Common Core Help and Answers For Algebra I

Common Core Help and Answers For Algebra IThe Common Core is a set of standards that have been developed to help students in math in a better way. All of the topics that are part of the curriculum are relevant for many students and they can use the help and answers that have been developed.Algebra I has been given the top priority in the Common Core. Students will find the answers to common questions in this part of the curriculum. Here, students will learn concepts such as ratios, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and exponential.Algebra was previously an easy subject to comprehend and could be handled in school. However, the introduction of the Common Core Curriculum has changed this scenario. The concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division were taken from the independent study section of the fourth grade. These concepts are not included in the curriculum and students will need to find their own ways to solve problems.If the students are having tr ouble understanding the concepts and are asking themselves 'how can I do this?' then they can find the answers by looking at the Common Core help and answers section. A good resource to use would be the middle-school science books that are available.The Common Core does not include the social studies section. However, this section of the curriculum gives students a general idea about the history and culture of the United States and how it is connected to other countries in the world. This information is also given in the public school curriculum but in a more generalized way.Algebra is a subject that teaches students to calculate numbers and to find out formulas that are associated with different forms of numbers. It will also teach students the relationship between different areas. In addition, it will help them find out about roots of equations. There are also a number of topics that will help students understand and use the more complex equations such as trigonometry.Algebra will help students understand multiplication and division. It also helps them understand ratios. In addition, students will be able to apply these concepts to physical objects. Therefore, students will find the help and answers in the algebra section to be quite useful.

Learning Violin Alone

Learning Violin Alone Can You Learn the Violin without Taking Violin Lessons? ChaptersWhy Teach Yourself the Violin?The Different Ways to Teach Yourself ViolinLearning Violin: The Best Ways to Start Playing ViolinHow Long Does it Take to Learn Violin on Your Own?At What Age Can You Teach Yourself Violin?A lot of people want to learn the violin (or fiddle) but are scared to take their first steps. The instrument’s too expensive, they can’t take violin lessons near me, they’re too impatient, they can't find any violin teachers, there are plenty of reasons.However, if you’re passionate about learning to play the violin, anything is possible!“The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have” - Vince Lombardi.Never doubt your abilities and go for it! Even beginners have to start somewhere.Learning an instrument on your own isn’t an impossible a task, even an instrument as complicated as the violin can be learnt without a violin teacher. Holding the bow, positioning your fingers on a violin string, adopting the right posture... these are all t hings you can learn.So how can you do it?How long does it take?Here’s our best advice.Meludia, allow you to learn music theory in a more interesting way while others can help you learn to play the violin.Learning the Violin with BooksIf technology isn’t your forte, there are plenty of printed resources that can help you. There are plenty of books and manuals on certain aspects of playing the violin like:holding the violin bow and bowing techniquesfinger placement on the fingerboardtraining exercises and violin scalesworking on your memory and broadening your repertoiremaintenance like tuning and replacing violin stringsreading sheet music and notesimproving your rhythmperforming intermediate and advanced techniques like vibrato and pizzicatoAlmost everything you need to know about violin playing can be learnt from popular books sold in stores.There are some books that might even be putting violin teachers out of work.  There’s a wide range of materials for every level, too! To mViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearning Violin: The Best Ways to Start Playing ViolinBefore you pick up your violin, there’s a few steps you should take to make sure you’re starting on the right foot. Here are a few of them:Firstly, you should practise as often as you can. Sometimes we want to be able to play a piece perfectly immediately. Practising is the only way you’re going to get there. There’s no magic fix. Any violinist will tell you that.Set yourself objectives! Setting yourself clear objectives will help keep you motivated. This is what apps often do to encourage you to keep playing (and using the app). Everyone loves a challenge. However, make sure that your objectives are achievable so that you don’t get discouraged.Be patient! You can’t deny that the violin is a complex instrument. Don’t give up the second you encounter difficulties. You’re bound to hit the odd speed bump. You need to know how to get past them.Put together a programme that suits you. Organising your learning is a good idea for knowing where to go and how to make steady progression.Organisation will really help you learn the violin quickly. (Source: pixabay.com)To get even more advice, you should consider visiting blogs and forums for violinists. There are plenty of musicians out there who are happy to help you become a virtuoso. However, remember that learning on your own can have disadvantages, too. There’s no music teacher a vailable to correct you when you’re doing things wrong (like having the wrong posture or holding the bow incorrectly).How Long Does it Take to Learn Violin on Your Own?It can be difficult to give an exact figure for learning the violin. Learning the violin without music theory or violin lessons near me means every budding violinist can go at their own pace. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.Those who are taking classes have the pace set for them and they can’t change it. Their practice and training is therefore regular. They’ll advance a bit every week.When you learn an instrument on your own, finding a rhythm can be tricky.  It depends on your motivation and when you’re available.Children often learn more quickly than adults. However, they do need clear goals and objectives. (Source: skitterphoto.com)This can also vary with age. Younger musicians are generally better at assimilating new concepts whether they’re learning to play a musical instrument or speak ing a foreign language.  Furthermore, adults find it harder to find the time to practice an instrument on a weekly basis.Some violinists have chosen to film their progress over a couple of years. You can find their videos on YouTube and use them as a guide for how quickly you should be going.At What Age Can You Teach Yourself Violin?While children tend to learn more easily than adults, there’s no age limit when it comes to learning to play the violin.  An adult can more easily change their rhythm while a child will need to be set milestones and goals.Generally speaking, children under 12 will find it difficult to learn the violin on their own. It’s also easier to correct the bad habits picked up by children.You could therefore say that the ideal age to start learning the violin on your own is around 13. You just have to be motivated, autonomous, and follow your own lessons while paying particular attention to your technique and good violin practices.You should also find out more about online violin lessons or studying to play the violin with a teacher.

