The Importance of Reading Chapter 2 Chemistry of Life Vocabulary Practice

The Importance of Reading Chapter 2 Chemistry of Life Vocabulary PracticeChapter 2 Chemistry of Life is one of the easiest chemistry courses that I have taken. There are many good reasons for this and the reasons are clear and easy to understand. It is an important part of any chemistry course and, indeed, one of the most difficult, because it challenges our understanding of the laws and principles that govern the chemical properties of things.This is where, as with all subjects, the most significant changes are made by those who are using their understanding to construct their own cultural, social and political opinions and perspectives. When this happens, sometimes our definitions and labels are challenged and some of the more important principles are lost or modified to fit our new opinions and perspective.For example, sometimes, in the pursuit of social consensus or general agreement, we accept something as a fact when it is not. This can happen as a result of a simple misunderst anding or as a result of pressure from outside influences, who want to take credit for a particular issue or story.Now it is a fact that everyone accepts some kind of social agreement on certain things. That is why, when one group goes out and encourages people to make changes to the other's practices, or at least to appreciate and respect what they have, it is often a huge success. In fact, changing the practices of the other group can often help you to do the same to them.Often, though, when this happens, the groups that are being encouraged to go out of their way to make it clear that the social agreements did not originate from them but from the people who have, or the creators of those laws and principles. In essence, they try to put the blame where it really belongs - at the feet of those who set up the legislation that the others need to follow. They may even begin to voice their criticisms and complaints about the policies that the government is trying to impose on the rest of us. So, for example, in a chapter 2 Chemistry of Life vocabulary practice, I was studying how to use the law to get me to change my feelings about some property that I owned. But at the same time, I was also examining the idea of private property itself. When I used the law to change my feelings about the property I had, and when I started to look at the idea of private property itself, there was a very different message coming through.When you change your feelings about something that you hold in private, you change your feelings about it in a very real way. And when you change your feelings about the property itself, you are changing your relationship with the laws and principles that govern it, in a very real way.

Online trigonometry tutors can turn trigonometry into an easy subject

Online trigonometry tutors can turn trigonometry into an easy subject Today with the fast moving world, children also have to be fast and furious with the kind of work they do. Parents always remain pretty concerned about their child regarding their future. For a child it is very important to have a composed and a bright future. A good future will help the child to live a life of satisfaction and also a life of enjoyment. This process should start from the ground level. People should be more focused with their child and should help them to reach that point from where they can easily taste success. From the very initial days things should be in progress and so good school, proper teachers, good and proper ambience is very important for any student to live a life where education will be important. Parents may think that the entire thing is about money and without money nothing is possible. Yes, it is true that without money nothing is possible and so you need money to provide all these facilities to your child. But one thing can be assured and that is for a good tutor you do not need to spend enough money as it can be reached at your affordable reach. The online tutoring facility is a great way through which you can easily come up with any problem’s solution. The subject may be tough but the efficiency of the teacher will help you to get out of the problem with ease. Have you heard about trigonometry? If yes then you may know what trigonometry is all about. Trigonometry is said as the branch of math that mainly deals with the angles, triangles, sides and properties. Studying and knowing this subject properly will help you to get jobs in many fields. This is a part of mathematics and is considered tough as well. A good teacher can help you out. The first and foremost way to learn or adapt any subject is through properly going through it, knowing which section do you have problem with and how much time does it take to solve the problems. After you have done all these then you can come up with your problems to the teachers. This is the time when you need a good teacher. A good teacher will guide you through all the adversities of the subject and will help the subject become easier and accessible to you. Online teachers are present easily now. You can get in touch with the tutors whenever you think you have problem with the subject. With time the availability of online tutors are getting increased day by day and students are really adapting the concept and enrolling their names in it. It is less time taking way and also an effective one. Now let us analyze some of the benefits of online tutoring that will help you as a parent to know how much helpful it is and how does it work. Online tutoring and its certain benefits Online Tutoring works entirely with the help of internet. Internet helps in making online tutors work. The process of online tutoring is conducted through emails, online chats, video conferencing and tele conferencing. In online tutoring process student do not have to visit the teacher, it is everything that internet will do. Internet is considered as the strongest medium in today’s era. It takes less time and is much effective. The online tutoring service has some of the benefits that are numbered here so that you can know every detail about online tutoring. The teachers that are appointed for any of the reputed institutes of online tutoring service are very much efficient and have expert knowledge with the subject. They have great qualification over the subject and so they can deliver some of the best way to learn for their students as well. The appointment process of the teachers is very tough and this is the reason that only expert professionals can crack the interview process and get selected. This is one of the best places where you will get the best teacher in your affordability. Unlike private tutoring, online institutes do not have any time limitation.     Yes, you heard it right. Online tutors do not have any time limitation. It is on the student as to when and for how long they want to carry on with the subject. Teachers will be present till the time they are not able to know the subject or the topic well. This helps the student in many ways. They can clear their doubts anything that comes up as teachers are present all round the clock and throughout the year. There is no holiday for online tutors. They have to keep on working for the benefit of the students. The one on one service is also available only with online tutoring. So you know what this service is all about. If no then let me tell you that this section is about having a teacher beside you all round the clock. The individual teacher will help and guide an individual student whenever the student wants to attend the class. No other students will be entertained at that point of time. This is mostly effective for the weak as well as the shy students who cannot open up with their problems publicly. The best part of online tutoring is that the students do not have to move here and there to attend the tuition classes. They can easily sit at their most comfortable place and attend the classes. This increases the concentration power of the child and the child learns faster and on easy basis. This process also saves their time, energy and transportation cost as well. Tutor Pace, a correct choice Among the lot of online tutoring institutes, I will suggest you to keep up with Tutor Pace as it is one of the reputed institutes along with it provide some of the best services at a very affordable price. Online trigonometry tutors is one service available with Tutor Pace.  

