Excel Tutoring Troy - Easy Tips to Create Excel Tutoring Success

Excel Tutoring Troy - Easy Tips to Create Excel Tutoring SuccessWhile tutoring students with excel is not as simple as it used to be, there are some simple steps that can be taken to make sure that the learning experience is fruitful. These steps are easy to follow and can provide effective results.For the most part, students are taught the basics of excel in the basic level. As they become more advanced in their understanding of the program, tutors need to step in. When students are taught in the basic level, it's possible to cover areas of your students' interests. Once these areas are covered, you can take a different course and more advanced instructions.It's important that you select the right students for the tutor so that you get the best out of your investment. When you tutor students with excel, you need to be sure that you choose those students who are ready to put in the extra effort and attention that are required.As soon as you have decided on the basic level and who you want to tutor, it's time to begin the lesson plan. You need to find a few areas of emphasis that will create interest in your students.For example, if you're tutoring high school students, you may want to focus on vocabulary. For college students, it may be important to teach methods of scientific inquiry. While you are finding the areas that are appropriate for your students, make sure that you spend time reviewing the lessons to make sure that they are working well.As soon as your students start showing interest in what you're teaching, it's time to start incorporating a topic of interest in their learning. This means that you don't stop until you finish all of your lesson plans. This can lead to a learning curve that's too steep for many students.Since you want your students to learn, it's important that you give them tips on how to learn. By focusing on the same subjects or areas as your students do, you can make the lesson easier. This can be accomplished by providing students with different resources that they can use to reinforce the things that they've learned.

Learn to Tango Dance as a Couple

Learn to Tango Dance as a Couple Learn More about Argentine Tango for Lovers ChaptersArgentine Tango: The HistoryTango: ImprovisationHow Can You Learn the Tango as a Couple?Why Learn to Dance the Tango as a Couple?“Tango is a sad thought that is danced.” - Enrique Santos DiscépoloThere are a number of American and Canadian studies detailing the therapeutic benefits of tango for those with Parkinson’s disease. This is because Tango promotes balance, stability, and a good posture. Of course, the tango, like many other styles of dance, comes with mental and physical benefits.Tango is famous all over the world and a great way for couples to do something together. Both sensual and musical, a dancer of any level can learn to do the tango.In this article, we’ll look at the history of tango, tango classes, and everything else you need to learn about Argentine tango dance classes near me. SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5. 00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsArgentine Tango: The HistoryYou can’t talk about tango without talking about Argentina, the place where both tango dancers and tango music originated from. In fact, you could argue that this type of Latin dance is one of the most famous Argentinian exports!There are a number of socio-economic reasons for tango dancing. At the end of the 19th century, Argentina freed its slaves.At the same time, immigrants from Italy, France, Spain, and Germany made their way to the country. These immigrants spurred on Argentina’s economic growth and the capital, Buenos Aires, was hom e to many immigrant communities.At the time, habanera and guajira were the most popular styles of music. These styles were inspired by both Latin American and African musical styles.The inhabitants of Buenos Aires weren’t always housed in the best of conditions. The poorest immigrants lived in dilapidated buildings with former slaves in La Boca neighbourhood, near the port.Argentina is the birthplace of both tango music and tango dancing. (Source: werner22brigitte)The blend of musical styles led to the creation of “La Milonga” in La Boca. This would later be known as tango. At the time, it was mainly men who danced since there weren’t that many women around to embrace these new dance styles on the dance floor.Men developed various steps and would dance with each other or with prostitutes, which certainly didn’t help the discipline’s reputation.At the start of the 20th century, a few songs made their way as far as Paris. Oddly, they were via word-of-mouth rather than writ ten music. “Lunfardo”, a special language, was created.  Many of the words are still used in the Argentine capital today.Tango gained a reputation in Paris and was popular amongst some of the bourgeois. Its success in the French capital helped the discipline to become more respected.Instruments such as the violin, piano, and the bandoneon were added to pieces that usually included just guitars and drums. The main themes covered included the melancholy and sadness of the European immigrants who’d travelled to Argentina to start their new lives.The discipline changed over time. However, today it’s mainly known as a discipline for couples given its sensual nature rather than for its origins in urban neighbourhoods.Discover also the history of the Viennese Waltz!Tango: ImprovisationArgentine tango is often seen as a difficult discipline.  