Is Business School Right for You

Is Business School Right for You Applying to business school takes a significant investment of time, energy, and money. From deciding between the GMAT and the GRE, to weighing whether to choose a full-time or part-time MBA program, there are numerous matters involved in the business school process. B-school might be right for you if youre looking to advance your current career, youre hoping to change career paths, or youre wanting to gain skills to lead your own business. Getting a graduate degree in business management is a big decision. Here are three ways to determine if business school is right for you: Business school is right for you if you wish to advance in your current career Earning your MBA may help you progress in your current career if any or all of the following apply to you: Earning a promotion at your job requires experience working on cross-functional teams You need outside experience to bring a different perspective to your organization All of your coworkers in positions above you have graduate degrees The knowledge youll gain through completing an MBA and earning a graduate degree can help you compete for promotions at your current company. Teamwork is a hallmark of MBA programs, whether team projects are integrated into the curriculum or collaborative opportunities, like case competitions, are made available for students to participate in throughout the year. Additionally, business school classes are engineered to include professionals from a variety of backgrounds, so that students can learn from the different perspectives of their peers. [RELATED: 4 Steps to Take Today to Prepare for B-School] Business school is right for you if you would like to change your career to a different function, industry, or country Business school provides an array of opportunities for students who want to make changes in their careers. Maybe you want to shift from development to operations at your nonprofit organization. Perhaps your US-based company is expanding to South America, and you want to lead your corresponding team in the new region. Regardless, the right MBA program can help prepare you for such circumstances. At business school, youll learn about different functions from both your classes and classmates, and youll be able to compare and contrast the responsibilities of a position with the same title at different companies. You can also learn from fellow students, alumni, and professors about industries you may not have experienced or even heard of before. Furthermore, many programs allow you to learn about different functions and industries in different countries, whether you want to attend business school internationally or you want to study abroad for a semester before returning to your domestic program. [RELATED: Is a B-School Study Abroad Program Right for Me?] Business school is right for you if you wish to gain additional skills to lead your own business Whether you have a solopreneur side hustle or you run a company with multiple employees, an MBA program can help you build the expertise necessary to more effectively operate your business. A graduate-level course in organizational behavior can help you develop the skills necessary to manage your team. MBA core requirements in finance and accounting will help you manage your business accounts. To generate more revenue, you may discover innovative ideas through your sales and marketing courses. Though you may not need a graduate degree to prove that you can run your own business, the knowledge gained from your classes, your peers, and your professors can help you operate your business. [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Business School] Business school is not for everyone, but it could be a rewarding option for you. Career climbers can benefit from the boost of having a graduate school education. Career changers can learn from the experiences of their fellow students and gain insights on how to enter a new field or a new country. Business owners can improve their own organizations through the proven strategies shared in an MBA program. If you fit one, two, or all three of the above criteria, then business school may be the right decision for you. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

25 MORE Spanish Writing Prompts for Beginners

25 MORE Spanish Writing Prompts for Beginners Suzy S. A while back, Spanish tutor Joan B.  shared a list of easy writing prompts for practicing Spanish. Readers loved these, so were back with  even MORE Spanish writing prompts to try!   Writing in Spanish is not only an essential skill on its own; practicing writing will also improve  your vocabulary, increase your understanding of grammar concepts, and enhance  your communication skills both in written and spoken forms. The following are 25 Spanish writing prompts that will stimulate your imagination, stretch your abilities and, most importantly, help you to become a powerful and persuasive writer in Spanish. Tackle a writing prompt regularly  (like once a day, or once a week) and youll soon find yourself writing persuasively with very little effort! 1. Describe a time when you had an argument with someone, and how you resolved it. This is a chance to describe a sequence of events or statements using the preterite tense (El dijoy entonces yo le dije), as well as the expressions (No estar de acuerdo and Hacer las paces). 