Saturday, April 4, 2020

Finding the Right Career For You

Finding the Right Career For YouIf you are interested in working in the area of education, then you should definitely consider taking up a position as a French tutoring teacher. What's great about this job is that it can be a full-time job, or you can take on a part-time position as well.If you already have a job and are looking for something else to do with your free time, then you should consider working as a tutor. This career can be a wonderful way to bring your passion for French to life. French tutoring jobs are plentiful and you will find them in all levels of education. Whether you work in a public school, a private school, or an elementary school, you will always be in demand.Working in Washington DC requires little training, but most of the positions that require training are more in demand than the other positions. You will not necessarily need a college degree to begin tutoring, but the majority of positions require that you have some college experience. Finding the right job for you can be a bit of a challenge. The best way to go about finding your ideal position is to start looking online.One of the easiest ways to find French tutoring jobs in Washington DC is to start searching online. It will be much easier for you to find the perfect position for you if you start looking at postings online rather than at your local newspaper. You may even find a few positions you would not normally consider. Even if you do not get the perfect position, it does not mean that you won't.When it comes to finding a job as a French tutoring teacher, the top three positions are child development, the adult education field, and art and music education. You will also find that there are jobs for teachers in private schools. You could be teaching kindergarten or early childhood education. There are also jobs for adults in higher education, and even more specialized fields in the medical field.If you are interested in starting a career, then a school is the perfect place to start. If you are already working as a teacher, then you can check with your district for possible positions. You can also check the internet for job postings in your community or the rest of the country.If you enjoy working with children, you will love the fact that there are more jobs available now than ever before in the English language. Start searching for jobs and see what positions might be right for you. Whether you work as a teacher or tutor, you can take the time to search for the right position.

Monday, March 23, 2020

A Columbia University College Experience

A Columbia University College Experience The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Amy is currently a student at Columbia University studying human rights, English, and business management. She specializes in many areas of SAT tutoring, in addition to other subjects. See what she had to share about her experience at Columbia University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Amy: Columbia blends the best of both worlds with its urban setting and homey campus. Though exploring skyscraper-filled New York City is always fun, it can be a relief to come home to a school dominated by a blend of classical and modern architecture. As for transportation, Columbia has its own subway stop right outside the Broadway gates for students the city isnt very car or bike friendly, unfortunately. Ive never felt unsafe on or in the areas surrounding campus, either; police escorts and emergency services are always readily available. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Amy: Columbia prides itself on a culture of the love of intellectual pursuit, and its professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants certainly contribute toward that mold. Both students and professors embrace challenge and curiosity in the classrooms; office hours for professors are packed with students discussing everything from general theories to paper topics. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Amy: Interestingly, students receive lots of opportunities to score single rooms their freshman year. Certain dorms are more coveted than others, but freshmen seem to be generally satisfied (and even proud) of their residence halls. Im in the social, all-first-year dorm, and I couldnt imagine myself living anywhere else. Theres never a dull moment, and I have opportunities to meet new people every day in the elevator, at residence hall events, and through mutual friends. As for dining, Columbia has three main dining halls that offer a wide variety of selections. The dining staff always tries to provide vegetarian and vegan options, too, and locally sources a lot of produce from nearby neighborhood farms. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Amy: A wide variety of majors are represented at Columbia, but the university does a good job of providing support for every department regardless of its size. Popular majors include the social sciences, computer science, and various engineering fields, but interdisciplinary pursuits are encouraged as well. Im actually studying a strange combination: Im double majoring in Human Rights (with a specialization in Political Science) and English, and concentrating (essentially the universitys term for a minor) in Business Management. I really appreciate Columbias flexibility in allowing me to combine such different pursuits into one streamlined form of study, and Ive definitely received lots of support from academic advisers and professors, too. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Amy: Ive been very satisfied with the opportunities Ive received to meet new people and make new friends. The unique thing about Columbia is that its less of an enclosed campus, meaning people will go out into the city to explore rather than staying in, so meeting people requires a bit more energy and proactivity. Greek life definitely is present on campus and is growing, but is in no way an integral part of Columbias social scene. It can be a great way to find a community, but probably just due to geographical factors concerning housing, Columbias Greek scene isnt as traditional as one one might find at a big state school. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Amy: The Center for Career Education is great and is available for students as a resource to find internships and jobs downtown. Columbia recognizes the worth of internships in a students career, and offers significantly less classes on Fridays to give students a day to work at a job/internship if need be. The university also hosts lots of career fairs, in which companies from high-level investment banks to local startups to nonprofits come to campus to recruit Columbia/Barnard students for part-time/full-time job opportunities. New York City is one of a Columbia students greatest resources for job searching, simply because it offers something for everyone from the engineer to the journalist to the aspiring researcher. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Amy: Butler Library is a huge, beautiful structure that resembles an Athenian temple more than it does a study space. Its the go-to for most students for late-night sessions, open 24-7 for all cramming needs. During midterms and finals, it gets pretty difficult to find a spot inside the library, so students turn to other study spots around and outside campus. Describe the surrounding town. Amy: Youll never get bored at Columbia: on campus or off campus, theres always something going on. Even exploring the couple of blocks surrounding campus never gets old! Theres everything from restaurants to bookstores within Columbias vicinity, and most students will spend a Friday or Saturday night hanging out with friends at Mels or 1020, two popular bars within walking distance. Of course, New York City has a bustling nightlife scene downtown. Students can visit a club in East Village or check out a jazz venue near Chelsea Pier. Columbia students also get free admission to museums like The Met or MOMA with their student IDs, so a lot of students spend Saturday afternoons art-gallery hopping. Central Park is also about six blocks from campus, so when the weather is nice, students can study, relax, or even picnic in the park. The campus is also bordered by Morningside Park and Riverside Park, great for morning runs or just a change of scenery. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Amy: Columbia definitely has a larger number of graduate students, but each undergraduate class has about 1400 students, which is pretty sizable, too. Some lecture classes have a large amount of students, but Columbia actually offers lots of seminars that have no more than 15 or 16 people. Personalized educational attention carries a lot of intellectual value, and many professors and students prefer the personalized, seminar-style approach to large lecture halls. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Amy: Columbias most prized intellectual tradition is its Core Curriculum, a set of classes every student attending the university takes. This semester, Im in Literature Humanities, dedicated to round-table discussions of a Western literary canon that includes works from ancient Greek poets to Dostoyevsky. Its a lot of reading and writing, but my entire class gets together regularly before midterms and tests to have study sessions in somebodys dorm room. Columbia recognizes the bonds students who go through the Core together form, and Im no exception Ive definitely made friendships and connections as a result of the Core. Check out Amys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Teach Italian