How to Teach English to Children with Dyslexia

How to Teach English to Children with Dyslexia Tutoring Jobs: How Can you Help a Dyslexic Student Learn Effectively as  an English Teacher? ChaptersProblems Dyslexic Students Face While Being Tutored The Issues with speech and Hearing Their issues with Motor skills and writing  Memory IssuesTips to Tutor Dyslexic studentsStudents with dyslexia can have severe difficulties keeping up in school, with the rest of their peers.They may suffer from low self-esteem due to their disability. After school, they have to struggle on their own which makes things even worst.But their problems can be solved if the teacher is aware of their condition and accepts the challenge of teaching dyslexic students.Teaching students with dyslexia is quite a challenging task because dyslexic students may struggle not only with reading but also comprehension, writing and spelling.This is a lifelong condition that affects the reading abilities of a person. It is also the most common issue students have while trying to learn. According to some experts, the percentage of kids with dyslexia is between 5 10 percent.Kids suffering from dyslexia are not in a position to answer questions about anything they have just read. They might also develop difficulty with mathematics. Many people misunderstand this condition and consider it to be a problem of intelligence which is not true.Dyslexic students can turn out to be more intelligent than their peers. ( Image Source: Unsplash)People with dyslexia will become as successful in their careers as anyone else. Their condition can improve at the college level although they might need to take summer tutoring, home tutoring and even online tutoring.With the right support of the teacher, the right methods and tools of teaching, they can thrive.There are tutoring centers that focus primarily on dyslexic students. Your tutoring services in those learning centers would be highly required.If you are providing private tuition and your tutee turns out to be dyslexic, you would need to get some training to teach that student on your own.As a home tutor, you would need to design assignments, exams, an d tests strategically, to match the needs and the condition of your student.Whether you are a biology tutor, math tutor or a language tutor such as a Spanish tutor, French tutor etc. the teaching techniques mentioned above would apply to all tutor jobs!You need to be passionate about teaching, if you are to make any real impact on the learning ability of your struggling students! With the right attitude, you will be able to create a huge difference in the life of your dyslexic students and they will be forever grateful to you.  Learn how to set your English tutoring tariffs here.

