Monday, March 23, 2020

Are Economics Degrees Useful or In Demand

Are Economics Degrees Useful or In Demand Looking At Future Careers in Economics? A Degree Will Kickstart Your Career ChaptersKnow What Options There Are for Jobs in EconomicsLanding the Best Graduate Economist JobsA Career In Economics Is Around The CornerGoing to university is an exciting time in any student’s life. Often, it’s the first time that a student will be away from their family for an extended period. What's more, a university provides a place to:Grow in independence;Make new friends; andStudy a subject that you enjoy in depth.Economics is a very popular degree course at universities across the country, and it’s easy to see why.Often, economics graduates finish university having acquired a vast range of transferable skills, which open up a variety of career paths for them.Whether that’s due to the communication skills that economics students develop, or the numerical or analytical skills that are taught during the degree, economics graduates have a range of skills that make them very desirable graduates in the workplace.As we will see below, economics graduates, like graduates of other subjects in the U.K., have a range of career opportunities or routes for further study available to them.Of course, having access to good career opportunities does also mean doing well during university exams or graded coursework. If you do find that you need some extra help during such assessment times, it may be beneficial to turn to a tutor for help in specific areas that you may be struggling with.University students are usually best served by finding an a level economics tutor that has a Master’s in economics or is studying towards a PhD, as these tutors should have an in-depth understanding of your course while providing tips and study techniques to help you succeed in those all-important exams.Superprof, for example, offers a range of economics tutors with a variety of backgrounds, so you’re sure to find a local tutor or someone who can help you learn economics online and who meets your requirements, within a budget that works for you.There are lots of graduate eco nomist jobs on offer if you know where to look. (Source: CC0 1.0, keem1201, Pixabay)Financial analyst;Investment analyst;Statistician; andStockbrokerUnlike some other countries, where the degree you choose essentially dictates the future career path you will follow, in the U.K. many employers are more flexible with regard to the degree that you studied.So, if you decide that financial journalism may actually be your calling, or if you’d like to move into a related field such as accounting, you can still apply for, and be offered trainee, entry level, experienced, or maybe even managerial positions for these kinds of roles, even if you didn’t take any journalism or accounting modules while at a university.What’s more, many employers value the experience that an economics student gains during their time at university. Having a degree in economics usually means that you are:Numerate and good with problem-solving;Have an understanding of current events, economic issues  and busine ss news; andCan analyse and interpret economic data from a range of sources.These are transferable skills that many employers really appreciate, which should all help boost your earning potential in the long run.So if you find that you really enjoyed studying economics at A-Level, or would like to pick it up for the first time when at university, you should be confident in your decision to apply for an economics degree, without fear that it could jeopardise your future career prospects.In fact, as we’ll see below, having a degree in economics can actually give you a helping hand when the time comes to apply for economics jobs, as well as less specialised roles.A position in an accountancy firm is just one of the jobs you can get with an economics degree. (Source: CC0 1.0, StockSnap, Pixabay)Landing the Best Graduate Economist JobsYou can find a variety of jobs that utilise your economics degree and mathematical skills, so the choice is up to you in terms of where you’d like to t ake your career and which organisations you'd like to apply to.For instance, one of the things you should consider is whether you’d like to work within the private or public sector, or whether further study might actually be the right move for you.Public Sector JobsThe most common public sector jobs that economics graduates enter into involve working within a government or council department or working for organisations including think tanks and charities.Work in this sector can be highly rewarding, especially if you are civically minded.Private Sector JobsMany economics graduates take up jobs within the private sector. Typical employers for full-time grad roles include:Retail or investment arms of banks;Consultancy firms; orAccountancy firms.However, non-related fields, such as marketing, are also popular areas that economics graduates enter, so you’re certainly not confined to working in finance, accounting, insurance or investment banking.If you're unsure of what career optio ns you'd like to pursue after university, you can always reach out to a recruitment consultant or university careers counsellor for their take on what a great employer might look like for you based on your qualifications.You may want to have the latest copy of your resume on hand before meeting with anyone though, as then the recruiter or counsellor can match you to the best available vacancies.Further StudyIf you really enjoyed your economics degree and are academically minded, then a future in academia may suit you.Typically, if you’ve completed a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in economics, then the next logical step in your academic journey would be to take a Masters in economics. You can apply for a Masters course at your existing university, or you could choose to move to another institution for further study â€" the choice is up to you.After achieving a Masters degree, you could then progress on to a PhD and earn your doctorate in the field of economics or econom ic research. Although it can be highly competitive, you could progress on after that to have a career in academia, working towards roles such as:University lecturer;Professor; orRespected academic.However, if you find it difficult to secure such a position, or would like to move away from academia following a Masters or PhD, then you can, of course, still, apply for graduate jobs or experienced hire positions within a number of private and public sector companies, as outlined above. Many employers respect a PhD graduate, and so there should still be plenty of career opportunities available that make use of your business and economics knowledge.Rather than looks for jobs with your economics degree, you could opt for further study. (Source: CC0 1.0, Wokandapix, Pixabay)A Career In Economics Is Around The CornerRegardless of what career path you’d like to follow, you should know that having an economics degree and skills in economic analysis is a great starting point in helping you l and your dream job.The BBC, for example, reported last year that the subject that you choose to study at a university could have an impact on your average earnings once you’ve left higher education. The article stated that, on average, economics graduates earnt £40,000 five years after graduating, which was well ahead of average earnings from other subjects, including:History;Philosophy;Engineering; andTechnology.Although such findings do not guarantee that you’ll be able to walk into a high-paying job with a well-respected organisation, time again studies have found that, when all is taken into account, economics graduates tend to be well-off compared to their other degree counterparts, which is certainly an encouraging outlook for anyone researching whether to take up an economics degree at university.However, before you get your place at university you need to ensure that you meet your chosen university’s entry criteria, including their minimum grade requirements for A-lev el results.That is why I sought economics tuition with Superprof!One of the stresses that many students face is that, while they may have great grades in the subject they’d like to study at university, they may not be performing so well in other subjects, and a poor result in one of those subjects may lead to a missed place at university.If you find yourself in this position â€" for example, you’re getting an A in economics but hovering between a B and C in mathematics, then it might be time to call in some extra help to improve your grades.There are sites, such as Superprof, which specialise in connecting students with tutors across a wide range of subjects. Whether you need some extra help with economics, business, maths, art, or history, there are many a economics tutor london (or anywhere across the country for that matter) out there that are trained, affordable, and happy to help push you so that your academic performance improves.Take a look at the university rankings for economics.Read about alternative economics.

