Tips for Parents 9 Ways to Teach Spanish to Your Toddler

Tips for Parents 9 Ways to Teach Spanish to Your Toddler Sign up successful 3. Watch Spanish TV and Movies Kids learn a lot of language through watching children’s TV shows and movies, and watching television in Spanish provides the exact same benefits. If you dont get Spanish language channels on your TV, you can select Spanish audio on DVDs, use YouTube videos, or find movies in Spanish for kids on Netflix. 4. Play Outdoor Counting Games Teach your toddler numbers in Spanish by playing any outdoor games that involves counting, such as catch, jump rope, hopscotch, or soccer. 5. Expressions in the Mirror Sit in front of a mirror and ask your child to make a face to represent an emotion. You can try happy (feliz), sad (triste), angry (enojado/enojada), and confused (confundido/confundida). 6. Play I Spy A great activity for long car rides, play I Spy in Spanish to help your child learn both the alphabet and more vocabulary. 7. Sing Along to Music Another good option for livening up car rides is singing songs in Spanish. This is one of the best ways to practice speaking in full sentences, and at the same time your toddler will hear a native speaker singing the language to help with proper pronunciation. 8. Play Simon Says (Simón  Dice) The imperative is a little more complex in Spanish than in English, but even toddlers can learn to respond and produce commands with this game. Simon Says (or  Simón  Dice) is also an ideal opportunity to practice words for body parts and movement. 9. Celebrate a Tradition from a Spanish-Speaking Country Even if you dont have a connection to a particular Spanish-speaking country, you can celebrate a festival in your home. There are plenty to choose from, including  Día  de los  Muertos  from Mexico, Fiesta de la  Candelaria  from Peru, and Las  Fallas  from Spain. Just remember: keeping up with your child’s level of Spanish may soon become difficult if you are relying on the vocabulary and basic grammar you learned in high school. Consider brushing up on your own knowledge by booking Spanish lessons with a private tutor or, as your child gets older, find a language tutor for him or her. Speaking a second language is a lifelong skill that will open up tons of opportunities for your child academically, personally, and professionally. 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 National Museum of American History Smithsonian Institution