The Best French Revision Guides

The Best French Revision Guides A Guide to the Top 10 Revision Materials for Learning French ChaptersKS3 French Revision ResourcesGCSE French Revision GuidesA Level French ResourcesWhen exam time comes around, being armed with the right revision materials makes all the difference to your confidence on exam day.Unlike subjects like maths and science, French revision has to be a lot broader than learning a particular method for solving problems.GCSE, AS and A-level French exams are all about gauging your language skills as well as assessing your understanding of a range of issues â€" so you can never do too much revision.Because of the abstract nature of language exams, targeting your revision can be difficult at times.There are, however, lots of good resources which will not only help you to improve your French speaking, listening and writing skills, but which are tailored for your specific course and exams.So, whether you’re a key stage 3 student looking to brush up on their French skills before your first GCSE French lesson, or you’re a GCSE, AS or A-level French studen t wanting to know more about the resources on the market, Superprof is here to tell you all you need to know about French revision resources!French grammar is notoriously difficult to learn.With eight simple verb forms and any number of tenses and moods, remembering how it all works can be tricky.This is where the CGP New French Grammar Handbook comes in.CGP is a trusted provider of revision guides, and their French textbooks are no exception.Their French Grammar Handbook covers all of the key points which KS3 and GCSE French students are expected to know, as well as explanations and grammatical exceptions.If you’re particularly focussed on perfecting your French grammar skills, there is also a workbook that can be used alongside the handbook â€" so you’ll not only be able to learn French grammar but also put it into practice.GCSE French Revision GuidesSitting your GCSE exams can be stressful at the best of times â€" so having access to the right resources can make a huge differ ence to your confidence in the exam hall.The most helpful resources in terms of your exams will be the ones which are tailored to your specific course and exam board ¦ source: Visualhunt - fanzThe main exam boards which are used for GCSE French are AQA and Edexcel â€" be sure to check which exam board your school is using before you start buying revision guides!Here are three great revision resources for French GCSE students:AQA GCSE French: Foundation and Higher Student BooksThe AQA GCSE French books are usually the textbooks used to accompany your French lessons in school and should, therefore, be provided by your French teacher if AQA is your exam board.The AQA GCSE French textbook comes in two versions: foundation and higher.This is to do with the paper you will be sitting at the end of your study. The foundation paper is for students aiming for a grade C (grade 5), whereas the higher paper is for students aiming towards a grade A* (grade 9).So, if you are sitting a GCSE French exam from AQA, this textbook is your best port of call, as it has been written by the exam board itself.Revise AQA and Revise Edexcel French Revision WorkbooksThe Revise Edexcel and Revise AQA GCSE French revision workbooks are great for anybody who believes that practice makes perfect.Whether you want to practice your French grammar skills or brush up on your vocab, with the help of these books, you’ll be able to get as much practice as you like!There are also revision guides available to accompany these workbooks. All resources can be found on Amazon.You may get more suggestions for materials to review from your Superprof tutor if you take French lessons online!CGP GCSE AQA and Edexcel French Complete Revision and Practice (9-1)When it comes to talking about the best revision guides, the name ‘CGP’ always crops up â€" and it’s because they’re the best!CGP’s attitude towards revision guides is that they should be thorough yet concise, and detailed yet accessible so tha t any student can benefit from them.They offer all kinds of revision resources for GCSE French, but their Complete Revision and Practice book is the most comprehensive.They also cater for both AQA and Edexcel, so you can benefit from CGP’s revision wisdom whatever your exam board!With CGP’s Complete Revision and Practice, not only will you have detailed explanations for all kinds of topics and grammar points, but you will be able to try out your newly-acquired knowledge with the exam-style questions in the workbook â€" just what you need to ace your GCSE French exam!A Level French ResourcesThe jump from GCSE to A level is a significant one. Even with AS exams in-between, you have to hit the ground running once you start the sixth form.A level French is all about learning to discuss a wide range of topics with a high level of fluency and spontaneity.However, your French teacher will tell you that there is a big difference between learning how to speak a language and learning how to pass an exam in it.A-Level French can take you a long way in terms of education and career ¦ source: Visualhunt - University of Central ArkansasSo, while you might be keen to become fluent in your everyday French, you won’t be able to access the top marks without a good understanding of the topics studied during your course.But never fear! There are plenty of revision guides to help you prepare as best you can for your exams so you get the grade you deserve on results day.AQA Year 1 AS and Year 2 A Level French Student BookJust like at GCSE, A-levels can be taken with AQA or Edexcel, and there are resources for each exam board.AQA provides two student books:Year 1 and ASYear 2 and A LevelThese books are usually used to accompany your course content and are great revision resources as they are written by the exam board themselves. In addition to key vocabulary and grammar points, there are also practice questions as well as listening exercises available to download from the p opular platform, Kerboodle.Edexcel A Level FrenchEdexcel’s A-level textbook includes the AS content â€" so you only have one book to worry about!This textbook has been written with the student’s progress in mind to make the transition from GCSE to A-level French as smooth and natural as possible so as not to discourage students.By using this textbook as a revision guide, you will be able to develop your reading, listening, writing and speaking skills with tips on usage in each area as well as advice on your personal research project.French Grammar and UsageFrench Grammar and Usage by Roger Hawkins and Richard Towell is recommended all over the country by A-level French teachers and university lecturers in French.This reference grammar book is perfect for anyone who wants to brush up on using a particular grammatical structure by reading detailed explanations with plenty of examples.There is also a workbook available to accompany this handbook, so you can test out your performanc e and see how you progress!  Use these resources alongside french lessons  london for an all-round learning experience.