2. Write a tall tale. Describe an outlandish event in as much detail as possible. Use this as a chance to practice narrative writing and use a variety of descriptive adjectives and phrases. The more out there, the better! 3. Explain what you do to conserve, recycle, reduce, and reuse. Green living is a hot topic today, and the words associated with it (conservar, reciclar, reducir, reusar) include  useful Spanish  vocabulary for daily living. 4. What is your favorite Spanish or Latin dish? Is it paella, pollo asado, or tamales? Whatever it is, write out the ingredients and process for making it, in the form of a recipe. You can look up a recipe in English for inspiration if youre not sure how to make it. 5. In your opinion, what is the worst environmental problem facing us today, and what can be done to improve the issue? Take this opportunity to learn issue-specific vocabulary (for example, for global warming, you could use el calentamiento global) as well the subjunctive when expressing certain views (Espero que). 6. Write a letter to the editor about a local community issue you feel strongly about. This prompt will challenge you to use formal, polite, and print-worthy grammar and syntax, as well as develop your own personal voice in Spanish. 7. Youve decided to apply for a job where youll use your Spanish-speaking skills. Write a paragraph or essay in Spanish detailing your knowledge, experience, and study in the language. This can include descriptions of trips to Spanish-speaking places, formal study, the types of Spanish classes youve taken and concepts learned (Sé explicar bien mis opiniones.), and how long youve studied (Comencé a estudiar en la escuela secundaria, y después assistí a la universidad.). Not only is this great practice, its good to have on hand just in case you do need to document your Spanish knowledge, in short order! 8. Your roommate or neighbor has a very annoying habit and youve finally decided you cant take it any longer. Instead of telling him or her directly, write a letter using a variety of formal commands and subjunctive structures ( ¡Cámbialo! or Sugiero que). 9. Youve met someone whos about to start studying Spanish. What advice would you give him or her to succeed? This is a great opportunity to give advice (dar consejos) and even include a proverb or two (La práctica hace al maestro.). 10. Youre planning to travel to a Spanish-speaking country. Describe what you hope your daily routine will be. Practice using sequencing words (antes, después, entonces), reflexive verbs (relajarse, divertirse, etc.) and expressions for activities (ir al concierto, visitar un museo, dar un paseo por la ciudad). 11. If you could have any type of pet, which would you choose, and why? Talk about how you would take care of your pet and what activities you could do together. You can use hypothetical phrases (Si pudiera tener una mascota, tendría un perro e iría al parque con él). 12. Describe the members of your household and who is responsible for what duties around the house. The expressions you use are essential phrases for travel and daily life its important to know how to say cambiar las sábanas  (change the sheets) and lavar la ropa  (wash the clothes)! 13. Prepare a short comedy act. Choose an event that has comedic potential and make light of it in a humorous way. Try to contar un chiste  (tell a joke), which is challenging to do in Spanish as a second-language speaker. You can even ask a native Spanish speaker for help with tackling this prompt. 14. Describe your route to work or school. What mode of transportation do you use, which way do you go, and what are the pros and cons of your particular route and way? This is another practical writing prompt to exercise your ability to describe modes of transportations, routes, and transportation directions (Primero, tomo el autobús número; Evito el tráfico de las 5 por tomar una ruta alternativa). 15. Respond to a letter or other communication youve received from someone telling you about their news and activities. Even though they probably wrote to you in English, draft a response to them in Spanish, detailing your own news and activities and commenting on theirs. You can also draft a response to an imaginary letter in Spanish if you prefer. Explain what youve been habitually doing (En estos días, estudio mucho) and retell specific events that have occurred (Ayer recibí una buena nota.). This is a good time to practice choosing between the imperfect tense and preterite tense for past events. 16. Invent a fairy tale in Spanish. You can begin with the words Había una vez (once upon a time) and let your imagination take it from there. You can write a fairy tale youre familiar with, or create a new one. This Spanish writing prompt is good practice for perfecting the imperfect and preterite tense, as well as refining your descriptive writing abilities in Spanish, since fairy tales often involve vivid description of interesting characters. 17. Write a letter to a world leader whose policy actions youre familiar with. Commend him or her on the actions you agree with, and explain why you agree. Offer criticism of those actions you disapprove, along with suggestions for alternative action to be taken. Use the comparative and superlative in your letter (Esta acción es tan buena como lo que hizo); you may also find use for the subjunctive (Es mejor que resuelva el problema de). 18. If you could live in any country for an extended period of time, which country would you choose and why? Explain what traditions, customs, cultural practices and daily living styles appeal to you, and what you would do there. This is a chance to use the imperfect subjunctive and the conditional in a common and useful structure (Si pudiera vivir en algún país, viviría en). 