Thursday, March 26, 2020

Crla Tutor Certification - Do Not Go For Procrastination

Crla Tutor Certification - Do Not Go For ProcrastinationCrla Tutor Certification is one of the steps in doing a successful career in an online Tutoring career. One thing that people who decide to undergo the certification have to remember is that they should complete all the training and exams before they can even go on to take the exam.This will help you prepare well for your exams and come out of the examinations with a fair and genuine Crla Tutor Certification. Many people get the idea that they have to pass an exam for taking a certification, but this is not the case. You can also register at the time of application without completing any training or before you are even tested.In order to get a Crla tutoring certification you will need to get some knowledge about tutoring. You will also need to learn about what is required from students. You will need to be able to understand what the expectations are from you, and you should know how to perform at the exact level that the tutor expects from you. The best way to do this is by studying up and practice at home.It is very important to understand that an application form to complete the Crla Tutor Training Certification will only be available if you choose to do it online. Once you have applied you will need to wait until your application is processed by the teachers. This will make sure that you are not mis-registered.Since you will be undergoing the certification at your home there will be some things that you should take into consideration. For instance, you will need to be sure that you read up about everything you will be getting involved in and know all about the tutoring industry.At the same time you will need to know the different factors that will be affecting your practice, and you will also need to know about the different forms and methods of payment. You will also need to know about your obligations in case you are asked to pay your dues, and what kind of courses you will be learning.If you are ser ious about going to the university, then you can even pay for your course fees as long as you have your Crla Tutor Training Certification. This way you will know exactly what you will be doing and how much time you will have to spend doing it. And, the more experience you have the better, because there will be lots of things to learn.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Video Games and ADHD

Video Games and ADHD Videogames are everywhere - on our phones, online, in our homes, at friends houses and even at school. Parents of kids with ADHD often ask about the effect that videogames may be having on their child. They want to know if videogames will make their childs ADHD worse, or if spending too much time playing videogames may have caused their childs ADHD in the first place. Some parents have such a hard time getting their kids to stop playing videogames that they wonder if their children are actually addicted to their screens. For starters, theres no evidence to say that videogames cause ADHD. There are some studies showing that kids with ADHD spend more time playing videogames than kids without ADHD, but the relationship isnt necessarily causal. It might be the case that kids with ADHD choose to spend more time playing because they crave activities that are highly engaging and provide immediate rewards. Parents of kids with ADHD may also allow more videogame time. It can be so challenging to get some children with ADHD to turn off videogames, that parents can understandably get worn down by all of the battles and negotiations. While videogames may not cause ADHD, growing evidence suggests that playing videogames regularly may in fact make ADHD symptoms worse. This may be because of the way that videogames interact with the ADHD brain as well as the documented negative impact of regular gaming on sleep, academic skills, social skills, and physical activity. Time spent playing videogames is time devoid of social interactions that teach kids with ADHD important social skills that dont come naturally. Its sedentary time with an absence of the important physical activity needed to help keep ADHD symptoms in check. And its highly stimulating time in the evening which makes it harder for kids with ADHD to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Equally concerning is evidence showing that kids and teens with ADHD are in fact at increased risk for developing problems with videogame and Internet overuse or addiction. If as a parent you are concerned about how much time your child spends playing videogames, or the way they react when they arent allowed to play, then I would encourage you to trust your instincts and take action. You can start by setting firm limits around the amount of videogame time you allow. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids over the age of two spend no more than 2 hours watching screens each day. Since videogames represent a fraction of a childs daily screen time, I recommend limiting videogames to no more than 30 minutes per day. If your child refuses to turn off videogames after 30 minutes, then you may need to eliminate videogames altogether for a few weeks. Then reintroduce them with a firm 30 minute rule in place. If the struggle continues, then you will need to take the videogames away again until your child learns that you mean it when you say, Its 30 minutes or nothing. Without a doubt your child is going to complain that other kids get to play vid eogames all the time! Just remember those other kids may not have ADHD or parents who are as informed and diligent as you are about setting the limits that their children need. While videogames themselves are not to blame for their ADHD, videogames unfortunately exacerbate ADHD conditions and prevent kids with ADHD from pursuing activities needed to help manage their systems and build skills to overcome their symptoms. Prioritizing activities that build social skills, as well as activities that include physical activity, will help kids with ADHD manage their condition. And setting firm limits now on your childs screen time videogames included will pay off immediately and in the long run. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Effective Ways to Improve Your Students Study Skills

