Looking For a Spring VacuCU Program?

Looking For a Spring VacuCU Program?If you are considering enrolling yourself in a tutoring program, then you should first understand the different methods of tutoring used by universities, colleges and schools. There are many different approaches to teaching students. What is really important is that a person who is tutoring their child learns what exactly he or she is doing wrong and why. It is a learning experience which is beneficial for both the tutors and the student.Since there are many schools and educational institutions, the procedures of tutoring vary from school to school. You should first determine the nature of the tutoring you will be doing before enrolling yourself in a program. You must also consider the level of proficiency of the students, as well as the type of subject taught, if you are planning to study a particular subject.If you are looking for a tutoring program, then you should first determine if you will be tutoring your child at home or at a private tutor. The most common method is a tutor in your home, however this is only possible if you are able to secure the services of a professional tutor for your child at home.This is because, depending on your parents' budget, you might be unable to pay for private tutors for your child. In this case, private tutors can be hired to tutor your child. However, some parents may not wish to have a tutor in their home and this will depend on the cost of tutoring at home.If you plan to tutor your child at home, then you need to first find out if a tutor can tutor the students who are under your tuition. Once you have found the right tutor, you need to sign a contract stating that you have agreed to tutor the students in your own house. If there are enough students, you will be able to determine the tutor fees.Some parents may only hire a private tutor when they are tutoring for two children, which means you need to hire two tutors. In this case, the tutor fees for two tutors are charged separately. In the first year of the school year, you will be charged with monthly fees and you will be charged with a single rate throughout the entire school year. Then, once you have completed one year of schooling, you will have a set fee which you will be charged with each year you complete education.

Mid-Year Report Card - Identifying Issues with Study Skills

Mid-Year Report Card - Identifying Issues with Study Skills Evaluating Your Childs Mid-Year Report Card Holiday break is behind us and its a brand new yearwhich also means those mid-year report cards are just around the corner. Many students and parents dread report cards, but they shouldnt, says Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center. A childs report card contains lots of useful information about his or her skill proficiency, academic development, and strengths and weaknesses. Using that knowledge, parents can help their child overcome school problems and be the best student possible. Huntington offers parents a few tips to address different report card scenarios: Issue: My childs report card says he needs to work on study skills. If your child struggles to get focused at homework time (or during class), is overly disorganized or has trouble prioritizing and managing his or her time, talk with him or her about what might help. Try a planner or notebook to record and check off homework assignments and other obligations. Make organization a part of the homework routinesetting up, keeping the desk neat and filing away graded homework. Ask your child what study strategies seem to work for him or her besta quiet room? Taking an after-school break before diving into homework? Issue: My childs grades do not reflect her efforts. If your child spends a lot of time on homework but his or her grades are still suffering, there may be other issues at play. He or she may be missing basic skills or may not understand the concepts covered in class (and struggles to tackle them at home). Visit with your childs teacher to get an approximate idea of how much time should be spent on homework each evening and how you can best support your child. Issue: My childs grades were mostly fine, but he received a failing grade in one subject. It is common for children to do better in certain subjects than others, but a failing grade in any subject is a red flag that your child may not be comprehending class material, completing assignments or putting forth the effort required. Schedule a meeting with the teacher to discuss the reasons behind the low mark and get ideas to help your child bring up the grade by the end of the year. Issue: My childs report card is full of bad grades and she doesnt seem to care. Your child may care more than you think. Many children who struggle in school have low self-esteem and assume their parents are disappointed in them. They stop trying because they would rather get a low grade than experience continued frustration. Resist the urge to punish your child for failing and instead let him or her know that you want to help. Communicate openly about what your child thinks will help him or her improve. Involve your child in the plan of action to encourage him or her to take ownership and responsibility. Theres a lot to be learned from your childs report card, but Huntington reminds parents to keep it in perspective. Report cards and the grades they contain certainly do not measure how smart your child is or the likelihood of his or her success in life, so dont panic if your childs report card indicates that he or she needs help, says Huntington. Investigate these issues with your childs teacher and together, you can help your child raise his or her self-esteem, do better in school and be a happier person overall. About Huntington Learning Center Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.

