What is Algebra I?

What is Algebra I?The third module in Calculus I is called: Algebra I: Module 02: Equations and In differential Equations. In this module you will learn about inequalities, simplifying equations, algebraic functions, integration and differentiation, limits, and a few other things. You will also learn about functions, partial derivatives, and limits. You will also learn how to set up equations using algebraic notation.The first question that you have to ask yourself is: 'What do I need to know about inequalities?' The answer is simply: the method of minimizing. The usual problems with inequalities are: they look complicated and they are hard to solve. But if you focus on solving them using common methods like linear programming and least squares you will be able to simplify these equations into a function that solves them easily. So, you don't have to worry about working through complex math solutions for this module.Next is to find an equation to simplify, such as the following one: (x - y) 2 = -2x-3 - y2. You will use the following algebraic formula to solve it:In order to solve this equation, you have to solve it numerically first before actually solving it. The easiest way to do this is to start by solving the equation for x by dividing the first and second term by the latter term. Then, multiply the resulting value by two. And finally, multiply the result by three. After solving this equation numerically you have to solve it algebraically.You can then simplify the two terms of the equation by solving it by the simple algebraic expression. You can then solve the equations by hand by breaking the expression down into algebraic terms. For instance, to solve the equation we used the simple algebraic formula for sin(x) = sqrt(sin(x)) we would simply go through the square roots of x, and divide the results by the result of the square root to get the answers.When you solve the equations numerically, you should be able to find some solutions. But you might also wan t to try to solve the equation by hand to see if you can come up with a simple solution. To find a simple solution, you have to first understand that many problems are not simple. Most solutions may have many pieces to them, and it is important to sort through all of them. So, if you can find a solution that uses only one piece of information and takes a relatively short time to solve, it will be easier to learn it.If you want to learn more about algebraic formulas of polynomials, you can check out the links below. The links should help you to learn more about solutions to algebraic equations. Good luck with the module!

Do Students Definitely Need Assignment Help

Do Students Definitely Need Assignment Help Homework help for any subject is not just to complete the academic task before the dead line. It is more than that. It functions as fountainhead of knowledge for struggling students to build the basics of a subject and to do well in higher studies without problem. Why do we need help in Math, Science and English. Get assignment help for your students? Let us think on these lines for some time. Following are some frequently asked questions. Questions are about seeking online help for writing assignments. Are assignments necessary? Assignments are the tools for testing your knowledge. Test your knowledge of a subject and measuring the level of your understanding. It is the understanding of tough chapters and concepts. Are all assignments tough? Most of the assignments are tough and they are meant as yardsticks for gauging your analytical skills and capabilities of drawing a conclusion. It is under given conditions and circumstances as per the requirements of a topic. 8 Tips For Choosing The Best Online Tutoring Company In The USA Picking out the best online tutoring company in the USA is a challenging task due to the availability of innumerable companies there. Quality, reference check, survival in the market, affordable costs, and use of reliable tech tools are some yardsticks needed for choosing the best online tutoring center in the USA. Can I complete all assignments by my own? You are supposed to complete all assignments by your own. But under present complex educational circumstances, you may not be able to master all subject topics and may want the support of assignment help services. What are the benefits I gain out of assignment help sites? You get plagiarism free content with original write ups. You get your work done before the deadline. These assignments serve as models for your own write ups in future. The writers are 24/7 available and answer your queries instantly. Do I need to seek assignment help experts? Yes, you do. You need subject clarifications for difficult topics. When you contact assignment help experts, you get to know the ways through which you can simplify tough topics and follow break up methods for doing so. Further, you learn methods by which you can embellish your writing style and also understand the principles of writing and presentation. The writers instruct you with techniques for presenting the topic in the most impressive way with catchy vocabulary. Tutor Paces 25 % Discount on Online #Tutoring for Helping Students More https://t.co/COgKN3HrgW â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) February 12, 2016 Seeking the help of assignment experts also gets you with insights about and different approaches to the topics. You get a chance to improve your analytical skills and explore the topics in an original manner. Can you recommend a good website for assignment help? Tutor Pace, for sure. The writers are highly qualified with Masters and PhDs in their respective subjects and help you with excellent write ups for your assignment writing. They guide you in methods of assignment writing and lead you through difficult phases of tough topic understanding. The website offers 24/7 help and render solid customer support. The prices are also cost effective. To say in conclusion Getting online assignment help makes things easy for you and broadens your vistas of knowledge along with improving your writing techniques.

