Dependent and independent variables

Dependent and independent variables Probability is a very important and interesting topic in mathematics. Probability is finding the chances for an event to occur. In a given question there can be more than one event occurring. In such cases it can be checked if one event is dependent or independent from the other. In a question there are two events A and B. If the probability of event A occurring affects the probability of event B then A and B are dependent event. If the probability of event A occurring does not affects the probability of event B then A and B are independent event. Example 1: In a bag there are 5 marbles. Kelly picks a marble without placing the first one back. Are the events independent or dependent? Solution: The first event is picking the first marble. The second event is picking the second marble. Here Kelly picks the second marble without replacing the first marble back in the bag. So the two events are dependent as second pick is after the first pick of the marble. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) The students can choose any field trip between museum and Science Park. Ben picks museum and Sam picks Science Park. What are the events? a) Dependent b) Independent c) None of these. Correct answer: option b. Explanation: The students can choose between any of the two options. Ben choosing to go to the museum doesnt affect Sam choosing to go to the Science Park. Hence both the events are independent events.

A Guide To Learn Hindi

A Guide To Learn Hindi Learning Hindi: All You Need To Know ChaptersWhat Is The Hindi Language?How To Find A Hindi Teacher?What Is The Cost Of Hindi Lessons?Best Tools For Learning HindiIs It Hard To Learn Hindi?How To Learn Hindi On Your Own? GiusyHindi Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnchalHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NehaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AkshayaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuhaniHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MedhaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PriyankaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaurabhHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Is The Hindi Language?With over 250 million speakers across the north of India alone, it is a wonder that Hindi lessons are not more widely accessible in schools in the UK and the rest of Europe. Especially, that is, when you consid er that statistics show that nearly 425 million people in the world speak this form of Indian language as a first language and around 120 million as a second language.Some Background Information On IndiaThe second most populous country in the world, India is a powerful Asian country in many respects. Not only is it a multilingual and multi-ethnic society, it is also a nuclear weapons state and regional power, it boasts the second largest standing army in the world and it is home to a variety of protected natural habitats and diverse wildlife.Ask anyone who has spent time in one of its 29 Arabic  states, and they will all tell you that India is a special place, and each for their own reason.The Importance Of HindiSo, whether it is spirituality, food, art, architecture or industry that takes you to this fascinating territory, wouldn't it be amazing to understand a little more about the culture and languages of India before you cross its borders? Furthermore, wouldn't you like to know why Hindi is such a good language to speak? Of course some residents you come across will be an English speaker, however, learning a language like Hindi doesn't have to be difficult and will help with your conversation skills.Make sure you practice those greetings!Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India and derives from Sanskrit, written in the Devanagari script.  Because of their similarities, learning how to speak Hindi will help you to speak  Sanskrit, Urdu, Nepalese, Bengali,  and Gujarati.Check here to find and take Hindi classes now.Hindi derives from Sanskrit, written in the Devanagari script. Photo credit: romana klee on Visual HuntHow To Find A Hindi Teacher?It may be stating the obvious, but the easiest way to find Hindi classes in your area is to do a search online and see what language lessons are being offered.While most results will come up on an Internet search, don't forget to consult local schools, colleges and universities to see if they offer any evening classes for adults. Alternatively, if looking for a child, there may be some weekend or after school classes available run by either trained teachers or parents of pupils.Just because Hindi isn't on the conventional school curriculum, it doesn't mean that educational establishments can't and won't offer lessons in this important language.If you don't have any luck finding group classes, then you may like to consider one to one tuition with the likes of a friend of a friend or a professionally trained private tutor. Of course, if you don't know anyone within your circle who has connections with the Hindi language, then you may be forced to look for a tutor with the help of Internet once again.Since finding individual tutors for private lessons can be quite hard (for instance, will they be listed on Yell, advertised on a community webpage or up for grabs 'Things for Sale' Facebook page?) be sure to look in the right place for your prospective tutor. There is no better place for this than Superprof.com.Superprof is an online tutoring platform for tutors to advertise their services and to connect with pupils. Here, you will be able to search for a tutor in your chosen subject, filter by area (however this may not be applicable if you are happy to carry out lessons via video call) and also sort in order of price.Learn Hindi online with one of their expert tutors and understand all you can want to know about Hindi as a beginner, like Hindi vocabulary, Hindi phrases and how to read and write the language. GiusyHindi Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnchalHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NehaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AkshayaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuhaniHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MedhaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PriyankaHindi Teacher £10 /h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaurabhHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Is The Cost Of Hindi Lessons?Hindi lessons can cost just about anything, depending on a number of factors.Instructors will base their pricing on their knowledge, training, and experience, as well as on the length of the lesson or course, how many pupils are included in the session (this will determine how much one-to-one time can be spent with each learner) and perhaps the starting level of the learner(s) entering the language course.Teachers may also need to adjust their pricing according to what you want to gain from your lessons. For instance, if you want to learn technical language for business purposes fast, then they may have to prepare a whole set of new resources tailored just for you and the specified timeframe.Expect to pay around £20, give or take, for an hour's lesson.Best Tools For Learning HindiAside from purchasing dictionaries and finding some language te xtbooks at your local library or WH Smith, why not consider some interactive online tools dedicated to language learners? Duolingo is a popular language app, however, there are many more free language learning tools to choose from too.You may find n=books to help you learn Hindi in a library or book shop. Photo credit: The City of Toronto on Visualhunt.comRocket LanguagesRocket Languages is a website that offers free lessons in Hindi, including  Hindi common phrases, salutations, and pronunciation tools. As well as the many resources on offer, there's a forum for Hindi learners so you can speak to others in your position and exchange ideas and tips.The Hindi version of this 'Rocket Languages' series is called 'Rocket Hindi'.Glossika HindiGlossika Hindi is a product that helps learners progress in Hindi.By encouraging you to listen to Hindi spoken phrases and reproduce the sentences (and then repeat!), you can learn key grammar lessons and master your pronunciation.HindiPod101The Hin diPod101 course is part of the Innovative Language series which teaches students using a podcast-style format with videos to stream.All lessons can be downloaded to your device for use offline and include a range of features such as a database for vocabulary, a flashcards app, grammar lessons and more.There's a multitude of audio and video lessons available at various levels.Is It Hard To Learn Hindi?Hindi is unlike English in many ways, but that doesn't mean to say that it is difficult to learn.Hindi is written from left to right, which is something that English speakers are familiar with! It's also fairly easy to read Hindi as words are generally written as they are pronounced because each character of the alphabet has a different sound. This is quite refreshing for speakers of European languages who often have to learn words one at a time as opposed to chunks of sounds and memorise exceptions to the many grammatical rules!The other good thing about Hindi is that it doesn't have a rticles (i.e. words for 'the' or 'a'), yet all nouns have genders to remember (a bit like in French). It may seem like a minefield at first, but you will see that the genders do start to come naturally.How To Learn Hindi On Your Own?Acquiring a new language on your own is always going to be a challenge, so if after reading the above you still want to go it alone, then you may want a few tips to help you along.1. Look For Some Resources, Even If They Are FreeFirstly, you simply cannot learn this language without using some resources.If you don't want to spend money on books and student guides, then you can opt for free language resources like the lessons found on the BBC website, for example. The dedicated Languages page for Hindi features facts about Hindi, including where it is spoken and how to use the language respectfully, along with the Hindi alphabet, a list of key phrases and other useful guides to help with your language learning journey.Alternatively, if you want to immerse yourself in the Hindi language then see if you can get hold of some newspapers for Hindi communities. Newspaper articles are good practice because the content is usually quite basic and easily understood by foreigners.As well as written resources, you should never forget to find tools that help you listen to spoken Hindi.To hear natives talking in Hindi (remember, however, that the different regions have different dialects so be sure to stick to one form of Hindi wherever possible), try tuning into an Indian radio station or finding a TV channel dedicated to Hindi speakers. Most people with Sky TV will have access to such programmes broadcast in India.2. Don't Give Up Too QuicklyAs a solo learner, it can be really easy to become despondent and lose all faith in your ability to pick up the language. If you get off to a slow start, then don't get down about it. It is probably just down to the fact that you are still learning how to learn Hindi, whereas others who are being led by a l anguage instructor will have the advantage of being led down the easiest and most direct path to language acquisition.If you struggle to pick up key phrases, then take a step back and try to break the language down into smaller, more digestible chunks. For instance, go back to the start and learn how to conjugate your verbs, revise nouns and their gender, and build up your learning from here.Just think to yourself, what kinds of things did you learn first as a child picking up your mother-togue, or what were your first lessons in French / Spanish about? While sentence structure is different in Hindi to that of English and other European languages, remembering to focus on the basics can be key.3. Travel To IndiaIt may seem incomprehensible that a stay in India could teach you more than a dozen lessons with a professional, but visiting a country and practicing immersion can teach you so much in the way of language and culture and thus facilitate your language acquisition.Imagine being stood in a village in northern India with all of the conversations around you, signs written in Hindi, local traditions taking place... there's nothing quite like it and you can't replicate this.To learn more about Indian culture, visit the country yourself and witness their traditions. Photo credit: Arian Zwegers on Visual Hunt / CC BYThe younger you are, the easier it is said to be to pick up a foreign language yet if you leave yourself completely open to learning and are willing to show yourself up by trying to communicate with the locals, then you will pick up the language in no time.You just need to be brave in taking that huge step of settling in an unknown country first!