Teach Italian Find Italian Tutoring Jobs: Start Teaching Others How to Speak Italian ChaptersItalian-Speaking Environments: The Best Way to find Private Tutor JobsPrivate Institutions for Learning Italian and Becoming a TutorBecoming an Italian Tutor: What Qualifications do I Need?So, you’ve finally found what it is you want to do for a living, but how do you start helping others to learn Italian?If you’ve set your sights on becoming an Italian teacher, having a passion for the language and culture of Italy is essential.In the UK, there are thousands of Italian teachers.On Superprof, there are 55 face-to-face Italian tutors in London alone!Whether you like the classroom environment or the flexibility of privately offering Italian online lessons would better suit your lifestyle, there are plenty of options when it comes to teaching Italian.There are lots of things to consider.Would a primary or secondary school suit you better? What about teaching at a sixth form college? Could you manage being self-employed, or would you want to be part of a private tutoring agen cy? What qualifications do you need to pursue your career as an Italian teacher?Becoming a teacher isn’t always an easy path to follow.There are many ways to get into helping others learn to speak Italian fluently, and it may take a while before you find a teaching arrangement that suits you.From online higher education Italian courses to getting qualified at a university, there are many ways you can gain the knowledge you need to become a tutor or teacher of the Italian language.Teaching demands a lot of work outside of your teaching hours, such as planning Italian language lessons, organising timetables and gathering educational resources.Regardless of your choice of route into teaching, never forget the importance of your teaching method when it comes to teaching what you are passionate about.If you’re just starting out, having a structure to follow can help you find your feet. Depending on the centre you go to, you may have more freedom in your teaching once you become more confident.Becoming an Italian Tutor: What Qualifications do I Need?If teaching in a classroom environment doesn’t appeal to you, don’t despair! Private tutoring jobs are a great career route for those with teaching talent.Some people get tired of working in one place, and find it difficult to work under someone else.If this sounds like you, don’t let your teaching talent go to waste â€" private tuition is a viable option!Independence in your profession and flexibility in your schedule are the characteristics of tutoring that attract so many would-be schoolteachers to private tutoring.For one to one tutor jobs, you have say on your working hours and your students.But can you do this without any teaching qualifications?There is no specific certificate required to teach Italian as a private tutor, and you don’t even need a PGCE (which is essential to becoming a schoolteacher).However, it always helps to have relevant training and certificates, as these act as proof of your skil ls.You’ll also be more attractive to prospective clients if you have a good academic background in addition to your Italian speaking skills.Another thing to bear in mind is keeping your language active â€" you don’t want your written or spoken Italian to get rusty, so make sure you give yourself plenty of opportunities to practice your Italian conversation with a native speaker.One way to keep your language fluent by speaking Italian is to take a trip to Italy and make the most of your immersion in the culture and its official language whenever you can.Whether it’s a holiday or work placement over Summer, being surrounded by people who speak Italian as their native language and having to use your language will ensure that you Italian listening and comprehension skills are always up to standard.Your own level and fluency in Italian will affect the level of students you are able to teach.For example, if you’re studying Italian at university, you’ll be in a good position to t each Italian for beginners, with greetings and the alphabet as well as basic Italian words and phrases up until around GCSE level or even further, depending on your confidence.If you’re bilingual or are 100% fluent in Italian as a foreign language, you can teach students until they too are fluent and have a good command of Italian expressions as well as knowing when to use them.Your qualifications, experience and level of knowledge are all things to include when you’re advertising as a private tutor.Although tutoring technically doesn't require any qualifications, they definitely help ¦ source: Pixabay - maura24There are many ways you can get your name out there as an in-home tutor in your local community or as  a webcam tutor for those who want to learn Italian online.To advertise in your town or city, there are lots of things you can do.Creating posters and flyers to display in local shops is a good start since this catches people’s eyes when they’re out and about. Even i f they themselves don’t want to learn Italian, they may know someone who does.You could also contact your local newspaper and pay a small fee to publish your advert in the announcements section.Online platforms are also a good solution to attract those who head to the internet to find a tutor.On Superprof, you create your own profile and detail your skills as well as fixing your own rates.Superprof also gives you the option to provide Italian lessons in-person and via webcam, so the choice is yours!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Learn to Sing Mezzo-Soprano

