Physics Math Tutoring - What You Should Know About Physics Math Tutoring Programs

Physics Math Tutoring - What You Should Know About Physics Math Tutoring ProgramsIf you are interested in taking a few physics math tutoring classes, then you will want to begin by doing some online research. This will allow you to find out what is available out there and what you can expect when taking the classes.Physics math tutoring is going to help to prepare you for high school. If you want to take more advanced physics math classes that will also help prepare you for college as well. This type of tutoring will require you to work with an experienced teacher, but you can expect your grades to improve.The first thing you will want to do is find a physics math tutor. This is important because you want someone who has already taken physics math. You will want someone who has done some tutoring before and knows what works and what does not work. Make sure you are comfortable with your tutor and that you are interested in their services.The next step you will want to do is find the best physics math tutoring programs out there. Many programs out there will have one tutor, which is not always the best option. You want to find programs that offer many different teachers at different times.The next step you will want to do is figure out what level of physics math tutor you are interested in. Most tutors will offer a variety of levels and this is good because there are many things you can do when working with tutors. Some tutors may focus on various levels of physics and others will focus on different levels of math.Tutoring is an excellent way to learn math. While tutoring can help you get into a college and get some experience in college, it can also help you improve your grades. Tutoring will also help you to learn new things, which will help to improve your chances of getting into a college and learning more about the real world.Taking physics math tutoring classes is one of the best ways to get ahead. This is especially true if you have a hard time learning m ath and want to do something about it.

What Is the Difference Between ADD and ADHD

What Is the Difference Between ADD and ADHD As an ADHD expert one of the questions that Im asked most often is, What is the difference between ADD and ADHD? Sometimes people share with me that they were diagnosed with ADD is as a kid and wonder how the ADHD that they hear about today is different from the diagnosis they received in childhood. With both terms being so prevalent, people are often surprised to learn that ADD is actually an outdated term. Today healthcare providers only refer to ADHD and no longer use ADD as a diagnostic label. Labels like ADD and ADHD originate from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM), which is the healthcare manual for all recognized mental disorders. The DSM is used by healthcare professionals as a reference guide for the symptoms, impairments, and diagnostic criteria associated with ADHD as well as other disorders, like depression and anxiety. In 1980, the term Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) was included in the DSM for the first time. Two types of ADD were described: ADD with hyperactivity and ADD without hyperactivity. Overtime, healthcare professions became concerned that the term ADD didnt place enough emphasis on hyperactive and impulsive symptoms that so many people with the disorder experience. So, in 1987 the name was changed to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and has stayed the same ever since. Today ADHD is described in the DSM-5 as having 3 possible presentations (or subtypes): Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: This presentation is assigned to children and adults who experience challenges that are solely related to inattention symptoms. These symptoms reflect difficulty sustaining attention, persisting at tasks or play activities, following through on instructions, giving close attention to details, organizing tasks and activities, and keeping track of belongings. Predominantly Hyperactive Impulsive Presentation: This presentation is assigned to children, and occasionally to adults, who experience challenges solely related to the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. These symptoms reflect excessive movement, including difficulty remaining seated, often fidgeting, and constantly being on-the-go as if driven by a motor, as well as excessive talkativeness, and impulsive behavior such as blurting out answers, difficulty waiting, and frequently interrupting others. Combined Presentation: This presentation is assigned to children and adults who experience symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive clusters. Its the most common presentation diagnosed in children and adolescents. Often, when someone has received a diagnosis of the Predominantly Inattentive Presentation of ADHD, they will refer to themselves as having ADD rather than ADHD. Its an easy way to describe the fact that they struggle with focus and concentration, but arent necessarily hyperactive or impulsive. It is much easier to day ADD than it is to say ADHD-Predominantly Inattentive Presentation whenever youre talking about your diagnosis! And these patients arent alone. There is discussion among many clinicians and researchers about whether the term ADHD should be changed to better reflect the symptoms and challenges that come with the disorder. For example, the majority of children and adults with ADHD struggle with organization, time management and following multi-step instructions. None of these challenges are clearly captured by the ADHD label. In addition, for children and adults who have the inattentive presentation of ADHD, it doesnt necessarily make sense to have the term hyperactivity included the diagnosis. Some psychologists have suggested that Executive Function Deficit Disorder may be a better term for ADHD, especially for the inattentive presentation. Over the next decade, as scientists learn more about ADHD and the biological underpinnings of the disorder, we can expect to see changes in the way healthcare professionals think about and label the disorder. With so many possible presentations and combinations of ADHD symptoms, clear descriptions and labels will make it easier for people with ADHD to communicate about their experiences and will create pathways for the development of more targeted and personalized treatments. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

