What is it Like to Attend Columbia University

What is it Like to Attend Columbia University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Julia is a New York City tutor and 2012 graduate of Columbia University. She majored in Ecology and Evolution Environmental Biology. Julia specializes inseveral subjects including Geometry tutoring, Statistics tutoring, and Organic Chemistry tutoring. Check out her review of Columbia: 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? Julia: Columbia is in New York City, of course, so public transportation is excellent. The 1 line on the subway will take you wherever you need to go in Manhattan, and theres a bus that stops at Columbia that goes directly to LaGuardia Airport. As for safety, New York City in general and the Columbia neighbourhood in particular are much safer than people think. Its not the 80s anymore. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Julia: Professors and TAs are generally very personable and available, unless your professor is someone really famous, like Jeffrey Sachs. Academic advisers are available by appointment, but arent terribly helpful. If you have a problem with your schedule or your credits or anything else academic, you need to take the initiative. Try to solve it yourself, and if you cant, then go to your adviser with specific demands that they can fulfill. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Julia: The rooms arent great until senior year, but honestly, who cares? Youre in New York City. People pay $1000/month to live in much worse housing than this, and if you dont like it, you can always strike out on your own and live off-campus. The housing for seniors is fantastic, though. The food is pretty bad at Columbia, but you can use your dining plan to eat at the Barnard cafeteria, which is better. All the same, Id advise that you get off the meal plan as soon as possible. I started cooking for myself my sophomore year, and the upshot is that Im a much better cook than most people my age. As for location and socialization that hardly needs saying. If you use your evenings well, youll make tons of friends both on and off campus. Im from New York and even so I can say I had my most thrilling urban adventures while at Columbia. 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? Julia: The biggest majors at Columbia are History, Economics, and Political Science, but youll find incredibly dedicated and intelligent people in every department. My major was Ecology, Evolution Environmental Biology, which I think is a hidden gem at Columbia. Everyone in the major does a thesis, which gets generous funding from the department. I had the opportunity to do my thesis research in Kenya. 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? Julia: Making friends at Columbia is easy if you want to make friends. You cant be shy or passive about it. If you dont reach out to people, you could float along in a bubble of solitude and no one will notice. But if you go out, talk to strangers, take part in campus activity, then youll have more friends than you know what to do with. I know I did. There is absolutely no need to take part in Greek life to make friends in fact, Id advise against it, given all the recent scandal with Columbia fraternities. They constitute less than 10% of the undergraduate body and have a poor reputation to boot. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Julia: Not very helpful. If you want an administration that will nurture you and guide you every step of the way, dont go to Columbia. There are millions of opportunities available to Columbia students, but you have to find them yourself. No one will show you the way. Thats not to say that there arent recruiters on campus, but the most aggressive ones are from Wall Street banks, and frankly I think theyre evil. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Julia: The libraries are numerous and architecturally beautiful. Be sure to branch out beyond Butler, our most famous and most used library, especially around finals time when it gets crowded. Im personally fond of the Teachers College library, which is great for group study sessions because youre allowed to talk, within reasonable volume limits. 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? Julia: I dont know what to say about New York City that people dont already know. Its constant excitement. If you want to do something completely new and mind-boggling every single day, you can (though youll exhaust yourself very quickly.) Columbia is in Morningside Heights, which compared to the rest of Manhattan is pretty low-key, though low-key for Manhattan is high-octane compared to anywhere else. One thing Ill say is that not enough Columbia students venture out of Morningside Heights. Theres plenty to do in the neighborhood, but to me it seems the pinnacle of laziness to forgo a short trip on the subway to enjoy the rest of the city. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Julia: Columbia is just about medium-sized in the scale of things: big enough that you can maintain your privacy, small enough that you dont get lost in a faceless crowd. The class sizes never bothered me. Obviously, something like Intro Chemistry is going to be a big lecture class, but all the core curriculum classes are small, as all the really important classes are. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Julia: Columbia is famous for its core curriculum, a suite of classes that everyone must take. Personally, I had a great time with the core curriculum and Ill never forget my Contemporary Civilization class. The professor was much like Socrates, the ancient philosopher about whom we read so much: he questioned everything the students argued. He let no belief go unfounded, no unconscious bias go unmasked. By the end of the class, I internalized him. I interrogate everything I hold dear, and anything that can survive that scrutiny I keep, and anything that doesnt hold up I discard. I think the core curriculum turns you into a very thoughtful person, if youre willing to open your mind and give up your pretensions. Check out Julias tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Adrenal Cortex Secretes Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Adrenal Cortex Secretes Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace Adrenal glands are present on the upper border of kidneys. The glands are embedded in adipose tissue. Each gland is covered by a capsule of connective tissue. The hormones produced by them are required for maintaining carbohydrate metabolism, mineral balance and external sexual characters. Each adrenal gland is composed of two regions, an outer adrenal cortex and an inner adrenal medulla. These two differ in their development and function. The hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex are called corticoids (corticoid