Analytical Chemistry Degree Program

Analytical Chemistry Degree ProgramIn analytical chemistry, a system of knowledge is designed to facilitate the analysis of substances. This system serves to purify the substance and eliminate the impurities that may be present in the sample. Chemists use analytical methods to explore the properties of the compounds that they are testing.Analytically, analysis helps the chemist in understanding the properties of various substances. Thus, chemistry is a branch of science that studies the properties of the chemical elements. Although this science is a relatively new one, its importance has increased as a result of recent advances in technology.Analysis involves all the actions of laboratory work in which the physical, chemical and biological properties of compounds are investigated. It includes several practical applications, ranging from environmental monitoring, to industrial purposes, to medical procedures. Today, analytical chemistry is one of the three fundamental areas of chemist ry in which graduate level students study for their degree.Analytical chemistry involves four stages: acquisition of skills, skill development, theoretical studies and experimental research. Both theoretical and experimental approaches are taken when performing chemical analyses. Usually, a graduated course requires two years, and the course generally focuses on the theoretical principles of analytical chemistry and on the theory behind the chemistry of analytes and analyst interaction.In the first stage, skills are acquired in designing and constructing an analytical laboratory apparatus, identifying analytes, identifying analyte ions, preparing laboratory samples, determining analyte concentration, preparing laboratory reagents, and performing a number of other skills. Graduates usually undergo a two-month internship or research study program at some university or research institute, where they take a number of laboratory courses. After completion of this stage, they can apply for a research position in a university lab or department, where they will work under a professor.The second stage is the experimental research, during which analytical methods used are reviewed. To be eligible for employment, a graduate must have a good grade in the course and must obtain good marks in his/her degree and have successfully passed a preliminary test in analytical chemistry, following standard procedures.Graduates are able to perform analysis when necessary. In fact, they can be hired by labs to perform experiments that could not be performed by others. However, some industries hire this type of laborer because of their specialization in a particular area of research and analysis.

Guide to Travelling to Spain

Guide to Travelling to Spain Everything You Need to Know Before Staying in Spain ChaptersSpain FactsThe Most Beautiful Monuments in SpainWhich Are the Most Beautiful Cities in Spain?How Much Does it Cost to Visit Spain?Famous Spanish Food and DrinkWhere Should You Stay in Spain?Spanish Culture And Traditions“The impulse to travel is one of the hopeful symptoms of life. ” - Agnes RepplierIn 2017, Spain was the second most visited country in the world after France. From the Sierra Nevada to the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean, from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to flamenco shows, Spain is one of the countries whose culture just keeps drawing in the tourists.L'Hemisfèric â€" Imax Cinema, Planetarium and Laserium;L'Umbracle â€" Walkway / Garden;El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe â€" Science museum;Oceanografic â€" Open-air aquarium or oceanographic park; andÁgora â€" A versatile space for a variety of events.Of course, there are more than just these four attractions in Spain. Other monuments of note include:Cathedral of Santiago de CompostelaBurgos CathedralThe Guggenheim Museum in BilbaoCasa Milà in BarcelonaThe Royal Palace of MadridMontserrat AbbeyAlcázar of SegoviaThe Cathedral of Palma de MallorcaCathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the PillarThe Roman Theatre, MéridaThe Giralda of SevilleWhich Are the Most Beautiful Cities in Spain?A lot of Spain’s most beautiful monuments are found in Spain’s most beautiful cities. In addition to these monuments, take the time to spend a few days in these Spanish towns and enjoy the best that Spanish life has to offer.Spanish cities are full of history. (Source: caciaca)MadridThe most famous Spanish city is the capital, Madrid, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. There are many different nationalities in Madrid and this large city deserves several days to fully discover it. As the capital, Madrid is home to large boulevards, traffic and noise, as well as a large choice of relaxing parks and museums.The Prado Museum and the Museo Reina Sofia are the two unmissable museums in the capita l and you can discover works by artists like Picasso and Dali.However, there’s much more than just museums and history lessons to be discovered here. If you take yourself to Independence Square just before nightfall, you’ll see the sun setting upon the arches of the Puerto de Alcalá gate which is a beautiful sight. Furthermore, you should take a trip down Gran Via, the long commercial road which offers a range of shops, cafes, bars and casinos.Football fans will be in awe of Cibiles Square where Real Madrid supporters flock to celebrate thei team’s wins.Madrid has a strong food and drinks game, with influences coming from all over the country and materialising in their multi-cultural kitchens. You’ll find many wine caves, taverns and other traditional drinking grounds. Among the wide range of restaurants is a gorgeous, well-hidden gem of a restaurant named La Capilla de la Bolsa, situated in the town centre. Here, you’ll be wowed by the chapel interior, sensational food a nd delightful atmosphere (featuring a live pianist playing among the purple glow of uplights). Don’t miss it if your in the capital, you won’t regret it!BarcelonaHowever, there’s also another city in Spain that has stolen a lot of Madrid’s thunder. Barcelona has been one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations for those looking for sun, beaches, and parties.On the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona welcomes tourists from all over the world, though you could argue too many of them. It’s probably a good idea to avoid the city in July and August or you may as well have just stayed at home.We already know about the very famous Sagrada Familia which can be found in this buzzing city, but what else is there to do and see? Firstly, visitors should know that Barcelona boasts twenty Michelin starred restaurants, a range of clean, world-class beaches, excellent shopping centres and a superb nightlife.La Rambla is a pedestrianised boulevard that offers a range of pubs and clubs an d is the heart of Barcelona’s art scene, with artists and flamenco dancers found here throughout the day. The gothic zone features many hidden places to visit at night, including some Irish pubs. Finally, El Born is the more sophisticated area of Barcelona and less tourist-y. It has some lovely bars and restaurants.SevilleFor those visiting Andalusia, Seville is a dream destination. The capital of this autonomous region is famous for Islamic architecture which can be found all over the south of Spain.  With the Royal Alcázar of Seville, the Plaza de España, and the Italica archaeological site, there’s plenty for tourists in this beautiful city.Along with cultural attractions, Seville is also a hotspot for  lovers of open spaces. There’s a few gorgeous parks, open and green, that are very enjoyable to visit. One of these includes Le Parc de Maria Luisa. The Plaza de España is also a wonder of Seville, bordering a pretty canal. Finally, Italica, an archaeological site, propos es the remnants of an amphitheatre. When visiting, you can walk through the tunnels and witness first hand the space where 25,000 people once congregated to be entertained. It’ll blow you away!Other Beautiful Spanish CitiesThere are a lot of other Spanish cities that are worthy of also being included in this list. They include Toledo, Salamanca, Cordoba, Malaga, Girona, Grenada, Las Palmas, and Palma de Majorca.Some popular summer holiday destinations are Cala D’Or, Costa Teguise, Los Cristianos, Lloret de Mar, Puerto Rico, Santa Ponsa, Cala de Finestrat, Fuengirola, Palma Nova, Benalmadena Costa, Alcudia, Magaluf, Puerto Banus, Benidorm, Roquetas de Mar, Ciutadella, Cala n’ Bosch, Salou, Playa del Ingles, Nerja, Marbella, Alicante and many, many more!Salamanca is nicknamed The Golden City due to the colour of its sandstone buildings. As the sun sets, this city glows. Perhaps you’ll find the time to visit one of Spain’s most beautiful cities.Commisceo Global additionally r eports that: “Traditionally women in Spain were the homemakers and men provided for the family. However, in the last two decades, women’s role in Spanish society has changed dramatically and many more are entering university education and moving into professions which were formerly dominated by men. Young, unmarried women have become more independent and are migrating to cities for education or work. […]  As far as family is concerned in modern Spain, men and women tend to share the parenting and household responsibilities particularly in urban areas where more women are likely to work outside the home in the cities. In the rural farming areas, the tradition of women as the homemakers tends to be more obvious although women and men often share the labour on the land in support of one another.”

