Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Which SAT Subject Tests Should I Take
Which SAT Subject Tests Should I Take SAT Subject Tests are exams offered by The College Board that further illustrate to potential colleges and universities what you bring to the table. With 20 tests in five different subject areas, its key to select the SAT Subject Tests that best reflect your strengths by examining criteria such as what courses you have taken or are currently enrolled in, knowing what your potential major might be, and identifying schools of interest. Choose SAT Subject Tests based on your course schedule Technically, you can take an SAT Subject Test at any point in your high school career. However, its key to be strategic about what tests you take and when you take them. For instance, if you are doing well in French 4 or Spanish 4, taking the corresponding subject test may be a great decision. On the other hand, it would likely be unwise to take Mathematics Level 2 as a freshman. [RELATED: How to Succeed on SAT Subject Tests] Examine what your schools of interest require when selecting SAT Subject Tests Have you started compiling a list of schools that youre interested in? If so, visit their websites and make note of any SAT Subject Test requirements. Some schools may require one or two exams, while others may not require them at all. Even if a college or university doesnt require SAT Subject Tests, a great score on them could help your application stand out. Its important to be aware of these requirements during the college application process so that you dont have to cram in any last-minute testing. [RELATED: Should I Take SAT Subject Tests?] Choose the right SAT Subject Tests by identifying your potential major If youre thinking about a particular major, it might be a great decision to take SAT Subject Tests that reflect that specific area. Chances are, if youre leaning toward a certain major, your strengths and interests lie in that subject area. Use this to your advantage, and take an exam in that niche. For example: Ifyoure interested in studying engineering in college, determine if Mathematics Level 1 or Mathematics Level 2 best shows your strengths. Ifyoure hoping to study biology in college, register for the Biology E/M Subject Test. [RELATED: What to Know About the Mathematics Level 1 SAT Subject Test] Since these tests allow you some freedom of choice, select wisely. The exams are a great opportunity for you to show schools what you are interested in and familiar with, and just how well you know the material. Examine your strengths, and identify which SAT Subject Tests will best support your application. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.
Friday, March 6, 2020
Online Tutoring - The right direction to get our students achieve their goals
Online Tutoring - The right direction to get our students achieve their goals 0SHARESShare We spend lot of time thinking about the challenges that you are facing right now related to the keys of learning fast and stand tall in your class room or among your peers and relatives. We provide the means and show the ways to achieve your goals. This information comes to you at a time, convenient to you and provides excellent inputs related to your school subjects. Just see below for your self-assessment; It boils down to this: We provide inputs to clarify your problems in; 1. The incomplete knowledge on any particular subject topic 2. Unable to invest time and money with the child for her/his progress 3. Unable to guide the child in the right direction to score high in the subjects Our solution!! 1. We show you the correct approach that makes your child the master of a subject. 2. We have affordable and customized courses to suit your childâs requirements. 3. We guide you in the right direction to get our students achieve their goals with ease. Get started right now: Our tutoring modules are designed to help you to teach the subjects â"science, mathematics- at your pace right from your home. The tutorials are comprehensive, complete in all aspects and ensure best results. The pack of knowledge is provided with lots of illustrations and explains the concepts to the point, and is highly effective in clearing all the doubts. The capsules help the child to excel in the class tests, exams and in all walks of life. Gear up to enjoy the spokes of the success wheel through Plan, Do, Check and Act (PDCA). We assure you that your child will be on top of the world with our guidance. [starbox id=admin]
Avoiding and Preparing For the Potential Lay Off - Introvert Whisperer
Introvert Whisperer / Avoiding and Preparing For the Potential Lay Off - Introvert Whisperer Avoiding and Preparing For the Potential Lay Off The idea of getting laid off is a bit more terrorizing thought than in days gone by. Right now, job loss means facing the possibility that there are fewer jobs out there to get and employers being unclear if hiring is the right business decision. Losing a job these days is a scary thought. Laying people off is a constant in businesses and all too frequent in this past decade. A new saying has been coined: âAll jobs are temporaryâ. It does seem to be the case, but there are things you can and should do to prepare. Donât be in Denial The first thing you need to do is to make sure you arenât being in denial about your personal standing at work and the business you are working for. In my 21+ years managing in big business, I canât tell you how many times I spoke to people who said âI didnât see it comingâ when informed of being laid off. Some of those people worked for me. Prior to the moment of informing them that they no longer had a job, I spent countless hours communicating about what was to come, informing them of layoff criteria. Yet, they sat there totally astonished and ticked off. It never failed to stun me, just how many people simply wouldnât pay attention. Other managers had the same thing to report. Denial about the reality of your situation, especially right now, will only make your situation worse. Your denial will cause you to lack preparedness