Improving Our Performance in the Workplace in 5 Simple Steps - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Improving Our Performance in the Workplace in 5 Simple Steps - Introvert Whisperer Improving Our Performance in the Workplace in 5 Simple Steps PERSONAL BRANDING Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Why Free Online Tutoring is a Better Option for Your Children

Why Free Online Tutoring is a Better Option for Your Children 0SHARESShare Tutoring bills are a matter of panic for any parent, leave alone e-tutoring bills. One or the other thing can be done to minimize the bills and improve the child’s grades at the same time. Why not try free e-tutoring for your kid and find the results for yourselves? What to do for that? Learn your child’s needs: Check what your child demands in his/ her studies. Not that every child requires regular tutoring sessions. The demands and learning needs differ. It can be just a boost in learning algebra or a minute’s help in doing Physics word problem. Regular sessions may not suit and it may hinder the extracurricular activities of the child. Your kid may better prefer a free online tutoring service that does not bother your child with steady one- one session, but provides a bit of help with the internet access in a local library. Children can learn better with free services, if their mind is bent towards learning along with other activities. What do these free websites offer: Free online teaching websites are mostly connected to the local libraries in association with regular online tutoring companies. They render the same features as other web based learning sites message boards, databases, search functions, printable, calculators and   free tutoring .They have prerecorded video tutorials that offer a readable and well set lessons. The students can search the tutoring links to the search engine offered. In case, you need help, you can approach a free tutoring online expert. Learning Math through free tutoring websites: Math is not a riddle, if you approach proper free sites to learn Math. A probability or calculus question can be clarified with the tutoring links in the free website options. Games, flash cards and other activities related to Math can be introduced to the kids who show less enthusiasm and more reluctance to Math, taking Math assignment as a chore. Give them the free access to free online math tutoring facilities and allow them to learn Math by themselves. The sessions are theirs as there is no compulsion. They can work wonders by sharing the printable and other tutoring options to grasp the fundamental aspects of Math. Find the free workbooks in web based tutoring sites and work on them to improve your math knowledge- most of them are free for your perusal. Similarly you can access the free lessons in your areas of Math and read the explanations and worked out sums to enhance your knowledge in the concerned aspect of Math. Free e tutoring is ideal for students emerging from middle income groups for the benefits they offer. [starbox id=admin]

Travel English Classes A Guide to Spoken English in Scotland

Travel English Classes A Guide to Spoken English in Scotland Scotland is known for its men in skirts and the Loch Ness Monster. However, there is more to the country than this. It also offers an English vocabulary that is rich with Celtic sounds but is ultimately a unique form of spoken English that can be difficult if you are traveling.Here is a short guide to the English spoken in Scotland if you are planning a trip there:Key word: Haggis This is Scotland’s national dish. It is a type of sausage made with minced meat of a sheep’s heart, liver and lungs. Onion, salt and oatmeal are added to give it taste and texture.Social Aye means yes.If you are told wheesht! it means be quiet!Havers means nonsense.If someone is bad-tempered they might be called crabbit.A stupid or silly person might be called galoot.To become excited or agitated is said to get het up.To complain is called to girn.An unattractive person is called hackit.You will hear men being referred to as jimmy.Women are referred to as hen. This is also a term of endearment.A boy and girl might also be called lad and lassie respectively.You will also hear a baby referred to as bairn.Eating and drinking Cock-a-leekie is chicken and leek soup.A dram (of whiskey) means a drop (of whiskey).If you hear someone asking for a heavy in a bar, it means a dark beer.Clothes Trousers are often called breeks. A man’s flat cap is called a cadie. A kilt is the traditional knee-length skirt worn by men in Scotland. They are now mostly used at official ceremonies, like weddings.Random New Years Eve is called Hogmanay.A church is called a kirk. If something is beautiful you will hear it called bonnie.If something is small it is referred to as wee.Lakes are called lochs.A mountain could be referred to as a ben.As we learn the vocabulary used in Scotland, lets listen to one of the countrys biggest musical exports of the 1980s, The Proclaimers, singing their hit A  Letter from America. Enjoy the Scottish scenery in the video.

