The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring - What Every Teacher Needs to Know

The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring - What Every Teacher Needs to KnowThe Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring is one of the most popular resource books for teaching undergraduate college-level courses in English composition. Designed by a teacher with more than 20 years' experience, the book has been edited by some of the most respected professors in the field. The book provides students with the most up-to-date teaching techniques that are based on the latest research in this area of study.In order to help students get the most out of the book, there are a number of helpful suggestions in the book itself. The most important of these is in the sections called Advanced Note Taking Tips. This section provides the author's best tips for taking notes during class. Reading and writing fluency is one of the most important aspects of learning to write good essays.Students who can't memorize long lists of words may find it difficult to memorize a perfect phrase or sentence. While i t may seem easy, students are typically urged to keep a good handle on their resources as they go about learning how to teach themselves. Here the Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring provide students with some useful advice to help them keep track of their supplies.There are plenty of instructional resources available on the Internet, but most of them are very basic. In most cases, students will spend a lot of time sitting and reading these materials, while they are only doing very little actual learning. In order to make these experiences more educational, the Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring include a built-in multimedia approach. You can take audio lessons, view video clips, and even see your instructor's research behind the material as he explains the lesson.While most textbooks on teaching in higher education in English focus on lecture-based and lecture-rehearsal-based lessons, many of the lessons in the Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring contain games. These game s are designed to enhance student learning and enjoyment, which help students retain information much better. Some examples of games in the Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring include Guess the Topic, Making Footnotes, and Manuscript Co-op.Although the book is written for college professors, many of the instructions and games in the book apply to home-based instructors as well. Students can get ideas for games from the Introduction to Writing tip section. And you can learn even more by looking at the Lessons and Sample Classes as well as by checking out the author's other books, including A Guide to Grammar and Style, What Every Writer Needs to Know, and An Introduction to Computational Grammar.No matter which level of education you are teaching, the Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring will have something to help you. Just because the book is written for higher education doesn't mean that it isn't useful for the same kinds of instructors. If you've never taught before, or you' ve recently started teaching, the Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring is a great place to start.

