Violin or Cello Which Instrument Is Right For You

Violin or Cello Which Instrument Is Right For You Sign up successful Because the instrument has been popular now for around 400 years, there isn’t a shortage of repertoire to keep both budding and experienced violinists challenged. Within orchestras, spaces for violinists also tend to be the most numerous, so in that sense violinists have an advantage (especially over winds, brass, and percussion). Compared to other string sections however, violin can also be more competitive because so many people play it. It might not be too difficult to earn a spot in the second violin section, but earning a place among the upper ranks can be more difficult. Pros and Cons of the Cello The cello is often cited for its practical disadvantages â€" mainly its size and expense. But for students who enjoy the sound of the cello more, hauling around a larger and more expensive instrument is well worth the care and effort. The cello’s low register and tonality resonates with many musicians far more than the violins higher register. Both the violin and cello have a unique range and repertoire that tend to draw different people. While violin repertoire is probably more extensive, the cello also has a well-established and diverse repertoire, including significant solo works. Fewer students study the cello than the violin, so cellists are usually in higher demand than violinists. This tends to hold true even when taking into account the typically lower number of cellists required to create an orchestra or chamber ensemble. Which is Harder to Play: Violin or Cello? Many students wonder, which instrument is more difficult: the violin or cello? People who have tried both instruments tend to say the cello is less difficult due to its more natural position. The position of the violin can feel awkward at first, however advanced violinists insist that it becomes natural over time. Many experienced musicians say that both instruments have their own difficulties. For example, although a cellist’s playing position is easier to learn, the thumb position on the cello is difficult for many students. Advanced cellists also must learn three clefs instead of just one. SEE ALSO: How Easy is it to Switch Instruments? [Infographic] Making the Choice Between Violin or Cello Music students and their families can do a number of things to help them in their decision between the violin or cello. First, consider what opportunities are available at school or in the community. Keep long term goals in mind. Make sure the student has exposure to both instruments. This can include videos, CDs, or local concerts. Local colleges and conservatories often perform concerts for the general public and many of these feature the violin and cello. Local symphonies also put on free concerts in the park. To be sure you’re making the right choice, it’s always a good idea to sample each instrument and take a couple lessons. Check out this directory of violin teachers, and this directory of cello teachers. Lessons are available both in-person and online all over the country. Above all, the student should love the sound of whichever instrument they choose, whether it’s the higher and more cheerful violin or the deeper and rich cello. What are your thoughts on whether the violin or cello is a better instrument? Let us know in the comments below! .TeacherBox { border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 20px; padding-left: 0; margin-bottom: 20px; white-space: nowrap; } .TeacherBox > div { display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; white-space: normal; } .TeacherBox > Post Author:  Carol Beth L. Carol Beth L. teaches  viola  and violin  in Sacramento, CA. She currently plays viola in the Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra and has been teaching students since 2012. Learn more about Carol Beth 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

Find a Private Tutor in Leeds

Find a Private Tutor in Leeds Home Tutoring Private Tuition In Leeds ChaptersTutoring Organizations For Home TutoringSuperprof Tutors in BirminghamMaths and Language Tutors in LeedsTutoring Announcements in LeedsSchool Support Programs in LeedsVolunteer Tutoring in and around LeedsLocated in West Yorkshire, the history of Leeds can be traced back to the fifth century, but it was during the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century when it really grew in size, thanks to the growth of the great cloth mills and the introduction of machinery, making mass production possible.The proximity of cheap coal nearby was a further advantage to the industrial growth in Leeds and potteries, brick works and sugar refining also developed here. There are many impressive and imposing buildings of Victorian origin in Leeds, remnants from the nineteenth century and the wealth the area had.Today, Leeds has a population of nearly 800,000 and is served by four universities, 220 primary