December 9, 2009
How To Find a Good English Language School
Many people choose to learn English as a second Language. There are plenty of reasons why; some are looking for a better job, some just learn as they have a holiday planned and others are planning to start a new life abroad in an English speaking country. No matter what your reason is for learning English, you want to make sure that you find the best language school for your needs.
A good language school can make a huge difference in your English speaking abilities. Different schools will use different teaching methods; some will suit you better while others may not help you at all. By choosing a good language school you can ensure that not only do you learn English faster but also that you have a good balance of skills.
Look for a school that focuses on both spoken and written English. Some schools may focus on pure conversational English, this is fine if you are planning a short holiday but if you are planning to live and work in a country then you need to be able to read as well. Look for a good balance of conversational skills, reading skills as well as comprehension.
Small class sizes are always of help when learning a new language. Too many people in a classroom means that you will not get any individual attention from the teacher when you need help. It also means that you may feel intimidated and not want to participate in class activities. A small group of classmates means a friendly environment and lots of support from your teacher.
Good schools always have good reputations in the community. Do you have friends or family who have learnt English? Ask around and see what you can find out about the English schools in your area. A good reputation spreads quickly, as does a bad one.
Make sure your language school is teaching you the right style of English for your purpose. For instance, if you are learning English to help you at work, the style and vocabulary that you will need to understand is quite different than if you were learning English for travel. You should also make sure that the school is age appropriate. Some schools specialize in teaching English to particular age groups.
You may like to make a short list of a few English school you have found. Set aside some time to contact them, either in person on or the telephone. The advantage of visiting an English school in person is that you can get a good feel for the place. Take notice of how well they keep the premises. Are the staff friendly? Are they happy to answer questions, or are they only interested in signing you up and taking your money? Five minutes in a school can teach you a lot about how they operate.
Filed under Beyond Random Ramblings by Arjuna
July 14, 2009
Appreciating the negative consequences of bankruptcy
Bankruptcy can be painful, and you may not be the only one who is hurt by it. Before you file, you need to examine things closely so you can make the best decision possible for you and your family. In this article we will discuss some of the drawbacks of filing personal bankruptcy.
The most obvious negative consequence of declaring bankruptcy is the damage that it will do to your credit rating. Of course, this may not be the most pressing thought in your mind, because your finances may be so bad that your credit rating really doesn’t matter at the moment.
Still, you have to think about the difficulties you’ll face in getting credit during the next few years. When you are given a loan, you’ll probably have to pay higher interest rates for some time.
You have to be careful about accumulating debt all over again anyway, but you should still be aware of the damage to your credit.
One consequence you may not have thought of is that innocent creditors will be hurt by your decision. We’re not just talking about huge corporations but also any small businesses that have extended you credit recently. This may be especially hard to take for the small businesses, but you should still not make a decision solely on this factor. You need to do what is best for you and your family.
Another thing that people worry about is their reputations. Certainly, life after bankruptcy will hurt your reputation in some circles, especially if you live in a small community where everyone knows everything about you.
You may even have your name published on a bankruptcy list in some newspaper, and your bankruptcy filing will also be a matter of public record for those who are interested.
Nevertheless, this is not usually a big deal especially in larger communities. The public can attend your bankruptcy meeting, but few people are ever interested in this.
Filed under Beyond Random Ramblings by Arjuna