What You Should Know About The SAT

What You Should Know About The SAT The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized exam that is used for college admissions. While some programs do not require it, mostfour-year colleges and universities require that applicants take either the SAT or the ACT. [RELATED: What Does SAT Stand For?] The SAT has three sections: Math, Verbal, and Writing, which was added in 2005. Each section is scored on a 200-800 point scale, and the total of these sections makes up the complete score (600-2400). The test is broken up into seven 25-minute sections, two 20-minute sections, and one 10-minute section with three 5-minute breaks, meaning that the full test clocks in at three hours and forty-five minutes. TheMathportion of the SAT is made up of two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section consisting of multiple choice and grid-in questions. The material covers things youve learned in Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra I, and a few things from Algebra II. You can use a calculator on the SAT and some formulas and theorems will be provided in a reference sheet. TheVerbalportion of the SAT has two 25-minutes sections and a 20-minute section that test your basic reading skills. Questions are broken down into passage-based reading comprehension questions and sentence completions, which test your vocabulary. TheWritingpart of the SAT consists of the essay and two sections of multiple choice questions (twenty-five and ten minutes). The essay assesses your ability to structure a piece of writing and make well-reasoned argument in response to a prompt you do not know beforehand. The multiple choice questions test your knowledge of English grammar. On every SAT test, there will also be one 25-minute experimental section. You will not know what section this is while taking the test, and so it is best not to try to guess. However, your performance in this section is used by the makers of the SAT for research and will not affect your final score. You can take both the SAT and the ACT, and can take the test as many times as you likemost students take the SAT two or three times. The only colleges that will receive your scores are the ones you specifically choose. If youve taken the test most than once, most colleges will look at your highest scores for each individual section. Colleges will not average your scores across all the tests youve taken, so if you have one low overall score, this will not count against you. [RELATED: What is an Average SAT Score?] Perhaps the most important thing to know is that the SAT is not an IQ test and does not assess raw intelligence. Rather, it measures a number of qualities, such as basic knowledge of the material, problem-solving skills, and familiarity with the style of the SAT itself. Therefore, unlike an IQ test, the more time you put into studying, the better your score will be. You may benefit from reviewing with tools like aprep book. Good luck and happy studying!

For New York Singers Free Vocal Screening

For New York Singers Free Vocal Screening Suzy S. When: April 4 Where: New York Eye and Ear Infirmary Voice and Swallowing Institute New York, NY Are you a pro, or taking singing classes in New York? In honor of World Voice Day 2009, MusiCares, along with the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and KayPentax, is co-sponsoring a day of free voice screenings for New York-based professional vocalists. The event will take place on April 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmarys Voice and Swallowing Institute. The screenings will be provided free of charge and are needs-based. Each eligible singer will receive a complete vocal assessment, including assessment by a laryngologist, a stroboscopic exam of the vocal folds, and vocal function testing. Vocalists must be pre-screened for eligibility and schedule their appointments through MusiCares. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 212.245.7840 or 877.303.6962.

