The Best Places to Learn Geography in Birmingham

The Best Places to Learn Geography in Birmingham Living in Birmingham and Fancy Studying Geography? Here are the Best Courses on Offer. ChaptersLearning Geography at a Distance with The Open UniversityBirmingham’s Best Private Geography Tutors through SuperprofGeography Revision at MPWGeography Degrees at Birmingham and Aston UniversitiesGeography Teasers with the University of BirminghamAll Ages and Abilities can Study Geography at Birmingham CollegesStudying Geography Online in BirminghamConclusionBirmingham is often used as a case study in geography classes across the UK. It’s a post-industrial city with rich ethnic diversity but also areas of deprivation â€" and the strategies in urban planning that the authorities have used to regenerate the city is of interest to geographers around the world.However, if you are from Birmingham, you probably don’t need a geographer to tell you this! You probably already know about the urban developments and their environmental impact. You may already know the physical geography of your city. Maybe you have even taken an interest in the ecological aspects of your city and i ts natural environment.But you might, though, want to see where you can find good geography courses in your home town â€" and that’s where we can help! So, if you are looking for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in Birmingham, or if you are looking for help with your GCSE or A Level coursework or examination, or if you are someone hoping to boost their employability and learn new skills, you’ll find out how to do all of these below.Birmingham is a geographical case study of urban regeneration. SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MatthewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all ou r tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearning Geography at a Distance with The Open UniversityThese days, many people might find it a bit of a chore to conduct full-time, scheduled learning at university: if you have other commitments, you might struggle to get to a particular lecture or seminar, or to prioritise an academic deadline over another.With the Open University, you can generally avoid all this. The Open University is the UK’s pioneering expert in distance learning, and it offers higher education, degree-level, and postgraduate qualifications for which you can study in your home wherever it might be across the country. The coursework, the dissertation, the exams are all still there â€" you just get to do it from wherever you want.The Open University offers honours degrees in Geography and Environmental Science, Social Sciences, and Environmental Studies, and a diploma in Environmental Management and Technology â€" and these are all c onsidered with the degree of excellence that you would expect from any higher education institution.If you are just interested in the analytical and theoretical issues in our world then, or if you are seeking to enhance your employability or push your personal boundaries, the Open University’s courses are well worth investigating.Read more about The Open University in our articles on geography opportunities in London and learning options in Glasgow!Birmingham’s Best Private Geography Tutors through SuperprofSuperprof has over two thousand geography tutors in the UK and fourteen of those are in Birmingham, charging an average of £15 an hour.Whilst a lot of the options listed here are based in the classroom, Superprof’s tutors provide quality, flexible teaching in your home. Rather than falling behind your classmates, or indeed being held back by them, use Superprof to find a qualified geography teacher â€" a graduate or undergraduate student or a researcher â€" who can suit th eir teaching to your educational needs.With so many styles of learning and teaching, the diversity of Superprof’s professionals ensures that you will find the tutor that is right for you. It is easy, convenient, and can be entirely based around your personal schedule. With Superprof, you can learn the fundamentals of geography from the experts.A good geography class gives you access to knowledge of the world.Geography Revision at MPWAs we saw in the piece on the best places to study geography in London, the independent secondary school, Mander Portman Woodward (MPW), provides public revision classes for A Level and GCSE subjects including geography.Based a short walk from Five Ways Station, MPW’s revision courses take place over Easter. They offer revision sessions in geography for all examination boards â€" often taught by examiners â€" and will ensure that you get the best results possible for progression to university and beyond. When applying, make sure you submit the detail s of your exam board