8 Extensive Reading Activities for Language Learners Teaching Themselves

8 Extensive Reading Activities for Language Learners Teaching Themselves Uh, oh.  That  book just came out.Cancel all meetings. Postpone all  plans with friends. Hire a dog/cat sitter for several days.Do anything important  now, because once  that book is in your  hands  nothing is going to get done.Everyone has one of  those  books, right?Books that you just cannot put downâ€"no matter how much you try. You fall so deeply in love with the world the author has created for you, that you forget the actual world youre living in.This sort of pleasurable adventure is just as possible in a foreign language as in your native one. If youve been hitting wall after wall trying to drag yourself through a book that you hardly understand, give  extensive  reading a try instead.In extensive reading you should know at least 98% of the words on a page. In other words, it should  feel like reading. You should have that wonderful feeling of being wrapped up in a story, unable to set the book down even to eat.Unfortunately many of us have come to associate learning with unn ecessary suffering. All those late night cram sessions seemed to pay off, so why should it be any different with language learning? Well actually, language learning can be enjoyable  and effective. At least some of the time. Why Extensive Reading Is the Key to Your SuccessReading and being able to understand something is good. Reading and being able to understand something quickly is even better. How do you get faster at reading? Read a lot. One study  carried out by St. Lukes International University showed that students in an extensive reading program were able to significantly increase their reading speeds, while those in an intensive programâ€"who read less but harder materialâ€"had zero gain in reading speed.If thats not enough, extensive reading also has just about every other advantage you can imagine.  Research seems to support the idea that extensive reading can lead to better reading comprehension, a larger vocabulary and a higher level of motivation. That last one is by no means the least important, since motivation is one of  the key factors in how fast you develop.Now, you could just pick up a book (at the appropriate level) and go to town on it. But if you really want to maximize your time spent on extensive reading, there are a few activities that are super effective. Lets look at eight of them:8 Extensive Reading Activities for Language Learners Teaching Themselves1. Prime your knowledgeThis is a very basic activity that will make your extensive reading easier and more effective.First, skim through roughly the amount of text you plan on reading. Maybe a chapter or two at a time. Youre looking for any unknown words, but mostly the ones that appear over and over again. These are the words that are going to make it easy  to understand the basic plot elements of the story or the basic argument of the article. Look up a basic definition for each. Then you can add context and feeling to the definition as you read and see the word in a sentence.Next , read over the dust jacket summary and take a good look at the cover illustration if youre reading a book. If youre reading an article, read the headline and the subheadings. From this information alone, make a prediction about what the story or article will be about. This requires you to gather all the relevant vocab and background knowledge you have of the subject, making it easier to contextualize and understand what youre about to read.2. Write book reports and book reviewsThis one is probably self explanatory. When you finish a book, just write out a simple piece about it, including a basic summary and some of your own feelings about the text.Writing something like this will help to  create a personal understanding of the text by making you reread certain sections of the text to confirm that your understanding of the work is correct. Since this also serves as a test of your ability to recall details of the text, itll be much more likely that youll remember new vocab and gramma r in the long-run.To make sure you really put the effort in to comprehend whats going on, try publishing your review on a site like Goodreads or Amazon.3. Do timed readingsExtensive reading is  already a great way to get your reading speed up, but if youre still not as fast as you want to be, heres how to get better.The simplest task is a timed read. Choose a set number of pages and set a stopwatch for a set amount of time. Of course, texts vary a lot. Sometimes theres a lot of dialogue and you can read it quickly without any problem. Other times  its full of difficult descriptions and you have to struggle to make it to the end. So try to pick a time that would be reasonably difficult but possibleâ€"whatever happens in the text.A tweak on this activity is to pick a section, read it and time how long it takes you. Then when youve finished, reread that section, only now try to read it 20% faster. It goes without saying that you should try to read it quickly the first time, or else the second part of the activity wont be much of a challenge.Theres one other activity thats truly excellent for timed reads, but it can be a bit trickier. Youll have to find a partner whos learning the same language as you and is at about the same level of proficiency. Agree to read a set number of pages and race each other to see who finishes first. The person who finishes first should have to give a decent summary of what she or he read to prove that they really read it.4. Join book club discussionsJust like in your native language, book club discussions can provide great motivation to make sure you actually read what you want to. They also allow you to hear other peoples thoughts on the book that might have never occurred to you otherwise. This can be a wonderful way to go over confusing grammar or just make sure