What is it Like to Attend University of Oregon

What is it Like to Attend University of Oregon The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Tarryn is a Portland tutor who specializes in many areas of math such as Algebra tutoring, Geometry tutoring, Pre-Calculus tutoring, and more. She graduated from University of Oregon in 2012 where she earned her Bachelors degree in Finance. Read her thoughts on the University of Oregon: 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? Tarryn:The University of Oregon is set in Eugene, Oregon and is a fairly small campus. You can get from one side to the other with a brisk walk in about 15 minutes. That being said, there are few metered parking spots; however, I did not have a car for four years and never had a problem. Most people walk or ride a bike, depending on where they live. Lots of people own bikes or skateboards to ride around town in their spare time. The campus is extremely safe. There is a police office about a block from campus, and there are many emergency boxes, which can be found every block or so on campus. Security guards and police on bikes are happy to walk you home if you feel unsafe. There is an APS (Assault Prevention Service) bus that is available to drive students whenever they feel unsafe or need to go a far distance at night. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Tarryn:All of my professors have been extremely passionate about the classes they teach, and they provide much guidance to students to help them succeed. Professors have an amazing amount of office hours, and if you cannot make those due to conflicts, many will meet you when it is best for you. All professors are available through email and normally get back to you very quickly. Academic advisers tend to be located near your college of study. There tend to be multiple advisers for each major, and they have a lot of experience. I have found them extremely helpful! VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Tarryn:I would highly recommend living in the dorms. I actually was on the same floor as a girl I went to elementary school withit was so crazy! The dorms are a great way to meet new people; some may study the same major as you, and others may not. It was a great experience and something I would never pass up. The dining options are fantastic. The university has several dining halls. One is a cafeteria (all-you-can-eat), and the other two have multiple restaurant options. The university also has a Grab N Go, which is a mini-market where students can pick up food and drinks for their rooms. Most students utilize the point system, which offers multiple options depending on your needs. Points roll over each week, and I have never found myself needing more. The location of the school is really nice. Eugene is a small town. There is not a whole lot to do there, but the university acts as the town. The surrounding restaurants all support the Ducks by having specials and putting stickers and banners in their windows. Everyone in town is very school-spirited. I never found myself needing to go anywhere off campus, besides to the movie theaters and the mall (both of which are less than a 10-minute drive away). The school has many activities on campus, and there are multiple cheap food options on the corner next to campus. Everyone at the university is very friendly. I was so shocked when I crossed the street and someone said hi to me that did not even know me. Everyone lends a helping hand, making socialization the least of your worries. My advice is to take advantage of clubs and campus activitiesthey are a great way to meet people. 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? Tarryn:The main majors at the University of Oregon are journalism, business, and architecture. There are many other options as well, and all are represented. The school has a career fair every fall and spring where students get the opportunity to be recruited and meet with potential employers. The school also offers seminars and meetings on how to create resumes and complete interviews. I was a finance major, which fell under the business school. The business school is absolutely amazing; it has a huge building on one side of the campus filled with professors offices, classrooms, computer labs with free printing, a caf, tutoring, advisers you name it. I never felt like I was out of options when I needed help. Everything was in one place, and the professors do a great job at preparing you for life after college. The career fairs set up through the business school and the university are very helpful; the business school does a great job of preparing you too. 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? Tarryn:As a freshman, I joined a FIG (Freshman Interest Group). In a FIG, you have the same three classes during your first term with the same 25 people. This was great because it meant an instant group of friends. The dorms also were a great way to meet people. I joined a sorority my freshman year. At the University of Oregon, Greek life is not huge, but it makes a large school feel small. That was one of the best decisions I made in college. I am still best friends with a lot of my sorority sisters, and it was a great experience that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a close-knit group of friends. It is a great way to get involved on campus, keep your grades up, and get involved in the community. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Tarryn:As mentioned before, the Career Center does promote a career fair twice a year that companies from different fields attend. The career fair is set up for those companies to gather information and conduct interviews. At times, there are interviews set up through the Career Center. This is a great way to get experience, and many can even have a prospective job lined up by the end of the day! VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Tarryn:The Knight Library is the largest library on the West Coast. There are many floorsthe main floor has computers, newspaper articles, and old films to watch; the second through fourth floors are filled with reference material, study tables/cubicles, and private rooms that you can reserve. The basement has a caf that many use to meet in groups. The library has designated quiet areas, which students actually respect. The library is completely full during finals, but during any other time, it is generally not packed. It is by far the best library. There is the law library too, which is designated for law students, but it is also available to others. 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? Tarryn:Eugene is a small town, but the university acts as a town. Many people support the Ducks, and the town is very lively and spirited. There is a mall and a movie theater with a dollar theater not too far away that most students like to take advantage of. There are also many opportunities near campus. We actually think of them as being on campus because they are basically located across the street. There is a Duck Store with supplies and apparel (and Apple products), small restaurants, and a Starbucks. Most students tend to stay on campus, as many do not have a car. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Tarryn:One reason I chose the University of Oregon was because it had about 22,000 students. The class size is about 60 for a typical business class, and lecture halls can have between 250 and 500 students. The class sizes were actually very manageable and were great for group projects. They were also designed for class discussions. As a freshman, I took advantage of any opportunity to make myself not just a head in the crowd; I joined Greek life and got involved with the business school. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Tarryn:My capstone business class (last upper division class you take as a senior) by far solidified my career choice. I actually had the same professor for my first and last business class. I enjoyed his teaching style so much. This professor was spectacular not only because of the way he taught his classes, but also because of the fact that he was so interested in his students. If he saw you in the hallway, he would go out of his way to say hi or ask how your day was going. In the classroom, he welcomed questions, even ones he did not know the answers to. He was not afraid to say, You know what? That is a great question; lets explore. I felt like I learned so much from his class; he had a way of taking the material he was responsible for teaching us and twisting in his own life experiences. That is what made the difference for me. Check out Tarrynstutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Organise Tuition via a Webcam

