Learn Spanish - Find a Great Online Tutor

Learn Spanish - Find a Great Online TutorIf you are looking for an affordable way to learn Spanish, then I highly recommend going to a tutor. You will be amazed at the way a real tutor will work with you. You will not only learn Spanish effectively but also learn the Spanish language in a fun way.The first thing that a tutor will do is to get to know you. They will ask questions of you and get to know your strengths and weaknesses. This will give them the best chance of helping you get good results. There is no better way to learn a new language than to get personal feedback.One of the most important things you can do to learn Spanish is to practice everyday. The more practice you do the more fluent you will become. This does not mean you should be working six days a week. It means that you should be putting in some time to learn.A tutor is there to help you in areas that you are having problems with such as reading and writing. There are many opportunities to speak to a tutor on the phone. You should try talking to the tutor every day to get to know them. Most people are eager to help others so they will be happy to answer questions.A tutor will help you improve your vocabulary. This is very important. Most Spanish words are made up of several letters. Learning new words and their meanings are very important. You will be able to communicate easily with your tutor and they will help you with pronunciation.A great way to learn a new language is to find a Spanish learning website. These websites offer a virtual environment. They allow you to practice your Spanish at your own pace. You can choose the amount of time you want to spend on each lesson.If you want to work with a tutor, it is important to find a good one. Look for someone who has been in the business for a while. You want someone who is genuinely interested in helping you learn Spanish.You may want to go to a tutor to help you improve your reading and writing skills. You may want to go to a tutor to hel p you learn conversational Spanish.

Mathematics and Science Tutoring

Mathematics and Science TutoringFinding the best math and science tutoring is not a problem at all. With the Internet, the world of the internet has become a great place for students to study. However, one has to spend some time in order to find the best tutoring institutions.However, for those who do not know the best way to find tutors, one can always consult the tutors' association of the tutoring schools. This is just like a university or college where students can request for the services of a tutor. The tutors' association provides other information such as the fee for tuition. Many students are now looking out for some online tutoring services that can help them learn science. There are many websites that provide free, paid and premium services to assist in learning the best subjects.Well, the paid services are much better than the free ones. However, it is important to know what you really need and what is worth. And how much time is required in order to achieve your goals?St udents should be aware of the financial help they can get in such tutoring sessions. Most of the fee help may be taken from the student's bank account. So, it is necessary for the student to consult with the tutors and decide which type of service he/she needs in order to study science or maths in the best possible way.After consulting with the tutors, the students can be asked to choose the one that is the best for him/her. One thing that is important is that the tutor should be good at mathematics and sciences. It is not necessary that he/she is good at one subject. It is better if the tutor has both a good mathematics and science background.Students should also be told that most of the tutors are available on the internet. It is also important to know about the reputation of the tutor. Some online institutions can offer a free membership for a certain period of time. Students can also look out for the tutors' industry association that can help students in finding the best tutors in the industry.The most important thing is that the student is informed of all these things that are related to tutoring. Once this is done, students can be sure of getting good grades in their courses or colleges. This is because tutoring schools are in business for teaching students the right subjects.

An Easy Guideline to Solve Chemistry Equations

An Easy Guideline to Solve Chemistry EquationsIn this article I will provide a simple guideline to solve mcat equations with minimal time. To solve most problems requires quick understanding of the mcat formula, but what is it really? Let's talk about some fundamentals and what makes it really difficult.To find a mcat equation in a textbook, the student may only find the equation on the page. Here you are not alone. Most professors use mathematics textbooks to teach their students to solve most problems. It is a fact that you will find a mcat equation very easily without having any background in that formula.In the course of mcat equations, mcat coefficients can also be solved easily. But here the student has to have a background in mcat coefficients. To do so, he or she needs to have a good memory. A good memory should be ready for that equations because mcat equations would require understanding mcat coefficients.It will be difficult to solve mcat equations without a proper underst anding of mcat coefficients. You should be able to find out the mcat coefficients easily. In addition, most coefficients can be readily found in most textbooks as well. Many books can help you with this. But they don't usually include mcat coefficients.If you want to tackle that equations, it is best to find out information about mcat coefficients from most textbooks. You can find the mcat coefficients in most textbooks as well. But you will need to have a good memory for mcat equations. And once you have that, then mcat equations become easier to understand.The next tip for solving mcat equations is to find out the most appropriate mcat equation. That is very important because mcat equations are quite complex and can't be solved simply by following the formula. The equation would require knowledge about mcat coefficients.So when we have these tips for solving most equations, we can say that mcat equations can be easily solved in less than half an hour. The speed of solving them dep ends on how much knowledge you have about mcat coefficients.

