Home Education and Private Tutoring Guide - Penn State Scholarships For Students Who Are On the Move

Home Education and Private Tutoring Guide - Penn State Scholarships For Students Who Are On the MoveThere are many Pennsylvania scholarships for students who have certain educational and/or personal goals. These should be explored in greater detail as they have the potential to provide extra money to students. Students need to realize that getting more than a single education is just the start of life.As the job market shifts with the changing times, students can expect to find more jobs in online fields. When you are able to do research, you can expect to find high-paying jobs that will afford you a living.Companies will be looking for employees with proven skill sets in different fields. For students who want to enter into higher education or better jobs, they may find a solid education is needed for better jobs. In addition, there are great work opportunities for those with a bachelor's degree or higher.Pennsylvanians can find many options through the online resources that exist t oday. You can enroll in online programs offered through a community college. Many community colleges offer high school and online classes.Even if you live in an area that has no local private schools, you can still find a fantastic deal on tuition. Some private schools are now offering scholarships to attract students.It is crucial to take advantage of an excellent education, especially one that allows you to live in the future. You have to recognize that the world of the future is on the move and there are excellent opportunities available for those with a great educational foundation.Home schooling is ideal for someone who wants to get started in education and life. Whether you are an adult who wants to enhance your skills and education or a child who wants to start learning at a young age, it is possible. It is time to take control of your life and education by applying for a scholarship.

The Aztecs

The Aztecs The Short-Lived Aztec Empire ChaptersPre-Aztec MesoamericaFounding the Aztec SocietyEducation in Aztec SocietyThe Aztec Social StructureAztec GodsThe Fall of the Aztec EmpireNo one is really sure where the people who defined themselves as Aztec originated from. The most prominent theory is that they migrated from North America.Finding the fertile land they arrived at already claimed by an assortment of warring tribes, the leader of this wandering band asked to occupy a relatively barren patch of land, a request that was granted.What happened next is a story of violence and brutality, in equal parts driven by spiritual beliefs and a hegemonic hunger that could never be assuaged.Let’s take a look at what made the Aztec so mighty, how they lived and, in the end, how their might did them in, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be explored. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Tea cher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsPre-Aztec Mesoamerica The Aztec were a fierce people but there was another side to them... Image by Joaquín Enríquez from PixabayEarly in the 13th Century, colonies descended from North America and settled in small tribes throughout what we know today as Mexico. They fought to establish dominance but no tribe was wholly successful in dominating the region or any other group.The Mexicas, a people who also spoke the Nahuatl language, arrived fairly late.Seeing the most fertile portions of land had already been settled, they convinced the Culhuacan king to allow them a seemingly worthless patch of land to cultivate. In return, they promised their service as mercenaries to the king.This arrangement worked fairly well. While a few men did the king’s bidding, the rest of the population set about breaking and moving rocks to build their city.At the king’s behest, the Mexica fought a particularly bloody battle with a neighbouring realm. Thus preoccupied, they failed to notice the king’s monitoring of thei r progress â€" both in building their city and in working the land.After the battle had been won, the king sent his daughter to rule over the Mexica, an act that those people saw as a betrayal. They flayed the young woman to death, presumably because their god Xipe Totec had commanded them to.Actually, there are conflicting versions of this account. Some say she was sent by the king and other specify that the Mexica people asked the king for his daughter with the specific purpose of spilling royal blood.Either way, this daughter’s sacrifice infuriated the king. He ordered his troops to drive the Mexica from the land.Their headlong flight was abruptly stopped by the sight of an eagle atop a cactus, devouring a snake.  They interpreted this appearance as a sign from their gods that they should make that land their home.It didn’t hurt that the land in question was an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco. From a military standpoint, it meant that the location would be difficult to a ttack and easy to defend.The Mexica set about building their greatest city, Tenochtitlan.Founding the Aztec SocietyHaving till then been nomadic, the people who came to be known as Aztec had a lot to learn about civilization and government but, because they had always been quick learners, the methods for establishing a society came easily.First, while still living within the shadow of an established kingdom, they learned through observation how a monarchy should be run.Also, while there, they married Culhuacan women who had experience in building and maintaining homesteads. These women were doubly advantageous as they could teach the next generation how to function in society.Once they felt reasonably established â€" they had built homes and had a growing population, they selected their first king, again following traditions they learned from the Culhuacan.That all sounds a bit idyllic but make no mistake: there was no peaceful coexistence between neighbouring realms.Constant fighti ng among them â€" for riches and political dominance whetted the Aztec appetite for blood and demonstrated their ability to draw it.After several such skirmishes, neighbouring states Texcoco and Tlacopan joined forces with Tenochtitlan to form a triple alliance; a military rule that dominated the Valley of Mexico.Now with allies firmly established, civilisation could thrive! The Aztec calendar was widely used throughout Mesoamerica Image by Dieter Martin from Pixabaydivisions were not set in stone. For instance, if the child of a commoner displayed a particularly high aptitude in a given subject, s/he would be sent to the ‘noble’ school.Young children would be educated in the home; females by their mothers and males by their fathers.This training followed traditional gender roles: boys would hunt, fish and fight; girls would weave, grind maize and learn to cook and care for the home.Once firmly grounded in ‘gender work’, they would attend school for