You Should Read, AP Chemistry, AP Chemistry For Science Fair, and AP Chemistry For Art

You Should Read, AP Chemistry, AP Chemistry For Science Fair, and AP Chemistry For ArtYou may wonder why we ask you to read AP Chemistry, AP Chemistry for Science Fair, and AP Chemistry for Art. I want to start with a little history. We don't expect you to know this, but the biggest reason to learn Chemistry is for college.Many people go to college for college. If you went to college, you probably didn't do it because of the money or because you wanted to make some friends. You went to college to learn something about yourself and to meet new people. If you aren't in college, I am pretty sure you aren't working.College students are pressured by their parents, by teachers, and by the press. The APs in college are tough, but AP Chemistry is the hardest one out there. So the AP tests are designed for student who will do well in chemistry class.You might be tempted to skip the test. Don't skip the test. If you pass the test, you will understand the material and have more confidence. You might even come to the realization that you don't need a chemistry teacher to tell you what to do.If you need help with AP Chemistry, you should take the free practice test. This will help you get the feel of the concepts.I will give you two things to remember when you are taking the AP App. One, you have to prepare yourself mentally and physically. Two, you have to make sure that you study every single night and don't fall asleep. You can't expect to learn during your free time.We will end the day with the other things that you should take into consideration for AP Chemistry.If you have a high school diploma, you should always keep in mind that most of the AP tests are shorter than the college level AP tests. Also, there are more options and shortcuts than in college.

6 Ways To Help Your Kids Learn Chemistry At Home

6 Ways To Help Your Kids Learn Chemistry At Home Chemistry For Kids Doesn’t Have To Be Boring Chapters1. Supplement Your Child’s Learning At Home2.   Watch A Variety Of Science Programmes3.   Look At Different Chemistry Sets For Kids4.   Try Fun Chemistry Experiments At Home5. Expand Kids’ Knowledge With Chemistry Books6. Spark Their Curiosity For ChemistryChemistry is an important subject in any child’s education. Just like any subject your child studies at school, it’s only natural that you’d like them to do as well academically as possible.So, if your child has:Shown an interest in chemistry as a potential career path;An aptitude for chemistry as a subject at school; orStruggled in the past with chemistry lessons, and could do with some additional work to help improve their marks in chemistry,Then it can really be beneficial to supplement your child’s knowledge of chemistry at home.Below are just six different suggestions for how you can complement the chemistry lessons your child should learn at school from the comfort of your home. Of course, it’s worthwhil e noting that the below list is not exhaustive and that you might find another way to help improve your child’s chemistry marks!The most important thing is to see which methods of learning best suit your child and adopt home learning techniques accordingly. It’s also worth taking into account how old your child is when considering the below approaches. Certain experiments, for example, may not be as suitable for younger children.There are plenty of ways you can teach your kids more about chemistry at home - including making the most of fun chemistry experiments! (Image Source: CC0 1.0, MasterTux, Pixabay)Biochemistry; andHow chemistry shows how materials interact with one another.However, in order to gain extensive knowledge of any field, the basics have to be learnt. That’s why learning about the basics of chemistry at home can be a great place to start if your child has shown an interest in chemistry, or would like to pursue a chemistry-related career in the future.How you c an supplement your child’s existing knowledge of chemistry will largely depend on how much they already know and how old the child is.For example, if your child is already at school, has been taught a little about chemistry and seems enthusiastic to learn more about the subject, then you could look at improving their knowledge of the subject in a number of different ways. For instance, you could:Spend some one on one time helping your child with their chemistry homework to try to ensure they’ve fully understood the content of the lesson and accompanying homework task; orEncourage them to learn more about the chemistry syllabus they are studying â€" perhaps by looking at science topics that will be covered in future lessons, or by helping them research previous lesson topics in greater depth.Of course, if you want to help your child learn more about chemistry but you have limited knowledge of the subject yourself, then you can also achieve the above results through the use of a t utor, who can be found through websites such as Superprof.Equally, if your kid is not yet old enough to go to school and learn about chemistry there, there are other ways to pique their interest in basic chemistry - for example by showing them videos of different chemical reactions online, giving them a crash course in kitchen chemistry through baking, or buying them a collection of science toys.2.   