9 Study Tips That Will Help Students Study Smarter, Based On Science

9 Study Tips That Will Help Students Study Smarter, Based On Science Study Smarter, Based On Science Science is a subject which needs an appropriate focus and devotion in the class while the lessons are being taught. If that doesnt happen, few things remain unclear which students avoid to solicit due to lack of confidence or sheer shyness. As they return home, they have to go through the notes again which the vast majority of students dont do. Study In Your Preferred Learning Style With An Online #Science Tutor To Achieve Mastery https://t.co/OyMtf27ohz via @TutorPace â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) November 26, 2015 They continue playing all day and when exam tags along, they attempt to cover the entire course in only one day. They overlook what was taught to them and aim for just passing the exams. The cutting edge education system of today tests your scholarly capacity to comprehend the things more than learning by heart. If you feel your kids are battling with science, you have to get in touch with experienced tutors. Why is it imperative to hire online tutors for science? Private tutoring classes or independent tutors give an alternative to your children but also charge an immense measure of expenses which numerous parents cant manage. Also, a private coach cant concentrate on individual kids separately. Another great alternative is the home tutor in which the coach comes to your home to teach your children. Time management becomes possibly the most important factor as kids dont care to be limited by calendars. This arrangement additionally falls flat. Luckily, online science tutoring companies are the best answer for the issues your children are facing. With progression of voice calls and video conferencing technologies, it is very much viable to employ online science tutors who will help your battling children. Online science homework help It is important to make your struggling kids feel great about the subject. When they take in the tutoring, they will feel coexisting with the class as opposed to getting exhausted on account of absence of comprehension. They will discover answers of their issues right from online science homework help. Coaches will have the capacity to concentrate on one student at a time so the yield will be better in contrast with class instructors who have their own particular constraints. The greatest benefit of contacting online science tutors is no extra charge incurred in terms of colossal expenses as private mentors do. It is practical alternative for numerous parents without much of a stretch. Online science coaching can be successful apparatus in getting a handle on key ideas of the subject utilizing intuitive recordings, notes, presentations or lessons. You can converse with your guide whenever you want and clear up the things which are disturbing you. Online science assignment help can offer students some assistance with focusing on the subject. Amid school hours, they are occupied from companions and different things. It is impractical to have your focus when numerous kids arrive in the class and your children are perched on back seats. You ought to furnish your children with a guide who can offer some assistance while concentrating on subject. Course work shouldnt heap up for papers. Comprehending The Top Secrets Of #Science Is Just A Click Away https://t.co/B2hvu5Nhfy via @TutorPace â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) November 26, 2015 Summing up things Keeping along the pace with the class is the most ideal approach to ace science. Understanding things help to take lesser time in grasping the subject rather than mugging up things. So, it is always advisable to understand and comprehend things, rather than cramming up stuff. #Thanksgiving Special @TutorPace #HighSchool #OnlineTutoring With Expert Tutors @ Only $99.99 | PRUnderground https://t.co/eIIvNGP5p2 â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) November 26, 2015