Guitar Lessons Near Me Learn the Guitar in London

Guitar Lessons Near Me Learn the Guitar in London Opportunities for Learning the Guitar in the UK's Capital. ChaptersStudy the Guitar at the City Academy LondonNail Your Guitar Technique with Guitar Lessons LondonTake Lessons with Professionals at The London Guitar InstituteGo Folk with Guitar Tuition at Cecil Sharp HouseJoin a Class at the London Guitar AcademyAim for a Degree in Guitar at the Institute of Contemporary Music PerformanceFind a Private Guitar Teacher at SuperprofExplore Spanish Guitar with Flamenco ExpressLearn at the London Guitar SchoolTake a Summer Course at London Music SchoolJoin the Best Musicians in the World at the Royal Academy of MusicCheck Out Guitar Classes at Greenwich Music SchoolLearn Guitar from Those who Know at Tech Music SchoolFind a Guitar Specialist at the London Music FactoryPractise and Improve at the London School of ArtsConclusionThe impression among Londoners is that anything is possible within its ever-expanding boundaries. And it’s quite easy to see why this impression exists: with some of the most incredible cultural treasures in the world â€" from the art galleries to the museums to the sports teams â€" to the nightlife, restaurant culture, and architecture, anyone would agree that it’s really not too shabby.Yet, over the years, one of its major assets is its wealth of musical culture, heritage, and output. Almost anywhere you look in central London â€" from the Royal Opera House to Ronnie Scott’s to the Roundhouse â€" you will see venues, not to mention musicians, that are known all over the world.Honestly, though, this would all mean little if there were not the opportunity to learn and play music yourself. Luckily, London offers such opportunities in bucketloads. From private guitar lessons to music classes â€" and in every style from funk, folk, and fingerstyle to pop, jazz, and rock â€" you will find everything you could possibly need to get the training to play in one of these venues yourself.As we’re here to talk about guitar lessons, rest assured: whether you are an absolute beginner, an intermediate player , or a proper musician looking to take a different genre to the next level, in London every style of guitar teaching is possible. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsStudy the Guitar at the City Academy LondonThe City Academy is a wonderful institution based in north London â€" but operating in different locations across the city â€" that offers arts, dance, and music lessons to adults. From singing lessons to piano lessons, the Academy prov ides courses that are taught by professionals in the field, and they are designed to fit around your schedule â€" at the weekend, evenings, or during the day.The Academy offers guitar lessons â€" classical and acoustic â€" to beginners and those at a higher level, and you will combine basic techniques, with basic chords and training on how to read music.Nail Your Guitar Technique with Guitar Lessons LondonGuitar Lessons London is run by Hawi Gondwe, a professional guitarist who has played and performed with the likes of Amy Winehouse. His team of tutors covers the extent of England’s capital, and they have online guitar lessons too.The team of guitar instructors cover every genre of music you could imagine, from indie to blues to jazz guitar. They can all cover grades or just recreational guitar playing, and they are a very experienced bunch.Take Lessons with Professionals at The London Guitar InstituteThe London Guitar Institute has two schools, in the City of London and in Mayfa ir, and they aim their varieties of guitar course at adult learners. There are three types of course available â€" either one-on-one, in a group, or with the famous Stefan Joubert â€" and all of these courses are available in different styles â€" from classical guitar to blues guitar lessons.Go Folk with Guitar Tuition at Cecil Sharp HouseThe Cecil Sharp House is the only centre in England dedicated to folk art and culture. Whilst it runs plenty of events, lectures, and even weddings, it has a number of educational courses and classes. The guitar instructor there, David Delarre, takes two courses â€" beginner and intermediate â€" and he will help you explore the repertoire, chord progressions, and guitar techniques of folk music.Learn guitar like a folk artist.Join a Class at the London Guitar AcademyBased in Queen’s Park, the London Guitar Academy runs one-to-one sessions, group classes, and studio recording opportunities. It has an absolutely massive selection of different cours es ranging from beginner, through lead guitar playing, songwriting, fingerstyle guitar, and ukulele.It also has social guitar ensembles â€" for kids and adults â€" and, like most guitar tuition organisations, it offers home tuition too.Aim for a Degree in Guitar at the Institute of Contemporary Music PerformanceIf you want to play guitar at the highest level, you might want to seek instruction at one of London’s newer higher education music centres, the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance.Options for playing guitar at degree level come in the BMus in Popular Music Performance or the BA in Creative Musicianship â€" both of which will give you a serious grounding in music theory and a comprehensive training in everything to do with professional guitar method.An option for the serious guitarists out there.Find a Private Guitar Teacher at SuperprofWhether you are a serious guitar player, or you just want to be able to strum along to songs or jam with your mates, you’ll find someone to show you how to play better with Superprof.This is an online platform that links up tutors with students seeking private lessons. So far there are over five million tutors on the platform worldwide, and, in London alone, there are 191 guitar teachers waiting to help you learn to play your axe. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsExplore Spanish Guitar with Flamenco ExpressYou might want to learn to play the guitar in a slightly dif ferent way, however. Maybe you ain’t so keen on nailing the licks and riffs of the electric and want something a little more romantic. Luckily, Chris Clavo at Flamenco Express offers flamenco guitar lessons, and this guy has worked with some very serious musicians and institutions. He’ll teach you flamenco improvisation and how to solo Spanish style.Accompany flamenco dancers with your classical guitar!Learn at the London Guitar SchoolThe London Guitar School operates all over the capital and is run by Eilidh McKellar, a Scottish guitarist who has played on stage with the blues legend, Joe Bonamassa, and who has recorded with artists signed with major labels.The School’s courses are comprehensive, covering everything from music production to the blues. Online, meanwhile, you’ll find a load of free guitar lessons, which might give you an insight on how the classes are going to go!Take a Summer Course at London Music SchoolAlongside BTECs in musical performance, diplomas in gu itar, and evening classes, the London Music School offers a well-regarded guitar summer school. Over two weeks, you will learn everything from scales and modes to recording and performance technique. You’ll be expected to do two performances a week as well as songwriting classes and ensemble practice. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn from some visiting famous musicians.Join the Best Musicians in the World at the Royal Academy of MusicThe Royal Academy of Music is one of the most famous conservatoires in the country. So, if you like your musical education to be world-class, prestigious, and surrounded by famous musicians, this might be the place for you.You’ll receive a degree or a postgraduate qualification in music if you can get your guitar playing through this challenging and intensely rewarding course.Check Out Guitar Classes at Greenwich Music SchoolThe Greenwich Music School, based in Greenwich and Charlton, is a music charity that has been praised for its work with young children. It excels in its diverse courses for those under the age of six, but runs courses for ages six to nine and for seven to nineteen. Grown-ups of Greenwich fear not, as there are plenty of adult opportunities to learn instruments or music theory at Greenwich Music School too.Learn Guitar from Those who Know at Tech Music SchoolThe Tech Music School is very proud of its alumni. And so they should be, as past students at this school have gone on to play with some of the greatest artists in contemporary music.Now owned by BIMM (the British and Irish Modern Music institute), they offer diplomas, vocational certificates, and full-time three-year degrees, in drums, vocals, guitar, or music business.Play guitar in a recording studio - and learn the behind the scenes of music tech.Find a Guitar Specialist at the London Music FactoryEstablished in 2014, the London Music Factory is yet another school offering home tuition to music students across Greater London. Depending on your area, you will be provided with a different tutor â€" however, rest assured that they are all proper musicians guaranteed to improve your playing.They’ll offer you a free trial lesson, so take advantage of this so you know what you are getting.Practise and Improve at the London School of ArtsThe London School of Arts is a music school in Enfield teaching over seven hundred students how to excel at the instrument. You can take drum lessons, lessons for the violin or cello, for the clarinet and, of course, for the guitar.They offer classes in thirty, forty-five, or sixty-minute slots, with one of seven expert guitar tutors.ConclusionNow, if you're not a Londoner, don't fret! Here, we have guidance on the best guitar tuition in Manchester, the best guitar lessons in Birmingham, guitar classes in Leeds, and guitar education options in Glasgow. There's also an article on the UK's best guitar classes!

