What Is Computational Chemistry?

What Is Computational Chemistry?This is a series of articles about computational chemistry, which aims to introduce the reader to a broad understanding of how computer software works and the programs it enables. The basic understanding of computation means that this would be an excellent introductory course for the young ones who are not yet experts on this field.Computer software can help us do our work more efficiently and with more accuracy. This is where computational chemistry becomes necessary. By giving and receiving information using computer algorithms, we are able to use computer software to make decisions about various situations and tasks.Computations in computational chemistry are largely based on molecular physics and quantum mechanics, and also on thermodynamics. It could be said that all computations in computational chemistry are mathematical models of some aspect of reality.Computational chemists work in chemical reactions in the laboratory or by using a computer fo r modeling chemical reactions. Computational chemists are in charge of many areas, such as knowledge transfer, understanding the environment, and developing new ideas and techniques to deal with new challenges.A computational chemist should be extremely well organized and careful. You need to be meticulous about getting all the details needed before getting involved in a new project, and be vigilant if there is an unexpected situation arising, because without perfect planning, any of your efforts may be wasted.In order to study the aspects of computational chemistry, you should complete a graduate degree in mathematics and physics, chemistry and statistics, and chemistry and computer science. There are many universities that offer these courses, so look for one that you think you will be interested in. The graduate programs are based on the specializations of the student, such as biochemistry, materials science, etc.Computer science is an integral part of computational chemistry. So if you are studying to become a computational chemist, you should know how computers work, how they work, how they work together with the rest of the world, and how to use them to the best advantage. It would be great if you could find a mentor, as well as an adviser, so that you can be able to acquire the knowledge you need to succeed.

Compulsory sex education in Schools - Tutor Hunt Blog

Compulsory sex education in Schools Compulsory sex education in Schools Compulsory sex education in SchoolsSchoolsMp`s vote against Compulsory Sex Education in SchoolsAs the Law in Great Britain currently stands all state schools are required to cover the basics of sex education from a biological aspect. This somewhat vague ruling means that state schools have to cover the `biological` aspects of sex education, while omitting the emotional side, or discussing other aspects, such as LGBT issues. Academies and free schools are permitted to opt out of teaching the subject entirely. Last year a cross party group of called for sex education to become more comprehensive - specifically for it to include sex and relationships education (SRE), along with personal social and health education, (PSHE). The MP`s called for sex education to me mandatory in all schools, including academies and free schools, along with the subject focusing more intensely on the emotional side, and asking for SRE to be renamed RSE, a subtle alteration perhaps, but one that puts the relat ionship aspect first.The select committee pushing for this change said that SRE would be beneficial for all children, but was vital for vulnerable groups, such as LGBT children, along with those in care, and children with disabilities. Last week MP`s voted against the bill to to make sex education mandatory in all schools, effectively blocking the widespread teaching of SRE in schools. Within days of this ruling hundreds of people signed a Bernardo`s campaign supporting the introduction of SRE. According to the charity seven out of ten children believe the government should make sex and relationship lessons a mandatory part of the curriculum.Specifically a poll undertaken by Bernardo`s has revealed that `Three quarters (74%) believe all children would be safer if they had age-appropriate classes on the subject.`The voters rejecting the bill consisted of ten conservative MPs, and five Labour MPs. Simon Hoare, the Conservative MP for North Dorset said that `Some form of protection is needed for those who run faith schools, all faiths,` and that `I have little or no doubt that I will receive emails from constituents who happen to read my remarks. They will say that this is all about promotion, and this or that religion thinks that homosexuality-or another element-is not right.`Mr Hoare went on to say that he actually supported the intentions of the clause, but voiced his concern that it was framed `solely in the name of Labour Members of Parliament who all happen to be women.`Labour MP Stella Creasy led the amendment, and it was to her that Mr Hoare explained his reasons for opposing the bill were not simply down to religious sentiment: `We are actively looking at how best to address both the quality of delivery and accessibility to ensure that all children can be supported to develop positive, healthy relationships and to thrive in modern Britain today.`There is no doubt today`s children are growing up in a vastly different world to those of their teachers. The obvious communication and educational benefits of the internet are mitigated by its dark side, where videos depicting all the extremes of sex and violence are little more than a click away. A recent bristol study has found that almost half of 13 to 17 year old girls have received explicit videos and pictures, with two out of five admitting to reciprocating in kind.The head strategist of the NSPCC, Jon Brown, has said: `Children aged 10 to 13 are now the biggest risk group because they are being given more sophisticated phones, without the maturity to handle sexting requests or knowing where a request is coming from.`Sexting has become the `norm` in teenage courtship - and with the overabundance of graphic, and often violent pornography available to anyone wth a smartphone, children may be in in danger of developing a skewed understanding of what is acceptable and normal in a relationship. Teen pregnancy and STD rates in the UK are amongst the highest in Europe. The proposed RSE (rel ationships and sex education) was largely aimed to combat this, to teach children what is acceptable and unacceptable in relationships.Many parents have concerns that if sex education is taught in schools children will lose some of the innocence of childhood - that primary school is entirely too early to raise such adult topics, however infantilised and devoid of graphical details the lessons my be. The fact remains though that children have an insatiable curiosity, and if their questions are not answered by a teacher adhering to a suitable curriculum in a classroom, they may receive their first lessons from a more unsuitable, uncensored medium. 3 years ago0Add a Comment

