What is it Like to Attend College of William & Mary

What is it Like to Attend College of William & Mary The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Bernadette is a Virginia Beach tutor specializing in Essay Editing tutoring, Grammar and Mechanics tutoring, SAT prep tutoring, and a number of other areas. She is a 2014 graduate of College of William Mary with a Bachelors degree in Biology. See what she had to share about College of William Mary: 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? Bernadette: College of William Mary is located in Williamsburg, adjacent to the restored Colonial Williamsburg area. The campus is very safe, and the surrounding neighborhoods are easily accessible by bike or on foot. I have to say that I sometimes called the bus my worst enemy. It generally comes twice an hour for each stop, so if you miss one bus, it can be a while until the next comes. Making a friend with a car is always a good call for grocery or Target trips when you might be carrying heavier items. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Bernadette:College of William Mary emphasizes student-faculty engagement, and most professors are very available to students. Getting to know your professors can help more than just your grades. You might find out about a research opportunity, summer program, or get the scoop on a new class. Having close relationships with a few professors is also helpful as you prepare to transition to the real world, as you may find that some are willing to be references for you during a job or graduate school search. You will most often encounter teaching assistants in lab sessions for science classes. I had positive experiences with teaching assistants over my four years. They were knowledgeable (most are graduate students), helpful, and easy to relate to. At a small school like College of William Mary, you might also have graduate students in some advanced classes, which I really enjoyed. It was great to have some role models closer to my age, as well as to hear about their experiences as unde rgraduates and applying to graduate school. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Bernadette:I lived on campus all four years, which is not uncommon. Freshman year you go through orientation with your hall (the 20 or so other students who live closest to you). This is a great way to acclimate to the campus and make friends. The lottery for picking rooms can be stressful, but if you live in special interest housing or with a Resident Assistant, you can avoid that process. Additionally, basically everyone eventually gets placed in housing by the school. I would also say that living in a less popular dorm can be a bonding experience and can even be fun with the right roommate. Campus dining is fine, and having a meal plan is really convenient depending on where you live (i.e. whether you have a full kitchen, how many people you share it with, and how long you have for lunch). Even though people are not usually crazy about dining hall food, it is a great way to see people. Everyone has to eat, after all! Getting involved on campus is the best way to meet people. Find a group that does something you are interested in, and you will automatically have something in common with other people! It can take time to meet people, but finding those friends who light up your day makes it worth going to club meetings. 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? Bernadette:Lots of people study English, History, International Relations, or an area in the business school. College of William Mary is a liberal arts school, but many of the science programs are excellent, as well. I studied Biology, which is a very popular major! The Biology department encourages students to participate in research, and it requires the completion of a rigorous list of courses. I found the professors and other students challenging and encouraging. 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? Bernadette:As a freshman, you complete orientation right before the start of classes with your hall, which gives you a chance to learn about the campus, as well as meet your closest neighbors. People meet their best friends in their freshman halls, and even if you do not forge such a close bond, starting the school year together means that you know the people you will see each day in the laundry room, bathroom, study lounge, and probably in some of your classes! You should definitely join some clubs and student organizations. There is so much time outside of class, and you should fill it with positive things where you can make friends. The Greek community on campus is thriving, but it does not dominate the social scene. I enjoyed being part of a social sorority, but I continued to have strong friendships outside the Greek system. Greeks are passionate about community service and being leaders on campus, and they are an incredibly supportive group of people. I enjoyed being part of an organization that challenged me to always improve, and I was surrounded by driven people with high aspirations. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Bernadette:The Career Center is very helpful for students pursuing liberal arts and business degrees. It is particularly well-equipped to help students find jobs in government or the non-profit sector. In addition, large consulting companies (Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, etc.) recruit each fall, and many students participate in this process. The Career Center offers workshops on networking, interviewing, resume reviewing, and many other subjects. I would recommend taking advantage of them as soon as possible. There are programs to help you figure out what career path you might like to pursue, so even if you are not in a job-applying phase, there may be something you will find useful. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Bernadette:The library has a somewhat cult-like following. People tend to have strong feelings about their favorite floor, section, and even type of seating to study in. I tended to prefer the childrens literature section, a comfortable chair in the afternoon, or a table and straight-backed chair in the evening for serious study. During finals it can get a bit crowded, but there is plenty of space on campus for all the students to find a quiet place to work. 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? Bernadette:Williamsburg is a small town, and it is dominated by the college and the restored colonial area. There is good dining and a few bars (for students over 21 to enjoy!) within walking distance. There are also multiple coffee shops, ice cream places, and a few bookstores. A bit farther afield, you will find a multiplex, chain restaurants, and more shopping. The outlet mall is a popular weekend destination. Find a friend with a car, and you will be set in no time. Duke of Gloucester Street is lined with restored historical homes and some very nice restaurants. Cars are not permitted, making it a popular walking or running street. Williamsburg can be a little on the quiet side, but I always found enough to do while I was there! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Bernadette:The undergraduate student body is about 6,000 students. I found this to be a good size. For most of my time, it felt like there were new people to meet, but you could pretty much rely on running into someone you knew at big events. Class size varies depending on discipline, and it tends to shrink as you advance in your program. I liked that most semesters I had several smaller classes and some larger ones. Having all small classes might sound great, but it can be good to have one or two where you are not constantly on the spot to answer. Additionally, you will probably have to take some large, introductory-level classes to complete your general education requirements. Especially in your first few semesters, it is key to give yourself some balance. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Bernadette:I really loved a Biology seminar I took in the spring of my junior year. We went in-depth on a variety of challenging topics around the theme of population dynamics. Each class period we read and discussed two or three scientific papers. As the class progressed, each student took a turn leading the discussion, and we each developed a topic to write a research paper on. The class was great because of the topic, as well as the professor. She structured the discussion so everyone got a chance to participate and was able to learn. Discussion-based classes might sound like a great idea, but I actually found that it was rare to stumble upon one where an environment of collaborative learning truly existed. The class was difficult and demanded a lot of work, but I learned a lot and developed more confidence in my abilities. Check out Bernadettes tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

30 Quirky New Years Eve Traditions From Around the World

30 Quirky New Years Eve Traditions From Around the World Suzy S. How much do you know about New Years Eve traditions? Here in the U.S., you know what to do: gather your friends and family, turn on Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve in the background, and  count down from 10 as midnight nears. At the strike of the clock, you know to toast everyone as the fireworks blast off, sing a verse of Auld Lang Syne, and sneak in a New Years kiss, if you can! But outside of the United States, did you know there are some much more quirky New Years Eve traditions?  If youre in Spain, for example, youll want to get 12 grapes ready to eat with each strike of the clock. In Turkey, make sure you have a few pomegranates ready to throw off your balcony for good luck. To start your faux travels, we did some research into some of the bizarre New Years Eve and New Years Day traditions around the world. While some of them might be  outdated or more of an old wives tale theyre certainly interesting to learn! Heres what we found: Share this Image On Your Site pstrongPlease include attribution to TakeLessons.com with this graphic./strong/p pa href=/blog/new-years-eve-traditions-z03img src=/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Updated-30-Quirky-New-Years-Eve-Traditions-Around-the-World.jpg alt=30 Quirky New Year’s Traditions From Around the World width=720px border=0 //a/p p Readers, what do you think? Have you heard of these New Years Eve traditions around the world, and are they true? Let us know by leaving a comment below! 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

Is Losing Recess Ok for a Child with ADHD

Is Losing Recess Ok for a Child with ADHD The benefits of free play and physical activity during the school day are undeniable. Study after study shows that children who receive 20 or more minutes of recess a day perform better academically and behaviorally in the classroom. After years of reductions in recess time at schools across the country, parents, teachers, and lawmakers are taking notice and are pushing for mandatory recess in all schools. To date, at least five states have mandatory recess laws on the books, and more states are currently considering adopting mandatory recess laws in the future. Yet, despite increased awareness about the positive impact of recess on physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning, I continue to hear from parents that their child is losing recess as a punishment at school. Sometimes the punishment is related to disruptive behavior in the classroom, but more often, it is due to the childs failure to complete their assigned classwork. Parents frequently ask me if its okay for the school to take away recess as a punishment. Theyre concerned because as any parent of a child with ADHD knows, kids with ADHD need physical activity. Without it, their symptoms