On Living in France and Learning French

On Living in France and Learning French Living in France and Learning French: How You Can Achieve You Francophone Ambitions ChaptersBenefits of Living in FranceLearn French by Moving to FranceTen French Phrases You Must KnowTop Five Cities for Study in FranceWe have to thank our King Henry V for instituting the passport system as we know it.He meant for such documents to permit his subjects identity and safe passage as they traveled through foreign lands and, more importantly, guarantee  re entry  into England after their sojourn abroad.Passports were not required to gain access to foreign territory until after WWI, from  which time those documents became the ultimate travel and status accessory.Before that time it was quite common for Britons to holiday in France â€" take in the social scene, or even seek higher education in the superior schools in Paris: the Pasteur Institute, for example, or the Curie Institute.Times really haven't changed that much in the intervening century, have they?We are all still so keen to explore all of France â€" from the hills of Normandy to the sunny shores of Biarritz. Som e of us even dream of owning a chalet in the Alps.And French wine! The numbers reveal that we are turning more and more to sipping â€" maybe not the expensive labels, but the competitively-priced wines from the Loire region, rather than Aussie wines.And, of course, there is French food. The gastronomy of France is without compare! The cheeses, the breads; the Michelin sauces...Why only partake of such extravagance on holiday? Why not just make the move to France and enjoy the French way of life anytime you want?France has long been artistic and cultural capital of the world Source: Pixabay Credit: Artsy-Beeregions of France have their variations, but the further south you go, the more balanced the weather, and the fewer severe weather events you will have to endure.Surely there are greater benefits to living in France than moderate weather, aren't there?Of course! Let us talk about them now.Finding a Home in FranceAs a British expatriate, you may find it surprisingly easy to secure suitable and affordable accommodations in France.Of course, you must first determine whether you would want to rent or buy a property.Renting a residence may be advisable at the outset, even though that might mean a later move to your permanent domicile.Still, Britons can and do shop the French property market, especially after discovering that owning property in France is much easier than initially thought!In the spirit of cooperation, our own government website provides a page with guidelines on how to conduct real estate transactions in France with minimal fanfare.Your family and work situations matter a great deal when considering your move to France.If married, your spouse should be onboard with the ideaIf you have school-aged children, you must consider their educationwhether you would enroll them in a French school or an international school could be a subject of further discussionIf unattached, you may have to consider your relatives, especially your parentsWho would be left to care for them after you've moved away?What will you do for money?That last question is quite often a detractor to the grand idea of broadening one's cultural and linguistic horizons by living abroad.Unless you are independently wealthy, you must earn your wages. How to do that in a country where, perhaps, you can't read the billboards?Working in FranceIf you are hoping to start a business, you couldn't have chosen a better country to move to.Ernst Young reports that France is one of the cheaper, less complicated countries among the greater G20 to start a new enterprise in.Naturally, you would have to be in possession of valid credentials, such as residency and work permits.You should also be aware that the French government is very meticulous in documenting every professional's training, from the freelance photographer to lecturers at universities.Thus we recommend that, before you make your international move, you should be sure that your diplomas are acceptable.If you wanted t o wait a few years to start your business â€" or never had it in mind to start a business, finding a job would be the order of the day.Perhaps the best aspect of working in France is its fabled 35-hour work week, coupled with generous leisure time.Fabled because, these days, that standard is not necessarily true: many an expat reports disillusionment at being tasked to more work hours than that minimum!If you are relocating in retirement, you need not fret over employment in France â€" lucky you! Your only concern would be learning how to speak French.Learn French by Moving to FranceMoving abroad to learn a language seems a bit like putting the cart in front of the horse. After all, shouldn't you have some measure of language competency before going overseas?Here we make the distinction between tourist French, language skills learned in a classroom, and the everyday language spoken by French people - three very separate propositions!The language of Molière spoken by native speakers is the level at which you aspire to communicate in. No more la fille and le garçon; enough with verb tenses and conjugation: you are ready to aim high and reach your goal! The best way to become fluent in French is to immerse yourself into the language and culture of France.The best way to do that is relocation to a French speaking country.Barring any status of independent wealth, there are several ways to engineer such a move that will ensure your language learning.If you are lucky to have the means, you can move to another country without worrying about how you will support yourself!As discussed above, you could start a business in France, making full use of the provisions and guarantees put