Learning English For Teens - Why is it Important?

Learning English For Teens - Why is it Important?In our modern society with all the new TV shows and movies, we should be really grateful for the Brits and the British Council for their efforts in introducing learning English to teens. There are numerous reasons why this practice is effective. Teenagers in the UK now have the chance to meet other teenagers from other parts of the world as they are learning English. It helps them to be part of an international club and they get to learn different languages as well.Teenagers, mostly have limited knowledge of English and this results in their lack of communication skills with other teenagers. This prevents them from communicating with friends or relatives. These days, being bilingual means many things but it does not mean that one has to become a business tycoon. Studying English language can now bring a great change on your future life.While deciding to study in a language school, you must consider the places of teen learning. It is al ways better to select a place that helps you meet up with other teen learners from your area and also find other information about the industry and the situation in the other countries where the teens studying English in UK is doing well.While choosing the best school for your teenager, make sure that the school offers quality education along with English language lessons. The school should offer you an array of facilities like tutoring, private lessons, study centers, practicums, seminars and so on. It is good to find out the costs of tuition and expenses of getting a job after completing the studies as these are some important factors to keep in mind while selecting a program.The schools for teens that are making huge success in this industry are more than happy to present their services and facilities to the parents. They give free advice on the best way to use the English language to get the job done. The Internet, which has become one of the most convenient medium to communicat e with other parts of the world, can now be used by teens to find the jobs of their choice, send messages to friends, and even do business with other teen learners from different parts of the world.With the availability of the Internet, the availability of good books and other information regarding the culture and customs of other countries that the teens are studying with, have become a lot easier. There are plenty of websites and blogs about other countries where the teens studying English in UK are doing well in the job market. Find out if there are any such jobs posted on these sites, and go and visit the place yourself to find out the kind of language of the people there.Teenagers who are successfully learning English in UK have a lot to thank the Brits and the British Council for introducing this excellent technique. This was not possible just a few years ago and now it has become really convenient to learn English as a second language.

Are you Being Ignored Professionally - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Are you Being Ignored Professionally - Introvert Whisperer Are you Being Ignored Professionally? Does the boss go to someone else besides you for (__fill in the blank___)?   Is other, less qualified co-workers, getting promotions, praise or acknowledgement? Every wonder why? One of the worst things in our life and career is not to be hated but to be ignored.   Disinterest or disregard means that others simply give you no thought.   It’s almost like you aren’t there.   At least when someone hates you, they are paying attention. If your intention is to grow professionally, being ignored is the kiss-of-death. You can turn this around and it will require your ongoing attention or you risk slipping back into invisibility.   This issue is about your Personal Brand, or the lack of a compelling one. Here are things you can do: Establish your expertise.   While it’s great to be good a many things, make sure you are well known for a couple of very specific things.   If you naturally gravitate to something, go deep and then offer to help people using your specialty. Volunteer to use your expertise.   Don’t wait for someone to ask you to help, step up and volunteer.   When you do you can subtly reinforce your expertise by saying something like “I could help with that project because I have established relationships with those vendors.”   If it’s true, it’s true and now everyone else knows it. Have opinions.   One of the things about us introverts is we think and process, which can make us quiet and easy to ignore.   Deliberately inject your opinion of things in meetings and conversations.   You may also want to add your reasoning to help reinforce your opinion.   Also, when you do this, be pleasant.   Sometimes opinionated people can come across as vehement and someone you don’t want to cross.   Having an opinion makes you more compelling as long as you are nice. Deliberately communicate.   If you are forthcoming with information, you are more apt to be sought out for information.   Funny how that works.   If you’re unclear on what to communicate about, think about the work you do and give status on that work to the boss and others that might want to know.   If you have observations about business or process, share those insights.   You can’t assume others know what you know. Develop relationships.   When you have a warm, friendly relationship with the boss and co-workers you will be sought out.   Having relationships with people at work mean they have gotten to know you as a person and the type of work you.   It’s part of the Know-Like-Trust formula that’s vital to your career. We do best in intimate, one-on-one situations, which makes this task right up your strong suit.   It’s hard to develop any relationships in a group setting.   You don’t have to turn into a suck-up you need to genuinely get to know the other person.   Professional relationships will pay big rewards in many ways. Watch your body language.   You might want to read and study this topic.   If you take up the least amount of space in a meeting or have “closed” body language it signals you aren’t open to interaction.   Your body language can be doing you a disservice.   Watch how other people use their arms and hold their body as a way of learning what you can do. Observe the sweethearts.   Every group has one or two people that are the favorite child and all attention goes to them.   While you don’t have to aim for that same level of attention you can observe and learn some of the things that set them apart.   Convert what you learn to actions you can take to garner more attention by the masses. Don’t think that being ignored has to be your life.   You can establish a strong and well-regarded personal brand that will have the boss and others knocking on your door. Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective. But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now: CLICK HERE NOW! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

