Ask an Admissions Expert Kim Glenchur

Ask an Admissions Expert Kim Glenchur Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Kim Glenchur helps young applicants navigate through the college search and perfect their college applications every day through her admissions consulting service, CollegesGPS. She has years of experience in admissions, including being an application reader for the University of California-Berkeley. Kim has also presented many college admission workshops and is a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Kim: Most applications arent available until the late summer, such as the Common Application, which is posted online around August 1st. Late June, however, is a good time to begin working on application essays because that gives a breather after the end of junior-classes and standardized tests, and senior year is only vaguely on the horizon. Colleges often post essay prompts by early summer for the following application season. Procrastinating essay-writing until the fall after school resumes only increases stress. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Kim: Selecting a terrific essay topic actually begins on the first day of high school. Get involved in extracurricular activities. Broaden your world. Taking charge of a project teaches leadership skills as the time and efforts of others must be coordinated. Colleges that require essays are not only looking for great students but also great campus citizens who will contribute to the community and network with their peers. Exploring careers or increasing depth in an area that you like is another way of finding out what makes you tick. If your idea of college is restricted to studying in the library, eating in the dining commons, and sleeping in the dorm and you have no plans for participating in the life of a residential college campus you might want a degree from a commuter or online college instead. No one says that they want to go to college because they want more school after high school. School should reflect a maturation process where neurological abilities are matched by what is being taught. For example, in first grade, one learns to read. By about the fourth grade, one reads to learn. Similarly, mandatory education includes high school. After that, people pay for what they want to learn. This search for an adult role after high school should provoke some questions. What am I good at? What do I like to do? How can I develop my skills and abilities to a level do to what I want to do whether Im hired for a job or become an entrepreneur? By your senior year, having something to talk about makes great essay writing easier. Which activities you do in high school doesnt matter so long as you make the most of the resources available to you. Record the details of any honors or awards received. Keep a journal (not shared on Facebook) with personal reflections or musings, and to remind you about your experiences later for writing those terrific essays. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Kim: An Internet browser can quickly identify essay topics to avoid, though exceptions exist depending on how the writing is handled by the student. Many students lament that they have not had to overcome adversity and often end up writing an essay about the life of a forebear, usually a grandparent, who made good despite all. This tells the college application reader nothing about the student. For students who have not had to overcome hardships, a good read is Bill Gates 2007 Harvard commencement address in which he states, From those to whom much is given, much is expected. Carpe diem is Latin for seize the day. Avoid passivity and shape your own world. Another topic to avoid is vaguely saying that you want to go to college to get a job, please your parents, or get into medical or law school. Where is the students identity in this? Its hard to learn when either your heart is not into the subject matter or you have hell to pay at home for not getting an A. While high school is hard, college will be even harder. Many students never finish college. Motivation is everything. College-level academics means being able to think on your feet, appraise situations with no obvious right answers, being open to new fields of learning, networking, and recognizing opportunities to realize a dream. Life is a journey of personal growth, and the only certainty is change. For some thoughts on motivation and learning, Carol Dwecks Mindset provides a good place to begin. VT:What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Kim: The biggest mistake is not applying to a range of colleges where the student can thrive. It happens, but some students every year are not accepted anywhere. With respect to applications, the biggest mistake is not allowing ample time to complete them. Too often, students forget that the admission decision is based on the application itself, and is not meant as an evaluation of the student as a person. Rushing through an application means not following directions when college admissions officials are happy to answer questions; not answering the prompts to talk about themselves as people beyond the grades, test scores, and activities; not thoroughly proofing the essay, such as editing distracting grammatical errors or naming another institution as being most desirable; or not noticing that the end of an essay was cut off because it exceeded the maximum word limit. Consider the application form as a piece of real estate and make maximum use of each section as is applicable. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Kim: There is no typical process. Some like to read the students biographical information before getting to the rest of the application. Some prefer to zero in on the numbers. Still others begin with small talk questions if they exist on the application, such as favorite foods or music. What is important is evaluating the students accomplishments in the context of their environment. VT: What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Kim: In order to evaluate applicants who have a wide variety of experiences, information is standardized to the extent possible. Some information is no longer requested such as class rank because many schools no longer determine it. Some high schools lack counselors, cant schedule more than five courses per academic year, or dont bestow awards for extraordinary academic merit. Disabilities and events beyond ones control can affect high school performance too. If unusual circumstances exist, be sure to mention them on your application. Applications that require essays usually provide a section for such explanations. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Kim: Online student reviews of colleges and professors, college catalogs, and college newspapers are good places to begin. Geographical terrain and local attractions provide clues on what students do outside of class. If politics matter to you, study national red-blue-purple voting patterns. Visit colleges, notice what is posted on the walls and what people are wearing, eat in the dining commons, and ask admissions about sitting in a class or overnight stays. Narrow the possibilities by April of your senior year because it is unlikely that you can schedule the Open House events of all colleges that accepted you. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Kim: The NACAC explains the differences between application pathways in its Students Rights and Responsibilities brochure. Use your Internet browser to find the pdf. If a students record will not significantly improve during the senior year, and their test scores are available to meet the early deadline, then an early application is possible. An early application signals interest in a college, or can make a student eligible for institutional scholarships. Many highly competitive colleges do fill a good portion of their classes with early applicants, but this may be a chicken-or-egg phenomenon because early applicants tend to have better records than average. Some colleges, such as MIT, say that it makes no difference whether an application is submitted by the early or regular deadline. Know that if you are not accepted, early applications may not necessarily be deferred to the regular pool for further consideration. The most restrictive type of application is Early Decision (ED), which requires the applicant to accept the colleges offer of admission. Before applying ED, its best to decide 1) whether this college is indeed the students most favorite college ever, and 2) if any differences exist between financial aid for ED and regular admittees. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Kim: Aside from arts colleges, which may have portfolio or audition requirements, grades in a rigorous curriculum matter the most. Admissions officials do notice whether a student has taken academically challenging classes. High school transcripts with all As in non-challenging courses that is, when challenging ones are available may reflect a reluctance to develop to the next level instead of a real interest in academics. Doing well in challenging courses is important, however. Perhaps the most common question asked of admissions officers is whether it is better to get an A in a regular course or a B in an AP course. The answer is an A in an AP course. That may be your level of competition when you apply to your favorite college. Some colleges are test-optional, which can mean that in lieu of submitting test scores, the college may require other evidence of academic ability. The most competitive colleges or programs may require SAT Subject Tests or a first course in calculus. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Kim: Every year, try to get to know a few teachers. Participate in class, do your homework, and ask for help when needed. Many teachers also act as club sponsors. If procedures for requesting a letter are provided by your high school, then follow them. These procedures often include a small packet of information about you and the colleges requiring letters to help the teacher write your letter. Some teachers limit the number of letters that they will write, so ask early, say towards the end of the junior year. You will likely need two teacher letters at the most, depending on the requirements of your colleges. You will be trusting your recommender to write a fair yet positive recommendation and to complete and submit the letter on time. This means that a teacher teaching you for the first time in your senior year does not know you well enough to write you a letter. If you are afraid of what a teacher might write about you, then ask another teacher; a bad recommendation means that the student cannot read people very well. Politely make your request in person outside of class time. Give the teacher an out for not writing your letter just in case the teacher knows that his or her letter may not be in your best interest. If a teacher declines to write you a letter, quickly and graciously thank the teacher for considering your request, quietly leave, regroup, and ask another teacher. Usually in recommendation forms, you will be asked to waive your right to review written submissions from counselors or teachers. This right pertains to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Use your Internet browser to learn more about FERPA. By waiving your FERPA rights, the credibility of the letter will be enhanced because the recommender will feel free to write his or her opinion of you. Thus, rather than fret whether you will receive a good recommendation, ask people whom you trust. Visit CollegesGPS for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Online Proportion Formula Tutors

Online Proportion Formula Tutors Proportion is a fixed ratio between two substances. Proportion always maintains a fixed ratio between two fractions. For example, a / b = c / d. It can be written as a : b = c : d. This can also be called as the proportion formula. Proportion in math is defined as the similarity while comparison between two quantities or substances. Proportion is also used between two geometric objects where their dimensions can be compared. Example 1: Find the x in the proportion 2 : y = 10 : 3. Solution: Here the given proportion is 2 : y = 10 : 3. It can be expressed as a fraction in the form. 2 / y = 10 / 3 Now multiply both sides of the equation by y. This gives 2 = 10 y /3. Now multiply both sides of the equation by 3. This gives 10 y = 6. Now divide both sides of the equation by 10. So y = 6 / 10. Hence the value of y for the given proportion = 3 / 5. Example 2: Find the x in the proportion x : 5 = 1 : 15. Solution: Here the given proportion is x : 5 = 1 :15. It can be expressed as a fraction in the form. This gives, x / 5 = 1 / 15 Now multiply both sides of the equation by 5. This gives 5(x/ 5) = (1 / 15) (5). x = 1 / 3. Hence the value of x for the given proportion is= 1/3.

