Why It Is Important To Prepare For The ACS Exam

Why It Is Important To Prepare For The ACS ExamOne of the keys to the success of an A.S. degree program is making sure that the student understands the various components of the chemistry ACS exam. Once a student has learned the answers to the pre-test questions, he or she will need to take the actual exam.The Chemistry ACS exam is usually four tests over four hours. The student should take his or her best efforts to prepare. There are many resources available to help with this preparation. In the world of standardized testing, there are specific test prep books that are designed specifically for this exam. You may find them at your local bookstore or online, and many of them also include practice tests as well.There are several common elements that will appear on your Chemistry exam. One of the most important, of course, is the sample questions. This is the portion of the test that actually tests your knowledge. The questions may ask you to analyze solutions to scientific problems o r to use a chemical formula to answer a question. To prepare for this part of the exam, you may want to make copies of some of the sample questions, complete with solutions, and to study these answers in advance.It is also important to understand the concepts of analytical chemistry, specifically if you are preparing for a degree in this field. In many cases, the requirements of this field will require you to take a strong concentration in one particular chemistry area, such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, or even nuclear physics. Knowing the basics of chemical terminology is an important part of preparing for this test.When preparing for the test, the student must also have the confidence to face questions that pose an interesting problem. In most cases, students will need to take multiple-choice or short-answer tests. Remember that many of the questions on your exam will be multiple-choice, so the right answer does not necessarily have to be the correct answer. Instead, the ri ght answer is often not what you thought it was.While it is true that many of the problems that appear on your ACS exam are challenging, your score on the exam can be influenced by how much you know about analytical chemistry. If you don't already know everything that is required for chemistry in the United States, then it may be best to take more of the test before deciding to do so. You may also want to study for the test for different hours, so that you don't have to stop studying at the last minute. By taking it under a schedule that allows for time to study for the exam, the student can study for the exam in his or her spare time without worrying about any looming deadlines.The ACS exam will become more difficult as you progress through your degree program. As the student advances to higher levels, the problems become more advanced, and as you become a more experienced chemist, the number of questions that you will need to know will increase. Be sure to take your preparation se riously, as the harder you prepare, the better your chances of passing the exam.

A Quick Trip through the History of Sculpture.

A Quick Trip through the History of Sculpture. Everything You Need to Know about the History of Sculpture ChaptersThe Oldest Sculptures that We KnowThe Sculptures and Sculptors of Antiquity: Ancient Greece, Egypt, Rome, and Mesopotamia.Early Christian SculptureSculpture and the Italian RenaissanceBaroque, Rococo, and Neo-Classical SculptureRodin: The Start of Modernist SculptureSculpture in the Twentieth CenturyContemporary SculptureSculpture is perhaps the oldest art form in the whole of art history, produced from antiquity right up to the most contemporary of contemporary art. Sculptural artworks are richly varied, ranging from the figurative â€" such as statues â€" to the site-specific, the expressive, and kinetic.And there is a reason for both the longevity and variety of sculpture. The same reason in fact accounts for both qualities of the form. And that is that sculpture is a three-dimensional art.Firstly, sculpture, existing in three dimensions, is necessarily more durable. If it is to be made of terracotta, ceramics, or white marble, of course it is going to last longer than pain tings on canvas or paper. It simply lasts longer. And so, whilst it may be false to say that it is the oldest art form we have, sculptures are definitely the ones that have been preserved the best.In terms of the form’s variety, the reason for this is again in its three-dimensionality. Anything that is made in three dimensions can legitimately be called a sculpture. And, as expected, many people simply got bored of using different marbles, ivory, or bronze. That’s why now you have lots of different sculptural styles - everything from outdoor sculpture to kinetic sculpture, sculpture gardens and architectural sculpture, public art and figurines.The lines between the different types of visual arts have blurred in the last century and a half â€" and so we have a proliferation of lots of different forms which are little more difficult to place.Here, we are going to run through the history of the art of sculpture â€" from prehistoric times to the art world of today. We’re going to have to limit it to ‘western art’ (as we are limited in space!) â€" and we want to be as comprehensive as we can.So, buckle up. 