How to Find Dance Classes in London

How to Find Dance Classes in London All about Dancing in London ChaptersTaking Lessons in one of London’s Dance AcademiesHop in the Social Dancing Scene in LondonTaking a Dance Class in your Local CommunityLeap into a Professional Dance Career in LondonTune your Dancing with a Private TutorOn Superprof dance classes cost on average £20 per hour“Dance is the movement of the universe concentrated in an individual.” Isadora DuncanThere is no better place than London to begin a form of dance, even if you think you have two left feet, or to perfect your technical skills. In the shadow of the world-renowned West End and Royal Ballet, have flourished strongly rooted institutions for education as a professional dancer, and also an active crowd of dance amateurs.The British capital’s impressive multiculturality offers a variety of disciplines to choose from. No doubt a dancer in London is never left without a dance class to try. No matter your skill level, teachers that are passionate about their art and transmitting their knowledge will have you twirling around light as a feather in no time.Beyond ballet, there are  many more dance style you can learn. (Source: Unsplash).So take advantage of the capital’s rich dance culture and discover the next style to dance up a storm! SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTaking Lessons in one of London’s Dance AcademiesMany dance schools all over London offer classes for everyone, from beginner to advanced levels. Quality tutorship and accessibility describe the dance teaching in the capital, whether it is classic ballet or Bellydance you will be skipping to the next class.To choose the right kind of dance classes near me for you to begin with evaluating your expectations. Are you looking to put down the solid bases for a professional career complete with serious dance instruction? This means registering for a dance program which will probably affect your lifestyle and routine.Or are you simply interested in improving coordination and challenging yourself with a new dance style a couple of hours a week? Having fun while learning something new is one of the main reasons why people attend dancing classes.Be it alone, with a group of friends or as a couple, dance lessons open you up to a world of creativity and physical transformation. Talented teachers, often professional dancers themselves, guide you towards a stronger more flexible body, a graceful posture and greater physical confidence.There are multiple health benefits of dance. First off any type of dance will connect you to your body, you’ll notice muscles you thought you never had. Between cardio work and stretching for flexibility, your body will thank you for taking care of it now but also for the rest of your lifetime. A strong and balanced physical shape is sure to age better and help you through the challenges of the chaotic London lifestyle.The intellectual benefits of the learning process are numerous. When learning how to dance, the brain is stimulated by several actions like memorising the choreography, matching coordination to musicality and boosting muscle memory.Dance and its potential for creative expression is also a great ally against high-stress levels. Forget about your worries during your dance lessons and you’ll see how much better you feel afterwards. In very little time you’ll notice a shift with more energy and a positive outlook on things.Dance improves body movement and frees up creativity. (Source: Unspla sh).Each dance school will have its own pedagogical approach, studio set-up and roster of teachers. Some places offer a wide variety of classes all focused on exercise and fun while others are recognised for a high level of teaching for one particular dance genre like hip-hop or Latin. So if you are looking to sharpen your dance skills the later might be the best choice for you.Find below a selection of dance schools with specific areas of expertise:Formal professional training at  Royal Academy of Dance (Battersea, SW)Classical at London Russian Ballet School (Clapham)Tap dance at City Academy (Rosebery Avenue)Dance exercise at Zumba Fitness London (Fulham)Dancehall at At Your Beat (Elephant and Castle)Swing Dance at Swing Patrol (all over London and Brighton)Music video and commercial dance at Frame Studios (locations in King’s Cross and Shoreditch, EC)Pole dance at Pole People (Barbican)Or if you're closer to the midlands, take a look at learning to dance in Birmingham.Hop in the Social Dancing Scene in LondonYou’ve mastered the steps, now you need to take the floor and practice, we’ve got some suggestions for dance meetups near you. Is there a better way to make new friends, twisting and shimmying with other fun-loving dancers in a social and relaxed community atmosphere? The venues are stellar and the floorcraft wild, time to jump into the London scene of dance aficionados!Join Tango Terra in the heart of Covent Garden for an introduction to the Argentine art. Learn the steps with other clueless people here to have a laugh and a jig, a great way to break the ice and socialise. Stay for the milonga after your class, which translates as a tango dance party, and let loose to the sensual sounds of the live band.Looking to moonwalk back in time with some jive dancing? Jive me to the Moon is a joyful and friendly group. Tunes from the fifties and sixties blasting you’ll soon find yourself spinning on the dancefloor kicking those heels as fast as you ca n. No dance partner is required, so you can show up alone, you’ll be sure to have a laugh and be less likely to step on your partner’s toes at your next social bash!Skip over to more dance parties around London:Kaliente Friday at Salsa! Temple (Embankment)Lindy Hop with Swing Out Loud (all over London)Sundays at the Rivoli Ballroom (Camberwell)Tea Dance at the Waldorf Hilton (Aldwych)Connect with people and make new friends at a dance party. (Source: Unsplash).