The Best Ways to Learn French

The Best Ways to Learn FrenchThere are a lot of things you need to know about learning French before you can even begin to think about how to learn English. So if you are looking for some tips and strategies, then this article is going to be one of the most useful and educational guides available online that will teach you how to learn French effectively.Learn to speak English - You do not need to memorize words. What you need to learn is to be able to understand them. Knowing a language is important but learning how to speak it is an essential factor.Learn to read and write French - This step is essential because many people find it difficult to read or write English. Many people consider this as one of the hardest lessons you need to learn because of the pressure. But for you to be able to understand foreign words and phrases, you need to learn how to read and write it properly. You can start by buying a French dictionary.Learn to talk - Remember that speaking your language is a cr ucial part of learning it. The best way to do this is by enrolling in a French class that includes conversation. Since you are not necessarily speaking to your peers but to the teachers, this is one of the best ways to learn how to speak French well.Learn the grammar - This is a tricky lesson because not everyone is born knowing how to speak the language. However, this is the most important lesson you need to learn so that you can pick up other things easily. It is much easier to learn to speak French if you know how to speak it right.Learn from books - Since learning how to speak and understand another language is a long process, you need to look into the Internet and all the resources available on it to find some help. The best way to do this is to get help from books and video tutorials on the Internet.You need to look at all these tips as they will really help you learn to speak French successfully. Even if you already know how to speak English well, you still need to understand that there are so many things that you need to do and be able to master.

American Idol Season 12 Not What it Used to Be

American Idol Season 12 Not What it Used to Be Sign up successful In my opinion, Ms. Minaj has been anything but professional.  After storming off the set like an attention-seeking child,  inexcusably  showing up late to a live taping and then later threatening to quit the show, its no wonder why ratings have dropped dramatically.  Its questionable if FOX is feeding the outlandish behavior of Nicki Minaj simply in order to gain viewers.   The whole point of American Idol is to tune in twice a week to support and vote for your favorite contestant.  Using violence and immature outbursts as means to boost ratings on a television show designed to inspire and unify American pop culture fans during the process of  determining the next winner is counterproductive. American Idol is clearly going through some major growing pains and Minaj may just be the shows teenage antics.   For a reality show that once pulled in 37.44-million viewers, Idol has a lot of making up to do before Season 12 closes. In other Idol news, the results show on March 28, 2013, marked the shows 450th episode.   The singing competition inspired many other reality shows with the same idea, including   NBCs The Voice, currently in its 4th season, and FOXs X-Factor, moving into its 3rd. While no other singing competition show has seen American Idol-level ratings, if viewership continues in the same downward direction, I wouldnt be surprised if  Idol was surpassed as the #1 singing competition show. What do you think about American Idol Season 12? Do you think show is measuring up to past seasons? Leave a comment below! Dylan M., TakeLessons staff member and blogger  You might also like Nail Your Audition for X-Factor and More 5 Insider Tips for The Voice Auditions How Can American Idol Help in Music Lessons? Photo by CHRISTOPHER MACSERAK

Why I Volunteer - Fiona Ss Story

Why I Volunteer - Fiona S's Story Meet triple-threat Fiona S: volunteer, tutor, and qualified teacher. Before volunteering at Deptford Green School with Tutorfair, Fiona worked at the school as a secondary maths teacher. We help her tell the rest of her story below. I begin my chat with Fiona by admitting that I don’t know much about her volunteer experience. She kindly fills me in, “I’ve been tutoring at Deptford for probably a year now, after school on Mondays and during lesson time.” I go to scribble this down quickly when she continues, “I also tutored at a local charity in Camberwell [the Southside Young Leaders Academy] for probably six months, supporting talented black boys in the area. Then I volunteered with the On Track Project, teaching maths to students who are at risk of being permanently excluded, probably for another three months.” While I’m amazed at the time and energy Fiona has dedicated to the education of young people, Fiona herself doesn't appear fazed. “It’s just nice to keep my hand inâ€"to keep connected to schoolsâ€"and to teach on my own terms. It’s a system that allows me to give back and not tear my hair out,” she jokes. It’s a system that is easier for many students, too. As a tutor, Fiona is able to focus on those who most benefit from the extra tuition, but she doesn’t make the sessions mandatory. “I really like that balance; you don't have to be there, but if you want that extra help, then come,” she explains. “I think it's very refreshing to have a bit more freedom. It’s more of a choice, and that creates a very different balance between you and the students.” I ask Fiona if she can think of a particularly exceptional tutoring moment that was fostered by this new relationship between her and her students. “Oh, I’ve got loads. I’m just trying to choose one,” she answers easily. “I really like working with small groupsâ€"that's the fun of teachingâ€"and tutoring back at Deptford Green it gave me the opportunity to tutor students that I’d taught before. There was one student who was very disruptive in class, but being able to work with him one on one, he was a completely different child. That’s what I enjoy the most, working with the students who are really difficult in class, but then they get to be treated differently, and show how special they are.” I know I should let Fiona get back to her fantastic work, but I have one more question. Although it doesn’t sound as though she needs another reason to volunteer, I ask her if there is anything she would like to say to someone who is thinking about volunteering. She says, “I’m really interested in working more with children in care, and volunteering allows me to gain more experience with this group of young people. That’s how I feel about volunteering in general: it's just an amazing way to get experience in a sector you want to work in. You get to specialize and it's on your own terms.” We couldn’t have said it better. Thanks, Fiona! If you're a tutor, teacher or an aspiring educator looking to make a difference, visit the Tutorfair Foundation to find out how you can join the future of tutoring.