Get Online Trigonometry Tutors Help Of Tutor Pace

Get Online Trigonometry Tutors Help Of Tutor Pace Being a kid we have to go through various subjects in our lifetime. Each subject has its own importance and so this is the reason why it is been included in our syllabus. Today with busy parents it has become mandatory to have good teacher beside you so that you can easily cope up with the subject. All the subjects do not require a helping hand to get into the skin of the subject, but there are some of the tough subjects that require some extra help or effort for any student to understand the subject in a much better and easy way.TutorPace is an online tutoring institute that can bring to you all the above stated benefit with perfection. Online Trigonometry Tutors  is also available with online tutoring institutes named TutorPace. Mathematics is a subject that requires a good and efficient helping hand that will help the student to easily cope up with the subject and also know the subject in a better manner. Mathematics has many topics that are tough enough that cannot be handled sin gle handedly. Trigonometry is a part of mathematics that is a huge concept and requires a lot of knowledge and intelligence to crack the subject. To know the subject deeply it is important that one should have the help of a good teacher who will guide the student through all the adversities related with the subject. Private tutors are present who can help a student to know the topic, but today with the increase in competition the teachers have also been included in the list of being competitive. This competition mentality brings in lot of troubles for any student as they are unable to learn well. In some cases things are so that the teachers are not that efficient as well and thus the lack of good and enough knowledge can bring in lots of problem for any student as well. Private tutors do not have any eligibility criteria and thus anyone can open up their own coaching classes and provide tuitions. A bad teacher can hamper the future of a student and thus it cannot help the student t o learn well or know well. The grades or the knowledge of a student is never uplifted with such kind of teachers or teaching. The other better alternative is through online tutoring institute. Very few of you may have heard about online tutoring institute. The online tutoring institute is one of the new and can be said as the best way through which students can learn in a much better and smoother manner than it would have been in any other way. The teachers who are involved in the world of online tutoring are very much efficient with the subject and this is the reason they can deliver well with full of knowledge to their students. Now for the first timers, you should know the advantages or benefits that online tutoring institutes provides its customers. Below is the list of features that online tutoring has with it. It is one of the easiest and the most convenient way through which studies can be fun. The online tutoring institutes are growing up and students and their parents are much interested to provide their child with the bets facility of learning. Online tutoring service can provide its students with the best learning facility because of the factor that it has some of the best availability of teachers. The teachers who are involved in the institutes of online tutoring can help the student with the good and the easiest way to teach them.   The efficient teachers know the whereabouts of the subject and thus can perform better with their deliverance as a teacher. The teachers in some cases make a structured plan for some of the students so that they can teach the student with their full efficiency. They first try to know what are the problems that a student finds with the subject are. After knowing the problem the teacher tries to finds out the solutions for the subject as well. This helps the student to learn the subject in a structured and composed manner. The online tutoring institutes are accustomed with a service to provide the students with all round the clock service. The students can decide their timing for the classes as per their timing. They do not have to follow the time table that their teacher provides. This provides a way of relief for the students as well. The students can easily opt for their classes whenever possible and this helps the student in lot of ways by saving their time and energy that can be utilized in their learning process as well. The one on one service is also available with online tutoring institutes. This is one of the services that are not possible for any of the private tutor to provide it. This service is for those students who are weak in their studies and are shy due to their inferiority complex related with the subject. Thus when you have a teacher appointed only for you, you can easily come across all the doubts that are found while going through the subject. This service helps the student to get the individual teacher for the student all round the clock so that they can easily clear all the doubts that arise in their minds. Reputed institutes carry on with all the services in very affordable rates. This is possible when you have some good amount of students and the teachers whom you have appointed can clear of any doubt related with the subject for the student easily. That is helpful for any of the middle class family to easily cope up with the expenses that online tutoring comes up with. There are so many institutes that come across the world of online tutoring. But while going for anyone you have to be very particular about whom to choose.

