How Online Learning Helps Students

How Online Learning Helps Students Todays students are more tied to technology than ever beforeonline learning takes place at home, on the bus, and even within the classroom. Students have information at their fingertips no matter where they go. Although potentially frustrating at the dinner table, this may actually make them better students. Online learning helps students by providing more opportunities for education, whether via apps, podcasts, or websites. In fact, virtual learning exists in many forms, each serving a particular purpose. But what, other than ease of availability, can virtual learning do for you? Heres how online learning helps students: Online learning advantage #1: Online tutoring Online tutoringcan be a great option for learning; online tutoring sessions can involve the same rigor that a traditional tutoring session might provide. Youll likely have a greater variety of tutors and schedules to choose from, making it a perfect tutoring option. Youre guaranteed to find an expert tutor for your subject area, and theyll likely take a very personalized approach to your education. Its also easy to find tutoring year-round. [Related: 4 Ways an Online Tutor Can Help You Succeed This School Year] Online learning advantage #2: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) MOOCs are online courses, often free to students, which allow for unlimited learning on the Internet. They cover a breadth of subject matter, and are a great option for students who need to supplement classroom learning or who wish to learn over breaks in their education (like the winter and summer holiday). MOOCs are also a great option for students who learn well from lectures, since much of the content is presented in lecture form. (However, as popularity has increased, MOOCs have diversified their presentation.) In some cases, students are eligible to earn a verified certificate. Online learning advantage #3: Mobile apps For learning on the go, educational apps that can be downloaded onto your tablet or smartphone are great resources. There are many online educational opportunities geared toward basic knowledge, such as: educational games subject-specific mobile apps trivia programs Alternately, there are also apps that help more generally with the educational processscheduling, staying organized, etc. Most people have a cell phone with them at all times, so educational apps present a great opportunity for students to fill those in-between times with supplementary education. Online learning advantage #4: Digital textbooks Some students prefer to learn via textbook. Textbooks, however, are incredibly expensive to purchase and can be hard to find at the library. Luckily, there are digital textbooks that students can use during their academic careers. While the books may not always be free, theyre great for supplementing lectures, seminars, or group work. Theyre portable, and they sometimes include multimedia content too. [Related: 3 Efficient Ways to Study on the Go] Online learning advantage #5: Podcasts Podcasts are a fantastic way to move student learning outside the classroom, thanks to their ease of use and variety. Theres a podcast for everything, so identify the area where you want to improve your knowledge, and then do a quick search. Not all podcasts are created equal, but by performing a little research, youre sure to find one that fits your needs. You can find discussions, lectures, and much moreeducational podcasts come in a variety of forms. The bottom line of online learning Students learn in a variety of ways, and by utilizing online learning solutions, theyre able to access the best and most individualized educational experience possible. While not every student will need each of these tools, using one or two may make a difference in your academic career. Digital learning will only continue to progress, and it may be helpful for students and those who support them to recognize the value now. Best of all, most tools are free and are waiting for you to take advantage! Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

