When is the Right Time to Start Music Lessons

When is the Right Time to Start Music Lessons Suzy S. Music lessons really are for all ages! Dont believe us? Think youre too old to learn? Read on as Dayton, OH teacher Mike H. explains why this is far from the case! Studies have shown that the younger a child is, the better the chances of starting a successful music education. Children as young as 2 start learning under the Suzuki method and most children have a “window” of opportunity that opens around age 3. Sadly, that window closes around age 10, well past the age where most public schools now begin their instrumental music programs. But what if you’re an adult who never got to learn the instrument of your dreams? I have talked to people over the years who were trying to encourage their own children to take the opportunities they had not. They were encouraging their children to learn music from a perspective of missed opportunities and the thought that it’s too late for them but not for their child. Well, it’s never too late to learn a musical instrument! Adults may not realize that now that they’re fully grown with life experience, they are capable of learning an instrument despite the perceived setbacks. They often become bogged down with work schedules, family life and the delicate balance of life. But music lessons later in life have suggested a number of extra benefits such as: It can be relaxing and a great way to de-stress. Music lessons can help with organization and planning skills. Music can enhance your ability to do math and logical calculations There are more opportunities than you might realize for public performance Learning an instrument later life can act as an obstacle to Alzheimers I’d like to start at that top of that list and discuss the relaxation benefits of taking music lessons and illustrate a few examples of what that might look like.   If you’re like most adults, you already have some sort of activity you enjoy when you get the time whether that be a hobby, or a simple afternoon nap. Listening to your favorite music has a calming effect. Your blood pressure will drop slightly and your heart rate will actually pace itself to the beat of the song. This is why you prefer hearing up-tempo music while exercising but not necessarily while trying to sleep. But what about playing an instrument? In my experience, this effect is heightened a bit more than just listening, which alone is often done in the background of other activity. In that case, it’s not likely to work at all.   When you concentrate on the notes of a melody of a familiar song while playing it yourself, you can hear it come to life and the satisfaction from the hard work and perseverance is more rewarding than simply listening to the song on an iPod. The skills you pick up learning an instrument pay off huge dividends and you may find it’s easier than you think to get started. So drag out your guitar or dust off your old piano and take the first step! Like this post? Dont miss out on any of our tips, tricks and advice! Sign up for a free email subscription and receive our updates! You might also like 4 Inspirational TED Talks for Musicians Battling Your Inner Critic During Performances 5 Key Advantages of Taking Music Lessons as an Adult Mike H. teaches drum, guitar, piano, music recording, music theory, percussion and songwriting lessons in Dayton, OH. He received his Bachelors degree in Music Education from Wright State University, and has over 11 years of experience teaching music! Mike joined the TakeLessons team in December 2012. Learn more about Mike, or search for a teacher near you! Photo by Tulane Public Relations

