Prepare for SAT Test Online in 3 Easy Steps

Prepare for SAT Test Online in 3 Easy Steps 0SHARESShare It is easy to take a SAT test but students often find it difficult to do SAT preparation online. There are various reasons to this such as unawareness about online tutoring facility and time required for other activities. Let us note the following 3 easy steps to prepare for SAT test / other competitive exams such as ACT test: Identify  your objective to go to college First things first, why do you want to go to college? The reasons are many; well pick those that matter to you the most. Then try and relate these reasons to your perception about the SAT test and you will see that your mind expands to maintain a positive balance between ‘what is required’? And ‘what is done?’ Identify your training essentials   You need training to appear for SAT test, hence focus on your training essentials. Stick to the plan as long as value is being added to your candidature. If you diverge from the path it is not going to work. Identify your existing priorities Be sure about what you want to achieve in the current week, current months and current year. Start small and build on that. By thinking about small goals and achieving will increase your confidence. Once the confidence is developed appearing for the test becomes easier than you think. [starbox id=admin]

4 Tips to Make a Good Impression on a Campus Tour

4 Tips to Make a Good Impression on a Campus Tour If you plan to attend university, you have perhaps scheduled a campus tour or two to begin exploring collegiate life in person. These experiences are important, as they allow you to interact with current students, pose questions, and begin to make the academic and social adjustments needed for higher education. Embarking on a campus touris a fantastic way to determine whether a particular school is a positive fit for youbut it is also your opportunity to stand out from other candidates. 1. Prepare This may seem obvious, but researching a college or university before you arrive is advantageous. Knowing a schools enrollment, major achievements, and even its mascot will distinguish you from less prepared individuals. Admissions officers love students who are proactive about scheduling their own tours, knowledgeable about the college or university, and punctual. Also ensure you dress professionally. These are the top ten tips for college campus visits. Collect business cards or contact information from everyone who helps youyou will want to send thank you cards when you return home. You will remain in their minds, and your gratitude will not go unnoticed. 2. Ask questions If you have done some basic research on the school, you will also be able to ask better questions on your campus tour. It is okay to inquire about anythingacademics, community, student life. But demonstrate some familiarity with the college or university, and be appropriate. You can also make a good impression by taking notes. Obviously, you have asked a question because the answer is important to you. Note-taking shows you are serious, and it will also allow you to compare schools later in your decision-making process. You may also want to check out these 6 things to look for on a college tour. 3. Participate It is a wonderful idea to be an active participant in the campustourbefore, during, and after. Scheduling your own visit shows your interest and independence, asking questions demonstrates your ability to assimilate into the schools environmentbut what should you do after? Utilize what you have learned on the college tour to make appointments with others on campus. The admissions office is an excellent place to begin, as they will be able to put a face to your application after meeting you. You can also ask admissions representatives questions and again foster a goodimpression. Consider meeting with a professor or department chair in the major you are interested in. He or she can provide specific, helpful advice. Plus, you will have a connection if you choose to attend that school. Here are a few top questions to ask at a campus information sessionthat may be useful to you. You can also sit in on a class, speak with students, attend a sporting event, or participate in a club meeting to show your interest and help you make your decision. 4. Write an elevator speech Finally, compose an elevator speech for the meetings you will attend. If you are unfamiliar with this term, it refers to a one-minute speech you give by way of introductionas though you were simply sharing in an elevator and had very little time. Your speech should address your interest in the college and a possible major (no one expects you to commit to a subject 100%). It should also be compelling and memorable, though you should avoid rambling. Above all, make a good impression and leave them hoping that you will return as a student!

