通常来讲，1月1日是大多数美国本科院校申请的截止日期。也有一部分学校截止在1月15日或2月上旬。因此，同学们一般把往年12月份的SAT考试作为最后一搏。然而有趣的是，很多知名院校（例如宾夕法尼亚大学、杜克大学、西北大学、南加州大学等）仍然接受1月份SAT的成绩。这无疑为同学们提供了一个刷新分数的机会。

在这种情况下，我们很多同学都不顾准备申请材料及修改短文所带来的疲惫，毅然选择参加今年1月26日的SAT考试，并重新投入到紧张的备考工作中。肯特咨询对同学们的这项举动非常赞许，因为这样做不但有机会刷新分数，也会从整体上提高英语水平。即使目前对提交1月份成绩是否能够有助于学生的申请尚无定论，但无论结果如何，同学们的这种举措无疑是向招生委员会们展示了他们勤奋刻苦和坚持不懈的品质。更可贵的是，同学们可以从这样的过程中学习、感悟很多，因为我们相信，今天的耕耘将是明天的收获。我们也相信，多年以后同学们回首高中生活，将会为自己感到由衷的骄傲，因为他们没有放过任何一个机会，努力做到了最好。

Normally, Jan 1st is the deadline of the applications for most U.S colleges. Some schools are also due on Jan. 15th or early February. Accordingly, applicants consider the SAT in December as their final shot. But it is interesting to know that many decent schools like University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Northwestern University, University of Southern California, etc. still accept SAT scores in January. It favorably provides additional chance for candidates to update their SAT scores.

Given the circumstance, and known the bitter in the process, recently some of our students registered the SAT on Jan 26th, even though they were just released from plenty of paper works for application. KCG regards it as a good movement, because working on test preparation may not only improve scores, but benefit for their overall English proficiency. Even it is hard to say that taking SAT in January will reinforce or benefit for their application, but regardless of the result, such action perfectly demonstrates some qualities like diligence and perseverance to the admissions committee. In addition, the students can learn and reflect more from taking challenges, as all the efforts they are making today will be the treasure for tomorrow. KCG also believes that from the lifelong perspective, when the students look back to their high school life, they will be proud of themselves, because they captured every opportunity to strive for the best.

最近，肯特咨询注意到很多中国学生的英语水平并不尽如人意，其中尤以四到六年级学生为甚。 他们并没有很好地掌握本该在学校就学到的英语交流技能。中国学校的英语教育主要以应试为目的，并不注重培养学生的英语发音和交流能力。肯特咨询注意到这个问题，并做了认真思考。目前，肯特咨询正在探索能够真正帮助中国学生学习和提高英语的有效方法。

鉴于诸多学生在词汇方面屡屡受挫，肯特咨询把帮助学生学习教科书上的单词作为切入点。通常来说，肯特咨询安排一对一的词汇辅导，在辅导中随机选取一些词汇，鼓励学生用英文来解释。不仅如此，同学们还需要在对话框中拼写单词。通过这种方法，肯特咨询可以有效地检查学生对单词意思的理解、发音和拼写情况。如果学生在词汇学习方面表现良好，那么肯特咨询会引导学生通读课文。如果同学们认可这种方法，接下来肯特咨询会通过指导学生做练习来检查他们对单词、词组和句子运用能力。肯特咨询希望学生可以从这些方式中受益，提高英语水平，不仅在考试中取得高分，更重要的是建立扎实的基础，同时还能享受学习的乐趣。

Recently, KCG realized that many Chinese students, especially these in Grade Four to Grade Six, fail to show favorable English proficiency and effective English communication skills that are supposed to be built at school. The English education in China is normally test-oriented. It does not emphasize pronunciation and communication. KCG noticed this issue and took it into consideration seriously. Therefore, KCG is exploring effective methodologies of English enhancement to really help Chinese students learn English.

As many Chinese students have difficulties in learning vocabulary, KCG takes the first step to help students with words in the textbook. Normally, KCG conducts one-on-one tutorial and encourage explaining the meaning of selected words in English. What is more, they are required to type the words on the screen for practice. With this method, KCG can check students’ understanding of the words, pronunciation and spelling. If the students adapt themselves well in the vocabulary learning, then, KCG will guide them to read through the passage in the textbook. .If the students feel comfortable with these ways, KCG will move to the next step which is to examine their ability to apply words, phrases and sentences in the exercises. KCG hopes that students can benefit from this methodology to improve their English learning, not only achieve high scores in the test, but most importantly, build up a solid foundation and have fun in the process.