Learn German with a Language Organisation

Learn German with a Language Organisation Where Can I Find German Lessons for Learning German? ChaptersThe Goethe Institut: The German Cultural InstituteAcademic Support OrganisationsGerman Learning Centres and Language SchoolsOn-line German Language CoursesGerman Learning SchoolsGerman is a great language to learn and it’s only going to get more important in the future. Many employers favour applicants with foreign language skills and the German language is one everyone in Europe should be learning.Are you a student, working, self-employed, or looking for work?It's time to learn to speak German.If you want to learn German, there are few better ways than getting private tutorials from a quality educator.To your language learning adventure! (Source: pixabay.com)A quick search will bring up tonnes of results for anyone wanting to learn German online. You think that'd make things easy, right? However, there are so many different people offering you ways to learn the language that you may feel a bit lost.  How do you make your mind up?You first need to look up a few things about German in order to find the solution that will work best for you for learning German! 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 tutorsThe Goethe Institut: The German Cultural InstituteThe Goethe Institut is based out of Munich but also has a presence in the UK and around the world.History and RoleCreated in 1925, its main goal is to promote German culture and language around the world.The non-profit organisation built a large network of G oethe centres and lecture halls. There are 2 centres in the UK in  London and Glasgow and one centre in Ireland in Dublin.The Goethe Institut is also home to several German language tests and you  can take different types of courses (academic and professional courses) in order to improve your German vocabulary and level.The Goethe Institut’s German Language CoursesThere are plenty of different courses offered by the Goethe Institut for learning German quickly.  You have a lot of choice when it comes to different German language courses.Look online for adult German tutorials. (Source: Stephanie)Depending on your level, you can take lessons on your computer, in a lecture hall, or a mix of both!Young children can take German A Level preparation courses at a cost of £360.There are also post-GCSE courses for £365 over a course of 12 weeks.What about courses for adults?There are courses that last 8 weeks at a cost of £400 and you can also do an intensive 2-week course for £255 a wee k.If you’re preparing for a particular German exam, you can also take courses to get ready for it at the Goethe Institut.For example, you can prepare for the TestDaF. However, you should remember that the  cost of taking the exams isn’t usually included in the price of preparatory courses.Maybe none of these work for you... You can always head to the institut itself for more information. You could even ask for a personalised quote for private tutorials, for example.Discover how much German lessons should be with a private tutor.Academic Support OrganisationsAcademic support through private tutorials are a great way to learn to a foreign language since you can regularly speak with a German tutor.Even if you’re not a student, you can always get private tutorials to work on your knowledge of the German language.CactusIf you're taking your first steps into speaking German as a basic learner, you might want to consider Cactus.  The company has been around for twenty years and offer s every German language course you could possibly think of (as well as courses in other languages).Check for German classes near me here.Find a German tutorial for any level. (Source: burst.shopify.com)If you're thinking about doing a German for beginners language course in order to learn some important German words and phrases, they offer both 10-week and 5-week intensive courses.The 10-week group German courses are available as evening classes in a number of UK cities. The 5-week courses are only available in London and Brighton.SuperprofSuperprof is a platform that puts students and tutors in contact with one another. Academic support makes up a large part of Superprof's offering.If you’d like to study German grammar in order to get your degree or just go back over a few conjugations, you can find a tutor on Superprof.However, adults can find tutors, too. Do you want to get lessons to improve your German speaking or your career prospects?  You can with Superprof!Speak in order to improve your German. (Source: gratisography.com)It’s a simple idea: Once you’ve signed up to Superprof, you just have to choose the rights German tutor. Find the one that meets your expectations, has the right professional experience, and lives in your area.Your tutor might be a bilingual student, native German speaker, a teacher, or a retired teacher. Make sure you pick the right profile for your needs.There are no registration fees, you just need to pay the £19 fee to contact a tutor. 