Private Schools for Teens in Palmdale, CA - Get Your Son or Daughter Into That Private School of Their Choice

Private Schools for Teens in Palmdale, CA - Get Your Son or Daughter Into That Private School of Their ChoiceIf you have children at home, chances are you've noticed that your children's academics are slipping. You may be frustrated that they can't seem to get through their assignments on time or that they are not passing their classes. As they are becoming more disinterested in school, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do about it.Some families, on the other hand, can look to a local private school for some tutoring. The benefits of a tutoring program for your child's grades and/or grades on tests are that it offers a solid academic foundation and a clear path to future success. Without this foundation, students are apt to pick up bad habits that will make them less successful.It's not surprising that self-motivation often gets lost in the shuffle when it comes to schooling. It is important for students to feel like they are part of the process. They need to know tha t their efforts are appreciated and that the teacher has their back. They need to see that they are valued for their hard work.Private schools in Palmdale California offer tutoring services in many subjects. There are several reputable private schools in the area that offer a variety of programs. It would be wise to call them to find out which tutoring program fits your child best.For example, if your son or daughter wants to study math, Michael Brookes' Teach for America Tutors provides many of the tools he uses to help with math, such as a grade band and a review course. The first course is modeled after a four-year college math course. The review course is one he uses on a regular basis as well.These services for grades are extremely beneficial in that they can help students avoid poor grades and prove that grades don't necessarily reflect the work that has been done. This is particularly important for homeschoolers who are struggling with self-motivation and grades. The results speak for themselves, and they may encourage others to do better as well.If you're looking for an academic program for your child in a private school in Palmdale CA, give some consideration to any tutoring program offered by a local private school. There are many excellent programs available in this town. Just be sure that the tutor that you're considering does everything they promise.

What is a College Shortlist

What is a College Shortlist As you embark on the college application process, its easy to become overwhelmed by the multitude of application requirements and the sheer volume of colleges you could apply to. A college shortlist is a list of approximately six to 10 colleges that will help you target your search and streamline the application process. Creating a college shortlist helps you organize your list of potential schools, encourages you to narrow down your choices, and prompts you to identify schools to further communicate with. Eager to find ways to focus your college search? Keep reading to learn more about college shortlists. A college shortlist can aid you in organizing your university search A college shortlist is a key way to conserve your resources during the application process. At this point in time, you likely have other important responsibilities in your lifeacademic, extracurricular, and socialthat you must prioritize in addition to college application tasks. Making a shortlist will help you focus your energy on a smaller list of schools, instead of stretching yourself too thin trying to tackle a longer list. Additionally, creating a shortlist by choosing schools that fit your needs, desires, and academic background will allow you to submit the most complete applications and will give you a higher chance of acceptance to a school youre excited to attend. [RELATED: JuniorsComplete This College Admissions Checklist This Semester] A college shortlist prompts you to narrow down your choices While creating your college shortlist, identify the factors that are important to you in a potential school. When researching schools, its important to be honest with yourself about what you hope to get out of your college experience and to be realistic with these criteria. Look into various aspects of the schools, including: If you already have a major or academic area youd like to pursue, research the schools degree program in that field. Look into the departments website, including professors biographies, classes offered for the current semester, and course requirements for the major. Are there classes that youre interested in, or professors work whose interests align with yours? Make a note of this when creating your college shortlist. Note school rankings when creating this list, specifically in areas that interest you most. Consider the average test scores and GPA of an admitted student, for example, to see if they generally match yours. Its important to research the cost of attending each school, as well as what scholarships and financial aid are available to students. The size and location of the school can greatly influence your college experience. Do you prefer small, medium, or large campuses? The size of the college could affect the resources you have access to, as well as the individual attention you may be able to receive. Would you prefer to live in a city, suburb, or rural area? How far away will you be from home? Consider your individual priorities and goals in terms of resources and campus life. Are there other aspects of campus life that are important to you, such as attending a religiously-affiliated school or participating in Greek life? [RELATED: How to Choose the Right Match Schools] A college shortlist encourages you to visit and communicate with the schools on your list If youre able to, visit the schools on your list during the semester, preferably on a weekday so you can sit in on a class or two. Campus visits can show you exactly what the school is all about and either confirm or eliminate its place on your list. A tour will help you envision what it would be like to attend the school, and put you into contact with current students or faculty who can give you more specific information not found on the schools website. Youll also be able to better learn what the schools priorities are, and if these line up with your ideal college experience. If youre not able to visit, check out a virtual tour onlinewhich many schools haveand see if you can get in touch with a current student or alumnus/alumna for a formal or informal interview to answer any questions you may have. [RELATED: 3 Questions to Ask Your Guidance Counselor About College] Your family members, teachers, and academic counselors will all be insightful resources while creating your college shortlist. Be honest with yourself when writing this list about what you hope to get out of a prospective college, as well as purposeful when adding schools to your list. 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.

