Online English Tutor- An Asset To A Family!

Online English Tutor- An Asset To A Family! 0SHARESShare Acquiring English language skills is not an exclusive territory of a particular student,   but   it could be a   supplementary   benefit   for   his family   as such. Online English tutoring proves its worth in this context.                                                                         How an English tutor online can make himself an asset to a whole family? English help is basically for improving spoken language skills as it is the primary function of any language. When an online English tutor makes his impression upon an online learner with his conversational classes, spoken language drills, phonetic atonement and voice charities with intonation patterns, he draws the attention of the whole family to his side as the entire members could benefit out of his language classes. It could help father’s better communication in business circles or working environment. Same is the case with mother or brother and their socializing too gets a better face and tremendous impress. Hence, language skills for the whole family     are imparted through online English classes and the way the tutor makes the classes interactive and interesting makes for more attention and fascination for the online English sessions. In the modern era of technology, introduction of soft wares and video presentations add more to the handling of online classes in a lively and impressive manner. Tutorpace.com has an exclusive range of English tutors who deem it a privilege to extend their invaluable service to a family as such through tutoring a student. Chat with our English Tutor Now! [starbox id=admin]

The Top 10 South American Food Recipes

The Top 10 South American Food Recipes The Best of South American Cuisine ChaptersEvolution of South American RecipesSouth American Recipes Throughout the WorldTop 10 Recipes from South American CountriesBonus South American RecipesFrom agricultural goods such as lima beans and corn, to geographical diversity of the Amazon basin and Andean mountains â€" learn how the eating habits of South American countries have been formed from a blend of ancient history and modern socio-economic movements.Empanadas are not only wildly popular but can also be easy to make GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsEvolution of South American RecipesWhile many South American foods are classified as traditional today - like tamales, hominy or plantain - these traditions were often shaped by the fusion of recipes from Amerindians, or indigenous people, and the various forces of colonization and immigration that the continent has witnessed. With the food norms brought by groups like the Spaniards and Portuguese, colonization brought many changes to the continent.From Tierra del Fuego to Peru, many South American countries have integrated ancient agricultural traditions with modern ones. One great example of this can be seen through the lens of sugar. While there is no denying the tragedies engendered by the exploitation of slaves and indentured workers for the propagation of sugar cane plantations, it is also widely recognized that this trade transformed foods in South America.While many historic accounts of th e evolution of food on the continent involve a “pre-Columbian” notion of the Americas, this view of history doesn’t do justice to the culturally important, ancient civilizations and food rites independent of colonization narratives.While obvious examples of this can be seen through awe-inspiring ruins, like the ones found at Machu Picchu in Peru, food can also serve as the gateway towards understanding and appreciating the ancient civilisations of South America. The growing and harvesting of the deliciously nutritious grain, quinoa, dates back to the Incan Empire.While this account does not delve into the intricate progression of culinary practices in South America, it does reveal how important ancient, criollo or creole, immigrant and invading groups have been towards the formation of many of the traditional dishes of South America.Have a look at the best cooking classes London on Superprof.South American Recipes Throughout the WorldFrom passion fruit to maize, the influence of South American cuisine can be felt throughout the world. In fact, many of the dishes traditionally thought of as limited to the South American kitchen can be found in countries like Romania and India.There are many reasons why South American dishes find their doppelgangers worldwide, one of which has to do with the fact that the colonization of South America introduced many new cooking practices to the continent from Europe and its other colonies.One dish that seems to have escaped that is the empanada. While the origins of empanadas in the Americas are still a bit murky, they generally follow the same recipe involving a savory, stuffed, dough baked pastry. This comfort food is actually also eaten in the Philippines, where it developed independently from South American influence. There, the empanada is cooked by being either deep fried or baked.From ceviche and cornmeal to beans and rice, there are many dishes that South America has either made popular or that hold similarities t o dishes in other countries.From the Andean mountains to the Islas Malvinas, or Falkland Islands - South American food and geography is extremely diverseTop 10 Recipes from South American CountriesFrom Paraguayan to Peruvian cuisine, South American foods and food culture is incredibly rich and diverse. Whether you’re Central American, European or more, expand your drink and food options by trying any of these tasty recipes.1. Argentina: ChimichurriWhether you’re cooking the red or green version, chimichurri sauce is said to have originated with Basque settlers in Argentina. The preparation for Argentinian