Common Wrong Answer Choices on the SAT and ACT Reading

Common Wrong Answer Choices on the SAT and ACT Reading ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog Many to-be ACT and SAT takers absolutely dread the Reading section for a series of totally fair reasons. The passages can be mind-numbingly boring. Questions about tone and author’s purpose seem cruelly subjective. So many of the questions have various answer choices that seem fine. The fact of the matter is that Reading sections on standardized tests tend to be more intimidating than they are legitimately difficult. Sure, the people who write these tests design the Reading section to be dry, but they also write questions and answer choices following some easily identifiable tropes and patterns. Oh, by the way, real people write these exams! There are only so many tricks that test writers have available when coming up with incorrect answer choices. This guide will help you identify the answer choices you should be suspicious of, helping you feel more in control when confronting an unfamiliar reading passage. But First: Why Identify Common Wrong Answer Choices? Many test takers tend to approach the reading comprehension questions on a standardized test the same as they would ordering lunch. They read through all of the whole menu of options for each question and then choose the one that seems most appealing. The people who write these tests hope that’s exactly what someone taking the test will do. A big part of their game is providing test takers with a number of answer choices that look appealing on first glance. Basically, the people who write these tests are banking on the fact that you know the clock is ticking and you have to choose whatever you think is the best choice fast enough in order to get a shot at the remaining questions. Identifying common wrong answer choices is a great way to beat these standardized tests at their own games. Sometimes, this will help you choose between two answer choices that look equally appealing. Sometimes, it will help you make snap judgements on a question you find really difficult, and therefore help you increase your chance of guessing correctly by eliminating an answer choice you know likely isn’t correct. Identifying common wrong answer choices helps a lot as part of a good process of elimination strategy. Common Wrong Answer Choices, Explained Too extreme: This can apply to questions asking you to describe characters in a story or ones asking you to draw conclusions about a study described in an expository passage. Take answer choice B in this problem: Scary things come to mind when you hear global catastrophe. Always ask yourself if it’s easier to support the more extreme answer choice or the less extreme one. Here we also have answer choice D, which reads political problem. A more extreme â€" and therefore harder to prove â€" statement is not as good of an answer as an equally accurate and more flexible one. Generalizations: Similarly, beware of answer choices that allow for too much interpretation. You will need to choose an answer that is reasonably specific. Answer choice A from this question is a good example of such a generalization: The phrase “always largely fictitious” sticks out like a sore thumb. Always is in and of itself a generalization and you want to be wary of any answer choice that starts that way. Always is hard to support unless explicitly stated in the page. Even worse, though, is this part of the phrase largely fictitious. What does that even mean? Is it totally fictitious or largely, but not entirely, fictitious? How could something be always mostly but not entirely fictitious? Half right means all wrong: Watch out for answer choices that contain some valid information alongside something that doesn’t really match the passage. These tend to be the most tempting wrong answer choices, since they look appealing when you’re just trying to pick something and move on. This is a hard one to provide an example question for since you really need the context of the passage. But remember, if just part of an answer choice can be supported by the passage, it should always be tossed out in favor of an answer choice that can be entirely supported by a passage. The better answer choice should be the one that’s hardest to eliminate. Off-topic: Sometimes an answer is bad because it really has nothing to do with the question being asked or the information in the passage. Looking for this type of common wrong answer choice can prove helpful on science-oriented passages, where lots of jargon and unfamiliar science concepts make things confusing. Consider this one: The question asks about small comets, but answer choice A talks about the sun and electricity. It doesn’t make any sense that electricity or the sun would have anything to do with comets, so you can just eliminate that one. Definition is too literal: This one will either apply to vocabulary in context questions or to ones asking what a phrase means. Take this question: Without having read the passage, the most alluring answer is B, since a movie projected in a dark theater is “a show in light.” That’s why this answer choice is here! It doesn’t actually make sense given the passage, but if you skimmed or didn’t really understand what happened in the story then it might make some sort of sense to you. Avoid answer choices that define a word or phrase too literally without any support from the passage. Conclusion Being able to identify common wrong answer choices is an important part of your overall test taking strategy. This skill will improve your time, your accuracy, and lessen stress. When you're able to glance at previously confusing and distracting answers and identify them as incorrect right away, that's one less obstacle to overcome on your way to a fantastic SAT and/or ACT score. About the Author Mike S. is one of our most experienced test prep tutors. Click below for moreinformation on our SAT/ACT test prep packages: SAT ACT

