The words that changed my life

I used to think that learning a language from scratch, when you are more than 20 years old, was a waste of time. It just seemed to me that a language is something you learn only as a kid and you grow up with it. When we are young, everything becomes natural to us, and even if we decide to quit studying, resuming activities later in life is easier. The process of learning, I believe, has to be natural and smooth. How can I learn the 10000 –or more- words of a new language now? How can that be natural? How can I pronounce them the right way? How long will it take to be fluent? These kinds of thoughts haunted me for a long time until a wise Japanese friend of mine who had taken English classes in Cambridge told me something very true, something that changed my mind from that moment on. He said “Time will go by anyway. All you have to do is decide who you want to be 10 years from now”. Perhaps I was so reluctant, and at the same time frustrated, because I wanted things to happen in no time. I was forgetting about walking the way, enjoying each step and being patient. Many times it’s not about the aim, but about walking the path. Things will happen as long as you are patient, constant and hard-working. Nothing happens on the blink of an eye. I always thought that Japanese men are smarter than the average, but this time I attributed this to his words and not to his ability to learn. Maybe I wasn’t dumb; maybe I was just as capable to learn as he was. What was different between us was the attitude. His attitude was that of a wise, perseverant and hard-working man. He was not stronger, not faster or smarter. It was just about the attitude. I decided I wouldn’t keep procrastinating things anymore; it was hard time for me to learn French in London. You won’t believe me, as I myself wouldn’t have believed it just months ago, but I’ve only been studying for five months and I am already able to hold a basic conversation in French. I probably owe this to my native speaking French teacher, who opened my mind to the French world and made it even more interesting than it’s always been.

My perception of the world changed unbelievably. I hear more now, because you never know when the words that will throw you off balance, in a good way, will be said.

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Tips to Presenting a Great Training Course

To present a great training course you need to be prepared and be comfortable with the information you are passing on. You need to be well versed in the topic yourself and fully prepared for questions. You also need to be able to present the training in a way that is clear and concise, and helps the trainees improve their skills. Training other people is a skill in itself, but one that can be taught. Undertaking a course like a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment can help you present a great training course.

1. Preparation and Professionalism

You need to be prepared. Make sure you understand everything about the subject you are teaching. Study your notes and be prepared for questions. Also be prepared to be flexible while conducting the training course as your method of teaching may have to adapt to those you are training. For example, some people learn better with visual clues, while others can happily sit and be lectured to and retain all the information. Make sure that you are familiar with the space that you are presenting the course in and that you have any equipment that you need ready beforehand. If you are using computers or presenting slides, for example, then make sure you know how to use this equipment and that it is working properly. You also need to be professional when conducting the training, so knowing your topic is vital, and you also need to speak clearly, use good grammar and not use any slang words.

2. Timing

You will have a set amount of time given for your training course, whether it is an hour, a full day or even a week. When you are planning your course work out the timing of your presentation and make sure you pace yourself. Don’t fly through the information and present it too quickly otherwise you will not only be finished too early, but you also might not cover the topic properly and leave your trainees confused. Make sure you don’t speak too quickly otherwise you will be hard to understand, and also make sure you don’t bombard your audience with information. Give them time to digest what you are teaching them. Don’t just stand and lecture to them. Break up your course by including interactive elements. Have them work in pairs or groups to solve problems and do their course work. Make sure the focus isn’t always on you otherwise your course will become boring.

3. Participation

Prepare a written plan for your training course but don’t tie yourself to it. Be flexible and allow the participants of the course to help guide the training. They may be a group that likes to ask lots of questions, so make sure you allow for this. It may mean that you skip over certain points and pick them up at a later stage. Remember that the training course is for the trainees so let them dictate to some extent as to the direction the course takes. Encourage input from your trainees as they may have some new information and knowledge about the subject that is of benefit to everyone, even you.

 

 

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6 Reasons To Go Back to School When You’re Laid Off

Every problem is an opportunity in disguise, and a layoff is no exception. No one wants to be out of work unexpectedly, especially in a job market like this. Obviously your number one priority should be to find a new job. Brush up your resume, comb job sites and go on interviews. But once you have that ball rolling you’ll find that you have some down time in your day. Why not take advantage of this opportunity to advance your education?

