Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Bare Necessities of Getting a Naked Algebra Tutor

Bare Necessities of Getting a Naked Algebra TutorGetting a good naked algebra tutor is not too difficult, once you find a good one. You need to make sure that the tutor is certified by a good agency that will take care of all your homework and problems and make sure you do not miss a single day in the class.The naked algebra tutor, as it is called in the profession, is a tutor that is usually hired for the purpose of teaching the students. Sometimes, he also runs the class. He is the one who plays the role of a teacher. In some cases, the students of the math class have to take the math tutors certification test.To get a naked algebra tutor, all you need to do is to sit on the computer and search the net. There are many good websites out there, and you can use them to look for a tutor or a center. Some of these centers or websites may be directly connected with the accredited college for which the tutor is certified.A naked algebra tutor is also an educator. He or she should have str ong analytical abilities and possess the ability to motivate the students to study hard. But one has to understand that a naked teacher cannot actually act like a teacher, but may do it with a smile and a cheerful tone.All of these can be done, of course, if you pay the naked teacher for his service. So, if you feel that a teacher has helped you in the past, then try to go back to him or her.One should ensure that the math tutor that you hire for the next class, will be capable of meeting the requirements of the class you are teaching. For example, if you have chosen a math tutor that is a master of geometry, and you are teaching a physics class, then you must ensure that the tutor has the required math knowledge, because you will need him to help you in solving the problems of physics. Similarly, if you are offering algebra as an alternative to calculus, then the naked math tutor must be capable of doing algebra.The naked algebra tutor can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the type of person you are hiring for this. So, it is important that you select wisely the one who is going to provide you with a right math solution, instead of wasting your money on the wrong one.

Friday, March 6, 2020

3 Ways to Get GRE Writing Practice

3 Ways to Get GRE Writing Practice If youre taking the GRE, the exam starts with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), which consists of two parts: the Issue Task and the Argument Task. You have 30 minutes to write each essay. Unfortunately, that doesnt give you much time to include all the thoughts you might have on the topics or to structure your words in the most effective manner. But there are ways to get GRE writing practice, like brainstorming outlines for your essay, writing full essays before the exam, and comparing your essays to provided examples. Ultimately, practice is key to perform your best on the GRE essays. Lets look at a few detailed writing tips GRE Writing Tip #1: Write full Issue task and Argument task essays Potential essay topics that you could have on the day of your GRE are available on the ETS website, so technically there are no surprises if you do your homework! There is a pool of topics for the Issue Task and a pool of topics for the Argument Task. However, there are many, many topics in each pool. To start practicing, pick one topic from the Issue Topics pool and one from the Argument Topics pool, and write a timed essay for each of the tasks. As you write each essay, use the 5-20-5 rule: 5 minutes to brainstorm and outline 20 minutes to write as much as you can 5 minutes to edit and review your work For the Issue Task, this means you take the first five minutes to decide whether you agree or disagree with the topic; then, write down two or three specific examples to support your opinion. For the Argument Task, use the first five minutes to identify two or three flawed assumptions the argument is based on and write down any information you would need to better assess the argument. Completing each of these practice essays within the 30-minute time limits will help build your stamina for GRE test day. GRE Writing Tip #2: Compare your essays to official sample responses Once you have written some Issue and Argument practice essays, see how your responses match up to the high scoring examples provided in official ETS materials. Do your essays contain a similar number of paragraphs? Are those paragraphs approximately the same length? Are your sentences structured in the same way? Have you displayed vocabulary variety in your writing? Have you incorporated specific examples to support your position in the Issue Task? Have you cited specific flaws to examine in the Argument Task? Look at how the sample responses with scores of 5 and 6 are crafted, and try to emulate that style of writing in your own essay. GRE Writing Tip #3: Practice brainstorming and outlining responses to the ETS pools of topics As mentioned above, ETS provides a Pool of Issue Topics and a Pool of Argument Topics so students can practice for the AWA. In addition to writing full Issue and Argument essays on a regular basis, you can spend 10-minute chunks of your days developing brief responses to the tasks, one at a time. This will help you come up with answers to the topics more efficiently, and it will expose you to the wide range of topics quickly, rather than if you were to write a full essay for each one. You will also discover that many of the Issue topics, as well as the Argument topics, follow certain, basic formats. For example, many Issue topics involve education proposals, government policies, or political leadership. Many Argument topics examine scientific studies, economic plans, or city development. As you work through more of them, you will become familiar with how to approach a certain type of Issue topic or Argument topic when it appears on your exam. All in all, the best way to get GRE writing practice is to start writing GRE essays. Begin by scheduling an hour every other day to write one Issue essay and one Argument essay. Then, as you figure out your strengths and weaknesses on the AWA section of the GRE, adjust your study methods to improve your performance on the necessary areas. By writing regularly, evaluating your responses, and familiarizing yourself with the Issue and Argument topics, you will be on your way to maximizing your writing score on the GRE. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

