I Need a Tutor to Help Me Improve My English Writing Skills

I Need a Tutor to Help Me Improve My English Writing SkillsDo you need a tutor to help you improve your English writing skills? Is there an English essay or lesson you need help with? It's easy to get overwhelmed with the options, but there are a few simple ways to decide which is best for you.First, keep in mind that you should use a tutor only when you need help with your English writing skills. If you are struggling with reading and writing correctly, you should not be spending your precious time looking for a tutor when you are really not at all in need of one. Be certain that you know what your goals are before you consider asking for a tutoring session.You can seek out a tutor in your area, or you can choose to travel to another city to find a good one. The decision is up to you, but either way, you must be sure that the person you hire will be an appropriate fit for your needs. If you are a student, you may want to consider a private tutor who will give you individual attentio n.On the other hand, if you are a professional, you might consider hiring a student to work with you who tends to have a more thorough understanding of your needs than you do. This may include the ability to answer your questions and concerns, or to give you constructive feedback on your written work. As you should, be certain that the person who is teaching you is qualified to teach you. You do not want someone who doesn't have the proper credentials and is teaching you, when he or she is not truly prepared to do so.Before you begin, you should first create the appropriate homework assignment. Set aside some time to complete this homework work, so that you will have a thorough understanding of the material you will be learning. Remember that when you work with a tutor, he or she is often working with you, too. This means that you should set aside time to work together, especially on the areas of grammar and spelling.A final consideration is to determine what type of education you a re seeking. You should consider whether you want tutoring sessions in an English writing class, or are more interested in watching a video on essay writing. You should also consider what your needs are as far as teaching methods are concerned. If you find a tutor who offers an assessment test on essay writing, then it would be helpful if the teacher also offered assessments on grammar and spelling.There are many different types of tutors and teachers out there. Some are great at giving assistance when needed; others are just focused on selling their own products. If you want to find someone who will help you improve your writing skills, make sure you choose a teacher who has the qualifications and experience you need.Lastly, remember that finding an English tutor is an easy process. The earlier you can begin, the better, since you will have more time to plan your tutoring sessions and organize your schedule.

Tech, Tricks and Tips for Confronting Language Barriers Boldly

Tech, Tricks and Tips for Confronting Language Barriers Boldly Tech, Tricks and Tips for Confronting Language Barriers Boldly Parlez-vous  français ? ¿Habla español?Sprechen Sie Deutsch?If you live on planet Earth, then theres a pretty high chance that, at least once in your life, youve come up against the dreaded language barrier.Language barriers can crop up at any moment while  abroad, at work or even in your own neighborhood.Sometimes were prepared for them, and sometimes were caught completely off guard.The experience is different for everyone.Some people can take language barriers in stride. They figure out ways to communicate or direct themselves (or the other speaker) to someone who can help.Some people get annoyed. While this isnt the most useful reaction, it does happen.Then there are those who get frustrated, but in a good way. These are the seekers, the language learners. The people in this groupâ€"which Im assuming includes youâ€"would rather burrow themselves 10 feet underground before encountering someone with whom they cant communicate.But the thing is, theres no need to run and hide.Its o kay to be anxious, but dont let it cripple you. You dont want to put off traveling and miss out on great experiences because of a language barrier. The world is becoming more condensed as it is. If you want to get away from language barriers, you really might have to start digging that hole.So instead of avoiding the challenge of communicating with someone who speaks a different language, take it on. Its not as daunting as youd think.Rise to the occasion.  Youll thank yourself for it later.In this post, well explore why you should welcome language barriers and how to deal with them, using the help of technology and the natural human capacity for communication. Why Language Barriers Are Good for the SoulTheres nothing that spurs human growth  more than powering your way through an uncomfortable situation. Encountering language barriers tends to be quite uncomfortable, but the good news is, most people survive unscathed.Language barriers create opportunities.As you may already know, learning a language is an opportunity to embrace a new language, and, as a natural progression, embrace a new culture. Once you start taking on a new language, youre drawn in. You learn what people eat, what kind of music they listen to, how they see the world. You connect with the people, the culture, the country and you become eager to immerse yourself in their world.These revelations become part of your fabric. You build acceptance, empathy and understanding in ways that you never thought you could.Other fringe benefits include overcoming possible phobias and building hardcore self-confidence. You begin to see all the things of which youre capable, that there is no limit to what you can accomplish.There are really no disadvantages to learning a new language.But lets keep the horse in front the cart. Before youre comfortable  with a new language, youll still come up against some roadblocks. But why let that stop you (unless its a real roadblock and theres a danger sign and the po lice are there, then you should probably just listen to them and not get yourself into any troublebut yeah, lets stay on track)? With the use of technology, a little preparation and tools that will help you on the spot, youll be able to make a quick detour and be on your way.So keep reading. Take a peek. See whats waiting for you down the road.Tech, Tricks and Tips for Confronting Language Barriers BoldlyEquipping Yourself: Technology to Help Get You Where Youre GoingWhether its a literal or metaphorical journey, technology has you covered. Thank goodness. The world of language learning is vast, and technology can help you narrow things down.One useful piece of tech that will help you through language barriers at every stage of your language learning journey, no matter where you are, is the translation app. Translation apps can serve as a quick fix, relieve anxiety and help you take baby steps to knocking down that wall.Here are some of the most popular below.Google TranslatePrice: FreeDevice: Android, iOS and WindowsNumber of languages:  Over 90Features:  Google is able to translate text, audio and images in a continuously growing number of languages. Its simple and convenient. With its tap to translate feature, users can use Google Translate without leaving apps like WhatsApp and other messaging platforms. Also, its extremely fast-working, so theres no time wasted when youre in a crunch.What to watch out for:  The translations can be a bit wonkyâ€"especially when using Asian charactersâ€"so just be cautious. Also, Google Translate is not private. So if you want to translate sensitive information, proceed with caution. Its unlikely that your private information will be spread