in place for such entrepreneurs. Otherwise, you can...Move to France for StudyIf pursuing higher education in France, you should be aware of the language requirements: you may be compelled to sit the DELF, France's language competency exam. On the other hand, it is entirely possible to earn your university degree in France without speaking even passable French, but you would have to stick to the major cities, such as Paris,  Marseilles or Montpellier. Warning: doing so would be contrary to the whole point of moving to France to learn the language!If you want to live in France but higher education is not on your radar, you could always take other courses, such as cooking or art.And, of course, French language classes!Institut Linguistique Adenet, in Montpellier, offers just such a programme.You can choose to attend either their standard French course, or participate in an intensive learning experience.No matter which option you select, in groups of no more than 10, your language teacher would drill on grammar and vocabulary particulars, placing special emphasis on pronunciation through frequent oral exercises.The focus is more on communication than reading and writing in French. Grammar skills are reinforced through language usage rather than rote repetition or lessons devoted to the topic.If a five-month internship in the south of France sounds like a dream come true, this might be the French immersion learning environment for you!Besides studying verb tenses and and learning amusing French phrases, you will have ample time to socialise and sightsee.This outfit routinely coordinates outings and activities â€" from prowling around town to wine tastings, as well as cultural events.In short, you will have plenty of opportunity to make new friends to practice speaking French with.Volunteering in France in exchange for room and board is a fantastic way to get off the beaten path! Source: Pixabay Credit: Carla BorellaFind Volunteering Opportunities in FranceWe concede that not everyone with a yen for travel has the means to do so. Nor can everyone who wants to learn a new language invest the time and money that learning the language demands.Lastly:  not everyone craves a first class travel experience!The best way to experience a culture is to get off t he beaten path.It is that spirit of adventure that may interest you in a homestay experience, anywhere in France that suits your fancy!Especially today, when so many people would rather spend their money on experiences rather than possessions, sites like HelpX are playing a crucial role in matching those hoping to learn about life in other countries with people who need temporary help. As the site's name indicates, you will be given a place to live and food in exchange for a bit of work â€" be it teaching English to household members or helping out with animals on a farm.Bear in mind that this is not a permanent arrangement!You wouldn't be staying in any given location for more than a couple of months, at most, before moving on. This is one of the best aspects of such an engagement!You could then travel to another region in France â€" Brittany or Dordogne, and experience life there. And then... who knows?You may decide to experience life in Switzerland or Belgium, or any other Frenc h speaking country!After you've had your fill of traveling, gaining proficiency in French all the while, you will be ready to sit the DELF in your preferred city, find a flat and settle into your new French life.Find out more about learning French in France.Should you declare yourself such a vagabond, there are some must-know phrases that will serve you well in France.Before I went to France the first time, I turned to Superprof for my French courses London...Ten French Phrases You Must KnowThe French language is exceedingly formal â€" overburdened with formality, some might say.That claim does not necessarily hold water when you consider that English speaking populations also have rules for what is considered proper language in certain company.For example, it would not be good etiquette to use slang phrases  in  a job interview. Nor is it considered suitable to address your elders by their given names, unless they give you license to.You are no doubt well familiar with such rules i n your home country but, moving overseas â€" or even just travelling exposes you to a minefield of conversational faux pas if you are not familiar with the culture.With due understanding that, from one generation to the next, popular vernacular evolves, let us unveil ten French phrases suitable for verbal exchange between people of any age group.Bonjour and BonsoirYou may already know these words of greeting and farewell, but they do bear mentioning, especially in contrast to Salut!Salut is a dual-usage word of the same meaning that is suitable only among good friends, or people of the same age.Any time you walk into a shop or meet someone familiar, chiming bonjour is considered proper form.Upon parting in the evening, it is never OK to say bonne nuit â€" even though it means good night.Bonsoir is much more comme il faut.Merci, De rien, and Je Vous en PrieThe first word is most likely well known; perhaps you even use it on occasion.The second literally translates to of nothing, but is closer in meaning to it was nothing, or think nothing of it.The last phrase can have several meanings:I urge you to â€" your boss may be acceding your request to speakI beg of you â€" please, don't mention itI beseech you â€" the ultimately formal way to ask for somethingYou're Welcome  - a more formal way to say de rienBy all means â€" perhaps you would try on a dress in a shopIn the same spirit of asking a favour of someone, you might hear...This Floriste may answer your queries with Mais Oui, Bien Sûr! Source: Pixabay Credit: Nastya_gueppMais Oui, Bien Sûr! The