Upcoming ACT Test Dates

Upcoming ACT Test Dates Prepare for Upcoming ACT Test Dates High school students have the opportunity register for one of the six ACT test dates each school year. The ACT exam is designed as a standardized achievement test to assess the college readiness of American high school students. You can elect to send your ACT scores to colleges and universities that you are interested in attending as part of your application portfolio. Your ACT score is an important indicator of your college potential and the degree to which you are prepared for advanced studies. Careful preparation for the ACT is crucial for maximizing your success. Huntington Learning Center is proud to offer a variety of programs designed to prepare students for the ACT exam. Our professional tutors are skilled at determining each student's level of readiness and crafting personalized preparation programs through either individual or group tutoring. These tutoring sessions will help you understand both the format and content of the ACT exam while boosting your confidence and readi ness.There are several ACT test dates remaining for the 2013-2014 school year; December 14, February 3, and April 12. As you prepare for the exam there are specific things you should do in the months, weeks, and days leading up to the ACT exam. In the months before the ACT exam: Createa study schedule Waiting until the last minute to cram for the ACT likely won't boost either your score or your confidence. The most effectiveway to prepare is to plan and maintain a consistent study schedule. Thisallows you time to map out all of your studying and ensure every area ofthe exam is covered during your preparation. Creating a consistent weeklyschedule is a great way to ensure the studying gets done. Make sure youhave extra study sessions on the schedule each week in case unforeseen circumstances arise. Enroll in ACT tutoring If the thought of preparing for the ACT exam seemsoverwhelming you may want to enroll in an exam prep program at HuntingtonLearning Center. We offer three different programs designed to fit anyneed. The Premier program is ideal for students with 6 to 8 weeks tocommit and will fully prepare you for the ACT exam. You can begin tutoringwith the 28-Hour program immediately and will benefit from the 5 to 7weeks of preparation. The 10-Hour program is perfect for students withlimited time who want to prepare in a single exam content area. In the weeks before the ACT exam: Take apractice test The ACT website offers several practice tests for your use. Scheduling time for a simulated test experience is a great way to prepare for exam day. You should mirror exact testing conditions asclosely as possible paying special attention to what tools you can use and time limits for each section. Score the practice exam when you arefinished to learn which areas still require additional preparation. Focus on your weakest areas Once you've completed the practice test you can use the results to modify your preparation schedule. If you feel confidentin an area shift your focus to others that may be weaker. Don't waste thedays leading up to the exam on subject areas that you are already fullyprepared for. In the days before the ACT exam: Confirmyour test time and location It's important to know exactly where yourtest center is and what time the exam begins. Verify this information withyour exam confirmation, the ACT website, and a map or other drivingdirections. If possible, take a test drive to find your exam center andknow exactly how long it will take to arrive. Understand test center rules All of the ACT test dates utilize the same testingguidelines and regulations. Understand what you can bring into the testing center, what items are approved for use on the exam, and the time limitsfor each section. Failing to follow these guidelines can result in adismissal from the exam center or a nullification of your score. Are you and your friends preparing for the upcoming ACT test dates? Share this important information with others that are preparing for the ACT exam.