19. In your opinion, what was the most important world event of the past year? Describe the event itself, using the appropriate tense (imperfect or preterite). You may also find a use for the past progressive (Mientras el gobierno estaba estabilizando, el presidente se murió.). Try to use a mix of objective factual statements, as well as more subjective statements that reflect your opinion about the event. 20. Spanish is fast-becoming the lingua franca (a language that is used among people who speak various different languages) of the United States. What are the benefits and disadvantages of this, from an economic and cultural standpoint? Useful phrases for this prompt include Por un ladoy por otro lado and Pienso que. 21. Why do you study Spanish? What do you hope to gain from the language? Are your reasons primarily linguistic, cultural, economic, or something else? Explain what attracts you to the language, and the level you aim to reach. Also express  how you feel using verbs such as sentirse and me parece que. 22. You have the opportunity to live with a family in a Spanish-speaking country as part of a study abroad program. Write a letter to the family, introducing yourself. Tell them essential information, as well as some fun and interesting facts about you so they can start to get to know you. Use an informal yet polite tone. You can also include what you hope to gain by living with them by using polite requests (Me gustaría si pudiéramos hablar en español casi todo el tiempo.; ¿Sería posible hacer actividades todos juntos?). 23. What do you like to do in your free time? Describe the activities you do, when you usually do them, and with whom. You can begin with En mi tiempo libre. Use this prompt as a chance to expand and memorize Spanish  vocabulary you might learn new expressions as you describe your activities in Spanish. 24. What is your astrological sign? Do you believe in astrological signs? Why or why not? Do you think you fit the typical profile for someone of your sign? You might want to use expressions like  aunque  (although) and sin embargo  (nevertheless). 25. Youre going to host two Spanish-speaking exchange students. Write them a letter telling them about any customs they should be familiar with, as well as the daily schedule they will follow. You can describe your daily school or work schedule, as well as the times that activities occur. You can also remind them of specific items they might want to bring from home. If you work through (ahem, write through!) these 25 Spanish writing prompts, youll be well-versed in a variety of topics, registers of written Spanish, and typical structures and expressions to express your ideas concisely and clearly. You can also take your completed prompts to your teacher or tutor for further feedback, or simply re-read them and edit them on your own, over time. Enjoy, and continue working toward the level you wish to reach in Spanish! Post Author: Joan B. Joan B. lives in Carmichael, CA and has been teaching high school Spanish for more than 18 years. A lover of language, shes studied French, Arabic, and Italian and spent time living in Spain. Joan aims to help students improve on tests and increase their conversational ability when traveling to Spanish-speaking countries. Learn more about Joan  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How To Find Dance Classes In Birmingham

How To Find Dance Classes In Birmingham Start Dance Classes In Birmingham And Be In With A Chance To Take Part In The Commonwealth Games Handover! ChaptersDancers sought For 2022 Games In BirminghamTypes Of Dance Classes On OfferAdult Dance Classes Birmingham Beginners: For People Who Have Two Left FeetBenefits Of Ballroom Dancing: What Will I Learn?Latin Dancing: What Will I Be Taught By My Dance Instructor?A Wide Variety Of Kids Dance ClassesJazz Dance Adult Beginners Thursday 6.00pmContemporary Adult Beginners Tuesday 6.15pmThe Dance Workshop (Moseley Village)Jive Beginners Monday 6.30-7.30pmBallet Intro Course Monday 7.30-8.30pmFlamenco Elementary Tuesday 6.30-7.30pmTap Intro Course Tuesday 7.30-8.30pmEgyptian Dance Beginners Wednesday 8.30-9.30pmBallroom and Latin 1st Level Beginners Friday 6.30-7.30pmFor further details on each dance centre's class schedule, venue or timetable, please contact the dance teacher or visit their website.Also, if you aren't sure what to wear to each session, then ask in advance. You will probably be working up a sweat in most classes and getting your heart pumping so your best bet is to wear c omfortable clothing like shorts, a t-shirt and some soled trainers, to feel happy going into that initial warm up. Meanwhile, if attending a ballet class, you might need to wear tights and ballet shoes whilst those females enrolled in salsa dance classes may be asked to bring heels.So long as you make sure you are prepared, there's no reason why you won't look forward to your dancing classes each semester!If you live in the South, take a look at our blog on dance lessons in London.Benefits Of Ballroom Dancing: What Will I Learn?In beginners' Ballroom classes, you will learn to dance basic steps and techniques associated with standard Ballroom as well as Latin Ballroom dance styles. You don't need a partner to join, which makes it perfect for those looking for social dancing opportunities.So