chimichurri is typically made from parsley, garlic, pepper flakes, olive oil and wine vinegar. Served as a side, but typically eaten as a condiment, this Argentine dish is best eaten fresh and can be poured on top of churrasco.2. Bolivia: SaltenasIf you’re looking for a delicious alternative to arepas, look no further than the Bolivian version of empanadas. This empanada can be found made differently from city to city, but is generally made up of a meat filling wrapped up dough baked pastry.3. Brazil: FeijoadaWhile caipirinha might be your go to Brazilian recipe, the national dish, feijoada, is even more satisfying to make. Especially popular in Rio de Janeiro, the dish is a black bean stew mixed with meats such as pork or beef. In the northeast, people typically add in vegetables like cabbage, potatoes or okra.4. Chile: Pisco sourWhile pisco today is primarily made in and associated with Peru and Chile, the origins of the drink are intensely debated between the two. In any case, it has not only stood the test of time but also become one of the most popular dishes in both countries. A brandy made from distilling grape juice, pisco can be made into a variety of different cocktails. The most popular preparation, the pisco sour, in Peru involves mixing pisco with egg white, syrup, lime juice and bitters. The Chilean preparation differs only with the omissi on of bitters.5. Colombia: AguardienteThe term literally translates into firewater, and is a general term for alcohol that ranges from 20% to 60% alcohol content. This liquor is the most popular drink in Colombian cuisine, especially in the Andean regions. The drink, made from sugar cane and flavoured with anise, is typically drunk neat and can be found made in a variety of different ways both in Colombia and around the world.6. Ecuador: llapingachoIf you’re familiar with Colombian arepas, then you have a basic idea of what an Ecuadorian llapingacho is and how delicious it is. While the origin of the dish inside of Ecuador is still a bit murky, it basically involves frying up a cheese and mashed potato mix. While it is generally served along side eggs, sausages like chorizo, and salad, it’s preparation can vary. The crisp-like llapingachos can be made out of yuca and cassava too.7. French Guiana: FricasseeWhile there is a diverse array of foods that typify French Guiana, such as blaff, a seafood chowder, or roti, a stuffed flatbread â€" there is one food that continues to be a favorite amongst locals and visitors alike. While fricassee is just a general term used to identify the method of cooking meat, the French Guiana version serves this stew like concoction alongside a hearty helping of rice and beans. The meat used for this dish is normally game meat including tapir and paca.8. Guyana: PepperpotTraditionally eaten on Boxing Day, pepperpot is a meat stew that can find its origins in the ancient civilizations of South America. It is typically flavoured with cassareep, a sauce derived from cassava root, cinnamon and chili peppers. This dish is eaten with bread, rice or Guyanese roti and normally takes several hours to cook.9. Paraguay: KaguyjyAlso known as mazamorra, variations of this dish can be found in many South American countries as well as in the Caribbean and Spain. In Paraguay, it is called kaguyjy in Guarani and is essentially a rice dessert con sidered to be one of the most traditional in the country. Cooked with honey, milk and sugar, kaguyjy is often comparable to locro, a thick corn stew typical of the Andean regions.10. Peru: PicaronesWhile the history of churros and bunelos is still a bit murky, a general consensus has been reached over the origins of picarones. During colonial times, the Peruvian population started to make and modify the recipe of bunuelos as they were, then, too expensive to prepare. Made with squash and sweet potato, it takes on a circular form with a doughnut consistency. This delicious dessert is usually drenched with syrup.South American food culture isn't all about food recipes but also delicious drinksBonus South American RecipesSuriname: Bojo CakeWhile American cuisine is typically known for its flower based recipes, from apple pie in the north to the corn and meat pies of Chile â€" the Americas are also home to many flowerless delights. This is especially visible in the many desserts of Sout h America, and one particular recipe is both easy and delicious to make. Surinamese bojo cake recipes can vary from family to family, but the recipe generally involves these raisins, cassava and coconut.Uruguay: Capeletis a la carusoIf you didn’t know, Uruguayans eat a lot of pasta. Like many countries on the continent, Uruguayan gastronomy was influenced by the fusion of Amerindian, criolla or creole, and European cuisine. One country in particular, Italy, had a large influence on many of the classic dishes Uruguayans enjoy today. In fact, capeletis a la caruso was invented in the 1950s by a Montevideo restaurant. Named as an homage to the Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso, the sauce is comparable to bechamel and is generally made of cream, ham, cheese, mushrooms and nuts. The preparation of capeletis a la caruso naturally starts with making caruso sauce and adding it to round pasta like capeletis.Start making amazing dishes with the best cooking courses around.Venezuela: Chicha de arrozLike many of the world’s dishes, the exact origins of chicha are highly debated. In Venezuela, chicha de arroz is considered by many a traditional drink and can be bought alongside street food in many major cities. While in some countries this drink is normally fermented, the Venezuelan preparation involves boiling rice, milk and sugar and drinking it non-fermented. In the Andean region of Venezuela, this drink does involve adding fermented pineapple and is usually served on Boxing Day.

