Math Tutoring Is Vital To Students Success

Math Tutoring Is Vital To Students' SuccessHigh school math tutoring is a matter of life and death for many young students. There are many subjects in high school that are very challenging, especially math. The problem for many students is that they do not have the required skills to learn the subject well.Math can be one of the most difficult subjects to learn. Many students do not enjoy math or do not like the subject matter. They may learn the subject well but find it boring or difficult to pay attention in class.Parents and teachers have become much more concerned about math as the years have passed. This means that parents and teachers are more aware of the various methods for math tutoring and how to select the best tutor.Some parents might think that their child's only option is to go to a private tutor to learn math. This is one option for some parents, but the downside is that private tutors are expensive, which means parents will pay up front and then have to pay for each l esson.If the parents and the student want to take this route, they can learn all they need to know about math at the local math class. This is usually at a public school and should be a good place to start for many parents.Math tutoring should be part of the curriculum for every high school math course. Not only is it important to teach students the correct answers to basic math problems, but to help them understand what math is about. Math is a good subject to teach because it is a subject that everyone needs to know.Many parents will not send their children to an expensive private math class because they fear that their child will not make the grade. In reality, these students are likely not going to make the grade because their abilities are simply not there.

Preaching To The Choir - Definition and Study Exercises

Preaching To The Choir - Definition and Study Exercises Preaching to the choir means you are presenting a side of a discussion or argument to someone who already agrees with it. In other words, you are wasting your time. If a pastor preaches to a choir literally, theyre preaching to people who are obviously already converted. Another way of saying preaching to the choir, is preaching to the converted.The origin of the expression is difficult to locate but it is thought to have been introduced to the English language in the United States.That being said, one of the most famous early uses of the idea was in the 1867 writings of the English philosopher John Stuart Mill when he said:Dr. MCosh is preaching not only to a person already converted, but to an actual missionary of the same doctrine.Preaching to the Choir Exercises:1. Can you think of a situation where you were preaching to the choir?2. Has someone recently tried to convince you of something when you already agreed with him or her?3. Try to write 3 examples of dialogue in which you use preaching to the choir.4. Here is a song that uses this idiomatic expression. Do you understand why?Did you find this blog interesting? Please share it on Facebook and Twitter.Keep learning by visiting our articles about English idioms and English phrasal verbs. Danilo Tostes The movie is broken LOIEnglish YepIt is broken. Ill try to replace it with another example.