The Joy of Speed Learning to Play Guitar Quickly

The Joy of Speed Learning to Play Guitar Quickly How Do You Play the Guitar Quickly? ChaptersControl Your Tension to Play the Guitar FasterPlay Guitar Slowly at First Then Build Up SpeedPractice Guitar With a MetronomeLearn More Techniques for Playing GuitarPractice Regularly: Play Guitar Every day!The more progress you make with your guitar, the more you will learn about new techniques, and the more you will want to progress and play faster.Often, even when you think you have all the techniques down, you may become frustrated that you are not able to play fast enough. (How do you tune your guitar?).While speed is only one of many aspects of playing guitar, it is part of the knowledge acquired by any accomplished and creative musician or guitar player. If you are interested in knowing how to play guitar to the best of your ability, you are going to have to work on building up your speed.It takes time to learn to play the guitar rapidlyA guitarist who feels that their speed is stopping their progress risked losing motivation and giving up on guitar lessons london.  Th is phase of discouragement is normal; all guitarists go through it - and you, as a guitar player, will go through it too.All learning follows a curve, and learning guitar is no different: a period of rapid learning (everything is new, you learn more every day) followed by a plateau where you may feel stagnant and like you are learning nothing new, then the curve rises again when you get over this obstacle.Playing guitar fast is not only to impress your friends, but reaching a certain speed means that you gain flexibility, learn to relax your fingers, and feel a greater freedom in your movements.  It also means that you can nail those lines from jazz guitar and rock guitar - those guitar licks and guitar solos that inspire everyone to play - and play songs with complex guitar lines.Today we're not going to talk about music theory, the details of tablature, vibrato, or chord shapes. We're talking only speed.How do you play the guitar fast? Are there tricks you can learn? Can any guita rist do it? Do you need a guitar teacher?  Start by playing your range or your riff as slowly as possible, without the help of the metronome.You should pay close attention to any tension you feel in your fingers or arms.Play each note carefully and get a feel for the sequence. Set your metronome at a fairly slow pace, about 30 beats per minute, and start playing in time.Once you can play perfectly like this without pain or tension, you can increase the tempo and play faster. It is a time consuming process, but it is extremely effective and long-lasting. Investing all this time in your practice and playing will iron out any mistakes. Your guitar instructor will suggest that you do this too - but whilst you might not find it so much in guitar lessons for beginners, you will definitely have to use these guitar techniques for practicing in a guitar lesson at a later date.This is how you learn to play better and faster. You can also sing while playing the guitar!Learn More Techniques for Playing GuitarIt's no secret that the greatest guitarists who are able to play fast have one thing in common: they master most guitar skills.Whether swapping, tapping, back and forth, picking, pull-off, legato or hammer-on, playing the guitar with his fingers, they know them by heart and how to use them.You too should learn as many techniques as possible in order to play fast - everything from fingerstyle guitar to chord shapes. You should develop a solid foundation in all techniques. This will enrich your playing and will help you to learn different movements and increase your dexterity.You will improve your lightness and fluidity and therefore your speed.Learn how to alternate your playing rhythm with the guitar.Begin with a simple exercise like the legato for 20 minutes daily and once you master this technique, try something more complex like the pull-off.  Working like this will give you new techniques for your solos and improvisations.Alternatively, pick a scale - a major scal e, minor scale, or blue scale. You could even just use chromatic lines. Develop your speed by merely playing these scales over and over and over - and you'll definitely see the benefit.Watch an online guitar videos by Michael Angelo Batio, whose guitar songs are not hugely interesting musically, but they are fantastic for guitar instruction.You will strengthen your body and your fingers, train your brain to new habits and new instrumental practices and your playing will become more natural and less robotic.Practice Regularly: Play Guitar Every day!This is the other secret to playing the guitar: the more regularly you play, the more confidence you will gain confidence and the better, smoother and faster your playing will be. You can learn improvisation on guitar.You will play in a more flexible, effortless way and your playing will sound more natural.Playing the guitar properly takes months or even years depending on the level you want to reach.The most important thing is not how muc h time you spend learning to play fast, but the method you use to learn to do it. If you have the right one, you are on the right path to progress.While you are practicing you can spend 15-20 minutes each day to practice playing at speed.It is always better to practice a little every day consistently rather than a few hours on one day of the week only.Work intelligently, organize and apply the various tricks mentioned, and you will reach your target speed on the guitar before you even realize it.Once you can play the guitar quickly you can try playing with one hand :)