Newsletter January Start the 2013 School Season with TutorZ.com

Newsletter January Start the 2013 School Season with TutorZ.com TutorZ.com is a nationwide network of tutors. We offer a fast and easy way to find quality tutors at affordable prices. An amazing time of the Christmas and the New Year celebrations has passed by and the new study season is inevitably coming up. Each year, during these days, students and parents face with the frustrating reality of back-to-school chaos. It is quite difficult to switch from an easy and delightful festive lifestyle to an organized and busy school rhythm. However, there is no better time to gather the willpower and to direct the efforts to study in order to be in the best shape for finals which are only several months away now. Click here for some tips which may help to make the transition to the study mode less stressful. Find me a tutor Featured Tutors Shefali   New Hyde Park, NY Teaches: Chemistry,  Biology,  Algebra,  History,  Sociology, English,  Creative Writing, GED,  CLEP,  Geography, Meteorology,  Drawing I work in the field of education and my belief is that anyone who wants help deserves help and with patience, effort, and dedication, he or she can achieve his or her goals. Dr. Jenny Williams   Bremerton, WA Teaches: Elementary, Reading, Math, Algebra, Chinese, ESL, Biology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Psychology, Piano, Flute, Voice Jenny moved to San Diego in December of 2005, and currently works as a tutor, respite worker and volunteers as emergency crisis/incident counselor for the city. Prof. BAM Brentwood, NY Teaches: Math, Science, English, Creative Writing, History, Geography, Physics, Computer Programming, Software Engineering, Web Page, Design, Communication Skills I focus on understanding of concepts and developing the students ability to solve problems rather than tedious drill and memorization. Jared La Junta, CO Teaches: Elementary, Study Skills, English, Spelling, Writing, Science, Biology, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, GED, Term Paper Our mission as a personal tutors is to not only teach the subjects needed but help build a student that knows how to learn. Read with TutorZ Best Articles from our Blog We invite tutors, parents and students to enjoy our articles on some interesting education-related topics: No Pain, No Math! How to Overcome Math Anxiety?    Math is a difficult discipline and many students are struggling while studying it. However, the recent researches revealed even more stressful evidence, for people with high levels of math-anxiety, the fear of solving math tasks activates brain regions which are responsible for pain perception. What can educators and parents do to release students from this pain? The Kid with a Kid Goes to College  Story of a 40 year old single dad: I became a single parent in my 40s. I would have to say it was the hardest and loneliest thing I’ve ever done. My daughter was ten when she moved in with me and we really didn’t know each other very well. Her mother and I split up when she was three. There was a long road of work ahead for us. But I am grateful for it now. We wish  all tutors and students a successful start of the 2013 school season! Stay with TutorZ.com and keep us in mind for your tutoring needs. Sincerely, The Tutorz.com Team Email: contact@tutorz.com Phone: (805) 288-7338