Volume of Rectangular Prism Tutors

Volume of Rectangular Prism Tutors A prism is a 3-dimensional closed geometric figure and a rectangular prism is one of the different kinds of prisms. A rectangular prism is a prism consisting of a rectangular base and all the surfaces including the bases are also rectangles. Since it is a 3-dimensional geometric figure, it consists of length, width and the height. Volume of a rectangular prism is the measure of the space contained inside the prism and it is equal to the product of the length, width and the height. Example 1: What is the volume of the rectangular prism whose length is 6.5m, width is 3.2m and height is 5m. Given the length of the rectangular prim, l = 6.5m Width of the rectangular prism, w = 3.2m Height of the rectangular prism, h = 5m Volume of a rectangular prism, V = (length) * (width) * (height) Hence, volume of the rectangular prism, V = 6.5m * 3.2m * 5m = 104m3 Therefore, the volume of the given rectangular prism = 104m3 Example 2: What is the volume of the rectangular prism whose length is 6m, width is 2.5m and height is 8m. Given the length of the rectangular prim, l = 6m Width of the rectangular prism, w = 2.5m Height of the rectangular prism, h = 8m Volume of a rectangular prism, V = (length) * (width) * (height) Hence, volume of the rectangular prism, V = 6m * 2.5m * 8m = 120m3 Therefore, the volume of the given rectangular prism = 120m3