and modules.As an independent school, MPW provides mainstream GCSE and A Level education too, and is popular for pupils seeking retakes or those who have transferred from different schools. SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MatthewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGeography Degrees at Birmingham and Aston UniversitiesLike any big city in the UK, Birmingham has a number of universities offering academic courses in any subject you could possibly desire. Alongside the University of Bir mingham there is Aston University, Birmingham City University, and Newman University. The University of Birmingham and Aston both offer courses in geography, with the former excelling in the field.The University of Birmingham offers undergrad courses in Geography, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, and Urban and Regional Planning. All of these will have specific requirements for admission, so check before you apply. For postgrads, courses get a little more niche, as ever: there are Master’s courses in Human Geography, in River Environments, and in Hydrogeology â€" just to name a few. There is a PhD programme too.With the city, as we know, offering a case study in urban geography, Birmingham is a great place to pursue academic ambitions and postgraduate research.Geography Teasers with the University of BirminghamThe really great thing about the University of Birmingham is that you don’t have to be a student, nor even an adult, to engage with the geographical expertise that th e institution offers.For GCSE students and those approaching A Levels, the university runs a series of outreach programmes throughout the academic year. They hold dedicated ‘Geography Days’, in which pupils can attend lectures, workshops, and classes on a variety of different subjects â€" from earth sciences to geology.So, if you are not sure whether geography is for you, or if you just want to see what the University is like, sign up to one of the events and learn from people who know best â€" the geographers themselves! You can also enter a geography photography competition. All of this is intended to inspire excitement in young geographers, so get involved!Try your own hand at geography photography with the University of Birmingham!All Ages and Abilities can Study Geography at Birmingham CollegesFurther education institutions across the country offer opportunities for people of all ages and levels to learn about and take qualifications in geography â€" for those bored of scho ol and looking to take A Levels elsewhere and for those adult learners returning to studying. Here are some of the best in Birmingham.BMETBMET, or the Birmingham Metropolitan College, has campuses all over the city, and it offers a range of different courses for the whole range of learner demographics. The College offers a Geography A Level which focuses on various geographical concepts, approaches, landforms, and fieldwork methods. The Social Science Access to Higher Education qualification also involves material on geography, sociology, and other broad interdisciplinary projects â€" and it will prepare those with few qualifications or those who have been outside of education to advance to university-level geography courses.South and City CollegeBirmingham’s South and City College has recently merged with the city’s Bournville College, and now provides a greater spread of A Levels, BTECs, and apprenticeships than it once did. Added to the list is the A Level in Geography, which is taught in the Bournville campus.Studying Geography Online in BirminghamIf none of these sound like your kind of thing, there are various courses available online for people looking to study A Levels, international GCSEs, and e-Learning Certificates through organisations like LearnNow, the National Extension College, and the UK Open College. The online A Levels work like any other A Level qualification, whilst the iGCSEs are intended for international students.The content you will cover is broadly similar to that which you would expect elsewhere, but you will have the flexibility and freedom to study at the pace you require. If you don’t have these qualifications but are hoping to access university, this might be a wonderful way to do it.All of these are options even if you want to take a course in geography from Manchester or anywhere else in the country!ConclusionThis just about covers it! We hope that you can find what you are looking for in your geographical learning journe y, and Birmingham is a great place to start. Studying geography at school and beyond can open up a brilliant future for you â€" so make the most of it!For a taster of what other options are available across the country, check out our piece on the geography classes available in Leeds.