Maintaining Concentration in Mentally Exhausting Jobs - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Maintaining Concentration in Mentally Exhausting Jobs - Introvert Whisperer Maintaining Concentration in Mentally Exhausting Jobs Some jobs are sprints, others are marathons. There are lots of roles, such as those in retail, hospitality and logistics, where you are likely to be bouncing between quiet, calm periods and busy, highly demanding periods several times in the same day. Others, such as marketing, copywriting and many office-based roles, are slow burning but taxing all the same. Spending all day sat at a desk doesn’t sound awfully tiring, but mental exhaustion is just as exacting as physical exertion. Here are some simple but valuable tips for staying as energetic as possible throughout your day. Eat little and often Snacking is often the bane of anybody who wants to keep in shape, yet spends their 9 to 5 sat at a desk. Despite the abundance of unhealthy snacks in the 21st century, this doesn’t have to result in a diet loaded with additives. In fact, nutritionists have stated that this is not detrimental to your health when done right, and is just as good for your body as a solid three meals a day. Smaller boosts of energy spread out amongst your working hours can be just what you need to prevent your concentration from flagging â€" just be sure it isn’t all sugar! Take mini breaks This is not to suggest you should start dictating your own work schedule over your manager, but there’s no harm in letting your mind and body take a quick breather from the screen and having to hold that horribly stiff computer desk pose. There’s nothing tricky in this; simply walk away from your desk. Get yourself a tea or coffee, nip to the toilet, go and restock on pens from the stationary cupboard. Anything that allows you to defocus and stretch your legs for a few minutes is ideal. Deliberately loitering is, of course, not going to go down well, but a small and meaningful reason to disengage from your keyboard could be all you need to recharge for the next couple of hours. Keep your desk clear A cluttered work space is a cliché for creative types, and in my experience it’s true more often than not. Trying to cope with a disorderly desk, however, is preventing you from numerous benefits. When your physical working area is clear and organised, your work life can see fantastic improvements such as greater focus, more freedom to be adaptive and a good reputation with your managers. Demonstrating your ability to keep things organised and tidy is a great indicator that you’re serious about your work and you’ll keep things in check, which can always lead to better opportunities down the road. Set daily goals Having small checkpoints for your work can make it much easier to get through a long list, particularly when used to break a big task or project down to simpler, bite-sized tasks. In project managing roles, this is referred to as a work breakdown structure (WBS), and it is commonly employed to help keep everyone involved on-track and focused on their individual goals. When combined with small rewards for yourself (such as that coffee break or a harmless bit of chocolate), you can make the work day far less daunting and almost turn it into a game of sorts. There are lots of ways you can make the work day flow easier, and the things that will work best depend on the kind of person you are. Maybe music keeps you focused, or perhaps any noise whatsoever is the concentration killer. Be open and communicative with your management, and see what they can help you incorporate â€" after all, they want you to work at your best, and you should too! Ethan Lee writes for Inspiring Interns, which specialises in finding candidates their perfect  internship.  To browse our  graduate jobs, visit our website. Go to top Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What Are the Most Popular Japanese TV Shows

