What is it Like to Attend Kenyon College

What is it Like to Attend Kenyon College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Anna lives in Cleveland and specializes in French tutoring. She is a current student at Kenyon College. See what she had to share about her experiences at Kenyon College: Describe the campus setting and transportation options at Kenyon College. Anna: Kenyon College exists in a very small bubble in rural Ohio. The campus is very safe, but also very secluded from any urban surroundings. The campus has a kind of small-town feel, and farms and fields surround it. Theres a shuttle that takes you into town a few times a week, but the campus is small and most people get around via bikes. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Anna: Ive found that professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants are always extremely available and willing to meet for extra help or discussion. In that way, Kenyon College presents students with opportunities to develop close relationships with their academic higher-ups. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Anna: The dorms are better than most dorms Ive seen at other schools, and though theres only one cafeteria, the food isnt too bad. Most of the dorms are about five to 10 minutes away from the cafeteria by foot, which can be an issue in the winter; but by having only one cafeteria, theres really a sense of community/family that surrounds mealtime. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported at Kenyon College? Anna: Kenyon College is known for their English program, and from the very first moments you step on campus, thats clear. They also have a fantastic Philosophy program, and a lesser-known Science program that Ive heard to be pretty strong. I am studying English there, which is a large reason I looked at Kenyon College as a prospective student in the first place. The fame surrounding their English program is based in a very rigorous course schedule, and thus far it seems really worthwhile. 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? Anna: Ive found that the comfortable atmosphere established by the school allowed me to make friends very easily. The Greek life is small and different than at most big state schools, but it still plays a large part in social life. As someone who is not actively a part of Greek life, Ive never found our Greek life to be overwhelming, elitist, or limiting. Socially, the school is very welcoming. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Anna: Ive heard from many that Kenyon Colleges Career Center is strong and has helped many alumni become successful. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Anna: Especially during the winter, students try to make a point to get out of their dorms and study in a more social environment. Theres a coffee shop on campus that is popular among students cramming for exams, and the library has three floors (one of which is a silent floor) to provide ample space for students who may need it. Kenyon College is also known for Ascension Hall, where, on the third floor, a study room exists with velvet couches and oak-paneled walls. Its a beautiful place that is, by nature, kept completely quiet, and students who need a strong atmosphere for studying (or napping) find a lot of comfort in it. Describe the surrounding town. Anna: Between the North and the South side of campus is town, complete with a coffee shop, bookstore, market, deli, and post office. By ways of town, thats what Kenyon Colleges campus has to offer, and its central to the school, so its frequented a lot by students. Outside of campus (about a 5-minute drive), theres a town where you can buy basic goods or go antiquing. Its not a booming city, which is why most students stay on campus and consider going to the deli a meal out on the town. How big or small is the student body at Kenyon College? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Anna: The student body has about 1,600 students, so in comparison to a typical state school, its very small. The size does have its advantages, though, including fostering a comfortable and welcoming community as well as allowing an individual course size of about 12 students at most, which gives much more one-on-one time with professors. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Anna: My first semester, I took an English class with Professor Matz about the art of writing the mind. It was a fascinating class, and it fit the mold, to me, of what a college class was going to be: discussion-based and encouraging of independent thinking. At the end of the semester, the professor invited the entire class to his house across the street, where he had prepared an amazing meal for us and allowed us to stay for hours roaming through the historical knick-knacks of his home and talking intently with his partner. I was scared of this entire interaction going into teachers houses seemed crazy to me but within seconds of being there, I was enjoying myself and completely amazed that a professional was willing to spend his night with all of us, talking about nonsense and getting to know us as individuals apart from our academics. That, to me, defines Kenyon College perfectly. Check out Annas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Area of Hexagon

