Thursday, March 26, 2020

Crash Course Biology - The Earth Is Liquid

Crash Course Biology - The Earth Is LiquidYou'll find in this article a crash course biology about the first discovery of liquid and how it changed the world. Our planet was once an ocean filled with water and was a place we enjoyed and celebrated with ease. Now, the world is no longer the same, it's been through too much and comes to mind when you hear the words, 'water-liquid awesome'. Although there are still many mysteries that are currently being uncovered and which we cannot know the end result of, I can assure you, whatever it is, the world has a thirst for information and there is no better resource for us than the internet.In a nutshell, the search engine is the most important source for us to learn about a thing or a person. Google is the most popular search engine out there and has been here since the year 1995. We use it in everyday life to find information about anything that we may want to know about, whether it's about geography biology, culture, business, politics or even about education. Just in case you do not know what Google is all about, let me tell you that it is basically a search engine that uses all the resources that are available to help you find what you're looking for. Search engines work by entering into the right parts of the search bar the text or data that you want to find.If you're interested in learning about something, then you may as well try to get the crash course biology and how science can aid in enhancing your understanding of the natural world around you. Nature is fascinating because it is so vast, we can't even comprehend what it can do at one time. Some of the best examples of the incredible things nature has done is in the form of paintings, sculptures, rock art, statues, and in the form of galaxies. One can be completely amazed by the natural wonders of our planet.Because of the advancements in science and technology, the general human understanding of the natural world is only limited by the imagination and innov ation of man. Imagine being able to take the time to look at a beautiful, dynamic planet full of color and intricacy, all without the use of a microscope? Or being able to look at a tree on another planet in the universe and no longer feeling like we're standing on earth?Scientific advancements have given us many wondrous discoveries over the years. The biggest among them is the discovery of the liquid earth, which we now call water. Other discoveries in science are extremely astounding such as, the discovery of DNA, the molecular structures, the beginning of life, the determination of the value of mathematics and even the discovery of the direction of time by the sun. We have all these amazing discoveries thanks to scientific research and now we are able to have access to more than any other scientific discipline because it's now possible for us to see the vastness of the universe and its marvels.The wonders of science and the things it has helped us discover are impossible to desc ribe, but I assure you they are truly amazing. Science has played a huge role in our life and on the lives of our children. It was said that if we could live forever, we would all become scientists. So if you are wondering where it will lead, I'd say that it is definitely not where we expected it to go.So what's next, let's have a look at some of the next discoveries that you can find in crash course biology. Thanks for reading my article and hope you enjoyed it.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Adding Exponents Online Tutoring - Homework Help

Adding Exponents Online Tutoring - Homework Help Exponent is also known as index or power. If a certain number a is multiplied m times in succession then the continued product so obtained is called the m thpower of a and is written as a ^m (read as, a to the power m). Thus a ^m = a x a x a x a x .to m factors. Here, a is called the base of a^m and m is the exponent of a^m. For example: - x^3 = x * x * x And (-3)^6 = (-3) * (-3) *(-3) * (-3) * (-3) * (-3); Here x and -3 are the base of x ^3 and (-3)^6 respectively and their exponents are 3 and 6. In particular, a ^2 is called the square of a (or, a to the power 2) and a^3 is called the cube of a (or, a to the power 3). Adding exponents example: Add the exponents (2x^2+3y^2+z^3) and (x^2 + y^3 + 3 z^3). Solution: - (2 x^2 + 3 y^2 + z^3 ) + (x^2 + y^2 + 3 z^3) = (2 x^2 + x^2) + (3 y^2 + y^2) +(z^3 + 3 z^3) (Group the like terms) = 3 x^2 + 4 y^2 + 4 z^3 Another example: Add (5 x^3 + 8 x^2 + 2x) and (x ^3 + 2 x^2 + 3 x.) Solution: - (5 x^3 + 8 x^2 + 2x) + (x ^3 + 2 x^2 + 3 x.) = (5 x^3 + x^3)+(8 x^2 + 2 x^2)+ (2 x + 3 x) = 6x^ +10x^2+5x

