Math Tutor Software Reviews - Should You Invest in Them?

Math Tutor Software Reviews - Should You Invest in Them?The main objective of math tutor software reviews is to provide educational information to the general public. There are a lot of different reviews out there, but not all of them will be relevant to what you need.However, even though the information presented in such reviews may not necessarily be appropriate, you still have to read them to be able to make up your own mind. In this regard, it is important that you keep in mind that most of the information presented in these types of reviews will be inaccurate. This means that the author does not know his or her stuff, and as such, it is up to you to do your own research.What you should do when reading math tutor software reviews is to take the facts that are presented in the review into consideration. After all, the only way to find out which tutor software review service to use is by considering what you want to achieve from using such software.Of course, you should also take a look at how much time you are willing to spend on using math tutor software reviews. This is an important factor since different software costs different amounts of money. Therefore, if you want to save money, then you should consider using a tutor software that is free of charge.However, if you are already too busy to continue using such tutor software reviews, then you should try to find one that costs a bit more. However, you should understand that all the time and money you will invest in it will not come back to you immediately. Therefore, it is important that you also have the idea that you will have to put up with some shortcomings.If you have any doubt on whether you should try to find math tutor software reviews that is free of charge or those that are costly, then you should try to find some free ones first. This way, you will be able to evaluate whether you will like the software you would be using and whether you would be able to use it well.If you choose to invest in s omething that will cost you a little more money, then you should remember that a lot of the tutor software reviews will not be worth the effort. If you do not want to waste your time and money, then you should try to go for the free tutoring software. By doing so, you will be able to save your time and money and you will still be able to achieve your goal of getting help from a tutor.In the end, you should be able to determine what type of tutor software reviews you should use after you have done your homework and after you have analyzed the information presented in these tutor software reviews. If you are confident that you will be able to figure out which tutoring software you will be using, then you should invest in it. Otherwise, you should go for free tutoring software so that you can find out what it is that you want to achieve and how to get there.