Get Better at Maths Is There a Battle of the Sexes

Get Better at Maths Is There a Battle of the Sexes Maths Myths: Are Boys Really Better Than Girls? ChaptersDoes One of The Sexes Have to Get Better at Maths?The Culture of Maths LessonsCan Things Change in Maths Tuition?Do boys perform better than girls in maths lessons?Why do fewer female students opt to study science-based courses?Even in the 21st century, the question of whether there is a difference in the abilities of each gender is still as frequently discussed as ever.According to the cliché, girls lack the practical skills and the ability to think logically - qualities associated with male learners.However, a study from the University of Provence Aix-Marseille  shows that female students are less likely to do well in scientific disciplines as the teacher and parents do not expect them to be able to achieve the same level of understanding as their male counterparts, and therefore they do not receive the right amount of guidance.Can anyone be a mathematician? Let's look more closely at the potential differences in learning math and ways to overcome them. MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5.00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GowsikaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsDoes One of The Sexes Have to Get Better at Maths?In FranceIn France, it is estimated that in a class of 14-15 year-olds,  nearly 82% of girls have high grades in French, compared to just 68% of boys.However, the mathematical performance of the boys was only slightly better than the girls', with 87.0% of male students demonstrating good basic math skills compared to 86.8% of female students.So the boys win by a tiny margin, but it's nothing to shout about, even if they are more likely to take lessons with a maths tutor to improve their skills in solving math problems involving multiplication and long division, addition and subtraction, place value, maths word problems, reasoning, graphing, practicing number sense, calculus, turning fractions into a decimal, probability, arithmetic, Pythagorean theorem, trigonometry, inequalities, factorising algebraic equations, fluency in times tables and educational games for kids or puzzles such as Sudoku.In the USAA study published in the Science review shows that despite what some people may believe, the ability of a learner to understand mathematics is in no way dependent on their gender.Do girls and boys have equal opportunities in education? ¦ source: Pixabay - PezibearHowever, the idea that maths and science studies are reserved for male students and that the humanities are for girls  is still held by some parents and even teachers.Neverthe less, this belief is not based on scientific fact and is therefore nothing but an outdated stereotype which doesn't justify the underrepresentation of female mathematics students, engineers, or scientists.The study surveyed 7 million pupils in 10 states in the standard annual exams conducted across the US.So, the result is clear:  when it comes to math for kids, there is no difference between boys and girls, regardless of age, school year, and ethnic origin.Should we try to reduce the number of boys studying maths to give the girls a chance?The Culture of Maths LessonsDoes Maths have a Gender?At first glance, it would appear that the gender divide in maths classes is down to the preferences of the students, with boys being more inclined to choose practical and scientific subjects and girls opting for literature, history and art.All we need to do is take a look at the official figures:industries such as hospitality, social care and teaching are dominated by womenthere is a high male to female ratio in engineering schools and scientific fields of workAre Mathematical Brains Male or Female?Despite these differences, it is important to recognise that it's girls who leave education with the best grades overall.From the beginning of their academic careers, male and female pupils maintain different relationships with maths. In year 2, even if they have mastered the basics such as counting, identifying even and odd numbers, doing sums, comparing, rounding, symmetry, telling time and sorting digits into tens and ones, girls choose to spread their concentration over other subjects such as English, whereas boys focus mainly on maths and therefore make faster progress.Who comes out on top in maths? ¦ source: Visualhunt - Bart VermeerschAccording to the Ministry of Education in France, just 28% of girls follow a science-based path, compared to 41% of boys, while 17% of girls follow literary courses, compared with only 5% of boys.How can this phenomenon be explained? Why a re girls uninspired by maths?Childhood MemoriesTwo researchers Isabelle Régner and Pascal Huguet have studied the question of gender inequality in maths by looking at the reputation of women in mathematical and scientific professions and how this impacts math learning for children and their grades.In the United States, Claude Steele, a renowned psychologist and professor at Stanford University, studied the reasons that women had lower mathematics scores for college entrance tests than their male counterparts.He carried out his study by recreating this situation in a laboratory, however, this time, he presented the exams in a neutral way. Surely enough, the results of the tests concluded that when the emphasis on maths is removed, men and women achieve the same scores.The results of this study show that the underrepresentation of woman in maths is down to them being discouraged from studying science-based subjects.A New ExperienceRégner and Huguet were inspired by the results of th is investigation and chose to test out findings with a practical approach.They asked around 100 children aged 11-13 in groups to make a face. Half of the groups had to make a face with a focus on geometry, and the rest we asked to make a face using art.The results were as follows:The girls from the geometry group scored less than the boysThe boys in the art group scored lower than the girlsThe two researchers concluded that even the very idea of having to use math skills was enough to knock the girls off balance.Evidently, they have a subconscious fear of confronting society's stereotypes.So, the question of doing well in maths it not down to gender, however, children are more likely to struggle with the subject if they have a Specific Learning Difficulty such as dyslexia.The Influence of Culture and FamilyThe vast majority of our knowledge comes from our childhood. Learning paths can differ between the sexes even at preschool and kindergarten, as children begin to understand the im portance of doing well in the school math curriculum for the future.Is the ability to learn math down to gender? ¦ source: Visualhunt - woodleywonderworksEarly on, boys are drawn to maths games involving building and group math activities that develop spatial awareness, while girls are known to prefer playing indoors where they often reproduce traditional social roles (playing families or shops), which helps them practice oral communication skills.Playing games is how children make sense of the world around them. Teachers and parents can take advantage of this and encourage kids to play math games to help them learn the multiplication table, number lines, number patterns and reinforce things they have previously learnt in class.Although this clear divide closes over time, it may explain the divergences that occur later on in life when choosing A Level subjects, for example.Can Things Change in Maths Tuition?If things can change, should they?Most people would say yes.After all, girl s should not feel pressured to take on jobs they don't enjoy to conform to stereotypes.So how do you change things?  From the earliest possible age, girls and boys should be told that part of their personal preferences is the result of their math education and background, but that, as far as educational and vocational guidance are concerned, it's up to them what path they choose.A girl can become a doctor, lawyer, researcher, astronaut just as boys can go down the route of humanities or teaching.If you want to change things on a deeper level, a change has to take place moving up the generations within the family bubble.Once children see their parents distributing household chores more equally, hear their parents complement each other and offer to help with housework, it will become normal and almost obvious that there are no 'boy jobs' and 'girl jobs' and what matter is that the job gets done.Too few girls are involved with science ¦ source: Visualhunt - Idaho National LaboratoryTh is way of thinking applies to all aspects of life, including school math. If girls learn from a young age that they are able to do everything just as well as boys can, they will not be restricted by fears of not conforming to stereotypical ideals.To succeed in maths, both male and female pupils need a dedicated math teacher or maths tutors to teach them to self-motivate, concentrate and appreciate the role of maths in everyday life.As a general rule, girls do better overall because they find it easier to concentrate on lessons and get involved with their learning.The same can sometimes apply to maths, where girls get higher individual grades than boys but boys perform better as a group.Boys may be better at math concepts like geometry and score higher in logic games because of their increased spatial awareness, however, the female pragmatic approach can prove useful in subjects such as algebra.One thing is for sure: children much prefer learning at home with the support of their par ents or a private math tutor. Removing math practice from the pressure of a classroom by regularly playing free online maths games or free math apps can show children the fun side of maths.There are plenty of free math resources online such as printable math worksheets and free games for kids to practice math and do timed quizzes.Mathematics shows that anything is achievable. So regardless of gender, as long as you try your best in this subject and work hard, the doors of maths graduate schemes and scientific professions will be open for you.

