Tips to Read Stories

Tips to Read StoriesFor the people who learn English in one of the official language schools, learning to read and write through stories has become a very useful tool. It is not just a way to understand or expand vocabulary but also helps in learning conversational skills. This article offers a few important tips on how to make reading a story enjoyable and add some good lessons to your vocabulary.The easiest way to read is to turn your face towards the reading direction, while using your right hand to support your reading arm. In fact, there are simple ways to become used to reading English by looking at the words and pronouncing them. Look at words and ask yourself if they seem to make sense. If they do not, you need to change your reading direction by turning your head.How many times have you heard or read, 'Good things come in small packages'? Small phrases are easy to understand even if you have little vocabulary. When reading English stories, place emphasis on the title of the story, without looking at the pictures. You should be able to understand the story if you learn the meaning of the text. You might also like to write the title of the story or chapter first, to avoid repetition.Stories have been used as a tool for years to teach children how to read. Make sure that you don't take things for granted. Although English is still a foreign language, it is now becoming more popular in the globalized world. A story can help you in learning English.Reading through stories can help you become more relaxed in reading. The ability to read to your hearts content has always been linked to memory and relaxation. There are several ways to help you find your place during reading. Whether you are reading books or stories, keep your reading environment simple.You might prefer to read your favorite books or story while sitting at the computer or TV. Alternatively, you can use story boards that provide illustrations of characters or situations. You can also write down the story of your choice before reading it. Keep these tips in mind when you learn to read through stories.Speaking English is definitely an advantage in today's world. However, it is always helpful to read stories to gain comfort with the spoken language. In fact, it would be great if you have someone to read stories to you so that you can know how to read from your heart. Learning to read is more than just a skill; it is a way to enrich your thinking and ability to connect with others.

Thanksgiving in the United States - English Listening and Writing Exercise

Thanksgiving in the United States - English Listening and Writing Exercise As you might know, this Thursday we are celebrating Thanksgiving in the United States. Basically, we join our family and friends to eat too much turkey, mashed potatoes, pie and other delicious home cooked foods.It can be a really fun, relaxing holiday, or a crazy, stressful one, depending on who your family and friends are. This year were anticipating a relaxing holiday, unlike the characters in this video from the American comedy Home for the Holidays. Its about a dysfunctional family, and their Thanksgiving. In this clip, the family is trying to say a prayer before the meal, but it doesnt quite go right. Enjoy this English listening exercise, then try the questions below.Fill in the gaps below from the listening exercise above. Answer in comments and we will reply.1. Dear Lord we are _______ that such an attractive man sitting ______ next to Claudia.2. JoAnne look __ your sister. Doesnt she look ______?3. Spectacular. New _____?4. Dear Lord we realize that ______ everything is cha nging too damn fast.5. All sorts of things are the same. Even things we hated like _____ the turkey and ______the snow.6. What is the mistake in the above sentence?7. and thousand year old trees are falling down dead, and they ______.8. That was absurd lets eat _____ bird.Thanksgiving English Vocabulary:1. Turkey Similar to a chicken. Traditional meat that is cooked for Thanksgiving dinner.2. Cranberries These are a sour red fruit blended with sugar that are eaten as a side dish.Tell me about a holiday tradition in your country. Do families enjoy getting together or dread seeing each other on holidays? Is there fighting or bickering during your holiday dinners? Who does the cooking? Do you do the same thing every year? What was your most memorable holiday?Happy Thanksgiving! Navila Rosales 1.honoured/right2- at/nice3- diet4. lately5. sabling/shoving6. I am not sure, maybe snow is without the7. shouldn ´t8. thatBest regards,iniwini Jumana Hi This is first time I writing here 1-On it ..,right 2-At.noisy 3-Diet 4-lately 5- Chopling .stock on 6 -I dont know 7- shouldnt 8- dead LOIEnglish Jumana,Thank you for answering! One quick correction: This is the first time I AM writing here. (always be sure to use your to be when using present continuous or progressive) I am writing; You are playing; We are laughing; He is listening to;Question 1: honored; right Question 2: at; nice Question 6: shoveling and stuffing Question 7: shoveling snow and stuffing turkeyGood work!

