What Does it Take to Become an Italian Tutor

What Does it Take to Become an Italian Tutor Certifications Characteristics Every Italian Tutor Must Have ChaptersThe Unbelievable Potential of In-Home TutorsStudents of Foreign LanguagesThe English-Italian BilingualLearn to Speak Italian with a Native Italian SpeakerThe Certified Instructor of ItalianTeaching Fellowship of Italian LanguageThe very mention of educator implies the dignity, gravitas and wisdom only a learned person with years of teaching experience can enshroud themselves with.That may have been true for the traditional teacher of ages past.These days, modern educational philosophy demands that teachers be vibrant, engaging and accessible, not stoic, remote and venerable.While we still venerate the principle of education, teaching style is as much a criterion of a quality educator as diplomas are.Does a teacher in fact need any certification or authentication to teach Italian as a second language?Look below to find out if you actually could conduct Italian lessons, as your heart so desires!booming business in the UK!More specifically: you want to become a tutor of Italian. The UK does not demand certification or any type of proof that you are fluent in Italian before you begin to teach the language of Dante.Becoming an Italian tutor in Great Britain does not require any specific diplomas or credentials.As a rule of thumb, you should be one year more advanced than your proposed client.What that means is: if you can speak intermediate level Italian, you could comfortably teach absolute beginners and those studying basic Italian.With all of that being said, let us now aver: your clients may want proof of your language capability â€" beyond being able to say buongiorno with an Italian accent.  Let us now examine the various profiles of contemporary Italian teachers.Finding the right Italian teacher can be a bit like unmasking carnival figures to find a friendly face! Source: Pixabay Credit: 4038246Students of Foreign LanguagesWith no malice intended, we list linguists-in-training as our first rung on the language teacher hierarchy.It is not uncommon, thro ughout the UK, that university students supplement their income by tutoring learners at lower ranks than they are.Conversely, it happens quite frequently that junior students seek out mentors in the upper grades to help them understand Italian grammar.These scenarios suppose that both learner and tutor are attending the same school.However, it is entirely possible for you to engage your neighbour's college-aged Italian student to instruct your GCSE-level child in our favourite romance language.Or that you employ your cousin to teach your child how to speak Italian.Should you be such a student, maybe one preparing to matriculate at Università per Stranieri di Perugia, you could advertise your availability to teach the language at your local community center or library, ahead of your trip to Italy. If engaged to teach, you may be called to instruct on:The basics: Italian alphabet, phonetics, pronunciation and rules for syllable stressItalian grammar: gender assignment for nouns, word order, syntax, pluralisation, use of adverbs, possessive pronounsVerb conjugationVocabulary: words and phrases, slang and expressions in ItalianAs you delve further into teaching Italian, you would ensure your tutees gain comprehension of spoken Italian, develop reading skills and writing capabilities.The quality tutor unites language and culture in his Italian courses.Lessons could revolve around Italian food, Italian music, Italian art, and fashion from Milan or fresh off the runways in Florence. Italian lessons can be great fun!If you instruct teenagers, you may find them keen to discuss aspects of the fashion industry. Wouldn't that make for lively Italian conversation?In short, as long as you find  students one level below yours to tutor, you could earn handsomely as a student teacher of Italian!Discussing fashion with your students may break down the walls of shyness Source: Pixabay Credit: Superkikipublic place or online â€" or a combination of all four.We are of course desc ribing self-taught masters of la lingua italiana.Through multiple sojourns in Italy, with learning materials  from the library and online; with learning apps such as Duolingo: this type of teacher has incorporated learning Italian into his daily life.Fluency is the inevitable result of years of study, even if s/he could not immerse himself into language learning completely.The advantages of such a teacher are:Someone so passionate about learning a