The 10 Most Common Spelling Mistakes in English

The 10 Most Common Spelling Mistakes in English How to Avoid the Most Common English Spelling Mistakes ChaptersA Mismatch Made in Heaven: English Pronunciation and Spelling10 Nightmare Spellings You Will Encounter in Your English LessonsFor English native speakers as well as those who learn English as a foreign language, getting the hang of English grammar and spelling is a frustrating task.Sadly for some, every learner has to study English spelling in addition to their English listening comprehension, literacy skills, speaking skills, reading and writing skills as well as practicing their knowledge of slang and idiomatic phrases to improve their overall proficiency and language skills.With an international status, few irregular verbs, no gendered nouns and adjectives that don't change depending on tenses or number, English may seem an attractive second language  to a  non-native  English learner, but it causes nothing but trouble from the word ‘go’.However, there is an upside when it comes to studying English spelling and grammar: you learn to expect the unexpected.Thankfully, yo u’re not alone in your struggle.The average native English speaker regularly has trouble spelling certain words which seem simple at first, and the interesting spelling of English vocabulary reflects its rich history.And for every problem, there’s a solution â€" starting to learn English spellings of new words as you improve your vocabulary is all part of the fun!De-finite-lyThis takes care of the vowel mix-ups in the middle, and then all you need to remember is the starting and finishing letters.Separate Like ‘definitely’, the frequent misspelling of ‘separate’ is down to the subtle difference between its pronunciation and spelling.People often mistakenly only use one ‘A’, spelling it ‘seperate’ â€" which doesn’t look wrong.You have to learn to catch yourself out when writing it, and make sure you use two ‘A’s.Some people use the phrase ‘an R separates the two A’s’ to remember the spelling.ConsensusThis word isn’t a part of an English speaker’s e veryday vocabulary, but when it does come up, it’s usually spelt incorrectly.This is probably because of the number of possible pronunciations of the letter ‘C’, which is often pronounced as an ‘S’ sound.For this reason, people become confused as to whether the first ‘S’ sound is indeed a ‘C’ or an ‘S’.To English speakers, the final ‘U’ may also cause confusion, since they are used to an ‘o-u’ combination to represent this sound.Business‘Business’ is a prime example of an English word that looks nothing like its pronunciation.Even some adults find spelling it a challenge, probably because it is such a common word that they’re used to seeing, so never think about the spelling irregularity.Good spelling is everyone's business ¦ source: Visualhunt - Olu EletuThe best way to remember this spelling is easy: just picture its meaning â€" busy-ness!After that, all you have to do it swap the ‘Y’ for an ‘I’ - and you'll be speaking business English in no time.A lotTechnically, ‘a lot’ doesn’t count as a word, but its misspelling is so common that we simply had to include it on our list.‘A lot’ can mean ‘very’, ‘much’, ‘many’, ‘numerous’, ‘several’, the list goes on.This word features in everyday vocab, but is more common in spoken English, as it one of the less formal among these expressions.For this reason, English speakers rarely see it written down, and therefore misspell it as it sounds in English speaking, as ‘alot’.This is why, for those aiming to become fluent in English, spelling is so important.Even simple spellings can be lost when speaking English, so be sure to pay attention to every aspect of your skills with quizzes and grammar exercises so you don't get caught out in written exams!This is just one of the ways you can improve your English speaking fluency, English writing and listening skills when you learn to speak English as a second language. Learn the difference between UK a nd US spelling.

