How to Prepare for Your Med School Admissions Interview Part 4

How to Prepare for Your Med School Admissions Interview Part 4 By Michelle Finkel, MD Insider Medical Admissions The following piece was written byDr. Michelle Finkel. Michelle has been featured in ourAdmissions Expert seriesand is a former Harvard Medical School faculty member. She is the founder ofInsider Medical Admissions. Success at your medical school interview can hinge on subtle components of the day that you might not even consider to be influential until it's too late for damage control. Several of those points were covered in my last Varsity Tutors blog entry, which included two important topics that I called You can check out anytime; but you can never leave and Thats amore. Please also take a look at my July Varsity Tutors blog entry on medical interviews for advice on how to Let your story show your glory and how to Fake it until you make it, and my August entry emphasizing that You can run; you can hide; but you cant escape. Now, lets review some more nuances of the interview day. Shiny Happy People Holding Hands In an effort to attract desirable applicants, some medical schools invite candidates to social events immediately before or during the interview day. These events may include dinner, lunch, or an optional hospital tour with students.Some institutions will even offer an optional happy hour the night before to meet the schools current medical students. It's in your interest to attend these events; they show schools that you are serious about their programs, afford you the opportunity to score social points, and allow you to gain valuable information about students' satisfaction. These events are also an opportunity to get to know other applicants whom you might end up seeing next year as fellow class members. Finally, the social events allow you to relax a bit and perhaps even get to know the city surrounding the school. However, there is a caveat youll want to know before you attend these events: Ensure you act professionally, and disregard promises that what you say will not affect your candidacy or get back to Admissions. Even if everyone has good intentions, information garnered from these events can make its way to decision-makers. If you had a bad experience at the interview day, hate the city the school is in, or know your first choice is a different school, these social events are not the time to reveal that information to current medical students. Don't unwittingly provide the torpedo that sinks your candidacy. Importantly, this rule is especially pertinent for those applicants who choose to stay at students houses or dorms. Be friendly, but dont blab. Keep your ears open to hear what students think are the pros and cons of their institutions, but dont feel obligated to share your negative opinions. Remember that once you are accepted, you can always be more explicit about your concerns and ask frank questions to current students. You've Got to Hide Your Love Away Speaking of being frank, applicants have valid personal reasons for considering an institution less desirable than another. These may include family or health concerns, or a significant others opinion or career. Certain personal details are not the business of the interviewer and are considered off limits. However, if you are sitting in a small room with a faculty member whose opinion will largely affect your professional future and you are asked a personal question, it may be hard to maintain your privacy. When I was interviewing for residency, an interviewer asked me if I had a boyfriend. As it turned out, he asked all of the women who interviewed that day that exact same question. (We spoke to each other confidentially after the interview day had ended.) Why would the interviewer pose an illegal question like this, and what should you do if you are asked? Likely, the interviewer is trying to get a sense for whether you are serious about an institution. If you have a significant other or children, their concerns may affect your decision-making. Again, this line of questioning is illegal and distasteful, but, sadly, there are still interviewers who might pose these questions to assess your interest in their institutions. If you are asked these types of questions, you can simply answer if it's not objectionable to you, or respond by addressing the intent of the question without revealing personal information. For example, you could say, I think what youre asking me is whether I am serious about this medical school, and I can assure you I would be thrilled to receive an acceptance and matriculate here. Alternately, you can also decline to answer the question; of course, this tactic might cost you the position you are seeking as unfair as that is. (In my case, I answered the question, but then mentioned the incident to a faculty member at my school who had trained at the residency where I had been interviewed. The faculty at my school later told me the interviewer had been dismissed from his admissions responsibilities.) Next month, Ill offer more tips on the medical interview process. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Differential Calculus Tutors