Beginning Guitar How to Build Up Calluses

Beginning Guitar How to Build Up Calluses Megan L. Theres no way around it, learning to play guitar is sometimes a painful process. If youre feeling like your guitar strings bit your finger, take this advice from guitar teacher  Joe H. Struggling to hold down the strings of your guitar without feeling like you are going to cut your finger wide open? Do you put your guitar away after just a few minutes of practicing with your fingertips gleaming red and feeling raw? Don’t worry! This is a common problem for the first few weeks or so of playing until you start developing guitar calluses. What’s a callus? A callus is “A thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area that has been subjected to friction.” Plain English? The more you play guitar the harder the tips of your fingers will become, allowing you to play more and more comfortably without any pain. Today we are going to talk about a few things you can do right now to make things a little easier on your fingers until you build up this protective layer. Finger Placement Make sure you are pushing down on the string just behind the fret you are trying to. When we are pushing down a string, our goal is to make the string touch the fret firmly to make a solid connection so we can get a clear sound. If our finger is too far away from the fret we are trying to hold down, we have to push down all that much harder to get a clear sound. By holding right next to the fret we get can get that solid connection with much less pressure being necessary. In this case less pressure=less discomfort! Try Lighter Strings Many guitars come strung with thicker strings than might be appropriate. Thicker strings require more tension on the strings to be tuned appropriately. By putting lighter strings, this tension will be lessened, and this will allow us to push down on the strings with less pressure to get that solid connection we discussed in tip #1! Make sure you have someone who knows what they are doing (i.e. a more experienced guitar player or a guitar store tech) set up the guitar to make sure it is still in good playing shape after the change. Have The Action Adjusted The “action” of a guitar is how we refer to the distance between the strings and the frets. All guitars need to have this adjusted from time to time. Many beginner guitars come with very high actions that make playing very uncomfortable and painful. To make a guitar easier and more comfortable to play, the action should be lowered until just before any of frets start buzzing when played. Again, make sure you have someone who knows what they are doing do this for you. Practice, Practice, Practice! Make sure you are picking up the guitar almost every day if possible. Your practice sessions don’t need to be long, just a few minutes each day should suffice to help promote the building of guitar calluses. Find some good exercises to help build finger strength and play them at least once each time you pick up the guitar. All of these tips should help make playing guitar comfortably more attainable for anyone who is just starting out, or picking the guitar back up. Now, there are no more excuses, get back to practicing! Beginning guitar is easier when you have a guide. Your guitar teacher can help you along the way and show you the best way to learn to play the guitar. Search for your guitar teacher now!   Joe H. is a guitar and music theory instructor in White Plains, NY. Teaching since 2009, he received a degree in Jazz Studies from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music and can help students specialize in blues or country guitar. Learn more about Joe here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Codayy

