Studying Japanese at High School

Studying Japanese at High School How Do You Study Japanese at High School? Chapters Is It a Good Idea to Learn Japanese at High School? Is It A Good Idea to Study Japanese Alongside Another Foreign Language? What About Learning Japanese Outside of School? Where Can You Get Japanese Lessons or Tutors? What Should You Study for Japanese?After middle school, you’re going to have to go to high school. That’s just the way things are (sorry).How are your studies going? Have you been thinking about your foreign language choices? There’s a lot of different decisions to make.Have you ever thought about studying Japanese for your foreign language class? Should you study Japanese at high school, alongside another foreign language, or outside of school?This article should have the answers you’re looking for. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £2 0/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Is It a Good Idea to Learn Japanese at High School?If you’ve already studied Japanese at middle school, are familiar with kanji, hiragana, and katakana, and can have a basic Japanese conversation, then studying Japanese at high school shouldn’t pose a problem. Of course, you should always check that the high school you’re going to actually teaches Japanese before you get your hopes up. It’s one of the rarer languages taught at high schools around the country, after all.If you thought learning to use chopsticks was difficult, you're going to love learning kanji! (Source: rawpixel.com)If you want to learn how to speak Japanese and you’re going to a high school where it’s taught, you’re in luck. That’s really rare. Additionally, if you’ve already studied it at middle school, you’ll have the opportunity to further study Japanese writing, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and reading and listening comprehension.On the other hand, if you’ve never studied it before, you could always choose it as a second foreign language alongside a more popular foreign language like Spanish or French. This is a particularly good idea if you’re not entirely sure how far you’re going to pursue your studies in Japanese.This is all theoretical at this point as it all depends on whether or not you’re going to one of the few high schools that actually offer it. If you are one of the lucky ones and you’re getting good grades in middle school, then there shouldn’t be any reason why you should stop studying it when you go to high school and your teachers will probably feel the same way about it.On the other hand, if you didn’t study i t at middle school but every other kid in your class did, things are going to be a little bit more complicated.Generally speaking, if you really want to learn to speak the language, the hours you do at school won’t be nearly enough. Your teachers won’t have the time to fully help you if they have a class full of other students, too. You’ll have to put the extra effort in yourself.In summary, choosing to study Japanese requires a lot of commitment, especially if you’re joining a class of students who’ve already studied it and you haven’t.  Of course, you can always use your free time during the summer to catch up by hiring a Japanese private tutor or evening visiting Japan. Is It A Good Idea to Study Japanese Alongside Another Foreign Language?With nearly 90% of students taking Spanish, can you really afford not to take it at high school?  If you feel this is the case, you might have to consider taking both Spanish and Japanese.If you have an aptitude for foreign language s and got good grades in middle school, I’d say go for it! It would look great on your resume or college applications. I can’t imagine that there are many college applicants with English, Spanish, and Japanese!Of course, this can be a lot of work and the skills aren’t necessary directly transferable between the two languages. Students that take two foreign languages like Spanish and French can benefit from the similarities between the two languages (as long as they don’t confuse the two, that is).For a long time, Japanese was considered a language isolate. This means that there wasn’t a single language that was related to it.  While this was later proved to be untrue, I don’t think there’s a single school in the country that teaches any of the other Japonic or Ryukyuan languages.There are certain things you'll need to know about Japan if you want to learn Japanese at high school. (Source: skitterphoto.com)Put simply, Japanese is a class you’ll take because you love J apanese and want to work with it in the future. It’s probably not going to help you get any better at any other language directly. That said, it never hurts to have taken a more common language class, too.If you already got the basics down in middle school, it would be a waste not to continue studying and make yourself stand out as one of the few Japanese-speaking students in the US. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors What About Learning Jap anese Outside of School?If it’s not going to get in the way of your other high school classes, you could always consider studying Japanese outside of school. There are several benefits:You can start studying the language regardless of whether or not you’ve studied it before.It’ll look great on college applications as it shows you’re driven.You can learn the language in a less academic way and have a lot of fun while you learn the language.If you learn a language outside of school, you’re learning the language for the love of it rather than just to pass some tests and put together a college application.When you learn Japanese, you should learn about the fascinating culture of Japan. (Source: Akane Zen)This means you can use resources like manga, anime, Japanese movies, TV shows, and video games to help you learn. Furthermore, you get to choose your tutor rather than just getting put in the class with the teachers available at school.Classes with a private tutor can go at yo ur pace and your tutor can work with your strengths and weaknesses in order to get the most out of every hour you spend together.  