Getting Help From the Tutoring Services

Getting Help From the Tutoring ServicesTuition and tutoring services are available from the comprehensive academic and tutoring service provider, Colgate University SC. Colgate has been delivering education to students for almost four decades and continues to do so with pride. Students are guaranteed that the class they enroll in will be well-rounded and dedicated to teaching them at a rate that is personalized to the student.With personal attention on the learning process, students are provided with services in personal learning techniques. These include how to study, attending study sessions, time management, and communication skills. The instructors at this school will not just concentrate on just a classroom experience. In addition to training and teaching, there is also a support system at this school for students who need a little assistance to complete their courses.Students may enroll in classes as many times as they want to at this school but each individual has a specific c lass that they may take at this institution. Classes may include: calculus, chemistry, English composition, math, foreign language, and more. Courses are offered at a time when students can find themselves needing extra help in order to get through their course work. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the assistance and support system that are offered by this school in order to learn and perform better.Colgate is a rigorous school and an extremely difficult class to get through. With three semesters and nine courses, a student has ample time to set goals and learn from their mentors in the classroom. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves in their courses in order to successfully complete their classes.At Colgate, a student is expected to complete their courses within the time frame they set for themselves. However, students may choose to do well and earn high grades but may find that their interest wanes once the school year ends. With the knowledge that many stu dents will do well and earn their degree but may feel as though their efforts are not being valued, Colgate offers tutoring services.Tutoring services are offered by both the staff and students. Through this process, a student can still learn at their own pace but may have a tutor who helps them learn at their own pace. Students may need some assistance in order to complete their course work but they will have their own personal tutor who will help them complete their degree.Students that enroll in Colgate will have the opportunity to work with a staff and faculty that are willing to go out of their way to meet the needs of their students. Students can still study hard and excel at school and continue to succeed even if they decide to use tutoring services.

What to Know About the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry

What to Know About the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry When applying to college, taking an SAT subject test is a great way to showcase your interest and skill in a specific subject area. The College Board, which administers the SAT and SAT subject tests, currently offers 20 subject tests to students. The SAT Subject Test in Chemistry allows students to demonstrate their subject-specific knowledge and to test out of prerequisite class requirements. Things to understand about the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry include the format of the exam, the best time to take the test, and specific prep strategies. Looking to enhance your college applications and showcase your chemistry knowledge? Keep reading to learn what to know about the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry. SAT Subject Test in Chemistry basics The SAT Subject Test in Chemistry is offered in May, June, August, October, November, and December. Youll be given 60 minutes to complete the exam, which consists of 85 multiple-choice questions. The subject test prompts you to use your knowledge of chemistry and requires several specific skills, including: Analyzing data and drawing conclusions Recalling fundamental chemistry concepts and vocabulary Youll receive a periodic table to utilize on the exam, but the use of a calculator is not allowed. Your score will range from 200 (lowest) to 800 (highest). [RELATED: 3 Tactics for Summer SAT Subject Test Prep] When to take the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry AP Chemistry students may be especially prepared for this exam, as a college-preparatory course in chemistry is recommended. If youre taking AP Chemistry or another advanced chemistry course, schedule your subject test in chemistry near the end of the class or in the months following the completion of your course. You may also want to sign up for the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry if youre simply very interested in chemistry. If you think you might want to major in chemistry in college, for example, you may want to show your interest by sitting for the subject test. Colleges may view this as a step forward in your academic career, especially if youve taken other courses or have additional high school achievements in chemistry. [RELATED: Should I Take SAT Subject Tests?] How to practice for the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry A great tool for subject test prep is the humble practice exam. SAT Subject Test in Chemistry practice tests can help you pinpoint specific areas where you need to place a heavier focus or streamline your time management skills. If there are certain concepts you continue to struggle with, meet with your chemistry teacher during office hours to develop personalized study strategies. Another study tactic may include forming a study group with other classmates who are also planning to sit for this subject test. You may also want to consider utilizing an SAT Subject Test in Chemistry tutor who can offer individualized instruction by helping you identify and improve in areas where youre struggling. [RELATED: How to Succeed on SAT Subject Tests] The SAT Subject Test in Chemistry is a great way to showcase your interest and talent in chemistry to colleges. If you do well, the exam may even help you test out of some prerequisite classes. If you choose to take the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry, be sure to spend an adequate amount of time studying. Set aside time every day to preparewhether its alone with your book, online, or with a study group or tutor. 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.