This is because there’s a lot of improvisation unlike styles like salsa, pasodoble, rhumba, the waltz, etc.If you take lessons in Buenos Air es, you’ll probably be surprised how often the teacher will let you just do your own thing. You just need to know the basic steps and then let yourself be guided.  Of course, this is only true for women as the men have to lead their partner.That said, it isn’t easy for women as they have to be able to perform some incredible footwork.  In the milongas, where tango is performed, you’ll learn to improvise as early as your first lesson.Originally, it was just the men who danced the tango. (Source: werner22brigitte)Traditionally, the men ask the women to dance. A man needs to catch a woman’s gaze. This whole procedure is done without uttering a word. Of course, this isn’t always the case but most Milongas around the world will respect this process.Once on the dancefloor, the couple get into position. The woman will put her weight on the man’s shoulder, who will act as the counterweight. The man leads the woman by lightly pushing or moving towards her.All these gestures are l ight and discreet, making tango technique very difficult to understand for those watching.So how do you know what you should be doing?There are a few basic steps that both the man and the woman need to remember. Once you’ve learnt these, each person needs to decide where and when to use them.  That’s why tango requires a lot of chemistry between partners as well as a good understanding of the music.Sometimes, you have to improvise. This is when the woman can express herself by caressing her leg against her partner, for example. The music plays a huge role in terms of rhythm and the steps you’ll do. You need to listen out for pauses, etc.Did you know that the Argentine Tango is considered one of the most sensual couples dances?  How Can You Learn the Tango as a Couple?The best way to learn the tango is to practice.  The same is true for styles like dancehall, salsa, Merengue, Bachata, rumba, swing, Zumba, Kizomba, mambo, tap, Oriental, rock ‘n’ roll, flamenco, modern Jazz, ballet, etc., but especially for disciplines where you dance as a couple.Don’t hesitate to dance with someone who’s better than you.  By dancing with a partner who’s better than you, you’ll learn a lot. Especially if you let them guide you. Don’t be scared of making mistakes, either. Tango is all about improvisation and most people won’t even notice if you make a mistake.Footwork is absolutely key when dancing the tango. (Source: Bernard-Verougstraete)If you start learning the tango as a couple and both of you are beginners, you’ll probably not learn as quickly if you stick together in your classes.  It’s probably better for each of you to learn the basics apart and then move ahead together.Discover more tips for learning couples' dancing!  So where can you find couples’ tango lessons?You can always visit a dance school, academy, or studio for courses, group lessons, private tutorials, weekly classes, intensive classes, etc. You can enrol at the start of the year b ut if you’ve missed the deadline, you’ll have to probably wait an entire year. You can also get private tutorials. This can be useful for couples with complicated timetables or schedules.  Additionally, you won’t have to loan your partner to another dancer. A private tutor can guide you both.You can also learn to dance in the comfort of your own home. There are online tutorials, DVDs, and books on tango. This can be more practical and affordable but you have to make sure that you’re paying particular attention as there’ll be no one there to correct you if you get it wrong.It’s a good idea to attend tango nights in milongas. Just like salsa evenings, there are often free tango lessons at the start of the evening.  This could be your chance to practise what you’ve learnt on the dancefloor.Why not head to Argentina?Of course, you’ll have to save up. However, it’s a great way to learn more about Argentine culture, tango, its history, and try a few empanadas.  Tango cla sses, tutorials, or evenings are a great way to learn how to dance the tango.Why Learn to Dance the Tango as a Couple?Why should you learn to dance the tango with your partner rather than on your own?Organising dance classes london for two people can sometimes be difficult. You need to find a time when both of you are free.You have to listen to your partner when you dance the tango. (Source: fsHH)However, there are plenty of benefits to learning the tango as a couple as it can bring couples closer together. The tango requires couples to communicate without saying a word. It’s all about your body language and both partners need to be on the same wavelength to get it right.  This is why each dancer tends to have a partner that they prefer dancing with.The two partners learn to listen to each other and communicate through gestures, an exercise which is beneficial for any couple.  As a sensual dance, the tango can relight any couple’s fire. Both men and women have to dress nicely to tango. This means you can both wear your best outfits.Making the most of time together is great for couples.  So if you would like to become a student of dance, are an absolute beginner looking for an authentic Argentino tango class, or just looking for someone to teach you a bit of choreography, have a look at some of the private lessons available from the passionate tutors on Superprof!If you're getting married, why not consider learning the tango for your first dance to spice things up?Or you might want to learn more about couples' dancing in general...