Friday, March 6, 2020

A Day in the Life at University of Miami

A Day in the Life at University of Miami The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Miguel is an online tutor specializing in algebra tutoring, biology tutoring, Spanish tutoring, and a number of other areas. He is currently a sophomore at the University of Miami majoring in public health. See what he had to share about the University of Miami: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Miguel: The University of Miami is located in a very urban area. The campus has such an upbeat atmosphereit looks like a resort, and it feels like Im on vacation, but with homework! The University of Miami has excellent security, and they take pride in how well they protect the campus. I can walk around at any time, and I know Im safe. They have strict protocol and police driving around campus at all hours. During orientation, campus police host a session going over safety on campus. There are Hurry Canes, or shuttle buses that transport students around campus. On certain days, mostly weekends, the shuttle buses will transport students to local hangout spots like The Grove. The shuttle buses will also take students to football games during football season. Students do find having a bike on campus useful, but in my experience, it isnt necessary. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at University of Miami? Miguel: Professors love the work they do. They have done or are actively doing research in their field. Professors genuinely enjoy talking to their students and helping them. They have office hours, but theyll work with students to find a convenient time if necessary. Advising, when it is not registration time, is always available on a walk-in basis. Whenever you need an adviser, the wait is never longer than 30 minutes. Some professors even live on campus, and they are available after hours to assist students. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Miguel: Dorm life is very interactive. The dorms are small, but its all part of the college experience. You have the opportunity to meet people and establish relationships. The resident assistants also host events for your floor, which is another opportunity to meet your floor-mates. The residential colleges also have events where students are able to meet each other. Dining is buffet-style, with many options for every meal. This is where most people build relationships. You can always find someone to eat a meal with and to enjoy a nice chat with. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Miguel: The University of Miami has 12 colleges focusing on different areas. Every college has a good reputation, and they strive for the success of their students. Currently, Im enrolled in the School of Nursing and Health Studies. My current major is public health. I just ended my freshman year, therefore Im not too advanced in the major yet. I have been reading into different opportunities that the school has to offer, and there is plenty for all students. 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? Miguel: Greek life is prominent at the University of Miami. Fraternities and sororities are very involved on campus. Each of them show great pride in their brotherhood or sisterhood, but I did not join one. There are over 300 organizations on campus, so there is always something to join to meet people with the same interests. In my experience, I got along really well with my roommate and made friends through him. In other words, there are many ways to meet people and make friends. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services at University of Miami? Miguel: The University of Miami has many connections locally and worldwide. We have the Toppel Career Center, which is the perfect place to find careers, internships, or simply establish connections in the workforce. I once went there for career advising, and the adviser gave me advice on which career is for me and how I should go about pursuing it. We also have the Launch Pad, which provides many entrepreneurial opportunities. If an individual has a product, idea, or business that he or she wants to pursue, the Launch Pad is the perfect place to begin such endeavors. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Miguel: The University of Miami has a spectrum of study areas. There is the completely quiet 24-hour room in the student center. There are the tables in the university center, which are perfect for social studying or group studying. The library has the Stacks, which are nine floors of complete silence. The library also has a semi-noisy environment on the first floor if thats your cup of tea. There are gliders, or rocking benches, all over campus for those who enjoy studying outside. Each floor in the residential colleges has a study room that doesnt fill up often. They range from quiet to noisy. And there are other random places to study, like the tables outside of the library or the chairs in the student center. Since there are so many places to study, each area always has space. Describe the surrounding town at University of Miami. Miguel: Miami is full of life! There is always something to do, and it ranges from relaxing beach days to art walks in Wynwood to going dancing. There are always different events happening in Miami. Miami is famous for its nightlife and diversity in culture. One can go to Little Havana and play dominoes in Dominoes Park, or listen to people playing music on instruments in Little Haiti. A nice place to have lunch is downtown Miami-Bayside. They have boat rides with tours that will show you Miami while on the water enjoying a nice drink. Miami does a great job with public transportation, and Uber is always available. There is also the metro-rail or the metro-buses to take you around the city. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Miguel: The University of Miami is a medium-sized university with approximately 11,000 undergraduates. My class currently has about 2,100 students. I enjoy this size in a university because there isnt an overwhelming amount of students, and on the same note, the class isnt so small that everyone knows each other. Class sizes are super personal except for the general, introductory classes like general biology or chemistry. I enjoy the size of classes because I actually get to know my professor, and vice versa. This also allows for one to make friends in a classroom because it is a lot more intimate. Check out Miguels tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