What Level Do You Need to Be at to Become a Piano Teacher

What Level Do You Need to Be at to Become a Piano Teacher Train to Become a Piano Teacher ChaptersBecoming a Piano Teacher: Knowing How to Put Yourself in Your Students' ShoesBecome a Piano Teacher Through Cultural InstitutionsBecome a Piano Teacher Through a Degree ProgramBecome a Piano Teacher Through Private Lessons in Your HomeYou can't become a piano teacher overnight. Turning the piano into a career itself is a process that requires years of practice, if not decades.History books talk about numerous piano virtuosos, like Bach, Beethoven, or Chopin, legends in the world of music.Frédéric Chopin, for example, was enrolled in piano lessons at the age of six by his mother, who was herself a pianist, and who'd noticed a particular if not precocious talent for the instrument.To become a pianist, virtuoso, or piano teacher, it's better to have learned music at a very young age.You're just beginning to learn how to play the piano, have acquired some skills, and already you're envisioning teaching others what you know? You want to be a piano teacher?It's possible, and we'l l look at what level it's possible to start out as a piano teacher.What is the skill level you need to reach in order to teach this noble instrument?Do you need any kind of degree to give start piano tutoring jobs?What type of training and how many years of practice are needed to get to a high enough level to be able to teach and give piano lessons?Superprof suggests some training to follow in order to reach that level, to become a proper piano teacher. 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/h1 st 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 tutorsBecoming a Piano Teacher: Knowing How to Put Yourself in Your Students' ShoesWhy do you want to become a piano teacher? The answer to this question m ight seem obvious: I want to become a piano teacher because I love this instrument.Yes, but more than that. You must also know how to adapt to the levels of your students.To be a good piano teacher, you need to know how to put yourself at your students' level.When you've been playing an instrument for several years, the primary goal driving you to teach might be a strong fondness for passing along your knowledge.Teaching someone to play the piano, for beginners or even for other musicians coming to the piano, is a gratifying activity.Find out the best ways of attracting students to your piano classes!It challenges the educational skills of the teacher, which are put to the test: you'll often need to simplify a song to be able to explain it in a way that doesn't discourage the student.This form of simplification can prove effective for a student wanting to learn the piano quickly and benefit from a proven method.Just as with lessons in a language, the guitar, the drums, or the trumpe t, the teacher's skill level needs to be high enough to be able to simplify the language.With difficult songs, the instructor needs to be able to introduce simple arrangements to a beginner student.The skill level needed to become a piano teacher is something that's set in stone, especially since there are no regulations governing the practice.A teacher does, however, need to be able to establish a simple and accessible piano learning method for their students.Learn all about how to give piano lessons!A good teacher is someone who's mastered theory, the scales, rhythm, the chords, playing with both hands at the same time, and all of the various nuances of interpreting music.But we aren't going to lie: someone who's able to play in a fluid manner, who can read music like one reads a book, and who can play sequences of chords without slip ups, is a pianist who's had several years of practice, perhaps ten or fifteen years.Other good virtues to learn as you reach a level to become a tea cher: patience and listening.A piano teacher needs to be patience because the lines of sheet music that students play over and over will appear simple, repetitive, burdensome, almost intolerable over time.To be able to listen to others and develop the patience necessary to teach, you need to play the piano for many years: because a pianist who learns how to overcome his own challenges will understand those of others.This is all well and good, but how can you reach the level you need to be at to be a piano teacher?Become a Piano Teacher Through Cultural InstitutionsThere's a certain logic here, because music instruction is on the decline in both private and public schools.For advanced pianists, this opens the door to a harmonious and creative professional life.Being a piano teacher at a cultural institution: an open door to vast number of classes!Faced with fewer options to learn piano within school walls, students wanting to learn how to play the piano, either for professional reaso ns (if they want a career in music production, for example, or a teacher) or pleasure, are increasingly turning to cultural institutions that offer an array of educational opportunities, including music, and especially the piano. They usually have flexible schedules, and can be adapted to any level of commitment and time available. And because they're non-profit organizations that are funded by grants and donations, the costs are not as high as elsewhere.Find out how much you should charge for your piano lessons...There are also, of course, similar establishments in almost every decent sized city: music schools. They too offer courses that fit any schedule, any level, and can be done in your home. They also, generally, teach in more styles than just classical. These private lessons are, of course, more expensive, as these are businesses and not cultural institutions. They are trying to make money. Often times, however, they share teachers with the cultural institutions.Become a Pian o Teacher Through a Degree ProgramThe most esteemed way to become a piano virtuoso and teacher is through a conservatory of national renown.A musical degree from a conservatory: the highest level so you can be a teacher and play in an classical orchestra or jazz ensemble.These conservatories are difficult to get into (Julliard, for example, accepts only around 8% of musician applicants), and are generally for students coming out of high school, but if you're talented, and audition well, you will not automatically be turned away if you're older. Some of the best conservatories are the Julliard School in New York, the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, the Berklee College of Music in Boston, the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in San Francisco. There are many more, in fact, usually at least one in every major city, often multiple. Like normal universities, they offer bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees.Many large ( and small) universities, both public and private, also have very well regarded and respected music programs offering the same degrees. Some of the best are at the University of California Los Angeles, Yale University, New York University, the University of North Texas, and Middle Tennessee State University, among many others.The costs of these programs will vary wildly, but they aren't generally cheap, and will also require a full-time, four-year (at minimum) commitment to earn your degree. They also tend to be more focused on classical music, but you can always find teachers who focus on jazz and other styles.Become a Piano Teacher Through Private Lessons in Your HomePrivate piano lessons are completely unregulated in the United States. So anyone and everyone can call themselves a private teacher.There's nothing better than private piano lessons in your home to train you to become a piano teacher.But be careful, you need to be an old hand at the piano so you aren't weaker than your students!Private piano lessons in your home are also a very effective way to learn and a very attractive option as jobs for ex teachers. The price, of course, will depend on the teacher giving the lessons.And it will be entirely your responsibility to commit to a great deal of practice, which can be difficult with other responsibilities.Generally, piano teachers have at least three years more experience than their students. This might seem low. Some first-year pianists are better than those who've been playing for three years, however.The number of years is ultimately less important than the attitude the teacher takes with the piano.We believe that it takes at least five or six years of playing the piano before you'll be able to begin teaching beginners.The higher the level of instruction is, the higher the skill level the teacher will need to have.So a student who already knows her way around the keyboard will need a more experienced teacher.Someone with a degree in music, from a university or conservatory, will be, for them, a better bet.To begin with, this is because they've been playing for more than a decade. Secondly, this is because they've received intensive training on the piano over the course of this decade.But platforms like Superprof, which help you find private courses, can help level the playing field: we'll help you find the great piano lessons that you need.And if you're already a piano instructor, create yourself a teacher's profile and start signing up you first students of the school year!Also pick up on this guide to planning piano lessons...

