I Received a Severance Agreement Offer Now What

Introvert Whisperer / I Received a Severance Agreement Offer Now What I Received a Severance Agreement Offer: Now What? When you have been terminated, you are not only inconvenienced with job searching and lost time/experience but also loss of income. If you are fired/laid-off for reasons unrelated to misconduct, you will most likely be offered a severance agreement.   A severance agreement because of its promise of payments, insurance benefits, and other amenities seems like a good answer to a bad situation. However, this contract usually has hidden terms that could adversely affect the worker, so before signing any severance package you should have it thoroughly analyzed by an attorney.   Does My Employer Have to Offer Severance Pay? Typically, employers are not required to offer severance pay. However, if you have a contract that requires a severance agreement or if your employee handbook has personnel policies including severance pay for terminated employees, it is required.   What Should Severance Pay Include? Every severance package should include five things:   Payments: A decent severance agreement usually provides one to two weeks of compensation for each year an employee worked for the company/business.   Insurance Benefits: In some cases, it is possible for you to continue enjoying the life, disability, and health insurance you had during your employment at the company provided and paid for by your employer for a certain period. This is not the same as COBRA, which requires employers to continue offering benefits but not pay for them.   Assistance Finding Employment: Severance agreements may offer services to help you, the former employee, find new employment through resume assistance, career counseling, and practice reviews.   Recommendation Letter: When you are looking for a new job, a recommendation letter, if not crucial, is very helpful. Severance packages can include this vital piece of paper.   Uncontested Claims: Employees who lose their jobs will no doubt file for benefits, and their employers will undoubtedly contest them. A severance package can include an agreement prohibiting your employer from contesting your claim.   One of the best steps to avoid severance agreement problems is to read the contract thoroughly. Ask yourself the question Could the severance agreement could hinder you more than help you? Sure, you may receive benefits that will aid you; however, you will no longer be able to dispute your employer if it does not include the benefits you thought it did. Avoid this hassle by having your lawyer review the contract and negotiate terms.

Why Should You Learn Portuguese

Why Should You Learn Portuguese 15 Reasons to Learn Portuguese Chapters1- Benefits of Learning Portuguese: It Is Spoken All Around the World2- Learn to Speak Portuguese Because Few English Speakers Speak It3- Because it Will Set Your CV Apart4- Learning Portuguese Because Brazil is An Economic Powerhouse5- Because There Are Many Portuguese and Brazilian Expats Living Around the World6- Because Portuguese is Spoken  More and More Around the World7- Because it is a Musical Language8- Learning to Speak Portuguese For Portuguese Music9- For Portuguese and Brazilian Culture10- To Not Miss Out on Anything on a Portuguese or Brazilian Trip11- Because It's Not A Difficult Language to Learn12- For Those of You Who Have Spanish It's Even Easier13- Because You May Want to Move to Portugal when you Retire14- Because You May Want to Become an Expat in Brazil15- To Prove to Yourself That You Can Do ItRegardless of your personal motivation for learning Portuguese, you will find it to be an interesting and rewarding experience.It doesn't matter if you want to l earn European Portuguese in order to spend some time living in Lisbon, or if you need a few key Brazilian Portuguese expressions to hold a conversation on a backpacking trip through the Pantanal. You will find a number of different ways to learn Portuguese, but you should pick one that matches your personal goals. After all, learning a few phrases and mastering the ins and outs of Portuguese grammar are two completely different endeavours.Obviously you'll need to be aware  of how much Portuguese lessons cost  to ensure they fit your budget, but it is definitely an investment that you should make. Throughout this article we will look at some of the different reasons why you should learn a language that is spoken by over 220 million people in countries like Portugal, Brazil, and Angola.Portuguese London shopping.5- Because There Are Many Portuguese and Brazilian Expats Living Around the WorldExperience the enthusiasm of the Portuguese football cultureTaking Portuguese courses London i s also a great vehicle for integration and lively discussions with the large Portuguese and Brazilian communities across the globe. Their legendary enthusiasm for sports and music will be better understood by you once you have a grasp of their musical language!Wouldn't it be fun to go to a bar and watch a Selecao match (Portugal national football team) as a Portuguese-speaker?6- Because Portuguese is Spoken  More and More Around the WorldAs we have seen, the Portuguese language is essentially spoken by its natives. The number of people who have Portuguese as their official language is likely to increase thanks to the recent growth of Brazil.But not only that. The economic growth of this awakening giant will mean that, in coming years, the Portuguese language will really come into its own as an  economic asset.UNESCO estimates that by 2050 Portuguese will be spoken by around 335 million people around the world.7- Because it is a Musical LanguageThe Portuguese alphabet includes 9 vowe ls, 10 different diphthongs (syllables with two vowels), 5 nasal diphthongs, and 25 consonants.This means a great diversity of sounds, which is rare for a foreign language. With this, there are  many more nuances than in English.Learning to speak Portuguese is also a little like learning how to sing!learning Portuguese comes in all shapes and sizes.So before taking the leap and departing to a Portuguese-speaking country, why not take some portuguese lessons online? Many possibilities are available online, from interactive and playful courses (courses via applications for example) to more classical classes (private lessons with a Portuguese tutor). And do not hesitate to contact the many Portuguese Superprofs on our platform!However you decide to learn Portuguese, and regardless of your motivation for doing so, you'll need to practise in between Portuguese classes in order to be successful! Language learning is not just about what you do in the classroom.

