How to Make the Best Use of Your Arabic Classes

How to Make the Best Use of Your Arabic Classes Tips for Making the Most out of Arabic Language Lessons ChaptersGet Your Body Prepared For Arabic CoursesDon't Be Afraid to Ask Your Teacher Questions During Your Arabic TuitionRegularly Attend Your Arabic Lessons and Practice in Your Spare TimeKeep Learning Arabic Outside of Your Private LessonsLanguage learning has long since been considered important. But now the traditional foreign languages of French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese, are being usurped by different languages, such as Mandarin and Arabic.Taking private Arabic classes  with a tutor is the best way to learn to speak like a native. And it's also a good way to learn the Arabic language because you can start to build a rapport with him or her from the first lesson.But sometimes not everything goes to plan:You might have difficulties concentrating, your attention might often be disturbed, or perhaps you have a hard time listening or memorizing.Yet you have the feeling that you could progress more quickly.It could even be that you are worried that your child is losing the enj oyment of learning Arabic due to problems in his or her private Arabic courses.What is clear, you want to feel that you are progressing with your Arabic, and you want to benefit as much as possible from your classes. What's more, you don't want to waste your time. Therefore learning literary Arabic or any one of the different Arabic dialects from each of the Arabic speaking countries at an optimal level is important.There are some useful tips to optimize your progress and better serve your Arabic lessons. Superprof has made a list of the main techniques to adopt in order to learn Arabic effectively while still putting your heart and soul into it.Actively listening during lessons allows the learner to retain information more quickly: when a student reads their notes, the memorizing process will be accelerated.In order to optimize learning, one must be willing to learn to speak Arabic in the most optimal way possible.Thus, your body must be fully prepared before entering you Arabic cl ass.Sleep WellIf you take an intensive Arabic course, whether it is a class to help you  pass your high school tests, or an adult course for a job interview, it is important to sleep well the night before the class.Sleep helps tremendously with concentration. You should sleep an optimal amount; not too little and not too much.Stay HydratedScience has established that staying well hydrated has a positive effect on a person's ability to learn and memorize new information.Thus, it is important that you drink plenty of water to avoid tiredness, headaches and a decrease in your performance. Studies have found that well-hydrated people work better than those who do not drink enough water.Eat ProperlyTo be physically fit and able to pay attention in your private Arabic lessons, you have to eat well. This nourishes your brain with nutrients. Eating healthy (fruits, vegetables, protein) will help you learn Arabic.Oxygenate Your BodyIf you are experiencing anxiety or don't feel confident, it may benefit you to exercise. Do some workouts to bring oxygen to the body. You will then mobilize less energy when listening to your Arabic teacher, and you will likely understand more quickly what he is saying.Eliminate All Sources of DistractionStaying focused will mean that you learn Arabic quicker, and therefore the number of Arabic lessons required to master the language will decrease.In order to focus your attention on the course and not on anything else, eliminate sources of distraction and stay present. Meditation techniques can help eliminate the flow of external, positive thoughts.If you are thinking about a piece by J. S. Bach on the piano you are going to play after the Arabic lesson, your ability to learn and memorize information will slowed down.This may seem obvious, but turn off your TV, your computer and your mobile phone. Creating an optimal Arabic learning environment to take advantage of your course is the most basic thing that you can to do to improve your chanc es of success.The Arabic language can be difficult, especially learning the alphabet, Arabic writing and Arabic grammar, etc.If you want to read and write in Arabic script, this will take time. Arabic words and phrases are harder to learn than in French because Arabic uses a different alphabet to the Latin one used in most western countries.It is therefore important to be determined. To learn to read, write and speak as an Egyptian, Moroccan, or any native Arab speaker, take notes during the course. The differences between the different dialects in Arabic speaking countries (Lebanese Arabic is different from Palestinian Arabic, which is different from Saudi Arabic) when compared with Modern Standard Arabic makes things even harder.Not only does the vocabulary differ depending on which dialect you speak, but the sentence structure and other grammatical intricacies may also be different. Expressions can also vary greatly, as well as pronunciation.It will, however, be a very enriching experience. It is among the most spoken languages in the world with around 300 million native speakers across the Arab world. It is also an official language in many Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa such as Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria and Iraq, but it is also widely spoken outside of these places.If you are attentive and aware, your efforts will not only be rewarded - you will improve your oral pronunciation as well as your Arabic writing - but your teacher will also be motivated by your own determination: it is a self-sustained and virtuous circle!Staying focused on the present moment when you are in your Arabic class will  inevitably help you participate in the lesson. Your personal investment and desire will make your memorization efforts easier and you will feel that things will start to assimilate themselves on their own.Here is a good online Arabic course for you.Don't Be Afraid to Ask Your Teacher Questions During Your Arabic TuitionTo learn a new language you need to stay open