How to Have Fun While Learning Chinese

How to Have Fun While Learning Chinese Learn Mandarin Chinese While Having Fun Chapters Find the Time to Learn Chinese Every Day in a Fun Way Three Ways to Enjoy Learning Chinese Learn a Language with Computer GamesThere are plenty of good reasons to learn Chinese. For one, 1.35 billion people in the world speak a form of Chinese with most of them residing in mainland China and Taiwan.  In fact, it’s the most popular language on the planet.Do you want to become a member of the world’s biggest linguistic group? If you want to learn to speak Chinese, there are plenty of language courses available. Have you considered taking night classes or going to a language school?Maybe you’re thinking about learning Chinese on your own or by using smartphone apps and digital or online Chinese resources.Have you made sure that you’re going to enjoy learning the language? Does the idea of learning Mandarin Chinese sound fun or does it feel more like a chore? Are you starting to get sick of looking at that Chinese grammar textbook?These are the questions you’ll need to answer if you want to ensure that you’ll stay motivated while you learn Chinese. As you’re probably aware, you can’t learn Chinese just by clicking your fingers and it's very unlikely you'll gain fluency with boring Chinese courses.Find Mandarin courses London with a private tutor.Laughter is a great way to learn. (Source: pixabay.com)So why not have fun while you learn your new language? By combining work and play, you can make the most of every minute you’re studying without even realising.  Don’t believe me?  Let’s have a look at some ways you can enjoy learning Chinese...Discover also the basics of learning Chinese... NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tu tors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Find the Time to Learn Chinese Every Day in a Fun WayThe biggest hurdle when it comes to learning things is not enjoying it. If your Chinese classes are dull, you probably won't learn very much. Unfortunately, not everyone has the option to go to Beijing or Taiwan and use immersion to learn. Learning a new language can be frustrating at the beginning when you don’t understand anything and some students start looking for excuses not to study or try to procrastinate.Find out where to learn Chinese London.If you really want to learn Chinese, you'll find the time. (Source: pixabay.com)With a bit of creativity, you’ll find the time to study Chinese without having to completely change your schedule.1 - Learn as You DriveWhether you’re learning German, French, Spanish, or Chinese, yo ur daily commute is a great time to be studying a language and learning some new Chinese phrases especially given how boring driving to work in the morning can be!  Throw in a few traffic jams and your daily journey to work can become unbearable.Improve your Chinese while you drive. (Source: jeshoots.com)Let’s look at things a little differently. What if your daily commute became an opportunity to study Chinese?We recommend listening to podcasts and learning the basics of Chinese while practising your pronunciation and listening out for the four “tones”.Who would have thought that you could learn a language in traffic?Discover also the quickest ways to learn Chinese...  2 - Learn Chinese on Public TransportIf you use public transport every day to go to university or work, make the most of the time you’re usually doing nothing to learn some Chinese with fun apps on your smartphone or tablet.  We’ll mention a few good apps later on in this article. Improving your Mandarin Ch inese is a great way to make the most of time that would otherwise be wasted.3 - Learn Mandarin Chinese while Doing SportAre you the kind of person who likes going out for runs or for a walk in the woods? Or do you like to work out in a gym or sports centre?  It doesn’t really matter what exercise you’re doing. The important thing is that you can use this time to improve your Chinese.  Put your headphones in and start listening to Chinese music or the radio in Chinese.Who said you can't learn and have fun at the same time? (Source: Kat Jayne)There are a number of different ways to enjoy exercising and learning a language at the same time. All you have to do is choose the method that works best for you!Follow these tips for teaching yourself Chinese...   Three Ways to Enjoy Learning ChineseThere are several different ways to learn Chinese. However, some of them can be really boring.  