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 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 tutorsThe Oldest Sculptures that We KnowJust to give you a sense of how old sculpture is, the earliest sculptures that we have found date back thirty-five to forty thousand years to the Upper Paleolithic. Two of the oldest ‘works’ we know â€" although it is controversial to call this sort of sculpture art â€" come from the south of Germany.The oldest is what we call the Löwenmensch, a figurative sculpture of a person with the head of a lion (its name means, in English, †˜lion-man’). Another, which is the oldest undisputed figure of a human, is known as the Venus of Hohle Fels.As will become clear throughout this trip through sculptural history, the art form was used less as a decorative form than as a ritualistic or religious device.Much of the interpretation of these pieces focus on the elements of sexuality and fertility. But the amazing thing is that these ‘Aurignacian’ communities made these sculptures at all â€" living as they did in a continuous struggle for survival.Not very much is agreed on about these pieces. But what we can know for sure is that, no matter how old these pieces are, people were definitely producing sculptures long before them too.Take some art classes on Superprof.The Sculptures and Sculptors of Antiquity: Ancient Greece, Egypt, Rome, and Mesopotamia.And whilst we don’t know much about the primitive civilizations that produced the earliest of sculptures, we know plenty about the boom in art production in the perio d between 4500BC and the end of the Roman Empire.It’s a little lazy to lump all of this geographical, stylistic, and thematic diversity under one title. Yet, these protoliterate and classical periods are the moment in which sculpture actually begins to resemble the figures it is seeking to represent. The Greeks didn't invent sculpture, but they made it into something amazing.Ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian SculptureAnd here, we see a movement away from simply spiritual or ritualistic themes to something much more secular. Starting, roughly, from the famous Great Sphinx of Giza, sculpture came to be entwined with symbols of status and power. These monumental figures were intended to be so colossal so to inspire awe.Similarly, other sculptural works were envisioned as memorials for great battles â€" such as the Mesopotamian Stele of the Vultures â€" or to memorialise and preserve the dead. The famous canopic jars of the Egyptians serve the latter purpose.Hellenistic and Roman SculptureWith the growth of science â€" including knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and motion â€" sculpture under the ancient Greeks developed dramatically, achieving a naturalistic and representational style. Whilst never relinquishing the religious element of sculpture â€" as many of the sculptures we re placed in temples â€" Greek sculpture is known for attending closest to the human figure.The period between 450 and 400 BC is known as the zenith of Greek sculptural culture. This was in large part due to Phidias, one of the most influential and important of Greek sculptors â€" known for his Statue of Zeus at Olympia.Roman sculpture learnt essentially all it knew from the Greeks, and from the Etruscans, who had learnt in their own way from the Greeks. Their sculptures were largely completed in bronze â€" and the Roman period is known primarily for its portraits, such as that of Lucius Junius Brutus. The Romans essentially copied Greek sculpture.Early Christian SculptureWith the birth of Christianity in the later years of the Roman Empire, sculptural traditions in Europe began to decline. This was in part due to the religious notion that â€" in the Ten Commandments â€" that forbade carvings of images. A general social instability across Europe contributed to the fact that, now, there are very few surviving medieval sculptures.In northern Europe â€" in Scotland and Britain, and in Scandinavia â€" a tradition continued of erecting massive stone carvings. These were often in the shape of crosses, or else, in Scandinavia, were carved with runes.Generally speaking, early and later medieval sculpture was defined by its relation to Christianity. It adorned churches, tombs, and other religious items.The two styles that are most recognisable today from this period are Romanesque â€" which drew heavily on Greek and Roman sculpture â€" and Gothic art, which emerged in France from this style . Both were important in laying the ground for the sculptors of the Renaissance.Learn about famous sculptures from history! Representative sculpture from the Medieval period, in France 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 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 tutorsSculpture and the Italian RenaissanceWe have learned to consider the Renaissance as history’s peak of artistic and literary culture. This is sort of true, but, as with all artistic movements, the work of the Renaissance was heavily influenced by what came before.Just as the Greeks and Romans had moved sculpture away from simple religious imagery towards the human figure, the sculptors of the Renaissance did the same. Figures like Donatello and Michelangelo â€" who both made versions of David â€" were very knowledgeable about human anatomy and could make incredibly life-like statues.Whilst these two names â€" along with Leonardo da Vinci â€" are generally associated with the ‘High Renaissance’, styles like Mannerism were just as important in this period.This period created some of the most famous sculptors in history.Baroque, Rococo, and Neo-Classical SculptureWhereas the sculpture of the Renaissance focused on still human figures, the thing that characterised the artistic movements that followed was an interest in dynamism.This is how Baroque sculpture began. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, sculptors like Gian Lorenzo Bernini made artworks that reached out into space and that were visible ‘in the round’ â€" meaning from all different angles. This was quite different to the reliefs that were generally made before.Whilst Baroque was more interested in large sculpture, rococo focused on small sculpture. But what it lacked in size, it made up for in theatricality and decorativeness.As tends to happen , this decorative excess drew a backlash, and, in the late eighteenth century, we find a boom in ‘neo-classical’ work. This returned to the classicist principles of the Renaissance, with much more simple figures. Antonio Canova is a hugely important figure in this movement.Rodin: The Start of Modernist SculptureAt the turn of the twentieth century, a thing called modernism dominated the art world. Every sculptor and writer, all painters, architects, and musicians, were galvanised by this desire to ‘make it new!’