English Learning Tips for Spanish Speakers
October 10, 2009 by Amy Nutt · Leave a Comment
Learning English can be a rewarding experience. There are many benefits to learning English such as extending your reading resources, watching English television and movies, getting a job or job promotion, and makes travel to an English speaking country easier, and much more. Spanish speakers who are learning English can make use of a variety of learning tools.
The following are a number of tips Spanish speakers can use to learn English:
1. Computer programs and electronic devices are a great way to learn the English Language. There are many software programs available online and in traditional retail stores. English learning software can be downloaded on computers that include translation programs, electronic translators, or electronic dictionaries. There are also talking electronic dictionaries. For instance the Casio: EW-S100 is an English Spanish Bidirectional Electronic Dictionary with an Organizer. They are compact and lightweight which allows you to carry your dictionary in your pocket. English translators are a great tool to help you learn English. Translation Experts Limited is a company dedicated to the products and services that break down language barriers. They manufacture a variety of translator and dictionary software for desktop computers and handheld devices. Most of these devices can be taken anywhere. These translators will translate web pages written in a foreign language, e-mail messages into and from a foreign language, and manuals and books into and from a foreign language. They also provide interactive learning of new words and phrases of a foreign language as well as interactive learning on how to pronounce new words and phrases of a foreign language. There also a number of English learning audio tapes and CDs that allows one to learn almost anywhere, including the automobile. All that is required is a CD player or cassette player.
2. The best and quickest method to learning English is to speak English as much as possible. There are online English learning chat rooms and discussion boards that one can join. You can also enlist the services of an online native English speaking teacher. One can also check community centers and colleges to see if there are English speaking groups they can join.
3. You should understand some common confusing English phrases and words. For instance, there are several words in Spanish that are similar in English, but have a different meaning. An example would be: approve is sometimes confused with aprobar: “Teacher, did I approve the test?” aprobar means pass as in ‘pass a test.’ Another example is earn and win. These two words both translate into Spanish with ganar.
4. You can create flash cards of vocabulary. Writing and seeing English vocabulary will help you remember.
Learning the English language takes time, patience, and practice. With so many tools and methods available, learning the English language has never been easier. The best way to learn English is to incorporate a number of different methods. With the right method, learning English can be a fun and rewarding experience that will provide you with new opportunities.
How to Ease your Job Search Process with Resumes and Cover Letters
October 10, 2009 by Amy Nutt · Leave a Comment
The purpose of the resume and cover letter is to make the job search process quicker and easier. In order to make your job search much easier and increase your chances of securing your dream job, you have to think of the resume as a marketing tool and you are the product that is being sold.
The following are a number of tips to help ease your job search process using resumes and cover letters:
1. Statistics have shown that the likelihood of acquiring employment through a job ad is 1 out of 20, and the chances of acquiring employment through networking are 1 out of 4. These statistics will help you narrow your job search by submitting your resume and cover letter to the most appropriate potential employers. Check with people you know such as family, colleagues (current and former), professors, managers, etc for leads on job openings. As well, review your qualifications and experiences, education, and skills, to see what types of jobs you are suitable for. Identify the most important employers in your area and contact their human resource departments to find out how and where to apply for job openings. As well, contact local government departments and agencies to find out where they list their job openings. Once you have narrowed your search, you can then work on your resume and cover letter.
2. Cover letters are an essential element of getting a job interview and they make your resume stand out from your competition. Always send out a cover letter with your resume, as it will be the difference between getting a job interview, or throwing your resume in the waste can. A cover letter should not be a duplicate of your resume, but a complement to it. The purpose is to add a personal touch to your resume and give the employer a sense of who you are and what position you are seeking. It is the first written contact with the employer so you must make a good impression and catch the employer’s eye. It should state the position that you are applying for, the reasons why you want the job, and highlight the most important skills that would make you a valuable asset to the company. It shows that you understand the position, and have the knowledge and experience in that type of work. The cover letter should summarize why you are the ideal candidate for the position. It should be one page with a minimum of three paragraphs.
3. Your resume must be professional and easy to read. It should also be interesting with no long sentences. Important skills, achievements, and experiences that are relevant to the job must be noted. It must not be overly detailed as you will give more explanations during the interview. You should write effective and eye catching statements. As well, your descriptions should be clear and interesting. For resumes that are scanned by companies and entered into a database, make sure your resume has relevant keywords which will bring up the resume in a search.
Because of increased competition and minimal job openings, acquiring a job is now a step-by-step process. You can ease the job search process by knowing what jobs you are suited for and creating a resume and cover letter that targets these jobs.