How to Apply For UTSC Tutoring Jobs

How to Apply For UTSC Tutoring JobsUTSC Tutoring Jobs is very important for the students and the parents as it provides guidance to them. The valuable tutoring they get from these tutors are very helpful in improving their grades. When you are looking to find out which school offers tutoring jobs in the city, you have to go to the office of the university.As a student, you may want to know about the importance of choosing the right school for your studies. So, before you do anything else, you need to go to the college to find out the school that suits you and your family. Do not rush into decisions. Think things through properly and you will be able to select the right college for you.There are various colleges that offer tutoring jobs in the city. You have to choose among the top three and work with them. You can look at the schools on your own or with the help of an adviser. You can also use the internet to find out what other students think about the school. This will help you in making your decision.The staffs in the college are very helpful and there is no way that you should go for the school which does not offer good teaching. You should be sure about the instructors that you are hiring and look for references. You can take admission in any college that you like.There are various tips that you can follow in order to get a job in a college. A good school will give you all the necessary instructions regarding the contract and payment agreement. If the school you are going to take the case of loans, make sure that the money is taken directly from the lenders. Also, make sure that the loans are paid back on time.Another important tip is that you must get an orientation about the college. There are many people who have worked with colleges in the past and will help you. There are many websites that provide information about different schools.As a student, you should remember certain information regarding the college and also the tutoring jobs. You need to be careful while applying for a job. Make sure that you have all the necessary information.Your first step in applying for UTSC tutoring jobs is to go online and get the application form. You have to fill up this form and send it in for approval. If you think you are qualified for a particular job, you can also get the job.