academic acquisition, generally around age 15. There, they would learn maths, writing, history and national songs.Their early years in formal education saw all children, noble and common, in the same classroom. In later years, they would be split up along class and gender lines.Makes you wonder: if everyone receives the same education, how could there be social classes?The Aztec Social StructureAt the height of the Aztec civilization, in the early 16th Century, their capital city was home to more than 200,000 inhabitants: Tenochtitlan was the largest city of all the pre-Columbian civilizations.Aztec society was organised into three tiers: slavery, peasantry and nobility.In the early days of Aztec society, one did not inherit a social position; it had to be earned by demonstrating prowess in the battlefield or by making some extraordinary contribution to society.In a sense, this system was a cheat because nobles had the means to afford ‘earning’ their position but commoners generally did not.One way for a son of a modest family to gain nobility was to prove himself a cunning and ruthless fighter.Oddly enough, being accepted as a warrior was conditional; you could only be considered military if you captured five prisoners or more.Prisoners were used in religious sacrifice rituals so it was more valuable to capture them than to kill them in battle.Any conditional soldier who fa ils to capture a prisoner within his first three engagements would be relegated to the peasant class, forever shamed. For this reason, military initiates would often band together to capture an enemy, guaranteeing them a chance to eventually graduate to nobility.Being an Aztec slave was also rather remarkable.If you had been convicted of a misdeed, you may be deemed a slave. However, you could keep your property â€" your owner would become its caretaker during the time of your ‘sentence’, and you could even own slaves yourself.Slavery was generally the penalty for unsociable behaviour such as gambling or being deemed ‘incorrigible’. Willful children often entered into slavery that way.Slaves could regain their freedom after their owners’ death if they had discharged their duties exceptionally well, by marrying or having a child with their owner or by buying their freedom.If none of those conditions applied, slaves would be passed down to the next generation.Children of the poor could be sold into slavery, but only for a set time. Individuals could also sell themselves into slavery but maintain their freedom for a while before going into service.Any runaway slave who arrived at the royal palace without being caught would immediately be granted their freedom.Learn more about slavery in ancient Egypt...Women in Aztec SocietyUnlike other societies that flourished before the Spanish conquest, the Aztec elevated their women to a position on par with men.Noblewomen could work as secretaries or government officials â€" bookkeepers and administrators.‘Common’ women would not have such lofty positions open to them but they could be merchants, seamstresses or food vendors. They also had the option of becoming prostitutes â€" a profession not at all looked down on.Women functioned as midwives and medicine dispensers, diagnosing and treating the sick.If a mother wanted her newborn girl-child to become a priestess, they would take the infant to the temple to e stablish the terms of her tenure. After the child turned five years old, she would live in the temple, learning the rituals and keeping it clean.That must have been a tremendous job, considering the number of sacrifices each temple conducted! The feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl, is a prominent god in the Mesoamerican pantheon Image by Rodrigo de la torre from PixabayAztec GodsAt no time would the gods ever be ignored but, as with many Mesoamerican cultures, deities fell in and out of favour, depending on the current circumstances.For example, the gods of rain and agriculture would be invoked in times of drought and harvest but, were a conquest on the horizon, the gods of war would receive enjoy extra sacrifices.Unlike other civilisations in Pre-Columbian Central America, the Aztecs had three distinct groups of gods: some for celestial happenings, others for war and sacrifice and the third group concerned themselves with fertility â€" of the land and the people.In all, the Aztecs worshipped more than 200 gods. Their most prominent ones were:Huitzilopochtli, the father of the Aztecs. It was he who showed them where to establish their city.Tlaloc, god of rain: borrowed from the Mayans, he is one of the most ancient deitiesTe zcatlipoca, god of night: generally associated with dark, evil and deathQuetzalcoatl: brother of the night god, he represents learning and light, creation and goodnessthis feathered serpent god is also very old and renown in the Mayan cultureAlso discover how aboriginal Australians honoured their gods.The Significance of Human SacrificeBy today’s standards, any god who demands a steady supply of fresh blood would be seen as terrifying and barbaric but, to the Aztecs, human sacrifice was seen as a way to appease the gods and curry favour with them.While the Aztec were quite prolific in their sacrificial offerings, the rite did not initiate with them but with the Incan empire.Nevertheless, sacrificial rites took on a new significance for the Aztecs; it is estimated that more than 10,000 people ‘met the gods’ each year.The Aztec had gods aplenty and they each must be regularly fed. That was only one reason for sacrificing.Others include offerings for beneficial outcomes in trade or military engagement, and, strangely enough, for political reasons.The Aztec were relatively small in number. If they demonstrated their ruthlessness in such a public manner, surrounding tribes would be too scared to attack them. Besides, at the height of the empire, the Aztecs were collecting tributes from all of the neighbouring cities.Rather than offer one of their own for sacrifice, it was not uncommon for one village to kidnap a few people from the neighbouring village and hand them over to the Aztecs for sacrifice.In all, this clever ploy kept surrounding cities from banding together and attacking the Aztecs all while providing them with a sufficient number of sacrifices to keep their gods appeased.Oddly, that makes sense. What is a bit harder to understand and condone is child sacrifices.Scholars believe that, for the most part, those being sacrificed were drugged beforehand so that they would be easier to control. It is possible that being drugged made the ensuing agony a little more bearable.On the other hand, children were made to cry before being sacrificed because it was thought that their tears would moisten the earth, compelling their rain god to pour down his bounty.If the child would not cry on his/her own, the priests might rip out a few fingernails. Once the tears started flowing, it was ‘on with the show!’