College Demands Critical Thinking

College Demands Critical Thinking There are many reasons why college is different than high school; however, the main reason is the different way you will be forced to think. High school teachers preach that you will think critically in their high school courses, but most students are not fully introduced to this type of thinking until college starts. High school classes do require some critical thinking, but not nearly as much as colleges do. The entire course curriculum can be different. High school classes rely on memorizing dates, definitions and other facts. However, college challenges students to know and apply the knowledge to the professional business world or everyday life. High school classes involve a lot of tests and tedious (sometimes mindless, thoughtless homework), where as college classes usually forego the repetitive homework in place for essays and other larger projects. Colleges do have tests; however they are not as frequent, and they are usually larger exams. Some classes only have a midterm and a final. Others will have three to five tests, rather than weekly or biweekly tests or quizzes. Also, the structure of the tests will be vastly different. College tests will utilize a lot of real world examples that are applied to their corresponding definitions, rather than the actual definition. Therefore, students need to not only memorize the definition but also understand its meanings and applications. Also, college professors love to assign group activities. College professors believe these are essential to the college learning experience because people will need to work well in groups in the professional world. Also, some professors will even assign groups knowing that there will be intense problems within the groups. Its crude; however, professors get a kick out of watching students work out their differences. They believe that it is vital for students to be able to work with people whom they do not get along with. Furthermore, sometimes a group project will be the only assignment for that class, and a students entire grade will depend on that one project. Usually this project will result in a class presentation that will last the entire length of the class, which could be anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. College professors will engineer this project to be something very similar to what a young professional would accomplish in the professional work environment. This is not true for all classes, however. There are a lot of 100 level courses where students will find themselves memorizing trivial information. However, it is rare that a student will only do so. Most of these classes will be an introduction course that students will take during their first quarter/semester at college. Also, the further students get along into college curriculum the less they will memorize. Applying knowledge is especially prevalent in the upper-level classes that will pertain directly to students respective majors. Also, many college students and professors find it necessary that students go outside the classroom and get involved in organizations. These organizations will be a great asset to any student, and they will force him/her to further apply the knowledge he/she learned in the classroom. These organizations will not force students to memorize mindless dates and figures, but it will create an opportunity for students to transcend classroom knowledge to their respective majors. This is a great way for college students to display their abilities to their prospective employers and how they can apply it. Also, this benefits underclassman immediately because they can learn beyond the introduction courses within their majors and be better prepared for the larger class projects. Also, it ameliorates resumes and portfolios, which are vital to internships and entry level jobs.

Online Simplify Equations Tutors

Online Simplify Equations Tutors Equations are the very common and used in almost every sub-topic in math. Equations consist of one or more than one unknown variables with different coefficients and constant numbers. Exponent is the degree of the variable in the equation. The degree of the variable can be one or more than one. There are various mathematical operations which are used to simplify and solve equations. Example 1: Simplify and solve for x in the equation 9 x 4 = 50? Solution: Given equation is 9 x 4 = 50. Here the unknown variable which needs to be solved for is x. First step: Adding 4 on both sides of the given equation. (9 x 4) + 4 = 50 + 4. This gives 9 x = 54. Now dividing both sided of the equation by 9. This gives 9 x/ 9 = 54 / 9. This reduces the given equation to x = 6. Hence the solution is x = 6. Example 2: Simplify the equation 4 (x 3) + 5(x + 2) + 2? Solution: Given equation is 4 (x 3) + 5(x + 2) + 2. Here the variable is x; distributing the number in front of the braces. This gives 4 (x - 3) = 4x 12; 5 (x + 2) = 5x + 10. Combining the similar terms in the equation. This gives 4x 12 + 5x + 10 + 2 = 9x + 2 -2 = 9x Hence the simplified form of the equation is 9x.