Ultimate Guide How to Learn Multiple Languages to a High Level of Fluency

Ultimate Guide How to Learn Multiple Languages to a High Level of Fluency So you want to be a polyglot?Its not exceptionally difficult to learn how to ask for the bathroom or say I love you in 20 different languages.But learning multiple languages to a high level of fluencyâ€"such that you would be comfortable at a job interview or speaking in publicâ€"requires a whole different level of commitment and strategy.Want to know what that strategy looks like? Keep reading. Why Level of Fluency Matters When Learning Multiple LanguagesDifferent goals require different levels of fluencyIts always a good idea to have a goal in mind when you start learning a new skillâ€"and languages are no exception. Do  your language ambitions end with the ability to chat with people in bars in Moscow, Beijing and Paris? If so, you probably dont need to worry too much about understanding cultural nuances and avoiding glaring grammatical mistakesâ€"as long as your pronunciation is passable, youll be fine.What if youd actually like to become a journalist who reports stories in the Middle East and the Middle Kingdom, without using a translator or fixer? How about closing international business deals on multiple continents? Perhaps youd like to attend a foreign university?Those goals all require you to have a much higher level of fluencyâ€"because a lot is at stake if you make a mistake. Once you get out of informal barroom chats, youll start encountering more complicated and nuanced vocabulary and grammatical structures. You need to be able to both understand them and use them yourself to function appropriately in professional situations.The higher your level of fluency, the fuller your experience with the languageWhen it comes to language learning, speaking a little is not necessarily just as good as speaking a lot. Even if you dont plan to use the language professionally, it will be easier to take advantage of opportunities if you know the the language well. Lets say, for example, that youd like to take a course in Chinese cooking in Chengdu. Youll need to understand the instructors oral instructions as well as written handouts and information scribbled on the blackboard. Youll also get more out of the class if youre able to banter with classmates and ask questions confidently. Those are not beginner tasks.The ability to discuss current events, movies and even complex philosophy  also allows you to become more of an active participant in any interaction with native speakersâ€"including in barroom conversation. When you speak a language well, youre able to interact with native speakers on the same level that they would speak with other native speakers. If your language skills are more limited, youll still be able to communicate. But a huge amount of potential conversation topics with native speakers will be outside of your grasp.Higher levels of fluency are harder to achieve, but easier (and more fun!) to maintainTheres no doubt that reaching a high level of fluency takes a lot of time and effort. On the other hand, as using your targe t languages becomes easier, it becomes more fun to use them and continue to improve your ability. At lower levels of fluency, an activity like watching a movie is an intellectual stretchâ€"and its not relaxing at all.Once your level improves, however, its fun and easy to watch a movie in your target languageâ€"and youre able to do so without taxing your mental capacity. Its also more likely that youll be using your languages as part of your career, which is important for language maintenance, especially if youre maintaining more than one language.How Learn  Multiple  Languages to FluencySo if your goal is to reach fluency in multiple languages, here are some tips for you:If youre starting from zero, study two languages at a timeYoull reach fluency in multiple languages faster if you start by  learning two languages rather than proceeding one at a time. You can make a substantial amount of progress in a language with half an hour of study time per day, and most people find an hour to tal (half an hour for each language) a reasonable amount of time to dedicate to languages every day.You wont get mentally overwhelmed from two new languages at a timeâ€"but any more than that is more likely to lead to confusion, overload and burnout. Pace yourself. Reaching fluency in many languages takes time, and youll get better long-term mileage if you dont take it too fast at the beginning.Study new languages in your stronger language(s)Once youve reached a certain level of comfort in one of your target languages, you can  learn subsequent languages through it, solidifying both your knowledge of the stronger language and helping you get ahead in the new language. As an example, you might listen to a podcast for French speakers learning Chinese, or get a French-Chinese dictionary instead of an English-Chinese one.If you happen to be living abroad, this is easier. When I lived in France, for example, I took both a Chinese class and an Arabic class. I learned some  French in both classes. In my Chinese class, we read a story that involved magpies (pie  in French,  que ?  in Chinese). My French was pretty good, but my vocabulary did not include magpie, so I had to look up the word when I got home from class. I suspect if it hadnt been for the Chinese class, Id never have learned how to say magpie in French.A quick note about laddering, or using one foreign language to learn another: It is usually only possible if both of your target languages are relatively common. Dont expect to use Finnish to learn Bengali, for exampleâ€"there just wont be enough language material out there.Live abroadIts easier to use the laddering technique if youre living abroadâ€"taking a class full of French speakers learning Chinese is not really possible unless youre in a French-speaking country. Living abroad also makes practicing at least one language easier. If youre surrounded by one of your target languages all the time, youll have a lot more mental energy available to focus on another two foreign languages youre trying to improve.Of course, the idea of living abroad can be daunting. How will you support yourself? Where will you live? How will you meet people? Here are a couple ideas for making a move abroad  more manageable.Connect with other people from your home country who have lived/are living in the place youd like to move to.Take a short-term trip before making a permanent move abroad. Even a week spent in the city youd like to move to will give you an idea of how you actually like the place, what neighborhoods you might like to live in and what sorts of jobs would be open to you.Figure out how youll make money. Maybe  youll have saved up enough money to not work for several months or a year, in which case you dont have to worry about this at all. Otherwise, figure out if you can teach your native language, work remotely or get a job in your field in the new country.Cultivate equally strong relationships with each target languageYour goal should nev er be to become a polyglot. Instead, it should be to become bilingual in each individual language you intend to learn. If fluency is your goal, dont start learning a new language just to bump up your numbers.Instead, you should have a concrete reason for learning each language, such as:Learning Spanish so that you can understand Flamenco lyricsLearning Russian to communicate with your in-lawsLearning French because youd like to study French cuisine in FranceHaving a connection to a language means a strong, emotional desire to be able to use the language. It also means that your reasons for learning the language should be constants in your life, rather than motivations that are likely to dry up after a year or two.Create an immersion environmentAn immersion environment is important for  learning any language, but even more important if your goal is to learn two or more to fluency. Youll need to maximize your time, and that means creating ways to expose yourself to your target languag e constantly.  When learning multiple languages, its best to do immersion in one language at a time.Immersion can be either physical (such as living abroad) or virtual/digital, such as watching movies, reading newspapers and listening to music exclusively in your target language. When creating a virtual immersion environment, virtual private networks (VPNs) allow you to access content like television and movies that are geoblockedâ€"meaning that theyre restricted in certain countries.Essentially, a VPN makes it appear as if you’re using the internet in another country rather than the United States (or wherever you currently are).  By using a VPN, you can access online content as if you were in Germany, France, Japan or any other country of your choice.  