Volunteer Tutoring Opportunities

Volunteer Tutoring OpportunitiesIt is a fact that some of the finest education centers of the world are situated in New York City, and that is no surprise. There are so many educational institutes which teach people how to communicate well that this state is the best place to start your career in education. New York State offers you various opportunities to work on higher education.As it happens with every profession, there are qualifications which separate the good from the mediocre. If you have excellent language skills and an effective way of working then you can be sure of a job in an educational institution. These institutions train staff to work in specific languages. You can become a foreign language interpreter or a foreign language instructor or a foreign language lecturer.Perhaps, you do not know where to look for volunteer tutoring opportunities. One option is to search in newspapers or online listings for tutoring agencies or schools in New York City. You can also contact individual teachers and ask them if they would like someone to tutor their children. Sometimes, you can get lucky if your teacher requests for a child to be tutored by you.New York has many universities and colleges that offer study programs in various subjects including math, biology, art, science, education, psychology, sociology, languages, computer, fine arts, engineering, health sciences, history, sociology, social work, geography, statistics, music, etc. They also provide excellent educational courses in English as a Second Language (ESL) to help students who need to acquire English as a second language. ESL classes help students with learning difficulties to learn the necessary skills in a short time.The quality of teaching does not matter much if the student is not proficient in English. If you are interested in helping students with ESL education then you can join a school or program as a tutor, classroom assistant, physical education teacher, or as a small group of lectur ers helpers.On the other hand, you can also serve as a tutor in New York and get paid to do so. A lot of people do volunteer tutoring jobs while enjoying their retirement and this is a highly desirable occupation. You can either join a program that provides tutoring jobs or search for private tutoring jobs on the internet.Other interesting volunteer opportunities include tutoring local residents in their native language if you have good conversational skills and a good command of English. You can also help to write informative articles about a subject that interests you to increase your reading comprehension and enhance your writing skills. Many people enjoy writing articles for newspapers, magazines, or books to help people understand more about a topic.When you work on higher education in New York City, you will be given plenty of opportunities to work in many educational institutes. Whatever your plans, you can be sure that there are volunteer tutoring opportunities for you to se rve others.

Power-naps Make Students Smarter

Power-naps Make Students Smarter American students are chronically under-slept. An healthy and inexpensive solution to our tardiness are power-naps which make students smarter by retaining better information and boost productivity and creativity. As a nation we drink on single day 400 million cups of coffee a day to make up for our lack of sleep. But is coffee really a good solution of our sleepiness problem? Coffee consumption is associated with elevated risk of heart disease and elevations in cholesterol levels. A much better solution of being tired and sluggish are power-naps! They improve your creativity, productivity by giving your brain a break. Power-naps even lower your risk of heart disease and make you feel happier. Important to know is not all power-naps are created equal. After some naps you feel ready to greet the world. After other you feel disoriented, groggy and even more tired then before the nap. How come? Groggy power-naps come to be if you enter the deep sleep phase or REM stage. During this phase your body has completely shut down for sleep so to it is not healthy to wake up during this phase. Therefore, power-naps shouldnt be longer than 20 to 40 minutes depending how long it takes you to fall asleep. Moreover, long sleep messes with your circadian rhythm. Therefore, try to avoid napping after 3 PM. In a nutshell, power-naps make you alert again, improve your learning-ability and even your healthy. The key to successful power naps is do them mid-day and wake up after about 30 minutes. I wish you a glorious power nap today.