What Are Standardized Tests and What Do Those Test Scores Mean

What Are Standardized Tests and What Do Those Test Scores Mean Raising children today means that youre very familiar with standardized testing. Standardized tests have been around for a long time but became especially noteworthy in the early 2000s with the passing of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, which mandated annual testing of students in grades 3-8 in every state and had punitive provisions for schools that did not make adequate yearly progress toward grade-level standards. In 2015, No Child Left Behind was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act, which offers greater flexibility on standardized testing. Still, the fact remains: while your child is in school, she is going to be tested and measured via some form of standardized test. What do standardized tests test? To put it simply, they measure how students are progressing toward grade-level standards in core subjects including math, English language arts, science and social studies. Each state gives testsoften called statewide assessmentsto students in grades 3 through 8 toward the end of the school year. Those exams are intended to provide an overall measurement of: How your student is performing in key content areas. What your student knows and what he needs to succeed in the future. Whether he is on track toward building higher-level thinking skills such as writing and problem solving. Across the nation, there has been a movement toward refocusing teaching on helping students learn and not preparing for standardized tests. So, the assessment of today is different than the assessment of several years ago. Students are spending less time taking tests, but states still place value on measuring what students know and what gaps exist (so they can determine how to close those gaps). Types of assessment tests When the Common Core State Standards were introduced in 2010, many states started using either the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) or Smarter Balanced tests that were aligned to Common Core. Things have changed since then, with only one-third of states using either test (as of spring 2019, according to Edweek.org). The other 32 states use tests that they designed themselves or purchased from another source, while three states give hybrid tests that mix their own questions with questions from PARCC/New Meridian or Smarter Balanced. Heres a summary of the standardized 3-8 tests used in each state as of 2019: State Name 3-8 Test Alabama Scantron Alaska Performance Evaluation for Alaska's Schools (PEAKS) Arizona AZMerit Arkansas ACT Aspire California Smarter Balanced Colorado Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) Connecticut Smarter Balanced Delaware Smarter Balanced D.C. PARCC Florida Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) Georgia Georgia Milestones Hawaii Smarter Balanced Idaho Smarter Balanced Illinois PARCC Indiana ILEARN Iowa Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) Kansas Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) Kentucky Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-PREP) Louisiana Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) Maine Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) Maryland PARCC Massachusetts Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Michigan Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP), PSAT Minnesota Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) Mississippi Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) Missouri Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Montana Smarter Balanced Nebraska Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) Nevada Smarter Balanced New Hampshire New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System (NHSAS), *Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE) (some districts) New Jersey PARCC New Mexico PARCC New York New York State Assessments North Carolina North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests North Dakota North Dakota State Assessment (NDSA) Ohio Ohio's State Tests Oklahoma Oklahoma School Testing Program Oregon Smarter Balanced Pennsylvania Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Rhode Island Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) South Carolina SCReady South Dakota Smarter Balanced Tennessee TNReady Texas State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Utah Readiness Improvement Success Empowerment (RISE) Vermont Smarter Balanced Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Washington Smarter Balanced West Virginia West Virginia General Summative Assessment Wisconsin Wisconsin Forward Wyoming Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress (WY-TOPP) The most up-to-date information about testing in your state, including specific skills and subject areas that will be tested as well as any recommended or required high school tests (such as exit exams), is available on your states Department of Education website. For questions about how to help your child best prepare for success on any exam, standardized or other, contact Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Ideas to Revitalize Your Teaching Practices