language is bound to infect you with enthusiasm.Such a dedicated language learner understands how hard and frustrating it can be to learn a languageSomeone who has never sat through Italian language courses is likely to have a unique teaching methodologyA self-taught professor could actually teach you how to learn!One note of caution before engaging such a teacher: Which regional dialect does s/he speak?Italy boasts more than thirty regional variations of speech.The Sardinian dialect would be incomprehensible to someone living in Sicily or Rome, for example.Similarly, someone from Naples would be completely lost, trying to comprehend people in Venice.For your reference: the Tuscan dialect is considered standard Italian.If such a distinction is important to you â€" and it should be, be sure to ask which dialect your tutor speaks.Learn to Speak Italian with a Native Italian SpeakerThis teacher profile corresponds with certain aspects of the teacher profiles you've just read about.A native Italian speaker is self-taught, most likely specialises in a particular regional vernacular, and perhaps has no diploma that specifically certifies his language skills.Why would s/he, if s/he grew up speaking only Italian?This is the profile most coveted by those thinking of engaging a private tutor for Italian lessons.However, such a teacher must also be able to communicate  effectively in English, especially if the person engaged in Italian learning understands little to no Italian.Imagine how dismaying it would be to have a teacher who cannot explain or translate anything s/he is saying!One other question to think about when considering hiring a native speaker: would this teacher understand the difficulties in learning Italian?Think about someone from Italy who wants to learn English. Could you explain why the English language does not have a formal pronoun â€" vostro / vostra, or gender assignments for nouns and articles?This teacher profile would be able to help anyone learning Italian as a second language, provided s/he has a bit of training as a teacher, and good oral English skills.And always provided that the regional dialect s/he speaks is the one you want to learn.Native Italian teachers exude confidence and charm! Source: Pixabay Credit: A AndreaThe Certified Instructor of ItalianThis profile describes teachers who are currently  offering online teaching jobs and tutoring in a formal setting: primary or secondary school, college or university; or in a language school.They have spent several years stu dying Italian, possibly even immersing themselves into the learning experience by sojourning for a time in Italy, perhaps matriculating at the University of Siena to obtain their degree.Quite possibly, they are members of the Italian Cultural Institute and contribute heavily to promoting Italian culture throughout Britain.Superprof Italian tutors tend to fit this profile best!Such a teacher may currently give Italian language lessons, in schools or universities, as well as offer supplemental language courses in the evening and on weekends.Teaching in UK schools does require a degree of certification, but besides that, such an Italian teacher will have most likely sat for their DITALS certification from the University of Siena.DITALS: Didattica dell'italiano come lingua straniera, or: teaching of Italian as a foreign language.It is a pair of exams meant for non native speakers who intend to teach Italian as a foreign language.A Level 1 DITALS certification entitles the bearer to teac h new language to anyone from basic and intermediate level, all the way to seniors who wish to journey to Genoa or visit the Vatican.Whether your focus is Italian pronunciation or listening comprehension, this type of teacher could provide a wonderful Italian course, tailored to your needs.Teaching Fellowship of Italian LanguageClearly, this profile is the most elevated position any academic can have.Such a profile implies decades-long experience in speaking Italian, perhaps even a teaching stint at schools in Italy.Obviously, this teacher of Italian phrases could command the highest fees for private tutoring.Equally clear: such worthies most likely teach at the highest levels of university.In Conclusion:Anyone can learn a new language: buy a phrasebook, mimic the Italian accent heard in movies and television shows, and eat pizza.Calling oneself a linguist because of these acts does not a true speaker of Italian make.Much better would be to find an Italian teacher that suits your ne eds and budget, to help you reach your Italian speaking goals.

