How To Avoid College Admissions Red Flags

How To Avoid College Admissions Red Flags Imagine being a college admissions officer, and your job is to say no to 75 percent of the applications you see. Youre supposed to decline students, and when you accept students or give your approval, you must have a very good reason. When you decline a student, there are no questions asked. So, admissions officers jobs are easier when they decline students, and some are just looking for reasons to decline you. If you claim to volunteer for 100 hours of community service every week or your application is full of typos, youre probably not going to make it to the next round. Avoid these following pitfalls to improve your application. The US News World Report asked a group of college admissions officers and deans at the Unigo Admissions Experts Network what they are looking for in students applications. Ralph Becker, Ivy College Prep, LLC told the US News World Report that the two biggest red flags are exaggerated extracurriculars and over polished essays. Your essay should be free from grammar errors; however, if your mom or dad wrote it for you, an admissions officer will know immediately. A writing tutor can help you make your essay error free and help you find your own voice. If your essay causes red flags, some colleges may even dig up your SAT/ACT essay and see if the writing styles are similar. If they are not, then youll find your application in the wrong pile. Consider getting professional assistance from either an English teacher or writing tutor to help you write an essay that is true to you. Becker also said if you are trying to portray yourself as someone youre not through exaggerated extracurriculars, admissions counselors will red flag your application instantly. He said that the University of California has a truth-in-application program, which statistically examines and verifies activity claims. It places an average number on extracurriculars (say at 8 hours a week). And if your application claims that you have well over 8 hours a week, it will place you in a higher percentage of likelihood. If you claim a lot of activity, you may fall in the top 90 percent of students in terms of extracurriculars, which will create a red flag. Colleges will then try to verify that by doing some research on you. Nancy Meislahn, dean of admissions and financial aid,Wesleyan University advises students not to leave blanks in their application literally and figuratively. According to her, colleges want to see your story. They want to know how you became who you are. Just tell that story from beginning to end. Anything that does not seem authentic or true to you could create a red flag. Ralph Figueroa, director of college guidance, Albuquerque Academy, said that he applies the do-you-want-to-be-this-students-roommate test when he reviews applications. He said he is looking more so for positive traits than red flags. Colleges are trying to build a community, so red flags about characterhonesty, integrity, and behaviorcan be extremely damaging, he said. He recommends that students just be honest about their accomplishments and just be themselves. Colleges will see the good in you.

The Ultimate To-Do List for Your Second Semester of College

The Ultimate To-Do List for Your Second Semester of College With one full semester under your belt, as a second-semester freshmen you have begun to figure it out. Your habits are set, you know your way around campus, and you have a regular group of friends to eat lunch with. First semester flew by in a rush of learning new things on the fly, but your learning experiences are far from over. Use your second semester of college to continue to learn and grow, as a student and as a person. 1. Determine your field of study Although it does not need to be set in stone, use this semester to declare a major if you havent already. You should have taken classes in a few different departments during your first semester, so youll have a good idea of the classes you enjoy and excel at. Deciding on a major early will ensure that you can meet prerequisites and start taking higher level classes earlier, all helping to make sure you can graduate in a timely fashion. You could even consider designing your own college major! 2. Pick one activity to get involved with Odds are, you spent most of your first semester figuring out your study schedule and your way around campus. Take your second semester of college to expand your campus involvement. Find one club or extracurricular that is related to your major or that simply interests you. Extracurricular activities can help you make new friends, gain experiences outside the classroom, and refine your interests. [RELATED: How to Make the Most of College Extracurriculars] 3. Expand your friend group The friends you have met during your first semester are irreplaceable; they were there with you struggling through the firsts of college. However, expanding your friend group second semester is encouraged. Meet new friends in your classes to form a study group, or meet a group of friends in your new activity (see above!). The more connections you make in college, the better. 4. Start a steady workout regime Staying healthy might have been last on your to-do list during first semester, which is understandable as you were mainly focusing on getting adjusted to campus life. Since there wont be as big of a learning curve this semester, take some time to take care of yourself. Consider using exercise as a healthy study break between classes, either by working out outside or at the campus gym. Exercise has great effects on not only your body but your brain as well, so do both a favor! 5. Explore outside campus If youre at a large campus, you probably have everything you need within a few blocks. You have places to study, to grab coffee, and definitely to get food. One exciting part of college is (potentially) being in a new city, so you should take some time to explore it! Getting off campus is an exciting opportunity, and it will make your college definitely seem more like home. You may even stumble upon some exciting job, internship, or volunteer opportunities. [RELATED: Popular Jobs that Can Help You Explore College Majors] 6. Find a mentor Whether it be a teacher, a coach, or an upperclassman, find someone who can serve as your mentor. Your mentor should be someone who can help you, whether its with connections, a letter or recommendation, or even just advice. People like this who can help you through the college experience are invaluable. Second semester of college is a great time to take advantage of all the opportunities that your school offers you. As you continue to focus on your school work, use some of your extra time to do some extra activities and make more memories.

