Maths GCSE Past Papers and Exam Boards

Maths GCSE Past Papers and Exam Boards Where to find GCSE Maths Past Papers Exam Boards Offering Maths GCSE ChaptersDifference Between Exam BoardsHow to Choose the Right Exam boardGCSE Maths ResourcesGCSE Maths Past PapersExams boards are organizations that conduct the GCSE maths Exams and offer the GCSE Qualification in several subjects. They are responsible for producing exam papers, marking and grading your exam work and giving you the GCSE Qualification.Most of the exam boards offer qualifications which are accepted by several colleges not just in UK but all around the globe. These GCSE Qualifications are hence, internationally recognized.Currently there are two separate set of exam boards for UK. One set of exam board is solely for England, Northern Ireland and Wales, while the other one is for Scotland. England has several exams boards, giving the schools and colleges a free choice to choose between any exam board depending on the subjects.At the present, the state schools benefit from seven exam boards. These are as follows:Assessment and Qualification Alliance (AQA)University of Ca mbridge International Examinations (CIE)Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA)EdexcelInternational Curriculum and Assessment Agency Examinations (ICAAE)Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR)Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC)Out of all these boards, CCEA is the one that is most active inside the native Northern Ireland. The level of qualifications offered by these boards vary.Boards ICAAE and CIE offer very specialized and limited qualifications so if you are thinking of taking GCSE Maths, it is better if you opt for boards other than ICAAE, as these boards are most common among students taking GCSE Maths .Whatever board you choose, the material you study is usually the same. ( Image Source: Unsplash) MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5. 00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GowsikaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsDifference Between Exam BoardsA survey by the BBC in 2015 revealed that three out of the four main exam boards in UK had made their GCSE Maths exams too hard for the large number of candidates.The only remaining board i.e AQA was also instructed to produce more challenging GCSE Maths exams to keep up with the standards of the rest of the three boards.The government demanded the boards to make the GCSE Maths as well as GCSE English exams more rigorous and  challenging for students.A thorough analysis of several boards revealed that the GCSE Maths tests and GCSE Maths coursework offered by OCR, WJEC and Pearson fail to test the students at their utmost ability due to their higher difficulty level.To be more specific, Pearson and WJEC Maths exams were so hard that the boundary for grade A had to be set below 50%.Research revealed that the difficulty level of these exams would hinder even the brightest students from the top schools to obtain a good score.As a result of which, the syllabus of these boards was made lenient in order to suit the skills level of students and reforms were introduced in the GCSE Maths content and syllabus which has now ensure that all the boards have nearly the same difficulty level while allowing the student to achieve the grade they deserve.How to Choose the Right Exam boardEvery student wants to have maximum chance of success in their GCSE maths and one way they can maximize their chances of a good grade is by choosing the exam board with which they feel the most comfortable.The specifications, paper pattern and marking criteria varies from one exam board to another. Cost of the exams is also a fact which you might need to take into consideration.How you find the paper of any exam board, depends solely on you, your preparation, skill level and your ability to deal with the hard parts of exam.In order to decide which exam board to choose, try getting your hands on sample papers of all the exams boards you are considering. Spend some time analyzing those sample papers and solve them too if needed.By solving the sample papers of different boards like OCR, Edexcel, you will get an idea of the question patterns, difficulty level, marking criteria and time duration of each exam. Find out which exam pattern suits you the most and go for that particular exam board.The course content of GCSE Maths of all the Exam boards usually revolves around the basic concepts of Algebra, tricky yet simple questions related to addition and subtraction, fractions, arithmetic expressions, multiplication and division, exponent, integers, decimal numbers, rational numbers, whole numbers, squa re roots, along with some advanced topics like long division,  linear equations, probability, quadratic equations, theorem of geometry related to shapes like triangles and polygons, surface area, differential equations, quotient equations, polynomials, number theory, reasoning questions and word problems to test your problem solving skills.Equip yourself with all these concepts and maximize your practice because at the end, it will be your preparation that will determine your fate in GCSE Maths and not the choice of board. You can choose the easiest board out there but if your preparation is bad or incomplete, chances of you getting a good grade is very low.GCSE Maths ResourcesThe internet is full of resources to help you in GCSE Math preparation. Here are some sources compiled for you to benefit from!GCSE Maths Worksheets:GCSE Maths worksheets (Geometry)GCSE Foundation Maths Revision WorksheetsGCSE Maths revision WorksheetsGCSE Math Revision resourcesEnroll yourself in a GCSE Math s program and take math classes designed around the GCSE Maths coursework. Ask your maths tutor to give you maths homework and complete these maths home assignments to test your mathematical concepts.You can get home tutoring too. GCSE Math education is not hard to get in this age of internet. Opt for online GCSE Maths courses. Find interactive maths on the internet such as multiplication games, addition games and other similar online math games.Practicing online with the help of mathematical courses, free math worksheets and online maths tutor  and games will train you for the test, but prioritise studying from your GCSE Maths textbook and find past maths GCSE exams of your board. There is also a wealth of maths tutors available online or face to face for that extra bit of help.Work hard ,practice harder. ( Image Source: Unsplash)GCSE Maths Past PapersSolving GCSE Maths past papers is a genius way to undertake maths revision train yourself for the exam. This will help you get famil iar with the paper pattern and marking criteria and will save you time during the actual exam. You can find past papers of your particular board on their website or you can buy a book containing past papers of all the previous years.There are a lot of digital media such as CDs, DVDs that come loaded with past papers for  GCSE maths revision along with the mark schemes. You might need to invest some money in these or you can simply find them online for free.Once you get your study material ready, start your maths revision and once you are done with a particular topic, try finding its related questions in the past papers. Try solving them and if you fail to get their correct answer, go through that topic again and repeat this until you are correctly able to solve all the related questions in the past papers.Solving past papers in this way, will help you not only save time but also to catch your weakness in time.Once you are done with all your preparation, you can conduct your own mock GCSE Maths test session with the help of these past papers and see where you are lacking. Do not assume that the questions in the past exams will repeat.This does not happen. If you prepare only according to the content in the past exams, you are setting yourself up for a really bad grade.Past Papers are the best revision tool as they allow you to cover your entire course in less than 3 hours. Mark your answers yourself according to the marking criteria and this way you will be learning a lot from your own mistakes. This method will guarantee that you don’t make the same mistakes in the final GCSE Maths test.The math questions found in the past papers are in coherence with the overall pattern of the exam board. These exams are designed to test your maths skills and the common core math concepts which you had studied in kindergarten, elementary math and high school maths.Maths teachers who design GCSE Maths exam  base the math curriculum of GCSE around the basic topics amalgamated with the more advanced maths topics of college level. These tests are structured to test your logical and analytical reasoning skills, your fluency in common math practices as well as your problem solving skills .All the GCSE Maths boards focus on your maths skills and how you utilize your math lessons and apply your math learning to solve the tricky mathematics questions in the exams. These tests follow state standards and are carefully evaluated for the students to ensure they get the grades according to their preparation.So, work hard, stay confident and make the best out of the maths resources you have, and no one can take away the success which you deserve!