Let’s see some of the ways you can learn Chinese while having fun!Having fun is one of the best ways to learn a language, after all. Here are three ways to make sure you’re enjoying learning Chinese as much as you can:1 - Get a Tutor Whose Company You EnjoyTo get the most out of learning Chinese, there’s nothing better than a Chinese teacher that can make you laugh. Imagine learning Chinese with somebody that cracks you up.Humour is one of the best ways to teach something and if you enjoy your Chinese lessons, you'll find speaking Chinese much easier. However, having a funny teacher doesn’t mean that you can avoid studying at home, though. Of course, you have to put in the effort if you want to learn how to speak Chinese.Even if you’re really motivated, you can’t learn a foreign language just by studying for 30 to 45 minutes a day with the help of a private tutor. Learning to speak Chinese, French, German, or Italian fluently requires a lot of patience, work, and discipline on a daily basis.However, by working hard with a quality private Chinese tutor, you’ve alre ady done half the work.2 - Watch Films to Immerse Yourself in Chinese CultureIf you want to learn Chinese, you should be interested in both the Chinese language and culture. Fortunately, this is something you can teach yourself.We’ve chosen two films that we think are enjoyable and will help you better understand the four “tones” and the spoken language as well as improve your Chinese pronunciation.Lost In ThailandThis 2012 film tells the story of 3 Chinese people who find themselves in competition in Thailand. It's a wacky film and is full of action and comedy. You can improve your comprehension skills while laughing at the same time.The Sorcerer and the White SnakeIf you enjoy love stories against all odds and aren’t to bothered about Hollywood endings, this might be the film for you. Without saying too much, the film is about a demon who falls in love with a peasant. The problem is that the character played by Jet Li, a warrior monk, does not really believe this type of r elationship is allowed. If you love action, special effects, and Chinese cinematography, this is the film for you.There are also plenty of films you can find online. You can also find many of them subtitled in English.3 - Learn Chinese by Listening to SongsThanks to the internet, there are plenty of ways to find different types of Chinese music online.  In addition to listening to your favourite styles of music, you can also learn new vocabulary, listen out for the different “tones” of Chinese, and improve your listening comprehension.  Look for websites with karaoke versions of Chinese songs if you feel like singing them yourself. While listening to Chinese speaking artists won't make you fluent, it can boost your language learning and certainly improve your conversational Chinese.Nobody said you couldn’t learn a language while dancing!Find out more easy ways to learn Chinese...     Learn a Language with Computer GamesThe internet is full of different resources to help you le arn Chinese while having fun.Games are a fantastic way to learn your new language. (Source: stock.tookapic.com)We bet that you’ll really enjoy these ways to learn. For example, what about an app for learning Chinese while playing a computer game?The Ninchanese app is a game that can help you learn Chinese.  It's currently available on Android and can help you learn to read, speak, understand, and write Chinese while you play.  This is a great tool for improving your recognition of Chinese characters and improving your Chinese in general.Since absolute beginners are often scared of the language, they can now play at different levels and learn progressively as they follow a baby dragon.  This app is perfect for helping beginners move towards an intermediate level.  It’s also very useful if you happen to be organising a trip to China in the coming months.If you love learning about new cultures, we recommend going for the Chinese New Year. You’re guaranteed traditional celebration s, a great atmosphere, and a change of scene!There are several ways to have fun while learning a language. However, mastering a new language means having to leave your comfort zone. While you mightn’t be too enthusiastic about speaking at first, you have to force yourself to start speaking the language as soon as you can.Finding a good private Chinese tutor is one of the best ways to guarantee that you get speaking practice, too. If you can get one that tells good jokes and has good anecdotes, all the better.  Do your best, learn each day, and keep smiling until you’ve mastered Chinese. It's important that you have fun while you learn!Every student should also remember to take breaks and not overdo it. There are plenty of funny Chinese videos online you can watch.Have a look around YouTube for ways to learn Chinese online.  They can help you improve your Chinese comprehension and learn about the different tones, the writing system, and even the different Chinese accents.We promi se you’ll find a way to enjoy learning Chinese!Also discover the many ways you could learn Chinese...

