Solar Chemistry

Solar ChemistrySolar Chemistry is quite the advanced science as it examines the behavior of atoms in the solar spectrum. It uses special spectrographs and a solar microscope to capture images of light from the sun's surface.Solar Chemistry first began as a reaction to apply to the study of crystals by Georgius Agrippa who, in 1551, had made many discoveries regarding the structure of water. The system then expanded to include other crystals, plants, animals, and even living things. It can be said that Agrippa was the first to understand that minerals were actually composed of smaller components, each of which were in contact with one another through chemical reactions.The reaction was simple in that the smaller minerals were attracted to each other and caused them to mix with the larger ones to form a crystal. This was done because a major factor in this process was the connection that mineral forms could make with the absorption of light by the grains.There are many phenomena in Sol ar Chemistry that are used in many laboratories and home laboratories. One example of this is the 'Chlorophyll' of plants. This molecule is responsible for the absorption of sunlight by plants.The two types of chlorophyll molecules are named A and B. These A and B molecules can be treated as opposites, A being fixed and B being polar. In normal circumstances, the molecule would absorb energy from the sun.However, when these chlorophyll molecules absorb more energy, the atoms in it move closer together creating the effect of a 'bonding' in this particular molecule. This bond will cause the molecules to vibrate more efficiently and this in turn will cause them to absorb energy in the same manner.All of the atoms, including the nitrogen atom in a hydrogen atom, move in the same direction when these bonds occur. This means that the number of electrons, either positive or negative, will change depending on the amount of absorption in the molecule. All of this results in different types o f atoms and this is the basis of what is called the 'spectrum' of solar chemistry.

Adding fractions with common denominators

Adding fractions with common denominators Fractions are a very commonly used numerical representation of numbers. A fraction is number written in p/q form. Where p is the numerator and q is the denominator of the number. The denominator of a fraction cannot be equal to zero i.e. q not equal to zero. Different mathematical operations can be used to simplify and solve a fractions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. While adding fractions there should always be a common denominator. Here are some examples for adding fractions with a common denominator. Example 1: Simplify and find the answer by adding the given fraction numbers 2/5 + 3/5 + 4/5? Solution: The first step is to check the denominator of the given fractions. We have a common denominator of 5 for all three fractions. Since the denominator of the fractions is same, add the numerators of the given fractions. This gives 2/5 + 3/5 + 4/5 = (2 + 3 + 4) / 5 = 9/5. Therefore, the answer for 3/4 + 5/4 + 1/4 = 9/5. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) What is the answer for adding the two fractions 1/7 + 6/7? a) 1 b) 6/7 c) 5/7 d) None of these. Correct answer: option a. Here the fractions 1/7 and 6/7 have the same denominator 7. Since we have the common denominator we can add the numerators. This gives 1/7 + 6/7 = (1 + 6) /7 = 7/7. The fraction 7/7 can be further simplified. Hence 7/7 = 1.

HEART Tutoring Adds Math To Name, Changes Logo

HEART Tutoring Adds “Math” To Name, Changes Logo HEART Tutoring Adds “Math” To Name, Changes Logo HEART Tutoring Adds “Math” To Name, Changes Logo April 17, 2015 Following feedback from funders, volunteers, and schools, and with a grant from Reemprise Fund, HEART Tutoring completed a branding study in 2014 and will now be Heart Math Tutoring. The goal of the branding study was to find a name and image that captures Heart’s focus on math and professionalized, measured results while maintaining the warmth of the tutor/student relationship that is core to our work. Heart’s team and key stakeholders worked with Wray Ward, a Charlotte-based marketing communications agency beginning last summer. Many thanks to all of our volunteers, schools, and supporters who spent time last summer providing input and guidance! Charlie Elberson, primary advisor for the Reemprise Fund, a donor advised fund held at Foundation For The Carolinas, explains why working with Heart Math Tutoring on this project fit the Fund’s venture philanthropy work. “The Reemprise Fund has a legacy of providing transformative grants to visionary social enterprises. Heart’s model for math intervention and volunteer management has tremendous potential to scale in Charlotte and beyond. Looking toward that horizon, the organization needed a brand identity that was a true reflection of its extraordinary premise. This new program will give them an edge, propelling Heart Math Tutoring’s marketing for various audiences in years to come.” In Heart’s new brand, the colors are updated; the shapes suggest math and geometry; and the subtle image of a butterfly evokes the feelings of growth, change, and transformation that we hope to inspire in our students and in the community. The original acronym has been dropped and a new tagline adapted: “Connecting Students Volunteers for Results that Count.” We hope you like it! Special thanks goes to Bellaworks for  refreshing  Heart’s website  and to Crystal Dempsey with  From The Hip Communications for helping us tell our story with our blog, social media, and email. Most of all, thank you to Reemprise Fund for the grant award to make all of this possible. We are excited about the way these developments will help Heart bring one-on-one math tutoring to more students in Charlotte.