Why Is It Important to Develop Your Leadership Skills

Why Is It Important to Develop Your Leadership Skills Does Everyone Need Leadership Skills? ChaptersWhat Are Leadership Skills?Why Everyone Needs Leadership SkillsWhat Leadership Skills Can Do for YouThe Need Good Leadership SkillsWe see them everywhere: at our place of business, in our email inboxes; in coffee shops, libraries... maybe even at the gym! Those adverts promoting leadership training, a full range of leadership courses, workshops in essential leadership...Blaring from the telly and the radio: “Do you have what it takes to be a leader?” Followed, of course, by an invitation to attend the next personal development seminar, retreat or self-assessment ahead of said retreat or seminar.All of which seems to imply that only the good, the strong, the determined and the ‘chosen few’ can be leaders â€" and you, obviously not one of them, must be trained.The thing is, you never wanted to be a leader; you have never had any intention of spearheading any remarkable discoveries, becoming chief executive officer of a multi-national corporation or making earthshatterin g decisions that would affect millions.All you ever wanted was to get by with a minimum of fuss and a lot of dignity. There’s nothing wrong with that.What would you need leadership classes for, then? The answer may surprise you.Come along with your Superprof as we lay out the case for leadership as it applies to you, me and everyone in the world. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.92 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliverPersonal development Teacher 4.33 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Are Leadership Skills? You may think you'll never step up to the podium but don't you actively practise participative leadership on the home front? Image by Florian Pircher from PixabayIf you’re thinking about leadership development, you should have some idea of what effective leadership is.We’re going out on a limb to presume that you have in the past or currently are working for an exemplary leader â€" perhaps someone who has undergone leadership skills training and is now putting to use all that s/he learned.If that truly is the case, consider yourself lucky! According to an article on LinkedIn, a social media site for professionals, bad boss statistics are truly staggering.An effective leader has a balance of inherent qualities and learned skills that function together to make that person someone you trust and are loyal to.Now, we give a breakdown of what, exactly, makes a leader.Leadership QualitiesHonest and Integral: Integrity is the number one quality that all good leaders embodySelf-confident: far from being arrogant, this person is assertive without being overbearingPassionate about their work, about giving their all and motivating others to do soAccountable: they will never yell at you for a mistake they (or someone else) made.Creative: leaders like to think up new strategies and they will encourage you to do so, tooEmpathetic: strong leaders all have emotional intelligenceThese are qualities that cannot be taught. After all, you are either ethical or not; honest or not, passionate and creative or not. However, if those qualities are present, they can be developed.Often, leadership and management courses will conduct exercises and activities that will draw on these qualities; how well a management trainee responds is a good measure of their capacity for any of these assets.Skills, on the other hand, can be taught; now we put them under the microscope.Effective Leadership SkillsThe ability to teach and mentor: many styles of leadership emphasise mentoring subordinatesTh e ability to delegate: delegating responsibilities is an act of trust as well as self-confidenceTeam building: great leaders help to build bridges between employeesThe ability to solve problems: problem-solving skills cut through all the distractions to get to the core of any problemproblem-solving draws on critical thinking skills â€" the ability to analyse, reason and arrive at a solution faster.The ability to make a decision (and stick by it): a good leader’s sense of accountability permits them to stand by a decision and accept whatever consequences there may be.The ability to communicate effectively: communication skills are absolutely vital to those in leadership roles!You can see how leadership qualities and skills work hand-in-hand to make company culture â€" a facet of working life formerly seen with derision and scorn, now desirable.With such leadership competencies in effect, morale is always high, team performance always exceeds norms and everyone goes home happy â€" o r, at least satisfied with their day’s work.Now that you know what leadership skills are, you may still wonder: why should you learn how to lead if you have no intention of leading anything or anyone? The ability to lead a team at work is on par with being able to lead your family Image by rawpixel from PixabayWhy Everyone Needs Leadership SkillsImagine for a second that you were in Japan when Typhoon Hagibis was due to hit. What would you do?You could look to your hotel’s management for direction; after all, they are used to managing such crises. They will surely advise you on   shelter and safety practices, and provide you with a list of do’s and don’ts while the storm rages.Or you could take matters in your own hands: keep the weather radar refreshed to see exactly where and when the storm will hit. Pack a ‘bug-out bag’ with essentials: first aid kit, nutrition bars and water; don’t forget clean socks.Waterproof your valuables â€" passport and money; it wouldn’t hurt to put your phone in a plastic bag, either.Now, you are ready for whatever may happen, thereby freeing up hotel staff to manage guests who are not as decisive, creative and self-assured as you.Isn't t hat a good example of how leadership skills can help in your everyday life?Cultivating personal leadership can prepare you to handle any crisis or emergency, be it caused by a natural phenomenon or a situation â€" say something gone awry in your family.Developing leadership skills can help you foster an environment of collaboration so that, when you cantankerous aunt or your surly teen tries to wreak havoc in your life, you can practise transformational leadership so that they come to the conclusion that their behaviours are not acceptable.In taking a leadership role in your life, you can motivate others â€" yes, even that cranky aunt into cooperating with you to make family gatherings fun for all.Speaking of being motivating and inspiring... what motivates you?Discover the best ways to develop leadership skills...What Leadership Skills Can Do for YouWe gather from your earlier assertion that you want a quiet, dignified life. Guess what? Leadership theories can help you there, too.B ecause leadership skill isn’t all about the workplace, you see. It’s also about self-awareness and interpersonal skill. It’s about growing into the assured, confident person you always knew you were but maybe didn’t quite dare to become.Discovering your leadership style is a way to understand and learn more about yourself, to understand how you’ve changed over time and to prepare you for other changes yet to come.Being a leader does not automatically put you at the head of a Fortune 500 company but it does put you on par or ahead of any situation that needs managing, from a rebellious teenager to choosing a career path.And then, with such assertiveness cloaking you, you will no longer need to beseech (perhaps somewhat plaintively) for a quiet life in charge of nobody.You were never really not in charge of anyone, anyway.Did you know there is a wealth of online resources to help you develop your leadership skills? The success you achieve in employing leadership skills does not automatically demand you must take a supervisory position at work! Image by Gerd Altmann from PixabayThe Need Good Leadership SkillsEvery day, you are in the business of yourself, seeing to your own best interests and taking care of the people in your life.It might sound somewhat self-centred but it is absolutely true: if you are above, say, the age of 12, you are, in fact, seeing to your interests and desires being met - from the salary you earn which affords you the life you live to the relationships you foster and cultivate.  That holds true for everyone, not just you.Let’s consider that idea: 7.5 billion people on this earth; each struggling for food, shelter, clothing, respect... perchance a quiet life.A hundred years ago, the business of being oneself was pretty much a zero-sum game, individually and collectively, among nations. Countries went to war because one party had what the other party wanted.Thankfully, w e’ve moved away from that model; we’ve realised on an international level what we’ve always known on a personal level: cooperation and collaboration work so much better than annihilation.Diplomacy, a particular brand of management and leadership â€" call it Civility 2.0 has made its way into the boardrooms and offices of companies great and small.Managers are getting away from shouting and berating employees; effective communication is the order of the day. Soft skills â€" active listening, conflict resolution and patience are far more valuable today than anyone’s ability to intimidate.If these skills work on a global scale to get results, if they work in a boardroom and to improve team performance â€" whether said teams are a project team or a sports team...If a leadership presence works everywhere it is, why wouldn’t leadership skills work for you?You don’t have to take a managerial position with a company to be a great leader.Simply having the management skills to add ress the issues in your life â€" cranky aunt, crabby teenager or college and career choices is reason enough to seek out a leadership development program.Now discover how you can develop your leadership traits...

