How To Find The Best Brain Lightning Tutoring Service

How To Find The Best Brain Lightning Tutoring ServiceThe most important thing when considering the Brain Lightning tutoring service is to find a tutoring service that has a wealth of experience. All of the tutors should have years of experience in a diverse range of subjects. The tutor will also need to be highly qualified to be considered for Brain Lightning tutoring.A good tutoring service will be able to give you access to their online library. This will give you access to thousands of reading material and all are updated on a regular basis so you will always be up to date with what is being taught. This will make your learning more fun and exciting.When you are looking for a good tutor you should ask them about the individual teaching methods they use. It is best to know the different types of tutoring so you know what to expect from your tutor. If your tutor uses any types of teaching methods which are not well known then you may have problems with them.It is best to choose a tu tor who uses a large number of subject areas. Brain Lightning tutoring focuses on psychology, language, maths and science. If your tutor doesn't believe in teaching a large number of subjects then they may not have the expertise required to give you the best tutoring experience.Most tutoring services will use the online version of their tutoring service. This means that if you have problems with English then they can provide you with a tutor who speaks English fluently. A tutor should be able to communicate effectively with their pupils. You will be able to get clear explanations from your tutor about certain subject areas and about how they are taught.Your tutor should be able to answer all of your questions in the most effective way. If your tutor does not respond to you or if you have a problem with an aspect of your lesson then this is going to make it very difficult for you to learn. Brain Lightning tutoring is meant to help you learn so if your tutor doesn't know how to help y ou then it is unlikely that you will be able to get the most out of your tutoring experience.Tutors should also be open and willing to work with your group. Some tutors may only have time for one or two pupils at a time. Others may not have the time to work with several pupils at once. By working together you will be able to get the most out of your tutoring session.You can take advantage of the Brain Lightning tutoring service by searching for a tutoring service online. Your tutor should be available to help you as soon as possible so you will have the chance to see what your tutor is like before committing to working with them.

Going Off to College Setting Up a Budget - TutorNerds

Going Off to College Setting Up a Budget - TutorNerds How to Set Up a Budget for Going Off to College Many recent high school graduates are getting ready to go off to their first year of college. In addition to the academic and social transition students will face, they will also need to start managing their money. This will be a big difference for kids who primarily had their money managed for them by their parents during high school. Some students may have had a part-time job where they began to learn the value of a dollar and how much things cost as compared to how easy or difficult it is to earn that money. Either way, its important for college kids to set up a budget so they can manage living expenses, additional university fees, and student loans. 1. Personal Banker Most college students don’t speak with a personal banker, but theres no reason why they shouldnt. Almost every bank will offer personal banking services, and some bankers specialize in student bank accounts. In some cases, full-time students will be able to avoid certain fees that other customers have to pay or may be able to get a minor line of credit even though they dont currently have a credit history. Whether students speak to someone at the bank on campus or open an account with a nationwide bank or credit union, its a good idea for them to sit down and have a discussion about how to budget, where they can save money, and how to avoid having a large credit bill. 2. Living Expenses Its a significant change when students move out of their parent’s house and into a college dorm or student apartment. Most young adults won’t realize the extent of the different bills they have to pay. For instance, in addition to dorm or apartment fees, students will have to pay utilities, buy groceries, and pay for things like new clothes and shoes, and other non-academic expenses. Its essential for students to inquire whether or not utilities and Wi-Fi access are available as part of their rent (as would be common in a dorm) or if they need to pay it separately (as would be common in an apartment). Students can sit down with their parents and make a list of each item and how much they think it will cost so they can set a basic budget (READ: 5 Things to do Before You Go Off to College). 3. Pocket Money Most students want to have a fair amount of pocket money because having a little bit of extra cash can make the university experience a lot more fun. For instance, students will need money to go out for coffee or to the movies with a new friend, go on a vacation during a break, or just have a little extra to spend on the weekend. However, many students dont know how much things cost and where they can get the best deal. Although many adults budget their extra cash by the month, its a good idea for college freshmen to set out their budget for the week until they see how much they spend and on what. 4. A Part Time Job Vs. a Savings Account Another thing students should think about is whether they will be living off a savings account or working at a part-time job during the year. New college students find it extra challenging to work and study during the semester, but many students will rely on that cash to survive. Other students may be able to work full-time during the summer and winter break periods and put that money into a savings account to live on during the rest of the term. If students are working a part-time job, its essential that they calculate the amount of tax that will be taken out (probably 10%) before they make their budget. 5. Comparing Prices One thing that can be helpful is for students to start learning how to compare prices. For example, buying coffee at a coffee house vs. making coffee in the dorm might be a difference of $50 at the end of the month. At student wages, it could easily take an entire day to make 50 bucks. Some price comparisons will be relatively small while others will be much larger, such as student loan interest payments that will commence upon graduation or living expenses. When students learn how to compare prices appropriately and make the most frugal choice they’ll be more likely to be able to start managing a budget on their own (READ: 10 Reasons You Need a Summer Tutor). Get a leg up on college with the help of a private Orange County college tutor from TutorNerds. Call us today for more information! All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Do Celebrity Endorsements Help Win Elections

Do Celebrity Endorsements Help Win Elections Photo courtesy of Scripps Howard Foundation Wire To no surprise, the majority of Hollywood supports our current administration. George Clooney, Eva Longoria, Ellen DeGeneres, and Tom Hanks have already met the maximum donation to the President’s campaign, and they are just a few to mention. But, celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, and Donald Trump are strong supporters of Governor Mitt Romney and have also donated to the governor’s campaign. Once the celebrity reaches this maximum donation, they usually take to their social media accounts to endorse the candidate. Donald Trump is notorious for doing such things. Trump makes it clear he does not agree with President Obama’s policies and reaches out to all of his 1.7 million followers. In some cases however, celebrities can hinder a candidates chance at winning an election. In 2000, Cher was at an Al Gore event advocating views about the Middle East that did not coincide with Al Gore’s views. Eva Longoria caused an uproar amongst countless women when she re-tweeted the message: I have no idea why any woman/minority can vote for Romney. You have to be stupid to vote for such a racist/misogynistic tw-t. Although celebrities do not win a candidate an election, they definitely influence it. For example, everyday over 1.7 million people see what Donald Trump tweets. Sometimes these tweets spark great conversations, conversations a person wouldn’t be having if the subject had not been breached. In America, we are obsessed with Hollywood. We know where celebrities live, who theyre married to, and their favorite things to do on the weekend. So why wouldn’t people want to know who their favorite celebrity is voting for? Knowing this may not sway one person to vote one way or another, but it certainly could validate who they are voting for.

Virtual English Classes - Tools to Make Learning Possible

Virtual English Classes - Tools to Make Learning PossibleAs virtual classrooms and virtual schools become more popular, we are seeing more schools being established with virtual English classes. The idea is to provide students with the experience of being at a traditional school, but without the costs or the time commitment of going to school every day. Virtual classes and schools give you the same benefits as regular classes do while providing some of the same challenges that a regular classroom has to face.One thing you can do is build up a system where teachers who teach at the class can hire teaching assistants who will be able to work part-time as well. This way you can have the convenience of having a regular teaching staff in place, but they don't have to stay in one place for very long. You also don't have to worry about any of the additional expenses that go along with a full time teaching staff.The one other thing that you can do is offer a virtual class in your own home th at will be tailored to cater to what you are looking for in an English class. For example, you can set it up to offer a lesson based on story time, or you can offer an hour or two every evening for a fun activity. This type of service is often best suited for people who don't have much experience with teaching, but who want to get started with teaching English in their home.You can also offer online teaching in an effort to give those people who are already familiar with English the opportunity to get more experience with English. This can be a great way to give them the confidence to move from teaching someone at a university to teaching someone in a private home. If you offer the online course online and have them work from home you can be sure that they can offer it to as many people as possible, and that they can reach everyone that needs this type of service.Another way to make the most of virtual learning is to add a virtual chatroom to your online lessons. This way you can ta lk to the students in their own language while working with them on the computer. This way you can really immerse yourself into what is going on with the students, and really get to know them.Web-based learning is just one of the things that you can do with virtual English teaching services. You can also use a Webcam to bring the students into the classroom. This gives you a better opportunity to get down to business with the students and give them some homework assistance while you get your lesson underway.These are just a few of the options that you have to keep your classroom and virtual English learning courses effective. Don't feel like you have to limit yourself to a certain type of curriculum in order to keep your students satisfied and coming back for more.

Can You Really Benefit From a Paid Tutor Time Pay Online Course?

Can You Really Benefit From a Paid Tutor Time Pay Online Course?The best option for you to prepare for your chosen career as a college teacher is to pursue a paid Tutor Time Pay Online Course. The advantages of this course are many; for example, you can easily get the instruction you need from tutors in your own hometown.In this course, you will study techniques to improve your ability to provide quality instruction. You will also learn how to interact with students in ways that will encourage them to want to continue studying. Some of the lessons that you will learn are:This course will teach you all of the techniques and methods you need to avoid being drawn into the conventional classroom atmosphere. These include:It will teach you how to manage your students better and let them know that you care about them. For instance, if a student gets a question wrong and you tell him to just look it up on the internet, he may feel embarrassed and may even think you do not like him, and he w ill probably not be willing to attend another class with you. On the other hand, you may not tell the student how much you like him, or how much you appreciate his problem solving abilities.Your students will be encouraged to participate actively in class activities, and they will notice your genuine concern for their welfare. In turn, you will be able to communicate your own concerns more effectively with them, and this will help in developing a close relationship between teacher and student.The real world has a lot of challenges that many teachers face, and students are no different. You will learn how to avoid facing these difficulties, as well as how to deal with situations when students get frustrated or need more guidance.You will learn what you need to do in order to cope with these factors and learn how to effectively communicate with your students. As a result, you will be more successful than ever before. Make sure you join a Tutor Time Pays Online Course today!

My Experience at Cornell University

My Experience at Cornell University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Meghan received her Bachelors degree in English from Cornell University in 2013. She is a Boston tutor specializing in Writing tutoring, SAT prep tutoring,ACT prep tutoring, AP English tutoriing, and many other subjects. Check out her review of her school: 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? Meghan:Cornell is located in the Finger Lakes region of New York, and it is a fairly rural campus. It is approximately four hours from New York City, and the closest metropolitan area, Syracuse, is a little more than an hour away. However, Ithaca itself is a rich little city. It boasts more restaurants per capita than most large cities, and it has numerous concerts, cultural festivals, and events. The buses in Ithaca will take you anywhere you need to go on or off campus, and bus passes are free for freshmen. Many upperclassmen have cars. The campus is quite large, so a bike is certainly a nice addition, but everything is within walking distance if you invest in a good pair of shoes and a very warm winter coat! I always felt incredibly safe in Ithaca. I spent a lot of time running by myself and never felt uneasy. The campus is covered in Blue Light emergency phones in case of any incident, and, generally, the city of Ithaca is filled with friendly peoplecollege students and localswh o would help out a stranger at the drop of a hat. The area surrounding Cornell is quite residential and fairly quiet. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Meghan:I was consistently impressed with the willingness of my professors to devote extra time and energy to helping me succeed. My academic advisers were not always the most helpful, and I ended up finding much more comfort in talking with my class professors when I needed advice. Professors are almost always on email, and, in my experience, have been very willing to look at drafts of papers, offer study tips, and help with general college questions, like selecting courses for a new semester or deciding on a major or minor. It was amazing to me how much my professors cared about me, as well as how interested they were in my academic work throughout my undergraduate career. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Meghan:Dorm life at Cornell is pretty spectacular. All the freshmen live together on north campus in a wide variety of dorms. There is an all-girls dorm, a dorm with mostly singles, a dorm with mostly suites, and dorms featuring more classic doubles. There are two dining halls within walking distance of all of the freshman dorms, and the food is greatI still miss it! You can always find a good array of healthy options, as well as vegetarian/vegan meals and cultural foods. Plus, Cornell makes its own ice cream, which all the dining halls carry. The dining halls are not limited to serving meals, and they actually offer lots of opportunities for social activities, ranging from movie nights to video game competitions to fitness classes. Each dorm also has its own weekly events that offer an opportunity to get to know people beyond your floormates. I cannot say enough about living with all the other freshmen your first year; it really helps you make friends and start to feel at home! 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? Meghan:I studied English and minored in Music, and found a lot of support for both programs. The English major is very flexible, and I had a lot of freedom in choosing courses that were interesting to me. I chose to complete an honors track in the subject, which allowed me to take some graduate courses and challenge myself at a higher level by writing an honors thesis. I always found support from both my professors and the Academic Dean during these endeavors. Currently, Cornell is building a new humanities building, and I love to see such an assertion of the continued investment in liberal arts disciplines. For a big research university that is understandably focused heavily on engineering and science, Cornell really does a great job continuing to build their humanities programs. 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? Meghan:Because of the north campus living center, I found it fairly easy to make friends despite being a somewhat shy freshman! I also recommend joining several student clubs and activities as soon as you get on campus. There are so many to choose from, and each offers a great group of supportive people with similar interests who will more than likely become your friends. Cornell is very community-oriented, and there are plenty of ways to make the huge campus seem a little smaller through clubs, activities, and organizations. Despite its large size, by senior year, I never walked anywhere on campus without seeing someone I knew. Greek life is very popular at Cornell, but it does not define the social scene of the campus. A third of Cornellians rush, and most of my friends who did found it fun and rewarding. Outside of social fraternities and sororities, there are also professional and service groups that many students find engaging. I chose not to rush, but I did sing in the Cornell University Chorus and an all-female a cappella group, After Eight. I was also a member of the Concert Commission and played on an intramural soccer team. All of these activities allowed me to meet a huge number of people and really enjoy my time outside of class. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Meghan:Cornell is incredibly helpful regarding career services. They host a huge number of workshops on interviewing and resume building, and they even offer one-on-one services for mock interviews or cover letter writing. Several times a year, companies come to campus for various job fairs or graduate school fairs, and there are always many reputable companies at these events. Oftentimes, companies specifically send Cornell alumni to represent them at such fairs, which provides a really helpful low-stress way to connect and have a conversation with a representative for a company in which you might be interested. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Meghan:With more libraries than you can count on your fingers, Cornell always has room to study. One of the libraries is open 24 hours, all year round, and each dorm has designated study spaces and lounges. There are also coffee shops and open spaces all over campus that are available for group work and individual study. 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? Meghan:I expected Ithaca to be a little bit boring sometimes, being such a small town in rural New York, but I can truthfully say that there was never a time in four years when I felt bored there. Cornell itself is a huge campus featuring giant plantations for running, hiking, or enjoying the scenery, as well as frequent sporting events, exhibitions, and musical or dance events. Beyond Cornell, though, the town of Ithaca is a special place that students should definitely take advantage of. There are several fun museums, an incredible farmers market on the weekends, and really great, interesting restaurants to try. (An all-vegetarian restaurant? Thai cuisine? Tapas? It is all there!) Cornell has its own little town known as Collegetown, which features the incredible sandwich shop, Collegetown Bagels, as well as many bars and restaurants. Students often do stay close to campus, but the center of Ithaca offers more places to eat, shop, and learn, and buses make it easy to get there. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Meghan:Cornell is bigit is about 14,000 undergraduates, so campus is always bustling. However, within that giant number, students are divided into seven different colleges. This allows you to get that small school feel of having a designated quad and buildings that are generally close to each other, while enjoying the benefits of a large institution, such as having thousands of courses to choose from each semester. As an English major, my major courses were always fairly small, ranging from six to thirty or so students, but I did take courses in science and math that were larger lectures of a couple hundred students. These large classes featured once a week discussion sections that divided the class into groups of 15-20, which offered a space to ask questions and work through problems without having to raise your hand in a giant lecture. I loved going to a big schoolthere are so many opportunities for research experiences, plus lots of extracurricular activities to choose from. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Meghan: My junior year I chose to pursue an honors track within my English major, which required writing a thesisa multi-chapter scholarly paper that would take up much of my time and focus throughout the coming year. My favorite professor had already committed to advising another students project, but made me a few recommendations. I emailed Professor Wong based on these recommendations, and, after I explained my project to her, she agreed to be my advisor. I had never taken a class with her, and she knew nothing of my work, but once she agreed to advise me, Professor Wong worked tirelessly to make sure my project was absolutely the best it could be. She pushed and challenged me, offering me difficult reading and making me question my own assumptions about what made good scholarly writing. We met once a week and, though she scheduled the meetings to last an hour, would often go much longer as we worked through the specific issues at hand. She always made sure I left with a huge to d o list and never let me settle for a sub-par chapter, or even a sub-par paragraph. In the end, I worked so hard to produce a paper I was truly proud of, and I earned Summa Cum Laude on my project. It is an understatement to say that Professor Wong helpedin truth, I could not have created such a strong paper without her. She pushed me beyond doing good work into doing my best work, and I learned from her to never settle for less than that. I learned the value of devoting myself entirely to a singular project, as well as to working through the times when it seemed I could not figure out where to go next (or the times when I just really wanted to go to bed). She encouraged me to set my own deadlines and stick to them. I learned a lot more than how to write an honors thesis from her, and I am so grateful. The reason this story stands out to me is not only because she was a great adviser, but because she was a great adviser when she did not know me at all. She agreed to devote hours of her time over the course of an entire year to helping me pursue the academic project I had chosen, even without a personal connection or an experience in a class. She took me on and believed in me on the sole information that I had a goal and I wanted to make it happen, and any professor willing to do that, especially for an undergraduate, is a truly special addition to a university. Check out Meghans tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Travelling to Lisbon

Travelling to Lisbon How Can You Travel to or Move to the Portuguese Capital? Here’s How! ChaptersWhen Is the Ideal Time to Visit Lisbon?How Long Should You Go to Lisbon For?Where Should You Stay in Lisbon?The Best Neighbourhoods in Lisbon“We travel to change not of place, but ideas.” - Hippolyte TaineHave you always dreamt of travelling to Portugal?If you’ve already got your tickets, you can move onto the next steps: planning your time in Lisbon, holiday rentals, hiring a car, budgeting for accommodation, and where to stay in Lisbon.Portugal is one of the most popular European holiday destinations. Even though tourism only accounts for 7% of GDP, it’s responsible for 25% of the jobs created in 2016, which has been helping Portugal get back on its feet since the recession.  11.7 million tourists, up 12.7% on 2015, visited Portugal in 2016.Are you going to visit Lisbon?Here’s our mini guide on visiting the Portuguese capital. IrineuPortuguese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GabrielaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouisePortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £27/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RodrigoPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BlancaPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolinaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (6) £11/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhen Is the Ideal Time to Visit Lisbon?Most guides are pretty unanimous that the best time to visit Portugal is in the summer when it’s hot and dry, with average temperatures of 21.4 in May, 24.8 in June, and 27.5 in July and August.You can visit Lisbon in winter when there are fewer tourists. (Source: Free-Photos)Summer is also the most touristy time and the prices peak around the summer solstice.Between May and September, there are only between 3 and 40 millimetres of rainfall. This means it’s great for vi siting the old neighbourhoods of Alfama, Belem, Bairro Alto.So when should you visit Lisbon?The weather in Lisbon is pretty good throughout the whole year.There’s more rainfall in winter, with between 92 and 106mm per month between November and February, but the temperature remains nice thanks to a Mediterranean climate that’s tempered by the Atlantic Ocean.And if it rains, you can always visit the museums. There’s the National Museum of the Azulejo, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the Chiado Museum, the Museum of Fado, the Jerónimos Monastery, etc.With a good amount of sunshine throughout the year, you should consider taking a stroll around the historic city centre and trying the pasteis de nata pastries.You can enjoy Lisbon throughout the whole year and we recommend going in winter if you’re on a tight budget.Get a Lisboa Card, a pass that’s valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours, for €20, €34, or €42. This will allow you to visit a number of museums, use public transport, and generally get the most out of your trip to Lisbon without waiting in lines for tourist attractions or buying plenty of bus, metro, or tram tickets.Lisbon is home to a number of large hills and some great views. There are 16 viewpoints, or “miradouros”, in the city and they’ll offer you a fantastic view of the Tage estuary and the 25 de Abril Bridge.Some of the most popular include: the Miradouro Santa Luzia, the Miradouro da Graça, the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, and the Miradouro do Parque Eduardo VII.Are you looking for a cheap flight to Lisbon?Check out cheap flights on Skyscanner!  Keep an eye out for the cultural events going on in Lisbon. In April, the city welcomes the Estoril Open, which causes an increase in the price of accommodation.The Festivities of Lisbon (June), the popular saints days, Saint Anthony of Padua (13 June), the Lisbon Tango Festival (end of May/start of June), the Feast of São Jõao (23 June) will all see the price of accommodation in the city rise.How Long Should You Go to Lisbon For?Lisbon is mainland Europe’s most western capitals and you can get there in just over a couple of hours from the UK.The Baixa neighbourhood is definitely worth a visit! (Source: larahcv)Generally, your work schedule will probably dictate how long you can go for.  Typical workers in the UK are entitled to 28 days of paid annual leave per year.  Students, job seekers, freelancers, or retirees can obviously go for longer.There are plenty of trips you can take around Portugal, too! With Porto, the Douro Valley, Alentejo, and the Algarve all worth a visit, you’ll need to think about what you want to do, where you want to go, and what your budget and holiday allowance will allow you to do.So how long should you visit Lisbon for?Five days would be enough to visit the essentials:Castelo São JorgeThe Alfama, Baixa, Bairro Alto, Chiado, Belem, and Ajuda neighbourhoodsThe streets of the Line 28 tram (Lisbon’s famous yellow trams)Praà §a do Comércio (Commerce Square)Lisbon CathedralRua Augusta ArchConvento da Ordem do Carmo (Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel)MuseumsParc Eduardo VIIAmoreiras 360 ° Panoramic ViewLisbon Botanic GardensThe Tower of BelémPadrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries)The Santa Justa LiftAnd this list is far from exhaustive!If you want to visit other attractions in Portugal, get out of the city, and explore the surrounding areas, you might want to consider staying longer in Portugal, perhaps between 15 and 20 days.Are you looking for work in the UK? Why not use this time to go to Lisbon to learn how to speak Portuguese?Where Should You Stay in Lisbon?Here we are! The obvious question. When it comes to accommodation, you need to think about the best neighbourhoods, hotels on a budget, renting a holiday flat, etc.The Bairro Alto can be noisy at night, but if you want to party, this is the place to be. (Source: 2109DSGN)While the cost of living in Lisbon is quite low, accommo dation can be quite expensive.  So even though you can get cheap return flights to and from Lisbon, accommodation might take a big chunk out of your budget.So where should you stay in Lisbon?For short stays, you can probably look to Airbnb, Booking.com, Hotels.com, etc. If you’re staying for longer, you might want to consider renting an apartment in the city centre. However, prices can reach up to €1,500 per month! Check out sites like Sapo, OLX, and Idealista.You need to remember that landlords will make the most of tourists renting and adjust their prices accordingly. You can’t avoid supply and demand.Airbnb is often a great way to get holiday accommodation like flats and houses in great locations in the city.Lisbon city centre is arguably the best place to stay in. The Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto neighbourhoods are all good but will be more expensive.Just make sure you don’t book at the last minute.  On Airbnb, you can find more luxurious options for a little more. Use the map features on these websites to browse where you can stay. You could even go to Lisbon for a stag-do or a road-trip, for example!You could pay anywhere between €50 and €150 per night depending on the season.  On Booking.com, you’ll find the best hotels all cost over €100 per night in the historic city centre.If you’re on a budget, there are always youth hostels. You can get a bed in a dormitory for around €25 for two.The Best Neighbourhoods in LisbonWhich are the best neighbourhoods in Lisbon?There are four neighbourhoods in the city centre and two on the periphery that we should mention: Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto, Alfama, Belém, and Ajuda.The Alfama is one of the oldest and prettiest neighbourhoods in Lisbon. (Source: Skitterphoto)The Alfama neighbourhood is one of the most picturesque with its coloured buildings, narrow streets, bars and restaurants serving traditional dishes, and its small-town vibe.Between 50,000 and 70,000 people died in an earthquake in Alfama in 1755. Despite this, the Castelo de São Jorge, one of the neighbourhoods most popular attractions, remained standing. This has left the area with a mix of modern and historic Moorish architecture.Do you think that some of the buildings in Alfama look a bit dilapidated?This is part of the area’s history. Under the Moorish rule in Portugal, the interiors of buildings were far more important than their exteriors as it would be considered superficial.You can also visit the Baixa neighbourhood, the city’s beating commercial and touristy heart.  Here you’ll find the Praça do Comércio and the Rua Augusta Arch. Accommodation might be quite dear here.If you take the stairs or the funicular railway, you’ll arrive at Bairro Alto and Chiado, two complementary areas.  The first is famous for its nightlife (it’s calm during the day) and the other for being busy during the day. Full of bars and shops and a young population, the beer and wine flow readily here.Not a fan of be ing in the city centre?Head along to Belém, with the Tower of Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery, and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of Discoveries).A 90-minute walk from the city centre, Belém offers another experience of Lisbon with its popular residential areas, particularly on the Ajuda side, and a fantastic view of the 25 de Abril Bridge!

How to Make the Most of Your Spanish Immersion Program

How to Make the Most of Your Spanish Immersion Program Suzy S. Excited about an upcoming study abroad trip? Spanish immersion programs are fantastic if you want to learn about a new culture and improve your Spanish-speaking skills! Here, Seattle, WA tutor Paola E.  shares some must-read tips for making the most of your experience One of the ultimate goals of Spanish learners who are committed to becoming fluent is to take the biggest leap and join a Spanish immersion program in a country where Spanish is spoken. Al fin! (At last!) The Spanish they are learning comes to life; they can see it, hear it, and interact in the target language wherever they go. An immersion program is incredibly enriching, however, it is not uncommon for teachers to receive students who, after months (or years) of traveling or even living in a Spanish-speaking country, arent able to speak the language.  The good news is that with dedication and a little planning, this can be avoided, and learners can take their conversational skills to the next level. Below, I share 12 no-brainer tips for those who are committed to making the most of their experience abroad. Before Your Trip 1) Take some Spanish lessons to learn the basics. The more knowledge you have, the faster youll improve when youre abroad. It will allow you to interact with locals from the moment you arrive (and therefore learn more Spanish!). You want to be extremely comfortable with numbers and the alphabet. You’ll be glad you are when you need someone to spell that ridiculously long address for you. 2) Get exposed to the language every day. You can listen to something in Spanish during your commute, as youre doing chores, or even while taking a shower. Make it a point to discover new awesome songs, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and learning apps (Duolingo is great!). 3) Take a Spanish pronunciation class or at least one private pronunciation lesson. This will save you tons of frustration by learning good pronunciation early on. This will also improve your listening skills. 4) Find a Spanish Meetup group in your area and attend at least a couple of times, and practice with native Spanish speakers and other learners. Consider this a warm-up before the real immersion. While Abroad 5) Get out of the Spanish closet, and use it at ALL times! Yes, at first, it WILL be exhausting, but do your best to stick with it. Itll pay off BIG time! 6) Write down new words you want to remember when possible. You can take a picture, write a note on your phone, or go old-school and keep a pocket notebook at hand. 7) Try to surround yourself with as many native Spanish speakers as possible. Some ways of doing so are: Staying with a host family. Signing up for a group physical activity like yoga or dance lessons (yes, even if its just for native Spanish speakers). These are great for meeting people aside from your Spanish classmates, and the lessons are fairly easy to follow. You’ll be surprised how body language compensates for the words lost in translation. Arrange an intercambio de español/Inglés (exchange) with a local Spanish speaker. This is a great chance to discuss the words you have been writing down (see tip #6). 8) Avoid the number-one enemy of every learner abroad: Do NOT use any language other than Spanish. If people you need to talk to can’t speak Spanish, minimize the use of English. I can’t emphasize enough that this is the best thing you can do for your Spanish. Every minute you spend speaking in another language is time stolen from your investment in learning in a Spanish immersion program. 9) Keep your part of the interaction in Spanish even if people respond to you in English. Some locals really want to help you feel more comfortable, and others enjoy practicing their English with foreigners. Resist the urge to switch to English. For instance, instead of asking Cómo se dice to have dinner en español?, you can ask Cuál es la palabra para comer en la noche? 10) Limit yourself to a small travel dictionary or phrase book/phone app, and use it only if extremely necessary. Returning Home 11) Don’t let your Spanish get rusty! Practice every day, continue with your Spanish lessons, and try to arrange an intercambio. If you cant do it in person, you can do so online. 12) Let your Spanish-speaking friends, family members, or coworkers know that youre learning Spanish, and ask them if you can use Spanish with them sometimes. Then, take the initiative, and ask a specific question in Spanish here and there when you both have the time. Enjoy yourself no matter what during the entire learning process! Spanish immersion programs can be an incredibly memorable and valuable experience. You do want people to help you by correcting you, so don’t feel bad. Remember, a learner’s goal, at first, is not so much to have correct grammar, but rather to make oneself understood and to be persistent. Happy learning, amigos! (Special thanks to Layton from Seattle for the picture!) Additional Resources  Educational Travel Programs ACIS Browse educational tour options, and check out helpful resources for teachers, parents, and students before traveling abroad. Paola E. teaches in-person Spanish lessons in Seattle, WA. She is a certified  Spanish interpreter, has traveled extensively throughout Spanish-speaking countries, and can speak three other languages in addition to Spanish and English!  Learn more about Paola here! 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Take Japanese Lessons to Better Understand Japans Relations with the West

Take Japanese Lessons to Better Understand Japans Relations with the West Why Learn Japanese: To Appreciate Japanese Relations with the Western World ChaptersJapanese Courses Can Teach You the History of Japanese-Western Relations: How Did It All Start?Let Your Japanese Lessons Show You the Modern RelationshipThe Benefits of Learning Japanese: The Similar Interests of Japan and the WestThe Economic Relationship Between Japan and the WestHow Your Japanese Classes Will Show You Japan's Intercultural Relations with the WestThe language and culture in Japan are both to be admired. Your language learning will not only teach you grammar, pronunciation, and words and phrases, but also about Japanese history, its traditions, and the important role that it plays in the world today.But how is it that a country perceived to be so far from the western world, with a completely different language, can be so important? To answer this question in detail, you should learn to speak Japanese as the language is so heavily intertwined into the culture and history.When it comes to Japanese learning, any learner will need to be motivated. This is the sa me for studying any new language, but luckily the benefits of learning Japanese serve as excellent sources of motivation.At the end of this article, not only will you want to learn Japanese, you will also have an idea of the important role that Japan plays in the international system, as well as understanding the relations between Japan and the Western world.Here is a good Japanese course for you.Learning Japanese can open doors in many different ways. If you are fluent, you can move to Japan to live and work. Learning Japanese for use in business  is one of the principal reasons that people decide to take language lessons. Remember that you will need to improve your listening, reading and writing skills, as well as mastering the spoken language.Working in Japan will require more than the greetings that basic Japanese will teach you, after all.Learn Japanese online with a tutor.How Your Japanese Classes Will Show You Japan's Intercultural Relations with the WestAt the cultural level , many associations offer exchanges between the two countries. Japanese language courses, Japanese vocabulary training, free Japanese classes, classes on the history of Japan: these are the different things you can focus on when taking classes at these Japanese cultural associations.Japanese language courses will get you one step closer to the cultural oddities of the land of the rising sun - so why not look up Japanese lessons London or Leeds or Swansea?Traveling to Japan could mean discovering a whole new culture!Some associations also offer preparation for the  Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JPLT), an official exam organized in July and December of each year aimed at certifying the Japanese language level of non-native speakers.What's more, the western world has benefited greatly from Japanese cultural exports such as manga, anime, and video games, with all three being a great way to improve your language skills whilst having fun. You Japanese classes will almost definitely touch on these key aspects of Japanese culture, but you can also use them to study outside of the classroom   as well.To learn Japanese, one of the reference manuals used in language schools in Japan is the Minna no Nihongo. It is considered indispensable if you want to take classes of Japanese anywhere in the world.Finally, look out for a look Matsuri in your area. These are cultural festivals that promote the Japanese culture, and can now be found in big cities across the world.There are lots of reasons to learn Japanese so don't miss out on it if you want to go to Japan, or are thinking about organizing a language study trip and need useful information before going on your way!