Buying Your First Ukulele 3 Things to Consider

Buying Your First Ukulele 3 Things to Consider Suzy S. Thinking about buying a ukulele? Learn the ins and outs of finding the best ukulele for you in this guest post by Casselberry, FL teacher Laurie K... So you are ready to buy your first ukulele! Awesome, step one is complete Decide to play the uke! I am going to go over three basics when considering this new and fun instrument, in order to find the best ukulele for you: Size Prices Styles Size There are four sizes for ukuleles: Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone. Most likely you are reading this article with an image of the soprano in your mind. Soprano ukuleles are the more popular size and come in more variety. The concert and tenor sizes are also tuned like a soprano ukulele, but are slightly bigger in their bodies, with longer necks and more frets. This makes them popular among professional players. The baritone ukulele is actually tuned to the the lower strings of a guitar (D, G, B, E). So, youll have a one-up if you are already a guitar player! The baritone ukulele is fun but is much bigger in size and has a lower tone overall… which goes against the two main reasons people are attracted to ukuleles: size and sound. So my guess? Youre looking for a soprano. Prices Ok, yes, you can buy a ukulele for $12. But I caution you to only buy these for your toddler children… they do not stay in tune! The cheapest ukuleles are going to be around $20-30 and they will be a much different sound and material than ukuleles priced at $50 and up. My recommendation is to go for the $50-up price range. Youre going to get a nicer material and most come with Nylgut strings. If you buy cheaper, youll most likely end up spending on new strings, which can definitely upgrade a plastic uke. So to save you that trouble, go a little higher. If youre on the fence about being able to play, its fine to go with a cheaper uke too; you can always upgrade later! Styles The cheaper styles are Mahalo and Makala ukuleles. These brands are mostly made of colorful plastics and can sound alright if re-strung with Aquila strings. I personally bought a Makala Dolphin bridged uke that was a light blue color. It was super fun to play but was a challenge to keep in tune. You can watch my YouTube review of it below: My first ukulele was actually a gift. It is an Ovation-style uke the Applause by Ovation UAE20 Soprano Ukulele and its an acoustic/electric, meaning I can play it unplugged and also plugged into any amplifier. I own a small Vox amp and it sounds amazing both ways. I was a lucky girl to start with this uke and I have to say its probably in the range of $120-160, but very worth it! I have performed many shows and it barely ever needs to be tuned, the material keeps it from being affected by humidity, and its beautiful! (To watch my Ovation Applause ukulele in action, check out my video  here!) For the best beginner ukuleles, I suggest the following brands: Lanikai LU-21C, Kala KA-C, Cordoba 15CM Concert Ukulele.  I have not tried them all, so I do suggest going to a local music store like Guitar Center to try some different brands. You can also search for online and YouTube reviews. Have an awesome time finding the perfect ukulele for you! Mine has been with me from the beginning and Ive continued to add on to my collection. Let me know if you find something new and exciting! Id love to hear from you. Happy uke-ing! Laurie K. teaches ukulele, songwriting, painting, and more in Casselberry, FL. She received her Bachelors degree in Visual Arts along with a minor in Music, and her experience includes leading  Music Together classes with families and children aged from 1-5. Learn more about Laurie 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  William Bigelis