An easy way to set up a VPN and magically change your location is by installing HideMyAss! VPN on any of your devicesâ€"it works on your computer, smartphone and internet-enabled TVs and game systems.FluentU is also a great way to get both language immersion and  language instruction, since it turns real-world videos into personalized language lessons.How to Take Your Fluency in Many Languages to the Next LevelOnce youre fluent in many languages, heres how you can take it to the next level:Live in a multilingual cityIs it possible to have immersion in more than one language at a time? If you plan correctly, yes. There are several cities where multiple language coexistâ€"Strasbourg, France and Fribourg, Switzerland both speak French and German, and would be ideal spots for someone looking for an immersion in both languages, for example.Alternatively, living in a multilingual city like Brussels or New York City will make opportunities to practice unrelated languages easier to come by.Maintain a multilingual social networkPracticing your language skills should not just be about flashcards and exercisesâ€"you need to be able to have fun with the language! If you are trying to improve and maintain various language s, its essential to make friends who speak your target languages. This allows you to practice languages while socializing, and provides the emotional connection to the language that will make it more likely for you to continue making progress over the long haul.Heres some ideas for meeting (and befriending) speakers of other languages:Go to language-related events organized on Meetup.com. In my experience, a fair number of native speakers attend these events.Attend events at local cultural organizations like the Cervantes Institute, Confucius Institute or the Alliance Française. Ive been to holiday celebrations at the Confucius Institute and to several events for French-speaking business people at the Alliance Française, and both have had lots of native speakers.Seek out immigrant communities who speak your target languages. This might mean attending religious services in one of your target languages, doing your grocery shopping at ethnic stores and/or living in a neighborhood wit h a lot of people who speak your target language.Use your languages at workWe spend a lot of time at work, and if youre able to make your work time do double duty as language practice, youll have that much more time to practice. Making time for all your languages is the biggest challenge for polyglots, which is why its so important to multitask and use work time as yet another opportunity for language practice. Using your languages at work is generally only possible if you speak your target languages quite well.I think its possible to use your target language as part of most professions, but here are some industries where youll be especially likely to use foreign languages:Tourism. I used to work as a tour guide in New York City, and easily used all of my languages as part of work.Translation and interpreting. For obvious reasons, working as a translator or interpreter requires a high level of fluency and can also let you use many languages  on the job.Journalism. You dont need to s peak a foreign language to work as a journalist, but writing about immigrant communities and/or foreign countries will give you a chance to practice your target languages!There are many, many more ways to use your language skills on the job. Although being a real estate agent isnt necessarily a language-heavy career, you could easily build a reputation as the Spanish-and-Chinese-speaking real estate agent in your area and work with immigrant communities who speak those languages.The same goes for a lot of professions. Using languages at work requires a little creativity, but can often work with any career!Build a multilingual familyAside from work, though, we tend to spend a lot of time with our families. Ideally, polyglots will be able to use family time as language time, too. If you happen to marry someone who speaks one of your target languages (or all of them!), good for you. It will make it a little easier to practice that language. But its certainly not a requirement for multi lingualism.However, spouses are an important part of your family, and ideally polyglots are going to want a spouse that at least appreciates multilingualism. Even if your spouse speaks the same native language as you, its great if he or she speaks at least one other language.Children also represent both challenges and opportunities for polyglots, and using your children to help advance your language goals doesnt require restricting who you can marry. To take advantage of the language potential of raising children, make teaching them your target languages a priority. Here are a couple ways to do so:Hire nannies who speak one of your target languages, and instruct him or her to use that language with your child(ren).Read childrens books in your target languages with your kids.Enroll your kids in an immersion programâ€"they will probably be teaching you new words within a couple of years and parent-teacher conferences will suddenly become language practice opportunities.If you live in a reasonably multilingual city, try to find families who speak you target languages who also have kids around the same age as yours. Encourage playdates. Chat with the parents while the kids play.Have at least one hobby related to each languageGranted, that might add up to a lot of hobbies if you speak six or seven languages! However, a hobby related to your target language provides a crucial part of your emotional connection to the language. They are also a potent reminder that learning a language isnt always an end in and of itself, it is a means of connecting with another culture and communicating with people.Whats a language-related hobby? Lets say you practice tai chi and speak Chinese. The fact that you speak Chinese opens up new opportunities for studying tai chi.  The reverse is also trueâ€"attending a tai chi course in China will give you more opportunities for studying Chinese, since studying tai chi with Chinese classmates opens up otherwise inaccessible opportunities for friendship.Here are some examples of hobbies that can be enhanced by language learning:Cooking. Perhaps I think of it because I love to cook, but a love of cuisine is the perfect match for polyglots, because it can be synergistic with  all  of your languages. Watch cooking shows in French, study cooking in Chinese, read Russian cookbooks. All languages have a matching cuisine, and if you know the language youll have a lot more resources available to you when it comes to learning about the cuisine.Music. Music is another relatively versatile hobby when it comes to language learning, because most cultural have some kind of musical tradition. I knew a Japanese woman in China who took  erhu  lessons (an  erhu is a two-stringed Chinese instrument), whereas I took guitar lessons in Spain and knew several American students who took voice lessons in Russia.Dance.  Most serious students of Flamenco speak at least some Spanish, because Flamenco teachers in Spain almost never speak English. A rabic-speaking bellydancers will have a lot more success finding a teacher in the Middle East or just connecting with visiting teachers in their home country. Like Samba? Wouldnt dance lessons in Brazil be greatâ€"and that much greater if the classes are in Portuguese?Consume mediaâ€"books, movies, news, musicâ€"in all your languagesMedia is your best friend for maintaining and even improving your language skills! Heres the good news about reaching a high level of fluency: Once youre there, watching a movie or reading a book in your target language is fun, not work.This is another time when VPNs come in handy, because many television shows are only available in the country they are produced in (but can be a source of fun and language learning!). News sites are also a fabulous way to stay current on whats happening in countries where your target language is spoken and practice your language skills. If youre on a budget, libraries often have a surprisingly wide selection of books in f oreign languages.When it comes to learning multiple languages, your level of fluency matters. The more fluent you get, the more fun you are going to have with the languages and the more likely it is that youll be able to stay fluent over the long haul. There are plenty of ways to both get to a high level of fluency and stay thereâ€"and you dont need to do all of them for any one language.If youre learning and maintaining multiple languages, its best if you can do at least one of the above techniques for each of your languagesâ€"maybe use one of your target languages at work, another with your spouse and children, and go to religious services in a third language.Before you know it, youll be on your way to total fluency in many languages.Emily Liedel  is a writer and polyglot. She speaks French, Spanish, Russian, German and Mandarin Chineseâ€"her goal is to speak all of the official UN languages fluently (HINT: Arabic is the language left on her list). She writes about language learni ng and living abroad at www.thebabeltimes.com.