14 Collocations with Cooking ?? - Learn English with Harry

14 Collocations with Cooking ?? - Learn English with Harry Here you will learn 14 English collocations with cooking.These English phrases will help you talk about food and food preparation in English. 14 Collocations with Cooking HOME COOKINGfood cooked at home, not in a restaurant or canteenExample:I love home cooking, Im not a big fan of fast food.COOKING TIMEtime required to cook somethingExample:The cooking time required depends on the cut and thickness of the cut. COOKING UTENSILSpots, spoons, knives, etc that you use when cookingExample:Good kitchen cooking utensils are made from durable materials. TRADITIONAL COOKINGdishes cooked in accordance with local traditionsExample:Little oil, and only vegetable oil at that, is used in traditional cooking in Japan.COOKING METHODa particular procedure for cooking somethingExample:This cooking method is fast, so its helpful to use a timer so you dont overcook or burn your food.SHARE COOKINGtwo or more people cook the foodExample:We share cooking on the weekends or go out to eat. 14 Collocations with Cooking VEGETARIAN COOKINGmeets vegetarian standards by not including meat and animal tissue productsExample:The basic recipe that follows can easily be adapted to vegetarian cooking.COOKING FACILITIESequipment necessary for cookingExample:All our rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, however, none of our rooms have full cooking facilities. SLOW COOKINGtaking a longer time to cookExample:Slow cooking gives this pot roast that fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Cooking Verbs in English DO THE COOKINGto prepare foodExample:Who does the cooking in your house?SUPERB COOKINGexcellent, extremely good  Example:He married me for my superb cooking and baking skills.COOKING TECHNIQUEa set of methods and procedures for preparing, cooking and presenting foodExample:The most popular cooking techniques in Western cuisine are baking, boiling, frying, and stewing.COOKING APPLIANCESappliances that are used for cooking foodsExample:New cooking appliances come with an energy label showing their energy efficiency class. COOKING INGREDIENTSthings that are used to prepare a specific dishExample:It is important to store the cooking ingredients correctly   in order to keep them fresh.

4 Ways to Make Parents Feel More Involved

4 Ways to Make Parents Feel More Involved As you grow and mature, it's easy for parents to feel left in the dust. It's not that they want to control your life, it's just that they want to still feel like they are a part of your life and that their opinion matters. They love you, and they want to know you are well. There are ways to help your parents feel more involved in your life as you grow more independent. They will appreciate that you take the time to stop and think about them, even with your growing and busy life. 1. Call them Simply picking up the phone and letting he or she know how your day was can make a parent's day. You might think you have nothing exciting to say, but your parents don't care. They want to know what you've been up to, how your day was, what you're feeling, and just that you are simply OK. 2. Involve them You will have major milestones in your life; it might be with your career, school, relationships, or living situations. Running your thoughts by your parents and letting them know what's going on can help them feel like part of your life. They may even have some good advice for you along the way. 3. Appreciate them The simple act of saying thank you can do wonders for your relationship with your parents. Your parents do for you more than you could ever know, and they've likely sacrificed many things just for you to be where you are today. A 'thank you' can go a long way, and show them you do love them, you're thinking about them and demonstrate your appreciation for what they have done for you. 4. Ask for help Your parents have spent a good portion of your life helping you do things. Once you are grown up and out of the house, you no longer need as much help. Parents realise this, but also miss helping you through life. It's what they do best! Your parents have been in your shoes before. They are full of life stories and experience. Never be afraid to ask your parents for help. It doesn't matter how far away you are. Maybe you need help moving, with homework, financially, or something else. Regardless, don't be afraid to ask. Your parents are valuable resources and chances are they'll love to help you out if they can.