minded and confident: look words up in the dictionary, but also ask your teacher, that's what he or she is there for!Don't forget that your teacher is not there to judge you: all questions are good questions and there is no such thing as a bad one.Especially for beginners learning Arabic, each question that you ask helps to clarify something in your mind that in turn solidifies some of the basics.If you have a problem with Arabic vocabulary, a question about the pronunciation of a letter, or an issue with the meaning of a word, a good native Arabic speaking tutor will answer you in a clear and concise way.The Superprof  platform can help you find the perfect Arabic tutor for you.To learn the Arabic language effectively and quickly, no question should be overlooked. Often, students are fearful of asking questions because they are worried about what the reaction of others will be.And even if your Arabic teacher cannot answer your question, which can happen as lan guage is not an exact science, ask him or her to try and find out the answer before the next class.Private lessons are not lectures: if you participate and ask your teacher questions, you will memorize most of his or her answers more quickly.It is also a medium to improve your oral expression. The brain more rapidly internalizes vocabulary and Arabic pronunciation if you repeat things orally.Another fundamental aspect in optimizing your private lessons is to understand that Arabic language and Arabic  culture are an integral part of your Arabic learning.Ask your Arabic tutor about the culture of Arab-Muslim countries, their history, customs and other topical subjects. Immersion is important. By immersing yourself in all the aspects of the language, you will have a better understanding how it is built and how to best memorize the words. Read Arab newspapers or even the Quran, it'll teach you a lot about this Semitic language's construction.If Arabic is the mother tongue of your teach er, he or she will be well placed to answer all of your questions, not only about Arabic grammar and pronunciation, but also about Arabic civilization, language and culture What's more, your tutor will probably be able to help you with any questions you may have about Islam, the Quran or the Arab world in general.If you have not already done so, ask him to bring you revision exercises (Arabic GCSE) to each class to keep you up-to-date and to give you opportunities to practice in between classes. These could be exercises on Arabic vocabulary, the Arabic alphabet, Arabic verbs, or Arabic grammar in general. Working individually outside of your private Arabic lessons will help you progress at a faster rate and reinforce what you learn with your tutor.With a Superprof Arabic tutor, you could learn Arabic London or elsewhere in the country!Regularly Attend Your Arabic Lessons and Practice in Your Spare TimeIf you want to be successful in anything that you do, you have to work hard and  p ractice regularly. The same can be said of studying Arabic.It is very important that you review what you have studied in previously lessons.In order for Arabic tuition to be effective, it is important to regularly review previous classes.Reread your notes, your teacher's aids, and repeat difficult vocabulary to yourself out loud.If you have evening classes after work, intensive courses before an exam or sessions between college courses, finding a suitable time to revise the language of Ismael will be of great help to you.Given the choice between keeping your brain active in the evenings after work by revising and doing exercised based on Arabic words and phrases, or watching a boring television programme which doesn't challenge your mind, which one would you rather do?Revising Arabic can  stimulate your brain, and as a consequence, your cognitive dispositions.Just like doing exercise, this will be hard at the beginning. But once you are used to your new routine, you will feel better and more alert in the evenings, and you will see a noticeable improvement in your level of Arabic.Find yourself a moment without distraction - isolate yourself from others in the house - and revise your lessons, using the memory technique that suits you best.In the same way as for music lessons - piano, guitar, vocals, drums or violins - it is better to revise for between thirty minutes and one hour a day, rather than try to cram all of your revision into the two hours before your next lesson.And you will see that after a few weeks, your efforts will be rewarded to the extent that you remember the taste and pleasure of learning and upgrading your language skills.Keep Learning Arabic Outside of Your Private LessonsAs a beginner you couldn't imagine it a few months ago, but you now cannot wait for your private lesson to begin and you now feel the urge to practice Arabic at any time. Reading and writing in Arabic is not easy, not to mention how to pronounce the words. Therefore you ha ve to keep practising to maintain your momentum in order to keep improving.Reading Arabic newspapers can help you to learn ArabicThe price of Arabic classes can vary massively so depending on your budget, it might be even more important for you to study more in your spare time. Here is how to practice Arabic outside of private lessons:Learn Arabic online.Read the Arab press: newspapers written in literary Arabic will help you learn the alphabet. Even if you do not understand what you read at first, it will be beneficial to read Arabic script.Listen to Egyptian newscasts will stimulate your mind and your listening comprehension in Arabic.Have an oral conversation with someone who speaks fluent Arabic. This is perfect if you want to master Arabic grammar and become bilingual.Plan a language study vacation or a trip to a Maghreb country. It will be an opportunity to improve your level of practice while feeling like you are on vacation.How are your private lessons in literary Arabic ser ving you?You have increased your concentration skills, you have better academic results, you have learned a new language, you have gained confidence and you are now able to communicate in Arabic and understand an Arabic conversation on television.

