How to Choose the Best English Tutor For You

How to Choose the Best English Tutor For YouAre you looking for an English tutor in Washington DC? If so, be prepared to face several decisions before you end up settling on one.Before you finally pick your English tutor, consider how to choose the best one for you. Consider, for example, whether you want a language immersion program, a self-study program, or a traditional classroom style program.In a classroom model, you have a teacher who is more concerned with developing your abilities and teaching you a particular subject. This usually means that you will not spend a lot of time on grammar, punctuation, or vocabulary. When you attend a residential program, you will interact with your English tutor in a more conversational style. You will not be able to use the language as quickly as you would in a classroom environment.Another important factor in choosing an English tutor is whether you prefer one-on-one or group instruction. You will likely want to work closely with the English tutor throughout the process of learning the language. However, you may want to take the initiative to interact with other students or just have one or two others accompany you while you are studying.When considering this issue, it is important to keep in mind that a one-on-one classroom experience often leaves you feeling isolated. It is much more pleasant when you know that you can converse with your English tutor in the English language, without feeling as if you are dealing with just one person.When you opt for group instruction, there are a number of benefits to consider. The best thing about this method is that the teachers are there to instruct you rather than just guide you. Additionally, they are often able to hear feedback from students who are actually speaking the language as well.When you choose your English tutor, make sure that you consider all of the factors discussed above. Having a solid plan for which type of program to attend will help you choose the right one fo r you. Take advantage of online forums and information sites that are dedicated to helping you learn the language in the most enjoyable manner possible.

Teaching a Growth Mindset Principles to Your Child

Teaching a Growth Mindset Principles to Your Child In my last post I discussed the powerful impact that having a Growth Mindset can have on motivation and academic achievement. With a Growth Mindset you believe that through effort and the use of solid strategies you can become smarter and better at just about anything you put your mind to. And in fact, theres a great deal of neuroscience research supporting the notion that we can in fact grow our brains and become smarter! Unfortunately kids with ADHD may be more likely to have a Fixed Mindset. Their struggles with motivation and academics may have lead them down the path of believing that their hard work doesnt really pay off, and there is nothing they can do to become smarter or better at the things that are challenging for them. And with this set of beliefs, mustering up the motivation to work hard at school or tackle challenging homework problems is extremely difficult. Fortunately, research has shown that mindsets can be changed and that includes your child with ADHD. Parents and teachers can foster Growth Mindsets in their children and have a big impact on their motivation and achievement. So, how do you go about encouraging a Growth Mindset? It takes two phases. First, teach your child a few core Growth Mindset principles. Then on a daily basis, emphasize Growth Mindset thoughts and actions to cement the new Growth Mindset lessons and encourage increased motivation over time. So lets start with Phase I: teaching three core Growth Mindset principles. We can grow our brains. Explain to your child that the brain is like a muscle. When we lift weights our muscles get stronger and they grow. The same thing happens when we exercise our brain. The more we challenge our brain the more it grows, and the more we grow our brain the better we become at things like math, reading, writing, and even fun things like videogames and sports. (Videogames may make the most sense to some kids: Remember when you got that new game and didnt know how to get past Level I, but then you kept playing and learning and you were able to not only get past Level I but get all the way to Level 4. And now youre still playing and learning and soon youll be at Level 5? Thats because you were exercising your brain and challenging it to grow.) There are some excellent videos online that teach kids about how they can grow their brain. For younger kids I recommend the Class Dojo Growth Mindset series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zrtHt3bBmQ and for older kids I recom mend the Khan Academy Growing your Mind video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtKJrB5rOKs. How our brains grow. In order to straighten our muscles, we challenge them through exercise. If we keep lifting the same light weight over and over again, then our muscles wont really get stronger. We need to challenge them by gradually adding heavier weights. With our brains, we exercise them by doing challenging work. By trying things that may seem hard, and by making and correcting mistakes. Mistakes can actually be good things, because when we correct our mistakes our brain gets stronger! (Lets go back to our videogame example: When you first started Level 2, you struggled to defeat the monster. He won a lot of the time. But you kept hitting the reset button and challenging yourself to find a way to get around the monster. Each time you failed to beat him, you learned a little bit more about what might work next time.) We need good tools and strategies. Your child has certainly tried to do challenging work in the past. But if your child has ADHD, theres a good chance that there have been quite a few times when he or she were not able to succeed at the level that was expected of him or her. These failures may have made your child hesitant to take on new challenges, even if he or she knows that challenging work is good for him or her. So, make sure to let your child know that in addition to challenging work, they need strategies that will help them succeed. Tell your child that you recognize that he or she may not have had the tools and strategies that he or she needed in the past. But youre going to do everything you can to help him or her learn different strategies and tools so that he or she can succeed now. And with your childs hard work, combined with new strategies and tools, the sky is the limit! (And one last time well revisit the videogame example: And then when you reached Level 4, you real ly struggled with the dragon. But it was your babysitter Mark who gave you a great idea for a strategy to try and it worked! Sometimes we need some coaching and help just to give us a little help in what direction to go in or what we might want to try. Mark didnt give you the answers, but he gave you a strategy. And having that strategy helped you beat that Level. Sometimes life is like the videogame where we just need someone to give us a new strategy or a tool to help us do our work and then we can see the way forward.) In addition to teaching your child these key Growth Mindset principles, get started on figuring out ways to help your child learn new strategies for the things that are hard for him or her. Talk to your childs teacher about subjects that are difficult. Find out which learning tools are currently working for your child and which tools are not. Kids with ADHD may need different learning strategies, so ask about alternate tools and strategies that they can try. Consider getting extra help for your child through their school or through a learning center or tutoring program (see my previous post on choosing a good tutoring center for your child). Remember that your childs hard work will only lead to improvement when he or she is putting their effort into using the tools and strategies that work for him or her. My next post, the last in this Growth Mindset series, Ill talk about Phase II -- the things you can do every day to encourage a Growth Mindset in your child. Youre well on your way to instilling a Growth Mindset, and soon youll start to think about all of the ways that your child and you can rethink challenges and have a Growth Mindset approach to life. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