.Modernism and modern art came from a desire to create new artistic and cultural forms. And the person who did this best â€" and most influentially â€" in sculpture was Auguste Rodin.Throughout the final years of the nineteenth century â€" and into the twentieth â€" Rodin sought to make sculpture less posed and more impressionistic. His work was more realist (but not necessarily more realistic) than the previous sculptural trends which focused more on religious or myt hical figures.His impact was to be huge - and he has one of the great sculpture museums named after him.Sculpture in the Twentieth CenturyIndeed, much of twentieth-century sculpture followed the path that Rodin had trodden. Yet, it also saw the massive proliferation of different ideas about what art and sculpture could and should be.Throughout the century, sculpture variously became more abstract, more simple, more symbolic, more concerned with movement and shape, with light and dark, and more interested in different materials.Some sculptors which should know from the twentieth century are Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Marcel Duchamp, Constantin Brancusi, and Henry Moore.Contemporary SculptureThese days, the possibilities open to contemporary artists are endless. And, as we said at the beginning, the lines between different artforms are continually being blurred. Modern and contemporary sculpture does not always resemble the sculpture that immediately comes to mind.Yet, this di versity is contemporary sculptures beauty. From Tracey Emin’s ‘Unmade Bed’ to Robert Smithson’s ‘Spiral Jetty’, from Marc Quinn’s ‘Self’ to Richard Long’s ‘White Water Falls’.Learn more about the basics of sculpture!

SAT Subject Tests vs. AP Exams

SAT Subject Tests vs. AP Exams We’re quickly approaching AP test season, as well as the May and June SAT dates, which are primary for the SAT Subject Tests! At AJ, our test prep tutors are experts in AP test prep and SAT Subject test prep and help hundreds of students each year get ready for test day.This post introduces a lot of questions about how students, especially (but not exclusively!) juniors, should prepare for these tests, and what the major differences are between them.Major Differences Between the Tests There are several differences between AP and SAT Subject tests that are important to keep in mind. Subjects CoveredThere are far more APs than there are Subject Tests. Here is a side by side comparison:APSubject TestsMathCalculus ABCalculus BC StatisticsMath 1Math 2EnglishEnglish LanguageEnglish LiteratureLiteratureSocial SciencesWorld HistoryUS HistoryEuropean HistoryUS GovernmentComparative GovernmentArt HistoryHuman GeographyMacroeconomicsMicroeconomicsWorld HistoryUS HistoryNatural SciencesChemist ryBiologyPhysics IPhysics C: MechanicsPhysics C: Electricity and MagnetismEnvironmental SciencesChemistryBiology (Environmental or Molecular)PhysicsLanguagesSpanishSpanish (Literature)FrenchChineseItalianGermanJapaneseSpanish FrenchChineseItalianModern HebrewGermanLatinJapaneseKoreanAdditionally, there are no subject tests for computer science, psychology, or the arts, while there are two AP Computer Science tests, one in psychology, and tests in art history, music theory, and several kinds of studio art.  Dates Each AP test is taken at a specific date in the first half of May you can see all of those dates here.On the other hand, the SAT Subject tests are offered on Saturdays, like the regular SAT. However, not every subject test is offered on every date the June and November dates offer the most tests. You can find the schedule here.It’s important to keep in mind subject tests when putting together an SAT schedule; students can take up to three subject tests at once, but cann ot take them on the same date as the regular SAT. Format ContentThe AP Tests generally combine a multiple choice section with a free response section (this can be an essay, extended analysis, etc.) and are about 3 hours long. The SAT Subject tests are only multiple choice questions and are just an hour long. Even when an AP Exam and an SAT Subject Test have the same title, the content is often somewhat different. AP’s tend to focus on a few core topics and require more critical thinking about those topics whereas the subject tests require a broader knowledge base but are more based on memorizing facts. What does this mean for test preparation? Because subject tests and AP’s are similar but not identical, AJ Tutoring’s test prep strategy for students who are taking both is very similar to our strategy for students who are taking both the SAT and ACT we treat the two preps as separate, but try in most instances to complete them with the same tutor. That way, the tutor will kno w going into the second prep where a student’s content gaps are, and will already have a good idea of the student’s learning strategy, but will carefully differentiate between strategies that work well on one test, and those that work well on the other. A common prep schedule is to do four sessions (1.5 hours each) for an AP test, and subsequently three or four sessions for the corresponding subject test. Doing the prep for the AP will often help a student do better on the subject test than he or she would without the AP prep, and generally the schedule works out best to take the subject test (in June) after the AP test, since not all subject tests are offered in May, and the May SAT date falls between the two weeks of AP’s, meaning students are often already busy studying for multiple AP’s. If you’d like to learn more and get your student started with SAT and AP prep, please give us a call today!

