What to Know When Writing Your College Admissions Essay

What to Know When Writing Your College Admissions Essay The following piece was written by Zach Kwartler. Zach is a graduate of Princeton Universityand the Marketing Manager for Story To College, an admissions consulting service. He can be reached at zach.kwartler@storytocollege.com. Imagine youre applying to Harvard. You attend one of the top high schools in your area, are ranked in the Top 10 in your class, scored above 700 on all three sections of the SAT, and just returned from a 5-week immersion trip in Argentina. With these numbers, how can you not get into a great college? Now, imagine youre on the Harvard admissions committee. You received over 36,000 applications for the Class of 2017 but you can only accept 3,000 students. You have over 6,000 applicants with perfect SAT scores and over 10,000 applicants with GPAs above 4.0. With these numbers, how can anyone get into a great college? Your essay is the only way for you to cut through the pile of perfect students and stand out in your college applications. Admissions officers say that most students write generic essays that do nothing to increase their chances for admission. Based on my experience working with hundreds of students on their college application essays, here are a few tips to ensure you write an essay that actually helps you get into college: Do: Write about a moment of inspiration and what you did with it. For obvious reasons, colleges want to accept students who are intellectually curious. The best way to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity is to tell a detailed story about a specific moment when you were hooked on the subject matter or the approach to what you were studying. Maybe theres a quote from The Great Gatsby posted above your computer that you read every day. Write an essay that describes how this quote influences your everyday life. Dont: Write a biography of your academic career. In ninth grade, I started high school and I had to adjust to the workload. In tenth grade, I started taking AP classes and I really connected with my English teacher. In 11th grade, I buckled down and really improved my SAT score. Now its 12th grade and Im a transformed person. Does this sound original? No. Many students make the mistake of trying to cram their life story into a 500-word essay. Dont fall into that trap. Instead, focus on a specific moment from your academic career that shows you learning, changing, or making a difference. Do: Write about a conversation on the subway. Imagine you just went on a life-changing summer trip to Argentina. You want to show colleges that you adapt to difficult situations and like taking risks, so you decide to write about this experience. Thats a great idea. To make this work, focus on a specific moment that shows how you connected with a foreign culture. Maybe you were on a crowded subway in Buenos Aires and you spoke broken Spanish with a crazed Argentinean soccer fan. Write an essay that describes how this specific moment changed your view of the world. Dont: End your essay by saying My summer abroad showed me how everyone is connected. One of the biggest mistakes students make when they write about a summer experience is telling a long story that starts when they got off the plane and ends when they returned home with a changed worldview. Again, the more generic your story, the less likely it is that a college will remember you. If your goal is to show a college admissions committee that your view on the world changed as a result of your trip, tell a story that shows what you did as a result of your changed perspective. Dont write a step-by-step summer travel-log with a concluding paragraph that starts with, This is what I learned in Argentina. Remember, you need to stand out on your college admissions essays. To do this, avoid the temptation to write a general story about very broad life experiences. Instead, focus on moments in your life that make you unique. If you do this, you will give yourself the chance to be the one student that the Harvard admissions committee actually remembers at the end of the year. Check out Story To College for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Definition of Exponential Growth Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Definition of Exponential Growth Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace The graphic pattern obtained when a population growth is plotted against time is called population growth form .There are two types of population growth forms - exponential or J shaped and logistic or S shaped. Population size does not reach an equilibrium phase at any time shaped growth curve has three phases-establishment phase, exponential phase and crash phase. Establishment or initial phase is also called lag phase. There is a slow rise in population as the initial size of the population is small. As the population size reaches a take off stage, it enters the second phase called exponential or log