Jobs Cumming Through Tutoring

Jobs Cumming Through TutoringMany parents want to find jobs cumming through tutoring, but they do not know where to start. Here are some of the key points to consider when finding these jobs. In no particular order.In the case of private schools, make sure that the school district you are interested in sending your child to is hiring and that the math tutor you are considering for the job is part of the math department or can be called in if needed. A math tutor who is not part of the math department can not be considered for this type of position. There are some high schools that hire math tutors from out of state, but most of them have math departments that need help. If you are able to bring along a recommendation letter from someone with experience tutoring students in your own area, it can help. Keep in mind that some people who tutor children out of state may not have experience with your own school system, so be sure to ask before you apply.As far as private schools, if they d o not currently have a math department, try contacting the local school district and see if they are hiring. This is a good way to see what positions they are looking for and how they are responding to the classes. If you are a math tutor that is already licensed and works with a specific type of student, this can help you get a jump start on getting your license.If you have family that is already teaching at a local library, look in there for references. You can also contact your local teaching board or educational agency. You can also reach out to the professional association or local college in your area for recommendations.Some of the online sources that you can check out include Examiner.com, Money Magazine, and Educatia.com. All of these resources will give you details on different job openings and positions as well as other information you need to make an informed decision.For those who choose to join the teaching profession, be prepared to put in the hard work and dedication you need to build your resume. There are many people who love teaching but they do not like to put in the hard work, so get the education you need to be successful.Whether you are working for yourself or working for another individual, you should know about jobs cumming through tutoring. With all the different things to consider, this should give you a great starting point in trying to find jobs cumming through tutoring.

Linguagem coloquial Você sabe falar em ambientes informais

Linguagem coloquial Você sabe falar em ambientes informais Image courtesy of Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.netÉ certo que quando estamos aprendendo um idioma enriquecer o vocabulário é de extrema importância. Para além disso, falar e escrever corretamente são outros pontos fundamentais. No entanto, nem sempre os nativos com que a gente planeja conversar vão usar palavras que a gente aprende em aulas de Inglês convencionais.Ao longo dos anos conheci muitas pessoas de diversos países que diziam querer aprender Português, tinham aulas e tentavam treinar. Até sabiam algumas coisas para além do básico. Porém, todos comentavam que ler era sempre mais fácil do que entender o que as pessoas diziam.Isso não acontece necessariamente por causa dos sotaques, mas porque nós usamos uma linguagem coloquial, com muitas gírias, quando estamos econversando com amigos. Como alguém vai entender, de cara, o que a maior parte das expressões quer dizer? Não tem como! Por isso que tal como quem quer aprender Português tem que se dedicar a aprend er vocabulário coloquial, nós temos que fazer o mesmo se queremos dominar o Inglês.Por isso é que eu acredito que focar também na construção de um vocabulário mais coloquial não é perda de tempo. No fundo, você está aumentando o seu conhecimento da língua, mas em um nicho que será mais útil quando você estiver em ambientes descontraídos e não necessariamente para o trabalho. Há quem comece a entender a necessidade de ter um vocabulário diversificado, que possibilite tanto uma conversa com um CEO, como uma conversa com a menina que trabalha no caixa do supermercado. Daí que estejam surgindo publicações como o Street Language, um livro que ensina gírias em Inglês, para que você entenda como as pessoas falam em ambientes informais.Várias pessoas têm procurado aprender Inglês por razões profissionais, isso é altamente louvável. Contudo, se o conhecimento da língua se restringir apenas ao ambiente e vocabulário empresarial, se você for viajar e quiser c onhecer alguém na praia ou em um bar, como você vai fazer para não parecer completamente deslocado?Aprender Inglês dá trabalho, é algo que deve ser contínuo e deve servir aos propósitos de cada um. Não há problema nenhum em focar mais em vocabulário adequado para uma reunião de negócios ou para a elaboração de investigação científica, desde que você também saiba como falar com pessoas fora desses círculos.Afinal de contas, se você apenas soubesse usar o Português formal, navegar na internet, ver filmes atuais, compreender letras de músicas ou apenas ver o noticiário seriam tarefas um pouco complicadas, não acha?