7 fun things to do while teaching in Tucson, AZ

7 fun things to do while teaching in Tucson, AZ When you think of top teaching destinations in the United States, Tucson, Arizona might not necessarily jump to mind. But this vibrant southwestern city actually has a lot to offer its new teachers, including bountiful opportunities for local fun, adventures, and, of course, teaching. Have ateaching degree already?Then set your sights on Tucson! Or ifyou're aspiring to become a licensed teacher, you can get fully certified in a snapwith ourTeacher Certification Program in Arizona. As a certified teacher, you’ll be eligible to teach a variety of subjects in classrooms across Tucson. Now, Tucson doesn’t just offer job opportunities for teachers, it also invites you to transform your free time into a series of unforgettable adventures. From incredible natural landscapes to Spanish colonial landmarks and Mexican-inspired cuisine, this dynamic city offers endless attractions to thrill all ages, including outdoor activities, vibrant museums, and delectable dining and energetic nightlife. Curious to find out about the top things to do while teaching in Tucson, AZ? Keep scrolling down the page to learn about seven of the city’s best things to do. 1. Camp at Saguaro National Park Named for the majestic saguaro cactus, America’s largest cactus species, Saguaro National Park is a sprawling 92,000-acre natural wonderland of desert flora and fauna. A favorite spot for watching Arizona’s vibrant sunsets, the park plays host to an abundance of hiking trails, camping grounds, and the Signal Hill Petroglyph Site, a rock face with over 200 prehistoric Hohokam petroglyphs. To camp at this spectacular park, you must obtain a permit (up to two months in advance) for a reasonable fee of $8.00 USD. But be aware, there’s a tent only rule! So, if you were thinking about renting an RV, sorry, you’ll have to rough it with the rest of us. 2. Hike through Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Nestled by the Santa Catalina Mountains and lush forest, the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is a popular local spot for hiking, swimming, and watching Tucson’s diverse wildlife thrive in their natural habitats. For a less active adventure, board the Sabino Canyon Tram for a 45-minute guided tour of the area’s natural splendor, which includes mountain foothills, towering cacti, and even waterfalls at Sabino Creek. If you’re interested in extending your visit to Sabino Canyon, the area provides an array of campsites, open at different times throughout the year. Most are rentable for $10.00 USD per night. 3. Explore the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Outdoor learning comes alive at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Located to the west of Tucson, Arizona, this 98-acre facility is mostly in the open air, and it incorporates a renowned zoo, a botanical garden, an aquarium, a natural history museum, and an art gallery. Consistently ranked as one of America’s best museums, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is also Tucson’s #1 attraction according to TripAdvisor.com. When you step inside this state-of-art facility, it’s easy to understand its celebrated status. Divided into unique desert habitats and crisscrossed by walking trails, this sprawling, alfresco museum is home to 242 species of animals, 5,600 plant specimens, and an extensive collection of regional minerals. Due to this property’s sprawling size, it’s safe to say that you’ll need to visit a few times to see everything! Especially since the museum offers exceptional deals on yearly memberships, along with well-attended special events, like their Cool Summer Nights where you’re invited to tour the grounds after dark and watch the nocturnal animals in action. 4. Dine on Authentic Mexican Cuisine If you’re a fan of real-deal Mexican cuisine, Tucson is the city for youâ€"because it’s regarded by foodies as having some of America’s very best! From humble taco trucks to high-end restaurants, mouthwatering Sonoran-style fare is everywhere you turn. Yet, Tucson’s neverending bevy of delectable, authentic Mexican dishes somehow remains a secret outside of Arizona! But now that you’re in the know, we recommend visiting the local favorites. For an upscale dining experience, check out the award-winning Cafe Poca Cosa, famous for its spontaneous chalkboard menu and laid-back bistro vibe. Or, take a more casual approach at Poco Mom's, El Güelo Canelo, and Tucson Tamale Company. Buen provecho! 5. Smell the Flowers in Tucson Botanical Gardens Find your inner tranquility at the exquisite Tucson Botanical Gardens. Covering more than five acres, this verdant property hosts a collection of 16 themed gardens, including a Barrio Garden, a Butterfly Garden (with lots of flying friends!), a Children’s Garden, a Prehistoric Garden, a Xeriscape Garden, and a Zen Garden. To enhance your visit, sign up for a guided Garden Tour or Edible Tree Tour, which both run regularly throughout the week. Beyond these flourishing flora displays, Tucson Botanical Gardens also boasts a jam-packed schedule of special events. Attend farm-to-table dinners that spotlight local chefs, meditate and do yoga amongst the flowers, or attend educational lectures about the local butterfly, bird, and bat populations. There is also a full array of classes to choose from. Offered on both one-time and weekly schedules, these courses include creating your own bountiful garden, DIY bonsai tending, cooking seminars, and watercolor painting lessons. 6. Take a Weekend Getaway to LA By accepting a teaching contract here, Tucson International Airport (TUS) becomes your personal launching pad into cool nearby cities. As the second busiest airport in Arizona, this state-of-art facility plays host to a number of discount airlines offering quick, affordable flights every weekend. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland (OR), Seattle, and Las Vegas are all enchanting possibilities. Indeed, LA-LA-Land is only a 1.5-hour flight away and the round trip only costs about $200! 7. Get Cultured at the Tucson Museum Of Art Covering an entire block in the city’s historic downtown, the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block is home to traveling and permanent exhibitions of fine art originating from all corners of the globe. Admission is free on the first Thursday of every month, and the museum is often home to many special events, including artist and curator talks, holiday art markets, and vernissages to celebrate new show openings. Start your career teaching in Tucson, AZ! Like what you see? If you’re not yet licensed to teach, consider enrolling in our Teacher Certification Program at Teach Away to get certified quicker and at a fraction of the cost of traditional programs. An exciting, new teaching jobin this energetic southwestern city could be closer than you think.

