Tips for Open Mic 3 Ways Guitarists Can Shine

Tips for Open Mic 3 Ways Guitarists Can Shine Suzy S. Guitarists, are you ready to hit the stage at a local open mic? Polish your performance with these tips from guitar teacher Samuel B. Performing (like songwriting) is a craft at which any dedicated musician can excel. It requires no prerequisites â€" only the desire to share your talent and creations. My high school music teacher once said Thomas Edison misappropriated the original purpose of music by inventing machinery to record it â€" that nothing can replace your experience of seeing it live. Your interplay with the audience is actually the most important component of your performance. Here are three tips for open mic performances that will help you connect with your audience. Make Eye Contact Most of us are familiar with the term “stage fright.” Even Frank Sinatra admitted to regularly trembling during his walk up to the microphone. You might even have been advised to “pretend that the audience isnt there.” However, as a performer your job is to create a bond with the audience â€" not ignore them. In fact, for each song you play, you should be making eye contact with at least three different people in your audience. The audience needs to understand your music on an emotional level. In other words, theyve come to have an experience and are trusting you to provide them one. Consider what kind of experience you want to give them. Do you want them to feel welcome and appreciated? Do you want to make them laugh? Do you want to involve them in the music in any way? If so, how? Be aware that they dont have to know that youve just forgotten a word and had to make up a new one on the spot. They dont even have to know that you just played a wrong chord. Music is a fluid form of art that (in my experience) has more to do with conveying thoughts and emotions than it does with flawless recitation. You want to reach people on thinking and feeling levels, not show them how perfectly you can hold a piece together. If youre new to the guitar and are playing a piece that requires you to keep on eye on your left hand while on stage, practice alternating eye contact between your hands and your audience. Find one person whos looking at you and look back for a few seconds. See if you can feel a connection being made. A nod or smile helps. After a few more chord changes, find someone else and do the same. A little acknowledgment here and there goes a long way! Read the Room Hearing applause is an obvious indication of the audiences engagement with you. So is whether or not they have their heads turned towards you and are perhaps even smiling.  The closer the audience can physically get to you, the deeper their connection to you as a performer generally is. Keep an eye out for signs of this connection and use it to your advantage â€" particularly if youre new to performing. Unless youre a seasoned veteran of the instrument, I dont recommend attempting to play complicated arrangements during your set. Ive been a guitarist for over twenty-five years, and I sometimes play two-chord songs live. Playing material that feels comfortable for you allows you to focus out on your audience and read their reactions to your performance. Choose songs for open mics that give you opportunities to connect. Go With the Flow If your audience is clearly focused you and your music, you may decide that its time for a ballad or an original song thats especially important to you. If their focus seems to be drifting, you may decide to switch gears to a fast, high-energy type of number to draw them back in. Some performers prepare set lists but adhere to them only loosely. Bruce Springsteens three or four-hour concert marathons have been known to begin with a pre-planned list of songs and then continue way past them. My favorite example here is Richie Havens who chose his opening number before hitting the stage and then let the rest of the act unfold on its own. Ive copied this model in my own act and highly recommend it! As a performer, dont concern yourself with showing an audience how well you play, sing, and plan. Thats what your daily guitar practice time is for. Once you are on stage, focus on making connections with your audience and having fun! If you want even more tips about performing and playing the guitar, working with a private guitar teacher is the the best way to expand your skills. Search for your guitar teacher now! Samuel B. teaches beginner  guitar lessons in Austin, TX. He teaches lessons face-to-face without sheet music, which is his adaptation of Japanese instruction (involving a call-and-response method).  Learn more about Samuel here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  Gordon Dionne