first part means but yes!; the second is of course!. Used together, they render emphasis to the request at hand. Going back to trying clothing on in a shop: you would likely hear that exclamation from the accommodating shop keeper.You may also hear certainement, Madame!, or Monsieur, as the case may be.If you are of a younger generation, you may need to get familiar with d'ac!, short for d'accord! - meaning OK.NOTE: b ecause the French guard their linguistic heritage with such a fervor as to ban foreign word import by law, you should try to avoid saying that Americanism.Or, if you must use it, please do so in conjunction with with the easily memorisable d'ac, like so: OK, d'ac!.Excusez-moi, Pardonnez-moi; Desolé(e)Just as in English, you would preface a question in French with excuse me or pardon me.If you are more tentative in your use of France's official language, you might ask: Excusez-moi, parlez vous anglais? - do you speak English?, or you could ask where something is: the bus stop, the bank; even the loo!You can also use pardonnez-moi to apologise for a slight, such as bumping into someone or stepping on their toes on the bus.Desolé (or desolée, if you are female) is reserved for more serious offences; those for which you are gravely sorry. Should you accidentally knock someone's café au lait out of their hand, or even if you trip the waiter carrying a tray of yummy beverages, pardon simply won't do. Desolé, said with proper gravitas, is the word of the moment.Ce n'est Pas Grave; Pas de ProblèmeIt's not serious, or no problem would most likely be the response to any admission of fault on your part.Should you accidentally trample someone or jostle them on the bus, they may say ce n'est pas grave â€" it's not serious.You may also hear it's not serious â€" loosely translated as it's OK, on a playground: a parent consoling a tearful child.Pas de problème would be the likely response if you called someone to inform them you are running late for an appointment, or maybe if you don't have any small bills to buy your baguette at the boulangerie. Except where indicated, none of these words or phrases are age-specific; that is to say that anyone, of any age group might use them.For an expanded lexicon of must-know words and phrases, you can check out this page.One interesting aspect about France is that, although the country is divided into 12 regions â€" down from the historic 22; there are a few regional dialects.Everyone in France speaks Metropolitan French, as the official language is known.Compare that to our British English, with nearly 30 regional dialects!Now that you know pretty much everyone in France speaks the same language, there is no need to worry whether you are learning the right French for the region you want to start your new life in.Or the city you think about studying in...Do you want to graduate from a French University? Source: Pixabay Credit: StockSnapTop Five Cities for Study in FranceWe mentioned at the start of this article that, one hundred years ago, studying abroad was a mark of distinction for British citizenry.We also said that things hadn't really changed all that much.This report proves that, whenever possible, eager minds from the UK endeavour themselves to obtain education abroad, citing non-Anglophone countries as their preferred destinations.France is listed as one of the top destinations for UK university st udents seeking an international learning experience.That being the case, where  are all of these students going to study in France?1. Grenoble is ranked by international students as the city that has it all: culture and quality of life, as well as excellence in education and job placement for new graduates.It doesn't hurt that Grenoble is one of a handful of cities that hosts the European Institute of Innovation and Technology!2. Montpellier's sunny clime and  proximity to the Mediterranean virtually guarantee fun times and happy living.One reason that foreign students select this learning facility â€" besides its stunning architecture, is its reputation for excellence as one of the oldest universities in the world.3. Nantes is a relatively small town just outside of Brittany; famous for its diversity in education.Furthermore, Audencia â€" one of the campuses of this institute, was ranked by The Economist as the world's best Management school. 4. Aix-Marseilles University is  famous for grooming soon-to-be graduates for job placement after graduation.We note here that that 2012 saw a general overhaul in the French education system that led to unis all over the country merging individual schools into mega-campuses.The end effect is that Marseilles became the largest university in the French-speaking world, with the largest budget.5. University of BordeauxThis city in the southwest, already so famous for her wines, also lays claim to some of the best higher education facilities in the country!Students love Bordeaux because of the welcome they are treated to at the start of each academic year.Would you like to be present for their orientation event, called Grande Festival de Rentrée, in September?Mind you, we didn't pull these cities out of thin air, or based on our personal preference.Foreign students themselves responded to this French universities poll, wherein they divulged their preferences and the reasons why France is a great country to learn in!Yes, Fran ce is a great country to study in, to live in... it is even a great second home for retirees!There are just a few aspects to take care of before settling in your new country...Trip Notes: FranceEnjoying a holiday in another country is vastly different from settling in that country and making it your home.Uprooting yourself and, if so equipped, your family â€" one that perhaps includes small children and/or elderly members, makes for staggering logistics.There are so many aspects to consider!Perhaps the most prevalent question would be: will you move permanently, or return back home at some point further on?Other things to do before you relocate:Check Numbeo for the cost of living in various French cities as compared to your current locationLook into buying propertyInvestigate banking regulations and taxes, as well as social chargesBe sure to buy expat health insuranceEnsure you are properly degreed to work or study in FranceFight against culture shock: join a community of British ex pats onlineTaking these steps will ensure that your immigration will go off without a hitch.Bonne Chance!

