Why S M A R T Tutoring is the Perfect Solution?

Why S M A R T Tutoring is the Perfect Solution?S M A R T Tutoring Services is the perfect resource for many people who are looking for assistance in mastering this important subject. These tutors have worked their way through the university system and have attained the coveted qualification in all subjects, which is the same as what you will be required to achieve in order to sit your SAT or ACT test.Most people who have taken this test have had some sort of problem with it, either being given a bad score or forgetting their questions or just losing focus while taking the test. Many schools have had issues with the requirement to score high on this test, especially when it comes to filling in the application form for this particular test. These tutors have been involved in helping students prepare for this test and have a wealth of knowledge in this field.With all the free tutoring that is available, they may not really know all of the basic information about SATs or ACTs and they ce rtainly do not have the resources to fully research this field. The tutors are extremely helpful in answering questions from the home study material or in developing a personalized study plan.When you are looking for S M A R T tutoring, you are looking for a top notch service, which provides this much needed help. There are several different ways that the tutors can help you as far as questions are concerned. The greatest aspect about them is that they not only have all of the experience, but they also have a multitude of academic background which makes them perfect to get you prepared for this test.When you are looking for help from the S M A R T tutoring services, you want to make sure that they are actually located in your area, as they can sometimes provide you with much more help than what you would get at a school that is just down the street. They can also provide you with many different types of preparation materials, including binder and guide books and other forms of study materials. They can be referred to as a 'homeschool' option if they are located near to where you live.They can also come to your house, if you have one, or to your office if you work out of one. They have wonderful contact information to assist you with any additional questions that you may have.The best thing about having the tutoring service of S M A R T is that they are flexible and they can help you get ahead. For example, they will help you get your books ready and create a study schedule so that you can reach your specific SAT or ACT requirements.

Visiting the Arabic-Speaking World is Not Like Youd Think.

Visiting the Arabic-Speaking World is Not Like Youd Think. Get Ready to Travel to the Arab World. ChaptersWhy Travel to the Arabic-Speaking World?Before You Go: Get Intensive Arabic LessonsWorking Out Which Arabic-Speaking Country to Study In.Dialect Differences: The Changes in Arabic from Country to Country.Check the Safety Level of Arabic-Speaking Countries.Getting a Visa in the Arabic-Speaking World.Enrolling at a University in an Arabic-Speaking Country.Get a Scholarship or a Student Loan.Find a Flat and Flights.Get the Necessary Documents.Learn About and Respect the Local Customs.Make Some Friends: A Guide to Travelling Alone.“Travelling is returning to the essential” - Tibetan ProverbTravelling to Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East or North Africa is a great way to learn how to speak Arabic.Arabic is the fourth largest language in the world with 538 million native speakers and 246 million people who speak it as a second language.It’s commonly known that learning the Arabic writing system, familiarising yourself with different dialects, and understanding the accompanying culture is pretty tricky.Here are our top tips for studying Arabic! HalimaArabic Teacher £13/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KotaibaArabic Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SoledadArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NancyArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaouesArabic Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DinaArabic Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AbrarArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UsamaArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Travel to the Arabic-Speaking World?Whether you are hoping to learn Arabic or not, travelling to the Arab world is one of those things that, if you have the opportunity, you really should do in your lifetime.However, due to our sensitivity around issues of 'safety', a news cycle that highlights terrorism in the Arab world, and an enduring 'orientali st' attitude towards these Middle Eastern and North African countries, we tend to lump them into one homogeneous block. This, quite straightforwardly, is a mindset that we need to shake off - as the Arabic-speaking world is as diverse, varied, and surprising as any other region of the world.Presuming it is all the same is like presuming Europe is self-identical. It ain't - and no-one who has ever seen the difference between Scotland and Sicily, Belfast and Belgrade would think