Saturday, March 28, 2020

A New Role for the Rolesman

A New Role for the RolesmanWhen a new member of the church is about to be called to the ministry, they would need to find the right Bible tutor, who can explain their calling and help them to see the Scriptures clearly. There are many ways of finding a Bible tutor, but it is important to know what you want before you go out looking for one.One thing to look out for when you are looking for the right tutor is that you should choose one that is familiar with the scriptures and who has a good understanding of how the scriptures work. He or she should also have a good command of grammar, spelling and reading. So when it comes to choosing the perfect Bible tutor, one needs to make sure that they choose someone who knows what they are doing.This is because one can never judge someone until they are ready to do so. It may not happen overnight, but if you try to judge a person as soon as they are called for a role, it will make them feel that they are not ready for the role. If you put the a pplicant through the same type of test that you would give yourself, then you will know if they are the right kind of person for the job. One should also know the rules and regulations of their congregation before they are chosen as the right candidate.Remember, there are many things that the applicant needs to learn, but it is still important that they are not put off. The person who is chosen would be given everything needed to get started, so they should be able to pass the examination or be examined by the elders.The elders in the congregation could give them all the necessary information so that they can understand the rules and regulations of the church. Once they know this, then they can get on with doing their job. If a person feels that they are not prepared for the test, then the person who is selected would not be the right tutor for the job.The Bible tutor should not feel pressured into passing the test, because this will make them feel that they are not ready. However, they should pass it so that they can be eligible for ordination. The test can be as simple as the Sunday school exam.Remember, that a person who is not confident in themselves may not be right for being a Bible tutor. Therefore, one needs to see to it that they are well prepared before they are called. They should make sure that they know how to give instructions and what the tests are and how to be successful.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Mastodon The New Twitter

Mastodon The New Twitter Photo Via: https://assets.mastodon.social At this point, there are very few individuals that aren’t familiar with Twitter. It’s used weekly on “The Tonight Show,” daily by our President (unfortunately), and every time there’s a break in your class schedule (or if you just aren’t feeling that history class today). The social media network quickly worked its way to the top, now perhaps bigger than ever. But bigger isn’t always better. At least, that’s what Eugen Rochko believes. In the past few years, Twitter has limited third-party app growth, which Rochko (as well as many others) took issue with. So instead, he built a new social media platform with more freedom. He created Mastodon, which is still basically Twitter, but there are notable differences as well. Posts on Mastodon can be 500 characters (as opposed to the 140 on Twitter) and individual posts can be made private. Mastodon launched six months ago, but it’s already causing some major changes in the way social media works. For instance, last week, Twitter updated its display, which confused many of its users. Overnight, thousands of ex-Twitter … ers … switched over to Mastodon. Within a two-day timespan, Mastodon has grown almost 75 percent to just over 40,000 users (this is a great accomplishment as the initial six months only drew in 24,000 users). And between these 40,000 users, a total of about 1 million posts have gone live. For a social media site just beginning, this is a promising statistic, even if it’s coming several months after the site’s beginning. While this is a potential problem for the servers, Rochko is all over this. He shut down new sign-ups to the site “until quality of service can be assured for existing users.” This is a new way of running social media: placing value on the individual over the company’s growth. While it’s a risky move, it’s likely going to create much stronger brand relationships over time. According to Rochko, “I brought all my friends to Twitter back in the day. I kept promoting it to everybody I knew. I really loved the service. But it continuously made decisions that I didn’t like. So, in the end, I decided that maybe Twitter itself is not the way to go forward.” Of course, he isn’t the only person to have these thoughts. And he certainly isn’t the first person to act on them. Back in July of 2012, Dalton Caldwell created App.net in opposition to Twitter (a site that Rochko had also joined for similar reasons). According to Rochko, “I’m not doing this to get rich, I’m doing this because I think it’s right. I only want to be able to pay my rent and insurance.” And it’s safe to say this probably won’t last, so that’s probably a good thing for Rochko. New sites such as this one have a hard time getting up and running, so it’s more than likely Mastodon isn’t going to be around for very long. But even so, its point has been made, and only time will tell if Twitter is willing to take the criticism to make itself better. In the past, all Twitter competitors really haven’t lasted it’s very hard to take down a name like that. Think about taking down Facebook and what that would entail it feels near impossible. But perhaps that’s why there’s a bit of an explosion in users we don’t want to miss out, just in case this is the one that does it. Just in case this is the next Twitter. The better Twitter. Or, at the very least, maybe this is the site that makes Twitter bigger and better than ever. Of course, over time, we’ve all fallen in love with our favorite social media brands; whether its Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Snapchat, they’ve become a part of our everyday lives, whether we want to admit it or not. No matter what, we always seem to have a smartphone on us, and more often than not, we’re using it. Social media is growing and over just a short period of time, and technology is evolving with it. Think about the days of Myspace that wasn’t all that long ago, and still, Facebook has completely taken over and Myspace is nothing but a memory we’ve long since forgotten. So next time you’re procrastinating a major homework assignment or trying to avoid spending time with your roommate, take a look at Mastodon and join in on the rebellion, even if it isn’t going to last long (or even if it does really, it’s a win-win). And really, it’s only a matter of time before the next big social media outlet takes us by storm, so be on the lookout for that as well. Who knows? Maybe Mastodon is it. You never know when you could be missing out!