7 Promotion Strategies That Work

Introvert Whisperer / 7 Promotion Strategies That Work 7 Promotion Strategies That Work Want answers on what it takes to get promoted? Take this short 4-minute assessment to gain  insights about YOU. You’ll immediately receive your results and guidance on powerful next steps. Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Preparing for the Redesigned SAT

Preparing for the Redesigned SAT Preparing for the Redesigned SAT In March of 2014, College Board officials announced plans to significantly alter the format and content of the SAT, one of the most widely taken college entrance exams in the nation. The reason? According to College Board, the Redesigned SAT will focus less on tricks and strategies and more on the work students see in high school. The changes will be a better assessment of the academic skills needed for college readiness. The Redesigned SAT will be administered for the first time in March 2016, so for students planning to take the SAT in 2016 or later, knowing about the changes to the test can help them to be better prepared. A Few Key Changes to the Redesigned SAT Time and Layout The current SAT takes 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete, but the Redesigned SAT will be 3 hours in length. One reason for this time difference is that the Essay will no longer be required on the Redesigned SAT. Students who choose to take the optional essay will receive an additional 50 minutes, resulting in the overall test length of 3 hours and 50 minutes. Before deciding whether or not to complete the essay, it is in a students best interest to research admissions requirements for their college choices, since college requirements will vary. The Redesigned SAT will have fewer sections than the current SAT. The current SAT has 10 sections (3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing, and 1 experimental). The Redesigned SAT will have only 4 sections (Reading, Writing and Language, Math (calculator allowed), and Math (no calculator allowed). Even though there will be fewer sections, this does not mean the test will be easier. This new format will challenge students to manage their time carefully to ensure they complete numerous questions within lengthy sections in the allotted time. Scoring -Changing the rules The rules of scoring are changing significantly on the Redesigned SAT, and these changes can strongly influence a students test-taking strategy. On the current SAT, students gain points for correct answers, but there is a penalty for incorrect answers (1/4 point lost for each wrong answer). Students neither gain nor lose points if an answer is left blank. The Redesigned SAT will offer a more straight-forward scoring approach, allowing students to gain points for correct answers, but not penalizing students for incorrect responses. So how does this influence a students test-taking strategy? On the current SAT, students avoid lowering their score by omitting answers if they are less than certain their answer is right. With no fear of penalty on the Redesigned SAT, students should answer every question. Scoring-Setting goals The more questions that a student gets correct, the higher their score will be. 1600 is the new 2400, and by that we mean that the highest possible score on the Redesigned SAT will be a 1600 instead of the highest possible score on the current SAT which is a 2400. These changes are occurring as a result of the change in test format and sections. Students need to understand scoring potential on the test in order to set goals for themselves when testing. Content and Area of Focus The College Board created the Redesigned SAT to develop a more accurate assessment of the academic skills needed in our fast-paced, highly challenging educational system. The Redesigned SAT will more closely resemble the work encountered in the classroom. The Reading section will test the ability to develop a strong understanding of passages. The Writing and Language section will challenge students to identify correct grammar and usage while determining if passages are developed properly. Math skills will be tested with a calculator and without a calculator, assessing skills in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and problem solving and data analysis questions. Another change coming will be the addition of questions related to history/social studies and science. Students will find these types of questions in each section of the Redesigned SAT. A students performance on these types of questions can help high schools and colleges determine which courses the student is best suited for. Preparation is Key Understanding how the test is changing is a good place to start. To learn more about the Redesigned SAT, click here. The next step is to work with an SAT expert who can offer guidance and test-taking strategies specific to your needs. By working with an SAT expert, students can ensure they are fully prepared on test day. At Huntington, whether you are preparing for the current SAT or the Redesigned SAT, we can help. To learn more about our prep programs, click here, or call us at 1 800 CAN LEARN to speak with an educational consultant.

