Why One School Is Rejecting Technology

Why One School Is Rejecting Technology Computers, tablets, smartphones, social media, smart boards have been all the rage in education the past few years. Some schools are adopting these practices seemingly because everyone else is doing it. But one school, the Waldorf School of the Peninsula in Silicon Valley, is refusing to join the trend, according to an article in the New York Times. The school just uses the traditional pens and paper without computes. In fact, the school does not allow any screens at all, and it even frowns upon students using them at home. The Silicon Valley school is one of about 160 Waldorf schools in the country that have all adopted a teaching philosophy focused on physical activity and learning through creative, hands-on tasks. The schools believe that computers hinder creativity, movement, human interaction and attention spans. The schools philosophy is nearly 100 years old, but it intensifies the current debate about the role of technology in the classroom. I fundamentally reject the notion you need technology aids in grammar school, Alan Eagle, 50, whose daughter, Andie, is one of the 196 children at the Waldorf elementary school; his son William, 13, is at the nearby middle school Times. The idea that an app on aniPadcan better teach my kids to read or do arithmetic, thats ridiculous. Eagle, however, works at Google and uses an iPad, smartphone and other gadgets, but sees no need for his kids to be introduced to them at a young age. Many of the Waldorf students parents actually work at huge tech companies like eBay, Google, Apple, Yahoo and Hewlett-Packard. Other schools have spent their time and money stocking up on as much technologically-advanced gadgets, thinking they would improve students learning and interest. But, Waldorf equipped with its chalkboards, wooden desks and No. 2 pencils thinks differently. It says all those gadgets just distract students. The schools equipment may be antiquated and mundane; however, its teaching methods are fairly uncommon. The school teaches problem-solving, patterning and math skills by knitting wooden needles around balls of yarn. And it teaches multiplication by having students turn their bodies into lightning bolts. The teacher asks students what four times five is, and collectively, they all shout 20 and zap their fingers at the number on a blackboard. Its an activity a room full of iPad-focused students could not do. Younger students learned language skills by repeating verses after their teacher, as they play catch with bean bags. Its an activity that synchronizes body and brain. The school believes that technology just limits students learning and creativity. However, schools that implement technology argue that it interests students and makes them more enthusiastic about learning. They also argue it introduces students to the technology they will probably be using in their future careers.