Astronomy Tutors Show The Night Sky

Astronomy Tutors Show The Night Sky When astronomy tutors show constellations on a night sky students usually pay a lot of attention and have a great time. This was precisely the case when three TutorZ employees visited the Astronomical Observatory in Nikolaev on an outing on Thursday, April 23rd. Astronomer and tutor Anton invited Marketing Assistants Lilly and Maya (together with her husband Michael) and TutorZ founder Dirk to the observatory in Nikolaev. It was a private visit so they all received a lot of attention from astronomer Anton, allowing them to ask a lot of astronomical questions. Lilly, for example, had watched the 2014 movie Interstellar with Matthew McConaughey. She asked about black holes, whether worm holes indeed exist and connected with that if time travel could be possible. Dirk, on the other hand, wanted to know about the upcoming close encounters of an asteroid and a comet in the years 2029 and 2036. No worries, both pass by Earth at a safe margin. The Nikolaev observatorys main exhibit is a 6 inch Carl-Zeiss reflecting telescope. It is housed under dome shaped roof on a cylindrical basement. Lilly opened the dome by pressing the button of the motor powered roof. And there it was, the beautiful 2015 spring sky at night. The first picture  shows Dirk looking like a real astronomer when looking through this Carl-Zeiss telescope. The second picture shows astronomer Anton tutoring Lilly and May about  the night sky objects when looking through the Zeiss telescope. During this spring night, tutor Anton observed three prominent astronomical objects with the TutorZ team. First, he zoomed in on Venus because this planet is to set soon after sun down. Venus is the 2nd planet in our solar system and the only planet which exhibits phases. During March, April and May an almost-half crescent can be seen. It came as a surprise to see Venus chipped off half because we are used to see this planet as a full dot. Next, astronomer Anton turned the mighty telescope to our moon. May, Lilly and Dirk were in awe when seeing the craters, valleys and polar regions of our closest celestial neighbor. Almost surreal was the fact that fellow Americans walked on the moon.  As a good tutor should Anton used this moon-moment to pose three  popular astronomy questions to use. Who was the first man to walk on the moon?  Easy, it is Neil Armstrong. Somewhat harder is  to name Neils  space-comrade and 2nd moon walker, Buzz Aldrin. The 2nd questions was considerably harder. How many men in total have walked on the moon? Hmm, Dirk reasoned  as follows:  there was a total of 6 missions to the moon (Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17) and two astronauts each time landed on the moon. So two times six is twelfth, which gave  the right answer: 12 Americans have walked on the moon. The 3rd astronomy tutoring questions was yet harder: What  did the Astronauts put on the moon to empower the scientist on the Earth to precisely measure the distance Earth-to-Moon? Answer: a mirror.  The Astronomers on Earth would shine a laser on this mirror and time the until the reflection hits Earth again. It takes light almost 3 seconds to make this round trip resulting in a Earth-Moon distance of  238,900 miles (or 384,400  km). The picture below also taken with Dirks Galaxy 3 cell phone. Stunning, isnt it? The final highlight was Jupiter who is prominent on this 2015 spring sky. Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. Its four largest moons Io, Europa, Callisto and Ganymede can be seen with telescopes. Moreover, Jupiter has another astronomical feature is visible on telescopes: its two bands in its atmosphere near Jupiters equatorial region. But because of the simple photographic setup, they do not show up in Samsung Galaxys picture. In the picture below you see the picture of Jupiter and two if its moons, Io and Ganymede. If learning about Venus, our Moon and Jupiter, has inspired you to learn more about astronomy feel free to contact a good Astronomy tutor near your home. He will might be able to let you look through his telescope to gaze at astronomical objects at the night sky. Astronomy Tutors Show The Night Sky When astronomy tutors show constellations on a night sky students usually pay a lot of attention and have a great time. This was precisely the case when three TutorZ employees visited the Astronomical Observatory in Nikolaev on an outing on Thursday, April 23rd. Astronomer and tutor Anton invited Marketing Assistants Lilly and Maya (together with her husband Michael) and TutorZ founder Dirk to the observatory in Nikolaev. It was a private visit so they all received a lot of attention from astronomer Anton, allowing them to ask a lot of astronomical questions. Lilly, for example, had watched the 2014 movie Interstellar with Matthew McConaughey. She asked about black holes, whether worm holes indeed exist and connected with that if time travel could be possible. Dirk, on the other hand, wanted to know about the upcoming close encounters of an asteroid and a comet in the years 2029 and 2036. No worries, both pass by Earth at a safe margin. The Nikolaev observatorys main exhibit is a 6 inch Carl-Zeiss reflecting telescope. It is housed under dome shaped roof on a cylindrical basement. Lilly opened the dome by pressing the button of the motor powered roof. And there it was, the beautiful 2015 spring sky at night. The first picture  shows Dirk looking like a real astronomer when looking through this Carl-Zeiss telescope. The second picture shows astronomer Anton tutoring Lilly and May about  the night sky objects when looking through the Zeiss telescope. During this spring night, tutor Anton observed three prominent astronomical objects with the TutorZ team. First, he zoomed in on Venus because this planet is to set soon after sun down. Venus is the 2nd planet in our solar system and the only planet which exhibits phases. During March, April and May an almost-half crescent can be seen. It came as a surprise to see Venus chipped off half because we are used to see this planet as a full dot. Next, astronomer Anton turned the mighty telescope to our moon. May, Lilly and Dirk were in awe when seeing the craters, valleys and polar regions of our closest celestial neighbor. Almost surreal was the fact that fellow Americans walked on the moon.  As a good tutor should Anton used this moon-moment to pose three  popular astronomy questions to use. Who was the first man to walk on the moon?  Easy, it is Neil Armstrong. Somewhat harder is  to name Neils  space-comrade and 2nd moon walker, Buzz Aldrin. The 2nd questions was considerably harder. How many men in total have walked on the moon? Hmm, Dirk reasoned  as follows:  there was a total of 6 missions to the moon (Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17) and two astronauts each time landed on the moon. So two times six is twelfth, which gave  the right answer: 12 Americans have walked on the moon. The 3rd astronomy tutoring questions was yet harder: What  did the Astronauts put on the moon to empower the scientist on the Earth to precisely measure the distance Earth-to-Moon? Answer: a mirror.  The Astronomers on Earth would shine a laser on this mirror and time the until the reflection hits Earth again. It takes light almost 3 seconds to make this round trip resulting in a Earth-Moon distance of  238,900 miles (or 384,400  km). The picture below also taken with Dirks Galaxy 3 cell phone. Stunning, isnt it? The final highlight was Jupiter who is prominent on this 2015 spring sky. Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. Its four largest moons Io, Europa, Callisto and Ganymede can be seen with telescopes. Moreover, Jupiter has another astronomical feature is visible on telescopes: its two bands in its atmosphere near Jupiters equatorial region. But because of the simple photographic setup, they do not show up in Samsung Galaxys picture. In the picture below you see the picture of Jupiter and two if its moons, Io and Ganymede. If learning about Venus, our Moon and Jupiter, has inspired you to learn more about astronomy feel free to contact a good Astronomy tutor near your home. He will might be able to let you look through his telescope to gaze at astronomical objects at the night sky.