New York University A Student Interview

New York University A Student Interview The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Phil holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film Television from New York University. He graduated in 2014 and currently tutors in Los Angeles. He specializes in a number of subject areas, including History tutoring, Literature tutoring, ACT prep tutoring, and more. Check out his review of New York University: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Phil:New York University features an open campus in New York Citys Greenwich Village neighborhood, centered around Washington Square Park. Greenwich Village is a neighborhood with a rich history, and it is also consistently ranked as one of the safest neighborhoods in all five boroughs of the city. New York University has free buses and trolleys that shuttle students from residence halls to the heart of campus, but there is also the amazing MTA subway system at your disposal. You definitely do not need a car or a bike. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Phil:Very available! Professors are required to have at least one block of office hours a week, and advisers and teaching assistants often have them several times a week. There were times when my schedule did not match up well with a professor, and he or she was happy to meet me at another time that worked with my schedule. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Phil:The residence halls at New York University are fantastic. Not only are they the nicest, most convenient rooms you will ever have as long as you live in New York, but each floor has an amazing Resident Assistant. The Resident Assistants plan fun outings in the citythink Broadway shows, museum trips, and picnicsand, especially during your freshman year, your floor becomes your family away from home. In terms of dining, New York University has a huge variety of options, and almost every freshman residence hall as a dining hall in the building. 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? Phil:One perk of being at a school as large as New York University is that every program is well represented. Although we may be known for our Business, Drama, and Film majors (as well as our pre-medical track), New York University really allows its students to pursue their interests in any field to the furthest extent possible. New York University even offers students the opportunity to design their own major in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study! 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? Phil:Given New York Universitys unique campus design, the experience of making friends and the social scene are a bit different from what you might imagine college to be. While we do have Greek life, we do not have a Fraternity/Sorority Row. Students make friends in our 450+ clubs, in the residence halls, and in classes. They explore the citywhether by experiencing amazing food or checking out an art galleryon a free night. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Phil:Our Career Center, Wasserman, is absolutely incredible. They have over 35,000 job postings that include full-time jobs for graduates, and part-time jobs and internships for students. Not only do they have these job listings, they also help you get the job with free resume workshops, mock interviews, job fairs, and even mock dinner interviews. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Phil:Every student at New York University has his or her own favorite study nook. With so many campus buildings, it is easy to find a study spaceeven during midterms. Our Bobst Library, which has millions of volumes, is the best place to study on campus, especially with its panoramic views of the New York skyline. 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? Phil:If you are interested in New York University, you are obviously excited about the idea of living in the biggest city in the country! There is so much to do every single minute of every single day. That is incredibly exciting, and New York University endeavors to incorporate the city into its classes: you will go to The Metropolitan Museum of Art for assignments, top-level executives who live in the city will stop by for guest lectures, and your professors will encourage you to explore all that New York has to offer. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Phil:New York University has about 20,000 undergraduates. That said, the university works hard to make sure you receive individual attention regardless of that statistic. The average class size is just under 30 students, but as a junior or senior taking seminar-level courses, most classes will have 12-16 students. I once even had a class of eight students. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Phil: It is easy to focus on how amazing a backdrop New York City is for a college student, but New York Universitys study abroad opportunities are also phenomenal. You have 13 sites to choose betweenfrom Paris to Shanghai to Sydney to Abu Dhabiand you can spend up to four semesters abroad. I studied in London for a semester, where I took a television training course that transitioned into a full-time internship with the BBC. It truly made my study abroad experience all the more rich. Not only was I experiencing one of the worlds most amazing cities, but I was also engrossed in the culture as I worked alongside native Londoners and took intensive coursework. Check out Phils tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Different Yoga Poses for Different Chakras