Partnering with your Childs Teacher for a Successful School Year

Partnering with your Child's Teacher for a Successful School Year How can you effectively collaborate with your child's teacher? By fostering positive and productive communication throughout the year. Just as it is important to talk with your child about school, communicating with his or her teacher is crucial as well. Read on for a few pointers on how to develop a positive parent-teacher relationship and make the most out of it all year long. Go to parent-teacher conferences. Take advantage of parent-teacher conferences, which offer regular opportunities for you to talk with your child's teacher face to face. To get the most out of these meetings, jot down any issues you'd like to discuss before you go. If your child is struggling with school or homework, ask his or her teacher lots of questions, such as: Does my child seem focused during class? Does my child come prepared for class Does my child complete all homework and classroom assignments Does my child get along with his or her peers? What are my child's best subjects? What subjects does my child struggle with? Does my child participate in class? Does my child pay attention in class? Has my child had absences from school that I may not be aware of? What tests will my child take this school year? What do these tests measure? Of course, your child's teacher may have a few questions for you as well. If your child is experiencing problems at home, with friends or in other areas of his or her life, be sure to share this with your child's teacher. Together, the two of you can brainstorm ways to lessen the impact of outside factors on your child's school performance. Keep interactions positive and collaborative. Not every parent-teacher relationship will be perfect. Topics such as homework, tests and learning environment may rouse disagreement between you and your child's teacher, particularly if your child is struggling to keep up or has difficulty completing assignments. However, it's best to approach your child's teacher with a cooperative attitude, avoiding assigning blame or criticizing. First, attempt to understand the situation. Remember that your child's teacher also has your child's best interests in mind. Ask teachers what you can do to help your child at home. Whether at parent-teacher conferen ces or in a separate meeting or discussion, be sure to ask your child's teacher for suggestions on how to help your child get the most out of homework and improve his or her study habits. Your child's teacher will likely have several helpful suggestions and be more than willing to help you devise an action plan to enhance your child's learning at home. Be mindful of a teacher's schedule. Keep in mind when calling your child's teacher or requesting meetings that he or she likely interacts with many other students' parents on a regular basis as well. Ask your child's teacher what is the best way for the two of you to communicate. Some teachers may suggest using email to stay in touch when quick questions arise, saving in-person meetings for bigger issues. In the end, you and your child's teacher have the same goal: to provide your child the best education possible. Do your part to make it a great year by keeping the lines of communication open. Huntington is here to help every step of the way. If your child needs additional help, turn to us. We can address areas where your child may be struggling and tailor a program based on his or her learning needs.

Making Homework Relatable

Making Homework Relatable Growing up as a student, I struggled in many classes. Not to say that I suffered from a learning disability, however it was very hard for me to make course material I was learning feel relatable or even applicable to the real world. I was also a very visual person, and unfortunately many of the classroom settings that I grew up in did not have sufficient technology, and tended not to focus on this aspect of learning too heavily. I studied hard. However I constantly felt the need to read and reread my textbooks and notes just to memorize information. Courses that focused on listening comprehension and auditory cues were not my friends, and as a result I often found it strange how a classroom would be staged to reward and benefit those who were able to memorize information over those who tended to think outside the box. A good example of how I might describe this experience can be seen when asking for directions. If you live in an area for a long enough you start to develop a mind map of your surroundings. Landmarks just as much as major street names become important when navigating. In fact, most of the time it even makes things easier. We all inform people and give them direction based on these visual and non-visual cues, and needless to say, both are equally important. It is for this reason that finding a way to make information relatable becomes key in helping struggling students over come fear and anxiety with problem solving in school. Below is a link to a TED Talk by high school math teacher Dan Meyer. In his talk he describes the aversion kids have to facing and solving mathematical problems and how much, if not all of it, can be overcome by prompting people to approach the subject matter in a more practical way. https://youtu.be/qocAoN4jNwcHis message is simple and yet very effective in stating that we have numerous resources at our disposal to help students succeed. Obtaining knowledge can be approached in many different ways and everyone works and learns at their own pace and ability. Having good, supportive and relatable teachers always helps. And in the end, it becomes incredibly rewarding when you help students figure out an approach to problems that works best for them.