Ideas to Revitalize Your Teaching Practices If you have been teaching for some time, it is easy to get into a routine, but its just as easy to fall into a rut. Whether youre seeking better ways to reach your students or need to infuse a little energy into your processes, here are a few tips to revitalize your teaching practices: Choose professional development that really lights you up. Yes, PD is required, but when possible, pick classes that are relevant for your position and current challenges. Good PD classes can also get you thinking about new ideas, introduce you to innovative practices, and help you figure out how to apply evidence-based research into your practices. Take the initiative to learn from your peers. The other teachers in your building are some of your best resources. Pick their brains. Talk with others about what theyre doing, and share what youve been working on as well. Talk with your principal about instituting some sort of peer coaching program, formal or informal. Build bridges across your school district or with other schools. In addition to collaborating with teachers within your building, find ways to establish connections with teachers in other schools. Seek out ways to visit other schools to observe their practices. Infuse technology into your teaching. The opportunities to bring technology into the classroom today are seemingly endless. Spice up your units and lessons by taking a virtual field trip somewhere or by incorporating blogging, an app, or other tech tools. Get ideas from your schools technology teacher or see if he or she might like to co-teach a lesson. Read teacher blogs for new ideas, tips, and resources. There are many excellent ones out there that will get your creative juices flowing and get you excited about teaching and making an impact on students. Whether you seek instructional inspiration or technology tips, there are many blogs that can help you. Need a boost? Try one or several of the above. Youll get this school year off to a positive start, and your students will notice the difference!