Effective Ways to Improve Your Student's Study Skills Effective Ways to Improve Your Students Study Skills A students success in school isnt just based on how well he or she can understand material; rather, academic success also depends on the effectiveness of a students study skills. These important skills include adequately preparing and reviewing material for tests, staying organized and exercising proper study habits. When these skills are weak or lacking in a student, that student is prevented from reaching his or her academic potential. While study skills are often seen as crucial for managing academics at the high school level, they can also foster or impede the success of elementary and middle school students, and developing proper study skills at a young age can pave the way for beneficial habits for the duration of a students academic career. The good news is that improving a students study skills can be achieved relatively easily when parents are able to identify which skills their students are struggling with, and consistently implement the following strategies. Organizing Materials If your child struggles to keep track of his or her handouts and homework assignments, a binder can help contribute much needed organization to his or her daily routine. Together with your child, select a sturdy, sizeable binder (nothing too large) that will be divided into clearly labeled sections for notes, homework, handouts, tests and quizzes. For elementary students, a single binder will likely work well, while middle school students should have an individual binder dedicated to each subject area. Coordinating binders, folders and notebooks by color according to each class can also help middle school students more effectively organize their materials and lessen the chance of accidentally bringing home the wrong materials. The Planner Planners have long served as a tried-and-true approach to improving student study skills, and for good reason. Planning is a foundational skill students need for success in both academics and the real world, and by actively writing down responsibilities on a daily basis, students also strengthen their time management skills. There are now so many planner layouts and formats geared toward all age levels that your student can easily find a planner that best suits his or her individual preferences. However, a planner should always have ample space for students to record all of their homework assignments and extra-curricular commitments on a daily basis. Keep in mind that the key to successful use of a planner is consistent use and active parent review. An Optimal Study Environment Students need quiet, private environments to efficiently complete homework or best prepare for upcoming tests, which is why parents should encourage their child to utilize a space in the home that is well-lit and free of distracting noises, passersbys or unnecessary technology. While your child may not have any qualms about working at the kitchen table or in front of the TV, the reality is that theyll achieve far greater focus and comprehension when they have a space of their own. Establishing a specific study time each week night for students can be another helpful strategy for improving study skills. For middle school students, limit access to cell phones or laptops during homework time, and for elementary students, its not a bad idea to check in often to note progress and offer assistance if needed. Study Skills Tutoring Professional tutoring is another effective option for improving a students study skills that will complement strategies implemented at home and at school. Study skills tutoring programs, like those offered from the Huntington Learning Center, are available to elementary, middle school, and high school students. While study skills tutoring will always be individualized to meet a students specific needs, our program for elementary students often focuses on improving dictionary skills, outlining, general communication and referencing skills. For middle school students, our program frequently targets time management skills, test-taking strategies, note-taking tips and general study strategies. For high school students our program focuses on advanced study skills, such as self-quizzing, test anxiety management, and research paper writing. Learn more about how you can help your student improve his or her study skills, or enroll in one of our proven-effective study skills programs by contacting the Huntington Learning Center at 1-800-CAN-LEARN.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

10 Facebook Language Learning Ideas Youll Like or Love

10 Facebook Language Learning Ideas Youll Like or Love 10 Facebook Language Learning Ideas Youll Like or Love Did you know that Bob Dylan is a visual artist?Or that Vladimir Putin can play Russian classics on the piano?Or that Angelina Jolie is a licensed pilot?And hey, did you also know that Facebook is a language learning powerhouse?Yep, you just need to approach it with the right mindset  to fully harness its educational potential.In this post, were going to show you how to master a language through strategic Likes, friendly Follows and other Facebook-based tricks.Below are 10 ways to make your Facebook account burst with language lessons and insights that get a big thumbs-up from us. Learning a Language Through Facebook? For Reals?!We all know Facebook as a social networking site. In fact, its the biggest of them all, surpassing Twitter, Instagram and other social media, with more than 2 billion active monthly users.Despite the funky press its received over the years, many find it hard to imagine life before Facebook. The social network has practically embedded itself in almost all asp ects of life. But all this success aside, Facebook is still often an untapped resource when it comes to learning a new language. When our idea of Facebook is primarily a place to tag our friends, post cryptic I hate somebody, guess who updates and watch viral videos, we miss out on huge learning potential staring us right in the face.The thing about Facebook is, youre already there, and you already know how it works!So you might as well make it count.Think about it. The world is on Facebook: the native speakers you seek, the language content youve been looking for. All the