Fall in France French Vocabulary for Fall

Fall in France French Vocabulary for Fall Sign up successful If you ever find yourself traveling to France during this period, it might seem like the country is empty and shut down. Thats because this month is used to travel far away, or even just a few hundred kilometers to the south of France, where one can relax and unwind from the stress of work, school, and everyday life. One of the benefits of learning French is to be able to move to France and experience this for yourself! A Bountiful Harvest The end of summer and the beginning of fall in France also brings about a very beautiful and bountiful time. Between the end of August and the end of September, vineyards all over the country are loaded with grapes ripe for the picking. During this time, you can see tractors and trucks rolling through the small villages of the beautiful French countryside. Theyre full of freshly-picked grapes which are then carted off to be fermented and turned into wine. This period of time is called les vendanges (the grape harvest) and it can be a very stressful time for winemakers as they try their best to pick grapes at their peak (thus, resulting in great wines). The Beginning of Fall But like all good things, les grandes vacances have to end. September 1st has come and gone and everyone is back to school or work; the daily grind. Les fermiers (farmers) go back to their fields for harvest, les travailleurs (workers) go back to work, and les enseignants et les écoliers (teachers and students) go back to school. Est-ce que vous avez le cafard (are you feeling down â€" literally translated as, Do you have the cockroach?) because its the end of summer? If so, heres some fun fall vocabulary to get you through la rentrée.  Dont worry about mastering pronunciation yet just try them out! French Vocabulary for Fall 1)  La rentrée The start of the school year. 2)  Un pull That comfy, cozy thing you wrap yourself up in during fall a sweater! 3)  L’automne Whether you call it autumn or call it fall, it’s the season after summer (l’été). 4)  Une feuille A leaf. 5)  Changement de couleur des feuilles The changing colors of leaves from vertes (green) to rouges (red), marrons (brown), oranges (orange), et jaunes (yellow). 6)  Les feuilles sèches/ les feuilles mortes After the leaves turn colors and fall off the tree they become dead leaves (which are always fun to crunch). 7)  La récolte, la moisson These are the harvests of fruits, vegetables, and grains. 8)  Un ratêau A rake for all those falling leaves. The verb, to rake, is ratisser. 9)  Le potiron, la citrouille Used in pies, Jack-o-Lanterns, and Cinderella’s carriage this would be a pumpkin! 10)  L’épouvantail This is a scarecrow for scaring crows, of course! There you have it lots of French vocab to practice and master! Having a conversation in French and throwing in these words is another great way to practice. If you struggle with the pronunciation or general understanding of the language, I recommend taking lessons with an excellent  French teacher. Having private instruction is the quickest way you can improve your French skills. Be sure to try some of these words out this  fall! Post Author:  Mikayla S. Mikayla teaches many subjects, inlcuding French, European History, and World History. She has been speaking French for over a decade and recently earned her bachelors degree of French and Francophone Studies at San Diego State University.  Learn more about Mikayla here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Useful Italian Phrases and Tips for Shopping in Italy