How to Practise Yoga for Beginners at Home

How to Practise Yoga for Beginners at Home How to Start Yoga at Home ChaptersWhy Practise Yoga at Home?How to Start Yoga at HomeEquipment for Your Home Yoga StudioThe Best DVDs for Home YogaYouTube Home Yoga Videos“Yoga means addition â€" addition of energy, strength and beauty to body, mind and soul.” - Amit RayWould you like to start doing yoga but don’t have the time to go to group yoga classes? Are you looking for a way to relax without breaking the bank?Practise yoga at home! Yoga is for everyone, after all.There are excellent books, DVDs, and online yoga practice resources available.To start things off and make sure you don’t pick up any bad habits, you should follow our advice...yoga works on all your muscles through stretching movements.The benefits of yoga aren't just physical; you can gain a deeper awareness of the world around you, an inner calm, and relieve anxiety through mindfulness meditation as a complement to a gentle yoga routine.Once you start, you’ll quickly realise that it’s not boring either since there are so many di fferent types of yoga: Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Kundalini yoga, restorative yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Yin yoga, etc.Find out what to look for when choosing your yoga mat...How to Start Yoga at HomeAre you ready to take your first steps into the world of yoga?As a beginner, it’s important that you make sure you’re ready to go in order to take care of your body and not injure yourself by attempting a challenging asana. Don't move onto an intermediate yoga pose before you've mastered the basics.Breathe and stretch! (Source: StockSnap)To get ready, you should:Make sure that you won’t be disturbed for between half an hour and an hour.Get your yoga mat readyPut your smartphone to silentPut on some music to help you relax and unwind. You could even put together a special yoga playlist that lasts the right amount of time.One thing you should definitely keep in mind: breathing, or pranayama, is an integral part of yoga. Make sure you’re breathing deeply during your exercises and sequence of yoga postures. You also need to focus on each breath.Here are three exercises for beginners to use with their yoga mat:Seated PoseSeated poses are ideal for starting your yoga sessions. It can relax your mind and body and encourages a good posture.Sit down. Keep your head, neck, and back aligned. Relax your shoulders, place your hands on your knees with your palm facing upwards and close your eyes. Be mindful of your breathing.The Chair PoseBend your knees while keeping them over your feet with your thighs as parallel to the floor as possible. Your torso should form a right angle with your thighs. Raise your hands towards the sky as you breathe. Place your weight on your heels so that your knees don’t bend too far forward.Search for yoga Manchester now.The Tree PoseThe tree pose works on your balance and strengthens the muscles in your lower body. Place your weight on your left leg and put the sole of your foot on your left ankle, move your right knee to the side, and then mov e your right foot up to your thigh. Keep your head straight and contract your abs and buttocks.Place your hands together as if you were praying and then raise them above your head. Stretch upwards, breathe, and hold this position for a few moments. Then do the same for the other side.Pick up on these techniques to master meditation...running with yoga...The Best DVDs for Home YogaHave you already learnt the basics and would like to go a little further? There are some great DVDs for yoga sessions in your own home, even for beginners!Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies, Sara IvanhoeThis DVD covers the basics of yoga and teaches you the 12 key yoga poses. Relax, learn different breathing exercises, and tone your body. This is a great resource with plenty of yoga for beginners.Yoga for Absolute Beginners, Susan FultonLearn quickly and become more flexible thanks to these exercises for beginners. The yoga poses are clearly explained and you can get your body moving along the relaxing music. P erfect for starting out.If you’re looking for something more dynamic, check out Susan Fulton’s Hatha Ashtanga Yoga series. You can quickly tone your body and rejuvenate the nervous system while learning how to control your emotions.Yoga to the Rescue for Back Pain, Desire RumbaughDo you have back problems or need to strengthen your back? Go with methods designed to improve your back muscles and alleviate back pain. You’ll also get rid of tension and improve the alignment of your spine.Yoga for Stress Relief, Barbara BenaghFind a relaxing and effective way to rid yourself of stress with yoga.Discover some of the best documentaries about yoga and meditation...YouTube Home Yoga VideosIn addition to DVDs, you can find plenty of videos on how to learn yoga on YouTube. If you don't have a yoga teacher training you, you should check out these digital yogis to learn more about yoga.Your yoga tutor doesn't necessarily need to be in the room with you. (Source: TheDigitalArtist)Yoga wit h AdrieneAdriene’s YouTube channel has a good range of yoga videos. You can do yoga for a variety of different reasons. Whether it’s for runners, for weight loss, or bedtime yoga, you’ll be able to find the right video routine for you. There are also a lot of good videos for beginners.Kino YogaKino, the host of this channel, is an experienced yogi and one of YouTube's most popular yoga teachers. His channel is a great resource for those learning yoga. If you’re looking for any particular pose, this is the channel you should go to first.Tara StilesTara Stiles created Strala Yoga, a dynamic yoga method that you do with music. Head on over to her YouTube channel. Without taking yourself too seriously, you can learn yoga exercises you can do to relax and for strengthening. If you’re expecting a special gift, why not try out prenatal yoga?So whether you're looking for spiritual healing, guided meditation, beginner yoga routines, there's nothing stopping you from learning how to do a few sun salutations in your living room and bringing your body and mind together.If you're completely new to yoga and would like more help, you should consider getting yoga tutorials from a private tutor. A lot of tutors and yogis on Superprof offer a free yoga taster session for the first hour so you can see if they're right for you.Now head over to our FAQ page for everything you want to know about yoga and if you would like to see some yoga documentaries, read our summary blog.

