AN INTROVERTS GUIDE TO ACHIEVING JOB SATISFACTION - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / AN INTROVERT’S GUIDE TO ACHIEVING JOB SATISFACTION - Introvert Whisperer AN INTROVERT’S GUIDE TO ACHIEVING JOB SATISFACTION It is common for most introverts to try to become more extroverted in order to achieve career satisfaction. But why? Very often introversion is seen by executives as an obstacle to better performance and career development; this can sometimes force introverts to become more active and present. So most introverts decide that being more present means being an extrovert. And what happens next? Some introverts succeed in turning themselves into extroverts but they end up pushing themselves too far outside of their comfort zone, but in most cases introverts simply shut down. The real problem behind all of this is that many introverts grow up without knowing how to truly embrace their introversion, which eventually causes a great deal of stress. Many introverts end up in careers that do not really suit their personality traits and strengths, whereas some of them find themselves in careers that suit their strengths but where they have a hard time achieving job satisfaction. There are many good resources online about jobs that suit best the introverts, but there is very little information on how to achieve job satisfaction as an introvert. To fill this gap, here are 3 essential steps you should follow in order to feel satisfied with your work as an introvert. 1. SAY GOODBYE TO THE “INTROVERTS VS. EXTROVERTS” BATTLE There is a fair amount of debate about introverts vs. extroverts. Most of it does not bring any substantial value. On the contrary, it creates a lot of confusion as to what introverts are and what they are not. Surprisingly, most of this talk comes from introverts and extroverts themselves. What will help you on your way to achieving job satisfaction is to dissociate yourself from that never-ending battle, especially at your work. Remember that your extrovert colleagues are not in any way superior to you in work ethics, effectiveness or value they bring to the company. You just do not even need to compare because it is like comparing apples and oranges, or bicycles and scooters. They are just different. Full stop. Important note: if that “introverts vs. extroverts” battle comes is initiated manager, take your time to be vocal, explain your point of view on the issue and how it affects your work. Being transparent about what makes you feel uncomfortable is key to job satisfaction.   2. KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS AS AN INTROVERT There are many strengths that introverts bring to the team that extroverts simply cannot. What will help you achieve job satisfaction is to know your strengths and learn to embrace them. Two of the most common ways to identify your strengths: ask your friends and colleagues or take one of the many strengths tests online. When I was looking to understand my strengths, I came across HIGH5, a free strengths finder that helped me identify my top 5 strengths and also let me ask my friends to evaluate my strengths via the same platform. Knowing your strengths gives you an indication of areas and activities that invigorate you and are in line with the way you perceive the world. When you utilize these strengths as an introvert at your everyday work, your satisfaction grows because you are actually applying what you are good at.   And when you do so, it actually increases your self-confidence. Important note: knowing and applying your strengths might take some time, but eventually it will bring you a lot more satisfaction at work than you thought. If you are looking for some motivation boost, take a look at one of my favorite TED Talks from Susan Cain, The Power of Introverts. 3. KNOW THE STRENGTHS OF YOUR COMPANY Ask yourself, “What is my company good at? What is it known for? What is that one strength that company’s most employees have in common?” Understanding the strengths of your company can give you a clearer indication of the way it works and what it actually believes in. If you work at a research company, two things that might pop out as company’s strengths will be written communication and independent work. Boom! Those are the strengths of almost any introvert. So knowing the strengths of your company helps you better comprehend its working style and increases your motivation when your strengths match with those of your company. Important note: Even if the strengths of your company do not completely match your own, you should concentrate on the value you bring to the table. In any type of company, things should be getting done and introverts are those who actually get things done instead of just talking about it. Experienced managers know that in order to create highly-effective teams, a good mix of introverts and extroverts is indispensable. Each group will excel in their respective areas and will feel happy once they feel accepted the way they are. But remember that there is no perfect job until you find your own strengths, understand what makes you happy, what motivates you and what is important for you. From there on, the choice becomes easy! In case you want to know how to build your dream career, take a look at this guide to first steps in your dream career building. About the author: Anatoli Chernyaev is a content marketing manager born in Armenia and currently residing in Lyon, France. Being an introvert himself, he writes about various topics such as self-awareness, positive thinking, personal development, and career advice. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