Thinking about the November and December 2013 SAT subject tests

Thinking about the November and December 2013 SAT subject tests Whether youre a senior looking to improve your college applications with another good test score, or a junior getting a head start on the testing process, you should consider taking an SAT subject test in November or December.   If youre thinking SAT subject test, what the heck is that and why should I bother?, heres the scoop:SAT subject tests are one-hour multiple choice exams offered by the College Board in a variety of academic subjects, including math, literature, US and world history, biology, chemistry, physics, and most foreign languages.Subject tests are not required by most colleges for admission, but a good score on a subject test can set you apart from other applicants and demonstrate your interest and skill in a subject.   Interested in studying physics in college?   You should try the physics subject test.Subject tests are scored from 200 to 800, just like individual sections on the SAT.You can take up to 3 subject tests in one day, but you cant take them the same day a s the SAT so plan ahead!Youll do best on subject tests for high-level courses that youve completed recently and did well in.   For instance, students who took AP US History and did well usually have an easy time with the US History subject test.The SAT subject tests will be offered two more times this year: November 2 and December 7, 2013.   You can register for them at the College Boards website.If you need help preparing for the SAT subject tests, AJ Tutoring offers comprehensive preparation for most subjects.   We generally meet with students for 3 or 4 90-minute sessions, during which we review content and cover test-taking strategies to get the most points on each subject test.   For more information, please email info@ajtutoring.com or give us a call at (650) 331-3251.   Were excited to work with you!

5 Treatments To Help With Your Senioritis

5 Treatments To Help With Your Senioritis Photo Credit: snagajob.com 1. Computer Control. If youre having trouble concentrating on your schoolwork while using your computer and instead find yourself relentlessly scrolling through BuzzFeed or visiting Facebook, you may want to look into downloading a lockdown browser program. If you have a Mac, you can download an app called SelfControl which allows you to easily block your own access to distracting websites for whatever period of time you designate. The app lets you put website URLs on a blacklist and then set a timer for how long you want to be locked out of those websites. Plus, it’s smart and won’t let you try to circumvent it by using another browser, like Firefox or Safari, even if you set it for Google Chrome. 2. Motivate Yourself. Senioritis is very easy to give in to, so youve really got to dig in your heels and fight it if you want the chance to finish your semester, and your undergraduate college career, strong. To combat senioritis, try motivating yourself to keep focused. Make a playlist of motivational songs, like Kanye Wests Stronger, Survivors Eye of the Tiger, and Remember the Name by Fort Minor. You can also write down a few motivational quotes on paper and hang them within eyesight around your room or write them down on sticky notes (either using a computer app or real paper ones), or change your background picture to a quote. The secret to getting ahead is getting started, Dreams dont work unless you do, and You dont want to look back and know you couldve done better, are some good ones to help inspire you to work hard. Photo Credit: internmatch.com 3. Create a Calendar.  Write down whatever date youre graduating on or the day youll be done with finals and the other events, tests, and due dates youve got standing between you and that day. Cross off each day as you get through it and keep yourself studying hard and focused on your goal of finally being done. Youve worked hard for the last four years to get to this point; dont screw it all up now by slacking off and giving in to senioritis. 4. Make a List. Each day, make yourself a list of things you need to get done for the next day; whether its reading a textbook chapter, studying lecture notes, or going grocery shopping, and then cross or check things off as you get things done. Maybe its the nerdy list-maker in me but personally, being able to check things off that I got done that day feels really good. 5. Set Up a Reward System. Make a deal with yourself, like for every hour of studying or homework you do, you get to watch one episode of some TV show, or you get a half hour to waste on the Internet. You can even go bigger and make rewards for yourself like getting to order takeout, buying that item youve been eyeing, or that youll let yourself book that trip you wanted to take this summer or go to a concert if you just get through the rest of the semester and fight your senioritis. Hopefully these treatments will help stave off your senioritis and allow you to stay focused and studying hard until graduation finally comes itll be here sooner than you think!

