Ionic Bonding Definition

Ionic Bonding DefinitionAn ionic bonding definition is not an easy one to come by. It basically describes how the chemical bond between two mixtures of compounds will be created by a particular process.The science of mixtures is commonly used for many different projects including a variety of different mixtures. From regular everyday products to food, all mixtures have a chemical composition which can have interactions with one another. In general, mixtures are formed when two different types of molecules come together and are able to combine into another compound. This is a fundamental change in chemistry as the reaction can take place in any number of ways depending on the environment of the reaction and how the properties of the ingredients change.To understand the idea of ionic bonding, it is necessary to understand the basics of the chemical bond. The molecules in a mixture are attracted to each other by what is called the covalent bond. This is the attraction of two different t ypes of molecules based on physical characteristics like their mass and charge. With the bonds being so strong, a mixture has a strong tendency to break apart into smaller fragments which have a strong tendency to break apart into other parts of the mixture if they are left alone.Mixtures can be made in many different ways. This could include simply adding ingredients to mix them into a new compound or combining them together for a stronger and more stable compound. There are mixtures which can be formed from substances that would not normally mix together such as water, salt and oil. Mixtures could also include materials that are mixed together and did so in different ways, for example nitric acid and ammonia are mixed together to form nitric acid.There are mixtures where volatile organic compounds are combined with other compounds like amino acids. These mixtures can be essential in making useful products such as medicines, paints and medications. By far the most common mixtures u sed in most cases are sugar and starch because these mixtures can form very stable mixtures that are very useful for many different applications.While there are many different mixtures of different chemical elements, there are still a few mixtures that are especially defined. One of these mixtures is carbon monoxide and oxygen, which are the most famous of all mixtures.In an ionic bonding definition, the key word is bonds. It is important to note that the bonds in a chemical mixture are not always permanent. When used correctly, mixtures can prove to be quite useful products can be produced in many different ways.

A Day in the Life at Johns Hopkins University

A Day in the Life at Johns Hopkins University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Caroline received her Bachelors degree in Writing Seminars from Johns Hopkins University. She is currently a tutor in Washington, D.C. specializing in AP English Language and Composition tutoring, History tutoring, Reading tutoring, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at Johns Hopkins University: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Caroline: The campus is located on the north edge of Baltimore. It provides a traditional campus experience quads, lots of trees, and stately brick buildings. Plenty of spots in the city are very accessible by public or university transit, and there is a campus shuttle that stops in Station North, a small arts district; Mt. Vernon, the historic district with museums, restaurants, and shops; and several other areas. There is also the Collegetown shuttle, which will stop at other colleges in the area, including Maryland Institute College of Art and Towson University. This, by default, gets you to various areas of Baltimore. The Baltimore public bus system is far-reaching and helpful, but it is not the most reliable if you are running on a schedule. The Charm City Circulator is a free public bus which you can access from Penn Station, and it is great for getting around the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, etc. Walking is also a great option. People sometimes like to reduce Baltimore to the d angers shown on The Wire, and while the city definitely does have its problems, walking is pretty safe in many areas, especially during the daytime. And in the immediate campus area, there is an abundance of security. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Caroline:I mainly took small humanities classes, and I found the professors to be very available and helpful. As long as you make an appointment, professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants are all very accessible. However, in the larger lecture classes, teaching assistants tend to be much more available than professors. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Caroline:All of the dormsare comfortable. Each room is a decent size and well-heated, and there are a wealth of opportunities for meeting people on your floor (depending on your Resident Assistant/your own initiative). The AMRs (buildings with traditional-style living) are known for being more social, but I lived in Wolman Hall (suite-style) and found that living with three suitemates (in two bedrooms) was a great way to get to know people in-depth right from the beginning. None of the dorms are more than a 10-minute walk from most academic buildings, and all have strong security. After sophomore year, though, most students live in apartments or rowhouses a much cheaper option in Baltimore than the upperclassmen dorms. As for the dining options, they are probably average for campus food. The freshman dining hall is great for socializing, as it is mostly only utilized by freshmen. There is also a kosher meal plan and a vegetarian station at every meal. In regard to socialization outside of the dorms, there are plenty of teams (ranging from competitive lacrosse, to club soccer, to ultimate frisbee, to Quidditch) and clubs (improvisational club, a cappella groups, theatre groups) to join. Some of the clubs outside of sports and entertainment can be somewhat haphazard/under-developed, but participation in and viewing of the aforementioned teams and clubs can be really rewarding. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Caroline:There is definitely a strong focus on STEM fields at Johns Hopkins University. These majors attract the most students, the programs are top-notch, and there are speakers and honor societies for various majors. The most popular humanities majors include International Relations and Writing Seminars, though some of these students have a second major in a STEM field. I studied Writing Seminars, which is the creative writing program. I have always had a passion for reading and writing fiction, poetry, and drama, and I am also interested in teaching. I did not have the sense that the university was very invested in supporting the literary community. At one point, I tried to start a literary society, but I could not gain university authorization, let alone funding, on the basis that literary magazines already existed, making a club for a community of writers redundant. However, these literary magazines do exist, and there are certainly resources on campus (and in Baltimore) for aspiring writers and artists. This is especially true if you keep abreast of the events going on in the MFA program for creative writing, which include weekly readings of graduate work and periodic readings from professional writers. Furthermore, there are some very dedicated professors who are deeply invested in developing student talent. One of my best academic experiences was doing an independent study to further a writing project. VT: 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? Caroline:I had a fairly easy time meeting people and making friends as a freshman. I was very lucky with the roommates I was placed with, I met people in classes, and I went to as many university events as I could in the first few weeks, when most people are very open to meeting others. I also auditioned for a short play, and participating in that helped me meet both freshmen and students in other years. Only about 25% of Johns Hopkins University students are involved in Greek life. While most freshmen attend Greek social events at least a couple of times, I would not say that Greek life is the dominant form of socializing on campus. I did not participate in Greek life, and I have no regrets. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Caroline:I have not found the Career Center to be exceedingly helpful in pointing me toward opportunities for internship and employment, though their services in helping with resumes and offering interview preparation are a great resource for many. They also have a strong alumni network, and websites with internship/job opportunities are accessible even after graduation. Career fairs at Johns Hopkins University are generally geared toward people in STEM fields, but there are certainly a number of companies in these fields that recruit on campus. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Caroline:Dorm lounges are very comfortable, and the library is quite big, with a variety of options. Each of the five floors has a different atmosphere and a different expectation for quiet so the lowest level is great for people who need total silence for concentration, and the highest level is great for people working in groups. While the library becomes quite crowded around final exams, there is generally room for everyone, and it is accessible and spacious. The same goes for Brody Learning Commons, which is attached to the library but has more technological options, different seating choices, private rooms, and a caf. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Caroline:Baltimore is a very dynamic city. There are daily musical performances, many small theatres, tons of restaurants and bars, various professional sports teams, and some inspired, powerful community initiatives. One of my best experiences at Johns Hopkins University was volunteering and engaging on a personal level with city residents and fellow students. Most students go further downtown than the Hopkins Bubble of Charles Village at least a few times a month. Baltimore has a lot to offer, and it is not too hard to find out about events going on in the city. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Caroline:The undergraduate student body is around 6,000 people. I was generally pleased with class sizes the majority of my classes were humanities seminars, with the smallest having four people and the largest having 19. The biggest class I took was a 400-person Psychology lecture. However, even class sizes in these subjects tend to dramatically decrease after the introductory level, and there are smaller lectures, as well. One History class that I took was a 40-person lecture. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Caroline:Probably the best class I took at Johns Hopkins Universitywas a class on lyrical poetry with Professor Steve Scafidi. He wrote page-long letters of feedback for each poem we wrote. I definitely learned the most from that class about how to approach and enjoy revision of any kind of writing, and how to be both generous and incisive in my feedback of others work. Check out Carolines tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Italian Vocabulary Learn the Animal Kingdom

