How to Learn Fluent English Fast

How to Learn Fluent English FastThere are many different techniques to learn fluent English, but there is one method that works best for every learner. It will not only help you learn the vocabulary quickly and accurately, but also let you use the spoken English more naturally, and consequently, learn better.One of the first things you can do is to listen to the English you hear on the radio or TV every day. Try to catch phrases like, 'I'll have a cup of coffee,' instead of saying, 'I'm going to the store to get a cup of coffee.' You can do this in your head by creating the phrase on paper and listening to it.Another thing you can do to learn English fast is to imagine what it would be like to speak the words aloud. Take a few minutes every day to visualize what the words say, or write them down. This will help you read those phrases out loud. As you practice using both verbal and written English, your ability to use the right words and sentences will improve.You can also do somethin g similar to learn English in class. Do some reading and listen to lectures, take notes, and ask other students questions. Asking other people for help is a great way to improve your English quickly.At the end of every English lesson, give yourself a list of things to study next time. You may want to start with listening and writing, then think about phrases in the language. You can study them during lunch break, during your commute, or when you get home. Then you can repeat the process for another lesson.Do not worry if your English is not perfect at first. This process takes time and patience. It does not hurt to at least try to improve it now.Learning fluent English is an important skill, especially if you are doing anything in the US and plan to travel. It can open doors and lead to more opportunities.

German Lessons in Glasgow

German Lessons in Glasgow Where to Find German Classes in Glasgow ChaptersGerman Classes at the Goethe InstitutTake German Lessons with a TutorLearn German in a Language SchoolGerman Language Study at the University of GlasgowIn spite of the Old Firm, our favourite rivalry, Glasgow is consistently voted the friendliest city in the world by travellers and locals alike.Even so, that football rivalry does not make us so crazy that we could that we would fail to embrace something new... say, language lessons.With the tourist season well underway and folks from all over the world visiting, and the reputation our Dear Green Place enjoys, we could bet that at least some of those travellers would be from Germany.Wouldn’t it be great if you could greet them in their native language?Or how about visiting Nuremberg, our German sister-city, with whom we have commercial, cultural and social ties, on your summer holiday?All of these great reasons aside, you don’t really have to have a specific cause for learning German.You might just want to study the langua ge of Goethe for the sheer pleasure of learning something new, or because you would like to plan a holiday to Munich to experience the authentic Oktoberfest.Whatever your reasons for learning German (are you a student needing a bit of exam preparation before sitting your Highers?), Glasgow surely has German lessons for you.Let’s go find them!Gerd Altmann from PixabayNamed after renowned poet and statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, this institute is a cultural exchange and education organisation whose prime objective is to promote the German language worldwide.We are quite fortunate to have an Institut in Glesga; there are only two others in all of the UK!While German instruction is their priority, you shouldn’t think that classroom learning is all there is to Goethe.By far the more captivating aspect of their presence in our city is the cultural events that they put on, everything from musicals to discussion of current events, both in our city and elsewhere in the UK.Did you k now that Goethe will host events at the Edinburgh Festival? Why not see if you could also take German lessons in Edinburgh?Naturally, we could go on and on about all that is on offer at our Goethe Institut but our topic is German language courses in Glasgow and, if you only connect with the fine teachers at that facility for those lessons, you would certainly be well-served.If you are an adult learner, you have your choice of classes and delivery methods: in a formal setting at the Institut or online; a format more in keeping with today’s digital pace.You may also take courses individually â€" just you and your teacher, or in a group with other students who speak German as well as you do.If you wish to certify your language skills through the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, Goethe can help you prepare for that ordeal ahead of administering it to you.Indeed, Goethe is the authorised proctor for those German language exams!Whether you are a youth or adult, they can help you earn your official German language certificate; a vital credential if you plan to study abroad or find work in Germany.You may check their web page for course particulars, dates and costs. While you’re there, be sure to check what is on offer through their ‘culture’ and ‘events’ pages.While consulting their page, you may find yourself totally taken with certain cultural elements of Germany or wonder why the Glasgow Institut is hosting German classes in Birmingham...Take German Lessons with a TutorThe Goethe Institut offers private tutoring, but then, so do other language schools â€" we’ll get to them in a moment.Even better: private tutors whose native language is German abound in our city!It is true that, no matter how strong your desire to learn a foreign language, the pressures and demands of modern life often get in the way. After all, you could hardly ignore your family in favour of a language course, could you?Home tutors provide you