phase. During this phase the population size rises rapidly. The increase is so rapid that soon the population size grows much beyond the carrying capacity of the environment. A point is reached when population declines suddenly due to mass scale deaths. It is called crash phase. J shaped growth form of population occurs in those cases where either the food chains are short or there is excessive human interference, It occurs in many insect population. They show explosive increase in number during the rainy season but almost disappear towards the end of the season. Exponential growth form can be represented mathematically by the following exponential equation dN/dt=(B-D)x N dN/dt is the rate of change in population size, B is the birth rate,D is the death rate and N is the population size. Let (B-D) =r is the intrinsic rate of natural increase Then dN/dt=rN. Exponential Growth Curve

Learning ESOL Heres Some Helpful English Spelling Rules

Learning ESOL Heres Some Helpful English Spelling Rules Helpful Spelling Rules to Remember When Learning English ChaptersPluralisation of NounsSilent and Ambiguous LettersHow Tenses Affect SpellingEveryone who knows how to speak English, whether it's their native language or they're aiming to learn English as a foreign language, knows how tough the spelling can be.Since the English language is a mish-mash of several tongues of people who invaded the British Isles, it is sometimes difficult for non native  speakers to spot any reliable pattern in its spelling.This means that learning to spell fluently in English can be a daunting task, as there are few examples to refer to.Another downside to this is that any rules that are made usually have plenty of exceptions, such as the ‘I before E’ rule.The rule says:I before E is always the same, except after C.Sadly, this isn’t always true.Exceptions include ‘weird’, ‘ceiling’, and ‘science’ to name a few.But it’s not all bad â€" even the trickiest of spellings can be learnt with the right methods and plenty of practice.So, let’s de lve into the world of English spelling rules, and find out which ones are most likely to help you improve your vocabulary as well as your writing fluency and accuracy so that your writing skills are close to those of a native English speaker in no time!Nota bene: this article will focus on British English spellings.Curtain ? CurtainsHowever, some phonetics do not allow this in English pronunciation, such as the word ‘church’, which is almost impossible to pronounce as ‘churchs’.For this reason, singular nouns ending in ‘s’, ‘ch’, ‘z’, ‘sh’ and ‘x’ take an extra ‘E’ when they become pluralised.Church ? ChurchesGas ? GasesBush ? BushesBox ? BoxesWaltz ? WaltzesAnother exception to the general ‘add an S’ rule is words ending in the letter ‘Y’, and since ‘Y’ can behave as both a vowel and a consonant, there are two different counter-rules.Foxes, not foxs! ¦ source: Visualhunt - rrrtemFirstly, words ending in a ‘Y’ following a vowel.These are simple, all you need to do is add an ‘S’ as usual.Boy ? BoysBut for words which have a consonant before their ending ‘Y’, the rule changes, and you have to remove the ‘Y’ and replace it with ‘i-e-s’.Dolly ? DolliesWords ending in a single letter ‘F’ also change slightly when they are pluralised.This happens by replacing the ‘F’ with ‘v-e-s’ to make pronunciation easier.Calf ? CalvesThis also goes for words ending in ‘f-e’, such as ‘knife’.Knife ? KnivesWatch out for words ending in ‘ff’, though, as these take an ‘S’ as usual.Quiff ? QuiffsGetting the hang of subtle differences such as these will make a big difference to how others view your level of English proficiency in both spoken and written English conversation.There are exceptions to these pluralisation rules, and, just like with English verbs, the exceptions affect some of the most common words.Man ? MenChild ? ChildrenTooth ? TeethOther, less common examples include:Crisis ? Cr isesCriterion ? CriteriaCactus ? CactiUnfortunately, there is no real pattern to the very irregular plurals, so you just have to learn them.Luckily, it’s easier than you think.By regularly engaging in English conversation and exposing yourself to the English language, you will get used to exceptions without necessarily realising.Silent and Ambiguous LettersLogic of English is a handy website which sets out the concrete rules of English spelling and how it relates to pronunciation.It covers all topics such as how the ‘silent E’ changes vowel sounds, and how letters such as ‘C’ and ‘G’, which have two possible pronunciations, should sound depending on their position in a word.The ‘silent E’ may seem to be silent but deadly for some English learners, but thankfully there are plenty of rules and explanations around this rule to help you get the hang of it.When the final letter in a word is ‘E’, the preceding vowel says its name.This means ‘A’ becomes ‘ay’ i nstead of ‘ah’, ‘E’ becomes ‘ee’, ‘I’ becomes ‘eye’, ‘O’ becomes ‘oh’, and ‘U’ becomes ‘yoo’.So, if you add an ‘E’ to the word ‘hat’, you get ‘hate’, pronounced ‘hayt’.And it’s not just vowels that are altered by a final ‘E’.