.How were children treated in ancient Greece? The Aztecs discovered the abandoned ruins of Teotihuacan and claimed the territory Image by jjnanni from PixabayThe Fall of the Aztec EmpireThe Aztec empire lasted just under 100 years: from 1428 to 1521. In that time, they established a remarkable civilisation that may have endured for centuries more had it not been for Hernan Cortes.They built magnificent structures to worship their gods, palaces and fine homes for nobility to live in, and fertile fields to grow crops.One of their most remarkable agrarian accomplishments, chinampas, produced enough grain and plants to feed the entire population.These floating gardens measured about 300 feet in length and 30 in width. They were crafted by weaving sticks together to form a raft. On that raft was piled mud and silt until it sunk about three feet.Anchoring those rafts to trees, they were then able to plant enough to sustain the entire population.The Aztec calendar became the standard of Mesoamerican civilizations.This solar calendar wa s based on a 365-day cycle and a ritual cycle of 260 days. The Aztec religion depended on their calendars for rites and sacrifice events.Much of Aztec culture and poetry was recorded in a series of books or codices.Did the ancient Mesopotamians also maintain a codex library?Each one tells a story of some aspect of the life of the Aztec people â€" religious, military, agricultural... some are historical accounts of events during and after the arrival of the Spaniards.The death knell sounded for the Aztec empire not on the shores of Lake Texcoco but on the Yucatan peninsula: it was there that Spanish forces arrived from Cuba, on a reconnaissance mission.After returning there, Spanish governor Velasquez ordered a much larger delegation to sail. Their orders were to claim the land for the crown and reap whatever riches could be had.Not only did Cortes bring a fighting force, he and his men brought diseases the Aztec had no immunity to.Much of the population succumbed to smallpox and inf luenza and a substantial number were massacred by the Spaniards. Still, the Aztecs did not give up.A nephew of Montezuma, the recently-murdered emperor, claimed the throne and drove the invaders out. Undaunted, Cortes joined forces with another of the Aztec rivals, stormed the city for the third time and defeated the Aztecs for once and for all.Upon his victory, he and his troops rased Tenochtitlan. Out of its ruins, he built Mexico City, which became the European centre of the New World.Still, Mexico has not forgotten her Aztec heritage; the scene of the eagle atop a cactus devouring a snake - the vision that compelled the Aztecs to settle in that region is emblazoned on their flag for all to see.Aztecs were poets, artists, intellectuals and amazing engineers. They were also brilliant military strategists, ruthless fighters and hostage to a band of bloodthirsty gods.It seems a shame that they are more remembered for their negative aspects than their marvelous ones.Now join the disc ussion: how do other ancient civilizations compare with the Aztec?

Volunteer With HEART Chris Brown - Heart Math Tutoring

Volunteer With HEART Chris Brown - Heart Math Tutoring Volunteer With HEART: Chris Brown Volunteer With HEART: Chris Brown April 15, 2015 Chris Brown tutors a first grader and a third grader at Highland Renaissance Academy in NoDa. Chris started in September after learning about the opportunity through the Volunteer Portal at Bank of America, where he works. Bank of America is one of our Community Partners. Why do you volunteer? “I have always enjoyed volunteering. From talking with friends who work with Teach for America in the Charlotte area, I knew how much help was needed in public schools, especially at the elementary school level. Being able to help students grow and build a foundation in vital early math skills really appealed to me.” What are some of your favorite moments from working with the students? “There have really been so many, but a couple that stick out include “A teacher pulled me aside after standardized test scores came back and showed me the enormous improvement one of the students I work with had made. That was great in itself, but, as we were walking to the tutoring room, the student shared the news with me as well. I could tell how proud and happy he was. It was so awesome to not only see the student improve, but also to see his growing self confidence. “Heart holds a luncheon before winter break and again at the end of the school year. The luncheon allows the tutors to interact with parents and to celebrate the students’ hard work. Both students who I tutor expressed how much they enjoyed spending time outside the classroom with the volunteers and having their parents meet us. A couple months later, one student brought the luncheon up again and told me it was his favorite day of school ever. It really put into perspective how much it means to the kids for the volunteers to take a couple hours out of the work week to help them and to spend some time talking with them.” What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming a volunteer? Do not hesitate and just go for it! At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect since I probably hadn’t worked with elementary school students since I was in elementary school. I have personally gotten more out of it than I ever expected. It not only provides a great break for a couple hours a week from whatever is going on in the office, but it is more impactful than you know. Every week I look forward to seeing the kids I work with, and I never leave the school without a smile on my face. Want to volunteer with HEART Tutoring? HEART will need more volunteers for the 2015/2016 school year! With a commitment of one hour per week, community members can help a struggling student gain the skills and confidence he/she needs for long-term success. Click here to express your interest!

Using English Adjective Clauses and Phrases (video)

Using English Adjective Clauses and Phrases (video) Adjective clauses and phrases are probably the most common grammatical construction in the daily newspaper. People and their ages, positions, company affiliations, as well as places with descriptions, and times with memorable data all appear in adjective clauses and phrases. On any given page of the paper, you will probably find 20 of them, such as this one:The location where the secret meeting took place  was Marra’s restaurant, located next to the house of John Demarco, a butcher, who saw the two spies  wearing black overcoats and ski masks.One of the interesting things about an adjective clause is that you do not need a subject or verb. Many tests like the  GMAT, TOEIC, and TOEFL require you to understand and use adjective clauses. Take a look at the video below to help you understand and dont forget the quiz.Do you think youve got it? Click here to try our quizWant more quizzes?   Try this adjective quiz.