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 tutorsGerman Learning Centres and Language SchoolsIn addition to German cultural institutes like Goethe, you can also go to language schools or  for German centres for evening classes, for example.There are also adult night classes organised by local councils for those wanting to learn basic German or study how to speak German fluently.  Just check out your local council for more information.Check for German tutorials online. (Source: pixabay.com)These lessons often take place in a whole variety of different places like community centres, halls, and secondary schools (once their regular students have gone home for the day).If you’d like to get better at the German language and make some new friends, language lessons at a language school might be just what the doctor ordered.This also means you’ll be taught by a qualified teacher. However, you can't guarantee that you'll get a nati ve speaker which mightn’t be the best option if you already have an advanced level and just want to refine your speaking.The cost of these lessons can depend on whether you go to a private organisation or lessons organised by the government as well as the level you’re looking to take.There are often intensive courses available during the summer.Find German lessons London (or Bath or Aberdeen) with a native speaker!On-line German Language CoursesThanks to the Internet, you can now get German lessons on-line.There are plenty of sites to learn languages and German is no exception. You can study German phrases and expressions on your phone, too.  They generally take an enjoyable approach to learning languages.You can also keep up to date with your progress. You’ll find german lessons, German grammar resources, interactive activities, on-line dictionaries, etc.Babbel is one of the most popular language learning references on-line. You can choose a subscription that works for you an d grants you access to a number of different services for around £5 a month.The app is well known and available for both smartphones and tablets and you can use it to get in touch with other German learners.  The lessons are broken down into themes like “travelling”, “introducing yourself”, etc.Altissia is an on-line language learning platform which is a bit more expensive (from around £17 per month). However, it does offer a more personalised approach.There are also sites that offer free german lessons online if the other sites are out of your budget. For example, deutsch.info.In terms of free apps, Duolingo is great for those just starting out on their language learning journey. You can study a language for free (there is an ad-free paid version, too) wherever you are.In addition to German, there are tonnes of other languages (including  High Valyrian from Game of Thrones).German Learning SchoolsWould you like to spend time in Germany improving your understanding of the German language? Immersing yourself in German culture and the everyday lives of the natives is a great way to better understand a language.Is there a better way to learn German than speaking it with native speakers? If you really want to learn German, you should head to a German school in Germany.There are plenty to choose from.The universities in Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt offer German language courses for students over the summer.The Humboldt InstitutThe Humboldt Institute also has several centres across Germany offering a huge variety of different courses including: part-time courses, one-on-one intensive courses, and TestDaF preparation courses.These German lessons can be part of a 2-week course or last much longer. You can take courses that include accommodation and board!Olesen TuitionOlesen Tuition offers bespoke German lessons, small group classes and intensive German courses, exam preparation tutorials (GCSE, A-level, IB, Test DaF, Goethe-Institut exams from A1-C2), and in-company German language training in London and online, taught by an Oxford-educated native German tutor with 19 years of teaching experience.Education FirstWhy not head off for three or six months (or longer) with a company like EF (Education First). In addition to the courses they offer in the UK, there are plenty of different courses in Germany itself!Secondary school students, university students, and adults can spend anywhere between 2 weeks and an entire academic year in Germany learning German.This solution is obviously more costly than some of the others but it does include intensive German lessons in the morning and trips around a real in the afternoon.Studying in Germany as part of an Erasmus programme is also a way to get access to German courses.There are just so many ways to learn German. You just have to find the organisation or the method that works for you. No more excuses!