hormones).Based on their function corticoid hormones are classified as- Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Glucocorticoids:- The corticoids involved in carbohydrate metabolism are called glucocorticoids. They stimulate gluconeogenesis, lipolysis and proteolysis and also inhibit cellular uptake and utilization of amino acids. The important glucocorticoids in our body are Cortisol, cortisone, and corticosterone .Cortisol prepares our body for after effects of danger situation. It controls the pumping action of the heart and reduces the pain. Cortisone is concerned with preparing the body against any sudden stress. Corticosterone helps the bodys metabolic system to turn amino acids into carbohydrates to use as fuel for many bodily functions Mineralocorticoids: They are the Corticoids which regulate the balance of water and electrolytes in the body. They are secreted by the outermost layer of the adrenal cortex. Aldosterone is the most important mineralocorticoid in our body. It acts on the renal tubules and stimulates the reabsorption of Na+ and water. It stimulates excretion of K+ and phosphate ions

An Introduction to Cooking

An Introduction to Cooking The Beginner’s Guide to Cooking ChaptersThe Greatest Chefs in the History of CookingThe Best Chefs in the World Right NowThe Best TV Cooking ShowsThe Most Popular British Dishes“We all eat, and it would be a sad waste of an opportunity to eat badly.” - Anna ThomasI don’t care if people call me a pig if I get to eat great food! Even though the amount we spend on food has decreased since the 1960s, it’s still a significant part of household budgets.Supermarkets have helped drive down prices. With budgets remaining the same, our purchasing habits are trending towards organic products.  There’s less of a focus on good food, especially if we’re to believe the dip in popularity of cooking shows since the 2000s.That said, with fewer people able to eat in restaurants as frequently as they'd like, there's been a resurgence in the world of cooking.In this article, we’re going to look at how you can perfect your cooking with the greatest chefs of all time, the best chefs alive today, the best TV cooking shows, a nd the most popular dishes in the UK. GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Greatest Chefs in the History of CookingEven though France was behind the Michelin Stars, Japan has actually more Michelin-starred restaurants.A lot of famous chefs learnt to cook in family businesses like bakeries. (Source: Skitterphoto)While we're probably quite familiar with the celebrity chefs of today, here are some of the greatest chefs of all time who are no longer living. The chefs who inspired the chefs of today:Joël Robuchon, 1945-2018. He had 32 Michelin stars at the time of his death. His signature dish: Pommes Robuchon, the perfect mashed potatoes.James Beard, 1903-1985. He was a cookbook author, teacher, and all-around top chef. In fact, he was a huge proponent of American cuisine at a time when the culinary arts seemed to be only interested in French cuisine. The James Beard Foundation was created after his death by Julia Child who bought his home, making it North America's only historical culinary centre.Anthony Bourdain, 1956-2018. Don't let the name fool you, Anthony Bourdain is not a French chef. He actually grew up in New York City and gained his education at the Culinary Institute of America. He had a prolific television career and it'd be harder to find a cooking show that he wasn't on. He appeared on the Food Network's A Cook's Tour.Roger Vergé was a friend of Paul Bocuse and trained Alain Ducasse. His signatur e dish is the “poupeton”, courgette flower with truffled mushrooms.Paul Bocuse, 1926-2018. He was born into a family of cooks and created the Bocuse d’Or, a biennial world chef championship. His signature dish was the truffle soup vge 1975.With traditional dishes to culinary masterpieces, the great chefs have always known how to impress those eating their food.The Best Chefs in the World Right NowWhile some of the best chefs have left us, there are plenty of great chefs currently still with us. There are plenty of chefs specialising in different cuisines. Indian food, Italian food, and Mexican food all have representatives in the world of haute-cuisine.Be inspired by some of the world's greatest chefs. (Source: babawawa)While a lot of great chefs have left us, there are still plenty of great chefs still alive. They inlude:Alain Ducasse, a student of Roger Vergé, who creates dishes inspired by his origins. He’s also the head of a vast gastronomical empire.Jamie Oliver. While this celebrity chef doesn't have a single Michelin Star to his name, he's famous for award-winning television shows and his efforts to make gourmet food accessible to everyone through easy-to-make meals.Emeril Lagasse is an American chef, James Beard Award winner, and restaurateur famous for New New Orleans cooking style. He's also the executive chef of thirteen restaurants in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.Bobby Flay is another celebrated American Chef famous for his TV shows. He is famous for his Mexican and Southwest cooking style and is the executive chef of restaurants in Vegas, New York, and Atlantic City.Gordon Ramsay, who was trained by Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon in Paris.Rachel Ray, like Jamie Oliver, favours “quick and easy” cooking and has hosted both cooking and talk shows in the US.Pierre Gagnaire, a student of Paul Bocuse, a great chef who’s always trying new things. As a result, he doesn’t have a single signature dish.Mario Bat ali is famous for his Italian cuisine and hosted Molto Mario on the Food Network for 8 years. He was educated at the Cordon Bleu.While male chefs dominated once dominated the world of cooking, as you can see, more and more women are becoming popular in the world of cooking.Get started with the best cookery courses London on Superprof.The Best TV Cooking ShowsWatching TV won’t make you a great chef, but there are plenty of entertaining cooking shows you can watch for fun.You can learn more than you think from the TV. (Source: Robert-Owen-Wahl)Cooking shows started popping up in the 1950s with a chef onscreen telling you how to make certain dishes. This continued for many years until the 2000s when cooking shows and reality TV started to mix.MasterChef is one of the most famous cooking shows and a competition to find the best chef. They go through different challenges and are judged on their cooking. The finalists chosen by the judges.There are also other cooking shows that are popu lar:Kitchen Nightmares with Gordon Ramsay.Food UnwrappedThe Great British BakeoffCome Dine With MeSaturday KitchenDinner DateGreat British MenuHairy BikersWe don’t know about you but these types of shows always make us hungry. They always make us wonder why what we’re