The Mysterious LSAT Writing Sample

The Mysterious LSAT Writing Sample LSAT Law School Blog The LSAT’s Writing Sample is the last section of the intellectual marathon. After a day spent navigating Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension, many LSAT takers experience waning motivation. That the Writing Sample is not scored misleads people to think of it as a throwaway exercise. Nothing could be further from the truth. A great writing sample may increase your chances of law school admission if your credentials are lacking in some way.It’s your job to spot the crucial issues from the prompt and choose a position to advocate. The prompt is written so that both choices have merits and deficiencies. The Writing Sample tests your ability to make a cogent argument under timed conditions.Tips: Go out with a bang and not a whimper. It’s worth your effort to put your best foot forward. Take a few minutes to organize your answer. Start with a strong topic sentence and your strongest point. Don’t ignore evidence for the opposition. Figure out a way to neutralize it. Practice under test conditions. Set your practice sample aside for a few days and then reread it with a critical eye.

Preparing for university

Preparing for university If your child is off to university this autumn, then the whole family need to do a lot of preparation. It's important to have some frank and open chats with your student child as they prepare for their first taste of independent life. Here are our five top tips to help your child prepare for university: 1. Make sure your child knows how to manage their finances. Set up a student bank account with them and discuss how to budget. If your child is going to have to get a part-time job make sure they can manage a job with their university work. 2. Find out what they get supplied with in their halls of residence and what they need to buy. Make a full list of the supplies that are needed, including any supplies for their course, and then buy the cheapest version wherever you can as things at uni often get broken. Then make sure your child has student insurance! 3. Away from home, your child can be tempted by the excesses of student life. Talk to them about balancing partying and study before they go and make sure that they know to phone you if they get into difficulties once term starts. 4. Does your child have study skills, the ability to touch type and speedwriting? These are all very helpful to have during a degree. See if there is anywhere that they can learn these skills - their university might even offer classes, or you could hire a study skills tutor for a few lessons. 5. Expect to feel sad when they leave. You might even see a few tears from them when you say goodbye. Luckily, mobile phones and email make it easy to keep in touch, so remember that it's au revoir rather than adieu.