Meet the Teachers David Zora teaching in Pavlodar Kazakhstan

Meet the Teachers David Zora teaching in Pavlodar Kazakhstan Canadian teachers, David and Zora, began their Teach Away placement with Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools in Kazakhstan in January 2015. We caught up with them to learn how they're enjoying her teaching abroad experience in Pavlodar so far.What initially interested you in teaching abroad?My wife and I are both long-time teachers, and we both love adventure. We have taught in the UAE twice, in several parts of Canada, and now in Kazakhstan. Teaching abroad was a natural choice for us.Why did you decide on Kazakhstan and the NIS program?The NIS program came to our attention through my contact with Teach Away on another possibility. We leapt at the chance and don’t regret it!Describe the school that you teach at.The school is great, and the kids are amazing! I have taught in many different environments, and I have never met a group of students who are ALL so eager, friendly, welcoming and extremely nice. It is a genuine pleasure being in a classroom with these kids!What does the typica l workday look like?We (the international teachers) teach 18 40-minute periods in a five-day week, Monday to Friday. We also have to make up a number of hours of ‘extra-curricular’ activities. These may include English lessons with our co-teachers, tutorial sessions, clubs, or other activities. This year, my classroom time consisted of three Grade 8 classes with a Russian-speaking co-teacher, and one Grade 9 class with a Kazakh co-teacher. Class time was roughly split between us, usually in our relative languages. My co-teaching experience has been wonderful this year … classes were a real combined effort, both in planning and delivery. Between classes was time for lesson prep, personal responsibilities such as banking, medical appointments, etc. and collaboration. We are required to be in school from 8am to 5pm, with one hour for lunch between 12 and 2. There are also some required cultural events to attend on the weekends, but these are usually great fun. There are also Kaza kh and Russian language lessons once a week.What's the cost of living like in Kazakhstan?We are living in Pavlodar, and the cost of living is pretty low. We understand that it is more expensive in big cities like Astana or Almaty. Also, we have been told that the salaries are higher outside of the big cities. It doesn’t really matter to us, because we don’t like city living and LOVE Pavlodar! We have been to more cultural experiences in four months than in four years teaching in Northern Alberta. The kinds of events we’ve been to include some excellent Russian dance troupes (look up Todes), a jazz evening, concerts, the ballet, and more!Do you have any tips for teachers who are looking to apply to teach abroad or for the NIS program in particular?It is a wonderful experience! Kazakhs are a lovely, warm and welcoming people. NIS seems to be a super place to work. I highly recommend working abroad, in general, and working for NIS in particular. However, to anyone who is used to a set plan/schedule and is ‘rigid’ by nature - you really must be totally flexible, and ‘go with the flow’ to survive. Any final pieces of advice or suggestions?Yes! Where do I start… 1) You are paid essentially for an 11-month year. Paid leave days are accrued and can be applied either to Christmas or summer vacation. Remember the rest of your leave is unpaid. 2) In terms of medical and dental care, you are covered for most things if you go to an approved clinic. You will have to locate one yourself and take a translator. It has often been easier to just find a good one close by and pay ourselves as health costs are quite low compared to home. 3) You MUST keep original receipts (preferably credit card statements) and original boarding passes in order to be compensated for travel to Kazakhstan and for vacations. I had a huge problem because I paid cash, and had only my boarding passes and e-tickets, which was not considered enough evidence.Long and short, we love it here, both working and living, and although there are little idiosyncrasies to overcome, we recommend it very highly!Inspired by David and Zora's experience? Take a look at our current teaching positions with NIS.