How to Fail Epically at Self-teaching Any Language

How to Fail Epically at Self-teaching Any Language How to Fail at Self-teaching Any Language: 6 Tips for the Modern Bore Have you heard the crazy idea that learning a language should be  fun?I’m writing this post because Im greatly concerned.This whole fun learning business is really  an epidemic that’s catching like wildfire among language learners.Learning is fun?What a preposterous and nonsensical claim!No, learning is a serious endeavor and the word “fun” has absolutely no place in it.My hope is that I’m not too late and you haven’t bought into this “fun” movement.Ill give you 6 tips to save yourself from all this nonsense. Please take them to heart and follow my admonitions to the letter. They’re your keys to fun-free language learningâ€"the keys to the salvation of your very soul. How to Fail at Self-teaching Any Language: 6 Tips for the Modern Bore1. Only Read Thick, Musty Books Printed Before the 1840sEver heard of these things called e-books and apps?They tempt you by claiming that they’re effective, engaging, cheap, portableâ€"which, in fairness, they really areâ€"but th ey’re still  no match for those printed before the 1840s.E-books are literally everywhere, and they’re often free!Apps are language learning fun-meisters that make language acquisition as painless and as smooth as possible. One  of the most effective ones is  Duolingo.One look at Duolingo’s green owl logo and you know things are gonna be light. Well, surprise, surpriseâ€"the site claims exactly that its “fun” and “addicting.” That is, gamification is integrated into every lesson and every page and, before you know it, you’re already learning and having fun at the same time.FluentU  is another major player in the fun movement.Imagine, they take real-life videos of, say, two friends having dinner, and they turn it into a language lesson! And not only that, FluentU even goes above and beyond to make things fun by providing cool videos like Guardians of the Galaxy Clips, The Hunger Games trailers, wildlife documentaries, cartoons and more. Theres something that could tem pt any of the most seriously language learners.Watch out for these landmines. Your safest bet is the fun-free books printed before the 1840s. Don’t worry that they’re super huge, heavy and bad for your back. Chicks dig a crooked spine!2. Just Say No to VideosIn addition to FluentU, other types of video learning methods can breed this brand of educational entertainment.Whether they’re in the form of movies, telenovelas or a YouTube clip, these videos mean only one thing: engaged learning. So be on the look out. You’ll never know that you’re already both learning and having fun.We bores need to protect our reputations, you know.So say “no” to videos. Don’t ever believe the stacks of peered-reviewed and scientific journal and experiments that prove that using technology can make for more effective language acquisition. Don’t be swayed simply because  theyre peddled by PhD holders and scientists from the most reputable universities and institutions in the world.Go for real books printed before the 1840s.3. Remember: Music Is for PansiesCan you believe the language courses these days? They actually incorporate music into the lessons!Just because some scientists studying the human brain says music underlies language acquisition doesnt mean you should believe it.Music is really just a distraction. Instead of force feeding the lessons into your head, your mood gets elevated and you feel a little giddy. Your fingers start tapping to the sound. Your head begins bobbing too! And not long after that, your body is swaying to the beat.So instead of being a totally respectable and stuck up language learner, you become this happy weirdo gyrating his/her body to some music, shouting  out catchy song lyrics in your target language.Well, if you really want to be that lame, go ahead. Learn Spanish with music. Learn French as well. Enjoy at your own risk. In fact, if you want to learn more about music and language acquisition, check out this post.4. Incubate Insi de Your RoomLearning is a marathon. It’s supposed to be hard. And it’s meant to be done alone.Being alone in your room and going through heavy books builds your character. You become stronger, you become self-sufficient. So don’t be a sissy and ask for the help of anyone. You’re a big boy (or girl), so why ask for help?Others who arent as strong-willed as you go on sites like: italki, Livemocha, Busuu and The Mixxer.These are all community sites for language learners. When you get on these sites, you might find someone you can chat with, Skype with or even learn with. Eventually you’ll get friends who will, in turn, encourage you and, God forbid, even make the lessons fun.Who would ever want that?Learning is best when youre in the comforts of a room, alone. So go at it by yourself. Don’t look for language learning partners. They’re really only interested in your snacks.5. Force Yourself to Fluency in 3 HoursHow long does it take to learn a new language?Some say 3 month s, others 6 months.Others have even put forward the idea that it takes a total of 10,000 hours for a person to be really good at anything. But for me? Three hours. That’s all it really takes to master a language.(If youre a little a slow, maybe add another 30 minutes.)Nothing to it. Don’t believe the studies that highlight the importance of pacing and sequencing in effective learning.  Don’t believe what scientists have found: supposedly that cramming doesnt work.Oh well, if you really insist on doing the opposite of everything I’m telling you here, this is what you need to do: don’t cram for language acquisition. Immerse yourself in the lessons and get into situations where you can naturally practice what youve learned. Don’t be a hero and try to do everything in one sitting.Pace yourself. Have ample time for breaks during your learning sessions.Sequence your lessons properly. That means starting with the easiest language tasks and progressing to lessons that are only m arginally more difficult than the previous one. Think: challenging but doable. Don’t skip directly to intermediate lessons, thinking you’ll learn the basics along the way. Nope, it doesn’t work that way, Jose. Unless youve laid a strong foundation, all your future learnings will be shifting sand.If you do these, you’ll start having fun(don’t say you’ve never been warned) and may God have mercy on your linguistic soul.6. Shun the Help of Intrusive Native SpeakersOhhhhh, native speakers.They’re all so stuck up with their sexy Spanish accents and their seductive French pronunciations. They’re all like, “You want to learn my language? Let me help you, mademoiselle.”They’re all so full of themselves.Run away from the native speakers and avoid sites like conversationexchange.com  at all costs.God forbid you might meet the natives and they might teach you something more than your textbooks, tainting your learning experience. They might share their culture  with you, o r tell you funny or interesting events in their nation’s history. They might give you local knowledge that could lead you to the best restaurants and the most interesting sites  in their home city.And the result of all of this?Fun, of course!So avoid sites like openculture.com. You might really begin to appreciate the culture and ultimately fall in love with the language. And itll be the end of you.Speaking of the end, those are the 6 powerful tips to squeeze all the fun out of self-teaching any language. I know theyll serve you well in the future. So spread the word, tell everybody you know and spare them this “fun” disease that’s spreading all over.But in the end, the choice is still yours. If, however, in spite of all my admonitions, you still want to have fun (ooooh, that gives me the shivers), then do the exact opposite of what I told you here. It’s your choice. I just did my part, the rest is up to you!So, what’s it gonna be? And One More ThingIf youd rather keep fun in your language learning, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  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 Screen.FluentU 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 your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn 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.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.