Asking and Giving Permission in English - Intermediate Level English

Asking and Giving Permission in English - Intermediate Level English How do we ask permission to do something? What are the ways in which these requests can be  given (granted)  or refused (denied)?There are many ways to achieve this and here are some of the words, expressions and idioms  for asking and giving permission in English.The request can be formal and the response formal too. Equally the  request can be more informal with a corresponding informal response.We are always reminded that a polite request is more likely to be met with a positive outcome  (result)  but not always. Asking and Giving Permission in English Polite Formal Requests Do you mind if….Would you mind if….May I…Could I possibly…Is it possible ….Is it possible for me to…. Polite Formal Responses No,  not at allYes you mayYes, of courseOf course, be my guest…Yes,  it’s my pleasureCertainly be my guest…. Examples of Asking and Giving Permission in English (formal) Do you mind if I take off my coat it is very warm here? No, not at all,   be my guest.Be careful here. In the reply the first word is NO but this is not a  refusal.  NO is used here because we asked do you mind so we are actually saying No, I do not mind so it is a positive response. Could I possibly close the window it is a little cold here? Yes of course.or Please help yourself. May I put my own furniture into the apartment? Yes, you may indeed. Just let me know what you  would like to remove. Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: Polite Formal RefusalsI am sorry that will not be possibleI am afraid that is out of the questionI would rather that you didn’tI am afraid notExamples of Polite Refusals in English (formal) May I go to my friends party on Saturday and stay overnight?  I am afraid that is out of the question. We are going to see your Grandmother on Saturday and you haven’t seen her for months. Would you mind if I took next Friday off work as I am moving apartment over the weekend and I  need to get ready? I am afraid that will not be possible. It is the end of the month and we simply have to get those accounts closed. May I open the window a little? I would rather that you didn’t. I have just recovered from the flu and  I do not wish to get ill again. Informal Requests and whether they are granted or refused Can I have the last piece of cake?Have you €10 you could lend me?Yeah sure..   (granted)Go ahead..   (granted)Not a problem  -(granted)Not a chance   (refused)Go away, no..  (refused, very rude) Some examples of Asking and Giving Permission (Informal) Can I skip class later I need to go to the dentist? Yeah sure, just make sure you tell the class teacher. Can I have the last piece of cake? Go ahead, nobody else seems to want it. Have you €10 you can lend me until I get to the bank? Yes, not a problem.Take your time pay me back next week. Can I have an advance (early payment) of my pocket money? Go away, no, you are always asking… Idioms connected with Asking and Giving Permission in English The idea got the thumbs up/thumbs down. The idea was accepted/rejectedIt was shot down in flames. It was rejectedThey pooh poohed it. Something was turned down, rejected (informal)I got the green light. Green for go, something was approved or accepted.Examples:I presented my idea to the board suggesting changes to our business practices. They gave it the thumbs up or they gave it the thumbs down.I thought my marketing plan was a stroke of genius (really goo) but the management board did not like it and the shot it down in flame.The idea was pooh poohed immediately without much consideration. (This is more slang than informal.)My project was approved by everyone. I got the green light and it starts next week. Iam really excited.

7 ways to cope with exam stress

7 ways to cope with exam stress No matter how much revision you have done and how many past papers you have worked through, when it comes to sitting an exam, it's easy to let nerves get the better of you. While a little stress around exam time can be a good thing, too much can derail all your hard work. Here are 7 ways to help you deal with exam stress. 1. Understand how stress works It's important to understand how stress works so you can combat it effectively. When you first become stressed about exams, your brain stimulates you to focus on your work. However, when this stress is prolonged, your body stays permanently on high alert. Focus then turns into worry and anxiety, and you will be unable to focus. To bring your stress levels down try mindfulness. This is a technique, which helps you to focus on being fully present in the moment. Learning to bring your attention to the present then reduces your stress levels and enables you to focus. To learn about mindfulness, try the Headspace app. 2. Keep your exams in perspective When you stress about the unknown, it's easy to imagine the worst possible outcome. The problem with this kind of thinking is it makes your mind spiral downwards and stops you looking at the problem logically. While it's reasonable to worry about failing an exam, it's not helpful to imagine that everything in your life rests on your exam results. Firstly if you have done the work you will be fine, secondly if the worst does happen there are always other options. Help yourself by having a more balanced view. 3. Work on your feelings of panic Feeling a sense of panic about impending exams is normal to some degree, however like stress, it can easily spiral out of control. If you feel panic before, during or after an exam, stop and take some deep breaths. Breathing slowly will help refocus your mind and allow you to deal with your nerves. If a question during the exam makes you panic, again stop, breathe and then break the questions down into manageable chunks and then try it. 4. Reframe your thoughts When you are stressed it is easy to forget all the revision time you have put in and how far you have come. What you need to do to combat this is to believe in yourself and all the hard work you have put in. Every time a negative thought pops up in your head, tell yourself that you are fine and that you have this covered. It doesn't mean looking at the world through rose-tinted glasses but it does mean consciously focusing on a balanced view. If your negative thoughts become irrational and overwhelming to the point that you can't study, speak to your teachers for help. They can offer you more one-to-one support to get you through the exam period. 5. Practice self-care As in, look after your mental and physical health during the exam period. Pulling all-nighters, eating junk and drinking too much caffeine will cause your anxiety levels to rise, and exam nerves to get worse. Sleep for at least 7 - 8 hours and eat well. If you feel your stress is out of proportion talk to someone about your worries. Tackling all of these elements will make you feel more confident as you approach your exams. 6. Know what you need to do Aside from doing past papers in timed conditions, make sure you fully understand what examiners want from you and also how questions are marked. This is where a tutor or teacher can also help. Knowing this key information will alleviate a lot of your stress about your exam performance. Being organised in a practical way will also calm you down. From knowing when your exams are, to knowing what equipment you need for each exam is key to keeping you calm on the day. 7. Practice positive exam habits Unrealistic goals, letting friends work you into a post-exam frenzy or over analysing your answers after you have sat the exam are all negative exam habits. Once you have sat an exam, move on, as you can't change anything so it pays to focus on what lies ahead. Remember ruminating will get you nowhere, so put your focus on the future to lower your stress and anxiety. For help and advice about any subject and at any level we have tutors that can help.