This Young Students App was Recognized by Apple

This Young Students App was Recognized by Apple This Young Students App was Recognized by Apple At just 8 years old, Yasseen practices Judo, is an accomplished pianist and most recently, an app developer. His parents enrolled him in the Kumon Math Program when he was five years old because they wanted to strengthen his math skills. They never imagined how deeply he would fall in love with math. Over time, his love for math developed into an interest in coding. He was able to leverage the skills he developed in Kumonâ€"including logic and algorithmsâ€"to teach himself how to code. Together with his father, Yasseen developed the app Versus: The Number Guessing Challenge. With a love for numbers, he wanted a fun way for players to challenge one another in a number guessing game. The success did not stop there. Apple’s Editor contacted Yasseen to feature Versus on the “Today” tab of the App Store. On average, only one out of several thousand developers get the opportunity to be featured on the App Store. Yasseen’s remarkable achievement means millions of people worldwide will see his app on the “Today” tab. Yasseen tells us about his love for coding and journey in app building. What inspired you to create the app? One night, my father and I were debating the best or fastest way of finding a number between 1 and 1,000. That led to the idea of creating a ‘versus’ game. I really wanted to create an app because it’s more interactive and it allows you to either play against your friends or your device. What is your goal for users downloading your app? My goal is for users to have fun, but most importantly to inspire young developers to follow their dreams. I want to give them hope that if I can do it, they can as well! Do you plan on creating more apps in the future and if so, what kind? Yes, I am planning on creating more game related apps that could be fun for car trips. All kids get bored in the car! As you can see, Yasseen’s app development career has only just begun. Through his daily Kumon routine, he has not only sharpened his math skills, he has also gained the patience and confidence to follow his dreams. Yasseen hopes to one day be a computer engineer in the medical field. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Yasseen! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Discover How This Young Student Has Gained Independence in Math This Young Reading Program Completer Developed a Love for Literature in Kumon Focus And Confidence Help This Young Musician Achieve His Goals This Young Student Gets Competitive With Her Math Skills This Young Students App was Recognized by Apple This Young Students App was Recognized by Apple At just 8 years old, Yasseen practices Judo, is an accomplished pianist and most recently, an app developer. His parents enrolled him in the Kumon Math Program when he was five years old because they wanted to strengthen his math skills. They never imagined how deeply he would fall in love with math. Over time, his love for math developed into an interest in coding. He was able to leverage the skills he developed in Kumonâ€"including logic and algorithmsâ€"to teach himself how to code. Together with his father, Yasseen developed the app Versus: The Number Guessing Challenge. With a love for numbers, he wanted a fun way for players to challenge one another in a number guessing game. The success did not stop there. Apple’s Editor contacted Yasseen to feature Versus on the “Today” tab of the App Store. On average, only one out of several thousand developers get the opportunity to be featured on the App Store. Yasseen’s remarkable achievement means millions of people worldwide will see his app on the “Today” tab. Yasseen tells us about his love for coding and journey in app building. What inspired you to create the app? One night, my father and I were debating the best or fastest way of finding a number between 1 and 1,000. That led to the idea of creating a ‘versus’ game. I really wanted to create an app because it’s more interactive and it allows you to either play against your friends or your device. What is your goal for users downloading your app? My goal is for users to have fun, but most importantly to inspire young developers to follow their dreams. I want to give them hope that if I can do it, they can as well! Do you plan on creating more apps in the future and if so, what kind? Yes, I am planning on creating more game related apps that could be fun for car trips. All kids get bored in the car! As you can see, Yasseen’s app development career has only just begun. Through his daily Kumon routine, he has not only sharpened his math skills, he has also gained the patience and confidence to follow his dreams. Yasseen hopes to one day be a computer engineer in the medical field. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Yasseen! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Discover How This Young Student Has Gained Independence in Math This Young Reading Program Completer Developed a Love for Literature in Kumon Focus And Confidence Help This Young Musician Achieve His Goals This Young Student Gets Competitive With Her Math Skills