When to Go to Brazil

When to Go to Brazil How to Make the Most of Your Time in Brazil ChaptersChoose the Dates According to Your DestinationThe Best Time of the Year to Go to BrazilWhat Are the Essential Brazilian Events?Practical Advice for Travelling to Brazil“Soft water can break the hardest stone.” - Brazilian ProverbThe land of football and also the destination for carnival, Brazil has a number of different facets, which is why tourists come in their droves to the cities and natural parks in Brazil. The parks in Brazil recorded 12.4 million visits, an increase of 1.7 million in comparison to the previous year. It just goes to show just how much interest there is in Brazilian sights of natural beauty.To make the most of a trip to Brazil, you should go at the right time. The same dates aren’t recommended for every destination so you need to think about where you’re going and where. Find out more about how and when to plan the perfect trip to Brazil.Do you have a specific destination in mind or just looking to go to Brazil?  Why this question?You shouldn’t go to Brasilia at the same time as you would Porto Alegre. Rainy seasons, cold temperatures, not much going on, etc. Depending on the time of year, some towns can completely change. If you want to do touristy things, you might want to visit in the low season when it’s quieter, but if you’re looking for high temperatures, then you’ll want to visit during the high season.Brazil isn't just beaches, even though there are plenty of great ones. (Source: Pexels)There are plenty of different types of tourists who head to Brazil:Surfers and diversHistory or architecture loversParty animalsCultural touristsSo which type of tourist are you?If you like walking, nature, or sport, it’s better to go towards the Amazon or a national park like Ilha Grande, one of the most peaceful in the world. The Iguazu falls are worth a visit but not when it’s the monsoon season or where the temperatures drop.If you’re interested in diving in tropical islands, you might be interested in Maragogi, one of the most beautiful coastal resorts of the Brazilian Caribbean. You could also choose a resort near Recife and do some capoeira on the idyllic beaches.There are plenty of other destinations in Brazil like:Salvador da BahiaCopacabanaJericoacoaraBelo HorizonteMinasBelemThus, the best time to go to Brazil completely depends on where you’re going to.Find out more about accommodation in Brazil.The Best Time of the Year to Go to BrazilLike most countries in the Southern hemisphere, Brazil has several climates, a rainy season (in the summer from December to June), the dry season (winters from July to November) where the temperatures can reach up to 40 °C. Heading to Brazil in March wouldn’t be the same as it would in September.Ready to go to Brazil? (Source: Marianabiologa)The climate in Brazil is very diverse and there are 5 or 6 main types across the country!Brazil has various different climates:An equatorial climate in the northeastA monsoon climate in the AmazonA savannah climat e in the southeastA semi-arid climate in the centreA humid sub-tropical climate in the southeast, tooA temperate climate in the southDuring the rainy season, you don’t want to head to the Amazon!  It’s recommended you avoid the rainy season in Brazil. It’s recommended that you go during the winter, June to August, with sunny days, mild temperatures, and when tourists aren’t all over the place.It might seem that August or September might be the ideal months to visit anywhere in Brazil. However, it’s not just the climate stopping to visiting Brazil at certain times of the year.In terms of the calendar, what’s going on in September?The high season is around March when Carnival is taking place.What Are the Essential Brazilian Events?In addition to things to see like Christ the Redeemer at Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro, there are also regular events throughout the year that make Brazil worth visiting. This is the case with religious events, local customs, and various fairs and fe stivals.As you may have guessed, Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro is a pretty big deal. (Source: ckim828)The Brazilian cultural calendar is pretty packed.  