eating isn’t as good as what they are.The Most Popular British DishesKnowing the best chefs to have ever lived, the best working today, and the best cooking shows, have you really learnt how to cook?You don't need to be a professional chef to cook the country's favourite dishes. (Source: JESHOOTS-com)Learning to cook can seem like climbing a mountain. Maybe you just know how to cook pasta.However, there are plenty of great recipes that are easy to make, delicious, and can work wonders on staples like pasta or potatoes. The most important thing about cooking is how you cook and season them. Once you’ve mastered these two skills, nothing can stop you.The most popular dishes are often the most simple ones to make, the tastiest ones, or the best for you.Here are some of the most popular dishes in the UK:Fish and chipsPizzaChinese stir-fryChicken tikka masalaSpaghetti bologneseThai green curryRoast dinnerBangers and mashSweet and sour chickenShepherd’s pieAs you can see, vegetarians aren’t very well represented in the UK. The UK really likes comfort foods. Of course, this includes some of the most traditional British dishes as well as international dishes.It’s hardly surprising that there are a few Italian dishes on the list! You can find Italian food wherever you go in the world, even in China. Of course, the quality varies hugely from country to country.Spaghetti bolognese, carbonara, stews, roast chicken, could have all been included in the list. All of these dishes are quite easy to make, too.If you need a little extra help in the kitchen, you should consider getting help from a tutor on Superprof. You can get tutorials in a number of different skills including cooking and baking. Ad ditionally, there are three different types of tutorial available in each subject: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials include one tutor and one student. These are usually the most costly per hour but they're also the most cost-effective since your tutor can focus on you every single minute of your tutorial. With hands-on subjects like cooking, face-to-face tutorials are great.Online tutorials are usually cheaper than face-to-face tutorials since the tutor doesn't have as many travel costs and this saving is usually passed onto their students. As long as both of you have a decent internet connection and webcams, you can use programmes like Skype to communicate with your tutors.Group tutorials are the most like your traditional art classes at school. However, if you get enough of you and your friends together, you could always hire a tutor together. With each student sharing the cost of the hour, you can get quite a discount for each s tudent in attendance. Of course, you won't get as much one-on-one time with your tutor, though.While each type of tutorial has its advantages and disadvantages, you need to choose the one that matches your learning objectives and your budget. Everyone can learn to cook, after all, if they have the right tools, resources, and encouragement.

The Ultimate Guide to Backpack Essentials

The Ultimate Guide to Backpack Essentials The below post is the first in our 2017 Back-to-School Series. Throughout the month of August, visit the Varsity Tutors blog for back-to-school advice, tips, and tricks for all ages. Buying backpack essentials is a classic back-to-school activity for every grade level. The basic shopping list for all age groups includes items like pencils, pens, erasers, and paper, but students of different ages will also need to fill their backpacks with different items. So what are the backpack essentials that youll need to prepare for this school year? Here is our ultimate guide to backpack must-haves, broken down by elementary school, middle school, and high school. Elementary school backpack essentials TissuesIllness tends to spread quickly throughout schools. Prevent dripping noses by keeping a pack of tissues handy for your student to grab from his or her backpack. WipesElementary school is full of messy pastimes like arts and crafts, recess, and, of course, lunchtime. Wipes make it easy for students to get into the habit of cleaning their hands after they get them dirty or before they eat. Layers of clothingYounger students typically switch between inside and outside time each day. Teach them what clothes they should wear when they go out for recess, field trips, and when they leave at the end of the day so that they stay warm (or cool). SunscreenThis is something else that students should wear when they go outside. Teach your student how to apply sunscreen, and remind them to reapply it throughout the day if they are going outside more than once. Your contact informationElementary school students may still be in the process of memorizing your contact information. While your students teacher has this information, keeping it on an index card in your childs backpack can make him or her feel a little more secure. It is also extremely useful in emergency situations. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help with Elementary Homework Challenges] Middle school backpack essentials USB driveIn middle school, students will start using computers more and more frequently. They may also be required to do homework on their computer at home. Its easy for students to carry around their work on a USB drive. Make sure your student has one in his or her backpack. CalculatorMiddle school students will be doing more complex math and will thus need a good calculator. Check with your students teacher to see what kind he or she recommends. it could be a scientific calculator, graphing calculator, or both. Day plannerA day planner is a helpful tool for middle school students. Buy a planner with large spaces for each day so he or she has enough space to record the days homework with any notes. [RELATED: 4 Ways Parents Can Help Middle School Students Succeed] High school backpack essentials HighlightersHighlighters are often helpful to high school students, who do more reading than younger students. Learning how to highlight and read for important information is an essential skill high school students need for college. USB driveLike middle school students, high school students also need a USB drive to transfer their homework and assignments between multiple computers. Day plannerAlso like middle school students, high schoolers benefit from having a day planner. It can be used to record assignments, test dates, project deadlines, practices, meetings, events, etc. BindersBinders can help keep high school students organized for each class. Help your student label his or her binders, which they can take out of their locker as needed before each class. Be sure your student also has plenty of loose-leaf paper and binder dividers to stay even more organized. [RELATED: 5 Questions to Ask Your Student's New Teacher] 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.