How to Study - 25 Study Tips You Need Now - Private Tutoring

How to Study - 25 Study Tips You Need Now BobbiM Jan 29, 2016 Studying can be challenging any day and knowing how to study or having usable study tips can make it even more complicated.   Making mistakes while studying can cost you time, nerves and a bad mark. What can you do and what are some studying techniques that you can use to change the quality of your studying, improve your memory and get the results you are looking for? 1. Never Study Sleepy Yes, you have the test tomorrow and you just “didn’t have time” to study earlier, so you chose to study late at night rather than to give up on the new Star Wars movie with friends. We have bad news. If you study when you are tired and sleepy, the possibility you will memorize anything at all is very low. Studying is a complicated process, and it requires energy; our brain has to be “fresh” to receive and memorize the new information given. Psychologists recommend either early morning for studying because our brain is “just out of bed”. Anything but sleepy studying is good. 2. Baby Steps Studying is a process. You can’t learn everything at once, so you need to divide your material into smaller parts. There is this new learning technique known as “spaced repetition.” When you divide your study material into smaller chunks and review them consistently over a long period, your chances of memorizing the chunks are increased because you are giving smaller portions to the brain to work on.   Consider doing this when you study for exams! 3. Make It Up Making study material more interesting can help you with learning the matter. Turn all the details you find difficult to memorize into some crazy, wild story and you will see how easy you will recall them later. 4. Change Your Studying Locations According to research,   you should change your studying spot every day because staying in one place for a longer time makes it easier to forget the information we were trying to memorize. If you move around and study (for example you change your spot with every new topic), you force your brain to make new associations with the same material helping us remember things better. 5. Mix Up Your Studying Topics Practice shows it’s better to switch different topics or material while studying, rather than sticking for an extended period of time to just one. This helps you develop a better strategy for solving different problems. We need to learn how to think and by changing topics we are studying, we are training our brain to think faster and to learn how to solve problems. 6. Give Yourself Quizzes Reviewing is crucial. You get to see where you stand and what you need to improve. Make small quizzes and prepare yourself for real tests. Quizzes are short and interesting, great for checking out what you’ve learned so far.   Also can do these with a study partner if you have one. 7. Writing It Down Helps You Memorize Writing things down we are trying to learn is more efficient then typing it (like we all do these days). Write the information you are trying to remember a few times and then read it out loud. Do this repetitive writing from time to time.   Theres something about the flow of handwriting that makes a difference. 8.   Speak Up Reading out loud the information you’re trying to memorize is a strong studying tool: you are reading written words (you are looking at it), and you are listening to it. More senses included, the better the memorization. 9. Hydrate Drinking water keeps you awake and focused. Coffee also keeps us alert and can help concentrate when you’re really on the verge of closing the book. 10. Take a Break Taking a break after 20 minutes of studying is a must if you want to keep on memorizing and studying with the same efficiency as when you started. Our brain gets tired and short occasional breaks helps it recover and prep for more. 11. Team Up Group work doesn’t work for everyone, but those who like working in groups should try to gather one. Ask your friends if they want to try this method and see if it works out. It’s easier because you can do revision together and you can make studying more interesting. Put one person in charge for cookie breaks, one for background music, one for revision, etc. 12. Organize Organizing your time is a thing you have to learn how to do. Make your schedule and set your studying hours in advance. Write down your whole week plan and put studying where you want, as long as you stick to your plan, it will be good. 13. Clear Your Mind Before Starting Prepping for studying is important. You need to get your mind “in the mood” and your body prepared for the process. Stare at the wall for a few minutes before starting. This is a little meditation that will help you reduce anxiety and find a better focus. Breathe deeply and stretch a little bit. 14. Work Out Research shows working out helps our brain work faster and better. Being strong helps you become smarter. It’s as easy as that. Our body is a work of art, and our cognitive functions are strongly bonded to our bodily functions. 