Pro Bono Work

Pro Bono Work Where to Find Pro Bono Legal Aid in the UK ChaptersWhat is Pro Bono Work?LawWorks: The Solicitors’ Pro Bono OrganisationThe Bar Pro Bono, for BarristersFinding Pro Bono Services ElsewhereIf you are a person in need of legal redress but don’t have the means to hire a solicitor or barrister, this article is for you.If you are a lawyer already in practice, a student currently  enrolled  in law school or one that anticipates sitting A Levels with the intent of practising law, this article is also for you.Now, your Superprof explores the humane side of the legal profession by expounding on the topic of ‘charity’ legal work that bears the dignified, time-honoured title of pro bono publico.quality of life for a patient in need.The medical charity Doctors Without Borders could be considered pro bono work, as would be Lawyers Without Borders!Ironically, it often seems that our legal structure, the framework of laws that govern and shape our society, are not meant to benefit every single citizen when, in fact, that is exactly t heir purpose.Imagine you bear a grievance of some sort â€" against your landlord, maybe, or perhaps you have a matter to bring before a family court judge.First, you have to have the necessary funds to bring suit against the defendant. And then...doesn’t it seem that it takes forever before your case is heard? And when it is heard, does the resolution seem a bit arbitrary?Sometimes, the wheels of justice grind slowly â€" Terry Waite, CBEWe must also confront the fact that legal services don’t come cheap.Of course, you may counter that assertion with Legal Aid, a government initiative designed to help pay for all or a part of one’s legal fees.The trouble with that organisation is that there are strict criteria for legal aid qualification; one of them being your level of income.Not everyone who lives in poverty qualifies for legal aid and not every case will merit representation; a state of affairs that sometimes leaves supplicants in legal limbo.As an attorney or attorney-to-be , you will have the opportunity to give such people access to justice by participating in pro bono events, either through your firm or through various legal charities that we will now highlight.All type the different kind of lawyers, no matter what kind of law they practice, can take on some pro-bono work.A solicitor will do most of the legwork and research for your case, as well as possibly represent you in court Source: Pixabay Credit: Clkr-Free-Vector-ImagesLawWorks: The Solicitors’ Pro Bono OrganisationThis organisation is the solicitors’ charity that endeavours to provide legal aid to those of low income who might not otherwise merit advocacy through other channels.If you are in need of legal assistance but concerned about whether you would qualify for either free legal aid or the services of a pro bono solicitor, their website’s homepage will greet you with a questionnaire to clarify the issue.You may reasonably expect help from LawWorks with such legal issues as:Discrim ination â€" in the workplace, in medical or administrative services, in housing and other areas of life.Employment: unfair dismissal, employment tribunals, etc.Family: divorce and separation, family mediation, child abduction and children taken into careHousing: eviction, homelessness, rent arrears and safety issues in your rented homeEducation: issues with special needs students, exclusions, learning difficultiesDebt: bankruptcy, repossession of property â€" real estate or other material possessions, such as automobilesPersonal injury: an accident that was not your faultWelfare benefits: appealing a decision regarding your social benefitsClinical negligence: problems with your medical care and/or treatment, or with someone you have legal authority over, such as a child or parent.Domestic abuse, child abuse, forced marriage and/or harassment by an ex-partnerPublic law: if you have a case to take up against a public body.Depending on your exact situation, you may be directed to Legal Aid, which does handle a portion of such claims.However, the merits of your case may compel a LawWorks solicitor to litigate on your behalf, whether you qualify for Legal Aid or not.Besides individual and public interest cases, LawWorks also appreciates representing non-profit organisations.Such engagement might include drafting or reviewing contracts, drafting or updating the organisation’s constitution, and litigation on behalf of their non-profit client in matters such as commercial disputes.Incidentally...If we’ve given you the impression that you must already be a full-fledged solicitor already employed in a big and prestigious law firm in order to volunteer through LawWorks, let us now assert that, even as a law student, you may demonstrate your commitment to practising law by volunteering with LawWorks.A barrister functions in a more limited capacity than a solicitor! Source: Pixabay Credit: Michael18The Bar Pro Bono, for BarristersLawWorks volunteer solicitors will assi st qualified applicants with any civil matter within their jurisdiction, but what if your matter is such that a barrister is needed?Generally, barristers work with clients only through a solicitor.However, through the Bar Pro Bono charity, that regulation is bypassed, giving barristers direct, albeit limited access to clients.Barristers will only help with certain aspects of your legal matters, such as representing you in a court or tribunal, drafting certain documents, or giving legal advice in writing.Your volunteer barrister will not prepare briefs or other casework related to your court case, nor will they lodge papers for you at the courthouse. In fact, they will not provide you with any administrative support and they will not write letters on your behalf.Furthermore, this pro bono project offers legal representation only on a step by step basis.Simply said, that means they will not take your case on; they