Monday, March 23, 2020

The Smartphones with the Best Cameras

The Smartphones with the Best Cameras The Best Smartphones for Photos ChaptersApple iPhone 11 ProHuawei P30 ProGoogle Pixel 4 XLSamsung Galaxy Note 10 PlusGoogle Pixel 3A/3A XLXiaomi Mi Note 10“In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” - Alfred StieglitzEverybody seems to have a smartphone but not everyone uses them in the same way. For some, their phones are just for making calls and sending messages whereas, for others, there’s so much more to them than that.There's the facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, and also the camera.There’s some stiff competition between Android and Apple smartphones and each model is vying for its place in the market so when it comes to megapixels, selfies, zoom, and cameras, which smartphones are the best?Let’s have a quick look at some of the best smartphones for taking photos. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Tea cher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsApple iPhone 11 Pro“Photography is about a single point of a moment. It’s like stopping time. As everything gets condensed in that forced instant. But if you keep creating these points, they form a line which reflects your life.” - Nobuyoshi Araki Apple phones have always been famed for having good cameras. (Source: Horacio30)Who hasn’t heard of the iPhone?Apple’s new iPhone is even more advanced than its predecessors, especially when it comes to photos.For this model, photography is at the forefront of its design. There have been interesting developments, especially in terms of the camera, which makes the device far more powerful when photographing.What better way to get the best snaps?Be it the powerful zoom, ultra-wide-angle, or normal snaps, this new smartphone offers superior quality photos. After all, that’s what you want out of a camera.This model’s ultra-wide camera (new on this model) makes all the difference. Be it in wide-angle or ultra-wide-angle, the results look professional and are very simple to achieve.There’s also the low light mode which activates automatically. The Smart HDR Mode will help you to increase shadows, lighting, and details on faces, which is great for subjects with glasses.In short, t his phone is versatile and takes some of the best photos you’ll see from smartphones.Huawei P30 ProIn comparison, this phone is very versatile in terms of photos both during the day and at night. Its three-sensor camera with 8-megapixel sensors include a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor and offers great colours. Huawei phones are affordable and come with a decent camera. (Source: Free-Photos)The front-facing camera takes clear and detailed photos and is great for selfies!There’s also ultra-wide-angle modes and a 10x zoom. The Portrait mode works great with the three sensors and is comparable to some of the better digital cameras. It’s great value for money.The triple-sensor setup is what makes this device so powerful and a great smartphone for taking photos.Find out more about the different photo modes on smartphones. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all o ur tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGoogle Pixel 4 XLWith two 12.2 megapixel sensors and a 16-megapixel telephoto sensor, this smartphone is great at taking photos. After all, the competition is pretty stiff and each model is trying to stand out.The Pixel 4 takes similar photos to the others. However, we have to mention the portrait mode that works as well with the front-facing camera as it does the main camera. The AI is in its element here as it helps to improve contours.The best part?The macro mode which allows you to capture close-up details. Night mode also works really well and enables you to take photos at any time of the day.While the wide-angle isn’t as impressive as the one on the Huawei, this Google smartphone is still a good investment.First search engines and now phones?Samsung Galaxy Note 10 PlusSamsung smartphones are always up there when it comes to the best on the market and the camera on this one with its 4 sensors (the fourth being a TOF) puts it in serious contention. There are 12-megapixel telephoto sensors and a 16-megapixel wide-angle sensor. Samsung is famed for making good smartphones. (Source: FirmBee)The best thing is the Bluetooth S Pen stylus which can be used to take photos when you can’t reach the device or even draw on the photos. This is a fun and versatile smartphone that takes great photos, especially in wide-angle shots.A class above the S10, which already set the bar really high, when you take photos, they’re sharp, colourful, and beautiful.Even at night, the photo quality is really good thanks to the Night Mode. This mode clears up your shots and can be used in conjunction with normal, ultra-wide-angle, and telephoto modes. Now you’ve got no reason to be afraid of the dark.Finally, when taking selfies, this phone is great because the 10-megapixel sensor offers great results.In short, this Android smartphone is great for showing off your skills as a photographer.Ready to go?Google Pixel 3A/3A XLAs we saw earlier, Google is more than just a search engine. This web giant also makes phones and the Google Pixel 3A and 3A XL come with some great cameras built-in.Both of these phones are useful for taking professional-looking photos. You don’t need to spend a fortune and these models are quite affordable given the quality they offer.In fact, these smartphones are great value for money, especially for those on a fairly strict budget. The cost of the Google Pixel is one of the best things about it.There’s a 12.2-megapixel sensor with Dual Pixel technology. This helps to make the autofocus more powerful, especially in portrait mode. The result is clean photos.Perfect for your first smartphone for photography.Check out these tips for improving your photography.Xiaomi Mi Note 10Last but not least is the phone of a thousand faces. The 5 cameras include:The main camera: 108-megapixel ultra-high-resolution camera. f/1.69.Portrait camera: 2x optical zoom, f/2.0, dual pixel autofocus.Telephoto camera: 5 megapixel, 50x digital zoom, f/2.Ultra wide-angle camera: 20 megapixels, f/2.2.Macro came ra: 2 megapixels, macro zoom shooting. Xiaomi produces some affordable smartphones with good cameras. (Source: NickyPe)The ultra-wide-angle allows you to take photos of landscapes and groups of friends.The macro camera is great for close-ups of small objects like insects. Thanks to its five cameras, this phone is incredibly versatile and will do almost anything asked of it.These are just a few of the smartphones on the market but as you can see, many manufacturers are focusing on photography with their offerings. Now there’s very little between “real” cameras and the cameras on your smartphones. You’d be surprised at just how good the photos are from devices that are supposed to be for making calls.When it comes to taking pictures with the digital camera on your smartphone, you'll be surprised at just how good the camera lens is and how you can get better photos by changing the settings for the shutter speed, white balance, depth of field, and aperture.Furthermore, there's plenty of editing software available to r etouch your photos after the fact. Of course, you want to get the most out of your photography when taking the photos so try and get the most out of the natural light available, use a tripod if your photos keep coming out blurred, and consider aspects like composition and the rule of thirds before you hit that shutter button.If you'd like more help with photography, there are many talented and experienced tutors on Superprof who'd be willing to help you. There are three main types of tutorial and you can choose the one which best suits your preferred learning style and your budget.Group tutorials tend to be the cheapest and best for those on a budget as all the students in the tutorial are sharing the cost of the tutor's time and expertise. However, this does mean you'll get less one-on-one time with your tutor and the lessons won't be tailored to just you and what you want to learn.Online tutorials tend to be slightly more expensive than group tutorials but are just between you and your tutor. This means you can benefit from tailored lessons and learning programmes as well as enjoying the tutor's undivided attention throughout your tutorials. However, without the tutor physically being there with you, it can make certain hands-on aspects of learning a little bit more difficult.Finally, face-to-face tutorials have the benefits of the previous two types of tutorials without the drawbacks of the tutor not being there or there being other students in the tutorial vying for your tutor's attention. If you want to learn with these types of tutorials, however, you will have to pay more than the other two types as you'll be paying for your tutor's expertise, travel costs, and all the time they put in outside of your tutorials to ensure that they're tailored to you and exactly what you want to learn about.Think carefully about which type is best for you and discuss all this with any potential tutors before hiring them!