Spelling Struggles and ADHD

Spelling Struggles and ADHD Many kids with ADHD struggle with spelling problems. They have difficulty learning to spell new words, may take longer to think through how to spell a word and write it down on the page, and make mistakes spelling simple words that they had previously memorized. In fact, studies have shown that kids with ADHD are even likely to make spelling mistakes when they copy words verbatim. Unfortunately, kids with ADHD who struggle with spelling are often perceived as not caring about the quality of their work, or being too lazy to double check for errors. In reality, one of the primary executive functioning components involved in spelling working memory - is impaired in many kids with ADHD. As a result, kids with ADHD will make more spelling mistakes than kids without ADHD even when they are trying to do their best work. In addition, having ADHD makes it harder to identify spelling mistakes during proofreading, so traditional strategies for double checking work may not be very effective. While spelling struggles may be a lifelong challenge for many kids with ADHD, there are strategies that can help. Commit words to memory using creative strategies. Making spelling an automatic process whenever possible wont eliminate spelling problems, but it will help cut down on errors. Basic, repetitive memorization strategies are often not very effective for kids with ADHD. Instead, try incorporating tactile activities. Allow your child to use magnetic letters to spell words or write words with his or her fingers in a tray of sand or on a cutting board covered in baking flour. If you have more time, allow your child to use clay to form letter shapes and spell out words. Encourage your child to read. In general, the more kids read the better they will become at spelling. If your child is a reluctant reader, supplement required reading assignments with fun reading activities. These can be things like reading comic books, having someone read aloud while he or she follows along, or visiting websites with articles on his or her favorite topics. Allow your child to type words instead of handwriting them. Spelling is a complex process, and some kids with ADHD have difficulty with the physical process of handwriting letters to form word lists and at least some of his or her assignments. Consider talking to your childs teacher about getting an accommodation that will allow your child to turn in homework assignments that were completed on a computer. Use Text to Speech readers and spell checkers as proofreading tools. Basic proofreading is a challenge for kids with ADHD, but technology can help. Spell checkers will catch many spelling errors, and Text to Speech readers will identify even more spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Text to Speech programs will read aloud the words that your child has typed onto the page. Your child will be able to hear when a word sounds incorrect, or is used is the wrong context. There are many free Text to Speech readers, like NaturalReader, available online. Consider testing for learning problems. If your childs spelling challenges are severe and/or are accompanied by reading delays and other writing problems, then consider requesting a learning evaluation from your childs school, an educational therapist, or a psychologist. Its possible that a reading or writing disorder is driving the problem, and targeted interventions can help. Spelling struggles can be frustrating for kids with ADHD, but with patience, practice, and a little help from technology, your childs spelling can improve over time. 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.

Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss Birthday With These Fun Activities

Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”- Dr. Seuss Every year at the beginning of March, children across the country kick-off National Reading Month by celebrating the birthday of the beloved Dr. Seuss and the many characters that have been immortalized in his children’s books across the globe. “Read Across America Day” is an annual reading program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2nd. From a child’s first time hearing a story on their parent’s lap to an adult’s escape into the pages of an intriguing novel, reading plays a major role in our lives. Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child!”- Dr. Seuss Check out these fun and simple ways to celebrate “Read Across America Day:” 1. Throw A Reading Party.  Share a love for reading by inviting friends over for a Dr. Seuss themed reading party. Ask the attendees to dress up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character. And then get comfy with Dr. Seuss books, enjoy some Dr. Seuss themed snacks and talk about the timeless classics. 2. Cook up Some Reading Fun.  Have fun in the kitchen with your kids and serve up some green eggs and ham or make a tasty Cat in the Hat snack by providing kids with wooden skewers and red and white foods. Have the kids alternate the red and white foods as they put them on the skewer and let them enjoy the snack as you read aloud. 3. Oh, the Places You’ll Go.  In spirit of one of Dr. Seuss’ most popular books, map out all of the places you and your children have read or are reading about on a U.S. or world map. Inspire reading 365 days a year and keep the project going. Every time your child reads about a new location, he can mark it on the map. Check out several Dr. Seuss books on the Kumon Recommended Reading List. You might also be interested in: Celebrate “Read Across America Day” with these Fun Activities 5 Tips to Celebrate National Family Literacy Month 5 Books to Read for Black History Month How One Girl’s Love for Reading Led Her to Become the Scripps National Spelling Bee Winner Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”- Dr. Seuss Every year at the beginning of March, children across the country kick-off National Reading Month by celebrating the birthday of the beloved Dr. Seuss and the many characters that have been immortalized in his children’s books across the globe. “Read Across America Day” is an annual reading program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2nd. From a child’s first time hearing a story on their parent’s lap to an adult’s escape into the pages of an intriguing novel, reading plays a major role in our lives. Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child!”- Dr. Seuss Check out these fun and simple ways to celebrate “Read Across America Day:” 1. Throw A Reading Party.  Share a love for reading by inviting friends over for a Dr. Seuss themed reading party. Ask the attendees to dress up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character. And then get comfy with Dr. Seuss books, enjoy some Dr. Seuss themed snacks and talk about the timeless classics. 2. Cook up Some Reading Fun.  Have fun in the kitchen with your kids and serve up some green eggs and ham or make a tasty Cat in the Hat snack by providing kids with wooden skewers and red and white foods. Have the kids alternate the red and white foods as they put them on the skewer and let them enjoy the snack as you read aloud. 3. Oh, the Places You’ll Go.  In spirit of one of Dr. Seuss’ most popular books, map out all of the places you and your children have read or are reading about on a U.S. or world map. Inspire reading 365 days a year and keep the project going. Every time your child reads about a new location, he can mark it on the map. Check out several Dr. Seuss books on the Kumon Recommended Reading List. You might also be interested in: Celebrate “Read Across America Day” with these Fun Activities 5 Tips to Celebrate National Family Literacy Month 5 Books to Read for Black History Month How One Girl’s Love for Reading Led Her to Become the Scripps National Spelling Bee Winner