Listen Up The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a Language

Listen Up The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a Language Its time to get back on the right track.As an adult, you might find it frustrating to struggle with language learning while  young kids become fluent just like that  .Youve probably heard people  say, Kids absorb knowledge like a sponge.So why cant it be that easy for you?Well actually, it sort of can.Maybe not exactly as easy, but close to it.Back when your vocabulary was limited to mama and dada, listening  was how you learned new words and phrases.Anything you overheard, your brain soaked up, and eventually you repeated it back.The same method will work for you as an adult, because that’s how your brain is wired to learn a language. There are plenty of other benefits to learning a language through listening, too. Why Learn a Language Through Listening?Learning a language by listening can greatly improve your success in speaking like a native and the speed at which you achieve your language goals.Lets take a look at some of the reasons for this.Some of us just learn better that wayDo you learn best by listening?If so, youre not the only one. A lot of us are the same.While some learn most efficiently by reading books and using flashcards, others are more attuned to aural learning (just a fancy term for learning by listening).For these people, using an audio CD or MP3 program is one of their best bets for becoming fluent.  It’s also a great way to practice speaking the language by responding to audio prompts.In fact, for people who learn best by listening, using other methods can be quite frustrating!So if you know youre an aural learner, don’t worryâ€"there are plenty of resources out there for you, even if your brain is a little slower than when you were three years old.Its a scientifically proven way to learn a language (for all of us)According to science, listening may be the best way to learn a language for everyone, regardless of their usual preferred language style.So its not just those who consider themselves aural learners who can benefit from listening. The rest of us can, too.Studies have shown that being exposed to the spoken language helps the brain absorb it,  even if you don’t understand what’s being said!Research on how the brain processes language has led to the revelation that hearing a language could very well be the most important aspect of a language learning curriculum. It helps our brains adapt to unfamiliar pronunciations and new grammar structures.We may even be able to learn a language in our sleep just by listening to it!Still, you probably already know that learning a language takes a lot of time and dedication, so its important to know youre putting in time and energy where its going to pay off the most. Its good to realize that learning by listening is sure to bring about results.There are lots of great resources out thereIf an aural language learning experience is what gets you to fluency, then audio CD and MP3 programs are the resources that can take you there. In these programs, you hear words , phrases and sentences spoken to you. Practices and exercises give you the opportunity to use  them yourself. These lessons increase in difficulty and complexity in a natural progression.This provides you with constant feedback about how to properly pronounce words and create sentence structures.The best thing about audio programs is that you can start learning by listening at any level. No experience in the language? No problem! By listening to audio resources, your brain will start to pick it up right away.You can easily mix audio with other methodsWhile listening may be a scientifically proven key to learning a language, combining audio programs with other methods will give your brain an extra boost.A comprehensive language learning curriculum may also include textbooks, written exercises, in-person language practice, TV programs, computer tutorials and others.FluentU  combines audio with elements of all of the above by taking real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailer s, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turning them into personalized language learning lessons.Using a combination of different approaches forces you think about language in different ways. It helps you master the breadth of language skills, from writing to participating in real conversation. Try different approaches and see what works for you. It’s not necessary to do everythingâ€"just what helps you make progress learning the language.You can learn at home, during your commute or on the goLearning a language using audio CD and MP3 programs is one of the most convenient ways to boost your fluency. You can listen to them practically anywhereâ€"whether it’s in the car, during your workout or while doing chores around the house.Bored on your commute? Waiting in line at the DMV? Sitting at home with nothing better to do? Turn on your audio language program and get learning! If you have a CD player, or a mobile device that plays MP3s, you can make the most of your do-nothing time with t hese programs.Even if youre just passively listening, your brain will still pick up the language. So if you want to learn a new language, you may as well listen to your audio language programs whenever you find yourself idle. You may be surprised how much learning you can squeeze in!Listen Up: The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a LanguageAt last, we reveal the top audio language learning programs that will skyrocket you to fluency! We carefully considered the options and selected these resources for their value, effectiveness and entertainment.These audio resources are highly valuable for any type of learner. In order to really understand a language, you have to practice your ability to hear it and speak it, which are exactly the skills that audio programs test you on.So listen up, and start acing your language now with audio language learning programs!PimsleurThe gist of the Pimsleur approach is this:You hear the words and phrases in the target language.You hear them in your mo ther tongue.You translate the word from your mother tongue to the target language.The course is based on research by Paul Pimsleur, a linguist who sought to discover the fastest way to learn a language. The length of each course varies from around 15 to 45 hours, depending on the language. The courses are broken up into half-hour sessions. Nearly everything is audio-based, and even the provided reading material is meant to be read along with the audio lessons. More than 50 