Biology the Science of Life Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Biology the Science of Life Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace Science is the study or collection of knowledge in a logical and orderly fashion obtained by observation, interpretation and testing. Science is a process that is used to answer the questions about nature. Biology is the science of life. It is made up of two Greek words bios meaning life and logos meaning to study, it has grown out of what man observed and experienced down the ages and attempted to evolve into general principles. Man probably becomes a biologist before he was anything else. His own body in health and disease; the phenomena of birth, growth, and death, plants and animals which provided him food, shelter and clothing , were all too close and vital phenomena to his own immediate needs, existence and survival. He could not have ignored them even when he was in the most initial stage of mental activity. These motives still prompt the biological studies today; agriculture, medicine and field applied to them are the most important branches of modern applied biology. The main factors that resulted in the amassing of biological knowledge were curiosity and the human instinct to survive. All scientific disciplines are developed from the human curiosity to know better and deeper.

How to Shoot Video with Cameras

How to Shoot Video with Cameras Which Are the Best Ways to Shoot Video with Cameras? ChaptersStoryboard or Plan your ScenesChoose the Lenses that You’re Going to Film withPlan ShotsLearn How to Stabilise Your CameraUsing the Right Video SettingsGet the Lighting RightOpt for Static ShotsConsider the AudioDo Several Takes of the Same SceneConsider Different Angles“In movies you don’t try and photograph the reality, you try and photograph a photograph of the reality” - Stanley KubrickThe most popular directors currently include Martin Scorcese, Steven Spielberg, and Quentin Tarantino. They’ve proven themselves again and again with their film.So what’s the secret to good films?Firstly, you have to know how to work a digital camera and there’s a lot to think about. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsStoryboard or Plan your ScenesYou can’t always just make it up as you go along. While you don’t need to write a script for everything that you’re going to film, getting your ideas onto paper is a good idea before you start filming. Storyboarding or planning your scenes is a good idea to ensure you get the footage you need. (Source: StartupStockPhotos)You don’t film with a camera in the same way you would with a camcorder. Cameras work better with static shots, for one. Furthermore, if you want to get different angles with a different lens, you’ll need to get these changes done effectively.For example, a zoom lens won't provide the same look as a wide-angle lens or telephoto lens. The fact that SLR cameras have interchangeable lenses is an advantage you should try to get the most out of.Shoot each scene with a clear goal in mind then check them and change lenses once you’ve got what you need.Check out the best cameras for shooting video.Choose the Lenses that You’re Going to Film withThe quality of the photos or footage you get will depend on the lens. The lens will define the scope and zoom of your scene. It’s important to think about this before you start filming or buying cameras and there are plent y of different lenses to think about.That said, you can’t change the lens on every camera but a digital SLR camera (single-lens reflex) will usually have interchangeable lenses.If you can change lenses, think about one with a good aperture that allows you to zoom a bit. This will allow you to play around with several cinematographic approaches.Your choice of lens will depend on the camera you’ve chosen. Whether it’s a digital SLR, hybrid, bridge, or compact camera, it needs to be the right one for the job.Do you need a viewfinder? A full-frame sensor? A folding screen? Touchscreen? Changeable lenses?An entry-level camera might be all an aspiring filmmaker needs.  Choosing DSLRs or hybrid cameras are great for taking high-quality photos and getting great footage and are compatible with a large range of lenses.Plan ShotsA camera can’t film indefinitely. Depending on the model, you may only be able to film continuously for between 5 minutes and 30 minutes. In some cases, you ca n increase the continuous recording time by altering the settings.You need to organise the filming of your shots so that the recording doesn’t cut out part-way through. Organise your shots as this will help you when it comes to editing, too.Don’t forget to take several SD cards with you. It’s quite common for filmmakers starting out with a camera to forget just how much space videos and photographs can take up on memory cards. Digital cameras aren’t designed to shoot for long time periods. You don’t want to have to stop filming because you’re out of space.  Memory cards are always a good investment since having extras will give you peace of mind.Learn How to Stabilise Your CameraShakiness can be hard to deal with in post-production. If you’ve already tried filming something with your camera, you might have noticed how much the camera shakes even when you thought you were holding it really steady. The best way to stabilise your camera is by using a tripod. (Source: PhotoMIX-Company)Some cameras have a built-in stabiliser. This can deal with a slight amount of shaking from your hands. Though it might not always be enough. The best thing is to invest in a good tripod to film static shots and you won’t have to worry about stabilisation.For compact cameras, you can get Steadicam, a camera stabiliser that allows you to film steadily while moving. These tools are often used with cameras like GoPros but also work with cameras. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free !Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsUsing the Right Video SettingsIt’s not easy to know what all the different settings and modes do when you first get started with a new camera. In some cases, there are as many settings in the video mode as there are in the photo modes.Once you’ve activated the video mode, you’ll have a few settings you’ll need to adjust. First will be whether you want to film in 4K, HD, or lower quality. You’ll need to choose the size and ratio of the footage captured.You’ll also want to set the framerate. Generally, you’ll choose either 24 or 25 frames per second but some cameras will also shoot 50 or 60 frames per second in a slow-motion mode.Finally, you’ll need to alter the settings that you usually use for photos (white balance, brightness, contrast, etc.).Get the Lighting RightWithout light, you can’t take photos o r film. After all, a camera has to capture light to transform into photos and footage. As you’ll have understood, getting the lighting right is the best way to get good photos and film. Filming at night takes skill and patience. (Source: Anestiev)Avoid backlighting and try to film while facing away from the sun. Similarly, don’t film in places that are too dark. Some devices can film in really low light (thanks to full-frame sensors and ISO) but this can still be complicated, especially for smaller sensors. You need to get the lighting right.Opt for Static ShotsAs we said previously, cameras are better suited to static shots and tend to struggle with travelling shots, which dedicated film cameras deal better with.Why is this?The lack of autofocus designed solely with video in mind.  The autofocus is generally for a static shot, like when taking photographs. When the device is moving, it’ll struggle to find what to focus on so you’ll need to adjust this manually.  This can be really tricky while you’re also filming.The best thing is to plan your footage with static shots as it’s easier to control the focus. You can also get better results using the depth of field.Find out which accessories you can get for your camera.Consider the AudioIt’s hard to find a camera that comes with great built-in audio. To film professionally, it’s recommended that you invest in an external microphone. You can plug in an external microphone to most high-end cameras.  For some compact cameras, you might need to record all audio separately.Just like a clapperboard, you can clap your hands on camera to sync up the sound.  Your typical DSLR camera isn't designed with high-quality audio in mind.Do Several Takes of the Same SceneFilming with a camera isn’t the easiest thing to get started with since you have to alter the settings, manage the lighting, and do a whole plethora of different tasks at once. Recording the same scene several times is a good idea as you’ll have several to choose from.This doesn’t mean that you have to do 50 takes of each scene. Two or three times should be good enough to avoid any unwanted surprises when it comes to editing.Of course, if you’re filming a documentary or a holiday video, several takes mightn’t be possible. You don’t want to ruin the spontaneity. In a scripted video, however, it’s a good idea to do several takes.Learn more about the different types of camera.Consider Different AnglesGetting different angles and points of view is a good idea when shooting with a camera and a dedicated film camera. In fact, different angles can bring something new to a scene. This is as important as it is with photography as it can be tricky doing travelling shots. Different angles can add dynamism to a scene. Shooting from different angles can stop your footage from becoming stale. (Source: Cock-Robin)It’s a good way to keep your viewer’s attention.  Of course, there needs to be cohesion between the scenes. The viewer needs to know what’s going on as they watch each scene. Also, don’t move objects between each scene.While photographers aren't exactly the same as videographers, a knowledge of DSLR cameras, shutter speed, aperture, sensor size, focal length, image quality, and photography, in general, will help you shoot better video.Now you should be able to become a better filmmaker.If you'd like to learn more about photography and film, there are plenty of private tutors on Superprof who can help you. There are different types of tutorials for different budgets and learning styles so it's up to you which one you go for.