across the internet, but you never know.Best use: Any situation where a language barrier pops up. Both text and audio work well as long as you use clear and direct language, whether its written or verbal.iTranslatePrice:  Free (limited use)Device:  Android, iOS and WindowsNumber of langu ages:  Over 90Features:  There are many features to this app, so youll have to check it out to see  all it has to offer. However, one of its main features is that it translates both audio and text, and even goes so far as to translate different dialects. It has an extensive dictionary and even offers verb conjugation. Theres quick and easy access to previous translations and your most frequently used translation. There are also offline capabilities, so if youre abroad you can get yourself out of a bind without having to scan for WiFi or worry about expensive roaming charges.What to watch out for:  The voice translation doesnt work with offline mode. Offline mode isnt always contextually accurate. Also, some of the better features of the app are only available with a paid subscription.Best use:  When youre out and about. The audio feature works well, so if you need to communicate quickly, just speak into the app and get your translation.TripLingoPrice:  Free (limited use)Device:  And roid and iOSNumber of languages:  23Features:  This app is really great for travel. It includes almost any phrase you can think of. It also translates it as its spoken formally, casually, in slang and crazy. Most people speak casually or in slang on a day-to-day basis, so this is an amazing tool. It also has a voice translator, image translator, tip calculator and currency converter, WiFi calling, and it will even give you tips on etiquette and culture.What to watch out for: The cost. While the free version is very useful, you get much more from the paid version. Just a few minutes with the human translator can run you nearly $30. Also, the phonetic guide isnt quite that helpful, so its better to rely on the audio when you can.Best use:  Same as above. The voice audio feature is efficient, and if you need to quickly translate something, it also has that readymade phrasebook for your most common questions and statements.WaygoPrice:  Free (limited use)Device:  Android and iOSNumber of languages:  3 (Chinese, Japanese, Korean)Features:  Waygo is an image app. When traveling to China, Japan or Korea (or if youre in an Asian neighborhood elsewhere), this is a great option. The way it works is that you hold the camera up to the characters and it will give you the English translation in addition to the correct pronunciation of the phrase. The app also stores your history, and you can save favorites. So, youll always be able to refer back to something you might have forgotten.What to watch out for:  Its only useful for clear, printed text. The app does not recognize stylized writing, handwriting or text on a computer screen. Also, the free version only allows for up to 10 translations per day.Best use: If youre in a restaurant, shopping, or anywhere theres printed text that you dont understand, then Waygo will come in handy.The PilotPrice:  $249Device: Android and iOSNumber of languages: 12+ plannedFeatures:  The Pilot is  upcoming tech thats not currently on the mark et, but available for pre-order. Its a wearable translation system that comes with a set of earbuds. It allows you to speak your language and the other person will hear you in their language. Its an impressive piece of technology that allows for communication without the disconnect of using an app when trying to engage in conversation.What to watch out for:  The thing that makes it great is also the thing that might make it not so great. It doesnt seem like it will be conducive to casual conversations with strangers. People may be reluctant to pop a strange piece of equipment in their ear not knowing where its been, and germs aside, its just generally an awkward request to make of a strangerâ€"especially one who cant understand what youre asking to begin with. However, only trial and error will tell how this works out.Best use: Long, formal conversations. You wouldnt want to use this to ask someone for directions. You should have at least  some familiarity with the person you share these buds with.Thinking Ahead: Being Barrier-readyTranslation apps arent the only way to quell your anxiety about encountering language barriers. To be honest, they should really only be used in a bind, because as well-intentioned as they are, you lose that human connection when youre texting or speaking through a device. Besides, your brain is the best translation app out there anyway, and you should really take advantage of it.Theres plenty that you can do in advance to mitigate any feelings of discomfort or awkwardness when you know that youre going to be in a situation where your native language is not the primary language. With these simple preparations, youll be ready for whats to come.Spend time on language learning appsThere are so many out there these days, more than we care to count. If youve only got a short amount of time before you travel, you can use an app to arm yourself with some basic words and phrases. If you have a lot of time, you can use these same apps to rea lly build your proficiency.Since there are so many out there, I wont make you look through them all. Instead, here are two of the most popular resources out there that will give you a foundation in your target language.FluentU is an interactive platform that ramps up your language learning through real-life videos. Youre able to watch videos with subtitles, getting a sense of how the language actually sounds when spoken by everyday people, and then youre taken through a series of lessons. Its a great way build comprehension and vocabulary. It currently offers several languages including Spanish, French, Chinese and more. The FluentU app is available for the iTunes store  and Google Play store, as well as on your web browser.Duolingo  is one of the  most popular free language learning apps on the market. It currently offers many full language courses, with other courses in beta and still hatching. Users are able to start from scratch or test out of certain lessons if they already hav e basic knowledge of a language. It takes you through a series of lessons based on subjects using images and audio. Its available on Android, iPhone and your web browser.Take classesFormal instruction is a great way to prepare yourself for foreign communications. It can be expensive and time-consuming, but being taught by a real person can also be a lot of fun. Whether in person or online, you can be sure to find a program that will fit, or nearly fit, exactly what youre looking for.You can find anything from a rigorous program with a tried-and-true curriculum or a more casual course where the instructor adapts the lessons according to your needs. Either way, if you have the time, the money and the motivation, classes are well worth the investment for someone looking to expand their communicative reach.At coLanguage, you can take one-on-one online classes over Skype with a qualified language instructor from a top European university. Classes can be flexible enough to suit your perso nal needs and schedule, but learning materials are provided and their courses are based on the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference for languages), so you can be sure youre getting adequate preparation for whatever language-based situation youre facing.Research and collect phrasesSometimes we dont have the time, and sometimes we just dont have the money. Not to worry. The internet is here to save the day, as it so often does.If youre going to be traveling soon, you can always do a quick search of common phrases  that are specific to your needs, like how to get around