13 English Idioms about Buildings - English Lesson via Skype

13 English Idioms about Buildings - English Lesson via Skype There are more parts to a building than just the walls. Here are some more commonly used English idioms about buildings or parts of a building. 13 English Idioms about Buildings IN THE BACK DOORthis is often used to describe how someone might get a job or an appointment or an interview that other people might find difficult to achieve.Example: I have wanted to get a job  working for that newspaper for such a long time. Finally I got an interview through the back door.  My uncle is best friends with the new CEO.TO OPEN DOORS FOR YOUto provide new opportunities for someoneExample: My friend was so well known that he could literally call anyone in the  football club and get me interviews with all the stars. He was able to open so many doors for me. I  was really impressed.AN OPEN DOOR POLICYa business term usually used to signify that a manager/boss is always willing to meet a member of staff to discuss work issues.Example: If you have any suggestions on how to improve our processes, my door is always open.THROUGH THE CEILING  orTHROUGH THE ROOFoften related to prices, prices increase quickly due to inflation, profits and other financial issuesExample: The pric es of petrol has risen very quickly this year, it has gone through the ceiling.THROUGH THE FLOORthis is again in relation to prices, prices fall down, decrease quickly due to economic downturn, recession Example: The market has weakened no one wants to buy these cars now the prices have gone through the floor (fallen quickly).TO HIT THE CEILING/ROOFto become angry suddenlyExample: He was really angry and got very annoyed when I told him I had crashed the new company car. He hit the ceiling (or hit the roof) when I told him!!TO HAVE THE FLOORIn a debate or in a discussion when someone is allowed to address the audience or answer questions he is said to “have the floor”, i.e. control the meeting at that time.Example: Company CEO had the floor for questions and comments.THE WRITING IS ON THE WALLWhen the result can be predicted or the outcome is known in advance.Example: When he failed to achieve his targets for the third month in a row, the writing was on the wall. He was surely g oing to get fired! English Idioms about Buildings - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here's what you can do with it: TO TAKE THE FLOORto stand up and address an audienceExample: He took the floor and made a proposal, and it was a success.FROM DOOR TO DOORgoing to all houses on the streetExample: There are some school kids going from door to door collecting money.FROM PILLAR TO POSTfrom one place to another with no planning or purposeExample: Sarahs stepbrother Jack moved from pillar to post during his teens.WINDOW SHOPPINGsomeone only looks at the goods in the shop windows, they dont go inside or buyExample: When I was in New York, I went window shopping on Fifth Avenue.WINDOW DRESSINGsomething that makes something or somebody look better than it really isExample: A new eye-catching ad for fizzy drinks involves a lot of window dressing.

