The Best Poetry Websites

The Best Poetry Websites Where to Find Poetry Online ChaptersWhy Find Poetry Online?The Best Poetry Sites for Discovering New PoetryWhere to Share Poetry OnlinePoetry is something we all encounter at some point in our lives, but for some of us, verse speaks to the soul in a way that prose never could.Many poetry fanatics have their very own poetry collections which fill their bookshelves, but with the rise of the internet, it has become easier than ever before to discover new poems and writers as well as share one’s own work with others.As with many hobbies and interests, poetry has its own online community.This community of writing poetry, and sharing and discussing poems can be found and joined on social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as blogs and websites dedicated to poetry.Regardless of the genre of poetry you’re interested in, whether you write poetry or simply enjoy poetry reading and discussing the work of others, the World Wide Web really is your oyster!The beauty of using the internet to explore the world of poetry is that you can find exactly what you’re looking for â€" no flicking through anthologies or buying a poetry book to find the perfect poem. If you’re looking for a poem for a certain occasion, or you just want to find some fitting words, there are lots of poetry websites which sort their poems into categories with tags, so you can spend more time reading and less time searching!However, while the internet can make finding new poems about certain things a lot easier, the large amount of information available to poetry lovers can sometimes be overwhelming. This is why we’ve picked out a great selection of poem websites to make your life easier, so you can spend more time enjoying each carefully-written stanza you may come across.Take a poetry course here.Social mediaSocial media is not only at the centre of our personal lives, but it is becoming more and more present in the professional world, too, as its features are carefully constructed in order to help people expand their reach.Poetry at your fingertips ¦ source: Pixabay - StockSnapThe rise of the ‘Instagram poet’ has seen poetry become part of the online mainstream, as poets share their short works by sharing them in the form of an image, as well as using the ‘stories’ feature to introduce a new style of delivery to their poetry.Many budding poets create separate poetry accounts on various social media sites (such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) to share their work and gain a following, as well as starting a blog for their work. The phenomenon of social media poetry has already produced best-selling poet Rupi Kaur, who started out by sharing her work on Instagram.

How to Learn Italian on Your Own

How to Learn Italian on Your Own Different Ways for Learning Italian ChaptersCan You Really Learn Italian on Your Own?Speaking English is an Advantage...Learning Italian On-lineLearn Italian with Films: The Magic of Italian Cinema and Culture!Learn Italian by ReadingLearning Italian with MusicMake Italian Easier with the 10 Most Beautiful Italian Songs!Improve Your Italian with Vocabulary ListsLearning Italian with a Language StayLearning Italian through AppsThere are an estimated 200,000 Italian speakers in the UK.The UK is also linked to Italy in terms of its Roman heritage. In fact, a quarter of English words are of Latin origin!  There are more similarities between English and Italian than you might first think. While we’re not saying that Italian is easy to learn, there are a number of ways to make learning Italian easier.The Internet, for example, is a great help. There are free on-line courses, Italian news media, and Italian films that can help to bring you closer to the Italian language.  We’ve got a few suggestions to keep you motivated when you learn Italian.After all, learning Italian requires:A large personal investment and a lot of workMotivation for learningVaried resources in order to work effectively.Al Bano, real name Albano Carrisi, is a popular Italian songwriter from near Brindisi. His father gave him his name because he had fought in Albania during the Second World War. Thanks Wikipedia! A useful bit of trivia you could always tell your Italian friends!2. Andrea Bocelli ft. Giorgia â€" Vivo Per LeiCredit where credit is due. Vivo Per Lei is in fact a cover of Oro’s 1995 track. Thank you, Oro, for this magnificent song! There’s also a French-Italian duet with Helene Segara that's worth listening to.3. Umberto Tozzi â€" Ti amoThis 1977 song is for anyone who wants to learn the Italian of “Amore”! Listen at full volume!4. O sole mio, Mamma, and Funniculi Funnicula by Luciano PavarottiThe famous opera singer Luciano Pavarotti had one of the world’s most beautiful voices. Powerful, moving, intoxica ting... The Italian language at its best!5. Cose della vitta â€" Eros RamazzottiSome say Ramazotti is one of the best singers of his generation. We’ll let you decide.6 et 7. Zucchero â€" Baila Morena Lasciatemi cantare and L’Italiano by Toto CuttugnoTwo of Italy’s best pop songs.8. Laura Pausini’s songs (Volevo dirti che ti amo, lo canto et la solitudine)Modern Italy’s biggest singer. From the 90s to today, her songs are a must for anyone studying Italian.9. Senza Nuvole by Alessandra AmorosaFollowing an Italian TV competition (Amici) in 2009, Alessandra captured the hearts of the Italians. What about yours?10. Paolo Conte’s “Canzone”A singer, author, composer, lyricist, and instrumentalist influenced by jazz and the blues, Paolo Conte is one of Italy’s most famous artists. He was born in 1937 in Asti. His most famous songs include “Come di”, “Via con me”, “Un gelato al limon” and “Diabolo rosso”. Let him be your Italian tutor!You can learn a lot o f Italian from songs you love. We can’t put it simpler than that!Improve Your Italian with Vocabulary ListsLearning a language on your own is quite the personal challenge!You have to be methodical and rigorous if you want to improve. You should consider studying spelling, grammar, and vocabulary with lists.  