big language content producers are there. And in a place like Facebook, unlike with standalone websites, you get to talk to everyone. You get to comment. You get to ask questions. You have a say in things. Its very democratic.But people have not yet woken up to the idea of Facebook as a major language learning resource. The language learning taking place, if it happens at all, happens tangentially, or by chance. T his shouldnt be the case, however, because if you think about it, Facebook is practically designed for the language learner. (It has translation capabilities, for goodness sakes!)Its time we take this platform by the horns and milk it for all its worth.So here are 10 things you can do today to re-discover Facebook as the awesome language learning platform its always been.10 Facebook Language Learning Ideas Youll Like or Love1) Join language learning groups.Facebook is a very good platform for people with similar interests to find each other, interact and, ultimately, become a community. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of groups that cater to language learners. You can join general purpose language groups that welcome learners of all tongues into their fold. You also have language-specific groups like those interested in Korean, Arabic  or  German.To find these learning communities, simply go to the search bar and use search terms like [French, Spanish, etc.] language learning groups. This will bring up relevant results for groups you can instantly join.To maximize these communities, be an active member of your groups. This goes from the very day you join. Give everyone a hearty, Hello! Newbie here! The people who wave back will likely be the ones who are the most active in the group, and you should take the opportunity to strike up a conversation with them.Language learning groups can be wellsprings of information and opinion. You can ask for reviews for certain language products, you can be pointed to resources you would otherwise have never heard of and you can make friends along the way!2) Like pages that deal with your target language.Want your FB feed to be an automatic learning machine, continually serving you up language learning opportunities? Like those pages and posts that relate to the language youre studying. Smashing the thumbs-up button on these babies will let Facebook know that youre interested in topics related to your target language an d will prioritize displaying them on your feed. Facebook goes, Oh, so you like that, huh? Well, heres moreSo how do you find out about content to Like and Follow in the first place? Well, its best to step out of Facebook and use Google for this. For example, lets say you want to get to the major Italian newspapers. Type in Italian newspapers in Italian on Google and youll get the names of their major dailies. Pick one newspaper, say, Corriere della Sera  (Evening Courier). Copy and paste its name into the Facebook search bar to see if the publication has a FB presence. When you see they do, dont hesitate to smash Like on their page. Do this for several newspapers, and soon, your feed will be populated with updates and news in Italian.Try this method for any type of content youd like to have on your feedâ€"for example, foreign language TV shows, like the German Der Tatortreiniger  (The Crime Scene Cleaner), or foreign language magazines, like the French Le Point.Now your feed might b e populated with friends or acquaintances whose love life or daily lunch pics dont interest you that much. You can tell Facebook not to show things like this on your feed so your language-related content doesnt get buried under the rest of the noise by choosing to Unfollow people or groups (you can still remain friends with them, but just not see their content).This way, your timeline will show language learning content thats worth a real look.To really have more control over what shows up on your timeline, click the downward pointing triangle found at the top right corner of your screen. Click on News Feed Preferences. Youll then be shown options like Prioritize who to see first, and Unfollow people to hide their posts.3) Watch viral videos from people that speak your language of interest.Youre already watching videos on Facebook, right? Might as well watch those that have something to do with your target language. Viral videos are highly memorable, and so they make the language th ey come in memorable as well. Maybe one shows a Chinese couple arguing about some silly thing, or a French boyfriend explaining an oncoming prank or even a Spanish sketch about the lovely differences between being single and attachedâ€"milk these visual contexts for language lessons.To find these viral videos, its again best to search through Google. Type in Spanish viral videos Facebook, for example, and you’ll see an assortment of hits. You can also add search terms like funny, inspirational, top, amazing, etc.This method can lead you to whole pages of videos and images. For example, Spanish learners can get to pages like Mexican Funny Videos, which curates humor content. There, youll find videos like La Jefa (The Boss), which shows a mother telling a son to clean the house, or else face terrible consequences.Dont forget to Like the pages or accounts containing the videos so their updates get locked into your Facebook feed.If you enjoy learning with videos on Facebook, youll def initely want to check out FluentU, which curates the best of YouTube in your target language for you. FluentU tracks down real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.4) Add native speakers to your Friends list.Native speakers are your ultimate language insiders. They can teach you their language in a way a textbook never can.And the cool thing about native speakers is that you basically just have to find one. And that one will be connected to loads of others.One way of finding native speakers is through the language learning groups we talked about earlier. Be on the lookout for native speakers who simply joined a group because they want to help everybody else. When somebody in the group asks a question and somebody else addresses the query with something like, Im a native speaker, and the answer to your question is, thats a green light for you to add that person as a friend. Theyve already signal ed