Learning Mandarin - An Interconnected Learning Process

When discussing mandarin studies I often focus on the holistic nature of a good curriculum. Learning Mandarin can be very difficult if the learning process lack one of three key aspects. Studying something as complicated and the Standard Mandarin language must be interesting, it must be efficient and it must be focused. I consider this to be a holistic approach because there is a great deal of synergy inherent in each of these qualities. For something to be interesting it should be focused on what you are interested in and it must be dealt with in an efficient manner, or you will loose motivation before you reached the target of your studies. Conversely, for something to be efficient it must be targeted, almost per definition. There simply is no point in pursuing a target of little concern to you. As a parallel argument, for something to be efficient, it needs to be target, as I just noted, and if it is targeted. Lastly, and for the same reason, for mandarin language studies to become targeted they must be interesting and furthermore, the language studies are then, per definition, efficient.

So, the holistic approach is really just common sense. To make learning interesting, efficient and targeted is not exactly a Nobel Prize winning theory. However, it is my opinion that most schools still manage to evade on corner of this triangle. I think that this is the reason that learning mandarin has a reputation as very difficult. I remember a fire safety seminar back in Pre School where a really cool fireman came in and explained to us what fire really is. The exothermal process needs three elements: fuel, air and heat. Take out one and you kill the fire. The same applies to the triangle I just discussed, remove one of these components and a student's motivation just dies.

So: how do we make sure that the necessary ingredients for superb mandarin studies are all there? Because they are all interlinked, the solution to this conundrum is also interlinked. It begins with a reasonable class size. I don't really know what a principal is thinking when he decides that 1 teacher can simultaneously teach 30 students Mandarin. Standard Mandarin pronunciation is less complicated than Chinese Cantonese, for example, but it is still complicated and it is initially difficult for students to wrap the tongues around the tones. However, putting students and teachers in a situation where individual pointers are just not feasible, as they are not in a classroom with 30 students per teacher, one makes learning mandarin a insurmountable task.

This pronunciation issue highlights the holistic nature of language studies. With out being able to properly speak people are handicapped in every way. The studies are not, therefore, efficient; they are also not interesting as they are only about reading about the language, not about using it. Furthermore, as students are unable to speak independently, in their life outside school, there is no room for targeting the things that matter most to them. That makes the language student completely unable to control and focus their efforts in the direction of their own aims.

The pronunciation alone is not the whole issue with large class sizes either. There are many ways in which Chinese language studies become very difficult without individual attention and personal interaction between teacher and students. However, these reasons are not either the entire issue here. On an interpersonal level it is very hard for students to feel that they are being helped when the teacher don't know ones full name. The lack of sense of personal attention also kills motivation as progress cannot be commented on or even encouraged effectively.

In the end, a small class size is not going to lead to a perfect environment alone, other facets are without a doubt key points to consider when aiming for an optimal service. It is however the area in which most schools fail atrociously and it is therefore an area that is easiest to fix.

Rui Ming works for a Mandarin language Academy in Beijing that is a great option for those that want to learn Standard Mandarin. If you are interested in more information about learning Mandarin in Beijing, please consult the website of Beijing Gateway Academy.

Renting Textbooks Vs Buying Textbooks - Things You Should Consider

Every year there is a huge influx of new students preparing to take on their first year of college. Getting prepared for class is one task that higher learning demands slightly more effort from you. The biggest task for me always seemed to be obtaining my textbooks for the term. With so many different sources, it honestly took me until the second term of my sophomore year to figure out how to get the best deals/rates on my books.

Renting textbooks vs. buying textbooks is where the confusion usually sets in. Every student wants to save money, bottom line. Through some trial and error I became aware of some things to look out for. Buying your books seems to be the fastest way to get ready for your classes, but honestly I recommend renting online.

One reason why I prefer online rentals is because of my experience at the end of my first spring term. When I had first bought the book, it was the latest edition available. At the end of the term I brought it to the campus bookstore to sell it back and was told that a new edition came out and I could not return the now out dated book. Simply put, I am still stuck holding onto the book to this day.

I love the the return policy for online rentals for two reasons; one, not only is online seeming more secure (in the sense they take back whatever book they sent you), but two, its also easier to place the package in the mail rather then go down to the store on campus. Online services also have promotions or discounts posted around the web to take advantage of.

If you take into consideration everything students have to worry about financially, do you really want to risk an unnecessary part of your budget on something so simple? I can almost guarantee you don't. Follow my advice and look into online textbook rentals, and don't get caught up in any "non-refundable" situations.

If you are interested in textbook rentals online, but can't decide which service to put your educational funds towards you should try BookRenter.com. They offer great customer service and have a truly "user-friendly" website.

Try a BookRenter Coupon to optimize your savings before you checkout! You won't be sorry when you see the money you could have been saving since freshman year on these expensive college textbooks.

Online Exams Create Interactive Assessment for Students

Scantron sheets and No. 2 pencils may soon become a thing of the past. Schools around the world are doing away with traditional forms of student assessment in favor of online exams, which offer a level of interactivity and visualization that cannot be achieved with a pencil and paper.

Online exams, in their most basic form, consist of multiple choice questions answered by the click of a mouse, rather than shading in bubbles with a pencil. Advances in technology and new software developments, though, are creating online exams that resemble classroom experiences, and can even mimic science laboratories.

One program recently tested was created by The New South Wales Department of Education and Training and software developing company Janison Solutions. The software questioned students as they conducted an experiment in a virtual laboratory. Over 32,000 participating students logged online to take the exam, which involved responding to a series of situations that were displayed textually and graphically on web pages. The exam greatly differed from a standard, written exam because a student's response actually prompted what would happen in the next step of the experiment. Answers were automatically recorded, and students were able to view any mistakes right as they were made.

Students were also required to complete a survey after the exam, and an overwhelming majority gave positive feedback. Teachers agreed that online exams are particularly beneficial to the learning process because of the level of interactivity involved. A student engaged in an online program learns and recalls more information than one simply reading a written exam and selecting an answer.

NSW Director of Educational Measurement and School Accountability, Kate O'Donnell, is in favor of online exams, due to the increasing popularity of online schools and learning in general. "With more kids learning online, it's [online testing] seen to be the modern way of testing," she said.

Criminal Justice Degree Jobs Begin With College Intro Course

One of the most exciting parts about being a college student is being able to enroll in introductory classes. Introductory classes are usually part of your undergraduate coursework and help to literally introduce you to new subjects and topics to study.

A college degree is usually divided into two parts. The first half of your degree involves required prerequisites, such as English Composition or math and science classes. These general education classes comprise a large portion of your degree and are a requirement at basically any college. The second part of your degree is when you declare a major.

Declaring a major is possibly the most important part of any college career. A major is the subject you're going to study for the remainder of your college career. It's very likely that if you continue to pursue more education, such as graduate work, you'll continue working in the same field. So the decision you make early in your college career will actually affect the rest of your academic life. Many students have pursued a major to the halfway point before deciding it wasn't a subject they were actually interested in.

Introductory classes are part of a college curriculum to help you become familiar with a subject before you commit your major to it. Many students may feel drawn to an intro course because it's a subject they were interested in prior to enrolling in college courses. For many students, one of the most interesting and exciting courses of this nature is Introduction to Criminal Justice.

One of the most important things a student can learn from a criminal Justice class is that the world of criminal justice isn't limited to those who want to pursue a career in law enforcement. This course provides educational backgrounds for people who want to work in social services, law, and even for those who want to work for the federal government. Criminal justice is truly an area of study for a plethora of futures.

Much of the information you'll cover in this course has to do with the historical background of criminal justice in the United States. Believe it or not, even though our country is fairly young by global standards, we have a long and complicated history regarding our system for dealing with crime and punishment. Much of our history is drawn from other societies, so you'll have lots of information to cover during your studies.

Another important facet of an introductory program in this area is to help students become familiar with the theory behind our current systems. Ethics are an important part of any criminal justice system, and students will be confronted with problem solving situations that require them to put their own to the test. Most Introduction to Criminal Justice courses will cover a wide range of information that requires you as the student to think critically and use problem-solving skills.