Learn French in France

Learn French in France Moving to France to Learn French ChaptersStudy in FranceRelocate for WorkStart a BusinessVolunteer in FranceThe French language has long called to you with its unique rhythm and melody. You bemoan the fact that your holidays in the south of France are never long enough.How keen you are to imbue yourself with the language and culture of that land!Suppose you have been taking French language courses for a year or two, and are considered intermediate. For you, that is not good enough! Fluency is what you crave!The best way to become fluent in any language, including French, is through immersion.The best way to immerse yourself in French is to live in a French-speaking country.It may seem a bit like putting the cart before the horse, moving to a country before you learn its language and customs, but think of all the people who have immigrated to our country, and are fast learning English!There are several ways to arrange a living situation in France; why don't we divulge them?Of course, we have no idea what your living situation is. Depending on your circumstances, some of these suggestions may not apply to you. Still, they might give you food for thought!Role play is a common feature of language learning in France Source: Pixabay Credit StockSnapIf you are intent on pursuing higher education in France, you may be required to sit the DELF â€" the French language competency exam, before you can matriculate.In fact, sitting DELF would be necessary if you are moving to France to work, as well!If higher education in France is not a means to an end for you â€" if you already have a university degree, you may consider taking classes that address your passion: art or music, for example.And, of course, language classes!The Centre International D'Antibes, located on the French Riviera, has been welcoming students for over 30 years.They have a proven record of language instruction, with French courses tailored specifically to young learners, teens and adults.They even offer family classes, so you and your c hildren â€" if you have any, can all learn together!If you are planning to sit the DELF, you might be interested to know that their alumni have a 97% success rate. Might you soon count yourself among that number?A quick look at their website would reveal several coupons for discounts on assorted programmes, and for accommodations.Institut Linguistique Adenet, in Montpellier, offers a similar programme.You can opt for their intensive course. In groups of no more than 10, your language teacher would drill on grammar and vocabulary particulars, giving special emphasis on pronunciation through frequent oral exercises.Or, you might prefer their standard French course.The group size doesn't change â€" instructors want the opportunity to give everyone the individual attention they need to excel.With this type of course, the emphasis is more on communication, while passively reinforcing grammar skills.If sojourning in the south of France for five months sounds like a dream come true, this m ight be the French immersion learning environment for you!Besides learning all about verbs and how to use those quirky French phrases, you will have ample time to socialise and sightsee: ILA will see to it!They routinely coordinate outings and activities for their students: prowling around town and wine tastings.In short, you will have plenty of opportunity to make new friends, speaking French all the while.Relocate for WorkPresuming that you usually communicate in English, what type of work can you do in France?The obvious answer would be: become an English teacher!Teaching English is big business in France: students learn the language as a part of their general education, and language schools do brisk trade all over the country.Naturally, such facilities teach other languages, but English language courses remain high on the list of requested lessons.You could also become a Superprof tutor, giving English lessons via Skype.In fact, you could establish your profile prior to relocati ng; that way you may have built up a client base before you even set foot in France!Your French language skills may earn you a place in your company's Paris office! Source: Pixabay Credit: RawpixelSeek a Foreign AssignmentDo you already work for a global company, or one that is looking to go international?If so, your French classes may pay off in an unexpected way!Let's say your firm is setting up an office in Lille, and is looking for someone from the home office to help staff it.“Throw me into that briar patch!” as the Americans would say.This would be an opportunity tailor-made for you! Not only would you keep your employee status but you would have assistance in getting set up in the country of your dreams!Naturally, as you settle into life in France, you would make the most of the language skills you already have, all while learning new language.One final way to achieve your goal of finding employment in France is to make a clean break: contact employers in France to find a job.Well, that's not exactly the final way...Start a BusinessFrance is most definitely open for business! So the headlines proclaim, and there is substantial evidence to prove it.According to this report by Ernst Young, it is both cheaper and easier to set up a business in France than in most other G20 countries.Perhaps the best aspect of starting your own business in France is that this country's infrastructure is light-years ahead of others, especially in the telecommunications sector.Preparation for launching your business should naturally include learning the language, especially French vocabulary as it pertains to business.Beyond that, you must:Sit the DELF Pro, or regular DELFMake sure you are properly accredited for that businessthe French government requires a specific diploma and licensing for every businessSubmit a business plan and financial forecastInasmuch as you must make projections about your business, it would help if you have been in the area for a while, talked with other French merchants who are in somewhat the same business as you hope to establish.It may even help for you to form alliances with them, so that they might advocate for you, if needed.Speaking of alliances, it wouldn't hurt for you to say bonjour to your local Alliance Française while still in the UK! In turn, they might offer up brochures wishing you bienvenue en France!, along with helpful guides to getting your business off the ground. And starting your life over, as an English expat abroad.If you like horses, you may find a homestay situation that calls for caring for animals Source: Pixabay Credit: GtwoartVolunteer in FranceIf you are more of a free spirit and just want an all-encompassing learning experience in France, perhaps you would be open to a homestay or two.We concede that not everyone with a desire to learn a new language has the resources available to attend classes and travel about.Practical concerns, such as eating and having a safe place to rest, do encro ach on even the most free-spirited learner.So, if you want language immersion and a profound cultural experience, all within the safety of a host family, HelpX might just be the site for you!This programme allows you to exchange a modicum of work for room and board  in a French household.By accepting placement in a French residence, you can practice your French, be you a beginner or more advanced, in a relaxed  and welcoming atmosphere.You won't sit in a classroom, and there are no French teachers â€" unless the family you stay with includes a qualified teacher.You would be permitted to stay in any one household for two weeks to two months; each host has different needs.You may garden or work with animals; perhaps even engage in light construction or work as an au pair but, through it all, you will be steeped in French culture and language learning by virtue of sharing a home.Perhaps the best part of this programme is the wide range of experiences you could be treated to!You may enj oy carpentry workshops in Nantes, followed by one on one English speaking sessions that you might tutor... all for free!If you like to travel light and don't mind relocating every few weeks, you could actually learn to speak French all over that beautiful country!And, after traveling everywhere â€" all while gaining proficiency in French, you will be ready to sit DELF in your preferred French city, find a flat and settle into your new French life.Doesn't that sound like a plan?However, if you can't see yourself settling in France yet, then you can always opt for a french course london.