American International School of Monrovia

American International School of Monrovia American International School of Monrovia The American International School of Monrovia Liberia Over 40 years ago -- with the arrival of a large expatriate community involved in everything from missionary work to mineral excavation -- a need arose to provide an education for expatriate children. Thus, American Cooperative School came into being. Starting out with just a handful of students, ACS evolved into a school of over 600 students and was known as one of the top American-International schools in Africa. Shareholders of the school were, and continue to be; multi-national companies, members of the diplomatic community, and qualified local Liberians in search of a quality U.S. Education. A change in the economic and political climate during the late 1980s and 1990s discouraged many of the multi-national companies and diplomatic community from remaining in Liberia. When they left the country, the school population declined, and with the onset of Liberian Civil War, the school closed in 1988. On October 8, 2007, after five years of peace in Liberia, the school reopened under a new name: The American International School of Monrovia. For the 2014-2015 school year, AISM anticipated over 150 students. However, the Ebola Crisis of 2014 led to a virtual shut down of essential services in the city of Monrovia, which led most international missions and embassies to issue an ordered departure. As a result, the Board of Trustees took the difficult, but prudent, decision to close AISMs doors (under Government Decree that all schools in Liberia be closed until further notice) to ensure the safety of its teachers and pupils. It was with great excitement that the Government of Liberia allowed all schools to open once again in early February of 2015, for AISMs eight continual year of operation, signaling the containment of the Ebola virus, and the resumption of normal life, in the country of Liberia. The crisis, however, did take a toll as the American International School of Monrovia looks to open its doors for the 2015 School Year with between 70-80 students in our Early Childhood Education program (ECE) through Upper School. Recently, as the economic, political and health situation in Liberia have turned the corner and business conditions have improved, there has been a direct increase in enrollment due to the fact that companies and the diplomatic community brought in more expatriate workers and their families. The American International School of Monrovia is a modern air-conditioned facility that, in the future, could once again enroll well over 600 students. Presently, there is ample classroom space for all of our students. In addition to the main school building, our facilities include a basketball court, gymnasium and weight room, and a soccer/baseball field. The curriculum is North American, the medium of instruction is English, and the student/teacher ratio is 6.7/1. AISM is in the pre-accredited stage by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. We have completed our 5-year strategic improvement plan, which will culminate in a visit from educational experts from around the world, in April of 2016, and result in a renewed U.S. certification for the next five years. Monrovia is Liberias largest city with a population of just under a million. Although we are a capital city, Monrovia has a rustic urban feel. There are modest swim and tennis clubs; there are several nice restaurants, adequate shopping close at hand, two fitness gyms, and high-quality housing with central air conditioning. On long weekends and vacations there is a diversity of environments to explore. Picturesque African beaches, the highlands of the dense jungle interior, and rain forests are all within driving distance.

