Reading English Like A Pro

Reading English Like A ProMost people who learn to read English are grateful for the aid they received when they started. Many of us are eager to go back to school and find out more about how to pick up a new language. If you feel like you are stuck in the middle of your learning process, here are some tips on how to go from being a beginner to being an advanced reader.First off, as long as you are practicing reading English by yourself, the most important thing you can do is to practice reading with a friend. Many people don't realize this, but one of the best ways to learn to read English fast is to read with someone else who can listen to your words. This allows you to not only hear what you are reading, but also to understand how others hear the same words.Another way to practice your reading speed is to study a dictionary or some other type of vocabulary book. Make sure that you are reading the material correctly by doing so. As you read, try to picture the words. If it is hard for you to figure out what a word means, try another book.Another great way to improve your reading speed in English is to sign up for reading tutors online. Reading online has been proven to improve reading speed for a majority of people. Reading one paragraph in an hour can help you become a proficient reader.When you are studying to be an English teacher, you will also want to make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to study. It may seem like a lot of time, but it can be worth it. If you have adequate time, you can make time to read multiple books, which will also help you get a better grasp of the language.If you are trying to learn how to read English as quickly as possible, then make sure that you look into digital writing software. The software is easy to use and comes with lots of practice exercises to help you improve your speed. If you are a beginner, you will be surprised at how much speed you will gain. As long as you have the software, you will find that you can read faster than you ever thought was possible.Finally, if you are a beginner who is serious about learning to read English as quickly as possible, then you need to consider paying for some type of study guide. Not only will you be able to benefit from the study materials and review materials, but you will also find that you will learn more in the process. Reading eBooks and courses is one of the best ways to accelerate your English reading speed.

Learn More About The ACT Registration Process Today

Learn More About The ACT Registration Process Today Understanding the ACT Registration Process The new school year is upon us and it is nearly time to confirm the details of your ACT registration. If you are planning to take the ACT exam this year it is never too early to prepare for the registration process. Understanding as much as you can about the exam is important to ensure the registration process goes smoothly and you can focus on your academic preparation. ACT Examination Information: The ACTis administered on six national test dates. The test dates for the 2013 - 2014 school year can be found here and on the Huntington Helps website: September 21, 2013 October 26, 2013 December 14, 2013 February 8, 2014 April 12, 2014 June 14, 2014 Plan ahead when registering for the ACT. Theregistration deadline is typically four weeks before the exam date. Youcan register after the deadline but will be assessed a late fee. There are fees associated with the ACT exam. A fee of$36.50 includes the ACT exam (no writing) plus reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges. The ACT Plus Writing requires a fee of $52.50which includes a report for you, your high school, and up to fourcolleges. There are additional fees assessed for additional collegereports, standby testing, telephone re-registration, testing changes, and international testing. Registering online: Online registration is recommended unless you haveextenuating circumstances that require registration by mail. The ACTregistration process is secure and you can be confident that your personalinformation is kept private. You will first need to create an ACT Web account. Thisis where you will register, verify testing center details, receive scorereports, and determine the colleges that will receive your reports. The ACT Web account initiation will require you tocreate a log-in and password for future use. Make sure you take note ofboth of these so you will always have access to the site. You will know instantly whether your preferred testingcenter has available space for you. You will also be able to print youradmission ticket directly from your ACT Web account. TheACT now requires a clear photo with a new registration. You must upload a clear photo of yourself against a light background before yourregistration is complete. This photo is used as a means of verifying identification on the testing day and on the score report that your high school will receive. The ACT website contains full quality and technical requirements for your uploaded picture. Registering by mail: You are required to register by mail if you are youngerthan 13 years old or are unable to pay by credit card. A registration-by-mail packet is available from yourhigh school or by requesting a packet on the ACT website. Once your registration materials are received you willthen be notified by mail of your testing date and which testing centeryou've been assigned to. Special circumstances: There are a variety of special circumstances that mayrequire you to pursue arranged testing options. Details of the arrangedtesting requirements can be found online at the ACT website. Special circumstances include: Being homebound or confined. Living more than 75 miles from a testing site. Needing international testing. Requiring a Sabbath/Sunday testing center. You may be eligible for extended time if you have adefined learning disability and extended time is part of yourIndividualized Education Plan (IEP). You must submit an Application forACT Extended Time National Testing signed by you and a schoolofficial. Regardless if you register online or by mail this applicationmust be submitted by mail. ACT testing centers are able to provide a variety ofaccommodations to students with defined disabilities. These accommodationsinclude a wheelchair accessible testing room, a large type booklet, snacksin the test room for diabetics, and the use of a sign languageinterpreter. Registration details can be found online with guidelines forrequesting special accommodations.