Area of Hexagon A hexagon is a geometric shape belonging to the polygon family of geometric structures. A hexagon is a closed shape and it has 6-sides with 6 interior angles. A regular hexagon is a hexagon which has all the 6 sides equal to each other. Area of a hexagon is region covered inside the hexagon and it can be calculated using the area of a regular polygon formula. Example 1: Calculate the area of a regular hexagon, given the side length equal to 3m. We can first use the given side length to find the apothem. Apothem = (Side length)/ (2 * tan(180/n))where n = number of sides = 6 Apothem = 3m/ (2 * tan(30)) = 2.598m Area of a regular polygon, A = 1/2 * Perimeter * apothem For a regular hexagon there are 6 sides. Hence Perimeter = n * side length= 6 * 3= 18m Hencethe area of the regular hexagon, A = 1/2 * (18m) * (2.598m) = 23.382m2 Example 2: Calculate the area of a regular hexagon, given the side length equal to 7m. We can first use the given side length to find the apothem. Apothem = (Side length)/ (2 * tan(180/n))where n = number of sides = 6 Apothem = 7m/ (2 * tan(30)) = 6.062m Area of a regular polygon, A = 1/2 * Perimeter * apothem For a regular hexagon there are 6 sides. Hence Perimeter = n * side length= 6 * 7= 42m Hence the area of the regular hexagon, A = 1/2 * (42m) * (6.062m) = 127.3m2

How You Can Make an Impact this Memorial Day

How You Can Make an Impact this Memorial Day Its celebrated every year, but do you know the history behind Memorial Day? Once called Decoration Day, this date holds an important history. In order to make an impact this Memorial Day, learn the history behind this holiday and find ways to get involved in your community, such as volunteering with veterans or donating goods. The history behind Memorial Day The origins of Memorial Day date back to the late 1860s. The Civil War, a conflict whose death toll was unprecedented at that time, necessitated the creation of national cemeteries. After the war ended, Americans would leave flowers at the graves of soldiers who had died in battle. It became an unofficial tradition for certain towns to commemorate fallen soldiers through special tributes in the spring. General John A. Logan used the term Decoration Day to describe a national day that he believed was necessary to remember lives lost during the Civil War. General Logan proposed the date of May 30, and Memorial Day was honored on this date for years. In 1966, the U.S. government declared Waterloo, New York as the holidays birthplace. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which declared Memorial Day as an official federal holiday and moved its spot to the last Monday in May. Although Memorial Day was originally meant to honor fallen soldiers from the Civil War, it has since evolved to honor service members lost during any military conflict. [RELATED: Memorial Day Activities for Families] How to commemorate Memorial Day year-round Though Memorial Day is typically celebrated with barbecues by American families, it is, in fact, one of the most somber of American holidays. There are countless ways to give back in recognition of the American lives that have been lost in battle. Memorial Day awareness need not be limited to one day of the year. Here are some ways you can get involved year-round: Volunteer at a homeless shelter U.S. veterans account for an estimated 23 percent of the homeless population, or about 131,000 people in total. By working at a homeless shelterwhether through preparing or serving food, cleaning, or interacting with peopleyoure likely to make a difference in the lives of former military servicemen and women. Contribute to the Veterans History Project The mission of the Veterans History Project is to preserve the stories of former U.S. war veterans. Through first-hand veteran accounts, future generations can learn a tremendous amount about past wars and their far-reaching effects. Click here to print your kit and to prepare for your interview with a veteran. Once youre finished, you must send your materials to the Library of Congress. Donate goods or funds The veteran need for food, clothing, and funding is ongoing. Operation Homefront allows you to read the personal stories of veterans seeking assistance to gain an understanding of who you are donating to. If you or your family has a car that does not get much use, you might also consider donating it to the Purple Heart Foundation. [RELATED: 4 Educational Family Field Trips] This Memorial Day, remember the reason youre able to enjoy a three-day weekend. Make a difference this May, and every month of the year, by supporting veteran-focused charities. [RELATED: 6 Activities to Keep Students Learning This Summer] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Volunteer with Heart Amelia McGriff-Henderson - Heart Math Tutoring

Volunteer with Heart Amelia McGriff-Henderson - Heart Math Tutoring Volunteer with Heart: Amelia McGriff-Henderson Volunteer with Heart: Amelia McGriff-Henderson April 15, 2016 Amelia McGriff-Henderson, Executive Producer at WCCB Charlotte, believes Heart students not only learn essential math skills but gain from weekly mentorship. She learned about Heart through Hands on Charlotte and has worked with the program for three years. Currently, Amelia works with a first and a second grader at Winterfield Elementary School. What was your favorite moment from working  with students? One of my students looked up at me and smiled when I told her she was ready to move on into a new curriculum notebook.   She said: Im the smartest person in the world because of you Ms. Amelia. Im even smarter than you now.' What is one thing you and your students  have in common? My students and I love pink, purple and EVERYTHING girly. What would you tell someone who is  thinking about becoming a volunteer? Heart is only an hour  commitment, but in that small time frame you have a huge impact with the kids in the classroom and socially. Why did you become a tutor? My faith leads me to believe we should be active participants in the world around us. The world would be a better place if we all looked outside of ourselves and helped our fellow brothers and sisters. Both of Amelia’s students have made great progress this year. Amelia’s 1st grade student started the year learning to count accurately, and she is now learning to add and subtract up to 20  â€" grade level material! She loves reviewing her progress with Amelia every Thursday when she comes to tutoring. Her students love how glamorous Amelia looks when she comes from work in a dress and heels. Heart is so thankful to have had Amelia as a tutor  for three years!