Friday, March 6, 2020

What is it Like to Attend Johns Hopkins University

What is it Like to Attend Johns Hopkins University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Ashlee is a New York City tutor who specializes in many subjects including Pre-Calculus tutoring, Statistics tutoring, and French tutoring. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2011 where she studied Psychology and French Literature. Check out her review of her alma mater: 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? Ashlee: The undergraduate campus at Hopkins, Homewood, is like a little oasis in the middle of Baltimore. There are many transportation methods, including public buses, the free Charm City Circulator, the Hopkins JHMI (which runs back and forth between Homewood and the Med School campus), Zipcars, taxis, etc. I personally didnt have a car or bike at school, but I did have a Zipcar account, just in case I needed to go somewhere. Some of my friends had cars, but it wasnt a necessity. The campus itself is safe, as is the nearby area, but you have to remember that JHU is located in Baltimore, which is an urban environment, and so you should be aware of your surroundings, lock your doors/windows if you end up living in a row house, lock your car, dont walk home late by yourself, etc. I personally had no problems during my time in Baltimore, but it never hurts to be aware of your environment! VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Ashlee: As with many schools, some professors are more available than others. I was lucky in that the vast majority of my professors and teaching assistants were readily available to meet, and all held regular office hours. Professor office hours tend to be under utilized by students, and so I would suggest stopping by, introducing yourself, and asking questions about the material. The TAs are very helpful, and I found that they are sometimes able to better explain the material if youre super confused, since theyre still close to the learning process. The academic advisors vary in how often you will see them or interact with them. My academic advisors were a little bit more hands off, but they would respond to emails in a timely manner, and were definitely willing to meet if you felt as though you had to meet in person. Professors, TAs, and academic assistants all tend to be available, but it is really up to the students to take advantage of this availability! VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ashlee: At JHU, you live in campus housing during your freshman and sophomore years. I personally lived in AMR 1 during my first year, and Homewood during my second year. There are a variety of different dorms for each year, which allows you to have the dorm experience that you would like. Freshman year, students live in AMR 1, AMR 2, Building A, Building B, or Wolman. The AMRs are traditional dorms, with shared bathrooms for the hall. I chose to live in the AMRs because I wanted that traditional dorm experience, and because they were considered the more social dorms, as you were constantly running into different people in the halls and bathrooms. Buildings A and B, and Wolman are more apartment/suite style, with a couple of shared rooms sharing a bathroom and kitchenette. Many students in the AMRs, and Buildings A and B eat at the FFC (Fresh Food Caf), which is the dining hall. Many of my friends in Wolman tended to cook, as they were not located as nearby the FFC as the other dorms. Sophomore year, students are offered the possibilities of living in Charles Commons, McCoy, Homewood, and the Bradford. Although the suites vary in the number of rooms, Ill describe the room layouts that I most often saw. Charles Commons is the newest dorm, with most suites being made up of four single bedrooms, two shared bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchenette. There is a small gym with cardio equipment. Many people choose to live in Charles Commons, as its very centrally located. McCoy is more similar to the layout of Wolman, with two shared bedrooms or one shared bedroom and a single, with a bathroom and a kitchenette. Homewood, where I lived, is apartment-style. My apartment was three single rooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living/dining area. However, Homewood is a little bit of a walk to parts of campus like the gym, as it is toward the south end of campus, but it too has a small gym. Bradford also is more apartment-style, with a few single rooms being connected by a common living area and kitchen area. 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? Ashlee: Many students, including myself, enter JHU as a pre-med, studying some sort of science. For pre-meds, Neuroscience was a popular major, as was Biology, Chemistry, etc. I entered JHU as a Neuroscience and French double major, but once deciding that I didnt want to go to medical school, tried Mechanical Engineering with French, and then finally Psychology and French, which are the degrees in which I received my Bachelors. I chose to study French because I have been taking French since the 3rd grade, and didnt want to lose the language. I was lucky, in that I tested into a high level of French, so I was able to take very interesting literature classes, and didnt have to take grammar-based classes, which also made it very quick for me to fulfill the requirements. Psychology, which is a very popular major at Hopkins, is well supported by the university. There are many opportunities to get involved in research, and the classes cover many different topics. The various Engineering ma jors are also very popular and well supported. Biomedical Engineering is the only major that you must independently apply to. Other very popular majors are International Relations and Writing Seminars. 