‘C’ and ‘G’ are also pronounced a certain way when followed by an ‘E’.They may seem confusing at first, but these spellings will soon become instinctual ¦ source: Pixabay - RobinHigginsThe letter ‘C’ may be pronounced as a hard ‘K’ in some instances, and as a softer ‘S’ in others.‘C’ takes its soft pronunciation, becoming ‘ss’, so words such as ‘dance’ end with an ‘s’ sound.And ‘G’ sounds as a ‘J’ rather than a hard, glottal ‘g’ in words like ‘tonnage’.When these rules are put into writing, they can seem overly complex, however, as you progress through your English learning, spelling rules will become instinctual and you’ll have no trouble making an educated guess when in doubt.How Tenses Affect SpellingTenses are another aspect of English grammar which can have a dramatic effect on spelling â€" especially when it comes to the irregular verbs.So, the general (and simple) rule of forming the past tense in English goes like this:For regular verbs, add the ending ‘-ed’ to the word.In spoken English, this is usually pronounced as a ‘d’ or a ‘t’ sound at the end of the infinitive (basic) form of the verb.So, instead of ‘walk’, you have ‘walked’, pronounced ‘walk-t’.An important point on the difference between British and American English is to do with these verbs.In US English, the past participle of verbs such as ‘to learn’ and ‘to dream’ follows the ‘-ed’ pattern, whereas in English English there is a ‘t’ in the place of ‘-ed’, since this better reflects the pronunciation.InfinitivePast participle in US EnglishPast participle in British EnglishTo learnlearnedlearntTo dreamdreameddream tSometimes, the ‘-ed’ ending will sometimes add a new syllable to the infinitive, giving you ‘wanted’ instead of ‘want’.This is usually the case for infinitive verbs which already end with a ‘D’ or a ‘T’.Shout ? ShoutedFound ? FoundedThe English language contains at least 370 irregular verbs, and this may seem daunting, but thankfully, most of them are part of everyday language, which means any English learner can easily get used to them.The most striking examples include ‘to be’ which becomes ‘was’, ‘go’ which becomes ‘went’ and ‘do’ which becomes ‘did’.Both regular and irregular verbs are easy to learn in their imperfect or ‘simple past’ form, as they don’t change depending on who they relate to.This means you can have:I walkedYou walkedHe/she walkedThey walkedWe walkedBut you can also have:I didYou didHe/she didThey didWe didOf course, there has to be an exception to this rule, and in this case, it happens to be the verb ‘to beâ €™, which has two imperfect forms: ‘was’ and ‘were’.I wasYou wereHe/she wasThey wereWe wereProblems arise in spelling when it comes to generating the imperfect form of an irregular verb.A good example of just how much the infinitive and imperfect form can differ is the verb ‘to buy’.This is because ‘I buy’ becomes ‘I bought’ â€" which looks nothing like its infinitive.An even more striking verb is ‘to seek’, which becomes ‘sought’.It’s important not to be put off by the spelling of these verbs, and be thankful that you don’t have to conjugate them for each pronoun as you have to in so many other languages.When it comes to how to learn the forms of these verbs as well as their sometimes-ridiculous spelling, there are many methods you can use.English subtitles could be the key to learning English spelling! ¦ source: Pixabay - StockSnapSome people test themselves with online quizzes and grammar exercises in preparation for the grammar section of English exams, whereas others do their best to absorb as much information as possible through surrounding themselves with English language material.Even watching English TV and films with the subtitles on can help you get used to how pronunciation and spelling links together in English.This way, you will be able to rely on your natural instinct rather than inconsistent ‘rules’ when it comes to spelling, as well as improving your English speaking and listening skills as you study English.No matter whether English is your native or second language, English spelling is anything but a walk in the park, but improving your general language skills as you learn slang and work on your comprehension of idiomatic expressions and phrases to become fluent really is all down to practice.So if you aim to learn to speak English as a second language, you'll need to get the hang of the tricky details including spelling. Why not carry a dictionary with you to perfect your daily language.There are plenty of ways you can practice your English and improve your overall English skills including practising  speaking English and not relying on your native language as well as getting the most from your English lessons by learning grammar rules through studying English literacy and getting used to English media.With the right attitude and a good amount of motivation, you’ll soon be on your way to spelling success and 0 mistakes!

