Teaching a Sewing Group

Teaching a Sewing Group Sewing Teacher Jobs in Sewing Groups ChaptersThe Advantages of Teaching Sewing as a Member of a GroupTeaching Sewing in a GroupTeaching Sewing in Your Own Sewing GroupTerminology for Teaching SewingFinding Sewing Jobs“Whatever is beautiful is beautiful by necessity.” - PindarLearning to sew can put you in a good position to get sewing jobs in the textile industry! If everyone had the skill to make their own clothes, there’d be no need for hiring anyone.A lot of younger people are moving towards making their own clothes. Nobody’s happier about this news than the Singer sewing machine brand who’s seen sales of their machines increase by 10% since 2014.A new market has allowed disciplined designers to teach people the art of sewing hems, adding buttonholes or zips, and customising wardrobes.Is it that easy to become a member of a sewing group?In this article, Superprof is going to go over the advantages and the disadvantages of teaching people how to sew as a member of a group.Check here for different online tuto ring jobs UK for sewing. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!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!Disc over 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 tutors 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 tutorsThe Advantages of Teaching Sewing as a Member of a GroupWhether they’re novices or experts, a lot of students are looking to groups to learn to sew and, as a result, a lot of groups are recruiting qualified teachers.If you want to sew, a machine can really help you. (Source: Pedro_Torres)Since groups are cheaper and more fun, there are a lot of beginner sewing classes and basic sewing workshops where students can learn how to thread a needle, how to make stitches, and all the basic sewing techniques you'll need.But what about the teachers?Why should do a job search for this kind of work?Firstly, to discuss things. You can discuss things with beginners as well as the other teachers in the group. The classes offered by groups are often small. Thus, as an educator, you have the advantage of being able to commit more time to each student, give them personalised advice, and spend more time with them.You can start making the creations of your dreams. (Source: jackmac34)As I mentioned earlier, the friendly atmosphere in a group is one of its biggest benefits:everyone has their own strengths and weaknessesnobody judges anyone and everyone is there to improve their knowledge of their shared passionyou don’t need to already know how to sew in order to get startedA sewing workshop is a great way to meet people and learn more about arts and crafts. While this is definitely true for students, it’s also true for teachers. Sometimes learning new skills can be quite lonely. Meeting new people is a great way to learn about more things than just sewing.Who doesn’ t want to make new friends and go out for a drink or have a picnic?While you probably won’t become a famous fashion designer just by doing a simple sewing class, you can complete some interesting personal projects. The teacher can show you everything you need to know about sewing, fixing, or customising clothes. There’s no better feeling for a teacher than to see a student manage to sew their own made-to-measure clothes!A teacher also needs to adapt to needs of different levels. Some might be helping students to perfect different techniques or teaching an absolute beginner how to use a sewing machine whereas others might just want to patch up their favourite clothes.Teachers improve when they’re teaching and there’s nothing more rewarding than teaching tailored classes to private students.  It’s also important to encourage your students to give it their all if they want to progress.Do they want to learn how to make a hem? Why not teach them by making them create an entire pillowcase?Do they want to sew on a button?Make them fully customise one of their garments!You’ll definitely come across students who aren’t so sure of themselves. Your role is to show them that, with a bit of help and perseverance, they’re capable of anything.  There’s no greater satisfaction than seeing a student succeed when they thought they couldn’t! They’ll be proud of themselves and happy to have attended your beginner’s lesson.Teaching sewing can also help you develop your sense of creativity. In workshops, you can help students complete projects which may inspire you and give you a few ideas for other projects.Would you rather teach in a school?Teaching Sewing in a GroupFor those just starting to learn how to sew in adult classes, it’s a good idea to look for groups.If you don’t know any groups, don’t worry!You could also teach children how to sew. (Source: jackmac34)A quick search will sort that problem out. In this day and age, you don’t need to look very far if you have the internet.No matter what skills you want to learn, you can easily find plenty of sewing groups. A quick search for “sewing” will come up with plenty of results and you’ll have to work out how to separate the wheat from the chaff.You’ll soon find plenty of sewing groups in your town. You just need to get in touch with them and ask if they’re looking for a sewing teacher or somebody to teach:Simple sewingSewing for childrenCreating patternsRecycling clothesHandmaking clothesUsing scissors and other sewing equipment, a needle and threadChanging needles on a sergerUsing fusible interliningThere are sites and directories where you can search for groups near where to you live.It’s often a good idea to visit the group in person and see if you’d be happy teaching there. You should also attend a class for absolute beginners and make notes for your future group classes. Even if you already know how to make sewing patterns, sew on a button, make a hem, an d put together different fabrics, you need to know how to teach these things.Attending a class also helps you to understand how the students in the class feel and what they want out of their lessons. It’s also a good way to analyse the teaching style. Take notes and get ready for your own classes.Keep in mind that you’re not going to become a millionaire by teaching sewing classes in a group. In some cases, you’ll be volunteering or paid very close to the minimum wage.However, you can also offer private sewing tutorials. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!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 tutors 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 tutorsTeaching Sewing in Your Own Sewing GroupIf there aren’t any sewing group s near you or you can’t get any regular work at one, why not start your own?Behind every fashion show, there are plenty of skilled seamstresses. (Source: AhmadArdity)Before you get started, think carefully about what you name your sewing group. You need to make sure that potential members know exactly what you’re offering. You should also check that the name isn’t taken by another group, either.You should also consider getting some people together to see if there’s actually any demand for such a group. If nobody’s interested in learning how to sew, it’d be pretty pointless setting up a sewing group.You can also offer lessons online from the comfort of your own home.Terminology for Teaching SewingWhether you’re a private sewing tutor, offering embroidery classes, group sewing classes, or online sewing tutorials, there are plenty of different ways to teach people how to sew their own clothes or clothes for their children.What Is a Sewing Pattern?This represents the garme nt you’re going to make. Sewing patterns are found on a sheet of paper and help the seamstress make the clothing.What Is Piping?Piping is a small strip of fabric or leather on the edge of a piece of fabric for decoration.Finding Sewing JobsDon't worry if you don't feel like teaching as part of a group. There are a lot of industries where sewing could be a useful skill for any job seeker.Whether you're looking for jobs, wanting to increase your salary by becoming a skilled worker, or just interested in learning a new skill, there's nothing stopping you from showing off your talent by learning how to sew your own clothes.If you're looking for jobs in the industry, make sure you head over to job websites and set up a job alert so you'll be notified when a recruiter is looking to add someone who knows how to sew to their workforce.Every time an employer, school or a recruitment agency wants to hire someone, the alerts will either show up in your inbox or via apps. You can define your alerts based on a certain keyword or set of keywords, qualification, job title, and even look for seasonal or temporary work.So what are you waiting for?You might just be the perfect candidate for a number of job openings. Update your CV or resume and kickstart your career in the fashion industry by applying for a new job!

Where Can I Learn How to Paint

Where Can I Learn How to Paint A Guide to Art Classes and Painting Lessons in the UK ChaptersLearn How to Paint through an Art Club or AssociationFinding Specific Art Classes or Painting Courses OnlineArt Classes for Free - Study Art at A-Level!Learning to Paint at Art School!Definitions - Learning to Paint'Begin by learning to draw and paint like the old masters. After that, you can do as you like; everyone will respect you.' ?  Salvador DalíIn the UK, you have the luxury of being able to take a stroll through the city and discovering some of the country's most beautiful watercolour paintings, impressionist oil paintings, portrait paintings, landscape paintings or even digital paintings.Let your imagination run wild as you wander around contemporary art galleries, such as the Tate Modern and rub shoulders with some of the  47 million annual visitors to the UK's art galleries and museums.Learning to PaintLearning to paint and learning to draw are activities anyone can partake in - despite what you might think! Of course, not everyone can become a professional painte r of the same calibre as the likes of Van Gogh or Rembrandt but it is possible to learn drawing and painting skills by taking art classes.Art and painting classes will teach you the basics of oil painting techniques, acrylic painting techniques and drawing techniques, mixing colours, perspective, shadows, layers, scrumbling and still life painting skills.Yet some people will obviously be a lot further off from becoming a master painter and reeling off acrylic art masterpieces than others   (yes, I'm talking about me here ^^)…Once you have got to grips with basic painting techniques and painting with different kinds of brushes you will be able to start on your next watercolour or oil paint artistic masterpiece!Professional Painters and Amateur ArtistsThere are a number of different ways to learn to paint and different paths will apply to those looking  to paint professionally and those simply wanting to start painting classes in order to develop a hobby.Get your watercolour palette and brushes ready because this article will help you find out which route is best for you! FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearn How to Paint through an Art Club or AssociationBe it abstract art or