8 Online Language Learning Resources for Kids and Kids at Heart

8 Online Language Learning Resources for Kids and Kids at Heart 8 Online Language Learning Resources for Kids and Kids at Heart Looking for the best online language learning programs for your kid(s)?Good for you!Whether youre a language learner yourself or just an awesome parent, giving your offspring access to  the joys and endless benefits of acquiring a new language  is one of the best things you can do for them.Same goes for if youre going to be tutoring kids in a foreign language.Or hey, you might just be curious about what kind of language learning resources are out there for kids because you figure they might be fun and work for you, too!Regardless of your situation, youre in for a treat today.Were going to look at the best in online language learning for kids.Lets get to it! 3 Characteristics of a Kid-friendly Language Learning ProgramBefore I give you the resources that youre looking for, Im going to give you the three characteristics of a kid-friendly program. Think of them as the three equally supportive legs of a stool.ActivityA language learning program tailored for kids is highly interactive. It engages the senses and imagination and makes the kids an important part of the learning process. When dealing with children, a straight-up passive lecture is not effective. They barely can sit still, much less keep their eyes on the lesson. Youre dealing with short attention spans and so you need to hit them with activity after activity that keeps them engaged in the lesson.A kid-friendly program gives children something to doâ€"with their hands, their eyes, their imaginations. It doesnt expect them to get through the whole thing without a fuss.So an online resource  full of boring text wont be a hit. It will barely register. If a language learning program is full of paragraphs, then move on.Kids dont think of language learning as a linguistic goal made up of words and phrases, they think of it as an activityâ€"a game, a dance, a song or an audiovisual experience. They engage in the experience and forget that theyre already learning about the language. So its like youre layering the lessons behind some fun activities. Its not like adult programs where the language lessons are so explicit and in your face. Its not like kids are going to say to themselves, Okay, today Im gonna memorize 10 vocabulary words about food.CreativityIm sure youve had the experience of asking your little one to do something she doesnt want to do. Youre feeding her, for example, and she stops opening her mouth, resisting you at every turn. So you start getting creative. You turn that tiny spoon into an airplane, doing backflips and somersaults in the air. Sometimes its a train choo-choo-choo-ing into her mouth.Eating is an activity, but your way is more fun and creative.Memorizing a list of words from a sheet of paper is also an activity. But its hardly creative. When dealing with kids, a program has to rise to their level of creativity and imagination. Im talking about bright colors, moving objects, talking animals, cartoon characters, changing scenery, storylines, rescue missions, i nterplanetary drama, etc.Suddenly, your kid isnt just learning about numbers, hes counting gold coins in Czech so he can buy the flying pony hell use to rescue the princess. And when hes done saving her, he gets to meet her familyâ€"the king, some rowdy unclesâ€"and along the way, learn about family vocabulary. Thats an activity, and a creative one!VarietyThey say that variety is the spice of life. If the same thing is done over and over, the novelty soon wears off. Its not a challenge anymore. It becomes a chore. Kids will only engage with material if it still interests them. If theres something new, something unexpected.They don’t care if they learn the language lessons you want them to or not. They dont look far into the future and think, Being bilingual will raise my value at work. Theyre in the present, thinking, What’s in it for me right now?And if its the same thing over and over, theyll have nothing to do with it.A good online language learning program for kids knows thi s. Thats why the creators throw in plenty of different activities. They try to teach the same lesson in different ways. For example, a lesson about numbers can be taught in a song. It can also be taught in a story, or a game, so the kids dont get sick of the same lesson. Because hey, its not really the same lesson. (Wink!)Resources can also test for the same vocabulary set in different ways, even involving different skills. They can test for pronunciation by asking the children to speak into a microphone, they can do word pairs and they can make the activity more interactive by asking the kids to type in the answer. They can also tap into that competitive spirit and facilitate language contests with other students online.A good rule of thumb is that a really good online resource for kids will have at least five different types of creative activities.With all that being said, Im now going to show you some of the best online resources for kids today.8 Online Language Learning Resource s for Kids and Kids at HeartSome of these programs are specifically made for kids, while others are all-ages programs that just happen to have features great for kidsâ€"both types of programs have their advantages. With programs designed for kids, you can rest assured that your children are being catered to by experts, whereas with general programs, you may be more inclined to join in on the fun!Little PimAdults might run for dear life at the sight of a bear, but kids think theyre cute and cuddly.Little Pim, that lovable panda, can be your childrens video guide to learning any or all of the 12 languages on offer. What used to be recorded on multiple DVDs can now be video streamed or digitally downloaded, but you still get that Little Pim cuteness and goofy goodness that won the program over 25 awards.Their learning system, the  Entertainment Immersion Method,  was developed by top language teachers and neuroscientists. It employs repetition, play and child-friendly themes to tap int o toddlers’ natural love for learning. The videos are a combination of animations and live-action clips that introduce topics like colors and numbers. They run for only 5 minutes to accommodate an audience of 0-6 year olds.You can choose from a combination of download, streaming, DVD and book options. Prices vary depending on exactly what you want, but are generally affordable. For example,  the full French program, which comes with two books, is $131.99.Along with the books and DVDs, you can also get other physical products including flashcards, CDs, toys and posters.The program is said to teach your little ones 360 basic words in the target language. To me, that sounds like an awesome deal!Muzzy BBCMuzzy BBC is the BBCs answer to language learning for all ages. This immersion program, described as The Worlds #1 Language Course for Children, is centered around animated characters and stories in video episodes. The episodes are designed to naturally build on one another, enabling your child to learn through an engaging, interactive method, rather than traditional teaching.Muzzy BBC currently offers courses in Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, German, Italian, English and Korean. You can get started with the online program for $9.95 per month, or save by going with a semi-annual or annual plan. You also have the option of a DVD set with a risk-free trial period and payment plan.The program will introduce your child to 600+ vocabulary words and cover the following subjects in the target language:Telling TimePeople PlacesPast, Present Future TensesTransportationFoodAsking QuestionsOccupationDays of the WeekLife at HomeFamily FriendsSince Muzzy BBC is effective for all types of learners and meant to let your child learn the language naturally, its a great low-pressure way to expose kids to a second language at any age.FluentUFluentU is your best bet for authentic language learning videos the whole family will enjoy. While other programs often only have a han dful of videos, FluentU has a wide variety of video clips that cover all language levelsâ€"from absolute beginners to advanced learnersâ€"as well as all ages.FluentU takes real online videos and turns them into lessons that are personalized and digestible. You wont have to struggle to get your kids away from the TV to do their language practice, because theyll be able to watch the same sort of stuff theyd be entranced by on TV, anywayâ€"but in the target language.Videos range from content made specifically to appeal to childrenâ€"like cartoons, music videos and movie trailersâ€"to content you may enjoy yourselfâ€"such as politics, news and TED talks. This means you may want to help select content thats appropriate for your childs age, level and interests, but this is a great opportunity for you to get involved in the language learning process and for you and your kids to learn both individually and together as a family.You can easily sort and search videos, and once you get started, FluentU begins to personalize your content and make recommendations for further viewing.FluentU covers the worlds major languages, currently offering Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese,  English,  Russian, Italian and Korean,  with an upcoming program for  Portuguese. (There are over 1,000 videos for Spanish alone.)Each video clip has an interactive transcript so kids can closely follow whats being said in the clip. Each word in the transcript is in itself a mini language lesson, because when kids hover on a specific word, everything they need to know about that wordâ€"pronunciation, translation, usage example, etc.â€"pops up.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 your mouse over 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.Ever wanted to take your child to another country to let them experience language and culture immersion? Now you can do just that in the safety of your own home and at a fraction of the costâ€"$15 a month for a Basic subscription and $30 for Plus.FluentU enriches your childs learning experience, making the process of learning a pure delight. Try it on the website or download the app from the iTunes store  or Google Play store.Dino LingoDino Lingo is an award-winning language program that offers lessons in over 40 languages. Theyre known for the package they send you that contains DVDs, colorful posters, flashcards and coloring books.They do have online subscriptions, and for $99.95, you have a full years access to their online content.Its called Dino Lingo because a dinosaur introduces your kids to the target language. The online portal gives you access to six 35-minute videos that teach your toddler topics like household items, family, body parts, clothes, nature and actions. Your kids will happily repeat these lessons over and over.Another feature is online games like Word Wheel, where kids click on the correct picture after hearing an audio prompt, and Memory Card, where vocabulary and mental acuity are honed at the same time.Parents can also print some easily downloadable worksheets and activity books, so you can not only work closely with your little one, but also get a window into the things that shes learning. You can gauge her progress and give her a helping hand.PetraLinguaThis i s a multimedia vocabulary builder suitable for learners aged 3-10.PetraLingua has courses in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German and Russian.Each course has around 20 lessons that range from colors and clothing to fruits and vegetables. There are 10 different activities and exercises for each lesson. Each lesson opens with an introductory video that identifies the vocabulary set that can be learned in that lesson. This is then followed by a parade of reinforcing activities, exercises and interactive gives that the kids perform to help them learn the words. These include listen-and-repeat, listen-and-click and word-matching tasks that allow the kids to deal with the words in different contexts.All told, each course features around 500 basic words, 80 language learning videos, 11 language learning songs, 140 interactive online games and a talking picture dictionary. For as low as $3.99 a month (if you get the annual subscription), you have yourself a great deal.Mango LanguagesTh is one is suitable for ages 6 and up.Your kids are going to use headphones on this one. The uniqueness of the program lies in its focus on conversational skills. If you want your kids to study in the morning and try out their newly learned phrases on the whole family in the afternoon, go with Mango Languages. It has that effect on children.Each lesson starts by listening to a few lines of basic dialogue or conversation. It might be a greetings dialogue or a question-and-answer type of conversation. Theres a clear text of the whole exchange presented on the screen so learners can follow along. Everything is color-coded to make this easy.In the remainder of the lesson, the whole dialogue is deconstructed and broken down into lines, phrases and words.Theres a Play icon on every line so learners can self-pace and repeat the lines as often as needed. The learner is guided line-by-line and hears how each word is correctly spoken. If you hover the mouse on a particular line, up goes a tran slation of it.The lesson zeroes in on individual words and phrases. And in addition to the replay button, learners can use a microphone to compare their own pronunciation with how native speakers do it.And you can do this in over 60 languages, including Pirate language! For only $20 a month, you and as many as five kids can start learning practically any language in the world.LanguagenutLanguagenut is the perfect vocabulary builder, pronunciation partner and spelling teacher for learners 5-14 years old. The program amply covers all bases and touches on all four key linguistic skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The program has specific games that address each.Its widely used in schools in 32 countries around the world as a supplemental language teaching tool. But the program can be equally valuable for homeschooling families.Languagenut may tackle the same topics (numbers, colors, greetings) as many other language programs, but it has some of the most graphically compe lling interfaces this side of language learning. It teaches target words and phrases through games, songs and stories. Your child would find it very hard not to learn and engage. The games alone are worth the price of admission. (What do you say to 14?)At £9.99 per year, itd be a crime not to get Languagenut for your kids.DuolingoDuolingo is the most popular language learning program online. Its probably because one, its free, and two, it gives adults permission to be like kids.What I mean is that they divide the lessons into very manageable bits, make the pacing very gradual, add audio prompts and pictures, and, last but not least, feature an animal cartoon character. Mix all of these into language learning content and you have a concoction that could work with kids as well as adults. (Well, at least kids who already know how to read and spell.)This is another program you can easily participate in with your child. Instead of leaving him alone, you can guide him and give instant fe edback and praise, which would make for great bonding time!Duolingo is one long activity where through repetition, vocabulary is embedded and kept fresh. Learners are given little tasks. The idea is, the more of these teenie tiny tasks they do, the more theyll remember of the target language.Learners may be asked to choose the translation of a word from the given choices. Sometimes the actual translation needed to be typed by the learner. Sometimes the task goes the other way and learners are given the English translation and will be asked to supply the target language equivalent.Duolingo repeats the tasks, goes forwards and backwards between languages, mixes and matches previously learned words and keeps learners on their toes. It also does a good job of remembering the words learners have difficulty with so they can be offered for review.Duolingo may look simple and straightforward, but theres actually a lot going on under the hood. If your kids stick with Duolingo, theyll pick up a greater number of words than with a lot of other programs.Check out these seven programs and test them for yourself.Each of them has their strengths and specialties, so choose whatever fits your situation.And if you really want to make the best of it, learn a language with your kid. Two birds, one stone.Good luck!

