How to Prepare Dance Classes

How to Prepare Dance Classes Our Advice for Putting Together Your First Lesson as a Private Dance Tutor ChaptersOffer Dance Tutorials Tailored to the Student’s NeedsFamiliarise Yourself with Common Difficulties Encountered by Dance TutorsPlanning Your First Dance ClassesLong before teaching dancing was a profession and artistic discipline, it was just a popular hobby.Nowadays there are plenty of professional dancers looking to transfer their knowledge to aspiring dancers and performing arts students. However, even experienced dancers can mess up their first lessons by underestimating just how much they need to prepare in order to teach an effective dance class.When it comes to writing lesson plans for students, you need to engage them and encourage them to learn and incorporate a range of different teaching strategies in your lesson plan.Follow our guide for teachers and tutors and learn to plan your first tutorial as a private dance tutor, effectively introduce yourself to new students so they'll want to keep improving by getting dance lessons with you, and inspire the future genera tion of dancers with the freedom of working outside of a dance company.The tutor should also regularly give their students varied exercises to do both in class and between sessions so that the student has every opportunity to get better. If you're a choreographer, you could give your student an ongoing assignment to create their own routine to learn about choreography.Planning Your First Dance ClassesWork Out What Your Students WantOn Superprof, over 92% of students get the first hour of tutoring for free.Make sure you're honest with your students and manage their expectations. Don't promise international stardom to absolute beginners! (Source: Free-Photos)After this taster lesson, students should know whether they want to learn to dance and can start getting to know their tutor and work out a course plan for their tutorials. The tutor should check what their student’s main goal is and what they expect to get out of their tutorials while making sure their tutorials are engaging. D on't forget to check websites for free lesson plans if you're struggling for inspiration.See more about pricing up lessons here.The student may have several reasons for wanting private dance lessons:Going from a beginner to an expertThe first dance at a weddingA choreographed dance sequence for a hen partyPractising for a flash mobA dance competitionAn entrance exam for a conservatoire or dance academyPreparing for an evening of dancePutting on a dance show, etc.Taster tutorials don’t necessarily have to focus on dancing, they can be just a friendly chat between the tutor and the student. To get themselves ready for the first session, tutors should get in touch with the student to ask them a few questions about their level and their experience.If you have students who are also learning to dance at school, college, or university, you'll need to make sure that your tutorials are aligned with the curricula and the dance education they're receiving from these institutions. It's silly to teach them something months before their school teacher tells them about it when you could help them with their current studies.When choosing their tutor, students will often take suggestions from their friends, so make sure you have other students recommending you.Choose Where to Teach Dance ClassesIt can be a nightmare for tutors to choose the right place for their private dance lessons!Some tutors and students use a dedicated room in their house. However, in most cases, the tutor will have to consider renting a studio for private dance lessons.Don’t worry, though! The student will pay for renting the hall, either directly or you can factor it into your hourly rates (especially if tutoring if your primary source of income). There are plenty of places to rent rooms and tutors can rent private rooms or halls in leisure centres.Get the Right EquipmentBefore planning your first tutorial, you should make sure you have all the necessary equipment to provide quality dance instructio n.Why not offer discounts for couples wanting to learn how to dance? (Source: witt_digital)Most students won’t know what they need to bring to their first dance lesson. The tutor should evaluate their student’s goals and needs and then decide upon what equipment and resources they’ll need.In preparation for your first lesson, you should look at getting your hands on the following equipment and resources:Specialised shoes according to the style of dance (tap shoes, ballet slippers, trainers, etc.)Clothes (tops, leggings, etc.)Music (CDs, MP3s, etc.)Specific equipment (pole-dancing poles, steps, etc.)Teacher resources and learning materials (online dance lessons, dance applications, printable worksheets and lesson plan templates, etc.)If the tutor decides to provide equipment and resources for teaching, they can increase their rates. Some students prefer to rent equipment rather than buying it themselves and will pay a premium rather than having to think about what equipment to get.Don’t hesitate to offer your services as a dance tutor on Superprof! Most tutors on the platform offer a free lesson as a taster to those who want to learn to dance. You only have one opportunity to introduce yourself to your new student, so make sure you make it count!Before you introduce yourself, try to anticipate what you student will want to learn to do and focus on the importance of having a dedicated tutor helping them to dance over being part of a group like they would be in a traditional dance school (especially if they've studied ballet before).