Personal Development Skills

Personal Development Skills Self-Help in the 21st Century ChaptersWhere Did Personal Development Come From?Developing Personal and Professional DevelopmentImplement Self-Improvement DailyPersonal Development PlansWhether you’re looking to start building your own personal development plans, get to know yourself, or want an extra boost in energy to complete your to do list â€" this guide will help you understand the skills set you need to get started. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.93 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarriePersonal development Teacher £24/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Disc over all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhere Did Personal Development Come From?Personal development can be a difficult field to navigate, made even harder by the fact that it covers everything from non-verbal communication and conflict resolution to yoga and meditation. While personal development is a subject that is as old as human history, technology has been redefining its role in 21st century society. While skills training and personal growth lessons were largely disseminated through development courses and inspirational books in the past, social media has made learning about skills development more easily accessible and affordable.Whether you're trying to make a career or a difficult life decision, self-help can be your guideTogether with this rise in accessibility has come the proliferation of personal skills or technical skills guides aimed at making self-development more practical and digestible. Howeve r, the sheer volume of resources and materials available in today’s current environment often leads to confusion as to what exactly development skills are and how one can start to practice them.While the history behind personal development can aid in your self-improvement journey, understanding a simple definition can be enough to get you started. Personal development involves goal setting, planning how you will accomplish these goals, and executing your plan.While it may sound overly-simplified, the surprising truth is that people are actually not great at setting goals. Before worrying about enhancing employability, improving verbal communication or upgrading your interpersonal skills, start by exercising your technique in setting goals. For many people, setting easy and ambiguous goals is the reason why they never truly accomplish what they set out to do. In fact, research shows that for the majority, setting achievable but difficult and well defined goals is the best way to pr ogress in any situation.Here are some examples to highlight the difference in difficulty level between vague goals and concrete goals:Instead of saying “I will start to exercise more,” say “I will stretch every day before work”Instead of “I will do better on my exams,” you can strive for “I will score ten points higher on my next exam”Instead of setting this goal, “I will improve my business,” set the goal “I will bring in ten percent more revenue than last year”In this way, you will create a more effective communication with yourself as to what you would like to accomplish in the short and long term. Whether you want to advance in your career development, or want to make changes to your mental health, setting well defined goals should be the first step to any of your projects.Make sure to check out these solutions to improving your self-help process.Developing Personal and Professional DevelopmentSo, what exactly are personal development skills? Whether youâ €™re into self-improvement for career growth or personal goals, it can be difficult to understand what constitutes as a personal development skill. Whether you’re taking development programs to work on your presentation skills, looking into career exploration, or just want to exploit your human potential â€" here are some tips to get you started.Find a confidence course London.Define Personal Development for YouPersonal development is a malleable term, whose sole, unchanging definition is that it involves setting and acting out goals. The problem with this term, however, is that many people can find it unapproachable or outdated. Applying personal development to your personal and career goals must involve building a definition of self-development that is tailored to your life.Personal development can generally fall under three broad categories which, once you identify the ones under which you’d like to work under, can make attaining new skills easier. Progressing in one of these categories - career, personal, and knowledge â€" can and often do require growth in the other two. They are often distinct, however, and can be better understood by looking at the skills involved in them.Career:Professional skillsJob skillsLeadership skillsPersonal:Fitness skillsMental health skillsKnowledge:Reading and writing skillsStudy skillsWhile having any of these life skills is as likely to get land you a job interview as it is to simply make you happier, building a definition of personal development centred around one of these categories can make it easier to plan your development. For example, if you know you’d like to work on a personal skill such as fitness, you can make your self-improvement definition focused on setting fitness goals with a regular frequency.Practicing this skill in building definitions around your ever-changing priorities will allow you an adaptability in your personal development journey.Working on bad financial habits can help you develop a sense of peaceWork Productively on Bad HabitsBad habits can be very explicit as well as subtle. So subtle, in fact, many of us don’t realize we’re carrying them around with us every day. An example of an easily identifiable bad habit is procrastination, which is often much harder to dispel than it is to identify.Some examples of bad habits that are harder to pinpoint is lacking a positive attitude in even the most casual of situations or lacking the assertiveness to say no to opportunities that will either hurt or overwhelm you.Here are some tips to help you work more productively on your bad habits:Become better at identifying bad habits by keeping in constant touch with how you feel after accomplishing a taskWork on a positivity work ethic by focusing on the lessons you’ve learned from difficult, confusing and stressful situations rather than dwelling on themResearch for Growth and DevelopmentIf you need any more persuasion to start implementing personal development skills in you r life, it has been demonstrated time and again that the most successful people never stop learning. Whether you’re working on your transferable skills or simply want to build a better rapport with your neighbours, you don’t have to become a life coach to keep learning about how to better achieve your goals.Continually updating your methods in personal development