with the solution you need to meet your goal and start learning German. In fact, tutors fit the bill in many language learning situations:you have a secondary school student studying for Highers or Advanced Highers in Germanyou are a student at Glasgow University majoring in Germanyou are unable to travel of an evening or would be more comfortable learning languages at homeyour entire family â€" partner and teenaged children, wish to learn German as a groupyou prefer to take lessons online, via webcamNo one method of delivery is better than any other and your preferences should be at the top of the list of criteria you have for language instruction.That is why Superprof tutors have adopted a wide range of teaching methods, suitable for any location you wish to learn at be it in your local library or your dining room table.You can also find Superprof tutors who give lessons online.Whether you need help with your university German language course or need intensive German tutelage ahead of your holiday , Superprof stands at the ready with 18 tutors in the Glesga area and a community of thousands online.A bit of German language instruction will help you navigate public transportation when you visit Germany Image by Thomas Ulrich from PixabayLearn German in a Language SchoolIf you are interested in learning German as a second language, Glasgow is the place to be!Several schools offer courses in German, whether your work in an international company demands it or if you just want to pick up conversational German before your holiday in Berlin.One such organisation is Live Language.They prefer to teach in small groups, no more than 14 people, so that everyone has a chance to participate without feeling pressured or rushed.Each course lasts 12 weeks, with two hours of instruction per week in which they tap into all four language skill areas: reading and writing, listening and speaking.Fortunately, you would not have to endure grammar lessons. In fact, there will be no verb conjugation or repetitive pronunciation drills eating up your class time.These courses are taught communicatively, meaning that the focus is on interaction rather than grammatical competence. Let’s hope you’re prepared to enjoy engaging learning sessions!If you are not sure exactly where you are in your language ability â€" maybe you can say Guten Morgen but Gute Nacht escapes you, you could take a placement test so your teacher can know where best to start with you.It wouldn’t do any good putting yourself in an intermediate class if you are an absolute beginner!You might wonder why you need to learn how to read and write in German if all you want to do is speak and understand the language reasonably well.This is the type of question you should address to your course advisor before choosing a class. Luckily, the people at Live Language are very helpful in that regard.Do German learners in Leeds also rely on Live Language?Language Trainers has chosen their name well: all they do is language and they do it very well.That does not mean that they have a few tired old books that they teach out of; every lesson is targeted to students’ interests and goals.For instance, let’s say you have an opportunity for an internship at Siemens headquarters.Although you have been assured that everyone there speaks English, you wish to show cultural competence by picking up a few German phrases.Each one of your lessons would be targeted to the language and culture of Germany, especially business culture, which can be a bit formal.Furthermore, your discussions might touch upon city-specific events and region-specific dialect, depending on whether you will work out of the Berlin or Munich office.Are German language programs in Belfast equally thorough?Language Trainers has offices throughout the UK and in Ireland (and around the world), so that even if you have to travel on business, you may still catch your weekly German lesson (provided the centre you will guest at agrees).Or you coul d simply arrange for online lessons; then, it wouldn’t matter where in the world you are!Find out where you could take German courses in Cardiff, should you have business there.Are the bratwursts you would eat in Germany very different from the ones you grill at home? Image by andrasgs from PixabayGerman Language Study at the University of GlasgowThis implication this header creates is that it would pertain only to students enroled in a degree German language program.The fact is, while this institute of higher learning does indeed have several degree programmes that include German speaking, not every university course is meant for university students; to wit, their short courses.Find out if universities in London offer similar German language training through a short course format.These language classes follow a progressive structure.Although there are no prerequisites for taking a German course, you must have some knowledge of German, either learned independently or through previ ous formal language studies taken elsewhere.Though you will not earn a certificate for your language training in these short courses, you will gain language proficiency... and that was your goal all along, wasn’t it?Gaining fluency in foreign languages is the work of a lifetime, meaning you must study for your entire life if you wish to master German as a foreign language.Sounds a bit daunting but, if you are consumed with a love of study or are enamoured with the German language, it is really not a punishing task.On the other hand, if you are pursuing German studies simply so you can be communicative as you sail down the Rhine on a cruise, those conversational German lessons will really pay off â€" if only so that you can truly appreciate the richness of German culture.No matter your reasons for learning, you now know where you can find lessons in Glasgow.Where can you find German lessons anywhere in the UK?