This is a great idea if you’re driven, love languages, and obsessed with Japan and Japanese culture and history! Where Can You Get Japanese Lessons or Tutors?Regardless of whether you’re studying Japanese in school or outside of it, you might want to consider looking for lessons or a tutor to help you.Fortunately, there are plenty of Japan-America Societies around the country that promote Japanese education.Put simply, if you’re doing anything related to Japan or Japanese, these societies should be top of your list. In addition to culture and education, they also promote business programs between the two companies.Here are a few of them:Japan Society, Inc.  (New York)Japan America Society of Southern CaliforniaJapan Society of Northern CaliforniaJapan-America Society of ChicagoJapan-America Society of Northwest FloridaJapan America Society of Great er PhiladelphiaJapan-America Society of PennsylvaniaJapan-America Society of Dallas/Fort WorthJapan-America Society of HoustonJapan-America Society of Washington DC, Inc.The Japan-America Society of GeorgiaJapan Society of BostonJapan America Society of Michigan and Southwestern OntarioJapan-America Society of the State of WashingtonJapan America Society of MinnesotaJapan America Society of ColoradoJapan America Society of St. LouisJapan America Society of NevadaJapan-America Society of OregonJapan America Society of Greater CincinnatiJapan-America Society of Central OhioHeart of America Japan-America SocietyJapan-America Society of Indiana, Inc.Japan America Society of WisconsinJapan-America Society of North CarolinaThe Japan-America Society of AlabamaThe Japan-America Society of MississippiJapan America Society of KentuckyJapan-America Society of Tennessee, Inc.Japan America Society of St. LouisJapan Society of New OrleansJapan-America Society of Greater AustinJapan-America Societ y of San AntonioIf you have a look at this list, you’ll probably be able to find an association near you.If you are in the UK, check out the best Japanese lessons London.Most of these sites also have an education section where you can look for tutors, classes, or educational events about Japanese culture and history or the Japanese language. As you can see, almost every state has a Japan-America Society.  If not, you should check out the Embassy of Japan’s website for schools and resources for learning Japanese.Did you know that you could also study Japanese by using video games? What Should You Study for Japanese?Whether you study Japanese as your first foreign language, second foreign language, or outside of school, the things you’ll have to study will be more or less the same.In school, you’ll be tested on the same elements of language you would be if you took any other language: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. However, if you study outside of school, you can s ort of mix up the order you learn these. You can learn languages more naturally by studying speaking first and learning to speak long before you pick up a pen.Unfortunately, in school you won’t be so lucky. Your studies will be far more academic than classes with a private tutor. This is because the main goal of studying Japanese at school is to pass exams, not to actually learn to speak the language.  Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t learn to speak the language in your high school Japanese classes.If just means that you’ll get less time to practice speaking the language because there are tests to take (sorry!). On the other hand, learning the language in the free time gives you the freedom to master the language in any order you want.It's important that you study hard if you want to learn Japanese. (Source: skitterphoto.com)In both cases, you’ll probably start with basic conversational stuff like greetings, starting and ending conversations, and asking basic qu estions. You’ll also have to cover some of the most common words, the kanji and kana (hiragana and katakana) writing systems, as well as some basic grammar points such as particles. Fortunately for you, Japanese doesn’t have subject-verb conjugations like Spanish does. In Japanese, you only need to conjugate in terms of tense (past, present, future, etc.).Once you understand some basic vocabulary, grammar points, and reading and writing, you’ll start moving on more complicated aspects of the language.  At this stage, you’ll be expected to expand upon the simple conversations you were able to have with the expressions you first learned, show that you can understand written texts, and show a mastery of the kana.While this may sound like a lot, the key to learning a language is to practice just a little bit regularly.  You’ll be surprised how much you can learn just by studying for 10 minutes every day rather than studying for two hours on the weekend.This will all be very ea sy for you if you’re a hard-working student and you’re lucky enough to have a good teacher or tutor. Don’t forget that you can always travel to Japan to boost your Japanese, too!It’s never too late to learn a language and high school might just be the stepping stone you need towards become fluent in Japanese.You’ll still have more than enough time to:Memorize Japanese wordsStudy Japanese historyLearn to count in JapaneseStudy Japanese pronunciationStart building Japanese sentences and using Japanese grammarIf you can’t afford a trip to Japan or to participate in a language exchange program there, don’t forget that you can always hire a private tutor to help you!What about studying Japanese after high school?

