Should I Go To University of California, Davis

Should I Go To University of California, Davis The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jason is a San Francisco tutor specializing in Essay Editing tutoring, Latin tutoring, AP English tutoring, and more. He is a graduate of University of California, Davis with a Bachelors degree in Comparative Literature and Russian. See what he had to say about his school: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Jason:UC Davis campus is very nice. Some of the architecture is bland, a function of when the campus went through periods of expansion. But the quad is a great place to lie in the sun; there are grassy areas and benches all over campus to sit outside and study or hang out, and the overall environment is friendly, academically-minded, and very college, so to speak. The library is first-rate, with millions of volumes and plenty of study space. The student facilities are also excellent, and there is no shortage of ways to stay in shape, to meet up with friends, and to study. I have experience on other college campuses, and Davis is especially nice and easy. The campus abuts downtown Davis, which is a cute, safe college town with lots of shops, casual eateries, and movie options. Other parts of Davis also offer dining and entertainment options, such as a great brewery, batting cages, bike paths and parks, and a variety of restaurants that make for good date-spots. The city of Davis is a college town surrounded by rural and agricultural areas. If you want a more city evening, Sacramento is only 20 minutes to the east, and San Francisco is about a 90-minute drive to the west. UC Davis and the city of Davis are about as bike-friendly as it gets. The landscape is basically flat, the streets are wide, and the motorists know that there are bikes all around, so they are considerate and careful. In addition, student fees also make it free to ride the local bus network (which is actually run by the Student Association). Getting around campus is a breeze, although the campus is quite big, and sometimes you have to cover a large distance (relatively speaking) between classes. This, however, is solved by the bicycle. The only thing is that, when it rains, youre either walking or getting that mud stripe up your back from the bike tire. But most classes, honestly, are in central campus, which can be comfortably crossed on foot in about 10 minutes. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jason:My experience with the faculty, staff, and teaching assistants (TAs) was great. I was often visiting office hours, which professors and TAs kept reliably, and I got a lot more out of my education because I made this extra effort. Its really the only way to get a great letter of recommendation coming out of college. My professors were always quick to reply to emails, and they were always available to get a coffee and discuss class stuff. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jason:I lived in Tercero, which is one of the housing areas. The DC (dining commons) was the best on campus, and students came from all the other living areas to eat at our DC. The food was fine. Its not Paris, but what college campus is? The DC would often do gourmet nights, though, where they let the cooks present special meals, such as gorgonzola walnut pasta, or Asian specialties. The salad bar was solid, and the grill was reliable. The living quarters were functional, but not luxurious. Unless things have changed, your dorm will not be especially posh, but I also cant recall ever thinking that things were bad. Its a dorm. How nice does it have to be? I had internet, air conditioning, furniture, and friends. I was a 15-minute walk to my classes, or a five-minute bike ride. Seems fine to me. The best part was all the social events my dorm put on. We would watch football games and the Oscars in the common area, we did movie nights, and even held a formal dance. Everyone in my dorm building was pretty close, too. We were often on intramural teams together for all the sports and did a lot of socializing in town. The university does a good job of giving students lots of socializing options: there are tons of clubs and the intramural (IM) program is one of the most robust in the country. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Jason:I would say that the hard sciences are the most represented and get the most funding at Davis. Most of my friends were computer science or biological systems engineers, but I was a comparative literature major with a focus on Russian and Classics. The Classics program was small but strong, and my preparation helped me considerably in graduate school. The Russian program was even smaller, but the professors I had were invested in me and very helpful. In general, the comparative literature program was more focused on Spanish and French, and so most of my fellow majors were in those classes. I took a lot of French classes, too, and they were excellent. I got great training from excellent scholars who made sure we had the help we needed. VT: 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? Jason:I didnt participate in Greek life, so I cant really say how central it was to the campus social scene, but I know there were fraternities. As it worked out, I made my best friends on day one in my dorm, and we hung out pretty much everyday after that. I also made friends in my classes and would play basketball, go out, or hang out with people I met that way. The campus would show great movies in one of the lecture halls, there was a pub on campus, and other activities to keep people from disappearing into their studies. Again, the IM leagues were also a great way to meet people. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Jason:Because I was both graduate school bound and had a major that isnt really recruited into big companies, I dont know how this all worked and I didnt use the Career Center much. They helped me a bit with my graduate school entrance essays (letter of intent and resume), but it was not career-focused because those were not my needs. I do know that all my friends got good paying jobs at major companies during their senior years and graduated into good positions at places like Genentech, HP, Yahoo, and other start-ups and biotech firms. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Jason:Both because Davis students are committed to their work and because the campus is pretty big, there is no shortage of places to study and work. The Memorial Union has tons of tables, benches, and places to study while maintaining access to coffee; the library has great reading rooms, study areas, and computer labs; the campus is covered with benches and picnic tables to study outside. The dorm lounge was plenty big, but it was really a place to socialize, so not that much studying went on there. People were more likely to study in their dorm rooms. There are also many cafes in town that serve as great places to study. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Jason:Davis is not a metropolis, but because of the university, its a cosmopolitan and diverse place. There are lots of ethnic restaurants, shops, bars, pizza places, and other casual dining options. If you want to go to a Hollywood-style club, you probably wont get that in Davis, but I was never bored. When I was jonesing for real culture, Id just go into San Francisco. It wasnt far away, and I had a car. On weekend nights, especially, downtown is bustling, and so is campus. They are right next to each other, so the activity kind of spills from one to the next. Its a safe and charming community, but not at all a clubby type place. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jason:I had an unusual experience. Most of my classes were around eight students, but this is because I was studying unpopular subjects (Greek, Latin, Russian). Most classes were larger, but even my literature classes were only around 20. There are plenty of ginormous lectures, with hundreds of people, but thats what lab and discussion sections are for: youll get your contact with instructors if you want it. For me, a big campus and student body was great. If you want a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, why are you considering a UC at all? These are big schools with lots of students, but with that size comes resources (library, concerts, athletic facilities, etc.) that youre not likely to get at the smaller liberal arts schools. You need to decide what you want your college experience to be. If you want small classes and you want to study chemistry, a UC is probably not a good option for you. It was a great option for me and my friends, and I have never regretted putting UC Davis on my res ume. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jason: My favorite professor at Davis was David Traill, a Greek professor, and I was a research assistant to him for a year. I helped him transcribe the diary of an important archeologist for a book he was working on. I really enjoyed being given real responsibility and taking part in his research. He trusted me, but more than that, he mentored me. He helped me become a better researcher, a more careful reader, and he made sure to get to know me. He wrote me great letters of recommendation for graduate school, and he floated my name to other faculty who needed help with their research and classes. Even though I was at a big university, Traill made it feel like a small college where professors went out of their way to mentor us and help us grow. I also loved my Introduction to Winemaking class! Check out Jasons tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Maths Teacher Salary UK

Maths Teacher Salary UK How Much Do Maths Teachers Earn in the UK? ChaptersDisparity in Teachers Pay ScaleTeacher Salary based on Seniority and TenureHow Seniority in Primary and Secondary Education affects Teachers PayExperience is (not Necessarily) what Matters Most with Teachers Pay ScaleThe Significance of STEMWhat about Maths Teacher Salary?If you've ever had occasion to talk with a maths teacher, during a parent-teacher conference or during a spontaneous consultation on your child's progress, you might have sensed a feeling of malcontent underlying his/her assertions.Frustration over heavy workload has pushed more educators to become a maths tutor  recently. Teaching geared to ensure students pass mandatory exams instead of delving deeper into curriculum, aspects that would guarantee true learning, is another great source of ire.Impossibly high standards to reach which, by the way, determine a master's earning potential.Is teacher pay really scaled on a pupil reaching learning milestones?How is pay determined for maths teachers in the UK?These permanent posts were few and far between; highly coveted and stingily awarded.Soon, such appointments will be a thing of the past. As the last of the Positioned Professors retire or withdraw from academic life, their posts will be filled by teachers on contract with no possibility of gaining tenure at their institution.The Education Reform Act of 1988 changed the nature of post-secondary schools from mere institutes of higher learning into businesses. That in turn altered the relationship of Professors with their domains.No longer would schools vie for especially talented teachers; nor would genius be particularly cultivated.Everyone signs a contract: permanent, indefinite or school year to school year.This move was meant to narrow the gap between academic institutions and polytechnic schools. Public school teachers at Polytechnic universities have always worked under contract, and such houses of learning have always been 'for profit'.1992 saw a further narrowing of the gap between the two types of schools: all polytechnic colleges became Universities.From then on, any illusion that academic professorship conveyed gravitas was irrevocably destroyed. healthcare to education has adopted it, to one extent or the other.Pay for Performance, ExplainedLet's imagine a particular school district that, for whatever reason, consistently under-performs: the rate of school leavers is fantastically high, test scores are abysmally low and teacher turnover rates are appalling.In spite of regular teacher evaluation and a salary schedule commensurate with other schools in the area, the school administrator has little recourse in improving the educational statistics his facility seems to constantly churn out.Naturally, there is the matter of accountability: are all of the good teachers leaving because the teachers who could benefit from more guidance and development simply aren't getting it?Are the students' education statistics due to the education system failing in their recr uitment of qualified, experienced teachers?Oh, well! Time to sort out the bonuses, now! Let's see... Sir John has been here the longest so he will get the largest cheque, followed by Mrs. ...Therein lies most of that school district's problems.Disbursing loyalty bonuses rather than merit bonuses tends to make employees loyal to the bonus rather than to their employment.Just after the turn of the century, corporations and administrative bodies alike, including our country's Department of Education adopted a supplemental compensation scheme that places the onus on teachers' self-improvement that would lead to better classroom