ESOL Exercises to Help You Learn English Grammar

ESOL Exercises to Help You Learn English Grammar ESOL Learners: How to Learn English Grammar ChaptersDefining English Grammar in General TermsThe Problem with PredicatesSentences, Word Order and ConjunctionsESOL Grammar: Proper Punctuation is VitalUsing the Right WordThe Best Grammar ExercisesTo attain  physical fitness, we exercise our bodies.Doing grammar exercises will not increase your fitness, but they will  improve your strength and ability to use the English language.Before we start our exercises in English grammar, we first have to understand the scope: what, exactly, is grammar?Aspects of this field include:Phonology â€" the study and organisation of sounds in a language.Morphology â€" the study of words, how they are formed and their relationship with other words.Syntax â€" the set of rules that governs the structure of sentencesspecifically: word order and punctuation.Phonetics â€" the sounds of human speechin the case of sign language, the equivalent aspects of signing to spoken language.Semantics â€" the study of meaning in languagePragmatics â€" the way context contributes to meaningUnless you are planning a career in linguistics, specializing in the English language, you only need to concern yourself with syntax and phonetics.You might consider dabbling in Pragmatics, as well. Hasn't your Esl teacher often told you to look for context clues when reading, or listening to spoken English?Just as a physical fitness coach will focus movement sets to certain muscle groups, the grammar exercises we feature in this article are targeted to help you improve your overall English capabilities and fluency.The Problem with PredicatesFor linguists and grammarians alike, predicates pose problems. There seems to be a division of opinion on exactly what a predicate is.One school of thought contends a predicate is one of two main parts of a sentence.The other gets down to brass tacks: a predicate is the main verb and any auxiliary verbs in a sentence.Whether identified as verbs or predicates, these parts of speech seem the most arduous to grasp and use cor rectly for those learning English as a second language.What tense  should you use when describing an ongoing action? What about if the action is already complete? And what verb tense should you use to describe facts that are generally true?In the course of your language learning, and especially if you sit for IELTS, you will have to identify and use verb tenses correctly.Most of the students in my English classes are female.Simple present tense is used to describe facts that are generally true.I scored well on the Esol exam.Simple past denotes already completed actions.I am going to my business English class.The simple  present  of to be + verb with -ing ending makes present progressive (sometimes called present continuous).Here we note that many people studying English have difficulty distinguishing between going to  â€" meaning 'headed in a direction' versus the 'going to' that signals an intention.Here is an easy way to remember the difference: if another verb follows 'going to', that verb phrase signals intent. If no other verb follows, you are facing an ongoing action.How to Compose a Negative SentenceSuppose your Esol score is lower than expected? Or maybe you are not going to your English lessons.Negating an expression is not always as simple as inserting not into your sentence.Especially with the more elaborate verb constructions, you must take care to put your negative in the right place.I did not score well on my Esol exam.The helper (auxiliary) verb  goes before the negation. The verb to  score is not conjugated; it remains in its natural form.I am not going to my business English class.To negate a sentence written in present progressive, simply insert not between the auxiliary and action verbs.Because every verb tense conjugates differently and writing or speaking the negative form can be complex â€" especially if you are composing a sentence using an irregular verb, it pays to practise this aspect of grammar.Find out more about English language st yle and form in our dedicated blog.From a police report in America:A  black  male suspect was observed fleeing in a northerly direction at a rapid rate of speed, and we were in quick pursuit, but we were unable to apprehend the individual.Although word order rules have been followed in this run-on sentence, this example breaks grammar rules for proper sentence construction and conjunction use.To speak English fluently, you should use short, concise sentences with as few adjectives and adverbs as possible.Let's rewrite that statement, using proper grammar:The suspect was seen fleeing north. We were in pursuit, but were unable to apprehend him.Not only is the statement much shorter, but splitting it into two complete sentences helps make it easier to understand.Although not an outright grammatical error, the repetition of 'we were' in the original sentence is a style blunder that makes the statement awkward and unprofessional.As an English learner, you should strive for expressions th at inform rather than overwhelm. These exercises can help you place words in the proper order.ESOL Grammar: Proper Punctuation is VitalA woman without her man is nothing.This sentence can be punctuated in several ways:A woman, without her man, is nothing.Punctuated this way, the sentence suggests that women must have a man at their side, otherwise they are of no value.A woman: without her, man is nothing.Highlighting aspects of text through the use of a  colon and comma, we find that man has no worth without woman.Clearly, punctuation has a profound effect on interpretation in English.Oddly enough, English courses seldom emphasise the importance of punctuation.Another often misused punctuation mark is the apostrophe.I'll buy this toy for my cat's.This sentence includes a correct use of the apostrophe, and an incorrect one.Do you know which is which?Punctuation errors being so prevalent in the written language, obviously English teaching should include in-depth instruction on how to use these marks effectively.Fortunately, if you are taking English lessons  online, you can find many sites that promote the proper use of punctuation.Have you considered taking any online English courses?If so, you might already have found the University of Bristol's page, loaded with practice exercises and quizzes that address punctuation.Using the Right WordLe mot juste â€" French for the right word is a phrase that people use upon discovering the very word they need to express their sentiment.The trouble with English words is that so many of them sound exactly alike! Some of them are even spelled the same.Using the right word guarantees your success in speaking English Source: Pixabay Credit: StevepbWhether homophone, homonym or homograph, the important fact to remember is that word pairs do not have the same meaning.Check out our blog on words with multiple meanings in English.Effect and affect  are two such words. One of them suggests a quality that expresses outward; the othe r is one that works inwardly.My English pronunciation will ______ my TOEFL score.Which one should you write?Affect is generally used as a verb, therefore your pronunciation will affect your exam score.Effect can be either a noun or a verb, but is mainly used as a noun, like in this sentence:The effect of listening to spoken English on your language skills cannot be measured.Are you ready for another challenge?Those studying English as a second language could stand a ___________ of their vocabulary coursework.Is lightening the correct word? Or should we insert lightning?If you chose the second, the sentence suggests that a bolt of electricity should zap every student's dictionary and textbook, and possibly every English teacher on the planet.For the sake of English teachers everywhere, we hope you chose correctly.  To sharpen your vocabulary skills, test yourself on these most frequently confused word pairs.The Best Grammar ExercisesWe could say that your having to work so hard to le arn English grammar and vocabulary is not fair, especially considering that the native English speaker learns grammar as a matter of course, in early life, before s/he can formulate complete thoughts.You have to work much harder to pick up the English skills native speakers seem to flaunt.The best way to test your language skills is to use them at every available opportunity.Do not concern yourself unduly over whether any given word is a preposition, a conjunction or an aberration of the English language.Who cares if a verb is a modal or an auxiliary?Our formula to achieve fluency: learn abundantly, test yourself minimally, and speak frequently.If you follow that advice (advise?), your proficiency will surely grow.Learn how English grammar has changed over the years here.