Teach Away Telegram - April 2011

Teach Away Telegram - April 2011 Spring is upon us! And while the weather changes and we look forward to more time outside, it also means that summer is just around the corner, bringing an end to another school year for many of you! We know that things can be particularly busy around this time of year, so we hope you will sit back and relax, and enjoy the latest issue of the Teach Away Telegram.We are pleased to report that all Teach Away teachers in Japan are safe and sound, though the country continues to deal with the aftermath of recent events. This month, we are featuring a story from a Teach Away teacher who was in Japan during the earthquake. We also look at common misconceptions about living overseas, and try to dispel some of the myths. With report card time looming closer and closer, you may be interested in reading more about assessment practices around the world.- The Teach Away TeamIn this issue:A Teacher Story: Surviving the Earthquake and Tsunami in JapanCommon Misconceptions about Living AbroadStuden t Assessment Around The WorldSurviving the Earthquake and Tsunami in JapanOn March 11th 2011, Japan experienced one of the largest earthquakes recorded in recent history. The subsequent 10-metre tsunami devastated the northeastern coast of the nation, which continues to lie in ruins. The hardest hit prefectures include, Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate. This is the story from one Teach Away teacher living in a coastal town in Iwate when the quake and tsunami struck.Joseph Hinds, a 27 year-old Canadian, departed for his Assistant Language Teacher post in northern Japan in the Fall of 2010. Before the quake of March 11th, Joseph had experienced multiple minor tremors, as is the norm, in fault-line teetering Japan. He had become accustomed to the short stoppages in the workday before returning to the daily routine of teaching English in Japanese public schools. However, the March 11th earthquake was different.  â€œThere were alarms and announcements being played throughout the city, but I didn’t understand them. Shortly after the earthquake, electricity, water, and gas had been shut off.” Usually, Japan’s structural stability can withstand shakes up to around 6.0 without this occurring. “I saw many people walking on the streets going in the same direction. I suspected they were evacuating,” something only practiced with the severest of disasters.“A random Japanese lady driving past me stopped to see if I was okay. The woman had just seen on the news that tsunami waters were flooding the city, though my area remained largely unaffected. I didn’t understand the rest of the conversation in Japanese. Cell phone lines were busy and I couldn’t get through to anyone.” One remark from the woman that Joseph could understand:“I have never experienced an earthquake like this in my entire life!”Joseph decided to bunker down in his semi-safe home for the night. The next morning, he drove to a Japanese friend’s printing company for more information. Other f oreign teachers had also congregated on this local print shop, quickly turning it into a refuge from the disaster. Their only access to the outside world was a computer powered by a car battery, allowing them to access the internet and inform family of their conditions. “We all spent the night at the print shop office, sharing what little food and water we had.”The next day at the grocery stores, “people were only buying a little more than usual and seemed to be mindful if there would be enough left of other people. Everyone inside the store was calm and collected.”As Joseph left the store, another car pulled over to offer assistance. A teacher from where he works offered him a ride to an evacuation area, making Joseph “feel safe and well taken care of by the Japanese people.” Although dealing with the ordeals of the earthquake, tsunami, and impending nuclear scenario, Japan’s solidarity truly shines in these times.“The earthquake and tsunami reveal the respectful an d polite culture instilled in Japanese people.”Joseph is now in a safe area, and is eager to help Japan recover from this disaster in whatever way he can. He continues to be humbled and grateful for the solidarity demonstrated by the Japanese people.Common Misconceptions about Living AbroadWorking and living overseas brings about many questions and concerns, especially for those who have not ventured abroad before. Common questions include: What will a typical work week look like? Will I have a support network? Is it safe?As every country around the world has its own unique culture, each will have different expectations in the workplace. A Monday-to-Friday, 9AM-5PM work week may not be the norm in many countries. It’s quite common in some countries to work from Sunday-to-Thursday, 7AM-3PM, or even have 4-day workweeks. That is why being flexible and adaptable to new situations is vital for any overseas position. Here, we aim to address some of the more recent questions and conce rns in the following regions:JapanThe triple-disasters of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear concerns in Japan have caused alarm with many of those who were recently eager to teach in the country’s public school system. Although a tragedy, Japan’s infrastructure is built to recover from disasters. Much of the country is still unaffected, and teachers are still being sought in those areas.United Arab EmiratesAlthough in the Middle East, the UAE is not involved with the recent unrest in neighbouring countries. The affluent areas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi extend beyond the reach of the political issues plaguing other parts of the Middle East. Teach Away teachers have reported no immediate concerns on Teach Away’s Facebook pageChinaOften regarded as a country shrouded in mystery, China is home to a growing expatriate population. Despite being a Communist nation, locals and foreigners in China enjoy many of the same freedoms common in other parts of the developed world. Internet cens orship, for example, has decreased significantly in recent years. As well, modern amenities are not exclusive to Shanghai and Beijing. Many of the smaller cities in China are quite large by Western standards, with populations of 2 to 7 million people, and offer the same allure of larger cities with less congestion, pollution, and a reduced cost of living.KoreaSince the Korean War in the 1950’s, tensions have continued to linger between South and North Korea. A 2 kilometre wide demilitarized zone has separated the nations since. However, North Korea continues to cross into the mainstream news and raise concerns. The Western world views any news stemming from North Korea as possible threats of another World War, but this has been occurring since the end of the Korean War in 1953. South Korea is a first-world nation with a prosperous future, stemming from large electronics and automotive markets. Hence, South Korea’s continued need for English teachers to help develop their interna tional commerce.Vietnam/ThailandSoutheast Asia is notorious for its low cost of living, making it a popular destination for travelers on a budget. Working in Vietnam or Thailand, teachers do not necessarily make more money, but they can expect their dollar to stretch a little further. As is true of any country, researching the cost of living and the typical costs of groceries, utilities, and everyday expenses can help when trying to budget for your new life abroad.Student Assessment Around the WorldWhen considering a teaching placement overseas, common questions might include what kind of curriculum is used, what can be expected in a typical school day, and how students are assessed.Recent studies comparing student ability levels around the world have drawn attention to worldwide student assessment methods and their efficacy in compiling meaningful results. Historically, educational assessment consisted mainly of tests and quizzes, as these methods are easy to standardize and quanti fy. During the industrial age, education emphasized knowledge of basic skills and being on par with baselines.However, now that more is known and understood about learning styles and multiple intelligences, teachers are able to employ methods such as differentiating instruction and creating student-centred learning models. These different teaching techniques have necessitated the use of different assessment methods, as older models of assessment were proving inadequate.Indeed, although there is a focus on testing students in order to compare educational outcomes between countries, many developed and developing nations are opting for student-centred models and assessment methods. While some developed countries are reluctant to make the shift to a less teacher-centric classroom style, education reforms in developing countries like Malaysia are demonstrating that assessment is changing rapidly.While key performance indicators and learning objectives may vary from region to region, the major trend in assessment is creating tasks and opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning. Rather than assessing with standardized testing, which does not allow for multiple intelligences or differential learning styles, educators are making a concerted effort to allow for more non-traditional modes of assessment. Project-based learning, centres and workshops, culminating activities, and performance pieces are increasingly common in both elementary and secondary school settings.While the use of creative assessment methods is becomming more popular, students are improving in academic achievement. Teachers now have more options, and when teaching overseas, a wider perspective on education can be gained. Teachers with a flexible and adaptable attitude can learn about new assessment techniques overseas - a gain for teachers and students alike.