Different Yoga Poses for Different Chakras Yoga Poses for Balancing Your Life Force Energy ChaptersYoga Poses and Chakras: Vriksasana, the Tree PoseYoga Poses and Chakras: Deviasana, the Goddess PoseOpening Chakras with Asanas: Utkatasana, the Chair PoseYoga Poses and Chakras: Bhujangasana, the Cobra PoseChakras in Yoga: Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, the Half Bridge PoseOpening Chakras: Sukhasana or Easy PoseYoga Poses and Chakras: Shavasana, the Corpse PoseOpening Your Chakras with the Child’s Pose (Balasana)The Cow Face Pose for Aligning Your ChakrasBalancing Your Chakras with Sun Salutations“If you make friends with yourself you will never be alone.” - Maxwell Maltz70% of yogis are women according to the French National Federation of Yoga Teachers but the previous year, it was 80%. More and more men are taking up yoga, even if they still are in the minority.Through yoga, we work on balancing our main chakras through different poses. Each chakra is associated with a frequency, a vibration, a colour, several organs, and a mantra. Asanas allow you to balance and align th em so that they’re neither too open nor too closed.In this article, we’re looking at the 10 best yoga poses for aligning your chakras and circulating life force energy. CarleyYoga Teacher 5.00 (5) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LynnYoga Teacher 4.89 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GenYoga Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JulieYoga Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AliceYoga Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LauraYoga Teacher 5.00 (6) £70/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UndramYoga Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LottieYoga Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsYoga Poses and Chakras: Vriksasana, the Tree PoseWhich Chakra Is It For?The tree pose is associated with the root chakra (Muladhara) and earth. The goal of this pose is to take root like a tree with your foot anchored on the floor while reaching up to the sky. The pose stimulates t he chakra at the coccyx and allows energy to circulate from the foot to the top of the spinal column.Regularly doing yoga comes with a lot of benefits. (Source: vkhima)How Do You Do This Pose?To do the tree pose, you need to start with the mountain pose (Tadasana), standing, with both feet on the floor with your toes well positioned. Focus on the distance.Transfer your weight onto your right leg and then bend your left knee as you raise your leg.Find your balance as you raise your left leg and before you place your left foot onto your right thigh. If you’re not flexible enough or you keep losing balance, start by placing your left foot on your knee, calf, or ankle. Balance is the most important part of this pose.Pay particular attention to your hips and the base of your torso without curving your back.Lift your arms over your head or up to your solar plexus if you can’t manage that.Hold this pose for around thirty seconds and then do the same with the other leg.Find out more abo ut balancing your chakras.Yoga Poses and Chakras: Deviasana, the Goddess PoseWhich Chakra Is It For?The goddess pose allows you to balance your sacral chakra (Svadhishthana), just a bit above your root chakra. It’s associated with your sexual organs, sensuality, creativity, and sexuality.How Do You Do This Pose?Start by standing, feet shoulder-width apart, and bend your knees. Turn your toes outwards as you bend down with your hands on your hips.The back of your pelvis will lower while the front will be raised.Hold the position for eight to ten breaths.Check for yoga classes near me here.Start with an easier pose than this! (Source: jeviniya)Opening Chakras with Asanas: Utkatasana, the Chair PoseWhich Chakra Is It For?The chair pose allows you to align your solar plexus chakra (Manipura), located two fingers or so above your belly button. It’s associated with the digestive system.How Do You Do This Pose?Start by standing with your feet together and your weight equally distribute d.  Your arms will be placed in front of you parallel to the ground at shoulder-width. Open your shoulders by lowering your shoulder blades.Raise your arms over your head and bend your knees, creating a right angle. Ensure your weight remains on your heels and stretch your chest upwards.Remain in this position for two complete breaths before pushing down onto the floor as you stand back up as you breathe in.Find out more about how yoga can help balance your chakras.Yoga Poses and Chakras: Bhujangasana, the Cobra PoseWhich Chakra Is It For?The cobra pose allows you to work on your heart chakra (Anahata), associated with your heart, lungs, feelings of love and empathy. Bhujinga means snake in Sanskrit.How Do You Do This Pose?Lie flat on your stomach on your yoga mat with your hands flat on the floor at the side of your chest. Raise your belly button and your chest upwards while keeping your elbows against you and breathing out.If you can’t