10 Fantastic Teaching and Education Blogs To Follow

10 Fantastic Teaching and Education Blogs To Follow It can be tough to stay abreast of the latest and greatest teaching techniques, edtech tools and resources to use in the classroom. Yet, with more teaching blogs on offer than ever before it’s even more difficult to know where to begin browsing. Here, we’ve created a list of some of our top picks for teaching and education blogs, full to the brim with implementable tips and tools that will help you hone your teaching skills. When it comes to education blogging, it’s safe to say that these guys have got the knowledge. So, here’s our roundup of some of the best teaching and education blogs to follow. The Confident Teacher Resourceaholic Mrs P Teach The Innovative Educator Royal Blind Learning Hub Free Technology For Teachers The EdTech Roundup Thomas C. Murray Ask a Tech Teacher Steve Hargadon The Confident Teacher Written by English teacher Alex Quigley, The Confident Teacher is an education blog exploring a number of topics around pedagogy and much more. With practical advice examining how to promote confidence in the classroom both mentally and physically, this blog is a truly essential resource for teachers looking to develop the habits, techniques and characteristics that will allow them to reach their full teaching potential. In addition to the ‘Confident’ section of the blog which examines a confident mind, body and leadership skills, The Confident Teacher has a dedicated section for vocabulary, as well as a number of blogs looking into concepts like memorisation techniques for learning, metacognition, how to implement feedback and questioning in the classroom as well as countless other topics. Though Quigley is an English teacher, this blog is a valuable resource for teachers of any subject, featuring actionable and relevant advice to hone teaching skills. Resourceaholic A blog focused on providing ideas and inspiration around teaching mathematics at secondary school level, Resourceaholic is host to a huge variety of maths resources covering the curriculum and beyond. Providing regular blog posts illuminating everything from algebra and shape to statistics and mechanics,  Resourceaholic is a truly helpful and useful resource hub for educators, tutors and even parents hoping to help their child understand maths a bit better. Resourceaholic breaks down topics to make them more manageable, offering a new perspective on important core maths topics. Mrs P Teach Discussing a broad selection of teaching methods and techniques, Mrs P Teach provides first-hand accounts of different ways to approach educating. Delving into innovative ways to handle marking and feedback as well as things like growth mindset, this blog is dedicated to introducing educators to new learning concepts and structures. Featuring tried and tested techniques, Mrs P Teach looks into a range of tools to help tackle teaching, lesson planning and helping students realise their potential through new education methods. All in all, Mrs P Teach is a fantastic resource for educators looking to broaden their approach to teaching, providing some important discussion points on new techniques. The Innovative Educator The Innovative Educator is a fantastic educational blog covering a range of developments in edtech and how these can be applied to better prepare students. Authored by Lisa Nielson, the blog introduces readers to new, actionable teaching concepts, sharing ways to build on and improve methods of teaching. Covering everything from measuring the impact of tech in schools to how to deal with a snow day, The Innovative Educator delves into a wide selection of topics to help provide applicable teaching techniques as well as keeping teachers informed on the latest happenings in the world of edtech. Royal Blind Learning Hub A resource centre of articles, tools and advice for those teaching children with visual impairments, the Royal Blind Learning Hub provides valuable educational tools to better equip teachers and tutors. Covering a range of important topics, resources on the blog include seminars, lesson plans, experience pieces and even an on-body sign of the week video which guides viewers through how to communicate important phrases using the on-body signing technique. The Royal Blind Learning Hub blog is an important tool in helping educators of the visually impaired get to grips with different teaching techniques and lesson structures. Free Technology for Teachers Sharing a host of educational apps, tools, and guides, Free Technology for Teachers is a valuable resource for tutors looking to discover new learning tools. With regular posts introducing readers to new resources and ways to update their teaching techniques, Free Technology for Teachers does exactly what it says it does - collects some of the best tech to help educators diversify their teaching. Uncovering the opportunities that technology presents for both students and teachers, the blog looks at broader topics like