Here are a few events that you won’t want to miss:Carnival in the big cities in February or March.Carnival in Natal, June-July.Gay Pride, Sao Paulo, June.Winter Festival in Ouro Preto, July.Gramado Film Festival, August.Independence Day of Brazil, 7 September.Blumenau Beer Festival, October.São Paulo International Film Festival.Salvador Summer Fest, December.Carnival is preceded by three to four weeks of celebrations, parades, and cultural events in Brazil's most popular cities. Make sure you have look around for more information. Don’t miss a second of the post-show in the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí, where the country’s best dance schools fill the arena with colour and dancing.Don't forget the New Year, either, which is celebrated all over the country.What kind of New Year would you like? Beaches and cocktails or a modern city?If you’re not as sold on this as you are the Corcovado, the UNESCO world heritage site that’s home to Christ the Redeemer, an icon of Brazil and Brazilian culture. For more ideas on what to see and do, there are plenty of websites and travel blogs explaining the best the country has to offer.Before you head away, we’ve got some advice for you...Practical Advice for Travelling to BrazilHave you heard of Ronaldinho? Neymar, perhaps?If you have, it’s because Brazil loves football! It holds an almost mythical status in the country. If you want to spend time in local bars watching football or hanging out with Brazilians, you should learn some basic Portuguese:GreetingsHow to introduce yourselfWhere you’re staying in BrazilWhat you’re going to do in BrazilTo get ready for your time in Brazil, you should find out some useful advice about where you’re going!If you didn't know, football is a pretty big deal in Brazil. (Source: Pexels)If you’re going to the Amazon, you’ ll need things like antiseptic and mosquito repellent. You’ll need light clothes that cover all your body (long sleeves and trousers), a waterproof in case of storms, and a scarf.If you’re going to Brazil in winter, light and functional clothes are advised. An umbrella can also be useful.  Ideally, you’ll want to go at some time between July and September to get the most out of Brazil.Get your flights for the low season, especially if you’re going to Brazil for the first time. Sites like Skyscanner are useful for checking the prices of flights before you buy.In the low season, prices will be lower but make sure you research your destination so that you won’t have any surprises once you get there.Don't forget to budget for your holidays!You should be aware that yellow fever has been reported in Brazil so make sure that you get the appropriate vaccinations before travelling.Do you have your passport? Have you booked your holiday with work? Ready to go to Brazil?As the larges t country in South America, there's no shortage of things to do and see in Brazil from the Amazon rainforest to Copacabana beach. You can travel to Brazil for Carnaval, enjoy a caipirinha on the beach, or sample some sugar loaf.If you're the adventurous type, then you might want to visit the Amazon river, the Iguassu falls, or hike up the Corcovado Mountain to witness the viewpoint and the statue. Just make sure you go at the right time!You don't need to worry much about visa requirements. You can travel to Brazil on a tourist visa. You can get the tourist visa by applying to the Brazilian embassy or consulate. Fortunately, this will be valid for five years from your first date of entry into the country, meaning if you don't manage to do everything, you can always go back!Looking to learn some Portuguese before you go?Get help from one of the many talented tutors on Superprof. There are three main types of tutorial available on the site: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and the best one for you really depends on your situation.Face-to-face tutorials are the most personal and have you and your tutor working together for the whole session. Of course, this bespoke service comes at a cost, making it the most costly type of tutorial available.Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials with the main difference being that the tutor isn't physically in the room with you and you're more likely to find native Portuguese speakers.Finally, there are group tutorials. In these types of tutorials, there are several students and just one tutor. These tutorials are usually the cheapest per person per hour but each student won't get the bespoke tutoring or one-on-one time that they would in the other types of tutorials. However, you will get plenty of opportunities to practise your language skills with the other students in the class.