youre reading what you think youre reading. Sometimes its easy to have an existential crisis about whats really on the page when youre reading a book in a foreign language all by yourself.Besides the reasons above, book club discussions can be a great way to roll together speaking and reading practice. If you host your discussions in the language youre learning, youll quickly be able hold a decent conversation about literature. And youll probably have to do some quick scanning for passages you want to use. Being able to switch back and forth between different parts of language is always a valuable skill.To find a book club,  Meetup is always a great place to start. However, since most book clubs around seem to be in English, you can either try to read the book in your target language,  or start a new club where everyone reads in the target language. This is probably easier than you think. Are you a member of a language group already? Do you have friends who are studying the same language? All you need to do is convince two or three people to join you, and you have a book club.5. Create chain storiesThis is another activity that requires a partner at a bout the same level of proficiency as you.You and a partner choose two different books. Its probably more fun if theyre on wildly different topics. Begin by reading the first chapter or a set number of pages from one book and have your partner do the same from the other book. When youve finished, you each to have to summarize what youve just read to the other person as clearly and in as much detail as you can.Now switch books and read the next section. Even if your partner made mistakes, hopefully you can figure them out and have some fun correcting them.6. Work on your creative writingHad enough of summarizing the story? Why not try rewriting it? Creative writing based on what youve just finished reading can be a highly effective tool for solidifying those gains in vocab/grammar that youve made.Perhaps the most fun time to do this is when youre faced with a terrible ending to an otherwise good story. Weve all had this happen to us. Were blissfully turning page after page. We see th at the number of pages is slowly dwindling down, but there doesnt seem to be anything in the narrative that suggests so. And then the story just ends, as if the author had never read an ending themselves. Now is your chance to do what needs to be done. Write what they should have written in the first place.An enjoyable alternative to this activity is to take one chapter of a book and rewrite it in a different genre. Think Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or Android Karenina. The result can be hilariously entertaining.And if youve gone through these activities a thousand times, you can always  write a letter to a character in the book about something you agree or disagree with, trying to assume the same tone as the book. Done well, it can give you an entirely new connection to what youre reading.7. Keep vocabulary journalsIn addition to the vocabulary you pulled out from the text in the first activity, you can also keep a vocabulary journal for those words that you inevitably miss whe n youre skimming the text.A vocabulary journal doesnt need to be fancy. When you see a new word or phrase that you think is important, write it down in your journal. If possible, add your own definition based on context clues and an example sentence. That way, when you look it up later you can see it in context again.If youre learning French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese or German, you can also check out the web version of the MosaLingua app, which gives you pre-selected content to learn with, including authentic reading material, and allows you to look up words and phrases instantly with a translator tool. You can also turn vocabulary into flashcards to ensure you dont forget about it.And when youre all finished with what youre reading, go back and try to write a summary that includes all of the words you recorded in your vocabulary journal.8. Skim and scanThese two activities are for those with a dire wish to be able to read as fast as a native speaker.For skimming, pick a chapter and read only the first and last sentence of each paragraph. When youve finished, write out a summary. Then read the text again slowly and see if there are any important details youve missed. If so, what strategies do you think you could use to skim the text more effectively without slowing down? Tinker with how you do your skimming until it seems like you can read anything in no time, and still be able to write the equivalent of a late night school essay.But maybe you dont need to read the whole text. Maybe you just want to be able to find answers to specific questions as quickly as possible. Thats where scanning comes in. For this, its best if you can find readings that come with questions. Often times books that have been marked for book clubs will include questions in the back. Otherwise, you might try generating some of your own questions based on the topic of the book or chapter.You dont have to try every one of these activities. Just grab the ones that stick out to you. Afte r all, theyre to be paired with extensive readingâ€"that wonderfully joyous way to spend a lazy Sunday. Or any other day for that matter. For once, you can let the pressure go and just have fun, knowing that youll be learning all the while. And One More ThingFluentU gives you a chance to practice reading in a foreign language right along with your favorite videos!FluentU takes real-world videos like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks, and turns them into language learning experiences. Just a quick look will give you an idea of the range of content available: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 t he vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn 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.