Compreensão oral Um dos desafios de quem estuda Inglês

Compreensão oral Um dos desafios de quem estuda Inglês É inegável que uma das formas de ganhar mais à vontade com o Inglês é ouvir músicas nesse idioma. No entanto, como a sonoridade das palavras é maleável de acordo com o sotaque de cada artista e a licença poética permite que a pronúncia seja ligeiramente alterada, muitas pessoas acabam por entender tudo errado.Claro que, mesmo nós, enquanto nativos de Português, por vezes entendemos mal letras de músicas na nossa língua materna, sejam elas brasileiras, portuguesas, angolanas ou provenientes de qualquer outro país de língua portuguesa. Da mesma forma, pode ser difícil compreender as letras de músicas em Inglês, com tantos sotaques e estilos musicais que alteram a forma como as palavras são ditas.  Daí que o contato com vários sotaques seja fulcral para o avanço das capacidades de compreensão oral de qualquer estudante de idiomas, sendo que os estudantes de Inglês não têm como fugir disso se querem conseguir compreender falantes de origens diferentes.Com base nessa premissa de que, em certas ocasiões, os ouvintes entendem a letra de uma música de forma errada, vários vídeos foram criados e postados no Youtube para a diversão de milhões de pessoas. Usando um dos vídeos mais recentes de um  canal que produz esse tipo de entretenimento, quero falar um pouco sobre a importância de saber ouvir para poder compreender corretamente.  Vendo o vídeo Misheard Song Lyrics: 2012 Edition  cada um terá uma opinião diferente, não há como generalizar. Porém, se nos concentrarmos em ler ao mesmo tempo em que os artistas cantam, quase sempre será possível ser enganado pelas legendas e ter a sensação de que foi mesmo aquilo que o cantor disse.Para a imagem que ilustra este artigo, peguei no exemplo da música Payphone do Maroon 5, na qual ele diz If happy ever after did exist e excerto que quem fez o vídeo diz poder ser entendido como If happy after dead exit. Claro que isso depende de cada um, mas a ideia é essa. Cada indivíduo tem co ntato com determinados sotaques e formas de falar, quanto mais restrita for essa exposição, mais fácil será ouvir algo que não exatamente aquilo que está a ser dito.Exatamente por isso é importante lembrar que o contato com o idioma deve ser variado. Se você pretende ter proficiência em Inglês, não pode não pode mesmo restringir o seu contato com a língua apenas a falantes de um determinado país ou região. Se isso acontecer, a sua compreensão do idioma será muito limitada, fazendo com que você não consiga entender, por exemplo, uma pessoa que não é nativa ou até mesmo alguém que é do Sul dos Estados Unidos ou da Austrália, locais onde os sotaques diferem do que é comumente ouvido nos meios de comunicação.Por isso, se você pretende realmente apostar em conhecer o idioma, não se reprima ou restrinja. Entre em contato com diversos sotaques, tenha aulas de conversação com nativos de diferentes países anglófonos, escute músicas em Inglês de diferente s regiões do globo e, se tiver dúvidas, procure a letra da música online e acompanhe enquanto está ouvindo. Assim será mais fácil entender o que está a ser dito e aprender quais são as diferenças que deve ter em consideração para que a sua compreensão oral acompanhe o seu avanço enquanto estudante de Inglês.

Should you tutor your own family

Should you tutor your own family Super-tutor Mark Maclaine opens up discussion on the highly debated topic of whether tutoring should happen within the family. A few years ago I tried tutoring one of my cousins, and to say it was a failure would be a huge understatement. We’d always got on well but this normally well behaved 9-year old turned into a monster, and my usually calm demeanor disappeared into thin air. After two days it became clear that there was little possibility of him doing any work with me so I had to find another tutor. This tutor got on very well with my cousin; so well in fact that they were able to get through double the amount of work that we had in only half the time. I found myself somewhat deflated and slightly confused. Nothing like this had ever happened before. Seven years later, and in hindsight, I can see why it didn’t work. It is not unusual for people to find tutoring their own families difficult. In fact, this problem is remarkably common. I do know parents who have successfully home-schooled their own children, but I know far more who have failed miserably; even just helping with homework seemed to them like getting blood out of a stone. I spoke recently with performance coach Gary Leboff. He recounts that in his work “”the biggest mistake you can make as a parent is to care too much. You will end up putting too much pressure on your child.” He goes on to say, “from a coach’s point of view, you do need to care, but from a detached perspective.” I’ve heard a great number of ideas proposed for why it is so hard to work with your own family. Whatever the reason, I know first-hand how hard it can be. I’d like to open up the discussion on this post. Have you got any experiences of tutoring your own family or close friends? Please include both good and bad experiences, and tell us what has worked particularly well for you.