A Guide to Cooperative Learning

A Guide to Cooperative Learning Your Guide to Cooperative Learning ChaptersWhat is Cooperative Learning and Why is it a Buzzword in Education? How to Group Students for Cooperative Learning ProjectsTutoring Individual Students Toward Cooperative Learning ProjectsHow Private Tutoring Should Evolve to Include Cooperative Learning InitiativesStandardized education, in general, has long been under fire for several reasons; perhaps the main one being the unrealistic expectation that every student will absorb, retain and be capable of using the information presented to them in the traditional teaching model.The standard model of teaching â€" teacher talks, students listen has suffered its share of critics too: not everyone learns in the same way! So it is that a revolution in education comes about. No longer should education be an individualized, competitive affair; social learning must go hand in hand with intellectual growth.What was so wrong with individual students competing for the best marks? You really only need to look at today’s businesses to f igure out that the best effort and the most work is done in collaboration; by employees cooperating to complete projects.If you think about it, don’t we teach our children, from infancy on, to share and to cooperate? That being the case, doesn’t it make sense to carry out that philosophy through children’s earliest foray into society â€" school, so that they will be better prepared for their working life?  Cooperative learning consists of equal parts of social learning and academic learning.Far more than the think pair share teaching strategy, cooperative learning draws on students’ processing of information in a group setting rather than the teacher leading the instruction.    Mind you, there are plenty of pitfalls and concerns regarding cooperative learning initiatives. We’ll talk about the good, touch on the bad and help you find ways to make cooperative learning work,  in the classroom and in one to one tutoring. Cooperative learning could be described as a delicate balancing act between teachers’ authority and students’ autonomy. By ‘authority’ we don’t mean discipline, and by ‘autonomy’ we don’t mean liberty. In the cooperative learning model, imparting knowledge takes second place to students’ learning process. The principle of cooperative learning transforms the role of the teacher to one of a facilitator, enabling groups to work and learn together, from each other.  We should make the distinction between cooperative and collaborative learning clear: not every collaboration is born of cooperative learning, and not every cooperative learning assignment results in collaboration. Students who collaborate may choose to do so of their own volition, independent of teachers’ instruction, outside of the classroom and perhaps even outside of school. This diagram might help clarify the two conceptsCooperative learning activities call on students’ critical thinking skills, with the teacher guiding the group to form conclusions a nd tasking them to explain their reasons for arriving at them. What Does Cooperative Learning Involve? A teacher may choose between three styles of cooperative learning: Informal, more of a spur of the moment discussion of the topic at hand, done in learning groups, after which one student may present the group’s conclusions. Formal, in which the teacher organizes the students into groups and possibly assigns each group member a role.  One student may research notes and texts while another records observations. One student could be a timekeeper â€" making sure everyone stays on task, and another represents the group, come time to divulge the findings.Base: the students are organized into groups for the entire semester or school year. The students’ roles may change within the group â€" the recorder may become the researcher, and so on so that everyone has the opportunity to fulfill every role in the group dynamic.How to Group Students for Cooperative Learning ProjectsBesides gr ouping students formally or informally, a teacher should be well aware of his/her students’ learning styles, and which students work well in groups â€" as opposed to those who work best alone. Ideally, you should create a blend of personalities in each group. While putting all of your extroverts together would make for a lively and engaged group, you would have to wonder: how much work would get done?The talking necessary for effective group work is one of the bigger concerns of cooperative learning: how much extraneous chatter should be allowed before the teacher has to step in? Although cooperative learning is supposed to be social learning, not every student enjoys being social. That is why it is important to signal that everyone maintains their individuality. One way to do so is through the role they play in the group.    