Useful Italian Phrases and Tips for Shopping in Italy Brooke Neuman If youre taking a trip to Italy, chances are youre planning on doing some serious shopping. Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some useful Italian phrases and tips for shopping in Italy Do you have a trip to Italy planned? Besides the delicious food, Italy has some of the best shopping in the world. Whether youre looking for a souvenir for your loved one or some high-fashion duds for yourself, Italy has it all. In this article, well explore some useful Italian phrases for shopping as well as some general tips. Learning how to  speak Italian  will ensure that youre getting what you want at the appropriate price. But before we dive into these useful Italian phrases, below are some shopping tips  to help make sure  that your  first shopping trip in  Italy goes off without a hitch. Italian Shopping Tips From big-name fashion brands  to antique mom and pop shops, Italy boasts some of the worlds best fashion and art. Use the tips below to ensure that you have a positive shopping experience. Watch out for imitations:  When you’re visiting cities with lots of tourists, for example  Florence, you might be tempted by the designer look-a-likes being sold on the street at bargain prices. Attento! (Watch out!) The police have been known to fine tourists and sellers alike for buying and selling these items. If its too good to be true,  its probably fake. Look for the Made in Italy tag:  The “Made in Italy” tag has been created to guarantee buyers that an item is authentically conceived, manufactured, and packaged in Italy. Look for items that have this tag so you can  ensure thats it authentic. Whats more,  youll be supporting classic Italian workmanship. Ask for a tax refund:  If  you’re making purchases that are taxed with the VAT (value-added tax), ask the shop owner for a tax refund form. This form enables you to  receive a refund at the airport. The standard rate of this tax is 22%, so you stand to save quite a bit! Remember to pack light: Resist the temptation  to pack five pairs of shoes or three pairs of jeans. Youll want to leave enough room in your suitcase to  bring back the souvenirs and clothing you purchased. However much you think you need to pack, cut it in half. Brush up on  your bargaining skills:  Brush up on your bargaining skills to get fantastic deals. Chances are youll have better luck in smaller stores or if youre buying more than one item. Dont get too greedy; start with a small discount and go from there. Useful Italian Phrases for Shopping When you first enter a shop, the salesperson might greet you and ask how they can help. You can respond by telling them one of the following phrases: Cerco… (I’m looking for…) Vorrei… (I would like…) Ho bisogno di… (I need…) Avete? (Do you have?) If you’re looking for a specific clothing item, one of these words may be just what you’re looking for: L abbigliamento (clothing) La camicia (shirt) La gonna (skirt) Il vestito  (dress) I pantaloni (pants) Le scarpe (shoes) If youre looking for accessories, try one of these Italian words: La collana  (necklace) Il braccialetto  (bracelet) L’ anello  (ring) La cintura (belt) La sciarpa  (scarf) I guanti  (gloves) Il portafoglio  (wallet) Gli occhiali da sole (sunglasses) Once you’ve spotted  something you like, heres a phrase you can direct toward a shopkeeper  Posso provare questi articoli, per favore?  (Can I please try these items?) Once you’ve tried them on, you might want to discuss the fit with a salesperson. Here are some useful Italian phrases to use: Mi sembra troppo… (It seems too…) stretto/a (tight) allentato/a (loose) grande (big) piccolo/a (small) Come mi sta? (How does it look on me?) Mi piace… (I like… [for a singular object]) Mi piacciono… (I like…[for a plural object]) Non mi piace… (I don’t like [for a singular object]) Non mi piacciono… (I don’t like…[for a plural object]) Mi può portare una taglia più grande/piccolo, per favore? (Can you please bring me a bigger/smaller size?) If you’re thinking of buying a particular item and want to discuss price, use the following Italian phrases; Quanto costa? (How much does it cost?). E’ caro. (It’s expensive.) E’ economico. (It’s inexpensive.) I contanti ( money) la carta di credito (credit card) lo scontrino/la ricevuta (receipt [informal/formal]) la borsa (bag) Learning Italian before your trip will definitely come in handyespecially when youre shopping. Use the useful Italian phrases above to ensure that you have an enjoyable shopping experience. Post Author:  Nadia B. Nadia B. teaches Italian in New York, NY. She graduated summa cum laude from New York University, with a double degree in Italian Language and Literature and Classical Music Performance.  Learn more about Nadia here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

