The History of Mount Fuji

The History of Mount Fuji A Short History of Mount Fuji ChaptersMount Fuji: A Sacred MountainThe History of Mount FujiEruptions of Mount Fuji through the YearsMount Fuji in Popular CultureThere are a few things that will make almost anyone think of Japan. In addition to samurai, geishas, manga, and sushi, there’s one geographical feature that makes everyone think of The Land of the Rising Sun.Mount Fuji, Japan’s sacred mountain, is a symbol of Japanese culture and one of the world’s most recognisable mountains. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hikers and tourists alike can get there quite easily from Tokyo.In this article, we’ll look at the history of this divine mountain. From its geological origins as well as its historical and cultural origins, here’s what makes Mount Fuji capture the Japanese imagination. you can see it everywhere from postcards to movies. This is hardly surprising given its status as an important religious landmark. Mount Fuji is not just a geographical feature, it's an important religious site. (Source: koshinuke_mcfly(The mountain is about 60 miles to the south-west of Tokyo on the island of Honshu and the highest point of Japan at 3776 metres. Mount Fuji is an active volcano and the summit is a crater that has erupted many times in the past.Mount Fuji is an important place in Japanese religion. It’s often known as Fujiyama and Fuji-San (Mr Fuji). It's worshipped as a god (kami) in Japan and its volcanic activity symbolises the earth, sky, and fire.  Thus, plenty pilgrims make the journey to the summit of Mount Fuji either on foot or in the cable car. From the foot of the mountain to the summit, there are plenty of shrines and hot springs warmed by the volcanic activity of Mount Fuji.Mount Fuji has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as “Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration.”. Here’s its UNESCO entry:“The beauty of the solitary, often snow-capped, stra tovolcano, known around the world as Mount Fuji, rising above villages and tree-fringed sea and lakes has long been the object of pilgrimages and inspired artists and poets. The inscribed property consists of 25 sites which reflect the essence of Fujisan’s sacred and artistic landscape. In the 12th century, Fujisan became the centre of training for ascetic Buddhism, which included Shinto elements. On the upper 1,500-metre tier of the 3,776m mountain, pilgrim routes and crater shrines have been inscribed alongside sites around the base of the mountain including Sengen-jinja shrines, Oshi lodging houses, and natural volcanic features such as lava tree moulds, lakes, springs and waterfalls, which are revered as sacred. Its representation in Japanese art goes back to the 11th century, but 19th century woodblock prints of views, including those from sand beaches with pine tree groves have made Fujisan an internationally recognized icon of Japan and have had a deep impact on the develop ment of Western art.”If you travel to Japan, you have to see it. Furthermore, there’s the rich history behind it.Find out more about Mount Fuji.The History of Mount FujiMount Fuji appeared 600,000 years ago as an active volcano (even though it's still an active volcano, it hasn’t erupted since 1707). During the Jomon Period, there were 4 major eruptions:SengokuOsawaOmuroSunazawa A lot has happened at Mount Fuji over the years. (Source: Walkerssk)This was around 3,000 years ago but around 2,300 years ago, the eastern face of the volcano collapsed creating the Hoei-Zan on the south-east of the mountain. The mudflows flowed down to the Gotemba area which is why it was called the Gotemba mudflow.Mountain Fuji has been considered a sacred mountain since the 7th century. In the Shinto religion, the emperor gave the order to destroy its summit to release the elixir that it contained. The smoke escaping was this elixir.Mount Fuji is also home to Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mount Fuji and all volcanoes. This is why there are several shrines on the mountain.Find out more about the cost of visiting Mount Fuji.Eruptions of Mount Fuji through the YearsThere have been several major eruptions at Mount Fuji. The first of these major eruptions took place in the Jogan era in 864. This eruption covered the northeast of the volcano with huge lava flows separating the La ke Senoumi into the Saiko and Shojiko lakes. Mount Fuji is still an active volcano but it hasn't erupted in many years. (Source: thiagodr)There