No matter what major you eventually decide on, introductory courses are mandatory for making sure that you successfully decide what you want to focus on studying for the rest of your academic career. For quite a few students, this intro course will help them learn about something they're passionate about, and also help them develop skills that will be useful in criminal justice degree jobs in every aspect of the field. For many, online learning will play a huge role as economically many can't afford not to work while they go to school. One way to alleviate some of the financial pressure is to take a free online course and see just how well distance learning fits into your busy life.

Learning Chinese - Advanced Instances of Applied Mandarin

One of the latest additions to Mandarin curriculums is what is known in the industry as Applied Mandarin. Few schools have yet adapted the concept but it is my belief that Applied Mandarin or AM will, within say 5 years, be a cornerstone in the way that private language education teach Mandarin. The aim of the concept is to make the experience of studying Mandarin much more active. All research into how the brain assimilates new information indicates that the process is action oriented. It also shows that personal relevance and usability are key components. The hope is that Applied Mandarin will combine these three facets of our cognitive senses and act as a compliment to regular classes.

So what examples are there of when relevant action, that is useful, can be harnessed for learning purposes? The key lies in natural communication. In focusing on everyday content, in an applied setting, the three cornerstones are obtained. To make it a bit more fun, and for it to act as a suitable counterweight to normal classes, the best activities are often competitions.

They start of with simple things, but they quickly get harder. Here is a list of a few advanced instances of Applied Mandarin.

Street food sell-off (Negotiation/Selling)
First a class on how to make a dish of basic Chinese street food, then a competition to see who can sell the most in one evening. Finish the night with a huge party. All proceeds go to charity. Learning objective: practice numbers, selling, polite basic conversation

Beijing Come Dine with Me (Chinese characters, written communication)
After this, students will be able to create a seriously impressive dinner for friends and family at home. Teams do their own cooking (after instruction from a Chinese chef) and then they compete in throwing the nicest dinner party. Before the party they send out menus. Learning objective: Review the LO's from Chinese Menu Reading and Street Food Sell-off.

Produce a TV- show (Co-operation)
We enter the TV-studio that we have free access to after a planning meeting with native speakers and produce the next great You-Tube hit, travel documentary for your friends and family at home, news cast or whatever else you and your Chinese team members come up with. Voting takes place, the best production gets a great price to enjoy with their new Chinese friends. Learning objective: practice conversation and cooperation

Produce a Radio-Show (Co-operation)
See "Produce a TV-show". Learning objective: practice conversation and cooperation.

Promote a night club event (Co-operation and Negotiation)
So you want to live in China? Here negotiation, selling and overcrowded markets are everywhere. Take your skills to the streets and promote a night club event. All proceeds go to charity. Learning objective: practice conversation and selling

Bargaining Competition (Negotiations)
As we said, just above; negotiation, selling and overcrowded markets are a great part of life here. Learn how to get what you deserve and then compete to show your skills to the world. Learning objective: Being able to discuss a price in Chinese and become more familiar with some great bargaining tricks.

Man a Market Stall (Co-operation, Selling and Negotiations)
It is one thing to be able to buy; it is completely different ball game to sell. You will be paired up with a Chinese professional that knows every single trick in the book of selling and you will go to work together... this will equip you with some serious skills for life in China and abroad as well as being truly enjoyable and a great story to tell your grandchildren. Learning objective: Practice conversation and selling from a Chinese perspective

From an egg to a Roasted Duck (Negotiations)
We give each team four eggs. They need to go out in Beijing and trade these eggs for something of greater value, say 5 apples, then find another person to trade 5 apples for 2 avocados, etc. The winner is the one that reaches the highest value of the final product by a certain time. They get a Beijing Roast Duck dinner (or a vegetarian equivalent) which is one of the nicest culinary delights around. Learning objective: to practice negotiations in Chinese.

Rui Ming works for a Mandarin language Academy in Beijing that is a great option for those that want to learn Mandarin. If you are interested in more information about learning Mandarin in Beijing, please consult the website of Beijing Gateway Academy.

Although Some Still Hesitant, Many Teachers Excited About Online Learning

More teachers are seeing technology in a new light or so say teacher videos submitted to the New York Times. The New York Times and its Learning Network site recently asked teachers to submit videos "describing how technology had changed their classroom." The submissions and accompanying comments were overwhelming. The majority of teachers who participated described increased student focus and advanced achievement. One of the participants, North Carolina teacher Megan Taber went as far as to call technology in her classroom (her students use iPod Touches for every class) a "vital resource." Many teachers also reported becoming more aware of the importance of technology since its implementation in their classrooms.

The NYT project has helped to show critics just how important and revolutionary technology has become in terms of education. The video respondents, reported the New York Times, were not all ready to forgo the traditional classroom completely, but they were willing to note how effective, useful and positive technology has been for their teaching methods and connection with students.

What the majority of the responding teachers found most beneficial about classroom technology and outside technology was the way it allowed students to interact and collaborate in so many different ways. Blogs, social networks and other websites like Skype have allowed students and teachers alike to transcend traditional learning barriers. The sites also help students engage in course material and discussion outside of the classroom.

Advanced technology in classrooms is also helping educators rethink some of "education's traditional dogmas," namely 6-hour school days with allotted class times. With technology, educators and administrators can "push the envelope." For Megan Taber, old ways have given way to new and she wouldn't want it any other way. Taber's opening exercise is to write a question on the previous day's reading on the blackboard. Traditionally, students have written a response in their notebooks and Taber would periodically collect the work. Now, with a classroom full of iPod Touches, Taber's students submit their answers instantly. Taber receives the responses directly to a spreadsheet on her computer and responds to their work almost instantaneously. Taber is one of the many teachers who can't say enough about the benefits of technology in their classroom and the ways in which it helps improve the "way you teach" and the way students learn.

Tips on How to Understand An American Accent

Are you looking for some tips on how to understand an American accent? If so, read on, because this article is for you! There are many things that you can do if you want to understand Americans better. Here are two extremely effective ways to do it.

1. Listen to podcasts

Podcasts are extremely effective if you want to improve your listening skills! Just go to iTunes, look for some free American podcasts about your interests, download them, upload on your MP3 player or cell phone and listen to them as much as you can - while jogging, waiting in a line or shopping.

However, keep in mind that you need to concentrate while listening - pay attention to the way native speakers speak and try to understand them. Passive listening won't help you.

2. Watch American movies with subtitles

It's a very popular method, because it's insanely effective. This is one of my favorite methods to work on my American accent. Why? Because you have fun while doing it and you can very quickly learn a lot of useful things - not only improve your listening or speaking skills, but also learn a lot of new words.

How should you practice with movies? It's simple - find some good American movies with subtitles in English, turn up the volume of your speakers or headphones, watch a movie and pay close attention to the way the actors speak (and repeat after them if you want to improve your American accent). Read subtitles if you can't understand something. The next step is to stop watching movies with subtitles.

That's it - two very important tips on how to understand an American accent. If you take action and put them to use, I'm sure that you'll quickly learn how to understand an American accent! Don't forget to practice on a daily basis. Good luck and have fun while learning!

Bonus: 3. Get free lessons on how to learn an American accent

Visit http://www.learnamericanaccenthq.com/ and sign up right now to get your FREE lessons on how to learn an American accent!

Am I Too Old To Learn A Foreign Language Such As Spanish? And Other Excuses

One question that I am frequently asked is "am I too old to learn Spanish?" or "am I too old to learn a foreign language?" The answer to that question is "no, you are never too old to learn a language." But these are actually excuses for not a foreign language more than they are inquiries about learning a foreign language. Let me borrow a story from history that I hope will encourage you to eliminate your excuses and start learning your language of choice.

The year was 1519. With a force of 600 men, and less than 20 horses and ten small cannons Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez landed in Vera Cruz to conquer the Aztec empire of more than 5 million people.

To prevent his own small force of less than 600 men from deserting, Cortez "burned his ships." And then he gave his men a speech and told them that they could "fight or die."

Why did he burn his own ships?

He wanted to eliminate any alternative or any excuse the men could have for losing and returning to Spain. Besides, "burning the ships" also gave the men a powerful motive to win.

Do you have excuses for not reaching your language-learning goals? Here are a few excuses that I have heard over the years.