What is it Like to Attend George Fox University

What is it Like to Attend George Fox University Squire earned his bachelors degree in English from George Fox University. He specializes in English tutoring, Spanish tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, he shares his experience at George Fox University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Squire: George Fox University is located in Newberg, Oregona small town about a half-hour from Portland by car. Around 22,000 people live in this town. Throughout the day, there are busing options in Newberg that can bring passengers as far as Tigard in one direction and as far as McMinnville in the other direction. I always felt very safe at George Fox University. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Squire: The professors generally go out of their way to help any students who ask for help. They hold office hours, during which students can drop by at any time and request assistance. Often, professors will even reach out to struggling students who have not asked for help. Academic advisers are always available in the main office for students to schedule meetings with. On top of this, each student chooses an academic advisera professor in their department who helps them schedule classes and keep track of graduation requirements. I have never worked with a teaching assistant at George Fox University, but I have heard that they tend to be quite helpful. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Squire: Most students live in dorms only in their freshman year. However, the campus does not contain enough dorm rooms to accommodate all students who would like to live in them. It is extremely rare for anyone who is not a freshman to live in the dorms unless they are an RA or an RAs roommate. I tried to get into a dorm my first year, but could not because the dorm rooms were full with freshmen and I was transferring in as a sophomore. From what I have heard from others and witnessed, however, dorms are great for facilitating friendships between first-year students. If a student still wishes to live on campus after their first year, they usually live in the on-campus apartments, suites, or houses. Apartments usually contain multiple bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Suites are similar to apartments, except they are located within resident halls. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Squire: Nursing and engineering are two of the most popular programs at George Fox. I studied English, due to my passion for language and stories. The program suited my interests perfectly; it fostered my interest in writing and literature, while contributing to my learning and shaping my worldview. 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? Squire: Because I did not enter George Fox as a freshman, and thus never lived in the dorms, I had a much harder time meeting people than Id hoped. Only by my second year did I start making a lot of close friendships. George Fox University does not offer Greek life. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Squire: The career center is quite helpful. I even have had a few meetings with career services over the last monthsince they offer their services to alumni up to one year after their graduation. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Squire: I spent plenty of time in the library over my years at Fox; it serves as a very comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for study. The building is spacious, and it is always heated. Even though I personally never spent much time in them, I have known the dorm lounges to be quite nice as well; they seldom seem overly crowded. There is also a place at George Fox called the Bruin Den, where students can relax, hang out, or do homework. There is a small caf in the Bruin Den where students have the opportunity to purchase coffee, food, or snacks. As someone who likes being in public as much as possible, it became my favorite place to do homework. Describe the surrounding town. Squire: As I have said before, Newberg is a fairly small town. Downtown Newberg isnt necessarily the most exciting environment, but I still managed to have a lot of fun there. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Squire: For a university, George Fox is rather small. I felt very pleased with my class sizes at George Fox. While there are a few large lecture hall classes with 50 to 100 students, I never attended one of them. Most of my classes held about twenty students, which I loved because it offered me more of an opportunity to participate, as well as an opportunity to get to know my professor and classmates. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Squire: Toward the end of my senior year, I was in Literary Criticism, which was taught by my favorite professor and faculty advisor, Bill Jolliff. Bill played the song Courtesy of Red White and Blue by Toby Keith and then facilitated a conversation about the ways in which the song conveys its message. As I sat there, passionately discussing the song's lyrics with my class, I realized with certainty that I had chosen the right major. Majoring in English had certainly been a risky decision for someone like me, since I still didnt know exactly what kind of career I wanted to pursue. But no subjects enthrall me quite as much as stories and language. That day in Literary Criticism, I realized that I wouldnt have been half as passionate about my classes if I had pursued any other major. My English classes had tapped into my interests and helped to shape my worldview. Check out Squires tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Taking a Whole-Child Approach to Treating ADHD