Why Learn Spanish 9 Great Reasons

Why Learn Spanish 9 Great Reasons 9 Reasons to Learn Spanish ChaptersWhy Study Spanish: To Visit SpainThe Benefits of Learning Spanish: One of the Most Spoken Languages WorldwideSpanish Speaking Countries Are Some of the Most Desirable Destinations to VisitSpeak One of the World’s Most Beautiful LanguagesSpanish Can Be Quite an Easy Language to LearnWhat Business Opportunities Does Spanish Hold?Job Opportunities Are Endless if you Speak SpanishLearning Spanish Exercises Your BrainMissing Out of a Rich Hispanic CultureThere are a number of different advantages to language learning. On a very basic level, learning a foreign language allows us to travel more easily, as well as making us more employable in the eyes of many different companies and organisations around the world.When it comes to the Spanish language, this couldn't be more true. In fact, Spanish regularly features highly on lists of the most useful languages to learn.But developing your language skills in Spanish has a lot more different benefits and advantages than just learning b usiness Spanish to enhance your career prospects.With this in mind, here are our 9 reasons for speaking Spanish as a second language: TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Study Spanish: To Visit SpainFirstly, it would be a real shame if you never visited Spain.  Our first major reason to speak Spanish is that you can get more out of visiting Spain. After all, Spain is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations and there are plenty of flights to the country every day from all around the world.You'll have to get used to eating later in the day if you're living in Spain. (Source: pixabay.com)There are a lot of reasons that so many people travel to Spain for their vacations. You could go to Madrid, Barcelona, or even Ibiza, if you like partying. The list of great Spanish destinations goes on and on.If you like sun, sea, and sand without having to go too far, Spain’s got it all. If you speak Spanish, you’ll have a much better idea of what's going on (it's not always obvious) and you'll be able to chat to the local people, too.If you want to stay in Madrid or Barcelona, learning Spanish will make everything much easier. If you spend time in Spain having taken Spanish courses beforehand, you can use your conversational Spanish in order to gain a deeper understanding of both the Spanish language and culture.In fact, your trip to Spain could even act as a sort of immersion course whereby you can p ractise and build on the Spanish that you have previously learnt. After all, the key to developing in any new language is practising, so where better to do this than in the Spanish capital? You will improve your pronunciation by listening to the locals, and even learn some more Spanish words and phrases.The Benefits of Learning Spanish: One of the Most Spoken Languages WorldwideDo you really want to spend your entire life without understanding a large portion of the planet?Did you know that Spanish is spoken in 20 different countries by 440 million native speakers. This makes it the second most spoken language in terms of the amount of people who speak it as their mother tongue (only Mandarin Chinese has more native speakers).In terms of the countries where Spanish is spoken, there’s Spain, most of South and Central America, as well as a few countries in the Caribbean, and Equatorial Guinea in Africa. If you love travelling, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to Spanish-spe aking countries you can visit.Spanish history has made it widespread because of the Spanish empire and the navigators of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. What they did all those years ago has left us with a large proportion of the world that speaks Spanish as a first language.So if you’ve got itchy feet, it would be a shame if you didn’t speak any Spanish.  By studying Spanish, you could be opening up your horizons to a whole world of interesting cultures and traditions that you probably hadn't given much thought to previously.Spanish Speaking Countries Are Some of the Most Desirable Destinations to VisitIt is not just the fact that Spanish is very widespread throughout the world that makes it a language that you should learn, it is the fact some of the most desirable destinations on the world are located in Spanish speaking countries.For example, Machu Picchu in Peru and Chichen Itza in Mexico are two of the new 7 wonders of the world, and Iguazu Falls in Argentina and the A mazon which straddles swathes of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil, are two of the 7 wonders of nature. On top of this, Barcelona and Madrid were both named in the top 30 most visited cities in 2017.Even outside of these well established tourist destinations, locations such as the walled city of Cartagena in Colombia, the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, and the ancient ruins at Tikal in Guatemala, are all worth a visit in their own right.In fact, the guide book, Lonely Planet, named 3 Spanish speaking cities in its top 10 cities to visit in 2018, whilst Chile was on its list of top 10 countries to visit.Outside of living and working in a Spanish-speaking country, the attraction of such destinations for holidays appears to be unparalleled. Fluency is not essential, but being able to at least communicate with the Spanish speakers in these places will enhance your experience when you visit.Spain is also home to some of the best beaches in the world. (Source: Flo Dahm)Speak On e of the World’s Most Beautiful LanguagesThe benefits of learning Spanish are well documented, but one reason that isn't often suggested is that it is one of the world's most beautiful languages.Spanish is a rich, beautiful, and melodic language. Whether it's one of the beautiful varieties of Latin American Spanish, or Castilian Spanish from Spain, Spanish can make your heart melt.Have you ever heard somebody speaking Spanish? Just like French and Italian, Spanish is a Romance language and is famous for being pleasant on the ears.In fact, by travelling, you’ll notice that Spanish is arguably one of the most beautiful languages in the world. There’s a reason Hispanic music is so famous across the globe.There’s a certain enjoyment that comes with speaking Spanish. Whether you’re just starting out or already know a bit, most people will agree that speaking Spanish is really enjoyable. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish T eacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSpanish Can Be Quite an Easy Language to LearnWhy learn a difficult language when you can learn an easy one?With similar roots in terms of vocabulary, Spanish can be quite simple for an English speaker to learn (as opposed to say Russian or Chinese).Over half of English vocabulary has similar roots to Spanish vocabulary. That’s because over half of English words are from Latin or French. Since most Spanish words are of Latin origin, too, this means that there is a high degree of lexical similarity in comparison to other languages.That said, you still have to put the work in. You can’t just say that because half your vocabulary shares the same roots that you’re already 50% fluent in Spanish. There are plenty of exceptions and false friends that will show you that it’d be foolish to underestimate how difficult Spanish can be.In any case, if you’re looking for one of the easier languages for an English speaker to learn, it would be foolish for you to pass up on Spanish.So if you are thinking  why learn Spanish, the comparably easy nature of the language for English speakers means that you could see quick progress in your Spanish course, or your private Spanish lessons with a Spanish teacher.What Business Opportunities Does Spanish Hold?Not learning Spanish could severely hinder you when it comes to doing business with a number of huge markets.While English still remains the language of international business, Spanish isn’t far behind. In fact, there are plenty of massive Spanish-speaking companies.That is why I started Spanish courses London with my Superprof tutor!Spanish is a huge advantage when it comes to finding a job. (Source: pixabay.com)The growth of Latin American economies, such as in Chile, Mexico, and Colombia, has led to an increase in trade. For example, the EU is in advanced talks to finalise a trade agreement with the Mercosur countries, which will make it one of the EU's biggest market opening agreements. The bloc already has a deal in place with the Andean countries of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, whilst it is close to updating a trade agreement that it has had in place with Mexico since 2000.You get the picture: If you want to do more business, it's probably best that you start learning to speak Spanish. The good thing is that you can easily learn Spanish online. Furthermore, if you’re a business owner, there are a lot of opportunities that you might be missing by not speaking Spanish. Speaking Spanish migh t even create opportunities you didn’t realize were there.Job Opportunities Are Endless if you Speak SpanishWouldn’t you like to add something interesting to your résumé?If you speak Spanish, you will stand out from the crowd. There are far more interesting positions available for those who speak Spanish and English.Let’s not forget that it’s going to make finding a job much simpler, too. Spanish-speaking countries are developing fast. Make sure that you’re ahead of the trend!If you are looking for reasons to learn Spanish at school, then the job opportunities that you will be presented with later on in life is surely one of the biggest. Starting language courses earlier on in life will keep you ahead of the trend when it comes to grammar, verbs, and their conjugation at university.If you’re struggling to find a job back home, why not look for work in a Spanish-speaking country? Plenty of people nowadays are jetting off and working abroad. Why? Because the cost of livi ng is cheaper elsewhere.  In fact, retiring in the sun isn’t a bad option, either! You could live like royalty.Spanish speaking countries make up 4 of  the top 5 destinations for retirees, and Malaysia, Portugal, and Malta are the only non-Hispanic countries in the top 10!   If retirement isn’t currently on the horizon, there’s nothing stopping you visiting these countries. You might not want to come home after, though...Learning Spanish Exercises Your BrainIt’s proven that learning a language is a stimulating activity for your brain.  Learning a language like Spanish is a great way to keep your brain young and provide excellent mental stimulation.Speaking Spanish is like working out for your brain. (Source: pixabay.com)Thus, if you have the free time to learn a language and would like to do something interesting, you should try out Spanish. You won’t be disappointed. It doesn’t really matter what age you start learning Spanish. Taking Spanish classes in a group is a gre at way to meet people and feed your curiosity.The are advantages to all Spanish study methods, but the one that links them all in the impact that they have on the brain. As science has shown us: the brain is an organ that requires daily training. Learning Spanish is a great way to stay mentally active and may even encourage you to learn another language once you’ve finished. If you’re asking yourself whether you’re too old to learn Spanish, the answer is a resounding “no!”.Missing Out of a Rich Hispanic CultureTaking Spanish classes is a great way to learn more about other cultures.Do you like learning about new cultures and traditions? It’s great, isn’t it? Everyone has their own culture and traditions. It’s fascinating learning about them, too. Learning Spanish will give you an opportunity to get even closer to these cultures.Furthermore, learning about other cultures can teach us more about our own. “Travel shapes youth” as the saying goes. The more you know, the bigger your world becomes.Now that you have 9 reasons to speak Spanish, why not get started?  Look for Spanish tutors on our site and find a language that is as enriching as its culture.

