How to Prepare Your Child for the Middle School Transition

How to Prepare Your Child for the Middle School Transition Transitioning from the elementary classroom to middle school can be challenging or simple, depending on your students school. Your child may simply move to a different classroom or floor in the building, or may attend a new school altogether.If they will be attending a new school you may want to take a look at these tips on how to help your child transition to a new school.Regardless, the middle school transition is one to be mindful of as your child assumes more ownership of his or her learning. Here are a number of ways to prepare your student for the new stage in his or her education: Learn about technological resources In todays classroom, technology is increasingly utilized to expand academic learning. Students turn to computersand occasionally tabletsto complete research, locate resources, submit assignments, and communicate with teachers and other students. Encourage your child to learn about the computer systems and online platforms present in the school. Here is some great information about the future of technology in education. Certain schools have online portals where announcements or assignments are posted, while others may publish grade reports or syllabi online. Practice navigating these resources with your student, and encourage him or her to ask questions if he or she is unsure how to use them. Studentscan work with teachers, tutors, or other trusted administrators for this purpose. Encourage the use of a planner or calendar While your child may already be familiar with assignment notebooks, this organizational device is even more essential in the middle school years; middle school students often have a different teacher for each subject. Speak with your child about writing assignments down neatly and regularly. It may be helpful for some students to have a large calendar at home to record important dates or to color code by subject. It will be far easier for your child to manage both short- and long-term assignments if you first determine which methods work for him or her. Organize materials and supplies In addition to using a planner, assist your student with organizing his or her materials and supplies. He or she will likely move between multiple classrooms during the school day, so organization is key to success in the middle school transition. Which textbooks must be carried between school and home? Is there a system, such as binders or folders, already in place at school? Where does your child store completed homework or unfinished assignments? What about tests or important papers to be signed by you? Clearly labeled materials and color coordination may also benefit students. Now is the time for your child to develop the organizational skills that will be so crucial in high school and college. Consider extracurriculars and community service In middle school, greater emphasis is placed on extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports teams. Students may wish to run for office, such as president or secretary of their class, or they may wish to deepen an interest in the arts. These activities promote leadership skills and positive social experiences, but they, of course, consume time. Help your child plan an after-school routine that appropriately balances both academic and extracurricular engagements. These are some great tips on how to choose extracurricular activities in middle school. Additionally, schools sometimes require the completion of community service hours. Have your student find out the details of this requirement including how many hours are necessary, where he or she can serve, and by when his or her community service must be completed. Taking extracurricular activities and community service into account will facilitate the middle school transition and make for a well-rounded education. The middle schools years are a time of growth and independence. Prepare your child for the years ahead by fostering his or her various skill sets now.

What Are The Best Yoga Poses for Beginners