Introduction to Rosetta Stone English Learning

Introduction to Rosetta Stone English LearningRosetta Stone English Learning is an interactive software which will help you learn the English language by using several different approaches and strategies. This software has been developed by Rosetta Stone, a corporation which provides more than a thousand education modules to children and adults alike.The Rosetta Stone English Learning software is meant for all ages, with varying levels of experience. It should be able to help you be able to speak and comprehend more English words and sentences. However, it has been made by combining all of the best known English language learning software programs into one single application.For a beginner, it is possible to use Rosetta Stone English Learning with the English Beginner's Learning software, which is created specifically for people who are just beginning to learn English. It is simple enough to use and best of all, it has been designed so that you do not need to be a native English spea ker to benefit from this software.Rosetta Stone English Learning is also ideal for those who would like to improve their knowledge and skills in speaking and writing in English. The language is such a versatile one, and some of the best grammatical structure can be learned even without the use of native English. There are many other languages, which are extremely similar to English, and have in common certain grammatical patterns as well.Since so many different languages are spoken throughout the world, it is becoming increasingly common for people to learn English as a second language. This means that English is being used as a second language more often, so the ability to speak English fluently is now an asset that can be exploited for business and professional purposes. Rosetta Stone has given learners an advantage by making the software that is used so easy to use.You do not have to be a native English speaker to benefit from this software, but it does mean that you will have to be good at grammar. You also need to be able to grasp the concepts of sentence construction, tense, and tense endings. While there are many learning tools that you can use, one that will allow you to get the most out of these and most other tools is Rosetta Stone English Learning.Even though it is meant for new learners of English, it is easy to use and is a great deal more affordable than some of the other English learning software programs. All in all, it should prove to be one of the most effective and helpful English learning tools that you can find.

