​For many students, cooperative education programs are a great way to gain valuable work experience while still in school. Unlike some internships, students can earn money and receive class credit while participating in job activities that give them real-world experience applicable to their future careers. These programs are especially popular as students get closer to entering the working world.
 
As an international student, you may wonder if you are allowed to participate in cooperative education programs due to your F-1 status in the United States. While each university handles cooperative education programs differently, the following are things to keep in mind that are common for nearly all international students:
 

You must maintain your F-1 status for at least one year before participating in undergraduate Curricular Practical Training (or CPT)

Curricular Practical Training is an employment authorization that allows students to work as long as their employment duties are central to an established curriculum. The curriculum and duties must be directly related to the student’s major area of study. CPT does not conflict with Optional Practical Training (OPT) unless you participate in CPT full-time for 12 months or more.
 

Ensure you have accurate information before applying to a cooperative education program

Reach out to your campus co-op office to make sure you are in compliance with its requirements. This may mean working with the international student affairs office and/or a designated school official (or DSO) to establish timelines and to clarify how your co-op would work, both academically and financially. Typical requirements to apply and participate include being a full-time degree-seeking student who is not on academic probation and who maintains a given GPA.
 

Give yourself enough time to prepare for employment

Network inside and outside your campus community to find co-op opportunities that you are interested in. Polish your resume and LinkedIn profile to make yourself marketable to potential employers. Apply at every place you are interested in, and familiarize yourself with the terms of employment at your co-op location. It may take a bit of time for your co-op paperwork to process, so it is important to make the most of this time by being as prepared as possible to impress.
 
Cooperative education programs can prove to be invaluable for an international student who would like to obtain work experience in the U.S. They give you the opportunity to find out if your major is a good match for your skills and interests. You can “try on” different work environments to determine which one is the best fit for you, all while earning academic credit and gaining access to a network of professional contacts. Participating in a co-op program as an international student gives you a unique advantage in a highly competitive employment marketplace.
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Niki Bridges is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

​When it comes to learning a language, there are a number of options available to people. Sure, you can join a class that provides language learning sections, or you can hire a private tutor and get lessons. But, you should know that joining classes or hiring a private tutor requires a lot of money. If you don't have the financial freedom required to learn a language by spending this much money, there’s another very good option, which is getting a library membership. Now, a lot of you might be wondering what a library membership has to do with learning a language. In the following few paragraphs, you will learn about the benefits of getting a membership in a library when it comes to learning a language.
 

A dedicated foreign language section
 
For those of you who are into reading, the library is a heaven. There are different sections that provide knowledge on a variety of different subjects, and one of these sections is the foreign language section. The foreign language section is dedicated to a number of different languages which you can learn, and houses books of all kinds. From pronunciations to simple words and complex phrases, everything that you could want to learn about a foreign language can be found here. The foreign language section includes all types of books that will give you complete information on the language you are looking to learn.
 

Multimedia section
 
The multimedia section includes videos as well as dedicated lessons, which you can run on a projector in order to learn the language of your choice. Obviously, you can't learn a foreign language without actually listening to native speaking, and that is where the multimedia section comes in handy. There are hundreds of videos, which you can find in the multimedia section of a good library, which will help you significantly when it comes to learning a language.
 

Language courses
 
Numerous libraries also provide dedicated language courses; included within your membership fee is the resource material as well as basic tutorship, which are required to learn a foreign language. Rather than getting dedicated classes for learning a foreign language, these language courses are a viable alternative, and will provide you with a healthy amount of material that you can use in order to learn the language of your choice.
 

Group classes
 
If there are others in the library that also have an interest in learning the same foreign language as yourself, you can also get group classes arranged. Since libraries often have connections and contacts, they will be able to hire a tutor at a much greater discount than what you would have to pay if you were to join a dedicated course. Going for group classes in a library is also a better idea because the environment is more focused towards learning. It allows you to concentrate much better.
 

Travel Guides
 
A lot of libraries also include travel guides, which will help you in getting a basic feel for the language that you are learning, and it will also allow you to exercise your reading skills by reading the language in a native context. Going through travel guides is a great idea since they are written by the natives, which means that you will be learning the language in the best possible manner.
 