Fun in the Snow Talking About Your Winter Holidays with Help from Red Hot Chili Peppers

Fun in the Snow Talking About Your Winter Holidays with Help from Red Hot Chili Peppers Winter holidays (or winter vacations) are a great source of enjoyment for all the family. They cover two of the year’s most important celebrations, Christmas and New Year and are a welcome break for people from early morning starts for work or study in cold mornings.If you want to talk about your winter break with a native English speaker, here is some vocabulary that might help:What kind of holiday did you take?Do you go on a winter sports holiday?Do you go on a winter activity holiday?Were you  on an adventure break?Are you an adrenalin junkie? (do you like fast-paced holidays?)OrDo you look for peace and quiet (relaxation) on your holidays?What did you do on holiday?Did you go on a ski break?Were you on a snow safari?Were you snowboarding?Was there some trekking involved in your holiday?Did you see dog sledding (dogs pulling sleds over snow)?Did you visit an ice hotel?Did you sip hot apple cider in front of the fire?Did you have hot cocoa?Did you enjoy the après ski (drinks and socializing after skiing)?Where did you lodge (stay) on your holiday?Were you at a ski resort?Did you stay in a ski chalet?Did you stay in a log cabin?Were you in a villa?Were you lodging in a rental apartment?Did you stay with acquaintances (people you know)?What are the advantages of a winter break?Is it an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones?Did you view it as a break from the daily grind (daily routine)?Is a winter break a chance to experience a different climate or different surroundings?Did it ease your winter blues? (This is a term which refer to a short-lived depression/ sadness that effects people during the dark winter months)What are the disadvantages of a winter break?Did the holiday break your budget (was it expensive)?Was it more difficult to get back into your daily routine after your winter vacation?Did you have the post-holiday blues when you came home?While you think about the winter wonderland where you enjoyed (or are enjoying) your break, let’s enjoy Red Hot Chili Peppers song Snow.