"I don't have time."
"I don't have anyone to practice with."
"I only learn visually."
"I am only an auditory learner."
"I only learn with text"
"I don't like my Spanish course."
"I don't like my Spanish instructor."
"I don't like my Spanish class."
"I am too old to learn."
"I am too young to learn another language."
"Spanish speakers speak too fast"
"I can't stay motivated."

Whether these are valid or invalid excuses is not the point that I am trying to make. The point is that these excuses will stop you from reaching your Spanish-learning goals.

Cortez knew that "burning the ships" would give his men a powerful motive to win. What gives you a powerful motive to learn a language?

Maybe it's a better paying position with your company that will require you to speak Spanish. Maybe it's knowing that you will attract more Spanish speaking customers to your business. Maybe you are motivated by knowing that learning Spanish will bring you more enjoyment when traveling to Latin America or Spain. Maybe it's meeting knew friends or a significant other that is a native Spanish speaker. Or maybe you are just motivated from the sheer enjoyment that comes from being able to speak another language.

Whatever it is that will motivate you to learn Spanish, move this motive to the forefront of your most dominant thoughts. And visualize yourself reaching your learning Spanish goals.

Learn a foreign language b learning to "burn your ships." That's by convincing yourself that you cannot turn back, and that you must accomplish all of your language-learning Spanish goals. Regardless of whether that goal is to become functional, conversational or completely fluent in another language, make a commitment to yourself that you will accomplish your Spanish-learning goals.

Pat Jackson is the Founder of Learning Spanish Like Crazy - the only learning Spanish method that teaches real authentic everyday conversational Latin American Spanish. If you would like to get FREE Instant access to the first 2 MP3 audio lessons of Learning Spanish Like Crazy and get FREE instant access to 10 learning Spanish videos from one of our BEAUTIFUL native-Spanish speaking Latina instructors, then go here now: Learn Spanish online That's http://www.LearningSpanishLikeCrazy.com/

Colleges Offer More Than One Free Course To Help Students Jump Start Their Careers

One of the secrets about a college education that they don't tell you about is the availability of free college courses. You can register for these classes, take them online, and even earn college credit for some of them. With the cost of a college degree being completely insane, this is one of those things very few people talk about, but more people should definitely know about.

Online college classes are offered at no cost to give you the opportunity to try out learning from a distance. Many students are unfamiliar with learning over the Internet, and they want to try the process out before committing their funds and time to an entire degree. Fortunately, not only are these classes free, but also all of the credits for your completed coursework can be transferred over to a college program.

There are a number of college courses offered online for free, so students never have to feel boxed in or out of options. Many of the classes are part of a general education program, so they give students a real experience for what a college program is like. Students have the opportunity to take a number of introductory classes, too, and become familiar with new subjects.

One of the most commonly attended free online classes is English Composition. This course is a requirement across the nation's campuses, so many students have and will take the class. Its focus is to help you hone your reading and writing skills so that you can communicate clearly and effectively in your academic life and your personal life.

Introductory classes are an important part of any college career. They allow students to experience new subjects and decide whether the topic is interesting and exciting for them. Many students decide to pursue majors based on the introductory classes they take early in their college careers.

The introductory free college courses also cover a wide variety of topics. Business and criminal justice are just two examples of foundational courses for college students to take for free. Introduction to Psychology is another free course that is simultaneously a general education class that can be counted for credits at almost any transferable college.

Students who are interested in pursuing a career in the medical field have options when it comes to college courses for free. They have the opportunity to take a medical terminology class in order to jumpstart their careers and their academics. Medical terminology classes help familiarize them with the language of the medical field, something they'll hear every single day working in a doctor's office or hospital.

No matter what you're interested in or what topic you want to learn about, there are so many free course programs available for you to take advantage of! Students can kick-start their college career by getting enrolled in a free course online and experiencing distance learning for the first time. All you have to do is start the process and get enrolled today! There's no cost to you but the time you want to spend learning so you can pass the class.

Bill Gates on Education Reform and the Budget Crisis

Bill Gates, the well-known founder of Microsoft and an avid philanthropist may be more notorious these days for his heroic efforts in the education reform sector. Gates has been outspoken about the need for U.S. educational reform from preschool to post-graduate school and his most recent commentary details his opinions on school's monetary reforms. His suggestions run the monetary gamut: from ending pay increases for teachers who have earned master's degrees or have acquired seniority to ending teacher's efforts to reduce class sizes. Instead, suggests Gates, "rebuild the budget based on excellence-" or teachers' overall ability to motivate students and raise student achievement rates.

In an economy still enduring a budget crisis (New Jersey, for example has a $10 billion deficit; Ohio is right behind with an $8 billion deficit) officials are trying to find ways to reform without much monetary support. U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, recently delivered a speech in Washington which drew on Gates' recent comments and solution ideas. In his "Band for the Buck in Schooling," speech, Duncan placed a great deal of importance on education reform despite financial shortcomings. To fix the education system, noted Duncan, real, transformational change must occur rather than seeking out short-term options to get school budgets back on track. Shortening school years, reducing bus routes and other short-term solutions won't necessarily help either the education or financial systems long-term.

Gates advocates and secretary Duncan supports a more innovative approach, an approach which can both help to fix the faltering education system while restructuring and ultimately improving the nation's public education budget. By holding teachers to a higher standard and paying them according to their level of student achievement, the education system can be transformed.

Gates has long advocated for improved student achievement, retention and graduation rates and the current budget crisis, he says, is making changes like these all the more necessary. The ideas may seem radical to some, but with both the national education and budget systems falling short, more innovative approaches, like those advocated by Gates and Duncan need to be considered.

How To Say Happy New Year In Spanish and Learning Spanish Vocabulary Words

In this lesson I will teach you how to say Happy New Year in Spanish. I will also tell you how Christmas is celebrated in Colombia while teaching you some new vocabulary words.

This is how you say Happy New Year in Spanish:

"Feliz año nuevo!" But in Colombia they simply say "Feliz año!"

My first year in Colombia I celebrated the Christmas holidays in Barranquilla, Colombia. But every year after that I celebrated the Christmas holidays in Medellin. Barranquilla and Medellin, just like the rest of Latin America, actually celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, the 24th.

Every year, I have a typical Colombian Christmas dinner here: A dinner consisting of "pollo relleno" (stuffed chicken), "buñuelos" (I'd describe these as fried cheese balls), "natilla" (raw sugar pudding).

The only difference between my Christmas dinner in Barranquilla and my the one in Medellin is that my new "novia paisa" (girlfriend from Medellin) cooked the "pollo relleno" from scratch. The pollo relleno that I had on the coast of Colombia was already pre-cooked when purchased from the
"supermercado" and was already stuffed with "carne, aceitunas, y huevos." (meat, olives and eggs).

Being a non-traditionalist, I found myself cooking a couple of non-Colombian dishes for my "paisita" on Christmas Eve. The last time I went to New York I made sure that I bought all the Puerto Rican and Dominican cooking ingredients that I would need to take back here to Medellin to cook some
Puerto Rican or Dominican dishes that I had learned from Boricua (Puerto Rican) and Dominican friends in New York.

From New York, I brought back Sazón, Adobo, Cilantro and, of course, Sofrito. I'd describe "Sofrito" as a slightly"picante" (spicy) Puerto Rican tomato sauce.

And with those ingredients, I managed to cook Puerto Rican or Dominican style dishes of "arroz amarillo" (yellow rice) and "habichuelas" (stewed red beans). But in Medellin, the word "habichuelas" means "string beans" and "frijoles" means "beans."

Pat Jackson is the Founder of Learning Spanish Like Crazy - the only learning Spanish method that teaches real authentic everyday conversational Latin American Spanish. If you would like to get FREE Instant access to the first 2 lessons of Learning Spanish Like Crazy or sign up for our FREE online interactive weekly Spanish classes, then go here now: Learn Spanish That's http://www.LearningSpanishLikeCrazy.com/

Let A General Psychology Course Introduce You To This Fascinating Field

Many students enjoy the idea of learning about how their fellow humans act and why people do the behaviors they do. After all, this is the reason that many of them choose to major in the field of psychology. Psychology is the study of the workings of the human mind. There are many different fields within this arena, as well as many different theorists who have left their mark on the study of the human mind. Introduction to Psychology is a course designed to teach students all the basics of this fascinating field.