How To Get Promoted Developing a Promotion Plan - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How To Get Promoted Developing a Promotion Plan - Introvert Whisperer How To Get Promoted: Developing a Promotion Plan No matter if you’re introverted, extroverted, in an entry-level position looking to move up, or an executive hoping to make that next big move in the company, there are a number of basic pillars to landing a promotion. Many employers are realizing that it’s in their best interest to focus on retention so that changing jobs isn’t the fastest way employees can get a promotion, and it’s also in your best interest to make sure you’re able to capitalize on an opportunity to make a move. However, don’t make the mistake of assuming a promotion is simply going to be handed to you because of your performance. This is especially true for us introverts, who would likely prefer our work speak for us. The reality is, getting promoted is about much more than doing an excellent job. A strong work ethic is critical, of course, but the key to moving up is having an actual plan in place. Here are nine steps to help you develop a personal promotion plan. 1. Take On a Professional Persona In order to be perceived as a professional and garner the respect necessary to earn a promotion, you must build a reputation for and actually be those things: professional, respectful, and reliable. As it turns out, dressing for the job you want is actually sage advice. This should be step one, because how you present yourself to others around you will determine everything â€" from the impressions you make to the respect you’ll receive. And in a culture where dressing casual at work has become ubiquitous, looking professional will help you stand out that much more. It’s also been found to be near-scientific fact that how you look influences perceived professionalism. Appearing professional includes everything from your wardrobe to how you wear your hair to your body language. For women, there is a large confidence gap to address, and we can start with something as seemingly simple as our posture. An Ohio State University study showed that maintaining a  poor posture for 30 minutes significantly increases stress levels, depression, and fear, while holding yourself more upright increases confidence and lowers stress levels. Invest in a good posture wearable that will help train your body to maintain proper positioning throughout the day. Men, on the other hand, may overlook small details like the power of a good shave. But there is actually a small correlation between success and a clean shave, or at least well-groomed facial hair. Choose a quality line of shaving products to avoid merely replacing your facial hair with visible irritation and ingrowns caused by cheap blades and irritating ingredients. 2. Find a Mentor According to a 2016 Deloitte survey, millennials who plan to stay with their employer for more than five years are twice as likely to have a mentor than not, and 81% of those employees recorded being satisfied with their mentor. It’s also been found that 80% of workplace learning takes place between mentors and mentees. If your company doesn’t have a mentorship program in place, there are a few tips to finding a mentor for yourself. Make it a goal to build relationships with those higher up than you and who work in different areas across the company. Those who have seniority in different departments can offer a unique perspective on how things work, and can also provide you with insight into different opportunities you may not have considered for yourself before. 3. Create a Strong Relationship With Your Boss Your boss is usually the one person who can make or break your chances of getting a promotion. If you consistently do a great job, you might be lucky enough to have a supervisor who regularly tries to get you recognized. Regardless, it’s critical to establish a well-oiled working relationship with them. You may not ever get to a place where you feel completely comfortable having important one-on-one conversations with your boss, but make sure you’re able to have an open dialogue about your desire for growth and opportunity, and that they’re aware of the good work you do. Ask your boss questions including: What am I doing well? What should I improve on to overcome roadblocks in my path to career growth? What do you envision my growth path looking like? What has your own path to success been like? 4. Build a Strong Network We often think about networking as something we do externally, outside of our place of work. However, internal networking within your own company is essential for creating more opportunities for yourself. The more people who know your strengths, skills, and capabilities firsthand, the more your value to the organization will become known. Internal networking is easier said than done, especially for introverts. Start by offering to help those on your team on things you think your skills would be useful for, and stalk and ask to attend meetings your boss is involved in if appropriate. There are many small ways to help you start getting seen, and it doesn’t need to include highly social events like the happy hour if that’s not your thing. 5. Track Your Past Performance Do yourself a favor and start keeping a log of all your personal achievements, big and small. No matter what it is, if it’s something you worked on and it led to some kind of success, it’s worth noting and keeping track of, or developing a portfolio of work for. A large part of getting promoted is proving you deserve it, and you’ll make doing that so much easier on yourself if you keep track of your performance along the way. 6. Seek Out Learning Opportunities Promotion is contingent on your ability (and desire) to grow. Hunt for more knowledge and new skills, which will equate to more opportunities to contribute to the success of the company. Start by staying up to date on all news and trending topics within your industry, and in industries that are tangentially related. You might also seek out learning and skill development opportunities on an online course platform, which are becoming increasingly popular. You could also see if your company would be willing to reimburse the cost, depending on the content and how you plan to use it for the good of the organization. 