College Majors

College Majors Dear high school seniors, when you sit in a cubicle for the next 50 years of your life for nine hours a day, what do you want to do? Think about it, and let yourself know in a few years. The earlier one can declare a major the better. However, it is very important for students not to pigeon-hole themselves into majors before college even starts. Choosing a major is one of the most important decisions students can make, and they need to choose carefully. After all, it very well could be what you do every day for the next 50 years. Carefully choosing a major does not entail typing Economics Jobs into Google or asking all of ones relatives about the different college majors. Students need to see and live their majors before hastily choosing one because its Monday morning and the communications market is supposedly growing. Students should enter college with an idea of what they want for in a career. It is important to have a major; however, when youre 18, trying to figure out which video game you will enjoy more for the next month can be a tough choice. Roughly 50% of college freshmen change their majors, according to MSNBC news.Therefore, freshman year of college is more about deciding a major than building repertoire within ones major. We recommend that freshmen engage in very diverse learning programs, participating in many different extra-curricular activities and classes. Students never know what could spark their interest in a specific major. Therefore, its important for them to keep an open mind. Students should get involved in different clubs and organizations and experience different classes to see what is out there. Who knows, maybe a certain professors chicken scratch on a chalkboard is more interesting to you than another professors. Also, colleges offer a lot of classes that high schools do not. Students should participate in these classes to learn something different. Freshman year is usually the only year in which students can have a broad learning experience. Once students get further along in their college programs, classes will become more specialized. Freshmen students have the rest of their lives to learn everything there is to know about one general field. That is why freshmen should learn a little bit about everything. Your college degree should represent what you love to do and what you do best. Its a decision that should not be taken lightly. Freshman year will help one decide exactly what that degree should be. Also, dont panic if youre done with your freshman year of college, and you do not have a major. There will always be time to find something you love. We encourage you to take that time.