representational art, take in your surroundings and let your imagination do the talking! (Source: Visual Hunt)Art Course CostsThe amount of money involved in the Art industry is enough to turn head s when it comes to selling a particularly rare canvas but when it comes to paying for painting lessons it can put quite a few people off.But that is not to say that just because art with a capital A  is a completely inaccessible market for the majority of people that the same also goes for painting classes.A number of community painting clubs, associations and organisations run beginners' painting courses at very affordable prices. You won't have to tighten any purse strings if you want to be an oil paint and acrylic paint pro or create a magnificent watercolour painting or landscape painting after all!And to convince you, here a few advantages of learning to paint at an association  near you:The cost -  certain organisations provide 2-hour long painting classes at around £30 a month. The majority of these types of organisations also allow art lovers to pay solely for use of the facilities and just bring their unfinished artwork with them. They also offer concessionary prices for the unemployed, seniors and students.The friendliness -  the atmosphere in a public or community painting class is usually more relaxed than in an art school! Offering mutual support to fellow artists is one of the key values of this kind of organisation and can really help to improve your technique in oil painting, acrylic painting or watercolour painting and you may even learn about painting by helping others with a composition.Creative freedom -  a lot of art organisations and clubs require art students to bring their own incomplete artwork and personal projects with them to class and encourage them to use a bit of artistic licence to finish projects using a variety of art materials, such as coloured crayons, watercolours, oils, pastels or paints. Taking art classes in a community organisation will thus enable you to learn to paint step by step whilst at the same time fostering creativity.Personal tutoring - community art classes are often very small and allow you to have the ben efit of one-on-one interactions with the art teacher. This kind of art instruction is sometimes almost like having a painting tutorial and you can really improve a lot under this kind of art instruction.Community Art Courses vs Art SchoolSome people believe that beginners' community course art teachers lack the strictness and quality of those of art schools.However, they can provide some helpful painting tips and are usually highly qualified, assessed on their artistic talent in their own right and for their ability to lead painting workshops before they are chosen. Like any other art teacher, the majority of their wages are funded by the art course fees paid for by the students.If you are concerned about the quality of an abstract painting, life drawing or painting and drawing class then why not try a trial session. It is the best way to get rid of any false preconceptions you may have and to see if the class suits you.Finding Specific Art Classes or Painting Courses OnlineEven the greatest painters had to start somewhere! (Source: Visual Hunt)Finding a painting teacher online can seem complicated with all the different adverts that flash across the screen whenever you open a new page. However, in reality, all you need is to be organised enough in your search for the perfect match!Grab a pen and jot down a few essential criteria that you will require of your future acrylic painting course!Art Course CriteriaGeographical location  Level taught - are you a total beginner or would you ideally like to try out an arts course that lets you perfect various artistic techniques?Level and qualifications of the teacherType of arts course proposed - one-on-one  classes by yourself, in a group, via a webcam or in person...Speciality  still life, working with gouache or watercolour paints, sketching, Chinese painting,   esquisse, sculptingResponse timeBudgetAll of the above criteria will not only help you find an art course perfect for you but will also affect the hourly c ost of classes  for learning how to draw. Make sure that you have adjusted your criteria according to the price that you want to pay for classes before you start your search.Art Class Equipment MaterialDon't forget that purchasing painting and art equipment materials will also be quite costly! You will need to buy or prepare an easel, canvas and pieces of scrap cloth as well as a paintbrush (or a set of paintbrushes), paints (watercolour/acrylic/oil/gouache),  crayons, marker pens, chalk pastels, clay or charcoal pencils depending on what kind of art project you would like to undertake.Finding an Art Teacher Near MeHere at  Superprof, we have more than 1,500 art teachers  who are based all over the UK and ready to provide you with painting and art classes and courses. The platform is really handy as it is so easy to use and the majority of our teachers offer the first lesson or hour free! Taking a trial lesson is a good way of getting to know if you are a good fit with the teacher a nd if the course will meet your expectations. FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsArt Classes for Free - Study Art at A-Level!A-Level or Extracurricular Art?If you studied Art and Design or Design and Technology (DT) at GCSE (or even if you didn't) it is still possible to do art at college. If you are thinking of doing painting professionally or you think it will complement your other subjects in a way that will help you follow your