4 Tips For Surviving Group Projects (and why you have to)

4 Tips For Surviving Group Projects (and why you have to) Surviving Group Projects (and why you have to) Surviving Group Projects (and why you have to) Group projects in middle and high school have been a reality for students for generations. Theyre one of the most dreaded assignments students will get. Most will notice they are not assigned to work with their friends and that there is always that one person in the group who simply doesnt participate. More often than not a small portion of the group ends up doing the vast majority of the work and, sometimes, one person ends up doing all the work themselves. C students get As without doing anything, and A students get a C despite their very best efforts. Group projects can seem terribly unfair, and in some cases they are, but they do serve a higher purpose: to learn how to collaborate. There are several ways students can survive and even thrive their group projects and there are many reasons why they have to. 1 Mimicking the Workplace In many ways, group projects mimic life in a work environment. Although some people end up working for themselves, the majority of people will have to collaborate at some point during their career. Group projects, even at a young age, help students understand what it will be like to work in a corporate environment. As most adults will agree, there is always that one person who shows up late or doesnt pull their weight. It’s easy to think that these colleagues won’t be in the workplace much longer, but that often isnt true. When students learn to cope with a student colleague who doesnt participate they are also learning how to work with future work colleagues (READ: Tips from an Irvine AP Tutor: What to do if AP Exams Were a Bust). 2 Preparing for College College group projects will be much harder and more complicated than middle and high school projects in some respects. However, in many ways they are similar. Students need to learn to work as a team and identify strengths and weaknesses. If one member of the group is an excellent writer perhaps they should complete the draft/editing. If another member is an excellent researcher but terribly unorganized, they can conduct the initial research and have a third member keep everybody on task. When students work in groups they learn how to determine what they are good at and what theyre not. This helps not only improve their own skills but helps their peers improve upon each other. 3 Healthy Socialization Many students, teachers, and parents feel there simply isnt enough appropriate socialization in school these days. There are more instructional minutes and less time to learn how to be social. Group projects, believe it or not, help students learn how to develop healthy socialization skills. Its easy enough for students to get along with their friends, but they should also know how to get along with students who are a little bit different from them. In addition to learning tolerance and polite behavior, students can make new friends when they are required to work in a group. Students who trudge through the project and complain about their partners are demonstrating they, themselves, still need to work on social skills. This is a great thing to learn in middle or high school rather than finding out as an adult that they dont know how to collaborate with various types of people. Students who know how to socialize appropriately will have a much easier time in college and in life (READ: 5 Tips to Encourage Your Child to Read). 4 Surviving When Everything Goes Wrong Sometimes, despite very best efforts, the group project goes terribly wrong. In some instances, one or two members of the group simply don’t show up for study sessions or refuse to work at all. In this case a couple, or even one solo student, will be left to complete the entire project; a job meant for several. In this case, students probably wont learn much about life other than that group projects can be annoying. However, they can use some tips to survive it and still get a decent grade. Speak with a teacher or tutor about how to organize different parts of the project. Break the project up into pieces and find a part that the resistant members of the group can do. Get together with the willing members of the group and determine different skills amongst the group. Take a deep breath and remember group projects dont come along that often. If the reality comes down to one student completing the entire project, they should schedule in enough time to finish so that this one assignment doesnt ruin their GPA. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