Irvine Math Tutor 4 math apps for young students this fall

Irvine Math Tutor 4 math apps for young students this fall 4 math apps for young students this fall When it comes to educational apps, there are a few requirements. First of all, the apps have to be easy to use and visually engaging. Its important to keep young students attention after all. Additionally, these apps should be fun and perhaps feel more like a game than homework. Most importantly, though, it’s essential that any educational app a young student uses gives them the information they need to be successful on a test and throughout a study session. One of the most popular categories of educational apps is mathematics. This is a subject where many students struggle and they soon find out that practice makes perfect. Check out these math apps this fall to help kids stay engaged and be successful in the classroom call us today for more information on our private Irvine math tutoring services. 1. Todo Number Matrix https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/todo-number-matrix-brain-teasers/id932236332?mt=8 $0.99 This app is made for young students in pre-k to the first grade. It helps them with the initial elements of mathematics by working on basic but critical skills such as categorization, addition, and subtraction.   It’s great for visual Learners who will be able to interact with virtual blocks and various representations of numbers like fruit and basic geometric shapes. This is an excellent way to keep little ones entertained while they learn about the important foundations of numbers and how they relate to each other. As children advance, they can continue working on multiplication or even fractions. This is a simple but useful tool for young students (READ: 5 Fun Projects to Get Your Kids Interested in Math). 2. Bedtime Math https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bedtime-math/id637910701?mt=8 FREE One great way to get young kids to love math is to have them work on it a little bit every day; once it becomes part of their routine, it will start to become fun and engaging. A great way to do this is by using the free app called Bedtime Math. Kids can have fun and be engaged with silly and cute characters such as electric eels, flamingos, or even chocolate chips. This is a great way to get kids smiling about an important academic topic. There are 1600 different math problems kids can work on as they go through their daily practice. Theres also an option to have a math problem of the day so kids can work on their skills regularly. Additionally, as young students improve they can move between three different levels ranging from “wee ones” to “little kids” to “big kids.” This is a great opportunity to get kids hooked on math on a daily basis. 3. Todo Telling Time https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/todo-telling-time/id666462848?mt=8 $4.99 One of the basic functions of math is to understand how numbers work in real life situations. Kids can apply numbers to real life by telling time. This is a imperative skill that many little kids find challenging and stressful. They also need to learn how long different increments of time are and where they need to be at a certain time in the schedule of their day. To help kids learn this important skill they can work with Todo Telling Time. This fun app helps kids learn about the different functions of time and contains six multi-level mini games with themes ranging from a Ferris wheel to playing with the family puppy. 4. Counting Caterpillar https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/counting-caterpillar/id468556132?mt=8 $1.99 Another important skill for young students to learn is how to count. Whether theyre starting with “1, 2, 3” or learning to count by 2s, 5s, or 10s they can work on these important skills while using Counting Caterpillar. This is an adorable app that allows preschoolers and kindergarteners to learn how to count. There are both intricate graphics and sound effects to keep little ones engaged and interested while learning this rudimentary skill. Children are also given ample positive feedback while using this app so they can stay positive and maintain a high confidence level. There are multiple levels for users to go through as their skills begin to develop. Counting Caterpillar is a fun and easy way for youngster’s to get started learning numbers. In addition to using math apps, make sure your child is prepared for their math classes with the help of private Irvine math tutoring. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Love Thyself 3 Personal Pathways to One-on-one Language Learning

