| Let's face it. | | | | CD-ROMs, and TVservices like The Discovery |
| The job market is getting tougher every day. | | | | Channel all help to liven uplearning. |
| Computerization is making many jobs redundant. | | | | #2. Develop problem-solving skills |
| The Internet and modern telecommunications | | | | Practicing mental activities like quizzes and |
| have allowedcompanies to outsource jobs to | | | | crosswordpuzzles helps nurture the intellectual |
| third-world countries wherewage costs are much | | | | problem-solving partof the brain. |
| lower. | | | | It also develops other important skills like |
| In fact thousands of jobs have already been shed | | | | concentrationand creativity. |
| in the | | | | So get your kids into the habit of solving |
| United Kingdom as several major banks have | | | | problems everyday. |
| outsourced theircall center operations to the | | | | Their exam skills will develop naturally, plus they'll |
| Indian subcontinent. | | | | beable to solve problems more easily in the real |
| Other companies are following suit, sending their | | | | world outsideof the exam hall. |
| back-office and Information Technology jobs the | | | | #3. Encourage the study habit |
| same way. | | | | Who hasn't tried to cram themselves full of |
| This is a major trend that's only going to | | | | information thenight before an important exam? |
| accelerate. | | | | Unfortunately, that's doing it the hard way. |
| Have you ever wondered how your kids will get | | | | "A little, often" works much better. |
| on when it'stime to look for a job? | | | | Ensure your kids set aside at least 20 minutes a |
| With the population increasing and with more | | | | day forpeaceful study. Every day. |
| peoplecompeting for fewer jobs, companies can | | | | After a few sessions of enjoyable learning, you'll |
| now pick and choosefrom the very best | | | | find theyactually look forward to their study |
| applicants. | | | | period. |
| But wait a moment.... | | | | #4. Learn exam technique |
| What do we mean by "the best"? | | | | Studying for exams includes studying exams. |
| Whether you like it or not, "best" generally means | | | | Get hold of some past examination papers - you |
| the bestqualified. | | | | can buy thesecheaply in most bookstores - and |
| Employers, of course, have always used | | | | have your kids study thequestions. |
| academicqualifications to shortlist job applicants for | | | | Exams have a consistent formula, and once you |
| the interviewstage. | | | | know theformula, you're halfway to success. |
| But what is emerging now is a reliance on exam | | | | Familiarity also instills confidence - an important |
| results foreven seemingly ordinary jobs. | | | | qualitywhen it comes to facing a real exam |
| For example, did you know that the average call | | | | situation. |
| centeremployee in India is educated to degree | | | | #5. Pay for performance |
| level? | | | | If all else fails, or your kids are having trouble |
| Qualifications are becoming more important than | | | | gettingmotivated towards a forthcoming exam, |
| ever before. | | | | try offering them an |
| And while not everyone is a natural-born exam | | | | "incentive". |
| prodigy, thereare steps parents can take to help | | | | (Well they have to learn about |
| their kids gain betterexam passes. | | | | "performance-related pay"someday.) |
| Here are 5 tips to get you started: | | | | You'd be surprised how a little motivation can |
| #1. Make learning enjoyable | | | | improve examresults! |
| We all do things better when we enjoy them, so | | | | Whichever way you do it, try to help your kids |
| bring out thejoy of learning for its own sake. | | | | get the bestgrades they can. |
| One way to achieve this is by having family | | | | "Qualifications doth not a person make." |
| discussionsabout exam-related topics. Try to | | | | But they certainly help when it's time to earn a |
| inject some drama (or atleast some interest!) into | | | | living. |
| the topic. | | | | 'Fun With Figures' shows anyone how to gain an |
| Another way is to embrace different technologies | | | | unfairadvantage in math. Visit the website today |
| outside ofthe classroom. The Internet, multimedia | | | | and find outwhat they didn't teach you in school. |