Food Groups Protein

Food Groups Protein What is Protein? ChaptersProtein StructureHow Much Protein Do We Need?Foods High in ProteinHigh Protein MealsProtein is the one nutrient that we all know our bodies need  (one of three macronutrients) and we all have our own ideas about the best sources of protein, where it originates and why we need it. Most of us also know that we need it to not only help our bodies repair themselves but as a way to make them stronger.In the last 15 years, we have been led to believe that by having higher portions of protein throughout the day (usually meat) in the place of our daily intake of carbs, our bodies are much healthier. Yet, despite the confusion centred on dietary advice, we also know that balance is usually key, so why have we been sold this idea and are high protein diets really good for us?To answer these questions, let us look briefly at what protein is, why we need it, and where the best sources actually come from.Ultimately, a protein is an organic substance made up of a mixture of essential amino acids, compounds and carbon, with a sprinkle of nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. It sometimes contains sulphur.There are twenty different amino acids that produce a protein but the body only produces nine of them. Therefore, our intake of protein through food is highly important and probably the reason why it has become the most debated and discussed nutrient in our diets, fad or otherwise.It is important to follow protein requirements because this means our bodies have an accurate absorption rate, helping to maintain a healthy metabolism and body weight.Get nutritionist courses here.How Much Protein Do We Need?The recommended daily amount is different for men and women as the general calorie intake is higher for men. The average woman needs around 46 grams of protein per day and a man needs 56 grams per day.The amount of protein we need, of course, depends on our body type and the amount of activity we do each day. Athletes and gym enthusiasts, for example, might need a slightly hig her, daily intake than those of us who are more sedentary. However, generally speaking, the daily intake will suffice.So, what is all this protein for?We tend to know that protein helps to build and repair tissue but it is less known that protein is used throughout the body in a multitude of different ways. Protein, therefore, provides essential nutrients.For example, did you know that our nails and hair is practically all protein? Or, that we need protein to make hormones? There are plenty more examples of how our bodies need and use protein but, ultimately, it is a nutrient our bodies struggle to function without. Protein is the building block for our muscles, bones, cartilage, blood and skin.However, too much protein and not enough carbohydrates (which many modern diets advocate) may, in the short term, help us to lose weight but in the long term, the body ends up storing the excess as fat, which means we put on weight. Excess fat is definitely not the desired outcome for a diet where we have to endure fatigue, headaches and bad breath.Here are some nutritionist courses here.Our hair is made up of complete protein. (Source:  Pete Bellis on Unsplash)Less well known is that even athletes generally obtain enough protein from their daily intake of protein so the idea that we need more protein for muscle growth is, although controversial to say, a bit of a myth.If weight gain was not bad enough, long periods of high protein diets can also damage our kidneys especially those who already suffer from kidney disease. This damage is due to the surplus of nitrogen found in the amino acids mentioned earlier.Foods High in ProteinOk, now we understand what protein is and why we need it, let’s breakdown protein-rich food in all its forms.Meat is the obvious and most well-known source of protein but it is also a good source of saturated fat, cholesterol and salt. There has been a huge shift in the last three years to plant-based diets that contain good sources of protein without the nasty bits.There is an argument that animal protein is better for us because, most of the time, it contains all the amino acids the body needs in one go (complete protein), yet these can all be found in various plant-based foods or all at once in foods such as quinoa and buckwheat, which are high-quality protein sources.Tradition, taste and convenience are often the three biggest reasons why a lot of us cannot imagine giving up meat but there are so many great reasons to go plant-based. It is something we all need to consider but it is also important to do your own research about health and nutrition as well as looking into the many other factors connected with eating meat today.By ditching meat, we automatically become more adventurous with food, experimenting and trying new foods we would have never considered before. Meat has become so convenient and satisfying due to its high fat content that it is easy to forget the wide variety of other, more sustainable and nutri tious foods available to us.There are varieties of cuisines that have so many naturally plant-based, protein sources, especially Indian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods.High Protein MealsWhen it comes to high protein foods, especially plant protein, it is sometimes hard to think of quick recipes that we can enjoy on a regular basis without adding meat or fish.There are plenty of alternative ‘meat’ and ‘fish’ options out there and more and more supermarkets are stocking these types of products. However, high protein meals do not have to include meat substitutes. Despite these alternatives free from cholesterol and containing less saturated fat compared with meat, these products are still processed, which means they can be high in sugar, salt and oil.Placing protein-rich vegetables at the heart of meals and adding rice, beans and pulses, quinoa or buckwheat with lots of different herbs and spices, for example, can make meals both delicious and healthy. It is also easy t o add more protein to a meal by sprinkling chia or pumpkin seeds before serving.There are also soy products including tofu that is high in protein and easy to cook; it soaks up the flavour of any dish and a great substitute for meat on a vegetarian diet or vegan diet.Meet a good nutritionist near me here.Beans are a great, healthy source of protein. (Source:  Monkgogi Samson on Unsplash)Understanding protein as a nutrient and knowing the best sources can help us to detach ourselves from meat consumption, which, in turn, takes away the risk of high cholesterol, leading to serious health problems. Knowledge is key. It is also about adapting to new eating habits and dropping habits that we have obtained over a lifetime; the transition is not always easy.If this is the case, start small and break one habit at a time. Understand your likes and dislikes when introducing new foods and alter them accordingly. What is right for one person, may not be right for another.Make an effort to visit plant-based stores and restaurants and put new flavours and recipes to the test. Find out if one type of cuisine is preferred over another or if one protein substitute for meat has a better taste than the previous. It is not a race to transition to plant-based protein but making those little steps in the right direction can make all the difference.Some can make the switch straight away, others need time to find out what available to them and what will satisfy their taste buds. Whichever category you fall under, understanding your body and general health when it comes to consuming protein is vital. Staying healthy is the most important part.And, don’t forget, there is plenty of guidance out there. Doctors and nutritionists can be a great starting point if professional advice is something that can help drive the transition.Using Superprof for lessons on health or related subjects can also provide great support for learning about nutrition. There are plenty of tutors available in th is subject and searching for the right one in the right area has never been easier.Find out about the five food groups:CarbohydratesProteinFatsFruit and VegetablesDairy