Could home-schooling be the answer for some parents

Could home-schooling be the answer for some parents The topic of home-schooling has been on my mind for some time now and I think it's something many parents may consider at some point during their children's school days or early life. I recently read an article in BBC News on the 'Rising numbers of Pupils Home Educated' and was quite surprised at the growing number of children that are now being home schooled: ...There has been a 65% increase in children recorded as home educated in the UK over six years... Why are so many more parents opting for home education for their children? An article on Family Education states: ...parents who homeschool feel they can do a better job. Few parents realize how much time is really wasted in school. It has been estimated that an average of less than one hour out of each school day is actually spent learning after administrative duties, discipline issues, changing classes, and distractions. Of course there are exceptions, but the point is that hours of precious time are simply wasted. Add hours of homework into that mix, as well as getting to and from school, and it's easy to see why many parents have decided it is simply not in their child's best interests to go to school. They believe their children can learn more in less time in a different environment. And they're right. Consistently, homeschooled kids score higher than their schooled peers on standardized tests. In fact, by the time homeschooled kids are in the eighth grade, they are four years ahead of their schooled peers. Often, this learning takes place in less than two hours a day. And what do these homeschooled kids do with all that free time? Mostly, they enjoy doing what every other child has to wait until the weekend to do ride their bikes, roller blade, ice skate, hike, build forts, swim you name it... This is all very interesting! Who would have actually thought that a couple of hours of home study can be more effective than six hours in school? And the statement about home-schooled kids being four years ahead of their schooled peers is quite alarming; although how accurate this is I'm unsure! Home Education What exactly is Home Education? An article on the BBC Education website states: Home education is when a child is educated at home rather than at school. It's perfectly legal in the UK to educate your child at home and you don't need to be a qualified teacher to do so. Children who are home educated receive all their education from their parents or carers, sometimes with the help of outside tutors. If you decide to home educate your child you don't have to follow formal rules about how you teach or when you teach.In some ways home education is a continuation of the teaching that every pre-school child receives from his or her parent or carer. But from the age of five education is a legal requirement, so if you choose to home educate after this age you need to plan extremely carefully. Parents have the right to decide whether home education is right for their child, but all children must be educated. With the help of a private tutor, many parents see home-schooling as an option. Some parents feel that they do not have the right knowledge or background, or the time, to help their child with all of their home-schooling and seek some help from a private tutor whilst others feel it is better to hire a tutor for the whole home learning experience. Private tutors can help home-schooled children with a whole range of skills from general academic learning to exam techniques. First Tutors is an excellent educational site providing help for parents seeking tutors for their children in a massive array of subjects and all levels from pre-school right up to University and beyond. Reasons for home-schooling There are many reasons why parents will opt for their children to be educated at home. Some of those reasons include: Unhappy with the quality of the schools educational system Bullying Concern for your child's safety and welfare Your child has a phobia of going to school You feel home-schooling will further your child's learning potential Your child has learning disabilities and you feel there is not enough support or assessment for them I am sure there are more reasons why a parent may decide to home-school their child and these are just a few of them. For myself, I am currently considering home-education for my children because I simply cannot get my children into a school that I feel is suitable for their educational needs. My Personal Experience I hadn't realised that home education was an option for so many parents. I have moved back to the UK after living abroad for over fifteen years. As I came back in late August my school options were very limited. I had to settle for a school, that in the opinion of Ofsted, was requiring improvement. Now I'm sure a lot of parents can relate to the fact that sending my children to a school that is obviously inadequate in so many ways is not something I am happy to do. I am not ignorant and am well aware of all the local schools as I grew up in the area and education was something I, and my parents, chose very carefully. I was lucky enough to have parents that could afford to send me to a private school and after successfully passing my 11+ I went onto a grammar school and subsequently University. Having four children and a major change in our economic circumstances means that I am not 'lucky enough' or economically able to send four children to a private school. So my next best option is ensuring that I pick a school that fulfils the needs of my children's education. This is not as easy as I had first thought. You may be wondering why I am so adamant to move my children. Is the school that they are currently in really that bad? Are my children not learning as much as they would in say a school that was 'outstanding'? The answer is simple; no they are not. How do I know? Because I have experienced schools that are 'outstanding' and I have experienced schools that are 'inadequate' or 'requiring improvement'. There is a big difference. I have been a teacher for over twenty years and a parent for nearly twelve years. An outstanding school will make sure children in primary school are prepared and ready for secondary or grammar school. An inadequate school will not, in my opinion, be all that bothered. My year 1 daughter's first day at her new school involved a teacher who apparently shouts his way through the lesson making her feel both anxious and afraid. I picked her up from the school gates that very day and was met with a timid and upset child that had just had her first day at a 'big' school. Practically every day since I have had a text message informing me of the numerous bumps, scratches and bruises my child has endured by another child (not the same child every time) at lunch or break time or even during class time. The message usually reads something like: Natasha was accidentally pushed over in the playground. She bruised her knee. Antiseptic lotion was applied and she is absolutely fine. Now, I understand that children can be rough at times but this is four times a week and sometimes more. Are there no teachers supervising the playground? Is my child to endure this for the next six years? Not if I can help it. I'll give you another example. My year 5 daughter, also at the same school as my year 1, had been doing a class that was obviously not challenging her enough. She would come home from school and tell me that all she had to do was spell out the word 'other' five times. Now, as a teacher myself I pride myself in making sure my children are progressing academically and monitor their progress as much as I can. When after a month she was still in the class that was spelling out words like 'other' I took it upon myself to have a word with her teacher. This was the reply of the teacher: Yes, I am aware that your daughter is finding it very easy but unfortunately we haven't had the staff to assess her and to be able to move her up a group. Hmm. Surely, if as a teacher you are aware that the level you have placed a child at is not their proper level, that in itself is already an assessment? It bewilders me that such simple things have such a tedious process and a simple switch to a higher group is surely all that is required here. It actually took a further month and two more visits from me to move my daughter to a more suitable group. But that's a month of the school year wasted in my opinion! Home schooling options So, could home schooling be an option for me? The problem here, as I'm sure for many parents parents is the fact that I work full-time as does my husband; although I am lucky enough in this instance to be working from home. An interesting article in Family Education talks about the pro's and con's of home schooling. It states: Home-schooling is becoming more popular every day, with a growth rate of 7 to 15 percent per year. There are about two million children currently learning at home. Home-schooled kids do well on standardized tests, are welcome at colleges and universities, and as adults, have a reputation for being self-directed learners and reliable employees. The article goes on to state all the pro's and con's of home-schooling. The pro's include: Educational Freedom Physical, Emotional and Religious Freedom Closer Family Relationships Well-rested Kids And the con's include: Time and financial restraints Being with your kids 24/7 Limited Team Sports Living Outside the Norm A parent's decision whether to home-school their child or leave them in a school is entirely their own. Important factors to consider would be: whether the parent has the time to dedicate to the child's education at home. the skills and patience to provide the natural environment the child will need at home. the economic means to buy the books, curriculum, computer, scientific equipment, writing resources, field trips etc. the knowledge and experience needed to be able to help and aid your child's growth and development. Reading about other people's experiences and reasons for home-schooling is definitely a great way to start when deciding whether home education is for you and your child. An article I particularly liked in The Independent on 'Home Schooling; if a child gets bored at school, blame the system' was particularly interesting and inspiring. Of course, there seem to be a world of benefits with home-schooling but when I think of the school spirit, team fun, friend support and social skills my children may miss out on it leaves the decision making again very difficult. Home-schooling may be good for a certain time period but I'm not sure I'd want my children to miss out on the 'school experience' side of things altogether. Also, home-schooling may be fine for younger children but as they get older and need further information, science equipment and a deeper understanding of certain subjects, especially towards GCSE's and A-Levels, a parent would need to be fully prepared, invest in all the necessary equipment and be able to delve into each subject accordingly and with the best knowledge possible. An article on Homeschool-companion talking about the disadvantages of home schooling, states: ...unless you have trained and hold qualifications as a teacher you will not be able to teach your children as efficiently as a trained professional teacher would. You want to give your children the best possible start in life and that means providing them with the education to be able to succeed in the world of work...Not only do you have to prepare lessons on every subject, but you also need to have researched each topic enough to feel comfortable answering questions your child may have...One of the more serious negative effects of homeschooling is that children can miss out on the opportunity to interact with other children. This can stunt their development socially as they do not learn how to communicate or behave in group settings. This is obviously a vital skill in living and working as an adult... To conclude Whether a parent decides to home-school their child or allow government schools to take over their education will always be a difficult decision and one that should not be taken lightly. In my own personal, current situation it is definitely something I will consider.; at least for a certain period of time. The question in my mind is whether I will be able to provide them with the educational developmental skills they need to progress to further education and have the patience and time to see through the necessary dedication needed. Of course, I have the knowledge that there are many tutors now available to help with subjects I may not feel confident about. But one thing is for sure, I will continue to battle for a better education for them and do all that I can to ensure that I have tried my best to ensure a better future for them.