Opinion The Farce that is Americas Political Party System

Opinion The Farce that is Americas Political Party System Photo credit: Channel Guide Magazine But we also participated in the un-American. In a country founded on a common need for self-expression, we divide ourselves because of our personal justifications. If political parties do nothing else to the American people, they cause division where unity might have otherwise existed. Yes, we live in a country where opinions can be expressed openly, but should we chastise others because of our inability to see past our own convictions? Do we have the right to predicate our individual stances at the expense of a greater population? George Washington cautioned against the formation of political parties, foreshadowing the inevitable division of a united nation: It [political parties] serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another. Even our 2012 presidential candidates  state that we must work together as one people. In his victory speech, President Barack Obama stated, “We are an American family and we rise and fall together as one nation and as one people.” In his concession speech, Governor Mitt Romney stressed the importance of working together. “Our leaders have to reach across the isle and do the people’s work…our citizens have to rise to the occasion.” The message is inherently the same. Without working together, we will not progress. Our financial woes, our energy issues, healthcare controversies, education shortcomings- none of  these  concerns  will get better until we can gain common ground and work within  its parameters. We are literally on the brink of success or failure, and the choice is very much in our hands. Governor Mitt Romney refers to it as a “critical point”. Working together is no longer an option, it is a necessity. Our own Constitution speaks of the  importance of forming a more perfect union. We must work to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to all. Idealistic? Absolutely. But these were ideals we were meant to strive for as one people, one community. Has the role of political parties disrupted the goal of domestic tranquility? Argument and the defending of one’s honor is a natural human response, but is rioting because your candidate didn’t win necessary? Does bashing those who support the opposite party accomplish anything productive? Is it possible that we have forgotten just how the implementation of our liberties manifested? Maybe it is time we readopt a little more George Washington philosophy and a little less partisan divide.

Dissociation Chemistry Definition

Dissociation Chemistry DefinitionDissociation or 'interruption of consciousness' is an important term in the field of psychoanalysis. It is used to describe the absence of any mental communication within the individual or group of people in a treatment or therapy session. This phenomenon is characterized by a period of time during which the mind cannot communicate with the external world. These periods can last for a few seconds, minutes, or even hours.However, the term dissociation may be misunderstood. It is difficult to define and there are many factors that go into the definition of dissociation. When dealing with dissociation in the workplace, it may be helpful to include the following sections to better understand the process.Separation is the disruption of consciousness that occurs when an individual is undergoing a traumatic or challenging experience. To some degree, this can occur at any time during a session. For example, an individual who has been abused may experience sho rt periods of detachment in a session. When these experiences occur frequently, they may be symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Dissociation can occur in one of two ways. The first is an indirect form of dissociation, which is normally occurring outside of the mind and is often described as egotism. Egotism may be an intentional thought, act, or feeling that results in an unconscious separation between the external and internal worlds.The second form of dissociation is more direct and has a physical and cognitive component. This form of dissociation has physical implications. It can lead to physical impairments or disrupts the natural flow of physiological processes.Dissociation is considered a psychological process. It is an internal state that includes both conscious and unconscious aspects. There is an individual's ability to control their state of consciousness. This can be due to factors such as medication, sleep patterns, drugs, trauma, or other influences.Dissoc iation can occur in the workplace, at home, or on the road. A company may have a written policy that allows for extensive questioning of employees about their emotional, physical, and professional well being during a session. However, if the behavior of a person is inconsistent with the guidelines of the company, they should consider a private session for the employees' protection.

Starting Your Studies in Chemistry University of Arizona

Starting Your Studies in Chemistry University of ArizonaAre you thinking about starting your studies in Chemistry University of Arizona? If you are, you have a few important things to consider.The first thing that you will need to do is to decide whether or not you want to attend a university or a college. If you want to go the college route, the first step will be to apply to a university. This can be a bit confusing since there are dozens of universities to choose from.When it comes to university, you should know that there are different programs available. You can take the courses you want and spend your time studying them. In the end, you may want to take courses from other universities in order to fulfill the requirements you have set for yourself.If you want to start with an online university, this is a great choice as well. These programs offer flexibility in your studies and allows you to study whenever you have the time.One of the major advantages of studying in a university is that they offer you a lot of classes. Therefore, you can take more than one class in a semester if you would like. With some colleges, you may have to do two semesters to complete all of your courses, so going to a university lets you take all of your classes in one semester.Another great advantage of Chemistry University of Arizona is that they offer your degrees through distance learning. By going through online classes, you will find that you can take your classes at anytime and your degree will transfer.This is why going to a university in Arizona is an excellent choice for someone wanting to study in Chemistry. There are plenty of benefits to going online or taking distance learning courses to complete your degree.