4 Simple Yet Powerful Strategies to Learn a Language by Listening

4 Simple Yet Powerful Strategies to Learn a Language by Listening Lets dive into “The 13th  Warrior.”This movie stars Antonio Banderas as a court poet, Ahmad ibn Fadlan,  banished to a distant land because he fell in love with the wrong womanâ€"the lady of some big shot, definitely above his pay grade.He then finds himself in the land of the Vikings, whose culture and language is as distant as home.There’s a scene in the movie that should be thoroughly appreciated by language learners. About 20 minutes in, we see the main protagonist sit around the campfire in the company of brusque Viking warriors.The men roared with laughter as they compare personal stories, making fun of each other’s exploits. Antonio Banderas’s character sits in the middle of this vulgar banter unable to get into the conversation because of two reasons: 1) He’s a poet who wields the quill rather than the sword, and 2) He speaks no word of the language.The movie then shows a montage of him silently sitting by the campfire night after night after night. Hes silently o bserving, looking intently at lips, gestures and body language while listening for words, phrases and sentences that all mean gibberish.But over the course of several evenings, something happens.The conversations started becoming meaningful to him. He starts to understand one word. And then another. And another. Soon, he’s catching on to phrases, making sense of them little by little.The scene climaxes with Ahmad ibn Fadlan (Antonio Banderas’ character) suddenly speaking a coherent sentence that jolts the warriors into murderous attention. One of them asked him, “How did you learn our language?”With emphatic conviction, (and as the camera focuses squarely on his face), Ahmad ibn Fadlan replied:“I listened!” How We Learned Language as ChildrenThe previous section highlighted a specific strategy that we, as children, have used in picking up our first language. We know that it works, because now, as adults, we have a language that we can speak, read and write in.The strate gy I’m referring to is, of course, listening.It’s a shame that many overlook its importance in the language acquisition process.  Because the thing is, listening is the first and most important strategy in language. It is at the very core of learning a new language, so when making time to study, you need to make time for listening.Babies undergo a phase psychologists call a “Silent Period.” As the name signifies, this is the time before babies learn to talk and produce the words in their language, sometimes called the Pre-Production Stage of language development.But don’t be misled, the “Silent Period” is not a passive phase of silence. It is a very busy time for babies to assimilate the phonetic features of the linguistic environment. Even if you don’t hear them speak, babies are learning about the language. They are closely listening to the sounds around them. (Look at those cute round eyes!)And these tiny humans understand more than they let on. If you observe the m closely, you’ll realize that there’s comprehension in those eyes. They may be blinking in silence. But make no mistake, babies are listening, observing, integrating and adapting. They listen so closely that, in the future, they will soon be able to replicate the linguistic features of the people around them. (It’s no accident that babies in Texas speak with the same accent.)Adults trying to master a second language should borrow a page from little Johnny’s handbook.Listening is that effective and it’s that powerful! It’s a time-proven method that you would absolutely be crazy not to take seriously. If you’re experiencing difficulties in some stage in your quest to become fluent, it can often be traced to the listening part. You probably skipped it entirely and jumped impatiently into the sexy mission of learning the actual lines or the enjoyable competition of playing language games.But because listening is that important, I would like to give you a set of listening strategies that will skyrocket your learning ability. But I have to warn you, this is not your grandmother’s kind of listening.Applying these strategies may boost your abilities, but it’s not a walk in the park. You’ll probably be completely wiped out when you’re done, which can only mean one thing: Your language knowledge is growing and improving.4 Simple Yet Powerful Strategies to Learn a Language by Listening1. Choose Material Suited to Your LevelDon’t bite off more than you can chew.One of the most common mistakes language learners make is tackling materials that are way too advanced for their level. They skip to intermediate lessons without first listening to beginner material. Then learners complain that the speakers are talking too fast and they can’t make out the words.Imagine being taught Calculus in the first grade. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Yet that’s what language learners try to do when they perform listening tasks that are way above their level.The idea l listening material is one that’s a level or two higher than your current level. That means holding off listening to discussions by native French speakers about some esoteric economic theory when you are fresh off the boat. Better listen to kids talking about dogs, cat and apples. You would benefit from speakers who are only a little bit better than you. That way, your goal is more approachable and you are reaching just a little bit each time. And guess what? They speak more slowly too!2. Contextualize and Look at the Big PictureWhen you are digesting an audio or video clip, keep in mind that all conversations are spoken in a certain context. Words and sentences don’t exist in a vacuum; nuances are king. By looking at the big picture, you are making calculated inferences about whats going on in the conversations.Its not your job to know exactly whats said, nor all of the details, but rather to know what it’s generally about.When you listen to a conversation, get your bearings right and understand the situation. Are the speakers long-time friends, colleagues or family members? Then it might be reasonable to expect a lot of informal utterances and maybe even slang. Is it a conversation between a boss and an employee? Then the social dynamics will be a little bit different. (This is especially true in Asian cultures where they stick to specific hierarchical norms.)Look for context clues. If you’re watching a video, note the surroundings. Where are the speakers situated? Inside a conference room? A playground? A church?This location matters a lot. There are topics that would never be discussed inside a church, but would be fair game in a boardroom.3. Listen for “Key Words” for UnderstandingWhen I say listen for key words, the purpose is not so you can articulate or verbalize them. No! When I say listen for key words, it’s so that you can understand what is being spoken. There’s a big difference between the two. One is “listening for speaking,” while the other is “listening for understanding.”We want to listen for understanding. (In fact, nothing in this lesson is geared for speaking. Its all focused on comprehension. The speaking part comes much, much later.)If you think about how we learned to talk as babies, we