Online Types of Angles Tutors

Online Types of Angles Tutors Angle is formed between two lines or rays and an angle is the measure of rotation between those lines. There are different types of angles in geometry. An angle which is less than 90 is known as an acute angle, an angle which is exactly equal to 90is known as a right angle, and an angle greater than 90is known as an obtuse angle. An angle that is exactly 180 is known as a straight angle and the angle which is greater than 180 is known as a reflex angle. Example 1: Angles in a triangle are 45, 45 and x. What is the value of the third angle? Sum of the angles in a triangle= 180 This gives: 45 + 45 + x = 180 Now in order to solve for x, we can add the numbers first. This implies: 90 + x = 180 Hence, x = 180 - 90 = 90 Therefore the measure of the third angle, x = 90 Example 2: A line divides another straight line into two angles. If one part of the angle is 97, then what is the other part of the angle on the straight line? Given one part of the angle on the straight line = 97 Let the other part of the angle on the straight line = x Total angle on a straight line = 180 This implies: 97 + x = 180 Hence, x = 180 - 97 = 83 Therefore the measure of the other part of the angle, x = 83

6 Advantages of Online Tutoring for Students

6 Advantages of Online Tutoring for Students Improving Academic Performance Although online tutoring has been around for a while, many students (and their parents) haven’t yet caught on to the possibility of meeting with a tutor virtually, let alone come to recognize its benefits. Once the idea moves from the realm of theory to the realm of actuality, however, attitudes generally change from skepticism and incredulity to enthusiasm and appreciation. Much like telecommuting and virtual commerce for other businesses, online tutoring provides a number of distinct advantages that not only make it competitive with in-person tutoring, but actually superior in many cases. Here are a few of them. 1. Availability Geography isn’t a limitation for online tutors, and neither, generally, is time. If you’ve ever tried to deal with the restrictions of finding a tutor who is local, proficient in the subject you need help in, and can meet according to your schedule, you should be able to appreciate this immediately. Once you remove the restrictions of geography, time zones, and commuting, finding the right tutor for your needs suddenly becomes a lot easier. 2. Selection The corollary of availability is selection. Rather than praying to get lucky enough to find a single tutor who meets your criteria and can work with you, when searching for online tutors you are much more likely to have a selection to choose from, which allows you to be discriminating. In addition, the broader selection also affords you the benefit of working with multiple tutors who specialize in different areas, enabling you to choose tutors who are experts in the specific areas where you need help. 3. Value The corollary of selection is value. Being able to discriminate means that tutors have to rely on merit rather than scarcity to win your business, and you don’t have to settle for second (or third) rate. It puts you in the driver’s seat when tutors have to compete for your business, rather than the other way around. 4. Convenience Add into the mix the convenience of being able to meet with a tutor without having to leave your house (or your dorm room). If you insist on having a face-to-face meeting with a tutor, then one of you is going to incur the expense of travel time and fuel costs, and unless you happen to find an exceptionally altruistic tutor, chances are it will be you. Plus, leaving the house (or having a visitor) generally means you have to change out of your jammies. 5. Accessibility Convenience assumes that you have a choice, but what if you don’t actually have any options for local tutoring? For some, making the decision to seek tutoring online may mean the difference between getting help and not. 6. Technology Often people who haven’t experienced online tutoring fear that the technology will be a hindrance, but in many ways it is an advantage, especially for young people who are used to chatting on skype and not intimidated by new software. When sessions are online they are easily recorded for future reference, and a good tutor will make use of technology for illustrative purposes by using photos, animations, drawings, and diagrams. Not to mention there are resources readily available that wouldn’t be if you were sitting across a table (Wikipedia, anyone?). At MyGuru, we have a “Premium” WebEx account â€" www.webex.com, which allows us to: Write on a virtual whiteboard Share our screen with students Record sessions for later viewing by the student â€" we find this to be a powerful feature Upload files Participate in audio, video, and text chat during the session We’re also performed online tutoring using Skype, Join.me, and are currently testing a new platform called Snapclass. The technologies available today allow online tutoring to mimic in-person tutoring to a surprising degree. Summary To be honest, we are amazed that online, 1-1 tutoring isn’t used more often. One factor not mentioned above is cost - when a great tutor doesn’t need to travel to a session, he or she is often much more likely to charge less per hour. What have been your experienced with online tutoring? Would you, or have you, tried it? Please visit the Online Tutoring page of our website to learn more and to request a tutor near you! hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