Love Thyself 3 Personal Pathways to One-on-one Language Learning 3 Personal Pathways to One-on-one Language Learning The world doesnt revolve around you.Youre not the center of the universe.Actually, I take that backâ€"if you sign up for one-on-one language learning, those statements above arent entirely true.Youll become the complete central focus for your teacher and for lesson planning.Language lessons will completely home in on your desires, needs and goals.But dont let it go to your head.You probably still have a lot to learn about one-on-one language learning.Here well show you what its all about, how it works, how to find a teacher and how to maximize your learning.Weve got everything you ever needed to know about one-on-one language learning in a single post.  Sounds good?Let’s begin. The Virtues of One-on-one Language LearningResearch  has shown that the smaller the class size, the better it is for language learners. Students in smaller groups have been found to outperform their peers  in language abilities like pronunciation, reading and communicative skills like listening and speakin g.Hey, you can’t go smaller than one-on-one, and it has loads of awesome benefits up for grabs.One-on-one language learning has the flexibility that classes of a dozenâ€"or even classes of two and threeâ€"just don’t have. Your teacher, tutor or language exchange partner can make you the absolute center of their world and tailor the sessions to your specific needs.One basic need is a schedule that works for you. One-on-one lessons can be scheduled at your most convenient times. You don’t need to drive through red lights just to catch the second half of the class. Youre the only student, so classes don’t start without you! Of course, you do still need to get to class sessions on time, out of respect for the other person. In this case, perhaps you can call up ahead of time and rescheduleâ€"another thing thats not possible with a larger class.In addition, sessions can go at your pace. You can breeze through the stuff you already know, then really dig deep with those pesky verbs that are giving you a hard time.  You can go backwards and forwards, jump between topics and go into certain corners not contemplated by textbooks.This flexibility is really the most crucial thing here, because no two language learners are ever the same. One-on-one language learning can easily be responsive to your idiosyncrasies, styles and goals as a learner. Language materials are often linearly set in stoneâ€"recorded, writtenâ€"and generally appealing to the lowest common denominator needs of all language students. When working one-on-one with someone, you can give special attention to the skills and concepts that you most need to hone.You can always ask your teacher to slant the sessions according to your specific goals. Studying Chinese for business? Korean for travel? Russian for romance? Let your tutor or teacher know about it so you can get the kind of sessions you have in mind.Imagine the quality of interaction youll have when youre the sole focus of the lesson. You don†™t need to wait for the teacher’s attention so you can ask a nagging question, request a quick clarification or give a simple suggestion. You have a direct route to the teacher, and unlimited access to the source of information. You ask your questions without fear that other students will think negatively about you. And you won’t be slowed down by somebody who just went to the restroom.Not only is one-on-one language learning flexible and focused, it’s also really fast. It lets you cut directly to the core of the lesson. No time is wasted on classroom management, like checking attendance or waiting for everybody to quiet down.From a teacher’s perspective, a one-on-one situation not only makes their job much easier, it also makes their work a lot more effective. They have a better grasp of the target: you. They  can better gauge what works and what areas need more work. They can easily know if you’ve mastered the topic or not. You won’t be able to fly under the radar or r ide the coattails of your classmates. Youll be compelled to listen because the teachers attention is fixed on just one student.All that redounds to you learning the language with efficiency like no other.That said, let’s proceed to the next section where we talk about some of the ways you can crank up  one-on-one language learning into overdrive.How to Supercharge One-on-one Language Learning1. Pick your teacher carefully. Here’s howIf there’s one message that hit you hard in the previous section, it shouldve been how awesome one-on-one language learning is. The next big message is about  the importance of choosing the right teacher/tutor or partner. It’s not rocket science, but you do have to do some work.And it’s not about picking out a rock star. Nope, it’s more about fit. Is he or she the best one-on-one partner for you?First, you might have noticed that were not talking exclusively about teachers here. For one-on-one learning, youll have the choice of getting a teac her, a tutor or a language exchange partner. (There can be overlap between the three.)A language teacher often has a degree and certification, plus experience with teaching your target language professionally. Their one-on-one sessions (online or in person) might be just be side gigs, in addition to their classes in a local school or university.A language tutor is often a native speaker of your target language or somebody whos fluent in it. They may be tutoring full-time or doing it part-time while having another non-language-related job.A language exchange partner, unlike the other two, often comes free. Its  a win-win situation where two people teach each other their native tongues. For example, you’re an English speaker looking for one-on-one sessions in Russian. There are certain websites and apps today (more on those later) that pair you with Russian native speakers who are looking for English native speakers. You have something that they want, and they have something you wan t. So you teach what you have and in return, they’ll teach you what you need to know. No money is involved, just the friendship springing from mutual benefit.So let’s say you’re on some website and browsing through the many language teachers, tutors or language exchange partners available at a click. Here are some tips on how to pick the right one for you:a. Study their  profile  â€" Don’t just read it, read between the lines. Deduce possibilities from the data you’re given. For example, you might see from a  profile that a prospective language partner is 24 years old, male. But thats just the basic info.Next, read what he writes about himself. Think through the way he describes himself and presents himself to the world. You can glean personality from even a short paragraph. For a professional teacher, you might look for their experience and background. For a language exchange, you might look to see if you two have anything in common that will be fun to chat about.b. That picture though  â€" A picture does say a thousand words. But what words? Look at that one picture they use  to present themselves to the world. Almost everyone flashes a wide smile on those things, but look for other clues.  Looking at the picture, what three adjectives immediately jump to mind? When it comes to a language exchange partner, you might just look for a friendly face. When it comes to tutors or teachers, youll want to look for more professionalism.c. Study the reviews  â€" If you’re on the hunt for a teacher or tutor, you’ll probably see reviews and ratings from past students. Mine them for insights. Understand exactly why they get those scores. Yes, they always get ten stars out of ten, but why? Is it because theyre funny? Is it because they can pace the lesson very slowly? (That may not be so hot for those who need to learn a language fast.) Again, read between the lines and see if theyre the right kind of teacher for your goals. Don’t just base your decision on , “She’s really funny!” It’s about fit, remember?Read several different reviews and take note of the words former students keep on mentioning, like “kind,” “intelligent,” “deep and so on. They give you a clue about what one-on-one sessions with them are like.d. Send them the first message  â€" Drop them a hearty “Hi!” Your investigation might have created some friendly questions. Ask away. Ask a teacher what they love most about their job. Ask a tutor what they do in their free time. Ask your language exchange partner why they want to learn your native tongue.See what he or she has to say. Youll learn a lot once you receive the reply from the other person.e. Interact with them  â€" After all of the above has been said and doneâ€"studying their  profile, mining their picture, reading the reviews, messaging back and forthâ€"youll still only have a rough picture of what your partner is like.There’s really nothing like being in a one-on-one video chat with the te acher, tutor or language partner. That’s how you really get to know them. So take things out for a spin! Book some trial classes so you can see if it will be something beneficial for you. The first session might be a bust because the two of you are still adjusting, but by the second or third session, youll be able to decide if it’s working or not.If you’ve caught somebody who’s vibe matches yours then hold tight!2. One-on-one doesn’t mean only one.When you’ve met a teacher, tutor or language partner who’s a keeper, consider yourself lucky. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking you should only choose one. You can actually have as many as you want. This isnt marriage, so play the numbers game.In this wide, wide world, there’s not just one person who can help you on your noble quest. There’s plenty of them. “One-on-one” doesn’t mean only one. It simply means that, during each language lesson or conversation session, you’re learning from one single source. But you can actually have as many language sources as you want.If you can afford plenty of teachers, then have at it! Have one teacher to give you more formal lessons, and a tutor to carefully comb over your problem areas after class. Have a teacher give you lessons, then have a language exchange partner whos down for more casual conversation. Have multiple language exchange partners in case one flakes out on you, and youll never miss a week of conversation practice.Each person will give you a look into the target language and culture unlike any other.But don’t fret if your budget is limited. Language learning partners do come free and you can have as many buddies as you can fit into your social life. Don’t have that scarcity mindset.3. Make the most of the time when youre alone.Here we talk about one of the most explosive ways to increase the productivity of your one-on-one sessions. The secret is this: Never come empty-handed.It means that during those down times when you’r e not engaged on Skype or in-person learning, you should actually be very busy preparing, visualizing what you want to do.Don’t wing it. Study ahead so you can hit the ground running. For example, if you’re going to be learning tenses in the target language, hit the books days before and learn the basic rules beforehand. Get the basics out of the way and save the sticking points for the teacher.Even when you know that the tutor or language exchange partner will be going over it, have the fundamentals in your pocket anyway. That way, your one-on-one session will become sort of a review of the basics, and a drill down on the thornier parts of the topic.You can prepare target phrases or topics that you would want to try out or ask about during the one-on-one. Have some phrases ready and ask for nuances. For high-quality interaction, prepare your questions.You actually need to write these things down. A paper full of thoughts will come in handy, and if a meeting is to last for 45 mi nutes, have an hour’s worth of material ready. That way, you’ll never run out of things to say.4. Have a say in the direction of your learning.One of the biggest advantages