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? Ashlee: I found it very easy to meet people and make friends as a freshman, especially during the various Orientation events. I also met many people in the FFC and just walking around the AMRs. Social life at JHU is really what you make of it. There are many people at JHU that are very social, but there are also people who spend the vast majority of their time in the library. Luckily, everyone knows that work comes first, and so it is completely possible to have a social life, but still do well academically. Greek life is fairly popular, with 4 Panhellenic sororities, 11 fraternities, and 7 multicultural sororities/fraternities. I was in a sorority, and found it to be an amazing experience that allowed me to meet some of my best friends. Greek life at Hopkins is definitely not the stereotypical Greek life, with the sororities and fraternities usually having some of the highest GPAs on campus, with average GPAs higher than the JHU average. Many Greeks not only socialize together on th e weekends and at mixers or date parties, but they also study together throughout the week and for exams. There are many friendships that span between the sororities and fraternities, so you dont have to worry that youll lose friends if you join different organization. I highly recommend that students join Greek life, as the majority of the people I know from Greek life found that it is a wonderful support system, both socially and academically. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Ashlee: I personally never used the Career Center, so I cant weigh in on that, but I have friends that had varying success with going to the Career Center. Many reputable companies recruit on campus, during well-attended job fairs, with many students successfully acquiring jobs! VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Ashlee: Hopkins recently opened the Brody Learning Center, which is a study space, and looks beautiful! The MSE library is also a very popular spot, as is the Hut (Hutzler Reading Room, in Gilman Hall). Around midterms and finals, the study spaces are always crowded, but its possible to get a spot. My favorite spot to study was the Hut, as there is a lot of natural light. Im sure that I would have also loved the Brody Learning Center, had it existed a few years ago, which also has a lot of natural light. The dorm lounges are nice, with all of them having couches, and most of them having TVs. 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? Ashlee: JHU is located in the city of Baltimore. I personally adore the area near JHU, which is called Charles Village, the Inner Harbor, Mount Vernon, Fells Point, Fed Hill, Hampden, and Towson. There are many safe and quirky neighborhoods throughout Baltimore, and each has their own charm! Baltimore has fantastic food, concerts, sports (Go Ravens!), dancing, an aquarium, museums, shopping, etc. There are many things that you can do throughout the city, as well as many events that happen on campus. Many students do go downtown to the Inner Harbor, whether to sightsee, go to the aquarium, or to go to the various stores in the area. There is a water-taxi that will take you to the surrounding neighborhoods in the area, which is always fun. Powerplant Live, a concert venue, is also located downtown. The Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art (which is located on the south side of campus!) all have fantastic exhibits. You can also easily visit Fort McHenry if youre a history buff. Some students stick to the campus, but many students immerse themselves further into Baltimore, which I found to be a wonderful experience. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ashlee: The student body is fairly small, especially in comparison to a larger state school. I believe the undergraduate student body usually is approximately 5,000 students. Class sizes vary drastically, with some pre-med requirement classes, like the introductory sciences, having a couple of hundred students in a lecture class, with seminar classes being as low as 5-10 students. I definitely enjoyed the smaller classes more than the larger lecture classes, but thats because theyre more interactive than a class like General Chemistry 1. Class size also depends on which major that youre in, with classes in subjects like languages and writing being smaller, and sciences and math being larger. The upper level classes tend to be on the smaller side. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Ashlee: A class that I greatly enjoyed was Introduction to Engineering, which is a class that Engineers usually take during their first semester. The final project consists of building a spaghetti bridge using only raw spaghetti and epoxy. It was such a fun experience, and the hands on nature allowed me to really learn the concepts that we had been discussing. Another memorable experience was my French thesis, which is required for the French degree. I initially doubted that I would be able to write as much as I did, but the process was clearly laid out, and I found myself having no problem. The thesis is written entirely in French, and it is such a satisfying experience to take it from the seed of an idea, to handing in a 70-page thesis that I was very satisfied with. These are just two of my experiences, but I had many more positive experiences than I can even explain. I loved my time at JHU, and religiously attend both Young Alumni Weekend, in the Fall semester, and Homecoming/Alu mni Weekend, in the Spring semester! Check out Ashlees tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Find French Lessons in Glasgow