How to Teach Common Core Reading

How to Teach Common Core Reading So how do you teach Common Core reading, anyway?A National Reading Panel Report published in 2000 suggests that there are five major areas where students struggle that can be supported with direct instruction or coaching:Phonemic awarenessPhonicsFluencyVocabularyComprehensionPhonemic AwarenessPhonemic awareness has to do with the ability to think about and pronounce sounds in spoken words.  Direct letter instruction is useful in helping students understand the link between the spoken and written word. This is especially true of students who are younger, are learning English as a second language, or who have some sort of learning difference. However, for the vast majority of students, learning phonemic awareness in a vacuum reaches peak usefulness at around 18 hours of direct, focused instruction this includes instruction from teachers at school, intervention specialists, and tutors. PhonicsPhonics bridges the gap between spoken and written English, teaching children the relationshi p between letters on a page and written English. Phonics is a useful tool in instruction for students of all backgrounds and strengths, but it is important to remember that it should not be treated as a workbook activity. Just like with phonemic awareness, teaching phonics works best in the context of speaking and reading. And while phonics is important to teach, its usefulness is generally limited to decoding and encoding, and it doesn’t necessarily address issues having to do with comprehension.FluencyThe third element of successful instruction is instruction in fluency. Fluency here means the ability to read a text rapidly and accurately with expression. This distinction means that we are discouraging students from simply decoding and word calling and encouraging them to read as we do as adults scanning the page ahead even as we read aloud and instilling emotion into our words.VocabularyThe fourth pillar is vocabulary. Both oral and reading vocabulary can be taught directly an d through reading. In teaching how to learn vocabulary, it’s as important to teach the skills necessary for vocabulary acquisition (dictionary and internet use, root study, etc.) as it is to directly teach words themselves.  With direct instruction, we can successfully introduce 8 10 words a week. Indirect instruction covers words encountered in reading and listening to adults speak and is often a larger component of vocabulary acquisition if only because there is no vocabulary filter on the world. ComprehensionThe last component is comprehension. Comprehension can be seen as our overall goal in reading instruction, of course, but coaching comprehension strategies creates good readers just as surely as learning vocabulary and working on fluency. Good readers read for meaning rather than words. They read with purpose and ask questions as they read. Comprehension strategies are skills we can and should teach at every level of reading instruction rather than waiting for students to get to an arbitrary ‘acceptable grade level.’ So why do students struggle? Every student is different, but after working with thousands of students here at AJ Tutoring, we’ve noticed that there are some commonalities as to where students struggle at what time. Problems with phonemic awareness and phonics generally manifest early in the reading process. Issues with vocabulary tend to develop over time as the relative vocabulary sizes of students who read for pleasure and those who don’t diverge. In our practice here at AJ, we tend to see vocabulary problems come to a head as students are preparing for middle and high school entrance exams like the ISEE and SSAT. Fluency is also a problem that can come up at any time as the pace of a class outstrips the pace of a student’s learning. Reading comprehension, similarly, can become a noticeable problem as late as high school or college even with comfortable readers if they don’t have the skills to know how to ask themselves qu estions and engage with text.How we can help The Common Core requires students to read more than ever, but the type of reading and how they are assessed on that reading can seem pretty different from how most of us learned to read. Instead of reading only fiction, our students are being pushed to branch out and read nonfiction earlier and earlier. However, the core strategies for teaching Common Core reading remain the same. So how do you teach Common Core reading, anyway?A National Reading Panel Report published in 2000 suggests that there are five major areas where students struggle that can be supported with direct instruction or coaching:Phonemic awarenessPhonicsFluencyVocabularyComprehensionPhonemic AwarenessPhonemic awareness has to do with the ability to think about and pronounce sounds in spoken words.  Direct letter instruction is useful in helping students understand the link between the spoken and written word. This is especially true of students who are younger, are learning English as a second language, or who h ave some sort of learning difference. However, for the vast majority of students, learning phonemic awareness in a vacuum reaches peak usefulness at around 18 hours of direct, focused instruction this includes instruction from teachers at school, intervention specialists, and tutors. PhonicsPhonics bridges the gap between spoken and written English, teaching children the relationship between letters on a page and written English. Phonics is a useful tool in instruction for students of all backgrounds and strengths, but it is important to remember that it should not be treated as a workbook activity. Just like with phonemic awareness, teaching phonics works best in the context of speaking and reading. And while phonics is important to teach, its usefulness is generally limited to decoding and encoding, and it doesn’t necessarily address issues having to do with comprehension.FluencyThe third element of successful instruction is instruction in fluency. Fluency here means the abilit y to read a text rapidly and accurately with expression. This distinction means that we are discouraging students from simply decoding and word calling and encouraging them to read as we do as adults scanning the page ahead even as we read aloud and instilling emotion into our words.VocabularyThe fourth pillar is vocabulary. Both oral and reading vocabulary can be taught directly and through reading. In teaching how to learn vocabulary, it’s as important to teach the skills necessary for vocabulary acquisition (dictionary and internet use, root study, etc.) as it is to directly teach words themselves.  