Activities to Promote Leadership Aptitude

Activities to Promote Leadership Aptitude There is such a thing as a born leader, but the truth is, you can cultivate leadership aptitudes in your child from an early age. Whether your child grows up to become a powerful business person, a teacher, or a doctor, the ability to lead people toward a goal and be a positive influence on others is invaluable. Here are six activities that will help your child develop and strengthen those leadership skills: Volunteering at an organization that helps people. Leaders have empathy for others, and there is no better way to build childrens empathy than to put them in situations where they can help others who are less fortunate or need support. Empower your child to take action (or get involved in an effort already underway) when he or she sees something wrong in the community and wants to fix it. Running for student council. By its very nature, student council, whether in elementary school, middle school or high school, is a great way to show your child what it means to inspire change in an organization (a school in this case). Student council will also build your childs public speaking, teamwork, and organizational skills. Joining a club and becoming an officer. Any extracurricular involvement will benefit your child in a multitude of ways, but taking on a position such as secretary or treasurer (or even president or vice president) is especially good for your child. Such a position will build your childs sense of responsibility. Becoming part of a team. This could be a soccer team, a dance troupe, a glee club or something entirely different. A team environment helps participants cultivate their abilities to collaborate and work effectively with different types of people. Working with children. This might be most applicable when your child becomes a teenager. Whether its babysitting, assisting in a preschool art class or coaching a childrens team, working effectively with younger children requires many of the same competencies that leaders need. Your teen will learn how to manage disorder, get others attention and motivate children to work toward similar tasks and goals while building his or her patience in the process. Being in charge of something. At home, you can help nurture your childs inner leader by giving him or her something to manage independently. Chores are one option but think bigger. Is there some part of your familys modus operandi that your child or teen could take over? Do you have a family business with which your child could get involved? Even if your child isnt planning to become a Fortune 500 CEO, leadership development is extremely beneficial. Your child will grow up to be more confident, adaptable, resilient and capable. He or she will become more proficient at making decisions and listening to others ideas (and articulating his or her own). Encourage your child to engage in activities that nurture their leadership skills. The positive effects will be long-lasting.