Italian Vocabulary Learn the Animal Kingdom Suzy S. Is your child an animal lover? Below, Italian teacher Liz T. teaches a vocabulary lesson on how to name the different types  of  animals in Italian Is your child just starting to learn Italian?  Keeping  a childs attention while teaching him or her a new language can be difficult.  Keep your child  engaged by having him or her learn Italian vocabulary words for  something he or she lovesanimals! Below are various Italian vocabulary words for the most common animals as well as ways to use these vocabulary words in a sentence. As a helpful note, the following Italian vocabulary words are  in the singular form. If you want to change it to plural, dont  forget to look whether it’s masculine or feminine. Italian Vocabulary Words: House Animals from takelessons Practice the sentences below so your child will be able to hold a conversation with another person about his or her favorite household pets. Ho (insert number here) animali. (I have X number of pets.) Io sono allergico a (I am allergic to) Ho una piccolo lucertola. (I have a small lizard.) Ho perso il mio cane. (I lost my dog.) E’ questo gatto in vendita? (Is that cat for sale?) Abbiamo una cucciolata di gattini. (We have a litter of kittens.) Italian Vocabulary Words: Zoo Animals from takelessons Help your child memorize the following phrases before your next trip to the local zoo! Andiamo allo zoo! (Let’s go to the zoo!) L’elefante è grande. (The elephant is big.) Quella scimmia è malizioso. (That monkey is mischievous.) Il mio animale preferito è (My favorite animal is) Non mi piace questo animale (I don’t like this animal) Quanto alto  Ã¨ che giraffa? (How tall is that giraffe?) Italian Vocabulary Words: Farm Animals from takelessons La mucca mangia l’erba. (The cow eats grass.) Animali da fattoria sono cosi carini. (Farm animals are so cute.) Il cavallo fa un suono come questo (The horse makes a sound like this) I polli sono cova le uova. ( The chickens are hatching their eggs.) Mi piace andare a cavallo. ( I like to rise horses.) I maiali cattivo odore. ( The pigs smell bad.) I hope youve  enjoyed learning Italian and practicing these animal names  and phrases.  For a great exercise, bring your child to the closest zoo or farm and have him or her practice naming the different animals in Italian. For more Italian vocabulary words and useful phrases, ask your  Italian teacher. He or she will be able to help you feel more comfortable speaking, writing, reading, and listening about topics such as animals. Post Author:  Liz T. Liz T. teaches singing, acting, music and Italian lessons in Brooklyn, NY.  She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M. in vocal performance and has a graduate certificate in arts administration from New York University. Learn more about Liz here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Exploring Jazz Improvisation Tips for Beginners

Exploring Jazz Improvisation Tips for Beginners Suzy S. Whether you play saxophone, piano, bass, or another instrument, jazz can be a really fun genre to explore! To get started, check out these jazz improvisation tips from Brookings, SD teacher  Carl S   One of my favorite things about making music is jazz improvisation. Jazz style is a lot of fun, but adding improvisation to that is essential. I, like many of my students, was afraid to improvise at first. Here are some helpful jazz improvisation tips for starting out. Before Step One Before anything else, be honest with yourself and identify what level you’re at. If you’re a true beginner, the worst thing that you can do is try to instantly memorize what all of the chord symbols mean. Yes, they are important, but this is not step one. Even if you’re just starting out with your instrument, you can begin by training your ear. Step One The first thing I have a student do is jam out on one note. I set up a play-along track, or even just a metronome, and then I play a measure of some rhythmic idea. Then, I have the student copy me. We repeat this several times, paying extra attention to style and articulation. Then, I expand to playing three note, then five, etc. All students can do this, and it is easy to customize to their needs. Remember to Have Fun! How do you get better between lessons? When I was in middle school, one of my favorite things to do was play along with the radio. I’d play mainstream radio melodies on the saxophone, not even realizing how important this was to my future as a musician. I was training my ear and having fun doing it! Start with Simple Music Theory Once you can do this, it’s probably time to start checking out some chord symbols. A lot of people start with the blues progression, but that’s a lot of fast changing chords for a beginner. I prefer to start with a slower paced AABA form, such as a tune like “Impressions” or “So What”. Learning two scales and having plenty of time to clearly hear the harmony changing makes this transition much easier. The Blues Now’s the time to try the blues. Many band directors will teach you the “blues scale” at this point. While this is a quick fix for band directors to get students to play something for a concert, it is not really considered playing the changes of a blues form. I suggest looking at Jamie Aebersold’s Play-Along Volume 54 “Maiden Voyage”. These books and many other great resources are available at www.jazzbooks.com. This series of play-along books is very well known to jazzers, and there are well over 100 volumes made for all instruments. Check out the third tune called “Bb Blues”. More Difficult Chord Progressions From here, chord progressions get more difficult. The Aebersold books can be very helpful, since they spell out the scale for each chord symbol. At