or ordering at a restaurant. If youre traveling for business, look up words and phrases relevant to your industry. Meeting a friend or significant others parents for the first time? Search for some common greetings.One great resource for this purpose is Lonely Planet phrasebooks. They cover regional and cultural concerns, some even include menu decoders and theyre all designed with practical communication for the t raveler in mind.Its nice to be prepared with resources that take language barriers into account, and just showing that youre making an effort goes a long way.Thinking On Your Feet: Tips for Overcoming Language Barriers On the SpotSometimes, no matter how prepared we are, we encounter language barriers with little to no preparation. Dont fret. All hope is not lost. You will persevere. If you find yourself in an unexpected situation, try some of these tips to help you along the way.Speak slowly and clearlyThis may seem obvious, but if youre speaking English to someone whos not a native English speaker, clear and concise speech is key. Never shout, though. Thats just offensive. By speaking slowly and clearly, youll help the person pick up key words and context, so they can help themselves navigate the conversation.If youre speaking a foreign language, you still need to speak slowly and clearly if youre not fluent. Youll have an accent, and our consonants and vowels dont always share th e same sounds with other languages. While you might be saying the right word, you may be pronouncing it wrong, especially if youre a beginner. The native speaker will know youre a beginner, so their brain will translate your mistakes effortlessly as long as they understand what youre trying to say.Speaking clearly also includes avoiding slang and idioms. Dont use them in English when speaking to a speaker of a different language, and dont try to translate them literally into another language. Just dont. Sure, you may get lucky from time to time and land on a word or phrase that the other person can understand, but other times youll end up with a blank stare and the person wondering if perhaps they should call you some help, because why are you selling your arm and your leg for an expensive meal?Use gestures and visualsHeres where people tend to feel foolish. Pointing, waving, flapping your arms like a chicken, its all embarrassing. However, its sometimes what you have to do to get y our point across.Remember that scene in Love Actually when Aurelia asked Jamie to tell her about his novel that she dove into eel-infested waters to save? She spoke only Portuguese with maybe four words of English in her arsenal. He only spoke English. Still, together they managed to eek out that he was writing a sometimes scary and sometimes not crime thriller. How? They used gestures. Check it out here.Aurelia and Jamie pantomimed their way through conversation, because neither of them spoke the others language. They got through it. They survived, and then they eventually lived happily ever after.Im not saying that if you make gestures to communicate with a person who speaks a foreign language that youll meet your soulmate. Im saying its an effective form of communication, and, well, anything is possible. Thats all.Ask for clarificationDont be afraid to do this. People dont typically like to watch one another flounce about with confusion. If someone is speaking to you, chances are they want you to understand what theyre saying, otherwise, they wouldnt waste their time. If youre not clear on something, ask them to repeat it, or ask them to speak more slowly. If you still dont understand, let them know. Theyll more than likely express their point in a different way.The takeaway here is not to be shy. The person youre speaking to will know that youre not a native speaker or even a fluent speaker. It will be obvious. Theyll expect that theyll have to speak with you differently than they would a native speaker. They may even use gestures and visuals to help you along. Its all one big cycle, you see.Take advantage of spontaneous conversationIt can be scary for some people to casually engage in conversation in a new language. Go for it anyway. Learning a language gets easier the more you speak it. If you have the opportunity to practice (or develop) your skills, dont shy away from it. We all have that pressing fear that were going to make a mistake, or that we dont sound native enough. It doesnt matter. Making mistakes and having an accent is all part of the process.Think about this. When you meet non-native English speakers, what do you do? Do you recoil? Do you scream at them? Do you tell them how imperfect their English is? Probably not. You appreciate the effort on their part. Youre probably even impressed by how well they speak English, and maybe a little jealous that you dont speak another language quite so well. So let yourself speak when given the opportunity. It will only help you in the long run.Dont let language barriers get you down.Theyre nothing to be afraid of, and you have everything to gain.Even if you only learn one new phrase from the experience, it will be something you didnt know before, and youll be happy you know it now!

20 Awesome Blogs That Actually Help You Learn a Language

20 Awesome Blogs That Actually Help You Learn a Language On the hunt for the best language learning blogs on the planet?Well, Ive found 20 of the very best, and theyre yours for the taking.Let me clarifyâ€"these arent just informative resources.Theyre not just filled out with basic, lifeless facts and obvious advice.Theyre the type of blogs that are perfect for enhancing your language studies, sure to entertain you while also really getting the ball rolling on your learning of one, two or more languages.Theyll help you pinpoint the right techniques  and give you specific, tried-and-tested ideas that you can apply to your own acquisition of languages.They can also give you great insight into the language-learning tools and resources thatll work best for you.I know you can hardly wait to start reading, but before the blogroll, lets quickly look into some important points about learning a language through blogs. How to Use Language Learning Blogs to Your AdvantageTheir Mistakes, Your GainWhen it comes to learning, the folks behind these blo gs are likely a good number of years and a good number of languages ahead of you. And theyve made a whole lot of mistakes  as well and so are now in a position to dish out some really important firsthand insights and tips. Dont waste this opportunity: Gain from their personal experiences. You dont have to reinvent the wheel yourself because there are people who took the language journey ahead of you.Consider these blogs to be like travel journals for people, like yourself, who will follow and take the same trip.Read their language stories, and stand on the shoulders of giants. Start from a better place than they had when they were starting out.Their Methods, Your MaybeThis is the antithesis of the previous point.You shouldnt necessarily take everything experienced learners tell you hook-line-and-sinker. In fact, most of the folks behind these blogs would probably be the first ones to tell you that theres no one best way, no foolproof method to fluency. Theyre just telling you what w orked for them and what didnt.We all take different roads to the same destination. And learning a new language is as much about learning about yourself as it is about learning new ways of talking. You have to decide which insights, tips  and tricks  from these posts resonate with you. You cant read blogs and consider them dogma. You have to make your own decisions. You have to actively participate in your learning.Their Suggestions, Your ActionSpeaking of actively taking part in your learning, realize that you still have to actually do the