Five ways to prep for the ACT this fall - TutorNerds

Five ways to prep for the ACT this fall - TutorNerds Tips from an Orange County Test Prep Tutor: Five ways to prep for the ACT this fall Students taking the ACT exam this fall are, hopefully, well on their way to preparing for the big day. There are lots of things students can do even if they didnt have a chance to prep over the summer. Whether a student is working with a tutor in order to determine their personal strengths and weaknesses, working on concentration so they can finish the test within the time allotted, or just trying to fit in test prep with their other academic classes there are some important things a student can do to get ready for the ACT this fall its not too early or too late to book your experienced Orange County ACT tutor. 1. Get organized The best thing test prep students can do to get ready for the ACT in the next couple months is to get organized ahead of time. When students wait to study for the exam until its only a couple weeks away they discover they dont have enough time to tackle everything they need to. This creates a lot of stress and results in lower overall scores. Students who prep ahead of time, on the other hand, have a chance to figure out what their need to work on and leave plenty of time to make any necessary improvements. 2. Personal strengths and weaknesses Many students follow a study guide thats standardized, meaning it doesnt account for individual strengths and weaknesses that every student has. Its essential for test prep students to determine what their strengths and weaknesses are so they can improve only what they need to and simply review topics they excel in. Students who cover every single topic to the same degree often become overwhelmed and dont have enough mental energy to focus on what they need to. 3. Work with an expert Its also a great idea for ACT students to work with an expert in test prep. Whether theyre working with a one-on-one tutor or taking a class, its essential to have the right guidance from somebody familiar with every aspect of the exam. Test prep professionals can help students pinpoint what they need to work on, set out a study plan based on how many weeks the student has to prepare and help keep students on track when their attention veers elsewhere. 4. Work on concentration The ACT only allows a certain amount of time on each section, so students are encouraged to focus heavily on improving concentration. Many test prep students do well and receive a high score if theyre given unlimited time to complete the exam. Unfortunately, students who dont finish the exam on time will see many points deducted from their overall score. With time and practice, students can increase their speed and accuracy to finish all of the questions within the time allotted. 5. Read in between the lines One of the best things test prep students can do is learn to read in between the lines when looking at an ACT question. Many of the questions will have unnecessary information put there to distract the student from what they are looking for. Students should learn how to locate this information and cross it out straight away. Its also essential for students to determine what the question is asking, especially on the math portion. Many students think they have the right answer only to find out that the question was asking for something else. Many students gain a lot of points up front just by learning to pay close attention when reading questions. Taking the ACT this fall? Score high with the help of an experienced Orange County ACT tutor. Call us today for more information. 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.

How to Learn a Language by Watching Movies 10 Tips and Tricks to Dodge Potential Pitfalls

How to Learn a Language by Watching Movies 10 Tips and Tricks to Dodge Potential Pitfalls How to Learn a Language by Watching Movies: 10 Tips and Tricks to Dodge Potential Pitfalls Everyone wants the picture-perfect movie ending.You know the oneâ€"the music swells, the main character smiles, the credits roll as you pick the razor-sharp popcorn hulls from your gums.But to get to that picture-perfect ending, the main character had to overcome some pretty big obstacles like cunning villains, a thwarted romance or an army of giant spiders.If you want to learn a language by watching movies, youll also face some obstacles on your route towards fluency. Sure, they wont have as many legs as some cinematic obstacles, but they can be just as intimidating and can keep you from your picture-perfect ending.Luckily, you can prepare yourself to navigate the pitfalls with ease and confidence.Watch out for these common pitfalls so you can find your way to picture-perfect language learning by watching movies! Why Learn a Language by Watching Movies?There arent many methods of learning a language more beloved than watching movies. After all, there are brilliant films in nearly any language you can think of, including  Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian  and  Spanish. Regardless of what language you want to learn, theres probably a movie in that language that youll love.First of all, watching movies familiarizes you with native speech. Since movies are intended for native speakers, the language