5 tips to be more productive in office as a single mother - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 5 tips to be more productive in office as a single mother - Introvert Whisperer 5 tips to be more productive in office as a single mother Diapers, wipes, milk, sanitized feeders, toys, and cough syrups are probably all you think about throughout the day as a mother of an infant; and if your kids are slightly older you can add healthy food options, field trip fees, cuts and bruises, and new bicycles to that endless list. While being a parent is a major responsibility, it may sometimes even become more challenging when you are a single mother with the responsibility of providing for your children. Although statistics reveal that more women are now employed in senior positions in large companies and are leading organizations, single mothers who head their households are still suffering in terms of income disparity and job opportunities. The term, Superwoman is probably meant for ladies who have the courage, determination, and drive to juggle between giving their children a good life and also maintaining a fulfilling career. So, while you juggle between buying diapers and scheduling important business meetings, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and you may also find yourself off track at times. However, keeping your daily productivity in check is nearly just as important as keeping that beautiful smile on your childs face. While you may think that your childs smile is priceless (and it definitely is) and that your job can take a back seat, it still isn’t ethically correct to perform poorly at it. Therefore, here are a few tips to keep you upbeat during work and make your life easier. 1. Do difficult things first With so much to do, you may feel like saving the difficult things for the last and beginning your day with easy assignments. This may be specifically so when you have just had a full-fledged argument with your preschooler about going to school and want to relax for a couple of hours before tackling difficult office work. However, the bigger and more difficult tasks will continue to linger on your thoughts, even while you try to relax, and will prevent you from easing up throughout the day. Hence, it’s a good idea to take a stab at the bigger and more difficult tasks that you are dreading first and get them out of the way. In fact, if you do them before you move onto the easier tasks, you are very likely to be more productive at work and get a lot more done. So, make a list. Organize yourself. Put bigger and more difficult tasks on priority. Do them first. Move onto smaller and easier things second. Accomplish more in your day. It really is as simple as that. 2. Give yourself a break This is obviously easier said than done but it is definitely not impossible. In order to properly function at work, it is very important for single mothers to find some ‘me time’ for themselves and try to do something that they like. This can be taking a walk in the park, pampering yourself at a nearby salon, buying yourself new clothes, or going for that tango class you always wanted to attend. If you need more inexpensive options, you can simply watch a movie, read a book, or catch up on a conversation with a friend to give yourself a breather. The point is that it is very important to relax and let your stress level settle down in order to go to work recharged and with a clearer head. Solitude will allow you to develop a stronger perception as it will stop your brain from processing new information and allow it to effectively file all the information you have collected throughout the days/ weeks/ years! It will also give you a chance to discover more about yourself, be more efficient, and set your priorities right. For this reason, make sure you spend some time alone whenever possible. You also can give yourself this down time when your children are asleep or when they are busy in other activities. 3. Meditate Meditation can help immensely when you need to reduce anxiety, deal with stress, and relax your muscles. However, it is not as simple as closing your eyes and breathing in and out. If you are familiar with the right method to meditate, go for it; but if you are not, then log onto YouTube or search the Internet for an appropriate guide to help you out. What will this do? Meditation increases the blood circulation in your brain, improves memory and focus, gives you tons of energy, and also slows down your aging process. It also helps improve your planning capacity, gives a boost to your creativity, and effectively recharges you. Usually, meditating for ten minutes to half an hour a day is enough and you can surely spare this insignificant amount of time for yourself. However, make sure you do it correctly and concentrate on the process rather than rushing through it. What’s more, this will also enable you to keep calm with the kids and remain vigilant and vivacious at work. 4. Workout A rigorous workout definitely boosts your energy level and increases your stamina for physical activity throughout the day. Moreover, working out can help you stay fit and healthy, keep you upbeat and happy, and also helps clear your head of any negativity. If you do not have the time to go to the gym, you can easily begin your workout at home. Do a certain number of push-ups, sit-ups, and stomach crunches every day and also set a goal for the number of laps that you are going to run. To achieve the best results and make your workout sessions worthwhile, stay away from junk food and fizzy drinks. Add vegan protein to your diet in order to maintain a healthy diet plan and to remain strong. Devise a schedule and try to fit in at least an hour a day for your exercise routine. Afterward, you can relax and sip on a cup of herbal green tea to soothe your nerves. 5. Restrict the use of social media Social media is rather distracting and can waste a lot of precious time. Hence, if you have children who need your attention and a career which you need to excel in, you better restrict the time you spend on social media. Flipping through your newsfeed a few times a day is not so bad and would potentially not be detrimental to your productivity at work. But, if you are constantly uploading pictures of every single special moment that you and your children share, or are stalking people every time you check your newsfeed, there might be a problem. Moreover, extra information in your head regarding what is happening in everybody elses life is simply too much clutter and single mothers with promising careers require a clear vision and clutter-free brains. They already have tons to think about as is. Therefore, increase your productivity by limiting the time you spend on social media. At most, allocate an hour to social media and do all the chatting, uploading, updating that you need to do during this time span, and then focus solely on your job and children. If you remain organized and take good care of yourself, you can easily manage being a single mother with a demanding career.   Being a working woman is rewarding but being a mother is even more so, so cherish both essential parts of your life and make the most of them! AUTHOR BIO ABOUT Alycia Gordan