Differential Calculus Tutors Differential calculus is one of sub field of calculus which is concerned with the study of rate at which quantity changes. The object of study of differential calculus is derivative of a function .Differentiation is a process of finding Derivative. Differential calculus is connected with fundamental theorem of calculus. Differentiation is used in many applications. For example, in physics the derivative of velocity with respect to time is acceleration. Derivative of a function f(x) is defined by d/ d x (f(x). Problem 1: Compute the derivative of the function f(x) = 5x^3 - 9x +8cos x Solution: Given the function f(x) = 5x^3 - 9x +8cos x = To find derivative of 5x^3 subtract one from the variable power and multiply the original power by the variable. = Here 3 is the power of x. subtract one from 3. (3-1 = 2) = Now multiply the original power by the variable, which gives 5. 3x^2 = 15x^2 = Now take -9x, we get the derivative as -9 = For 8 cos x = - 8 sin x (since cos x = - sin x) = Therefore, the derivative of 5x^3 - 9x +8cos x is 15x^2 -9 8 sin x Problem 2: Compute the derivative of the function f(x) = (x^2 + 1) ^5 Solution: Given the function f(x) = (x^2 + 1) ^5 = To find derivative of this function take (x^2 + 1) as y = So y^5 = 5y^4 (as per power rule of derivative) = Now find the derivative of y = x^2 + 1 = 2x (power rule) = Derivative d f(x) / d x= 5y^4. 2 x = We know y = (x^2 + 1) = Therefore, Derivative of f(x) = 5(x^2 + 1) ^4. 2x = 10x(x^2 + 1)^4.