used generally reflects authentic speech. Sometimes, historical or fantasy films might not be accurate reflections of current speech norms, but most contemporary movies use common language that people who watch the film also use. By listening to authentic, native speech, youre more likely to be able to understand actual speech in context.Additionally, watching movies puts vocabulary in context. You wont just have to rely exclusively on the words themselves to understand whats happening. If you dont understand a word, you can often guess based on whats happening and visual cues, like characters facial expressions. Plus, yo u can see how vocabulary might be used in different situations, helping you understand when different words are appropriate.Finally, watching movies is addictive and fun. Once you get on a roll, youll just want to keep watching them. And when youre watching in your target language, the addictive nature of movies can lead to massive improvements in your language skills.However, a lot of language learners dont know what theyre doing when it comes to learning a language with movies. It can be tempting to just watch a movie and hope to learn from it. But because so many learners are unprepared, they often fall victim to pitfalls and dont get as much out of the movies as they would have hoped.Not to worry, were here to help!How to Learn a Language by Watching Movies: 10 Tips and Tricks to Dodge Potential Pitfalls1. Watching Movies Without SupportThe mistake:When watching movies in your target language, it can be tempting to go at it alone. After all, you know how to watch movies, right?T he solutions:If you havent watched a lot of videos in your target language, you might not be ready to dive into a full-length movie just yet. Practicing with supportive resources will give you the skills you need to watch movies in your target language.Start with shorter videos on FluentU.FluentU is one tool that can help. Regardless of your skill level, FluentU can help you upgrade your skills through authentic video content, like movie trailers, music videos, news and more.  Each video is captioned and the captions are annotated, giving you easy access to any words definition, several example sentences and an associated image. Want to see how a word is used in other videos? Just click it.If youre looking for uniquely engaging activities, you might also try Quiz mode. This mode combines videos, pictures and example sentences in flashcards and exercises, giving you plenty of in-context practice. Plus, FluentU is personalized. Since the program uses an algorithm that takes into accou nt your user learning history, the questions you see will be based on what you already know to ensure they are the right level for you.Want to use FluentU from your computer? Use FluentU online. If you prefer your learning on the go, you can also download the FluentU app from iTunes or Google Play.Watch short videos on YouTube.Another resource you might use to brush up your skills before diving into full-length movies is YouTube. There are plenty of short videos in other languages, and many offer subtitles. For instance, Korean students might watch girl-group MAMAMOOs song Paint Me, complete with lyrics in Korean and English. Watching shorter videos like this is a good way to transition towards longer works, like movies.Use additional resources for support.If youre ready to dive into movies head on, though, that doesnt mean there isnt another support you can use. Using a translator app  with a voice translation option, like Google Translate (iOS | Android), is a quick and easy way t o look up any words or phrases you might be unfamiliar with as you watch.2. Choosing the Wrong MovieThe mistake:It can be tempting to watch the biggest blockbuster, but big doesnt always mean best, especially when it comes to language learning.Rather than selecting viewing material based on difficulty level and vocabulary, language students often select movies solely based on what they feel like watching. While you should definitely choose a movie that interests you, there are so many more factors to take into consideration.The solutions:Check the movies difficulty level.First, youll want to consider the difficulty level of the movie. You can often assume this based on the genre. For instance, most childrens movies are relatively easy. Some action movies are also approachable since they frequently lean more on visuals than dialogue. However, serious, deep movies (the type that get  the Oscars) are usually a little harder for language students to follow since they may lean more heavi ly on subtleties that can be hard to catch in a foreign language.Target specific vocabulary.Next, youll want to consider what type of vocabulary a movie is likely to use. For instance, a police procedural will probably include a lot of technical terms that you might not need to know in your target language. However, movies like romantic comedies usually feature more common vocabulary. Similarly, if you want to learn a specific set of vocabulary, you might consider finding a film that will use those terms. For instance, if you want to learn legal terms, look for a legal drama.Dont forget to enjoy!Finally, consider what movies youll actually enjoy. Enjoying a movie is a valuable motivator