Watch A Variety Of Science ProgrammesThere’s no escaping the fact that we now live in a digital age. As a result, the vast majority of children are already familiar with having tablets, laptops, TVs and mobile phones as a source of information.One of the great things about technology is that it can be used for educational purposes. Educational TV shows about science can be a wonderful way of teaching children more about the world of chemistry and science as a whole.For instance, the BBC has some short videos that cover chemistry topics, including Chemistry: A Volatile History, which e xplores topics including the formation of the periodic table. There’s also the slightly older show, Bill Nye the Science Guy, which nevertheless can teach kids some interesting facts about science in an engaging way.There are lots of science topics for kids that you can teach your children about at home. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, StockSnap, Pixabay)How old your child is (and so how much supervision they may need when it comes to tasks such as measuring); andWhat kind of experiments you’d like your child to try out.For ease, we outline some easy home science experiments that you can undertake at home below.Hire an  A Level chemistry tutor online  now.4.   Try Fun Chemistry Experiments At HomeBuilding on the idea of getting your child a chemistry set, another way to teach children about how exciting chemistry can be is to encourage them to carry out easy experiments at home.We’ve all seen a chemical volcano experiment before, which is created using a combination of baking soda and vinegar, and perhaps a dash of food colouring â€" so why not start your child off with similar experiments?Often, these science experiments require just a few household ingredients, are easy to carry out and observe, and can teach your child about how certain chemical elements and substances react with one another. In short - they're a great teaching tool for any budding chemist or scientist!For example, you could try to make slime with your child, check out invisible ink, conduct experiments that teach lessons about magnetism or static electricity, or opt for a more explosive chemistry experiment by adding Mentos to a bottle of Diet Coke.If you want to do the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment, be sure to only do it in an outdoor space unless you want a huge stream of bubbles to soak an indoor room!Some other common experiments that may be worth trying are outlined in a video from the BBC. These experiments should keep your child entertained for a number of hours as they observe the weird and wonderful processes that each science experiment highlights.There are lots of different fun chemistry experiments that you can try out at home with your child. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay)5. Expand Kids’ Knowledge With Chemistry BooksAlthough this is the more traditional way of teaching your child about chemistry, there is a lot to be said for having your child read chemistry books.Chemistry books, just like biology and physics books, don’t always have to be stuffy and boring.In fact, there are lots of educational books available today that aim to make learning more fun for the reader, whether those books are teaching kids about chemical change and chemical reactions, different types of fun science, or the difference between acids and alkalis.So, if your kid enjoys reading and has shown an interest in chemistry, why not combine the two?For example, some books you could look into are:Molecule Mayhem by  Tom Adams;Fizz, Bubble Flash! Element Ex plorations Atom Adventures for Hands-On Science Fun! By Anita Brandolini; orChemical Chaos in the Horrible Science series by Nick Arnold.Naturally, educational books, including chemistry books, are often written with different age ranges in mind, so it’s a case of having a look around and seeing which books come highly recommended within your child’s age bracket.6. Spark Their Curiosity For ChemistryThe final tip on this list for how you can help your kids learn chemistry at home isn’t strictly home-based. Nevertheless, it can be a wonderful way to help develop your child’s knowledge of chemistry in an environment outside of school.This is because the final tip is to try and take your kids out to a local science museum, or perhaps even to a science or chemistry-related event, when possible.There are many benefits to going to visit a museum, a science fair, or similar event. For instance:It can help a child learn about different aspects of chemistry that they weren’t previ ously aware of; andIt shows that chemistry isn’t just a theoretical science and that it has real-world applications.Your child can hopefully see some science experiments or a demonstration being conducted in-person, supplementing any classroom study.Hopefully, the above six tips will give you enough inspiration to encourage your child’s budding interest in chemistry. If you are still looking for any further advice or tips on how to teach your kids chemistry at home, then there is always the possibility of turning to a physics and  chemistry tutor for some tips and advice.Superprof has a range of chemistry tutors who are happy to provide both online and in-person tuition services â€" it’s just a case of searching through Superprof’s database to find the right chemistry teacher for you and your child!