With direct instruction, we can successfully introduce 8 10 words a week. Indirect instruction covers words encountered in reading and listening to adults speak and is often a larger component of vocabulary acquisition if only because there is no vocabulary filter on the world. ComprehensionThe last component is comprehension. Comprehension can be seen as our overall goal in read ing instruction, of course, but coaching comprehension strategies creates good readers just as surely as learning vocabulary and working on fluency. Good readers read for meaning rather than words. They read with purpose and ask questions as they read. Comprehension strategies are skills we can and should teach at every level of reading instruction rather than waiting for students to get to an arbitrary ‘acceptable grade level.’ So why do students struggle? Every student is different, but after working with thousands of students here at AJ Tutoring, we’ve noticed that there are some commonalities as to where students struggle at what time. Problems with phonemic awareness and phonics generally manifest early in the reading process. Issues with vocabulary tend to develop over time as the relative vocabulary sizes of students who read for pleasure and those who don’t diverge. In our practice here at AJ, we tend to see vocabulary problems come to a head as students are preparin g for middle and high school entrance exams like the ISEE and SSAT. Fluency is also a problem that can come up at any time as the pace of a class outstrips the pace of a student’s learning. Reading comprehension, similarly, can become a noticeable problem as late as high school or college even with comfortable readers if they don’t have the skills to know how to ask themselves questions and engage with text.How we can helpThe number one thing is, obviously, for children to read. To read often and widely, to read alone and in groups. Current research on teaching literacy suggests that to create high progress classrooms classrooms where students consistently attain high levels of academic achievement regardless of their background and are successful at Common Core reading we must structure our tutoring time in such a way that students are interacting with text at least seventy five percent of the time. Our ModelOur sessions are built on  the “read write read” format. A typ ical session might include a brief warm up activity, such as using a three minute singalong as a shared reading activity to promote fluency or a quick game of memory to practice sight words before moving on to the main part of instruction. ReadThe second part of our sessions is generally in the form of guided reading. The tutor introduces a text at or slightly above the student’s reading level for the student to read out loud. The tutor may pause the reading to ask questions about what the student thinks will happen next or to double check that the student has been thinking about what is happening in the text. Guided reading can also be a good time to address issues having to do with phonics and phonemic awareness in the context of meaningful text and to promote good habits in attacking unknown problems. WriteThe next part of session is typically dedicated to writing. For younger students, this time might be as simple as working writing just a couple sentences at a time that the t utor and student can check and read aloud together. For older students, this can be as complex as an ongoing writing project such as a short story or longer essay. ReadThe last part of the session is generally reserved for another reading activity, although for older students there is some flexibility. These second reading activities generally are smaller in scope and may include activities like having the student dictate a sentence to the tutor, which they can then read back, or creating and reading sentences from individual words written on moveable sentence strips. For older students, this time is valuable for teaching the sorts of skills they will be expected to know as part of Common Core reading, such as how to read for meaning in nonfiction and synthesize information into usable pieces. This can be done either with direct reading instruction or through ongoing projects that require students to gather information from multiple texts, such as small research projects that can be done in session.Planning and resultsThe last five minutes of session are generally reserved for a recap of instruction for that day with the parent and discussing any homework. This ensures that parent and tutor are on the same page about progress and areas of difficulty, and is also a good time for positive reinforcement for students. To be told that they are doing a good job with something is one thing. To be praised in front of a parent by an instructor can be even more powerful. Our goals for our studentsIt is always our goal as tutors for our students to outstrip us and to gain agency and independence as readers and learners. We’d love to talk with you about how we can meet that goal and master Common Core reading together!