emotionally, financially and professionally. Certainly, there are businesses that arenât as proactive or sensitive to their employees. In fact, I admit there are businesses that operate by the seat of the pants so much that they donât even know theyâre in trouble until they notice the heat from their hair on fire. But despite that, there are often warning signs. Be Aware of Warning Signs Warning signs in large businesses usually have some kind of public communication. If your company is publicly traded, they have to inform their shareholders of business downturns and profit issues. You can count on the communication to sound positive and upbeat. Often times, this upbeat sound kind of âdullsâ the impact of the issues. To be fair, if a company is having problems, they do want to ensure they understand the issues and are taking action. Your best tactic is to listen to both the bad and good news, ensuring you arenât missing the bad news messages because of the positive. Try to personalize the bad newsâ"how is this going to impact you or the area in which you work? If you canât translate it down to your level, ask your management what it might mean. Do your homework. Ask people inside the company and outside until you have multiple points of view. THEN, decide if this is your early warning sign. Warning signs in small businesses are harder to detect. If your company is small but well run, it may be easier. Obviously, if they are good at communicating, listen to it carefully. If they arenât, look for things like, not rehiring when someone leaves, depleting inventory, if you and other workers arenât busy, and even things like not meeting payroll on time. Any activity that requires money to make it happen will usually be the first thing that gets stopped or cut back. Even though warning signs in small companies are harder to detect, with a bit of observation, they can be seen. Obviously, there are always those businesses that have and give no warning signs. If you have been the recipient of a layoff in this situation, you have my deepest sympathy. I have known people to get raises and promotions one week and laid off the next. Iâm not saying that all situations generate warning signs. I am saying, most of them do have warning signs, and Iâm pointing out that too many people prefer to ignore or deny the reality of their situation. Prepare. My second piece of advice is to prepare as if you will lose your job. Get your personal financial situation in order. Eliminate debt and create an emergency fund. If you lose your job, the thing that will cause the biggest stress will be a mountain of debt that you have no means to repay. With that debt gone and having an emergency fund, if you lose your job, you can proceed with greater confidence that you and your family will be okay for a while. As you know, your personal confidence plays a huge role in getting a job in the first place. If you are panic stricken, you dull your intelligence and problem-solving abilities, both things critical to job search. Get yourself ready for a job search Update your resumeâ. Ensure you have letters of reference, job reviews, any documents that support your performance that you might need. Do your homework. Identify where you would start your job search. Make sure your network is warmed up and youâve renewed old relationships. If appropriate, start sending out âfeelersâ to see what situation other companies are in for hiring. If you are really sure the pink slip is coming, go ahead and start the process. Itâs much easier to find a job when you have a job, and right now there is a growing bias against hiring people who are unemployed. Get ahead of the power curve. Do you know what your next career step is? Many people donât. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Discover Your Voice Type
Discover Your Voice Type How Can You Find Out What Voice Type You Have? ChaptersThe Different Types of VoicesYou Canât Choose Your Voice TypeLearn to Adapt to Your TessituraTame Your Voice TypeâAs long as we live, there is never enough singing.â - Martin LutherSinging attracts far more people than you may think. Our voice allows us to express different emotions through our intonation, which we can manage through our breathing. Your voice also allows you to sing, giving rise to some incredible talent. There are plenty of conservatories and music schools looking to find these talents.If you want to discover your talents, you need to work out what your voice is capable of, whether or not you can hit the high notes, etc.There are different factors that can affect your voice: vocal cords, warm-ups, etc.So how can you work out what type of voice you have? Can you become a vocal coach without knowing your own tessitura?This is what weâre going to have a look at in this article!Check out the singing lessons near me here. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Different Types of VoicesFirstly, when it comes to classifying voices, you first need to classify them by male and female voices. Biology plays a role when it comes to your voice type or tessitura. In addition to your vocal range, you should be aware of what type of vocal character you have. (Source: StockSnap)Female VoicesThere are four main types of female voice:Sopranos. The most common type of female voices is also the type covering the highest range of notes.Mezzo-sopranos. Many children also fall into this voice range. This is the higher end of the mid-range voices.Altos. This is a deeper female voice.Contraltos. This is quite rare and the deepest female voices.Male VoicesThere are four main types of male voices, too:Countertenor. The highest male voice.Tenor. This is a high-pitched chest voice.Baritone. This voice type is common among men.Bass. This is the deepest of all voice types.You Canât Choose Your Voice TypeYou canât choose your voice type. Youâre born with it and itâll change over time. Itâs your instrument and reflects your character, desires, and ambition. You can't change what type of voice you have; you just have to work with it and get the most out of it. (Source: you111811)A