Tips for Travelling to Brazil

Tips for Travelling to Brazil Our Advice for Spending Time in Brazil ChaptersWhat Should You Visit in Brazil?When Is the Ideal Time to Travel to Brazil?How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Brazil?Where Can You Stay During Your Time in Brazil?“There are moments in South America, in Brazil, where you look out, and there are literally thirty, forty thousand people jumping up and down at the same time.” - Mike McCreadySince Brazil is 35 times the size of the UK, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to places to go to. Brazil leads South America in terms of tourism with 6.6 million visitors each year.A lot of Europeans visit Brazil. Visiting Brazil isn’t like going to Spain or Portugal so here’s our advice for visiting Brazil, the attractions you should see, and where you should stay.In this article, we'll be covering what you should visit in Brazil, the ideal time to visit the country, the cost of travelling there, and where you can stay when you go. IrineuPortuguese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GabrielaPortuguese Teache r 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 tutorsWhat Should You Visit in Brazil?With over 2,000 attractions listed and recommended on Tripadvisor, you’re not going to run out of things to do across Brazil. Since Brazil has a long coastline and covers a large area, there’s a lot of variety in terms of what you can visit.Christ the Redeemer is one of Brazil's most popular monuments. (Source: fabiowanderley)When it comes to the largest cities like Brasilia, the capital, and Rio de Janeiro, you can visit things like: Santuario Don Bosco de BrasiliaBrasilia Botanic GardensCathedral of BrasíliaBrasilia Digital TV TowerTemple of Good WillPlanalto PalaceBanco Central do Brasil MuseumChrist the RedeemerThe Frédéric Chopin StatueBoulevard OlímpicoEscadaria SelarónSao Salvador ParkObelisco da Avenida Rio BrancoCais do ValongoIgreja Sao JosePraça Quinze de NovembroSão Paulo Museum of ArtSão Paulo CathedralIbirapuera ParkParque TrianonLatin America MemorialMirante Do Arvrao viewpoint in Rio de JaneiroMirante Do Caete, also in RioThe Amazon RainforestIguazu FallsDid you know that while Rio de Janeiro isn’t Brazil’s capital, it was for 200 years?To make the most of the monuments in Brazil, make sure you check the opening times of these monuments and how much they cost to visit. Generally speaking, large families can enjoy discounts and children won’t have to pay very much to visit tourist attractions.Brazil is also a great country for surfers.How could we do an article on Brazil and everythin g you have to visit without mentioning Copacabana?With its beautiful beaches, it’s the ideal place for relaxing holidays with a caipirinha in hand.For party animals, we recommend heading to the beach resorts like Belem, Ipanema, Guanabara, or Canoa Quebrada. There are no better places to party than in Brazil.Of course, there are other places to visit like Recife, Minas, Salvador de Bahia, Manaus, Ilha Grande, Noronha, or Olinda.When Is the Ideal Time to Travel to Brazil?To make the most of a trip to Brazil, you have to go at the right time. The same dates aren’t recommended for every destination so you need to think about where you’re going and where.You shouldn’t go to Brasilia at the same time as you would Porto Alegre. Rainy seasons, cold temperatures, not much going on, etc. Depending on the time of year, some towns can completely change. If you want to do touristy things, you might want to visit in the low season when it’s quieter, but if you’re looking for high tem peratures, then you’ll want to visit during the high season.There are plenty of events, including Carnaval, in Brazil.(Source: 489327)There are plenty of different types of tourists who head to Brazil:Surfers and diversHistory or architecture loversParty animalsCultural touristsWhen should you travel to Brazil?It depends on where you’re going as Brazil has various different climates:An equatorial climate in the northeastA monsoon climate in the AmazonA savannah climate in the southeastA semi-arid climate in the centreA humid sub-tropical climate in the southeast, tooA temperate climate in the southTo make the most of the climate, it’s recommended that you go during the winter, which is from June to August or September in the southern hemisphere.If you want to enjoy the local events in Brazil, you should check the calendar. Here are a few of