IELTS or TOEFL Frequently Asked Questions

IELTS or TOEFL Frequently Asked Questions Choosing an English proficiency test for immigration or university entrance can be a challenge. Two of the most popular tests are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS). They have similarities and differences you need to know about before you choose so that you make the choice that suits you best. Use the following frequently asked questions and answers to help inform your decision. Good luck, no matter which test you choose! Which is easier, TOEFL or IELTS? That depends. They are both very challenging English proficiency tests. However, the IELTS might be more difficult for you if you’re unfamiliar with British accents and only used to American accents. Both tests may involve accents from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.K., but the TOEFL usually focuses on American English. Also, if you are not comfortable writing on a computer, you may find the online version of the TOEFL test a little more daunting. If you are concerned about the relative difficulty of each exam, consider taking practice tests for both the IELTS and TOEFL to see which one yields a higher score. If your prospective university doesn’t have a preference, go with the one that makes you look the best. Check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation for free. How much do the IELTS and TOEFL cost? Although the exact price will vary by country, in the United States the IELTS costs around $215 to $245 to take, while the TOEFL usually costs less than $200. Depending on your country, taking the TOEFL could cost between $165 and $300. How long do the IELTS and TOEFL tests take? The TOEFL is about four hours long. It is the most common test colleges and universities request for non-native English speakers. The IELTS takes about two hours and 45 minutes to complete. It is more common as a proficiency test for immigration purposes, but many colleges also accept the IELTS. A minute-by-minute breakdown of either test is as follows: Reading: TOEFL 60-80 minutes, IELTS 60 minutes.Writing: TOEFL 50 minutes, IELTS 60 minutes.Listening: TOEFL 60-90 minutes, IELTS: 30 minutesSpeaking: TOEFL 20 minutes, IELTS 11-14 minutes What is the order of the skills tested? Each test is different: reading, listening, speaking, writing for the TOEFL, and listening, reading, writing, speaking for the IELTS. However, students have the option to take the speaking section before the other three sections during the IELTS, if desired. You may take the speaking portion of the IELTS up to a week before or after the other three sections of the test. You must take all four sections of the TOEFL at the same time, but you have a 10-minute break between the listening and speaking sections. Which test is available near me? The IELTS is a paper exam that requires students to go to a specified testing location to complete the test. Although, the TOEFL iBT is available online, you also must visit a testing center to take it. Most people choose the online version of (TOEFL iBT), but you can still take the paper-based test if you can type faster than you write. Consider your writing speed vs. typing speed when deciding whether to test online or in person. The paper-based TOEFL might be the better choice. Find out more here. You can register for the paper-based TOEFL here. In terms of availability, the TOEFL has more than 4,500 testing locations throughout the world and 500 in the United States. The IELTS is available at only 900 locations worldwide and 59 in the U.S. If you live near a big city, you probably won’t have any difficulty finding a testing center. The IELTS runs 48 test dates per year, while the TOEFL offers more than 50. Conduct a search for testing locations near you for both tests. Your ability to take the test in person at a center near you may decide which test is best for you. What do the IELTS and TOEFL test? The TOEFL focuses only on