of one-on-one language learning is that you have more say in what takes place. This doesn’t happen very often in most learning situations. A regular class is at the mercy of a syllabus designed by somebody else. A book has neatly lined up chapters, and its the job of the students to march to its beat.In one-on-one language learning, youre the drummer of your own beat. Dont think that your teacher is omniscient and holds all the answers to everything. The worst thing to happen would be finding yourself in a one-on-one situation and only passively going through the motions of learning, as if you’re being forced to take the lessons.No, take advantage of your privileged position and have a say in your learning. For example, tell your language exchange partner the topics that put a smile on your face. Let your teacher know which of the linguistic skills you’re not so confident about.Which areas confuse the bejesus out of you? Is some pronunciation always tripping you up? If you’re not sure of something, ask the question and let your tutor clear the air. Dont be a passive bystander on your own journey.Don’t worry, you won’t be stepping on somebody else’s toes when you spontaneously bring up something during the session. (Hey, you’re the only student there!)5. Look for one-on-one opportunities where there seem to be none.So far, we’ve talked about teachers, tutors and language exchange partners as the main resource for one-on-one language learning. But in reality, one-on-one opportunities are everywhereâ€"both online and in-person. You just need to open your eyes to spot them. What looks like a mundane situation can turn out to be a quick one-on-one language learning opportunity.For example, did you notice that when you greet somebody in their native tongue, throwing in some common phrases, they immediately assume you speak their language and engage? They give you a rapid and winded reply that almost makes you want to turn back time. (Come clean and tell them that you’re still learning and they’ll be more than happy to oblige for a super quick lesson.)Or, in online forums, you could locate those people who take the time and effort to write long and nuanced explanations about language questions and reach out to them. They obviously care enough. Reply to these kinds of posts and ask for a clarification. This will engage the writer and you may have just found another one-on-one resource.One of the best ways to make yourself the lightning rod for people who want to help is to post questions in forums. Each reply is a potential learning buddy. (You can try to transfer the whole interaction to Skype, later.)These are just some of the ways you can tap into one-on-one language learning. They do add up. Each interaction will add precious texture and clarity to your language skills.In the next section, we go into the resources territory and look at some of the places, online and offline, where, believe it or not, one-on-one language learning partners are actually waiting for you.3 Personal Pathways to One-on-one Language Learning1. Language exchange partnersA language exchange partner is a kindred soul. As a fellow language learner, they understand what you’re going through. And if your gut is in knots when chatting with them for the first time, it will be the same for them. So get through that awkward phase and do yourselves a favor.Here are some websites and apps where you can find awesome language exchange partners:Conversation Exchange  The site is one of the best places that helps folks trade languages. The whole process is really simple. Do a targeted search by inputting your ideal language partner, the language that they speak and the one theyre trying to learn. Hit “search” and out from the woodwork come wonderful individu als fitting the bill.You can choose the type of interaction that youd like. There are options for video chat, voice chat, face-to-face meeting and text chat. The last one, for example, would prove useful for those who want to hone their writing and reading skills. For chats, you have the option of picking the native Conversation Exchange software on the site itself, or your can transfer the whole interaction to Skype, FaceTime, Hangouts, etc.Easy Language Exchange  This site was started by real language learners who know a thing or two about the struggles of acquiring a new tongue. Today, it has blossomed into a community of over 100,000 folks who genuinely want to help one another.It has built-in chat, voice and video calling so you don’t really need to go somewhere else. To initiate interaction with others on the site, create an account first. (Everybody will be able to see your information, so try to create an interesting profile. Remember, they’ll also check out your account before they respond.)Besides the search and engage feature, which is really its heart, ELE also has a forum and a blog that can help you further hone those language skills.BilinguaThe previous two bullet points are language exchange sites. The next two are language exchange apps, meaning that you can download them to your smartphone and render the whole experience mobile.Bilingua is an app that takes pairing language learners very seriously. Just because your languages complement doesn’t mean youll be the optimum partners for one another. You should have the same interests and personalities as well. So Bilingua, as part of the onboarding process when you create an account, gives you a series of questions designed to highlight your personality and interests. Bilingua will use this information later on to find you the most suitable language exchange partners. (So needless to say, answer truthfully.)With Bilingua, youll have plenty of learning tools necessary to make language exchan ge productive, educational and fun. For example, you have the “smart chat” feature that assists you with knowing what to talk about, even feeding you phrases that you can use.You also have games, quizzes and a managed list of vocabulary words which you can review at any moment. And last but not least, youre given statistical insights into your progression so you can self-correct when necessary.HelloTalk  This app has transliteration, translation, grammar correction, text-to-voice and voice-to-text functions. Not just a bunch of unnecessary bells and whistles but high-powered features leading to a successful language exchange.The interactions on HelloTalk are a mix of text, audio and video. And youre given every assist to bridge every language gap.For example, the translation function comes in handy during those times when you don’t know how to say (or type) something in the target language. What you do is simply use your first language and let the app translate it for you. It will convert your communication to something understandable to the other person. Your conversations won’t stall.You can even automatically convert the things you say into text. Simply long press the audio file and choose “Speech to text” and youll have a visual (text) record of what you just said. Your partner can see the text for better understanding. The makers of the app have really left very little room for misunderstanding.2. Language tutor/teacherWhen you climb Mt. Everest, you’re going to be needing the services of a Sherpa, a professional guide who helps you reach the mountain top.Need professional help in conquering your own linguistic summit? The following sites will help you find the perfect tutor or teacher:Verbalplanet.com  This site is a veritable marketplace of native-speaking language tutors who can help you get unstuck. Read tutor reviews and ratings and find somebody who fits your lifestyle, goals and learning style. Your free Verbalplanet.com account comes with a personal progress tracking analytics that displays your tutor’s assessment of your performance in one-on-one sessions.Verbling This site houses the profiles of countless of qualified native speakers who can help. Remember when we talked earlier about fit?When you search, you’ll get to search based on prices, availability and even the other languages they speakâ€"so if your native language is Chinese or German, you can find a language teacher to teach you in that language.  You get to see a video introduction made by the teacher, in addition to the usual written introductions. And on each teacher profile, there’s a table showing their free schedule so you can see how it fits with yours.Plus, the technology here makes accessing tutoring sessions extra smooth. You don’t need Skype or another third-party program. It’s all here! Why don’t you book a trial lesson today?coLanguageThis is an resource for online language learning that has the advantage of being aligned wi th a universal standard, the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). They cover a variety of common European languages, and all the teachers are professionals who have been pre-screened.Because the site is a little more structured than some, you get the benefit of quality assurance, but you still have the freedom to choose your own teacher. You can search tutors based on their prices, set up a time and meet with them over Skype. Many teachers here even offer a trial class, so you can try them out to see if their teaching style and methods work for you.Wyzant Knowing that your tutor is sitting on the other side of the world is all well and good. Its a testament to the power of technology to bring together people who are thousands of miles apart. But how about tutors who are living in your area? Local talent thats just as smart, knowledgeable and passionate?Wyzant is set up to unearth those teaching treasures who live so close that you can actually arrange to meet them in person. The site asks for your ZIP code and searches its database for teachers and tutors in your area.  Follow this link to see who's available close to home.When meeting people you’re unfamiliar with in person, always take precautions. Bring someone with you. Arrange to meet in a public place. And most important of all,  stay there! You can always find a quiet corner in a busy coffee shop.3. Friendly native speakersIf you live in a big city like New York, youll find plenty of language learning associations, non-profit entities that have resident native speakers who are just overjoyed to know that youre interested in their language and culture. In fact, one reason for these groups’ existence is to conduct cultural campaigns to promote awareness and appreciation. You can attend their gatherings and see if you can network with some native speakers.The French District for French and Germany in NYC for German are just examples. Consulates, embassies and cultural centers al so have similar programs.If no specialized organizations exist in your area, try general expat associations or Meetup groups and check if there are speakers  of your language. If no associations exist, do the leg work of asking around. Ask your local grocer, local council and your network of friends. It will all be worth your effort.Experiences with native speakers via this route are  highly enriching. You’ll not only be learning about your target language, you’ll also get the huge bonus of learning customs and traditions. You’ll learn about food, festivals, family, beliefs and generally a different way of looking at the world. As such, it will make you a more insightful language learner and person as a whole. Grab any opportunity to network and engage with native speakers in your area.So there you have it!You’re now not only aware of the awesome benefits of one-on-one language learning and how to exploit these advantages to the hilt, you also know where to find these kinds opportunities. It’s high time to experience the journey for yourself.Go right ahead! It will be one of the most fulfilling decisions you make as a language learner.Happy hunting! And One More ThingIf you like learning languages one-on-one, youll love it even more when you and your tutor, teacher or exchange partner are using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactiv e TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.

