Why Should You Learn a Foreign Language

Why Should You Learn a Foreign Language Only 7.3 percent of the worlds 7.2 billion people are native English speakers. This is one reason why language is one of the largest barriers between America and the rest of the world. Studying a foreign language for at least one year is required in more than 20 European countries. America, however, doesnt have a national requirement for foreign language learning in K-12 schools. So why should you learn a foreign language, and what languages are being explored in the U.S.? Why is learning a foreign language important? At Varsity Tutors, we are strong believers in the power of learning to bring people together and to establish new connections. This is important to remember as you consider classes and extracurriculars throughout high school and college. Studying a foreign language has many advantagesacademically, professionally, and personally. Having a foreign language on your high school transcript can look great when applying to college. It can also improve your attention and decision-making, open doors professionally, and allow you to connect more deeply with family, friends, classmates, and colleagues. Learning a foreign language thats associated with a culture you admire can also immerse you in that culture in a new wayand speaking a foreign language can even lead to more travel opportunities and local connections in different countries! [RELATED: What Does a Bilingual Education Mean for Your Child?] What foreign languages are being studied in the U.S.? We recently looked at ourdata to see which languages people are interested in learning, and how those interests differ between U.S. regions. What we found was intriguing. Despite the fact that onlyone in five K-12 students in the U.S. study a world language, with language learning in U.S. collegesdown more than 15 percent since 2009, people are taking initiative in their language learning. Non-English language learning is on the rise. Varsity Tutors saw a 60% increase in non-English language tutoring requests for the first half of 2018 when compared to the first half of 2017. What were the three fastest growing languages for which we received inquiries? Spanish Mandarin Chinese Japanese There were 51 unique languages requested on the Varsity Tutors Live Learning Platform nationwide, and 80% of all states had tutoring requests in 10 or more languages. [RELATED: How to Choose a Foreign Language to Study] Which states are most diverse in their language learning interests? The map below highlights how many state-specific language inquiries Varsity Tutors received in the first half of 2018, as well as an interesting request in each state. California led in diversity with 35 languages requested, and New York followed with 31. From Afrikaans in Vermont and Serbian in Texas, to Catalan in North Carolina and Amharic in Oregon, its clear that the U.S. is still very curious about language learningand that there are distinct differences in language learning across American regions. Regardless of where you live, language learning plays a crucial role in opening doors to new opportunities and relationships. Where classrooms and public policy fall short, online learning provides people with the personalized tutoring they need to improve cross-cultural communications. To learn more about language learning in the U.S. and to read our full report on the state of language learning in America, click here.

Online Profit Formula Tutors

Online Profit Formula Tutors Profit is the gain or the benefit received during a transaction. Cost price of an article or a substance is the amount at which it is purchased. Selling price is of an article or a substance is the price at which it is sold. If the selling price is more than the cost price profits can be made. The formula used to calculate the profit is Profit = Selling Price (S.P.) Cost Price (C.P.) Example 1: A person buys 10 articles for a price of $ 10 each and sells each article at a price of $ 12. Does the person make any profits? If he does how much? Solution: Cost price of each article = $10. Total cost price for 10 articles = $100. Selling price of each article = $ 12 Total selling price for 10 articles = $120. Profit = Selling Price (S.P.) Cost Price (C.P.) Profits made = $ (120 100) = $20. Hence the profits made is $20. Example 2: A person buys 6 chairs for a price of $8 each and sells each chair at a price of $11. Does the person make any profits? If he does how much? Solution: Cost price of each chair = $8. Total cost price for 6 chairs = $48. Selling price of each chair = $11 Total selling price for 6 chairs = $66. Profit = Selling Price (S.P.) Cost Price (C.P.) Profits made = $ (66 48) = $18. Hence the profits made is $16.