tools to make quizzes, whilst equally highlighting things like the best resources to learn about Mt Everest, or alternatives to sites like YouTube that prevent users getting distracted when researching. Have a read and discover a new resource to build into your teaching today. The EdTech Roundup As the name suggests, this educational blog collects the latest news and emerging technologies from the edtech world, rounding up and reviewing these tools and their value for teachers. In addition to offering regular, in-depth reviews on new tools, The EdTech Roundup also hosts a number of other valuable resources for educators, with links to useful tools for lesson planning as well as other helpful edtech blogs. The blog offers insight into a range of educational apps and learning tools, whilst also providing suggestions on integration and how to get the most out of tech in teaching. Thomas C. Murray If you’ve ever heard of #edtechchat, you might well know Thomas C. Murray. A cofounder of the weekly educational forum on Twitter and strong believer in student-centred and personalised learning techniques, Thomas C. Murray’s blog is packed full of tech tools and tips to boost engagement in the classroom. However, this education blog covers much more beyond this, also looking into topics like building a strong school community and learning culture. With years of experience to speak from, Murray’s blog provides valuable first-hand insight into edtech news, how to integrate digital tools into learning structures and more techniques to promote student success. Ask a Tech Teacher Host to a collection of resources created and curated by technology teachers, Ask a Tech Teacher is an education blog helping teachers draw together technology and traditional teaching. Offering free lesson plans, resources on everything from 3D printing to critical thinking, as well as round ups of useful sites, apps and further blogs, Ask a Tech Teacher is an extensive and varied resource for those exploring new ways to incorporate tech in education. With all materials and advice being entirely free, this education blog truly is your one stop for discussions around teaching techniques, tech and how to harness it to promote learning. Including over 100 free lesson plans, regular lists of valuable apps and resources and much more, you’re sure to discover something new on this blog. Steve Hargadon Founder of the Learning Revolution Project, Steve Hargadon hosts a range of online learning events for educators to help teachers connect and share ideas for innovation in education. With a huge selection of topics covered, these events offer tutors an opportunity to explore entirely new concepts from the convenience of your laptop. Whilst some of these are in-person events, a majority are hosted online and are entirely free to access. In need of some inspiration? You have nothing to lose by tuning into one of Steve Hargadon’s educational “unconferences”.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Less Stuff = More Happiness English Listening Exercise with TED

Less Stuff = More Happiness English Listening Exercise with TED I think that Ive always tried to be a minimalist. I dont like to collect a lot of stuff. It makes me feel materialistic and tied down (unable to move quickly or easily change my plans). This the TED talk for this English listening exercise is about this subject, and I think Graham Hill explains very well the benefits of simplifying your life.Below youll find more info about Hill, his TED video, and after that, some listening questions. Enjoy!Why you should listen to Hill:Graham Hill (@GHill) founded the eco-blog and vlog TreeHugger.com, to help, as he says, push sustainability into the mainstream, with a design-forward style and an international, wide-ranging team committed to transforming complex issues into everyday concepts. Its been called the Green CNN. The TreeHugger team was even asked to join the Discovery Communications network as a part of their Planet Green initiative, and Hill now makes appearances on the green-oriented cable channel.Before Treehugger, Hill studied archit ecture and design (his side business is making those cool ceramic Greek cups). His other company, ExceptionLab, is devoted to creating sustainable prototypes think lamps made from recycled blinds and ultra-mod planters that are also air filters.Contact us to take an English conversation class on this TED video. Whats in the ___? ________ it is must be pretty important.Why do you think the crowd laughs at his first sentenceTheres a new industry in ____.What is the new industry?What is the result of having all this new stuff?What did he do with is apartment?Immediately I saved ____ _____.What does that mean? How did he save it?Weve ____ cut the extraneous from our lives, and weve _____ learn to ____ the inflow.How many people can eat in his home?What is his response to his own question, Whats in the box?Less ________equal ____________.Do you believe the above statement? Why or why not?