Practical Tips for Your First Physics Class Part II - TutorNerds

Practical Tips for Your First Physics Class Part II - TutorNerds Irvine Physics Tutoring: Practical Tips for Your First Physics Class Part 2 Irvine Physics Tutoring: Practical Tips for Your First Physics Class Part 2 These final three tips now pertain to solving physics problems themselves. Every chapter in your physics class will include word problems. Sometimes the questions will be exclusively word problems. You need to know how to tackle the confusing ones if you’re going to succeed book your private Irvine physics tutor today. 4. Draw pictures Draw your vectors. Draw your free-body diagrams. Draw your circuits. When they tell you that a ball is thrown off a building at a 45-degree angle, draw the ball, draw the building, and draw the angle. Draw your triangles, label everything, and give yourself enough space to make it clear. This will help you avoid mistakes, understand what’s going on, and also help your teacher grade your work or help you. Many students get lazy with their pictures or try to skip them as a short-cut. Don’t do this. Just draw your picture. Everyone makes mistakes especially with physics word problems but a carefully made picture can help you prevent them. 5. Write down your variables An extremely common issue students have with solving physics problems is not knowing where to begin. Physics classes tend to include a very high number of word problems with multiple sentences, variables, and details. This can feel overwhelming, especially if the problem does not feel familiar, and can lead to giving up before you even get started. To combat this, you want to pull the details and numbers from the problem and write them down in a list. If they tell you the mass of a ball is 10 kilograms, then write down mball = 10 kg. If they tell that ball is initially moving at 15 meters per second, then write down vball initial = 15 m/s. Listing your variables can help make complex problems generic. 6. When you’re stuck, just try your equations Once you have all of your variables written down, then you write down any equations you know that might be relevant. Did they mention friction? Write down any equations you have with friction. Is something going in a circle? Write down your centripetal equations. You can also just look at what variables you have and check your equation sheet for equations that use those variables. If you’re confused don’t be afraid to just guess an equation that might be helpful. See where it takes you and if you can solve for anything important. Worst case scenario is you still get the question wrong. But at least you got some work on the page and opened yourself up to partial credit and a chance for success. The biggest hurdle students have with physics problems is not knowing how to start and giving up. Your equations can help you. Get used to them, even if your class doesn’t make you memorize them. And if you are in an AP class you should get a copy of the AP equation sheet and start using it since it’s the one you’ll have for the test. If you keep these tips in mind you will have a better chance of doing well in your first physics class. You already know that you should go to class, do your homework, take notes, and study. I don’t need to tell you that again. If you are still struggling with the class and your teacher can’t help you, consider hiring a private Irvine physics tutor to explain the material better and help you overcome your difficulties. Physics tutors are experienced in presenting the lessons in multiple ways to make sure their students understand. They are also familiar with physics and what you need to do to get a good grade. Read part one here! Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Irvine College Tutor Tips Waitlisted 5 Ways to Cope

Irvine College Tutor Tips Waitlisted 5 Ways to Cope Irvine Private College Tutor Tips: Waitlisted? 5 Ways to Cope Irvine Private College Tutor Tips: Waitlisted? 5 Ways to Cope One thing students will have to deal with in the competitive college application process is the possibility of being waitlisted. What exactly does this mean? Students who are waitlisted meet the qualifications that the university required but was not offered immediate acceptance. The university knows that some of their accepted applicants will choose to attend another university, and they have a list of students who can gain acceptance if somebody else declines. This can be a very stressful time for students who need to make a final decision regarding their future education. Although nerve-racking, there are a few ways students can deal with being waitlisted still applying to college? Our private Irvine college tutoring will help you get into your dream school. 1. Waitlisted from you dream school? Students who are waitlisted from their dream school will be tempted to spend countless hours hoping that everything will work out okay. Truth be told, everything will work out okay because there are tons of universities where students can get a great education. If a student is sure they would choose the waitlist college as their first choice, they should still consider which other universities look interesting and have a second and third choice. Preparation is the key to success in this type of situation (READ: Santa Ana Tutor: 4 Tips to Solve College Acceptance Issues). 2. Plan A and Plan B Waitlisted students are also encouraged to have a plan A and plan B. In most situations plan A will be attending the University that they’re waitlisted from but a good second option may be harder to determine. Some students have chosen three or four schools that tie for the second choice, and theyll have a lot of contemplation to do before making a final decision. When students find out if they’re ultimately accepted to their first choice school, they will only have a short time to make a decision. It’s better to be over prepared in a situation of this magnitude. 3. Waitlisted from a target school? Sometimes students will be waitlisted from one of their target schools. In this circumstance, there may be multiple schools of interest, which can make the choice a challenge. If a student is having trouble deciding between two schools, theyll have to be prepared to make a decision when they find out whether or not theyre off the waitlist. Choosing between two target schools due to a waitlist is not as common because students tend to be waitlisted from one of their dream schools; however, it’s starting to become an issue since students are applying to so many universities these days. 4. Live in the moment Although difficult, its important for students to live in the moment while they wait to find out if they will be taken off the waitlist of their first choice college. One way students can distract themselves is to focus on things that need to get done the second semester of their senior year. They will still need to excel on their advanced placement exams and keep their grades up, so they maintain acceptance to colleges. They will also be pretty busy completing their graduation requirements and preparing for the summer after high school. Focusing on day-to-day activities is a great way to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Whether students are studying on their own, working with the help of a study group or tutor, or spending quality time with family and friends before they move away to college, staying busy is a good idea during this exciting yet stressful time. 5. Make a checklist Students can make a checklist to help determine which of their target schools will make a good alternate choice. A list of pros and cons can make a decision logical and precise during an extremely emotional time. Which college offers scholarship money? Which has a social and exciting campus? Which school has the degree programs the student wants? Etc… Breaking the situation down into various smaller parts can make the long-term decision easier. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Social Medias Impact on Presidential Election Greater Than Ever