How to Eliminate Multiple-Choice Answer Choices Like a Pro

How to Eliminate Multiple-Choice Answer Choices Like a Pro As test-takers, weve all encountered difficult questions and questions we just dont know the answer to. Weve also come across questions whose answers seem to be at the tip of our tongue, but we just cant decide between two or more choices. Here are some strategies you can use that will help you eliminate multiple-choice answer choices in smart and effective ways. 1. Reread to better understand the question Before eliminating any answer choices, make sure you understand the question to the best of your ability. If youre able to, highlight, underline, and/or circle key words in the question to make sure you dont miss any significant parts. Look for words like not or except that would flip the entire meaning of a question. In addition, look for possible answer choices like all of the above and none of the above. Knowing the question, as well as the layout of your answers, can help you better understand what to look for and prevent careless mistakes. [RELATED: Important Habits of Effective Test-Takers] 2. Take away any obviously wrong answers Begin by eliminating any answers that you just know are wrong. This may not happen in every case; sometimes youre not sure if any choices are wrong, and thats okay. If you do, though, take advantage of mentally or physically crossing said answer(s) out on the page. This will help you focus solely on the remaining answers and increase your chances of choosing the right answer from those still left. 3. Look for absolutes Check your answer choices for words like never, all, every, always, or none. These are likely not to be the correct answer. This is not to say that every answer that includes absolute words is incorrect (so keep on a lookout!), its more that they often do not allow for subtlety or complexity as other answers often do, and they can be extreme. 4. Check for unrelated or extreme information In the same breath, youll want to look for answer choices that are outliers. If the answer choice seems like a true statement, greatbut make sure it is definitely related to the question. Sometimes, writers of tests can trick students into choosing an answer that seems correct, but has little to do with the question. At the same time, look for answers that offer extreme information. Often, theres one answer choice that seems very different from the rest. This one is often incorrect, as tests are more about having you discern between a few very similar answer choices, rather than choosing one obviously right answer. 5. Use information from other questions to help If youve already eliminated one or more choices, but are still not sure which of the remaining is correct, skip and come back. Sometimes, later questions can illuminate this one question youre struggling with. A reading passage or even an answer choice from a different question can offer information that can help you, or at the very least, jog your memory. When youre struggling with how to eliminate multiple-choice answer choices, dont fret! As calmly as you can, begin eliminating answers. Keep in mind that some tests do not penalize you for wrong answers (like the new 2016 SAT), while other tests deduct points (or a fraction of points) from wrong answers, so that can help you decide whether to make an educated guess or leave a question blank. Good luck!