dirty work: talking with native speakers, putting vocabulary into memorable contexts, finding language learning partners, researching special points of grammar, learning about the culture, etc.You have to get moving, get speaking, actually open your mouth in the target language. You cant just be sitting around all the time reading all these blogs. You have to actually put into daily application the tips and techniques these bloggers dish out. Its not enough to know these tips. You have to live them.So also consider these blogs as traveling companions. Its nice to have them along, but you actually have to take the literal steps in order to reach your destination.Now that you know how to learn best with these blogs, lets move on to the blogs themselves!20 Awesome Blogs That Actually Help You Learn a LanguageThe Mezzofanti GuildLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesThe Mezzofanti Guild is named after the Italian hyper-polyglot Cardinal Giuseppe Caspar Mezzofanti, whos considered to have been fluent in more than 35 languages.The guy behind the blog is the famous Australian polyglot Donovan Nagel, who speaks English (native), Egyptian Arabic, Korean, Russian, Irish, Ancient Hebrew and Greek.Like many other bloggers in this list, his unquenchable passion for languages became the raison dêtre for the blog, providing motivation to power through the time-consuming task of writing great content for readers and language learners.S peaking of great content, are you currently experiencing a learning plateau? Read his post  How to Easily Get Beyond Language Learning Plateaus  and discover how to get over those psychological humps.5-Minute LanguageLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesFor anybody who always says he’s too busy to be learning a new language, Agnieszka Murdoch has set up a blog that contains posts that can be read in five minutes. The blog is eminently practical and actionable because how to articles take up almost half of the content available.Agnieszka is a living testament that it is indeed possible to learn a new language while maintaining a busy lifestyle. Shes learned several languages while having a full-time job. And, if she can maintain a blog, run webinars and hold language masterclasses and still continue to be a language learner herself, then there’s really very little excuse for the rest of us.And in that vein, why dont you read her post 12 Things Ultra-productive Language Learn ers Do Differently  and pick up learning gems that you can apply in your own journey. (And check to see if you indeed finish reading it in under five minutes!)FluentU Learner BlogsLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesAs you may already know,  FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.But FluentU not only houses the webs best collection of authentic language learning videos, it actually has a growing family of blogs that cover the worlds major languages:ChineseSpanishFrenchGermanJapaneseEnglishItalianArabicRussianKoreanPortugueseThey not only feature insightful posts from language experts and top language learners, theyre also fat with links to the best resources out there for learning languages.So whether youre setting your eyes on Chinese, Spanish, French or German, the FluentU team has got you covered with some very practical and actionable information thats sure t o be effective in your linguistic endeavour. And even if youre not learning one of the above languages, you can still find plenty of insights and tips on our general blog for all language learners right here.Heres just a small sampling of language-specific posts from FluentUs bloggers:The 7 Best Korean Movies on Netflix to Level Up Your Korean17 Superb Websites to Amp Up Your Spanish Listening PracticeHow to Learn German Faster with AudiobooksActual FluencyLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesThis blog came about as a way to chronicle a person’s linguistic journey. And what started out as an exercise in personal improvement is now a top resource for language learners around the world, inspiring disillusioned learners to continue along the path despite the leaps and hurdles along the way.Kris Broholm is down-to-earth, honest and relatable, and his articles reflect this. The blog is a good starting point for those who want an extensive description and explanation of the leading language learning products and programs available today.Read his review of Benny Lewiss Language Hacking: German to learn what he thinks about the product.I Will Teach You A LanguageLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesGutsy name for a blog. But maybe you would be a little more than self-confident if, like the blog ownerâ€"Olly Richardsâ€"you could speak eight languages. Youd probably be doing something right. And you probably couldnt be stopped from shouting your secrets and sharing them with mere mortals.Olly is dishing out the 411 on the things that worked and are working for him. The guy is very personable and actually very down-to-earth. The blog does give you great language tips, techniques and tricks, but more than that, Olly’s posts are quite personal and you get the sense that hes really opening up on what he, as a language learner, is going through, sharing with you the ups and downs, the triumphs and defeats of the linguistic journey. The effect on the reader is t hat of quiet inspiration.His uploads are fat with content and well thought-out. He even has videos for you. In this one, he explains to beginners the specific routines he uses when learning languages.If you love learning from Olly, then you might also want to try out his latest and greatest course offerings, like Conversions, Grammar Hero or the Uncovered series (covering popular languages with targeted course options like French Uncovered, Spanish Uncovered, German Uncovered and Italian Uncovered).The Conversations course is designed to get you to conversational mastery within 90 days, so youre speaking like a native faster than you thought possible. Grammar Hero  is a must for anyone who struggles with the building blocks of languages. And the Uncovered courses are longer-term programs to take students from beginner to intermediate levels with 100+ hours of study time and interactive learning modules that harness the power of storytelling and imagination.Speaking LatinoLanguage Fo cus: SpanishYou know the saying the best way to learn something is to teach it? Well, heres where you begin to distance yourself from the pack, because this ones actually a blog for teachers of Spanish.And the most rocking thing about this one are the teacher materials, activities and resources  that you find in the blog. Youll get access to topically structured lessons that you can actually use for yourself. And because theyre often intended for young beginners of Spanish, you can be sure that youll have no difficulties in digesting the material.Instead of making the study aids yourself, you can just get them here. So in essence, you are your very own teacher and you cut out the middleman. In the post 7 Spanish Songs for Kids to Sing Along With,  youll find catchy tunes thatll make learning Spanish seem like a vacation.Mandarin HQLanguage Focus: Mandarin ChineseMandarin is spoken natively by around 873 million people, and over a billion as a second language. If you want to add your self to that number and learn the language, you dont want to miss this blog co-founded by Angel Huang.Mandarin HQ sets out to bridge the gap between the kind of Chinese you read in textbooks and the kind of Chinese you hear in the streets. So in the posts, youll read about grammar, vocabulary and phrases as theyre used in day-to-day communication. The lessons and posts have a rubber-meets-the-world flavor and will get you to a place where you can have meaningful