Where Can You Find the Best Dutch Tutor For You

Where Can You Find the Best Dutch Tutor For You Finding a Dutch Tutor ChaptersSpecify the Purpose of StudyingDo Your ResearchDon't Rely on ReviewsDon't Overestimate the Qualifications of a TutorLearning a language with a personal tutor is one of the best ways to learn. Learning with a tutor means you get all the attention! Your tutor will adapt Dutch lessons to your goals and learning style, so you don't have to go at any else's pace like you would in a group class.A tutor can also give you  direct feedback so you can continue to improve quickly. Having a personal tutor leans everything is adapted to you, so you don't have to be scared to ask a stupid question or to ask to cover a topic again. You will develop a more personal relationship with a tutor so you'll feel more confident in your learning. This is especially true when learning a language; it can be daunting to hear yourself speak another language so having someone invested in your learning will help a great deal!Finding a native Dutch tutor in your area might be difficult, depending on where y ou are, so don't hesitate to look online for a tutor. An online private tutor will offer you all the same benefits as an 'in real life' tutor. You can arrange lessons over Skype and they can send you feedback via email or over the Skype call. Superprof has plenty of tutors all across the country and online that can help you reach your language goals.No matter if you are looking for a tutor online or in your area there are some things to keep in mind so you find the right one for you.Learning one-on-one is a great tool for language learning (Source: Pexels)Here are some of our tips on finding the best Dutch tutor and make sure to check the price of the lesson first. JessicaDutch Teacher 5.00 (5) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NaomiDutch Teacher £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EliseDutch Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelleDutch Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CéliaDutch Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discov er all our tutors VanshikaDutch Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelleDutch Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LizaDutch Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSpecify the Purpose of StudyingTo find a good tutor, you need to clearly understand what you want. What is your goal and what do you want to achieve. Do you want to pass a specific exam? What grade are you aiming for? Maybe you want to travel to the Netherlands so you are just looking for conversational Dutch, or maybe you are moving there permanently for a job so you need to get up to a level of working and delivering presentations in Dutch.Whatever your goal is try to be specific when reaching out to tutors. Each one will have different skills and will be able to help in different areas. Knowing what you want beforehand will save you a lot of wasted time with the wrong tutor.It’s always easier to find a perfect tutor if you have a goal in mind. To use  a maths analo gy, if you need to get 85% in a  maths exam but you're currently at 70%  you should  look for a tutor who is the best choice for this specific purpose, who has experience in this area, and not just a “good teacher of mathematics.”Do Your ResearchOf course, you can do a quick Google search of “…tutor “, click on the first link and leave a request there. You will probably be promptly contacted by a teacher and it's as easy as that!But be careful doing this.  You won't know if this teacher has the requirements you're looking for  to reach your goals or their  reputation. Do a little research to  ensure you're picking a good tutor.Examine at least 5 different websites that offer services of tutors. View profiles, look at what tutors say about themselves. Looking at various websites will give you an idea of the standard tutors should be at.Check the reviews of the websites and check the reviews of the tutors if there are any.Look for some information on different forums, blogs, and social networks. Check out how other people found their  tutors, how they interacted and how the lessons went.Do your research online before choosing a tutor (Source: Pexels)Don't Rely on ReviewsA  good tutor, especially if  they been teaching for a long time, should have many good reviews. But at the same time, good reviews don’t guarantee that the teacher will fit you and your needs.A few tips on how to evaluate teachers:-Of course don't consider contacting teachers with a large number of bad reviews, if everyone had a  bad experience there is inevitably some truth  to these reviews.  But having said that if there are  1-2 negative feedbacks amongst a large number of positive reviews don't be put off.  Any teacher could have been in a situation where it didn't go well with  a student because of some reason. Maybe that teacher wasn't suited to that student, it doesn't mean they wouldn't suit you.-The reviews on the websites of the companies searching for tutors are for the m ost part, real â€" most companies value their reputation. But if the tutor only promotes  themselves through a particular website or their own social  media accounts there might be only good reviews that may not reflect reality.-Find out what your  tutor’s specialty is. If you want to work towards a  specific exam and most of the reviews are from students who just wanted to learn conversational Dutch then this tutor probably isn't  the best choice  even if all of the reviews are positive.-Also, there might be other evidence of qualification of teachers. Some companies conduct the  preliminary selection of all tutors or say that they do it. In this case, contact the company and  ask for details on the selection methodology â€" if they can’t clearly answer, they don’t do it.Don't Overestimate the Qualifications of a TutorMany people think that the more experienced and qualified a tutor is, the better. But this is not necessarily always the case. It is important that you find the right tutor for you. You don't need a tutor that has written a book on learning Dutch you just need someone who understands how you learn and can adapt the lessons to suit your needs.You don't even need to get a tutor that is a qualified teacher. Often private tutors are University graduates or they are still studying and want to earn some extra money on the side. Whatever the case, as long as you can find  a native Dutch person that can adapt lessons to you, you're on to a winner. (Plus you'll find they charge a lot less per hour than professional teachers!)You need to feel comfortable with your tutor. Learning a new language can be daunting so you want to have a tutor who will encourage you and who you feel is invested in your learning. Speaking Dutch requires confidence and you should be able to draw confidence from your tutor and not feel shy in front of them. Finding the right tutor for you is just as much about your gut feeling about them as it is their qualifications.Don't h esitate to ask to meet your tutor, or arrange a Skype call, before you commit to lessons with them. If you connect with them and you feel at ease then this is just as important as their experience!Remember, you're paying for a personal tutor, so make sure they're exactly what you want.