fully extend your arms, don’t worry and d on’t overexert yourself as you could harm yourself.Hold the pose for three breaths and try to extend the pose with your back muscles each time. Gently go into the child’s pose. CarleyYoga Teacher 5.00 (5) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LynnYoga Teacher 4.89 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GenYoga Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JulieYoga Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AliceYoga Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LauraYoga Teacher 5.00 (6) £70/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UndramYoga Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LottieYoga Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsChakras in Yoga: Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, the Half Bridge PoseWhich Chakra Is It For?The half-bridge pose is used to align the throat chakra (Vishuddha). It’s associated with the thyroid gland and respiratory organs.How Do You Do This Pose?Lie on your back with your knee s bent. Your legs and feet need to be shoulder-width apart and parallel.Try to bring your feet to your bum by grabbing your heels and as you breathe in, raise your hips.  Try to open your collarbone. Stay in this position for three breaths before slowly descending back down to a neutral position.Find out why you should do yoga.Opening Chakras: Sukhasana or Easy PoseWhich Chakra Is It For?This pose can balance the third-eye chakra (Ajna) located between the eyebrows. It’s associated with the eyes, nervous system, and intuition.Make sure you warm up before you do yoga. (Source: 532Yoga)How Do You Do This Pose?Sit upright on your yoga mat though you can also use a cushion.Raise your torso upwards while keeping your back straight. If your back curves slightly, don’t worry, just try to keep it as straight as possible.Place your forehead onto the floor (or on a yoga block if it’s too low) and stay there for three breaths.Yoga Poses and Chakras: Shavasana, the Corpse PoseWhich Chakra Is It For?The corpse pose allows you to work on your crown chakra (Sahasrara). It’s associated with the cerebral cortex, concentration, and memory.How Do You Do This Pose?The corpse pose is for relaxation and is often done at the end of a yoga class.  Lie on your back on your mat with your palms facing the ceiling.Bit by bit, relax your body starting with your feet and making your way up to the top of your head.Opening Your Chakras with the Child’s Pose (Balasana)Which Chakra Is It For?The child’s pose can work on two chakras at once: the root chakra and the third-eye chakra.The child's pose is often done after the cobra pose. (Source: AndiP)How Do You Do This Pose?Start this pose on all-fours on your mat with your knees at the same width as your mat and your hands directly under your shoulders.Position yourself so that your big toes are touching. As you breathe out, lower your heels while lowering your torso and relaxing your arms with your palms on the floor.Relax as you pl ace your forehead onto the floor and stay in the position for a few breaths.The Cow Face Pose for Aligning Your ChakrasWhich Chakra Is It For?This position is perfect for the sacral chakra. Make sure you warm up before you give this one a go.How Do You Do This Pose?Sit down with your legs relaxed out in front of you. Fold your left leg under you and sit on your left foot.Take your right leg and place your right knee onto your left knee. Your hips need to be on the floor and your feet by your waists. Your thighs must be touching the floor.Raise your right arm and place your right hand on the top of your back. Fold your left arm behind you under the shoulder. Try to grab both hands on your spine. Your head will be pressed against your left arm.Hold this position for three deep breaths.Balancing Your Chakras with Sun SalutationsWhich Chakra Is It For?The sun salutation allows you to develop your solar plexus chakra which is associated with your pancreas and digestive system. This pose can gently awaken your body.How Do You Do This Pose?Start with the mountain pose, standing with your feet together. Stretch your arms towards the floor with your palms facing in front of you with your shoulders lowered.Then move into Urdhva Hastasana (upward-facing arms-up posture). As you breathe in, raise your arms over your head while looking directly in front of yourself. The next step is to look towards the sky while keeping your shoulders relaxed.Finally, as you breathe out, bend down forwards with your knees bent and place your hands on the floor or yoga blocks if you can’t touch the floor. Completely relax the top of your body and your head.So are you ready to align your chakras with yoga poses?If you need help with a particular yoga pose, consider getting in touch with a private yoga instructor on Superprof. Whether you want to do Ashtanga yoga, Hatha yoga, Iyengar yoga, or just get started with some yoga for beginners, there are plenty of tutors on the platform who can h elp you.