Pimsleur Review An Honest Look at the Classic Language Learning Program

Pimsleur Review An Honest Look at the Classic Language Learning Program Pimsleur Review: An Honest Look at the Classic Language Learning Program Sometimes you dont feel particularly adventurous.You just want to order the burger and fries, stay in your pajamas all day  or re-watch your favorite movie.Pimsleur is like that.People may tell you its not particularly exciting, but theres something comfortable about it, even if youve never used it before.This isnt to say that learning a language with Pimsleur couldnt be the start of a fantastic adventure.Frodo and Sam had to do some walking just to make their way out of the Shire, after all.In this post, well look at the Pimsleur program, including the logistics of using it, who can benefit from it and how to get started. Pimsleur Review: An Honest Look at the Classic Language Learning ProgramThis post includes affiliate links that will earn us a commission if you click on them and make a purchase (at no additional cost to you). All products and services are thoroughly tested. We provide an honest review based on our experience and not influenced by commissions.Pimsleur language p rograms, which are based on a method of language learning developed by scholar Paul Pimsleur, have been around for a long time. They havent changed much and people still buy them.You could attribute this to the Pimsleur name having gained ground back when there was less competition in the language learning market and having just stuck around, sure. However, while name recognition probably figures into why people are drawn to the product, Im inclined to think that Pimsleurs continued popularity has more to do with the fact that people often prefer a very straightforward learning method.People dont always want the latest technology for everything, at least not all the time. For example, I spend plenty of time watching videos on YouTube, but if I click on a news article and a video starts playing as soon as I navigate to the page, I go nope and back out as quickly as I can. Theres a time and a place for everything, and sometimes its nice to know exactly what to expect.Lets look at what you can expect with Pimsleur.The Pimsleur Program: What You Get and How It WorksFirst of all, Pimsleur has traditionally been one of the pricier language learning options that you can go for, but they sometimes run sales with fairly deep discounts on their website, and they now offer monthly plans that make their lessons more affordable.You can either purchase lessons by the level or in smaller increments on CD or MP3, with one level of 30 lessons priced at around $120 on MP3 and CDs costing around three times that amount (CD level sets come with a reading booklet).Alternatively, you can access all audio lessons for a particular language for around $15 per month  and Pimsleur Premium, with supplementary materials like flashcards, for around $20 per month. These options, which come with a seven-day free trial, make Pimsleur more accessible to people who dont have hundreds of dollars to spend on language learning in the near future, and they also make it so you dont actually have to buy the products.The exact options available vary somewhat by language, though, as do the number of levels available.Regardless of how you access Pimsleur lessons, heres what you get:30-minute audio lessons. Pimsleur programs are split up into audio segments of around 30 minutes that focus on basic speaking scenarios. While you can theoretically go through these lessons however quickly or slowly you want to, I would say from my own experience that it makes the most sense to do one per day and to try not to skip days if you can help it. Pimsleur recommends that you master around at least 80% of the material in a lesson before moving on to the next one, and you can repeat lessons if you feel you havent mastered them sufficiently.Speaking prompts. The lessons contain speaking prompts that instruct you to repeat after a native speaker to learn the pronunciation of a word or phrase, to repeat a phrase youve learned earlier in the lesson or to try to construct a new phrase by piecing toge ther vocabulary youve learned. This integrates Pimsleurs principle of anticipation, the idea that systematic prompting and reinforcement of certain knowledge hardwires that knowledge into your brain.Core vocabulary. Pimsleur focuses on basic vocabulary first, operating under the idea that overloading on vocabulary slows down the learning process. This means that the lessons contain a lot of repetition and are more geared towards teaching you how to effectively use a limited amount of language than teaching you more words.Spaced repetition. Spaced repetition is a widespread concept that has to do with learning information at intervals spaced further and further apart over a period of time to aid memorization. Pimsleurs version of this is called graduated interval recall and is built into their lessons. Essentially, theres consideration given to the vocabulary you learn in each lesson and how often that vocabulary is repeated in subsequent lessons.Now lets look at some advantages of u sing the programs. Before we get started, Id just like to say that the observations below are based on my own experience using Pimsleur to differing degrees for different languages over a number of years.Ive generally found Pimsleur to be useful, but I havent often used it as a primary means of study. Others, especially those who have used it exclusively over a longer period of time, may have had different experiences, but Ive tried to consider as many angles as possible.Advantages of PimsleurIts hands-free and convenient.This might be a big deal if you just dont have the time to sit down and use a program that requires your hands and full attention. This isnt to say that Pimsleur programs arent mentally demandingâ€"they