Saturday, April 4, 2020

What is a Tutoring Coupon?

What is a Tutoring Coupon?How to start tutoring coupon is a set of instructions that is commonly used in order to tutor students in the locality. Tutoring is a profession where a person either teaches someone how to do something or to teach somebody how to do something. Tutors are generally hired for short term projects that involve educating others in the field.Tutoring can be defined as a combination of teaching, tutoring and other activities that help the learner to do something that he/she had not been able to do before. This activity is useful for both academics and entertainment purposes. Taught classes are also known as lessons. A tutor can be a professional or a personal tutor.Tutoring is also known as training or teaching but it is better to refer to it as teaching to learn because the child is learning from the teacher. Although they may be taught to talk, they will not really know how to do this until they have done it themselves in front of the tutor. So while tutoring th e tutor is also looking for information from the child.In the course of the tutoring the tutor is required to give some feedback to the student. This feedback can be in the form of teaching suggestions, tips or other information that will make the child aware of what they should learn next. The kid would also like to be taught by his/her own tutor, this is why there is such a demand for online tutoring services.When a student has started tutoring in the same place and under the same tutors for a while, the first thing to remember is to take the time out to talk to the student. Have a look at what you know about them and ask if you can meet them and talk to them about their lives. This is because the student wants to know your advice about the things that are troubling them. Have a discussion with the student about the things that he/she should be doing and you will be able to make some improvements in your advice.Do not give up too easily when a student fails to perform the assignme nt or the project that you have asked for. This is the most common problem that teachers face. It is always important to encourage your students to keep trying again to do the project. They will find it hard at first but it will pay off in the end. At least it would make you think.You can start working on your How to Start Tutoring Coupon now by simply visiting the tutoring websites listed below. There you will find all the basic details and instructions that you need to start tutoring. You will also find a list of free tutoring services that are available.

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Key Steps To Easing Career Anxiety When Starting A New Career Path - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Key Steps To Easing Career Anxiety When Starting A New Career Path - Introvert Whisperer Key Steps To Easing Career Anxiety When Starting A New Career Path Starting a new career is a daunting, yet exciting journey to begin. There are so many new things that you’ll be learning, seeing, and achieving that you’ll really excel in life. However, while it may be a good thing to change careers, it doesn’t mean that you won’t face the onset of anxiety when your career changes. If you’re currently experiencing career anxiety, this guide will give you the top tips on how you can help ease your anxiety when starting a new career path. Let’s take a look. Top Tips To Help Ease Career Anxiety Understand What You’ll Be Doing One of the common reasons why you’ll become anxious when changing careers is because it’s the unknown. The unknown is fearful and can make you feel like you’re not in control. To help ease this fear, it’s important to read more about your new job and understand what it entails when you begin. The more you understand what you’ll be doing, the less anxiety you’ll have. While understanding what the job is about, don’t forget to remember why you applied for the job in the first place and what skills you have with the new job. Don’t Expect To Know Everything When starting a new career path it’s important to remember that you won’t know everything the job requires of you. You won’t have all the skills and this is ok, while working in the job you’ll begin to learn more about it. People who start a new career tend to feel like there are high expectations of them to know the ins and outs of what is required. This isn’t true. As long as you have the basic skill requirements you can learn the rest along the way. Remember you won’t be new at your job forever. Write Down Your Thoughts When you have anxiety and you’re constantly thinking about your new job, sometimes it’s good to write down your thoughts on a piece of paper. The idea of writing down your thoughts on a piece of paper is to help you to free up your mind. Generally, when you’ve written your thoughts down, your mind doesn’t need to keep remembering them because it knows you’ve got a copy of them. This helps to ease your mind and helps you to relax somewhat before you begin your next new adventure.

