New Favorite Resource for Learning English as a Second Language

USA Learns!

This free resource has many video lessons and 1000s of activities.  Learn to speak and listen to English, improve vocabulary, pronunciation, reading, writing, and grammar. They even have a new U.S. Citizenship course!

100% free educational website: https://www.usalearns.org/

I'd love to hear from you! Let me know how you are doing or comment below...

Mary Sherwood, MS, CDMS, CCM
lifeworks@mail.com
Professional, Rehab, & Occupational Services, LLC
http://www.life-works.info
http://www.injuredworkerhelpdesk.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marysevinsky
Landline 302.644.1827 | Mobile: 410.444.1989 | Skype Mary E. Sherwood  
Email LifeWorks@mail.com

Let me know how you are doing or how I can help!

http://www.life-works.info

http://www.injuredworkerhelpdesk.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marysevinsky

Landline 302.644.1827 | Mobile: 410.444.1989 | Skype Mary E. Sherwood

Job Search Tip of the Day: Learn something new

Chances are good that you miss the water cooler or pre-job chats if you have been off work for a while.  When we work with other people, whether in a construction job or at an office, we have the opportunity for incidental learning that comes with simple contact with other human beings.

Often these chats revolve around current affairs or local issues.  At times, the discussion may devolve into pure gossip.  Sometimes you are able to find out about an upcoming event or something you didn't know.  If you are like other people, you keep track of these tidbits to share with friends or family later in the day.

But, if you are out of work and sitting in front of a computer all day and chasing employers down on the phone, you may feel you don't have much of interest to discuss after a while. There is only so many ways to say, "I sent x number of resumes and had a hard time following up on last week's applications."  It is hard to make it sound interesting, even on a good day!

Making time during the day to learn something new will not only give you something interesting to discuss at the dinner table or at a networking meeting. It will keep you sharp and provide a sense of mastery. In a job search it is hard to see progress until you get an interview or a job offer (unless you use an online tracking system).

Some ideas of things you can do to learn something new and feel like you have something to share with others, at home or in pre-interview small talk, include:

Foreign Language - http://www.LiveMocha.com
Typing - http://www.nimblefingers.com/0_min.htm OR http://www.powertyping.com
Computers - http://www.gcflearnfree.org/ComputerBasics 
Microsoft Office Software - http://www.gcflearnfree.org/office  OR http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training-FX101782702.aspx
Current Affairs - http://www.usatoday.com/ or your local newspaper

Check with your local library or community center or try: http://www.discoverahobby.com/learncalligraphy.htm for a variety of hobbies that can keep your brain working, including:
     Calligraphy
     Painting/Drawing
     Music
     Dance
     Sports

Not convinced?  Here is an article on more benefits of life-long learning.  Enjoy!

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