schools, 39 secondary schools and 6 special inclusive learning centres. It has the f ourth largest student population in the country and is known for its nightlife and music scene.With such a large population of students and so many schools, finding a private tutor is not very difficult.Find a tutor in the city of Leeds. (Photo credit: Sendito Photography via VisualHunt)A child who is confident will feel much better about going to school and will be much happier overall.Here are some home tutoring organisations;Tutor in, Tel;  07456892241. From £30 per hourLeeds Tutors, Tel; 07538532585. From £25 per hourHome School Tutoring,  Tel;  01377 267964.Teachers To Your Home, Tel; 01993 774549. From £36 per hour.Educate First, Tel; 0113 265 3459. From £18 per hour.Find private tutors in Edinburgh and private tuition in Cardiff!Superprof Tutors in BirminghamSuperprof can supply tutors in Leeds and the surrounding areas. Superprof hosts many qualified and experienced tutors. They allow students to search the tutor database and select the appropriate teacher for you.  In t he city of Leeds, Superprof has 116 tutors, for all learning styles and levels.The tutor and the pupil contact each other via a secure and easy to use online tuition platform, allowing the pupil to find lessons wherever they are in the world. This revolutionary approach has certainly changed private tuition for many students. For online tutoring you can learn anything, anywhere in the world! This is excellent, especially for languages, where you can learn the target language with a native, from the comfort of your armchair!With online tutoring you can find a tutor anywhere in the UK. Why not find maths tutor in Manchester or an English tutor in London.Maths Tutors 4 Me:A site which lists Maths Tutors based in and around Leeds.Maths Doctor,  A national agency specializing in Maths Tutoring. Tel; 020 3476 4853Leeds Maths Tutors: A Leeds based Tutoring agency specializing in Maths. Tel;  07590487335Kumon: A national organisation specialising in Maths and English. Tel; 0800 854 714Leeds Maths Tuition:  A private individual offering Maths tuition. Tel; 0790 390 3707Find a private tutor in Belfast.A home tutor can help with homework. (Photo credit: woodleywonderworks via VisualHunt.com)To be able to speak and understand a foreign language is a dream for many people.  If you wish to be able to converse well in French or Spanish on your next holiday abroad, a language tutor will be able to help you achieve your wish. Or maybe you need a language tutor for your child who may be finding learning a language difficult. Either way, in a city as big as Leeds, finding a language tutoring organization is easy!  Some language tutoring organizations in Leeds:Leeds Language Tuition,  Providing French and Spanish Tuition in Leeds and surrounding area. Tel;  07814 378359Language Courses Leeds,  Offers language classes and private tuition. Tel; 0845 130 4775UK Language Project, Offers courses for both companies and individuals. Tel;  0113 292 6901Language Trainers, An agency specia lizing in languages. Tel;  0870 760 73 73Tutoring Announcements in LeedsIf you do not have internet access or would like to take a more traditional approach to finding a tutor in Leeds, you could look in newsagents' windows where private individuals often post advertisements.Or you could check out your local library, there is often a notice board there but it would be as well to ask the librarian too, as they are often rather knowledgeable with regards to courses, tutors and such like in the local area.Have a look in shopping centres for flyers and announcements, also local cafes and restaurants.  Take away restaurants and convenience stores also often allow people to leave business cards and flyers usually.Otherwise, the internet also has many websites allowing tutors to use the site as a platform to advertise on, for example;VivastreetCare.comyell.comGumtreeIndeedHome Tutors DirectoryAdditionally, ask around your local network of friends and family.  They may know someone who can recommend a private tutor for home lessons. Ask at your child's school, their teacher, the other parents, the school secretary. You could even put an announcement up yourself in the locality. Often word of mouth is the best way to find an excellent tutor as only good ones will be recommended.Check here for online tutoring now.School Support Programs in LeedsIn and around Leeds there are some school support programs to help children and young people from the city and surrounding areas to develop, nurture and enhance their educational potential.This is an excellent resource, especially for families on restricted incomes who may not have the resources to pay for a private home tutor as they are often registered charities with volunteers working there.Community Leeds After School Study Support,  Tel;  0113 257 0827School Home Support,  Tel; 0845 337 0850Student Support Program,  Tel; 0800 999 