will help you with a single aspect of your case at a time.Should you ne ed more help from a barrister for your ongoing case, you would have to apply for help from Bar Pro Bono anew.In spite of these substantive rules, should your case merit legal representation from a barrister â€" and you meet all of their criteria, you may count on The Bar Pro Bono volunteers to advocate on your behalf.Once you have ascertained that you do not qualify for free legal aid and your case particulars call for the services of a barrister, they will consider your application regardless of what area of the law it falls under.Please note that you must submit your application for help as early as possible; at least three weeks prior to your hearing date.Furthermore, you may not contact Bar Pro Bono directly to seek legal help; you must get a referral from a legal clinic, legal advice service, the Citizen Advice Bureau or even your local Member of Parliament (MP).You may even find that law firms could refer you to The Bar Pro Bono to address a single, specific aspect of your cas e!It is not uncommon for aggrieved parties to perceive the lawyer with the best legal education â€" i.e., barristers, as the most qualified to handle their case.However, it is important to remember that barristers address only certain aspects of the law; if yours is a civil case â€" a tort lawsuit, for example, a solicitor may well fit the bill much better.And nothing says that your solicitor won’t appeal to a Bar Pro Bono barrister to draft an opinion or represent you in court!Besides working on individual cases, barristers affiliated with The Bar Pro Bono work in the community, doing their bit for public service with volunteer organisations â€" much as solicitors do, but again: only within their scope of work.You may ask your City law tutors about this organisation...Law students and Lawyers of all types may donate their time to multiple organisations Source: Pixabay Credit: Kabaldesch0Finding Pro Bono Services ElsewherePlenty of individual law offices offer pro bono services to clients with nowhere else to turn, perhaps especially if Legal Aid turned them away.Admittedly, at the peak of your legal crisis, you probably won’t want to call a multitude of law firms.To that end, the UK Law Society has created a webpage that can help you find the counsel you need.If you are looking for legal advice â€" not necessarily representation or help, you may address your query to Eversheds Sutherland, a law firm that offers free legal services.You should note that the lion’s share of their cases come to them from LawWorks and this next organisation.TrustLaw, a global pro bono legal programme mostly works with non-governmental organisations and other international to, among other things, expand into new countries.As such, these attorneys would not be likely to represent individuals in a court of law or assist them with their legal needs, but...Didn’t we say that this article is equally meant for legal supplicants and those training for a career in law?Whether you a re someone looking for equal justice under the law or someone enrolled in a school of law, you now know where you can turn to find pro bono legal opportunities.Learn more about pro bono work from law tutors...

A Level German Lessons Learn to Speak German

A Level German Lessons Learn to Speak German Want to Learn German? Take German Courses at AS A Level ChaptersBenefits Of Studying Towards A German AS and A LevelCurriculum At A GlanceExam boardsUsing Past Papers For RevisionCareer Prospects For German StudentsWhile a German A Level can at times be taken without prior experience, chances are that most pupils who decide to study German at AS and A Level will have spent the two years previous to that learning the language.For them, AS and A Level German will take them to the next level of language learning and, in this higher class, they will begin to explore more complex linguistic properties while placing themselves in more advanced scenarios and settings.Many students who chose to study German at GCSE back in Year 9, whether on a whim or because they had a goal in mind for acquiring this particular language, will probably have come to realise that they actually found it surprisingly easy!While German is relatively similar to English, it naturally has a very unique make-up and its own set of exceptions to grammatical rules to master. As such, the longer you spend learning the language at school, the better your grammar and vocabulary will become.You may have been surprised at how easy you found German at GCSE level. Photo credit: Jirka Matousek via Visual Hunt / CC BYIn addition, studies have shown that dyslexic pupils often find it's easier to learn  German online than French or Spanish, which could be down to its somewhat logical and intuitive parts of speech.French and Spanish derive from Latin which is a classical language that many Britons are just not in tune with. SönkeGerman Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClaudiaGerman Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SefaGerman Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HilaryGerman Teacher 5.00 (16) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LisaGerman Teacher 5.00 (8) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChrisGerman Teacher 5.00 (19) £39/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tuto rs WendyGerman Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HowardGerman Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBenefits Of Studying Towards A German AS and A LevelGerman is a very beneficial and very popular language today, and is widely spoken across the globe. Some say that it is the language of a powerful nation that supports its fellow European countries, for instance by keeping the eurozone alive and supporting struggling economies.Germany has even bailed out Spain and Greece during hard times, which means that it plays a big