Success Counseling A Guide to Advanced Behavioral Management

Success Counseling A Guide to Advanced Behavioral Management As part of our commitment to education and supporting students on their academic and test prep journeys, members of our leadership team regularly share some of their knowledge and wisdom gained from working students as well as their own research. Recently, Chiranjeevi Raghunath posted a brilliant breakdown of metacognition and I was inspired to share a bit about one of my areas of expertise: success counseling as advanced behavior management. To understand what success counseling is, you have to start with the basics. All humans have needs. Our needs can be basic, like food, water, or sleep, and they can also require something more complex and emotional, like freedom, safety, or fun. Behaviors are the strategies we use to meet our needs. Issues arise when our behaviors come up against “rules”. Even if you successfully control a problematic behavior, you are removing the strategy but the underlying need remains.For example: It’s against the rules to throw a ball in the house. Bi lly threw the ball in the house because he wants to have fun. It’s raining so he can’t go outside. Take the ball away, Billy still needs fun, but he is left with the need but no strategy… Danger lurks!If we understand that behavior is used to meet needs, we can start to develop a stronger understanding and empathy for behaviors that we find challenging. If behaviors break rules, then in a functional system, behaviors cannot simply be stopped, they must be replaced with better ones that still meet needs.With that in mind, I’ve listed an array of strategies that we can use to address behaviors of the growing learners in our lives. Keep in mind that all of these approaches are effective, but in different ways and with different risks.PunishmentAny system in which there are consequences for unwanted behaviors that are not logically linked to them.Emphasis is on control and authority. Compliance is usually out of fear or aversion to the consequence.The behavior may change due to a punishment, but the heart rarely does.The reason to act is external. Internally there is often secret defiance, and disregard or disdain for the rules in the absence of the authority controlling them.RewardAny system in which desired behaviors are solicited by the promise of an external perk not logically linked to the behavior.Emphasis is also on authority and control, as the person with power controls access to the reward.Compliance occurs because the desire for the reward eclipses other needs.Behavior may change, but it is almost universally temporary, and the reward will most certainly be expected (if not increased in value or substance) next timeAgain, the reason to act is external, and the absence of the reward acts as a punishment.GuiltAny system in which feelings are manipulated through moralizing, should-statements (ethos), or framing.“You should have known better.” “I expected more of you at your age.” “Look what you did.” “No mother should have to go th rough this for her child.” Etc.Emphasis is on negative emotions. The negative effect on a child’s sense of self can be profound.False dilemma: either change the behavior or accept the narrative of personal “badness.”The reason to act is to avoid inner turmoil and toxicity.The Buddy ApproachA system in which compliance is gained because of a special relationship between you and the child. You are the “cool” caregiver who allows freedoms and access that others don’t, provided that the appearance of compliance with bigger systems is kept up when it matters.Emphasis is on maintaining rapport. More clearly reflects needs of the caregiver than those of the child.Compliance occurs out of a desire to defend the special arrangement and protect freedomSystem is ripe for codependency, distrust of true authority, and collapse when any real need for compliance is warrantedSelf discipline, respect for the reason behind rules, and adult problem solving skills are near impossible to c ultivate in this process.MonitorA system in which logical, natural consequences follow undesirable behaviors.Emphasis is on framing the connection between action and outcome. Restitution is necessary to transition through the situation, with growth contingent on the locus of control.Motivation for compliance may be split and is wholly dependent on the effectiveness of the guide.Overall, a significant;y more growth-oriented system than punishment, but still only influential to big picture emotional development under key conditions.Success CounselingThe aim of a Success Counselor is to change the heart, which will motivate a change in behavior.Central premise: Effective discipline consists ofStopping one behaviorStarting another that fits with stated expectations but will also help the child get what he or she wants.There is no discipline system that will work long term if it is geared toward getting a child to bend to your will without meeting his or her needs as well.The goal is to manage the child using the least amount of power necessary to resolve the dilemma. The use of power ultimately stems from weakness.The whole point of discipline is for a child to take responsibility for his or her actions. If successful, the child becomes the one deciding when freedom is withdrawn and when privileges will be restored.Responsibility ? choices ? power.See if our tutors at AJ can help you or your student today!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight Sharon and Kelsey Manning - Heart Math Tutoring