How Do We Learn Language 5 Key Tips That Unlock Your Brains Potential

How Do We Learn Language 5 Key Tips That Unlock Your Brains Potential How Do We Learn Language? Heres What Modern Linguists and Learners Have to Say It seems like magic.Crazy multilingual hyperpolyglots are learning six or seven or twenty languages.Others only learn one or two, but they  learn them  to exceptionally high levels of fluency,  with the  accent and local slang to pass for natives.Babies, otherwise unable to do literally a single useful thing for themselves, make the leap from babbling poop machines to creators  of fluent sentences seemingly overnight.Even retirees, old enough to be the great grandparents of the freshest generation of two-year-olds approaching fluency in their native languages, are learning new languages later in life  and doing it well.Which raises the question: how do we genius humans, with our big brains and advanced societies, learn language?The answer to that question is complicated, but we can tell you one thing outright: you dont need to be wildly intelligent, especially talented or good at languages to learn a language.The specifics of how you personally set out to learn a foreign language are particular to you, but for the most part, we all learn language through the same series of biological, cognitive and social processes that work exactly the same across cultures and individuals.Now, learning our first language as a child is a different feat entirely than  setting out to learn a foreign tongue as an adult. But to really get a grip on whats going on when were learning foreign languages as adults, it helps to understand not just how we naturally acquire our mother tongue, but also why language is both unique to humans and ubiquitous in our societies. Learning Language: The Thing That Makes Us Human?You could argue that when youre learning a language, youre at your most human.Language is something we all share as humans, and alongside our fancy opposable thumbs its one of the core characteristics that make us just a bit cooler than all the other animals.Today there are around seven thousand languages spoken around  the world, including sounds and grammatical features that can seem distinctly alien to the languages many of us are familiar with, yet all languages are  in nearly every way more similar than contrasting.Starting with the most fundamental fact, any healthy human child exposed to any language anywhere in the world will always, always learn language. Theres never once been a kid who just never quite picked it up, and there never will be.It doesnt stop there: did you know that children learn many linguistic structures in the exact same order  throughout the world, regardless of their language?The facts that language is universal in human societies and that we all learn it in the same way are two of the biggest pieces of evidence for the theory of Universal Grammar, one of the concepts that launched MIT linguist Noam Chomsky to fame. Universal Grammar argues that humans are born with an innate ability to learn languages and that the mechanisms that identify and interpret grammar are hardwired into the brain.While there are tons of argumen ts (some more compelling and exciting than others) for different interpretations of human language, Chomskys theory is and has been the near-consensus among linguists since the 1970s.Regardless of diverging thoughts on where it comes from, most of modern linguistics is in agreement that human language is essentially a system of symbols used to communicate. We use words like apple, pomme  and ????? as symbols to point our minds to the delicious red fruit that actually has no inherent relationship to the word were saying. Its just an apple or a pomme or whatever else because we say it is.You could say that its this capacity for symbolic thought that makes us human, allowing us to  use sounds, pictures, letters and other abstract representations of things or ideas that arent right in front of us.As we climb towards fluency in our first language or any other, were learning how to use and understand these symbols to communicate with others and interact with the world around us. And thats important for how we think about how we learn a language.How Do We Learn Language? Heres What Modern Linguists and Learners Have to SayChild Language Acquisition: How We All Learned Our Native Language Without Cracking a BookNobody ever had to learn how to learn their first language. It happens whether we like it or not.One of the reasons babies are so good at language learning is neurological: babies brains enjoy some special tech upgrades. While all of us were born with them, we lost them somewhere between diapers and high school Spanish.Babies, like all humans, are experts at statistical learning: observing the overwhelming amounts of linguistic information theyre presented with every day and making exceptionally accurate generalizations about the patterns they deduce. Every time you say bottle with bottle in hand, the infant brain jots down some notes on the possible relationship between the sounds its hearing and their possible relationship to that object in Moms hand.But they re also busy investigating when you use in versus  on, why you sometimes call yourself I and sometimes me, and what happens when a familiar verb gets an -ing at the end of it.Listening, analyzing and collecting statistical samples is only half of the story of child language learning.We can think of the other half as the use it or lose it principle.In combination with the masses of statistical data they gather, children employ social language learning strategies to truly master their mother tongues. This is the reason behind another universal linguistic truth: no child will ever learn a language without human interaction.Its through combining the statistical with the social that babies finally start taking off at breakneck speed and using their language to interact with other humans around one year of age. Want milk makes Daddy bring the bottle, again makes Mommy come back for another round of peek-a-boo and whats that becomes the key to unlocking all the worlds secrets.Adult Languag e Acquisition: How We Learn Language, How We Cant and How We ShouldThe two key components of child language acquisitionâ€"statistical and social learningâ€"are the same ones at play when adults learn languages. But both the adult brain and, more importantly, the adult social life feature some key differences from those of children.Adult language learning is basically the same game, just  with different rules.Being a grown-up is hard: why we cant learn language exactly like babies doSetting out to learn a language like a baby is a great strategy, as long as you remember that youre doing it  like a baby, with the differences between child and adult language learning in mind.Since both the statistical nuts and bolts and the social use of language are the main cruxes of language learning, you may not be surprised that they figure in differently to the lives of three-year-olds and thirty-year-olds.Its understanding these differences that can help you learn a language like your younger se lf.Here are some of the key differences adult language learners should be aware  of as they embark on learning a new language:Adults already speak at least one language fluently. Yes, you already have some language skills. But this can actually be a problem. One way of explaining why babies always beat us in language learning is that we as adults are actually so incredibly good at our mother tongues that it confuses the way we think about language in general. Your first language hardwires your brain for language learning and has a huge impact on any language learning that follows.Adults respond to social sanctioning, where children mostly dont. Babies arent afraid to make mistakes. If it takes them two tries or twenty to get a grammar rule or a pronunciation down, theyll keep coming back until theyve got it. Adults, on the other hand, are particularly susceptible to shame and embarrassment. Were afraid of looking stupid in front of others, so we protect ourselves by using a new lang uage too conservatively (being afraid to try out new words and forms we think we might understand) or not speaking at all.Adults communicate in mostly equal relationships. A babys main conversation partners are her parents and other adults, who naturally adapt their speech to accommodate childrens less advanced linguistic abilities. Adults, on the other hand, are used to communicating as equals. The vast majority of your speech exchanges in a foreign language force you to engage with the same level and speed of speech as native speakers.Other things demand our attention. Babies as a group tend to have sky-high unemployment rates, which means theyre free to dedicate absolutely all of their time to learning their mother tongue. For adults, between jobs and errands and relationships and the thousand other things we need to do every day just to keep ourselves afloat, finding the time to learn a language can be a challenge.Adults have to try. This is the biggest difference: a baby just n eeds to hang around for a couple years not doing much of anything, and their linguistically awesome brains take care of the learning for them. As adults, our brains are less plastic and more resistant to change, which means we have to push them, and sometimes all that trying just makes things worse.In essence, how adults and children learn language is really the same. We observe native speakers,  identify patterns in the language (statistical learning) and then we test those patterns by interacting with other people, using their feedback to correct and better nuance the patterns weve deduced (social learning).What really changes between childhood and adulthood is both our brains and our lives.But the first doesnt change as much as you might think, and we have enough control over the second to keep it from  squashing our multilingual ambitions.Brain plasticity and the critical period: the neuro-acrabatics of  how we learn languageIf theres one specific thing that separates how childr en learn language from how we as adults learn language, its the critical period.The critical period of language learning refers to the period of a childs life, from birth until somewhere between age 5 and puberty according to various experts, in which theyre uniquely neurologically prepared to acquire a language. Studies show that there is in fact a critical period for all language learning, even sign language.The trademark feature of the critical period is what gives babies their ultimate language learning advantage: increased brain plasticity.This means that babies brains are uniquely adapted to growing and changing quickly, whereas our adult brains generally become less plastic over time. And physically growing your brain isnt just one of the benefits of learning a language, but also a requirement for it.So, how do we as adults account for our decreased brain plasticity and the practical factors that make it harder for us to learn languages?5 Key Language Learning Tips That Unloc k Your Brains PotentialUsing what we know about how both adults and children learn language, we can  make our brains learn language faster and better as adults.The  following  lessons and tips  are all aimed at navigating the constraints of learning a language as an adult,  increasing your brain plasticity  and doing your best to incorporate the strategies of a child language learner into the life and reality of an adult language learner:Even though our brains mechanisms for language learning are severely weakened around puberty, we can re-strengthen them as adults.  Just by starting to learn a new language youre reawakening these parts of your brain. Borrowing learning strategies from child learners helps the process.Retraining your brain to learn second languages more easily, like you did as a child, might be one of the best language learning advantages you can give yourself.Adults and children both rely heavily on statistical learning, but they do so in very different ways. Babie s brains are like sponges, whereas adults are more like cups: dump liters and liters of language on and around the first and itll get soaked up, but the second is useless unless the language is poured directly and purposefully into it.Adult language learners need to actively pursue and dedicate time to their language learning, as well as  acquire language input purposefully.Social interaction is indispensable, but it works differently for adults and children. Babies lives are filled with a few unequal relationships with caretakers and loved ones who become personally attuned to the childs speech and learning. Its like having a flock of attentive, patient and understanding personal tutors round the clock.Adults, however, lack the guiding light of motherese,  and instead have to use their language to navigate complicated adult interactions. Adult learners need extra patience and dedication for getting through these interactions, especially in the earlier stages of learning.While most adults can only recognize speech sounds present in their own language, your ears can be reset to learn new speech sounds naturally. Part of learning a language as a baby is strategically narrowing the range of speech sounds listened to and focusing in on the ones that matter in your language, but you can retrain your ears and regain your ability to recognize and interpret new sounds that you havent previously given meaning to.Adult learners must be prepared to work extra hard to both understand and be able to pronounce new sounds in the languages they learn.Adults can achieve native-like fluency in a language learned later in life, but only under certain circumstances. Certain immersive language situations can lead adult language learners to develop native-like pronunciation, usage and even psycho-linguistic processing of a second language. Some learners who also follow other best practices attain and retain the brain activity patterns of native speakers, which may also imply a nati ve-like understanding of the language. Adult learners generally benefit most from immersion or immersion-like learning settings.Its true that there are a lot of important differences between how children and adult learn languages, and its clear that babies have some distinct advantages over older learners, but adults also enjoy certain language learning advantages over their tiny crawling counterparts.While its been a popular urban myth for decades that only children can  really  learn languages and learn them, well, nowadays we can definitively say we know better.Language is inherently human, and humans are always changing, which might be why were able to miraculously revive our childlike abilities for language acquisition and literally grow and reshape our brains when we want to or need to.So, now that you know a bit more about what learning a language looks like inside your head, you can start learning a foreign language today! And One More ThingSo you really want to learn a la nguage? Then its time to check out FluentU!FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.With FluentU, you hear languages in real-world contextsâ€"the way that native speakers actually use them.Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of FluentU videos on offer:FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. It’s already hand-picked the best videos for you and organized them by level and topic. All you have to do is choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started!Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more.Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab.You can use FluentU’s unique adaptive quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions and exercises. Just swipe left or right to see more examples of the word youre studying.The program even keeps track of what you’re learning and tells you exactly when it’s time for review, giving you a 100% personalized experience.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes store  or  Google Play store.

