Today, in the furthest reaches of the globe, English is spoken and heard on a daily basis. Consequently, and with the continual development of technology and ever-increasing tourism industry, it is becoming easier to learn to speak English.
People from all walks of life are deciding to learn and via many different forms. As the internet expands more and more online lessons are becoming available, many of which are free for the user.
Possibly the most popular online language lessons are those of LiveMocha. These courses, of which many are free, range from 30-50 hours and cover many aspects of English. It is unique in that it functions as a social network service, with users correcting each others work. An online chat room allows students to talk to a native speaker that further enhances the learning process. Interactive audio visuals cover all aspects of the language.
For a completely free service then TalkEnglish offers a lot for learners. Via a Click, Listen and Repeat method the aim of the lessons is to practice the three main disciplines, reading, speaking and writing, all at once. Lessons are available for beginners and advanced students and cover travel and business topics, amongst others. The online forum provides the opportunity to post questions and speak with other students.
BBC Learning English is a unique collection of online lessons as it incorporates real current affairs issues in which to teach from. As well as covering grammatical, vocabulary and pronunciation aspects, World Service broadcasts are used to improve listening and comprehension skills. The Community allows users to discuss any issues they may have with the language and interact with other learners and teachers.
There is an abundance of ways in which to learn to speak English and each learner differs. Online lessons provide the opportunity to study at your set pace and are a fantastic start to achieving your goals.
People from all walks of life are deciding to learn and via many different forms. As the internet expands more and more online lessons are becoming available, many of which are free for the user.
Possibly the most popular online language lessons are those of LiveMocha. These courses, of which many are free, range from 30-50 hours and cover many aspects of English. It is unique in that it functions as a social network service, with users correcting each others work. An online chat room allows students to talk to a native speaker that further enhances the learning process. Interactive audio visuals cover all aspects of the language.
For a completely free service then TalkEnglish offers a lot for learners. Via a Click, Listen and Repeat method the aim of the lessons is to practice the three main disciplines, reading, speaking and writing, all at once. Lessons are available for beginners and advanced students and cover travel and business topics, amongst others. The online forum provides the opportunity to post questions and speak with other students.
BBC Learning English is a unique collection of online lessons as it incorporates real current affairs issues in which to teach from. As well as covering grammatical, vocabulary and pronunciation aspects, World Service broadcasts are used to improve listening and comprehension skills. The Community allows users to discuss any issues they may have with the language and interact with other learners and teachers.
There is an abundance of ways in which to learn to speak English and each learner differs. Online lessons provide the opportunity to study at your set pace and are a fantastic start to achieving your goals.
Currently, many schools in the United States offer both special education and gifted education programs. There are advantages of separating students into special education and gifted education schools. However, there are also some issues with this separation.
In the United States, a high school might have a special education program and gifted education courses, e.g. the Academically Gifted program in North Carolina. There are magnet schools in the United States. However, most are designed to be more specialized and not necessarily targeting academically gifted students. Some districts also have separate schools for students with learning disabilities, particularly with severe learning disabilities such as hearing loss.
The main advantage of separating special education, regular education, and gifted education students is the increased ability of a school to focus on the student's ability or disability. The school will be able to offer more courses, programs, and activities geared toward a particular student.
At academically gifted schools, there is less risk of talented students losing opportunities because of the presence of under performing students. For example, a non-separated school may divert its funding from advanced courses to remedial courses if many students fail to meet state and federal achievement standards. Separating schools is not the only potential solution to this issue. This issue may also be solved by simply increasing funding toward education or by reforming standards.
Another advantage of separating special education schools and regular schools is the decreased social stigma for the disabled student within the school. All students in the school will have similar disadvantages and will less likely "be made fun of" by other students at the school. However, the student may still face social stigma outside the special education school because of the fact that he or she attends the special education school.
The problem with separating schools into regular, gifted, and special education schools is the increased cost. It requires the expensive construction of buildings, hiring of more teachers and staff, and providing additional transportation.
Yesterday, I wrote a blog entry about educational vouchers which would allow parents to retrieve public school funds and place their children in private schools. However, I haven't discussed the benefits and detriments of attending private schools. Private schools serves students in all grade levels. But choosing between private schools and public schools is a difficult decision that parents often have to make.
On average, private schools offer better educational programs than public schools. Private schools also allow parents to place their schools into religious schools such as Catholic schools and Hebrew schools. Under the 1st amendment of the United States constitution, public schools are not allowed to offer a religious education. Private schools may also offer a specialized curriculum such as a math, science curriculum, or arts curriculum. They may also offer a program not offered at a local school as such as the IB program. However, not all private schools necessarily offer a better education than private schools do. Top schools in the United States such as BASIS Charter in Tuscon, Arizona offer a better education than private schools in the area. Public schools may offer more Advanced Placement courses than private schools in the area.
One major disadvantage of private schools is the high cost of attending. Private schools typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 a year to attend. In locations with school voucher programs, the costs of attending private schools are somewhat lower. In other locations, most parents either cannot afford to pay a large amount for the private education or prefer to save the money to pay for the student's college education. Also, there are other less expensive alternatives to private schools such as magnet schools and charter schools.