Career Coaching in London

Career Coaching in London How Can You Get Career Coaching in London? ChaptersWhat Is Career Coaching?Why should you get career coaching?What Is Career Coaching in London Like?Career Coaching Courses in LondonCareer Coaching with Private Tutors in LondonGetting Online Career Coaching in London“For good nurture and education implant good constitutions.” - PlatoTonnes of people undergo burnout. With business coaching, life coaching, etc., coaching is becoming fashionable. This allows you to enjoy guidance through your professional and personal life.Throughout your professional career, getting in touch with a career coach can help you better manage your career. Here’s how to get career coaching if you live in the capital.You should list everything you’re struggling with and everything that’s stopping you from achieving your goals.  Each coach will suggest exercises to get you on the right track.  Professional career coaching could last for just a few sessions or take place over the course of years.The coach will help you through the hustle and b ustle of the capital. They could even help you practise a speech in a street or relax in a garden. There are so many opportunities in London.You can also get career coaching in Manchester.Career Coaching Courses in LondonThere are a number of advantages to living in the capital and if you already live there, you’ll know what it is. You can get private tutorials in just about anything and you’ll always be able to find what you’re looking for.Are you ready for the meeting of your life? (Source: Free-Photos)Finding a career coach is, therefore, very easy.  You can find exactly the career coach you need. Most career coaches offer the following career services:Career transition workshops and planning a career changeInterviewing strategiesAdvising on job search strategiesCoaching sessions on networkingCareer development and career assessment sessionsProfession or career explorationCreating a LinkedIn profileHelping a recruiter or employer with hiring and interview skillsEstablishing professional goalsFinding an internshipNegotiation skillsCareer management, executive coaching, professional mentoringDo you live in Yorkshire?You might be interested in career coaching in Leeds!Career Coaching with Private Tutors in LondonAgencies aren’t the only places offering career coaching in the capital. Some coaches choose to operate independently and offer their services via private tutorials.The main advantage of these sessions is that you can choose the career coach that works for you and check out their profiles before you choose one. On Superprof, you can look at each tutor’s profile before getting in touch with them.Having a career coach will allow you to choose the type of coach that suits you. You can also choose a career coach that isn’t in London. You can get online career coaching via programmes like Skype.So how can you find the right career coach?Start by having a look around and see what kind of career coaches there are in London. Check the classifieds a nd sites like Superprof as well as getting the word out on social media.  Word of mouth also works really well when it comes to finding private tutors.In terms of rates, career coaches tend to charge between £30 and £40 in London. Of course, these rates will vary according to the coach’s experience and what kind of coaching you’re after. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the tutor and get an idea of what they’ll charge.You can also get career coaching in Glasgow.Getting Online Career Coaching in LondonNowadays, anyone with an internet connection can get online career coaching. You won’t need to have a coach sitting beside you to get your career on track.You can always get online coaching if you want to avoid the traffic. (Source: Free-Photos)There are plenty of sites out there that can help you virtually through quizzes and exercises. There are also coaches available in case you run into any problems.  You’re lucky that London is a city with good internet connections . Nothing will stop you from taking your tablet, smartphone, or laptop to a quiet spot in the city.There are also a number of parks in London. Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, St. James’s Park, etc. Make the most of the city’s green spaces. It’s highly unlikely that you won’t be able to get a decent signal. Grab a bench and start enjoying online career coaching wherever you are.Whether it’s breathing exercises for managing stress, public speaking, conducting meetings, retraining, personality tests, building self-confidence, supervising projects, personal development, or leadership, take your time and work towards your career goals. A private tutor will tailor the programme to you.  This is also a great way to rediscover the city. Kill two birds with one stone and your career coaching will be far more enjoyable.If you're interested in becoming a private career coach, you just have to create your profile on Superprof. Describe what you do, set your rates, and start finding studen ts. As you help students with their careers, they'll leave glowing reviews on your profile and you'll soon see that more and more students are looking for help from you.A lot of our tutors offer the first hour of tutoring for free. This is a great way to do an appraisal of the student and outline how you'll help them, establish some goals, and, most importantly, see if you get along with them. If you don't have a rapport, it can be really difficult helping them.Find out more about career coaching around the UK.