performance rather than to automatic and incremental increases in teachers salary.Here we note that, although teachers do not receive a cost of living allowance, the average teacher salary does increase to reflect the cost of living, year to year.This system of merit pay compels teachers to focus more directly on student achievement and incentivises them to take on extracurricular duties, such as working with SEN students, as mentioned above.However, it makes no allowance for STEM education - instructional programs in science, technology, engineering and maths that is currently THE hot topic in education today.A topic that, till now, haws received no more school funding than any other academic subject.Too few students in our schools see the melding of maths, engineering and technology Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltThe Significance of STEMEvery aspect of our daily lives is impacted and influenced by STEM. We won't belabour the obvious by citing online shopping statistics or the prevalence of social media - two aspects of modern society wholly dependent on technology. Instead, we point to the road you take to work, the conveyance you arrive in, be it your own car or the tube...Did you listen to music or perhaps an audiobook on the way?Without the study of science and engineering, none of those conveniences would exist for us to enjoy, and wit hout maths, technology and engineering would, dare we say, not exist?Just last weekend, at a forum held in Dubai, the Global Education and Skills forum discussed, among other topics, the need for more and better teachers, who could make the subject material come alive for their students.What's the point of studying maths and science? - a common student complaint.The point is that the the science, engineering and manufacturing sectors estimate a shortfall of 80,000 qualified workers in the next two years - a terrifying statistic!What are we, in Great Britain, doing to head off those potentially disastrous circumstances?  Outreach projects to attract more female students to STEM have not been wholly successful. Still, organisations such as STEM Learning work hard to promote interest and awareness of STEM in schools across the country.They work directly with students but their main function is to support STEM teachers, through continuing education, by helping develop teaching strategie s and by disseminating new information as soon as it becomes available.So, with the spotlight currently on STEM subjects and those teachers doing everything they can to impart their subject matter in the most engaging ways possible...    What about Maths Teacher Salary?Till now, the UK school system makes no distinction between a teacher of Maths and of any other subject, when it comes to pay.Teachers of all subjects are compensated according to their experience and performance, and all fall within the salary range for their level.According to Elizabeth Truss, such unremarkable treatment of maths teachers and cavalier attitude toward maths in general, will certainly lead to Britain falling behind other countries national education systems. In China and South Korea for example, where pupils excel at not only maths but science, biology, literacy and more.She faced great criticism for her position on boosting pay and incentives to attract quality maths instructors and recommending that qualifications for maths teachers be more stringent.Until now, nothing has been done to especially recognize or compensate maths teachers beyond what teachers of other subjects earn.We sure hope that will change.  Discover Maths background and the link to tutoring over the centuries with our guide.Seeking  tutoring jobs  and teaching jobs? Find out to become a maths tutor on Superprof. Whether you want to teach at home or start online tutoring jobs, we can help.

Personal Development Resources, Books and Exercises

Personal Development Resources, Books and Exercises The Resources That Can Help You Achieve Your Goals ChaptersWhat Are Personal Development Plans and Skills?How to Achieve Your GoalsLearn How to Use Your Human PotentialWhether you’re looking to enhance your professional development, increase your self-awareness, or simply need some help mastering time management â€" there is an enormous range of different development plans you can follow.The good news is, you don’t need a life coach to choose which one is right for you. From practicing mindfulness to mastering professional skills, here is a guide on what resources can help you start your journey.Self-improvement can help you achieve your long term goalsThat being said, the process of self-development involves much more than following inspirational posts on social media about self-care. While being a great starting point, the truth is that personal development is more a lifestyle than a single-use tool. The good news is that once you get started, you’ll never want to stop.Find a confidence course London.Whether you're a dreamer or a realist, self-help techniques can help you grow personally and professionallyHow to Achieve Your GoalsLooking through the vast quantity of self-development materials can be a daunting task made easier by the fact that self-help typically falls under three categories. Before you start your journey, make sure to make a self-assessment of which of these categories you’d like to start working under.Professional Skills DevelopmentWithin all of the jargon that comes with entering your professional career is one underlying concept: self-improvement will always help you develop your career. This can be explained by examining the general backbone of any development plan, which involves setting a goal, drafting a plan, and executing that plan.Taking development courses to improve hard skills like programming or business analytics can have obvious effects on your career such as improving the rapport between you and your manager or helping add to your list of transferable skills. However , trying to accomplish goals simply to add pleasure to your life â€" such as training for a marathon or reading a novel every month â€" can have benefits that leak into your professional life. Here are some examples in areas of personal development in the professional world:Presentation skillsEffective communicationNon-verbal skillsDevelopment in Personal GoalsPersonal development often gets limited to two distinct categories, which are fitness and mental health. While the two often go hand-in-hand, there are a plethora of activities you can start practicing in order to improve your skills in either.Setting hard, concrete goals is the key to any practice in personal development. Here are some examples of activities that