long as you sign up for a course for those new to the dance, you won't need any previous experience or dancing skills. You just need to be interested in learning about the history of dance, maste ring the variety of styles that come under this category and feeling happy and confident to interchange the styles each week whilst practising them in your spare time too.As part of a Ballroom workshop, you will learn basic moves needed to dance the Foxtrot, Waltz and Tango (i.e. standard Ballroom dances) as well as those required for the Cha Cha, Rumba and Jive (i.e. Latin-based Ballroom). You will be taught the differences between leading and following in a dance sequence or routine as well get the opportunity to dance with multiple partners over the weeks.The skills acquired during this type of dance class will boost your self-esteem when dancing in nightclubs, or when you have your first dance with your new husband or wife, and likewise your father-daughter dance on your wedding day.Get to know about pole dancing classes here.Latin Dancing: What Will I Be Taught By My Dance Instructor?Latin dancing, particularly for men, allows you to gain a number of very useful skills.Men are often scared of dancing or feel uncomfortable showcasing their skill because they fear that others will think it is unmanly. It is important to note that men and women, straight or homosexual, call all benefit from dancing.If, however, you are a man who is a little self-conscious, then Salsa classes could be the perfect way to make you feel comfortable in your own skin. The dance techniques you will learn along the way will impact you physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally - all great reasons to let go and leave your comfort zone!During your introduction to Latin dancing, you will not only gradually become a better dancer, you will also come to realise that you are turning into a more modern, well-rounded man who is comfortable with who he is: his sexuality, his looks, his career, his life. So go on and face your fears and start learning how to dance like a real man!Still think that dancing isn't for you? You may not even realise it, but Salsa dancing teaches you how to lead. This is a valuable skill to have both on the dance floor and off too. It not only affects your confidence in being assertive, but it also helps you to better communicate with others using your body language and posture.All of the above skills could be an important factor in terms of how you approach your professional life, romantic partnerships and social situations.Many more dances can have the same impact as the above on a man or woman's life. Take a ballet class, for example, which is a great way for men and women alike to combine gymnastic skills with contemporary ballet techniques. We often talk of ballerinas and tutus, but ballet training is encouraged for men too by many a top ballet academy.Ballet school teaches poise and self-expression to boys and girls through to adults and beginning ballet as a talented individual could lead to you being a renowned ballerina in the world of dance theatre.A Wide Variety Of Kids Dance ClassesKids can attend a range of dance lessons t oo, from classes for toddlers, preschoolers, for kids and for students to after-school clubs for those older teens.If looking for dance classes for children (boys and girls), you'll probably discover music classes, ballet barre, ballet pointe, toddler dance, dancing tots and gymnastics classes. Other developmental courses for kids that are designed to stimulate their fine motor skills are any sensory or creative play sessions that allow them to have a boogie (or do some wiggles if they're still not on their feet yet!).If you're not local to Birmingham, have a read of Dance Classes Across the UK.

How To Choose Your Sewing Machine

How To Choose Your Sewing Machine Sewing Machines For Learning How to Sew ChaptersChoosing Your Sewing Machine Based on the Type of Sewing You DoChoosing Your Sewing Machine Depending On Your Skills and BudgetChoosing A Sewing Machine According to TypeThe Different Makes of Sewing Machine“Marriage, such as it is practised by catholicism, is nothing more than a stitch in the heart, neatly done.” (Victor Hugo, 1802-1885)In the UK, despite the emancipation movement and steps made towards equality between the sexes, the last dregs of patriachy still consider sewing a purely feminine activity, as though men were capable of doing everything except sew clothes and do housework.Yet learning to sew means that torn or worn clothes need not be confined to obsolescence - instead of buying anew, they can be repaired or recycled. This means taking sewing classes, then finding the right sewing machine according to very specific criteria - a computerised or a mechanical sewing machine, for example?What make should you buy?How many types of stitches?Which sewing machin e is best for beginner sewing projects?Which manufacturer is best if you want to hem a skirt, make a cushion, sew on a zip or sew the leather for your sofa?My mother always told me that it’s not the tool that makes the clothing, but the tailor (or dressmaker).And it’s true that you don’t need a professional sewing machine to repair a garment. But considering the impressive range of industrial sewing machines and budget sewing machines, the choice can seem difficult.You want a good sewing machine but you don’t know the technical details of each of the brands? Read on to find out everything you need to know to pick