Toys For Kids - The Best English Learning Toys For Kids

Toys For Kids - The Best English Learning Toys For KidsAre you one of those parents who is looking for the best English learning toys for kids? You are not alone. There are lots of parents who are looking for the best resources to help their kids in improving their English skills.But, there are some things that you need to know before buying a book or software. First, make sure that you check whether the materials you choose will improve your child's English. If not, then it would be best to buy something else. Second, make sure that the materials have been tested before they are used on your child.For those who are seeking the best English materials for kids, the first thing that you need to do is to find the resources that will help your kid learn English. You need to find the best tools that will let your kid to learn the basics of English and later on, improve his English skills.The materials that will help your kid learn the basics of English include books and games. For a begin ner, books can be a good option because it will help him learn the basics first and then he can move up to other books to teach him more advanced phrases and words. For the more advanced students, you need to look for games that will help your kid to learn the language and word list.Books and games also come in English speaking countries, so they can help your kid to practice his English with words that are native to those countries. As a parent, you should not take it personally if your child will not like a book that you recommended for him.After reading about the resources available, you need to decide whether to buy a new resource or try a resource which is already present in the market. If you decide to buy a new resource, you need to make sure that it is based on proven techniques that will be effective for your child. In choosing the best resources for kids, make sure that the resources are ready for your child and do not contain any loopholes. Reading books is not enough; yo u need to teach your child to understand words, concepts and sentences in order to learn the language properly.

Writing Anxiety - Private Tutoring

Writing Anxiety BobbiM Apr 3, 2014 Do you have writing anxiety? Many students experience a great deal of stress when asked to write something for a class, especially if they are asked to write during class under the added pressure of time limitations. Students might be anxious about having to think up a good idea, flesh the idea out, and then have their writing evaluated by their instructor. They sit staring at a blank page waiting for the words to come. This is sometimes called writers block and it is a very frustrating experience. However, writing anxiety becomes harmful when students experience writers block almost every time they try to write. When students are anxious about writing, they try to avoid it as much as possible because they find it such a stressful activity. Coping with writing anxiety: -Write often. Like any skill, your ability to write will improve with practice. You may want to keep a daily journal where you record your experiences. Or you might want to do some free writing by giving yourself a fixed amount of time to write about whatever you want. Another alternative is to sit on a bus or in a coffee shop and write some character sketches about the people you see. Work from a plan. Its helpful to make a list of the points you want to make and them use your list to guide you when you are writing your paper. If you are having trouble organizing the points you want to make, talk to a classmate or a tutor about your ideas. Most campuses have a writing center or a place where students can talk to a tutor a out their papers at any stage-from choosing a topic, to reading rough drafts, to critiquing final drafts. For essay tests, predict questions. Use your class notes and topics emphasized in the text to predict the kinds of questions that might be asked. Start early. Because students were experience writing anxiety try to avoid writing, they often procrastinate until the last minute. Sometimes these students believe that they can write only under pressure, but they are fooling themselves because they are actually making their stress level greater by waiting until the last minute. If they do not make a good grade on the paper, they blame it on the fact that they have trouble writing instead of the fact that they churned it out quickly. Excerpt from  College Success Strategies  by Sherrie L. Nist and Jodi Patrick Holschuh.