15. Dance the Worry Away Worrying too much is never good, and good music is always welcome when trying to relax a bit. Music fights depression, anxiety, stress and tension. Listening to classical music while studying can help your concentration while breaking out some new hits on radio and dancing the worry away will help you take a break from hard studying. Don’t get too groovy, though, you still have things to learn. 16. Eat Smart, Be Smart Choose healthier food and food that contains Omega-3 fatty acids. Eat a lot of fish, nuts and olive oil. They are brain-boosting foods you want to include in your diet. Healthy and tasty, plus they help your cognitive functions. 17. Stand Up, Stretch and Walk Take regular breaks. This boosts your productivity and your ability to focus. Walk a bit and stretch to wake up your body and to feel better after all those hours of sitting. Image courtesy of Flickr.com 18. Don’t “Over-Study” Yourself Start earlier and not the night before the test. Don’t study too much and don’t stay up all night long just to do a revision. If you start on time, you don’t need to mess up your sleep cycle just for one revision. 19. Stay Away From Social Networks It’s time-consuming and focus-disturbing. Yes, we are all tempted to see this one little notification, but this leads to much more and you know it, so don’t grab your phone. Turn it off or put it on silent so you are not disturbed while studying. You Might Also Be Interested In:   Easy Tips for Acing the NCLEX RN Exam 20. Use the Power of Oils Essential oils are can be bliss if you know how to use their magic. Research show that inhaling essential oils (rosemary or lavender) can calm you down. They reduce anxiety before exams. If you have problems with stress and anxiety, try this, and you will be more focused on the exam. 21. Yoga Helps Training your body is training your mind. Yoga reduces stress and anxiety and can be a great way to take a break from studying. An hour of relaxation is just what you need after a hard day of books. 22. Choose How to Study Based on What Works Not everyone likes studying in groups. Some are early birds, some night owls. Some read out loud, and some write. Find what suits you best and what helps you memorize faster and study easier and stick with that.   If others try to change that, just say thanks, but no thanks and do what works for you! 23. Treat Yourself Make a plan for studying and stick to it. Do a revision after every achieved goal and treat yourself with things that make you happy. A cookie, pizza or movies. Whatever will make you forget about studying for some time and help you when you feel like stopping too soon. 24. Find A Spot Thats Quiet Studying in peace is very important. You need to concentrate and be 100% focused on what you are reading, listening or writing. If you can’t find peace at home, go to the library. It is motivating, and you will have all the concentration you need. 25. Be Proud for What You Accomplish Take small steps but be persistent. Don’t give up after one try. Studying is a process, and you need time to figure out what works for you. Be proud of every exam taken and every new thing you memorize. It’s important you keep your spirits high because motivation is the key for successful learning. Find the Best Private Tutors At Reasonable Rates - Get Real Results Fast! Choose Your Subject - Add Your Zip Code - Find Top Rated Tutors Today InPerson or Online Online InPerson

Switching Schools 5 Things to do this Summer

Switching Schools 5 Things to do this Summer Switching Schools? 5 Things to do this Summer When students go from one grade to another, its a big transition. However, when they switch schools, it can be an even bigger change. Some things can be done over the summer so that kids have an easier time when they adjust to their new campus. Whether students are going from 5th to 6th grade, moving from public to private school, or even moving across the country, they need extra time to adjust to their new environment. In addition to getting to know the campus, kids should look at any changes in academics, teaching styles, or socialization. 1. Going from public to private school (or vice versa) Changing from a public school to private or vice versa can be a significant change for a child. Public schools are often larger and have a higher student to teacher ratio. They also tend to have more buildings and more room on campus. Private schools are smaller and may introduce new things such as school uniforms or policies specific to their mission statement. There can also be differences in academics. If a student is transitioning to a private school, they will probably have had a campus tour and an interview to make sure that its the right fit for them. In this case, they will likely be familiar with the campus and have met some of the teachers during the application process. However, its still a good idea to meet other students during the summer if at all possible to make the social transition easier. If a student is transitioning to public school, it would be beneficial for them to know about any academic differences and get to know where their new classes will be located (REA D: Irvine Science Tutor: 4 Awesome Summer Science Activities). 2.   