The Aztecs

The Aztecs The Short-Lived Aztec Empire ChaptersPre-Aztec MesoamericaFounding the Aztec SocietyEducation in Aztec SocietyThe Aztec Social StructureAztec GodsThe Fall of the Aztec EmpireNo one is really sure where the people who defined themselves as Aztec originated from. The most prominent theory is that they migrated from North America.Finding the fertile land they arrived at already claimed by an assortment of warring tribes, the leader of this wandering band asked to occupy a relatively barren patch of land, a request that was granted.What happened next is a story of violence and brutality, in equal parts driven by spiritual beliefs and a hegemonic hunger that could never be assuaged.Let’s take a look at what made the Aztec so mighty, how they lived and, in the end, how their might did them in, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be explored. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Tea cher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsPre-Aztec Mesoamerica The Aztec were a fierce people but there was another side to them... Image by Joaquín Enríquez from PixabayEarly in the 13th Century, colonies descended from North America and settled in small tribes throughout what we know today as Mexico. They fought to establish dominance but no tribe was wholly successful in dominating the region or any other group.The Mexicas, a people who also spoke the Nahuatl language, arrived fairly late.Seeing the most fertile portions of land had already been settled, they convinced the Culhuacan king to allow them a seemingly worthless patch of land to cultivate. In return, they promised their service as mercenaries to the king.This arrangement worked fairly well. While a few men did the king’s bidding, the rest of the population set about breaking and moving rocks to build their city.At the king’s behest, the Mexica fought a particularly bloody battle with a neighbouring realm. Thus preoccupied, they failed to notice the king’s monitoring of thei r progress â€" both in building their city and in working the land.After the battle had been won, the king sent his daughter to rule over the Mexica, an act that those people saw as a betrayal. They flayed the young woman to death, presumably because their god Xipe Totec had commanded them to.Actually, there are conflicting versions of this account. Some say she was sent by the king and other specify that the Mexica people asked the king for his daughter with the specific purpose of spilling royal blood.Either way, this daughter’s sacrifice infuriated the king. He ordered his troops to drive the Mexica from the land.Their headlong flight was abruptly stopped by the sight of an eagle atop a cactus, devouring a snake.  They interpreted this appearance as a sign from their gods that they should make that land their home.It didn’t hurt that the land in question was an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco. From a military standpoint, it meant that the location would be difficult to a ttack and easy to defend.The Mexica set about building their greatest city, Tenochtitlan.Founding the Aztec SocietyHaving till then been nomadic, the people who came to be known as Aztec had a lot to learn about civilization and government but, because they had always been quick learners, the methods for establishing a society came easily.First, while still living within the shadow of an established kingdom, they learned through observation how a monarchy should be run.Also, while there, they married Culhuacan women who had experience in building and maintaining homesteads. These women were doubly advantageous as they could teach the next generation how to function in society.Once they felt reasonably established â€" they had built homes and had a growing population, they selected their first king, again following traditions they learned from the Culhuacan.That all sounds a bit idyllic but make no mistake: there was no peaceful coexistence between neighbouring realms.Constant fighti ng among them â€" for riches and political dominance whetted the Aztec appetite for blood and demonstrated their ability to draw it.After several such skirmishes, neighbouring states Texcoco and Tlacopan joined forces with Tenochtitlan to form a triple alliance; a military rule that dominated the Valley of Mexico.Now with allies firmly established, civilisation could thrive! The Aztec calendar was widely used throughout Mesoamerica Image by Dieter Martin from Pixabaydivisions were not set in stone. For instance, if the child of a commoner displayed a particularly high aptitude in a given subject, s/he would be sent to the ‘noble’ school.Young children would be educated in the home; females by their mothers and males by their fathers.This training followed traditional gender roles: boys would hunt, fish and fight; girls would weave, grind maize and learn to cook and care for the home.Once firmly grounded in ‘gender work’, they would attend school for academic acquisition, generally around age 15. There, they would learn maths, writing, history and national songs.Their early years in formal education saw all children, noble and common, in the same classroom. In later years, they would be split up along class and gender lines.Makes you wonder: if everyone receives the same education, how could there be social classes?The Aztec Social StructureAt the height of the Aztec civilization, in the early 16th Century, their capital city was home to more than 200,000 inhabitants: Tenochtitlan was the largest city of all the pre-Columbian civilizations.Aztec society was organised into three tiers: slavery, peasantry and nobility.In the early days of Aztec society, one did not inherit a social position; it had to be earned by demonstrating prowess in the battlefield or by making some extraordinary contribution to society.In a sense, this system was a cheat because nobles had the means to afford ‘earning’ their position but commoners