Friday, April 3, 2020

Are You Planning to Get a Tutor?

Are You Planning to Get a Tutor?If you're planning to get a tutor to teach your kids in your home, you should know that many people think that a tutor is some kind of computer software program. To clear things up, the term 'tutor' does not refer to any kind of software but it refers to someone who will provide tutoring to your kids, or else offer a specific program to help you teach your kids in your home.A tutor is actually a person who's been trained to help you learn about various subjects. Sometimes, a tutor can also offer a lesson plan for you or for your kids. A good tutor will teach your kids a lot of things and will help you train them well for whatever kind of subject they want to learn.In most cases, a tutor has his own website where he will be available for a fee. You can ask your parents for a small amount to pay for his tutoring. You can also find a tutor on the internet and you can easily pay for his services on the internet.Some parents who want to hire a tutor can als o use their own money, but this is usually discouraged because a parent should only pay for what he or she needs to pay for. For example, if you need a tutor for a vacation, then the price may not be high but still, a child's education is always a priority and a parent can never sacrifice on their child's education.There are several websites that allow you to hire a tutor. Usually, there are some requirements such as the child's age, his/her experience and proficiency in the subject matter. So, if you are planning to hire a tutor, you should make sure that the tutor you hire is qualified in the subject you need him/her to teach you.If you're trying to find a tutor, there are plenty of online resources and schools that teach you how to hire a tutor. So, if you're looking for a tutor, you can search for it on the internet and find a good one.When you're trying to choose a tutor, it is important that you consider the person's reputation and also his or her teaching qualifications. You should also consider whether the tutor is affordable and what kind of charges he/she would charge you. All these factors should be considered while choosing a tutor for your child's education.

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

A Student Perspective on University of Michigan

A Student Perspective on University of Michigan The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jennifer is a 2012 graduate of University of Michigan with a bachelors degree in communications and psychology. She specializes in English tutoring, math tutoring, reading tutoring, and several other subjects. Check out what she had to say about her time at University of Michigan: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Jennifer: The University of Michigan is situated in the center of Ann Arbor, MI. There are two campuses, the main campus and north campus. Every building on the main campus is an easy 5-10 minute walk. To access North Campus, students must take a bus. The University buses, however, are reliable and run every 5-10 minutes. There are also other bus routes that travel around the main campus. Some students have a car; however, it is not necessary and it can be very difficult to find parking. Ann Arbor has city buses that can take you beyond campus if you need to go somewhere like the mall or a larger grocery store. The campus is very safe and, since it is in the center of downtown Ann Arbor, retail and restaurants are easily accessible. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jennifer: University of Michigan staff members are very open and accessible. Most professors and teaching assistants hold office hours at least once a week, where you can stop by and ask any questions you may have. When a student is enrolled in a large lecture, they are assigned a teaching assistant. The teaching assistant typically teaches a seminar once a week to go over topics from the lecture and answer any questions. Students are required to meet with the academic adviser at least once a year, but you can make an appointment with him or her at any time. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jennifer: There are several dorms on U of Ms campus. Most of the dorms have their own dining hall. Typically, each dining hall has a variety of options, and students can visit any of the dining halls. For example, students can have lunch at a dining hall that is near their class rather than the one located in their dorm. There are a few different style dorms. Almost all dorms are shared with another student. Some dorms, however, are suites, in which you share a personal bathroom with another pair of students. For others, there is a central bathroom for the hall. With the exception of the dorms on North Campus, all the dorms are pretty close to all the academic buildings. For students placed on North Campus, most have to take the bus to get to and from class. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported at University of Michigan? Jennifer: Many undergraduate students at University of Michigan are enrolled in the school of Literature, Science, and the Arts. This is also the program that I was enrolled in. I enjoyed this program because there is a wide variety of courses available. During my first semester of my freshman year, I took a lot of different courses in order to decide on my major. I originally decided to major in Communications my freshman year, because of my interest in the subject. By my sophomore year, however, I decided to double major in Psychology and Communication. My main critique is that I wish that the university offered more career exploration. For instance, if you are interested in a particular career, having a program to say, These are the courses that will best suit you. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Jennifer: I found it very easy to make new friends and meet people as a freshman. Many people who attend U of M are from out of state and do not know many other students at the university. As a result, everyone is interested in meeting new people. Greek life plays a large role at U of M. I was not part of Greek Life and I found it easy to meet people in other ways. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Jennifer: I found the Career Center to be helpful, especially during my senior year. Many companies post their opportunities on the career center website. Additionally, there were workshops available to help improve my resume and other topics that were valuable to finding a job. U of M holds several career fairs throughout the year and many reputable companies attend. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges at University of Michigan? Jennifer: There are a number of different libraries, student unions, and lounges available. I found them very easily accessible. By my sophomore year, I had figured out my favorite spots to study and do work. Describe the surrounding town. Jennifer: Downtown Ann Arbor is right next to campus. There are a ton of restaurants, coffee shops, clothing stores, etc. Students go to the downtown area daily because it is so close to campus. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jennifer: U of M has a huge student body, but this is something I knew going in and was okay with. I had both large and small classes. Although I did have some lectures that had hundreds of students, each of those lectures had a seminar once a week that had 20 students or less. I also had some other classes that were as small as 8 students. For me, the large classes were not a problem. It may be a factor, however, for someone who is not comfortable with large classes. Most of my large classes were during freshman year. By the time I was a senior, most of my classes were pretty small (10-50 students). Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jennifer: One of my favorite classes at the University of Michigan was Positive Psychology with Professor Christopher Peterson. Professor Peterson was one of the founders of Positive Psychology, and therefore, was very knowledgeable about the topic. His lectures were always very enjoyable and filled with laughter. Unfortunately, I learned that Dr. Peterson passed away after I graduated, but I know that his ideas of optimism and character live on at the University as they have lived on in my own life. Check out Jennifers tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Friday, March 6, 2020