Build Breath Support With This Physical Warm-Up

Build Breath Support With This Physical Warm-Up Suzy S. When you begin learning how to sing, you may come across several styles of vocal warm-ups.   Building your breath support is an important part of voice lessons, so spending time on appropriate warm-ups is key.   Heres a great exercise to try, courtesy of Dallas teacher Jacklynn T.: Singing is a total body workout, and warm-ups as part of a regular practice routine are essential to your vocal health and progress. There are warm-ups for range extension, intonation, breath support and placement, to name only a handful of objectives. As singers, our bodies are our instruments; therefore, I like to begin my vocal warm-ups with some type of rhythmic physical movement to reinforce appropriate singing posture and foster an awareness of the breath. The following warm-up is fantastic for awakening the body and building breath support at the same time. Greg Jasperse demonstrated a variation of this warm-up each morning at the Vocal Jazz Workshop at the University of North Texas this past June. In my exploration and application of it, I have found that it encourages the internalization of rhythm, reduces performance anxiety and fosters a focused practice/rehearsal mindset. First, find an open space away from furniture or other potential obstacles. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, chest open, arms resting at your sides, and wrists and fingers free of tension. Inhale slowly through the nose over four counts while maintaining a relaxed and open throat. Draw the breath downward, allowing it to fall deep into the belly. As you inhale, sweep your arms out and up toward the sky so that they are above your head by the fourth count. Next, exhale over four counts with a gentle “shh” sound. Arms should reach up above the crown of the head, down and away from the body while you begin to bend at the waist and fold toward the floor. Then, inhale again through the nose over four counts, gently lifting at the waist (only slightly, not coming back to standing position just yet) while inviting airflow into your lower back. Exhale over four counts making a “shh” sound, and explore folding deeper toward the ground. Finally, inhale to come up, gradually stacki ng the vertebrae in your spine atop one another and letting the arms come to rest gently at your sides. Exhale over four counts as you come to rest in your original standing position. Repeat for several cycles. You may choose to exhale silently through the nose if you would like and add the “shh” sound as you become more comfortable with the movement. If you don’t want to “shh” you can buzz (by loosely placing the top teeth on the lower lip) or a “vuh” to further activate the breath. It is also fun to practice this warm up while listening to music of varying styles, tempos (i.e. a slow four count to a ballad versus a fast four count to a pop song) or time signatures. Get instrument-specific updates and expert advice, tips and more right in your inbox!  Sign up for email updates here! Jacklynn T. teaches singing, violin,  Broadway singing, music performance, music theory, and opera voice lessons to students of all ages in Dallas, TX. Jacklynn joined the TakeLessons team in July 2012, with a Bachelors degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University.  Sign up for lessons with Jacklynn, or visit TakeLessons to search for a teacher near you! Photo by Bengt Nyman.

