Arabic Immersion How Best to Do It.

Arabic Immersion How Best to Do It. Ditch the Classroom and Immerse Yourself in Arabic. ChaptersLanguage Immersion: Better Than Mere Language Classes.Which Country Should You Study Arabic In?How Do Arabic Immersion Courses Work?Getting a Student Visa in Arabic-speaking CountriesGetting Scholarships in Arabic-speaking CountriesHow to Study in the MaghrebThings to Be Aware Of.“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself” - John DeweyImmersion in a country where Arabic is spoken as one of the official languages is one of the best ways to learn how to speak the Arabic language.  This only really works if you spend a good amount of time in a place.  Generally, we'd recommend at least a semester.According to UNESCO, there were 257,885 students on placements in the Middle East in 2012. 12.3% of them were in the United Arab Emirates and 8.5% were in Jordan.  The number of Arabic-speaking students coming to Western Europe is much lower.Whether you're interested in Islamic studies, want to learn more about Arabian culture, or are planning to travel to a Mi ddle Eastern country, immersion remains the best option when it comes to learning Arabic.In this article, we’re going to look at which Arabic-speaking country you should study in, how you get your visas and paperwork sorted in these countries, how to get scholarships for universities in Arabic-speaking countries, and what studying in North Africa is like. HalimaArabic Teacher £13/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KotaibaArabic Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SoledadArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NancyArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaouesArabic Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DinaArabic Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AbrarArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UsamaArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLanguage Immersion: Better Than Mere Language Classes.If you really want to develop your proficiency in a foreign language, there is nothing better than enrolling onto a language learning course in a country that speaks that language. Attending a language program that meets for a class weekly is not even comparable.Language and culture are often deeply entwined - and attending language courses in that country gives the learner an insight not just into the new language, but into the world that speaks it too. Having the cultural coordinates of the second language you want to learn helps you make sense of the language itself. There are cultural references embedded in the language that will be clarified by your exposure to that culture. Meanwhile, learning colloquial expressions and Arabic phrases and dialects will help you sound like a native speaker.By studying in a context in which you cannot leave the classroom and speak English again is another fantastic part of language study abroad. You are forced to learn to speak from the very first moment - something which develops your fluency, vocabulary, and your pronunciation. It also, over time, prevents that mindset in which it is embarrassing to make mistakes: the possibility of communicative success in Arabic relies on you actually speaking Arabic - and the quicker you are comfortable with this the better.The change of mindset that comes with being in a different place helps the language learning experience too. Rather than being in the same classroom in your home town, you are much more likely to actually learn something with a radical shift in environment.Obviously, however, all this stuff obscures one of the most important aspects of the immersion experience. That's that it doesn't just help your language learning but it's incredibly inspiring, exciting, and enjoyable too. These will be some of the best experiences in your life, living in a different country, experiencing a way of life completely different to your own, and developing a larger sense of the world.Find great Arabic cours es London now.Which Country Should You Study Arabic In?It should be mentioned that not every country in the Arab world is somewhere you can go. Whilst the concern about the 'safety' of Arab countries is often a bit of a dog-whistle - with many in the west holding the problematic assumption that the Middle East is a dangerous, monolithic bloc - you should take the time to find out which countries are okay to visit and which are best avoided. For example, conflicts in Iraq, ongoing civil war in Syria and now Libya, and dictatorships in many other countries, make parts of the region risky for anyone who is not sensible and prepared.There are inherent risks no matter where you go. (Source: 8moments)The Arab spring resulted in instability in parts of North Africa as Arabs overthrew regimes in various countries.  As a rule of thumb, you should probably avoid border regions and certain countries in the Arabic-speaking world: Libya, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Algeria, and Yemen.Additionally, in Saudi Arabia, the ruling powers don’t really have a great record when it comes to human rights.  This leaves countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman.Generally speaking, the best places to go to learn the Arabic language are the United Arab Emirates and Egypt because the dialect of the latter is the closest to Modern Standard Arabic.You need to keep in mind that the security risk of Egypt is higher than some of the other countries on this list.  