Learn to Sing Mezzo-Soprano Learning to Sing Between Alto and Soprano: The Heart of the Female Singing Range Chapters What is a Mezzo-Soprano Singer?A Few Mezzo-sopranos for the Music Lovers Out There Learn to Sing Opera and Become a Professional The Greatest Mezzo-soprano Pieces Some Famous Singers to Imitate What Specific Vocal Techniques Are There for a Mezzo-Soprano?When talking about the opera and the different voice types, there are a number of classifications. For men, there are bass, baritone, tenor, and countertenor singers. The basses cover the lowest range and countertenors the highest. For women, from lowest to highest there are contralto, mezzo-soprano, and soprano.Of course, each singing voice will not fit perfectly within the ranges but each performer will try to ensure that their range adheres to the voice range required by each role. That said, there is the odd composer who will try and ensure that the singer is challenged and forced to perform notes that are on the extremes of the range of their voice type.Additionally, there are also subdivisions within each of these grou ps depending on the vocal quality of each musician.“Some opera singers are more mezzo than soprano.”  Gaëtan FaucerTo avoid a few surprises and scathing criticisms when you make your first public appearance, we’ve decided to put this blog post together on the mezzo-soprano vocal range.We hope our tips, tricks, and advice will help you to make yourself stand out as a mezzo-soprano rather than being just average (mezzo) like the Belgian author was getting at with his bilingual wordplay.The main thing that sets apart the mezzo-sopranos in a number of works is their versatility.  They are a female equivalent to baritones and some special tenors. There’s an out-of-the-ordinary femininity associated with the diva who is able to sing some of the best romantic operatic tunes, far from the stereotype of the Viking woman popularised by Wagner’s Ring Cycle.Let’s have a look at what a mezzo-soprano is and how you can sing like one. Have you warmed up your larynx?Find singing lesson s online with a private tutor. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors What is a Mezzo-Soprano Singer?There’s nothing to see here for the men. The mezzo-soprano (an expression straight from the Italian language) is a strictly female range.  Even if a male (such as castrati or falsetti) sings in such ranges, it’s unlikely that their voice would have the same qualities and warmth that a mezzo-soprano can achieve.For soloists, the mezzo-soprano is the central female voice par excellence. It holds the centre stage between the sopranos for the high notes and the altos for the low notes.Both human voices and musical instruments have a natural range. (Source: pixabay.com)This is why the mezzo-sopranos are so popular. It’s a versatile female range as they can flirt with some of the high notes and some of the low notes.  This categorisation is often used for classical music and would be difficult to use as a classification for contemporary music such as jazz.While opéra-bouffe in the 19th century barely made any distinction between mezzo-soprano and soprano, the distinction became very popular during the last century.  Generally speaking, a mezzo-soprano has a range between A below middle C to the A two octaves above. However, there are always exceptions.Ready to try your hand at singing lessons?A Few Mezzo-sopranos for the Music Lovers Out ThereLike most of the main tessituras, it’s hardly surprising to learn that mezzo-soprano can be divided into several subcategories.Musicologists generally classify three main types of mezzo-sopranos:Light mezzo-sopranos are often referred to using the terms Dugazon and Galli-Marié. They often have a clear agile voice and their range is close to sopranos (and some of them go just as high).Lyric mezzo-soprano, the central range of the tessitura. A rich and warm voice with a lower range than the aforementioned classification.The dramatic mezzo-sopranos have a similar range to the contralto. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging T eacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Learn to Sing Opera and Become a ProfessionalBefore starting your career as a mezzo-soprano, whether as a professional or an amateur, you need to be able to sing in key first. This mean that you’ll need to go back over the basics of music theory in order to be able to sing the right notes.If you have perfect pitch or at least a good musical ear, this will greatly help, especially if you regularly listen to famous operas. It will also help if you can play another musical instrument. Practice makes perfect, after all.Whether in the shower or as part of a choral group, you’ll need to sing as often as you can and also regularly record yourself singing so you can see where you’re going wrong.A mezzo-soprano is famed for their versatility and the different roles they can play. (Source: pixabay.com)You should also consider getting a private vocal coach to give you regular singing lessons to help you on your way.Whether this takes place in a music school or at home with a private tutor, you’ll be able to find your vocal range, improve your technical abilities (such as learning vibrato) and broaden your range firstly with your head voice and then with your chest voice.It’s no secret that some of us are born with innate musical ability and a beautiful voice. However, hard work and perseverance can make all the difference. The Greatest Mezzo-soprano PiecesIt would take absolutely ages to list all the pieces that use a mezzo-soprano as a soloist performing a coloratura or as part of a choir.  