7. Take On More Responsibilities Similar to asking to be involved in various important meetings, you should also plan out when it makes sense for you to open yourself up to more responsibilities. When you feel you’re in a groove or maybe feeling unchallenged, first take the initiative and complete a task that usually falls on someone else’s plate (like your boss) without them asking. If you feel like that may come off too forward, simply ask if there’s anything you can take care of and let them know that you’re eager to get more involved. Asking to take on more responsibility shows your commitment to your team and to the company’s success. 8. Be a Team Player While seeking a promotion feels like a self-centric endeavor, it’s also very much about how well you work with a team. Being able to strike a balance between working autonomously and with your department when necessary will go a long way. In the end, your team’s success is your success and vice versa, and being a team player will earn you the respect of your peers and the leaders of the company. 9. Create Your Own Opportunity In many cases, moving up may come down to creating a place to move to. If you notice a consistent problem somewhere in the company, work towards identifying a solution for it. Show a level of motivation and resourcefulness by developing a plan of attack on how to fix the problem, and make it clear the role you feel you can play in the execution of that plan. If you’ve been working hard, getting noticed for your hard work, and have vied for a promotion to no avail for some time, it may mean you need to consider opportunities elsewhere, depending on your specific situation and career goals. Just remember that, when deserving, it’s not selfish to want or go after a promotion. Author Bio: The Harry’s team believes it’s their duty to try to do give back to the community. They are dedicated to supporting organizations who help people get ready for their next big career step. Go to top Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

3 Easy (and Educational) Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

3 Easy (and Educational) Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids The Thanksgiving holiday provides a special opportunity to encourage student reflection on all the things theyre thankful for, and craft projects are an excellent medium for children to make the most of this season. There are many easyyet educationalThanksgiving crafts for kids, including composing thankfulness poems, creating menus for a Thanksgiving meal, and designing gratitude cards. Keep reading to learn three easy (and educational) Thanksgiving crafts for kids. 1. Write a thankfulness poem Ask your child to write and illustrate a thankfulness poem, detailing what theyre grateful for this Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving craft can encourage the expression of gratitude, while also allowing children to practice different types of writing. For example, your student could create an acrostic poem, with the first letter of each line spelling out seasonal words like Thanksgiving and turkey. Once the poem is written, it can double as a holiday decoration. Have your child write the poem on card stock, along with some illustrations, stickers, or other decorative elements. Then, put the finished poem in a frame to add to a table display, where all your guests can read and enjoy it. [RELATED: 3 Ways Students Can Benefit From Journaling] 2. Create menu cards This Thanksgiving craft can get students involved in the holiday meal planning, while simultaneously creating a useful item for your guests. In order to complete this project, note the following: Use plain card stock and cut each piece in half lengthwise, making two long and narrow menu cards out of each sheet. Children can write and draw representations of the main, sides, and desserts to give guests a sneak preview of whats coming during the Thanksgiving meal. On these menus, encourage your child to get creative on the content, such as dividing the menu into courses or giving their own ratings of each dish. [RELATED: Thanksgiving Fun Facts for You to Know This Year] 3. Write gratitude cards A simple, yet thoughtful, Thanksgiving craft prompts students to create cards to hand out to family members on Thanksgiving. Once theyve finished designing and decorating the gratitude cards, they can write a special note on the inside, listing a reason theyre grateful for the individual theyre giving the card to. This is a great way for kids to get crafty when acknowledging the people in their lives who they are thankful for. [RELATED: Holiday Gift Ideas for the Student in Your Life] Whether you try one or all of these projects, think about putting your own spin on them to establish a new holiday tradition. Its always beneficial to take the time to learn, create, and reflect as a family during the holidays. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

English Sentence Structure 2 Complex Sentences

English Sentence Structure 2 Complex Sentences This is the second part in our series about sentence structure and word order. I hope that this will help our students and their writing. The video below will help explain complex sentences. These are longer sentences in English made up of one independent clause (simple sentence) and one  dependent clause (incomplete sentence). Often times these longer sentences are confusing and students start making mistakes when trying to speak or write them. Watch the video below and do the exercises: Write your answers in comments, and well respond.Use the subordinates below to create sentences:because, after, before, if, since, while, when, once_______she left for Mexico                          _____ the play had finished          ____Im tired       ________ she was seeing other men._____we get the final approval              ______she saw me                                       ______she was making dinner1. He didnt see her __________________.2. I came home late __ ________________.3. ______________________, Im going to have some coffee.4. ______________________, Paul went to the gym.5. He was really angry with her, ___________________.6. Ill finish the project ______ we get the final approval.7. _________________, I looked the other direction.Use the relative pronouns below to create the second type of complex sentences.  