generally did not.One way for a son of a modest family to gain nobility was to prove himself a cunning and ruthless fighter.Oddly enough, being accepted as a warrior was conditional; you could only be considered military if you captured five prisoners or more.Prisoners were used in religious sacrifice rituals so it was more valuable to capture them than to kill them in battle.Any conditional soldier who fa ils to capture a prisoner within his first three engagements would be relegated to the peasant class, forever shamed. For this reason, military initiates would often band together to capture an enemy, guaranteeing them a chance to eventually graduate to nobility.Being an Aztec slave was also rather remarkable.If you had been convicted of a misdeed, you may be deemed a slave. However, you could keep your property â€" your owner would become its caretaker during the time of your ‘sentence’, and you could even own slaves yourself.Slavery was generally the penalty for unsociable behaviour such as gambling or being deemed ‘incorrigible’. Willful children often entered into slavery that way.Slaves could regain their freedom after their owners’ death if they had discharged their duties exceptionally well, by marrying or having a child with their owner or by buying their freedom.If none of those conditions applied, slaves would be passed down to the next generation.Children of the poor could be sold into slavery, but only for a set time. Individuals could also sell themselves into slavery but maintain their freedom for a while before going into service.Any runaway slave who arrived at the royal palace without being caught would immediately be granted their freedom.Learn more about slavery in ancient Egypt...Women in Aztec SocietyUnlike other societies that flourished before the Spanish conquest, the Aztec elevated their women to a position on par with men.Noblewomen could work as secretaries or government officials â€" bookkeepers and administrators.‘Common’ women would not have such lofty positions open to them but they could be merchants, seamstresses or food vendors. They also had the option of becoming prostitutes â€" a profession not at all looked down on.Women functioned as midwives and medicine dispensers, diagnosing and treating the sick.If a mother wanted her newborn girl-child to become a priestess, they would take the infant to the temple to e stablish the terms of her tenure. After the child turned five years old, she would live in the temple, learning the rituals and keeping it clean.That must have been a tremendous job, considering the number of sacrifices each temple conducted! The feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl, is a prominent god in the Mesoamerican pantheon Image by Rodrigo de la torre from PixabayAztec GodsAt no time would the gods ever be ignored but, as with many Mesoamerican cultures, deities fell in and out of favour, depending on the current circumstances.For example, the gods of rain and agriculture would be invoked in times of drought and harvest but, were a conquest on the horizon, the gods of war would receive enjoy extra sacrifices.Unlike other civilisations in Pre-Columbian Central America, the Aztecs had three distinct groups of gods: some for celestial happenings, others for war and sacrifice and the third group concerned themselves with fertility â€" of the land and the people.In all, the Aztecs worshipped more than 200 gods. Their most prominent ones were:Huitzilopochtli, the father of the Aztecs. It was he who showed them where to establish their city.Tlaloc, god of rain: borrowed from the Mayans, he is one of the most ancient deitiesTe zcatlipoca, god of night: generally associated with dark, evil and deathQuetzalcoatl: brother of the night god, he represents learning and light, creation and goodnessthis feathered serpent god is also very old and renown in the Mayan cultureAlso discover how aboriginal Australians honoured their gods.The Significance of Human SacrificeBy today’s standards, any god who demands a steady supply of fresh blood would be seen as terrifying and barbaric but, to the Aztecs, human sacrifice was seen as a way to appease the gods and curry favour with them.While the Aztec were quite prolific in their sacrificial offerings, the rite did not initiate with them but with the Incan empire.Nevertheless, sacrificial rites took on a new significance for the Aztecs; it is estimated that more than 10,000 people ‘met the gods’ each year.The Aztec had gods aplenty and they each must be regularly fed. That was only one reason for sacrificing.Others include offerings for beneficial outcomes in trade or military engagement, and, strangely enough, for political reasons.The Aztec were relatively small in number. If they demonstrated their ruthlessness in such a public manner, surrounding tribes would be too scared to attack them. Besides, at the height of the empire, the Aztecs were collecting tributes from all of the neighbouring cities.Rather than offer one of their own for sacrifice, it was not uncommon for one village to kidnap a few people from the neighbouring village and hand them over to the Aztecs for sacrifice.In all, this clever ploy kept surrounding cities from banding together and attacking the Aztecs all while providing them with a sufficient number of sacrifices to keep their gods appeased.Oddly, that makes sense. What is a bit harder to understand and condone is child sacrifices.Scholars believe that, for the most part, those being sacrificed were drugged beforehand so that they would be easier to control. It is possible that being drugged made the ensuing agony a little more bearable.On the other hand, children were made to cry before being sacrificed because it was thought that their tears would moisten the earth, compelling their rain god to pour down his bounty.If the child would not cry on his/her own, the priests might rip out a few fingernails. Once the tears started flowing, it was ‘on with the show!’