Volunteer Spotlight Sharon and Kelsey Manning - Heart Math Tutoring Volunteer Spotlight: Sharon and Kelsey Manning Volunteer Spotlight: Sharon and Kelsey Manning January 23, 2020 Sharon and Kelsey Manning are a mother/daughter pair who are partner tutors at Merry Oaks International Academy, working with the same students on different days every week! We sat down with them to learn more about their experience as Heart Tutors. Q: How did you get involved with Heart Math Tutoring? Kelsey: I work for Bank of America, and Heart gave a presentation at my office encouraging us to volunteer. I’ve been a Heart Tutor for five years now! Sharon: Kelsey and I were at a breakfast in December 2017, and the discussion around the table was inclusivity and how we could get involved on a local level. Kelsey challenged me to come alongside her and be a part of the Heart program, so I joined in January 2018. After that semester, we began partner tutoring so we could work with the same students. This is our 2nd year as partner tutors. Q: Have you had the opportunity to work with the same students over multiple years? K: When I volunteered at Westerly Hills Academy I had the same student for 3 years. It’s so great and so impactful to see how much they change. Even going from the first to the second semester, coming back from winter break, having that time apart from them for a little while makes you realize how much they’ve grown. The effect is doubled after coming back from summer vacation â€" there’s a few cobwebs to clear away, but then you realize how much progress they’ve made since you worked with them in the previous year. It’s great to be able to leverage our relationship when my student is feeling a little shy or intimidated. We even saw one of our students when we were out in Uptown once, and it was so great to say hi and meet her family! Q: What are the benefits of having a partner tutor and how do you utilize that relationship? K: Since we are mother and daughter, it’s a lot easier. It’s neat for our relationship because we can connect about the girls and talk about their progress. I would totally recommend for anyone to partner with someone you know if you can â€" it not only helps you provide a better experience for the students, but helps your relationship since you are helping the community together! S: It also provides a level of accountability, making sure we both are being the best tutors we can be. The students even know about our relationship â€" if Kelsey isn’t able to come to tutoring one week, the students will say “Where was Kelsey this week?! You’re her mom, you should make sure she comes to tutoring!” We can also share with the students about our lives â€" when Kelsey got engaged, I showed my student a picture of Kelsey with her fiancé, and our student was SO excited for her! K: And that gives the students more to talk about with us. They asked me after that, “Your mom said you’re engaged! Can I see more pictures?” S: We will even have phone calls about tutoring to compare notes, and put our heads together if a student is struggling with a concept or has trouble focusing. Communicating about what we hear from our students helps us understand what is happening outside the classroom â€" it’s a conduit for communication. We have seen a change the way our students respond to us, just in one short semester. They’ve gotten to know us and are so much more comfortable. Q: Outside of math, what do you talk about with your student(s)? S: One of our students is extremely shy and we’ve been able to work on making eye contact, speaking up, and being confident. We want her to believe that her words are important, and that her voice matters. I’ll tell her, “That’s the right answer! Say it emphatically!” We’re slowly trying to pull her out of her shell, and it’s great that we can work together and both see the progress she makes. K: And now that Mom has told me what she’s doing with our student, I make sure to give the same messages for consistency. Another thing is that both of our girls are Spanish-speaking, so I ask them to teach me a Spanish word on my way back to class. I told mom about it, and we’ve started writing down the words they teach us so we can keep track of everything that we’ve learned throughout the year. Now the girls look forward to it and will even have words prepared before they see us! Q: What is your favorite or the most rewarding part of being a tutor? S: When you get to the end of year and you look at the difference between where your student was on the first day and last day of tutoring, the difference is tremendous. K: The small victories throughout the year, as well â€" brain checks, making it through the notebooks, getting to track the progress students make toward their goals and seeing how excited they are about it. When you get to the end of year and you look at the difference between where your student was on the first day and last day of tutoring, the difference is tremendous. Q: How does your tutor experience impact other parts of your life? K: Obviously the unique experience I’m able to share with my mom has impacted our relationship. I’m also a graduate of CMS, so being able to give back and address a large need is really rewarding. I work in a corporate environment and sometimes