Travelling to Lisbon

Travelling to Lisbon How Can You Travel to or Move to the Portuguese Capital? Here’s How! ChaptersWhen Is the Ideal Time to Visit Lisbon?How Long Should You Go to Lisbon For?Where Should You Stay in Lisbon?The Best Neighbourhoods in Lisbon“We travel to change not of place, but ideas.” - Hippolyte TaineHave you always dreamt of travelling to Portugal?If you’ve already got your tickets, you can move onto the next steps: planning your time in Lisbon, holiday rentals, hiring a car, budgeting for accommodation, and where to stay in Lisbon.Portugal is one of the most popular European holiday destinations. Even though tourism only accounts for 7% of GDP, it’s responsible for 25% of the jobs created in 2016, which has been helping Portugal get back on its feet since the recession.  11.7 million tourists, up 12.7% on 2015, visited Portugal in 2016.Are you going to visit Lisbon?Here’s our mini guide on visiting the Portuguese capital. IrineuPortuguese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GabrielaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouisePortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £27/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RodrigoPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BlancaPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolinaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (6) £11/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhen Is the Ideal Time to Visit Lisbon?Most guides are pretty unanimous that the best time to visit Portugal is in the summer when it’s hot and dry, with average temperatures of 21.4 in May, 24.8 in June, and 27.5 in July and August.You can visit Lisbon in winter when there are fewer tourists. (Source: Free-Photos)Summer is also the most touristy time and the prices peak around the summer solstice.Between May and September, there are only between 3 and 40 millimetres of rainfall. This means it’s great for vi siting the old neighbourhoods of Alfama, Belem, Bairro Alto.So when should you visit Lisbon?The weather in Lisbon is pretty good throughout the whole year.There’s more rainfall in winter, with between 92 and 106mm per month between November and February, but the temperature remains nice thanks to a Mediterranean climate that’s tempered by the Atlantic Ocean.And if it rains, you can always visit the museums. There’s the National Museum of the Azulejo, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the Chiado Museum, the Museum of Fado, the Jerónimos Monastery, etc.With a good amount of sunshine throughout the year, you should consider taking a stroll around the historic city centre and trying the pasteis de nata pastries.You can enjoy Lisbon throughout the whole year and we recommend going in winter if you’re on a tight budget.Get a Lisboa Card, a pass that’s valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours, for €20, €34, or €42. This will allow you to visit a number of museums, use public transport, and generally get the most out of your trip to Lisbon without waiting in lines for tourist attractions or buying plenty of bus, metro, or tram tickets.Lisbon is home to a number of large hills and some great views. There are 16 viewpoints, or “miradouros”, in the city and they’ll offer you a fantastic view of the Tage estuary and the 25 de Abril Bridge.Some of the most popular include: the Miradouro Santa Luzia, the Miradouro da Graça, the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, and the Miradouro do Parque Eduardo VII.Are you looking for a cheap flight to Lisbon?Check out cheap flights on Skyscanner!  Keep an eye out for the cultural events going on in Lisbon. In April, the city welcomes the Estoril Open, which causes an increase in the price of accommodation.The Festivities of Lisbon (June), the popular saints days, Saint Anthony of Padua (13 June), the Lisbon Tango Festival (end of May/start of June), the Feast of São Jõao (23 June) will all see the price of accommodation in the city rise.How Long Should You Go to Lisbon For?Lisbon is mainland Europe’s most western capitals and you can get there in just over a couple of hours from the UK.The Baixa neighbourhood is definitely worth a visit! (Source: larahcv)Generally, your work schedule will probably dictate how long you can go for.  Typical workers in the UK are entitled to 28 days of paid annual leave per year.  