that she bought from the bakery                                            which had died two weeks ago                         who won the race                                     where we are going to eat1. The girl ______________ was from Kenya.2. The place _______________ has a really good atmosphere.3. The cake ________________ is amazing!4. The computer__________________ needs to be taken to the computer repair specialist. André Dertrudes de Macena All these exercíses are very good to me, please send more exercíse equal to these for me. Thank you good night. LOIE nglish Thanks André! I am glad that you like them. Please note: these exercises are good FOR me. We use for in this case because we are receiving something. Carrots are good FOR me. (Im receiving the nutrients from the carrots.) André, you should try answering some of the exercises in the comments. It can be really useful to have someone correct your answers. André Dertrudes de Macena Gosto das músicas das Bangles, gostei muito muito boa esta aula. André Dertrudes de Macena Mandem mais exercícios. André Dertrudes de Macena Muito bom. André Dertrudes de Macena Olha todos esses exercícios eu imprimo e respondo no papel, não aqui depois passo as respostas dos exercícios feitos. boa noite e obrigado. Anna Part 1 1. He didnt see her since she left for Mexico. 2. I came home late after the play had finished. 3. Im tired once Im going to have some cofe. 4. She was seeingother man while Paul went to the gym. 5. He was very angry with her because she was seeing other men. 6 . Ill finish the project after we get the final approval. 7. She saw me when I looked the other direction. Part2 1. The girl who won the race was from Kenya. 2. The place where we are going to eat has a really good atmosphere. 3. The cake that she bought from the bakery is amazing! 4. The computer wich had died two weeks ago needs to taken to the computer repair specialist. LOIEnglish Annayou had some difficulty choosing the correct subordinates.Question 1: He didnt see her BEFORE she left for Mexico. (Remember SINCE is usually used in present perfect tense sentences. This is a Past Simple sentence, so we are dealing with linear time.)Question 3: BECAUSE Im tired, Im going to have some coffee.Question 4: While she was making dinner, Paul went to the gym.Question 7. When she saw me, I looked the other direction.Good work on the second part! LOIEnglish Hmmm. Flavia, you did really well in the second part. But the first part you had a lot of difficulty. Ill give you the Subordinate that goes in the sentences and then give it a try to match the sentence halves:before she left for Mexico .after the play had finished Because Im tired. .because she was seeing other men..after we get final approval.When she saw me. While she was making dinner.Now try to match the sentence halves. Maybe it will be clearer for you. Ilka 1. He didn’t see her before she left for Mexico.2. I came home late after the play had finished.3. Because I’m tired, I’m going to have some coffee.4. While she was making dinner, Paul went to the gym.5. He was really angry with her, because she was seeing other men.6. I’ll finish the project before we get the final approval.7. When she saw me, I looked the other direction.****1. The girl who won the race was from Kenya.2. The place where we are going to eat has a really good atmosphere.3. The cake that she bought from the bakery is amazing!4. The computer which had died two weeks ago needs to be taken to the computer repair specialist. LOIE nglish Good work Ilka. Wellington 1. He didn’t see her, once she left for Mexico2. I came home late, after the play had finished3. If we get the final approval, I’m going to have some coffee4. She was making dinner, while Paul went to the gym5. He was really angry with her, because she was seeing other men.6. I’ll finish the project, before we get the final approval.7. She saw me, when I looked the other side LOIEnglish Wellington,Question #3 is: Im going to have some coffee, because Im tired.Question #7: When she saw me, I looked the other direction/way. Wellington 1. The girl who won the rice was from Kenya.The place where we are going to eat has a really good atmosphere.3. The cake that she bought from the bakery is amazing!4. The computer which had died two weeks ago needs to be taken to the computer repair specialist.

Volunteer Spotlight CJ Langley, HEART volunteer at Billingsville - Heart Math Tutoring

Volunteer Spotlight â€" CJ Langley, HEART volunteer at Billingsville - Heart Math Tutoring Volunteer Spotlight â€" CJ Langley, HEART volunteer at Billingsville Volunteer Spotlight â€" CJ Langley, HEART volunteer at Billingsville November 28, 2013 Several months into his new role on EnPro Industries’ accounting team, an invitation from a colleague caught C. J.’s attention. “Well create teams to cover a weekly tutoring commitment in support of students who need help. Who wants to ‘give back’?” his colleague Paul Pathikal advertised at an ice cream break one afternoon. “It really confirmed my decision,” C. J. says of his recent career move. A product of public schools himself, from Jacksonville NC to UNC-CH, C. J. was intrigued by this opportunity to support the community. He remembered weekly visits to the library with his aunt and cousins during summer breaks that kickstarted his desire to read as well as his psychology studies at UNC-CH where he completed an Honors thesis on gender differences in African American students’ attitudes towards education. HEART Tutoring would provide an opportunity to see and shape this, firsthand. When C. J. was introduced to his third grade HEART Tutoring student, he was nervous. “Kids are so honest!” he explains. He quickly saw that Jazmine, although several years below grade level in math, had much potential and simply needed more support. As weeks passed, Jazmine became demonstrably more enthusiastic about learning and unabashedly excited to work with C. J., asking, “When are you coming? Next Wednesday?” C. J. says working with Jazmine makes him grateful for the support he received from his family growing up. Just a few weeks ago, he sent a text to his mother and aunt thanking them for nourishing his scholastic growth by challenging him academically. In the office, EnPro colleagues enjoy sharing reports of their students’ progress and treasure the deepened perspective gained through service each week.

