French Grammar Basics When to Use Tu and Vous

French Grammar Basics When to Use Tu and Vous Sign up successful French grammar dictates that “vous” be used in two basic situations. In one situation, you are still speaking to only one person, but that person is your social superior. It could be your boss at work, a teacher or professor, or a friends older relative. Depending on the level of formality used in a family, it could also be used by a child speaking to his or her parents or grandparents, although many families do not require this. In any other situation that requires formality, or when in doubt, use “vous.” In the second basic situation, the speaker is talking to more than one person. It doesnt matter if you are talking to two people or a thousand, to women, to men, or to both (and yes there are languages that care about this, too!). The formality of the situation also becomes less important in this case, since the speaker will use “vous” in any case. In some regional spoken dialects of modern English, people will say “yall” (short for “you all”) when speaking to more than one person. For those English-speakers who include “yall” in their speech, this is a reasonably closer English equivalent to vous than the simple “you.” So when you are speaking and are trying to figure out which one to use, ask yourself three basic questions: Is it a formal situation? Are you speaking to more than one person? (Use “vous!”) Or are you speaking to one person in a more relaxed, familiar situation? (Use “tu!”) And keep at it with your study of French language and grammar! Learning French takes persistence, but time and effort will help you master it. Carol Beth L. teaches  French lessons in San Francisco, CA. She has her Masters in French language education from the Sorbonne University in Paris and has been teaching students since 2009.  Learn more about Carol Beth 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 Gareth Williams

How to Prepare for GMAT Vocabulary

How to Prepare for GMAT Vocabulary When it comes to tackling the GMAT, unlike the GRE, you wont be tested on the meanings of individual vocabulary words in context. You will need to feel comfortable with the type of vocabulary used on the GMAT, however, particularly in Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Integrated Reasoning questions. There are many ways to prepare for GMAT vocabulary, such as taking practice tests and incorporating GMAT vocabulary into your daily life to gain familiarity. When preparing for GMAT vocabulary, you will need to understand both the content of the passages and how to answer the related questions. For students who need help with GMAT vocabulary, here are four steps to prepare for the types of language you will find on the GMAT exam: 1. Take a GMAT practice test When preparing for the GMAT, sit for a full-length GMAT practice exam, including breaks. If you have already taken a practice test recently, pull it up. Then, review your results. Go through each section of the exam, and look at the questions you answered correctly or incorrectly. This will help you learn the language of the GMAT. Familiarize yourself with the types of words used in each of the sections, including Quantitative and Integrated Reasoning, and identify the words that you did not understand. Additionally, examine which questions you were able to answer correctly, even though you didnt know all of the vocabulary involved. Using clues in context will help you find the correct answers on the GMAT when you dont necessarily know every word in the question. [RELATED: How to Plan Your GMAT Prep Schedule] 2. Create a list of GMAT vocabulary words Write down every word on the test that you are unfamiliar with in a separate list. Then, write down the definition of each word on the list. As you go through the exam, you will notice these words appearing in multiple places on the GMAT. For example, the word species is often included in both Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions. The words prime, median, mean, and reciprocal are found in many Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency questions. Words like consumption, dramatically, proliferation, and yield are common words in the Analytical Writing Assessment topics. Making a list of unfamiliar vocabulary words can help you better understand what areas you can work to improve on. Once you know what these words mean, studying for the GMAT becomes much easier. 3. Make GMAT vocabulary flashcards From your list of unfamiliar words, write one word on one side of an index card. On the other side of the card, write the definition of the word along with your own sentence defining that word. Test yourself on 5-10 words per day, eliminating words once you are confident that you know them. Continue this practice as you study from official GMAT material and encounter more words you dont know. This will keep the words in your head and help you process GMAT passages and questions more efficiently. 4. Read magazines and newspapers with similar language to GMAT vocabulary The Reading Comprehension passages found on the GMAT exam can involve a variety of topics, including: biology astronomy American history European history economics environmental science physics human resource management In addition to working through actual GMAT passages, students can also read publications like Scientific American, Financial Times, The Economist, and Bloomberg Businessweek to get comfortable with the writing styles that appear on the GMAT. These magazines often contain composition and language found in certaintexts and case studies that you mayin encounter in your MBA program. So, understanding this vocabulary now can help not only on the GMAT, but also in business school. [RELATED:4 Reflective Questions to Guide Your GMAT Prep] Though memorizing GMAT vocabulary may not be your primary focus in preparing for the exam, becoming familiar with the types of words found on the GMAT will help improve your overall performance. Combined with a regular study schedule in which you practice on official GMAT questions, improving your GMAT vocabulary will help you prepare for the material you will face on your exam day. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Spend your summer with AJ Tutoring