You have to see the facilities at the American United School of Kuwait (with photos and job postings)

You have to see the facilities at the American United School of Kuwait (with photos and job postings) Teaching abroad offers the experience of a lifetime. Educators have the opportunity to broaden their skillsets, advance their careers, adopt global outlooks, and enjoy life overseas. However, some teachers who entertain the idea of taking their careers abroad struggle with the idea of relocating to an unfamiliar school - it’s scary, it’s a big decision, and sometimes there are unknown details that teachers don’t find out until they’re already off the plane and committed to a position abroad. Sometimes these details even include what specific school a teacher will be working at! If you’re an American licensed teacher who’s been hesitant to finally apply and commit to teaching abroad, then maybe seeing the facilities at the American United School of Kuwait (AUSK) will change your mind. Unlike some of Teach Away’s other postings, our AUSK postings let you know exactly what school they’re for so teachers can research the school and see the facilities before they apply or head abroad. AUSK’s facilities are brand new, having only recently opened their doors in 2013. Currently, AUSK covers education programs from early childhood through middle school (grade 9), but there are plans to expand the school to include education for students through high school grades as well. AUSK is a technology focused school seeking innovative American educators to teach American curricula. From impressive learning spaces to world-class sporting facilities, AUSK has it all. This video offers some further insight about AUSK from teachers, administrators, parents, and students: Salary and benefits American United School of Kuwait salary and benefits Start dates August 2016 Student level Primary; Secondary Salary Kuwait: $2,800-4,800 USD/month depending on experience Airfare 1 round-trip flight per year for teacher and all dependents Accommodation A furnished 2-3 bedroom apartment is provided for the teacher and their family Vacation All national holidays and summer holidays Health insurance Provided for teacher and all authorized dependents. Education allowance 100% tuition support for teachers’ dependents Visa Provided Job postings at the American United School of Kuwait Math Teachers - American United School of Kuwait Counselor - American United School - Kuwait High School Principal - American United School - Kuwait Lifeguard / Swimming Coach - American United School - Kuwait World History Teachers - American United School - Kuwait Arabic Language Teachers - American United School of Kuwait Pre Kindergarten Teachers - American United School of Kuwait Physical Education Teachers - American United School of Kuwait Special Education Teacher - American United School of Kuwait Technology Teachers - American United School of Kuwait Elementary Teachers - American United School of Kuwait Spanish Teachers - American United School of Kuwait Music Teachers - American United School of Kuwait ESL Teachers - American United School of Kuwait Drama Teachers - American United School - Kuwait English Teachers - American United School - Kuwait Science Teachers - American United School - Kuwait Kindergarten Teachers - American United School - Kuwait Art Teachers - American United School - Kuwait Librarian/Information Specialist - American United School - Kuwait

The Scary Truth Politics in The Campaign

The Scary Truth Politics in The Campaign The Campaign accurately satirizes American politics as a whole; photo from insidepulse.com After three different debates about very different issues, I feel both candidates can be summed up in their own, individual sentence. Obama tends to preach about what he has already done rather than what he plans to do. Romney is consistently vague and rarely directly answers a question. Both are very redundant, so it is no wonder that supporters of either candidate claim that their candidate won after each debate. I think it is impossible to change someones opinion in a debate that last only ninety minutes, especially when the answers given are as vague as they have been this year. (For example, when I saw Obama speak live at Ohio State, I could have sworn that I had heard the same speech before based on bits and pieces of different speeches I had seen on TV. Then I realized that I, in fact, had.) All I know is that it will be quite nice when all the hubbub of the election has settled down.