so.Why, then, should we travel to the Arabic-speaking world?Diversity.As we have said, the Arab world is not the self-same monolith that some in the west believe. And, as such, it is difficult to summarise all that the region offers.From the outrageous and magnificent skyscrapers of countries like the UAE, to the bustling markets and ancient history of cities like Marrakesh, Algiers, and Amman, the Arabic-speaking countries offer a huge range of experiences. You only need to compare the skyline of Doha to the souks of Tunis to understand what we're getting at.And that's just the cities. But from the Atlas Mountains to the deserts and the beaches on the Dead Sea, the region offers some of the most unforgettable natural experiences too.Find great Arabic courses London now.History.Civilisation was born in the Middle East - and so the history of the region stretches for mind-boggling temporal distances. The Sumerians, based in southern Iraq, were writing before the population of the UK was even settled (around 5000BC) - and it's for this reason, among others, that the Middle East is known as the 'cradle of civilisation'.The following seven centuries were no less eventful, and during this period the Arab world effected some of the most remarkable cultural developments in history (there's a reason three of the seven wonders of the ancient world were in the Middle East). But, in more mundane terms, the contribution of the Middle East to the development of the world has been beyond measure - as it was here that everything from toothbrushes to music, algebra to universities, coffee, and surgery were invented.Much of the cultural prestige of the Arab world is still visible today   - and a visit to the Middle East must be a historian's and an architect's dream come true.Follow the best online Arabic course.Beauty.We've mentioned the diversity of the Arab world, both in its urban and natural aspects. Yet, some of the sights you will see are enough to blow the mind.Think of Petra, or the pyramids of Giza. Consider Dubai's Palm Jumeirah or the Ziggurat of Ur. Think of the Atlas Mountains, or the dunes of the Sahara. There really isn't a region that beats it for its beauty - nor for the amazement it will evoke.Smash Your Expectations.We have an image of the Arab world that is dominated by images of war, terror, and despair. And whilst some areas have their share of violence, this is not an image that many Arabs would recognise of their home nations.One of the most important reaso ns to travel to Arabic-speaking countries is to learn more about an area of the world in which over three hundred million people live.You'll be surprised by what you find.Learn Arabic.Of course, it goes without saying that the Arab world is the best place on the planet to learn how to speak Arabic.Arabic is the fifth most common language in the world by number of native speakers - only behind Mandarin, English, Spanish, and Hindi. It is these days a hugely important global language - and a  growing number of people are learning it as a second language.You may well know some Arabic words already - although the chances are that you don't know that they are Arabic. Words like 'orange', 'safari', 'alcohol', and 'sofa' all come from the Arabic, and the influence that the language has had on English is, perhaps surprisingly, immense. Maybe not though, if you know about the role Arabs played in the growth of science.Watch out when you go to the Arab-speaking world, however. You'll find tha t not all countries speak the same Arabic (there are about thirty different Arabic dialects!). See more about this below.Lookup for Arabic courses for beginners here.Before You Go: Get Intensive Arabic LessonsIf you want to go to the Arabic-speaking world, it’d be a good idea to speak a bit of the language as it’s not guaranteed that you’ll meet Arabs who can speak English.Getting Arabic lessons before you go is a good idea. (Source: Pexels)Firstly, we recommend that you take a few Arabic language lessons or private tutorials with one of the tutors on Superprof, at university if you’re a student, or at a language school.Arabic is one of the official languages of the Arab League and knowing how to speak the language will be hugely appreciated by the locals and will also help you stay out of trouble.Arabic lessons will help you get to grips with the writing system, learn the nuances of this guttural Semitic language, master its pronunciation, and feel more comfortable when spe aking.Working Out Which Arabic-Speaking Country to Study In.Depending on whether you’re planning on studying in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, or Oman, your budget and the requirements for getting onto a course will be different.In fact, there are also different administrative steps in each country.  