Are Kids with ADHD at Risk for Becoming Overweight as Adults

Are Kids with ADHD at Risk for Becoming Overweight as Adults The term ADHD often invokes images of hyperactive children who rarely sit still and have endless amounts of energy. Think about what these children may be like as adults, and youll likely picture individuals who are always on the go and maintain a relatively average weight because they are so active. Of course, today we know that ADHD is associated with much more than hyperactivity, and that some kids with ADHD experience difficulties with inattention and/or impulsivity without being at all hyperactive. However, even for non-hyperactive kids, parents, teachers, and mental health professionals have historically not considered ADHD to be a risk factor for obesity. Yet, recent research has in fact shown that adults who were diagnosed with ADHD during childhood are more likely to be overweight or obese than adults without a history of ADHD. There is also evidence to suggest that kids with ADHD are more likely to be overweight or obese than kids without ADHD (although additional research is needed to confirm these findings). Why are kids with ADHD at increased risk for becoming overweight or obese in their lifetime? At this point, researchers arent sure, but they do have some theories. Preliminary studies suggest that dysregulated eating patterns, decreased physical activity, sleep problems, genetics, and the executive functioning deficits associated with ADHD may be some of the factors driving the connection. Studies also suggest that treatment of ADHD symptoms with stimulant medication significantly reduces obesity risk. While there is little specific guidance currently available for parents of kids with ADHD around obesity prevention, targeting factors that may underlie the connection between ADHD and obesity is a good place to start. Helping your child learn to regulate his or her appetite and eating habits, develop healthy sleep patterns, and become physically active will make it much easier for him or her to engage in a healthy lifestyle as adults. For kids who respond well to stimulant medications, including medication in their ADHD treatment plan may also be an effective preventative measure. Making lifestyle changes to support your childs eating, sleeping, and physical activity habits can be challenging, and it can be hard to know where to start. In general, its best to start small and target one or two areas at a time. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Help your child regulate his or her appetite and eating habits. Help your child regulate his or her appetite by providing meals and snacks on a consistent schedule (on both weekdays and weekends). This will help ensure that your child is hungry when mealtimes come around. Your child will eat more of the healthy foods on his or her plate and will develop an improved awareness of his or her bodys hunger cues. Avoid letting your child graze on food throughout the day or engage in mindless eating while watching TV or playing videogames. Encourage your child to eat (and enjoy) a range of foods. Kids will be more likely to be on board with broadening their meal options if they are involved in choosing which foods they will eat, and in preparing their meals. If your goal is to have your child eat more vegetables, allow to choose from 2 or more veggie options, and/or a selection of relatively healthy sauces that he or she can add to enhance the flavor. Involve your child in meal prep activities when time allows, and plan some fun cooking and healthy baking activities during weekends and school breaks. Encourage physical activity through participation in sports. Kids, teens, and adults are more likely to be physically active if they are participating in athletic activities that they enjoy. Help your child find a sport that he or she loves and provide him or her with the opportunity to participate regularly. It doesnt really matter if its a team sport or an individual sport, as long as its something he or she looks forward to doing. Your child will be building skills that he or she can apply to other athletic pursuits as he or she grows, and he or she will develop a positive association with exercise that will stay with him or her as he or she grows into adults. Prioritize sleep. Sleep can be a real struggle for many kids with ADHD. With busy schedules, it can be easy to allow kids to stay up late and get less sleep than they really need. But the cost of insufficient sleep is high for kids with ADHD it makes their symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity worse in the short term, and can interfere with their ability to regulate their emotions and appetite now and in the future. So, make your childs sleep a priority by creating a sleep schedule and sticking to it. Be a good role model. Kids will have the most success with regulating their eating habits, activity levels, and sleep patterns if they see their parents engaging in these healthy behaviors too! If making any of these changes feels overwhelming, or your child shows persistent difficulties with eating, sleeping, or engaging in physical activity, reach out to your pediatrician and ask for extra support. Even small steps that you take now will go a long way in helping your child develop healthy lifestyle habits that will benefit him or her throughout his or her lifetime. For a summary of the latest research on the link between ADHD and Obesity, check out the following article: Cortese, S. Tessari, L. (2017). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obesity: Update 2016. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19, ePub. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0754-1 ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

AJ Tutoring has a new office in Los Gatos

AJ Tutoring has a new office in Los Gatos Were excited to announce the opening of AJ Tutorings second office in Los Gatos! Our new office is located at 16275 Los Gatos Boulevard, near the intersection of Los Gatos Boulevard and Blossom Hill Road.AJ Tutorings new Los Gatos location is a full-service office, offering one-on-one test prep and academic tutoring. Having just wrapped up the 2014 PSAT season, our tutors are now getting students ready for the December ACT and starting to look toward the busy spring 2015 testing cycle.A number of fantastic academic tutors are also available at Los Gatos to help your student succeed in a tough class. We offer academic tutoring in all subjects, from math and science to history and English. Finals are coming up next month, but theres still time to work on this semesters grades!AJ Tutoring Los Gatos will also offer small group SAT classes, beginning in January for the March 2015 SAT. Our SAT classes are limited to fewer than 10 students and are taught by experienced SAT instructors. SAT classes at the Los Gatos office will be taught by John McNulty. For a complete SAT class schedule, please consult our website.If youd like to connect your student with a tutor at our Los Gatos office or would like more information, please reach out to us anytime! You can give us a call at (408) 345-5200 or email info@ajtutoring.com, and one of our directors will be in touch with you shortly.And if youre in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by 16275 Los Gatos Boulevard and check out the new office. Wed love to talk with you!