You can organise your lists by topic.The better your vocabulary, the less you'll sound like a tourist. (Source: skitterphoto.com)You can go back over vocabulary easily.Learning Italian: Everyday VocabularyIf you’re going to stay in Italy, why not print out this little list of English-Italian expressions or copy them into your phone to practise on the go.EnglishItalianYesSiNoNoHelloBuongiornoGoodbyeArrivederciHiCiaoPleasePer favoreThank you very muchGrazie mille (grazie)How are you?Come stai?Excuse meScusi il disturboNice to meet youPiacereHere is a short list of things you might find in your Italian drawersIndumenti e accessori  (clothes and accessories):Una maglietta: a t-s hirtUna camicia: a shirtUna sciarpa: a scarfUn cappello: a hatUna gonna: a skirtIf you’re going to learn Italian, you have to learn about food!Il cibo  (food):Il primo piatto: starterIl secondo piatto: main courseIl contorno: side dishIl dessert: dessertUna bottiglia di vino: a bottle of wineUna bistecca al sangue: a rare steakIt might be wise to learn about transport in order to get around.Transporto  (transport):Il tramway: tramLa macchina: carLa bicicletta: bicycleL’aereo: aeroplaneIl treno: trainIl taxi: taxiYou can use these three lists of Italian vocabulary to boost your lexicon.You could even carry around a vocabulary notebook.Learning Italian with a Language StayNothing beats total immersion in the host country when it comes to learning a language. You’ll have to speak Italian to be understood.  Whether you’re getting a coffee, having dinner, or reserving a hotel, you’ll have to use your Italian!Italy's beautiful. Why wouldn't you want to go? (Source: pixabay.com)S pend some time living like an Italian, learning vocabulary, improving your grammar, and getting better at speaking Italian.  Erasmus is a great way to spend time in Italy if you’re a student. You can also talk to other people from all over Europe in Italian.Live in Italy, discover la dolce vita while drinking a coffee, and visit some of the world’s most beautiful monuments including the Colosseum, Saint Mark’s Square, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  There are plenty of great reasons to go to Italy.A linguistic stay also looks great on your CV! Don’t forget to put it on.  In fact, a lot of employers look for candidates with international experience.Doing a linguistic stay on your own shows employers that:You’re interested in foreign languages and culturesYou’re open-mindedThat you have an understanding of ItalianLet’s go! Pack your bags!Learning Italian through AppsThanks to the Internet, anyone can learn a language on their own.  There are Italian tutorials, videos, an d podcasts, as well as written exercises.You can also learn Italian on your phone. There are downloadable apps which allow you to study Italian vocabulary on the train, conjugate verbs before bed, or just count to 20 while waiting for the bus.You could also learn Italian while learning how to cook. (Source: Angele J)Whether for children or adults, apps can help anyone learn a language on their own!If you want to speak basic, intermediate, or advanced Italian, you’ll find plenty of different resources for everyone.Here’s a short list of apps that you can download onto your phone or your tablet.Nemo Italian for going back over the fundamentals of Italian grammar.This app is useful for a number of reasons:Learning basic Italian grammarConjugating verbsWorking on your accentLearning key vocabularyThe fact that you can use the app anywhere is a huge plus.  In fact, if you’ve no deadline, you can achieve your linguistic goals comfortably.Mosalingua: an interactive app for learning I talian with  3,000 vocabulary lists, 17 speaking scenarios, and 10 difficulty levels. This app can help you learn or go back over the basics of Italian.Whether it’s important to know how to call a taxi, order a coffee, book a room, or even do your shopping in an Italian supermarket. There are so many different situations that the app can help you with. Get started today!Even if you have the best Italian tutor, a great choice of resources, and are an expert in learning techniques, it’ll all be for nothing if you don’t study regularly.There are also other tools to help you learn. Here are a few of them:Google Translate: this can be useful for the odd word but it’ll never replace actually learning the language.DictionariesYouTube videosPodcasts in ItalianIn short, the best way to study is whichever method keeps you motivated.  Now the rest is up to you!Find a private tutor for Italian lessons to help you master the Italian language:Italian classes LondonItalian lessons GlasgowI talian lessons BirminghamLearn Italian online

The Surprising Advantage Singers Have Over Most People

The Surprising Advantage Singers Have Over Most People Suzy S. What makes a good public speaker? Whether you want to improve your communication skills or overcome a fear of speaking, youre already at an advantage if you have a background in singing (or music in general). Read on as San Diego, CA teacher  Carl M.  explains I could go on and on expounding on all the reasons singing lessons are a valuable tool for millions of individuals â€" whether or not a career in music is intended. However, the one that emerges foremost in my mind has very little to do with singing. So why mention it? Having spent most of my life juggling the business world with the artistic side of music, singing, and theatre, I made a unique discovery relating what makes a good public speaker to that of being a singer/musician. For more than 40 years Ive trained singers, and managed international sales and marketing teams in various industries. While there are many singers in this world, they are dwarfed by those who speak (or should I say, blabber). While I generally enjoy listening to a well-trained singer, it became painfully clear to me many years ago that individuals who are charged with speaking to groups are usually ill-prepared to do so in a manner that keeps my attention. This ranges from professional speakers to teachers to clergy in virtually every denomination. Whats missing? Well, there are actually two common threads evident throughout. Most People Arent Directly Taught Speaking Skills First, the function of reading out loud, which can train the ear as effectively as early music instruction, is generally frowned upon during early education. Think about when you were first learning how to read pronouncing each word out loud, then two-word phrases, then sentences, and then paragraphs.  