academic English skills, while the IELTS is a more comprehensive English proficiency test. Both tests include the same four sections: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. However, the IELTS’s format has different listening and speaking sections than the TOEFL. The IELTS also tests for general listening and speaking capabilities, not only academic. What should I expect from both tests? Both the TOEFL and the IELTS will test your English language proficiency for all four skills. The reading section on the TOEFL is all multiple choice, while the IELTS will ask some other types of questions, such as fill in the blank and true/false. The listening section on the TOEFL is twice as long as on the IELTS. You will hear a range of difference accents on the IELTS, while the TOEFL only tests for Standard American English. The speaking section on the TOEFL involves explaining your opinions and summarizing information from sources given to you. The speaking section on the IELTS is in person and requires you to prepare to give a short speech, as well as take part in a conversation. In this way, the IELTS is a more interactive test. Correct your IELTS and TOEFL essay writing errors here What is the writing section like on either test? Both written exams have two questions. In the TOEFL, you must read a passage, listen to a two-minute lecture on the same topic, then write a short response to a related question. The second written question on the TOEFL is an opinion essay about a specific subject. In the IELTS, you will have the choice to write either an academic paper or a general training paper. Both take one hour. In the academic paper, you will have to write a short essay about a map, chart, or process before writing an opinion essay. The general training IELTS requires students to write a letter, then write an opinion essay on a subject. Depending on which you choose, the general training IELTS or the Academic IELTS, you should practice writing letters or practice explaining the information in maps, charts and diagrams. What scores do I need to pass? The IELTS scoring system ranks from zero to nine, while the TOEFL’s top score is 120. Each university will require a different score to fulfill its requirements; however, the average scores needed for acceptance into national universities is a 6.3 for the IELTS and a 78 for the TOEFL. The average required scores for national liberal arts colleges is 6.5 for the IELTS and 82.2 for the TOEFL. Find out the minimum passing score required from the organization requiring the test. When will I get my IELTS and TOEFL test results? You will receive your test scores approximately 10 days after taking the TOEFL, or 13 days after the IELTS. Note that your score for either test will expire after two years. Make sure to use your test score within two years of taking the test to avoid having to do it over. Which is better? Most people will do better on one test than the other. The right choice for you depends on your goals. If you need to pass an English proficiency exam to apply to an American university, the TOEFL will probably be the right choice for you, as it only involves academic English. If you’re doing it for immigration reasons, the IELTS might be for you, because you have the choice between the academic and general test. If you want to get into the British education system, do the IELTS academic test. If you are applying to a university abroad, first find out which test your academic institution prefers. Many universities will specify which test you must take. More than 9,000 organizations globally (and 3,000 in the U.S.) accept the IELTS, while more than 10,000 organizations (5,000 in the U.S.) accept the TOEFL. If the organization doesn’t specify a test for you, you’ll have to decide which one you have better odds of passing based on your English background. How can I improve my chances of passing? Practice makes perfect. The more you study, train, and practice