“There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good.”Edwin Denby SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!D iscover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTaking a Dance Class in your Local CommunityIn London, there are opportunities to learn dance at every corner, true story! Local culture centres and organisations are there to guide you in motion. These groups focus their resources and energy on one region or type of dance to best support talent and initiatives. Nurturing creativity and musicality through the community is their mission. Often touching upon inclusion and the celebration of cultures, these groups inspire audiences.Dancers wishing to develop a unique style and join a strong community will enjoy these less conventional opportunities to learn how to dance. They are also a great set-up to meet new people.For example, East London Dance brings the craft to Londoners from all walks of life and all ages. An organisation like this one contribute to shaping the communi ty and creating bonds between citizens. The ambitious group believes that everyone should have access to dance, they seek out talent and help young dancers hone their skills to become successful young professionals.Find a fantastic dance community near you:Association of Dance of the African Diaspora (ADAD) (Clerkenwell)Arts Community Exchange (Streatham Hill)Akademi â€" South Asian Dance UK (Hampstead)Ballet Independents’ Group (BIG) (Hammersmith)Japanese Butoh Dance (South Hackney)Dance Richmond (Richmond)Find dance classes near me.Leap into a Professional Dance Career in LondonHave you been practising your pirouettes and arabesques dreaming of prima ballerina heights? The big smoke has all the best dance academies to build a career in dance, now is your chance to seize the opportunity to train at the UK’s best institutions for the performing arts.Dance connects the body to the mind and brings people together. (Source: Unsplash).The rigorous training and discipline required up on embarking on a full-time dance course will teach your body precision and purpose in each movement. When you come out of this type of training, dance is marked into your core. You’re attitude and allure will unmistakably derive from the art of movement.Dance schools with full-time tuition do not only offer intensive training and stellar infrastructure, but also opportunities to perform at higher levels and with more regularity than an informal drop-in style format. All dance academies are linked to a company, whether it is in-house or a touring group, so you’ll have the chance to rub shoulders with seasoned dancers. Observing the best performers in real life, and understanding the way they have crafted their talent into a distinct signature, is a major part of professional dance training.The following dance academies to get your recital ready:City Academy (Clerkenwell)Pineapple Dance Studios (Covent Garden)London Contemporary Dance School at The Place (Saint Pancras)Kingston U niversity (Kingston upon Thames)Or if you live in Scotland, take a look at dance classes in Glasgow.Tune your Dancing with a Private TutorIf busy classes and a rigorous class schedule aren’t for you, then why not book a private lesson with a tutor? Thanks to a professional’s undivided attention will have you mastering the steps and moves of a bachata or a tap dance routine that’ll make Fred Astaire look like a novice.Private classes are a huge help to students, wishing to rapidly grow as a dancer. Since every class will be entirely focused on you, the dance instructor will easily pinpoint what needs smoothing out and any aspects you are having difficulties with. Finding a great private tutor with the right pedagogical approach and a sense of humour is sure to do wonders for anyone with a career ambition.Many professionally trained dancers offer private tuition during their downtime, these passionate individuals will be very happy to share their experience and knowledge of danc e as a way of life. Just be aware of whether the teacher has a studio or can travel to you. Also, prices may vary according to the level of teaching you require and whether you purchase a group of classes or are looking for a single session.Have a professional audition to rehearse for or looking to master a dance style ahead of an important social event? Are you getting married and feeling nervous ahead of the traditional couple’s dance? A ballroom dance instructor will give you the right tips to flawlessly perform your choreography. That’s one less thing to fret about!Is London too far away? Check out dance classes in Manchester.On Superprof dance classes cost on average £20 per hourOur dance teachers give a detailed account of their abilities and expertise. Some have been teaching at a high level for a decade while others specialise in newer dance forms like dancersize and commercial urban dance.Many cater to all levels but you will also find those who specialise in dance sch ool auditions. With our roster of teachers, you are sure to find the right one for you whether it’s choreography or headspins you are looking to have down like a pro.Whether it’s Argentine Tango, Bellydance, jazz dance or lyrical, London has it all for you to put your best dancing foot forward!Northerners may be interested in dance lessons in Leeds.