An Interview with a Volunteer Adam Schauer - Heart Math Tutoring

An Interview with a Volunteer Adam Schauer - Heart Math Tutoring An Interview with a Volunteer: Adam Schauer An Interview with a Volunteer: Adam Schauer September 3, 2019 It didn’t take long for Adam Schauer to become a devoted member of the Heart Math Tutoring volunteer team. Heart Tutoring’s ability to “immediately impact” the Charlotte community is what first intrigued Adam, a Client Portfolio Manager at Barings, about serving with us years ago. We recently sat down with Adam to hear what makes being a Heart Tutoring volunteer special, in his own words. “You don’t even think about math. You’re just interacting with them.” Beyond instilling the life skills that come with learning basic math, Adam says it’s the opportunity to mentor and positively impact children’s lives that makes the experience so rewarding. And Heart Tutoring’s playful approach to teaching math is a natural way to strengthen those mentor-mentee relationships, he reflects. Because the lesson plans are easy to grasp, and oriented around games and interactive problem-solving, children learn by way of connection. Adam his partner tutor, Mike with their student Adam says he enjoys engaging with children at their various learning levels and engaging in “friendly competitions” with his partner teacher to give the most fun or interesting lesson each week. “[My partner and I] try to make it a fun, entertaining, playful environment,” he says. “We’ll joke and ask our student whose lesson he liked more that week.” HMT Note: This also challenges the student to reflect on their previous lesson. Way to go, Adam! “30 minutes is all it takes.” Charlotte professionals like Adam tend to stay busy in and outside of work. But Adam encourages those considering Heart Tutoring to not let the time commitment dissuade them from taking that step. As Adam puts it, “volunteering just 30 minutes per week during limited times of the year can have a lasting snowball effect on the long-term development of these children.” “It’s refreshing to step out of the busy world and step into time with someone who needs more support and help than we realize,” he says. Thirty minutes a week can leave a lifetime impression, and to help maximize that positive impact, Adam started a carpool to make volunteering that much easier for his Barings colleagues. “The long-term impact is their interest in learning more.” Beyond the successful math lessons, the biggest reward for Adam is seeing Heart Tutoring kids develop a new curiosity in general learning. “Obviously you want them to have an ability to grow through academics … But the longer-term impact â€" where you can really see the kids come out of their shell â€" is their interest in learning more. They bring an excitement to their tutoring session and they take that excitement home, to other studies, to telling their friends.” Adam, his partner tutor, Mike, with their student her mom “That’s what keeps me coming back.” With the responsibility to mentor comes what he calls a “welcome challenge.” Recognizing that all children respond differently to guidance and direction, Adam strives to approach every interaction with his students uniquely. “Once you make that connection with a child, you really start building a strong relationship. And that’s what keeps me coming back the most,” he says. “It’s the laughs, the giggles, the challenges.” One testament to the great impact of these tutoring sessions, Adam says, is interacting with students long after the sessions have ended. When you see them in the halls even years later, “they run up to you, give you a high-five; they remember you and the impact you made.” Adam says it’s “the laughs, the giggles, the challenges” that sum up his favorite aspects of being a Heart Tutoring volunteer. We’re grateful for Adam and his fellow Heart Math Tutoring colleagues from Barings. They are so giving of their time and financial generosity â€" and we wouldn’t make the same impact without them!

4 Homework Tools to Keep Children on Track

4 Homework Tools to Keep Children on Track Homework is a great way to reinforce what children learn in the classroom and provide opportunities to practice skills independently. Unfortunately, it can be a source of stress for many childrenespecially those who are naturally disorganized and tend to spin their wheels at homework time. Luckily, there are lots of aids that will help keep children on task and focused on what they need to accomplish. Here are some of Huntingtons tried-and-true homework tools for students: Homework completion chart Perfect for younger children who do not get a lot of homework but still need a simple way to mark off when they are complete with it, a homework completion chart teaches children good habits like writing down assignments and managing their tasks. Your child can keep this chart on hand during homework and check off subjects as finished. Heres an example of what this chart might look like: Week of: February 12 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Math X Spelling X Reading X Subject homework checklist For children who struggle to keep track of multiple subjects, a weekly by subject homework checklist is a good way to keep tabs on what they need to do each night and what is coming up. One weeks sheet should list out each subject (math, reading, science, etc.) and have five boxes underneath for the days of the week. One subject would look like this: Subject: Math Day Homework Monday Workbook p. 12-13 Read Math text p. 25-27 Review todays notes X Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Daily assignments sheet For those who like having the big picture, the daily assignment sheet is an invaluable tool. You can make copies for each day of the week. The idea is to get your child into the habit of recording to-dos at the end of each class and using that as his or her guide at homework time that night. Heres an example: Date: Monday, March 10 Subject Assignment Anything coming up? English Read text Chapter 2 Worksheet Test Friday Report due March 22 Math Text p. 14-17 Science Read text Chapter 3 Review notes from today Quiz Thursday on Chapter 3 History No homework, but study flash cards Test Thursday Spanish Worksheet Paper due March 25 Project plan For times when children have bigger