The 65 First Phrases and Words to Learn in a New Language

The 65 First Phrases and Words to Learn in a New Language The 65 First Words and Phrases to Learn in a New Language You make many choices every day.What will you do today?What toppings will you put on your frozen yogurt?What size coffee will you order?But one decision might have even more impact than how much caffeine you want to intake: What words should you learn first?When learning a new language, it can be difficult to prioritize vocabulary. There are plenty of vocabulary lists for the  most common languages, but where do you even start?Well, learning the alphabet  is a good jumping off point, but where you go from there can be a little more complicated.That is why we are here to help. These 65 common words and phrases can provide you with the vocabulary you need to hold basic conversations and communicate important information. Whatever your target language, you will want to start studying these words and phrases today! Why Is It Important to Learn These Phrases First When Learning a New Language?What makes these 65 words and phrases to special? This vocabulary provides a jumping point for communication. Learning this vocabulary willEnsure you are able to communicate when traveling. You dont need to be fluent in a new language for travel, but learning key phrases can provide you with the skills you need to ask important questions and share basic information on your travels.In addition, if you happen to travel to a country that speaks a similar language, you might still be able to use this information to communicateâ€"that is because there are  mutually-intelligible languages, which are languages that are similar enough to each other that speakers of one language can understand the other language.Allow you to communicate in common situations even if you arent that far along in your studies. Learning key words and phrases early enables you to use the language sooner, thereby helping you communicate more clearly and motivating you to keep studying.Help you  build on your new vocabulary.  Many of these words and phrases are very common, so they an act as a foundation for the rest of your learning. As you get more and more proficient, you can add to it with more phrases like slang in different languages.Assist in learning verb conjugations and grammar rules. Whenever you encounter a similar sentence, you can use the phrases youve learned to help you construct it.See how important it is to learn key phrases and words like the ones on our list?How to Learn Your First 65 Words and PhrasesThere are many different ways to learn your first words and phrases. You will need to find which way works best for you,  but there are some particularly useful ways.Make your own vocabulary lists or foreign language notebooks  to keep track of your favorite words and phrases. Only include the phrases you think you will want to use. This way, you have your very own, customized guide to help you learn.Group your vocabulary into small chunks.  Staring down a long vocabulary lists is daunting, but if you break it into small chunks, learning vocabulary is much less intimida ting. Plus, grouping vocabulary sets thematically will also help you link related words in your mind.Check pronunciations online. Listening to words and phrases can help you pronounce them better, so use Forvo and Google Translate to hear what each word/phrase sounds like. Forvo offers free, user-submitted pronunciations of common words and phrases while Google Translate offers translations and pronunciations. It also allows you to hear the word more slowly when you click a second time.Use FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons. You can either use FluentUs videos and pre-made lists to learn basic words and phrases, or, with a Plus plan, you can make your own basic multimedia flashcard sets and let the program put together customized quizzes for you.With these learning methods you will soon be on your way to communicating in your target language. And the best place to b egin is right here, with this list of 65 important words and phrases to learn in a new language!The 65 First Words and Phrases to Learn in a New LanguagePolite VocabularyIt is impossible to understate the value of being polite. Especially if you dont speak a language very well, knowing a few polite words and phrases can help clarify that you have good intentions.Please Not only is please a valuable word to tack on to any request, you can also use it alone to indicate that you want something. For instance, if you see something in a store or at a restaurant that you want, pointing at it and saying please will generally communicate your intentions.Thank you Expressing gratitude is appropriate whenever someone helps you out. It shows show them that you know they did you a favor and you appreciate it.Youre welcome While you might not need to use it as often as other polite words, if someone thanks you, it is always nice to respond in kind.Im sorry/Excuse me Im sorry is usually appropriat e if youve messed up or want to express remorse. In some languages, it can also be used to express that you didnt hear/understand.  Excuse me can be used if you want to get someones attention, or get through a crowd. In many languages, the two phrases can be used interchangeably.  Since the usage of Im sorry and excuse me varies between languages, you will want to investigate which one is more useful in your target language.Yes/No These might seem obvious but you will use them often, so they are important to be familiar with.Greetings Getting to Know YouKnowing basic greetings and getting-to-know-you conversations in your target language is a setup for a friendly interaction.Hello You can never go wrong with hello. Depending on the level of formality of the interaction, you could also consider using hi.What is your name? When the person introduces himself/herself, try to repeat the name. Not only will this give them an opportunity to correct your pronunciation, it will also help yo u remember the name.I am/My name is In some languages you introduce yourself with I am while in others you say my name is or even I call myself instead.  Because there is so much variation, it is helpful to pay careful attention to what is most common in your target language. Although learning I am could never hurt. After all, depending on the language, you might also use it to indicate characteristics or feelings, like I am an American or I am happy.Nice to meet you When someone introduces himself/herself, it is polite to express joy at meeting them. Nice to meet you or its a pleasure are common, but this may vary across languages.How are you? In some places, how are you? is a generic greeting. In other places, it is a polite way to show interest in someones well being. Regardless, it is a polite question to ask.Im well If how are you? is a generic greeting in many languages, the best way to respond is by saying Im well or Im fine, even if you are not. This also avoids awkward foll owup questions if you do not speak much of the language.Where are you from? If you want to learn more about a person, this is a good option to start out with. Additionally, if you are traveling abroad, you might hear this question a lot.I am from At some point you might want to clarify where you are from. Just remember that place names are also likely to be different in your target language, so you will want to also learn the right name to for your home country.What is your profession? If your conversation is going well, you might consider asking what is your profession? or what do you do for a living? If you are going to ask this, though, be sure you also know the words for common professions, or you might end up a little lost.Goodbye Simply walking away from a conversation might seem rude. Knowing the word for Goodbye will help. Most languages also have less formal words for goodbye, like bye or bye bye that you can use with friends.Getting InformationYou cant plan for everything ahead of time, so sometimes you need to ask questions to get information. Here are some common questions you are likely to use.Where is? If you are traveling abroad, at some point you are likely to need directions. Where is is a good question to solicit this information. Just pair it with common place names (which we will discuss later).How do I get to? Where is could lead to a description of the location rather than directions. Use the more direct how do I get to? to yield more specific directions.How far is? This is an easy question to forget, but knowing the distance from one place to another is an important way to determine what mode of transportation you will use. After all, chances are you dont want to spend a full day walking to a tourist site when a bus could take you there in an hour.Can you show me on a map? If you do not know enough of the language to follow directions, can you show me on a map? is an easy way to avoid using much language. Plus, this will allow