6999Individual schools and colleges often offer after school clubs to help with homework. Ask a t your child's school if they run one. In the run up to exams, colleges usually run revision classes which will help pupils with any specific problems they have.They are also good because the students often work through old exam papers with the teacher there to explain anything they are not sure about.Private tutoring can be fun! (Photo credit: Government of Prince Edward Island via Visual hunt)Are moving to a new city? Superprof is a UK wide tutoring platform and can help you find tutors no mater where you are. Search for a Guitar teacher in Birmingham or a German tutor in Glasgow.Volunteer Tutoring in and around LeedsThere are, in addition, some volunteer tutoring agencies in Leeds, helping under-privileged pupils. For example, Learning Partnerships is a Leeds based charity with over 25 years of experience working in the inner city, providing opportunities and help to children, teenagers and adults with respect to learning and education. A current project is a volunteer primary sc hool literacy programme, helping deprived pupils raise their literacy levels.Community Leeds After School Study Support is another volunteer tutor organisation enabling volunteers to gain valuable experience in teaching and working with young people, while contributing to the local community and helping youngsters from deprived backgrounds achieve exam success and their educational potential.The Tutor Trust is a not for profit social enterprise based in Leeds helping to compliment work done by schools to boost academic attainment and making a positive difference to young under privileged pupils.There really is a tutor for everyone in Leeds!

How to Prepare for the SSAT

How to Prepare for the SSAT The following piece was written by Wendy Williams. Wendy is the founder of Williams Educational Consultants and is a national expert on the SSAT. If you are looking at placing your student into a private school, then you will need to have your child take The Secondary School Admission Test, or the SSAT. Many private schools require this exam as part of their application process. Although this test is an important ingredient in an applicants file, it is not the only thing that the admissions office looks at in evaluating applicants. However, it is important that families understand what the SSAT is testing as well as options on testing environments. The SSAT is an admission test that is administered by the SSAT Board to students who are in grades 3-11. This test helps determine placement into independent or private elementary, middle, and high schools. There are three different levels of the test. The first of these is the Elementary level and is for students who are in grades 3 and 4 who are applying to grades 4 and 5. The next is the Middle level for students in grades 5-7 who are applying for grades 6-8, and the last level, Upper Level, is designed for students in grades 8-11 who are applying for grades 9-12. This test measures student ability, regardless of school record. The SSAT consists of two parts. One is multiple choice that includes Verbal, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics. The second part is an un-scored writing sample. The essay is not graded, but a copy is sent to schools that the student applies to. The Verbal section of the test has vocabulary questions, verbal reasoning questions, and tests ability to relate ideas logically. It is 30 minutes long and includes 30 synonym and 30 analogy questions. The Reading Comprehension section tests a students ability to understand passages they are reading. It is 40 minutes long and has 40 questions. The math questions test ability to solve problems that involve algebra, geometry and arithmetic. This portion has two 30-minute sections with 25 questions each. There will be word problems and equations. Students should be as prepared to take the test as possible. Encourage your student and study together. It is important to practice, but also not too put too much pressure on the student. The SSAT publishes a book of full-length practice tests called Preparing and Applying for the Middle and Upper Level SSAT (grades 5-11). This is a great book to help a student feel comfortable taking the test because they will get to read tips and practice. They will get a better idea of what to expect once test day comes.The book also includes tips for using time effectively and scoring explanations. Another way to prepare is looking through students current schoolbooks as well as brushing up on math and vocabulary. When it comes to scoring, the student does not have to answer every question on the test to score well. According to the SSAT website, the score is determined by subtracting a percentage of the wrong answers from the number of right answers. One point is received for every correct answer and one fourth of a point is taken away for every wrong answer. If