Ready to Start Reading 3 Tips for Choosing Easy Target-language Books

Ready to Start Reading 3 Tips for Choosing Easy Target-language Books Ready to Start Reading? 3 Tips for Choosing Easy Target-language Books Reading in your target language is one of the most fulfilling things about learning it.There’s nothing in this world like reading a page of your target language and understanding it.Not to mention the benefits of carrying around a foreign language book  and impressing your friends!But getting started with native materials can seem like a Herculean task at first. What if you don’t know all the words yet? What if you cant understand what the writing is trying to convey?Then theres the question of what you should read.  Novels are so long, and the classics seem way out of reach. Even picture books can be tougher than they seem at first glance.Don’t let any of this stop you! If youre a fast-progressing beginner, an average intermediate learner or an advanced learner whos ready for a reading review, I’m here to help you ease your way into reading native-level material. Tear yourself away from the safe mooring of learners’ materials and textbooks, because we’re about to dive in to the deep end of native-level material.Well, maybe we’ll keep a floating device around. Ready to Start Reading? 3 Tips for Choosing Easy Target-language Books1. Take Advantage of Readers with Simultaneous TranslationsWhy Use Readers?Readers occupy the area between beginner-level textbooks and true native materials.This one’s for the folks out there who havent yet laid eyes upon a native-level text. (That said, some readers use non-native learners’ textsâ€"make sure you pick one up that has native material!)They provide the structure you crave, along with glossaries, vocabulary sections and sometimes even grammar notes. And some readers are graded so that you can really pinpoint where you want to go. Sure, the texts are mostly classics, but all of that support makes them totally accessible.Simultaneous translationsâ€"where one page is in your target language and the opposite page is written in your native languageâ€"though, really seal the deal. Simultaneous translations ar e the literary equivalent of having a friend guide you along. They allow the easiest transition into reading native material. Even the rawest of beginners can match up a sentence from one side of a page to a sentence on the other!Where to Find Readers?Never fearâ€"readers for major languages are easily found on the websites of  most major booksellers and on Amazon. They’re common learning tools, and you’ll likely be able to choose from many.Penguin has awesome parallel text readers in French, Spanish, German, Chinese  and Japanese.Also for Japanese, I’ve personally used Breaking into Japanese Literature,  which is of excellent quality, and the online store White Rabbit Japan has lots of options for graded readers, bilingual texts and level-specific reading material in general.There are several e-readers by Routledge and others available on VitalSource for rental (at a cheaper price than what it would normally cost to buy the book), so this is a great option if youre already us ing VitalSource for other language learning e-books or if the idea of learning primarily with digital texts sounds appealing. They have readers (and other books) for Greek, Chinese, Hindi, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Japanese, Russian and more.The publisher Dover also has a variety of readers for these languages, so get hunting!How to Make the Most of ReadersTry to Crack the CodeTake advantage of those simultaneous translations! As stated above, they’re awesome for piecing together a half-learned language. Find a word or phrase that you know and match it up to the translation. Start with short sentences and move on from there. Try to match up the other words with their translations as well as you can, and double-check with the book’s glossary or your dictionary. Think of it like cracking a code!Add the Language to SRS FlashcardsAt the same time, keep in mind that the simultaneous translations are indeed translations, which  means that they arent perfect glossaries o r word-for-word literal translations. So, they’re not the best things to include in your SRS flashcards. Rather, use any vocabulary lists or glossaries included in the reader to SRS all the new words you’re using.In addition to using readers, you can also take advantage of the selected reading material, SRS and flashcards on the web version of MosaLingua, which is available for Spanish, French, Italian, German and Portuguese. You can read e-books in the MosaLingua library, for example, easily look up words and phrases you dont understand and then make them into flashcards to review later.Set a Specific Time to Read Each DayWhen youre first starting to wade into the world of native-level text, exposure is absolutely key. Sure, that block of text is scary at first. That’s absolutely why you need to commit to some reading time in every study sessionsâ€"five to ten minutes of looking at native text. Emphasis is on the word looking. You don’t have to understand, you don’t have to look anything up, but make sure youre taking in some of those words. Make sure you’re getting used to reading in your target language!Break  the RulesAnd finally, books don’t have to be read in the order in which theyre printed, especially if youre using them as learning tools. Khatzumoto from All Japanese All The Time spells this out brilliantly in this series of postsâ€"we don’t have to read in order because books serve us, not the other way around.Skip around!Flip the page!Skim through the whole tome until you find a sentence you understand!It’s totally fine, and much better for your studies than you getting bored and frustrated by sticking to a passage thats too difficult.2. Read Stuff You Already KnowWhy Read Stuff You’ve Already Read?If you’re an English speaker (which I’m guessing you are), then congratulations, English books are the most frequently translated in the world. That means, if you have a favorite