Math Tutor Online is Your Best Bet To Improve Your GPA

Math Tutor Online is Your Best Bet To Improve Your GPA 0SHARESShare Are you witnessing daily difficulties while solving math topics? Do you often get perplexed as which formula to put or what method to be used? Well, if the answer to the question is yes, then you don’t have to worry. With the online math tutor, math is becoming easier day by day. Effective assistance and soft guidance helps the student to roll out with flying colours in the exams. The math tutor online works over the internet. Unlike the traditional classes an online tutorial does not have any physical interface between both the parties, viz the student and the teacher. But they are still in contact with the virtual interface. Here with internet audio-video communication, an easy exchange of information in a two-way communication mode takes place. The tutor teaches the student virtually over the internet, quiet similar yet different in comparison with your traditional classes. The tutor teaches in a systematic way. He makes sure that you understand every bit of the subject matter. If you’re not sure of the credentials then go for the free online math tutor chat. It’s a kind of mock presentation wherein the teacher will give you an insight of how the online virtual tutorial will appear. When once satisfies you can get yourself registered and avail the long term benefits. So don’t get confused anymore! Hit the toughest math topic with the math teacher and prepare to pass with flying colours! [starbox id=admin]

German Lessons in the UK

German Lessons in the UK The Best Cities in the UK to Master the German Language ChaptersLanguage Training Centres to Learn GermanTake a German Course in GlasgowImprove Your German in EdinburghLearn German Pronunciation in BirminghamLearn about German Culture in LeedsLearn to Speak German in BelfastStudying the German Language in CardiffLearn German in LondonOur country’s ties with Germany extend deep into history: our royals married into German royalty, our ideologies and cultures bear strong similarities; even our language has its roots in the German tongue!Notwithstanding the naval and military tensions of the late 19th Century that put us on opposite sides during the two World Wars, as things stand now, we have more in common with the people in German-speaking countries than ever before.There is, however, one area where German speakers surpass us: learning a language.Generally, school students in Germany start learning English around the third grade, although some may start as soon as kindergarten.They continue with their English courses through secondary s chool and often may be compelled to take English as a second language at university.Our forays into learning a foreign language pale in comparison... but we don’t have to let that record stand!With the wealth of language centres, open courses and institutes that cater to those learning German, there is absolutely no reason why we couldn’t learn the language of Goethe at least as well as our Germanic counterparts learn English.Your Superprof now takes you on a tour of select UK cities to find the best German courses.Unlike Glasgow’s courses which last an entire term, these courses last just one month each and, also contrary to the University of Glasgow, you may take these courses with no prior knowledge of German language and culture.If you are somewhere in the intermediate range of German, you should consult their guidelines to see which language lessons would be in line with your current abilities.Did you know that the University of Edinburgh also offers free German lessons? You can find out more in our full-length article...You needn’t worry about being in over your head; through interactive exercises and activities, you will understand German faster than you ever thought possible!The grammar lessons and verb conjugation drills that you anticipated (and perhaps dreaded) do not feature in a language course such as this.Instead, you will be taught common words and German phrases that you can put to use immediately during your learning and in your daily life.Why not learn more about this method of learning a new language in Birmingham?It's not uncommon to see such a halcyon scene at Christmas markets in Germany Image by Dar1930 from PixabayLearn about German Culture in LeedsOur country’s second financial capital has some pretty remarkable German social clubs!In fact, so abundant and so much fun are these associations that we’ve discussed them at length in our article on learning German in Leeds.Each group gets together about once per month to enjoy a meal, usually consisting of German fare, and they discuss upcoming events, such as the city's Oktoberfest celebration or their presence at the city’s Christmas market.Even though they do not (formally) teach anyone how to speak German, if you are a Germanophile whose language skills have grown rusty from disuse, you can count on the friendly folks from the various German associations in Leeds to get your German words flowing again.Learn to Speak German in BelfastThis historic city has a lot to brag about, not the least of which is the open and welcoming atmosphere of its largest college, Belfast Metropolitan.Whether you speak intermediate or advanced German â€" or no German at all, the Met has a course especially for you.If the extent of your German vocabulary is ‘Guten Tag’ and ‘Danke shön’, you need the Met’s German 1 course, replete with new words and German verbs that you can use to put basic sentences together.Conversely, if you’ve already taken several German language classes, you could jump right to German 3 or 4.They also offer several Improver classes; these would be ideal if you’ve studied German in the past but have not had a chance to make use of your language skills in a while.If you are not sure of your German level, you should talk with a student adviser who may give you a short test to find out.By the way, did you know you could stay abreast of your German learning by watching Deutsche Welle television programming?Of course, you could watch German television from anywhere provided that you have a fast Internet connection.But adding Welle to the many opportunities to practise reading and writing in German, as well as developing your listening and speaking skills in Belfast will help you master German that much sooner!Studying the German Language in CardiffRight about now, City Council members are embroiled in setting aside resources and planning entertainment for the Cardiff Oktoberfest.Have you been? Isn’t it great? Do you think it tops the Bavarian one? There’s really only one way to find out...Go to Germany, mingle among native speakers and immerse yourself into the atmosphere to fully experience the authentic German celebration.There is still time for you to partake of language instruction before you go... or, perhaps you would rather visit Stuttgart.Did you know that our lovely city is twinned with Germany’s fourth-largest metropolitan area? What an incentive to visit there... but you should learn to speak a bit of German before you go.The main outlets for learning German in Cardiff are the franchise operations discussed above.However, nothing says you can’t engage a Superprof tutor to learn German online or in your home...You may learn German with a tutor online from anywhere in the country or overseas Image by mohamed Hassan from PixabayLearn German in LondonIt would be a stretch to say that we’ve saved the best for last, but we can honestly say that we’ve saved the most extensive list of opportunities for learning the German language till now.In London, you could (theoretically) throw a rock and, chances are, you will hit someone whose native language is German â€" be they a visitor to our capital city or someone who teaches in a language school.That being said, we hope you don’t put this theory to the test by randomly throwing rocks; much easier will be to follow our guide for finding German lessons in London.What reasons might you have for speaking German?You might, for instance, be planning your move to Berlin â€" one of London’s sister-cities, to work on your startup.  Did you know that the capital of Germany is THE place for tech startups?If you plan to live in Germany, you will certainly need to know more than just a few words and phrases in German; in fact, to register your business there, you will need to prove your German-speaking ability.Fortunately, the London branch of the Goethe Institut not only administers the European Framework of Reference e xam that will certify your language skills; they provide German test preparation classes!As you can plainly see, opportunities to learn German abound in the UK.Whether you would prefer to take classes in a German language school or in your home with a German tutor; even if you opt for lessons at the Goethe Institute...There is no reason for you to sacrifice your love of learning because of a lack of opportunity.All across the UK, ever more people are engaging in German studies â€" for professional reasons, academic reasons or for the sheer love of learning. You'll be happy to count yourself among their numbers, won't you?Wir drücken dir die Daumen! (that means 'good luck'!)