you to bet ter visualize your route.Could you write that down? Asking people to write information down allows you to see the printed words, which can be easier to understand than spoken language. If you do not recognize the words, you can later look them up in a dictionary without an awkward pause in conversation.How much does it cost? Whether you are shopping, booking a room or eating out, this will ensure you do not overspend. You might also pair this with could you write that down? to make your expenses even clearer.What is this? You can use what is this? to learn more about things like food or clothing that you are unfamiliar with, or you could use it to learn new words in your target language.What time is it? If your phone battery dies or the timezone change has you reeling, being able to ask the time can help you avoid missing flights, trains and buses.Do you have? If you are shopping or want a particular dish at a restaurant, this will help you ask for it by name.Do you have anything ch eaper? Not only is this a good way to find out if there is anything more affordable, you might also use this question to try to negotiate a better price.Do you like? Do you like? can be used for getting-to-know-you activities, but it is also an easy way to find out if something is worth doing. For instance, if you ask a local if they like a particular restaurant and they give you an adamant no, you might want to dine elsewhere.What is the best? Locals always know best, so asking locals what is best is a helpful way to find out the best restaurants, shops and tourist sites.How do you say? To build your vocabulary, you might try using this phrase. Friendly English-speaking locals might be able to help you if you list a word or phrase in English, or you can point to indicate what you want to learn to say.What is fun to do around here? If you have a gap in your schedule, this is a good way to solicit awesome local tips that other tourists havent figured out yet.What do you recommend? Wh ether you are inquiring about food, hotels or even style choices, being able to ask what someone recommends not only shows them that you respect his/her opinion, it also provides you with valuable insight.Where can I? You might need help finding the right place for something. For instance, Where can I buy a matryoshka? Where can I get the best sushi? Where can I get another unicorn tattoo?NumbersNo, you wont need to show off your counting skills to locals, but you will undoubtedly need to know numbers for buying things, telling the time and even understanding your hotel room number.1-10, 100, 1,000 The numbers 1 to 10 are essential. In many languages, numbers 11 through 99 are based on the earlier numbers, so you can usually deduce higher numbers if you know the basics (for instance, twenty-two and forty-two use the same rule). One hundred often breaks the conventions, so you will need to learn it. Depending on the local currency, learning higher numbers, like 1,000, could also come in handy.TransportationAirplane When traveling internationally, most travelers will at some point travel via air, so learning the word for airplane is important.Train Train travel is common in many countries, so this word could come in handy.Taxi If you are looking to hire a car, learning the word for taxi is essential. Luckily, in many languages, its just taxi.Car Whether you plan to rent a car or not, this is still a useful word to know.Bus Buses offer a convenient and affordable mode of transportation, so you might want to learn the word.PlacesPlace It is vague and generic but it can also be useful. If you do not know the name of a place, the word place might help you. For instance, if you cant remember the word for restaurant, you might ask Where is the place? and then make an eating gesture . Sure, its not elegant, but it gets the job done.Restaurant Everyone likes food, so it is best to just learn the word for restaurant. Your stomach will thank you.Hotel If you are staying i n a hotel, this word is important. If you are renting an apartment or condo, you might learn these words instead.Airport When you are running late for a flight, you will be glad you learned the word for airport.Train/bus station If you plan on doing any train travel, knowing the word for train station can help you get the directions you need. Similarly, learning the word for bus station can help you find the desired station rather than standing around on the street frantically trying to wave down 10-ton vehicles.Market If you have a shopping bug (and who doesnt?) knowing the word for market will help you find your next great souvenir. It is important to note, however, that in different languages, there may be different words for food markets, clothing markets, etc.Communicating Basic InformationI like It can be a friendly way to share interests or give compliments, but you can also use I like to try to get what you want. For instance, saying I like pasta in a restaurant would let th e waiter know to direct you towards pasta dishes, especially if you pair it with what do you recommend?I dont like I dont like might not be as useful for friendly conversation as I like since it could seem a little negative, but it is just as useful for trying to get what you want. For instance, I dont like onions. What do you recommend? will let the waiter know you want help finding onion-free or low-onion dishes.I speak Clarifying what language or languages you speak will let people know how you communicate best. If they happent to speak the same language you can switch to it for easier communication.Id like to go to This is a particularly useful phrase to use in taxis to let the driver know your destination.Im allergic to If you have allergies, this is an essential phrase to share in restaurants. Be sure to also learn the words for any of your allergens.Making RequestsI would like Whether you are ordering food, requesting a specific hotel room or looking to purchase a souvenir, t his phrase is incredibly useful.Can I have? This phrase is similar to I would like although which one to use can vary between languages.Do you speak English? If you are struggling to understand or be understood, this is good information to have. Even if the person you are speaking with does not speak English, they may help you find someone who does.Menu, please Getting a restaurant menu is important. It gives you time to leisurely peruse the food items (and frantically look up any words you dont know).Check, please If your waiter doesnt bring you the check, you will be glad to know this phrase. No one wants to sit around waiting for a check for three hours. No one.Expressing ConfusionNo matter how hard you study, there are some things you might still miss. Here are a few ways to express your confusion.Repeat, please Understanding a foreign language can be hard. Asking someone to repeat what they said will give you another chance to understand what you may have missed the first time. More slowly, please Some native speakers speak really quickly. Even if you are proficient at a language, you might need them to slow it down a little.I dont understand Saying this phrase comes across so much better than just staring blankly. It also provides the speaker an opportunity to repeat or rephrase.Im sorry, I dont speak This is a polite way to let people know that you dont understand the language.What doesmean? When you dont understand a particular word, this is a helpful way to get more explanation or solicit an impromptu charades session.EmergenciesHopefully you will never need to use the following words, but it is always better to be prepared!Help You never know when you might need help, and you certainly do not want to be left scrambling for a dictionary or translator, so this is a good word to learn ahead of time.Caution You might not need it often, but you will certainly want to learn this word in case you see it on a sign or hear someone warning you.Danger Like cauti on, you might see this word on signs. Understanding it will help ensure you dont fall into a hole or touch a live electrical wireâ€"avoiding little things like that make a trip much nicer.Emergency If you are experiencing a crisis, being able to use this word will help communicate what is happening.Fire You will not need it that often, but if someone is running down your hotel hallway screaming it you will be glad you studied ahead of time.I need a doctor In a medical emergency, this phrase can help you get the assistance you need.Please call the police You never want it to happen, but if you encounter neer-do-wells this phrase will let bystanders know you need police intervention.What are these words and phrases in your target language, and how will you use them? And One More ThingDont let your learning fall off after these first words and phrases!  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 real people 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 over or tap on 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.