5 Myths (and Realities) About Study Abroad

5 Myths (and Realities) About Study Abroad Studying abroad is a popular pastime for many college students. Living and learning in a foreign country can provide you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in an unfamiliar culture while also earning college credit, meeting new people, and traveling. It also allows you to increase your confidence. Despite these benefits, many students still choose not to participate in study abroad because of intimidating information they have heard from others. Here are five myths (and realities) about study abroad: 1. Its too expensive Study abroad may seem expensive at first, but when you begin to evaluate program options and costs, you might just change your mind. Many universities offer exchange programs, in which students pay their regular tuition, but attend a school abroad. Additionally, students can select housing and meal plans that may be comparable to or even less than what they pay at home. In some study abroad programs, students pay the tuition of the foreign university, which may be less costly than your home college. To study abroad, you will need to pay for round trip airfare, which can be expensive. Keep in mind that you can apply your financial aid to some study abroad programs, and remember that there are also study abroad scholarships that can help students cover extra expenses. Speak with your schools study abroad office to discover such funding opportunities. 2. I must be able to speak a foreign language Another common myth about study abroad is that students must speak the language of the country where they intend to study. In reality, there are many study abroad programs where the foreign institution teaches courses in English. Although it can be helpful to speak the home language, many students learn to do so by interacting with people in the country they visit. Some students also choose to sign up for language immersion programs while abroad. If you are uncomfortable with not knowing the language, remember that there are several English-speaking countries where study abroad is very popular, such as Australia, England, and Ireland. Here are five tips to help you learn a foreign languageif you do choose to study abroad and want to learn the language of the country you are visiting. 3. Ill lose an entire semester or year This myth about study abroad programs is simply not true. With the variety of study abroad options available at most colleges, many majors can go abroad without delaying their graduation dates. First, meet with your academic adviser to determine when it would be best to study abroad. Many schools have even created study abroad programs whose credits align perfectly with their major requirements. To avoid delaying your graduation or losing a semester, it is imperative that you carefully time your study abroad experience. After speaking with your adviser, consult with the study abroad office about programs that fit your scheduling needs. If your major is very rigid, perhaps you can go abroad in the summer or during winter break. 4. Study abroad is like a vacation One popular belief is that students act irresponsibly while abroad and away from their daily lives. While some students do shirk their responsibilities while studying abroad, many others take this experience seriously without sacrificing fun. Read thesetips on how to best study for a test. Students may not only take classes abroad that require quite a bit of studying, they may also be hired for internships. They might join university clubs, travel to nearby sights, or do research with faculty members. 5. Non-traditional students cant study abroad Many non-traditional students including individuals who are returning to college, transferring from two-year institutions, maintaining a family life, or studying in the United States as international students attend school each year. As these populations grow, so too do the study abroad options available to them. If you are a non-traditional student, dont just dismiss the idea of studying abroad. Instead, speak with a study abroad coordinator, express your concerns, and find out what options will suit your needs. These are only five of the common myths (and realities) about study abroad, but there are many more. If study abroad has piqued your interest, investigate it with a knowledgeable person at your college or university. They can help you demystify the experience, debunk any additional myths about study abroad, and connect you with the study abroad options that best fit your situation.

Sentence Fragments, Run-On Sentences, and a Comma Splices

Sentence Fragments, Run-On Sentences, and a Comma Splices   Punctuation errors are easy to make and hard to spot. For some writers, it is especially hard to catch punctuation errors such as sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and comma splices. These punctuation errors can really make your writing seem chaotic. A grammar checker can catch these errors some of the time. Better than a grammar checker is your ability to catch these errors yourself.   Sentence fragments A sentence fragment refers to groups of words that act like a sentence yet cannot stand on their own because the writer has made a range of mistakes. To start with, the right subject-verb relationship may not be available within the independent clause. For example, a statement such as Working Far into the Night with the Aim of Finding Their Ornament is a sentence fragment because the writer tries to describe something but fails to create a relationship between the subject and the verb. A different idea may also create a subordination of the relationship. It is worth noting that this can be acceptable when a writer is using it as a style in their pieces. The freedom is, however, restricted in professional writing. INCORRECT:   The sun shining. CORRECT:   The sun is shining.   Run-on sentences A run-on sentence is also known as a fused sentence. It has two independent clauses. The two parts are improperly connected. Even short sentences can be run-on sentences. In a nutshell, sentences are run-on sentences when two independent clauses are joined with a coordinator without a comma, or they are linked by a conjunctive adverb. This mistake is easily corrected with the right punctuation and conjunction.   INCORRECT:  Our house is narrow but it has 8 floors. CORRECT:   Our house is narrow, but it has 8 floors. EXPLANATION:   The conjunction but joins two sentences without a comma. Add a comma before the conjunction.   INCORRECT:   I asked everyone if they had seen my parrot but no one saw it. CORRECT:   I asked everyone if they had seen my parrot, but no one saw it.   Comma splice errors A comma splice is an error made by the writer when they use a comma to join two independent clauses. For instance, a sentence such as I am going to the library, I will study for my exam. In this case, the comma is utilized to join two independent clauses. It can be fixed by adding a conjunction. A semicolon can also be utilized because they are strong enough to create a relationship between two independent clauses. Furthermore, the writer may opt to write two different sentences and hence do away with the comma. In the artistic forms of writing such as poetry, the comma slices can be embraced to create an exciting piece. The racing thoughts of a character in a fictional story can be linked using the splices. In professional writing, however, this mistake must be avoided. INCORRECT:   I am going to the library, I will study for my exam. CORRECT:   I am going to the library. I will study for my exam. CORRECT:   I am going to the library, and I will study for my exam. It is clear that the run-on sentences, comma splices, and sentence fragments are different. However, they share a common characteristic; they tend to be utilized when a person is trying to create the appropriate independent clauses in a sentence. The writer may not be aware of how to create a subject and the verb properly, hence coming up with a sentence fragment. They may also be trying to create a connection between one thought to another, and will, therefore, make the mistake of including the run-on sentences and comma splices in a sentence. To avoid this, it is critical to observe the grammatical rules and regulations when writing. Proofreading the written materials is also worth considering.     Sources http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/fragments.htm http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/fragment.htm https://www.grammarly.com/blog/comma-splice/ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/run-on-sentence-basics/ http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm Please follow and like us:

Leading on Opportunity The Opportunity Task Forces call to action - Heart Math Tutoring

Leading on Opportunity â€" The Opportunity Task Force’s call to action - Heart Math Tutoring Leading on Opportunity â€" The Opportunity Task Force’s call to action Leading on Opportunity â€" The Opportunity Task Force’s call to action March 31, 2017 By Emily Elliott Alarmingly, Charlotte and Atlanta ranked 50th out of 50 in economic mobility among the largest U.S. cities in a 2013 Harvard / UC Berkley study. A $400,000 report summarizing 18 months of research by Charlotte’s Opportunity Task Force was released last Monday 3/27/17. This 97-page document outlines 21 strategies and over 80 recommendations for our community. Here are a few points: The report mentions the value of students having “Life Navigators” as early as 7th grade and career awareness as early as 3rd grade. Speakers at Mondayspresentation referenced “an army of volunteers” and emphasized what a positive force social capital is on our community when we proactively build it. Public education reform was largely excluded, for purposes stated in the report, aside from encouraging CMS to be bold in its school assignment goals and to ensure the quality of a high-school diploma. According the report, 70% of CMS graduates entering CPCC require remediation in math and/or reading before they can take college-level classes. We should be proud of our community’s efforts to double the literacy rate to 80% by 2025 through Read Charlotte, hailed in the report for its systems-level approach and impact. Though little attention in the report was given to math skills, I am confident that the community will also leverage research indicating that early math skills are strong predictors of future success across subjects. (Duncan, Magnuson, Pagani, Romano, Babchishin, with various studies from 2007 â€" 2010) The sections on Segregation and Social Capitalbookend the report. Heart tutors work in high-poverty concentration schools and see the impacts of these factors weekly. Read the report and its recommendations here. While the report makes it clear Charlotte has a long way to go, I hope as Heart volunteers, supporters, and partners, youknow that you are making a tangible, immediate impact on students. Thank you for your work with Heart! ### Heart Math Tutoring is a math intervention program supporting 750 weekly volunteer tutors across 12 CMS high-poverty elementary schools. Students build foundational math skills and enthusiasm for academics needed for long-term success. “Heart volunteers provide invaluable encouragement and positive influence, delivering a message to our students from the broader community: ‘We care about you. Your education is important to us.’” Regina J. Boyd, Former Principal at Winterfield Elementary (2014)

Craving A Sugar Fix Try These 4 Healthy Desserts Instead!