languages are offered.Pros: With the Pimsleur method, the pressure is on you to respond with the correct translations. This provides a built-in motivation system that inspires you to do better with every attempt. The material from previous lessons is repeated in subsequent levels, so there’s a lot of reinforcement.Cons: There’s limited context provided in the lessons. Most of the vocabulary seems to be oriented toward people traveling for business. Youll learn select words and phrases, but not necessarily thos e that would be most useful to you.Levels:  There are typically up to three or four levels, with 30 lessons per level.Cost:  Price varies by language and format. German, for example, is $450 for a four-level course on MP3 ($970 on CD). All prices are listed on the Pimsleur website.iSpeakiSpeak is an MP3 language learning program from McGraw-Hill that focuses simply on learning new words. The package for each language includes 1500 high-frequency words and phrases, all in MP3 format. Each comes with a visual cue to associate with the word that appears on the screen.Simply load the program onto your MP3 player and select the word or phrase you want to hear. On an iPod, youd find this by going to “Artist” and selecting from a list of themes, then to “Audio” and selecting from a list of topics.Pros: iSpeak is compatible with iPod and most other MP3 players, so no matter your preference of device, you can use iSpeak to help you with your listening skills in the target language. T he portability and simplicity of the program make it a perfect choice for travelers.Cons: The program is limited, with just 1500 words and phrases. It doesnt do much for improving grammar and building conversation skills. There are only a handful of languages available. Still, it’s a convenient way to pick up new terms in select languages, especially if youre a beginner.Levels:  There are no distinct levels. Programs focus mainly on beginning-level vocabulary.Cost:  Programs are reasonably priced.Michel ThomasThis audio-only method provides an opportunity to learn from a “teacher” who reads a lesson and asks you to repeat it. Youre “in class” with two other students also heard on the recording. The course introduces words and phrases that are explained in detail, which you later (along with the other two students) use to construct simple sentences. The total course for each language consists of 12 hours of audio.Michel Thomas was a linguist and language teacher who spoke m any languages and developed a system for rapid language learning. He was highly successful, with diplomats and celebrities numbering among his clients. These audio CDs are based on his methods.Pros: Because there are other students recorded on the lessons, you get to feel like youre really in class, and the progression seems natural. The Michel Thomas method is a more economical alternative to the Pimsleur method. The structure of the course gives you the tools to make real conversation in a short time.Cons: The Michel Thomas method uses a lot of mnemonic devices to help you remember words and phrases. If this doesnt work for you, it may seem tedious. For some, the pace might be too slow, since it’s dependent on the progress of the other two “students.”Levels:  There are no distinct levels, but the program progresses to intermediate difficulty.Cost:  The entire series of each language will run you about $75-100.Living Language Drive TimeThe Living Language Method prides itself on giving language lessons that involve multiple senses. Its regular offerings include CDs and a book in multilevel packages that encompass audio, visual, written and interactive approaches to language learning. The company’s Drive Time series is an audio-based program designed for commuters and anyone looking for language lessons on the go.Each language comes with eight conversational lessons that guide you through vocabulary warm-up exercises, examples and opportunities to practice. You also get a CD of vocabulary words and a listener’s guidebook with vocabulary lists, dialogue scripts and summaries.Pros: The Drive Time series gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Youll progress rapidly through increasingly challenging lessons for a fraction of the price of many other programs. If you like thorough explanations of new material, this course is for you.Cons: It’s not as immersive as some other programs. The structure is very traditional, and with the explanations, there’s a lot of English on the recordings. Some learners may find the pace to be a little on the fast side.Levels: The entire eight-disc series take you from Beginner to Advanced.Cost:  The price is generally in the double digits.BerlitzA well-known name in the linguistic world, Berlitz offers a variety of language learning programs, including those that focus on audio CDs. The focus of their programs are typically conversation-based and centered around real-life conversation. Theres less focus on vocabulary and grammar lists.Berlitz has one-CD sets, like  Spanish in 30 Days, that can get you started for an upcoming trip, as well as multi-CD sets like  Italian Berlitz Basic  that give more in-depth lessons. The contents of each CD can be easily downloaded to an iPod or MP3 player.Pros: There are a lot of different Berlitz products to choose from. Using Berlitz means youll be able to get high-quality books published by the company to complement your audio learning. Berlitz uses the “direc t” or “natural” method that emphasizes learning a language to be able to communicate. For those who want to start using a language right away, Berlitz gets straight to the point.Cons: The quality of the materials on the audio language programs can vary from language to language. With more than 30 language offerings, you might not get what you expected.Levels: Most of their audio-focused products are for beginners. Their Confident series caters to “advanced beginners.” Their textbooks, which come with a CD, come in beginner to advanced levels.Cost:  Price varies widely, but expect to spend in the double digits.Audio CDs and MP3s for language learning can be the next best thing to a personal tutor.Theyll talk to you, prompt you and guide you along as you master speaking your new language. Plus, you can take them wherever you go!Your language learning doesnt have to stop in the classroom or at home.Take it with you, increase your practice time and see your efforts pay off!And One More ThingIf you dig learning real languages, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse 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  or  Google Play  store.