singerâs voice is affected by several criteria including your breathing, your voice box, etc. For example, a deep voice is often due to larger and thicker vocal cords. The power of your lungs and the capacity of your nasopharynx will also affect the type of voice youâll have.Rather than trying to change your voice, you should try and own it, work on it, and fine-tune it. Of all the ways to do this, these are some of the best:Adopt a good posture so that you can breathe more easily.Breathe with your diaphragm. This takes some work so make sure your stomach pushes out when you breathe in and tenses as you breathe out.Articulate each consonant and vowel.In addition to determining your voice type, you also need to own it so that you can master it. Of course, every voice is different and they wonât fit perfectly into the classifications. There are a lot of di fferent types.Learn to Adapt to Your TessituraâSinging is a way of escaping. It's another world. I'm no longer on earth.â - Edith PiafYou may be tempted to define your own voice but there are tools out there to help you work out your tessitura. Tessitura is the range of notes that a singer can sing comfortably. Whether you sing solo or in a group, you need to work within your vocal range. (Source: Skitterphoto)In short, if you can comfortably sing a song from start to finish, itâll mean that the song is for your tessitura. If this isnât the case, youâll need to adapt or find a new song. The world of music is unwavering. Your voice is the fertile earth from which a musical flower can bloom. As youâve seen the different types (alto, bass, countertenor, etc.), you need to know exactly what yours is.There are tools you can use to work out what your vocal range is. If youâve got a computer and a microphone, youâre all set. Once you know your range, youâll know what your voice type is. If you still canât work it out, you might want to get in touch with a singing teacher. You can do this through a test session.Working out your vocal range is easy, isnât it?Just get in touch with a tutor from Superprof. In the space of an hour, youâll know what your voice type is and the type of songs you should be singing. Go for it! Improvising is good, but knowing what youâre working with will save you a lot of time. Donât forget that your voice will be with you your entire life.Discover some of the most treasured singing lessons near me here.Tame Your Voice TypeWe mentioned it earlier, but once you know your voice type, you can start owning and taming it. While there are a few main categories of voice, there are as many different voices as there are singers. (Source: RonPorter)Itâs essential that you work on it. Itâs a good idea to record yourself to learn what your voice is capable of. Additionally, youâll be able to work out your vocal strengths and weaknesses.Listen several times and work on the parts youâre struggling with.This will also help you choose what songs to sing.How?Find singers who have the same tessitura as you.If youâre a contralto, for example, here are some singers with the same voice type:Nina SimoneAlicia KeysAmy WinehouseIf youâre a tenor, you can choose from the following:Freddie MercuryJust TimberlakePaul McCartneySinging these starsâ songs are a good way to practise and enjoy using your voice. You can also listen to songs you like and see what your voice type is.You might love Mariah Carey and find singing her songs quite easy. Maybe you love Elvis Presley and never struggle singing along to The King.In the first case, youâre probably a soprano and in the second case, youâre probably a baritone. This is a simple and effective way to work out your voice type.Working out your voice type is quite easy, mastering it is a different kettle of fish, especially if youâre joining a choir or auditioning for a musical. Your tessitura is yours and yours alone so make the most of it.Everyone's vocal folds are different and while vocal ranges can be broadened through vocal exercises, a voice teacher can only do so much. Your vocal training and voice lessons will focus on getting the most out of your voice type, be it a mezzo-soprano, bass-baritone, or tenor voice.You can also learn more about registers from a singing coach or tutor. They can even show you artists with the same tessitura as you. Again, a tutor can help you work out the best repertoire. If you'd like to learn more about singing, consider getting help from one of the talented tutors on Superprof. There are three mai n types of singing tutorial and voice coaching and each type has several advantages and disadvantages so what's right for one student may not be right for another.In face-to-face tutorials, there's just you and the tutor. This means that the tutor can focus on helping you to improve your voice and will put together a bespoke programme for you to follow. These are usually the most costly type of private tutorials since you're paying for all the tutor's time both in and out of class but they're also the most cost-effective.There are also online tutorials where the student is taught via webcam. With the tutor not having to travel to their lessons and being able to schedule more lessons per week, these tend to cost less per hour than face-to-face tutorials. Since the tutor isn't in the room there with you, these tutorials are better for academic subjects rather than vocational ones. If you both have a good microphone and a good internet connection, online tutorials are a great option fo r those wanting to learn to sing on a budget.Finally, there are also tutors offering group tutorials. If you and a group of friends are interested in learning how to sing, you could hire a tutor together and divide the cost of the tutor's time. Of course, you won't get as much individual attention from your singing coach as you would in the other types of tutorials but you will pay less per hour per student.No matter which type of singing coach you go for, they'll be able to help you work out your voice type, plan lessons that can help you improve your voice, and suggest songs and activities that work best with your tessitura.