conversations with other speakers.Good thing about this is that you wont just be reading textsâ€"their videos actually allow you to hear how the language sounds. For example, in the The 5 Most Common Yes/No Questions Foreigners Get Asked in China,  you have a video showing you how the questions might be thrown your way in real-world situations.Alex RawlingsLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesIn 2012, in a competition run by Harper Collins, this blogs founder was named as the most multilingual student in Britainâ€"after being tested for fluency in 11 different languages. So if there’s someone who can claim that he’s especially good at languages, it would be Alex Rawlings.His posts, such as Catalan or Spanish: Deciding which language to speak in Barcelona, are a breeze to read. If you read them out loud, theyd be quite conversational. And hes really blogging, folks, not just writing language lessons. He really lets you in on his thought processes and  opens up on the struggles in his journey, which is ultimately motivational for us, his readers, who might not be so gifted. Just knowing that somebody like Alex struggles with language makes our fumbles more bearable. This blog will make you feel that, as well as teach you some pretty neat language learning techniques.Omniglot blogLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesIf youre just really in love with languages, then you should check out this blog. Its for people who simply love words, in whatever tongue they may be. It contains the linguistic musings of Simon Ager, a Welsh guy who spends serious time making great content for the blog.You’ll find information thatll make your day. The blog talks about things like why the Japanese say ???? (moshi moshi) when answering the phone or what the Scots call ATM machines.Most other blogs here are centered on speaking the languageâ€"teaching you, for example, how to ask where the nearest train station is or how to say Do you come here often? This blog stands apart in that, in addition to all that, the written form of the language is given its time to shine. So if you want to know the worlds alphabets, writing systems and scripts, Omniglot will be your best bet.A Polyglot WorldLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesHere youre entering the world of polyglots, guys and gals who seem to be freakishly great at absorbing different languages. But in this world, you dont feel like an outsider, but a welcomed member of the gang, even if youre still working on your first foreign languag e.Youll get posts like The 9 Habits of Highly Effective Polyglots,  where youll learn language learning tips from the worlds best polyglots as they share what worked for them and what pitfalls to look out for.Youll also read their inspiring stories and come out believing that you, too, can be a polyglot, or just tame that language youve had your eyes on for the longest time.Multilingual LivingLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesThis ones a blog for parents. (I can already hear you saying, Hey!)Maybe you happen to be a parent, but if youre not and have no immediate plans of being one, you might not be able to see, on the surface, what this blog could do for you. But the thing is, with blogs like this, as with teacher blogs, you get to see the behind-the-scenes of the learning process. Because youre using a third-person perspective, reading posts about how to best raise a multilingual child, the veil of language learning is pulled back and you get a meta-education that puts you in a better position to pick the learning system, method or technique that works for you.Explore the blog and youll realize theres so much in here that can resonate with you.  The post Why Should Parents Talk to Their Children in Their Native Language?  is just one example.Create Your World BooksLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesIf you love reading, if you love to travel, if you adore languages and if youre interested in how music and songs can be tools in language learning, then youve hit a great four-point combo with this blog.Its from Susanna Zaraysky, whos been featured in major media outlets from CNN to the BBC. Shes a writer, traveler and language learner. And perhaps you can add to the list social observer and philosopher.Besides posts that reveal her intellectual bent, youll come away realizing how important learning a language really is, how it enriches your life as a whole, opening opportunities and building bridges where no connections formerly existed. Zarayskys post about linguistic snobbery and how it blocks language learning perfectly exemplifies this philosophy.Language MasteryLanguage Focus:  General, Mandarin Chinese, JapaneseThis blog is from John Fotheringham, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner who also happens to be a linguist and author and has been teaching languages for over 10 years.Immersion is a big deal, but posts like Myth:  You Have to Move Abroad to Learn a Language Well  explain why you dont need to move to China to learn Chinese. This blog lets you in on the ways you can learn a language without breaking the piggybank. Youll get a fun trip to language-land, sans the boring textbooks, being nudged instead towards the creative use of technology for that much-needed immersion.Reading the posts here, itll be impressed upon you that you dont need to be gifted in order to learn a second or a third language. You only need the right tools and the right attitude. And the right tools come aplenty in this blog.Speaking FluentlyLan guage Focus: General/multiple languagesHeres something from a guy who has studied 40 languages. (Listen to him speak in 16 of them.) Imagine what he could teach you.Well, hed be the first to say that theres no one learning system that trumps all of them. So youll not just get a list of tricks in learning, although there are plenty of those in the blog. Youll also get to explore the different facets and issues in learning a language. And by reading the blog, youll get a bigger picture and a deeper understanding of languages in general.Read his post Whats a Rusty Language?  and better understand how to scrape off the rust in your non-native tongue.Oui, cest ça!Language Focus: FrenchThis ones from Marie, who admits that the idea of the blog came to her when she saw that many online French learning materials were written in French, and thought that something ought to be done about it. While not dismissing the immersive nature of authentic material (shes known to write entries exclusive ly in French from time to time), she sought to create a blog thats fun, practical and accessible to English-speaking learners.Her post How to Pay at the Restaurant  is a good example of the flavor of this blog.Shes a seasoned French teacher from Canada who has taught the world over. And when I say the world over, I mean Japan, British Columbia, Seattle, Costa Rica and Morocco.  