The Education Technology Revolution in K 12 Education

The Education Technology Revolution in K 12 Education 0SHARESShare The lack of strong evidences leads some educators to doubt the efficacy of incorporating educational technology and discard the urgency of investing in unproven strategies. In contrast, proponents of technology investments do not want to wait for any concrete research showing the progress and future commitment of educational technology. Here are the major benefits of educational technology when it is deliberately used in teaching and learning: Besides learning core academic subjects, integrating technology in instruction build the skills of 21st century. Educational technology engages students to create and publish their content in front of worldwide audience making school academics more relevant showcasing the high level of achievements. With no use of educational technology, school fails to provide sufficient access to extra study material, guidance from domain experts and absence of virtual communities like social media. Technology is used to provide solutions that help K-12, college/graduate level students under comprehensive learning environment that engage students regardless of intellectual ability, physical disability, social and economical background. Educational technology is one of the most effective strategies to decrease dropout rates especially among high school students. Technology helps online tutors to provide personalized just-in time support and help which is crucial service for under performing or physically disabled students. Use of technological tools, computer labs and visualization tools are essential for demand based learning in subjects like mathematics, science, engineering, technology and lots more. Online tutoring using internet accessible personal computers, laptops and mobile devices offers learning beyond traditional school hours and physical classrooms. Use of technology enables online tutoring services to access quality tutors who offer on-the-go, job-embedded professional development. Technology helps better communications with students and parents giving real-time guidance and feedback on the performance. Technology leveraged by online tutor gives the opportunity to prepare students with new kinds of skill sets that are in-demand in the growth of emerging industries. [starbox id=admin]