University applications how to help your child choose

University applications â€" how to help your child choose If your child is heading back to school for their final year of A-levels, they will soon have to decide whether to apply to university. If they can be reasonably confident of gaining three or more passes at A-level, your child has every chance of securing a conditional offer from a UK university, so how can you help them choose which courses and institutions to apply for? Choosing the right university is an incredibly hard decision to make. You and your child need to spend some time researching various universities and courses. An English degree at one university can be quite different from an English degree somewhere else. Teaching methods, projects and course content vary widely so take your child to as many open days as possible in order to give them a better idea as to what life at the university will be like. They can meet lecturers and other students and find out all they need to know about the courses on offer. Your child should also consider the location of the university - how far away it is, and whether it is based in a city or in the countryside. The cost of living is important too: find out what sort of budget you'll need to put aside for accommodation and travel costs. A university with a good track record is imperative, and you should try to find out the proportion of graduates that actually find employment after they complete their courses. All these facts and figures can be obtained from the university and will aid them in making their decision. Once your child has made their decision, support them as much as possible. Moving to university can be an intimidating experience for many young people, but with your help they should take to their new student life quickly and easily.

Reading Program Completer Uses Problem-Solving Skills on the Volleyball Court

Reading Program Completer Uses Problem-Solving Skills on the Volleyball Court Reading Program Completer Uses Problem-Solving Skills on the Volleyball Court Elise, 12-years-old,MathLevel K ReadingProgram Completer 12-year-old Elisehasdeveloped a passion for the game of volleyball that stretches beyond the court.Whenshe joined her volleyball team over six yearsago,Eliselearned the importance ofbeing a team player.Volleyball is all about strategy,and each player on the teamplays a specificrole.Elise has found thattheproblem-solving skills shedeveloped inKumonhelp her serve as an asset on the court. “Kumon has helped me discover that there are multiple approachesto solve a problem,” said Elise. “Kumon hasalsotaught me that hard work always pays off. There will always be problems,butit’s overcomingthese obstacles and learningfrom our mistakesthatis the reward. With school and volleyball, Kumon has taught me to remain disciplinedand has improved my time management.” Elise’s competitive edge and embracement of teamworkshine through during each practice and match.Amongtheachievementsshe’s most proud of, arebeing the team captain and her position as a libero, which is the team leader in defense. Elise’s accomplishments go beyond the volleyball court. Shewas one of 56 students selected for Kumon’s 3rdAnnual Student Conference in Chicago, Illinois. “Iwas ecstatic, happy, and very excitedwhen I found out I was selected,” said Elise. “I was so honored and thankful to have the opportunity to attend this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Elise and the rest of the attendees were celebrated for their accomplishments and encouraged to aspire to become individuals who tackle some of the world’s challenges. “Ihad an amazing experience at the Student Conference,” saidElise. “It was such a special opportunity to be with other Kumon Students across NorthAmerica andlearn from them and their amazing accomplishments.My favorite part was the escape room as I was able to work with others in a team setting to solve a fun and complex puzzle.” Eliseshares with ushighlights from her Kumon journeyand adviceforotherKumon Students. Whatdo you enjoy most about Kumon? Kumon has provided me the opportunity to learn at my own pace, which makes learning new concepts in math and reading a lot easier. Howhas Kumon helped you academically? Kumon has allowed me to advance well beyond my academic level. Mastering concepts has given me such great confidence in school. My discipline and approach to solving problems has helped me in all of my classes. What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up, I want to be a lawyer. I become passionate and excited when I have a good point to stand for. I enjoy speaking and debating different viewpoints. What’s your favorite book and why? My favorite book is “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio. “Wonder” is my favorite book because enjoy reading stories of courage. This book is full of courage because it’s about a boy who suffers from a condition which leaves his face disfigured. Despite his adversity, he found the courage to go to school and make friends. Who’s your biggest inspiration and why? Hellen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” She’s an inspiration to me because she never gave up despite her disabilities. I admire her for overcoming obstacles, because they were not obstacles for Hellen â€" she accomplished so much in her lifetime. Whatadvice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? As in anything in life, what your get out of Kumon is what you put in it. There will be times when your work will be challenging and difficult to understand, but don’t give up. Overcoming your obstacles is satisfying, rewarding, and will boost your confidence. This will help you overcome any challenge in life. If you could sum up your Kumon experience inone word, what would it be? Special. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Reading Program Completer finds Connection to Music Through Kumon This Young Kumon Reading Program Completer is an Aspiring Computer Engineer This Reading Program Completer is Shooting for the Moon This Reading Program Completer Gained Confidence from Kumon Reading Program Completer Uses Problem-Solving Skills on the Volleyball Court Reading Program Completer Uses Problem-Solving Skills on the Volleyball Court Elise, 12-years-old,MathLevel K ReadingProgram Completer 12-year-old Elisehasdeveloped a passion for the game of volleyball that stretches beyond the court.Whenshe joined her volleyball team over six yearsago,Eliselearned the importance ofbeing a team player.Volleyball is all about strategy,and each player on the teamplays a specificrole.Elise has found thattheproblem-solving skills shedeveloped inKumonhelp her serve as an asset on the court. “Kumon has helped me discover that there are multiple approachesto solve a problem,” said Elise. “Kumon hasalsotaught me that hard work always pays off. There will always be problems,butit’s overcomingthese obstacles and learningfrom our mistakesthatis the reward. With school and volleyball, Kumon has taught me to remain disciplinedand has improved my time management.” Elise’s competitive edge and embracement of teamworkshine through during each practice and match.Amongtheachievementsshe’s most proud of, arebeing the team captain and her position as a libero, which is the team leader in defense. Elise’s accomplishments go beyond the volleyball court. Shewas one of 56 students selected for Kumon’s 3rdAnnual Student Conference in Chicago, Illinois. “Iwas ecstatic, happy, and very excitedwhen I found out I was selected,” said Elise. “I was so honored and thankful to have the opportunity to attend this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Elise and the rest of the attendees were celebrated for their accomplishments and encouraged to aspire to become individuals who tackle some of the world’s challenges. “Ihad an amazing experience at the Student Conference,” saidElise. “It was such a special opportunity to be with other Kumon Students across NorthAmerica andlearn from them and their amazing accomplishments.My favorite part was the escape room as I was able to work with others in a team setting to solve a fun and complex puzzle.” Eliseshares with ushighlights from her Kumon journeyand adviceforotherKumon Students. Whatdo you enjoy most about Kumon? Kumon has provided me the opportunity to learn at my own pace, which makes learning new concepts in math and reading a lot easier. Howhas Kumon helped you academically? Kumon has allowed me to advance well beyond my academic level. Mastering concepts has given me such great confidence in school. My discipline and approach to solving problems has helped me in all of my classes. What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up, I want to be a lawyer. I become passionate and excited when I have a good point to stand for. I enjoy speaking and debating different viewpoints. What’s your favorite book and why? My favorite book is “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio. “Wonder” is my favorite book because enjoy reading stories of courage. This book is full of courage because it’s about a boy who suffers from a condition which leaves his face disfigured. Despite his adversity, he found the courage to go to school and make friends. Who’s your biggest inspiration and why? Hellen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” She’s an inspiration to me because she never gave up despite her disabilities. I admire her for overcoming obstacles, because they were not obstacles for Hellen â€" she accomplished so much in her lifetime. Whatadvice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? As in anything in life, what your get out of Kumon is what you put in it. There will be times when your work will be challenging and difficult to understand, but don’t give up. Overcoming your obstacles is satisfying, rewarding, and will boost your confidence. This will help you overcome any challenge in life. If you could sum up your Kumon experience inone word, what would it be? Special. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Reading Program Completer finds Connection to Music Through Kumon This Young Kumon Reading Program Completer is an Aspiring Computer Engineer This Reading Program Completer is Shooting for the Moon This Reading Program Completer Gained Confidence from Kumon