Maths is Everywhere Examples of Maths in Real Life

Maths is Everywhere Examples of Maths in Real Life Maths is Used in Everyday Life ChaptersLearning Maths from an Early AgeThe Importance of Number Discovery for ChildrenWhy Maths is Important in FinanceThe Relationship Between Maths and SportIf we’ve not heard these questions being asked, we’ve been the ones asking them.“What is maths for?”“Why do I need to learn my times tables?”“I just don’t understand how people can enjoy solving equations”The time has come to put a stop to this. Even if you don’t like maths, nobody can deny its importance in today’s society.Not only is maths essential to scientists, doctors and astronauts, but it also plays a crucial role in our day to day lives.The science of mathematics applies to the clouds; the radiance of starlight nourishes the rose; no thinker will dare say that the scent of hawthorn is valueless to the constellations... - Victor HugoWe are formally introduced to the subject in school, where learning is mostly theoretical. However, throughout our lives we begin to appreciate that mathematics is wit h us from crib to coffin, having significance in everything from visiting the shops to playing sports. MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5.00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GowsikaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearning Maths from an Early AgeIt’s difficult to know what’s going on in the heads of young babies when they only communicate through facial expressions and noises.Whilst their language acquisition is still in its early days, babies use their sight to take in their surroundings. Li ttle by little, their observations and experiments help infants found an understanding of the world.Thanks to new research on the cognitive development of children, we know a lot more about their learning abilities.When it comes to maths, the capacity of children to make sense of their surroundings is astounding. Studies led by Dr Elizabeth S. Spelke at Harvard University showed that at the age of 6 months, babies are able to:Visually estimate quantitiesRecognise a difference between two representations of numbersBabies who pay more attention to numbers at a young age are more likely to have less difficulty learning the subject in their school yearsIn their first two years, toddlers learn maths skills to hone their number sense and estimation skills. Whilst they are learning to walk and talk, toddlers begin to put words to the simple mathematical concepts they have been noticing.Children like songs when it comes to learning ¦ source: Pixabay - PublicDomainPicturesEncouraging infant s and helping them show interest in numbers is proven to be beneficial.In 1980, paediatrician Hallam Hurt from Philadelphia discovered that children who receive more attention at home have a higher IQ in general.The developmental benefits of introducing children to numbers are exactly why children should be introduced to math concepts such as geometry and arithmetic.The Importance of Number Discovery for ChildrenThroughout our academic careers, maths is an essential part of the national curriculum and school syllabus.From nursery school, children are taught through methods which are adapted to their age. However, their age is not a reason to shield them from mathematics.Children learn about the fundamentals of maths through playing games which let them:Get to know how numbers work (for example, spotting the hundreds, tens and digits)Gain an appreciation for the applications of mathsExplore how numbers relate to each otherFrom primary school, the maths syllabus is split into 3 main t opics:Numbers and calculationScales and measuresGeometryMastery of the notions learnt at primary school means less difficulty with maths at a higher level.Maths lessons encourage children to think logically and develop reasoning skills which will serve them throughout their adult lives.Mental arithmetic is equally as important as it allows children to form links between numbers and understand how they work.According to official figures, 25% of children fail to understand the basics of mathematics by the end of primary school.For this reason, it is critical that teaching is adapted to the age of each student and that they have the academic support they need to develop the right study skills.Maths can seem abstract and overly complex when no link is made with its uses in the real world, and this is where many comprehension problems stem from.But rest assured that as a parent, it’s easy to support your child in their maths education. Keep in mind that concrete examples of real-life a pplications of maths help your child get to grips with a topic through visualisation, which will also help them remember what they have learnt.By mastering the basics, students prepare themselves to overcome any difficulties in the future, particularly once subjects become more specialised and they begin learning physics, for example.Why Maths is Important in FinanceStudents all over the UK breathe a sigh of relief once they graduate, waving farewell to maths lessons.However, the reality is that no one is ever really finished with maths!Throughout your life, even if you don’t use trigonometry, differential equations or fractions on a daily basis, maths is always there â€" particularly when it comes to budgeting!No matter what your career path, maths will feature in your life ¦ source: Pixabay - Alexander SteinOf course, there is software available to help you with this, but even in an Excel spreadsheet, if you don’t know how to create formulae, you won’t get very far!So, in w hich aspects of adult life does maths feature?Everyday budgeting: Knowing how to plan your spending in advance and make decisions about how to spend and save your moneyLong-term financial projects:  Such as taking out a loan or buying a property where you have to compare and plan for the future.Taxes: Filling out your tax return correctly is incredibly important. Being able to trace your earnings can help you find out what how much tax you should be paying and what you’re entitled to.Starting a business: Any entrepreneur must have specific skills such as budgeting and forecasting to be able to adequately manage their business.Understanding the Global Economy: Some say money makes the world go around. Scholarships, finance, economic policy, the list goes on. Behind the scenes of the financial workings of our society are people using maths to plan and analyse.If you find yourself in difficulty when it comes to your maths skills, why not take some refresher lessons  with a maths tuto r to help you in your day-to-day life?How can Maths Help You Manage Your Money?It’s a simple fact that being good at maths can help when it comes to understanding your income and expenditure.Being able to mathematically follow your money can give you peace of mind and know when there is a problem. A good knowledge of maths means that you’ll be able to keep track and minimise the risk of financial issues.Maths can also help people control their gambling addictions! A polytechnic school in Milan has launched a training programme with a view to help addicts understand winning probabilities so they can evaluate the risks they take.The Relationship Between Maths and SportEven sport depends on maths!Whether it’s amateur or elite sport, maths can make all the difference when it comes to improving performance.When maths and new technologies make it possible to develop new performance analysis tools, athletes can focus their training on specific points for improvement.In high-level and elite sport, performance analysis tools allow for hundreds of aspects of data to be analysed un real time, including:Heart rateMuscle strengthPosition on a pitchSpeedLevel of fatigueEven some aspects of sport rely on maths! ¦ source: Pixabay - skeezeSports trackers can be found in t-shirts, caps, and even rackets! The performance of athletes is scientifically analysed so they can get personalised training recommendations.This kind of analysis can help athletes to:Go a few centimetres furtherAvoid injuryOptimise the recovery periodImprove techniqueIn recent years, mathematicians have also begun to focus on specific problems, looking at techniques scientifically to help athletes achieve optimum performance on a given day.What is the ideal trajectory?Is coordinating strokes the most efficient way to row?Which forces act on an air-born shot put?Sports scientists are always coming up with things to analyse. Solving problems offers new perspectives for athletes who feel they have hit a plateau or need something to focus on to improve their technique.When mathematics comes into play, people tend to be disinterested. Since new roads for athlete advancement have been established, new records are being set.In the 2012 Olympics in London, 32 world records were brokenAt the 2014 Football World Cup, the German team trained with technology which analysed the performance of rival teams â€" and it must have worked as they became winners!In the beginning, they were reserved for high-level sport, but now analysis tools are within reach for everyone. Amateur sports enthusiasts now have access to these new technologies which are not just gadgets, but performance tools.And we have maths to thank!