Separable and Nonseparable Phrasal Verbs

Separable and Nonseparable Phrasal Verbs One of the most difficult things about the English language are phrasal verbs. Our English students struggle with phrasal verbs even at the advanced level. So, we will be doing a series of videos to help our students tackle the phrasal verb challenge.This first video is very important, it is about separable and nonseparable verbs. Sometimes we can separate a phrasal verb. For example, you can say both: He put a coat on and He put on a coat.Sometimes we CANNOT separate the verb, for example:  He ran into a friend is ok, but not He ran a friend into. Watch the video to learn why and when to separate phrasal verbs.Try these exercises to see if you understand: take off, put on, or run into1. She ________ the coat ________ before she went outside. 2. They ____ __ a new opera, that was very successful. 3. Luke was driving too fast and he ____ ___ a tree. 4. Have you ____ ___ Frank lately? 5. Did you ____ it ___ the table? 7. I need to ______ some time _____ work, while my grandmother is v isiting. 8. Please _____ ____ your shoes before coming in. 9. I _____ the money ____ the table when no one was looking. 10. Our plane _____ ___ three hours late because of a mechanical problem.Rewrite these sentences using the correct phrasal verb. 1. The plane is leaving the ground. 2. I unexpectedly saw my cousin at the football game. 3. You almost hit a light post when you were driving the car too fast. 4. My mother attached her name-tag on her shirt before the meeting. 5. I removed my shirt before I got in the shower. 6. After my shower I dressed in a new shirt.Put the object in parentheses in the correct place: 1. She put on (her coat, the rack) 2. I took off (my shoes) 3. I took off (it) 4. Paul ran into (a tree) 5. Luke ran into (her, at the grocery store) Anna 1. She put the coat on before she went outside. 2. They ran into a new opera, that was very successful. 3. Luke was driving too fast and he ran into a tree. 4. Have you ran into Frank lately? 5. Did you put it on th e table? 7. I need to take some time off work, while my grandmother is visiting. 8. Please take off your shoes before coming in. 9. I took the money off the table when no one was looking. 10. Our plane took of three hours late because of a mechanical problem.Rewrite these sentences using the correct phrasal verb. 1. The plane took off the ground. 2. I unexpectedly ran into my cousin at the football game. 3. You almost ran into a light post when you were driving the car too fast. 4. My mother put her name-tag on her shirt before the meeting. 5. I took my shirt off before I got in the shower. 6. After my shower I put a new shirt on.Put the object in parentheses in the correct place: 1. She put her coat on the rac. 2. I took my shoes off. 3. I took it off. 4. Paul ran into a tree. 5. Luke ran into her at the grocery store. LOIEnglish Anna Good: Question #2; They PUT ON a new opera. (you can use put on as a way to say someone is hosting something. i.g. She put on the charity event f or the woman shelter.Next section:The plane took off. (we dont need the ground in this sentence because it is implied or logical)Great job! Thanks for answering! Silvia Deplano 1. She put the coat on before she went outside. 2. They have taken off a new opera, that was very successful. 3. Luke was driving too fast and he runned into a tree. 4. Have you putted on Frank lately? 5. Did you put it on the table? 7. I need to take some time off work, while my grandmother is visiting. 8. Please take off your shoes before coming in. 9. I putted the money on the table when no one was looking. 10. Our plane took off three hours late because of a mechanical problem. Rewrite these sentences using the correct phrasal verb. 1. The plane is taking off the ground 2. I unexpectedly ran into my cousin at the football game. 3. You almost ran into a light post when you were driving the car too fast. 4. My mother putted on her name-tag on her shirt before the meeting 5. I to ok off my shirt before I got in the shower. 6. After my shower I putted on a new shirtPut the object in parentheses in the correct place: 1. She put her coat on the rack 2. I took off my shoes 3. I took it off 4. Paul ran into a tree 5. Luke ran into her at the grocery store LOIEnglish Silvia, Question #2: They have PUT ON a new opera. We can use put on when we someone is hosting something; For example she is putting on a charity event, to raise money for Typhoon victims.Question #4: Have you RAN INTO Frank lately. We can use run into for when we see someone by chance. I ran into an old high school friend at the concert.Question #9: I PUT the money ON the table.(put doesnt change in the past tense.) You could also say; I took the money off the table when no one was looking.The next section:Question #1: The plane is taking off. (You do not need the ground as it is implied.Question #4: put doesnt change in past simple; My mother PUT her name-tag ON her shirt before the meeting . (There are 2 objects in this sentence: name-tag, her shirt; remember when there are 2 objects you MUST separate the verb.) Question #6: put doesnt change in past simpleGood Silvia! Thanks for answering. Cristina 1- put the coat on 2- run into 3- run into 4- run into 5- take it off 7- take some time off 8- take off 9- put the money on 10- take off1- she put her coat on the rack 2- i took off my shoes/i took my shoes off 3- i took it off 4- paul ran into a tree 5- luke ran her into at grocery store LOIEnglish Cristina,Question #2: put on (this can be used to say someone is hosting an event) Question #3: RAN into (past tense) Question #10: TOOK off (past tense)Next section:Question #5: Luke ran into her at the grocery store. (This doesnt have a Direct Object and in this meaning/definition NEVER takes a Direct Object and therefore is inseparable. Look at the sentence before. .at the grocery store is an adverbial phrase) Sean Hwang 1. She ___put_____ the coat ____on____ before she went outside. 2. They _take___ off__ a new opera, that was very successful. 3. Luke was driving too fast and he _ran into a tree. 4. Have you _run into_ Frank lately? 5. Did you _put_ it _on__ the table? 7. I need to _put_ some time __on___ work, while my grandmother is visiting. 8. Please _take off your shoes before coming in. 9. I _put the money on the table when no one was looking. 10. Our plane _took off_ three hours late because of a mechanical problem.Rewrite these sentences using the correct phrasal verb. 1. The plane is leaving the ground. The plane is taking off the ground. 2. I unexpectedly saw my cousin at the football game. I unexpectedly ran into my cousin at the foot ball game 3. You almost hit a light post when you were driving the car too fast. You almost ran into a light post when you were driving car too fast. 4. My mother attached her name-tag on her shirt before the meeting. My mother put her name-tag on her shirt before the meeting. 5. I removed my shirt befor e I got in the shower. I took off my shirt before I got in the shower. 6. After my shower I dressed in a new shirt. After my shower I put on a new shirt.Put the object in parentheses in the correct place: 1. She put on (her coat, the rack) She put her coat on the rack 2. I took off (my shoes) I took off my shoes 3. I took off (it) I took it off 4. Paul ran into (a tree) Paul ran into a tree 5. Luke ran into (her, at the grocery store)Luke ran her into at the grocery store LOIEnglish Sean, Question #2: put on a new opera-we can use put on to mean host. Question#7: take some time off work.we use take off-to indicate free from something.Good work!