However, since parents pay a tuition in private schools, they are more likely to monitor the performance of the school.
An advantage of private schools is the smaller class size. Studies have shown that students tend to perform better in a smaller classroom setting. When class sizes are small, students tend to get more attention from their teachers and get to participate in more classroom discussions.
Typically, private schools also have better technology and a larger library. A private school may have more desktop and laptop computers per student than a public school.
Students attending private schools also often have more opportunities to participate in diverse extracurricular activities. Less popular sports such as Curling and Judo are more likely to be available at private schools than in public schools. Also, students in private schools usually have more opportunities to go on field trips and listen to high profile guest speakers.
Private schools also generally have a better performing student body than public schools. One of the reasons is because parents less often send low performing students to private schools. Another reason is because private schools have fewer restrictions on expelling low performing and misbehaving students. Thus, students in private schools are more likely to become friends with higher performing students which will generally be a better influence on them. The students will also be exposed to less violence, and other criminal activity.
All of these factors must be considered by parents when choosing between enrolling their kids in public schools and enrolling their kids in private schools.
On average, private schools offer better educational programs than public schools. Private schools also allow parents to place their schools into religious schools such as Catholic schools and Hebrew schools. Under the 1st amendment of the United States constitution, public schools are not allowed to offer a religious education. Private schools may also offer a specialized curriculum such as a math, science curriculum, or arts curriculum. They may also offer a program not offered at a local school as such as the IB program. However, not all private schools necessarily offer a better education than private schools do. Top schools in the United States such as BASIS Charter in Tuscon, Arizona offer a better education than private schools in the area. Public schools may offer more Advanced Placement courses than private schools in the area.
One major disadvantage of private schools is the high cost of attending. Private schools typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 a year to attend. In locations with school voucher programs, the costs of attending private schools are somewhat lower. In other locations, most parents either cannot afford to pay a large amount for the private education or prefer to save the money to pay for the student's college education. Also, there are other less expensive alternatives to private schools such as magnet schools and charter schools.
However, since parents pay a tuition in private schools, they are more likely to monitor the performance of the school.
An advantage of private schools is the smaller class size. Studies have shown that students tend to perform better in a smaller classroom setting. When class sizes are small, students tend to get more attention from their teachers and get to participate in more classroom discussions.
Typically, private schools also have better technology and a larger library. A private school may have more desktop and laptop computers per student than a public school.
Students attending private schools also often have more opportunities to participate in diverse extracurricular activities. Less popular sports such as Curling and Judo are more likely to be available at private schools than in public schools. Also, students in private schools usually have more opportunities to go on field trips and listen to high profile guest speakers.
Private schools also generally have a better performing student body than public schools. One of the reasons is because parents less often send low performing students to private schools. Another reason is because private schools have fewer restrictions on expelling low performing and misbehaving students. Thus, students in private schools are more likely to become friends with higher performing students which will generally be a better influence on them. The students will also be exposed to less violence, and other criminal activity.
All of these factors must be considered by parents when choosing between enrolling their kids in public schools and enrolling their kids in private schools.
An education voucher is a certificate issued by the state or federal government by which parents can pay for the K-12 education of their child at a school of their choice, rather than the public school to which they are assigned. Some locations in the United States such as Milwaukee, Wisconsin have already implemented school voucher programs. However, the school voucher program has received a lot of criticism.
The voucher program will surely benefit parents who already send their children to private schools. These parents will no longer have the burden to pay for both the public and the private education of their children. However, it will create stress for disadvantaged students in the public schools.
School vouchers allow students to attend private schools increasing educational freedom. However, private schools often cost more so only students from advantaged families are able to attend them. An education voucher can cause a higher proportion of disadvantaged students to remain in public schools, further degrading the quality and reputation of public schools. Libertarians, however, argue that public education is not necessary and that privatization should be encouraged.
Educational vouchers are also criticized because they encourage students to leave the public school system with the state curriculum. However, proponents of vouchers emphasize that the state curriculum is not necessarily perfect and that students should have freedom to pursue any curriculum they choose.
Religious conservatives argue that educational vouchers will allow parents to use government education funds for enrolling their kids in religious schools, e.g. Catholic schools.
Opponents also highlight the potential inefficiency of the voucher program. For example, the funds to parents may not be adequately distributed.
The school voucher program is very complicated and controversial. In my opinion, it should not be implemented by any state or federal legislation. Instead, it should be introduced as a local initiative or referendum.
The voucher program will surely benefit parents who already send their children to private schools. These parents will no longer have the burden to pay for both the public and the private education of their children. However, it will create stress for disadvantaged students in the public schools.
School vouchers allow students to attend private schools increasing educational freedom. However, private schools often cost more so only students from advantaged families are able to attend them. An education voucher can cause a higher proportion of disadvantaged students to remain in public schools, further degrading the quality and reputation of public schools. Libertarians, however, argue that public education is not necessary and that privatization should be encouraged.