Polly Want Fluency! Learn Like a Parrot with Language Shadowing

Polly Want Fluency! Learn Like a Parrot with Language Shadowing Polly Want Fluency! Learn Like a Parrot with Language Shadowing Ever had a parrot?Even if you havent, you know what theyre famous for: repeating what you say, for better or worse.Depending on the conversations you have at home (or just to yourself) this could be enlightening, hilarious or embarrassingâ€"but no matter what, a parrots natural ability to mimic human language is downright impressive.But why are we talking about parrots?Because its time to parrot the parrots.With a technique called language shadowing, youll be acting like a parrot doesâ€"repeating what you hear in a foreign language, even if you dont fully understand it right away.Of course, as Im sure youll be glad to hear, the difference is that over time youll actually start to learn your target language through this repetition and imitation.Well show you how this unconventional learning method works and how you can start shadowing successfully in five steps. Polly Want Fluency! Learn Like a Parrot with Language ShadowingWhat Is Language Shadowing?Linguist Alexander Arguelles is considered the inventor of language shadowing. Hes created a series of videos focused on teaching and demonstrating the technique.Arguelles defines shadowing as a language learning technique where the student listens to a recording of target language audio, and simultaneously echoes what they hear. Shadowing is designed to force you to focus on the sounds of your target language and develop pronunciation that mimics a native speaker.Ideally, youll eventually also  start to absorb vocabulary, grammar rules and natural sentence structures.According to Arguelles, you wont get the best results from your desk. He recommends doing three things while shadowing to improve your focus and memory:Walking outside swiftlyMaintaining a good postureRepeating aloud in a loud, articulate mannerArguelles, himself a polyglot, has spent most of his academic career working with Korean, and has written several publications on the language and language in general.While Arguelles mayve developed the shadow ing technique into a concrete learning method, there are people whove been using shadowing prior to it having this name.Who Should Consider Language Shadowing?This technique works best for a few types of people:Auditory learnersStudents who learn best with structured study plansPolyglots (if youve already learned a foreign language, speaking with unfamiliar sounds isnt as scary)Even if you dont fall into one of those groups, this out-of-the-box learning method can help energize your same old, same old study plan. Plus, the focused pronunciation practice is inherently valuable, especially if you dont have lots of other opportunities for target language speaking practice.Youll also develop your target language intonation,  the natural melody or pattern of your speech. Depending on the emphasis you consciously or subconsciously place on certain syllables or words while speaking, a sentence can have a slightly different meaning. Intonation develops over time and is affected by how we he ar others speak.So with language shadowing, our intonation develops as we listen and repeat, the same way it does with our native language. Both accents and intonation are crucial to achieving language fluency, so you sound much more natural when you speak, instead of like youre reading from a textbook.Of course,  there are many different ways to approach learning a new language, and shadowing doesnt work for everyone. Like any other method, your individual success with shadowing is dependent on how much time, effort and dedication you put into it.How to Shadow SuccessfullyThe guide below is based on the structure laid out in  Arguelles video Shadowing Step by Step.1. Choose Your Audio ResourceWhat kind of audio should you be listening to?Audiobooks read by a native speaker in your target language are one great optionâ€"LibriVox is a great place to find audiobooks in many different languages. For shorter, more digestible listening, try podcasts in your target language.Youll also wan t to make sure your audio resource has a text component with an English translation  (for example, an e-book version of your audiobook in both languages). Youll see why in the steps below.Dont feel like going on a hunt for those types of resources? You can find perfect shadowing material on FluentU. FluentU provides authentic foreign language videos, like movie trailers, music videos, inspiring talks and more, that have been supercharged with language learning tools.FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. It’s already hand-picked the best videos for you and organized them by level and topic. All you have to do is choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started!Each video comes with interactive, bilingual captions in your target language and in English. You can click any word for an instant definition or toggle off the English versionâ€"both of these features will be very helpful for shadowing step number four, below. Youll also get visual learning aids and native pronunciations for every word you click on.The videos come with full transcripts you can refer to as youre shadowing or afterwards. There are even flashcards and exercises to help you remember new words when youre done listening. Dont want to be distracted by the video? You can listen to audio-only clips.The program even keeps track of what you’re learning and tells you exactly when it’s time for review, giving you a 100% personalized experience.FluentU has programs for languages including Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, Russian, French and several more. You can start shadowing with authentic videos for free with a FluentU trial.2. Listen and Repeat While Walking AroundAn unconventional but critical part of language shadowing is walking around while listening to and repeating your audio resource.As a non-native speaker, early on its tricky to speak in a foreign language while doing something else, even the simple task of walking. This exercise is designed to get you out of your comfort zone and focusing actively on what youre hearing. It also gives a regimented feel to your shadowing practice, making it harder for you to space out or get lazy with your pronunciation.Walking or pacing while shadowing will seem uncomfortable at first, especially since many of us are inclined to sit down while studying. But as you keep going itll become easier and more natural.Do this step several times until you feel comfortable repeating all of the sounds.3. Listen and Repeat While Reading the English TranslationNow you can start learning what youve actually been saying this whole time!Go back to the start of your audio passage and shadow while reading the English translation of your book or transcript. As Arguelles puts it, this will give you a global understanding of what youre listening to and saying. Youll start to associate meaning with the target language sounds in a natural way.Again, r epeat this stage several times. While you might want to stop pacing around for your own safety, Arguelles still recommends holding your text out in front of you rather than at your lap and keeping an upright posture.4. Listen and Repeat While Reading the Target Language TranscriptAt this stage, youll be reading the target language words as you speak them. If the audio is slow enough, you can actively move your eyes between the target language text and translation to compare the individual words and their meanings (Arguelles recommends you start this stage in this way).Eventually, you should be shadowing your target language and reading your target language only, but understanding what it is youre hearing and saying.The essential idea here is that over time, as you shadow with more and more material, youll learn how to speak and understand words and phrases in your target language in a big picture, natural way. You wont be translating one-to-one between English and your target langua ge, which means you can achieve fluency faster.5. Repeat DailyLanguage shadowing requires daily effort and dedication from the learner. It might feel laborious at first, but proponents of language shadowing say that with this method, learning a language is a much quicker process overall.Why? Along with the benefits noted above, Arguelles and his students say its because of the discipline required, as well as the immersive nature of this method.For me, language shadowing is another learning method to add to my bag of techniques. Shadowing is something I incorporate into learning a new language, but I also use other methods, like journaling for writing practice or language apps to learn grammar and vocabulary. I think one of the best things you can do when learning a new language is to try a variety of methods before homing in on the ones that work best for your unique learning style and lifestyle. As someone whos tried to learn languages using more conventional methods before, I woul d recommend that anyone interested in language shadowing give it a try.After all, if its good enough for parrots, its good enough for me!