How to Teach Yourself a Language 5 Creative Strategies You Havent Tried Yet

How to Teach Yourself a Language 5 Creative Strategies You Havent Tried Yet How to Teach Yourself a Language: 5 Creative Strategies You Havent Tried Yet Trying to learn a new language, but finding yourself in a rut?Feeling stuck  with that new foreign book you just bought?All out of ideas for ways to expand your lingual palette?Stress no more! We here at FluentU think outside the box because we believe that some of the best ideas are the ones you havent tried.Wondering how to teach yourself a language? Its time to get creative. How to Teach Yourself a Language: 5 Creative Strategies You Havent Tried Yet1. Prioritize  One Phrase a DayBefore you treat your journey to fluency as you would your senior research report, slow it down. What I mean is: Resist the urge to cram! Cramming is not only ineffective in the long run, but its also a poor way to be using your time and energy. (This is exactly why SRS was created for effective learning with flashcards).Instead of trying to memorize the most words and phrases in short amounts of time, try the reverse. Choose one phrase a day and commit to it.Some phrases to consider:Excuse me, where ca n I find the nearest bathroom?What time do you wake up in the morning?My favorite hobbies are  writing and playing  video games.Notice how all of these phrases are jam-packed with useful words, while also being incredibly practical.After youve selected a phrase, devote an entire day to using that phrase as much as you can. Have fun and be creative when trying to implement your daily phrase. By using the phrase repeatedly and focusing your mental energy on it, your brain will have no choice but to let it stick.The next day, choose a new phrase to focus on, and repeat the process. Within a few weeks, you will have a useful portfolio of words and phrases that youll have a hard time forgetting. And if you do happen to have trouble remembering your daily phrases, stick with the same phrase for three days, or for an entire week!If youre stumped on ways to learn such phrases, give these resources a shot:Google Translate is generally a reliable go-to (but be aware the sentence structure may not be 100% accurate).Post your desired translation on an online language learning forum, like Word Reference, so that a native speaker can give you feedback on the proper translation.2. Closed Caption Your Favorite YouTube VideosClosed captioning is becoming an increasingly popular option for YouTube content creators. To make the site more appealing to various culture and demographics, YouTube is encouraging viewers to caption videos in other languages. This is a wonderful chance for the sites content to be more universal, and also a great  opportunity for you to learn new languages!If you have a favorite YouTuber who you religiously watch, go back to some of his/her videos and turn on the captions. You can do this by clicking the CC button alongside the bottom of the video. Then, click the gear icon located next to the CC button to adjust the language. While on this screen, you can also adjust the speed, allowing you to make the video slower so that you can follow along more easi ly.Try this with a video in your target language:  Listen to only the  first sentence and hit pause. From here, see if you know what  was  said, and then check by re-watching with the English captions. Continue listening and pausing the video, going sentence by sentence.You can also try to imitate a native speaker by memorizing part of the YouTube video.  This allows you to match your native language with the language spoken throughout the video. Try to pick out commonly used words or expressions. You never know what youll discover!And if you want to learn a language with videos, but are looking for more than just subtitles, head over to FluentU. FluentU is an online immersion platform that takes  real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.  You can browse videos  by difficulty (beginner to native), topic (arts and entertainment, health and lifestyle, etc.) and  format (video blog, news ,  shows, etc.).With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.3. Turn  Your Phone into  a Language-learning ToolAdmit it. You re already on your phone way more than you should be every day, so why not use the time on your celly to bump up your language learning jelly? Change  your phones language setting to the desired language you would like to learn.Now, the next time  you instinctively check your phone, youll have the added challenge of deciphering your way through different screens and apps. It definitely gets easier over time, which only means one thingâ€"that youre becoming more comfortable in your target language because youve learned new words.But we can take it a step up. If you have a smartphone that has a built-in operator feature (i.e. Siri), try  speaking to the robot  in your  new language. This can  be a really fun way to test  your pronunciation, and an even more fun way to befriend a robot.If youre really adventurous, try using your GPS wherever you go to hear the directions in that language. When I lived in China, being able to navigate myself around the city was crucial. Almost everyday, I found myself either asking for directions or telling a driver directions in Mandarin. By practicing with your phones built-in GPS, or even the one in your car, you can easily create a roadmap to success in your  language learning endeavors.  Thanks  technology!4. Join a Meetup  Group of Other Language LearnersAlthough it may be tempting to learn your new language solo, having a group of like-minded people to support you in your learning can be the make-or-break in your strive for fluency.Meetup.com is the worlds largest network of local groups. By becoming a member, you can easily organize a local group or find one  of the thousands already meeting up face-to-face. More than 9,000 groups get together in local communities each day, each one with the goal of improving themselves or their communities.Currently, there are over 420,000 monthly meetups occurring in 180 countries. Chances are there are many happening in or around your hometown, so give it a shot. You may be able to find a group of other passionate language learners nearby, or you can be the first to get a group started.With this group, you can share language learning resources, inspire and motivate each other, watch films in your target language, eat at ethnic restaurants where your target language is spokenâ€"and probably gain a few new friends along the way!5. Stop Trying to Motivate Yourself and Instead Just Go for ItHeres the thing: We have the concept motivation totally wrong. We tend to believe that first we have to motivate ourself in order to accomplish or do anything. Before we know it, we sit around all day trying to think of ways to motivate ourselves, and in the process we get nothing done!Its time we flip the script on how motivation really works. Rather than motivating yourself until you take action, take  action until you are motivated.  Just the act of doing  something  towards your goal  eventually fosters motivationâ€"its incredible how well it works.Imagine both motivation and a ction as representations of the wings on a bird. In order for the bird to fly, both wings must work together. When one wing flaps, the other wing flips as well. The two wings work together in order to keep the bird moving.To put this into context, rather than devoting your energy to motivating yourself to learn a new language, just dive in and get started! The motivation will eventually catch up, but only after you take those first few steps.Here are some ideas to get you started right now:Pick a daily phrase from #1 and say it 10 times todayFind a popular song in your desired language on FluentU or YouTube and listen to it 5  times in a rowSign up for polyglot Olly Richards Language Learning Foundations video course, which is designed specifically to help you get set up and started with the ins and outs of learning a new languageYou may also be interested in his Grammar Hero or Conversations courses, which are designed to help you set up workable, step-by-step systems for learning your target language.Pick up your phone and change the device languageAnd there you go! These ideas for how to teach yourself a language may sound crazy at first glance, but sometimes crazy can be exactly what we need to move forward.You have nothing to lose in giving these techniques  a shot, so good luck!Frank Macri is a Professional Life Coach who supports  those  who want to replace  their monotonous  lifestyles with an off the beaten path adventure. For more tips on achieving your personal and financial goals, visit www.TheFrankLife.com.