What Are The Best Yoga Poses for Beginners 12 Essential Yoga Positions for Beginners ChaptersMountain PoseDownward Facing DogPlankTree PoseWarrior 1Warrior 2CobraChild’s PoseBridge PoseTriangle PoseCrow PosePigeon PoseYoga is originally a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline. The focus of this ancient practice is meditation and breath control in particular bodily postures and positions. Nowadays, however, yoga is practised all over the world by all sorts of people, predominantly for health and relaxation.The yoga that is commonly practiced in the Western world is hatha yoga, which forms one aspect of the ancient practice, all about observance and meditation. The term yoga derives from the Sanskrit word for ‘union’, so it’s all about keeping the balance and engaging the mind and body.Yoga not only helps people to feel calm and focused, but it’s also a great way to stay in shape, and build up strength, flexibility and muscle tone. There are all sorts of yoga poses, or asanas, that will help strengthen the mind and body.But yoga moves can be tricky to get st uck into, with many people giving up pretty early on. The meditation aspects can be the most difficult sometimes, as it can be hard to stay focused when you’re also trying to hold a pose and use muscles that you don’t normally exercise.This is why it’s a great idea to start off with some yoga poses for beginners! Basic, simple poses which are designed to ease you in gently  are the perfect way to begin your journey. A great basic pose to learn is Tadasana, Warrior pose and of course downward dog.It’s best to start this way because it allows you to really focus on your breathing and observe how your body and mind are working in unison, without the stress of trying to do it on your head…Before you start, it’s a good idea to wear comfy clothes  that you can easily move and stretch in, and not too tight so that you can breathe and hold poses with ease. Most people find it easiest to practice on an exercise mat, as it keeps you grounded and you’re less likely to slip.But th e beauty of yoga is that you don’t really need anything apart from a bit of peace and quiet! Find a peaceful spot and give some easy poses a try such as warrior pose.So what are the best poses to get you started, then? Below is a list of 12 basic poses which will give you an insight into yoga  and gradually encourage you towards more advanced moves, if you wish to achieve them.Downward facing dog is an essential yoga pose (Source: Pixabay)Downward Facing DogThis is your base pose, and you’ll return to this between different yoga moves. It’s a good idea to practice your downward dog regularly â€" not just because it feels great, but because it’s an easy way to flow between poses.Start on all fours with your hands slightly forward from your shoulders and your knees directly below your hips. Spread your palms out with your fingers stretched comfortably and your toes curled under.With your feet hip-width apart and your knees slightly bent, slowly press your hips towards the ceil ing, and press your shoulders away from your ears, making your body into an inverted V shape.Hold this pose for 3 full breaths, or longer if it feels good! Hold for a few breaths between poses as a transition movement too.Plank builds strength and stamina, which is crucial for beginners. (Source: Google)PlankPlank is a really important yoga pose for beginners, which is easy to master. It’s all about learning how to balance on our hands whilst supporting ourselves with the body, and it’s great for strengthening up the abs.Start on all fours, and tuck your toes under so that you can lift your legs up off the mat. Form a straight line with your body, sliding your heels back and engaging your abs until you feel straight and strong from your head to your feet.Keep your abs engaged, and draw your shoulders back away from your ears. Hold for 8 to 10 breaths.Tree PoseStand with your legs shoulder-width apart, with your arms at your sides.Shift your weight so that you are balancing on yo ur left leg, and place the sole of your right foot inside your left thigh. Keep your hips facing forward and maintain that balance.  As you breathe in, bring your arms up above your head, with your palms facing each other shoulder-width apart. Hold this pose for 30 seconds, then slowly lower and repeat on the other side.Remember, if you can’t get your leg up high enough, or it feels painful on your knee joint, feel free to lower your sole so that it presses against your calf. Make sure you feel a stretch, but if a pose is hurting just loosen it until it’s more comfortable.Warrior 1Warrior poses are essential for yoga newbies as they build up strength, stamina and confidence when beginning and practicing yoga.Warrior 1 is an easy move which features a simple back bend, and gently opens and strengthens up the body through calm stretching.Start by taking a big step back with your left foot, then push your left heel down and angle your left toes outwards slightly, about 45 degrees.W hen you’re in a lunging position, lift your chest up and bring your arms up above your head. Press your palms together and pointed up to the sky.Hold for 5-10 breaths, then step forward and repeat on the opposite leg.Find yoga classes near you, search  yoga Manchester.