Chemistry Videos For Kids - A Great Way To Enrich Your Kids Understanding

Chemistry Videos For Kids - A Great Way To Enrich Your Kid's UnderstandingYou have to admit, the younger kids love going to Chemistry Videos for Kids. They go and sit in the front row and listen intently as the teacher lectures them about the wonderful world of science. They then have fun exploring the world of matter, the fact that water comes from air, and of course they enjoy the lessons about themselves.The students are shown how to make a full-body shower gel, and then they have fun trying to figure out how to form a ring with their hands to make a light. That's just the start. In fact, it is that much fun for them.Although Chemistry Videos for Kids is sometimes hard to understand and not so easy for adults to understand, kids are the best judges of how difficult a lesson is and if it is worth their time. For that reason, they never let any of the boring lectures get to them. They always make it to the end, sometimes even turning the game off and going outside to play outside in stead. That's exactly why this is so popular with the younger children.Of course, there are many other things that Chemistry Videos for Kids has to offer the kids. They learn the basics of chemistry through a step-by-step lesson plan that allows them to learn the subject in the most engaging way possible. They learn about their own bodies, the basics of creating their own organic substances and how to preserve their own material. They also learn about atoms and molecules, the structure of the world around them, and the behavior of gases and fluids.Of course, there are also fluid dynamics and fluid mechanics, too. All of these topics are important when it comes to other areas such as engineering and computer technology. Another big part of the Chemistry Videos for Kids lesson plan is the ability to teach them the importance of using science and logic. There's no better way to teach kids the things that they should be learning.Not only do you get to see the exciting world of Physics a nd Chemistry in Chemistry Videos for Kids, but you can also get a glimpse of the world of other fields. They can also see that there are so many people who share the same interests as them.One of the reasons that Chemistry Videos for Kids is so popular is because they are entertaining. Many of the videos are loaded with color and animation, and they allow kids to truly immerse themselves in the world of chemistry. They are also challenging, and the teachers don't pressure them to answer a specific question, but they give them plenty of opportunities to make up their own mind.