Rules of Inequalities - Maths Online Tutoring

Rules of Inequalities - Maths Online Tutoring Inequality is the equation which has less than or greater than symbols in it i.e. and respectively. Equality is when we can equate both sides of the equation and is represented by =. The greater that sign in an inequality signifies that the left hand side of the equation is greater that the right hand side. The lesser that sign in an inequality signifies that the left hand side of the equation is lesser that the right hand side. Linear inequalities is the inequalities where the degree of the variables is one. Example 1: Find the solution of the linear inequality 4 x + 2 14? Solution: Given is the equation with one unknown variables x. Here, 4 x + 2 14 is a linear inequality with greater than sign. Subtract 2 on both sided of the equation. 4 x +2 -2 14 - 2; 4 x 12; Now divide by 4 on both sides of the equation. 4 x/4 12 / 4; x 3. Hence the solution to the linear inequality is x 3. Example 2: Find the solution of the linear inequality 8 z - 6 34? Solution: Here 8 z - 6 34 is a linear inequality with less than sign. Add 6 on both sided of the equation. 8 z - 6 + 6 34 + 6; 8 z 40; Now divide by 8 on both sides of the equation. 8 z/8 40/8; z 5. Hence the solution to the linear inequality is z 5.

Playing the Guitar A New Approach to Practicing

Playing the Guitar A New Approach to Practicing Suzy S. Do you view practicing your instrument like a chore? For some students, a simple shift in the way you look at practicing can change your whole experience. Read on for one helpful strategy from Fort Collins, CO teacher Jim H.: My father was a guitar teacher and as a child, I often went with him to his lessons. I learned about different teaching techniques while watching my dad instruct his students. Over the years, I have incorporated some of my father’s teaching styles along with developing my own. My dad ran into the same challenges that all teachers do, including how to get his students to practice their guitars. Over time, he realized that most of his students did not like the word “practice,” as it implied something that had to be done. This was especially true of some of his younger students, who were attending school classes as well. Eventually my father changed his approach from demanding his students practice their guitars to simply encouraging them to play their guitars. I have found this to be a much more positive approach in my professional teaching. I encourage my students to play their guitars and play them often! And why not? Isn’t music a wonderful and magical gift that has been given to us? Why would we hold ourselves back from the joy, pleasure, happiness and satisfaction that comes from playing our instruments? I let my students know that the more they play their guitars, the better it gets and the easier it becomes. I explain that they need to schedule specific times during the week to play their guitars and if they do so, their skills will continue to grow. I also share with my students that I understand that sometimes we don’t feel like or are  not in  the mood to play our guitars. But if we pick up our guitars anyway and start playing, we will find real happiness and a yearning to continue to learn. Make no mistake, I do present weekly lesson plans for my students. But I emphasize enjoying the lesson plans through the wonderful opportunity of simply playing their guitars. Jim H. teaches guitar and ukulele lessons to students of all ages in Fort Collins, CO. He specializes in folk, folk-rock, jazz , classic rock, classic pop and contemporary music, specifically on the acoustic guitar. Jim joined the TakeLessons team in September 2012. Learn more about Jim, or visit TakeLessons to search for a teacher near you! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Cee-Lo Knows.