How to Find a Qualified Law Tutor in the City of Leeds

How to Find a Qualified Law Tutor in the City of Leeds Law Tutors in Leeds ChaptersWhy Hire a Law Tutor During Legal Studies?Where to Find Law Tutors in the City of Leeds?Helpful Tips from the Best Law Tutors“In order to do something you have never done, you have to be someone you have never been.   You have to go through dirt to get to gold.   If I had 8 hours to chop down a tree, I would spent 6 sharpening my axe.   If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me.   What am I willing to sacrifice for what I want to become?   To respond is positive, to react is negative.   People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” -Dale CarnegieHaving fun while learning and studying may sound like a foreign concept for the majority of people. Individuals would much rather watch television, play video games or go for a hike than study for an exam, write a report or read about jurisdiction.Nevertheless, what if I told you that studying for law school could be fun?  You might not believe me at first but it is possible. Knowing how to study can make you lo ve what you are learning. If you love your legal studies you will undoubtedly succeed. Law tutors are experts in the legal field and the practical counsel they offer can change the way you view a subject.Hiring a law tutor may blow your very tight student budget but the results of tutoring may send you to the top of your class.A little money now is worth it because, who knows, maybe in the future you will be employed at one of the top law firms in the country as a result of your good grades during law school.Superprof  is here to introduce Loiner's to the benefits of hiring a private law tutor and where they can find one in their city (and everywhere else in the UK).

Online Math Tutor Can Help Can Students do better in Maths

Online Math Tutor Can Help Can Students do better in Maths When I was a kid, the most frustrating and devastating subject for me was mathematics. Mathematics was one of the toughest subjects for me. I used to score bad grades in it every time I had to face the exams. There was availability of plenty of school teachers who could help out every student. They can help students who had problems with any kind of subject. But I was unable to catch what they really taught me. I was an average student and thus every single chapter looked like a nightmare fro me concerned with mathematics. Then I came in contact with private tutions. It was a kind of solution for many children and for me even it was helpful but online math tutor is of great help. My grades increased gradually as I came in direct contact with a good and expert teacher who would teach me with care and concern. That time was different and now time and situation is different. Today everyone is professional and only knows how to work less and earn more. School teachers do not have time for every single student and when you go the private tutors for help and support. Tutors often charge high that is not at all possible for middle class family. Teachers teach in different batches where many other students are involved and can be called as mini classroom as well. Weak students learn less and waste their time more in such classes. It hampers their urge to study as gossips and playing becomes main area of concern in such coaching classes. Online Math Tutor To get depth of the subject With time this problem has found its solution and being a parent or a responsible student you should know how you can help yourself. Online teachers are a new wave of learning and teaching process. It is a technology based process and includes lot of help to the students who cannot afford high profile private tutors for them. This online teacher comes under the roof of one institute and conducts their services. Neither they nor the student comes in direct contact with the teacher as the entire process is carried out through internet where personal face to face conversation is not needed. The institutes come up with lots of various types of services and facilities that help you with various ways. You can learn any subject or even take tuitions for cracking any tough exams. College level help is also provided along with school level services. Here only you will get online math tutor service as well where a student will come across some of the best teachers who will help them in all ways possible. The teachers who are available in such institutes are very much proficient and knows how to deal with this subject with ease and perfection. Online math tutor even know how to handle a weak student and how to pull them towards better grades. They plan and organize a strategy that will help them to cover up all the problems that a student faces and will plan out methods through which the students can overcome such hurdles with the subject. The availability of such teachers is found all round the clock. The institutes work for their students all round the clock and thus every subject has some or the other teacher all the time. This is a big help to the students as they can manage their time according and even can attend or avail the classes even at odd timing or whenever they have time. They can even clear their doubts instantly and progress with the subject further. 7th Grade Math Tutoring- Enhances your skill in maths The service of online tutoring is available for each and every class. It has high school tutoring facility and mostly all the reputed institutes comes up with providing you the best services ever. The different class mathematics teaching is found with good institutes who help their students with all ways possible. You can search online for the different types of institutes that are found over internet but if you want to get rid of this long process of searching then you can easily come to TutorPace online tutoring facility and know about the different types of services that are available. With the availability of good teachers and endless time duration for any person to attend the classes, this focuses big way to help any kind of student. The rates or charges for such services are also very low and can be easily afforded by any middle class parent. 7th grade math tutoring is a part of teaching mathematics and the students of class 7 can be highly benefited with this type of service. Each student is provided each single teacher and thus it helps in making the teaching process even simpler. The teaching process becomes a one on one based service and students get to learn pretty much more than they would have learnt in any other private institutes or at their schools as well. 8th Grade Tutoring- Supports students to know mathematics well Online math tutor are found in TutorPace are very much efficient and can even help the students with the completion of their project, various types of assignments as well. Even they can help the students with their homework work as well. The students can be satisfied with the kind of help that they get. 8th grade math tutoring isneeded to those students who do not do well with the subject and need guidance for betterment. As class eight is considered as one of the tough class and from this class onwards only one can see and predict a good future as well. Thus parents as well as students have to be very cautious about the kind of guidance they will get regarding the class and the subject. In our times were unable to get such kinds of great facilities that will help students in so many ways. TutorPace is one of the reliable institutes and one can depend on it for their betterment.