How to Organise Tuition via a Webcam Teach Students Remotely Thanks to Academic Support Videoconferencing ChaptersBuying the Right Equipment for Remote Academic SupportPreparing Your Tutorials with Fun Online ResourcesHow You Can Stay in Touch with Your Students Between LessonsDedicate the Start of Your Lessons to Checking Homework They’ve Done OnlineDigital Resources Are Fine But Tutors Still Have to Listen!Unlike what you might first think, tutoring students remotely isn’t that different to teaching them one to one!While there are plenty of advantages to this type of class (saving money on transportation, flexible hours, etc.), you still have to help your student to progress through regular academic support.Whether you’re helping them with an exam or test prep, teaching them a new skill, or helping them succeed in school, your role is to listen to them, provide academic mentoring, and use your expertise to provide them with guidance.Learn how to provide academic support and become a tutor!over  their classes at school.Of course, don’t get too familiar!  You have to establish yo ur limits: You’re there to listen, of course, but they also have to respect you.  As a teacher, you can teach private tutorials without having to leave the house.Find tutor jobs to suit your skills (a newly-acquired webcam magic).

Learn How To Keep Calm On The Exam Day

Learn How To Keep Calm On The Exam Day 0SHARESShare Exams increase your stress and tension. You prepare hard but feel overwhelmed in the exam hall out of fear. Even those well learnt topics pull you down in the right moment and you sweat and strain for no use. Well, how to get rid of stress? Contact online tutoring experts to get best tips and techniques that help you bust your exam stress and retain the learnt material in mind without struggle. Our online tutors offer the following tips for your best results. You need to be calm and steady Rushing through portions in the last minute and cramming over the subject areas affects the mind and increases stress. Even those topics which have been learnt in leisure pull your legs and you forget their very essence in the necessary moment. So, our tutors stress on preparing before hand, skimming through the material in a calm mode and using techniques like flashcards for quick revision without tension on the eve of exam. Learn Afresh For Exams With Online Tutors After A Great Spell Of Holidays Healthy food habits and sleep Exams help online as given by the tutors of Tutor Pace is not simply academic oriented but they take personal care about your health and sleep habits and advise you to eat well and sleep adequately before the day. Skipping breakfast on the day of weakens body and lessens effective memory power. Taking caffeine to a good amount and eating nutritious diet rich in fibers will enhance one’s capabilities and also allows him to remain cool and collected in the exam hall. Drink water in the exam hall Take a bottle of water and drink it whenever you feel tired and dehydrated. When you attend the exam paper for one or two hours continuously, your body starts losing its strength and you need to revive your energy so as to keep your mind alive. Water works this wonder for you and you are able to regain your strength. A free chat with online tutors will let you know more about the benefits of retaining energy in the exam hall. Tips To Remember How #Math Logarithmic Notation Works https://t.co/7ysRauRrdq â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) February 10, 2016 Relaxation techniques Take a deep breath before entering the exam hall. Sit in a lonely place and try to avoid last minute discussions with peers. You can even pray to keep mind calm and balanced. Arrive at the hall before time. Check whether all the essentials are with you before entering exam hall. You can learn many more tricks if you chat with online tutors of Tutor Pace for busting your exam stress.