it’s a stretch to make it work with my schedule and I may feel stressed at times, but when I get to the school, I never second-guess why I’m there. It really grounds me and sets a great positive tone for the rest of the week. S: I get great joy out of doing something for somebody else. It takes the focus off me and my perceived problems, and helps put into perspective where I am, the resources I have, and how I can use my resources to help in a larger way. It seems like such a small thing but as soon as I get there, get the kids, and get going, it’s like an adrenaline rush â€" you’re so glad that you’re doing this, and that feeling spills over into the rest of your day and week. K: My mom makes a good point, I would say I think everyone innately wants to give back to the community, get involved, but uses the excuse about not being able to give the time or commit to a whole school year. With Heart you have a regular routine and you have to be there weekly â€" I look back on my month and my year, and it’s reaffirming to me that I’ve made a large impact and it’s because of that routine â€" it makes sure that I’m there, and it adds up week over week. When I get to the school, I never second-guess why I’m there. It really grounds me and sets a great positive tone for the rest of the week. Q: How has the support from Heart and the Program Coordinators impacted your experience? S: We as volunteers don’t have to create anything, we don’t have homework, don’t have to prepare ahead of time. We can walk in and grab our materials and go â€" Heart has made the process so streamlined and seamless. Heart takes care of everything so we can just focus on our time with the students. It makes it easy to do it weekly.I really like the fact that we can take the curriculum home to practice and prepare if we want. I also love the high energy level that everyone carries into the room while we’re there, and the sharing of information through the monthly newsletter. If there are school holidays or school events I plan to attend, I can use the dates to plan ahead. I enjoy having that information. K: The curriculum makes it so easy, the Program Coordinator is always there to help with questions or concerns, and they know your students by name. You can really feel the commitment to the program from the coordinators. And the flexibility too is a great selling point. I hear a lot of people say they can’t commit because they can’t make it work with their schedule, but the flexibility is there if you need to reschedule due to work, lifestyle, etc. Q: There are a few common concerns people have when they consider becoming a Heart Tutor, and we would love to hear how you address these concerns. What would you say to someone who has these concerns? I am no good at math. S: If you can play dice, play cards, and read on a basic reading level, you don’t have an excuse! I am no good with kids. S: Because the curriculum is so well-written and leaves nothing to chance/interpretation, give it a try and see. If you interact with people, you can interact with children and can follow the script. You don’t have to come up with anything on your own. Just dig in and say “I’m going to do this,” and it will come. K: The icebreakers at the beginning of the year really help you lean into the relationship. Treating them as a partner or peer if you’re intimidated by kids can help â€" you are partners and are both working together to improve their math skills. I don’t have a partner tutor to sign up with. K: Challenge someone to be your partner tutor! Go find somebody to volunteer with you! Or let Heart provide you with a partner tutor, and just get your feet wet and see what it’s all about. Once you’re more comfortable you can be a spokesperson and get your friends and family to join. S: From a personal standpoint, we grow more when we’re uncomfortable and out of our element. This isn’t just about the kids â€" it’s personal improvement and beneficial for the tutor as well as a student, and signing up on your own can be a great opportunity for growth. I don’t have time in my schedule. S: We all make things happen if we really want them to happen. Some people are more constrained than others, but if you have a little bit of wiggle room and can adjust your schedule slightly or work from home for a bit, I’d say bring it on. K: It’s the most rewarding hour of my week. Take the leap to just try it and see the benefits. You can start with just one student, just 30 minutes a week, and see how it goes. Talk to the people who impact your schedule â€" your boss, coworkers, etc., to see if they’re on board. You may not think they’ll be supportive, but you don’t know until you ask! S: Also, it’s an important use of time â€" you’re investing in these students’ futures. Every child deserves equal access and equal opportunity. K: That’s a great point â€" do your research and see what a large need there is, and that this is a way you can help. Q: Anything else you want the world to know about Heart? K: Anybody can do it! It’s easy! S: It’s so worth it. Take 5 minutes to read Heart’s mission statement and general information about the curriculum. It’s an important use of time â€" you’re investing in these students’ futures. Every child deserves equal access and equal opportunity.