Ask an MBA Admissions Expert David Petersam

Ask an MBA Admissions Expert David Petersam Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. A graduate of The University of Chicago MBA program, David Petersam is well-known for his knowledge of MBA admissions. His expertise is drawn from his experience in The University of ChicagoMBA admissions office, where he contributed to numerous admissions committee decisions. David is now the founder and President of AdmissionsConsultants, Inc., a service he started back in 1996 directed toward helping MBA applicants gain acceptance into the worlds top business schools. VT: How much time should be set aside to adequately prepare for and complete the application for an MBA program? David: Weve conducted numerous polls of our clients over the years and have never found any type of consensus for the number of hours needed. Some applicants dont come from work backgrounds that require a lot of writing and even many that do are surprised when they find it is harder to write about themselves than whatever topics they are generally used to writing. The important things to remember, however, are that (1) an early start is critical for the brainstorming and introspection phases and (2) it is generally better to apply in a later round with an application that reflects 100% of your best effort than rush an application into an early round that is full of incoherencies. VT: What would you say is the single most important thing to focus on for this kind of application? David: Be true to yourself. Have genuine reasons for why you want an MBA and why you want to attend that particular school. Any attempt to cheat the school with insincere reasons is equally an attempt to cheat yourself as you will be spending a lot of time and money pursuing a graduate business education. VT: What do MBA admissions officers look for most in the essay questions? David: Fit. While the term is often interpreted as elitist, exclusionist or just plain mean, applicants need to understand that it has a much different meaning to organizations. It has to do with how well an individuals abilities, ambitions and values complement those of the organization. When individuals and organizations are in synch, both benefit. The organization receives productive workers, committed members or enthusiastic students. The individual receives a supportive and appreciative home for his or her efforts and growth. VT: What are the biggest mistakes one can make on this application? David: The one that most surprises new admissions officers is the percentage of applicants who forget which school they are applying to. It happens more often than you probably think! VT: What aspects of the MBA admissions process make it most different from undergraduate admissions process? David: The first difference is that MBA programs expect you to have a clear vision of your career goals. The second biggest difference involves the admissions interview. It is not only far more evaluative, but it is generally by invitation only which means the goal of the essays is to secure an interview invitation. VT: Is there anything that automatically disqualifies an applicant from being considered for an MBA program (i.e. low GPA, lack of particular work experience, etc.)? David: Failing to prove that you can clear the academic qualifications hurdle (GPA and GMAT/GRE) is an automatic disqualifier. Everything else could be stellar, but if the school believes you cant handle the rigor of its program, you will be receiving a ding letter. VT: What advice do you have regarding GMAT test prep? David: A well thought out test prep strategy is just as important as a well thought out application strategy. You need to dedicate a segment of time to your preparations and if you run into any issues, seek out help. Chances are you are not the only one with that issue and competent help is available if you look hard enough. VT: Is it absolutely necessary to have work experience prior to starting an MBA degree? David: The key is to ensure your MBA will help you achieve your career goals. For most applicants, the pre-MBA work experience is an essential component in achieving those goals. However, since this is not always the case, the answer is no. VT: What are the characteristics of a great MBA program? David: All of the top MBA programs are well differentiated and different applicants will put different relative weights on different criteria. The only universal characteristic across all applicants is fit. Visit AdmissionsConsultants.com for more information on the services David and his colleagues provide.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Places to Stay in Shanghai