Tutoring the Overlap Between Teaching, Coaching and Mentoring

Tutoring the Overlap Between Teaching, Coaching and Mentoring Often when I’m called upon to explain the role of a tutor, I say that our main goal is to unlock whatever is standing in the way of a student achieving. In that respect, I see the job of a tutor as a combination of teacher, coach and a mentor. After discussing this idea with a set of successful tutors, teachers, life coaches and psychologists, these seem to be fairly good descriptions of each: Teaching A teacher imparts knowledge and understanding, usually following some form of curriculum or lesson plan. Most often they will teach a group of students (can be done one-on-one) and will work over a pre-determined time period. Examples include: school teachers, driving instructors, IT training. Coaching A coach will support an individual to achieve a specific goal, often it will be immediate and over a defined time period. The coach does not need to have any personal experience in that particular field, but instead challenges that person to grow and find answers for themselves. This work is mostly done one-on-one but can be done in groups too. Examples include: life coaches, sports coaches, personal trainers. Mentoring A mentor usually works one-on-one, and their approach is usually less structured and more organic than the other two. They share their own specific experience to help guide an individual who is setting out, or struggling, on a path that they themselves undertook in the past. A mentor is generally more long-term in their approach, and they will usually take a broader view of a person. Examples include: Corporate mentors, Obi Wan Kenobi from Star Wars*, university peer mentors. In hindsight, when I was at school… …some of the best teachers I had not only taught their subjects but were also like coaches and mentors to me. My belief is that the best tutors are those who, to varying degrees, undertake all three of these roles. At times, your job may be simply just to teach. You have identified a topic that needs to be covered and you teach it. You plan your work and work this plan. You test to assess what your student has taken onboard and create new plans based on this testing. Other times your job is to work out why a student has not been learning in school. They’re sitting in the same class as 30 other students who seem to ‘get it’ and they’re the only one who’s not. This kind of work requires a combination of mentoring and coaching. Coaching when you’re focused on why they may not have understood a particular topic, and mentoring when you’re helping them negotiate the tough world of being a student and also helping them understand why they might want to do well in school. Tutoring is the hybrid of teaching, coaching and mentoring because it involves imparting knowledge and wisdom to students, coaching them to reach their full potential and sharing specific personal experiences with them so they can grow as people. The question to ask now is why is it on the increase? Some would argue that Tutoring is merely more visible right now. That is true, but there does seem to be a marked increase. With numerous studies indicating that the return on investments for business coaching are 6 times the initial investment, it’s no surprise why so many companies are now offering coaching to their employees (1.) Results are seen in improved teamwork, morale and many other ‘soft’ skills. (2.) Mentoring programmes are equally popular with 71% of the 500 largest American companies which offer them (3.) However, coaching and mentoring programs haven’t always been so popular and it is only recently that they are becoming widely accepted, especially as people are appreciating the importance of a more subtle model of human development. As more adults receive coaching and mentoring, they may be wanting the same for their children and this is where tutoring comes in; because it helps children to improve academically whilst (when done well) very much preparing them for the challenges of life. An extra note from Mark: Thank you for taking your time to read this blog. Over the coming months I’ll be producing a number of blogs that will outline skills and tips for both parents and tutors, compiled from my notes and interviews I have conducted over the last few years. I’ve had the great fortune to interview a large number of highly successful and well-regarded tutors, as well as educational psychologists, teachers (the ones who are actually in schools) and parents to produce these blog posts. Please keep a look out on the Tutorfair blog to read more. References 1. 2004 MetrixGlobal Study â€" 689%, 2001 Manchester Group Study on Coaching â€" return almost 6 times investment â€" both http://leaderfuledge.com/resources-podcasts-papers-a-links/articles/101.html 2. 85% managers say enhancing team morale is the main value of coaching â€" chartered managers institute. http://leaderfuledge.com/resources-podcasts-papers-a-links/articles/101.html 3. 2007 Lydell Bridgeford on http://www.insala.com/Articles/leadership-coaching/mentoring-current-trends.asp * Visit www.management-mentors.com to find out more about mentoring and of course more importantly, see why Yoda is a coach and Obi Wan is a mentor.