Tutoring a Student in Math

Tutoring a Student in MathTutoring a student in math is often necessary for many reasons. This may be due to them having academic or job-related difficulties, in which case tutoring can help. There are also other reasons that a tutor can provide for to help the student, such as assisting with learning new methods, providing extra help when it is needed and arranging tests.Tutoring a student in math is not necessarily for an individual who has strong math skills, as many people require tutoring for a variety of reasons. Some students simply do not know their own abilities, some have skills that are not being used or are not progressing, and others have weaknesses that hinder their progress. The results of this can be stressful, as the student's lack of self-confidence can cause problems at home, school and work. It is often beneficial to have a tutor in the classroom to assist the student so that they know what is expected of them.This is particularly helpful in situations where the s tudent has the skills and experience, but not necessarily math skills. A tutor can be extremely useful in helping a student understand how to apply themselves in the math class. Teachers can then give them specific attention when they need it. In these cases, getting extra help will allow the student to learn more quickly than would be possible on their own.Parents and teachers will often choose to tutor their child in math, in order to make them a better student. They may have experienced failure in mathematics, and that failure will normally create a problem within the family. That is why it is important to ensure that the child has someone else to talk to, even if they have struggled in maths. This is to protect the family and to ensure that their child will graduate high and go on to college, university or work. As well as just helping the student learn, the tutor will also help the student deal with any difficulties that may arise in the class.Many teachers will hire a tutor to come into the classroom and provide support for the student. They may have had a difficult student in the past, and in that situation they will want the student to receive the support they needed. Being able to see the teacher as a person, rather than just a teacher, can also prove helpful. The student may not have the same feelings towards the teacher as they do towards their friends and peers, and tutoring can make them more comfortable around that aspect of the relationship.It is important for the student to understand that their tutor is there to help, and not to try and push them towards anything. If a student has reached a certain level of confidence in the subject, their tutor will help them to continue with the lessons to improve their skills. If a student is struggling, however, there is often no need for them to see a tutor. The student should realize that they need help in their learning, but that it is up to them to go and find the help they need themselves.Mathematics is the foundation of all life, and without knowing how to solve problems, we could never progress. Using the right tools to help a student in math can be a great benefit to them. It gives them confidence and helps them to progress, whether they are struggling or have been struggling for a long time. However, for some students, tutoring is essential, for whatever reason.

Online Tutoring-10 Tips for Active Learning in Online Tutoring Session

Online Tutoring-10 Tips for Active Learning in Online Tutoring Session 0SHARESShare It is true that online tutoring offers a lot of educational benefits to students -still, the fact remains that unless the student is ready for the tutoring session, there is no way to get the complete effect as desired Online Tutoring: How to get 100% out of tutoring online sessions? 1. Get prepared with your educational tasks 2. List them out to save time 3. Check out which kind of session you require for the day 4. If it is just homework help for an Accounting problem or so, ensure the details of the problem and make ready to present before a Basic Accounting online tutoring expert or Cost Accounting online tutoring expert to derive maximum benefit within the scheduled time frame. 5. Preparation beforehand makes you clear in your mind about the doubts you have about the problem and the queries you have to put forth to the online tutors 6. Book a session in advance to avoid last minute delays and confusions 7. Keep ready your tech tools 8. If it is unlimited tutoring session, check out for your favorite tutor and confirm his availability 9. Read the content of the session before hand to make the session highly useful and clarifying 10. Above all, keep your mind away from distractions, when the session is going on TutorPace. Com is an online tutoring website that invites students for their 100% participation in tutoring sessions. [starbox id=admin]