How To Solve Math Problems

How To Solve Math Problems A large number of problems in math can be solved by different logical methods or using formulas. Among these, you have to choose the method through which you can arrive easily at the final answer. In some cases, you will come to know how to solve real life problems in Arithmetic with the help of Algebraic methods. For an example: - Average value of a variable (mean) = sum of the values of the variable / total number of the values. X bar = x / n Question 1: - A student, by mistake, wrote 64 in place of 46 as a number at the time of finding the average of 10 given numbers and got the average as 50. Find the correct average of the numbers. Solution: - Analyzing the problem, we get: Considering 64 in place of 46 as a number, sum of the 10 numbers = 50 x 10 = 500 Leaving the wrong number, sum of the 9 numbers = 500 64 = 436 Therefore correct sum of the 10 given numbers = 436 + 46 = 482 Average of the numbers = 482 / 10 = 48.2 Answer: - Correct average of the 10 given numbers = 48.2 Question 2: - If the scores of mathematics of three students in a class are 70, 80 and 95 then what is their average score of marks. Solution: - Average = x / n = (70 + 80 + 95) / 3 = 245/3 = 81.67

3 Ways to Get GRE Writing Practice

3 Ways to Get GRE Writing Practice If youre taking the GRE, the exam starts with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), which consists of two parts: the Issue Task and the Argument Task. You have 30 minutes to write each essay. Unfortunately, that doesnt give you much time to include all the thoughts you might have on the topics or to structure your words in the most effective manner. But there are ways to get GRE writing practice, like brainstorming outlines for your essay, writing full essays before the exam, and comparing your essays to provided examples. Ultimately, practice is key to perform your best on the GRE essays. Lets look at a few detailed writing tips GRE Writing Tip #1: Write full Issue task and Argument task essays Potential essay topics that you could have on the day of your GRE are available on the ETS website, so technically there are no surprises if you do your homework! There is a pool of topics for the Issue Task and a pool of topics for the Argument Task. However, there are many, many topics in each pool. To start practicing, pick one topic from the Issue Topics pool and one from the Argument Topics pool, and write a timed essay for each of the tasks. As you write each essay, use the 5-20-5 rule: 5 minutes to brainstorm and outline 20 minutes to write as much as you can 5 minutes to edit and review your work For the Issue Task, this means you take the first five minutes to decide whether you agree or disagree with the topic; then, write down two or three specific examples to support your opinion. For the Argument Task, use the first five minutes to identify two or three flawed assumptions the argument is based on and write down any information you would need to better assess the argument. Completing each of these practice essays within the 30-minute time limits will help build your stamina for GRE test day. GRE Writing Tip #2: Compare your essays to official sample responses Once you have written some Issue and Argument practice essays, see how your responses match up to the high scoring examples provided in official ETS materials. Do your essays contain a similar number of paragraphs? Are those paragraphs approximately the same length? Are your sentences structured in the same way? Have you displayed vocabulary variety in your writing? Have you incorporated specific examples to support your position in the Issue Task? Have you cited specific flaws to examine in the Argument Task? Look at how the sample responses with scores of 5 and 6 are crafted, and try to emulate that style of writing in your own essay. GRE Writing Tip #3: Practice brainstorming and outlining responses to the ETS pools of topics As mentioned above, ETS provides a Pool of Issue Topics and a Pool of Argument Topics so students can practice for the AWA. In addition to writing full Issue and Argument essays on a regular basis, you can spend 10-minute chunks of your days developing brief responses to the tasks, one at a time. This will help you come up with answers to the topics more efficiently, and it will expose you to the wide range of topics quickly, rather than if you were to write a full essay for each one. You will also discover that many of the Issue