require a certain level of concentration, and you cant go on autopilot.However, you can use them while doing mindless chores, walking, driving or lying on a couch with your eyes closed. I would add that all of these scenarios might not be possible for everyone and y ou should probably consider how easily distracted you are before driving with Pimsleur, for example. But that goes for just about any kind of audio program or entertainment, and the convenience of the program may be a huge selling point for some people.Of course, because of Pimsleurs heavy focus on speaking, you probably wouldnt want to use the programs on public transportation or anything like that unless you want to be really annoying.Youll learn practical language.Pimsleur lessons generally revolve around common travel situations and use basic phrases that can be put to multiple uses.Theyre completely conversation-based  in that a lesson will begin with a dialogue, which is then dissected to teach the vocabulary in it so that you can understand the exchange by the end of the lesson. This means that youre not going to waste time learning isolated vocabulary or language that you wouldnt be able to use in an actual conversation.It can aid in speaking confidence.Perhaps the biggest a dvantage to Pimsleurs particular audio lesson format is that you can put yourself in a situation where youre forced to speak without actually interacting with anyone. The prompts make your physical reactions to the language more automatic, which makes you feel more prepared to go to places where you might need to use the language.Using Pimsleur can also feel exciting because you realize that with some relatively gentle direction, youre actually putting together the pieces of the language on your own as you speak it out loud. The program is teaching you, but youre doing the actual work of integrating the language into your speech patterns yourself, and when you see this, it can be a huge confidence booster.While, overall, Pimsleur is probably best used consistently and over a longer period of time, I think that even using it inconsistently or over a shorter period of time can be helpful in this regard.It can aid in long-term memorization.If you use Pimsleur consistently, it will help with the retention of words and phrases, and the nice thing about this is that you dont have to do your own planning or strategizing for how to memorize things. You can just commit to a certain amount of time spent with the lessons, and youll see progress that will likely stick with you.According to a study done at Columbia University, Pimsleur programs show major strengths in promoting noticing, awareness and longer memory retention (italics mine).Possible Downsides of Pimsleur (and How to Offset Them)Like any program, Pimsleur comes with its downsides, but many of these arent so much reasons not to use the program as factors to be aware of and take into consideration. Overall, Pimsleur is limited in what it teaches and does, but it can still be a very useful part of your language learning.There isnt much variety of speech, and you may not always find the material thrilling.One of the biggest general criticisms of Pimsleur is that its boring. Many of the scenarios, while useful, a re rather dry and can tend towards overly-formal.What balances this out somewhat is the excitement of getting to speak and seeing your speech and understanding come together as you learn to navigate your way around the language. Considering how intense the speaking requirements of Pimsleur are, Im not sure that youd necessarily want the subject matter to be too fascinating, as this might prove distracting and intimidating.At the same time, I imagine there might be room for them to improve the product in the future.However, Pimsleur gives you practical tools to apply elsewhere, and theres nothing stopping you from doing so at any time.This is why I would recommend combining or following Pimsleur with authentic materials, like those found on FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.FluentU offers exciting content through a vast video library and uses learning features, lik e interactive subtitles, to reinforce the material. You can click on any word or phrase to find out more about it and see it used in other videos. You can also add content to customized vocabulary lists and flashcard sets for further practice. Sign up for a free trial to see the program in action for yourself!Pimsleur is like the glue that holds the main materials, the real substance, of a language together. While the scenarios in Pimsleurs lessons are practical, they arent necessarily realistic, but they give you a foundational understanding of the language that you can take to programs and resources that are more in-your-face with the language as its actually spoken.It might be anxiety-provoking for some!Foreign language anxiety is real, and Pimsleur will ignite some learners tendencies towards perfectionism. The anticipation of being quizzed on the material and the mental scramble to remember what youve learned can cause you to tense up and worry about getting everything right. T he program makes some strides towards discouraging a perfectionist attitudeâ€"for example, with their assertion that you only need to master 80% of the material before moving onâ€"but its still easy to feel discouraged if you havent mastered that 80%.One thing thats helped me immeasurably with using audio-prompt programs in general is learning shadowing. The general concept behind shadowing, which I dont think of as a language learning approach so much as a language learning skill, is that rather than listening to a speaker and repeating after them, you just start repeating immediately. Rather than overdoing your pronunciation, you simply lean into the speakers voice and let your voice be guided by theirs. This can help your speaking become more relaxed and