How To Make Smart Prep For Your Ongoing Chemistry Exam

How To Make Smart Prep For Your Ongoing Chemistry Exam 0SHARESShare Learning Science is a great matter and could be mastered, once you know how to approach its branches and what best you could do in your exams. You need to know the ways and tips to master learning Chemistry since it is a mind twister with its symbols. Online tutoring services offer their best in this scenario. Some tips for chemistry learning and winning in the exam Know the equations and symbols well beforehand and rehearse them many a time: Do not get confused with Chemistry symbols and use flashcards to remember them with ease Do not postpone Chemistry problems: Learn to apply your mind and do Chemistry problems once they are assigned to you. Or, you would get stuck in the middle. While balancing the equations, have a clear mind and do not get confounded. Go step by step Have regular study habits: Learn Chemistry every day and concentrate on your topics for the day with seriousness. For, Chemistry concepts demand rapt attention from you in your class and homework hours and once you lose the thread, you tend to miss most of your Chemistry work. Ask your teacher queries once you get them in your mind. Sit with your peers and work out difficult areas with them promptly after class or in the evening to avoid getting messed up in the last stage Do not cram for the exam: Schedule your time table for your Chemistry exam and go by the topics day by day. Make sure you learn the topics thoroughly and do not have any illusion about the concepts. Write out what you understand: While dealing with Chemistry equation or sum, write down what you understand so that you could make most of the task and answer promptly with understanding. Sheer abstract imaginings in Chemistry would not work out and you miss certainly miss some important points which may be the essence of the task Read the instructions and questions carefully before answering: Spend a bit of time in reading the questions and then answer. Correct understanding would definitely pave way for good scores in Chemistry exam. The best way to ace Chemistry exam is seeking the help of an online Chemistry tutors from a reputed institute like Tutor Pace and gain considerable tips from them to excel in your Chemistry exam. [starbox id=admin]