reflect this notion:Taking yoga courses every week to work on stress-reliefTalking to a therapist once a month to develop anxiety-reducing skills and tacticsJoining a community running program in order to make friendsTake up gardening as a method for making a little time every day for yourselfSelf-Knowledge DevelopmentWhile learning new skills, whether that be professional or life skills, can be an integral part of self-development, development goals don’t necessarily have to involve physical activity. In fact, many people set personal development goals in order to gain new knowledge. This knowledge often takes on these three forms:FinancialCulturalAcademicBorrowing or buying a book on investing, taking up language courses, and participating in a webinar on nutrition are all examples of how you can practice developing your knowledge. While many people often take on a mentor in order to learn skills such as painting or mathematics, others often prefer to teach themselves to improve their development experience.Developing yourself can be helped by listening to a self-improvement podcastLearn How to Use Your Human PotentialRegardless of which of the three categories you fall under, procrastination can be a major pitfall in starting your developm ent journey. While many of us can easily draw up a list on the bad habits that keep us from achieving our goals, what many people can’t do is actually think of the appropriate habits to set in order to accomplish them.While having assertiveness and a positive attitude can certainly be helpful in any of the various development programs or plans you can take part in or make for yourself, learning the art of goal-setting can be more important. So important, in fact, that it can actually be the determining factor between those who do and don’t accomplish what they set out to do.That being said, here are some of the resources you can check out if you’re interested in personal growth and development and want to put your goal-setting skills into practice.How to Set GoalsThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: if you’re looking to develop a more positive work ethic or simply trying to reach the height of your human potential, this book by Stephen R. Covey has got you coveredEmploya bility Skills and Job SkillsBeyond the to do list: a perfect podcast to enhance your development plans, teaching you everything from creating an achievable new habit to improving your soft skills, Erik Fisher’s lessons and conversations last from 30-60 minutes.The EntreLeadership Podcast: hosted by Ken Coleman, this podcast not only offers great career planning or career exploration lessons for those interested in entrepreneurship but is also a great addition to any personality development goals.Fitness, Mental Health and Self confidenceThe Alchemist: while this classic novel may not call up images of stress management, adaptability in tough situations, and emotional intelligence, author Paulo Coelho’s story is a testament to how someone’s writing skills can help improve your psychological skills set.What To Say When You Talk To Yourself: Shad Helmstetter’s book delves into why our inner monologue tends to be so negative and what you can do to change it â€" a skill that can help you whether you’re looking to improve your fitness or boost your self-confidence

The Importance of Interpersonal Skills

The Importance of Interpersonal Skills Why You Need to Develop Your Interpersonal Skills ChaptersWhat are Good Interpersonal Skills?The Benefits of Interpersonal SkillsGood Communication Skills Help You Build Strong Personal RelationshipsThey Make You More Employable and Open Your World to New OpportunitiesSoft Skills Help to Make You a Good LeaderStrong Interpersonal Skills Will Impress Your Clients and CustomersYou’ll be Building Trust and RespectInterpersonal Skills are Great for Your Well-Being TooGood interpersonal skills are more than just a corporate buzzword. They are what make you an effective communicator, colleague, boss, and friend.Obviously, they’ve been around since the beginning of humanity. And, call them what you like â€" social skills, emotional intelligence, communication skills, interpersonal relations â€" but, really, they are the qualities and methods by which you can become a trustworthy and social person as much as a good colleague, a good team player, and a good leader.Interpersonal skills â€" as this particular name suggests â€" are those th ings that allow humans to build relationships, to get along with and interact with others, and to work collaboratively (in all aspects of the term ‘work’ â€" not just in an employment context).This, really, is the importance of having great interpersonal skills. Because success in effective communication is the basis of all social life. And, by becoming conscious of them, you’ll excel in all aspects of your work, leisure, and being. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.92 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliverPersonal development Teacher 4.33 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat are Good Interpersonal Skills?By looking at any job advert in the world, you’ll see the sort of interpersonal skills that employers value. Consider the ones that you can think of off the top of your head (we bet they are the same as ours:Effective verbal communication â€" in spoken and written communication.A strong work ethic and positive attitude.An ability to work effectively in a team.Management skills â€" both in terms of leadership of people and of your own time and tasks.All of these things are so familiar that they are almost banal. Yet, this only highlights the importance of interpersonal skills in the world of modern employment.Interpersonal skills cover everything from basic communication and listening skills â€" including being comfortable with giving and receiving feedback â€" to the skills essentia l to leadership, team-working, negotiating and dealing with disagreement.Yet, as you’ll see, they are not limited to the workplace. Rather, they are skills that are essential across all different parts of life.For more information on the range of interpersonal skills, check out our article, What are Interpersonal Skills? Excel in work and life with interpersonal skills.The Benefits of Interpersonal SkillsLet’s take a look at some of the different benefits of quality interpersonal skills â€" and convince you of the importance of developing them both in work and in your wider life.Find out how to develop your interpersonal skills!Good Communication Skills Help You Build Strong Personal RelationshipsInterpersonal skills are those that affect your ability to relate to others, to confidently