In terms of the language, each country has its own dialects, too.Literary Arabic is considered the standard form of the language and is generally understood by all Arabic speakers. However, a Moroccan won’t necessarily understand a Syrian when they speak Arabic, for example.Similarly, some countries are far more progressive than others. Generally speaking, society in Morocco, Algeria, and Jordan are more open than it is in Lebanon, Egypt, or Saudi Arabia.Saudi Arabia is almost completely closed off to foreigners. While you may hear that Russia and China are closed off, it’s nothing in comparison to the draconian measures for making your way into Saudi Arabia.Find A rabic language course here.Dialect Differences: The Changes in Arabic from Country to Country.As we said above, Arabic is not just Arabic. It's not the same wherever you will go - just as there are many regional differences in the language spoken in, say, Italy. Whilst in the UK we do have our own dialectic differences - Geordie, say, or 'the Queen's English' - we have a greater degree of standardisation and cross-dialect comprehension. For a learner of English as a second language, however, these differences can be challenging. And the same applies for those learning Arabic.Modern Standard Arabic is the most common form of the language - but this, as with most standard languages, is pretty much limited to a written form. Countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Syria teach this language at schools, and the literacy in this language is about seventy to eighty percent in each of these countries. This, if you are learning 'Arabic', is the language you are probably going to b e learning.However, if you are travelling in, say Morocco or other countries in northern Africa, you'll probably hear in the street quite a different language to that you will hear on the pavements of Baghdad, say, or Beirut. Make sure that, if you are enrolling with language classes in the area, you know what dialect you are speaking.There are three main dialects of Arabic: Levantine, Egyptian, and Gulf Arabic.LevantineSpoken by people in Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria mainly, as well as those in diaspora.EgyptianObviously, this one is based in Egypt, but the country's powerful cultural industries has made it understandable to most Arabic speakers.GulfGulf Arabic is spoken in the Gulf, so UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, as well as parts of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.MaghrebMore a group of dialects than one specifically, these are spoken throughout Morocco and Algeria.As between English dialects, the differences between those in Arabic range from the phonological (pronunciation) to the syntactical and grammatical. Some are also different due to colonisation, with lots of French words being used in, say, Levantine Arabic.Check the Safety Level of Arabic-Speaking Countries.It’s fundamental that you check how safe the country where you’re planning to study is.Syria, for example, has been at war since 2011. (Source: ErikaWittlieb)We wouldn’t really recommend travelling to Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Western Egypt, or border regions.Armed conflicts and political instability has made moving around large areas of certain Persian Gulf states and Northern Africa.  Terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and IS also still operate in certain places.Add this to the geopolitical battles taking place over natural resources (mainly gas and oil) between powers in the West (the US and Russia) and the conflict between Israel and Palestine, civil war in Syria, the American Gulf War in Iraq, instability following the Arab Spring (Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Syria), and sectar ian conflicts between Shias and Sunnis.In short, the safest countries include Morocco, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. HalimaArabic Teacher £13/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KotaibaArabic Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SoledadArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NancyArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaouesArabic Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DinaArabic Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AbrarArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UsamaArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGetting a Visa in the Arabic-Speaking World.While you can travel on a tourist visa for 90 days in Morocco, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, you’ll need to get a student visa to start a university course or a language course at a language school.  Visas are obligatory even for visiting countries in the Ara bic-speaking world.Studying in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Fujairah is often said to be an unforgettable experience. Many countries have been constructing prestigious university campuses to attract students.You’ll need a sponsor to get your student visa for Dubai and this could cost as much as £600. This is nothing compared to the fees of the university which can be around £10,000.The student visa costs around £1,500. While this isn’t cheap, a degree from one of these universities and the ability to speak Arabic will certainly help when it comes to looking for work.Would you prefer to study Arabic in Morocco?There are 14 universities in Morocco and you’ll need a residency permit if you want to stay over 90 days. That said, you do have 3 months once you get there to get one.Enrolling at a University in an Arabic-Speaking Country.Another tip for those wanting to study Arabic is to enrol on a university course in Arabic and immerse yourself in the Arabic language and culture on a dai ly basis.Saudi Arabia is quite closed off to the rest of the world for study. (Source: GLady)Imagine getting your Master’s while learning Arabic at the same time.  