Elevator to Success Internal Drive a Key Ingredient - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Elevator to Success Internal Drive a Key Ingredient - Introvert Whisperer Elevator to Success: Internal Drive a Key Ingredient Elevator to Success: Internal Drive a Key Ingredient Recently I had an epiphany -drum roll, please. An internal drive to succeed is the secret sauce of a fruitful career. Personality type or education levelâ€"both factors can determine the difficulty that individuals will face when finding success, but education level or emotional make-up will not doom an individual to a fiery pit of failure. The importance of internal drive gets sidelined a tad. Children get taught the value of hard work, but parents, teachers, and dramas tend to drive home the importance of a formal college education far more frequently. The college will teach equip with the knowledge, the skills, and the credentials to succeed. Not used to or too shy to talk in front of crowds? College can help with that. In fact, college and success are so firmly linked together that when you type college quotes in Google Image Search, most of the quotes shown have nothing to do with college. Here are a few examples: “There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.” “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” “Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” The quotes present college as the only path to success, a risky venture that will pay off, and an ambitious act. And college can be all of those things, but we do ourselves and our families a disservice if we don’t realize college is not the only path. Need evidence? Washington State University’s infographic Surprising Starts to Successful Startup lists 13 different entrepreneurs who founded ten amazingly successful companies. 5 of the 13 entrepreneurs never finished college. Kevin Rose (Digg), Mark Zuckerberg (FaceBook), Janus Friis (Skype), Michael Dell (Dell), and Steve Jobs (Apple) all found success without a college degree. The fact that college isn’t the key to success is the secret I wish someone had shared with me before I spent 40K on a technical writing degree that taught me how to write and how to occasionally communicate with other human beings in a professional manner. Three years post-college, I have a pretty good wage at an internet marketing company. An internet marketing company who is more than willing to employ individuals without a college degree. It kills me a little. Do you know how amazing my wage would be if I wasn’t drowning in student loans? I’d be well on my way to swimming in piles of cash like Scrooge McDuck. And with 7 out of 10 college grads in the same student loan trap, individuals consider if they can obtain success without a formal college education. Let’s go through the evaluation process now. Do you want to pursue a career in engineering, law, or medicine? College is the only option. Formal education will prevent you from operating with faulty knowledge, potentially botching very serious life-changing trials, or constructing an unsafe bridge. Do you have the money to attend college? College can be a time of exploration. You have the money, why not take classes. Some of them might reveal a new passion. Historically, you’ve thrived when expected to utilize textbooks or other resources to teach yourself. When attending college, you have professors and your fellow students to teach you complicated concepts. Without college, there is a higher chance you will not have peers or mentors to help you grasp the concepts you might need to succeed. Do you have the internal drive and dedication to pursue your dream? Will you continually pinpoint new skills to learn and new opportunities to pursue while holding down a full-time job? Do you have the willpower to dedicate three, four or five hours to improving yourself? Or will you put off learning about CSS or proper writing technique to watch the latest episode of Arrow? The ability to learn and the willpower to persevere are hard to cultivate and hold on to. And that is partially why our society believes that college is often the best option. College is like a booster pack. Professors, faculty, and students offer support to individuals who might struggle with learning the skills necessary to succeed. They will pound the information into your head over and over and over again if necessary. They will give you oral assignments to help you shake your discomfort of public speaking. And they will offer tests, disappointed looks, and failing grades in angry red ink to motivate you to succeed. In a society filled with distractions and fun activities, college is the safe path. Without that booster pack, many might not have the motivation to do what’s necessary to succeed. I’m not sure if I would have had the confidence in myself, the communication skills, or the self-restraint to continually improve myself without college, but I do know that it can be done. How well do you think you’d fare without a formal college education? Guest Author Bio: Samantha Stauf is an introvert who spends her time reading, working to develop a freelance career, and wondering why she sunk herself into student loan debt when she’s surrounded by successful people who never attended college. You can find her on Twitter with the handle @Samstauf. Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