Where Can I Find Tutoring Jobs as a Voice Coach

Where Can I Find Tutoring Jobs as a Voice Coach All of the Ways You Can Teach Singing ChaptersTeach Singing OnlineBecome an In-Home Singing TeacherTeaching Singing at a Music CollegeBecome a Music Teacher in a State SchoolStarting Your Own ChoirThe musical score is one  thing  and the  singing part  is  another. If you have the music in your head, and you  sing  it with your  body, you'll be all right.We owe these words to Luciano Pavarotti.Are you passionate about singing and do you dream of turning this passion into a career?Do you wish to share your knowledge of music and singing?Are you keen to accompany your students in their learning of vocal techniques and performance skills?Helping students to find their voice, develop their vocal technique and believe in themselves are all key roles for singing teachers.There are many ways you can become a singing teacher.Teach at home, at a music college or in a state school, according to what best suits you!So, what elements should you take into account before you make a decision on where to teach singing? 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 tutorsTeach Singing OnlineThe simplest solution for starting out as a singing teacher is without doubt offering online tutoring jobs to teach singing online.The internet removes a lot of the usual obstacles when it comes to teaching.Even the art of singing can be taught via a Skype call just as it is face to face, as teacher and student have the means to directly communicate over the internet.This means that you can discuss singing techniques, exchange ideas, advise your pupil and teach them music theory without letting your geographical location stand in your way!Offering voice lessons online gives you access to thousands of aspiring performers ¦ source: Pixabay - SkitterphotoTeaching singing online offers many advantages for both teacher and student:Easy planning: internet gets rid of the problem of distance and travelling, so you have more time for teaching.An increased number of potential students: This is especially important if you live in a rural area as the internet puts you in contacts with students all over the world!Low running costs: Once you’ve invested in your own musical equipment, you’ll be ready to go with no need to lend any material to your students.However, teaching at a distance does come with some disadvantages. Firstly, online lessons necessitate a very specific approach to teaching. This means that you will have to learn to share your knowledge using only your voice.It's not always easy to explain the correct posture to a pupil using only words, nor the right way to breathe or how to control their vibrato. This means that you will have to find a way to adapt your teaching and make sure that your pupil has the correct resources.Become an In-Home Singing TeacherAnother option is to provide private singing lessons, which are also incredibly easy to organise!Becoming a voice teacher is a great way to turn your passion into a career and develop your own business whilst seeing your students blossom as performers.And, of course, there are many advantages to being an in-home vocal coach:Managing yourself as a self-employed teacherChoosing your teaching methodsChoosing your pupilsBeing able to work full or part-timePersonalising your lessonsChoosing the type of lessons you want to give and the areas you want to specialise inAs a private singing teacher, you can operate as self-employed. This means that you will be in full control of your pricing and what you earn.Inspire young minds and help build the confidence of each performer ¦ source: Pixabay - klimkinYou can teach in your home or travel to those of your students, depending on what works best for you.I t’s usually easier to deliver lessons from your own home, especially if you use a piano to accompany your students.You don’t need any specific qualifications to start out as a home teacher. All you will need to do is give your clients an indication of your experience so they can decide whether you are the right singing teacher for them. 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 tut ors 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 tutorsTeaching Singing at a Music CollegeDo you prefer the idea of becoming a full-time teacher in an educational establishment that specialises in music?If this is the case, applying for roles in music colleges and conservatoires will suit you.As a teacher at an establ ishment such as this, you will need the skills to teach a range of pupils of varying ages and abilities.The aim of music school is to give pupils a full experience of the world of music and a high level of knowledge about their instrument. Their approach is traditional yet well-structured and, most importantly, thorough.When it comes to the teaching of singing, as with any instrument, there is a great deal of music theory to learn as students’ ears become more musically intelligent.There are also several options for singing lessons:Individual vocal coachingGroup singing lessonsTraining in music theoryChoir rehearsalsSinging teachers who operate in music colleges are usually qualified professionals, however, the level of prowess varies from school to school.Become a Music Teacher in a State SchoolAnother possibility for aspiring singing teachers is becoming a teacher in a primary or secondary school.If you choose to follow this path, you should be aware that your lesson content may not be completely chosen by yourself.Music education, like education in maths and English, is taught according to the national curriculum.Having an official curriculum ensures that every child across the UK receives the same level of education in each subject. Though music, by nature, is still quite free, you will have to adapt your own knowledge to fit this system.Among the main objectives of music education in schools are:Musical ear trainingLearning about cultural and artistic movements throughout historyLearning to play an instrumentLearning to play as part of an ensembleIf you’d like to take your passion beyond the classroom, there’s always the school choir! Most schools have a choir, and if yours doesn’t, why not set one up?Challenging though it may be, teaching in a school comes with a host of rewarding opportunities ¦ source: Pixabay - coyotIf you decide to teach in an educational establishment, you’ll not only be expected to teach your pupils about your area of ex pertise but introduce them to the world of music on a wider scale.You should also bear in mind that teaching in a school means that all of your pupils will be children and teenagers.This is important as you will need to rely on your previous teaching experience and adapt it to the school environment.You may find that the difficulties you encounter as a school teacher are different to the ones you experience as a private singing teacher. In school, you may have to deal with:a lack of motivation from the students, who are required to be in your lesson by law and not by their own desirehaving a large number of students in each class which may make for a bigger challenge in terms of individual learningHowever, with enough experience and appropriate training, you can easily overcome the challenges of life as a school teacher and appreciate the benefits of the profession.One of these benefits of working full-time in a school is the stability of the pay. Unlike working as a self-employed s inging teacher where your pay depends on the number of clients, your salary as a teacher is guaranteed.If you want to teach music in a school, there are a few qualifications you need. Firstly, you’ll need to have achieved at least a grade C in your maths and English GCSEs, and you’ll need to have graduated from university with a degree relevant to your subject. The final requirement is that you have a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which is a certification of your teacher training.Starting Your Own ChoirTeaching ensemble singing is a brilliant opportunity to share your passion for music with others.According to a survey conducted by Singing Europe, there are 37 million collective singers in Europe!Choirs play an important role in school and community life. And for singing teachers, they mean an opportunity to:Develop a choral style and showcase their arrangement skillsChoose a musical genre (classical, jazz, gospel, etc.)Work with a team of musiciansEnter into com petitions and win prizes for your workGetting together and working with your own choir is an exciting and rewarding challenge.It requires that you hold auditions, identify vocal styles and find your soloists.You could also open your choir to amateur singers without an audition to help more people discover the wonder of choral singing.Member of your choir will be able to work on their own vocal technique and as the choirmaster, it’s your job to oversee the development and progress of the group.Regardless of your teaching and rehearsal methods, by joining a choir, your students will quickly learn the basics of singing and performing, including how to warm up their voices, controlling their breathing and mastering their vibrato.