Know Your Candidates The 2016 Presidential Election

Know Your Candidates The 2016 Presidential Election Photo Via: http://i2.cdn.turner.com Election coverage has been everywhere for months now you can’t turn on the TV, check your email or log into Facebook without Trump and Hillary supporters and haters flooding it with news of the election. But the percentage of those supporters that are actually well-versed on the issues is miniscule. In fact, so very few know what the candidates stances are on the big picture issues, though they may be very knowledgeable about the rumors and cons of each candidate. While you’re going to like who you like, and dislike who you dislike, it’s important that you at least make these decisions as an informed, U.S. citizen. So before we begin hitting the polls for the presidential election, here are the candidates stances on the big ticket issues so you can make informed arguments in the future. You’re welcome! 1.  Economy: The Issue: Back in 2009, the U.S. economy was in one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression. Since Obama took office, this hasn’t changed much, though he has passed a stimulus package meant to change it. Everyone has a different stance on whether or not this bill helped the economy. Either way, if there is change, it’s happening so slowly it almost doesn’t matter. Donald Trump: His economic plan has to do with some trade deals that he believes will “level” the playing field. Perhaps the one issue Trump is most qualified on, he vows to cut taxes without changing the major programs from which they come (Medicare and Social Security). He also plans to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and away from China. With these policies, he believes he can get rid of the U.S. debt in two terms. Yes, he is already considering a second term. Hillary Clinton: Clinton’s plan also involves some tax cuts, though she plans to specifically slash the taxes of the middle class. She also hopes to create more U.S. jobs by spending some more on clean energy and infrastructure. She also wants to make it far more difficult for corporations to skip out on their taxes. So her plan in a nutshell: spend more to save more. 2.  Education: The Issue: The problem is twofold: one, early education isn’t where it should be and two, college graduates continually owe way more money than they are taking in. In terms of early education, high school graduation rates are very low in minority and low-income areas, which is a major problem. And in the meantime, those that are able to continue on through college walk out with thousands in debt due to student loans. Donald Trump: Basically says that the current early education policies in effect, including Common Core and No Child Left Behind, just aren’t cutting it. He thinks that education reform should be completed at the local level, rather than allowing schools to teach to test. He also believes that the U.S. shouldn’t be making money off of student loans. Hillary Clinton:  She doesn’t have an issue with the plans currently in place regarding early education. Sure, it’s not working at the moment, but this is a step in the right direction and we should continue through this course of action. She also takes on Bernie Sanders’ stance in regards to loans, as her stance is that college should be made more affordable to help slash these debt rates for college students. 3.  Abortion: The Issue: The issue is very simple, though very, very controversial. On one side, you have pro-life supporters that believe abortion in any and all capacities should be illegal, and on the other side, you have pro-choice supporters that believe abortion is a case by case issue and the decision should be left up to the woman in question. Donald Trump: He claims to be a pro-life advocate, but caveats this with some exceptions. So essentially, females shouldn’t have the right to make their own decision unless there are underlying circumstances that he deems “alright.” Hillary Clinton: She claims to be a pro-choice advocate in that women considering abortion have the right to do so. She leaves the decision up to the female in question and her doctor. The diplomatic approach. 4.  