were sixteen recorded eruptions between 800 and 1083 during the Heian era. Periods of inactivity at Mount Fuji can last for centuries like between 1083 and 1511.The most recent eruption was recorded in 1707 in the Hoei era. This was known as the great Hoei eruption and took place 49 years after the Great Hoei earthquake, one of the biggest earthquakes to have ever hit Japan. This created three new volcanic vents. This eruption caused lava flows and spread volcanic ash across the Edo region (now Tokyo) sixty miles from the volcano. This was a 4 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index.Since the last eruption, earthquakes are monitored, with the last one of note being a 6.4 on the Richter Scale in 2011. These natural catastrophes haven’t stopped the Japanese from regularly climbing the mountain.Find out how to plan a trip to Mount Fuji.Mount Fuji in Popular CultureMount Fuji is only open two m onths of the year: July and August. During many Japanese and international tourists head up the summit to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mount Fuji has appeared in many works including manga, anime, cinema, and literature. (Source: Gaddict)Thus, many people head up the mountain at night so they can enjoy the sunrise. However, you need to be careful when heading up Mount Fuji. As the proverb goes:“He who climbs Mt. Fuji is a wise man; he who climbs twice is a fool.”Mount Fuji is also sadly known for Aokigahara, the suicide forest. Nowadays, there are measures to discourage those considering taking their own lives.The sacred Japanese mountain is also ever-present in popular culture. Here are some examples of works featuring the mountain:Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji by Hokusai.The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido by Horishige.Fuji, a 1974 film.Ko no Umi, a 2004 film.Video games such as Okami, Pokémon, and Inazuma Eleven all have Mount Fuji or Fuji-inspired mountains.Mount Fuji continues to inspire artists just as it inspired beliefs throughout the years. Climbing to the top of this natural Japanese sanctuary is an essential activity for anyone visiting it.Find out what else there is to do at Mount Fuji.Now that you know a bit more about Mount Fuji, you can start planning your trip to Japan. To learn more about Japan and its main cities, check out our other articles on the subject.If you're interested in learning Japanese, there are plenty of great resources online to help you. Similarly, you can also get help with your Japanese from one of the many talented tutors on Superprof.There are three main types of tutorial available for Japanese: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. Each has its pros and cons and you'll have to choose the type that's right for you and your budget.Face-to-face tutorials are the most effective type  as you're the only student so the tutor can tailor the entire programme and each tutorial to you. Of course, this bespoke service comes at a cost and face-to-face tutorials tend to be the most costly per hour.If you're on a budget, online tutor ials might be a better option. If you've got a decent webcam or microphone, your tutor can teach you how to speak Japanese remotely over the internet. Since the tutor doesn't have to travel to their students and can, therefore, schedule more tutorials each week, they tend to charge less than one-on-one tutorials.Group tutorials are usually the cheapest type of tutorial since there are several students all paying for the tutors time. While this is great for those on a budget, it can sometimes mean that you won't get as much one-on-one time with your tutor and the tutorials won't be tailored to you and what you want to learn. However, when it comes to language tutorials, this also means that you'll have many different people to practise your new language with, which can be more interesting than having to speak to the same person every session.Generally, it's a good idea to start a new hobby with group tutorials as they're less of an investment. Once you get serious about it, you can a lways start working with a face-to-face or online tutor and learning exactly what you want to learn.Before you make your decision, remember that many of the tutors on Superprof will offer free tuition for the first hour. This means you can try a few tutors, see if you like their teaching style, and see if you get along with them. After all, it's useless paying for a tutor that you don't enjoy spending time with!