The history of classical music spans several centuries and is as rich and diverse as all the pieces that were written during that time. Sadly, a number of these fantastic pieces have fallen out of favour over the course of the years.  However, that doesn’t mean that the repertoire for mezzo-sopranos is in any way limited.Let’s start with Sch ubert’s Ave Maria, for example. With a beautiful piano accompaniment and talented singer, this is an outstandingly beautiful piece.The good thing about being a mezzo-soprano is that there’s no lack of roles for them, regardless of their age.  The role of Chérubin is an important part in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s timeless piece The Marriage of Figaro.  In the same vein, we could also mention roles like Dorabella in Così fan tutte, another favourite amongst connoisseurs of the genre.The French are particularly fond of the mezzo-soprano, especially thanks to Carmen by Georges Bizet. It’s the most famous opera on the planet and the lead protagonist charms our ears with their candour.  L’amour est enfant de bohème is arguably the most famous pieces of music in the world.We should also mention the role of Siébel in Charles Gounod’s Faust as well as Mignon by Ambroise Thomas, a 1866 opéra comique created by the National Opera of Paris.These beautiful works have everything that a mezzo-soprano could hope for and should serve as incredible inspiration for them. Some Famous Singers to ImitateIn addition to the famous singers we mentioned earlier, there are a few more that you should consider checking out.Anne Sofie von Otter is possibly one of the most famous singers at the moment. This Swedish singer is famous for appearing in classic roles as well as in lighter roles like Offenbach.We should draw your attention to Cecilia Bartoli, Lucia Valentini-Terrani, Janet Baker, Taylor Momsen, Christa Ludwig, Teresa Berganza, Frederica von Strade.Of course, there’s also Maria Callas, whose real tessitura has been subject of innumerable debates. Her range is so broad that she could also be considered a mezzo-soprano in certain cases.You should use these names as inspiration for your singing rather than copying them directly. After all, trying to directly copy a singer that’s already established will do nothing to set you apart as a singer.What you need to do is work with your own personal qualities and your temperament: you have to remain yourself, after all. What Specific Vocal Techniques Are There for a Mezzo-Soprano?The first thing you need to know about the human voice is that a large part of it is innate.  Not everyone is born with a beautiful opera voice with the right timbre and qualities to be pleasing to the ear. Sadly, when it comes to singing, not all men (or women) are created equal.If you happen to have a really nasal voice, it might be worth following a completely different career to becoming an opera singer as it’s probably going to end up being a massive waste of time.Of course, physiology also plays a huge role over the course of time. A singer aged 20 won’t be able to play the same roles as they will once they reach 45. In fact, over time, our voices tend to get deeper and our ranges tend to shift towards the lower notes and towards a lower classification of singer.Carmen is one of the most popular operas of all ti me. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)These changes that take place over the course of a career are part and parcel of being a singer. However, it does come with a few problems. Singers have to change the roles they can take on and roles they once loved playing are completely out of their reach. C’est la vie, after all.The main thing for mezzo-sopranos is that they don’t have to change how they practise too much. They still need to work on their breathing, which will be at the heart of their everyday singing routine.Knowing how to breathe correctly is key to being a mezzo-soprano, which often comes with a voice much warmer than that of the male counterparts covering the same range. This is a domain where the female singers regularly show their superiority over the men.Similarly, you can’t overlook acting ability and stage presence, which can make the difference between two singers with very similar vocal abilities.Find singing lessons Manchester.