What is it Like to Attend Carnegie Mellon University

What is it Like to Attend Carnegie Mellon University Douglas specializes in algebra tutoringand physics tutoring. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2015 with a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering. Interested in attending Carnegie Mellon University? Check out the college experience interview below. Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Douglas: Carnegie Mellon University is a great middle ground for students looking for a beautiful, green campus with traditional quads and outdoor gathering areas adjacent to an urban center. The campus is large and singular, considering its position in the Oakland neighborhood of the city of Pittsburgh. The campus itself was extremely safe, and there were very few reported crime incidents in my four years at the school. As part of the student activities fund built into tuition costs, Carnegie Mellon University provides free bus transit and entrance into local museums and venues with a student ID. You do not need a car or bike on the campus (especially in your freshman and sophomore years). How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Douglas: The teaching staff at Carnegie Mellon University are obviously very busy, as you would expect from professors performing research at most universities. With that being said, my experience with professors and teaching assistants (TAs) was extremely positive. Professors and TAs post their office hours and contact information on the first day of every class. In addition, one-on-one meetings could be scheduled with professors and TAs with one weeks notice. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, and socialization opportunities with other students? Douglas: Housing and meal plans are expensive at Carnegie Mellon University, but they are required for freshman students for at least one semester. The school allows you to pick your top three dorm locations before your first day. The rooms and dining areas are clean and are centrally located within a half mile of all freshman dorms/academic buildings. The school has many clubs and Greek organizations that are important outlets for students to develop their interests at Carnegie Mellon University. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Douglas: The School of Computer Science and the electrical and computer engineering major in the Carnegie Institute of Technology are the top-rated programs. All programs are well supported. My major was mechanical engineering. The college did a great job of integrating micro-controllers and other ECE topics into design classes in mechanical engineering. For example, my mechatronics capstone class required teams of mech-es and ECEs to collaborate on a masters level capstone project. The school does an excellent job instilling the fundamentals of engineering. (I cannot speak for non-engineering majors as I have little experience.) One frequent criticism is that the school prepares students for the rigors of a PhD in their area of study, but does not engage students with collaborative design projects until the beginning of their junior year. With that being said, I still felt prepared for the workplace after graduation. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Douglas: I personally chose to join a fraternity at the beginning of my sophomore year after trying a few clubs. I became close with my freshman floormates, but struggled initially to branch out to friends outside our dorm. Being active in a campus-wide club is important when trying to meet a broad range of people. Greek life has a large presence at Carnegie Mellon University at between 20-25%. Each group of people have their own group personalities, and there is a place for everyone if they are interested. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Douglas: The school hosts career fair events that are crucial to landing a job after college. The Technical Opportunities Conference in the early fall semester for engineering and computer science students, alongside the Business Opportunities Conference for Tepper Business School, provides chances to meet university recruiters face to face during a two-day event. Many students land interviews the following week on campus in the career center. The career center partners with a wide range of companies and has a great reputation with those companies. How are the various study areas, such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Douglas: With a relatively smaller student base, the large Carnegie Mellon campus is rarely crowded. There are tons of places outdoors to study or meet friends when the weather is nice. Describe the surrounding town. Douglas: The campus is surrounded by three communities. South and southeast of campus, the Schenley Park network of open parks is a great place to unwind in the warmer months. It is the biggest park network in Pittsburgh, providing great views of downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland. On the west side of campus, Oakland is home to Pittsburgh University. It is an urban area with many great places to explore. Downtown Pittsburgh is a 12-minute bus ride away, whereas Oakland is walking distance. People go to Oakland frequently, but downtown trips are more of a weekend excursion. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Douglas: In 2014, the school enrolled 13,285 students according to the schools website. That figure is broken down roughly 50/50 between graduate and undergraduate students. Freshman year classes are large because there is overlap between requirements for many majors. In my opinion, this is unavoidable. TA breakout reviews scheduled during the week are a more manageable maximum of about 25 students where questions can be answered. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Douglas: I will always remember my experience with our schools introductory economics requirement class, Principles of Economics. Professor Klepper, who sadly passed away in 2013, was particularly influential in my college experience. His class was notoriously difficult, and his exams were also difficult. His exam was the first test many freshman took in college. I scored under a 50%, along with a large portion of the class. Professor Klepper called meetings with every student who scored below a 50% on the first test with their TA in attendance. In our private meeting, he asked how much I had prepared for the exam and what methods I had used to study. He developed extra review sessions (which he taught) for me and the other struggling students. He told me in the private meeting that he was absolutely positive that I could get an A on the next test and a B in the class overall if I was willing to put in the work and attend the scheduled review sessions. He was correct, and his guidanc e during a very vulnerable stage in my college development helped me to understand that a bad grade should motivate you, not demoralize you. Check out Douglas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Should I Go To The University of Rochester