My English School

My English School My English School My English School is a ground-breaking English school based in Italy, and now also France, founded in 2011. Our schools are student-centered, with flexible courses,objective-based learning, a young dynamic teaching team, and a fun social-life for teachers and students, all within a big open space. We combine technology and innovative communicative, face to face learning with qualified teachers from all over the English-speaking world. Students prepare for their lessons online beforehand, and check their learning after each lesson with a digital book. We make use of multimedia in the classroom to improve the communicative learning experience. Every member of our teaching team has a professional development program, with regular looking back looking forward meetings, a training plan, and plenty of opportunity to observe and be given feedback on teaching. We work as a team to improve, train each other and add skills to ensure no teacher is standing still. View our Brochure

How to Find a Private Tutor Without Paying For it

How to Find a Private Tutor Without Paying For itWith the economy in the toilet, many parents are looking for ways to save money on tuition and it is one of the best ways to do this is to find a school that offers private tutoring. You may not have known that all private schools are required to offer this service if they want to keep their accreditation. What you don't know is that you can also qualify for this private tutor without having to pay for it.The first step in finding a private school that will give you a discount on their private tuition is to go online and search for companies that offer tutoring for K-12. You can also do an internet search for independent, private schools. Many times, these companies will give you a list of schools and will let you determine which one you like best. You will have to find a list of private schools with current accreditation.Once you have this list of accredited private schools, you can start to research them to see if they will give you a tuition discount. Usually, when you enroll in a private school, you will be required to pay their tuition or their program fee. While many schools require tuition payment, most will allow you to pay a student loan.You will need to make sure that the school is certified by the National Council for Accreditation of Educations (NCAE) or by other state and federal organizations. Since most private schools are not accredited, they must meet certain standards to keep their accreditation and you can rest assured that the school will help you get your education without any hassles.Private tutors will work with your child to teach him or her specific academic lessons and work with him or her in the areas of reading, writing, and math. They will teach your child proper behavior, social and emotional growth, and a holistic approach to learning. If you want to receive the best education, then you need to enroll your child in a private school.You can do your own research online. You can look a t individual websites to learn more about each private school. You will have to make sure that the school is accredited, if it is, and that the school will give you a tuition discount if you want to be a part of their program.The only way to know if your child needs private tutoring is to speak to your child and find out. If you know that your child has a learning disability or has an attitude problem, then it is wise to enroll him or her in a private school and have the school handle the private tuition part. After all, you will be saving money!

What is the Role of Sugars Chemistry in the Human Body?

What is the Role of Sugars Chemistry in the Human Body?Studies of the effects of carbohydrates, fats and proteins on the human body suggest that they are metabolized by the body differently. This has been the topic of discussion among nutritionists for years. The problem is that there is no precise term for these 'metabolites'.The common misconceptions about carbohydrates include that they are not digested in the body and therefore have no effect on the human body. This misconception is based on the fact that fats and proteins are broken down in the human body and they do not require digestion. Consequently, they are passed through the system unaltered.However, carbohydrates are not completely absorbed by the body. These dietary fibers are only partially absorbed. They become part of the blood stream, where the body passes them through. There are two types of carbohydrates, which the body uses, mainly carbohydrates that are quickly metabolized and carbohydrates that are slowly metabo lized.Although there are no universally accepted terms to describe carbohydrates, the terms 'soluble'insoluble' are commonly used to describe the difference between these two types of carbohydrates. Both of these carbohydrates are metabolized in the human body.The human body contains two forms of carbohydrates, simple and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates include fructose, glucose, starches and glycogen. Soluble carbohydrates include fructose, glucose, sucrose, lactose, starch and pyruvate.All of these sugars molecules are transmembrane proteins. They require a fiber to be absorbed, which allows the glucose or fructose molecules to be digested by the cells. Both glucose and fructose can be found in fruits and vegetables.The role of the metabolism in the human body is of importance because the body does not function well without it. The human body can survive only if the human metabolism is properly functioning.