Social Medias Impact on Presidential Election Greater Than Ever Courtesy of Vectorportal, Flickr.com “People are on Facebook all the time,” said Christy Pesermeaus, a former PR chair for the Democratic Party of Lane County. “(Facebook) is another way to get our word to the public, and to encourage them to share with other people.” Local Republican and Democratic organization members in Lane County have implemented social media to advertise and share information pertaining to their respective parties. Social media will have a larger impact on this presidential election than the last simply because more people and organizations have recognized the fact that many turn to the sites for news. According to Paul Barnett, the Vice Chair of the Oregon Republican Party, his organization is utilizing social media more heavily than ever, especially as Election Day nears. “We didn’t have anything going on in social media four years ago,” Barnett said. “That’s basically happened in the last two years.” The organization’s Facebook site has multiple purposes. Barnett said he likes to post links to articles. He said he’s posted from a range of sources, including the Register Guard and national magazines with a conservative lean. Website manager Becky Lemler said when she uses social media, she is likely to be on the organization’s Facebook page or Twitter account. “I go on there and read the news that is of interest to the Republican Party,” she said. “I also post news so people don’t have to go to 50 or 60 other sites.” Chances are, however, people aren’t necessarily scouring the web for their news; they’re going directly to their Facebook or Twitter accounts for it. Last month, a Pew research study found that half of American adults under 30 get news from social media sites. This figure easily trumps newspapers and has equaled TV as a primary source of news. Andrew Becker, secretary of the Democratic Party of Lane County, said that Facebook has actually led to the creation of an advertising budget. “Before … we didn’t have something that we were clearly selling â€" just telling people to be democrats wasn’t enough,” Becker said. “But with Facebook, we can use the ad to draw people to our page. The more people on our page, the more people are drawn to all the candidates we represent rather than just advertising for one candidate.” Kris Turner, a student from Linn-Benton Community College, said he views videos and reads articles from factual sources that people post to Facebook and Twitter. “I was already leaning toward one side,” he said, “and through the things I read and watched, it’s made me feel stronger about my decision.” Turner is not alone, as the number of people relying on social media as a news source has doubled since 2010, according to the Pew study. “I’m in the closet about my republican view,” said Phyllis Bass, a retired resident of Eugene. “In this town, I don’t feel comfortable sharing my views.” Bass said that though she may not share her own viewpoints on Facebook, she’s gotten political news from her friends on the site. The shift to social media as a primary source of news is not a change that all support. Dan Andersen, a Political Science instructor at the University of Oregon, called the shift unfortunate but unsurprising. “That’s not to say it’s not without any redeeming qualities in terms of the political work it can do,” he said. “It can mobilize, which is critical, but it doesn’t provide information like other sources.” In addition to mobilizing, Andersen ceded that Facebook can be useful for keeping in touch with long-distance relatives, but at a cost of individuality. “I think it’s a mechanism for people to create an identity that is not a reflection of their true self,” he said. “It’s a very reductive way of interacting with people, stripped of interpersonal meaning,” he said. Reductive or not, social media has become a primary source of news, and political organizations in the Eugene area are beginning to utilize this burgeoning group.