How To Fix American Schools

How To Fix American Schools There has been a lot of talk and buzz about how bad the American education system is, why its so bad and whose fault it is. And on the fault side, nearly everyone who is connected to education has been blamed for the lackluster system. But, what happens when we stop talking about why it stinks, and start trying to make it better? The District Administration tried to answer that question. The 2009 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) compared the achievement gains between American and foreign students. It found that American students were not achieving as quickly or as strongly as many other foreign countries, thus starting a nationwide panic around Americas educational system. The most important take away from the report is that the strategies the most successful countries are using with only a few exceptions are not being used in the U.S., Marc Tucker, president and CEO of National Center of Education Economy (NCEE) and author of the NCEE report, Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: An American Agenda for Education Reform, told the District Administration. Tucker outlined several reasons why Americas education system is lackluster, most notably he claims that the system has become a business, designed after Americas mass production model. He argues that education was concerned primarily with driving costs down as low as possible, and the quality of education became secondary. However, Tucker offers suggestions on how to actually fix the education system. The following are from Tuckers Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: An American Agenda for Education Reform and the NCEEs report. Aligning the Curriculum: Students should take gateway exams between different levels of education. Most high-achieving countries administer gateways exams to help students transition from basic education to upper secondary education, from upper secondary education to university, from basic education to job training and from job training into the workforce. There is some form of external national assessment at each of these points. In many countries, students cannot move on to the next level unless they pass the gateway exams, which are designed so students cannot study for them. The only way to pass is to truly master the material. Raising Teacher Standards: Many other countries teacher-training programs are much tougher than Americas to get accepted into, thus making it much more competitive to actually become a teacher. However, America cannot raise their teaching standards until the raise interest in the field. America first needs to attract more people to the teaching industry. Many countries pay their teachers better and offer better incentives. Shanghai waives charges for teacher education tuition and offers early admissions to students applying to teacher education programs, which makes teaching very attractive. Shifting Financing for Equity: The NCEE states that school financing should be moved from the local level to the state level. Local financing is simply not fair because many schools districts have a lot more money than others. A state-run system of distributing nearly all funding and resources could create more financial equity, giving all students a chance to achieve, regardless of their schools neighborhood.

How to Discover Your Personal Brand and Tweak if for Career Advancement - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Discover Your Personal Brand and Tweak if for Career Advancement - Introvert Whisperer How to Discover Your Personal Brand and Tweak if for Career Advancement It is seldom discussed on how to define your personal branding and what the process is. Firstly, in order to discover your personal brand you need to understand who you are, what motivates you, and what elements are important in your career. Your personal brand is a reflection of whom you already are, and not a creation of whom you want to be. In other words, you discover and not create your personal brand. Personal branding should convey your talents, values, current skills, personal style or personality. The specific qualities you possess articulates a personal brand and sets you apart from others and competitors. Define what is unusual and unique about you by answering these questions: What is your core essence? What type of person are you like to work with? How would people describe their experience working with you and what would they most remember about you? For decades, we have all been talking about personal branding which year ago was a relatively obscure concept until recently in spite of the essential insights being more or less the same. Personal branding means: Being your own corporate brand Can and should be entirely owned by you This is an on-going process that continually evolves It defines how you live and engage in your personal life and professionally Discovering your personal brand will take time, and of which is a well worth investment. Once you have defined your brand and align it with who you are, then only will your life both personal and professional become valued, happy and fulfilling. Remember the best investment in your life is you, and there is no time like the present to invest in yourself. If you want to advance in your career, one of the essential tools is defining and utilizing your personal brand. Personal branding is creating a personal statement of who you are and what you can offer and do for your audience. This sets you apart from your competitors and allows you to express your uniqueness which in turn will emotionally connect your target audience that will want to work alongside you. Here are some simple steps to help you how to discover your personal branding: Self-Assessment â€" the key element to personal branding in knowing exactly who you are. Analyse the various aspects of who are you, what motivates you, your behaviour and what you want to achieve. For instance, look at what type of personality you are and your values and interests, your skills and experiences of which are both noteworthy and memorable. When defining these critical elements, you need to be completely honest with yourself. Define your Unique Qualities â€" look at yourself as a whole, your preferences, hobbies and interests and define what qualities are unique. For example, what do your favourite songs, movies and books say about you? What would your friends and others learn by knowing your taste in sports, food or music? What do your favourite interests say about you? How does what you do define your uniqueness and set you apart from your peers in your