Craving A Sugar Fix Try These 4 Healthy Desserts Instead! Image Via thebigmansworld.com Ingredients: 1 cup mashed, overripe bananas (approximately 3 medium bananas) 1/2 cup smooth almond butter (can sub for any smooth nut butter) 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder Instructions: •Preheat the oven the 350 degrees, grease a small cake pan or loaf pan and set aside. •In a small microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, melt your nut butter. In a large mixing bowl, add the banana, nut butter and cocoa powder and mix very well (or mix with a blender). •Pour the mixture into the greased pan and bake for around 20 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before slicing into pieces. Enjoy refrigerated. 2. Pumpkin Truffles Yes, it is fall season and that means pumpkin ‘errthang. Although a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte may contain up to a whopping 450 calories, that doesn’t mean that you have to completely deprive yourself of the season’s favorite flavor. These little pumpkin truffles give you the perfect dose of pumpkin sweetness without causing you to sacrifice all of your hard work! Recipe courtesy of mywholefoodlife.com. Ingredients:   For the pumpkin: 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (or 1 can pumpkin) 1 cup coconut butter 3 tbsp  maple syrup 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg For the chocolate coating: 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips 1/4 cup almond milk Instructions: •In the food processor, combine all the ingredients for the pumpkin cream. Blend until smooth. •Stick the food processor bowl in the fridge to firm up a little. About 10 minutes. •Using a cookie scoop, drop mixture onto a lined baking sheet. •Place the baking sheet in the freezer to firm while you make the chocolate mixture. •To make the chocolate use a double boiler method. Fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. •Place a glass bowl on top of the pot with the water. Add the chocolate chips and almond milk to the glass bowl and gently melt the chocolate. •Once all the chocolate is melted, use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over each truffle. •Place in the fridge to firm up the chocolate. Please keep these truffles in the fridge. They should last a couple of weeks. You can freeze them for longer storage. Enjoy! 3. Cake Batter Nice Cream Craving some birthday cake-flavored goodness? Well save yourself the sugar-ridden trip to your local fro-yo shop and whip some cake flavored “nice cream” right at home! Caution: you may want to sing happy birthday to yourself while snacking on this sweet treat. Recipe courtesy of biggerbolderbaking.com. Image Via biggerbolderbaking.com Ingredients: 1 cup (8oz/225g) plain yogurt (greek, non-fat or full fat) 8 oz cream cheese (light or low fat) 3 tbsp honey 3 tsp vanilla 3 tbsp sprinkles Instructions: •Add the cream cheese, honey, yogurt and vanilla into a food processor (or liquidizer). •Process until creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the side of the bowl to make sure there are no lumps left. •Stir in the sprinkles with a spatula. •Transfer it to an airtight freezable container and freeze for a minimum six hours, but preferably overnight. Store it in the freezer for up to one month. 4. Vegan Peanut Butter Mug Cake Sometimes, you just want to make a simple and sweet dessert for one without the hassle of having to spend an hour baking for a party of four that will never arrive. Thats why I love to make mug cakes. They are simple, quick, and delicious while being healthy and nutritious. You can also make them with a variety of ingredients (think vanilla blueberry and chocolate banana). Try this delicious and rich take on the mug cake with a peanut butter flair. Recipe courtesy of kitchentreaty.com. Ingredients: 2 tbsp oat or coconut flour 2 tbsp peanut butter (I use all-natural creamy peanut butter) 2 tbsp unsweetened almond milk (could substitute dairy milk for non-vegan version) 1 tbsp  pure maple syrup (could substitute stevia honey for non-vegan version) 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract Chocolate chips for topping (optional, but I use Lily’s Stevia Sweetened Chocolate Chips) Instructions: •Add all ingredients except the chocolate chips (if using) to an 8-ounce or larger microwave-safe mug.  Use a fork to stir together until combined. •Microwave on high until the cake has risen and springs back slightly when you poke it, about 60 seconds. If its not done after 60 seconds, try cooking in 15-second intervals until done. •Top with chocolate chips or chunks  if desired and enjoy hot!

This Future Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Applies Discipline and Repetition In-and-Out of the Classroom