only become worse, and their behavior inevitably becomes more difficult to manage. So, my answer to this question is unequivocal. No, it is not okay for a child with ADHD to lose recess as punishment for disruptive behavior or for incomplete work. The reasons are two-fold. First, kids with ADHD are the kids who need recess the most. Second, taking recess away as punishment is not effective. If the goal is to have a child with ADHD complete their classwork more efficiently, taking away recess will not motivate them to work more quickly. Instead, it will cause the child to feel hopeless and defeated since they know they will probably not be able to finish their work on time. Taking away recess is also not effective at reducing disruptive behavior in the classroom. Instead, kids with ADHD will only become more disruptive once their free play and physical activity time are taken away. So, the problems that a recess punishment was meant to address simply continue even after recess is taken away. Then the big question is, What should teachers do instead? Its not okay for a child to be disruptive in the classroom or to have incomplete work regularly. The best response is one that addresses the underlying cause of the problem. This may mean providing academic accommodations (potentially including a reduced workload) for a child who isnt able to complete their classwork on time. It may mean using a behavior chart to help motivate a child who struggles to complete work or manage their behavior in the classroom. It might involve frequent breaks for a child who struggles to stay in their seat and therefore becomes disruptive. For many children with ADHD, it may mean taking a medication that helps effectively manages their ADHD symptoms during the school day. There may be times when punishment is needed, but this punishment should not be related to recess unless the disruptive behavior includes something unsafe that occurred during recess time. Recess is an essential part of the school day for all kids, and especially for kids with ADHD. If your child is losing recess as a punishment, talk with your childs teacher, school counselor, and school administrator. Request a meeting to discuss alternatives that will support your child in meeting their daily academic and behavior goals, and when possible, have these strategies built into an IEP or 504 Plan. 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.

Phrasal Verbs for Hippies Turn on, Tune in, Drop out

Phrasal Verbs for Hippies Turn on, Tune in, Drop out Timothy Leary.One of our recently created English lessons uses the phrasal verb tune out which Ive had to explain to most of the students whove taken the lesson. Explaining this verb multiple times led me to think of its opposite, tune in which led me to think of the most famous use of this phrase by Timothy Leary the 1960s along with two other phrasal verbs, Turn on, Tune in, Drop out.Leary was one of the great insane figures to rise out of the 1960s in the United States, a Harvard faculty member who advocated the use of psychedelic drugs in the pursuit of higher consciousness. Leary was eventually kicked out of Harvard, went on to promote the taking of psychedelic substances, escaped from prison after tricking psychiatrists who were using tests he had developed to determine his chances of escaping, and generally became a popular figure in the 1960s countercultural movement (John Lennon wrote Come Together for Leary).He famously used the three phrasal verbs Turn on, tune in, drop ou t to summarize his message to a gathering of about 30,000 hippies in San Francisco in 1967. For many, it became a summary of the philosophy of that eras counter culture.From his original speech:Like every great religion of the past we seek to find the divinity within and to express this revelation in a life of glorification and the worship of God. These ancient goals we define in the metaphor of the present â€" turn on, tune in, drop out.And his later explanation of this speech:Turn on meant go within to activate your neural and genetic equipment. Become sensitive to the many and various levels of consciousness and the specific triggers that engage them. Drugs were one way to accomplish this end. Tune in meant interact harmoniously with the world around you externalize, materialize, express your new internal perspectives. Drop out suggested an active, selective, graceful process of detachment from involuntary or unconscious commitments. Drop Out meant self-reliance, a discovery of ones singularity, a commitment to mobility, choice, and change. Unhappily my explanations of this sequence of personal development were often misinterpreted to mean Get stoned and abandon all constructive activity.Ok, so those particular meanings of Turn on, Tune in and Drop out may not be particularly useful to you. But they are all important phrasal verbs.To turn on is normally a very literal phrasal verb, meaning to activate something. Ex: Turn on the lights. I turned on the television.Careful though, as this phrasal verb can have a sexual connotation in some circumstances, no doubt a result of so many hippies using the word ?? This was likely how The Beatles were using the verb in A Day in the Life when they sing I love to turn you on.To tune in has two common meanings. Historically, we tuned in our televisions and radios, meaning we turned the dial until we found the clearest signal. These days, tuning in is associated with focusing your attention. Ex. John tuned into the meeti ng when he heard his name mentioned. Its opposite phrasal verb is to tune out.To drop out means to abruptly stop doing something, and especially to stop being part of a program. Ex. Bill Gates was a college drop out. A lot of people drop out of military training because it is so difficult.So there you go, three new  phrasal verbs and some American history. Vincentes Didnt like it.besides hard to understand this guy!!