Celebrating 100 years of Roald Dahl

Celebrating 100 years of Roald Dahl 2016 celebrates 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl; the world's most loved storyteller and author of many children's favourite books. There will be celebrations throughout the year focusing on the author's wonderful stories and incredible characters. The great event, however, will take place on Roald Dahl's birthday, 13th September. Let's take a moment to remember this great man and the fun-filled, imagination-inspiring stories he so graciously shared with us. Roald Dahl was born on the 13th September 1916 in Llandaff, Cardiff to Norwegian Parents. He started his education at Llandaff Cathedral school but after playing a practical joke and being caned by the headmaster his mother decided to enrol him in a boarding school. Dahl served in the Royal Air Force during the second world war then wrote books for both children and adults, becoming one of the world's best-selling authors. He has received awards for his contribution to literature including 'Children's Author of the year' in 1990 and the 'World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement' in 1983. Roald Dahl's books are full of imagination, fun and inspiration. As a child he was my favourite author and I remember the first book I really loved was 'George's Marvellous Medicine'. I'll never forget that horrible grandmother and the fun I had as a child trying to concoct a medicine with a bucket and anything I could get my hands on from my mother's cupboards to get the horrid boy that lived next door to us to shrink! If my books can help children become readers, then I feel I have accomplished something important. Roald Dahl And there is no doubt that Roald Dahl did accomplish what he set out to. Children all over the world take inspiration from Dahl's books and enjoy the unexpected events and fantastic characters in his stories. Roald Dahl's first children's story 'James and the giant Peach' was published in 1961 and was hugely successful. 2011 saw the 50th anniversary of 'James and the giant peach' and across the UK there were plenty of peached themed events to celebrate. In celebration of what would have been Dahl's 100th birthday there are lots of ways for people to get involved. Whether it be throwing your own Roald Dahl themed party, dressing up as a revolting character or raising money for Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's charity, this year will see people all over the UK celebrating in style. Other great ways to celebrate our favourite author's birthday would be to visit The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre where special celebrations will be taking place on Saturday 17th September. The award-winning museum is aimed at 6 to 12 year olds featuring interactive galleries and wonderful activities to inspire. The museum is situated in Buckinghamshire where the great man lived for over 30 years. The Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl is a new exhibition that was opened in February of this year at the Southbank Centre. This great interactive exhibition takes travellers on a charming journey that explores Dahl's life, his books and where he got the inspiration for some of his most famous stories and characters. Many of Roald Dahl's books have been adapted into musicals, plays and films and this year brings the widely anticipated, global release of the big screen adaptation of 'The BFG', directed by Steven Spielberg. So let's take some time to remember the great man, enjoy the books he graciously shared with us and let our hair down with our children to aid in the celebrations. A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men. Roald Dahl A look back over time at Roald Dahl's published works: First published work - A piece of cake (1942) The Gremlins (1943) Over To You (1946) Some Time Never (1948) Someone Like You (1953) Kiss Kiss (1960) James and the Giant Peach (1961) And now suddenly, the whole place, the whole garden seemed to be alive with magic. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) Something crazy is going to happen now, Charlie thought. But he wasn't frightened. He wasn't even nervous. He was just terrifically excited. The Magic Finger (1966) Fantastic Mr Fox (1970) I understand what you're saying, and your comments are valuable, but I'm gonna ignore your advice. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (1972) Switch Bitch (1974) Danny, the Champion of the World (1975) The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (1977) The Enormous Crocodile (1978) My Uncle Oswald (1979) The Twits (1980) George's Marvellous Medicine (1981) Quite simply, he was going to put in EVERYTHING. Revolting Rhymes (1982) The BFG (1982) Don't gobblefunk around with words. Dirty Beasts (1983) The Witches (1983) Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories (1983) Boy: Tales of Childhood (1984) The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (1985) Two Fables (1985) Going Solo (1986) Matilda (1988) Rhyme Stew (1989) Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life (1989) Esio Trot (1990) The Vicar of Nibbleswicke (1991) The Minpins (1991) Roald Dahl's Guide to Railway Safety (1991) My Year (1991) Those who don't believe in magic will never find it. Roald Dahl

Northwestern Chemistry Degree Is Truly A Recognized Subject

Northwestern Chemistry Degree Is Truly A Recognized SubjectNorthwestern Chemistry degree is one of the best programs in chemistry which has emerged in recent years. Northwestern chemistry program is highly sought after by many people across the globe due to its tremendous development and traditional tradition. The institution of learning at Northwestern holds a degree, diploma and certificate degree in the field of chemistry and its related sciences. All the concerned students are being entertained the same faculty of this program.Being based on the latest technology it offers comprehensive guidance to the students in this program and gives them maximum scope for advancement. This program involves regular seminars and courses where the students have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge about the science that they have chosen. The best part of this program is that the students will be provided ample amount of support by the faculty members in this university so that they do not face any kind of problem or difficulty while pursuing the course.The large number of students pursuing this program have become more rare. In the present times more researches are carried out in order to extend and develop the knowledge about chemistry by the students.One of the major attraction of this program is that it is available at all levels in order to help every student who wants to study the subject. It is the liberal arts approach towards the subjects in this field. The curriculum consists of basic and intermediate levels. It is so that the students will get a chance to cover the upper level when they complete their higher education programs.Northwestern chemistry degree also covers the topics like process of thermodynamics, special topics like organic chemistry, acid elimination, electrochemistry, refrigeration, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and many more. The entire course duration is around two years. There are many certificates and diplomas available as well, which will help the students to complete their studies as per their preferences. The required level of students to study in this program is Masters, Bachelor and Doctoral level.This university is situated in Chicago and provides the facility of free tuition. All the questions, queries related to the subject are conducted through online. The online interactive mode helps the students to know about the nature of the college, the most popular schools in the university, the curriculum in the university, the career opportunities, and many more.A precise answer about the level of study and the range of subjects in the science, program and subjects, this can all be found at the website of the university. There are many other institutions of higher learning in this city, but there is no comparison with Northwestern Chemistry which is believed to be one of the best.

Learn About ACT Tutoring in Louisville KY

Learn About ACT Tutoring in Louisville KYAct Tutoring in Louisville KY has the ability to work with individuals, couples, and companies. They can also be hired for corporate or executive training. You can find an online study of the job at the website. An individual will complete the full study and interview, they will then get an assignment that they must adhere to.There are many benefits to work at an ACT organization, it is a full time work. The cost is very affordable, and they offer flexible work hours, a variety of employees and diverse training.Some organizations offer tutoring that is classroom teaching or online learning, and there are websites that provide some information for different types of learning. The selection of study material will depend on the student's needs.This type of tutoring will work with areas such as fine motor skills, arithmetic, language arts, reading comprehension, and in grammar. The institutions also offer a variety of study materials that will inc lude storybooks, CD-ROMS, DVD-ROMS, games, CDs, and other lesson aids. Most companies require the student to complete at least 20 hours of tutoring per week.If you are looking for a new career, or you are already working in the business world, ACT Tutoring in Louisville KY offers the best opportunities for you. Act Tutoring in Louisville KY allows you to obtain a Bachelor's degree while still maintaining your current job. The companies use the company motto, 'I believe!'They will offer you an internship, which includes learning more about the agency and the individual agencies as well as working directly with them. This program will allow you to gain experience and move to an even higher level.This is the perfect career choice for students who are currently attending Kentucky State University or the University of Louisville. It allows you to build your credentials and makes sure that you receive great job opportunities. This will also give you the opportunity to pursue a Master's de gree or Doctorate in order to continue on to your goals.