What do I need to know about GCSE Physics

What do I need to know about GCSE Physics Physics helps explains the world and the universe. Studying it at GCSE level and beyond offers you the chance to develop skills that will make you very employable in the future. To help you make your decision about whether or not to opt for it, here is what you need to know about GCSE physics. Reasons to study GCSE physics Physics is the study of the universe and as such it focuses on a range of topics like energy, forces, waves, and the structure of atoms. It's worth choosing physics at GCSE if you are interested in careers that need science but also if you are interested in matter and energy and concepts about time, and space. Studying physics is rewarding as it can lead to a diverse range of skills that are needed in fields such as science, engineering, education, medicine, law, and business. The diversity of careers is down to the fact that physics gives you a range of skills that includes maths, problem-solving, and the communication of complex ideas. Should I choose Combined Science or separate sciences at GCSE? Separate science GCSEs are where students study all three sciences and end up with three GCSEs. General Science also known as Combined Science is where students study biology, chemistry and physics but end up with two GCSEs. The majority of GCSE students in England follow the combined course. Some schools offer both options so talk to your science teachers about what the best option is for you and your future plans. What topics will I study in physics? The initial study in physics focuses on covering the basics of the subject and then moves slowly towards more advanced concepts and topics. The exact specification for your GCSE depends on your examining board, but in the main, you will study the core aspects of physics: Energy - work, energy demands, changes in energy stores. Electricity - circuits, static and mains electricity. Particle model of matter - particles in gases, temperature, density. Atomic structure -atoms, ions, fission and fusion, radiation. Forces - gravity, motion, Newton's Law's, momentum, refraction, sound, waves, pressure. Magnetism and electromagnetism - transformers, induction, electromagnets, magnetic fields. Space physics (physics GCSE only) - expanding universe, stars, solar system How can I make an informed decision? One way to find out if physics is for you is to increase your knowledge in the field. Try listening to podcasts like The Infinite Monkey Cage hosted by physicist Brian Cox or reading books by Stephen Hawking. It's also worth checking out if your maths skills are strong enough, as maths is a significant component of physics. Talk to your teachers about your strengths and weaknesses, and think about boosting your skills in maths. What will help me with physics? At GCSE level, the topics you learn in physics are very detailed, so you need to build up your knowledge gradually. One good tip is to revise new information as you go. Then if you don't understand something don't move on seek out the help of a tutor or your teacher, so you don't have knowledge gaps when the exams come round. For more information about tutors in your area, look at our listing page for physics.