Should I Go To The University of Rochester Ian is a current junior at the University of Rochester. He is majoring in chemistry, and specializes in AP Biology tutoring, organic chemistry tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, he shares his experience at the University of Rochester: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Ian: The University of Rochester is set along the peaceful Genesee River in Rochester, NY. It is about four miles south of the small western New York city center of Rochester, NY. The university campus is flanked by the river on one side, Strong Memorial Hospital and University of Rochester Medical School Campus on another, and Mt. Hope Cemetery on another. This provides for a very quiet campus and not much cross-traffic from the outside community through the campus. This allows the best of both worlds for a university student, because you can have the feeling of a spacious, safe, and insulated campus that is not in a city, but have readily available access to the city if your heart so desires. If you want to get around the city and surrounding suburbs, this is easily accommodated by the bus system that the university maintains for students. All week long, there are shuttles that run from the university to the city, namely the Eastman School of Music, which is also part of the university. The buses have routes to get to the two local malls on the weekends, and you can even stop at a Wegmans while you are out. How available are the professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants? Ian: The professors, advisors, and teaching assistants are readily available to anyone on campus. Professors and advisors will typically have posted office hours that you can freely visit them during, but you can also email them to set up another time to meet. In general, most people are very open and welcoming to meeting with students, because the environment on campus is a nurturing one that wants to see its students succeed. As a teaching assistant myself, I can say that teaching assistants will go out of their way to meet with you and help you with anything you are having trouble with, and are generally more available than professors and advisors. This makes planning a meeting time much easier and manageable. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ian: Dorm life is something that is drastically different from any other type of living you may have experienced in your life. I mean that in the best sense, because you will meet so many new and exciting people while you are staying in a dorm environment. The rooms are split into doubles (two people live in one room) and singles (one person in a room). As a freshman, it is possible to be placed in a triple (three people in a room), which is a bummer because they typically do not have any bigger rooms than most doubles on campus. However, that is a living arrangement that will only last for your freshman year. After your freshman year, you have a lot of housing options for where you want to live. You can go to more apartment style living, which gives a much more independent sense of living, but they are typically located farther from the center of the campus. You can go into suite style dorms, where multiple people share a common space and a kitchen typically, and everyone has their own personal room to sleep in. You could also go into a normal single or double again. What is really cool is that, as a sophomore, Special Interest Housing becomes an option, which is the type of living I currently am in. Special Interest Housing is a collection of people that have very particular interests, and they all live together on the same floor and form a very close-knit group. My SIH, as they are called, is Interclass Living Community, and we try to endorse community on campus and the greater Rochester area by hosting different fun programs, being close friends, and having at least one volunteer activ ity per semester. Overall, there are many options to choose from and everyone has their own personal preferences. When it comes to dining, you can either have swipe plans, where you have a certain number of accesses to one of the dining halls, or a declining plan, which is just what we call our dedicated food money here. They both have advantages and disadvantage. Swipes are nice to go to the dining halls and eat, but you are limited to mostly just those food outlets. Declining often runs out very quickly, so many people start to share declining with each other to make it through a semester. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Ian: Hands down, the best supported and represented major/department is the biology department or the engineering department. The biology department/majors are widely broadcast because there are a lot of pre-medical students at the university. The engineering departments are widely publicized because there is an entire school of engineering attached to the university, the Hajim School of Engineering. I myself study chemistry and think that the chemistry department is very well seen on campus. Because of the wide disdain for organic chemistry that many pre-medical students have, I think it gets a bad rap. I myself am a pre-medical student, but I love the chemistry department, and I was roped in with organic chemistry in my freshman year by taking the freshman organic chemistry class that is offered to those that score high on the AP Chemistry exam. I enjoy chemistry just because, to me, it seems very elegant and everything just flows naturally from one state to another. It is an amazing field to study and I love every aspect of it. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Ian: When I first came to the university as a freshman, meeting new people was extremely easy. Almost everyone here is ready and willing to help other people out, and it makes an open and welcoming environment for people to enter. With the number of different clubs and activities, there is something here for everyone to do to be involved in and meet new people. I personally joined the Quidditch team and made most of my friends there in my freshman year, while also having a great time playing an awesome, new, up-and-coming sport and travelling with the team. And even if you dont like sports, there are other more academic activities, or just fun things to join in. There is also a relatively large Greek life presence on campus. It is possible to avoid Greek life for all four years that you might spend in Rochester, but most people go to at least one or two events during that time. For the most part, Greek life is a wonderful experience and those involved in it, including myself, have no regrets about their decision to join. I have made great friends in my fraternity, and I love all my brothers. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Ian: I personally have not used the Career Center or many of the other support services that are readily available on campus, but I have used UCC (University Counseling Center) and UHS (University Health Service). UCC and UHS have been a joy to visit when you need it, because the people that work in these two services care about your overall health. The UCC system, however, can become very full, so making an appointment can be several weeks in the future and may not be of help for whatever you may be experiencing at the time. I have received many emails from the other support services of different opportunities that are ongoing, so I imagine if you reach out to them they would be helpful. The events that they advertise over email tend to be career panels hosted by different groups and career fairs or company visits, so there is plenty of opportunity. How are the various study areas, such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Ian: Another of the beautiful experiences of the Rochester campus is that there are so many places that anyone can study, depending on what you need to study. If you need absolute quiet to study and be productive with work, there are the Stacks in Rush Rhees Library where there are several floors that are composed of shelves of books and desks to work at. If you might need a little more noise in your studying, you can go to one of the other library spaces on campus, such as Carlson Library, Wilson Commons, or any other space you can find. If you need a very social space to study, Gleason Library is the place to go. I dont actually know why Gleason Library is called a library, because there arent any books there. But, like any college or university, how