Best Places To Live During Business School

Best Places To Live During Business School image via universumglobal.com If you are planning on attending business school this fall, it might be time to start looking into places to live. You don’t want just any place, you want the best space possible for you! What does that really mean? Here are some location ideas that can give you a head start on finding the perfect place for you. The Perfect View Picture this: you are working tirelessly on some econ homework and getting ready for a big presentation in your business class. You are feeling the pressure. You open the blinds to your room and stare out into the most breath-taking sunset view that you ever did see. You stare at it for a moment, taking in how gorgeous nature is, and then get back to work, basking in the view that is yours. This isn’t for everyone, but most people function better when they have a view that is aesthetically pleasing. This view doesn’t have to be of nature either. You might prefer a place that has a view of the city, the place where you dream to work after finishing up school. Motivation like this can be essential when you are having one of those days where you just want to curl up in bed and never have to get up again. The Perfect Vibe Where you live is going to play a big part in how much work you get done. If you are in a place where everything is fast paced and loud and the neighbors party too much for their own good, chances are you aren’t going to get the focus you need. And if you are in a place that is so silent that you are starting to go crazy, well, that isn’t good either. What you need is a good balance between the two, a place that is close enough to fun things so you can let off some steam, but also in its own little nook so you can get away when you need to and bust out some late night research. If you love the hustle and bustle of the city, try and get a place close to a quaint coffee shop or that is in walking distance to a library or study center. This way, you still have your escape, but can enjoy where you live. The Perfect Location We all know that networking is everything, especially in the business world, so when you are choosing where to live around your school, pick a place where a lot of professionals also live, or at least pass through. You never know what kind of conversation you might strike up in your local Starbucks, and never know when an opportunity will hit you. The better you locate yourself, the better chances you have with this! It’s also good to be in a place where you can witness professionals in your field firsthand. This should motivate you to keep going, to get to where they are at some point in your life. If you haven’t yet picked a school and are still trying to decide where to apply, why not look into ones, like San Jose State, that are close to hot spot locations, like Silicon Valley? You are going to end up in an area like this eventually for work, so if you can have a school that is already centered there, you’ll be golden. The Perfect People The people who you associate with are either going to make you or break you. If you are striving for success, you want to live around people who are also trying to make it, and will want the best for you. This could mean living around some friends that you know are hard workers, or look for areas that contain recent grads, so you can see where you will be in a few short months. Partying is fun every once in a while, but you don’t want to be living around people who will distract you, or who will post Facebook photos of you that will hurt your chances of getting hired. If you live around people with a professional vibe, you too will embody it. The Perfect Distance You want to find a place that has a decent commute between school, work and fun activities. While this can be a bit trickier to find, it will be worth the effort of finding. This way, if you don’t have a car, you can walk or bike where you need to go without breaking too much of a sweat. Don’t want to look unprofessional now, do we? This way you can still get some exercise in to be of sound mind and body, and won’t have a hard time getting to where you need to go, thus always being on time and always looking like the professional you are. When it comes to where you are living, there are a lot of things you should be looking for. It’s not just a place, it’s the space that can help you become all that you are meant to be and more. Good luck out there! Learn more about Kaplan’s test prep options and start building the confidence you need for Test Day.