4 Ways Technology Can be Used in the Classroom

4 Ways Technology Can be Used in the Classroom There are many tools, apps and programs you can use to take your teaching to the next level, but dont forget about those that allow students to share their work and knowledge with you and their classmates. Here are four types of toolsand examples of eachthat go beyond the traditional to achieve 21st century learning: Online presentation tools Tools like Google Slides let your students create, edit, collaborate and present what they learn. They can snazz up their presentations with embedded video, animations and design. Mind mapping tools The mind map helps students boost those brainstorming, idea organization and visual learning aptitudes. Check out mind mapping tools line Coggle and iMindQ. Digital publishing tools Your students can transform their hard copy projects into digital books or zines with tools like Flipsnack or iSpring Flip, which convert and combine various documents into online flipbooks. Interactive writing tools Transform that essay or book report into something visually exciting. Storybird uses illustrations to inspire students to write and publish their stories. Quill offers writing and grammar activities that you can weave into your lessons and discussionsplus you can add independent practice opportunities. ReadWriteThink is a great resource for all kinds of interactive, online literacy tools. Technology has impacted education in every way. Make sure youre incorporating it into your students learning experience from start to finish. Look around onlinethere are endless options! See how Huntington can help your students succeed.

Aelfrics Grammar, the First Grammar Book Written in English -

Aelfric’s Grammar, the First Grammar Book Written in English - Aelfrics Life Probably not Aelfric If you are a fan of BBCs story of Uhtred and Alfred, The Last Kingdom, you might be interested to learn about an important scholar working at that time, called Aelfric. Who was Aelfric? Aelfric of Wessex (955-1020) wrote the first grammar of Latin in a vernacular language. The Historical Context ofAelfrics Life In the two centuries leading up to Ælfric’s birth, Latin scholarship was in such decline in England that when King Alfred came to the throne in 871, he complained that almost no one south of the Humber could translate a letter out of Latin. The principal cause for this decline was the constant harassment by the Danes during their prolonged campaign of incursion and occupation. However, the English enjoyed a short reprieve under King Alfred who did much to prevent further cultural and economic decline during his reign by halting the Danes at a line running northwest from London to Chester (Law, 1997). He managed this by buying a five-year peace with a large tribute, fortifying the South, and then taking and occupying London in 886. Thirteen years later, in 899, after devoting his remaining years to the restoration of English learning and culture, and promoting translation of Latin texts into the vernacular, King Alfred died. And it was only in 954, a year before Ælfric was born, that Alfred’s grandson Ædred managed to expel Eric Bloodaxe, the last of the Scandinavian kings, from England. (Hurt, 1972). Thirteen years later, in 899, after devoting his remaining years to the restoration of English learning and culture, and promoting translation of Latin texts into the vernacular, King Alfred died. And it was only in 954, a year before Ælfric was born, that Alfred’s grandson Ædred managed to expel Eric Bloodaxe, the last of the Scandinavian kings, from England. (Hurt, 1972). At the time of Ælfric’s birth, England was a very different place. Half of southern England was dense, virgin forest, and the total population of the island was only about one million. Although London and Winchester were not mentioned in the Doomsday census, York, a city of comparable size to Winchester at the time had 8000 people living there (Hurt, 1972). Today, Winchester has over a hundred and seven thousand (“National Statistics,” 2005) During Ælfric’s lifetime, four different kings occupied the English throne. The fourth in the list came to the throne when Ælfric was 23 years old. His name was King Æthelræd, a 10-year old boy known by the epithet Æthelræd Unræd, meaning “Noble counsel, no counsel.” His troubled reign (978-1016) was characterized by renewed attacks by the Danish and the six enormous tributes paid to buy peace from them. While the strategy had succeeded a century earlier under Alfred, during Æthelred’s reign paying tributes served only to strengthen the Danes and weaken the English. By all accounts, the political and economic situation during Ælfric’s lifetime was a disaster (Hurt, 1972). Aelfrics Life Ælfric was born somewhere in Wessex, England circa 955 A.D. At the age of fifteen, he entered the Old Monastery at Winchester, a training school for monks, where he studied under Eathelwold. It was there that Ælfric was ordained at the age of thirty, the minimum age for ordination in those days. Two years later, in 987 he went to the newly founded Cernel Abbey in present day Cerne Abbas near Dorchester to teach Latin. It is there