4 Introverts Who Created Successful Startups - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 4 Introverts Who Created Successful Startups - Introvert Whisperer 4 Introverts Who Created Successful Startups Gates. Shah. Zuckerberg. What do these names have in common? For starters, they’re all insanely successful. After all, who wouldn’t count running Facebook â€" which is used by well over a billion people on the planet â€" a success? Another common element between all of them is that they’re all introverts. Yes: it may be hard to believe, but Bill Gates â€" founder of one of the most influential technology companies in history and one of the most popular people on the planet â€" is an introvert. He’s someone who doesn’t readily and willingly like talking to people and, in general, would like to spend most of his time alone. You may be surprised to find there’s a handful of introverts out in the world who have managed successful startup companies in addition to Mr. Gates. 1.  Ben Silbermann, CEO of Pinterest Have you ever scrolled for hours upon hours on Pinterest, maybe looking at cool recipes, trendy fashions or even just cat pictures? If you have, then you’ve experienced the idea of Ben Silbermann. Silbermann had the idea for Pinterest after designing his own apps. When Tote, one of his early apps, failed, he turned to his childhood and thought of an app for collecting. The rest is history. Silbermann has learned that small victories are important to share with people. With an introverted personality, he has to remember to share his wins and not simply keep all his emotions to himself. A worthy lesson for anyone. 2.  Dharmesh Shah, Co-Founder of Hubspot Social media is a natural part of our lives now. That may seem scary, but it’s the truth. Keeping this in mind, Shah and his business partner saw an opportunity to provide tools for this platform way back in 2006. Shah’s ability to accurately predict how social media would blow up led to his company becoming one of the first to provide social media marketing and web analytics. Shah’s idea to treat customers like people really hit home with future buyers. Creating a company that has a personal touch is important when leading a company as an introvert. Recognizing that everyone has anxiety and doubts makes everyone human â€" and that makes everyone important. 3.  Mark Zuckerberg, Co-Founder of Facebook Facebook is everywhere. You can’t escape its grasp, no matter where you turn. As Facebook continues to grow, Mark Zuckerberg is a man who is wanted by the media more and more. The spotlight continues to grow on him. With this in mind, it’s difficult for Zuckerberg to be himself. Naturally an introvert, Zuckerberg works through it by genuinely caring about and talking to people. Just because you may not like to socialize doesn’t mean you don’t have great ideas. Mark gets out there and listens to people when they talk. Specifically, he has a special relationship with one of his executives. With a two-man team, getting messages across is much easier. This is a great tool to use if you’re looking to use your introversion as an advantage. 4.  Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft Yes, the brilliant mind behind Microsoft and one of the biggest figures of the 20th century is an introvert. Bill is famously known for his shyness and his quirky side. Even though Mr. Gates doesn’t necessarily like to attract attention to himself through the characteristics of an extrovert, Bill harnesses one of the most important tools a successful introvert has. You have to know what you’re talking about. Plain and simple. If you know what you’re talking about, no matter the subject matter, you’ll have a ton of confidence. If you have a ton of confidence, you don’t need to worry about people staring at you and secretly laughing at you. Rather, if you know your stuff, you’ll inspire and awe everyone you talk to. Inspired yet? These folks stand as proof that great ideas don’t need to fall by the wayside just because you like to keep to yourself. Kayla Matthews is a self-improvement writer contributing to publications like The Daily Muse, MakeUseOf, Lifehack and The Huffington Post. To read more professional development posts from Kayla, check out her blog, Productivity Theory. Go to top SELF-PROMOTION 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

What is it Like to Attend Dartmouth College

What is it Like to Attend Dartmouth College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Dennis is a 2012 graduate of Dartmouth College who currently tutors in Houston. He holds a degree in Government and Cognitive Science and specializes inseveral subjects including Chemistry tutoring, World History tutoring, and Phonics tutoring. See what he had to say about Dartmouth: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Dennis: Dartmouth is in Hanover, New Hampshire, which is right on the Connecticut River and Vermont border. Its a rural town on the Appalachian Trail with about 11,000 people. The campus itself is very walkable. If you live in the dorms, the farthest academic buildings are no more than 15 minutes away. Many students also bike. Additionally, the town is very safe. In addition to the Hanover Police, Dartmouth has a blue-light system and Safety and Security force. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Dennis: Dartmouth is known for its focus on undergraduate education and the quality of its teaching. Less than one percent of classes are taught by teaching assistants, and professors are available during their weekly office hours or over email. If I emailed any professor with a question about class material or future course offerings, I knew that I would have a response the next day. Professors also made sure to involve students in their research, which led to a lot of fantastic job opportunities. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Dennis: Dartmouths dorms were all built at different times, so there is a wide range of housing. First-year students live together in freshmen clusters, and each hallway has a UGA, or Undergraduate Advisor. Housing is spread out across campus. There is one main dining hall, which recently underwent a major renovation, and a few smaller ones that are part of the student meal plan. Theres also an excellent library caf run by King Arthur Flour. The dorms do have common areas, which generally have study spaces/TVs/laundry machines, but theyre not too commonly used. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Dennis: The top five majors are Economics, Psychology, Government, Biology, and English. Economics, Government, and the Life Sciences are especially strong, but one could have an excellent education in any major and work with some fantastic professors. I double majored in Government and Cognitive Science. I had always been interested in government and was excited to take classes about public policy and international relations. I really enjoyed the education and psychology classes I took early on, and I was able to combine those with Philosophy and Linguistics courses for the Cognitive Science major. Finally, Dartmouth has a fantastic study-abroad program. Due to the trimester system, students are able to study abroad multiple times during their college career, and the college runs most of its international programs. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Dennis: There is always some adjustment to college life and new people. One unique piece of Dartmouth culture is the First-Year Trips programs, where 96% of new students go out into the woods with upperclassmen trip leaders and their fellow freshman trippees. Students meet each other during Orientation week, and then bond as classes and clubs start. The biggest student groups include The Dartmouth (the school paper), The Outing Club, the political clubs at the Rockefeller Center, and the community service organizations at the Tucker Center. Greek life certainly exists at Dartmouth. There are 16 fraternities, 9 sororities, and four co-ed houses. Freshmen are not allowed to join houses, and students typically pledge their sophomore fall. The Greek scene isnt for everyone, but I enjoyed my time in a fraternity. It was a good way to meet a lot of people at once. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Dennis: Career Services is helpful. Their office is a block from campus, and it is easy to set up appointments for graduate school advising and cover letter writing sessions. Students have access to the Dartmouth alumni network, whose members are generally happy to give advice or move a students resume up the pile. Many reputable companies recruit on campusDartmouth sends many students to the top investment banks, consulting firms, hedge funds, non-profit teaching organizations, and graduate schools. That said, Im not sure if any college student has the job of their dreams right after graduation. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Dennis: Students study anywhere, but one of the most popular spots is the four-floor Baker-Berry Library. Its generally easy to find space there, except during finals week. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Dennis: Hanover is absolutely a small town. Part of the schools appeal is its relationship to the outdoors. Students can easily go hiking, rock climbing, canoeingthe school has its own mountain, and I loved the skiing lessons I took freshman winter. Students are rarely bored. They are deeply involved with their classes, research, and extracurriculars. There are a few places in the one-block downtown that students go to, but a lot of the social scene exists in off-campus houses or fraternities, which are open to anyone with a Dartmouth ID. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Dennis: There are roughly 4,400 undergraduate students. Although some of the introductory lecture classes have over 100 students, most of the mid-level classes are capped at 35, and many of the seminars have less than 15. In almost all of my classes, I felt that it was very easy to connect to the professor. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Dennis: Senior year, I wrote a thesis with the government department. It was a year-long project, and in May the students went out with their advisors to the Norwich Inn for dinner. Professor Valentino and Professor Clarke, the program heads, gave us all clocks (as they said, to represent the time spent on our papers). Professor Valentino also noted that we had moved from being consumers of knowledge to producers of knowledge. That comment has stuck with me since graduating, and I feel that the transition from consumer to producer is a worthy goal for all college students. Check out Dennis tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Five Great Extracurricular Activities for the Analytical Child