You know youre in good hands when the lady writing the blog youre reading has a masters degree in French literature and a B.A. in the French language.German is easy!Language Focus: GermanNow it takes serious guts to say that German is easy. And yet those are the very words on this blogs homepage.But dont be intimidated. The blog is from a fellow language learner whos now teaching to others the lessons hes learned over the years. It has sections like Word of the Day,  which is a great vocabulary builder, Work Out,  where your German gets tested and honed with activities and exercises and Cool Links,  which giv es you a portal to some pretty awesome German language learning content.Read this  post where he adeptly expounds on the German  word alle  (all).And  know that this blogger doesnt take himself too seriouslyâ€"as when he revealed his love for yawning, saying Sometimes when I have a headache I keep yawning for half an hour straight and they go away.Becoming Italian Word by WordLanguage Focus: ItalianLearning a language one word at a time is certainly a good idea. And youll learn not just vocabulary and grammar on this blog. Youll get the whole shebang.This blog gives you a look into the rich Italian culture, its different facets and features. Dianne Hales is the dame behind it. She wrote a book entitled La Bella Lingua, which has so contributed to the promotion of Italian language and culture that she was conferred the title of Cavaliere dell Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana  (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity) by none other than the Italian preside nt.But just to be assured she doesnt let the accolades go to her head, take a look at the down-to-earth post Washing Up in the Italian Language,  where she dives into the mystery of why there are no washcloths in Italy.All Japanese All The TimeLanguage Focus: JapaneseHeres the simple but deeply philosophical tagline of this blog:You dont know a language, you live it. You dont learn a language, you get used to it.That sums up what the blog, and its author, Khatzumoto,  is all about. That and the philosophy of taking everything that schools do that sucks and…not doing it. And then doing other stuff, that doesnt suck, instead.The blog is approachable with its language, even rambling sometimes, but its actually very deep and intelligent. You get the sense that the person behind the posts is someone who has a strong affinity for books and stays for hours at cafés reading.Its also very practical, providing lots of tips for Japanese language learners. For example, this post on  vocabula ry lists gives you tips on using them correctly.LingholicLanguage Focus:  General/multiple languagesLingholic was designed to be a place for polyglots and language learners to congregate and help each other out. Its accompanying blog reflects this vision and contains helpful tips on learning languages in general as well as some language-specific tricks and techniques.In addition to the usual serious posts that are bursting with language hacking tips, articles like 10 Things Non-language Learners Will Never Understand  and 8 Signs Youre a Language Learning Addict  seem to say, Hey, everythings going to be just fine!Lingholic was founded by Canadian Sam Gendreau, an active and inspiring character in the language learning circuit.Hangukdrama KoreanLanguage Focus: Korean, JapaneseYou get a double hit with this blog, which contains tips and resources on two rich Asian languages that are increasingly having an impact on the international scene: Korean and Japanese.This blog is over five years old and houses around 1,000 postsâ€"from personal stories of learning languages to resource recommendations. Its run by Shanna, a Singaporean girl who took it upon herself to study these languages. She writes some posts in Chinese and others in Korean, but most are in English.In Self Study vs. Foreign Language Lessons,  she talks about the pros and cons of self-study and formal lessons. It might prove instructive for how youre going to manage the task of learning a foreign language yourself.There you go! 20 of the best language learning blogs out there.Theyre yours for the taking.But as always, dont forget: You have to actually do the dirty work!Dont just read these blogs, live them.

ESL Lessons: Learning Without a Degree?

ESL Lessons: Learning Without a Degree?There are a variety of people who have no degree in the United States and decide to learn how to take online ESL lessons. It is important to be realistic about the difficulty level involved when taking an ESL lesson online. Here are some tips on making sure that you get good quality lessons, and also on ways to ensure that your time spent is as productive as possible.First off, you should never take online ESL lessons for any amount of time that will equal or surpass your one hour daily commute. This is a common myth among those who want to try this method, and you may not have to put up with it for very long.As a matter of fact, there are many websites which will give you access to quality lessons. Most of these will offer these lessons on a trial basis, and you can always sign up for an unlimited period. By doing this, you will be able to take classes in different cities.The lessons that you choose to take on a trial basis will often consist o f reading materials and grammar explanations. These are the basics of the language that you will be expected to know. You may need to read a few books first, but once you have gotten the hang of it, you will be free to move on to other areas.Another tip would be to sign up for a full course of lessons that could include course work. You may find that the lessons that you take online are of a lower standard than the ones that you took at school. This is especially true if you were taught by a professional teacher at school.Many people find that it is just too difficult to keep up with what their teacher was teaching, and therefore spend less time than needed to do their own learning. However, this is a personal decision and you need to weigh out the pros and cons for yourself. While it might be possible to handle these times, a better solution would be to sign up for an ESL course online.Many people will take courses online because it allows them to save money. Even though you will n ot have the same luxury of an instructor to teach you grammar and a full course of lessons, it can still be a huge savings for you. Take your time to compare the different ways of learning ESL.

What Do You Think About Math Tutors?

What Do You Think About Math Tutors?A maths tutor is an important part of any school to ensure that the math is taught properly and efficiently. The primary purpose of these tutors is to help the students prepare for the exams. They should have sufficient knowledge of the subject and should also be able to draw the attention of the students to the implications of the lessons.There are many reasons that can be used for a tutor. One of the most common reasons is to prepare the students for the upcoming exams. In this context, they are able to assist the students in terms of theoretical study, and it can also help the students in solving the problems that they face during the examination.Another thing which a tutor can do is to improve their skills and in that way, help them pass the exams more easily. A tutor is also able to support the teachers in teaching the specific subject in a better manner. As a result, this can make sure that the students know everything that they need to know for the upcoming exams.Another reason for the students to seek for a tutor is to enhance their knowledge of the additional curriculum offered by the school. This is because of the fact that the students who have been tutored are able to work at the school that they are taught at. With this, the students are taught on a more efficient level.Apart from this, there are many other benefits offered by these tutors, for example, the improvement of the students' motivation and self-esteem. They can also have a positive impact on the student's behavior as well. In fact, this is one of the major reasons why many students prefer getting a maths tutor rather than those who are teaching themselves.It is also important to note that a good tutor has to be very patient and understanding towards the students. One should also be able to offer guidance on the students' mistakes as well. It can also help the students in thinking logically and coming up with a solution to the problem.All in all, the ma in benefit of getting a tutor is to help the students learn the subject at an effective level. This can help the students to grasp the key ideas better and in a better manner.

