The First Student

The First StudentWhen you think of Steve Kwan tutoring, what do you think of? Are you thinking of the famous self-styled 'teacher of world history' and how he became a highly sought after teacher? Or are you thinking of the cute little tykes who are his students?Or are you thinking of the few funny videos that are posted on YouTube where he answers the questions of his students. Of course, the most famous video that many have come to know of is one where he takes on a biology question, and, amazingly, answers it. It is, without a doubt, the best video ever made.Another video, for those of you who aren't familiar with it, is one where he answers questions from a group of students. This is especially hilarious, as the students are in Thai, and the man answering the questions from them does not understand English at all. You can tell that he has spent plenty of time learning English, as he attempts to answer all the questions correctly.Then there is the second video, which shows him tea ching a class at a high school or college, at a good level of competency. Again, the student clearly does not understand what he is saying, and his teacher tries his best to answer. Yes, he does have an English degree, but he clearly needs to be told 'No,' more often than not.And finally, there is a recent clip of Steve Kwan, as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey show. You would think that, at this stage in his career, he would be a very serious teacher of history, if he was being asked to give lessons on what to do with a screwdriver, which is where he seems to be having problems. He may be explaining something about what is called a screwdriver, but obviously, the students just did not get it. But, as he is a teacher who gives classes in the middle of the night, it is hard to see him giving the screwdriver lesson, which he clearly understood, due to the fact that he was on a break. He does seem to be trying to teach his students, however, how to fix a bicycle tire. Which might explain w hy, despite his clearly not having a background in physics, his students are able to build up a handlebar, brake, and seat all in the same day, since he gave them the basic parts.So how did the scholastic ability that Steve Kwan has come to be known for come about? Well, there are several different theories on this, but it's mainly credited to his methods of teaching. Of course, there are others who believe he was born a genius, and others who believe he learned it by trial and error.Either way, what you can say is that it is not a new style of teaching, but rather, that it is exactly what the students of Steve Kwan were looking for - one who could pick up what they were trying to learn. Whether this is the truth, is for you to decide. But one thing is certain - Kwan has become one of the most famous and well-known teachers in the world.

A Free Online High School Chemistry Tutor Helps Students To Understand Chemistry

A Free Online High School Chemistry Tutor Helps Students To Understand ChemistryIf you want to have a better understanding of the things that are really happening in the world of chemistry, it is important to get a good education from free online high school chemistry tutor. You can even learn from online resources if you are on a budget. This is one of the best ways to get a handle on what is really happening in the life of chemistry. What's important is to learn from many sources.An online high school chemistry tutor offers many benefits. Not only does he teach you chemistry from online sources, but he also guides you through the various aspects of chemistry. You can even make use of his support if you have any questions about the subject. He can show you different methods of chemistry demonstrations so that you can see how things work. This way, you can be prepared for the examinations.There are many lessons available in such time period. However, it is important to choose the bes t. A good free online high school chemistry tutor will teach you all the necessary subjects from the viewpoint of his own point of view. He is going to add up everything that is needed to make it easy for you to understand the nature of chemistry. In addition, he is going to guide you through the different techniques involved in the subject.Every living thing requires basic components like carbohydrates, oxygen, and basic elements, etc. It is because of this reason that chemistry has been studied and researched since ancient times. All the materials that are available in the market today are based on the latest discoveries in this field. All these materials were created with the help of the latest technology in science. The Internet also plays a significant role in this field.The Internet is home to a huge amount of material that can be used in science. So, you must avail of all the facilities of the internet. After all, you cannot be expected to study for long without the use of th e computer. Through the Internet, you can easily get hold of all the available materials that are available in the market.It is because of the vast information provided by the internet that students get benefited with various topics in the field of chemistry. There are free online high school chemistry tutor. The most popular among them is the K-12.The free online high school chemistry tutor is going to be your guide in the online world. He is going to guide you through the curriculum and contents that you will be required to study in the future. The best part is that, he will help you identify whether you should continue with the lessons or not. By doing this, you will also be able to improve your understanding of the subject.