Brazil's most popular events that you won’t want to miss:Carnival in the big cities in February or March.Carnival in Natal, June-July.Ga y Pride, Sao Paulo, June.Winter Festival in Ouro Preto, July.Gramado Film Festival, August.Independence Day of Brazil, 7 September.Blumenau Beer Festival, October.São Paulo International Film Festival.Salvador Summer Fest, December.So when are you going to go?How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Brazil?When it comes to travelling to Latin America and Brazil, in particular, you have to think about how much you’re going to spend.Unfortunately, travelling to Brazil isn't free. (Source: DariuszSankowski)There are certain obligatory costs:Transport costs including your tickets to BrazilFood and drinkTravel insuranceAccommodationPreparation costs before you go.The Brazilian Real is the currency used: 1 Real Ëœ £0.22The advantage is that the cost of living in Brazil is much cheaper than in the UK. This means you should have a good amount of money for visiting various attractions. This is also good because Brazil has plenty of things to visit like Copacabana, Ipanema, Ilha Grande national park, or the Iguaçu falls.Your budget will depend on where you’re going, too. For example:If you’re visiting Recife, you might want to budget for diving, etc.Large cities like Brasilia are home to colonial Brazilian architectural and UNESCO world heritage sites to visit.Natural wonders like the Iguaçu falls are perfect for enjoying Brazilian nature.According to Budget Your Trip, you should expect to pay around £400 per week in Brazil.Don’t hesitate to do your research and budget accordingly.Where Can You Stay During Your Time in Brazil?Accommodation is one of the first things you need to ask yourself about when planning your trip.So where can you stay?For example, if you are heading to Brazil with your family, your accommodation will be different to a trip with your partner or going on a road trip. Here are the main types of accommodation available in Brazil:Traditional HotelsPousadas or Luxury HotelsHoliday ApartmentsUnusual AccommodationYouth HostelsYou could even visit the Amazon! (Source: rosinakaiser)There are thousands of places to stay in Brazil.  In terms of hotels, there are different types:Local modern hotelsCharming little hotelsLarge hotel chainsBudget hotelsThe average cost per night is around £40.  Try to book ahead, especially during the busy period.However, if you want to try something different and stay somewhere out of the ordinary, you could always try:Seaside wooden cabinsFurnished holiday homesSeasonal rentsHoliday villagesHoliday residencesCampsites and bungalowsIf you’re on a tight budget, focus on youth hotels. For as little as a few quid per night, they’re great if you want to stay close to the sea or a city centre. Of course, if you want peace and quiet, you probably don't want to be sharing a dormitory with a dozen other backpackers.So when are you going to Brazil?  Would you like to learn some Portuguese before you go?You can always get a bit of help from one of the many talented tutors on Superprof. There are three m ain types of tutorial available on the site: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. There are pros and cons to each and the best one for you really depends on your situation.Face-to-face tutorials are the most personal and have you and your tutor working together for the whole session. Of course, this bespoke service comes at a cost, making it the most costly type of tutorial available. If shyness has been getting in the way of your language learning, this is probably the best option. Additionally, the tutor can tailor each lesson to exactly what you need to learn or what you've been struggling with.Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials with the main difference being that the tutor isn't physically in the room with you and you're more likely to find native Portuguese speakers as you can broaden your search to anywhere in the world!Finally, there are group tutorials. In these types of tutorials, there are several students and just one tutor. W ith all the students sharing the cost of the tutor's time, these tutorials are usually the cheapest per person per hour but each student won't get the bespoke tutoring or one-on-one time that they would in the other types of tutorials. However, you will get plenty of opportunities to practise your language skills with the other students in the class.