National Catholic Schools Week 2019

National Catholic Schools Week 2019 National Catholic Schools Week is the week of January 27, 2019, and Huntington Learning Center will join educators and communities from around the country to recognize this important tradition. The annual academic event celebrates Catholic schools in the U.S., elevating the value of Catholic education and its contributions to communities and the nation. The 2019 theme of Catholic Schools Week is Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed. Daily themes guide the week: Sunday, January 27: Celebrating Our Parish Monday, January 28: Celebrating Our Community Tuesday, January 29: Celebrating Your Students Wednesday, January 30: Celebrating the Nation Thursday, January 31: Celebrating Vocations Friday, February 1: Celebrating Faculty, Staff and Volunteers Saturday, February 2: Celebrating Families Founded in 1974, Catholic Schools Week is administered by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), the largest private professional education association in the world, which works with Catholic educators to support ongoing faith formation and the teaching mission of the Catholic church. Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of NCEA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Co-Founder and CEO, Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center says that Huntington is proud to recognize our nations excellent schools, including Catholic schools. Catholic schools are widely recognized for preparing students to be productive citizens and future leaders, Huntington says. These schools set high academic standards and offer a safe and welcoming learning environment for students. During National Catholic Schools Week and throughout the entire year, we applaud their commitment to rigorous education and sending graduates on to college. Learn more about National Catholic Schools Week at www.ncea.org/csw. About Huntington 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 your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2019 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

6 Things to Know Before Taking an Online Course

6 Things to Know Before Taking an Online Course Image via Pexels Be Sure to Evaluate Your Schedule   One factor that is weighed heavily by students who take courses online is their schedule. When thinking about taking classes online and when to do so, evaluating your schedule is important. Are you balancing school, a job, and extracurriculars? Do your current home/work circumstances  require you to be away from campus more frequently? These are important questions to ask yourself, as they will help you decide whether or not to take online classes and  when  to take them. If you are away from campus and need more freedom when it comes to classes, online courses may be the best option for you. The convenience of taking online classes is that you  don’t  have to make the trip to campus, you can learn right from the comfort of your own home. 6 Things to Know Before Taking an Online Course   Image made via Canva.com 1. Distractions Can Be a Struggle:  Because the online instructional method is different than being in a classroom, your obligations and priorities are different. You are more vulnerable to distractions because of the mere fact that your class is online and requires you to be on a browser. Unfortunately, there are many distractions that can be super tempting when you’re working on schoolwork for your online course, such as engaging in social media, texting, listening to music, and watching TV. To help  minimize distractions, set yourself a timer for 10-15 minutes, indulge in your Twitter feed or texting your s/o, then get back to work. Once you set a time limit for yourself, you’ll not only feel better after your break but you’ll also be able to jump right back into work. 2. Attendance is Important: Part of the reason why online classes are so great is due to the fact that attendance is not as strict and rigid as regular classroom attendance. In contrast to the traditional classroom method, most online courses do not typically hold attendance. Instead, credit is given in the form of either weekly quizzes, discussions, or assignments. Some online courses, depending on which kind you choose, can hold sessions weekly at a specific time, which in that case, attendance would be mandatory in order for you to engage effectively in the course. Regardless of the online course you select, you are in control, which means you can decide whether you want a more open course or rigid one with exact times. Just remember to take attendance seriously, because your online course is just as serious as your traditional classroom one. 3. The Routine of Your Teacher/Course Can Differ:  Not all teachers run their courses the same way, and when it comes to online courses, you will find that some teachers hold virtual meetings while others encourage discussion board participation. Evaluating these differences is important when it comes to your learning style because you can distinguish which kind of approach works best for you and which ones don’t come as easy. Because of the nature of online courses, teachers and professors have to be mainly available through email or some other form of contact, which allows for you