Westerly Hills Academy Becomes HEARTs 5th Partner School
Westerly Hills Academy Becomes HEARTs 5th Partner School Westerly Hills Academy Becomes HEARTs 5th Partner School Westerly Hills Academy Becomes HEARTs 5th Partner School March 25, 2015 HEART Tutoring volunteers began working with 27 third graders at Westerly Hills Academy in January. Westerly Hills, located at 4420 Denver Avenue in West Charlotte, is HEARTs fifth Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools partner school. As the third graders face their first state End-Of-Grade tests, volunteers are focusing on filling in some conceptual gaps in number concepts. The tutors also help build confidence through mentoring and encouragement. The students are working on foundational number sense concepts ranging from the concept of âmoreâ and âlessâ to decomposing numbers and understanding place value. Of the 28 weekly volunteer tutors, 24 are members of First Presbyterian Church in Fourth Ward. Westerly Hills is First Presbyterians public school partner for community outreach and engagement. The remaining tutors come from companies including Fifth Third Bank and Amec Foster Wheeler. Volunteers spend one hour per week delivering HEARTâs lesson plans and receive support from an on-site Program Coordinator. I am glad we can provide a way for Westerly Hills partners to engage as tutors and for Westerly Hills students to receive one-on-one academic attention and encouragement, said Emily Elliott, HEARTs Executive Director. It is a pleasure to work with Principal Gwen Shannon and Math Facilitator Stefanie McBryde. I am excited about the third gradersâ progress so far! HEARTs other CMS partner schools are Billingsville Leadership Academy, Highland Renaissance Academy, Montclaire Elementary, and Winterfield Elementary.
Fishers SuperKids
Fishers SuperKids Fishers SuperKids Fishers Superkids English Center (FSEC) was founded in October 2005 by Mr. Mrs. Hai and Teresa Huynh. The couple met at Azusa Pacific University in the USA, where they both received Masters Degrees in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Together, they have over 30 years of combined teaching experience in the United States and in Vietnam. Huynh Kim Phuoc Hai, Director and President, is a former lecturer at the Danang Teachers College of Foreign Languages. Teresa M. Fisher, Academic Director of Fishers, is a former instructor at Hope International University (USA). They have also taught English to immigrants at Mt. San Antonio College in California, USA. They have five children living in Danang. Mission: Our mission is to provide an environment that brings forth positive influence, quality, happiness, love and holistic growth for our students. Besides English, students at Fishers SuperKids can grow in terms of character, confidence, and life skills, which serve as important stepping stones for their success in the future. Philosophy and Core Values: Fishers SuperKids was founded and exists today on the philosophy A heart for teaching and a passion for learning. The perfect combination of love for children, passion for education and pedagogical skills in each teacher and staff at Fishers SuperKids is a wonderful source of inspiration for students in studying English. There are 6 core values that we fervently pursue Learn: Our students study English with all native English-speaking teachers from around the world. We have teachers coming from at least seven different countries, which offer students the opportunity to practice listening to and therefore understanding various accents. This allows our learners to become citizens on a global scale. Learning takes place logically through communication (listening and speaking) proceeding with reading and writing skills. Students are also taught grammar methodically with age-sensitive materials. Play: This is an indispensable part of learning for young students, so here at SuperKids, having fun is used as a tool to achieve learning as an end goal. Students will be able to release their stored-up energy, develop creativity, and lighten stress from their heavy daily schedule through games, songs and enriching extra-curricular activities. Grow: Holistic growth is a high priority here at Fishers SuperKids. Our soft skills department develops exciting activities in and out of the classroom to help students grow in confidence, team-building skills, and life skills. Students learn about helping the environment, treating each other kindly, creating art projects, and even acquiring skills important for daily life, such as tying shoes. Care: Care is offered by the teachers and Vietnamese staff, in order to help each student at Fishers SuperKids feel special. This care is often shown through events such as birthdays, free tutoring, and grammar reviews, but it is present in every interaction at Fishers SuperKids. Top students are acknowledged during every