How to Graduate On Time in College

How to Graduate On Time in College It is widely assumed that the college experience is only a four-year one. Many students embark on this journey believing four years is all theyll have, as if college will automatically end once that proclaimed time period has passed. However, college doesnt necessarily wrap up in four years so easily. In fact, the amount of time you spend there is very much in your control. Unlike in high school when teachers and various meetings helped you map out your schedule every semester along the way, no one will be closely overseeing that aspect of your college classes. If you dont keep track of what subjects and how many hours you need to take in order to graduate on time or graduate at all you may not be finding this installment of higher education to be completed so easily in just four years. From the very beginning, you are the one who needs to be aware of what classes you have been, are, and will be taking. Yes, you will have an advisor assigned to you by your major who will be able to help you scope these things out, but even then, you must set up your own meetings with them at the right times. Especially if you end up attending a larger school, it will take a lot more effort to schedule some time between you and your advisor to make sure you degree requirements are correctly on track. If you are planning on going to grad school you may want to check out some of the best classes for grad school admissions. This is clearly an important process to be aware of if you want to be sure to successfully graduate in general, but it is absolutely crucial that you are on top of these things if you want to guarantee yourself a timely graduation ceremony with the rest of your class. There are several things to keep track of and you need to have a personally helpful system in place in order to keep this information organized. It isnt the most fun thing to do and it may not feel necessary right away, but youll be thankful that you did it once senior year rolls around and the degree application process isnt giving you red flags of rejection. It may seem overwhelming, but there are just a few areas you really need to make sure you look at: General Education Requirements: Your freshman orientation will probably encourage you to sign up for most of these anyway, but it is a good idea to check out exactly what you need to take in this section of classes. Among the selection of English, math, and science related courses, there will be a specific amount of general education courses that you must complete. Dont just assume you only need one of each and then think youve gotten them out of the way. There are sub-categories in each of these subjects that you must pay attention to. For instance, you may need to take a certain number of science labs in addition to lectures, or fictional literature classes in addition to non-fiction ones. Throw in the endless variety of mathematics and you are facing quite the handful of possible Gen Eds. A very useful tip in this area is to get as much of these taken care of as early as possible. Although they may not be the exciting courses you wanted to start your college experience with, youll be a lot more content sitting in these classes as a freshman than as the only upper-classman in the bunch later on. Requirements for Your Major: Needless to say, every major is different and therefore demands vastly different selections of classes for you to take. If you are an Engineering major, you should not converse about registration decisions with your Psychology major roommate. This is particularly where advisors come in handy because they are informed most specifically on your field of study. There are going to be a certain amount of hours you need to take of classes related to your major, and a specific list of the types of classes related to your major. Make sure you understand which specific subjects you need to take, how many hours of each of them, and how many hours overall. Additionally, you may be required to take a certain amount of classes/hours in the particular school you belong to (i.e. School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Business, etc.) that are specifically not related to your major. Universities like you to be well-rounded even within your major, so be prepared to continue looking at the wide span of things even under this umbrella. If you are still unsure about your major you may want to check out this information on college majors. Semester Hours: This is the big one. Graduation requirements will typically state that you need to have X amount of hours total to graduate but it never stays that simple. There will be semester hour requirements within those total hours. For instance, no more than X amount of hours can come from your major, or at least X amount of hours must come from general education classes, etc.. If youve paid attention to the aforementioned course requirements, these hours should ideally fall into place relatively easily. However, it is still very important to keep track of, since one small mistake with your hours could throw off everything and cancel out many hours of hard work. Bottom line: these requirements are tricky, and these requirements are final. Make a list or chart early on to map out these demands perfectly so you dont get lost as time flies by. If you get this process started before it begins, you will be far more likely to stay on top of it throughout the entire duration of your college experience. Whereas if you try to catch up on it in the middle of your junior year, there will be much more of a challenge to get your schedule straightened out and ensure you are set to graduate on time. Get this information put together immediately and you will have a great item of guidance every semester when it comes time to register for classes. You may also want to check out this information on how to network as a recent college graduate!

Free AP exam prep seminars

Free AP exam prep seminars Its already March, which means that AP exam season will soon be upon us!  Most teachers are  finishing up new material in AP classes this month, and exam preparation will start in April.  If youre  worried about that tough US History or Calculus exam, you should check out our AP exam preparation  seminars!New for 2012, our AP seminars are free for current AJ Tutoring students and only $50 for non-AJ  Tutoring students.  Each seminar is two hours long and will consist of a review of major topics, hard concepts, and typical problems, as well as a question and answer session.  All seminars will take place at our Palo Alto office at 430 Cambridge Avenue, Suite 110.AP Seminar Schedule:AP Calculus (AB/BC) Seminar: Date: April   23rd @ 6-8pm (Instructor: William Cesarotti)AP Chemistry Seminar:  Date: May 3rd @ 6:30-8:30pm (Instructor: Robert Jonas)AP Physics B Seminar: Date: May 7th @ 4:30-6:30pm (Instructors: William Cesarotti Andrew Dreyfuss)AP US History Seminar: Date: May 7th @ 6:30-8:30pm (Instructors: Jean Liao Jared Greene)AP English (Language) Seminar: Date: May 12th @ 3-5pm (Instructor: Jared Greene)Click here  to register for a seminar.  Space is limited, so register today!    If youd like more comprehensive review for your AP exams with one of our experienced tutors, email info@ajtutoring.com and well get you set up.