How to Find a Ballet Teacher

How to Find a Ballet Teacher Advice for Choosing the Right Dance Teacher ChaptersThe Places Where You Should Look for a Ballet TeacherThe Questions You Need to Ask Your Potential Dance TeacherWhat You Should Look for in a Ballet Teacher“A day without dancing is a day wasted” - NietzscheIf that’s the case, how many days have you wasted?Maybe it’s time to learn ballet!Whether you’re doing an intensive dance workshop, an introduction to dance, advanced ballet training, or attending a ballet school, the teacher is hugely important when it comes to learning such a challenging art form.Since ballet requires musicality, coordination, artistry, rhythm, and a good posture, you need a quality teacher.  They’re there to help you with your timing and movement throughout your dance education.But how can you find the right ballet teacher?Do they have to be professional dancers?Is it better to attend workshops or get private instruction?Can adult students learn to do ballet?Superprof is here to help you find a good teacher with passion, poise, and grace. Sea mDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Places Where You Should Look for a Ballet TeacherFinding a ballet teacher needn’t be that difficult. There are plenty of places offering ballet lessons and workshops. You just need to choose the one that teaches ballet classes for your level.Getting Ballet Lessons at a Conservatoire or UniversityYou become a ballet dancer at any age. (Source: Skitterphoto)Can you get “adult ballet classes”?Even for beginners?Of course, you can! Not everyone attending a conservatoire aspires to be a famous dancer. Most people wrongly assume that if you want to attend adult ballet classes, you have to be a ballet dancer at a dance company or preparing for an audition.Of course, conservatoires do tend to produce some of the best dancers in the country. However, not every famous dancer attended a conservatoire and not all the alumni of conservatoires are famous dancers.However, to get on a lot of the courses at a conservatoire, you'll have to have some experience with dance classes and an understanding of ballet technique.  That said, if you do decide to enrol at a conservatoire, it's because you want a career in the arts.Find dance classes in London.Picking a Ballet Teacher from a Dance SchoolIf you want to start learning how to dance, think about having a look at the dance schools in your region. The teachers at these schools are often experienced and offer quality lessons.These lessons can be rather pricey depending on the dance school you choose to attend but they often also come with some of the best equipment. However, not every dance studio is the same.  Many of them also offer drop-in lessons and ballet lessons.Not know the first thing about dancing?Don’t worry! You can always attend recreational ballet lessons for “absolute beginners”.If you want to master advanced techniques, you're going to have to work hard. (Source: roxanablav)Since ballet can be quite technical, a beginner ballet class usually assumes that you've been shown the fundamentals of the discipline. When first beginning ballet lessons, you'll usually start with “absolute beginners” that will introduce you to ballet before moving onto “beginners”, “intermediate”, and then “advanced” classes.Once you start mastering ballet, you can focus on the specific aspects of your dance training with classes with an emphasis on things like pointe technique or physical strengthening and co nditioning.Make sure to check out the school's syllabus or curriculum before you sign up to participate in their adult dance programmes.Get Private Ballet LessonsAre you a bit shy in class?Would you like to learn more quickly than you would in a traditional group class?Are you getting ready for a dance competition or exam?You should check out private ballet tutorials!Private tuition is also useful for those who'd struggle with the class schedule at a ballet studio or a dance classes near me that's taught at the same time every week. With a private tutor, you and your instructor can decide where and when you get your dance training.Whether advertised on a bulletin board in the supermarket, Facebook pages, or on specialised platforms like Superprof, there are plenty of ways to find and get in touch with private ballet tutors or other dance tutors.There are plenty of dance tutors from all around the country on Superprof. Some tutors charge very little but may not have a lot of experien ce. Experienced tutors may provide the best education but come at a cost. The rates of tutors can vary wildly between £15 to £60 per hour and change depending on where the tutor is, your level, the tutor’s experience, and the type of ballet tutorials that you’re looking for.Private tutorials are also useful for those who need to prepare for a show. If you've got rehearsal for the Nutcracker or Swan Lake and feel that you should brush up on your ballet pointe technique or just want to broaden your repertoire before you start your placement at an academy of dance, your tutor can focus on what you need to improve far more than you could in your typical adult class.The Questions You Need to Ask Your Potential Dance TeacherBefore you choose your dance teacher or dance academy, you have to ask a few questions.Make sure they have the necessary