School Uniforms - Tutor Hunt Blog

School Uniforms School Uniforms School UniformsSchoolsAre school uniforms an overly authoritarian constriction on children`s identities? Straight jacks for their free self expression? Or are they a way of installing pride in pupils, and promoting the values of equality and inclusivity? At both the schools I attended - primary and secondary - I was required to wear a uniform. In the sixth form we had to wear a suit every day, and whenever I see crowds of people wearing this formal attire (typically at weddings and funerals - happy and sad extremes) I am reminded of my last two years of my schooling. As someone who was never attuned to the fashion scene, I was rather fortunate that my prosaic clothing style couldn`t be detected whilst at school. A uniform made everyone equal in this regard, preventing the formation of fashionable cliques of students, who had the money and stylistic acuity to seek out the most glamorous garments. Bullying can occur for all kinds of reasons - students wearing unfashionable clothing would certainly be targets. In America the vast majority of academic institutions lack a uniform, and while this may make TV dramas set in their schools look more colourful and interesting, it is also one of the reasons an estimated 160,000 children are absent from school each day, fearing belittlement and even violence from their peers. A school uniform protects students against this kind of peer pressure, while promoting the sense that they belong to a community, to an academic establishment. You can hardly bully someone for what they are wearing when you yourself are clad in the same attire. It is believed that a school uniform reduces distractions in the classroom, and so promotes learning. It is a credible theory that if, from your vantage point in the class, you see students all dressed the same, instead of a panorama of different colourful outfits, you will be more focused on the teacher, and the lesson they are presenting. While there are an abundance of empirical studies and theories concerning school uniforms, and their effectiveness in advancing education and establishing discipline, there is a single scholarly work that is most often cited. The Long Beach Unified School District was the first, and is to date the most comprehensive, study of school uniforms in schools. In 1994 the school district board voted to make uniforms mandatory in all elementary and district schools. Up to this point no large urban district throughout the whole United States had made the wearing of uniforms compulsory, so it was a major ruling. Just a few years after implementing the policy, the school district reported that attendance improved, suspensions dropped by nearly a third, vandalism fell, assaults dropped by two thirds, and examination results rose. So impressive were these results that the then President Bill Clinton mentioned the policy and its effectiveness in his 1996 State of the Union Address, which led many other districts to implement uniform policies in their schools. The president`s speech included the memorable line:`If [a uniform policy] means that teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear uniforms.` It might not all be positive though - some parents have complained that their child`s school demands the uniforms are purchased from a specific supplier, which can prove expensive. This issue was addressed in late 2013, when the Liberal Democrats issued new guidance to allow parents to shop around for their child`s uniform. The Education Minister David Laws said that he wanted to put an end to profit sharing schemes that had existed for too long between certain schools and shops:`We will send a strong signal to schools that it is vital to secure value for money for parents before changing or introducing new school uniforms. Parents need to be able to shop around to find the best deal.` In the UK the Department for Education strongly recommends a uniform, but it is actually up to each school`s governing body. Christ Hospital School in London, back in 1552, is believed to be the first school to have pupils uniformly attired. The French actually discarded their school uniform policy in 1968, but it seems the swinging sixties didn`t have that effect on the UK establishment! 2 years ago0Add a Comment