to get in touch with them at any time to voice any questions or concerns you have about your learning pace or your progress in the course. Being in contact with your professor in an online course is especially important since they aren’t physically there all the time to notice if you are struggling and/or what you are struggling with. 4. You Can Still Take Risks/Have Fun:  College is not solely about working hard and getting the greatest grades, it’s also about expanding your knowledge, ideas, and perceptions of things you otherwise wouldn’t have known about. With that being said, when reviewing what classes you want to take, take some risks and have fun! If you can take a film course or art course that fulfills one of your requirements, go for it! In my junior year, I took a course that was about the science in science fiction films! It was so much fun- we got to watch a lot of cool movies, all while learning some interesting things about science, and it was online! While in college, you’ll have so many opportunities to learn and engage in fun ways, so don’t hesitate to explore fun courses when looking for online classes. You won’t regret it! 5. You Spend Plenty of Hours Online:  Just like a regular classroom course, an  online course  requires hours of invested time. For example, almost all online courses have some form of classroom engagement, whether that is through a voice-thread post or discussion board entry. Discussions allow you to share your knowledge of the topics and lessons of the week as well as bring forward any questions you wish to ask fellow students. In most cases, instructors will ask a prompt and require you to answer the prompt based on the knowledge of the lessons given that week. Following your response, instructors typically request that you respond to another student’s answer to the prompt with either an agreement, disagreement, or another question.   In addition to discussion posts, Stephanie Larson of US News  states  that your teacher may require you to watch/listen to lectures, participate in group projects and complete other assignments such as a quiz, homework exercise, or exam. 6. Credit Transfers Are Sometimes Tricky: One very important thing that many students forget to take into consideration when looking into online classes is whether or not the credits will transfer to their institution. Now, this is only the case if you were taking a course(s) at a different school than your main, however, it is still knowledge that all students should know. Perhaps you’re taking a course over the summer to lessen the number of credits you take in the fall, or maybe you need an easy course to take to fulfill certain criteria in your major â€" regardless, connect with an academic advisor before enrolling to make sure that the credits transfer correctly and how you expect them to. You don’t want to waste time or money on a course that doesn’t count toward anything! Myths and Misconceptions   Online Courses are Easy: One of the common myths that people assume about online classes is that they are easy by nature. This is a complete myth! Online courses have the same curriculum as any course taken in a classroom, the teaching method is all that is different- and by that I mean, it’s merely taught online. In fact, online courses can sometimes pose more of a difficulty than traditional classroom teaching because students have more responsibility,  says  Lynn Atanasoff, a career counselor at Penn State University. “At reputable institutions, students have to complete the same material as in-person, except they also have to really manage their time because online no one is reminding them when assignments or projects are due,” she says. The Quality of Education is Lower: Just because the course is online, does not mean that the quality of education is lower. The course itself has undergone some sort of process or evaluation by your university to ensure it meets specific standards and adheres to the set curriculum of the course. Online courses and instructors do not just get made up out of the blue and put onto your registration choice list, there’s a process. Jeff Davidson, a strategic initiatives manager of the Free Education Initiative at the Saylor Foundation  comments, “I don’t think there’s any weight to the belief that quality suffers in online education any more so than with a lot of brick-and-mortars. We know brick-and-mortar degrees vary in quality, and that’s the same with online.” There is Zero Interaction with Instructors or Classmates: Another assumption about online classes is that because it’s completely virtual, there is zero interaction with your instructors or classmates. While in some cases there isn’t a  physical  interaction like in a traditional classroom, teachers and students are available through other outlets like phone, email, etc. Teachers are even sometimes more available through online avenues than other ways! You Have to Teach Yourself the Course Material: Because the teaching method is different, another myth is that you have to teach yourself the material of the course. This goes hand-in-hand with the quality of education being lower and zero interaction with instructors. This myth isn’t true at all! Online courses are no different than traditional ones, where there are