What Are the Most Popular Japanese TV Shows [NO h1 found] ChaptersWhat Do the Japanese Watch on Television?Japanese TV: Ninja WarriorJapanese Game Show: Takeshi’s CastleJapanese TV Series: Tetsuko’s RoomJapanese Drama and Game Show: Dero!Other Popular Japanese Drama Series and Game Shows4th stage: the last stage is by far the most difficult - definitely better than watching a romance comedy shows on a high school student. Only four candidates make it to this round where, instead of obstacles, there is a large tower that each candidate must use to climb to reach the top. If the candidate doesn’t make it before time is over, this rope will be cut and they lose the game. 2018 saw the introduction of 3 obstacles to this final round.There are definitely no nakama, or friends, in this game: the rules state that each candidate gets only one chance to compete. The only exception is when the show experiences technical difficulties. The reasons for elimination range from physically going outside the delimited boundaries, not arriving at the buz zer before time is over, committing an in fraction and more.At the beginning of the show, each candidate is invited to do a small dance in order to introduce their personalities to the public. This is definitely one of the most well-known Japanese TV shows - and not without cause. Watch just one episode and you’ll find out why. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsJapanese Game Show: Takeshi’s CastleWith television drama and mangas like Futur e Diary and world-renowned dances like Kabuki, Japanese television has been giving Taiwanese and Korean dramas a run for their money. While the best Korean dramas and Taiwanese shows include classics like Meteor Garden, The Heirs and more - Japanese game shows are still some of the most popular shows in the region.Takeshi’s Castle is a Japanese game show that aired on TBS, or Tokyo Broadcasting System, from 1986 to 1990. Like Ninja Warrior, the show consisted of several obstacle courses in which contestants would be eliminated in each round based on time limits, ability and more.The goal was, of course, for the between 100 to 142 contestants to reach the final round - were usually only 9 would remain. Winning the game meant winning 1 million yen - around 7,300 pounds.Spice up your screening parties with Japanese game shows!From every prefecture, class and religion, this live action game show was played by all. Here are some of the obstacles you’re bound to see if you watch the s how:Velcro Fly: candidates must cross a body of water by swinging at the end of a rope in order to then stick to a Velcro board (they are also equipped with Velcro coveralls),Soft Stone: contestants must cross a body of water by hopping on some stones that are made of polystyrene,Balloon Bridge: the candidate must cross an unstable bridge holding a golden balloon while other candidates shoot them with black balls,Sumo wrestling in disguiseAttention Rock: candidates must reach a summit while rocks run down the slope,Wall Explosion: the candidate must run and pass through walls, all the while not knowing which one is a screen and which one is a wallWhile there are many other obstacles, these can readily be found with the help of the internet - go check out the show, sit back and get ready to laugh!Interested in learning more about Japanese media? Check out this guide on Japanese literature, publications and more!Japanese TV Series: Tetsuko’s RoomWith variety shows, shows about and f or love, anime series, thrillers, terms like shonen, otaku and more - Japan has made major contributions to entertainment for decades. Whether you’re in need of a subtitle or dubbed show, you should definitely start watching what cities like Kyoto and Tokyo are producing.One such show, airing on TV Asahi since 1976 is hosted by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. Running for 30 minutes at a time, Tetsuko’s Room is a talk show that, in Japanese, is called Tetsuko no Heya.On the 27th of May 2015, the show celebrated its 10,000th episode, entering into the World Record books for the longest running, single-hosted talk show in the world. Imagine people growing up with the show since it first aired in the 70s!While Vietnamese, Thai and South Korean drama has a lot to offer, there’s nothing like taking part of history and watching a show with one of the largest amounts of shows in the world.Tetsuko Kuroyanagi was born in 1933 in Tokyo. She started as an actress in many Japanese films and is known b eyond Japan specifically because of her autobiography. She has been an ambassador for UNICEF since 1984 and created the Totto foundation that educates hearing-impaired actors.Japanese Drama and Game Show: Dero!From Meteor, Yamato Nadeshiko, Hotaru no Nikki or Nippon Hotaru and more, Asia has churned out documentaries, original series games and more that are worth a lifetime full of binge watching. Whether you’re already subbed to a channel dedicated to Japanese games shows or are already a fan of some of the ones we’ve already discussed, here’s another game show that’s bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.Dero! Is a game show that’s formatted as an escape game. The goal of the show is for the participants to escape a room after completing a number of crazy challenges. While it sounds simple, it gets a bit more intense. The participants get to choose between 8 different rooms: one filled with moving sand, one that gets smaller and smaller, in chains or one with a movi ng floor.Take a look at great Japanese talk shows to get a grasp on the language and cultureOther Popular Japanese Drama Series and Game ShowsAs you’ve seen, the shows that the Japanese public consumes doesn’t include those made in Europe. On the contrary, the game shows and television dramas they produce are so wildly popular, audiences around the world have been watching for years. Here are some more game shows you should definitely watch if you love the ones we’ve already mentioned.Dead MeatHuman TetrisAKBingoCandy or Not Candy?Human BowlingGaki No TsukaiSlippery StairsMarshmallow Funny FaceInterested in finding out about more shows, TV and films the country has to offer? Here's our complete guide to Japanese media and entertainment!