How Much do French Lessons Cost

How Much do French Lessons Cost How to Budget for Learning French with a Private French Teacher ChaptersThe Going Rate for French Lessons in the UKLearn French through a Private OrganisationLearn French Through France Based ConcernsAverage Cost of French classes with SuperprofTo all language lovers who have ever wanted to learn a most melodious tongue: French isn't just for France anymore!It is the official language in 37 countries, spoken by an estimated 300 million people.Would you care to increase that number by one? In today's globalised world, there are so many reasons to learn French! Some wish to immerse themselves in French cultureHolidaymakers preparing for a trip to France, and maybe even plan to buy property in Pas de Calais or Brittany should take French lessons, too!What about history buffs, wishing to visit the home of the Normans, who were so influential in shaping our British culture and the English language?Maybe you are an engineer, dreaming of joining the leagues of pioneers at any of France's Big Three automakersAre you a French foodie? If so, you may want t o study the culinary arts in the best kitchens in ParisIf you are infected with Francophilia, you probably need to learn how to speak this language of Molière.The question remains: how much should you expect to pay to become fluent in French?And how will you find a French teacher who is right for you?Let us now discuss the most cost-effective ways to study French. On-y va!Knowing how much to budget for French classes could ease your stress over language learning Source: Pixabay Credit: Lensicle the basis of so many of the world's other languages.Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Romanian all have similar grammar rules, sentence structures and, believe it or not, unabashedly borrow vocabulary from one language to another.For this reason, many consider French a gateway to other romance languages.Nobody has ever said I wish I had never learned any French.Au contraire, mon frère! Most former language learners fervently wish they had continued their French lessons, and maybe even regret not branching out to other languages!Considering the benefits of being able to speak multiple languages, it only makes sense to start with a tongue that could lead to more linguistic adventures.Besides being dubbed the language of culture, French is considered the language of human rights and the rights of man.This magnificent declaration, penned by General Lafayette and the Count of Mirabeau, along with the English Bill of Rights, is considered the foundation for the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.But all of that is ancient history, you say. What is the value of learning French in today's world, where everyone speaks English?Take a look at the clothes you wear. It is quite possible that their cut or design was at least inspired by some of the greatest names in fashion, which happen to be French.Maybe you like a smoky eye effect, or ruby red lips. Perhaps you washed your hair with L'Oréal shampoo just this morning.Talk about rubbing French all over your head!What if yo u are more of a mechanical type? You may want to join the innovators at Citroën Motors, headquartered in Saint-Ouen, just north of Paris.All you need to get started with such companies is a proven ability to speak French â€" and a degree in your chosen field, be it engineering or cosmetic science.To move beyond bonjour and bonsoir, you would have to make a commitment to French language learning.Have you already signed up for French courses? Congratulations!Now all you need is a sharp focus and a variety of French study materials to build your French vocabulary, and gain proficiency in the four main areas of language learning: reading, writing, speaking and listening.Of course, you would also need the best weapon anyone studying French can have: a teacher who will mentor you toward speaking French fluently.A tranquil spot to study French in your home may help you learn faster Source: Pixabay Credit: StockSnapLearn French through a Private OrganisationMastering la langue française i s possible with any language learning concern that employs French teachers.They have tutors who could come to your home or, if you prefer, deliver lessons via Skype.Generally, though, such a language school tends to teach small groups in their office.Many such businesses specialise in giving one on one lessons at their facility.French teachers employed with such businesses have already demonstrated their competence with the language, as well as their teaching skills and experience, through an impressive array of credentials.Thus it would follow that your learning experience would flow along prescribed lines.Most likely, each lesson would begin with a conversation in French, to ease you comfortably into learning new expressions.Among those, perhaps some French slang or other popular vernacular!At the start of each lesson, you might sit an informal quiz, just to see if there is further work to be done at the current stage of instruction; maybe with French grammar, or how to listen for connecting words.Your French teacher may end your French lesson with a list of words and phrases to memorise and use in proper context before your next session.Fees for such instruction could be as high as £40 or more per hour, and some language teaching institutes may charge an initial administrative fee, just for enroling.You can find such offices all over the UK.Learning a new language is all about getting plenty of practice. Find tips on practicing French here.Learn French Through France Based ConcernsYour second option to learn how to speak French would be to address yourself to any French-driven outlet that focuses on promoting French language and culture.This type of course is more likely to happen in small groups, so that the teacher can be sure that everyone receives equal support and attention.If you live in London, L'Alliance Française offers language lessons, for absolute beginners all the way to advanced French learners.In fact, you will find this Alliance is active throughout the UK, as far north as Edinburgh and deep south, in Exeter.For you to partake of french lessons  london through L'Alliance, each hour of instruction would cost £52, provided you visit their office. Should you need a tutor in your home, they command £58.There would be a slight price bump if you and your spouse take lessons together.French Entrée does not deal with language learning specifically, but does endorse several schools that teach the French language. travelling in France or plan to stay there a while, you might consider their immersion programmes to improve your spoken French and language comprehension.If sojourning in the south of France is out of the question, you could still take French lessons online, at a cost of £35 per hour of instruction.Perhaps the best aspect of these and other French learning websites is that their pages list free resources for learning a language!There are links to pages dedicated to French words and phrases to use while travelin g, for example.You will also find handy tables for verb conjugation and tenses, and which pronoun to use in any dialogue.Free French lessons aside, everyone knows that the very best way to learn a new language is with a teacher dedicated to your success.You will find no teacher more dedicated than those in this next group...Superprof French tutors will meet you at your home, or in a mutually convenient location Source: Pixabay Credit: SasintAverage Cost of French classes with SuperprofFrom Cardiff to Canterbury; from Truro to Thurso: you can learn French anywhere in the UK with a Superprof tutor!From deciphering French expressions to navigating French verbs, and no matter whether you are an intermediate speaker of French or an absolute beginner, you will be able to find a French tutor suited to your learning needs among the more than 2,000 tutors of French listed with Superprof.Questions of mood versus tense aside, did you know that French verbs can take up to 23 forms?You could lea rn these aspects of the French language and more by engaging either a native French speaker who lives in our country, or someone who has studied the language in such a way as to qualify as bilingual.The average rate for one hour of instruction with a Superprof French tutor is £15, and most tutors give their first hour of lessons free, for you to gauge how well their instruction methods match your learning style!For an at-a-glance comparison of prices for French lessons, take a look at this chart:NameIn OfficeIn Your HomeOnlineAlliance Française £52 £58Average £46Language Trainers £49 £49 £28Superprof(in a mutually agreed location) Average £15Average £15Average £15In Summary1. Considering that approximately 20% of the words used in everyday English language come from French, you might already see yourself as a francophone.2. According to the Shanghai Ranking, the world’s best colleges and universities are in either Anglophone or Francophone regions.3. Conversely, a disturbin g ripple effect of Brexit seems to be a lesser focus on learning any foreign language, including French.The unfortunate reality is that language learning at university level is in decline, with little to suggest that this is set to change any time soon. Vicky Gough, British Council schools adviser.For francophones everywhere, this simply cannot be true:  The number of students learning French and the number of French teachers and tutors alone belie that fact.So do all of the UK tourists visiting France and French speaking countries each year! If you happen to be among those travelers, no need to hesitate to sign up for your French course! Why not learn a few French phrases and pick up on that melodious French accent; build yourself a phrasebook and/or flashcards, so you can learn French fast!Remember: the faster you learn French, the sooner you can exchange more than greetings with any native speaker!And, as your language skills and French pronunciation improve, you will become an u nofficial ambassador for our beloved language and culture. For that, our French compatriots give us a heartfelt merci!And if you've reached a level in your language learning where you feel it may be usefult o ceritfy your level of French, you can take the  DELF exam.