The truth about finding a teach abroad job in Europe

The truth about finding a teach abroad job in Europe Who wouldn’t want to teach in Europe? It’s a continent of dazzling culture, fascinating history, beautiful landscapes, and some of the world’s most delicious food (Bonjour to pizza, tapas, and croissants ) Often you’ll find a captivating mix of all these elements in one country, before you even begin thinking about the multitude of travel options living in Europe puts on your doorstep. So, it’s no mystery why teaching in Europe is popular. But what is hard to understand is why it can be so difficult to find a teaching job there, whether you're teaching English or another subject. What’s the difference between Europe and the E.U.? And… how does this relate to teaching? Well, it’s a (highly exciting!) question of visas and work permits. Bear with us... Europe is the geographical region stretching from Portugal in the west to Russia in the east. The most northern point is in Iceland and it goes as far south as Greece. There are 44 countries in Europe, with some (like Turkey and Russia) also being partially in Asia. The E.U. (European Union) is a political union between 28 of the countries in Europe. It includes most western European countries such as popular teach abroad destinations like Spain, France, Italy, and Germany. So, basically all countries in Europe are European but only some are in the Union. Got it? Then let's move on! Yup. But how does this affect me getting a teaching job in the E.U.? It comes down to two factors: competition and cost. Let’s imagine you are a qualified and experienced teacher from the U.S. who wants to find a teaching job somewhere in the E.U. What competition are you up against? Your biggest competition will come from E.U. citizens who also want to teach in a country other than their own. E.U. countries have a “freedom of movement” agreement which means their citizens can all live and work in each other’s countries without needing a visa. To give an example, a school in Spain could easily recruit native English teachers from Ireland for their English language classes. They wouldn’t have to go through any more paperwork than employing a Spanish teacher in fact, because both countries are in the E.U. And they might not even have to look too hardâ€"there could be plenty of Irish teachers legally living in their Spanish town already, available to work part-time, on a flexible contract or whatever the school needs. And that’s before you factor in all of the Aussie and Kiwi teachers that could be living in Spain. Wait, what? You’re rightâ€"they’re obviously not from the E.U. so how are they living and working there? Australia and New Zealand have a working holiday visa arrangement with Spain that allows 18 to 30-year-olds from each country to live, travel, and work in the other for 1 year. Unfortunately, no such visa situation currently exists between Spain (or any other E.U. country) and the U.S. Gotcha. How does cost factor into this, then? Even though North Americans don’t automatically have the right to work to the E.U. what if you found a school that really, really wanted to hire you. Couldn’t they sponsor your visa? Well, technically yes! But realistically, hard no. It’s just too expensive for most schools to consider, especially when they have access to so many other teachers they can hire without any associated costs. On top of this, many schools in the E.U. (language schools in particular) don’t hire teachers on full-time contracts. It’s actually pretty normal for TEFL teachers in the E.U. to work freelance for multiple schools and private students to make up a full salary. This makes it even more unlikely that a school is going to shell out on visa sponsorship for a teacher they’ll only see a few hours a week. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. So, is it possible for North Americans to find teaching jobs in the E.U? You might have guessed from what you’ve read so far, it’s not necessarily easy. But it is possible. Here’s how: Focus your search on one or two specific countries Each E.U. country has slightly different visa requirements. For example, Canada has a working holiday visa agreement with France, much like the one Spain has with Australia and New Zealand. Make sure you double check what the visa requirements are in any country you’re interested in teaching in. Look for teaching programs for North Americans in your country of choice Most E.U. countries do run some government programs that allow North Americans to teach in schools under certain conditions - normally you have to be a student to be eligible. Check out in the Cultural Ambassadors program in Spain or TAPIF in France. Refocus your search If none of the above options yield any results, try switching focus to non-country specific programs. CIEE runs teaching programs for North Americans in The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Spain. You need a bachelor’s degree but no teaching experience to apply. Be flexible and stay positive Don’t discount countries you don’t know much about! Remember there are 28 countries in the E.U. and 44 in Europe, each with a unique culture and heritage. Research somewhere that wouldn’t be your automatic first choice and you might find a hidden gem. Here is a good place to start: Discover 5 of the best ESL teaching destinations in Eastern Europe Plus, fights, trains, and busses between countries in Europe can be quick and affordable so living in one country doesn’t cut you off from what another has to offer. You might have to jump through a few hoops to get there, but with a flexible mindset and a bit of perseverance, a teaching job in the E.U. could well be yours!