doesn’t have to be a task you perform alone. Whether you find a mentor in your community or through a podcast, having an experienced guide can make your progress more fun and effective.Finding a mentor can help you in developing yourself and your skillsImplement Self-Improvement DailyNow that you understand what development goals are and how to apply self-assessment, self-knowledge and mindfulness towards your self-growth, you can start to develop a personal development plan custom fit to change your life.Whether your personal development goals have to do with your work life, hard skills, or exercise plans, developin g a plan to execute your goals doesn’t have to be difficult. In order to improve yourself and cultivate your new habit in goal setting, make sure to do your research on how to form a plan that you will actually stick to.Some general rules to observe when you set goals and create your personal development plan are:Detail your goals and understand what abilities you will need to add to your skill setBetter your development plans by identifying what steps will be necessary and in how much time you want to complete themStart your development plan and keep track of your progressWhile these steps do not delve into all the characteristics of a great self-improvement plan, they do serve to give an idea as to where you should start. One of the ways in which you can take your personal and career planning is to check out the various books, articles and podcasts related to self-development.One great example can be found in the popular podcast School of Greatness. Hosted by Lewis Howes, this p odcast delves into the personality development and skills list of everyone from world-class athletes to famous celebrities. If you’re inspired by and learn best from an interview style format, podcasts like this and many others can be the perfect avenue to learn more about transferable skills or stress management.If you’re interested in more ways in how you can apply personal development into your daily life other than listening to podcasts, you can try practicing moments of self-care once or multiple times a day. Some example can be:Practicing your people skills by talking to different colleagues at work or schoolExercise your meditation and writing skills by journalingDevote some time out of your daily schedule towards practicing a new languagePersonal development is often considered a life-long pursuit because of the fact that it can help add new meaning to your life, but also shifts the way in which you are able to view and solve problems.Personal Development PlansWhile craf ting a development plant to increase self-confidence, emotional intelligence, or management skills can be difficult, it can help to dive into the planning stages with some self-awareness and time management skills. Whether you want to work on communication skills or other soft skills, start by identifying a personal development goal you’d like to work towards. Then, make sure to read this guide to tailor a plan to your needs and schedule.

5 Strategies for MCAT Practice Tests

5 Strategies for MCAT Practice Tests Most authorities on MCAT preparation will agree that one of the most important ways to prepare for the exam is through practice exams and practice questions. However, simply practicing without a formal structure or objective will not result in a significant score increase. Below are five key tactics for getting the most out of your practice as you study for the MCAT. 1. Time yourself Though it may be difficult to complete exams or question sets under time constraints when you first begin your MCAT review, it is vitally important to strictly time yourself while you practice. If you dont time yourself, you run the risk of developing time-wasting habits. When it comes time to take the actual exam, these bad habits can prevent you from having enough time to attempt all the questions on test day. Work on your time management from day one and you can expect that it will become easier to finish the test in time as you get further along in your review process. Here is a great resource to help you manage your time during MCAT prep. 2. Use the strategies that work best for you Review books, professors, tutors, and online sources will all present you with a variety of specific test-taking strategies for the different sections of the test. In reality, almost all of the credible strategies are beneficial, but certain strategies work better for certain people.Use practice exams and questions to experiment with different test-taking methods. At the halfway point of your review period, you should be able to identify the strategies that give you the best results. Spend the second half of your prep period practicing and perfecting these particular strategies. 3. Learn from your mistakes This should form the foundation of your thinking toward practice questions and exams. Use them to not only evaluate yourself, but also to learn. When going over your results, carefully read over every question and answer. For questions you answered incorrectly, spend some extra time pinpointing what facts you need to know to ensure that you dont get that question wrong in the future. Keeping a running list of these facts is extremely helpful, and reading over them in the days leading up to the exam is a high-yield review. Here are some great free MCAT practice teststo help you prepare. 4. Learn from your successes Just like you can learn from the questions you answered incorrectly, you should also make it a point to solidify material from the questions you got right. When reviewing the questions you answered correctly, take note of why the other answer choices were incorrect, and make sure you didnt only get the question right because of a lucky guess. If that is the case, treat that question like you got it wrong and write down the facts you need to know to get it correct in the future. 5. Alter your study schedule based on your results One of the greatest benefits of completing practice sets and exams starting day one of your review is that your results will allow you to continuously monitor and improve your study plan. After each week of your prep period, look back on all the practice questions youve completed. Keep track of your scores for each section (Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Verbal Reasoning). If you seem to be struggling with one section more than others, devote more time to studying that particular section the following week. Also, take a look at specific subjects within each section (e.g. organic chemistry, thermodynamics, physiology, etc.). Thoroughly assess your performance and alter your study schedule accordingly. With these five tips in hand, you should easily be able to get the most out of every practice question you complete. Coupled with thorough review of the subject matter, you should be well on your way to an excellent MCAT score.