field of expertise or profession. Real-Time Feedback â€" the way we see and assess ourselves is not always the way other people see us. The best way to find out how other people assess you is to get feedback from a selection of people such as close friends, family members, previous employers, teachers and fellow students, people that have worked alongside you and co-workers. Ask these people to asses you using words and phrases, describing your strengths and weaknesses and ask them if they can identify you with a fictional, historical or famous character. Identify Commonalities â€" analyse all the assessments you received from your friends and colleagues and see if there is any particular ideas, words or images that are similar with your own assessment. When reading the feedback see if there are any themes or words that accurately describe you and any similarities between the feedback and your own assessment. Take the theme and words you have extracted, and see which ones align with your experiences. Focus on Your Key Elements â€" come up with 5 top brand elements and try and rank them. Use the following steps to help you put these elements into perspective: Define your value and what you are best at. Define your target audience and selling proposition. What is your belief, purpose or cause that inspires you? What audience are you targeting and why do you think you are the best person to satisfy their needs. Write a list of these qualities and create a profile that exemplifies the qualities of the audience. Rank the list of qualities in an order that is most important to you. Define why you are uniquely in a position to satisfy this specific audience’s needs. Develop Your Personal Brand Statement â€" once you have completed all of the above steps you are now ready to attempt defining a personal brand statement that says who you are, how you do it, and critically important, why you do what you do. This statement is what delivers a message to your targeted audience and is a consistent piece that most people will agree on. Once you have created good imagery, words or emotions that will help people visualize your brand, you are well on your way to success. One of the most powerful expressions is words which are a powerful beacon for you and others when personalizing a brand. Just know who you are and what you want and then make a positive impact with your legacy, promise and brand. In order to connect deeply with your targeted audience, commit to your brand on an emotional level. Your personal brand must depict your creativity, inspiration and passion to curiously engaged audiences in order to create a memorable experience and in turn they will share it with their friends, family and other communities. Congratulations! You have now defined your personal brand that crystalizes the essence of who you are and it is clear to your target audience why they need you. With social media platforms, you have the ability to manage your own personal brand and reputation, both in real life and online. Once your personal brand is well established, spend time mastering the basic tactics and how to tweak it for career advancement, where you allow your actions to speak. This will showcase what sets you apart from competitors as well as describes the added value you bring making you look more attractive to employers and other prospective audiences. Another important question, is your appearance current? Yes, this is important, and if it does not then take a look at the 10 tips to make a first great impression that will help you shift your minds set and establish a professional image. Bear in mind, if you do not brand yourself, others will brand you. You may presently be secure and happy in your current position; however, you never know when things can turn around. Here are some valuable tips using your personal brand and how to tweak it for career advancement and prepare for possible future changes: The first step is to start thinking and talking differently about yourself and your future. No matter your age, do not use this as an excuse not to get the career opportunity you want. Focus on the wealth of experience you have already gained and your past accomplishments which are the foundations of your career brand in comparison to other people. You need to focus and plan on what you want your career brand stands for and then devise a strategy in order to gain additional experience by taking on new challenging assignments that will not only build your brand but cover any weaknesses. A minimum amount of education is necessary for most careers, and to excel you may need to complete additional education, training, or certifications. Your career brand can be greatly enhanced by furthering your education. Ask for advice from a mentor that has already branded themselves well and is highly respected in their field. If you have an amazing brand you need to promote yourself. If no one knows about your brand, you are not going to have any success with your career development. A good place to start is listing all your key accomplishments, education and skills on your Resume, which is the oldest tool used for promoting career brands. Your brand needs to have a very strong presence both on and off the line. Include all important information in your resume such as a list of detailed accomplishments, honours and awards, mission statement, samples of work, speech transcripts, working papers and more, which will afford you a strong on and off-line presence. Establish yourself as an expert in the field that will increase your career brand credibility. Play up your recognition and awards as that will verify your expertise. Construct a website or blog and publish your articles on there. Last but not least, one of the most powerful tools of promoting your career brand is building a strong network community online and word-of-mouth. Once you have identified the above info, remember to continue protecting and strengthening your career brand as there will always be competing brands ready to fill any gaps you may leave behind. Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.   I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.   In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression.   Get your copy now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential. Guest Author: Author bio:  Adam Saleh has worked in a broad range of marketing and communication roles and developed a solid understanding of personal branding principles and how to apply them in the workplace and business world. He is now developing a passion for writing so he can share his expertise with those in need.