qualifications. A good dancer isn’t necessarily a good teacher, so make sure that they have qualifications and experience in teaching. Gener ally, the teacher should have at least a level 3 qualification (A Level or equivalent) in dancing.People tend to think that ballet lessons are expensive. You should make sure that you do your research on the cost before you start aspiring to be the next George Balanchine, the man who founded the New York City Ballet where he was the Artistic Director for many years a.k.a. the father of American Ballet.In some cases, you can pay every month, semester, or year to make things easier. You can pay for several lessons at once at some of the more modern dance schools. This means you can show up to several different dance classes and try them out.Some places even offer discounts for students, job seekers, senior citizens, or just for signing up several family members or friends at the same school.What does the ideal ballet tutor look like? (Source: creades)When you sign up, you might be asked a few questions about your health and fitness just to make sure that you won’t injure yourself du ring lessons. This is often a legal requirement. You’ll also be expected to provide general information like your name, address, telephone number, etc.Some ballet teachers may even expect you to wear specific clothes for their lessons. Make sure you find out if they do and, if so, what they are. Otherwise, you should get a leotard, tights or leggings, ballet shoes, and make sure you tie your hair up. Don’t wear anything that could hinder your movements.It’s common for schools to offer free taster sessions for the first class of the year. This is useful for helping you decide whether or not the course is for you. You should focus on the teaching style and how they structure their lesson.A lot of schools also put on an end of year show to show off what their students are capable of. However, this may mean that a student has to pay more. Make sure you find out if they do and, if so, how much it would cost.  Go see this show to see if it seems like the type of school you’d like to attend and check out the students’ level, etc. These shows often take place in the summer.What You Should Look for in a Ballet TeacherTaster sessions and classes are a great opportunity to look out for the qualities your tutor should have:It can take a while to get this flexible. (Source: studioessen)Teaching skills: A good dancer isn’t necessarily a good teacher. They need to be able to clearly break down each steps so that everyone understands them. They also need to be able to adapt to each student’s needs.The choreography needs to be suitable for the level: It’s normal not to be able to follow along with the choreography if you’ve never danced before, but you should look at the other students. If nobody seems to be getting it then the routine may be too advanced for the students and this is a sign that the teacher isn’t capable of adapting their classes. On the other hand, if the moves all seem too easy for the students, it can also be a bad thing.Patience and car e: Learning to dance can take some time. A ballet teacher should never forget to be patient and care about their students. They need to correct their students’ mistakes and encourage their student to improve. A good teacher is nurturing and encouraging.Motivating students:  When an exercise is done right, a good tutor should congratulate their students. They know how to motivate their students when they have doubts. A good teacher is also like a coach.They respect the limits of each student, especially in terms of flexibility:  Flexibility is one of the fundamentals of ballet. However, not everyone’s the same, and that’s alright. None of the exercises should harm you. Every exercise needs to be done with the physical abilities of the student.The time spent warming up:  To avoid injuries, warming up needs to take a certain amount of time, especially when it comes to ballet. Before any exercises are done with the ballet barre, you should be encouraged to warm up and make sure th at you stretch sufficiently.Technical and artistic skills: a ballet teacher should make you want to dance like them. Otherwise, why should you even pick them to be your teacher? Whether it’s their improvisation or how they perfectly execute a pas de deux and an entrechat, they have to impress you. Additionally, you may have to pay attention to the type of ballet. You don't want to focus on classical ballet with a ballerina who's dance training focused on contemporary ballet.In short:Choose where you’d like to take ballet lessons: conservatoires, dance schools, ballet academies, dance studios, or with a private tutor.Ask your potential teacher some questions about the cost, timetable, clothing, their qualifications, etc. Were they a professional dancer? Do they have experience as a choreographer at a national ballet company? Have they taught or studied at a ballet academy?Research your potential teacher’s skills and qualities: teaching skills, abilities, confidence, personality , etc.So what are you waiting for? Get your ballet slippers and tutu ready!Don't forget that on Superprof you can also find a trained tutor who teaches jazz, tap, pilates, or contemporary dance for adults.To learn about the history of ballet, follow the link!