many people are trying to study in any given space is dictated by the time of the semester and if people have looming exams. Most times during the semester, though, it is a relatively easy task to find a study space. Describe the surrounding town. Ian: The area immediately around the campus has been renovating and building up new, and the newest addition is called College Town. This is a small area with a few shops, restaurants, and other things that students will regularly visit to get a meal, get books from the bookstore, or buy Insomnia Cookies (something you will learn to love if you attend the university). Beyond that, on the weekends most students will get on a bus and either explore the downtown area, possibly getting a cup of Joe from Javas Coffee, or sometimes students will go to one of the local malls or Wegmans to explore. If you have a different trip in mind, there are also Zipcars available to rent and drive to anywhere you might want to go, which, again, there are a lot of options since you are in western New York. You could go on a day trip to Niagara Falls, about an hour and a half west, or maybe you plan a day trip and a hike with friends in Lewiston State Park and all the beautiful gorges there, or maybe you just take a drive on the I-90 when the leaves are changing in the fall to look in awe at the beautiful array of colors on the trees. There is always something to do around campus or on campus, depending on what you want to do. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ian: The student body is fairly small at about 4,500 undergraduate students. At this size, you will regularly see some people throughout your day, or sometimes you can see the same person four or five times while just walking through the halls. This gives a very small and tight-knit community feeling that makes the campus truly feel like home. What is an odd little effect of this is that as you get to know more people on campus, you may find that your friends all know each other independent of you. This atmosphere also translates into the class sizes, as well. For the most part, class sizes are fairly small and you can get to know your professor if you put yourself out there and try to make that connection. However, the traditional introductory science courses and the pre-medical courses are always filled with people and average somewhere between 60-80 students. But, these are introductory courses that everyone has to take, and class sizes drop off after this. Most classes have about 10-20 students, which in my mind is a comfortable number to learn as a student. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Ian: The most memorable experiences I have ever had in a class was during my freshman year during a lab lecture for second semester organic chemistry lab. The professor was telling us about scientific papers and we had a lab report due in the next few days, and they often were very long write-ups due to the inclusion of large graphs and tables. Despite their length, most of us had developed a certain amount of laziness in writing them and would wait until the last few days before the lab was due to write it out. In the lecture, the professor was commenting about lab reports and he casually dropped the comment of: but you all probably havent started writing them yet, and we all thought it was hilarious. In the same lecture, he commented on how he couldnt remember the last time he read something over 20 pages long, which we all connected with, and it was a great laugh. He was my favorite professor in my freshman year. However, with all good experiences, there are bad experiences and I will detail one that was not as great. In one of the introductory public health courses, the professor was an interim professor (thus this professor is no longer here), and would casually make disparaging comments about doctors, which I thought was frustrating because a lot of students here are pre-medical students. This was unfortunate, but has so far been an isolated experience, but one worth sharing. Check out Ians tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

The Importance of Practice Tests for Effective Test Preparation

The Importance of Practice Tests for Effective Test Preparation Hello AJ Tutoring clients and friends! We hope you all are having a great school year so far. One thing on the minds of many juniors these days is getting ready for the SAT and ACT.Completing full practice tests is a great way for students to get the feel of the test and track their progress. Sometimes, though, a student will come to our next tutoring session with the test partially completed, or not done under ideal circumstances. This ends up partly wasting the student’s time, since we can’t get an accurate idea of how he or she is doing. Which begs the question: what should it look like when students do practice tests for homework?If possible, we always encourage students to take proctored tests offered every weekend at many of our locations throughout the Bay Area. We’ll tell students what to do and when, just like the day of the test. This takes guesswork out of the equation and gives accurate results. Plus, students get their tutoring homework done in one morning. Win-win !But if it’s not possible to come in for a proctored test, students should do the test at home, in an environment that resembles the testing environment as closely as possible (minus all the other stressed-out students). What should this look like?1. NO DISTRACTIONS!This is so important. Most high schoolers treat their phones like extra appendages. You can’t have phones during the SAT, so don’t have them out while you’re taking a practice test. You can use the phone as a timer, but put it across the room. No talking, no texting, no Facebook.2. Do the whole test in one sitting.Yes, this is hard, and yes, it will take about four hours. Yes, we know you have sports and theater and hours of homework to do. But test day is a marathon, not a sprint. Lots of students could get great scores, if only they could split up the test over many days! The SAT is partly testing your ability to focus and think for several hours straight, so you need to practice that. No shortcuts here!3. Time it like the actual test.Follow the timing directions at the top of each section, and set a timer to go off when time’s up. Stop writing when you hear the timer, and don’t fill in more answers.4. Go in order.Don’t do all the math sections at once, or all the reading and writing sections together. Complete sections in the order they’re presented in the test.5. Take the test when you’re feeling rested.Weekend mornings are a great time to take practice tests because the test itself is given on a Saturday morning. Regardless of what day you choose to complete the practice test, don’t start it at 9 o’clock at night on a Thursday night after you finished all your other homework. Practice tests completed at 1 o’clock in the morning don’t end well: trust us!6. Parents: help create a good environment.Make sure your son or daughter has a cleaned-off place to sit and complete the test without distractions. Don’t interrupt to talk or ask questions. Encourage them to do the t est in one sitting, and provide positive reinforcement when they get it done. Put the test up on the fridge after they get the score back (okay, you don’t have to do the last part).Completing several practice tests under testing conditions is one of the best predictors we at AJ Tutoring have found for a student’s eventual score improvement. Implementing the advice above is sure to help you have a great test day when the real exam finally rolls around.If you’d like to sign up for SAT or ACT preparation, or if your student needs help getting ready for the ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT, please give us a call today!