Official SAT Changes for 2016 Announced

Official SAT Changes for 2016 Announced On March 5, 2014, The College Board officially announced the multiple changes it will make to its well-known college entrance exam, the SAT. First discussed in 2013 (and the first large-scale revision since 2005), these changes will modernize the SAT and intend to improve its ability to accurately evaluate students readiness for higher education. The adjustments will affect both content and the required skills to score well, though the tests general format of three sections will remain. (Note, however, that what constitutes each portion will differ.) For a specific treatment of each sections revisions, see below. [RELATED: What is an Average SAT Score?] How will the Reading section change? Reading comprehension questions will challenge students to utilize evidence within passages to support their answers. Though Reading is expected to remain a multiple-choice test, this change still represents a distinct progression from the current format. Selections will also be drawn from different sourcesnamely various academic disciplines, with a focus on important developments in U.S. history and science (for example, excerpts from the Declaration of Independence). Stereotypical SAT vocabulary like sagacious will be eliminated in favor of terminology that is more typical of higher education and the working world. Such words as empirical and synthesis will take sagacious place. Context will also be key, as the SAT will emphasize vocabulary that is influenced by its use within a larger segment of text. How will the Math section change? This portion of the SAT will remain relatively consistent. However, questions will involve a narrower range of content areas, with three overarching topics total: algebra, advanced mathematics, and data analysis and problem-solving. One major change students must take note of is the fact that calculators will no longer be permitted throughout the entire section. Their use will, instead, be limited. [RELATED: What Does SAT Stand For?] How will the Writing section change? The essay component will become optional. In addition, the maximum SAT score will return to 1600, rather than the current 2400, and students who opt to sit for the essay will receive a separate mark for their work. The structure of the essay will undergo significant revision as well. Rather than responding to a prompt with personal beliefs and experiences as proof, test-takers will have to analyze evidence within a provided passage. Scores will be based on both analysis and writing. As is the case with the Reading section, selections will consist of source documents with cultural merit. The revised SAT will be offered in both electronic and print formats beginning in the spring of 2016. And the especially beneficial news for students? Incorrect multiple-choice answers will no longer result in a deduction of their hard-earned points (i.e. there will no longer be a guessing penalty). These are some great free SAT resourcesthat you can use in your SAT prep.Students planning to take the SAT in 2016 should begin implementing these changes in their test prep plan and start practicing immediately. [RELATED: How is the New SAT Scored?]

5 Reasons Why Summer is the Best Time for Music Lessons

5 Reasons Why Summer is the Best Time for Music Lessons Megan L. Are you ready to have the best summer yet? If youre still making summer plans, you should consider adding some music lessons to your agenda. Summer is the perfect time to expand your horizons and learn something new. In just a few months, you can pick up a new skill, passion, or hobby to enjoy your vacation and impress your friends by the time its over! 5 Reasons Summer is the Best Time to Learn an Instrument 1. Summer Sun Boosts your Energy   Longer days mean more sunshine, which has actually been found to  boost your mood and give you more energy. What better way to use that extra summertime energy than by learning to play a new instrument, or brushing up on your music theory skills? 2. Keep the Kids Entertained  Once school is out, most children find themselves with a lot of free time and not many valuable ways to fill it. Learning an instrument is a great way to keep the kids entertained while keeping their minds active.  Much better than sitting in front of the TV at home, music lessons will help your child improve his or her math and reading skills! 3. New Friendships  Being a musician opens the door to many opportunities to make new friends  who share common interests. Jam sessions at local studios and music camps for kids  are just two of the many ways you can meet new people this summer. 4. Music Makes you Smarter  While theres nothing wrong with spending some leisure time watching a movie or two, research has found that reducing screen time can have very positive effects on your brain. Learning an instrument is an excellent alternative that gets you to focus on something other than your phone or laptop, and there are many  benefits to learning music for your brain. 5. Broaden your Horizons  With all the relaxation and free time on your hands, summer is the ideal time to broaden your horizons. Try things that may be outside your comfort zone, like performing at an open mic or jamming with new friends. Not everyone can travel to distant lands this summer, but anyone can embark on the journey of learning music. Are you planning to take music lessons this summer? Share your goals in the comments below! And dont forget to check out TakeLessons Live, where you can join fun and interactive, group classes in a variety of instruments. Plus your first month is completely free!