willingness to help, and are therefore a high-quality friend add.And like I said, you just need one connection, and this will likely open up a whole network of native speakers for you.5) Study status updates and posts by your newfound friends, and write your own.Lets say you already have several native speakers added to your list. Milk their profiles by following them and studying their updates and posts. (What an easy way of learning with authentic content!)They wrote something? Theres a language lesson for you! Find out what its all about. Like social media posts in your native language, it may be short, silly and mundane. Heck, they might just say that they just finished a good cup of coffee, but thats a gold nugget right there for a language learner like you.They posted pictures? Read those captions and learn the fastest ways of describing things!As long as were on the topic of posts and updates, did you know that you can write your own posts in your target language? Just act ivate Multilingual Posts in the Language section of Settings, and every time you send out a post, you can choose to write it in French, Spanish, etc. This is an excellent way to practice writing in your target language.Dont worry that your friends might think you weird when their feed shows inscrutable French from you. Facebook will automatically translate your blurbs into English and your friends will be none the wiser.6) Read (and write) comments.Comments sections are a treasure trove of language gems waiting to be discovered. They can get even longer and more detailed than posts and updates, so theyre perfect for intermediate learners wishing to flex those linguistic muscles.Whether youre on a language learning page or a native speakers account, reading replies to updates will teach you things like vocabulary, common phrases, common expressions, sentence construction and idiomatic expressions. When youve got native speakers chatting back and forth, their language on full display, oh, thats simply a masterclass in the language.Just make sure that Facebook doesnt automatically translate your target language into English. To do this, go to Settings and click Language. Under News Feed Translation Preferences, edit Which languages do you not want automatically translated? Type in your target language and save those changes.This will allow you to view the comments and post in the original language that it was written. And dont worry, if you need it rendered in English, you can always click the ubiquitous See Translation.7) Check out pages for language learners.Earlier, we talked about language learning groups, right? Lo and behold, there are also pages and accounts run by polyglots, language bloggers, language content producers and institutions that give you heaps and heaps of free material.Youll find pages like polyglot Luca Lampariellos The Polyglot Dream  or, for Spanish learners, Señor Jordans Spanish Videos.Every Tom, Dick and Harry who produces language le arning content is probably on Facebook. And guess what, you often get richer information from their FB pages or profiles than their websites. With standalone .com websites, you have a one-sided flow of information. Its the company presenting their stuff. On Facebook, theres a lot more interaction happening. People get to comment and write in their reviews, suggestions and queries.So do check these out. Follow FluentU on Facebook and well keep you updated on our latest posts with language learning tips and resources.8) Pursue your hobbies and interests but in the target language.You have hobbies and subjects that grab your attention, right? What if I told you that you can pursue those wide-ranging interests and your love for languages at the same time?Because Facebook is such an international brand, people all over the world are using it. And guess what, theyre Facebooking in their own tongue, posting content in a variety of languages.Say youre passionate about food and scouting for great recipes. Instead of hobnobbing with the FB accounts of your favorite cooking shows in your native language or your go-to native-speaking chefs, search for chefs and shows in the language youre interested in. Youll not only get to see a different set of fare from an authentic perspective, youll also learn a new language along the way. Even a one-minute video that time-lapses the process of making a simple dish, flashing the different ingredients on the screen, can be a great vocabulary lesson.So whether you have an unmatched affinity for DIY projects, gardening, stamps or cars, Facebook can help you learn a language and engage your other passions at the same time.9) Watch some live streams in your target language.Facebook has launched live streaming capabilities on its platform, which means real-time language learning opportunities for those who know how to properly look and listen.You can find videos that are currently playing live by scrolling down to the Explore section loca ted on the left-hand side of your screen and clicking on Live Video. Follow enough language-related pages and youll have more opportunities to catch an interesting live feed in your target language.However, the live streams you watch dont necessarily have to have anything to do with language learning, as long as theyre in the target language. Hey, one could be about a French lady selling the contents of her closet online, or a German knife manufacturer exhibiting the virtues of his productâ€"the smart language learner uses these events as learning opportunities.They listen to whats being said. They listen to the tone and inflection of words. They watch for the most commonly repeated phrases and expressions. They have a dictionary or translator app ready just in case.Because live streaming doesnt come with subtitles or transcriptions, its best suited to intermediate and advanced learners out to hone their listening and comprehension skills.And if youre bold enough, you can test your writing chops by joining the live chat and asking a question or two of the host, all in the target language. Theres no guarantee that your comment or question will be answered (much less read), but its still good practice for communicating your thoughts in written form.10) Unleash the beast: Set your Facebook language to your target language.And last but not least, you