Friday, March 6, 2020

What is an Average ACT Score

What is an Average ACT Score Whether youve recently taken the ACT or you have an upcoming test date, you are likely asking the question, What is an average ACT score? Knowing the answer to this question can be helpful for a plethora of reasons, including gauging where you fall compared to other students applying to your target schools and establishing your goal score. According to ACT, Inc., the average ACT score in 2017 was a 21 (on a scale of 1-36). What this means is, on average, 50 percent of test-takers scored a 21 on their ACT. What does this mean for you? When understanding the breakdown of an average ACT score, its important to know how the ACT sections are scored, how schools use the ACT, and how to set your personal target score. Heres what youll find in this article: How the ACT is scored How ACT sections are scored What to know about the optional ACT Essay What the additional scores are on your ACT score report How schools use the ACT What this ACT breakdown means for you. Understanding ACT scoring can be intimidating at first glance, and dissecting the average ACT score can be confusing. Keep reading to learn how the ACT is scored, what you need to know about the optional ACT writing section, and what the average ACT score breakdown means for you. How is the ACT scored? The ACT exam sets out to test students readiness to excel in college-level courses. For decades, the SAT was the go-to test for high school juniors and seniors who planned to attend college. Now, in certain parts of the countryparticularly the Midwestthe ACT is as or more common than the SAT. While comparison to others is often discouraged, when it comes to college admissions, comparing one student to another is precisely what admissions committees do. In light of this reality, it can be helpful for you to know and understand your ACT score, as well as how it compares to the average ACT score. The average ACT score is a 21. In light of this information, a score of 32 (for example) would be well above average. This is a positive sign, but your composite score doesnt offer a complete picture of your academic abilities. Instead, consider it a quick reference. For instance, if Person A earned a score of 30, you can assume that he or she did relatively well on all four sections, whereas a score of 18 would suggest that he or she did poorly on one or more of the sections. Your overall, or composite, ACT result is an averaged, scaled score that reflects your performance in each section. Let's take the following scenario, for example, if you earned a: 30 in English 33 in Mathematics 31 in Reading 34 in Science. Your composite score would be a 32. This is due to the averaging of each section. Essentially, each sections score is added together and divided by four. This will give you your composite score. The below chart illustrates how percentile rankings coincide with your ACT score. As shown, if you receive an ACT score of 25, your score falls in the top 20 percent of test-takers. Percentile ACT Score (out of 36) Top 1% 34 or higher Top 5% 30 Top 10% 28 Top 20% 25 Top 30% 23 Top 40% 22 Top 50% average 21 *The above data comes from ACT.org. Rather than looking solely at your composite score as a measure of your abilities, the section scores, benchmarks, and rankings made available to you on your official score report will tell you far more about where you truly stand. ACT terms can be confusing at first, especially when attempting to analyze your score report. Below is an ACT keywords chart to reference when understanding your ACT score. Understanding what each score you receive means will help you to better grasp the breakdown of your score, and in turn, compare it to the national average ACT score. How are ACT sections scored? As previously mentioned, each of the four sections on the ACT has a raw score. The English section, for example, has 75 questions. If you answer all 75 correctly, your raw score would be 75. This score is then converted to a scaled result between 1 and 36 points, which is further divided into two subscores. Why are there subscores? Each portion of the ACT tests you on various aspects of a particular subject. In the English section, you will be tested on your ability to comprehend and employ the mechanics of the language, as well as your ability to craft an argument. Each subscore falls between 1 and 18, for a total of 1 to 36 points. (Note that 1 is the lowest, and that 18 or 36 is the highest.) Benchmark Average ACT English score 18 20.3 ACT Math Score 22 20.7 ACT Reading Score 22 21.4 ACT Science Score 23 20.9 When analyzing your English score, the first metric to consider is the benchmark score, which, according to ACT, Inc., indicates at least a 50% chance of getting a B or higher or about a 75% chance of getting a C or higher in a first-year college class... Thus, your score should be above the benchmark. For the English section, the benchmark score is 18. If you earn an 18 or above, you are likely ready for college-level English material. The average score for this section is 20.3. Using the score from our hypothetical scenario, you earned a 30 in English, which means that your score is above average and in the 91st percentile. The Mathematics portion of the ACT tests students in three areas: pre-algebra/elementary algebra, algebra/coordinate