If you speak French, you’re in luck as there are French-speaking universities in Morocco, Lebanon, and Tunisia.You could get lessons in French, speak Arabic with your classmates, or even attend universities where lessons are taught in English in Abu Dhabi, for example.  There are also universities offering UK degrees in the United Arab Emirates.This could be useful for understanding what you’re learning in class while learning the language outside of it.Keep in mind that the dialects of Arabic differ in every country. For example, in Morocco, there’s Darija Arabic.The cost of university courses in the United Arab Emirates, for example, can cost thousands whereas, in Morocco and Tunisia, they cost much less.Get a Scholarship or a Student Loan.You can’t study abroad with your pockets empty.  If you don’t have mu ch in terms of savings, you might have to consider getting in some debt...You’ll need to work out a budget since studying in Dubai can be really expensive (between £10,000 and £15,000), several hundred for flights, and around £1,500 in monthly costs.There aren’t many students who can manage around £3,000 per month (including tuition) so many opt for a student loan or try to get a scholarship.You can also work while you study Arabic. For example, the average salary in Dubai is $3,000 per month.Find a Flat and Flights.You should check flight comparison websites like Skyscanner.Once you get to your new home, you'll need to find somewhere to live. (Source: judithscharnowski)The site can find the cheapest prices for flights, especially if you’re flexible on the dates.  This is really useful as you can save several hundred pounds.Staying in Casablanca, Marrakesh, or Tunis can be quite affordable. On the other hand, a flat in Dubai can cost a small fortune.It’s a good idea to d o your research before you get there when it comes to finding accommodation.So how do you do it?Start by checking websites for estate agents in each country.  We recommend getting a hotel room or a holiday rent (through Airbnb, for example) for the first week or so in order to give you some time to look at flats.Keep in mind that when you sign a lease in Dubai, you will probably be expected to pay for the whole year upfront. Make sure you include this in your budget.Staying in Morocco, on the other hand, is more like you’d find in the UK with monthly rent payments.  Morocco and Tunisia also cost a lot less than the United Arab Emirates.Get the Necessary Documents.Make sure you remember to get all the important documents together before you go. Here’s our advice on what you’ll probably need to bring with you.Bring the following:PassportVisaDriving licenceHealth bookletHealth insurance certificateMake sure that your passport is valid for up to six months after your expected retu rn date.  We recommend that you also make a digital copy of all these documents and send them to yourself via email in case you lose any of them. It might also be worthwhile to have paper copies of them, too.Can you come back to the UK without a passport?Don’t worry!  You can get an emergency passport for your return to the UK from the consulate.Notify the British AuthoritiesAs we said, some areas can be dangerous.It’s a good idea to let the necessary authorities know in case of an emergency.The UK Government website provides information on travelling abroad. This includes information such as:Information on safety and securityWhere to contact in case of emergencyLocal laws and customsConsulates can also help foreign students to:Get money from family membersProvide certain legal protections in case of arrestContact a doctor in case of medical problemsGet legal assistant (lawyer, interpreter, etc.) in case of problems with local authoritiesRepatriationPay for certain expensesWhile many accidents are uncommon, you can’t eradicate all risk.Learn About and Respect the Local Customs.The last advice for anyone staying in a foreign country is to respect foreign customs!This might seem obvious, but you need to keep them in mind.  The Arabic speaking countries are culturally very different from Western countries in certain respects.For example, you shouldn’t criticise Islam, throw any edible bread, or wave at someone with your left hand.  