Five Great Extracurricular Activities for the Analytical Child Five Great Extracurricular Activities for the Analytical Child Parents know that extracurricular activities offer a wide range of benefits for children. They teach them to work with their peers, manage their time, set goals and work toward them, and so much more. If your child is a thinker who enjoys activities that stretch the mind and develop those all-important critical thinking skills, youre in luck. There are many extracurricular activities that will nurture your childs intellect. Here are a few great activities for children who like to stretch their minds: Chess: It probably comes as no surprise to learn that chess is an excellent activity for students who enjoy mental stimulation. Chess strengthens ones creative and critical thinking ability, memory, concentration, mental precision and academic endurance. Many studies report that chess helps strengthen certain areas of the brain as well. If your child appreciates logical thinking and strategy, chess is a wonderful lifelong activity. Debate: Is your child constantly negotiating fewer chores and developing convincing arguments for additional screen time? Is he or she the type to take nothing at face value? If so, your schools debate team or club might be the perfect activity. In debate, students compete in formal contests of argumentation. Individual students develop arguments on specific topics and deliver those arguments in front of a panel of judges. Each team takes a position on the topic presented (pro or con) and then the teams present their statements and supporting points, either individually or as a team. Debate builds students public speaking abilities as well as their research skills, critical thinking and much more. Model United Nations Club: For students interested in government, law or even business, a Model United Nations (UN) Club might be a great fit. The United Nations Association describes Model UN as a simulation of the UN General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. Students play the role of ambassadors from UN member states and debate current issues by preparing speeches, drafting resolutions, and negotiating with allies and adversaries. Students compete at Model UN conferences, which are offered throughout the country and around the world. Lego clubs: Are an excellent opportunity for students interested in engineering as well as those who enjoy designing and building things and learning how things work. Lego programs provide tools that develop lateral and three dimensional thinking in a fun environment. Not only do Legos improve literacy as kids work with instructions, it boosts motor development, and enhances communication and critical thinking. Many schools and libraries sponsor Lego based activities. FIRST Lego League are competitions for children ages 9 to 14 years old and are geared to inspire interest and participation in science and technology using Lego based products. Literature Club: Does your student like to read and/or talk about what he or she reads? Check out the school book club or literary club. Some schools literary clubs focus on reading and discussing books, while others also invite budding writers to submit their works for reading and critiquing. For those who enjoy thoughtful discourse about the books that they read, literature clubs are a good way to improve communication, reading and writing skills and learn to develop and support opinions. Many extracurricular activities teach your child valuable skills such as how to persevere in the face of challenges and think through problems with multiple possible solutions. Encourage your child to find activities that suit his or her interests and strengths and offer opportunities for growth. Your child will undoubtedly reap many academic and non-academic benefits. About Huntington Learning Center: Huntington 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 succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.

HEART Tutoring Moves To New Office

HEART Tutoring Moves To New Office HEART Tutoring Moves To New Office HEART Tutoring Moves To New Office April 3, 2015 As HEART Tutoring has continued to grow, so has the team’s need for a bigger space. Our new office is at 1100 South Mint Street, Suite 102, near Bank of America stadium. The move provides more space for team meetings and for assembling tutoring materials. Volunteer and co-founder Catherine Fischer will be pleased to hear we no longer need to take over her basement during tutoring material prep season in August. We’ve also emptied our unit at Devon Self Storage! “The biggest downside is saying goodbye to our neighbors Susan Daniel and Hannah Levinson across the hallway at Social Venture Partners,” said Emily Elliott, HEART Tutoring’s Executive Director. “Beacon Partners has provided a wonderful home for HEART’s first office years! Luckily, we are not going far.” We’re still looking for furniture, including: Office desk (medium-sized, with drawers) Office desk chair White Board Screen/room divider Four small desk/table chairs

Combat text speak with English tuition

Combat text speak with English tuition A good command of the English language is vital for success - not just at work, but in everyday life too. Unfortunately, many young people struggle with English and find themselves unable to spell, construct sentences or use grammar correctly. Some one to one tuition in English can help to correct any errors and lazy habits picked up by students more used to texting than writing proper English in longhand with a fountain pen (those were the days!). The growing use of 'text speak' and e-mail language has had a corrosive effect on grammar, semantics and syntax. Young people are used to communicating electronically, whether they are texting each other or posting messages on each others' Facebook pages. This new breed of electronic and social networking has spawned a version of the English language that is unrecognisable to many of us. Text and e-mail speak tends to be riddled with spelling mistakes and uses abbreviations of English words which may even use include numbers - for example, 'm8' instead of mate. The problem is that young people are so used to writing in this way that they find it difficult to use proper English when writing essays and the like at school. First Tutors has a number of excellent English tutors across the UK who will be only too pleased to help, so why not browse our site for one near you today?