How a College Mindset Will Make You a Better College Candidate

How a College Mindset Will Make You a Better College Candidate ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog Many high-schoolers picture big lecture halls and pulling all-nighters with a pile of books in the library when the term college academics comes up. The fact of the matter is that few high schoolers have any idea what to expect from college, and end up pretty shocked for most of the first semester. In college, the keys to success are independence and flexibility. This is way different than high school, which values habits like showing up on time every day, staying quiet during class, and completing homework on time. These aspects of high school education prepare you for college to some extent, but education is a very different experience once the training wheels come off. If you can work on becoming a more independent and flexible student in high school, you’ll not just prepare yourself for the style of work demanded by college, but you’ll start doing better in class and on tests as well. That can end up making a big difference on the quality of your college application and demonstrate to the school of your dreams that you’re not just a bright person, but really prepared for the ways that a great school will challenge you. How to Be a More Independent High Schooler Inevitably, there will be classes that you struggle with in college. Everyone struggles in a class at some point, and sometimes there are classes where everyone struggles because the department is trying to separate the wheat from the chaff. Successful college students don’t just grin and bear it, but take advantage of their professors’ and TAs’ office hours. When you go in and talk to these people, they’ll often lend you valuable insight on how essays are graded or what kinds of questions will appear on an exam. Taking that kind of ownership over your own academics will help you a lot in high school too. Make time before or after school, or even during lunch, to go talk to your chemistry teacher about the upcoming test. If you’re really struggling putting together close-reading analysis in English class, go to your English teacher with questions about the last essay you wrote. Yes, these habits will help you improve your grades. But there’s another benefit too. Making some time outside of class to get help from your teachers will help you build real relationships with them. Those relationships can be invaluable when it comes time to get some great letters of recommendation to attach to your college apps. Schools will love to hear that you’re the type of student who asks for help, because it means you’re the type of student who is devoted to great academic performance. The Value of Flexibility in High School We’ve talked on this blog before about the growth mindset. It’s an approach to learning where you say “I can improve at this thing I find difficult” instead of “I’m just not good at this thing!” Once again, you’ll encounter a lot of new subjects and ideas in college, and you sure won’t pass a class if you resign yourself to not getting it. Developing a growth mindset â€" that a class may be hard but you will figure it out â€" is essential for getting good grades and, even better, developing new passions. That philosophy class you take might seem impossible the first few weeks, but it could end up being an introduction to your major. Learning how to confront difficult material in high school is essential for one crucial component of your college app: standardized tests. The vast majority of your classmates find the SAT or ACT difficult in one way or another. The point of these tests is to be boring and difficult! Doing well on these exams doesn’t really mean you’re a genius, it means you’re good at taking these tests. The reason that colleges value, for example, the SAT is because someone who gets an amazing SAT score probably put a lot of work into improving at it. So if you took the PSAT and got a disappointing Math score, don’t just look at that and say “Oh no, my Math score is going to keep me from getting into a good school!” Put the time into reviewing the contentthat you don’t remember as well and taking practice tests to track your improvement. That growth mindset that is going to make you a great college student will also make you a great college candidate. About the Author Mike S. is one of our most experienced test prep tutors. For more information on our SAT prep packages, click here.