Gun Control: The Issue: Another very heated debate in the U.S. right now, the gun control issue is also very binary. You’re either for guns, or against them. The problem is they are extremely easy to get, for everyone, and that to deny citizens guns is infringing upon their rights defined by the Declaration of Independence. But with the recent mass shootings etc., calls for change have been deafening. Donald Trump: Guns are not the problem people are. The issue at hand is the mental instability of the culprits behind such attacks, not the fact that guns are available. Guns are a right. Hillary Clinton: We need regulations. It’s far too easy for people that shouldn’t have guns to get them. We need to get rid of these loopholes and make sure that universal background checks are involved. Guns are a privilege, not a right. So if you’re a domestic abuser or a criminal, sorry, you lost that privilege. 5.  Foreign Policy: The Issue: Essentially, foreign policy at the moment entails the takedown of ISIS, a brutal terror group that’s behind numerous terror attacks in the past few months. And the problem is only getting worse. While Obama has been attempting to make some changes in terms of our involvement in the Middle East and these giant threats, no one is pleased with where we’ve ended up. Donald Trump: Shut-down: it’s time to close off the borders to all countries that impose a terror threat of any kind to the U.S. Lock ‘em out! No refugees and cut down the group at its source by blocking their internet access to halt their recruitment efforts. He also wants to pressure other countries into joining the fight by supplying air support against the terror group. Hillary Clinton: Obama has the right idea basically, continue doing what he’s been doing. Also, let refugees in that need it. This is America, and we are supportive of everyone when they need it. 6.  Climate Change: The Issue: Essentially, this is a global warming problem. There’s extreme weather everywhere (including the recent droughts in Syria) and it’s only going to get worse from here, according to scientists. Obama’s platform included change, though this wasn’t implemented until last year with a new deal that’s going to give monetary rewards to developing countries for decreasing their emissions. It’s a start. Donald Trump: This isn’t actually a problem. Sure, it might exist, but it’s not making a difference. Of course, he’s open to being proven wrong. Hillary Clinton: Yes, it is a problem, and we’re going to be the solution. She wants the U.S. to become the example for everyone else. Time to be a role model, people. 7.  Immigration: The Issue: It’s pretty self-explanatory, but basically, we have a huge problem with immigrants entering (illegally) and staying (illegally) in the country with little to no repercussions. So it’s a problem, and needs to be stopped, but that’s also easier said than done. Donald Trump: If you don’t know his stance by now, you live under a rock. Does the word, “wall,” ring any bells? No more immigrants from Mexico, no more immigrants from terrorists, more jobs for American people. In an ideal world. Hillary Clinton: We’re not banning people we’re just asking them to immigrate legally. She wants to change the path to citizenship, something that’s perhaps been a long time coming. It’s without a doubt the less drastic of the plans, but will it make any difference? That’s the question. 8.  Civil Rights: The Issue: Right now, police and black citizens are in the midst of a violent duel in which no one can win. Racism still exists in the U.S., and the time for change was yesterday. Sure, we just had a black president for the first time in American history, but the race card is still being played left and right, and it’s about time we take it out of the deck before anyone else gets hurt. Donald Trump: He’s going to make America safe again. We need to stand behind police that protect this country while also acknowledging that citizens have to feel safe, regardless of their race. #AllLivesMatter Hillary Clinton: Racism is real and alive and something needs to be done, now. Time to change laws and systems that are taking opportunities away from minorities and put everyone on a level playing field. The past is in the past, time to move forward. So now that you know the main issues and Trump and Clinton’s stances on said issues, go out there and argue to your heart’s content. And don’t forget to vote during this election! Every vote counts!