Joyeuse Fête des Pères French Vocabulary for Fathers Day

Joyeuse Fête des Pères French Vocabulary for Fathers Day Madalyn Danielson Whereas France and the U.S. celebrate  Mother’s Day  on different days in May, both countries celebrate Father’s Day on the same day every year: the third Sunday of  June. Known in France as Fête des Pères, young children often show appreciation for their fathers by making crafty items, such as ties and bow ties made out of paper and cardboard picture frames made from cereal boxes. Older children, like those in the U.S., will often buy their father a gift that they know hed  love. Needless to say, Fathers Day is the perfect opportunity to show your dad how much you appreciate  all that he does for you. And if you want to celebrate this holiday in the French fashion, you will need this  French vocabulary for Father’s Day to show your father how much care you for him! French Words  to Describe Your Family Just like in English, the French have two words to describe fathers. Père is the French equivalent of father,. The less formal version (or the same as the English word “dad”) is actually one that we often use in English: papa. It is just one of the many words that the English language has borrowed  from French. When a father talks about his children, he refers to his son as mon fils. For a daughter, he will say ma fille. Finally, if the children’s mother was involved in helping the children prepare gifts, the father would thank ma femme, or “my wife.” French Gifts  for Fathers Day Sometimes it can be tricky to find a gift for your dad  on Fathers Day, but France has several customary gifts  that are frequently shared for  this special occasion. Here is a bit of  French vocabulary for Father’s Day that will help you talk about the gifts that you can give to your father. A  stereotypical French gift is the tie (or necktie), known as a  cravate. Additionally, the French give roses to their fathers. If your father is still alive, you give him roses rouges, or red roses (actually, the direct translation is roses red). If your father has passed away, you deliver roses blanches, or white roses, to his grave. Of course, the best gift for Father’s Day is to give  him your time, or temps. There is nothing like taking your dad out to a nice French meal and telling him how much you love and appreciate  him! French  Phrases for Fathers Day What all fathers really want to hear is that you appreciate their efforts on your behalf. To thank your dad  for everything he has done, you would say, “Merci beaucoup.” To tell your father that you love him, you would say, Je t’aime, papa. And last but not least, an  important phrase for the day will be  Joyeuse Fête des Pères, or Happy Father’s Day! To show your dad what you have learned from your French studies, impress him with more than just the typical present. Tell him what he means to you using French vocabulary for Fathers Day! Feature photo by  Roadsidepictures 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

Listening and Writing Exercise Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Listening and Writing Exercise Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the U.S. today we are celebrating one of the greatest American citizens of all time, the honorable Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In celebration and remembrance  of this great man we have a listening exercise based on an interview he gave.This interview highlights  what an amazing and intelligent individual he was. Dr. King continues to be a hero in the U.S. Not only does he hold an important place in American history, but he is also an example of the best  of what Americans can accomplish.Watch the interview with Dr. King below, then try to answer the questions.  Answer the questions in comments below, and well respond.Where is Dr. King located and where is the panel located?What was the purpose of the March? What happened that was tragic?What did Governor LeRoy Collins hope for after the demonstrations?How long will the demonstrations continue?Dr. King thinks there are a lot of good white people in Alabama. T/FWhat is the most essential thing for King to end the demonstrations?What is the 3rd problem that Dr. King wants to address?The questions from the panel reflect their personal views. T/FWas the marching demonstration illegal?What two types of laws does Dr. King observe?Kings Letter From The Birmingham Jail is one of the best examples of essay writing in English. Weve created an exercise using the text below. In the first part, choose the word that  best completes the sentence. In the second, choose the correct definition of the words in purple. Finally, answer the three questions at the end.My Dear Fellow Clergymen: While _________ (a. visiting, b. staying,  c. confined) here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities unwise and untimely. Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructiv e work. But since I feel that you are men of ________ (a. genuine, b. mostly, c. some)  good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.I think I should indicate why I am here in Birmingham, since you have been influenced by the view which argues against outsiders coming in. I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization ________(a. controlling, b. protesting, c.operating) in every southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. We have some eighty five affiliated organizations across the South, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. Frequently we share staff, educational and financial resources with our _________(a. enemies, b. affiliates, c. friends). Several months ago the affiliate here in Birmingham asked us to be on call to engage in a nonviolent direct action program if such were deemed necessary. We readily consented, and when the hour came we ________ (a. lived up, b. lived in, c. lived for) to our promise. So I, along with several members of my staff, am here because I was invited here. I am here because I have organizational ties here.But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their thus saith the Lord far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.Home Towns   a. Place where you were born and raised. b. Where your parents live. c. Town your ancestors are from.Compelled a. Someone asks you to do something. b. A sense of duty. c. To be forced to do something.Aid a. Justice. B . Compliance. c. Help.Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial outside agitator idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.Dr. King feels that they should wait for justice patiently to come to all states and countries. (T/F)You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham. But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations. I am sure that none of you would want to rest content with the superficial kind of social analysis that deals merely with effe cts and does not grapple with underlying causes. It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the citys white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative.What reasons does Dr. King give for the demonstration?In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action. We have gone through all these steps in Birmingham. There can be no gainsaying the fact that racial injustice engulfs this community. Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known. Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in the nation. These are the hard, brutal facts of the case. On the basis of these conditions, Negro leaders so ught to negotiate with the city fathers. But the latter consistently refused to engage in good faith negotiation.Is Birmingham during Dr. Kings time a peaceful city?You can read the full letter here.