Family is important in these countries, too, and families can hold a lot of sway over their family members.This could explain why Arabic-speaking countries have some of the lowest suicide rates in the world.Here are some basic rules you can follow:Don’t wear miniskirts or shorts and don’t show any cleavage.Do not throw your litter on the ground.Bargain in the souks.Always greet people (As-Salaam-Alaikum)Remove your shoes when entering a mosque or a house.Accept an invitation to have tea or eat.Don’t openly criticise the m onarchy (Morocco).One last piece of advice is to take Arabic lessons before you go and bring some notes on basic phrases.Make Some Friends: A Guide to Travelling Alone.Anyone who has done it knows that travelling alone can be hard. But, for those who have never done and are considering it, you should also know that it's one of the best things that you can possibly do in life.When you are alone, you are much more open to building new relationships. If you are with friends or a partner, there is less impulse to put yourself out there and meet new people. However, it is the latter group that suffers in this: if you are open to it, when travelling, you can meet some of the most brilliant, inspiring, and most intimate friends you'll ever meet in your life.But how do you do it? and how do you get through those nights in when you are alone? The right attitude goes a long way - so, be open and friendly, and remember that a night off is really quite a normal thing.Firstly, it is worth being aware of sites like Couchsurfing, Meetup, and Craigslist, on which you can organise group outings. These are really helpful resources to have in your pocket - particularly Couchsurfing - because you will find that there are many like-minded people in the city you've ended up in that feel exactly like you do.If you are attending a language school or a university, parts of the social pressure will be off. The institutions themselves might organise social events, whilst, if you are in classes, make sure that you make friends with your classmates!There are hostels all across the Middle East and North Africa. If you are staying in one of these, then the social game's an easy one for you. Hang around in the social area and let it happen!

Tips for Classroom Organization

Tips for Classroom Organization An organized teacher is an effective teacher. Here are eight tips to keep your classroom orderly and running smoothly: Create a daily folder. Whether you plan on the weekends or go into school early each day, spend time organizing what you will do in class each day of the week and putting any materials in a labeled folder for that day. Keep an agenda. A detailed agenda will keep your day from veering off course, whether you teach one class of third-graders or several class periods of math students. Set up inboxes for important papers. Pick a corner of the room where students can turn in completed classwork, completed homework, parent notes and other important papers in separate, labeled inboxes. Organize your desk. Your desk is an easy catch-all for all other paperwork. Get ahead of the clutter by labeling trays for grading, filing, distributing, reviewing, shredding, or other. Have a place for everything. Designate spaces for everything students use, from laptops to pencils, from books to disinfecting wipes. Use laminated posters to make it easy for students to glance at an area and see what belongs there. Label it all. Clean-up time is easier when students know exactly where you keep supplies and dont have to ask you over and over. Use jars, tins, boxes, crates, baskets, or whatever you prefer to keep everything tidy. Spend time every day cleaning up. With 20 or more students a day in and out of your room (more if you teach a subject multiple times a day), its easy for rooms to get messy and disheveled. Even a few minutes a day putting things away and having students do the same will help. The more organized you are, the better teacher youll be. Commit to organization and youll notice a big difference in your stress level and effectiveness.

How to Study - Easy Homework Exam Tips - Private Tutoring

How to Study - Easy Homework Exam Tips BobbiM Sep 14, 2015 Learning how to study is a process and takes some time to figure out.  Once you understand how and when you study best, youll be amazed at how much better you do in school as being able to spend less time studying because youve actually got a system and setup in place that works. An example of this is my son He started at his school in middle school.  He was a decent student at his prior school and he applied himself in the exact same way he had previously.  Well, his grades were in the low C range.  I was not happy!  He then started to learn  not only his subject matter but HOW to STUDY.  And that has made all the difference in the world!  What used to be a 2-4 hours p-a-i-n-f-u-l process is now down to 1-2 hours depending upon the time of year.  No moans, groans and delay tactics.  Oh, and the results?  Well after learning the best way to study and how to study that works for him, hes made Honor Roll.  I dont know about your child but for me, thats definitely a marked improvement and a success story! You Might Also Be Interested in: I Got A C In 9th Grade Math, Now What So weve created some easy, short and simple tips compiled from sources all around the web to help you become the best student you can and to know how to study.  Test one, some or all and see which makes a difference in your studying!  Wed love to hear your results in the comments below or share your stories with us on Facebook or Twitter! If you enjoyed this post, please pin it to Pinterest, share it on Twitter or Facebook and stumble it on Stumbleupon!  Thank you!