6 Ways to Set Sail for Advanced Language Learning Without Leaving Home

6 Ways to Set Sail for Advanced Language Learning Without Leaving Home 6 Ways to Set Sail for Advanced Language Learning Without Leaving Home Learning a new language is a wild adventure. Youre introduced to new music, new movies, new people  and new cultures!The beginner stage is a particularly heady part of the love affair.Progress is quick, and the rewards are pretty high.There are tons of courses for beginners online, myriad blog posts and reams of books detailing how to get started.Everything about the new language is fresh  and exciting.But what about the intermediate or advanced learners out there? Wheres the support for them?Things are somewhat easier at a higher level, true.While you once stared at target language text with confusion, you now see lucid, beautiful writing! While you used to watch TV shows or listen to podcasts wondering how any human could  utter  such sounds, let alone make sense of them, you now  understand  a surprising amount of whats being said.Along with these successes, however, you cant help but notice that there are still texts out of your reach, and theyre not all exactly high literature e ither. You understand a lot of the spoken language, but you dont get  all  of the jokes, and some movies still fly right over your head.People who know youve been learning a language for a while may wonder why youre not fluent yet. Why you cant translate any phrase someone throws at you on command.It seems like its been weeks, nay,  months, since youve seen any improvement!Whats worse is that many people insist that  living in the country  is necessary to achieve real proficiency in a language.And if youre like me, you dont  quite have the resources for such an endeavor. So is that it for you? Will you ever make progress again?Of course you will! If youre somewhere roundabout the high-intermediate to advanced levels, and youre not sure what to do next, then this post is for you.There are plenty of ways to keep progressing without leaving your house, no matter how much of a challenge you need! 6 Ways to Set Sail for Advanced Language Learning Without Leaving Home1. Deliberately fil l holes in your vocabulary.  Learning vocabulary through media is greatâ€"its carried by context, and its easy to remember. However, you dont have to learn that way only. Sometimes word lists can be great. You can even engineer your reading to fill gaps in vocabulary!While this tip is a little textbook-y, its great for learners who already have a good handle on their target language. Competence in a language only drives further competenceâ€"youll understand and remember individual words better as you progress.This is active learning right here. Think hard about your vocabulary-based weaknesses. Can you talk easily about your job? About your favorite animal? Your hobbies? Can you teach someone to play your favorite sport in your target language? No? Then fix it!For example, scroll down to check out the baby-themed part of this Around the House vocab list  on MedicalSpanish.com.It includes the Spanish equivalents of words like crib, stroller and diaper. You probably knew these words w hen you were four (for good reason), but they dont tend to pop up in your run-of-the-mill language course or immersion environment.  A specific word list like this one is your solution if you suddenly need to talk about  babies!Most major languages have tons of vocab lists online. And its important to realize that even if they seem basic, theyre not necessarily just for beginners. There are lists out there with every household object you can think of (can you say clothespin in your target language?), obscure animals, gaming vocab, etc.One way to find these kinds of lists is to simply Google [topic] word list [target language], if youre learning a popular language.If youre interested in learning the vocabulary youre missing  without having to deliberately seek it out, you can always try  FluentU, an online immersion platform that keeps track of all the language you know.  FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them in to personalized language learning lessons.You can also read Wikipedia articles on whatever subject you like, and look up the terminology you dont know. Its reading, its fun and itll make you into one fantastic conversationalist!2.  Start working your target language into your daily life.Whats the number one benefit of traveling or living abroad? It gives you an environment in which your target language is all around you all the time. You cant ignore it or easily retreat into an English (or whatever your native language is) bubble. If you can embrace that kind of intense environment, your linguistic skills will improve and  fast.But that doesnt mean that traveling abroad is the only way to boost your level. You can easily imitate this in your own home!Move beyond deliberately setting aside time for textbook study, reading or even target language TV. Youre past the beginner stage, so nows the time to mix these things in with your other everyday activities.  Make the language a part of you.  Shape your life so that it mirrors the lives of the most advanced speakers of your chosen language on the planet (native speakers!).Start browsing the Internet in your target language. Look up websites and online communities that talk about your favorite hobbies, your field of study or your work. TV, movies, video gamesâ€"whatever native resources you likeâ€"are doubly important now. Mix them in with the other things you watchâ€"watch target language TV or movies not just specifically while thinking about improvement, but  for fun, just to relax. Change your OS language or your phone settings, if you havent already. Own the language like youve never done before!However, if youre one of those good souls whos been hitting the native resources from the get-go, or even if youre not, trying  upping your concentration level every now and then. Really try to understand everything. See a word you dont know? Dont ignore it, look it up! Write it down or  enter it in your SRS.More input is crucial for advanced learning. Aim for resources outside your comfort zone every now and then, and focus on the parts you dont know.Which leads to3. Get intensive and extensive with your novel reading.In the spirit of focusing on what you  dont know, novels will improve intermediate and advanced language abilities in a very specific  way: They will hand you that elusive, obscure, specialized vocabulary on a silver platter.This is the stuff of fluency! Of eloquence!  Its hard to express yourself if you lack the specific words that express  precisely what you mean. Imagine yourself always having the right word, right at the tip of your tongue. Imagine being able to communicate  exactly what you mean,  exactly  when you need to.Novels will give you all this and more.But come on, why novels specifically? Wont Internet surfing, nonfiction scanning, technical manual browsing or shampoo bottle reading get you there just the same?Not quite. Novels differ from nonfiction in that fiction authors tend to employ a broader and richer vocabulary, all to your benefit. Its poetic! Theyre not just trying to convey information, theyre trying to do it artfully.Really pay attention to the long, descriptive passages in your novel of choice.  Sections like this tend to be more difficult and tend to use less common vocabulary. If youre already into target language novels, you might have skimmed these bits before between easier parts with more action and dialogue, but really concentrating on these passages will serve you well at this stage in your learning.Nevertheless, dialogue is also great for picking up conversational nuances and slang you might have missed in your listening or textbook work.But what should you read?What to readI find that, at the intermediate and advanced levels, middle-grade novels (aimed at children ages 8 through 12-ish) and young adult fiction (aimed at the 12 through 18 crowd) are particularly useful for making progress. The stories tend to be short and engaging without being bogged down with too much flowery language.Try to find your own favorite childhood novels in translation, or look for book bloggers and vloggers and get recommendations from them. (Google or YouTube search favorite books in your target language.)How to readSo besides keeping up with those descriptive passages, how can you incorporate novel reading into your routine with an eye on the advanced level?Try balancing these two methods:Extensive reading: This is reading for pleasure! The goal here is  breadth. You want to be reading lots of novels, skipping what you dont know. You have my permission to ignore unknown vocabulary words and weird grammar constructions! Youll