projects to work on over the course of a few weeks, its a smart idea to break up the assignment into manageable tasks with deadlines. Encourage your child to create such a project plan as soon as the project is assigned. There are many ways to create a project plan, but heres one possible structure: Class: Social studies Assignment or project: Research paper Task Start date Deadline Done Select topic October 1 Create outline October 2 October 4 Research sources October 5 October 6 Narrow down to best materials October 7 October 7 Revise outline October 8 October 8 Rough draft October 10 October 12 Brainstorm visual aids October 13 October 13 Draft #2 October 14 October 15 Choose visual aid and start collecting materials October 14 October 16 Draft #3 October 16 October 17 Finalize visual aid October 17 October 18 Finalize report October 18 October 19 Proofread final report October 20 October 20 Turn in paper October 21 One of the keys to homework success is to stay organized, and charts and checklists help children do just that. In combination with use of the day planner, have your child try a few different methods and tools to discover what helps him or her be the most successful. Embracing such methods will give your child a sense of responsibility and ownership, help him or her stay focused on what he or she must do and when, and put those goals front and center.

Making your classrooms student-centered

Making your classrooms student-centered As teachers, our main focus is educating students. But how often do you ask yourself: are my lesson plans student-centered? Or most importantly: is my classroom student-centered? This isn’t only a question for teachers teaching younger learning groups like elementary-aged students. Teachers of university-level students need to be conscientious of this as well. It’s important to make sure you are creating a classroom space where each of your students can speak up and offer insights into lessons, communicate with one another, and make choices about their own learning paths. So how can you decide how student-centered your classroom is? Why not see how many of the statements below are true of your classroom: The student-centered classroom - a checklist I do things to show my students that I respect and value their opinions, and I can list at least three ways that I show them this in my classroom. I make sure that my students get to make at least some decisions about their learning process, whether it’s choosing specific classroom materials, specific assignments, etc. With regard to the physical space, I engaged my students in the desk arrangements and we regularly cycle through group and single-spaced seating. I often check in with my students individually to see how they are doing and how much of the material they are understanding. There is a good deal of student talk time in my classroom. I don’t just provide direct instruction (demonstration, lecturing), but I try more facilitative modes of teaching like guiding, open-ended questioning, posing problems for classroom discussion, etc. Do you have other ways that you ensure your classroom is student-centered? Share them with us in the comments below!

ACT Math tutor in Pittsburgh, PA

SAT/ACT Math tutor in Pittsburgh, PA Meet our new SAT/ACT Math Tutor Erika. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA and specializes in biology, chemistry, math, science, test prep: ACT English, ACT math, ACT reading, ACT science, PSAT, SAT math. Erica is currently a fourth-year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh. For her undergraduate studies, Erica studied molecular biology at Princeton University and graduated in 2012. She  spent the year after living in Denver and working as a full-time math tutor at a high school in Denvers far northeast region, where she  tutored two 9th graders at a time for 6 periods a day. Her  job was to work on getting those kids caught up to where they should be! Her proudest feat was helping a student improve his SAT score by 120 points after only 11 days of tutoring! He also ended up getting a 32 on the ACT! Erica also has tutoring experience from a summer internship in 2009, which had her  living in India for 2 months and tutoring middle school math to a handful of girls every morning. What she has learned from her  tutoring experiences (and also from being tutored) is that flexibility is paramount. Our minds work in different ways, and just because a strategy works for one person doesnt mean it will work for another. Erica thinks that tutoring an individual allows more flexibility because strategies can be tailored to that persons strengths and weaknesses. Feel free to contact Erica or other tutors on TutorZ.com if you have any questions. Our tutors are here to help you! SAT/ACT Math tutor in Pittsburgh, PA Meet our new SAT/ACT Math Tutor Erika. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA and specializes in biology, chemistry, math, science, test prep: ACT English, ACT math, ACT reading, ACT science, PSAT, SAT math. Erica is currently a fourth-year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh. For her undergraduate studies, Erica studied molecular biology at Princeton University and graduated in 2012. She  spent the year after living in Denver and working as a full-time math tutor at a high school in Denvers far northeast region, where she  tutored two 9th graders at a time for 6 periods a day. Her  job was to work on getting those kids caught up to where they should be! Her proudest feat was helping a student improve his SAT score by 120 points after only 11 days of tutoring! He also ended up getting a 32 on the ACT! Erica also has tutoring experience from a summer internship in 2009, which had her  living in India for 2 months and tutoring middle school math to a handful of girls every morning. What she has learned from her  tutoring experiences (and also from being tutored) is that flexibility is paramount. Our minds work in different ways, and just because a strategy works for one person doesnt mean it will work for another. Erica thinks that tutoring an individual allows more flexibility because strategies can be tailored to that persons strengths and weaknesses. Feel free to contact Erica or other tutors on TutorZ.com if you have any questions. Our tutors are here to help you!