High School Tips Recognize a Legitimate Research Source

High School Tips Recognize a Legitimate Research Source 5 ways to help high school students recognize a legitimate research source Every high school student will write a research paper and research class assignments and projects. One of the biggest problems students face in the digital age is determining which sources are legitimate and which are not. In years past, students could visit the library and speak to a librarian who could point them towards the right types of sources for any given topic, but today students conduct most of their research online. The vast majority of legitimate academic sources are available in the digital world. However, there are also some sources with authors who are writing their opinion as fact. This means that students come across articles and books where the author has no specific credentials and doesnt cite the source of their information. Luckily, there are several ways students can recognize a legitimate research source to use in an assignment Our private Orange County high school tutors are here to help you with your next research paper. 1. Look up the author’s credentials The first thing students can do is look up the author’s credentials to see if they’re qualified to write about a particular subject. For instance, if a student is writing about biology and the author is a professor of biology with a Ph.D. in the subject, then they’re likely qualified to discuss their opinions on the subject. However, that same author may not be qualified to write about other topics such as art history or exercise science. An author can be legitimately qualified in one field but not others. 2. Gather a list of trustworthy sources As students begin to research they’re encouraged to maintain a list of legitimate sources. Established newspapers and news reporters might be able to write on some topics, and some newspapers may hire several qualified staff writers who report the news. Some news sources are more legitimate than others or have been around longer and have a better reputation. As students begin to create their list, theyre encouraged to consult an educator who can help them get started. Once students know which sources are almost always legitimate, itll make their research efforts more efficient. 3. Determine whether or not the author has a strong opinion Its OK for an author to write an argumentative piece where they insert their own opinion into the article. However, they should always be upfront that this is their opinion and not a fact. Additionally, if a student is reading an argumentative piece by one author, they’re encouraged to read text by another author who holds the opposite opinion. When neutrality isnt possible, its best for students to read about both sides of an argument. Determining which pieces are argumentative and which are factual is a skill that students will learn over time from their classes or when working with a supplemental educator. 4. What to do when its unclear if the source is legitimate Many students ask if the sources they have found are appropriate but cant quite figure out how to answer the question without guidance. They might be reading a text by a new author or publisher, or they may be unsure if they can confirm the facts in the article. The best way for students to determine legitimacy is to confirm the facts from a second trustworthy source. If students cannot confirm the fax elsewhere, its possible they’re reading somebodys opinion or a personal blog rather than a reliable news or research source (READ: 5 Tips for Success in English Class From an Orange County English Tutor). 5. What happens when a student cant find any good sources? Many students complain that they just cant find any good sources for a research paper. Some topics are more challenging than others, but there are always sources out there to be found. Students may need to work on improving their research skills, in particular, learning how to conduct internet research. Some highly academic papers require a trip to a brick-and-mortar library to find journals that aren’t found online. Many students simply Google a topic hoping to find valuable information (and in many instances they can), but some subjects will require students to know where to look so they may need to speak to their teacher or tutor for guidance before they get too far in the process. Having trouble with your research paper? Our experienced Orange County English tutors are here to help. Call us today for more information. 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.