.How were children treated in ancient Greece? The Aztecs discovered the abandoned ruins of Teotihuacan and claimed the territory Image by jjnanni from PixabayThe Fall of the Aztec EmpireThe Aztec empire lasted just under 100 years: from 1428 to 1521. In that time, they established a remarkable civilisation that may have endured for centuries more had it not been for Hernan Cortes.They built magnificent structures to worship their gods, palaces and fine homes for nobility to live in, and fertile fields to grow crops.One of their most remarkable agrarian accomplishments, chinampas, produced enough grain and plants to feed the entire population.These floating gardens measured about 300 feet in length and 30 in width. They were crafted by weaving sticks together to form a raft. On that raft was piled mud and silt until it sunk about three feet.Anchoring those rafts to trees, they were then able to plant enough to sustain the entire population.The Aztec calendar became the standard of Mesoamerican civilizations.This solar calendar wa s based on a 365-day cycle and a ritual cycle of 260 days. The Aztec religion depended on their calendars for rites and sacrifice events.Much of Aztec culture and poetry was recorded in a series of books or codices.Did the ancient Mesopotamians also maintain a codex library?Each one tells a story of some aspect of the life of the Aztec people â€" religious, military, agricultural... some are historical accounts of events during and after the arrival of the Spaniards.The death knell sounded for the Aztec empire not on the shores of Lake Texcoco but on the Yucatan peninsula: it was there that Spanish forces arrived from Cuba, on a reconnaissance mission.After returning there, Spanish governor Velasquez ordered a much larger delegation to sail. Their orders were to claim the land for the crown and reap whatever riches could be had.Not only did Cortes bring a fighting force, he and his men brought diseases the Aztec had no immunity to.Much of the population succumbed to smallpox and inf luenza and a substantial number were massacred by the Spaniards. Still, the Aztecs did not give up.A nephew of Montezuma, the recently-murdered emperor, claimed the throne and drove the invaders out. Undaunted, Cortes joined forces with another of the Aztec rivals, stormed the city for the third time and defeated the Aztecs for once and for all.Upon his victory, he and his troops rased Tenochtitlan. Out of its ruins, he built Mexico City, which became the European centre of the New World.Still, Mexico has not forgotten her Aztec heritage; the scene of the eagle atop a cactus devouring a snake - the vision that compelled the Aztecs to settle in that region is emblazoned on their flag for all to see.Aztecs were poets, artists, intellectuals and amazing engineers. They were also brilliant military strategists, ruthless fighters and hostage to a band of bloodthirsty gods.It seems a shame that they are more remembered for their negative aspects than their marvelous ones.Now join the disc ussion: how do other ancient civilizations compare with the Aztec?

Volunteer With HEART Chris Brown - Heart Math Tutoring

Volunteer With HEART Chris Brown - Heart Math Tutoring Volunteer With HEART: Chris Brown Volunteer With HEART: Chris Brown April 15, 2015 Chris Brown tutors a first grader and a third grader at Highland Renaissance Academy in NoDa. Chris started in September after learning about the opportunity through the Volunteer Portal at Bank of America, where he works. Bank of America is one of our Community Partners. Why do you volunteer? “I have always enjoyed volunteering. From talking with friends who work with Teach for America in the Charlotte area, I knew how much help was needed in public schools, especially at the elementary school level. Being able to help students grow and build a foundation in vital early math skills really appealed to me.” What are some of your favorite moments from working with the students? “There have really been so many, but a couple that stick out include “A teacher pulled me aside after standardized test scores came back and showed me the enormous improvement one of the students I work with had made. That was great in itself, but, as we were walking to the tutoring room, the student shared the news with me as well. I could tell how proud and happy he was. It was so awesome to not only see the student improve, but also to see his growing self confidence. “Heart holds a luncheon before winter break and again at the end of the school year. The luncheon allows the tutors to interact with parents and to celebrate the students’ hard work. Both students who I tutor expressed how much they enjoyed spending time outside the classroom with the volunteers and having their parents meet us. A couple months later, one student brought the luncheon up again and told me it was his favorite day of school ever. It really put into perspective how much it means to the kids for the volunteers to take a couple hours out of the work week to help them and to spend some time talking with them.” What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming a volunteer? Do not hesitate and just go for it! At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect since I probably hadn’t worked with elementary school students since I was in elementary school. I have personally gotten more out of it than I ever expected. It not only provides a great break for a couple hours a week from whatever is going on in the office, but it is more impactful than you know. Every week I look forward to seeing the kids I work with, and I never leave the school without a smile on my face. Want to volunteer with HEART Tutoring? HEART will need more volunteers for the 2015/2016 school year! With a commitment of one hour per week, community members can help a struggling student gain the skills and confidence he/she needs for long-term success. Click here to express your interest!