Students, job seekers, freelancers, or retirees can obviously go for longer.There are plenty of trips you can take around Portugal, too! With Porto, the Douro Valley, Alentejo, and the Algarve all worth a visit, you’ll need to think about what you want to do, where you want to go, and what your budget and holiday allowance will allow you to do.So how long should you visit Lisbon for?Five days would be enough to visit the essentials:Castelo São JorgeThe Alfama, Baixa, Bairro Alto, Chiado, Belem, and Ajuda neighbourhoodsThe streets of the Line 28 tram (Lisbon’s famous yellow trams)Praà §a do Comércio (Commerce Square)Lisbon CathedralRua Augusta ArchConvento da Ordem do Carmo (Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel)MuseumsParc Eduardo VIIAmoreiras 360 ° Panoramic ViewLisbon Botanic GardensThe Tower of BelémPadrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries)The Santa Justa LiftAnd this list is far from exhaustive!If you want to visit other attractions in Portugal, get out of the city, and explore the surrounding areas, you might want to consider staying longer in Portugal, perhaps between 15 and 20 days.Are you looking for work in the UK? Why not use this time to go to Lisbon to learn how to speak Portuguese?Where Should You Stay in Lisbon?Here we are! The obvious question. When it comes to accommodation, you need to think about the best neighbourhoods, hotels on a budget, renting a holiday flat, etc.The Bairro Alto can be noisy at night, but if you want to party, this is the place to be. (Source: 2109DSGN)While the cost of living in Lisbon is quite low, accommo dation can be quite expensive.  So even though you can get cheap return flights to and from Lisbon, accommodation might take a big chunk out of your budget.So where should you stay in Lisbon?For short stays, you can probably look to Airbnb, Booking.com, Hotels.com, etc. If you’re staying for longer, you might want to consider renting an apartment in the city centre. However, prices can reach up to €1,500 per month! Check out sites like Sapo, OLX, and Idealista.You need to remember that landlords will make the most of tourists renting and adjust their prices accordingly. You can’t avoid supply and demand.Airbnb is often a great way to get holiday accommodation like flats and houses in great locations in the city.Lisbon city centre is arguably the best place to stay in. The Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto neighbourhoods are all good but will be more expensive.Just make sure you don’t book at the last minute.  On Airbnb, you can find more luxurious options for a little more. Use the map features on these websites to browse where you can stay. You could even go to Lisbon for a stag-do or a road-trip, for example!You could pay anywhere between €50 and €150 per night depending on the season.  On Booking.com, you’ll find the best hotels all cost over €100 per night in the historic city centre.If you’re on a budget, there are always youth hostels. You can get a bed in a dormitory for around €25 for two.The Best Neighbourhoods in LisbonWhich are the best neighbourhoods in Lisbon?There are four neighbourhoods in the city centre and two on the periphery that we should mention: Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto, Alfama, Belém, and Ajuda.The Alfama is one of the oldest and prettiest neighbourhoods in Lisbon. (Source: Skitterphoto)The Alfama neighbourhood is one of the most picturesque with its coloured buildings, narrow streets, bars and restaurants serving traditional dishes, and its small-town vibe.Between 50,000 and 70,000 people died in an earthquake in Alfama in 1755. Despite this, the Castelo de São Jorge, one of the neighbourhoods most popular attractions, remained standing. This has left the area with a mix of modern and historic Moorish architecture.Do you think that some of the buildings in Alfama look a bit dilapidated?This is part of the area’s history. Under the Moorish rule in Portugal, the interiors of buildings were far more important than their exteriors as it would be considered superficial.You can also visit the Baixa neighbourhood, the city’s beating commercial and touristy heart.  Here you’ll find the Praça do Comércio and the Rua Augusta Arch. Accommodation might be quite dear here.If you take the stairs or the funicular railway, you’ll arrive at Bairro Alto and Chiado, two complementary areas.  The first is famous for its nightlife (it’s calm during the day) and the other for being busy during the day. Full of bars and shops and a young population, the beer and wine flow readily here.Not a fan of be ing in the city centre?Head along to Belém, with the Tower of Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery, and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of Discoveries).A 90-minute walk from the city centre, Belém offers another experience of Lisbon with its popular residential areas, particularly on the Ajuda side, and a fantastic view of the 25 de Abril Bridge!