You can also study in Lebanon and Jordan, which have an even higher security risk.While you can travel on a tourist visa for 90 days in Morocco, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, you’ll need to get a student visa to start a university course or a language course at a language school.With all that said, there are plenty of countries where Arabic is the official language and plenty of Arab countries that are safe with welcoming and friendly people. Here's just a selection.Jordan.One of the most popular pla ces to take an Arabic immersion course, Jordan is a country known for such incredible sights as Petra, Jerash (an ancient Roman ruin), and the capital city, Amman. If you are looking to do Arabic immersion, the chances are you will find yourself in Amman, a busy, modern, and beautiful city.Known as one of the easier places to travel in the Middle East - as it attracts many tourists from the Arab world and Europe - it will provide a wonderful experience for anyone looking to learn Arabic whilst sampling the range of Arab culture.Find Arabic language course here.Egypt.Known for its pyramids, its ancient pharaohs and gods, and the mighty river Nile, Egypt will be forever on the map of those looking to see the world. And, whilst, these days, the political climate has become rather concerning, it remains a safe place to travel - as long as you don't head into the North Sinai nor into the desert west of the Nile. Take care, don't do anything risky, and follow government advice, and you'll have no trouble at all.The chances are that, if you take a language immersion course in Egypt, you'll be based in Cairo - the famous capital. However, there are also great opportunities to study in Alexandria and in Dahab - a spot famous for diving.Morocco.Morocco is the north-west African country that appears to extend an arm to reach Spain, separating the Mediterranean from the Atlantic. Owing to this geographical proximity to Europe, it enjoys a cultural proximity too - and it brands itself as the safest and easiest country in the Arab world in which to travel.Arabic language immersion experiences are available in Rabat - the capital city - in Marrakesh, and in Tangier. Whilst Marrakesh, the ancient city and popular tourist destination, might appeal more for its familiarity, beauty, and pace, Morocco's other cities are potentially even more interesting.UAE.The United Arab Emirates is a country that is historically, culturally, and demographically unique. Famous once only for its pearls, oil was discovered beneath the country in the 1950s. Since then, wealth has piled on wealth, and the state is now known for its two cities - Dubai and Abu Dhabi - that boast jaw-dropping architecture, pristine beaches, and a culture based on commerce.Travelling to these cities is, essentially, the norm: of a population of nine million people, only 1.4 million are actually Emirati citizens, with the rest being expats. Here, you'll be in good company - and there are plenty of language courses available.Lookup for Arabic courses for beginners here.How Do Arabic Immersion Courses Work?Arabic immersion courses - like all language immersion courses - work like any other language course in the UK. However, rather than a lesson a week or something like this, what you'll get is a much more intensive experience, studying between four and six hours a day.Across this time, you will be learning everything from the Arabic alphabet to pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar - the normal th ings you should expect from a language class.However, depending on where you will be, and the school you attend, you may have radically different experiences. If you are on a reasonably short trip for the language experience, the schools will organise sight-seeing trips at the weekends. They might organise evening visits to cultural experiences or social experiences for the students of the school. All of these things are designed to make your trip fun - but of course you are not obliged to attend.If you are attending university in an Arabic-speaking country, the experience will be much different - obviously. You will be living in the country properly, and unless the institution helps you out (see below), you will have to think about the social and life stuff yourself.How Much Should I Expect to Pay?Immersion experiences vary in terms of cost depending on the region you wish to visit, the length of your course, whether they provide accommodation, etc etc etc.As you can imagine, the G ulf States - such as UAE - are the most expensive in terms of cost of living, and the costs of immersion courses will reflect that. Entry level prices offered by the website, ESL, show the following:Morocco £295 / two weeksJordan £270 / two weeksUAE £1270 / one weekEgypt £380 / two weeksSo, whilst the UAE offers glitz, the costs may well be prohibitive. Regardless, it is well worth shopping around to see what the other options are like. HalimaArabic Teacher £13/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KotaibaArabic Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SoledadArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NancyArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaouesArabic Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DinaArabic Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AbrarArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UsamaArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our t utorsGetting a Student Visa in Arabic-speaking CountriesFor example, if you want to live in Dubai or Abu Dhabi while you study, you’ll need a student visa.  The quality of life in the United Arab Emirates, where these cities are, is very high, notably due to:The subtropical desert climate where the average highs are 24 °C in January and 40 °C in JulyA high standard of livingAn excellent healthcare systemHigh-quality infrastructureAll of these things come from the fact that this state is absolutely filthy rich - due to the presence of oil.Once you've got your visa, you'll need to get your flights! (Source: jackmac34)Those from countries who are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council won’t have the same visa requirements.You’ll need a sponsor from the host university of the private school, a valid passport, and a copy of an admission letter.  Student visas are valid for 12 months. Depending on the situation, the visa can cost up to £600.You’ll need the following documents fo r a residency visa in Abu Dhabi or Dubai:A photocopy of your passportA colour ID photoMedical insurance valid in the United Arab EmiratesThe visa application formYou’ll also need to health insurance if the host university doesn’t cover this, which can cost up to between £10,000 and £15,000.If you’re heading to Amman, Jordan, where there are several universities, you’ll need a tourist or business visa before you go. You’ll change this visa once you get there.You can also study Arabic in Saudia Arabia. This country is notorious for its human rights, but you can get a visa if you’re studying there.  