What is Salary Sacrifice and How Can It Save Money - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / What is Salary Sacrifice and How Can It Save Money - Introvert Whisperer What is Salary Sacrifice and How Can It Save Money? Salary sacrificing is a common term you might have come across during your employment. Also known as salary packaging, it’s a popular method of saving money by making purchases from your salary before it’s taxed. Sacrificing your salary isn’t a new concept for employees, but many people are misguided in believing it’s too hard or not worth organising. While there are many myths about salary sacrifice, lowering your taxes and arranging clever payment plans are just some of the benefits employees can profit from. What is Salary Sacrifice? Salary sacrifice is an arrangement between you and your employer, where you can reduce your salary in exchange for the same value in a variety of purchases, known as ‘benefits’. Employers may offer the option of a salary sacrifice to attract new employees or as an incentive to increase productivity. The advantage of salary sacrificing is that it lets you reduce your income before it’s assessed for taxation, allowing you to purchase goods or services that you would normally buy, while reducing your tax bill. Products like cars and computers, as well as services such as childcare or voluntary superannuation contributions can all be salary sacrificed, although they each come with different conditions. How Does It Work? When organising a salary sacrifice with your employer, it’s best to draft a written agreement as it will clearly establish the terms and conditions for both parties. Once agreed upon, your employer will deduct a nominated portion of your income before each pay cycle, which will then be spent on the arranged benefits. The remaining amount of your pay will then be taxed and deposited into your account as usual. Salary sacrificing must be arranged before you begin earning your salary for that payment period and cannot be retrospective. Salary sacrifice normally benefits the employee more than the employer, as the employer will be charged with administrative and other fees. In Australia, your employer must pay Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) on certain types of benefits. The value of these benefits will be recorded and will contribute to assessing your Medicare levy surcharge, tax offsets and eligibility for Government benefits. What Can You Salary Sacrifice? Depending on your employer, almost any product, service or purchase can be paid for with a salary sacrifice. Benefits will fall into one of three main categories. Fringe Benefits: This category is for benefits that will appear on your tax summary and which your employer must pay FBT on. It is the broadest category and includes options such as: Salary sacrifice cars Car loans Health Insurance School fees Childcare fees Personal expenses Benefits that are a part of this category, but will not appear on your end of year payment summary are known as ‘non-reportable fringe benefits’ and can include entertainment and car parking. Exempt Benefits: These benefits are associated with providing a useful function to your work. Your employer will not have to pay FBT on these benefits and they will not be recorded on your yearly tax summary. They can include: Computer software Tools of the trade Briefcases Portable electronic devices, such as laptops or phones Protective clothing Superannuation: Salary sacrificed employee contributions to your superannuation will be taxed by your super fund at 15%, which can be much lower than your normal tax rate. Sacrificing into super can also benefit employers, as they do not have to pay FBT on this benefit. Employers are more likely to offer the option of salary sacrificing into superannuation than other benefits, as it is a relatively simple process with fewer fees. Make sure to check with your employer about what benefits they are willing to offer. Salary Sacrificing Your Car Salary sacrificing is one of the best ways to finance larger and delayed purchases such as a car. In what’s known as a novated lease, you can arrange to lease a car of your choice from a car company and have your employer manage payments from your pre-tax salary. A novated lease package on a car can also include running costs such as registration, fuel, maintenance and insurance. Not only does this make owning a new car much simpler and more affordable, deductions for the lease all take place before the final calculation of your tax, allowing you to save money at tax time with a lower salary. Contrary to popular belief, salary sacrificing is easy to set up and can be a great way for employees at almost any income level to save money. Consider talking to your employer today about the possibility of a salary sacrifice. Author’s Bio: This article was written by Daniel Defendi, who writes for Easifleet in Perth. You can catch him on Google+ to discuss this piece. Go to top Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