and effectively communicate, to be empathetic, and, quite simply, to get along.And, as such, excelling in your interpersonal skills will enable you to cultivate relationships â€" both professional and personal â€" that are healthy, strong, honest, and guided by a mutual respect.Effective body language and active listening are not just buzzwords, but things that you do naturally with those closest to you anyway. If you are looking to develop those skills, a bit of self-awareness â€" but obviously not too much â€" is important, as it will help you to transfer the way you are comfortably into domains in which you are not necessarily so comfortable.They’re Not Just Good in Work: Interpersonal Communication Skills are Just Life Skills.We’ll say it again: interpersonal skills are just people skills. They are just the skills you use to know how to communicate, how to engage in social interaction, and your ability to understand others.And whilst these skills that you no doubt have in the wider world can be hugely useful when imported into work, you can also use the skills training that you have had in work in your life outside work too.The art of persuasion, the simple interpersonal skill of building a rapport, the ability to make small talk. These are all things that are not useful exclusively in the workplace. But develop them there and you’ll find yourself improving your social intelligence generally.That’s another benefit of developing your interpersonal skills.Try developing your interper sonal skills online!If you are hoping to make change happen and bring people with you, you need to work to develop your interpersonal skills. Become a leader with your new interpersonal skills!Strong Interpersonal Skills Will Impress Your Clients and CustomersAnd it’s not just your team or potential employers who will see value in your new interpersonal skills.Your clients, customers, or potential future business partners will appreciate them too. Clients don’t want to just see that your technical skills are up to scratch â€" whatever service it is you are selling, whether copywriting services or engineering products â€" but they will want to see that you are committed to their wishes, that you are trustworthy and punctual, and that you can empathise with their particular view of the world.Add to this the fact that you are simply more likely to be hired if you are just nice and you have plenty of other reasons why you’d want to commit to your interpersonal skills.You’ll be Building Trust and RespectThe same stands for trust. Respect and trust in the business world are not things that are freely given. And whilst, a gain, clients and employers might trust your hard skills, that won’t necessarily be enough to win their respect.The term ‘professionalism’ infuses the notion of interpersonal skills. This means behaving appropriately to the situation that you are in. Whilst your personal skills might flourish down the pub, the same ‘skills’ are not necessarily appreciated in a business conversation. Knowing the difference is not banal â€" and it’s something to which you’ll need to give some thought.Trust and respect are not things that are limited to the business world either â€" and developing your interpersonal skills can be a helping hand in all walks of life. Be a great business leader with your interpersonal skills.Interpersonal Skills are Great for Your Well-Being TooAs we’ve discussed before, interpersonal skills are not just the name for a specific business skill set. Rather, the things that they require benefits all aspects of your life.Being able to communicate effectively will bring benefits to you as a person, at a personal level. Imagine having a conversation but not having the interest, empathy, or skills to listen properly to what your interlocutor is saying. This does actually happen.Listening is a skill that you shouldn’t take for granted. Being able to accept criticism, suggestions, and advice is essential to growth and development as a human being. Other people do often have interesting things to say â€" and it will benefit you hugely to be able to learn from them.Find out more about interpersonal skills

Get Them Reading A Guide to Books in English for Preschool Children

Get Them Reading A Guide to Books in English for Preschool Children A great way to help children to learn English is to get them fun books in the new language that they can enjoy at play or bedtime.Reading is also a wonderful way to supplement your child’s English classes.Here are some recommendations for preschool readers:Margarent Wise Browns Goodnight Moon may have been written in 1947 but it remains a favorite with young  children today. It is the story of a bunny whose  bedtime ritual involves saying goodnight to various things in his room like a balloon, some kittens and, of course, the moon he sees through his window. Clement Hurds illustrations are famous for their attention to detail and help bring the story to life.Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.Katharine Holabirds  Angelina Ballerina series  has been a  hit with preschool children for over 25 years and will probably be already familiar to  your child  as a result of the television series based on the books. The series follows the trials of Angelina, a little mouse who wants nothin g more than to become a ballerina. Her parents finally allow her to attend ballet school so that she can achieve her dream.Angelina Ballerina by Katherine Holabird.If there are two things young children love, they have to be messing in the kitchen and birthday cakes. These two things are brought together in Eve Rices Benny Bakes a Cake. In this book, young readers watch little Benny make a birthday cake with his mother only to see it  eaten by Ralph, the dog. Dad comes to the rescue with a new cake that saves the day and the birthday party.Benny Bakes a Cake by Eve Rice.Maurice Sendaks Where the Wild Things Are is another favorite with preschoolers. Max puts on a wolf suit and watches his room turn into a forest. Encounters with a wide range of wild creatures follow.Teaching children to express themselves in English can be great fun.   Well-known actress Jamie Lee Curtis gets it right with her book Today I Feel Silly Other Moods That Make My Day.   The books explores 13 different m oods with young readers and even includes an emotion wheel at the back of the book where your little ones can talk about their own emotions.Today I Feel Silly Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis.Did you find this article helpful? Please share it on Facebook and Twitter. Also, feel free to contact us if you would like your children to have English classes with a native speaker.