Learn a Language with Websites 14 Free Sites for Mastering Language Skills

Learn a Language with Websites 14 Free Sites for Mastering Language Skills Learn a Language with Websites: 14 Free Sites for Mastering Language Skills You can calibrate the exact right amount of swing in your hips to look cool while salsa dancing.You can carry so many beer mugs theyre tried to recruit you as a server for Oktoberfest.You can whip up instant ramen in five minutes (less if you dont mind a little crunch).Theres no denying that you have mad skills. But do you have the right language skills?Language proficiency requires much more than vocabulary and grammar alone. To become proficient, youll also need reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.When youre using language learning websites, though, developing a balanced skill set doesnt always come naturally. Thats because learning websites often focus on just one or two skills.So hows a learner supposed to develop well-rounded skills if they dont take a conventional course? The secret is using the right websites!And guess what? Even the right free websites can give you the balanced skills you want and deserve.Just use at least one resource from each skill category to help ensure you develop all the most important language skills. How to Get the Most Out of Learning a Language Through a WebsiteTry several websites.When you can use a website for free, theres no harm in trying several! Plus, testing out a variety of websites can help you find the ones that best match your needs and interests.You might even try all the websites listed below to see which you like best. Once youve tried them all, you can narrow down your usage to just one or two websites per category.View it as your own personal version of The Bachelor, but with significantly less drama (unless you find out one of the websites isnt here for the right reasons).Pay attention to level.Websites can vary quite a bit in level. While some options can accommodate all levels, other websites focus more specifically on beginning, intermediate or advanced learners.Finding a website that works with your level will help you use that website to its maximum effect. Websites that are too advanced ca n be demotivating, while websites that are too easy might not lead to as rapid of progress.Pair multiple websites.Pairing multiple websites gives you a variety of approaches to your target language. Plus, to ensure youve developed all four language skills, pairing multiple websites may be essential.Because each website offers a different approach and different material, you may even find that using a large number of websites makes you even more comfortable with your target language.Aim for balance.Traditional courses focus on balanced skills for a reason! Progressing in your target language requires balance, so aim for balance in your online education, too.Sure, it can be easier to find reading and listening practice than speaking and writing practice, but if you dont work on all your language skills, you might not have those skills when you need them.Take advantage of free trials.Some of the resources on this list are completely free, while others offer free trials. This is an exce llent opportunity to learn for free while testing out a premium learning product you might want to subscribe to down the road.Learn a Language with Websites: 14 Free Sites for Mastering Language SkillsWhile many of these websites focus on multiple skill sets, some are better for certain skills than others.Here are some of the best websites for each language skill. However, if you like a website, be sure to dedicate a little time to it to see if you could use it to develop multiple skills.Language Learning Websites for Listening SkillsEasy LanguagesUnderstanding native speakers isnt always easy for language students, but Easy Languages makes it totally doable.Easy Languages provides videos that show real people using their native language in an everyday context. The videos feature on-the-street interviews with locals, who discuss language, culture and life in general. Not only can these videos help you practice listening to authentic spoken language, they can also give you valuable i nsight into local culture and lifestyles.Videos are available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and many more. You dont even need advanced-level skills to enjoy the material! Videos feature subtitles in the target language and English, and both sets appear simultaneously. This makes it easy to read along in your target language or refer to the English translation if you dont understand the words.If you prefer, you can also access videos through the amazing Easy Languages YouTube Channel.FluentUAvailable: iTunes and AndroidThink about the sort of entertaining videos you watch in English on the regular. What if you could watch those types of videos in your target language? With FluentU, you can!FluentU takes authentic videos, like movie trailers, music videos, news, informational talks and commercials, and converts them into powerful language learning tools. Each video features annotated captions, so you can