What is it Like to Attend Middle Tennessee State University

What is it Like to Attend Middle Tennessee State University Kenis a current senior at Middle Tennessee State University. He is majoring in general science, and specializes in elementary math tutoring and life sciences tutoring. Below, he shares his experience at Middle Tennessee State University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Ken: Middle Tennessee State Universitys campus is set in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The campus has plenty of places for commuter students to park, but you have to get there early to get a spot since close lots tend to fill up fast. The campus is more rural than urban. Even though the town is growing, MTSU is still a bit of a drive away from the malls and shops that Murfreesboro has to offer. MTSU offers a campus chauffeuring service, where two or more students walk a student who called the service safely to their destination. Overall, MTSU is pretty safe. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Ken:Most professors and TAs are easy to get ahold of, but every now and then you will get a commuter teacher who only stays on campus for as long as he or she teaches. The advisors are always available, until the last month of the semester when scheduling becomes a hassle because they are very busy. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ken:There is always something going on at MTSU. The rooms on campus range from home away from home to this is where I sleep and thats about it. The food on campus is mostly fast food restaurants, like Subway or Panda Express, but MTSU also offers two dining halls that have their own home-cooked menus and daily specials. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Ken:MTSU is known in the aerospace and recording industry, but also has an up-and-coming chemistry and biology department. I am a general sciences major, and the newly built science building was a huge improvement to my studies. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Ken:If you join a club, it is incredibly easy to make friends. Personally, I joined MTSUs Band of Blue and made some friends for life. I was also a part of the fraternity Alpha Tau Omega for a few years and met my roommates and best friends there. If you are looking to meet new friends, its easy at MTSU. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Ken:Although they offer career days at MTSU, I have never had the opportunity to attend. However, student services is very good on campus and helps students with many things. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Ken:There are a million different places on campus to studyfrom the library, to outside on the patio of the student union, to the open spaces of the science building. Describe the surrounding town. Ken:There are a lot of different and interesting things to do in Murfreesborofrom the parks, to the mall, to the golf courses. Murfreesboro is an alright little place to be. What makes Murfreesboro even better is that its only 45minutes away from Nashville, which has everything. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ken:MTSUs student body is huge. Surprisingly, the class sizes were never too crowded. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Ken:The most recent memory that I had was in my Biochemistry class with my professor Dr. Burden. As we all were beginning the experiment, he stopped us and asked, Does anybody actually know what we are doing? Our class fell silent and looked at him a little confused everyone except me. I continued to measure out the amount of distilled water I needed, and without missing a beat, I said, Science. Dr. Burden and everybody in the lab turned and looked at me. The only thing that broke the silence was our teacher bellowing out a laugh that shook the beakers and he said, Keep this up and youll be my favorite class. Check out Ken'stutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Incorporating Feedback

Incorporating Feedback What is feedback?Feedback is information and advice provided either to help inform current work or to help you reflect on work you have already done. Feedback is an essential element of the learning process. It allows students to reflect on their learning, clarify areas where they can improve, and gain the opportunity to self-assess their skills and capabilities. In education, two types of feedback are recognized: formative and summative. Formative feedback is to help you improve or develop your work while there is still time to make improvements or changes. Summative feedback is information that usually comes at the end of a module or assignment that tells you how you have performed. This could be a grade or could include written feedback, either personal or generic.Read on for some more information about feedback and how it can help students of all ages!What are the benefits of feedback?Feedback is crucial in aiding us to improve the standard of our current work and can help us inf orm our future work. Great feedback can:1. Inform the development of current work: highlight areas to develop or change, provide new ideas, introduce different perspectives 2. Help you improve work for future assessments3. Provide new ideas, create inspiration, inspire a different approach3. Encourage you and help you see unrecognized merit or potential in your own work4. Stimulate independence 5. Develop versatility by informing how you workHow does feedback work?Feedback is part of a process, not an object or commodity. Engaging with feedback is an integral part of your learning, development, and understanding. Feedback comes from a variety of sources both formal and informal. Different sources might be more informed in aspects of technology, theory, and process, but all can expose you to different agendas.How should I incorporate feedback?You will usually need to actively reflect upon and interpret your feedback for it to be effective. You may get conflicting feedback or opinions that leads in different directions. It is your responsibility to decide what to do with feedback: this process should deepen your understanding.First and foremost we need to listen and read through the feedback obtained. Reflect and decide what to do: what changes should be made, what has worked in the past? Follow up with a specific plan! How can we make the most of feedback?1. Prepare 2. Check for clarity: make sure work is clear and clearly presented3. Question yourself: what questions might you be asked? What would you like advice on?4. Check past feedback: don’t repeat the same mistakes5. Listen and applyHow can we prepare for feedback?1. Expectations: what type of feedback are you likely to receive? How much feedback can you expect? 2. Be open to feedback by listening: constructive criticism is helpful3. Give and take feedback: share your ideas/ skills with othersOur tutors excel at helping students develop study habits and test-taking confidence. In a 1-on-1 setting, stude nts can ask questions and receive coaching and explanations in a way that makes sense to them. Please reach out to us if you’d like to learn more about how we can help your student!