Split It Up The Top Technique for Learning Vocabulary in Another Language

Split It Up The Top Technique for Learning Vocabulary in Another Language Split It Up: The Top Technique for Learning Vocabulary in Another Language Youve come here because youre thinking: Why the %#@! cant I learn foreign vocabulary?Welcome.Let me ask you a few questions before we proceed.Is your brain all  muddled up with huge lists of words but unable to  deploy the proper vocabulary in conversation?Have you  tried memorizing words with flashcard apps, only to find that you cant fit these isolated words into full-on sentences?In this situation, well always end up blaming ourselves and our own bad memories. Other people, we think, are good at memorizing wordsâ€"but we just dont have the ability to learn vocabulary.Theres also a chance well pass the blame on to our flashcard apps and waste precious time testing all the available options,  instead of spending that  time learning our target languages.Lets put the blame game to rest and figure out whats really going on hereâ€"whats so hard about learning vocabulary in another language? Why Your Brain Forgets Isolated Foreign VocabularyThe real problem has nothing to do with some genetic ability. The real problem is that youre too trusting.You believe the common wisdom that learning vocabulary is as simple as learning loads of words. It isnt.Your brain has not developed to remember isolated words. Neuroscience has found that our working memory has developed to remember short patterns of no more than four items at a time. Thats only one more thing than a monkey can hold in its memory.It doesnt matter how many individual words you memorize. Without fitting the words into patterns, your brain will have trouble retrieving them in the heat of the moment.The Solution:  Hack Your Brain with ChunkingThankfully, science has also come up with a foolproof way to harness our brains natural abilities: Chunking.With chunking, you find self-contained groups of words and learn them as one unit.Simply put, chunking is learning phrases.You mean by using  phrasebooks? I hear you asking.Well, almost.Lets use an example to demonstrate chunking. Ill take the following phrase from  this list of advanced Spanish phrases: ¿Qué pelicula te gustaba mucho cuando eras niño/a?  â€" What film did you love as a kid?This is a pretty long phrase, which contains far more words than the three or four items needed for a chunk. You dont want your chunk to be too long and complicated, either.Its actually made up of a few chunks. For example, two of these could be:Te gustaba mucho  â€" You really liked/loved Cuando eras niño/a  â€" When you were a boy/girlThese phrases both sound natural, and are extremely versatile. Now you have two proper phrases that you can mix and match with others to form new sentences.Sometimes, chunks dont make sense when you try to analyze the words separately. For example, take  this French phrase:Ça te dit?  â€" You up for it? or Sound good?These words literally mean something like It tells you? This is pretty nonsensical, but as a casually-used  phrase  the words come together to make complete sense.Split It Up: The Top Technique for Learning Vocabulary in Another LanguageLearning through chunking is as simple as one, two, five but it can take a bit of getting used to. You have to retrain yourself not to just look things  up in a foreign dictionary, learn the isolated word and then leave it at that. You need to get into the practice of combining the words into little phrases.Here are four steps to help you, plus a great shortcut in Step 5.1. Gather Your VocabularyThe first step to use chunking is to list all the words you want to learn. So, grab a piece of paper or a blank document and list down all the words you need to memorize.Havent got any specific foreign vocabulary you need to learn? You can skip this step and go straight to the phrase-finding.2. Find Some Great PhrasesNext, you should find some phrases that use those words. If you can double up words into one phrase, then youll reduce the amount you have to memorize. Thats not necessary thoughâ€"its fine if you cant fit the words on your list together. The main goal is to find a phrase for each word on the list.Where to Find Great Foreign PhrasesHere are four places to find useful, correct foreign phrases. Dont rely on automatic translators, which might produce badly worded phrases.Also, focus on finding phrases made up of useful chunks, not sentences that will only make sense in one situation.PhrasebooksThe good old fashioned phrasebook can be a good starting place. However, before buying one, make sure that its of full sentences, not just word lists. Its surprising that many modern phrasebooks are filled mostly with isolated lists of words.One excellent option that never fails is Lonely Planet. The phrasebooks put out by Lonely Planet go way beyond a handful of words.Online Phrase ListsThe modern version is the online phrase list. These are easy to search and there are more being written on blogs every day.FluentU already has many lists of useful phrases on the Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Japanese,  English  and Business English bl ogs.Books and Other Learning MaterialWhen youre reading in another language, list those words that you dont know. This is part of the intensive reading strategies that you should definitely be using to boost your language learning.Be sure to copy out a  whole chunk from the text, not just one  word alone.As an example, heres a sentence from a random book in English, The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens:At these words he fell into a reverie, in which he thought of several things.The word to learn,  reverie,  means a state of being pleasantly lost in ones thoughts; a daydream. Its not a very common word, so it could be hard to rememberBut the chunk we can use is fell into a reverie.  