7 Songs to Sing With Your Kids to Encourage Creativity

7 Songs to Sing With Your Kids to Encourage Creativity Suzy S. Studies have shown that children who study music perform better in other subjects than their peers. One of the reasons for this boost is the creative thinking skills that music teaches. Even if you dont have formal music training, there are many things you can do to build a love for music in your child. Its never too early to start even newborns enjoy listening to soothing lullabies. Below, check out of the different types of songs to sing that can encourage creativity in your toddler, preschooler, or elementary school-aged child. Fill-in-the-Blank Songs One of the most important skills that children learn when they are young is a sense of independence. Toddlers are notorious for their I can do it myself attitude. Because of this, most kids love the opportunity to provide input or make a decision.  Take advantage of your childs creative mind by singing fill-in-the-blank songs with your child. These songs usually have a simple, repetitive framework, allowing the singer to pick new choices each verse. Some Fun Fill-in-the-Blank Songs to Sing With Your Child: 1. Old MacDonald Had a Farm This classic childrens song helps kids learn all of the sounds that farm animals make (as well as animals that may not usually be found on the farm, if your child is feeling silly). Children love deciding how the song will go and never seem to tire of coming up with new possibilities for verses. You may even learn something in the process if your child isnt sure what sound a giraffe or penguin makes. 2. Hello, My Name is Joe This cute song tells the story of Joe, a busy button factory worker. In each verse, the boss gives Joe another button to push with a part of his body. Your child will love coming up with new tasks for Joe to complete with different body parts and motions. Songs to Develop Rhythm Rhythm is the regular, repetitive pattern of sound, often referred to as the beat. An understanding of rhythm is one of the basic skills required in music. While it is certainly a skill that can be taught in formal music training, having an intuitive feel for rhythm is a huge advantage. The good news is that children are born with a feel for rhythm. Studies have found that newborn infants will match their breath patterns to the rhythm of a song. By using rhythmic songs, you can develop this innate ability even further. Learning to recognize these patterns in music will help your child think creatively about patterns they encounter elsewhere. There are many songs to sing that can help with developing a sense of rhythm. Movement songs that incorporate clapping or moving to the beat are a great place to start. Echo songs, where you sing a line and your child repeats it back to you, will help your child learn to imitate rhythm as well as pitch. You should also include chants, which are words spoken in rhythm to a steady beat. Some Fun Rhythm Songs to Sing With Your Child: 1. If Youre Happy and You Know It A childhood favorite for many, this song asks your child to clap their hands to the beat at certain points in the song. Although this song is typically sung with the same three options (clap your hands, stomp your feet, and shout hooray), you can get an added bonus from this song by turning it into a fill-in-the-blank song and letting your child create new options. 2. Are You Sleeping? This English translation of the French childrens song Frère Jacques uses an echo. Take turns with your child singing the lead and the echo. 3. Phonics Chant Song (A-L), Phonics Chant Song (M-T), and Phonics Chant Song (U-Z) These phonics chants combine words and clapping to a fun beat that changes periodically. While developing their musical creativity, your child will also learn letter sounds and words that start with each letter. Classical Music Although there may not be words at all, or the lyrics may be in a language you do not speak, classical music is another great opportunity for fostering creativity. As you play the selection for your child, encourage them to move and dance to express the feeling that the music conveys. Many compositions can be quite long, so you might want to begin by playing only a portion to match your childs shorter attention span. After the song is over, talk to your child about what they felt while listening. Remember that there are no right or wrong answers, as these songs create different emotions in different people. Some Classical Music to Play for Your Child: 1. O Fortuna A beautiful composition that youve probably heard in commercials, this song is full of dramatic and subtle moments. 2. Four Seasons Each season is given a song in this suite. Compare the songs to the feeling of each unique season. Beyond enjoying these songs to sing together, there are many things you can do at home to develop your childs creativity and love for music. If you want to further inspire them and strengthen their skills, consider signing your child up for music lessons. Whether your child wants to take private voice lessons or music lessons to learn an instrument, they will learn advanced skills that they can apply to any type of music they want to pursue in the future. Music is a lifelong journey, and one that will take your child far. Encourage your little ones as much as possible! Keep on singing!  Check out our list of  400+ songs to sing here. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by Eneas De Troya