Primary school pupils taught t`ai chi to combat exam stress - Tutor Hunt Blog

Primary school pupils taught t`ai chi to combat exam stress Primary school pupils taught t`ai chi to combat exam stress Primary school pupils taught t`ai chi to combat exam stressPrimary schoolsMy doctor recently recommended I join a gym, but when I visited my local health club all the activities looked a little too strenuous for my delicate constitution. I couldn`t imagine myself lifting weights, and all that running on treadmills looked like a lot of energy spent getting you nowhere. I was about to leave the building, already composing in my mind some excuse to tell the doctor, when I happened to pass a large, glass walled room. Seated on the floor of this room were a number of people, each of whom seemed to be performing some kind of breathing exercise. They all had their eyes closed, and appeared to be in a state of perfect tranquility. An instructor requested that they stand, and each of them began copying his movements, making gentle flowing motions with their arms, complimenting these actions by tracing their legs in small arcs. This looked like something I could get along with I thought. Asking a receptionist what the class was, I was informed it was T`ai Chi. Originally developed as a martial art back in the 13th century in China, it is now primarily employed as a health promoting exercise, and practiced around the world. Because of its graceful movements, and slow practiced routines, T`ai Chi puts minimal stress on the joints of the body. Because of this many people favour it over sports such as tennis or football, or activities like running, which can have gradual deleterious effect on the cartilage of the bones. The practice of tai chi is praised for improving circulation, while increasing muscle strength. It is hugely popular amongst all age groups, but especially in those aged over 65. If practiced properly it can improve general mobility, balance and posture, and there is even evidence that it can attenuate the symptoms of arthritis. Another benefit of T`ai Chi is reducing levels of stress. Many studies have shown that if undertaken regularly, the practice can reduce nervous tension and even lower blood pressure. Recently some schools have begun incorporating T`ai Chi classes into their weekly schedule, in order to reduce levels of stress amongst its pupils. The Chinese martial art is apparently in greatest demand during the run up to exams. The Snap Dragon T`ai Chi club has worked with `hundreds of schools and thousands of children throughout Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire South Yorkshire during the past 15 years,` according to its website. `Children are under pressure from parents, they pile stuff on them. But if they are anxious, they have no way to cope - nobody teaches you how to mitigate the stress and get rid of it all,` its owner Paul White has said. When I first heard about T`ai Chi being used to reduce levels of stress amongst pupils, I assumed this concerned sixth formers, or pupils preparing for their GCSE`s. Not so - apparently the majority of `in school` T`ai Chi lessons are for primary school children. Mr White teaches T`ai Chi mainly to school children aged between four to eleven, along with running a specialised course for Sats preparation. We have never put school children under so much exam pressure as we do today. I don`t believe I took a single serious exam before I went to secondary school, but now pupils have to face daunting tests from KS1 (starting at age 5) onwards. Amanda Spielman, the head of Ofsted, last month stated that schoolteachers are heightening exam stresses among their pupils, and `manufacturing anxiety.` She went on to say that teachers are `encouraging children to feel anxious,` and that exams are only a source of stress when `people make it so.`` In China, the country that introduced the world to T`ai Chi, it is a common event for pupils to practice the art form before lessons. But it is not used specifically as a way to treat anxiety - it`s not employed in a medicinal manner, to calm down stressed pupils. Instead of being introduced after a problem develops, it`s used as a preventative, with pupils performing the breathing exercises and movements before class begins, as a way of keeping them relaxed all day. 7 months ago0Add a Comment