Helping Your Teen Capitalize on His or Her Strengths

Helping Your Teen Capitalize on His or Her Strengths Just as you may not want to pursue a career in science if your passion is writing, your teen may have certain activities and school subjects that capture his or her interest. Every student wants to feel successful, which is why many gravitate toward subjects where they are strongestand away from those where they are weak, says Eileen Huntington, co-founder of Huntington Learning Center. Its perfectly natural that by the time a student reaches high school, he or she may have discovered a passion for one or two subjects or hobbies. One of these areas may soon become your teens college major or even evolve into a career path one day, so in the high school years, parents should think about how to encourage their teens to make the most of what theyre good at. How can parents help their teen flourish by nurturing his or her strengths? Huntington offers the following tips: Start with a self-assessment. If your teen seems to feel and perform average at most things, help him or her explore what he or she is good at. Open-ended conversations about areas where your teen feels the most confident are a good place to start, but if your teen struggles to articulate his or her thoughts, try an assessment, such as the Gallup StrengthsFinder (the adult or youth version) or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Personality traits can be parlayed into strengths. Your teen isnt a straight-A student, but is a social butterfly who loves organizing activities and rallying friends and family to get involved. Perhaps your teen has the skills to excel in a school leadership position, such as serving on student council. Or, does his or her high school offer any business management or leadership courses? Remind your teen that strengths can be useful, even if theyre not favorites. If your teen is great at math but doesnt love it, becoming a statistician will not likely become his or her future career. However, your teen could use this area of strength to his or her advantage. Your teens calculus teacher could serve as an excellent college reference and mentor if he or she nurtures the relationship. If your teen sees him or herself as a budding entrepreneur, having strong math and reasoning skills will definitely be valuable down the road. Let strengths guide passions. Encourage your teen to seek out opportunities to build upon (and get excited about) his or her areas of strength. Think of volunteer prospects, part-time jobs, school activities and extracurricular activities that will allow your teen to exercise his or her skills in new and different ways. A bookworm might enjoy reading to children at the local library, working in a book store or trying his or her own hand at writing stories. Huntington reminds parents that just as it is important to work on ones weaknesses, it is imperative that teens cultivate their strengths, too. Well-roundedness is valuable and will certainly help your teen perform well academically, but when it comes to identifying a college major and future career path, your teen would be wise to focus on his or her talents, says Huntington. Help your teen identify and develop these strengths and youll be setting him or her on the path to a fulfilling life.