English, Creative writing and SAT tutor in London

English, Creative writing and SAT tutor in London This week we would like to introduce Erica G, an English, Creative Writing and American SAT private tutor. She is originally from California, but is now a tutor living in London.  Erica is passionate about teaching writing and critical thinking skills through literature, and believes learning these skills can see individuals through much of their academic and practical challenges.   So let’s find out a little more about her… Erica, why do you love tutoring? I enjoy passing on knowledge in a subject that I love as well as building a child’s confidence in their own abilities. Often struggling children have the ability, they just need to believe in themselves. I love being able to instil that belief in a child by maximising their skills so they can reach their full potential. Who inspired you in education? My 8th grade English teacher and two of my lecturers at university where I studied writing and literature. They inspired me because they stood up for the right to education. They were strong teachers and taught me to think for myself in an original way and to believe that I could achieve great things. What else do you get up to besides tutoring? Well, I’m currently a PhD student so I spend a lot of my time doing my research for that. My research is in love and romance in LGBT young adult novels. I’m also an avid textile crafter so I enjoy quilting, knitting and doing some cross-stitch. I just love anything where I can express myself creatively. If you had a super power what would it be? If I could read while I sleep and remember everything in the morning that would be amazing. Then I would have a whole library of books stored in my head. What advice would you give to a parent on how to find a tutor? I would recommend first to find someone who is a specialist in the subject the child needs support with and then to find a tutor who can really help children believe in themselves. A personal tutor needs to be able to work alongside a student and act as coach as well as a tutor. Want to meet Erica?  See below to view her short video: Subjects taught by Erica English- Degree, IB, A-Level, GCSE, 11+, Primary, AS Basic IT Skills Blogging Creative Writing Internet Keyboard Microsoft Office Microsoft Powerpoint Microsoft Word SAT Twitter If you or your child needs help with any of the above then please click here to visit Erica’s profile page and book a lesson. Illustration from  www.flickr.com     CC-by

False Friends Spanish and English False Cognates

False Friends Spanish and English False Cognates One of the more difficult things that many Spanish speakers have while learning English is that there are many words that look and sound similar but have different meanings. We call these false friends or amigos malos. Learning English can be tough from the pronunciation to the grammar but false friends are not that difficult to memorize so that you dont make a mistake. The funniest example is: embarrassed in English sounds similar to embarazada in Spanish. If you tell someone in South America that you are embarrassed they will probably congratulate you and ask when you are due to have your baby. On the other hand if you tell someone that you are embarazada in the US or Canada they will probably ask why and ask if you are uncomfortable because embarrassed in English means that you feel awkward, dumb, self conscious, (verguenza).So below are a list of False friends that are commonly used incorrectly:Actual-means real NOT currentExample: The actual cost of the purse was much lower than the price tag.Particular-means special NOT privateYou can not discriminate against a particular group of people.Familiar-well known NOT relativeIm very familiar with the NorthWestern part of the United States, Ive lived there for many years.Casual-relaxed NOT by chanceThe restaurant does not require formal clothing, casual clothes are fine.Casualty-victim NOT by chanceThe war had many casualties.Soap-to wash your hands NOT to eat with a spoon like soupWe need dish soap for washing the dishes.Jam-is sweet and sometimes made from strawberries NOT ham which comes from cured pig meatMy favorite jam is raspberry.Compromise-an agreement or settlement NOT being engagedMy children are learning to compromise with each other by sharing and working out disagreements.Support-to give assistance NOT unbearable (unsopportable-doesnt exist)I gave her all the support she needed when her mother passed away.Molest-is generally used for sexual abuse or hurting someone in a sexual manner NOT to bother someone.Henry Weinstein the hollywood producers is accused of molesting several young actresses.Here Are The Best Tips For English Fluency:When you want to say: all the day/all the year change it to the whole day or the entire year.I was at the doctors office for the whole day!When you say take decisions you should say make decisions.I need to make a decision about her birthday gift.Remember breakfast/lunch/dinner are not verbs so you must say have or eat breakfast/lunch/dinner.What time do you normally eat breakfast? We eat lunch around noon. In Argentina they have dinner at 10PM!We talk in third person a lot for example: When at a restaurant and they ask how many people for the table you should say: There are four NOT we are four.There are five of us 4 adults and one child.We talk in third person on the phone: We say this is Teauna not I am Teauna.Hello! This is Teauna speaking, can I help you?