Abacus, the oldest calculator - ALOHA Mind Math

Abacus, the oldest calculator 3 Likes Using a tool to do math and transact business has been around since 2700 BC in the Mesopatamia region. Also called a counting frame, the Abacus, is the oldest calculator in existence. Our article today will discuss the various types of abaci and why we have selected the one we use at ALOHA. Abacus, the oldest calculator One uses an abacus for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It is used by manually sliding counters along rods bound by a frame, hence the name, counting frame. The beauty of a device like this is that it helps students with learning a basic number system, borrowing and carrying numbers, combinations of five and ten, and visualization of math and mental calculations. One of the additional benefits of an abacus is that it can be used by visually impaired individuals. Sumerian Abacus created in the 2700-2300 BC time period in Mesapotamia area. This is the oldest form of the counting device. The image to the right represents this type of abacus in the form of a clock. It is also referred to as a sexigesimal system that has a 60 count platform. That could be why it works so well with our current time keeping practices. Could you imagine wearing this on your wrist? Reconstruction of a Roman Abacus RGZ Museum in Mainz, 1977 The bronze original is at Bibliothèque nationale de France Paris. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Roman Abacus was really more of a table with three different types called the dust abacus, the line abacus and the grooved abacus. Imagine trying to do division with Roman numerals. For example the number 1943 would beMCMXLIII. Now divide that by LXVII and you get what? XXVIIII. That takes a great deal of thinking for me! Suanpan This is the version of the Abacus used by the Chinese. It has been in use since the 2nd century BC. The appearance is frame construction with 2 beads on each row above a dividing bar with 5 beads below. The Suanpan allows for the basic arithmetic functions along with square root and cube root function. Russian Abacus The Schoty is what the Russians call their abacus. There are 10 beads on each rod. Calculations are performed by moving all the beads from the right side to the left side. Each wire has 10 beads on bowed wires. The row with the 4 beads is used for quarters of a kopek or ruble.These abaci were used regularly in Russia until the 1990s. There is a version used in many Western countries similar to the Russian Schoty. Soroban Abacus The photo to the right is an example of a Japanese abacus. It features one bead at the top and either 4 or 5 beads below. The Japanese abacus is named a Soroban. The Soroban has an odd number of columns. Typically there are a minimum of 9 columns denoted with a dot every three columns.Using visual imagery of a soroban, one can arrive at the answer in the same time as, or even faster than, is possible with a physical instrument. There is a great correlation to mental imagery of this abacus. We use the Soroban Abacus for our ALOHA programs.

Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge!

Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge! Congratulations, winners of the italki October challenge! This event was record-breaking in italki history, with the highest number of participants ever! This was a short and intense challenge, where we asked you if you could have 12 hours of language learning in the space of just one month. A huge number of you have taken up the challenge. In all, over 53% of the participants have completed the October challenge. Of the total number of participants, 2.6% were professional teachers, and 9.6% were community tutors. How did the language education professionals match up? Youd be surprised to know that more community tutors have completed the challenge than professional teachers did! Whereas the professional teachers had a rate of 50% (right around the overall average completion percentage of 53%), the community tutors have completed the challenge at the rate of 58%! Congratulations! That is impressive. The challenge included people from countries all over the world, learning languages like Cebuano, Afrikaans, Catalan, Hebrew, Polish, and dozens of others. Many languages had only a handful dedicated students, and often these language groups had a challenge completion rate of 100%. The most popular languages studied in the October challenge: English: 23.24% of the participants took most of their sessions to learn English Spanish:    16.70% French:        7.85% Chinese:      7.04% Russian:      5.43% Japanese:    4.73% German:       4,33% Italian:          4.23% Korean:         2.52% Portuguese:  2.52% We have also learned how important  social encouragement is in any difficult undertaking: Posting a Public Video Pledge Really Helps! Of those who have posted a public video pledge, 83%   completed the challenge. We had a lot of challengers who made one here and here and here as well. Even if some didnt quite make it, a huge 93% have completed at least 6 hours of language instruction during the month of October. Congratulations, everyone! We are still finalizing results, and will be sending out an e-mail to the winners soon. In the meantime, should you have any issues, questions, or concerns please write to us: support@italki.com Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge! Congratulations, winners of the italki October challenge! This event was record-breaking in italki history, with the highest number of participants ever! This was a short and intense challenge, where we asked you if you could have 12 hours of language learning in the space of just one month. A huge number of you have taken up the challenge. In all, over 53% of the participants have completed the October challenge. Of the total number of participants, 2.6% were professional teachers, and 9.6% were community tutors. How did the language education professionals match up? Youd be surprised to know that more community tutors have completed the challenge than professional teachers did! Whereas the professional teachers had a rate of 50% (right around the overall average completion percentage of 53%), the community tutors have completed the challenge at the rate of 58%! Congratulations! That is impressive. The challenge included people from countries all over the world, learning languages like Cebuano, Afrikaans, Catalan, Hebrew, Polish, and dozens of others. Many languages had only a handful dedicated students, and often these language groups had a challenge completion rate of 100%. The most popular languages studied in the October challenge: English: 23.24% of the participants took most of their sessions to learn English Spanish:    16.70% French:        7.85% Chinese:      7.04% Russian:      5.43% Japanese:    4.73% German:       4,33% Italian:          4.23% Korean:         2.52% Portuguese:  2.52% We have also learned how important  social encouragement is in any difficult undertaking: Posting a Public Video Pledge Really Helps! Of those who have posted a public video pledge, 83%   completed the challenge. We had a lot of challengers who made one here and here and here as well. Even if some didnt quite make it, a huge 93% have completed at least 6 hours of language instruction during the month of October. Congratulations, everyone! We are still finalizing results, and will be sending out an e-mail to the winners soon. In the meantime, should you have any issues, questions, or concerns please write to us: support@italki.com Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge! Congratulations, winners of the italki October challenge! This event was record-breaking in italki history, with the highest number of participants ever! This was a short and intense challenge, where we asked you if you could have 12 hours of language learning in the space of just one month. A huge number of you have taken up the challenge. In all, over 53% of the participants have completed the October challenge. Of the total number of participants, 2.6% were professional teachers, and 9.6% were community tutors. How did the language education professionals match up? Youd be surprised to know that more community tutors have completed the challenge than professional teachers did! Whereas the professional teachers had a rate of 50% (right around the overall average completion percentage of 53%), the community tutors have completed the challenge at the rate of 58%! Congratulations! That is impressive. The challenge included people from countries all over the world, learning languages like Cebuano, Afrikaans, Catalan, Hebrew, Polish, and dozens of others. Many languages had only a handful dedicated students, and often these