Tips on How to Become a French Tutor in NYC

Tips on How to Become a French Tutor in NYCIf you want to become a French tutor in NYC, there are many things you can do to get yourself prepared. Here are some tips that may help you. Being a tutor in the city is not easy but it can be an enjoyable experience.Be patient and persistent. New York is a growing city with many people. The job market is always changing. So being patient will not be enough as well. You need to be more dedicated than this.Find out what you like to do and what you are good at. Many tutors are willing to give you training for free and will be happy to do so. If you have a talent in a particular field, this will help you out. Even if you have no special talent, it will help you get the job.Know your area. You should know the areas you will be teaching in and also, know where the schools are located. With this knowledge, you can easily find the schools where you can start teaching and make more money.Make yourself marketable. If you have a lot of skills, you ma y even be able to find a job teaching abroad or at an international school. But it will depend on your personality and skills.Check if you have the required qualifications to attend a summer school program. Some tutors want to teach in their hometown areas or at their old schools. This will determine the program for you.Working as a French tutor in NYC is not as difficult as it sounds. It just takes some patience and dedication to get there.

Do you have to Drink, Schmooze or Talk Sports to Develop Relationships - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Do you have to Drink, Schmooze or Talk Sports to Develop Relationships - Introvert Whisperer Do you have to Drink, Schmooze or Talk Sports to Develop Relationships? Introverts are often faced with internal conflicts when it comes to developing relationships with their coworkers, which often cause them to feel they are compromising their values. It feels like a real dilemma, because to some degree it would be fun to occasionally be included with a group from work for some after-hours bonding. The dilemma causes most Introverts to be seriously grumpy. Is this you? I totally know how you feel Ive faced the same issues. I don’t drink and I seriously dislike listening to sports, much less talk about sports. (am I the only one who uses sports news as my benchmark at night to turn off the TV?). Schmoozing I can do but prefer more substantial interactions. Here’s what I have discovered: Drinking With Coworkers If drinking wine or any alcohol isn’t what you do, you don’t need to start now just to spend time with your co-workers. On the other hand, you don’t need to miss every after-work gathering just because they’re drinking and you aren’t. You’re missing out on an opportunity to simply spend time getting to know others better and in a different setting. The important part of the activity is the socializing, not the drinking and when you don’t join in, you’re choosing to stay an outsider. Too Much Sure, some people can get intense about how much they drink and how long they stay at some of these functions. You need to have your own boundaries clearly established. It doesn’t matter if someone is drinking or not, you don’t need to hang out with people who get out of control for any reason. It also doesn’t mean that once you join an event, you have to stay there until the bitter end. (Like this thought? Tweet it!) As an introvert, it may be tough to simply go and be around so many people, but prepare yourself in advance by deciding how long you will participate, before you even get there. Keep in mind that reinforcing relationships is more about quality, not quantity. Attitude One of the things I’ve witnessed with other Introverts in these situations is a bad attitude. The common attitude is “I shouldn’t have to drink with the boss (or _______) just to get ahead at work.” True, you shouldn’t have to but you’re also missing the point. The point is not the drinking (or watching sports or whatever you don’t like to do) it’s about developing the relationship. If you fail to develop relationships with your coworkers, you’re failing yourself and career. While you can develop your relationship during work hours, you have to understand that for some people, that doesn’t work. Others need to spend time in non-work situations to be comfortable and relaxed enough to get the most out of it. We don’t all do the same things the same way, including nurturing relationships. Suggest Alternatives Take it upon yourself to suggest something you’d prefer doing after work. You can even take an informal poll to find out other things your coworkers would like. They may range from bowling to dining, or even hitting a coffee shop. Keep in mind that just like with going to a bar, not everyone will join in anyway. The main thing is that you are taking some leadership on relationship development. It’s All About Relationships If you oppose the idea of developing relationships with your coworkers, you’re putting your career in peril. Studies show that 80% of what will factor into your career success is how well you interact with the people you work with. That’s too huge to ignore. Your next career opportunity, job, promotion, cool project or resource will only come with or through another person. Keep that in mind the next time the group at work wants to do something. It’s time to join in and get to know them on a different level for your career, if nothing else. What’s been your least favorite way to socialize with colleagues, and how do you handle it? Share your thoughts in the comments! Image: Flickr Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.   Grab yours by visiting: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