A Guide to A Level English Courses

A Guide to A Level English Courses Why Study English at A Level? ChaptersA Level English LiteratureEnglish Language A LevelA Level English Past PapersExam Timetables/Grading for English A LevelA Level English Courses For AdultsYou may be asking yourself why English as a subject is so important; what more can you possibly learn about the UK’s primary language after speaking it fluently as a result of growing up in Britain or by learning it at school for all of those years? More importantly, why choose it as one of your A Level choices when there is a diverse range of subjects on offer?Learning English: A Core Skill For BusinessEnglish is a core subject up to GCSE level in the United Kingdom, and with good reason. The majority of employers in the UK will require candidates to display at least a pass in English and Mathematics as an indication of their overall academic competency, with their English result being a good indicator of their ability to communicate well.A proficient English speaker will open themselves up to far more opportunities for w ork abroad, since the language is widely spoken across the globe and is particularly important in business.Find a GCSE English tutor on Superprof.English: An important language in business. Photo via VisualHunt.comNot only is a good acquisition of English vital in the international workplace, other countries in Europe and beyond see the English language as an authoritative language, which makes a solid grasp of the rules of English all the more powerful.By obtaining a better understanding of its make up â€" including spelling, punctuation, grammar and sentence construction - you may also find it easier to learn foreign languages by applying the same rules.Looking for an English tutor in London?What Skills Can You Expect To Develop By Studying English?So, why focus your efforts on English Literature? Studying literary texts helps you to sharpen your observatory and analytical skills. Being able to identify themes and connect them with historical events and cultural influences opens y our mind up to complex ideas and theories.Moreover, English Literature can be like five lessons in one, teaching you about History, Culture and Philosophy, whilst highlighting behavioural changes in humans from one century to another.A Level English Language, whether being taught at college or as a distance-learning course, ultimately helps to develop a student’s ability to understand, speak and write in English for a variety of purposes. Literature-based courses additionally encourage students to engage with a range of texts whilst analysing complex varieties in language across the times.Coursework and exam grades from your first year of study may not count towards your final result, however they will still be determining factors in your predicted grades.Exam Boards Assessing English LiteratureThe principal exam boards that assess English Literature at A Level are AQA, Edexcel and OCR, meanwhile Eduqas and WJEC are also popular choices in some schools and colleges across the coun try.Each board has a slightly different approach to assessment yet they share a common purpose - to encourage wide reading and to develop the student’s love of English Literature.Career Opportunities For English Literature GraduatesBecome a writer or blogger. Photo via VisualHunt.comThough many believe that studying English Literature only lends itself to a teaching profession, the subject does in fact open up a vast range of career opportunities.Aside from the obvious links to professions in teaching and writing, English graduates can apply the skills they have acquired to any position that requires analytical thinking, strong communication or imagination and creativity.English Language A LevelAn Introduction to A Level English LanguageStudying towards an A Level in English Language enables you to get a better grasp of what is known as the number one business language. The course will help you to convey your thoughts and opinions concisely and allow you to distinguish subtleties in speech and writing.Being a native or fluent English speaker does not make you an expert in the language; throughout your course you will identify the ways in which language changes according to audience, context and the user’s intent.In addition, you will learn about the development of the English language over time, different dialects, how children learn to speak English and, finally, you will develop your own writing skills.English Language A Level Course ContentThough courses vary from one exam board to another, the core topics and themes will have similarities no matter which you are enrolled on. These may include the study of Spoken English, Identity, Language and Gender, Early Child Acquisition, Language and Diversity, Reading and Writing, and many more.You will ultimately discover language during the course, including the ways in which it can be used plus different methods of interaction, not forgetting the investigation of linguistic variations and historical changes.Ty pical Workload For English Language A LevelUnlike A Level English Literature, English Language students are not required to carry out extensive reading, but they are expected to get to grips with some advanced linguistic terminology in order to achieve the higher grades.Secondary reading is always recommended to help you expand your vocabulary of terminology and also to put you in a better position to participate in analytical discussions and debates, whether assessed or not.Exam Boards Assessing English LanguageEdexcel, OCR and WJEC are once again the predominant exam boards chosen by mainstream schools and colleges in the UK. Despite the syllabi all showing similarities in content, students may notice disparities when it comes to assessment, as all three adopt differing exam and coursework marking schemes. What you can be sure of is that all exams will incorporate the knowledge you have accumulated during the course of your AS year, as well as your more recent A Level modules.Care er Opportunities For English Language GraduatesAn A Level in English Language is a great asset to any individual looking to study English at university and/or hoping to pursue a career which involves verbal or written communication.The qualification is key to many professions, including Journalist, Writer, Blogger, Editor, Translator, Teacher, Linguist and Publisher.On the other hand, the skills acquired will also benefit a range of jobs in other industries, since language and communication skills are