Friday, March 6, 2020

College Tuition Tips

College Tuition Tips Similar to most other businesses, colleges have been hit hard by the recent economic recession. The recession has forced college administrators to layoff thousands of professors, cut programs and most notably increase tuition to record numbers. College enrollment figures are currently lower than what most colleges would like, which is one of the reasons why tuition figures are sharply rising. However, colleges are constantly competing with each other to be the most affordable. So, many colleges are implementing payment programs that can help mitigate the rising costs of college tuition, according to an article in The US News World Report. The US News World Report listed several options that should help most students and their parents pay for college.Guaranteed tuition rates: Some colleges are locking in tuition rates for incoming freshmen, guaranteeing them that their tuition will not rise during their four years of college. However, these colleges will rise the price of room, boar d, meal plans and textbooks to compensate. This program only applies to a students first four years in college, and fifth year students are likely to see tuition increases. Paying a premium to lock in tuition for four years: With this program, students will pay a premium, set price that will not change for each of their four years of college. This premium price is usually higher than the traditional tuition rate. Similar to tuition locks, this guarantees that students tuition rates will not rise for four years. Other costs are likely to rise. Prepaying at the freshman rate: This program is perfect for families who can afford to pay their entire, four-year tuition amount before college starts. Vanderbilt University, Middlebury College and dozens of other schools permit students and their parents to pay the freshman year rate multiplied by four up front. This plan avoids any tuition increases, and it is likely to be the most cost-effective way for students to tackle the cost of tuit ion.Prepaid college savings plan: These are available to families who will be paying tuition bills in one year. There are more than a dozen prepaid college savings plans that allow families to buy tuition credits. Some of the prepaid college savings plans Alaskas and the Independent 529 that works with about 270 private colleges lock in the current tuition prices when families first invest in them. The rest of the prepaid college savings plans charge a premium of 4 percent to over 20 percent. These plans can be insecure. The premium rates are continuing to rise because of the dramatic tuition hikes. Some of these prepaid savings plans are unable to keep their promises with investors. Other prepaid savings plans force investors to wait at least three years until they can cash out. Students and their parents need to pay very close attention to all the numbers of college costs. Administrators at universities have been known to doctor the numbers to make their college seem much more affordable than it actually is. Some colleges will lure students in with any one of these aforementioned programs, and they will actually end up paying more in the long run. However, students and their parents can save thousands of dollars with these programs, but they need to closely analyze all the numbers.

How to Become a Photographer

How to Become a Photographer Discover How to be a Professional Photographer with our Guide ChaptersPhotography The Right Equipment is EssentialGo Pro: Choose Your Photographic NicheQualities and Competences: What makes a Good PhotographerSelling Your Freelance Photography Skills OnlineOne can stare at a photograph for a week and nevermore think of it. Or, you can glimpse an image that will haunt you for the rest of your life. - Joan MiroWho hasn't ever dreamt of creating such imagery? Of being a professional photographer?The real question is: how can you gain a foothold in this exciting field without necessarily partaking formal education, when the market is already saturated?And, in these crowded conditions, how can you support yourself financially as an independent photographer?Superprof has a few ideas...You have to have the right equipment to catch the bride tossing her bouquet! Source Pixabay Credit: Congerdesignthose that are up to the job.And, that scenario is an exception, really. Would anyone at a wedding closely inspect and rate the photographer's equipment?Let u s reassure you: as long as you have reliable photographic equipment, you will be able to capture the moment the bride tosses her bouquet, thanks to your artistic flair and talent.And, should an errant shadow mar that money shot, you can always spend a few minutes editing it out with PhotoShop.If you are mad for film photography, a post processing retouch would be called for.A well-equipped photographer usually has, at the ready:At least two camera bodies: should one fail, you will have a backup.Woe to the wedding photographer whose digital SLR (or 35mm Nikon) betrays him!An assortment of lenses and filtersAttending workshops hosted by experienced photographers could help you select the ones for your specialty, so that you don't have to buy every type of lens or filter available.Camera flash, and other light sources; a light meter is a givenmemory cards... lots of memory cards!If you are a film photography buff, bring lots of film of different ISO speeds to your shoot. Don't forget b lack and white!Spare batteries  for all of your equipmenta monopod for action shots; a tripod for posed subjects.A case to carry it allBeing in possession of only photography equipment does not (necessarily) make you a professional photographer. Knowing how to manipulate images using computer software is the next vital step.For this portion, we exclude the film photographer, with the full knowledge that s/he could scan developed images into the computer for editing, but... wouldn't that defeat the purpose of using film?The shoot â€" the taking of  pictures is obviously the  fundamental part of the work of the photographer.But then comes photo editing.Take amazing pics with  photography courses.Potential trouble comes when your computer bogs down, especially if you are working with Raw and/or Lightroom.The more expansive the catalog of images, the slower they will be to load and edit. That could cost you precious time!The antidote to that nightmare scenario would be:working on a comp uter that has plenty of processing power and memory. A high-end graphics card would help, too!Up-to-date image editing software: Photoshop, Lightroom, or othersA calibration probe: there is nothing more frustrating than editing an image into a work of art, being proud of it... and watching it print lighter or darker than on screenSome form of backup storage, to keep on file the images already delivered to your customers: a cloud, but perhaps also DVDs, memory cards or external hard drives.Ideally, you should maintain client images readily available for 6 months to year, at the minimum. Should anyone want reprints of your copyrighted photos, you will be able to access them quickly!A film photographer endures  none of these issues!After developing film in their chemical baths and retouching as needed, s/he would simply store the negatives.  Should a client request reprints, the photographer would find that client's file and develop the negatives anew.So far, this article has mainly be en targeted to roaming photographers.If being a portrait photographer â€" or studio photography in general strikes your fancy, you should invest in studio accoutrements: backdrops, studio lighting, props, posing tools and the like.You don't necessarily need a diploma to become a professional photographer!Go Pro: Choose Your Photographic NicheUnless you are independently wealthy, one goal of establishing a career, in photography or otherwise, is to earn a living.It is therefore perfectly acceptable to gravitate toward social photography: weddings, babies, baptisms; graduations, anniversaries and, yes!, even funerals.Drone photography is fast becoming a popular sub-specialty Source: Pixabay Credit: Pixel2013These are the types of photography through which one stands to earn the most. Portraiture, of humans and of their pets, can also be quite lucrative.Photographing events such as those is a good way of paying your dues; of getting your name out there: of marketing yourself and your p hotography skills.To build, grow and retain a loyal customer base.Let's suppose one of your faithful clients asks you to shoot his upcoming football match for his team's regional newsletter.Sports photography is not your bailiwick!Does client loyalty mean you can never say no?Of course not!Look up for some  photography courses london.In fact, your customers would more greatly appreciate your honesty in turning down the job. They will respect your integrity.So, even though the commission would pad your pocketbook, feel free to turn down jobs outside of your area of expertise!In fact, calling  a trusted colleague on your clients' behalf would cement their undying loyalty to you, their personal photographer.It is better to turn down a job outside of your field of specialty than wing it, and possibly ruin your reputation.With your expertise in a given area of photography well publicised, your chances at winning contracts grows exponentially.French photographer Amélie Soubrié targets h er business to expectant mothers and babies under 15 days old. Does that seem a narrow field to you?In fact, she is most in demand, for the very exclusivity that makes her seem inaccessible.Bear in mind that 'exclusive' does not mean constant refusal of any other photography assignments.We are all familiar with Andy Rouse's animal photography. However, when not chasing down hippos and bears, he occupies himself by photographing airplanes!Plenty of niche photographers embrace a sub-specialty, or even other avenues of creative expression altogether!The venerable and talented Mr. Rouse has published no fewer than fifteen books, whose sales generate a constant trickle of income.Some photographers engage in commercial photography, macro photography or food photography between gigs, because those types of art expression are more reliable as an income stream.Sub-specialising is a nifty way to network; to expand your client base. Those same clients might contract you later to request the ty pe of photography you are most  passionate about!Every customer you meet in the course of commercial photography is a potential client for your special brand of photography.Check for online photography courses here.Qualities and Competences: What makes a Good PhotographerLet us right now disabuse your stereotype of the curmudgeonly artist who throws things around the studio, yet somehow manages to maintain a client base and take fantastic pictures.Foul temper is not a desirable quality in a competent, professional photographer!These photographers will put their own creative stamp on this shot Source: PIxabay Credit: Tama66Whether you have successfully completed a university course in photography, attained a Level 3 certificate online, or whether you are self-taught: you should only call yourself a pro if you possess a measure of the following qualities:Creativity and inventivenessAnsel Adams, renown photographer of the American west, had no formal education in photography.What drove him to capture the stark, poignant images was his father's emphasis on Ralph Waldo Emerson's urging to minimalism.Shooting exclusively in black and white, making use of the available light; he made history by depicting nature scenes from a minimalist's perspective.Excellent Communication SkillsBy its very nature, photography is visual storytelling.As such, the act of taking pictures means you are communicating your visions to the public. But the art of reaching out doesn't stop there.You will have to know how to talk to clients, subjects and assistants. If you are a fashion photographer, you will have to instruct models; if you are a freelance photographer, you will have to convince prospects of your skill.Even if you are an animal photographer, you still have to maintain public relations skills in order to sell your images; in order to earn any money.AdaptabilityThe professional photographer must be able to adapt to all situations, all demands and all hazards.Let us suppose that a landscape photographer has been contracted to shoot the Orkney Islands for an upcoming travel exposé.The weather in that northernmost part of Scotland is famous for its changeable clime and rough seas.The photographer cannot wait for favourable conditions; the work must be done by its deadline!Photojournalists routinely encounter dangerous conditions: in war zones, in natural disasters,  even in street photography; nevertheless, the lensing professionals regale us with visions that we are perhaps spared in real life.That is why we aver that photographers must surround themselves with trustworthy people for any photoshoot in order to progress and evolve, in business and in the art itself.Patience and ConfidenceWildlife photography, baby photography, pet photography and night photography all demand  the same quality of their photographer: patience.Working with unpredictable subjects, like babies and pets, requires posing and reposing them, or employing tricks to stimulate the desire d reaction out of them.Patience is a very important virtue in this profession, as well as diplomacy and trust. Be nice to your customers so that they feel comfortable posing in front of you!Last but not least, a professional photographer needs...Continuous ImprovementBe curious. Be interested in current events surrounding the art of photography, in terms of material, image editing, techniques...Attend photography workshops. Watch video tutorials online. Join a photography club or society; meet with others who share your passion; swap photography tips with them.In order to progress, never stop learning: it is the key to success.Selling Your Freelance Photography Skills OnlineSurely you did not buy that new DSLR and enrol in photography classes simply to point your camera and press that shutter!Perhaps a webmaster can help you set up a page to showcase your art Source: Pixabay Credit: LukasbieriGoing pro in photography means marketing yourself: to find clients, to build a customer bas e, and to sell your work.The first step in generating interest in your business is naming it.Nothing necessarily catchy; in fact many aver that they now resent the clever name they've given their studio.While Lamplight Studios and Broadway Studios have a certain nostalgic appeal, harkening to days of photography in a time that the DSLR camera was unthinkable, most photographers prefer operating under their own name.It is your work, talent, skill and passion for sale; why not put your name to it?Our second recommendation to promote your business: show your work!One of the best ways to showcase your talent to create a website.Mounting a range of  shots,  from beginner to your more advanced photography work, with a short narrative attached to each frame, will prove your stripes to anyone who has a need for your brand of creativity.Whether you are wildly experienced a creating a digital portfolio, or a novice to the intricacies of creating a viewing platform, there is an online photogra phy application for you.For a quick and dirty establishment of your work, you could set up a profile and show your best shots on Wix or Tumblrthe drawback to those sites is that you must accept their templates and other restrictions of designIf you have a firm idea of the backdrop you wish to contrast your work against, WordPress is the place for you. You will have more control over templates and site design, and a greater range of colours and features.If neither of these options quite suit your fancy, you can enlist the help of a professional web designer. You could establish a work exchange programme: you provide photos for that web designers' work; s/he sets up and maintains your site for free!Bear in mind that, like you, web masters are trying to make a living. While workflow exchange could be mutually beneficial, be prepared to pay for services rendered. After all: with the proliferation of websites offering free, attribution-only downloads of imagery, a professional web page d esigner might not want to trade work for exclusive photos.Remember: your homepage picture should represent your type of photography!If you are a landscape photography artist, greet your future clients with your most stunning panorama!If you are a commercial photographer, a mélange of shots â€" from adverts, of pets and people, would be the better home page for you. Here is one more suggestion to get your photography business off the ground: offer photography tutorials. Your site could be a sort of photography school for the amateur who doesn't have the time or means for photography lessons; who perhaps wants to learn how to use a digital camera to its full capability. While you've got your computer booted, why not establish profiles social media?Facebook, Pinterest, and especially LinkedIn are guaranteed outlets to gain exposure and recognition as an expert in photography and digital imaging. If your passion is film photography, think of the waves you could make in the sea of digit al images with the richness and tone of   images captured on film!Word of mouth is still the most powerful and effective means of advertising,  and it offers a cost benefit: getting liked and forwarded on social media is absolutely free!One other outlet for your best images that we put forth: photo banks, such as Fotolia, where you can sell images for future attribution and royalties.Taking the place of an agent, such sites serve not only to promote your art, but they get your name out to the greater public, far beyond your immediate surroundings.Each attribution is another mention of your name: another costless form of advertising!Not only does your name get publicised but you stand to gain royalties from each of your snaps a subscriber downloads. Let your photographic talent shine! Give yourself every opportunity to have your work viewed, appreciated and used!These relics would not be considered reliable photographic equipment today! Source: Pixabay Credit: MaxmannIn SummaryA prof essional photographer has suitable, reliable equipment: at least 2 camera bodies and and assortment of lenses and filters; an adequately fast computer  to process images on, some sort of photo editing software, and a calibration probe to ensure accurate printing.Adobe ranks particularly high among photographers of all types!Specialising in a particular type of photography is essential! Going on assignment as a photojournalist sounds rather glamorous, but how does such a photographer earn between jetting off to far-flung locations?Sub-specialising is a good idea, if being behind the camera is all you want to do. Otherwise, you could be a digital photography instructor, taking beginners to the next level by broadening their skills sets. Patience, creativity, adaptability and being a master of human relations are key qualities every professional photographer must embody!Finally: knowing how to package, promote and sell your work is absolutely essential.Being a master of photography com position is great, but will earn you nothing if you can't unload any images. Perhaps hiring an agent, or seeking the services of a webmaster  to build your site would be the way for you to manage your marketing. Now that you have so much to consider, we close this article and look forward to seeing you, everywhere in cyberspace!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Six Benefits of Teens Working Part Time

Six Benefits of Teens Working Part Time Most parents agree that theres value in teens putting effort toward something other than classes and homework. Sports, clubs and volunteer work are awesome resume boosters that teach worthwhile life lessons. However, theres another activity that deserves some attention: working part time. Understandably, many parents want their teens to focus first on their academics and extracurricular commitments, but there are so many benefits for teens who work a part-time job. Here are six of the most notable: Theyll learn about money. Before teens go to college, its essential that they learn fiscal responsibility. Mom and Dad wont give an allowance forever, and high school is the prime time for teens to learn about budgeting, investing and saving for things they want (e.g. clothes, concerts and doing things with friends) and need (e.g. college textbooks). Theyll become skilled at time management. Teens who want an income have to give up at least some of their free time. That means they need to be diligent about scheduling time for homework, sports/other practices and other to-dos, and adept at keeping a very organized planner. These skills become even more important in college, when the workload and expectations increase significantly. Theyll learn work ethic. Even the act of researching jobs and going to interviews requires motivation and follow up. And once a teen has a job, he or she will inherently learn what it takes to perform well in different industries and how to meet and exceed the expectations of managers with different styles and personalities. Theyll gain skills that arent taught in school. Performing well in school requires effort, but skills learned on the job in a restaurant or retail setting, for example, are valuable in a different way. Many jobs that are available to teens involve regular interactions with customers. Theyll need good listening skills, empathy, patience and more. Often, these jobs are in fast-paced settings too, so teens will become pros at working efficiently under pressure. Theyll put their academic knowledge to use in the real world. Many of the duties of jobs in the retail and restaurant industries (where teens often work) involve technology (e.g. using a point of sale system) and math (e.g. preparing customer bills and making change). Office work is also a great way for teens to apply academic skills to the real worldskills like typing, reading, developing spreadsheets and writing. Theyll gain exposure to different careers and industries. Teens who are convinced they want to become doctors might explore opportunities to work in doctors offices or hospitalsand while they are unlikely to interact directly with patients, even working in that environment is excellent experience. Any job that gives teens an idea of what a post-collegiate career theyre considering is actually like is a job worth taking. Teens who work part time develop many indispensable skills that translate directly to life. While it is wise for a teen to make sure a job wont interfere with school priorities and the ability to lead a balanced life, a job with reasonable hours and expectations offers many lasting and positive advantages. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.

Do kids really outgrow ADHD

Do kids really outgrow ADHD When most of us were growing up it was believed that ADHD was a disorder that only occurred during childhood. Parents were often told that their children would probably outgrow their symptoms by the time they were teenagers, and most certainly by the time they were adults. Over the past two decades research has shown that this is actually not the case. In fact, studies have shown that about 70% of children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. Despite current research evidence, the belief that children will outgrow their ADHD has persisted in our culture. As parents you may have relatives, friends, and even teachers tell you not to worry because your childs symptoms will simply go away as he or she gets older. People usually mean well when they say this, but it can be frustrating if it makes you feel like your childs current challenges are not being taken seriously. So why has this belief persisted, even when we now know that many teenagers and adults do in fact have ADHD? One reason may lie in the child-centered way that ADHD has been defined and categorized. When ADHD was first included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental health disorders in the US, the symptoms and impairments were based solely on the presentation of ADHD in children. While there have been some minor adjustments to the symptoms and diagnostic criteria in the DSM over time to better account for the disorders presentation in adolescents and adults, the overall child-centered focus of the criteria has remained. As a result, some symptoms, like often runs and climbs on things excessively, or often leaves seat in situations where staying seated is expected, are in fact only seen in children. If we were to see an adult climbing on things excessively, for example, we would suspect that there is much m ore going on than ADHD! So, in a sense, children do outgrow some symptoms of ADHD at least on the outside. What many people without ADHD dont realize is that the underlying ADHD feelings and impulses often stick around into adolescence and adulthood. A child who struggled to stay in his or her seat during class may have learned to stay seated as he or she got older, but he or she has continued to experience strong underlying feelings of restlessness. Another child who would often blurt out answers or interrupt others may develop greater awareness of these symptoms over time. He or she still experiences the urge to blurt out or interrupt during conversations, but now he or she works hard to hold his or her thoughts and not speak out of turn. Sometimes he or she may have a hard time focusing on conversations or staying in the moment because he or she is so distracted by the urge to jump in and speak. So, in other words, many of these childhood ADHD symptoms dont go away over time. They just become less visib le to other people. As a parent there are many things you can do now that will help your child manage his or her symptoms well into adolescence and adulthood. The skills you teach them as children, especially social skills, organizational skills, strategies for doing things independently, will last a lifetime. Being open to having conversations with your child about his or her ADHD symptoms can create a safe space where your child can learn to accept his or her ADHD rather than judge and hide his or her symptoms. And if behavioral strategies alone are not enough, helping your child find a medication that will work for him or her can make a tremendous difference in his or her symptom management now and in the future. So, while your child may not ultimately outgrow his or her ADHD symptoms, he or she can improve over time with the right treatment and support from family and friends. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Teacher engagement and the pursuit of happiness (Part 2)

Teacher engagement and the pursuit of happiness (Part 2) Ash Pugh, Director of Operations at Teach Away In part two of our four-part series, we look at the first part of the recruitment, onboarding and retention cycle: recruitment. The ongoing cycle of teacher recruitment and retention Teacher recruitment, onboarding and retention don’t happen in a linear sequence. They are interwoven and cyclical: How well you, as a school leader, manage each stage of this lifecycle is not only key to attracting and retaining teachers. It will also become an increasingly important factor in determining which schools thrive and which struggle to maintain sufficient talent levels in an increasingly competitive space. Onboarding is still recruitment - and vice versa. Think about it. By optimizing your hiring process to attract and engage candidates who are a close fit for your school culture, the likelihood is that these are the very candidates who will seamlessly integrate into and become productive members of your staff. And the better your onboarding process works to help these new staff members adjust and find happiness in their new role and environment, the more likely they are to stay. Finally, the more happy and productive teachers you can keep around, the less recruitment you’ll need to worry about - freeing up time and money for your school to focus on other ways to grow. How can you make your hiring work better for you? To help international schools understand what candidates are looking for and how to engage them, Teach Away recently surveyed over 10,000 educators. The results, published in our International Education Recruitment Report, outline a number of data-driven strategies to help you improve your recruitment process. Let’s look at a few things you can do, right away, to stay competitive: 1. Make recruiting a year-round process Our research shows that 73% of candidates prefer to start their job search anywhere from three to six months ahead of time and 41% of job seekers say it takes them over six months from when their job search begins to when they accept a job offer. Candidates today want the ability to search for and apply for jobs on their own terms, not on the schedule that is most convenient for schools. Source: Teach Away, International Education Recruitment Report 2017-2018. Download the complete report at www.teachaway.com/report. 2. Post your vacancies in the right place. Relatively few candidates continue to use traditional job search methods, such as newspaper ads (3%) and job fairs (4%). Among your target candidates, online recruitment is the new norm. Our research shows that 97% of teacher candidates are searching for jobs online - and education-specific job boards took the #1 spot as the most effective way to find teaching jobs abroad. This is a trend that rings true across all industries: 2015 research from the Pew Research Center revealed that 90% of all recent job seekers were searching for jobs online. If you haven’t already done so, it’s high time to take a close look at the recruiting channels you’re using and ask yourself whether these are truly driving the highest number of qualified candidates to your school. Source: Teach Away, International Education Recruitment Report 2017-2018. Download the complete report at www.teachaway.com/report. 3. Don’t forget that travel is a key motivator. Candidates aren’t teaching abroad out of economic necessity - our research revealed that financial reasons and a lack of opportunities trailed behind, in third place and fourth place, respectively. Today’s international teaching candidate embraces the prospect of broadening their horizons and is serious about their career progression. If you aren’t already doing so, it’s time to revamp your job postings to include compelling job content that showcases the benefits that make a position at your school impactful and rewarding. Write a job posting that’s more than just a list of the things that you want in your ideal candidate. You need to get today’s travel-motivated teaching candidates excited about the place they’ll be relocating to. Source: Teach Away, International Education Recruitment Report 2017-2018. Download the complete report at www.teachaway.com/report. 4. Help candidates see the big picture Your candidates take a variety of factors into account when deciding which schools to apply for, including salary, location and career progression opportunities. While compensation undoubtedly plays an important role in a candidate’s decision, other benefits could ultimately have a greater impact. Schools that can’t compete on compensation or location alone should bear in mind other factors - like culture among the staff - when positioning their school to candidates. That said, you should aim to keep your salary offers competitive with other schools in your region. Source: Teach Away, International Education Recruitment Report 2017-2018. Download the complete report at www.teachaway.com/report. 5. You need to make your candidate feel wanted On average, Teach Away candidates submit more than five applications to teach abroad per year, so it’s worth keeping in mind that the best candidates will likely have several options to choose from. How candidates feel about you throughout the recruitment process will influence how they feel about you as a potential employer. Are applications being acknowledged? Are candidates being kept informed of their status in the process? Are they being treated as though they’re genuinely valued, appreciated and wanted? If the answer to any of these questions is no, you’re risking losing out on the best candidates to other schools. Check back next week for part threewhere we look at the second part of the recruitment, onboarding and retention cycle: onboarding. This article originally appeared in the Spring 2018 edition of InterED, the bi-annual newsletter of the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE).

Eat Healthy for the Best Growth - ALOHA Mind Math

Eat Healthy for the Best Growth It’s Called Junk Food for a Reason Kids love junk food; it’s quick, easy, and it’s tasty. But are they benefiting from it? The answer is no. Eating fresh and healthy food gives children the energy they need to complete a long and tiring day. It also helps sharpen their mind and hence keeps them both physically and mentally fit. With obesity levels on the rise, you really need to monitor what your kids are eating. We have a few tips on how you could make your kids eat those greens that are so essential for their growth. Developing Healthy Eating Habits If you feel your child isn’t getting their daily supply of vitamins and minerals, youcould try these methods to get them to eat healthier. You can disguise food that your child doesn’t like on the plate, in a fun and creative way Try getting your kids involved when preparing a meal Take them shopping and tell them how each fruit and vegetable can benefitthem Keep cut fruits and vegetables at home instead of chips and cookies You could insist that they try the dish, even if they don’t want the entire thing Nourishing Means Flourishing A child who eats well and whose nutrient intake is optimal will d o better in school. Good health means that a child’s absence from class is less, which results in more learning and a higher efficiency of work done. If you have any healthy recipes or health tips, share them with us on our Facebook and Twitter. __ Founded in 1993, ALOHA Mind Math has been guiding children between the ages of 5 through 12 years to achieve academic excellence. The interactive learning process is proven to enhance a child’s math, reading and writing capabilities. The teachers also assist children in developing skills and abilities such as observation and listening that result in the overall growth of the child. ALOHA Mind Math is currently training children in over 20 countries with 4200 different centers. For more details on this unique program, please visit alohamindmath.com or search for the center closest to you by using our locator alohamindmath.com/locations/

English learners in China can get italki and SpeakENG through Alipay

English learners in China can get italki and SpeakENG through Alipay Alipay Learning English is the primary goal of most users on italki, which is natural given that the majority of users are not native speakers of English. Our largest group of users come from China (20% of total users). Weve just started a marketing partnership with Alipay to make it easier for Chinese users to purchase italki credits. Alipay is a payment platform owned by the global e-commerce company Alibaba. Alipay works similarly to Paypal, and is very popular in China. For the month of August, we are offering a 10% bonus to purchases of italki credits over $30 USD through Alipay. Learning English in China Alipay - italki page We hope that by making it easier for Chinese users to pay online, this will lead to more transactions on the italki marketplace. There is certainly an immense demand for learning English in China. Chinese students start learning English at an early age (depends regionally, but average age of 10-13). However, after studying English for five years or more, many students graduate with ???? (mute English). They often have not had any opportunity to use their English, and the vast majority are taught by Chinese teachers with varying levels of proficiency. Given the demand for English, English training centers in China are a huge industry. These centers often are very expensive (10,000 20,000 RMB or ~$1500-$3000 USD). This amount of money also needs to be viewed in an economic context where the average monthly salary is roughly between $200 $600 USD (depends on the city and region). Anecdotally, weve been told that many Chinese find their experiences at these teaching centers to be disappointing. The centers are strong at marketing, but weak at delivering real improvement for students. Students have very limited access to teachers and are stuck listening in large classes. Naturally, we believe that online learning can change this equation radically. italki partners, like Eleutian, can deliver an online product (SpeakENG), direct to students at an incredibly low costs. Students can get Eleutians certified teachers or find independent teachers which they can schedule according to their own time needs. In addition, student tuition doesnt go into supporting building rents in expensive city districts, massive marketing campaigns, or large school administrations. Given the natural benefits of online learning, we think this will become a major alternative to offline learning in the near future. View the English press release (PDF) View the Chinese press release (PDF) The italki Team English learners in China can get italki and SpeakENG through Alipay Alipay Learning English is the primary goal of most users on italki, which is natural given that the majority of users are not native speakers of English. Our largest group of users come from China (20% of total users). Weve just started a marketing partnership with Alipay to make it easier for Chinese users to purchase italki credits. Alipay is a payment platform owned by the global e-commerce company Alibaba. Alipay works similarly to Paypal, and is very popular in China. For the month of August, we are offering a 10% bonus to purchases of italki credits over $30 USD through Alipay. Learning English in China Alipay - italki page We hope that by making it easier for Chinese users to pay online, this will lead to more transactions on the italki marketplace. There is certainly an immense demand for learning English in China. Chinese students start learning English at an early age (depends regionally, but average age of 10-13). However, after studying English for five years or more, many students graduate with ???? (mute English). They often have not had any opportunity to use their English, and the vast majority are taught by Chinese teachers with varying levels of proficiency. Given the demand for English, English training centers in China are a huge industry. These centers often are very expensive (10,000 20,000 RMB or ~$1500-$3000 USD). This amount of money also needs to be viewed in an economic context where the average monthly salary is roughly between $200 $600 USD (depends on the city and region). Anecdotally, weve been told that many Chinese find their experiences at these teaching centers to be disappointing. The centers are strong at marketing, but weak at delivering real improvement for students. Students have very limited access to teachers and are stuck listening in large classes. Naturally, we believe that online learning can change this equation radically. italki partners, like Eleutian, can deliver an online product (SpeakENG), direct to students at an incredibly low costs. Students can get Eleutians certified teachers or find independent teachers which they can schedule according to their own time needs. In addition, student tuition doesnt go into supporting building rents in expensive city districts, massive marketing campaigns, or large school administrations. Given the natural benefits of online learning, we think this will become a major alternative to offline learning in the near future. View the English press release (PDF) View the Chinese press release (PDF) The italki Team English learners in China can get italki and SpeakENG through Alipay Alipay Learning English is the primary goal of most users on italki, which is natural given that the majority of users are not native speakers of English. Our largest group of users come from China (20% of total users). Weve just started a marketing partnership with Alipay to make it easier for Chinese users to purchase italki credits. Alipay is a payment platform owned by the global e-commerce company Alibaba. Alipay works similarly to Paypal, and is very popular in China. For the month of August, we are offering a 10% bonus to purchases of italki credits over $30 USD through Alipay. Learning English in China Alipay - italki page We hope that by making it easier for Chinese users to pay online, this will lead to more transactions on the italki marketplace. There is certainly an immense demand for learning English in China. Chinese students start learning English at an early age (depends regionally, but average age of 10-13). However, after studying English for five years or more, many students graduate with ???? (mute English). They often have not had any opportunity to use their English, and the vast majority are taught by Chinese teachers with varying levels of proficiency. Given the demand for English, English training centers in China are a huge industry. These centers often are very expensive (10,000 20,000 RMB or ~$1500-$3000 USD). This amount of money also needs to be viewed in an economic context where the average monthly salary is roughly between $200 $600 USD (depends on the city and region). Anecdotally, weve been told that many Chinese find their experiences at these teaching centers to be disappointing. The centers are strong at marketing, but weak at delivering real improvement for students. Students have very limited access to teachers and are stuck listening in large classes. Naturally, we believe that online learning can change this equation radically. italki partners, like Eleutian, can deliver an online product (SpeakENG), direct to students at an incredibly low costs. Students can get Eleutians certified teachers or find independent teachers which they can schedule according to their own time needs. In addition, student tuition doesnt go into supporting building rents in expensive city districts, massive marketing campaigns, or large school administrations. Given the natural benefits of online learning, we think this will become a major alternative to offline learning in the near future. View the English press release (PDF) View the Chinese press release (PDF) The italki Team