Ceramics

Ceramics Ceramics: the Definition of Art History ChaptersWhat Are Ceramics?What Equipment Do You Need for Ceramics Lessons?Where Can You Find Ceramics Classes and Workshops?Getting Started with Pottery LessonsBefore Indiana Jones captivated our imagination with his tales of derring-do, archaeologists mainly laboured in obscurity â€" both in the literal and figurative sense.Sure, when a great find is made, such as Tutankhamun’s tomb or the greatest discovery of clay sculpture ever made, the Terracotta Warriors were found, those discoveries make headlines around the world.But when a graduate student on a dig finds pottery shards... that’s not necessarily earth-shattering news.Although rarely publicised, those finds invariably point to pottery-making being one of the most ancient forms of art, right up there with cave-painting.Why did early humans make pottery? How did they discover pottery clay and figure out that it could be used to make things?More importantly: how is it that this ancient art, born of necessity, is currently en joying a resurgence?From Australia to the Americas and, of course, in our own lovely country, clay artists are keen to promote their craft by offering adult classes in pottery as well as the occasional kids’ ceramics class.You have to be careful mixing kids with clays; the high-temperature kilns alone make it a risky proposition!If you’re reading this, you must have some interest in the materials and processes involved in ceramic arts.As always, your Superprof is fully supportive of your endeavours.Whether you’re aiming for your Bachelor of Fine Arts or looking to become the artist in residence in your home-built ceramic studio, we now provide you with all of the information you need to get started.Wash your hands, shut off your kiln and follow along! 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Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our t utors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Are Ceramics? the Terracotta Warriors are perhaps the most renown ceramic sculptures of all time Image by broquitos from PixabayWe tend to think of ceramics in terms of what we’re familiar with: ceramic tile, ceramic vases or delicate ceramic boxes (those are called raku, by the way).Seldom does the average person consider the full scope of things that are ceramic; nothing illustrates that point better than the insulators we see on electrical poles.Most people make a distinction between glass and ceramic insulators; the fact is, they are both ceramic.Likewise, most make a distinction between pottery â€" say, the terra cotta pots in the garden, porcelain fixtures in the bathroom and the bone china used on special occasions. Here again, they are all ceramic.Any substance that is inorganic and non-metallic is considered ceramic.That means that the bricks your home is built of and the mortar that holds them together; the windows you look out of (provided they are glass, not some polycarbonate compou nd), the fixtures in your bathroom and maybe even your kitchen... they are all ceramic.Ceramics have many uses in fields of science and engineering, too.  Consider reusable launch systems such as the US’s space shuttle or reusable space capsules.Those components must be protected from the extreme heat of re-entry into our atmosphere; that is why they are protected with heat-resistant ceramic tiles.Admittedly, space travel and re-entry is a fairly limited proposition; it is much more common to board a jet and fly from one country to the next than fly away from our planet altogether.Would you be surprised to know that ceramics play an integral part in the workings of jet engines?Learn more about ceramics and their many applications...What Equipment Do You Need for Ceramics Lessons? This type of pottery is fired at low temperature Image by Hans Braxmeier from PixabayMost people, when considering ceramic art generally don’t consider archaeology, building techniques or the transition temperature of re-entry; they just want to tap into their creative process and express themselves through the visual arts.Well begun is half done. AristotleMost who stand by that adage would start their venture into studio art by being thoroughly prepared: the right tools, the right equipment and the right materials and the right attitude â€" we all know attitude counts for a lot!Believe it or not, to properly prepare yourself for lessons in pottery, all you really need is an openness to learning and a can-do attitude.As far as equipment and materials, to make even the simplest pot out of clay, you will need:A potter’s wheel: you don’t have to have one but it sure makes pottery-making faster and easier!A kiln: you may choose an electric kiln, a gas kiln, a wood kiln or a raku ki lnClay: there are many types and grades to choose fromWaterIt is remarkable that, over the millennia that humans have been working clay â€" the oldest figurines, found in the Czech Republic, have been dated to 45,000 years ago, very little has changed.True, we have nifty clay tools and it would be a good bet that those ancient potters, coiling their rolls of clay would probably be amazed at the convenience of pottery wheels.But you don’t need to bring any tools or clays to begin making pottery in class. You will likely be asked to bring an apron, though, and to dress appropriately.Find out what else might be asked or expected of you in your first few ceramics classes...Where Can You Find Ceramics Classes and Workshops?As mentioned earlier, art ceramics are enjoying a new wave of popularity all around the world. Everywhere, people are turning out earthenware, glazed or unglazed, to use in their gardens or serve as accent pieces.In light of that, could finding classes be difficult? That depends on several factors.If you live in a city, it would be much easier to find an art center offering pottery lessons than, say in the Scottish Highlands.On the other hand, if you live in Scotland, you might seek out the Scottish Potters’ Association to connect with experienced ceramic artists; you may even become a member of their group!One of the first questions they’re bound to ask you is: why do you want to learn pottery? That question is at the heart of finding the best ceramics classes.If you’re only just beginning to work with ceramic materials, beginner’s classes at an art studio or open classes at your local college of art would work well. There, you could learn all of the basics:the different types of clay (and what they’re used for)the different equipment and tools a clay artist usesproperties of kilns â€" high temperature, low temperature, inner diameter and so onwheel throwing: how to work with a pottery wheelIn fact, pottery artists recommend taking a wheel throwing class because it can be quite tricky getting the hang of working with a pottery wheel.Conversely, if you’ve already met with a bit of success in turning out stoneware creations, you might keep an eye out of workshops that address a skill you’ve not yet mastered.Essentially, finding pottery classes and workshops really boils down to what you need to further your art education... Beware that you won't turn out a full set of tableware on your first try! Image by Dieter Fettel from PixabayGetting Started with Pottery LessonsYou may be a fan of the classic film, Ghost, in which Demi Moore’s character sits half-clad at a pottery wheel in the middle of the night.The vase she’s making grows, grows, grows taller until Sam sits behind her. She gets distracted, the vase flops...In that story, floppy vases are of little consequence. So, for that matter, is pottery.On the other hand, for the perhaps overeager ceramist, clay creations that continuously flop can a source of frustration. Plenty of people have gotten discouraged over their clay not becoming what they want it to be!Ceramic artists all aver: check your expectations.It would be safe to say that hardly anyone sitting at a pottery wheel met success the first time out. It takes patience and skill to turn out a flawless piece.Your instructor will no doubt make pottery-making seem very easy but there is a measu re of skill involved even if it seems effortless when done by a pro.Knowing exactly how much pressure to exert on the clay as it turns, how often to moisten it and when to stop before the piece is ruined all take time to learn.The wonderful thing about clay is that it is so forgiving! If what you’re working on doesn’t satisfy, you can knead the clay into a ball and start all over again or try something new, maybe even experiment a little.It is important to remember that you’re not going to master pottery or clay sculpture after only a couple of lessons; in fact, the dedicated ceramic artist makes learning his craft the work of a lifetime.In light of that, if you’ve never thrown a pot â€" used a pottery wheel, you will have a few things to get used to.  A good rule of thumb is to learn one ‘thing’ per lesson, starting with the ceramic material you are currently manipulating.Your instructor should explain what type of clay you’re working with, what it’s composition is, and what they mean by ‘bisque’.You will be treated to so much information about ceramics as an art form... why not read our companion article to get fully prepared?