There are many different theories within the realm of the study of behavior and thought. Many of these theories will be covered in the Intro to Psychology class as students will learn the basics of all that is covered. Quite a few of these theories govern the development of the mind, and in this case there are many psychologists doing work on an area called nature versus nurture. Another area of great interest to budding psychologists in the psychology introductory course is abnormal psychology.

The great debate on nature versus nurture centers on the question, "Are we who we are because we are born that way or because we are raised that way?" There are no true answers to this question as both sides have found ways to debunk the other side. Chiefly, nature proponents say who we are is encoded into our DNA, while nurture advocates say that a child's home life is what will create a functional or dysfunctional individual.

There are many different forms of psychological dysfunction. This area of psychological study is called abnormal psychology. Many of the disorders profiled such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, autism and dissociative disorder will be talked about with Intro students. Many leave the class quite interested in this area of the field.

There are many people who have greatly shaped the study of psychology. This survey course introduces students to a whole host of people who are responsible for the development and advancement of the study of psychology. None of these individuals will receive a complete biography, but there are many who are worth noting. Two of the most famous individuals within the Introduction to Psychology curriculum are Philip Zimbardo and Sigmund Freud.

Besides being credited with writing many of the textbooks used in psychology classes, Philip Zimbardo is the author of one of the most famous psychological studies conducted on American soil, the Stanford Prison study. In this study, students will learn about what happened when Zimbardo had some students act as prison guards while others acted as prisoners and the psychology department of Stanford was turned into a prison block.

Sigmund Freud is considered the "Father of Modern Psychology" due to his numerous contributions in the field. Freud is credited with pioneering ideas in dream analysis. He is also most famous for his ideas concerning the Id, the Ego and the Superego, as well as the Oedipal Complex.

What this general psychology course does is allow students to experience some of the wonder and fascination the field as a whole provides. One way students can undertake this study is via an online college for free class offering. Intro to Psych is a required course and taking it online and at no cost may just give students the impetus they need to pursue a full program.

Learn Maori Language Pronunciation With the Catchy 'Stupid Cupid' Alphabet Song

Maori alphabet has only 20 letters, consisting of English alphabets a, e, h, i, k, m, n, o, p, r, t, u, w, ng and wh, The other 5 alphabets are long vowels, which include a horizontal stroke above the vowels.

There is a catchy song to the tune of 'Stupid Cupid' that they used in kindergarten and pre-school to teach children how to pronounce Maori. Check my blog for the video and sing along for fun. Feels a little like in a kindergarten.

I had friends who took up Maori course in University to learn the language and understand the Maori culture better. The first time I heard this song was them singing in our hall courtyard. The song just sticks in your head for good.

Also, it is useful to learn how to pronounce basic Maori words. Many places in New Zealand use Maori names, only the bigger cities have English names. Besides, it is nice to learn a little of a new language.

How to pronounce Maori vowels?

A - E - I - O - U
Sounds like: Are there three or two?

Pronounce NG as in siNGer.
Pronounce WH as an F.

Lyrics for 'Stupid Cupid' Maori Alphabet Song
A haka mana para tawa ngawha
E heke mene pere tewe ngewhe
I hiki mini piri tiwi ngiwhi
O hoko mono poro towo ngowho
A - E - I - O - U (sounds like "are there three or two")
U huku munu puru tuwu nguwhu

Practice a few times with the sing-along, and you probably get the hang of Maori pronunciation.

Maori Alphabet Song (Version 2)
Think you need more practice?

Try this challenging 'reverse' version on your own. Sing to the tune of Stupid Cupid too.

U whungu wutu rupu numu kuhu
O whongo woto ropo nomo koho
I whingi witi ripi nimi kihi
E whenge wete repe neme kehe
U - O - I - E - A (sounds like "you for me em-ma")
A whanga wata rapa nama kaha

Happy singing!

Copyright 2010 Doris Chow

About the Author: Doris Chow is an blogger on http://www.FunNewZealandTravel.com. The blog shares about Doris' experiences and lessons learnt in her 3-year stay in New Zealand.

Nature Versus Nurture? Psychology Fields It All

There are many reasons to choose to be a psychology major. Many students who choose a course of study in psychology are often students who are fascinated with how the mind works and why people do the interesting things they do. One requirement to being a psychology major is to take a course that is known as Introduction to Psychology. This course is designed to educate students on the many different ways in which psychology has evolved throughout the years, in addition to teaching students about the many different people who have helped psychology evolve to the state it is in today.

There are quite a few contributors to the field who are responsible for the many different theories and ideas that permeate psychology today. These people will be covered in the introductory course, however, they will not be covered to the depth they require because the problem that comes with an introductory course is that there is so much to cover in a short period of time. Two important people that will be profiled in Intro to Psychology are Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung.

Sigmund Freud is considered to be the "Father of Modern Psychology" due to the voluminous contributions he has made to the study of psychology. Some of Freud's most famous contributions to the field are his pioneering work in dream analysis, the Id, Ego and Superego, and the contribution of the Oedipal Complex to psychological development. Freud is still as controversial today as he was during his lifetime.

Carl Jung is someone who took Freud's work on dream analysis to another level. Introduction to Psychology students will learn about the great deal of variety within Jung's life, as well as his contributions to the field of psychoanalysis. Jung is responsible for the theory of individuation, and that remains a concept that is important for students in the Intro to Psych course to learn.

There are thousands of different theories that govern the study of psychology. Students who are enrolled in this intro course will learn about the many different theories that are out there because of the survey nature of this class. There are many different theories that students will learn and some of the more important points of study students will encounter are the debate on nature versus nature, as well as the nature of abnormal psychology.

Nature versus nurture is the idea that the development of the individual is dependent on either the environment in which a child is raised or the genetic coding within one's DNA. Many people who support the idea of nature believe that in order for someone to develop certain behaviors and intellect it must be genetic. Others believe that one's environment is the deciding factor.

There are many different disorders that make up the study of abnormal psychology. Many students who are interested in abnormal psychology will learn about schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and dissociative disorder within this introductory program.

Students who are new to the college experience, especially those who are busy with work, will appreciate that they can take a psychology course online. And this isn't the only one. There's a college course online for nearly every subject. The careerist getting a degree to advance, as well as the student fresh out of high school, will enjoy the convenience as they explore the interesting and intriguing world of psychology.

Chinese Universities And Chinese Language Schools - A Perfect Way To Study Chinese

The ever-increasing business ties between the Eastern and Western countries are the outcome of a globalized world. Keeping this in mind, mastering Chinese language or Mandarin Chinese will certainly give you an upper hand in the current business scenario. You can also pursue a career of a lifetime once you learn the language. Mandarin Chinese is certainly not an easy language to learn. Below are some pointers that will help you in your learning endeavor.

Enroll in a entry-level Chinese School

This is the certainly the best way to study or learn Chinese. Some of the various options available are as follows:

* High School
* Community colleges
* Chinese Universities

In these schools, you can get an understanding of both, spoken as well as written Chinese. You can also expand the available options by searching for native speakers you can practice your pronunciations with.

Learn Chinese with Audio Programs

You can enhance your Chinese vocabulary via audio programs. Such audio programs provide lessons and courses in Mandarin Chinese. Listen to these CDs as much as you can whenever you get free time. According to Language experts, listening to these audio CDs will help you to know about the intricate details about the foreign language. Experts also recommend that listening to these audio programs, by placing the walkman under your pillow, will help you in internalizing with the spoken aspect of the language.

Universities in China

universities in china offer short-term courses to the students at reasonable rates. You can also consider the option of contacting a Chinese cultural society and availing the services of a tutor. Check the experience of the tutor before hiring him/her. Choose a Mandarin speaker or tutor as this dialect is spoken by a majority of the population. You can choose a good university in Beijing for learning the language.

You can also consider the option of living with a Mandarin family to learn more about the Chinese culture. Practice your skills with the local people. Such day to day language exchanges with the local people will certainly help you immensely.

Chinese Language School

Language schools are the perfect place to learn foreign languages. Such language schools also offer study material or coursework which can help you learn the language in a better manner. You can also get information pertaining to the number of Chinese language school online.