for either test, the better you’ll do. If you need help with the written portion of the TOEFL or IELTS, use the free grammar check or proofreader from Virtual Writing Tutor. Check your English proficiency for free using a variety of helpful tools. Sources: https://magoosh.com/toefl/2013/toefl-vs-ielts/ https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2017-02-16/ielts-vs-toefl-what-are-the-differences https://www.ieltsadvantage.com/2015/06/17/ielts-vs-toefl-which-is-easier/ https://www.prepscholar.com/toefl/blog/toefl-vs-ielts/ https://www.quora.com/Which-one-is-easier-IELTS-or-TOEFL-How-much-time-is-required-for-the-preparation-if-I-have-good-English https://www.quora.com/What-is-difference-between-IELTS-and-TOEFL https://www.quora.com/Should-I-take-IELTS-or-TOEFL https://www.quora.com/Which-is-better-IELTS-or-TOEFL Please follow and like us:

Professores da LOI English Alexa Whinery

Professores da LOI English Alexa Whinery Apostar em aulas de conversação online para aprimorar as capacidades em Inglês é algo relativamente novo. Por isso mesmo, conhecer um pouco melhor quem faz este trabalho pode ajudar a que as pessoas se sintam mais à vontade para experimentar essa forma de aprendizado.  Tal como aconteceu na semana passada, tive uma conversa com um dos professores da LOI English, a Alexa  Whinery.Nascida nos Estados Unidos, Alexa já viveu por todo país. Daí que, dependendo do fuso horário no qual se encontra, ela costume ter alunos de diferentes nacionalidades. No entanto, é comum falar com pessoas que vivem no Brasil, na Rússia, na Argentina e no Equador.Uma coisa que me intrigou na sua biografia que está disponível no site foi o fato de ela conhecer diversos sotaques existentes nos Estados Unidos, que tal como acontece no Brasil, variam consoante a região. Segundo Alexa, não existe nenhum sotaque melhor do que outro, pelo que ela não tenta forçar que os seus alunos falem de determ inada forma. Caso queiram aprimorar o seu discurso para ter um sotaque específico, ela ajuda nesse sentido. Porém, não tenta impingir nenhum tipo de sotaque padrão, já que, como ela própria diz, o Inglês é falado por pessoas de diversas nacionalidades e não existe necessidade de inserir o sotaque em uma norma para que o discurso seja compreensível, basta que a pronúncia esteja correta.Falando em pronúncia, questionei Alexa sobre quais eram as maiores dificuldades dos brasileiros que a procuram. Embora não goste de generalizar, dado que prefere tratar cada caso individualmente, Alexa comentou que a pronúncia é uma das dificuldades mais comuns dos estudantes brasileiros, desde os níveis de iniciação até aos mais avançados. Alexa também citou a construção frásica como uma dificuldade, mas, nesse caso, não é tanto uma questão de nível, tendo mais a ver com o fato de se saber pensar em Inglês.Nesse ponto, de aprender a pensar em Inglês para evitar erros na h ora de falar, Alexa referiu que uma das técnicas que usa é a leitura de diálogos e sinopses de filmes e séries, para facilitar o aprendizado da língua, a obtenção de vocabulário e ajudar a que os estudantes consigam se expressar de forma a que o discurso soe mais natural para os nativos. Segundo ela, essa exposição ao Inglês corrente, que é falado atualmente, é uma das maneiras mais eficazes para um não-nativo aprender a falar de forma mais natural.Além disso, a exposição às questões culturais também funciona como uma ajuda essencial. Tal como acontece no Brasil, existem diferentes formas de expressar o mesmo de acordo com as regiões dos Estados Unidos. Daí que, para Alexa, o conhecimento da cultura seja essencial para uma melhor compreensão do idioma.A conversa fluiu naturalmente e uma das coisas que reparei é que ela não gosta muito de generalizações. Para a Alexa, tratar cada estudante individualmente é sagrado. Por isso, ela pareceu ser uma ótima opà §Ã£o para quem está cansado de ser só mais um nos cursos que faz e sente falta de um trabalho mais personalizado.