Then as soon as you really felt good about what you were doing, your teacher told you to read silently, and to absorb the meaning internally. If you moved your lips while reading, your teacher likely stopped you. So that was the end of any oral communication vis-a-vis reading. No more practicing reading and listening skills skills that would last a lifetime. The student taking music or singing lessons has a distinct advantage here, which well discuss next. The Correlations Between Singing and Speaking The second, and certainly the most direct correlation between singing and speaking, is that contained in terms singers learn early on:  tone, rhythm, pausing, dynamics, and phrasing. Tone, as taught to a singer, involves the proper placement of vowel sounds, mouth formation, proper breathing, etc. These same tenets apply to the speaker (but without the need to read music). Rhythm has a very distinct meaning to every musician. However, transferring that technique to speaking is lost on virtually everyone who professes to be a “speaker.” Pauses are quite natural in the music world for dramatic impact. The old adage of “Silence is Golden” actually applies more to a speaker’s performance than it does to that of a singer, as the singer is reading music notation and observing dictated, periodic rests. However, most speakers are either too nervous to notice â€" or they just love the sound of their own voice. Dynamics are simple. Loud vs soft. Again, a singer is trained in this area from very early on, but most speakers have one volume. Wouldn’t it be cool if the speaker observed some variation as well? Phrasing is probably the most difficult concept for both the singer and speaker to understand (and implement). However, it is also the most meaningful. With the proper phrasing, the gut-level meaning of a song comes to life. The same is true when speaking. However, some speakers have a tendency to “punch” words, rather than using proper phrasing. I have been training speakers in the corporate world during the past several years, and the pool from which to draw students is enormous â€" and eventually will have a greater impact upon society and communication in general. However, I find that if a student has a music or singing background, it makes it considerably easier to learn and understand what makes a good public speaker. Over a series of lessons, my students learn what these techniques are, and how to effectively put them to use. Youll be a more interesting and believable public speaker, allowing the audience to fully understand and retain the information youre offering. Isn’t that what we all want? Carl M. teaches public speaking and writing in San Diego, CA. A Music and Theatre graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Carl fuses his education and entrepreneurial endeavors to help students improve their everyday communication within their personal and business communities.  Learn more about Carl 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  Nan Palmero

Getting Ahead in Your Career is More Straightforward than You Think - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Getting Ahead in Your Career is More Straightforward than You Think - Introvert Whisperer Getting Ahead in Your Career is More Straightforward than You Think Dorothy March 4, 2016 Career Development, Promotion One response Through the years, I was often asked about what I did that made me get promoted so consistently and as a manager what my expectations were of my employees.  Many times, these people seemed to be struggling to perform on the job or minimally weren’t moving up the ladder for pay or position.  The struggle they seemed to have was more a mental mindset than actual skill or talent. I have discovered that success on the job involves two simple, yet sometimes elusive concepts.  The first concept is about delivering performance that exceeds expectation.  The second concept is performing beyond the description of the job or adding value.  You may be sitting there thinking “hey, I don’t get paid enough to do all of that”, well if you are thinking something like that, may I point out that you’ve already set yourself up to remain exactly where you are. Let’s look at the first concept: Exceed performance expectations.   When you first start a job, of course, you have interviewed and have an idea of what your job involves.  You are now on the job and some type of training has taken place so you can perform the job.  The amount of stimulation you get when first starting a new job can be overwhelming, but at some point, you arrive at a point where you are fairly independently performing the job.  It is at this point, where you need to take a step back and fully understand the nature of the business you are in and where your job plays a role.  You are part of an organic machine.  Without you, the machine would either stop functioning or it won’t work as intended.   This is where you must understand what your management expects from you, so some research is appropriate.  