Perhaps a more introverted student could research, while another acts as timekeeper. Meanwhile, prepare your verbal group member to present, while the kines thetics perhaps write on the board.  If you are looking for some  jobs in education  check here.You must remember that cooperative learning is not a teacher-centered model. In this educational model, you become a facilitator, meaning you arrange the groups to permit the maximum flow of information between group members. Trouble is, that all works well in a classroom environment, but how is a tutor supposed to work with individual students who work in a base learning group at school? Tutoring Individual Students Toward Cooperative Learning ProjectsAs schools turn away from standard teaching yet maintain the same curriculum, that would imply that students would still need academic support and homework help, right?Such a postulate might encourage tutors to believe that nothing has changed as far as their duties are concerned when, in fact, there must be a coinciding revolution in private tutoring to match the one going on in schools all over the world. Now more than ever, tutors need strategies to promote active learning in their students, rather than the reinforcement of learned material. Active learning is a teaching method that strives to involve students in the learning process. The key question to accomplishing that is knowing how your students learn.If you are an experienced teacher who also tutors, you must know all about learning styles and, most likely, can discern your tutee’s learning style within the first hour of working with him/her.On the other hand, if you are a college student earning extra money by tutoring, you may have to educate yourself on the subject. Once you’ve ascertained that your pupil is either aural, verbal, kinesthetic or any of the others, it is time to devise your strategy. It should consist, at least in part, of toning students’ natural inclinations to better fit into a group dynamic.If your student requies more assistance, naturally you must take special pains to help build the skills â€" both academic and social, that wo uld help him/her better assimilate into the group. We’re glad to provide you with helpful tips and suggestions on the matter.     Changing Your TitleTutors of yesteryear may recall the good ole days, when you showed up, were offered a beverage, led into the dining room and had unfettered access to your student for an hour or so. After the icebreaker and review of last week’s material, s/he bent over her notebook while you waited... for a question, or to check the work. Tutors of today are called on to do so much more!One might say that tutors must become academic coaches, focusing more on helping their students build the skills needed to function in the classrooms of today. How Private Tutoring Should Evolve to Include Cooperative Learning InitiativesBecause such a great part of cooperative learning is social learning, tutors must incorporate activities and conversation that would promote social skills and encourage participation in class. Role-playing games work well with all age groups. You might try posing a few ‘what if’ questions to your older students, just to engage their higher order thinking skills and perhaps even debate with them. “What if nobody ever studied history?” or “What if E did not equal MC2?”The takeaway here is that these days, school is all about the learning experience, and less about cramming knowledge into (unwilling) heads. Anything you can do to help your charges develop effective learning strategies and anything you can do to promote their capacity for social interaction and their ability to function in-group is all to the good. Interdependence is another key factor in cooperative learning, and this is where a tutor an academic coach will shine!Tutors have traditionally been their pupils’ ally, a grown-up who actively listens and empathizes.  You may encourage deeper student engagement to foster interdependence, but cautiously!At no time should your student become overly dependent on you; your mutual goal should be to ensure that s/he has the skills to function well in group activities â€" not to withdraw in class in favor of working with you. Every instructor â€" be s/he a tutor or classroom educator, has the same goal: for students to succeed. That is why tutors must keep on top of the instructional strategies that schools systems implement, and why teachers must undergo professional development. There is a danger of implementing this teaching and learning philosophy incorrectly so that it benefits neither student nor teacher. Hopefully, every learner you work together with will enjoy only the upside of cooperative learning strategies, and you too will find them challenging yet engaging.