course in order to encourage and reward those who have been working hard in the classroom Respect: Respect is given to all students at Fishers SuperKids. We focus on helping students recognize and display good behavior, through positive reinforcement and rewards. Students are taught how to behave well in class, as well as appropriate ways to treat other classmates and teachers in order to have a mutually respecting relationship. Love: Teachers and staff always make our students more eager to come to class. Students receive love through high-fives, hugs, verbal affirmations, and other ways when they study here at Fishers SuperKids. Our center also knows that it is often better to give than to receive, so we organize charity events for students to spread love through visiting and giving to children with disabilities, orphans, and others in need. The learning environment at Fishers SuperKids was created with the focus of helping students feel comfortable, confident, and excited from the moment they enter the building. Each student is greeted by friendly teachers and staff when they arrive at the center, then they get to enjoy the open-style teaching method that allows for many games and activities to enhance student learning. Every classroom has a unique and colorful design that aims to increase student interest and love for their English school. Here at SuperKids, we have a high focus on building student character through learning English. Every aspect of our center has the ultimate intention of preparing students for a life of success through the talents, skills, and character traits that are taught here. These are all habits that can be learned through studying at the school, but it is also very important for parents and families to encourage students to constantly develop those skills and traits at home and in the communi ty. SuperKids has grown so much since it first opened in 2006. The center had to open a second location in 2012, and then relocate to a bigger building in 2014. Since the big move, our student population has reached over 1,750 students in both locations! Now, we proudly offer classes every day of the week, in our 10 classrooms at FSEC 1, 6 classrooms at FSEC 2 and 4 classrooms at FSEC 3. Testimonial My name is Bronwyn Aspeling. I am from South Africa and have called Da Nang, Vietnam my home since May 2016. I studied a Bachelors Degree in English and Education as well as a Post Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (specializing in learners from birth to 9 years old). I am also TEFL certified. I have been working at Fishers since July 2016 and I am so happy to have found an English Centre that has a deep love and care for the students and their growth. Fishers SuperKids is more than an English Centre, it is like a specialized school environment. Moving from South Africa this was the most important aspect for me when applying at schools. Due to the great environment my passion for teaching and love for the learners continues to grow daily. I love the structure and support which Fishers provides to all Teachers. The Academic team assists each teacher with material, ideas and classroom management. The constant support and professionalism makes Fishers a dream job for any person who has a teachers heart.
italki and the China 2.0 Tour
italki and the China 2.0 Tour Last week bloggers and other tech people from North American and Europe come to China as part of theChina 2.0 tour organized by The China Business Network, Web2Asia, and CNReviews. We were privileged enough to be included in their busy schedule when they were in Shanghai on Thursday and Friday. Among the tour participants we were fortunate enough to meet were: Robert Scoble Shel Israel Mike Butcher Melissa Sconyers Sheila Scarborough Ernst Jan Pfauth Bart Lapers David Feng Ryan McLaughlin As well as many other awesome people! You also can watch videos of italkis presentations to the China2.0 groups on Kyte. To find out about more events or videos with italki, follow us on twitter: This photo was taken at our office with the China2.0 participants last Friday. italki and the China 2.0 Tour Last week bloggers and other tech people from North American and Europe come to China as part of theChina 2.0 tour organized by The China Business Network, Web2Asia, and CNReviews. We were privileged enough to be included in their busy schedule when they were in Shanghai on Thursday and Friday. Among the tour participants we were fortunate enough to meet were: Robert Scoble Shel Israel Mike Butcher Melissa Sconyers Sheila Scarborough Ernst Jan Pfauth Bart Lapers David Feng Ryan McLaughlin As well as many other awesome people! You also can watch videos of italkis presentations to the China2.0 groups on Kyte. To find out about more events or videos with italki, follow us on twitter: This photo was taken at our office with the China2.0 participants last Friday.