Whats Going On In Your Middle Schoolers Head

What's Going On In Your Middle Schooler’s Head Middle school can be a challenging time for children for a variety of reasons. When students reach middle school age, their brains begin to undergo changes that can cause disruptions in various aspects of academia. While these changes are many, they specifically focus on your students ability to utilize the rational aspects of their brain, their preference for active vs. passive learning, and their identity development. As a parent, its important to understand what these intellectual changes are and how you can best support your student during their middle school yearssuch as implementing a routine and encouraging open communication. Keep reading to learn more about whats going on in your middle schoolers head. Encourage your middle schooler to harness the rational aspects of their brain Your middle schoolers brain is specifically developing in the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobesthe area that primarily focuses on decision-making and rational judgement. That being said, your student is likely beginning to gain a firmer grasp on how to mediate conflict, process emotions, and make ethical decisions. While these are all traits that will positively benefit their education, its important to note that their brain at this age is rapidly changingmeaning they might have moments of irrational behavior, as well, that they have trouble explaining. They may find it frustrating to have times when making decisions is a breeze, swiftly followed by a sense of confusion they cant explain. Note that your middle schooler may now prefer active to passive learning In the past, your student may have taken a passive stance on their education, going through the necessary motions to complete required tasks. As your student reaches middle school, however, you may begin to notice that they are more eager to delve into projects and assignments. Encourage your student to capitalize on this desire to take an active role in their education by asking more questions regarding the material taught in class and creatively approaching each project given. Utilize extracurriculars to strengthen your middle schoolers identity development At this age, your student will begin to discover what their interests and passions truly are. This is a pivotal time in their lives, as they will start to have opportunities to explore these interests and to see if they are something they would like to pursue further. Extracurriculars and electives play a vital role in providing your student with an opportunity to explore their passions. If your student is interested in science, for example, they may consider joining STEM-related groups at school, or speaking with their science teacher for insights on community clubs. A student interested in art might be able to take a drawing elective that will allow them to explore their talents. Whatever it may be, their brains at this age are eager to quickly expand their knowledge of the areas that grab their attention. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help Students Setand AchieveAcademic Goals] Support your middle schooler by providing routine and guidance at home Middle school students thrive off having a reliable routine in their daily lives. With the many pressures middle school students face, it can be essential to have a set and predictable schedule to depend on. Guide your student to complete tasks on time by creating an after school plan, including the following items: Establish a before school routine, allowing ample time for breakfast. Designate specific homework time, ideally a time where you or another adult is available for any assignment-related questions. Set aside time for chores and other household requirements, spreading them throughout the week if possible, in an effort to not overwhelm students after school. Select a time each week to have a check-in with your student about any concerns or comments they may want to share with you regarding school. By establishing a routine at home, your student can feel more organized to complete all tasks at hand. A set schedule can help them gain confidence and feel a sense of ownership over their education. [RELATED: 5 Tactics to Encourage Academic Confidence in Your Middle Schooler] Support your middle schooler by fostering an open line of communication Its important for your student to know that you are consistently offering open and honest communication. At this age, students are encouraged to address problems and concerns with their teacher on their ownhowever, your student may need your help to learn how to verbalize their concerns and your support on any issues. That being said, its essential for your student to feel confident coming to you with any issues they may be having. Purposefully allot time to have open and honest conversations with your student about any aspects of their lives they wish to discuss. This way, when issues do arise, they will know you are there as their ally to guide them to the best solution. Support your middle schooler by encouraging goal-setting and critical thinking Middle school age is the perfect time to begin to instill critical thinking skills in your student. Your student is beginning to develop flexible thinking abilities, specifically learning the valuable ability to switch from one task to another without losing sight of either task. Its important for your student to understand the importance of critically thinking through each obstacle they encounter, as well as to begin to develop concrete academic goals. Sit down with your student and have them establish a list of things they hope to accomplish this school yearwhether this be broken down into subject or compiled for the school year as a whole. Be sure to encourage them to think seriously about how each task will benefit their education as a whole. [RELATED: 4 Questions to Ask Your Child About School] At the end of the day, its vital to let your student begin to learn who they are. They will have moments of rational thought, followed by unexplained lack of judgement. In order to best support them, its helpful to understand the changes in their brain and how these can positively benefit their academic experience. 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.