Tips for Helping Children Change Schools

Tips for Helping Children Change Schools This post is part of our 2017 Back-to-School Series. Throughout the month of August, visit the Varsity Tutors blog for back-to-school advice, tips, and tricks for all ages. Even at the beginning of the school year, changing schools can be a nerve-racking experience for families. Any new activity or scenario that disrupts a comfortable routine can be rife with uncertainty and fear. However, it can also be an exciting opportunity rich with rewards. Tips for helping children change schools can include attending back-to-school nights as a family, reading up on any necessary pre-school year material, and reaching out to other parents in your new school community. Changing schools is a shift for parents and students alike. Knowing how to handle this change as a team can help it go more smoothly. Here are tips for helping children transition into a new school, broken down for entire family units, parents, and students: Tips for helping children change schoolsfor the family Is there a back-to-school event hosted by the school before the year begins? If so, make an effort to attend it as a family. Your child may feel more comfortable in their new environment when surrounded by loved ones. Parents may also feel more comfortable seeing where their child will be spending most of their time. It may seem like a small step, but it can make a big difference. If there are siblings attending the same school, it might be worthwhile to have a discussion with them to ensure that family members will support one another at school. [RELATED: 5 Questions to Ask Your Students New Teacher] Tips for helping children change schoolsfor parents Starting a new school can be just as scary for the parents as it is for the children. There are many things to navigate, including: New parents New policies New teachers. Give yourself a leg up, and read all of the material provided to you prior to the school year. Having that knowledge will help you in the year to come. Are there any school parents you can connect with in your community or online before the school year starts? It may also be helpful to hear other parents perspectives. They may even give you some key tips. [RELATED: 4 Ways Parents Can Help Middle School Students Succeed] Tips for helping children change schoolsfor students A new school can be overwhelming, but it doesnt have to be! Youre in a unique position to make some great new friends and to learn a lot. If youre starting at a new middle or high school, you might be in the same position as everyone elseyoure all new, so embrace it! Everyone is learning, and its okay to ask questions. Its also okay to not know how to do things. It will get easier. If youre starting at a new school and youre one of a few new students, youre in luck. Students are usually happy to show you around. Take advantage of that, and have fun meeting your new classmates. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to talk about right when you meet new friends. But since youre coming off the summer months, it could be fun to talk about your favorite summer activity or a movie you saw. Also feel free to ask them questions. Sometimes making new friends can feel overwhelming. When that happens, it could be helpful to focus on other fun aspects of your new school. Its going to be great to learn new games at recess and to check out some interesting books that your old schools library didnt have. Maybe your computer lab has a fascinating game that you have never played before. There are lots of positive aspects to be on the lookout for at your new school. A few weeks before school starts, it might be helpful to begin getting into the swing of things school-wise. Start a more regular sleep schedule so youll be at your best come the first day of school. Make sure youre reading and brushing up on your math skills. That way, you can act confidently in your new classroom. And rememberyour new school is lucky to have you. [RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Backpack Essentials] Finally, keep an open mind. You never know what will surprise you throughout this new experience. 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.