Watch Now Knucklebuster Guitar Exercise

Watch Now Knucklebuster Guitar Exercise Suzy S. As a guitar player (at any level!), one of the most important things you can work on is conditioning your finger strength and stamina.   Once you can train each of your fingers to work independently, youll have an easier time with your accuracy and proficiency. The following knucklebuster tutorial from Pompano Beach guitar teacher Steve G. is an excellent way to work on this technique. (Bonus: Use a metronome while youre practicing for even more precision!)   Grab your guitar, and watch the tutorial here: Want even more expert advice from our teachers?    Sign up for email updates here! Steve G. teaches bass guitar, guitar, mandolin, music recording, music theory, ukulele and banjo lessons to students of all ages and levels in Pompano Beach, FL. Steve joined the TakeLessons team in May 2012, with several years of experience in performing, teaching, audio recording and more. Sign up for lessons with Steve, or visit TakeLessons to search for a teacher near you! You might also like Watch Now: How to Tune a Guitar Watch Now: How to Play Pumped Up Kicks Videos We Love: Man With No Hands Plays the Guitar Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Certify Your French Language Skills Through DELF

Certify Your French Language Skills Through DELF How to Test Your Level of French with the DELF ChaptersEarly Certification Through DILFDELF: a French Language Exam for EveryoneA Word on DALFTips for Successful DELFLet us suppose your favourite pastime is perusing eclectic book collections along the Seine. After selecting one  you wander to your favourite café or bistro for a cuppa, crack open your coveted Sartre or Zola...And you can read and understand every word!But does that prove your ability to use the French language effectively, in every situation?Unfortunately not.To get that proof, you would have to submit to official testing, and have your ability to use French measured and categorised by the Ministry of National Education in France.We're not talking about parlaying your GCSE foreign language test scores into an approximate equivalent, here.Our French neighbours have considerately divided their language certification exams into three segments, each corresponding to one or more portions of the Common European Framework of Reference for Language, or CEFRL.In case you are not familiar with said framework:Level A1 represents basic knowledge of the language; C2 represents fluency. B1 and B2 exams are designed to test and certify intermediate language learners' abilities.Please refer to the table at the end of this article for a correlation between the French exams and their CEFRL counterparts.Where francophones are concerned, those exams are called DILF, DELF and DALF.Let us now take a closer look at them.Or click here to find out about the cost of French tutoring. E represents études â€" studies, in French.Thus, it stands to reason that those sitting DILF are beginners; just starting their forays into French vocabulary and French grammar.The DILF is an official qualification awarded by the French Ministry of Education that recognises a basic level of competence in French â€" one that corresponds to A1.1 on the CERFL scale.Nevertheless, all four areas of language competence are tested: reading, writing, speaking and listening.The reading portion w ould include understanding simple instructions and basic information.The writing segment calls for the candidate to fill out a form or write a simple message. The ability to understand and write numbers correctly is also challenged.The listening part revolves around understanding a public message or simple instruction. Here again, the use of numbers is specified.The speaking portion consists of an interview with a panel of examiners, as well as various conversational activities, like introducing people and making a doctor's appointment.Speech and listening comprehension rate higher for this exam than do writing and reading â€" whose total points tally up to 30.Overall, the candidate would have to score a total of 50 points out of 100 to earn a pass.For the oral portion, a 35 out of 70 would be considered satisfactory.It is important to note that there are no questions specifically about grammar and verb conjugation; every phase of the exam is geared toward pragmatic concerns.The DIL F is considered the initial step toward a later DELF ordeal.However, as it is only offered in France, you may consider an immersion curriculum in your favourite French province in anticipation of this exam.Check for the best French lessons here.the DELF exams are progressive, with some reserved exclusively for the youngest learners Source: Pixabay Credit: KhamkorDELF: a French Language Exam for EveryoneJust to clarify this point: although there is a progression in these language proficiency exams, you are not required to take the elementary level exams prior to testing at intermediate or advanced level.The DELF offers a wide range of tests designed for any French language student, from DELF Prim â€" for students as young as seven, to DELF Pro, the test geared toward business professionals.The most commonly administered exam is called DELF Tout Public, or public access DELF.These four exams, each increasingly more difficult, test the same aspects of your second language as DILF does: reading, writing, speaking and listening.However, the subject matter covered and the intensity varies greatly. That can be evidenced by the time allotted for each exam.Whereas the A1 exam lasts one hour and twenty minutes, the B2 exam demands over two hours and topics of discussion range from