Language Lifelines 4 Top Sources for Language Learning Support Online
Language Lifelines 4 Top Sources for Language Learning Support Online Language Lifelines: 4 Top Sources for Language Learning Support Online No language learner is an island.We all need others to succeed.But who are these others, and how do we find them?Its easy. You wont need a ship, a plane or even a phone.As long as you have an internet connection, there are tons of online resources you can use to find educators, native speakers and other people who can help you in your learning process.This post will show you the different online oases for language learners. Youll discover what resources are available, how to use them and who youll encounter with them.But before we explore those resources, letâs get to four important points we need to bear in mind when we ask others for language help online. 4 Points to Remember When Asking for Language Help Online1. Make the first move and say, âhi!âHelp often goes to those bold enough to ask for it.Nobody knows what language troubles or questions are percolating in your mind. You have to make it known to others before they can do something about it. And this process often starts with a simple hi!Online, as in real life, somebody has got to make the first move or no social interaction would ever happen. So make it your personal philosophy to open the communication lines. (Youâre the one who needs something!) Make others know that you exist and give yourself the space to ask for help.Nobodyâs going to be tapping on your virtual shoulder asking, âcan I help you with anything?â No, itâs your job to come out and say, âhi! can you please help me with this?âA single âhi!â can open a floodgate of support your way and youâll never regret you said it.2. Reach out to lots of peopleA lot of things in life involve a numbers game, from elections to sports to dating.Getting language help is a numbers game as well. You have to contact lots of people (especially when youâre in a hurry to get help) to maximize the chances that someone will respond. If you only reach out to one person, and the email address or username youâre contacting is no longer in use, or theyre too busy to read your email, youll be out of luck.Plus, in many cases you may get a response, but with an opinion or just part of an answer. Youâd want to have many responses, different points of views and approaches to your problem so you can benefit from all of them. Theyâll help you see the bigger picture.Thereâs strength in numbers and this will become apparent when youâre looking for support online.3. Courtesy goes a long, long wayWell, being rude and crass also goes a long wayâ"but in the opposite direction.When asking for help online, the same rules apply as when youâre doing it face-to-face. Civility and courtesy open others up and make them want to go out of their way to help you. Be breezy, peppering your communications with magic words like âpleaseâ and âthanks.âDonât be demanding or betray a sense of entitlement for the help. Youâll turn off many potential allies.And when you do get a response from someone, let him or her know that youâre grateful for their time. Be appreciative of what you get, and youâll get more.4. Ask yourself, âwhat can I do for the other guy?âYouâre not the only one who needs help in this world. We all do! And you might hold the answer to some issue another person is struggling with.It may have nothing to do with language at all, but if thereâs something, anything you can do to extend assistance to another, do it. Many say itâs good karma, but karma or not, youâll make the online world a better place.And beyond that, reciprocity is really significant. Reciprocity helps create a cycle of generosity, where you extend help and get helped in return. Your question that gets answered today wonât be the last language issue youâll need help with. There will be a host of other issues and nuances youll tackle that may require the input of native speakers, tutors or language partners.You donât want to be the person who took and never gave back. Youâll easily forfeit future chances of asking for assistance. Instead, be an active member of a language learning community, fielding questions you know answers to and adding to the work of others. Youâll be a valuable member of that community and any time you ask for help, those people whoâve already experienced your kindness will go out of their way to extend theirs.Speaking of language learning communities, letâs now look at some of the best places online where you can go and ask for some guidance.Language Lifelines: 4 Top Sources for Language Learning Support Online1. Language learning communities/forumsCommunication in online language learning communities/forums is usually in written format, via a post and/or message thread. You may have to wait for somebody to read your post and address your query. (Thus, the wisdom of reaching out to as many people and forums as possible.)Because of the nature of the communication, try to be as complete as possible in your post. Donât just ask q uestions, ask follow-up questions too. Also, furnish details so that the people responding can have a clear understanding of what exactly youâre looking for. And as always, be appreciative of what you get. This may open a longstanding conversation where the whole community is psyched to help you out.Here are two of the learning communities you can check out:Fluent In 3 MonthsBenny Lewis, a polyglot, the guy behind the blog, has built up a respectable community of learners who are often eager to address language questions.Go to the blogâs main page and click âForumâ on the upper right hand corner of your screen. Two of the sections you might be interested in are âSpecific language questionsâ and âAsk Benny.