Making Learning a Foreign Language Fun!

Making Learning a Foreign Language Fun! Learning a foreign language can be a huge challenge for students. There’s vocabulary to learn, a plethora of tenses to absorb, and a whole new accent to perfect. Often, students can get lost in the minutia and details, losing engagement to the broader picture of cross-cultural connection and the enjoyable challenge of language learning. At AJ Tutoring, our tutors can help students cultivate an interest and appreciation for the languages they are learning while also showing great progress with class assignments and tests.Click here to learn more about our foreign language programs! Quite often, a student comes to AJ disliking the language she’s learning because she feels overwhelmed by all of the new vocabulary, verbs conjugations, and syntaxes to memorize or the stress of preparing for a high stakes exam like the AP Exam or SAT Subject Test. Parents want to help their student be successful, but they don’t know how because most adults haven’t studied a new language since high school.When learning a foreign language, it is important to constantly remember the bigger picture. Each lesson and each year a student is expected to learn new grammar concepts and new vocabulary. Think of those as lego pieces. As time passes, a lego masterpiece starts to form. The learning curve can be frustrating, but it helps to know that, as the years pass, the journey gets more rewarding because the fruits of labor can be harvested. Envisioning a trip to a foreign country or even a fluent conversation with a foreign language-speaking friend can make the rewards of language learning feel more concrete.  In the meantime, practicing the language with classmates, parents, and friends or watching movies in the target language can remind students of the benefits to their study. Always knowing that there is a bigger picture and there are reasons we are learning each concept helps with wanting to master the language.Here you can find some helpful online resources to aid with practice for languages commonly taught to students at Bay Area schools: http://www.wordreference.com/ https://studyspanish.com/ http://www.bonjourdefrance.co.uk/ https://newsela.com/articles/#/rule/spanishWith language learning, targeted practice and 1-on-1 coaching are highly effective. Private tutoring is commonly thought to be the most impactful way to improve reading, writing, and speaking skills. At AJ, our tutors come to us with a breadth of experience and background in helping students progress with their studies of foreign languages like Spanish, French, Latin, and Mandarin. Our educators are able to bring perspective to everyday lessons and turn the most difficult parts of learning the language into more enjoyable and engaging activities.Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help your student with foreign language study!