politics to other hotly debated subjects.There is no placement test to determine which exam you should sit.However, the French Ministry of Education provides sample tests to help you establish where you are in your French studies, and which certification exam you should take.The DELF is a pass/fail proposition. If you score above the threshold indicated for the exam you sit, you will be certified at that level.Should your pronunciation, for example, be deemed insufficient â€" resulting in a failure to certify, you may resit the exam, but only after 60 days.Unlike other language assessment programmes, you cannot retake only the portion you did not demonstrate proficiency in; you must redo the e ntire exam.The cost of the exam depends on what level you sit. The latest pricing table, from last year, indicated that: sitting  A1, or Basic Level, would cost £70; high intermediate, or B2, would run £105.You will be charged a fee each time you sit the exam, even if you are taking the same exam again.Check for French lessons online here.A Word on DALFLet us say you have been taking French lessons for most of your academic career. In fact, most would consider you bilingual, and you even anticipate sitting French A Levels... in other words, you are well advanced in French speaking, reading and writing.Your language training may qualify you to sit DALF: a thorough examination of your ability to discourse and write about humanities, social studies and current events through French conversation and composition.The C1 exam takes a little over four hours, and costs £145.Testing your knowledge of French language and culture at the highest level, C2, would take three and a half hours, a nd set you back £170.Now that we have a breakdown of test levels, let us take an in-depth look at language learning geared to the level that would likely be most beneficial to you; the ones included in étude programme.No need to paint flags on yourself as proof of speaking French! Sitting the DELF will do nicely. Source: Pixabay Credit: IcarrissimiTips for Successful DELFDetermine Which ExamFor the adult francophone, the choice is easy: s/he can sit the aforementioned Public Access exam, or DELF Pro: the one meant for those whose level of expression is suited to the business world.If you hope to work in France or any French speaking countries, that would be the exam for you.Both require you to demonstrate proficiency levels in the range of A1 to B2, but the nature of the discussions and materials are slightly different.The Pro exam includes more business terminology.The young  French learner has a greater choice of exams:Prim â€" for primary school students. Levels tested are A1.1 to A2Junior: for kids and teens in secondary school; they can test from Level A1 to B2the levels are the same as tests for adults, but topics discussed are relevant to people of that age groupScolaire: Same tests/levels as the Junior category, but administered in a classroom, through a French language learning center.If your child takes classes at the Alliance Francaise in Cambridge or Cardiff, for example, s/he may be encouraged to sit DELF on recommendation of her teacher.Contact Your Closest Testing CenterIf you do not live in France and are not enroled in a French language school, you may have to find a language testing center close to you.Even if you are enroled in a language school, it may not be certified to officially administer the exam.There are only a baker's dozen certified testing centers, scattered throughout the UK. Contacting them to find the next available test dates and the most up-to-date  criteria for testing is essential to securing a seat.Knowing when and wher e to test will eliminate the possibility of confusion and frustration, thus increasing your chances for a good evaluation of your linguistic abilities.You can engage a Superprof French tutor online to help your French pronunciation! Source: Pixabay Credit: JeshootsPractice, Practice, PracticeFrom the moment of your enrolment into the test of your choice, you should speak, read and listen to French every chance you get.Participate actively in your French courses; query your French teacher over any aspect of the language that you have difficulty with.You may consider engaging a Superprof tutor to give you an extra boost of confidence!Attend all of the French cultural activities you can; be sure to speak French to anyone who says bienvenue  or bonjour to you.Check with your local library: perhaps they will host a French movie night. If not, maybe they have a few titles for rent.Or, you could stream French television and music.All of these suggestions might appeal to your child or child ren, who might be taking French language courses in preparation for their ordeal.There is no accredited or recommended manner of immersing yourself into French language studies â€" short of living in France for full immersion into the language and culture.However, taking language classes, followed up by reinforcement activities is sure to prepare you well to sit DELF, at whatever level you choose!Learn more about practicing your French skills and find french courses london.We now leave you with a breakdown of how the French language certification exams correlate to the European language certification framework. Bonne chance!DELF PrimPrimary school students aged 7 to 12Levels tested: A1.1; A1; A2DELF JuniorSecondary school students aged 12 to 17Levels tested: A1; A2; B1; B2DELF ScolaireSecondary school students aged 12 to 17Levels tested: A1; A2; B1; B2DELF Tout PublicAdultsLevels tested: A1; A2; B1; B2DELF ProAdultsLevels tested: A1; A2; B1; B2DALFAdultsLevels tested: C1 and C2