How I Gained 260 Points on the GMAT

How I Gained 260 Points on the GMAT GMAT MBA Admissions Blog Five times.....yes.....five times......I took the GMAT five times for admission to business school. Was there something wrong with me? For a while, I thought there was but now that I look back....Absolutely not.Standardized exams are just one of those things that I've always had to work hard at to score decently. I should have taken a hint when I scored about average on the SATs in high school.My mind just works in mysterious ways and I'm sure that if the GMAT tested for emotionally charged responses, I'd score very well.Regardless, scoring high on the GMAT is definitely possible when you put in the effort to think like a standardized test taker. This involves various pieces of knowledge, logic, systematic thinking, and a lot of practice.So...how does one get there?For me, it was a long road. 2 years to be exact. But it was worth it.For starters, according to the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), better known as the guys who make the GMAT exam, about 10% of GMAT retakers obtain a significant gain of 100 points or more.That 10% takes a lot of hard work but with the right attitude, you can accomplish anything! What exactly was the end result for me?A 260 point gain! So yes, it's doable!When you think about it, you have a ton of options to increase your score: self-study, study groups, tutoring, prep courses, and online forums. Which one is thee right one for you is something only you can answer. It will definitely rely on how committed you are, too!I'll share my experience with you after taking the GMAT each time. 1st Attempt When I took the GMAT the first time around, I took it cold. No study guides, no prepping, and some knowledge on what the exam was about. If you had asked me what a data sufficiency question was, I might have given you a deer-in-headlights look! But I bit the bullet and took it. $250 later and a score of a 420, I was a bit short of breath. The feeling of disappointment lasted for a few days and it gave me the motivation I needed to sign up for a Kaplan prep course. I had to start somewhere. I didn't dwell on the score so much. I just got back up and knew what I had to do. Lesson learned? Take a free practice exam on mba.com. Some prep courses such as Manhattan GMAT give a free diagnostic exam. Go to the library, lock yourself up, and take the whole thing. Yes, that includes the writing section. From there, conduct an informal self-assessment and see what your weaknesses are just by looking at the answers you got wrong. Ask yourself whether it was time management, a lack of knowledge or approach that contributed to the questions you answered incorrectly. Although there are a variety of factors involved in answering questions incorrectly, this is a start. Make a plan, and follow it. Whatever you do, don't take the GMAT cold, go for lukewarm. 2nd Attempt Two months later........a 460. A 460?! Blargh! A 40 point increase even after taking a prep course?! Two weeks prior, I had a completed a 6-week Kaplan course at $1,500! I had taken a few of their practice exams and scored okay on some of the exams, definitely nowhere near a 460 though. I was confused. I was also spending over 30 hours working on practice problems. I really wasn't sure what I was doing wrong. But alas, I moved forward. At this point, I knew I was in for a challenge and I was determined to do well on the GMAT. Lesson learned? Now that I look back, the Kaplan prep course was definitely not for me. If you're going to take a live class, make sure it goes at a pace that's suitable for you. Also, try and take a glance at some of the resource materials and get a sense of what you're looking at. I know there are a ton of prep courses out there, but if you've made your mind up, ask around and do some research before you spend that type of money. In my case, I really put in the time and energy but I was missing something and I wasn't sure what that was quite yet. 3rd Attempt Bam! A 530. Okay, I broke the 500 mark but seriously, I was aiming for a top business school and I had my eyes set on MIT Sloan whose average GMAT score was well over 700. At some points, I think I wanted to break down but I kept strong. I spent almost five months studying by myself and using my old Kaplan materials to practice, practice, practice. I was spending 3-4 hours a day during the week and 6-8 hours during the weekends studying. It was pretty intense. I also became aware of other resources such as Beat the GMAT, GMAT Club, and some other websites to read success stories and see where I could improve. Lesson learned? Email other GMAT takers and see what's working for them. Don't spend TOO much time reading and writing on the forums as this can become a full-time job in itself. Reach out to a few folks who are studying and have done well on the GMAT and see what are some of their methods. I definitely learned a few tips that worked for me. At this point, I started to see what I needed to improve my score and I figured I needed another prep course. A good one that would work for me. And that's exactly what I did. 4th Attempt A 580! Woohoo! Okay. I was getting closer. Although it was only a 50 point increase from my previous score, it was a 160 point increase from my 420. I didn't want to spend time really thinking about getting a higher score. I knew I needed one but I