essential to many roles. Far from limiting your choices in the future, English Language offers you many options.Revision Guides For Different Exam BoardsRevision guides, along with past papers, can be found on most exam board websites. Be sure to consult your own exam board though, as the marking scheme will differ from one board to the next meaning that revision tips may diverge.The AQA website, as an example, has a dedicated online resource centre, however official revision guides pu blished in conjunction with the exam board can be bought from shops like Amazon.Where To Find Online Revision Help For English A LevelAs an English pupil, you may be accustomed to reading books as part of your revision. However, some of the best revision help for English exams can be found online.Student discussion boards are a great way to discover fresh ideas and opinions concerning your chosen texts, and it may additionally help for AS students to get advice from peers working towards their final A Level exams.As well as online forums, English students can find helpful revision tips across a range of educational sites. These websites are often set up by or created in conjunction with teaching professionals with experience of the latest syllabi.Exam Timetables/Grading for English A LevelFind A Level English Exam TimetablesProvisional timetables, including those for English Language and Literature, will be given to your teacher or English tutors in advance, along with any other imp ortant dates. Final exam timetables will later be confirmed, highlighting any major amendments.Students may also consult the exam board for assessment-related queries, including exam duration and regulations for candidates. OCR, for instance, lists all of its exams and the dates on which they will be carried out in .pdf format via its website.It is imperative that you know exactly where you need to be, on what date and at what time when taking exams.If you are late for your A Level exam for any reason, you risk being forbidden to take part in the assessment. This could well affect your final grade. If you intend to travel to your exam centre by car or public transport, ensure that you leave in plenty of time to reduce the risk of being caught up in traffic.Equally, if you plan to walk, practise your route the day before so that you are confident in how long your journey takes. The worry of arriving late is the last thing you need on the day of your exam!What Do English A Level Grade s Mean?A Level results are awarded differently to GCSEs. At this higher level, anything above an ‘E’ grade is classed as a pass, with the newly introduced ‘A*’ being the highest achievement. Each grade is subsequently equivalent to a certain number of points, which is relevant to those considering a university degree.To find out the minimum grade you need for your desired course and how many UCAS points you require, you can consult the body’s website which offers more information for prospective students.At one time, your AS Level year counted towards your final grade, which seems a good idea since there are less distractions and fewer reasons to feel stressed. Now, however, exams are the preferred method of assessment for A Levels.On the other hand, students should bear in mind that universities will still see their AS grades, and those results will have been used by tutors to predict their final grade (which, as you know, is what universities base their offers on).How Is English A Level Marked?As we now know, to pass your A Level you will need to achieve a grade in the region of ‘A*’ - ‘E’ (an ‘Unclassified’ or ‘U’ grade unfortunately means that you have failed the course). But how are these grades worked out to reveal your final qualification in the subject? Do certain modules count for more than others? These are questions that you should be asking your teacher or tutor. In the unlikely event that they cannot help with your queries, you should consult your exam board to find out about their assessment methods.The majority of exams follow a Uniform Mark Scale (UMS), which defines grade boundaries for A Level subjects. An average UMS mark of 90% across all A2 modules results in an ‘A*’. Meanwhile, 80%+ is an ‘A’, 70-79% is a ’B’, 60-69% is a ‘C’, 50-59% awards a ‘D’ grade and, finally, 40-49% is the equivalent of an ‘E’. Anything below 40% is deemed off the pass scale and will result in course failure.As you can see, it is vital that you achieve good grades in all modules to keep your average score up. Those who excel in certain areas but struggle in others might find that their weaknesses bring their overall grade down. The importance of knowing your mark scheme can therefore not be reiterated enough.A Level English Courses For AdultsStudying English at A Level is no different for older students; they too are encouraged to read widely and develop a love for English Language and Literature. Colleges across the UK offer opportunities for enrolment, but if it is a distance course you require then your best bet is to research and consult an Open Study establishment of your choice.English A Level courses for adults. Photo via VisualHuntCourses vary in price however most course leaders are up front about the financial requirements of enrolment. You may be required to submit your existing qualifications, to check that you qualify for the course.How To Independently Enrol On English A Level Co ursesMature students are able to enrol on English A Level Courses by funding an online course or by paying for tuition at an independent college.If you are completing a distance-learning course, you will more than likely be required to arrange and pay for your examinations at an approved centre, a list of which is normally provided by your personal tutor. It is possible to take the A Level exam without receiving mentoring yet this is discouraged as tutors are trained to guide you through the course and help you to work towards your desired grade.The Benefits of An English A Level For AdultsA good English A Level result is essential for those looking to further their studies in the subject, for instance if enrolling on a degree course linked to English. However, an A Level can also be a very valuable qualification if you are looking to progress in your current employment or retrain for a new career path.Furthermore, many adults choose to re-sit their secondary education exams for the ir own personal achievement or gratitude. Regardless of your reasons, an English course is guaranteed to make you think and feel things in different ways than before.