Tech, Tricks and Tips for Confronting Language Barriers Boldly

Tech, Tricks and Tips for Confronting Language Barriers Boldly Tech, Tricks and Tips for Confronting Language Barriers Boldly Parlez-vous  français ? ¿Habla español?Sprechen Sie Deutsch?If you live on planet Earth, then theres a pretty high chance that, at least once in your life, youve come up against the dreaded language barrier.Language barriers can crop up at any moment while  abroad, at work or even in your own neighborhood.Sometimes were prepared for them, and sometimes were caught completely off guard.The experience is different for everyone.Some people can take language barriers in stride. They figure out ways to communicate or direct themselves (or the other speaker) to someone who can help.Some people get annoyed. While this isnt the most useful reaction, it does happen.Then there are those who get frustrated, but in a good way. These are the seekers, the language learners. The people in this groupâ€"which Im assuming includes youâ€"would rather burrow themselves 10 feet underground before encountering someone with whom they cant communicate.But the thing is, theres no need to run and hide.Its o kay to be anxious, but dont let it cripple you. You dont want to put off traveling and miss out on great experiences because of a language barrier. The world is becoming more condensed as it is. If you want to get away from language barriers, you really might have to start digging that hole.So instead of avoiding the challenge of communicating with someone who speaks a different language, take it on. Its not as daunting as youd think.Rise to the occasion.  Youll thank yourself for it later.In this post, well explore why you should welcome language barriers and how to deal with them, using the help of technology and the natural human capacity for communication. Why Language Barriers Are Good for the SoulTheres nothing that spurs human growth  more than powering your way through an uncomfortable situation. Encountering language barriers tends to be quite uncomfortable, but the good news is, most people survive unscathed.Language barriers create opportunities.As you may already know, learning a language is an opportunity to embrace a new language, and, as a natural progression, embrace a new culture. Once you start taking on a new language, youre drawn in. You learn what people eat, what kind of music they listen to, how they see the world. You connect with the people, the culture, the country and you become eager to immerse yourself in their world.These revelations become part of your fabric. You build acceptance, empathy and understanding in ways that you never thought you could.Other fringe benefits include overcoming possible phobias and building hardcore self-confidence. You begin to see all the things of which youre capable, that there is no limit to what you can accomplish.There are really no disadvantages to learning a new language.But lets keep the horse in front the cart. Before youre comfortable  with a new language, youll still come up against some roadblocks. But why let that stop you (unless its a real roadblock and theres a danger sign and the po lice are there, then you should probably just listen to them and not get yourself into any troublebut yeah, lets stay on track)? With the use of technology, a little preparation and tools that will help you on the spot, youll be able to make a quick detour and be on your way.So keep reading. Take a peek. See whats waiting for you down the road.Tech, Tricks and Tips for Confronting Language Barriers BoldlyEquipping Yourself: Technology to Help Get You Where Youre GoingWhether its a literal or metaphorical journey, technology has you covered. Thank goodness. The world of language learning is vast, and technology can help you narrow things down.One useful piece of tech that will help you through language barriers at every stage of your language learning journey, no matter where you are, is the translation app. Translation apps can serve as a quick fix, relieve anxiety and help you take baby steps to knocking down that wall.Here are some of the most popular below.Google TranslatePrice: FreeDevice: Android, iOS and WindowsNumber of languages:  Over 90Features:  Google is able to translate text, audio and images in a continuously growing number of languages. Its simple and convenient. With its tap to translate feature, users can use Google Translate without leaving apps like WhatsApp and other messaging platforms. Also, its extremely fast-working, so theres no time wasted when youre in a crunch.What to watch out for:  The translations can be a bit wonkyâ€"especially when using Asian charactersâ€"so just be cautious. Also, Google Translate is not private. So if you want to translate sensitive information, proceed with caution. Its unlikely that your private information will be spread across the internet, but you never know.Best use: Any situation where a language barrier pops up. Both text and audio work well as long as you use clear and direct language, whether its written or verbal.iTranslatePrice:  Free (limited use)Device:  Android, iOS and WindowsNumber of langu ages:  Over 90Features:  There are many features to this app, so youll have to check it out to see  all it has to offer. However, one of its main features is that it translates both audio and text, and even goes so far as to translate different dialects. It has an extensive dictionary and even offers verb conjugation. Theres quick and easy access to previous translations and your most frequently used translation. There are also offline capabilities, so if youre abroad you can get yourself out of a bind without having to scan for WiFi or worry about expensive roaming charges.What to watch out for:  The voice translation doesnt work with offline mode. Offline mode isnt always contextually accurate. Also, some of the better features of the app are only available with a paid subscription.Best use:  When youre out and about. The audio feature works well, so if you need to communicate quickly, just speak into the app and get your translation.TripLingoPrice:  Free (limited use)Device:  And roid and iOSNumber of languages:  23Features:  This app is really great for travel. It includes almost any phrase you can think of. It also translates it as its spoken formally, casually, in slang and crazy. Most people speak casually or in slang on a day-to-day basis, so this is an amazing tool. It also has a voice translator, image translator, tip calculator and currency converter, WiFi calling, and it will even give you tips on etiquette and culture.What to watch out for: The cost. While the free version is very useful, you get much more from the paid version. Just a few minutes with the human translator can run you nearly $30. Also, the phonetic guide isnt quite that helpful, so its better to rely on the audio when you can.Best use:  Same as above. The voice audio feature is efficient, and if you need to quickly translate something, it also has that readymade phrasebook for your most common questions and statements.WaygoPrice:  Free (limited use)Device:  Android and iOSNumber of languages:  3 (Chinese, Japanese, Korean)Features:  Waygo is an image app. When traveling to China, Japan or Korea (or if youre in an Asian neighborhood elsewhere), this is a great option. The way it works is that you hold the camera up to the characters and it will give you the English translation in addition to the correct pronunciation of the phrase. The app also stores your history, and you can save favorites. So, youll always be able to refer back to something you might have forgotten.What to watch out for:  Its only useful for clear, printed text. The app does not recognize stylized writing, handwriting or text on a computer screen. Also, the free version only allows for up to 10 translations per day.Best use: If youre in a restaurant, shopping, or anywhere theres printed text that you dont understand, then Waygo will come in handy.The PilotPrice:  $249Device: Android and iOSNumber of languages: 12+ plannedFeatures:  The Pilot is  upcoming tech thats not currently on the mark et, but available for pre-order. Its a wearable translation system that comes with a set of earbuds. It allows you to speak your language and the other person will hear you in their language. Its an impressive piece of technology that allows for communication without the disconnect of using an app when trying to engage in conversation.What to watch out for:  The thing that makes it great is also the thing that might make it not so great. It doesnt seem like it will be conducive to casual conversations with strangers. People may be reluctant to pop a strange piece of equipment in their ear not knowing where its been, and germs aside, its just generally an awkward request to make of a strangerâ€"especially one who cant understand what youre asking to begin with. However, only trial and error will tell