6 Quick and Easy Meals for Dorm and Apartment Life

6 Quick and Easy Meals for Dorm and Apartment Life pexels.com Wait, do not click away from this article. Stay with me now. Cooking does not have to be too much of a chore with the right recipes! Read on to find the best, quick and easy meals for college students. Breakfast Spicy Breakfast Burritos If you are craving Taco Bell, but lack the time or the money, cooking a quick and easy breakfast burrito will be muy bueno! You will need: •One egg •Baby tomatoes •Shredded cheese •Hot sauce •Tortilla 1. Spray down a pan with oil or Pam and put the stovetop on medium heat. 2. Slice the baby tomatoes into smaller portions. Sautee the spinach and baby tomatoes for a few minutes, then add salt and pepper, or whatever other seasonings you prefer. Pour this mixture into the tortilla. 3. Next, scramble an egg, or cook it sunny-side up whatever your preference is. 4. Place the cooked egg in the tortilla and sprinkle cheese on top. Use as much hot sauce as you would like. Wrap the tortilla together and say adios to hunger! Omelets pixabay.com If you have a little extra time to try something classy and sophisticated, making an omelet is the right choice for a top-notch breakfast. You will need: •Three eggs •Spinach •Baby tomatoes •Cheese 1. Spray down a pan with oil or Pam and put the stovetop on high heat. 2. Slice the baby tomatoes into smaller portions. Scramble three eggs together, but do not add milk. 3. Sauté the spinach and baby tomatoes for a few minutes, then pour the egg mixture in. Immediately lower the heat levels down to low or medium. Let the egg mixture cook, occasionally using a spatula to lift the cooked egg portion to allow the uncooked egg mixture to reach the bottom of the pan. 4. Once the mixture is solid enough, it’s time to flip it. If you are brave, try to flip the omelet using only the pan and your strength. If not, that’s okay, use the spatula to flip your omelet. Once your omelet is completely cooked, feel free to sprinkle some cheese in the middle and then close it up, allowing the cheese to melt on the inside. Bon appetit! Lunch Ramen Stir-fry Take a college classic and make it into something healthy and extraordinary. You will need: •Ramen noodle soup (any flavor) •One egg •Spinach 1. Take a saucepan, fill it with three cups of water, and place it on the stove to boil at high heat. Once the water is boiling, toss the Ramen noodle block in the saucepan and allow it to cook for three minutes. 2. Spray down a pan with oil or Pam and put the stovetop on medium heat. Sautee the spinach for a few minutes, then add salt and pepper, or whatever other seasonings you may prefer. 3. Scramble an egg in the same pan as the spinach. Once the Ramen noodles are done, drain the saucepan completely of water. Pour the noodles into the pan and mix them with the spinach and egg, while mixing in the Ramen noodle seasoning, or seasoning of your own choice. 4. Continue to mix and sauté the mixture until the seasoning has been equally dispersed. Enjoy! Caprese Salad Image via: Wikimedia Commons Take a classic Italian dish and bring it into your dorm for an excellent, tasty lunch. You will need: •Mozzarella cheese •Basil leaves •Tomato(es) •Balsamic vinegar dressing 1. Slice up a block of mozzarella cheese and a tomato, or tomatoes, depending on how many people you are serving. 2. Layer the slices of mozzarella and tomato one by one, including a basil leaf in between each. 3. Drizzle with Balsamic vinegar salad dressing and enjoy! Dinner Bagel Pizza Put your local pizza delivery order on hold and make your own savory pizza dish today! You will need: •One bagel, sliced into two •Shredded mozzarella cheese •Pepperoni slices 1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (or opt to use a microwave whichever is more convenient!). 2. Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese onto your two bagel slices. Toss as many pieces of pepperoni as desired. 3. Bake for 10 minutes for ultimate crispiness, or microwave until the cheese melts. Remove the bagel pizzas and allow them to cool for two minutes. Enjoy! Quesadillas Image via: www.pexels.com This fun dish is easier to make than you might imagine! You will need: •Two tortillas •Shredded Mexican cheese 1. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded Mexican cheese mixture onto a tortilla. 2. Place the other tortilla on top and microwave for two minutes. If you would prefer a crispier quesadilla, pan-fry the quesadilla on your stovetop until the tortilla begins to lightly brown. 3. Slice into eight pieces, allow the dish to cool, then enjoy! Learn more about Kaplan’s test prep options and start building the confidence you need for Test Day.

Everything you need to know about teaching abroad and getting qualified

Everything you need to know about teaching abroad and getting qualified This month, our friends at University Toronto TEFL Online are launching TEFL Online Open House - a special series of online information sessions on teaching abroad and getting qualified. If you’re dreaming of teaching abroad but you’re not sure where to start, just learned about a TEFL certificate or are researching different ESL teaching courses to qualify for teaching jobs abroad, our info sessions will give you the opportunity to get advice and answers from the Teach Away and TEFL Online team. Simply register for any of our online information sessions in April and receive an exclusive $100 course discount in your inbox - valid on the 120 and 150-hour courses until April 30th, 2016. Can’t attend a session? No problem. Register for the session you're interested in and we will email you your exclusive TEFL Online discount and a recording of what you missed. Here’s what’s on the Open House schedule: Thursday, April 14 - 12pm 3pm EST TEACH ABROAD 101: Requirements - Do you have what it takes to teach abroad? What type of education, certifications and experience do you need to teach abroad? Do you need teaching experience? The short answer: It depends. Find out if you qualify to teach abroad by attending this seminar. Register Thursday, April 21 - 12pm 3pm EST TEACH ABROAD 201: Inside the Classroom - How to be an outstanding ESL teacher What makes a great ESL teacher? Do you need to speak the local language? In this seminar, you’ll learn the Do’s and Don’ts of teaching ESL, how to plan effective lessons, teach English grammar and more. Register Thursday, April 28 - 12pm 3pm EST TEACH ABROAD 301: TEFL Certifications - What you need to know before getting qualified There’s a lot of ESL teaching qualifications out there - here’s what to look for and what to avoid when choosing a TEFL course that’s right for you. Register If you have any questions about the TEFL Online Open House information sessions, please feel free to leave your queries in the comments sections below!