Great Option To Help Improve Your Skills

Great Option To Help Improve Your SkillsFor those of you who love to watch TV and movies, the best option to help you improve your skills is to employ a Super Tutor TV program. This amazing TV program provides tutorials and game analysis for all your favorite movies and TV series. With this online tutoring, your student will learn a lot from the very beginning, and also this will be a fun and interactive experience for them.It is really fun to watch TV and movies. To add some fun, this TV and Movie tutor are equipped with super-game analysis in order to enhance your experience even more. Through the Super Tutor TV, you can make it more entertaining for them.It's not only fun but it's also a challenge, as the student can easily choose the type of play or movie they want to play or watch. In the system, the choices are endless. Some of the games that are available include special shooting games, the deduction game, stealth games, and the online shooting games.Some of the most popular s chools have these Interactive Training Programs, which provides valuable training. You can select the best one according to your budget and needs. You can use these interactive TV shows as a medium to further improve your child's skills and learning abilities. Students who are unable to pay for these services can avail of the online tutoring services at the comfort of their home.In order to avail the best TV and tutor TV program, it is recommended that you go for an online option. You can even learn the English language by listening to the instruction sessions through audio or video files. When you take your kid to the library, he might end up dropping the language when you are speaking. You do not need to worry as the videos and audio files will ensure that the child will remember the lesson and comprehend the lessons.This tutoring program is most useful if you want to expose your child to an exciting and interesting experience through TV. If you want to improve his reading skills, you can opt for TV tutoring program that will help him memorize the ABC.You can find all kinds of TV and Movie tutor and videos online. Most of them provide you with free trials in order to make sure that they are indeed good and have a good experience. The one that you choose should be capable of providing you with the best results. The advantages that you get from this tutoring programs is that you can have an interactive session with your child to enhance his mental abilities and skills and improve his concentration.

What is it Like to Attend Harvard College

What is it Like to Attend Harvard College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. James is a New York City tutor and graduate of Harvard College. He studied History during his time at Harvard and now tutors many subjects including World History tutoring, Literature tutoring, and College Essay prep tutoring. See what he had to say about his alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? James: Harvards campus is located in Cambridge Massachusetts, next to Boston. Thus, it provides a perfect balance of urban opportunities and the serenity of a quieter, less hectic environment. I dont see urban and safe as antonyms. The campus is both urban and reasonably safe. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? James: When I was an undergraduate, professors were mostly quite remote figures, except for certain subjects where the departments and classes were smaller, and professors therefore were more available. Professors were typically illustrious figures who lectured and otherwise dedicated themselves to research. Consorting with undergraduates was not high on their list of priorities. Obviously, there were plenty of exceptions, and graduate studentsoften very accomplished scholars in their own rightcould be very cordial and helpful. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? James: I found dorm life a bit disappointing, but it was probably adequate. Given the size of the school, it is difficult to generalize about student life. However, MIT was reputed to have livelier parties and socializing opportunities, which says something. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? James: Some programs certainly were rumoured to be more prestigious: Social Studies, History and Literature. To some extent, the undergraduate majors followed the fortunes of the graduate schools. For instance, English was reputedly a somewhat disorganized and fractious department, with numerous tensions between the faculty, and this seemed to affect the undergraduate experience in subtle ways. However, in almost all cases the university made an effort to ensure that undergraduates were taken care of. My advice is to pick a smaller department and less common majors. That was the path to more attention and TLC from the departments. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? James: Meeting people was not hard, but depended to a considerable extent on the initiative of individual students, like most aspects of life at Harvard, intellectual or social. The Greek Life consisted of a few clubs that only were sufficient to include a fraction of undergraduatespresumably rich and connected ones; I would say that these clubs were not a huge factor in undergraduate life. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus?The Office of Career Services was very helpful and accessible. James: Certainly, there was plenty of recruiting on campus, though the efforts of the CIA and other government agencies to do so was a political hot potato, as I recall. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? James: I remember a wealth of libraries and places to study. Students there are very fortunate in this sense. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? James: Cambridge is a quaint, manageable town with fine cultural and gastronomic resources. Boston, nearby, is big enough to accommodate any reasonable desires for entertainment, cultural immersion or escape. The diversity of these towns culturally and racially was quite rich, though Boston and Cambridge when I was there were both still quite racially divided, echoing the tensions and turmoil of the 70s and 80s, perhaps. Whether or not this is still the case, I dont know. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? James: The student body is large, and class sizes could also be big, as in one Political Philosophy class with c. 700 people. Although this question does not ask me about the quality of my peers, only their quantity, I probably learned more from my fellow students, and that despite containing a disproportionate number of socially inept and tunnel-visioned overachievers, the student body is a remarkably fascinating and impressive bunch of students with an enormous range of interests and accomplishments. I was very impressed by them on the whole. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. James: The Political Philosophy professor of the above-mentioned class of c. 700 people (Michael Sandel) was very charismatic, and the well-conceived and organized class stimulated my thinking, due to his teaching and the excellent reading list. I wrote him a quixotic letter challenging the courses central communitarian premises, and received an invitation to come speak with him in his office. Though the conversation was brief due to my being overawed and tongue-tied, it was an honor to be taken this seriously. Check out James tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Holiday Break Learning Activities

Holiday Break Learning Activities For most families, holiday break is symbolicyouve reached the midway point of the school year and its time for a breather. However, that doesnt mean your child should spend the next two weeks scrolling social media. Here are eight holiday activities for kids you can try over the break that will boost your childs brain power: Reading Dont force your child to crack those textbooks, but do encourage him or her to choose a book (or several) to enjoy over break. Head to the library for an afternoon at the start of break to stock up. Consider reading something together to make it a fun family activity. Classes for fun Look around and youll discover many fun holiday learning activities and classes for children over break. Your nearby recreation center, library or bookstore are good places to look for winter break classes and workshops on things like cooking, holiday crafts, writing, art or even sports. Museum hopping Art galleries, history museums, and nature and science museums make ideal day trips for children of all ages. Check out those in your town for any special exhibits for the holidays. Holiday break is a chance to explore some of those lesser-known museums too, like a heritage museum or sports museum. Educational movies/TV Who doesnt love curling up on the couch around the holidays to enjoy some entertainment on screen? When you visit the library, look for interesting documentaries or based-on-true-events movies that might pique your childs interest. Perhaps theres a thought-provoking TV series (think science, animal and history channels) that your family could watch together over break. College research If you have a high school student, holiday break is a great time to do some college research and/or preparation. That might include browsing college websites to start gathering information, reading up on financial aid or fine-tuning that admissions essay if you have a senior who is working on applications. Cooking Many families do a lot of entertaining and hosting over the holidays, which means lots of food. And guess what? Cooking involves practical math skills such as measuring and shopping, and time management skills for the planning and preparation. Hand your child a cookbook and put him or her in charge of your holiday menu. Family history documentation Your child could devote some time this break to creating a cherished book of family history. Have your child call or visit family members to ask about their childhoods or favorite holiday memories. Science projects What is your child curious about? Whats going on around you? Have your child come up with a few things to track or measure over break (e.g. snow accumulation or hourly temperature). Have him or her research easy science experiments online that he or she can do with household materials and try a few a day. Holiday break is the perfect chance for your child to explore something new and relish learning for the fun of it. Get creative. There are all kinds of ways for your child to keep her mind engaged over break while having fun at the same time.

Heart Expands Program To Sedgefield And Piney Grove

Heart Expands Program To Sedgefield And Piney Grove Heart Expands Program To Sedgefield And Piney Grove Elementary Schools Heart Expands Program To Sedgefield And Piney Grove Elementary Schools May 18, 2015 Thanks to the good work of our volunteers and the willingness of more Charlotte community members to become volunteer tutors, Heart Math Tutoring will partner with two additional schools in 2015-16 to ensure that all students develop the strong foundation in math and enthusiasm for academics needed for long-term success! Sedgefield Elementary and Piney Grove Elementary will join Heart’s five Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools partners in welcoming 50-70 weekly volunteers to work one-on-one with students in grades 1-5 who are performing below grade level in math. Heart’s existing school partners are Billingsville Leadership Academy, Highland Renaissance Academy, Montclaire Elementary, Westerly Hills Academy, and Winterfield Elementary. Volunteer tutors provide academic support using a structured curriculum and build valuable relationships with students over the course of the school year. Many tutors come before work or at lunchtime to spend 30 minutes to an hour with their elementary-aged mentees. To date, 98% of students have met program growth goals in math. Sedgefield and Piney Grove were chosen among more than 10 applications based on factors including school leadership, community partnerships, and location. An eighth school for 2015-16 is yet to be named and will depend on funding availability as of June 2015. Heart places a Program Coordinator and tutoring materials at each school. The program was designed to be replicated, and Heart plans to provide tutoring to additional schools that applied within the next two years. Thank you to our tutors, our school partners, and our funders for making this math intervention available to some of our most valuable citizens â€" our children in need! Sign up to volunteer at Sedgefield, Piney Grove, or any of our existing schools. Make a donation to help Heart reach an eighth school next year.