The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Language Exchange Partner

The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Language Exchange Partner Quick quiz: What is the main reason that people learn a foreign language?Answer: Quite simply, to talk!Literally. Though reading and writing are important components of language learning, what we all dream of  is to speak fluently, to travel to a  country where our target language  is spoken and sound like a local.If your dream is like mine, keep on reading, because the clearest path to fluency is  finding a language exchange partner.Ill explain the benefits of language exchange, tips on how to get the most out of your language exchange sessions, and of course how to find partners both online and offline.So what are you waiting for? Scroll down! Benefits of Having a Language Exchange  PartnerPositive Social MotivationLearning a language on your own can be tough. As hard as you try to listen to audio lessons online, use flashcards  or take advantage of  online resources, it can be hard to keep your  motivation high. Traditional courses, with their focus on exams and grades, arent ex actly a low-pressure solution.So heres a fun, positive option: a language exchange partner. Meeting up with a friendly faceâ€"someone who only wants to see you succeed and can provide a barometer on your language learning progressâ€"is a great way to not only reduce the loneliness of language learning, but provide some positive momentum as well.Training Your EarOne of the biggest challenges facing new language learners is training your ear to hear the nuances of language and accent. Sitting over a textbook  or listening to audio tapes is just not the same as living and breathing a language. Since you cant just go to the country where the language is spoken, why not find someone in your town or community to speak with?Non-verbal LanguageSomething youll quickly find out is that theres more to language than just words. Facial expressions, hand gestures and inflections are all unwritten parts of a language, and there is no better way to learn these than one-on-one with a language exchan ge partner. Moreover, understanding these aspects of a language can make learning vocabulary easier.So we know that the benefits of having a  language exchange partner are huge. But how can you  make the most of your meetings?Getting the Most out of Your  Language Exchange SessionsWhen youre heading to your very first language exchange, the butterflies might hit. I barely know how to speak this language! What are we going to do for an hour?First of all, dont worry. Language exchange is supposed to be funâ€"stressing out is never  a good way to learn a language. Here are some tips on how to get the most of your language exchange sessions, and have fun doing it!Warm Up with FluentUTo get your mind thinking in your target language before you meet with your language exchange partner, spend 5-10 minutes on FluentU.  FluentU is an online immersion platform that takes  real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized languag e learning lessons.FluentU is designed to get you comfortable  with everyday language,  by combining all the benefits of complete  immersion and native-level conversations with easy-to-read subtitles and FluentUs  highly-effective learn mode.  This is also a phenomenal way to improve during the week, between meetings with your language partner.Stay on ScheduleThis is key. You should definitely have some time to get to know each other, and have friendly conversation in your mutual, best language. But then, get down to business. Set up a reasonable schedule: 30 minutes in the language youre trying to learn, 30 minutes in English (or whatever language your partner wants to learn) is a common and great  way to divide the time. Its easy to get off topic and waste timeâ€"dont let that happen!Meet RegularlyThe longer you wait between meetings, the less likely you are to remember what you learned. I recommend meeting once a week, with once every two weeks the bare minimum. Anything less and you wont have time to train your ear and learn.Dont Be Afraid to Make MistakesRemember, youre not being graded! Mistakes are part of learningâ€"in fact, they are the best way to learn. Cant think of a word? Try to describe it using the language youre learning. Your partner doesnt understand you? Try speaking it out slowly.Heres a tip: Smile when you make a mistake, and begin turning failure into laughter. Then your fears will fade and your mind will open to the trial and error necessary for deep language learning.Like the saying goes, its better to have tried and failed, than to have never tried at all.Practice Between MeetupsI recommend bringing a notebook with you and, without distracting too much from the conversation, jotting  down any difficulties youre having or new words youre learning. Then, when youre back home, practice whatever  you found most difficult. It could be pronunciation, or maybe a challenging verb tense or conjugation.The best part? When you show up to your ne xt meeting  and impress your partner with how much youve improved!How to Find a Language Exchange PartnerNow, I know what youre thinking: The benefits are all swell, and Im  itching to put those tips into action, but I  dont know a single person who speaks French (or Russian, or whatever language you are learning)! How can I find a language exchange partner?Dont fret. We live in a multicultural era, with people of all ethnicities, nationalities and languages traversing the world for globalized opportunities. Chances are that there are people in your community or city who speak the language you want to learn, and would be interested in having the chance to improve their English through language exchange.If not, there is an alternative: a virtual language exchange partner. Though tools like Skype, you can reap most of the benefits of an in-person exchange through many online resources, accessible wherever you have an internet connection!Finding an In-person Language Exchange  PartnerH ere are the best ways and resources to find yourself a language partner with whom you can meet face-to-face:Craigslist:  The worlds top classified site has a section for “Activity Partners where you can both post a request for a language exchange partner.University Message Boards:  Do you live near a university? Most American universities, no