You’ll need to apply for a visa through visa agencies accredited to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.Getting Scholarships in Arabic-speaking CountriesStudying in the Middle East or member states of the Arab League often comes at a cost.You can learn Arabic in Doha! (Source: Konevi)This is why so many students apply for scholarships to help them pay for their studies and exp enses. Scholarships are usually given out in accordance with a student’s grades and the very best will be encouraged financially to continue their studies.These are generally provided by public organisations or by rich families. For example, the Saudi Royal Family also provide scholarships.Scholarships in QatarQatar University has a scholarship for students wanting to improve their level of Arabic. This is for those who already have a good understanding of Arabic but don’t speak it as a native language.Before you leave, we recommend you get intensive Arabic lessons from a private tutor so that you can get around once you’re there.You can improve your linguistic skills in Arabic such as writing, speaking, reading (from right to left), and learning more about the role of the language and the history of Arabic culture.The scholarship for Qatar University in Doha includes:Student visaResidence permitApplication fees and textbooksReturn flightsUniversity accommodationThree daily me alsYou should be aware that you’ll need a letter of recommendation and you’ll need to be able to speak in Arabic or English with the administration.There are three types of organisation that offer scholarships: The Qatar Foundation, the ruling family, and scholarships from UK universities.Arabic ScholarshipsThere are multiple scholarships available from host institutions in the UK for those wanting to study a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Arabic-speaking countries.  You can go to countries like Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia, for example.  That said, you can also get scholarships in Morocco, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. You should have a look at different organisations offering bursaries and scholarships.How to Study in the MaghrebYou can also learn Arabic in Morocco and Tunisia.You can learn Arabic in Tunisia, too! (Source: Skitterphoto)The countries in the Maghreb (North Africa) also often speak French because many of them were once colonised by the French em pire.  Foreign students wanting to study in the Maghreb should probably get good A-Level or degree results.In Morocco, you’ll need to put together an application and get it to the “Agence Marocaine de Coopération International” (Moroccan International Cooperation Agency) before the 31st July each year.Your application needs to include:The routes or establishments the bursary will be for.The application form from the AMCI.Photocopies of results and transcripts.The student will receive a letter if their application is successful.Once you’re in Morocco, you’ll need to finish your registration at the university, find accommodation, and get a residency permit.Keep in mind that the dialect used in Morocco, also known as Moroccan Darija, is actually quite different from other dialects of Arabic. An Egyptian may not understand you if you speak this dialect of Arabic, for example.If you study in Tunisia, you’ll need a visa, a residence permit when you arrive, and to be accepted onto a course at a Tunisian school.Living in a country in the Maghreb allows you to benefit from a lower cost of living than in the UK or the countries in the Gulf.You’ll need six different documents to get your Tunisian residency permit:A certificate proving your enrollment at the universityThe receipt for the payment of your tuition feesYour lease contractTwo ID photosTwo tax stampsProof of financesProof of medical and accident insuranceThe steps you’ll need to take before you before going to an Arabic-speaking are similar to other countries around the world. After you’ve learnt Arabic, you’ll have quite the CV!Before you go, it's a good idea to get private tutorials from one of the private tutors on Superprof. You can get private one on one tutorials, online Arabic course, or group tutorials.Private tutorials are the most expensive per hour but arguably the most effective. Online tutorials offer a cheaper option for tailored tutorials as the tutors don't have travel costs to account for.If you're on a budget, group tutorials are cheaper per hour but your tutor's attention will be divided between you and the other students. That said, this is really useful if you're going to an Arabic-speaking country with some friends.Things to Be Aware Of.When traveling to a different country, the thing you need to remember is respect. There will be different ways of doing things: different customs, different ways of eating, different ideas of acceptable standards of behaviour. Some countries are more notorious than others for the strength of the standards they enforce - but the areas better-trodden by tourists are generally going to be more relaxed than the more remote places.Considering this, it is worth briefly covering some things that you might want to know before you get off the plane. Whilst this often sounds a little scary, it's best to know what you are dealing with.Drinking alcohol. - The consumption of alcohol in the Middle East is not so common as it is here. Let's say, it's best not to stumble down the street raucously waving a bottle of Bacardi. Some hotels serve alcohol, but don't expect it in every restaurant - and in Saudi Arabia, you'll find that possession of alcohol is just flat-out illegal.Covering up.  - Dressing modestly is something generally recommended when travelling in the Arab world. By this, we mean covering shoulders, legs, and - in the more conservative countries - even your hair. If you don't do this, you'll may receive unwanted attention, hassle, and touching. It's best to dress like the locals.Travelling as a woman.  - There are a lot of horror stories on this topic, and a general fearfulness around the advice for women. Generally speaking, it's not as bad as you may have heard. Again, the name of the game is do as the locals do.Eating.  - It's not all falafel and hummus, just to begin. Otherwise, it's important to know that you should eat with your right hand, and never your left. And, if you don't want to eat with your hands, practise your Arabic and just ask for a fork.  The important to remember in all this is that, with customs, you are allowed to get it wrong. Unless you are rude, offensive, or downright weird, no-one is going to care if you do something slightly different.