just went back to the drawing board and picked up where I left off. Before my fourth attempt, I took an 8-week Manhattan GMAT self-study prep course. I spent less time studying but followed their regimented syllabus which is awesome. Aside using their materials, I was also participating in the forums a little more but I was only interacting with students who were solving questions. I also created my own support group on the Manhattan GMAT website and even set up a study group in my hometown. Here is where I started to really learn a lot. While studying with my study group, I began to realize that I learned best when someone taught me the right way to answer a question. A lot times, things had to be explained to me in various ways before I could understand some of those moderately difficult math and verbal questions. I also became aware that the students in my group were using tutors. Neither of the tutors were affiliated with any major test prep companies, they were general tutors who understood standardized exams. I was a bit hesitant to hire a tutor since I had spent quite a bit of money already. At this point, I was running on fumes since I really had devoted a lot of time and energy to the GMAT. But after seeing positive results come out of other students, I decided to invest one more time. Lesson learned? As you move forward, understand your strengths and weaknesses. How do you learn best? It's more than just going over answers over, and over, and over again. I can't tell you how often I went over incorrect answers over and over again only to get them wrong again later. I wasn't truly understanding how to solve the questions. It's all about your gaining various approaches to answering questions that are commonly asked on the GMAT. Once you know this, you'll start to see a difference. 5th Attempt And the fat lady sang! A 680!By this point, I had decreased the number of study hours studying to 15 a week and had hired a tutor with whom I was meeting once a week. It definitely paid off as I started to see a huge difference in my study habits and diagnostic scores on certain online exams. All along, what I really needed was someone to guide me through various questions in a way that was easy for me to understand. Right from the get go, the tutor understood where I faltered and made sure that I COMPLETELY understood WHY I was getting certain answers wrong. We focused on questions that I guessed on and answers that I answered incorrectly. I was able to see, for instance, that I was spending way too much time trying to answer difficult questions, when in reality, I should have been trying to answer the question and then making an educated guess if I could not answer it in time. I also learned various patterns in questions that were frequently asked - both the verbal and quant sections. My tutor also showed me various techniques and strategies for answering questions quickly when I was on a time crunch. I learned new concepts that I had not picked up in prior prep courses. There are so many ways to solve those math questions, and they're endless ways to interpret a passage; my tutor made sure I understood what the question was really asking. I was also staying away from those emotionally charged answers that got me every time. Lesson learned? The details go beyond this. What I learned most about my tutoring experience was that she understood my way of thinking. We went over my exam history and how my weaknesses lied in the verbal section. Although we spent time on the quant section, we spent more time looking at critical reasoning and reading comprehension. Together, we built strategies and tactics for dealing with the harder questions. I could not have done any of this without a tutor. And had I known this would have been the result when I first started studying for the GMAT, I would have gladly reallocated my funds to hiring a tutor. So before you invest, think about your study habits and learning style. This will help you out tremendously as you venture on a quest to get a high GMAT score. Believe me, a higher GMAT score is definitely possible. A 260 point gain doesn't come out of thin air. It happens when you put in the hard work. It will also depend on how much time you spend doing high-quality studying. There's definitely a psychology to this whole process but if you have dreams, don't let the GMAT get in the way. Knock it down. What about you? Do you have any successes? Have you used a tutor? Your comments are welcome! Please visit our GMAT tutoring page to learn more about how MyGuru and our highly qualified tutors can help you get your best possible score in the most efficient way possible! This was a Guest Post byOscar Pedroso, Founder of MBA Writers Block Here's a bit about Oscar and MBA Writers Block: In October 2011, MBAwritersblock.com was born as a way for me to share my experience of applying to business school. I spentthree yearsand almost$11,000applying to seven top MBA programs. I believe no one should ever have to spend that much money to pursue an education in business. So my first goal is to show you, that with hard work and perseverance, you can tackle the business school writing process by learning how to write powerful essays. My second goal is to turn MBAwritersblock.com into a powerful resource for young professionals applying to business school, online and off, so they can apply intelligently and inexpensively.