easily see any words definition, example sentences and an associated image. If you want to study a word more, just add it to your vocabulary list to keep it handy.In addition to terrific video content, FluentU also offer quizzes that fuse videos, images and example sentences into flashcards and interactive activities for practice thats both authentic and engaging. This makes FluentU useful for developing reading and writing skills along with listening abilities.Regardless of your current level, FluentU can accommodate your learning needs and goals. You choose what you watch, how much you watch and how quickly you watch it. Meanwhile, FluentUs algorithm tracks your progress to present you with level-appropriate questions that build on what you already know.Not only can you use FluentU online, you can also use the iOS app or the Android app for on-the-go learning.NetflixAvailable: iTunes and AndroidThats rightâ€"your Netflix addiction can give you next-level listening practice. N etflix offers countless foreign language movies and TV shows, and you can enjoy them all with your existing subscription.Just search the name of your target language with TV or movies to find options. For instance, Spanish TV aficionados can enjoy options like La Casa de Papel (literal translation: The House of Paper; English title: Money Heist). French movie fans can watch Je ne suis pas un homme facile  (I Am Not an Easy Man).Perhaps best of all for language learners, Netflix offers flexible subtitling options. You can enjoy any content with or without English subtitles. For some options (particularly Netflix Originals), you may even be able to add subtitles in your target language so that you can read along as you watch.LanguagePod101Available: iTunes and AndroidLanguagePod101 from Innovative Language is well-known for its language learning material, which focuses on audio podcast lessons.You may know LanguagePod101 better by some of its language-specific options, such as  Spanis hPod101, ChineseClass101 or FrenchPod101. But there are so many more languages than that! LanguagePod101 also offers Bulgarian, Cantonese, Filipino, Finnish, Hindi, Swahili and more.In addition to audio lessons that provide language instruction, LanguagePod101 also frequently offers targeted listening practice.If you dont want to sign up for LanguagePod101, you can also enjoy listening practice through associated YouTube channels, like GermanPod101, ItalianPod101  and  KoreanClass101.For instance, beginning Chinese students might check out the Chinese Listening Comprehension for Absolute Beginners playlist. Korean students can dive in with several Korean listening playlists, ranging from complete beginner to advanced.Videos and podcasts for listening practice usually focus on common scenarios. Youll hear a dialogue, then be asked to answer a question based on that dialogue, which is great for practicing comprehension.Language Learning Websites for Speaking SkillsitalkiAvailable: iTu nes and AndroidGetting speaking practice can be a little tricky for some learners, but italki makes it easier.Italki allows you to connect with native speakers to practice your language skills. You can filter through potential conversation partners by language, gender, where theyre from, where they live now and whether theyre a native speaker.This makes it easier to connect with someone for mutually beneficial language exchange. You help them practice your language, and in exchange, they help you practice their language.TandemAvailable: iTunes and AndroidTandem is another option for connecting with native speakers. You can use Tandem to find your next language partner or even interact with them directly through the app. You can also set your language levels to let other users know how proficient you are before you connect.Tandem allows you to exchange audio or video calls and text or audio messages. Tandem can even hook you up with text translations in the app if you need a little e xtra support to chat more easily, which makes Tandem a great choice for beginning learners.BilinguaAvailable: iTunes and AndroidBilingua is another language exchange app, but this one has a useful twist. It can propose topics and phrases for you!Some students struggle with speaking practice because they just dont know what to talk about. If this sounds like you, Bilinguas conversation and phrase recommendations can be just the boost you need to start using your language skills.You can communicate with your partner via audio or video, so you can stay in touch even on days youre not camera-ready. Oh yeah, and the apps algorithm matches you with the right partner for you!But what if you need a break from all that speaking practice? Bilingua has a solution for that! You and your conversation partner can play games together for a fun study break.The MixxerThe Mixxer is a free website provided by Dickinson College. The site acts sort of like a dating website but for language exchange part ners. You search profiles to find someone youre interested in speaking with, then both of you hop onto Skype to work a little speaking practice into your language study.If you prefer