The GCSE results are in!

The GCSE results are in! GCSE results are released today, ending months of suspense as candidates finally find out what months of hard work and revision has achieved. Don't let the relief of finally knowing your grades become tainted by press reports of the first fall in A*-C grades in 24 years. The slip in A*-C grades is only 0.4%! In recent years the tone has always been that exams are getting easier and easier, the grading more lenient, so perhaps a more demanding marking scheme is simply a response to this, and may explain the minimal drop in top grades. This is a time to focus on what you have managed to do and you should give yourself a pat on the back for making it through your exams. For those of you moving straight onto A-Levels, we wish you the best of luck. But, if you feel your marks are unfair or an unrealistic assessment of your abilities there are things you can do. Should you wish to improve your marks there will be opportunities to resit exams - resits generally take place between November and January. Or, if you feel your exam results are at odds with the results you were achieving through coursework, teachers will generally be more than willing to help you appeal your marks. A more comprehensive overview of what to do in light of disappointing GCSE results can be found on the BBC website. It should also be recognised that the academic environment is simply not for everyone. Vocational courses generally do not require exceptional GCSE results, and can offer more practical and enjoyable career alternatives to those who can't wait to leave school. Whatever results you receive today, just remember that there will be plenty more opportunities to prove yourself! GCSEs are most definitely not the be-and-end all. If anything, the results you get today should help you make a more informed decision of what you want from the future, and what career may be best for you! Finally, tutors, we know you will be nervous as well! Good luck as the results come in! We' round off with some of the feedback we've received so far this morning: Lisa, ''Lisa has been working with our 15 year old son to prepare him for his maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSEs as well as helping him to master some study skills and to be better organised in his school work and homework. He has shown significant improvement in a very short space of time with Lisa's support. He enjoys his lessons and has gained a better, more in-depth understanding of the subject matter.'' Sue, ''Sue has been very helpful with our daughter's GCSE German, particularly speaking. Before this she was very hesitant, but following Sue's help she is now much more fluent and confident. Sue makes the subject fun.''

?? Tech will Save Us!