Using English Adjective Clauses and Phrases (video)

Using English Adjective Clauses and Phrases (video) Adjective clauses and phrases are probably the most common grammatical construction in the daily newspaper. People and their ages, positions, company affiliations, as well as places with descriptions, and times with memorable data all appear in adjective clauses and phrases. On any given page of the paper, you will probably find 20 of them, such as this one:The location where the secret meeting took place  was Marra’s restaurant, located next to the house of John Demarco, a butcher, who saw the two spies  wearing black overcoats and ski masks.One of the interesting things about an adjective clause is that you do not need a subject or verb. Many tests like the  GMAT, TOEIC, and TOEFL require you to understand and use adjective clauses. Take a look at the video below to help you understand and dont forget the quiz.Do you think youve got it? Click here to try our quizWant more quizzes?   Try this adjective quiz.

The 65 First Phrases and Words to Learn in a New Language

The 65 First Phrases and Words to Learn in a New Language The 65 First Words and Phrases to Learn in a New Language You make many choices every day.What will you do today?What toppings will you put on your frozen yogurt?What size coffee will you order?But one decision might have even more impact than how much caffeine you want to intake: What words should you learn first?When learning a new language, it can be difficult to prioritize vocabulary. There are plenty of vocabulary lists for the  most common languages, but where do you even start?Well, learning the alphabet  is a good jumping off point, but where you go from there can be a little more complicated.That is why we are here to help. These 65 common words and phrases can provide you with the vocabulary you need to hold basic conversations and communicate important information. Whatever your target language, you will want to start studying these words and phrases today! Why Is It Important to Learn These Phrases First When Learning a New Language?What makes these 65 words and phrases to special? This vocabulary provides a jumping point for communication. Learning this vocabulary willEnsure you are able to communicate when traveling. You dont need to be fluent in a new language for travel, but learning key phrases can provide you with the skills you need to ask important questions and share basic information on your travels.In addition, if you happen to travel to a country that speaks a similar language, you might still be able to use this information to communicateâ€"that is because there are  mutually-intelligible languages, which are languages that are similar enough to each other that speakers of one language can understand the other language.Allow you to communicate in common situations even if you arent that far along in your studies. Learning key words and phrases early enables you to use the language sooner, thereby helping you communicate more clearly and motivating you to keep studying.Help you  build on your new vocabulary.  Many of these words and phrases are very common, so they an act as a foundation for the rest of your learning. As you get more and more proficient, you can add to it with more phrases like slang in different languages.Assist in learning verb conjugations and grammar rules. Whenever you encounter a similar sentence, you can use the phrases youve learned to help you construct it.See how important it is to learn key phrases and words like the ones on our list?How to Learn Your First 65 Words and PhrasesThere are many different ways to learn your first words and phrases. You will need to find which way works best for you,  but there are some particularly useful ways.Make your own vocabulary lists or foreign language notebooks  to keep track of your favorite words and phrases. Only include the phrases you think you will want to use. This way, you have your very own, customized guide to help you learn.Group your vocabulary into small chunks.  Staring down a long vocabulary lists is daunting, but if you break it into small chunks, learning vocabulary is much less intimida ting. Plus, grouping vocabulary sets thematically will also help you link related words in your mind.Check pronunciations online. Listening to words and phrases can help you pronounce them better, so use Forvo and Google Translate to hear what each word/phrase sounds like. Forvo offers free, user-submitted pronunciations of common words and phrases while Google Translate offers translations and pronunciations. It also allows you to hear the word more slowly when you click a second time.Use FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons. You can either use FluentUs videos and pre-made lists to learn basic words and phrases, or, with a Plus plan, you can make your own basic multimedia flashcard sets and let the program put together customized quizzes for you.With these learning methods you will soon be on your way to communicating in your target language. And the best place to b egin is right here, with this list of 65 important words and phrases to learn in a new language!The 65 First Words and Phrases to Learn in a New LanguagePolite VocabularyIt is impossible to understate the value of being polite. Especially if you dont speak a language very well, knowing a few polite words and phrases can help clarify that you have good intentions.Please Not only is please a valuable word to tack on to any request, you can also use it alone to indicate that you want something. For instance, if you see something in a store or at a restaurant that you want, pointing at it and saying please will generally communicate your intentions.Thank you Expressing gratitude is appropriate whenever someone helps you out. It shows show them that you know they did you a favor and you appreciate it.Youre welcome While you might not need to use it as often as other polite words, if someone thanks you, it is always nice to respond in kind.Im sorry/Excuse me Im sorry is usually appropriat e if youve messed up or want to express remorse. In some languages, it can also be used to express that you didnt hear/understand.  