5 tips for GCSE resits

5 tips for GCSE resits This year's GCSE results were the best yet, but inevitably some pupils will have been disappointed with their grades. Many A-level courses require pupils to have obtained at least 5 A*-C GCSEs. Those who haven't achieved this standard, but want to proceed to further study, may decide to take the private exam entry route in order to improve their GCSE grades. Here are 5 tips to help you/ your child prepare for GCSE resits if you're considering private exam entry: 1) Contact the relevant exam boards for a list of local examining centres. Examination Officers are not obligated to accept private candidates to their exam centres so you may need to contact more than one centre to find one that will accommodate you. 2) If the GCSE subject you want to resit involves coursework you will need to find someone who can examine it. An exam board moderator may be able to do this but you will need to confirm with the exam centre. 3) Make sure you submit your exam entry paperwork in plenty of time. Each exam centre sets a deadline for exam entry paperwork. Sometimes this includes a visit to the centre to verify your identity. 4) Budget for the fees. As well as the costs of private tuition and exam revision aids, parents also need to budget for the costs of the GCSE resits. Private exam entry usually attracts both administration fees and fees for each individual exam. Entry for GCSE English can cost as much as 50, depending on the exam board. 5) Finally, make sure you put in plenty of study time before the resit exam. Select a private tutor with good credentials who can guide you/ your child towards an improved performance in the relevant subject(s).