Taking a Whole-Child Approach to Treating ADHD When parents seek out the help of a psychologist or meet with their childs teacher, discussions typically focus on finding solutions for ADHD-related challenges. While these problem-focused conversations are necessary - and are often very helpful - they run the risk of being so ADHD-centric that a childs strengths and positive qualities are overlooked. As a result, a child isnt really discussed as a whole person, but is instead talked about only within the context of his or her ADHD. Ultimately, this focus does the child a disservice, because opportunities that capitalize on the childs strengths are overlooked. While its undeniably important for all kids to develop their strengths and talents, it would be hard to overstate just how important this is for the emotional health and well-being of kids with ADHD. Even in the most supportive school environments, kids with ADHD receive more negative feedback than kids without ADHD. Every day they are told that they need to be more focused, be more organized, or be less active. They repeatedly receive the message that they arent reaching their full potential because their ADHD symptoms are getting in the way. When these same kids are given the opportunity to engage in activities that capitalize on their strengths, they receive the opposite message. The pendulum shifts and they are suddenly the child in the room who is being called out for their positive qualities rather than their impairments. They stand out because they are doing so well, not because they are falling behind. Over time, these experiences build confidence and resilience, and help cou nteract the negative effects that ADHD can have on their self-esteem. A childs inner dialogue can shift from, Im not as good as other kids. to School might be harder for me than it is for other kids, but when it comes to (sports or art or music) Im really talented. Thats where I really shine! For many parents and teachers, finding the time to help a child develop his or her strengths can feel like a challenge. Fortunately, when a child is more engaged in activities that play to his or her strengths, managing ADHD symptoms will become easier and less draining for everyone involved. Start by pointing out your childs strengths on a daily basis. Every day there is at least one thing that your child does well. He or she may sound great when singing along with the radio, or run really fast when playing with friends, or do an excellent job teaching a younger child a new skill. Pointing out these little things to your child reminds him or her that there are many things that he or she is doing well. Reflect on your childs positive qualities. Block out 5 minutes of time to sit and reflect on your child. What are the things that you enjoy about him or her the most? What are your childs best qualities? If your child could be on summer vacation all year long, what athletic, creative, musical, technical, or artistic activities do you think he or she would enjoy the most? Are there things your child has expressed an interest in, but has not had an opportunity to try? Have a conversation with your child. Next spend a few minutes talking with your child. Ask him or her to imagine an endless summer vacation. What kinds of activities would he or she like to spend time doing? You can help him or her brainstorm by doing some research online with your child. A good place to start is by looking at activities that are available at some summer camps, since these are naturally geared toward a variety of interests (check out a list of activities at http://www.ourkids.net/camp/types-of-camps.php). Talk to your childs teacher and other staff at your childs school. Meet with your childs teacher, and with other supportive staff at the school, to talk about your childs strengths and learn about relevant programs or activities that your child may be able to participate in during the school day or in an afterschool program. Look for outside resources and at-home activities. Be creative and look for activities your child can do at home or through programs in your community. When your child participates in these activities he or she may even be motivated to do his or her schoolwork quickly and do it well since once school work is done he or she will have more time to spend on other activities that he or she will enjoy! Kids with ADHD thrive when they receive treatments and accommodations for their symptoms and are surrounded by people who help them recognize and develop their strengths. As kids grow into adults, this whole-person approach will guide them toward selecting work, activities, and social groups that capitalize on their strengths and minimize the impact of ADHD symptoms on their daily life. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center 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 of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Professores da LOI English Rhea Sen