this point, it is very easy to develop a habit of only improvising while staring at the page. Don’t forget to use your ear! Learning Tunes The Real Book Volume I (6th Edition) is available at www.jazzbooks.com as well as many other places, including iBooks. This is a book with hundreds of standard jazz tunes, and there are several volumes and categories. The tempting thing to do is to learn these tunes by reading, however, it is better to learn them by ear. To do this, start by picking an easy tune that’s in the book, find it on YouTube being performed by the original artist/composer, and go from there. Additional Resources Aebersold has created play-alongs for these books, but there is a cheaper and more customizable option. I use an app called iReal Pro, which is inexpensive and always with me on my phone. First, download the app, then add the content, which includes over 1,000 songs. From here, you can transpose, add dozens of repeats for practice, change tempos, etc. This is a lot of information, but if you first identify what level you’re at and keep these jazz improvisation tips in mind, you’ll be gigging like a pro in no time! Carl S. teaches saxophone, music theory, piano, and more in Brookings, SD. He  completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance at the University of Kansas in 2014, and his Master of Music Pedagogy and Performance from Oklahoma State University in 2011.  Learn more about Carl here!   Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  sebastien letellier

What to Know About the Mathematics Level I SAT Subject Test

What to Know About the Mathematics Level I SAT Subject Test If youve done well in your high school math classes or if youre thinking of majoring in a STEM program, you may wish to take the Mathematics Level 1 SAT Subject Test. Taking one year of geometry and two years of algebra is recommended for this exam. Other things to know about the Mathematics Level I SAT Subject Test include what topics will be tested on the exam, the calculator policy, and prep strategies. When going into an SAT subject test, it is important to feel prepared. Keep reading to learn what to know about the Mathematics Level I SAT Subject Test. Mathematics Level I SAT Subject Test 101 This test is offered in August, October, November, December, May, and June, so plan accordingly. The highest score you can receive is an 800, while the lowest is a 200. There are 50 multiple-choice questions that you must complete in 60 minutes. The exam provides some reference information to test-takers, which includes volume formulas for a pyramid, right circular cone, and sphere, as well as the surface area of a sphere. The College Board recommends that you select the Mathematics Level 2 test (rather than Level 1) if you have earned a B or better in pre-calculus and/or trigonometry. You should also be comfortable with a graphing or scientific calculator. If youre confused as to which exam you should register for, consult your guidance counselor or math teacher. [RELATED: Should I Take SAT Subject Tests?] Topics on the Mathematics Level I SAT Subject Test Algebra and functions make up approximately 48-52% of the test. This includes equations, expressions, inequalities, representation and modeling, and properties of various functions. The other significant portion of the exam (again, 48-52%) is geometry and measurement. This encompasses coordinate geometry (like circles and lines), three-dimensional geometry (like solids, surface area, and volume), and trigonometry (like right triangles). Numbers and operations make up 10-14% of the test. This involves complex numbers, counting, elementary number theory, matrices, operations, ratio and proportion, and sequences. Finally, there are some problems (8-12%) on data analysis, probability, and statistics. Specifically, this refers to graphs and plots, least squares regression, mean, median, mode, probability, and range and interquartile range. Calculator use on the Mathematics Level I SAT Subject Test Calculators are allowed on the Mathematics Level 1 test, so be sure to practice with one while studying. Determine which problems are best solved with a calculator, and try to be as efficient as possibledont punch in every single operation, as this likely wont help you with timing. How to prepare for the Mathematics Level I SAT Subject Test Your class notes and past exams will be great starting points for you in your preparation for this assessment. Review this material to refresh your memory and to see what concepts you need to revisit. Touch base with your math teacher to see if he or she has any tips. If any other students in your class are taking the exam, consider forming a study group. In addition, you can and should complete several practice tests. Doing so will clue you in to what you still need to work on, and give you an idea of your timing. Those 60 minutes will fly by, so its important to know how to pace yourself. With some preparation, the Mathematics Level 1 SAT Subject Test can be a positive experience. Remember, the material is based off of the average classwork in an American high school. You can still receive a top score without getting all of the questions correct. Good luck! [RELATED: How to Succeed on SAT Subject Tests] 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 at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Online Theoretical Probability Formula Tutors