How to Teach Children Chinese

How to Teach Children Chinese Different Ways to Teach Children Mandarin Chinese ChaptersResources for Teaching Children ChineseWhich Is The Perfect Age for Learning Chinese?The Advantages of Learning Chinese as Soon as Possible“A different language is a different vision of life.” - Federico FelliniChildren need to enjoy learning a new language. It’s unlikely that a child will see the worth in learning Chinese for their future career. That said, an increasing number of teens are opting to do Chinese at GCSE, A Level, and degree.After all, Chinese (and Mandarin, in particular) is the most common language in the world and China happens to have the world's second-largest economy. Additionally, China has a rich culture and a fascinating history.So how can you teach children Chinese outside of school?Which are the best ways to encourage children to take up a foreign language like Chinese?In this article, we’ve got some advice on how to help your child discover Chinese in the UK!Teaching your children Chinese could open a lot of doors for them in the future. (S ource: naidokdin)Learning a foreign language such as Chinese will be a challenge for the future. Learning more about the language and culture of an economic power like China will open a lot of doors for them in the future.

What is the Best Age to Start Taking Drum Lessons

What is the Best Age to Start Taking Drum Lessons The Optimal Age for Taking Drum Lessons ChaptersWhy Learn the Drums?Why Not Teach Drums to Under-Fives?The Youngest DrummersDrum Lessons for School-Aged ChildrenAnyone who is familiar with music, who has ever been to a concert â€" save perhaps of the acoustic variety, is familiar with drums.The drums’ purpose is to maintain the songs’ beat, underscore or emphasise tones and moods in classical pieces and, in marching bands, set the rhythm and pace.Toddlers don’t care about all of those technical aspects. They just like to beat on things, preferably things that make noise: the louder, the better!Does that mean you should set your dynamic, diapered Donati in front of a drum kit as soon as s/he can grasp the sticks?Not so fast!A bit of study and reasoning should take place before investing in snares, basses, cowbells and cymbals.That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy your toddler a toy snare drum or a pair of toms, just for fun!Clearly, it is time to have a chat with your tutor, to determine the optimal age for drumming lessons that will stick â€" pun intended.Drumset for Preschoolers avers that younger players are actually more enthusiastic and engaged and that older players tend to be more hesitant and more focused on technique â€" perhaps believing that playing music could not possibly be so easy.We will discuss this book and others when we review the best books to learn to drum.The main difference between lessons for the youngest drummers and those that are a bit older is time: the material must be presented in shorter bites so that the child’s attention does not wander.Now that we’ve explained that young and older learners can all enjoy learning how to play the drums, let us give you a breakdown on what would most likely happen during lessons for players of all ages.Size and strength matter more than age when thinking about drum lessons for beginners. Source: Pixabay credit: Gnuyen Tuan HungThe Youngest DrummersWe all know that age is just a number... right?In that light, it would be absu rd to say that a sturdily-built 4-year-old must wait a year or two before s/he can learn to play while delicately framed 6-year-olds are already partaking of drum instruction.A prime consideration of when your child is ready to be taught: if s/he is sufficiently physically developed, start shopping for beginner drum lessons near me - perhaps via Internet?Is s/he strong enough to hold drumsticks aloft and bring them down with proper strength? Sufficiently coordinated to use them? Does s/he have proper control over arm movements?Does s/he maintain good posture?Your second consideration should be the amount of time s/he can focus on any one thing before getting distracted.How much time should it take for anyone to learn how to play the drums?Your child’s attention span is vital to learning how to play the drums, and so is the teacher’s instruction methods.As younger children’s academic skills are not yet developed, they, more so than the older student, will learn to play by ear.T hat means that your prospective drum teacher must have more than one trick up their sleeve, and also plan the lesson into smaller segments in order to keep your child focused on learning.You should not count on hour-long sessions if your child’s focus tends to wander. Perhaps starting out with 30 minutes and gradually increasing to 45 minutes would be best.You might discover your child’s potential for drumming lessons by arming him with pencils and presenting an array of pots and pans to bang on.Would you like to help your child learn to play drums ahead of any music lessons?According to John S., a drummer and music instructor in the U.S., you may try lap drumming, clapping your hands and foot tapping â€" all excellent ways to teach basic rhythm.Drum Lessons for School-Aged ChildrenAlthough there has long been a debate on whether childhood is the optimal time for language learning, there can be no doubt that children between the ages of 7 and 13 are especially adept at absorbing information. That is why drum lessons for kids are such a good idea.There seems to be no end to the questions and curiosity that possess people at that time in their lives!More than one music teacher will attest to that age bracket being the very best for lessons on playing drums.Already conditioned to sit and maintain good posture, and with their physique more developed, anyone in that age group who wants to learn how to play the drums should be indulged.For this age group, learning percussion instruments calls for:good hand-eye coordinationunderstanding of rhythmic patternsability to detect drum patternsa willingness to learn: drum notation, different styles of music, and so on...If your child has all of these qualities and a strong independent spirit, you may just have a percussionist on your hands!In preparation for your pre-teen’s first face to face or online drum lessons, you may want to investigate what resources there are to help learn the drums.Drumming is good for your health; why not take drum lessons too? Source: Pixabay Credit: Contact857What About You?If your children can go all Matt Gartska on anything beatable, how about you demonstrate your chops in drumstick twirling?Nothing says that drum play is reserved for those most apt to learn!You too can get your groove on, practising alongside your progeny; hitting the hi hat while s/he beats out a paradiddle!The final note: there is really no best age for learning the drums.What matters the most is physical strength and coordination, an ear for drum beats and the will to learn the strokes.You’ll see: with a bit of practice, anyone can play drums with as much enthusiasm as a toddler banging on pots with pencils!Now find out the answers to other frequently asked questions about drumming!

