Obama Is Going to Make Scholarships Available to Single Mothers

Having to take care of their families on their own, working single mothers have probably the toughest job of all. For many moms, a wish or a goal that has to be put on hold in order to take care of other responsibilities, is higher education. With his new administration, however, President Obama is encouraging moms to make their education a priority. Working mothers are being given a great chance to improve their futures by Obama scholarships. Obama, whilst encouraging people of all ages to seek higher education, is urging working moms in particular to participate in his Scholarships for Moms program. Building on The Scholarships for Moms program, is the federal government's long-standing offer of Pell grants. The most commonly applied for forms of aid for students going to college are Pell grants, applied for through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. To encourage more mothers to return to school, the Obama administration is now making some changes. The biggest incentive is the amount of money that is being offered for the Scholarships for Moms program. The maximum amount awarded through Pell grants is about $4,000 per student, but for mothers who apply to the program, that amount is increased to $5,000. The purpose of these grants is to allow working moms to return to school and earn a degree. In turn, that will allow them to better provide for their families now as well as in the future. The administration also envisages that by equipping mothers with skills to earn more money as working professionals will also be a stimulus to the economy. Moms can receive an education without the worry of the costs of school or having to pay back money for a loan. Another great incentive for moms considering this program is that it applies to enrollment in nearly any type of higher education institution. As well as smaller community colleges, four-year universities are covered as well. You can choose to go to a private school or a public one. An option for busy moms who can't stay on campus is to study through online courses. A comprehensive attempt to get eager mothers back into the classroom is the government's Scholarships for Moms program. With the Obama scholarship, the worry of returning to school is removed. In almost any area of interest working moms can earn a degree, thus they can be fully equipped to provide for their families. Higher education doesn't have to be an unobtainable goal or an unfulfilled wish any longer. The Scholarships for Moms program is designed to help create a brighter future for mothers and their children.

The Best Place to Study Spanish in South America Is...

The financial crash of 2001 in Argentina resulted in a devaluation of the peso, which caused a significant foreign tourism boom. A result of this has been the emergence of a number of high quality Spanish schools that offer you the chance to study Spanish on a budget. In addition to cost though, there are further grounds for opting to learn to speak Spanish there.

(1) Few Argentines speak English. In contrast to countries in the northern hemisphere, which have greater contact with native English speaking tourists, businesses, and pop culture, Argentina has had relatively little contact with the English-speaking world. Until recently, Argentines considered French to be of a higher standing than English and the people who had the means and interest to learn a second language tended to learn that language instead.

Even though attitudes are fast changing there now (English instruction now being an obligatory element of public school education), English is still seldom spoken fluently by Argentines. This represents an ideal situation for those wanting to learn Spanish as they will be forced to use the local language in order to get by.

(2) Argentines are easy to understand. Argentines do not talk too fast, nor do they mumble or swallow consonants, which can be common for Caribbean or Central American speakers. Many beginner students have difficulty differentiating between words with spoken Spanish due to them not being able to hear the stopping of one word and the beginning of the next and learning Spanish in Argentina reduces this issue.

You will of course acquire an Argentine accent when you speak Spanish, but this is no great problem, and you will still easily be able to be understood by Spanish speakers in other countries. In fact, having a slight variation on standard European Spanish can be a good thing, as when you speak in Spanish to natives of other Spanish speaking countries, they will be intrigued as to how you acquired your accent, making it a good ice breaker.

(3) Talking a lot is common in Argentina. You will find no problem in finding others to practice with because Argentina has a talkative culture and it is easy to start a conversation with perfect strangers. No-one will think you strange or crazy if you walk up to them and ask them how they are doing and what their plans are for the day.

When Argentines find out that you have gone there specifically to study Spanish and to learn about their culture, they will be particularly welcoming, and you can expect to be asked to have dinner at their houses, and to be taken sightseeing. Confident learners will undoubtedly benefit from such an open environment.

If this sounds like an interesting opportunity to you, you just need to do a little research on the internet. Whether you prefer a relatively short month long study holiday, a half year home stay arrangement, or something between the two, you will be sure to find something in Argentina for you.

Is Computer Language Learning Suitable For Me? By Terry Roberts

Computer-assisted language learning (CALL), often known simply as computer language learning, is a form of computer-based assisted learning. The first thing to be said is that it is not a method, but a tool to facilitate learning - under whatever method is being used. Perhaps one of the most useful things about computer language learning is that it is student-centered and allows each user to progress at their own speed. Moreover, it can be programmed to be interactive and, as a result, individualized. Finally, it can form a stand-alone course, and be used on its own, or it can be used as a reinforcement of class learning.