a question is skipped, there will not be any points lost. If a student cannot make an educated guess about an answer, its better just to skip that question. After SSAT scores are determined, students will receive a report of their scores for each section, along with percentile rankings for each area that will compare them with students of the same grade and gender.Students can send the results to private schools they would like to apply to. All schools have their own requirements for SSAT scores. There are eight national testing dates for the SSAT. A student may take the exam as often as they would like to. However, I suggest that students should not test more than three times in an academic year. In addition to the national testing sites, there are other options for students to take this exam. Students are allowed to take a SSAT Flex test once per academic year. Wendy Williams runs Williams Educational Consultingandoffers flex SSAT options.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Introvert Barriers Self-Promotion the Non-Icky Way - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Introvert Barriers Self-Promotion the Non-Icky Way - Introvert Whisperer Introvert Barriers: Self-Promotion the Non-Icky Way As an Introverted Leader, self-promotion can be a hard skill for many to master; for the introvert with ambition, it can be a serious problem. Have you given any thought to this issue? The issue is that if your intention is to be in management or even simply promoted, if you can’t self-promote you can almost guarantee yourself a lackluster career. Is self-promotion a problem for you? Are you at risk for this barrier to career success? If you are aware that this is a problem for you, here are some things you should know and things you can do to develop your skill: Learn the Difference Between Bragging and Self-Promotion Some people think that bragging is self-promotion, therefore they loathe it and don’t want to consider doing it. There is a huge difference, which primarily is that bragging is ego based and mindless, pointless commentary meant to try to impress. Self-promotion is useful, focused information shared with people who need to know the information about you, which can help you advance. There’s a big difference, and once you know it, it will help your introverted soul feel much better about what you are embarking on. (DTM thought: Self promotion doesn’t have to obnoxious to be effective AND yes, I had to learn this too!) Only You Can Advance Your Cause Please, stop thinking that great work will speak for itself! It won’t you have to. (Tweet this!) It’s important to perform well, and once you do, you must assume that the decision-makers don’t yet know. Your job is to inform them. You can do informal office drop in’s all the way to presentations on your projects. I usually suggest to my clients that If you don’t know what you would say, follow this outline: Top three accomplishments in the past month/quarter Top three challenges you overcame and how you did it Top one or two things on your immediate horizon Start Small Introverts tend to overwhelm easily, and if you start out thinking you are going to do it all tomorrow, you risk a full system overload. Pick one thing, like writing a status report to your boss and anyone else with whom you should communicate. Get in the swing of that before adding anything else. Look for Opportunities Introverts tend to be highly focused on what we’re working on. You may also think you have nothing noteworthy to say that will also be self-promotion. Understand that the weak underbelly of all organizations is communication. You simply can’t communicate enough, which means that what you are working on or have accomplished may actually be needed by and interesting to others. Don’t go into massive detail, but look for opportunities to let people know what you’ve been up to. Make This a Project We love tasks. We love projects. Make your self-promotion into a project with specific actions you will take and when you will take them. Look for things you do that you think work well and that you feel good doing. Put more of those on your project plan. Stay focused on this until it becomes second nature to you. Get a New Attitude We self-promote all the time. If we didn’t we would never get a job, find a significant other or ever get promoted. Think of self-promotion as sharing information that others will find valuable about â€" YOU. (I might also point out that some people get a little self-righteous about the need to self-promote but trust me, you have to do it.) Self-promotion is vital to your career success. It would have been great if it were a skill you learned in school, but it wasn’t. It is a skill that you need to learn now, and retain for the rest of your life. Go to top What’s your biggest obstacle when it comes to self-promotion? Share in the comments! Image: Flickr Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Learn English Past Simple Regular and Irregular with My favorite band