Educational vouchers are also criticized because they encourage students to leave the public school system with the state curriculum. However, proponents of vouchers emphasize that the state curriculum is not necessarily perfect and that students should have freedom to pursue any curriculum they choose.
Religious conservatives argue that educational vouchers will allow parents to use government education funds for enrolling their kids in religious schools, e.g. Catholic schools.
Opponents also highlight the potential inefficiency of the voucher program. For example, the funds to parents may not be adequately distributed.
The school voucher program is very complicated and controversial. In my opinion, it should not be implemented by any state or federal legislation. Instead, it should be introduced as a local initiative or referendum.
Today, I would like to tell everyone about the book "Tutoring Matters: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About How To Tutor." This book was written by Jerome Rabow in 1999 and is a great book about being a good tutor. Written by a professional tutor and using firsthand experience, the book explores tutoring as a science and as an art.
The book discusses the characteristics a tutor should possess in order to become successful. In his book, Jerome Rabow emphasizes important tutoring strategies such as communicating with teachers and parents, and exercising professional interpersonal communication skills with the tutee. Plus Plus Tutoring highly recommends this book to all of its tutors.
15/02: New regional sites
Plus Plus Tutoring is planning on adding regional websites for all areas served. As of now, the websites for Raleigh, Hilton Head, Rochester. Charlotte, Hickory, and Washington, DC have been added.
23/01: How to choose a tutor
Many parents resort to tutoring agencies to help them find a tutoring specialist. However, some parents decide on hiring a freelance tutor by themselves. Hiring a tutor is a difficult process and there are several steps that need to be taken to assure the competence of a tutor.
First post advertisements for the tutoring position. Advertisements may be placed in newspapers, or online. Placing an ad online may help parents avoid unnecessary charges. Also, newspaper advertisements are less often read than online advertisements. A good website to place online advertisements for tutors is Craigslist. You may place an advertisement in the "education jobs" section of Craigslist. Craigslist may charge you a listing fee in some locations. However, less popular free alternative websites such as Backpage, and Olx are also available. You may also look for tutors in online tutor databases such as Wyzant. Also, some schools have tutor directories that you can use.
Next, request a resume from the tutor. It is important to request educational background, experience, and references of the tutor. Other information such as home address and contact information of the tutor are also important. Some state laws do not allow asking certain information about tutors from references without the tutor's consent.
It is important to a run a background check on the tutor especially if they are working with a younger child. There are many agencies that conduct background checks. Make sure that the tutor is providing accurate information on the application. You should notify the tutor that you are running a background check on him or her.
It may be helpful to have lunch or coffee with the tutor and get to know him or her well before the tutoring sessions begin. Make sure the tutor has good communication skills as they are critical to the success of your child. Tell the tutor about any learning disabilities and behavioral issues the student may have and about the student's past progress. Also, discuss rates, payment method, and meeting location with the tutor. Offer to compensate the tutor for gas if he or she is traveling a long distance to work with the student.
Ask the tutor to evaluate the student during the first few sessions to see where the student stands. Provide as many materials as possible. Offer to order textbooks for the tutor to assist him or her.
After sessions begin, speak to both the tutor and your child about the sessions. Talk to teachers to see whether the student's performance is improving. If the student's performance is not improving, investigate the matter, address the issue to the tutor and potentially consider finding a new tutor.
First post advertisements for the tutoring position. Advertisements may be placed in newspapers, or online. Placing an ad online may help parents avoid unnecessary charges. Also, newspaper advertisements are less often read than online advertisements. A good website to place online advertisements for tutors is Craigslist. You may place an advertisement in the "education jobs" section of Craigslist. Craigslist may charge you a listing fee in some locations. However, less popular free alternative websites such as Backpage, and Olx are also available. You may also look for tutors in online tutor databases such as Wyzant. Also, some schools have tutor directories that you can use.
Next, request a resume from the tutor. It is important to request educational background, experience, and references of the tutor. Other information such as home address and contact information of the tutor are also important. Some state laws do not allow asking certain information about tutors from references without the tutor's consent.
It is important to a run a background check on the tutor especially if they are working with a younger child. There are many agencies that conduct background checks. Make sure that the tutor is providing accurate information on the application. You should notify the tutor that you are running a background check on him or her.
It may be helpful to have lunch or coffee with the tutor and get to know him or her well before the tutoring sessions begin. Make sure the tutor has good communication skills as they are critical to the success of your child. Tell the tutor about any learning disabilities and behavioral issues the student may have and about the student's past progress. Also, discuss rates, payment method, and meeting location with the tutor. Offer to compensate the tutor for gas if he or she is traveling a long distance to work with the student.
Ask the tutor to evaluate the student during the first few sessions to see where the student stands. Provide as many materials as possible. Offer to order textbooks for the tutor to assist him or her.
After sessions begin, speak to both the tutor and your child about the sessions. Talk to teachers to see whether the student's performance is improving. If the student's performance is not improving, investigate the matter, address the issue to the tutor and potentially consider finding a new tutor.