Review of the European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry

Review of the European Journal of Inorganic ChemistryThe European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry is a highly regarded journal published by Springer. As you might expect, its pages are packed with cutting-edge content on all aspects of inorganic chemistry.Among the outstanding features of this publication are three excellent authors, and a superb editorial team. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry carries articles and reviews by two active and well-known figures in the field. The latter are Dr. Wolfgang Goeldi and Dr. Ferenc Lengyel.Goeldi is a Nobel Prize winning chemist who led the research which lead to the discovery of the element lead. He is currently Director of the Max Planck Institute for Inorganic Chemistry in Stuttgart, Germany. Lengyel has been part of the academic community for more than forty years.Goeldi is the author of several books. In this particular article, he focuses on the chemistry of gold and its many uses.Goeldi goes into detail on the chemistry of gold an d also shares some details about his discovery of the element and its properties. Goeldi has been a very active part of the field since his time as a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania.His description of the chemistry of gold, including examples of gold molecules, as well as sections on such subjects as boron and platinum, represent a detailed and fascinating insight into the subject. It should be an interesting read for those interested in the chemistry of gold and other related topics.The German based Goeldi is a former member of the elite Wissenschaftskolleg Group. These organizations are recognized as being of high level of quality. It is fair to say that this publication is one of the best in its category.

Should I Major in Journalism

Should I Major in Journalism Inquiring minds want to know what is it like to major in journalism? Well, if youve got one of those particularly inquisitive minds, this area of study would probably fit you perfectly. A field where the sole purpose is to learn about new things and share them with the world, students who are naturally curious and determined to get answers to open questions should be more than ready to take this on. Certain challenges come along with it, however. Obstacles regarding boundaries and knowing when to keep reaching and when to recognize limits are explored. Depending on the area of journalism you want to go into, various skills concerning writing and/or broadcasting are covered as well. Is this a world you can handle? Skills Needed: Journalists basically need to be unafraid. Hounding sources to get stories completed, especially when those sources dont want to speak to you, is a huge effort that demands persistence on a whole new level. Students who wish to study journalism must be prepared to go to extreme lengths for answers and never get nervous and if you do get nervous, you need the strength to push it aside and keep moving anyway. All of this may make journalism seem like an exhausting and dangerous marathon, but there are some calm aspects of it, too. Youll have to do your fair share of research to thoroughly comprehend the background behind stories before you tackle them. Your classes will give you endless opportunities to prove your attentive research skills, bravery, and genuine curiosity. You may also want to check out these tips on things to focus on as a journalism major. Lessons Learned: Being a journalism major will teach you how to spot a really good story. Reporters are not always assigned pieces in fact, they are more often asked to pitch their own. Coming up with a solid pitch is a tactic that takes time to understand. Journalism classes will help you discover what you should be looking for on a regular basis and what separates an incredibly intriguing story idea from a mundane one. You want to find ideas that people will want to read/hear about, not ideas that will just get you by for another week. Majoring in journalism also means you will learn how to structure stories. There is a method to hooking your audience in and then keeping them engaged, plotting the right amount of quotes and facts at the right times. Moreover, a very specific type of writing is used - not the typical style you use in English essays or learn through formal writing tutoring. Finally, you will learn interviewing skills how to come up with the best questions that will get the best answers out of people, how to deal with people who dont want to talk at all, how to land great interviews in the first place, etc. Together, all of these lessons will go hand-in-hand and eventually show you what being a journalist is all about. Post-Grad Opportunities: It has never been the best-paying market, but there are certainly several positions out there. Many of them arent glamorous, and often your first journalism job out of college will not be at all glamorous, but it will be something. Signing up to be a reporter means you will, in fact, be reporting. You could do stories for a small business journal, website articles for a T.V. station, advertorials for a magazine what most aspiring journalists end up doing to get started is freelance writing. This can get you the opportunity to be published in a variety of places the catch is, you will get paid little to nothing. Yet, thats the main road to kicking off a journalism career. Its all about getting your byline out there and eventually getting picked up by the right publication. If you are hoping to be a T.V. reporter, start searching for tiny markets. Random stations you probably never have heard of will be more likely to take on someone like you who is fresh out of school and has never officially been on T.V. before. Just make sure you have taped some good reels of your broadcasting skills so you can show them what youre made of. The journalism field, like many other fields, is about working your way up. Impress the right person, however, and you may get pushed up the promotional ladder quicker than you thought. You may also want to check out this post on thejournalism career experiences of a Northwestern University Alumnusto get an idea of what a major in journalism can do for your career.