writing practice, you can also ask your partner to have a look at your writing and correct your work, but well give you some more options for writing practice later.Language Learning Websites for Reading SkillsReadlangReadlang is a powerful tool for reading practice, but it also converts tons of authentic websites into powerful learning tools.Heres why:  Readlang is a downloadable web reader. Once youre using it, you can go to any website in your target language and simply click any word you dont know for an instant translation. Plus, the words you click are saved so that you can practice them with flashcards!If you dont feel up to sourcing your own authentic content to read with Readlang, dont worryâ€"the site has already found some great content to get you started on the right path. Just access Readla ngs library for content suggestions. You can even filter library selections by difficulty level, word count and category (fiction, non-fiction, song, conversation, other) to find the right text for you.Lingua.comLingua.com is a free language learning website with a strong focus on text.As such, Lingua.com offers plenty of authentic reading material, like dialogues, short stories and articles. These texts are conveniently organized by level, making it easy to select an option thats appropriate for your current skills.Readings are usually brief, and each reading is accompanied by a set of questions to test your comprehension. Once you complete the questions, the website will even suggest additional texts you might enjoy, making it easy to keep your reading practice going much longer.If you prefer printed exercises, Lingua.com also offers printable PDFs that feature both the reading, the associated questions and the answers to these questions.Lingua offers texts in Czech, Dutch, Englis h, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish.Reading A-ZReading A-Z is designed to provide printable material for teachers, but that doesnt mean learners cant use it, too!Just use the Resources drop down menu to look at options in the Spanish More World Languages category.While most material helps you either  learn Spanish or learn French, students studying these languages can find leveled books, authentic books, songs, fiction series, word books and more.Materials are intended for children, so theyre mostly at a beginning level. They offer convenient, approachable reading practice for students who are just starting out.With a free trial, you can download reading materials, lessons on those materials, worksheets and more.Language Learning Websites for Writing SkillsConversation ExchangeConversation Exchange is a website designed to help you meet the language exchange partner of your dreams.And for students looking for writing practice, Conversation Exchange practice h as a huge bonus: You can filter by other users looking for a pen pal relationship. That means you can find other users who are also looking for written correspondence, which is a great way to practice your writing skills with a native speaker.There are over 1,000 users interested in a pen pal relationship who speak German alone, so its safe to assume youll probably be able to find a pen pal who speaks your target language, too!Now, Conversation Exchange isnt just for written correspondence. If you find a partner you connect with, you can also arrange to interact via text, voice or video chat through services like Skype or Google Hangouts. This makes Conversation Exchange useful for learning several language skills!My Language ExchangeIf you want a pen pal relationship to perfect your writing skills, you dont have to sort through users who want speaking practice to to find one. My Language Exchange has a page just for pen pals.My Language Exchange focuses on connecting users for an e mail penpal relationship. Dont know how to do that? Dont worry! My Language Exchange even provides helpful tips  to ensure you and your penpal both get the most out of your relationship.You can browse for pen pals by language or country. An advanced search provides you with an even broader array of criteria, like country, city, age, gender and more.RedditReddit may be your go-to destination to find the latest funny photos or connect with like-minded individuals who are as passionate about your unique interests as you are, but guess what? Reddit can also be an awesome tool for practicing writing in your target language.There are a number of subreddits in foreign languages, so you can snag the writing practice youre looking for. And lets be realâ€"someone will be prepared to correct your grammar. This is the internet, after all.Most of the foreign language subreddits are technically subreddits for foreign countries, so you can practice your Italian on the Italy subreddit, improve your Spanish with the Mexico subreddit  or work on your Portuguese with the Brasil subreddit.Of course, you can also get some authentic reading practice from Reddit, so thats a nice bonus!Dont let your language skills hobble along like a car with three wheels! Use these 14 free websites to develop balanced skills and confidently continue on your journey to fluency.