Teacher Spotlight Finding Music Inspiration

Teacher Spotlight Finding Music Inspiration Suzy S. Music inspiration can come from anywhere, even if it doesnt seem conventional traveling, or even exposing yourself to new experiences in your own city can give you a fresh attitude toward creating, learning and teaching. Read on as New York City music teacher Jesse S. shares how a trip to Brazil changed his outlook In the winter of 2008, after playing a concert at Juilliard, I was asked by a cellist in the orchestra if I wanted to go to Brazil that upcoming spring break.   Without even thinking about it, I said yes.   I then realized that I should probably ask what we would be doing in Brazil. Annie, the cellist, knew a conductor in Salvador, Brazil who had started a youth orchestral program called Neojiba.     The conductor and founder of Neojiba, Ricardo Castro, had invited Annie and other musicians from Juilliard to fly down to Brazil during spring break and spend a week working with the students in the youth orchestra.   Neojiba is an amazing program provides instruments and musical training free to low-income youth.   The students range in age from early teens to early 20s. That following March, on a freezing blizzardy day, nine of us boarded a plane headed for Brazil.   After being picked up at the airport, where it was over 90 degrees and thick with humidity, we headed to our amazing hotel, which overlooked the Atlantic Ocean.   We then walked to the Castro Alves Theater to hear the orchestra rehearsal and meet our students for the first time.   Before going to Salvador we were told that most of the students spoke English very well, and there should not be a problem regarding language.   This turned out to be false. As a teacher, this week turned out to be the most amazing musical experience of my life.   The language barrier tested my ability to teach without verbal communication.   I grew as both a teacher and a player in ways I didn’t think I was going to.   Despite not knowing much about classical music, these students had Brazilian music coursing through their veins.   I tried to channel that amazing, effervescent rhythm and energy to Mozart and Beethoven, and they in turn showed me how to bring exciting new life and energy to my classical repertoire.   I was experiencing a true cultural exchange. Although I thought I was going to Brazil to teach, I was the one who became the student.   The students in Neojiba taught me so much.  They showed me true hard work.   After a full day of school, some traveled up to two hours to go to rehearsal every day.   This completely blew my mind.   They taught me a kind of music I had previously not been exposed to.   They showed me passion. The following year we returned to Brazil.   The orchestra had completely transformed.   They were playing beautifully and preparing for an upcoming tour.   I felt I was there more as a fan and observer than a teacher, cheering on a group of amazing musicians and people who had welcomed us into their homes and showed us love.   In Portuguese “iluminado” means enlightened, I can’t find any better words to describe my experience. Like this post? Dont miss out on any of our tips, tricks and advice! Sign up for a free email subscription and get updates right to your inbox! You might also like 4 Inspirational TED Talks for Musicians Jumpstarting Your Music Career: 5 Tips Nobody Talks About How to Be a Rock Star: Learn the Rules Before You Break Them Jesse S. teaches flute, piano and music theory lessons to students of all ages in New York, NY. With a Masters degree in Flute Performance from The Juilliard School, Jesse has several years of experience performing and teaching. He joined the TakeLessons team in November 2012. Find out more about Jesse,   or search for a teacher near you! Photo by Mosman Council

Heart Math Tutoring Kicks Off Spring Funding Initiative - Heart Math Tutoring

Heart Math Tutoring Kicks Off Spring Funding Initiative - Heart Math Tutoring Heart Math Tutoring Kicks Off Spring Funding Initiative Heart Math Tutoring Kicks Off Spring Funding Initiative March 22, 2017 Heart Math Tutoring kicks off its spring funding initiative today with a boost from The Leon Levine Foundation, who has awarded Heart a $350,000 capacity-building grant! The grant is payable over three years as Heart offers one-on-one tutoring to more students, scales its work, and becomes more sustainable. $130,000 of the grant goes towards Heart’s current funding initiative, which seeks $880K to partner with 18 schools in the 2017/18 school year. This funding would mean that over 900 students will be matched with one-on-one tutors and will build needed skills and confidence. “We are proud of what our volunteers and donors are accomplishing for Charlotte students, particularly in growing Heart’s reach while student outcomes are also increasing,” says executive director Emily Elliott. “We invite the community to join our fundraising effort to ensure all students build the strong foundation in math and enthusiasm for academics needed for long-term success.” Read the full press release here, and see more about Heart’s funding progress here. To become a weekly volunteer tutor with Heart, read FAQs and sign up! Heart provides a structured curriculum and a coordinator on-site to make the experience positive and successful. Email uehrti to discuss further. To make a donation in Heart’s spring funding initiative, mail a check to “Heart Math Tutoring, PO Box 30623, Charlotte NC 28230” or donate online at www.hearttutoring.org/donate.