part in keeping some of our favourite holiday spots going strong!Following the war and its own financial crisis, Germany rose from disaster and gained recognition and praise for its excellence in the fields of manufacturing and engineering, while also becoming increasingly well-known for its high-class education system.Curriculum At A GlanceProgressing from the GCSE German course, AS and A Level German are design ed to develop the student’s confidence in communicating in the language (i.e. across all topics: speaking, listening, reading and writing). The focus that all AS and A Level specifications put upon the various ways of communicating makes more effective communicators of these language pupils.Through the understanding of culture in Germany and other German-speaking countries, students will be motivated to grow more curious about the language and its heritage and thus encourage interest to keep them engaged with lessons.It is this enthusiasm that will enable a language learner to be more proficient and to start to think about broadening their skills either through further education or by embracing opportunities to travel.Some schools or colleges may offer you the chance to visit a German-speaking country or to take part in an exchange programme, both of which will give you an opportunity to excel your language skills.A school trip or exchange can really boost your language skills. Ph oto credit: COD Newsroom via VisualHunt / CC BYThough optional on many courses due to financial matters, pupils who complete exchanges often find the experience to be a very worthwhile one and come back invigorated by the language immersion. Students can later draw on these experiences when it comes to their exams. SönkeGerman Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClaudiaGerman Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SefaGerman Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HilaryGerman Teacher 5.00 (16) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LisaGerman Teacher 5.00 (8) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChrisGerman Teacher 5.00 (19) £39/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors WendyGerman Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HowardGerman Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsExam boardsAll of the same exam boards offer German at the higher levels of A S and A Level, and these will follow the standard exam structure in terms of assessment for the unforeseeable future (i.e. being graded from A*-G).Below is further information about the principal exam boards offering the AS and A Level German specifications in the UK.AQAWith new specifications having been brought out this year for German (teaching from 2016 and exams from 2017), AQA has modified its previous syllabus which now includes, at a glance, modules on Social issues and trends, Artistic Culture and Grammar, with optional module Literary texts and films.The contents of this higher-level course reflect the sophistication of the course in comparison to the GCSE syllabus. The qualification offered by AQA is linear, which means that students sit their exams at the end of the course. Therefore, pupils will be assessed for the AS Level at the end of Year 12 and for A Level in Year 13.OCRAs with AQA, OCR is currently reforming its qualifications in line with the government programme of general qualification reform. While AQA has developed a new syllabus for German at AS and A Level, OCR has decided not to redevelop this specification and, as such, the final assessment opportunity for these courses (H076 and H476) will be summer 2017 and the re-sits taking place in summer 2018.The purpose of the course is to give candidates a good grounding in all aspects of the language and culture of Germany, with the aim of enhancing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills within German.With just one written assessment and speaking test at each level, the course’s examination methods are straightforward and cut the burden and stress on pupils. There is no coursework required on this course.EdexcelEdexcel has developed a new accredited specification in German. The newly constructed syllabus includes cultural content designed to engage and inspire students while also offering pupils the chance to read and learn about German Literature to further enhance their languag e skills.As previously mentioned, many AS Level pupils will have completed a GCSE qualification in the language therefore this course supports the progression from GCSE level and encourages students to develop and use the transferrable skills already gained as part of their previous german lessons.WJECWJEC provides an exciting opportunity for German beginners to build on their knowledge of the language through social, intellectual and cultural themes. The course is designed to develop a better understandimg of linguistic properties and to provide a deeper comprehension of the culture of Germany and German-speaking countries.As with the new Edexcel specification, students enrolled on the WJEC German AS and A Level course will be given the opportunity to study literature and film to increase their cultural awareness and with the objective of encouraging fluency in the language.Being taught since 2016, WJEC offers these AS Level and A Level qualifications, which have been accredited by OFQUAL, on the basis that prior learning has taken place in the form of a GCSE or equivalent qualification.Using Past Papers For RevisionAs with GCSE, AS and A Level German exam papers from previous years can be downloaded by going to the dedicated area on your exam board’s website. While you are very welcome to look at and even attempt past papers from exam boards other than your own, you must remember that your particular exam may not be structured in the same way and therefore could be marked quite differently. Saying that, all revision and practice can be worthwhile.One