The Growth of Online Tutoring

The Growth of Online Tutoring One of the fastest-growing areas of AJ Tutoring’s services is online tutoring. As the director of online tutoring, I hear all kinds of questions about online tutoringâ€"this post will answer a couple of them! There are two broad categories of questions. First, how can online tutoring match in person tutoring? Second, what makes AJ Tutoring better than larger online tutoring companies?  Creating an Online Space to Match our In-Person EnvironmentAJ Tutoring has always been known for a commitment to qualityâ€"we’d rather not do something, than do it poorly. So, as more and more parents asked for online tutoring, we wanted to make sure we could deliver a quality service. There are three basic parts of making sure our online students get a great experience comparable to our in person students: the tutors, the online environment, and the materials.The TutorsOur online tutors get all the same training on our materials and academic subjects, and most work primarily in person. We use vid eo chat to get closer to the experience of tutoring; students can see and hear their tutors, and vice versa. This allows the tutors to pick up on the non-verbal cues that are important to tutoring. Additionally, our tutors all get specific training in using the online platform so that they can create the best possible experience for students. The Online EnvironmentWe primarily use a program called Conceptboard for our tutoring. This combines video chat with a large and multifunction virtual whiteboard. The whiteboard includes tools to allow tutors to type formulas, draw diagrams, upload images, and instantly draw common geometric shapes. Unlike a regular whiteboard, the online one persists between sessions, so students can always go back and look over the notes from the session; additionally, tutors are able to use the same whiteboard between sessions to more easily review and build on previous material.  For English and other writing projects, tutors often also utilize Google Docs and Google Chat, allowing them to look at documents at the same time as their students, both video chatting and leaving comments and making suggestions directly on the document. The Materials AJ Tutoring has fantastic materials for all of our test preparation programs. Students doing test preparation online with us are mailed physical copies of all those materials, so they have the same paper copies as in-person students. Additionally, the tutors upload pdfs of all the relevant materials, allowing them to annotate the documents like they would in an in office session, and leave the annotated documents online for the student to access later.  By re-creating these three elements as closely as possible, AJ Tutoring strives to make online tutoring comparable to our in-person tutoring.  Indeed, some aspects of online tutoring, such as the ability to revisit boards or record sessions at the students’ request, go above and beyond what is possible in a non-digital session.  How is AJâ €™s Online Tutoring Different than other Companies? AJ Tutoring is always looking to differentiate itself by the quality of the service we provide, by hiring the best educators we can, and by giving them ample support to develop their skills. Online tutoring is no different: all of our tutors are either also in-person tutors, or have years of experience tutoring in-person before they start tutoring online.  Since there are unique challenges to tutoring online, we think this experience in one-on-one education in-person is important; an experienced one-on-one educator is better prepared to take on the additional challenges of online tutoring when the content and student interaction is already second-nature to them. Additionally, our supportive structure for tutors makes a difference: all of our online tutors have a team leader who helps them develop their instructional skills. Our academic tutors also belong to academic departments that meet regularly to ensure that all the tutors fo r each subject are staying current on their content knowledge and on specific course material.  Finally, I personally also am available to give tutors tips on how to use our online platform to the greatest effect. These multiple layers of support allow our already fantastic tutors to truly excel at online tutoring and ensure that the quality of service we provide matches the service we are famous for in our offices. If you’d like to get your student support, please give us a call today!