9 Killer Tips for Learning Two Languages at Once

9 Killer Tips for Learning Two Languages at Once Do you  like living life on the edge?Are you  a person of extremes?Do you do  everything at 200%?Then I bet youre  learning two languages at once, arent you?For those of you whose appetites for language learning are so voracious that one language at a time simply isnt enough to keep you satisfied, or those of you just looking to add some spice to your language learning, here are nine tips to help you get started learning two languages at onceâ€"without having your brain explode. Why Learn Two Languages at Once?Some people might suggest that you would only ever want to learn two languages at once if you have a healthy streak of masochism in you. There is a grain of truth to this: If you approach learning two languages simultaneously the same way youd approach learning a single language, you are asking for trouble (remember, the worst case scenario here is that your brain explodesâ€"not a pretty outcome).However, if you begin with a game plan that takes advantage of the fact that you re learning two languages at the same time, you will not only prove the skeptics wrong but actually find that learning two languages at once is a uniquely rewarding experience.Learning two languages at once stretches your mind in a totally new way. Having to frequently switch back and forth between new languages keeps you alert and ultimately provokes you to be more proactive in the way you approach learning languages and organizing your time. And meeting the challenge of learning two languages at once head on isnt just exhilarating in and of itselfâ€"it hones your language learning skills in a way that will make learning future languages faster and easier.If theres one thing that sets successful language learners apart, its knowing that language learning is a skill that can be developed. And nothing makes you a better language learner than tackling two languages at the same time. If learning a language makes you better at everything down the road by making you a more flexible think er, learning two languages at once makes you doubly better at everything by making your brain downright elastic.So the challenge of learning two languages simultaneously is a double-edged sword. If you wade haphazardly into two-at-a-time language learning, you may find yourself throwing in the towel before too long. But if you tweak your language learning strategies by using some of the tips presented here and commit yourself fully to doubling down on language learning, youll find that youre capable of things you never thought possible.9 Killer Tips for  Learning Two Languages at Once1. Learn Languages That Are DifferentOn the surface, learning two similar languages at the same time might seem like a good idea. After all, if two languages share a lot of vocabulary and structure, isnt learning both languages at once sort of just like learning one language?The truth, though, is that it is never, ever, ever a good idea to study two mutually intelligible (or even moderately similar) lan guages at the same time unless your life depends on itâ€"and even then, you may want to take a good look at your options. When learning two languages simultaneously, the first order of the day is to do everything you can to minimize what Ill call the confusion factorâ€"the chance of getting words and grammar from the two languages mixed up.This is your mantra when learning two languages side by side: minimize the confusion factor. Most of the tips here are essentially ways to minimize the confusion factor. And learning two languages that resemble each other at once ensures that confusion is all but inevitable. Learning two highly similar languages at the same time is like dating identical twins at the same time. Its just not a good idea.So if youre already learning Spanish, put the Italian on hold and go for the Finnish. Or if the two languages youre learning use different scripts, all the better. Spanish and Chinese are a great combinationâ€"they have absolutely nothing in common, and if you learn them as an English speaker, youll have the worlds three most common languages at the tip of your fingers (but hopefully not the tip of your tongue).For the same reason, learning two “easy” Romance languages at the same time generally isnt as clever a plan as it sounds. If you go the route of learning Spanish and Portuguese together, you might find that your language learning more closely follows the five stages of grief than the ten stages of Spanish grammar learning.But if you opt for two languages that have little in common, youll paradoxically be gaining a broader perspective and making your life easier at the same time.2. Pair More and Less Familiar LanguagesOne way to simplify the process of learning two languages at once is by choosing one more familiar and one less familiar language to learn. If you already speak some Italian, for example, French and Russian might go well together.The idea here is that much of the structure of Italian and some of the voca bulary will transfer over to French, so youll be learning Russian from scratch and learning another Romance language rather than learning two languages from scratch. Notice that this approach is different than learning Italian and French at the same time since it involves building off of a language youve already internalized. It also helps minimize the confusion factor since the two languages youre learning become “the one like Italian” and “the weird one” rather than just two unknowns.If you dont know any languages other than English and youre choosing to study two languages simultaneously as your first go at language learningâ€"you daredevil, youâ€"there is a variation on this technique that involves learning one language thats easier for English speakers to pick up and one thats generally harder. Like Dutch and Korean, for example.Check out this infographic to get a sense of the easiest and hardest languages for English speakers so you know what youre getting into.3. Choo se a Priority LanguageIf you still arent sure about taking the leap and going for two languages at once, you can set a “priority” language. That way, you can shoot for two languages at once but know youll at least come away with one new language under your multilingual belt.Even if youre absolutely sure that youre in it for two languages, setting a priority language is an effective way of minimizing the confusion factorâ€"just like its easier to eat one entree and one dessert, youll find your appetite for language learning expands when you have one “priority” and one “side” language on the table. And progressing more quickly at one of the two languages youre working on will help stave off the feeling of running in place that can occasionally creep up on two-at-a-time language learners.4. Plan How Much Time to Spend on Each LanguageLearning two languages at once is an exercise in time management. Its a tightrope act that only works if you do some planning in advance.The f irst step is to accept that if youre taking on two languages at once, youre in for a bigger learning curve than you would be if you were targeting a single language. Things will just take longer. Although learning a second language is definitely easier than learning a first language, learning two languages at a time really can be twice as hard as learning one.If you have a need for speed, two languages may not be the way to go. But if your goal is to challenge yourself and expand your horizons, its best to preface your double shot of language learning with a healthy dose of patience so you can be prepared for and power through the times that seem like slow going.Once youre ready for the different pace that two-in-one language learning entails, its