On Sex Scandals and Gender

On Sex Scandals and Gender Anthony Wiener, the former Congressman running for Mayor of New York. photo credit: AP I thought so. It seems like sex scandals and politics are synonymous. Historically speaking, one thinks of JFK. He was one of the most iconic Presidents to ever live, admired for his short but impressive political tenure. He is also remembered for his romp with a famous blonde. The 1990‘s in the U.S. brought forth the internet, cell phones, and both the President and the Speaker of the House being embroiled in sex scandals. The internet and political sex scandals have become fast friends. In recent years alone, multiple members of Congress resigned after allegations of lewd conduct (some of which was through the internet), and it turns out that even the head of the CIA cannot get away with having an affair. There has been a governor-love-child scandal, a governor-prostitution-scandal, and a Republican presidential candidate brought down amidst allegations of sexual harassment. It seems, though, that we may have turned a corner when it comes to political sex scandals. Forgiveness and a return to public life may be possible for those who were previously involved in scandals, at least in New York. Currently, both Anthony Weiner and Elliot Spitzer have made serious bids to be the Mayor and city Comptroller, respectively. In recent polls, it seems that the two men stand a very good chance to be elected. I find political sex scandals fascinating, in that they seem to be a boys‘ club. I can think of no female politicians who have had sex scandals affect their careers. When I think about women whose careers have been affected by scandals of a sexual nature, I think of pageant queens and teachers.   Vanessa Williams, the first black Miss America, who resigned in the wake of a nude photo scandal. photo credit: people.com It’s interesting, because the nature of the scandals are different. The scandals of many male politicians tend to be predatory in nature (sexual harassment, solicitation, etc.). Female scandals tend to be brought on by people sharing explicit materials without the women’s permission (sex tapes, nude photos, etc). I’m speaking very generally, of course, but it’s a good testament to how our society works. Pillars of sexism like the assumption of access to women’s bodies and third parties commandeering women’s bodies for financial gain make it unsurprising that no female politicians of note have behaved in a way that would lead to a sex scandal, or at least they have not been caught. That brings a kind of relief, because the repercussions they would face might be far worse than male politicians. Krystal Ball, a commentator for MSNBC once suffered a scandal of her own when racy photos of her were leaked while she ran for congress unsuccessfully. She penned a piece for the Huf fington Post addressing the issue, stating that sometimes the sex lives of women leak into the public sphere. She calls on people to abandon the idea that female sexuality and professional aptitude are mutually exclusive. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Recently I attended a conference in New York City, the aim of which was to empower and motivate young women. One of the panels that I attended was about social media, and the women featured on the panel discussed what to put on the internet and what not to put on the internet. Such phrases as “it’s a different set of standards for girls,” came out of their mouths, with one blogging professional saying that she wouldn’t hire young women whose online personas she deemed unsuitable. It’s moments like those in my life that make me doubt that, if Anthony Wiener and Elliot Spitzer were women, they would be welcomed into New York City political races with open arms. Criminal, predatory, and hypocritical behavior aside, in a broad sense, sex and sexuality are really nothing to end a career over. Prince Charles, a new Grandfather, is an accomplished environmentalist and future King of England. Behind him are the days when his sexual phone conversations with his then-mistress Camilla Parker-Bowles became public. In some cases, people have taken sex scandals and built their careers off of them (here’s looking at you, Kim).   It really worries me that attitudes about sex are so utterly Victorian when it comes to public figures. I can honestly say that, were I a public figure, if anything explicit from my own personal life ever leaked into public, sure, I’d be embarrassed, but what would I really have to apologize about? Having a life? I think that forgiving Spitzer and Wiener is a step in the right direction. I don’t condone their actions, (some of which was criminal), but I do respect their admitting their mistakes and moving on with their liv es. I just hope that if the opportunity arises, people will extend that same courtesy to women.