What You Need to Know About the ACT Math Section

What You Need to Know About the ACT Math Section ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog The ACT Math section tests math skills that every high school student should have. Even if you think you are good at math, it won’t be a walk in the park, and even if you think you are bad at math, it won’t be impossible. It will test not just what you already know, but your ability to figure things out on the fly, so memorization and practice are both a necessary part of the preparation process. Format While the other multiple choice sections on the ACT have four answer choices, the questions in the ACT Math section have five. You are allowed sixty minutes to answer sixty questions, but this doesn’t mean that each question will take a minute to answer. The questions span a range of difficulties, so some you will be able to answer quickly while others will take longer Instructions While each version of the ACT will have different questions (you won’t see the same questions if you take the test more than once), the instructions are always identical. On test day you should already know the instructions for each section by heart so you don’t have to spend time reading them. These are the instructions for the Math section: “After solving each problem, pick the correct answer from the five given and fill in the corresponding oval on your answer sheet. Solve as many problems as you can in the time allowed. Do not worry over problems that take too much time; skip them if necessary and return to them if you have time. Calculator use is permitted on the test. Calculators can be used for any problem on the test, though calculators may be more harm than help for some questions. Note: unless otherwise stated on the test, you should assume that: 1. Figures accompanying questions are not drawn to scale. 2. Geometric figures exist in a plane. 3. When given in a question, “line” refers to a straight line. 4. When given in a question, “average” refers to the arithmetic mean.” Problem Types There are two types of math problems on the ACT, Basic Problems and Word Problems. Basic problems are written out in mathematical symbols and equations and are self-explanatory. Word problems are written in words and sentences. In order to solve word problems you have to be able to translate them into mathematical formulas. Subjects The content of the problems in the Math section is taken from the following subjects: Pre-Algebra Elementary Algebra Intermediate Algebra Coordinate Geometry Plane Geometry Trigonometry Note that AP subjects like calculus and statistics are not included. Just because you have taken more advanced math classes doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have an edge on this part of the exam over someone who hasn’t. Dane Dormio is an online tutor and blogger with an unconventional approach to education. Visit his tutoring blog at www.synergy-tutoring.com. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

How to craft a strong resume and cover letter to teach abroad

How to craft a strong resume and cover letter to teach abroad As you already know, creating a positive first impression is key to landing any job, and nabbing a coveted position to teach abroad is no different. However, if you’ve never applied to an international school before, you may have no clue how to impress a potential employer and increase your chances of nabbing a job offer. No worries, we’ve got the inside scoop. Follow the tips below to maximize your odds of landing a teaching job abroadâ€"and start a thrilling new chapter in your life! Let’s start with the resume Let’s start off with learning how to draft an unbeatable resume. We recommend writing your resume first because it’s essentially the blueprint for your cover letter, as it features relevant work experience, skills, and education. If you try to write your cover letter first, you’re bound to forget some key details! Now, it’s important to clarify that the ideal teaching resume isn’t a resume at all. Rather, it’s a curriculum vitae (or CV), named after the Latin phrase that means “the course of one's life”. A CV is longer than your standard resume and it contains a greater level of detail. This distinction is important because newbie teachers often lack traditional teaching experience. Writing a CV, instead of a resume, allows you to expand on the reasons why you would be an exceptional teacher, such as academic honors, volunteer experience, and language skills. Basic Information In the United States or Canada, you would never disclose your gender or marital status on a CV. However, other countries don’t necessarily have the same privacy laws or customs as North America, so be prepared to get personal on your teaching CV. Also, factors such as your age, are important in determining whether you would qualify for a work visa so it’s understandable that schools will need to know this information upfront. Information you may need to disclose on your CV will vary from country to country, but it could include: Age Gender Citizenship and nationality Marital status Any valid work or residency visas Photo Certain countries, especially in Asia, are keen to see what their future teachers look like. So, including a headshot-style photo on your CV