language groups had a challenge completion rate of 100%. The most popular languages studied in the October challenge: English: 23.24% of the participants took most of their sessions to learn English Spanish:    16.70% French:        7.85% Chinese:      7.04% Russian:      5.43% Japanese:    4.73% German:       4,33% Italian:          4.23% Korean:         2.52% Portuguese:  2.52% We have also learned how important  social encouragement is in any difficult undertaking: Posting a Public Video Pledge Really Helps! Of those who have posted a public video pledge, 83%   completed the challenge. We had a lot of challengers who made one here and here and here as well. Even if some didnt quite make it, a huge 93% have completed at least 6 hours of language instruction during the month of October. Congratulations, everyone! We are still finalizing results, and will be sending out an e-mail to the winners soon. In the meantime, should you have any issues, questions, or concerns please write to us: support@italki.com

New SuperBug Spread By Pets

New SuperBug Spread By Pets pixabay.com And what bug is more commonly heard of nowadays than the many strains of E. coli? Well, a pet shop worker was found infected by the fearsome strain of E.coli that resists antibiotics. And the dogs in the store carried the same strain. The man, a 50-year-old that has kidney inflammation, had this E. coli infection with the mcr-1 gene, the DNA that resists the antibiotics used to treat such illnesses. Tests were then conducted on 39 dogs as well as 14 cats in this pet shop, revealing that four dogs and two cats carried this strain of E. coli. According to the researchers: “All six isolates were resistant to colistin, polymyxin B, cephalosporin, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin … These findings suggest that mcr-1 producing E. coli can colonize companion animals and be transferred between companion animals and humans. The findings also suggest that, in addition to food animals and humans, companion animals can serve as a reservoir of colistin-resistant E. coli.” Of course, after the 50-year-old man was admitted to the hospital, two other men in the same ward were infected with the same strain of E.coli. Researchers haven’t concluded that he was the cause of the infection in the other occupants, but common sense would suggest that’s exactly what happened. So the problem becomes exponentially greater now, as this strain of E. coli appears to be easily spread, and it’s not yet curable. Based on past studies, researchers believed that people may be infected by the food they eat specifically animal products. Of course, the Zika virus has recently taken the media by storm, but the mcr-1 strain of E. coli really shouldn’t be taking a back seat, especially with the risks that come along with it. According to Dr. Thomas Frieden, when giving a speech about the Zika virus, “The medicine cabinet is empty for some patients. It is the end of the road for antibiotics unless we act urgently.” Researchers found the strain quickly, located on the plasmid. What is a plasmid? According to NBC News, it is a “little structure of DNA that exist outside the chromosomes where most of the DNA is found. They’re handy little carriers that can pass off a stretch of DNA as easily as a courier hands an envelope to a client.” And according to the researchers, this is the worst possible place for the virus to be. They claim to have large amounts of concern in the location, especially because the plasmid was carried by E. coli itself, which already housed superbug qualities before even picking up a mcr-1 strain. E. coli has seven resistant genes in and of itself, encoded in its DNA. On the plasmid, it has many more. But most importantly: the E. coli isn’t yet invincible. Right now, it’s able to be killed off with carbapenems, an antibiotic that was tested on a 49-year-old patient who is now home and doing well despite having been infected. But, like many illnesses, early detection is going to be a key to stopping the strain from doing serious damage or resulting in death. The CDC and state health officials track down everyone that patients with this strain of illness have come in contact with. They do this not only to find the source, but to make sure that it hasn’t/won’t continue to spread. And researchers have worked tirelessly to ensure there aren’t other strains out there at the moment. They are just trying to keep such a super bug from hitting the general public in mass proportions. The goal is simple: catch the problem early and solve it. Even the President of the United States, Barack Obama, has directed the government to work on a solution to this problem, before these superbugs are attacking mass populations. Still, the drug development process takes years and costs billions, so the idea of a cure is definitely far from being realized. In fact, it really hasn’t even started. And now that pets are also in danger, the fear of this superbug spreading has just increased exponentially. Companion animals and food animals both potentially infected doesn’t leave the human race with many other options. And even worse, scientists are worried that this E. coli bacteria with the mcr-1 gene will pass this same gene to another superbug, which could have other mutations as well. If this were to happen, it would create a superbug that resists all known antibiotics. In other words, it would be 100 percent incurable. And according to the CDC, already more than 2 million people are infected by drug resistant germs every year. Of these 2 million, 23,000 die from the infection.