How to Find the Right French Teacher

How to Find the Right French Teacher Find the Right French Tutor for Your Learning Needs ChaptersReasons to Learn FrenchWhat Qualities does a Good Teacher Embody?Points to Ponder in Seeking a TutorYou might have scoffed at the title of this article: is there such a thing as the right teacher? Isn't anyone who can speak French  a right teacher?For many reasons, the answer to that question is a resounding negative.Think about your formal schooling experience: did you like every teacher? Did you start every learning session with keen anticipation?Have you worked with teachers who are always responsive to your needs, attentive to your preferred method of learning; who are supportive and encouraging?Have you ever had a single educator who makes subject matter come alive for you?That is the type of teacher we mean when broaching the subject of the right teacher to learn French with.We certainly don't mean this type of teacher, in Houston, who starts every class with Bonjour, and then teaches French in English!Let us now embark on a journey to discover how to find the perfect F rench instructor for you.Did your school French teacher make you feel this way this little girl does? Source: Pixabay Credit: Adolf StrausHowever maligned that teacher is, he may possess qualities that every teacher should have:patienceconfidencecompassionunderstandingsupport for every student; no favouritism or deeming any student a lost causea passion for learning and for lifethe ability to see things from alternate perspectives, and explain subject matter in a different wayAs far as the Houston teacher is concerned, that last may well be his primary qualifier!Another essential quality a teacher must have is a firm grasp on his/her subject matter.That is why a non French speaker teaching the language caused such a sensation.French language instruction, like just about every other subject, can be an exercise in frustration.Imagine you are leading a classroom full of students, but only a few have any aptitude or desire to learn what you have been tasked to teach.And, mid-semester, y ou will be judged on your ability to impart knowledge, based on your students' test scores.That is why patience tops the list of desired attributes for teachers!While such scenarios may be common in secondary school French class, nothing says that the teachers leading French courses all over the country, on the Internet and perhaps even in your home would operate under similar conditions.One criterion to look for in a good French teacher is temperament.If you are looking for beginner French classes London, relying on feedback from that instructor's former students is one way to gauge his/her patience, understanding and support.The website Rate my Teachers makes it easy to get an overview of the quality of instruction you would be treated to by any given teacher on that list.But... these are all school teachers! How are you, an adult hoping for extracurricular lessons in advanced French, supposed to benefit from those reviews?Many school teachers supplement their income â€" or feed t heir passion for teaching by tutoring evening and weekends.Are you looking for a tutor for French lessons online?Points to Ponder in Seeking a TutorThere is a bit of a difference between a French teacher for your child who is still in school, and one for yourself, who are looking to gain some language skills â€" for whatever reason.Your child might need a French language teacher who knows about the demands of the National Curriculum, and will work at an age appropriate level.S/he should be able to base instruction on mandated French textbooks, and not vary too widely from what your child expects from a language learning experience.To be sure, the teacher can and should introduce new expressions and vocabulary, but should tailor French lessons to the age of student.For example, it would be inappropriate to discuss concerts and other aspects of French culture with a 7 year old.On the other hand, should you wish to master the art of  French conversation before your next holiday, discus sions of cultural activities would be most suitable.A bilingual teacher offers language learners many advantages Source: Pixabay Credit: Free-PhotosNative Speaker or Bilingual?We have a tendency to want the best for our money, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.However, when it comes to learning French, there is some debate on whether engaging a teacher whose native language is French is the best idea.Here is why:While certainly adept at speaking and understanding French, a native speaker might not have all the answers.Because people learn their native language as a matter of course, French grammar rules might be especially tricky for someone native to France to impart, no matter how educated s/he is.Also, s/he may suffer tunnel vision. Spoken French has certain aspects that are difficult for non French speakers to master, such as the guttural R, or the different sounds that accents give certain vowelsFinally: that tutor's English language skills might not be sufficient to communicate the finer points of pronunciation and grammar.How about a bilingual teacher, then? Someone who learned French as a second language?French teachers in the UK must go through rigorous training, to include proving their proficiency in French and obtaining at least a bachelor's degree.An additional requirement for potential teachers is to undergo licensure; a test in which the candidate must demonstrate his/her ability to teach effectively.All of that work and training may increase the price of your linguistic quest for fluency!A French tutor, on the other hand, is not required to seek licensing or undergo any special training before giving a French lesson.The rule of thumb for hiring a tutor is that s/he should be at minimum one level higher than yours.If you can speak basic French, for example, your tutor should be at intermediate level.In seeking out a tutor to learn the French language from, you would have to rely on the veracity of testimonials left by francophones who have benefited from his/her language courses.You can find such French course recommendations at Gumtree, Freeads and other online French learning websites.Or, you could drop in on Superprof.If you want to study French, to earn a diploma or just improve your listening comprehension, Superprof has a tutor for you.Should your concern be verb conjugation or using the right tense; whether you are looking for French immersion, Superprof tutors will guide you to becoming the francophone you always knew you could be.All you need is a Skype connection and a willingness to learn.Are you worried that your French tutor won't be the right fit?Most Superprof tutors give their first hour of lessons free, for exactly that purpose.What are you waiting for? Allons-y!Learn more about the cost of French tuition.

How to project confidence whilst introverted - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to project confidence whilst introverted - Introvert Whisperer How to project confidence whilst introverted One of the main challenges for introverts is to appear confident while feeling anything but. It’s a skill that can come naturally to our more extroverted friends and colleagues, but ‘faking it til you make it’ isn’t usually one of our strengths. However, it’s still an important skill to develop if you want to get ahead in the world of work and there are many crucial moments in life when pretending to be confident can help you get through. A lot of it comes down to body language, with simple things like posture making a huge difference to how we appear to others. Standing in a hunched pose might help us feel more secure when doing something as unnatural as public speaking, but it makes you appear as nervous as you feel, whereas open gestures give the impression of confidence and authority. Another simple gesture that makes all the difference is whether or not you have your hands in your pockets. Again, this can feel like a good way to make yourself feel safe and secure when under pressure, but your audience will just see somebody who at best looks nervous and at worst looks untrustworthy, so keep your hands out of your pockets and use them to express your points. Eye contact can be another aspect of communication that is difficult for introverts, but that can be hugely important when trying to appear confident, so try and maintain natural eye contact throughout conversations. In the same way, the temptation to speak quickly so you can get to the end sooner rather than later is obvious, but won’t help you seem like someone who is worth listening to. You can read more tips on how to project confidence in this infographic from PoundPalace, so why not try them out in less stressful situations so you can use them when it counts?