4 Ways to Network as a Shy Student

4 Ways to Network as a Shy Student Image via Pixabay 1. Reach out to professors: One of the easiest ways to start networking as a student is to get to know your professors. I know it sounds kind of intimidating but I promise you that the very reason professors are there is because of you! Reach out to each of your professors whether via email or in person to set up an appointment at the start of the semester. Appointments by nature sound off-putting but these are just a chance for professors to get to know you better and for you to get to know them better! As well as simply knowing professors on a personal basis, building a connection with them can bring you all sorts of opportunities like internships, independent research gigs, and even full-time jobs! 2. Don’t Apologize: It’s a natural instinct to want to say “sorry” when approaching or reaching out to someone. Though you may think it’s the most respectful thing to do, it shows the person you’re trying to network with that you’re not confident and most likely lacking professionalism, Meridith Levinson  of CIO.com notes. When approaching someone to build a connection, say something along the lines of “Hello! I don’t mean to take up much of your time, but…” This not only shows that you are considering of their time, but it also shows that you are confident and strong in your communication skills. If you absolutely feel the urge to say that five letter word, just mutter it to yourself after you’re done talking to the person so they don’t hear it! Image via Pixabay 3. Find Common Interests: What better way to build connections than to find common interests with others? Josh Steimle of Entrepreneur.com states, “when reaching out to someone, always do your research to learn a few things about them, find an interest you have in common, and ask them about it to break the ice. If you struggle to find a common interest, become interested in something they have experience with by researching it and coming up with some questions on the topic.” You can find people with common interests through university social media pages on Facebook or Twitter, or by simply exploring different organizations and clubs around campus! Doing so will not only help you to meet new people, but it will also expose you to new areas on campus that you may not have known! 4. Be Humble and Always Listen: When meeting someone new, especially someone you plan to either collaborate with or network with in the future, you want to always be humble (and that goes for all walks of life as well). No one likes or appreciates when someone constantly gloats and brags about their accomplishments and accolades, it comes off as arrogant and conceited, making you unlikable. Just remember that it’s OK to be confident, but never arrogant. Also, when networking, take time to listen to what the person has to say about their job, their accomplishments, etc. It will show that you care about what they have to say! Networking as an introverted person is not the easiest task. There’s no denying the fact that it can be hard to put yourself out there and be vulnerable to others. However, through slow and easy steps, you will find that it will be way less painful and overwhelming than you thought! As always, good luck!