How Long Does it Take to Learn Spanish

How Long Does it Take to Learn Spanish How Long Does It Take to Learn Fluent Spanish? ChaptersBecome Fluent in Spanish: Defining Fluent Before We Get StartedWhat Does Being Bilingual Mean?Learn Spanish Quickly: Is It Possible to Learn Spanish in 6 Months with Total Immersion?How to Speak Spanish Fluently: Take Spanish Classes to Quickly Become BilingualHow to Learn Spanish Fast: Use the Right ToolsYou Could Be Fluent in Spanish with Bilingual SchoolingLearning Spanish while You Sleep: The Key to Bilingualism?Learn Spanish through Hypnosis to Become Fluent in Spanish?The Benefits of Learning Spanish QuicklyCan a Child Become Bilingual in Spanish?When people decide to learn a new language, they’re often concerned with how quickly they can start talking to people without having too many problems.Becoming fluent in Spanish, just like any other language, is usually measured in terms of months and years. The time it takes will largely depend on you, but if one thing is for sure, it's that to be successful, you will need a plan of action for learning Spanish.That said, the re are certain factors that we can look at which can give us a rough idea of how long it would take to learn Spanish if you started from square one.Being bilingual in Spanish means that you can read, write, speak, and listen without any real difficulties. Of course, this is difficult to measure, and is very subjective. In fact one of the only ways to measure someone’s level, is usually in terms of a test.For Spanish, you can opt to take a wide range of proficiency tests, such as the DELE or the SIELE. However, you have to pay for these and the act more as a proof of your level. If you want to take a proficiency test to know your Spanish level before starting out, then you should take an online Spanish proficiency test  that will tell you at roughly what level you are operating at.In general all of these proficiency tests assess  your grammar, vocabulary, and reading. The proficiency tests that give you a language certificate will also test your speaking, writing and listening.  In these language certificate options, the results are graded in terms of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2). A1 is the level of a beginner, and C2 is the level of a native speaker.Learn Spanish Quickly: Is It Possible to Learn Spanish in 6 Months with Total Immersion?You will need to know how to go about learning Spanish if you are to successfully master it. This will require practising as much as possible, and what better way to do this than by living in a Spanish speaking country?If you’re a student, you should consider immersing yourself through a language exchange program.  Share an apartment and avoid other English speakers. That’s not why you’re there, after all.If your level is already quite good, you could apply for jobs in a country where you’ll be speaking Spanish all the time. However, if you don’t speak a single word, you should start off with intensive Spanish lessons and take a basic job. Make the most of the high season by looking for work in hotels or tourism.  Immersion is also great for learning idiomatic expressions and slang.  The first month is your chance to dive straight in. By listening to the locals speaking, you’ll be able to get used to certain words, phrases, and the local accent. However, you should also start speaking as soon as you can. By the second month, you’ll feel more comfortable and won’t be able to stop yourself from trying to speak!How to Speak Spanish Fluently: Take Spanish Classes to Quickly Become BilingualTaking Spanish classes can help you improve your Spanish. In fact, if you want to become fluent in Spanish, classes can help you master the syntax, conjugation, vocabulary, and the pronunciation.You will need to go beyond the level you’re taught in school, though. This is where working with a private tutor can help. They can help you with the basics as well as practising speaking which is essential for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in a count ry that speaks a foreign language.There are professional and qualified tutors available who can use their teaching skills to help you. They are often native speakers who have an unbeatable mastery of the language as well, so your speaking should come along nicely. Of course, the perfect combination is a qualified teacher who’s also bilingual in English and Spanish. Your Spanish tutorials could also be conversational. Conversation classes will help you learn to speak the language fluently.This can help you learn genuine everyday Spanish as its used all around the world as well as receive personalised language coaching.How to Learn Spanish Fast: Use the Right ToolsIf you want to learn Spanish as quickly as possible while taking Spanish lessons near me, you need to use the right resources. These resources will differ depending on the person, so if you are teaching Spanish to children, the resources will differ compared to an adult learning the language on their own. But no matter the situation, if you want to become fluent in Spanish, you’re also going to have to work really hard!Here are some effective ways to help you become fluent in Spanish:Get a Spanish app to practise your Spanish when you’ve got nothing to do: Duolingo, for example, can be installed on both a smartphone and a tablet. It’s completely free and is a fun way to practice your Spanish. With this method, you’ll no longer waste time waiting around.Use free sites to learn Spanish. If you have a break at work or are waiting for your dinner to be ready, why not go online and do a few Spanish grammar exercises to make sure you’ve mastered the basics.Watch or listen to the news in Spanish to train your ear and make you more familiar with Spanish pronunciation. This is a great way to practise without feeling like you’re doing any work. You can also watch plenty of different television channels online in Spanish.Read Spanish as much as you can. There are plenty of Spanish newspapers and mag azines that you can read online for free. You can keep up to date with the news from all over the Spanish-speaking world.You can learn about Spanish customs and culture. (Source: pixabay.com)If you want to become bilingual, you usually have to start young.  There is no minimum age to learn Spanish, and children have a number of advantages when it comes to learning. Plenty of scientific studies have proved it.  If you want to get them into languages at a young age, specialised bilingual schooling is a great option.There are schools that can teach children in both English and Spanish. This means they’ll get a mastery of both languages. However, these schools are mainly for Spanish-speaking families who would like their children to be taught in the language they speak at home.Of course, these places are great for children from English-speaking families  to learn Spanish quickly, too. In fact, practising a language every day is not only the best way to learn but also a great way for t hem to make Spanish-speaking friends.  