topics, as well as the Argument topics, follow certain, basic formats. For example, many Issue topics involve education proposals, government policies, or political leadership. Many Argument topics examine scientific studies, economic plans, or city development. As you work through more of them, you will become familiar with how to approach a certain type of Issue topic or Argument topic when it appears on your exam. All in all, the best way to get GRE writing practice is to start writing GRE essays. Begin by scheduling an hour every other day to write one Issue essay and one Argument essay. Then, as you figure out your strengths and weaknesses on the AWA section of the GRE, adjust your study methods to improve your performance on the necessary areas. By writing regularly, evaluating your responses, and familiarizing yourself with the Issue and Argument topics, you will be on your way to maximizing your writing score on the GRE. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

10 Fantastic Teaching and Education Blogs To Follow

10 Fantastic Teaching and Education Blogs To Follow It can be tough to stay abreast of the latest and greatest teaching techniques, edtech tools and resources to use in the classroom. Yet, with more teaching blogs on offer than ever before it’s even more difficult to know where to begin browsing. Here, we’ve created a list of some of our top picks for teaching and education blogs, full to the brim with implementable tips and tools that will help you hone your teaching skills. When it comes to education blogging, it’s safe to say that these guys have got the knowledge. So, here’s our roundup of some of the best teaching and education blogs to follow. The Confident Teacher Resourceaholic Mrs P Teach The Innovative Educator Royal Blind Learning Hub Free Technology For Teachers The EdTech Roundup Thomas C. Murray Ask a Tech Teacher Steve Hargadon The Confident Teacher Written by English teacher Alex Quigley, The Confident Teacher is an education blog exploring a number of topics around pedagogy and much more. With practical advice examining how to promote confidence in the classroom both mentally and physically, this blog is a truly essential resource for teachers looking to develop the habits, techniques and characteristics that will allow them to reach their full teaching potential. In addition to the ‘Confident’ section of the blog which examines a confident mind, body and leadership skills, The Confident Teacher has a dedicated section for vocabulary, as well as a number of blogs looking into concepts like memorisation techniques for learning, metacognition, how to implement feedback and questioning in the classroom as well as countless other topics. Though Quigley is an English teacher, this blog is a valuable resource for teachers of any subject, featuring actionable and relevant advice to hone teaching skills. Resourceaholic A blog focused on providing ideas and inspiration around teaching mathematics at secondary school level, Resourceaholic is host to a huge variety of maths resources covering the curriculum and beyond. Providing regular blog posts illuminating everything from algebra and shape to statistics and mechanics,  Resourceaholic is a truly helpful and useful resource hub for educators, tutors and even parents hoping to help their child understand maths a bit better. Resourceaholic breaks down topics to make them more manageable, offering a new perspective on important core maths topics. Mrs P Teach Discussing a broad selection of teaching methods and techniques, Mrs P Teach provides first-hand accounts of different ways to approach educating. Delving into innovative ways to handle marking and feedback as well as things like growth mindset, this blog is dedicated to introducing educators to new learning concepts and structures. Featuring tried and tested techniques, Mrs P Teach looks into a range of tools to help tackle teaching, lesson planning and helping students realise their potential through new education methods. All in all, Mrs P Teach is a fantastic resource for educators looking to broaden their approach to teaching, providing some important discussion points on new techniques. The Innovative Educator The Innovative Educator is a fantastic educational blog covering a range of developments in edtech and how these can be applied to better prepare students. Authored by Lisa Nielson, the blog introduces readers to new, actionable teaching concepts, sharing ways to build