the right sewing machine for you.Learn also which fabrics to select for you sewing projects.over £8,000.Beyond £200, the quality of the manufacturer and the available options will influence your choice of sewing machine, for example:Thread cutterAutomatic buttonhole stitchSpeed adjustmentAutomatic needle positioning at restSewing feetThreaderNumber of stitchesPric e.Remember that a sewing machine with an adjustable stitch length and width will be more comfortable to use than a non-adjustable one, which will come with its own list of little annoyances and work-arounds. To sum it up, here’s a table with all the criteria according to price, sewing level and expectations:Less than £100 £100- £500More than £500Sewing levelBeginner sewingIntermediate levelProfessional levelUseBasicsMore comfortable sewingCan sew anything in any waysImportance of make and functionsminorhighDeal-breakerThe type of machine you buy also depends on the use you will make of it.Choosing A Sewing Machine According to TypeMost sewing machines work on a knotted stitch principle, with upper and lower threads coming from thread bobbins. The lower bobbin is at the heart of the whole mechanism. There are several different types of sewing machine on the market, ready to succour a needy seamstress.Mechanical vs. computerised sewing machineMechanical sewing machines are best fo r small budgets, but they were also quite sought after by professional tailors and seamstresses for their versatility, since everything can be adjusted manually.Singer is one of the oldest sewing machine companies out there. Photo by Internet Archive Book Images on Visual huntAnd who hasn’t lusted after a Singer sewing machine with a presser foot, as old as sin - or at least, as old as 1851 at most. However, you need to know this kind of sewing machine like the back of your hand. It’s better to wait until you have some experience before making lovely dressmaking creations on old, purely mechanical or electrical sewing machines.You need to know exactly how your mechanical sewing machine works to use it properly.A computerised sewing machine will be more expensive, but it is ideal for a beginner sewer. This beginner sewing machine will do most of the work thanks to its automatic adjustment - length and width of the stitches, threading, automatic buttonhole stitch, programming diff erent stitches - making it easier to use.No need to know all the gears and levers on your old Singer, Pfaff, Brother, Bernina or Husqvarna sewing machine. This type of machine is a comfortable sewing tool and, as an added advantage, electronic machines are quieter than mechanical sewing machines. What is more, electric sewing machines have become easier to repair than mechanical ones, as the evolution of technology has negated the need to dismantle the whole sewing machine to find the problem. Now, sewing machine repairmen often only need to plug in a cord or update the machine’s software.Mechanical sewing machineElectrical sewing machineAdjustmentsManual (you need to be versed in the machine’s “anatomy”)AutomaticNoiseCan be very loudQuietRepairsCan be complicatedDigitalisation facilitates certain repair tasksUseVery precise operation for intermediate or advanced sewersIdeal for beginnersPriceSmallMiddle to highNow, computerised sewing machines are often easier to repair tha n mechanical ones. Photo by sparr0 on VisualhuntThe Different Makes of Sewing MachineNow on to the different sewing machine companies.  Though certainly you will find a good range of products online, if you’re unsure of what you need, a real-life haberdasher’s will give you the best advice.From the 19th century until fairly recently, Singer was the non plus ultra of sewing machines both among housewives and tailors. But with the rise of globalisation, many new firms have come onto the market with excellent products that shook Singer from its throne. At the top you will find sewing machines by Bernina (beginner sewing students should opt for the Bernina 215, easy to carry and simple to use), Husqvarna and Pfaff (durable, powerful and easy-to-use). A Pfaff Passeport 2.0 or 3.0 is ideal for your first sewing classes.These are considered to offer the best quality, but there are others:Elna is for beginner sewing students who want to sew on mechanical sewing machine - such as the Eln a eXplore 240 or the Elna 3210 Jeans, a mechanical sewing machine that lets you sew thicker fabrics such as denim or corduroyJanomeBrother: easy to use, known for its Innov Is line designed especially for beginner sewersBernetteToyota.Here are the different machines summed up according to their functionality and pricesThere are sewing classes London, in Glasgow, in Manchester and all over the UK.SilverCrest SNM 33Singer StarletHusqvarna Viking E10Singer Simple 3232Pfaff Smarter 160 SJanome Skyline S3Pfaff Expression 3.5Number of stitches3316204023120200Buttonhole stitchAutomatic, 4 steps4 step4 step1 step1 step7 steps16 stepsLength adjustmentyesyesyesyesnoyesyesWidth adjustmentyesnonoyesyesyesyesThreaderyesyesyesyesyesyesyesSpeed adjustmentnoyesnoyesyesyesyesPresser feet5454578Weight6 kg7.5kg6.3 kg7.5 kg6.3 kg10 kg10.6 kgPrice £80 £200-300 £140 £170 £200 £800-2,000 £1,400Right! You have your whole sewing kit together, with all the accessories: sewing machine, bobbins, threads…But how do you learn to sew? By taking sewing lessons online or at home. See you on Superprof for your first sewing course!Learn more about sewing supplies and accessories you can use on your projects.