The Top 10 Tactics for Learning to Speak Any Language Fluently

The Top 10 Tactics for Learning to Speak Any Language Fluently The Top 10 Tactics  for Learning to Speak Any Language Fluently You’re doing it wrong!Well, only if youre not focusing the brunt of your attention on speaking your new language.Are you building your  language learning process  upon grammar rules and written exercises?Focused on those little details of the language?Writing out tons of vocabulary lists?Of course those aspects are super important too, especially when it comes to mastering reading, writing and listening. However, you wont get far if youre missing the crucial element of fluency: speech.Theres a common problem for many learners who focus on rules and proper writing, but  who  don’t practice their speech: They cannot understand native speakers and they choke during real conversations. We don’t want that to happen to you.We want you to act completely natural when you start speaking to a native, so you’ll make new friends and so everyone will be impressed. That’s why weve nailed down the 10 best learning tactics that will help you  speak  fluently. The best part is that theyre a pplicable to any language you decide to learn. The Top 10 Tactics  for Learning to Speak Any Language Fluently1. Talk when you read and writeWriting is a really important part of language learning, so you should never neglect it. You need to complete different exercises that challenge you to answer questions, choose the right word that fits into a sentence, write essays and compose email messages.You’ve surely noticed that most lessons in grammar books come with a review and practice section. Instead of solving these parts mechanically, you can take your effectiveness to a whole new level: read out loud.  Read anything that you read or write in your target language out loud.Don’t be afraid to get silly and try to mimic the accent of a true native while doing this. Once you get in an actual conversation, your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary will shine through proper speech. Youll also get a confidence boost, which is extremely valuable for progress.2. ThinkPeople say you’ re not fluent in a foreign language until you catch yourself thinking in it. That makes sense. You can’t achieve high levels of fluency if youre constantly thinking in your native language and doing mental translations.Thinking 100% in a target language at the very beginning of your practice is difficult, but this simpler technique will drive you forward:  Learn how to say your most commonly said words and phrases in your target language.Think about all the short and simple sentences you use in your daily communication, and then  translate them into the language you’re learning. What do you use at the grocery store? At the post office? On the bus? At work? At home? Learn how to say them, and then always think them to yourself as you go about your daily business.Be careful, thoughâ€"literal translations don’t always work. Idioms usually require liberal interpretation, so you’ll need to do a research to see how certain phrases are being used in the language you’re learning. That’s a useful practice that will help you remember conversational phrases.3. Watch movies with subtitlesYou never bother watching movies without synchronization? You need to step away from that habit. Subtitles may seem  boring and distracting on the surface level, but theyre not the most important factor in this exercise. It’s the native speech you want to hear (and learn).There are a few phases in watching a foreign movie if you want to extract speaking lessons:First, you watch it while reading the subtitles. If theres a word you don’t understand, write it in your personal dictionary and define it.Pronounce those words and try to get the accent right. Fit them into sentences of your own, so you’ll understand how they can be used in different situations.Now, watch the movie again. Don’t read the subtitles this time. It’s important to understand as much of the speech  as you can. Then you can move to the next step that will take your fluency to the next level.Not at a level where you can realistically do the above? Or just think that sounds way too tedious for you? Instead of doing it with a movie, try the videos on FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videos from around the webâ€"including movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.FluentU makes sure all the captions in a video actually match up to the speech you hear, makes it super easy to pause and replay continually, and even gives you instant word lookup so you dont need to bother with looking stuff up in a dictionary.4. Imitate!Remember that movie? Watch it again! Sure, youre all too familiar with the scenes by now, but you won’t get bored because this is a learning method with a purpose. Pause the film frequently and imitate the speech.Listen to the way the actors pronounce the words and try to do the same.Once youre able to move your tongue faster and juggle those foreign sounds more easily, stop pausing and just try to parro t back what the characters are saying at the same time!  This requires you to understand every word they say in the moment and spit it out quickly. Once youre imitating like a legit parrot, your accent will start to get closer and closer to that of the native speaker youre imitating.5. Listen to local music and learn the lyricsThe words flow naturally when you sing, and you can usually get the pronunciation right when you sing.Music is also fun because it connects you to the culture you’re researching. Of course, you have to choose music with lyrics if you want to work on your fluency. Find the lyrics online and try to sing along. Thanks to the vast information on the Internet, lyrics of any song in any language are usually availableâ€"along with translations and romanized versions (if necessary).It doesn’t matter whether you have a talent  for music or not. The only important thing is to follow the flow of the words. Theres nothing more fluent than words connected through singi ng.6. Read local literatureEvery country and culture has its masterful writers. Miguel de Cervantes wrote in Spanish, Italy has Dante, Hugo presented the sophistication of French expressions, and the great Tolstoy and Dostoevsky revealed new dimensions of the Russian language. It’s important to explore the literature written in the language you’re learning. It’s even better when you read it out loud. You may also try to succeed in different online literature tests.Poetry has an even more awesome effect because it teaches you about rhythm. Of course, poetic expression is a bit more difficult to comprehend, so you’ll need to achieve higher levels of fluency to understand complex poems.7. Find a language learning buddyEven when you’re imitating the actors from a foreign movie, you won’t notice that your pronunciation is a little off sometimes. The human mind is a peculiar thing. It can easily distort our impressions and we may think we speak perfectly even when we’re maki ng serious mistakes. That’s why you need a friend who will join you on this journey.You can talk in the foreign language and correct each other when needed. The corrections may lead to heated discussions about the proper pronunciation of certain words, but the confrontations will be productive when you analyze native speech together.You can also make plans and set goals together, increasing your level of accountability and keeping you on track to fluency.8. Talk to a native speakerWhen you manage to amaze natives with your vocabulary and pronunciation, that’s when you can call yourself a fluent speaker. Your friends are great support when you learn a foreign language together, but they cannot replace natives.Some of the things you can do is travel or find a native in your area. You may consider taking a semester abroad in another country. Some countries, like Germany, offer wide range of programs through reputable language and culture institutes. If that doesn’t work, the Inte rnet will come to the rescue.Conversation Exchange is a platform that can help you find native speakers living in your area. You’ll connect. You’ll meet for a coffee and help each other become fluent in the languages you’re learning.Speaky is a worldwide language learning community where you can meet people from 180+ countries and connect with them to practice your language skills online.9. TravelWhen you want to become really fluent in a certain language, you have to understand the culture that speaks it. It’s important to see and feel that country from the inside. That’s when all idioms and phrases start making sense.You’ll meet many native speakers who will be happy to help you learn the language better. Traveling is not a simple decision to make, mainly because it costs a lot. However, theres no goal you can’t achieve with proper planning and budgeting.10. Analyze different dialectsIf youre fluent in the standardized form of the language you’re learning, it’s t ime to move to a master level: dialects. Explore the way natives speak in different areas of their countries. Try to learn words specific for those areas and experiment with the way the same words are being pronounced across the country.Your goal to become fluent in a foreign language will be a lifetime journey. Theres no peak that you can achieve.Youll always find new heights to reach. All above-listed methods have one thing in common: Theyre really fun.And theyre bound to help you boost your levels of fluency without serious difficulties! And One More ThingIf youre digging these tactics, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU 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.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz 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.Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the iTunes store  or Google Play store.