on and improve methods of teaching. Covering everything from measuring the impact of tech in schools to how to deal with a snow day, The Innovative Educator delves into a wide selection of topics to help provide applicable teaching techniques as well as keeping teachers informed on the latest happenings in the world of edtech. Royal Blind Learning Hub A resource centre of articles, tools and advice for those teaching children with visual impairments, the Royal Blind Learning Hub provides valuable educational tools to better equip teachers and tutors. Covering a range of important topics, resources on the blog include seminars, lesson plans, experience pieces and even an on-body sign of the week video which guides viewers through how to communicate important phrases using the on-body signing technique. The Royal Blind Learning Hub blog is an important tool in helping educators of the visually impaired get to grips with different teaching techniques and lesson structures. Free Technology for Teachers Sharing a host of educational apps, tools, and guides, Free Technology for Teachers is a valuable resource for tutors looking to discover new learning tools. With regular posts introducing readers to new resources and ways to update their teaching techniques, Free Technology for Teachers does exactly what it says it does - collects some of the best tech to help educators diversify their teaching. Uncovering the opportunities that technology presents for both students and teachers, the blog looks at broader topics like tools to make quizzes, whilst equally highlighting things like the best resources to learn about Mt Everest, or alternatives to sites like YouTube that prevent users getting distracted when researching. Have a read and discover a new resource to build into your teaching today. The EdTech Roundup As the name suggests, this educational blog collects the latest news and emerging technologies from the edtech world, rounding up and reviewing these tools and their value for teachers. In addition to offering regular, in-depth reviews on new tools, The EdTech Roundup also hosts a number of other valuable resources for educators, with links to useful tools for lesson planning as well as other helpful edtech blogs. The blog offers insight into a range of educational apps and learning tools, whilst also providing suggestions on integration and how to get the most out of tech in teaching. Thomas C. Murray If you’ve ever heard of #edtechchat, you might well know Thomas C. Murray. A cofounder of the weekly educational forum on Twitter and strong believer in student-centred and personalised learning techniques, Thomas C. Murray’s blog is packed full of tech tools and tips to boost engagement in the classroom. However, this education blog covers much more beyond this, also looking into topics like building a strong school community and learning culture. With years of experience to speak from, Murray’s blog provides valuable first-hand insight into edtech news, how to integrate digital tools into learning structures and more techniques to promote student success. Ask a Tech Teacher Host to a collection of resources created and curated by technology teachers, Ask a Tech Teacher is an education blog helping teachers draw together technology and traditional teaching. Offering free lesson plans, resources on everything from 3D printing to critical thinking, as well as round ups of useful sites, apps and further blogs, Ask a Tech Teacher is an extensive and varied resource for those exploring new ways to incorporate tech in education. With all materials and advice being entirely free, this education blog truly is your one stop for discussions around teaching techniques, tech and how to harness it to promote learning. Including over 100 free lesson plans, regular lists of valuable apps and resources and much more, you’re sure to discover something new on this blog. Steve Hargadon Founder of the Learning Revolution Project, Steve Hargadon hosts a range of online learning events for educators to help teachers connect and share ideas for innovation in education. With a huge selection of topics covered, these events offer tutors an opportunity to explore entirely new concepts from the convenience of your laptop. Whilst some of these are in-person events, a majority are hosted online and are entirely free to access. In need of some inspiration? You have nothing to lose by tuning into one of Steve Hargadon’s educational “unconferences”.