How Technology Is Improving Tutoring

How Technology Is Improving Tutoring Improving Academic Performance Technology is helping tutors, teachers, and other education professionals go beyond the classroom and textbooks to help students learn. Online courses and lectures, 3-D modeling, videos, infographics, and other online media encourage students to go further than just memorization and notetaking. Technological developments allow students to fully immerse themselves in the material, revisit lectures, and gain a better understanding of the material through various pathways of learning. New technology is particularly beneficial where traditional methods of teaching have fallen short. Tutors are often brought in when a student is experiencing difficulty understanding a topic. Typically the more abstract subjects, like math or physics, require more assistance for students. Advances in technology have made learning much easier for students who learn visually--those who need to see representations or videos of topics that are hard to understand in standard textbook and lecture methods. Tutors have an opportunity where most teachers do not--to implement new technology to help their students learn. Digital simulations and models go well beyond 2-D representations or a process flowchart. Certain concepts are a challenge to understand when the student is unable to see the behavior in action (like physics). With technology, tutors and teachers are able to bring simulations and modeling into the classroom, assisting students who have difficulty grasping the information through verbal discussion. Technological simulations allow students to have a hands-on experience, which often helps them retain information better. It’s like having lab in the middle of class. Technology removes physical barriers and allows you to learn from anywhere in the world. This greatly opens up the world of education. For example, you could learn your math lessons from an online math tutor program that comes with a variety of support, rather than trying to figure it out on your own. Or, why not get help with science homework with an online physics tutor from a prestigious physics program, rather than paying the kid from down the street? If you’re trying to learn another language, online language sites that connect students with native speakers through videoconferencing can be an amazing educational opportunity. The social interaction and opportunity to learn about another culture without having to relocate to another country is priceless. Technology also enables students to work together on group projects more easily. Various platforms like Podio, Google Drive, Basecamp, and Dropbox make it simpler than ever to share information, documents and research, while assigning tasks and responsibilities. With many recent publications, studies, and books coming out through online platforms, lugging around heavy books will soon be a thing of the past. Instead of having to buy heavy sets of books, additional readings, and lecture notes at the start of each quarter, semester or year, textbooks will literally just be a swipe away on your iPad or tablet. The recent introduction of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), which enables top tier universities’ classes to become increasingly available to the general public, allows for more people to have online access to some of the best education in the world. As the courses and platforms become further advanced, the college may recommend tutors in physics, math, or other subjects, and even provide online tutoring services. Online programs make it easy for people to gain a career that, several years ago, was only possible with four years on a university campus. Whether it is a desire to become a nurse’s aid, a technician, or even how to become a medical assistant, these are all viable options accessible online. With such great online support, this pathway to a career is wide open. Unfortunately, in-class lectures are not the easiest things to remember. Between rapidly copying down notes and asking questions, it seems like you are always playing catch-up. Fortunately, lectures can now be pre-recorded and accessed anytime, anywhere, and as frequently as the student needs. No more missing out on valuable informationâ€"with the notes and lectures available at any time for students to visit at their leisure, they are able to invest more attention to in-session lectures. This means that classroom time can be more devoted to supplementing lecture content through discussions and QA. Teachers and tutors also have more ways to improve, based on the analytics and questions received post lectures. Technological advances are changing the face of education. While teachers might be slightly restricted by funding or school policies, private institutions and online tutor programs can harness the benefits of technology to improve the learning of their students. Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer in Southern California. With a great interest in technology, her writings have covered the many different facets that come along with it. Follow her on Twitter or Facebook to find out more! hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