end up picking up a lot of these through context, anyways. Extensive reading is great for intermediate and advanced learners, because a lot more comprehensible literature is available to you. You can pick up things in your favorite genres and just relax and have a good time. You wont understand ev erything just yet, but extensive reading gets you there!Intensive reading:  This is just the opposite of extensive reading. The goal here is  depth. This fits in with  the aforementioned idea of really focusing on what you dont know. Look up words on each page and make note of them or enter them into your SRS. Make mentalâ€"or physicalâ€"note of grammar patterns you havent seen before. This gets tiring, however, so Id recommend limiting this to 2-3 pages or 10-20 minutes at a time. After that, go back to extensive reading for fun!4. Add output to your input!Output (speaking and writing) is often the benchmark of whether we know a language. While this might be a  little  unfair (comprehension is worth a heck of a lot), output is what a lot of us are after.During the beginning stages of language learning, it can be beneficial to stick with input (listening and reading), while you build up your skills. Then, when you feel somewhat confident, you can bounce over to talking and writing!I f you use this kind of input-based method, you can comfortably start speaking and writing practice at the mid-intermediate stage, around when you start to understand sizeable chunks of clearly-spoken media (think news, radio shows, things like that).You can certainly wait longer if you want. Input is still hugely beneficial for speech and writing, even if you wait to speak. And if youre the outgoing type, make sure you still include input even when youre focusing on output!However, what this all comes down to is that practicing output at the intermediate and advanced levels can really make your target language feel natural to you, and youll soon be able to speak and write without stumbling. The main thing to keep in mind when practicing output is that its important to get corrected!Here are a few resources for practicing writing:Lang-8:  Lang-8 allows you to write journal entries in your target language, and native speakers correct you. The turnaround is quick: Native speakers will generally get back to you within the day, sometimes within hours. Because were talking advanced level here, try to use Lang-8 and similar resources on a scheduled basis, say, a journal entry every day or every other day. Additionally, make sure to push yourself. If you just talk about your daily life in every entry, youll be using the same vocabulary over and over. Pushing beyond intermediate and advanced stages means getting a little creative: Try writing book and movie reviews, political opinions, tutorials for sports or games, religious manifestos, you name it!Conversation Exchange:  This site allows you to contact native speakers for Skype calls, live meetups, or pen pal exchanges. While it gives all of these options, I find its best for seeking out pen palsâ€"a lot of people on the site are willing to exchange emails every now and then. This is great because, like Lang-8, it forces you to write drawn-out letters rather than quick texts or chat, and youll get corrections! Again, push yourself out of your comfort zone and talk about a variety of subjects (though political opinions or religious manifestos might not be as appropriate when writing directly to another person).Google searches:  If youre just writing on your own and youre not sure about a particular phrase, try typing it into the Google search barâ€"if it autocompletes, youre probably right! If youre  still not sure, search the phrase in quotes to see if native speakers commonly use it.WordReference forums:  Finally, while many of you might already be familiar with the online multilingual dictionary WordReference,  you may not have taken advantage of the sites extensive forums.  The forums are a fantastic resource because native speakers and learners alike discuss the nuances of all kinds of vocabulary. This is a boon for the intermediate-advanced learner whos moved beyond your standard bilingual or monolingual dictionary!For speaking practice, try:Finding an exchange partner on  italki,  The Mix xer  or any other language exchange site:  italki is a hugely popular site thats geared towards learners who want to practice their languages over Skype (though it has features similar to Lang-8, too). On italki, you can also hire an online tutor if you so choose. The Mixxer is similar, but a little less active. As many of you will know, a Skype language exchange will likely involve speaking one language for a set amount of time, and then switching to practicing the other. So, how do you tailor this to the advanced level? Look for a serious partner on these sites whos willing to brutally correct you and talk about a variety of subjects!Find an online tutor. For a relatively low price per lesson, you can also find a professional tutor. Verbling is a site that makes the whole process of searching for an online language tutor super easy and comfortable. Once youve found a tutor, make it clear that youre there for conversational skills, and a well-trained tutor will be able to help you expand those. Theyll help you target your weaknesses and get you away from talking about the safe subjects you might have a habit of clinging to.5. Forget long-term goals: Set mid-term and mini goals.When youre a beginner, its easy to absorb whats around youâ€"thatll be a lot of the common vocabulary and common grammar, and other basic conversational stuff.When youre at the high-intermediate or advanced stage, you know that there are still linguistic bits youre missing, but doing the same old things that worked as a beginner doesnt necessarily cut it anymore.Sometimes you can get bored. Youve been at the language for a while now, and it might be frustrating for you that youre not further along.Goals are key hereâ€"they can vary widely, from learner to learner, but they help maintain your progress.To make sure you stay on track, set mid-term goals. Your long-term goal is probably fluency in the language, and youre still working towards that. But mid-term goals keep you on track from week to week and month to month.These can include things like:To be able to comfortably have casual conversations within two months.To be able to talk about my work at job interview level within ___ months.To be able to understand classical literature in my language within ___ weeks.Specific goals are bestâ€"you know what reaching the goal should look like, so youll know with certainty when you’re there!Set mini goals tooâ€"these can be things you do on a daily basis. Try to tailor them to your long-term goals, and theyll help you along the way. For example:Skype conversations once a week.Lang-8 journal entry three times a week.6. Relax and accept learning plateaus.Learning plateaus are common amongst learners in the intermediate stage and beyond. You were used to making huge strides as a beginner, but now it may seem like its been a long time since youve made significant progress.The good news is that these plateaus are not caused by your inability to learn a language.  Your stri des might seem smaller, but youre making as much progress and more! In fact, if you harness the power of the intermediate and advanced stages, you can get better at your target language a lot faster. The key to this, as already mentioned, is exposure to native resourcesâ€"once you understand a little, that understanding builds on itself.Personally, Ive found that at the intermediate level, learning starts manifesting as sudden, almost inexplicable jumps in ability.  The fact of the matter is that youve been improving all along, but you only notice the improvement when its dramatic.So dont worry too much about seeing progress from day to day. Just carry on with your reading and listening and watching and talking, and be comforted by the idea that youre surely still on track and youre making progress. And some day soon, youll surprise yourself with fluency!There you have it: Everything you need to know to move up to and beyond an advanced level, all without spending thousands on trave l!Travel is not a necessity for reaching proficiency in a languageâ€"not by a long shot.And getting fluent in a language before you travel can come with some sweet benefits.When you do eventually go, youll be able to talk, read signs and generally relax in the language.Itll make your progress that much more rewarding! And One More ThingIf youre digging these at-home learning strategies, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hov er your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the iTunes store  or Google Play store.