Osmotic Pressure Definition Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Osmotic Pressure Definition Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace The movement of particles from the region of higher concentration to the region of lower concentration through a semipermeable membrane is called osmosis. Osmotic pressure is equal to external pressure which must be applied to stop entry of water into an osmotically active solution through a semipermeable membrane. Osmotic pressure is also defined as the maximum pressure which is produced in osmotically active solution when the same is separated from pure water by a semipermeable membrane. Osmotic pressure is dependent upon the concentration of solutes. It is higher in case of xerophytes as compared to mesophytes while mesophytes have higher osmotic pressure than hydrophytes. The value of osmotic pressure is equal to osmotic potential but with a positive sign. Measurement of osmotic pressure: It is done with the help of instrument called osmometer .Example-Pfeffers osmometer, Berkeley and Hartleys osmometer. In Pfeffers osmometer, a pressure develops due to entry of water into a vessel having osmotically active solution. The pressure is measured with the help of manometer. The value is not accurate because it involves dilution of solution. In Berkeley and Hartleys osmometer, pressure is applied to prevent entry of water into a solution. The value of pressure which is just sufficient to prevent entry or exit of water in the apparatus is equal to osmotic pressure of the solution. Thistle funnel experiment can be modified to measure osmotic pressure. Thistle funnel is fitted with a piston to which pressure can be applied .The pressure that keeps the level of solution unchanged is equal to osmotic pressure of solution contained in thistle funnel. The pressure required to stop the movement of water completely is called osmotic pressure.

An Exciting Look at Articles and Movie Making

An Exciting Look at Articles and Movie Making Articles (a/an and the) are tricky for English learners for several  reasons.  Maybe your language does not use articles, or maybe youre not used to having to change the article like with a vs an.  Today well review when and how to use articles, and when not to use them.  Well finish the lesson with a mind-blowing video and listening exercise.This helpful video explains  when to use a/an and no article:Use what you just learned to answer these questions.  Remember to write your responses in the comments section!Did you buy (a/an/no article) hat?It took me (a/an/no article) hour to walk to the store.(The/No article) education is very important to me.Now, learn how we use the in English:Lets review when to use each article or no article:Still confused?  Check out this post  by Paul, which gives a very thorough and helpful explanation of  articles.Now, its time for you to practice.  Below is a transcription from the video.  Before watching the short video, fill in the blanks with a, an, the or no article.  Then, check your answers as you watch.  Remember to always write your responses, questions or comments in the section provided, and well get back to you!In todays films, it is possible to create almost anything, but (1)__ work is definitely not that easy and includes many hours of (2)__ attention to small detail, lots of creativity, and (3)__ high level of skill.  This world is called VFX, and is built from many parts in (4)__ long pipeline that creates something amazing, and thats what you see on (5)__ big screen.  (6)__ last role in this long pipeline of visual effects is called digital compositing, which is (7)__ creative process of assembling filmed and rendered elements from multiple sources to create (8)__ final, lifelike illusion.  What is that, you ask?  Let me show you.  Its (9)__ profession that includes many skills such as rotoscoping, which separates (10)__ foreground from (11)__ background, and there are all kinds of techniques to acco mplish it.  In films it is common to use (12)__ blue or green screen to easily remove (13)__ background from behind (14)__ actors, and that is called keying.  By doing that, we can create (15)__ more realistic background behind (16)__ actor.  Tracking is another side of (17)__ story, and it is very important to know how to do well.  Theres 2D tracking and theres 3D tracking, which recreates (18)__ exact movement of (19)__ camera.  Another big part of this job is to remove objects, cables and trackers, paint them out, and insert something else instead.  And, of course, theres computer generated elements, or in short, CG compositing.  My friends always say VFX looks fake.The best way to improve your use of articles is through  a conversation with a native speaker.  Here at LOI we have experienced, professional English teachers  to help you practice.  Sign up for a class today!