ESOL Lessons Near Me

ESOL Lessons Near Me How to Find ESOL Lessons Anywhere in the UK ChaptersFind ESOL Classes in LondonThe Best ESOL Classes in ManchesterBirmingham’s Best ESOL CoursesGlasgow: the Scottish Centre for ESOL LearningEdinburgh’s Generous ESOL Class OfferingsFinding ESOL Lessons in LeedsBelfast ESOL CoursesESOL Courses CardiffPlenty of people all over the world have a good reason to look for lessons in English as a second language.English is the language of commerce and business; everywhere in the world, corporations such as Airbus and Nokia, speaking English is a job requirement.And, although the English language has been the standard for communication in the airline industry for years â€" pilots and air traffic controllers all use English, in 2008, speaking English became a worldwide mandate.That explains pretty well why people in every corner of the globe would seek out ESL lessons, doesn’t it?And then, we have our country.English is our declared national language. That doesn’t mean it is the only acceptable language throughout the UK; other l anguages, such as Scots, Welsh, Irish and Cornish are also recognised.If those tongues represented the end of the story, it would be hard to understand why there are so many ESL courses offered throughout England, Scotland and Wales.Historically, insulated by her watery borders, Great Britain had been relatively free of immigrants.That status is undergoing a revolution now, with our universities welcoming more international students and more asylum seekers and refugees finding their way to our shores.While our latest census is currently eight years old, a survey from this year indicates that around three-quarters of a million people living in the UK do not speak any English at all.How can anyone expect to function in society â€" transact business, fill out official forms and even buy food if they cannot communicate in our native language?Non-native speakers have made their home throughout this land. Fortunately, there are ESL classes for everyone in just about every city across the UK.Your Superprof outlines a few of the best ones for you.Manchester City Council has put together several ESL programs through which non-English speakers can pick up English language skills.All of those are for adult learners. If you have young children who need to pick up language skills, Talk English would be the best learning centre for them... for the whole family, in fact!To learn more of what Manchester has to offer to English language learners, why not read more in-depth?Birmingham’s Best ESOL CoursesLondon is considered a global city â€" a leader in finance, business, culture and education, but Birmingham is ranked second on all of those aspects and more.Of particular note is her six universities that allow plenty of room for international students.But those students don’t count in our census, which indicates that Birmingham is now home to nearly a quarter-million people who were born abroad.Fortunately for them (and for us, who grow through cultural exchange), Birmingh am has many schools, charities and tutors to help any new arrival on their quest for language acquisition.One in particular specifically promotes its Life in the UK exam preparation.This exam is designed to test those who wish to make their life in our country on their English skills as well as their knowledge of British culture, our laws and our government.To find out more about this and other language schools and student resources, you may refer to our longer article on English language learning in Birmingham.Many people studying English as a second language take English online courses Image by StockSnap from PixabayNaturally, we cannot overlook the Basic Skills courses taught in other schools throughout the city.  You can find them all listed in our article specifically about ESL resources in Leeds.Many adult basic education ESOL courses involve students working together on projects Image by StockSnap from PixabayBelfast ESOL CoursesHow is this for a rather an odd statistic: the North Irish are considered migrants in England. In fact, several of the above-listed cities count the Northern Irish as their largest immigrant demographic.That doesn’t mean that nobody immigrates to Belfast. Like most other UK cities, Belfast is quite generous when it comes to helping speakers of other languages learn English.Some learning programs will ask you to take a placement test so they can see which class would best help you in your English language development.  Others have advisors you can talk to. Those people are trained to detect your level of English based on your conversational skills.The best way to integrate into the language and culture of Belfast is learning English so working on your English language proficiency would help you feel more at home in your adopted city.You can read our longer article about ESOL classes in Belfast to find out the many schools and lessons open to you.ESOL Courses CardiffOf all the cities featured in this article, Cardiff has perhaps the most relevant relationship with language learning; her own native language, to be specific.In spite of the government initiative to ensure that the Welsh language doesn’t die out, they still have time, energy and resources to pour into English language instruction for anyone whose primary language is neither English nor Welsh.If you are in Cardiff and you need to improve your English, you can find many volunteer organisations that have an active ESL program you can enrol in.Besides that, you could take an ESL class in a language school or work on your reading and writing and English pronunciation with a private tutor.We hope you will be comforted to find that many people want to help make your dream of living in the UK true; that is why there are so many language teachers and language training programs open to you, no matter where you choose to settle in this country.Now read more about Cardiff language classes.

Planning for AP and SAT Subject Preparation Working Backwards

Planning for AP and SAT Subject Preparation Working Backwards At AJ Tutoring, part of our core mission is to help students navigate the test-taking process with a minimal amount of stress. Attaining this goal involves planning ahead. If you’d like to talk through your specific situation, please reach out to us. To learn more generally about the process for a successful test preparation season when it comes to the subject-specific exams, read on!First, we have to understand what the AP and SAT Subject exams are. For a break down, click here.Second, we have to envision how the tutoring schedule works.Here’s a breakdown of our approach to AP/SAT II test preparation:Sessions HomeworkWe meet with students for 3 to 5 weekly sessions leading up to the AP exam or SAT Subject Test. Homework consists of a combination of full-length practice tests and shorter assignments.Course ContentOur exam prep program covers content and test-taking skills, including question interpretation, guessing strategy, time management, free response strategies, and essay writing.MaterialsWe use official, published exams that have been administered in past years, as well as our own curriculum that we update annually to reflect any changes in the AP courses or SAT curricula.Keeping in mind that AP exams are in May (you can find a schedule here) and most students aim to take the SAT Subject Tests in June (schedule here), the most common preparation schedule would be to start in late March and plan on meeting once a week in April and May to fit in preparation for one AP exam and one SAT Subject Test.For example, if you are enrolled in AP US History, have loved learning about US History, and are getting a great grade in the class, you might think about taking the AP in May and the SAT Subject Test in June. You can connect with a history test preparation expert in early March to schedule a weekly session starting in mid-to-late March and also clear out time for weekly homework assignments through the June SAT Subject Test.If you need to double up on AP pr eparation and SAT Subject Tests (a not uncommon conundrum), you’ll want to plan on meeting twice per week and likely starting earlier.It’s not too early to solidify a plan for which exams, what schedule, and which tutors will make the most sense for you! If you’d like to talk through your specific situation, please reach out to us! We’d be glad to have a conversation.