Learning German for the Naturalisation Test

Learning German for the Naturalisation Test The Best way to Learn German to Become German ChaptersFederated StatesWhat Was the Stasi?The Rights of EU Nationals in GermanyThe German Jobs MarketHow Do You Become German?Conditions for NaturalisationAre you fluent in German? Did you study German in Germany? Did you fall in love with the Federal Republic of Germany and decide life in Germany as a citizen was for you?Before you dive into the various ways to become German, you should test your knowledge of Germany.Do you know that Germany is a federated state? Do you know what that means for everyday life?Do you know your German history? Do you know what the Stasi was?For those wanting to stay in Germany, do you know what you need to do?  What are the conditions for becoming German?Are you familiar with the German job market?There are so many questions you need to answer before you decide to become a German citizen.Whether you want to work in Germany, learn German, become an expat, or just learn more about German culture, we’ve a few things to tell you about naturalisation, r esidency permits, the German job market, and the rules you need to follow before you take your first German lessons.If you're thinking about learning German and want to live in Deutschland, you'll need to more than just the language. You'll need to know how the German government works. SönkeGerman Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClaudiaGerman Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SefaGerman Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HilaryGerman Teacher 5.00 (16) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LisaGerman Teacher 5.00 (8) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChrisGerman Teacher 5.00 (19) £39/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors WendyGerman Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HowardGerman Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFederated StatesGermany is a federated state comprised of 16 Länders that each have their own constitution, parliament, and government. There are 3 cities in Germany that are also Länders: Berlin, Bremen, and Hamburg.What is a federal German state?It’s a type of state in which the territories have some autonomy while respecting the powers shared at a federal level.Each of the 16 federal states has a government and a statue of powers guaranteed by the federal constitution. However, these states have no power in terms of foreign politics or international rights.You could even live and work in Hamburg! (Source: pixabay.com)The 16 states of Länder are: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, North Rhine- Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia.The German states have independent jurisdiction and total control over the police, municipal law, media, teaching, culture, and worship.  For those with a different language, each state can adopt a specific law but it mus tn’t go against the federal law.What Was the Stasi?Until 1989, when the Berlin Wall fell, Germany was two countries:  The FRG and the GDR.The GDR was a totalitarian state maintained by the Stasi (Ministerium für Staatssichercheit) which came about in 1950 after the end of the war and were inspired by the methods of the KGB.The Stasi’s objectives were to guarantee the Communist Party’s control over the German population.  This resulted on keeping tabs on all of society whether in schools, factories, business, or shops.The goal was simple: know what everyone thought and what they were doing in order to eliminate all opposition. For the Stasi, everyone was a potential suspect and it wasn’t uncommon for Stasi agents to check post and tap phones.Just like the NSA in the US or the Investigatory Powers Act in the UK when it comes to email and web browsing, the Stasi infiltrated the private lives of Germans in order to collect as much information as possible on anyone they consider ed a potential threat.  The Stasi was made up of around 274,000 employees and 174,000 informants and accounted for 2.5% of the population.The scandal revealed by Edward Snowden concerning the NSA has brought similar practices to the fore but on an international scale.  The work done by spies in the Second World War is now done by computers and algorithms. SönkeGerman Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClaudiaGerman Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SefaGerman Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HilaryGerman Teacher 5.00 (16) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LisaGerman Teacher 5.00 (8) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChrisGerman Teacher 5.00 (19) £39/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors WendyGerman Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HowardGerman Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Rights of EU Nationals in Germany Now that you’ve brushed up on your knowledge of Germany and its history, do you know what rights European Union nationals have in Germany?Do they have a different status? Are there ways to stay or work in Germany? Is there a particular procedure that needs to be followed?If you live in the European Union, you can enjoy freedom of movement. This means that you can freely travel to any country in the EU, including Germany.  