matter how big, small or remote, have international students from all around the world. Post an ad at the university either online or on bulletin boards on campus.Forums:  Does your town or city have a forum on a site like InterNations? If so, do a search or put up a post.Meetup:  Meetup is a website dedicated to organizing small group get-togethers around shared or common interests. They have numerous language exchange meetups in cities all across the world. This is especially useful for popular languagesâ€"like Chinese, Spanish, French, German, or Japaneseâ€"but may not be as useful if you are learning a more obscure or less popular languag e.Local Language Centers:  Similarly, there might be a local cultural center that offers language courses, or provides a venue for language learning, in your community. Alliance Francais (French) and Goethe Institute (German) are two common ones. Google is your friend!Couchsurfing:  Couchsurfing is the worlds largest travel social network. Though its focus is getting locals with extra space in their homes to host travelers, the site also has a wide host of events in cities all around the world. The best part about Couchsurfing is, after you register and create an account, you can search for locals in your area by the language they speak. This is fantastic way to find language partners in more obscure or less spoken languages.In my experience, a friendly introduction message to a Couchsurfer, with an offer to meet over coffee and exchange language, will usually work (though you might have to send messages to a few profiles to get a response).I, for one, was able to use Couchsurfing t o find an Indonesian language exchange partner, a language for which there are nearly no exchange groups in the United States.Finding a Virtual Language Exchange PartnerHaving trouble finding an in-person partner? Do you live in a place without a large university or a diverse immigrant population? Or is the language you are trying to learn too obscure?Dont fret. We live in an interconnected world, where distance no longer matters as it once did.   The web is connecting people all around the world, and there are several sites where you can set up a profile and find a virtual language exchange partner and gain nearly all the benefits of in-person exchange from the comfort of your home.Here are a few of the most popular ones with recommendations to help you decide which is best for you!italki: This is my pick for the best overall language exchange site. It is large, well designed, easy to use and has a good diversity of languages and members. You can log in directly using your Facebook account, which will save you time as you wont have to fill in as many details, and then you can search for a teacher based on your language level and which conversation skills you want to improve.ExchangeLanguage.com: Though not quite as user-friendly as italki, this site tends to have more members who speak European languages. The registration process is fairly straightforward, but be careful when searching through profiles that the user you are contacting has logged into his or her account recently.Conversation Exchange:  This site has an older layout, but is still very reliable with an active community. You make a profile and write about yourself, then you can browse the profiles of other users based on their target and native languages. There are three possible modes of interaction that you can look for: face-to-face conversation, correspondence (pen pal) and text/voice chat. I recommend checking this site out if you are learning an Asian language, as they have a large number o f profiles from people in East Asia.The Mixxer: For those of you specifically looking for Skype video exchange partners, the Mixxer is a great option. It is a free educational site for language learners hosted by Dickinson College, and is designed specifically to connect language learners around the world to have  video exchanges. They also have lessons plans and other resources that you can use to improve language skills and plan out your exchange sessions.LiveMocha: This site blends language lessons with the ability to find language partners. After you register and put your native language and the language you want to learn onto your profile, LiveMocha will automatically give you a list of potential partners that match your needs. This is a great option for those of you who want a more comprehensive option.Reddit: For those of you who love message boards and chat forums and dont mind a bit of mess, check out Reddit. There are subreddits for nearly every language in the world, maki ng it a great place to post and find a partner, especially for  obscure or less popular Asian and African languages. Registration is simple and forums are open to all, as long as you dont post spam.Location-specific Sites:  Many cities have their own regular language exchange events or partner-finding sites, like  loquo in Spain or GoLingo in Montpellier, France. Use Google and Facebook to find out if your city (or a city/country you plan to visit) has its own site for finding language exchange partners, or its own weekly language exchange event.Multiple Language Partners: Double Your LearningIf one partner is so great, why not have two? Or more? Here I urge you to move with caution, as sometimes more is not necessarily better.Meeting in groups of three can mean less pressure, and you can train your ear to distinguish between multiple accents. The downside is that theres less time for you to speak, and the conversation tends to go to the level of the one who speaks the worst of the language, which can limit your ability to improve.So think carefully about what you want to gain from a language exchange. If you feel that just meeting with one person would be best, then go for it. If you think that meeting in a group is better, then follow that path!Heres another option:  meeting two people separately, one-on-one. This will allow you to have more exposure, perhaps learn different accents, but also means more commitment on your part.So what are you waiting for? Get out there, find a language partner, and fast track your language skills! And One More ThingLet FluentU inspire your language exchanges. 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 ta p 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 FluentUs 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.