Why? This is because they’ll learn a foreign language alongside native speakers.There are also bilingual schools where some classes are taught in one language and others in the other.Of course, you can also learn Spanish in Spain. (Source: Agustin Piñero)This means they can also learn Spanish when they’re not even studying Spanish!A student who starts learning Spanish from a young age through until the end of their time at school will have a good mastery of it. The sooner they start, the better. However, this doesn't mean that there is an age limit for learning Spanish. Spanish is a language that is accessible to all people, regardless of their age.Learning Spanish while You Sleep: The Key to Bilingualism?Outside of school, language learning is a real benefit when it comes to your professional life. As an international language, Spanish is no exception to the rule.Becoming bilingual in your free time isn’t as easy as you think even if yo u’re really motivated. There are a few options to help you, though.How can they help you learn Spanish quickly?  While there’s no magic solution, you should still do everything you can to help yourself. Have you heard about learning Spanish while you sleep?Sleeping can be really helpful for learning things, especially foreign languages.Put simply, our brain organises the facts and information from throughout the day while we sleep. There are plenty of studies showing the benefits of sleep in terms of learning. The opposite has also been shown to be true. A lack of sleep can negatively affect memorisation as well as your cognitive development and even your appetite.With this in mind, you can maximise your learning potential by sleeping correctly. Studying just before bed might be a great way to learn, and you might even end up  having dreams in Spanish!Studies on Language Learning and SleepA study performed by researchers in Freiburg and Zurich focused on language learning and sl eep. The participants had to learn vocabulary and then some participants then went to sleep and listened to the words as they slept. The other group remained awake and listened to the words for a few hours. The exams that followed showed that the group that listened to the words while sleeping had learned more. Listening to Spanish as you sleep could help you remember better.Sleeping is really important when it comes to language learning. (Source: pixabay.com)Mosalingua, a language-learning website, also carried out their own study. Their results arrived at the same conclusion as that of the scientists. The results showed that listening to the words you learn during the day as you sleep are better assimilated.Of course, you won’t become bilingual while having a nap. You’ll make much better progress using your free time to study what you’ve learned during the day.Learn Spanish through Hypnosis to Become Fluent in Spanish?Another alternative method similar to learning while you sleep: Learning Spanish under hypnosis.  While this technique is usually used for changing behaviour and stopping people smoking, can it help you become bilingual?Learning Spanish through hypnosis isn't really like what you've seen on TV. (Source: pixabay.com)Hypnotists obviously say that it can. Can it really?  Can we learn a language without being fully conscious?Hypnosis: A Technique for Speaking a LanguageLet’s start with an important fact: Hypnosis isn’t magic. You’re not going to miraculously wake up fluent in Spanish. A few sessions may be necessary since hypnosis is a state between being awake and sleeping where your sole focus is on the hypnotist’s words.In a state of focus, hypnosis can help you with a number of aspects of language learning:Training your ear to new soundsFocusing on speaking and the Spanish accentImproving your concentrationPreventing inhibitionsOne of the hardest things about learning a language is putting the theory into practice. Speaking and co rrectly pronouncing words are often difficult things to overcome. It’s much easier to understand what people are saying but responding to them is a much more difficult challenge to overcome. There’s one simple reason: when you’re an adult, your brain is shut off to new sounds. Sometimes shyness can come into play, too.Hypnosis is a way to overcome some of these difficulties by helping you to improve your speaking.A Typical Spanish Hypnosis SessionYou won’t spend your time sleeping during a Spanish hypnosis session. The session is organised into several parts where you will be under hypnosis. Generally speaking, the lesson focuses on a text. The words studied will be repeated under hypnosis before you work on them while you’re awake. You’ll then repeat the first step.This is oral learning which can teach you vocabulary and expressions but is limited when it comes to learning grammar and conjugations, for example.  However, it is a good way to improve your speaking. If you ’re struggling to express yourself in Spanish, this might be a useful way to complement your traditional classes.Either way, if you want to really benefit, you have to choose the right Spanish tutor or hypnotist.The Benefits of Learning Spanish QuicklyBe careful! Don’t fall for the old “learn Spanish in 30 days” trick.  You have to learn Spanish from the beginning. The sooner you start studying Spanish, the better.If you already have a good level of Spanish, are familiar with irregular verbs, can use the subjunctive, and have a broad vocabulary, you’ll obviously be able to learn more quickly than someone who’s just started studying! Any guide to learning Spanish will include a number of useful tips and tricks to get you on your way to Spanish fluency, and here are our top selections:Speak Spanish every day: whether on Skype or face to face, writing emails or texts, or on social media.Watch movies in Spanish. You’ll soon have watched every movie with Antonio Banderas an d Javier Bardem in the world! When starting out in Spanish, you can also watch TV series.Put your cellphone in Spanish. This will help you learn some interesting vocabulary as well as help you expose yourself to Spanish every day.Learn important joining words and expressions such as “I don’t agree”, “to be honest”, etc. Having a few of these expressions will help you become fluent in Spanish more quickly.Look up new words you hear in a dictionary. As a Romance language, Spanish has a lot of vocabulary from Latin. Half of English vocabulary is from Latin directly or indirectly (mainly from French). Learning Spanish words can help improve your English vocabulary, too.Go out with a Spanish speaker!  El amor te da alas  (Love gives you wings).Can a Child Become Bilingual in Spanish?Of course! For those interested, Spanish can be learned from a very young age.  Don’t forget that the human brain loves learning new things, especially when it comes to languages.The idea that a c hild should master their mother tongue first before learning a second around the age of 7 is complete nonsense.In fact, it’s recommended that a child should learn their second language at the same time as their first by listening to stories in Spanish (every other evening, for example), playing games, and having fun in Spanish (with cartoons, games, or Spanish classes).A child can learn Spanish at exactly the same time as they’re getting ready to say their first words in English.  Now you know that becoming bilingual can be done in a relatively short period of time, you just have to get started. Start by using a few of our tips and tricks.  Learning to speak a foreign language fluently requires that you learn all the different aspects of it (vocabulary, grammar, conjugations, pronunciation). The better you are at each of these things, the better your results will be.   You can start today!