How to Sing Jazz Like a Pro in Five Steps

How to Sing Jazz Like a Pro in Five Steps Sign up successful 2. Remember to Breathe If a singer were a car, breath would be gasoline. The better you get at breathing like a singer, the longer you will be able to sing without taking a breath. To breathe like a singer, stand up straight but not stiff. Place your hands on your ribcage (above your waist) so that your four fingers are on the front of your ribcage and your thumbs are on the back. Take in a slow breath, trying to feel your ribcage expanding outward in every direction. This is how you should breathe when you sing. 3. Speak Easy Much of jazz singing occurs on the same pitches we use when we speak. Thinking of singing as projected singing makes it much easier. Using your “singer breath,” practice projecting words and phrases from a song as normal speech. Now, add the notes back in, maintaining the speech-like quality. Use a mirror to make sure your body and face stay relaxed as you sing. 4. Lift That Palate The soft palate is the squishy muscle right behind your hard palate in your mouth. This muscle moves up and down to seal your nasal tract off from the rest of your mouth and throat. Singers use the soft palate to keep air from escaping from the nose during singing, since singing out of the nose produces a nasal sound quality. To lift your soft palate, pretend you smell something awful but have shopping bags in both of your hands. Practice “plugging” your nose this way without actually touching it. Test whether your soft palate is up by singing a note, raising the palate, and plugging and unplugging your nose with your fingers. If the sound quality changes, your soft palate isn’t all the way up. 5. Exercise Your Weaknesses As you practice jazz songs, you might notice that some parts are harder than others. Study the parts that are hardest. Why are they hard? Are there fast-moving notes? Is there a large leap? Try practicing these parts slowly, taking the words out and using a single vowel (such as ‘E’ or ‘Ah’). Find vocal exercises that address that particular issue, and work them into your warm-up routine. All That Jazz With the right songs and some practice, you can quickly learn how to sing jazz well. Use your new skills to blow people’s minds at open mic night, or just to have fun while you sing along to Ella Fitzgerald in the car. No matter where you take your jazzy abilities, remember the number one rule for singing: have fun! Elaina R. teaches opera voice and singing in Ann Arbor, MI, as well as through online lessons. She is currently  working on a Master of Music at the University of Michigan, and she has a B.M. from the University of Southern California. Learn more about Elaina here!   Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  ataelw

HEART is Semifinalist for Jimmie Johnson Foundations Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope Grant - Heart Math Tutoring

HEART is Semifinalist for Jimmie Johnson Foundations Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope Grant - Heart Math Tutoring HEART is Semifinalist for Jimmie Johnson Foundations Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope Grant HEART is Semifinalist for Jimmie Johnson Foundations Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope Grant April 17, 2014 4-17-14 BBHOH SEMIFINALIST Release Charlotte, NC (April 17, 2014) The Jimmie Johnson Foundation announced today that HEART Tutoring is one of the 10 semi-finalists eligible for a $25,000 grant. In all, five grants are available through the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program. A public vote will take place April 17 through 24 to determine the five grant winners. HEART Tutoring needs its supporters to go to www.helmetofhope.org  to show their support by voting. The Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program, which began in 2008, allows fans and consumers across the country to nominate not-for-profit (501c3) organizations that support K-12 public education. HEART Tutoring is a math intervention program that provides curriculum and on-site support for volunteer tutors in Title I (high poverty) elementary schools, enabling community members to bring struggling students up to grade level without creating additional work for school staff. More than 120 community members are currently dedicating one hour per week to help