What italki Learned From A Lesson In An Endangered Language

What italki Learned From A Lesson In An Endangered Language A couple of weeks ago we have decided to show up to our office 2 hours early. through the streets and public transport of shanghai at 6 am is not the first thing that comes to mind that could be described as “fun” to try out a new language class. We fired up the meeting room projector and started our Skype lesson with one of our newest teachers, Ryan Heavy Head. If the name strikes you as unusual, it is because Ryan is a teacher of Blackfoot, an Algonquian language (linguistic family containing many North American heritage languages) of the Blackfoot tribe in Northwestern US and Southwestern Canada. His ancestry includes Blackfoot as well. This was the first group staff class, bringing italki staff and friends together for a rare glimpse of a language, culture, and worldview that may not exist in only one generation. The lecture served as a great introduction not only to the language itself, but to another worldview embedded in the language. In discussions and comments about about preservation of language heritage we often see the sentiment of “why bother?”. There is an almost Darwinian argument made here, that assumes that a language is worth learning or saving based somehow on the number of speakers or it’s “usefulness”. It makes sense, too, as many language learners are motivated by practical reasons: passing tests and advancing careers. Still, we can’t support this argument, not because of a knee-jerk fear of missing out, but because we believe that human experience and knowledge is valuable. The time we spent speaking with Ryan about Niitsipowahsin made it very plain to us just how much information can be embedded in conversation about language.The very structure of morphemes (basic units of meaning) in every word is elegantly descriptive in a way that reveals a fascinating amount of cultural context. The name of the language itself can be broken down into several meaningful parts: Niit “first” or “original”, referring to the Plains Indians traditional way of life before encountering the Europeans. -powahsin “language” Merging the two then creates the name for the “original language” of Blackfoot: Niitsi’powahsin. By this logic we can produce more words, for example, adding the name for the non-blackfoot Europeans: naapi, resulting in the word Naapi’powahsin. Similar logic is applied to other words, with morpheme -itapi meaning “living being” resulting in the following: niitsitapi (first people, the Blackfoot), naa’pitapi (Europeans), matapi (human), maatomaitapitapiiya(a mature, fully developed being; a respectable, kind person). The combinatorial nature of the language makes it very descriptive, and also suggests the internal logic and worldview associated with the language. But, what IS the Beaver Bundle? We delved further into this worldview by discussing the “bundles” sacred objects made of multiple animal hides representing the “treaties” between man and nature, which are further narrated in the oral tradition of the Blackfoot. As a people who have lived in a particular territory, the Blackfoot (or Siksikaitsitapi literally “blackfoot people”) their relationship to the animals, cycles of nature, and social attitudes were reflected in the content of the language and stories, but also in the mechanics and logic of the language. Exploring a new language is always exciting, but this particular case was especially interesting. The rarity of the language made us feel that we had a unique opportunity to experience language-learning. What’s more, we got to experience an endangered and exotic language in a way that was impossible in a traditional classroom setting.  Any large city will have an abundance of schools and courses for learning English, and any number of speakers and willing tutors of widely-known languages. Finding a professional teacher for a language that has only a few thousand native speakers, on the other hand, is a rare moment. Being able to experience Ryan’s lecture while sitting in our Shanghai office really underscored the advantage of online language learning. The potential is there, at our fingertips, to dive deeply and personally into a worldview alien from our own. We are able to gain more than just learning vocabulary or grammar. We are able to access the real carriers of culture and knowledge, someone able to explain to us a perspective onto a new world, a human experience impossible to have with a book or a recording of a language. This is one of the reasons why we are proud of our work, and of our community of teachers and learners. We are able to create a unique, truly human experience and promote understanding and self-reflection. We are creating a way to experience learning inaccessible through more traditional approaches. We hope then, that our community takes up the challenge to learn and explore, and to view language-learning not as a problem to be solved or chore to be done. Instead, we hope that language learning becomes a habit, a way of life, and a lens through which we can understand ourselves and each-other. Ryans Profile can be found here. Ryan’s youtube channel is also a great resource to learn about blackfoot culture and language, and oddly enough, how snake anti-venom is made. For more information about Ryan and Blackfoot language and history, please check out this documentary. If you’d like to see other fascinating initiatives about preserving Blackfoot language and heritage, check out this story about preserving