A standard transition to a new campus Every student will experience a standard transmission to a new campus when they go from 5th to 6th grade or 8th to 9th grade. If they have older siblings they may have already been on the new campus but, if not, they should take a tour and go to the open house. When students enter middle or high school, it’s an opportunity for them to be able to reinvent themselves and make new friends, so its also a good idea to visit any of the school-sponsored social activities that occur over the summer. 3. Moving across the country Some kids will experience a move across the country or state. This can be a major transition because they are also dealing with adjusting to a new home, neighborhood, and social situation. If at all possible, kids in this situation should have a chance to socialize with some of the kids in their neighborhood that will be attending their new school, so they have a couple of friends on day one. Also, they will probably need more time to adjust given the magnitude of the change. 4. Getting familiar with campus Many schools offer a tour or open house where students can become familiar with the campus. If its a larger school, students are encouraged to ask a member of staff where their different classes will be as well as where the front offices are located and where the student lounge is, if one exists (READ: 5 Reasons to Play Sports Over the Summer). 5. A difference in curriculum If there is a change in curriculum students are encouraged to either work with the teacher or a private tutor to learn new concepts and skills so they can stay on top of things. Also, new students are encouraged to join a study group which can both help their academics and increase social opportunities. Hit the ground running at your new school with the help of a private Orange County summer tutor. 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.

Teach Away Telegram - April 2013

Teach Away Telegram - April 2013 Happy April! We’re a third of the way through 2013 already. In this month’s newsletter, we’ll talk about another good teaching tool, Prezi. We’ll also share information on getting a Master’s degree in TESOL. Finally, our country spotlight for April is Azerbaijan.Teaching Tool: Prezi Example of a featured Prezi from prezi.comPrezi could be called the modern version of PowerPoint, although that would be doing the program a disservice. Prezi allows for a non-linear format, meaning that teachers and students can scroll, slide, zoom, and enlarge frames. Prezi’s visual nature makes it ideal for teachers to display “mind mapping” techniques.Preparing presentations before class (instead of using a whiteboard) benefits learning. It allows teachers to maximize class time for instruction, rather than wasting valuable minutes writing on the board. However, many kinds of presentation software are inadequate for teachers, as it is not easy to move back to review a previous point, o r move in and out from big picture to detail and back.Prezi allows teachers to make their lessons more visually engaging as well as potentially more useful and intuitive. The Prezi website has examples of presentations that make excellent use of the program’s graphic abilities. Prezi’s visuals can be used to explain or simply to entertain.From USC Rossier: How is a Master’s in TESOL Relevant Overseas?Thanks in large part to globalization and modern technology, English has become the dominant language around the world. The New York Times reports that about one-quarter of the world's population is able to communicate in English to some extent. It is the common language for every type of global enterprise, including business, entertainment and popular culture, and it represents about 80 percent of the information stored on the Internet. Around the world, people from every culture recognize the ability to communicate in English as a key component of their education.The Times also reports that the teaching of English is a multi-billion-dollar industry and that one-third of the global population is studying English or will study it at some point in the near future. While there is no question that the overseas demand for English language instructors is growing, trying to determine the best educational path to becoming a TESOL teacher can be confusing.Becoming a TESOL TeacherWhile some countries require only a bachelor's degree and/or TESOL certification, there are many advantages associated with obtaining a Master's in TESOL. Teaching English requires more than knowledge of the English language. A Master’s in TESOL provides in-depth knowledge in the teaching techniques that are essential for instructing students who have limited experience with English. It makes it possible to address students with varying language requirements, from those who are learning English as a hobby to those who require it for school or employment.In general, overseas employers are l ooking for TESOL teachers who are well trained and who have classroom experience. Master's in TESOL programs satisfy these requirements by providing a strong foundation in linguistics theory and teaching methods. Students learn how to apply language and literacy concepts in a broad range of educational settings. In addition, the best Master’s in TESOL programs give students the opportunity to put teaching theory into practice through