Time Management Tips for Students

Time Management Tips for Students What comes so naturally to some can be very difficult for othersthis is true for many things, but in this case, lets talk about time management for students. Time management tips for students may include finding an organizational system that works best for them or identifying the most effective ways to set deadlines, but there is much more to dive into in order to truly master the skill. The earlier you do this, the better! But if time management doesnt seem to come naturally for you, what can you do to improve? Here are some time management tips for students to explore: Time Management Tip #1: Prioritize tasks As a student, you will have multiple classes, deadlines, and activities competing for your time and attention. To manage your To Do list, you will need to learn how to prioritize. To effectively prioritize, first make a list of everything you need and want to complete. Then, categorize these items as such. For example, maybe you need to submit an essay, but you also have a test to study for. Determine which tasks are more urgent or important, based on the time it takes to prepare, the deadlines, and so on. Studying for a test tomorrow is urgent, whereas starting a rough draft of your final paper due in four weeks can probably wait another day or two(but it is still important!). Time Management Tip #2: Keep a calendar Youve heard this advice before, and thats because it is crucial to time management. When dealing with deadlines, it can be hard to find time to tend to all of them. Keeping a calendar canhelp you remain realistic with your time, be remindedof what needs to be done, and stay focused on your goals. Pick the type of calendar system that works best for you. Some people prefer using the calendar app on their smart phone since its always with them and can be set up with digital reminders, while others enjoy writing down their commitments in a traditional planner. It doesnt matter which you choose, as long as you use it. For the calendar to work effectively, you need to use it on a regular basis. At the start of each semester, add your classes to your calendar. Also, consult your course syllabi and add all important deadlines. In addition, estimate how long each assignment will take to complete. For example, if an essay is due March 15th and you think it will take about a week to complete, put a reminder on your calendar for March 8th to start your essay. You can adjust these deadlines and reminders as needed throughout the semester. [RELATED: How to Make a Smart Study Routine] Next, block out time on your calendar for not just studying, but all your various other activities as well. This will help give you a scope of whats on your plate. You may also want to create time slots for leisure, such as reading for pleasure or hanging out with friendsremember, balance is important in a students life. Consider designating time for the following: Reading textbooks Creating study guides Writing essays Extracurricular activities Social time with friends Reading / exercising / other hobbies By scheduling in personal responsibilities and commitments as well, you can help prevent burnout from only studying. Be flexible and make adjustments as needed, but dont skimp on time for school-related tasks. Time Management Tip #3: Dont overcommit If youve prioritized your upcoming tasks and filled in your calendar, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Dont fret! To stay on track during the school year, you will need to avoid overcommitting yourself and your time when possible. If a neighbor asks you to babysit or a friend wants to take a weekend trip, you may need to pass on the opportunity if you cant adjust your schedule to make it work. In some other cases, however, you can use your flexibility to do something new or funbut be realistic with your time. If you have a big test on Monday that you need to study for and a friend wants to spend the weekend camping, consider asking him or her to reschedule the adventure for another weekend, as you have other commitments this weekend. Time Management Tip #4: Stop procrastinating This is a critical component of time management. If you procrastinate, you risk missing important due dates or meeting them with work that is poor quality. Either way, your grades and academic performance will likely suffer under those circumstances. If you are already in the habit of procrastinating, it will take some time and considerable effort to change your ways, but it will be worth it in the end. There are many things you can do to help prevent procrastination. Stick to your schedule and keep the big picture goals in mind. These are just a few ways to start managing your time more effectively to maximize your productivity. If you fall off your time management plan, dont stress. Instead, take a look at your priorities and calendar again and make adjustments as needed. Just remember, you can do this! 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.