The Buddy System The Friendliest Way to Learn a Language Abroad

The Buddy System The Friendliest Way to Learn a Language Abroad Ah, studying a new language abroad. Isn’t that the dream?It does have its challenges, but luckily you can  get by with a little help from your (new) friends!You get to meet new people, see marvelous sights and taste exotic dishes, all the while immersing yourself in the language that you love. However, the first thing on the listâ€"meeting new peopleâ€"might just prove to be the most important aspect of your time abroad.This post will be about one thing and one thing only: giving you  a warmer, friendlier perspective that’ll pave the way for you to learn a language abroad as quickly  and as enjoyably as possible.So whether you’re at the airport waiting to board your plane or just in the initial stages of planning that year abroad, read on and get excited. The Buddy System: The Friendliest Way to Learn a Language AbroadYou’re probably already super psyched about learning a language abroad. Perhaps it was a big decision, but you knew you just had to hop on a plane and get you rself to Spain, Germany, France, China, Japan or whatever country it is you’ve got your heart set on. You can already see, hear and smell everything!One problem. You don’t know anyone from Adam in that country. Everyones just another strange face. Nobody knows you or what youre going through. How do you deal? How are you supposed to effectively learn the language when you don’t even have anybody to talk to?You just need to do one thing. And you need to do this day in and day out when you’re abroad. Befriend the locals.Dont go all introvert when youre abroad. Well, maybe you can afford to be a loner at night, when youre in bed and reflecting on the awesome things that happened during the day, but generally speaking, put yourself out there. Thats the very essence of going abroad. Youre putting yourself out there in the world, so dont spend that precious time inside a private hostel  room. Dont just go abroad to watch  movies, listen  to radio programs and songs. Do that and th en some!Admittedly, living abroad to learn the language can be a nerve-wracking experience. But with a few friends by your side, the whole thing can be one long celebration. That being said, making friends shouldnt entail nesting in English-speaking enclaves and knocking back a few Guinness with expats (though youre welcome to indulge in this every once in a while, too). Making friends should involve really immersing yourself in local culture.So the first step, and really, the only step, is to befriend the localsâ€"get the ball rolling by talking to them  in English if needed, and then you can start effectively building your whole language experience from there.  Sounds easy and logical enough, right?But how are you exactly going to do that? When the rubber meets the road, how do you deal?How? I’m glad you asked. Here are six tried and tested ways to break the ice and make friends with native speakers.6  Ways to Learn Languages Abroad by Making Friends1. Offer somethingThey say if you want to have a friend, be a friend. Offering somethingâ€"foods always a winnerâ€"to a complete stranger can be a good opener. It instantly drops any wary persons  defenses and can be the beginning of a wonderful conversation.You can offer anything, really (chances are itll be politely refused anyway). The most epic of friendships can start with the offer of gum. Its what people do once the ice has been broken that determines if they become friends.So always have something to give and keep it in your bag or pocket. You never know when a nice opportunity will come your way.Let’s say you’re walking around the park taking in the sights. You’ve been at it for an hour and youre ready to take a breather. There’s a bench nearby with a man sitting on it. What could you do? Well, you could approach the bench. Smile. Sit. Take out the sandwich you packed earlier. Take a few bites, and comment to the person beside you, “Sir? Would you like some sandwich? I’ve got another one he re.”Your offer will probably be politely refused, but that’s really not the point. Don’t take the refusal personally. That simple line is an ice breaker. Now youve potentially opened up a conversation with a complete stranger, and that stranger knows youre a relatively friendly and generous fellow.You can take the conversation anywhere you want, but remember, unless you’ve chanced upon a local as garrulous as Richard Simmons, you’ll probably be the one talking for a few minutes. The other person would just probably smile, nod along and politely give you a little of their time. The hope is that, in the next few minutes, theyll really warm up and start contributing significantly to the conversation.Do this often and you’ll definitely make friends along the way.My advice is, the more locals you involve, the betterâ€"like if you see two men sitting on a bench with a space between them, be the foreigner who squeezes between those two. Since more persons are involved, the conv ersation can have more possible pathways and you can volley topics around between them. This can really be fun because you can play with the conversational dynamics here. For example, if you ask what  one person thinks  about the countrys president, you can the inquire if the other guy agrees and you can even tease them a little about their differences in opinion.Before long, its sunset and you don’t even notice it.2. Ask for a favor“The Damsel in Distress” technique can be used not only by ladies but by anyone who wants to tap into that human instinct of helping those in need. Asking for a favor (the simpler it is, the better) sparks an interaction that may not otherwise have happened.I was traveling around Asia and was sitting waiting for my bus to leave. It was one of those long-haul runs that usually take 10-12 hours. I was seated next to a lady, a native speaker, minding her own business, when I suddenly had the brilliant idea of buying food and some reading material for the trip. So I asked her, “could you please save my seat?” The bus was filling up fast. She was clearly surprised, but then said, “sure.”When I came back, I had a handful snacks, local delicacies and a newspaper. To show my gratitude for the favor, I immediately offered her food (technique #1), which she kindly refused.But guess what, the ice was already broken and it was only a matter of time before we got into talking and getting to know each other. I got me a captive audience for 10-12 hours! I mean, she’s not going anywhere. I asked her about the places I could go visit once we got to the destination, I politely asked her about some news stories I’d read and I asked about her opinions on them.I found a new friend, an insider on the culture I’m interested in and a native speaker who taught me how to haggle with intent. All that because I asked her to save my seat. I asked for a favor and I got so much more than I asked for.3. Ask questionsGo ahead. Dont be afraid. T he locals dont bite.What sort of questions do you ask? Well, anything!As a foreigner in a new land, asking questions is your divine right. Locals know this and theyre more than happy to oblige. As long as youre polite, theyll respond positively to any queries you may have.Perhaps you’re having dinner at a local restaurant waiting for your order when you spot something interesting on the other table. Depending on the situation, it’s often perfectly okay to politely say, “Excuse me, sir, your food looks delicious. May I know what it is?”Now, lasting friendships arent usually made with just one question. You can