Places to Stay in Shanghai Finding Accommodation in Shanghai ChaptersChoosing Where to Stay in ShanghaiChinese Language Immersion on a BudgetTypical Hotels in ShanghaiUnusual Accommodation in ShanghaiIf you want to discover more about the People's Republic of China, its history, and what modern life is like, Shanghai is av great place to go.Of course, you’ll need to know where to stay. You should know that there’s accommodation for all budgets in Shanghai. With so much competition, even luxury hotels are available are a good price.In this article, Superprof is looking at the different types of accommodation available in Shanghai, the best places to stay in the city, accommodation for different budgets, and how to get the most out of your money when you’re there. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsChoosing Where to Stay in ShanghaiLike any trip abroad, you have to prepare and plan your trip to China. Learn more about where you’ll be going, what you’ll be doing, and the routes to take through the streets so you don’t end up in the wrong city!There are different districts for different tastes and different budgets. (Source: SeanSheng)You should learn a bit about the different districts in Shanghai so that you know where you can stay. Each district is different and includes temples, shopping centres, skyscrapers, and typical Chinese buildings. Here are some of the most popular districts in Shanghai:HuangpuPudongXuhuiJing'anChangningYangpuHongkouMinhangThere’s accommodation all over the city but some districts are more interesting than others. Take Jing’an, for example, which includes the Jing’an Temple. Its location relative to the metro network makes it one of the best places to stay in Shanghai.Then there’s Xuhui, the Former French Concession (FFC), then Luwan and Huangpu. These districts make up Puxi, the historic centre of Shanghai, across from Pudong to the east. Other interesting places include East Nanjing Road and People’s Square.Beware that the prices in the FFC, Xujiahui (in Xuhui) can be expensive with all its luxury hotels for western tourists. It doesn’t matter too much how much you spend on a hotel if you’re staying for a week or two because the cost of living is quite cheap.Chinese Language Immersion on a BudgetYouth HostelsNot everyone visiting the world’s biggest cities is a lottery winner staying in a 5-star hotel. Don’t worry, though. There are plenty of great options for all budgets.You can stay in a youth hostel or an Airbnb if you're on a budget. (Source: Atlantios)Shanghai is home to many youth hostels and a lot of them are affiliated with Hostelling International. This is a good way to find accommodation for cheap when you’re in China.The important thing about Shanghai isn’t the hotel you’re staying in but where you’re staying.You can pay between £50 and £200 for a week in Shanghai. In comparison to hotels, they can be really cheap.You can get a Hostelling International membership which entitles you to discounts for each night. There are plenty of youth hostels in Shanghai, especially in Jing’an and Huangpu.Airbnbs: Typical AccommodationAirbnbs are a great way to stay in Shanghai on a budget.  You can rent a room or a flat in a house as you lived in Shanghai.  They tend to cost more than youth hostels, with the rates being between £30 and £150 a night. If you want to spend a week in an Airbnb in Shanghai, you’ll need at least £400.Make sure you book well in advance because these types of accommodat ion are very popular with tourists and go quickly.Typical Hotels in ShanghaiIf you have the budget for it and enjoy the services and comfort, you can always get a hotel in Shanghai. You can find them in every district with many available at reasonable prices.Make sure you do your research when looking for hotels in Shanghai. (Source: Philippsaal)You can get a room for one person for between £50 and £150 a night if you’re staying in 1- to 3-star hotels. For 4- and 5-star hotels, the rates can go up to £500 a night! For this price, you’ll get breakfast included and many other services and amenities such as a gym, Chinese garden, or a spa.The best hotels go for between £100 and £300 per night. Whether you’re in the old town or near the television tower, you’ll easily be able to find something. If you’re staying for a small amount of time or have an early flight, you might want to stay near the airport.Here’s some advice on choosing your hotel in Shanghai. Firstly, keep a business card from the hotel on you at all times as English isn’t widely spoken in China and it’ll help with taxi drivers.You can also save money by staying in Chinese hotel chains. If you have the money for 4- or 5-star hotels, keep an eye out for service fees, which can increase the cost by up to 15%.Additionally, autumn is the best time to visit Shanghai as the rates are better and the weather is more agreeable.Find out more about when to visit Shanghai.Unusual Accommodation in ShanghaiIf you want to spice up your trip a bit, there are some interesting places you can stay. Additionally, there are places for all budgets.You could stay in a normal hotel of you could opt for something a little different. (Source: bottlein)There are also capsule hotels where you can stay with the comfort of TV and WiFi. Of course, you will have communal toilets and bathrooms but at £10 a night, you can’t really complain.There are also love hotels, with rooms for couples spending a night or even an afternoon together. There’s a romantic setting, jacuzzi, and circular beds.If you can afford it, the Shimao Wonderland Intercontinental is a 5-star hotel built on an abandoned mine. With underground and underwater rooms, you’ll have an