What to Expect from your First Dance Lesson

What to Expect from your First Dance Lesson Learning to Dance: Preparing for Your First Session ChaptersGetting to Know Your Dance TeacherWarming Up: Taking Your First StepsYour First Dance Lesson: Learning More about the DisciplineStretches for Ending the LessonGetting Ready for Your First Dance Lesson“Dancing is like talking in silence. It's saying a lot of things, without saying nothing.” - Yuri Buenaventura.More and more people are getting into dancing both as an art form and as a sporting activity.  Whether you’re learning ballet, Cuban salsa, hip hop, dancehall, pasodoble, bachata, cah cha, Oriental dance, or Zumba, anyone can learn to dance.To help you take your first steps, here’s how what your first dance lesson should be like. you have to stretch the various parts of the body.Some tutors will put on some calming music to help their students to relax at the end.This part of the lesson will last between 5 and 10 minutes. In your very first lesson, the tutor will probably spend some extra time showing the students exactly how to do this.Don’t forget to stay hyd rated and drink fluids during and after each session. Learning to dance requires time and effort. Whether you’re in a dance school, academy, studio, or private lessons, you have to do your stretches.It doesn’t matter which discipline you’re studying (bachata, Oriental dance, African dance, contemporary, Kizomba, the Waltz, modern, rumba, flamenco, etc.).Come to your lessons prepared! Discover must-have dance accessories...  Getting Ready for Your First Dance LessonWhen you go to your first dance lesson, you mightn’t be sure of what to wear. Some students get in touch with their teacher before their first lesson so they know exactly what to wear. If you can’t do this, here’s some advice.Choosing Your OutfitWhat should I wear?A lot of people ask themselves this question before their first dance lesson.While you might always learn in the same place, you mightn't always wear the same outfit. (Source: Sendoku)When it comes to dancing, you’ll need to move around a bit. Your clothes need to be flexible and comfortable. There’s no point in wearing jeans to your first lesson.Leggings are very useful as you won’t catch your feet on your trouser legs.Some even wear a Sirwal. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it because it’s harder to move around in. Of course, this comes down to personal preference so try it out first!You can wear a vest top or a wrap-over top. To save yourself time, it might be worthwhile getting changed before you get to class. However, most dance schools and studios will have changing rooms if you can’t.Getting Your Bag readyDancing doesn’t require that many accessories. You can bring a bag with a bottle of water to keep yourself hydrated and clothes to change into after if you want.Now discover this complete guide to dancing for beginners...