automatic.Another solution to audio-prompt anxiety might be to do something with your hands while listening to a Pimsleur lesson. Washing dishes, crocheting, playing a predictable and largely visual game on your phone These activ ities can all keep you from focusing on your own speaking too intensely and help you respond to the prompts as if they, too, are a predictable and inconsequential game, which isnt so far from the truth.It doesnt teach you grammar explicitly.Pimsleur gives you a good foundation of practical grammar usage, but it doesnt generally explain actual grammar rules to you.Of course, counteracting this is simple: There are plenty of good foreign language textbooks  out there that you can use as a supplement to a resource like Pimsleur.Also, how much this factor really matters may depend on whether youve studied other languages before and, if so, which languages. Before writing this review, I tried out a Pimsleur lesson for Brazilian Portuguese, a language Ive only studied very minimally and wouldnt say I knew at all. There were some concepts introduced within this lesson that mightve prompted questions for me if I hadnt already learned French and studied other Romance languages. But because I had, I didnt feel that I needed to have the grammar explained to me.On the other hand, the one time I did try to use Pimsleur as a primary means of study, it was for Russian, a language fairly unrelated to others Id studied before. While I did feel that it helped me build a foundation and an understanding of some basic phrasesâ€"and maybe helped me get started on the language in a less intimidating wayâ€"I definitely felt that I needed to buy some books and get into the actual workings of Russian after that.Ultimately, theres no simple answer as to whether a program should incorporate grammar directly, and its fine to wait and see how you react to a no-grammar approach before considering a change or upgrade to your learning method.Vocabulary is limited.Along with there not being much variety in the type of speech you hear, the actual number of vocab words in Pimsleurs programs is limited, which, as weve already touched on, is something that Pimsleur does intentionally. I dont think this is necessarily a problem, particularly for complete beginners, as theres only so much language you can absorb at once anyway. But, not having a broader range of vocabulary will ultimately limit how far you can progress in a language.The lack of input in the Pimsleur programs, along with a lack of actual interaction, is one of the downsides brought up in the Columbia University study mentioned earlier.Again, authentic materials can be a good way to combat this issue. You can also greatly supplement your Pimsleur learning and improve the interaction element by practicing your speaking with exchange partners.Even if you dont have a regular partner, you can always use language exchange apps to get in some quick conversation practice.Who Benefits the Most from Pimsleur?So, taking the above into consideration, who should Pimsleur work best for?Busy people who don’t have time to devote specifically to learning.Pimsleur is undoubtedly a time-saver if you can do it while driving, doi ng chores or doing any kind of work that doesnt require a lot of brainpower. For that reason, it can be a great option for people who are looking for a serious language learning program that doesnt require them to stop everything in order to use it.Those who need a regular language routine they dont have to figure out themselves.While creative and self-directed language learning can be a lot of fun, it can also take up a lot of energy. Not everyone wants to spend time planning or messing around with different learning methods. This isnt to say that Pimsleur is necessarily an all-in-one solution, but its a way to start learning a language that requires little thought outside of the actual 30 minutes you spend doing each lesson.Learners who are blind, have low vision or want to limit visual learning for other reasons.Obviously, audio programs in general are going to be a better choice for people for whom visual learning isnt an option. But, a lot of audio programs are paired with text or other visuals. With Pimsleur, visual learning is optional, and the audio is truly self-contained and comprehensive, making it a genuinely good choice for people who need to do all or the majority of their learning through audio.Aside from those who arent able to learn visually at all, people who suffer from migraines or other conditions that limit sight temporarily or are exacerbated by too much visual strain might find Pimsleur helpful.Limiting visual learning can actually be a good move for a number of reasons, even if its not something that you strictly need to do. If youre a really dedicated language learner or if you have a job that requires a lot of time reading or spent in front of a screen, integrating audio into your daily routine, even just for a half-hour, can give you a much-needed break that might prevent headaches and stress and even help you think more clearly.People who need to learn language basics for travel in a short period of time.Again, every language learn ing program has something of a limited range, and Pimsleur most benefits those who want to pick up the basics of speaking a language quickly. Phrasebooks, textbooks, classroom learning and all-around programs meant for long-term use all come with their own advantages but might not give you the laser focus on mastering practical speaking in a short(ish) period of time that Pimsleur does.Pimsleur is a solid classic for a reason, and for many people, it may be the simplest, most obvious and most comfortable solution.And sometimes its okay to just go with what feels right.Elisabeth Cook is a freelance writer who enjoys pondering how to make language learning more relaxing. You can find her on Twitter (@CooksChicken).