can simply go all the way and immerse in the target language by changing the language FB comes in. Go to Settings and click on Language. Edit the section What language do you want to use Facebook in by choosing your target language.Click Save changes. (It will change your world.)So for example, if you change the language settings from English to French, the whole Facebook interface now is in French. The Like button becomes J’aime  and See translation becomes Voir la traduction. (And you will never be the same.)Youll feel like a fish out of water initially, maybe even thinking, This isnt Facebook! But resist the urge to navigate back to the settings and change back to English. Stop yourself, because very soon, youll get the hang of it. Soon, youll be breezing through the French interface without even missing a beat.So there are 10 things you can do to your Facebook to turn it into a language learning site. Each is powerful in and of itself, but use three or four in unison and youll really be beginning to harness the platforms language-enriching capabilities.But of course, dont forget to Like that picture of your friends cat. Itll make her day!Hope this post made yours. And One More ThingIf youre looking for even more ways to fully immerse yourself in a second language, then youre going to love learning with FluentU!FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.With FluentU, you hear languages in real-world contextsâ€"the way that native speakers actually use them.Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of FluentU videos on offer:FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. It’s already hand-picked the best videos for you and organized them by level and topic. All you have to do is choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started!Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more.Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab.You can use FluentU’s unique adaptive quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions and exercises. Just swipe left or right to see more examples of the word youre studying.The program even keeps track of what you’re learning and tells you exactly when it’s time for review, giving you a 100% personalized experience.Start using FluentU on the web site  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes store  or  Google Play store.

March Learning Womens History Month

March Learning Womens History Month Womens History Month March is National Womens History Month. Students who want to stay relevant in the field of womens history should think about adding a few feminine voices to their studies this month. March can be an inspiration to both female teachers and students alike. Learning about womens history cannot only broaden a student’s view on women’s contributions but integrate historical feminine figures into their other studies, thus improving their education in general. 1. Test prep SAT students are consistently struggling with historical examples for their SAT essay our private Orange County SAT tutors are here to help. Many students come up with highly famous historical figures such as George Washington or Gandhi. Although both very relevant people, SAT graders do not enjoy reading about the same half dozen figures over and over again. Students should increase their historical awareness and be prepared to write about lesser-known, although equally relevant, female figures in history. Students who are about to take the SAT should learn about the biography and contributions of figures such as Jane Addams, Susan B Anthony, Catherine the Great, Amelia Earhart, Maria Montessori and so on. Writing about historical figures that are less common can help a SAT student demonstrate their knowledge of a diverse and in-depth history and potentially raise their essay grade (READ: Last Minute SAT Study Guide). 2. Understanding history in general Students of history (which is every high school student), will notice that they are often tested on pivotal people and events. Student should always remember to learn about famous women in history so that they can become better history students in general. For example, future scientists should know about the achievements of Sally Ride (the first American woman in space and also the youngest American astronaut to go to space) and Rosa Parks (one of our greatest civil rights figures in America). 3. Science and technology With STEM programs on the rise, its important for young female students to know about their famous female scientific predecessors. With more and more STEM jobs available, its essential that young students everywhere be aware of how this innovative and lucrative field started. One of our most famous female scientists in history was Marie Curie (the first woman to win a Nobel Prize), but there are many more scientific ladies to learn about. For example students should learn more about: Caroline Herschel, an astronomer, Mary Anning, a paleontologist and scientific illustrator, and Maria Mitchell, a science and math teacher as well as an astronomer (READ: March Lesson Plans and Supplemental Education Activities). 4. Women’s Suffrage Students can also learn about fabulous historical figures such as Alice Paul and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who, among many others, led the womens suffrage movement in the United States. Every American student should have a grasp of not only the historical figures in the womens suffrage movement but also the causes of it and the struggles that these now famous ladies faced throughout recent American history. This is important not only for general knowledge but for AP US history students. Knowledge of the womens civil rights movement is essential to have a well balanced view of American history in general. In Short Although the study of our great ladies of history is a fine academic pursuit in and of itself, students are advised that any study of history and our prominent feminine figures can help them better understand a diverse range of subjects ranging from test prep to current scientific theory to sociology and psychology. Students should take a couple of hours this March to learn about some of our greatest historical female figures to improve their knowledge of all subjects. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about.