The Making of a Stellar Score on the GRE

The Making of a Stellar Score on the GRE GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog I often hear people wonder whether it is possible to increase one’s GRE score. They believe that a standardized test score is more or less set in stone, one’s score changing plus or minus two points depending on the day. This line of thinking is actually woefully inaccurate; with a combination of diligence, resources, and the proper approach, you can greatly increase your score. Indeed, I’ve seen a couple of Magoosh students increase their scores by 29 points. Mind you, I’m not trying to shamelessly promote our brand. Instead, I not only want do away with the thinking that one’s GRE score is immutable, but also show you how to make significant point increases to your current score. An Important Question So what is a good GRE score? Well, it is one in which you improve dramatically. What this means differs wildly on the situation. To illustrate, imagine two students who have gone up by 12 points. One goes from a 145 in both sections to a 151 in both sections; the other goes from 164 in both sections to a perfect score. Clearly, the latter is far more impressive, since any point increase you can attain once you are over 165 is amazing. The first student, by contrast, hasn’t really done too much for his competitive edge. Had that student increased by 24 points, on the other hand, then he has achieved a great score. He need not feel like he has to get in the mid-160’s to make his effort worthwhile; his scores will help him get into some decent programs. The reason I mention this hypothetical student is I don’t want to give the impression that the only good score is one in the high 160’s and that everyone is capable of achieving that score. My experience has shown me that certain point increases are difficult to come by. Anything over a 30-point increase is exceedingly rare on the GRE. How Do You Get Your “Good” GRE Score? Diligence You’ve hard it countless times before, but it’s true: hard work is the only way to make big things happen. The GRE is no exception; you’ll need to apply yourself day and night, making sacrifices in your social life or your Netflix viewing. Relaxing to your favorite music might have to be replaced by listening to GRE vocabulary podcasts. Resources There is a plethora of bad material out there. Really speaking, anyone with a blog can start writing questions or pitching strategies. Always exercise caution and stick with trusted names and questions. (For helpful book reviews: Magoosh’s GRE book reviews). Approach This is, in many ways, the most important facet to improving your score; yet, it is often the subtlest. First off, don’t just do practice question after practice question. Understand your mistakes, and how the test writers create question. Learning the kind of answer choices that tempt you is important as well. Try out the strategies in a few different prep books to find out which one(s) suit you best. Finally, take plenty of practice tests so you can constantly see how you are improving and, more importantly, which parts of the test you need to focus on. Takeaway By combining the three elements above, you can witness dramatic increases in your GRE score. Of course, you will need plenty of time to see this happen. But during those periods where you aren’t improving, or aren’t improving as much, know that it is possible. About the Author This post was written by Chris Lele, resident GRE expert at Magoosh, a leader in GRE prep. For help with GRE vocabulary, check out our free flashcards and Vocab Wednesday videos on the Magoosh GRE Blog.