Tips for how to choose a tutor

Tips for how to choose a tutor Want to find a tutor for your child but not sure where to start? Read on to find out my top tips for how to choose a tutor. Discuss getting a tutor with your child first and check that he or she is comfortable with this as it could be a sensitive issue. Where do you find a tutor? There are a growing number of agencies throughout the country, some people use personal ads and a great number rely on personal recommendations. Tutorfair.com is the first website that allows you to actually book online, with hundreds of tutor profiles visible to view. Since it funds charity work to address educational disadvantage, I would definitely suggest that you look there first. Remember: it is not you that has to work with the tutor. It is therefore very important to listen to your child, see who he or she likes and would learn best from. This is why Tutorfair.com is ideal. As the website contains personal profiles of each tutor, your child can look through these, watch the tutor videos and be actively involved in choosing the tutor.  Involving children in the decision-making process is a great motivational tool, and if your child likes the tutor, half the job is done already as children will often work harder just to impress a new mentor. Ask the tutor a few key questions: What kind of learner are you? More visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, or do you learn by rote? How would you deal with a student who doesn’t feel like doing any work that day? Have you had any very difficult students and how have you dealt with them? Treat it like an informal interview and check that the answers would suit your child.  Don’t give the tutor a hard time but do voice your questions or concerns. Assess the qualifications and teaching experience of the tutor. Many tutoring agencies stipulate that tutors should have qualifications that are at least one level above the ones they teach. For example, a GCSE Geography tutor should have an A-level in that subject, and some even require a degree. However, remember that being very qualified in a subject isn’t the same as being able to teach it. Some of the most inspiring tutors I’ve ever met have been those who struggled themselves at school; they can empathise with the students who are struggling to ‘get it’. It is therefore beneficial to look for positive reviews from previous clients as well as find evidence of that tutor having taught that  particular subject before because they will be more aware of the common pitfalls and mistakes that occur. From this, I would say it is best to find the balance between expertise and good teaching when searching for a tutor. Your child should interact well with the tutor. It’s often beneficial to have a tutor who is halfway between a teacher and a best friend to your child. These tutors inspire their students to want to learn, and often kids like them so much that they will work harder, perhaps to impress them. I’m not saying that all students should love every tutor they have, but if they really don’t get on then it’s bad news for both the tutor and the student. So, don’t be afraid to ask your children how they feel after a lesson. They don’t have to be overjoyed, but it’s a good idea to see if they feel like they’ve learnt something and that they don’t feel completely overwhelmed and lacking in confidence. The right tutor for your child should instead increase their confidence and make them feel ready to learn more. Meet some of Tutorfair’s tutors, start your search today!

The best ways to entertain your kids this summer

The best ways to entertain your kids this summer Hi, everyone! Meet a new series of posts about the best ways to entertain and educate your kids during summer break. I think everyone who has experience with raising kids would agree its a tricky job entertaining your kids especially during summer month. When the school is over and they just don’t know what to do with themselves. So, we come up with this set of fun and simple ways to make your kids happy and amused. Here is the first idea: Set up a backyard camp. Kids just love  outdoor activities  like picnics and ball games. If you have a family tent, you could set it up in your backyard. Invite your neighbors kids and those of friends. Grab some marshmallows, homemade treats and refreshments. You can consider even sleeping outdoors: gaze  at the stars, tell scary stories to the kids and if you can sing songs together. Spend  quality time with your family  in your own backyard! The best ways to entertain your kids this summer Hi, everyone! Meet a new series of posts about the best ways to entertain and educate your kids during summer break. I think everyone who has experience with raising kids would agree its a tricky job entertaining your kids especially during summer month. When the school is over and they just don’t know what to do with themselves. So, we come up with this set of fun and simple ways to make your kids happy and amused. Here is the first idea: Set up a backyard camp. Kids just love  outdoor activities  like picnics and ball games. If you have a family tent, you could set it up in your backyard. Invite your neighbors kids and those of friends. Grab some marshmallows, homemade treats and refreshments. You can consider even sleeping outdoors: gaze  at the stars, tell scary stories to the kids and if you can sing songs together. Spend  quality time with your family  in your own backyard!