Collaborative and Proactive Solutions Approach to Treating Challenging Behaviors

“Collaborative and Proactive Solutions” Approach to Treating Challenging Behaviors When it comes to ADHD, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. Every child has unique strengths and weaknesses, and every parent and teacher have their own way of engaging with a child. Matching appropriate treatment strategies to each childs specific needs is essential for successfully managing ADHD symptoms. For most kids, it will take more than one intervention to address all the areas affected by ADHD. Treatment should always include ADHD-specific, evidence-based interventions, like behavioral parent training and/or medication, but it can often be helpful to supplement with alternative models of care, like the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) approach to addressing challenging behavior. Collaborative and Proactive Solutions is a model of care designed to target challenging behavior, regardless of a childs diagnosis. The CPS model was developed by Dr. Ross Greene and is described in many of his books, including The Explosive Child, Lost at School, and Raising Humans. Schools often have counselors and social workers who are trained in the CPS model, making it a good fit for kids with ADHD who benefit from strategies that are used consistently across home and school. Typical behavioral interventions for ADHD use positive and negative consequences to reduce challenging behaviors, like whining, hitting, and general non-compliance. In contrast, the CPS model views these behaviors as symptoms of an underlying skill deficit, which cause the child to act out because they simply cannot meet the expectations that have been placed on them. Rather than target the negative behaviors directly, the CPS model emphasizes identifying the specific skills that the child is lacking and the expectations that are out of reach. The goal of CPS is to help parents, teachers, and the child change behavior without using rewards or punishments. In contrast to standard interventions for kids with ADHD, which rely almost exclusively on the caregiver and teacher to create and enforce rules and structure, the CPS approach emphasizes a collaborative partnership between the parent or teacher. As a team, the child and adult identify strategies that will help reduce the skill-expectation gap. When the gap closes, challenging behaviors naturally decrease, and skills and confidence increase. Not surprisingly, the CPS model has been shown to reduce conflict between children and adults, improve relationships and communication, and help kids better appreciate how their own behavior affects others. The CPS model aims to answer three important questions before the child and adult start searching for solutions. Why is the childs behavior challenging? The CPS model assumes that a child is not being defiant or non-compliant willfully. Instead, it assumes that the child would follow through on instructions and behave appropriately if they could. So, parents and teachers are encouraged to reconsider their previous explanations, beliefs, and labels related to the childs behavior. For example, a childs challenging behavior may not be attention-seeking; rather, it may reflect the fact that the child is unable to do what is expected of them at that time. When is the childs behavior challenging? What are the times of the day at school or at home when a child displays challenging behaviors? Is it in the morning before school when everyone is trying to get out of the door? Is it during homework time? Or on the playground during recess? What are the expectations placed on the child at those times? What are the skills they need in order to meet those expectations? What behaviors does the child exhibit when they are being challenging or disruptive? Does the child whine, hit, yell, or become increasingly stubborn? Do they get out of their seat during classwork time, take ten minutes to put on their shoes in the morning, forget to bring their homework to school? The behavior is the signal that there is a gap between the childs skills and the adults expectations. These questions lay the foundation for the CPS approach to problem-solving, which is outlined in the CPS programs Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C. In my next post, Ill discuss these three plans and will point you to resources designed to help parents and teachers use the CPS model at home and in the classroom. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Building A Childs Home Library

Building A Child's Home Library You may have heard the statistic before that owning many books is strongly correlated with higher test scores. If that's not reason enough to build a home library, here are a few more: Your child will always have access to reading material that he or she enjoys. Your child may get excited about having books of his or her own. Collecting books can become a source of pride (for favorite books read) and excitement (for books to be read). Your child will get the sense that reading is important to your family. Never again will your child be able to say that he or she has nothing to read. So, how do you go about creating a collection of books for your child to choose from when reading? Here are a few tips: Go for quality. Some books possess certain attributes that make them appealing to teachers, children and parents alike. These books are not only well written, they might share important messages or themes, and even change readers' perceptions of various events or topics. Try incorporating a few such books into your child's home library. The American Library Association Children's Book Council periodically releases a list of high-quality books (by age) that your child might