5 Signs That It Is Time to Quit Your Job

5 Signs That It Is Time to Quit Your Job Image via: www.pexels.com You’re not passionate anymore Going to work sucks. There’s no doubt about that. However, when you find yourself literally dreading the thought of going to work each day, that is not a life worth living. Sure, the benefits might be fantastic. Sure, the salary might be amazing. Sure, there might be a million chances for advancement right at your fingertips. Sure, you might think that only an idiot would give up this job, but you’re wrong. If you’re forcing yourself to go to a place you absolutely hate, you’re wasting precious time that you could be using to go and do something you love. The right job will have your head swimming deep in an ocean of excitement and possibility, knowing that you’re in the right place at the right time. At the wrong job, you’ll be drowning. Your health is at risk This cannot be stressed enough. Your health and wellbeing are more valuable and more crucial than any paycheck. Stress and negative vibes can have a greater toll on your physical and mental health than you may think. Stress can weaken your immune system, leaving you to develop consistent colds and illnesses. It can also upset your stomach and give you horrible headaches. You could eventually develop a mental illness, like depression, as a result of the neglect of your personal health. You will be spending 40 hours per week in an environment that’s killing you only to come home and suffer from these symptoms that are literally killing you. No raise or fancy title is worth that. At the same time, feeling so terrible will result in your taking time off from work and using up all of your sick days. Even though the freedom of a day off feels nice, it will become a burden when it comes time to ask your employer for a reference. Instead, take a permanent sick day: a resignation. Image via: www.pexels.com You’re in a toxic environment The way your coworkers and employers treat you has a greater impact on you than you might think. If the coworkers are constantly negative and sprouting negativity upon you, you are going to eventually absorb it no matter how hard you try to resist. If your employer constantly manipulates you and makes you miserable, then that treatment will begin to resonate within you. You might have taken this up with Human Resources already and you might have already initiated the little pow-wow between these individuals, but if things haven’t changed, it isn’t your responsibility to settle for it. If this goes beyond toxic behavior and begins to look like verbal abuse, illegal actions, and/or sexual harassment, nothing more needs to be said. Get out. Now. You spend more time complaining about your job than anything Take a moment and think about recent conversations that you’ve shared with your friends and family members. More likely than not, your hatred for your job has probably slipped off of your tongue more than once or more than you’d like to admit. It’s understandable to complain about something that happened at work every once in a while. Let’s be honest here. We all have our days but look at it this way. The fact is that one of the first things that strikes your mind whenever you’re interacting with someone is how much you hate your job. That should tell you not only how much you hate your job, but how much you dwell on how much you hate your job. Being that we’re only given this one life to live, don’t spend most of it loathing. Do yourself a favor. Send out that notice and burn your suitcase (figuratively). Image via: www.pexels.com You’re reading this article You didn’t search for this article on accident. You didn’t click on it by mistake. You sought it out on your own to find a way to justify leaving your position. Well, here it is. Here lies your justification right here. If you went as far as to debate about whether or not quitting your job is a good idea to the point that you’re seeking the opinions of other writers, like myself, then it is definitely time to send out that notice and get to searching for something that fulfills you. Good luck!

Parent-teacher communication How to encourage engagement at your school

Parent-teacher communication How to encourage engagement at your school A well-established parent-teacher relationship can benefit students greatly, but the development of a relationship depends on several things, namely the teacher’s outreach, a parent’s interest, and the school’s overall culture of communication. The type of things that a teacher communicates to a parent matters as well. If teachers share their students’ successes with the parents, it can provide parents with confidence and direction on how to get involved in their child’s learning process. But if teachers consistently reach out to parents only to share bad news (about their child’s grades or classroom behavior) and neglect to share any positive feedback, this can discourage any parental involvement because it may instill feelings of helplessness or even a distaste for the teaching style. But when a parent does feel empowered to get involved, there is a significant amount of evidence to show that their involvement benefits students by improving their academic achievement, improving classroom behavior, better motivating students to learn, and instilling a more positive attitude about school and studies. But teachers can benefit from the relationship as well. Parents who are involved in their child’s learning and have come to know their child’s teacher through regular communication tend to have a more positive view of teachers, and this in turn can boost teachers’ confidence and classroom morale. What, as principals and school administrators, can you do to encourage the relationship? Read below for some tips. Focus on communication in all its forms This includes telephone calls, open houses, curriculum nights, and all are very effective forms of communication.Teachers can do their own individual outreach to their students’ families, and this is often more personal than general communications anyway. Unfortunately, as families evolve and parents’ schedules change, events like open houses may not be as plausible for some families. Encourage teachers to diversify their communication methods and include some of the following: Initial contact letter: Sending home a letter at the beginning of each school year to students’ families is a great way for a teacher to introduce themselves as their child’s teacher and to begin to open a communication path between the teacher and parents. Good news report: As mentioned above, when teachers regularly communicate positive feedback to parents, it gives them an opportunity to garner insight in a teacher’s classroom, and it establishes a realm of trust should problems arise later. Aside from individual teacher communication, there are other school-wide forms of communication that could integrate parents into the learning process including: parent newsletters School calendars that outline events for parents in advance Field days and school events Parent workshops School website In an international school, language barriers can be a common challenge. Being sure to address these barriers in a sensitive manner is important. Some tips include: Speak slowly (but not condescendingly) and clearly Avoid idioms, jargon, or culturally specific sayings Choose the most effective medium of communication given the language barriers Check for understanding As the second semester unfolds, it’s a great idea to think about your school engagement policy and how you plan to engage teachers and parents in communication. More than general information about the school, parents want to know about what is going on in their child’s classroom. This year, take as many opportunities to share this information with parents to develop effective partnerships.