ask a stranger for directions to the nearest comfort room (as public toilets are called in some parts of the world) and be on your way. If you want to keep things going, then  after you hit them with your first question, hit them with some more. Probe and discover as much as you can about the specific subject and beyond. Ask about the culture, ask about the person you†™re talking to and ask them for their opinions on things. Ask where you can get the best soup in town. Ask how much the fare is for public transportation. Anything, really.The name of the game is interest. You actually make other people feel good about themselves when you display interest in them and their culture. Sure, they’ll initially look frazzled when you unexpectedly open up a conversation. They’ll initially be thinking, “Why is this dude suddenly talking to me? My English is very limited.”But know that in time, wariness can turn into warmth when you’ve shown genuine interest and youre polite about the whole thing.Don’t grill the poor guy, just telegraph your interest in a childlike  way. Probe and probe some more. Thats why its important that you be aware of situations where you have a captive audienceâ€"like the bus example above, or locals passing time on public benches, or those lazying in cafés and restaurants. Be on the lookout for these situations. If you find yourself in a long queue for anything, try striking up a conversation with the person behind you.Open your eyes. The person bound to teach you all the hilarious and nasty words in their language might just be standing behind you.4. Say “Hi!”Sometimes the quickest way is to just come out and say, “Hi!”Say your name and extend a hearty handshake and you’ve got a potential friend made.I’m not saying that you’ll be golden every time, sometimes you can try to make friends and quickly discover that the other person  isnt interested in socializing. Sometimes they’ll be so busy they really won’t have time. But youll never know that unless you take the shot. Hockey great Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.”So do it! Flat out say “Hi!” You don’t need any reason save for the desire to make friends and meet new people.You’re already abroad, so you might as well open up. Don’t clam up and be overly self-conscious. Unles s you open up, your learning the language will never really hit its stride. If you look at some of the most effective language learners and polyglots, they’re not necessarily the most garrulous or outgoing types, but theyre the most open. They feel the same nervousness and apprehension that you might when considering approaching and making a friend out of thin air, but they do it anyway.Remember that you, the language learner, must always make the first move. In many (most) places, locals don’t ordinarily walk up to foreigners to chat, especially in places with conservative cultures. They may stare, but talking to you would be a different proposition altogether. So you have to make the first move.It’s not that they’re rude or that they don’t find you interesting. They might not want to bother you, or maybe they’re shy. Besides, they might be busy. They could very well be running some errands, preparing to have a few friends over for dinner. And guess what, you’ll never find out if you could have been invited for that dinner unless you come right out and say, “Hi!”.5. Frequent the same placesThe conventional wisdom is that you need to hit different spots in any region, country, city or town in order to really get a broader sampling of a culture and to meet different people from different walks of life. So while abroad, maybe you can go to all the different corners of the city you’re living in, be involved in a wide variety of groups and organizations and heap up many different experiences for yourself.Yes, do that, that’s sound advice. It’ll give you the big picture of the culture as well as a taste of its many different flavors. But you also need to counterbalance that by going to the same places as many times as possible, too. The first strategy casts a wide net, with this second one you’re going deep.And you don’t even have to go very far. Start with the immediate area where you live. Is there a nearby park you can frequent? Or a convenience store you can patronize? (If you can, try buying your food stock or supplies from the same store, snacks from the same stall and medicine from the same pharmacy.)Let the locals know your routine and let them expect you to be at the same place at a specific time.Hit the same spot over and over and something very magical happens. Instead of observing the passing scene, which is what usually happens to traveling language learners, you become part of it. Keep showing up at  the same place and youll soon become a fixture of the place. When people get to see you often, you become part of their community.Be one of the regular guys in a café, for example. If you frequent the same café, you’ll quickly  be on a first name basis with the staff (they might even let you behind the counter!).  By frequenting the same place, youre giving yourself multiple chances to meet locals who are also patrons of that place. The lady you often see buying her pork ribs might one day invite you to her kitchen and show off a recipe you can bring back home to your friends and family. The waiters and staff of the place, who know who’s who in the community, could introduce you to the best plumber in town.Wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. That’s #6.6. Ask for introductionsSo you have one local friend already?Great! With one single friend, you have everything needed to create a whole network of locals who, in their own specific and special ways, can help your language journey.That one friend of yours surely has a few friends and acquaintances of their  own. Their  circle could include the guys they  grew up with or the folks they  went to school with once and who are now doctors, businessmen or maybe even language teachers.You have to go out of your comfort zone and flatly request an introduction. This makes your job of making friends so much easier because the other person’s credibility rubs off on you and you instantly gain the acceptance of the group. They may not kn ow you from Adam, but by virtue of being introduced by a trusted friend, you make it so much easier on yourself. And guess what, youve just increased your acquaintances several fold.Plop  yourself into their group. Join their activities and show up in places they meet. Branch out and soon enough, youll find yourself in a middle of a social web that gives you the maximum number and variety of genuine experiences to really learn a language abroad.Suddenly youll find yourself in a group of guys who bike on Sundays to gaze at the marvelous view of the countryside. Or perhaps you get ringside seats to  how native speakers wield their language by witnessing them tease and give each other a hard time during a Saturday night beer session.So, there you go. Six techniques you can use each day youre abroad. Get in there. Be eager and excited to make friends. Travel. Talk to complete strangers, offer them something, ask your questions. Then ask some more. Immerse. Get off your couch on a cold e vening and have coffee with a native speaker.If you do that, you’ll find yourself richly rewarded. One day, you’ll hear yourself slowly gaining fluency in the local language. Youll not only have added a new tongue to  your communicative repertoire, youll have gained precious friendships and a bag full of memories that’ll last a lifetime. With pictures to boot!Good luck and have fun! Safe travels.