Harvard Bound Kumon Dual Program Completer Gives Advice on College Admissions Process

Harvard Bound Kumon Dual Program Completer Gives Advice on College Admissions Process Harvard Bound Kumon Dual Program Completer Gives Advice on College Admissions Process Less than six percent. That’s the overall acceptance rate into Harvard University each year. And it’s not just Harvard. In fact, all eight Ivy League schools have an acceptance rate below 15 percent. So what’s the key to helping your child not only get into their dream school, but one of the most prestigious in the country? Let us introduce you to Kumon Alum Stephanie Zhao. She is among the six percent of accepted applicants that will attend Harvard University this fall. Stephanie enrolled in Kumon in the second grade and completed both the math and reading programs in three short years by the age of 10 years-old. Her academic success didn’t stop there. She received perfect scores on the ACT, PSAT, SAT and SAT subject tests of math and chemistry. With the highly competitive admissions process, parents and students alike are always looking for tips and who better to provide them then Harvard bound Stephanie. Why did you choose Harvard? Harvard was always my dream school and first choice. In fact, I didn’t even apply to any other Ivy League schools. I spent two summers taking general chemistry and organic chemistry classes at Harvard and absolutely fell in love with the campus, the history and the city of Boston. I always knew that’s where I wanted to go. What advice do you have for other Kumon students with aspirations of going to an Ivy League school? First of all, don’t go to an Ivy League school just for the sake of going to an Ivy League school. Find the school that is best suited for you and your dreams. I want to become a doctor one day and fell in love with the biochemistry and sociology programs at Harvard. Once you have a list of schools you are interested in, focus on your extracurricular activities along with excelling in the classroom. Try to get involved in things you actually care about. In addition to building up your resume, it gives you an opportunity to discover more about your passions. How did Kumon help prepare you for the college admissions process?   I personally feel that Kumon is a big reason for my success. It laid a strong foundation for me in math and reading and cultivated a love for learning that I still carry with me today. And outside of the classroom, Kumon helped with my moral development and competitiveness. Because Kumon made my school work easier, I was able to devote more time to extracurricular activities and really build a strong application. Do you think Kumon played a role in your standardized testing success and what advice do you have for other Kumon students?   Kumon definitely contributed to my success with the standardized tests. The precision, responsibility, motivation and work ethic I developed while completing the Kumon program definitely carried over as I prepared for the standardized tests. My biggest piece of advice is to stick with Kumon even when it gets more difficult. Don’t see it as a chore, but as an opportunity. Take the work ethic that you develop and apply that to the practice and studying for the tests. Stephanie’s extracurricular activities: President of Amnesty International Club; Vice President of Green Club; Vice President of French Club; Student Council Treasurer; Volunteer at the Rockefeller Cancer Institute at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Volunteer at Local Domestic Violence Shelter; Pianist; Math Tutor. You might also be interested in: Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. Kumon Program Completer Earns Perfect SAT Math Score as a 7th Grader From Struggling Student to Kumon Dual Program Completer Meet Elina, a Dual Program Completer Who Has Developed Independence in Kumon Harvard Bound Kumon Dual Program Completer Gives Advice on College Admissions Process Harvard Bound Kumon Dual Program Completer Gives Advice on College Admissions Process Less than six percent. That’s the overall acceptance rate into Harvard University each year. And it’s not just Harvard. In fact, all eight Ivy League schools have an acceptance rate below 15 percent. So what’s the key to helping your child not only get into their dream school, but one of the most prestigious in the country? Let us introduce you to Kumon Alum Stephanie Zhao. She is among the six percent of accepted applicants that will attend Harvard University this fall. Stephanie enrolled in Kumon in the second grade and completed both the math and reading programs in three short years by the age of 10 years-old. Her academic success didn’t stop there. She received perfect scores on the ACT, PSAT, SAT and SAT subject tests of math and chemistry. With the highly competitive admissions process, parents and students alike are always looking for tips and who better to provide them then Harvard bound Stephanie. Why did you choose Harvard? Harvard was always my dream school and first choice. In fact, I didn’t even apply to any other Ivy League schools. I spent two summers taking general chemistry and organic chemistry classes at Harvard and absolutely fell in love with the campus, the history and the city of Boston. I always knew that’s where I wanted to go. What advice do you have for other Kumon students with aspirations of going to an Ivy League school? First of all, don’t go to an Ivy League school just for the sake of going to an Ivy League school. Find the school that is best suited for you and your dreams. I want to become a doctor one day and fell in love with the biochemistry and sociology programs at Harvard. Once you have a list of schools you are interested in, focus on your extracurricular activities along with excelling in the classroom. Try to get involved in things you actually care about. In addition to building up your resume, it gives you an opportunity to discover more about your passions. How did Kumon help prepare you for the college admissions process?   