How to break into teaching English online as a non-native speaker

How to break into teaching English online as a non-native speaker In the past on the old bloggy blog, we’ve covered the ins and out of teaching English abroad as a non-native speaker. (Spoiler alert: It is absolutely possible!) But what about teaching English online? Is that a whole other ball game altogether? I’m a non-native English speaker - can I still teach English online? Yep! Demand for both native AND non-native online English teachers continues to grow at a pace that’s unmatched anywhere else in the language learning industry worldwide. So long as you speak the language fluently, you stand just as a good chance of finding employment as an online English teacher as any native English speaker out there. This holds true regradless of whether you’re just starting out with teaching or you’re already a highly experienced ESL instructor. After all, non-native English teachers bring some unique stengths to the job that native speakers often don’t possess. For starters, you’ve already been through the language learning process firsthand. Who could be more empathetic to the needs and challenges English language learners face than someone who’s been in their shoes before? Moreover, you (arguably) have an stronger grasp of grammar and other technical aspects of the English language than your native English speaking counterparts. Sure, a native speaker could well have an intuitive understanding of what’s correct and incorrect, but they may not be able to explain the rules in a way that makes sense to an English language learner. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. A list of online English companies hiring non-native speakers. Aside from a few notable exceptions, including VIPKID, Gogokid, Qkids, iTutorGroup and DaDa, all of the following companies welcome applications from non-native English speakers. 51Talk TutorABC Topica Native Talk 915 FluentBe eHello Lingokids Bibo Global Italki Orange Talk Antoree Kukuspeak ECommunication PandaABC HelloKid WonderKids iBestTeacher While these companies all welcome applications from non-native speakers with a high level of English proficiency, it’s worth noting that they may set out other requirements you’ll also need to meet, including a degree, teaching experience and ESL certification. And the best part? You don’t need a visa to teach English online, so no need to worry about those pesky government restrictions that are often imposed on non-native speakers! Sidenote: Some companies state a preference for applicants with a “neutral” accent, which seems like a contradiction in terms. Like all languages, English is spoken with different accents all around the world. There are always variations in accents, even within the same country or state. Our advice? So long as you can show your English proficiency, you shouldn’t let this requirement put you off applying. And again, one of the best ways to gain a competitive edge is by getting TEFL certified. Read this: Are you ready to teach online? Filipino online English teaching companies hiring non-native speakers. Altoral Learntalk Skybel Bibo Right now, there are a wealth of online English teaching jobs for non-native speakers just waiting for your application. Head on over to our online teaching job board for the latest open positions today!