Ask a Financial Aid Expert Mark Kantrowitz

Ask a Financial Aid Expert Mark Kantrowitz When it comes to financial aid, few people will be able to point you in right direction as well as national expert Mark Kantrowitz can. As the publisher of the very resourceful FinAid and Fastweb websites and the author of the bestseller Secrets to Winning a Scholarship, Mark has developed quite a name for himself as the go-to source for all financial aid inquiries. He has been featured in numerous prestigious publications and media outlets such as TheNew York Times, USA Today, CNN, and much more. Read on for the incredibly valuable insights and advice Mark shares on financial aid options and the future of higher education. VT:What are some first steps every student should take in the financial aid search? Mark: Every student should search for scholarships on free scholarship matching web sites like Fastweb.com. They should start searching for scholarships as soon as possible, because every dollar you win is about a dollar less youll have to borrow. When searching a free scholarship site, answer all of the optional questions. Students who answer the optional questions tend to match about twice as many scholarships as students who answer just the required questions, since the optional questions are there to trigger the inclusion of specific scholarships. Students should also file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year, even if they did not get any aid other than loans, starting January 1 of the senior year in high school. Families often underestimate eligibility for need-based aid and overestimate eligibility for merit-based aid. VT: What are some of the biggest mistakes students make when searching for financial aid? Mark: The biggest mistake students make is to not apply for scholarships and financial aid. You cant win if you dont apply. For example, sometimes families file the FAFSA when their eldest child applies for admission, but dont get anything other than loans. The next year they decide to not bother filing the FAFSA. But that year they would have had two children in college, instead of one, and would have qualified for much more financial aid as a result. Families often wait until the spring of the senior year in high school to start figuring out how to pay for college. By then theyve missed half of the deadlines during the senior year alone. There are also scholarships you can win in younger grades. You can even win scholarships in elementary school (seewww.finaid.org/age13for a list). Its never too late to start searching for scholarships, but the sooner you start, the fewer deadlines youll miss. Another mistake is not applying to every scholarship for which you are eligible. Some students say they dont want to do it because it is too much work or the scholarship amounts are too small or they dont like writing essay questions. But even among the most talented students, winning a scholarship depends as much on luck as skill. It is very difficult for selection committees to choose among the finalists, so who wins is partly a matter of chance. You can increase your chances of winning a scholarship by applying to more scholarships. The students who win a gazillion scholarships are the ones who apply to every scholarship for which they are eligible. Applying for scholarships is not as difficult as it may seem. After your first half dozen or so scholarships it gets easier, since every new application can reuse essays from previous applications. The smaller scholarships are easier to win, the amounts add up, and they add lines to your resume that may help you win bigger awards. When you win a scholarship, its a vote of confidence in you. It means the scholarship provider thought highly enough about you to invest their money in your future. VT: Describe some specific types of financial aid that are often overlooked. Mark: Families often overlook the education tax benefits because these are claimed when you file your federal income tax return, instead of when you need to pay the college bills. The education tax benefits include the American Opportunity Tax Credit (also known as the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit), the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit and the Tuition and Fees Deduction. Families also sometimes make suboptimal choices among the education tax benefits. Generally, the American Opportunity Tax Credit will yield the greatest financial benefit to the family if they are eligible, but the only way to be certain is to calculate the tax liability under each of the three options. These days, students are so focused on the online world that they sometimes overlook the offline world. In addition to searching for scholarships on Fastweb.com, students should also look in scholarship listing books in their local public library or bookstore. The Fastweb site is good for a targeted match, while scholarship-listing books are good for random exploration. These books can be found near the Jobs and Careers section. Before using any book, however, check the copyright date. If the book is more than a year or two old, it is too old to be useful, as about 10% of scholarships change in some material way each year. Also look for scholarships posted on bulletin boards outside your high school guidance counselors office and the financial aid office. These will include small local awards that do not want to be listed in any of the national scholarship databases, such as PTA scholarships and Dollars for Scholars. VT: What are the most important things to communicate to a financial aid officer to increase your chances of receiving aid? Mark: Dont call them financial aidofficers. They may work in a financial aid office, but they are not the financial aid police. They are there to help you pay for college. Calling a financial aid administrator or financial aid counselor an officer will offend them. The FAFSA is a one size fits all financial aid application form. It doesnt have a place for you to mention exceptional situations. Instead, tell the college financial aid administrator about any unusual financial circumstances. Unusual circumstances include anything that changed from last year to this year and anything that distinguishes your family from the typical family. This can include job loss and salary reductions, highly unreimbursed medical and dental care, high childcare and eldercare expenses (e.g., for a special needs child), and private K-12 tuition, among other special circumstances. Ask the college financial aid administrator for a professional judgment review. Some colleges call it a special circumstances review or financial aid appeal. The college may have a form for you to complete, or may ask you to send a letter summarizing the unusual circumstances. Include a copy of any third party documentation of the unusual circumstances. For example, if you were laid off, yo ud enclose a copy of the layoff notice or a letter showing the recent receipt of unemployment benefits. If the financial aid administrator feels that your circumstances merit an adjustment, the amount of the adjustment will be related to the financial impact of the unusual circumstances. Financial aid administrators are more likely to make adjustments when the circumstances were beyond the familys control. There is no appeal beyond the college financial aid administrator, so it pays to be polite. VT: What are some things students can do beforethesenior year of high school to begin funding their college costs? Mark: Students should start searching for scholarships as soon as possible, even in elementary school. There are many scholarships you can win before you are a senior in high school. The scholarship provider will hold the scholarship until you enroll in college. Some scholarships require advance preparation, such as a science fair project, so you cant wait until the last minute to prepare your application. Students should also focus on their academics and interests. Contrary to popular belief, depth is more important than breadth when it comes to winning scholarships. Every scholarship sponsor wants to find the student who best matches their selection criteria. Students can also start saving for college in a section 529 college savings plan. Every