Vocal Tips Structuring Your Practice Time

Vocal Tips Structuring Your Practice Time Suzy S. You know the importance of practicing but do you know how exactly to organize your practice sessions for the most effective use of your time? Read on for helpful advice from Saint Louis, MO teacher Cathy C Voice students do you LOVE singing?   Isn’t it wonderful to listen to singers perform their art beautifully?   Do you get chills when the most powerful part of your favorite piece is sung with emotion and skill? Guess what?   When you practice, you get to do what you love you get to sing!   Your practice time is the chance to experiment, self-assess, gain skill and emotionally connect with the music. You practice so that when performance time comes, you can share the joy of making music with your listeners. But how do you structure this time? Vocal practice sessions are not a one-size-fits-all kind of work.   Vocal students need to be self-aware enough to assess what works for them in relation to the particular musical goal they hope to achieve.    Some questions to ask are: (1) What is my goal for this week?   (2) Do I have all the supplies I need?   (3) What warm-ups should I use to help me focus on my weekly goal?   (4) Where should I practice in order to meet my goal?   Does the space matter to me? Once you answer those questions, you will know what you need to do when you sing in order to make progress. GOALS: Goals should be set in each lesson as a teacher-student partnership.   You should leave each lesson knowing what you should work on between lessons.   If that is not clear, your voice teacher can help you! SUPPLIES: Do you have everything you need to reach your goal?  Necessary items may include accompaniment recordings, stands, printed music, alternate recordings or online links, a personal recording device, a mirror, and note-taking materials. WARM-UP: Just as runners stretch before they head out for a training run, vocalists need to warm up the body and voice.   Vocalists should be engaging the breath and all of the vocal embouchure (jaw, lips, tongue, pallet, teeth), and also establishing mental focus.  Specific warm-up exercises that cater to the end-goal are also important. LOCATION: Some students need solitude and quiet, some need the shower (yes, it’s true), and some need an audience.   You know what works best for you! Consider that mental rehearsing counts as practice and can be done anywhere you can mentally focus.   Lyrics can be memorized in the car or during an exercise session, and vowels can be sung in nearly any location.   Time spent listening to recordings of yourself (in the car, for example) is valuable and will help move you toward your goal. Structure your practice time around who you are as a person and what your singing goal for the week is! Enjoy the effort and the results.   Staying goal-focused will move you along and help you make the most of your vocal lessons! Cathy C. teaches guitar, singing, music performance and songwriting lessons to students of all ages in Saint Louis, MO. Her specialties include classical voice, pop voice, contemporary Christian guitar and voice, folk guitar and acoustic; she is also a Board Certified Music Therapist. Learn more about Cathy, or visit TakeLessons to find a teacher near you! Photo by D Simmonds