Become a better teacher with our professional development courses

Become a better teacher with our professional development courses As a teacher, you never stop learning. There will be lessons you totally nail, “ah-ha!” moments that you make possible, and a ton of cute thank you cards on your desk at the end of the year. Most days, however, you’ll walk out of a lesson thinking about what went well and what you need to improve for next time. Because there is always something to improve. If you’ve been teaching for years, you’ll still face students that surprise you, new teaching materials to get your head around and changes in best practice. And if you’re new to teaching, or just thinking about becoming a teacher, I promise, you’ll be amazed at just how much you’ll learn in the first few years in this profession. The constant challenges you’ll face is one of the reasons that teaching is such a thought-provoking and rewarding profession. I thought my students were the ones who would be learning! How can I learn as a teacher? As a new or experienced teacher, reflecting on your job and learning from it will quickly become a part of your everyday teaching practice. But what happens when you don’t have all the answers? Why not put yourself in your student’s shoes and take regular classes? Except for you, these classes will be all about teaching. Makes sense, right? As well as adding new skills to your daily practices, taking a professional development course can enhance your CV, uncover new interests, boost your salary, and give your career some clear and helpful direction. In fact, alternative teaching certifications can help you achieve all kinds of goals... Top fourreasons to do a professional development course You want to stay ahead of the curve Have you ever had a student sarcastically ask, “Am I actually going to use this in real life?” It happens to every teacher at some time or another! And sometimes the students do kind of have a point. A great way to combat this is by bringing more of the real world into the classroom and incorporating skills your students will need in the future. Top of the list at the moment is, of course, digital skills. Being on top of your game in this area as a teacher will make your lessons more engaging and give your students crucial knowledge on how to interact with technology outside of the classroom. Why not try… Columbia University’s Digital Learning for the K-8 classroom Incorporate digital tools into the classroom with confidence and refresh your understanding of digital literacy, so you can help your students gain their own knowledge of the digital landscape. This program is online and self-paced, and the price is $395 USD. Get more info here. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. You want to focus on a specialization If there is a particular area you are interested in or something your school struggles with, then take a course that gives you a deep dive into that area. Become a specialist in that field and help lift up your school! As well as picking up practical tips that you can use in the classroom, becoming a specialist is a great way to give your career direction. Getting certified in your field will also highlight your skills to current and future employers and help you develop leadership skills as you become a source of expertise in your teaching community. Why not try… Disciplinary Literacy Improve your ability to build students’ reading and writing skills in different disciplines and help them develop critical-thinking skills. This online course can be studied at your own pace and costs $125 USD. Get more info here. You want to sharpen up your existing skills Many teachers habitually self-reflect so they are fully aware of their own strengths and weaknesses in the classroom. Assessing your work honestly is a good practice to establish, but standing up in front of a class of expectant faces every day, fully aware of what you’re not doing well, can leave you feeling a little exposed! Also, just because you know you’re not great at something doesn’t mean you know how to fix it. Taking a course in a skill you haven’t mastered yet can help to fast-track your learning and give you a nice little confidence boost through getting a certification along the way. Why not try… Culturally Responsive Teaching Deepen your knowledge of intercultural communication and build up methods and strategies to successfully communicate with students and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. This online course can be studied at your own pace and costs $49 USD. Get more info here. You want to open the door to new teaching experiences Teaching can introduce you to people and places you never expected, and lead to truly unique life experiences. Especially when you leave your own country to do it. Getting a TEFL certificate quite literally opens up a world of professional opportunities, in that it qualifies you to teach English around the world! Many TEFL teachers also use their skills to teach kids and adults that want to learn English in their local communities. Getting certified as an English teacher will increase your employability as well as give you crucial classroom communication skills so you can hit the ground running. Why not try… TEFL Certification from Teach Away Get up to speed on the fundamentals of second language acquisition, lesson planning, structuring, and delivering lessons to ESL students. The program is 100% online and prices start from $995 CAD. Get more info here. This sounds super interesting! But none of these courses interest me… But wait, that’s not all! These are just a few of the professional development courses Teach Away offers. See the full list for more options. One last question! I’m not a teacher right now. Can I become a teacher without a degree? In the US, the requirements for becoming a teacher vary from state to state. Generally speaking, having a degree will certainly help you get a teaching position, but your state may have a career switcher program, or your professional experience may be considered equivalent to a degree in some cases. Most of the courses listed above won’t automatically qualify you to become a teacher in the state school system. Instead, they will build up your knowledge of teaching and education strategies.