Six Ways Parents Can Help Children Master the Task of Prioritization

Six Ways Parents Can Help Children Master the Task of Prioritization As every parent knows, time management is an essential aptitude that students must have to be successful. At the core of good time management skills, however, is the ability to prioritize: to rank tasks from most to least important. Children who are capable of prioritizing their to-dos are at an advantage in several important ways: They make the most of their time. They have greater control over their schedules. They tend to be less stressed. They tend to have more free time (due to minimized procrastination). Parents: if you want to help your children become better managers of their time, teach them how to prioritize their school work and incorporate this practice into their daily routine. Here are six ways to do just that: Start with the big picture. Your child should have a master to-do list with everything on it that he or she is responsible for. This should include immediate tasks as well as those that are on the horizon (a week or a month out). Divide things up. Armed with the master list, have your child divide homework assignments into three groups: things due tomorrow, things due this week, things due next week or beyond. Create the high-priority to-do list for the night. The first listthings due tomorrowis where your child should focus his or her attention at homework time each night. Before getting started, children should rank everything they have to do for tomorrow from most to least important. Order of importance might be subjective, but it could be based on how early in the day the subject/class falls and whether theres an opportunity to do any work in a study hall or free period before it. Rank items from hardest to easiest. The top priority items are all important, so for some children, its easiest to think about what homework requires the most effort and time. That refined nightly to-do list might look like this: Math - p. 10-11 Most important (1st period) Hard 40 minutes English - edit essay Equally important (2nd period) Easy 30 minutes Social Studies -read Important, could be done tomorrow Medium hard 30 minutes Consider study preferences. Does your child like to work on the hardest homework first, or would checking off some of the less difficult assignments give a sense of accomplishment? Only your child can decide what works best for his or her brain. It might take a little trial and error to figure out those study preferences, but dont worry. The more your child does this, the easier (and faster) this decision-making process will become. Develop a plan for the bigger projects. While the above strategy works well for daily assignments, for more intensive projects, its a good idea to create a workback schedule to keep your child on track and focused on any deadlines. A project due February 1 might seem far away, but a detailed schedule might show your child that there are actually tasks he or she could start doing much sooner. Consider this example schedule for an English paper: Choose topic January 2 Research compiled January 5 Create outline January 8 Finish any additional research January 10 First draft January 13 Review and revise January 15 Second draft January 17 Have parent/peer review/edit January 18 Revise, third draft January 20 Get teacher feedback January 21 Revise January 23 Final edits January 25 Fourth draft January 27 Final review and proof January 28 Submit January 29 Dont we all want to make homework time less stressful and more efficient? The simple task of prioritization helps children establish effective working habits for any homework that comes their way. Rather than waste time fretting about how much is on the plate and procrastinating, a child who is adept at prioritizing will quickly assess what he or she has to do and dive right in. If your child struggles with time management and your efforts to set him or her on a positive path arent working, call Huntington. We can help your child get into a good routine and boost his or her confidence. Call us at 1-800-CAN LEARN today. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2018 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

The Modern Method to Learning Grammar in a Foreign Language

The Modern Method to Learning Grammar in a Foreign Language The Modern Method to Learning Grammar in a Foreign Language The world around us has changed drastically.All the books you own can fit in a single device.The phone, I mean computer, in your pocket has evolved from a room-size machine to a pocket-size device.Even the cars we drive are no longer what they used to be.So, why would someone try to learn a language the way it used to be learned?Imagine how much more efficient you could be at learning your target language(s) if you knew how to  approach learning the modern way.Traditionally, language learning centered around grammar. It was the emphasis, the main component. Many students focused on  studying grammar charts.But modern language learners have different views and take different approaches.We learn grammar by taking a relaxed, conversational approachâ€"we learn the modern way.Now, how did we break from tradition? How did we convince ourselves to do things differently than they were done in the past and accept a new approach to learning grammar? The Modern Method to Learning Grammar in a Foreign LanguageThe Three Principles of Grammar in Modern Language LearningWe started our break from traditional learning methods by understanding three general concepts about grammar that shape our approach to learning it the modern way. Let’s explore each of those three ideas together.1. Grammar is a side dish, not the main courseDo you remember art class? Glue was important, but it wasn’t the emphasis. Nobody looked at your piece of art and complemented you on how well you used the glue. Glue isn’t spectacular. It’s important because it holds things together. But its only supplemental. Its not the principal component.Modern language learners understand that grammar is the glue of language, and modern technology has adapted to this understanding. One example is the Grammarly app, a convenient grammar checker for your browser that checks your English writing for errors whenever you type anything online. Technology like this shows that we know grammar still matters for clar ity, but we also dont want to have to think about it all the time.Phrases, vocabulary and conversation are the key ingredients in language. Grammar is important. But its function is to hold all the other parts together.No artist would make a piece of art by simply smearing glue all over a canvas. Nor do we modern language learners overwhelm ourselves with the grammar that holds all the pieces of our language learning together. We don’t ignore or overlook it, but we dont emphasize it above other language learning aspects either. We simply combine all components of language (and use grammar to glue them together) to create a beautiful piece of linguistic art.Modern language learners relax. We emphasize conversation and see grammar as simply a tool to help us accomplish that goal.2. You dont have to know it allAfter you master one element of grammar, another one will pop up. If you learn all the ones that pop up, then the first one you learned will have changed because languages cons tantly evolve.Modern language learners avoid discouragement by taking it easy and viewing grammar as a journey, not a destination. We learn as we go, make mistakes along the way and try to take a relaxed approach to whatever language were learning.This approach makes learning language fun and keeps the stress at bay. The modern way is to do it without the pressure and enjoy the ride.3. Conversational grammar is still grammarTheres a difference between conversational grammar and academic grammar. Just because something is not grammatically correct in writing, doesn’t mean its “wrong” to say it a certain way in conversation. In fact, speaking a language in perfect academic grammatical patterns will give away your “foreigner status” quicker than an accent.The key to learning grammar is to give yourself a break and know that conversational grammar is still an acceptable form of grammar to learn. Its okay to say things the way natives say them even if writing that way wouldnt b e acceptable.Traditionally, language learners forced grammar lessons on themselves, then tried to speak the way the academic grammar demanded. This makes conversation sound forced and unnatural.Modern language learners relax. We converse with comfort and accept conversational grammar as an acceptable form of grammar to use in daily practice.Now that we’ve looked at the three ideas that shape modern language learners’ approach