Online Theoretical Probability Formula Tutors Probability is the study of the chances of an event occurring or not occurring based on the total number of outcomes possible in a given situation. There are two types of probabilities known as the Theoretical probability and the Empirical probability. Theoretical probability of a certain event is the number of ways in which the event can occur when compared to the total number of outcomes for that event. Theoretical probability arises from a sample space consisting of outcomes which are equally likely to occur. Example 1: Find the probability of getting a 2 on a rolling fair die. When a fair die is rolled, there are 6 total number of outcomes possible. They are: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}. Hence the sample space for rolling a fair die is 6 equally likely outcomes. Theoretical probability formula, P(E) = (number of outcomes of the event)/ (Total number of possible outcomes) Getting a 2 on the fair die has a chance of 1 out of 6 possible outcomes Therefore, P(E) = 1/6 Example 2: Find the probability of a rolling a fair die and getting an even number. When a fair die is rolled, there are 6 total number of outcomes possible. They are: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}. Hence the sample space for rolling a fair die is 6 equally likely outcomes. Theoretical probability formula, P(E) = (number of outcomes of the event)/ (Total number of possible outcomes) Possible outcomes of getting an even number = {2, 4, 6} = 3 outcomes out of 6 total outcomes. Therefore, P(E) = 3/6 = 1/2

Learn Business English with ESOL courses

Learn Business English with ESOL courses Learning Business English: A Key Asset in the World of Work ChaptersHow English Became the Language of BusinessWhy Did English Become the Language of Business?How to Learn Business EnglishWhich Business Interests You?Starting Your Own Business with Your New Language SkillsThe Future of English as the Language of BusinessThere are seven thousand, ninety nine languages spoken in the world today. Of them, only twenty three represent the majority of the world's population.It is estimated that, as of 2015, more than a billion and a half people were able to conduct business in English, no matter what their native language is. That number has surely grown since then!Although no political body, administrative group or scholarly assembly purposely strove to make English the world's business language, the fact remains that:The World Government Summit, a global peace and cause advancement initiative, held each year in Dubai, is conducted in EnglishThe United Nations, a body active in all aspects of humanity, consists of delegates from almost every count ry in the world. Although individual nations carry out missions using their own language, major conferences are all held in English.Scientists from all over the world publish their findings in English, which became the language of science during the 1920s.As of 2008, all pilots and air traffic controllers must use English for all international flights, no matter which country they live in.Let us take a closer look at how and why English has become the language to speak while conducting business.trade, and finance.One aspect of business English is communication, focusing on spoken English and the language skills needed to host presentations, meetings and negotiations.Business writing concerns itself with reports, correspondence and memos.Business English vocabulary is targeted to specific areas. If your interest lies in finance, some new words you might learn are currency, accounting, and liability.If you are more driven toward tourism and the hospitality industry, your vocabulary wo uld consist of words like accommodation, destination, and fare aggregator.It is always a good idea to learn as much as you can. However, you should improve your English by first focusing on the vocabulary and English phrases that relate directly to the industry or business you wish to work in.Once you secure your dream job, you can devote more time to English learning. Starting Your Own Business with Your New Language SkillsHave you ever dreamed of owning your own store? Importing goods from around the world and introducing them to your British neighbors?What about opening a restaurant? Or a child care facility?These are all occasions for you to use your newly-gained skills. Organisation and proficiency in English are absolutely vital in businesses that deal with the public.With any of these ventures, you will have to navigate agencies that issue licenses and collect taxes, among others. Here, the ability to use business English would be of tremendous benefit to you.Learn how to mak e English learning easy with our guide to simplifying ESOL Courses including english courses in london and beyond.How would you like to be a teacher?With your developed English skills, you could help non native speakers learn to speak English.You can promote your services as an English teacher to students practicing for IELTS or TOEFL by posting adverts on college campuses and supermarkets.You could build a tutoring profile with Superprof and make learning English fun.Your biggest selling point is that you have experience as a non native speaker learning English. You understand how tricky grammar can be. You might have a simpler way to teach verb tenses and vocabulary.Consider teaching your native language to English speakers.Scientists agree that people who are bilingual have increased attention spans and are able to focus better in the high pressure business world of today.Employers actively seek out job candidates who are bi-or multi-lingual because they are absolutely vital in t oday's global business arena. Wouldn't it stand to reason that your British friends and neighbors might want to learn another language, if for no other reason than to increase their pay?Think about the countries that shape the economy; China and India among them. If you are a native speaker of languages from those lands, you could