The Myth of Multitasking

The Myth of Multitasking “Supertutor” Mark Maclaine is Tutorfair's Co-founder and Director of Learning. Mark is currently working on his new book which is based on a series of real life clients and the experiences he has gained over his many years of tutoring. The first snippet of this series looks at how tutors can create engaging and memorable lessons and also examines how effective multitasking  really is.   The Myth of multitasking Simon had been struggling to get his homework done on time, and his grades were slipping. His parents complained to the school that he was getting too much homework, and they called my tutor friend Andrea to help. In their first lesson, Simon insisted on putting music on in the background. Suddenly his mobile phone chirped with a message. Andrea protested and Simon said “It’s ok, I can multitask.” He stopped writing and responded to the message. In the next few minutes his computer screen lit up with a few more messages and he answered his brother on the home intercom. By the end of the hour he had done less than half of what they’d expected to cover. The  Science behind multitasking   He believed that he could multitask without a dip in productivity but his brain did not play along. The sticking point was the anterior prefrontal cortex, the brain’s control centre. It monitors activity within brain and information from the external world, and decides what is most urgent and relevant at a given moment. Then it activates and suppresses appropriate parts of the brain so the information can be processed. This is what happened in Simon’s brain as he started to write his essay and then got interrupted: In the time it took Simon to respond to the message, the information relevant to his writing had faded somewhat, or had been replaced by information from the message. Thus, returning to the task, he virtually had to start over: “Now, where was I?” Switching tasks releases dopamine, which serves to momentarily increase brain performance, and also makes multitasking a bit addictive. Researchers at Stanford University spent years looking into the benefits of multitasking, and failed to find a single one. They concluded that if you attempt to do two tasks at the same time it takes about 50% longer than if you do them sequentially. Moreover, in numerical and letter-based tasks you are likely to make twice as many errors. Top tips to help your students leave multitasking behind   Hide mobile phones from view: researchers from the University of Texas found that people who had a smartphone within view are worse at conducting tasks and remembering information. If devices have to be used, notifications should be turned off, and they should only be checked at set times Have students ask family and friends not to disturb them when they’re working. Take regular breaks (to avoid boredom which can lead to the desire for distraction)

Freshman Year Survival Tips

Freshman Year Survival Tips Goodbye, middle school; hello, high school! The adventure that is secondary education certainly comes with much excitement and trepidation.Eileen Huntington ofHuntington Learning Center says that while starting high school is a big change, there are many things parents can do to help their teens make a successful transition. This is a time when children become young adults and the school experience reflects that, she says. Freshman year sets the stage, so its important that parents help their children get off on the right foot. Here are several tips to help your teen ease into freshman year successfully and lay the foundation for a great high school experience: Commit to good organization. If your teen has previously struggled to stay organized, now is the time to get more serious about this essential skill. Set up routines at home like five-minute sessions at the beginning and ending of homework time to neaten the workspace, organize the backpack and get mentally prepared for the next day. Encourage your child to embrace tools like a planner or homework app, and consider color-coded folders or notebooks for each subject to minimize time spent finding notes and important papers. Talk about grades. Grades always matter, but in high school they are especially important. This is because students immediately start building their cumulative GPA, which is one of the top factors college admissions officers consider when evaluating applicants. Talk with your teen about why poor decisions lead to poor grades, which are harder to recover from when college is on the horizon in just a few years. Practice self-advocacy. On that note, because grades have a lasting impact in high school, its critical that your teen gets help as soon as he or she encounters trouble in a class. Set the expectation this year that its time for your teen to take ownership of the academic experience, which starts with making school the top priority, keeping up with homework and studying, and asking the teacher for help when he or she is confused or struggling to keep up. Take control of time management. High school is a whole new ballgame with multiple classes, different teacher expectations, extracurricular activities and more. Encourage your teen to strive for balance by scheduling absolutely everything, keeping on top of the daily to-do list and knowing his or her limits. The planner should become your teens best friendencourage him or her to put all test, homework and other important dates on the calendar and plan out time for the most essential tasks every day. Last but not least,Huntington reminds parents that keeping open lines of communication with their teens is essential. Its so important to share with new high school students that theres nothing to be ashamed of if challenges arise this year or anytime throughout high school, she says. Let your teen know that youre always there for support, no matter what. Having a solid family support system plus a positive outlook will help your teen survive and thrive as a freshman and for the rest of high school. To learn more about how to help your teen succeed in high school, call Huntington at 1-800-CAN-LEARN. 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 at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2017 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.