Irvine Physics Tutor Tip What is a Newton Weight vs Mass

Irvine Physics Tutor Tip What is a Newton Weight vs Mass Irvine Physics Tutor Tip: What is a Newton? Weight vs. Mass Irvine Physics Tutor Tip: What is a Newton? Weight vs. Mass A common problem for physics students is conceptualizing new types of measures and what they represent.   It’s easy enough to understand meters an,d seconds; we’re used to these concepts of distance (even if it isn’t usually in meters) and time.   Other units, however, aren’t as commonplace in our everyday lives and are harder to understand.   As a tutor and physics teacher, I’ve found that students having a strong understanding of units and being able to trace and connect different units helps them dramatically in both their physics understanding and their physics grades (book your private Irvine physics tutor today). Here, we will be discussing one of the main culprits in physics confusion that is introduced very early in an introductory physics class: the Newton. You are likely familiar with the concept of weight in everyday life. Things have different weights, and we measure them in pounds, ounces, and sometimes tons.   You’ve likely also heard metric system units of weight: notably grams, milligrams, and kilograms. But in physics, this gets more confusing.   Pounds are rarely or never used. Kilograms are still used, but they are a unit for “mass” rather than weight.   Instead, the “newton” is introduced as the new unit of weight.   So, in real life, we use kilograms to describe weight, but really, they’re for mass?   What is a newton and how is it different? Our answer is in a fundamental physics equation that you will need to quickly commit to memory to succeed in physics: F=ma. This is called Newton’s second law. Knowing the equations is the key to understanding new units and what they measure.   This equation is defining “force.”   Force is the measure that is describing what we call weight in physics.   Mass is an intrinsic quality of matter.   If we multiply that mass by an acceleration, we get the force. The reason we often equate these two in everyday life is that the acceleration of gravity is always the same for us on Earth.   Specifically, the acceleration is around 9.8 meters per seconds, squared (m/s2).   So, if we know the mass of an object, we can always multiply by 9.8 to get force it exerts downward or its “weight.”   Because of this, mass and weight have become synonymous when talking about the force that objects exert downward since we are almost always talking about objects on Earth and at a typical altitude. A way to understand this new unit of force is to break it up into its fundamental components.   We can do this by replacing our equation for force above with the units for each variable: force is measured with Newtons, mass with kilograms, and acceleration in meters per second2. Using this unit definition can help you check answers during a test.   If your final answer is a force, then the units you end with should be: Similarly, if you get an answer with those units but didn’t know what is, now you know that it is representing force. Knowing your units is an important tool in physics to check answers and aid in understanding new concepts and new measures.   Every time you learn a new unit, you should be asking yourself what it is measuring and how it is defined with the more fundamental units. Our experienced Irvine physics tutors are here to help you succeed in your physics class. Call us today to book your tutor! Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. All blog entries, except for 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.

Building a stronger international school community

Building a stronger international school community As we discussed in last week’s blog on assessing your school’s sense of community by surveying your teachers and students for their opinions, principals and school administrators should be prepared to receive some negative feedback. Perhaps it’s a symptom of soliciting opinions, but it’s hard to poll a group without receiving some mixed feedback. That being said, don’t be discouraged. You can use this negative feedback as well as the constructive feedback to build upon your international school’s sense of community. By nature, international schools already may feel fragmented - there are often students and teachers of various cultural backgrounds in attendance, and an international school is distinctly different from local public schools. We’ve included some tips below for establishing and strengthening your school community that shouldn’t take too much administrative effort. Communicate frequently your school’s values - if everyone within a school community understands what values are important, they will become part of the everyday conversations. When students are encouraged to rally around one another and support one another, it’s easier for them to see the value in being more compassionate with one another and building a classroom community. Partner with the community - In order to create a real sense of community or to ensure that your school becomes part of a larger community, it’s important to offer your students and staff a chance to see the community-at-large. If possible, seek opportunities to open your school up to the community or to do activities that will benefit the community (arts events, fundraising, plan day trips to museums, etc). It’s important to show teachers and students that their school is part of a bigger community. Make the classroom a democratic place - when students feel as though they have a say in their classroom activities, it makes them feel that much more engaged in the day to day and in a sense of community. One way to make the classroom a democratic place is to suggest to each of your teachers that they take the time to draft a Classroom Contract at the beginning of the year that everyone will be responsible for upholding. The contract can then be posted in a visible place and reviewed frequently. Then, both students and teachers can feel responsible for making the classroom the best that it can be. Once the contract has been drafted, teachers can then check in to ensure it is being met through class meetings. These meetings can help students and teachers to set classroom norms, goals, and take time to problem solve. They also help to build peer relationships. Using the feedback that you receive from teachers and students to adapt school practices to build a stronger community should become an important focus at any school. It aids in academic achievement and in creating a space where teachers and students feel safe and encouraged to thrive.