7 Intense Resources for High-speed Immersion Language Training

7 Intense Resources for High-speed Immersion Language Training 7 Intense Resources for High-speed Immersion Language Training Learning a new language can take thousands of hours.Its a process that can stretch on for months or even years.Heck, if you arent using language learning techniques that work well for you, its a process that might never end.Sometimes, though, you need to learn a language and you need to learn it fast.Or maybe youre just the impatient type, and you want to get your results sooner rather than later.Whatever the reason, if youre looking for your language learning to be a short, intense sprint rather than a long, drawn-out slog, look no further than foreign language immersion training.Immersion involves putting yourself in situations where youre forced to speak and understand a language you dont yet speak or understand.Immersion is the sink-or-swim method of language learning, and it turns out that because people are wired for language learning, they almost inevitably swim rather than sink. (Note: The sink-or-swim method works better for learning a language than it does for actually lear ning to swim.)Immersion language training doesnt just work faster than traditional classroom language trainingâ€"theres mounting evidence that it works better, too.Research has shown that the brains of adult immersion language learners process new languages in a more native-like way than the brains of adult classroom language learners.Immersion training also leads learners to learn language in a more natural way and prepares them for dealing with real-life situations in real time.Finally, immersion learning allows learners to immerse in both the language and the culture simultaneously.In its purest form, immersion learning involves basically spending all day every day focusing intensely on language learning for short periods of time.If your schedule doesnt make this kind of intensive language learning experience possible, there are also various resources that can help you add an immersive element to a more textbook-driven learning strategy.Either way, if youre looking to get in on i mmersion language learningâ€"and Id highly recommend it because youll be hard-pressed to find a faster, funner, more effective or more stimulating way of learning a languageâ€"here are some of the best immersion language resources out there. Putting Together an Immersion Language Training StrategyOf course, theres no reason you have to stick to a single one of these immersion methods or resources. You can mix and match as you see fit.For instance, if youre totally new to a given language, you might start by getting your hands on some immersion software. As you build up a basic knowledge of the language, you can start up some language exchanges to speed up your progress towards fluency. Then, when youve reached an intermediate level, you can sign up for a total immersion program to turbocharge your language learning.You can draw on these resources in any number of ways. One thing is for sure, though: If you want to get a new language under your belt in as little time as possible, i ts hard to beat immersion. And the more intense the immersion, the better.7 Intense Resources for High-speed Immersion Language TrainingBerlitz Total ImmersionBerlitz is a language education company with hundreds of centers around the world. Their Total Immersion program comes with a hefty price tag (think several thousand dollars per week of instruction) but provides an intensive immersion experience involving personalized training with multiple coaches from 9 a.m.â€"4:30 p.m. every day.If you can afford it, Berlitz Total Immersion is a way to put a serious dent in your language learning in a very short amount of time. Each week of training is intended to advance you one Berlitz proficiency level.For a taste of how Berlitz Total Immersion works, check out this 1987 New York Times article about Roxana Robinsons experience with the course. The specifics of the program have changed a little since then, but the general principles do seem to be time-tested.FluentUIf you dont have the ti me or money for a total immersion program, a way to get a great learning experience at home is to immerse yourself in videos, music and news in the language you want to learn.FluentU offers a streamlined online immersion experience made up of all those resources by curating rich collections of authentic foreign language media content. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.As it doesnt just offer a great immersion experience but also a boatload of handpicked native material bound to be useful to any language learner, FluentU is worth checking out even if you do decide to go for an in-person immersion course.Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of FluentU videos on offer:FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. It’s already hand-picked the best videos for y ou and organized them by level and topic. All you have to do is choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started!Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more.Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab.You can use FluentU’s unique adaptive quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions and exercises. Just swipe left or right to see more examples of the word youre studying.The program even keeps track of what you’re learning and tells you exactly when it’s time for review, giving you a 100% personalized experience.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes store  or  Google Play store.Middlebury Language SchoolsSeveral centers in the United States offer immersion language programs where students live in a completely immersive language environment for several weeks.Middlebury Language Schools offer intensive immersion courses at different levels in several languages. Participants take a language pledge that they will speak only in the language theyre learning during their stay at Middlebury.Most courses take place in Vermont, but some are also available in Oakland, California. Middleburys programs are highly respected. Like Berlitz Total Immersion, they run at several thousand dollars, but they do offer some need-based financial aid.Concordia Language VillagesIf youre up for a trip to Minnesota, Concordia Language Villages offers full immersion language camps for kids, adults and families. They also have specialized corporate and government language programs. Check out this article in Parade for Catherine Prices take on her Concordia experience.One thing to keep in mind if selecting a full immersion program is that Berlitz Total Immersion centers on individualized instruction whi le Middlebury and Concordia offer a more communal immersion experience.Local Immersion Language Training ProgramsWhile full immersion programs are great if you can afford them and get to the right location, you dont have to rely on destination language learning to get a real-life immersion experience. Theres a good chance you have local options, too.An easy way to find out is to go to Yelp  and search for “immersion language” in your area. Considering immersion language training takes a significant commitment of time and money, its also nice to be able to read through the reviews to know that youre making a good buy.Its also worth seeing whether you have a local university that offers immersion language programs, although you should be sure to check that the class is structured in a way that will really offer you the intensive experience youre looking for.Immersion Language SoftwareOne way to get a flavor of the immersion experience at a discount is to opt for language learning software based on immersion learning. Although immersion software can run on the expensive side compared to other language courses available for purchase out there, a couple hundred dollars is peanuts compared with the cost of a total immersion program.Rosetta Stone is probably the most well-known immersion-based language learning software program. It includes few of the exercises you might expect in a traditional language course and instead tries to facilitate a sort of automated immersive experience by heavily using images.Another popular program that uses immersion learning techniques is Fluenz. Fluenz offers more of a hybrid between immersion and traditional learning and relies on direct comparisons between the language being learned and the learners native language to speed up the learning process.Finally, Pimsleur is worth a look if you want more of an auditory emphasis. Their listening- and speaking-based courses are a great way to internalize a new language using the ears in stead of the eyes.Language Exchanges with Speakers OnlineAnother good way to get language immersion on a budget is to use the Internet to find conversation partners in the language youre trying to learn. There are a couple ways to do this.One is to check Meetup to find language groups meeting in your area dedicated to the language youre working on. You can find everyone from fellow learners to native speakers this way.However, you can also find a conversation partner without even having to step out your front door by doing an online language exchange, where you find a native speaker of the language youre studying to talk to you in their language in exchange for you talking to them in your native language. The most popular place to track down an online language exchange partner is italki.Its also an ideal place to hire a professional language tutor, too! You can choose the perfect tutor for you based on dialect, region, schedule, rates and more important factors.Although the prospect of not being able to fall back on your native language in the language learning process is intimidating at first, if you try an immersion program, youll be surprised at how quickly you adapt.Immersion language training may be the sink-or-swim of language learning, but after a few weeks of total immersion youll probably feel like youre not just swimming but flying!