How to Survive the College Application Process Part Two

How to Survive the College Application Process Part Two Now that youve done all the early college-application stuff finalizing your list of schools and creating an application-process checklist, all of which can be found in Part One of this series its time to move forward and set things in motion! Heres what to get done in these first few weeks of September: 1. Ask for letters of recommendation One very important component of a college application is letters of recommendation. Many colleges require at least two letters of recommendation from teachers who have previously taught you in academic subjects. Writing a letter of recommendation is no small task. Teachers put a great deal of thought into writing these letters for their students, which takes time. Therefore, its helpful to teachers who are often asked to write letters for several students if you ask them as early in the school year as possible if they are willing to write your letter. Always remember to thank your teachers, whether or not they agree to write you a letter! When choosing teachers to ask, start with the teachers you know best and in whose classes you performed the best. These teachers will likely be able to best vouch for your character and academic performance. If your teacher agrees, there are a few things you need to do. First, gather enough envelopes so that letters can be sent to each college on your list. Next, address and add stamps to these envelopes so theyre ready for your teacher to mail off to each of the colleges youre applying to once he or she finishes writing the letters. Be sure to give your teacher the official letter of recommendation form for each school, making sure the form mentions the deadline by which your teacher needs to send his or her letter. 2. Register for standardized tests If you still have standardized tests to take, its important to register for them as soon as possible to secure your spot. Double-check the standardized test requirements of each school to which youre applying, and then register if you need to. You can find dates for the SAT and ACT on their official websites. If you want to get a jump-start in preparing for these tests, you may wish to check out helpful study guides, practice tests, and other powerful resources, such as the free Varsity Tutors SAT Prep Book and ACT Prep Book. 3. Begin filling out your applications Early September is an appropriate time to begin filling out your applications. While you wont need to submit your applications for a few months, completing much of the basic forms on your applications early can help save you time later (when youll likely be getting busier with your academics and activities). The great thing about college applications is that you can fill them out online. That means you can work on them incrementally, saving your progress and coming back later to complete the rest. That said, its critical you save your work as you go along. Its not a good feeling to spend several hours working on an application only to open it up again the next day and find that work is gone! 4. Start searching for scholarships Like your college applications, many scholarships arent due until late fall. However, its never too early to start scoping out these opportunities. Pay a visit to your high schools guidance office and ask about what kind of scholarships may be available through your school. Then, look at scholarships offered by your prospective colleges, and also through outside organizations and businesses. (The Varsity Tutors College Scholarship Contest is a great one to enter as well!) Once youre past this stage of the application process, keep an eye out for Part Three of this series... 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.

Six Ways Smartphones Enhance Learning

Six Ways Smartphones Enhance Learning The debate about cell phone use in school is ongoing, and for good reason. As Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center explains, there are many pros and cons of children having cell phones. Because so many children use their cell phonesor more accurately, their smartphonesfor so much more than making phone calls, they can be very distracting, whether children are in class or doing homework, she explains. However, there are also some very real benefits of having a smartphone. Huntington lists these six ways that smartphones can enhance childrens learning: Keeping track of homework Many students like a paper planner, but keeping track of homework and project due dates is made easy with homework/planner smartphone apps. Because students often carry their phones with them wherever they go, it makes recording and checking in on daily deadlines and upcoming work fast and simple. Setting other reminders The reminder/task functions on the smartphone are a great way for students to keep running to-do lists and add to them throughout the day. Your child can remind him or herself to do things like refill the pencil bag, attend that before-school club meeting tomorrow or request a letter of recommendation from a teacher for an upcoming scholarship application deadline. Looking up facts The internet offers endless research possibilities for students. When teachers mention unfamiliar terms or dates, your child can quickly look them up without skipping a beat. Taking photos, video or audio of confusing concepts Teachers move quickly sometimes, especially in high school. With permission, students can take photos of the board or video and/or audio clips of particularly confusing concepts to reference later when studying at home. Note taking The reality is, most students are quick on their phonesmuch quicker than they are taking longhand notes. And apps like Evernote allow your child to capture ideas in his or her notes as well as video, web urls, photos and more. Then, your child can organize those notes in whatever way feels most logical. Accessing educational apps Chances are, your childs teacher uses at least a couple of learning apps, whether to remind students of assignments or share documents and assignment information. There are many excellent educational and learning apps out there, after all, that help students improve their study habits and be more organized, and bring teachers lessons to life. Smartphones make it easy for your child to access those tools when on the go. Huntington reminds parents that while smartphones can be a distraction, they can also be an excellent learning tool. The benefits that cell phones bring to the educational experience are undeniable, she says. As with all technology, its a good idea for parents to talk with their children about the importance of using their phones appropriately at school and always. Without a doubt, smartphones are a gateway to information, and if used appropriately, have the potential to enhance students learning.