A turkey-less Turkey Day - November National Vegan Awareness Month

A turkey-less Turkey Day - November National Vegan Awareness Month Photo by flavorrelish on flickr.com Maybe it’s no coincidence that National Vegan Awareness Month falls in November, the month in which college students count down the days to Thanksgiving and their quintessential turkey dinner. While many Americans consider the turkey an integral part of their festivities and would consider a turkey-less “Turkey Day” an unthinkable tragedy, vegans might beg to differ. University of Maryland junior Rachel Muccino, who grew up vegetarian and became vegan a year and a half ago, said, “I create vegan versions of food all the time! My favorite opportunity to be creative with meals is Thanksgiving.” Many people are familiar with vegetarianism, refraining from eating animals but in some cases consuming dairy products and eggs, but may be less familiar with what constitutes a vegan. Although there are many definitions, the consensus is usually that vegans are those who make the decision not to consume any animal products whatsoever. “It extends way beyond food! Vegan clothes, vegan shoes and more,” Muccino said. Veganism is a lifestyle, not simply a diet. For the vast majority of Americans, that might sound outrageously difficult and unappealing. However, as 2 percent of American adults consider themselves to be vegan, according to a Jul. 9-12 Gallup poll, there must be some benefits to the lifestyle. “I became vegan primarily to be healthier,” Muccino said, “and secondarily to refrain from participating in the abuse of animals and the environment.”Muccino said that becoming vegan helped her to feel more energetic, to lose body fat and have a contented conscience. Studies have shown that people who eat plant-based diets tend to have lower cholesterol, cancer, heart attack and obesity rates. In addition, a vegan’s diet depends heavily upon fruits, vegetables, whole grains and alternative protein sources such as beans, tofu and lentils, all of which are very healthy. When Muccino’s friends find out she’s vegan and also does not consume soy and gluten, they often ask what in the world she can eat. “The answer to that is: a lot!” Muccino said. “There are so many vegan alternatives to delicious animal-product food. Portabello burgers, veggie sausage, coconut milk yogurt, almond milk, granola, fruit popsicles instead of ice cream! The list goes on and on!” However, Muccino does acknowledge the difficulties in being vegan. In order to consume enough calories in a day, Muccino packs plenty of snacks. Muccino also makes a point to eat plenty of kale and beans to bolster her protein intake and lots of coconut milk to make up for any calcium deficiency in her diet. Although she struggled as a vegan while living in dorms on campus, now that she has her own kitchen in her Commons apartment, she has the opportunity to buy her own food from a variety of locations. “I buy all my food at markets or Whole Foods or Trader Joes,” Muccino said. “Around campus, I go to the Co-Op or order vegan options at Lime or Wasabi.” Over the past year and a half, Muccino has found ways to find or create her own vegan versions of all the foods she loves most, and Thanksgiving will be no exception. So if you sit down to your Thanksgiving feast and perhaps pity vegans like Muccino as you enjoy your gravy-adorned mashed potatoes, don’t feel too sorry. “I can make mashed potatoes and gravy vegan style,” Muccino said. “Just use vegetable stock, olive oil and coconut milk instead of chicken stock, butter and cow’s milk!”