3 Things to Consider When Choosing a College - TutorNerds

3 Things to Consider When Choosing a College - TutorNerds Thinking beyond freshman year: 3 things to consider when choosing a college Tips From a San Diego College Admissions Consultant Most students think about their freshman year when choosing what college to attend. This makes sense because it will be the most important and transitional year in their lives thus far. However, the college experience will last four years and each year will be an essential part of a students overall education. Students also need to think about choosing a major field of study by their junior year and job placement opportunities upon graduation. They are encouraged to think about these three things before making a final college choice our private San Diego college admissions consultants are here to help. 1. The general education curriculum Both freshman and sophomore year will be focused on General Ed. There may be some courses that students are really excited about, but they should find out how likely they are to get into their first or second choice class. Many colleges are entirely impacted, meaning there are more students attending the school than there are seats for them to sit in. The General Ed curriculum might have tons of opportunities for students to explore potential majors or personal interests but they need to feel confident theyll be able to find a spot in these classes before they have to move on to junior year. If not, students will have to choose between attending college, and paying tuition, for a 5th year or missing out on those classes altogether. 2. Potential major options Many students enter the college environment as ‘undecided.’ This means they dont know what they want to study and theyre not going to declare a major until their junior year. Students who are undecided need to make sure there are several different options available to them when it comes time to make a choice. Most, but not all, larger public schools offer a wide variety of major options while smaller schools tend to specialize in just a few things. Some students are 100% sure they want to study something in particular. However, many of those students change their mind part way through so even students who have declared a major in their application should research what their other options might be just in case (READ: College Decisions: 3 Things to Think About). 3. Internship opportunities Thinking about internships while also dealing with all of the other things that come with applying to college is entirely overwhelming. However, after students complete their freshman or sophomore year, they should consider the value of an internship with the right company. Most freshmen are too tired to think about an internship after their first year but, sophomores and juniors are usually well-adjusted to the college environment and have the time and opportunity to do a summer internship. Students who know what they want to major in are encouraged to look into internships with local companies that might be hiring new graduates. Students can also use internships to determine whether or not they want to work in a particular field for 30 years or more. Its important that the college support these internships by giving students credit, but its also essential that there are enough companies in the local area who take on college interns over the summer. Our in-house San Diego college admissions consultants have a 97% success rate! Get into your top choice with the help of a consultant. Call TutorNerds today. 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.