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Taking Video Guitar Lessons

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Taking Video Guitar Lessons Sign up successful Perhaps the most important aspect of in-person lessons with a guitar teacher is that you have an informed pair of eyes watching you play. When something isn’t going the way it needs to, you have an outside observer who can point it out to you. With a teacher’s guidance, you’ll begin to learn to correct mistakes on your own. Lessons Arent Tailored to Your Individual Needs Pre-recorded video guitar lessons are specifically made to be applicable to thousands of students with different learning styles. But the most effective guitar lessons aren’t one-size-fits-all, cookie cutter plans taken one after another. Each student has different ambitions and will need different “stepping stones” to achieve them.   What one student finds impossible to overcome, another student might breeze through with little thought.  Without a good teacher to help plan a course of action, students frequently jump between pieces that are either too easy or too difficult. They have trouble gradually building their skills.  A teacher will notice where a student’s struggles lie and recommend music to practice that will build those skills. You Might Pick up Bad Habits When learning a new chord or song, beginners tend to play however it feels “right” to them. If playing with a certain fingering feels correct, a student has no reason to think they should be playing it differently. Even if they notice something is off, on their own, they rarely know what to replace the incorrect habit with. This is another reason why it can be dangerous to learn the guitar without any feedback from a live instructor. A teacher is often the sole voice of clarity for students who naturally revert back to motions that their hands are familiar with. If you’re learning from video guitar lessons alone, it can be easy to fall into the habit of playing something the wrong way, just because it “feels easier.” When working with a private teacher, you’ll learn new ways to to master tricky concepts more efficiently. SEE ALSO: 10 Things to Look for in a Guitar Teacher You Might Become Discouraged When attempting to learn the guitar from videos alone, self-taught students are more prone to choosing a song that is too difficult for their skill level. These students often get frustrated and discouraged when their playing doesn’t sound as good as they want it to right off the bat. In the rare case that a student begins with something easy, they frequently move on too soon and jump to something much harder right away. Ninety percent of the time when you speak to people who have given up the guitar, it’s because they tried to teach themselves.   Dont Miss Out on Music Theory! Music theory is a necessity when learning how to play the guitar. Most video guitar lessons either focus on a specific technique, or exclusively on theory. But to really understand music theory, it has to be tied into the music! Students understand theory best if it’s a part of their musical language and expression from the beginning. If as a beginner, you focus on watching YouTube tutorials for all your favorite songs, you are bound to miss out on a deeper understanding of the music itself. Learning music theory is like learning a foreign language. Because music theory can be difficult to understand, it’s best to learn in an interactive environment where you have the ability to ask questions. Try taking online music theory classes from a live instructor and you’ll find yourself learning much quicker than with pre-recorded lessons. In Conclusion With the help of a guitar teacher, you have a much greater shot as musical success. Video guitar lessons are best when used as a supplemental tool in between private lessons. Your teacher can help protect you from bad advice, which is abounding online (some of which can even cause injury). Don’t keep trying to press forward on your own when excellent, reliable help is so readily available! Find a trusted and qualified guitar teacher near you and start your guitar learning journey on the right foot. Post Author:  Kirk R. Kirk is a classical and acoustic guitar instructor in Athens, GA. He holds a Bachelors and Masters of music in Guitar Performance, and has been teaching guitar since 2011 to students of all ages.  Learn more about Kirk  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