MyGuru Announces New Summer Small Group Tutoring Program for Grades 1-3

MyGuru Announces New Summer Small Group Tutoring Program for Grades 1-3 Improving Academic Performance Driven by direct demand from Ogden Elementary school parents, MyGuru is proud to announce a summer tutoring program for grades 1-3 in the near north area of Chicago. Although MyGuru typically begins working with students at the high school level (and then continues on through college and beyond, helping with all standardized tests along the way), we have a variety of highly qualified tutors who are educated, trained, and certified to work with much younger students as well. So, when we were contacted about developing a small group tutoring program for students in grades 1-3, we reached out to a few of our tutors, and they showed enthusiastic interest in taking part in the program. All lesson plans will engage students through a variety of learning styles, and provide multiple options for tracking their progress. The curriculum is based on the needs of each student, including students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs). The two teachers, Sara Howes (M.A. Teaching, Special Education Teacher and ACT Tutor at Northwestern Education Center) and Katie Cardella (M.A. Teaching, with experience in grades 1-3) will meet with parents, by appointment, at regular intervals during the program. The first six students to commit to the program will be guaranteed spots. If we get more interest, we will maintain a waiting list, an additional class will be scheduled, or the class expanded with additional teacher time to keep the 1:6 teacher/student ratio. The registration deadline is May 18. To learn more about the program, including how to sign up, click on the link below. MyGuru Summer Tutoring ProgramIf you have any questions about the program, please call us at 312-278-0321 or email MyGuru's Founder, Mark Skoskiewicz, at mskoskiewicz@myguruedge.com

Get a head start with learning a language in a new country

Get a head start with learning a language in a new country As you begin your international teaching placements, you may be headed off to a new country with no knowledge of how to speak the native language. In some cases, you’ll be exposed to a completely different alphabet. Don’t fretâ€"use these simple tips that won’t take much time or trouble to get started learning a new language. The more you can learn, the more comfortable you’ll feel in your new city.Study lessWe know this seems counterintuitive, but there have been studies that show that simply reading textbooks and filling out workbooks when learning a language aren’t as effective as getting out into the world and activating that language. Full immersion is your friend! Don’t be shy to make mistakes, people will just appreciate the fact that you’re trying to learn their language. Take as many opportunities as you can to use your target language to communicate with the people around youâ€"even picking up a local newspaper and committing to read one article a day is more effective than studying a textbook and will help you advance more quickly.Stock up on sticky notesOne problem many people report when learning a new language is that they constantly forget common, everyday words that they imagined would be the easiest for them to remember. Using sticky notes to label everything around your apartment in your target language will give you constant little reminders to help you learn these words and work them into your vocabulary.Switch up your music playlistListening to music in a target language can be surprisingly helpful, even though you might feel like you’re doing no studying at all. Music stimulates memory recallâ€"just think about what it’s like when you hear a song you haven’t heard in years: you remember all the words. If you want to take it one step further, a lot of research even suggests that singing songs aloud in the target language may help you learn a language twice as quickly. Not to mention, your pronunciation will improve!Make new friendsThis might seem like it goes without saying, but if you’d like to make language learning one of your focuses, you should really look to make some friends outside of your teaching circle. Try local meetups, a conversation exchange, or a sports team. This way you’ll be exposed more regularly to your new country’s culture in an authentic way and you’ll learn some new language as well. You might even pick up on slang and colloquial language a bit more easily if you have a friend to show you the ropes.Reset your electronics and social networksIf you’re a frequent Facebook user, you’ve likely memorized the functionality in your mother tongue. Why not switch the default language to the native language of your new country to learn some computing vocabulary and common words? You can do this in your Account Settings.You don’t have to stop there thoughâ€"try your cellphone and laptop as well. These will begin to get you thinking about daily tasks in another language.   If you’ve found resources or tips of your own that have helped your advance your language learning, share them with us!