Learn to Sing Mezzo-Soprano

Learn to Sing Mezzo-Soprano Learning to Sing Between Alto and Soprano: The Heart of the Female Singing Range Chapters What is a Mezzo-Soprano Singer?A Few Mezzo-sopranos for the Music Lovers Out There Learn to Sing Opera and Become a Professional The Greatest Mezzo-soprano Pieces Some Famous Singers to Imitate What Specific Vocal Techniques Are There for a Mezzo-Soprano?When talking about the opera and the different voice types, there are a number of classifications. For men, there are bass, baritone, tenor, and countertenor singers. The basses cover the lowest range and countertenors the highest. For women, from lowest to highest there are contralto, mezzo-soprano, and soprano.Of course, each singing voice will not fit perfectly within the ranges but each performer will try to ensure that their range adheres to the voice range required by each role. That said, there is the odd composer who will try and ensure that the singer is challenged and forced to perform notes that are on the extremes of the range of their voice type.Additionally, there are also subdivisions within each of these grou ps depending on the vocal quality of each musician.“Some opera singers are more mezzo than soprano.”  Gaëtan FaucerTo avoid a few surprises and scathing criticisms when you make your first public appearance, we’ve decided to put this blog post together on the mezzo-soprano vocal range.We hope our tips, tricks, and advice will help you to make yourself stand out as a mezzo-soprano rather than being just average (mezzo) like the Belgian author was getting at with his bilingual wordplay.The main thing that sets apart the mezzo-sopranos in a number of works is their versatility.  They are a female equivalent to baritones and some special tenors. There’s an out-of-the-ordinary femininity associated with the diva who is able to sing some of the best romantic operatic tunes, far from the stereotype of the Viking woman popularised by Wagner’s Ring Cycle.Let’s have a look at what a mezzo-soprano is and how you can sing like one. Have you warmed up your larynx?Find singing lesson s online with a private tutor. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors What is a Mezzo-Soprano Singer?There’s nothing to see here for the men. The mezzo-soprano (an expression straight from the Italian language) is a strictly female range.  Even if a male (such as castrati or falsetti) sings in such ranges, it’s unlikely that their voice would have the same qualities and warmth that a mezzo-soprano can achieve.For soloists, the mezzo-soprano is the central female voice par excellence. It holds the centre stage between the sopranos for the high notes and the altos for the low notes.Both human voices and musical instruments have a natural range. (Source: pixabay.com)This is why the mezzo-sopranos are so popular. It’s a versatile female range as they can flirt with some of the high notes and some of the low notes.  This categorisation is often used for classical music and would be difficult to use as a classification for contemporary music such as jazz.While opéra-bouffe in the 19th century barely made any distinction between mezzo-soprano and soprano, the distinction became very popular during the last century.  Generally speaking, a mezzo-soprano has a range between A below middle C to the A two octaves above. However, there are always exceptions.Ready to try your hand at singing lessons?A Few Mezzo-sopranos for the Music Lovers Out ThereLike most of the main tessituras, it’s hardly surprising to learn that mezzo-soprano can be divided into several subcategories.Musicologists generally classify three main types of mezzo-sopranos:Light mezzo-sopranos are often referred to using the terms Dugazon and Galli-Marié. They often have a clear agile voice and their range is close to sopranos (and some of them go just as high).Lyric mezzo-soprano, the central range of the tessitura. A rich and warm voice with a lower range than the aforementioned classification.The dramatic mezzo-sopranos have a similar range to the contralto. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging T eacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Learn to Sing Opera and Become a ProfessionalBefore starting your career as a mezzo-soprano, whether as a professional or an amateur, you need to be able to sing in key first. This mean that you’ll need to go back over the basics of music theory in order to be able to sing the right notes.If you have perfect pitch or at least a good musical ear, this will greatly help, especially if you regularly listen to famous operas. It will also help if you can play another musical instrument. Practice makes perfect, after all.Whether in the shower or as part of a choral group, you’ll need to sing as often as you can and also regularly record yourself singing so you can see where you’re going wrong.A mezzo-soprano is famed for their versatility and the different roles they can play. (Source: pixabay.com)You should also consider getting a private vocal coach to give you regular singing lessons to help you on your way.Whether this takes place in a music school or at home with a private tutor, you’ll be able to find your vocal range, improve your technical abilities (such as learning vibrato) and broaden your range firstly with your head voice and then with your chest voice.It’s no secret that some of us are born with innate musical ability and a beautiful voice. However, hard work and perseverance can make all the difference. The Greatest Mezzo-soprano PiecesIt would take absolutely ages to list all the pieces that use a mezzo-soprano as a soloist performing a coloratura or as part of a choir.  