5 Practical Strategies for Combating Boredom in Kids with ADHD

5 Practical Strategies for Combating Boredom in Kids with ADHD Many kids with ADHD struggle with feelings of boredom throughout the day, especially during activities that fail to meet their high mental engagement needs (see my previous post for more on this topic). When boredom kicks in, kids feel miserable and their ability to stay focused and engaged plummets. While every hour of every day cant be filled with fun and exciting activities, there are many strategies that parents and teachers can use to make everyday tasks more engaging for kids with ADH, 5 Key Strategies for Reducing Boredom and Increasing Engagement Make Activities Meaningful When an activity is meaningful to a child, either because it is helping him or her to improve skills in an area that is important or because it is tied to a topic that he or she enjoys, his or her interest and enthusiasm will increase dramatically. For example, many kids with ADHD complain that math is boring, but when a child learns to use his or her skills to predict the scoring potential of a favorite athlete, math suddenly becomes much more interesting. Or when a child learns that getting through homework quickly (and accurately) means that he or she will finish sooner and have more time to play a favorite game, he or she becomes much more engaged and less distracted during homework time. Incorporate Physical Activity Physical activity provides essential mental stimulation for kids with ADHD, and can make typically boring activities much more engaging. Physical activity can come in the form of a hands-on project, an opportunity to complete assignments while standing and fidgeting rather than sitting still, or frequent pre-planned activity breaks. In an ideal scenario, active games can be used to teach new skills, routines, and habits. Whenever activities are fun and game-like boredom quickly disappears! Keep it Short Kids with ADHD become bored with almost any lengthy task. For very young children, even a 10-minute activity can induce boredom. Older children may have a 20-minute limit before the boredom sets in. In general, helping kids with ADHD learn new skills and complete everyday tasks through short bursts of activity will reduce boredom and increase engagement. Try reducing the length of repetitive academic assignments, and breaking down longer activities, like cleaning up a very messy play area, into smaller chunks. Set Short-Term Goals Most kids with ADHD find activities boring when they lack a clear purpose or have a very delayed outcome. Build small goals into activities to bump up engagement. For example, rather than having a child passively listen to a book report presentation in class, have him or her complete a worksheet that requires him or her to listen for very specific details during the presentation. Challenge the child to have an answer written down for each question before the presenter has finished the report. Reward Progress Providing immediate rewards can make almost any activity more engaging for kids with ADHD. In general, rewards should be immediate, they should be something that the child wants to earn, and they should be used sparingly. Rewards are powerful tools for kids with ADHD, but when they are used too frequently they can be difficult to sustain. In addition, they may undermine a childs internal motivation when they are paired with activities that the child perceives as easy or inherently interesting. So, build in rewards when they are needed, but use them only after youve tried one or more of the four strategies listed above. Anytime an otherwise boring activity can be made engaging for a child with ADHD he or she will receive a boost in his or her ability to focus, be productive, and feel proud of his or her efforts. Its not possible to escape boredom altogether, but with a few tips and tricks most activities can be made interesting for kids with ADHD. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.