understood first before we learned to speak. Research is slowly showing the importance of comprehension over articulation. One of the reasons why language lessons don’t cross into a person’s long-term memory from the short-term memory is that there was no genuine comprehension of the lesson in the first place. It was memorized rote, without any real meaning to the learner. In that case if you give it a couple of days, the student will forgets all he or she has “learned.”So when you listen for key words, it’s so that you can work out what is being discussed. It doesn’t matter that you get the actual meaning of statements. In fact, it will be fairly often that you’ll get it wrong. But it’s impo rtant that your comprehension improves. Everything  else will follow from comprehension.To practice both contextualizing and listening for the big picture, its best to study with audio or video clips that have subtitles or English translations. The best place to practice in this way is with FluentU.FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.All of the videos are subtitled and translated, and every word comes with an in-context definition, image and multiple example sentences. You can even click on a word to see how its used in other videos across the site. Thatll teach you context for sure!FluentU currently services Mandarin Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Russian, Korean and Spanish learners.4. Listen for Specific Language FeaturesLet me prove to you for once and for all that listening is not a passive act. In fact, its far from it.Listening, at least the kind that propels you to linguistic success, is one of the most engaged and zeroed-in activities. The thing is, it’s not just about exposure. It’s not just about playing some foreign track in the background while working on something else entirely. That method is too inefficient for your time.Listening is an activity of intent. It’s deliberate and calculated.When you listen to a clip, be prepared to do it several times. I want you to listen to the different nuances, tones, rhythms, verbs, adjectives and tenses. But don’t do it all at once. So maybe for the first round, you listen for the tones and the melody of the conversation. Next you listen for the verbs. And so on.So a 90-second clip could take you an hour or two to completely digest. Are you ready for that kind of work?  Focus on a different linguistic feature every time you replay the clip, and things will slowly start clicking for you.Listening Opportunities for Language LearnersIf you are not living in the home country of your target language, look for every opportunity to be able to listen to the language being used in different contexts and circumstances. Distant immersion is a way to go and here are some suggestions:Children’s ShowsAs I have mentioned before, start off with the lightest material. So search for these types online.Children’s shows have the advantage of simple sentence construction and slower talking rates. It is, afterall, for kids. The lessons are often multisensory and full of vivid examplesâ€"all helpful for the language learner. These shows are formatted so that you can easily get the context for the different scenes.Besides, they’re also fun. The games and the music involved could keep you interested for hours and even make your day. There’s no shame in an adult watching shows for kids. So if youre learning Japan, for example, why not start watching some Japanese cartoons?YouTube and Other User-generated SitesYouTube is awash with video clips featuring nativ e speakers in different contexts, formats and levels of language sophistication. You can find videos that are funny, interesting, even awe-inspiring. Get yourself entertained, but do not lose sight of your purposeâ€"and that is, learning the language, not the magic trick, the recipe or the computer hack.Use YouTube to your advantage, so always pick videos that are just a level or two above your current state. As a beginner, if you got a home video featuring a mom/dad talking to his/her small child, that clip would yield low-hanging fruits for yourself.Movies, Concerts and NewsMovies have plotline and themes and are good practice for long-format listening. Foreign films will sharpen your contextualizing ability, which is one of the most basic skills you need for foreign language work.Songs also have themes and even stories in them. For example, a love song will have words and phrases related to the topic of “love.” Listening to foreign songs, especially nursery rhymes, can help y ou search for key words. But don’t forget that mining the songs is for comprehension.A newscast uses a special subset of vocabulary. One of its major advantages is that it shows a video while the story is being reported, so you get a leg up in the key words that you are listening for. So if you see strong winds and waves being streamed, you can fairly be certain that the news is not about some zoo animal giving birth.Theme-related PodcastsAs mentioned previously, contextualizing is a very important skill. So we turn to podcasts to hear words used in specific situations.Podcasts often deal with certain themes. They can talk about sports, fashion, politics, even religion. The advantage of listening to theme-related podcasts is that it gives you a highly focused workout on a certain subset of vocabulary. Because it narrows the field of interest, you can now focus on the specifics of the topic.Culture TalkCulture Talk is a subtitled interview of native speakers. It’s a double whammy because not only does it teach you about language, but it also touches on the realities of daily life in the language’s home country. So you get a special appreciation for the richness of the culture. Let’s say you want to learn about coffee-making in Uganda, for example. You can learn just that, as explained to you by one of the coffee makers herself.FluentUAs introduced earlier, FluentU is one of the most effective language learning websites today. Save yourself hours of searching through YouTube videos by practicing with FluentUs hand-selected authentic video clips instead.In addition to being engaging, informative and accurately translated, FluentUs videos are also organized by level and topicâ€"so youll immediately know which clips are right for you. Immersing yourself in the high-quality videos that FluentU has to offer is time seriously well spent.Friends Who Are Native SpeakersFinally, if you happen to have friends who are native speakers of the language you’re intere sted in, there’s nothing like listening to it in person. The acoustics are different, and the general experience is just more textured and vivid.Just make sure that your friends talk slower than their regular speaking rateâ€"especially in the beginning.  Then treat your friends for dinner because theyve shared with you something really precious: a new language.With these four strategies and new listening opportunities, you can take your language learning to the next level.You might even have your very own aha moment, just like  Ahmad ibn Fadlan with the warriors, when you can proudly exclaim: I listened! And One More ThingIf youre digging these strategies, 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 A pp 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.