Free Fluency 6 E-learning Language Courses That Dont Cost a Penny

Free Fluency 6 E-learning Language Courses That Dont Cost a Penny Free Fluency: 6 E-learning Language Courses That Dont Cost a Penny Put down your wallet.You dont need it to learn a language!Even if you’re living on a tight budget, juggling work, school and family, or feel like you don’t have another second to spare in your day, learning a foreign language isn’t out of reach.Advances in smartphone technology and the expansion of the internet have tucked all the world’s knowledge right in your pocket!E-learning language courses make fluency easier to achieve than ever.  There’s an abundance of great free resources for learning almost any language you can imagine! So if youve been looking for high-quality online language lessons to match your budget, youve come to the right place.Well show you six stellar e-learning language courses that are totally free. Pick one that matches your learning style and your schedule, and all thats left to do is get learning! The Case for E-learning Language CoursesAside from the fact that these courses are free and available to everyone, there are several significant advan tages to learning a language online:Mobility:  The greatest advantage of the internet is that you can access and use it whenever and wherever you please, on any device you choose. When it comes to learning a language online, you can practice anywhere at any time.Review vocabulary on your commute, study grammar while youre waiting in line  or listen to podcasts while youre cooking dinner!Convenience:  E-learning  courses allow you to work at your own pace, whether you only have a whole vacation dedicated to language learning or just a few minutes to spare right before bed. The flexibility of online learning means you wont feel any pressure because you arent holding anyone up if life gets hectic and you cant study for a few days. The bite-sized nature of these courses also allows you to complete lessons in a short amount of time.These types of courses are especially convenient for solo students because you can revisit the material as needed. If youre struggling with certain verbs or v ocabulary, you can study them as much as you need to, without exam deadlines or the danger of a failing grade.Customization:  Online language learning courses offer tools tailored to all different learning styles! These courses present more opportunities than a strict classroom environment, boosting your odds for successfully becoming fluent.If youre a visual learner, there are flashcards to help you drill vocabulary. If youre an auditory learner, you can explore movies and podcasts for whatever language youre studying. Kinetic learners can print off worksheets or play games to help them learn. If you enjoy reading, there are plenty of places to download foreign language e-books.The possibilities are endless, and you should be able to find a course that suits you perfectly!Free Fluency: 6 E-learning Language Courses That Dont Cost a PennyWhile there are plenty of textbooks, workbooks, traditional classes, software, private tutors and other resources available for purchase, the inter net offers some excellent free choices.These six websites offer free e-learning language courses for beginners through experts.BBC LanguagesThe BBC website offers language learning courses in 40 languages! There are quick-fix lessons to teach travelers essential words and phrases alongside full-service courses for languages like French, Spanish, German, Greek and Chinese.Lessons and resources include language learning tailored just for kids and crosswords for visual learners who prefer to work outside the box. Pair vocabulary and grammar practice with a selection of news, TV and radio links for immersion practice and cultural  study.The BBC page is archived and no longer updated, but its still a fantastic free resource that can stand alone or act as a supplement to other courses.Effective Language LearningThis website offers free lessons in Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish! Its packed with great resources to help you decide which language to choose and the best methods f or learning it.Get started with the Language Guide, which explores the background of each language, ranks how difficult they are to learn and compares how closely related they are to English regarding linguistics and culture.Click on Language Learning Tips and read through 17 great ways to get the most out of online lessons. Youll increase your odds for success with this resources helpful study ideas, such as: practice thinking in the other language, experience immersion using pop culture, break your lessons into small chunks and cut yourself some slack on mistakes.If youre curious about the quality of paid e-learning language options, visit the Language Course Reviews page for a side-by-side comparison of major software programs currently on the market.  Its a useful reference, but dont forget about the abundance of free resources available online!LanguageGuide.orgHere youll find vocabulary lessons in more than 25 languages, complete with audio recordings to help you learn pronunci ation. Listening to audio files is an important part of absorbing new  words and learning to use them correctly.The vocabulary lessons are perfect for both audio and visual learners because they incorporate images with each audio file. Some of the exercises are already set  to an advanced level by default, but you can adjust the difficulty level in your settings (click the gear in the upper right-hand corner).When it comes time to test your knowledge, be sure to use both the speaking and listening challenges!The English and French courses also offer grammar instruction and reading selections alongside the vocabulary lists. Overall, this website is a great supplemental resource for drilling vocabulary and pronunciation alongside e-learning courses that cover grammar and immersion.MyLanguagesIf youre looking for lesser studied languages, like Yiddish, Urdu or Welsh, look no further! MyLanguages.org is an excellent free resource for almost any language you can imagine, from the obscure to the widely-spoken.The website is user-friendly and very easy to navigate. Scroll through the left sidebar for links to specific pages, such as phrases, vocabulary and the radio lab, which provides links to radio stations in different languages.Youll also find unique, handy resources like virtual keyboards for foreign languages and  a transliteration generator to see phonetics for a given text in your target language. Use the dictionary, exercises and downloadable audio clips to get the most out of your learning experience.Open CultureThis educational collection brings together lessons in 48 different languages through a variety of websites, YouTube channels, iTunes audio downloads and apps. No matter what your learning style may be, youll find a match for it here.Some languages are better represented than others, but each category lists a variety of options and platforms, allowing you to match lesson formats with your preferred study method.  The courses are arranged alphabetica lly by language, which makes getting started a snap.This site also provides free cultural materials, including book and textbook downloads, movies, lectures, art, images and music. These useful supplementary materials will help you learn about the culture and history of the language youre speaking!ThoughtCoThis site is excellent for certain hard-to-find languages and unique resources, bringing together cartoons in Hebrew and Arabic alphabet practices with complete e-courses in French, Russian, German and Italian, among much more. Theres even a Latin course available if youre into dead languages!Each category features links to lessons for beginners starting at square one, covering everything from alphabet and grammar to vocabulary and culture. Several of the languages offer students more advanced lessons and resources tailored for audio and visual learners.If you still havent found what youre looking for, theres a link to the Peace Corps Language Courses Archive at the bottom of the page, which leads you to another excellent resource for less common languages.So, what are you waiting for? That elusive right time or right moment?That time is right now! Dont wait any longer.Learn a language for free, on your schedule, on any device, anywhere, at any time! It only takes a little attention each day. Make the most of your commute, drill vocabulary during commercials or swap fifteen minutes of social media for study time.Its worth the effort! Fluency in a second language boosts your competitive edge in a saturated job market. Bilingualism also teaches the brain to think in new and different ways. It improves memory, concentration, cognitive performance and helps develop various aspects of our social skills, such as  empathy and effective communication.Theres an abundance of wonderful e-learning language courses for every skill level and learning style. These courses are practical, convenient, portable and customizable. And dont forget free!Tiffany Edgecomb is a freel ance copywriter and owner of The Alphabet Soup Company. She specializes in creating blogs, newsletters and email sequences for lifestyle topics like cooking, language, real estate, travel and personal finance. And One More ThingIf you want to upgrade to infinitely expanded learning possibilities that are still budget-friendly, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.Plus, you can still try FluentU for free to make sure its right for you before committing.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Learn with FluentU on your web browser or, better yet, download the app to study on the go at the iTunes store or Google Play store.