Thinking in a Foreign Language Made Easy

Thinking in a Foreign Language Made Easy Thinking in a Foreign Language Made Easy We’ve all heard that thinking in a foreign language is a sign of  real fluency.But I bet you havent heard that its the  fifth key language skill  that all learners must developâ€"falling right in line with speaking, listening, reading and writing.But is thinking really a skill?Yes, yes it is.After all, thinking is a constant and intimate process. If you can think in a language, surely you must have assimilated the language to such an extent that it’s now a part of you.You’re no longer translating from your native language to the new one. Thats why someone who thinks in their target language will speak faster  and more smoothly, and they won’t have any lag when they’re trying to understand something.Sure, all of that is true, but what people don’t often realize is that thinking in a foreign language can be its very own path to fluency, not just a result of fluency.What does this mean for you?It means that thinking in your target language is absolutely learnable. Its someth ing that you canâ€"and shouldâ€"start working on  right now. All it takes is some practice! Just like speaking, listening, reading and writing. And the best part? Thinking is naturally the root of all those other skills, so you’ll see them all improve drastically in turn.Here, were going to show you how to make this happen. Thinking in a Foreign Language Made Easy1. Translate Your ThoughtsYou could have thought of this one, right? Sure, it seems like the most obvious step to take, but not everyone does it. Some people are very visual or quantitative, meaning they dont have streams of words constantly going through their brains.If you don’t already narrate your life in your head, then start doing it consciously! This kind of active exercise is where you’ll get the most practice.When you remember conversations, translate. When you think about your daily schedule, translate. When you’re cursing the weather, your neighbors, the long line at the grocery store… translate!Pract ical StepsIs this easier said than done? Here are some mini-steps you can take to start working toward narrating your life in your target language.If you’re a beginner, try simply taking some time out of the day to describe what’s around you. When you see a tree, you could think “tree” in your target language. If the correct word for tree isnt coming to you, think “green,” “wood” or anything else that can describe it. Same goes for buildings, animals, clothing, whatever. If you’re really limited in terms of vocab, you could even count people, animals or objects in your head. Anything helps!Soon enough, though, you’ll graduate to wanting to translate two-word phrases and beyond. When you’re able to start doing this, you’ll want to double check everything you’re translating, either with a native speaker or by googling the phrase with quotation marks to see if lots of native speakers are phrasing it just like you are. (Hint: If you get less than 1000 hits or h its that include only learners’ dictionaries and forums, you probably have something funky going on.)If you can’t figure out how to say what you’re thinking, make up an approximation that you’re still absolutely sure is 100 percent correct. Because you’re thinking much, much more than youre speaking or writing, it can be easy to fall into bad habitsâ€"thats why double checking your language usage is still key. Concrete nouns, verbs and adjectives are quite easy to translate, but idiomatic phrases get trickier, so youll want to  be especially sure that you’re using the correct idioms and expressions all the time.2. Start Using Monolingual DictionariesNow we’re getting to less direct but oh-so-essential steps to making the language yours.A monolingual dictionary is just what it sounds likeâ€"instead of translating your target language into your native language and  vice versa, you’re looking up a target-language word and getting a target-language definition, just like when you pick up a dictionary to check a word in your native language.Using a monolingual dictionary can mark an important step in your language learning journey because it means that you’re using the language itself to learn.A small caveat, however: Monolingual dictionaries are most useful if you try them out at the mid- to high-intermediate stage when you can already understand a mainstream novel or follow formal news radio. Otherwise, youll spend a lot of time looking up words in the definitions of other wordsâ€"though that can be a valuable exercise, too.You’ll be pretty amazed at how monolingual dictionaries help you think in the language. While studying, you’ll no longer be translating back and forth. Consciously using a monolingual dictionary while filling out SRS flashcards,  reading novels or working through a textbook will pay off in all your other skill areas. Youll even start to think in terms of the language itself, rather than  only within the framework of your n ative language.Practical StepsFirst of all, find a good monolingual dictionary! WordReference has a great online Spanish-Spanish dictionary (plus monolingual options in many other languages).  I’ve personally used Larousse for French. Guoxuedashi is a good example for Chinese. Searching “dictionary” in your target language will land you with something, but quality is pretty important, so try asking other learners on sites like Quora or Language Learners’ Forum.Now what? Monolingual dictionaries work great when paired with sentence flashcards on SRS. Thats rightâ€"each flashcard will have a whole sentence on the front, and then you can use  your monolingual dictionary to define words you don’t know on the backs of your cards. You can embed definitions if there are words you don’t know in the original definitions.  Check out the blog  All Japanese All the Time  for a  complete explanation  (and a great post on monolingual dictionaries!).  This unconventional approach to fl ashcards  is a great way to learn vocabulary and grammar in context.If the definition is impossible to understand (think: definition for “oak” or “ladder”… simple concepts with confusing, convoluted definitions), paste in an image so that you get the meaning without any interference from English!3. Write in a JournalBecause journaling is writing down your thoughts, it gets you into the habit  of thinking in your target language, especially if youre finding thinking itself to be difficult at first.Basically, it’s just another way to practice Step #1, but it’s slower and you’re in one spot so you can look things up. Its also a good option if youre busy most of the time and dont have the freedom to glaze over and think purposefully in your target language. It doubles as writing practice, too!I discovered this myself when practicing writing in Spanishâ€"I found myself thinking in Spanish for some time after I completed a quick writing session and put down my pen. Spendin g some time deliberately formulating thoughts in Spanish definitely got me into that “zone” of thinking in my target language.Practical StepsTry writing a daily monologue. This can include whatever’s on your mind! Stuff about your work, about your familyâ€"it