How to transition from the classroom to teaching English online

How to transition from the classroom to teaching English online It’s official: online teaching is the future. And there’s no doubt that this could be a huge bonus for teachersâ€"â€"even those more used to traditional classrooms. With flexible hours, shortor long-term contracts available, and literally hundreds of opportunities at major companies like VIPKid, getting into teaching English online has never been easier. It can be an excellent way for teachers to supplement their income, or even transition out of the brick-and-mortar classroom altogether. Don’t have any teaching experience yet? Teaching English online can be a great way to get some, especially since there are companies that don’t require any previous experience. If you’re planning to teach English abroad in the future, it may also be worth giving online teaching a try first, so that you get a better idea of what to expect. But even for experienced teachers, it’s not quite as simple as logging on and watching the $$$ roll in. While the fundamentals of teaching are the same in any context, teaching online does have its own unique set of challenges. Luckily there are plenty of solutions too. Shannon Fernandez, a VIPKid teacher, has helped us clear up some misconceptions about teaching English online in the past. Now, we thought we’d give you some additional pointers for a successful transition to the online classroom. Overcoming language barriers If you’ve taught English as a secondlanguage (ESL) before, teaching English online won’t be your first encounter with language barriers. But there can be a difference between dealing with gaps in knowledge online and in person. Imagine you’re used to working with a classroom full of students who can chip in ideas and support each other, and suddenly you’re sharing a screen (and an awkward silence) with one kid who just can’t understand you. How do you deal with it? In the moment, stay patient, talk slowly and grade your language as low as possible. In advance, work on your facial expressions, hand gestures, and images or teaching props, so you have plenty of ways to explain what high-level vocabulary means. Understanding cultural differences Again, anyone at home in an ESL classroom won’t be a stranger to daily culture shocks. However, if online teaching is your first major experienceworking with people from another country, prepare yourself to be surprised and confused by a few cultural curve ballsâ€"â€"especially when combined with the language barriers mentioned above! Whether it’s something small, like what your student eats for breakfastâ€"â€"or something much largerâ€"â€"take a minute to think about how you react to surprising things your students say. As a rule, being surprised or curious is fine, but steer clear of any negativity or judgment. Cultural differences that might seem huge to you are probably just an everyday part of your students’ lives, and an uncomfortable reaction from you could leave them feeling alienated in the classroom. Remember, if you keep an open mind and listen to your students in a mixed culture classroom, you’ll end up learning as much as you teach. Mastering online teaching technology As a teacher, you know how embarrassing it can be to find yourself feeling unprepared, or on the back foot in front of a room full of expectant people. Unfortunately, switching to teaching online doesn't stop this happening from time to time! But one way to make sure you feel in control in the online classroom is by mastering the technology you teach with. Obviously, this begins with a reliable computer and a strong internet connection. Beyond these basics, getting comfortable with all the different tools on your teaching platform is really important. It’ll improve your confidence, your lessons and make you look more professional. This is especially true if you’re working with kids, who (no doubt) will have all the tech figured out already. This may mean spending time figuring things out in the classroom outside of lessons, but the results (confident teacher ? well-managed classroom ? engaged students ?) will be worth it. Adapting to the spotlight You’re used to people looking at you. As a teacher, you spend all day standing up in front of people. But, suddenly, your face is close up on a screen for hours at a time and it makes you feel kind of . . . exposed. Unfortunately, this is part and parcel of being an online teacher. But the good news is you’ll get used to it, just like you got used to standing at the front of a classroom. To help you through it in the meantime, make sure you and your visible background look presentable (if not exceptional), and keep students busy so that, even if you feel your face is front and center, they’re focused on the tasks at hand. And, don’t forget propsâ€"â€"the virtual teacher’s ultimate teaching assistant. There are all kinds of creative and budget-friendlyprops you can use as entertaining teaching resources, or buddies to share the spotlight with. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Creating a positive virtual environment After all the human contact of teaching in a classroom, switching to an online environment might feel somewhat cold. But your online students are just as real as your in-person ones, and they’ll still need a supportive, engaging atmosphere to thrive. So, how can you recreate it? First, get to know your students and create opportunities for them to get to know each other by encouraging participation and discussion in class. Next, involve your students in the classroom by asking them for feedback on classes, monitoring their progress and following up on homework, just as you would in person. Finally, make sure the activities you do are adapted to creating an encouraging online environment. For example, with a little adjustment, classic learning games can bring life and humor into an online classroom, just as they would in person. Planning your classes One of the things that attract many educators to online teaching is the thought of no lesson planning. Major online schools such asVIPKid have great learning resources already planned out, leaving their teachers with nothing to do except turn up and teach. (Is that a dream come true or what?) However, especially when you’re first starting out as an online teacher, you’ll still have to put a little thought into how you’re going to present yourself in class. This could literally mean laying out your clothes before bed if being in different time zonesmeans you start teaching super early in the morning. Or it might mean that you have to tidy the house, so you have a professional-looking background for your webcam. You’ll also need to consider how to increase engagement in your online classroom. You might want to make props, plan the online tools you’ll be using, or think about how to grade your language for low-level learners. Whatever you need to get your head around, remember that online lessons are often short and planned to the minute, so getting any extra preparation done in advance is key. When the lesson begins, you’ll be glad you sorted out these factors beforehand, and the more experienced you become, the less you’ll have to prepare. Getting started with teaching English online Think you’re ready to teach online? With a few tweaks here and there, transitioning from the classroom to successfully teaching online is doable for any teacher. And it means having some extra cashin your bank accountâ€"â€"which is always nice. With so many online teaching opportunities out there, what are you waiting for? Apply to teach online today.