Professores da LOI English Rhea Sen É engraçado pensar que há 25 anos, quando eu nasci, se alguém dissesse que seria possível aprender idiomas através da internet, tendo como auxiliar uma ferramenta como o Skype, o mais provável era que chamassem essa pessoa de louca. No entanto, conforme vou conhecendo os professores da LOI English, vejo o quanto essa possibilidade se tornou real e como ajuda pessoas de todo o mundo a aprender Inglês de uma forma cômoda e eficaz.Esta semana conversei com Rhea Sen, que é natural da cidade de New York, mas está vivendo no Rio de Janeiro há cerca de três meses. Ao contrário de outros professores da LOI English com quem falei, ensinar nem sempre foi a sua profissão. A formação de Rhea é em História da Arte e ela usou os seus conhecimentos nessa área trabalhando em museus. Porém, foi a vontade de prestar serviço comuntário por um ano, na AmeriCorps, que fez com que ela começasse a dar aulas de Inglês.A AmeriCorps é uma organização que apoia uma série de program as de auxílio à comunidades carentes, tendo como objetivo ajudar no seu desenvolvimento econômico e social.  Segundo Rhea, ela integrou o programa de literacia da AmeriCorps e deu aulas de Inglês para imigrantes e refugiados. Foi nessa aventura, que aconteceu na cidade de Austin, no Texas, que Rhea descobriu o quanto gostava de ensinar.Enquanto estava no Texas, Rhea deu aulas a adultos e crianças que tinham acabado de chegar aos Estados Unidos, alguns como imigrantes, outros como refugiados, muitos provenientes de países africanos em guerra, como o Sudão. Agora que vive no Rio de Janeiro e trabalha com a LOI English, Rhea continua dando aulas para pessoas de todo o mundo, mas grande parte dos seus alunos são brasileiros.Quando questionei Rhea sobre como está sendo a sua experiência no Rio, que também é a minha cidade, ela confessou que está tendo dificuldades em aprender Português. Embora ela ainda não consiga ser fluente, já entende muito bem o idioma, o que provave lmente tem a ver com o fato de ela falar Espanhol, que, admitamos ou não, ajuda bastante a que estrangeiros entendam Português mais facilmente.  Para além de Inglês e Espanhol, Rhea também é fluente em Bengali. Ela contou que a sua família tem origem indiana, o que fez com que ela aprendesse o idioma enquanto estava crescendo, ao mesmo tempo que aprendia Inglês.Tal como outros professores da LOI English, Rhea adora a idéia de poder conhecer pessoas de todo o mundo através do ensino do idioma e sem sair de casa.  Para ela, ensinar Inglês para estrangeiros e morar no Brasil têm sido elementos fundamentais dessa fantástica experiência cultural que ela está adorando viver.

7 Tips For Coping With Exam Stress

7 Tips For Coping With Exam Stress During exam season, it is common to feel nervous and stressed before and during the big day. High stress levels around exam times can effect performance. Here at First Tutors, we've put together some tips to help you recognise when you are feeling stressed and learning to manage these stress symptoms. Recognise When You Are Feeling Stressed Have a break from revision and chat to someone who understands the level of pressure you're feeling. Having someone to talk to about your work can help. Whether it be support from a parent, private tutor or study buddy - talking it through can help put things into perspective. Common stress symptoms are: irritability, panic, fatigue, insomnia, chest pains, and increased heart rate. Sleep Well Get yourself into a good sleep routine, it can be easy to have late nights with revision and study sessions. Try and go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, getting 8 hours sleep per night will help you keep focused and concentrate better. And as hard as it may be, avoid 'screen-time' 1-2 hours before you plan to go to bed. Sleep is a powerful mechanism for remembering information better as it helps your brain assimilate new knowledge into your long-term memory which you can retain and recall during your exam. You're not revising when you're asleep but you are preparing for the next day's study or revision Eat Well Your diet can play a major part in your stress levels. Eating right will make you feel better. Eat moderately before your exams; avoid a heavy meal. If you eat too much, your brain will have to devote energy to the process of digestion. On the other hand, if you skip a meal altogether, your brain will have inadequate fuel to function well. Aim for nutritional balance and moderation. For foods that power your brain, have a look at our Brain Food post. Exercise Exercise is proven to help your mood. Get all that excess energy out when you're nervous! Take a bike ride to a study buddy's house, go for a jog, or play a game of football with your brother. If you don't feel comfortable taking that much time away from studying, try and go for a walk around the block to give yourself a break. Relax You can't spend every waking hour of the day revising or panicking about your exams. When you are feeling anxious try doing something that will help calm you down. Whether it be a hot bath,watching a film, lying in a dark room, meditation, listening to music or hanging out with some of your friends - it is important to relax and clear your mind. Listen To Music Listening to music can elevate your mood and help you revise more effectively. Classical music in particular is recommended for studying as it is known to boost brain power. Music can also fight boredom and motivate you to continue studying for longer. If you find yourself getting distracted try searching for mood music which can help you stay on track. Reward Yourself If you're part way through your revision or if you've completed your exam - it is important to reward yourself for your hard work. Go and buy the outfit you have been saving up for, treat yourself for an evening dinner out, have a celebration party with your friends and family. For all of those studying or taking exams, the First Tutors team would like to wish you the best of luck!