also more than worth it to plan out exactly how youre going to divide your time between the two languages youre tackling. If you can write out a daily schedule, all the better. And make sure youre getting in regular practice on both langua ges. If you do one language for a week, then do the other language the next week, and so on, youll likely find yourself in a one-step-forward-one-step-back dance that ends exactly where you started!Planning ahead can be mixed and matched with the two techniques mentioned aboveâ€"pairing more/less familiar languages and choosing a priority languageâ€"in different ways. For instance, if youre aiming for Dutch and Korean, you might set Korean as your priority language and spend 85% of your time on Korean, leaving Dutch as the cherry on top of your language learning.Or you might opt for a more balanced approach by dividing your time 55%/45% between Dutch and Korean respectively and progressing more quickly with Dutch. However you decide to do it, youll want to (1) make sure you arent just winging your tightrope walk day-to-day and (2) have a solid idea of what your goals are and where exactly you want the tightrope walk to be taking you anyway.5. Give the Two Languages Separate Identiti esA big part of minimizing the confusion factor essentially boils down to giving the two languages youre learning strong, clear identities in your mind. In the end, perhaps the best way to do this is through immersionâ€"the more you use a given language in real-life situations, the more you internalize it as something with an identity unto itself. Putting the languages youre learning to practical use will do wonders for helping you keep them distinct.One way to immerse yourself online is with  FluentU, an immersive language learning platform.  FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.You can also try color coding your language learning materials to reinforce the separate identities of the two languages. For instance, if youre learning Spanish and Chinese, try making all your Spanish flashcards red and all your Chinese flashcards blue. Then, optionally, remind yourself ev ery day:Spanish is red, Chinese is blue, I will learn both, If its the last thing I do!6. Practice Both Languages at Once by Translating Between ThemOne of the best reasons to study two languages at the same time is that doing so opens up new, more efficient learning strategies. When you learn one language at a time, you run the risk of relating everything back to your native language and making the language youre already fluent in your permanent point of reference, so the new language becomes an “extension” of the language youre familiar with rather than something you internalize on a deep, intuitive level.But when youre learning two languages at the same time, you can practice translation by cutting out the middleman of English: Simply translate between the two new languages youre learning! Besides giving you a chance to work on both languages at once, this exercise helps get you “thinking” in the languages youre learning rather than constantly returning to your habitual l anguage.You can even up the ante by translating across different languages and linguistic mediums. If youre learning Spanish and Chinese, for example, try writing a passage in Spanish and then verbally translating it into Chinese. Of course, this is a bit like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time, but the difference is that youll learn a lot and probably have more fun.7. Mix Up Your Flashcards to Learn Both Languages SimultaneouslyHeres another way to mix things up (literally) with some multilingual multitasking. If you like your language learning with a large side of flashcards, take some of your flashcards for both languages and mix them together so youre quizzing yourself on both languages at once. Besides letting you practice the two languages simultaneously, this technique gets your brain quickly switching back and forth between the different languages youre learning, a skill that will make you a more effective two-in-one language learner.Now, if youre th e skeptical type, you might be thinking: But didnt you say its important to minimize the confusion factor and keep the two languages separate? So arent exercises like mixing up flashcards and translating between the two languages bad ideas?Well, I submit to you that although its important to pick two very different languages to avoid confusion, going back and forth quickly between the two languages youve picked paradoxically helps you keep them separate. Practicing switching from one language to the other at the drop of a dime will help you build the flexibility necessary for keeping the two languages separate and alternating back and forth without getting overwhelmed.8. Try Learning the Same Topics in Both Languages at the Same TimeSince youre probably already planning your two-in-one language learning schedule out in advance (if youre not, dont say I didnt warn you!), experiment with taking things a step further and actually plan to do some of the same topics in both languages at once.Why go to the trouble of doing this? The answer comes from a psychological effect known as “priming.” Priming has to do with how the things you think about now affect the things you will think about in the future. For example, if I were to say the word “cat” and then ask you to immediately list ten words that come to mind, its more likely that “dog” would be one of those words than “potato”â€"youve been “primed” to think about things related to cats.Similarly, if you learn the word for “cat” in Spanish and then go to learn the same word in Chinese, youll find that you already have cats on the brain, so the word in Chinese “sticks” in your memory more easily. Going from Spanish “cat” to Chinese “potato,” on the other hand, requires a bit more overhead because you have to shut down the little part of your brain that thinks about cats and fire up the section of your brain that deals with potatoes. Switching from Spanish “cat” to Chinese “d og” is less work, since dogs are associated with cats.On the other hand, if you really want to learn Spanish “cat” and Chinese “potato” at the same time, just make the two words more closely associated in your mind by taking a look at this picture (or this or this)â€"youll never again be able to think of cats without also thinking of potatoes!9. Be AdaptableRemember that ultimately, only you can judge how well your learning strategies are working for you. Take note of how things are going (a journal is a great way to do this) and adjust your language learning roadmap accordingly. The more adaptable you are, the easier it is to learn languagesâ€"and, happily, the more you learn languages, the more adaptable you get! This is, well, doubly true when youre learning two languages at once.Maybe the most exciting aspect of learning two languages at the same time is being on the cutting edge of language learning. People have often shied away from doubling down on language learning because, approaching two-in-one language learning the same way theyd approach one-at-a-time language learning. They come to the conclusion that the challenges of studying two languages at once outweigh the benefits. As a result, there is less information out there on learning two languages at the same time, simply because fewer people have done itâ€"which means you are in an excellent position to discover interesting new language learning techniques along the way.So take the tips listed here, go for it, and let us know if you find any cool new tricks while youre at it! And One More ThingIf youre digging these strategies, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has intera ctive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.