Your Perfect Guitar Practice Routine in 10 Easy Steps

Your Perfect Guitar Practice Routine in 10 Easy Steps Maile Proctor Whether youre a beginner or an experienced guitarist,  you know the key to progress is practice! While there are several ways you can trick yourself into practicing guitar, developing a consistent guitar practice routine can help you be successful. In this guest post, David Hart, a  guitarist and the creator of the G4 Guitar Method, shares 10 easy ways to develop an effective guitar practice routine We all know that to reach our goals on guitar we need to practice. As Tai Lopez says, the difference between successful people is they do what everyone knows they should do but don’t. So if a solid guitar practice routine is the key to success, the real question is how do we get ourselves to actually practice? Here are my top 10 suggestions Ill start with what I believe to be the most powerful strategy. A routine works because we are creatures of habit. Establishing a guitar practice routine is hard, but once established, its generally easy to maintain. Schedule a time you will begin practice each day and absolutely stick to it. Don’t worry about the duration at first. Just start and see where it goes. A common mistake is to decide you are going to be the next Hendrix and practice 8 hours a day. The main problem with starting big  is its  much easier to put it off. 10 mins a day is much easier to commit to than even an hour a day. Very few people I know have empty schedules. The idea is to slowly squeeze out the other less important items on your busy schedule. The hardest part is often starting, and what you’ll generally find is the 10-minute sessions will soon morph into 20-minute, 30-minute, or even 2-hour sessions. Attaching a reward to practice conditions your brain. Our brains are hardwired to seek out rewards. We see ourselves as sophisticated, rational beings, but the truth is, we are no different than any other animal. We have instincts and responses that are mostly the result of evolution. Think of sugar for instance. Most people love sugar despite the fact that we all consume too much. This is because sugar is a source of energy in short supply through most of our evolution. Our brains get a boost after a sugar hit and this is why we seek it out. I am not suggesting using sugar as a reward here, but if you reward yourself whenever you practice, your brain will become wired to want to practice. Planning your practice makes it more likely to happen. This has been shown in several studies. As a guitar teacher, I know that when I ask a student to practice something in a general way, its far less likely to be done compared to being specific. For example, I might say I want you to practice your scales this week. If I were to say I want you to practice the C scale in the first position at 70 beats per minute, the odds of practice go up. Apply this same idea to yourself by deciding ahead of time exactly what you are going to work on. Tracking practice minutes will often ignite your natural desire to improve your score. When I was a teen, video games like Space Invaders were all the rage. Kids would spend hours, and all of their pocket money, trying to beat their high score. There is just something about trying to out do ourselves that pushes us to practice more when we track our practice minutes. When I made practice logs compulsory for all my students, the amount of practice and progress tripled. I was actually blown away by the results. Many of the students resisted at first, but after the first month or two, they were in the game and hooked. Close your eyes and think about where you’ll be in 5 or 10 years. Imagine your guitar playing being awesomely amazing. Feel how it feels to have fingers that just fly all over the fretboard with ease. Imagine people watching you in disbelief. Paint whatever picture works for you. Now, reverse engineer that picture; see yourself practicing for hours every day. When we see our future selves in this way, it motivates us in the present. Seeing a bright, optimistic future pushes us to work harder in the now. If we don’t have that positive imagine in our minds we are far more likely to quit or not even try. When Jimi Hendrix was a kid before ever picking up a guitar he would pretend with a broom. He already saw his future. Imagining our future becomes easier when we read about our heroes. When you read their biographies, you get a sense of where they came from. I was watching a video of Steve Vai (check him out on YouTube) and he mentioned how as a teen, he never thought he was any good on guitar. This was very humbling to hear. Such a successful, confident guitarist giving us a peek into his past. Even after 35 years of guitar playing I was still motivated by Steve’s comments. I will also say Even after 35 years of guitar playing, I was still motivated by Steve’s comments. I will also say its not just guitar players. It can be anyone who you regard as successful. The road to success at almost anything is the same. There is a lot of work and commitment, and knowing the great achievers just worked harder for longer is motivational. Learning with a friend increases the chances you will practice more often. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded people naturally motivates us. This is because we are inherently social. The people you surround yourself with will influence you sometimes without you even realizing. One study showed that if your closest friends are obese, your chances of being obese are much higher than average. Having friends who play guitar inspires you to keep up. You can even practice together. Set a time each week where you come together and practice. Again, be specific. Perhaps work on a song together. Theres nothing like a good concert to charge your practice batteries. It doesn’t have to be some big star where you pay $100 or more for a ticket. Seek out some talented, local guitar players and bands who motivate you and try and see one of them at least once a month. When a big name act comes to town you can splurge, but work within your budget. In between that, watch some YouTube concerts. There are so many great videos today, that there is simply no excuse. Concerts are highly motivating so build it into your guitar practice routine to go to a concert or local performance or watch a video every week, and watch your motivation to practice go way up. In my mind, a performance is game day. If there is no game day, whats the point in all the practice? Performance makes practice meaningful. When you know you have a performance coming up, the pressure to practice goes up. This is a good thing and is one of the reasons I always encourage students to aim to perform once a month. I would say the motivation to practice is in direct proportion to the number of people who will see you perform. When we look at the biggest acts today, their motivation is huge. They can have millions of people watching them so their practice schedules are intense, especially leading up to a big performance. In your case, start small: perform for family and friends, and then progress to an open mic venue. As you improve, you can hit larger audiences. Guest Post Author:  David Hart David Hart began learning guitar in the early 1980s studying under various teachers, most notably Mark Bergman as well as studying jazz fundamentals at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Learn more about David and the G4 Guitar Method 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