What is 8 x 9 - Tutor Hunt Blog

What is 8 x 9 What is 8 x 9? What is 8 x 9?NewsWhat is 8 x 9? School`s Minister Nick Gibb`s answer: `I`m not going to get into this.` School`s Minister Nick Gibb faced an embarrassing situation recently, when he was asked a simple multiplication question by Good Morning Britain presenter Jeremy Kyle: `What is eight times nine?` The Minister Dodged the question adroitly, employing a sophisticated and cunning retort: `I`m not going to get into this. I`ve learned through bitter experience never to answer these kinds of questions on live television.` He must have been aware that his demurrer was perhaps a little surprising, for he went on to express that he was keen to provide an answer: `I`m very tempted to, but I`m not going to.` If only I had known such tactics were available to me when I was at school, and could be employed whenever I was pounced upon by teachers who succumbed to the urge to become quizmaster. I thought the only options open to me were an array of wrong answers, inevitably leading to a humiliating spectacle of chastisement in front of the whole class; if only I had been aware I could politely decline to answer - simply say `I`m not going to get into this,` and return to my seat, secure in the knowledge that I was a model student. Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway seemed dumbfounded by Mr Gibbs answer, asking him: `Why is it so important for an eight-year-old to do it when clearly you feel vulnerable about it, and there you are, a government minister?` `No eight-year-old or nine-year-old will be doing it on live television,` The Minister replied, settling the matter. Nick Gibb had appeared on the morning show to discuss the Government`s new times tables tests, which are part of a numeracy programme to help ensure school children are proficient in their multiplications up to 12. A brief, five minute online test is being trialled in march, with plans for it to become mandatory for all year 4 students by 2020. Many teachers are strongly opposed to this new test, seeing it as just another incarnation of the SATS test in mathematics, which was phased out after numerous complains that it placed an excessive amount of stress upon seven year old pupils. Nick Brook, deputy general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, expressed his dismay about the proposed new test: `We`re working constructively with the government on primary assessment generally so it`s hugely disappointing that they are still intent on the introduction of a multiplication tables test, which the NAHT opposes.` In my opinion ensuring children have a good grasp of their times tables can only be a good thing - many complain that this kind of teaching is just brute force memorisation, but numerical proficiency will actually be useful in day to day life. Given the ever increasing technical demands of the modern workplace, more attention needs to be focused on mathematics at a younger age. This test will ensure each pupil can be accurately assessed, and any pupils that are struggling can be helped. Nick Gibb himself has extolled the virtues of this new times tables check: `Just as the phonics screening check helps children who are learning to read, the multiplication tables check will help teachers identify those pupils who require extra support.` `This will ensure that all pupils leave primary school knowing their times tables off by heart and able to start secondary school with a secure grasp of the fundamental mathematics they need to fulfil their potential.` Given his enthusiasm for times tables mastery, it is disappointing that he failed to display the skill he means to inculcate in pupils. To put it in stark terms: the School`s Minister failed to answer a question he expects all 11 year old children to be able to answer. He is of course not the only politician to come unstuck when presented with a numerical conundrum - who could forget Diane Abbot`s flailing when asked about the funding for extra police officers? Her calculations, given live on LBC radio, meant that each officer could expect to be paid about 10 pence a day! If only to avoid embarrassing (and potentially career ending) situations like this, and Mr Gibbs` muted calculations, the formalised teaching of times tables to young children can only be a good thing. 2 years ago0Add a Comment