geometry, and plane geometry/trigonometry. The benchmark score for the ACT Mathematics section is 22, and the national average is 20.7. If you were to earn a score of 18 on this portion (rather than our hypothetical of 33), you would fall below the benchmark and the national average, with a rank in the 45th percentile. In this case, you can see how an above-average composite score might provide an inaccurate representation of your abilities across different fields of study. If they were to take a closer look at your section scores, admissions officials would realize that your math skills are somewhat below average and in need of improvement. With that said, the national average suggests that many ACT test-takers perform at a below-average level on the Mathematics portion, so you would not be alone. The Reading section consists of two subscores that test your comprehension of the social studies/sciences and arts/literature. The first two portions of this subtest, social studies and natural sciences, present passages from fields like anthropology, chemistry, and psychology. The third and fourth portions, arts and literature, present passages from novels and personal essays. Each passages purpose is to evaluate your ability to grasp the concepts being presented, to identify the main ideas, and to use reasoning to arrive at the point of the work. You may also be asked to identify implicit meaning or to demonstrate an understanding of certain words in context. In this case, the benchmark is 22, and the national average is 21.4. Recalling our hypothetical scenario, you received a 31, which places you above the benchmark. You are also in the 91st percentile. You performed at an above-average level, and you should be prepared for college-level reading comprehension tasks. Unlike other sections of the ACT, the Science portion has no subscores, and you will only receive a single score between 1 and 36. The benchmark for this section is 23, the highest of all four portions of the ACT. The Science section measures your comprehension of data sets like charts and graphs, while also assessing your knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories that drive the field. You may be asked to read research summaries or to compare conflicting viewpoints. The average Science score is 20.9, which falls below the benchmark. With a hypothetical score of 34, you would be well above average and in the 99th percentile. [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew About Taking the ACT/SAT] What should you know about the optional ACT Essay? As you now know, your ACT score is comprised of four sections, but there is also an optional fifth sectionthe Writing subtest, which requires the composition of a short essay. Before you decide whether or not you will take the ACT essay, keep in mind that although it will not change your composite score, it is required by certain schools and recommended by others. Its important to note that ACT Writing is less firmly required than in past years. Many schools, particularly Ivy League universities, are choosing to make the essay portion of the ACT optional for students. In May 2018, schools such as Yale University, Harvard University, and Dartmouth University made the essay optional for students in future classes. The latest to announce this change in requirements is Brown University, who dropped the ACT essay requirement early in July 2018. With fewer and fewer schools requiring the ACT essay, does this mean you shouldnt take it? Its key to note that although schools are dropping the ACT essay requirement, this doesnt mean the essay is not recommended. Taking the essay portion can strengthen existing writing skills and prepare you for college writing. Additionally, if you feel you are a strong writer, the ACT essay can showcase your skills to schools. In order to determine whether the colleges and universities to which you are applying require this ACT component, speak with the admissions department or review the schools website. In addition to the above mentioned schools, the following universities no longer require the ACT essay: Columbia University University of Pennsylvania Cornell University Stanford University Princeton University California Institute of Technology. During the Writing section of the ACT, you will be provided with an issue and three different perspectives on that issue. Once you have read the passage, you will be asked to analyze each perspective and to develop a written response that takes all three into consideration and demonstrates your critical thinking skills. The purpose of the ACT essay is to assess a students critical reading and thinking skills, as well as his or her ability to form an argument based on the evidence presented in the text. As with the other sections, you will be given a score between 1 and 36. There is no benchmark for the Writing subtest and no current average. However, there are four subscores that range from 2 to 12: ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, and language use and conventions. [RELATED: How to Prepare for the ACT Essay] What are the additional scores on my ACT score report? The information presented thus far explains what each subject area measures, how to interpret your score, and how a given result compares to the national average. When you receive your ACT score report, however, you