You can also live and work either as an employee or a freelancer in Germany.For families and EU citizens who aren’t students, you can also move to Germany as long as you have health insurance and sufficient financial means to do so.  All EU citizens can enter and leave Germany as they please without a visa for a period of less than 3 months.  They can stay for 6 months if they’re looking for work.The German Jobs MarketGermany offers a number of interesting benefits for workers. With some of the highest salaries in the world, 35 hours per week with 30 days pai d holiday, Germany is one of the best countries for working.The unemployment rates outside of the biggest cities has been 7% since 2016. The unemployment rate is lower in east Germany (3% in some regions) with the exception of Berlin.While the construction industry isn’t in huge demand, the research industry is constantly looking for workers.Work for a German company! (Source: energepic.com)Lots of businesses are looking to foreign workers.  The most sought-after positions are for engineers, technicians, and exporters.  Germany voted to set their minimum wage at €8.50 an hour. There are many advantages to working in Germany.The first hurdle is often the German language since you’ll have to speak it. You can take private German tutorials or German classes to help you with this and show that you’d like to integrate into both German culture and the German workplace.How Do You Become German?Nationality through BirthA child born on German soil will automatically be a German natio nal as long as one of their parents is, too.  If both parents are German citizens, the child will also be a German national if one of their parents has lived in Germany for over 8 years.If, like Mercedes-Benz, you were born in Germany, you're automatically German. (Source: Neromare Design)Classic NaturalisationThere are a few conditions that must be met in order to become a German citizen:Request the necessary forms and provide the necessary supporting documents.Pay €255Have lived in Germany for 8 yearsBe a law-abiding citizen with no criminal recordBe financially able to support yourself and your family without any help from the stateKnow the German constitution and requirements of a German citizenYou must prove German language proficiency of at least B1 (why not spend some time in Berlin to do this?)You must pass a citizenship test which consists of 33 questions on German economics, politics, history (check out these 10 famous Germans), and society like “What is the role of th e opposition to the German parliament?”, “What is the average age in Germany?”, and When was the RFA created?”. Each candidate can take this test as many times as they like even though 98% of candidates pass it the first time.German classes are a good way to improve your language skills. (Source: pixabay.com)Dual NationalityIf you become German, you need to renounce your previous citizenship.  However, certain EU and Swiss nationals can keep their passports and gain dual nationality.  This can be done from 16 years old through the Foreign Office.Through MarriageSince 1970, it is no longer possible for a foreigner marrying a German national to gain German citizenship. However, they can benefit from the same right to naturalisation if they complete all the following requirements...Conditions for NaturalisationHere are a few examples of the conditions for naturalisation.My parents are German. Can I get a German passport?A German national can get a German passport but if your pa rents were previously German or are no longer alive (or are no longer German because they renounced their citizenship), it's not enough to get German nationality.  At least one of your parents must be German on the date of your birth.I was born in Germany but my parents weren’t German. Can I get a German passport?A child born in Germany must have at least 1 parent with a permanent residence permit.  This applies to children born after 1 January 2000.Can I become a naturalised German citizen without living there?This is possible in theory but it does require an absolute mastery of the German language which would probably require spending time in Germany or another German speaking country. You’ll also need to be able to support yourself as stated in the previous section.Every little helps when it comes to getting German citizenship. (Source: Public Domain Photography)How can you lose German nationality?If you acquire a new nationality (from outside the European Union or Switzerlan d), you’ll automatically lose your German nationality.  You can only keep it if you obtain permission from the German authorities before getting your new nationality.As you can see, becoming German is subject to certain conditions depending on whether you live in the European Union, whether your parents are German, or whether you were born in Germany.It’s important to make sure you’re aware of all the conditions, have all the necessary supporting documents, and, if you’re not a native German speaker, can speak German well.Going to a German university, doing an Erasmus year in one of Germany’s many student towns, and learning more about German culture through podcasts and media are all great ways to help you master the German language.You should also check out some of the best German writers!Find a private german tutor to help you master the language:Learn German in the UKLearn German onlineGerman courses London