If there are other people who perform the same job and seem to do it well, interview them and ask them what they think excellence is and how they achieve it.  Talk to people upstream and downstream from you.  By this I mean there are most likely people who do work that comes to you so you, in turn, perform work that goes to others.  When you talk to these people, ask them what they provide or need you to provide along with questions about, when, how often, in what form and with what qualities.  Once you think you have done your homework, time to talk to the boss.  Roll up your findings into something you can jointly review.  Ask them to validate what you have developed and modify or add anything that needs to based on the fact that it’s that person who will be assessing your performance.  Once you are clear, your final questions should be:  How will you know if I am p erforming? What criteria will you use? In other words, you now know what the expectations of the job are and how to perform it, but what will the process be for finding out how well you did? This may seem like overkill but it’s not.  The majority of people in the workplace seem to amble in and out of jobs, never really connecting to the fact that THEY are responsible for their own success.  Like a map and itinerary on a vacation, you have to know where you’re going, so you know what you have to do to get there. There is one other thing you need to do.  If your place of business doesn’t have a formal performance appraisal process you will need to devise a way to obtain feedback on your performance.  Even if your place of business does have a process, you may want to conduct your own process for obtaining input on how you are doing, not just from the boss but those people you work closely with.  I have seen people doing fine between appraisal periods and then suddenly run themselves off the road.  Don’t wait a full year to find out that fact.  Also, make sure you are not just conducting a love-in with your work friends, you need honest, objective input on how well you do your job and what would improve it. The second concept I mentioned: Add value.     When a person is doing their job well, the way to a boss’s heart is to go beyond the job description.  Adding value is where you perform work that is either not being done or not being done well or consistently but will advance the mission of your business.  There is usually a ton of these kinds of opportunities; you simply need to look for them.  As you gain experience, you will notice them all the time.  I had a job in a fabric store and as with all retail stores; there are times of boredom due to customer lulls.  It was during those times, that I tidied up the bolts of cloth, made sure there were no loose ends on the trims, dusted and cleaned.  It might not have been part of the job description, but it made a big difference to the owner.   A pearl of wisdom on when to add value.  Only pursue adding value when you know you are consistently performing your job well.  Don’t drop the ball, take on valued added tasks AND continue to perform your job. There is nothing more irritating than to have some cowboy going off doing a bunch of things that are “nice” but not doing their job.  Also, make sure you aren’t pursuing your own agenda or fun thing.  I’ve had people go off to add value and what they were doing, missed the target.  It had no value. There is another subtle aspect to adding value.  It demonstrates a level of thought and initiative that is hard for bosses to “train in” to a person.  You either have it or you don’t.  If given the task of laying off a person and the choice is between two people that absolutely perform their job, the boss is going to look at the person that brings more to the party than just doing the job.  They will look at the value adding an employee as someone who is committed to the business success, someone they can trust and someone that can grow.  That is job success. Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

How to Avoid Senioritis

How to Avoid Senioritis The following piece was written by Rachel Korn. Rachel has been featured in ourAdmissions Expert seriesand is a former University of Pennsylvaniaadmissions officer, as well as the founder of her own admissions consulting firm.In your last year of high school, especially in your last months of classes and tests, it can be tempting to contract senioritis, to fall into the trap of easing up in your academic efforts since you have already been admitted to college and are thinking about that next step. Beware, though - there are many important reasons to keep up your motivation and effort. 1.Colleges are still watchingyou closely. Your guidance counselor will be sending your finalseniorgrades to your new colleges admissions office for review. If the grades slip significantly, the college willsend you a warning letter, telling you that a) your grades are not at the level expected according to your record, and b) your performance in college is anticipated to be at the same level at which you were admitted. The admissions office can also take further steps. Your lower grades could be sent to the academic dean who will be assigned to advise you freshman year, and this means that your first conversations upon arrival to college will not be of exciting optimism but of warning. Thisis not how you want to start your college career. Moreover, although exceptionally rare, your admission could even be rescinded if grades truly plummet. Thus, think about the impression you are making on your college. And dont jeopardize your future. 2. Class rank and awards are determined at the end of the year. You have just invested years of your time working hard, pushing yourself, and you may be able to reap even more rewards from it now. As the final grades are tallied, you could deserve official recognition for your efforts by earning a high class rank, scholarships, and awards for your accomplishments. If you start losing focus, you could risk these honors that you have been striving to achieve.Be careful not to let a few moments of weakness undo years. 3. Dont let yourself down. More than any other reason, really, think about how you will feel about yourself if you start to slack off, especially if you are not lazy by nature. You will not want to look back and feel like you missed opportunities because you decided to give up right at the finish line. You will probably not remember every award won or lost, but you will remember the feeling of letting yourself quit. Stay strong to the end. Realistically, and in all fairness, of course, you are worn out by second semester senior year. You can also see the light at the end of the tunnel and already feel the exciting changes to come. Just dont shortchange yourself. You are the loser in the end if you let senioritis take over. Finish strong, be proud, and head to college knowing that you are fully ready, have maximized your high school experience, and will be starting your next adventures on a positive note with a clean slate.Visit RachelsAdmissions Consultingsite.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

A Guide to A Level English Literature

A Guide to A Level English Literature Why Learn English Literature at A Level? ChaptersIs English Literature For Me?What Skills Can I Gain From Studying A Level English Literature?Typical Workload For English Literature A LevelWhich Texts Will I Study On An A Level English Course?A Level English Literature Average Course LengthExam Boards Assessing English LiteratureCareer Opportunities For English Literature GraduatesIf you are considering studying towards an English Literature A Level, you will no doubt be interested in the knowledge and skills that you will acquire along the way. You may also be wondering how long the course runs for, how much work is involved, and where the subject can lead you in terms of further education and career prospects.We will attempt to answer all of your queries below and reaffirm the many positives that you can take away from an English Literature qualification.The study of English Literature at A Level helps you to develop a number of subject-specific as well as transferable skills by encouraging in-depth, critical and contextu al thinking in response to a range of literary works.A level English Literature courses can develop all sorts of skills. (Photo via Visual hunt)Students will be required to familiarise themselves with subject knowledge from plays, novels and poems emerging from distinct genres and spanning across many centuries. With this comprehensive exploration of characters and themes will come the awareness of how traditions and culture have shaped literature over the years.Read this quick introduction to A Level English Literature! CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsIs English Literature For Me?If you are a keen reader and show an enthusiasm for a variety of texts from different eras, then English Literature is a great choice for you. Equally, if you enjoy analysing texts in detail and debating your views then you could be well-suited to a course like this, during which you will be required to think critically and express your opinions eloquently.Aside from reading, English Literature also promotes authorship so keen writers would do well studying the subject to learn more about literary styles, the use of narration and voices in writing as well as the general make-up and development of the English language throughout history.That just goes to show that it's never too late to learn about literature as an adult!What Skills Can I Gain From Studying A Level English Literature?If you have recently completed a GCSE English course, you will already have begun developing your analytical and interpretation skills. However, the A Level English Literature course will require you to take this level of skill and comprehension one step further.Examiners and English tutors will be looking for far more intellectual arguments and responses to the texts on the syllabus and will expect you to articulate these opinions maturely, both verbally and in writing.As well as complementing your analytical skills, your sensitivity to language, your comprehension of literary terminology and your awareness of social and cultural contexts, the course will help you to build up some key generic skills that you can apply to your work and studies beyond the A Level course. These include improved oral and written skills, more advanced research and planning techniques, the capacity for independent thought and more resourceful IT skills.Being able to understand the nuances of words in the English Language can also go a long way in making you a better communicator and listener, which are seen by employers as very valuable personal attributes.Find English tuition near you.Typical Workload For English Literature A LevelThe amount of reading will no doubt increase as you move into this next phase of education, however you should find it easier and easier to absorb relevant information with each module completed.You can start by reading these tips for A Level English literature!Reading lists can be accessed prior to starting the course so be sure to spend your summer trying to get ahead, especially if you are a particularly slow reader or don’t work well under pressure. Even if you only read a synopsis of each text in advance, this will help you to familiarise yourself with themes, characters, context and the authors’ writing styles before you come across these in class.As with most A Level courses, you will be expected to further your studies in your spare time, by reading secondary material to help expand your knowledge.It is important to understand that a good knowledge of the texts alone is not enough to reach a high grade in English Literature.The most successful candidates will be those who have read widely, s pent additional time researching relevant content and learnt complex terminology to add to their repertoire. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Disco ver all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhich Texts Will I Study On An A Level English Course?The AS and A Level syllabi will normally cover a minimum of three genres: Drama, Poetry and Prose. Naturally, this will include at least one of William Shakespeare’s plays, perhaps coupled with novels and poems that are linked by theme or context. You will certainly be able to identify patterns across the syllabi and make relevant connections.See performances of Shakespeare's iconic plays. Photo credit: D-Stanley via VisualHunt.comFor exa mple, as part of the prose section, your course might require you to read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein alongside Kazuo Ishiguros’ Never Let Me Go, both of which explore the fascinating relationship between society and science.Some of the modules that you might encounter on your A Level English course include Gothic Literature, Women in Literature, American Literature and Dystopian Literature.As well as the texts set by the syllabus, you will have the opportunity to read around the subjects and look at literary criticism from a range of sources to expand your knowledge and understanding of the fields.You could take a look at past A Level papers to get a better idea of what to expect on exam day!  A Level English Literature Average Course LengthA typical A Level course will run for two academic years, the first of which is known as the AS Level. An AS can be a standalone qualification, which is why many students take on four subjects in their introductory year and then ‘drop’ o ne for the final year, allowing them to focus their attention and efforts on three primary subjects.Before the A Level reform, both years counted towards a student’s final grade but assessment is now the preferred method of testing for examination boards.Although your AS Level might seem like just a practice run, you should know that it is upon this grade that your English tutor or teacher will base your predicted A Level grade (however other factors may be taken into consideration). Therefore, the amount of work you put into your first year will be reflected in your all-important grade predictions.In addition, those students applying to university will need to submit their AS Level grade in order for the selected course leaders to consider their suitability for the degree and subject matter. University offers can be unconditional or conditional, the latter meaning that you must meet certain grade requirements in order to be accepted on the course.Find a private English tutor on S uperprof.Exam Boards Assessing English LiteratureEnglish Literature courses are offered by a range of exam boards, including AQA, OCR, Edexcel, Eduqas and WJEC. The course you enrol on will be dependent on your school or college, however teachers and English tutor London or elsewhere, will be fully trained and equipped to teach you the content relevant to your syllabus.Though each board has slightly different assessment methods, all of the syllabi will as standard include influential texts and share many similarities. The main thing that they have in common is their desire to develop the student’s understanding and love of English Literature.Some of the key differences between principle exam boards, AQA and OCR, can be found in table format on OCR’s website. The dedicated section sets out in detail where the content covered by the syllabus plus the assessment methods used differ from those adopted by AQA.Therefore, if you have your heart set on writing about a particular piece o f prose or a certain poem, be sure to consult this table to see if you are likely to be able to incorporate this into any of your AS or A Level exam responses.You should also plan your schedule around English A level exam timetables!Career Opportunities For English Literature GraduatesA degree course in English Literature is a common follow-on from the A Level qualification, but this is not your only option as an English Literature student. The subject can lead students on to a variety of degree-level subjects such as Journalism, Publishing, Editing, Teaching, not to mention opening up doors for those seeking a career in alternative, but connected, industries such as Media, Illustration and Politics.Learning English can open up many doors. (Photo via Visual Hunt)In fact, any profession that requires analytical thinking, strong verbal and written communication, imagination or creativity can make use of the key skills acquired whilst studying towards an English Literature A Level.Acad emic website Prospects.ac.uk confirms that you should not restrict further education or job applications to those directly linked to your highest qualification. Most employers will be happy to consider you regardless of your specialist field, however if you are able to show strengths in a certain subject then this could significantly increase your chances of being offered the position.The informative site also states that 1 in 5 students who study English at degree level go on to further study, with a quarter of these choosing to continue down the same subject path. This evidence shows that English is a subject that you are unlikely to get bored of, and is clearly highly rewarding.Finally, it is worth noting that 60.5% of English graduates are in employment (according to Prospects’ findings) which is yet another strong indicator that the subject is a contributing factor in one’s employability.Having taken these facts on board, we hope that you are feeling confident in your decis ion to study towards an A Level in English Literature and that you can take a more positive approach to your studies.