What High School Students Should Know About IB Courses

What High School Students Should Know About IB Courses As a high school student, you are presented with a plethora of choices regarding classes, and the process of selecting your courses can be very overwhelming. After all, there are dual credit programs, APclasses, and International Baccalaureate(IB) courses from which to choose. If you are unsure of the difference between the two this may help clarify some things for you - Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate.There are also internships and electives. If you are college-bound, your choices are of particular importance. So how do you know which classes are right for you? In order to make the best possible choices for your academic career, you must first be aware of all your options. And while many students are familiar with AP classes, IB courses are a bit more mysterious. What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme? IB classes serve to challenge students and to give them an edge when they apply to college. The curriculum, which is designed by the International Baccalaureate Organization, involves exams, papers, and projects, some of which are scored by external assessors. These professionals assign scores between 1 and 7. Students can take individual courses, or they can enroll in the Diploma Programme, which lasts two years. Students who choose to pursue the diploma option must complete a pre-established set of classes, as well as a Theory of Knowledge course, a 4,000-word essay, and a number of creativity, action, and service hours. Students may elect to take either standard level or higher level classes. However, students are required to take at least three higher level courses. Every class ends with an IB exam. The courses operate on a points system, so students must score well on their exams to receive points. After acquiring 24 points, students receive their diplomas. IB advantages The IB Diploma Programme does require dedication, but it has several advantages. First, students master time management skills. Second, while students are expected to perform at a high caliber, IB classes are highly respected by many colleges and universities. It is worth noting that while colleges are becoming increasingly familiar with the IB curriculum, they tend to know more about AP coursework. However, both systems are equally valued. If a school accepts AP scores, it likely accepts IB scores too. As always, you should speak with a colleges admissions office to learn more about its credit policies. What you need to know If you are interested in taking IB classes, plan ahead. While IB courses cannot be taken until your junior and senior years of high school, they may require prerequisites. If you are deciding between AP classes and IB courses, you should know that AP classes typically allow for more flexibility. You can sit for an AP exam without first taking the AP course, but IB exams may only be taken upon completion of an IB class. Emphasis on writing IB courses place a high emphasis on writing. In fact, most exams are administered as essays. As such, tests are not graded by machines, but instead by humans. These essay tests allow students to develop advanced writing skills that can benefit them in their collegiate studies. IB students are also required to conduct research, which is an invaluable experience in higher education. You may want to consider a writing tutorto help you reach your full potential. Exposure to service Students who enroll in the IB Diploma Programme learn the value of service and leadership through projects they complete during their course of study. Colleges often view service admirably, as it can enhance your resume and build organizational and communication skills. Challenging curriculum By taking classes that challenge you, you can develop your ability to think critically and to study effectively. This is a great guide to the study guide. These skills can mold you into a better student. IB courses offer a great opportunity for students who are up to the challenge. Like AP classes, they will be an asset as you begin your college and scholarship applications. If you think IB classes might be appropriate for you, visit the IB website or speak to your school for more information.

Storytelling in tutoring and teaching

Storytelling in tutoring and teaching Storytelling is a powerful teaching aid, allowing a student to learn emotionally and logically at the same time. Here is a blog written by Mark Maclaine which explains how to put storytelling in tutoring. David Baboulene explains in ‘The Story Book’ that human beings learn principally in one of two ways. Firstly, through experience: doing things and seeing what we get back from the world. This, he claims, is the most powerful learning tool, but at the same time it is also the most painful, because we are learning emotionally. The second is learning analytically. ‘We sit in retrospect, perhaps in a classroom or laboratory, strip out the emotion and understand events through clinical analysis of the facts over an appropriate time period.’ Baboulene states that, in normal circumstances, you cannot learn both emotionally and analytically at the same time. But storytelling allows us to engage with a narrative emotionally, while being removed enough from events that our brains can analyse the situation logically. Pupils learn through the hugely powerful delivery method of emotions, while having space to understand what is going on and what lessons they can take for themselves. Added to this, they are developing valuable listening skills, and may even be inspired to read more. So, how do we improve our storytelling? The greatest stories involve conflict on many levels. Generally, the greater the conflict, the more engrossed we are in the story, and thus the more capacity we have to learn from it. The best storytelling often comes in the form of internal conflicts that characters we care about are presented with. What if you found a loveable alien in your cupboard? Or you were out at sea in a lifeboat, with the power to save a drowning animal - only, that animal is a full-size tiger? The power of storytelling as a teaching skill comes in setting up a scene with an individual who has a need or desire, and then helping the students understand how the protagonist came to the conclusion. At this level, a teacher is not just teaching students about a topic, but also how to solve problems and overcome difficulties. Essentially you are teaching students how to learn. Let’s look at the topic of Galileo Galilei’s observations of the solar system. How can we explain this using a story? Here’s a basic outline: 1. Old World: a world in which people believe that the Earth is centre of the universe. 2. Need/desire: Galileo wants to prove that this is not true. 3. Problem: The powerful Catholic Church is not keen on anyone going against their interpretation of the The Bible. How can he prove this and also avoid getting in serious trouble with the Church? 4. Solution: he uses his telescope to make detailed observations of the night sky which he then publishes. He decides to defy the church in doing so. 5. New World: his publication is put on a banned book list and he eventually died under house arrest for “heresy”. However, the world eventually comes to accept these ideas as fact and he is later described by Einstein as the father of modern science. This is hardly Booker prize material, but it livens up a straight factual explanation. The main things to look out for are an original (imperfect) equilibrium, the conflict, the method for change and the new equilibrium. Of course, stories don’t have to use people at all. Even in describing the violent early solar system through to the formation of the planets, or displacement reactions in Chemistry, conflict can be used to add a little interest to the story. Storytelling comes in many different forms. I encourage anyone engaged in any form of tutoring or teaching (including parents) to take the time to explore its power. After all, storytelling is just an act of communicating in a creative way to bring subjects to life â€" something we all do naturally every day. So let’s share this power. If you have a story which you feel has helped your students or children to learn, then please write it in the comment box below.   Image from: www.mikekrass.com  CC-by