Friday Is That You

Friday Is That You Friday, November 20th? Is that you? Today, November 20th, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 hits theaters  around the world. I cannot wait for the weekend as I have booked tickets! I am so excited and just cannot hide it! And  though Im not ready for the endI really want to know how it all ends. For those who are  struggling with the current curriculum and homework. You might need some extra tuition. Let our professional tutors  help you  with your homework, class projects and test preparation. Have a wonderful  weekend!

Good News on Chemistry

Good News on ChemistryThere are many reasons for good news on Chemistry. If you find this article on Chemistry interesting, then you should have a look at some of the news on Chemistry today. To do this, I'm going to take a short tour through what's happening.First of all, I'll just give you the great news about the college level. Most universities now offer an online course called Chemistry for Engineering. This course is designed to give students an introduction to Chemistry, and the discipline in general.The best part about this course is that it offers more than just a basic education. The course is very interactive and makes the student involved in almost every aspect of the course. This is what makes it so interesting. Many students will take the course simply because they love chemistry.You can't miss out on the course, even if you're not studying for it. In fact, many colleges offer Chemistry for Engineering courses online for free. This can be great, because it gives student s the chance to get an education without having to spend money.Another news on Chemistry that's happening is the new course called Chemistry for Science. This course gives students a comprehensive view of the subject and is intended to prepare them for their university degree. This course is especially designed for the different chemistry students that want to achieve their degrees in other subjects, but want to get a solid grounding in Chemistry as well.It's a good thing that there are many information sources to help people like you with your education. The web has a lot of information on various subjects, and there are plenty of free resources to help you learn the subject. Don't be afraid to use the internet to learn more about your subject.That's the good news on Chemistry. You now know that there are a lot of things happening for Chemists in the present, but I hope this has given you an idea of some of the important developments that are taking place.

Chemistry Faculty, The Bond With Our Students

Chemistry Faculty, The Bond With Our StudentsEvery member of the Cal Poly Chemistry faculty is an integral part of what we do. We all have a common goal - to bring educational opportunities to young people that can make a difference in their lives. We share a vision that our profession is one that the world will use as a guide.Our faculty members are just as committed as you are, and we strive to be recognized by the University. We are a valued part of the Cal Poly community and we appreciate your continued support.Each and every one of us has a unique role in Cal's Chemistry and Biochemistry department. It is because of the contribution of our faculty members that we are able to offer cutting-edge degree programs.Our faculty members come from a wide variety of backgrounds and have varying life experiences. They all share a common commitment to helping students to reach their academic and personal goals.We must continue to develop and teach life-long skills that are essential to a st udent education. These skills include leadership, goal setting, communication, organization, teaching and more. Many of these skills are ingrained in our faculty as they begin their teaching careers.Our mission statement is a guiding light for the faculty. It states that our goal is to create an environment where students feel comfortable, like they belong, and are proud to graduate with their bachelors or masters degree. Our department is an example of how education can benefit the world.When you take the time to listen to and read the mission statement, you will find that the faculty members we serve make our work even more valuable. You can help make our experience the most meaningful and fulfilling. It is an opportunity to enrich your own life, and for many we serve as an inspiration to pursue a life of leadership and service.