Organic Chemistry Tutor Washer Method

Organic Chemistry Tutor Washer MethodA mentor in my hometown has recently introduced a new organic chemistry tutor washer method to her classes. Although I am not a chemistry major, I love science and the 'method' that my biology tutor is teaching at my high school is much more enjoyable than what I used to do.Here's what I've learned about the 'wet method'. The textbook that my chemistry tutor is using is called Chemistry for Teachers and it is packed with content. The book is filled with material that will help students from kindergarten to college. Unfortunately, the book doesn't cover all of the material that I would need to know if I wanted to be a chemistry teacher.It seems that every few days, my science teacher goes through the textbook and covers a new topic that will help students get more of their class time. Most of the topics are written on a blackboard with a chalk board for other students to write answers on. Every day, students use a computer to fill out a survey and students can exchange 'credits' to gain points toward their grade.My math instructor has also introduced a new subject this year: Organic Chemistry. Organic Chemistry is actually a four-year degree program at a community college. In order to qualify for the degree, you must take an organic chemistry seminar during your first year at the college. During the first semester, you can choose to take a teacher chemistry course or take any other chemistry course.Every semester, students will have to complete a long list of projects that range from simple chemistry homework to lengthy and detailed projects. Some students may think that they will just copy some of their teacher's assignments, but I would advise that you take every assignment that comes your way with an open mind. Don't be afraid to take on a lot of projects or find the one project that is specific to your area of study.Although my chemistry teacher didn't mention it, the teacher chemistry course will come up again in my next year of college. I haven't decided yet if I will continue on with a two-year degree program or go into business. My plan is to have a comfortable career as a math or science teacher.My chemistry teacher has taught me about chemistry in high school and now I am ready to teach a science class. What will I learn next?

Help For 8th Grade Algebra - The Best Way to Get Started

Help For 8th Grade Algebra - The Best Way to Get StartedFor students who want to take the proper steps to help for 8th grade algebra, the biggest factor to consider is whether or not they are ready to get started. After all, any student learning calculus in seventh or eighth grade may feel that they are already well on their way to mastering the subject, especially if they have been taught by a professional who has specialized in helping for advanced subjects like algebra. However, those who haven't been taught by someone who knows what they are doing may be entering a new world of math and science that can be extremely intimidating and challenging.Algebra can be intimidating for anyone learning it because of the vast number of variables involved in the process. Any student learning calculus in seventh or eighth grade has already overcome one of the first major hurdles, which is being able to solve problems with confidence. They must be able to do this every time they sit down to stu dy, no matter how complicated the equation may seem. The problem comes when algebra students try to actually memorize equations before they try to solve them, or when they try to see how many more variables can be added to a problem in order to solve it.One of the best ways to help for 8th grade algebra is to incorporate a game into the program, so that students don't have to calculate every variable. Students can still use their calculators, but they can use a game to have fun. Games that include working problems, with math cards, stickers, or other objects that students can identify as 'useful' are helpful in helping students learn.Any game that involves a teacher assigning a numerical value to different objects can help students remember the properties of the object. When students can understand how much an object weighs, it can be very easy to learn its mass, volume, weight, and so on. Students who find this information interesting may also be more likely to start thinking of wa ys to combine this information into simpler equations.There are plenty of games that can be used to help for algebra, including word searches, crosswords, word puzzles, spelling quizzes, and more. Before deciding on a game to use, be sure to do some research on the topic and read reviews from people who have used the game. You may find that the game you choose would work with your class.Another good teaching strategy for algebra is to make sure that every student is familiar with the concepts behind the subject. It is important to make sure that every student understands the basic concept of variables, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and a few other concepts. If a student is unfamiliar with any of these concepts, then he or she will struggle to understand what is going on in class.Teachers can help students who struggle to understand mathematics by suggesting that they find a book that has a chapter devoted to the subject. A book can be especially helpful for studen ts who learn best in a structured environment, such as at school or at home. This will provide the students with a way to make sense of the material, and they may develop a stronger understanding of the subject.