Why Lane Bryants #ImNoAngel Campaign Is So Important

Why Lane Bryant's #ImNoAngel Campaign Is So Important Photo Credit: Lane Bryant The ad features fuller sized models posing in Cacique lingerie, and the motivation behind the campaign is to urge society to redefine sexy and to question accepted beauty standards. The #ImNoAngel hashtag refers to Victorias Secrets super skinny models who are called angels. Lane Bryant sells womens clothing ranging in sizes from 14 to 28, also known as plus-sized clothing, though that term is not used in the brands marketing efforts, perhaps because its not exactly encouraging to women and girls who wear those sizes of clothing. The #ImNoAngel advertisements featured well-known models like Ashley Graham, Marquita Pring, and Candice Huffine, appearing in poses much like Victorias Secrets thin models did in a 2014 campaign which had them under a banner reading The Perfect Body and caused controversy last year. Our #ImNoAngel campaign is designed to empower ALL women to love every part of herself. Lane Bryant  firmly believes that she is sexy and we want to encourage her to confidently show it, in her own way, said Linda Heasley, Lane Bryants  Chief Executive Officer,  in a statement. “There has been too narrow of a definition of what beauty is and we are challenging that by inviting everyone to join in and say what is beauty, what is sexy.” After the first advertisement was released, many supporters of the campaign posted on Twitter using the #ImNoAngel hashtag and sharing their own stories. Former Glee actress and Dancing With the Stars winner Amber Riley even posted a video on Instagram showing her love for the campaign, saying,  Its how I feel and its who I am. I am all woman. A symbol of confidence who writes her own rules, unique and complete. I break the mold. Im no angel. Im all kinds of sexy! Last week, personal care brand Dove also launched a campaign called #ChooseBeautiful in which the brand hung signs above side-by-side doors in five cities around the world: Shanghai, San Francisco, London, Sao Paulo and Delhi. A camera crew then documented how women reacted to the doors and which they chose to walk through. Women make thousands of choices each day related to their careers, their families, and, let’s not forget, themselves, wrote Dove in a press release. Feeling beautiful is one of those choices that women should feel empowered to make for themselves. What was observed by the cameras gave some important insight into how women look at themselves and view their own beauty. Most of the women walked through the Average doors, some quickly, some laughing, and others stopping to think about which door they wanted to walk through. Women around the world have the power to embrace their beauty, and yet many of us do not, said Victoria Sjardin, Doves Senior Global Director. Dove wanted to inspire women to seize the opportunity to choose what makes us feel beautiful everyday because when we do, it unlocks confidence and happiness. Photo Credit: Dove With these new Dove and Lane Bryant ad campaigns, both brands are challenging conventional beauty standards and  fighting back against fat- and body-shaming which unfortunately is prevalent in our society, especially on social media and in the regular media. Recently, singers Kelly Clarkson and Pink were fat-shamed after various appearances, and other celebrities suffer from this phenomenon as well. Last month, Clarkson came under fire about her fluctuating weight after appearing on the British TV talk show The Graham Norton Show. Following her stint as a guest on the show, British journalist Katie Hopkins tweeted a number of body-shaming posts about the singer including:  Jesus, what happened to Kelly Clarkson? Did she eat all of her backing singers? Happily I have wide-screen. #grahamnorton. Clarkson brushed off Hopkins comments gracefully but Hopkins had soon earned the title The Most Hated Woman in Britain for her unflattering and mean barbs. Other stars are also fighting back against body image critics, including Demi Lovato, who has openly discussed her struggles with bulimia and become an advocate from those suffering from eating disorders. If you dont have a thigh gap naturally it doesnt mean that youre not beautiful, Lovato said. You dont have to starve yourself. Youre beautifully, wonderfully made. It doesnt matter what other people think of you. Be the best version of yourself and feel confident, because you deserve to. Both Dove and Lane Bryant are making strides in showing women its okay to say #ImNoAngel and to challenge societys impossible and unrealistic beauty standards, and instead accept themselves and understand that no matter their size, they are beautiful.