Alice Shown is a freelance writer providing educational resources and information regarding traveling to China, accommodation in Beijing and Chinese university in Beijing. To learn and study at Chinese school, visit the website East-westconnection.com.

Where Can You Get Good Materials for Listening Practice?

Doing English listening practice takes a lot of work and discipline, but if you practice with poor materials, then a lot of that time is wasted. Perhaps money too. Who wouldn't ask the question, "Where can I find Good materials for Listening practice?"

But, this question is really difficult to answer. That's because you have the answer.

"What?" I hear you saying. "If I had the answer, I wouldn't ask the question!"

Well, that's only partially true. You wouldn't ask the question if you knew you had the answer. you have the answer, but you don't know it.

My job now is to help you find the answer that you already have. Let's find the answer by asking the right questions.

The first question is, "What are your needs?"

This means what kind of English do you need to learn? A university professor going to work in an English university needs quite different English than a tour conductor taking customers on a tour in an English-speaking country.

You have to predict where you are going to use English in the future. Since you know you want to do listening practice, you already know part of this question. Try to answer a few more questions. Questions like what vocabulary do you need? And, what kind of English will you be listening to most? English in seminars, on video in large meetings, or person to person. Will you be listening to English to learn facts and figures, or people's thoughts and feelings?

Now, do a few searches on the internet for this target language, and places where you might find it. For instance, look on YouTube.com for specialized videos that you can use. You may consider making your own materials using some of the language you find on sites that come up in your searches.

The second question is, "What are your skills?"

This can be restated as what are your strong and weak points? You will learn and grow more if you find materials that help you strengthen your weak points.

Some students understand grammar, but cannot hear the sound combinations in English. Other students can hear all the words, but understanding the meaning is difficult. Each type of student needs a little different English listening practice.

If sound combinations are difficult, then you want to really find sources of recorded English conversation. YouTube.com and other video sites like it are great places to start. If you need to work on grammar and complex sentences, you might still choose YouTube.com, but you would look for instructional videos instead, since they give grammatically correct but more complex sentences.

The third question you might find useful is: What are you interested in?

Aside from learning the specific vocabulary and expressions you will need, you should listen to other recorded materials as well. There are several reasons for this. One is that it will help you develop your 'English personality' or expressing your self personally. Another reason is the wider range of general expressions you can hear. You will also be more motivated to listen and learn.

After coming this far, you will be ready to answer the next question. Are you planning to do mostly intensive listening practice or extensive listening practice, or a mixture of both?

Simply put, intensive listening practice helps you develop listening skills. Extensive listening practice helps you build experience, and build a wide range of vocabulary and expressions you are generally familiar with. Most students need to work on intensive listening practice, and certainly this is the kind of study to begin with.

In the case of intensive listening practice, you will be looking for shorted recordings that have the scripts available for you to study with sometimes. Extensive listening practice requires longer recordings and scripts are not necessary.

So now you have answered all these questions and you still ask, "Where can you find these materials?"

A great place to start is the English Listening World website. Lots of free materials are there already and the selection is growing. If you cannot find the exact materials you need or want, you might consider making your own, or having some custom-made recordings. Making your own listening materials takes lots of work but it is not impossible, and you will be studying even as you make them.

Making your own materials involves selecting the target language (vocabulary or grammar or expressions), writing the script, editing - or getting it edited - and then recording. The last two steps you can have done for you by native speakers, so this is clearly not impossible for you.

There are numerous sites that will help with editing. In fact, if you don't want to write the script at all, you can supply the target language and have it written for you at a site such as eWrite.com.

Getting the script recorded would be a bit more difficult, except English Listening World has a few pages where scripts can be submitted for editing and recording. Your script will be available to the public on the internet, but the service is free.

With a few good questions, you can help yourself answer where to get good listening materials and start your listening practice today!

About the author

Les Perras owns and operates the Smith's School of English Franchise in Ikoma, Japan. He is also the author of the website English-Listening-World http://www.english-listening-world.com/learn-english.html. Visit the website for free listening practice and sign up for the ezine through that site.

Blended Learning - The Way Forward For Corporate Training?

Blended learning has been hailed in some quarters as having the potential to revolutionize training in the workplace.

It is frequently defined as a mixture of face-to-face instruction and computer-based instruction. Yet, that description is unhelpful at best and misleading at worst. A narrow interpretation of the concept presents twin threats to the adoption of an effective workplace training strategy.

The first is from training providers who tack on added components to their preferred, primary format of learning delivery and pass off the repackaged result as 'blended learning'. The second, arguably more counter productive interpretation, is the inclination by yet other providers to deploy the full functionality of integrated elearning including online resources, tools and course-ware, combined with virtual online classrooms, forums and mentoring. This dazzling array of interactive learning options runs the greater risk of obscuring training imperatives and basic learning principles when there is no clear implementation plan.

How then to utilize blended learning so that it is relevant and effective? Francis Marshall offers a clue when he writes that, "... it means using a plethora of learning tools appropriate to the learner and the organizational goals that the training is aiming to achieve." This suggests that the key to effective blended learning is in the potential for the flexibility it provides when addressing the unique training requirements dictated by company locations and sizes, technical and personnel resources, time and budget constraints and skills needs.

Blended learning provides training providers with the means to develop learning programs which can meet clearly defined development needs by using appropriate learning methodologies to meet specified training requirements. Online technology can enrich the delivery of interactive content in the customized learning pathway that has been structured around customer needs.

Skillsoft has identified the opportunity for blended learning to deliver ongoing formal and informal learning in the workplace. Skillsoft course-ware and products incorporate the best principles of blended learning in solutions which are flexible and adaptable enough to create personalized learning programs for different companies, business units, or even individual needs.

Skillsoft has a vast array of learning assets but a one size fits all approach to blended learning is no silver bullet. Trained professionals still need to plan and implement the appropriate blend of learning methodologies and resources for a training solution which is tailored to meet the business requirements of the customer.

If your company needs to implement a training strategy, contact Laragh Skills today and one of our trained consultants will meet with you to help map a customized learning pathway which aligns to your business goals.

By: Paul Lawrence

For more on the advantages of blended learning in corporate training strategy, visit www.learningsolutions4africa.com for topics on elearning and reputable online training providers.

Why You Should Consider a Career in Health Care Management

There are a number of reasons as to why you should consider a career in Health Care Management. First, if you work as a health care manager, you will be one of the people who will make the important decisions for the facility you work for. From there, you can set out towards your social mission and help improve the lives of others. Especially if you want to give to society, this is a good place to start. Secondly, there is always room for another health manager. Health care facilities are booming one after another, especially with the advancement of technology. With that, more job opportunities in this area are created. Another reason is there is also flexibility in this career. You can choose the type of setting you want to work in, such as a large hospital or a small specialized clinic, in which then would differ in duties and responsibilities. Your choices are never limited because health care managers are in demand.

To add on, if you have a Masters in Health Management, you will see benefits coming your way. For one, it has taken off many obstacles as compared to when you do not have the degree, in order to advance to a higher level position. The degree is very much like a passport to a lot of positions, especially if you would like to start off with a higher managerial level. From there reaps another benefit, which is that you will become a highly respected individual of your community. This is because you are one of the major key players to setting and implementing a quality care for your patients. Furthermore, you are able to continually improve yourself, as with this career, it is about creating new goals to make a setting better than before. You will always be learning something new with the advancement of time and technology, as well as the people you meet. All in all, you can further boost your career in Health Care Management with a Master's degree.

Chris is the writer of this article, you can visit us for more information on Online Masters Degree and Master's Healthcare Management.

Creating Home School Lesson Plans - Seven Tips For Parents New to Home Schooling

If you are new to home schooling and haven't a clue as to what to do about curriculum other than buying a set out of a catalog, there is a wealth of learning possibilities available to you. Many are free or low-cost. You just have to dig a little!

There are advantages to using boxed curriculum, if you have the money they require. If time is short or you really dislike planning, then a boxed set may be the way to go. On the other hand, if your budget is tight, there are many alternatives:

1. Your child is the one being home schooled so start here. What does he love to do? Read mysteries, skateboard, collect seashells, play with his dog, and draw? For each of his interests you will be able to find books to read, documentaries, clubs, lessons, web pages, or activities. Build a unit study or theme around one of those interests. You may be amazed at what your child will learn if it starts with something he is truly interested in.