way to avoid any confusion when it comes to the assessment of your exams is to check the markI got scheme related to your specification. This, along with examiners’ notes and comments, can open your eyes to the types of responses the examiners are looking to see and can allow you to better understand what gains and loses marks in your particular paper.Alternatively, your teacher may offer you a series of pap ers to attempt either in the classroom or at home. If completing past papers at home, you must ensure that you try your hardest to recreate exam conditions, which means no interruptions, no disallowed materials and a strict time limit.The benefit of completing mock exams set by your school or college is that it will force you to get into the right mindset and to approach the revision task more seriously.Career Prospects For German StudentsProspects.co.uk, a top site for students seeking information on careers and opportunities for further study, confirms that modern foreign languages are high in demand and that these skills are sought by most business that trade internationally. Consequently, you may be interested in following up your language course with a degree and even a masters degree.Other career choices that languages like German can offer you are being an Interpreter, a Translator or a Teacher of languages. However, there are various other industries in which German would be useful too.With a language like German, you could open up many career opportunities, including becoming a translator or interpreter. Photo credit: LoS, Traducción e Interpretación via Visual Hunt / CC BYMany language programmes offer the opportunity to travel abroad to study or work, so if you plan on taking a degree in German and benefitting from a year in a German-speaking country, try to find a placement that relates to the career path of your choice for the optimum work experience.This will not only look great on your CV, it will significantly improve your language skills with a stronger emphasis on language in the workplace.On Superprof, you an find German lessons all over the country:Learn German London

Solve Inequalities With Fractions

Solve Inequalities With Fractions Inequality is the equation which has less than or greater than symbols in it i.e. and respectively. Equality is when we can equate both sides of the equation and is represented by =. Fraction is usually written in the p/q form. Here p is the numerator and q is the denominator. The denominator of a fraction cannot be equal to zero i.e. q not equal to zero. Fraction are very commonly used and very important form of representation of numbers. Some fractions can be further simplified according to the requirement. Different mathematical operations can be used to simplify and solve a given fraction. Example 1: Solve the inequality 2x 2/5 3/5? Solution: Given equation is 2x 2/5 3/5. Here the unknown variable which needs to be solved for is x. Step 1: Add 2/5 on both sides of the equation. This gives 2 x -2/5 + 2/5 3/5 + 2/5; 2x 5/5; 2x 1 Divide both sides of the equation by 2; 2x/2 1/2 Hence the solution is x 1/2. Example 2: Solve the inequality 6x 5/4 3/4? Solution: Given equation is 6x 5/4 3/4. Here the unknown variable which needs to be solved for is x. Step 1: Add 5/4 on both sides of the equation. This gives 6 x -5/4 + 5/4 3/4 + 5/4; 6 x 8 /4; 6 x 2. Divide both sides of the equation by 6; 6x/6 2/6 Hence the solution is x 1/3.

Career Development Creating a Two Part Exit Strategy - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Career Development Creating a Two Part Exit Strategy - Introvert Whisperer Career Development: Creating a Two Part Exit Strategy If you are contemplating a career change may I suggest you consider an exit strategy?   In the world of our careers, anytime you are considering a change in careers, you would do well if you put together a strategy to pull the plug where you are in a professional way.   In addition, to that, you should have yourself financially prepared for what will most likely be a change in your income.   Both things are what I think are essential to a great exit strategy.   Let’s look at what you should consider for both parts: Part 1 â€" Plan to pull the plug Stay engaged â€" When we make a decision to leave a job we have already stepped off the mental cliff into the next job or career. It is seriously hard to stay engaged and contribute at the same level you did prior to your decision, yet you must.   Don’t give your boss a reason to fire you before you’re ready to go. Plan for completion- Your boss and your work peers will deeply appreciate you giving some thought about what shape you leave things. Examine the work you are doing and do your best to have things completed before you take your exit. If you can’t get it all done, work out a plan of delegation with your boss. That will allow you to fully educate someone else on what is needed to complete something you can’t finish.   If you ever need to return, you will be remembered for how you leave as well as what you did while you were there.   Leave with them all wanting you to stay. Time your notice â€" If it will be a while before you leave in order to get your new gig going or pay off some bills, DO NOT TELL OTHERS at work. You have to keep this to yourself.   All companies have unique personalities when it comes to learning about your departure.   Some will see it as a form of disloyalty and want you out of there now.   Others are fine with some lead time for giving the notice to quit.   Even if you work for the later, it’s best for your work assignments and relationships that people there don’t start viewing you as a “short timer” any sooner than necessary Part 2 â€" Financial Planning Pay off any debt you have â€" Since you’re making a decision to completely change careers, you have to give yourself as much freedom as possible to make that decision. Some people won’t make that important change because of the burden they have financially.   