More than a Signal Deconstructing the Value of an MBA Degree

More than a Signal Deconstructing the Value of an MBA Degree GMAT MBA Admissions Blog I have an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. This is a top program and I’m proud of having been accepted to and graduating from it, but it did cost me almost $150,000 in direct tuition. So, do I think it was worth it? I think so, but I’m not always sure. It’s perhaps a more complex question that requires consideration along multiple dimensions. In this article, I’ll explore the value of an MBA. In general, on average, how much is an MBA degree worth? That seems like a specific question to which there should be some specific answers. This article by Balance Careersfocuses on applying a financial lens to the question. Here, you’d try to weigh two years of forgone salary and the direct cost of the MBA program against the increase in salary you’d earn after you have an MBA. So, let’s assume you make $75K per year, and the MBA itself will cost you $50K per year. It’s a two-year program. This means you are giving up $150K in salary over the two years. And the degree itself will cost you $100K. Obtaining your MBA just cost you $250K, and you now need to compare that to the increase in salary you’ll experience from having the degree. The article above provides example differences between pre-and post-MBA salaries and it seems like the difference is about $12,500 on average. Now, let’s use a little GMAT math. How long will it take you to pay back your MBA in this scenario? $12,500 per year * 20 years = $250,000. It will take you 20 years. That is a long time. You might argue that a $12,500 increase in salary is less than you’d expect. But I’d point out that many MBA programs cost much more than $50,000 per year. I think pursuing an MBA based on a pure, realistic quantitative financial analysis can often be a tough sell. To convince yourself pursuing an MBA makes sense, you need to believe the degree will create opportunities that you can’t necessarily build into a financial model, but which represent substantial upside for your career. But before we explore this idea further, I think it’s important to understand the fundamental nature of an MBA degree. What does an MBA provide? Obviously, an MBA is a master’s degree in the administration of business. But an MBA degree is not like a veterinary, medical, or nursing license that functions as a very real barrier to entry into a career. You cannot be a vet, a doctor, or a nurse without having a VMD, MD, or RN degree. Acceptance rates into vet and medical school programsare low, from 10 to 30%. Pass rates for the licensing exams (medical boards, NCLEX, etc.) that come after these academic programs reflect yet another barrier to entry into these careers. But if you aren’t concerned about the rankings or prestige of the program from which you graduate, you can get an MBA. Some MBA programs have acceptance rates near 100%. In other words, if you have a VMD, an MD, or a RN, that without a doubt means something very specific and will create new career opportunities for you. An MBA is very different. Having an MBA does not, generally, automatically mean you can do any specific job that someone without an MBA can’t do. This is because an MBA doesn’t always provide very specialized business skills. Although it’s an advanced degree in the study of business, some students enter MBA programs from completely different professions (e.g., teachers) and are as much being introduced to various business topics as they are building advanced knowledge about those topics. Yes - others do have lots of previous business experience, and they pursue more advanced knowledge in targeted areas. Either approach to an MBA can make a ton of sense, but it’s important to recognize the difference between the two and understand your unique situation. The value of an MBA depends very much on your personal situation and how you plan to use the degree. The degree itself doesn’t necessarily offer any new career opportunity to you. Should you get an MBA? This is a personal question. It really depends on your situation. I think individuals generally pursue an MBA for one or more of the following reasons (though I’m sure I might be missing one or two): To “signal” that they are accomplished and intelligent professionals by associating themselves with an MBA brand To explore switching careers and take a break from your current one To obtain specific new positions at their current employer or in related industries To create “option value” and in a general sense, make themselves more marketable because they have “advanced” business skills To build a network of like-minded, successful peers To work on a specific business or project idea To build management, communication, and leadership skills To build specific more technical business skills (e.g., marketing, finance, product management, search engine optimization, etc.) Some of these are, I think, more dangerous than others to rely on in understanding whether an MBA would be of value to you. For example, I would argue that, because anyone can get the letters “MBA” next to their name if they want to (i.e., by applying to and attending an unranked GMAT-optional MBA program, for example), just having an