9 Big Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language

9 Big Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language 9 Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language (+ Resources!) We live in a hyper-connected, fast-paced world, and things arent changing anytime soon.How can you keep your head above water?You need to be hyper-awesome to survive.That means youll have to  develop some special advantages to get a boost, help yourself stand out and make you better fit for survival in this crazy, modern world.As our world becomes more and  more connected through technological advances, its becoming increasingly obvious that learning another language is beneficial for many reasons.Here we present just a few of the many positive side effects of becoming bilingual (or multilingual). 9 Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language (+ Resources!)1. Meet new peopleOne of the most phenomenal benefits of learning a new language? Doors are opened to you  around  the world. If you’re learning in a group setting, you immediately have new friends to share your new language with. If not, then once you go somewhere and are actually able to employ what youve learned, you’ll be s urprised how open people are when you speak their mother tongue.2. Employers love it (and theyll love you more)If your C.V. accolades include fluency in a second language, your chances of employment in today’s economy are much greater for you than for those who speak only one language.Multilingual people are able to communicate and interact within multiple communities. Potential employers consider this a valuable asset in an employee’s skill set, as theyre able to connect with a broader range of people. In this new age of start-ups, companies are increasingly breaking into new markets. You up your personal and professional value if you’re able to negotiate with manufacturers in another country or communicate with customers who don’t speak your native language.Not to mention, your ability to speak a second language conveys that youre motivated and driven to learn new skills, and this also gives you a competitive edge over those who havent yet become bilingual.3. It’s becomi ng essentialMany would argue that bilingualism is becoming a progressively necessary and essential skill for anyone who wants to keep up with today’s rapidly increasing global economy. As more and more people recognize the importance of learning an additional language, those who only speak one language will begin to get left behind in our shift towards a more integrated and connected global society.4. It’s great for travelingAustrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein is credited with saying that “the limits of your language are the limits of your world,” and he was right.Knowing more than one language opens up your vacation destination possibilities. Traveling through a foreign country becomes much easier if you can speak the language of that country. Fluency isnt required. Locals anywhere appreciate that youve taken the time to at least attempt to learn and communicate in their tongue. It shows a greater level of respect and is an easy way to meet new people.Also, getting to a comfortable speaking level in a foreign language is a great motivator to get you out there and practicing your new language in a new country.Not ready to rush off to a foreign land just yet? Not a problem. You can start exploring the everyday cultures of the countries where your target language is spoken with FluentU right now. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.5. After learning one, it’s 1000x easier to learn anotherAs you begin to learn a second language, youll find that the acquisition techniques you’re using can be applied to learning additional languages as well.The positive cognitive effects of learning to speak a second language can train the brain to analyze and process different linguistic structures. Its not specific to your first target language its a skill that can be applied to learning any language.Youre increasing your ability to replicate the process with multiple languages. This is called metalinguistic awareness, where your brain learns to identify  the techniques of learning a language and break them  down into a series of steps. After learning one language, you retain the muscle memory. Your brain will intrinsically understand how to learn a language and how different languages are structured, through increased awareness of syntax, grammar and sentence structure.6. You become smarterAcquiring a second language improves your memory and increases your attention span. The process of becoming bilingual exercises your brain, challenges you to concentrate and boosts your problem solving skills.Bilingual students tend to score higher on standardized tests than monolingual students, especially in the areas of vocabulary, reading and math. As you learn to toggle from one language to another, you improve  your multitasking abilities. Bilingual individuals have also been shown to be more logical and rational, have better decision-making ski lls and be more perceptive and aware of their surroundings.Learning a second language also improves your native language, as it teaches you the mechanics and structure behind any  language not just new  languages.7. Youll stay smarter for longerRecent research has shown that bilingualism can stave off the effects of Alzheimers  and dementia by  years.  Regardless of their education level, gender or occupation, bilingual subjects in the linked study experienced the onset of Alzheimers, on average, 4 1/2 years later than monolingual subjects did.Study results out of the American Academy of Neurology are showing that speaking more than one language increases the amount of neural pathways in the brain, allowing information to be processed through a greater variety of channels. Theyve also begun to demonstrate that multilingualism improves development in the brain’s areas of executive function and attention, no matter what age the language learner is.8.  It boosts your creativityResea rchers are also concluding that multilingual speakers are more creative than monolingual speakers. Learning a foreign language improves not only your ability to solve problems and to think more logically, it also makes you experiment with new words and phrases.Leveling up your second language skills forces you to reach for alternate words when you can’t quite remember the original one you wanted to use. It improves  your skills in divergent thinking, which is the ability to identify multiple solutions to a single problem.9. It builds up your self-confidenceYoure about to teach yourself to believe, yes, I can. Itll become your new personal mantra.Confidence increases when a new skill is mastered, and learning a foreign language is no different. It increases your self-confidence. And let’s face it: confident people are more interesting than those who are unsure of themselves. The techniques you use to develop a second tongue result in a greater sense of open-mindedness.In order to master a new language, conversations with native and fluent speakers are essential. If you’re shy but want to meet new people, using the excuse that you want to practice your speaking skills is a great opener and a doorway to making new friends, expanding your horizons and broadening your life experiences. Plus, who doesn’t want to be more interesting?So, How Do I Get Started?Fortunately, gone are the days where the only way to learn a second language was to either become stranded in a foreign country or go back to high school language  classes (and be honest, did you actually learn all that much in there?) There are now many different online lessons and tutorials to help you become proficient in the language of your choice.FluentU  stands out amongst language learning websites thanks to the huge range of interactive learning opportunities it provides.FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.  Its all stuff that nati ve speakers  actually watch.  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? Hover 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  or  Google Play  store.Aside from FluentU, Duolingo is a really popular way to learn a language on-the-go. They provide a handy app that you can take with you anywhere!No matter which tools you use when you decide to learn a language, just decide to learn one! You won’t regret it.