A Test Prep Timeline for AP Exams

A Test Prep Timeline for AP Exams In 2014, the College Board Advanced Placement exams will take place during the first two weeks of May. It is a wise idea to determine your test date well ahead of time so you can begin preparing. However, as the majority of students enroll in an AP class prior to an AP exam, you may have begun your review in September. As the actual test date approaches, you will need to extend your preparations far beyond your required coursework if you hope to earn a high score. Here are some great tips for AP exam prep. Week One Ideally, your preparation for your AP test should begin one and a half months before the actual exam. For the first week of preparation, focus on gathering together all of your notes and relevant materials. Organize these materials in a way that makes them easy to study. For example, for a history test, sequence your notes from the earliest historical date to the most modern. For biology, consider ordering them from molecules and cells, to organ systems, to organisms, to ecosystems. Use this first week of preparation as your preparing to prepare week. Purchase any review books you may need, fill in any information you may have omitted, and ensure your notes are highlighted and organized. Week Two Your second week of preparation should establish what you do and do not know. Complete a diagnostic AP exam. As you progress through the exam, make note of any question that touches on an unfamiliar topic or to which you do not know the answer. Look at your final score, but rather than paying attention to the fact that you earned a 3 or a 4, determine which questions you answered incorrectly, which you made note of during the exam, and which you understood. Compile a list of your trouble topics and then flag their corresponding areas in your notes. Create a list of the areas in which you are most comfortable, and flag those as well. Deciding upon what you must study intricately and what you must only lightly review will save you time in later weeks. Weeks Three and Four In your third and fourth weeks of preparation, re-examine your notes and study materials, paying particular attention to the problem areas you previously flagged. At the conclusion of each topic, answer several AP exam practice problems to acclimate to viewing the material in a test format. Review any areas that are still difficult with a study group, teacher, or tutor. You should also begin learning how to respond to open-ended questions during weeks three and four. Locate essay or open-ended problems pertinent to the topics you have studied. After attempting the questions, grade them according to the AP rubric. Did you draw from the sources in your U.S. History Document-Based Question? Did you write the correct equations and additional information for your Calculus AB question before you solved the problem? This period of preparation should be your most intense. Here are 4 myths about AP exam prepthat you should be aware of. Weeks Five and Six In the fifth week of your review, sit for a complete AP exam, again flagging any challenging problems. Observe where you must still study. Note, too, where you have improved. Use the sixth week of preparation to solidify any lingering concerns. Answer questions about these topics, and tackle one last set of open-ended prompts before the test. Avoid a cram session the night before the exam, and arrive rested. Six weeks of hard work after a yearlong class prepared you well to succeed on this test.

English Comparatives and Superlatives with Football (Pele vs Maradona)

English Comparatives and Superlatives with Football (Pele vs Maradona) Well, as many of you know we are from the United States but live in Argentina. Of course in the United States football isnt such an important sport and for Argentina it is probably more important than anything else in life, seriously, more important than your wife, than food, than politics, than your job. So today we are learning about comparatives and superlatives in football. Argentina just beat the world cup winner Spain yesterday in a match.ComparativesWe use comparatives to compare two people or things.Short Adjectives-we add er to the end of the adjective: fatter, skinnier, older, younger, smarter, prettier, nicer, etc. (notice the spelling change for words that end in y. Change the y to ier. For example pretty changes to prettier.   Also notice if it is a short word that has a vowel followed by a consonant we double the consonant. For example Fat changes to Fatter.Long Adjectives-we add more before the adjective: more intelligent, more beautiful, more generous, more productive , etc.There are three irregular adjectives: Good, Bad, and Far they change to better, worse, and farther or further.In A Question: Who is better at football Diego Maradona or Pele?Using irregular Adjectives:I think Maradona was a better player, because I live in Argentina.Using regular short Adjectives:I think Maradona is faster than Pele but I think Pele is a more intelligent player.Using regular long Adjectives:Maradona is more controversial than Pele.Superlatives:We use superlatives to compare three or more things 3+.Short Adjectives-we add est to the end of the adjective: fattest, skinniest, oldest, youngest, smartest, prettiest, nicest, etc. (notice the spelling change for words that end in y. Change the y to iest. For example pretty changes to prettiest.   Also notice if it is a short word that has a vowel followed by a consonant we double the consonant. For example Fat changes to Fattest.Long Adjectives-we add most before the adjective: most intelligent, most beautiful, most generous, most productive, etc.There are three irregular adjectives: Good, Bad, and Far they change to best, worst, and farthest or furthest.In A Question: Who is the best football player ever?(Notice that with all superlative we add the article the before the adjective)Using irregular Adjectives:I think Maradona was the best player, because I live in Argentina.Using regular short Adjectives:I think Maradona is the fastest football player but I think Pele is the most intelligent player.Using regular long Adjectives:Maradona is the most controversial football player.Whos the best football player of all time? Let us know what you think in comments.