Learning to Make Origami

Learning to Make Origami Learn How to Create Origami ChaptersEasy Origami: Simple FoldsA Word on PaperHow to Make Origami FlowersHow to Make an Origami CranePerhaps every child in the world has made and played with an origami fortune teller â€" it was certainly my first brush with folded paper creation.Of course, at the time I had no idea I was manipulating a genuine origami design... and, quite possibly, neither did/do other children on the planet.Have you ever made one? Have you ever made a paper aeroplane, a paper boat or even paper flowers?  Did you know you were actually practising origami?The art of creating shapes out of paper is centuries old; an exacting exercise that teaches patience, discipline and helps develop fine motor skills â€" much the way handwriting does.But making an origami dragon is much more fun than practising penmanship, even if it does offer substantial educational benefits.A part of origami’s appeal is that you don’t need scissors, glue or glitter to adorn your creations, just square paper and knowledge of basic folding technique.That is what your Superprof offers up today: we’re going to look at some simple origami creations, a few methods to enhance your origami and finish up with some more complex designs.Are you ready to learn the art of paper folding? NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsEasy Origami: Simple Folds You might try folding a few origami frogs before tackling something so complex as a kusudama ball! Image by 995645 from PixabayA long time ago, the paper art known as origami involved cutting as well as folding and, to be sure, there are still paper arts that involve snipping: découpage is an example of such that is currently en vogue. The only cutting you may need to do to make origami animals is reducing a standard sheet of paper to a square â€" square paper is the standard in origami.Starting with a square of paper, fold the paper in half to form a rectangle. Be sure that the corners are aligned before putting pressure on the folded edge. Once you have a defined edge, unfold the paper. Congratulations! You have just executed your first mountain fold.Now, flip your paper over and repeat the exercise. Align the corners so that your new fold is perpendicular to the one you’ve already made, making sure your paper has a marked crease, and then unfold. Excellent! Now you’ve mastere d the valley fold.These two are the most basic and the most important of all origami folds. Indeed, every origami incorporates either a mountain or a valley, or some combination thereof. Another easy fold is called a pleat. Just like pleats in drapes or clothing, origami pleats can give your work extra depth.To make a pleat, measure off one-third of the length of your paper and then fold along that line. For example, if you are working with a 30 cm square, make your fold at 10 cm.Once properly creased, flip your folded paper over and fold the other edge to meet the line of the first fold. Press your folds firmly before releasing. Your pleat should resemble the letter Z.If you happen to have a road map, you can see this pleating in action. Or, before the next heatwave, you may want to pleat a paper fan...Crimping is a lot like pleating but on a bit smaller scale. You might say that crimping involves putting a notch into your design while leaving the rest of the paper uncreased.To mak e an effective crimp, start by making a mountain fold and then restore your paper to its open position.  Next, somewhere along the first quarter to third of the page, make another fold, as though you were making a pleat.The next move really depends on you: how deep of a crimp do you want?You can make a shallow crimp by folding the paper back at just a centimetre or you could go for a more generous one by folding back at five centimetres.The important part is that your folds do not run across the entire width of the paper. Perhaps you might visualise a small-bodied Z with long tongues on the top and bottom.These are basic folding techniques to get you started in creating origami; you will also need to know a few ‘bases’: folding patterns that can be used in creating many different origami shapes. We’ll start with the most common.The square base (or preliminary base): fold your paper diagonally; again fold corner to corner. Raise one of the flaps, squash it down and fold; repeat with the other side.The kite base: fold your paper diagonally and reopen. Using that fold as a central axis, bring the right corner to the centre, followed by the left corner. Your paper should now resemble a kite.The bird base: it starts with a square base but gets a bit more involved; ultimately, you end up with a long diamond.The frog base: considerably more steps than any of the bases discussed thus