How to Read Faster - Private Tutoring

How to Read Faster BobbiM Apr 21, 2014 Are you a slow reader? Would you like to increase your reading speed? Check out these helpful tips. -Choose high-interest material. It is best to push yourself to read faster with material that you are familiar with and enjoy. For example, if you like to read mystery novels, choose one to use for pushed reading. -Practice every day. To increase your reading rate, you will need to push yourself to read faster every day for 10 to 15 minutes. Use your local or school newspaper or anything that will sustain your interest for that amount of time. You might want to choose three or four brief articles and take a short break after each one. -Read at slightly-faster-than-comfortable-speeds. As you read, push yourself to read slightly faster than you usually do. You should feel a little uncomfortable reading at this speed and feel that you would prefer to slow down, but you should also sense that you understand what you are reading. -Check your comprehension. Increasing your reading rate while losing comprehension provides no benefit. Therefore, you need to check your comprehension of the material you are reading. However, because you are changing a habit, it is ok to have comprehension of only 70 to 80 percent of what you read during pushed reading. In fact, if you are having 100 percent comprehension you can probably push yourself to read faster. To check your comprehension, try to summarize the information. Did you identify all the key ideas? What about important details and examples? If you find that you are not comprehending the information, slow down a bit. -Try to read at the same time each day. Finding 15 minutes to read every day should not be much of a problem, but in order to keep an accurate record of your improvement you should try to find the time when you are most alert and try to read at that same time every day. -Dont give up. Improving your reading rate is a slow but steady process. You may make some great improvements one week then see little change the next. Dont worry about the fluctuations in your rate, as long as you are seeing an overall increase. However, if you find that you have gone several weeks without any improvement, make a conscious effort to push yourself even faster when you read. Excerpt from  College Success Strategies  by Sherrie L. Nist and Jodi Patrick Holschuh.