struggling students catch up to grade level in math in Charlotte. “Each student assigned with a tutor develops a keen sense of confidence and academic pride as a result of the intensive, targeted and individualized instruction provided by the tutors,” says Regina J. Boyd, Principal at Winterfield Elementary School. HEART currently serves more than 100 students across Winterfield Elementary and Billingsville Leadership Academy and seeks to serve students at Montclaire Elementary and Highland Renaissance Academy, as well, in 2014/15. See more at www.hearttutoring.org. “Providing support for K-12 public education is something that has been important to (Wife) Chandra and I since we started our foundation,” Johnson said. “We are really proud of the work we have been able to do through our relationship with Blue Bunny and the Wells Family (makers of Blue Bunny Ice Cream). Our team had a tough, tough job narrowing the field of nominations to 10 semi-finalists. Now is the fun part â€" watching to see how each group mobilizes their efforts to get out the vote.” In addition to a $25,000 grant, program grantees will receive a Blue Bunny ice cream party and special recognition on Johnson’s race helmet during the Sprint Cup Series race July 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. To date, the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program has contributed more than $560,000 to 71 different charities. For additional information and to vote for HEART Tutoring, visit www.helmetofhope.org. About the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chandra and Jimmie Johnson launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in February 2006. Johnson, the six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, drives the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS in NASCAR’s top series. The mission of the foundation is to assist children, families, and communities in need throughout the United States. The foundation has committed more than $6.7 million to various charities. The Foundation currently focuses on K-12 public education. For additional information on the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, please visit www.JimmieJohnsonFoundation.org. About Blue Bunny Wells Enterprises, Inc., maker of Blue Bunny ice cream, is the largest privately held, family-owned ice cream and frozen treat manufacturer in the United States. The company was founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, the Ice Cream Capital of the World. Wells produces more than 1,100 ice cream and frozen novelty products, including its signature brand, Blue Bunny ®, super premium brand, 2nd St. Creameryâ„¢, and the iconic Bomb Pop ®. Wells also manufactures licensed frozen treat brands including Yoplait ® frozen yogurt and Weight Watchers ® frozen novelties. Visit bluebunny.com. Contact: Emily Elliott, HEART Tutoring 704.931.3209 elottrn Amanda Prothero, Jimmie Johnson Foundation 704.308.7439 aci Penny Copen, True Speed Communication 704.875.3388 x 810 pnescniom Liz Croston, Blue Bunny 712.548.5522 eob

Learn English Second Conditional with this Song

Learn English Second Conditional with this Song I really cant believe that it took me all this time to think of Lyle Lovetts If I had a Boat as a great way for students to learn English second conditionals.Then today I was giving a class to a student, trying to think of examples of the second conditional, when I remembered these lines from the song.If I had a boat, Id go out on the ocean,And if I had a pony, Id ride it on my boat.Both of these use the English second conditional to express an idea in the present or future that is not likely or impossible. It is constructed in the following ways:If Clause:  If + past simple (Note: It isnt really the past simple it is the subjunctive which indicates a mood or feeling. The mood or feeling that it indicates is that it is unlikely or impossible.)  Result Clause:  modal verb + infinitive:If I were Paul, I wouldnt work so hard.If Clause:  If + Past Continuous Result Clause:  modal verb + infinitive:If I were going to the store, I would buy you some ice cream.Studying English grammar that way can be very boring, so thats why I like to help people learn English with songs. Heres a great one to help you remember your second conditionals:

Contracts 101 9 key things that should be in your teach abroad contract