unforgettable time.With the Bund, the Shanghai World Financial Center, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Shanghai Museum, the Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Yangtze River cruises, there's plenty to do in Shanghai so make sure you don't blow your entire budget on your accommodation!Find out more about budgeting for a trip to Shanghai.If you’re planning on visiting other cities in China such as Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, or regions such as Sichuan, Guangzhou, or Yunnan, there are sites where you can find good rates and book multiple hotels together.Now you should have a better idea of the accommodation available in Shanghai and how much it costs. Make sure you book ahead in order to get the best rates and avoid nasty surprises. You can also check out Superprof’s other articles on visiting Shanghai or get a Chinese tutor to help you improve your language skills before you go!If you'd like to learn some Chinese before you go to Shanghai, you could consider enlisting the help of one of the many talented tutors on Superprof! The tutors on the site offer three types of private tutorials to help you learn the lingo: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials are taught with one student and one tutor and tend to be the most costly per hour because you're paying for both bespoke lessons and a bespoke course. While they are the most costly per hour, they're usually the most cost-effective type of tutorial since every minute in the lesson is spent focusing on you as the student. Additionally, the tutor will also be spending time outside of the lessons finding resources and planning the time they'll spend with you.Online tutorials are similar to the face-to-face tutorials but take place either on a call or over webcam. Thanks to the internet, you can now video conference tutors from all over the world and be taught for less per hour since the tutor won't have the travel costs to worry about and can fit more students into their schedule as a result. Of course, online tutorials can lack intimacy and while not ideal for hands-on subjects, they're great for language lessons. Your tutor might even be from China!Take the best Mandarin lessons London here.Finally, group tutorials are more like the classes you'll have had in school with one teacher and multiple students. However, with group tutorials, you and a group of friends (perhaps the people you'll be travelling with) can get in touch with a private tutor to plan lessons that you'll all attend together. While these tend to be the cheapest per student per hour since the cost of the tutor's time is shared, you'll also get far less one-on-one time with your tutor.Each different type of tutorial has its pros and cons and it's really up to you and your budget to decide how much you'll need to learn, how you want to learn, and what your budget is going to be for Chinese language lessons before you go.So when are you going to go and visit Shanghai?

English Adjectives to Describe Places - Intermediate Level English

English Adjectives to Describe Places - Intermediate Level English We all like to travel and  city breaks  (short holidays)  to foreign cities are very popular. A lot of my travelling is in Europe and it always amazes me how cities differ from country to country. The following are English adjectives to describe places. So when you are next travelling,  try and put your destination in to one of these categories. English Adjectives to Describe Places Many cities can be described as beautiful or interesting but it does not tell us the truth about that city. The following English words can be used to give a more detailed description.TOURISTYWe have all visited this type of city. Full of gift shops and tourist buses. It is not necessarily a negative but we may not like cities that are too busy and often the prices in cafes and restaurants are inflated  (high).COSMOPOLITANThere are many different dictionary meanings to this word. It can mean sophisticated and free from national prejudice. So it may be difficult to find a true cosmopolitan city anywhere! However,  it is simplest definition it is a city that has sophistication and is occupied and visited by people from all nationalities. London would be such a city.QUAINTThis word usually describes something or somebody as interestingly old fashioned or odd. We could used this word to describe the small old cities that have avoided or escaped any real modernisation and still have the o ld features of previous centuries.The old centre of Tallinn in Estonia is such a city.MEDIEVALThis certainly indicates a city with the charm of an ancient city with the spirit of the middle ages.  