how this works out.Best use: Long, formal conversations. You wouldnt want to use this to ask someone for directions. You should have at least  some familiarity with the person you share these buds with.Thinking Ahead: Being Barrier-readyTranslation apps arent the only way to quell your anxiety about encountering language barriers. To be honest, they should really only be used in a bind, because as well-intentioned as they are, you lose that human connection when youre texting or speaking through a device. Besides, your brain is the best translation app out there anyway, and you should really take advantage of it.Theres plenty that you can do in advance to mitigate any feelings of discomfort or awkwardness when you know that youre going to be in a situation where your native language is not the primary language. With these simple preparations, youll be ready for whats to come.Spend time on language learning appsThere are so many out there these days, more than we care to count. If youve only got a short amount of time before you travel, you can use an app to arm yourself with some basic words and phrases. If you have a lot of time, you can use these same apps to rea lly build your proficiency.Since there are so many out there, I wont make you look through them all. Instead, here are two of the most popular resources out there that will give you a foundation in your target language.FluentU is an interactive platform that ramps up your language learning through real-life videos. Youre able to watch videos with subtitles, getting a sense of how the language actually sounds when spoken by everyday people, and then youre taken through a series of lessons. Its a great way build comprehension and vocabulary. It currently offers several languages including Spanish, French, Chinese and more. The FluentU app is available for the iTunes store  and Google Play store, as well as on your web browser.Duolingo  is one of the  most popular free language learning apps on the market. It currently offers many full language courses, with other courses in beta and still hatching. Users are able to start from scratch or test out of certain lessons if they already hav e basic knowledge of a language. It takes you through a series of lessons based on subjects using images and audio. Its available on Android, iPhone and your web browser.Take classesFormal instruction is a great way to prepare yourself for foreign communications. It can be expensive and time-consuming, but being taught by a real person can also be a lot of fun. Whether in person or online, you can be sure to find a program that will fit, or nearly fit, exactly what youre looking for.You can find anything from a rigorous program with a tried-and-true curriculum or a more casual course where the instructor adapts the lessons according to your needs. Either way, if you have the time, the money and the motivation, classes are well worth the investment for someone looking to expand their communicative reach.At coLanguage, you can take one-on-one online classes over Skype with a qualified language instructor from a top European university. Classes can be flexible enough to suit your perso nal needs and schedule, but learning materials are provided and their courses are based on the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference for languages), so you can be sure youre getting adequate preparation for whatever language-based situation youre facing.Research and collect phrasesSometimes we dont have the time, and sometimes we just dont have the money. Not to worry. The internet is here to save the day, as it so often does.If youre going to be traveling soon, you can always do a quick search of common phrases  that are specific to your needs, like how to get around or ordering at a restaurant. If youre traveling for business, look up words and phrases relevant to your industry. Meeting a friend or significant others parents for the first time? Search for some common greetings.One great resource for this purpose is Lonely Planet phrasebooks. They cover regional and cultural concerns, some even include menu decoders and theyre all designed with practical communication for the t raveler in mind.Its nice to be prepared with resources that take language barriers into account, and just showing that youre making an effort goes a long way.Thinking On Your Feet: Tips for Overcoming Language Barriers On the SpotSometimes, no matter how prepared we are, we encounter language barriers with little to no preparation. Dont fret. All hope is not lost. You will persevere. If you find yourself in an unexpected situation, try some of these tips to help you along the way.Speak slowly and clearlyThis may seem obvious, but if youre speaking English to someone whos not a native English speaker, clear and concise speech is key. Never shout, though. Thats just offensive. By speaking slowly and clearly, youll help the person pick up key words and context, so they can help themselves navigate the conversation.If youre speaking a foreign language, you still need to speak slowly and clearly if youre not fluent. Youll have an accent, and our consonants and vowels dont always share th e same sounds with other languages. While you might be saying the right word, you may be pronouncing it wrong, especially if youre a beginner. The native speaker will know youre a beginner, so their brain will translate your mistakes effortlessly as long as they understand what youre trying to say.Speaking clearly also includes avoiding slang and idioms. Dont use them in English when speaking to a speaker of a different language, and dont try to translate them literally into another language. Just dont. Sure, you may get lucky from time to time and land on a word or phrase that the other person can understand, but other times youll end up with a blank stare and the person wondering if perhaps they should call you some help, because why are you selling your arm and your leg for an expensive meal?Use gestures and visualsHeres where people tend to feel foolish. Pointing, waving, flapping your arms like a chicken, its all embarrassing. However, its sometimes what you have to do to get y our point across.Remember that scene in Love Actually when Aurelia asked Jamie to tell her about his novel that she dove into eel-infested waters to save? She spoke only Portuguese with maybe four words of English in her arsenal. He only spoke English. Still, together they managed to eek out that he was writing a sometimes scary and sometimes not crime thriller. How? They used gestures. Check it out here.Aurelia and Jamie pantomimed their way through conversation, because neither of them spoke the others language. They got through it. They survived, and then they eventually lived happily ever after.Im not saying that if you make gestures to communicate with a person who speaks a foreign language that youll meet your soulmate. Im saying its an effective form of communication, and, well, anything is possible. Thats all.Ask for clarificationDont be afraid to do this. People dont typically like to watch one another flounce about with confusion. If someone is speaking to you, chances are they want you to understand what theyre saying, otherwise, they wouldnt waste their time. If youre not clear on something, ask them to repeat it, or ask them to speak more slowly. If you still dont understand, let them know. Theyll more than likely express their point in a different way.The takeaway here is not to be shy. The person youre speaking to will know that youre not a native speaker or even a fluent speaker. It will be obvious. Theyll expect that theyll have to speak with you differently than they would a native speaker. They may even use gestures and visuals to help you along. Its all one big cycle, you see.Take advantage of spontaneous conversationIt can be scary for some people to casually engage in conversation in a new language. Go for it anyway. Learning a language gets easier the more you speak it. If you have the opportunity to practice (or develop) your skills, dont shy away from it. We all have that pressing fear that were going to make a mistake, or that we dont sound native enough. It doesnt matter. Making mistakes and having an accent is all part of the process.Think about this. When you meet non-native English speakers, what do you do? Do you recoil? Do you scream at them? Do you tell them how imperfect their English is? Probably not. You appreciate the effort on their part. Youre probably even impressed by how well they speak English, and maybe a little jealous that you dont speak another language quite so well. So let yourself speak when given the opportunity. It will only help you in the long run.Dont let language barriers get you down.Theyre nothing to be afraid of, and you have everything to gain.Even if you only learn one new phrase from the experience, it will be something you didnt know before, and youll be happy you know it now!