Capstone Educational Group Limited

Capstone Educational Group Limited Capstone Educational Group Limited About Capstone Capstone is one of the oldest and most esteemed education consultancies in Hong Kong, with offices in Beijing. We focus on developing the academic, thinking, and leadership skills necessary for our students to be successful in both academics and life. Capstones instructors are hired for both their intellectual ability and their ambition to be great role models for their students. We work with high achieving students in Asia who attend the most prestigious local and international schools. These same students win numerous awards in writing, public speaking, and debate, and each year our students matriculate into leading US and UK universities. We have the largest team of top US/UK university graduates in Hong Kong, and our teams are growing in our other offices. Becoming a member of Capstone is not just an opportunity to teach high-potential students, but also an opportunity to establish leadership and ownership within a growing education organization highly regarded for its educationa l quality. CREATING LEADERS, CULTIVATING SUCCESS Providing a foundation in critical thinking and problem solving The driving force behind Capstone is its students. Founded on the belief that talented students thrive on a robust education that nurtures individual strengths, Capstone has been the critical thinking and leadership pioneer in Hong Kong and Asia for over a decade. From the beginning, Capstone recognized the need to mentally prepare students for not only an increasingly competitive academic environment, but an increasingly competitive world. Simply finding answers and memorizing information are no longer enough in an international landscape that prizes growth, flexibility, and innovation. We saw that our students needed to be able to ask questions and solve problems. We saw that our students needed to be able to analyze, defend, and present their ideas with confidence, poise, and grace. We saw that our students needed to find solutions not just the kind that would get them a perfect SAT score, but the kind that would cultivate their professional growth as they pursue new possibilities for their future. Our students learn to make new strides, not follow in the footsteps of others. As a testament to our belief and to our education, nearly every student from Capstones first academic year in 2003 and 2004 now attends, or has graduated from, a top world university and many of them (and the graduates since) still visit or stay in contact with us. Capstone students are continuing to be admitted into top US and UK universities including the Ivy League and Oxbridge, and push their own limits to achieve more. CREATING TOMORROWS LEADERS Capstone was founded with the core mission of fostering tomorrows leaders by preparing them to succeed in both an increasingly competitive academic environment and an ever changing professional world. In an increasingly competitive landscape, we believe that it is essential for students to develop key skills to create a strong foundation in critical thinking and communication. With enrichment courses centered on writing and presentation, mentorship programs, test prep resources, and a robust academic consulting service, Capstone pioneers leadership and long-term skill development. Capstone cultivates skills for a lifetime. Our students learn to analyze issues and solve problems. Our students learn to present with confidence and write with clarity. Our students challenge their own limits, exceed in their respective fields, and lay the groundwork for future success. EXPERTISE Capstones range of educational expertise is a product of over ten years of experience developing success. We believe that by creating a strong academic foundation in our students and developing skills upon it, students will excel throughout their academic career. As a testament to our philosophy, members of our first Capstone class have either graduated from, or are currently attending, top US and UK universities. With a range of offerings and services, Capstone ensures that no matter where students are in their academic development, they will gain the skills they need to succeed and thrive.