Simple but Powerful Test Taking Strategies Part 1

Simple but Powerful Test Taking Strategies Part 1 ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog Strategy is an intrinsic part of preparing for standardized tests. Without the proper strategies even the most advanced students find themselves performing below their full potential. Here are a few proven test taking strategies that will take you a long way in your quest for a high score, regardless of the test you’re taking. Focus on official test prep materials. Purchase a guide written by the very people who administer the exam you are preparing for; this is “the official guide,” IE: The Real ACT Prep Guide, The Official SAT Study Guide, The Official Guide to the Revised GRE, The Official Guide to the GMAT, etc. This will familiarize you with the material and format of the test and which strategies to employ to be successful. Though there is a variance in the material covered across the various graduate and professional school entrance exams, their structures remain similar. Regardless of which exam you take, it will include a Math multiple choice section, Reading multiple choice section and a writing section. That said, there are some test prep providers that offer free or low cost, yet high quality self-paced instruction that we've found can complemenat official test prep materials very well. Kahn Academy (free) or Magoosh (low cost) are two such options. Pay close attention to the question. Read the question first. A hurdle of Reading Comprehension is filtering through the passage to find the information pertinent to answering the questions. Passages can be lengthy, making it difficult to pinpoint the material needed to answer the questions. Sometimes, test writers make it plain and direct you to specific lines of the passage. When this isn’t the case, reading the questions first can serve you well. This is called guided reading. Once you are acquainted with the questions, as you read the passage you can more easily identify the information needed to answer the questions. In essence, the questions can guide you through the reading to the most relevant parts. Beyond reading the questions, pause to recognize what the question is asking you. On timed tests we are inclined to work swiftly, moving too quickly can produce errors not only in our answers, but in our ability to comprehend the questions, which is necessary to answering them correctly. We have all come across questions which are straightforward besides the addition of a word like, EXCEPT. Most certainly, the answer choices contain the answer we would pick had we not seen this caveat. This is the type of careless mistake you cannot afford to make. These questions are designed to see how well you perform under pressure. Are you able to work quickly while simultaneously paying close attention to details, helping you to ultimately arrive at the right answer? These skills are invaluable and necessary to succeeding as a graduate or professional school student. Pay close attention tothe answer options. Read all answer choices before selecting your answer. Just as it's imperative you read and comprehend the question, you must do the same with the answers. The first answer-choice might seem correct, but if you keep reading you may recognize another may be right. This is why it is so important that you assume nothing! With reading comprehension in particular, it’s easy to fall into the trap of making an assumption based on the information you are given and undoubtedly, there will be an answer that “could” work based on your assumption. In a Math section such an example might be: assuming a triangle is a right triangle based on its visual appearance when in fact, there is no angle marked 90 degrees. If you work the problem based on your assumption you could be lead to the wrong answer. Usespecific strategues for honing in on the correct answer. Another tool by which to narrow down your answer choices is, using the process of elimination. Using a “guess and check” method can be faster than traditionally working the problem; by plugging answers into an equation you can quickly determine which answer choices simple will not work. You can also use the strategy of affirming the consequent, (ex: If P, then Q, or, when P is true, Q is true). When using this line of reasoning don’t get trapped in an answer-choice affirming the opposite. Just because you know Q is true, this does not necessarily mean that P is true. Make abstractions concrete by assigning values to the abstract components of a question so you are working with tangible things. This comes in most handy on Math word problems which ask you; What is “twice Mary’s age” five years ago? If you decide to say that Mary is 20 today, she was 15 five years ago and twice that is 30. Stay tuned for Part II of Common Test Taking Strategies where we will cover: Reading Retention Managing Your Time Structure the Writing Section Mentality Confidence