2015 October italki Challenge Winners Send us your After Video and earn an extra 50 ITC!

2015 October italki Challenge Winners â€" Send us your After Video and earn an extra 50 ITC! We finished the 2015 October italki  Language Challenge! 6 hours of italki lessons  in October! Even though this was only 6 hours, completing the  Challenge was definitely hard!  A few of us at italki took the Challenge and here are our results! Marketa  learning Chinese  Completed! Roman  learning Japanese  Completed! We just did some calculations and found out that a whopping 94% of Challengers who submitted a Public Video Pledge for the October  Challenge actually completed the Challenge! In italki tradition, were awarding 50ITC as bonus  for an after video.  Below is Marketas  AFTER Video for Chinese! Marketas AFTER Video for Chinese Join us  by making your very own AFTER video! If you won the Challenge, heres your chance  to show off your Challenge achievements in a video. Not only that, but  well be rewarding you with an additional 50 ITC!   Here are some ideas of what you can include in your video: Show off your improvement in the language you were learning Introduce yourself and tell us what language(s) you were learning for the Challenge Tell us about your italki teacher(s). What did you like about them? What did you learn about learning a new language after completing the Challenge? Do you have any advice for people who are thinking of taking the Challenge in the future? Label the video: “(italki username) completed the italki Language  Challenge  October 2015!” Write a Notebook Entry “I completed the italki Language Challenge October  2015 and paste the YouTube/Youku URL. Send the link to your notebook entry to support(at)italki.com and  we will send you a 50 ITC voucher straight away! And we leave you with some last words from Marketa: October has come to an end and so has the italki Language Challenge. It is the first event of this kind that I have ever attempted, but I already know it will not be the last one. The Challenge helped me realise that having set a clear goal and telling both my friends and colleagues about it made Chinese learning more fun, and helped me speed up my progress. I simply could not fail with this many people supporting me and asking about my improvement! I cannot tell how much my spoken Chinese has actually improved, but the feedback I received was positive and inspiring. The main reason I signed up for the challenge was to become a more confident speaker and that, I believe, worked out well. Congrats to everyone and see you at the next Challenge! P.S. Interested in teaching on italki? If so Click here to Apply 2015 October italki Challenge Winners â€" Send us your After Video and earn an extra 50 ITC! We finished the 2015 October italki  Language Challenge! 6 hours of italki lessons  in October! Even though this was only 6 hours, completing the  Challenge was definitely hard!  A few of us at italki took the Challenge and here are our results! Marketa  learning Chinese  Completed! Roman  learning Japanese  Completed! We just did some calculations and found out that a whopping 94% of Challengers who submitted a Public Video Pledge for the October  Challenge actually completed the Challenge! In italki tradition, were awarding 50ITC as bonus  for an after video.  Below is Marketas  AFTER Video for Chinese! Marketas AFTER Video for Chinese Join us  by making your very own AFTER video! If you won the Challenge, heres your chance  to show off your Challenge achievements in a video. Not only that, but  well be rewarding you with an additional 50 ITC!   Here are some ideas of what you can include in your video: Show off your improvement in the language you were learning Introduce yourself and tell us what language(s) you were learning for the Challenge Tell us about your italki teacher(s). What did you like about them? What did you learn about learning a new language after completing the Challenge? Do you have any advice for people who are thinking of taking the Challenge in the future? Label the video: “(italki username) completed the italki Language  Challenge  October 2015!” Write a Notebook Entry “I completed the italki Language Challenge October  2015 and paste the YouTube/Youku URL. Send the link to your notebook entry to support(at)italki.com and  we will send you a 50 ITC voucher straight away! And we leave you with some last words from Marketa: October has come to an end and so has the italki Language Challenge. It is the first event of this kind that I have ever attempted, but I already know it will not be the last one. The Challenge helped me realise that having set a clear goal and telling both my friends and colleagues about it made Chinese learning more fun, and helped me speed up my progress. I simply could not fail with this many people supporting me and asking about my improvement! I cannot tell how much my spoken Chinese has actually improved, but the feedback I received was positive and inspiring. The main reason I signed up for the challenge was to become a more confident speaker and that, I believe, worked out well. Congrats to everyone and see you at the next Challenge! P.S. Interested in teaching on italki? If so Click here to Apply 2015 October italki Challenge Winners â€" Send us your After Video and earn an extra 50 ITC! We finished the 2015 October italki  Language Challenge! 