desired career path you can take Art and Design or DT as one of your AS or A-level subjects.If you are not quite sure what you want to do or want to take up humanities or scientific subjects then you could always choose art as one of your optional modules to study outside of your main subjects a few hours a week. Most colleges also offer extracurricular art classes and clubs that run on a weekly basis.Considering sculpting? Remember to take photos of your sculptures and use them in your oral presentations or portfolio! (Source: Visual Hunt)Art at Sixth-Form CollegeNot many people really learn how to start painting at Sixth-Form. Most people already have a sound grasp of how to paint or draw before they embark upon A-level art and use the course as a way to define their own artistic style and put together a portfolio of work from sketches and drafts that eventually become full-blown projects.Specific drawing, painting sculpting or modelling techni ques can be refined during the  5-6 hours of weekly art lessons,  which is the minimum amount of study time but you will still need to spend long hours outside of class time studying other works and finding themes that can be applied to your projects.In most colleges, AQA AS and A-level Art and Design exams and portfolio visits by an external examiner take place around June time:AS Level Component 1 (Portfolio) - the portfolio of work constitutes 60% of the Art and Design AS and is calculated with full marks being 96 marks. There is no time limit for the portfolio as it is not conducted under exam conditions, which means you can take it home or even to the park to complete!AS Level  Component 2 (Externally Set Assignment)  -the externally set assignment constitutes 40% of the overall Art and Design AS and is also calculated with full marks being 96 marks. The assignment is conducted under exam conditions with a preparatory period and  10  hours of supervised time.A-level Component 1 (Personal Investigation) - like the portfolio at AS, the personal investigation constitutes 60% of the Art and Design A-level and is calculated with full marks being 96 marks. There is no time limit for the personal investigation as it is not conducted under exam conditions.A-level Component 2 (Externally Set Assignment)  -  the externally set assignment constitutes 40% of the overall Art and Design A-level and is also calculated with full marks being 96 marks. The assignment is conducted under exam conditions with a preparatory period and  15 hours of supervised time.If you do not pass or did not get the marks you hoped for with regards to elements of your AS level, you can always retake them during the January resit period. If you think you deserved a higher grade then you were given for either of your exams and think you were unfairly marked then you can always request that your work is sent off to be remarked.Optional Art ModulesNo matter what A-level or AS subjects you choose, almost all colleges offer the option to also take additional classes in art as part of your optional module.Optional modules usually constitute one or two hours a week of study and are very often not assessed at the end of the year but simply offer you a way of enriching your studies for free.Optional art courses that you have taken are also a handy thing to mention in your personal statement when it comes to applying for a university as they show that you are a creative and well-rounded individual.Learning to Paint at Art School!If you pursue your studies in fine art, painting or any other type of art at an art school then you have probably already decided that you would like to take-up art professionally.Inspiration can be found in the strangest of places - in realist paintings, decorative paintings, landscape paintings, or even in your back garden! (Source: Visual Hunt)Art School ApplicationAn art school will help you to progress in your artistic work and help to improve your st yle, whatever material you are using - whether it be watercolours, pastel chalk, coloured pencil or whatever else it may be. Before you are accepted onto a course you will be assessed accordingly and will, therefore, be required to have a solid foundation in painting and drawing.The process of getting accepted into an art course can seem quite complicated as more than just a specific type of profile, they are looking for people with their own personalities whose values match those of the art school and who have a certain sensitivity and cultural and artistic awareness.Pre-ApplicationBefore you even apply, remember that at some of the most prestigious art schools, such as the Royal College of Art, which is not only ranked best in the UK but also in the world, you will need to be capable of working long hours and working independently, willing to persevere and be highly demanding of yourself. Curiosity is obviously an important quality to have when trying to get into an art school.Tak ing a course in Art and Design at A-level whilst you are at Sixth-Form College can help you to find your own style and build up a portfolio of work to present during the application process. Make sure that you also develop your own general artistic cultural background at the same time.Taking a year out after you finish your A-levels to take foundation art courses  where you can understand more about colour theory, colour mixing and other techniques all whilst further developing your portfolio is advised. Gaining inspiration through travel is also not a bad idea and may you in order to get the best chance of being accepted.Choose carefully when it comes to selecting an art school