Find French Lessons in Glasgow Opportunities to Learn French in Scotland’s Biggest City ChaptersWhy Bother Learning a Language?Finding the Right French Course â€" and Enjoying It.Glasgow’s the Right Place to Learn French.It’s really a wonderful skill to be able to speak a second language. Yet, it’s hardly a privilege. Rather, only forty percent of the world’s population is monolingual (meaning, they only know one language, of which they are a native speaker). Meanwhile, forty-three percent of the world are bilingual, and thirteen percent are trilingual. Then there are even those who speak four or more languages.This means that, actually, those of who can’t speak a foreign language are actually in the minority. And, frankly, this is a real shame â€" as speaking a different language, and learning a new language, is a really enriching experience that can have a huge impact on our lives.Yet, in the UK, we don’t really seem to care so much about language skills â€" happy as we are with our level of proficiency in our own language and culture. We tend to wear this as a perverse badge of honour, like a national joke â€" and we tend to justify our reluctance to engage in language studies by the fact that many people around the world speak our language.But really it is a little disappointing that the UK has the lowest number of people speaking a second language in the whole of Europe. And so, we get a reputation across the continent and the world for being a little disrespectful or lazy when we are living or travelling abroad.Yet, there is a simple, and quite readily available, path to avoiding this. And that, believe it or not, is through language classes. Because, whilst no one is asking you to be fluent, being able to say a little more than ‘bonjour’ or ‘buenos dias’ is helpful to get you through the world.And that’s what we’re here to help with.If you live in Glasgow, you’re in the right place. But if you want to know about French language courses in London or French courses in Edinburgh you can follow these links!Glasgow is a great place to take French lessons. AnnieFrench Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolineFrench Teacher 5.00 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriFrench Teacher 5.00 (9) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarianneFrench Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThibautFrench Teacher 5.00 (3) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickFrench Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DéborahFrench Teacher 5.00 (10) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamyFrench Teacher 5.00 (2) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Bother Learning a Language?Let’s start from the basics. Why bother to learn a different language?We’ve covered some of these above. However, recent research has done wonders in showing us some of the less known advantages of language learning.There’s the fact that knowledge of a different language reduces your chances of develo ping Alzheimer’s â€" which, alone, should be a sufficient reason to get yourself into a language school. Then there is the discovery that bilingual people are simply smarter â€" with greater general cognitive activity than that of monoglots.But knowing a different language also helps to open your mind to the world and to broaden your perspective on cultural difference. All languages provide a little glimpse into different cultures, different ways of thinking, and different ways of seeing the world. And, in a time of increasing global diversity and connection, this fact ensures a greater social cohesion, tolerance, and conviviality.No-one really is asking you to be fluent to feel these benefits. Even learning basic French â€" the conversational communicative fundamentals of any language in fact â€" can have you see the benefits.The Specific Benefits of French.Whilst learning any language has its cognitive benefits, the practical benefits of learning French are among the most consid erable among any languages.That’s simply because many many people speak this language (there are over two hundred million native speakers of French across the world) and it is spoken in so many places. Thirty countries have French as one of their official languages, and it is spoken just about on every continent on the planet. Fluency in French, therefore, opens up a whole world of people for you to communicate with.But it’s also an important language to know to shed light on our own culture and history. Britain â€" and Scotland particularly â€" has had very strong relations with France for centuries and centuries, and the politics, religion, language, and culture of France has been hugely influential for us on this little island.There are so many words that we borrow from French culture and language, it’s hard to believe. And learning French gives you a great stepping stone to learning other romance languages as well â€" if you so desire.Check out our profiles of French class es in Cardiff and of French language lessons in Belfast too.The French are rightly known for their wonderful lifestyle.Finding the Right French Course â€" and Enjoying It.There can be a lot of concern in new language students that the courses to which they could sign up won’t be the ideal one for them, or that they might be doing something wrong.This uncertainty often comes from what is essentially an impatience to gain all grammatical knowledge â€" all aspects of the tenses, say â€" and all French vocabulary immediately. This comes from the endless array of different technologies, products, and courses offering people the ability to be completely proficient in French â€" to be able to speak like a native French speaker â€" in six weeks, two months, or whatever.The reality is that learning a language is a much more long-winded process than this. You can find yourself in beginner level, or intermediate French, for years potentially â€" and this can be frustrating to some.So, just m ake sure that you enjoy the process as much as you aim for the goal. And don’t worry about whether you think you know too little or whatever. Any good French teacher at the language class will be able to perform a placement test and discern what level you would be best at.And finally, remember that learning doesn’t only happen in the classroom. The more you practice in your own time, the better your knowledge will be, the faster you will improve, and the more you’ll get out of your lessons.Glasgow’s the Right Place to Learn French.Glasgow is an immensely diverse city with an exciting array of languages spoken, cultural activities, and all the rest that makes an international city great. There are a hundred languages spoken in the city, and this diversity is corroborated by the fact that one in eight of Glaswegian schoolchildren don’t speak English as a first language.There are plenty of French people living in Glasgow, and the historical Auld Alliance between the two count ries has meant that current relations are good too. You’ll find so many great opportunities to learn French and to be exposed to French culture in Glasgow.Let’s take a look at some of the best options for learning French in the city.Find a French Course at Alliance Francaise Glasgow.If you are after a French class run by native speakers, the Alliance Francaise is the best place to start looking. This is the official language centre of the French government, and these pop up all over the world.In Glasgow, the Alliance Francaise is based in Kelvingrove, and it offers conversational French and formal learning in groups, one-to-one, and as an online course. All ages are welcome, and the centre also offers help with students studying French at university.It’s a great institution reliably endorsed by the French state.Get Yourself a Private French Tutor at Superprof.If you don’t like the idea of a language class, there is always the option of private tuition.With a one-to-one tutor you won’t have the fuss of worrying if about whether the class is moving too fast or too slow, about whether you are speaking enough or too much, and whether everyone is laughing at your poor pronunciation!Rather, with a private tutor, you will receive supportive and bespoke tuition that is perfectly suited to your own needs, pace, and preferences. And they also are often nice enough to come to your house too!At Superprof, we connect students with able, passionate, and knowledgeable tutors. In Glasgow, there are over one hundred French tutors available to teach you French, at an average rate of £17 an hour.Join a French course in GlasgowDo a Degree in French at One of Glasgow’s Many Universities.Glasgow has a number of excellent universities, from the University of Glasgow to the University of Strathclyde. The majority of them offer French at degree level, as part of the BA in modern languages.A degree in French is an excellent way to become an advanced French speaker. You’l l be studying French linguistics and developing your writing skills by working on essays on French literature, history, cinema, and culture (you may well have to write these in French!).It’s a great move if you are planning a career in diplomacy, translation, or teaching. And, as you may well know, one of the perks of a language course is that you get to study abroad for a year and to enjoy the experience of cultural immersion. This will be one of the highlights of your degree by far!Tell all your friends! You can find French teachers in Leeds  or a French language program in Birmingham too!