field-based assignments. Students who are new to teaching will gain confidence and refine their skills by observing experienced teachers and applying what they've learned in an actual classroom of students.TESOL Teaching OpportunitiesGraduates of Master's in TESOL programs have a wider range of professional options since they are qualified to work in a variety of educational settings in Asia, Europe and Latin America, from schools and universities to workplace settings and language institutes. They are also qualified to become school administrators, p rogram coordinators, teacher trainers and ESL/EFL educational materials specialists. It should be noted that some countries have visa restrictions that apply to teachers, so it's important for any U.S. citizen who wants to work overseas to research residency and employment laws in countries where they want to work.Many teachers seeking jobs overseas have a bachelor's degree in a non-related subject. The TESOL International Association reports that although salary levels for TESOL instructors vary considerably from one country to the next, teachers with higher educational degrees can expect to be seen as more desirable by overseas employers and qualified for higher salaries. Job seekers with limited TESOL training are at risk of finding only assignments with low pay, long work hours and no benefits. Those with a Master's in TESOL tend to receive higher salaries and additional job benefits, like travel support. A master's degree also provides greater career flexibility for teachers wh o return to the United States after working abroad.Contact Rossier Online TodayIt is never too late to become a TESOL teacher, and there are many areas throughout the country that have a high need for quality TESOL educators. If you want to make a difference in the classroom and teach subjects that you feel passionate about, apply to USC today. This groundbreaking Master of Arts in Teaching TESOL program will give you the tools to be more marketable in the changing environment of education.Country Spotlight: AzerbaijanTeach Away is currently hiring for positions in international schools in Azerbaijan. Licensed teachers looking for a unique experience can find excellent employment opportunities in Azerbaijan, located at the intersection of Europe and Asia.Azerbaijan lies on the Caspian Sea and shares a border with Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Iran. The country is influenced by a mix of cultures from both Asia and Europe. The capital of Baku is a dynamic, cosmopolitan urban center bu ilt around an ancient city center. Glittering skyscrapers look over medieval palaces and Islamic mosques. Elsewhere, the country’s picturesque villages melt into the Caucasus mountains. Traveling in Azerbaijan is rewarding but challenging, as the tourist industry is still developing.Teachers wishing to work in Azerbaijan should be open-minded and willing to take on new challenges. Previous experience is required in order to teach in Azerbaijan’s international schools.Teaching in Azerbaijan is an excellent way to explore this little-known country. For more information on the current jobs available, please see our list of teaching jobs abroad.

Teaching English in China Nanjing City Guide

Teaching English in China Nanjing City Guide Welcome to the second installment of our blog series on living in China! With an abundant supply of English teaching jobs all over the country, China is one of the best places - if not the best - to teach English abroad this year. China attracts both new and experienced ESL teachers as a teach abroad destination for many different reasons - the low cost of living, the potential to earn a great salary, access awesome job perks and - best of all - have more than enough vacation time to start ticking countries off your travel bucket list. A few weeks ago, we covered all the basic info you need to know about living in Tianjin.To save you hours of online research, we’ve also compiled everything you need to know about living in Nanjing, below. From average monthly rent to the best spots for a night out, keep reading for more info on what you can expect living in the meeting place between China’s north and south - Nanjing! Living in Nanjing Located along the Yangtze River, Nanjing is a perfect blend of modern and traditional Chinese culture, famous for its rich ancient history as a capital city of many dynasties through the centuries. Today, Nanjing is seeing a huge increase in foreign business and infrastructure, making it culturally diverse and extremely expat friendly. Climate Pack your sunscreen - Nanjing is one of the hottest cities in China! Temperatures in the summer can reach up to between 95 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (35 to 40 degrees Celsius). With average temperatures in the winter falling around 75 degrees Fahrenheit, you can expect a mild and warm weather during the cooler months. Despite the hot weather in Nanjing, if you plan on traveling outside of the area it’s a good idea to bring some warm clothes, especially if you are traveling north during the winter. Transport Nanjing is a major transportation cross-point between the northern and southern parts of China. Because