assignments, quizzes, readings, projects, etc. The teacher creates outlines and presentations to help just as much as a teacher in-classroom would. From my experience, I’ve had some traditional classroom courses that I’ve had to teach myself more than any online course I’ve taken! Cheating is Common: It’s obvious to think that because online courses are all on the internet, that it’s almost a given that students will cheat and automatically get away with it. This is not the case! It is no easier to cheat on online courses than in a traditional course. In fact, it can be a little bit harder! Teachers typically have a plagiarism section software to see whether or not a student has cheated on an essay assignment. Additionally, Terri Williams of U.S. News  writes, “In addition to plagiarism detection software, some online programs require students to take a test at a physical location or to use a webcam while completing an exam. In both cases, students need to show proof of identification.” Image via Pexels Deciding what classes to take online and even if you want to take them can be difficult without the proper help or resources. If you are considering taking courses online, reach out to an advisor and review your requirements, as well as read student reviews to help you decide, but don’t forget to have fun too! Always remember that taking courses online does not make you any less of a student or whatever other criticism you may have heard before. Everyone has different wants and needs, and online courses can be a great option to balance your classes and college life!

7 Bilingual Websites for the Language Learners Soul

7 Bilingual Websites for the Language Learners Soul 7 Bilingual Websites for the Language Learner’s Soul Being bilingual is a huge source of personal prideâ€"something nobody can take away from you.Are you a parent in search of practical ways to raise a bilingual kid?Or are you a language learner wanting to be bilingual yourself?Well hello there, brave soul!These arent  necessarily the easiest things to do. Fret not, because I’ll send some awesome websites your way to make the bilingual journey more exciting and more insightful than ever.But before that, let’s talk briefly about the benefits of being bilingual. Whether you’re a parent immersing your kids in another language or a language learner putting in the extra hours, you’ll know that every effort is worth it. The Benefits of Being BilingualBilingualism Opens DoorsBeing bilingual bridges you (or your kids) to a whole different world, a whole different culture, where you learn things you would otherwise not have learned, and where you gain experiences you would never have dreamed of as a monolingual.Go online and experienc e the difference at the speed of light.Lets say you learn to speak another language, French. Suddenly all those French sites, blogs  and  forums, with all their unique content, become available for your consumption. You can interact with more netizens, write more comments, LOL at more jokes, read more e-books, stream more movies  and listen to more quirky podcasts  than somebody who only speaks one language.Bilingualism Boosts Your CareerThere’s also a benefit, careerwise, to speaking one more tongue than the guy in the next cubicle. Your career will have a leg up. Being bilingual can open doors, as a person who speaks an extra language can deal with more customers, be sent to more places to represent their organization and can look at problem situations from multiple angles. A bilingual employee is undoubtedly an  asset and often becomes more valuable than someone who can write a memo in only one language.We are living in an increasingly small world where we shake hands and make deals across our geographical boundaries. English can definitely take you everywhere because its the business worlds lingua franca, but there are certain doors that can only be cracked open by bilinguals. A simple hello in an associates native tongue can brighten  faces and build relationships.Speaking the same language creates an instant connection, a warmth that enriches interactions and brings goodwill that may very well result in inking a deal.And that’s just for things we can see! Being bilingual also does something to our brains.Bilingualism Opens Your MindEach language is an altogether different set of vocabularies, syntaxes, grammatical regimens and idiomatic expressions. Having the ability to speak in another language means your brain is used to working extra hard not to get these languages mixed up. The ability to switch from one linguistic imperative to another (and then back) is really no mean mental feat. It requires selectively using one set of rules while actively i gnoring and inhibiting the others.If you take an MRI of a bilingual brain and compare it to a monolingual one, the bilingual brain will show a more developed dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)â€"structures in the brain related to switching languages.Studies have shown that bilinguals have better memory and attention spans, and they also display enhanced problem-solving and creative skills, compared to people who speak one language. One of the tasks most often used to gauge the ability to focus and sort things out is the Stroop Task.In this experiment task, a test subject is shown the text for the