to keep watching and therefore learning. Plus, why bother learning a language with movies if it isnt going to be fun?3. Going in ColdThe mistake:All you need to do to prepare for watching a movie is pop some popcorn and press play, right? Well, you might want to do a little more than that (and were n ot just talking about adding butter to your popcorn).If you go in cold, youre making watching the movie more challenging than it needs to be. After all, if you dont know anything about the movie, it will be more difficult to follow. You may end up focusing less on the language itself and more on trying to figure out who characters are, what theyre doing and why that guys eyebrow is so nefariously arched.Worse still, if its difficult for you to follow the movie, you might lose interest and give up altogether, thereby missing out on your opportunity to improve your language skills in one of the most fun ways imaginable.The solutions:Do a little research.Do a little preparation ahead of time. Were not talking about an in-depth study of the themes or camera angles, but something far simplerâ€"look up the movie before you watch it. If you can find a summary, read it. Better still, read a few summaries. IMDB and Wikipedia  usually have English-language summaries of popular foreign-languag e films. Reading a summary ahead of time can give you context to fill in anything you miss.Know whos who.You might also look up the actors ahead of time. Pay attention to the characters names as you look at images of the actors faces. This way, when you start watching the movie, youre not wasting any time trying to remember whos who.4. Getting OverwhelmedThe mistake:Movies can seem long very long.Since most listening activities are relatively brief, a lot of language students havent listened to their target language for such long stretches. However, movie lovers often assume that because they can watch a movie in their native language, they can watch it in their target language.While you can totally watch a movie in your target language, learning from such a long work can be overwhelming because understanding your target language can take a lot of focus and thinking. With so much effort involved, watching movies can become overwhelming.The solution:Split it into chunks.One of the be st ways to avoid getting overwhelmed is segmenting the movie. Rather than trying to watch the whole thing at once, break it into smaller chunks. You might not be ready to watch two hours in your target language just yet, but you can probably handle watching one scene.Breaking the movie into chunks will ensure your listening practice doesnt get overwhelming. As an added bonus, a few minutes of viewing are much easier to work into your daily schedule than a full-length movie.5. Rushing ThroughThe mistake:When you watch a movie in your native language, you probably watch it straight through with only a few breaks to get more snacks. However, when youre trying to learn a language, watching straight through might be rushing the process too much.There are a couple reasons for this. First, you might miss something. It can be harder to pick up key details in your target language, so you might get lost. Additionally, repetition is valuable for language learning and watching a movie straight through just doesnt provide the sort of repetition you need to memorize vocabulary or grammar rules.The solutions:Take breaks to process information.Because of this, youll want to take frequent breaks. After every scene or two, you might take a break to think about what you just saw. What happened? What new vocabulary did you hear? Considering this will give you time to process what youre watching.Watch it again and again!Then, you might also consider rewatching key scenes, paying particular attention to interesting quotations, new vocabulary or challenging grammar rules. If you like a line, try memorizing it! Not only will this help you memorize the vocabulary, you can also use it as a model when constructing similar sentences in the future.6. Expecting to Understand ImmediatelyThe mistake:Youve studied the language. You do well in class or your independent studies. You should be able to understand the entire movie right off the bat, right?Not necessarily. Many resources for studen ts are slower and easier to understand than native speech, so even students whove studied extensively might not be able to understand authentic resources like movies right off the bat.Plus, expecting to understand immediately is doing yourself a disservice. If you expect listening to be easy, you might be disappointed and demotivated when it isnt as easy as you thought it would be. Worse still, you could start to question your own skill.The solution:Set reasonable expectations.To dodge this pitfall, dont set your expectations too high. Trust that youll understand part of the movie, but realize that not understanding everything is nothing to be ashamed of and doesnt reflect on your overall knowledge.Understanding native speech takes time, even if youve studied extensively. Keep watching, though, and at some point, you might be able to understand entire movies in your target language the first time you watch them.7. Watching PassivelyThe mistake:Most of the time, you probably dont int eract with movies. And