book in English, chances are you can find it in the language of your choice. These are great for intermediate and upper-intermediate learners, but beginners can totally take a stab at reading them, too!Reading books you already know well gives you that valuable context.Context allows you to decode a new language without you having to look up every word in a dictionaryâ€"which isn’t all that much fun for anyone. Personally, I love using Harry Potter and Roald Dahl’s children’s books for this. All of these I’ve read about a million times in total, so I know what’s going to happen very intimately. It’s like a simultaneous translationâ€"but in your head!This allows me to pick up a translated Harry Potter book and dive right into the first chapterâ€"I already know what it’s going to say. I find words I know in the language and I guess at the meaning of the surrounding words.Guessing? Don’t be so alarmed. It’s not so bad to guessâ€"if you’re wrong, your studies and exposure to native media will correct it. And it keeps you actively reading!Where to Find Translated Books?Native-level books can be harder to track down if you don’t live in a  country where the target language is spoken, but there’s still hope!Amazon third-party sellers are greatâ€"just search the translated title of the book youre looking for. Keep an eye out when you’re in used bookstoresâ€"I’ve found Japanese and German Harry Potter books in Pittsburgh, Hebrew and Hungarian books in Boston and Korean books in rural Pennsylvania.You can purchase Kindle/e-book translations on Amazon in languages like Spanish, French  and German.Finally, for languages that have a presence in your country, you might have luck finding books in online stores that sell within your country, like YesAsia for Japanese and Chinese.How to Make the Most of Translations!First off, I would recommend using  children’s or young adult literature you know wellâ€"these work best for beginner and intermediate learners just starting to read native material. T hese books have easier language and easier content, and that allows you to focus on learning and practicing the language. That being said, always go for what you like. Mainstream fiction novels are often pretty close in reading level to young adult books. And if classics are what you love, go for it!When you have your book, dive in and start reading. Like with readers, feel free to skip around, skip hard paragraphs, go straight for the dialogue. Find what you recognize and read from there. You could even start with chapter titles or the table of contents! Description tends to have harder vocab, and dialogue tends to have simpler, more colloquial languageâ€"keep that in mind while you’re skipping around.Next up, don’t always use a dictionary. Refrain from trying to look everything up! Relaxâ€"you’ll definitely pick things up from context. Kató Lomb, the famous Hungarian polyglot, learned her languages primarily through novels, and she advocated for using dictionaries only spar ingly, when absolutely necessary. If you can guess, then guess!To remember all of this new information, SRS choice sentences when you have time. Don’t make SRS the sole goal of readingâ€"skimming and looking up words should be a separate activity in and of itself. SRS is an active mode of learning that you can fit in when you’re sitting down to study. When you do start with SRS, simply choose sentences where there are one or two words you don’t know. Plug in the L2 sentence on the front of the card, and the definitions of the vocab on the back. And there you go! Easy!3. Devour Comics and Picture BooksWhy Read Comics and Picture Books?Like with reading translations, the visuals here provide you with context, and that context speeds up learning! If you can’t get a translation of a book you know and love, getting your context through visuals is the next best thing, even if youre working with  a new book that you know nothing about.It’s best to find either comics or picture bo oks aimed at young readers. Comics will probably be easier to understand, since they’re aimed at younger readers. Picture books can actually be harder. Why? Because they’re often written for parents to read to their kids!Where to Find Comics and Picture Books?This will pretty much be the same as for translations. While Amazon is pretty good for Spanish if youre buying from the US, your best bet is to hunt them down through online stores that sell L2 books in the language you want; here are some examples for French, Spanish, German, Japanese  and Chinese.If youre just starting out in your target language and feel that you could use more support, Language Lizard, a site that specializes in bilingual childrens products,  offers bilingual picture books in over 40 languages. They have all of your major world languages like French, Spanish, Chinese, etc., as well as others you might not expect, like Haitian-Creole and Scottish Gaelic.How to Make the Most of Comics and Picture Books!Th ese are especially great for browsing. Embrace your inner child and look at the pictures. Pick out words you know like with anything else you read, and guess at the meaningsâ€"but this time, do so by using the pictures. Try to notice repeating words and see if you can associate them with the illustrations. Make it a game and have fun with it!Again, don’t be glued to your dictionaryâ€"especially with comics, the pictures tell half the story. Words you figure out on your own with context will stick with you longer, and that only means more proficiency for you in the long run. Be honestâ€"how often do you remember the scores of words you mechanically look up in dictionaries? Make it memorable by puzzling it out, just like a kid does when theyre learning their first language.So, youre all set to develop your own personal, target-language library.Get out there and hunt down some reading material for your shelves!Even with native-level materials, there are always ways to ease yourself i nto reading works by native speakers and for native speakers. This way, you’ll be able to read anything in no time at all!