different colors like “PINK,” “BLUE,” “PURPLE” or “ORANGE.” The catch is that these words are presented in fonts of different colors. So for example, the word “PINK” will be in a green font and “BLUE” will be in orange. Subjects are asked to quickly identify the color of the font. Reaction times and accuracy are measured and bi linguals have been proven to consistently do better.In addition to improved cognitive abilities, being bilingual is shown to protect the brain from degenerative diseases like Alzheimers. The lifelong mental “cardio” involved in speaking two languages delays the onset of the disease by four years. It seems that bilinguals can better withstand age-related brain atrophy.If connecting with a potential friend on the other side of the world isnt enough to motivate you to learn a second language, how does having four extra years of knowing where you left your trusty eyeglasses sound?That said, let’s now look at some of the sites that are a godsend for those interested in being a bilingual or trying to raise one.7 Bilingual Websites for the Language Learner’s Soul1.  Life As A Bilingual (from Psychology Today)Psychology Today is a magazine published once every two months to bring the latest psychological research findings to the general public. Its online component houses a family o f blogs run by a veritable panel of experts that write on a wide range of issues from politics to stress management.One of the blogs, Life As A Bilingual, is home to the parent or solo-learner who wants to read more deeply on the different issues and facets of bilingualism. The blog is run by a pair of field experts:Dr.  François Grosjean Ph.D., professor emeritus of psycholinguistics in the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland and author of “Bilingual: Life and Reality.”Dr. Aneta Pavlenko Ph.D., professor of applied linguistics at Temple University and author of “The Bilingual Mind.”Here you can read articles like, How Bilinguals Deal With Moral Dilemmas,  which talks about how language affects our moral decisions, and Bilingual Minds, Bilingual Bodies,  which asks the intriguing question: Do we smile and frown differently in a second language? (Want to know the answer? Read the post.)2.  Bilingual MonkeysParents trying to raise bilingual children will go bananas over this resource-rich site. It’s run by Adam Beck, author of the book “Maximize Your Child’s Bilingual Ability.” Beck is a 20-year veteran in the field of education and himself a parent of two bilingual kids.In addition to penning the scores of articles found on the site, he sends out a weekly newsletter that’s chock-full of fresh ideas for parenting bilinguals. Get his newsletter every Sunday and feel inspired and energized for the week ahead.Adam also hosts The Bilingual Zoo, a lively forum where parents keep each other updated on their bilingual teaching efforts, exchanging stories of what works and what doesn’t, celebrating little triumphs on a daily basis and asking questions. There are so many insider tips to be had in the forum that even personal language learners who don’t plan on having any kids soon can get wonderful information from people who are in the language learning trenches.To quickly explore the site, check out their greatest hits. Read this post that l ists the most-read articles of 2016.3.  Multilingual LivingThis story is as old as time. Mommy searches for online support and resources in raising bilingual children. Mommy found little. Undeterred, mommy started her own website to deal with the problem. Her website now helps parents have the necessary tools, advice and support in raising bilinguals.This mother is Corey Heller, and the year was 2003. And the website used to be known as “Bilingual/Bicultural Family Network.”Corey then started to give lectures and sent out monthly newsletters. These newsletters quickly evolved into a magazine and became Multilingual Living Magazine. The magazine may have ceased publication in 2009, but, as the site boasts, if you want to read “everything there is to know about raising children in more than one language, then get your hands on Multilingual Living Magazine today.” And guess what, all the magazine’s previous issues can now be accessed for free!Adult language learners wont be l eft out on this site. For example, take a gander at this post, The Joy of Swearing in a Non-Native Language.4.  Growing Up BilingualYou could be thinking at this point that the sites offered here are all hardcore, language-learning, bilingual-teaching machines. This one will flush the thought out of your system.Growing Up Bilingual isnt just a “bilingual” site. It’s also a “growing up” thing. It’s one family’s record of their experiencesâ€"some related to being bilingual, others related to food, technology, travel and arts crafts. So you may meet posts that are language learning head-scratchers, like  Tips For Making Weekend Road Trips Unforgettable.You might be thinking: Now how is that related to learning a new language?I enjoin you to peel beneath the skin of the post, because theyre actually going to prove just how cool the bilingual life, in general, is. And isn’t that what we want? An enriched life?Whether you’re a parent teaching your precocious little ones about different languages and cultures or you’re a language learner yourself, you want an enriched, more eventful existence. And that’s exactly what a second language bringsâ€"a whole new way of looking at and experiencing things.Check out the site. Itll give you more than you originally bargained for.5.  