The Best Geography Courses in London

The Best Geography Courses in London Looking to Study Geography in London? Here are the Best Courses on Offer, for All Abilities. ChaptersGeography Revision Classes at Mander Portman Woodward (MPW)Study Geography at City and Islington CollegeFind a Private Geography Tutor at SuperprofTake an Evening Class in Geography at Birkbeck College, University of LondonOnline Geography Learning at The Open UniversityLearning from the Best at the Royal Geographical SocietyRevising for Geography Exams with IntoUniversity and PMT CoursesContinuing Professional Development with the Geographical AssociationPursuing a Geography Degree at London’s UniversitiesConclusionMaybe you are at school studying for your GCSEs or A Levels in Geography. Maybe you are an adult looking for options for professional development. Maybe you just have an interest in the planet, its people, and all the things in the world around us.Whatever sort of person you are, and whatever level of geography you are starting with, we’ve compiled a list of the best options for studying the subject in London. Here you will find opportunities for private tuiti on, for group courses, for evening classes, and for revision sessions. You’ll even find some options for undergraduate and postgraduate study at the most prestigious universities in the world, alongside opportunities to enhance your geography skills online.Take a look. In any of these geography courses, you’ll find the means to boost your employability or gain admission to university, and you will certainly find the opportunity to develop the analytical and theoretical tools you need for interpreting and thinking about what is going on the world. SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MatthewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeogra phy Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGeography Revision Classes at Mander Portman Woodward (MPW)MPW is a group of independent schools in the UK with colleges in London, Birmingham, and Cambridge. Whilst it does function as a proper secondary school with students attending every day, it has a reputation for its programme of revision courses â€" open to all â€" that take place over Easter. Over fifteen hundred A Level and GCSE students attend these classes annually, in the school in Kensington. They also offer one-to-one tuition in the evenings, weekends, and holidays.The geography course is a popular one, and the discipline is offered at GCSE, AS, and A Level. You will focus, in the revision classes, on everything in the curriculum across the core human and physical geography modules.Maybe this map of London won't be so helpful for your geography class!Study Geography at City and Islington CollegeT he City and Islington College is a further education college in London that has built itself a reputation for excellence. Whilst they offer the classic A Level curriculum and structure, they also have a wide range of different adult courses and learning opportunities for people at every level. The College provides an A Level in Geography as well as other relevant interdisciplinary qualifications in and around the subject.There are funding opportunities for adults too, so if you are looking to build credit hours for professional development or you are hoping to attend university later on in life, the City and Islington College might be for you.Find a Private Geography Tutor at SuperprofIf you are interested in more personalised learning, suited to your pace and style, Superprof is the best place to look. With over 130 reliable, expert tutors in the London area, you can have exceptional-quality geography lessons in your home for an average price of £23 per hour.Superprof provides a p latform that connects students to qualified tutors ready to offer their expertise. The great thing about Superprof is that it gives you the opportunity to enjoy geography tuition online or in person â€" for whichever exam, course, or topic you require. With London offering such a wide array of learning pathways and structures, Superprof is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to find the tutor that you need.Whilst classes can provide a specific type of education, at a fixed pace and level, private tuition through Superprof offers learning designed precisely for you. And if the person you need to teach you isn’t in London, fear not! Superprof hosts tutors in over a thousand subjects around the world.Take an Evening Class in Geography at Birkbeck College, University of LondonYou may well be the sort of geography aficionado who is no longer in school or university and actually has a full-time job. You may well think that you will have no options to learn. But, luckily, you l ive in London, where anything is possible. Birkbeck College â€" part of the University of London â€" offers evening classes in Geography.The College’s introductory Certificate of Higher Education in Geography runs two nights a week, sometimes with Saturdays, and it is designed for people intending to progress to university level Geography courses. In particular, it is aimed at those students without formal qualifications or are returning to study after a long break. After its completion, you can do almost anything you want!Study geography in a perfect case study of a global city, London. SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MatthewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson f ree!