Even if you want to leave right now, unless you are completely assured of your new income, you have to limit your financial risk. Get real about your living expenses â€" Do you really know how much you spend and on what? Most people really don’t.   They know if their debt is going up or down and have only a vague idea of what is driving numbers.   Begin tracking your expenses so you really have a handle on how much per month you’re spending at Starbuck’s or going out for Chinese.   This will help you down the road if or when your income level changes.   It will help you today if you need to build a reserve. Build a reserve â€" Experts say you should have an emergency fund of around 3-6 months of expenses. If your new venture is apt to take several months to get started you would do well to be on the more conservative side of that estimate and go with 6 months. Investment stash- If you are striking out on your own you most likely will need some capital to spend on getting your business up and running. If you are going to go to another company but will need education or certification classes, you will need to have to costs covered.   In either case, you may need to be investing a chunk of money on your next step. Get family buy in â€" If you are not living solo, you need to review your plan with your family and get their agreement to modifying their spending habits. You can’t assume just because you told them at the dinner table you were going to start up a business that they will automatically translate that into anything that will impact them.   You may also want their emotional support during the start-up phase and this would be a good time to ask them. All too many people allow the financial concerns of a career change to stop them in their tracks.   Although they are unhappy at work, they are overwhelmed mostly by unknowns.   If you are not moving forward in making this important decision, you may want to start out by creating an exit strategy to give you a better picture of how you could move forward.   It may take a couple of years to put everything into place.   It may be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself. Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

IELTS Practice Test Get Your Band Score!

IELTS Practice Test Get Your Band Score! Do you need help practicing for the IELTS test? Do you want feedback on you IELTS writing skill? Do you want to improve your band score? The Virtual Writing Tutor now offers a series of free IELTS practice tests. Calculate your band score now! 8 IELTS Practice Tests There are eight tests to choose from: 4 x Task 1 tests, 4 x Task 2 tests. (Dont worry. Well be adding more soon.) 4 x Task 1 + 4 x Task 2 Task 1 Practice Tests Task 1 tests are academic writing tasks in which you have 20 minutes to write about a chart or a graph. The first IELTS task 1 practice test is about men and women in further education. Official IELTS Practice Test The second IELTS practice test is about radio and television audiences. Official IELTS Practice Test Task 2 Practice Tests Task 2 tests ask you to write an opinion about either cars and alternative transportation or nuclear technology. You have 40 minutes to write your essay. Read the prompt with the question and write 250 words before the timer reaches zero. IELTS Task 2 practice test Sample IELTS Task 2 Test 1 Text Try this Task 2 Test 1 sample:  https://virtualwritingtutor.com/ielts/t2t1/ One hundred and twelve years after their introduction, 29 million vehicles filled British roads by the year 2000. This figure tells us two things: Britons love their cars, and they will continue to want to buy and drive their cars unless something is done to change attitudes. Obviously, the number of cars on the road cannot continue to grow indefinitely. Alternative types of transport are needed immediately because the excessive number of cars negatively impacts the environment and peoples health, but preventing people from buying and owning cars is certainly not the answer. Automobiles with internal combustion engines are a threat to the environment. First, cars pollute the air with fine particulate matter and carbon dioxide because of the fossil fuels they burn. Without a doubt, a switch to low-emission and zero-emission cars such as hybrid engines or battery-powered vehicles would help to clean up the air. Worse still, cars destroy natural habitat that wildlife depends on to survive. By making it easier to commute great distances each day, cars make it possible for more people to live on the outskirts of cities and commute, creating urban sprawl. Consequently, when people move to the suburbs where land is cheaper, the development of low-density housing destroys the natural habitat of wild animals. Whats more, cars ruin our health. When people are cooped up in their cars for long periods of time instead of standing, walking, or running where they need to go, car culture prevents people from getting the exercise they need. Long commutes lead to fast food because people have less time to cook and enjoy a meal. Obviously, the switch to electric vehicles wont mitigate these negative effects of car ownership. Cheap land and free access to roadways create urban sprawl. The solution then is to add tolls to highways. The money collected can be used to subsidize public transportation and to create green spaces. The upshot of all this is that cleaner cars, tolls on highways, and meaningful investment in public transportation and urban green spaces will likely limit or reverse the recent growth of the number of cars on the road in Britain. Britons will come to prefer living in the city, using public transportation and urban green spaces to get to work. We are at a crossroads. Without question, a system of incentives and disincentives will reduce the desire to own a car. While it is tempting to want to legislate against car ownership, direct