Top 5 Online English Pronunciation Resources

Top 5 Online English Pronunciation Resources If youre not living in a country that speaks English, learning to properly pronounce English can be difficult. Like all languages, English contains some sounds that may not exist at all in your language. Not only will you have to learn to pronounce these sounds, but youll have to learn to hear them as well.Below are my 5 favorite online English pronunciation resources that will help you with anatomical demonstrations, audio and much more. We also recommend taking classes with our native English speaking teachers. Click here to register for a free trial class.5. The Poetry Foundation is one of my favorite things to show my students for general English learning, and for pronunciation practice. I like to use poems in my classes to help my students learn English pronunciation because great poems have a focus on the sound of the English language. But the Poetry Foundations website also offers free mp3s of many of the poems being read by the authors. Heres one of my favorites, by Robert Fr ost.4. ManyThings.org offers great practice using minimal pairs. This is a pair of words that are almost exactly the same, but differ by one sound. Studying them is a great way for students to learn to distinguish and pronounce sounds that my be difficult for them to separate in a new language. The site offers recordings of the minimal pairs, as well as tests students can take of their ability to distinguish the sounds.3. Rachels English channel on YouTube offers a great series of videos with detailed instructions on American English pronunciation, with explanations of how to move your mouth for particular sounds.2. Here is a great video on YouTube for learning the American English accent ??1. The University of Iowa has a very ambitious project on its website here that allows you to choose specific sounds from the English language, and watch videos of them demonstrated by animations that show what happens inside the mouth when the sounds are formed, video showing an English speakers mouth as she says the words, and audio. Its a great resource for very focused work on your English pronunciation.Thanks! Please let us know if you have any more great resources to add to the list. Mother Hi,let me suggest you a simple chrome extension which helps you while reading english web articles, it is calledHow Do You Sayjust highlighting a word you can hear the correct pronunciation, from my point of view it is perfect to improve pronunciation hope for you too!bye! Ext Heres a video-based pronunciation site to learn how to pronounce English words:http://www.embedplus.com/dictionary/how-to-pronounce-words-and-use-them.aspx LOIEnglish Seems like a very promising tool!

How to prepare for a teacher job fair - without getting stressed out!