O trauma do Inglês

O trauma do Inglês Eu tinha 16 anos e, tal como muitos adolescentes, achava que sabia falar Inglês, mas não sabia nada.  Vivia no Rio de Janeiro, estudava em uma escola particular e, além do Inglês, estudava Espanhol. A minha mãe acreditava que por estar a pagar a mensalidade de uma boa escola eu não tinha necessidade de fazer um cursinho, ledo engano.Por motivos familiares, fomos viver para Portugal. Lá, naquele pedacinho que ainda é Europa, mas as vezes não parece, eu fui estudar para uma escola pública. Passei a estudar Inglês e Francês, pensei que o Inglês seria fácil e o Francês ia acabar com a minha vida, mas não foi bem assim.  Embora eu nunca tivesse tido contato com o Francês, tudo corria bem. Porém, não podia dizer o mesmo sobre o Inglês.Descobri que durante anos, na escola particular no Brasil, eu tinha aprendido mais do mesmo todos os anos, enquanto na escola pública em Portugal os alunos pareciam ser bastante fluentes, sendo que lá não é comum frequentar cursos de l ínguas como acontece no Brasil.Na primeira prova de Inglês do ano, eu tirei 0,5 (sim, 0,5 MEIO). Fiquei completamente chocada. Finalmente chegou o tão esperado dia da prova oral, dia este que tinha sido publicitado pela professora como a minha oportunidade de me redimir, de conseguir, pelo menos, não ficar com aquele 0,5 no boletim.O meu nome é Ana. Eu sempre fui das primeiras da lista. Naquela turma eu era a primeira. Eu estava em pânico.A professora entrou na sala, sorriu, sentou, e anunciou que íamos começar. Disse: Hello, Ana! How are you today? Ready to begin? Eu congelei, entendi tudo o que ela disse, mas não conseguia dizer uma única palavra. Ela tentou novamente: Ana? Are you okay? Eu continuava calada, não conseguia dizer nada. Não é que eu não entendesse, mas a turma inteira estava olhando para mim, eu sabia que o meu sotaque era terrível, tinha medo de falar e dizer tudo errado. Eu fiquei calada. Nova tentativa: Ana, you have to talk to me, otherwise your final score will be zero. Do you understand me? ZERO.  Levantei, as lágrimas escorriam pelo meu rosto, saí correndo da sala. Bati a porta e vaguei pelo corredores da escola sem saber onde me esconder. Foi horrível!Passados alguns minutos a professora me encontrou. Perguntou, em Português, se estava tudo bem e o que tinha acontecido para eu ter aquela reação. Entre lágrimas e soluços, expliquei que o motivo era a vergonha do meu Inglês, que eu sabia ser péssimo. Ela foi extremamente simpática, arranjou o número de uma professora particular, com a qual tive aulas, e falou com a direção da escola para que eu não fizesse mais nenhuma prova até ao final do ano letivo. Eu iria fazer uma prova escrita e uma prova oral, a média entre as duas avaliações seria a minha nota final, sem choro, sem desculpas. Era aquilo e pronto.Estudei, li e conversei em Inglês com a professora particular. Fiz exercícios e me dediquei ao máximo. No último dia de aulas fiz as duas provas. N a escrita, que a professora corrigiu na hora, eu tirei 7. Na oral, que deveria ter 15 minutos de duração e acabou virando uma conversa de uma hora, eu tirei 8. Acabei o ano, que começou com 0,5, com um 7,5 e me senti muito orgulhosa disso.Hoje, 10 anos depois, trabalho com Inglês todos os dias e adoro! Por isso, se você tem algum trauma com o Inglês, não hesite em tentar ultrpassá-lo. Aprender uma língua é uma aventura na qual você tem que entrar de cabeça. Portanto, se jogue!