forms of coercion will only invite rebellion and inevitably fail. Sample IELTS Task 2 Test 2 Text Try this Task 2 Test 2 sample:https://virtualwritingtutor.com/ielts/t2t2/test There is no doubt that nuclear technology has been an enormous benefit to the world. It ended World War II with the first and last use of nuclear weapons against an enemy, and the threat of a future nuclear attack ensures that World War II stays ended. Today, nuclear technology furnishes us with smoke detectors in our modern homes, radioisotopes for our modern medicine, and clean energy to run our modern economy. Despite the danger of catastrophic failures of nuclear reactors and the risk of nuclear war, the virtues of nuclear technology clearly outweigh any drawbacks. Indeed, nuclear technology is somewhat worthwhile. Without the tiny flake of radioactive substance in every smoke detector, countless homes, businesses, and lives would be lost. Fires would burn everywhere and misery would multiply if we were to allow ourselves to be persuaded to rid ourselves of nuclear technology by a successful anti-nuclear campaign. Furthermore, as a society without radioisotopes in nuclear medicine as contrasts in routines scans, diseases would be missed and loved ones would die. Without radiation therapy, cancer would return more often after surgery and the misery of chemotherapy would be our line of defense. Finally, the lights would go out and food would spoil without nuclear power facilities. To replace the loss of safe, cheap, and limitless electricity generation, we would have to turn to fossil fuels, poisoning our air and destabilizing our climate even more than we are doing currently. Nevertheless, critics are quick to point out that we would be better off without nuclear technology. They point to the Fukushima nuclear power plant fire, explosion, and contamination of the surrounding countryside. Opponents of nuclear energy also point to the nuclear waste that has to be safely stored indefinitely. Forever is a long time to store nuclear waste, admittedly. Nuclear war seems a constant threat since all it takes is for a hotheaded terrorist with access to a bomb or a fit of madness in one of the presidents of Russia or America to end civilization with a nuclear apocalypse. Granted, nuclear technology is extremely dangerous because the catastrophic failure of just one of the safety mechanisms we have devised for it can ruin us completely. However, there is no going back. The genie will not return to its bottle. We must learn to live with the dangers of nuclear technology, using past disasters and simulations of the future to develop better safeguards. Complete denucle arization is wholly unrealistic and will never happen. In conclusion, despite some major drawbacks, nuclear technology is much more beneficial than it is detrimental. With safety in mind, nuclear energy remains our best hope for a reduction of the use of the fossil fuels that poison our climate and funds the religious extremism of Middle Eastern terrorism. Also, nuclear medicine is indispensable for disease detection and treatment. Finally, who would wish to live in a completely denuclearized apartment building without smoke detectors? It is a deathtrap. Rather by focusing on nuclear safety instead of the unrealistic fantasy of complete denuclearization, we will continue to benefit from nuclear technology long into the future. Self-scoring IELTS Practice Test Here is how it works. The Virtual Writing Tutor uses latent semantic analysis and proximity detecting artificial intelligence to approximate your band score. The feedback will help you improve. How? Go to the IELTS practice test page. Choose from the 4 texts offered. The link to the practice tests (1) is on the navigation bar. Start writing. You will notice the chart on the left (2). On the right, you will see a text area with a timer (3) and word counter. Write your text in the space provided. When you have finished writing, click Finished. The system will calculate your approximate band score for you. If you dont finish in time, the system will submit what you have written automatically when the timer reaches zero. Improve your IELTS Band Score The system uses artificial intelligence to measure the quality of your writing and calculate an approximate band score (6) for you. The feedback below (7) helps you make improvements to your writing so that you can improve your band score the next time. IELTS Band score calculator You will receive feedback in the form of scores and messages on the following areas of your writing. Writing fluencyWriting styleOrganizationTopic developmentLanguage accuracy Writing fluency is how much you can write under pressure. Writing style is how long your sentences are, how well you vary their lengths, your avoidance of cliches and exclamation marks. Organization is about how many paragraphs you write, if you write an introduction and conclusion, and if you take a strong stance and defend it. Topic development is how well you address the topic, how deeply you develop that topic, and if you have the vocabulary needed to discuss it with precision. Get your IELTS Band Score now! Get More Help with IELTS and TOEFL Read my article about online grammar courses for IELTS TOEFL. If you want feedback from a human, I have found the 3 best IELTS essay graders on Fiverr. For the IELTS vocabulary courses online, click here. For a list of frequently asked questions about IELTS and TOEFL, read my article. For more writing topics to practice with, check out these 240 IELTS task 2 writing prompts. Please follow and like us:

Intro to Common Core Standards for ELA