Old ramparts  (castle walls)  and wooden buildings. There are not so many cities remaining like this but some cities in part still retain these old features. I think Carcassonne in South West France is an ideal example of a city with beautiful medieval fortresses. English Adjectives to Describe Places - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: CONTEMPORARYSuch cities are easy to find. Modern re-building and renovations often give these type of cities a similar look and feel and can lose their uniqueness (individuality). However, there can be a beauty about these cities in terms of the high skyscrapers and glass buildings that are an all too often feature of these cities. Although I havent yet visited it myself I would believe the city of Brasilia in Brazil fits the bill  (ideal example) as it was purpose built to contain all the presidential and government offices. It was built from scratch  (from nothing).Without describing the architecture or the historic nature of a city we can still find appropriate adjectives to describe other cities that we visit.For example,  a  LIVELY  city  is a city full of life, lots of activities both during the day and at night. Some cities take on a different appearance in the evening with street cafes, bars and other  night life activities  (clubs and discos). I would describe Dublin the cap ital of Ireland as that type of city.A  BUSTLINGcity is one full of people, trade and business which is active all day. Street markets noisy traffic and people everywhere. This describes many Asian cities and pictures of busy cities in India like Calcutta come to mind as I am writing this. It is hard to find a city that has been  UNSPOILED (escaped change) by recent modern developments and still  retains  (keeps)  its old world charms.  However,  we usually use such a word to describe parts of the nature or forests or parks near our cities.Older cities  full of old world charm  (no high rise buildings)  are often recognized by the  narrow, meandering  streets (long narrow streets going from left to right in gentle curves) and  rambling lanes  (small streets that last for ever!).So the next time you have a holiday or a take a short trip discover what type of city you are visiting!!

English Second Conditionals Videos with Exercise

English Second Conditionals Videos with Exercise We hope everyone has been enjoying our new animated video on English second conditional. This English construction is a little difficult, but its important for advancing your abilities.We use the the second conditional to talk about unreal or imaginary situations, as you will see in the video below.Watch the video, and then see if you can complete the exercises. You can watch more of our English videos here.Fill in the gaps below. Youll use a verb in the past simple for the first part, followed by a modal verb in the second part of the sentence.1. If you ___  more time, you ____ be able to study more English.2.  If you _____ more, you ____ be healthier.3. If I ___ more money, I ______ work so much.4. If you ____ more money, you ____ have to work so much.5. If he ____ a lot of English classes, his English _____ be great.Complete the sentences below.1. If I had a million dollars, _____________________.2. If you were smart, ____________________.3. ________________________, I would be happy.4. _________________________, I would travel the world.5. _________________________, I wouldnt study English.Now invent two second conditional sentences of your own.  Write your answers in comments below, and well respond. Ana Thanks Sean Hwang 1. If you _had__ more time, you _would_ be able to study more English.2. If you _were more, you would be healthier.3. If I had more money, I would not work so much.4. If you had more money, you would not have to work so much.5. If he attended a lot of English classes, his English could be great.Complete the sentences below.1. If I had a million dollars, _I would leave a long vacation_.2. If you were smart, _you would not make that stupid decision.3. _If you stayed here/did not leave_, I would be happy.4. _If I got rottery__, I would travel the world.5. _If I had been born in the US_, I wouldn’t study English. LOIEnglish SeanGood work. Question #5 I think that would is a better option. We use could to suggest possibility. For exa mple: If he studied English more, he COULD get a better job. It is a possibility. In the sentence: If he attended a lot of English classes, his English would be great. (seems to make more sense)Question #1: I would TAKE a long vacation Question #4: If I won the LOTTERY, I would travel the world. Ilka Fill in the gaps below. You’ll use a verb in the past simple for the first part, followed by a modal verb in the second part of the sentence.1. If you had more time, you would be able to study more English.2. If you exercised more, you would be healthier.3. If I had more money, I wouldnt work so much.4. If you hade more money, you wouldnt have to work so much.5. If he had a lot of English classes, his English would be great.Complete the sentences below.1. If I had a million dollars, I would buy four good houses.2. If you were smart, you would study more now.3. If you gave me more attention, I would be happy.4. If I had money and time, I would travel the world.5. If I was born in Ame rica, I wouldn’t study English.Now invent two second conditional sentences of your own. If I could, I would go on vacation.If I could change the world, I would be the sunlight in your universe. LOIEnglish Excellent Ilka. I love your last sentence, is that yours or a quote from a song? Ilka Thanks! In reality, I didnt invent the last sentence just remembered the song!