Studying Japanese at High School

Studying Japanese at High School How Do You Study Japanese at High School? Chapters Is It a Good Idea to Learn Japanese at High School? Is It A Good Idea to Study Japanese Alongside Another Foreign Language? What About Learning Japanese Outside of School? Where Can You Get Japanese Lessons or Tutors? What Should You Study for Japanese?After middle school, you’re going to have to go to high school. That’s just the way things are (sorry).How are your studies going? Have you been thinking about your foreign language choices? There’s a lot of different decisions to make.Have you ever thought about studying Japanese for your foreign language class? Should you study Japanese at high school, alongside another foreign language, or outside of school?This article should have the answers you’re looking for. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £2 0/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Is It a Good Idea to Learn Japanese at High School?If you’ve already studied Japanese at middle school, are familiar with kanji, hiragana, and katakana, and can have a basic Japanese conversation, then studying Japanese at high school shouldn’t pose a problem. Of course, you should always check that the high school you’re going to actually teaches Japanese before you get your hopes up. It’s one of the rarer languages taught at high schools around the country, after all.If you thought learning to use chopsticks was difficult, you're going to love learning kanji! (Source: rawpixel.com)If you want to learn how to speak Japanese and you’re going to a high school where it’s taught, you’re in luck. That’s really rare. Additionally, if you’ve already studied it at middle school, you’ll have the opportunity to further study Japanese writing, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and reading and listening comprehension.On the other hand, if you’ve never studied it before, you could always choose it as a second foreign language alongside a more popular foreign language like Spanish or French. This is a particularly good idea if you’re not entirely sure how far you’re going to pursue your studies in Japanese.This is all theoretical at this point as it all depends on whether or not you’re going to one of the few high schools that actually offer it. If you are one of the lucky ones and you’re getting good grades in middle school, then there shouldn’t be any reason why you should stop studying it when you go to high school and your teachers will probably feel the same way about it.On the other hand, if you didn’t study i t at middle school but every other kid in your class did, things are going to be a little bit more complicated.Generally speaking, if you really want to learn to speak the language, the hours you do at school won’t be nearly enough. Your teachers won’t have the time to fully help you if they have a class full of other students, too. You’ll have to put the extra effort in yourself.In summary, choosing to study Japanese requires a lot of commitment, especially if you’re joining a class of students who’ve already studied it and you haven’t.  Of course, you can always use your free time during the summer to catch up by hiring a Japanese private tutor or evening visiting Japan. Is It A Good Idea to Study Japanese Alongside Another Foreign Language?With nearly 90% of students taking Spanish, can you really afford not to take it at high school?  If you feel this is the case, you might have to consider taking both Spanish and Japanese.If you have an aptitude for foreign language s and got good grades in middle school, I’d say go for it! It would look great on your resume or college applications. I can’t imagine that there are many college applicants with English, Spanish, and Japanese!Of course, this can be a lot of work and the skills aren’t necessary directly transferable between the two languages. Students that take two foreign languages like Spanish and French can benefit from the similarities between the two languages (as long as they don’t confuse the two, that is).For a long time, Japanese was considered a language isolate. This means that there wasn’t a single language that was related to it.  While this was later proved to be untrue, I don’t think there’s a single school in the country that teaches any of the other Japonic or Ryukyuan languages.There are certain things you'll need to know about Japan if you want to learn Japanese at high school. (Source: skitterphoto.com)Put simply, Japanese is a class you’ll take because you love J apanese and want to work with it in the future. It’s probably not going to help you get any better at any other language directly. That said, it never hurts to have taken a more common language class, too.If you already got the basics down in middle school, it would be a waste not to continue studying and make yourself stand out as one of the few Japanese-speaking students in the US. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors What About Learning Jap anese Outside of School?If it’s not going to get in the way of your other high school classes, you could always consider studying Japanese outside of school. There are several benefits:You can start studying the language regardless of whether or not you’ve studied it before.It’ll look great on college applications as it shows you’re driven.You can learn the language in a less academic way and have a lot of fun while you learn the language.If you learn a language outside of school, you’re learning the language for the love of it rather than just to pass some tests and put together a college application.When you learn Japanese, you should learn about the fascinating culture of Japan. (Source: Akane Zen)This means you can use resources like manga, anime, Japanese movies, TV shows, and video games to help you learn. Furthermore, you get to choose your tutor rather than just getting put in the class with the teachers available at school.Classes with a private tutor can go at yo ur pace and your tutor can work with your strengths and weaknesses in order to get the most out of every hour you spend together.  