Spend your summer with AJ Tutoring As the weather warms up, its time to start thinking about summer plans.  Whether this summer will find you heading to the beach or relaxing at home, we hope youll make some time for academics too. AJ Tutoring has several options for this summer, including one-on-one tutoring for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and academic classes, as well as SAT courses at our Palo Alto and San Jose offices.Rising seniors this summer is the time to prep for your final SAT and ACT tests in the fall.  We can help you with a few review sessions to target your specific weaknesses. Got some tough APs next year? Dont slack off just yet fall semester grades count for college admissions.  We have AP experts who can introduce you to calculus, statistics, physicsand almost anything else!Rising juniors   youll be taking the PSAT in October.  If youre going for National Merit recognition, you should start preparing for the test this summer.  Even if youre not thinking about National Merit, a few tutoring sessions ca n help you feel more comfortable with the test.  And dont forget, we can help introduce you to those tough academic classes youll be taking next year.  A lot of juniors take AP US History wouldnt it be nice to get a head start on the material?Rising freshmen and sophomores   AJ Tutoring can help with general study skills and summer enrichment.  We dont typically recommend SAT prep for freshmen and sophomores, but everyone can benefit from a summer program that reinforces reading, writing, and math skills.  We can create a personalized tutoring program to make sure you dont lose your edge over the summer.Everyone if youd rather take a group class and make some new friends, AJ Tutoring is offering several SAT classes at our Palo Alto and San Jose locations throughout the summer.  Our classes offer a focused learning environment, a set schedule, and an affordable price ($990 for 9 classes and four proctored full-length SATs).  Check out our summer class schedule here.If you hav e any questions about AJ Tutorings summer programs, please call (650) 331-3251, or email us at info@ajtutoring.com.  Wed love to be a part of your summer plans!