4 Convenient Ways to Keep a Language Learning Log

4 Convenient Ways to Keep a Language Learning Log 4 Convenient Ways to Keep a Language Learning Log Studying a new language? You could learn a thing or two from Harriet.  Whos Harriet?Shes the titular character in “Harriet the Spy,” an award-winning kid’s book written by Louise Fitzhugh. The book was published in the sixties, made into a movie thirty years later and still has a strong following. Why? Because Harriet is a kid “spy” who aspires to be a writer.What does this have to do with language learning? Well, Harriet fastidiously kept a secret log about everythingâ€"and I mean everything!Harriet’s log book went everywhere she went. In it, she noted all the important stuff andâ€"here’s how we can learn from the kid spyâ€"she remembered it all. Really, all of it.Logging is a great way to note and remember important facts, ideas and thoughts.Logging  consistently worked for Harriet. It can work for language learners, too!Let’s check out why logs work and learn how to compile one that’ll give your language program a boost! What Are Language Logs and Why Are They Useful for Language Learners?A language log is an abbreviated version of a standard diary or journal. It’s  a record of your language-learning journey.Language logs are used to track progress. As milestones are reachedâ€"moving from basic learner to intermediate, for exampleâ€"theyre noted in the log. It’s a snap to see where you’ve been and how far you’ve come if you keep a good record!Logs are also used to keep track of what materials you’re currently studying as well as what you’ve completed. Some reasons to keep a language log include:It keeps you on track.  Sometimes it feels like youre spending less time studying than you actually are, and if that’s the case, your log will show it immediately. Also, you may want to devote a certain amount of time to different resources: videos, reading, vocabulary, etc. Logging allows you to count and allocate that sort of time, as well.It helps set goals.  You can see where you are and make your way to where you want to be!It se nds a message to your brain.  Studies suggest that writing something down tells the brain we’ve actually done that thing. Kind of like crossing it off our mental checklist! It’s pretty interesting if we consider that when were logging our learning, the brain assumes logged material is “done”â€"or learned.It makes you feel good. Another study shows that learners who keep logs feel positively impacted by the experience. And learning a language  should be a positive experience!It helps you remember things better. Logging your studies increases the probability that what youve learned will be remembered! A total win-win as far as our brains are concerned.A language log is portable, customizable and personal. Whichever method you adoptâ€"paper or screenâ€"is entirely your call because both are beneficial to a language learning program.If you’d like to take a peek at other language learners’ logsâ€"for inspiration or just out of curiosityâ€"A Language Learner’s Forum is a gre at spot to do that. There are logs written by learners about countless languages.What to Include in Your Language LogFirst, decide what’s important. We all have different language learning goals: Some want to be fluent while others strive to acquire a massive vocabulary. It’s your choice what to include in your log but try to focus on the items that are most vital to your personal program.When you fill in your work in the log, jot down how long you studied or even some impressions about the activity you worked on. Was it easy? Do you need to find the next level study guide? Or maybe you struggled with the vocabulary. The log is the spot to keep track of these issues.Try to be consistent.Get into the habit of keeping your language log. Note your work daily so you don’t fall behind.You can use your learning log to record vocabulary lists or keep track of exercises youve done or videos youve watched. Use it in conjunction with  FluentUs language learning program and youll expand your language skills even more.  FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.  Whether you record how long you spent studying or how many videos you watched, adding FluentU to your daily language learning regimen is a step towards fluency!How to Organize Your Language LogHow you organize your log is equally important and should also be personal to you. There are two common ways to organize a language log, but you can do whatever works for you!Divide and conquer.Many learners divide their logs into sections. Splitting things up makes it easier to see what you’re doing with any particular facet of the program. Coursework, vocabulary, reading, pronunciation and cultural events are common headings for this type of log.Chronological order.Alternatively, section your language log by days of the week. Log specific work on particular daysâ€"say, Monday, Wednesday and Friday for v ocabulary