6 hours of italki lessons  in October! Even though this was only 6 hours, completing the  Challenge was definitely hard!  A few of us at italki took the Challenge and here are our results! Marketa  learning Chinese  Completed! Roman  learning Japanese  Completed! We just did some calculations and found out that a whopping 94% of Challengers who submitted a Public Video Pledge for the October  Challenge actually completed the Challenge! In italki tradition, were awarding 50ITC as bonus  for an after video.  Below is Marketas  AFTER Video for Chinese! Marketas AFTER Video for Chinese Join us  by making your very own AFTER video! If you won the Challenge, heres your chance  to show off your Challenge achievements in a video. Not only that, but  well be rewarding you with an additional 50 ITC!   Here are some ideas of what you can include in your video: Show off your improvement in the language you were learning Introduce yourself and tell us what language(s) you were learning for the Challenge Tell us about your italki teacher(s). What did you like about them? What did you learn about learning a new language after completing the Challenge? Do you have any advice for people who are thinking of taking the Challenge in the future? Label the video: “(italki username) completed the italki Language  Challenge  October 2015!” Write a Notebook Entry “I completed the italki Language Challenge October  2015 and paste the YouTube/Youku URL. Send the link to your notebook entry to support(at)italki.com and  we will send you a 50 ITC voucher straight away! And we leave you with some last words from Marketa: October has come to an end and so has the italki Language Challenge. It is the first event of this kind that I have ever attempted, but I already know it will not be the last one. The Challenge helped me realise that having set a clear goal and telling both my friends and colleagues about it made Chinese learning more fun, and helped me speed up my progress. I simply could not fail with this many people supporting me and asking about my improvement! I cannot tell how much my spoken Chinese has actually improved, but the feedback I received was positive and inspiring. The main reason I signed up for the challenge was to become a more confident speaker and that, I believe, worked out well. Congrats to everyone and see you at the next Challenge! P.S. Interested in teaching on italki? If so Click here to Apply

6 Practical Tips for Summer Parenting

6 Practical Tips for Summer Parenting 6 Practical Tips for Summer Parenting “I’m bored.” The dreaded and inevitable words most parents hear at some point during the summer break. For many working families, summer time isn’t always full of pool parties, trips to the playground or amusement park, and endless playdates. Children have a lot of free time on their hands and it can be overwhelming to maintain their day-to-day activities. So how can parents keep their children structured, organized and active in the summer months? Schedule fun. Together with your children, come up with your summer “bucket list” or list of activities the family wants and can afford to do this summerâ€"trip to the zoo, beach vacation, backyard camping adventure, etc. Next, map out the activities on a calendar so the children know exactly when their adventures will take place. This will give them something to look forward to. Resist the urge to overschedule. During the school year, parents know exactly when and where their kids will be each day. When it comes to the summer, parents often feel a need to schedule every minute of the day from drama camp to soccer practice to carpools to the park. While having a consistent routine is important, it’s also imperative to allow time for unstructured downtime. Set aside time each day. The biggest mistake parents can make is getting caught up in all of those posts and pictures of other parents’ summer activities on social media. Your child doesn’t need a Martha Stewart or Pinterest worthy activity, all they need is a loving connection with you. So, whether it’s running through the sprinkler together, roasting marshmallows in the backyard or even just counting the stars on a blanket before bedtime, do at least one thing a day to connect and have fun. Encourage your child to try something new this summer. There’s no time like the summer to encourage your child to try a new activity. Maybe he wants to take swimming lessons, or a painting class, take-up a new sport or attend a summer camp. New activities encourage brain development and build your child’s focus and creativity. But remember, don’t go overboard in the scheduling of activities! Limit technology.  