How to Get a Flat Stomach

How to Get a Flat Stomach Tips for a Flat Stomach ChaptersDrinks for Getting Rid of a GutReduce Your Sugar Intake, Especially in DrinksEat Smaller Portions and More SlowlyEating HealthilyBrush Your Teeth After Each MealDo Aerobic Exercises such as Running, Cycling, and Power WalkingImprove Your SleepDon’t Skip BreakfastAvoid False FriendsActivities to Lose WeightBoth men and women want a flat stomach. Unfortunately, the fat tends to collect around the stomach and hips, resulting in a gut and love handles.  If you want a flat stomach, there are several options: consume fewer calories, exercise with a focus on your abs, eat healthier with a focus on food that burns fat, and cardio.Of course, this is all easier said than done and rather than a magic solution, the real answer is by changing several different aspects of your life. That's how you get that flatter stomach that you've always wanted.In this article, Superprof has got 10 tips that will help you quickly get a flat stomach by changing your eating patterns, doing exercise, and increasing your metabolism.Get a renowned personal trainer here. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Tea cher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsDrinks for Getting Rid of a GutOne of the best ways to get a flat stomach is to consume drinks that get rid of toxins and burn fat. You need to drink around 2 litres a day. They’ll also help with bloating. Tea is a great drink if you want to lose weight. (Source: langll)Several drinks are recommended:Water.Warm water, which you can drink in the morning.Lemon juice, which decreases appetite, detoxes, and burns abdominal fat.Coffee, a diuretic which also decreases appetite.Green tea, which aids digestion and can help you lose fat.Cinnamon or ginger herbal tea or maté to get rid of fat.Don’t forget to drink plenty of water! It isn’t a lot of fun drinking lots of water but the benefits (given that your body is 60% water) are huge! To get that flat stomach, start by ensuring you drink lots of water.Your body needs water to function so make sure it has all the water it needs!Reduce Your Sugar Intake, Especially in DrinksMany of those who are overweight consume too many sugary foods like fizzy drinks, sweets, chocolate, or fast food, all of which contain lots of carbohydrates and sugars. To lose weight, there’s no secret! You have to start by consuming less sugar.  The same is true for fatty foods, but sugary foods are bad for almost every part of your body including your teeth, stomach, liver, and digestive system.If you want a flat stomach, keep the following in mind:“One should eat to live, not live to eat.” - MoliereIt's so easy to miss all the calories and sugar we consume in a drink because you don't make as big a deal out of having a drink as you do sitting down and having a meal. This is the same reason it's easy to forget about all the calories we consume when snacking, too.Eat Smaller Portions and More SlowlyTo improve your digestion and avoid weight gain, you need to change how you eat. Firstly, chew more slowly. This is an effective way to feel fuller from less food and avoid gaining weight.Using smaller plates is a good way to reduce portion sizes. You’ll eat less without having to count your calories. Your weight is related to what you eat. By eating more slowly, you can manage your appetite without losing energy!Eating HealthilyWeight gain is often linked to eating food that contains too much sugar or fat. Fibre-rich food aids digestion and gets rid of sugar and fat more quickly. If you're looking for high-fibre food, the fruit and veg aisles at your local supermarket is a good place to start. Vegetables, when prepared properly, are great for losing weight. (Source: silviarita)To ensure a better diet and digestion, you should focus on eating:Fibre, which is present in fruits and vegetables.Animal and vegetable protein in a reasonable amount.Spiced foods that reduce your appetite and encourage weight loss.Avoid eating too many ready meals, even if they include a lot of veggies. Generally, these contain a lot of fatty acids and salt, neither of which are good for your health. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAu toCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBrush Your Teeth After Each Meal“He who gets up late will never see the turtle brushing its teeth” - African Prove rbMake sure you brush your teeth after every meal as it’ll discourage you from snacking during the day or at night. This is a nice and simple way to manage your hunger.Useful, isn’t it?Do Aerobic Exercises such as Running, Cycling, and Power WalkingExercise burns fat, especially the fat around your stomach. However, if you want to get rid of a tummy and you’re not very sporty, it can be difficult. Aerobic exercise is the easiest way to burn fat and lose the belly.These types of exercise are recommended for losing belly fat. Additionally, it’ll help you strengthen your cardiovascular system. You can also go power walking or cycle to burn calories.The simplest of these exercises is walking. After all, if you want to get somewhere, you can often do so by walking. Try cutting out very short journeys in the car and walk instead. You could even consider going for a short walk after a meal. You'd be surprised how much you can benefit from just a casual stroll.Once you get into the routine of walking, you might want to go for a short jog. You don't need to run a marathon or anything, just head out for 10 or 20 minutes at first and you'll soon find yourself going farther and farther.While not as cheap as walking or running, you can also get yourself a bike and start cycling. Cycling is much easier on your knees than walking and running so if you'd had problems with them in the past, opt for cycling.Discover more exercises for burning belly fat.Improve Your SleepWe often underestimate how important sleep is in terms of our health and weight loss. Irregular sleep can lead to obesity in both children and adults. Sleeping well is essential if you want to lose weight. (Source: Mylene2401)Make sure that you get enough sleep! As a reminder, teenagers need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep per night whereas adults can survive on between 7 and 9 hours of sleep. Sleeping well is as important as diet and exercise!Similarly, consider winding down before going to sleep. Ideally, you want to start getting ready for sleep around half an hour before you plan on sleeping. If you need to be up by 7:00 am, you may want to consider going to bed between 10:00 pm and 10:30 pm.Find out how long it takes to get a flat stomach.Don’t Skip BreakfastHippocrates said it best:“Let food be thy medicine”Eating a balanced diet is important and so is eating in the morning. People often skip breakfast but it’s important as it gives us a lot of the energy we need during the day and reduces our appetite. Breakfast is as important as lunch or dinner.If you don’t know what to eat for breakfast, we recommend eggs, which are a good source of protein and less calorific than cereal, for example. If you don’t like them, then you can always replace them with another source of protein.Avoid False FriendsThere are a lot of foods that we think are good for us or will help us lose weight but they’re worse for us than some of the food we think is bad for us. You need to avoid them if you want a flat tummy.  Here are some false friends that are part of many of our daily diets:Cartons of fruit juiceSugary cereals0% dairy productsFruit yoghurtSliced breadPan-fried vegetablesReady mealsBalsamic vinegarWhile all of us have calorific comfort food, it’s a good idea to always keep plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and nuts on hand. Don’t be scared of proteins, they’re a great way to reduce hunger and increase your metabolism.Activities to Lose WeightDieting can be complicated and exercising can be even trickier if you’re not very active. You’ll struggle to get a flat stomach if you don’t exercis e regularly, even a little bit. Exercise will speed up your weight loss. While it isn't always easy finding the motivation to exercise, the results should encourage you. (Source: sasint)Ideally, you want to be doing exercises that get rid of belly fat like crunches and planks. Of course, fat-burning activities will work on every part of your body and can also flatten your stomach.Additionally, if you’re not exercising, you’ll lose muscle mass rather than fat. Exercising will help you burn fat while maintaining the correct muscle mass!Now you know what you need to do to lose weight and tone your stomach in terms of diet and exercise. If you need more help, you can always get in touch with a private fitness tutor on Superprof who can put together a personalised routine for you!Here's where to find a personal trainer.