15 Undeniable Reasons to Start Learning a Foreign Language Yesterday

15 Undeniable Reasons to Start Learning a Foreign Language Yesterday 15 Undeniable Reasons to Start Learning a Foreign Language Yesterday If youre not already learning a language, youre running late.You should have started yesterday!But why should you learn a foreign language?A better question might be, why should you not  learn a language?I mean, do you love making travel more complicated? Do you have an aversion to delicious, authentic food?Some other great reasons to avoid  learning a language might be that  you dont  want to experience a better brain, better grades, better pay or a better social life.Who wants any of those things, right?If you do happen to be one of those rare, crazy people who wants to enjoy (1) cheaper, easier and more fulfilling travel, (2) a bigger, healthier, faster brain, (3) higher grades at school, (4) a better job with higher pay and (5) a richer  social life,  by all means, read on!And for those of you out there who are already learning another language (or who are already totally multilingual), sit back and enjoy reading about the awesome rewards  youre already reaping from your efforts every day.We dont just stop at the obvious reasons to learn a language, were going to share all the practical, real-world benefits of learning a foreign language, as told by someone whos been down that road before (and survived). 15 Undeniable Reasons to Start Learning a Foreign Language YesterdayBetter Travel1. Foreign languages make transportation cheaper easier.Its 11 pm.You just got off a 14-hour flight and all you want to do is get to your hotel and fall face-first into your pillow.But first you have to get there!If you  are armed with at least a smattering of navigational terms in the local language (like, I want to go to, turn right here, how much will it cost to get to? and so on) you will be able to take whichever means of transportation makes most sense based on your budget and schedule.Without the right lingo, however, you are limited to expensive options like taxis or slow means  like airport  shuttles.Save yourself some time, money and grief: if you know absolutely n o words in the local language of your travel destination, buy a  good phrasebook  and spend some time pre-flight (or even on the plane) learning basic transportation phrases. Lonely Planet is a good resource for finding high-quality phrasebooks for a wide variety of languages. They also have travel guides for nearly 200 countries that can help you out with making smart decisions abroad. A little can go a long way (pun intended).In Bangladesh, for example, I sometimes took rickshaws to quickly zip through the crowded streets after workâ€"a fast, efficient and extremely cheap  option that wasnt possible for my monolingual American colleagues. They had to wait on the availability of the companys bilingual drivers. I had only learned a tiny amount of the language, but it was enough to get me home to my bed.2. Foreign languages make lodging cheaper, easier more authentic.Just as a few key phrases will help you get to your hotel that much faster and cheaper, the same is true for choosing which  hotel to stay at in the first place.While budget-travel guidebooks aim to list  good, affordable places to stay, ironically, inclusion in these books  often drives up prices, worsens service and leads to fewer vacancies.Plus, many guidebook authors limit their searches to businesses with English-speaking staff and English websites, ostensibly to make your stayâ€"and arguably, their researchâ€"easier. But with a good command of the local language, you can stay just about  anywhere you want, not just the hotels and hostels listed in the guidebooks or with fancy bilingual websites.This means lower rates, fewer people and a better (or at least more authentic) experience.3. Foreign languages make dining cheaper, easier more authentic.Unless you are the host of a travel show, you probably don’t have a local fixer to find cool, authentic places to eat.Fortunately, you don’t need to be Anthony Bourdain to eat where the locals eat. You just need to learn some of the local langua ge and then ask around. But when I say “ask around,” I don’t mean inquiring with  an  employee at the airport tourist information booth or the concierge at your hotel. What I mean is asking your taxi driver or the guy behind the counter at a convenience store about their favorite restaurants. This valuable intel will usually  lead you to far tastier and cheaper fare than any tourism board or guidebook ever could.4. Foreign languages make travel more interesting.The local language is “cultural scuba gear.” Without it, you are limited to the surface: tourist traps and politically-correct English translations.With it, however, you can go as deep as you desire, unlocking secrets about the people, places and history that make up a culture.What you find won’t always be pretty, but it will always be interesting.For example, when visiting the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, I noticed that there were subtle (but profound!) differences between what some of the Japanese and English placa rds said. The shrine is already a controversial place as it honors some convicted war criminals from WWII, but if you see what’s written in the Japanese signage, you might find the place even more controversial!5. Foreign languages dialects let you travel to more places.A valid passport may get you to just about any country in the world (assuming you dont want to go to North Korea), but getting to and actually enjoying a country are two very different beasts.You can probably get by with English alone in most major cities, but venturing into the small towns, villages and rural gems that make travel worthwhile will be much easier if you understand and can produce at least a modicum of the local language.And beyond just learning the official language of a country, you will get a lot of mileage out of learning regional dialects as well. For example, your Mandarin will be of great use in Taipei City, while  Taiwanese