Ellson Education

Ellson Education Ellson Education A MESSAGE FROM US: Hi! Im John, Foreign Business Training Director with Ellson Education. Ellson was started by former educators who werent content with the Chinese public-school system and the mentalities encouraged in those classrooms. In China, its not unusual to have 50-60 kids in a classroom to one teacher, and theyresimply given information to memorize and regurgitate for tests. The kids usually have an incredibly taxing schedule, starting their days around 6 AM, continuing school till 5 PM, and then going to extracurricular activities until 8. Then they have to complete the homework theyve been assigned throughout the day. Theres usually little time for children to pursue things for their own enjoyment, or even to spend time with friends. This is why at Ellson our emphasis is kids learning askids!Our classrooms and curriculums heavily emphasize Project Based Learning (PBL), so lessons are always supplemented with songs, games, performances, and crafts. We work hard so thatour students look forward to their classes at Ellsonas a way of learning interdisciplinary English through having fun! We also emphasize critical thinking by using these activities to encourage kids to question and learn through their natural curiosity. This is the best way of ensuring that they not only gain knowledge, but retain it! Having lived and taught in China with Ellson, I understand what an enormous step this is for many educators.It can be intimidating to move across the world and live in a new place, especially if you havent learned the language yet. Thats why Im here, to be your advocateand liaison and help you make the transition to China. Part of the reason I chose Ellson years ago was because of how loving and helpful everyone in the company was. They went above and beyond to make me feel welcome, help me settle in, and assist me in everything from setting up a cell phone to showing me where to shop! You can expect this same level of personalized of care when you join our family and team. We hope to hear from you soon! John DeRienzo MORE ABOUT ELLSON: Ellson Education is a private English training school,partnered with Pearson Education (the foremost leader and distributor of educational materials in the world), Winthrop University in SC, Trinity College of London, and University of Oxford. We know that kids learn and retain knowledge best when they are engaged and having fun, so our classrooms are always full of laughter and smiles! Ellson began in 2006 with the focus of bringing international-level English education to children throughout China. Since its founding, thousands of students have trained at Ellson, with many receiving awards and national recognition while competing in high-profile English competitions around the country. Currently with over 10,000 students, 200 employees, and 17locations throughout Shijiazhuang, Chengdu, and Xintai, Ellson is quickly being recognized as one of Chinas best English training brands, and is among the most preferred brands by parents of young learners. At Ellson kids come first, and thats our difference! We use the CLIL methodology (Content and Language Integrated Learning) and the Pearson Education curriculum set to ensure our kids receive the very best international level quality education. CLIL incorporates Reading Based Learning (RBL) and Project Based Learning (PBL), combining literature exploration, which encourages self-discovery and critical thinking, with content driven activities like crafts, games, and performances to ensure kids absorb and retain knowledge while having fun! Whats more is that we love our teachers! Happy teachers make for happy classrooms, andwe do our best to make sure our foreign teachers have a great support base and the necessary training to make their time in China comfortable and memorable. Since our company was founded by educators, we have the experience and insight in enabling you and your students for the future. Whether your goal is to add valuable experience and references to your resume, educate yourself in a new language and culture, or simply explore an exciting part of the world youve never seen before, you should teach with Ellson, a schooldedicated to letting kids be kids and empowering themfor the future! Join us today!