5 Contracts To Be Aware Of In Your Job Search

5 Contracts To Be Aware Of In Your Job Search Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/writing-pen-man-ink-paper-pencils-1149962/ Part-Time Contracts What exactly is a part-time contract? A part-time contract basically means that you work for your employer for a non-specified set of hours each week based on the employer’s needs. The hours vary depending on where you have your part-time position, but a typical full-time position is about 40+ hours per week, so expect to work and get paid for less than that. I wish I could comment on your part-time salary, but depending on the career sector you’re in and the job you were hired for, your salary will change. Many times, part-time contracts are associated with summer jobs and worst-case scenarios if you can’t find a full-time job, but this isn’t always the case. A part-time job is great for students who want to make some extra money. Whether that be as a summer job or a job you have during the school year (as both an undergraduate or a post-graduate student), you can’t go wrong. Many part-time contracts allow for some negotiation of hours, which is great if you are dealing with a busy school schedule or if you are employed by multiple companies where you have part-time contracts. If you are looking for a full-time contract, but the company you love is only accepting part-time hires at the time, don’t fret. Oftentimes, people start out as part-time hires at a company and then they get offered a full-time position. However, don’t accept a part-time position, expecting it to turn into a full[time position, without speaking to the people hiring you first. Don’t ask so bluntly, but just say that you love the company, but you are seeking full-time work eventually. Go on by asking if you would have the opportunity to obtain a full-time position at the company when one opened up and if you were successful at your part-time position. Don’t go off of just a generic “yes.” Be sure to ask if they’ve ever done something like this with an employee before. If money is a major issue, ask about the flexibility of your schedule, as you might have to take on another job to pay your bills. You obviously have to start somewhere, but make sure you weigh out the pros and cons of the part-time contract. Think about your financial situation, your career aspirations, the time you can devote to the job, the possibility of you having to take another job, etc. Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/business-office-contract-agreement-3167295/ Full-Time Contracts A full-time contract is a contract that guarantees you, usually 40+ hours of work each week, however, this can be company-dependent. I want to caution you all about misconceptions about full-time contracts; many people confused full-time contracts with salary-based contracts. A full-time contract guarantees you full-time work, but this doesn’t always equate to salary. For example, my sister, who worked in sales, was a full-time hire, but her salary was entirely commission-based. Usually, the main perk of a full-time contract is benefits: i.e. health insurance, a 401k (retirement plan), dental insurance, maternity/paternity leave, sick days, etc. A full-time contract guarantees your employment for a specific amount of time (usually 1-2 years), unless you go against company guidelines and/or rules. However, like I keep saying, these standards can vary depending on the job sector you are in, and I cannot speak for every company on the planet, but these are the general guidelines drawn out by a full-time contract. Before you sign anything, make sure that this is what you want. Ask your potential employer all the questions you need to in order for you to make an informed decision. Some great questions to ask about a full-time contract are: (1) What benefits are offered? If I don’t need a particular benefit, will my salary increase? (2) Are any terms of this contract negotiable? Is it possible to adjust the agreed upon employment length, if needed? (3) I see that you don’t offer [insert benefit here]. How will I be compensated for this? (4) What type of payment schedule should I be expecting? Are bonuses included in this payment schedule? (5) How long do I have to look over this until I have to give you an answer? Get all your ducks in a row, ask your questions, and then you can determine if a full-time contract position is right for you. If you are a post-grad, a full-time contract definitely gives you some additional financial support, but if you have other job offers with different types of contracts, don’t only accept a position based on the fact that it’s a full-time contract. Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/agreement-business-contract-3476369/ Salary-Based Contracts What exactly is a salary and how does it differ from other forms of payment? A salary comes in many forms, but basically, a salary is a guaranteed-payment amount depending on your job, your hours, the company you work for, etc. Full-time salary-based contracts usually propose a yearly salary, that is divvied up into smaller payments (i.e. bi-weekly). Other salary-based contracts go off an hourly salary that is dependent on how much you work. This form of salary-based contract is common in part-time contracts, internships, and freelance work. Salary-based contracts are probably the most common type of work contracts for post-graduate students. The beauty of these contracts, most of the time, is that you know what you’re getting and when you’re getting it, so you can plan your housing and other expenses around it. Other than the occasional bonus, your salary is usually set in stone, unless you get a raise (kudos if you do). If you are in sales, for example, this may not be the best option for you if you are a top seller in your company or if your would-be commission is higher than your salary. However, a salary-based sales position does give you some wiggle room when you’re learning the ropes. A salary contract, like I said, is a great contract to have post-grad. You know what you’re getting and you can plan your new, independent life, around it. In addition, a salary-based contract is great if you are looking for part-time work also. There is room to negotiate the value of your salary, but be sure to ask if it is possible to get your salary increase for good work. If you are in sales and are looking for commission-based work, ask