of this, the city boasts a great transportation system with many different ways to get around the city and explore different locations outside of Nanjing’s downtown. Trains. There are many options to get outside of Nanjing and travel to other areas of the country by train. Both regular and semi-high speed trains operate out of the Nanjing Railway Station. As well, the South Railway Station is a stop for high-speed trains in the city, that can take you to many other cities in China. Buses. The bus is a common and effective method of transportation within Nanjing and surrounding cities. Long distance buses can take you to Shanghai, Beijing, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Yiwu from downtown Nanjing. This is a convenient option if you want to travel to different Chinese cities when school is out. City buses within Nanjing operate on flexible schedules and can take you almost anywhere in the city. Fares for city buses are also affordable, at ¥1 ($0.15 USD), or ¥2 ($0.30 USD) for air conditioned buses, it’s easy to get around the city without spending a fortune! Subways. Introduced in 2015, the Nanjing subway system is still relatively new. Currently, there are seven different lines running throughout the city, with several others under construction. Taxis. Taking a taxi is also another common mode of transportation within Nanjing, and is an accessible option throughout the city. There are four types of taxis in Nanjing, each with different fares based on the type of vehicle and your distance traveled. Taxi rides, on average, shouldn't cost you more than ¥20 ($3 USD): Type of Car Flag-down rate Price per km 5-minute waiting fee Fuel fee Regular Car ¥9 for the first 3km (2mi) ¥2.4 ($0.36 USD) ¥2.4 ¥1 Mid-range Car ¥9 for the first 2.5km (1.6mi) ¥2.9 ($0.43 USD) ¥2.9 ¥1 Transport Smart Cards. While living in Nanjing, it may be a good idea to consider getting a Public Utility IC Card (PUIC) transport card. They’re ideal if you have to take multiple forms of transportation and get you special discounts, too. A PUIC card gets you a 20% discount on city buses, 5% discount on subway lines, 50% discount on Zhongshan Pier Pukou ferries and a 10% discount on other ferries. If you plan on teaching in Nanjing, a transport card definitely makes exploring the city and surrounding areas far more cost effective. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Food Known as the home of traditional Jiangsu cuisine, Nanjing is a city that is famous for its great culinary scene and locals that are true foodies at heart. The traditional dishes in Nanjing are known for their amazing presentation and rich ingredients. Duck is a popular dish in the city and greater Jiangsu province. That being said, there are also many choices that won't set you back a huge sum of money, and with a little exploring, you’re sure to find some hidden local gems! From salted duck to soup dumplings (called Tangbao) you can buy for less than two dollars, the options for food in Nanjing won’t leave you bored. Meal @ inexpensive restaurant ¥230 ($34.43 USD) Meal @ mid- range restaurant for 2 people ¥140 ($20.96 USD) Cappuccino ¥30 ($4.44 USD) Milk (1 liter) ¥14 ($2.10 USD) 1 dozen eggs ¥13 ($1.95 USD) Leisure Entertainment Although it’s hard to compete with urban giants Beijing and Shanghai, the Nanjing still has a lot to offer for expats that want to experience the city and surrounding areas. Fuzimiao is a popular shopping district that’s close to downtown. Although you’re going to find a lot of westernized shops with marked-up prices to match, it’s still a great area to spend an afternoon on weekends or days off. Xuanwu Lake is also a great place to explore during nice weather. The lake is a great spot to bring a book and relax, or escape from the rush of the city without leaving downtown. While Nanjing’s nightlife will appeal more to those looking for a lower-key night out than the entertainment hotspot of Shanghai, there are still many options if you want to spend a night on the town! If you want expat-friendly bars, Shanghai Road is a popular area with lots of different bars and clubs. Drinks in Nanjing are relatively similar in cost to other mid-sized Chinese cities. Fitness club/gym (monthly) ¥283.33 ($42.42 USD) Movie ticket (single) ¥50 ($7.40 USD) 1 drink at a downtown club/bar ¥51 ($7.64 USD) Monthly rent Teachers looking to live in Nanjing will find that renting an apartment, even downtown, is much more affordable than in larger cities. Living downtown will be most convenient for teachers coming to Nanjing by themselves, and who are looking to have easy access to business districts and shopping centers. Renting a small house, or larger apartment outside of the downtown core is definitely possible on a teacher’s salary. Both the northern and eastern suburbs of Nanjing are known to be expat friendly and offer more than their fair share of affordable living options for teachers. One bedroom apartment (in the downtown area) ¥3,133.33 ($469.11 USD) One bedroom apartment (outside of downtown area) ¥2,016.67 ($251.67 USD) Internet (monthly) ¥60 ($16.44 USD) Interested in teaching English in China? Check back on the blog next month for the lowdown on teaching and living in Hangzhou!