Contracts 101 9 key things that should be in your teach abroad contract So, you nailed that interview and have a job offer in your ideal location, congrats! All that's left is to sign on the dotted line. Easy, right? Not so fast! I know it might feel like a like a drag at first, but reading through your contract before you start your teaching job is essential to helping you understand exactly what to expect from your new role. We know that for first-time teachers abroad, reviewing your contract can seem like a daunting process. How can you be sure you're getting a good deal? That’s where this video, hosted by our resident contracts expert, Graeme, comes in. Stay tuned while he walks you through the 9 things you should check for when reviewing your new teaching contract. Before we dive in, here are few things to keep in mind when reviewing your offer letter or contract for the first time: The length of the document will vary depending on the country your new role is located in (with schools in China, for example, offer letters may be as long as 20 pages!) Some of the terminology used to refer to bonuses or accommodation allowances will vary from country to country You might not see the benefits listed on the original job description on your offer letter If you’re uncertain about anything at all, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Placement Coordinator for an explanation. That’s what we’re here for! Short on time? No worries! Before you sign on the dotted line, here are the key takeaways from the video above: 1. Salary Your monthly gross salary must be stated in your contract and it should also specify whether the amount listed is before or after tax. It should also say whether you’ll be paid in local currency or USD, and whether your salary will be deposited into a local bank account or an account back at home. One final thing: your contract should state when you can expect to be paid each month. Take it from me - this info is super important in helping you budget accordingly when you first arrive in your new country! 2. Vacation Your vacation allowance must be included. You may want to do some quick research to confirm this adheres to the national holiday entitlement, and also check what statutory holidays you can take. You might also want to check with your employer on whether you get a choice of which days to take. They might have restrictions on when teachers can take time off, depending on the time of year. 3. Flights Schools often contribute towards the cost of your flight, either partially or in full. The contract should explain how the cost of flights will be covered, whether they will be directly purchased by the school or reimbursed later. 4. Accommodation Many schools offer teachers a housing allowance, many cover accommodation expenses in full, and some even arrange housing for you. If accommodation is provided, it’s worth checking whether you get a choice of housing, if you’ll have to share with roommates and whether utility bills will be covered. If you get a housing allowance, check that it’s not included in your base salary. Your contract should state how much housing allowance you’ll receive and how frequently. Does your contract specify whether your allowance gets paid to to you or to your landlord directly? Does your contract state that you will have to pay the deposit? Will your employer assist you in finding a place to live? These are all questions you can ask your Teach Away Placement Coordinator to clarify with your new employer if they’re not covered in your contract. Tip: Don't forget to look up the cost of renting an apartment in the area near your school to help you figure out what your living expenses will be like when you move overseas. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. 5. Healthcare If you’ve been promised medical insurance, this should also appear in your contract. It should mention the period and extent of coverage, or at least how to find out this information. 6. Dependents If you’re relocating with a family, a contract should confirm what costs, if any, will be covered, such as their flights and school fees. 7. Contract length The majority of teaching contracts last for at least one school year, but increasingly contracts are for two years or more, often with benefits such as bonuses for completion. 8. Contract termination ? Your contract must also explain what will happen if you terminate your contract before it ends and what this will mean for you and (if applicable) your spouse and dependents. All checked off? Great, you can now relax a little, knowing your contract forms the basis of a great teaching position. Remember, if you’ve recently been offered a teaching job abroad through Teach Away, your Placement Coordinator will be happy to go through your contract with you, so don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions. Just getting started with your job hunt? Check out the five key qualities hiring schools are looking for in a teach abroad candidate - and see whether you fit the bill.