will notice that there are additional scores and percentages reported along with your composite and section scores. The first is your English Language Arts (or ELA) score, which combines your English, Reading, and Writing scores into a single scaled and averaged score between 1 and 36. The purpose of this metric is to provide a single score that reflects your abilities in subjects like the humanities. Assume you earned a 25 on the English section, a 22 on the Reading section, and a 25 on the Writing section. Your ELA score would be a 24. While the data on national averages has not yet been released, you would be in the 70th percentile according to ACT, Inc. The same equation is used to calculate a single score for Mathematics and Science. In this case, a STEM score of 19 would fall in the 44th percentile. This section of your report also provides insight into your understanding of complex texts and what the ACT refers to as Progress Toward Career Readiness. The scales for these items can be viewed here. Finally, when you register for the ACT, you will be asked to provide the names of those schools that should receive your score report. When you receive your results, you will notice that ACT, Inc. has included information on the average scores for enrolled first-year students at your first four institutions, as well as GPAs and class rankings. How do schools use the ACT? Each college or university is unique, and each institution has something different in mind when it comes to its ideal applicant. This means that an average or lower-than-average ACT score will not necessarily prevent you from attending the school of your choice. Below is a chart detailing the average ACT score at select institutions. Its key to remember that universitiesIvy League or otherwiselook at factors besides standardized test scores. Schools use the ACT as one factor, in addition to others, when making admissions decisions. They note participation in extracurricular and volunteer activities, cumulative GPA, and types of courses you took in high school, to name a few. University Average ACT Score in 2017 Princeton University 32-36 Dartmouth College 32 Columbia University 33-35 Cornell University 33 Its best not to make decisions about where to apply based solely on the average ACT scores of accepted students, since college admissions decisions are based on a number of factors. Still, knowing how your score compares to other applicants can help you narrow down your short list of schools. Such data can help you eliminate outliers that are too high or too low given your own metrics. You can also call or email the admissions department, and discuss how your scores will affect your chances of admission. What does this ACT breakdown mean for me? In many cases, composite scores, section scores, subscores, benchmarks, national averages, and the like are the purvey of admissions committees, high school guidance counselors, and parents. Nevertheless, breaking down these various scores can provide you with a wealth of important informationnot just about the average ACT score, but also about what schools might be looking for from applicants, and how you can become a more appealing candidate. If this information leads you to believe you should be making a bigger effort to improve your ACT score, consider using ACT practice tests or ACT tutoring for help. In your personal statement, for instance, you will probably explain who you are as a person and who you are as a student. This may include a summary of your academic areas of interest and one or more majors that you are considering pursuing. Whatever you tell admissions committees about your academic goals and dreams, you should ensure that your statement is enhanced and supported by your ACT scores. If, for example, you love science and you hope to pursue a degree in chemistry, a low score on the Science section of the ACT could suggest that you might not be ready for college-level science courses. As a result, you might not receive an offer of admission. [RELATED: What to Do When Rejected from Your Dream School] To identify your goal score, you can both review how ACT scoring is broken down and establish reliable prep strategies. The best way to understand how you will perform on the ACT leading up to the exam is to take ACT practice tests. Practice tests can help identify areas of both strength and weakness. You can note whether you need improvement on time management or if you excel at specific concepts. Once you have taken your practice test, set aside time to review the results and note where you should be placing the bulk of your prep time. Identify your goal score by researching the average ACT score of accepted students at your schools of interest and comparing this with your practice test results. ACT tutoring is another option to pinpoint areas of improvement and set specific prep strategies for success on the exam. [RELATED: How to Create an ACT Prep Plan] Understanding the average ACT score can be beneficial to you for a multitude of reasons. Knowing that the average ACT score is 21 can help you to identify your target score and properly prep for the exam. Once you understand the average ACT score and how it is broken down, you can properly assess what the average ACT score means for you. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us atblog@varsitytutors.com.