to learning grammar, we also need to consider the three things modern linguists avoid when learning grammar.Understanding these obstacles and getting beyond them is also essential to transition from the traditional approach to learning grammar to a more modern method. Let’s look at each one of these thoughts together.How Modern Language Learners Dodge 3 Obstacles to Learning Grammar1. We avoid getting overwhelmed with textbooksTextbooks are excellent resources. They provide a wealth of information on many different aspects of a language. And with so much information in front of one’s face, its easy to get overwhelmed and feel like learning the language is next to impossible.Modern language learners breathe. We use textbooks and other valuable resources. But we never let them overwhelm us.2. We avoid focusing too much on grammarIts important to learn grammar but not study it too much. Vocabulary, conversation and comprehension are essential along with grammar. A good metric is to use about 25% of your study time to learn grammar. The other 75% should emphasize fun audio listening and engaging conversations with people who speak the language.Language in its natural form is never learned from grammar charts and vocabulary lists. Not that those are bad. But consider that language is naturally learned in context. Its developed in relaxed, conversational settings.Children make plenty of grammar mistakes but continue to learn the language by emphasizing natural, real-life conversation. They relax and learn it naturally without getting to o focused on mastering grammar.Modern language learners take the same approach.3. We avoid get-fluent-quick schemesLife is a series of give-and-take. You get out what you put in. The reason get-rich-quick schemes dont work is because they promise something for nothing. Language learning is just the same.When we say “modern,” we dont mean quick or effortless. We simply mean different than before. Language learning requires effort, and it takes time.Anything promising to have you master grammar in 10 days or less can leave you discouraged. You didn’t even learn to tie your shoes in 10 days or lessâ€"that took your entire kindergarten year to figure out!Modern language learners avoid the three-week-guarantee propaganda and focus on conversational skills in a relaxed, but consistent manner. We push day-in and day-out towards the goal and eventually achieve the results we’re after.So, how do we learn grammar the modern way? We can’t ignore grammar altogether and pretend it isnâ €™t at all important. So, what can we do to learn it in ways that differ from traditional approaches?There are in fact three things modern language learners do when learning grammar. Let’s look at each one together.3 Ways Modern Learners Approach Grammar1. We read what we enjoy, not what we’re “supposed” to readReading exposes us to grammar in its natural context. And yes, reading in a foreign language is difficult. But its easier when you read what you love. The key is to read what you would normally read in English.For example, if you like cooking, you can read food magazines in your target language. A relaxed approach is best. So, open the umbrella, stretch out on the lawn chair, get the lemonade and read what you love with the breeze blowing around you.2. We study in short, frequent intervals, not long and random spurtsSix 10-minute sessions of grammar practice is better than one hour straight through. We learn best in short segments. And language is learned by frequent repetition.Good language learners study in small, frequent intervals for optimal results.3. We use the grammar we learn in real conversationsThe  best way to learn something is to do it. We learn better by using what we learn than by letting our new information collect dust in our brain cells.A good approach to learning (and remembering grammar) is to use the one grammar concept you last learned in a conversation five times within the next day. Then learn the next concept. Then use it five times in conversation. Keep repeating this process and youll program grammatical patterns into your use of the language.This is better than memorizing five concepts, using one, then forgetting four. Instead of learning five then using one, try to learn one then use it five times. It may be only one. But one concept remembered is better than ten concepts forgotten.The key is to relax. Modern language learning takes the pressure off, focuses on conversation and makes learning languages fun. Modern l inguists understand that grammar is important, but it isn’t everything. We dont have to know it all. And conversational grammar is still grammar. We don’t get overwhelmed with good resources, we don’t focus too much on grammar, and we avoid the get-fluent-in-a-week claims that discourage some learners. As modern language learners, we read what we enjoy, study in short intervals and use what we learn in real conversation.And besides, learning modern grammar in real-life conversation will keep you from sounding like a professor from the 17th century who forgot that her language has changed over the past 500 years. And One More ThingLearning grammar is easy and fun when youre using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way 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 your mouse over 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.

9 Language Immersion Programs Perfect for Busy Adults

9 Language Immersion Programs Perfect for Busy Adults 9 Language Immersion Programs Perfect for Busy Adults Remember all the fun you had at summer camp?Well, now you can relive that while reaching fluency in a foreign language.If you thought that language immersion programs were for kids and college students, youre living in the past.  Now there are immersion programs available for all ages.The outdated common wisdom holds that adults are mostly useless at languages, but nowadays its safe to say thats just not true. Under the right conditions, not only can you  learn a language like your younger self, but you  can also attain native-like brain processing of your  new language.And what are these right conditions?The right conditions involve  immersing yourself in a foreign language.While modern technology and pedagogy are giving us fantastic new tools every year, one thing remains certain: Immersion works.And immersion works every bit as well for adults. Adults and children are both clearly capable of learning new languages to high levels of fluency, but one big thing separates us from our childhood selves: Our cumbersome, super-structured, always-demanding adult lives.But today, hardworking adults are among those who stand to reap the most benefits of learning a second language.In a job market thats globalizing all around us, added language skills can make you not only an asset to your  company, but also a better participant in your own community. Fitting Language Immersion into Your Adult Life: Its Not as Hard as You ThoughtA  gap year before or after university  is a great time  to take a language immersion trip, but mid-career or between careers can work just as well for many.On the list of things that get in the way of adult language learning, a career is usually number one. But it doesnt have to be.Nowadays, foreign language training is registering on corporate agendas.  In some parts of the world, companies even fund in-house or independent language training as part of employee professional development.If your employer hasnt jumped on the language learning ba ndwagon yet, maybe theyre following the trend of  flexible and even unlimited vacation policies  thats spreading across tech startups and other innovative businesses. Under many of these arrangements, three months off for a language immersion program thatll make you even more of a company asset can be an easy sell to your boss.And, if all else fails, its not really so drastic or bohemian to quit your job and go learn a language these days. In the era of career-hopping, what better reason is there to end job number three than to spend a year at home or abroad learning a language that makes you a competitive candidate for job number four?Even if you dont see a practical opening in your adult life for a language immersion program now, dont be surprised if you see it come next year. You might find that a newer and more disruptive program will extend you the chance to immerse yourself in a language. Take any opportunities that come your way!Before we get into some immersion programs you can consider, lets first look at a couple of alternate options you can use for immersion if youre lacking the time or the funds right now.Creating an Online Immersion EnvironmentIn the digital age, immersion exists in  spectrum.Sure, youre more thoroughly immersed while