Why Fluent in 3 Months Premium Is Worthwhile for Any Language Learner

Why Fluent in 3 Months Premium Is Worthwhile for Any Language Learner Picture a sleek, modern control center.Theres a shiny dashboard with dials, buttons, gauges, meters and all kinds of cool measurement tools.But this isnt just any  old control center for an airplane, space shuttle or intergalactic exploration craftâ€"its one thats uniquely designed to oversee, monitor and control your language learning.Welcome to Fluent in 3 Months (FI3M) Premium, the multifaceted tool every language learner needs to organize, assess, supplement and improve their study routine.With one tap of your finger, youll be able to see the internets cream of the crop when it comes to language tools and resources. Youll be able to keep track of what youve been doing and motivate yourself to do more.Whereas other language learning programs amass a collection of discrete lessons that you can learn, this program goes beyond that and presents you with a world of possibility.I promise, Im not being melodramatic here. The experience of playing with FI3M has been quite fun, and Im eag er to share what Ive discovered over the course of hours of clicking, tapping, exploring and studying.The best part? Until Saturday, November 24th, 2018,  The Black Friday Language Learners Collection is offering a bundle of the following FI3M (Fluent in 3 Months) products for only $197:Bennys Bootcamp ($297 value + bonuses)FI3M Premium ($97 value)Conversation Countdown ($97 value)My Complete Easy Languages Package  ($234 value)This is a total value of $899, for just $197, or 75% of a reduction.In other words, if youve been thinking about trying out any products from Fluent in 3 Months, nows the time to go for it.Also, the links in this post are affiliate links, so by purchasing the above product, youll be supporting our efforts to keep bringing you top-notch language learning content on the FluentU blogs. Should You Start Learning with Fluent in 3 Months Premium?Well, thats a big question. It boils down to this: It depends on you and your needs.If youre already enrolled in  the l anguage learning course of your dreams, getting immersed in your target language at every opportunity, learning in an effective and fun way, and overall youre happy as a clam, this might not be a necessary addition to your study lineup.Of course, theres always more to learn. Any language nerd knows that.There are always more diverse learning methods and materials to explore.And theres always a way to improve your brains ability to learn a language.Thats why, as an avid language learner who has been  playing around with Fluent in 3 Months Premium for the better part of a week, Im inclined to say yes, you should try this program to virtually any language learner.In the world of language learning, Ive never really encountered a site like this one. At my disposal are tips, tricks, fast and friendly language learning support, resources, materials, customized study routine guides and hours upon hours of exclusive content from all the big names in the polyglot universe.The  Real Value of F luent in 3 Months (FI3M) PremiumFI3M Premium offers plenty of specific resources for learning a diversity of target languages, including:American Sign LanguageArabicChineseEnglishEsperantoFrenchGermanIrishItalianJapanesePortugueseRussianSpanishOther LanguagesThe Other Languages sections will give you more generalized study plans, as well as access to external resources for learning tons of major world languages and more obscure tongues with few available study resources.So, youll get solid guidance related to any target language of your choosing.The real value lies beyond this. This program is  not really  designed to teach you your target languageâ€"it doesnt have its own original course materials. Instead, it takes you by the hand and leads you to the best of the best learning resources online, most of which are free or extremely cheap.  At first, I thought this was a weakness of the program. Then I realized that I was misunderstanding the actual purpose of the FI3M package.The re al value is that this program is designed to teach you  how  to learn languages.  Its the ultimate self-study tool, and will get your brain in gear for learning any language you set your mind to. The fact that it lets you pick and choose from the amazing stuff thats already out there online, rather than trying to compete with what already exists, turns out to be  a strength.What doesnt really exist is a way to train your brain to learn languages better, and to hack your way through complex course materials with the right mentality, attitude and approaches for you.As weve discussed often and in great depth on the FluentU blogs, the main challenge of learning is getting to truly know yourself and how you learn best. To do this, youll need to discover:Your  preferred learning style (kinesthetic, auditory, visual, etc.)Your favorite learning materials (television shows, movies, textbooks, online courses, language labs, immersion, etc.)Your most powerful, personal  motivation to learn yo ur target languageHow to fit language learning into your daily lifestyleWhere to find learning materials that cater to the above factorsHow to stay positive in the face of setbacksHow to set and accomplish realistic goals on a daily basisHow to make your brain more receptive to a new languageAnd guess what? FI3M Premium was created to help you figure out all the above points.Other FI3M Resources to Use with Fluent in 3 Months PremiumAs long as youre here, youll definitely want to take the opportunity to delve into the whole collection of language learning resources on FI3M.  You can learn more about Conversation Countdown in this post (click here) and about the various Why X Is Easy e-books on our language-specific blogs. Access these individual reviews by following the links below:Why Spanish Is EasyWhy Italian Is EasyWhy French Is EasyWhy German Is EasyWhy English Is EasyWhy Chinese Is EasyThe 4 Must-know Elements of Fluent in 3 Months Premium1. Language HackingEveryones talking a bout hacking this and hacking that, to the point where I very rarely pay credence to the term. This time, since I was sitting down to review the program, I paid closer attention to use of the work hacking.I wondered, does it really apply, or is it just a buzzword to catch my eye?Answer: It applies.I might have suggested the more precise phrase Brain Hacker in place of  Language Hacker, as youre not actually going to be doing anything to hack languages. Youre going to hack your own mind (dun-dun-dun). So youre on the same page, Ill walk you through the major offerings of the Language Hacker module in FI3M Premium.Youll get access to:Speak from Day 1 Video Series â€" This is basically a simplified version of Conversation Countdown. Youll find a whole new set of videos hosted by Benny, which have tons of his personal recommendations, walkthroughs of favorite resources and his patented pep talks. To get started talking in one week, I prefer the Conversation Countdown option as its more thorough.That being said, Speak from Day 1 has a few advantages. There are comprehension questions below each video, so you can check how well you understand the concepts Benny is presenting. There are checklists to help you keep track of your progress at every step. Plus, you get to have all the videos neatly organized in one place (on your FI3M dashboard) rather than having to click through the series of Conversation Countdown emails when you want to revisit lessons.Premium Video Tutorials â€" Its Benny, Benny and more Benny! Here hell walk you through using some of the best online resources for learning languages, like web-based dictionaries, phrasebooks, language exchange services and more. This is an ideal place for less-technologically-gifted folks to linger and learn how to navigate popular language-oriented websites.(Extended) Masterclass Video Interviews â€" Bask in the warm glow of polyglot gurus. Here youll find endless inspiration and wisdom from Benny Lewis and the whol e Fluent in 3 Months  team, plus Luca Lampariello,  Khatzumoto from All Japanese All The Time  and more legends in the language learning sphere. These intimate, one-on-one interviews between Benny and language experts arent short video clipsâ€"some go on for up to an hour, and theyre loaded with great insights.Conversational Connectors â€" Here are the original language learning materials that FI3M produced on its own. For all the featured languages (listed above) and then some, youll find PDF files with conversation connectors, which are natural-sounding phrases to confirm understanding, express opinions and segue between sentences while chatting. This is a really neat way to learn how to converse fluidly without being fluent!2. Language ImmersionAh, a more familiar phrase: Language immersion. This collection of materials is broken down by which languages youd like to learn. Choose a language to get started!Immersion Resources  â€" For all the offered languages I listed previously, FI3M provides two sets of resources: (1) Sample Daily Schedule and (2) Ultimate Resource Collection. The Sample Daily Schedule paints a picture of a day in the life of a completely immersed student, detailed what types of activities you could be doing at any given moment from the time you wake up until youre dozing off at night. The Ultimate Resource Guide is exactly what it sounds like a mega list of resources online that learners can utilize to build different skills.Your Routine â€" This is a cool blank form where you can manually add events to the Morning, Afternoon and Evening sections of the schedule. Its modeled just like the Sample Daily Schedules from earlier, so you can use those as reference sheets.3. FAQ and Friendly SupportThis is relatively straightforward, but its nice to know that the FI3M team is always looking out for you. I asked a question about the program and got a helpful, informative response within a few hours.4. The FI3M LibraryLanguage Hacking Guide â€" T his is available in its original English version, a multilingual version translated into 23 languages, and an audiobook version. Apparently, this was the original inspiration for the Fluent in 3 Months book, which is now famous worldwide.Media for Language Practice â€" To learn with authentic materials, make a quick stop here for some additional resource recommendations.CEFRL â€" Looking to learn more about the  Common European Framework of Reference for Languages? Well, theres nothing written by FI3M on this topic yet. However, this page promises expansions to the information here in the near future, and it points you towards some top-notch materials. Keep an eye out for more resources coming soon!FI3M Directors Cut â€" You may already know about the Fluent in 3 Months book thats swept the world by storm. This is the directors cut, an extended version including more tips and tricks that didnt fit into the market versions word count.My Final Words on Fluent in 3 Months PremiumIll ke ep this sweet and simple. Youve seen exactly what kind of resources are offered here, and the kind of program you can create and follow. As Ive noted before, this has plenty of benefits for learners of any language at any skill level.FI3M Premium is more than ready to become your new fortress of linguistics, your new control center for all things language learning. Considering that youll have access to so much information for such a low priceâ€"even including that famous Fluent in 3 Months book that every language nerd has been talking aboutâ€"its worth the investment.Maureen Stimola  is a Vermont native, serial expat and language addict who has learned Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese and Kichwa. Follow her on Twitter!