Circulatory System Functions

Circulatory System Functions As animals grow in size and complexity, tissues and organs with specific functions developed each dependent onthe others for some essential process or chemicals. The need arose for a system to transport materials, especially food, oxygen, CO2 and wastes between the various organs. The circulatory system mediates the continuous movement of all body fluids. The circulatory system helps in the following functions: 1. Transport of nutrients: Sugars, amino acids, minerals and vitamins are picked up by blood from intestine and transported to different parts of the body for storage and assimilation. 2. Transport of oxygen: It transports oxygen from the respiratory surface to the tissues for utilization in respiration. 3. Transport of Carbon dioxide: CO2 formed during respiration is taken by blood to the respiratory surface for elimination. 4. Transport of waste products: It carries nitrogenous wastes from various parts of the body to the kidneys for separation and elimination 5. Transport of hormones: Endocrine glands pour their hormones into blood for transport to target tissues. 6. Maintenance of water balance: Circulating blood provides water and inorganic salts in the region of deficiency and removes the same in the area of excess. 7. Regulation of body temperature: Blood distributes heat to all parts of the body. It also conducts heat to the surface for dissipation 8. Maintenance of pH: Blood maintains pH of tissue fluids with the help of various buffers. 9. Body defence: Blood contains phagocytic leucocytes, and immunocytes for defence against germs.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Colleges With Small Class Sizes

Colleges With Small Class Sizes Small is not a word many students hear when colleges talk about their class sizes anymore, and when they do use that word theyre most likely using it incorrectly. Major budget cuts have forced many colleges to cut costs. The easiest and most effective way for colleges to do that was by slimming down on their staff (both professors and administrators). The national, public universities were hit harder than private universities, and research universities were hit the hardest. See more from Varsity Tutors here on budget cuts leading to larger class sizes. But, not all schools have increased their class sizes, and some have actually maintained relatively small classes, according to an article in the US News World Report. The US News World Report surveyed 256 national universities in 2010 and found that 46.2 percent of those schools surveyed have class sizes under 20 students, on average. It also found that liberal arts colleges (schools that award at least half their degrees in the liberal arts field) have much smaller classes, with 63.3 of classes having fewer than 20 students. The US News World Report surveyed 1,355 total institutions of all categories including private colleges, tech/vocational schools and regional/local colleges. It found that 55.2 percent of classes have fewer than 20 students. The New School in New York topped the US News World Reports list of national universities with the smallest classes. The New School has an undergrad enrollment of 6,882 with 91.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. Naturally, most of the New Schools degrees awarded are in liberal arts fields. Four of the 10 national universities on this list are ranked in the top 10 best national colleges list, also determined by the US News World Report, not surprisingly. The four are Harvard, Yale, Columbia and the University of Chicago. Colleges try to keep their student-to-faculty ratios as low as possible. Smaller class sizes give students more one-on-one time with professors and more tailored learning. In small classes, professors can adjust their curriculum to fit the interests of each class something thats completely lost in huge, lecture halls.

Travel English Spoken English in Dublin, Ireland

Travel English Spoken English in Dublin, Ireland Dublin, Irelands capital city, is known for it particular vocabulary that is quite different to that spoken in the rest of the country.Here is a travel English guide to help you out if you are planning a trip there.SocialWhat’s the story means how are you?The Temple Bar in Dublin, Ireland.If someone wants to know how you are you might hear, Is it yourself?Come here till I tell ya means someone is trying to tell you a juicy piece of gossip.Food and DrinkScoops refers to alcoholic beverages.Dutchie is Dutch Gold, an inexpensive beer generally consumed from a can.If you are out for a heavy night’s drinking you are said to be on the lash or on the tear.Locked or gargled means drunk.A sandwich is a sambo.RandomDubliners are known for giving names to their monuments. These are always in rhyming slang. The best example of this is The Tart with the Cart (Molly Malone statue on Grafton Street).A native Dubliner is called a dub.D4 head refers to a person from the affluent Dublin 4 suburb w ith their characteristic accent, attitudes and lifestyle.Aul one means an older woman.Aul fella is used to refer to an older man.Culchie is used to refer to a person from urban and rural Ireland outside of Dublin.A ginger is a person with red hair.A foreigner is called a blow in.A person who is angry is said to be cheesed off.An eccentric man is called a quare fella.Jam jar means a car.Joe maxi is rhyming slang for a taxi.If something takes a long time, it is said to take ages.If someone says be wide, it means be careful.If something is great, it is called rapid or deadly.If someone is tired, they will say they are knackered.An idiot is called a spa or a dope.ATMs are known as drink links as they are often the last stop before a trip to the pub.If someone says fair play it means well done.To gawk means to look.A rainy day is called a soft day.If someone says the Craic was 90, it means the party was a lot of fun.Since we are talking about Dublin lets listen to one of the citys most f amous musical exports, U2 with One.Did you find this blog helpful? Feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter.