How Parents Can Help Children Prepare for Assessment Tests

How Parents Can Help Children Prepare for Assessment Tests How Parents Can Help Children Prepare for Assessment Tests These days, helping your student strengthen his or her test-taking skills takes on new meaning if you live in a state that has adopted the Common Core State Standardsand the standards newly aligned assessment tests. Two consortiums are currently creating the next generation of assessments to measure students progress toward college and career readiness (the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)). That means that the standardized tests that your child has taken in the past will look very different as early as this year. In addition, school curriculums and expectations of students are significantly different than under the previous state standards. How can you help your child do his or her best on assessment tests? Here are several trusted tips to share with your child to help him or her have the best chance for success on these or any important exams: Read all questions carefully and follow the directions. On any test, it is critical that you identify each question being asked before rushing into solving or answering the problem. Narrow down choices. If you are unsure of the answer to a question, eliminate choices that do not make sense or are obviously incorrect (for example, answers that include words such as always and never are red flags). When working on math problems, eliminate extra information provided that has nothing to do with the question being asked. If you get stuck on problems, mark them and move on. You can return to them later if you have time at the end of the test, but dont waste valuable test time spinning your wheels. Pace yourself. At the outset of a test, do a quick calculation of how many minutes you have for each questionand give a little extra time for essay questions. Try to leave a few minutes at the end of every test to revisit skipped or troublesome problems. Draw out problems to help yourself visualize them better. Minimize test anxiety by keeping things in perspective. Remind yourself that tests are simply how teachers can evaluate what you know. The best form of test preparation is to keep up with homework and in-class work. What can you do to prepare your student for Common Core-aligned assessment tests? Here are a few suggestions: Talk with your childs teacher about how you can ease your childs transition to school work and tests under the Common Core State Standards. Continue to emphasize the importance of thinking criticallyan area of elevated importance under Common Core. Ask questions about what your child reads and learns. Encourage him or her to talk about how he or she feels about stories, current events and more. Have your child explain his or her thinkingin both math and reading. Embrace technology in your household. The new standards focus heavily on the skills needed by todays 21st-century digital learners and incorporate research and media skills into all content areas. As always, one of the best ways to help your child do his or her best on any exam is to equip him or her with good study skills and habits. It is also important that you stay apprised of the curricular changes that are happening in your childs classroom and understand how those may impact the tests that your child takes. Stay in touch with your childs teacher on the best ways for you to support your student in the era of Common Core.

Reviews, Interviews, and Grammar Checker Articles

Reviews, Interviews, and Grammar Checker Articles Here is a list of articles that were published recently about the Virtual Writing Tutor grammar checker: EFL Magazine  interview with Nicholas Walker  by Sharyn Collins 10 Reasons to Use a Grammar Checker with College Students  by Nicholas Walker  Teaching English to Intermediate and Advanced Learners on the English Learner Portal Using grammar checkers to provide written corrective feedback by Paul John, Nina Woll, Mariane Gazaille, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières; Walcir Cardoso, Concordia University (PDF) Teacherpreneur interview with Nicholas Walker ESL Teacher, Writer and Website Designer  by Patrice Palmer The Virtual Writing Tutor by Nicholas Walker Compare Virtual Writing Tutor vs. Reverso Perfect Your Writing: 5 Free Grammar Checkers Check Your Grammar With Virtual Writing Tutor What is the best grammar checker software/online for aspiring ESL writers? What is the best grammar checker software? Writing Analysis: online spelling and grammar checkers and text diagnostics Grammar and Punctuation for Academic Writing Guide: Free Online Grammar and Punctuation Checkers  by Charles Darwin Library Services 7 Best Free Online Punctuation Checker And Corrector Tools: Picked By A Freelance Writer  by C. Newcomer Best English Grammar Checkers Online ›› Grammar check your writings  on My  English Teacher Grammar Checker | Virtual Writing Tutor  on Union  County Technical-Vocational Schools 15 GREAT Grammar and Punctuation Checker Tools for Writers  on Proficient  Blogging Virtual Writing Tutor  on Edshelf How the Virtual Writing Tutor Can Provide a Better Writing Solution on Medium.com Grammar Checkers and Writing Aids  on Writers Write Virtual Writing Tutor A Trusted Grammar and Spelling Check Tool  on IBO Social Le Virtual Writing Tutor : un correcteur web adapté à l’anglais langue seconde par Nicholas Walker Présentation du Virtual Writing Tutor : un correcteur web adapté à langlais langue seconde   par Nicholas Walker  Addressing Mixed Levels in Courses with Information Technology by Norman Spatz Integrating Grammar Verification Technology into Your Classes webinar 10 Reasons to Use a Grammar Checker with College Students by Nicholas Walker Grammar Checker Tools Sent Back from the Future by Nicholas Walker Please follow and like us:

Building Vocabulary Test Prep Edition - by TutorNerds

Building Vocabulary Test Prep Edition - by TutorNerds Test Prep Tips from an Orange County College Consultant: Building Vocabulary As a college prep student, you already know that vocab is important. You are writing essays left and right and you probably have an AP or honors English class under your belt or in your near future. You have participated in plenty of study groups for your upcoming SAT (dont wait too late to book one of our Irvine SAT tutors) and you may have noticed that most of your student colleagues don’t care for the vocab sections. I’m guessing that you don’t either. There are many, many theories as to how you can improve your vocabulary score. Some will say that you don’t even need to study vocab that you just need to study test prep, others will say that you should know every single word in the English language and the multiple definitions of each of them. Other still, will tell you to study the root words or brush up on your Latin (or study it for the very first time ever) or to learn a reasonable amount of words or to look at words in context. None of these people are right or wrong. You are an individual and your learning style may fit into any of these categories or none of the above (READ: 5 Reasons Students Should Blog). If you are taking the SAT this October then I suggest that you get a tutor who specializes in the verbal sections to help you speed up the task of learning vocab, but if you are a freshman or a sophomore, then give these 5 tips a shot (READ: Ask a Nerd! SAT Subject Tests). 1. Read Many students don’t read ‘for fun’, meaning outside of their class assignments. This is understandable because school work does become overwhelming. It is a fallacy to think that you must read from the Great Books list in order to learn new vocabulary. Students can learn new words in context by reading news articles, magazines, and “beach reads” (uncomplicated, easy to read novels). The more you read, the more vocabulary you will be exposed to. I recommend keeping a small pen and pad of paper around while you are reading on your electronic reader and write down new words. Continue to enjoy your book but look up your list of words once you have compiled a list of 20 or so. If you are interested in reading the Great Books list, then certainly do that as well (READ: Five Books to Help You Write Well). 2. Break it Up Attempting to learn 3,500 new words during your junior year of high school isn’t a fun time. Start early (say freshman year) and break up the studying. Try using a SAT-worthy vocab list and learn a new word every day (CLICK: SAT Word Lists: Vocabulary). 3. Similar Words Broaden your vocabulary for the SAT and in general by looking for similar words. Every time you write the word “great” or “interesting” or other commonly used words, write it down on a separate list and look them up later on at Thesaurus.com. In fact, just bookmark Thesaurus.com on your laptop as you will be referring to it ALL the time. By looking up synonyms for commonly used words, your essays and in-class assignments will still be “great” and “interesting” but now they will also be “tremendous” and “engaging”. Your test prep vocabulary will also improve. 4. Opposite Words While you’re at it, learn the antonyms of many, commonly used words and terms. Now you will know how to correctly use “menial” and “disenchanting”. 5. Listen In today’s world of cell phones and texting, we rarely listen to what other people are saying. If you are able to listen more to the world around you, you may learn that the lady in the theater lobby found the movie to be “enigmatic” because she didn’t understand a thing about it. There is no reason for the SAT vocab section to be an “enigma”; start your vocab study early and it will be more “facile” (easy). All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at info@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 post about. Applying to college this year? Don’t go it alone. As college becomes harder and harder to get into, it’s crucial you take the admissions process seriously. Let our Orange County college admissions consultants get you into your dream university. Our experienced consultants have a 97% success rate!

How to find the teach abroad job you didnt know existed (with job postings)