Top Tips on How to choose a tutor

Top Tips on How to choose a tutor For a parent or guardian, choosing a tutor can seem like a daunting task. This is someone who will potentially spend a lot of time with your child. If they get on well, the tutor is likely to have a great deal of influence over how your child sees their own education and the world. Firstly, before looking for a tutor, remember to discuss this with your child as this could be a sensitive issue for them. Parents then find tutors in many ways. There are a growing number of agencies throughout the country, some people use personal ads and a great number rely on personal recommendations. Tutorfair is the first website that allows you to actually book online, and since it funds charity work which addresses educational disadvantage, I would definitely suggest that you have a look there first. Before choosing a tutor it is often a good idea to meet at least a couple of other tutors first. Each will have a different style and the most important thing is to see who seems to fit best with their potential student, your child in this case. It can be tempting to base your decision on who you like the most, or indeed, the tutor that seems to have a tutoring style that you would have liked when you were a child. However, it is not you that has to work with them. It is therefore very important to listen to your child, see who they like and who they feel they could learn best from. If your child likes the tutor then half the job is done already as they will often start to work harder just to impress their new mentor. If your child doesn’t like anyone this can make the choice a little harder, and it may not be a problem with the tutors, more that the student has a problem with tutoring altogether. I’ve heard some parents actually ask their kids ‘ok, you’re going to have to work with one of them so who do you hate the least?’ This is not to say that you shouldn’t also trust your own gut instinct, just remember that it’s the student who will work with them. During your decision making process there are some key questions that I think are really worth asking your potential new tutor. If asked early on you could save a great deal of time later. Here are a few: • What kind of learner are you? Were you more visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, or did you learn by rote? • How would you deal with a student who doesn’t feel like doing any work that day? • Have you had any very difficult students and how have you dealt with them? This might all sound like an interview, and in some ways it is. I would advise against giving the potential tutor a hard time in this meeting but do voice your questions or concerns. Part of a tutor’s job can be to act as a go-between for the parents and kids regarding academics. However, I would be wary of any tutor who cannot explain what their working method is. Most of my work is gut feeling nowadays but I do have a set of approaches that I like to try first. If they can’t explain this to you in an initial meeting then I’d be concerned about their ability to explain anything challenging to a child who is really stuck. Something else to look out for is how qualified your new tutor is. Many tutoring agencies stipulate that a tutor should have qualifications that are at least one level above the ones they teach. For example, a GCSE Geography tutor should have an A-level in that subject, and some even stipulate that they should have a degree. This makes a lot of sense, however, it should also be pointed out that just because someone has a degree (or even a PhD) in a subject, doesn’t necessarily mean they can teach it. Some of the most inspiring tutors I’ve ever met have been those who struggled themselves at school. Most of the maths teachers I had in school had never really struggled with maths. However, it is clear to me now that this potentially made it more difficult for them to really empathise with a student who didn’t ‘get it’. I only started to understand maths later on, which in some ways has meant I find myself being more patient with students who do struggle, simply because I’ve been through the same struggle myself. Aside from being good teachers, the most successful tutors are those who are half way between a teacher and a best friend. These tutors inspire their students to want to learn, and often kids like them so much that they will work harder, perhaps in some way, to impress them. This is one of the most powerful tools that tutors have and therefore a great deal of their success will depend on the chemistry they have with their students. I’m not saying that every student should love every tutor they have, but if they really don’t get on then it’s bad news for both the tutor and the student. The tutor risks negative reviews from parents (and these do count in the playground outside school) and students risk wasting valuable time. It’s therefore important to see how a tutor interacts with your child, and although I do recommend leaving them alone to work together, don’t be afraid to ask your kid how they feel after the lesson. They don’t have to be overjoyed but it’s a good idea to see if they feel like they’ve learnt something and that they don’t feel completely overwhelmed and lacking in confidence… Once you have selected your tutor, the next question to ask is how to get the most out of your tutor. To find out my thoughts on this matter, please see my next blog, ‘Parents: How to get the most out of your child’s tutor’ which is coming soon