Unusual English Idioms Related to Food - Intermediate Level English

Unusual English Idioms Related to Food - Intermediate Level English Let’s talk idioms today! English idioms are indeed very  popular among English Learners. I was feeling a little hungry and I began to think about Idioms I knew on the theme of food.  So I came up with some English idioms related to food. Let’s revise what an idiom is. An idiom is a word or phrase where there generally two meanings.  First meaning (and usually the one that doesn’t make sense!) is directly associated with the words used in an idiom and the second is  not so easily understood. English Idioms Related to Food A HOT POTATOWe usually use this idiom when we refer to something difficult that nobody is comfortable about holding or dealing with.Ex. The player was a really good footballer but he was always complaining and moaning to the referee. After only 6 games he had been shown the red card twice and the manager dropped him  him  like a hot potato and replaced him with a more easy going character.BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEWWhen we take on more work than we are capable of dealing with we are said to have bitten off more than we can chew.Ex. Michael was eager to impress his new boss. When his boss asked him to take on some extra cases he readily agreed. However, he was soon swamped  in work and realised he had already bitten off more than he could chew.BITE THE BULLET This idiom is used normally when we accept that no matter how difficult or unpleasant something is we just have to deal with it. Ex. The new employee was a nice guy but completely unsuited to the job. I liked him but knew he had to leave. Finally, I just bit the bullet  and told him. He was actually glad as he did not like the work too much. English Idioms Related to Food - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: CHEAP AS CHIPSChips are very tasty and a very traditional English food made from potato. They are not expensive. However,  when we refer to something as cheap as chips  we are comparing the price of that “thing” with the price of a bag of chips  (in some parts of England we refer to a single of chips a single portion  is what we want).Ex. While walking through Ikea Mary notice that they had reduced the price of the dinner plates.  They cost less than a £1 each. She bought 6 as she reckoned  they were as cheap as chips!CUT THE MUSTARD Its hard to cut mustard as it usually comes in a jar and is liquid in form. It  is easier to spread it with a knife or a spoon on whatever you are eating.  When using this idiom we are referring to a person who perhaps is not up to the job, is not able to do the task and is not good enough.Ex. The new manager of the team had not previously managed a team at this level. It was a bit of a risk but he had a good reputation. However, after 5 games and 5 defeats  all 5 games it was quite clear he was not the man for the job and just didn’t cut the mustard. He was fired immediately.PIECE OF CAKE All cakes taste nice and it’s a pleasure to sit down with a cup of tea and a slice  or piece of cake in the afternoon when taking a break from your work. The idiom piece of cake  refers to how easy we find some task or job. One of the most popular English idioms related to food.Ex. John asked Michael how the exam had gone.Was it difficult or challenging. “No”  he replied “In fact,  it was a piece of cake.  Everybody thought so.”  TAKES THE BISCUITA little old fashioned but we use it to express our surprise or annoyance at something that has happened.Ex. Martin was waiting patiently for a reply to his letter. He had offered the new client a really good deal and a price he thought they could not turn down. So he was hopeful the letter would be positive. However,  when the reply arrived he was a little shocked.  They had decided to go with his competitors even though Martin was offering a better price. “Doesn’t that just take the biscuit?”  he said to his secretary. “I worked so hard on that deal and our competitors got the business. How frustrating” English Idioms Related to Food - Vocabulary Words To drop someone to replace To be swamped to have too much to do = to be up to your eyesChips (British English) = French Fries (American English) To reckon to believe To defeat to lose To turn down to refuse