Irvine Private Tutor Tips Earn College Credits With CLEP

Irvine Private Tutor Tips Earn College Credits With CLEP CLEP: College Credits for $85 CLEP: College Credits for $85 College can be expensive. You don’t have to spend long looking at tuition costs or researching student loans to recognize that education after high school tends to be a costly experience. The average expected expenses at private universities are over $50,000 per year. State schools come in at over $25,000 per year and community colleges at over $17,000 per year (via College Board). There are 44 million Americans with student loans, and the average monthly payment for these students after graduating is around $350 (via the Cleveland Fed). Taking on these costs is not something to be taken lightly. Another factor that isn’t often considered by prospective students is the opportunity cost of education. If you are a full-time student, you likely are not also working at a full-time career. The years you spend studying in school are years that you aren’t working and making money do well on the CLEP with the help of private Irvine tutoring. With this in mind, it seems obvious that students looking at colleges and degrees should be strongly emphasizing completing their education CHEAPLY and QUICKLY. So, why have most college students never heard of the CLEP exams? CLEP stands for College Level Examination Program The CLEP exams are standardized tests administered by the College Board (the same organization that runs the SAT and AP exams). The purpose of the exams is to test your proficiency in specific college-level subjects. The idea is that if you already know the material of a college class, you can get credit for that class without having to actually take it. The caveat is that you do need to know the material well enough to pass the exam. So what is the main benefit of CLEP exams? They are almost always cost-efficient. A college credit averages around $600 overall. Even just looking at community colleges, credits average $135 (via studentloanhero.com). The CLEP exams usually cost $85 each. Most of the exams grant an equivalency to a 3-credit course. That’s 3 credits for only $85. And, most importantly, that’s one less class that you have to take on your way to your degree. Classes take time, and if you can earn credits with CLEP exams, you can potentially knock out prerequisite courses, meet graduation requirements, and free up time and schedule space to either finish your degree early or work at your job while taking your other classes. Passing five CLEP exams is the credit equivalent to a full-time semester of college classes at a cost of $425. There are 36 different exams to choose from, from accounting to American literature to Spanish to algebra. And remember, you only need to pass the exam â€" not ace it. Since the tests are standardized, there are many cases of students getting the equivalent of a ‘D’ on the test but still receiving passing marks. Colleges don’t get to see your score on the exam, only that you successfully passed it. CLEP Opportunities Now, how can you best take advantage of CLEP opportunities? First, check with your school to make sure they will give you credit for the exams. Thousands of colleges in the U.S. accept CLEP exams, including most community colleges. If you are going straight to a private university, however, you are probably out of luck with CLEP unless you transfer from a community college first. Once you have confirmed which tests your school will give you credit for, it’s now time to choose which tests to take and study. Ideally, there will be exams that you already know the subject for very well. In these cases, a quick review might be sufficient to score you a passing grade. However, if you want to take advantage of the exams, you can shoot for tests that you don’t know as well. In this case, consider looking for an experienced tutor who can help you choose which tests to take and help you prepare for them. Some tests are easier than you might think (remember, even a ‘D’ can earn a passing grade on some exams), and a few weeks of focused studying can be enough to earn you college credit and let you skip a semester’s worth of lectures, homework, and quizzes. CLEP can save you time, money, and stress. One $85 test can help keep you out of the classroom while you continue your education effectively and efficiently. Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. 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.