33 Fab Foreign Language Writing Prompts for All Levels

33 Fab Foreign Language Writing Prompts for All Levels 33 Fab Foreign Language Writing Prompts for All Levels Youre no stranger to advice.Your friends advise you on what to wear.Your parents advise you on how to manage your finances.Your grandmother advises you on the latest trends and slang. Thanks for staying current, Grandma.But when your language teachers and tutors advise you to get more writing practice, it can be hard to follow their guidance.Even though learning through doing is one of  the best ways to learn a language, actually doing can be complicated.After all, what do you write about? If your daily life isnt action-packed, keeping a diary in your target language can get boring and repetitive, but what other topics can you discuss?Luckily, there are plenty of great things to write about, regardless of your proficiency level.If you want to get some writing practice today, we advise you to try one of these 33 writing prompts. Why Use Foreign Language Writing Prompts?First, using foreign language writing prompts can help reduce anxiety when writing in your target language. Staring at a blank page can be stressful and can make you want to procrastinate trying to write, but writing prompts can make writing seem less like hard work.You can also use foreign language writing prompts to determine what vocabulary and/or grammar you need to work on. Knowing what you need to work on is essential for language study, and writing can help you detect what grammar rules youre struggling with and what holes in your vocabulary you need to fill. And if you can detect it, you can correct it!Also, writing prompts can help you keep your target language in shape. Skills can slip over time, so continuing to practice your writing can help prevent backsliding. Just like talking online  can give you the practice you need to prevent backsliding in speaking, practicing writing can help your writing skills stay up to snuff even if youre no longer actively studying your target language.Finally, using writing prompts can help make it so that writing in your target language feels easy and requires less conscious effort.  Writing in a foreign language  is a skill like any other. The more you practice it, the easier it will become. And when writing in your target language requires less conscious effort, not only will you be able to write more quickly and easily, youll also be able to focus more on your content rather than the language itself.How to Get the Most Out of Foreign Language Writing PromptsDont just write. Read.Its true in your native language and target language: The best writers are avid readers.To write well in your target language, youll need to also read in your target language. Even if youre not actively paying attention to the structure of the language, reading well-written works can help you replicate the style, massively upgrading your writing skills.Luckily, there are plenty of places to read content in your target language.  Project Gutenberg  offers many classic works in several languages, and  BBC News  gives you news stories in a variety of lan guages.Write as often as possible.Writing as often as possible not only gives you the practice you need to improve your skills, it also keeps you in the habit. If you set aside a few minutes each day for your writing practice, youre less likely to forget to do it. Pretty soon, writing in your second language can become like second nature to you.Try to use specific rules or vocabulary youve recently learned.It might mean having to take your writing in a different direction than you otherwise would, but trying to use specific grammar rules and vocabulary youve recently learned is a terrific way to practice using your new skills. It reinforces them and makes them easier to use the next time.As you write, note what youre struggling with.While youre writing, youll probably notice a few hiccups. For instance, you may want a word but realize you dont know it. You might try to conjugate a verb and realize its not coming to you all that easily. Whenever you encounter one of these problems, j ot it down. Then, after you write, you can go over your notes to work to resolve whatever issues you struggled with.Read what youve written and correct your own work.Dont just write it and forget it! Once youve responded to a writing prompt, read over your work with a critical eye. What errors do you notice? How could you improve your writing? Going over your work gives you an opportunity to spot some errors you didnt notice as you wrote.Consider having a native speaker correct your work.Sometimes, it can be hard to spot your own errors, so you might want to have a native speaker correct your work. You might ask a friend or a tutor to read over your writing and tell you what they think. If you dont already have someone in mind, consider finding a tutor or language exchange partner through  italki. Even finding someone to do a one-time check of your writing on occasion can be a huge help.Use FluentU for quick reading practice and grammar reinforcement.Theres nothing quite like authen tic content for giving you a good grasp and command of a language.FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news, inspiring talks and more.With FluentU, you hear languages in real-world contextsâ€"the way that native speakers actually use them.Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of FluentU videos on offer:FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. It’s already hand-picked the best videos for you and organized them by level and topic. All you have to do is choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started!Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more.Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab.You can use FluentU’s unique adaptive quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions and exercises. Just swipe left or right to see more examples of the word youre studying.The program even keeps track of what you’re learning and tells you exactly when it’s time for review, giving you a 100% personalized experience.