Choosing The Best Kids Tutoring Program

Choosing The Best Kids Tutoring ProgramKids tutoring is one of the most popular and accessible areas in the world. All you need to do is look at your favorite city or your school's website. I know we can really use the help with things that are beyond our child's comprehension. Kids tutoring programs make it possible for us to play their little minds.One great part about kids tutoring is that they can be given tutoring by anybody. This means that even people who don't have kids of their own can provide kids tutoring to children. You can even send them your child's tutoring assignments when you don't have a kid of your own.There are a lot of different curriculums that you can choose from, too. You can find tutoring in various subject areas including math, science, social studies, language arts, and more. You can even take your child to private tutoring sessions and find the best one based on your needs.Most parents don't realize just how much there is to choose from when it comes to c hildren tutoring. You can find tutoring at practically any age; from babies to toddlers. You can also find private tutoring sessions, for those parents who are good at keeping track of what their child is learning.Many parents may be intimidated by this idea, but there are actually many professionals that can come in to tutor your child as well. You can choose to have a private tutor, an outside tutor, or even a language tutor. Either way, having a good adult around can really benefit your child and the overall education.You should also consider the quality of your child's teacher. A good tutor will want to spend lots of time teaching your child to read, write, and learn to speak, while also making sure that he/she isgetting all the individual attention. It is important to find a tutor that is good at what they do, and has enough time to make sure that your child is getting everything they need.Now that you know there are so many available sites for tutoring your child, there are pl enty of places to find the best tutors. From the internet to your local community college, you can find the best tutors for your child's learning style.

Why it Is Important to Use a Chemistry Forum

Why it Is Important to Use a Chemistry ForumIt is a fact that there are many people who think that chemistry forums may seem to be something that will only help them with making the most out of their chemistry experience, but in reality it can really help them improve their understanding of the subject. These are often people who have no prior knowledge about the subject, and many are using it as an opportunity to learn more about it.For many people who have never had any formal science education online, these forums provide a great way of learning about all of the fascinating aspects of chemistry. The chemistry forums allow people to interact and learn from one another, and they also provide great forums for sharing information with one another. This allows everyone to become more informed about their field of chemistry, and this will hopefully assist them in doing some research and making some informed decisions when it comes to being a part of a specific field.Chemistry is a fasci nating subject to study. From the development of the atomic structure to the properties of elements, it is almost impossible to fully understand the subject in just a few hours. By taking the time to read through the chemistry forums, you can come to terms with what exactly chemistry is all about. Once you have gained a little more knowledge, you can then make use of the forums to help you reach your own goals.If you are still not sure if you would like to read up on the subject and get some of your own hands on experience in the field, take the time to look at the various forums. Each one is very similar to the next, and it is possible to find a chemistry forum that matches the interests and level of experience that you have.As soon as you have found a good thread, take the time to read through it, and make notes of anything that you think is interesting. There are lots of ways to get hold of information when it comes to learning about a subject. You can get online help by subscrib ing to the forums, or you can even get advice from people who are experts in the field.Allowing others to comment on a topic that you are interested in is a great way to get a little knowledge about the subject and to see what other people are saying about it. At times, you might find that the feedback is quite encouraging, and it can help you decide which courses to take. It also provides an outlet for you to express your opinions, and you are free to share whatever you feel is important.The forums allow you to gain knowledge and experience, and this is going to be a great way to get started with the subject. You will be able to build up your own understanding of the subject, and this will be great for you.

Key Learning Competencies in English Grade 8

Key Learning Competencies in English Grade 8When it comes to studying for an exam and learning competencies in English, grade 8 students will have a better understanding of what they are required to do. Here we'll talk about the key learning competencies that will help you make your exams a success.Speaking - speaking is always an important part of studying for an exam. The amount of time you spend reading and writing is only part of the skill. Speaking is how you convey information to others, even if you're reading or writing it on paper. This is how you demonstrate your knowledge.Critical Reading - I find this one very important because critical reading is what will help you succeed when it comes to your exam. If you don't read well, you'll be terrible at answering questions. It is your first skill that you must master.Speaking & Writing - this is the skill that you'll use in your English degree. You will be putting your knowledge into words that people can understand and use. If you have no idea what this means, I would suggest finding a dictionary and figuring out how to say some of the more complex words to the people you'll be studying with. In any case, this is where you'll find out how to write convincingly and effectively.Writing - writing is the key to communicating ideas. A quick review of the school shows that the most important subject in any class is writing. This is why there are so many first year English courses that focus on the written word. If you want to become good at this, you have to master the skill. This is the one skill that really works in your future.Other Skills - if you want to learn how to speak English well, another skill that you'll need to master is oral communication. Just like in any other skill, practice makes perfect. But just like the other skills, you'll need to practice more than you would other things. That's because the next skill you'll be looking at is your ability to interact with others, and how well you do it .Don't forget, English is not just spoken English. You can't study for an exam without understanding how to communicate in writing. By learning the skills listed above, you'll be a better student who excels at your exams.