between 993 and 995 that he wrote his Glossary, Colloquy and Grammar. In 1005, Ælfric became the abbot of the newly built monastery at Eynsham near present day Oxford (Hurt, 1972), and it was there that he died in 1020 (Crystal, 1995). Apart from this brief outline, not much else is known about his life. Aelfrics Grammar Earlier grammars of the major Greek and Roman grammarians were not generally pedagogical in nature. They were primarily inquiries into the structure of language for the benefit of native speakers (Hurt, 1972). In contrast, medieval grammars were intended above all as aids to learning a second language. In Ælfric’s time, the most common textbooks in circulation were in fact grammar books written by Donatus and Priscian. Born in the fourth century, Ælius Donatus wrote two grammars: Ars Grammatica and Ars Minor. It is from Donatus that Western European languages get their grammatical terminology. Priscian, born in the early sixth century, wrote Institutiones Grammaticæ, “the standard advanced textbook to which the student progressed after mastering the more elementary Donatus” (Hurt, p. 106). Ælfric’s grammar is organized according to the same plan using the 8 parts of speech used by Donatus (Hurt, 1972), but it was an abridged version of Priscian’s Institutiones known as Excerptiones de Prisciano by an unknown editor that Ælfric used as a starting point for his own grammar (Law, 1997), relying on Priscian for many of his examples and definitions. However, despite his debt to Donatus and Priscian, Ælfric’s grammar is more than a synthesis of the two earlier texts. A Grammar for Beginners For one thing, Ælfric wrote his grammar in English. By doing so, he was able to make his grammar suitable for students at a lower proficiency level than required to read either Donatus’ or Priscian’s grammars (Law, 1997). As noted above, with Latin suffering two centuries of decline, he needed his grammar to be accessible to monolingual language learners with little or no prior exposure to Latin. In his preface, he says how he expects to be reproached for this. His aim was not, after all, to train students to write Latin poetry as was the case with Bede and Aldhelm. Ælfric was attempting instead to redress the crisis of basic Latin literacy of his day that had lingered unresolved since King Alfred had complained of it 124 years earlier. Above all, he wanted to provide the key to understanding religious texts. His first hurdle to overcome in making that possible, therefore, was basic comprehension. Furthermore, Ælfric wrote for young students. To improve the comprehensibility of difficult abstract grammatical concepts that are often difficult for young learners, Ælfric developed a complete set of grammatical terms in the English of his day (Hurt, 1972)â€"though there is some evidence to suggest that some of his terms may actually predate him (Law, 1997). New grammatical terms Nevertheless, his literal renderingsâ€"while more comprehensible than their Latin counterpartsâ€"are veritable tongue twisters. For example, Interjectio thus becomes “betwuxaworpennys” and subjunctivus becomes “underðeodendlic” (Hurt, p.111). While it is unlikely that Ælfric intended for these renderings to be replacements for the Latin terms, showing no preference himself for either the traditional Latin or English versions, he did use some English terms consistently in place of the Latin terms. They were tid, cynn, word, and stæf for tempus, genus, verbum, and littera respectively (Hurt, 1972). Whatever his particular contribution to English meta-terms may have been, none survived the Norman invasion of 1066, and all the terms we have today are borrowings from Latin from a later time. Ælfric’s grammar is both a simplification and a clarification of his sources. He follows Priscian’s anonymous editor by leaving out all Greek from his grammar, but goes a step further by eliminating long lists and digressions retained by the editor (Law, 1997). Also, he leaves out an entire section on swearing (Hurt, 1972), pointing out the Christian prohibition against making oaths (Matthew 5:37). Additions, expansions, and substitutions Ælfric’s grammar, in some respects, expands on Donatus and Priscian. For example, he includes paradigms of each major type of noun within each declensionâ€"absent in Priscian.  Similarly, all regular and some irregular verb paradigms also not present in Priscian are added. Another insertion by Æflric is his digressions on aspects of Latin morphology treated inadequately in Donatus’s grammars (Law, 1997). Although he makes only a few Latin-English contrasts, he does make a point of illustrating how some words in Latin have a different gender in English. Also, he mentions how all six Latin conjunctions are equivalent to one word in English: and.   Among the similarities between the two languages, he notes that Latin and English both have 8 parts of speech and that both employ the impersonal mood only very rarely.  