Ten tips to build English vocabulary Feeling overwhelmed trying to memorize so many vocabulary words? It doesn't need to be a daunting task! Check out these top strategies and practical pointers that can help you build your word power! 1. Connect: It's easier to memorize words based on a common theme. Make your own connections between words and possibly organize them in a spider diagram. 2. Write: Practically using vocabulary can help it stick in your mind. Write sentences with new vocabulary words or compose a story using a group of words or expressions. 3. Draw: Expose the artist in you by drawing pictures related to the words you study. Your drawings can help trigger your memory in the future. 4. Act: Get your moves on by acting out words and expressions you learn. Or, imagine and act out a situation where you would need to use them. 5. Create: Design flashcards in English and study them in your spare time. Each week make new ones, but continue to review all of them. 6. Associate: Assign different colors to different words. This association will help you recall vocabulary later. 7. Listen: Think about other words which sound similar to the words you're learning, especially complex words. Associate the other words with this new word to help you remember the pronunciation. 8. Choose: Remember that topics that interest you will be easier to learn. Therefore, carefully select words that you will find useful or interesting. Even the process of making the choice is a memory aid! 9. Limit: Don't try to memorize the dictionary in a day! Limit yourself to 15 words per day, and you'll gain confidence instead of feeling overwhelmed. 10. Observe: Keep an eye out for the words you're studying when reading or listening to English.

		Writing a college admissions essay is a daunting task. Whether you’re bucking to be the first high school student to win a Nobel Peace Prize or your greatest accomplishment is getting to homeroom on time, you’re probably not sure exactly what to write. Relax. According to admissions experts, some of the best essays are about ordinary student experiences. “Learning how to drive could be an interesting topic,” says Sanford Kreisberg, founder of Cambridge Essay Service, a consulting company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “So could the first time you had an argument with your parents.” Still stuck? Remember the main reason for the essay: The admissions staff wants to know more about you. What is it that your transcript can’t convey about you, your experiences, and your personality? Think critically about your experiences and consider their significance in a broader context. Educational planner Judi Robinovitz explains, “For example, if you write about your grandmother’s illness, you might focus on how that affected your relationship with her.” Once you’ve settled on a topic, here are some tips to help make your essay stand out. 1. Follow the Rules. If the essay guidelines specify a 500-word limit, it means 500 words. What if no limit is specified? Try to keep your essay at about 500 words. The college admissions counselor who has to read 50 essays a day will appreciate it! 2. Remember Your Audience. Admissions reps are not your peers. Slang and obscure references will not impress them. 3. Mind Your Grammar. Nothing says sloppy and careless like an essay that uses poor grammar. So check—and double-check—each sentence for structure, clarity, word choice, spelling, and punctuation. 4. Choose Your Words Carefully. You’re guaranteed a dull essay if you generalize, use too few (or too many!) adjectives, or use clichés and colloquialisms. Describe experiences and events with precise, colorful words: it’ll be more interesting and show off your vocabulary. 5. Write in Your Own Voice. No matter how much you admire Ernest Hemingway, don’t try to emulate his, or anyone else’s, writing style. Remember, this essay is all about you. Let your own style shine through. 6. Humble Your Humor. Unless you’re already moonlighting as a writer for Conan O’Brien, think twice before writing a humorous essay. The person reading it might not “get” your sense of humor, and the point of your essay will be lost. 7. Proofread and Revise. Sorry, spell check alone won’t cut it. Print out your essay, read each sentence slowly, check for spelling, and revise for clarity. Put your paper aside for at least a day. Then read it again, implement your changes, and proofread a final time. 8. Ask Someone Else to Read Your Essay. Ask an English teacher, guidance counselor, or someone else whose judgment you trust read your essay. An objective reader can often find mistakes you’ve overlooked. 2007 Copy Contents

		We suggest that you contact us to arrange an appointment. You will have the opportunity to meet with the Academic Counselor or the Director, both of whom are able to answer all your questions, recommend the appropriate class(es) for your child and give you a tour of the facility.

		The Center is located in the Elmwood section of West Hartford off New Britain Avenue in the Shield Street Plaza.

		Lynda, our Academic Counselor, works with both students and parents to ensure that students receive the most from their time at the Center. Lynda assesses students' levels, helps them choose appropriate classes, monitors students' progress, and meets with parents to discuss students' academic progress.

		We are open Monday -- Friday, 10:00 a.m. -- 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. -- 2:00 p.m.

		We offer classes Monday -- Friday, 4:00 p.m. -- 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. -- 2:00 p.m.