your boss if you can have a combined salary-based and commission-based contract or, depending on your sales and what you bring to the company, if it’s possible to move to a commission-based contract in the future (if that’s what you want). As with any contract, gather your questions, talk to your potential employers, weigh your options, and think about your decision, as it is not a decision you should take lightly. Infographic by Amanda Cohen Commission-Based Contracts Commission-based contracts are more common in sales jobs. In a commission-based contract, your entire paycheck is determined by how much you sell. In your contract, your employer will outline how much commission you make from your sales. Depending on what you’re selling and who you’re working for, your commission will be different. Some common commission-basis contracts are for stylists, personal trainers, telemarketers, buyers, etc. Usually, how it starts out is that you make the minimum commission possible when you first enter your position. As you sell more, work your way up the company, and prove yourself, your commission percentage usually gets larger and larger (but it’s never extremely large unless you are your own boss). If I’m being completely honest with you, commission-based contracts are not for everyone. Depending on your industry of choice, you might not have a choice, but it can be very hard to be successful under a commission-based contract, not to mention your paycheck is unpredictable. If you are thinking about accepting a commission-based contract, you need to make sure that you are a go-getter. You want to be assertive, without being aggressive. You also need to hold yourself accountable. Commission-based sales positions often allow you to work on your own time and in an environment that you choose. If you don’t hold yourself accountable and create an impenetrable schedule, then you could lag and your sales will lag, and then you won’t be able to feed yourself until your next payday. When looking through your commission-based contract, be sure to also look to see how often you will get paid. Depending on your needs and your predicted success at the company, you will want to know when you should expect that direct deposit so that you can pay your rent on time. Freelance Contracts Freelance contracts vary from company to company and from industry to industry. The typical definition of a freelance worker is that he/she works for himself, but markets him/herself to various companies. More freelance workers are employed by more than one company. Basically, a freelance contract stipulates that you still are self-employed, but are hired on a project-by-project basis for different companies. However, this isn’t true for all companies… plus, you (the freelance worker) can also draw up your own contract that ensures you are getting paid on time and how your payment will be received. Since you are self-employed as a freelancer, you will want to make sure that an employment contract does not take advantage of your time and doesn’t screw you over. There is no such thing as the “perfect freelance job,” but different industries definitely are more likely to have more freelance workers than others. Some common industries that house freelance workers are the writing industry, the graphic design industry, the art industry, and the IT industry. Even though these occupations are much more likely to have freelance workers, that doesn’t mean that you have to accept freelance work if this isn’t right for you. Yes, it is true that freelance workers hold multiple jobs at once, but remember that multiple jobs don’t necessarily mean a bigger payday. The salary for a freelance worker can be unpredictable; sometimes you are on a lot of different projects so you are getting paid more, but other times, finding work can prove to be impossible. If you are having a hard time finding a full-time position, freelancing might be a great way to get your foot in the door, but it isn’t for everyone. If you are a student looking for work, freelancing would be great because you can work during breaks and times where you don’t have many major assignments nor exams coming up. Look, there is no such thing as “the perfect contract,” which is why it’s extremely important that, when reading over job offers and contracts, that you have as much information as possible for you to make a well-informed decision. Depending on your industry, contracts can be as simple as the contracts listed above, or more complicated, like a combination of a commission-based and salary-based position. I tried to give you as much information as possible, but make sure that your research doesn’t stop here. Talk to your employer and your HR office, talk to a lawyer, do an intensive Google search, do everything to make sure you are getting the most out of your job financially. Good luck and happy job hunting!

Dunecrest American School

Dunecrest American School Dunecrest American School An international school based in Dubai, Dunecrest American School offers a standards-based US curriculum, from Pre-K to grade 12, with the option of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in grades 11 and 12. Set to open in 2018, Dunecrest epitomizes Esol Educations deep expertise in international education, from designing optimal learning spaces and recruiting the best educators to building a robust curriculum and creating a rich array of diverse activities, in order to foster an inclusive community of learners where each student is recognized and celebrated. Dunecrest believes in the power of good teachers and their ability to influence the future. They empower their educators and support them in their journey towards being the best they can be by allowing sufficient time for collaborative planning and ongoing professional development. As part of the wider Esol Education network of schools, Dunecrest teachers also have access to educational and topical experts and several PD opportunities through Esols deep links with leading international education organizations. Centrally located near the Al Barari and Living Legends developments, just off Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311), the Dunecrest campus has been designed in line with the latest educational research, bearing in mind modern pedagogical standards. Dunecrest will seek accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and Council of International Schools (CIS).