Excuse me can be used if you want to get someones attention, or get through a crowd. In many languages, the two phrases can be used interchangeably.  Since the usage of Im sorry and excuse me varies between languages, you will want to investigate which one is more useful in your target language.Yes/No These might seem obvious but you will use them often, so they are important to be familiar with.Greetings Getting to Know YouKnowing basic greetings and getting-to-know-you conversations in your target language is a setup for a friendly interaction.Hello You can never go wrong with hello. Depending on the level of formality of the interaction, you could also consider using hi.What is your name? When the person introduces himself/herself, try to repeat the name. Not only will this give them an opportunity to correct your pronunciation, it will also help yo u remember the name.I am/My name is In some languages you introduce yourself with I am while in others you say my name is or even I call myself instead.  Because there is so much variation, it is helpful to pay careful attention to what is most common in your target language. Although learning I am could never hurt. After all, depending on the language, you might also use it to indicate characteristics or feelings, like I am an American or I am happy.Nice to meet you When someone introduces himself/herself, it is polite to express joy at meeting them. Nice to meet you or its a pleasure are common, but this may vary across languages.How are you? In some places, how are you? is a generic greeting. In other places, it is a polite way to show interest in someones well being. Regardless, it is a polite question to ask.Im well If how are you? is a generic greeting in many languages, the best way to respond is by saying Im well or Im fine, even if you are not. This also avoids awkward foll owup questions if you do not speak much of the language.Where are you from? If you want to learn more about a person, this is a good option to start out with. Additionally, if you are traveling abroad, you might hear this question a lot.I am from At some point you might want to clarify where you are from. Just remember that place names are also likely to be different in your target language, so you will want to also learn the right name to for your home country.What is your profession? If your conversation is going well, you might consider asking what is your profession? or what do you do for a living? If you are going to ask this, though, be sure you also know the words for common professions, or you might end up a little lost.Goodbye Simply walking away from a conversation might seem rude. Knowing the word for Goodbye will help. Most languages also have less formal words for goodbye, like bye or bye bye that you can use with friends.Getting InformationYou cant plan for everything ahead of time, so sometimes you need to ask questions to get information. Here are some common questions you are likely to use.Where is? If you are traveling abroad, at some point you are likely to need directions. Where is is a good question to solicit this information. Just pair it with common place names (which we will discuss later).How do I get to? Where is could lead to a description of the location rather than directions. Use the more direct how do I get to? to yield more specific directions.How far is? This is an easy question to forget, but knowing the distance from one place to another is an important way to determine what mode of transportation you will use. After all, chances are you dont want to spend a full day walking to a tourist site when a bus could take you there in an hour.Can you show me on a map? If you do not know enough of the language to follow directions, can you show me on a map? is an easy way to avoid using much language. Plus, this will allow you to bet ter visualize your route.Could you write that down? Asking people to write information down allows you to see the printed words, which can be easier to understand than spoken language. If you do not recognize the words, you can later look them up in a dictionary without an awkward pause in conversation.How much does it cost? Whether you are shopping, booking a room or eating out, this will ensure you do not overspend. You might also pair this with could you write that down? to make your expenses even clearer.What is this? You can use what is this? to learn more about things like food or clothing that you are unfamiliar with, or you could use it to learn new words in your target language.What time is it? If your phone battery dies or the timezone change has you reeling, being able to ask the time can help you avoid missing flights, trains and buses.Do you have? If you are shopping or want a particular dish at a restaurant, this will help you ask for it by name.Do you have anything ch eaper? Not only is this a good way to find out if there is anything more affordable, you might also use this question to try to negotiate a better price.Do you like? Do you like? can be used for getting-to-know-you activities, but it is also an easy way to find out if something is worth doing. For instance, if you ask a local if they like a particular restaurant and they give you an adamant no, you might want to dine elsewhere.What is the best? Locals always know best, so asking locals what is best is a helpful way to find out the best restaurants, shops and tourist