What are Stackable Degree Programs

What are Stackable Degree Programs While a stackable degree program may sound like something between a college education and a fun snack, theyre becoming increasingly popular amongst colleges interested in helping students attend graduate level degree programs. While the name is not exactly self-explanatory, theyre fairly easy to understandand for many students, a great option. Stackable degree programs do resemble their name; essentially, they are degree programs that lend themselves to building into other degree programs. Think of a stackable degree program as a building block toward your continuing education. While this isnt exactly a new idea in education, it has seen significant changes in recent years. Initially, stackable classes were offered primarily through non-credit wings of educational facilities, allowing students to gain knowledge but not credit. As the economy has changed, so has the collegiate approach to stackable degree programs. Diving into stackable degree programs Instead of viewing degree programs in a traditional way, stackable programs utilize certificates and other non-traditional ways of measuring and acquiring knowledge. While a degree is valuable, stackable degree programs tend to place more emphasis on acquiring a chunk of knowledge. The idea is that such degree programs would provide units of education that are more likely to stand alone, even outside the degree program. Within the degree program, they create context within existing college programs. By combining certificates and other units of stackable knowledge, colleges create degree programs. A few advantages Providing a greater context for knowledge is one reason its easy to get behind stackable degree programs, but there are many others as well. Stackable degree programs offer more fluidity between programs, potentially providing an easier opportunity to switch majors or obtain double degrees. For instance, one chunk of knowledge may apply to programs in both technology and business, making it easier for students to specialize in both. As stackable degree programs catch on, students will also be able to move from undergraduate to graduate programs more easily, as well as between schools. These programs have the potential to offer easier transfers and more consistent knowledge. Students enrolled in stackable degree programs are also able to start performing work within their degree program earlier than other students may be able to. [RELATED: Popular Campus Jobs that Can Help You Explore College Majors] These programs can also foster important relationships with professionals within the industry of study, leading to jobs upon graduation. This is especially great for graduate students, who sometimes find real-world experience lacking in their programs. Stackable degree programs promise a new way of looking at education, college degrees, and workforce preparation. As more schools adopt such models, students can expect to feel more integrated into life outside their academic institution andfingers crossedsecure jobs quicker.