Intro to Common Core Standards for ELA Introduction to Common Core Standards for ELA The Common Core State Standards have revolutionized K-12 education across the United States. This set of national standards aligns learning and teaching with the skills and knowledge necessary for college and career readiness. Standards for both Mathematics and English/Language Arts (ELA) are at work every day in classrooms from coast to coast. The Common Core Standards for ELAcarefully detailwhat a literate person in the twenty-first century should be able to know, understand, and do. Students performing at mastery on the Standards read critically, express themselves in writing,enjoy complex vocabulary, and are able to interpret and understand a variety of literary genres. They also are able to determine importance in a world filled with media, both print and digital, and engage thoughtfully with quality informational and literary texts. Students who have mastered the Common Core State Standards possess a strong foundation for writing, reading, listening andspeaking,and have the skills necessary to succeed both in college and future careers. The Common Core Standards for ELA are divided into standards addressing reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. Each content strand is divided into grade specific learning targetsthat translate the broad goals of the Common Core State Standards into age and ability appropriate terms and targets. Reading From grades K-12 the Common CoreStandards for ELA have established a careful progression of increasinglydemanding skills and knowledge necessary to meet the rigor of college andcareer level reading. This progression also includes reading comprehensionskills that challenge students, over time, to understand and apply more ofwhat they've read. Students are engaged in a wide variety of literary andinformational texts that will require them to gain insights, explorepossibilities, broaden their perspectives, and build knowledge. Writing The writing standards include avariety of skills and applications required to write across multiplegenres. Students are expected to demonstrate an increasing proficiency intheir language use, the organization and development of ideas, a uniquevoice, and the ability to access relevant sources and content. Studentswill develop the ability to write logical arguments centered on substantive claims, relevant evidence, and sound reasoning. Speaking and Listening The speaking and listeningstandards require students to participate in regular, structuredopportunities to talk in pairs and small groups. These discussions aredesigned to include the expectation that students contribute accurate andrelevant information to the conversations and respond appropriately towhat others have said. Language The language portion oftheCommon Core State Standards ELA requires students to increasetheir vocabularies through reading, direct instruction, and conversations.Students will learn ways to determine word meanings, understand thederivations and nuances of words, and increase their overall vocabulariesof words and phrases. This expanding vocabulary will boost a student'sreading ability and provide depth and meaning to written work. The professionals atHuntington Learning Centers haveworked hard to align our tutoring philosophy and expectations with the rigor of the Common Core State Standards. Students enrolled in academic skills tutoring at Huntington Learning Centers benefit from personalized tutoring plans designed to meet their individual needs that are also aligned with the Common Core State Standards. Ongoing assessment allows our tutors to monitor your child's progress and adapt the original tutoring plan to meet current needs. Not only will your child be making the individual gains necessary for success in school, but the learning will be carefully aligned with thesenational academic standards. Have you noticed a difference in the reading and writing expectations for your child since the adoption of the Common Core Standards ELA? What else would you like to know about the implementation of these standards? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter using the buttons at the top of the page.

These Siblings Share a Common Bond Through Kumon

These Siblings Share a Common Bond Through Kumon These Siblings Share a Common Bond Through Kumon Sohavi and Waris are your typical siblings. Sohavi has a strong interest in dance and Waris loves basketball! Sohavi hopes to become a hedge fund manager (if her rock career doesn’t work out) and Waris dreams of becoming a software engineer (if he’s not drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks of course)! Differences aside, siblings often motivate and inspire each other. One common bond that these two siblings share is Kumon and a love for learning! Ever since Sohavi and Waris began their Kumon journey, the dynamic duo has developed great study habits and discipline through their daily practice. Starting at a young age, they have paved a path towards their future success in and out of the classroom. MEET SOHAVI Sohavi, 10-years-old, Math Level G Sohavi’s natural sense of wonder and gift of creativity have been driving forces in her success with Kumon. At 10-years-old, she is already working on algebra concepts like simplifying algebraic expressions in the Kumon Math Program. Having an academic edge over her peers, she attends the 5th grade math class even though she’s only in the 4th grade. Sohavi has gained the confidence and independence to take on any challenge and is determined to go on and complete the Kumon Math Program. Outside of the classroom, Sohavi enjoys a wide variety of extracurricular activities including Bhangra dance performances (a native Punjabi form of dance), perfecting her breaststroke on swim team, and learning songs by Led Zeppelin on the guitar. MEET WARIS Waris, 8-years-old, Math Level G 8-year-old Waris began his Kumon journey two years ago and has since made remarkable strides. With sharp mental calculation skills and improved focus, he continues to be at the top of his class. It’s no wonder that he’s already working on pre-algebra concepts in the Kumon Math Program â€" quite an impressive accomplishment