Help With Learning Algebra Pass the parcel

Help With Learning Algebra Pass the parcel After Mark Maclaine’s first blog post explaining how to understand the basics of algebra, he now goes into more depth using his ‘pass the parcel’ method in order to supply another method to help with learning algebra. As a kid I remember playing a game called “pass the parcel” which involved unwrapping a present layer by layer every time the music stopped. It’s one of those games kids play at parties, and can lead to tantrums…. But what has this got to do with algebra? Imagine that the side of the equation containing the unknown (the letter) is a bit like that parcel. It has been wrapped in a set of layers one by one. The order that it was wrapped in can be determined by BIDMAS or BODMAS. See my blog post on how to understand BIDMAS here: For example: 3m + 5 In this case, let’s say m = 10: the first thing we would do is multiply it by 3 (as multiplication comes before addition), and then we would add 5. Now if we were to try “unwrap” this in an equation, just like the parcel in the game, we would have to unwrap it in the reverse order: last layer first, and so on… As we can see the last layer to be wrapped was the “add 5”, so this is the first layer we take off. Only then can we remove the “multiply by 3”. If m was placed into the following equation, the first thing we could get rid of is the “add 5”. Remember, the opposite of adding 5 is subtracting it: From here we are now left with the final layer â€" this is the “multiply by 3”, so to get rid of that we do the opposite â€" we “divide by 3”. Now let’s look at a slightly more complicated question. In the case above, the w is first multiplied by 5, then you subtract 8 and only then divide everything by 4. This may be a little bit confusing; following the rules of BIDMAS, division normally comes first but because the whole sum  â€˜5w-8’ is divided by four (as if there were brackets/parentheses around it) this is done last. Remember: the first thing to unwrap is the last thing that was wrapped: This method takes a little time to get your head around, but once you have it, even hard questions (like the dreaded square roots!) become a whole lot easier. Let’s look at this final example: How has this been wrapped? First ‘m’ was multiplied by 3, then 4 was added 4 and only then was the square root of the whole thing put in. Like the previous example: normally when following the rules of BIDMAS, indices (squares, square roots and other powers/roots) come before multiplication and addition. However, because the whole sum ‘3m+4’ is contained inside the root sign (as if contained within brackets/parenthses) it is done first, and only then is it square-rooted. Now to unwrap the equation and solve it, we must do everything in reverse order. Note: the opposite of square-root is to square, and vice-versa. So… I hope this two blog posts have been helpful in getting your head around algebra. Have a go at some questions? Here are three to get you started: Find the value of  x 1. x-5=12 2. 2x-2=14 3. 3(x+10)=15   Post your answers! If you have any questions or suggestions, please add them to the comments section below. Would you like extra help with Algebra? Search  Tutorfair and find a selection of excellent Maths tutors in your local area.

How can I evaluate achievement in a Business English course

How can I evaluate achievement in a Business English course Businesses use a variety of effective advertising strategies. They can take the form of audiovisual media like videos and radio ads and print media like posters, brochures, business cards, and flyers. Business glossary and card game Flyers can be single-sheet promotional tools that list products, descriptions, and prices. Flyers are simple yet compelling ways of helping businesses to announce sales and specials to their target audience. What makes flyers so enduring? Well, flyers are among the most versatile and flexible printed marketing materials. They get your customers attention by neatly summarizing whats on sale. Flyers are instantly recognizable. Everybody knows what they are for and how they work. Furthermore, flyers make effective posters pinned to bulletin boards, stapled to phone poles, or taped to the inside of elevators. The development of flyers is cost-effective, and they are cheap to print in bulk. Flyers can be handed out on a street corner, junk-mailed, or stacked neatly on a counter for customers to pick up and take home with them. They are recyclable and compostable. Colour is optional but preferred, and now to save on ink and paper, flyers can be emailed in PDF format. Like it or not, flyers are everywhere, and they are here to stay. Picture by