Language LizardThe site is originally intended for families who raise kids in multicultural environments and educators who run multicultural classrooms. There's a huge collection of bilingual learning materials for children available for sale on this site.But Language Lizard is more than the ideal online shop for language learners. Its got a great blog, too!As soon as you arrive on the site, you might be wondering, whats this thing called the One-Person-One Language Approach to raising bilingual children? Should I use it in my case?Many posts in the blog are actually sourced from the most common queries sent in  by parents over the years, so explore the pages of this site and you might just find something about some question percolating in your head.In addition, parents actively seeking ways to support their bilingual child will find the sites reviews  of bilingual titles to be of great value. Language Lizard features books on bilingualism that parents can read, and also colorful bilingual books for the kids themselves to get immersed in.Theres also a parade of resources, classroom lesson plans and activities in store for language teachers who want to create a culturally diverse classroom experience. With the materials and inspiration provided here, your students will be able to deeply appreciate just how different yet similar people are.The Language Lizard blog, although not directly dedicated to the adult language learner, actually has plenty in store for those who want to scratch something off their own bucket list. You can use everything on the site as if it were originally intended for you. You just have to approach it in a specific way.Here’s the secret for doing this: You have to think of yourself as the kid whose parents or teachers are intent on immersing in another language.Then you become the very bulls-eye for the resources, tips and techniques mentioned here. So if a post gives recommendations on bilingual books to give the kids, consider getting the books for yourself. If some activities are mentioned, ask yourself how this would be beneficial for you.For all intents and purposes, adult language learners are really like kids in whatever language theyre starting to learn. Youll commit all the mistakes and misunderstandings that native speakers go through when first starting out. So it’s really not that far out, thinking of yourself as a kid. Yes, you may have that fresh stubble growing on your face since this morning, but when you’re just starting out with a language, age doesn’t make any difference.6.  Colorin ColoradoThis one is a well-heeled site getting support from agencies like the National Education Asso ciation (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers. Its especially dedicated to supporting parents and educators of the English languageâ€"although the tips, tricks and tools gleaned here can be creatively transposed into another language situation.Colorin Colorado’s gems are the video resources that show actual footage of how the techniques are applied in a classroom. You’ll get to peek at how the research looks in real-world classroom situations. Witness how the kids are engaged in the topics, and see how the teacher-student interactions unfold.For a parent, this is very important because you can actually learn a lot from seeing how the professionals do it. You can make your home as lively and as interesting as the videos show. As an adult language learner, the videos give you both the perspective of a student and a teacher so you can pick up some important practical wisdom as you teach yourself the language.7.  Multilingual ManiaThis blog hasn’t been updated in a while, but it still made our list because of the righteous work it has done in the past, and we don’t want to let all that good content go to waste, do we?In addition to practical posts that help language learners and parents alike, there are plenty of personal stories that are both engaging and insightful. The writing is often breezy and warm. Personal stories like Hooked On Bilingualism  and Am I A Language Traitor?  make the linguistic journey visceral and approachable.Multilingual Mania  also has the “Parent to Parent” series where each week they interview and feature parents who are raising kids to be bilingual. They let out their challenges, frustrations and successes, and they often reveal best practices and personal inspiration for both parents and learners.Run to these seven bilingual websites when you need a boost.Ive purposefully given you a wonderful mix of resources that are especially helpful to learners, parents and teachers.So whatever your bilingual situation may be, you can be sure that there’s wisdom to be had from similarly situated folks, academic and field experts to lead your way to bilingual fluency.Good luck! And One More ThingIf you enjoyed looking at the websites above, youll love learning languages with FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with Fluen tUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.

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