Teaching in Saudi Arabia Life for women

Teaching in Saudi Arabia Life for women Saudi Arabia has a lot to offer its teachers, including very competitive salaries and benefits packages, a very intimate look at rich Arabic culture, and a homebase amidst vast coastlines and the storied Arabian desert. But we understand that female teachers may have questions about what they can expect if they head to teach abroad in Saudi Arabia. Some may even be put off by some of the laws and attitudes toward women, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Read below to learn more about daily life, customs, and accommodations in Saudi Arabia. Customs in Saudi Arabia It’s true that all international teachers living in Saudi Arabia are expected to respect and adhere to local Saudi laws and customs. And though upon first look, Saudi society can seem quite male-dominated, it’s also an extraordinarily safe location for female teachers and a society that promotes and values female camaraderie. Women will no doubt experience some initial challenges and cultural adjustment, including not being allowed to drive or ride a bike, but your school will often provide workaround solutions to help make these adjustments easier. In fact, schools typically arrange to have a driver designated to their teachers for travel to and from their home to the school. as well as any errands they’d like to run. Though some female teachers may feel some initial irritation around being required to wear an abaya (a loose garment that covers the head and body down to the ankles), you won’t be required to wear it while on the compound and some teachers find it helps reduce unwanted attention from strangers anyway. Accommodations for women in Saudi Arabia Female teachers in Saudi Arabia receive many benefits including furnished single-dwelling accommodations. These residences are typically located in compounds designated for international teachers, but these compounds have plenty of entertainment and shopping options on-site, including tennis courts, swimming pools, gyms, grocery stores, and restaurants. Living in a compound might sound oppressive, but it’s actually the complete opposite. Though some compounds will be subject to all Saudi law, many will allow for more freedoms for women and a more relaxed interpretation of customs. Women often don’t require an escort, don’t have to conceal their faces (you can walk around freely in shorts or relax by a pool in a bikini), and it's possible to meet many other teachers to form friendships with. Public spaces in Saudi Arabia Education institutions are either all-male or all-female facilities, so female teachers will only have female students. Some things that westerners find commonplace are prohibited in Saudi Arabia, including alcohol and public cinemas. But shopping is a popular pastime, and there are many modern malls to visit with coworkers and friends. You’ll also find plenty of activities on your compound, often even movie rooms, to keep you busy! As with anything, reading about the lifestyle might be more difficult than living the lifestyle. Very few teachers report problems with adjusting to Saudi customs once they’ve settled in to their accommodations and teaching jobs. And those who really miss western culture can take a quick trip into Bahrain, where laws are much more relaxed and teachers will even find bars and clubs. Interested in seeing what positions we have teaching in Saudi Arabia? Take a look at the Teach Away jobs board!