if you do, chances are strong that the people you usually watch with arent so eager to watch more movies with you.Yes, most movie fans are passive viewers, quietly watching their favorite films. But when youre learning a language, you need to engage more. After all, watching a movie will give you listening practice, but if you want to really maximize the learning punch a movie can pack, youll need to do a little more than watch.Listening, speaking and writing are very different skills. While watching movies can improve your listening skills, it doesnt usually do much for your speaking or writing skills, which could lead to an imbalanced skill set. But if you put in the extra effort and engage, you can transform movies into well-rounded language practice.The solutions:Integrate speech into movie-watching.To get the most out of your movie viewing, you should try to speak in addition to listening. For instance, try interacting with a movie. During dialogue  scene s, pause and guess what the next character will say. When you hear a line you like, repeat it aloud. Hey, you could even shout advice to characters if thats what youre into. The key here is speaking your target language.Write it down.In addition, keep a notebook and pen handy. Make notes as youre watching: Write down words you dont know, phrases you like and anything else that catches your ear. For an added challenge, try summarizing a scene in your target language after you watch it.8. Looking Up Too Many WordsThe mistake:OMG! I dont know that word! I need to look it up! Those words might come out of your mouth a lot when youre watching movies in your target language. In fact, it can be tempting to look up the exact meaning of every single word youre not 100% familiar with.While this could be a good vocabulary-building activity, it doesnt provide great listening practice. After all, youll be focused too much on individual words to really understand the overall message.Plus, part of the reason why listening practice is so valuable is that it prepares you to fill in any words you dont know based on context. In conversation, you may hear a word you dont know. Having experience in determining meaning based on context will help prepare you for this situation.The solution:Get the gist of it.Instead of focusing on individual words, focus on overall meaning. If you miss a word or two, thats fine. Sometimes, it just isnt realistic to pause and look up every word you dont know, so learning how to fill in any vocabulary gaps with educated guesses is a valuable skill.9. Leaning Too Heavily on SubtitlesThe mistake:Subtitles are magical. If you cant understand a spoken language, you can still enjoy a movie by just reading it.However, for language learners, this can prove problematic. Subtitles can be a great tool to help you understand whats happening even if you miss a few words. However, if youre not careful, you might find yourself inadvertently reading a film and not l istening at all.The solution:Strategize your subtitle use.To avoid this, its good to develop a strategy. For instance, you might try alternating watching segments with the subtitles on and off. Listen to the scene in your target language and see how much you understand. Then, turn on the subtitles to check how much you caught. Turn the subtitles back off to see if you can understand more now.Skim the subtitles.If you dont want to repeat segments so often, you can also develop a strategy for how you read the subtitles. As soon as a subtitle pops up, you can skim it quickly and then focus on listening to the spoken dialogue. Otherwise, focus on the dialogue and if you realize you dont understand, quickly skim the subtitle after.Always remember that subtitles are just a tool to help prop you up until youre skills are refined enough that you dont need them. Your ultimate goal should be weaning yourself off from them.10. Learning AloneThe mistake:Watching movies is often a solitary pursu it. After all, only one hand can fit comfortably into a box of Junior Mints.Language learning, on the other hand, is an inherently interactive pursuit. Conversational skills are best developed with actual conversation.The solutions:Engage in communal movie-watching.To really upgrade your language skills, youll need to interact with others. However, that doesnt mean you need to give up your favorite movies! You might start a movie club in your target language.Gather a group of learners, native speakers or just some friends, then pick a movie in your target language. You can watch it as a group or independently and discuss it afterward.  Not only will you get the great listening practice that movies provide, youll also get conversational practice and a nearly endless stream of potential conversation topics.Connect with fellow fans online.You can also connect with other movie fans online through message boards or fan sites. There are many fan forums for specific regions and/or language s. For instance, Spanish film fans might enjoy posting in Foro de cine  (movie forum). To find a forum, just search the name of the language and movie forum in your target language.Dont let being unprepared ruin the end of your journey to learn a language by watching movies. Watch out for these pitfalls and be prepared to smile as the credits roll!