When it’s hot outside and kids are bored, screen time has a way to swallowing up all of their time. Parents can easily fall into the trap of technology becoming the babysitter. Replace that screen time with daily reading and regular trips to the library. Books open the imagination and creativity in every child. Create structure and set boundaries. Summer routines are sure to be different than school routines, but it’s important to remember the necessity of routines. Children need to be freed of the tight structure of the school year, but they also need the security of knowing that some things will remain the same. Keep the same bedtime, maintain the same chore schedule, etc. You can easily discourage behavioral problems by ensuring a structured environment. You might also be interested in: Four Easy Ways to Make Summer Break Fun and Educational 5 Creative Summer Reading Tips Soar Past the Summer Slide with Kumon’s Summer Learning Roundup Maintaining Momentum this Summer to Keep from Falling Behind 6 Practical Tips for Summer Parenting 6 Practical Tips for Summer Parenting “I’m bored.” The dreaded and inevitable words most parents hear at some point during the summer break. For many working families, summer time isn’t always full of pool parties, trips to the playground or amusement park, and endless playdates. Children have a lot of free time on their hands and it can be overwhelming to maintain their day-to-day activities. So how can parents keep their children structured, organized and active in the summer months? Schedule fun. Together with your children, come up with your summer “bucket list” or list of activities the family wants and can afford to do this summerâ€"trip to the zoo, beach vacation, backyard camping adventure, etc. Next, map out the activities on a calendar so the children know exactly when their adventures will take place. This will give them something to look forward to. Resist the urge to overschedule. During the school year, parents know exactly when and where their kids will be each day. When it comes to the summer, parents often feel a need to schedule every minute of the day from drama camp to soccer practice to carpools to the park. While having a consistent routine is important, it’s also imperative to allow time for unstructured downtime. Set aside time each day. The biggest mistake parents can make is getting caught up in all of those posts and pictures of other parents’ summer activities on social media. Your child doesn’t need a Martha Stewart or Pinterest worthy activity, all they need is a loving connection with you. So, whether it’s running through the sprinkler together, roasting marshmallows in the backyard or even just counting the stars on a blanket before bedtime, do at least one thing a day to connect and have fun. Encourage your child to try something new this summer. There’s no time like the summer to encourage your child to try a new activity. Maybe he wants to take swimming lessons, or a painting class, take-up a new sport or attend a summer camp. New activities encourage brain development and build your child’s focus and creativity. But remember, don’t go overboard in the scheduling of activities! Limit technology.  When it’s hot outside and kids are bored, screen time has a way to swallowing up all of their time. Parents can easily fall into the trap of technology becoming the babysitter. Replace that screen time with daily reading and regular trips to the library. Books open the imagination and creativity in every child. Create structure and set boundaries. Summer routines are sure to be different than school routines, but it’s important to remember the necessity of routines. Children need to be freed of the tight structure of the school year, but they also need the security of knowing that some things will remain the same. Keep the same bedtime, maintain the same chore schedule, etc. You can easily discourage behavioral problems by ensuring a structured environment. You might also be interested in: Four Easy Ways to Make Summer Break Fun and Educational 5 Creative Summer Reading Tips Soar Past the Summer Slide with Kumon’s Summer Learning Roundup Maintaining Momentum this Summer to Keep from Falling Behind