and do not apply to too many at the same time or you risk sending off an application that is too general and gets rejected.Target the art schools that correspond most with what you are looking for, for example, graphic art, visual art, animation, etc.Art School Assessment CriteriaPreparing for the interview process is essential!Even though each art school has its own selection and assessment process, most follow basic procedures when it comes to application assessments:Drawing AssessmentGeneral Culture AssessmentInterview - where you show your portfolio or defend your artistic work and explain your inspiration and aims (10-15 pieces of work done with different mediums).There may even be a foreign language assessment  and another supervised group work assignment in order to observe your personality when working with others and the way that you work. This is important as being an artist is actually quite a solitary activity but at school, we are constantly taught to work in teams and as part of a group!Art School and University Tuition Fees in the UK can be quite astronomical with rates as high as £9,000 a year, which can really set you back a bit even if you are eligible for a student loan. A cheaper alternative is to head for warmer shores and study somewhere on the continent where ev en fees for world famous schools, such as the School of Fine Art (Ecole des Beaux Arts) in Paris are next to nothing.Beware, competition is rife though!If you don't really fancy going to art school you can also take art foundation classes at vocational colleges, such as Cambridge Regional College, or attend a university art course offered by universities such as Leeds Univerisity.Doing an art course at an art school or university in the UK can be quite a costly ventureOf course, this will be a little more pricey than venturing abroad and can be just as competitive!Definitions - Learning to PaintIf you not new to the world of arts and crafts and have already been learning how to paint for some time now, terms such as glazing, ink wash or literati painting, pigments, graphite, turpentine oil and impasto (Italian art categorized by thick paint) will probably already be part of your everyday artistic vocabulary!What is a Posca?Posca is almost like a cross between watercolour paints and a brush for painting. It is a water-based marker pen that can be used on a wide variety of textures (wood, textile, slate, porcelain, etc.).It is available in a range of colours, both primary colours and a whole range of secondary colours from white to titanium to deep sea blue and can be used for blending, creating tones and mimicking strokes of a watercolour brush to create really realistic and precise effects.What is Turpentine Oil?Turpentine oil is an essential oil obtained through purification and distillation of turpentine. It is an excellent solvent to use on fatty materials and is therefore essential for oil painting! It is, however, less commonly used for other forms of painting like watercolour painting or acrylic painting, which use paints that are not as thick as oil paints.Most painting beginners do not know this handy painting tip that turpentine oil actually helps to speed up the drying process - so you'll no longer have to carry on watching paint dry!

Study Tricks to Learn Vocabulary

Study Tricks to Learn Vocabulary Numerous techniques for conquering vocabulary extend beyond the standard method of memorizing a list of words. Certain techniques are predictable, while others are more imaginative. Regardless of how you choose to learn unfamiliar terminology, ensure you allow yourself ample time in which to do so. Truly enhancing ones vocabulary is not something that occurs overnight. Whether you decide to learn independently or with an English tutor, the study tricks below can help you ultimately learnvocabulary terms. Divide vocabulary lists into small portions First and foremost, it is very important that students do not overwhelm themselves with new terms. Memorizing an intensive list of vocabulary within a short timeframe is likely to be ineffective and frustrating. Instead of attempting to remember a large number of words at one time, attempt to learn one term well each day. The key to successfully expanding ones vocabulary is consistency; this means you should review each day, but not for an extended period of time. Little by little, you can incorporate an astonishing number of words. And you will not exhaust yourself, either. You may also want to consider these 5 random items to help you study. Use vocabulary words in context Utilizing a new vocabulary word in a relevant context is just as essential as learning the terms definition. If you have memorized the meaning of a word but do not understand how to apply it within a sentence, the term will not be of much help to you. So, once you have mastered a words definition, you should aim to use that term at least once during the day. Studies show that an individual is far more likely to recall a new word if he/she was able to employ it in a fitting situation. Read as often as possible Another excellent way tolearnvocabulary is by reading literature. This includes articles, magazines, newspapers, novels, and so forth. Classic novels, in particular, are known for their extensive and lofty lexicon. However, it should be noted that reading is not a rapid method for mastering vocabulary. Instead, reading is a long-term approach to increasing ones terminology. You should not expect to see vast improvements immediately. Annotate passages Certain students form a habit of brushing past unknown words when they