Teachers Matter Canadian Teacher Receives $1 million Global Teacher Prize

Teachers Matter Canadian Teacher Receives $1 million Global Teacher Prize Last night, we were excited to be there as the top educators in the world were recognized and the $1 million Global Teacher Prize was awarded at the annual Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai. One of the most high-profile awards for teaching excellence in the world, the Global Teacher Prize is handed out each year by the Varkey Foundation under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and was set up to celebrate the hard work and important contributions of teachers all over the world. In a video message aired during the ceremony, Prince Harry congratulated the 10 finalists and talked about the importance of teachers as mentors and role models for students, saying that “in addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, the very best teachers go beyond the pages of textbooks to teach young people about determination, aspiration, resilience and compassion. We will all face setbacks and challenges in our lives and our teachers play a vital role in preparing us for these ups and downs”. At Teach Away and Skooli, we see first hand, every day, how a great teacher can transform the lives of their students, so it was a joy to hear these teachers’ stories and learn more about the lives they impact. Each of the finalists’ stories, while unique, had the same theme - that teachers have the power not only to educate, but to change the trajectory of a life. The 10 finalists - Salima Begum (Pakistan), David Calle (Spain), Raymond Chambers (UK), Wemerson da Silva Nogueira (Brazil), Marie-Christine Ghanbari Jahromi (Germany), Tracy-Ann Hall (Jamaica), Ken Silburn (Australia), Maggie MacDonnell (Canada), Michael Wamaya (Kenya) and Boya Yang (China) - narrowed down from a nomination list of 20,000 teachers, all share the same goal: to inspire and to educate their students and the communities around them. We were thrilled to see a fellow Canadian, Maggie MacDonnell, snag the $1 million prize. While Bear Grylls parachuted down to bring the trophy into the ceremony hall, the winner was announced via a special video message from French astronaut Thomas Pesque at the International Space Station. Maggie has been teaching for the past six years in Salluit, a remote Inuit community in the far north of Quebec that’s accessible only by air. Drug and alcohol abuse rates are high in the region and in 2015 alone, there were six suicides in the village, all young males aged from 18 to 25. So far, Maggie has helped to support several suicidal students, built a life-skills program for girls, secured funding for a fitness centre and has established a community kitchen, running club and second-hand store in the community. Maggie was congratulated by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by video message. Trudeau, a former teacher, praised Maggie’s work in Salluit: “You have done extraordinary things in exceptional circumstances and have showed enormous heart, will and imagination.” He went on to say that “teachers owe responsibilities to many people - to students, to parents, to the community, the school board. But in the end, as all great teachers know - they are responsible tosomething far greater. They have a responsibility to the future and to the world that will be shaped by the children they teach.” In her emotional acceptance speech, Maggie addressed teachers everywhere, saying, “We matter, teachers matter.” Three of Maggie’s students also made the trip to Dubai with her. She plans to set up an environmental stewardship program for northern youth, focused on kayaking, with her $1 million prize money. Congratulations, Maggie! And here’s to teachers everywhere, who go above and beyond every day, both inside and outside the classroom. For more on the Global Teacher Prize, visit www.globalteacherprize.org. This article has been reposted from AcceleratED on Medium.

Everyone is Irish on St. Patricks Day! - ALOHA Mind Math

Everyone is Irish on St. Patricks Day! Did you know St. Patrick the patron saint of Ireland is famous for driving all the snakes from Ireland while preaching to the people of Ireland about Christianity? Most people in the US synonymize St. Patrick’s Day with green colored clothing, pots of gold and stories of leprechauns, Wait the dayisntlimited to this. The day is celebrated as a remembrance of the patron saint of Ireland, who died on March 17th in the year 416AD.It, is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history. People of Irish heritage (and even those whoarent) in the United States love to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Everyone is Irish on St. Patricks Day! What do you plan to do on this day? I would suggest plan activities with your kids and communities to enjoy the day and honor this festive holiday. To start with the family can Dress according to the occasion or even better make a Shamrock T-Shirts together. Show your festive nature this St. Patrick’s Day or just bring yourself some good luck by dressing all in green. Food always makes everyone happy so go ahead and add to the joy by making some traditional Irish inspired recipes, It could be some Irish soda bread, Roasted Cabbage and Apples or Roasted Potatoes and bacon.Whatever you cook do not forget to add the scrumptious oatmeal Lace Cookies to your menu. To make the day memorable try out your hand at crafting Kissed Blarney Stone, Blocks,Hand-printrainbows and off course Chips. You will find plenty blogs online that will guide you how to craft them. Plan to relax a little on this day watch a movie Kaboose movie experts Jane Louise Boursaw and Bethany Porter have chosen their top choices for movies (likeThe Gnome-Mobile, seen above) that make the cut for the best flicks to watch this St. Patrick’s Day. Last make use of technology try out some fun online games and coloring pages which are about St. -Patricks Day and do play some quizzes to increase IQ of your kids and maybe even yours ?? Share with us any activities that you have lined up for this day.