Can I get a teaching degree online

Can I get a teaching degree online Are you considering enrolling in an online teaching program instead of a classroom-based one? Well then, you’re in luck! As distance learning becomes more and more mainstream, the majority of public and private four-year institutions in the US now offer a wide variety of highly reputable, accredited online teaching degree programs, spanning the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. There are a ton of options out there that are well worth exploring and that offer the same rigorous training and virtually the same job prospects as regular classroom-based teacher training programs in your state. As long as you go opt for an accredited program, your degree will be just as valid as a degree earned through an on-camps teacher education program. 1. Getting your bachelor’s degree in education online. Most online bachelor’s degree programs in education allow participants to specialize, either on a specific grade/age level or subject/content area. These programs will usually help you work towards obtaining a teaching license in the state you want to teach in. However, online bachelor’s degrees in education leading to teacher certification are less common than online graduate degree programs designed for current teachers. If you do find a suitable online teaching degree program offered at the undergraduate level, be warned that while most of the coursework can completed online, you will still need to complete a semester of student teaching in person before you can qualify for your teaching license. It may, however, be possible to complete your student teaching in your local area. So overall, while online bachelor’s degree in education programs are not technically 100% online, these do offer much more flexibility than a traditional, in-person teacher preparation program. Not having to go to class at a set time each week is ideal for anyone already juggling work and family commitments or who lives some distance away from a school of education. If you prefer to learn at your own pace, on your own time, getting a teaching degree online might be just the thing for you! Admission requirements for online bachelor’s degree programs are similar to their on-campus counterparts (usually a high school diploma and admissions test) and take around four years to complete. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. 2. Getting an advanced degree in teaching online. There are plenty of master’s degree programs in education you can apply for without any in-person component, but these are usually explicitly designed for people who already have their teaching certification and are looking for ways to advance their credentials and increase their salary. They typically take two years to complete and popular options include: MA in teaching MS in education There are a select few online master's programs that are designed to give a pathway to teacher certification for people who have an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field or working professionals looking to transition into teaching. There are also online doctoral degrees in education primarily geared towards working educators who are looking to: Move into research or education policy Teach at the college/university level Pursue an administrative or leadership role 11 accredited online teacher certification programs Regardless of whether a program is delivered online or on campus, a traditional teacher preparation program or an alternative certification program, it’s critical to confirm it: Holds regional accreditation Is state approved The most well known accrediting body for teacher training programs in the US is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation(CAEP). Note:Most of the following state-recognized online teaching degree programs qualify graduates to apply for licensure in the state where the school is located. However, some of these may also be eligible for teaching licensereciprocityin your home state. Be sure to check with your department of education regarding licensure requirements and whether any of these meet their criteria. Arkansas State University Online bachelor’s degree in education Ball State University Online bachelor’s degree in early childhood education Eastern Oregon University Online bachelor’s degree program in early childhood education Florida International University Online Bachelor of Science in early childhood education East Carolina University Online teaching degrees(concentrations in kindergarten and computer sciences, delivered in a 100% online, asynchronous format) Appalachian State University Online teaching degree in business and IT education University of North Carolina Wilmington Online teaching degree in elementary education(blended format) The University of Alabama Online bachelor’s degree in early childhood education Grand Canyon University Online bachelor’s education degree programs(concentrations in elementary, early childhood and special education) Indiana Wesleyan University Online bachelor’s degree in early childhood education Walden University Online bachelor’s degree in early childhood studies Can I get a teaching degree online fast? While an alternative teacher certification program will get you into the classroom as a working educator faster (in under a year in some cases), online options are less common, with a few notable exceptions includingiTeach,Teachers of Tomorrow,TeacherReadyandTeach-Now. Why’s that? Well, online alternative teaching certification also typically require you to undergo a teaching practicum at a local school in the state you want to teach in, which you may need to arrange on your own. Before you commit to an online alternative certification program, you’ll need to be sure that you can arrange your student teaching to take place close by - or be in a position to relocate temporarily over the course of the student teaching component of your course. Graduates who desire to teach in public schools in any state must be licensed. Specific requirements vary based on location, but generally, individuals must have a bachelor's degree in addition to completing an accredited teacher education program with student teaching. They must pass a teacher certification exam and, in some cases, additional assessments focused on particular content areas, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Final word of advice:If you’re looking to teach in a public school in any state, you must be licensed. Requirements for licensure do vary state by state, but at minimum, will usually include a bachelor’s degree and completion of an accredited teacher education program with a teaching practicum. For more details on earning your teaching license after completing your teaching degree online, check with your state’s department of education. Good luck!