encounter them in their readings. Though it may be tempting, this is a practice you should avoid if you wish to broaden the scope of your vocabulary. Instead, circle words in your readings that are unfamiliar to you and then determine what they mean. Keep a dictionary near when you read so that you can easily search for definitions and record them. This is a wonderful way to increase your vocabulary and your understanding of the reading material at the same time. Here are some tips on how to annotate text. Learn a foreign language Many words in the English language are derived from Latin. Studying foreign languages, especially the romance languages, may aid you in learning additional words in English. For example, the Spanish term sagaz means shrewd, which is extremely similar to the word sagacious in English. Not surprisingly, sagacious also means shrewd. This is just one of a countless number of words that are alike in both English and Spanish. The same can be said of French and Italian, as well. Foreign language study is reputed to assist students significantly on the vocabulary portions of the SAT. If you pay more attention in foreign language class, you just might improve your grade in English, too! Here are 5 tips for learning a foreign languagethat you may find helpful. Get to know the English tongue Another practical technique to learnvocabulary is studying morphology. Morphology is a field that analyzes the structure and parts of words. It is always a wise idea to be well versed on common English prefixes, roots, and suffixes. For example, recognizing that the prefix inter means between can aid you in understanding a number of words, even if you have never encountered those terms before. Perhaps interdependent is an unfamiliar word to you, but you are likely familiar with the word dependent. Thus, if you know what the prefix inter implies, you will be able to deduce that interdependent means dependent on one another. When it seems impossible to memorize your vocabulary words, turn to morphologyand the above techniquesto ease the process.

Can I cite Wikipedia as a source

Can I cite Wikipedia as a source No. Not a good idea. Nope. Just no. Right, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let me tell you how you CAN use Wikipedia when researching a paper, project or presentation. Encyclopedias of one type or another have been relied upon for general information since at least the ancient world. From Pliny the Elder’s Naturalis Historia from the 1st century CE, to Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariyya al-Razis encyclopedia of science from the 10th century CE, to the 28,000 folio volumes of the Yongle Encyclopedia completed in China in 1408 CE, to the monumental French Encyclopédie published between 1751-1772 CE, to the encyclopedias of the 20th century CE like Britannica and World Book, repositories of general knowledge have been required as humans strive for understanding of the world. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits and challenges of studying history, you can read more blog post on the topic here!Now those of us of a certain age will remember the time before internet se arch engines, where we were taught that a starting point for our research paper was our school or local library’s encyclopedia collection. There we could find general information about our topics of choice, and then we would take that new knowledge to the card catalog or librarian to start looking for books on our topics. Now I clearly remember teachers explicitly telling me and my fellow students “Do not use the encyclopedia as one of your sources!” when we visited the school library to find sources for our papers. This, in my mind, echoes the teachers of today who frequently tell their students “Do not use Wikipedia as one of your sources!”. The difference though, as mentioned earlier, is that the teachers of my childhood would recommend we start with encyclopedias, especially when we knew little or nothing about our chosen topics. People today seem to automatically dismiss the usefulness of Wikipedia though, which I find short sighted. Of course a student should not cit e Wikipedia, just like the students of the past were not allowed to cite print encyclopedias. Wikipedia is the primary modern encyclopedia, and it has just as many flaws and biases as print encyclopedias of the past. Just like many book encyclopedias, Wikipedia has a severe lack of female editors or even pages about significant women of history or even present day. So saying that Wikipedia has sometimes inaccurate and biased information, while true, does not negate its usefulness since all other sources out there suffer from similar issues. The key is to teach students how to spot the biases, the exaggerations, the inaccuracies and then how to handle them. Teachers then need to remind students that it is not just print sources or articles from digital databases that have biased or imperfect information, it is also seemingly neutral sources like Wikipedia. A key aspect of the DBQ essay of the AP histories is to engage with the biases of the sources while making an argument. Asking qu estions like: Who is the audience for this source? What is the author’s purpose? What is the author’s background? What information are they potentially leaving out either consciously or unconsciously? Students are then taught to think about how the answers to these questions affect the sources’ information so that they can effectively qualify it and use it helpfully in their essay. Just because a source is biased or factually problematic does not mean it is