MBA doesn’t signal all that much. But, if you’ve attended a Top 10 MBA program, that’s a clear signal. An MBA from a top 10 program clearly tells future employers and business partners that you are credible, competent and talented (on some level). The same goes, maybe, for the top 20, or even 30 schools. But at some point, if you go to say, Michigan State for your MBA (~$50K per year tuition) because you are hoping to send a clear signal that you are talented, that is simply not as valuable a signal as spending $55K to get an MBA from UCLA. It’s important to be realistic about the brand you are buying into and the signal you think you are se nding. How can one get the most value out of a decision to pursue an MBA? I think a better reason to obtain an MBA is because you have specific plans you would like to test. You want to start a project or a business in the process of building new more general business skills. In this Poet’s and Quants article on the value of an MBA, a self-made millionaire who doesn’t have an MBA offers valuable advice on getting an MBA. Brian Wong, CEO and Co-founder of Kiip, a mobile advertising company, says “if you’re pursuing an MBA for a “safety net” or in hopes that it will give you “direction,” you’re doing it all wrong….my whole point is, I don’t want you to take an MBA for all the wrong reasons…don’t do something for some weird backup plan… Do something for an intention and I think you’ll get way more out of it.” I think that’s good advice. I would recommend not forgetting about the value of the brand and the signal when choosing where to get an MBA. Try to identify a school that helps you learn new things, where you can work on or build something or explore a specific new career, and that signals to others you are a valuable potential employee or business partner. One way to increase the value of your MBA is to reduce its direct and indirect cost. One of the biggest “costs” is foregone salary of stopping your career for two years. If you consider an online MBA, you don’t have to stop working.10 years ago, when perhaps the first few online MBA programs were being launched, the schools offering them where generally not very reputable, and you might be in danger of wasting a lot of money and time. But in 2018, many very reputable MBA programs are offering online programs taught by the same professors. They provide the same MBA degree and same brand recognition. For example, Indiana University’s online MBAis ranked #2 by US News, and its full-time program is in the top 30. In this article, the Mason business school at William and Mary makes the point that in 2018 university reputation outweighs any stigma associated with choosing to do your MBA online.I agree. In sum, the value of an MBA is highly dependent on your personal situation, why you are going and what you do when you are there, and of course, also on where you go to obtain your MBA. About the Author Mark Skoskiewicz is the founder of MyGuru. For more information on our GMAT tutoring options, click here.

Exam Day Hints

Exam Day Hints Exam time is here but there’s no need to panic! Our tutors have shared their best exam day tips to get you through this scary time. From everyone at Tutorfair: GOOD LUCK! 1. The night before: go to bed half an hour earlier than usual to wind yourself down ready for a good night’s sleep. 2. In the morning: eat a high protein and complex carbohydrate breakfast. It will release energy  slowly through the day, keeping you alert for your exam. 3. Write a list of anything you wish to take with you to the exam in advance. Forgetting even a small thing, such a pre-exam snack, could throw you off course and add to feelings of nerves. 4. Arrive early to your exam venue and don’t speak about the exam topics with your peers. Last -minute discussions about which topics everyone has focused on won’t help and may panic you. 5. Accept those butterflies in your stomach before the exam! Those feelings of nerves are increasing your heart rate, delivering more oxygen to your brain and keeping you alert. 6. When the examiner announces the start there will be a frantic rustling of papers. Don’t dive in with everyone else: wait for the commotion to die down and then calmly turn over your paper. When you see the questions for the first time, you’ll be quiet and focused instead of panicky. 7. Once  you’ve  warmed up your brain with a few of the easier questions,  consider going to the  end of the paper and working backwards. Doing the harder questions first, when your brain  is fresher, may result in fewer careless mistakes. 8. An old but important favourite: check how many marks are assigned to each question and spend your time accordingly! If it’s a 60-minute exam with 60 marks, you can spend 1 minute on each mark. 9. Jot down any vital equations, facts, quotes or dates at the start while your brain is fresh. As you get more tired you can refer back to them. Anything that takes less than a minute to put down is worth it. Don’t spend too much time though â€" they might not come up. 10. Don’t waste your energy and confidence on a question that feels insurmountable. Circle it and come back to it later. You might figure it out while filling in the rest of your paper; or a later question may even remind you of the answer.