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsOnline Geography Learning at The Open UniversityThe UK’s most prestigious, and pioneering, institution for distance learning is the Open University, famous for the opportunities it gives in flexible part-time study and adult education. It offers a number of geography courses â€" an undergraduate degree in Geography and Environmental Science, one in Environmental Studies, and a handful of relevant diplomas â€" that you can study from anywhere in the country. They offer an impressive array of courses for the postgraduate student too.So, if you are intrigued by sustainability, social science, and other geographic knowledge, but you have the lifestyle that requires supreme flexibility, a course at the Open University might be perfect for you.Learning from the Best at the Royal Geographical SocietyYou might not immediately p icture yourself as a geographer or a geography teacher, and that’s okay. But as you are living in London and you are clearly a little interested in the subject (otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this!), you may as well join the masters of geography â€" if only for a night â€" at one of the most important academic bodies in the country.A couple of times a week, the Royal Geographical Society holds public talks â€" either a lecture or a seminar â€" as well as workshops, social evenings, and interactive exhibitions. It is the association for alumni with expertise in their respective fields â€" and the topics covered range from sociology and economics to meteorology, regional geography, and geomorphology. There are societies like this across the country, and you can find details one, for example, on our article about geography opportunities in Manchester.If you are unsure whether you want to commit to a course studying cultural geography, cartography, or landscape for three or four years â€" or if you are not yet sure about the prospect of applying for the humanities or a social science at university â€" start at one of the RGS free events and be inspired!Revising for Geography Exams with IntoUniversity and PMT CoursesIntoUniversity is an organisation that seeks, throughout the academic year, to inspire and train lower-income and disadvantaged children to attend university or other career paths of their choice. The staff of this innovative and important organisation encourage kids to achieve their aspirations, provide guidance on career options, academic funding, and internships, and offer academic assistance in the classroom. They can help you to apply to university and find an employer too.PMT Courses is affiliated with IntoUniversity, and it aims to provide revision classes â€" in mathematics and sciences, as well is in geography â€" to young people studying for their school examinations. For those who can’t afford the cost of the teaching, bursaries are offered to ensure that the teaching reaches as many people as possible. The classes take place in Imperial College, central London.You can find IntoUniversity active across the country, and we cover it again in our piece on the means to study geography in Leeds.Continuing Professional Development with the Geographical AssociationFor teachers looking to enhance their geographical knowledge, the Geographical Association offers training days across the country for professional development. With modules on fieldwork, exam skills, to every other aspect of the school geography syllabus, the Geographical Association provides you with everything you need to be the best educator you can be.Pursuing a Geography Degree at London’s UniversitiesLondon has some of the best universities in the world, and the diverse choice that they offer applies to geography too. University College London, King’s College, and the London School of Economics â€" some of the institutions scoring highest in the w orld university rankings â€" all have world-class undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with the opportunity to pursue a PhD or doctoral research afterwards.If you are a budding applicant to a university degree in geography, check out the degree requirements for each of the institutions. Also, before choosing an institution, have a look to see if they offer a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Science, as the focus of the courses will change considerably: geography is a multifarious discipline which ranges from the topics of migration and urban studies in human geography to physical science of the planet. All of the universities in London are highly competitive and academically challenging â€" but be ambitious and you will succeed!By the way, if you are a prospective international student, have a look at the requirements regarding visas and tuition fees before applying.Oh, and, geography aside, London is a beautiful city too!ConclusionWhatever approach you choose to take in geography, make sure that the course you take is tailored to your needs. Good luck!If you want information on learning in different cities across the country, including geography courses in Glasgow, for example, have a look through our site!