dollar you save is about a dollar less youll have to borrow, and every dollar you borrow will cost you about two dollars by the time you repay the debt. Students can also work during the summer to earn money to pay for college. VT: There are many different kinds of scholarships out there. Describe the different types and which ones you would most recommend taking the time to apply for. Mark: I recommend applying to all the scholarships for which you are eligible and only the scholarships for which you are eligible. You may be the nicest person on the planet, but if the scholarship requires a 3.4 GPA and you have a 3.3 GPA, it is a waste of your time to apply for the scholarship. On the other hand, this might give you an incentive to improve your grades. Most scholarships are based on merit, not financial need. They might be based on academic, artistic or athletic talent. Or they might be based on unusual criteria, such as creating a prom costume out of duct tape, speaking Klingon, or singing the national anthem with sincerity. There are scholarships for smart people and scholarships for average people, scholarships for tall and short people, and scholarships for lefties and golf caddies. Chances are, if you have a special skill, theres a scholarship for that. VT: What can parents do to best assist their students in the financial aid process? Mark: Paying for college is a partnership between student and parent. The parents will be paying the bills. The student should focus on getting good grades and applying for scholarships. The student will also be working part-time jobs during the semester and summer to pay for college, as well as borrowing from the federal student loan programs. Parents may be tempted to do all the work, but that would be inappropriate. College is a transition from a sheltered existence to the real world. So parents should make sure the student does the scholarship search and submits the application forms. Parents should also consider discussing their finances with the student so that the student can see the limit to the amount of money the parents will be able to spend on their college education. VT: What are the biggest obstacles that might stand in your way when attempting to receive financial aid and how can you overcome them? Mark: Clean up your online presence. Google your name and review your Facebook page to make sure there isnt anything inappropriate (or illegal). Use a formal email address, likefirstname.lastname@gmail.com, instead of a suggestive name like hotmama69@hotmail.com. About a quarter of scholarship providers are now Googling their finalists to make sure there arent any red flags before they choose the winners. They may also require finalists to friend them on Facebook. They dont want to award a scholarship to a student who will reflect badly on them. If a student fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP), they can lose eligibility for financial aid from the federal government, state government and the college. This means maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and passing enough classes to be on track to graduate. Remember, you are going to college to get an education, not to party. Beware of scholarship scams. If you have to pay money to get money, its probably a scam. Scholarships are about giving you money, not getting you to pay money. So never invest more than a postage stamp to get information about scholarships or to apply for scholarships. Nobody can guarantee that youll win a scholarship. Once youve won a scholarship, make sure you keep it. Renewable scholarships have a variety of requirements for you to continue to receive it. This may include writing a report on your activities once or twice a year, sending grade reports to the scholarship provider, and maintaining good grades. Some scholarship providers will require you to participate in community service. Youve done the hard work of winning a scholarship. Make sure you dont lose it. VT: Advice for students seemingly facing a dead-end in terms of receiving scholarships, loans, grants, etc.? Mark: Only about 1 in 8 students win scholarships. Less than 0.3% of students receive a free ride. So, scholarships are part of the plan for paying for college, but not the entire plan. Most students will have to rely on government aid and money from the college. You may have no choice but to accept loans. The unsubsidized Stafford loan and PLUS loan do not depend on financial need, so even wealthy students can qualify. You can also find part-time jobs on or near campus that can help you pay for school. If you are having trouble paying for college, talk to the financial aid administrator at your school. Also call the US Department of Educations Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID(1-800-433-3243) if you have questions about federal student aid and the FAFSA. College Goal Sunday (www.collegegoalsundayusa.org) is a source of help in completing the FAFSA. VT: What's your outlook - 3 or 5 years out - on issues that will affect funding for higher education? Mark: Unfortunately, Congress is focused on cutting the federal budget, so the outlook for increases in government aid is slim to none. That may be better than cuts, but when grants fail to keep pace with increases in college costs, college becomes less affordable. This forces students to graduate with more debt or to shift their enrollment to lower-cost colleges. Low and moderate-income students are increasingly being priced out of a college education. There will likely be increased emphasis on improving financial aid disclosures and financial literacy training so that students and their families can make more informed decisions about college affordability. Loan programs may be overhauled, and some financial aid programs may be streamlined and simplified. VT:How do you see online courses affecting college costs? Mark: There is a lot of hype about online education. But in practical terms, it probably will not affect college costs much. There are fundamental reasons why the average class size today is the same as it was 100 years ago. Learning is interactive. It requires tutorial sessions, the ability to ask questions and diagnostic quizzes. This is labor intensive. Watching a videotaped lecture is not enough. Maybe in 50-100 years online education technology will have matured enough to provide a high quality education at lower cost. But for the next few decades it will not be as effective as brick mortar instruction. The main benefit of online education for the next few years is that it enables students who are sick to keep up with the classwork from their dorm rooms while they recuperate. VT: What are some ways to compare the value of different institutions? E.g., comparing a well-known and highly ranked university with a smaller liberal-arts degree focused college. Mark: When comparing college costs, consider the net price, not the net cost. The net price is a kind of discounted sticker price. It is the total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, transportation to/from school and miscellaneous expenses) minus just the grants and other gift aid that does not need to be repaid. This is the amount of money you will have to pay from savings, income and loans to cover college costs. The net cost is the total cost of attendance minus the full financial aid package. But the financial aid package includes loans, which must be repaid, usually with interest. A loan does not reduce your costs. Instead, it lets you spread out the costs over time. Most colleges will have a similar net cost, about the same as the expected family contribution. The net price, however, will vary significantly from one college to the next. The net price is a better basis for making an informed decision about college affordability. Financial fit isnt the only criterion for choosing a college, but it is an important one. The colleges with the lowest net price will generally be in-state public colleges and the six dozen or so colleges with generous no loans financial aid policies. (Seewww.finaid.org/noloansfor a list of the no loans colleges.) Visit Finaidand Fastwebfor more information.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Find Yourself a Kickboxing Club in Manchester