5 FCE Oral Prep Tips When the Examiner Joins the Discussion

5 FCE Oral Prep Tips When the Examiner Joins the Discussion In the final part of the Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) oral exam the examiner will join in the discussion in order to stimulate it.This three-way discussion is generally based on the photographs you have already discussed with your partner during the exam.Here are some tips to help you shine.1. AnecdotesThis is a great time to show off your own unique English skills. When relevant, make reference to your own personal experiences when answering the examiners questions. It’s a good idea to keep them short however.Some good ways to lead into this are…This reminds me of when…Actually, I have personal experience with this particular issue…2. Use a Variety of AdjectivesUsing a wide variety of adjectives could set you apart from other candidates.Rather than saying, that’s a good point you could use the adjectives:Excellent,Interesting,Fascinating,Intriguing,Thought-provoking3. Don’t forget the other candidateWhen the examiner joins in the discussion, it is tempting to forget the other candidate in the exam with you. This would be a mistake, however, because you will be marked on the interaction between the three of you.4. Don’t be afraid to disagreeIf you don’t agree with what the examiner is saying, don’t be afraid to disagree with him/her. Indeed, this is a great way to get the discussion going. However, be careful with the tone you use to express this contrary opinion.Actually, I hold the opposite view…I hope you don’t mind me saying, so but I think the opposite is true…Yes, I see what you are saying but I think we should also bear in mind that….  5. Build On What You Have Already Said. Don’t Repeat ItThe purpose of this section is to show a development, and not a repetition, of what you have already said.A great way to shine in this part of the exam would be to say that after considering the topic further you have changed your opinion of it.You can do this in a number of ways:On further consideration, I would go back on what I said earlier….Actually, that’s a really good point. You have made me see the topic in a new way…  Did you find this blog helpful? Feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter.

Why I Volunteer - Beatriz Gs Story

Why I Volunteer - Beatriz G's Story Meet Beatriz G, volunteer extraordinaire from Woodberry Down Community Primary School. In fact, Beatriz was such a fantastic volunteer tutor that she just landed a full time TA position in Woodberry’s Year 2 classroom (congrats, Beatriz!) We help her tell the rest of her story below. Before Beatriz began volunteering, she had been living in London, quite unhappily, for nearly a year and a half. She worked in a local coffee shop and as an on-call supply teacher for an independent agency, but her heart was in neither. “It is not what I came for,” she tells me. “In the morning you wake up at 7.00 a.m. and wait for a phone call [from the agency]. You cannot have another job, you cannot make more plans. You just have to go in and play teacher for one day.” When Beatriz heard about the Tutorfair Foundation’s volunteer tutor program through a community of aspiring teachers, things started to change. “[Tutorfair] makes you feel like schools and kids need you. It is not just talk . . . they’re actually doing it,” Beatriz says. “For me, that was the point [Tutorfair] made me feel confident enough [to think], ‘Okay, I’m here, I can do it.’” Although she was still working at the coffee shop in the evenings, Beatriz had finally begun to chase her dream of being a teacher. Before long, she was called upon to use that newfound confidence to tackle another challenge: a new student. “[He was] a Portuguese boy who didn’t know a word of English,” Beatriz explains, sounding a bit nostalgic. “The teacher asked me to stay with him. It was . . . complicated. Everyone thinks that Spanish [Beatriz’s first language] is very similar to Portuguese, but it's not really. “You need to to think of different ways to communicate. The other children were reading books, and I would sit with him and help him learn simple words and colors to help him communicate with the other kids. That was our main concern: how could we integrate him? How could we help him feel like he could say something?” I tell Beatriz that that must have taken constant practice and a lot of extra attention. “Definitely,” she says, “but on the last day, he was saying some words in English, and I was like, ‘Wow!’” she claps, laughing. “I felt like I helped him, somehow. Finally!” Although the story has a happy ending, it reminds Beatriz why she started volunteering in the first place, and she sobers quickly. After a beat, she explains, “I had forgotten a little bit who I am. I got [to London] and needed to [be an adult] and pay my bills and do this and do that and blah, blah, blah. “Going to the school was like opening a door for me. I knew I needed to do it, that I needed to find a way to do it somehow. My coworkers used to ask, ‘You’re doing this for free?’ And I’d say, ‘It’s brought me back, of course I’m doing it for free!’” Fortunately for both Beatriz and her students, an opportunity was soon offered that would fulfill her adult responsibilities and her passion for teaching. This fall, Beatriz will return to Woodberry as a full time Teacher’s Assistant, and she couldn’t be happier. “I’m going to learn a lot,” she says, “but I know where I am going, and that makes you feel confident and full of energy for September.” Given her well-deserved success, I figure Beatriz might recommend volunteering with the Tutorfair Foundation, but I thought I’d ask her anyway. She doesn't let me down. “Do it! Do it!” she says giddily. “Try to give it your best, and you will gain a lot in exchange.” Thanks, Beatriz! If you're a tutor, teacher or an aspiring educator looking to make a difference, visit the Tutorfair Foundation to find out how you can join the future of tutoring.