The history of classical music spans several centuries and is as rich and diverse as all the pieces that were written during that time. Sadly, a number of these fantastic pieces have fallen out of favour over the course of the years.  However, that doesn’t mean that the repertoire for mezzo-sopranos is in any way limited.Let’s start with Sch ubert’s Ave Maria, for example. With a beautiful piano accompaniment and talented singer, this is an outstandingly beautiful piece.The good thing about being a mezzo-soprano is that there’s no lack of roles for them, regardless of their age.  The role of Chérubin is an important part in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s timeless piece The Marriage of Figaro.  In the same vein, we could also mention roles like Dorabella in Così fan tutte, another favourite amongst connoisseurs of the genre.The French are particularly fond of the mezzo-soprano, especially thanks to Carmen by Georges Bizet. It’s the most famous opera on the planet and the lead protagonist charms our ears with their candour.  L’amour est enfant de bohème is arguably the most famous pieces of music in the world.We should also mention the role of Siébel in Charles Gounod’s Faust as well as Mignon by Ambroise Thomas, a 1866 opéra comique created by the National Opera of Paris.These beautiful works have everything that a mezzo-soprano could hope for and should serve as incredible inspiration for them. Some Famous Singers to ImitateIn addition to the famous singers we mentioned earlier, there are a few more that you should consider checking out.Anne Sofie von Otter is possibly one of the most famous singers at the moment. This Swedish singer is famous for appearing in classic roles as well as in lighter roles like Offenbach.We should draw your attention to Cecilia Bartoli, Lucia Valentini-Terrani, Janet Baker, Taylor Momsen, Christa Ludwig, Teresa Berganza, Frederica von Strade.Of course, there’s also Maria Callas, whose real tessitura has been subject of innumerable debates. Her range is so broad that she could also be considered a mezzo-soprano in certain cases.You should use these names as inspiration for your singing rather than copying them directly. After all, trying to directly copy a singer that’s already established will do nothing to set you apart as a singer.What you need to do is work with your own personal qualities and your temperament: you have to remain yourself, after all. What Specific Vocal Techniques Are There for a Mezzo-Soprano?The first thing you need to know about the human voice is that a large part of it is innate.  Not everyone is born with a beautiful opera voice with the right timbre and qualities to be pleasing to the ear. Sadly, when it comes to singing, not all men (or women) are created equal.If you happen to have a really nasal voice, it might be worth following a completely different career to becoming an opera singer as it’s probably going to end up being a massive waste of time.Of course, physiology also plays a huge role over the course of time. A singer aged 20 won’t be able to play the same roles as they will once they reach 45. In fact, over time, our voices tend to get deeper and our ranges tend to shift towards the lower notes and towards a lower classification of singer.Carmen is one of the most popular operas of all ti me. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)These changes that take place over the course of a career are part and parcel of being a singer. However, it does come with a few problems. Singers have to change the roles they can take on and roles they once loved playing are completely out of their reach. C’est la vie, after all.The main thing for mezzo-sopranos is that they don’t have to change how they practise too much. They still need to work on their breathing, which will be at the heart of their everyday singing routine.Knowing how to breathe correctly is key to being a mezzo-soprano, which often comes with a voice much warmer than that of the male counterparts covering the same range. This is a domain where the female singers regularly show their superiority over the men.Similarly, you can’t overlook acting ability and stage presence, which can make the difference between two singers with very similar vocal abilities.Find singing lessons Manchester.