Most significantly, Ælfric appended to his grammar a several hundred word Glossary arranged by topicâ€"not alphabeticallyâ€"most likely based on Etymologies by Isidore of Seville (Hurt, 1972). Some substitutions are apparent. He replaces proper nouns with Eadgar and Dunstan, names familiar to him from his own school years. Pagan examples are Christianized with one example using Æneas being replaced with King David. He also disagrees with his sources on two occasions, citing evidence form biblical passages. In one, he challenges the Excerptiones on the form of the word sanguis pointing out that in scripture it is sanguinum. The second exception he makes is to a prescriptivist prohibition by Donatus against the compound adverbs de intus and de foris, both found in scripture (Law, 1997). Conclusion Using Crystal’s taxonomy (1995), Ælfric’s is a traditional grammar, presenting language forms in a highly analytical way and relying on high scripture for examples. While pedagogically prescriptive in the sense that it lists correct forms to be learned, it does not insist upon the prohibitions and forms of earlier authorities. One could almost say that it is descriptive in the sense that, for Ælfric, the Bible was his language corpus. In terms of his contrastive analysis, Law and Hurt both agree that his grammar offers little insight to the modern linguist into the nature of Middle English. Sadly Ælfric’s Grammaticus survives only as a museum piece. His (by some accounts) original metalanguage was lost, and his grammar is now of interest only to historians and specialists. While impressive for his time, the few books that are available on him at the Concordia library look as though they have never been opened. For instance, Hurt’s highly readable Ælfric, though printed 33 years ago, looks brand new. However, there is a lot that language teachers will find inspiring about Ælfric. His sincere dedication to the “ignorant children” in his care, and his energetic attempts to make the target language as comprehensible and practical as possible for learners is admirable for his or any age. Discussion Questions In what way are the challenges facing language teachers today similar to the challenges Ælfric faced a millennium ago?Does Ælfric deserve a place in the pantheon of grammarians or should he be passed over as a minor figure in the history of our linguistics?What is the pedagogical value of explaining grammar in the language of the learner, as opposed to using the target language as the language of instruction? References Crystal, David. (1995). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge: Cambridge UP. Hurt, James (1972). Aelfric. Twayne Publishers, New York. Law, Vivien (1997). Grammar and grammarians in the early middle ages. Longman, New York. National Statistics, Retreived January, 2005, fromhttp://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/pyramids/pages/24up.asp White, Caroline (1974). Aelfric a new study of his life and writing. Archon Books, Hamden, CT. Grammar Checker The Virtual Writing Tutor is the first English Second Language grammar checker and probably the best grammar checker available for free today. On this website, you can get help with a variety of difficulties that learners of English at all levels face. If you are wondering how you can improve your English or how to prepare for the IELTS or TOEFL tests, or perhaps you are wondering whether beginners should learn essays or storytelling, there may be something of value for you on this blog. Alternatively, check spelling and grammar here. Please follow and like us:

University applications how to help your child choose

University applications â€" how to help your child choose If your child is heading back to school for their final year of A-levels, they will soon have to decide whether to apply to university. If they can be reasonably confident of gaining three or more passes at A-level, your child has every chance of securing a conditional offer from a UK university, so how can you help them choose which courses and institutions to apply for? Choosing the right university is an incredibly hard decision to make. You and your child need to spend some time researching various universities and courses. An English degree at one university can be quite different from an English degree somewhere else. Teaching methods, projects and course content vary widely so take your child to as many open days as possible in order to give them a better idea as to what life at the university will be like. They can meet lecturers and other students and find out all they need to know about the courses on offer. Your child should also consider the location of the university - how far away it is, and whether it is based in a city or in the countryside. The cost of living is important too: find out what sort of budget you'll need to put aside for accommodation and travel costs. A university with a good track record is imperative, and you should try to find out the proportion of graduates that actually find employment after they complete their courses. All these facts and figures can be obtained from the university and will aid them in making their decision. Once your child has made their decision, support them as much as possible. Moving to university can be an intimidating experience for many young people, but with your help they should take to their new student life quickly and easily.