Leaps and Bounds Tutoring - What Does It Offer?

Leaps and Bounds Tutoring - What Does It Offer?The internet is filled with website offering lessons in various areas including private tutoring, public tutoring, online tutoring, etc. There are a few notable tutoring firms that offer education via the internet to students. They make sure that these tutors understand the demand of their clients and take them to the next level.Leaps and Bounds tutoring is one such firm that offers lessons in a variety of areas. The client can find learning materials on how to excel at exams, extracurricular activities, life skills, leadership, ethics, management, etc.Leaps and Bounds provide these services through the internet. It allows users to choose the specific degree that they are interested in. The tuition plan can be customized based on the specific requirement of the student. There are several steps to complete before enrolling for these lessons on the internet.Leaps and Bounds have this task to find out what kind of school the student has bee n attending as well as the subject that he or she is interested in. This information is important as it will help the tutors in order to tailor the tutoring program to meet the needs of the student.There are several steps to complete before enrolling for these lessons on the internet. The client has to go through the details of the course that he wants to learn on the internet. He also has to decide on the type of tutor that he is after. At this stage, he has to make sure that he understands the entire course syllabus and the major features of the course.As soon as the tutor is hired, he has to look into the course syllabus to make sure that the course is interesting. The tutor has to look into the other aspects like related experiences and the possible life skills that the student can use to cope up with the world. Another step is to check whether there are any other services like tutoring at home. Some of the services include tutoring abroad or as part of an exchange program.These tutoring services on the internet also give several other benefits to the user. For instance, they provide feedback regarding the success or failure of the lessons. Users can view the previous notes of the tutor. These aspects help a user to make the right decision on which course to choose.