How to prepare for a teacher job fair - without getting stressed out! There are lots of ways to go about looking for that dream teaching job abroad - from applying for vacancies online to attending a teacher job fair. Whether you’re a newly-qualified teacher or a seasoned educator, a teacher job fair can do wonders for your job search - they’re a great way to gain exposure to a wide range of hiring schools all around the world and make personal connections with school heads. With so many of our awesome teachers bound for the Atlanta, Bangkok and New York job fairs over the next few months, we thought we’d quickly cover some of the main things you can do to prepare for the fairs and (hopefully) avoid any last-minute panic. To make the best impression possible and maximise your chance of landing a job from all the great opportunities on offer at the job fair, all Teach Away fair attendees should set aside time to take the following steps: Do your homework Step 1: Pinpoint some of the regions where you’d most like to teach in. Find out as much as you can on what it’s like to live and teach in each country in that particular region - everything from the typical salary and benefits packages and the travel opportunities it offers to the standard and cost of living. Step 2: Check out the different schools attending on the Teach Away fairs page and jot down a quick list of those that interest you most. It’s worth broadening your focus to schools in locations you might not have previously considered. Don’t be quick to overlook a great school if it appears to be in a region you’re not as interested in on first glance. As the saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover! While schools will be holding presentations at the fair, it’s still a good idea to research the hiring schools in advance, either on Teach Away or their school websites, to find out more about their history, mission, values and strategic goals. Take notes on the hiring schools you plan to target during the interview sign-up period, and bring your notes with you to review and refresh your memory on day one of the fair. That said, when do you arrive at the fair and see the full listing of vacancies on day one, you’ll greatly improve your chances of getting a job offer by focusing on the vacancies that most closely match your experience and subject expertise - rather than the school or country you’re most interested in. Get organized Not being prepared for the fair is a surefire recipe for failure. Ensure that your resume is scannable and easy to follow. Print off multiple copies to take with you (we recommend 20-30 copies) and bring a notepad and a pen to take notes throughout the fair. As you’re preparing, you should research some calming techniques to steady those nerves. And before you head to the fair, don’t forget to take Teach Away’s Culturally Responsive Teaching course. This 90-minute online course will not only teach you what you need to know in order to to better support students from a broad range of cultural backgrounds. It will also help you formulate more considered, insightful responses during your interviews, which will in turn help you market yourself as a culturally competent educator to potential hiring schools. Dress for success (and comfort!) Plan to bring appropriate interview attire - leave the t-shirt and sweatpants at home! It’s best to follow a more conservative business or business casual, dress code, such as a suit jacket with pants or a skirt. You may already have some professional clothing you can recycle for the fair. If not, consider either borrowing some interview appropriate clothing from a friend or colleague (or taking the opportunity for some retail therapy, which can be a great stress-relieving activity!) Some other pro tips for you when figuring what to wear to the fair include the following: Opt for lightweight clothing that won’t make you overheated and avoid fabrics that have a tendency to wrinkle. Steer clear of pants or skirts that are uncomfortable to sit for long periods of time. Darker fabrics can be a lifesaver (if you’re unlucky enough to spill something). Make sure your footwear is comfortable - you’ll probably be on your feet for several hours at a time! Nail your “elevator pitch” During the interview sign-up period (often jokingly referred to as speed dating for teachers), you’ll get a chance to meet with prospective employers and promote yourself, your strengths and your teaching experience to each of them for a few minutes at a time. Each fair attendee will have a finite amount of time to shine, so it’s well worth preparing a memorable, yet succinct, 60-second pitch about yourself. Your pitch should clearly state the skills and accomplishments you could bring to benefit this school as well as what makes you truly unique as an educator. You can even record your pitch on your phone. Play it back a few times and really listen to what you’re saying to ensure you’re sending the right message to hiring schools. The intention shouldn’t be to memorize your pitch word for word and risk sounding overly rehearsed or robotic. Instead, you want to be confident that you’ve covered the high-level points you want to drive home to prospective employers. As you’re fine-tuning your pitch, it’s also a good idea to go over it with an objective person (perhaps a former teaching colleague) for some constructive, honest feedback. Take this opportunity to practise how to greet and shake hands with interviewers, too! Get your portfolio ready Bring a well-organized, current teaching portfolio (preferably digital/online) with you to each interview. Your portfolio is an invaluable tool that you can use to your advantage during the interview to back up what you’re telling hiring schools about your teaching philosophy and style, as well as your classroom skills, experience and achievements to date. Familiarize yourself with each section so when you are in an interview and asked a question, you can quickly show them a tangible example to support your answers. We hope you found these fair preparation tips helpful! Anything we missed? Let us know in the comments below. We look forward to seeing you at the fairs soon!

Advice from Past Winners How to finish the Language Challenge!

Advice from Past Winners How to finish the Language Challenge! So we recently received feedback from many of our past Language Challenge winners and wanted to share what weve found from everyones responses. We were very surprised as all the Language Challenge winners had the exact same advice on how they finished the challenge and weve summarized it in the following graphic: Just finished with week one and some of out #LanguageChallenge contestants are asking us some #tips on #howtowin. Heres the #answer #quotation #secrettosuccess #dontgiveup #italki #foreignlanguage #languages #languagelearning A photo posted by Italki (@italki) on Jan 25, 2015 at 6:41am PST Advice from Past Winners How to finish the Language Challenge! So we recently received feedback from many of our past Language Challenge winners and wanted to share what weve found from everyones responses. We were very surprised as all the Language Challenge winners had the exact same advice on how they finished the challenge and weve summarized it in the following graphic: Just finished with week one and some of out #LanguageChallenge contestants are asking us some #tips on #howtowin. Heres the #answer #quotation #secrettosuccess #dontgiveup #italki #foreignlanguage #languages #languagelearning A photo posted by Italki (@italki) on Jan 25, 2015 at 6:41am PST