Colleges Replacing Loans With Grants

Colleges Replacing Loans With Grants Colleges are replacing student loans with grants in the same amount, according to an article in the Washington Post. So, instead of taking out a $5,000 loan to pay for college expenses, your college might just give you a $5,000 grant. This is a growing financial aid initiative to eliminate student loans at some of the nations most expensive colleges. No-loan pledges can even make college free for some students, if they would need full financial aid to attend. This movement started during the 2007-2008 school year, and now more than 70 colleges offer this program to some of their neediest students. Four years later, some of these students have now graduated, completely debt free. College debt has been rising at record rates the past few years, and economists believe that it could reach $1 trillion this year. This news put expensive colleges on the ropes, forcing them to take action. No college wants their students graduating with over a $100,000 in debt. So, colleges had two choices: decrease tuition or offer more grants/scholarships. Most decided to go with grants. Colleges simply dont have the money they had 10 years ago, and many desperately need to increase enrollment to generate more revenue. Higher education is becoming a buyers market, as colleges are tripping over each other to offer the best deal to students. Offering more financial aid/scholarships is the easiest way a college can attract more prospective students. Colleges have since responded by offering these no-loan pledges to their neediest students, making college a possibility for low-income students. The grants are also part of larger publicity stunt for colleges. When colleges prices skyrocketed, higher education got a bad reputation. It started becoming an elite group, something just for the upper class and upper-middle class. For many low-income students, college simply was not an option. Now, colleges are competing not only on price, but also on reputation. Colleges want to have the best reputation of admitting low-income students. Theyre essentially chasing after the same group of low-income students who are academically talented, Mark Kantrowitz, an industry expert who is tracking 73 collegesthat have eliminated or capped student loans told the Washington Post. If you get in, these schools are a great deal. No two colleges have the exact same financial aid system. But, Harvard and Yale (two of the nations wealthiest colleges) do not allow families to pay more than 10 percent their household income on college expenses. For example, a student from a family with a household income of $100,000 will not pay more than $110,000 (10 percent) for college costs. Even families that earn $180,000 are receiving non-merit based financial aid to wealthy universities like Harvard and Yale. Other colleges cap loan debts for students, but the cap depends on the students family income. But, still many colleges cannot afford to hand out big financial aid grants to all their needy students. For the most part, only the nations wealthiest colleges can afford this program. Code: 3T4D6PGG25SS

Understanding Sensory Processing Problems in Kids with ADHD

Understanding Sensory Processing Problems in Kids with ADHD All kids with ADHD have difficulty blocking out distractions and regulating their behavior in stimulating environments. Some kids with ADHD may also experience sensory processing problems that exacerbate these symptoms. Sensory processing problems and sensory processing disorder are not formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM-5), but sensory processing symptoms are widely recognized by clinicians and educators as part of the clinical picture for many kids with ADHD (as well as kids with anxiety or autism spectrum disorders). If your child struggles with sensory processing challenges, being aware of these difficulties can help you understand, predict, and manage your childs behavior and reactions in triggering situations. What are sensory processing problems? Sensory processing is a broad term that is used to describe a person's ability to absorb sensory information (sights, sounds, tastes, textures, smells), regulate the intensity of a sensation, and respond appropriately. Kids with sensory processing problems can be under responsive and respond to signals in the environment slowly, lethargically, or passively, or they can be over responsive and have an exaggerated response to signals (e.g., be hyperaware of background noise, feeling highly irritated by a texture or sound, melting down in overly stimulating situations). What causes sensory processing problems? While the exact cause of sensory processing problems is not known, there appears to be a strong genetic or biological influence. Sensory processing difficulties are more common among kids with autism spectrum disorders or those who display some autism traits, and boys are more like to experience sensory processing problems than girls. How do sensory processing problems affect a child's functioning? Depending on the severity of the symptoms, sensory processing problems can impact every aspect of a childs life. Socially, they can interfere with a child's ability to attend or enjoy events that are noisy or crowded, focus on conversations in busy settings, or play comfortably in places that other kids often gravitate toward (e.g., sandboxes, grassy lawns, noisy indoor play spaces, etc.). Extreme reactions to situations, sounds, and textures that are difficult to tolerate can seem strange to other children and can have a negative impact on their relationships with peers. These extreme reactions can also cause behavior that seems oppositional or difficult to