4 Reasons Internships Prepare You for the Real World

4 Reasons Internships Prepare You for the Real World Image via pexels.com In this aspect, transitioning well from your educational field to a real-world job almost requires some internship experience. There are many reasons internships prepare you for the real world. Here are four key reasons: 1. Grunt work One great thing about doing internships is the ease of the initial shock of entry-level jobs. Because you’ve likely been studying hard during your undergraduate, or perhaps graduate degree, you’ve been doing very specialized and advanced things. However, entry-level jobs can be a bit of a letdown when you realize you aren’t doing the high-level stuff, but the grunt work. Many of your initial duties will be boring, repetitive, and feel less fulfilling than you thought at first. However, many internships will also make you do a bit of the grunt work around the office, so you know what kind of balance to expect from a real-world first job. This takes away the lag time in being productive and also helps you jump right into what you’re supposed to be doing. If you’re already fluent in the basics, it will take less time for you to move up the ranks. 2. Diversity Depending on your university, you may have a very diverse student body or a very similar one. However, one thing usually stays the same when it comes to college student bodies: age. A majority of the students will be in their late teens to mid-twenties when it comes to undergraduate degrees, which means that besides the likely older professors, you’re only really being exposed to people similar to yourself and of similar experience. However, when you enter an internship, you’ll realize that the scale of diversity expands even wider with age, background, education levels, and experience levels. An internship really helps you learn to navigate the many different people you’re going to be working for and working with. If all your assumptions and work-ethic based actions center around your undergraduate peers, you may make some crucial mistakes when it comes to working with others. An internship beforehand will nurture those techniques to include a broader array of people. 3. Experience You may be lucky to go to a university that cultivates a hands-on approach to learning, but for most of us, our learning comes through reading and lectures. However, reading and lectures are great for your personal knowledge, but really fail to enhance the skills needed for putting that knowledge into action. Internships are a key factor in bridging the gap between education and industry. Internship coordinators are well aware of the educational background most of their interns will have. They are well-versed in techniques to build that knowledge into real-world skills. As an additional note, a common complaint by entry-level applicants is the amount of experience needed to qualify for entry-level jobs. Internships are a great way to earn that experience even before graduation and get a leg up on the other applicants. 4. Connections As you grow older and learn even more about the tricks of the real world, you’ll soon realize that you’re more likely to be hired just because you know someone. Of course, it is always important that you possess the skills and education needed to fill the role, but almost all positions are filled simply by word of mouth. Because of this, connections become extremely important to thriving in real-world jobs. One of the reasons entry-level jobs receive so many applications is because many applicants don’t know anyone yet and this is their only way to get their foot in the door. However, an internship allows you the time and resources to make those connections early on. It may not be that you are offered a job at the same company after the internship ends, but your coworkers and managers may be likely to call you if they hear something open up elsewhere. You can also talk to the company about other similar companies they have connections to. An internship coordinator is a great person to have as a reference or recommendation. Indeed, the list of reasons could be nearly endless. If internships are available to you, it would be a mistake not to capitalize on all the benefits it could have for your career now and later. The knowledge and experience you gain about the real world from an internship become  an invaluable resource.

Memrise vs Duolingo Which of These Popular Language Learning Programs Is Right for You

Memrise vs Duolingo Which of These Popular Language Learning Programs Is Right for You Memrise vs Duolingo: Which of These Popular Language Learning Programs Is Right for You? Tesla or Edison?Coke or Pepsi?Superman or Batman?Marvel or DC?The world is full of tough choices.And in the field of language learning, in this clash of titans, which should you pick: Memrise or Duolingo? It is a tough decision!By the end of this post, we will settle the scores so that you will know which program you should choose.Are you ready to dive deep into each platform?Let’s begin with Memrise. Memrise vs Duolingo: Which of These Popular Language Learning Programs Is Right for You?MemriseAvailable: iOS | AndroidWhat Is Memrise?What would you call an app that is designed to help you remember words?Rightâ€"Memrise seems like the perfect name! It seems even more so when you realize that one of the apps founders, Ed Cooke, is himself a memory grandmaster.The other two masterminds behind the project are Ben Whately, who studied experimental psychology at Oxford, and Greg Detre, a neuroscientist who studies the science of remembering things.So, the very first thing you need to k now about Memrise is that it was shepherded by guys who know what they are doing.The next thing you need to know is that Memrise is a flashcard app/software on steroids. These are not your grandmother’s flashcards where she writes Spanish words on one side and their English translations on the other. Memrise works with audio, video and text. When you are looking at video clips of native speakers (and replaying them as often as you want), rifling through a bunch of audio samples and typing your answers on a keyboard, you know you have come a long way from grandma’s ol’ school flashcards.Memrise uses spaced repetition to help users remember vocabulary. This means that difficult words show up in the exercises more frequently while those that you have already mastered are replaced by newer words. Memrises algorithm “knows” the words you are struggling with because of instances when you make errors while the app is testing you on a particular word.Say you are given an audio cli p of the Spanish word “ ¡Hola!” (Hello!), and the app then asks you to pick its English translation from the given choices. If you answer, “Thank You,” for example, Memrise thinks, “Hmmmm, he got that one wrong. I better drill him more on this.”On the whole, Memrise is an excellent app for learning target language vocabulary. It offers plenty of languages, including Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Italian. The basic app is free, but a premium subscription is $8.99 for one month, $5 per month with an annual subscription and $99.99 for a lifetime subscription.The Memrise InterfaceMemrise is available both as an app and as a website. The two interfaces are intuitive and sleek. You will not have too difficult a time navigating them.The app and website do vary a bit in terms of what is available and what can be done on each platform (and sometimes they do not sync perfectly).With its “flashcard” technology, Memrise can do more than teach you a language or help you me morize new words. It can basically help you memorize anything: trivia, capitals of the world, currencies, geography you name it! It can also teach you the vocab for any subject: design, history, science, etc.And, with this “flashcard” technology, Memrise users can personalize decks. As a matter of fact, a lot of content on Memrise is user-generated, and this is one of the programs strengths. You can learn so much just by clicking around and exploring their “Courses” section.The website reflects this and shows you the many things outside of language that you can learn with Memrise. The app, on the other hand, seems to focus on language learning. (It also prompts you to upgrade more often than most users would like.)Below, we will look more closely into what is under the hood of this great learning tool.FeaturesMaking Words and Phrases MemorableThere are two main activities that can be done in the Memrise app. The first is “Learn,” and the second is “Review.”The Learn section is further divided into “Words and Phrases” and “Learn Grammar.” These divisions are self-explanatory. You will probably spend most of your time initially in the “Words and Phrases” subsection, drilling new vocabulary, looking at videos, listening to audio clips and tapping correct answers for any given task.The “Learn Grammar” subsection is where you get a little bit of grammar instruction. The operative phrase here is “a little bit.” Do not expect too much handholding. You will get grammar highlights but not the deep instruction that some students may be looking for. (But for the grammar concepts that they do tackle, expect the same engagement and finesse offered in the vocabulary section.)The second main section of the app is the “Review” section, which is further divided into six different activities: “Classic Review,” “Speed Review,” “Difficult Words,” “Learn With Locals,” “Pronunciation” and “Listening Skills.”You will ha ve already encountered most of these activities when you initially learn words and phrases. But here, they are split into specific categories for further focus. If you want to specifically review pronunciation, for example, head to “Pronunciation.”Here is a quick look at what each of these subsections offers:Classic Review This drills you on the words you have already learned (no new words are introduced). You will once again take on different tasks that allow you to engage and work with the vocabulary. You will do back-and-forth translations, type words into boxes, listen to audio clips and arrange phrases in their proper order. This is where your learning is cemented.Speed Review This is a run-through of all the words you have learned, but with the added pressure of being timed. For example, you will see an English word and four options. Your job is to tap on the correct translation of the English word before the allotted time expires.The longer you take, the more your screen will be taken over by the color red. The speed review is an important gauge of how well you recall learned words under pressure, which reflects how deeply embedded the vocab is in your memory.Difficult Words A session here will give you the chance to really drill those words marked by the app as “difficult.” Maybe you made multiple mistakes during the learning session. Those relevant items are added to the Difficult Words section. Another way of populating this subsection is by marking the words yourself.If you encounter a word which, at first sight, sends a chill up your spine, you can preemptively mark it as difficult and it will be added to this section. This will afford you more opportunities to practice the word.Listening Skills This has everything to do with sounds and how you are able to make out the different words of the target language. Some words in languages like French have pronunciations that are quite different from how the words are spelled. This subsection lets you listen to audio clips and hone your ears to the tonal flow of your target language.Pronunciation Just because you have consistently tapped on correct translations does not mean you know how to actually say a word. This section prompts you to pronounce the words and phrases you have learned.So, speak up on your phone’s mic and say the word or phrase just like the native speaker does. Memrise’s technology will “listen” and determine if you have done it reasonably well. If not, do not worry, you can always try again.Learn With LocalsNow, this is where the platform really shinesâ€"even the spokespeople for alternative Memrise programs would probably agree.Here, you work with short video clips featuring native speakers to learn the most basic expressions. The advantage here is that you are not just seeing pictures or hearing audio. You are actually seeing short clips of native speakers demonstrating how words and phrases sound. So, you have the benefit of both audio and movin g visuals working together to make the vocabulary really stick.This is where the target language comes alive through you observing facial expressions. For example, you see a smile when a native French speaker says, “Merci!” (Thank You!) or pursed lips when she says, “Non” (No).In the “Learn With Locals” subsection, you really begin to understand the communicative aspect of the language.If you think videos are great, then FluentU is right up your alley! FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into language learning opportunities. You will gain access to a vast collection of videos that are specifically chosen for language learners like you. The videos are ideal for both vocabulary and grammar practice.Each video clip on FluentU uses interactive transcription technology. The subtitles you will see do not just help you follow along but also give you the opportunity to click on any word to find out more a bout it. You can see words and phrases broken down and used in example sentences and other videos.FluentU also offers fun quizzes, customized vocabulary lists and dynamic flashcards for additional learning.Do not just take my word for it. Check out FluentUs free trial and see for yourself!Mem CreationWith Memrise, you can personalize each flashcard by creating a “mem.”“Mems” are mnemonic devices in the form of text or pictures that help make the words and their translations memorable to you.For example, for the Spanish word “Hola,” you might add a picture of a bearded man holding a donut in one hand and waving “Hi!” with the other. So, in your head, you are thinking, “There is a hole in the donut and it could be the letter O in hola.  And, the guy holding it is waving hi or hello. Perfect!”So, for you, that picture makes “hola” stick in your head. You decide to make it a “mem” so that each time “hola” is presented, the donut guy also appears.How are y ou going to set that up?Well, making one is really easy. (Note that it is much better to use the web version of Memrise for this.)As the words are initially presented to you during the learning phase, there is a “Help me learn this” button. This is your first step to mem creation. Click on it and you will get to see if other people have already created a mem for the word or phrase. Some words may already have several mems created by other users, and you might decide to use what is already there. Or, you can add your own mem by clicking on “+ Add a mem.”You will then be given the chance to upload the picture that you want and even write a caption or accompanying text. Anything goesâ€"you can choose any picture or write any text.  Think of something that is going to make the word stick for you.