The Volunteer Opportunity at the Tulsa Public Library

The Volunteer Opportunity at the Tulsa Public LibraryThe Tulsa Volunteer Association offers plenty of opportunities for tutoring volunteers, whether you are an adult or a young teen. You can work on your own, or join a home tutor group, tutoring outside school hours. Most of the tutoring volunteers are adult volunteers, usually in their late teens or early twenties. This is because the whole purpose of the tutoring program is to help those in the library.As a tutoring volunteer, you will be given the ability to work with children. Your duties may include reading, writing, arithmetic, and math. If you prefer to work alone, your training will teach you how to carry out tasks as well as how to interact with other children and also how to care for them during their time of need.If you are interested in joining a tutoring program at the Tulsa Public Library, please contact the library for more information. They offer tutoring and assessment programs. Parents with children that need a tuto r can find assistance at the library. Many children go to the library for homework help, and some parents need it more than others.Some families use their computer, while others turn to the library for free library resources. Parents with children that do not have a computer can still be helped by the library. There are tutoring centers at many libraries. When you come to the library, you will meet a tutor who will give you some tips on how to help your child, as well as teach you a few activities and games for your child to use in the library.With a home tutor, you will learn to help kids that have attention disorders. There are many books available at the library that will help you learn about attention disorders. Many tutors teach techniques for managing behavior problems. If you would like to participate in the tutoring program, there are meetings scheduled for each week of the month.A tutoring program at the Tulsa Public Library is designed to help children that are on the verg e of getting attention deficit disorder. They are looking for tutors who want to help them. Most of the time, they require tutors to be at least sixteen years old.Children who are homeschooled may be able to participate in a tutoring program at the Tulsa Public Library. However, they will need to have the level of training that the tutoring program requires. There are not many programs that will match the standards of tutoring at the library. It is important to choose the right program for your needs.

Tutoring in Buena Park, California

Tutoring in Buena Park, CaliforniaChildren needing tutoring and trying to get the most out of it should consider staying in the area of Buena Park, California. This is a beautiful, tranquil, serene, and educational place where the children can learn and enjoy their time. The surrounding regions are also famous for their parks, beaches, and natural beauty that are available for everyone to see.While there are no famous schools in the area, the most popular schools are located in the city of Ladera Beach. These children's schools in the area are known for their safety and the quality of education they offer. This is where parents should be checking first. You can ask for more information regarding any school that is in the area and what they have to offer.The schools in Buena Park are for all types of students, from those that need extra guidance in grades one through eight. These schools are also known for their affordability and the quality of the teaching. All of these factors play a large role in deciding which school is right for you and your child.Tutoring in this area is something that parents do not have to worry about too much. This is because there are several companies that offer their services at affordable rates. Parents can look at all of the different options and choose the best one for their families' needs. If you are looking for the best option, make sure that you have all of the information that you need to make the right decision.A few private tutors are available, depending on what the families decide to do. All of the private tutors are experienced and have the experience and training needed to provide the best tutoring possible. In addition, parents can visit the schools to find out about what is offered and how much it will cost.Tutoring in the area of Buena Park is both affordable and very beneficial for families. In addition, you will find that these schools are great places to get your child ready for any school or career that he may ne ed. For families that are looking for a place that is both affordable and offers an excellent learning experience, the schools in the area should be a consideration.Be sure to check out all of the information that you can and get as much information as you can on the schools in the area. Your family will thank you when they are able to move ahead and reach their full potential as a result of this experience.

