that they already know how to learn. Theyve spent years in school and learned how to memorize and study. This makes their learning abilities more efficient.How to love language learning at this ageA useful tip for adult learners to remember is do not try so hard!  That may sound counter-intuitive, but more does not always mean better. Taking on too much at once is almost a surefire way to get burnt out and give up on your goals. Consistency is key! Small incremental steps each day will give the best results in the long term.In addition to this,  it is important to remember that the main function of language is communication.  Therefore, it is very helpful to study content that is used in everyday situations that you encounter. This makes learning more relatable and practical to your life.Youll also need to find good resources that appeal to you, so use a platform like FluentU that offers a wide array of tools to help you learn a foreign language. Youll learn by watching videos, news, movie trailers, talks and more. With FluentU, you are able to immerse yourself in your target language and learn through native language content.In the end,  age should never be a prohibiting factor. Dont get frustrated at what those at different ages can do.Instead, embrace the wisdom and experience that comes with your current age and use that to your advantage!