will  be more beneficial in southern Taiwan.Better Brains!6. Learnin g a foreign language improves memory cognitive performance.Studies have shown that bilinguals tend to have bigger brains, better working memories  and superior speed when switching between different tasks.Not only do these advantages make it easier to learn yet more languages, they also make it easier to learn, well, anything.The ability to quickly switch between tasks is especially important in todays busy multitasking world since true multitasking doesnt actually existâ€"people that seem to be good at doing lots of things at once are in fact switching very quickly between each of the  separate tasks.Bilingual noodles  can do this switching much faster than their monolingual counterparts (likely from the practice they have switching between two languages), making  it appear like they can handle many more tasks at once.7. Learning a foreign language increases self-control focus.Not only do bilingual brains have superior memory and cognitive function, but they are also better at ex ercising self-control, retaining focus  and making good decisions.These  improvements in executive function  are likely  the results of the bilingual brains constant need to choose the correct language to speak  at any given moment and its learned ability to detect  which language they are hearing.8. Learning a foreign language helps protect against Alzheimers dementia.While degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimers and dementia have many potential causes, studies  show that you can help prevent their development (or at least slow their progress) by learning a foreign language.For example, one study showed that  bilinguals with Alzheimers retain brain function longer than monolinguals with the same disease.Better Grades!9. Bilinguals are star students.Though I am not a big fan of standardized tests (they only measure a small subset of the numerous brands of intelligence and inevitably lead schools to teach to exams), I cannot ignore  their pivotal role in determining ones future options (e.g. university choices).So what can one do to improve their ACT or SAT  scores?There are many strategies, but I would argue the best is learning a foreign language. Not only have studies shown that this can help improve your scores on  standardized tests, it also leads to stronger listening,  reading and writing skills in your native language.10. Learning another language can improve your first language.One of the unexpected benefits I experienced when I first began learning a foreign language is how much more conscious I became of the grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation patterns of English.This likely explains the improvements in listening, reading and writing skills that foreign languages are known to impart to former monolinguals.Moreover, learning other  Indo-European languages from which English has borrowed significant amounts of vocabulary (e.g. French) will help you better understand how English became English.Better Pay!11. Foreign language skills can help you f ind a better job.The job market is tough and getting tougher.More than ever before, you need a way to make you and your résumé stand out from the crowd.No, adding Microsoft Word in the skills section is not going to cut the mustard.On the other hand, having the  words Mandarin Chinese or Arabic on your CV  can certainly impress potential employers. Knowledge of a foreign language can help you get your foot in the door for an interview, and may even ultimately land you the job if you demonstrate the linguistic chops they are looking for.Furthermore, fluency in a foreign language opens entire swaths of job opportunities abroad which simply are not available to monolingual job hunters.12. Foreign language skills can help increase your pay.Already have a job but arent happy with your salary?One powerful strategy is to learn a foreign language.You can then go to your boss and demonstrate the many ways in which your new language skills can benefit the company, help open up or expand mar kets and improve communications  with foreign branches or clients.Better Social Life!13. Foreign languages expand your pool of potential friends.What is the fastest way to make 1.2 billion friends?Learn Chinese!Ha, ha, ha. No, seriously.Speaking a foreign language (especially one with lots of native speakers) not only opens up a massive pool of potential friends, but it also acts as an instant common denominator when you meet native speakers.Since so few native English speakers  make the effort to learn foreign languages, locals will be impressed with your efforts and  curious to learn more about you and why you are learning their language.14. Speaking a foreign language makes you more attractive.From James Bond, to The Bourne Identity and Limitless,  foreign language skills are a standard cinematic motif for demonstrating a characters  confidence, intelligence, charm and sense of adventure.Fortunately, you dont need to become Jason Bourne, get multiple passports and  carry a Walthe r PPK  to reap the same benefits.All you need is to learn a foreign language.While the process will take more than popping a miracle pill like  Bradley Cooper, its far easier today than it used to be thanks to amazing online tools, smartphone apps, language exchange sites, etc.15. Foreign languages can be used for secret communication.Assuming you are not in a country where the language is widely-spoken, and also assuming you do not happen to be sitting by the one guy in town who knows the language, speaking in a foreign tongue can be a great way to  have more private conversations.The same goes for writing. Using a foreign script can help protect personal or sensitive information from  prying eyes.This approach is not exactly a foolproof Enigma machine,  so you should not rely on it for sharing trade secrets or your Grandmas top-secret buttermilk biscuit recipe passed down for 7 generations. But it  at least can make discussing the sordid details of Friday nights debauchery on the bus a little less embarrassing.