5 Must-Read Tips if You Want to Get Signed as a Singer

5 Must-Read Tips if You Want to Get Signed as a Singer Suzy S. Do you dream of getting a record deal? Here, Santa Monica, CA singing teacher  Lauren C.  shares her tips for breaking into the industry and getting your voice heard I coach a lot of young singers who aspire to secure record label deals and establish successful music careers. Some of my students have secured contracts with labels like Motown Records, and I myself have recorded with Grammy-award winning producers in Los Angeles and recorded tracks with chart-topping artists. So, what are the labels looking for today? What tips can you employ to get ahead in the cutthroat, competitive world of recording music? Heres my best advice on  how to get a record deal and make it in the industry. Do invest in voice lessons. We live in the era of The Voice, after all, and there is a taste for truly good vocalists in the entertainment industry as much as ever before perhaps more than ever before. We are in a golden age of vocal acrobats and technique. It’s hard to compete in this saturated market if you do not have real chops. There are always unique and untrained voices in the world of pop and rock, but its important to learn to sing in a healthy way to preserve your voice for many years. You will also more easily and quickly expand your range, and diversify the tones and vocal colors at your disposal. A good teacher will never hinder your style or your unique tone he or she will help you sing with healthy technique and increase your vocal potential. And gone are the days that voice teachers only teach classical technique. Many of us are still grounded in this technique; I am. But these days, many teachers teach all styles (I do) or are particularly suited to a particular singing style or genre. Find a teacher you gel with, and commit to years of study and regular vocal exercise. The Internet is your friend. Use it. We are all familiar with artists who have broken on the Internet. If you want to gain exposure, you don’t need to wait to get signed; in fact you  need  to start gaining exposure and attracting fans before a label is going to look at you these days. Create a YouTube channel, join SoundCloud and post your tracks, join TuneCore and distribute your own music via iTunes and Spotify, and check out ReverbNation. Utilize all social media platforms to cross-publicize your work. Post your latest SoundCloud release on Twitter, on your Facebook fan page, etc. Comment on and follow other artists to expand your network and get their comments and likes back. But don’t forget the Internet is not everything. Sing locally. Sing at your school, church, find a local open mic, get a permit to busk if there is an area in your city this is popular (like the 3rd Street Promenade here in California). Also, network make human contact and collaborate with other local musicians. Try co-writing most songs are NOT written by just one person. Check out Musicnotes.com  and download your favorite pop song. Chances are you will see at least two co-writing credits. Try to connect with people who may have more experience or knowledge than you, and see if they are interested in collaborating. Also, take constructive criticism along the way the only way to get better is to take notes, and improve what you need to improve. Opinions are subjective, but take it on board and see if it resonates with you. Always strive to improve. Note the difference between recording in the studio and performing live. Both are important, but they are two different animals. In the recording studio, the microphone is like a camera it captures everything. So never feel bad if you need a little auto-tune. Auto-tune is like Photoshop. A skilfull producer will auto-tune your tracks so that they sound tuned to the natural ear. You may sing very close to perfect tuning live, but in the studio, a fraction off is picked up and we hear it. Do find producers or a studio you can record some demos with. In the long run, you really want to produce commercial-quality tracks to be taken seriously by labels. And note that long before you have a label, you can get licensing deals on your own and get your songs into a film, commercial, or video games if the recordings are professional enough. Sometimes this is what brings more attention from labels and managers. On the other hand, working with producers can be expensive. If you are just starting out, see if you can find a less-experienced producer, and try to negotiate an affordable fee to start learning the ropes of singing in the studio. It can be nerve-wracking. Here are some additional tips for singing in a studio: Always warm up thoroughly before you begin. Do a full take through of the song, then go back to repeat sections or lines until you are in love with the delivery. When a take is the one, you always know! Unlike singing live, most recordings are takes spliced together. Remember that everyone is unique. What you do may not be what Rihanna does. Be kind to yourself and just focus on getting a great result. Finally, just as you would for singing live, stay hydrated with water, and use lozenges like Ricola. Split up a session over a few days if you need to. Determine what makes you unique. As a recording artist, you are a brand. This is different from someone working in musical theatre, for example that performer is pursuing auditions, getting hired, playing a role already written, and has probably performed dozens of times. You are more or less fitting a mold and doing a job for hire. But when you are a recording artist, you have the opportunity to be your own boss, write your own material, and create your own opportunities. To get ahead, you will need to define what is unique about your music, your voice, and your brand. So take some time to develop this, and think about all aspects of your brand. What do people see when you walk in the room? Is your look working for or against you? Think about clothes, artwork for albums, production styles, instruments, and vocal delivery and tone. Are you a power rock belter? Are you a subdued singer-songwriter? What about your voice is helping or hurting you when you try to convey your style?   If youre wondering how to get a record deal, these tips will help your brand stand out to reps. And that will lead you down the path to a successful music career.  Lauren C. is a singing teacher in Santa Monica, CA. Shes a classically trained soprano with  a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance. She teaches students  of all ages and in all styles ranging from opera to pop to rock.  Learn more about Lauren 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 Jared Polin