Learn English Past Simple Regular and Irregular with My favorite band One of my favorite bands in the United States is named Cloud Cult. They just played a concert close to my hometown in the U.S., but because Im still living in Argentina I was bummed (disappointed) I wasnt able to attend. So, after listening to some of their songs I decided to do a lesson on past simple regular and irregular verbs for everyone. Enjoy!English Past Simple Regular VerbsWith regular verbs we add ed to the end of the verb. For example walk changes to walked. (Verb + ed)Spelling changes; If the word ends in an E such as: SMILE we only add D to the end: SMILED. If the word has a consonant then a Y such as: TRY we change the Y to an I and add ED. So TRY changes to TRIED. If the word end in one vowel (a,e,i,o,u) followed by a consonant such as: TAP then we double the consonant. So TAP changes to TAPPED.Pronunciation of the ED ending to indicate past sounds like a T. DO NOT ADD AN EXTRA SYLLABLE. (It sounds like this: playt)Pronunciation of ED ending when the word ends in a T o r a D. When a word ends in a T or D we pronounce the extra syllable when adding ED to the end to indicate past. Such as START changes to STARTED; LAND changes to LANDED. We pronounce the extra syllable so it sounds like (STAR*TED LAN*DED)PAST IRREGULAR VERBSAlthough there is no rules about how to change irregular verbs there are some patterns that happen. Really you should memorize, (ughhh, I know), speak, take classes, watch movies, and listen to music as much as possible to get the irregulars down. But below you will see some categories and patterns. Very Irregular: These are the special verbs. to be (am/is/are) changes to was/were. Have/has changes to had. Go changes to went. Do/Does/Dont/Doesnt changes to did/didnt.Doesnt Change: There are the few strange verbs that dont change from present/past/participle. Cut, Shut, Put,hit, let, Cost.Change Last Letter to T: Usually (not always) when the word ends in a D it changes to a T like: build-built, spend-spent, send-sent, lend-lent. Normally (not a solid rule) if the word has double EE it changes to T like: sleep-slept, keep-kept, feel-felt. Others: lose-lost, leave-left.Change the Letter to a D: No real pattern to this one. Make-made, hear-heard.Change the Middle Letter to an O: Sometimes when the vowel is an I we change the I to an O. Like: win-won, drive-drove, find-found. When the word has double LL we change the middle letter to an O and add D to the end: sell-sold, tell-told. Often when there is an EA combination the EA change to an O such as: steal-stole, break-broke, wear-wore.Change the Middle Letter to an A: Mostly when the word has and I it changes to an A. Like begin-began, give-gave, drink-drank, sing-sang, swim-swam, sit-sat. O and U also change to A like run-ran, come-came, become-became.Change the middle Letter to an E: If the word is OW we usually change it to EW like: know-knew, grow-grew, throw-threw.Ought/Aught/Ould-Sometimes the whole word changes and only the first letter stays the same li ke: buy-bought, teach-taught, catch-caught.Now Watch The Video and do the exercise: How many past irregulars are in the song?How many past regulars are in the song?What other verb tenses are there in the song?Can you retell us the story of the song?Below are the lyrics, fill in the spaces:I _____ grandpa on my transistor radio,Though he _____ in his bones twenty years ago,And he ____, Kid, theres something that Id like to show you,Get your things, its time for us to goSo I ____ my backpack, my flashlight, and a bag of caramel corn,I ____ my bicycle, and the radio, and I headed on the road, I saidIm ready for what Im about to see, YupI ____ north til rain had turned to snowThrough rusty towns and dusty gravel roadsAnd I ___, Grandpa, where is this thing you wanted to show me?He said, Kid, you got a long way to goSo I ____ through canyons, caves and catacombs, I sailed on bicycle boatsI _____ in chapels and brothels, I ____ the nicest folksI said, Im ready for what Im about to see, Yu pI heard grandpa on my transistor radioHe said, Kid, its time for me to go,And I know that there was something that I _____ to show you,But its time for you to find it on your own.Let me tell you about rage when a signal ____ that day,Theres nothing out there and I dont careits to take my life awayIm not ready and I dont want to see, NopeIts been years since I _____ my transistor radioYet I keep going to where it seems Im ______ to goAnd I finally ____ what he wanted to show meWhere Ive been, where I am, is the showWhere Ive ____, where I am, is the showWhere I__ been, where I am, is the showHope you enjoyed another Lesson and the song. If you like the song you should check out the band, they are pretty under as they say in Argentina but are becoming more popular. Email us if you have questions, or are interested in our English classes.