Encourage Creativity and Imagination through the World of Poetry

Encourage Creativity and Imagination through the World of Poetry Encourage Creativity and Imagination through the World of Poetry From Dr. Seuss to Mother Goose, nursery rhymes are often the first introduction to poetry.  Most infants and toddlers are instantly drawn to the rhythm of the words. The repetition of rhymes are not only fun and stimulating for young children, but they are critical to the development of early  literacy  skills. As children get older, that same love for rhymes and rhythm can continue to develop  through poetry. Did you know that April is National Poetry Month?  The celebration was created to highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets and to encourage the reading of poems. Poetry is a form of expression and opens a new door of creativity through language. Encourage your children to express their creativity this April by exploring the world of poetry. Types of Poetry. Introduce your children  to the  many  different forms of poetryâ€"haiku,  limerick, acrostic and  rhyming  are just a few.  Here are  short descriptions to help familiarize your children with the different forms. Haiku â€"  A  traditional form of Japanese?poetry.?Haiku poems?consist of 3 lines. The first and last lines of a?Haiku?have 5 syllables and the middle line has 7 syllables. The lines rarely rhyme. An old silent pond (5) From leaf to leaf hops a frog (7) Looking for a meal (5) Limerick â€"  A limerick is a silly poem with five lines.?It is  often funny or nonsensical.  The first, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other and have the same  number of syllables (typically 7  to 10).  The third and fourth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (typically  5 to 7). There once was a wonderful star Who  thought she would go very far Until she fell down? And looked like a clown She knew she would never go far. Acrostic â€"  A form of poetry  where the first, last or other letters in a line spell out a particular word or phrase. The most common and simple form of an?acrostic poem?is where the first letters of each line spell out the word or phrase.  This type of poetry is very fun for kids. Easter is a great time of year And everyone likes to each chocolate   So make sure you don’t eat too much Together we can hide   Easter eggs and find them Remember not to eat too much candy Rhyming â€"  There are different kinds of rhyming poems to explore. Couplets?are made up of two lines whose last words rhyme. They are often silly. My cat ate a mouse? And  then brought it in the house. Triplets?are made up of three lines. The rhyming pattern can be AAA or ABA. What a fine day To go out to play In the month of May. Quatrains?are made up of four lines. The rhyming pattern can be AABB or ABAB. I never saw a purple cow,? I never hope to see one:? But I can tell you, anyhow,? Id rather see than be one. Family Poetry Challenge.  Now that you’ve  introduced your children to  different forms of poetry, find out which form they find interesting and encourage them to give it a try. Make it a family activity and share your poems with each other.  Having trouble getting started? Here are a couple of ideas to get the creativity flowing. Brainstorm  poem themes and topics.  Sometimes it can be difficult to start writing a poem, but remind your children that poems can be about anything. They can be about their family, a dream they had or even something as simple as what they had for dinner. Creating a rhyming list.  One way to start writing poetry is by creating a list of rhyming words on a piece of paper. Using a mixture of rhyming nouns, verbs, and adjectives, your children can create simple sentences that can be used to create a poem. Discover even more  parenting tips and student success stories! You might also be interested in: Soaring Imagination Fuels This Young Writer’s Creativity Kumon of West Chester Students to Compete in the First Lego League World Championship 8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List Aspiring Food Critic Hopes to Travel the World One Day Encourage Creativity and Imagination through the World of Poetry Encourage Creativity and Imagination through the World of Poetry From Dr. Seuss to Mother Goose, nursery rhymes are often the first introduction to poetry.  Most infants and toddlers are instantly drawn to the rhythm of the words. The repetition of rhymes are not only fun and stimulating for young children, but they are critical to the development of early  literacy  skills. As children get older, that same love for rhymes and rhythm can continue to develop  through poetry. Did you know that April is National Poetry Month?  The celebration was created to highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets and to encourage the reading of poems. Poetry is a form of expression and opens a new door of creativity through language. Encourage your children to express their creativity this April by exploring the world of poetry. Types of Poetry. Introduce your children  to the  many  different forms of poetryâ€"haiku,  limerick, acrostic and  rhyming  are just a few.  