Physics Glossary

Physics Glossary You Should Know These Physics Terms ChaptersNames of the Different Branches of Physics StudyPhysics TerminologyGeneral Physics VocabularyA part of the problem compounding students’ fears of physics is its vocabulary: those lofty scientists seem to speak a language all their own, with just a few words of English thrown in!With the rare exception of Stephen Hawking, who gave the world an explanation of the cosmos in everyday terms with his A Brief History of Time.But, really, the language of physics is not that hard to grasp if you know the key terms and word groupings.That is why your Superprof presents you with this physics glossary!Unlike a dictionary that might define a word but leave you no clearer on its meaning in a scientific context, we aim to put a bit of meat on each word’s bones so that you can truly sink your teeth in and get a good bite on the matter.Along the way, we’ll include a bit of extra information so you can see how each term fits within this discipline called physics.Get a physics maths tutor here.Einsteinian relativity â€" as opposed to Galilean relativity.The essence of modern physics deals with extremes: either very small particles or very large aspects or properties of matter; long distances or high speeds.The ‘middles’, as they are called, are usually addressed by classical physics.An apt way to describe this difference would be the behaviour of a gas. Studies conducted at 0 º Celsius might be a matter for the classical study but that same gas, at absolute zero â€" -273.15 º Celsius would be of interest to anyone conducting modern physics research.Absolute zero represents the total absence of heat; it is the lowest limit on the thermodynamic temperature scale.If you are an undergraduate majoring in physics, you wouldn't declare yourself a classical or modern physicist because modern physics depends heavily on classical theories.Unlike in music, where one could specialise in playing classical piano or modern jazz piano, one needn’t elect to practice classical physics or modern physics.However, as an aspiring physicist, you could choose a specific field of physics in which to apply yourself.Let’s examine some of them, now.Also, take a closer look at pioneering physicists and their discoveries!Physics TerminologyIf you are mad for The Big Bang Theory, you might aspire to follow in Sheldon’s footsteps to become a theoretical physicist:  that would call for you to use mathematical equations to predict the outcome of theories.However, if Leonard is your fav, you could emulate him by becoming an experimental physicist â€" the complement to your theoretical counterpart, you would conduct actual experiments and record your results.Raj is an astrophysicist, studying the nature of cosmic bodies rather than their position and how they move in space.Particle physics, also known as high energy physics involves the study of particles that make up matter and radiation. Note that particle, in this sense, could be anything from electrons to dust.Appl ied physics suggests you could help develop new technologies or help solve a thorny engineering problem regarding such development. Indeed, this branch of physics is the link between scientific study and engineering.Biophysics borrows methods of analysis used in physics to study any biological phenomenon.Atomic physics: you know those nifty diagrams of shells and valences and electrons in your science books? They were conceived by atomic physicians, who study the composition and structure of atoms.There is a difference between atomic physics and nuclear physics in spite of the synonymous usage in English of the words  atomic and nuclear.Nuclear physics concerns itself solely with the nucleus of an atom. Have you ever had an MRI? It and other facets of nuclear medicine such as PET scans and other spectroscopy came about through discoveries in nuclear physics!Condensed matter physics involves studying the behaviour of solids and liquids using various physical laws.This field of resear ch is a crossroads where several disciplines meet: theoretical physics, particle physics and nanotechnology blend with chemistry and all of the areas formerly known as solid state physics.It is also one of the most active fields of study in contemporary physics because of its sheer breadth and diversity of materials to study.This is generally not the image that comes to mind when a physicist thinks of quarks! Source: Pixabay Credit: RitaEGeneral Physics VocabularyNow that we’ve looked at some physics specialities you might consider for your career, let’s drill down to the verbiage used by this discipline â€" some of which might even sound familiar to you!Quark: you might know this word as the name of a dairy product but, in physics, it represents an elementary particle.However, to make matters more confusing (physical) quarks come in 6 flavours: up, down, top, bottom, charm and strange. Dairy quark is generally unflavoured!Look up for a physics maths tutor now.Quarks always feat ure in configurations of three: one up/two down; two top/one bottom and so on.A hadron is two or more quarks held together by the strong force.Any time you hear hadron, boson or fermion, you now know those names represent classes of subatomic particles.Ever heard of a hadron collider? Now you know what it was named after!A neutrino is not the hippest neutron in the atom; it is a subatomic particle with no electrical charge and very small mass. It travels very quickly; close to the speed of light!Quantum: this word is used a lot in physics, from describing discrete fields of study (quantum chromodynamics) to delineating entire branches of physics, such as quantum field theory.Used by itself, quantum represents the smallest possible unit anything can be divided into: at the quantum level, e.g.An isotope is a possible form of an element. Two or more elements may have the same number of protons but vary in the number of neutrons in the nucleus.Perhaps the most renown of such elements is uranium-235, which differs from uranium-238 because it has 3 fewer neutrons, even though they are both the element identified as uranium. (Uranium-235 is used in nuclear power stations and to make nuclear weapons).We tend to think of waves as something the ocean generates or something we do with our hands, but physicists associate waves with any disturbance that transfers energy through matter or space.Waves can be either a vibration or an oscillation, of a physical medium or of a field, around essentially fixed locations. The two main types of waves are mechanical or electromagnetic.Can you guess what type of wave your microwave oven puts out?Please feel free to discover more key concepts in physics, served up in a nutshell for your easy digestion!Theoretical physics, astrophysics or plasma physics: as you contemplate which branch of physics you would make your mark in, take comfort in knowing that, someday, through your hard work, you may get to name a vital element or particle t hat future students will have to learn about!Higgs boson, anyone?