5 Most Difficult Italian Grammar Rules Made Simple

5 Most Difficult Italian Grammar Rules Made Simple Suzy S. Are you ready for a lesson in Italian grammar?  Below, Italian teacher Liz T. breaks down the five most difficult Italian grammar rules Learning Italian can be difficult, not to mention overwhelming for new students. Many students are afraid of tackling Italian grammar, as it can be complex and confusing at first. If you take the time to learn Italian grammar, however, youre much more likely to understand what youre  actually saying, hearing, reading, and writing. Below, we break down the  five most difficult Italian grammar rules  to make it easier for you to understand. 1. Nouns and Adjectives We categorize nouns and adjectives  as either masculine and feminine. Typically, nouns  ending in -o are masculine, while nouns ending in -a are feminine. See examples below. Feminine: Donna (woman) Masculine: Uomo (man) If the noun ends in -i that means it’s masculine, but plural and  nouns ending in -e are  feminine, but plural. See examples below. Masculine: Bambini (children) Feminine: Ragazze (girls) 2. Singular vs. Plural Knowing how to create singular and plural nouns can be difficult. While there are a few  tricks to remembering the rules, its really all about memorizing the endings. See examples below. Nouns ending in  singular -o switch to plural -i Amico is changed to Amici (Friend, Friends) Nouns ending in singular -a switch to plural -e Torta is changed to Torte (Cake, Cakes) Nouns ending in singular -ca switch to -che Mucca is changed to Mucche (Cow, Cows) Nouns ending in singular -e switch to -i Professore is changed to Professori (Professor, Professors) 3. Introducing “The” Definite Articles (Singular) Singular: There are two main forms of the definite article in the singular, il (masculine) and la  (feminine)  and two alternate forms.  l’  for any noun starting with a vowel, and lo,  for any masculine noun starting with s- plus a consonant, p-s, or -z. See examples below: Masculine singular Example: Il gatto (the cat) Feminine singular  Example: La gatta (the cat) Masculine noun starting with a vowel Example: L’uomo (the man) Feminine noun starting with a vowel Example: L’amica (the friend) Masculine noun starting with a -s plus a consonant Example: Lo Zio (the uncle) Plural: Le is used to describe plural feminine “Le Ragazze” replaces La or L’. I is used to describe plural masculine “I Ragazzi” replaces il. Gli is used to describe plural masculine “Gli Zii” replaces Lo or L’. 4. Indefinite Articles “A, An” Describing Nouns Masculine nouns use “Un” before a vowel or consonant. Example: Un libro (a book) Masculine nouns use “Uno” before consonant beginning with -s, -z, -gn, -ps etc. Example: Uno specchio (a mirror) Feminine nouns use “Una” before consonant. Example: Una donna (a woman) Feminine nouns use “Un” before vowel Example: Un’attrice (a actress) 5. Italian Pronouns to Use When Describing People According to Italian grammar, there are singular pronouns and plural pronouns. Below is  a table that will help you better memorize the singular and plural pronouns: To gain a better understanding of the Italian language, it’s important to master these five grammar rules. Use flash cards, write them down, put them in a song, use visuals, anything that will help you memorize them. Here are some additional Italian grammar articles that can help supplement your studies: Italian Grammar: Mastering the Informal and Formal You 4 Quick and Easy Italian Grammar Exercises Italian Grammar Rules: How to Form Singular and Plural Nouns Photo by Phil Roeder Post Author:  Liz T. Liz T. teaches singing, acting, music and Italian lessons in Brooklyn, NY.  She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M. in vocal performance and has a graduate certificate in arts administration from New York University. Learn more about Liz 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

How to Describe the Past in Spanish Imperfect vs. Preterite

How to Describe the Past in Spanish Imperfect vs. Preterite Maile Proctor When youre taking Spanish lessons, you may be confused by new concepts and grammar rules. In Spanish, there are two different ways to describe the past; the imperfect and the preterite. Here, Carmichael,  CA Spanish teacher Joan B. shares some helpful hints to help you describe the past in Spanish As a beginning Spanish speaker, it can be difficult to determine which form of the past tense you should use: imperfect vs. preterite. Once you learn the following simple tricks, however, you should be able to figure out which tense to use in any situation where you need to describe the past in Spanish. Lets start by looking at the differences between the imperfect and the preterite. The Imperfect The imperfect is used to describe past actions that have no clear beginning and end. This includes descriptions, age, weather, time, and emotions. It also refers to repeated action (translated as used to) such as, iba todos los veranos  (I used to go every summer). Learn more about conjugating the imperfect tense. The Preterite The preterite is used to describe a completed action in the past, with a clear beginning and end. For example, ayer fui al cine  translates to yesterday I went to the movies. This is an action that occurred once, instead of many times over a period of time. Learn more about conjugating the preterite tense. How to Decide? Sometimes, sentences in Spanish will only use one form of the past tense, and you will have to decide between imperfect vs. preterite. Other times, there are contextual clues that will allow you to use both forms in the same sentence. When to Use Both A common use of the preterite and imperfect within one sentence is when the imperfect describes an ongoing past action, and the preterite describes an action that interrupted the ongoing action.  For example,  mientras leía el libro, ella me llamó  (while I was reading the book, she called me). Whenever you see the word mientras  in a sentence describing the past, you can be sure that the imperfect will immediately follow mientras, and that the preterite will be used to describe any subsequent action that interrupts the ongoing action. Watch out for sentences that use the word  cuando. Some sentences with  cuando  function similarly to mientras  in the sense that theres an imperfect followed by the preterite, for example, cuando caminaba en el parque, vi un accidente (when I was walking in the park, I saw an accident). In other cases, however, the order of tenses can be reversed, cuando llegué a casa, mi madre estaba cocinando (when I arrived home, my mother was cooking). Understanding the imperfect and the preterite can be confusing, but if you identify the type of action being described and watch for contextual clues, you should be able to recognize which form of the past tense to use. Interested in learning more about imperfect vs. preterite? Taking lessons with a private instructor is a great way to get customized and personalized help on your way to becoming a fluent Spanish speaker! Sign up with a Spanish tutor hoy! Joan B. lives in  Carmichael, CA  and has been teaching high school Spanish for more than 18 years. A lover of language, she’s studied French, Arabic, and Italian and spent time living in Spain. Joan aims to help students improve on tests and increase their conversational ability when traveling to Spanish-speaking countries.  Learn more about Joan 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  Zachary R