navigating the chaotic Tokyo metro, but you can still immerse yourself in Japanese at home. For those times before, after, between and even during traditional immersion programs, technological tools can help make sure you keep your target language on your mind.One way to create a home immersion environment is with your favorite language learning apps and immersion software programs. You can use these digitally-enhanced approaches  to add some extra practice during your immersion trip, or to fill your every waking hour with the language you want to hear without even leaving your home.FluentU does just that. With carefully selected video content in languages from around the world, FluentU online language immersion is o ne of the most effective programs for starting on your language before starting an immersion program, continuing to learn after one or to add a dose of digital practice wherever you are, no matter what language youre working on.Language Immersion by Working AbroadAs we mentioned before, employers are more and more willing to foot the bill for your language learning, but the opportunities for work immersion abroad go much further.If youre already working for a multinational company with offices overseas, explore your options for transfers and see if those options include free or subsidized language immersion courses on the ground.If youre not too committed to your current job, then the world really is your oyster and the immersion opportunities are endless. Sites like Idealist and Overseasjobs.com offer listings of jobs overseas; if youre lucky, bigger employers may include language training programs in your employment package, but if youre not, youre still living abroad, one of the best ways of  getting the total authentic immersion experience.For those focused on building their professional profile  abroad, skills-intensive  volunteer trips can do just that while giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in  a language. Many of the projects on sites like Workaway and HelpX are more  like informal internships than traditional volunteer projects, including roles in everything from marketing and business development to construction and community development, and their terms are often flexible. Twenty hours a week in exchange for room and board still leaves you a lot of time for language exchanges and chatting up strangers during the off hours.9 Language Immersion Programs Perfect for Busy AdultsThe constantly increasing demand for language skills and multilingual people means more options and, over time, more affordability, leaving the modern adult language learner with an overwhelming number of options.Depending on your goals and constraints, you can choos e from both domestic and foreign immersion programs, and within these traditional categories theres  a slew of traditional and non-traditional programs available.Heres a sample of nine highly recommended ones. This will  give you an idea of what the world of adult language immersion looks like and where your next language learning trip might take you.Concordia Language VillagesConcordia Language Villages is a language immersion program in Bemidji, Minnesota focused on building globally minded communities through language  and cultural immersion trips.Concordias adult immersion programs are all designed for adults, whether youre looking for professional advancement or personal enrichment, including  courses designed specifically for educators and companies. The villages are offered year-round in nine different languages, perfect for the busy adult to squeeze into a hectic work and family schedule.Lingua Service WorldwideLingua Services language immersion programs are, as the companys name suggests, available all over the world. This agency works with schools and programs worldwide  in a variety of languages, offering maximum flexibility for even the choosiest learners among us.The agency primarily works with programs that are designed for maximal language learning in minimal time, which will be appealing especially to business professionals looking for a quick jump-start or brush-up on a language before heading back to the office.Lingua Service offers courses for adults, professionals and programs for seniors and older adults.The Dallas International School Adult Summer Immersion ProgramThis Texas K-12 private school has a knack for educating todays youth for a global tomorrow, but their summer immersion school is designed with adults in mind.The program offers 3-6 weeks immersed in French, Spanish or Chinese in which attendees spend half-days immersed in formal instruction, supervised language labs and conversation practice.And its perfect for families. The ad ult program is run concurrently with youth immersion programs, creating a unique opportunity for the whole family to learn a language together without booking a single international flight.Road ScholarA newer name in language immersion, Road Scholar has drawn headlines for its success in particular with older adult learners. On the Road Scholar website you can browse and book various immersion experiences that fit when, where and how you want to learn your language.Road Scholar describes its typical customers as solo travelers or couples who are passionate lifelong learners, usually over the age of 50, which may be part of why their all-inclusive model works so well. With lodging, meals, transportation, expert lectures and field trips included in the price tag, all youve got to worry about is speaking and listening.Berlitz Total ImmersionIf youre more of an independent learner or you cant get out of town any time soon, private immersion classes under Berlitzs Total Immersion program might work for you.Berlitz is one of the largest companies offering private language classes in the US and the world at large, and its Total Immersion program pairs you one-on-one with a language coach for about 40 hours a week. Its personalized, conversation-driven and available in a variety of languages in 36 locations across the US and even more abroad.FLSAS: Foreign Language Study Abroad ServiceFLSAS is an organization that arranges foreign immersion programs and homestays for adults, teachers and professors.FLSAS brings a couple of benefits to the table that other organizations miss out on, like its specific programs developed for different groups of language learners, such as its programs for solo female travelers, family immersion trips  and executive language immersion for business professionals. Add these custom courses to its emphasis on  less commonly taught languages and youve got an organization thats filling in a lot of the holes left by others in the industry.Anders LanguagesAlongside the global giants in language immersion programs, you have providers like Anders Languages, a smaller company offering four languages in the US and three more locations abroad.Anders caters to, as they put it, a more mature public. The average age of their clients is 45, and about half of their customers are from the US and Canada, making for culturally diverse experiences that adult professionals might not otherwise have.Anders prides itself on offering a personal touch. Promising personal attention from the companys owners in developing your language immersion program, Anders offers an experience that many may find warmer and more intimate than those offered by other immersion companies.Age is just a number.It often says a lot about what your professional, personal and family life looks like, but as far as your ability to learn a language is concerned, its got nothing useful to say.Now more than ever, adult language learners are in a position to reap the benefit s, both personally and economically, of their linguistic efforts, and one of the most efficient ways to put in that effort is through immersion.With growing flexibility in the workplace and growing necessity in the world, well only see more and more adults taking the time to immerse themselves in a language.Whether youre setting out to find the perfect Spanish immersion course,  take a language learning trip to Germany  or tide yourself over with an online oasis of French immersion, take a look at the programs weve listed here and bookmark them, because the future is looking more multilingual for folks of all ages. And One More ThingIf you just cant wait to begin language immersion at home right now, FluentU is here to help. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials a nd web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU 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 your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You 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.Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the iTunes store  or Google Play store.