want to try: http://www.cbcbooks.org/building-a-home-library. Pique the interests. What are some of your child's favorite activities, sports or other extracurricular activities? Search for books on these topics, or talk with your local librarian or bookseller for suggestions. If you're unsure, talk with your child. Instead of asking what kinds of books he or she likes, talk about current events, past events, people, subjects or other topics, and take note of what intrigues your child. The Children's Book Council search tool will help you look for books by age, format and genre. http://www.cbcbooks.org/book-search/ Incorporate recommended titles. Seek out recommendations from your child's peers. Each year, the International Literacy Association and the Children's Book Council survey tens of thousands of readers in the U.S. to assemble a list of favorites. Sit down with your child to peruse this list together: http://www.cbcbooks.org/childrens-choices. For teens, Literacy Worldwide's annual Young Adults' Choices list compiles popular reader-selected books. Perhaps some of these titles will grab your child's interest: http://www.literacyworldwide.org/get-resources/reading-lists/young-adults-choices-reading-list. Give a book allowance. Get your child involved in selecting the contents of his or her home library by establishing a reward system in which your child can earn new reading material. Establish weekly or monthly goals so that as your child finishes books, he or she can pick out new ones during a special monthly outing to the bookstore. Setting up reading as a privilege instead of a have-to will make it seem exciting and fun. If your child seems more intimidated by reading than excited about it, there may be a reason. Explore the issue with Huntingtonwe can help uncover the root of the problem and uncover skill gaps that might be holding your child back. Call us at 1-800-CAN LEARN to talk about how we can help your child become a better reader and student.

How to Learn a New Language Fast 5 Tips That Actually Work

How to Learn a New Language Fast 5 Tips That Actually Work I studied Spanish for seven years in school, but all I can remember is hola and adios.Sound familiar?Learning a new language is one of the most enriching and rewarding skills we can acquire over a lifetime, but why is it so difficult? If you studied a language in school, why are you still unable to carry out a basic conversation?You dont want to spend another seven years re-learning a language the wrong way again, so here are five ways to learn a language fast! How to Learn a Language Fast1. Put Yourself in a Situation Where Growth Is InevitableIf you give yourself an option of using your language skills, chances are you will choose to not use them. Our brain will instinctively choose the decision that is simple and requires less thought. Like acquiring any new skill, learning a new language is going to require strong will. You must consciously lock yourself outside your comfort zone and not allow yourself to step back inside it for a while. Its not an easy decision, and may requir e some creative thought, but the results are well worth the effort.Many people say the best way to learn a new language is by living in the countryâ€"this is not true! More often than not, when you are in that country, the natives will want to practice their English skills when they see you. We live in a world where English is a desirable and lucrative skill to have, so most foreign countries will have an English-speaking population, especially around the larger cities. In this situation, growth is not inevitable; it is still optional.But is it truly possible to keep ourselves in a situation where we have no choice but to use our language skills? Yes!When I  moved to China, I was assigned to work at a school in a less industrialized part of the Shenzhen. Although it was a city of over 12 million people, it was rare to find any Chinese people fluent in English. Most of the time, I was the only foreigner within a given 5-mile radius. This was insanely frustrating at first, but it forc ed me to start learning the language. If I wanted to order food at a restaurant or find my way around the city, I had to start communicating with the locals. Within a few weeks, I acquired dozens of new, useful phrases that may have taken me months to learn otherwise.Not living abroad? No problem! There are still plenty of ways to make learning unavoidable. Some of these might include switching your cell phone or social media to the language you are studying,  committing yourself to a language group or  finding a conversation partner. You can even try visual cues by taping a list of new words to your bathroom and kitchen walls.You might also want to consider checking out Olly Richards Language Learning Foundations video course, which helps solve the commitment problem by walking you through the immediate concerns of learning a language to fluency. Its applicable to any language, but youll receive specific guidance, including homework to keep you on your toes.By forcing yourself into such situations where you  must  use your target language, youre guaranteed to learn faster.2. Value Fluency over AccuracyAnother way to learn at a more rapid pace is to value fluency over accuracy, which is one of the most difficult, yet powerful concepts to comprehend. First, lets clarify what I mean by fluency and accuracy.Fluency  is the ability to express oneself easily and articulately. It means using the language smoothly in real time.Accuracy, on the other hand, is the ability to be correct and precise. It means communicating without any grammatical, vocabulary, tonal and other errors.Yes, these two are distinct entities. You can be fluent in a language without having 100% accuracy. Alternatively, you