8 Foreign Language Proficiency Tests That All Learners Should Know About

8 Foreign Language Proficiency Tests That All Learners Should Know About 8 Foreign Language Proficiency Tests That All Learners Should Know About “Ugh, tests!”This is the normal, human reaction to anything resembling a graded assessment of one’s skills, linguistic or not.That painful grunt is then followed by a parade of expletives (which is really a language unto itself), then finally punctuated by gasps of a person terrorized and waiting for his impending doom.Surely, tests are no good news.But here I am, about to tell you that you absolutely should love these language proficiency tests.Why?Well, let me tell you why. The Virtues of Language Proficiency TestsThe advantages of language proficiency tests  are  twofold.First, they can be used as proof of competence for job applications  and advanced studies. Sure, the world might  be a better place if there weren’t any language proficiency tests. You wouldn’t have to cough up any fees. During interviews, the person screening you would simply have the liberty to ask you anything to test your knowledge and competence in the language.But imagine how impractical and unpr ofessional that would be in actual practice. Let’s say it’s your fifth  job interview, and you have a particularly curious French interviewer  who wants to test your linguistic chops and asks you: What’s the French word for “elevator”? How about “orange”? What’s the difference between avoir  and être? Translate this phrase for me: I am late because my car broke down.Wouldn’t that be a little bit insulting, if not time and energy consuming? Could anyone get an accurate, thorough picture of someones overall French knowledge in a quick sit-down like this?Having documentary proof for passing the Test de Connaissance du Français, you can just silently insert the certificate with your other requirements and be on your way. The interviewer will now  only have to ask, “What level did you get in TCF?” To which you respond, “C2,” and the two of you can move on to talk about salaries and what not.Your language proficiency test results are clear and succinct statemen ts of your competency in the language. I’m not saying the tests are perfect,  but  I am saying that theyre a handy shortcut when you want to prove your linguistic chops. That’s why many governments, companies and institutions require them from applicants. A lettered number like C2 tells them more than they need to know about you and your skills. So, for someone who wants to work in a specific country or take advanced classes, a language proficiency test might be a required element of your application.A second virtue of language testâ€"and this is on a more personal noteâ€"is that by anticipating an exam, a righteous fire is sparked underneath you, compelling you to prepare. You’re provided with an excellent motivation to hit the books, work the flashcards and stay in on Saturday evenings.Oftentimes, this kind of furious dedication can only be acquired through an upcoming standardized examination. When you’re working for a “golden star” or a “brownie point,” somehow i t doesn’t bear the same seriousness as a government sanctioned assessment.So you get motivated because you’re paying for it yourself and because you don’t get to take it every day. Youve got one shot to prove yourself (unless you want to pay the fee and sit down to take the test  again).As a result, your study and review sessions result in a very  in-depth learning of the language that you would otherwise not have had, had you not prepared so hard for the exam.That can only mean wonderful things for you! Especially if youre aware of entertaining ways to study that keep the process from being frustrating or monotonous, like FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.And really, a third virtue of language proficiency tests is that after you pass them, they become bona fide confidence boosters. They add a spring to your steps, scaffolding your chin so that it always rem ains up. To know that youre good enough is enough to make you wanna brag, even if its just to yourself or your mom.You passed a hurdle, knocked one out of the park. So, what can life throw your way that you can’t handle? You already have personal proof that as long as you put your mind into it, you’ll make it.What Language Proficiency Tests to Take?As far as language proficiency tests go, there are plenty of fish in the sea. So, you must be able to filter what’s good and widely recognized and what’s not. You don’t want to study hard and pass a test only to discover that the institution you’re applying to goes by a different measure.A great rule of thumb is to first  ask your target institution what proficiency tests they require and recognize. This information is often available in job and university application instructions, on the institutions main website or within the online FAQ, but if these resources yield no results then go ahead and call or email someone.That sai d, here are some of the most prestigious as well as widely-recognized language assessment tools for different languages.8 Foreign Language Proficiency Tests That All Learners Should Know AboutEnglishTOEFLIf you want to enroll in an English-speaking academic institution in a place like the United States, Australia, Canada or the United Kingdom and you come from a country where English is not the first language, you may have to prove that you can handle English as the language medium for the coursework. In this case, youll have