Five Characteristics of Highly Effective Teachers

Five Characteristics of Highly Effective Teachers You got into teaching for a reason: to make a lasting impact on students lives. So how can you do that? Here are five characteristics of the best, most effective teachers: A passion for the craft of teaching and for helping students learn is essential to being an influential teacher. The best teachers let their enthusiasm show in the classroom. They arent afraid to share why they love a subject, and that excitement is often contagious. Excellent teachers want their students to learn. That means theyre always willing to take the time to help them understand something and overcome challenges. They are committed to guiding students toward greater learning. Compassion is important in teaching. And a patient, kind disposition is likely to be more successful than one that is more authoritative in nature. Thats not to say teachers cannot be strict and hold students to high standards. However, teachers can create great outcomes when they get to know their students as individuals and show them that they care. Some students are more naturally motivated than others, but great teachers are good at connecting all types of students to a subject. They try to make subjects interesting, of course, but they are also skilled at convincing students of the value and importance of learning. They pay attention to how their students respond to their methods and adjust when needed. Embracing a growth mindset. Every teacher wants their students to believe that they are capable of growing their skills and knowledge if they put in the effort. When they embrace this stance, it rubs offand they will see increased student growth and motivation. Learning isnt easy for all students, but the more you can make your classroom a safe space where students are treated as capable learners, the more effective you will be.

Atomic Wedgie and Entrepreneurship A Fireside Chat with Porter Haney - Private Tutoring

Atomic Wedgie and Entrepreneurship A Fireside Chat with Porter Haney Anna L Apr 10, 2013 No, this article is not about how to give a wedgie or even wedgie videos. Instead, this is an interview with Porter Haney, an entrepreneur and founder of wedgies.com, a polling platform for the real time web. Similar to our interview with Neil Patel, weve asked Porter a few questions with the hope that his answers will provide good advice for those currently in high school or college but wish to eventually become an entrepreneur. After this post, go check out wedgies.com and become a wedgie boy or a wedgie girl. Sounds weird, I know. Anyways, enjoy the interview. 1. Can you share your background with the audience and what youre up to currently? Im a passionate skier, photographer and entrepreneur. I recount our outdoor adventures atFamousInternetSkiers.com and am currently building  wedgies.com, a polling platform for the  real time   web. Were part of the burgeoning #vegastech  startup  scene and Downtown Project, an initiative to make  Las  Vegas the largest community focused city in the world. 2. Thinking back to your time in High School and College, what classes or training do you suggest for students aspiring to become entrepreneurs one day? I relate entrepreneurship to the simplest forms of education. When youre in grade school youre learning simple skills how to make friends, how to socialize, how to communicate. At its core, entrepreneurship is about building lasting relationships through business. These skills are very human, and things you might pickup in the halls of school as well as in the classroom. Id encourage students to find something theyre passionate about, people they want to surround themselves with while they chase that passion, and a patience and resilience to chase that passion for a long time. 3. So, a tutor is kind of like a mentor. What mentors did you have and what affect did they have on your career of life decisions? Entrepreneurship is a skill best taught through mentor and peer networks. You cant learn every entrepreneurship lesson by reading a book or talking with other potential entrepreneurs. You need seasoned people, whove been through similar businesses and experiences. Theyll be the best guiding light for you as you try to tackle new problems. 4. Any final career advice for the budding entrepreneur in High School or College? I believe in a few core rules and try to follow them in most aspects of what I do.   Treat others the way you want to be treated. And, two wrongs dont make a right.   I believe that following these types of rules, while working hard, creates sustainable success that you can be proud of as an individual and a business. To learn more about Porter, you can follow him on his Google Plus Profile.

Canadian International School Kunshan

Canadian International School Kunshan Canadian International School Kunshan About CISK Founded in 2012, the Canadian International School, Kunshan (CISK) is affiliated with St. Johns-Kilmarnock, IB World School, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Currently, CISK provides an Early Years Foundation Program, that includes Pre-School Nursery, Junior and Senior Kindergarten, and as of September 2015, Grade 1-10 programs, all taught in English, although Mandarin is available to our students and forms part of our curricula. Our ultimate goal is to expand our grades in order to offer our students a complete secondary school program. Looking ahead to the upcoming school year, we plan to move our staff and students, including our entire educational resources, to a brand new state of the art facilities, in Kunshan, China, located on our new campus, adjacent to Duke Kunshan University. Kunshan. About Kunshan Kunshan, Jiangsu is located in the south-east, county-level city under the jurisdiction of Suzhou City, is located between Shanghai and Suzhou city. It is also the father of Chinese operas Kun qu originated. September 2010, Kunshan and Vienna, Singapore and other 5 cities in the United Nations Habitat Award for the year. Kunshan, China economy is the strongest in the county-level city, for four consecutive years in Forbes China best county-level cities ranked ranked first, for eight consecutive years won China small citys comprehensive strength hundred cities and counties first.It is around a 2 hour drive to Shanghai from Kunshan and approximately 18 minutes by light transit high speed rail.