The American Education Gap

The American Education Gap America was once the leader in postsecondary degrees. However, in recent years it has fallen far from the top. The Lumina Foundation for Education placed a goal in 2008 for a college completion rate of 60 percent by 2025. America will not reach that goal, according to an article in The Washington Post. The foundation claims to be the first organization to set this benchmark, which was later adopted by President Barack Obama and other education administrators. The number of Americans aged 25-64 with postsecondary degrees has risen slightly since 2007, from 37.7 percent to 37.9 percent in 2008. If this trend continues, the graduation rate could reach 46.6 percent in 2025, which would be around 23 million graduates shy of the goal. For America to reach its aggressive goal by 2025, it would have to produce about 278,781 more graduates each year until 2025, amassing to 38 million more college graduates. Politicians and administrators are throwing around many ideas. One idea is to contact Americans who attended some college but never graduated, encouraging them to go back to school. This plan could also make it easier for these people to achieve degrees. It would allow them to take only one or two classes to attain a degree, significantly cutting the amount of classes they would actually need. Another option for boosting college completion is reaching out to minority members. The college completion rate for African Americans stands at 26 percent and 19 percent for Hispanics. The Washington Post insinuated that colleges need to more effectively recruit underrepresented groups. This could boost the overall college completion rate, and it could help America inch closer to its 2025 goal. However, this is not necessarily bad news for students of all ages. America could begin to make desperate attempts to place more students in college. This could decrease tuition costs and make college more accessible for students. Scholarship funds could increase as well. Increasing the number of college graduates is likely to give America a more competitive edge in the business world. This could create more jobs and boost Americas economy.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Learning German Discover Germanys Brightest and Best Historical Heros

Learning German Discover Germanys Brightest and Best Historical Heros The German Language’s Best Ambassadors ChaptersAlbert EinsteinMartin LutherClaudia SchifferAnne FrankImmanuel KantLudwig Van BeethovenBoris BeckerKarl LagerfeldJohann Wolfgang von GoetheHorst TappertKarl MayAs Europe’s most populous country and 4th global economic power, Germany is a power destination for those wanting to live abroad.  Whether you want to live, study, or do an internship in Germany, you should definitely learn German.However, traditional German studies at school tend to be ineffective. Parents and students are now deciding to adopt a different approach and focus on German culture and learning more about German speaking countries.German personalities and celebrities, especially poets and writers, act as ambassadors for the language and the culture and are a great way for students to learn more about German and integrate themselves into German culture.Here’s our list of the most influential German personalities for anyone who wants to learn more about the History of the German language...Taking german l essons london could also be of benefit.Cosmetics: Unilever, Coty, InterparfumsPhotography: Gerhard Steidl, 3 Suisses, Le Figaro.Publishing: 7LCinema: The Valet, Totally SpiesProperty: Eddie Trump Group, Isla ModaAt just 6 years old, Karl Lagerfeld had already mastered English, German, and French. He’s an ambassador for the German language and “Karlisms” in which he mixes together several foreign languages.Johann Wolfgang von GoetheIf there’s one author you need to know to pass a German citizenship test, it’ll be Goethe!Born in 1749, Goethe is one of German literature’s most famous writers. Both a novelist and a statesman, Goethe influenced several European writers and thinkers.Some of his most famous works include:Faust, Part OneFaust, Part TwoThe Sorrows of Young WertherTheory of ColoursPrometheusElective AffinitiesWilhelm Meister's ApprenticeshipItalian Journey, etc.Goethe is as important for the German language as Shakespeare is for the English language.While both hug ely famous and popular, his works were also often controversial as they included themes that were rejected by the bourgeoisie of the 18th century. Nevertheless, Goethe’s novels like The Sorrows of Young Werther are classics of German literature.Goethe is basically the German Shakespeare. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)“Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own.” -  Johann Wolfgang von GoetheIf you really want to understand the German language, you need to study Goethe!Horst TappertDoes the name Horst Tappert ring a bell?  His face might be more familiar. He played Derrick in the German TV series!In Germany, Horst Tappert is one of German cinema’s most famous actors. In addition to his role as a detective, Tappert appeared in around 50 different films throughout his career.The German crime series took the German language worldwide and was bought in 100 different countries. After 25 years on TV, Horst Tappert last appeared as the detective in 1998.A Ger man television institution, even Pope John Paul II was a fan of Horst Tappert and the actor was even given the title of honorary police commissioner in Munich.  Tappert is one of Germany’s most famous cultural exports!Karl MayKarl May is one of the most famous German writers in the world. In addition to poetry, autobiographies, music, he is also known for his adventure novels.Some of his most famous works include:WinnetouOld ShatterhandThe Treasure of Silver LakeThe Oil PrinceOld DeathOld SurehandIn the DesertDespite his international success, Karl May isn’t widely known in the UK. This means it’s very difficult to get into his books without speaking German.  Karl May’s works were inspired by German and English Westerns and are great for anyone wanting to learn German.