How Much do French Lessons Cost

How Much do French Lessons Cost How to Budget for Learning French with a Private French Teacher ChaptersThe Going Rate for French Lessons in the UKLearn French through a Private OrganisationLearn French Through France Based ConcernsAverage Cost of French classes with SuperprofTo all language lovers who have ever wanted to learn a most melodious tongue: French isn't just for France anymore!It is the official language in 37 countries, spoken by an estimated 300 million people.Would you care to increase that number by one? In today's globalised world, there are so many reasons to learn French! Some wish to immerse themselves in French cultureHolidaymakers preparing for a trip to France, and maybe even plan to buy property in Pas de Calais or Brittany should take French lessons, too!What about history buffs, wishing to visit the home of the Normans, who were so influential in shaping our British culture and the English language?Maybe you are an engineer, dreaming of joining the leagues of pioneers at any of France's Big Three automakersAre you a French foodie? If so, you may want t o study the culinary arts in the best kitchens in ParisIf you are infected with Francophilia, you probably need to learn how to speak this language of Molière.The question remains: how much should you expect to pay to become fluent in French?And how will you find a French teacher who is right for you?Let us now discuss the most cost-effective ways to study French. On-y va!Knowing how much to budget for French classes could ease your stress over language learning Source: Pixabay Credit: Lensicle the basis of so many of the world's other languages.Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Romanian all have similar grammar rules, sentence structures and, believe it or not, unabashedly borrow vocabulary from one language to another.For this reason, many consider French a gateway to other romance languages.Nobody has ever said I wish I had never learned any French.Au contraire, mon frère! Most former language learners fervently wish they had continued their French lessons, and maybe even regret not branching out to other languages!Considering the benefits of being able to speak multiple languages, it only makes sense to start with a tongue that could lead to more linguistic adventures.Besides being dubbed the language of culture, French is considered the language of human rights and the rights of man.This magnificent declaration, penned by General Lafayette and the Count of Mirabeau, along with the English Bill of Rights, is considered the foundation for the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.But all of that is ancient history, you say. What is the value of learning French in today's world, where everyone speaks English?Take a look at the clothes you wear. It is quite possible that their cut or design was at least inspired by some of the greatest names in fashion, which happen to be French.Maybe you like a smoky eye effect, or ruby red lips. Perhaps you washed your hair with L'Oréal shampoo just this morning.Talk about rubbing French all over your head!What if yo u are more of a mechanical type? You may want to join the innovators at Citroën Motors, headquartered in Saint-Ouen, just north of Paris.All you need to get started with such companies is a proven ability to speak French â€" and a degree in your chosen field, be it engineering or cosmetic science.To move beyond bonjour and bonsoir, you would have to make a commitment to French language learning.Have you already signed up for French courses? Congratulations!Now all you need is a sharp focus and a variety of French study materials to build your French vocabulary, and gain proficiency in the four main areas of language learning: reading, writing, speaking and listening.Of course, you would also need the best weapon anyone studying French can have: a teacher who will mentor you toward speaking French fluently.A tranquil spot to study French in your home may help you learn faster Source: Pixabay Credit: StockSnapLearn French through a Private OrganisationMastering la langue française i s possible with any language learning concern that employs French teachers.They have tutors who could come to your home or, if you prefer, deliver lessons via Skype.Generally, though, such a language school tends to teach small groups in their office.Many such businesses specialise in giving one on one lessons at their facility.French teachers employed with such businesses have already demonstrated their competence with the language, as well as their teaching skills and experience, through an impressive array of credentials.Thus it would follow that your learning experience would flow along prescribed lines.Most likely, each lesson would begin with a conversation in French, to ease you comfortably into learning new expressions.Among those, perhaps some French slang or other popular vernacular!At the start of each lesson, you might sit an informal quiz, just to see if there is further work to be done at the current stage of instruction; maybe with French grammar, or how to listen for connecting words.Your French teacher may end your