I personally feel that Kumon is a big reason for my success. It laid a strong foundation for me in math and reading and cultivated a love for learning that I still carry with me today. And outside of the classroom, Kumon helped with my moral development and competitiveness. Because Kumon made my school work easier, I was able to devote more time to extracurricular activities and really build a strong application. Do you think Kumon played a role in your standardized testing success and what advice do you have for other Kumon students?   Kumon definitely contributed to my success with the standardized tests. The precision, responsibility, motivation and work ethic I developed while completing the Kumon program definitely carried over as I prepared for the standardized tests. My biggest piece of advice is to stick with Kumon even when it gets more difficult. Don’t see it as a chore, but as an opportunity. Take the work ethic that you develop and apply that to the practice and studying for the tests. Stephanie’s extracurricular activities: President of Amnesty International Club; Vice President of Green Club; Vice President of French Club; Student Council Treasurer; Volunteer at the Rockefeller Cancer Institute at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Volunteer at Local Domestic Violence Shelter; Pianist; Math Tutor. You might also be interested in: Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. Kumon Program Completer Earns Perfect SAT Math Score as a 7th Grader From Struggling Student to Kumon Dual Program Completer Meet Elina, a Dual Program Completer Who Has Developed Independence in Kumon

5 Test Taking Strategies for Students With ADHD

5 Test Taking Strategies for Students With ADHD Students with ADHD can excel academically. The key to their educational success lies in their preparation for tests. While educators can make accommodations for students with ADHD, practicing these test-taking strategies can give students the confidence to succeed. 1. Review the material in small chunks Students with ADHD should never cram for an exam. Breaking up the material into small, manageable components has two primary benefits. First, it can enhance the student's comprehension. Complex ideas can be a challenge for any student, but students with ADHD respond best to learning one step at a time. This method also improves their ability to retain the information. Apply this strategy by spending fifteen minutes to review the material each day. 2. Quiz yourself daily Daily quizzing can improve a student's test-taking abilities. One strategy is to take brief oral quizzes given by a parent or tutor. Active involvement on behalf of a parent or tutor can help the student recognise areas that need further review and also help the student gain confidence. When a student begins an exam feeling confident about his or her understanding of the material, he or she may experience less symptoms of ADHD during the test; and, an enhanced focus can lead to better grades. 3. Practice good sleep hygiene A proper night's sleep is an often under-looked component of strong test-taking strategies for ADHD students. Students should aim for at least eight hours of sleep the night before a test. Plus, students with ADHD are more prone to exhibiting symptoms when fatigued. 4. Avoid classroom distractions When choosing a seat in the classroom, students with ADHD need to be aware of environmental influences that can trigger ADHD symptoms. Some students need to sit in the front of the classroom, while others feel self-conscious and prefer being against a wall or in the back. A self-conscious student can be distracted by the seating arrangement, preventing the student from focusing on the teacher. Physical discomfort is a distraction that influences test-taking. Common distractions can be a ceiling fan, sitting by the window, or beneath an air conditioning vent. Of course, sitting by talkative friends can also distract a student during class. A student may require help identifying the physical distractions to his or her education, and a tutor can recognise the student's distractions and provide advice to prevent them. 5. Begin the test with confidence Slowly read the directions. Students with ADHD have a tendency to skip portions of the directions on a test. After the student completely reads the directions, he or she should use a highlighter to identify the question. Review the directions of each portion of the exam. Many tests will include multiple choice, fill-in the blank, and short answers. Teachers will often let the student complete the test sections in any order. To boost confidence during the test, a student with ADHD should begin with the section he or she is most confident about. For example, some students excel at eliminating wrong answers in a multiple-choice exam. Beginning with the section that the student is strong in can build confidence. Tutors can also help a student recognise his or her test-taking strengths and give personal tips to tackling areas that are more challenging.