for a 2nd grade student! Waris has even taken his skills to the competitive level. He was awarded first place in the school’s science fair, and even made it to the semi-finals in the spelling bee. Outside of the classroom, Waris is a busy kid. He particularly enjoys working on modular electronic building blocks, which has unlocked a love for technology. His future aspirations include becoming a computer/software engineer, with a back-up plan of playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Meet Marco, a Program Completer, Who Inspired Other Family Members to Reach their Highest Potential with Kumon Kumon Runs Deep for this Trio of Siblings Common Core and School Math Common Core and School English Language Arts These Siblings Share a Common Bond Through Kumon These Siblings Share a Common Bond Through Kumon Sohavi and Waris are your typical siblings. Sohavi has a strong interest in dance and Waris loves basketball! Sohavi hopes to become a hedge fund manager (if her rock career doesn’t work out) and Waris dreams of becoming a software engineer (if he’s not drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks of course)! Differences aside, siblings often motivate and inspire each other. One common bond that these two siblings share is Kumon and a love for learning! Ever since Sohavi and Waris began their Kumon journey, the dynamic duo has developed great study habits and discipline through their daily practice. Starting at a young age, they have paved a path towards their future success in and out of the classroom. MEET SOHAVI Sohavi, 10-years-old, Math Level G Sohavi’s natural sense of wonder and gift of creativity have been driving forces in her success with Kumon. At 10-years-old, she is already working on algebra concepts like simplifying algebraic expressions in the Kumon Math Program. Having an academic edge over her peers, she attends the 5th grade math class even though she’s only in the 4th grade. Sohavi has gained the confidence and independence to take on any challenge and is determined to go on and complete the Kumon Math Program. Outside of the classroom, Sohavi enjoys a wide variety of extracurricular activities including Bhangra dance performances (a native Punjabi form of dance), perfecting her breaststroke on swim team, and learning songs by Led Zeppelin on the guitar. MEET WARIS Waris, 8-years-old, Math Level G 8-year-old Waris began his Kumon journey two years ago and has since made remarkable strides. With sharp mental calculation skills and improved focus, he continues to be at the top of his class. It’s no wonder that he’s already working on pre-algebra concepts in the Kumon Math Program â€" quite an impressive accomplishment for a 2nd grade student! Waris has even taken his skills to the competitive level. He was awarded first place in the school’s science fair, and even made it to the semi-finals in the spelling bee. Outside of the classroom, Waris is a busy kid. He particularly enjoys working on modular electronic building blocks, which has unlocked a love for technology. His future aspirations include becoming a computer/software engineer, with a back-up plan of playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Meet Marco, a Program Completer, Who Inspired Other Family Members to Reach their Highest Potential with Kumon Kumon Runs Deep for this Trio of Siblings Common Core and School Math Common Core and School English Language Arts

Four Ways to Improve Your Teach Away Application

Four Ways to Improve Your Teach Away Application You could be the perfect teach abroad candidate, but simple mistakes on your application could cost you your dream job. Take your time when filling out the application and read the instructions carefully to ensure the information you’re providing is correct and complete. These are four key areas to check over before you click the ‘submit’ button:Make sure you meet the job requirementsTeach Away recruits for some of the most prestigious schools in the world, and these institutions are looking to meet very specific needs. Read our job postings thoroughly for role requirements. For example, a newly qualified teacher applying for a high school science teaching position in Abu Dhabi, which requires 2+ years of teaching experience, can not be considered for the role. Vacancies are always opening up for teachers of all levels of experience, so don’t worry if you can’t find a position that suits you today.Make sure your application is 100% completeEvery section of the application i s included for a reason! We need all the information we’re requesting, however insignificant it may seem. We need to make sure you’re a suitable candidate for the position or in order to match you to your ideal teaching job abroad. Any gaps or missing details on the form really can make the difference between your application moving forward or failing at the starting blocks.Polish your resumeTake a look at our recent resume advice blog  for tips on how to improve yours and bring it up to date. A great teacher resume is clean and simple in design and presents the most relevant information about your education, training and experience in a concise and well laid out format. Make sure all dates and positions are in order and accounted for, with the most recent first. Remember the golden rule of resumes: always keep it under two pages long.Upload your photoIncluding a photograph of yourself with a job application is common practice in many overseas countries. Not including a photo at the first stage won’t mean you’ll miss out, but causes unnecessary issues later in the application process, when providing a photo will be mandatory. Employers like to put a face to a name and get a sense of who you are. We like to see clear, simple headshots of applicants looking directly at the camera. Don’t add filters or effects. And don’t forget to smile!  Related articles:Update your resume for 2014Succeeding in a phone interview