5 Vocal Exercises to Help You Sing Gospel Music

5 Vocal Exercises to Help You Sing Gospel Music Sign up successful Here is a good way to get started: exhale for four seconds (to empty out your lungs), then inhale for eight seconds, hold the breath for eight seconds, and exhale for eight seconds. Once you perfect this breath, move onto (still) exhaling for four seconds, then inhale nine, hold for nine, and exhale for nine seconds. Gradually, you can work up to the full “one minute breath.” 2. Vocal Warm-ups You’ll want to warm up your voice before working on your gospel song. A nice easy exercise is to sing mah-mah-mah-mah-mah on a major triad for women, perhaps start on the G major triad below middle C, and for men, you can start on the C major triad an octave below middle C. Then you can warm up on some of the other pure vowel sounds, including meh-meh-meh-meh-meh, mee-mee-mee-mee-mee, moh-moh-moh-moh-moh, and moo-moo-moo-moo-moo. Work your way down to your lowest note in half-steps and then back up to your highest note in half-steps. 3. Choose Your Song Next, try singing along with several gospel singers whom you admire. If you can hit all the notes that they are hitting, that is a great song to start with. If you find a singer whose voice is similar to yours, then you can learn a bunch of her or his songs and build your gospel repertoire. 4. Isolate a Lick Almost every gospel singer out there has some vocal tricks up her sleeve! Take the song “Amazing Grace”, for example the first “A” might have six or eight or more notes associated with it. Mahalia Jackson, on one version of the song, sings the G and A below middle C for six notes before hitting middle C on “-maz.” That is seven notes and we haven’t even finished one word! It is a good idea to break down the entire vocal line and practice it slowly at first, until you can gradually sing it note for note with Mahalia or whomever you enjoy singing with. 5. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat! Any vocal style worth studying is going to take a large chunk of time to really get a feel for its ins and outs. Spend at least a few years studying gospel singing developing your repertoire, your vocal lines, and eventually your own personal style with a singing instructor who specializes in the genre. If you love gospel as much as I do, you will really enjoy your voyage into gospel singing! Give yourself the gift of developing your talent and then sharing your voice with others! Learn more in voice teacher Heather L.s Ultimate Guide to Singing Styles and Genres! Gfire teaches music theory, opera voice, piano,  singing, and songwriting in Austin, TX. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from  University of Maryland, as well as her  Master of the Science of Singing from  Ernest George White Society.  Learn more about Gfire 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 Photo by  U.S. Embassy New Delhi

6 Tips to Maximize Your Search for Financial Aid

6 Tips to Maximize Your Search for Financial Aid The following piece was written by David Bakke, a contributing writer for the popular personal finance website and blog, Money Crashers. He offers expertise on many important topics ranging from student loan debt and frugal living to retirement planning and careers. His work has been featured in various prominent publications such as Forbes and U.S. News World Report. The cost of a college education is high, and only getting higher. According to the College Board, the overall cost of one year of school at a public college comes in right around $22,000. At a private school, that number is closer to $43,000. The prospect of assuming that much debt is enough to scare anyone off, so the last thing you want to do is rely strictly on student loans to finance your education. There are a ton of alternative options at your disposal to decrease the overall cost of your time in school, so follow these six tips to help get you started today: 1. Do not solely rely on your financial aid office The first place to go to optimize your search for assistance is your school's financial aid office. You can get information and guidance on the many forms of aid available from government-subsidized loans to assistance from private lenders, and make sure you get the biggest bang for your buck. It would be a mistake, however, to rely entirely on this resource. There are plenty of other outlets available; they just take a bit of effort to produce results. 2. Immerse yourself in the internet Roll up your sleeves and get to work. Once you've exhausted the resources at your financial aid office, it's time to take advantage of the many other opportunities at your disposal. Countless grants, scholarships, and other forms of free money can be found simply by scouring the Internet. Many are available based on your race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and your involvement in professional organizations. Dig deep, and you may be surprised at what you find. 3. Start your search early and apply as soon as possible Youll want to start your search as early as you can for all forms of financial aid. Don't wait until posted deadlines to submit your application. A lot of the grant money out there is allocated quickly and the last thing you want to do is miss out because you waited too long to apply. Even if you're only a junior in high school, it can't hurt to begin your search. That way, you're going to be better informed about how financial aid programs work and the best ways to take advantage of them. 4. Choose federal loans over private Focus on federal student loans rather than loans from private institutions. Of course, once your federal loan options are exhausted, you may be forced to explore financing via private lenders just be aware that interest rates are usually higher and payback options are generally much more strict. Make sure you've availed yourself of all federal loan opportunities before enlisting the help of private banks. 5. Create your own FAQ list The process of obtaining financial aid for college can be time-consuming, especially if you research all your available options. However, you may find that many applications require answers to very similar questions. If you're looking to cut down on the time you spend, create a document with answers to some of the more commonly asked questions. That way, you can reduce your workload to a little copying and pasting, save yourself some valuable time, and get more aid for college. 6. Never assume you don't qualify Even if you come from a high-income family, you may very well still qualify for financial aid. According to a recent survey by Sallie Mae, close to 30% of kids coming from these families never even bothered to fill out applications for federal student financial aid in 2011. This can be a big mistake. Sallie Mae also reports that students from families that earned more than $100,000 per year also received an average of over $5,000 in aid that same year. Do yourself a favor and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and see what happens. You might be surprised at the results. Final Thoughts Once you've done all you can to impact your college costs, it's time to get to work on college expenses. Forget about campus health insurance you're covered under your parents' plan until you reach the age of 26. Investigate the campus meal plan and make sure it's worth the cost. Avoid things like campus errand services, laundry pick up, and college debit cards because when you gauge them against the alternatives, they're simply not worth the cost. Just because your institution is doing everything in its power to bump up your college bill doesn't mean you have to fall prey to its tactics. What ways can you think of to find financial aid? For more information on how to finance your college education, visit MoneyCrashers.com. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors

The Man Who Writes Hits for Daft Punk, Madonna and Bowie

The Man Who Writes Hits for Daft Punk, Madonna and Bowie What do the songs  We Are Family, Lets Dance, Like a Virgin, Get Lucky, Love Shack  have in common, besides being some of the best known hits in the world? They were all written and/or produced by one man, Nile Rodgers.Rodgers has produced albums for Diana Ross, Lady Gaga, Daft Punk, Madonna, David Bowie, Beck, The B-52s, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and many more. Hes also produced music for many films.  To me, its amazing that one man could produce so many hit songs, for such a variety of bands, and over so many years.The New York Times has done a really interesting interview with him. Watch it below, then see if you can answer the listening questions.Answer the questions in comments and we will respond.What does he say is the difference between performance and composition?What do you think of his house?What was the neighbor kid confused about?What did he get at 60.Why did her write a song titled Im Coming Out for Diana Ross?Why was he at that club?When did his life change when he was young?How has it changed more recently?What do you think makes him able to write so many hits?Heres a little more Nile Rodgers for you to freak out to ??

10 Phrasal Verbs with Hold - English Lesson via Skype

10 Phrasal Verbs with Hold - English Lesson via Skype In this post you will learn commonly used phrasal verbs with Hold. Also on my website you can find phrasal verbs with take and less well-known phrasal verbs with off.Learning and understanding phrasal verbs is the key to progress on your level of English once you have reached certain point. Phrasal verbs are a must-have in your set of English skills if you really want to speak English fluently and with confidence.Of course, there is nothing wrong with using more formal verbs in your spoken English. However, your English is likely to sound pompous and less natural to native speakers. Using phrasal verbs in your speaking and writing will help you upgrade the level of your English and make it more friendly, easy to understand and fluent. 10 Phrasal Verbs with Hold HOLD BACKto stop someone from moving forwardExample: I was held back in school at the age of 15.to keep secretExample: The report findings have been held back long enough. They should be made public now.to hesitate, to be reluctant to actExample: She was held back from showing her full potential in many major tournaments.HOLD SOMETHING BACKto withhold something (tears, laughter)Example: His joke was so funny that Sarah couldn’t hold back her laughter.HOLD INto restrain, to keep under controlExample: You should hold in your anger. Stop thinking about it, and focus on something positive.HOLD ONto grasp tightly or firmlyExample: Be Alert! Stand to the right and hold on the handrail.to wait, to wait until you’re ready to proceed with the initial action. This is often used when someone’s talking on the phoneExample: The receptionist asked me to hold on until Mr Smith was ready to take my call. Phrasal Verbs with Hold - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here's what you can do next: HOLD OUTto last, to be sufficientExample: If our supply of food holds out, we’re planning to stay here for another week.to persist, to not give wayExample: Their troops cannot hold out much longer against the superior forces of the enemy.HOLD UPto delay, to make lateExample: We were held up in traffic, this is why we arrived late.to robExample: A robber held up the local bank yesterday.to remain high in qualityExample: It is amazing how this car has held up over the years.HOLD OVERto postpone somethingExample: Let’s hold discussion over until our next meeting.HOLD OFFto delay or to be delayed (usually about the weather)Example: Today its been breezy and nice so hopefully, the rain holds off for the remainder of the day.HOLD SOMETHING/SOMEONE OFFto restrain someone physically, to keep something backExample: The police had to hold off the crowd when the football team came out of their hotel.HOLD WITH SOMETHINGto approve of somethingExample: I dont hold with any human abusing an ani mal.