Female Voters Not So Quick To Back Hillary Clinton A Matter Of White Feminism

Female Voters Not So Quick To Back Hillary Clinton A Matter Of White Feminism Image Via Wikipedia Commons Feminists have declared that these notions are the total opposite of intersectional feminism, but rather “a peak example of the problem with “white feminism:”  demanding allegiance without making a case for why women should be loyal.” Simply put, there is a substantial difference between voting for Clinton because she’s a woman versus voting for Clinton because a voter believes she is qualified for the job. The diminishing of Clinton down to her gender is inherently problematic in its shallow sexism. As of now, young women voters prefer Sanders to Clinton  by as many as 19 points. The lack of female support for Hillary Clinton as compared to a male candidate such as Bernie Sanders reflects that a majority of eligible female voters aren’t buying into the pseudo-feminist idea that women should vote for Clinton because she’s a woman and her election would change political history forever. There also seems to be a misconception that Hillary Clinton will better serve and support the female population in the U.S. because she herself is female, which disregards any of her credentials as well as those of other candidates. Again, many voters believe Bernie Sanders has the most feminist track record of all the candidates. Some female millennial voters who support Bernie Sanders for president have received criticism for their choice, likely stemming from an assumption that they are betraying their fellow women by not voting for Clinton. A statement Gloria Steinem made on “Real Time With Bill Maher” quickly spread throughout mainstream media: When youre young, youre thinking: Where are the boys? The boys are with Bernie.” Upon seeing reactions to the statement, Steinem apologized for her having “misspoke” on the talk show. Millennial voters know now more than ever that their voices make a powerful and noticeable impact when used all at once. Given the chaotic state of our country in many arenas, voters of all genders not just females are alarmed by politicians’ failure to address their pressing concerns. Public university tuition rates, support for low-income communities, reproductive rights issues, immigration and undocumented students’ access to services, police brutality and economic inequality are among many issues that voters need represented in presidential campaign platforms. Clinton has expressed awareness that she must work harder to secure votes from young adults, especially females. She stated, I accept the fact that I have work to do to convey what I stand for, what Ive accomplished, what I want to do for young people in our country.” For centuries, the idea of a female president has been romanticized so much that a portion of U.S. residents may think that this election will automatically and easily solve many other problems regarding inequality. This is similar to the assumption that racial inequality would become a thing of the past when Barack Obama was running for president. Harvard Law student Lorena Aviles, a Harvard Law student quoted in New York Magazine, says “Why should an undocumented, hardworking mother find in Hillary an ally for the trials she faces? How does the election of Hillary ease the horrors black families, and mothers specifically, experience given the context of police brutality against bodies of color?” Aviles’ point highlights the necessity of keeping all minoritized groups in mind during the next election. If a woman president is elected, not all target groups will be able to see their identities and struggles reflected in or addressed by Clinton. While no one president can necessarily accommodate every U.S. citizen in a big way, it is crucial to think critically about why a presidential candidate has your vote. Above all, millennials have the potential to elect or not elect the candidate that will serve them most directly and most effectively. Intentionality is crucial to deciding which candidate has your support. Image Via Pixabay

Find a Place to Meet Other Tutors

Find a Place to Meet Other TutorsIf you're looking for a great place to meet other tutors, then consider joining a tutor group. These are groups of tutors that meet to share ideas and other helpful resources on the subject of tutoring.Tutors usually meet to share information on where they meet up with other tutors and also to find out what other tutors would like to learn about. This is a great way to find new sources of information that might help you.You can join a tutor group in your area through an online tutoring site or you can attend the tutoring session at a tutoring school. If you are interested in finding out more about the tutoring world, you can do so by going to a group meeting where you will learn all about online tutoring, online tutoring schools, online tutoring mentors, tutoring subject matter, etc. The information you will learn will help you understand all the different options available in the tutoring world today.There are some things you need to consider before joining a group. In this day and age, there are now groups that exist solely for the purpose of finding out if there are other tutors in your area. If there are, you might want to look for those who are teaching in other locations.Many tutoring groups have no rules or requirements that you have to meet. You can meet with tutors of any type, either online or at a tutoring school. You may be able to meet someone you are looking for when you join one of these groups.Groups of tutors should have monthly meetings to decide on a topic to cover. After you've covered a few topics you may be able to ask questions to others who are in the group.By joining a tutor group, you will be able to meet and interact with other tutors. You can share ideas and knowledge and even teach each other how to do your own work.