Teacher engagement and the pursuit of happiness (Part 1)

Teacher engagement and the pursuit of happiness (Part 1) Ash Pugh, Director of Operations at Teach Away In part one of our four-part series, we discuss the common thread that permeates throughout recruitment, onboarding and retention: happiness. Recruitment and retention go hand in hand: something I’ve witnessed time and time again throughout my decade working in international education at Teach Away. Get your recruitment strategy right, we always say to our partner schools, and you’ll go a long way to ensuring strong retention rates. And this still holds true. However, as the following story illustrates, recruiting the right teachers for your school is only half the battle. Way back in 2008, Teach Away worked on a large-scale hiring campaign for a government program undergoing massive educational reform. While we had no trouble attracting the volume of qualified candidates required to help this particular program meet their ambitious hiring targets, their nascent post-hire support process contributed to a dropout rate that was much higher than they wanted. The following recruitment year, we worked together with our partner to create a tailored pre-departure program for successful hires through a series of theme-based webinars and outreach. Our efforts paid huge dividends; dropout and turnover rates dropped dramatically. By aligning expectations to the reality on the ground, retention rates shifted to where we needed them. A cautionary tale for international schools and programs everywhere: without quality recruitment, onboarding and retention processes, hiring new teachers becomes a never-ending cycle of wasted time and money. I was excited to have the opportunity to co-moderate a series of sessions with Dr. Ann Jurewicz at the the 52nd AAIE Conference in February of this year, exploring the interconnected topics of teacher recruitment, engagement and retention alongside international school leaders from around the world. Dr. Jurewicz recently completed her dissertation, where she surveyed nearly 1,000 teachers on critical factors influencing contract renewal. As luck would have it, Teach Away had also recently completed a survey of over 10,000 educators, diving deep into their motivations for teaching abroad, what matters to them when seeking employment and what makes them happiest at a school. What we wanted to do together was to take a holistic approach to mapping out and understanding the journey from job seeker, to candidate, all the way through to a teacher’s first year at your school, to help you figure out what you can do to ensure a smooth transition from new hire candidate to an engaged, committed educator. Happiness: the secret to retention. Over the course of our combined research and discussions, we uncovered a common thread winding through retention, engagement and recruitment - the secret sauce for teacher retention, if you will. Happiness. You might think that cultivating a happy teacher workforce is an elusive (and arguably subjective) goal. But, as our research shows, when it comes to keeping teachers at your school, the pursuit of happiness is a worthwhile one. If your school has a retention problem, it’s a relatively safe bet that you likely have some work to do on the happiness front. Your teachers must be given the training and tools they need to be successful. They also need to be satisfied with their work environment and compensation. Which leads us to our next question: Why does your teachers’ happiness matter now more than ever? 1. It’s time to brace for change. It’s important for school leaders to understand that the international education recruitment landscape is changing - and changing fast. Until relatively recently, an oversupply of teachers put the power in the hands of international schools to have their pick of teachers, on their terms. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a fundamental shift in the balance of power from hiring school to candidate. We’re experiencing a time of unprecedented growth in the international school market. According to ISC Research, which has tracked and analyzed data on the world's international schools for over 20 years, the biggest challenge facing international schools over the next five years will be finding enough skilled teachers. In fact, in order to keep up with the demand for English-speaking K-12 teachers, international schools are going to need to source an additional 150,000 qualified teachers by 2021. That’s an increase of 36% in less than four years. It’s clear that hiring schools no longer hold all the cards. With qualified teachers in high demand and more opportunities available to them than ever before, you need to understand what matters most to candidates and harness that information to attract and keep them at your school. 2. It’s also time to start thinking about your long-term growth. It’s important to keep the big picture in mind. As a school head or principal, you’re striving to build and sustain a community. This community does not just happen by happy accident and it’s certainly no small task. It requires vision and intent. Knowing what your community culture and values are and hiring according to these is a key first step to getting the right teachers at your school. It won’t guarantee they’ll stick around for the long term, however. To build a strong and lasting community, you need to ensure that your teachers are engaged and excited to come to work and that student learning outcomes are met. In turn, you’ll have satisfied parents and rising enrolment rates. So, what is exactly it that makes new teachers happy? And how can you evaluate and improve your existing recruitment and onboarding processes to ensure a positive experience for candidates and new hires? Let’s take a closer look. Why teachers stay and why they go. Conventional wisdom might suggest that salary and financial perks are the biggest indicators of whether or not a teacher chooses to stay at your school. In fact, top indicators of happiness, as outlined by Rainer Strack, aren’t financial at all. Especially among the generation currently entering the job market - our future teachers - key indicators are things like appreciation for their work and building quality relationships with colleagues. As shown below, salary comes into the picture further down - as the eighth most important item on the list. Source: Rainer Strack, October 2014 at TED@BCG Berlin. The workforce crisis of 2030 and how to start solving it now. Don’t make the fatal flaw of assuming that teachers stay solely for money. Check back next week for part twowhere we look at the first part of recruitment, onboarding and retention cycle: recruitment. This article originally appeared in the Spring 2018 edition of InterED, the bi-annual newsletter of the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE).