Description of Tutoring Job Experience

Description of Tutoring Job ExperienceA great idea for the description of tutoring job experience is to list everything you have ever done in any field that you've been involved with. You should also include all of your best personal and professional experiences. Most students should list their volunteer work or clubs or organizations they've worked with, as well as, volunteer work or organizations they've been involved with. Your volunteer work that has helped the community is the perfect example of your life experiences to include.If you have a bit of experience in teaching as well as some teaching experience, that's another way to describe tutoring job experience. To do this, you should list the teaching and mentoring experiences you have had, as well as your previous jobs teaching. For example, if you've held any jobs working with children, be sure to list them here as well. You can also include anything you may have taught online or off-line in the description of tutoring job ex perience. Remember that this is all about what you are presently doing.Another great tip to include is to list what type of education you have, whether it is Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or Doctorate degree. As you can see, if you have a higher level of education, it is a good idea to also include it in your career description. This is because most schools require the student to have at least a bachelor's degree before they can be admitted into their program. Some schools are willing to allow students to choose to have the higher level of education on their resume, but in most cases, you will have to use it in the description of tutoring job experience.Before you start listing all of your experiences, take a moment to think about what you might want to do as a profession in the future. Have you always wanted to work with students? Would you like to become a school teacher, but find the job doesn't interest you at this time? Many people who enjoy teaching m ay pursue their interests, but some may not want to take that step just yet. Others may simply want to work for themselves while they develop their own passion and career. No matter what your reasoning for wanting to pursue a particular career, remember that you can find it in your description of tutoring job experience.Don't forget to list all of your skills and capabilities as well. Sometimes a job description will include duties, or a basic description of the job. However, there may be some skills that you need to list here such as computer knowledge, experience in teaching English as a second language, or perhaps you are a sport fanatic. Whatever skills you may need to list are great, but do make sure that your hobbies are listed as well.Finally, before you send in your resume for a tutoring job, it is a good idea to set aside a few days to write up your description of tutoring job experience. After you finish writing, you will want to check it out and make sure you like it. Mak e sure that you don't feel rushed through this writing process. This is because you will be submitting it to several schools and prospective employers so you want to make sure that it is right for them.I hope that this tip for the description of tutoring job experience helps you. Keep in mind that it is a good idea to list everything that you have ever done and make sure that it is listed clearly. You can also include information about your hobbies and interests and how those relate to what you do for a living.

Spotlight on Writing Standards

Spotlight on Writing Standards Spotlight on Writing Standards To build a foundation for college and career readiness, students need to learn to use writing as a way of offering and supporting opinions, demonstrating understanding of the subjects they are studying, and conveying real and imagined experiences and events. They learn to appreciate that a key purpose of writing is to communicate clearly to an external, sometimes unfamiliar audience, and they begin to adapt the form and content of their writing to accomplish a particular task and purpose. They develop the capacity to build knowledge on a subject through research projects and to respond analytically to literary and informational sources. To meet these goals, students must devote significant time and effort to writing, producing numerous pieces over short and extended time frames throughout the year. Common Core State Standards One of the big changes that students and parents will notice with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards is an elevated focus on writing and overall literacy. To be better prepared for college and the workforce, students will be expected to develop their ideas in writing, write effectively, conduct research to gather evidence and background prior to writing, make connections between reading and writing, and more. Specifically, the standards state that students must build their writing abilities in three areas: argument/opinion writing, informative/explanatory writing, and narrative writing. Student Achievement Partners, a nonprofit organization founded by three lead writers of the Common Core State Standards, offers a variety of resources for teachers and parents to get familiar with the Common Core State Standards and understand how to put them into action. As your students work on more rigorous and in-depth writing assignments moving forward, here are a few key points to keep in mind about different types of writing, as derived from writing samples provided on Student Achievement Partners website, www.achievethecore.org: Argument/opinion writing Students are provided (and read) texts and a writing prompt that asks them to form an opinion or claim about a focusing question. For students in the early elementary grades, opinion writing should offer a brief introduction, state the opinion, provide one or a few reasons for the opinion expressed, and provide a simple concluding statement. As students progress through elementary school, their opinion essays should become more robust and should have an introduction, clear statement of an opinion, evidence from the text to support that opinion and explain the students thinking, several paragraphs and a conclusion. Middle school students opinion writing should introduce a claim, acknowledge competing claims and rebut them with credible evidence and reasoning, organize reasoning and evidence logically, support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence, and provide a concluding section that supports the initial argument presented. In early high school, students argument/opinion writing must introduce a precise claim with context and distinguish that claim from alternate claims, establish a formal style and objective tone, develop the claim with supporting evidence and reasoning, develop counterclaims fairly, and provide a concluding statement. Informative/explanatory writing Students are given a set of texts (or a video and a text, if younger) and a writing prompt that requests them to convey complex ideas and information. For students early in elementary school, informative/explanatory writing should introduce a topic, supply facts about it and end with a reflective concluding sentence. As students approach the later elementary school years, informative/explanatory writing should introduce a topic, provide a general observation and focus, use precise language to explain the topic, develop the topic with details, facts and examples, link ideas using words and phrases, and structure the essay to make it easy to follow. In middle school, informative/explanatory writing must introduce the topic, name the work about which the student is writing (and the synopsis of the story), offer relevant facts and details, give examples from the text, clarify the relationship among the ideas presented, give examples, establish a formal style and use precise language. In high school, students must give context to set the stage for an essay, use precise language to delve into the complexity of the topic, transition smoothly to clarify relationships among ideas and concepts, organize complex ideas and information to make connections, develop the topic with facts and details, establish a formal style and objective tone, and analyze ideas and information to make connections. Narrative writing Students write from a writing prompt and stimulating idea to develop narrative about experiences or events. In early elementary school, students must use temporal words or phrases (once, every week) to signal event order, recount sequenced events and include some details. Later in elementary school, students write narratives by first orienting the reader and introducing a narrator, using a variety of transitional words to maintain sequence, use narrative techniques to develop events and show characters response, use concrete details to convey experiences and provide a conclusion. In middle school, students engage and orient the reader by establishing context for narrative and introducing main characters, use dialogue to develop characters and events, use transitional clauses, use dialogue to develop character, use precise words and phrases and descriptive details, use description and reflection to build toward an outcome, and provide a conclusion. In high school, students build on the narrative techniques learned in middle school and also use description to develop experiences and character, build tension toward an outcome in their narratives, use sensory language and details to focus a readers attention on important parts of the story, and provide a conclusion that reflects upon the experience or observation written about. For an even deeper understanding of the type of writing that is expected of students, read In Common: Effective Writing for All Students, accessible at www.achievethecore.org.

Going Back to School as an Adult - Private Tutoring

Going Back to School as an Adult BobbiM Jun 17, 2013 Tips for Returning to School as an Adult Returning to college has its challenges and perks, but attending school while juggling daily responsibilities can be frustrating. Don’t hesitate to pursue your educational dreams because of anticipated complications. Use this advice to make going back to school as an adult an easier and more rewarding experience. Select the best educational path for you One of the challenges of returning to college is to decide on the degree path most beneficial for you. Obtaining a technical degree in two years may be a good option to earn an Associate’s or certification, while a Bachelor’s degree or higher will require a commitment of four years or more. Don’t be afraid to become educated in a field that ignites your passion for learning. Consider taking a career assessment to help you determine a compatible field of study for your unique personality, skills, and interests. Fund your education It is imperative to obtain sufficient funds to pay your educational bills. Consider grants, federal and private loans, work-study, and any other financial source to help make it happen. There are tons of specialty scholarships offered by colleges for adult learners, so explore all of your options to supplement your education. Consider reputable online colleges Online colleges provide an excellent opportunity for adult learners to infuse college into their lives. You may want to explore distance education to obtain the degree of your choice in a cyber setting. This option is truly convenient for people who work and raise a family. It is important to check if an online college is accredited to ensure your degree is honored. Obtain childcare if necessary Many returning college students quit because they do not have access to reliable childcare. If you intend to go to school on campus and you have children, it is important to secure a babysitter. Your degree is important, and with it you can improve your life and provide the best for your loved ones when you graduate. Create study time You must take out adequate time to study if you wish to excel at any college or university. Be sure to visit a comfortable location to complete your study time in peace. A twenty- minute study session while focused is better than an hour of distracted study. Studying with peers who are taking the same course allows everyone to better understand difficult concepts. Use study aids Although most colleges provide a number of resources to its students, it is wise to obtain additional study aids to boost your learning power. Obtaining knowledge on course subjects through outside resources provides additional clarification while enhancing learning. Try reading study guides, software, and educational websites to obtain useful information to impress the ideas into your mind. Get a tutor It can be extremely frustrating to leap back in the educational swing after years of being out of a school setting. A personal tutor can be extremely helpful in making course concepts easier to understand. Personalized help is a major plus. Your tutor will instruct you on your time, review your work, and offer solid guidance. Stay motivated Maintaining motivation as a new student can be strenuous for anyone, but it is absolutely essential if you desire to obtain a degree. Mature students who are returning to college must develop a support system to keep them inspired and positive. It takes a continuous commitment to earn an education, but a host of family and loved ones can cheer you on along the way. Use technology to make it easier Technology has made going back to school as an adult easier than ever, so don’t hesitate to utilize it. A laptop or a tablet is an innovative addition for the modern student on the move. An mp3 player is useful for playing recorded lectures and listening to study material. Downloadable eBooks permit one to read course texts anywhere. Be sure to improve your computer skills to further enhance your ability to excel in school.. Balance your schedule to avoid overload Balancing your schedule is a vital aspect to avoid stress overload. Setting aside a few days a week for scholastic tasks will help you obtain good grades without burning out. Be sure to get enough sleep every night to reduce stress on your system. A balanced diet grants you higher energy levels and improves your ability to concentrate. Simplifying your life by organizing your schedule ensures you can earn your education while completing your daily responsibilities. Consider tuition reimbursement programs It is possible that your employer may pay for a portion, or all of your education through a tuition reimbursement program. This offer is incredibly helpful for students on a limited budget. Be sure to inquire if your employer offers this advantage to its employees. Discuss your concerns If you find that your academic troubles are mounting on top of one another, it is important to discuss them. A close friend, loved one, colleague, or teacher can offer you sound advice that helps alleviate the pressure. Your academic advisors and professors will guide you through the educational process, so aim for positive, collaborative relationships with all of them. A college education bursts open doors of opportunity for adults of all ages. Gain an edge with knowledge by returning to school and moving to the next plateau. If you are going back to school as an adult, it is important to choose the right educational route that is complimentary for achieving your career goals. By using this advice, you can better balance school with the rest of your life. Take charge today to obtain the education that transports you to a higher level.

Meet Jessica, a Kumon Reading Program Completer Who Has a Way With Words

Meet Jessica, a Kumon Reading Program Completer Who Has a Way With Words Meet Jessica, a Kumon Reading Program Completer Who Has a Way With Words Jessica seems to excel at everything she does. Shes an award-winning violinist and pianist, has won medals with her rhythmic gymnastics team, and she even completed the Kumon Reading Program by the age of 10. Jessica, who dreams of becoming an author and songwriter, also has a way with words. She speaks two languages in addition to Englishâ€"Mandarin, which she speaks at home, and French, which she learns at an immersion school. She says, Every day Kumon is just like my dessert! Challenge becomes nothing when Im trained as a master. You might also be interested in: Meet Marco, a Program Completer, Who Inspired Other Family Members to Reach their Highest Potential with Kumon Meet Joshua, a Kumon Reading Program Completer who Beat the Odds Meet Arianne, A Reading Program Completer Who Gained Confidence in her English Abilities through Kumon Meet Elina, a Dual Program Completer Who Has Developed Independence in Kumon Meet Jessica, a Kumon Reading Program Completer Who Has a Way With Words Meet Jessica, a Kumon Reading Program Completer Who Has a Way With Words Jessica seems to excel at everything she does. Shes an award-winning violinist and pianist, has won medals with her rhythmic gymnastics team, and she even completed the Kumon Reading Program by the age of 10. Jessica, who dreams of becoming an author and songwriter, also has a way with words. She speaks two languages in addition to Englishâ€"Mandarin, which she speaks at home, and French, which she learns at an immersion school. She says, Every day Kumon is just like my dessert! Challenge becomes nothing when Im trained as a master. You might also be interested in: Meet Marco, a Program Completer, Who Inspired Other Family Members to Reach their Highest Potential with Kumon Meet Joshua, a Kumon Reading Program Completer who Beat the Odds Meet Arianne, A Reading Program Completer Who Gained Confidence in her English Abilities through Kumon Meet Elina, a Dual Program Completer Who Has Developed Independence in Kumon

5 Top Maths GCSE Resources For Students

5 Top Maths GCSE Resources For Students Are you studying for your maths mocks or GCSEs? Fortunately, there are plenty of maths resources available online, that are free and easily accessible. These are a smart way to prime yourself for your exams, as they condense what you need to know and also test your knowledge. Here's a selection of our favourites. While maths resources are a brilliant way to revise, bear in mind your teacher or a maths tutor should be your first port of call. Especially if you feel confused about or unable to do something and they can also talk you through your exam technique. 1. GCSE Maths Revision Resources This site is designed to help you with your maths revision via maths revision cards, making this a fantastic resource. Each maths revision card relates directly to the types of questions asked in the GCSE maths examination. There are free download samples, or you can buy the revision pack for 1.50. All packs are divided into specific grades. 2. Project Maths Here you will find hundreds of click and show, interactive questions and Edexcel past papers. Best of all is the free videos, which show you everything for Factorising Quadratic Expressions to shape, space and measure queries. They also have 49+ interactive questionnaires to test yourself on what you've learnt and 138+ past papers and revision material to assist in your revision. 3. The Maths Teacher This maths resource is a virtual classroom with maths GCSE lessons available to you together with links to download lesson notes for revision. Lessons are divided into foundation and higher tier work and come with exam-style questions after to test your knowledge. 4. Mr Barton Maths Mr Barton Maths is a fantastic resource for maths and maths GCSE. The maths topic index page takes you to a range of sections that help you with everything from Algebra skills to Fractions and Ratio and Proportion. Find out exactly what the examiners could ask you, so you know what you need to revise via worksheets, exercises, videos, quizzes written for the new maths GCSE and have them automatically marked, and read explanations given by students all around the world until you find the one that makes sense to you. 5. BBC Bitesize Maths GCSE A great site to use as you can choose the exam specification that matches the one you study. The GCSE AQA guide, for instance, goes through all the areas you need to know, showing you key revision areas for each topic with questions and answers. Once you have revised a specific area, you can then take a test and see how you score. The answers then reveal the working out and tell you why you were right or wrong so you can learn from your answers. The best part of this site is if you sign in, it will take you right back to where you were each time you log in so you can track what you have done. Further information on maths GCSE and revision can be found at: GCSE revision sources Mock GCSEs and how to pass your Maths GCSE Contact is for a maths tutor near you.

Teaching English online with Wall Street English Sarahs story

Teaching English online with Wall Street English Sarah’s story Sarah Di Paola sat down for a chat about her experiences as an online English teacher with Wall Street English. As an event planner, an online ESL teacher for adult learners and an artist, Sarah is the first to admit she doesn’t always get enough sleep, but she wouldn’t want it any other way. She says that online teaching gives her life meaning and purpose, and gives her time to pursue her other loves. Throughout our conversation, the words “meaning” and “purpose” crop up a lot and I can’t help feeling that Sarah’s attitude will inspire other online English teachers. So...if you want to know what it’s really like to teach adults online, have questions about the cultural issues that might crop up in the online classroom or are just curious about how anyone can juggle three jobs and retain a sunny disposition, keep reading. How did you end up becoming an online teacher? In one way, I’ve always taught people, but as a career choice, it took me a while to make the teaching plunge. I come from a long line of teachers. My mom, her mother and her mother’s mother were all teachers. I kind of rebelled against the idea of just following in their footsteps. I’ve been teaching, in one form or another, since college. During my time at York University, I was the co-vice president of the Visual Arts Student Association for two years and the president of United Through Worship for one year. I mentored a lot of other students in leadership positions. I took that a step further in my graduate degree at Seneca College. A lot of my fellow students didn’t have English as a first language so I would help edit their papers. I didn’t charge, but occasionally someone would buy me a cup of coffee. That was teaching for the love of it (or maybe for the love of coffee! ?). After college, I wasn’t in a great place. I ended up working three jobs (a bit of a theme for me!). The first as a barista, the second was as a keyholder at a retailer, and the third was as a waitress. It was a tough time because I didn’t really like what I was doing and I wasn’t sure what I enjoyed. Eventually, I quit my jobs and took some time off to take care of my grandparents for 3 months. During my time off I talked to a friend about her time teaching abroad in Korea. I started reflecting on my time in college and realized how much I loved teaching. The idea of teaching became more and more attractive, but I really wasn’t sure about teaching abroad so I realized that online English teaching might be a better fit - and the rest, as they say, is history. What drew you to teaching English online initially? Getting to make a difference and help others. I get really excited when something clicks for a student. That moment of realization is a big pay off. I value the connection with others, it’s very fulfilling, and I think some of the one-on-one tutoring online gives you that in a way traditional teaching might not. This one time, I was teaching a one-on-one for fluency. A low-level student came on, and she was so discouraged. I gave her a pep-talk and took the time to encourage her. We had a little moment before moving on with the class. It stands out for me because I saw her transform from a reluctant learner - into an enthusiastic one. All she needed was that extra little boost of confidence. But I guess in broader terms, I teach because I want to live a life that has meaning and purpose. We will all die, so we have to make a mark. With art I always try to think about what is archival, y’know will the material last? For me, teaching is the same. You have to think about what sort of imprint you’re leaving on students. I still remember my art teacher Mr Andrew McClure, he inspired me to where I feel he has influenced me to this today. And that’s something I want to do for my students too. How long have you been online teaching? I’ve been teaching with Wall Street English for 5 months. It’s a new program so I was part of the first batch of employees when it was first launched in Canada. A lot of my coworkers are similar to me. We all have a lot on. There’s a couple of Masters students who are juggling their full-time studies with online teaching. We still usually find time to hang out for an hour after work though. I think a lot of online teachers could miss the connection of an office of people, I feel like I get the opportunity to connect with coworkers. I live by myself, so I value the community and connection. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Why did you choose Wall Street English? I’m growing a lot teaching with Wall Street English at the moment, so it’s where I need to be. I think as long as you can feel yourself growing in a job, it’s a good fit. Toronto is so expensive that this is really the only option for me as they provide the office space. I would need to have a devoted space at home if I were to teach with other online programs. I’d have invest in a map and a whole backdrop. I’ve got office lighting and a professional backdrop, as well as a community of teachers to bounce ideas off every day. As someone who lives alone the community aspect appeals to me, I’m 95% extroverted, so I really value coming to work and getting to know my team. Note: Sarah is an unusual online English teacher because she works regular hours from an office where there is an online teaching team. This gives her the added advantage of having a supportive work environment and gives her a sense of community, but the challenges she faces are the same as those people will meet working from home, she just doesn’t have the advantage of rolling out of bed and walking 30 cm to work. Is there any reason why you picked online teaching over teaching abroad? I might still teach abroad someday, but it’s just not the right time at the moment. I guess I had a few concerns. I knew I wanted to teach English to non-native speakers, but I really wasn’t sure about shipping my life halfway across the world. There are four main reasons why teaching abroad wasn’t a good fit for me, right now: If I did want to go, it would be to Asia. My top two destinations would be Japan or Korea, and that feels like a long way to go right now. The 1 - 2 year contracts for teaching abroad in Japan and Korea were daunting. It’s a big commitment, and I wasn’t ready to take the leap. I could easily do art overseas, but it would be hard to do event planning. I would really miss that. One of the best things about online teaching is that it gives me space and time to do everything else. I want to spend time with my family, particularly my grandparents, so living abroad isn’t a great fit right now. Not that teaching abroad is out of the question, if I do go someday it will be because of the adventure, potential earnings and a chance to develop my skills in a new environment! What qualification did you need to land your job teaching online? I think my background in teaching and mentoring throughout college helped! But that didn’t stop me getting properly qualified. Once I made the decision to teach, I knew I wanted to invest in the right TEFL/TESOL certification. It ended up costing me just over $1,000 CAD, but it’s been worth the investment. If anyone is looking to get a TEFL qualification for online teaching, I recommend going with a course at about this price point. I don’t honestly know if I could teach some of the grammar without it, because so much of what I knew before taking the course was innate. I struggled through the grammar portion of the course, and I’m glad I did. At least now I feel prepared in my online classroom. Also when I think about the price point, I compare it to my undergrad/graduate programs, where I could easily spend $1,000 CAD on a class. Some of those were taught by MA students. At least with the Oxford Seminars TEFL course, I was paying for a fully-qualified teacher. What did you like about your TEFL course? What I really loved about the TEFL course was the in-class components. They were very honest, which I value. They didn’t shy away from any of the tough questions and made sure to go over concerns for teaching abroad if you were LGBTQ+ or had tattoos. There was a detailed section on what to do about contracts and how to know if the contract is too vague or dodgy. There was a bit on how to research jobs and protect yourself, which I found useful. They also posed important questions about the cultural difference: like what should a teacher do in a country where it’s considered okay to discipline with a ruler? Were there any parts you didn’t like? Although it was a necessary evil, I wasn’t a big fan of the grammar portion of the TEFL curriculum. It was online, and I felt like I’d have absorbed it quicker in a classroom setting. It depends what kind of a learner you are, I’m extroverted, so I really value being in a class and bouncing ideas off other people. I used to have to go to a cafe with a friend just to get through some of the tougher grammar sections. What skills from your background in art do you think help with online teaching? I took several courses in theatre in college - I think it helps a lot. A mixture of being dramatic and being Italian definitely means I use my hands a lot when I am teaching online which helps the students. Art helps too because I can draw on the slides, and upload pictures. My coworkers are always laughing at the number of pictures I use, but pictures are so helpful when it comes to generating natural conversation. What do you think are the advantages of teaching adults online? There are a lot! The focus is more on fluency so you can have some really interesting conversations. A lot of the topics can lead to philosophical or political chats which are always fascinating. For example, the environment is one of the subjects. Right now, that’s a necessary conversation. We should probably all sit down and talk to someone for an hour about what we can do to help the environment. I am often inspired by my students and their ideas! I think you’ve to go in with an open and creative mind. I’m not sure everyone would consider this an advantage, but sometimes it can (especially one-on-ones) feel a bit like a therapy session. I don’t mind, because I genuinely love to connect with people and check-in. The biggest benefit is probably that you’re being paid to have this hour of connection with someone halfway across the world. I love getting to speak to so many different sorts of people. It’s an endless education. I love asking questions - so my job is an excuse to probe people. I love that I never know what my students are going to tell me. I could be talking about anything on any given day. Recently my students told me about Singles Day - which is like Black Friday in China. I had no idea! What are the challenges of online teaching? Usually in group classes - there’s a lot of time management and some students want to hog the class. It’s my job to interrupt them and make sure everyone has equal talking time. That can be tough because as a Canadian I feel rude interrupting someone, just culturally that’s not something I’d normally do. So I’ve to balance fairness with politeness. And in the context of a classroom of Chinese students, fairness is most important. In a normal classroom I might have more time to hone in on weaker students or give stronger students a chance to do some advanced work, but online you’ve to balance the class and talking time. Their names can be challenging too, I try to learn these in advance by getting Google to pronounce them - that normally saves me from messing up! I guess the hours can be hard to adjust to, starting work at 5 am is rough. It means I’ve to plan my social life well in advance. Is it hard to navigate cultural difference with Chinese students online? I think it’s easy for me to avoid any big cultural faux pas as I became a part of the Chinese club in university. It started out with just helping them with events, but by graduation, they had made me an honorary member! That experience means I’m already familiar with a lot of the cultural things. For someone teaching Chinese students for the first time, it’s valuable to do a bit of research around their culture, just so you don’t make any blunders. Any issues or horror stories? It’s not really a horror story, but once a student doctor came into a group conversation class just after she told a family that their loved one had passed away. She started crying in the class and was clearly very emotional. Instinctively I wanted to reach out, but culturally in China, it would have been considered unprofessional to spend extra time with her in a group class. Navigating that from a Canadian perspective is tricky, how do you show empathy without making things worse or letting a student lose face? That’s probably the hardest lesson I’ve had online. What is the single best thing about teaching online? Without a doubt, it’s the students. I’ve so much respect for them. One thing that stands out to me about adult learners is that they want to learn. Occasionally their boss is making them, but it’s not like kids being forced by their parents. They are so motivated. I think anyone who learns a new language is extremely brave, but I have a special respect for my Chinese students because they come from a culture where losing face and making mistakes is a big deal. With learning a new language, the risk of losing face is high because you’re going to make mistakes…that’s how you learn. There are so many obstacles for Chinese (Mandarin) speakers trying to learn English. In their language they don’t use tenses or pronouns, so explaining some of that can be tricky. It’s interesting to hear about their culture too. I love telling them about Canada, and they love to tell me about China. What kind of person would you recommend online teaching to? At Wall Street English, all my colleagues are very different, but I do think there are a few common traits that help. Pretty much everyone has an adventurous spirit, we’ve all been on crazy adventures. We’ve all traveled. It’s so important to be curious about other cultures and want to learn about your students, so having that sense of adventure and a desire to connect with other cultures helps. We also all value education and learning, so that we all have a sense of purpose. A growth mindset too, online teaching isn’t as easy as it might sound, and you really need to love working with the students and want to improve your teaching. Another big one is patience, you cannot get stressed out easily. You’re balancing classes with small groups of adults and need to be able to manage all the different personalities. Being creative helps, if you’re genuinely interested in teaching and have a creative spark, it’s amazing how many little games, pictures and diagrams you’ll find yourself creating. Students love that. It gives class that extra spark. Read this: Everything you need to know about teaching English to adults online

Ask a Nerd! The Resume Blues

Ask a Nerd! The Resume Blues Ask a Nerd! | Tips from an Orange County private tutor Question: Im a recent college graduate and have been looking for a job in my field for over a year. I have yet to receive an interview even though I only apply to jobs that are appropriate for my skill set and experience level. What am I doing wrong? Brief: There are many reasons why somebody would not get called back for an interview in this competitive job market. There are far more applicants than there are jobs and resumes can be easily lost when sent through online sources. Answer Assuming that an applicant is applying to jobs that are either internship or entry-level, the main issues seem to be applying through online sources. Long gone are the days when somebody could show their winning personality by applying in person or send unsolicited resumes and cover letters through snail mail. Today, applicants have to be hyperaware of their online presence and how to make it work (READ: The Top 5 Interview Pitfalls). 1. Be everywhere Young professionals have to be everywhere. Get on LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter etc… Students who have already graduated can start building their online presence now while theyre simultaneously applying for jobs in their field. The most important professional presence is LinkedIn, but every positive social media format is a good thing. Checklist: Follow companies in the desired field of study to receive updates and stay in touch Share pertinent and job-relevant information on various public social media sites Connect with experienced professionals in the field as much as possible Students who are currently juniors or seniors in college should build an online presence now. The longer the portfolio is active, the more students can add to it as time goes by. After a while, this can become exhausting so its recommended that jobseekers spend no more than an hour a day to preserve mental energy for work and study. 2. Be visual A basic one-page resume is no longer enough to make somebody stand out. Applicants are encouraged to stand out on more than one platform. Consider adding visual supplements to the resume that are more likely to stand out from the pack and have a better chance of resulting in an interview or call back. YouTube videos, PowerPoint presentations, or any specialized computer program for a specific field are great ways to create a visual addition to a resume that doesnt just tell a potential employer that someone can get the job done but also shows them. 3. Follow through Many new graduates will send out an email or respond through the companys website and never hear back. Although this is very frustrating, its important to remember that they can also hear back from you. Applicants are encouraged to follow through regarding their resume within a week of sending out their application. Its important that applicants make their best effort to find a direct email to somebody at the HR department so that there is a better chance of it being read (READ: Ask a Nerd! Grades and AP Class). Applicants should ask if the company would like any supplemental information or if it would be possible to have an interview. The worst the employer can say is “no”. Larger companies will often have things in place to make it difficult for potential applicants to get in touch. This is done on purpose and to prevent HR from having unsolicited calls and emails. Of course, applicants should be respectful of any specific instructions given on the company website; however, one or two follow-up emails should be acceptable. If a potential employer doesnt want to talk to you, they will certainly let you know. In short? Some will say that social media and online forums are making it easier to apply for jobs while others will say its much harder. The emerging generation is left with this method of job search whether they like it or not. A heavy social media presence and appropriate follow-through are great ways to start getting closer to an interview. Have a question for one of our nerds? Tweet it to us @TutorNerds. Give yourself the TutorNerds advantage by checking back often for the latest in our “Ask a Nerd” series. 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 post about.