“Mems” are highly personal. Since you make them yourself, they are meaningful and memorable to you. But, that does not mean you cannot share them. Other users can also benefit from t he mems you make.Some learners forgo this feature and simply make do with the standard Memrise presentation, thinking it takes too much time to find that perfect picture or write that ideal caption. I think this is a big mistake. In order for something to be memorable, you need to wrestle with it. You need to invest time and effort into it.The very act of creating a memâ€"searching for the picture and thinking of a good captionâ€"is a memory-enhancing process. Yes, it is time-consuming, but it will also embed the word in your memory. As a result, you will be much more likely to remember the vocab.In other words, your brain becomes actively involved in the learning process instead of just passively memorizing things.Chatbots and GrammarbotsMemrise Pro, which is available for $8.99 a month, comes with two additional “techie” features: the chatbot and grammarbot functions.ChatbotIf your imagination works just fine, you might enjoy the journey this feature offers. The goal here is t o let you practice the target language without the stress of embarrassing yourself in front of a real person.The chatbot transports you to the country where your target language is spoken. He then lets you “interact” with the locals.What actually happens is that you will be placed in an imaginary situation, say, a “Meet Greet,” with a friendly local (a bot). You will be given options of what you can say in a standard back-and-forth conversation. For example, you can pursue an interaction by saying, “ ¡Hola!” back to a stranger who is trying to get to know you, or you can click “Adios” to extricate yourself from the scenario.This feature resembles a choose-your-own-adventure game in a chat environment. It is only available with the later levels of major languages, though.GrammarbotThis is a chatbot that focuses on grammar and parts of speech.This is essentially the “Learn Grammar” section but in chat form. The grammarbot will send you messages that explain differ ent grammar concepts. It will then test your comprehension of the lesson. For example, it will ask you to arrange words in the correct order.These two features obviously offer a number of possibilities for improvement. However, more content needs to be developed so that users do not cycle through the same lessons over and over again.You now know the ins and outs of Memrise.Next, we will head over to the green corner and look into the language learning platform Duolingo.DuolingoAvailable: iOS | AndroidWhat Is Duolingo?Offering more than 30 language courses, Duolingo is a behemoth of a learning platform. The app alone has already been downloaded over 100 million times. You cannot get into language learning without coming into contact with, or at least reading or hearing about, Duolingo. (The discussions from its forums alone can often crop up in your Google searches.)Duolingo is the brainchild of Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker. The former invented the “Captcha,” and the latter is a multi-awarded entrepreneur and brilliant Swiss computer scientist.Duolingo is a language learning platform that shares a lot of the features we have already talked about with Memrise. That is why these two programs have naturally been pitted against each other. Duolingo offers language exercises and drills that train users in both vocabulary and grammar. It engages learners through tasks like translating between languages, identifying pictures, listening to audio and typing on a keyboard.Duolingo bills itself as “the new way to learn a language,” incorporating game elements into its standard operation.The first “F” of the Duolingo philosophy is that language learning should be “fun.” Later we will talk about exactly how Duolingo injects this into every lesson.The second “F” is that it is “free.” (Isn’t everything though, these days?)Duolingo earns its keep some other way, so you get a ton of material without ever spending a dime. Not much is hidden behind a payment wallâ€"no new content or intrinsically advanced features are offered. The most you get by upgrading is that ads magically disappear. You even get the sense that Duolingo is not really pushing very hard for Duolingo Plus, its premium subscription option, which costs $6.99 a month.The Duolingo InterfaceLike Memrise, Duolingo is also available as a website and as an app.Whether you are working on your computer or going mobile, you get to experience the same instinctive interface. The layout is easy to navigate and you should not have any issues getting where you want to go. But, just like with Memrise, the website and app do not always perfectly sync. (This is what naturally happens when tech teams are tinkering behind the scenes and trying to make the product a little better.)In terms of fonts, colors and graphics, Duolingo is a little bit more playful than Memrise, as it features cartoon-like images. And, of course, do not forget Duo, the lovable green owl who is the face of Duolingo. This cutie peaks out from your screen every once in a while to cheer you on.There are also plenty of dings and dongs, sounds that tell you each time you get a correct or incorrect answer. The app is pretty vocal, meaning that introduced words and phrases often come with an audio componentâ€"which you would do well to repeat after.So, for best results, even if you are on your phone and using headphones, it is better to be somewhere private where you can say the words aloud. Duolingo would not mean very much if you just master tapping on the right answer without ever opening your mouth.That said, let’s dive a little deeper into Duolingo and see what it brings to the language learning table.FeaturesBuilding Memorable SentencesAs mentioned earlier, many of the mechanisms for learning that we have talked about with Memrise also exist with Duolingo.Your language course is one, long learning “tree,” which is divided into numerous mini-sections that go from the absolute basi cs to an intermediate level. Each mini-section has an over-arching theme, like sports, recipes, couples, etc.There is a set sequence to these sections, and each one is locked until you complete the previous sections satisfactorily.Duolingo gets you to perform different simple tasks, like matching words and their translations, matching images with their foreign language names, saying a word or phrase presented on the screen, listening to audio or typing on the keyboardâ€"practically the very same type of exercises in the “Words and