Why You Should Live With a Host Family While Studying Abroad

Why You Should Live With a Host Family While Studying Abroad When you're studying abroad, especially if it's your first time away from home for an extended period of time, your experience can be extremely exciting but also mixed with a lot of anxiety. A new level of independence, unfamiliar surroundings, a different culture, perhaps a new language - all of these things can start to feel somewhat isolating and overwhelming after the initial novelty begins to wear off. Of course, even if homesickness and doubt starts to creep in once you've gotten settled in, it's unlikely that you can just turn around and head back home. You've made a big commitment and investment and it can't be sloughed off so easily. To help avoid the understandable feelings of panic that threaten to overtake your emotions once you've landed in your country of study, opt to stay with a host family who can help you adjust to your new surroundings and stave off any fleeting desire to hop back on the plane and go home. Here are few things that a host family can offer to help you feel more at ease on your study abroad adventure: A Sense of Routine Being so far away from home and living in a foreign country may throw your sense of order and control a little out of whack. You may struggle with creating a routine for yourself, since it definitely takes time to get acclimated to your new surroundings. Living with a host family can shorten the learning curve and give you a sense of belonging before you start to feel lost. Being able to watch your host family's daily routine can be a comforting and soothing reminder of home and that gets you through the pangs of loneliness and homesickness. A Glimpse into the Everyday Lifestyle of Another Culture When you visit other countries as a tourist, you often only get to see the popular highlights of the places you visit. Experiencing the a country as a visitor can be fun and interesting, but having a host family can help you make studying abroad a more deeply satisfying experience and leave you with some incredible memories. Your host family wants you to have a good time, and in most cases will work hard to make sure that you get to see what real, everyday life in their country is like, off the beaten tourist path. Advanced Language Skills Practice If you live in a dorm with other British students and you're studying abroad in a country where English is not the first language, you may be hesitant to explore the country freely and connect with the nationals. If you live with a host family, you have an opportunity on a daily basis to be completely immersed in the language. Such a consistent, concentrated exposure will surely increase your fluency by leaps and bounds. Lifelong Friendships Staying with a host family makes the study abroad experience much more than just a school exchange program. For nine months to a year, you're living side by side with a group of people who have opened their home to you and agreed to share their way of life with you on a daily basis. For most students, the relationships that they build with their host family, and the people that they meet through their host family, last far longer than the year they spend in the country. Many students come to think of their host family as an extension of their own family and they keep in touch with these people for the rest of their lives. REFERENCES: http://info.sya.org/blog/bid/248388/Why-you-should-live-with-a-host-family-when-you-study-abroad http://www.studyabroadscout.com/blog/why-you-should-live-with-a-host-family http://www.goabroad.com/blog/2014/01/28/top-6-reasons-to-live-with-a-host-family-while-studying-in-spain/

Language Marketplace Explained

Language Marketplace Explained It seems a number of people are still not familiar with the Language Marketplace, including how to choose a good teacher, and how much it costs to learn online.   We have a few tutorial videos (English, Español, Deutsch, Italiano, and Français) explaining how the Language Teachers section works.   But for those of you who prefer the text form, heres another explanation. Click on Language Teachers in the left-hand navigation box. First, choose your search criteria: Teaches: Choose the language youre looking to study. This lists the language the teacher will teach you. Professional Teacher / Language Tutor: Do you need a teacher with professional teaching experience, or is a language tutor more suitable for your learning? More explanation of this here. Native Speaker: Do you wish to learn from someone who speaks that language as their mother tongue? If youre an advanced learner of the language, this may be more important to you than for beginners. Check this to find native speaking teachers of the language youre learning. Free Trial Available: If you want to have a trial session with the teacher before you pay for lessons, mark this option and you will only be shown teachers who offer Free Trial.   (You must have ITC in your account to be a Free Trial.) Price (ITC per hour): If you only want to be shown teachers who fit within your budget, you may select it here. ITC are italkis internal currency, known as italki Credits or ITCs.   US$1 = 10ITC. Then click Browse to search by your specified criteria. Second, after your new personalized list has loaded, choose which order in which you want to view the matching teachers. Ratings: Sorts from highest to lowest (none) the level of positive feedback ratings the teacher has received from other italki students.   Shown by 1-5 Gold Stars.   More details here in our FAQ. Price: Sorts from lowest to highest price in ITC per hour.   ITC are not US$.   1 ITC equals US$0.1 Once you find a few teachers that match your criteria and interests, click on their picture or name to few their profile.   Here you can learn more about them, check their availability schedule, and book a session with them. Learning online is very quick, easy, and affordable.   Get started today! Language Marketplace Explained It seems a number of people are still not familiar with the Language Marketplace, including how to choose a good teacher, and how much it costs to learn online.   We have a few tutorial videos (English, Español, Deutsch, Italiano, and Français) explaining how the Language Teachers section works.   But for those of you who prefer the text form, heres another explanation. Click on Language Teachers in the left-hand navigation box. First, choose your search criteria: Teaches: Choose the language youre looking to study. This lists the language the teacher will teach you. Professional Teacher / Language Tutor: Do you need a teacher with professional teaching experience, or is a language tutor more suitable for your learning? More explanation of this here. Native Speaker: Do you wish to learn from someone who speaks that language as their mother tongue? If youre an advanced learner of the language, this may be more important to you than for beginners. Check this to find native speaking teachers of the language youre learning. Free Trial Available: If you want to have a trial session with the teacher before you pay for lessons, mark this option and you will only be shown teachers who offer Free Trial.   (You must have ITC in your account to be a Free Trial.) Price (ITC per hour): If you only want to be shown teachers who fit within your budget, you may select it here. ITC are italkis internal currency, known as italki Credits or ITCs.   US$1 = 10ITC. Then click Browse to search by your specified criteria. Second, after your new personalized list has loaded, choose which order in which you want to view the matching teachers. Ratings: Sorts from highest to lowest (none) the level of positive feedback ratings the teacher has received from other italki students.   Shown by 1-5 Gold Stars.   More details here in our FAQ. Price: Sorts from lowest to highest price in ITC per hour.   ITC are not US$.   1 ITC equals US$0.1 Once you find a few teachers that match your criteria and interests, click on their picture or name to few their profile.   Here you can learn more about them, check their availability schedule, and book a session with them. Learning online is very quick, easy, and affordable.   Get started today!