What is a Tutor and What Does a Tutor Do - Private Tutoring

What is a Tutor and What Does a Tutor Do Amy W Feb 10, 2019 Find a Top Rated Reading Tutor Near You! It's Simple and Secure - Get Real Results Fast. Find Expert Private Tutors at Reasonable Rates Today! InPerson or Online Online InPerson Are you unsure about what is a tutor and how tutoring can help you or your child?   Dont worry, you arent alone!   We get asked that question a LOT! What is a Tutor? When it comes to achieving academic success you often hear the phrase ‘get a tutor’. This is all well and good, but it is probably useful to know what is a tutor and how tutoring can help before you hire one. The most common, and obvious, reason that parents enlist the support of a tutor is to help their child. It doesn’t matter whether the child is struggling or needs a boost to excel further, the one-on-one personalized sessions are invaluable. Keep reading to find out just how valuable this can be for students and parents alike. Teacher or Tutor? The terms teacher and tutor are often thrown around interchangeably, but ‘teacher’ isn’t just a tutor synonym. There are a few key differences when it comes to what they actually do. Both have a student’s best interests at heart and work incredibly hard to help each student reach their individual academic potential. However, due to the nature of their work, strategies and outcomes will often vary. First, let’s look at the role and responsibility of teachers; Teachers must follow a set curriculum and provide learning opportunities to many children at a time. Teachers need to develop a ‘best-fit’ teaching strategy. This means that their lessons aim to try and cater for a variety of needs and abilities. Whilst every care is taken to ensure this is done, it is inevitable that some students won’t receive the exact information they need. Teachers will guide students to reach particular targets. These should be achieved within a certain time frame, but it is hard to monitor and record. On the other hand, What Does a Tutor Do?  They work with small groups or, most commonly, with individuals. This allows for the lesson to cater exactly for the student’s needs. It can also be adapted as the lessons progress depending on the understanding of the students. Tutors follow the lead of their students. Lessons are designed around what the student needs to work on or what they what to achieve. They often reinforce what has been taught in the classroom, allowing for content to really be absorbed by the student. You Might Also Be Interested In: How to Study Math: 35 Math Tips You Should Know Role of a Tutor There really aren’t too many down sides to tutoring or having the help of someone. It is equally beneficial for struggling students right through to high achievers. Here are some of the top reasons why tutoring is helpful and what role a tutor can play: Improves academic performance â€" this one is obvious, but it is important to remember that these improvements may bring a student up from the bottom of the class, or push a middle student to the top. Boosts self esteem â€" when a student learns and understands the content being taught to them they gain confidence. This confidence is valuable not just in the classroom and around test time, but will also filter into other aspects of their lives. Caters for individual needs â€" the one-on-one sessions are designed to meet the specific needs for that individual student. Unlike a classroom scenario, a tutor can continue to work with the student until they fully understand the content. Offers a different perspective â€" in subjects such as math, there are often various ways to reach the same answer. A teacher doesn’t always have the time to explain concepts differently to each student therefore many children miss out. A tutor has the time to explain and re-explain a question and technique until it makes sense to the student. Encourages communication â€" when working with a tutor, students must learn to communicate their needs and ask questions. This helps them build a different type of relationship than those with their parents, friends and teachers. Teaches problem solving skills â€" when students are guided they can learn to think for themselves in a way that provides them with skills they will use later in life. Helps understand standardized tests â€" even the smartest students can struggle with these unique tests. A tutor can provide clarity on the format of standardized tests and the type of questions asked, as well as providing feedback on practice questions. Detailed and specific feedback â€" due to the one-on-one nature of tutoring sessions, students will receive feedback that is specific to them and their goals. Quite often this feedback is immediate, helping students to continue to improve at a faster rate than they would in the classroom. Consolidates learning â€" if a tutoring session complements what is taught in the classroom, students will be able to store the information for longer and will have greater chance of regurgitating the information when it is needed, such as during a test. A tutor is neither a teacher or a parent â€" children will respond differently when working with a tutor. Teachers are highly qualified, but are catering for the needs of the group. Parents, while having a child’s best interests at heart, do not have the training to teach the content effectively. Children can also be stubborn creatures and enlisting the help of mom or dad is often not the done thing. A tutor sits somewhere in the middle of teacher and parent, and will provide surprisingly positive results. Less embarrassment â€" quite often students are hesitant to ask questions in class out of fear of sounding stupid. This severely hinders their learning as they may never fully understand the content and concepts being taught. Working alone with a tutor eliminates this fear and students can ask any type of question at any point during the session. Can take place in a different learning environment â€" you can find a tutor online to cater for your needs and the sessions can also take place online. Learning from the comfort of home can often support students as it is an environment they are familiar with. Using screens and technology often engages younger learners more than traditional teaching methods. Eliminates learning loss over holiday periods â€" by continually using a tutor throughout the year, you eliminate any ‘periods of no learning’. Students can continue to learn, or use the time to consolidate learning of practice test-style questions. Now that you know what is a tutor and what does a tutor do, you can decide what you or your child needs to excel this year! Finding the right help to get the results that you want is critical to your success.   Good luck and please let us know how we can help. We can help you find the best private tutor near you! It’s simple and secure â€" Get real results fast. Your first hour with any tutor is protected by our Good Fit Guarantee: You don't pay for tutoring unless you find a good fit. Choose Your Subject â€" Add Your Zip Code â€" Find Top Rated Tutors Starting Today! InPerson or Online Online InPerson