Fine-Tune the Way You Learn Music

Fine-Tune the Way You Learn Music Suzy S. Earlier this week, in honor of Presidents Day, we mentioned a few of our nations past leaders who had musical chops and now, President Obama caught the medias attention after singing a verse from Sweet Home Chicago at a White House event to celebrate blues and Black History Month.   PBS will air the event on Monday, February 27th, but you can also check out a video of the performance here. Not bad for a spur of the moment spotlight! As most musicians know, truly learning a piece of music requires more than just recognizing the notes and lyrics on the page.   As a singer, your job is to know the phrasing and structure of the song inside and out, and also communicate the emotions to the audience using your attitude, expressions and movements.   This may be easy for a well-versed singer, but if youre a beginner still learning proper breathing and posture, it can seem a bit overwhelming.   Dont worry heres a great list of the 6 steps to learning a song, as originally posted on Performance-High.net: 1) Learning lyrics, melody, phrasing and structure This means just knowing when to sing and what to sing to get through the song start to finish successfully, even if you have to think about it. 2) Internalizing lyrics, melody, phrasing and structure Know how it all goes without even thinking about it. 3) Fine-tuning:  pitch, when to take a breath, enunciation, etc. Most songs offer some kind of new challenge.  Even when you know how it goes, depending on where you are as a singer you may still need to fine-tune pitch entrances, runs, fast passages, enunciation, or where to take a breath. 4) Interpretation Dynamics.  Attitude.  Vocal texture.  Emotional expression.  What are you going to do to make this song interesting and expressive? 5) Performance Does the song merit movement?  Interaction with band members?  Emphasis of hits or breaks?  Is there a solo where youll step back as lead singer and let the focus be elsewhere? 6) Ownership After youve performed a song live for a certain amount of time, it finally gels.  You figure out how to sing all of it in your style, you get inside of it, you relax into it, it becomes yours.  That takes time, and also requires the previous steps. What other tips can you think of that have helped you master a song?   Leave a comment below and share with the community! Like these posts?   Sign up to receive daily updates right to your inbox!   Click here to subscribe. You might also like: A Quick Way to Improve Your Next Vocal Performance Can Yoga Help You Sing Better? Simple Steps for Perfect Pitch Photo by Acererak.