doesn’t matter. Opinions work well, too, because you might have a lot to say about them. You can just keep a diary in your target language!Get corrections and feedback from natives and learners on  services like italki. On italki, you can even hire a private tutor to work with you one on one, to get the best feedback possible. No matter how you get them, corrections will help you avoid writing things down wrong and cementing bad habits in your mind.Despite the importance of staying away from bad habits, I recommend keeping a private, hard copy journal on good stationery. It’s a great break away from Internet-heavy language learning, and the privacy gives you free reign to write about whatever you want!4. Read More Fir st Person LiteratureReading is so important when it comes to learning a language. If you read books written in the first person, you’ll see direct benefits when it comes to thinking in the language.Obviously, first person books give you the main character’s thoughtsâ€"you get to read someone else’s thoughts so that you can think your own! How cool is that?For all those hard-to-translate idioms and phrases from Step #1, you’ll get solutions from books. You’ll learn how native speakers express abstract concepts, which vocab they use and how they use it.Practical StepsGet some young adult fiction, stat!  Why young adult? Because fiction aimed at that age group loves first person perspective right now, and the language is casual and very realistic. Even if you’re not into reading in that age group normally, I highly recommend you check it out for this purpose (and you might find some new favorite books while you’re at it).As always, translations of books you’ve already r ead work wonderfully because you already have that crucial context that makes understanding a target language so much easier. But if you’re at a loss for what to find, I recommend translations of the Percy Jackson  books or The Hunger Games.  Both are popular (and thus widely translated) and both have fun stories that will keep you engaged.To find the translated titles of these books, simply translate the Wikipedia page into your target language. Then you can search for the title on Amazon!Commit to reading 20 minutes a day to get into the habit of thinking in your target language. It won’t be long before you start remembering phrases you see over and over, but to speed things up, dust off that SRS once again. Enter the sentences or phrases you think you might want to use in your own thoughts, and over time, you won’t forget them!And that’s that! With these four steps, you’ll get past all that clunky translating you’ve been doing in your head.You’ll be well on your way to thinking in your target language and making it your own.Once you’ve gotten the hang of thinking in your language, the rest is smooth sailing!

4 Steps to Personalize Tutoring for Your Child

4 Steps to Personalize Tutoring for Your Child 4 steps to personalize tutoring for your child are as follows: Step one, decide whether your child needs a tutor. Step two, decide on the tutoring method, that is private, online and centers. Step three, find the right tutor. Step four, choose the best tutor. Read on to find out more on these four steps to personalize tutoring for your child. The tutoring needs of children are varied and often complex. Your child is an individual; different from their 70 million piers in the US. Perhaps you and your child are preparing for challenging placement and qualification exams in order to be accepted into an Ivy League school. If youre fortunate and your child is gifted and talented then you may be looking for a tutor to achieve their full potential. Perhaps your child is having trouble with science or concept in mathematics. Dont fret, disabilities in math can be resolved and are ubiquitous today; 5% to 8% of school-age children are identified as having some kind of disability in mathematics. Another common occurrence these days is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Should you child suffer from ADHD you need the extra attention from a tutor who specializes in learning disabilities (LD)? Also, since 2008 more parents are struggling financially and can hardly afford a private tutor. Dont worry; the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires that low-performing low-income schools must provide free tutoring services to children who qualify. Step 1: Decide on whether your child needs personalized tutoring. Give personalized tutoring a go if one of the following criteria is true for your child. • Child is struggling with homework exercises. • Your child’s teachers expressed concern. • Your child exhibits a drop in assessment results. • There is a general concern from your child regarding their studies. While not urgent, you may want to consider hiring a private tutor for your child in order to: • Increase confidence in his favorite subject • Supplement classroom teaching amidst educational budget cuts. • Ensure the optimal assessment results in preparation for university applications. With the public education system strained to its limits, the college admissions requirements ever rising most parents opt for tutoring. Occasionally, it is the students themselves who ask for tutoring in order to feel ever more confident in class. The short answer to step one is that every child can benefit from personalized tutoring. In fact, as a professional tutor, and CEO of TutorZ I have never seen a child who did not profit from tutoring. Even overachieving students benefit from personalized tutoring as in the process they will achieve full potential in their gifted areas. Moreover, gifted students are encouraged to overcome some weak spots. No matter what your reasons are for hiring a personalized tutor it is important to discuss the decision with your child. Now that you have decided to give personalized tutoring a go we need to consider the method of tutoring. Step 2: Decide on the most appropriate method of tutoring. Knowing your childs innate preferences, your budget limitations or convenience is is now time to selected the most appropriate method of tutoring. Private tutoring is the most common type of tutoring and, perhaps, the most desirable for younger children and those with learning disabilities. Conveniently, private tutors come to your home or should you prefer so meet you and your child at school or another public location. Typically private tutors have years of tutoring experience and know their tutoring subjects very well. Sometimes private tutors are still in college and know the teachers, text books and curricula will which enhanced the quality of tutoring seasons. Online tutoring has become main stream with the proliferation of the Internet. The reasons for deciding to go for online tutoring are compelling: • You are unable to find a tutor near home. • Youre looking of a true expert in the subject. • Need tutoring help with an uncommon subject such as thermodynamics or knitting. • Your schedule makes attending regular sessions difficult. • Need to save gas money by not having to commute to the meeting place. Online tutoring allows your child to work with a teacher in real time over the Internet. Communication between student and