Are you studying effectively (For your learning style)

Are you studying effectively (For your learning style) Improving Academic Performance We’ve all heard someone say: “I’m not doing well in this class because I am a visual learner and all the professor does is give boring lectures.” What does this really mean? There arefour Learning Styles; visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic. Understanding which one/s you fall into can prove beneficial in the development of study and retention skills. Though we may feel we identify with one type of learning over another, the following are undoubtedly study tips that can help us all- not just in studying for exams but in actually retaining the material we’ve learned beyond them. Visual Learners prefer to see new information and ideas. A visual learner absorbs material best when it is presented using pictures and graphs. Study tips for visual learners include: Take notes during lectures, but move beyond words. Draw small graphics and symbols to show relationships or use arrows to show growth/decline or inverse relationships. Draw flowcharts to document a process. Use outlines when writing notes or mapping out a paper. Organizing notes/ideas in this fashion creates a roadmap for you, helping you to stay on point, ensuring that your writing is easy to follow. When studying from an outline, it iseasier to remember ordered points or data, as you can visualize what comes next in a sequence. (IE: This is useful in Science when studying processes such as Mitosis or even in History when studying historical events.) Make Flash Cards to help you recall information. The process of flipping through important terms, vocabulary, historical people events and their definitions using visual cues and repetitioncan enable students to remember information. Incorporate videos into your study process: Sites such as Khan Academy and Crash Course present dense material in a creative and accessible way. Auditory Learners prefer to hear information over reading it or seeing it displayed visually. Study tips for Auditory learners include: Use mnemonic devices to aid in remembering facts or an order of events. This requires the student to simplify large periods/themes down to the most pertinent, easy to remember, facts. Repeating aloud, class notes or textbook stanzas. When studying, pause to paraphrase and recite aloud, from memory, what they’ve read in the textbook or class notes, before moving on. An instructor asking questions, during lectures/lessons allows auditory learners a chance to repeat the information back to the instructor engaging them in an active learning process. You can also have someone quiz you aloud on course material when studying. Reading/Writing Learners learn best when they read and write material themselves. Engaging with text is more influential for them than listening to a lecture or viewing images. Useful study tactics for Reading/Writing Learners include: Take notes, lots of them! During course lectures or presentations take as many notes as possible. The act of writing out notes goes a long way into “inscribing” material into our brains. HOWEVER, don’t try to write down the speaker’s words verbatim. Instead, put it in your own words and summarize the points. This will prove beneficial when you consult your notes to study. You are more likely to comprehend and retain material written in language which you understand and can most easily remember. When studying, rewrite your notes. The 1st time you take notes it is usually at a hurried pace as you try to keep up with the instructor. In class, you are being introduced to new material, which may not stick this 1st time. Writing your notes, a 2nd time, the material isn’t foreign and you will begin to retain it. Finally, make bullet point lists. When making a bulleted list, we abbreviate material into smaller, more easy to digest bits. This forces you to weed through your lecture and reading notes, zeroing in on the most pertinent info. Kinesthetic Learners are those individuals who are hands-on, experiential learners. These students learn best by performing a task or activity. Perhaps the most effective method for kinesthetic learners is to learn by teaching. When a kinesthetic learner is asked to teach the information to a classmate or family member, they are better able to recall and wrestle with complex subject matter. In an effort to clearly explain, they breakdown the information and in turn internalize it. Taking study breaks is important for kinesthetic learners as they often have a hard time focusing for prolonged periods of time and siting still. Take a short break to go for a walk or do some physical activity, incorporate study into your break by trying to recite what you’ve just learned from memory or by using flashcards. We all respond to new information differently: Many of us prefer to receive visual cues or stimuli, being shown rather than simply told (visual learnign) Others are best able to comprehend something when they hear it (auditory learning) Some like to read/take notes on material on their own rather than listening to a lecture (reading/writing-based learning) Select students grasp information when they preform a task related to the subject (kinisthetic learning) Again, though we may feel we identify with one type of learning over another, the study tips we just reviewed can help us all better digest, interpret, and retain information to improve academic performance. Lisa Alvarado is a Managing Tutor with MyGuru. She is a graduate of the University of Texas (B.A.) Purdue University (M.A.) and is currently obtaining her Ph.D in History from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has worked professionally with university athletics departments tutoring college athletes. Her particular strengths are History, English, Government, Essay Writing, and Public Speaking.