English Listening Exercise iPods, Steve Jobs and Magic

English Listening Exercise iPods, Steve Jobs and Magic When I heard today that Steve Jobs has retired as head of Apple, I wanted to make an English listening exercise that had an Apple theme.Jobs is, I think, one of the greatest businessmen in American history, and Ive always loved Apple products (Im writing this on my iMac). Ive heard people say before that Apple products give you the feeling that they are almost magical, which is why I thought this TED video would be appropriate.In the video, Marco Tempest uses iPods to perform magic tricks. Marco is from Switzerland. Like a lot of modern English speakers, he is not a native speaker, so he has a slight accent. This is good listening practice for the real world that English is spoken in these days.Why you should listen to Marco Tempest:Marco Tempest’s imaginative combination of computer-generated imagery, quick-cut video and enthusiastic stage presence has earned him a place in the pantheon of great illusionists. At 22, the Swiss magician won the New York World Cup of Magic, launching him into international prominence. Tempests award-winning television series “The Virtual Magician” airs in dozens of countries worldwide, while his lively phonecam postings on YouTube, done without post-production and video-editing tricks to astonished people on the street, get millions of views (search on virtualmagician). His Vimeo channel showcases his artistic side like his recent hypnotic series levitation, using a high-speed camera.Through his art, Tempest creates a highly entertaining way to be entranced by the reality-bending tech magic that surrounds us all every day.Here is the video, find listening questions below.What type of magic does Marco like? What does his application do? What is his favorite subject? He ___ this wonderful _____ where a rosebush would bloom _____ __ _____ of your ____. Magic is the ____ honest profession, a magician _______ to deceive you and he ____. What do you think the context is when the man in the video says Its just what Ive always wan ted. What was his joke about men and women and lying? I didnt deceive you, you ________ ________. Have you ever deceived yourself? What does it mean that art is a deception? Do you think lying is a fundamental part of life? Do you think men lie more than women?

Take 5 Minutes to Improve Your Fluency

Take 5 Minutes to Improve Your Fluency I always love watching OK Gos music videos.  In their latest one, they turn a 5 second clip into a slow motion video for their song, The One Moment.  As you enjoy the video, I invite  you to sing along with the lyrics below.  Singing is a great way to improve English fluency because of the quick and repetitive nature of songs.  It also helps us learn new vocabulary  and  common slang words.  Its even better to memorize the song so you can continue to practice in the car, shower or wherever you are!Do you have a favorite song that helps you practice  fluency?  Please share it with us in the comments section!  You might also notice some strange grammar or vocabulary as you read the lyrics.  As always, feel free to write  your comments or questions in the section provided.  Now, have some fun!Youre right There is nothing more lovely Theres nothing more profound Than the certainty Than the certaintyThat all of this will end That all of this will endSo open your arms to me Open y our arms to meAnd this will be The one moment that matters And this will be The one thing we remember And this will be The reason to have been here And this will be The one moment that matters at allSo while the mud Reclaims our footprints And while our bones keep looking back The overgrowth is swallowing the path There for the grace of god go we There for the grace of god go we There for the grace of time and chance and entropys cruel handsSo open your arms to me Open your arms to meAnd this will be The one moment that matters And this will be The one thing we remember And this will be The reason to have been here And this will be The one moment that matters at allSo wont you stay here with me And well build until weve blistered our hands So wont you stay here with me Well build us some temples Well build us some castles Well build us some monuments And burn them all right downSo open your arms to me Open your arms to meAnd this will be The one moment that matters And this will be The one thing we remember And this will be The reason to have been here And this will be The one moment that matters at allSo wont you stay here with me And well build until weve blistered our handsThis will be The one thing we rememberSo wont you stay here with me And well build us some temples Build us some castles Build us some monuments Well build us some temples Build us some castles Build us some monumentsThis will be This will be The one moment that matters And this will beThe one moment that matters at allWritten by Damian Kulash, Timothy Nordwind • Copyright © BMG Rights Management US, LLCLyrics credit