â In the first, you can post queries involving grammar and usage. The second one is for language learning questions that you can address directly to the guy behind one of the biggest language learning blogs. As somebody who has always been on the road to learnin g a new language, he can suggest a technique or two for you.(And if youre terrified of speaking in your target language, scroll down to the âSocial skydivingâ part of the forum. Here youâll get plenty of encouragement to help you overcome that fear and anxiety of making very public language mistakes.)WordReferenceYou wonât be faulted for thinking that the site is only good as an online dictionary or translation tool. But click on âLanguage Forumsâ in the upper left hand corner of your screen, and youâll be brought to a host of discussion boards that cover a wide range of individual languages and language pairings (such as Spanish-English).These forums are serious about the nuances of grammar and vocabulary. So if your question is about translations, terms and word usage, posting it here could spark a healthy discussion that would benefit not only you but also the other readers of the thread.When posting, remember to include in your post title the exact word or phrase that you need help with. Ask about only one topic per thread. If you would like to ask a different question, start a new thread. The discussion in the threads should only be limited to the word or phrase mentioned in the title.What if you post and nobody answers your questions? Well, dont fret. First, add more information and context to your question (if you think its warranted). This would help others to help you. Second, if still that doesnt get a response, click on the Report button at the bottom of your post and ask for moderator assistance.2. Language exchange sitesLanguage exchange sites are places on the web where language learners congregate to help one another out. Sometimes the process involves monetary exchange, in the case of tutors and teachers, and sometimes it involves language exchange, where you trade knowledge of your mother tongue for anotherâs. Unlike the previous section where the written format is the norm, interactions in language exchange sites usually ta ke place over video call, often via Skype.Youll meet different kinds of characters in these language exchange sites:Teacher/Tutor. You pay for lessons from both, but the difference between a teacher and a tutor is the qualification. A teacher is often a certified professional who teaches the target language even outside the web environment. They may have teaching experience in classrooms and have studied to become a teacher.A tutor has a little less teaching experience and would usually cost less. He or she may have a different day job and is tutoring on the side. He or she may be a native speaker and could teach a lot of the practical nuances of the target language.Native speakers. Native speakers are the people who speak your target language as their first language. You may find that many native speakers who are interested in language exchanges are happy to help you just because they can. Theyâll be generous with their time, talk to you over Skype and try to help you out wit h your struggles.Remember that theyre volunteering their time, so you wont be able to schedule conversations whenever you like. Conversations also tend to be unstructured and freewheeling.Language exchange partner. Letâs say your first language is English and you want to learn Japanese. Your language exchange partner would be a Japanese speaker who wants to learn English. Essentially, you trade English help for Japanese help. So there will be times when you walk your partner through English, and there will moments when your partner will correct your Japanese.Fellow language learners. You should not miss out on reaching out to fellow language learners. They can teach you a thing or two about dealing with languages. The ideal person to talk to is someone whos also studying your target language.And better yet if you find others who are a little bit more advanced than you, because they can demonstrate how they went about tackling certain elements of the language, give you tips t hat worked for them and point you to resources you may have missed.Here are three language exchange sites that you can check out:italkiThe exchange site italki gives you almost total control of the kind of language exchange experience that you want. There are plenty of choices there. You can have your pick of seasoned teachers, gifted tutors or engaging native speakers.Scroll down to the âLessonsâ section and choose between âProfessional Teachersâ and âCommunity Tutors.â Or, if you want a âLanguage Exchange,â look for it under the âCommunityâ section. You can then filter your options by choosing your language educator or partners experience, availability, rates, whether they have trial lessons or whether they have audio or video introductions.Easy Language ExchangeWith Easy Language Exchange, you get support from start to finishâ"that is, from initially looking for your ideal language exchange partner, to the actual process of interacting with him or her.ELE has a âWorking Togetherâ section where you can post your questions to the communityâ"whether itâs a translation or some point of grammar, you can make it known there. ELE also has an inspirational blog that keeps you informed as well as keeps your spirits upâ"for those nights when learning a whole new language feels next to impossible.ELE helps you every step of the way. Afraid that youâre going to run out of things to say to your partner? Read this post from ELE so you can keep the interaction going.Conversation ExchangeThe interface is very basic, which also makes it easy to navigate.On the Conversation Exchange home page, youll have to choose if you want a âpenpalâ or a âchat partner.