Madison, WI the Most Educated City in America

Madison, WI the Most Educated City in America Madison was named  for James Madison, the 4th President of the U.S. who had died on June 28, 1836, in the year when Madison was created. Thanks to its noble name and favorable location Madison was selected as a capital of Wisconsin Territory when it was still only a city on paper. Today it is a thriving metropolis and one of the most beautiful cities in the US with evolving economy, world-known museums, picturesque parks and magnificent festivals. The city is consistently ranked as a best place where to live, work, play and raise kids. The list of Madison’s accolades is really impressive. The following are just some samples of the rankings Madison has recently received: 4th in Best Cities for Health Care (The Daily Beast, January 2011), 3rd Best City for Young Professionals (Forbes, July 2011), Best City for Educated Workers (Huffington Post, September 2011), 10th Best Town to Live (Outside Magazine, October 2011), Madison in Top Ten for Greatest Cycling Cities (USA Today, 2011), Madison has 6th Most Dog Parks (USA Today, December 2011), Madison ranked 8th Best Music Scene (Livability.com, March 2012). Undoubtedly Madison is not just a perfect city to live it is also recognized oasis for young professionals, sportsmen, artists, students and even for dogs. Madison is also one of the most remarkable places in educational aspect. In September 2011 Mens Health Magazine ranked it as the Most Educated City in America and this city has all necessary resources to confirm this reputation.  It is home to the University of Wisconsinâ€"Madison, Madison Area Technical College, Concordia University, Edgewood College, Madison Media Institute, many private and public schools and a number of other educational institutions. The University of Wisconsinâ€"Madison was the first university established in Wisconsin and now it is one of the largest public universities in the US. The UWâ€"Madison enrolls over 42,000 students from 50 US states and 131 countries. Its academic program includes 157 undergraduate majors, 150 master’s degree programs and 108 doctoral programs, along with numerous courses and professional degree programs. The University of Wisconsin offers a complete spectrum of liberal arts studies,  agriculture and life sciences, education, business, engineering, journalism, mass communication, pharmacy, nursing, social welfare, music, law, library and information, medicine and public health, veterinary medicine and environmental studies. Other resources that contribute in general education level of the Madison inhabitants  are museums. In 2011 Parents Magazine ranked Madison Childrens Museum as 5th-Best Childrens Museum in the Nation. This is one more fact illustrating that Madison has best educational opportunities even to its youngest citizens.  Chazen Museum of Art offers educational programs for school children and students of all ages and serves as an art support of research and teaching mission of the UWâ€"Madison. The education department of  Madison Museum of Contemporary Art also organizes lectures, films, discussions, tours, childrens art classes, online exhibitions, as well as outreach programs like Art on Tour, Art Cart, and ArtZone. So the Madison’s educational resources are enriched with art and cultural background. TutorZ.com is also an active mamber of general education system of Madison. We find private tutors for kids and students of all ages and in any subjects: elementary, math, algebra, statistics,  English, reading, writing, literature, Spanish,  ESL, chemistry, physics, biology, anatomy, genetics, history, philosophy, computer science, law,  economics, finance, accounting, music and many others. All these comprehensive tutorial opportunities results in incredibly high education level of Madison’s citizens. Almost half of its residents over the age of 25 holds at least a bachelors degree and ithe city has the highest percentage of individuals holding Ph.D.s in the United States. Many businesses attracted by Madison’s skill base invest in its economy and infrastructure and no wonder that it is constantly recognized as one of the best cities to live in. This is a bright illustration of the fact that knowledge and education are the keys to the general welfare of the society. Madison, WI the Most Educated City in America Madison was named  for James Madison, the 4th President of the U.S. who had died on June 28, 1836, in the year when Madison was created. Thanks to its noble name and favorable location Madison was selected as a capital of Wisconsin Territory when it was still only a city on paper. Today it is a thriving metropolis and one of the most beautiful cities in the US with evolving economy, world-known museums, picturesque parks and magnificent festivals. The city is consistently ranked as a best place where to live, work, play and raise kids. The list of Madison’s accolades is really impressive. The following are just some samples of the rankings Madison has recently received: 4th in Best Cities for Health Care (The Daily Beast, January 2011), 3rd Best City for Young Professionals (Forbes, July 2011), Best City for Educated Workers (Huffington Post, September 2011), 10th Best Town to Live (Outside Magazine, October 2011), Madison in Top Ten for Greatest Cycling Cities (USA Today, 2011), Madison has 6th Most Dog Parks (USA Today, December 2011), Madison ranked 8th Best Music Scene (Livability.com, March 2012). Undoubtedly Madison is not just a perfect city to live it is also recognized oasis for young professionals, sportsmen, artists, students and even for dogs. Madison is also one of the most remarkable places in educational aspect. In September 2011 Mens Health Magazine ranked it as the Most Educated City in America and this city has all necessary resources to confirm this reputation.  It is home to the University of Wisconsinâ€"Madison, Madison Area Technical College, Concordia University, Edgewood College, Madison Media Institute, many private and public schools and a number of other educational institutions. The University of Wisconsinâ€"Madison was the first university established in Wisconsin and now it is one of the largest public universities in the US. The UWâ€"Madison enrolls over 42,000 students from 50 US states and 131 countries. Its academic program includes 157 undergraduate majors, 150 master’s degree programs and 108 doctoral programs, along with numerous courses and professional degree programs. The University of Wisconsin offers a complete spectrum of liberal arts studies,  agriculture and life sciences, education, business, engineering, journalism, mass communication, pharmacy, nursing, social welfare, music, law, library and information, medicine and public health, veterinary medicine and environmental studies. Other resources that contribute in general education level of the Madison inhabitants  are museums. In 2011 Parents Magazine ranked Madison Childrens Museum as 5th-Best Childrens Museum in the Nation. This is one more fact illustrating that Madison has best educational opportunities even to its youngest citizens.  Chazen Museum of Art offers educational programs for school children and students of all ages and serves as an art support of research and teaching mission of the UWâ€"Madison. The education department of  Madison Museum of Contemporary Art also organizes lectures, films, discussions, tours, childrens art classes, online exhibitions, as well as outreach programs like Art on Tour, Art Cart, and ArtZone. So the Madison’s educational resources are enriched with art and cultural background. TutorZ.com is also an active mamber of general education system of Madison. We find private tutors for kids and students of all ages and in any subjects: elementary, math, algebra, statistics,  English, reading, writing, literature, Spanish,  ESL, chemistry, physics, biology, anatomy, genetics, history, philosophy, computer science, law,  economics, finance, accounting, music and many others. All these comprehensive tutorial opportunities results in incredibly high education level of Madison’s citizens. Almost half of its residents over the age of 25 holds at least a bachelors degree and ithe city has the highest percentage of individuals holding Ph.D.s in the United States. Many businesses attracted by Madison’s skill base invest in its economy and infrastructure and no wonder that it is constantly recognized as one of the best cities to live in. This is a bright illustration of the fact that knowledge and education are the keys to the general welfare of the society.