Can I Learn a Language in 6 Months What the Experts Say

Can I Learn a Language in 6 Months What the Experts Say Can I Learn a Language in 6 Months? What the Experts Say Go ahead. Mark your calendar.Six months from today.The day youll have learned a new language.Dont believe me?The idea of learning a new language can definitely be overwhelming. So many words! Such unusual grammar! Maybe even a completely new alphabet to learn from scratch…Nevertheless, learning a language  isnt something that needs to take years and years of study. There are many people who become adept at multiple languages as adults.But can you really learn a language in just half a year?When it comes to learning a language fast, a few experts are cited repeatedly: Chris Lonsdale, who gave a popular TEDx talk entitled  â€œHow to learn any language in six months;”  Benny Lewis, founder of Fluent in 3 Months  and Tim Ferriss, who also purports to answer the question  â€œHow to learn any language in three months.”They each have their own approach, but there are common threads that run through all of their rapid-language-learning philosophies. And we can harness those for our own benefit.In this post, Ill highlight some of the most important themes from each of those three experts. Then, Ill help you bring it all together to create your own six-month study plan.Lets get started on day one of your six-month learning journey! Can I Learn a Language in 6 Months? What the Experts SayChris Lonsdale Says: Start Using the Language ImmediatelyLonsdale bases his approach around a set of language learning principles and actions. Here are some takeaways that are most important to our goal of learning a language in six months:Listen to your target language a lot, right from the start.Remember that understanding is about more than knowing all the words.  Use facial expressions, body language, context and style to get meaning right from the get-go, even before you worry about knowing every vocabulary word.Focus on core language. In other words, focus on learning high-frequently vocabulary thats most relevant to you. Lonsdale notes that for most learners, this early cor e language will include sentences like how do you say that? and repeat that please.Get a language partner  (or in Lonsdales terminology, a language parent). This is a  native speaker wholl support you on your journey and speak to you regularly.Unfortunately for us, Lonsdale doesnt exactly answer the question of how to get there in six months. Nevertheless, we can use these actions to help us when were creating our study plan.Benny Lewis Says: Hack Language Studies for Faster LearningIrish blogger Lewis has become popular with his talent as a polyglot, gaining a strong online following. He gave a  TEDx talk on Rapid Language Hacking  to lay out the foundations of his language-learning-fast philosophy:Forget the idea that language is a talent you either have or you don’t. He claims to have thought he was completely useless at them before starting with Spanish! This myth of language learning talent also comes up in Lonsdales talk.Remember, its almost impossible to know  nothing  of a language. With nearby languages, there are cognates, i.e. words with the same root: for example, English shares roots of  -tion ­  words with Latinate languages like Spanish and Italian.As an Italian learner, its very useful for me to be able to guess at words like  nazione  (nation). Meanwhile, even the most unrelated languages now have a shared vocabulary (Coca-Cola, anyone?).Take advantage of the internet to start communicating right away. If you live in a city, there will almost certainly be people who speak your target language around. Otherwise, find friends of friends who would be willing to Skype you from time to time. You can even check out italki to find a language exchange partner or professional tutor for one-on-one lessons.Use mnemonics to remember words and expressions. This could be thinking of a sound the word reminds you of, or singing an expression to a simple melody.Create SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic, Time-bound. In other words, you sh ould pick concrete goals thatll challenge you without overwhelming you, and give yourself a deadline for achieving them. Well discuss how to do this more specifically later in this post.Like Lonsdale, Lewis says that you should use the language right away. And make mistakes! This will help you to learn and to get over embarrassment about speaking with native speakers.Lewis uses a lot of languages in his talk, which lends authenticity. He definitely knows what he’s talking about!Tim Ferriss Says: The 80:20 Rule Means You Can Achieve a Lot in a Little TimeTaking a different tack from the motivational TEDx style of Lewis and Lonsdale, Tim Ferriss takes a more theoretical approach to the goal of learning a language in a few months. He has a three-point approach to language-learning, which incorporates the following:Effectiveness: Pick learning materials thatll work for you and your goals (i.e. effective).Adherence: Keep motivated and prioritize learning in your life so that you adhere to your study routine.Efficiency: Make sure your study regimen and tools are propelling you forward at a reasonable rate.Importantly, he refers to the Pareto Principle, also known as the 80:20 rule. This is the idea that 80 percent of results of any task come from 20 percent of the input, material or effort. He applies this to learning a language, arguing thatâ€"although total language mastery might take years of applied learningâ€"its perfectly possible to achieve conversational fluency in three months.How? Like Lonsdale, Ferriss emphasizes relevance of learning: Dont read something you wouldnt care to read about in your native language, as itll make it harder to understand, engage with and remember. So, if youre a Japanese learner interested in baseball, reading about the Japanese leagues might be a perfect place to start.So, What Should You Do to Learn a Language in 6 Months?All these guys take a different approach to tackling the problem, but there are clearly some common theme s across all of them. With all that in mind, what should your plan of action be to learn your chosen language in six months?Step 1: Start Using Your Target Language TodayThis is something all of our experts agree on, but it might sound counterintuitive to beginner language learners. How can you start using a language before youve learned any of it?We can go back to what Benny Lewis said:  In all languages, you already have some words you can access, and when youre speaking face-to-face or over Skype with someone you can use hands, facial expressions, noises, props and so on to get your meaning across.I had a very memorable conversation with a Korean learner of English in Seville, who was using limited vocabulary to explain to us the history of a particular Korean liquor. It was (intentionally) hysterically funny, so dont worry about your speaking partner getting irritated!Find a native speaker near you, take a trip or go online to find chat buddies. It doesn’t matter if you make m istakesâ€"you will!