Remembering Sunscreen Talking About Our Fears For The Future in English

Remembering Sunscreen Talking About Our Fears For The Future in English In our conversations in English we almost always talk about our hopes and wishes for the future. Talking about our fears and worries for the future is another important part of language.Let’s explore this now.What words should I use? To talk about our fears we can say…I worry that (or I am worried that)…I am afraid that….I am fearful that…I am scared that…orI am concerned about…I am anxious about…I am apprehensive about…I am uneasy about…I am nervous about…..What are your fears?Some possible global fears include:The international recession,The rising cost of living,The environmental disasters currently ravaging the planet,The pollution of rivers and oceans.Some possible personal fears include:Bad health,Credit card debt,Relationship problems,Not achieving our professional goals.Expressing our fearsWhen we use the word that in our expressions, it is usually followed by the verb to be:I worry that the economic recession will not improve.I am afraid that the cost o f living will keep rising.However, when we use about, we do not use the verb to be:I am apprehensive about credit card debt.I am uneasy about the future of my relationship.Here is a hit song about dealing with our worries for the future, Baz Luhrmann’s Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen).What does Luhrmann say about worrying about the future?What are the pieces of advice listed in the song that you find most helpful?Did you find this blog interesting? Feel free to share it on Facebook.

Do I need to speak Mandarin to teach English in China

Do I need to speak Mandarin to teach English in China It can seem like a daunting experience to travel overseas to work in a country where you don't know the native language. But don't let the fear of not being able to speak Mandarin keep you from teaching English in China. Do I need to learn Chinese to teach English in China? The short answer is - nope! It’s not necessary to speak any Mandarin (or Cantonese) to be hired to teach in China. In fact, it’s actually preferred that you don’t speak anything aside from English to your students. Most, if not almost all, overseas English teachers working in China don’t speak more than a few words of Mandarin. Elibility requirements for English teaching jobs in China, like Teach Away’s very own Explore program, are usually English fluency, a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certification and not a whole lot else. If you’re looking at teaching in an ESL or language center pretty much anywhere in China, not speaking the native language will be seen as an advantage by your hiring school. Schools will want their students to be fully immersed in the English language when they are in the classroom. (As you probably know, this is the most effective way to learn a new language.) Yep, you heard that right - not speaking Mandarin is an asset when it comes to applying for English teaching jobs in China. As the teacher with native English language skills, you’re expected to communicate to your students fully in English, although you may have a local teaching assistant there in case of an acute language barrier. More often than not, your students will know at least some English, so you will likely not be starting from scratch anyway. Recommended reading: Requirements to teach English in China (Video) Can I teach English abroad without knowing the local language (or being bilingual)? You can teach English in China without a degree (and 3 other myths people think are true) How to cope with language barriers while teaching English in China So you’ve got communicating with your students in the classroom covered, but what about getting around outside school hours on your own? With locals that may not speak a word of English? Does the thought strike fear into your heart? We get it, Mandarin isn’t necessarily the easiest language to pick up. But just as your students will find it easier to learn English by being forced to listen and communicate in the language, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to learn the basic Mandarin phrases you need to get by! Before you go, take time to memorize some basic phrases and their pronunciation. If you can show that you have a basic grasp of the language, locals will be much more open to helping you out if you need it! You’re bound to end up in a situation with a communication error, but take these experiences in your stride and learn from them. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Cheatsheet: Essential Chinese phrases for English teachers English phrase Chinese translation Phonetic pronunciation Yes Shì Sheh No Bù shì Bu-sheh Hello Nihao Nee how Good morning Zao Zhow Goodnight Wan'an One-un Thank you Xièxiè Shieh-shieh My name is Wo jiào Wuh jeow How much? Duo shao? Dwuh shauw? Where is the bathroom? Xishoujian zài nali? See-sow-jian zai na-lee? Check, please Mai dan My dahn A few other things to put your mind at ease when it comes to your less-than-stellar Mandarin skills: Banks will usually have someone who can speak English to help you out. In fact, many ATMs in China have an English language option. Restaurants will typically provide a picture menu to make ordering easier. There are plenty of language apps that can help you communicate on the go. We’re big fans of WayGo for that purpose.