The Best Apps for Learning Chinese

The Best Apps for Learning Chinese Which Chinese Language Learning Apps are Best? ChaptersHellotalk Anki for Learning as many Chinese Words as Possible Write Chinese Characters Using PlecoSkritter Hello HSKWhile going to the country where the language is spoken is almost always the best way to learn Chinese, your language-learning desire can sometimes be trumped by simply lacking the funds or means to travel and learn through immersion.  However, a problem that often gets overlooked by both students and professionals is finding the time to actually study. It doesn't matter how interested you are in learning a language if you can never actually find the time to learn it!Whether you’re on the bus on the way to work or university, in a doctors waiting room surrounded by old magazines, stuck in traffic while listening to the same 3 pop songs, or just doing some house work or chores, did you know that you could use your free time to learn a language?You've probably already tried typing things like “learn Chinese” into Google. As you'll have seen, there are plenty of resources for those who want to learn Chinese online. Finding them is easy. Choosing the right ones is hard.While technology doesn’t perform the miracles it often promises to, smartphones can be used effectively to learn languages from distant lands like Chinese.Let’s have a look at the apps and resources that can help you to learn Chinese outside of Chinese language courses. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHellotalkWhether you’re an absolute beginner, inter mediate, or advanced student, this e-learning mobile app, which puts you in contact with native Chinese speakers, is a great addition to your Chinese private tutorials and is incredibly useful if you're hoping to become conversational or steadily working towards fluency.Is there a Swiss Army knife app for teaching Chinese? (Source: Adrianna Calvo)The app is available on both Android and iTunes and requires that its users create a profile including where they live.Whether the user prefers to keep their location hidden or not, they can use the app to find Chinese people near them in order to practise the language they want to learn with them.Once the user’s decided whether or not they want to show that they’re learning Chinese, the app will help them get in contact with native Chinese speakers so that they can get better at the language by.Conveniently, these Chinese native speakers happen to be looking for someone who speaks English natively so that they can practise their Englis h.Once the two have been put in contact with one another, each user can correct their partner’s mistakes in the foreign language in real-time through chat in order to mutually help one another improve their foreign languages. You can also turn text into audio in order to hear the Chinese pronunciation.If you're speaking to a Chinese native speaker who makes a mistake in English, you can immediately correct them in the conversation and they can do the same if you make a mistake in Chinese.This isn’t like other chat clients such as Wechat, Whatsapp, or Facebook Messenger. The functions of this app are geared towards language learningThe goal of this app, which has 4 out of 5 stars on Google Play and has been downloaded 40,000 times, is to improve language skills through conversation, correction, and everyday conversation with native speakers of Mandarin Chinese.Some key points about this app:There are no smileys or emojis in this app since the goal is to express yourself through w riting and speaking rather than “text speak”.This app is “freemium”. This means that although it is free, some functions can only be accessed by paying for them.It features a “feed” like on Facebook where you can keep up to date with your linguistic adventure.If you're an exchange student who's just moved to Beijing, it's a great way to find someone who teaches Chinese or would just like to learn to speak English.You should also check out our books for learning Chinese! Anki for Learning as many Chinese Words as PossibleAnki is the flashcard app par excellence for those taking private Chinese classes!Which apps should you be using to learn Chinese characters, tones, and vocabulary? (Source: kaboompics.com)Highly recommended by almost every Chinese language learner, this app can be installed on both Android and iPhone. Users can use this free app to read, learn, and remember Chinese words and characters.Let me explain how it works: The user can create or import a Chinese vocabulary list and test themselves using text, audio, images, speech synthesis, and spaced repetition in order to improve their Chinese.With an interface that blends simplicity and flexibility, this app is made particularly special by the dedicated community around it.  