How to craft a strong resume and cover letter to teach abroad

How to craft a strong resume and cover letter to teach abroad As you already know, creating a positive first impression is key to landing any job, and nabbing a coveted position to teach abroad is no different. However, if you’ve never applied to an international school before, you may have no clue how to impress a potential employer and increase your chances of nabbing a job offer. No worries, we’ve got the inside scoop. Follow the tips below to maximize your odds of landing a teaching job abroadâ€"and start a thrilling new chapter in your life! Let’s start with the resume Let’s start off with learning how to draft an unbeatable resume. We recommend writing your resume first because it’s essentially the blueprint for your cover letter, as it features relevant work experience, skills, and education. If you try to write your cover letter first, you’re bound to forget some key details! Now, it’s important to clarify that the ideal teaching resume isn’t a resume at all. Rather, it’s a curriculum vitae (or CV), named after the Latin phrase that means “the course of one's life”. A CV is longer than your standard resume and it contains a greater level of detail. This distinction is important because newbie teachers often lack traditional teaching experience. Writing a CV, instead of a resume, allows you to expand on the reasons why you would be an exceptional teacher, such as academic honors, volunteer experience, and language skills. Basic Information In the United States or Canada, you would never disclose your gender or marital status on a CV. However, other countries don’t necessarily have the same privacy laws or customs as North America, so be prepared to get personal on your teaching CV. Also, factors such as your age, are important in determining whether you would qualify for a work visa so it’s understandable that schools will need to know this information upfront. Information you may need to disclose on your CV will vary from country to country, but it could include: Age Gender Citizenship and nationality Marital status Any valid work or residency visas Photo Certain countries, especially in Asia, are keen to see what their future teachers look like. So, including a headshot-style photo on your CV is a great way to get your application noticed. It’s best to have your photo taken professionally. However, if funds are tight, a friend with a good quality camera will suffice. Education Put your TEFL certification first in the “education” section on your CV. Write down the accredited institution that awarded your certificate and how many hours it took to complete. Next, include your education information, starting with your most recent school. Most international schools require teachers to hold a Bachelor’s degree, so make sure that your education information is clearly noted. Work Experience Let’s get into the meat of your CV: your career experience. Start with your most recent position and list your current and past jobs, while clearly stating the employment dates, each company’s name, and its location. Don’t hesitate to include volunteer positions and less formal workâ€"like working as a babysitter, au pair, or camp counselorâ€"especially if you’re in your early 20s and new to the working world. Any experience you have working with children counts! Go into detail about your responsibilities, along with any accolades you may have earned, with your prospective employer in mind. Shine a spotlight on any information related to teaching, childcare, mentoring, or even working in an international milieu. These details could give you an edge over the competition. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Skills, awards, and extracurriculars To further enhance your CV, consider adding separate sections for “skills”, “awards”, and “extracurricular activities”. Prospective employers, for instance, want to know if you speak any foreign languages, if you mentor children or volunteer with non-profit organizations, or if your academic or personal accomplishments have been awarded. Any additional information that demonstrates that you are an independent, well-rounded candidate is applicable here. After all, besides having teaching chops, you must be able to navigate the potential obstacles that arise when you uproot your life to move abroad. Show them how ready you are! Your next step is writing the cover letter Now that your resume is ready to impress, let’s tackle your cover letter. The following list includes certain topics and information that you should address: Lead with the position you’re applying for. In the first sentence of your cover letter, you should clearly state which teaching job you want to be considered for. Don’t make the hiring managerâ€"or your future boss!â€"hunt around for it. Ditch the “Dear Sir/Madam” opening. Never assume gender when you’re writing a cover letter. If you can’t find who to address it to, simply start with “Dear Hiring Manager” and go from there. Keep it brief. If your cover letter doesn’t fit on one page, you need to do some editing. A single page is enough space to include everything you need to say. Make it personal. Don’t write a generic cover letter with the intention of submitting it to multiple international schools. Recycling a cover letter may speed up the application process, but it won’t give a potential employer the impression you’re enthusiastic about their school or that you have anything special to offer them. Don’t get flowery. Keep in mind that the person reading your cover letter may not be a native speaker of English. So, aim to express yourself in clear, concise language. Highlight your relevant experience. Ask yourself, “Why am I the ideal candidate to teach at this school?” Lead with your teaching experience, followed by your knowledge of other countries, such as whether you’ve traveled or lived abroad. Then, discuss your interest in teaching and how their particular school could benefit from hiring you. Make them a pitch they can’t turn down! State your English proficiency. Be sure to include in your cover letter whether you’re a native English speaker or non-native one. Some schools also like to know what accent you have (for example, British vs. North American). Disclose your availability. Let your prospective employer know when you would be available to begin working. For instance, if you’re finishing up your Bachelor’s degree and won’t be done exams until May, make those dates clear. Putting on the final touches At this point, your CV and resume should look polished and professional. Follow these three final steps before you click the submit button: Check for spelling errors. Carefully edit your cover letter and CV yourself with the help of a spellcheck program. Afterward, ask a trusted friend to read over your application for errors. Skip the unusual fonts. If you’ve typed up your application in a non-traditional font, do yourself a favor by pressing CTRL+A and switching to a professional typeface like Arial or even Times New Roman. Trust us, it makes a difference. See how your application looks IRL. To ensure your formatting is A-OK, print out your resume and cover letter before applying. Having a hard copy of your application gives you a clear idea of how it will appear to a potential employer. After all, even if you’re submitting online, the school abroad will likely print out the applications to review them. On a closing note, happy job hunting! With the help of this guide, we hope you’ll soon be embarking on the life-changing adventure of teaching abroad.