4 Ways for Students to Expand Their Vocabulary - TutorNerds

4 Ways for Students to Expand Their Vocabulary - TutorNerds 4 ways students can expand their vocabulary in any situation Many students aim to expand their vocabulary, whether theyre in elementary school learning new words or high school students preparing for college entrance exams. Its essential for students to learn different words with similar meanings as well as the emotional connotation of particular terms and phrases. Some terms are formal while others are casual and certain terms are only used in specific professions or fields, often called jargon. Additionally, ESL students want to expand their vocabulary from the bottom up so they can work towards fluency. Whatever a student’s goal is there are some ways they can expand their vocabulary and become a better writer. Expanded vocabulary practice can also improve any student’s reading comprehension skills. 1. Academic reading Students who are preparing for the SAT or ACT should think about doing a little bit of academic reading our Orange County test prep tutors are here to help you succeed. This type of reading is different from reading a novel or other fiction text because it tends to be mostly informative in nature and contains a lot of terms specific to a particular subject. Younger students can also participate in this reading as long as its age-appropriate. A student’s classroom teacher is always one of the best resources when compiling a reading list of age and skill level appropriate text for students in any grade. 2. Word of the day Students can learn new vocabulary one word at a time by using simple and easy online tools such as thesaurus.com to learn synonyms and antonyms of any particular term. Many online study tools provide suggestions that have an emotionally similar term and will also inform students which words are in current usage and which ones are archaic. Learning just one word every day is a great way to expand vocabulary overtime because it gives students a chance to absorb the meaning of a word and use it in their daily life rather than studying a list of dozens of words at once that are easily forgotten later (READ: 5 Tips for Success in English Class from a Private Irvine English Tutor). 3. Writing skills and word variety Many students will use the same word over and over again in a homework assignment or a research paper, ultimately making their writing less interesting than it could be if they were able to vary their word choice. Students are encouraged to underline or highlight words they use over and over again in their writing and look up synonyms. Students can talk with their teacher or private tutor to find out which words they tend to repeat and also determine which synonyms are the most appropriate in a specific situation. At first, students may choose synonyms with an emotional meaning that doesnt quite fit within the parameters of their assignment but, over time, students will gain the skill of word choice and become better writers. 4. Film and TV Some students understand new words better if they can hear them spoken rather than read them in a book. Students can learn tons of new vocabulary words by watching film and television shows to figure out which words are appropriate in a given conversation. Film and TV shows are especially helpful for ESL students who want to expand their vocabulary and work towards fluency. Its helpful to see a character’s reaction to certain words or phrases and determine if they were used in a comic or dramatic situation. ESL students will also be able to pick up on the formality of a situation and determine if they should be using that word in a professional situation or only in a casual discussion with close friends. Our in-home Irvine English tutors are here to help your child expand their vocabulary. 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.