Should I Go to Sarah Lawrence College

Should I Go to Sarah Lawrence College Shejla holds a bachelors degree in chemistry from Sarah Lawrence College. She helps students through chemistry tutoring, algebra tutoring, and a number of other academic areas. Interested in attending Sarah Lawrence College? Shejla shares her experience as a student there: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Shejla: Sarah Lawrence College is located in Bronxville, New York, one of the most panoramic, quiet and safe villages in Westchester, so you can say the campus is in a rural setting. It was overall a safe area and there were shuttle buses to and from the closest Metro North train station. Most students living on campus would bike around. I commuted throughout my stay at SLC, so the train was my only means of transportation. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Shejla: The professors and academic advisers are always there for you. Sarah Lawrence College runs on a don system, where a faculty member serves as an adviser and helps the student plan the courses of study and have a chance to succeed while at SLC and afterward. Having a don establishes not only a longstanding academic relationship with your adviser, but a personal and career-oriented one. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Shejla: I really didnt experience much of a dorm life, being a commuter, however I really enjoyed sleep overs or all-nighters at my friends space. There were two main food courts, but I wasnt quite a fan of either. Mainly, youd join fellow students at the food courts just to spend time with them, rather than for the food. It also served as a good opportunity to talk to people, both students or faculty. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Shejla: The unique thing about SLC is that there are no majors. Everybody graduates with a Bachelors in Liberal Arts, however there are certain concentrations you can follow (not officially) based on the type and amount of certain classes youve taken or the career path you want to follow afterwards. I mostly studied Chemistry, completed a senior thesis in Inorganic Chemistry, took all of the possible advanced classes offered in the area, and it did serve me well. I was a Visiting Student for a year at an Ivy League institution and look forward to enrolling in graduate school next year to pursue a doctorate degree in Chemistry. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Shejla: I transferred at SLC from a community college after studying there for three semesters, and I found it hard to connect with peers, especially since everybody knew everybody from freshman year and commuting made it even harder to make friends. I found myself connecting to others through classes and study sessions. Greek life, on the other hand, is non-existent to my knowledge. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Shejla: The Career Center proved to be very helpful during my senior year when I was sending out applications to graduate school. They helped me build the best resume, and we went back and forth in several editing sessions. Im not sure about other areas and concentrations of study, but in the sciences, the only instances in which chemical and pharma companies held college students recruitments were while my friends and I attended chemistry conferences. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Shejla: I always studied in the library, since being at home meant too many distractions. What I didnt like about the library was its hours. It would only be available 24 hours during finals, which is when everybody studies at the library. Other times, it closed around 1am, and there were many nights when I needed to be up studying longer than that. Overall, the library is very small and there arent that many quiet study areas. Describe the surrounding town. Shejla: Bronxville is a small village, however there are a few restaurants and coffee shops we would always go to when we needed a break from campus food or when we were too lazy to head for New York City. Sometimes I would meet my friends there during the weekend for brunch, or walk with them from the dorms. It was always a nice walk, about 15 minutes, while we enjoyed the panoramic views of Bronxville houses and parks. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Shejla: One of the things Sarah Lawrence College is famous for is its class size and one-to-one time students spend with the faculty, which is the main reason why I decided to attend SLC. Seminar classes have no more than 15 students, while lectures, depending on the professors popularity, vary in their size. Ive attended lectures with 30 fellow classmates, and others with 50. The overall undergraduate body comprises around 1400 students. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Shejla: I dont think I regret anything from my time at SLC; not classes taken, projects undertaken, interactions with faculty, etc. All of them were extremely fulfilling and instructional to me. If I could choose between the countless great moments spent there, I would choose one with my professor and don, Dr. Colin Abernethy, who saw my potential in chemistry research. After having successfully completed one of his classes, he asked me if I had ever considered the possibility of conducting a senior thesis with him. I was really touched because it showed that he believed in me, but it also made it possible for the two of us to get to know each other better during that one year of research. The academic and professional bond created is still going strong today. Check out Shejlas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