far.The fish base: fish are a symbol of peace and contentment; you too will be happy to hang brightly coloured fish around your room!Explaining each of these bases is a complex undertaking and, if you are the type of person who needs to see to understand, perhaps looking at diagrammes would be more helpful.Join the discussion: why is origami integral to Japanese culture? You can use any type of paper to practise your folds but, when it comes to creating, origami paper is best! Image by Nhelia from PixabayA Word on PaperYou could certainly use any type of paper to practise your folds and bases but it is recommended that, once you start creating origami art, you use only origami paper.This type of paper is more durable and resilient than ordinary paper, the better to hold your creases and folds. Also, you may select a two-tone paper to give your creations added flair.  Best of all: origami comes pre-cut into squares!Before you rush out to Hobbycraft and buy out their supply of folding paper, there are a few things you should know.Folding paper comes in all colours, grades and sizes.Your ideal starter pack is kami paper; it is two-sided â€" meaning it is white on one side and coloured on the other. It is thin, smooth and holds creases really well.If you are looking for a more versatile paper, Tant would be for you. Made in Japan, it is very flexible and comes in many colours. Its biggest downside is that it does tear rather easily.Washi paper is handmade using long cellulose fibres. Very strong and durable, this is the elite of origami paper.Many craft stores stock all types of origami paper including Japanese paper. Just ask the helpful clerks to direct you to the paper arts section  to see for yourself what is available.We have just enough time left to tell you about a few origami projects you might undertake before you chime in on why origami is so important to the Japanese...How to Make Origami FlowersNow that you have raided the crafts store and bought all the paper you need for your origami projects, let’s start out with a relatively simple origami flower.Fold the paper of your choice into a kite base (see above) and rotate it so that the open flaps are at the top. Fold the first flap down, exposing the two, narrow-angled flaps.Fold those two flaps at a 45 degree  angle to the downturned fold you just made, and then fold t he last flap back. Voila! A two-dimensional flower!  If you’d like, you may use pinking shears or scissors to define the petal edges.Are you ready for some more intricate flowers?Kusudama is the Japanese art of sewing or glueing individual origami together; in this case, we would make multiple flowers and then fasten them together to make a ball.These step-by-step instructions will guide you to getting it right on the first try but we do offer this helpful tip: you might use smaller paper squares to make the individual flowers.Did you know that ninja stars have just about the same appeal as flowers do?If you lead an origami for kids workshop, your young warriors might like to make these rather than paper blooms.Start with two pieces of origami paper side by side. It would lend a neat effect if your papers were of different colours.Fold both sheets in half lengthwise, and then again, so that you end up with two long, narrow strips. Now fold each strip in half to make a guiding crea se.Fold the bottom half of each strip 90 degrees  to the right; flip the folded strip over and repeat with the top half, folding it to the left. Repeat with the second strip.Your little origami warriors are going to be so excited to see their stars come to life! The Iconic crane looks difficult but is easy to make Image by Ennelise Napoleoni-Bianco from PixabayHow to Make an Origami CraneCranes have special meaning in Japanese culture; they symbolise hope and healing; peace and long life. You can learn more about origami cranes in our history of origami article.In light of that, we could hardly close this article out without any folding instructions for the most renown of all origami models.This is an easy-to-intermediate model involving only one sheet of paper. It starts with a square base and follows 22 precise steps.To make the prettiest crane, you might use multi-coloured paper or even foil paper... just make sure that it can withstand multiple folds without tearing.Once you’ve mastered how to make the iconic paper crane, you might move on to more intricate origami designs; you may even want to try your hand at making paper. It’s not that hard!With Christmas just around the corner, now is the time to think about how you’ll wrap all of those gifts; using an origami butterfly to identify each parcel instead of a name tag would make your offerings so much more personal!Now discover the poignant symbolism of origami.