Find a Private Tutor in Manchester

Find a Private Tutor in Manchester Home Tutoring Private Tuition In Manchester ChaptersOrganisations Offering Private Home TuitionSuperprof Tutors  in ManchesterMaths and Language Tutors in ManchesterTutor Announcements in ManchesterSchool Support programs in ManchesterVolunteer Tutoring in ManchesterThe city of Manchester is known  for its architecture, music, nightlife, engineering and scientific output; transport connections, and for also having perhaps the most famous football stadium in the world - Old Trafford.It was in this city that scientists first split the atom and where the stored-programme computer was developed.Alan Turing was appointed Reader in the Mathematics department at Victoria University in Manchester in 1948. A year later, he was promoted to Deputy Director of the computing machine laboratory, whereupon he immediately set to work writing software for the Manchester Mark I - one of the world's first prototypes of stored-programme computers.This brilliant mathematician is as well-known as the father of Artificial Intelligence as he is for h is code-breaking skills during World War II!Today, the city is home to some 530,000 people and three major Universities - the aforementioned Victoria University, now simply called the University of Manchester; Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal Northern College of Music.Besides those institutes of higher learning, Manchester is home to several law schools, language schools and numerous adult education centres, to say nothing of continuing education initiatives - in every discipline, all throughout the city.Forming the foundation of these greater learning opportunities are the over 170 primary and secondary schools in and around Greater Manchester.No wonder there is such a need for tutors of all types in Manchester! Fortunately, they are relatively easy to find, especially if you know where to look.Whether you're looking for one on one tutoring or shopping around for online tutoring companies, Superprof now presents you with the best tutors in Manchester.Find private tu tors in Edinburgh and private tuition in Cardiff!Find Tutors in Manchester for private tuition. (Photo credit: PicsByZuzanna via VisualHunt)This article will help you to find:Organisations based in Manchester offering private home tutoring and small group tutoringMaths tutors and language tutors throughout Greater ManchesterWhere to find announcements and Adverts for tutors in the cityHow to locate Manchester city school support programsThere are many reasons why you may need to find a private tutor.Maybe you need a boost to help land the promotion you've been angling for at work or you have long wanted to learn new skills - like accounting, so you can sit exams and become lisensed.Or maybe your child is struggling a little at school - perhaps because of dyslexia or some other learning disability, and s/he is starting to fall behind.Whatever the reason, there is no end to the possible solutions to help you find a tutor.There are many online agencies offering tutoring, Superprof bein g a case in point.Superprof is a tutor exchange platform that lets students (or their parents) sign up for free. They may then browse verified tutor profiles - all prospective tutors' credentials are vetted before their profile becomes public.You and/or you student may read about their potential tutors via testimonials left by other students that tutor has worked with, before you arrange your/your child's first lesson.This online tutoring marketplace  has revolutionised the traditional search for one to one tutoring: with this type of online tutor search, you can find a tutor anywhere in the UK.Why not start by finding a  maths tutor in London or an English tutor in Leeds?Native Mancunians noted the learning activities of their Roman counterparts and set about emulating them. Soon, the Church got involved... and the rest is history!Find a private tutor in Belfast.The Ancient Romans left us more than fine architecture and city planning; they sparked our thirst for education! Source: Pixabay Credit: Mohamad HassanStill today, especially as tutoring is the most traditional method of having private lessons, home tutoring can really help pupils in terms of progress and confidence.The home environment makes learning stress-free, which is especially important for younger learners and those with special educational needs.In arranging tutoring sessions for yourself or your school-aged learner, you may opt for the tutor to come to your home at a prearranged time every week- or more than once per week, if the need is so great.No need to worry about transportation fees; the tutor's displacement is usually included in the lesson price (but you should ask about such fees when you interview any prospective tutor, just in case).One final aspect to consider when scouting around for a tutor...Most such mentors tutor only in one subject, although many are polyvalent, especially those who work with younger-aged learners.To get the most out of your tutoring monies, you might searc h for a French or Spanish native who is a also a Maths teacher.For this example, we suppose that a student needs a tutor for GCSE test prep in languages and Maths. By engaging a bilingual tutor who is well-versed in Algebra, you may have found two tutors for the price of one!Here is a list of some tutor organisations in and around Manchester city and within the Greater Manchester area, offering private home tuition:Jasiel Tutors: Unit 2 Whitehouse Works, Clough Road, Manchester M9 4HPPupils Progress:  463 Barlow Moor Rd  M21 8AU  ManchesterNorthern Training Academy:  Memorial Road, 1st Floor, 8M28 3AQ  ManchesterHome-Tutoring: Advantage Business Centre, 132-134 Great Ancoats Street, M6 2DE ManchesterChoice Home-Tutoring: The Coach House, 157 Palatine Road, M20 2GH ManchesterPupils Progress: 463 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AU Manchester1-2-1 Tutors: Flat 1, 3 Park Gate Ave., M20 3BZ ManchesterSuperprof Tutors  in ManchesterAs mentioned at the start of this article, Superprof is an online platform that connects tutors with students. It is a global enterprise whose aim is to help students achieve academic success through personal tutelage.Superprof offers both private in-home tutoring and online tutoring.In the UK, Superprof boasts over 500 maths tutors, 10% of whom are based in Manchester alone. Check out these great tutors:Peter teaches Maths, Physics, Chemistry; also GCSE- and A-Levels science. He has glowing student testimonials!Clare holds a PhD and loves teaching Maths and Physics in her home. Her students award her 5 stars!Anca teaches Maths and Business up to University level. She works with primary and secondary school students, tooher 5-star reviews, along with the fact that she charges only £10 per hour make her a most in-demand teacher!On Superprof's site, tutors advertise their prices on their profile so you know exactly how much you can expect to pay for each lesson.Superprof hosts many qualified and experienced tutors so you can be safe in the knowledg e that the tutor you choose will help your child achieve their potential.You can also choose which tutor you would like from their profile and reviews. With Superprof you can learn practically anything, anywhere in the world!Want to learn Swedish from a native? With Superprof that is not a problem, everything is possible!Tutors know that maths studies seem to especially cause anxiety Source: Pixabay Credit: PDPIn military tactics, such strategies are called flanking manoeuvres, and the principle can be applied to learning, too.Rather than attack the problem of academics head-on, the tutor disarms students' anxiety by presenting them with material that is challenging, not overwhelming or anxiety-inducing. The student, enticed with the prospect of performing well, does the utmost possible to master the new material.Such teaching strategies tend to have a cumulative effect on students: the more they can achieve, the better they feel about themselves. The more their confidence grows, th e more likely they are to believe that they can do anything... a train of thought which ultimately becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.If you or your child has trouble focusing and grasping new concepts, perhaps an extracurricular language course could be just the flank manoeuvre you've been looking for!Here, a language tutor would be a great asset as they can work with you/your student on the particular areas of weakness such as critical thinking, understanding and memory building.Aspects of language learning such as verb conjugation (a great memory building exercise!), pronunciation, vocabulary or just an overall understanding of the language promote overall learning abilities, providing a pathway to greater academic aptitude.Manchester being all for education and fantastic learning experiences, naturally, you will find plenty of language tutors and schools that teach languages!Here we highlight just a few, with no particular endorsement or recommendation:NameArea of SpecialityAddr essTelephoneADC Language TuitionGeneral Language tuition88 Kerscott Rd, Manchester, M23 0GP0783 491 0173Norman HaynesFrench German Tuition20 Newhaven Avenue, Higher Openshaw, Manchester M11 1HU,0161 292 6894La AcademiaGeneral Language tuition13a Wilmslow Road, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 1DW0161 491 1444University Language CentreA part of University of ManchestterOxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL0161 306 6000The Language CentreA part of Manchester Metropolitan UniversityGeoffrey Manton Building, Rosamond Street West, Manchester, M15 6LL0161 247 2000Nicoletta HoltGeneral language tutionN/A+44 779 978 6983 Tutoring is not just for the young. (Photo credit: wezlo via Visual Hunt)Tutor Announcements in ManchesterAlthough statistics show that just about everyone in the UK has access to the Internet, not everyone sees the 'Net as a go-to source for everything.Particularly for something as personal as tutoring, some people prefer what is called the old-fashioned approach: private adverts.To fin d a local individual who tutors without resorting to using a search engine, private ads are an excellent resource to use.Tutors are savvy of that fact. That is why they take a multi-pronged approach to advertising their business: business cards and/or fliers in local pubs and cafes, restaurants and takeaways; you may even find such averts at your salon or supermarket.  Or they may put small notices in newsagents windows.They may also put an ad in the local paper so it would be worthwhile buying that for the time that you are looking for a tutor.The local library is also a good place to search, as there is often an announcement board in the entrance. You should also ask the librarian; they are often very knowledgeable with respect to the local area and services offered.If this proves futile, then an Internet search will succeed. In as large a city as Manchester, there are loads of tutors who advertise online through directories and websites, for example:Care.comGumtreeFreeadsHome Tut ors DirectoryUniversity TutorA note of caution in turning to these resources, now.There are no laws or regulations governing the tutoring industry in our country.What that means is that anyone can bill themselves as a tutor and, while most people do have a sincere desire to help you/your child achieve academic success, you will have no way of ascertaining who has a proven track record of teaching prowess and whose pedagogy is less refined.Here are a couple of pertinent questions to ask when considering engaging a tutor from an advert of any kind:Does the advert state what level of education the prospective tutor has?A general rule of thumb is that anyone can tutor up to one year lower than his/her skills set - meaning that an undergraduate student may help an A-Levels candidate prepare for examination and an A-Levels student may tutor a struggling GCSE-level learner.2. Is there any mention of a DBS?  Anyone who works with children must have submitted to a background check.Other than those two critical factors to keep in mind, resorting to such adverts is a way you may connect with your/your child's ideal tutor.Good luck!  School Support programs in ManchesterSchools and colleges often sponsor homework clubs for the duration of the school year and also revision classes in the run up to the exam periods.This is an excellent opportunity for pupils to deal with any problems they may have encountered in the course of their classroom learning because, among other factors, the classes are often fairly small and more relaxed than traditional lessons.Homework clubs can help pupils who are struggling in class or who may not be able to complete homework tasks, therefore risking being left behind.Such clubs are often run by teachers or teaching assistants (for homework clubs in primary schools) and are an excellent resource for parents and pupils alike!Besides school campuses, you may find homework help at your local library or community centre. In fact, Manchester City C ouncil's library page tells you all about it!Be sure to ask about any homework clinics they might run...Knowledge is power. (Photo credit:  VanessaO via Visual Hunt)Are moving to a new city? Superprof is a UK wide tutoring platform and can help you find tutors no mater where you are. Search for a Guitar teacher in Birmingham or a German tutor in Glasgow.Volunteer Tutoring in ManchesterMuch as we'd all like to believe that public education is a level playing field, the truth is that any student's academic success is due, at least in part, to his/her socio-economic status.The veracity of that statement is underscored by multiple reports of more privileged students benefiting from private tutoring; an educational boost that not everyone has the means to provide for their learners.To balance that effect, in an effort to  target those students who may not reach their full potential due to their social background,  many large cities across the UK have become home to volunteer tutoring org anizations that offer free tutoring to less privileged pupils, often in challenging communities.One such organization is Action Tutoring, a registered charity in our country.Although they are not yet active in Manchester, they keep busy helping students from low-income families leave school with at least 5 A* - C grades. Tutoring usually occurs on weekday afternoons for an hour but there are also some Saturday morning sessions.However, The Tutor Trust does work in the greater Manchester area.This is a not-for-profit organization that links undergraduates and other potential tutors with schools in disadvantaged neighbourhoods  that wish to provide their pupils with tutors.Since winning their launch grant and registering as a charity in September of 2011, they have helped more than 14,000 disadvantaged pupils hit their stride in the classroom.  They work with all 10 Greater Manchester education authorities, partnering with more than 300 primary and secondary schools.For every 6 hours of paid tuition, tutors are expected to give one hour of tuition-free.  The prospective tutors near me are selected, trained and insured. The organisation handles the logistics of the lessons and any money raised is re-invested in tuition services at target schools.It is often said that you get what you pay for but, in this case, that old saw is simply not true - for three major reasons:Students benefit by rising above their current circumstances to break the cycle of under-achievement and hopelessness that seem to plague the less-fortunateTutors find a rewarding purpose in dedicating a bit of their time helping assure the future of students who might otherwise struggle through school or leave school altogether.We all benefit  in that more of our students go on to find not just academic success, but success in lifeWhether you are having difficulties keeping up in class or you are the parent of a student who struggles, you now know that there are strategies to help your progress and people who are keen to see you achieve your educational goals.Through your school or with an advert; with a certified Tutor Trust mentor or a Superprof: all you need to do reach out - we'll be there for you!There really is a tutor for everyone in the city of Manchester!