French lesson with a list of words and phrases to memorise and use in proper context before your next session.Fees for such instruction could be as high as £40 or more per hour, and some language teaching institutes may charge an initial administrative fee, just for enroling.You can find such offices all over the UK.Learning a new language is all about getting plenty of practice. Find tips on practicing French here.Learn French Through France Based ConcernsYour second option to learn how to speak French would be to address yourself to any French-driven outlet that focuses on promoting French language and culture.This type of course is more likely to happen in small groups, so that the teacher can be sure that everyone receives equal support and attention.If you live in London, L'Alliance Française offers language lessons, for absolute beginners all the way to advanced French learners.In fact, you will find this Alliance is active throughout the UK, as far north as Edinburgh and deep south, in Exeter.For you to partake of french lessons  london through L'Alliance, each hour of instruction would cost £52, provided you visit their office. Should you need a tutor in your home, they command £58.There would be a slight price bump if you and your spouse take lessons together.French Entrée does not deal with language learning specifically, but does endorse several schools that teach the French language. travelling in France or plan to stay there a while, you might consider their immersion programmes to improve your spoken French and language comprehension.If sojourning in the south of France is out of the question, you could still take French lessons online, at a cost of £35 per hour of instruction.Perhaps the best aspect of these and other French learning websites is that their pages list free resources for learning a language!There are links to pages dedicated to French words and phrases to use while travelin g, for example.You will also find handy tables for verb conjugation and tenses, and which pronoun to use in any dialogue.Free French lessons aside, everyone knows that the very best way to learn a new language is with a teacher dedicated to your success.You will find no teacher more dedicated than those in this next group...Superprof French tutors will meet you at your home, or in a mutually convenient location Source: Pixabay Credit: SasintAverage Cost of French classes with SuperprofFrom Cardiff to Canterbury; from Truro to Thurso: you can learn French anywhere in the UK with a Superprof tutor!From deciphering French expressions to navigating French verbs, and no matter whether you are an intermediate speaker of French or an absolute beginner, you will be able to find a French tutor suited to your learning needs among the more than 2,000 tutors of French listed with Superprof.Questions of mood versus tense aside, did you know that French verbs can take up to 23 forms?You could lea rn these aspects of the French language and more by engaging either a native French speaker who lives in our country, or someone who has studied the language in such a way as to qualify as bilingual.The average rate for one hour of instruction with a Superprof French tutor is £15, and most tutors give their first hour of lessons free, for you to gauge how well their instruction methods match your learning style!For an at-a-glance comparison of prices for French lessons, take a look at this chart:NameIn OfficeIn Your HomeOnlineAlliance Française £52 £58Average £46Language Trainers £49 £49 £28Superprof(in a mutually agreed location) Average £15Average £15Average £15In Summary1. Considering that approximately 20% of the words used in everyday English language come from French, you might already see yourself as a francophone.2. According to the Shanghai Ranking, the world’s best colleges and universities are in either Anglophone or Francophone regions.3. Conversely, a disturbin g ripple effect of Brexit seems to be a lesser focus on learning any foreign language, including French.The unfortunate reality is that language learning at university level is in decline, with little to suggest that this is set to change any time soon. Vicky Gough, British Council schools adviser.For francophones everywhere, this simply cannot be true:  The number of students learning French and the number of French teachers and tutors alone belie that fact.So do all of the UK tourists visiting France and French speaking countries each year! If you happen to be among those travelers, no need to hesitate to sign up for your French course! Why not learn a few French phrases and pick up on that melodious French accent; build yourself a phrasebook and/or flashcards, so you can learn French fast!Remember: the faster you learn French, the sooner you can exchange more than greetings with any native speaker!And, as your language skills and French pronunciation improve, you will become an u nofficial ambassador for our beloved language and culture. For that, our French compatriots give us a heartfelt merci!And if you've reached a level in your language learning where you feel it may be usefult o ceritfy your level of French, you can take the  DELF exam.