This is a great idea if you’re driven, love languages, and obsessed with Japan and Japanese culture and history! Where Can You Get Japanese Lessons or Tutors?Regardless of whether you’re studying Japanese in school or outside of it, you might want to consider looking for lessons or a tutor to help you.Fortunately, there are plenty of Japan-America Societies around the country that promote Japanese education.Put simply, if you’re doing anything related to Japan or Japanese, these societies should be top of your list. In addition to culture and education, they also promote business programs between the two companies.Here are a few of them:Japan Society, Inc.  (New York)Japan America Society of Southern CaliforniaJapan Society of Northern CaliforniaJapan-America Society of ChicagoJapan-America Society of Northwest FloridaJapan America Society of Great er PhiladelphiaJapan-America Society of PennsylvaniaJapan-America Society of Dallas/Fort WorthJapan-America Society of HoustonJapan-America Society of Washington DC, Inc.The Japan-America Society of GeorgiaJapan Society of BostonJapan America Society of Michigan and Southwestern OntarioJapan-America Society of the State of WashingtonJapan America Society of MinnesotaJapan America Society of ColoradoJapan America Society of St. LouisJapan America Society of NevadaJapan-America Society of OregonJapan America Society of Greater CincinnatiJapan-America Society of Central OhioHeart of America Japan-America SocietyJapan-America Society of Indiana, Inc.Japan America Society of WisconsinJapan-America Society of North CarolinaThe Japan-America Society of AlabamaThe Japan-America Society of MississippiJapan America Society of KentuckyJapan-America Society of Tennessee, Inc.Japan America Society of St. LouisJapan Society of New OrleansJapan-America Society of Greater AustinJapan-America Societ y of San AntonioIf you have a look at this list, you’ll probably be able to find an association near you.If you are in the UK, check out the best Japanese lessons London.Most of these sites also have an education section where you can look for tutors, classes, or educational events about Japanese culture and history or the Japanese language. As you can see, almost every state has a Japan-America Society.  If not, you should check out the Embassy of Japan’s website for schools and resources for learning Japanese.Did you know that you could also study Japanese by using video games? What Should You Study for Japanese?Whether you study Japanese as your first foreign language, second foreign language, or outside of school, the things you’ll have to study will be more or less the same.In school, you’ll be tested on the same elements of language you would be if you took any other language: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. However, if you study outside of school, you can s ort of mix up the order you learn these. You can learn languages more naturally by studying speaking first and learning to speak long before you pick up a pen.Unfortunately, in school you won’t be so lucky. Your studies will be far more academic than classes with a private tutor. This is because the main goal of studying Japanese at school is to pass exams, not to actually learn to speak the language.  Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t learn to speak the language in your high school Japanese classes.If just means that you’ll get less time to practice speaking the language because there are tests to take (sorry!). On the other hand, learning the language in the free time gives you the freedom to master the language in any order you want.It's important that you study hard if you want to learn Japanese. (Source: skitterphoto.com)In both cases, you’ll probably start with basic conversational stuff like greetings, starting and ending conversations, and asking basic qu estions. You’ll also have to cover some of the most common words, the kanji and kana (hiragana and katakana) writing systems, as well as some basic grammar points such as particles. Fortunately for you, Japanese doesn’t have subject-verb conjugations like Spanish does. In Japanese, you only need to conjugate in terms of tense (past, present, future, etc.).Once you understand some basic vocabulary, grammar points, and reading and writing, you’ll start moving on more complicated aspects of the language.  At this stage, you’ll be expected to expand upon the simple conversations you were able to have with the expressions you first learned, show that you can understand written texts, and show a mastery of the kana.While this may sound like a lot, the key to learning a language is to practice just a little bit regularly.  You’ll be surprised how much you can learn just by studying for 10 minutes every day rather than studying for two hours on the weekend.This will all be very ea sy for you if you’re a hard-working student and you’re lucky enough to have a good teacher or tutor. Don’t forget that you can always travel to Japan to boost your Japanese, too!It’s never too late to learn a language and high school might just be the stepping stone you need towards become fluent in Japanese.You’ll still have more than enough time to:Memorize Japanese wordsStudy Japanese historyLearn to count in JapaneseStudy Japanese pronunciationStart building Japanese sentences and using Japanese grammarIf you can’t afford a trip to Japan or to participate in a language exchange program there, don’t forget that you can always hire a private tutor to help you!What about studying Japanese after high school?