How to Master Writing in a Foreign Language 5 Steps at Any Level

How to Master Writing in a Foreign Language 5 Steps at Any Level 5 Steps to Master Writing at Any Level Have you ever gotten an email full of spelling and grammatical mistakes?Eep!Chances are you have, and chances are it didnt leave  a great impression.When you write in a foreign language, you dont want to be the person  whose correspondence is riddled with errors. That, among other reasons, is why writing well is an essential part of learning any language. Why Writing Is So ImportantWriting Is Essential to Long-distance CommunicationNeed to communicate with someone who isnt sitting across from you? Youll probably need to use some form of written communication. Even if youre setting up a time to make a phone call or have a language lesson over Skype, youll probably be sending an email, instant message or text message. Using online chat rooms, forums and comment sections of articles, sending snail mail and even updating your social media in a foreign language all require writing skills.Mistakes Make You Seem UneducatedIt wont always be obvious that youre not a native speaker of your t arget language, especially if youre reaching out to someone for the first time. Errors in your writing will make you seem like you havent done your homework. People may doubt your ability to understand their reply. Thats not a good first impression to make.Language Tests Measure Writing AbilityDo you need to prove you can speak your target language? If so, youll probably be asked to prove you can write it. Most language tests measure your ability to write, either by asking you to write something in the language or by testing your ability to fill in the blanks in a sentence.Often the oral parts of language exams are less rigorous or theyre considered optionalâ€"I know thats the case with the HSK, which measures Chinese language proficiency. So being an excellent orator will not make up for below-average writing skills on many language exams.Writing Is Essential for Professional CommunicationIf you hope to use your target language in any remotely professional capacity, being able to w rite with relatively few mistakes becomes even more essential. The stakes are high in professional communication.You dont want to make any faux pas in an email to a client or supplier who speaks your target language, nor would you want to use the wrong greeting or make a glaring mistake in a cover letter to a potential employer.Mistakes in Writing Can Lead to MiscommunicationWhen you speak, smoothing out a misunderstanding takes seconds or, at worst, a couple minutes of confused back-and-forth. But when you write, choosing the wrong vocabulary word or garbling your grammar can cause serious problems with comprehension that end up taking a long time to unravel.There are less non-language clues for the reader to go by than for a listenerâ€"things like body language, gesture and context. Because of the nature of writing, back and forth communication is also slower, so it takes a longer time to figure out what you actually meant to say. Its so much better to write it correctly the first time.Ways to Improve Writing at  All Proficiency LevelsLearning to write in a foreign language isnt that different from learning to write in your native languageâ€"which took you 12 years of formal schooling to master. In most cases, the difference is that you have to be  more self-motivated to master writing in a foreign language, because you wont have 12  years worth of teachers forcing you to spell correctly. However, the same habits that make you a good writer in your native language will help you be a better writer in your target language.Read in Your Target LanguageChildren who read have better language skills  and language learners who read in their target language have better language skillsâ€"especially better writing skills. The benefits of reading accrue from any type of reading, not just active reading. Even if youre reading a romance novel or Harry Potter book in your target language and youre casually  skimming over anything you dont understand, the increased exposure to the language in its written form will help you develop better writing skills.Get Corrections on Your WritingThe best way to build a solid writing ability is to write and get corrected. Remember: This is how you learned to write in your native language. If youre studying independently, you can get corrections on your writing on sites like Lang-8. If youre working with a private tutor, make sure he or she gives you written homework and corrects it, explaining any mistakes.Once youve gotten your writing corrected, make sure to rewrite your text  to incorporate the corrections. That will allow you to internalize and practice the correct grammar, vocabulary and style in your target language.Pay Lots of Attention to GrammarWriting well means having impeccable grammar. When you speak, its easy to slur declensions  (in many languages, native speakers do just that) and generally hide a less-then-ideal grasp of grammar. Theres no way to hide poor grammar when you writeâ€"everything is bla ck and white on the page. So becoming a better writer means a complete grasp of grammar rules.5 Steps to Master Writing at Any LevelBuilding the Foundation: 5 Beginner-level Steps to Get Started  Writing1. Learn  the RulesYour first step as a beginner is to learn the building blocks of your target languages writing system.If the language has an alphabet (most do), that means both mastering the alphabet and learning spelling rules. Note that even if youre learning a language that uses the Latin alphabet, youll still have to learn some new letters, accents and pronunciations.If youre learning French, for example, youll need to master the  accent marks  and to know when  a c  should be written with a  cédille (ç).  If youre learning Chinese or another language that uses characters, focus on learning both basic, common characters and the building blocks of those characters (radicals).2. Master Basic GrammarWhen youre a beginner, its easy to feel like the grammar rules youre learning a re boring and stuffy. But this stage is all about foundation buildingâ€"it might not be super interesting, but its extremely important.Take all of your grammar lessons very seriously. You should also make sure you do grammar exercisesâ€"which count as writing practiceâ€"and get corrections to make sure you internalize and master grammar concepts as they are taught.3.  Focus on Correct SentencesWhen youre a beginner, dont try to write out huge compositions. Focus on writing simple sentences, but writing them correctly. Grammar exercises are a great example of a writing exercise for beginners. Dont get caught up in the quantity of writing youre doing.At most, your compositions should be about a paragraph long. At the beginner level, its better to focus your energy on doing a little well than doing a lot poorly.4. Keep Subjects SimpleAs a beginner, dont focus on writing complex tales using constructions you dont really understand. Beginner vocabulary and grammar concepts are generally very descriptive and concrete.The nouns youre learning are the kinds of things that you can point to or hold in your hand rather than abstract concepts. Grammar youve learned will be similarly concrete. Heres some subjects that are well-suited for beginners writing:Descriptions of your family, your home, your bedroom or your hometownDescriptions of your routinesâ€"how you spend the weekend, what you do at work, how you make dinnerDescriptions of what you did during the past day, weekend or on your last vacationThe bottom line is that you shouldnt be trying to argue about the meaning of lifeâ€"just focus on writing about simple subjects and doing so correctly.5. Write LonghandIf youre like most people, you probably do most of your writing on the computerâ€"in your native language or any other language. Your computer probably double-checks your spelling and might even have a grammar check as well.If youre learning a character language like Chinese, the experience of writing on the com puter is substantially different (easier) than writing longhand. The only way to get good at writingâ€"and