Most Dangerous Job Interview Questions and How to Avoid Them

Most Dangerous Job Interview Questions and How to Avoid Them via Unsplash Can You Tell Me About Yourself? After you’ve chatted about the weather and your trip into the office, this is the first question many job interviewers like to ask. This question may seem easy enough to answer. You are the only person who can answer this with the complete truth. However, this is not a chance for you to tell the job interviewer about your personal life or brag about your achievements in high school and college. How to Answer The best way to answer job interview questions like this one is to keep the focus on the type of person you are professionally. Talk about your work ethic and achievements in your career. You can talk about your goals and how you made it to where you are now. Keep in mind that the interviewer does not necessarily care about the sports your play outside of  work unless they have a company softball team maybe. How Did You Prepare For This Interview? If you take away anything from this article, it should be this: always prepare and research before going in for an interview. You never want to go into a job interview blind and not know anything about the company and what they do or how they affect the industry. The job interviewer will ask this question because they want to know that you are the type of person who can take initiative and is serious about being prepared for anything. They do not want to hire someone who plans to go into a meeting without thoroughly preparing and researching the topic. How to Answer Skip telling them that you looked up dangerous interview questions to avoid or practiced in a mock interview. Instead, tell the interviewer what you researched about the company. Browse the company website, social media, recent news articles, and LinkedIn profiles of executives and managers. Don’t be afraid to throw in some impressive facts you learned while doing your research. Infographic by Brittany Loeffler Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job? Employers are curious about why you want to leave the job that you currently have. Why is it not enough for you? Essentially, they are trying to see if the position you are interviewing for is the  right fit for you  as well as for the company. How to Answer You may absolutely hate your job and the people you work with, but the job interview does not have to know that. Instead, frame your answer in a way that makes it sound like this new position will better fit your needs and help you advance in your career better than your current job. Never badmouth your boss or current company. The interviewer will become rightfully concerned that you could badmouth their company if they choose to hire you. While you may have some unkind things to say about your current job, say “My values do not match up with theirs” or “I’m looking for an environment that better matches my work ethic.” Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years? This is one of those job  interview questions  that you can’t just answer on the spot. You need to think about this question while preparing for the job interview. Companies do not want to invest time and money into an employee that does not plan to stick around for very long. They would rather hire someone who plans to stay at the company and hopefully advance in their career within the company. Remember, the job interviewer is looking for an answer about your professional career rather than your personal life. So, keep those dreams of a family or buying a house out of your answer. How to Answer This is one of the job interview questions you will have to tailor your answer for. The best way to answer this question is to let the job interviewer know that you see yourself in a higher position with more responsibilities within the company. Name some achievements you would like to make within the next five years professionally and let them know how you think their company can help you do it. Do You Check Your Email While On Vacation? A job interviewer will ask this question for two reasons. The first is to see how dedicated you are to your job. The second is to see if you implement balance for your personal and professional life. While most companies want an employee with both balance and dedication, some companies do require their employees to be at attention at all times, even if they are on vacation. The type of company that requires this would be a startup or small business that is putting in a lot of work because they do not have the infrastructure in place yet for an employee to go off the grid for a week or two. How to Answer The best way to answer this question is to sprinkle in a little dedication and balance. Let the job interviewer know that while you are completely invested in your job and are dedicated to work being done on time and correctly, you do prioritize your life and try to find a balance. Let them know that if something is urgent, you are happy to work on it. However, when you are on vacation, you may read your email to stay in the loop for when you return. What Are Your Weaknesses? This is one of the trickiest job interview questions in the book. You can almost always expect this question to be asked, so make sure you are prepared will a killer answer. Do not try to get away with, “I’m perfect. I have no weaknesses,” because job interviewers know that is completely untrue and it shows that you do not admit fault. They want you to recognize that you do have weaknesses and how you overcome them. How to Answer The best way to answer this question is to make your weaknesses seem like strengths. The most common answer is, “I’m too invested in my work.” While it is overused and sounds corny when you say it now, it is a great example of how to answer the weakness question. Another way to answer the question is to be honest and admit to your weaknesses and how you take responsibility and work to fix these weaknesses in the workplace. How Do You Handle Difficult Situations? It is inevitable that problems and difficult situations will arise in the workplace. Whether it is a disagreement between coworkers or a mistake that must be fixed, it is important that employees can handle these situations in a professional and productive manner. The interview asks these types of job interview questions to gauge if you are capable of solving a problem in a mature way that will not hurt relationships within the office. How to Answer When you answer this question, talk about how you would handle a situation. Whether it is by confronting the person or sitting down with a superior to talk about a solution, it is important to show that you are willing to admit fault and work to find a solution to the problem. If you have experience in the past showing how you solved a problem at work, whether with a coworker or account, make sure to mention it as it is a great example of how you solve problems. via Unsplash Do You Work Better Alone or With a Team? Employers want to know how you work best. So, they will ask job interview questions about whether you work best alone or in a team. This is a trick question because they want someone who can do both. Try not to fall into the trap and say that you work best one way and not the other. How to Answer Working as a team is extremely important in the professional world. Very rarely will you work completely by yourself in a corporate company. So, when answering this question, let the interviewer know that you work well both on your own and in a team during the right circumstances. Talk about how you enjoy collaborating with a group and bouncing ideas off of each other. Also make sure to mention that when working by yourself, you are able to focus better and can be extremely productive. What Are Your Salary Requirements? The main reason anyone has a job is, of course, to make money. When it comes to job interview questions about salary, you have to tread lightly. The job interviewer may ask how much you made at your last job or how much you expect to make in the position you are interviewing for. Do not give them a number. If you do, you may name a price much below what they were willing to give you and lose out on that money. How to Answer Instead, put trust in them that they are offering the position at market value. Let them know that you are open to negotiating and trust that they pay well for their employee’s skills. Do not be afraid to  negotiate your salary  with the company if they give you a job offer. Many employees take their salary at face value and lose out on a few extra dollars because they were afraid to ask for more. What Do You Do in Your Free Time? This may seem like an odd question to ask during an interview. It has nothing to do with your professional career and the job you are interviewing for. So, why should you expect to be asked this question? While a company wants to hire someone who is qualified for the job and will bring value to the company, they also know that you are a person outside of the office. This question gives the interviewer a better sense of who you are as a person and if you would be a pleasure to have working in the office every day. How to Answer This is your chance to talk about your personal life. Talk about your hobbies and activities you participate in. If you do volunteer work, make sure to mention it and what kind of role you have in the organization. You want to show your interviewer that you are a well-rounded person and focus on more than just your career. When You Don’t Have an Answer There are some job interview questions that will completely catch you off guard. Remember that it is okay to take a moment, breathe, and think about your answer before blurting it out. There is no shame in taking a few seconds to really think your answer through before responding to the interviewer. How to Avoid Dangerous Interview Questions Always prepare for a job interview. This includes research and planning out your answers to dangerous job interview questions. The most common question that can make or break an interview is “What are your weaknesses?” Make sure you have a good answer that showcases how your weakness is also a strength and how you own up to your mistakes and can find solutions to your weaknesses. The best way to answer these dangerous job interview questions is to be honest while also keeping the objective of the company in mind.