What are the School Readiness Skills that Preschoolers Learn in Kumon

What are the School Readiness Skills that Preschoolers Learn in Kumon What are the School Readiness Skills that Preschoolers Learn in Kumon? Kindergarten marks a big transition in the lives of children. By the time they start school, many children already display a wide range of skills, knowledge, and school-readiness behaviors. The National Center for Education Statistics conducted the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study to determine if the following behaviors are related to academic performance. pay attention well learn independently persist in completing tasks organize belongings adapt easily to change show eagerness to learn new things follow classroom rules Eighteen thousand incoming kindergarteners were rated by their teachers on these school-readiness behaviors. The research  found that kindergarten-readiness behaviors go hand-in-hand with academic performance and that trend continues through multiple school years. Most early education programs and preschools will guide kids to follow classroom rules, be flexible to new routines, and be enthusiastic about learning. Kumon does even more to enable preschoolers to be prepared for kindergarten. Kumon gives children an academic advantage due to the focus on enhancing attentiveness, strengthening perseverance when completing tasks, fostering independent learning, and promoting organizational skills. School success depends not only on knowledge and skills, but also on the habits and attitudes with which children approach learning. Evidence shows the characteristics that Kumon cultivates including attentiveness, persistence, and independence go hand-and-hand with higher scores in math and reading â€" beginning as early as kindergarten and at least through the end of first grade. These results are leading some states to make early education available to greater numbers of children. You might also be interested in: 3 Benefits of Enrolling Your Toddler into an Early Learner Program Ace the School Year with Kumons Study Tips Roundup 4 Ways Kumon Helps Preschoolers Develop Important Handwriting Skills Developing Fine Motor Skills: How Kumon Helps Strengthen your Child’s Handwriting Skills What are the School Readiness Skills that Preschoolers Learn in Kumon What are the School Readiness Skills that Preschoolers Learn in Kumon? Kindergarten marks a big transition in the lives of children. By the time they start school, many children already display a wide range of skills, knowledge, and school-readiness behaviors. The National Center for Education Statistics conducted the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study to determine if the following behaviors are related to academic performance. pay attention well learn independently persist in completing tasks organize belongings adapt easily to change show eagerness to learn new things follow classroom rules Eighteen thousand incoming kindergarteners were rated by their teachers on these school-readiness behaviors. The research  found that kindergarten-readiness behaviors go hand-in-hand with academic performance and that trend continues through multiple school years. Most early education programs and preschools will guide kids to follow classroom rules, be flexible to new routines, and be enthusiastic about learning. Kumon does even more to enable preschoolers to be prepared for kindergarten. Kumon gives children an academic advantage due to the focus on enhancing attentiveness, strengthening perseverance when completing tasks, fostering independent learning, and promoting organizational skills. School success depends not only on knowledge and skills, but also on the habits and attitudes with which children approach learning. Evidence shows the characteristics that Kumon cultivates including attentiveness, persistence, and independence go hand-and-hand with higher scores in math and reading â€" beginning as early as kindergarten and at least through the end of first grade. These results are leading some states to make early education available to greater numbers of children. You might also be interested in: 3 Benefits of Enrolling Your Toddler into an Early Learner Program Ace the School Year with Kumons Study Tips Roundup 4 Ways Kumon Helps Preschoolers Develop Important Handwriting Skills Developing Fine Motor Skills: How Kumon Helps Strengthen your Child’s Handwriting Skills