online tutor is usually done using headsets. This way the child’s hands are free to type or to write on an electronic pad. There are many applications available that offer video conferencing, so child and tutor interact face to face. I recommend Skype as it is fully featured and free for one-to-one connections. Subjects like reading, math and programming are well suited for online tutoring. Hands-on subjects such as knitting or learning to play the guitar fail typically for obvious reasons. Even for subjects like social studies for an eighth-grader, you’ll probably want to stick with private or school-based tutoring. In general, the younger your student is the harder it is to make online tutoring work. If your kid is distracted or sufficiently undisciplined to sit through an online session opt for private tutoring. The most important consideration of online tutoring is whether you child is disciplined to being tutored over the Internet. On the Internet there are so many tempting distractions. We found the online tutoring works best for kids when their parents accompany the sessions. But not always can parents make the time for it, so they are left with tutoring centers. Tutoring centers are companies that employ tutors with various kinds of experience. Some centers use standardized materials and methods. They may offer diagnostic testing to help them develop a learning strategy for your child. Your child will be placed with a tutor for sessions one or more times a week, usually after school or in the evening. Some tutoring centers offer group tutoring, which can be less expensive than individual tutoring. However, you’ll need to decide whether your child will work better in a group or one-on-one. Step 3: Finding the Tutor Word of mouth is perhaps the best source of finding a tutor. Asking other parents who have used a tutor can be a good way of ensuring that the tutor is credible and good at their job. If word of mouth is not an option it’s worth having a look at local newspapers or magazines, local bulletin boards in libraries, community colleges or even at the groceries store. Tutors tend to advertise their services there. However, these traditional methods tend to give way to online tutor referrals. I feel today the quickest and most effective way of finding a personal tutor is online. Many tutors have their own websites and there are several tutor directories that list home educators by area. When searching for a tutor, think about the keywords that will bring up what you are looking for â€" what subject, level and area do you want to search. For example, googling for math tutor in Houston, TX will show you a dozens of good sites. Be as specific as you can in entering your google query. For example, if you in college and look for a calculus tutor then better enter calculus college tutor in Houston, TX. The search results will surely help to solve your difficult college math homework. The Internet is a wonderful thing. While advertising ads on craigslist or backpage was state of the art during the Web 1.0 generation, today we are blessed with tutoring marketplace companies, such as TutorZ.com. These new type tutoring services maintain an eBay-like marketplace where tens of thousands of tutors are treated as independent contractors. These tutor contractors are rated and reviewed and have passed application tests. Moreover, criminal background checks can be purchased. Thanks to these tutoring marketplaces, finding a tutor nowadays is as easy as ABC. Simply type in your search query (e.g. calculus college tutor in Houston, TX) into TutorZ search box and screen the in-person tutors nearby. Moreover, these tutoring market places sites protect parents from bad tutors and visa versa. Bad apples are everywhere, in the tutoring industry also. Step 4: Choosing the Right Tutor Choosing the right tutor presupposes choice. The choice offered by local classified tutoring ads or even craigslist listings is often insufficient. Thats where these Internet tutoring market places shine: They have dozens to thousands of tutors in your local area. TutorZ has an impressive selection of 40,000 certified and trusted tutors. Whether you prefer a female tutor for your daughter or an Ph.D. level math expert for a statistics research paper, a caring special education tutor for a child suffering from ADHD or simply a tutor who is affordable TutorZ has them all. While having a choice is a good thing, making the right match is the next thing. The research conducted by TutorZ has shown that through blending technology and human intelligence matches are made most easily and efficiently connecting the student with the perfect tutor. The important thing is to look for personalized matching and a tutoring consultation. In summary, the tutoring needs of every student different. Virtually all children benefit from tutoring. Whether private or online tutoring we recommend to shop for tutors on new online tutoring marketplaces, the likes of TutorZ.com. There you are empowered through choice and personalized match making. 4 Steps to Personalize Tutoring for Your Child 4 steps to personalize tutoring for your child are as follows: Step one, decide whether your child needs a tutor. Step two, decide on the tutoring method, that is private, online and centers. Step three, find the right tutor. Step four, choose the best tutor. Read on to find out more on these four steps to personalize tutoring for your child. The tutoring needs of children are varied and often complex. Your child is an individual; different from their 70 million piers in the US. Perhaps you and your child are preparing for challenging placement and qualification exams in order to be accepted into an Ivy League school. If youre fortunate and your child is gifted and talented then you may be looking for a tutor to achieve their full potential. Perhaps your child is having trouble with science or concept in mathematics. Dont fret, disabilities in math can be resolved and are ubiquitous today; 5% to 8% of school-age children are identified as having some kind of disability in mathematics. Another common occurrence these days is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Should you child suffer from ADHD you need the extra attention from a tutor who specializes in learning disabilities (LD)? Also, since 2008 more parents are struggling financially and can hardly afford a private tutor. Dont worry; the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires that low-performing low-income schools must provide free tutoring services to children who qualify. Step 1: Decide on whether your child needs personalized tutoring. Give personalized tutoring a go if one of the following criteria is true for your child. • Child is struggling with homework exercises. • Your child’s teachers expressed concern. • Your child exhibits a drop in assessment results. • There is a general concern from your child regarding their studies. While not urgent, you may want to consider hiring a private tutor for your child in order to: • Increase confidence in his favorite subject • Supplement classroom teaching amidst educational budget cuts. • Ensure the optimal assessment results in preparation for university applications. With