not a useful source that should be ignored. Similarly, students should be taught that resources they use to get to source materials should be equally examined for bias and other issues. Thus, just because Wikipedia is also often biased or otherwise problematic it should not be ignored as a resource (NOT a source), since similar resources and actual sources themselves are just as biased.Our humanities tutors excel at helping students develop the core skills of research, critical thinking, and writing that are crucial for suc cess in English, in history, and in life. If you’d like to help your student develop these skills or get support in English, history, or social science coursework, please contact us today!Despite bias, Wikipedia is a great starting place for research because it can help students find key search terms and even potential sources. Say a student wants to write a paper on the Sepoy Rebellion for their world history class, but while they know that it is an example of Indians (not Native Americans) resisting British imperialism sometime in the 1800s, they may not know much else. Going to Wikipedia will give them not only the exact date (1857 CE), but also information like other names for the rebellion including: the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Sepoy Mutiny, the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion, the Revolt of 1857, the Indian Insurrection, and the First War of Independence. Therefore when they are searching for information in a digital database of academic articles or searching truste d historical websites, they will have other alternative terms to search and hopefully find more information. They will also find other specific information that they could use as search terms in more academic sources like the names of people involved (one of the most interesting being Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi, a queen who is now a cultural figure of resistance to British rule), the exact regions that rebelled, the reasons for rebellion (more than just the British exploiting the Indian people), and beyond. Finally, Wikipedia often has references at the bottom of an article and even direct citations that students can then track down. Even if students cannot find the exact same sources that are listed in the article, they can at least get the names of scholars or authors who write on the topic the student has chosen, which can also help them when searching for source materials.So Wikipedia, like any other encyclopedia, is a great starting point resource for students. It is certai nly not a source, and should therefore not be cited, but it is a helpful resource. For those of you wanting an overview of the Sepoy Rebellion along with lists of fascinating secondary and primary sources please see this Wikipedia article about it.If you’d like to learn more about how our humanities tutors work with students to develop core academic skills in a customized, 1-on-1 environment, please give us a call.

Bay Area Test Prep Experts - SAT, ACT, SAT Subject, GRE, GMAT, ISEE

Bay Area Test Prep Experts - SAT, ACT, SAT Subject, GRE, GMAT, ISEE Welcome Bay Area test prep students! The fall semester is upon us and so is the college application process. Does your student need one last shot to boost their application? SAT subject tests are one-hour exams offered in a variety of academic subjects.  While not required by most colleges, subject tests are a way to demonstrate your students aptitude and depth in a particular subject.  Good subject test scores provide a nice boost to your students college applications! SAT subject tests: FAQSAT subject tests are offered on the same days as the SAT, Nov. 8 and Dec. 6.  You should plan your students testing schedule ahead of time so he or she has time for both the SAT and the subject tests.SAT subject tests are offered in math, literature, US and world history, biology, chemistry, physics, and most languages.Students can take up to 3 subject tests on one day.Which SAT subject tests should my student take?Bay Area test prep students tend to perform best on subject tests in high-leve l courses they have recently completed.  For instance, if your student is currently enrolled in AP US History, he or she should take the subject test in US History in May or June.If your student is currently taking or has taken precalculus and/or trig, the Math Level 2 exam is a good choice.  For those who enjoy reading and do well in English, the Literature exam would be a natural fit.When are the SAT subject tests offered, and how can I register for them? The SAT subject tests are offered on Nov. 8 and Dec. 6, 2014, concurrently with the SAT (so students cannot take the SAT and the subject tests on the same day).You can register for SAT subject tests on the College Boards website.AJ Tutorings SAT subject test tutoring program In order to fully prepare students to take an SAT subject test, we meet with them for three or four 90-minute sessions.  During those sessions, we cover timing, guessing strategy, and question interpretation.  Using results from students practice tests, w e also pinpoint content gaps and teach students valuable concepts they may have missed in school.AJ Tutoring currently offers subject test tutoring in most subjects.  For more information, please consult  our website.If your student is planning to take SAT subject tests in November or December, now is the time to start preparing.  By starting preparation early, we can effectively space out the tutoring sessions and maximize your students content retention. Learn more about our test prep program.