5 Ways to Help Your High School Student with Test Anxiety

5 Ways to Help Your High School Student with Test Anxiety With all of the assignments, exams, events, and extracurricular activities that are a part of high school, its natural for students to experience stress from time to time. Some of this stress can serve as a motivator, giving students the extra kick they need to complete an assignment on time or to power through a study session. But other types of anxiety can be harmfulone type in particular is test anxiety. Test anxiety is among the most common types of anxiety experienced by high school students. Ways to help your high school student with test anxiety include introducing him or her to coping tools, and encouraging good habits. Looking for ways to help your student, but not sure where to start? Keep reading to learn five ways to help your high school student with test anxiety: 1. Help your high school student with test anxiety by reassuring him or her that he or she is not alone According to the American Test Anxieties Association, 16-20% of high school students experience a high level of test anxiety. The association notes that another 18% suffer from moderately high test anxiety. It can put high school students at ease to know that their test anxiety is shared by many of their peers. [RELATED: 4 Ways Parents Can Help High School Students Succeed] 2. Help your high school student with test anxiety by introducing him or her to coping tools Students can partially reduce their test anxiety by learning to address it. Students who routinely experience test anxiety can master breathing exercises, meditation, and other relaxation techniques that can help them calm themselves before an exam. If you have questions about how to teach these techniques, speak to your students high school guidance counselor or psychologist. There are also many smartphone apps that encourage relaxation. Review these apps with your student, and discuss with him or her how to best use them. [RELATED: High School Parent-Teacher Conferences: What to Ask] 3. Help your high school student with test anxiety by ensuring he or she has studied For some students, a major source of test anxiety is not appropriately preparing for an exam. Your student can work to prevent test anxiety by ensuring he or she has sufficiently studied for any exams. Encourage strong study habits, and remind your student how important preparation is when it comes to test performance. If your student is having difficulty forming a study routine, he or she may benefit from more structured study time. Two possible solutions are: Study groups Tutoring. Speak with your student to determine which of these he or she feels would be most beneficial. 4. Help your high school student with test anxiety by praising good results and good habits A little praise can often go a long way. Praise your student when he or she is studying or has done well on a test. This type of support can be a great confidence booster that builds up over time. [RELATED: 3 Ways Students Can Benefit From Journaling] 5. Help your high school student with test anxiety by reminding him or her that exam results arent everything Tests may make up a large part of your high school students grades. However, its important to remind your student that tests arent everything. Getting good marks on exams is important, but so is in-class participation and homework completion. Lowering the stakes of testsjust a littlecan be relaxing for some individuals. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.