Build Breath Support With This Physical Warm-Up

Build Breath Support With This Physical Warm-Up Suzy S. When you begin learning how to sing, you may come across several styles of vocal warm-ups.   Building your breath support is an important part of voice lessons, so spending time on appropriate warm-ups is key.   Heres a great exercise to try, courtesy of Dallas teacher Jacklynn T.: Singing is a total body workout, and warm-ups as part of a regular practice routine are essential to your vocal health and progress. There are warm-ups for range extension, intonation, breath support and placement, to name only a handful of objectives. As singers, our bodies are our instruments; therefore, I like to begin my vocal warm-ups with some type of rhythmic physical movement to reinforce appropriate singing posture and foster an awareness of the breath. The following warm-up is fantastic for awakening the body and building breath support at the same time. Greg Jasperse demonstrated a variation of this warm-up each morning at the Vocal Jazz Workshop at the University of North Texas this past June. In my exploration and application of it, I have found that it encourages the internalization of rhythm, reduces performance anxiety and fosters a focused practice/rehearsal mindset. First, find an open space away from furniture or other potential obstacles. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, chest open, arms resting at your sides, and wrists and fingers free of tension. Inhale slowly through the nose over four counts while maintaining a relaxed and open throat. Draw the breath downward, allowing it to fall deep into the belly. As you inhale, sweep your arms out and up toward the sky so that they are above your head by the fourth count. Next, exhale over four counts with a gentle “shh” sound. Arms should reach up above the crown of the head, down and away from the body while you begin to bend at the waist and fold toward the floor. Then, inhale again through the nose over four counts, gently lifting at the waist (only slightly, not coming back to standing position just yet) while inviting airflow into your lower back. Exhale over four counts making a “shh” sound, and explore folding deeper toward the ground. Finally, inhale to come up, gradually stacki ng the vertebrae in your spine atop one another and letting the arms come to rest gently at your sides. Exhale over four counts as you come to rest in your original standing position. Repeat for several cycles. You may choose to exhale silently through the nose if you would like and add the “shh” sound as you become more comfortable with the movement. If you don’t want to “shh” you can buzz (by loosely placing the top teeth on the lower lip) or a “vuh” to further activate the breath. It is also fun to practice this warm up while listening to music of varying styles, tempos (i.e. a slow four count to a ballad versus a fast four count to a pop song) or time signatures. Get instrument-specific updates and expert advice, tips and more right in your inbox!  Sign up for email updates here! Jacklynn T. teaches singing, violin,  Broadway singing, music performance, music theory, and opera voice lessons to students of all ages in Dallas, TX. Jacklynn joined the TakeLessons team in July 2012, with a Bachelors degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University.  Sign up for lessons with Jacklynn, or visit TakeLessons to search for a teacher near you! Photo by Bengt Nyman.