2. Check with your home schooling support group to see if a lending library is available. Some groups keep books about the different styles of home schooling while others may have unit study kits or materials arranged by learning subject.

3. Use the public library. Every library system is different; you will have to investigate to see what your library offers. If your library is in a city or county system, you may be able to request items from other libraries to be delivered to your own branch for you to pick up. Some libraries offer science learning kits, toys or musical instruments, or have hired or volunteer guests do experiments or magic or present plays, etc. You will find DVDs of movies, lessons and documentaries, audio books, foreign language CD sets, etc. Most libraries sponsor book clubs.

4. Use the Internet. I love having our computer nearby as it is wonderful to be able to look something up as we are discussing a subject and a question arises. You will find tons of learning resources such as worksheets, coloring pages, online dictionary, thesaurus and calculators, lesson plans, educational games and skill practice. Moreover, so much of it is free! Your kids will be able to take classes online as well.

5. What resources will you find in your own community? Look for Girl or Boy Scouts, 4-H, YMCA sports, community classes, the Civil Air Patrol, government student council, Toastmasters, community gardens, Parks and Rec events and sports, extracurricular activities at your local school. There are clubs for aviation, writing, horses, the arts, radio-control racing, bird watching, dog sports, etc. Do you attend a church, synagogue or temple? Is anything available for your kids there?

6. Take a second look at the people in your life. Grandpa fishes and is a top-notch cook. Grandma plays lively music on her piano. Uncle Joe is an avid bird watcher, and Mrs. Garcia next door loves talking about Shakespeare. See what potential you may find!

7. Keep a daily journal about the activities your kids do, such as science experiments, buying their own meal at a fast-food restaurant, exchanging a roll of dimes at the bank or building a model of Stonehenge in the backyard. All of these involve learning!

Learning occurs anywhere in so many variations that you can create your own curriculum for your own home schooling kids.

To learn more about home schooling and the many options available to you, please visit our website at http://www.homeschooltheater.com. You can follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/homeschoolart.

How To Use The Spanish Subjunctive and Ojala and Como Si

Today's lesson covers the Spanish subjunctive and how to use ojalá and como si in the Spanish language. Ojalá is an expression which means "hopefully" and is always used with the subjunctive.

Note: You can use "Ojalá" with "que", or without "que". Both forms are right.

• Present Subjunctive

When we use "Ojalá" with the present, we are speaking about a desire possible in the future. Imagine you are at home, and suddenly, the lights go out, so, you can say:

Ojalá que venga el electricista (I hope the electrician will come)

• Imperfect Subjunctive

With the Imperfect you are speaking about a desire impossible in the present. Imagine the next situation: you have already called the electrician, but he can't come at this moment. You can say:

Ojalá que viniera el electricista (I wish the electrician could come)

• Perfect Subjunctive

It is a desire about a situation in the past, but you don't really know what happened. Imagine that you are out of your home, but you have left your roommate waiting for the electrician. You are coming back, and you are opening the door, and you say:

Ojalá haya venido el electricista (I hope the electrician has come)

• Pluscuamperfect Subjunctive

You finally have entered your home, and now, you know for sure that the electrician hasn't come. So, you have a impossible desire about a situation in past:

Ojalá hubiera venido el electricista (I wish the electrician would have come)

Como si

"Como si" is an expression which means "like" or "as if". We can use "como si" with:

• Imperfect Subjunctive

With this tense we are using "como si" to make a comparison with something not real in the present.
Example: Canta como si fuera un perro. (He sings like a dog)

• Pluscuamperfecto Subjuctive

We are doing a comparison with a situation not real from the past.
Example: Llora como si hubiera muerto alguien.
(She cries as if someone had died)

Anna River is a native Spanish speaker from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is also a Spanish instructor and the author of 2 learning Spanish books. If you would like to get FREE instant download access to the MP3 audio and PDF transcripts to her Spanish lessons absolutely free AND read her reviews of the most popular learning-Spanish products, then visit her web site now in order to: learn Spanish online That's http://LearningSpanishProductsReviews.com/

Online Photography Degree Programs - Surpass The Competition

Photographers currently hold over 150,000 jobs. Many of them are extremely talented individuals who have no formal training. But in a field that is getting increasingly competitive, more and more aspiring photographers are doing online photography degree programs.

Whilst there are no replacements for artistic talent, creativity and good hand-to-eye coordination, these degree programs offer curricula that can give you the edge in your pursuit of a professional photography career.

Example of courses offered include:

* Advanced Digital Imaging

* Art of Web Designing

* Color Photography

* Computer Imaging

* Intermediate Photography

* Photojournalism

You see, with digital technology getting more affordable, more and more amateur photographers are "throwing their hats in the ring". This is why it is so important to consider doing an online photography degree. After graduation, you'll be able to offer client creativity and skills that not all working photographers have.

Also, bear in mind that this degree program can open up more job opportunities for you. Sure, just over 50% of photographers are self-employed. But there are also excellent opportunities elsewhere. Both online and print journals, newspapers and magazines hire skilled photographers - many of whom have degrees.

Having a degree in this area will make you very attractive to these employers. Another great thing about an online photography degree program is that you'll be able to complete the program in your spare-time and at your own pace. So whilst you are working and gaining valuable experience, you can be improving your education.

This is a very powerful benefit because many students have to choose between keeping their jobs and going to college - but you won't have that dilemma.

The growth in employment opportunities for photographers over the next decade is not that strong. So if this is a field you really are passionate about - do yourself a favor and get additional training. Your only problem might be trying to locate the top schools that offer online photography degree programs.

Next, go here to find the top online photography degree programs in the country. Visit: http://www.DistanceLearningDegrees.org

How to Tackle Challenges When You Learn French in the Classroom

When you learn French in the classroom, it's easy to let the classwork get in the way of the experience. Many students find that they quickly become bored with the curriculum and start to notice a decrease in their performance. If this is happening to you, don't let yourself fall into the trap of thinking it's beyond your abilities to learn French. It's not at all beyond your abilities. In fact, you may find that the classroom exercises you've been doing have actually been setting you up for failure.

When you get stuck trying to learn French in the classroom, ask yourself a few questions. First and foremost, are you being challenged or are you just frustrated? In some cases, students start to believe that material is too hard for them simply because that material is more boring than any rational person could stand. French should be exciting, vibrant and lively, just as is the culture it comes from. Learning French, in fact, should be one of the most fun experiences of your life and should give you rewards that last a lifetime.

Those rewards are important. When you learn French in classroom settings, sometimes your only rewards are a good score on a test or quiz. While this can be satisfying, the real reward is that you're supposed become a fluent French speaker. You're probably not going to accomplish this by reading phrasebooks closely enough to pass tests. You can pass those tests---and learn to converse with French speakers-by adding different study materials. Some of the most useful types are those that feature French speakers talking to one another with minimal translation provided. Of course, you won't understand everything at first, but you will in time, and that is a very meaningful reward.

If you're trying to learn French fast and the classroom isn't cutting it, look for plays, especially musical plays, that are given entirely in French. There are products that utilize these for learning materials and they help a lot. You'll hear people speaking French in different contexts, which makes it easier to pick up the language. You'll learn which words are used commonly and which are used infrequently. You'll also learn how the language is spoken by people with a French accent, which is very important to becoming fluent. Such materials are very helpful to students.

Dr. Dennis Dunham has over 25 years in international education experience and is a co-creator of LanguageandLyrics.com, a website designed to help you learn French the right way. If you've tried every language product out there and haven't made progress, visit LanguageandLyrics.com to see how learning French can be easy and fun.

Tips for Single Mothers in Financial Distress

Solitary moms are able to obtain cash via a variety of sources. Fortunately, there are a big variety of ways single mothers can get monetary help, whether it's via the federal government or their local college in scholarship money.

The easiest way to get money if you're a single mom is by using a simple method. This method is what I call the "lowest hanging fruit" method. By picking the most affordable, simplest fruit to reach, you're utilizing an efficiency principle. By expending less resources, you're obtaining the same desired result. When a single mother is presented with different ways of getting financial aid, then she should choose the easiest ones first.