Here are  short descriptions to help familiarize your children with the different forms. Haiku â€"  A  traditional form of Japanese?poetry.?Haiku poems?consist of 3 lines. The first and last lines of a?Haiku?have 5 syllables and the middle line has 7 syllables. The lines rarely rhyme. An old silent pond (5) From leaf to leaf hops a frog (7) Looking for a meal (5) Limerick â€"  A limerick is a silly poem with five lines.?It is  often funny or nonsensical.  The first, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other and have the same  number of syllables (typically 7  to 10).  The third and fourth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (typically  5 to 7). There once was a wonderful star Who  thought she would go very far Until she fell down? And looked like a clown She knew she would never go far. Acrostic â€"  A form of poetry  where the first, last or other letters in a line spell out a particular word or phrase. The most common and simple form of an?acrostic poem?is where the first letters of each line spell out the word or phrase.  This type of poetry is very fun for kids. Easter is a great time of year And everyone likes to each chocolate   So make sure you don’t eat too much Together we can hide   Easter eggs and find them Remember not to eat too much candy Rhyming â€"  There are different kinds of rhyming poems to explore. Couplets?are made up of two lines whose last words rhyme. They are often silly. My cat ate a mouse? And  then brought it in the house. Triplets?are made up of three lines. The rhyming pattern can be AAA or ABA. What a fine day To go out to play In the month of May. Quatrains?are made up of four lines. The rhyming pattern can be AABB or ABAB. I never saw a purple cow,? I never hope to see one:? But I can tell you, anyhow,? Id rather see than be one. Family Poetry Challenge.  Now that you’ve  introduced your children to  different forms of poetry, find out which form they find interesting and encourage them to give it a try. Make it a family activity and share your poems with each other.  Having trouble getting started? Here are a couple of ideas to get the creativity flowing. Brainstorm  poem themes and topics.  Sometimes it can be difficult to start writing a poem, but remind your children that poems can be about anything. They can be about their family, a dream they had or even something as simple as what they had for dinner. Creating a rhyming list.  One way to start writing poetry is by creating a list of rhyming words on a piece of paper. Using a mixture of rhyming nouns, verbs, and adjectives, your children can create simple sentences that can be used to create a poem. Discover even more  parenting tips and student success stories! You might also be interested in: Soaring Imagination Fuels This Young Writer’s Creativity Kumon of West Chester Students to Compete in the First Lego League World Championship 8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List Aspiring Food Critic Hopes to Travel the World One Day

The Top 8 Tutoring Tips for Maths Homework

The Top 8 Tutoring Tips for Maths Homework We all know that Maths does not come naturally to everyone and contains some concepts that can be difficult for children to learn. Many parents turn to private tutoring as understanding complex problems and trying to explain them to your child can be extremely difficult and frustrating. The great thing with tutors is that they usually develop unique methods of training your child to understand and make things easier for them. When it comes to being a good Maths student more often than not a little help can go a long way. It can be the difference between a struggling and unhappy child and a successful and content student.It is crucial to understand where the child is in regards to their understanding of the topic in question so listening to the child will enable the tutor to assess the level at which the child is at. Simple questions to the child is the answer: What do you think this is asking you? Where do you think we should start? Can you figure out what steps we need to take to work out this problem? Asking questions like these allows the child to think on their own and sometimes even solve the problem in their head. Maths is a complicated subject for a child to learn so trying to make it as simple as possible is always a good solution. In this article you'll learn some great tips and methods to help your child with Maths homework and enable a simpler understanding of maths concepts, whether you are a parent or a private tutor. 1. Plan homework time I think most parents would agree that routine is precious. Just like at school, where children have their class routines, homework should be no different. Having a plan in place for when your child should be doing their homework means that they will get into the habit of knowing that at this time of the day it's homework time and it won't seem like a chore. It could be that your child gets in from school, has a snack and settles down to do their homework before dinner-time. Whatever the circumstances making sure that homework is scheduled for a certain time of day will ensure that homework becomes a normal part of your child's daily routine. 