GCSE Poem analysis Storm on the Island by Seamus Heaney

GCSE Poem analysis Storm on the Island by Seamus Heaney What is it about? Seamus Heaney's poem has a helpful title: it is a dramatic monologue from the perspective of an villager on a remote island, probably in the Irish Atlantic, about the storms his community face and their effects. Storm on the Island by Seamus Heaney We are prepared: we build our houses squat, Sink walls in rock and roof them with good slate. This wizened earth has never troubled us With hay, so, as you see, there are no stacks Or stooks that can be lost. Nor are there trees Which might prove company when it blows full Blast: you know what I mean - leaves and branches Can raise a tragic chorus in a gale So that you listen to the thing you fear Forgetting that it pummels your house too. But there are no trees, no natural shelter. You might think that the sea is company, Exploding comfortably down on the cliffs But no: when it begins, the flung spray hits The very windows, spits like a tame cat Turned savage. We just sit tight while wind dives And strafes invisibly. Space is a salvo, We are bombarded with the empty air. Strange, it is a huge nothing that we fear. Title The title is simple, but by having no article (no 'a' or 'the' to begin the title), Heaney makes his description even simpler, even generalising so that Storm on the Island could describe any storm on any island. However, we realise that this is a particularly bleak and isolated place: 'no trees, no natural shelter'. Form The poem is written in unrhymed iambic pentameter - blank verse. The lines are usually enjambed - the sentences do not stop with the lines - but the occasional line contains a full sentence, like the last, which gives a strong indication of reaching the end of the speaker's pondering. Enjambing a single, monosyllabic word like 'full | Blast' makes the most of this overlapping pattern, adding stress onto the words placed first in the line against the generally rising rhythm of the whole piece. Sound Heaney really uses the full range of consonance, assonance, alliteration and other sound patterns in the poem. This helps create a noisy recreation of the wind and rain thrashing the bare island. The 'comfortable' explosions of waves echo on the 'cliffs', with the hard 'c' sound providing the sound of the attacking wave and the final 's' on 'cliffs' echoing the hiss as the wave retreats over the stones. Later when the water is flying, the spray 'hits' the windows and an internal rhyme with 'spits' repeats this harsh contact. The poem ends with open, empty sounds, including a half-rhyme between 'air' and 'fear'. But read the poem in an Irish accent and you might be rewarded with a final full-rhyme to close off the verse. Voice Storm on the Island begins with the resolute determination of someone sure about himself and his people. The very simplicity of the sentence 'We are prepared' speaks of confidence. There is also a self-deprecating humour in the phrase 'This wizened earth has never troubled us | With hay', giving the impression that the speaker is glad not to have the bother of being able to grow anything! In a way, the pride of the speaker for the earth beneath his feet - his island - is the opposite of the 'huge nothing' that he says they fear. The speaker has a friendly tone, reminiscent of Browning's monologue 'Fra Lippo Lippi', particularly in the phrases 'you know what I mean' and 'You might think'. Imagery The speaker compares the sea to a cat (fickle and liable to seem friendly, then scratch!), and the wind to an attacking aircraft ('while the wind dives | And strafes invisibly'). These comparisons have different effects. On the one hand we return to the idea of a community defending itself, as in the first lines, against an invader. On the other hand, there is a familiar, comfortable undercurrent of knowing the sea like a pet - even an unpredictable one. It seems that life on an island produces people who can think of something in two ways at once without worrying about contradictions. Attitude The speaker moves between defiance (at the start of the poem), awe, humour and finally admissions of fear. Yet throughout he maintains a calm tone, sure of the thickness of the stone walls around him. Perhaps that, rather than the storm itself, is what Heaney really wants to feature: the self-confidence of island people when faced with challenges. consonance Repeated consonant sounds within words (stacks and stooks) assonance Repeated vowel sounds within words (mean - leaves) For extra support with poetry analysis, why not book a lesson with one of our experienced  GCSE English tutor?  With Tutorfair you can browse through a selection of great tutors to find the right one for you. For More GCSE poem analyses similar to Love's Philosophy:  The Farmer's Bride, Love's Philosophy,  Neutral Tones,  The Yellow Palm,  Medusa, and Bayonet Charge.

Test Taking Tips to Share with Students

Test Taking Tips to Share with Students Whether you teach English, math, or any other subject, you have to give tests and to succeed in your class, students need to get comfortable taking them. How can you help students become better test-takers? Here are eight tips to share with them: Work on getting in the zone. Every classroom has distractions, but students must learn how to tune them out. This takes some trial and error, but encourage your students to work on figuring out what works for them. Jot down formulas or key information. Its a good idea for students to write down any formulas or quick mnemonic devices theyve memorized in the margins of their tests once you say Begin. Become skilled at pacing. One of the simplest tips you can share with your students is how to pace themselves. Students should estimate the minutes per question (and section) they can spend and do this quick calculation before starting any test. Mark the tough questions. Once students have a time budget in mind, they can keep themselves on track. That means they should circle any difficult questions and come back to them rather than waste time struggling. Read the directions. Students should always remember that reading directions is a muston any test or assignment. Read the questions carefully. Doing so is the best way to eliminate obvious wrong answers and use time efficiently. Practice stress management. Tests can be very stressful for some students. Teach your students simple strategies to calm down and clear their heads, like deep breathing, stretching/standing, and positive visualization techniques. Allow for time at the end to review. Its always good practice for students to review tests when finished to ensure that no questions were overlooked and to double-check or complete any problems about which they werent certain initially. Remind your students of these tips and strategies throughout the school year. These practices will help them improve their test-taking abilities and confidence!