25 things you didnt know about italki 2014 Infographic

25 things you didnt know about italki 2014 Infographic 2014 is over , and  we have prepared an infographic that shows 25 interesting statistics about language learning at italki during the past year. 27 years of language lessons hours!!!  Well done italki students! If you want to  kick-start your language learning in 2015, just 20 hours are enough with the italki language challenge. Dont forget to sign up for yourself and check what other students have to say about previous challenges. Do you like the infographic? Share it on your site! a href=http://blog.italki.com/2015/01/25-things-you-didnt-know-about-italki-in-2014-infographic target=_blankimg src=http://blog.italki.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/italki-infographic-20141.jpg alt=2014 italki Language Learning Statistics Infographic width=640px border=0 //apWhen sharing pleaseinclude attribution to italki.com/p 25 things you didnt know about italki 2014 Infographic 2014 is over , and  we have prepared an infographic that shows 25 interesting statistics about language learning at italki during the past year. 27 years of language lessons hours!!!  Well done italki students! If you want to  kick-start your language learning in 2015, just 20 hours are enough with the italki language challenge. Dont forget to sign up for yourself and check what other students have to say about previous challenges. Do you like the infographic? Share it on your site! a href=http://blog.italki.com/2015/01/25-things-you-didnt-know-about-italki-in-2014-infographic target=_blankimg src=http://blog.italki.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/italki-infographic-20141.jpg alt=2014 italki Language Learning Statistics Infographic width=640px border=0 //apWhen sharing pleaseinclude attribution to italki.com/p