Understanding the Importance of a High School Diploma

Understanding the Importance of a High School DiplomaAny successful tutor will tell you that a high school diploma is required for one to get accepted in any good and reputable college, university or even high school. That being said, it would be best to have a high school diploma if you are planning to go to college or to obtain a higher degree.Tutoring can help a person improve their grades, which in turn helps them to pass some important entrance exams. High school diplomas do not guarantee one an entry into the right colleges, universities or even jobs. However, it will certainly open up many doors for the person.One of the best reasons why getting a high school diploma is very important is because it can be used in almost all fields of work. It may not guarantee won an entry into a specific college or university, but it certainly makes one more competent in areas they may have never been and therefore will definitely enhance their career prospects. It may be hard to believe, but there are many people who have never taken a formal English course, nor have they ever completed an online program, but the truth is they are the most proficient English speakers in the world!Reading is important in order to be able to comprehend important academic texts. If a person does not have the ability to read, they will not have a good chance to learn much about the subjects they are studying.However, a high school diploma should also have other qualities. It is important to note that a high school diploma cannot be obtained by someone who has never had a formal education. Even some members of the United States military had not finished a high school education, so to speak.The good news is that there are many schools that offer tutoring services. However, such an education is not provided free of charge. So, the person who needs tutoring must put forth the effort to pay for the tutoring.A high school diploma can be applied for on a tutoring resume. However, an individual ma y only apply for tutoring when he already has a college degree or a high school diploma. Otherwise, the college or university may reject the application.