What is it Like to Attend Missouri State University

What is it Like to Attend Missouri State University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. David is a Kansas City tutor who graduated from Missouri State University in 2011. He holds a Bachelors degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. David specializes inmany subjects including Algebra tutoring, Organic Chemistry tutoring, and Biology tutoring. See what he had to say about his alma mater: VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. David: The campus is very easy tomaneuver. They have clearly designated bike trails through out the major high traffic areas with plenty of bike racks. There is also a free bus system for students and faculty, making for convenient andexpedient travel between classes. VT: How helpful are the academic advisors? David: The academic advisors are as helpful as you want them to be. A majority of them are also professors with a lot on their plate, but if you take the time to set appointments and ask questions, they are happy to help you out. VT: How would you describe the dorm life? David: I took a year off between high school and college so I never had the dorm experience. As I understand it, dorm life can make or break a college career.It's all about using the resources available to get involved rather than getting off track and caught up in all of the typical college temptations. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? David: MSU prides itself on being primarily a Public Affairs Institution. This means they focus on ethical leadership, culturalcompetenceand community engagement. I was a Biology major and feel that they did a great job supplying us with an up to date education in a quickly evolving field. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? David: Making friends was difficult for me.I did not take part in very many collegiate activities, though they were readily accessible.I made most of my friends by participating in the community that the wonderful city of Springfield has to offer. Having said this, the friendships I made during my time at MSU are worthwhile and long lasting, one of them is soon to be my wife :) VT: How helpful is the Career Center? David: Much to my parents dismay, I never used the career center at MSU. VT: How are the various study areas? Libraries? The Student Union? Dorm lounges? David: The study areas that I utilized the most at MSU were the libraries and the Student Union. Both of these areas were extremely comfortable and well thought out. They had quiet areas for individual studying, and designated areas for group sessions and projects. I spent several hours in these areas and I am thankful to their designers. VT: What is the surrounding town like? What are the best local attractions that make it unique? David: Springfield is an amazing city. Besides the obvious Bass Pro and near-by Branson, MO, its location in the heart of the Ozark's lends itself to limitless day tripsandadventures. Its size offers theamenitiesof a large city without feeling too over whelming, yet it is small enough to feel like a college town. For me, the city of Springfield is what made my college experience so memorable. VT: How big or small is the student body and how does that affect your experience? David: MSU is a fairly large college. It has about 23,000 enrolled students. Like any large college, theintroductory classes have high enrollment. But as you move farther into your major, the class sizes decrease dramatically. Most of my upper level classes had less than 25 students in them. For the most part the professors knew my name, and no matter what class it was, they were always willing to see me during their office hours. For me, MSU's size was not a hindrance to my overall education. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you dreaded the most. David: I had a Microbiology lab class that I dreaded going to, but it was because of my own mistake. On the second day of class I was over 20 minutes late. My teacher, Dr. Plank, pulled me a side explained the importance of punctuality,especially in regards to this particular lab and she kindly asked me not to let it happened again. Of course, the next class meeting I again was over 20 minutes late. This time my professor was not so kind.Needless to say I did not make a good first impression on her. But as the semester progressed I made sure to never be late. I turned in my assignments on time and I earned a good grade in the class. On the last day of class my professor, who had learned of my interest inbecominga teacher, pulled me aside once more and told me that if there was anyway she could help me to just ask, she also gave me several books and materials on biology education. Dr. Plank wasn't the easiest or the kindest Professor but she taught me how to be a good student, and she showed me how to be a good teacher. Check out Davids tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Buying a Violin What to Consider