is a great way to get your application noticed. It’s best to have your photo taken professionally. However, if funds are tight, a friend with a good quality camera will suffice. Education Put your TEFL certification first in the “education” section on your CV. Write down the accredited institution that awarded your certificate and how many hours it took to complete. Next, include your education information, starting with your most recent school. Most international schools require teachers to hold a Bachelor’s degree, so make sure that your education information is clearly noted. Work Experience Let’s get into the meat of your CV: your career experience. Start with your most recent position and list your current and past jobs, while clearly stating the employment dates, each company’s name, and its location. Don’t hesitate to include volunteer positions and less formal workâ€"like working as a babysitter, au pair, or camp counselorâ€"especially if you’re in your early 20s and new to the working world. Any experience you have working with children counts! Go into detail about your responsibilities, along with any accolades you may have earned, with your prospective employer in mind. Shine a spotlight on any information related to teaching, childcare, mentoring, or even working in an international milieu. These details could give you an edge over the competition. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Skills, awards, and extracurriculars To further enhance your CV, consider adding separate sections for “skills”, “awards”, and “extracurricular activities”. Prospective employers, for instance, want to know if you speak any foreign languages, if you mentor children or volunteer with non-profit organizations, or if your academic or personal accomplishments have been awarded. Any additional information that demonstrates that you are an independent, well-rounded candidate is applicable here. After all, besides having teaching chops, you must be able to navigate the potential obstacles that arise when you uproot your life to move abroad. Show them how ready you are! Your next step is writing the cover letter Now that your resume is ready to impress, let’s tackle your cover letter. The following list includes certain topics and information that you should address: Lead with the position you’re applying for. In the first sentence of your cover letter, you should clearly state which teaching job you want to be considered for. Don’t make the hiring managerâ€"or your future boss!â€"hunt around for it. Ditch the “Dear Sir/Madam” opening. Never assume gender when you’re writing a cover letter. If you can’t find who to address it to, simply start with “Dear Hiring Manager” and go from there. Keep it brief. If your cover letter doesn’t fit on one page, you need to do some editing. A single page is enough space to include everything you need to say. Make it personal. Don’t write a generic cover letter with the intention of submitting it to multiple international schools. Recycling a cover letter may speed up the application process, but it won’t give a potential employer the impression you’re enthusiastic about their school or that you have anything special to offer them. Don’t get flowery. Keep in mind that the person reading your cover letter may not be a native speaker of English. So, aim to express yourself in clear, concise language. Highlight your relevant experience. Ask yourself, “Why am I the ideal candidate to teach at this school?” Lead with your teaching experience, followed by your knowledge of other countries, such as whether you’ve traveled or lived abroad. Then, discuss your interest in teaching and how their particular school could benefit from hiring you. Make them a pitch they can’t turn down! State your English proficiency. Be sure to include in your cover letter whether you’re a native English speaker or non-native one. Some schools also like to know what accent you have (for example, British vs. North American). Disclose your availability. Let your prospective employer know when you would be available to begin working. For instance, if you’re finishing up your Bachelor’s degree and won’t be done exams until May, make those dates clear. Putting on the final touches At this point, your CV and resume should look polished and professional. Follow these three final steps before you click the submit button: Check for spelling errors. Carefully edit your cover letter and CV yourself with the help of a spellcheck program. Afterward, ask a trusted friend to read over your application for errors. Skip the unusual fonts. If you’ve typed up your application in a non-traditional font, do yourself a favor by pressing CTRL+A and switching to a professional typeface like Arial or even Times New Roman. Trust us, it makes a difference. See how your application looks IRL. To ensure your formatting is A-OK, print out your resume and cover letter before applying. Having a hard copy of your application gives you a clear idea of how it will appear to a potential employer. After all, even if you’re submitting online, the school abroad will likely print out the applications to review them. On a closing note, happy job hunting! With the help of this guide, we hope you’ll soon be embarking on the life-changing adventure of teaching abroad.