User:Ld. [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)] Instructions Follow the ten steps below to prepare for an integrated writing and speaking evaluation. By the end, youll have a sales pitch with flawless grammar and pronunciation, and youll have a beautiful product brochure to share with customers. Step 1: Create a free account on VirtualWritingTutor.com (VWT) Step 2: Using the VWT’s essay outliner and the essay Heavenly Bananas, create a prioritized list essay outline. Heavenly BananasDownload Step 3: Print out the outline you created for the essay Heavenly Bananas and show it to your teacher. Step 4: Create a list of products your (imaginary) company sells. Step 5: Create a prioritized list essay outline pitching the products you listed. Be sure to include prices and an example of the unreal past conditional. If + had + past participle +, + would have + past participle.Past unreal conditional Step 6: Create a flyer using the Microsoft Word DOCX Flyer template. Virtual Writing Tutor flyer templateDownload Flyer template for Business English students Heres how to place your own product images into the flyer template. How to add images to the flyer template Step 7: Write a prioritized list essay using the products on your flyer. Check it for errors using the virtual Writing Tutor grammar checker. Step 8: Generate an MP3 using the VWT Text-to-Speech. The Virtual Writing Tutor can generate an MP3 to download of any text. Step 9: Rehearse and memorize your prioritized list sales-pitch essay. Step 10: Upload your essay outline, essay, and flyer to labodanglais the day before your presentation. Evaluations Present your prioritized list sales pitch brochure at your scheduled presentation time. Refer to your one-page outline during your presentation if you wish. However, students who deliver their presentations without referring to their outlines will score better than those who do. More workplace-related lessons The evaluation described above is being used at Montmorency College in conjunction with Actively Engaged on the Job. Designed primarily for B-block beginners who need lots of fluency practice, On the Job has proven to be a versatile course book for multi-level groups. Its packed with interactive activities that keep absenteeism prone students coming week after week. Actively Engaged on the Job The 100B level textbook is structured around a series of grammar lessons laid out in the usual order, starting with prepositions and the present tenses, moving through past tenses to conditionals, and ending with modals and future tenses. The big difference is the way this book contextualizes the grammar practice through weekly writing assignments. Students work in groups to imagine a fictional company. Each student is responsible for writing about the goings on at the company from the perspective of one of the employees there. Each week, they write a section of the story incorporating the grammar and the vocabulary from the lesson. They submit their writing on Labodanglais.com and anonymously peer review two classmates stories. In this way, grammar practice is communicative and contextualized. Additional vocabulary and grammar practice activities are available on Labodanglais.com in the form of fill-in the blank and error-find-and-correct exercises. Again, the emphasis is on meaningful context that lead to productive use. Find out how you can use Actively Engaged on the Job with your students by contacting BokomaruPublications@gmail.com . Find out how you can use Actively Engaged on the Job with Business English Students: bokomaruPublications@gmail.com Actively Engaged Online For intermediate levels, perhaps you would like to help students to learn professional writing through a blogging project. After all, every business has a blog, and every business is looking for new employees who have the digital literacy to communicate in the new economy. If you are interested in giving such a course, Actively Engaged Online can help. It has everything you need to get students writing introductions, glossaries, career summary blog posts, screencasts, listicles, and hypertext narratives. Written for people who have never blogged before or who have never taught blogging before, it is one of the easiest and most satisfying courses for students and teachers. Instead of writing a hypertext narrative with the Virtual Writing Tutors Hypertext Narrative Creator, perhaps you would prefer to teach students to write cover letters. If so, try the Virtual Writing Tutors new cover letter checker. There is a blog post explaining how to use the formative cover letter evaluation system to help students write the most complete and effective cover letter ever. Please follow and like us:

4 Tips to Quit Your Job the Right Way

4 Tips to Quit Your Job the Right Way via Pexels 1. Be polite and professional. No matter how extreme the reason for quitting may be, being professional about the whole situation is important. Even if youre not exactly the biggest fan of your boss or your coworkers, acting cordially will serve you well (and prevent any other major problems from arising). With that being said, its definitely in your best interest to plan ahead what youre going to say and how youll say it. If you find lists helpful, write down a list of reasons, only for yourself, on why you want to leave your job. Since youll be the only one seeing it, you can be as blunt as youd like just make sure you get all the main points down. Then look over all your points and think about how you can communicate those reasons in a polite, professional manner. However, that doesnt mean you should feel obligated  to fully explain why youre leaving. If you prefer to keep your reasons private to your boss, you can do that without feeling guilty and without your boss thinking youre hiding something. The main goal here is to clearly and effectively communicate your desire to leave the job. As a result, its also important to show your manager that youve thought this plan through and that you really think its the best decision for you (and for the company) right now. Doing so will increase the chance that your boss hears you out and reciprocates a sense of professionalism and courtesy towards you. If you go on to pursue jobs in other career fields, prospective future employers may also inquire into your job history. You want to be prepared to show them that youve always been professional and courteous in any situation which is why its so important to handle quitting your previous job gracefully. And, of course, being polite is just the right thi ng to do. 2. Talk to your manager in person. When it comes to uncomfortable topics such as quitting a job, most people are probably tempted to simply send an email and avoid all face-to-face interaction because its just easier that way. However, easier doesnt necessarily mean better. If you really do want to come across as professional and responsible, setting up an in-person meeting with your boss is the best bet. Give your boss a heads-up that you want to talk about something and schedule a time to meet. While it may seem a bit nerve-wracking to sit down with them and express everything face-to-face, remain confident and remember that it doesnt have to be a serious, solemn conversation. Your relationship with your boss also determines the tone of the conversation, so keep that in mind while speaking to them. 3. Give plenty of notice beforehand. The general minimum amount of time is two weeks. If you can afford to let your boss know even earlier, that is certainly more convenient for them and for the company as a whole, as they will have more time to prepare for your departure and start looking for someone to replace you. Giving less than two weeks notice is definitely the less ideal option, as it can leave your boss and your colleagues in a tight spot. Keeping in mind that you want to be as professional and responsible as possible, make it a priority to speak to your boss as early as you can. Also, staying around for those two weeks or more will show that you are willing to help with the transition process as the company searches for a replacement. 4. Dont get lazy after youve decided to quit. It may be tempting to slack off after you hand in your two weeks notice, but dont give in. Continuing to work hard at your job just as you always have is important if you want to show your true work ethic and commitment to doing well. Plus, sticking it out until the end will most likely allow you to leave the job with a sense of accomplishment. After giving it your all and seeing it through to the end, you can feel fulfilled as you move on to the next big thing in your life.