30 Excellent Career Options for Spanish Speakers [Infographic]

30 Excellent Career Options for Spanish Speakers [Infographic] Suzy S. You know the benefits of being bilingual, but how should you put your Spanish skills to the best use? Here,  Jason N.  shares several jobs for Spanish speakers to consider, from careers in health care to government positions to tourism coordinators Let’s start off with good news! If you are bilingual in Spanish and English, you probably aren’t struggling to find employment! Being bilingual clearly makes you a more desirable candidate in the workforce. As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, the number of Spanish-speaking people in this country continues to increase by the day and businesses are learning that they can target a wider audience and serve more people if they expand their services and products to the growing Spanish-speaking public. The health sector in particular is realizing that an entirely monolingual English-speaking staff does not adequately serve the health needs of many Spanish-speaking populations. Your command of Spanish makes you more hirable and qualified for higher-paying jobs in many industries. After showing you a bird’s-eye view of jobs for Spanish speakers, I will go into more detail about specific sectors that are currently on the prowl for bilingual hires. Share this Image On Your Site Please include attribution to http://takelessons.com with this graphic. Jobs in the Health Care Sector As the countrys Spanish-speaking population increases, the need for bilingual professionals rises. Conversational fluency is a key for this field, particularly because medical conditions and treatment often require specific and scientific language. The subtleties of meaning can be ‘lost in translation’ if the speaker cannot convey and understand the message. Knowing the language also implies knowing certain cultural norms. Being of Hispanic origin or living in a Hispanic country for an extended period of time can offer insight into the family situations and everyday concerns of patients you will be dealing with regularly. As patients grow comfortable with the people they count on for their care, their quality of care increases. Jobs in the Law and Law Enforcement Sector Many Spanish-speaking immigrants need to work with law firms for immigration and other issues. If you speak Spanish, you instantly double the number of people you can represent, help, and serve. Law enforcement also addresses how people in public relate to each other. For instance, when residents cannot converse with local police, fear and resentment can develop between certain parties. This makes areas less safe for residents and the job of patrolling it more difficult for police. Predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhoods need bilingual officers to attend to both the English- and Spanish-speaking portions of the population regularly. Jobs in Interpretation or Translation Most industries need skilled translators who can communicate in Spanish to target a wider population and “spread the word.” Many translators have governmental jobs (Spanish is one of six of the official languages of the United Nations), or work freelance, with ad agencies, or with schools. Many courthouses employ translators and bilingual court reporters. In many cases, the job you already have may find you even more valuable if you become fluent in a second language some companies are even willing to pay for schooling to learn Spanish! Jobs in the Journalism Sector With a growing Spanish-speaking public comes a need to deliver news and information in the primary language of a given community. Because they can speak to both the Spanish and the English public, bilingual reporters and writers have an advantage over the competition and subsequently increase their profitability, desirability, and marketability. With specialized Spanish-speaking networks and publications on top of the many English media outlets across the country, the need for bilingual journalists is greater than ever before. Jobs in the Hospitality Sector Hotels, restaurants, spas, bars, and any other places tourists frequent on vacation or for business require professionals who can communicate both with locals and international travelers. Specific areas where there are a higher number of Spanish-speaking residents such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New York, and Miami require Spanish skills more than others. This is an additional plus to pursuing a career in the hospitality industry, since these are also some of the most attractive and warmest parts of the country. Polishing Your Spanish-Speaking Skills As you can see, there are many jobs for Spanish speakers to consider! The benefits of learning Spanish are vast not only for your career path, but when it comes to your personal life, too. Learning Spanish can help you make new friends, stay mentally sharp as you age, and even save you money as you travel. Already started learning? Youre well on your way to all these benefits. Need some extra help? Search for a Spanish tutor near you here! Jason N. tutors English and Spanish in Fairfax, CA.  He majored in Spanish at UC Davis, lived in Mexico for 3 years where he completed a Masters degree in Counseling, and studied Spanish Literature and Psychology at the University of Costa Rica. Learn more about Jason 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  TED Conference