Tips for Managing ADHD in the Classroom Transitioning Between Activities

Tips for Managing ADHD in the Classroom Transitioning Between Activities Transitioning smoothly from one activity or setting to another can be very challenging for students with ADHD. Somewhat surprisingly, difficulty managing transitions is actually one of the least talked about problems associated with ADHD, yet it is at these times of the day that students with ADHD are typically the most disruptive or emotional. Fortunately, there are some fairly simple strategies that help make transitions infinitely easier for students with ADHD. Identify trigger points. Most students with ADHD who struggle with transitions have a few points in their day that are the most difficult for them to manage. Start by thinking of the most challenging of these times and consider the factors that may be most triggering. Is there something about the other students in the mix at that particular time - maybe someone who the student gets particularly silly and excitable around, or someone who always seems to push his or her buttons? Is there a consistent time of day when the student struggles the most with transitions? Is there something about the activity being transitioning to or from that may make the transition harder for the student? Having a clear understanding of the factors that make a transition particularly difficult for a student will help you see the situation from his or her perspective and troubleshoot more effectively. Make simple adjustments. Whenever possible, make simple adjustments to minimize triggers. For example, if a student consistently seems to have difficulty with a particular classmate at a given transition, make sure these students are not in the same group or area of the room at this time. If the difficult transition comes as lunchtime is approaching, consider whether the student is overly hungry and may need a mid-morning snack to help them make it all the way through until lunch. It may seem simple, but sometimes this is all it takes to smooth out a rough point in the day. Consider medication effects. When a student with ADHD seems to handle transitions fine in the morning, but cant manage them well in the afternoon its important to consider the possibility that his or her medication is not as effective as it should be throughout the entire school day. When a medication wears off too quickly, the effects are often most obvious during transitions when emotions and disruptive behaviors are at their peak. In these cases, a medication adjustment may be needed to ensure that the medication is providing the proper support all day long. Announce schedule changes well in advance. Kids with ADHD rely on their daily routine to help regulate their behavior and emotions. Abrupt changes in their schedule or routine are often accompanied by abrupt change in their emotions and behaviors. Making sure the student is aware of the change well in advance will help him or her stay calm and regulated. Make them a helper. Students with ADHD often do best during transitions when they are engaged in structured tasks. Since transitions are often a relatively chaotic time in the classroom, placing students in the role of classroom helper can add some structure and focus to this otherwise unstructured time. The tasks can be simple, like making sure all of the desk chairs are pushed in as everyone lines up, or counting the student in the line to make sure everyone is accounted for. Just remember to praise the student and thank him or her for the help, so he or she will feel confident and motivated to keep helping day after day. Helping kids with ADHD manage transitions calmly and independently requires some initial planning and problem solving, but once a new routine is in place the student will thrive and problematic transitions will be a thing of the past! ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Everything you need to know about all expenses paid English teaching jobs abroad

Everything you need to know about all expenses paid English teaching jobs abroad Moving to a new country to teach English is no mean feat. Job hunt aside, you have to find a place to live, sort out visas, health insurance. Read this: Teaching English abroad: A step-by-step plan Wouldn’t it be nice if some kindly employer swooped in and said they’d do it all for you? AND pay for it all (plus flights!) too? Yup, teaching English abroad, all expenses paid, sounds like a pretty sweet deal! Aside from freeing you of any admin stress when you arrive, all expenses paid English teaching contracts mean that your major expenses will all be taken care of by your employer. As you won’t have to put your monthly salary towards your housing or airfare, there’s a good chance you’ll not only be able to have a taste of the high life while you’re teaching abroad, but also be able to save money to take home with you too. This opportunity to pay off debt or save up for future life goals makes teaching abroad with all expenses paid a great option for recent graduates, future homeowners, career changers who don’t want to take too much of a salary hit and, well, anyone who wants to explore the globe without breaking the bank! Hold up! What does all expenses paid mean? In the ESL world, English teaching contracts with some of the coolest perks include: Housing (either accommodation or a housing stipend provided) Airfare (either paid in advance or reimbursed) Medical insurance (either wholly or partially covered by the employer) Visa cost reimbursement Paid vacation time ? Other benefits, such as language lessons and in-country orientation, may also be thrown into the mix. While having all of the above paid for and getting a full salary on top is awesome in itself, a major unlisted benefit is all the life admin that’s taken off your hands. It means that when you arrive in country, you can hit the ground running and focus on enjoying your adventure! Can anyone get an all expenses paid English teaching contract overseas? If you have a four-year degree, have native (or equivalent) English skills and are TEFL qualified, you are a great candidate for teach abroad contracts with some of the best benefits packages on offer. Read this: What qualifications do I need to teach English abroad? However, not every country in the world offers its teachers these kinds of benefits. While they are common in the Middle East and parts of Asia, they’re pretty much non-existent in Europe and South America. Countries in Asia, especially China and South Korea, often take on new teachers, but in the Middle East, expenses paid positions are often only available for teachers who have completed formal teacher training programs. So, yes, teaching abroad with all expenses paid is an option for most ESL teachers. As long as you have an open mind about where you go to teach. So, which countries do offer English teachers all expenses paid contracts? 1. Japan Ok, let’s be honest: Schools in Japan may not cover all expenses, but English teachers can still get a lot of benefits included in their contracts. Japan’s JET program, for example, offers return airfare but does not include housing. However, they do help you find a place to stay and sometimes offer accommodation at a set rate to help their teachers balance their budgets. Many schools offer contract completion bonuses, full or subsidized medical insurance, paid vacations and refundable pension contributions. If you have to travel between schools, your contract may also include a transport allowance. Japan also ranks highly for TEFL salaries in Asia, and although living costs can also be high too (especially in cities) most English teachers earn a comfortable living and have enough money to save on the side. 2. China China is the world’s largest job market in the world for TEFL-qualified teachers and, as such, jobs can include some pretty awesome benefits. Typical contracts might offer reimbursed airfare, rent-free housing, a contract completion bonus, paid holiday and medical insurance. Some even include workday meals and Mandarin lessons! There’s also a huge variety of work in China for English teachers - you could find yourself co-teaching 60 students with a native teacher in public school, or teaching small private classes. Check out Teach Away’s Explore Program to find out more about some of the great ESL positions on offer right now across China. In general, English teaching salaries in China provide a comfortable lifestyle. Living costs are low and many teachers save money while they are there. 3. South Korea South Korea also has a huge market for English teachers, and it’s not hard to see why. Contracts often include return airfare, fully furnished housing, paid holidays, contributions to health insurance and a bonus upon completion. Many contracts also include pension contributions, which can be or reclaimed as a lump sum when you leave the country (depending on the country you’re returning to - check with your employer!) Factor in a low tax rate and low cost of living, the lifestyle South Korea offers its English teachers is hard to beat. Why not check out South Korea’s government-run EPIK program for more information? Read this: Everything you need to know about applying (and getting hired) for the EPIK program 4. Middle East Each country in the Middle East has their own lifestyle advantages, but one thing they all have in common is offering some of the most generous teaching packages in the world. Benefits often include reimbursed airfare, end of contract bonus, housing allowance and health insurance. And if you want to take your loved ones along for the ride, packages are often also available for spouses and families. Living costs vary from country to country, but the cherry on the cake is that salaries for foreign teachers are tax-free. YES. Tax-free! However, jobs in the region can be restricted to highly qualified teachers with teaching licenses, or those with TEFL certification and a few years teaching experience. Take a look at the UAE Government Schools program for more info. PS: Check out sites like Numbeo and Expatistan to compare cost-of-living rates around the world. Free housing and airfare! It sound too good to be true. What’s the catch? Well, although signing up for all these perks can make your life easier when you arrive, it’s still work doing a little (or a lot)of research before you sign up. Firstly, all these benefits are usually reliant on you signing up for (and completing) a teaching contract, which can last anywhere from one to two years on average. Your visa is normally dependent on the contract so it’s with making sure that you can abide by what you sign up for. The advantage to having a clear contract is that you can take your time before you sign to work out whether what’s on offer will work for you. Here are some questions to ask: 1. What kind of company will you be working for? Research schools online and don’t be afraid to ask if they can put you in touch with their current English teachers. 