Going for a library membership is an excellent choice for those who are interested in learning a new language, because the sheer amount of resource material available in a library allows you to get a better grip and command on the language that you are learning. Obviously, you can also borrow other books, which is another added advantage of joining a library!
 
 
Paul Bates is a foreign language tutor currently living in Dallas, TX. He has recently been hired by SolidEssay.com to work for them on a part time basis.

There are numerous great reasons to learn a new language, at any age! Whether you’re learning to make an advance in your career, or to complete your resume, or just for fun, there are so many ways you can learn a language. A number of apps, websites and textbooks that offer guidance through that process is countless.

However, the best way to learn English is to immerse yourself completely into the experience, and include language learning into your daily routine. Not only do you learn the theory, but you get to practice at the same time, and speed up the process of learning altogether.
But how do you include language learning into your daily life when you’re swamped with…life? Here are a few tips to consider if you’re willing to add a new language to your skill set.

 
1.    Speak Up 
While reading is also a great way to learn a new language, it doesn’t prepare you for the real world, where you will have to speak  English in question. Even when you’re reading, copying text or putting sticky notes around your house, use your voice! Say the words that you’re reading and writing out loud. You’ll be surprised how much it will be easier to make full sentences and interact with people, once you’ve already spoken them, even if it was only in the comfort of your own home.


2.    Learn from the Surroundings 
This is one of the best learning methods for acquiring new words. Next time you’re in the kitchen or the living room, or anywhere for that matter, try to name the objects that you see, but in English that you’re learning. You can even use sticky notes to write out specific words that give you trouble and learn them through repeating. It doesn’t take much time, but it keeps you in the learning loop.


3.    Netflix for Learning 
There are so many millennials nowadays that claim they have learned new language by watching their favorite TV shows. And we have to admit, there’s something to it. The next time you watch a movie or a TV show in English, truly focus on listening to the language. It will give you knowledge about English and American culture, than any textbook or app that’s available online.
Start off by watching a TV show with subtitles and carefully follow the subtitles with the words they are speaking. Eventually, when you’re ready to turn off the subtitles and just listen to English. You’ll not only learn new words, you’ll also learn proper pronunciation.

 
4.    Carry a Notebook 
You’ve probably already downloaded several language learning apps on your smartphone, but the key to English learning doesn’t come solely through apps. If you really want to immerse yourself in the world of the English you’re learning have a notebook or a small dictionary on you at all times. It helps you take notes, write out new words, and truly learn as you go. Use the notebook to revise your notes and lessons while you’re on the bus or in the waiting room.


5.    Learn from the Best 
If you aren’t taking a English course at school, you’re definitely lacking the advice and tips professionals have to share. Go online and learn what experts have to say on acquiring a new language. Learn from other people’s mistakes and find some helpful tips on how to improve your language learning.
Daniel Stevens, a professional writer for BestEssays states ‘’English learning can be complex, and at least one aspect of this process is bound to give you trouble. But, with a little help from those who have already mastered a language and know all the ins and outs, can help you push through the barrier and learn a English more quickly.’’

 
6.    Optimize Your Phone 
We all know that having a phone set in another language is impossible. But, if you really want to experience what it’s like to use a English in everyday life, switch your phone language settings to English. It might take some time getting used to, but it will definitely give you knowledge that isn’t exactly in the textbooks and apps. Soon, you’ll feel like one with the culture and English you’re learning.


7.    Start a Conversation with a Native Speaker 
Speaking is definitely the best way to learn English. Lots of people move to foreign countries in search for jobs, and end up learning a language simply by talking to people in their surroundings.
If you don’t have anyone who speaks the language in your proximity, you can always find people online who are willing to speak in English. There are websites that offer such services for a very small fee.
 
We suggest you download an app or buy a textbook today, but don’t forget to implement  your learning into your everyday life, because it will make a huge difference in the learning process. It might seem irrelevant in the beginning, but it will speed learning up and prepare you for what’s coming on higher levels of learning.
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Brenda Savoie is a content marketer, private English tutor, and desperate dreamer. Writing her first romance novel. Seeking contentment through mindfulness. Check her last article “How to Write an Argumentative Essay: A Complete Guide.” Find her on Twitter and Facebook.
 