Ask an Admissions Expert Abby Siegel

Ask an Admissions Expert Abby Siegel Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Abby Siegel is a College Entrance Consultant at her self-started firm, Abby Siegel Associates. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, she went on to graduate school at Loyola University Chicagowhere she directly worked in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Abby has worked in college guidance counseling for over a decade and was a recipient of the University of Miamis Excellence in Counseling Award. See what she had to say about the college application process: VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Abby: The earlier the better! The Common Application, the online application that is currently used by over 488 colleges and universities in the United States (and France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and the UK), goes live on August 1st of a students senior year. At that time a student can create an account and begin the application. Colleges that do not use the Common Application also go live during August so its important to monitor their websites. Starting earlier allows students to take their time and not rush through the application, essays and individual college supplements. Most early and rolling deadlines are on or around November 1, so that gives students approximately three months to complete the entire application. In addition, its really imperative to plan ahead in case of an emergency. For example, when Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast on October 29, 2012, thousands of high school students lost power, and therefore their ability to use a computer. Those students who had procrastinated and waited until the end to finish their applications found themselves panicking, causing much unneeded stress. Having their applications done at least a week or two ahead of time would have saved many students a lot of undue aggravation. Also, what happens if a student gets sick or there is a family emergency, leaving one unable to complete his or her applications by the deadlines? Its best to plan ahead and adhere to all deadlines.one never knows what could happen. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Abby: Generally, colleges will present students with a few choices for the essay topic. When writing the essay its important for students to pick a topic with which they feel comfortable as that usually results in a more genuine piece of writing. Do not write an essay stating what you believe a college or university wants to hear. Instead, pick a topic that gives the reader a better idea of who you are, what makes you unique and whether that college or university is a good fit. The essay is the one place on the application where a student can really let the Admissions office know who they are as a person. Its an excellent opportunity for students to share information about themselves that otherwise the Admissions office may not learn through other parts of the application. Take your time brainstorm, outline, write several drafts. Remember to use distinctive detail it will make the essay stand out and get noticed. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Abby: There are several topics that are best to avoid. Students need to remember that they do not know the values or viewpoints of the person(s) reading their applications and its best to not offend the people they are hoping will accept them for admission. Avoid controversial topics of a religious or a political nature. Other topics to avoid include, but are not limited to: How Volunteering Once Changed My Life, My Travel Diary, issues regarding substance abuse, The Big Game, listing your successes and rehashing tragic events. The essay is an important part of an application, and students should focus on topics that best demonstrate who they are as a person that otherwise wouldnt be evident from other parts of the application. The most important thing is to be honest and authentic. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Abby: There are a lot of mistakes students can make to limit it to just the biggest. Several examples include misspellings and grammatical errors, exceeding the recommended word-limit for essays, not answering the essay topic(s) at hand, using acronyms when describing extracurricular activities, submitting extra documentation that doesnt add to the overall application, forgetting to proof essays, fast-forwarding through directions and missing small details (such as listing credits for senior year courses), applying online and not hitting the SUBMIT button (there are three areas on the Common Application that have to be submitted and students commonly forget to submit at least one, resulting in an incomplete application) and being careless with social media. Colleges are looking for reasons not to accept you dont give them any! VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Abby: College admissions offices are looking to find students who will comprise a well-rounded class. An application is considered complete once all supporting documents are received. This includes the application and essays, high school transcript, counselor and teacher recommendations, official test scores and any other material required by the college. How the process works depends on the individual college. Most selective colleges will take a holistic approach and consider all parts of the application while at some colleges only the hard numbers (GPA and test scores) are considered. Many schools report having only 15 minutes to read an entire application while at some colleges an application may get as many as three reads. Each process is different and several variables are considered depending on the nature of the school. VT: What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Abby: Demonstrated interest. Colleges want to know why a student wants to attend their university. Admissions counselors encourage students to reach out and start a correspondence with them. Ways to do this include meeting with counselors when they conduct high school visits, attending college fairs, scheduling an interview and definitely visiting college campuses when possible. When admissions officers are reading applications there are certain things that are harder to lift off a piece of paper, like fit and enthusiasm about a school. If youre interested, let the college know! If the admissions counselor knows you it makes a difference when reading the application. Its also important when answering a supplement question Why X College that students be very specific and not generic in their answer. List detailed things about the college that attracted you to apply in the first place. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Abby: VISIT! Whenever possible, it is highly recommended that students visit prospective colleges to see what theyre all about. When students visit a college they should take a guided campus tour, attend an information session, have an interview if that option is offered, sit in on a class and stay overnight in a residence hall with a current student. While on campus also eat a meal in the cafeteria, pick up and read a copy of the campus newspaper, meet with a professor in the department of your potential major(s), talk to students about their experiences and visit the Career Center. Whether or not students are able to visit a college campus they should also research college websites to see what is offered at each school - majors, extracurricular activities, internship and research opportunities, residence life and food options, and cultural and athletic events to see if the colleges on their list are really the right fit for them. Students can also attend college fairs, high school visits made by admissions officers and regional receptions offered by colleges to show demonstrated interest and learn more about the college. VT: Early-Action, Early-Decision, Binding/Non-Binding, Regular Decision. With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Abby: It really depends on the individual student and his/her situation. If a student has a clear first choice college then applying Early Decision is advised. Students must be sure that this is the school they really want to attend as they are making a binding commitment to that school, and if accepted they are expected to attend. Several colleges are starting to take a higher percentage of their students through ED, so applying ED could, but not always, give students a better chance of being admitted. It really depends on the individual college. There are a few downsides to applying ED. If a college is a huge reach for a student then applying ED usually wont make a difference in admission. Students can only apply to one college through ED, thus limiting their chances to receive various financial aid packages by not applying to other colleges. There is also the option of applying Early Action, which is a non-binding agreement between a student and a college. This is a great option f or students when available, because if they are accepted EA they will know early on in the process that they have a college to attend. Students can apply to more than one college EA unless they applying to a college that has Restrictive Early Action, in which you can only apply to one college early although the agreement is non-binding. If a student wants to apply to additional colleges aside from those through ED and/or EA then they should apply Regular Decision. These applications are usually due on or around January 1 or 15. If a student is not entirely sure on a first-choice option, or wants to have more financial aid options available, then it is recommended they wait and apply RD. Finally, there is Rolling Admission, which is when colleges start accepting applications early in the senior year and roll over applications as they are received. In Rolling Admission it is imperative that students apply earlier in the process (and meet any Priority deadlines) because colleges with Rolling Admission will fill their class as applications are received. Students increase their chances of gaining admission by applying sooner than later. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Abby: Most colleges will tell students that the most important thing considered in the admissions process is the transcript. This is not necessarily just the grade point average but the strength of the curriculum the student has taken. Colleges want students to challenge themselves and take as demanding a curriculum as they can handle. Admissions counselors will look at the courses offered at the high school the student attends and see if the student is taking advantage of the curriculum that is available. The importance of test scores really depends on which college to which students are applying. Many colleges, especially those with extremely competitive admissions, still care a lot about test scores. However, there are approximately 850 colleges that are now test-optional (see fairtest.org), meaning that a student is not required to submit any test scores so the focus is on other parts of the application. One thing to consider is that many colleges, whether test-optional or not, will use or require test scores to be submitted in order to be considered for merit aid, which is financial aid based on merit and not need. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Abby: Students are encouraged to ask teachers for letters of recommendation in the spring of their junior year. When choosing which teachers to ask it is preferable that they ask one from Humanities subjects (English, Social Science or Foreign Language) and one from Math/Science. Students dont necessarily need to ask teachers whose classes they aced, but more teachers who they are confident will write them a POSITIVE letter of recommendation. Remember that writing recommendations is not required of teachers nor is it their obligation, so please be respectful during the entire process. Ask your teacher in private and without friends around. Be sure to ask, Would you be willing to write me a positive recommendation for my college admissions? If the teacher says yes, then provide them a resume or brag sheet with your accomplishments and contact information. Dont forget to send a thank you note that says you appreciate their willingness to write the recommendation letter. Thank you notes go such a long way! Once students return to school for their senior year, they should follow up with their teachers to make sure they have all the information they need. Make sure teachers know how to submit their letters, whether it is through the Common Application, snail mail or using non-Common Application forms. Make the process as easy as possible - your teachers are doing you a HUGE favor! Check out Abby Siegel Associates, LLC for more information.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.