Rutgers Camden Tutoring Program Review

Rutgers Camden Tutoring Program ReviewRutgers Camden Tutoring is a program that has received both praise and criticism in the past. The program offers kids a great learning experience through the high school years and provides some extra academic assistance for those students who need it, but has also been called a scam by parents of students who used the service.The reason this controversy came up in the first place was because of how students were compensated. These children had to work for their tuition, as well as meet other requirements that were placed upon them to take part in the program. When this program first started, they offered scholarships to children from low income families or were known to be able to offer them tuition.Recently, there has been a lot of controversy regarding the placement of students. In fact, there have been many students who have been barred from taking the program after accusations of cheating and falsifying records, in some cases even becoming pr egnant. These accusations against the program are unfounded and most of the students who did not participate were actually doing fine with their classes and doing well in school.Scholarships are not the only thing that comes with the program, however. Teachers are available as well. Students can attend lectures, chat with the teachers, and even schedule field trips for an extra lesson.Tutoring is offered throughout the year, but during school holidays and vacations the parents of some students were warned that their children could not attend. The exact reason why this happened has not been released. However, it is important to note that those students who were enrolled at Rutgers Camden Tutoring did get to attend all classes, including those who were taken by the parent.The problem with the program may have originated with some parents who took the program without asking the tutors about fees or scholarships. They also did not know what to expect from the service, as the tutors were unfamiliar with the programs they were teaching.If you are looking for a program that will help your child along, check out Rutgers Camden Tutoring. This program is a good choice for students in grades six through twelve.