Get Your Child Back-to-School Ready

Get Your Child Back-to-School Ready If your child has enjoyed a leisurely summer of trips to the pool, sleeping in, hanging out with friends and operating on a more relaxed pace than during the school year, you both may be dreading the end of summer, when the backpacks come back out and the routine is back in full swing. Dont fret, however. There are a number of things you can do to prepare for a new school year. During the last few weeks leading up to the first day of school, you can help your child make a smooth transition from summer brain to school brain by following these tips: Move back the clocks. Gradually adjust bedtime and wake-up time to be more consistent with a typical school year schedule. If the evening routine has gotten out of whack during the summer, attempt to re-establish some semblance of structurea set dinnertime, bedtime and reading time will help your child begin to get back into a school-year frame of mind. Load up the backpack. Pull out those school supply lists and head out shoppingand bring your child along. Many teachers provide classroom lists before the school year begins to ensure each student arrives on the first day of school equipped with the tools and supplies they will need. Dont forget to restock the desks at home and have your child clean and organize his or her homework space to get it ready for regular use again. Read up. If your child hasnt been reading much this summer, the end of summer break is an ideal time to start. Take your child to the library once a week and re-establish a nightly reading routine, letting him or her choose the books. You might consider pulling out some of last years reading material or assignments (or even books that he or she has already read) as a refresher. Write once a day. Find ways to incorporate writing into your childs daily activities as school draws nearer. It may be difficult to convince a middle schooler to write a series of essays about summer vacation, but get creative. Write letters to the grandparents. Get your child to help you create a summer scrapbook about a special summer vacation or some fun family outings youve had together. Give your child a new journal for the brand new year and encourage him or her to start filling it with the things about which he or she is excited or nervous. Set goals for a brand new year. Have your child think about and write down several goals for this school year. They can be academic objectives or other thingsimproving a grade or trying out for a sports team, for example. Talk about any challenges he or she faced last year and how to approach this year differently if needed. You could even establish some rewards for your child to earn if he or she meets small milestones along the path toward his or her goals. Review last years work. If you have some of it saved, spend a little time each day reviewing math concepts, spelling words and the like from last year. Older students could review chapter summaries from their prior year textbooks to re-familiarize themselves with what they learned in the previous grade. Even 10 minutes a day will help refresh your childs memory on what he or she knows. Just a few small steps will help your child make a successful transition from vacation mode to school mode. With a little effort in the final few weeks of summer, your child will be mentally preparedand ready to make it a great school year by the time the first bell rings.

Partnering with your Childs Teacher for a Successful School Year

Partnering with your Child's Teacher for a Successful School Year How can you effectively collaborate with your child's teacher? By fostering positive and productive communication throughout the year. Just as it is important to talk with your child about school, communicating with his or her teacher is crucial as well. Read on for a few pointers on how to develop a positive parent-teacher relationship and make the most out of it all year long. Go to parent-teacher conferences. Take advantage of parent-teacher conferences, which offer regular opportunities for you to talk with your child's teacher face to face. To get the most out of these meetings, jot down any issues you'd like to discuss before you go. If your child is struggling with school or homework, ask his or her teacher lots of questions, such as: Does my child seem focused during class? Does my child come prepared for class Does my child complete all homework and classroom assignments Does my child get along with his or her peers? What are my child's best subjects? What subjects does my child struggle with? Does my child participate in class? Does my child pay attention in class? Has my child had absences from school that I may not be aware of? What tests will my child take this school year? What do these tests measure? Of course, your child's teacher may have a few questions for you as well. If your child is experiencing problems at home, with friends or in other areas of his or her life, be sure to share this with your child's teacher. Together, the two of you can brainstorm ways to lessen the impact of outside factors on your child's school performance. Keep interactions positive and collaborative. Not every parent-teacher relationship will be perfect. Topics such as homework, tests and learning environment may rouse disagreement between you and your child's teacher, particularly if your child is struggling to keep up or has difficulty completing assignments. However, it's best to approach your child's teacher with a cooperative attitude, avoiding assigning blame or criticizing. First, attempt to understand the situation. Remember that your child's teacher also has your child's best interests in mind. Ask teachers what you can do to help your child at home. Whether at parent-teacher conferen ces or in a separate meeting or discussion, be sure to ask your child's teacher for suggestions on how to help your child get the most out of homework and improve his or her study habits. Your child's teacher will likely have several helpful suggestions and be more than willing to help you devise an action plan to enhance your child's learning at home. Be mindful of a teacher's schedule. Keep in mind when calling your child's teacher or requesting meetings that he or she likely interacts with many other students' parents on a regular basis as well. Ask your child's teacher what is the best way for the two of you to communicate. Some teachers may suggest using email to stay in touch when quick questions arise, saving in-person meetings for bigger issues. In the end, you and your child's teacher have the same goal: to provide your child the best education possible. Do your part to make it a great year by keeping the lines of communication open. Huntington is here to help every step of the way. If your child needs additional help, turn to us. We can address areas where your child may be struggling and tailor a program based on his or her learning needs.

Reasons Students Should Take An Extracurricular This Fall

Reasons Students Should Take An Extracurricular This Fall 4 reasons students should take an extracurricular activity this fall Kids will learn all sorts of things about core subjects in the classroom. Theyll learn the ins and outs of reading, writing, math, and science but they should also think about taking an extracurricular activity this fall. Things like physical fitness, cooking, arts and music, and other activities that encourage hands-on learning and socialization are not offered within the school environment. Students need a chance to work with other students as a team and learn how to make new friends and resolve conflicts in social situations. They also need to explore personal interests outside of the classroom environment and develop their natural talents and skills in areas that intrigue them the most our private San Diego academic tutoring helps students be successful this fall. 1. Kinesthetic learning Its important for kids to be able to participate in hands-on activities and become aware of their surroundings through physical fitness activities. Kids develop coordination when they play team sports such as baseball or soccer or when they focus on individual sports such as swimming or dance. Students engage with their environment using pencils, paint brushes, or clay in an art class where they create something of their very own. Students who interact with their environment are more likely to be cognizant of their surroundings and be curious about what goes on around them (READ: 4 Things College Prep Students Should do Before Thanksgiving Break). 2. Working as a team When kids work with textbooks, they learn all sorts of wonderful things about the subject they are studying but dont learn how to work well with others. Teambuilding and socialization are essential as students grow older and eventually go out into the adult world. Kids will need to be able to get along with all sorts of different personality types in school and in the workforce thus getting along with others is a social skill that helps young kids make new friends and maintain social harmony when they face conflict or need to solve problems with other people. 3. Developing personal interests When young kids take extracurricular classes or workshops, they have a chance to try out several different things to discover what interests them in particular. Perhaps a student loves building model cars or enjoys engineering and robotics. Another student might enjoy ballet dancing or rock collecting. The point is to expose kids to enough different activities that they can start to develop their hobbies they can look forward to participating in after they have finished all of their assignments for school. Kids are more curious at a younger age and are more likely to be open to exploring different environments and ideas that they can eventually specialize in when they get older. These personal interests can even help students in college or their career later on. 4. Discovering hidden talents Many kids have a talent in a particular field but dont even know it because they havent had the opportunity to explore extracurricular activities. Students might be talented artists or engineers but only discover this once they’ve taken an afterschool class on the subject. Extracurricular activities allow students to figure out what theyre good at. Finding a natural talent can help build self-esteem and confidence so kids can persevere in more difficult topics a school as well as figure out what some great career options might be down the road. Want to have a successful fall semester? Our private San Diego tutors are here to help. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.