to take the TOEFL.TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. And that, exactly, is what it’s all about. The TOEFL tests your reading, listening, speaking  and writing  skills in four separate sections, each section devoted to one skill. There are specific elements in the TOEFL geared to assess each of these skills in different ways.Overall, your English comprehension will definitely be tested. For example, in the Reading Comprehension section, yo u may be asked to read three to four academic passages and after each one you’ll be asked a couple of questions based on the texts. In the Independent and Integrated Writing sections, youll be asked to write an essay or opinion piece on a given topic, and youll also need to make a structured argument about something said within a given passage. The TOEFL is set to find out if youre ready for the rigors of academic training in an English-speaking institution.You can register for the test online, by mail or by phone. Youll then get information about the date, time and test center where you’ll sit down for the test.Speaking of test centers, theres more than one way to go about taking the test. There are  online  and paper-based versions of the TOEFL. The online version, offered more than 50 times a year, is the more common one with fees ranging from $160-$250, depending on your location. The test can be completed in 4.5  hours, including a 10-minute break.The paper-based test ($160 , 4 hours to complete) is comparable to the online test  except that it doesnt have the speaking section where you listen to a native speaker talk (sometimes with an accent) and give an audio response based on what you’ve heard.TOEFL results are valid for two years and you can ask the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the exam’s administrator, to independently send your results to schools and universities that youve applied to.For the best tips about this test, subscribe to FluentU’s TOEFL blog.IELTSThe International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also another widely recognized English language proficiency test. Its jointly managed by the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge English Language Assessment.IELTS also tests all four English communication skills: reading (60 minutes), writing (60 minutes), listening (30 minutes) and speaking (11-14 minutes). The whole test should be finished in 2 hours and 45 minutes.The IELTS speaking section  is actually a rec orded face-to-face interview given by a certified examiner, and it comes close to the real, practical experience of talking to a native speaker. It’s divided into three parts. The first one involves personal introductions. The examiner will  introduce himself or herself, and youll do the same. The examiners may ask you further questions about your family, work, background, hobbies and interests.In the second section  of the test youre given a task card, and youll be asked to talk at length about the topic written on it. Talking points will also be included on the task card, so make sure you cover them in your discussion. Youll be given 1-2 minutes to prepare, and writing down and reading from notes is allowed. After your talk, the examiner will ask you a question or two on the topic.The third section  is really an extension of the second. Itll be a discussion between you and the examiner. The examiner will probe you about the topic and will try to gauge your ability to communicate information, issues and ideas.IELTS come in two flavors, one geared for students (“Academic”) applying for advanced studies and postgraduate degrees, and another for migrants (“General Training”) who wish to prove English competence as part of their visa or employment application.The tests differ in the reading and writing sections. Academic IELTS involves questions and passages that test a student’s ability to thrive in an academic or professional environment, while General Training IELTS tests a person’s practical, everyday proficiency with the English language.There are no failing marks for this test, only band scores (0-9). A “0” means you didnt take the test, a “1” means that you have essentially no ability to use the language, save for some isolated words or expressions, and a “9” means that youre an expert English speaker  and have full operational command of the language.The test fee will vary on your location. Find out how much it will cost here.For more wonderful insights into the test, subscribe to FluentU’s IELTS blog.TOEICThe Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)  rounds up the triumvirate of English-based proficiency tests. It was developed by the Educational Testing Service to (ETS) to gauge English proficiency in the business or professional setting and is now recognized by 14,000 organizations in 150 countries. Korea’s LG Group and China Southern Airlines are just two of the many corporations that rely on TOEIC as a tool for business decisions.In the question of recruitment, placement or promotion, a stellar TOEIC score could make a huge difference.There are two types of TOEIC. The first is the TOEIC Listening and Reading and it  tests  exactly those two skills. Its a 2-hour exercise made up of 200 questions that gauge listening and reading comprehension in every way possible. For example, in the listening comprehension portion, youll be shown a picture followed by four audio statements about the image. Youll mark your answer sheet to indicate the statement that best describes the picture. So, if the picture is about