The Growth of Online Tutoring

The Growth of Online Tutoring One of the fastest-growing areas of AJ Tutoring’s services is online tutoring. As the director of online tutoring, I hear all kinds of questions about online tutoringâ€"this post will answer a couple of them! There are two broad categories of questions. First, how can online tutoring match in person tutoring? Second, what makes AJ Tutoring better than larger online tutoring companies?  Creating an Online Space to Match our In-Person EnvironmentAJ Tutoring has always been known for a commitment to qualityâ€"we’d rather not do something, than do it poorly. So, as more and more parents asked for online tutoring, we wanted to make sure we could deliver a quality service. There are three basic parts of making sure our online students get a great experience comparable to our in person students: the tutors, the online environment, and the materials.The TutorsOur online tutors get all the same training on our materials and academic subjects, and most work primarily in person. We use vid eo chat to get closer to the experience of tutoring; students can see and hear their tutors, and vice versa. This allows the tutors to pick up on the non-verbal cues that are important to tutoring. Additionally, our tutors all get specific training in using the online platform so that they can create the best possible experience for students. The Online EnvironmentWe primarily use a program called Conceptboard for our tutoring. This combines video chat with a large and multifunction virtual whiteboard. The whiteboard includes tools to allow tutors to type formulas, draw diagrams, upload images, and instantly draw common geometric shapes. Unlike a regular whiteboard, the online one persists between sessions, so students can always go back and look over the notes from the session; additionally, tutors are able to use the same whiteboard between sessions to more easily review and build on previous material.  For English and other writing projects, tutors often also utilize Google Docs and Google Chat, allowing them to look at documents at the same time as their students, both video chatting and leaving comments and making suggestions directly on the document. The Materials AJ Tutoring has fantastic materials for all of our test preparation programs. Students doing test preparation online with us are mailed physical copies of all those materials, so they have the same paper copies as in-person students. Additionally, the tutors upload pdfs of all the relevant materials, allowing them to annotate the documents like they would in an in office session, and leave the annotated documents online for the student to access later.  By re-creating these three elements as closely as possible, AJ Tutoring strives to make online tutoring comparable to our in-person tutoring.  Indeed, some aspects of online tutoring, such as the ability to revisit boards or record sessions at the students’ request, go above and beyond what is possible in a non-digital session.  How is AJâ €™s Online Tutoring Different than other Companies? AJ Tutoring is always looking to differentiate itself by the quality of the service we provide, by hiring the best educators we can, and by giving them ample support to develop their skills. Online tutoring is no different: all of our tutors are either also in-person tutors, or have years of experience tutoring in-person before they start tutoring online.  Since there are unique challenges to tutoring online, we think this experience in one-on-one education in-person is important; an experienced one-on-one educator is better prepared to take on the additional challenges of online tutoring when the content and student interaction is already second-nature to them. Additionally, our supportive structure for tutors makes a difference: all of our online tutors have a team leader who helps them develop their instructional skills. Our academic tutors also belong to academic departments that meet regularly to ensure that all the tutors fo r each subject are staying current on their content knowledge and on specific course material.  Finally, I personally also am available to give tutors tips on how to use our online platform to the greatest effect. These multiple layers of support allow our already fantastic tutors to truly excel at online tutoring and ensure that the quality of service we provide matches the service we are famous for in our offices. If you’d like to get your student support, please give us a call today!