Why Do You Need Renters Insurance

Why Do You Need Renters Insurance Image via Pexels All of the nuts and bolts, fine print and red tape that comes with moving into a place of your own can be a chore to say the least, but while the excitement is looming, don’t forget to look ahead and think about emergencies such as fire, flood, smoke, theft, vandalism, lightning, and other nature disasters that could occur. A main part of thinking about such probable causes is obtaining the protection you need which can be found in renters insurance. So what is renters insurance and why do I need it? Here’s the short, simple version. Rental insurance is basically coverage of damages to personal possessions. It covers everything that you own such as furniture, clothes, electronic devices, books â€" you name it. It also provides liability protection if someone is injured in your place and wants to hold you responsible for the incident. For example, if your apartment burns down and your roommate suffers second-degree burns, then renters insurance (the liability coverage part) will protect you from liability, having to pay out of pocket for his injuries. Another example is if your dog bites the postman and he chooses to sue you for injuries, renters insurance will cover the medical costs and the court costs. Additionally, if your home is unusable for a certain time, most forms of renters insurance will provide funding for you to stay in a temporary place that is at least comparable, in some cases better, than your current apartment. Well, you might be saying my landlord has insurance on the apartment, why should I get it on my own? Isn’t that like double insurance? Yes and no. The insurance your landlord buys only covers the apartment building which is the just the physical building structure. It does not include any of your personal belongings. So if an apartment building were to burn down, the landlord’s insurance would kick in to restore the building only. Renters insurance kicks in to restore your personal possessions. Of course, this is not the fun part about having your own place, but it is a lot easier, a lot more fun, and a lot less stress and headaches if you pay for renters insurance on a monthly basis and then, if, on the slim chance, there is an emergency, you are prepared long before it happens. So, I’m sold on getting renters insurance, but what exactly will it cover? OH, MY STUFF: Of course, as mentioned above, renters insurance covers most of your personal belongings in the event of fire, theft, vandalism, and water damage (for example, in my own case, if your washing machine backs up and begins to overflow). However, most renters insurance companies do not cover damage from more severe events such as earthquakes, flooding, landslides and so forth. You may need to check for a separate policy or an add-on to your insurance policy if you live in a part of the country in which such weather is prone to happen (earthquakes on the west cost or hurricanes on the east coast for example). Additionally, most renters insurance companies have a limit as to how much coverage will be given on certain items. For example, $1,000 may be the coverage limit for fur coats and Gucci handbags; $2,000 for furniture; $3,000 for electronics. This means that if you have three fur coats and two Gucci handbags that total $3,500, then $2,500 is going to have to come out of your pocket, not from the insurance company. If your electronics total $7,000, then $4,000 worth of electronics will be up to you to kick out if you want those items back. Further, if you have expensive jewelry such as engagement or wedding rings, a personal article policy add-on may be helpful to you. It costs a few bucks more but if you have multiple items that are special to you, then it will be worth it. OH, MY LIVING: As mentioned earlier, if something were to happen to your apartment that made it completely unfit to live in, then renters insurance would cover any expenses incurred with moving to another place including certain bills at least for a reasonable time and in some cases, the cost of food and travel expenses. OH, MY LIABILITY: Negligence resulting in an accident to someone else physically or to property is covered by renters insurance (dog bites postman, for example). However, some other types of negligence are not covered by insurance. If you own a home business and someone doesn’t get their products in the timeframe promised and they want to sue, you need small business insurance to cover this. You get into a car accident and run over someone’s mailbox, you need auto insurance for this. You get injured at work and are unable to continue working for six months, you need disability insurance for this. There are many types of different insurance out there and it is important to know which one is right for you. So, I’m definitely getting renters insurance. What’s the cost? And where do I get it? On average, renters insurance policies cover anywhere from $25,000 to $55,000 for apartments and upwards of $100,00 for homes. The first question you want to ask yourself is how much does your stuff cost. Make an itemized list of every important thing in your apartment furniture, electronics, clothes, and any other personal items of worth. Second, take pictures or record video of everything so that if you don’t know the price, you can search for the item by photo or video and find the same or similar pricing. Take this list to your insurance agency and together you can determine how much coverage you need. Insurance prices as well as liability limits vary by state. You can start by communicating with the agent who insures your vehicle and check for a bundle package. This will keep all your insurance in one place and give you a much lower cost per month. When we moved to our new place, we got a bundle package for our property and vehicle for a reasonably lower cost than getting both separately. Almost all major insurance companies provide renters insurance. A basic policy should cost anywhere from $20 to $30 a month and that’s not a whole lot. Think of renters insurance like a plan B. You may never even get to use it, but the pennies for peace of mind is simply smart and worth it.

How to pass GCSE English

How to pass GCSE English GCSE English is a core subject that you need to pass, as it's a must-have for higher education qualifications, universities, apprenticeships and a wide range of careers. By Year 10, you will already have covered a broad spectrum of grammar and vocabulary, and the GCSE English course will take this knowledge further. The idea is that you will build on your existing skills and use these to give insights into the texts and questions on the examination papers. To do this, you need to familiarise yourself with what's required by your exam board, review various styles of written materials and have a good knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. It can, however, be tricky to revise English, which is why you need to make sure you practice as much as you can. If you feel you are struggling in any of these areas or need more help one of our English Tutors can help. To revise the English GCSE course firstly make sure you know what to expect. Most examining boards will examine fiction and non-fiction texts, poetry, spoken language, as well as spelling, punctuation and grammar. But check past papers and with your teacher or tutor so you are 100% clear. Step one: Focus on grammar The way to get to grips with the grammar is to practice daily and remind yourself of what key terms mean. An excellent way to do this is to write revision cards with definitions and examples and then pin them to your wall so you can view them every day. Also, make sure you are familiar with language techniques such as similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and personification. Step two: Read and analyse non-fiction and fiction texts Practice your summarising and comprehension skills by taking a piece of text you like; it can be a newspaper report or a piece of non-fiction and write a summary. The aim here is to highlight the main facts and condense the key points so that someone reading the review will get a clear picture of what the report is about. Step three: Revise language techniques In the exam paper you will have an extract from a novel and have to answer four questions: comprehension; analysing the writer's choice of language; analysing the writer's choice of structure; presenting a personal response to the extract. To do this you need to know various descriptive techniques and persuasive devices so you can answer clearly. Step four: Look at past papers Reading over past examination papers is vital for English GCSE as it will give you a good understanding of how questions will be asked, and what examiners are looking for you to do. Past papers also give you a good indication of question style and how you need to structure your time for the exam to ensure you maximise your marks. Finally, if you feel unsure of any part of the English GCSE subject area and need extra help we can help English Tutors.