parents, leading to stress and strain for the entire family. Academically, difficulty blocking out or tolerating background noise can make it difficult for kids to focus throughout the school day and can interfere with learning. How are sensory processing problems treated? Unlike disorders that are classified in the DSM, there are currently no evidence-based treatments for sensory processing problems or sensory processing disorder. Identification and diagnosis of these problems is often done via an assessment with an occupational therapist. Treatments are typically tailored to the individual needs of each child and can involve a variety of movement and sensory-based interventions designed to improve sensory modulation capabilities. Treatment can also include changes to the child's environment at home or at school that minimize exposure to aversive sensory triggers. However, the true effectiveness of these interventions is unknown due to limited research in this area. Do kids outgrow the problem? It is difficult to predict whether a childs sensory processing problems will improve over time. For many kids, particularly those with more mild symptoms, there may be improvement even with no intervention. For others, there may be only modest changes in their symptoms over time. However, even if a child's sensory processing problems do improve in the long term, the short-term impact can be long lasting if they interfere with a childs ability to develop essential academic or social skills. If you suspect that your child may be struggling with sensory processing problems, reach out to your pediatrician or school counselor and request an evaluation by an occupational therapist or other provider who specializes in sensory evaluations. 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.

English Vocabulary for Cycling - Parts of a Bicycle Vocabulary in English

English Vocabulary for Cycling - Parts of a Bicycle Vocabulary in English Spring has arrived and with it the feeling of brighter mornings , longer evenings and hopefully an end to the cold winter wind. The following are English words and phrases connected with spring cleaning and particularly me looking forward to cycling my bike again.You will find here  useful vocabulary for cycling, bicycle parts vocabulary in English + infographic and also English expressions connected with a bike.Lets start with a short English reading comprehension exercise. You will find the meaning of the bolded words in brackets and below. English Reading Comprehension - English Cycling Vocabulary A few Saturdays ago (a couple of weeks ago)  I decided to clean the windows in the apartment. I was fed up  (bored)  with looking at the winter dirt on the outside and as it was then March I thought “why not”. So I just went for it! (did it).I cleaned all the windows (every one of them: 9 in total), I cleaned them inside and outside up and down and top to bottom. They are now sparkling (shining brightly)!So having looked after the inside I decided to tackle (to do the job) my bike.I had been promising to clean for several weeks but today was the day!I took the bike out of the lock-up (shed in the basement, a small room where you can keep your belongings safely) gathered (collected) the cleaning equipment and took the bike to the garden.I had a basin (bucket) of warm soapy water, a cloth (a piece of fabric, made from wool, cotton, or a similar fibre) for cleaning and oil for the chain (bicycle chain).Firstly, I dealt with a years buildup (collection, increase in amount) of dirt an d mud (soft wet earth). I scraped off the mud and washed the frame (main part of the bike) the wheels and spokes (small metal wires attached to the front and back wheels) and the chain guard (metal protection that covers the chain).Once that was clean, I oiled the chain and the gears with a special oil for bike chains. I cleaned the pedals and checked that the brake blocks (stop the bike when you squeeze/pull your brakes), front and back, were working okay.Then I checked the handlebars and saddle (seat)  and proceeded to the bike shop to put some air in the tyres which were a little soft after the winter.So having done all that and having given the bike a complete overhaul I decided to go for a spin (a quick ride). The bike was working fine. I am not to sure about me. So perhaps I need an overhaul (the act of repairing something so it works as it should) as well after the winter. Vocabulary for Cycling - Bicycle Parts in English English Vocabulary for Cycling - New Words to be cross with someone to be annoyed with someonea few Saturdays ago a couple of weeks agofed up boredgo for it! do itsparkling shining brightlyto tackle to do the joblock-up for example, a shed in the basement, a small room where you can keep your belongings safelyto gather to collectbasin bucketcloth a piece of fabric made from wool, cotton, or a similar fibrebuildup collection, increase in amountmud soft wet earthspin a quick rideoverhaul the act of repairing something so that it works as it should English Idioms connected to Cycling Some Expressions connected with a bike:TO DO THINGS IN TANDEMA tandem is a bike especially made for two people.There are two saddles and 2 sets of handlebars and both people can pedal.When we do something in tandem we do it together or at the same time.Example: My doctor has a large clinic and there is also a dental practice included. I was going to get an annual check up for my blood pressure and my teeth so I decided to do them in tandem. I visited the doctor and immediately afterwards I called into the dentist.As both projects need the same machines I  decided to do them in tandem.  