2. What lifestyle can you expect? Find out about the area the school accommodation is in, the living costs and what there is to do in your free time. 3. Are you allowed to work outside your contract? You might be hoping to pick up some private lessons in your spare time but some contracts don’t allow this. 4. How many hours are you expected to work per week? Remember teaching hours do not include preparation, marking and admin time. 5. How is vacation time allocated? Some schools will only allow English teachers to take vacations at certain times of year. It’s worth checking in advance when and how long your vacations will be. When it comes to housing and airfare coverage there are quite a lot of details you might want to clear up before you sign up. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. English teaching jobs with paid housing: Questions you should ask before accepting the offer If the company is offering you furnished accommodation, ask for as much information as you can about it, including photos, how far it is from the school, how much bills are and exactly what is included in the furnishings. If the accommodation isn’t to your taste, the best solution will probably be factoring in buying items to personalize the space. Don’t forget, you may want to buy your own bedding and towels too! If you have fancier tastes than the stipend allows, so will your salary cover the rest? Or if you want to live somewhere that costs less than the stipend, make sure you find out if you’ll be able to pocket the difference or if it will go back to the school. English teaching jobs with free flights: Questions you should ask before accepting the offer Firstly, find out if there is a cap on the amount the company will pay for your airfare. Let’s be real, they’re probably not going to expense a first-class ticket! But if their cap is $600 then you’ll know to try and hunt out a flight that fits within that budget. Next, if a school says they will reimburse your ticket, make sure you’re clear on when exactly that will happen so you don’t get caught short. Some schools do it immediately after you book, others when you arrive and others when you complete your contract. Once you’ve ironed out all the little details, all that’s left to do is sign on the dotted line, and then turn up and enjoy! I like the idea of teaching abroad, making money and traveling the world, but I want my freedom too! What should I do? If all this talk of contracts has you breaking out in a cold sweat - don’t fret! All expenses paid contracts are great for those who want the hassle taken out of a big move abroad and don’t mind sticking to the terms and conditions that come along with it. If you prefer things a bit more free and easy but still want to save money while you’re away, why not look into teaching English in countries where you earn enough money (relative to living costs) that you can still save a bunch while you’re there? Vietnam is a great example. You might have to pay for your own airfare and accommodation, but your earnings should cover that and them some. Our English teaching salary calculator can help you work out where might be the right destination for you!

5 things to know before teaching in Korea

5 things to know before teaching in Korea Experienced ESL teacher, Adrian, at Teach Away shares some essential insight into living and teaching in South Korea.1. Learn some basics of the Korean language. Even a few key phrases can go a long way when it comes to carrying out basic tasks and getting around. Take the time to study correct pronunciation. You wouldn't want to end up confusing a hot pepper for a part of the male anatomy. Trust me.2. Don't expect students, especially younger ones, to behave as they do in Western countries. Students are well-disciplined and friendly - not to say that they aren't in Western schools. But you may see students of the same gender sitting on each other's laps outside of class, or holding hands down the halls; a little friendlier than my school days I'd say.3. Take your job seriously and you’ll be rewarded. You may find some foreign teachers are in Korea just for fun and not really focusing on student needs. Don't be phased by them. Korea is known for it's strong work ethic. Follow suit and your experience will flourish with your employers.4. Make the most of your free time. Anytime you're off from teaching, you should be taking advantage of the beautiful sites around Korea. Travel is cheap and easy. Whether visiting Jeju island for it's famous views and oranges, or a day trip into Seoul for late night shopping, there's never an excuse to be a shut in.  5. Mild food is still spicy. Better yet, there is no mild option in Korea. You'll either learn to love the spiciness of food in Korea, or quickly learn to, as I did. Not everything is spicy, but just be warned. Korean food is delicious, so don’t be afraid to be adventurous.Find out more about teaching in Korea here and search for our current teaching positions in Korea here.