What is an Average ACT Score

What is an Average ACT Score Whether youve recently taken the ACT or you have an upcoming test date, you are likely asking the question, What is an average ACT score? Knowing the answer to this question can be helpful for a plethora of reasons, including gauging where you fall compared to other students applying to your target schools and establishing your goal score. According to ACT, Inc., the average ACT score in 2017 was a 21 (on a scale of 1-36). What this means is, on average, 50 percent of test-takers scored a 21 on their ACT. What does this mean for you? When understanding the breakdown of an average ACT score, its important to know how the ACT sections are scored, how schools use the ACT, and how to set your personal target score. Heres what youll find in this article: How the ACT is scored How ACT sections are scored What to know about the optional ACT Essay What the additional scores are on your ACT score report How schools use the ACT What this ACT breakdown means for you. Understanding ACT scoring can be intimidating at first glance, and dissecting the average ACT score can be confusing. Keep reading to learn how the ACT is scored, what you need to know about the optional ACT writing section, and what the average ACT score breakdown means for you. How is the ACT scored? The ACT exam sets out to test students readiness to excel in college-level courses. For decades, the SAT was the go-to test for high school juniors and seniors who planned to attend college. Now, in certain parts of the countryparticularly the Midwestthe ACT is as or more common than the SAT. While comparison to others is often discouraged, when it comes to college admissions, comparing one student to another is precisely what admissions committees do. In light of this reality, it can be helpful for you to know and understand your ACT score, as well as how it compares to the average ACT score. The average ACT score is a 21. In light of this information, a score of 32 (for example) would be well above average. This is a positive sign, but your composite score doesnt offer a complete picture of your academic abilities. Instead, consider it a quick reference. For instance, if Person A earned a score of 30, you can assume that he or she did relatively well on all four sections, whereas a score of 18 would suggest that he or she did poorly on one or more of the sections. Your overall, or composite, ACT result is an averaged, scaled score that reflects your performance in each section. Let's take the following scenario, for example, if you earned a: 30 in English 33 in Mathematics 31 in Reading 34 in Science. Your composite score would be a 32. This is due to the averaging of each section. Essentially, each sections score is added together and divided by four. This will give you your composite score. The below chart illustrates how percentile rankings coincide with your ACT score. As shown, if you receive an ACT score of 25, your score falls in the top 20 percent of test-takers. Percentile ACT Score (out of 36) Top 1% 34 or higher Top 5% 30 Top 10% 28 Top 20% 25 Top 30% 23 Top 40% 22 Top 50% average 21 *The above data comes from ACT.org. Rather than looking solely at your composite score as a measure of your abilities, the section scores, benchmarks, and rankings made available to you on your official score report will tell you far more about where you truly stand. ACT terms can be confusing at first, especially when attempting to analyze your score report. Below is an ACT keywords chart to reference when understanding your ACT score. Understanding what each score you receive means will help you to better grasp the breakdown of your score, and in turn, compare it to the national average ACT score. How are ACT sections scored? As previously mentioned, each of the four sections on the ACT has a raw score. The English section, for example, has 75 questions. If you answer all 75 correctly, your raw score would be 75. This score is then converted to a scaled result between 1 and 36 points, which is further divided into two subscores. Why are there subscores? Each portion of the ACT tests you on various aspects of a particular subject. In the English section, you will be tested on your ability to comprehend and employ the mechanics of the language, as well as your ability to craft an argument. Each subscore falls between 1 and 18, for a total of 1 to 36 points. (Note that 1 is the lowest, and that 18 or 36 is the highest.) Benchmark Average ACT English score 18 20.3 ACT Math Score 22 20.7 ACT Reading Score 22 21.4 ACT Science Score 23 20.9 When analyzing your English score, the first metric to consider is the benchmark score, which, according to ACT, Inc., indicates at least a 50% chance of getting a B or higher or about a 75% chance of getting a C or higher in a first-year college class... Thus, your score should be above the benchmark. For the English section, the benchmark score is 18. If you earn an 18 or above, you are likely ready for college-level English material. The average score for this section is 20.3. Using the score from our hypothetical scenario, you earned a 30 in English, which means that your score is above average and in the 91st percentile. The Mathematics portion of the ACT tests students in three areas: pre-algebra/elementary algebra, algebra/coordinate geometry, and plane geometry/trigonometry. The benchmark score for the ACT Mathematics section is 22, and the national average is 20.7. If you were to earn a score of 18 on this portion (rather than our hypothetical of 33), you would fall below the benchmark and the national average, with a rank in the 45th percentile. In this case, you can see how an above-average composite score might provide an inaccurate representation of your abilities across different fields of study. If they were to take a closer look at your section scores, admissions officials would realize that your math skills are somewhat below average and in need of improvement. With that said, the national average suggests that many ACT test-takers perform at a below-average level on the Mathematics portion, so you would not be alone. The Reading section consists of two subscores that test your comprehension of the social studies/sciences and arts/literature. The first two portions of this subtest, social studies and natural sciences, present passages from fields like anthropology, chemistry, and psychology. The third and fourth portions, arts and literature, present passages from novels and personal essays. Each passages purpose is to evaluate your ability to grasp the concepts being presented, to identify the main ideas, and to use reasoning to arrive at the point of the work. You may also be asked to identify implicit meaning or to demonstrate an understanding of certain words in context. In this case, the benchmark is 22, and the national average is 21.4. Recalling our hypothetical scenario, you received a 31, which places you above the benchmark. You are also in the 91st percentile. You performed at an above-average level, and you should be prepared for college-level reading comprehension tasks. Unlike other sections of the ACT, the Science portion has no subscores, and you will only receive a single score between 1 and 36. The benchmark for this section is 23, the highest of all four portions of the ACT. The Science section measures your comprehension of data sets like charts and graphs, while also assessing your knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories that drive the field. You may be asked to read research summaries or to compare conflicting viewpoints. The average Science score is 20.9, which falls below the benchmark. With a hypothetical score of 34, you would be well above average and in the 99th percentile. [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew About Taking the ACT/SAT] What should you know about the optional ACT Essay? As you now know, your ACT score is comprised of four sections, but there is also an optional fifth sectionthe Writing