6 Tips for Painless Progress in Foreign Language Learning

6 Tips for Painless Progress in Foreign Language Learning 6 Tips for Painless Progress in Foreign Language Learning Ever stood at the chasm between language learning and fluency?Even for experienced language learners, it can seem like there are miles and miles to leap over before reaching actual, real-deal conversation with native speakers.We are here to make that chasm seem like a crack in the road.All it takes is tweaking your study regimen to get you prepared and motivated to make consistent progress.With these six language learning tips, plus a little patience and dedication, you will be cruising down a clear path to fluency. 6 Tips for Painless Progress in Foreign Language Learning1. Find Your Driving PassionPassion is the flame that burns in your heart and gives your life meaning. Passion is the source of motivation. It is hard to learn anything if you lack this. Before you do anything else, it is important to ask yourself why you want to learn the language in the first place. This why is your purpose.There are no right or wrong answers. Maybe you want to learn a language to progress in yo ur current field of work, maybe you love the culture, maybe it just sounds pretty to you, maybe it is the language of your ancestry or maybe you have another reason.Even if you are learning a language for an external reason, like a college course requirement, you can and should home in on an internally-driven passion to keep your motivation up. Think about exciting trips you could take to practice the language, native speakers you know who you could converse with or the professional opportunities that might open up to you as a bilingual or multilingual person.Once you realize what your purpose is for learning a language, write it down. This will serve as a reminder when motivation is low or when you get stuck. Language learning is not a steady uphill path, but a path full of ups and downs. Having something to remind yourself of why you started language learning in the first place is a great tool to help you get over the lows you will encounter.Remember your reason for learning a lan guage does not have to be set in stone. It can change over time. As you progress in your language go back and reevaluate your purpose. This will keep the motivation fresh and new.2. Make Language Learning a Daily HabitThe most important attribute in any pursuit is consistency. Have you ever been so excited to learn something that for the first few days or even weeks you binge studied, only to burn out and take a break from it?  After that begins a cycle of sporadic binge learning followed by rest, only to return later at basically the same starting point.In order to keep this from happening, it is best to set aside a certain amount of study time every day that you can realistically hold yourself accountable to. Blocking out 20 minutes a day is the ideal starting point for most people. It is not long enough to get bored or frustrated and it is just enough time to review and learn something new.This may not seem like so much time, but by the end of the month, you will have spent about 10 hours learning a foreign language. That is more time than if you paid for one-hour private tutoring sessions twice a week!For best results, it is advisable that you practice language learning at the same time every day. For example, you may choose to study in the morning after breakfast or before going to sleep at night. That way, after a while, you will form a habit and language learning will be a part of your daily routine.When learning your target language use your strengths to your advantage. If you learn better through language apps, make that the bulk of your learning experience. If you learn better through traditional grammar books then focus on that. Playing to your strengths will help you progress faster, making language learning more fun and enjoyable!3. Plan Your Studying Around Your InterestsFinding your passion is not the only thing that helps drive your language learning progressâ€"it has to be enjoyable! If you are doing something you find boring you will start dr eading it and may eventually give up.If you enjoy film, it is beneficial to watch movies in your target language. Likewise, if you frequently listen to music, find bands in a genre you prefer that sing in your target language. Since you already like the genre, the songs will stick in your ear. Eventually, you can find the lyrics online and translate them into your native language.Once you are no longer a beginner, activities such as listening to a podcast in your target language while traveling to work or while having some downtime help to keep the language in your ear while putting you in contact with various subjects and new vocabulary words.Playing video games in your target language is another way to practice in an environment that is adrenaline filled and exciting. Here you will have to get comfortable thinking fast in your target language.To target your interests while ensuring that you are actively learning, FluentU is a unique tool to check out. It provides authentic videos, like movie trailers, news clips, commercials and more, and transforms them into interactive learning experiences. For example, each video comes with captions you can click whenever you spot an unfamiliar word. You will get in-context definitions and visual learning aids.Then, FluentUs Learn Mode takes the video content and creates engaging exercises and flashcards so you can test how much you learned. It is an awesome way to get solid language practice that will hold your interest! Plus, the more you explore real-world videos in your target language, from silly YouTubers to absorbing dramas, the more inherently interesting your language studies will become.4. Set Attainable GoalsBeing fluent in your target language is the ultimate goal of anyone pursuing foreign language learning. However, in the beginning, this can seem like a daunting task.It is best to set a series of small goals that will eventually culminate in your main goal of gaining fluency. These goals should be reasonabl e to attain in a relatively short period of time. They can be anything. For example, you can set a goal of learning 20 verbs in one week or learning 100 new vocabulary words in a month.Remember, language learning is similar to the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare. Slow and steady wins the race! Small, steady, incremental progress over time leads to the most success. Setting weekly, monthly or even daily goals will bring you to the finish line of fluency the fastest while preventing burnout.You will also want to make sure that your goals are relevant.  You can learn 3,000 vocabulary words by heart, which is roughly the number of words needed to be able to converse in a language, but if you never learn how to put them together to form sentences you are nowhere near having the ability to hold a conversation.Sometimes less can be more. Think about what goals are most important to you. If you want to be able to converse with native speakers, you should master essential grammar and voca bulary and maybe some slang. If you want to learn a language for academic purposes, you would need to master grammar and formal usage. If you have a very specific purpose, like practicing medicine abroad, you would need to study niche vocabulary. Take this into consideration when setting learning goals for yourself and you will quickly make the kind of progress that matters to you.5. Notice (and Embrace) Your MistakesWhen learning a language, you will inevitably make mistakes. It is part of the process. If you do not make any mistakes that means you have nothing else to learn. Embrace your mistakes. Use your mistakes as tools to improve.It is helpful to research common mistakes foreigners make in your target language. Joining online language learning forums (WordReference has a popular one) is a good way to discover these types of mistakes, and how your fellow learners have overcome them.Embracing mistakes does not alway have to be about the negativeâ€"it can be positive in that you can see how you are improving. Recording yourself speaking a couple times a month is a great way to see your progress. You can also use  Dialang, a great resource that offers progress tests to track where you are in reference to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.Taking this test every few months is a great way to clearly see how far you have come and how far you need to go.6. Find Opportunities to Speak in Your Target LanguageLanguage learning is not just an intellectual exercise. It is a skill that has to be applied. In order to speak a language you have to actually speak! Conversation is key.The most beneficial way to do this is through a language exchange. This means finding a native speaker of your target language who is willing to practice speaking with you. Not everyone has the luxury of having a native speaker living in their area but the internet offers many great resources to find language exchange partners.If you are too shy or too embarrassed to ju mp right into a language exchange with a peer, a good way to ease into it is to hire a language tutor. And with digital platforms like Verbling, you can get a qualified, native-speaker tutor with a click or a tap. You can browse thousands of teacher profiles to find one who meets your learning goals and budget. Plus, Verbling uses a unique communication platform where you can video chat, review documents or images, take notes and more. It is like a personal classroom all on your screen.You cannot speak with a language exchange partner or a tutor 24/7. It is helpful to think and talk to yourself in your target language, too. Here are some ideas to do that:Do you have to go grocery shopping? Make the list in your target language.Do you have a busy day? Plan out the day in your target language.Are you taking a walk? Name all the things you pass in your target language.Any time you can think or talk to yourself in your target language will only help you practice!Remember learning a fore ign language is an attainable goal for anyone who sets their mind to it. Using these tips will surely help you on your journey to learning a foreign language easily and painlessly!