Beijing Huijia Private School

Beijing Huijia Private School Beijing Huijia Private School It is a pleasure to briefly introduce to you Beijing Huijia Private School. Established in 1993, Huijia Private School is an internationally focused private boarding school serving students in grades Kindergarten through 12. The school has always been at the forefront in China of educational thought and cutting-edge instructional strategies. The school implements the latest and best educational practices while utilizing modern facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology, a challenging and motivating IB (International Baccalaureate) academic curriculum, and a highly trained team of foreign and Chinese administrators, teachers and staff. Huijia is a member school of the Beijing Club of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and was the first private school in China to be approved to admit foreign students. Huijia was awarded the title of An Advanced Private School by the Beijing Municipal Government while also being approved by the Central Educational Science Institute of the Ministry of Education as a model school utilizing the latest techniques and best practices in education. Huijia has gained a reputation for being one of the best private schools in China. The core values of Huijias educational program include: Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, Passion, and Globalization. The schools mission is to fully utilize the unique geographic, economic and social advantages of Beijing to provide an international and multi-cultural learning environment based on the standards of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). The school seeks to blend the best of Western and Chinese educational thought into a comprehensive educational program that encourages students to cultivate their creative and exploratory skills while mastering a rigorous academic curriculum designed to produce globally-minded citizens and life-long learners. Presently the main campus of the school serves more than 2200 students in its Primary, Middle and High School divisions. A vocational college is located on an adjacent part of the campus and serves an additional 5000 students. As the largest private school in Beijing, the school also operates 42 kindergarten programs located throughout the city serving another 6000 students. In addition to our Chinese teachers and staff, there are over 75 foreign teachers on our main campus. The School is located in Changping District, a northern suburb of Beijing, about 45 minutes from downtown via subway. Our more rural location makes for a wonderfully pleasant and secure place to live. The air quality is generally significantly better than downtown Beijing and the smaller, more rural atmosphere and local villages allow wonderful opportunities to experience more of the traditional way of life in China. However, the benefits and attractions a large city environment provides are nearby and easily accessible. Primary School Introduction The PYP Primary School is a bilingual and bi-cultural primary school aiming to provide an environment where excellence in education can occur for children aged from 5 to 12. IB (International Baccalaureate) PYP (Primary Year Programme) framework is used to organize our teaching and learning. Through each unit of inquiry, students will inquire, make connections, develop conceptual understanding, think critically, work collaboratively, consider multiple perspectives, construct meaning. In our curriculum, a balance is sought between acquisition of essential knowledge and skills, development of conceptual understanding, demonstration of positive attitudes, and taking of responsible action. It is also recognized that educating students in a set of isolated subject areas, while necessary, but not sufficient. Of equal importance is the need to acquire skills in context, and to explore content that is relevant to students, and transcends the boundaries of the traditional subjects. Therefore, our curriculum is organized around six transdisciplinary theme of global significance intended to help children engage with their world and the world around them. Junior High School Introduction Huijias Middle School Division continues to reinforce the English language development of students through a rigorous and comprehensive bilingual educational curriculum, utilizing the Middle Years Programme (MYP) offered by all IB World Schools. The Middle School Division is currently in the candidate stage for formal approval of its academic program. The advantages of bilingual teaching and the integration of different subjects and cultures enable Huijia students to receive an internationally focused education and a solid academic foundation that prepares them for further study abroad. The mission of Huijias Middle School Division is to empower and prepare students to be bilingual lifelong learners, globally-minded citizens and tomorrows leaders. A challenging, caring, and holistic MYP curriculum and school environment actively engages students in the learning process, encourages individual creativity, fosters critical-thinking skills, and promotes personal responsibility and integrity. Huijias Middle School Program prepares students for success in life. In addition to its strong academic program the Middle School Division affirms the importance of extra-curricular activities by arranging and promoting a wide variety of clubs and activities to stimulate the developing creativity of students. Senior High School Introduction Huijia School joined the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in the year1997, is one of the earliest schools to offer IBDP curriculum in China, and is also at present the IB school having the largest scale, the highest teaching quality, the largest number of graduates in mainland, China. Huijia School IB Division has a team of international professional teachers with high qualifications. At present, the foreign teachers account for more than 55% of the total number of teachers, with at least 8 teachers having doctoral degree and 80 teachers having master degree. All the teachers must take the training organized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Huijia School, on the basis of Chinese students characteristics with the situation at the School, according to the IBO requirements, has offered the courses as following: Chinese A1, Chinese B?Korean A1?English B, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, philosophy, economics, commercial management and arts; Except Chinese A1, the other subjects are all taught in English. Chinese A1are mainly literary appreciation and comments, its level is also far above that of traditional senior high school. Every year, during the winter and summer vacation, the School organizes IB students to go to the UK, the USA, Canada, Singapore to conduct cultural exchange activities, to cultivate the students comprehensive ability, unfold rich and colorful English activities and participate in foreign exchange activities. Life in Beijing Living in China and in Beijing is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for anyone as there are many rich cultural and historical traditions to be experienced such as The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs, the Lama Temple, and many more. There are also an endless number of beautiful and amazing places to visit throughout China during holiday and vacation times. Having the opportunity to experience Chinese culture, the many varied and delicious foods, and just normal daily life is rewarding. However, by far the most wonderful aspect of living in China is the genuine warmth and friendship offered by the Chinese people from all walks of life to overseas visitors. Beijing city also offers all of the benefits of a large, metropolitan city including outstanding cultural events, concerts, shopping, theatre, gourmet restaurants, and entertainment. Beijing is one of the most developed cities in China with a population of over 20 million people and site of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Beijing is one of the largest hubs in Chinas railway network (including high speed train), and has an extensive and convenient subway system, bus system and a large international airport (the second busiest in the world). Huijia School is located in Changping District, a northern suburb of Beijing, about 45 minutes from downtown via subway. Our more rural location makes for a wonderfully pleasant and secure place to live. The air quality is generally significantly better than downtown Beijing and the smaller, more rural atmosphere and local villages allow wonderful opportunities to experience more of the traditional way of life in China. View our Brochure