What is it Like to Attend Hillsdale College

What is it Like to Attend Hillsdale College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Claire is a Phoenix tutor who graduated from Hillsdale College in 2011 with a Bachelors degree in French and Sociology. She specializes inmany subjects including GRE prep tutoring, Grammar and Mechanics tutoring, and French tutoring. See what she had to say about Hillsdale: 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? Claire: Its very safe. Hillsdale is a town of about 9000 people, and the college relationship with the town is pretty easygoing. People feel safe walking around town at night, even late. No transportation is necessary if you live in the dorms, since everything is close together you can get from one end of the campus to the other in about ten minutes. If you live off-campus, you need a car or bike, but youre required to live on-campus for at least the first two years of college unless youre a local resident. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Claire: Professors are very accessible. Since its such a small campus, personal relationships with your professors are encouraged and you often get to know professors within your majors and minors really well. Even my professors in core classes encouraged me to ask questions or talk to them about assignments on a regular basis, so I went into their offices all the time and felt comfortable expressing myself. The classes are pretty small, so professors are able to identify you personally. Academic advisors are also full-time professors; Hillsdale tries to match students with advisors in their major, though of course that can change over the course of your time in college. Because youre taking some classes from your advisor, you naturally develop a personal relationship with that person. VT: How would you describe the dorm life - rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Claire: Dorms vary in size and spaciousness, both for the rooms and the actual buildings. All dorms are single-sex, and there are visitation hours outside of which the opposite sex is not allowed in the dorm. There are single rooms and double rooms, depending on your preference, as well as suite bathrooms and community bathrooms. There is a lot of variety in that regard, and you can request which kind of experience you want in your application. There is one dining hall, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Youre required to purchase a meal plan through all four years at college unless you meet certain stipulations. The food in the dining hall is unlimited and includes vegetarian cuisine, hamburgers, Asian, American, etc. Theres also a student-run coffee stand in the main classroom building that is open during the morning and early afternoon. Numerous opportunities are provided for socialization, particularly for freshmen. There are dorm activities as well as class activities. There arent as many social events as there could be, but that has a lot to do with the smallness of the school. 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? Claire: Hillsdale is a liberal arts college; its major strength lies in history, English literature, and political science department. When I first started attending, I thought I would major in English literature, and indeed their English department is strong. However, I ultimately decided to major in French and Sociology, with a minor in German. Although all three departments are small, all of my professors were outstanding, and I was able to develop personal relationships with each of them. Additionally, I wrote an honors thesis for sociology on the topic of linguistic anthropology, and was primarily able to do so because of the close guidance of the sociology department. It was certainly an advantage at that time to have such a small group of people to work with. 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? Claire: I think it would have been easier if I hadnt been so shy; I also didnt have a roommate, so my roommate couldnt introduce me to anyone! Freshman dorms have double rooms almost exclusively as I recall, which definitely helps with the social aspect. Also, as I mentioned, Hillsdale definitely makes an effort to bring freshmen into the fold, with various activities to help you get to know your peers. Greek life is somewhat significant but not overpowering. There are three sororities and three fraternities on campus, and they hold multiple events throughout the year. There is no pressure to go Greek, though, and most people (something like 65% or 70%) are not members of a fraternity or sorority. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Claire: The Career Center is primarily useful to business majors. They have many contacts in the business world, including businesses that hire Hillsdale alumni on a regular basis. The Career Center is also helpful if you want to practice interview skills, get advice on your resume, or check out GRE books. There are career fairs, and again those are mostly helpful if youre in business, economics or accounting. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Claire: The student union was built about five years ago, and it has a lot of space. Around exam time it can be hard to get a private room in the library or a booth in the caf, but you can always get a classroom to yourself. Its easy to get space to yourself for studying in the library, union, or dorm areas, wherever you prefer 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? Claire: The town is small, and the area around the college is pretty much completely residential. All the entertainment and things to do are located either at the college or farther away by car. If you want to get to a restaurant or bar, you have to drive. The downtown area isnt much to speak of, so in general students either stay on-campus or drive to a bigger college town such as Ann Arbor. Hillsdale doesnt have much to offer as a town besides the college itself. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Claire: There were about 1,500 students attending Hillsdale while I was there, and about 340 in my class. Its a good size, because you get to know a lot of people and recognize most peoples faces at the very least. The core classes that everyone had to take naturally had the most people in them, and the largest class was Science 101, which had about 30 students in the lecture and 20 in the lab. The rest of my classes were significantly smaller, so the professor was able to give us individualized attention. I even had a German class that had only three people in it. Most of my classes had about 10 to 15 people in them. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Claire: At the end of my sophomore year, I got to go to Germany with some of my classmates and my favorite German professor, Dr. Geyer, for a month for academic credit. We studied history and culture, and of course spoke a lot of German. We stayed in southern Germany but traveled around to various cities including Berlin, Munich, and Rothenberg-ob-der-Tauber. It was a fantastic experience. Check out Claires tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Handle the College Application Process as a Parent