6 Tips for Surviving Your Internship This Semester

6 Tips for Surviving Your Internship This Semester Image via Pexels Speaking from personal experience, I particularly enjoyed being the first one in the office. I was given a set of keys to the building since I lived two blocks away while everyone’s commute was 15 minutes or longer. I would come in at least 20 minutes earlier to make coffee, set up my laptop and work, and get a few tasks done before other people could distract me with conversation. Maintain a polished image Maintaining an image of a hard-working, respectable intern is important. The way you dress tells your colleagues what kind of person you are. If you are not mindful of your appearance in your workplace, the untidy blouse or ripped jeans tells others that you are not serious or caring enough. Try to keep a simple, minimal look and have staple pieces in your wardrobe, like dark close-toed shoes and a blazer jacket. For more tips on how to dress for your internship, check out former Uloop writer  Walbert Castillo’s advice on men’s attire for an interview. For the ladies, Lillian Lu recommends, “If you wear a pencil skirt, make sure it hits your knees and is coupled with opaque tights.” Be vocal It never hurts to establish a trusting relationship with your manager. Being able to effectively communicate your concerns, intentions, and decisions with your boss will enhance your ability to perform. Francine Fluetsch also notes, “You don’t have to get everything perfect the first time, and it is much better to clarify the situation and get it right than just winging it and then having to redo it.” studenthousingworks.com Your manager will also be impressed with your confidence to share great advice and pitch ideas. If you’re going to ask your manager for a recommendation letter later, let there be something memorable about your work ethic and ability that he or she can build on. Fuel up Eat healthy meals regularly to monitor and replenish your strength. If you were a lazy student before you started this internship, you’re about to realize that skipping meals and eating junk food will not cut it in once you begin a job. You are now busy for most of the week and don’t have time to prepare a proper breakfast anymore. Alexia Gonzalez shares some of her favorite breakfast recipes as well as lunch prep tips to save you the stress and time. Rest as much as needed Do NOT try to tackle the day without rest. I promise it almost never goes well. Your focus is depleted because your mind does not have the energy to fully attend to your work. If you are working on spreadsheets and numbers, you will probably miscalculate and be too lazy to check your work. Sleeping a healthy amount of hours every night keeps you sharp and ready to work the next day. Tend to your psychological needs too You’re working hard to build experience and to learn how to maintain a certain lifestyle. You’re putting in long hours at your internship because you want to do well. This means you have less time to do the things that you want to do. You skip on that spontaneous trip with your friends and forget to call your parents. Soon, you’ll realize your social skills have decayed and being in public makes you anxious. While an internship is probably not as demanding as a full-time position, you should still set time apart to nurture and improve relationships. It is a need for your well-being, after all. (Image via SimplyPsychology) According to psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs model, people are driven by certain needs. While it is difficult to achieve self-actualization, the sense of belonging to relationships and social groups can improve your mood and health outside of the office. Planning to meet with some friends after work can motivate you to do well throughout the day.