Terms You Need To Know For Refinancing Your Student Loans

Terms You Need To Know For Refinancing Your Student Loans http://www.thefinancegirl.com An option for you graduates with student loans is to refinance your loan in order to combine your multiple loans into one payment with a lower interest rate, which overall lowers your premiums. This process can get confusing, especially when students have never refinanced a loan before. Here are terms for students to be familiar with before going through the refinancing process. 1. Private lender  A non-institutional, or non-bank, individual or company that loans money. Normally, students get loans from a bank. 2. Borrower  The individual receiving the loan. In other words, this would be the student or graduate. 3. Interest rate An annual percentage of the outstanding balance, charged by the lender (bank or individual). 4. Cosigner An individual who claims responsibility on payments if the borrower cannot. Many college students have to have a cosigner (usually a family member) in order to get a loan, since they have not built up enough credit or even have bad credit. 5. Deferment  To postpone. By refinancing a student loan, graduates are deferring their payments. 6. Loan forgiveness  A program created for students, which cancels all or some of their federal student loan balance. Having a loan forgiven means that the student is no longer responsible for the amount owed. 7. Premium  An additional charge. This is referring to interest on a loan, since it is an extra charge to a loan.

Study Skills for Middle School Students - ALOHA Mind Math

Study Skills for Middle School Students When I was in middle school no one taught us HOW to study, and it is often the same in many classrooms today. Giving your middle school student the right studying skill set now, will help them in high school, college and beyond. Middle school is when students have several different classrooms, and a different teacher for each subjectit’s when school starts to get more complex, more like real life. Giving them strong middle school study skills now, provides a good foundation that will help beyond just this school year Helping Children to Learn to Be Organized With more classes and teachers, helping your children stay organized can have a big payoff. Help them find and learn to use a system that works for their style. Each subject should probably have its own notebook, binder and/or folders. They need a place to take notes and perhaps two folders for each class: one for homework to turn in, and one for returned assignments. Help them think through their classes and homework and find a way that works for their needs. Check in with them a week or so later to see if the system needs tweaking. Find or create a daily homework assignment notebook too. Encourage the habit of writing down, both daily assignments, and future projects. Breaking Assignments Projects Down It can be so easy for kids to put off a big assignment. You can help them create good habits by asking questions to get them to think through and estimate how long they think each assignment will take, so they can figure out how much time to allot to studying for each class. For larger projects, ask questions that help them learn to break a big task down into smaller pieces and plug them into their schedule. Remind them that this also leaves time for sports, other hobbies and play time, rather than having to cram all that work in on a project on the last day, right before a big sporting event or fun activity they might have to miss in order to finish the project. Teach Children to Ask for HelpWhen they Truly Need It Some children are very independent and even stubborn, and keep grinding through a subject, even if they are not “getting” it. Other kids ask for help at the drop of a hat, whether they really need it or not. Learn to recognize both of these destructive and distracting behaviors and help your child learn when to ask for help…and whom to ask. Sometimes talking with other kids gives them just the hand they need, or it can send them in the wrong direction. Asking a parent can be great, if the parent remembers that it is the child’s homework and helps guide them to the answer, rather than giving it to them. If children are really struggling ask the teacher for help, or look to programs like ALOHA for assistance. Classes like ALOHA’s can also help high achievers get ahead too. Middle School Brings More Tests â€" Here are Some Test Taking Tips Reviewing quizzes from earlier in the semester is another great study tip for kids of all ages. Encourage them to extrapolate (a great vocabulary word by the way) how the teacher might present new classroom material in similar ways on the next test. Encourage the use of flash cards. You can purchase 35” or larger cards and have your children put the concepts on which they will be tested on one side, and the answers on the other. Then they can test themselves or you or a sibling can work with them. This works for math problems and formulas/equations, for vocabulary words and for concepts in social studies or even science. Children can also create a vocabulary list then tape it up in a location they see often, next to the computer, on their bathroom mirror, the bedroom wall or on the fridge. Kids sometimes want to be in fashion â€" wearing whatever is “in” that season, but reminding them to dress warmly in winter, or dress so they’ll be cooler on a hot day, helps keep them focused. No one takes tests well if they are too cold or too hot. Getting enough sleep the night before a test is another great strategy to keep kids focused and less distracted. Not enough sleep can have a negative impact on memory the next day. Taking classes and programs like Aloha through age 12, is also a great way to help your child prepare for the challenges of middle school. Kids with confidence in their math, reading and writing skills should be able to better handle the challenges that come in middle school.