Language Learning On a Shoestring The Cheap Fluency Guide

Language Learning On a Shoestring The Cheap Fluency Guide Language Learning On a Shoestring: The Cheap Fluency Guide Its hard to separate languages from money.All around the world, people are paying top dollar for access to language education.In most places, that means English classesâ€"anything from English immersion preschool to business English refresher  courses.In the English-speaking world, there are instead news articles and magazine ads that try to  entice you to go abroad or learn from home.Doing so, they say, will increase your lifetime income by tens of thousands of dollars.Whether or not youre planning to learn languages for the economic benefit, though, you probably want to minimize your costs up front.When it seems like language learning is a matter of financial investment rather than of putting in the time and effort, it might make you wonder whether its even worth it.But did you know you can learn languages without breaking the bank?Below are resources and tips for doing just thatâ€"along with a couple of reasons why spending a little money might not be a bad idea. Language Learnin g On a Shoestring: The Cheap Fluency GuideTip #1: Get Professional Courses On the CheapDid you know you can access or download complete, professionally-made language courses for free?Im not even talking about the free beginner-intermediate app courses like Duolingo.Some publishers make courses and release them absolutely free of charge onlineâ€"either stand-alone or to promote other material:Routledge, maker of the Colloquial course books, offers the companion audio files to each book free on their website. So if you can get a copy of the book used or at a library, the audio companion is yours to explore.A European organization called 50Languages (formerly known as book2) has produced a complete introductory audio course inâ€"you guessed itâ€"fifty languages. Each course is broken up into 100 lessons, with every line recorded slowly and clearly by native speakers.Rounding out the selection of complete courses, there are dozens of older FSI, DLI, Cortina and Peace Corps courses that have entered the public domain and are freely accessible with their audio intact. Theyre available at The Yojik Website.Keep in mind that these courses arent necessarily without their drawbacks. For example,  the FSI (Foreign Service Institute) and DLI (Defense Language Institute)  courses were mostly developed by the United States government in the 1960s and 1970s to prepare diplomats and military personnel for placement abroad.Due to their age and target audience, the language taught is rather formal and perhaps outdated.  Not only will you never learn how to ask for the WiFi password, it’s likely that all the dialogues will use the formal pronouns. You’re definitely going to have to supplement these courses with other, more modern material.However, despite these slight disadvantages, the pedagogy behind the courses is sound. They were designed to be used in a classroom setting and are extremely thorough. If you have the stamina to stick through a few hundred hours of grammar and vocabulary drills, these are the courses for you. Theres a loyal following of language learners online who adore these high-quality free materials.Some of the other courses above are designed to be more basic and may not cover everything you need to learn.However, even after youve finished whatever free language courses there are online, you can still find a whole world of free language content just waiting to be used. One of the most overlooked places for this is likely right in your hometown.Even the tiniest public libraries  usually have at least moderate collections of foreign language material.Take a trip over there (or use the online catalog) to see if you can find some  famous name-brand coursesâ€"not to mention some page-turners in the Foreign Literature section.Tip #2: Take Advantage of Free Trials and DiscountsTheres another category of resources that can give you a lot of content for little or no money.I’m talking about paid language learning websites here. But why do they make an appearance in an article like this?Because many sites offer free trials or limited free access to their content. And pretty much all of them have extensive blog or advice sections with tips and tricks for learning languages.Aside from that, not all paid language learning sites cost a lotâ€"you can often take advantage of cheaper plans that give you limited access, and depending on what youre looking for, this can be more than worth it.Take FluentU for instance. It’s a website offering native-language videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"with clickable dual subtitles so that you can look up words instantly. Not only is there a free trial, but pricing differs according to what you need (check out the Basic plan if youre on a budget). Plus, the FluentU blogs give you some of the best learning material you can find online entirely for free, and cover popular languages like French, German, Spanish, Chinese and more.Glossika is another p rolific website with a language course count pushing 60. Apart from an extensive blog and free PDF section, this audio-based site offers a 7-day free trial for major languages and unlimited access to minority or endangered languages. So this might be a good site to check out if youre learning an obscure language.Tip #3: Explore Global News Content OnlineSince youre reading this post, youve likely already started looking for language resources online.But some of the best may barely even register as language resources at all.News