comfortably and confidently teach a native English speaker Mandarin or Punjabi.Your solid grasp of English conversation, especially in business English terms, might mean you could win contracts to educate employees in a second language for global firm.Another business opportunity you could investigate is teaching English online, via Skype, to English learners in your home country.Online teaching opens up new levels of creativity and opportunity for you â€" Sylvia GuinanThrough your efforts at language learning, you know how to learn English. You could conduct general English lessons one on one or in small groups most effectively. Why not learn English thro ugh film and songs?Or, for students already studying English in school, you could offer homework help, grammar exercises and listening practice.This business opportunity is less demanding of business English vocabulary than teaching in a classroom or education centre. Still, your business English skills would be required when completing the necessary forms to declare your business.No need for oracles: the future of business English is secure! (Source: Pixabay Credit: RosieLea)The Future of English as the Language of BusinessLiguists worry that, because of China's growing economic might, Mandarin may replace English as the language of business.That fear is intensified because Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world (English falls third on that list of global languages).What does that mean for you, who has worked so hard to speak English fluently?Not a thing, other than you should practice English more.Chinese schools routinely recruit native English speakers to teach English to their students.Companies that teach English online are springing up seemingly overnight and flooding the Internet with their tailored lessons.Video tutorials abound as well.Countries such as Pakistan, Japan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia all staff their international schools with native English speakers to ensure only the highest quality English instruction is given.Sixty seven countries list English as their primary language; a further twenty seven speak English as their official secondary language.In light of all that, you can rest assured that your business English skills will be vital for a long time to come.Discover how learning English can give you greater access to higher education and online materials.

Professores da LOI English Adriana Menoli

Professores da LOI English Adriana Menoli Ter aulas de Inglês por Skype pode ser estressante, até porque  existem mitos que envolvem este tipo de aprendizagem. No entanto, para que quem aprende ou pretende aprender nesse formato se sinta mais à vontade, resolvi falar com vários professores da LOI English, de forma a que possam conhecê-los um pouco melhor.Minha primeira vítima foi  Adriana Menoli, uma professora brasileira, que viveu nos Estados Unidos por mais de uma década, cujo trabalho é focado em ajudar os alunos que estejam em um nível de iniciação a se sentirem mais confiantes durante as aulas online.  Para entender como os alunos que não têm um nível avançado de Inglês são recebidos, tive uma conversa bastante descontraída com Adriana.Embora a professora fale Português perfeitamente, tivemos a nossa conversa em Inglês (nem eu escapei do método dela!). Adriana comentou que dá as suas aulas sempre em Inglês para ajudar no desenvolvimento das capacidades de compreensão e produção oral dos seus a lunos. No entanto, quando questionei sobre alunos que estão um nível tão inicial que não compreendem nada se não for em Português, Adriana contou que quando percebe dificuldades dá dicas para ajudar, tais como construir as frases de forma diferente, dar palavras-chave ou mesmo falar em Português, se tal for necessário.Segundo Adriana, algumas das maiores dificuldades para brasileiros que pretendem ser fluentes em Inglês estão relacionadas com as frases-tipo, aprendidas nos cursos de Inglês tradicionais e que criam a ilusão de que o aluno é capaz conversar naturalmente quando, na verdade, está apenas reproduzindo clichés aprendidos, que nem sempre são construções frásicas comuns para os nativos. Como é o caso do diálogo:    How are you?    Im fine, thanks. And you?.Mesmo não estando incorretas, existem construções que não são comumente utilizadas por nativos, o que faz com que a produção oral do aluno esteja limitada às construções e ao vocabulário d e cursos que focam mais em gramática do que em conversação. Isso faz com que o modo de falar não seja natural e, por esse motivo, seja mais difícil de entender. De acordo com Adriana, essa deficiência no desenvolvimento da produção oral é uma das causas de grande parte das dificuldades dos brasileiros enquanto estudantes de Inglês.Além disso, explicar conceitos que não existem em Português como o Present Perfect ou que são tão comuns no dia-a-dia dos alunos enquanto falantes nativos de Português, que passam despercebidos em Inglês, como é o caso dos idioms são desafios que Adriana encontra durante as aulas, mas que tenta superar estando sempre pronta para adaptar o que tem preparado de acordo com as necessidades específicas dos estudantes que a procuram.Conversei com a Adriana pelo Skype, da mesma forma que os estudantes da LOI English interagem com ela. Falando sobre o seu trabalho e sobre aquilo que pretende enquanto professora, percebi em Adriana o entusia smo de quem realmente adora ensinar, que acredita que estar preparada e saber como deixar o aluno à vontade são ferramentas cruciais para o sucesso, mas que, acima de tudo, demonstra ser uma profissional preparada para auxiliar alunos que ainda não se sentem confiantes o suficiente para ter aulas com um professor que não fale Português.