Whats Behind the Rise in ADHD Diagnoses

What’s Behind the Rise in ADHD Diagnoses As an ADHD specialist, Im often asked why so many more kids seem to have ADHD today compared to previous decades. Is it because kids are spending too much time in front of screens? Or that theyre eating too much processed food? Or is modern parenting to blame? Answering this question is complicated, because changes in rates of ADHD diagnosis arent accounted for by any single factor. However, it is unlikely that screens, parenting, or diet are the cause. First lets start with the numbers. The increase in ADHD diagnoses is a real phenomenon. The most recent data published by the CDC shows that during 2013-2015 the percentage of kids (ages 4-17) who had ever received a diagnosis of ADHD in their lifetime was 10.4%. Compare this to just 10 years prior (2003) when only 7.9% had received a diagnosis. Such a substantial change over such a short period of time often points to big picture factors that have an impact on a national level. Factors like increased public awareness, changes in public education, and the availability of long-acting stimulant medications to treat ADHD. Increased Awareness Public awareness about ADHD has increased dramatically over the past 30 years, and particularly in the past 15 years with the proliferation of online medical and mental health information. Pharmaceutical companies, advocacy groups, and the media have all taken an interest in sharing stories and information about ADHD symptoms and treatments. Often this information is provided in bite-sized snippets that only briefly describe a handful of ADHD symptoms. And, since so many children have at least a few of these symptoms, like difficulty focusing or sitting still for long periods of time, its understandable why many parents and teachers may start to wonder if their struggling child or student has ADHD. Before long, the number of children referred to medical doctors and psychologists goes up, as do the rates of children receiving actual ADHD diagnoses. In many cases, an ADHD diagnosis may be very appropriate, and the increased awareness led to a real benefit for that child. In some cases however, the childs difficulties are due to other challenges, like anxiety, learning difficulties, sleep problems, slightly delayed social or academic skills, or even simply being a few months younger than most of the children in his or her classroom. If a thorough diagnostic assessment isnt completed, then an ADHD diagnosis may be assigned incorrectly. Changes in Public Education With the introduction of legislation like No Child Left Behind in 2001, which tied school funding to student test scores, there was a dramatic shift in US public education. Teachers and schools suddenly became much more focused on ensuring that their students performed well on national exams. Underperforming students were being identified more often, and solutions for poor test performance were sought out quickly. Referrals for ADHD evaluations increased, as did rates of diagnosis. A series of studies (published in The ADHD Explosion by Drs. Hinshaw and Scheffler) shows a strong correlation between states with the highest rates of ADHD diagnoses and state laws that penalize schools for poor student performance. Availability of Long-Acting Stimulant Medication Stimulant medication remains one of the most common treatments for ADHD, and for many children it is very effective. Early formulations of stimulant medication, like Ritalin, required multiple doses to be taken throughout the day. Kids had to visit their school nurse at lunchtime to take their medication, which led to very real concerns about stigma and skipped doses. In addition, the side effects from these first-generation medications were problematic for many kids. Throughout the 2000s, multiple improved versions of stimulant medications became available. These medications last for 8 hours or longer, have fewer side effects, and some are even available in a skin patch for kids who are not able or willing to swallow pills. With more tolerable, effective treatments available, and increased awareness of these medication options, parents and teachers became increasingly receptive to the idea of an ADHD diagnosis. While rates of ADHD continue to rise, and our understanding of ADHD continues to grow, so does the controversy surrounding the validity of the diagnosis itself and the use of medication as a first line treatment. Decades of research have shown that ADHD is a very real disorder, and studies suggest that the percentage of elementary school-age kids (in the US and worldwide) who truly have ADHD is around 5-7%. The goal of treatment providers, educators, and parents, should be to limit rates of ADHD misdiagnosis, by insisting on thorough evaluations that consider a range of factors (including, but not limited to, ADHD) that may be contributing to a childs difficulties. 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.

Does Your Child Have Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Does Your Child Have Oppositional Defiant Disorder Kids with ADHD are often labeled as having behavior challenges, which usually means that their behavior is more difficult for teachers, parents, and peers to cope with than it is for kids without ADHD. In reality, not all kids with ADHD have truly challenging behavior. Some kids with primarily inattentive symptoms of ADHD have very few behavior challenges. Their difficulties only show up when they need to follow through on instructions, stay focused on a task, or organize their materials. Kids with ADHD who have hyperactive or impulsive symptoms do display some challenging behaviors at home or at school. These behaviors are primarily related to acting without thinking or struggling to control their overly active bodies. While frustrating, these behaviors dont often truly cross over into the realm of being oppositional or defiant. When a child with ADHD is regularly oppositional or becomes so defiant that they experience problems in their relationships with family and friends, then AD HD may not be the only culprit. They may also have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (or ODD). In fact, up to 40% of kids with ADHD also meet diagnostic criteria for ODD. What is ODD? ODD is characterized by a persistent angry and irritable mood, behaving in ways that are spiteful or vindictive, and argumentative and defiant behavior that often includes lashing out at others, blaming others for their own mistakes, deliberately annoying other people, and refusing to follow instructions from adults. These symptoms represent a persistent pattern of behavior in kids with ODD and arent something that only show up occasionally when they are tired or have had a bad day. Unlike ADHD, which causes challenges at home and at school, ODD may only be a problem in one of these settings. For example, its not uncommon for kids with ODD to display symptoms at home, but not at school. How is ODD Diagnosed? Like ADHD, ODD can only be diagnosed by a licensed clinical psychologist or medical doctor (usually a psychiatrist or a pediatrician). Making a diagnosis of ODD can be difficult in some cases, because symptoms of depression, anxiety, or trauma can lead to similar oppositional behavior in kids. So its important that the provider evaluate a childs complete history and symptom profile before making a diagnosis. How is ODD Treated? Treatment for ODD is typically focused on behavioral interventions. Medication can be helpful if poor impulse control or other symptoms related to ADHD or a mood disorder are contributing to the oppositional behavior. One of the most effective behavioral interventions for ODD is Parent Child Interaction Therapy (or PCIT). Typically used with kids between the ages of 3-6 years old, PCIT involves therapy sessions that include live coaching which walks parents through the use of effective behavior strategies focused both on child-directed interactions (where the child takes the lead and the parent follows) and parent-directed interactions (where the parent gives instructions and the child follows). Many parents who participate in PCIT find that it truly transforms their relationship with their child. Some practitioners have also adapted PCIT for use with children over the age of 6. In addition to PCIT, behavioral parent training, similar to the behavioral parent trai ning used for ADHD, has been found to help with ODD and can be used with kids of all ages. Collaborative Problem Solving, where kids and parents learn specific strategies that can be applied to solving problems that come up in daily life, can also be effective. What should you do if you suspect that your child may have ODD? If you suspect that your child may have ODD, reach out to your childs pediatrician or therapist as soon as possible and request a referral for a full evaluation. Like many mental health challenges, the sooner you begin treating ODD, the better the long-term prognosis for your child. 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.