can have language accuracy while still not being anywhere near fluent. The ultimate goal when learning a new language is to use it fluently, not accurately.This does mean we should forget the importance of accuracy. Yes, you may have slip-ups when using your new language, and thats okay. Think about times when you didnt accurately follow the rules of your native language, but you were still perfectly understood by others. It happens more than we realize.When beginning to learn a new language, resist the urge to start learning as many words as possible. Resist the urge to say each sentence perfectly. Language cannot be learned from a textbook alone. Instead, focus on learning practical, colloquial topics and work your way up from there. Youll save yourself a lot of time and stress.3. Replace Cramming with Spaced Repetition SoftwareIn Mandarin, theres the saying: ???????? which means, Study hard every day and you will improve. But is it really that simple?When you do study on your own, it can  be tempting to try cramming loads of new vocabulary into our brains and then waiting a while before we study again. While this may be effective in the short term, it is ultimately not the way to develop a long-lasting memory.Treat learning a new language different th an you would studying for an exam. There are more effective ways to memorize information that improve the likeliness of long-term learning, such as spaced repetition software (SRS). SRS are computer programs modeled after a process similar to using flashcards.  These flashcards are generated by sophisticated  algorithms that space out the time intervals indicated when each card will appear again on the screen.In other words, easier cards appear less frequently that harder cards, allowing users to spend more time studying the cards that are more difficult. The tough ones continue showing up until they are mastered, giving you the chance to actively learn them more efficiently than other learning styles.By replacing cramming with spaced repetition softwares, youll be saving yourself lots of studying time, and thus learn faster.Once you start using SRS, finding quality learning examples and sentences are going to become a chore.After all, its not enough to just memorize a lot of words. What you really need is a nuanced understanding of them, and you can only get that from actual examples.If you know what I mean, youll want to check out FluentU, the best way to learn a language with real-world videos. FluentU takes real-world videos like music videos, movie trailers, news, and inspiring talks, and turns them into language learning experiences. There is a video-based review learn mode, which of course has an SRS feature.FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with F luentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.So with FluentU, you can learn from authentic, real-world content, and still enjoy SRS. Now you can focus 100% of your time on actually learning.Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the iTunes  or Google Play store.4. Find a Language PartnerTheres no shame in asking someone else for help. So do it!  Asking for help is an action you should be proud of. It shows you take your learning seriously and will do whatever it takes to become a master in your desired skill.With that said, having the support of another person will accelerate your learning immensely. No matter what stage you are at in learning your new language, fi nd someone who is also trying to learn the language. Schedule times to meet up and share any progress and offer feedback for one another.  Exchange resources or tips that have been helpful to you.This can also be a great time to practice your skills with each other. Best of all, you can set goals and hold each other accountable to completing them by the next time you meet.5. Learn from (and Celebrate) Every MistakeIf you are living in an environment that allows you to practice your new language, congrats! Now get ready to make a lot of mistakes.  Its best to leave your ego out of the situation when doing something as difficult as learning a new language. Leave any desires for perfection and any fears of judgment at the door.You can be the smartest person in the world, but if you are stubborn or defensive, youll shield yourself from endless opportunities for growth. Keep in mind that many natives will be grateful and appreciative of your attempt to learn such an important part of the ir culture. Congratulate yourself for even the smallest mistakes because it means you are trying.As you go about your day-to-day life and practice using your new language, resist the urge to judge each conversation as a success or failure. Its tempting to be our own worst critic and beat ourselves up for not remembering a particular word or knowing how to clearly express a thought. Instead, approach each interaction as a new opportunity for you to learn something.Reflect on each conversation and give yourself constructive feedback. Some things you might want to think about are:What words/phrase would have served me in that conversation?What new words did I hear/see?How could I more effectively have a similar conversation in the future?When you start embracing the ups and downs of the learning process, youll better enjoy and appreciate the journey, which sets yourself up for more learning opportunities.Remember, the success comes from the simple fact that you are trying. Use these ti ps and youll be well on your way to learning a new language with grace, speed and ease. Good luck!Frank Macri works with those looking to create off the beaten path lifestyles. For tips on saving (and making) money abroad, unique options to travel for a living,  and wisdom picked up around the world, visit  www.TheFrankLife.com.