Motivation Tips for Students in the New Year

Motivation Tips for Students in the New Year Ready to get your students into school mode after holiday break? Here are five tips to start things off on the right foot in 2019: Plan activities. Ease your students into school work with some post-holiday classroom activities. Those might include writing prompts, games to refresh students knowledge on units from first semester and hands-on activities. Revisit those goals. If you had your students set goals in the beginning of the year, pull them out again. Encourage students to assess how theyre progressing toward their goals and have them write a few more for this month and the rest of the school year. Develop a game plan. Dont just set goals. Have your students lay out the steps to attain them. Talk about creating goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely). Together, come up with an accountability system wherein your students track their progress along the way. Get (re)organized. Give your students a quick refresher on planner use and keeping track of projects and test dates as well as some reminders on how to keep the backpack, binders, locker and desk in order. Talk about character. The New Year is one of the best times to commit to changing ourselves for the better. Spend time these first weeks back to school cultivating a classroom environment that is supportive and inspiring and encourages students to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses and what they want to be known for. The New Year is an opportunity for all students to start fresh and take ownership of their school experience. Incorporate these ideas into your classroom and make the rest of the school year awesome! See how Huntington can help your students succeed.

Is Latin coming back - Tutor Hunt Blog

Is Latin coming back Is Latin coming back? Is Latin coming back?SubjectsA hundred years ago Latin classes were a feature of almost every school child`s education. Learning the way different verbs, nouns and adjectives were inflected was part of regular schooling, along with arithmetic and english. By the end of the second world war however many schools were dropping it from their curriculum. There are only so many hours in a school day, and it was thought the time spent learning Latin could be put to more practical use. There are tentative signs of a resurgence though, amongst adults anyway, in this dead language. Colfe`s School in south-east London has been offering evening Latin classes, mainly for parents of its pupils, for some years now. Recently though it has been so oversubscribed that begun to offer two Monday evening Latin classes - and every seat has been filled! Perhaps this resurgent interest in a long dead language is down to an abundance of historical films, televisions series and novels, which manage to bring back to life the splendour of the Roman Empire - at least until there`s an advert break, or the book is closed. Erudite classicists, who until recently would never have dreamed of catching even a glimmer of the limelight, now find themselves becoming household names - celebrities almost. Bettany Hughes, Michael Scott and Mary Beard - historical writers and broadcasters - all enjoy huge audiences. Their work feeds the huge interest in Roman history, and encourages people to learn more about an empire that once spanned most of Europe. Is there any argument for reintroducing Latin back into the curriculum though? Foreign languages have been a compulsory part of the curriculum since 2014, and there are many schools that do offer it. 700 state secondary schools and 450 independent senior schools currently teach the subject; a modest number perhaps, but one that has doubled since 2000. These figures are from the Cambridge Schools Classics Project, which also revealed that about 50,000 pupils actually learn latin each year, though only a quarter of that number sit the Latin GCSE. Is there any benefit to learning a long dead language like Latin though? For certain professions a knowledge of Latin is certainly useful. Almost any kind of judicial work will certainly benefit from a knowledge of Latin - there are hundreds judicial phrases (habeas corpus, in absentia, non obstante verdicto) that are solely expressed using Latin terminology. Many medical terms are also expressed in Latin - so an understanding of the language would certainly be useful (though probably only marginally) to those determined to enter a medical field. Having a knowledge of Latin will help you learn other european languages, especially Italian and Spanish. This benefit can perhaps be overstated though. It would be trivial to point out that european languages have developed in multifarious ways since the fall of the Roman Empire, and have characteristics significantly different to the Latin of Cicero, Seneca or Horace. That said, the knowledge of how verbs, adjectives and nouns can be inflected through suffixes (a system largely absent in english, which mainly relies on word order to convey sense) will benefit an english speaker wishing to learn one of the romance languages. Boris Johnson might occasionally drop a few Latin phrases into his speeches - but those who do so in regular conversation are likely to look affected and pretentious. Indeed, there are many who think Latin classes signify nothing more than exclusivity, pomposity, and are a relic of the British class system. If this judgement seems a little scathing perhaps ask yourself this: who would be the greater asset to an international company, someone who can quote some latin phrases, and struggle through, with the help of a lexicon, some of Marcus Aurelius`s Meditations; or someone who can speak Spanish, or even Mandarin? 3 years ago0Add a Comment