2. Use drawings and diagrams Drawings and diagrams are a great way of explaining a Maths problem to your child. Having your child label the diagrams with different points such as sizes of angles, fractions and solutions to problems not only helps instil information and promote a better understanding but also makes it more fun. 3. Be as involved as possible Whether you are the parent or the tutor, being involved with all aspects of the subject your child is studying is fundamental. Talking to the child about school and how they are getting on and having a relationship with your child's Maths teacher will not only show that you are interested in both the child and their school-work, but will also enable you to ask questions about the course or enquire about getting a copy of the syllabus so that you can plan your lessons better. Teachers always appreciate a parent or tutor taking an interest is their child's development at school. 4. Consider private tuition It is a common fact that many working parents do not have the time to give their child the extra attention they need for their homework. It is also a fact that many parents find Maths homework too challenging to comprehend and thus too difficult to help their child understand. This is where a Tutor comes in. Tutors are now very accessible to all parents. 5. Reduce distractions It is always a good idea to make sure that your child has the peace-and-quiet they need to concentrate on their Maths homework. Children will need to be focused when learning something new or trying to figure out a Maths problem. Make sure distractions are limited by making sure the television is turned off, other children are not noisily playing beside them, someone is not talking loudly on their phone nearby and computer games or web-surfing are not allowed during homework time. 6. Reward them with praise Maths is a difficult subject as it is and a child can feel very stressed and frustrated when at first they don't understand; they can often feel like a failure. It is very important to praise a child and let them know on a regular basis that you have noticed how hard the have been working. Praise and encouragement are exactly what every child needs to keep them motivated to do better and succeed. 7.No pressure We all know that forcing and pressurising a child into learning a topic leads to a negative feeling in the child and you becoming frustrated. That's not to say that children should not be pressured in a good way. Positive pressure mixed with encouragement and praise is the best way forward. Let your child know that you are concerned about them and following their progress and offer a gentle nudge in the right direction where appropriate without making them feel that you are nagging all the time. 8.Visual aids and real-life examples where possible Children connect better to seeing things happen in real-life so try to involve Maths in many of the things you do everyday. When children make a visual connection to information given to them their brain can interpret the logic behind a problem much easier. Giving examples and relating back to something they have learnt in Maths is an excellent way of helping your child to digest data. You can use many tools that we don't necessarily think of to help our children with Maths. Here are a few examples of simple ways to get children to connect with Maths in an easy and informative way: ? Count out their pocket money and work out how much things cost ? Measuring ingredients for a bake-together cake ? Shopping lists and quantities and paying at the check-out ? Block-building; subtracting or adding blocks ? Numbers on street signs or posters ? How much shampoo is left in the bottle (using fractions; a third, half etc.) ? The speed at which the car is travelling at ? How much petrol we put in the car and how much per gallon it costs ? Pointing out different shapes around the house There are plenty of ways to make Maths more fun and incorporate it into our daily lives. Think about the ways you can help your child solve a certain Maths problem and try to find ways to show them with visual aids. Flashcards are also a great way of breaking down Maths problems and are a great activity to do with your child. To Conclude By considering the above listed tips you will be on the right track to ensuring your child works towards better success with Maths homework. Remember, Maths is a process and by walking through the process with your child you are supporting them on their learning journey. Making Maths fun when possible and explaining that Maths is actually a part of our everyday lives will help them better understand and give them the necessary tools to succeed. As Stan Gudder, a famous American mathematician once said: The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple. Post By: Anna MichaelidouAnna has been a private tutor of both English Literature and English Language for fifteen years having taught all levels from nursery school right through to university level. She is a writer, content marketing executive and a busy mother of four lovely children.