Phrases” section of Memrise.They drill the vocab items over and over, from English to the target language (and vice versa!) so that what you are learning becomes firmly embedded in your long-term memory.Duolingo starts with vocab and slowly builds words into phrases until you get to full sentences. There is a seamless transition between old words and new ones because they are presented side-by-side. The mastered words are slowly phased out while the ne w ones are gradually worked in. Before you know it, you have already picked up several new German words by simply working on pint-sized tasks. (The grammar-heavy elements eventually come at later parts in the course.)Admittedly, Duolingos sentence examples do have a lot of room to improve. Sometimes they can be funny, sometimes even downright weird. Users might find that the sentences they are working on are not especially helpful in actual conversations.Duolingo also has a “Stories” feature, which can easily rival Memrise’s chatbot function. The stories also happen in a chat environment. You are taken to a specific scenario where you need to answer comprehension questions in order to move the story along. For example, in a French dialogue between a husband and wife, you might be asked to choose the correct topic of their conversation.So far, Duolingo “Stories” are only available for major languages.Gamified Language LearningDuolingo says it only takes five minutes a day t o learn the language. But, you can bet your bottom dollar that they want you in the Duolingo ecosystem for the long haul.Look at how the whole experience is set up: The platform has poured gaming elements into every lesson, making it fun and motivating. There are also game elements in Memrise, but it just seems that Duolingo has the high ground on this one.Each move you make in Duolingo is recorded. Each correct answer has a corresponding number of Experience Points (XPs), and the longer you work on tasks, the more XPs you earn.Reaching a certain number of XPs increases your level, which soon leads to “lingots.” They are the virtual currency of the platform that you can use for things like buying bonus skills and power-ups. You can even give lingots to other users and spread goodwill. You can also use lingots at the virtual store to buy different costumes for Duo, the mascot.In my opinion, Duolingo has not really tapped the full potential of their lingot system. If they add more uses for these, it could potentially be a game-changer.Another metric to watch out for is your “Streak.” This refers to the number of days that you have met your daily XP goals. (You can set your goals in the “Settings” section.)There are progress bars all over the place, telling you how you are doing with the lessons. These bars go down the longer you do not practice. So, you have to go in and review the lessons in order to keep those bars at 100%.There are also leaderboards that tell you your position vis-à-vis others.I think the most important metric is the “Streaks” number, the number of consecutive days you have worked on Duolingo. Language learning needs consistency. If you work at it erratically, you will never reach fluency. So, you better make those “Streaks” as high as you possibly can.Lively Forum DiscussionsOne awesome thing about Duolingo is that you can post a comment at practically any point in your session. Every time you see the message icon, it me ans there is already a discussion happening about that particular question. These threads are fertile with insights from native speakers and fellow language learners.Duolingo has some of the most active language forums around. They are wellsprings of insight and information. That is what happens when you have around 300 million users worldwide. There are bound to be interesting and engaging discussions all around.While Memrise makes the platform social by making “mems” shareable to others, Duolingo can boast of these lively conversations going on between learners who are sharing language resources, asking study advice or just engaging in a random conversation between kindred spirits. You will never feel alone.Check out this even deeper look at Duolingo  and whether it works or not.Memrise vs Duolingo: Who Wins?So, after all has been said and done, which one is the better platform: Memrise or Duolingo?Memrise Pros:Free!User-friendly interfaceElegant vocabulary-learning toolAbilit y to incorporate user-generated contentVideo clips featuring native speakers make the language come aliveMemrise Cons:Too much push for the upgradeDoes not have many grammar lessons or much content for advanced learnersDuolingo Pros:Free!User-friendly interfaceCan teach you grammar and sentence structuresGamified learningActive language forumsDuolingo Cons:Needs more relevant sentence examplesDoes not have much content for advanced learnersSo, who wins?!Clearly there is only one winner and that is you, the language learner!You have access to two of the most technologically-advanced language learning systems developed by folks who love what they are doing and who have learners’ interests at heart.For instance, if you want to learn vocab, maybe you can start with Memrise to get the ball rolling, and when you want to graduate to sentence structure and grammar, you can opt for Duolingo. (You can take Duolingo’s placement exam and skip to the later lessons.)These platforms are certai nly not mutually exclusive. They nicely complement each other.And, on that note, I would like to add FluentU to the mix. This platform, which focuses on language learning videos and helps learners every step of the way, can easily go hand-in-hand with Memrise and Duolingo.Take advantage of the free FluentU trial and see for yourself.I salute all of your efforts and wish you the very best on your journey to learn a new language.Good luck!