MyGuru Announces New Summer Small Group Tutoring Program for Grades 1-3

MyGuru Announces New Summer Small Group Tutoring Program for Grades 1-3 Improving Academic Performance Driven by direct demand from Ogden Elementary school parents, MyGuru is proud to announce a summer tutoring program for grades 1-3 in the near north area of Chicago. Although MyGuru typically begins working with students at the high school level (and then continues on through college and beyond, helping with all standardized tests along the way), we have a variety of highly qualified tutors who are educated, trained, and certified to work with much younger students as well. So, when we were contacted about developing a small group tutoring program for students in grades 1-3, we reached out to a few of our tutors, and they showed enthusiastic interest in taking part in the program. All lesson plans will engage students through a variety of learning styles, and provide multiple options for tracking their progress. The curriculum is based on the needs of each student, including students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs). The two teachers, Sara Howes (M.A. Teaching, Special Education Teacher and ACT Tutor at Northwestern Education Center) and Katie Cardella (M.A. Teaching, with experience in grades 1-3) will meet with parents, by appointment, at regular intervals during the program. The first six students to commit to the program will be guaranteed spots. If we get more interest, we will maintain a waiting list, an additional class will be scheduled, or the class expanded with additional teacher time to keep the 1:6 teacher/student ratio. The registration deadline is May 18. To learn more about the program, including how to sign up, click on the link below. MyGuru Summer Tutoring ProgramIf you have any questions about the program, please call us at 312-278-0321 or email MyGuru's Founder, Mark Skoskiewicz, at mskoskiewicz@myguruedge.com

Instructor Spotlight Rudi Hwang

Instructor Spotlight Rudi Hwang Instructor Spotlight: Rudi Hwang Rudi Hwang, Instructor of Kumon Math and Reading Centre of Toronto Chinatown Meet Rudi, Instructor of Kumon of Toronto-Chinatown. He’s been an Instructor for five years, but his journey began long before that. Rudi is the son of veteran Kumon Instructorâ€"Betty Hwangâ€"who is celebrating her 26th anniversary with Kumon this year! He was actually a Kumon Student as a childâ€"completing the entire Kumon Math Program. He later went on to work for his mother at her Centre for 10 years before she handed over Kumon of Toronto-Chinatown to him. It’s safe to say that Rudi’s roots with Kumon are deep. In the first five minutes of talking to him, you’ll hear his passion and deep conviction of everything that Kumon stands for. One of the things that he’s most passionate about is at the core of the Kumon Methodâ€"self-learning. We met up with Rudi and asked him to share his thoughts. What inspired you to become a Kumon Instructor? I really believe in the benefits of Kumon. As an Instructor, I can see the dramatic effects that proper instruction can have on children. They develop confidence, become true self-learners, experience success in school and potentially change the trajectory of their lives. It is a very rewarding career. Does the fact that you were once a Kumon Student help you relate to your students? Definitely.   I know what it feels like and I have experienced the benefits of the Kumon program for myself.   This program is excellent, I really believe it. What is it about being an Instructor that you enjoy the most? The process of it. There is a beginning when the families come in. There is the work to get them to understand, take a leap of faith and commit to this long-term routine. You are asking them to trust you with their time, effort and moneyâ€"even if they may be skeptical at first. Once they commit, there are the ups and downs along the way. An opportunity to start building trust with each individual family. Then, when the big success comesâ€"getting good grades, studying advanced material on their ownâ€"that’s the payoff. You’ve earned their trust. That feels good. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a Kumon Instructor? Always look out for the best interests of your families, and be honest with what you can and can’t do for them. That’s how you build trust and long-term success. What is a fun fact about you that people may not know? I collect Toronto Raptors bobbleheads and vintage tennis shoes.   I have a lot. What do you like to do in your spare time? I play tennis a few times a week. Learn more about the Kumon Franchise opportunity and discover  additional franchisee success stories. You might also be interested in: Instructor Spotlight: Lillian Brijeski Instructor Spotlight: Jennifer Ju Instructor Spotlight: Laura Bubbico Instructor Spotlight: Alex Tang Instructor Spotlight Rudi Hwang Instructor Spotlight: Rudi Hwang Rudi Hwang, Instructor of Kumon Math and Reading Centre of Toronto Chinatown Meet Rudi, Instructor of Kumon of Toronto-Chinatown. He’s been an Instructor for five years, but his journey began long before that. Rudi is the son of veteran Kumon Instructorâ€"Betty Hwangâ€"who is celebrating her 26th anniversary with Kumon this year! He was actually a Kumon Student as a childâ€"completing the entire Kumon Math Program. He later went on to work for his mother at her Centre for 10 years before she handed over Kumon of Toronto-Chinatown to him. It’s safe to say that Rudi’s roots with Kumon are deep. In the first five minutes of talking to him, you’ll hear his passion and deep conviction of everything that Kumon stands for. One of the things that he’s most passionate about is at the core of the Kumon Methodâ€"self-learning. We met up with Rudi and asked him to share his thoughts. What inspired you to become a Kumon Instructor? I really believe in the benefits of Kumon. As an Instructor, I can see the dramatic effects that proper instruction can have on children. They develop confidence, become true self-learners, experience success in school and potentially change the trajectory of their lives. It is a very rewarding career. Does the fact that you were once a Kumon Student help you relate to your students? Definitely.   I know what it feels like and I have experienced the benefits of the Kumon program for myself.   This program is excellent, I really believe it. What is it about being an Instructor that you enjoy the most? The process of it. There is a beginning when the families come in. There is the work to get them to understand, take a leap of faith and commit to this long-term routine. You are asking them to trust you with their time, effort and moneyâ€"even if they may be skeptical at first. Once they commit, there are the ups and downs along the way. An opportunity to start building trust with each individual family. Then, when the big success comesâ€"getting good grades, studying advanced material on their ownâ€"that’s the payoff. You’ve earned their trust. That feels good. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a Kumon Instructor? Always look out for the best interests of your families, and be honest with what you can and can’t do for them. That’s how you build trust and long-term success. What is a fun fact about you that people may not know? I collect Toronto Raptors bobbleheads and vintage tennis shoes.   I have a lot. What do you like to do in your spare time? I play tennis a few times a week. Learn more about the Kumon Franchise opportunity and discover  additional franchisee success stories. You might also be interested in: Instructor Spotlight: Lillian Brijeski Instructor Spotlight: Jennifer Ju Instructor Spotlight: Laura Bubbico Instructor Spotlight: Alex Tang