LA Summer Tutor Tips Last Minute Summer Activities

LA Summer Tutor Tips Last Minute Summer Activities Tips from an LA Summer Tutor: Five Excellent Last Minute Summer Activities The last days of summer vacation are here, and kids are getting ready for the transition to go back to the classroom in a couple of weeks. Dont worry; theres still time to do a few fun, last-minute summer activities where families can spend time together while doing something educational. Kids can visit a museum or an aquarium to learn about the world around them or spent time in a nature park soaking up the outdoors. Whether kids are at the beach or inside at a summer school program, theres still plenty of time to enjoy summer! Its not too late to book your private Los Angeles summer tutor. 1. The Aquarium Southern California offers visitors multiple locations to view sea life in a replica of their natural environment. Whether taking a day trip up to the Long Beach Aquarium or down to the Birch Aquarium in San Diego, families will enjoy a break from the August heat viewing a myriad of sea life from dolphins to sharks and jellyfish to sea otters. Kids will have an excellent time and may not even realize they are learning about science. 2. An Art Museum There are several art museums in the Southern California area including the San Diego Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the J Paul Getty Museum. These day trips are well worth it for families to learn about creativity and art history during a time of year when kids are not distracted by homework assignments and core subjects. Art museums are family friendly and offer special hands-on kids’ exhibits that will keep them engaged and encourage kinesthetic learning. 3. Summer Camp Many summer camp programs offer a place for kids right up until the day they go back to school in the fall. If a student has not yet had the chance to experience a fun summer camp activity involving arts and crafts, music, or sports, theres still time for them to enroll in weeklong camps before school starts. Summer school offers kids a chance to socialize with peers as well as enjoy extracurricular activities. Summer camp also offers parents the chance to focus on their schedule and give them a little bit of a break (READ: Irvine Tutoring Tips: Why Summer School is Awesome). 4. Volunteering in the community Volunteering can be done year round, but most kids are preoccupied with academic activities throughout the school year. Volunteering within the local community gives kids a chance to learn about the world around them, help out, and gain self-esteem by improving their environment. Students can participate in a one-day beach cleanup, volunteer at an animal shelter, or focus on a topic thats important to them specifically. The nice thing about volunteer commitments is that families have the opportunity to contribute while on their own schedule and most volunteer organizations are happy to work around a student’s school schedule should they decide to continue volunteering throughout the year. 5. Adventures in Reading Many kids are behind on their summer reading list, but theres still time to get in some last minute reading before school starts this fall. Kids should choose from the recommended reading list given to them by their teacher at the end of the last school year because the books will be age-appropriate and at the student’s current ability level. Additionally, if there is a particular series of books that a child has expressed interest in they can read about that to work on reading comprehension in general. Reading also helps kids get back into a routine and get them used to learning in a structured environment before they go back to the classroom in a couple of weeks. Any opportunity young kids have to transition back to the classroom environment will make the school year easier and more fun. Our Los Angeles summer tutors are full of great tips to have your kids ready for school this fall. Call us today to book your private Los Angeles tutor. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.