7 Diverse Languages Spoken Daily in the USA

7 Diverse Languages Spoken Daily in the USA 7 Diverse Languages Spoken Daily in the USA The United States of America is so famous for the English of its mainstream films, TV and music that it sometimes seems like everybody forgets about the other 349 languages spoken daily in American homes.Thats right: If you thought the USA is a monolingual, English-speaking country, you couldnt be farther from the truth. On both individual and societal levels, Americans are no strangers to the benefits of multilingualism.The United States of America is actually among the most multicultural  countries on the planet, which makes it by definition one of the most linguistically diverse as well. Were talking more than just the Spanish spoken by tens of millions of immigrants and heritage speakers; a recent census study found that Americans speak 350 languages in their homes every day.Some of these languages have been brought from overseas by immigrants, others are native to the societies which inhabited North America before European exploration and still others are uniquely American-made creoles and hybrids.As a visitor just getting off the plane or a local living in a homogeneous English-speaking community, it may look and sound like youre in a purely Anglophone country. But scratch the surface and underneath it youll find nearly as many languages as you will different cultures in the USA.Of course English can get you from coast to coast without a problem, but learning just a few phrases in one or two other languages will open you up to entire other communities that call the USA home. Whether youre thinking of doing some travels in the States or youre a US citizen whos thinking about learning one of your neighbors languages, here are seven you should take a look at. 7 Diverse Languages Spoken Daily in the USA1. Spanish: The Unofficial Second Language  Most people know that there are quite a few Spanish speakers in the United States. What most dont know is that nearly one in six Americans (52 million total) speak Spanish, either as their native language, a heritag e language spoken at home with parents or as a foreign language. By total speakers, that makes the USA the second largest Hispanophone country in the world.Spanish can be easily found in the Southwest, South Florida, New York and most bigger cities across the country. Its not only an important language for many individuals and families, but in many cases  its the language of daily life in cities like Miami, where generally even non-Hispanic Americans have at least passive understanding of the language. This geographic spread and significance are probably why Spanish is by far the most popularly learned second language in the US.In some parts of the country, Spanish will be just as useful as English, and nearly everywhere itll move you to the front of the line for delicious food and experiencing firsthand the cultures of the many Mexican, Cuban and Puerto Rican communities, along with those of the many other Spanish-speaking groups within the United States.2. Cajun  French: The Key t o Cajun CountryMany Americans speak French, but its not the same French youll hear on the streets of Paris or even Quebec.In the state of Louisiana, there are several very distinct dialects of French or French-based creoles that are still in common use and, despite their lack of a strong linguistic relationship to one another, can be lumped under the grouping of Louisiana French.The biggest and perhaps most famous of these varieties is Cajun French, spoken by the Cajuns of Southern Louisiana, a distinctly New World mix of Colonial French, Acadian French brought by settlers from French Canada, local Native American languages and English.This Louisiana original  is deeply tied to Cajun culture, and you can see its influence in Cajun  music performances and Cajun crawfish boils in towns like Lafayette, Louisiana. Here in the heart of Cajun Country, there are about 25,000 Cajun speakers. Most older locals are bilingual in Cajun and English, and there are lively  efforts to keep the lang uage going strong in the area.Also falling under the category of Louisiana French is Louisiana Creole French, a French-based Creole mixed with English, Native American and African languages thats  spoken by the Louisiana Creoles who also live in Southern Louisiana (but be careful not to confuse this distinct language, culture, food and people with its Cajun cousin). While its a distinct creole language rather than a dialect of French, Louisiana Creole can be said to be on a continuum with Cajun French and Parisian French.With so many different variants of the language  spoken in Louisiana, brushing up on your French will serve you well!3. Cantonese: The Language of Chinatown, USAWhile Mandarin is the most widely spoken  language  in China, Cantonese plays a special role outside of Chinas borders. The majority of Chinese expats abroad are from Cantonese-speaking regions, which means that, for just under half a million residents  of the great Chinatowns you find in cities like San Fra ncisco and New York, Cantonese is the language that dominates daily life.Although any American Chinatown is likely to be bursting with Cantonese speakers, the farther west you