 

Learning English as a second language is never an easy task. It can be made even more difficult depending on the first language of the learner. For an ESL teacher, there must be an awareness of the difficulties faced by students because of the language they are entering with. When it comes to Arabic speaking students, there are five common mistakes they are making when learning English, because of the effects of their first language. If ESL teachers are aware of these, it will better equip them to understand and correct these problems.


Run-on sentences

It's a common problem for native Arabic speakers to write never-ending English sentences. When it comes to the Arabic language, run-on sentences are perfectly acceptable, so this habit can easily be transferred to the English language learning of these students. When the teacher understands that this error is being made because of the first language, it's easier to point it out and explain that, although it's an acceptable practice in Arabic, in English it can be quite confusing to a reader. Challenge your students to answer questions or write essays that are limited in word length. They can use Easy Word Count to see if they're staying within their word limits. When grades are on the line, ESL students will want to make sure they're handing in their best possible work. Some proofreading assistance from an expert at Grade on Fire is the key to perfecting their assignments.


Repetitiveness

Redundancy in sentences is also a commonly accepted practice in Arabic. Repetitiveness in Arabic is seen as reinforcing an idea, whereas in English it's seen as unnecessary. Teachers that realize this language practice will understand that their Arabic students aren't purposefully being repetitive because they are unable to think of other ideas or words to use. They are doing it because it's a welcome practice in Arabic that they've transferred over to their newly learned language. Encouragement can be given to create shorter sentences without any repetition. And, when they want a real person to check over their work before submitting it, Dissertation services can proofread their assignments to eliminate the repetitiveness and other errors.


Literal translations

There are many colloquial and language-specific sayings that simply can't be translated in their original form. In English, it's common to say things like, "It's raining cats and dogs outside!" If one were to translate that in literal terms, they would literally be saying cats and dogs are falling from the sky in the form of rain. The same thing applies when an Arabic speaker is trying to relay a thought from what they know in Arabic to English. Although this is an issue that can only be fixed over a period of time with constant assistance, knowledge of why this problem happens is essential. For ESL learners applying for a job, they'll especially want to make sure their resumes are written properly and without any literal translations. Resumention can look over their resumes to check for clarity and other writing errors.


Punctuation

Arabic is a less stringent language in terms of the use of punctuation. It's one of the reasons why students feel free to use endless commas in run-on sentences. You'll find exclamation marks and other punctuation are used quite frequently, while other things like semi-colons are almost non-existent. Punctuation lessons should be a large part of English language learning, and its importance should be reinforced by the ESL teacher. Some help with punctuation and other writing components can be found in the resources at State of Writing. If students are having trouble with some of the other intricacies of the English language, including differences in homonyms like 'to' and 'too', Write My Essay can give them a quick and easy to understand explanation.


Organized writing

The overall structure of English writing is quite different than that found in Arabic writing. While English essays are structured to be circular, beginning with a thesis, providing evidence to support it, and reinforce the conclusion, Arabic writing is very linear, moving through in one direction with newly presented information making an appearance in the conclusion. Retraining students in this new essay structure will be a large component of teaching them to write properly structured essays in English. If they could use a helping hand with some editing work, Elite Assignment Help and Paper Fellows have professional writers and editors that will find and correct any errors within their written assignments.

When ESL teachers take the time to educate themselves in the native languages of their students, they will be better prepared to address problems as they arise and understand why these problems are happening.

 
Freddie Tubbs is an eLearning project manager from Fort Myers, Florida. He works as a language researcher at Best Australian Writers.

In the recently published: Top 100 ESL Teacher Blogs and Websites, the ESL.com blog Get Smart was named Number 1 by Feedspot!

'Top 100 ESL Blogs' judging criteria:

The Best ESL blogs were chosen from thousands of top ESL blogs in our index using search and social metrics.
 
These blogs are ranked based on following:

• Google reputation and Google search ranking​
• Influence and popularity on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites
• Quality and consistency of posts
• Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review

Big thanks to Feedspot for recognizing the ESL.com Team's hard work!
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