to build a really solid foundationâ€"is to practice writing by hand. Here are some things you can write out by hand:Diary entriesShopping listsRemindersRemember, thoughâ€"if you really want to master writing, you need to be not just writing for yourself, but getting corrections on your work. So dont write anything so personal that you wont be willing to share with a teacher!Moving Forward: 5 Steps to Take as an Intermediate Writer1. Move to More Complex Subject MatterAt the intermediate level, you should start writing about more complicated subjects that require more advanced vocabulary and grammar.Current events is a great subject to practice with, because theres always something going on! You can also keep it personal by writing about experiences further in your past or your plans for the future.2. Write Longer TextsAt the intermediate level, you should be trying to write mor e than a few sentences. Do at least some writing that hits the 500-word mark.You should also start thinking about more than just whether or not each individual sentence is grammatically correctâ€"make sure that you can write a coherent paragraph with sentences that relate to each other and flow correctly. This means learning to use pronouns appropriately and learning the phrases your target language uses to refer back to ideas that have already been mentioned.3. Start TypingOnce youve established a strong foundation by writing longhand, you should move to typing.Youll need to change your keyboard to your target language. If your target language is Arabic, Russian or another language that doesnt use the Latin alphabet, I would recommend getting keyboard stickers as well.Typing well involves a lot of practice and is like learning a manual language, so it will take practice to get to point where you can type as fast in your target language as in your native language. Using the computer opens up a huge number of opportunities for writing in your target language, such as:Using social media. Pay attention to which social media platforms are used by speakers of your target language. If youre learning Russian, for example, set up a VKontakte profile. If youre learning Chinese, a Weibo account is basically a must.Commenting on blog posts. Reading blogs in your target language is a good way to get in plenty of reading practice, and participating in the online discussion is excellent writing practice.Utilizing relevant apps. Other apps that have a written component, ranging from dating apps to weight loss apps that force you to write updates.4. Learn Specialized Writing StylesWriting well, like speaking well, requires using the correct phrases, vocabulary and style for the circumstance. Different types of writing require radically different types of vocabulary and often have their own set phrases and formats that are quite different.Using the correct greeting is remarkab ly important if youre sending someone an email or letter. Here are some types of writing that most likely have specific formats that you should learn:EmailsLetters, both formal and informalCover letters and resumesInternet slangOther types of writing, depending on your goals as a language learner, might include academic papers, news articles, reports or scripts.Youll also want to learn set phrases like once upon a time.5. Read in Your Target Language and Write SummariesOne of the best ways to practice writing is to summarizeâ€"in your own wordsâ€"things that you read in your target language.This type of exercise is ideal for writing something that can be  corrected by a language exchange partner, teacher or tutor (remember you want to get corrections on at least some writing, and youre less likely to be corrected on your social media posts).The goal is to use the reading material as a way to learn new vocabulary and sentence structures and then to summarize the piecesâ€"without refe rring to the originalâ€"so that the vocabulary and turns of phrase are internalized. Basing your writing on something youve read also eliminates the need to come up with a subject, which is surprisingly difficult when facing the blank page.Mastery: 5 Steps to Dominate Writing as an  Advanced Learner1. Write for PublicationWant to become a really good writer? Make sure that your work is publicly available. The idea of a stranger reading your work is a powerful motivator to get it right. This doesnt mean that you have to become a full-time writer  in your target language (although there are certainly writers who write in a language that isnt their native language), just that you should seek out opportunities to publish works of writing. Heres a couple of ideas:Start a blog in your target languageGuest post on other blogs in your target language (especially if you dont want to commit to blogging yourself)Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper or magazine in your target languageSub mit a professional paper at a conference related to your profession.2. Practice Different Types of WritingAt an advanced level, youre working on more then learning set phrases used in writing. Instead, you want to master different types of writing.There are surprising cultural differences in some types of writingâ€"I had a French professor insist that an essay  must be five  paragraphs and had to adhere to a very strict format in order to be correct. Here are some of the types of writing youll want to work on as an advanced learner:Persuasive essaysNarratives of different lengthsCorrespondenceProfessional writing like reports and memos3. Retell Stories or Essays You Read in Your Target or Native LanguageRetelling stories (or other kinds of writing, depending on what type of writing youre working on) is a great way to practice.You read a piece of writing (of a manageable length, probably between 1,000 and 2,000 words), put the original aside and then try to replicate the piece of wri ting on your own. This exercise will both help you overcome writers block and teach you new vocabulary.Retelling stories is a good way to internalize the turns of phrase, vocabulary and sentence structure that native speakers of your target language use in their writing.4. Pay Attention to StyleYouve moved beyond merely avoiding gross errors in your writingâ€"so now its time to care about whether or not your writing sounds decent. This means varying your word choice by using synonyms and using sentence structures that arent only correct but that also sound good to a native speaker of your target language.5. Continue Getting CorrectionsOnce you get to an advanced level, its easy to assume that you dont need any more instruction. But if you really want to master writing, you need to continue getting corrections on your written workâ€"indefinitely. It doesnt have to be on every piece of written work you produce, but periodic corrections will help you continue improving your writing.Wri ting is one of the hardest things to do well as a non-native speaker of a language, because theres no room to hide behind mumbled errors  and because becoming literateâ€"even in your native languageâ€"requires quite a bit of effort and instruction.That doesnt mean writing should be neglected, because your overall language ability will often be judged solely on the basis of how well you write. There are lots of ways to improve your writing ability, but they can be essentially boiled down to three key components:Read a lotWrite a lotGet your writing correctedIf you can do those three things, youll see your writing ability increase until you can genuinely consider yourself a master!Emily Liedel  is a writer and polyglot. She speaks French, Spanish, Russian, German and Mandarin Chineseâ€"her goal is to speak all of the official UN languages fluently (HINT: Arabic is the language left on her list). She writes about language learning and living abroad at  www.thebabeltimes.com.And One Mor e ThingUsing FluentU on the regular will help your writing skills by expanding your vocabulary, giving you spelling and grammar practice and strengthening your overall grasp of the language youre learning. 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 Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.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.