Less Stuff = More Happiness English Listening Exercise with TED

Less Stuff = More Happiness English Listening Exercise with TED I think that Ive always tried to be a minimalist. I dont like to collect a lot of stuff. It makes me feel materialistic and tied down (unable to move quickly or easily change my plans). This the TED talk for this English listening exercise is about this subject, and I think Graham Hill explains very well the benefits of simplifying your life.Below youll find more info about Hill, his TED video, and after that, some listening questions. Enjoy!Why you should listen to Hill:Graham Hill (@GHill) founded the eco-blog and vlog TreeHugger.com, to help, as he says, push sustainability into the mainstream, with a design-forward style and an international, wide-ranging team committed to transforming complex issues into everyday concepts. Its been called the Green CNN. The TreeHugger team was even asked to join the Discovery Communications network as a part of their Planet Green initiative, and Hill now makes appearances on the green-oriented cable channel.Before Treehugger, Hill studied archit ecture and design (his side business is making those cool ceramic Greek cups). His other company, ExceptionLab, is devoted to creating sustainable prototypes think lamps made from recycled blinds and ultra-mod planters that are also air filters.Contact us to take an English conversation class on this TED video. Whats in the ___? ________ it is must be pretty important.Why do you think the crowd laughs at his first sentenceTheres a new industry in ____.What is the new industry?What is the result of having all this new stuff?What did he do with is apartment?Immediately I saved ____ _____.What does that mean? How did he save it?Weve ____ cut the extraneous from our lives, and weve _____ learn to ____ the inflow.How many people can eat in his home?What is his response to his own question, Whats in the box?Less ________equal ____________.Do you believe the above statement? Why or why not?

How to Become an Interpreter A Comfortable 5-step Guide

How to Become an Interpreter A Comfortable 5-step Guide How to Become an Interpreter: A Comfortable 5-step Guide Night after night, you keep having the same dream.You hear voices whispering… then getting louder and louder. Frantic voices.Its dark. The voices around you sound confused. Agitated. Maybe even afraid.At first, you cant understand what theyre saying. Over time, the words become clearer and clearer. Finally, you open your mouth to speak, to explain.Faces around you look hopeful and relaxed. As if by magic, everyone instantly grasps your meaning.Confusion is chased away. Understanding dawns like a bright, new day.You wake up a few hours later, the impressions from your strange dream still floating through your mind. You bridged the chasm of understanding for othersâ€"and you feel exhilarated.What is this reverie that fills your thoughts with a sense of purpose and satisfaction? Do you need dream interpretation?Or are you dreaming of being an interpreter?If its the latter, youre in luck. Because today were serving up a fundamental, 5-step guide to becoming an interpreter.But before we crack open the guidebook, lets set the record straight on the job title. Translator vs. Interpreter: Whats the Difference?Translator and interpreter are often used interchangeably, especially in movies and TV shows.If you want to sit at a desk with dictionaries and other language books and carefully create a document that duplicates the meaning of the originalâ€"only in a different languageâ€"then being a translator might suit you.If youd rather be in the thick of the conversation, helping speakers of different languages understand each other in real time, you may wish to become an interpreter.Future interpreters, read on!How to Become an Interpreter: A Comfortable 5-step GuideStep 1: Begin with the BasicsThe first stop on your journey is self-assessment. Itll help you decide if you have the right stuff to be a professional interpreter. Lets break down the essentials here.Language aptitudeIts likely that, given enough time and creative learning methods, almost anyone can learn a second language, even if its harder for some people than others.That said, theres a difference between learning Italian well enough to order pizza in Rome and having the professional competency to interpret for il Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri (the Italian Prime Minister).Some people seem to have more of a natural aptitude for learning languages, making a career in interpretation a more realistic choice.Like musicians, interpreters also need good ears. Grasping grammar rules or savant-like vocabulary memorization wont help you succeed as a professional interpreter if you cant understand native speakers when they talk at conversational speed… or if you struggle to master a native accent.If you sincerely love the idea of becoming an interpreter but doubt your skills, dont get discouraged! While some people may have a natural knack for learning and understanding spoken languages, others may just need to work a bit harder and get in more relevant practice.With FluentU, you can polish up your understanding of a language through modern, useful, realistic scenarios in videos that allow you to study written language, spoken language, cultural specifics and more all at the same time. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons. Its great not just for those actively learning a language, but also for those in language-based careers like interpretation who want to keep their skills fresh and current (see below).Devotion to language learningUnless you grew up bilingual, achieving professional-level fluency as an interpreter is not a task for the faint of heart.Although there are many creative ways to help yourself learn a language, like playing video games or writing and translating childrens stories, its still a long-term commitment.To interpret professionally, you must learn your languages to a higher standard than a hobbyist. You have to keep yourself motivate d to strive, because it could take months to master just the fundamentals.And, even when youre officially fluent, you still wont be done.Dedication to ongoing studyYou probably dont think about keeping up to date in your native language. Sure, you might hear an unknown expression and think, Wow, thats a new one! And, if youre a word nerd like me, you might look it up on  Urban Dictionary to make sure you caught all of its nuances.Learning any language isnt one and done or set it and forget it. But if youre not living and working in a country where your second language is used most of the time, youll need to make an even greater effort to keep up with it.Your career as an interpreter depends on how current you keep your vocabulary and cultural references.Cultural interpretationsLanguage is more than vocab and grammar; you need to understand the people who speak it.In order to do so, you have to learn the language in its ever-evolving cultural context.Magazines, newspapers and books a re a great way to dive in, but print media isnt as effective for honing your listening skills. Of course, audiobooks are an exception.Movies, TV shows and videosâ€"like the real-world content found on FluentUâ€"are a dramatically convenient way to understand not just the language, but the people who speak it. With cutting-edge media from around the world, you can travel virtually to anywhere and learn to speak like the locals.Professional selflessnessSuccessful interpreters cant editorialize.No matter how strong your opinions or feelings about a certain subject, you must resign yourself to only expressing what the speaker is saying.The focus in interpretation must be on the speakers, not the interpreters.You can learn a lot as an interpreter by being a fly on the wall through whom all the conversation flows. However, you need to keep your own thoughts silent, acting only as a voice for others.Even if you strongly disagree with whats being said, your job is to render it accurately, w ithout commentary.And its not just the words you sayâ€"youll need to put on your best poker face, so you dont color the speakers meaning in any way.It goes without saying that the conversations you interpretâ€"no matter how juicy or fascinatingâ€"are confidential.Step 2: Decide What Kind of Interpreter You Want to BeInterpreters can work in a wide variety of fields, specializing in certain kinds of interpretation. You might be amazed at all the different career opportunities available for interpreters.Health care interpreterWhat could be scarier than needing medical attention and having to receive it from a doctor who speaks a language you dont understand? This is the situation faced by many patients today, who are either traveling or are immigrants in a new country.As an interpreter working in a hospital or medical practice, you could help speakers of other languages understand their diagnoses, prognoses and treatment options.Health care interpreters are sometimes called medical in terpreters. Those who work primarily in a hospital setting are known as hospital interpreters.Working as a health care interpreter requires the background to understand specialized medical terminology. In addition, youll need to be up to date on all the latest privacy laws when interpreting for patients and medical professionals.Training courses like this one specifically address these needs. Unless you already have a health care background, similar local or virtual resources would be a fundamental part of your professional education.Court/legal interpreterLike a medical interpreter, a court or legal interpreter must work with the utmost accuracy and discretion. The outcomes of courtroom events can have serious consequences in the lives of your clients.A background in lawâ€"for example, paralegal trainingâ€"can be an enormous asset to those who would like to interpret in a courtroom or for a law firm.Business interpreterA business interpreter might help business owners negotiate wit h each other, or help management to communicate with employees who speak a different language.Some business interpreters provide language line services, facilitating phone-based customer support for speakers of other languages.You might work for a language services agency like Language Scientific or ALTA Language