the language through Hip-hop. What italki Learned From A Lesson In An Endangered Language A couple of weeks ago we have decided to show up to our office 2 hours early. through the streets and public transport of shanghai at 6 am is not the first thing that comes to mind that could be described as “fun” to try out a new language class. We fired up the meeting room projector and started our Skype lesson with one of our newest teachers, Ryan Heavy Head. If the name strikes you as unusual, it is because Ryan is a teacher of Blackfoot, an Algonquian language (linguistic family containing many North American heritage languages) of the Blackfoot tribe in Northwestern US and Southwestern Canada. His ancestry includes Blackfoot as well. This was the first group staff class, bringing italki staff and friends together for a rare glimpse of a language, culture, and worldview that may not exist in only one generation. The lecture served as a great introduction not only to the language itself, but to another worldview embedded in the language. In discussions and comments about about preservation of language heritage we often see the sentiment of “why bother?”. There is an almost Darwinian argument made here, that assumes that a language is worth learning or saving based somehow on the number of speakers or it’s “usefulness”. It makes sense, too, as many language learners are motivated by practical reasons: passing tests and advancing careers. Still, we can’t support this argument, not because of a knee-jerk fear of missing out, but because we believe that human experience and knowledge is valuable. The time we spent speaking with Ryan about Niitsipowahsin made it very plain to us just how much information can be embedded in conversation about language.The very structure of morphemes (basic units of meaning) in every word is elegantly descriptive in a way that reveals a fascinating amount of cultural context. The name of the language itself can be broken down into several meaningful parts: Niit “first” or “original”, referring to the Plains Indians traditional way of life before encountering the Europeans. -powahsin “language” Merging the two then creates the name for the “original language” of Blackfoot: Niitsi’powahsin. By this logic we can produce more words, for example, adding the name for the non-blackfoot Europeans: naapi, resulting in the word Naapi’powahsin. Similar logic is applied to other words, with morpheme -itapi meaning “living being” resulting in the following: niitsitapi (first people, the Blackfoot), naa’pitapi (Europeans), matapi (human), maatomaitapitapiiya(a mature, fully developed being; a respectable, kind person). The combinatorial nature of the language makes it very descriptive, and also suggests the internal logic and worldview associated with the language. But, what IS the Beaver Bundle? We delved further into this worldview by discussing the “bundles” sacred objects made of multiple animal hides representing the “treaties” between man and nature, which are further narrated in the oral tradition of the Blackfoot. As a people who have lived in a particular territory, the Blackfoot (or Siksikaitsitapi literally “blackfoot people”) their relationship to the animals, cycles of nature, and social attitudes were reflected in the content of the language and stories, but also in the mechanics and logic of the language. Exploring a new language is always exciting, but this particular case was especially interesting. The rarity of the language made us feel that we had a unique opportunity to experience language-learning. What’s more, we got to experience an endangered and exotic language in a way that was impossible in a traditional classroom setting.  Any large city will have an abundance of schools and courses for learning English, and any number of speakers and willing tutors of widely-known languages. Finding a professional teacher for a language that has only a few thousand native speakers, on the other hand, is a rare moment. Being able to experience Ryan’s lecture while sitting in our Shanghai office really underscored the advantage of online language learning. The potential is there, at our fingertips, to dive deeply and personally into a worldview alien from our own. We are able to gain more than just learning vocabulary or grammar. We are able to access the real carriers of culture and knowledge, someone able to explain to us a perspective onto a new world, a human experience impossible to have with a book or a recording of a language. This is one of the reasons why we are proud of our work, and of our community of teachers and learners. We are able to create a unique, truly human experience and promote understanding and self-reflection. We are creating a way to experience learning inaccessible through more traditional approaches. We hope then, that our community takes up the challenge to learn and explore, and to view language-learning not as a problem to be solved or chore to be done. Instead, we hope that language learning becomes a habit, a way of life, and a lens through which we can understand ourselves and each-other. Ryans Profile can be found here. Ryan’s youtube channel is also a great resource to learn about blackfoot culture and language, and oddly enough, how snake anti-venom is made. For more information about Ryan and Blackfoot language and history, please check out this documentary. If you’d like to see other fascinating initiatives about preserving Blackfoot language and heritage, check out this story about preserving the language through Hip-hop.