March 8 International Womens Day Greetings

March 8 International Womens Day Greetings Each year in the first month of spring on March 8th International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world. International Women’s Day may be hardly called international as the tradition to celebrate this day does not exist internationally. Only in some countries like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria it is a national holiday. However still this day is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace which celebrates women’s achievements worldwide and throughout history. All over the world women consider March 8th a day of pleasant emotions, high spirits, and vivid impressions. The 8th of March is not only the day of Women it is also a day when the warmth of our harts breaks the ice and Winter gives way to Spring. For most of people this holiday is a mixture of  Mothers Day  and  St. Valentines Day. But the main benefit of March 8th is that this holiday celebrates all women, including mothers, grandmothers, daughters, girlfriends, female tutors and students. TutorZ’ team congratulates all our female and male customers with this wonderful holiday. Happy Women’s day to all of you!

Ever wonder what its like to go to Space Camp

Ever wonder what it's like to go to Space Camp My Space Camp group, Team Holderer. It all started early on Thursday. I was the Station Commander on the Enterprise Shuttle. I prepared for lift off.  Space Ghost Mike whispers, “Pretend you have a leg cramp and stand up.” As soon as I do, the force of acceleration throws me back against the wall. “Woops, sprained neck!” shouts Mike. Kate rushes to me. “Broken leg!” shouts Space Ghost Andrew. David waits until Allison declares it’s safe to get up. He grabs a neck brace from the medicine bag and rushes to help me. Andrew, noticing that David neglected to close the bag, capitalizes on the opportunity. All of a sudden, syringes start flying through the air. David is injected with Valium. He rushes towards the control panel, and in his frenzied button pushing, he deactivates the cabin fan. Ogyen runs to finish my neck brace, so I’ll be able to move. Immediately after, he faints. There must be a way to get our mission back on track. I stand there, thinking. Suddenly, Allison faints. The temperature is climbing rapidly, and I know that if I don’t act soon, we will all die. I snap out of my trance. I grab oxygen masks for my companions. I pick up the headset to contact Mission Control, but our contact is out of commission.   I’m on my own. First step: control David. I grab the duct tape. “David,” I say. “There’s an alien outside!” He giddily rushes over. “Sorry,” I say, as I tape him to the wall. “The drugs will be out of your system soon.” I notice that Catelyn and Kate have fainted too. I need to fix the fans. What buttons did David hit? There were hundreds on the control panel, and it looked like he had pushed quite a few. I fumble through the instruction manual. Payload bay doors, LiOH canisters, EVAs… cabin fans. I begin typing in the codes. David faints. “You’re getting very sleepy,” says Mike. I speed up. I check the temperature. The codes aren’t working. Still 107… “You’re dizzy too,” Andrew announces. I decide that it’s time to get creative. I glance at the temperature again. I stare in awe as it drops to 103… 97…90! My solution worked! We’re safe! I glance around me. Everyone is starting to wake up. The Space Ghosts applaud. “Didn’t think you were going to be able to fix that,” admires Andrew. I smile. Yes, I think, chaos is definitely my element.