Meet the teacher ESL Instructor, Mark, in Gwangju, South Korea

Meet the teacher ESL Instructor, Mark, in Gwangju, South Korea We caught up with Mark, an ESL teacher from Illinois, who has been teaching abroad on a Teach Away placement for three months at a school in Gwangju, South Korea. We asked him some questions about his experience so far, so he could share an insight and his perspective with others interested in teaching in Korea. What initially interested you in teaching abroad? Well, firstly, I’ve always been really interested in travel, and when I decided to head out for my TEFL placement, I was well-positioned to try something new because I wasn’t tied down by anything in particular. I had a lot of freedom to explore the idea of a new adventure. I also have a couple of friends who have either taught ESL previously or are currently abroad teaching, and they’ve had nothing but good things to say about their experience. Also, whenever I’ve travelled I’ve found it to be such an educational experience. I’ve learned a lot about the world, but also about myself and about others. So not only do I get to go abroad and teach others, but I get to learn something new as well. Why did you decide on South Korea? I was pretty indiscriminateâ€"in my application, I picked 8 countries that generally interested me. I then decided on South Korea because I had friends teaching there already who all had positive things to say about their experience, and I had also taught several international students from South Korea in the United States as part of an exchange program. Those students made a great impression on me. Did you have any concerns before you left? I actually didn't have many concerns, I'm pretty laid-back and like to go with the flow. I think it’s important to be as easygoing as possible when making such a drastic move, otherwise anything could bother you. Although I’ve heard some people say that their actual situation differed slightly from their contract, my experience here in South Korea has proved to be a very pleasant surprise. Describe the school that you teach at and what a typical workday looks like for you. Something that I like about my placement is that no two days are the same. I arrive at the school I teach at for 11 am, although I don't start teaching until 12 pm, and on Thursdays not until 1:20 pm. This gives me a good amount of prep time. Having a later start time also allows me to reserve my mornings for myself and activities that interest me personally. The school is a combination of three Kindergarten-type schools and two hagwonsâ€"or private Korean institutes. I have one class that I see everyday, but the other classes are all once or twice a week. All of the materials are provided, which makes lesson-planning very easy. At most, I need 30 minutes to prepare for a whole day of lessons. After teaching in the United States and seeing how much time and effort I needed to put into planning, this process seems like a piece of cake. I don’t have to worry about take-home work because all necessary grading can be done within the hours I’m at the school. What have you learned about life in South Korea from your teaching experience? I’ve learned a lot about South Korean culture through my placement, which I’ve really enjoyed. It has often been a challenge when communicating, but despite that fact, my experience has been one to remember thus far. Everyday is a new opportunity to learn a little bit more, not just about South Korea, but about myself as well. I’ve also learned a lot about different educational styles and educational systems, and have made adaptations to my teaching style based on this system. What is your favorite meal that you’ve had? A Korean friend of mine made me a traditional Korean brunch of duck and pumpkin, which was my favorite meal here thus far. Other foods I’ve also really enjoyed are bibimbap, gimbap, samgyupsal, to name a few. I’ve pretty much enjoyed it all here, I love how spicy things can get. It feels a lot healthier, tastier, and fresher than the food I was used to back home. What’s your neighborhood like? My neighborhood is nice and quiet. There is a park in the heart of the neighborhood, and a lot of my coworkers and friends live in nearby buildings. It creates a real sense of community here. My apartment is small, but that’s to be expected in Korea, and I’m able to get out and do interesting things nearby anywayâ€"I enjoy the local restaurants, and the mountains for hiking are literally a six-minute walk from my place. I’ve found the people here to be super nice and welcoming. Where would you like to go next? I haven’t really thought that far ahead because I’m enjoying my experience here, but I think one day I’d like to do a placement in Bolivia, if it presents itself. What resources did you find helpful as you planned to go abroad? I think trying to connect with teachers that are either currently placed at the same school, or teachers who have taught there in the past is really helpful. Do you have any tips for teachers who are looking to apply to teach abroad? Do your homework beforehand to understand as much as you can, but also realize that at some point you will just have to roll with it. Don't look at this as something you will do for a short timeâ€"embrace it as your new life and new home, even if you’ll only do it for the one year. Think about culture and food. They are very important, and it's important to embrace new things and not just carry your old habits and traditions with you. Your good attitude will enhance your experience. Finally, if you can, try and email or talk to teachers that are currently at the school and get their impressions and their advice before you begin.