How I Gained 260 Points on the GMAT

How I Gained 260 Points on the GMAT GMAT MBA Admissions Blog Five times.....yes.....five times......I took the GMAT five times for admission to business school. Was there something wrong with me? For a while, I thought there was but now that I look back....Absolutely not.Standardized exams are just one of those things that I've always had to work hard at to score decently. I should have taken a hint when I scored about average on the SATs in high school.My mind just works in mysterious ways and I'm sure that if the GMAT tested for emotionally charged responses, I'd score very well.Regardless, scoring high on the GMAT is definitely possible when you put in the effort to think like a standardized test taker. This involves various pieces of knowledge, logic, systematic thinking, and a lot of practice.So...how does one get there?For me, it was a long road. 2 years to be exact. But it was worth it.For starters, according to the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), better known as the guys who make the GMAT exam, about 10% of GMAT retakers obtain a significant gain of 100 points or more.That 10% takes a lot of hard work but with the right attitude, you can accomplish anything! What exactly was the end result for me?A 260 point gain! So yes, it's doable!When you think about it, you have a ton of options to increase your score: self-study, study groups, tutoring, prep courses, and online forums. Which one is thee right one for you is something only you can answer. It will definitely rely on how committed you are, too!I'll share my experience with you after taking the GMAT each time. 1st Attempt When I took the GMAT the first time around, I took it cold. No study guides, no prepping, and some knowledge on what the exam was about. If you had asked me what a data sufficiency question was, I might have given you a deer-in-headlights look! But I bit the bullet and took it. $250 later and a score of a 420, I was a bit short of breath. The feeling of disappointment lasted for a few days and it gave me the motivation I needed to sign up for a Kaplan prep course. I had to start somewhere. I didn't dwell on the score so much. I just got back up and knew what I had to do. Lesson learned? Take a free practice exam on mba.com. Some prep courses such as Manhattan GMAT give a free diagnostic exam. Go to the library, lock yourself up, and take the whole thing. Yes, that includes the writing section. From there, conduct an informal self-assessment and see what your weaknesses are just by looking at the answers you got wrong. Ask yourself whether it was time management, a lack of knowledge or approach that contributed to the questions you answered incorrectly. Although there are a variety of factors involved in answering questions incorrectly, this is a start. Make a plan, and follow it. Whatever you do, don't take the GMAT cold, go for lukewarm. 2nd Attempt Two months later........a 460. A 460?! Blargh! A 40 point increase even after taking a prep course?! Two weeks prior, I had a completed a 6-week Kaplan course at $1,500! I had taken a few of their practice exams and scored okay on some of the exams, definitely nowhere near a 460 though. I was confused. I was also spending over 30 hours working on practice problems. I really wasn't sure what I was doing wrong. But alas, I moved forward. At this point, I knew I was in for a challenge and I was determined to do well on the GMAT. Lesson learned? Now that I look back, the Kaplan prep course was definitely not for me. If you're going to take a live class, make sure it goes at a pace that's suitable for you. Also, try and take a glance at some of the resource materials and get a sense of what you're looking at. I know there are a ton of prep courses out there, but if you've made your mind up, ask around and do some research before you spend that type of money. In my case, I really put in the time and energy but I was missing something and I wasn't sure what that was quite yet. 3rd Attempt Bam! A 530. Okay, I broke the 500 mark but seriously, I was aiming for a top business school and I had my eyes set on MIT Sloan whose average GMAT score was well over 700. At some points, I think I wanted to break down but I kept strong. I spent almost five months studying by myself and using my old Kaplan materials to practice, practice, practice. I was spending 3-4 hours a day during the week and 6-8 hours during the weekends studying. It was pretty intense. I also became aware of other resources such as Beat the GMAT, GMAT Club, and some other websites to read success stories and see where I could improve. Lesson learned? Email other GMAT takers and see what's working for them. Don't spend TOO much time reading and writing on the forums as this can become a full-time job in itself. Reach out to a few folks who are studying and have done well on the GMAT and see what are some of their methods. I definitely learned a few tips that worked for me. At this point, I started to see what I needed to improve my score and I figured I needed another prep course. A good one that would work for me. And that's exactly what I did. 4th Attempt A 580! Woohoo! Okay. I was getting closer. Although it was only a 50 point increase from my previous score, it was a 160 point increase from my 420. I didn't want to spend time really thinking about getting a higher score. I knew I needed one but