look the more youll find. In large cities all along the West Coast, as well as in many smaller communities between them, youll find large groups of people who conduct daily business and life in Cantonese.Despite the fact that Mandarin-speaking immigrants are starting to make their own impacts on North American Chinatowns, Cantonese isnt going anywhereâ€"although it does mean that learning Mandarin Chinese is a good investment as well!4. Gullah: American Hybrid of the Sea IslandsIt would be all too easy to drive through the Carolinas and never hear of a language or people called Gullah.Also known as Sea Island Creole English, Gullah is an English-based creole with strong influences from several Niger-Congo languages spoken in West Africa, and its used in the very close-knit Gullah community in the Sea Islands o f North and South Carolina.As was the case with many groups of slaves forcibly brought to the Americas, the original speakers of Gullah developed a hybrid language to speak amongst themselves in privacy from slave owners. The language has historically been formally outlawed in several states, resulting in a mere few hundred native speakers today.Now this language enjoys formal education programs in parts of South Carolina, supported by a vibrant Gullah cultural revival based in Charleston. Gullah is known for its storytelling tradition, the source of the popularization of the Gullah  word kumbayah,  meaning come sit by me.5. Pennsylvania German: The Language of the American AmishMost Americans have heard of the Pennsylvania Dutch before, which is why it might be odd to learn that the language they speak is called Pennsylvania German.The Dutch in the name of the American Amish community, their Mennonite cousins and the descendants of both, is an improper translation of  Deutsche, whi ch means German in German. The language spoken in the community today is still mutually intelligible with Standard German.Even more counterintuitively: Pennsylvania German (which, as you remember, is spoken by the Pennsylvania Dutch) is spoken in many more places than just Pennsylvania. About 200,000 Amish and Mennonite speakers use the language in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, other Midwestern states and parts of Canada. For these speakers, its a deeply cultural language thats strongly tied to the Amish and Mennonite identity, and most members of these communities speak it fluently alongside English.If you have an interest in visiting or learning about American Amish and Mennonite communities, learning some German would put you well on your way to sitting down at the dinner table and chatting with the locals in Pennsylvania German!6. Navajo: A Vibrant Native American LanguageLong before European colonizers arrived, indigenous peoples of the Americas had developed their own societies and cultures, all operating with  Native American languages. Today, Navajo is one of the few indigenous languages of the USA that enjoys a large speaking population, formal education and is still going strong in general.Throughout New Mexico, Arizona and other parts of the Southwest, about 170,000 Navajo people continue to use their native languages at home and in daily life. The Navajo Nation offers formal education in Navajo in its territories, one of the reasons language preservation efforts have been largely successful compared to those of other Native American languages.7. English: The USAs #1 ExportAnd of course, it cant be avoided in a list like this: English. While the United States has Mother England to thank for inheriting its language, the USA is now the global center and biggest exporter of the English language and the global culture surrounding it.American pop cultural imperialism spread American TV, films, music, and literatureâ€"and with it American English and even American slang  and idiomsâ€"throughout the Western world in the second half of the twentieth century, becoming largely responsible for todays reality in which you can find young, educated English speakers in most large or cosmopolitan cities in the world.Its also the de facto official language of the United States, used at all levels of government, in public education and spoken by the overwhelming majority of Americans as a first or second language. Every day over 300 million Americansâ€"native speakers, bilinguals and immigrantsâ€"continue to use the English language and pump its cultural products out into the wider world.So, while English is obviously number one  in the USA, dont let that fool you into thinking its the  only  one.This list could be significantly longer!  Vietnamese and Tagalog are spoken in small pockets of nearly every major city. Bosnian is the language of choice in some of St. Louiss south side neighborhoods. Several thousand Kurds have carried  their languag e and culture to Nashville. Cherokee is spoken throughout the Southeast. Over 100,000 Bengali speakers call New York City home.If youre living in or visiting the USA and already speak good English, think about learning a bit of one of the many other languages, local or  imported, that correspond to the many unique  communities and cultures within  one of the worlds largest and most diverse countries.A few phrases in Cajun French or Navajo have the potential to open up entire cultures that many dont even know exist!Jakob is a full-time traveler, obsessive language learner and dedicated language teacher. He writes about language, travel and the many places they meet on the road at his blog Globalect.