How to find the teach abroad job you didnt know existed (with job postings) From English teaching jobs in Korea to leadership positions in the Middle East, there are exciting employment opportunities for educators in countries all over the world. However, despite vacancies, we often see teachers missing their windows of opportunity. We see this not primarily because they undergo changes of heart or realize a lack of commitment, but because they don’t know just how vast the education world truly is. We often see teachers hone their sights on one particular city or country - or on teaching a specific subject or level - which limit their opportunities in out-of-the-box places and positions. Have you ever considered teaching abroad, but felt like you missed your chance because there were no jobs for you in the exact place or role you first wanted to teach in? If you answered yes to that question, you’re not alone. Central to landing a job teaching abroad is to allow yourself to be open to opportunities you may not have thought about before. Finding this flexibility will increase your chances of finding a position.This doesn’t mean you need to lower your standards and take a job you don’t want. It means you might be surprised by what you discover when considering new options and places. I’ve compiled a list of current job postings in countries that you may not have looked into in the past. There are also some positions we don’t come across that often… like Lifeguard/Swimming Coach or High School Drama and Chorus Teacher! Check out the list below for vacancies in Egypt, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, and Qatar. Egypt Dance Teachers - Esol Education, Egypt Music Teachers - Esol Education - Egypt Robotics Teacher - Esol Education - Egypt Social Studies Teachers - Esol Education - Egypt Spanish Teachers - Esol Education Egypt Counselors - Esol Education - Egypt Librarians - Esol Education - Egypt More Esol Education jobs in Egypt Kuwait High School Principal - American United School of Kuwait Lifeguard / Swimming Coach - American United School of Kuwait Kazakhstan English Teachers - Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools Biology Teachers - Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools Mathematics Teachers - Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools Chemistry Teachers - Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools Malaysia Elementary School English Language Learner Teacher - Raffles American School Performance Education/Co Curricular Coordinator - Raffles American School Middle School Generalist - Raffles American School More jobs in Malaysia Mexico High School Drama and Chorus Teacher - American International School Middle School Choir Teacher - American International School Elementary Special Education Teacher - Private International School More jobs in Mexico Qatar Autism Specialist Teacher- Prestigious International School Teachers for Special Needs - Ontario Center for Special Education Online Tutoring Our friends at Skooli have a great online tutoringplatform that allows professional teachers to teach in a digital classroom from anywhere in the world. Teachers can register as an online tutor with Skooli here!

20 Tips For New Tutors (Part II) - TutorNerds

20 Tips For New Tutors (Part II) - TutorNerds Twenty Tips For New Tutors (Part II) Twenty Tips For New Tutors (Part II) Use Official Practice Material When Possible Barron’s and Peterson’s and Kaplan and many, many more third-party companies supply their own study materials for standardized tests and common class subjects.   You might find some of these materials to have an exceptional quality that is very helpful for your situation.   Unfortunately, this is not often the case.   There is a lot of money for these groups that sell new additions of all of their preparation products each year to desperate students, and I’ve found many cases of even the more popular names utilizing unethical practices in their material (such making diagnostic tests too hard to make you think you need more help, teaching too much material to pad extra pages or note cards, and purposefully grading material too harshly to guarantee that real test scores are an improvement).   Do yourself a favor and avoid the risk by finding any official study material that is from the same company that makes the test you are preparing for book your private Costa Mesa tutor from TutorNerds. Teach with Variety and Find What Works You are likely aware that many people lean more dominantly towards a typical type of learning style.   The most commonly heard types are “visual learnings,” “auditory learners,” and “physical learners.”   These reference students who do best by seeing something done, hearing it explained and doing it themselves, respectively.   In practice, I find that students don’t often fall into such simple, cookie-cutter categories, but it is important to vary your style and use a variety of methods until you find what works best for each student.   Don’t be afraid to use new tactics like drawing pictures, having students re-teach examples back to you, or creating fun mnemonics to help them learn. Go Back and Check Old Material I find reviewing previous lessons to be essential for any subject that will have a cumulative test, or that will lead to sequential classes.   This means that I will keep track of what we are learning each week, and I will periodically quiz them with a few questions from everything we’ve learned so far.   This will help make sure they retain the important information (it is easier to learn it and do some practice to maintain the knowledge rather than learning, forgetting, then relearning), and it will get them used to take impromptu cumulative assignments that cover a variety of topics. If You Know What’s Important, Focus on It If you are teaching math to an 8th grader getting ready for high school, you have the distinct advantage of knowing exactly what that 8th grader will ultimately learn in high school math classes.   This means you also know what material won’t be important for high school.   Use this knowledge to review and expand their knowledge in the areas that will help them the most in the future.   Don’t jeopardize their success in their current class because you are teaching them things for the future, but you should emphasize the important topics whenever possible.   I also find that students tend to focus more when I tell them which things will be important for next year. Get Them Ahead When Possible Similar to the previous point, you should be using any extra time to get your student ahead in their studies.   Students consistently come back to me pleased when they go over something in class that we had already practiced and got a head start on.   This is because they will likely do well on the topic in class, thus boosting their confidence and helping them feel smarter in school because they are better at the topic.   Getting a student ahead has many benefits, but I’ve found the most important are the benefits to their confidence and their overall enjoyment of the subject; everyone likes to be good at something and better than their peers. Read part one here. Book your experienced Costa Mesa tutor today! Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. All blog entries, except for 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.