Find Yourself a Kickboxing Club in Manchester Looking for a Kickboxing Coach in Manchester? Here are Your Best Options ChaptersWhy Learn Kickboxing?The Best Places to Find Kickboxing Lessons in Manchester.As one of the many cities in the UK that lay claim to being Britain’s ‘second city’, Manchester is a city with a huge number of opportunities for learning, fun, and exercise. And, really, if the whole debate around the country’s ‘second city’ teaches us anything, it is that all over the UK these opportunities abound.Yet, Manchester is a place that boasts more opportunities for the martial arts â€" from Muay Thai kickboxing to karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to American kickboxing, taekwondo to capoeira â€" than you might expect. Indeed, you might even say that the city punches above its weight (lol), as it competes with London for the sheer number and variety of kickboxing classes, martial arts training centres, and places to learn self-defense and sparring.Really, if you are in Manchester and interested in learning the mixed martial arts, you’re lucky â€" because the chances are, no matte r where you are, you’ll find the class that’ll suit you down to the tee.Here, we’re going to look at some of the options available across the city and slightly further afield. From fitness kickboxing to self-defense techniques, from training for the total novice to professional, competitive black-belt kickboxing fighting techniques, we’ve got here whatever it is you are looking for.So, let’s take a look â€" and we really hope you find it helpful.By the way, you can read about kickboxing classes across the UK and kickboxing training in London too! Everything you need to know about kickboxing clubs in Manchester! AndreyBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KostiaBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LeeBoxing Teacher £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SajBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KaranBoxing Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThomasBoxing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HaileyBoxing Teacher 4.50 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidBoxing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Learn Kickboxing?Martial arts aren’t just about hand-to-hand combat, cauliflower ears, and bloody noses. Perhaps, actually, they are the major sport in the world that is most understood, and most quickly dismissed by those who might otherwise be really interested in it.Because, despite the obvious violence, the martial arts â€" including kickboxing â€" are really about self-control, the elegance of the striking techniques, precision, and real physical fitness. The punching, grappling, and the sparring in the bouts are not even about violence or the inflicting of pain. Rather, the most important elements are power and control, grace and dynamism.So, whilst, yes, you may well get a couple of bruises, the things you’ll gain alongside them are priceless. You’ll get fit for sure â€" perhaps you’ll get to the best shape you’ve ever had in your life â€" and you’ll increase your self-confidence, your self-discipline, and your self-respect. You’ll learn how to use the body that you have â€" you’ll get to know it and feel much more comfortable in it.But alongside physical fitness, kickboxing will help your mental health too. You’ll have better self-esteem, you’ll improve your focus and concentration, and you’ll be sure that you know how to defend yourself whenever that time comes.Kickboxing is social, stress-relieving, and m editative â€" and you’ll be helping all parts of yourself by studying it.The Importance of Martial Arts Classes.And yet, all these benefits don’t really come about if you intend to do kickboxing on your own. The benefits of the sport are precisely in its socialness â€" and the martial arts techniques that you will learn will be learned best through the help of a martial arts instructor.It can be dangerous to get these things wrong â€" and to optimise your skills, some professional guidance really is advised.Check out kickboxing training in Birmingham and kickboxing opportunities in Glasgow! Feel your health improve with kickboxing classes!The Best Places to Find Kickboxing Lessons in Manchester.So, without further ado, let’s check out these kickboxing classes, gyms, and instructors in Manchester. Whilst there are plenty that we have left out â€" because there are far too many to mention â€" here are some of the best.So, whether it is Savate, Muay Thai, or Chinese kickboxing you are after, you are in the right place.Join Kickboxing Manchester â€" and Learn a Martial Art.Kickboxing Manchester is a refreshing departure from many of the martial arts organisations around the world. By this, we’re referring specifically to the fact that it is family run, directed by a British kickboxing champion and his wife and kids.They run kickboxing classes all over the city and as far apart as Alderley Edge and Worsley.The emphasis is on fun â€" and on fitness in all its form, for kids as much as for adults.Try Kickboxing at the SGB Manchester.SGB Manchester â€" or Straight Blast Gym â€" are one of the most prestigious mixed martial arts studios in Manchester, offering classes in kickboxing and boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and fitness, strength-building, and general self-defence.They are committed to the fact that, first and foremost, they are a gym, where fitness comes first and the specific techniques and styles of the particular martial art come second. Go and see for yourself.Find a Kickboxing Class at North West Chinese Kickboxing.In Chorlton, you’ll find the home of North West Chinese Kickboxing, a style of martial arts that combines Kung Fu with kickboxing. The club has been going for over twenty years and it is one of the most highly regarded martial arts gyms in Manchester.NWCKB has produced its fair share of world champions, and it offers classes to adults, to kids, and â€" as you’ll see below â€" to women only too.For Women Only â€" Women’s Kickboxing Club.As part of the growing popularity of kickboxing as a fitness strategy, a self-defens e technique, and an art in itself, there are an ever increasing number of women’s only clubs across the city and the UK at large.North West Chinese Kickboxing have a particularly well-advertised and prestigious club for women, which runs on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings and evenings.They are a great and welcoming way of learning the martial art â€" without the too-common macho vibe of many kickboxing gyms. Get ready for your kickboxing training!Get in Shape at Cheadle Kickboxing Club, Stockport.Another part of the larger network of North West Chinese Kickboxing training gyms across the Manchester area is the Cheadle Kickboxing Club in Stockport.With no enrolment fee required, this can be a pretty good way to learn the kickboxing discipline if you don’t want to trek into the city centre. Check them out!Learn Kickboxing and Other Martial Arts at Fighting Fit Martial Arts Manchester.The biggest martial arts centre teaching multiple disciplines in the centre of Manchester, Fighting Fit Martial Arts offers high-quality training from black belts, world champions, and world-class instructors in kickboxing, kobudo, boxing, and more.The martial arts training itself is mixed with strength training and fitness classes, to ensure that you can become the best fighter you want to be.Enrol on a Course at Union Academy Manchester.Just off the Oldham Road, the Union Martial Arts Academy Manchester pr ovides classes in Muay Thai and BJJ that prioritise fun and friendliness over competitiveness, and effort over immediate excellence. It’s a popular and enjoyable place to learn the basics of kickboxing.Given their popularity, their classes often fill up quite quickly. However, get in touch with them, and you can find out how best to join.Find a Private Kickboxing Trainer at Superprof.A different way to get in shape and learn self-defence moves is with a private instructor. And the place to find one of these, in any city in the UK, is with Superprof.At Superprof, we connect students to passionate tutors across the globe â€" in literally any subject you could imagine. Alongside face-to-face classes, you can learn online too â€" and every tutor gives the first session completely free so that you know what you are letting yourself in for.Find your preferred tutor, get in touch, and book a lesson!Learn to Kickbox at Predators MMA.With classes in mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and kids ’ martial arts, the Predators MMA and BJJ Academy offers a great array of options for people interested in learning the ropes of the martial arts.They are based off the Cheetham Hill Road and offer the training you’ll need to get lightning fast reflexes, toned muscles, and a mean punch.Check Out the Kickboxing and Boxing Classes at Elite Boxing Gym, Manchester.Based in Bolton, the Elite Boxing Gym, Manchester â€" as it calls itself â€" is a martial arts training facility specialising in boxing and Muay Thai kickboxing, the famous ‘art of eight limbs’.The gym is open fourteen hours a day, five days a week â€" only operating in the morning on a Saturday â€" and, in the sessions, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the art of Muay Thai.Start Kickboxing Training at KMMA Freestyle, Oldham.Affiliated with the World Kickboxing Organisation, KMMA Freestyle offers training in Muay Thai, freestyle kickboxing, and Krav Maga.Whilst offering classes to adults, they specialis e in teaching kids, with one-to-one training sessions and group classes.You can find information on kickboxing classes in Belfast and kickboxing training in Cardiff too!