guys playing basketball, then you choose the statement which exactly expresses that. Be careful because the audio statements will only be presented once.The second type, TOEIC Speaking and Writing, was introduced in 2006. With this test youll be tested on pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, grammar, coherence and organization.In the speaking section of the test, there will be 11 oral tasks that youll have to completeâ€"ranging from reading a specific text out loud to describing a picture or expressing an opinion. The section takes around 20 minutes to finish.In the writing test format, there are eight written tasks to be completed, ranging from writing a sentence based on a picture to writing an essay expressing an opinion.So if you’re thinking of getting ahead in your career or enhancing your professional credentials, consider taking the TOEIC. As always, Flu entU is here to help. We have a dedicated blog  to help all you TOEIC takers out there.FrenchTCFWhen it comes to proving your French mettle, the Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) is one test you dare not miss. Its administered by Centre International détudes Pédagogiques (CIEP) for the French Ministry of Education.Whether it be for personal, academic or professional reasons, the TCF will give you a language assessment that follows the standards set forth in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).As a short aside, in 2001, a European Union Council Resolution recommended the use of CEFR as a standard system to test and validate language proficiency for the different languages of Europe. The standard levels of proficiency are as follows:A = Basic User (A1 and A2)B = Independent User (B1 and B2)C = Proficient User (C1 and C2)[A2 is a better than A1, and having a C2 rating means that the test taker has gained fluency and precision with the language. C2 is the highest rating in this system.]TCF has both compulsory and optional components. The compulsory unit is  an 80-item multiple choice test  that gauges your listening comprehension, reading comprehension and use of language structures. In the listening portion, for example, you may hear a French dialogue, interview or discussion, and youll then be asked a question based on what you heard. The reading comprehension section will assess your understanding of French based on the written word, with the items getting progressively more difficult.The optional test can only be taken once you’ve passed the compulsory test. You should take this within two years after passing the compulsory test, as this is the duration of your compulsory scores validity.The optional component is made up of the speaking and writing sections. The spoken component is a recorded face-to-face interview with an examiner that lasts about 15 minutes. Theyll give you a series of tasks that will elucidate your Fren ch verbal dexterity, and they may ask you to describe an experience or event, explain an idea or discuss a complex topic. The recording of the interview will then be sent to CIEP where it will be evaluated by a team of qualified teachers.The written portion of the test is composed of six tasks that will progressively get more difficult. All these will be used to see if you can create complex French sentences, synthesize an idea and even paraphrase a paragraph.Since the spoken and written tests are optional, you may decide not take them at all.  For French language lessons, FluentU’s French blog is a delightful option. Weve also got a complete guide to taking the TCF here.SpanishDELEDiplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) are tests administered by Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, and adhering to the standards set forth by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This means it follows the standard taxo nomy of language competency as explained above, where A1 is considered absolute beginner and C2 signifies a high level of fluency.The test is held five times each yearâ€"in April, May, July, October and Novemberâ€"at 800 test centers in 100 countries.The DELE is similar to other language proficiency tests, having features that comprehensively gauge Spanish  grammar  and comprehension. But it does differ in some important respects from tests we’ve discussed so far. While other test results are valid for only a limited period of time, usually two years, the DELE is permanently valid. (You are, after all, given a diploma.)Another unique feature of the DELE is that you determine before the actual assessment which level of testing youd like to take. While other tests give students the same or similar test  and, based on the test results, determine what competency level the student is in, the DELE makes the student choose which test to take beforehand.This means there are six different versions of the test. There’s a DELE for A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2, each successive test getting a little bit more difficult. You determine beforehand what test level youd like to take. So, youll need to research which diploma is required by the institution to which you’ll be sending your results. B2 is often enough for entry into a Spanish university. But if it’s a medical school you’re interested in, they often require at least a C1 diploma.How much does it cost? Well, in this respect DELE is like many other tests. It depends on where you’ll be taking the test. Get the contact info for the testing center nearest you  here.For more Spanish lessons to help you prepare for the DELE, you