I just went back to the drawing board and picked up where I left off. Before my fourth attempt, I took an 8-week Manhattan GMAT self-study prep course. I spent less time studying but followed their regimented syllabus which is awesome. Aside using their materials, I was also participating in the forums a little more but I was only interacting with students who were solving questions. I also created my own support group on the Manhattan GMAT website and even set up a study group in my hometown. Here is where I started to really learn a lot. While studying with my study group, I began to realize that I learned best when someone taught me the right way to answer a question. A lot times, things had to be explained to me in various ways before I could understand some of those moderately difficult math and verbal questions. I also became aware that the students in my group were using tutors. Neither of the tutors were affiliated with any major test prep companies, they were general tutors who understood standardized exams. I was a bit hesitant to hire a tutor since I had spent quite a bit of money already. At this point, I was running on fumes since I really had devoted a lot of time and energy to the GMAT. But after seeing positive results come out of other students, I decided to invest one more time. Lesson learned? As you move forward, understand your strengths and weaknesses. How do you learn best? It's more than just going over answers over, and over, and over again. I can't tell you how often I went over incorrect answers over and over again only to get them wrong again later. I wasn't truly understanding how to solve the questions. It's all about your gaining various approaches to answering questions that are commonly asked on the GMAT. Once you know this, you'll start to see a difference. 5th Attempt And the fat lady sang! A 680!By this point, I had decreased the number of study hours studying to 15 a week and had hired a tutor with whom I was meeting once a week. It definitely paid off as I started to see a huge difference in my study habits and diagnostic scores on certain online exams. All along, what I really needed was someone to guide me through various questions in a way that was easy for me to understand. Right from the get go, the tutor understood where I faltered and made sure that I COMPLETELY understood WHY I was getting certain answers wrong. We focused on questions that I guessed on and answers that I answered incorrectly. I was able to see, for instance, that I was spending way too much time trying to answer difficult questions, when in reality, I should have been trying to answer the question and then making an educated guess if I could not answer it in time. I also learned various patterns in questions that were frequently asked - both the verbal and quant sections. My tutor also showed me various techniques and strategies for answering questions quickly when I was on a time crunch. I learned new concepts that I had not picked up in prior prep courses. There are so many ways to solve those math questions, and they're endless ways to interpret a passage; my tutor made sure I understood what the question was really asking. I was also staying away from those emotionally charged answers that got me every time. Lesson learned? The details go beyond this. What I learned most about my tutoring experience was that she understood my way of thinking. We went over my exam history and how my weaknesses lied in the verbal section. Although we spent time on the quant section, we spent more time looking at critical reasoning and reading comprehension. Together, we built strategies and tactics for dealing with the harder questions. I could not have done any of this without a tutor. And had I known this would have been the result when I first started studying for the GMAT, I would have gladly reallocated my funds to hiring a tutor. So before you invest, think about your study habits and learning style. This will help you out tremendously as you venture on a quest to get a high GMAT score. Believe me, a higher GMAT score is definitely possible. A 260 point gain doesn't come out of thin air. It happens when you put in the hard work. It will also depend on how much time you spend doing high-quality studying. There's definitely a psychology to this whole process but if you have dreams, don't let the GMAT get in the way. Knock it down. What about you? Do you have any successes? Have you used a tutor? Your comments are welcome! Please visit our GMAT tutoring page to learn more about how MyGuru and our highly qualified tutors can help you get your best possible score in the most efficient way possible! This was a Guest Post byOscar Pedroso, Founder of MBA Writers Block Here's a bit about Oscar and MBA Writers Block: In October 2011, MBAwritersblock.com was born as a way for me to share my experience of applying to business school. I spentthree yearsand almost$11,000applying to seven top MBA programs. I believe no one should ever have to spend that much money to pursue an education in business. So my first goal is to show you, that with hard work and perseverance, you can tackle the business school writing process by learning how to write powerful essays. My second goal is to turn MBAwritersblock.com into a powerful resource for young professionals applying to business school, online and off, so they can apply intelligently and inexpensively.