TO BACK PEDALWhen cycling a bike you put your weight on the pedal and push forward and the bike moves forward.To back pedal means to move the pedals in the reverse/opposite direction.    When we are said to back pedal we change our mind or opinion and support another view.Example: David was convinced he was right. He argued strongly that his was the only way the matter could be resolved. However, when Michael offered a better more developed option David suddenly started to agree with Michael. The others in the group could see that David was back pedalling and his original idea was soon forgotten.ON YOUR BIKEWhen you want someone to go away and leave you alone you can use this expression.It literally means to get on your bike and leave but it can be used in any situation when someone is asked to leave.Example: The boys were playing football in the park they were not supposed to as they often damaged the flowers. The park superintendent had seen them come in a short while ago. Hey, you guys, he shouted. Keep off the grass, on your bikes and get off my lawn!!FREEWHEELINGWhen you are free wheeling on a bike you are usually going quite fast down hill without the need to pedal. So you are basically not doing anything.In life we can be accused of freewheeling when we are taking things a little easy and not working so hard.  Example: Catherine had done well at school and it wasn’t a p roblem. When she arrived at University she thought life would be the same so she did very little work or study. Her father was a little cross (annoyed) and angry. You cannot freewheel your way through university. You need to work hard. Isn’t it time you got down to a bit of real work? English Idioms related to Bicycles - Image to share

Why teaching abroad is a great career move for any university grad

Why teaching abroad is a great career move for any university grad You’ve been to university and earned a bachelor’s degree, but you aren’t quite ready to commit to a decade of office work in the same city you grew up in. You want to add value to your resume, but can’t afford to dedicate your time to chalking up volunteer hours. You want to see the world, but know that a short-lived sightseeing tour overseas won’t quite cut it.  Whether you’re a professional teacher or a recent graduate with a knack for the English language, teaching abroad is the most practical way to add instant value to your university degree and resume. Here are some reasons why teaching abroad is an awesome idea for a recent university graduate:Gain international experienceYour studies have equipped you with a great set of skills that will be enhanced in a real-world environment. Your education has taught you to think critically about social issues - teaching overseas with Teach Away offers a fun and exciting way to develop your critical thinking and worldview by e xperiencing a whole new culture in the city of your choice. Imagine discussing German politics with local Berliners or learning about the ancient traditions and new-age technology of Tokyo, Japan.Separate yourself from the competitionThe percentage of people with undergraduate university degrees is always increasing. In the United States, nearly 50% of the population between ages 25 and 34 have a bachelor’s degree. In Canada, that number is even higher - about 60%. The percentage of educated people in all age brackets has increased significantly as well.There are plenty of ways to stand out from the competition when applying for jobs at home, but adding employment experience from overseas can be effective - employers look for unique candidates who have challenged themselves in significant ways. Whether or not your long term career goals are in the sphere of education, being able to add that you have taught and lived in a foreign country will go a long way in helping advance your c areer.  Don’t just teach a language, learn a new one yourselfTeaching abroad is also about learning. On top of the cultural knowledge you are sure to accumulate, teaching away offers the perfect opportunity to another language. Mastering a second language creates significant opportunities for young people. These could be future international employment opportunities or an awesome position at home that involves working with foreign clients. Learning a new language is no small task, but ask anyone who has a grip on more than one language and they’ll tell you that the best (and maybe only) way to really become fluent is to submerge yourself in living conditions where the people speak the language you want to learn.Travel and advance your career at the same timeWhen the cap and gown come off and the real world is staring you right in the eye, there is a fairly standard set of options for what to do next: Do you head off to grad school and pursue your next degree? Do you quickly lan d that dream job and get to work? Or do you take some time off of the hard stuff and go travelling? Teach Away offers a wide range of teaching positions at a variety of institutions around the globe and provides the avenue to accomplish all of the above. With Teach Away you can advance your education through cultural submersion in a whole new city, earn a reliable steady income, and have fun travelling the world… all at the same time.If you’re a recent graduate with a desire to travel and to teach, Teach Away might be your door to a wealth of international teaching opportunities. Teaching abroad isn’t for everyone, though -  you’ll have to be willing to adopt a new lifestyle and work a full a schedule in a city where the primary language might not be English.  Up for the challenge? Visit our Check out our job board to see current postings around the world. Or visit our University of Toronto TEFL page for info on how to get TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certi fied.