Slowing Down in the Face of Challenge is the Key to this Students Academic Success

Slowing Down in the Face of Challenge is the Key to this Students Academic Success Slowing Down in the Face of Challenge is the Key to this Students Academic Success Gavin, 11-years-old, Math Level J, Reading Level K Gavin has an above-average appetite for challenge. On a daily basis, the 11-year old balances many extracurricular activities such as participating in both cello and piano lessons, competitive soccer, robotics club, and much more. Despite his busy schedule, Gavin makes it a point to make time to volunteer, both at the local soup kitchen as well as coaching LEGO Robotics at an underprivileged school. One of the reasons Gavin has the extra time to devote to outside activities is that he doesn’t have to worry about homework bogging him down. Because of his enrollment in Kumon’s Math and Reading Program, he is years ahead of grade level, which helps him complete homework in a pinch. “Kumon has helped me outside of the classroom by teaching me crucial skills such as being focused, time management, and using my time wisely, all of which have allowed me extra time to enjoy my passions,” said Gavin. “I stay motivated along the way by just slowing down and thinking, and I tell myself that if I stay with things, I will thank myself for persisting in the future.” Gavin’s parents enrolled him in the Kumon Math and Reading Program over four years ago. He started out learning simple multiplication and piecing together sentences and has now advanced to high school level math and analytical reading. Although Gavin has no shortage of accomplishments, he values the virtue of staying humble. In fact, when we asked him who his inspirations were, his true character and love for giving back came through. “My biggest inspirations are the humble of the wealthy, such as Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, who use their knowledge, resources, and power to give back to the community in a positive way.” It’s no surprise that Gavin was one of 56 students selected to attend Kumon’s 3rd Annual Student Conference this past July. The event, which took place in Chicago, Illinois, connected some of North America’s brightest Kumon Students to collaborate, network, and connect through critical thinking activities. We had a chance to chat with Gavin during the conference to learn more about the importance of Kumon in his life and his hopes for the future. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? What I enjoy most is the excitement of learning and mastering new math concepts and discovering new, enrapturing literature. How has Kumon helped you academically? Gavin shakes hands with Kumon North America President Mino Tanabe Kumon has helped me academically by teaching me accuracy, math concepts, and crucial reading skills that give me the baseline of education, therefore placing me much ahead of the average student. I especially loved when Kumon recommended books to read and showed me many fantastic books, such as Bridge to Terabithia and A Wrinkle in Time. What about outside of the classroom? Kumon has helped me by giving me a solid character foundation for time management, persistence, and grit. What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up, I would like to be either a movie director or a lawyer. What achievements are you most proud of? The achievement that Im most proud of is being able to balance all of my extracurricular activities (Cello, Piano, Chinese language lessons, soccer, and Kumon) and still be able to have free-time and advance in school. What advice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? My advice would be to always keep a steady pace and persist through hard times, and to never give up, as anything is possible if you give it your all. Kumon truly helped me in almost every way possible, and I would totally recommend it to anyone. How did you feel when you found out you were selected to attend the Student Conference? I felt super excited and amazed at my luck, knowing that this is an extraordinary once-in-a-life experience that rarely anyone gets to experience. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. Three-Time Spelling Bee Champion Always Welcomes a Challenge As Easy as Eating Cake: This Student Tackles Every Challenge that Comes His Way Increased Confidence has Inspired this Young Girl to Take on any Challenge Slowing Down in the Face of Challenge is the Key to this Students Academic Success Slowing Down in the Face of Challenge is the Key to this Students Academic Success Gavin, 11-years-old, Math Level J, Reading Level K Gavin has an above-average appetite for challenge. On a daily basis, the 11-year old balances many extracurricular activities such as participating in both cello and piano lessons, competitive soccer, robotics club, and much more. Despite his busy schedule, Gavin makes it a point to make time to volunteer, both at the local soup kitchen as well as coaching LEGO Robotics at an underprivileged school. One of the reasons Gavin has the extra time to devote to outside activities is that he doesn’t have to worry about homework bogging him down. Because of his enrollment in Kumon’s Math and Reading Program, he is years ahead of grade level, which helps him complete homework in a pinch. “Kumon has helped me outside of the classroom by teaching me crucial skills such as being focused, time management, and using my time wisely, all of which have allowed me extra time to enjoy my passions,” said Gavin. “I stay motivated along the way by just slowing down and thinking, and I tell myself that if I stay with things, I will thank myself for persisting in the future.” Gavin’s parents enrolled him in the Kumon Math and Reading Program over four years ago. He started out learning simple multiplication and piecing together sentences and has now advanced to high school level math and analytical reading. Although Gavin has no shortage of accomplishments, he values the virtue of staying humble. In fact, when we asked him who his inspirations were, his true character and love for giving back came through. “My biggest inspirations are the humble of the wealthy, such as Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, who use their knowledge, resources, and power to give back to the community in a positive way.” It’s no surprise that Gavin was one of 56 students selected to attend Kumon’s 3rd Annual Student Conference this past July. The event, which took place in Chicago, Illinois, connected some of North America’s brightest Kumon Students to collaborate, network, and connect through critical thinking activities. We had a chance to chat with Gavin during the conference to learn more about the importance of Kumon in his life and his hopes for the future. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? What I enjoy most is the excitement of learning and mastering new math concepts and discovering new, enrapturing literature. How has Kumon helped you academically? Gavin shakes hands with Kumon North America President Mino Tanabe Kumon has helped me academically by teaching me accuracy, math concepts, and crucial reading skills that give me the baseline of education, therefore placing me much ahead of the average student. I especially loved when Kumon recommended books to read and showed me many fantastic books, such as Bridge to Terabithia and A Wrinkle in Time. What about outside of the classroom? Kumon has helped me by giving me a solid character foundation for time management, persistence, and grit. What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up, I would like to be either a movie director or a lawyer. What achievements are you most proud of? The achievement that Im most proud of is being able to balance all of my extracurricular activities (Cello, Piano, Chinese language lessons, soccer, and Kumon) and still be able to have free-time and advance in school. What advice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? My advice would be to always keep a steady pace and persist through hard times, and to never give up, as anything is possible if you give it your all. Kumon truly helped me in almost every way possible, and I would totally recommend it to anyone. How did you feel when you found out you were selected to attend the Student Conference? I felt super excited and amazed at my luck, knowing that this is an extraordinary once-in-a-life experience that rarely anyone gets to experience. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. Three-Time Spelling Bee Champion Always Welcomes a Challenge As Easy as Eating Cake: This Student Tackles Every Challenge that Comes His Way Increased Confidence has Inspired this Young Girl to Take on any Challenge