One Week Traveling in Malaysia

One Week Traveling in Malaysia One Week Traveling in MalaysiaIf you teach abroad in Southeast Asia, you’re bound to have enough time off to explore more of your surroundings. Vibrant cities, a diverse culture and extraordinary natural beauty make for a perfect week-long vacation in Malaysia.Day 1 â€" Experiencing Kuala Lumpur To start off your week in Malaysia, explore Kuala Lumpur. Visiting the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin building in the world, will give you a stunning view of the city. If you’d rather take a look at the Petronas Towers from a distance, visit the Menara Tower, another one of Kuala Lumpur’s unique landmarks. While you’re already in the heart of the capital, one of the following activities should be on your travel itinerary of Malaysia:Visit Aquaria KLCC, a large aquarium featuring a 300-foot underwater tunnel and over 5,000 animals from Malaysia and around the world.Go shopping and experience Malaysia’s diversity. The Pavilion and Berjaya Times Square offer anything you could be lo oking for, from designer goods to Malay restaurants. Complete your shopping experience in Kuala Lumpur by exploring Chinatown and the Wet Market, a colorful market where you can find rare food items and cheap electronics.Meet exotic birds that have made the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park their home. This public aviary gives visitors the chance to view an abundance of exotic birds in their natural habitat.Day 2 â€" Temples, Caves and Golden StatuesMalaysia is a diverse country, heavily influenced by Chinese and Indian immigrants, thus featuring a multitude of temples, shrines and mosques. Thean Hou, Kuala Lumpur’s most popular Buddhist temple, astonishes visitors with its exquisite Chinese architecture and is famous for its excellent view of the city. After a relaxing morning at the temple, head to the Batu Caves. These caves are said to be 400 years old and feature a collection of Hindu shrines. The 140-foot golden statue of Murugan, a Hindu deity, is bound to take your breath away.Day 3 â€" Cameron HighlandsHeavily influenced by the British rule, the Cameron Highlands allow visitors to escape the heat and explore buildings from the colonial era. Tea, coffee, and fruit plantations are enclosed by lush hills and provide a sudden contrast to Kuala Lumpur’s metropolitan feel. You will find golf courses, missionary manors, and the truly British Smokehouse Inn.Day 4 â€"PenangExcite your taste buds and learn all about where these spices come from. A visit to Penang’s Tropical Spice Garden will appeal to all senses. Small paths lead guests past waterfalls and through lush spice gardens. To truly appreciate the variety of exotic tastes, stroll along Gruney Drive and try the rich variety of hawker food offered here. At night, take a trip to Batu’s popular night markets.Day 5 â€" Georgetown and Places of WorshipNo trip to Malaysia is complete without wandering through Georgetown. This open-air museum features a collection of historic buildings from the colonial era incl uding many sites of worship. The Buddhist Kek Lok Si Temple, Hindu Sri Mahamariamman Temple, St. Georg’s Church and the Kapitan Keling Mosque are all in walking distance and worth seeing. Additionally, if you’re not afraid of snakes, take a trishaw ride to the Snake Temple.Day 6 and 7 â€" Langkawi IslandEnd your vacation in Malaysia by relaxing at one of Langkawi’s numerous beaches. Fine sand, clear water and some amazing resorts allow visitors to soak up the sun for a while. For some variety, observe jugglers and snake charmers in the Oriental Village, take the cable car to the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls and visit the Crocodile Adventureland.Travel in Malaysia to explore metropolitan cities, majestic mountains and hills, historical sights and marvelous beaches. Most of Malaysia’s incredible sights are bound to take your breath away, so why not look into teaching abroad in Malysia?Dorothee Rembold is an intern at Teach Away Inc.