Where Will You Go Next 4 Study Abroad Programs in Amazing Locations

Where Will You Go Next 4 Study Abroad Programs in Amazing Locations In this series, the Varsity Tutors Blog showcases unique study abroad programs that offer college students a world of educational possibilities. Have you participated in an unusual study abroad program? Let us know at blog@varsitytutors.com. When it comes to college life, the first things that come to mind for many students include attending homecoming games, taking exciting classes, and making new friends. In addition, study abroad programs are increasingly becoming a mainstream part of the college experience. Some benefits of studying abroad include learning about different cultures and languages and making new friends from different backgrounds and parts of the world. If youre looking for a study abroad program, there are many choices in terms of program length and location. You can spend anywhere from a few weeks to a few months in almost any part of the world. Looking to incorporate travel into your college studies? For enrolled students, here are four study abroad programs in amazing locations. 1. Loyola University Marylands study abroad program in Bangkok, Thailand This program is one of Loyola University Marylands longest-running study abroad programs. Held every year from mid-July to late December, students from any major take five courses in topics ranging from mathematics to ethics. Bangkok is a bustling metropolis with golden temples and grand palaces. It has an exciting food and cultural scene, and there are many sightseeing opportunities. Students who visit Thailand will find that locals are welcoming and friendly. English is sometimes spoken in Bangkok, but not necessarily in surrounding cities. It can be helpful to pick up a few phrases in Thaisuch as thank you and helloto help you navigate during your visit. [RELATED: 5 Myths (and Realities) About Study Abroad] 2. Stony Brook Universitys study abroad program in Jamaica Stony Brook Universitys two-week winter study abroad program in Jamaica gives students the opportunity to experience some of the best parts of island life. Activities include snorkeling and diving, taking underwater photographs, hiking waterfalls, exploring caves, and tasting fresh fruits and vegetables at a local market. Jamaica is a vibrant island nation with a culture heavily centered on its beaches and the ocean. There are many exciting aspects of studying in Jamaica, including: The food is flavorful and often comes from the sea. English is spoken in many parts of Jamaica, though youll also hear Jamaican Creole. The music is upbeat and fun for dancing. 3. Yale Universitys study abroad program in Rome, Italy Yale University offers a summer study abroad program in Rome that is focused on the arts and humanities. It runs from late May to late June. A large part of the program is held in the city, outside of the classroom. There, students learn more about the complex history of this ancient city. Rome is arguably one of the worlds most culturally rich cities, with a nearly endless number of ancient pieces of history to see. Some top attractions include the Pantheon, Colosseum, and Roman Forumjust to name a few. Italian is widely spoken in Rome. Dont forget to try the pizza, gelato, and other classic Italian treats in this sprawling city. [RELATED: How to Choose a Foreign Language to Study] 4. Boston Universitys study abroad program in Zanzibar, Tanzania Boston University offers an exciting summer study abroad program in Zanzibar that runs from early June to late July. The program includes discussions on class, ethnicity, gender, politics, race, and religion in East Africa. Students learn Swahili by partnering up with students at the State University of Zanzibar, and live with local families. Zanzibar is a series of islands off the East African country of Tanzania. Locals speak Swahili, and are friendlythey will say hello, so its good to learn how to do so as well. [RELATED: Should I Take a Gap Year?] Deciding where to study abroad can be overwhelming. In an effort to narrow down your choices, it can help to consider where and what youd like to study. After that, the next step is to determine which programs you qualify for and to check if there are any prerequisites necessary. You can also schedule an appointment with an academic counselor if you need help identifying the right program for you. 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.

What Training Do You Need to Become a Spanish Teacher

What Training Do You Need to Become a Spanish Teacher What degree should you do to become a teacher? ChaptersTaking Advanced Placement Spanish - prove your language skillsGoing to college to become a Spanish teacher - what should your major be?Study abroad in Spain or South America - a key step for any future Spanish teacher?Masters in Education in order to become a full-fledged teacherIn order to become a Spanish teacher, it’s essential to be truly bilingual.However, that isn’t the only requirement. In the US, you’ll generally also need a bachelors, a masters, and a teacher certification exam in order to teach in public schools.It’ll take a bit of planning and extra degrees and certification in order to pass all the hoops to become a Spanish teacher.So what academic route do you need to follow in order to achieve your goal of becoming a Spanish teacher?Here are the key steps to achieving your career goals - Step 1: start learning Spanish!When should you start studying Spanish? Does your school system offer language classes in middle school or elementary, or just high school ? Should you take Latin or another language first before moving on to Spanish?Some parents really push Latin because they think it will help with SAT scores and learning other languages later. But with the US’ growing Hispanic population, learning Spanish right away can also be a practical choice!Find out how much Spanish you really have to speak in order to teach it.At some schools, it’s possible to start learning Spanish in elementary schoolLearning Spanish in elementary schoolMore and more school districts are offering foreign languages from an early age as they fight to prepare their students for a globalized world. The theory goes that the earlier a student starts studying languages, the better and faster it will be for them to learn.Over 50% of all US students who study a foreign language choose Spanish. French, German, and Italian are all less popular, but still common choices.However many schools have recently begun offering Chinese, and even Arabic classes too!Studying Spanish in high schoolIf Spanish isn’t an option in middle school, most schools will definitely offer it in high school. Most school systems require students to study a foreign language for at least a few years, and Spanish, French, or Latin are all common choices.Students who began Spanish earlier may have the option of immersion courses or could look into spending a year doing a high school exchange programme through an organization like AFS.At the end of high school, dedicated Spanish students will probably choose to take Advanced Placement Spanish, which will aid with their transition to college-level study.High school is often make or break time for language study. Some students discover a new passion for the Spanish language and grammar, while others fall completely out of love with conjugations and rolled ‘r’s. For many, this is a time when students first become interested in becoming a Spanish teacher when they grow up.Do you remember your first trip to Mexico or Spain ? Did you go with your high school Spanish class? It’s often a transformative experience for children to discover the true style and culture of Spanish life. The nights out, busy roads late in the evening, sharing tables of tapas…it’s enough to keep anyone motivated to keep studying!Choosing to study the language of Don Quixote in high school is a great step to one day becoming a Spanish teacher. And studying Spanish can often be helped along by plenty of online learning resources!Join the discussion: what qualities should a Spanish teacher have? CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Te