Three Principles of Homework

Three Principles of Homework First Principle of Homework: You cannot force your child, he must want to do it. You cannot force your child to like homework. You cannot force your child to learn. You cannot force your child to read, to write, to draw and to multiply. Instead, your child must want to read, want to learn, want to do homework. Your child must developed a desire for want to do this. If you and your child get there then you hold the holy grail of homework in your hands. But how do you and you child get there? Concentrate on assisting her with positive emotions. Second  Principle of Homework: You child probably does not like to do homework. Kids do not naturally enjoy sitting and studying. They prefer to play, to watch TV, text their friends or play video games. The problem gets worse after your child has spent a long day at school which already consists of sitting around and studying. Understand that your child has  little  desire to do homework in the afternoon also. Third  Principle  of Homework: Your child’s brain must engage. To work on homework task your childs brain needs to engage.  New synaptic connections in your childs brain must form or be strengthened in order for the homework to be a success.  If you complete the homework for your child or he decides upon a short cut, the homework is pointless without any positive changes in your childs brain. Too many parents see homework as their own problem. So they create shout, scream and threaten, bribe, scold, create ultimatums or withhold privileges. These forceful methods have little positive lasting effects. Instead, concentrate on providing structure for homework, a system and regularity. And most importantly provide emotional support. In my next article I will provide seven  practical  examples of how to put the three principles of homework into action. Three Principles of Homework First Principle of Homework: You cannot force your child, he must want to do it. You cannot force your child to like homework. You cannot force your child to learn. You cannot force your child to read, to write, to draw and to multiply. Instead, your child must want to read, want to learn, want to do homework. Your child must developed a desire for want to do this. If you and your child get there then you hold the holy grail of homework in your hands. But how do you and you child get there? Concentrate on assisting her with positive emotions. Second  Principle of Homework: You child probably does not like to do homework. Kids do not naturally enjoy sitting and studying. They prefer to play, to watch TV, text their friends or play video games. The problem gets worse after your child has spent a long day at school which already consists of sitting around and studying. Understand that your child has  little  desire to do homework in the afternoon also. Third  Principle  of Homework: Your child’s brain must engage. To work on homework task your childs brain needs to engage.  New synaptic connections in your childs brain must form or be strengthened in order for the homework to be a success.  If you complete the homework for your child or he decides upon a short cut, the homework is pointless without any positive changes in your childs brain. Too many parents see homework as their own problem. So they create shout, scream and threaten, bribe, scold, create ultimatums or withhold privileges. These forceful methods have little positive lasting effects. Instead, concentrate on providing structure for homework, a system and regularity. And most importantly provide emotional support. In my next article I will provide seven  practical  examples of how to put the three principles of homework into action.

Passport to Teach - Its a Wrap!

Passport to Teach - Its a Wrap! Over the past month Passport to Teach has taken you around the world and shown the endless opportunities that await you at home and abroad. A big thank you to everyone who attended, we hope you enjoyed the past month and took away some valuable insights and information. With the help of our knowledgeable Teach Away Placement Coordinators and teachers around the world, we hosted some discussions and sessions to give you all you need to achieve your career goals. We know not everyone was able to join us every step of the way, so we’ve rounded up all the recorded content as well as the weekly location pages from the last month so you can catch up, review or recap. Passport to Teach | UAE We spent week one in the UAE and came to you live from Facebook with a quick intro to get you started with all things Teach Away. Facebook Live: 5 Tips to Help You Get Started on Your International Teaching Job Hunt Passport to Teach | Middle East Week two was a broader look at the Middle East and all this region has to offer. It’s a popular one among teachers heading abroad so be sure to read up on this area before you apply. Facebook Live: What do Recruiters Look at When They're Reviewing Your Profile? Passport to Teach | Asia Asia is a diverse area in more ways than one. For teachers it provides a wealth of opportunities, whether you’re a licensed professional educator or you hold a Bachelor's degree and want to teach English abroad, opportunity in Asia awaits. Webinar: Teach Away Application Process Passport to Teach | Online Learning We wrapped up the month exploring a teaching opportunity that is perfect for any teacher, any student, anywhere. We’ve also included a bonus fireside chat with three of our Teach Away Placement Coordinators. This really is one to listen to, we covered everything from applications, settling in abroad, the international classroomand much more. So what are you waiting for? Throw on your headphones and enjoy. Finally, don’t forget about your resume! We’ve also included three useful resume templates to help you sharpen up your resume and land the teaching job of your dreams in 2017! Teacher resume template 1 | Teacher resume template 2| Teacher Resume Template 3 More questions? Take a look around our blog for more helpful tips, tricks, advice and ideas.