Irvine Writing Tutor How to Improve Your Writing This Summer

Irvine Writing Tutor How to Improve Your Writing This Summer Tips From an Irvine Writing Tutor: 4 Ways to Improve Your Writing Over the Summer Tips From an Irvine Writing Tutor: 4 Ways to Improve Your Writing Over the Summer Writing is an essential skill for students. In other words, having the ability to explain yourself clearly in writing will help you in every academic subject. Writing is also a fun and creative hobby for many students. Sadly, most of the writing abilities students develop over the school year are lost over the summer months due to no writing. Let’s not allow that to happen to you! One of our private Irvine Writing Tutors has come up with these four ways to improve your writing over the summer. Writing Doesn’t Have to be a Chore Some students inevitably equate writing with homework or classwork, which makes it more of a chore than a fun summer activity. One reason why some students dislike writing is that they haven’t developed their abilities to the point that it comes easily to them. It’s frustrating when you know what you want to say, but can’t figure out how to put it into words on a paper. This is a common frustration, and spending time improving your writing over the summer will take the stress off of paper assignments when youre back in the classroom. Spending an hour or two or more if you’re on a roll writing each day will help you improve your skills without it impeding on your summer activities. Now, what to write about? A few of our tips below will help with that. If you’re feeling a case of writer’s block coming on, take a break and go outside, it is summer after all. 1. Hire a Private Irvine Writing Tutor The best way to improve your writing over the summer is with the help of a private tutor. Our Irvine writing tutors work around your busy schedules, in-person or at a meeting location. Call us today to book your tutor and start improving your writing skills. 2. Join or start a writing club Ask your local librarian if the library hosts a summer writing club for your age group. If not, ask them if you could start one and have them meet in one of the library conference rooms. Odds are they will be thrilled you want to write and will be more than helpful to get the club going. Sharing the group with your friends on Facebook will help you find the best time to meet. Once you have a group, find a list of writing prompts online and settle on one per meeting. Then, during the next meeting, everyone will take turns reading their version of the prompt (READ: 5 Reasons Why Students Should Start a Blog). 3. Read Most authors would agree that one of the best ways to improve your writing is to read good writing. Through symbiosis, you’ll be learning how to construct sentences that aren’t clunky, how to write good dialogue, among other essential skills. Start a contest with a friend to see who can read the most books this summer. 4. Enter a Writing Contest Many magazines and blogs host writing contests. These contests cover a wide-range of topics. From poetry to science-fiction, you’ll be able to find a contest in which you are most interested. Make a note of the submission date and guidelines, and then start writing! With these summer writing tips from an Irvine English tutor, you’ll start the school year in better writing shape than when you finished in spring. Members of the TutorNerds team and our private tutors write every blog post. If you have any questions about our blog, please email us at pr@tutornerds.com.