Volunteer With HEART Jeanette Price - Heart Math Tutoring

Volunteer With HEART Jeanette Price - Heart Math Tutoring Volunteer With HEART: Jeanette Price Volunteer With HEART: Jeanette Price April 7, 2015 Jeanette Price is a veteran volunteer and proctor with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. She is part of the National Alumnae Association for West Charlotte High School. While Jeanette was at Alexander Graham Middle School with the after-school program Bulldogs Matter,  she was asked to help students with math homework. She was a little uncomfortable at first because, she said, the subject was “not her strong suit,” but she saw a need for extra support.  A sixth grade girl at Bulldog Matters explained how they were being taught in the classroom, and Price became more ease with tutoring the subject. She learned about HEART four years ago and thought it would be a good way to keep working with children and continue learning about math education. Her first school was Rama Road, working with two third graders. When HEART moved from Rama Road, Jeanette followed the program to Billingsville Elementary where she works with two second graders. “The students are eager to come to HEART when you go to their classroom to pick them up,” she said. How and why did you become a volunteer with HEART? “I have a passion for children and felt HEART Tutoring would be an excellent opportunity to share my time with elementary students in a math program. This has been a great experience for me.” What are some of your favorite moments from working with the students? “I am delighted to see smiles and happiness as they gain confidence and achieve math concept goals and activities on a particular lesson. There have been times when my student asks me to have ‘Ms. Padgett,’ a HEART Program Coordinator, do their assessment when they feel they are ready to move to another level. There was a time when I was absent and they asked, ‘Where were you last week?’ I feel I am having a positive influence on their learning experience.” What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming a volunteer? “It’s the best hour spent â€" on Thursdays at Billingsville. I have two second graders who are excited about learning math and love having the one-on-one attention. They are my little friends whom I enjoy working with and giving encouragement so that they will have a positive attitude about math. The program is fun and uses games to support thinking and learning math skills. I love using all the visual aids: connecting cubes, deck of cards, ten frames cards, domino cards, bowls and, of course, pencil and paper. A Program Coordinator is on site at each session with your materials and ready to assist.” Want to volunteer? Heart will need more volunteers for the 2015/2016 school year! With a commitment of one hour per week, community members can help a struggling student gain the skills and confidence he/she needs for long-term success. Click here to express your interest!

Dont Forget the Subject! Common ESL Mistakes

Dont Forget the Subject! Common ESL Mistakes Recently Ive been noticing a lot of my ESL/EFL students that speak Spanish or Portuguese as a first language make a similar mistake, leaving out the subject of certain English sentences.For example, Ive heard several students say: Is hot.Can you see the problem with that sentence? It is missing a subject. The sentence should be, It is hot, with it as the subject.The reason for this mistake is fairly obvious. In Latin-based languages, such as Spanish or Portuguese, the subject is often part of the verb. In Spanish, for instance, the same sentence would read: Hace calor. The verb hacer has been conjugated to indicate the subject.In English, the subject is separate from the verb, and only changes it in the third person singular with a few exceptions (to be is one of the exceptions). Saying Is hot, would be similar to saying Hacer calor in Spanish. People would probably understand what you mean, but the sentence sounds strange.Ok, we hope that helped you. If you have any questions about English, feel free to contact us or write them in comments, and we will help.If youre interested in English classes, please contact us with the link above. Click here if you are interested in Spanish classes.

Why teachers abroad need to make cultural competence a priority

Why teachers abroad need to make cultural competence a priority With demand for teachers internationally at an all-time high, there’s never been a more exciting time to explore teaching abroad. However, for many teachers abroad, finding their feet in a culturally diverse classroom is one of the biggest obstacles they’ll face in their teaching career. Teachers abroad need to be mindful of cultural differences in the classroom and how these can impact teaching and learning outcomes, both inside and outside the classroom. Without this awareness, they risk creating a cultural gap that can hinder positive relationships with students and their families. We recently asked our teaching community to share with us any areas of their teaching practice they most wanted to improve on. The vast majority of teachers we polled identified a critical gap in their teaching practice - specifically in the area of culturally responsive teaching. This didn’t come as too much of a surprise to us at Teach Away. Despite the steadily increasing numbers of culturally and linguistically diverse student populations in schools worldwide, research has shown that teacher preparation programs still lag behind when it comes to embracing culturally responsive teaching practices. That's why we’re happy to announce that we’ve launched a brand-new professional development course to help our teachers abroad better relate to students from a broad range of racial, cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds. Culturally Responsive Teaching: Connecting with Students and Parents of Different Cultures was designed with a leading diversity expert to give international teachers the tools that they need to better support their students and create culturally inclusive classrooms. By taking this course, teachers abroad can make the transition to becoming a culturally competent global educator. Culturally Responsive Teaching marks the first in an ongoing series of online teacher professional development courses from Teach Away, focusing on delivering learning opportunities, directly relevant to a teacher’s practice, that respond to critical needs in the classroom. Additional Teach Away course offerings are in the works for later this year, so stay tuned to the blog for more on that front!