can subscribe to the  FluentU Spanish blog.GermanTELCThe European Language Certificates (TELC) Deutsch, in partnership with the German federal government, provides a fair evaluation of your German aptitude according to the standards set forth by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).Like the DELE, youll have to choose which TELC level you take. For example, when applying for a spouse visa, an A1 TELC test (the most basic one) is enough. Applying for university and medical school is a different proposition altogether.The test  has a format thats similar  to that of the other tests  weve discussed here. There are reading and listening comprehension sections and a language elements section, as well as sections devoted to assessing your writing and speaking skills.The oral part of TELC is a unique one, in that it may not be a one-on-one interview with an examiner. Two persons may be tested at the same time. In this case, the examiner will take the role of facilitator and mediate the conversation.Twenty minutes before the start of the oral examination, youll be given a task sheet detailing the things you and your partner will have to do. (No talking with your partner during the prep stage.)Its important that you actively participate in the conversa tion and respond to what the other examinee is sayingâ€"without, of course, dominating the conversation. In case your partner has trouble with the task, try to help him out. (This will merit you extra points!)Don’t worry. FluentU has got you covered. We have a German language blog to help you in every way we can.TELC  also offers proficiency tests in nine other languagesâ€"Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Turkish and Arabic. Check out their official site to find out more.ChineseChinese (Mandarin in particular) is fast becoming a required language for business. Theres a whole lot of people studying it at the moment and you could very well be one of them. At some point, youll want to know where you are in your Chinese progress as well as receive certification for your hard-earned proficiency.HSKThe Hànyu Shuipíng Kaoshì  (HSK), administered by Hanban, an agency of the Ministry of Education of the Peoples Republic of China, is the test you should take. It’s the only official, standardized test for Mandarin Chinese.You can choose from six  levels of the test, ranging from HSK1 to HSK6.HSK1 is the easiest and is designed for learners who can communicate in basic sentences and understand simple Chinese characters. Because of the nature of the language, in addition to the usual fare of reading and listening comprehension, there’s a section which tests your ability to identify Chinese characters. (There’s a list of required characters provided for every level.) Pinyin, Chinese transliteration, is provided in HSK1.HSK6 is the most difficult test to take and is designed for folks who can fluently converse in the language, know linguistic nuances, use idiomatic expressions properly and express themselves by both written and oral means.The oral portion of the test  can be taken separately. For this separate speaking section there are just three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.The written test  fees start at $20 for HSK1 and go up in $10 increments. Oral fees also start at $20 for beginners and go up to $20 and $30 for intermediate and advanced levels respectively.So get a  move on. Start your Chinese review! Why not subscribe to the FluentU Chinese blog? Youll get to read tons of posts  specifically geared towards preparing for  the HSK like  this one. And this one. Or  this one.JapaneseIf you wish to land a top job in the third largest economy in the world, chances are youre going to need to be certified in Japanese. Even if youd just like to cultivate excellent business relationships with the Japanese, then knowing some of the language can be a great foot in the door.In general, the  Japanese tend to look favorably on those who not only respect their cherished traditions but also those who can speak their tongue. So, a lot of businesspeople are getting started with their Japanese language programs. FluentU’s Japanese blog would be a great mate!JLPTIn order to be certified, youre going to have to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), administered by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.Unlike other language proficiency tests  that are held several times annually, the JLPT  is conducted only twice a year, July and December, in Japan and selected countries. (Well, there are even some countries who have it only once a year.) So, youd  better make your test count.There are five JLPT levels you can take. N1 is the highest level and N5 is the most basic level. (For serious job seekers who will need Japanese for daily professional purposes, you must pass at least the N2 certification exam.)The JLPT has reading and listening formats that are comparable to the other language tests  we have featured here, testing your knowledge of different grammatical structures and characters, and Im sure you’ll be sad to know that it doesnt have a speaking component. Well, that’s okay. I’m sure you’ll have your hands full wit h the written section.To end this post, let me simply say that language fluency tests  are not the monsters of the deep theyre often purported to be.Theyre simply a gauge, a way of telling you where you are in your language journey. Theyre a check, a guide you can use to  plan  your way and achieve your goals.So, have at it already, and good luck!