Thanks to the community, there are so many different vocabulary packets available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced speakers of Chinese.Additionally, since the app is “open source”, there are a huge range of tools and extras being developed for it. This also means that it can’t go bust due to a lack of funding.Did you know you could also learn Chinese by watching videos? NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Di scover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Write Chinese Characters Using PlecoThe Pleco app, which is available on Android and iPhone, is essential for anyone wanting to learn Mandarin Chinese.Some apps can use certain vocabulary, words, and expressions in order gauge a student's level. (Source: pixabay.com)Recommended by Chinese bloggers and professors, this comprehensive app has a number of features that will help Chinese students improve in their foreign language.Chinese-English DictionaryThe really special thing about this mobile dictionary is that you can draw the characters directly into it using your finger or write them out using the Pinyin phonetic transcription system.Optical Character Recognition (OCR)Optical character recognition allows the app to effectively “read” Chinese characters using your phones camera and subsequently give you a translation of these characters in English.Another great feature of the app is that you can save the characters you’ve scanned using the OCR into a deck so that you can go back over them at a later point.This is really useful for students learning to read in Chinese or intermediate students looking to expand their Chinese vocabulary.  Unfortunately, this tool isn’t available unless you pay for the full version and the character recognition works better using the photo function than the live recognition.Flashcard FunctionThis function allows you to practise memorising Chinese characters as well as revising characters that you’ve previously seen like those from your Chinese tutorials, for example.These flashcards, which are quite easy to manage, can be used to create tests. This is particularly useful if you’re studying for a Mandarin Chinese exam, for example.One by one, these Chinese characters will appear before you and you’l l have to prove whether or not you know them. Your final score will tell you whether or not you need to keep studying in order to improve.  This feature, which is available in the free version, is really useful for students that are studying for the official HSK exams since you can choose the word lists for the level you’re studying for.SkritterLearning how to speak a new language is tough and if you're desperate to learn the Chinese language, you're going to need to know more than just a few phrases . Even if you can speak Chinese perfectly and have a fantastic understanding of Chinese grammar, you still need to be able to read it!Learning Mandarin Chinese without being able to read it will leave literature (which is a huge part of Chinese culture) beyond your grasp. Don't worry though! If you're taking Mandarin lessons (where you should be getting a lot of Chinese speaking practice), you should be using the Skritter app in your free time, to help you learn Chinese characters.Thi s app uses Spaced Repetition, a method that can help you learn a Chinese character with a 90% retention rate. While speaking Chinese is only half of your mission, if you want to become fluent, you need to be able to read, write, and speak! You can take Mandarin lessons London, Manchester or anywhere in the World!You might also want to know about the best websites for learning Chinese... Hello HSKThe HSK exam has its own official apps for students wanting to pass the exam with flying colours!The HSK exam uses simplified Chinese characters so you won't need to study traditional characters. (Source: stock.tookapic.com)Since the apps are divided into levels, there are 6 of them and all of them are available on both Android and iPhone. They’re particularly useful for students who need to go back over something they might have missed during their tutorials.The app, which has 4 out of 5 stars, features the following from the exams:ListeningReadingWriting Chinese charactersIt includes a g ood mix of Mandarin Chinese lessons and exercises, making it essential for anyone who’s signed up for the exam. Additionally, it focuses on the key points of Mandarin, vocabulary, and expressions that you’ll see in the exam.It also has HSK practice papers for students to get ready for the big day when they finally sit the most popular official exam amongst those learning Chinese.To get ready for your HSK exam, you can also check out some of the best videos online for learning Chinese or find a tutor for lessons by webcam or in person, including Chinese lessons London.Discover also the best tools for learning Chinese...