Three of the easiest ways are asking family for cash, accumulating money owed for you, and chopping back again on investing. First, single moms need to ask their folks for some dough. Chances are, your parents have the means and are just waiting for you to inquire for their help. Parents reside for their children and are usually very prepared to assist them out - particularly with regards to cash. If asking parents isn't an option, then move to your closest relatives. Your grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins you are close with should be more than willing to help their fellow family member out. If you absolutely don't think anyone in your family can or will help out - you can move on to other sources. Asking your children's father is another great way to get financial assistance. You're giving the father of your kids a chance to assist them. By helping you out, they are helping your children out.. You can especially get money if he has a job, and he isn't currently paying child support. Most situations will side with the mother and take money straight out of his paycheck to help you and the children out. If the father is jobless - you can seek out governmental assistance. Many states have available programs to help single mothers out, especially when the father can't. Don't let that money sit unclaimed. That cash is owed for you and your children and it makes perfect sense to go after it. Also, ask his family for help too.

My final recommendation of getting financial aid is just by cutting back. Find things that you don't need or can easily live without. Keep your children in mind when making a list. One way would be to cut back again your child care expenses. Have friends or family take care of them for you and be grateful. If they want compensation, tell them you will pay them back when you're back on your feet. Most friends and family will abide. Also, no cable tv or internet at home - these can be bummed off of friends or Starbucks at any time. If you place your mind to it, you can discover a great deal of things you can otherwise get for totally free. As a single mother, any financial advantage can have a huge impact on quality of life. Be resourceful, and you will be rewarded.

If you need money there are many options available to you such as Scholarships for Moms. If you're a single mother searching for scholarships for single mothers, you're in luck.

Homeschooling Resources - Getting the Most for Your Money and Time

Although homeschooling is gaining in popularity, many parents are a little nervous about finding resources for their kids. Parents are excited about being a real family and still having time to spend with their families, all while imparting personal knowledge on their kids. You can find plenty of resources and spend time with your kids without worrying. Here are some great places to start:

Bookstores or Magazine Stores

My personal favorite is your local bookstore or magazine store. At a bookstore, you can buy books for your own curriculum or for the school's curriculum. In magazines, they will have a plethora of choices from different companies' curricula and you will not have to search so much in the bookstore.

Internet

Another easy choice is the internet. There are several free choices there, but you might spend a lot of time searching. Ask friends that are homeschooling if they have any preferences or tips when searching the internet. You can also look at popular search engines.

Your Public Library

Your local library not only has books, but also has videos, books on tape and references! You can use computer software and book discussions at the library. You can find lots of educational videos that can relate to any topic and the computers there are completely free. You can use book discussions to help your child with his or her reading comprehension.

Other Homeschoolers

If you have not already joined a homeschooling organization, you should do that immediately. Then, use your contacts to help you find new sources of information to instruct your children. There is no substitute for experience, and these veterans can give you a ton of information! They might even share resources or used books that they have! These tried and true lessons will save you countless hours of research and tons of money.

Museums

Museums are underused in most cities. If you have a "free day" at your museum, this is a free resource to you. You can also use the exhibits to teach your children "living" history or art! If you can find a museum where there is a tour, that is even better, as your children enjoy hearing a new voice or point of view. The tour guide can usually tailor it to your children's age group or learning styles.

Your Own Home

Have you thought of your kitchen as a classroom? When you bake, you are measuring...which is a math lesson. Baking is an important lesson in economy and patience. Also, word problems can follow a cooking lesson, giving you a teachable moment that is hard to duplicate.

Garden or Yard

In your garden, you can teach your kids to plant seeds. You can take any play activity and teach something with it. Do your kids like to play with chalk? Can you teach them science with the chalk? What about weathering? What happens with time when you leave the chalk on the cement. Your imagination is your boundary with common everyday household items.

Finding homeschooling resources does not have to make you nervous. Do not let it stop you from following your dreams of homeschooling your own children. You can be a more tight knit family and teach your own values for little money with your imagination!

Herman Sunday loves to teach about home schooling. To get a free private access to his videos, visit his blog at http://www.hermansunday.com.

Optical Or USB - Which Is The Best Microscope For Kids?

If you want to buy a microscope for your child and encourage them to enjoy science then there are two routes that you can follow. I have my own views on this and I'm going to tell you where to get the best microscope for kids currently on the market.

The two options I mentioned are these: You can buy them a traditional, turret microscope that they peer down, just like every scientist since the late sixteenth century, when the compound microscope was invented. Alternatively, you can buy an electronic version that plugs into the USB port of your computer. It's much newer technology and in some ways easier to use, but it's not necessarily better. So, what are the respective merits and downside of these two differing technologies?

The traditional type is undoubtedly the more powerful of the two. It relies on its magnification from the set of lenses that are built into the eyepiece and the objective lens. Usually there are three objective lenses (these are the lenses closest to the specimen) mounted on a rotating turret. They are of three different magnifications so, as you switch from one to the other you can see the object in close and closer detail.

The USB type usually has just one objective lens and therefore only one magnification. However, when the image is projected onto your computer screen you'll find that it's possible to zoom in on the object. Now, this isn't actually magnification in its truest sense - all that's happening is that the pixels of the image are being enlarged so the image seems to get bigger. But it's not actually giving you any greater detail.

The big plus for the USB type is that you can bring an image up on your computer screen for everyone to see, then you can point out features to your kids and discuss them. With the traditional type you need to say, when the child is looking down the eyepiece 'see that pink bit on the bottom right...' or something similar, in order to draw their attention to something.

The big plus for the traditional microscope is that it's generally sturdier, is free-standing and doesn't need software or a computer and has a much higher magnification too. On balance I'd go for the traditional type every time as I think they give a much better feel for what being a scientist involves.

Find out where to get the best traditional microscope with precision optics and a full set of accessories for your kids without having to pay the earth for it. Best Microscope For Kids

Mandarin Studies As Depicted By Science Fiction

Learning Mandarin is an epic journey. One of my favorite songs is a cheesy Swedish pop song that I am listening right now. The tune is about a guy confessing his love for a girl and the chorus roughly translates into: I am your destiny calling. Right now I am sitting in my flat in Beijing, China, and I am absolutely in awe of this place. I feel like China is undergoing an immense paradigm shift. Like a force of destiny is somehow at work which will transform the city and the country in a very short time period.

In Blade Runner, a science fiction movie made in 1982, the future is depicted. In the movie Harrison Ford speaks Mandarin with a street vendor. The scriptwriters imagined a future where China was much more involved with the world than was the case the 1980's. Since then their prophecy has come true. Today China is probably the world's second most powerful nation, only eclipsed by The United States. The English language is the standard mode of communication almost everywhere today but popular culture has, since the 1980's, anticipated a shift in this matter.

One thing that captures my attention about this trend is the shift within the genre. In 1982 we are talking science fiction, and even in 2002 and 2003 the genre was still science fiction. One of the top 10 most expensive TV series from these years is called Firefly. It is a story about a far-flung future in which people live in space and there is a massive element of Mandarin and Chinese culture. The décor is commonly influenced by eastern elements such as lanterns and Chinese patters with dragons and other similar objects. The dialogue is partially in Chinese, every swearword is in Mandarin and people use Chinese terms of affection when addressing each other. There is even a reference to future history. Sung Yu, is envisioned as a warrior poet that lived in the early 2000's and was somehow involved in a major war on the planet know as earth that was.

In 2009 something very interesting happens to how western popular culture envisions China and the future. But, let us first discuss the science fiction epic Independence Day, the archetypical American movie. There are more American flags and references to American success in that film than any other that I have ever seen and in the end it is the technological prowess of America that saves the entire world from being eaten by slimy alien invaders. Today America is a superpower. American dominance is in many ways dependent on it military might, and more specifically on its ability to wage war anywhere in the world. That ability is dependent on one thing: unrivaled air superiority. When the President and Will Smith blows the Alien ships to smithereens they do so in the comfort of F-22 Raptors.