How to Handle the College Application Process as a Parent The following piece was written by Kofi Kankam. Kofi has been featured in our Admissions Expert series and is a former admissions interviewer for The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also the co-founder of Admit Advantage. His face was alight with the joy of life. Not a care in the world, he would always greet me, arms open, beaming, I love you, Mom. Good morning. I trust you slept well. Anything I needed, from the floors being mopped to cleaning out the refrigerator, done without pestering or even request. But all of a sudden, fall semester of senior year, he morphed into some other teenager. So, if you happen to have the kid described above, God bless you because your next one is sure to be his out-of- control, system-bucking counterpart to balance things out. The reality is that few of us experience the extremes of the personas described above, but life does sometimes change, and not necessarily for the better, for many families walking through the college application process. From an already stressful and over-scheduled existence, families delve into college season viewing the application process as the element that sends someone in the family, head-first, plunging into the deep end. And quite often, it is the parents. The gripes and complaints vary, but overwhelmingly, I hear three most often. Here they are, presented in no particular order, with some tips and strategies on how to overcome them: I just cant get him motivated to complete his applications. Ah, procrastination. It is the root of much parental frustration and angst. It has reared its ugly head in the past but likely with less at stake. Heres the first thing that you, as a parent, must acknowledge this is your childs college experience, not yours. If you are in a position to assist your son or daughter with organizing their materials and you feel comfortable doing so, then by all means, feel free. Create a chart or timeline that is useful in helping them understand the time constraints that can define the pressure-cooking application season. Send them reminders about looming deadlines for standardized tests, college visits, high school recruiters, and applications. Assemble documents that they may need to reference in order to complete the applications and then check in regularly to gauge their progress. However, you must realize that the more handholding you do during this final year of high school, the harder the transition will be come freshman year of college. You kn ow the old saying about leading a horse to water? Well, consider your child the horse. At some point you will need to cut the ties that may cripplingly bind and let your child rise or fail to rise to the occasion. You know your child and the amount of assistance they may need to be nudged along; use this as your compass without crossing the line. You do not want to be that parent on the college campus advocating for a grade change next fall and then five years later discussing his promotion on the job. If your child seems resigned to failure, even with the scaffolding youve put in place, perhaps he isnt ready for college at 17 or 18 years old and a year to grow and experience what life is like outside the world of academia may suit him well and motivate him to take more of a proactive role the second time around in the application process. We cant even talk about his applications without the conversation morphing into an argument. Children are very perceptive, especially college-bound seniors. If college has become your singular focus, they will pick up on it immediately. Remember, your child is more than a mere application. Try to revert to conversations of yesteryear and show a genuine interest in your child beyond his applications and pending acceptances. Let him know that you are there to bounce ideas off of and review materials as needed. You must also realize that application season is a particularly vulnerable time for students. Try to recall your own experience with applying to college. Too long ago? Go back to your last job interview. Remember the feeling of outlining all of your experience and qualifications and then waiting for the verdict? Well, this is your childs new reality. Often, for the first time, these students are putting their existence of the last three plus years on the line for evaluation, and that is a scary prospect. A short fuse or resistance to engage in an ongoing dialogue with you about applications may be less a reflection of his feelings for you and more an indication of how scared and insecure he may be feeling during this process not to mention the delicate dance he is now doing to manage all of his academic and extracurricular commitments beyond the applications. Let your child know that you recognize the stressful nature of this period and are there as an outlet. Encourage him to take a break and plan something fun, like a trip to his favorite restaurant or seeing a movie. The greater the sense of normalcy and balance you can maintain, the more likely he is to come to you to discuss his college application questions and woes. He wont even let me read his essay. The shroud of secrecy that envelops college essays often drives parents insane. Equally, parental badgering and inquiries to read the essay often annoy kids beyond belief. As a parent, the first thing you should ask yourself is what is your motivation for reading the essay? Will you be critical or judgmental? Will you attempt to hijack the essay and make it your own? In reviewing the essay, your motivation should be to support your child in writing an essay that is authentic, relevant, and effective. It should be his voice that comes across, it should answer the question being posed, and it should leave a lasting impression on the reader. When you ask your child if you can read the essay, try to do so in a manner that is supportive and encouraging. Again, reflect on your own similar experiences in which one piece of writing or project carried significant weight, and share the experience with your child. Acknowledge the difficulty of conveying something meaningful in a few meager paragraphs but also affirm your belief that he is capable of writing a strong essay. And rather than always asking directly, Can I read the essay now?, show a genuine interest in his writing process by inquiring, Hows the essay coming along? When you do finally get the chance to read the essay, youll want to remain as objective as possible and only offer feedback that is candid and constructive. If you completely destroy the essay, its not likely that your child will continue to solicit or accept your feedback. Highlight the strengths of the essay and encourage him to develop weaker areas by pointing out portions of the essay that are effective. Finally, if you find that both you and your child have drawn lines in the sand and are unable or unwilling to talk out your differences regarding the essay, seek the advice or counsel of someone else. This may come in the form of a family friend who has recently gone through the application process. It could also be an aunt or uncle with whom your child has a strong and less contentious relationship. It could also be an English or History teacher for whom you child has written other papers. Realize that sometimes it is the collective feedback from a few trusted key sources that can ultimately shape and guide an essay that is well written and engaging. Visit Admit Advantage for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.