6 Killer Reasons to Learn a Second Language

6 Killer Reasons to Learn a Second Language 6 Killer Reasons to Learn a Second Language The modern world is a  hectic place.It makes us look at everything as a cost versus benefit situation.You might ask yourself why should I find the time to learn a new language?Everyone knows its hard work to learn a new language.And its not just about the work you put inâ€"its about becoming familiar with new words, phrases, grammar and sounds over a long period of time.This article will explain to you why learning a new language isnt a chore, but something amazing that can improve almost every aspect of your life! 6 Killer Reasons to Learn a Second Language1. Being awesome.Remember the scene in Waynes World when Rob Lowes character orders Chinese food in flawless Cantonese? Remember how impressed everyone wasâ€"including Waynes girlfriend, Cassandra? The movie may have been a screwcap comedy, but that scene hit the nail right on the head.The fact is, people love it when they find out you can speak another language. In their eyes, you suddenly become 100% more interesting. Early in the movie Braveheart, William speaks to Murron in French. Anyone who remembers the scene will know its the moment when she realizes shes falling in love with him.Language has that strange power over people.If youve ever been at a party where someone sat down at the piano or picked up a guitar and started playing beautifully, youll know what Im talking about. People just gather around. We love being surprised by hidden talents.Imagine being able to order your meal in Japanese on a first date or joke with the waiters at the local trattoria in Italian. This is James Bond-level coolness. Nothing screams sophistication like fluency in another language.2. Being professional.The world seems like it shrinks a little every day. Rapid globalization means that doing business with people from other countries and continents is more common than ever before. On one hand, learning another language is being a responsible global citizen. On the other hand, it gives us an edge professionally.Its hard to overstate just how much people enjoy it when we make an effort to speak in their language. Even if we make mistakes, attempts are always appreciated! It might just be a local greeting or a super polite thank you, but youll always be the foreigner who tried to speak Korean or French. Youll be remembered.If a Japanese company has to make a choice between two  equally impressive presentations, whos going to win that contract? Will it be Joe Bloggs who delivered everything in English? Or will it be you, who stood out by showing off your newly-acquired language skills?Put yourself in an employers shoes. Imagine youre holding two resumes. Both are almost identical. One of the applicants speaks German in addition to English. The other speaks only English. Who do you think has the edge?3. Unlocking the door to the rest of the world.Recent graduates will know how tough the job market can be at home. But further afield things look brighter.With college debts to pay off, its increasingly c ommon for fresh grads to head to Japan or Korea to teach. There are plenty of skills shortages in Europe. Booming China is always on the lookout for highly educated workers. Natural resources abound in Latin America, the Middle East is rich in oilthe possibilities for employment abroad are diverse and endless.What better way to secure a lucrative international position than by having some of the local language already mastered?Dont let life pass you by. If you feel career opportunities are limited at home, look abroad. Your country is your home but outside the front door is an ocean of possibility, and learning another language is the key to opening that door.4. Understanding other cultures.People take you seriously when youve mastered another language. It takes discipline and intelligence. Subconsciously or not, people recognize this.Take it from someone living in a foreign country: everyone respects the people who can speak the local language. Expats admire your intellectual abili ties. Locals are flattered that youve embraced their culture. It really is win-win.But learning a new language isnt just about looking good. Its about feeling good and discovering new things.  You truly begin to understand a foreign culture when you speak the language, but to understand Russia we dont have to read Tolstoy.We gain our greatest insights into a culture from simple things. Old proverbs, for example. Conversations with taxi drivers. Cabbies invariably know about the best bars and restaurants. If you really want to make the most of that weekend abroad, be able to chat with your driver. You wont regret it.Not only will they know the secrets that let you explore their city like a local, theyll also be able to give you the latest gossip about local celebrities and politicians. Why taxi drivers? Because at some point they or their colleagues have driven these people somewhere! Plus, theyre talking to different people all day long while doing their job, and theyre always on to p of the big local scoop.When we want to get our news fix at home we read a paper. We seldom do this abroad because we dont speak the language. But interesting news stories hidden in the corner of page 12 reveal the quirks of a foreign culture. A local pop star has been arrested for causing mayhem on a flight? You might not read about it at home, but it sure is fun to take a peek into this other world.As Bill Bryson once said of reading local newspapers, What a comfort it is to find a nation preoccupied with matters of no possible consequence to oneself. It is, he says, like going through a strangers drawers.5. Being good to your brain.By now youre aware of some of the social benefits of learning a second language, but how about the health benefits? Our brain controls our entire body, yet we dont always treat it the way we should.Everyone knows exercise is good for the body. Thats why we spend so much time at the gym. Its also why everyone obsesses over diets. But what about our min d? It also needs exercise to keep in tip-top shape. This is where language learning comes in.Christos Pliatsikas of the University of Kent School of Psychology states that Everyday handling of more than one language functions as an intensive cognitive stimulation that benefits specific brain structures and protects them against deterioration in older age. In other words, studying languages helps to defend your brain against the onset of dementia and the general effects of aging.So there you go. Even if you plan on travelling no further than the kitchen, the study of grammar rules and new vocabulary is the perfect exercise to keep your mind healthy.6. Helping your mind function at its peak.The jury is in: Learning another language makes you smarter. Studying a new language makes us see our mother tongue in a new light, giving us insights into how we structure sentences, use grammar and even how we think. Lets look at average SAT verbal scores (by foreign language studied). They certa inly give food for thought.The average for an American student (that is, an American student who studies only English) on the verbal section of the SAT is about 500 points.Students who also study Spanish in addition to English score higher than this, averaging around 560.Let that sink in for a minute. Thats a whole sixty point difference! But wait, it doesnt end there.Students who study French and German do even better, with French learners scoring an average of 630 points on the SAT. This article is too short to explain the reasons for the different point averages for each language, but the message is clear. Studying new languages benefits us in ways we cant even begin to imagine.Youve seen how learning a new language can impress people, provide career opportunities, open up new cultures, increase brain health and help you to do better on exams.So what are you waiting for?Youve got all the reasons you could possibly need.Get learning!