Spice up Your Language Learning with These 13 Busuu Alternatives

Spice up Your Language Learning with These 13 Busuu Alternatives Spice up Your Language Learning with These 13 Busuu Alternatives Every now and then, its time for a change.When you graduate from high school, you move on to college, a job or a gap year. You dont just keep hanging around the cafeteria hoping no one notices.When your favorite jeans develop gaping holes, you probably buy a new pair even though you long for your fallen comrade.When you realize your growing pie addiction is probably the cause of your weight gain, you switch to diet pie instead. (Thats a thing, right?)The same is true in language education. Sometimes, you need a change. Whether youre using online courses, apps or conventional courses, even if you love what youve been using, you might just need a change of pace.That means that even if top programs like busuu appeal to you, you might be looking for an alternative.But busuu has a lot to offer. It covers 12 different languages. It promises to teach you a language in just 10 minutes per day. And it has tons of other great features, such as practice with native speakers, grammar units, voca bulary training and even official certificates of completion. How can anything possibly compete with that?Thankfully, just as there are several apps like Duolingo  and plenty of programs like Pimsleur, you can also find some great busuu alternatives if you know where to look. While they may not have all the same features as busuu, they do offer their own unique variations of some of busuus most popular options.Heres the lowdown on all you need to know about busuu alternatives. Why Use a Busuu Alternative?One reason you might use a busuu alternative is to supplement your busuu learning.  If youre enjoying busuu, you dont need to give it up entirely. In fact, busuu can pair perfectly well with other tools, including  innovative apps, such as the  FluentU Android app.You might also use an alternative for a new perspective on your target language. Each language learning product on the market approaches a language from a slightly different angle, so trying an alternative to busuu could give you a new perspective that broadens your language horizons.Or maybe busuu isnt quite right for your needs and goals.  Maybe busuu just isnt doing what you want it to. Maybe the cost is prohibitive. Whatever reason its not your perfect match, you might be looking for something similar that better meets your needs.Finally, variety is the spice of life.  Using busuu everyday could start to feel stale, so you may be ready to change it up. Adding some variety to your learning routine can reinvigorate your passion for learning. Plus, if you want to go back to busuu after having used an alternative, you might find that it seems fresh and exciting again.How to Select the Right Busuu AlternativeConsider which busuu feature you most want to replicate.Busuu offers a variety of features, including flexibility, a short time commitment, interactions with native speakers and  speech recognition.While most other options wont have all these features, its easy to find tools that have at least o ne of these qualities. If you select which feature you want to replicate, you can easily find a tool with a similar option.Determine what area youre struggling with most.What do you need to work on? Do you need speech practice? Do you need to build your vocabulary? Whats your weakest point?Identifying the areas of language learning you need to work on can help you select resources that target those specific skills. This helps you balance out your abilities and ensures you have no main weak points.Try out multiple alternatives.You wont know what you like until you try it, so go ahead and see how you like a number of different alternatives. Experimenting can help you find which option you like the best or determine which combination of options can meet all your needs.What the criteria you base your choices on are up to youâ€"you can consider the usability, interface, price, level and/or features.Spice up Your Language Learning with These 13 Busuu AlternativesFlexible AppsOne of busuus popular features is its flexibility. It offers an array of learning options that you can use whenever and wherever its convenient. If you love the flexibility of busuu, you might also love these alternatives.FluentUAvailable: iOS | AndroidWant flexible language learning that grows with you? Try FluentU!FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons. Every video is captioned, and the captions are annotated, putting any words definition, example sentences and an associated image at your fingertips.With FluentU, you hear languages in authentic contextsâ€"the way that native speakers actually use them. Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of FluentU videos on offer:FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. It’s already hand-picked the best videos for you and organized them by level and topic. All you have to do is choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started!Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more.Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab.You can use FluentU’s unique adaptive quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions and exercises. Just swipe left or right to see more examples of the word youre studying.The program even keeps track of what you’re learning and tells you exactly when it’s time for review, giving you a 100% personalized experience.Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes store or Google Play store.Living LanguageLiving Language has a ton of flexible learning options to fit whatever your language learning needs may be.First of all, Livin g Language offers two different delivery methods. You can take an online course or purchase their products, including books, CDs and downloadable audio files.You can also choose your pace. Online courses offer subscription options, so if you breeze through the course quickly, you can save money. But you can also just study for few minutes per day if that works for your schedule.The materials themselves are also flexible. They include flashcards, games, grammar notes and dialogues, giving you plenty of variety.Finally, one unique feature of Living Language is that it also offers some specialty courses to better meet your needs. For instance, there are programs for specific professions, including librarians, law enforcement and healthcare workers. There are also business courses if you plan on going into international business.Going on a trip? A passport course might be just what youre looking for.Memrise Available: iOS | AndroidMemrise provides flexible features, language settings an d accessibility, making it a great choice for any language learner who needs options.Features include videos with native speakers, a pronunciation guide and interactive games and activities.Memrise also offers language flexibility. For example, some of the programs on this list may teach you Spanish, but the explanations are automatically in English.With Memrise, you can change the language youre learning in within the Settings menu, so if youre more comfortable reading another language, like Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish, you have that option. Now you can study your target language without having to read in English to do so.Plus, because you can use Memrise online or download its apps, you have plenty of options for how to use it. The apps even have an offline mode, allowing you to keep learning even without internet access.Apps with a Short Time CommitmentWish you didnt have to study for hours on end? A lot of busuu user s love that the program aims to teach languages in just 10 minutes per day.However, there are busuu alternatives that also offer a short