4 Tips to Survive Working With an Ex

4 Tips to Survive Working With an Ex Image via Pexels Oh, romance, a phenomenon that we are all blessed to experience at one point or another in our lives. Romantic relationships, just like platonic and familial relationships, have the capability to turn sour for many reasons. Typically, in romantic relationships, this results eventually in a breakup, which is hard enough to deal with not only emotionally and financially (if you have joint bank accounts, shared assets, etc.), but also if you happen to work in the same place. The atmosphere and tone of any job may be hard enough to cope with so the added stress of running into your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend can make matters even worse. It’s hard enough to gauge the right words to say or gestures to use with an ex in the outside world but factor in a professional work setting and dynamics can get even weirder and more difficult. Have you recently broken up with an ex and find yourself in the same spot where he/she works? Are you not sure how to deal with this while taking your job seriously? Check out my few tips below for how to be more confident and become more comfortable around your ex  at work! Image via Pexels 1. Evaluate your priorities Before I delve into how to deal with your ex at work, I want to preface with this very important tip, which is to evaluate your priorities. Working with your ex can be a completely harmless thing or it can turn out to be more harmful than helpful to your well-being. If you feel that being close with your ex at your job is unhealthy or toxic for you, then you may have to evaluate the importance of your job. If your job is something temporary and replaceable? If so, you should consider seeking a job elsewhere if your present circumstances prove to have a negative influence on you. 2. Remember your purpose at your job Now that you’ve evaluated your comfort ability and safety at work with your ex, the first step to working efficiently with an ex at your job is to remember your purpose at your job. Upon seeing that your ex is in the same building as you, working with the same company, and being just a few feet away from you, you may lose a sense of why you’re there in the first place. Don’t lose that sense! Instead, remind yourself that your ex has nothing to do with your characteristics and skill set which assisted you in getting your current position. You are at your job for a reason and never forget the fact that you were hired based on what you possess, not what your parents or professor or even your ex have. 3. Keep focused and remain busy Even if you constantly remind yourself of your purpose, the mind can play some tough games and distract you from the important issues at hand. Upon seeing your ex for the first time, you may be flooded and overwhelmed with memories you had together, songs, pictures, etc. which can throw off your whole day of productivity. Regardless of how good or bad they look, keep yourself focused on the goals and objectives you have for that day/week/month and be sure to make time for yourself to work on your tasks. If you reach a point where you feel you are not busy enough, go to your boss and ask them if you can assist in any way with further tasks, as this can keep your mind more occupied while making you feel productive. 4. Engage civilly with your ex Now that you know how to deal with yourself in this situation, it’s time to consider how to interact with your ex. First, establish boundaries with them; boundaries can mean which hours to talk, places to talk, people to talk around, etc. Setting boundaries can make you feel more comfortable and leaves little room for any misunderstanding or misinterpretation of behavior to occur. Next, reiterate your position at the job and enforce the notion that you and he/she will have a strictly civil, work-oriented relationship. Leaving less room for a romantic progression in your relationship will help mitigate any chance of drama on the job. Image via Pexels While some of these tips may seem simple, it’s important to remember, especially after a breakup, your own worth and purpose in not only your job but also the world. Your worth is not dictated by someone else’s validation or affirmation, so once you come to terms with your own potential and respect yourself enough, dealing with an ex at work will be a breeze. If they see you respecting yourself, then they damn sure will want to respect you in return. As always, good luck!