sites like GlobalVoices, BBC.com  or NHK World  may seem at first to be completely unrelated to language learning.However, each of these sites translates their content into more than a dozen languages to reach a foreign audience. GlobalVoices even has the links to the translations conveniently located above every article!Major newspapers in cities all over the world now have multimedia websites with hundreds of hours of audio or video content to keep the inte rmediate or advanced learner occupied.By downloading and formatting these translated articles into side-by-side parallel texts, you can quickly check the meaning of an article while continuing to expose yourself to natural, authentic native content.Tip #4: Connect and ShareThe internet was built to connect people.And you can ride that connection straight into a new language experience.Online Language ExchangeThere are two major players on the field of online language exchange right now:  WeSpeke and Hellolingo.Both of these are full-fledged social networks that function similarly to Facebook or WhatsApp.HelloLingo is the third iteration of a vibrant online language exchange community dating back to the mid-2000s called SharedTalk.It’s reinvented itself a few times, but the core concept remains the sameâ€"connecting people through text and voice chat so that they can help one another learn languages.WeSpeke is more of a rounded-out social experience, where you can search for people with the same interests or background as you and add them as friends. In addition to text and audio chat, video chat is built right into the platform!On both sites, you simply register with your native language and the languages you’re looking to learn, and browse around to find people with the opposite language profile.Since English is so important worldwide, native English speakers often find themselves swamped with invitations for free practice!Online Language Learning CommunitiesAnd outside of these specialized exchange websites, you can also find enormous communities of language learners online.One of the largest active forums for language learners can be found, naturally, at language-learners.org. Its biggest section is the language log page, where members keep regular diaries of their progressâ€"usually learning three or four languages at a time.There are also regular forum-wide challenges, including the Free and Legal Challenge. Thats exactly what it sounds like: learning a language only using legally available free materials.Lastly, if youre more the social media type, the Polyglot Club Facebook group is one of the largest language-themed Facebook pages.Facebook moves much faster than a traditional forum, but as long as you stay on top of it, you can use it as a hub to share tips, resources and even set up impromptu language exchanges.Tip #5: Spend Money to Save MoneySticking to free resources can be a great challenge. But theres often an opportunity cost associated with tracking down free online files or waiting for a conversation partner to appear online.And that cost is time.If youre a busy learner or financially motivated to learn a language, there comes a point when spending a little bit of money on the right thing can get you pretty far pretty fast.For example, if you know exactly what you need to learn, then it makes a lot of sense to buy a course tailored to your needs.Perhaps youve got a job working retail and you notice that youre losing potential sales because you cant communicate with Chinese customers looking for cosmetics.Buying a course for business or retail Mandarin could be a direct solution to your problem, and youll likely see benefits much faster than if you started with a free general course.You may also consider hiring a specialized tutor as an alternative to free language exchange.On  italki, you can search for professional, experienced tutors who specialize in specific areas of language education like test preparation, business and more.If your future immigration or job prospects hinge on demonstrating foreign language proficiency, a bit of money spent on an exam-focused tutor could pay off big later.Whichever way you slice it, learning a language without dropping serious cash is an appealing prospect.It takes hard work, but in my view, the best resources for learning are the ones that youre passionate about or fascinated by.Once you can dive into the wealth of native-language content online, youre ju st about set for the rest of your language learning journey.And when your level gets high enoughâ€"maybe youll be the one making the free resources!

Yingtan No.1 High School

Yingtan No.1 High School Yingtan No.1 High School Yingtan No.1 High School is located at the Capital of Taoism - the City of Yingtan. It was founded in 1956 and is one of Key Secondary Schools in Jiangxi Province and is ranked into Top 100 secondary schools in China several times. The school has 248 teachers, 40 of them have Masters degree. The school has about4500 as of 2016. The campus is one of the biggest in the province and has a land sizeof58 acres, all classrooms have projectors, high speedinternet, pc, etc. Yingtan No.1 High Schoolhas wonone Gold Medal in International Math Olympiad and one Gold Medal in International Chemistry Olympiad, respectively. It has won the Provincial Mens Basketball Champion once, and Acrobat Tournament 1st prize once. The Taekwondo team has won 2 silver medals and 7 bronze medals in the national tournaments. The Robotics Team has won two gold medal and one bronze medal in the National Robotics Competition. The school joined AMC Club China in 2009 and was the only school in Jiangxi Province at that time.