One Week Traveling in Indonesia

One Week Traveling in Indonesia By Dorothee RemboldIndonesia, a nation of over 17,000 islands, is the world’s 4th most populous country and attracts visitors with its rich variety of historic sights, incredible landscapes, and gorgeous beaches. Whether you’re teaching in Indonesia or are teaching abroad in Asia, these islands should be on the top of your travel bucket list. Below is a suggestion for a week-long travel itinerary in Indonesia, specifically central Java:Day 1 â€" Indonesia’s royal luxuryBegin your one week trip through Indonesia in one of its oldest cities, Yogyakarta. The Kraton Complex, or Sri Sultan’s palace, displays the royal splendor of life as a Sultan. Regular music and dance shows introduce visitors to Indonesian culture. Spend the afternoon exploring the city; discover the Dutch water castle, which features a charming network of tunnels, rooms and stairs; and visit traditional batik shops. You will be amazed by the colorful displays of fabrics decorated with artistic patterns and ill ustrations.Day 2 â€" YogyakartaAfter your initial impression of Indonesia, visit Prambanan, a collection of ancient Hindu temples. Built in 850 CE, this complex once featured 240 temples. The earthquake in 2006 destroyed parts of this magnificent sight, but the partially reconstructed site is open to visitors. Carved reliefs and numerous statues adorn these temples and provide visitors with an introduction to Hindu deities. Arrive early to beat the crowds and to get the chance to explore some of the hidden temples that tour groups easily miss. At night, head northeast to Solo.Day 3 â€" SoloKnown as the twin sister of Yogyakarta, Surakarta or Solo kept more of its original Javanese character. Visitors should explore the Puro Mangkunegaran Palace. Established in 1757, this palace doubles as a museum and features a great collection of 14th century jewellery, traditional masks, and weapons and silverworks. Stroll through the historic areas of Solo to soak up the atmosphere of this amazi ng location.Day 4 â€" Sukuh and Cetho templeTake the road less traveled to Borobudur and visit the Sukuh and Cetho temple on the way. The smaller roads take you past two of Indonesia’s many volcanoes â€" Mount Merapi and Merbabu. The Sukuh temple, a 15th century Javanese-Hindu temple, is centered around the theme of birth and sexuality, and the truncated pyramid looks similar to Mayan temples in Mexico. For a spiritual experience, head to Cetho temple, over 1400 meters above sea level on several terraces. Witnessing locals practice their religious ceremonies here is an unforgettable experience.Day 4 â€" BorobudurThis place is one of the world’s greatest monuments and the largest Buddhist structure on earth. Founded as a religious site in the 8th century, Borobudur consists of numerous platforms and terraces. Detailed carvings and more than 2,500 reliefs tell stories about the Buddha and his teachings. This sight is especially scenic at sunrise and sunset, amplifying the dramatic volcanic landscape.Day 5 â€" Dieng PlateauAfter your visit to Borobudur, the temples found on the Dieng Plateau may seem underwhelming but are definitely worth a visit. Lace up your trekking shoes and explore the unique and amazing volcanic landscape here. Discover the colored lake, various temples, and skidang crater, and meet some of the locals and have them show you around their vegetable fields. Allow yourself some time to truly enjoy this incredible place.Day 6 â€" SemarangConclude your trip to Indonesia in the bustling city of Semarang. In addition to the Sam Po Kong Temple, built in honor of a Chinese Muslim in the 15th century, stroll past Dutch colonial buildings and buy some last minute souvenirs. Semarang also amazes with numerous amusement parks and beaches. If you haven’t found the time yet, treat yourself to a massage and enjoy a local spa before heading back to teach abroad.Indonesia, a country of unmatched natural beauty and historic sites, cannot be explored with in a week, but this one week itinerary of Indonesia will take you to some of the country’s best locations. Teaching abroad in Indonesia will give you the chance to enjoy this incredible place and many other destinations in Southeast Asia.Happy travels!Dorothee Rembold is a former intern at Teach Away Inc.