â Hit any of these buttons and youll be taken to a search page where you can browse through the profiles of members containing basic information like gender, age and location, even their hobbies and interests. Thereâs also a short intro and picture to give you a better feel for your potential language partner.As always, reach out to several people so that you can have your choice of language partners that suit your personality and language requirements.3. Question and answer sitesQuestion and answer sites are community-driven places where users can post a host of questionsâ"which can then be answered by other users. Essentially, its a place where the answers to your questions, language-related or otherwise, are crowdsourced.Question and answer sites make use of the wisdom of other users. And this is both a boon and a bane. Itâs positive because youre getting answers from a large pool of folks, but it can also be problematic as anyone can post an answer to your query, regardless of his or her qualifications.Thats why you should always take the info you get from these sites with a healthy grain of salt. Its better if you ask subjective questions such as, âwhich German language course in the market would you recommend?â Reserve fact-related and g rammar-related language questions for learning communities and strictly moderated forums like those on WordReference.Here are two question and answer sites you can use for language learning:Yahoo AnswersThis is a very famous question and answer site from the once mighty Yahoo. Again, take what you read from it with a grain of salt. Not everything written there is correct, even those tagged as the âBest Answer.â But ask an opinion question, and you can be sure that plenty of people will make their thoughts known.QuoraThis site is geared toward a more mature audience and more in-depth queries. Quora has attracted many knowledgeable experts in different fields and Quora is probably where most witty, academically-inclined native speakers are. Used properly, the site can also function as a review hub for insights on the many different language products marketed online.You can sign in through your Gmail or Facebook account. The first time you log in, youll be asked to set up your a ccount and pick your topics of interest from a given list. Scroll down and choose language and your target language. This will make it easier for Quora to feed you questions you might be interested in.Continuing on to the next page, youll be asked to choose topics that you know about and can help others with. Moving on from that page, youll land on your home page where you can ask your first question.Type anything in the search box and, before youve even finished your question, Quora will suggest past questions that are similar to the one youre constructing. Because, who knows, your question might have already been asked and answered! If it hasnt been, you can submit your question (which you can do anonymously by ticking a box on the upper-right side of the page). You can also choose to add more details to your question if you like.Hit Submit Question and let the midnight elves behind Quora get to work.4. Government-related language organizationsNational governments not only prot ect their citizens, but they also have the noble function of promoting their language and culture around the world. They often have an educational arm that provides a significant leg up to those who express a willingness to learn their language, including scholarships and opportunities to study abroad. Check them out to see what they have to offer in terms of content and opportunities for study.Some of the most well-known of these organizations are:British CouncilThe British Council works in over 100 countries to promote international and intercultural cooperation through the English language.Instituto CervantesNamed after Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote, Instituto Cervantesâ mission is to promote Spanish as a second language, opening up opportunities for the study and use of the language in countries the world over.Goethe InstitutGermanyâs version includes forums and tutorials, as well as language learning resources organized by categories such as German at wo rk.Alliance FrançaiseThe Alliance Francaise has more than 100 years of experience spreading the French language around the world, and is passionate about educating the teachers who will in turn become ambassadors of the language.Istituto Italiano di CulturaThis institute supports education in Italian through language courses, cultural events and more.Now, with all of the resources for language learning that have been presented here, you can feel supported in pushing forward in your language learning journey. Yes, even on those nights when acquiring the language may seem a lost cause. I encourage you to have at it.Donât lose motivation, plenty of help is on the way.Good luck! And One More ThingSometimes support comes in the form of resources.And FluentU is here to give you all the resources you need!FluentU takes real world videos and turns them into personalized language lessons.We have 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 youâre learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that youâre learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.
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