How To Deal With A Boss Who Has Ridiculous Requests

How To Deal With A Boss Who Has Ridiculous Requests via Pexels.com So how do you handle it when your boss comes to you with a request that seems not only out of the ordinary, but unfair, ridiculous, and self-centered? Heres a guide to everything you need to know for dealing with your bosss ridiculous request: 1. Read your job description. Your boss asked you to clean the toilet. But youre the front desk girl. Do you  really  have bathroom duty? I dont know. Before you start a new job, you should always make sure you read your job description carefully. Dont be afraid to ask for a list of possible job duties. When youre asked to do something out-of-the-ordinary, go back and read the description of what you signed up for. If its not in there, chances are, you dont have to do it. 2. If its not in your job description, talk to a manager. It might be as simple as  miscommunication,  but theres also a chance that someone is taking advantage of you. Dont be afraid to take your job description to a manager. Part of being a good manager is ensuring your employees are happy in their roles on the team. If you feel as though youre being expected to do more than whats in your job description, dont be afraid to talk to a manager. Part of their job is to  manage  their employees. 3. Dont be afraid to ask questions. Intimidation is always a factor when it comes to  why  employees dont go to their bosses when theyre unhappy with whats being asked of them. Dont feel like you have to walk into your bosss office in a confrontative way just to approach the topic. Most managers are more than happy to answer questions. Maybe instead of coming to your manager with the attitude:  I feel like Ive been asked to do something ridiculous and I dont want to do it,  ask them if the task youve been assigned is part of your job description. You can even tip-toe around the topic and ask them how often youll have to do this task. via Pexels.com 4. If its without compensation, youre entitled to say NO. No one works for free. Obviously. So dont let your boss talk you into completing favors for them without being on the clock. Even if its running something to the post office thats not your job. If it  is  in your job to run errands for your boss, there should already be a system in place for how youll be compensated. 5. Pushing back is appreciated in the workplace. Imagine an office where everyone does exactly as theyre told, no questions asked. Nothing ever changes. If youre in a position where youre unhappy with what someone has asked of you, dont be afraid to push back a little bit. Respectfully push back, obviously. But without you, things would stay the same;  stagnant.  You can be the change in this workplace. And for the people who come after you, things will never be the same. 6. Come to a conclusion that suits both of you. Maybe all you need is a little conversation in order to settle this dispute between you and your boss. Whether its deciding on a longer timeline for the project to get done, splitting up the work with one of your coworkers, or giving the task to someone who is more fit for the job altogether, communication is key in this situation. 7. Follow up with your boss and show your appreciation for the way things were handled. Dont walk away from a situation with your head held high because you got out of doing something ridiculous without saying thank you to the people who worked through the problem with you. Its unfair to expect that people will just bend to your rules. So instead of walking away feeling pleased with yourself, walk away with an appreciation for the people you work with. Count your many blessings that you have a boss or a manager who is willing to work with you and listens to you when you dont feel comfortable completing something thats been asked of you. Sometimes work situations can be a bit tricky how should you navigate being asked to do something that you dont think is warranted?  If youre a recent college graduate (or even if you arent), youre probably looking for tips on how to handle various workplace situations. If you feel as though youve been asked to do something ridiculous by someone at your place of work, reach out to a manager and ensure that all parties are communicating. The only way to fix a problem is to talk about it.