Buying a Violin What to Consider What Should You Ask Yourself Before you Buy a Violin? ChaptersWhat Are the Different Types of Violin?Violin Tuning: Where to BeginWhat is the Cost of Violins?Caring for Your ViolinStradivarius ViolinsWhether you’re completely new to music lessons or you’re simply looking to fully commit to your musical education by purchasing a violin of your very own, the process of looking for a suitable violin can quickly become complicated.When it comes to choosing a violin to suit you as a player, music teachers can be incredibly helpful in providing advice around violin makers, suppliers in your local area and the prices you can expect to pay for a range of violins.However, heading in the right direction can be difficult if you haven’t yet met with your violin instructor but you’re looking to buy an instrument before your first lesson.Getting to grips with the world of violins can help you feel a bit more confident on your visits to music shops.Having a good idea about the things to consider when looking for your ideal violin will give you a far better chance of a successful purchase.Whether you want to know more about the various types of violin, the history of string instruments, violin sizes, playing the violin, how to tune and look after your violin or the pricing for different types of violin, this article will guide you through the wonderful world of the smallest member of the string family!Given that most violin lessons for beginners are taught to youngsters, naturally their first instruments are of a smaller size than those played by adults.Hiring or buying a violin of the correct size is absolutely essential for any violinist as playing a violin of the wrong size can lead to discomfort and even hinder progress â€" so don’t be tempted to buy a larger violin for a young musician to grow into!Whether you're renting or buying, the student should be able to comfortably hold the scroll of a violin in the palm of their left hand for the instrument to be a good fit.So, what other types of violin are out there?The electric violin is a popular choice for those who perform regularly in front of large crowds, as their make-up enables their sound to be amplified and played through electronic sound systems.Electric violins are the same size and have the same number of strings are acoustic violins, so switching between the two is not difficult for violinists.Another alternative to the acoustic violin is the electro-acoustic type (also known as semi-electric or acoustic-electric).Electro-acoustic violins are all about flexibility, as they provide the player with the sound of an acoustic violin whilst giving them the option to transmit this sound through an amplifier.Most violinists are happy to keep playing their acoustic instruments, while more advanced players and those who are working towards a career on-stage tend to opt for more advanced violins.Violin Tuning: Where to BeginFor those who are encountering stringed instruments for the very first time, tuning up can be daunting.How to tune a violi n properly?  How do I know when each string is in-tune? What happens if I snap a string?Violins have four strings which are tuned in perfect fifths.This means that the pitch of each string is from lowest to highest is the fifth note of the scale of the one before it. So, the strings are tuned to the notes G, D, A and E (where G is the lowest note and E is the highest).So, what is the correct way to tune a violin?The way you tune a violin will depend on how out-of-tune it is in the first place.For example, if your violin has just had new strings put on it and you’re tuning them for the first time, use the tuning pegs (located beyond the fingerboard).Turning the tuning pegs tightens and loosens the strings. It’s important to remember to be gentle with your violin’s strings â€" even if they are horrendously out-of-tune!Turn each peg slowly as you pluck the string to listen to the pitch. Once it has reached the right pitch, move onto the next string.The other way to tune-up is to use the fine-tuners which are located on the violin tailpiece.Learning to tune a violin properly is important to ensure quality sound. Source: PixabayIt is recommended that you use the fine tuners (rather than the tuning pegs) as much as possible to prevent string breakages.Your violin teacher will be able to show you how to properly tune your violin, however, there are also plenty of online tutorials to help you too. TomViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is the Cost of Violins?When the time comes for you to begin your search for a violin of your own, you’ll notice that the asking prices of violins can vary a lot depending on the make and model of the violin, as well as the level of player each violin is intended for.So, if you’re a beginner looking to purchase your very first violin, how much money should you be prepared to part with?There are many ways to find out which are the best student violins for beginners, such as approaching violin specialists at your local music shop or looking for advice online.As a general rule, you should expect to pay £50- £100 for your very first good violin outfit, however, if you’re looking for a musical instrument which will suit you in the long run, it can be worth investing up to £300 in a good-quality violin which is suitable for both beginner and intermediate players.For instance, most violin shops sell brands of student violin such as Windsor and Antoni, which are reputable yet affordable and inexpensive options with a heightened level of playability to suit any beginner violinist.As you progress in your musical career, you may want to invest in a high-specification instrument which will help you to produce a richer tone and to showcase your technical skills.Stentor and Forenza are among some of the violin makers which develop violins for intermediate players.But remember, don’t just make decisions based on brand names.Remember that within every brand are various models of violin which are developed with the needs of specific types of student in mind, so make sure that you do your research on specific models before you make a final decision!Caring for Your ViolinLearning how to play the violin involves much more than learning how to play the right notes in the right places.As a musician, it’s your responsibility to take care of the instrument that you play to ensure that it is in the best possible condition when you play it.Proper maintenance of yo ur violin will ensure that it produces a high-quality sound as well as reducing the risk of damage.For violinists, good maintenance means taking steps to care for your instrument on both a regular and long-term basis.So, how do you take care of a violin?Most of your violin maintenance takes place after you’ve finished playing your violin.Once you’ve finished practicing your pieces or rehearsing with your orchestra, you should wipe down your violin with a dry cloth. Doing this will remove any dust or residue which may build up and affect the violin’s overall tone if not removed.Keeping your violin in a case will protect it from damage ¦ source: Pixabay - LaPorteAnother essential care tip concerns the violin bow. Violin bows are made of horsehair and, like the violin itself, they are quite delicate and therefore require a level of care.Just as you tighten the bow hair before playing your violin, you should also loosen it before putting the violin and bow away in a violin case.V iolin cases also play a mian role in looking after your violin, as they provide a tailor-made cushion for the instrument. Violins should always be stored in a hard case when not being used - and remember to remove your violin shoulder rest and practice mute before you put your violin away!Cleaning the dust off your violin, keeping it in a case and loosening the horsehair on the bow are just two things you can do to care for your instrument on a daily basis â€" but what about in the longer term?Changing a violin’s strings is must for any violinist. It is recommended that players change their strings once every 12 months (less-experienced violinists should visit an expert at a violin shop who can lend a hand before they learn to do it themselves).With time, violin strings can become worn as the rosin builds up on them. This can eventually affect the violin’s sound and put the strings at risk of breaking, so re-stringing is an essential part of keeping string instruments sounding b right.Stradivarius ViolinsOne of the famous names that constantly crops up in discussions about violins is ‘Stradivarius’.But what makes Stradivarius violins so special? And can you still buy them today?Stradivarius string instruments get their name from their makers, the family of Antonio Stradivari, an Italian family who crafted violins, violas, and cellos during the 1600s and 1700s.Though only around 600 of the original Stradivarius violins still exist, many manufacturers have attempted to copy the classic Stradivarius design in tribute to the famous makers.Most original handmade Stradivarius instruments are owned privately or by museums, and if you’re looking to buy a  strad  of your own, you’ll need to have at least £2 million in your back pocket!Nevertheless, the Stradivari legacy is an important part of the rich and interesting history of stringed instruments which lives on in the violin crafting of today.You can look around for violin lessons london if you wish to l earn more and are based in the capital.