2015

Learn Language Online French Links of the Week 8/21/2015 Megan L. Bon weekend! To kick off your French-learning fun, here are the best and most interesting Francophile links from around the web. 3 Fun and Common French Idioms With Animals Camille Chevalier-Karfis Idioms in other languages are endlessly intriguing, and these three French expressions are no exception. What do you think les poules aurant des dents (the hens have teeth) could mean? 6 Tips on How to Read in French Like a Boss Frédéric Bibard Learning to read in a second language is hard, but these tips from Talk in French break it down into easy steps. Plus, at the end of the article there are great suggestions for fun sites where you can practice the reading skills youve just learned. Introducing the Paris French Tech Ticket for foreign entrepreneurs Stephanie Williamson When you think about Paris do you think about technology? Its probably not the first thing that comes to mind. A new French government program could change your answer The 7 Best French Dictionary Apps Chloe Faux Your smartphone can be a great language learning resource! Follow this guide to find the best French dictionary apps so you can look up words on the go. 28 French Places That Are Straight Out of a Fairy Tale Marie Telling Fire up your imagination with these beautiful photos of places in France. Or better yet, make plans to visit them all! Got a tip on a great place to learn something new about French language or culture online? Let us know in the comments below! 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

Closing the Attainment Gap Revolutionary new Tutorfair app

Closing the Attainment Gap Revolutionary new Tutorfair app The attainment gap is widening In its latest report, The Sutton Trust shows  the growing trend of private tuition and how this has the potential to widen the UK’s educational attainment gap. The Sutton Trust finds: “Poorer pupils in England get less help with their homework than their better-off classmates, with half (50%) of the most disadvantaged 15-year olds saying their parents regularly helped with their homework, compared to 68% of their better-off classmates”. Tutorfair On-Demand - closing the attainment gap Tutorfair Foundation’s new app allows free instant access to volunteer maths tutors.  The new app  allows disadvantaged students to connect with a maths tutor at the click of button. This instant messaging platform means more UK students can receive free support.   The pilot kicks off this September with  5 schools.  The app will be  staffed by volunteers, many of whom are tutors on Tutorfair.com.  Using  instant messaging, the preferred medium for the age group targeted, the tutors will be able to help students from these schools whenever they need it.   Pete Kirby, Director of the Tutorfair Foundation  says: “For the first time, disadvantaged students from anywhere in the UK can access free tuition at the exact moment they need it.” This is key given the Sutton Trust finding that talented young people from less well-off backgrounds  don't receive enough  support. Students from more affluent backgrounds have access to the help  they need to thrive through private tutors. Pete says: “More and more children are getting tutors. All of us at Tutorfair are proud that we can help those who are currently missing out”.   Tutorfair’s innovative business model uses technology to help more and more students regardless of ability to pay. The Tutorfair On-Demand app is  funded by a grant from the Nesta Click Connect Learn fund. The project is  supported by the Office for Civil Society. For more information on the app contact Pete Kirby.

The Popes Visit to the United States

The Popes Visit to the United States The pope got a lot of attention when he visited the United States recently. He has been a big story in our media, partially due to his reputation for being humble. For instance he chose a simple and inexpensive Fiat as his car for his U.S. visit. According to news reports, he does not choose the exact car, but only asks that his car be simple and modest. Has the Pope visited your country? If so was it an important event? Do you think the Pope visiting the U.S. is important? Why or Why not?Answer the questions below in comments and we will respond. 1. What cities will the Pope visit in the United States? 2. Was the atmosphere glum when the pope arrived? 3. What type of car did he take once he arrived? 4. Does the Pope feel that he is less critical of communism than capitalism? 5. Was the Popes meeting with Fidel Castro formal or informal? 6. What two things do Fidel Castro and the Pope have in common? 7. Will he speak about the US embargo on Cuba during his address to the congress?You can listen to the popes speech below. His English is slow but with few mistakes.