Tutoring a candidate to resit GCSE and A-level exams

Tutoring a candidate to resit GCSE and A-level exams The news that a resit is necessary is not something any pupil or tutor likes to hear and the preparation for the second attempt can be as much psychological as academic. If one of your pupils has to resit GCSEs or A-levels this winter, how can you help them achieve their full potential? A student's confidence can be knocked by the need to resit exams, so it is important that you work with them to understand it as a second opportunity to show off their full potential. Maybe there were extenuating circumstances last time, or maybe they were simply under-prepared - either way the resit is a brand new situation, and the previous experience can only help to improve the pupil's chances of reaching their highest possible grade the next time. If it is possible to get hold of the previous paper, this is obviously a great asset. However, in most cases this will be very difficult, so your starting place should be a frank discussion with the student about their previous exam experience. What do they think they did well on? Where did they struggle? Try to ascertain if their problems stem from academic weak points, or a problem with exam technique, as this will tell you where your focus is to lie. This conversation will form the basis of your tutoring plan up until the exam. Allow time to revise all key areas of the curriculum, but do allocate extra time for those areas of particular weakness. Throughout the study period your key task, beyond providing academic preparation, will be to motivate and inspire your student as they prepare to retake their GCSEs or A-levels.

4 ways to prepare for your teach abroad job interview

4 ways to prepare for your teach abroad job interview After you make the decision to teach abroad, the next step in the process is to land a job at a school that meets your life and career goals. To that end, you might opt for applying for jobs online with a recruiter like Teach Away or decide to attend a teacher job fair or some in-person interview sessions. Regardless of which path you take, however, one thing is certain: You will be interviewed at some point in the hiring process - whether it’s over phone, Skype or in person. Congratulations, your teaching credentials and experience landed you an interview and now it's time to seal the deal. Depending on your level of experience, you may have attended many, many interviews in your time. Or maybe your last interview was your first. No matter which bucket you happen to fall into, I wanted to share my first-hand experience and advice for anyone interviewing for a job teaching abroad. Hopefully, this will give you some idea of what to prep for when interviewing for what (hopefully) will turn out to be your very own dream job teaching abroad. I’m not going to give you a laundry list as there are so many resources out there already. For example, as I was preparing for the job fair, Teach Away hosted a webinar that gave advice and tips for job fair interviews (just an FYI that the job fair experience can be very different if you have never attended one). I also found these three posts helpful, so I recommend checking those out if you’ve got time: 6 interview tips that will get you the job - straight from a teach abroad recruiter Preparing for an international teaching job interview 11 tips for a successful teacher phone interview Below, I’ve listed some of the things that I felt really helped me make a strong impression throughout the interview process: 1. Do due diligence on the school you’re interviewing with. Hopefully, you have already done a lot of research before the interview process to decide on where you want to teach and live. If you haven’t, I recommend you do so. Each country and region has their own unique culture, and it is important to have an idea which fits you and/or your family’s lifestyle. Next, you need to do the research to familiarize yourself with the prospective school’s vision, mission and curriculum philosophy. Research on the school can be beneficial in two areas. First, it gives you an opportunity to see if you would be a good fit for the school. Second, it will give you valuable information you can use and reference when answering questions in the interview. Teach Away will usually have a page on their site with key school information If not, you can also google and find the school’s official website. At the Teach Away job fair, I was also lucky enough to get the chance to sit in on info sessions held by the hiring schools in attendance. I made sure to take notes on key areas, such as the school’s philosophy, to ascertain how it matches my own strengths and values as an educator. Watch this video: This is what schools look for on your Teach Away profile 2. Don’t be afraid to self-reflect and sell yourself. After doing your research, take a look back at your past teacher evaluations and your career as an educator. For some that might be a long career, others very short. Either way, it is important to self-reflect in order to truly understand your strengths and areas where you can improve as an educator. After all, we all have room to grow. Many of the schools that I interviewed with during my job hunt were interested in me teaching Advanced Placement (AP) classes or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. If you are a secondary content teacher and have AP or IB experience that will increase your stock. I, however, do not have AP/IB experience, but many schools pay for professional development. I was open and honest in interviews about my lack of AP/IB experience. However, I made it clear that I was willing to attend PD sessions and continue to grow professionally in those areas. Being honest about