20 Awesome Blogs That Actually Help You Learn a Language

20 Awesome Blogs That Actually Help You Learn a Language On the hunt for the best language learning blogs on the planet?Well, Ive found 20 of the very best, and theyre yours for the taking.Let me clarifyâ€"these arent just informative resources.Theyre not just filled out with basic, lifeless facts and obvious advice.Theyre the type of blogs that are perfect for enhancing your language studies, sure to entertain you while also really getting the ball rolling on your learning of one, two or more languages.Theyll help you pinpoint the right techniques  and give you specific, tried-and-tested ideas that you can apply to your own acquisition of languages.They can also give you great insight into the language-learning tools and resources thatll work best for you.I know you can hardly wait to start reading, but before the blogroll, lets quickly look into some important points about learning a language through blogs. How to Use Language Learning Blogs to Your AdvantageTheir Mistakes, Your GainWhen it comes to learning, the folks behind these blo gs are likely a good number of years and a good number of languages ahead of you. And theyve made a whole lot of mistakes  as well and so are now in a position to dish out some really important firsthand insights and tips. Dont waste this opportunity: Gain from their personal experiences. You dont have to reinvent the wheel yourself because there are people who took the language journey ahead of you.Consider these blogs to be like travel journals for people, like yourself, who will follow and take the same trip.Read their language stories, and stand on the shoulders of giants. Start from a better place than they had when they were starting out.Their Methods, Your MaybeThis is the antithesis of the previous point.You shouldnt necessarily take everything experienced learners tell you hook-line-and-sinker. In fact, most of the folks behind these blogs would probably be the first ones to tell you that theres no one best way, no foolproof method to fluency. Theyre just telling you what w orked for them and what didnt.We all take different roads to the same destination. And learning a new language is as much about learning about yourself as it is about learning new ways of talking. You have to decide which insights, tips  and tricks  from these posts resonate with you. You cant read blogs and consider them dogma. You have to make your own decisions. You have to actively participate in your learning.Their Suggestions, Your ActionSpeaking of actively taking part in your learning, realize that you still have to actually do the dirty work: talking with native speakers, putting vocabulary into memorable contexts, finding language learning partners, researching special points of grammar, learning about the culture, etc.You have to get moving, get speaking, actually open your mouth in the target language. You cant just be sitting around all the time reading all these blogs. You have to actually put into daily application the tips and techniques these bloggers dish out. Its not enough to know these tips. You have to live them.So also consider these blogs as traveling companions. Its nice to have them along, but you actually have to take the literal steps in order to reach your destination.Now that you know how to learn best with these blogs, lets move on to the blogs themselves!20 Awesome Blogs That Actually Help You Learn a LanguageThe Mezzofanti GuildLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesThe Mezzofanti Guild is named after the Italian hyper-polyglot Cardinal Giuseppe Caspar Mezzofanti, whos considered to have been fluent in more than 35 languages.The guy behind the blog is the famous Australian polyglot Donovan Nagel, who speaks English (native), Egyptian Arabic, Korean, Russian, Irish, Ancient Hebrew and Greek.Like many other bloggers in this list, his unquenchable passion for languages became the raison dêtre for the blog, providing motivation to power through the time-consuming task of writing great content for readers and language learners.S peaking of great content, are you currently experiencing a learning plateau? Read his post  How to Easily Get Beyond Language Learning Plateaus  and discover how to get over those psychological humps.5-Minute LanguageLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesFor anybody who always says he’s too busy to be learning a new language, Agnieszka Murdoch has set up a blog that contains posts that can be read in five minutes. The blog is eminently practical and actionable because how to articles take up almost half of the content available.Agnieszka is a living testament that it is indeed possible to learn a new language while maintaining a busy lifestyle. Shes learned several languages while having a full-time job. And, if she can maintain a blog, run webinars and hold language masterclasses and still continue to be a language learner herself, then there’s really very little excuse for the rest of us.And in that vein, why dont you read her post 12 Things Ultra-productive Language Learn ers Do Differently  and pick up learning gems that you can apply in your own journey. (And check to see if you indeed finish reading it in under five minutes!)FluentU Learner BlogsLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesAs you may already know,  FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.But FluentU not only houses the webs best collection of authentic language learning videos, it actually has a growing family of blogs that cover the worlds major languages:ChineseSpanishFrenchGermanJapaneseEnglishItalianArabicRussianKoreanPortugueseThey not only feature insightful posts from language experts and top language learners, theyre also fat with links to the best resources out there for learning languages.So whether youre setting your eyes on Chinese, Spanish, French or German, the FluentU team has got you covered with some very practical and actionable information thats sure t o be effective in your linguistic endeavour. And even if youre not learning one of the above languages, you can still find plenty of insights and tips on our general blog for all language learners right here.Heres just a small sampling of language-specific posts from FluentUs bloggers:The 7 Best Korean Movies on Netflix to Level Up Your Korean17 Superb Websites to Amp Up Your Spanish Listening PracticeHow to Learn German Faster with AudiobooksActual FluencyLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesThis blog came about as a way to chronicle a person’s linguistic journey. And what started out as an exercise in personal improvement is now a top resource for language learners around the world, inspiring disillusioned learners to continue along the path despite the leaps and hurdles along the way.Kris Broholm is down-to-earth, honest and relatable, and his articles reflect this. The blog is a good starting point for those who want an extensive description and explanation of the leading language learning products and programs available today.Read his review of Benny Lewiss Language Hacking: German to learn what he thinks about the product.I Will Teach You A LanguageLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesGutsy name for a blog. But maybe you would be a little more than self-confident if, like the blog ownerâ€"Olly Richardsâ€"you could speak eight languages. Youd probably be doing something right. And you probably couldnt be stopped from shouting your secrets and sharing them with mere mortals.Olly is dishing out the 411 on the things that worked and are working for him. The guy is very personable and actually very down-to-earth. The blog does give you great language tips, techniques and tricks, but more than that, Olly’s posts are quite personal and you get the sense that hes really opening up on what he, as a language learner, is going through, sharing with you the ups and downs, the triumphs and defeats of the linguistic journey. The effect on the reader is t hat of quiet inspiration.His uploads are fat with content and well thought-out. He even has videos for you. In this one, he explains to beginners the specific routines he uses when learning languages.If you love learning from Olly, then you might also want to try out his latest and greatest course offerings, like Conversions, Grammar Hero or the Uncovered series (covering popular languages with targeted course options like French Uncovered, Spanish Uncovered, German Uncovered and Italian Uncovered).The Conversations course is designed to get you to conversational mastery within 90 days, so youre speaking like a native faster than you thought possible. Grammar Hero  is a must for anyone who struggles with the building blocks of languages. And the Uncovered courses are longer-term programs to take students from beginner to intermediate levels with 100+ hours of study time and interactive learning modules that harness the power of storytelling and imagination.Speaking LatinoLanguage Fo cus: SpanishYou know the saying the best way to learn something is to teach it? Well, heres where you begin to distance yourself from the pack, because this ones actually a blog for teachers of Spanish.And the most rocking thing about this one are the teacher materials, activities and resources  that you find in the blog. Youll get access to topically structured lessons that you can actually use for yourself. And because theyre often intended for young beginners of Spanish, you can be sure that youll have no difficulties in digesting the material.Instead of making the study aids yourself, you can just get them here. So in essence, you are your very own teacher and you cut out the middleman. In the post 7 Spanish Songs for Kids to Sing Along With,  youll find catchy tunes thatll make learning Spanish seem like a vacation.Mandarin HQLanguage Focus: Mandarin ChineseMandarin is spoken natively by around 873 million people, and over a billion as a second language. If you want to add your self to that number and learn the language, you dont want to miss this blog co-founded by Angel Huang.Mandarin HQ sets out to bridge the gap between the kind of Chinese you read in textbooks and the kind of Chinese you hear in the streets. So in the posts, youll read about grammar, vocabulary and phrases as theyre used in day-to-day communication. The lessons and posts have a rubber-meets-the-world flavor and will get you to a place where you can have meaningful conversations with other speakers.Good thing about this is that you wont just be reading textsâ€"their videos actually allow you to hear how the language sounds. For example, in the The 5 Most Common Yes/No Questions Foreigners Get Asked in China,  you have a video showing you how the questions might be thrown your way in real-world situations.Alex RawlingsLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesIn 2012, in a competition run by Harper Collins, this blogs founder was named as the most multilingual student in Britainâ€"after being tested for fluency in 11 different languages. So if there’s someone who can claim that he’s especially good at languages, it would be Alex Rawlings.His posts, such as Catalan or Spanish: Deciding which language to speak in Barcelona, are a breeze to read. If you read them out loud, theyd be quite conversational. And hes really blogging, folks, not just writing language lessons. He really lets you in on his thought processes and  opens up on the struggles in his journey, which is ultimately motivational for us, his readers, who might not be so gifted. Just knowing that somebody like Alex struggles with language makes our fumbles more bearable. This blog will make you feel that, as well as teach you some pretty neat language learning techniques.Omniglot blogLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesIf youre just really in love with languages, then you should check out this blog. Its for people who simply love words, in whatever tongue they may be. It contains the linguistic musings of Simon Ager, a Welsh guy who spends serious time making great content for the blog.You’ll find information thatll make your day. The blog talks about things like why the Japanese say ???? (moshi moshi) when answering the phone or what the Scots call ATM machines.Most other blogs here are centered on speaking the languageâ€"teaching you, for example, how to ask where the nearest train station is or how to say Do you come here often? This blog stands apart in that, in addition to all that, the written form of the language is given its time to shine. So if you want to know the worlds alphabets, writing systems and scripts, Omniglot will be your best bet.A Polyglot WorldLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesHere youre entering the world of polyglots, guys and gals who seem to be freakishly great at absorbing different languages. But in this world, you dont feel like an outsider, but a welcomed member of the gang, even if youre still working on your first foreign languag e.Youll get posts like The 9 Habits of Highly Effective Polyglots,  where youll learn language learning tips from the worlds best polyglots as they share what worked for them and what pitfalls to look out for.Youll also read their inspiring stories and come out believing that you, too, can be a polyglot, or just tame that language youve had your eyes on for the longest time.Multilingual LivingLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesThis ones a blog for parents. (I can already hear you saying, Hey!)Maybe you happen to be a parent, but if youre not and have no immediate plans of being one, you might not be able to see, on the surface, what this blog could do for you. But the thing is, with blogs like this, as with teacher blogs, you get to see the behind-the-scenes of the learning process. Because youre using a third-person perspective, reading posts about how to best raise a multilingual child, the veil of language learning is pulled back and you get a meta-education that puts you in a better position to pick the learning system, method or technique that works for you.Explore the blog and youll realize theres so much in here that can resonate with you.  The post Why Should Parents Talk to Their Children in Their Native Language?  is just one example.Create Your World BooksLanguage Focus: General/multiple languagesIf you love reading, if you love to travel, if you adore languages and if youre interested in how music and songs can be tools in language learning, then youve hit a great four-point combo with this blog.Its from Susanna Zaraysky, whos been featured in major media outlets from CNN to the BBC. Shes a writer, traveler and language learner. And perhaps you can add to the list social observer and philosopher.Besides posts that reveal her intellectual bent, youll come away realizing how important learning a language really is, how it enriches your life as a whole, opening opportunities and building bridges where no connections formerly existed. Zarayskys post about linguistic snobbery and how it blocks language learning perfectly exemplifies this philosophy.Language MasteryLanguage Focus:  General, Mandarin Chinese, JapaneseThis blog is from John Fotheringham, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner who also happens to be a linguist and author and has been teaching languages for over 10 years.Immersion is a big deal, but posts like Myth:  You Have to Move Abroad to Learn a Language Well  explain why you dont need to move to China to learn Chinese. This blog lets you in on the ways you can learn a language without breaking the piggybank. Youll get a fun trip to language-land, sans the boring textbooks, being nudged instead towards the creative use of technology for that much-needed immersion.Reading the posts here, itll be impressed upon you that you dont need to be gifted in order to learn a second or a third language. You only need the right tools and the right attitude. And the right tools come aplenty in this blog.Speaking FluentlyLan guage Focus: General/multiple languagesHeres something from a guy who has studied 40 languages. (Listen to him speak in 16 of them.) Imagine what he could teach you.Well, hed be the first to say that theres no one learning system that trumps all of them. So youll not just get a list of tricks in learning, although there are plenty of those in the blog. Youll also get to explore the different facets and issues in learning a language. And by reading the blog, youll get a bigger picture and a deeper understanding of languages in general.Read his post Whats a Rusty Language?  and better understand how to scrape off the rust in your non-native tongue.Oui, cest ça!Language Focus: FrenchThis ones from Marie, who admits that the idea of the blog came to her when she saw that many online French learning materials were written in French, and thought that something ought to be done about it. While not dismissing the immersive nature of authentic material (shes known to write entries exclusive ly in French from time to time), she sought to create a blog thats fun, practical and accessible to English-speaking learners.Her post How to Pay at the Restaurant  is a good example of the flavor of this blog.Shes a seasoned French teacher from Canada who has taught the world over. And when I say the world over, I mean Japan, British Columbia, Seattle, Costa Rica and Morocco.  You know youre in good hands when the lady writing the blog youre reading has a masters degree in French literature and a B.A. in the French language.German is easy!Language Focus: GermanNow it takes serious guts to say that German is easy. And yet those are the very words on this blogs homepage.But dont be intimidated. The blog is from a fellow language learner whos now teaching to others the lessons hes learned over the years. It has sections like Word of the Day,  which is a great vocabulary builder, Work Out,  where your German gets tested and honed with activities and exercises and Cool Links,  which giv es you a portal to some pretty awesome German language learning content.Read this  post where he adeptly expounds on the German  word alle  (all).And  know that this blogger doesnt take himself too seriouslyâ€"as when he revealed his love for yawning, saying Sometimes when I have a headache I keep yawning for half an hour straight and they go away.Becoming Italian Word by WordLanguage Focus: ItalianLearning a language one word at a time is certainly a good idea. And youll learn not just vocabulary and grammar on this blog. Youll get the whole shebang.This blog gives you a look into the rich Italian culture, its different facets and features. Dianne Hales is the dame behind it. She wrote a book entitled La Bella Lingua, which has so contributed to the promotion of Italian language and culture that she was conferred the title of Cavaliere dell Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana  (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity) by none other than the Italian preside nt.But just to be assured she doesnt let the accolades go to her head, take a look at the down-to-earth post Washing Up in the Italian Language,  where she dives into the mystery of why there are no washcloths in Italy.All Japanese All The TimeLanguage Focus: JapaneseHeres the simple but deeply philosophical tagline of this blog:You dont know a language, you live it. You dont learn a language, you get used to it.That sums up what the blog, and its author, Khatzumoto,  is all about. That and the philosophy of taking everything that schools do that sucks and…not doing it. And then doing other stuff, that doesnt suck, instead.The blog is approachable with its language, even rambling sometimes, but its actually very deep and intelligent. You get the sense that the person behind the posts is someone who has a strong affinity for books and stays for hours at cafés reading.Its also very practical, providing lots of tips for Japanese language learners. For example, this post on  vocabula ry lists gives you tips on using them correctly.LingholicLanguage Focus:  General/multiple languagesLingholic was designed to be a place for polyglots and language learners to congregate and help each other out. Its accompanying blog reflects this vision and contains helpful tips on learning languages in general as well as some language-specific tricks and techniques.In addition to the usual serious posts that are bursting with language hacking tips, articles like 10 Things Non-language Learners Will Never Understand  and 8 Signs Youre a Language Learning Addict  seem to say, Hey, everythings going to be just fine!Lingholic was founded by Canadian Sam Gendreau, an active and inspiring character in the language learning circuit.Hangukdrama KoreanLanguage Focus: Korean, JapaneseYou get a double hit with this blog, which contains tips and resources on two rich Asian languages that are increasingly having an impact on the international scene: Korean and Japanese.This blog is over five years old and houses around 1,000 postsâ€"from personal stories of learning languages to resource recommendations. Its run by Shanna, a Singaporean girl who took it upon herself to study these languages. She writes some posts in Chinese and others in Korean, but most are in English.In Self Study vs. Foreign Language Lessons,  she talks about the pros and cons of self-study and formal lessons. It might prove instructive for how youre going to manage the task of learning a foreign language yourself.There you go! 20 of the best language learning blogs out there.Theyre yours for the taking.But as always, dont forget: You have to actually do the dirty work!Dont just read these blogs, live them.