5 Top Online Resources for Practicing Languages to Fluency

5 Top Online Resources for Practicing Languages to Fluency 5 Top Online Resources for Practicing Languages to Fluency The internet has truly revolutionized language learning.I remember what it was like back in the day, when the Web was home to only a few amateur sites that claimed to teach various languages.I was at the mercy of  what my library chose to order or what the local bookstore happened to have in stock.Audio? Inconvenient.Video? Impossible.Actually speaking  with native speakers online? Unheard of!But today?Were able to practically take all these things for granted.So let us take a moment of silence to be grateful for the modern internet.With today’s veritable gold mine of target language media,  online courses  and other learning tools, there’s no reason not to excel at your chosen language.You can immerse yourself completely, so that you’re only interacting in your target language. It’s beautiful!But how exactly do you go about maximizing this wonderful modern world in which we live?Keep reading, because Im going to share the very best resources and tips with you! 5 Top Online Resources for Practicing Languages to FluencyOnline Conversation Sites for Speaking PracticeSpeaking is really what we think of when we consider fluency in a particular language. It’s communication! It’s impressive! It’s… intimidating?Sure. Whether you seek out speaking practice when you have only a few words under your belt (à la Benny Lewis from Fluent in 3 Months), or whether you decide to talk after a lengthy silent period, talking to a native speaker for the first time can be a scary prospect.That’s why conversation exchanges are one of the best ways to practice languages. You can find a partner on a site like italki. Someone who is in the throes of learning your native language from scratch. The mutual understanding works wonders and makes you both comfortable with baring it all in your stumbling first attempts at your respective target languages. The practice will make you all the more confident when you travel to the country or have to speak with a native speaker who doesn’t know about your language learning journey!And, on a side note, italki is the perfect platform for finding a paid language tutor if youre looking to invest a little more. A professional tutor can give you tons of feedback on your conversation skills.What to Do with Your Language ExchangeWhen you first seek out a language learning partner on any of the above sites (or all of themâ€"the more the merrier!), use the advanced search features so you have a higher chance of being able to relate to the personâ€"because you’ll actually need things to talk about. Consider gender, family status, age, hobbiesâ€"things you can find on their profile that might indicate you two have something in common to talk about. Believe meâ€"a conversation in which your only commonality is learning languages… well, it’s boring at best, and tedious at worst. Choose well, but rememberâ€"you can always call it off if things aren’t working out. Dont hesitate to try someone new!You’ll then meet up on Skype or Google Hangout. During the first couple sessions, I recommend simply getting to know one another. Talk about yourself, and ask them questions about themselves. Then, as you dive deeper, ask for constant corrections, as folks can be polite and overlook some errors. Constant corrections can be annoying, but your language skills will soar.After your sessions, SRS those corrections so you remember them until your dying day. Ask lots of questions, but remember that grammar points might not be the easiest things for your partner to discuss, so entrenched are they in their own native language. Ask for resource ideas like movies, books, comics and TV shows. Share jokes with each other to acquire a new sense of humor. With luck, you’ll build a real relationship and maybe make a new friend in the process!FluentU for Personalized Media-based Learning at Any LevelAre you not ready to dive into the conversational suggestions in this post? Or maybe you’d love to get into L 2 immersion, but you have some concerns, or the vast sea of the internet seems too big to find something you might like.FluentU can help you out.FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons. It  teaches languages based on native media, but in bite-sized amounts, so you don’t have to sit through a whole movie or TV show you don’t grasp yet. You can absorb vocab and grammar from cartoons and hilarious commercials. It helps you wade into native media while holding your hand with interactive captions, quizzes to test your knowledge and other cool learning features when you need them. No need to shy away!With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any wo rd to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoWhat to Do with FluentULike with any language program, consistency is key: Devote 20 minutes a day to FluentU. Make ample use of the built-in SRS and word list features so you never forget new vocabulary. Fortunately, you dont even have to think too much about what to do because FluentU keeps track of all the words youve learned for you, automatically personalizing the whole experience.And when you need to take a break, check out the language specific blogs (Chinese, Spanish, French, German, English, Japanese, Russian, Arabic, Korean, Italian  and Portuguese, alongside this one) for lots of extra language learning information!Consistent use of FluentU will have you raring to go at more advanced language learning resources like conversation exchanges or targeted lessons with a tutor. And it’s a great option for accessing the world of native media.Chat Rooms (and Games) for Writing and Communication PracticeHa! You thought chat rooms didn’t exist anymore, didn’t you?Well, you’re dead wrong on that. Chat rooms may very well be a relic of the early 2000s, but they’re still alive and well in certain corners of the internet, albeit a little tougher to find. And you can find them in your target language!I personally love chat rooms because text chatting with strangers gives you real time language practice if you’re not quite ready to take on speaking just yet.How do you track down these ancient beasts? Search for forums (in your target language) about one of your interests, whether it’s gam es, gardening, politics, crafts, whatever. Many forums have a chat room! For example, heres a Pokémon chat room in French, a Spanish-language Star Wars/table top gaming chat  and a French math and science chat. Itll take some hunting, but you can get good results by translating chat room into your L2, and Googling that along with your hobby/interest of choice.If forums aren’t your style, many online multiplayer games have that same real-time text that we’re after. Think World of Warcraft or League of Legends. You jump right in, and players converse in real time. All you have to do is start up the game in your target language, and many of these games have tons of different language options. Games are also great because they can be more active and easier to find than forums.What to Do with Chat RoomsWhat do you do once you’ve found a chat room or game? I recommend eavesdropping at first. Watch others’ conversations. What are they saying? How are they saying it? Take note of n ew vocab and slang, and SRS those so you remember them later. Then, when you’re ready, try answering in short, easy phrases. Stick to things you knowâ€"don’t attempt to express complicated ideas if your vocabulary is limited to that of a first-year textbook. But be patient, and you’ll slowly improve.Considering these places are not learning sites, rest assured that mistakes may be met with laughter and teasing. Just dust yourself off when the inevitable embarrassment hits you. On the bright side, you’ll remember not to repeat those mistakes!Twitter for Additional Immersion and ExposureWe all know that changing default languages is a great way to immerse and practice a new language. If you’re studying a new language, you should already have changed the language of your phone, your email client, your Web browser, even your OS!So, why is Twitter any different?Twitter is unique in that when you change the default language, you’re not just seeing the options and onscreen word s translated. Instead, you’ll default to seeing tweets from target language sources! You’ll be constantly learning new online slang and abbreviationsâ€"lots of snippets of natural language.What to Do with TwitterHow do you go about changing your default? If your browser is in your L1 (or a different language), simply click on your little profile pic in the upper right corner of the page. Go to Settings, and then the language option is the first one down. And if you dont have an account and your browser is already in your target language, your Twitter will default to your target language when you sign up.Now what? Check those trending hashtags on the left-hand side of your home page! Most tweets  will probably be in your L2, so get in that reading practice. (If theyre not in your L2, its probably because you already follow English-language accounts, and the algorithm is trying to cater to youâ€"just change the location setting by clicking Change next to Trending and you should ge t better content.)You can also look for topics of interest in the search bar to find people talking about your favorite hobbies. The short format makes reading easier for those of us that shy away from novels or even blogs. It’s especially great for beginners who can probably parse a quick sentence, but maybe not long, convoluted paragraphs of a literary novel.And then, follow the Twitter users you enjoy reading. That way, your feed will be peppered with target language exposure. Even when you’re checking social media during work, you’ll have to come into contact with your L2!Online Tutors for Lessons and CorrectionsWhile not freeâ€"and I love free resourcesâ€"an online tutor can advance your language skills like nothing else in this mortal coil. You can get a real-life tutor by checking local universities or venturing online and hiring one from italki at very affordable prices per lesson.Another great source that specializes purely in online language tutors is Verbling, where you can  explore hundreds upon hundreds of language teachers and find the one whos just right for you.  But why would you do this after I’ve told you that you can get language practice for free with a language partner?It turns out, trained tutors are trained for a reason!A tutor with experience in teaching will be able to give you pinpointed language advice. They’ll have a vested interest in your skills and weaknesses, and how you cover up those weaknesses. You won’t have to worry about switching back to your native language as you would with a language exchange partnerâ€"it’s all you!A great tutor will keep you talking and force you out of your comfort zone so that you can expand and be comfortable in more situations. And it’s all tailored to you. If you need writing practice, a tutor will ruthlessly correct your writing. If you need to get through a class, tutors will help you through your particular curriculum. And if you just want targeted conversation practice, tutor s are there for you, too.What to Do with Your TutorWhen you find a tutor you think you might like, send questions before you meet. Really explain in detail what your issues are and what your goals are, and where you see yourself going. The more detail the better, as your tutor can decide how to help you out.In particular, grammar questions and issues are great to bring up with a tutor. A professional teacher is much better equipped to explain grammar and address your questions than a language partner (although language partners can be great in letting you know what “sounds right”).After your meetings, SRS corrections (like always!). Make sure you meet consistently, or decide on a particular number of lessons. Take lots of notes before, during and after so that you’re gleaning all you can from these sessions. And then, when you go out into the real world (or just to Skype to meet with your conversation partner), apply what you’ve learned! Constant application and practice are what stretch your abilities and keep you improving.Don’t underestimate the variety and depth of online language learning tools.There really is something out there for everyone, at every stage of learning.And before you know it, youll be moving effortlessly through online spacesâ€"all in your new language!