the areas that you can improve when asked in an interview is really important, especially if those areas are bound to be brought up as the school is doing reference checks. Although you want to be honest about the areas that you can improve, it is also important to sell yourself. Two of the most common questions you will get in a teacher job interview are (although asked in different ways) are: Why do you want to work at our school? What would we see if we were to walk into your classroom? These are two unmissable opportunities to sell yourself as an educator. The first question is where your research on the school is crucial. As you’re answering, you have the chance to get across just good a fit for their school you are by conveying how your philosophies and strengths align with the school’s mission, vision, and curricular programs. The second question is where your self-reflection can help you sell yourself as a classroom instructor. Be prepared to give specific examples of teaching strategies you use in the classroom. You are good enough for this job, so don’t be afraid to tell the school why. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. 3. Practice makes perfect. Like anything else, interviewing is a skill that can be mastered with practice. Of course, just like most other things, interviewing comes easier to some than to others. Whether you feel like you’re a natural or you’ve come to dread the interview process, practicing before a real interview will not only help prepare you for the possible questions that could be asked, it will also go a long way in helping battle those pesky nerves that tend to sneak up as the interview date looms. The questions I shared above are a great place to start. Have a friend, spouse or colleague ask you questions specific to the teaching job you’re in the running for and practice responding to them. You don’t have to memorize your answers verbatim but it’s a good idea to jot down your responses so you can work on refining them as you do your interview preparation. It’s also worth practicing for an interview with a formal administrative colleague that can share some valuable insight into the common questions they like to ask during the interview process. You can either review these questions or conduct a mock interview with them. I’m very fortunate to have a father who is a former administrator who is always happy to help me run through my interview responses. During past interviews, I have foundIdo have either a tendency to get caught in those annoying ummm...uhhhhh...pauses when questions catch me off guard, or I. Oy to avoid any awkward silence so I s at allstart speaking before I’ve really thought my answer through. With enough practice, however, I was I can start tonate my awkanyrd pauses and keep my cool if I happened to momentarily thrown by a tricky question. 4. Practice getting comfortable in front of the camera. Video interviews are common practice when recruiting teachers from overseas, largely due to convenience, flexibility and the money-saving benefits for schools. As a result, practicing interviewing in an online setting is important. Interviews online or over Skype have a completely different feel from in-person interviews. For example, depending on how reliable your internet connection is, the video quality might be spotty and you might find it difficult not to talk over each other in the interview. Due to financial and family constraints, my wife and I were unable to attend the teacher job fair together. Instead, I flew out to the fair while Grace stayed home with our two boys. However, Grace was able to interview with the same schools I did - just over Skype. We even interviewed as a team in some instances - I was physically in the room and while Grace was sat next to me on a laptop (which was a unique experience for everyone involved!) Grace and I also had multiple Skype interviews following the fair. She’s an elementary teacher and I’m a secondary teacher, so it stood to reason that both principals wanted to meet with us. I think it’s safe to say we’re old hands at Skype interviews by now! So here are some of our basic tips when interviewing over Skype: Dress professionally, just as you would for an in-person interview. Make sure your technology is up to scratch. Test your interview location and camera angle by calling a friend. (The last thing you want is something embarrassing being visible in the background.) Be on time. Make sure you know who’s calling who. Take care to articulate your words clearly and speak a touch louder than you normally would in an in-person interview. Be sure to look right into the camera as much as you can. (This is the Skype version of making eye contact, however unnatural it might feel!) Take the quiz: Where should I teach abroad in 2018? If you’re currently gearing up for an interview to teach abroad, remember that preparation is key for a successful interview, whether it’s face-to-face or via Skype. Hopefully, the tips and tricks provided above will help you land your dream job teaching abroad this year. And if you’ve already had a call saying you’ve gotten the job offer, that’s awesome! I know first hand that accepting a new job teaching abroad is a life-changing decision, so be sure to read this blog about what should be included in your teach abroad contract before you sign on the dotted line! In the meantime, if you’re not preparing for an interview to teach abroad, I recommend you continue to self-reflect and build your instructional knowledge by incorporating best practices into your current classroom. That way, when you do start to prepare for your very first teach abroad interview, you’ll be able to draw on those instructional strengths in your interviews as well as your future classroom.