?? Tech will Save Us! Tech will Save Us! Morning Bethany, thanks for meeting with us. We love what you guys are trying to achieve and I know our readers would like to hear more about what you do. Firstly...Can you explain to our readers what the vision of Tech will Save Us is?In 2012, I co-founded Technology Will Save Us, a business that instigates 21st century learning - in the classroom and around the kitchen table - through its well-designed DIY Gadget Kits for everyday life. It was based on a radical premise: what if kids could build the technology they use, and learn more about technology in the process? We created the (now iconic) kits and the most accessible, fun way for kids, families, and educators to learn, play, and invent with technology.Our mission is to inspire the creative imagination of young people with hands on technology and to build the most accessible and entertaining brand for the creator generation. Being customer focussed and experience obsessed is at the centre of everything we do. And where has that vision taken you so far?For us, design means putting users at the centre of our product development process. All of our kits and digital tools are created with a user-centred process that involves kids and parents at every stage from ideation all the way through to home, park and play testing.This is especially true for our latest kit, The Mover. After testing our prototypes with over 300 kids, we learned that kids love technology that is portable, reactive and open-ended. This allows them to be engaged and active, while having fun. We’re not a single product start-up, our kits are for everyone from 4-100. We make an ecosystem of kits and digital experiences that support a tech learning journey though different ages and abilities. We’re also more accessible and priced in a way that allows all kids to get hands on creating with technology, all of our competitors are priced at over £100, our kits start at £25.We’ve been awarded some incredible recognitions, t he Museum of Modern Art in New York acquired our Gamer Kit for their permanent collection ‘Humble Masterpieces’. We were selected as part of the permanent collection displayed in the newly built London Design Museum. We’ve won Gold Parents’ Choice awards for 2 of our best selling kits, the Gamer and Electro Dough kits. Our newest kit, the Mover Kit, has already won a DAD Graphite Impact Pencil and a Fast Company innovation by design award. Our company was also recognised as the ‘Best Hardware Startup of the year (2016)’ at the Europas. Bethany KobyHow do you feel that we can best empower young people to start taking on problems which might seem, at first, quite daunting to them?Around 65% of children in school today will have a job that doesn’t currently exist, we want to equip them with all the tools they need to be prepared for these roles. The creative tech toy space finally offers kids the opportunity to make, code and invent with toys. Our aim is to spearhead this sector, Technology Will Save Us is dedicated to empowering kids with technology and unlocking their creative potential.Our readers are generally tutors, teachers, educators and parents, many of whom might be intimidated themselves by the technologies their children use, or that are needed to teach them. What are your top tips for reluctant educators out there?There are so many wonderful resources cropping up, we think empowering parents and educators to support the inner maker in kids is hugely important. Giving young people and adults access to re al practitioners and entrepreneurs in tech is really transformative. Our kits are for people aged 4 - 100. We want Tech Will Save Us to be the gateway for millions of families to become creators of technology around the kitchen table, in a classroom, in a field, makerspace, after school club - anywhere and everywhere. Finally, aside from yourselves are there any other sites or companies who you think are helping children to fully develop their potential in this area?There are so many wonderful people working together in this space, people like Toca Boca, Cubetto and so many more!

Web Stats in July 2011

Web Stats in July 2011 July 2011 was a very poor performing month. The vacation, school end and summer break have contributed to this performance slump. There is no systemic problem with your strategy or technology. Therefore, we remain optimistic about our long-term traffic and look forward to the upcoming back to school season. There were 118 unique, non-spam lead (down from 209 in June). 1,860 visitors came to Tutorz. (3,210 in June). The visitor-to-lead conversion ratio dropped slightly to 6.3% (from 6.5% in June). Only 21 new tutors signed up (in June it was 31). The traffic loss also caused Alexa’s to lower Tutorz’ Global Rank down to 12.8 million (12.6 million in June) and the U.S. local rank down to 550,00 (310,000 in June). Fortunately, the bounce rate has improved; it shrank from 47% to 43.6%. The graphs below visualize some of these of web statistics.

Why Varsity Tutor Payment Can Be a Great Alternative to a School Loan

Why Varsity Tutor Payment Can Be a Great Alternative to a School LoanVarsity Tutor Payment can be thought of as a lending institution that takes responsibility for all tuition fees in a school. Varsity Tutor Payment offers loans to students who want to attend a reputable university or college and take up an academic course. This loan is very simple to obtain and the normal procedure is followed.First step is to submit an online application form. Varsity Tutor Payment will examine your credentials and sends you a form to fill out. They will then give you the details of their service providers and other similar organizations who offer tuition assistance. You need to contact these providers before you actually apply for the loan.When you are approved, you will be issued a PIN number which allows you to access your personal account. Once this has been done, you can proceed to your bank account. The funds are transferred into your account within minutes.Once funds have been transferred, t he financial institution will check the validity of your card and they will issue a check on behalf of Varsity Tutor Payment. In order to check the status of your check, you can use the website and it will tell you the status of your check. When this happens, you will know whether you can access your check and start withdrawing funds to pay off your loan or not.In many cases, the banks charge you a high interest rate for the loans they issue. That is why Varsity Tutor Payment provides a financial guarantee that you will pay back the money or you will be charged with a penalty. This guarantee only applies to those people who do not succeed to repay the money they receive from Varsity Tutor Payment.If you want to search for alternatives to Varsity Tutor Payment, you can choose between the many online banks that provide loans. They offer very competitive interest rates and the services are easy to apply for and manage.There are many loans and financial institutions that exist in India, but selecting one from the different financial institutions is essential to get good deals. You will not be able to find a lender that provides the best deal if you do not find a suitable lender on the Internet.