The obvious reason to go back to school is to update or advance your knowledge and skills in your chosen profession or to learn a new skill that will help you change careers. Anything that can make you look more attractive to employers is a good thing. When you’re working you may not have time for school, but now you have some free hours. Put them to good use.

Another reason to go to college at this time is to fill in that dreaded resume gap. This is especially important if you’re out of work for a while. This really has two benefits. First, when a recruiter reads your resume, there’s no dead time. Recruiters often shy away from unemployed candidates, thinking that the best candidates already have jobs. If you list college as your current activity, there’s no gap. This will hold true for a few years down the road when you need to list what you’ve been doing professionally over the last several years. Second, when you go on an interview, you’ll be able to talk about your accomplishments at school. What employer would choose someone who sat at home over one who got out and went back to school?

Discouragement is the hallmark of an extended job search. When a candidate doesn’t get a call back, the natural thought is that the potential employer doesn’t want them. The truth may be that they have way to many applicants or that this candidate wasn’t exactly the right fit. Rather than getting down on yourself, go do something that brings you up. You’ll be more positive in interviews.

Any human resources professional will tell you that the way to get a job is by networking. You’ll never meet someone who knows someone who’s hiring if you’re sitting at home watching television. If you’re taking classes, especially on subjects specific to your profession, you’re likely to meet others in the same industry. This is true whether you’re sitting in a classroom or taking a class online. Make sure to say hello to the person next to you or participate in class forums.

The cost of college may seem like a deterrent right now. How can you pay for school when you don’t have a paycheck? Actually since financial aid is based on your income, this might be the least expensive time to go. And if it helps you find a job quicker or helps you land a better job, it will be well worth the money. So apply for aid, get a student loan, use some of your savings or do whatever it takes to go to school while you have the time.

There are now many online colleges that let you take classes entirely online. If you get a job while you’re taking classes, you won’t have to drop out. At a minimum you’ll be able to finish up the classes you’ve started, because you won’t have to miss class to go to work. Many online degree programs are designed for working professionals. You may find that even if you find a job quickly you’ll still want to pursue that degree to enhance your career at your new company and into the future.

 

 

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Advantages of Taking Online LPN Nursing Classes

Many people are inspired by Florence Nightingale who gave her services to mankind selflessly. You can also be another Florence Nightingale by enrolling into the nursing profession via an appropriate nursing course.

Online LPN nursing classes

There are many nursing classes which you can get on to start your nursing career. There is the nursing degree that qualifies you to be a registered nurse (RN) and further degrees as in Masters in nursing. There is also the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) nursing degree which you can take online today due to the high demand of nursing specialists.

It is easy to register for an online LPN nursing classes program today through the Internet as there are many providers of such courses. There are many advantages in undergoing an online LPN nursing classes program instead of going through an on-campus course.

Advantages

Registration for the online LPN nursing classes program is easy. The registration is simple and valid without the need to make a trip to the campus as your registration details onscreen will be accepted as you sent through the Internet. All fee payments can also be made online through online credit facilities.
You can run through the course lectures in your free time and send your completed assignments through the Internet. It is fast and secure. You are helping the environment by sending a soft copy than a printed copy.

The online LPN nursing classes program is the same as the one offered on campus; but you can complete the online program in a shorter duration as you exercise good time management on your learning. Hence, your career can start sooner than you expected.

It only takes 1-2 years for a successful completion of an online LPN nursing classes program with good time management and discipline.

There are online tutors to assist you whenever you require further help with your course. Online chats and discussions on the course are available with tutors and other course mates to enhance your learning experience.

Further Career Pathways

When you have successfully completed the online LPN nursing classes program, you can pursue a national certification or be engaged in a practical session with some approved nursing facility to add value to your acquired knowledge, unless you are already in regular time nursing employment. You can also consider an area of specialization to acquire some specific skills and knowledge to move your career forward. You can work in most medical environments such as hospitals, clinics, hospices, nursing homes and medical private practices.

 

 

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