ESL Lessons: Learning Without a Degree?

ESL Lessons: Learning Without a Degree?There are a variety of people who have no degree in the United States and decide to learn how to take online ESL lessons. It is important to be realistic about the difficulty level involved when taking an ESL lesson online. Here are some tips on making sure that you get good quality lessons, and also on ways to ensure that your time spent is as productive as possible.First off, you should never take online ESL lessons for any amount of time that will equal or surpass your one hour daily commute. This is a common myth among those who want to try this method, and you may not have to put up with it for very long.As a matter of fact, there are many websites which will give you access to quality lessons. Most of these will offer these lessons on a trial basis, and you can always sign up for an unlimited period. By doing this, you will be able to take classes in different cities.The lessons that you choose to take on a trial basis will often consist o f reading materials and grammar explanations. These are the basics of the language that you will be expected to know. You may need to read a few books first, but once you have gotten the hang of it, you will be free to move on to other areas.Another tip would be to sign up for a full course of lessons that could include course work. You may find that the lessons that you take online are of a lower standard than the ones that you took at school. This is especially true if you were taught by a professional teacher at school.Many people find that it is just too difficult to keep up with what their teacher was teaching, and therefore spend less time than needed to do their own learning. However, this is a personal decision and you need to weigh out the pros and cons for yourself. While it might be possible to handle these times, a better solution would be to sign up for an ESL course online.Many people will take courses online because it allows them to save money. Even though you will n ot have the same luxury of an instructor to teach you grammar and a full course of lessons, it can still be a huge savings for you. Take your time to compare the different ways of learning ESL.

How Much is Private Tutoring Per Hour?

How Much is Private Tutoring Per Hour?Now that you have a knack for how to find private tutors, the next step is to figure out how much they charge per hour. Many times this can be one of the most difficult things to figure out. The only way to find out is to do a little research and compare the rates from different schools.Your first step is to write down the number of hours that you believe that a private tutor will need to teach you for one hour. This is often a difficult task because there are so many factors that come into play. If the tutor has a reputation for being affordable, and if they charge a lot, it might be difficult to determine how much they charge per hour.Go over your past clients. Did you get your job with a recommendation? Is there a regular flow of work? Keep in mind that a reputation of being good can play a big part in getting a great job, and therefore can play a role in your decision on which school to choose.Do a little research to determine what type of pr ivate tutor you can afford. Do you want someone to work online? If so, you want to make sure that the service provider that you choose has the best deal for those who use the internet to complete their work.After you have found a school that you can afford, you will need to look at their rates. In many cases this will be a one-time fee, but some schools will allow you to pay up front, or you can pay in installments. Make sure that you take a good look at what each fee includes.As you are trying to figure out how much is private tutoring per hour, you should always refer to a price list that is available online. You will also want to compare the rates from several schools to see how much each school is charging. It is also good to compare what you are paying per lesson to how much you would pay for a week of classes at another school. The comparison will help you determine if you are getting a good deal, or if the rates are just too high.Once you have found a few tutoring services th at you can afford, and you have compared their rates, you will then need to find the one that fits your needs best. Remember that you will have to work around the schedules of your other classes, but it is worth it if you can get some help with your homework and if you can finish all of your assignments early. There are several ways to find private tutors, but the key is to get a couple of options that fit your needs and your budget.

Will Cardio Physical Activity Help You Sing Better [Video]

Will Cardio Physical Activity Help You Sing Better [Video] Suzy S. Can doing physical exercise and cardio help you become a better singer? The answer is yes! Learn how to strengthen your singing voice and which activities are best in this article by voice teacher Rebecca R Imagine this scenario: youve signed up to run your  first marathon. Maybe you  ran cross-country back in high school and have kept up with running as a regular form of exercise. Because of this, you dont  use a training plan, and instead  continue your normal exercise routine. When the day of the marathon arrives, though, you struggle to complete the entire course and  end up  injured. Youd probably feel like your  body betrayed  you, right? While this scenario is a VERY exaggerated circumstance, it gets the point across: in order to accomplish a physical goal in the healthiest way possible, a certain amount of body awareness and training is required. And although it doesnt  demand nearly the same endurance training as running a marathon, singing is a very physical activity. While just two tiny muscles are responsible for forming the sound of your singing voice (your vocal cords), the act of singing is a whole-body experience. So, whats the proper way to train? Adding physical activity to your musical practice  to develop stamina and strengthen your singing voice is a great idea.  Heres how it can help you sing better: 1.  Your body is your instrument. In nearly every introductory voice lesson I teach, the student is always surprised by how physically demanding the lesson is. Often, he or she feels like they just went on a jog. That is exactly how any student should feel after a voice lesson! When you sing to the best of your ability, you are using your entire body. Your feet ground you, your legs support you, and your torso expands and works to provide the breath support needed to fuel your singing. Even if you’re sitting in a chair, leaning against a piano, or laying on the ground, you are using more than just your  throat and head to sing. If learning how to strengthen your singing voice is a goal for you, the first step is to map out body awareness. Ask yourself the following questions the next time you sing: Which muscles are engaging when I breathe? When I’m singing a phrase of music? What do my feet feel like under me? Can they feel the ground? Where do I feel my torso expand when I inhale? In the front? On the sides? In the back? Am I holding any unnecessary tension in the body? Maybe in the shoulders or the jaw? 2.  Breath, breath, and more breath! Lung expansion is a saving grace for any singer. For most circumstances in everyday life, we inhale and exhale subconsciously without needing to actively engage our lungs. When we sing, however, we use up to 90% of our lung capacity depending on the range, style, and length of the song. Unless you  also happen to be an athlete, chances are you dont  perform many activities throughout the day that require a lot of conscious breathing. Enter cardio exercises: jogging, running, swimming, circuit training, you name it! All of these forms of exercise, in addition to their overall health benefits, will improve lung expansion, which helps you  access more of your  lung capacity and fuel your  voice through any practice session, lesson, or performance. Good breath support gained through cardio exercise is what ultimately will provide the stamina to sing safely for hours, days, and years. Editors Note: For more breathing exercises, join our next live, online class! View the schedule and reserve your spot here. 3. The Importance of Posture While having good posture may seem obvious, I don’t think most singers realize that posture is something that needs to be worked on and strengthened regularly. Just like training the lungs with cardio, we need to strengthen our body to support good, natural posture while releasing tight muscles. Yoga or pilates will accomplish both of these goals, along  with added mental benefits! By strengthening your  instrument (your body) and loosening up tight muscles, you  will sing more freely and with more ease. As an added bonus,youll  be able to warm up your voice much more quickly if your body is already warmed up! Here’s a quick little trick for when you need help setting up your posture: Inhale fully and deeply without raising your  shoulders or tightening your  neck. Then, as you exhale, imagine your spine growing longer in both directions, up out of the top of your head and down toward the ground simultaneously. How Much Physical Activity Do I Need to Sing at My Best? While the minutes spent and intensity of all physical activity will vary from person to person, here’s a basic schedule you may want to follow: 3 times/week: Cardio should be  reserved for long vocal practice days. On cardio days, I’ve found that my lung capacity is at its best, and the energy I feel after cardio helps fuel long practice sessions. To get all the benefits of the cardio when you sing, try to fit it in before you practice. 2 times/week: Yoga or pilates is reserved for my non-practice/non-performance days. Yoga classes that are lengthy and provide a hearty workout (such as Vinyasa or power yoga), as well as pilates classes, build strength and flexibility, which can leave the body sore and in need of some recovery. It’s best to avoid activity that might add temporary tension or tightness on singing days or save the workout for after your singing. Every day: Gentle yoga and stretching can be done anytime  and is highly encouraged, particularly before you sing. I always reserve time for some gentle yoga on performance days, audition days, or long rehearsal days â€" the gentle stretch not only allows my mind and body to calm down and feel grounded but also makes warming up vocally easier and quicker. Give it a Try Follow along with the video below for a quick stretching sequence you can start using today. Singers, what kinds of physical activity do you engage in? Leave a comment below and let us know how its helped! Post Author: Rebecca R. Rebecca R. teaches singing, piano, and music theory in Ridgewood, NY, as well as online. She teaches students ages 6 and up, and a variety of experience levels. Learn more about Rebecca 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