Where computer language learning is used in the latter role, as learning reinforcement, it has often led to a revision of both the teacher's and student's role in the language learning process. For example, when it is used as a major component of a foreign language course, the teacher must get used to the fact that they are no longer simply the provider of knowledge, but must now guide the student in their interaction with the computer. The student, for their part, must become accustomed to taking on greater responsibility for their own learning.

It is often said that computer language learning, even when used to provide a stand-alone course, does not entirely eliminate the need for an instructor, or teacher. While this may be true in certain circumstances, the latest CALL courses, usually available for self-study in stores or on internet, incorporate many advances that enable a motivated learner to take almost complete control of their learning experience. Speech-recognition software allows them to compare their pronunciation to the computer's model, and access to an instructor, either by phone or via an internet forum, gives them the support necessary at crucial moment in the learning process.

Indeed, for many students, computer language learning can create a much more stimulating environment than a classroom. Although some students learn better in a classic teaching setting, with instructor and peers, others may find it intimidating. This is obviously true for shy students, who can feel freer in their own self-created learning environment.

However, the advantages are not limited to shy students. The use of technology tends to make learning more interesting for many people. Personalizing information, by integrating the student's name or familiar contexts within the instruction, can promote motivation. Another very successful way to do this is to use much more realistic contexts (real-world or fantasy) that are not directly related to language learning per se.

One way a program or activity can promote motivation in students is by personalizing information, for example by integrating the student’s name or familiar contexts as part of the program or task. Others include having animate objects on the screen, providing practice activities that incorporate challenges and curiosity and providing a context (real-world or fantasy) that is not directly language-oriented.

Finally, computer language learning gives the student the ability to control not only the pace of their learning, but also, in many cases, the actual content. This is because they can choose what to learn, in what order, they can omit lessons they think are unnecessary and do extra work - or devote more time - to their perceived problem areas. This makes them feel more competent in their learning. Moreover, students tend to prefer the type of exercise where they can control the content and direction of their learning, such as branching stories, puzzles, logic problems or adventures.

All in all, if you're not too worried about not being able to learn in a classroom environment, with permanent access to an instructor, computer language learning could be just the thing you're looking for to bring greater motivation to your language learning experience.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=374299&ca=Education

Do You Think Learning Italian is Hard? Try With Some Italian Courses in Florence By Lorenzo Cardelli

Do you think learning Italian is hard? It’s no harder than learning Spanish and like any other language the absolute best way to learn as an adult is to immerse yourself in the language on a daily basis. The best way to do this is by taking Italian language courses in Italy. If you are trying to learn in the United States or any other English speaking country then practicing outside of class is quite difficult. You also have limited exposure to the language, even in a university level course the most time you will spending will be five hours a week. Enter the Italian learning experience.

Whether you are attending school in Italy, taking an extended vacation or relocating for work, taking Italian courses upon your arrival will make your transition immensely easier. You will have classmates from around the world to practice with. In Florence, for example, everyday you walk out to study Italian into streets filled with speakers you can practice with. The further away from the tourist zones you are the easier it will be to practice as well. Not falling into the speaking English as a default helps to learn as well. Many Italians speak English and will welcome the practice, but if you maintain your responses in Italian you will find that a few weeks of day to day life complements your Italian language course greatly, especially in the ability to retain the information.

The benefit of learn Italian in Florence, while you are surrounded by native speakers, is greatly increased by the pace of many programs. While it is possible to take only an hour a day in lessons, which is ideal for students who will be in the country for an entire year, most of the programs will be roughly four hours a day. This reinforces everything you learn well, building day by day on what you have covered the day before. You may be quite surprised at how quickly you are able to pick up the language at this pace. The fact that you are able to add private lessons and also do intensive programs increases greatly the speed at which you can learn in most Italian courses in Florence, Italy. Here there is a large number of ex patriots and tourists, and you will find the greatest variety of schools.

For those with the love and the motivation learning Italian will not be that hard. Any background in other Romance languages helps a great deal, and the idiomatic expressions will come more slowly than verb conjugation. But by taking Italian courses in Italy you will get the benefit of native speakers being around you everyday. They will help you immensely, especially in the form of language exchange, practice English for an hour, then Italian for an hour. Very shortly you will learn to never order a latte unless you want a glass of milk and that an espresso is a newspaper and not a coffee and you will be on your way to speaking like a native.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=374742&ca=Education