sites.How do you say? To build your vocabulary, you might try using this phrase. Friendly English-speaking locals might be able to help you if you list a word or phrase in English, or you can point to indicate what you want to learn to say.What is fun to do around here? If you have a gap in your schedule, this is a good way to solicit awesome local tips that other tourists havent figured out yet.What do you recommend? Wh ether you are inquiring about food, hotels or even style choices, being able to ask what someone recommends not only shows them that you respect his/her opinion, it also provides you with valuable insight.Where can I? You might need help finding the right place for something. For instance, Where can I buy a matryoshka? Where can I get the best sushi? Where can I get another unicorn tattoo?NumbersNo, you wont need to show off your counting skills to locals, but you will undoubtedly need to know numbers for buying things, telling the time and even understanding your hotel room number.1-10, 100, 1,000 The numbers 1 to 10 are essential. In many languages, numbers 11 through 99 are based on the earlier numbers, so you can usually deduce higher numbers if you know the basics (for instance, twenty-two and forty-two use the same rule). One hundred often breaks the conventions, so you will need to learn it. Depending on the local currency, learning higher numbers, like 1,000, could also come in handy.TransportationAirplane When traveling internationally, most travelers will at some point travel via air, so learning the word for airplane is important.Train Train travel is common in many countries, so this word could come in handy.Taxi If you are looking to hire a car, learning the word for taxi is essential. Luckily, in many languages, its just taxi.Car Whether you plan to rent a car or not, this is still a useful word to know.Bus Buses offer a convenient and affordable mode of transportation, so you might want to learn the word.PlacesPlace It is vague and generic but it can also be useful. If you do not know the name of a place, the word place might help you. For instance, if you cant remember the word for restaurant, you might ask Where is the place? and then make an eating gesture . Sure, its not elegant, but it gets the job done.Restaurant Everyone likes food, so it is best to just learn the word for restaurant. Your stomach will thank you.Hotel If you are staying i n a hotel, this word is important. If you are renting an apartment or condo, you might learn these words instead.Airport When you are running late for a flight, you will be glad you learned the word for airport.Train/bus station If you plan on doing any train travel, knowing the word for train station can help you get the directions you need. Similarly, learning the word for bus station can help you find the desired station rather than standing around on the street frantically trying to wave down 10-ton vehicles.Market If you have a shopping bug (and who doesnt?) knowing the word for market will help you find your next great souvenir. It is important to note, however, that in different languages, there may be different words for food markets, clothing markets, etc.Communicating Basic InformationI like It can be a friendly way to share interests or give compliments, but you can also use I like to try to get what you want. For instance, saying I like pasta in a restaurant would let th e waiter know to direct you towards pasta dishes, especially if you pair it with what do you recommend?I dont like I dont like might not be as useful for friendly conversation as I like since it could seem a little negative, but it is just as useful for trying to get what you want. For instance, I dont like onions. What do you recommend? will let the waiter know you want help finding onion-free or low-onion dishes.I speak Clarifying what language or languages you speak will let people know how you communicate best. If they happent to speak the same language you can switch to it for easier communication.Id like to go to This is a particularly useful phrase to use in taxis to let the driver know your destination.Im allergic to If you have allergies, this is an essential phrase to share in restaurants. Be sure to also learn the words for any of your allergens.Making RequestsI would like Whether you are ordering food, requesting a specific hotel room or looking to purchase a souvenir, t his phrase is incredibly useful.Can I have? This phrase is similar to I would like although which one to use can vary between languages.Do you speak English? If you are struggling to understand or be understood, this is good information to have. Even if the person you are speaking with does not speak English, they may help you find someone who does.Menu, please Getting a restaurant menu is important. It gives you time to leisurely peruse the food items (and frantically look up any words you dont know).Check, please If your waiter doesnt bring you the check, you will be glad to know this phrase. No one wants to sit around waiting for a check for three hours. No one.Expressing ConfusionNo matter how hard you study, there are some things you might still miss. Here are a few ways to express your confusion.Repeat, please Understanding a foreign language can be hard. Asking someone to repeat what they said will give you another chance to understand what you may have missed the first time. More slowly, please Some native speakers speak really quickly. Even if you are proficient at a language, you might need them to slow it down a little.I dont understand Saying this phrase comes across so much better than just staring blankly. It also provides the speaker an opportunity to repeat or rephrase.Im sorry, I dont speak This is a polite way to let people know that you dont understand the language.What