â€"as this is all part of the process of learning. As you begin to speak, youll get familiar with building sentences, listening to the sound of the language and hearing common phrases and expressions.Step 2: Familiarize Yourself with the Core LanguageA common theme from our expert friends was focusing your early learning on core language. In English, for example, this would include functional words like  and, the, a,  pronouns, such as  she,  I,  they  and the most commonly used verbs like  to have,  to be and to do.When youre in the early stages of learning a language, there will be a steep upward curve as you start to see how you go from saying single words to sentences, and learning these words will form the basis of that.How do you know which words to learn? Ferriss lists the 100 most common words in written and spoken English, which you can use if youre an English learner, or otherwise compare to key words in your target language. You could also try searching for your target language plus the term common words on Memrise, a digital flashcard app. There are many such lists covering Spanish, Korean, French, Dutch and much more.All the while, you should be going back to step one: whenever you learn something new, incorporate it into your speaking. For example, in Italian Ive been trying to correctly use phrases featuring the word  ecco, which is similar to the French  voila. This means Ive recently been walking around like a child, pointing at things and shouting “There it is!” Now I think I’ve got it.Step 3: Set Those SMART GoalsWhile a lot of learning will happen naturally as you speak and listen and read and write, you can’t take that for granted. Youll of course have to put in effort.Moreover, set SMART goals, as we discussed above. Its one thing to say you want to be fluent in six months, but what does fluency mean for you?I can give you an example of a goal I set myself last fall. By Christmas, I wanted to be able to hold a f ull conversation with my Italian girlfriend’s 5-year-old niece. So, it was:Specific: A successful conversation with a specified person.Measurable: Did I do it or not?Ambitious: She speaks no English and, as a child, doesn’t always understand that not everyone gets what she says, so it’s a challenge!Realistic: I wasnt expecting to debate the finer points of continental philosophy with a college professor…Time-bound: I knew I had to get it done by Christmas.This was a huge help. I focused on language that would allow me to have that conversationâ€"school, family, toysâ€"and I practiced it whenever I could. The result: success!Step 4: Use Learning Material You Care AboutOur experts note that you need to practice your target language with material that matters to you.You might consider videos and music to help with your listening. You can use YouTube to find all sorts of different videos. While I was learning Spanish, I picked up a great deal from the rap group  Calle 13. Findin g music you love in your target language is a fantastic thing to do, as you can listen to it over and over, understanding a little more each time.For a resource that combines relevant, entertaining material with active learning, check out FluentU. This innovative tool transforms authentic target language videos, like movie trailers, new clips and funny commercials, into a language learning experience.Nowadays you can find news sites online in any language, and these are really useful for your reading skills. The language tends to be very functional and informative (whereas literary works are often a little challenging in the early stages) and its relevant to a wide range of language learners since it gives you up-to-date vocabulary that native speakers are using in their day-to-day lives.Each video comes with clickable captions you can use to explore the meaning and context of any word thats unfamiliar to you. The videos are updated regularly so youre sure to find topical, authentic material that native speakers watch themselves. Then, FluentUs Learn Mode creates flashcards and exercises thatll ensure you actually learned from the video you watched.In other words, its comprehension practice that aligns exactly with what the experts say: to learn a language fast, you need to use relevant, engaging materials.Step 5: Look Up the GrammarYou can practice all you like, but you still have to understand the grammar, right? Well, yes. But grammar study doesnt have to be the repetitive trawling through books and verb tables that it was in schoolâ€"this can be the thing that really hampers your attempts to get fluent fast.If you notice a certain grammatical form when people are speaking to you, look it up! Itll elucidate the reasoning and allow you to incorporate it into your speaking (back to step one!), which is far better than studying grammar in isolation.Makes sense, right? Drilling dry grammar rules out of a textbook will only get you so far. For most people, thats so boring as to kill your drive to learn. But even for people who thrive on book learning, if youre not seeing and using grammar rules in context, theyll have very little impact on your actual, measurable language development.All of this ties into the core principles weve been discussing. Make all of your learning relevant and comprehensible, and youll hit your target in no time.Step 6: Keep It EnjoyableThe final step is to go back to one of Ferriss’ principles: adherence. Learning a language should be a challenge but not a chore. If you’re reading this blog, I’m sure you’ll agree that one of the great joys in life is to be able to communicate in a new language, and ultimately speaking is far more important than passing an exam.So  make sure you have fun  in your language studies to keep that motivation up for all six months of your study plan. If youre not sure how to do this, here are a couple of ideas that have worked for me:Make it competitive. Im an incredibly competit ive person, so for me, adding elements of a game can make it extra rewarding to learn a language. This could be with another person: although this shouldnt be about one-upmanship, finding a friend who wants to learn and testing yourself against each other can be a big help.Write a song. Use some of the vocabulary you have learned to create ditties or translate your favorite song into your new language.Use humor. Ask your language partner to tell you some jokes. Once you start understanding foreign-language jokes, you really know youre getting proficientEat! Food is obviously the best thing about any new culture, so find some recipes in your target language you can try out and cook for your friends.So, think about your goals and get speakingâ€"today. Good luck! And One More ThingIf you only do one thing to try to learn a language in six months, give FluentU a shot. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, y ou learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.