This Future Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Applies Discipline and Repetition In-and-Out of the Classroom This Future Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Applies Discipline and Repetition In-and-Out of the Classroom Jake, 10-years-old, Math Level I 10-year-old Jake is far from your ordinary 5th grade student, as he’s currently working on algebraic concepts such as the multiplication of polynomials and quadratic functions in the Kumon Math Program. Jake began his Kumon journey five years ago, and since then his tenacity and commitment have been a driving force in his academic achievements. Studying above his peers, Jake finds that he can now complete his schoolwork with ease. He has already set a long-term goal of becoming a future dermatologist. As a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jake knows that there’s a level of discipline and repetition required to become stronger. That same level of discipline and repetition he applies in his practice of jiu-jitsu, is what he has learned from Kumon. “Kumon requires a lot of discipline and I apply that to my practice of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,” said Jake. “Some days I don’t feel like training, but it’s the discipline I’ve learned through Kumon that gets me to practice every day. When I learn a new jiu-jitsu technique, I drill the same move repeatedly until my body can do it without even thinking. This is like the repetition in Kumon and how it helps increase my speed and agility in math.” Jake has been practicing the art of jiu-jitsu for just over four years and has competed in various local tournaments. In the last year, Jake competed in five local jiu-jitsu tournaments. His commitment to daily practice has helped him place first in nine of the ten matches. Outside of the classroom, and aside from competing in his next jiu-jitsu tournament, Jake is an accomplished pianist. He is proud to have received the recognition of “Top Talent” in 2018 from the National Guild of Piano Teachers audition. The National Guild of Piano Teachers is the world’s largest non-profit organization of piano teachers and students. The guild provides musicians with various levels of experience goals and awards through non-competitive auditions. In Jake’s audition, he had the challenge of performing ten memorized pieces. The elements that were judged included accuracy, technique, dynamics, and tone quality. Jake’s hard work and discipline didn’t go unnoticed, as he was one of 55 students selected to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had the opportunity to speak to Jake about his Kumon journey. How has Kumon helped you academically? Kumon has improved my speed and accuracy in math so much that I can now complete my school assignments more efficiently. This allows me to spend more time with subjects I want to improve in, such as language arts and social studies. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? I really enjoy the feeling of progressing through each level in Kumon. Getting through each level takes time and hard work, so it’s a huge accomplishment to get to the next level. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Challenging. What’s the most beneficial thing you’ve learned from Kumon so far? The most beneficial thing I’ve learned in Kumon is to never give up. I’ve learned that because I didn’t give up during challenging moments, I worked through them instead. I will always continue to improve in math as time goes on. What did it mean to you attending the Student Conference? I am so happy that I had the opportunity to attend the Student Conference because it showed my family how well I am doing in Kumon. It showed me that Kumon will take me to far and great places! What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? Don’t give up! You will be ahead in school, and that’s such a great feeling! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: THIS KUMON STUDENT HAS A BLACK BELT IN TAEKWONDO AND APPLIES SELF-LEARNING IN HER EVERY DAY ROUTINE This Ballerina Applies Discipline And Perseverance On And Off The Stage Accomplished Pianist Applies Focus and Discipline in Her Everyday Routine This Black Belt in Karate is Driven by Perseverance This Future Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Applies Discipline and Repetition In-and-Out of the Classroom This Future Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Applies Discipline and Repetition In-and-Out of the Classroom Jake, 10-years-old, Math Level I 10-year-old Jake is far from your ordinary 5th grade student, as he’s currently working on algebraic concepts such as the multiplication of polynomials and quadratic functions in the Kumon Math Program. Jake began his Kumon journey five years ago, and since then his tenacity and commitment have been a driving force in his academic achievements. Studying above his peers, Jake finds that he can now complete his schoolwork with ease. He has already set a long-term goal of becoming a future dermatologist. As a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jake knows that there’s a level of discipline and repetition required to become stronger. That same level of discipline and repetition he applies in his practice of jiu-jitsu, is what he has learned from Kumon. “Kumon requires a lot of discipline and I apply that to my practice of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,” said Jake. “Some days I don’t feel like training, but it’s the discipline I’ve learned through Kumon that gets me to practice every day. When I learn a new jiu-jitsu technique, I drill the same move repeatedly until my body can do it without even thinking. This is like the repetition in Kumon and how it helps increase my speed and agility in math.” Jake has been practicing the art of jiu-jitsu for just over four years and has competed in various local tournaments. In the last year, Jake competed in five local jiu-jitsu tournaments. His commitment to daily practice has helped him place first in nine of the ten matches. Outside of the classroom, and aside from competing in his next jiu-jitsu tournament, Jake is an accomplished pianist. He is proud to have received the recognition of “Top Talent” in 2018 from the National Guild of Piano Teachers audition. The National Guild of Piano Teachers is the world’s largest non-profit organization of piano teachers and students. The guild provides musicians with various levels of experience goals and awards through non-competitive auditions. In Jake’s audition, he had the challenge of performing ten memorized pieces. The elements that were judged included accuracy, technique, dynamics, and tone quality. Jake’s hard work and discipline didn’t go unnoticed, as he was one of 55 students selected to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had the opportunity to speak to Jake about his Kumon journey. How has Kumon helped you academically? Kumon has improved my speed and accuracy in math so much that I can now complete my school assignments more efficiently. This allows me to spend more time with subjects I want to improve in, such as language arts and social studies. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? I really enjoy the feeling of progressing through each level in Kumon. Getting through each level takes time and hard work, so it’s a huge accomplishment to get to the next level. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Challenging. What’s the most beneficial thing you’ve learned from Kumon so far? The most beneficial thing I’ve learned in Kumon is to never give up. I’ve learned that because I didn’t give up during challenging moments, I worked through them instead. I will always continue to improve in math as time goes on. What did it mean to you attending the Student Conference? I am so happy that I had the opportunity to attend the Student Conference because it showed my family how well I am doing in Kumon. It showed me that Kumon will take me to far and great places! What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? Don’t give up! You will be ahead in school, and that’s such a great feeling! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: THIS KUMON STUDENT HAS A BLACK BELT IN TAEKWONDO AND APPLIES SELF-LEARNING IN HER EVERY DAY ROUTINE This Ballerina Applies Discipline And Perseverance On And Off The Stage Accomplished Pianist Applies Focus and Discipline in Her Everyday Routine This Black Belt in Karate is Driven by Perseverance