doesmean? When you dont understand a particular word, this is a helpful way to get more explanation or solicit an impromptu charades session.EmergenciesHopefully you will never need to use the following words, but it is always better to be prepared!Help You never know when you might need help, and you certainly do not want to be left scrambling for a dictionary or translator, so this is a good word to learn ahead of time.Caution You might not need it often, but you will certainly want to learn this word in case you see it on a sign or hear someone warning you.Danger Like cauti on, you might see this word on signs. Understanding it will help ensure you dont fall into a hole or touch a live electrical wireâ€"avoiding little things like that make a trip much nicer.Emergency If you are experiencing a crisis, being able to use this word will help communicate what is happening.Fire You will not need it that often, but if someone is running down your hotel hallway screaming it you will be glad you studied ahead of time.I need a doctor In a medical emergency, this phrase can help you get the assistance you need.Please call the police You never want it to happen, but if you encounter neer-do-wells this phrase will let bystanders know you need police intervention.What are these words and phrases in your target language, and how will you use them? And One More ThingDont let your learning fall off after these first words and phrases!  FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.

Decoding Literature Plain English Please! - TutorNerds

Decoding Literature Plain English Please! - TutorNerds Tips From an Irvine English Tutor: Decoding Literature: Plain English Please! Tips From an Irvine English Tutor: Decoding Literature: Plain English Please! Students in High School literature classes (whether in Advanced Placement or a typical class) will eventually have to cope with various forms of the English language. This can be particularly difficult when a student is meant to demonstrate their critical thinking skills and determine the authors point of view. There are two elements that make older forms of English (Middle English and Early Modern English) difficult to decode. First, the language itself is hard to understand for a Late Modern English speaker (thats you). Second, the cultural and societal aspects of the time the novel or text was written can be incredibly different from our current cultural codes. There are a few ways students can learn to love,  or at least live with, older forms of English and be successful in their literature classes our highly educated English tutors are here to help. 1. The plain language version The first thing every student should do is get a plain language version of the text if available. Plain language text can be available in multiple formats including a summary and analysis as part of an online study tool, a separate plain language version of the book, a page for page plain language text. Most students will find that the page for page version is most helpful. It will provide the Middle English or Early Modern English on the left and plain language version on the right. However, this study tool is not always available. If students cannot get a full plain language text, they will always be able to get a summary at the very least. This is the first step to understanding older dialects of literature (READ: 5 Reasons Students Should Blog). 2. Interpret the text through a visual medium This is a fancy way of saying rent the movie. However, students needs to be wary of which movie version they watch. Some versions are word for word or at least scene for scene while others are entirely updated and condensed to meet the needs of a modern audience. Its essential students  view the film that is as close to the book as possible. Always ask a teacher or tutor for a recommendation before spending two or three hours in front of the TV. 3. Consult an expert Students who are struggling with older forms of English are encouraged to work with somebody who is familiar with this type of language.  Students can work with a private tutor or visit their teacher during office hours to discuss ways they can overcome the difficulty of the language. English teachers are a fantastic resource but they can only help if the student asks (READ: Five Tips For Success in English Class). 4. Break it up into smaller parts Attempting to read Romeo and Juliet or The Canterbury Tales in its entirety in one sitting will be incredibly overwhelming. It’s essential that students break up these texts into smaller parts. The brain will be working extra hard to attempt to translate from Late Modern English to Middle English and back and the student’s mind becomes exhausted much quicker. Its a good idea to take these plays and poems one part at a time and make sure to take a mental break in between study sessions (READ: 5 Study Tips From A Private Irvine Academic Tutor). 5. Read the cultural context prior to reading the book If students are already struggling with the language, why add in and elusive cultural context? The place of men and women in society, socioeconomic boundaries, and family relationships were all different during these time periods. Students should read a little bit about the author’s biography as well as the cultural context of the period in order to help them understand the context of the story or text. Once they understand why characters are behaving in a certain way, students will better understand the particular language used to describe the characters as well as the words spoken by the characters themselves. Get the grades youre capable of with the help of a private Irvine English tutor! Book a highly experienced tutor from TutorNerds today. Call for details. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.