Services. Companies such as these cater to the business needs of many industries.Immigration services interpreterImmigration services interpreters work with clients and government agencies, helping new immigrants to understand their rights and legal obligations throughout the immigration process.You might work directly for a government agency, or represent a client for an immigration advocacy group.Diplomatic interpreterIf youve ever seen the headphone-wearing linguists at the UN, sorting through the Tower of Babel to foster conversation among many nations, youve seen a diplomatic interpreter at work.International meetings, such as those between heads of state, are another venue in which diplomatic interpreters are needed.Diplomatic interpreters can also be conference interpreters, although not all multinational meetings are diplomatic in nature… some of them might be business-related or professional conferences.Travel interpreterLanguage apps and phrasebooks are great for travel, but sometimes globetrotters run into circumstances that exceed their limited linguistic repertoires.Travel interpreters help visitors navigate linguistic and cultural barriers in a foreign land, allowing them to have more successful journeys abroad.Simultaneous or consecutive?Depending on your field, you might need to either interpret the speakers words almost immediately after hearing them (simultaneous interpretation) or you might be able to listen to the speaker for a few seconds or moments before starting to interpret (consecutive interpretation). The circumstances or setting often dictate which form of interpretation is chosen.There are actually a few different types of consecutive interpretation; the short form is usually more memory-based for the interpreter, since interpretation is expected to start after the speaker completes a few sentences or paragraphs and then pauses for the interpretation.In the long form of consecutive interpretation, the speaker may complete part or all of an entire speech before the interpretation must begin. Consecutive interpreters often take notes in this situation and may even work from provided source materials to help make their interpretation more accurate.You can get training in either simultaneous or consecutive interpretation. Some institutions offer programs that prepare you to do both.Step 3: Research Needed CertificationsCertifications arent always mandatory, but some can be quite beneficial to your career as an interpreter.Types of certificationsMost certifications match the field of interpretation, testing both your general language ability and your specialized knowledge of the field.For example, the N ational Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI)  administers certification for those prospective interpreters planning to work in a hospital or other medical setting. Both written and oral exams are available in the following languages:Chinese (Cantonese Mandarin)KoreanRussianSpanishVietnameseThe Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) furnishes a similar certification, using third-party testing to verify language proficiency.Court interpreters working in the United States can qualify as certified federal interpreters, or work at the state level with certification from the National Center for State Courts.Benefits of being certifiedMany types of interpretation dont require certification. However, having official certifications can improve your job prospects and help you increase your earnings.Of course, obtaining and maintaining your certificationâ€"which usually needs to be renewed every few yearsâ€"takes time and money. The costs of staying cer tified must be balanced against the advantages of certification.Step 4: Tailor Your EducationMost people know that if you want to become a doctor, you need a medical degree.Wannabe lawyers need to get through law school.However, the training requirements for interpreters arent always clear-cut.How much education do you need?Will a certificate program be enough? Or will you also need a bachelors degree or graduate school education?The answer to this will depend partly on the type of interpreter you wish to become.For instance, at minimum, most health care interpreters need a high school diploma. Sometimes, certificationâ€"and even higher educationâ€"is required. The standards may vary from one medical institution to another.In many cases, a bachelors degree is a necessary first step to becoming an interpreter.Customize your curriculumIf youre earning your bachelors degree with plans to be a professional interpreter, there are several ways to proceed.A concentration or even a double m ajor could ground you in both the language and the specific field of interpretation. If you want to be an interpreter for Austrian businesses, for example, you might double major in business and German.If your parents emigrated from Vienna and you grew up speaking both German and English, you might forgo the German major and focus on business courses.In either case, if your college or university offers a course in interpretation as a profession, it could give you valuable insights and training for your future career.Consider a specialized