time commitment. If you only have a few minutes to spare, check out these options.Duolingo Available: iOS | AndroidIf busuus 10-minutes-per-day guideline is too much for you, consider trying Duolingo, which offers bite-sized lessons that you can complete in just five minutes per day. That being said, theres nothing limiting you to the five-minute guideline you can keep on going for hours if you have the time!But the program is built around short lesson blocks, allowing you to study whenever you have time. Duolingo is gamified, though, so you might find it too addicting to stop at just one lesson.Not only does Duolingo offer lessons, it also features activities to help you practice reading, writing, speaking and listening. Thats a lot to pack into just a few minutes per day!WordBreweryWordBrewery is another great option for any learner whos crunched for time.WordBrewery works by presenting you with real-world sentences in your target language. You can listen to them, translate them, save them, save individual words or even read the sentences in their original context.WordBrewery aims to make learning as fast and efficient as possible by focusing on the most common words. To make it even more efficient, you can set the skill level and/or topic. From there, WordBrewery will track your progress to present you with sentences that are challenging but appropriate for your level.Plus, WordBrewery is designed to be used in short bursts, so no need to set aside hours for studying.Lingvist Available: iOS | AndroidLingvist is another busuu alternative designed for learners who have a need for speed.Lingvist aims to have you skip over material you already know or just dont need, allowing you to move at a faster pace. To do this, Lingvist maps your knowledge so that it can personalize the course for your needs.Lingvists main focus is teach ing relevant vocabulary in realistic contexts. But dont worry! Youll also get a hearty dose of grammar tips along the way.Too busy to take the time to hold your phone? The Lingvist app also offers a speak to answer feature that allows you to study hands-free.Bliu BliuJust like busuu, Bliu Bliu promises to teach you a language in just 10 minutes per day. In fact, if you have a free subscription, youll be limited to just five minutes per session anyway, making it easy to avoid letting language learning consume all your time.To gauge your level, Bliu Bliu will give you a quick quiz. From there, youll be presented with level-appropriate material, including videos, audio and text. All the material also comes with printed text. You can highlight a word to learn its meaning or save it to your favorites.The one caveat is that Bliu Bliu isnt designed for total beginners, so if youre just starting out, you might be in over your head with this one.Apps That Provide Interactions with Native Spe akersIts no secret that interacting with native speakers is one of the best ways to improve your language skills. Thats why busuu connects you with native speakers to help you get the practice you need.These alternatives also aim to help you practice your skills with a native speaker.HelloTalk Available: iOS | AndroidWith HelloTalk, you can find native speakers and start interacting right away.Not only can HelloTalk help you find your perfect language exchange partner, it also allows you to do voice calls, voice messaging, video calls and text messaging. You can also post questions to the community for native speakers to answer.Worried that your skills arent advanced enough to carry on a conversation just yet? Luckily, HelloTalk has you covered with plenty of useful tools, including pronunciation guides, corrections, translations and more, so theres no reason you cant start chatting on day one of your language-learning journey.HiNative Available: iOS | AndroidIf you wish you had a f riend to answer all your language questions, HiNative could just be the busuu alternative of your dreams.HiNative is a platform that allows you to ask native speakers all your most pressing language questions. You can ask questions in any language you like.You can ask your questions through text, but HiNative offers some other intriguing options, too. For instance, you can ask verbal questions,  so you can even get answers about whether or not youre pronouncing something correctly. You can also post pictures if you need some help with how youre writing a character or want someone to decipher written material you encounter.italki Available: iOS | AndroidWhether you want to just chat with a native speaker as a language exchange or youd rather hire a native tutor, italki can help you find what youre looking for.Not only can you schedule a customized, one-on-one tutoring session through italki, you can also read articles by teachers and tutors.Prefer to interact with native speakers on a less formal basis? You can connect with a partner for conversation exchange to get a little extra practice. Plus, you can ask open questions on the site, so you can ask the community to check your writing or give you language learning advice.Apps with Speech RecognitionGetting speaking practice can be hard, especially if youre too nervous to start interacting with native speakers.To help users build their confidence and perfect their pronunciation, busuu offers speech recognition technology. The following alternatives to busuu also provide speech recognition options.Mango Languages Available: iOS | AndroidIt can be hard to tell if youre pronouncing a word correctly in your target language. Are you getting all the letters right? Hows your inflection?With Mango Languages, you dont have to stress over pronunciation because youll have plenty of opportunities to compare your pronunciation to that of a native speaker. Mango Languages features audio by native speakers that you can play t o hear the pronunciation of a word.Once you think you have it down, record yourself saying the same word. Then, you can compare your pronunciation directly against that of a native speaker. If your pronunciation isnt as flawless as youd like, just keep trying until you get it down.Plus, Mango Languages focuses on practical conversational skills, so the words and phrases you work on are ones youre likely to actually use.Rocket Languages Available: iOS | AndroidRocket Languages offers voice recognition that can help you nail down your pronunciation of thousands of phrases. That should be enough to put a smile on any learners face.Courses feature conversations. You can read these conversations, play audio of the discussion and record yourself saying key phrases. If you want to simulate a real conversation, consider only playing one characters dialogue and then recording your own responses.Each course offers plenty of interactive audio lessonsâ€"over 60 hoursâ€"so that should be enough to satiate anyone looking to use a voice recognition program alternative to busuu.Babbel Available: iOS | AndroidBabbels main aim is to teach learners conversation skills so that theyre ready to roll when its time to interact in real life.To do this, Babbel features audio by native speakers along with awesome dialogues, which are wait for it interactive! Thats right, you get to record yourself responding to a realistic dialogue. Not only can this help you perfect your pronunciation, it could also increase your confidence and give you the extra boost you need to talk to native speakers more often.Want some more speaking practice? You can also record yourself speaking in the Review Manager section, thereby reinforcing key words and phrases youre studying.Not only that, Babbel offers activities that are just 10-15 minutes long, so it has more in common with busuu than speech recognition alone.So go ahead and change it up. These 13 busuu alternatives might be just what youre looking for to reinvigorate your learning.