acher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTaking Advanced Placement Spanish - prove your l anguage skillsIn high school, students enthusiastic about learning languages generally also gravitate towards world culture and history classes if given a chance.If you want to become a Spanish teacher and start working on your future career right now, you have a few different options to improve your Spanish fluency.Learning to speak the language fluently is a key part of mastering the Spanish languageSigning up for AP SpanishIf you want to carry on with Spanish at college, AP Spanish is a must!Beginning junior year of high school, many school systems offer students the option to begin taking advanced placement classes. The idea is that these are college-level classes, taught for the most advanced students, for a wide variety of subjects.If your school doesn’t offer AP Spanish, it’s also always possible to find a course at a local community college, through Virtual High School, or simply study on your own. With any of these options, you’ll need to search the AP exam website to find a test center to take the AP Spanish exam at the end of the year.The goal of AP Spanish is to reach advanced intermediate status in the language.AP classes often move faster than normal language classes, and will be taught entirely in the target language.And that’s not the only advantage. In AP Spanish you’ll often graduate to reading Spanish literature, and will begin to explore the language a bit more, beyond verb tenses and vocabulary. It’s an essential step if you want to completely master the language.Also discover online tools for teaching Spanish!Spanish immersion in high schoolA few, but not all high schools will offer immersion options, which can be truly invaluable for future Spanish teachers, or anyone looking to study Spanish at the tertiary level.Immersion is a great way to practice your Spanish, even while you’re also learning History, Science, or Math.There are also some great options for student exchanges or study trips. Studying at an actual Spanish hi gh school is a great way to push your language skills to the max, and learn and bit more about Spanish life and culture too!In order to opt for an immersion or exchange program though, you’ll need a good level of Spanish to start with, and plenty of motivation.A good Spanish tutor or school teacher should always have spent some time in a full immersion program! If you're looking for jobs after teaching, definitely consider becoming a private tutor with Superprof.It’s important to use the language in everyday life, not just for linguistic assignments.Going to college to become a Spanish teacher - what should your major be?Once you graduate from high school and move on to college, you’ll have another choice to make. Should you study:Education?or Spanish language and literature?What college degree should you complete in order to become a Spanish teacher?The differences between the degrees are tied to their primary goalA Spanish major is for people who want to become really fluent in Spanish language and culture, often with a study abroad immersion component as well. Hispanic history, literature, and culture will be taught entirely in their native language.A major in education is focused on preparing students for the classroom and your state's teacher certification exams. Classes will focus on lesson plan design, classroom management, child development, and teaching methods. As part of your training, your school may offer a student teacher program where you can get classroom experience in local schools, often teaching alongside a certified teacher, and then independently.As part of your college experience, you should definitely consider a semester or year studying abroad in a Hispanic country to immerse yourself in the culture and language.Majoring in a language is often an excellent basis for becoming a foreign language teacher - after all, you need to master the language before you can teach it to others.Majoring in Spanish is a great way to really deepen your knowledge of the language, and of Hispanic culture and history too. These are key things to study if you want to become a Spanish teacher one day.You could skip the degree programmes and become a self-taught Spanish teacher!Study abroad in Spain or South America - a key step for any future Spanish teacher?Of course, taking Spanish classes to perfect your grammar and vocabulary is an obligatory step to becoming a Spanish teacher…And what better way to immerse yourself in the language than living in a country where you’ll have to speak it on a daily basis and really push your knowledge?If you’ve ever seen The Spanish Apartment, you know that the study abroad experience is more than just an opportunity to study a language. Studying abroad can be a great opportunity to really learn about another country and culture…and about yourself at the same time.Every year, nearly 290,000 American students study abroad in some form. It’s a number that has more than doubled in the pas t 15 years.Heading to Spain for one or two semesters can be particularly beneficial to your ability to use Spanish in any context, so long as:You leave yourself open and try and integrate - and not just with other Americans and study abroad students who are mostly speaking English or rough SpanishYou make a good attempt to meet ‘natives’ and use Spanish every day. Your vocabulary will be enriched, and it’s a key way to improve your oral comprehension and learn to express yourself fluently. It’s also a good opportunity to work on your Spanish accent.Visit and discover the country around you. Your new Spanish friends will enjoy showing you their country and way of life, and trains and buses are an easy way to get around!However, make sure you aren’t confusing study abroad with vacation…you’ll have plenty of work too, and you’ll probably need a bit of time to adjust to the demands of the Spanish university system.Discover also this guide for becoming a Spanish teacher.. .Masters in Education in order to become a full-fledged teacherThe final step to becoming a full-fledged Spanish teacher is completing a Masters in Education and passing your state’s teacher certification exams.Most school systems will let you begin teaching without the Masters, so long as you complete it during your first few years of teaching.If you didn’t study education in undergrad, completing the masters will be especially important for you to understand basic teaching principles and methods.A Masters in Education will normally cover:Teaching theory covering pedagogy and learning methodsClassroom control methods and disciplinary theoryPreparation for the teacher certification exam for your state and subjectSubstantial time in the classroom, both through observation, as well as completing at least a semester of student teaching.The first year of the Masters is crucial as it will cover much of the basic teaching knowledge you’ll need to put into practice in your second yea r in the classroom. The teacher certification exams are also not to be taken lightly. For some, it will take several tries to pass them all!But once you’re done, that will be everything you need to teach Spanish!Are you ready to face your students and give your first Spanish class?The classroom experience from student teaching is really key for your teacher training, and an important time for you personally to consider whether you really want to become a teacher, and what age group, teaching styles are right for you. This is your chance to try it all out and ask for help and advice from experienced teachers.Once you have your masters and teacher certification in hand, your next step is looking for a job! Schools normally recruit over the summer, so don’t dilly dally after graduation!According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, there will be almost 1.9 million job openings for teachers in the next decade. It’s time to find yours!Of course, if you want to become a Spanish pr ofessor at a college or university, you might need to continue with your education first…And if you’re thinking of working in a private school system or providing Spanish tutoring services, it’s also possible to teach Spanish without a degree or certification…