and reading; Tuesday and Thursday for coursework and writing; weekends for cultural events.This style is my personal choice for keeping a language log. I know that if it’s Monday, I’m going heavy on vocabulary and reading. Simple, but effective.4 Convenient Ways to Keep a Language Learning LogNow that you’ve decided what to include in you language learning log, you have one more decision to make.Digital? Or paper? Both methods have value and work equally well. Its just a matter of personal taste, so choose whatever appeals more to you.Technophiles, well begin with three digital methods, then move on to the paper option.1. Plug n Play with Pre-Made Log TemplatesA pre-made log template makes organizing your log a breeze.Seesaw  (iOS, Android) is a digital portfolio app  that’s used in classrooms for communication between students, teachers and parents but it can work for solo learners as well.Use it to add folders for skills, track progress, share progress if you’r e working with a language partner, voice record (helpful for logging progress!) and more.Google apps offers another option that makes it easy to create your own log. Simply download the template, customize it (keeping your personal program and goals in mind) and you’re ready to begin logging.2. Graph It with an Excel SpreadsheetExcel spreadsheets are great for keeping track of just about anything and that includes language learning. The good thing is that many of us are familiar with them and might have used some in the workplace. Even if youre unfamiliar with spreadsheets, creating one is an uncomplicated task.To build a spreadsheet, launch Excel or create a new sheet in Google Drive. The grid will show on your screenâ€"don’t be overwhelmed! Just fill in the top cells according to what your program goals are (vocabulary, reading, writing and all the rest). Then determine when you’ll accomplish those items and assign cells down the left side of the page as time markers (a mont hly grid works well so numbering the vertical cells from 1-30 is a quick method).Tekhnologic has a great downloadable spreadsheet thats perfect for building a huge vocabulary list.If you’re studying more than one language, you can make one sheet for several languages. Additionally, you could make several sheets to track various facets (activity or length of time studied).3. Tell the World with a BlogLots of learners are going public with their language journey by keeping blogs.Turn your log into a blog and share your experiences with others!Blogs are updated regularly, which is consistent with the idea of a language log. Also, they’re generally written in a conversational tone, so sharing with other language learners can almost become a social event!Allow comments on your blog and you can also  enjoy chatting with other learners. Who knows? While you’re busy logging your learning you might inspire someone else to do the same thing. Or you could trade tips with others and learn some new ways to increase your program’s productivity.The Polyglot Dream and 5-Minute Language are two of my favorite language learning blogs to read!4. Go Retro with PaperIf you’re down with a no-fuss, low-investment option, grab a notebook and pen. It worked for Harriet the Spy and it works for language learners, too!There are even  notebooks made specifically for this endeavorâ€"but of course, you can use whatever paper you prefer.Honestly, this is my method of choice. It’s uncomplicated, takes only a few minutes each day to update and gives me an at-a-glance method to see what I’ve done and what I need to work on.Head the first page with the current month, add the date and log in your language work for that day. If you want to get fancy, use different colored pens to separate vocabulary time from reading time, for exampleâ€"but honestly, that’s not even necessary.Wondering what a paper language learning log looks like? Take a peek at this one written by Stefanie Zweig for some super ideas! Also, Lemonade, Languages, and Occasionally Cabbages has an interesting blog post on keeping a paper language log.As I said, Harriet did the job with a notebook and pencil. It works!Tracking your learning progress is beneficial for many reasons from goal setting to monitoring fluency, but let’s face itâ€"keeping a log keeps us honest. When we’re accountable for entering our hours and activities it’s less tempting to skip them.Harriet’s log was a witness to the activity in her neighborhood.Our language logs are witnesses to our language acquisition.We’re lucky, though. Unlike Harriet, we don’t need to crawl through shrubbery or hang out of trees. We know where we’re goingâ€"and our logs tell that story.Log your way to fluency, one entry at a time! And One More ThingIf youve read this far, youre obviously serious about tracking your language learning progressâ€"you can get started on this with FluentU today. FluentU makes it possible to learn lan guages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.