subtest, which requires the composition of a short essay. Before you decide whether or not you will take the ACT essay, keep in mind that although it will not change your composite score, it is required by certain schools and recommended by others. Its important to note that ACT Writing is less firmly required than in past years. Many schools, particularly Ivy League universities, are choosing to make the essay portion of the ACT optional for students. In May 2018, schools such as Yale University, Harvard University, and Dartmouth University made the essay optional for students in future classes. The latest to announce this change in requirements is Brown University, who dropped the ACT essay requirement early in July 2018. With fewer and fewer schools requiring the ACT essay, does this mean you shouldnt take it? Its key to note that although schools are dropping the ACT essay requirement, this doesnt mean the essay is not recommended. Taking the essay portion can strengthen existing writing skills and prepare you for college writing. Additionally, if you feel you are a strong writer, the ACT essay can showcase your skills to schools. In order to determine whether the colleges and universities to which you are applying require this ACT component, speak with the admissions department or review the schools website. In addition to the above mentioned schools, the following universities no longer require the ACT essay: Columbia University University of Pennsylvania Cornell University Stanford University Princeton University California Institute of Technology. During the Writing section of the ACT, you will be provided with an issue and three different perspectives on that issue. Once you have read the passage, you will be asked to analyze each perspective and to develop a written response that takes all three into consideration and demonstrates your critical thinking skills. The purpose of the ACT essay is to assess a students critical reading and thinking skills, as well as his or her ability to form an argument based on the evidence presented in the text. As with the other sections, you will be given a score between 1 and 36. There is no benchmark for the Writing subtest and no current average. However, there are four subscores that range from 2 to 12: ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, and language use and conventions. [RELATED: How to Prepare for the ACT Essay] What are the additional scores on my ACT score report? The information presented thus far explains what each subject area measures, how to interpret your score, and how a given result compares to the national average. When you receive your ACT score report, however, you will notice that there are additional scores and percentages reported along with your composite and section scores. The first is your English Language Arts (or ELA) score, which combines your English, Reading, and Writing scores into a single scaled and averaged score between 1 and 36. The purpose of this metric is to provide a single score that reflects your abilities in subjects like the humanities. Assume you earned a 25 on the English section, a 22 on the Reading section, and a 25 on the Writing section. Your ELA score would be a 24. While the data on national averages has not yet been released, you would be in the 70th percentile according to ACT, Inc. The same equation is used to calculate a single score for Mathematics and Science. In this case, a STEM score of 19 would fall in the 44th percentile. This section of your report also provides insight into your understanding of complex texts and what the ACT refers to as Progress Toward Career Readiness. The scales for these items can be viewed here. Finally, when you register for the ACT, you will be asked to provide the names of those schools that should receive your score report. When you receive your results, you will notice that ACT, Inc. has included information on the average scores for enrolled first-year students at your first four institutions, as well as GPAs and class rankings. How do schools use the ACT? Each college or university is unique, and each institution has something different in mind when it comes to its ideal applicant. This means that an average or lower-than-average ACT score will not necessarily prevent you from attending the school of your choice. Below is a chart detailing the average ACT score at select institutions. Its key to remember that universitiesIvy League or otherwiselook at factors besides standardized test scores. Schools use the ACT as one factor, in addition to others, when making admissions decisions. They note participation in extracurricular and volunteer activities, cumulative GPA, and types of courses you took in high school, to name a few. University Average ACT Score in 2017 Princeton University 32-36 Dartmouth College 32 Columbia University 33-35 Cornell University 33 Its best not to make decisions about where to apply based solely on the average ACT scores of accepted students, since college admissions decisions are based on a number of factors. Still, knowing how your score compares to other applicants can help you narrow down your short list of schools. Such data can help you eliminate outliers that are too high or too low given your own metrics. You can also call or email the admissions department, and discuss how your scores will affect your chances of admission. What does this ACT breakdown mean for me? In many cases, composite scores, section scores, subscores, benchmarks, national averages, and the like are the purvey of admissions committees, high school guidance counselors, and parents. Nevertheless, breaking down these various scores can provide you with a wealth of important informationnot just about the average ACT score, but also about what schools might be looking for from applicants, and how you can become a more appealing candidate. If this information leads you to believe you should be making a bigger effort to improve your ACT score, consider using ACT practice tests or ACT tutoring for help. In your personal statement, for instance, you will probably explain who you are as a person and who you are as a student. This may include a summary of your academic areas of interest and one or more majors that you are considering pursuing. Whatever you tell admissions committees about your academic goals and dreams, you should ensure that your statement is enhanced and supported by your ACT scores. If, for example, you love science and you hope to pursue a degree in chemistry, a low score on the Science section of the ACT could suggest that you might not be ready for college-level science courses. As a result, you might not receive an offer of admission. [RELATED: What to Do When Rejected from Your Dream School] To identify your goal score, you can both review how ACT scoring is broken down and establish reliable prep strategies. The best way to understand how you will perform on the ACT leading up to the exam is to take ACT practice tests. Practice tests can help identify areas of both strength and weakness. You can note whether you need improvement on time management or if you excel at specific concepts. Once you have taken your practice test, set aside time to review the results and note where you should be placing the bulk of your prep time. Identify your goal score by researching the average ACT score of accepted students at your schools of interest and comparing this with your practice test results. ACT tutoring is another option to pinpoint areas of improvement and set specific prep strategies for success on the exam. [RELATED: How to Create an ACT Prep Plan] Understanding the average ACT score can be beneficial to you for a multitude of reasons. Knowing that the average ACT score is 21 can help you to identify your target score and properly prep for the exam. Once you understand the average ACT score and how it is broken down, you can properly assess what the average ACT score means for you. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us atblog@varsitytutors.com.