the public education system strained to its limits, the college admissions requirements ever rising most parents opt for tutoring. Occasionally, it is the students themselves who ask for tutoring in order to feel ever more confident in class. The short answer to step one is that every child can benefit from personalized tutoring. In fact, as a professional tutor, and CEO of TutorZ I have never seen a child who did not profit from tutoring. Even overachieving students benefit from personalized tutoring as in the process they will achieve full potential in their gifted areas. Moreover, gifted students are encouraged to overcome some weak spots. No matter what your reasons are for hiring a personalized tutor it is important to discuss the decision with your child. Now that you have decided to give personalized tutoring a go we need to consider the method of tutoring. Step 2: Decide on the most appropriate method of tutoring. Knowing your childs innate preferences, your budget limitations or convenience is is now time to selected the most appropriate method of tutoring. Private tutoring is the most common type of tutoring and, perhaps, the most desirable for younger children and those with learning disabilities. Conveniently, private tutors come to your home or should you prefer so meet you and your child at school or another public location. Typically private tutors have years of tutoring experience and know their tutoring subjects very well. Sometimes private tutors are still in college and know the teachers, text books and curricula will which enhanced the quality of tutoring seasons. Online tutoring has become main stream with the proliferation of the Internet. The reasons for deciding to go for online tutoring are compelling: • You are unable to find a tutor near home. • Youre looking of a true expert in the subject. • Need tutoring help with an uncommon subject such as thermodynamics or knitting. • Your schedule makes attending regular sessions difficult. • Need to save gas money by not having to commute to the meeting place. Online tutoring allows your child to work with a teacher in real time over the Internet. Communication between student and online tutor is usually done using headsets. This way the child’s hands are free to type or to write on an electronic pad. There are many applications available that offer video conferencing, so child and tutor interact face to face. I recommend Skype as it is fully featured and free for one-to-one connections. Subjects like reading, math and programming are well suited for online tutoring. Hands-on subjects such as knitting or learning to play the guitar fail typically for obvious reasons. Even for subjects like social studies for an eighth-grader, you’ll probably want to stick with private or school-based tutoring. In general, the younger your student is the harder it is to make online tutoring work. If your kid is distracted or sufficiently undisciplined to sit through an online session opt for private tutoring. The most important consideration of online tutoring is whether you child is disciplined to being tutored over the Internet. On the Internet there are so many tempting distractions. We found the online tutoring works best for kids when their parents accompany the sessions. But not always can parents make the time for it, so they are left with tutoring centers. Tutoring centers are companies that employ tutors with various kinds of experience. Some centers use standardized materials and methods. They may offer diagnostic testing to help them develop a learning strategy for your child. Your child will be placed with a tutor for sessions one or more times a week, usually after school or in the evening. Some tutoring centers offer group tutoring, which can be less expensive than individual tutoring. However, you’ll need to decide whether your child will work better in a group or one-on-one. Step 3: Finding the Tutor Word of mouth is perhaps the best source of finding a tutor. Asking other parents who have used a tutor can be a good way of ensuring that the tutor is credible and good at their job. If word of mouth is not an option it’s worth having a look at local newspapers or magazines, local bulletin boards in libraries, community colleges or even at the groceries store. Tutors tend to advertise their services there. However, these traditional methods tend to give way to online tutor referrals. I feel today the quickest and most effective way of finding a personal tutor is online. Many tutors have their own websites and there are several tutor directories that list home educators by area. When searching for a tutor, think about the keywords that will bring up what you are looking for â€" what subject, level and area do you want to search. For example, googling for math tutor in Houston, TX will show you a dozens of good sites. Be as specific as you can in entering your google query. For example, if you in college and look for a calculus tutor then better enter calculus college tutor in Houston, TX. The search results will surely help to solve your difficult college math homework. The Internet is a wonderful thing. While advertising ads on craigslist or backpage was state of the art during the Web 1.0 generation, today we are blessed with tutoring marketplace companies, such as TutorZ.com. These new type tutoring services maintain an eBay-like marketplace where tens of thousands of tutors are treated as independent contractors. These tutor contractors are rated and reviewed and have passed application tests. Moreover, criminal background checks can be purchased. Thanks to these tutoring marketplaces, finding a tutor nowadays is as easy as ABC. Simply type in your search query (e.g. calculus college tutor in Houston, TX) into TutorZ search box and screen the in-person tutors nearby. Moreover, these tutoring market places sites protect parents from bad tutors and visa versa. Bad apples are everywhere, in the tutoring industry also. Step 4: Choosing the Right Tutor Choosing the right tutor presupposes choice. The choice offered by local classified tutoring ads or even craigslist listings is often insufficient. Thats where these Internet tutoring market places shine: They have dozens to thousands of tutors in your local area. TutorZ has an impressive selection of 40,000 certified and trusted tutors. Whether you prefer a female tutor for your daughter or an Ph.D. level math expert for a statistics research paper, a caring special education tutor for a child suffering from ADHD or simply a tutor who is affordable TutorZ has them all. While having a choice is a good thing, making the right match is the next thing. The research conducted by TutorZ has shown that through blending technology and human intelligence matches are made most easily and efficiently connecting the student with the perfect tutor. The important thing is to look for personalized matching and a tutoring consultation. In summary, the tutoring needs of every student different. Virtually all children benefit from tutoring. Whether private or online tutoring we recommend to shop for tutors on new online tutoring marketplaces, the likes of TutorZ.com. There you are empowered through choice and personalized match making.