schoolSome institutions are dedicated to training interpreters and translators.Through Middlebury Colleges highly-esteemed Monterey Language and Culture program, you could earn your Master of Arts degree in Translation and Interpretation or Conference Interpretation.If youre serving in the American military, or you work for the Department of Defense or a related federal agency, you might consider training at a facility like the Defense Language Ins titute Foreign Language Center.The American Translators Associationâ€"which, despite its name, also represents interpretersâ€"offers an extensive list of language schools around the world.Step 5: Practice with Real-world Language ResourcesAbove and beyond formal schooling and certification, aspiring interpreters will want to use supplementary language learning resources.Lend your ears: Listening skillsWeve all had those amusing and embarrassing moments of mishearing someone, even in our native language.You might have native-level fluency in your second language and still mishear something every once in a while.Of course, youll want to minimize the chances of this happeningâ€"especially in a professional contextâ€"by systematically improving your language listening skills, learning to avoid common listening mistakes that could undermine your confidence.Cutting-edge content: Keeping currentSince languages are continuously growing and changing, youll need some way to stay just as curre nt as native speakers who live and work with the language every day.As we mentioned earlier, through the magic of the internet, you can directly access contemporary content in your target language, even if you live half a world away from where its most widely spoken.A little more conversation: Speaking confidentlyA language exchange partner whos a native speaker can be an enormous help to an interpreter or an interpreter-in-training.No matter what the topic, these conversations will help you:Stay current with the language.Boost your confidence as a speaker.Give your listening skills a workout.Dont fret if you cant find a native speaker nearby. Go face-to-face virtually with a language exchange partner, using a video chat app like Skype.Volunteer your timeAlthough your goal is to be paid for your interpretation services, dont overlook the advantages of volunteer opportunities.Sites like VolunteerMatch offer local (and even remote) opportunities for polishing your interpretation skill s pro bono. Job sites such as Indeed have listings for budding interpreters who want to refine their craft through volunteering. Many of these opportunities are in the medical field, although there are some for future court or business interpreters.Internships, both paid and unpaid, can also help you rack up experience as an interpreter.The National Language Service Corps (NLSC) is an American organization devoted to serving civic language needs through U.S. government agencies. Membership in the NLSC is open to any U.S. citizen 18 or older whos fluent in English and at least one other language. There are no fees to join; service through the organization is compensated with an hourly stipend.NLSC members can network together through social media sites, where you could find a job opportunity or a mentor.Mingle with the pros: Professional organizationsSpeaking of mentorship, consider joining an association of professional interpreters. These groups are a fantastic way to keep up with the latest professional news, meet colleagues and learn from their experience.You could find a kindred spirit with many years in the field who would be happy to mentor you and offer career advice.In addition, these organizations often provide formal training for their members. Some will list members in a professional directory that can open up more employment opportunities.You might join a group with a broader baseâ€"such as the aforementioned American Translators Association (ATA), which offers a discounted membership for students enrolled in a translation or interpretation program.There are specialty organizations for certain types of translators, as well. For example, the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters Translators (NAJIT) might be a good choice for a court interpreter. Up-and-coming conference interpreters might join the International Association of Conference Interpreters, which is commonly known as l’Association internationale des interprètes de conférence (AIIC).Future medical interpreters might take advantage of a very affordable student membership in the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC). An NCIHC membership includes training webinars that members can access from anywhere.Whichever path you take, use these resources to guide you on your quest. With careful planning and tenacity, you can make your dreams of interpretation come true.Michelle Baumgartner is a language nerd who has formally studied seven languages and informally dabbled in at least three others. In addition to geeking out over slender vowels, interrogative particles and phonemes, Michelle is a  freelance content marketer and education blogger. Keep up with her latest adventures in language and learning on  Twitter.