This chunk means something like started daydreaming. Keeping these words together will be easier for us to remember than just trying to learn the word alone.Firstly, you can learn the whole phrase at these words he fell into a reverie.  Then, when youve really learned it, try shaking it up by fol lowing Step 4 below.VideosVideos are a great place to find vocabulary in context, with the added bonus that they already include the correct pronunciation.YouTube, along with other online services, are full of videos where you can find useful phrases. Many of them also have subtitles or closed captions which allow you to see the phrase written down.However, for a shortcut, FluentU provides a completely self-contained vocabulary learning system, which uses chunking and includes subtitles. The most useful videos are already chosen for you, meaning you can spend less time sentence mining and more time learning.Jump to the bonus Step 5 at the end of this post to find out more about FluentU.3. Learn the Phrases by HeartOnce youve gathered some phrases, you need to learn them all  by heart. You can do this the same way you used to learn individual words. For example, you can:1. Play recordings of the phrase and repeat it back until you can say it properly (try Google Translates Listen but ton  if you have no recording of the phrase). Then, record yourself and compare with the original.2. Put the whole phrase into your favorite flashcard app and learn it in the usual way.3.  Use mnemonics to fix the chunk into your brain.4. Write down the phrase from memory and compare it to the original phrase.There are many ways to remember phrases which are really quick and effective.4. Shake It Up to Avoid Over-reliance on ScriptsLearning specific phrases by heart is fine, but it can mean that youll become overly reliant on scripts. If youre memorizing those scripts, you might not be able to change them up in conversation. You want your phrases to be flexible.The real power of chunking is that you can reuse the same chunk in many different phrases.So, taking our example of the chunk fell into a reverie  from the last step. The original phrase at these words he fell into a reverie might not be very useful in most situations. But here are some other possible phrases you can use this chunk in:We were chatting, then suddenly she stopped talking and fell into a reverie.After watching the film I fell into a reverie  for ages, it really made me think.My grandpa used to fall into a reverie every time we  talked about the war.If appropriate, use the chunk often in conversation and when talking to yourselfâ€"try to say it out loud 10 times in a day and see how effective it is.Changing the chunkSome chunks are self-contained and only make sense as a unit. However, many words can be applied to lots of chunks. When youve learned your first chunk, you might want to apply the same word to a new chunk.For our word reverie, we could use the following chunks:When writing his sermon, the priest drifted in and out of reverie.My five-year-old broke out of her reverie and asked a difficult question.He tried to rouse her from her reverie.I found these chunks by searching for terms like a reverie,  her reverie,  into reverie,  out of reverie,  etc. (with the quotation marks include d) in  Google Book Search  and  Google News Search, which are multilingual resources.5. See Chunking in Action in Under 2 Minutes with FluentUStill not convinced that learning phrases in context is the best way to learn new words?Sign up for a free account with FluentU to see it in action. Simply go to the homepage and click the Sign Up For Free  button.FluentU takes videos from all around the web in your target language. With dynamic subtitles, it teaches you loads of new vocabulary using a few methods. As well as learning the individual meanings of words, it takes phrases directly from the video and applies the vocabulary to meaningful chunks, ensuring that you can use the vocabulary in context.So, sign up now and check it out. Its free and is a great demonstration of how chunking in practice is an easy, quick and lasting way to learn foreign vocabulary.Learning vocabulary in another language doesnt seem so scary anymore, does it? With these five simple steps, you can learn new wo rds in your target language and take your language-learning journey by storm!Alex Owen-Hill is a European freelance writer. He writes about science, travel, voice-use, language and any of the hundred other things hes passionate about. Check out his website at www.AlexOwenHill.co.uk. Any questions? Connect with him on Twitter at @AlexOwenHill  and ask away!