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes store  or  Google Play store.33 Fab Foreign Language Writing Prompts for All LevelsBeginningBeginning level students usually know basic vocabulary related to describing people, weather, food, animals, routines and related topics.Writing as a beginning student can be a bit tricky because you dont yet have a vast vocabulary. Additionally, your verb conjugation abilities are probably limited, so you may need to stick to the present tense.These writing prompts can be answered with simple, general vocabulary and present tense verbs, so theyre ideal for beginning students.Who are you?You can take this question in a wide variety of directions. Based on what vocabulary you want to practice, you might describe your appearance, your job and/or your interests. If you want to try using more advanced-level vocabulary, you could try getting more philosophical with your response.What are your favorite hobbies?Everyone has something they like to do. What are your favorite hobbies? If your vocabulary is limited, you might try simple responses, like I like sports. However, as your vocabulary gets more advanced, you can add more detail into your response. For instance, I like sports, especially soccer. My favorite thing about soccer is hitting the ball with my head.Whats your family like?What do they look like? What are their personalities like? How is each person related to you? What are their interests? This prompt can be used for quick, easy writing practice or for a book-length extended project.Whats your best friend like?You can describe your friend physically, describe their person ality and/or explain what you like to do together. If you already know some past tense verbs, you might even tell a story about something that happened with your friend in the past to illustrate what your friend is like.Where do you live?You could even break this one down into a series of prompts. Describe your neighborhood. Describe your city. Describe your state. Describe your country. You might discuss the layout, culture, businesses, natural environment or how you feel about your location.Whats your favorite food?Not only can you name the dish and list the ingredients, you can also describe how it tastes. As your language skills progress, you might even try explaining how the dish is made.Whats your favorite season?With this prompt, you can address a variety of subtopics. What is the weather like? What does the season look like? How does it feel? What events or holidays happen during the season?Whats your favorite movie or TV show?You can describe what happens in the movie or TV show in either past or present tense. You might also note the genre and/or describe the characters.Major bonus points if you can describe a Netflix movie or TV show  that you also watch in your target language!Describe your daily routine.Beginning students commonly learn words related to daily routines, so go through your day and explain what you do. When do you wake up? How do you get ready for work or school? What do you eat for breakfast? When do you leave for work or school? How do you get there? What do you do once youre there? What do you eat for lunch? When do you leave? What do you eat for dinner? How do you relax in the evening?What are you going to do this weekend?This question can be a little more advanced in that you could use future tense verbs. However, if you dont yet know future tense, depending on what your target language is, you may be able to simply use I am going to constructions. Writing about your plans can help you practice words for common activities and pr epare you for real conversations you may have with native speakers.Whats your favorite animal?You might describe the animal, what it looks like, what it eats, where it lives, etc. This can give you practice with animal words, physical descriptions, food words and location-related vocabulary.IntermediateAs an intermediate writer, its time to up your game. Now, you can use a broader range of vocabulary words and verb tenses. These prompts will help you make good use of your advancing skills.Whats the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?Whip out your past tense verbs for this one! Consider writing the story of the funniest thing youve experienced. Maybe its something that happened to you or maybe its just something you witnessed. Regardless, this will give you practice with more diverse vocabulary and past tense verbs.Where would you like to go on vacation?This prompt invites you to give your conditional verb tenses a workout. Where would you like to go? Why would you like to visit this location? What would you like to do there? Who would you go with?Whats the best vacation, trip or outing youve ever had?Describing the best out-of-the-ordinary experience youve had, whether a vacation or any other break from daily routine, gives you an opportunity to use plenty of past tense verbs. You might even work in some less common verbs to describe specific activities you participated in, like snorkeling or skiing. You can describe the experience, who you were with, what you did and what made it so enjoyable. Feeling nostalgic? Look at old photos if you have them and describe them in your target language.Where do you see yourself in five years?Oh, the age-old interview question! In your native language, its probably an uncomfortable opportunity to reflect on your goals, but in your target language, it can be a valuable way to practice using future, conditional and/or subjunctive verb tenses while also employing industry-specific vocabulary.Plus, if you ever need to do a job interview in your target language, youll be happy you have the practice. If you like this prompt, you might even consider using some of  The Muses list of common interview questions  for additional writing prompts.What are your goals for the future?What do you hope to achieve in your life? You might use future tense here, but if you prefer present tense, you can use an I want to or related construction. From there, you can use all sorts of vocabulary words related to