在中国，投资移民已是一个广为接受的概念。出于财产安全的考虑，人们可以去向其他国家申请移民，使得家人获得海外某国居民的身份，乃至加入该国国籍。移民的最大动机还是出于对下一代的教育和成长环境的考虑。基于良好的人文和教育环境，美国通常是最受移民者欢迎的国家。在诸多的移民项目中，EB5项目以其相对较低的门槛，吸引了诸多的投资移民者。

即使目前EB5项目仍存在很多争议，为了能够为自己的下一代拿到美国绿卡乃至加入美籍，该项目仍然成为很多中国投资移民者的首选。对于肯特咨询的客户群体来说，只要经济条件允许，考虑投资移民，为长远做打算是很自然的选择。与其冒风险尝试一般中介推荐的EB5项目，肯特咨询建议投资者们不妨另辟蹊径。据我们所了解，一些有着移民相关经验和投资背景的专业人士提供了某种专项服务，以满足投资移民者的诉求。通常来说，这些专业人士包括美国移民律师和职业的投资经理。同时，他们又具备服务于本地市场的中国团队。这些团队对于投资移民者的所从事的行业及具有的竞争力有着深层次的认识。他们可以帮助投资者在美国寻找自己所熟稔的领域，并检索出恰当的项目进行投资。更重要的是，这些业内人士可以充分利用他们在移民流程中的专业知识，将投资者们的项目纳入到EB5的申请轨道。对于投资者来说，这是一种恰到好处的举措。一来他们可以将自己的投资项目扩张到国际化范畴，再者，他们同时也可以通过这些项目拿到美国移民的身份。

It is a widely held wisdom in China now that to secure your private property, you would better to go through an immigration procedure and get you and your family a foreign country’s status or even citizenship. The strongest incentive for immigration is for next generation’s sake in terms of education and environment. North America is normally the most popular destination in immigration. Amongst various program of investment immigration, EB5 attracts potential investors with its low barrier.

Even though there are various controversial around EB5 project, it remains the first priority for many Chinese people who are keen to get a US green card or citizenship for their children. It is quite natural for many of KCG’s clients to think of furthering their movement to North America by applying for investment immigration as long their financial conditions allow. Instead of trying out those EB5 projects introduced by agents, KCG recommend a different approach. As we know, some professionals who have know-how and resources in immigration business and investment field are conducting serious services for those who want investment immigration status. Normally they are American immigration lawyers and investment managers by career. At same time, they have Chinese team operating in local market. The Chinese team has in depth knowledge about those people’s business and their competitive advantage. Together, they can investigate, screen and select appropriate real projects which fit into their business scope in China. Leveraging their expertise in immigration procedure, they can help to put those investment projects into EB5 track. That will be a perfect for investors. It actually helps them to build up their global presence for their business and obtain their investment immigration status in the meantime.

创立于1861年的麻省理工学院有着百年的悠久历史和灿烂的文化传统。其中，“独立活动月”（IAP）就是其中的一个重要组成部分。据麻省理工的官方网站介绍，IAP是一个为期4周的特殊“学期”。在这段时期，麻省理工为其学子们提供了数以百计的课程、讲座、项目展示及其他丰富多彩的活动。同学们可以制定自己的学习日程，参与多种平时接触不到的活动。麻省理工的教职人员也可以利用这段时间展示他们创造性的教育实验。麻省理工学院表示：IAP会带来无限的可能性。

在同一时段，遍布于世界各地的麻省理工校友们也纷纷在当地发起各种活动，让IAP的魅力传遍环球。这些活动以“为IAP干杯”的名义，旨在点亮IAP的精神，荣耀自己的母校，以及为校友之间建立密切的联系。

作为麻省理工学院华南校友协会的一员，徐展先生正在筹备一场关于“远程教育”的研讨会及晚宴，作为今年的IAP活动。去年的活动举办的很成功，嘉宾和校友们以“云计算”为主题，对这种前沿科技进行探讨和前瞻。对于今年的活动，我们拭目以待！

（IAP的信息来源于MIT官方网站）

Founded in 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has a long history and plenty of splendid traditions. The Independent Activities Period (IAP) is one of these treasures. According to the MIT official website, the IAP is a four-week long inter-semester "term". It offers hundreds of optional classes, lectures, demonstrations, and other activities throughout the month of January between the Fall and Spring terms. During IAP, students can set their own educational agendas to pursue many activities that may not be possible during the semester. Faculty are also free to introduce innovative educational experiments as IAP activities. As MIT claims, with IAP, the possibilities are endless.

Simultaneously, MIT alumni in various communities hold events every year to bring the charm of IAP to the globe. Named “A Toast to IAP”, the gatherings aim to ignite the spirit of IAP, honor their alma mater, and build connections with fellow alums.

As a member of MIT South China Alumni Association, Mr. Kent Xu proposes a panel discussion on “Remote Education” and a dinner for local MIT community on Jan 22nd 2013 in Guangzhou. Given the delightful memory from the “Cloud Computing” last year, we look forward to this exciting and upcoming event.

(Information about IAP is sourced from MIT Official Website)