In 2009 China's position in the world had changed. There has been no better symbol to date of what China will become in the future than the way China successfully navigated the economic downturn. The period starting in 2008 really showed the world what China's manufacturing capability means: economies everywhere were sick but China's grew by a healthy 10 percent despite this. This did not escape Hollywood's attention. In the film 2011, a disaster movie it is not The United States that saves the day. It is China, and more specifically, and also literally explained in the movie, it is China's potential as a manufacturer. In the Chinese Himalayas 10 or so massive Arks are constructed which eventually saves a small proportion of humanity from really big waves.

If you can see this in Hollywood produced films, it is not surprise that you can see it in China. Living in China in the beginning of this century is like living in New York at the turn of the last. There are massive wheels turning and you can sense it in the air. China is here to stay, and so is the Mandarin language

Rui Ming works for a Mandarin academy that is a great option for those that want to learn Chinese. If you are interested in more information about learning Chinese in China, please consult the website of Beijing Gateway Academy.

Online Nursing Programs: Making a Move That Shapes Your Future

The dream of settling for a career in the nursing profession is something that can be pursued by anyone who is persistent enough, willing to sacrifice a great deal of money, time, and effort and often also tears. This is because nursing in itself is a gargantuan task, although which promises contentment despite the hardship and pressure. Thankfully, for those willing to try an alternate approach to the education system, online nursing programs may make this dream more approachable.

For those preferring to follow online programs, there are different options to take depending on what the specific campus or school will offer an individual. There are actually times when you will be asked to attend classes in particular locations usually once or twice in a semester and there are also instances that you will never be required to meet up with the school personnel to really bolster the online strategy.

Though taking all your studies online may not be advisable, as clinical work is a very important part of nursing studies, taking advantage of the chance to register in bridge online nursing programs, such as online RN to BSN programs, can be a wise move. This is because in general, registered nurses with a Bachelor's degree have higher chances of landing better jobs than those without a degree. Undoubtedly, the existing opportunities are very certain and that the professional advancement really exists with the further studies of the theories and relative facts pertinent to delivering quality healthcare.

With online programs, the current work of the nurse is not compromised and neither is the income generated as clearly, schooling can be done at the same time. Admittedly, online programs pose a different kind of challenge but with resolute determination, anything is possible. Besides, the idea of a distance learning program has never been this engaging. Schools are aware of this and innovations are introduced semester after semester to fit into the changing demands of nurses.

The idea of online nursing programs also offer convenience because students are given the liberty and leeway of not attending classes in a rigid structure called the classroom. The time spent for commuting and waiting for real-life professors can be tiring especially for those who work at certain parts of the day. Enrollees need not worry about someone taking care of things in the house or anywhere else. An access to the computer and a basic knowledge of maneuvering the technological device is all that matters for starters. Of course, for people who have difficulty with the computer, accessibility to online support should be checked. Clearly, the concerned student can access the programs anytime she is available.
With the aforementioned in mind, it is to one's interest to make sure the online program about to be entered into is actually accredited by specific agencies to meet up with the national standards of education.

Although accreditation is fundamentally voluntary, a school that believes in its programs understands that the scheme is vital. It should also be known that in those online programs which require also clinical time, usually ranging from 50 to 70 hours, the clinical work can be incorporated during work hours depending on the arrangement done.

To conclude, online nursing programs is fitting just about for anyone willing to pursue the love for Nursing.

You may find more information about available options in Online Nursing Programs or in Nursing Classes for nursing programs in general.

Three Easy Techniques to Make Learning Spanish Fun

There is always a right way to learn anything and this applies to Learning Spanish also whatsoever is the level of learning that you are in. Three of the following techniques are proven to be efficient and easy in learning Spanish or even other languages like English.

Foremost of them is to find the Spanish in the English. This works on the basis that relating words makes it easy to remember them. You do this by making a list of Spanish words that we commonly use in English language. They could be food or other common items. Challenge yourself by setting a time limit and see how many words you come up with. And there is no need to worry about the nature of words you use. There is nothing like good or bad. You can play with all kinds of words, from food items (jalapenos, pollo, churros, enchilada, quezo, tortilla) to party items (piñata, cotillion, sombrero).

Second technique is say it again. It relies on the power of repetition in helping us remember something very well. Keeping this in mind repeat your words again and again whether the lesson asks you to or not. Or create your own repetition drill. Then build simple sentences on the words you remember and use them in daily conversation.

Reviewing your lessons of the day on the same day is a practice that helps in learning Spanish. Reading the lesson 2-3 times imprints it in your memory and by saying the words aloud or using in sentences will reinforce them and they become yours.

Finally, attach the Spanish words to day to day actions. You need not really do the action in the term but visualize them mentally. Use your funny bone here. For example to help you remember the term "besos" which means kisses, picture a green frog with big lips kissing the disgusted princess. Making the images funny after all, makes it easier to remember.

Have you planned a trip to a Spanish speaking country? Do you want to learn the second most spoken language in the world? If so, then you will want to know how to learn Spanish within eight weeks! Click here for more information.

Language Development - How to Give Your Child a Leg Up

If you want to develop your child's language capabilities, you must first have time to spend with the child. The child needs to be your first priority. Music is a good start: sing songs or play music for the child. Studies show that music is a giant help in brain development for children.

Repetition

You must speak to the child and give the child time to try to say the words back to you. Try first making your daily routine a game for the child. Use your food and activities to talk to the child. Show them the things that you are using and use the proper words for that item. Have them repeat the words back to you. They need to practice forming the words.

Steps to Learning

There are three steps to learning: children must first listen and see how you talk about things. Then, they discern between different sounds. Later, they put the sounds and the actions together, then, finally, they have the "aha" moment when they figure out exactly what you mean by saying a word for an action. If you are ever suspicious that your child has a developmental problem, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor about your concerns.

Mimic

The baby will do exactly whatever you do. If you smile at your baby, your baby tries to mimic and do whatever it is that you do. You can strike up a conversation anytime you are working with your child. If you are changing their diaper, tell them exactly what you're doing. If you feel strange about that, you can talk to them about whatever other topic you want to. Do not use baby talk and be sure to pronounce your words exactly how you want them to pronounce them. Tell the child or baby exactly what is happening all around them at all times.

Multimedia Tools

Since time began, parents have used tools available to them to teach their kids. Cavemen wrote on the walls of caves to show their offspring what they were talking about. Then, they moved on to stone tablets. Finally, we got paper. Thank goodness we now have computers.

Popular multimedia tools include CDs, DVDs, interactive games, the internet, etc. These things can all take you as far as your imagination. They also make the learning fun. You can use these tools that are designed and developed by language specialists that make learning stimulating and not boring for your children. Your multimedia can include the internet and your local library.

Each child is different, so do not get impatient if one of your children is slower or faster than your other children. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any concerns that you might have. Over plan the time you want to spend with your child, as something inevitably always comes up. Play games, sing songs and just have conversations with your child. These things will all stimulate their language development.

Herman Sunday is an author writing on Parenting and Home Schooling. Visit my blog and get free access to Herman's Video Blog at http://www.hermansunday.com

How to Improve My Speaking Skills in American English?

How to become a fluent English speaker? If you are asking yourself these questions, you are in the right place! I'm going to show you three ways to work on your speaking skills.

1. Host native American speakers at your home

There's a site for travelers called Couchsurfing.com. The idea is simple: there are people who want to travel and stay (for free) with locals and there people who want to host foreigners at their home. You can sign up there and there's a chance that there will be some American speakers who would like to stay at your home for a few days. Practice with them your speaking skills!

2. Teach Americans your native language

Use sites such as Polyglot Learn Language or Italki to look for Americans who want to learn your native language in exchange for a conversation in English. Use Skype to speak with them.

3. Pay attention to the way you speak

Start paying more attention to the way you speak. Your accent is very important and if you want to improve your speaking skills, you should also improve your American accent. How to do it? Read something aloud, record yourself and compare your accent to that of a native speaker. And then try to imitate him or her.

That's it - the answer to your question "how to improve my speaking skills in American English"! Remember that you need to be patient, because it takes time to improve your speaking skills. I'm sure that if you put these tips to use and practice daily, you'll quickly become a fluent English speaker. Don't give up and speak as much as you can!

Bonus: 4. Get free lessons on how to learn an American accent
Visit http://www.learnamericanaccenthq.com/ and sign up right now to get your FREE lessons on how to learn an American accent!