your career, family, housing, etc.What were you like as a child?Use past tense to describe yourself as a child. You might describe your appearance or personality. To work in more advanced vocabulary, you might also note in what ways you challenged your parents and what you wanted to be when you grew up.Write a poem (rhyming or not) about something that inspires you.Writing poetry can be a fun way to use your language skills. To make it a little trickier, write in rhyme. You can write about whatever you like, b ut you cant go wrong with a love poem. After all, you can always re-purpose it down the road if need be.Pretend youre instructing someone on how to do your favorite activity.Whether its cooking, painting or playing Fortnite, this will require the use of commands and a strong vocabulary related to whatever activity you write about.Whats your favorite (or your familys favorite) tradition?Whether theyre monthly or yearly, passed down through generations or made up on the spot, traditions shared by people can be a lot of fun. But they also afford a lot of opportunities to use whatever verb conjugations you need to practice. You can talk about your favorite tradition from the past, how you practice it today or how you hope to practice it in the future. You could even instruct readers on how to adopt your favorite tradition.What do you think the world will be like in 50 years?  Think about society, culture and major world issues. How do you think everything will change and evolve? Not onl y can you use future tense verbs, but this prompt will give you the opportunity to use more advanced vocabulary related to science, technology, culture and/or politics.  Depending on your vision, you could even expand your work into a sci-fi or dystopian novel.Why is education important?This prompt could work with either present tense or conditional verbs. However, more importantly, it invites you to use plenty of more advanced vocabulary relating to learning, careers and society. Responding to this prompt could even serve as extra motivation by reminding you why education or learning of any kind (including your language learning) is so important to you.AdvancedAs an advanced student, you should be aiming to write without having to think too much. You should be able to navigate seamlessly between any verb tenses and use your large and diverse vocabulary effectively. These prompts aim to help you exercise a broad array of skills.If you were given three wishes, what would you wish for ?Okay, you might not have a genie in a bottle, but what would you ask for if you did? This question invites the use of conditional tense verbs. Plus, the vocabulary you use is likely to be as diverse and varied as your dreams.What do you think the most significant world problem is?Writing about current world problems can help you use vocabulary words that are relevant today but might not be terribly common. While you could use present tense, you might also use future and/or conditional tense to examine how this issue could cause long-term consequences.If you could change one thing about society, what would you change?Take this world problems and turn them around! Considering what you would change about society will give you an opportunity to use conditional tense and/or commands to explain what needs to change and how.How has the internet affected communication? How do you see it affecting communication in the future?Past and future tense in one prompt? How can you resist? Not only that, this prompt invites you to use the latest technology-related words, which are super useful for advanced learners.What do you think would be an ideal political system? Does an ideal system exist?This prompt invites you to use advanced vocabulary related to politics and society. Plus, you can use it to practice the conditional tense, future tense and/or subjunctive tense verbs.Whos responsible for poverty? Why does it exist, and how could it be resolved?This question may feel nearly impossible to answer in your native language, so it will be even more challenging in your target language. However, if you give it a try, youll be able to practice words related to society and politics. While youll probably use mostly present tense verbs, you might also work in some conditional, subjunctive, future and/or past tense.Whats your favorite literary work, and what has it taught you?Using key literary terms is often reserved for academia, so writing about your favorite literary work will c ertainly give your vocabulary a workout. While this will be largely in present tense, you might throw in a few other verb tenses for good measure.If you could teach your future children or other children of the future one lesson, what would it be?Whats the best lesson youve learned? Why do you want others to learn it? This question is complex enough that you might incorporate a huge array of verb tenses.What medical issues have you or your loved ones faced? How did you handle them or how do you continue to handle them?Medical terminology can be a little tricky, but practicing using it is useful, particularly if it relates to a medical condition you or loved ones have. Writing about medical issues and their treatments will reinforce medical vocabulary and past tense verbs. Plus, if you ever experience a medical emergency abroad, you might be relieved to have practiced relevant vocabulary.What topics are not adequately addressed in schools today? Why should these topics be addressed m ore?Youre educated. You know whats up. What do you think should be covered more in schools? Addressing this issue gives you an opportunity to use education terms, present tense verbs and conditional verbs.Describe a recent world event. What are the potential consequences of this event?Not only can you use vocabulary thats currently relevant, you can also use an array of verb tenses. Start with past tense and then transition to future, conditional and/or subjunctive tenses. Using this writing prompt can help you practice transitioning smoothly between tenses.With these writing prompts for all levels, youll never be at a loss for words.