Foreshadowing my way to Japan

Foreshadowing my way to Japan By  Christen McGregorIt was the summer of 2005 and two of my closest friends, Walter and Chris, were to leave for Japan for two weeks. The three of us thought it would be devastating - how could we be apart for two weeks? I didn’t know then that what followed after those two weeks would change my path throughout college, and beyond.I remember the days shortly after their return being filled with stories of visiting Lake Biwa, eating okonomiyaki (a type of Japanese pancake), and a strange encounter with police because of mistaken identity. It didn’t take long for me to become enthralled with Japan through their stories.What resulted from their trip were many late nights at Starbucks reading and discussing Confucius Lives Next Door, an amazing book written about the culture of Japan â€" from taking your shoes off upon entering a house to the moral ramifications if a Japanese person decides to steal. It was captivating and I wanted to learn more. I was to start college that fall and decided to take a path similar to that of my two best friends. I enrolled in a Japanese language course and a Japanese history course. This was only the beginning.That was seven years ago. Today I live in Shiga Prefecture, the same prefecture that houses Lake Biwa, the lake that my friends visited on their first journey. For 1.5 years I taught in Junior High. It was challenging at times, but very rewarding. I ate lunch every day with my students, a group of boys in particular I’m close with and even now try to attend most of their basketball games. Teaching itself can be difficult, especially in the extreme heat of summer and dire cold of winter but the students and faculty make the experience worth it.Living in Japan can be rough. I’m not going to sugarcoat it and say that it’s all cute anime and Pokémon battles every day. I have dealt with obtaining a driver’s license, moving apartments, and going to doctor appointments on my own. The language barrier can be exhausting a t times, but I can see that everyone I interact with at least appreciates I’m trying to communicate with them. Becoming active in your city or a small community will make you feel like a true member of Japan’s society. Not only that, but it will give you a chance to exchange knowledge of your native culture and language while learning about Japan’s.Christen McGregor is a  Teach Away  teacher in  Shiga Prefecture, Japan

How to Compare the Singapore Tutoring Rates?

How to Compare the Singapore Tutoring Rates?With the rising need of individuals to learn English in Singapore, you might be wondering about the different tutoring rates that you can find. The numbers can be overwhelming and the decision to choose a program is really difficult.It is easy to find a tutor for beginners or intermediates. There are several tutoring agencies that offer excellent packages to allow students to meet their demands. If you are just starting out, you can try doing an online search to identify the Singapore tutoring agencies that are offering.For those who have been in Singapore for a while, then you will be able to discover the best companies to choose from. By comparing the Singapore tutoring rates with the prices charged by other tutoring agencies, you can begin your decision making process.It is important to make a choice before getting a tutor. Before choosing a tutor, you should think carefully about the different services and factors that they might be pro viding. You must also think about the amount of money that you are willing to spend on the package offered by the tutor.The good news is that there are a number of free sites where you can get to know more about the tutors. There are some real experts who provide their expertise and guidance to those students who are learning English in Singapore.The best thing about online learning is that you can discover different tutors and find the one you think would best suit your needs. The key to choose the right one is the price. Before deciding to invest in a package, you should think about the various programs available, as well as their features.Whether you are visiting Singapore or just visiting for vacation, having good communication skills will make all the difference in the world. The opportunities to meet new people, or even work with foreign company is really great. If you are thinking of learning English in Singapore, now is the time to start your journey.