5 Fun Italian Games for Learning Numbers

5 Fun Italian Games for Learning Numbers Brooke Neuman Can you count to 10, 20, or 30 in Italian? Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some fun Italian games that will help students learn numbers Learning numbers in Italian is as simple as uno, due, tre. From referencing amounts to sharing phone numbers, learning the Italian numbers will serve you well. Play the following Italian games with your instructor or friends to help you learn and memorize  the numbersand before you know it, youll be using numbers with ease! 1. Bingo An old favorite, bingo can be transformed into an Italian game. Print off a bingo sheet with numbers (there are a ton of websites where you can find blank bingo sheets), then designate someone to call out the numbers in Italian. When someone completes an entire line, he or she yells “bingo” and then recites the numbers he or she has in Italian. If you dont have chips to place on the sheet, try placing a clear sheet over the printout so you can simply erase the xs on the sheet and start over. 2. Catch it! In a circle (or between two people), start tossing a small ball back and forth. Every time a person catches the ball, he or she must say a number in Italian. The next person who catches the ball must say a numeral higher than the previous one. You’ll start to learn more and more as the numbers ascend. Before you know it, you’ll be reciting the number 1,395 or milletrecentonovantacinque. To add extra challenge, you can also recite the numbers in threes, tens, or whatever sequence you wish. 3. Story Time This Italian game is an imaginative way to practice using  numbers in conversation. As a group, create a story by having each person contribute a sentence, one by one, building on the previous sentences. Every third person (or sentence) needs to have at least one number included in it. Here is an example of a story: Mauro è un ragazzo che abita vicino ad un bosco. Un giorno, quando camminava nel bosco, ha visto un lupo. Il lupo gli ha detto, Dopo quattro giorni, vedrai un albero alto e accanto allalbero, due fiori. Questi fiori sono magici. [Mauro is a boy who lives near a forest. One day, when he was walking in the forest, he saw a wolf, and the wolf said to him, After four days, you will see a tall tree and, next to the tree, two flowers. These flowers are magical.] 4.  Solve it In a circle, have someone start by proposing a math question using multiplication, division, addition, or subtraction. For example, tre per tre (three times three), dieci diviso per due (ten divided by two),  or  cinque più tre (five plus three). The next person in the circle has to answer the question, then using their answer  create a new math problem. Keep the equations simpleor else you could end up with complex math to do! If someone gets a problem wrong or mispronounces a number in Italian,  he or she  steps outside the circle. The last person left wins! 5. Number patterns First, have everyone stand in a straight line.  Choose a number pattern to count ( for example, odd numbers, even numbers, multiples of five, etc.). The first person starts off by saying the first number of the sequence and then moves to the back of the line. The next person continues and so on until the number 100  is reached in each sequence. This Italian game is good practice and can also add extra challenge if a quick pace is established. The movement of walking and standing also helps, since learning happens best when the whole body and brain are engaged! These Italian games for learning numbers are playful and fun, so make sure to enjoy yourself. Youll see the benefit of having the numbers on the tip of your tongue when you start to use what youve learned  outside of your Italian lessons, since all sorts of daily activities involve numbers. Post Author: Nadia B. Nadia B. teaches Italian in New York, NY. She graduated summa cum laude from New York University, with a double degree in Italian Language and Literature and Classical Music Performance.  Learn more about Nadia 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

Where to Find a Photography Course in Leeds

Where to Find a Photography Course in Leeds Take Photography Lessons in Leeds ChaptersLearn About Your DSLR With a Professional PhotographerTaking Pictures with a Photography ClassAttending a Photography Course in LeedsOnline Photography CoursesConsidered the cultural, financial and commercial heart of the West Yorkshire Urban Area, Leeds is the third most populous city in the UK, after London and Birmingham.Leeds' landmarks, both natural and architectural are compelling enough to attract nearly two million travellers each year.Everyone enjoys the food, drink and hospitality, after plying their camera on such diverse sites as Otley Chevin and Morley Town Hall.How much would you bet that a substantial portion of Loiners also own a camera?Are you a Leodensian who wishes to capture your unique city's architectural treasures on film  or memory card?Do you have a special feeling for Roundhay or Temple Newsam? Are you intent on photographing all of Leeds' singular  spaces?It all starts with expanding and polishing your photography skills.Let us now find out where an d how you can learn  to capture all of the sights around the Knightsbridge of the North.If you're a proud Northerner but Leeds is too far to travel, why not consider photography lessons in Liverpool?Leeds Photographic Society, established more than one hundred seventy years ago, has been helping photographers young and old prove, and improve their skill behind the lens.If you have just discovered the heft and feel of the digital shooting instrument in your hands, LPS is ready to introduce you to the latest of photographic techniques.If you have been using an early model film camera for years, you would be equally â€" perhaps most especially, welcome to join them!Although they do not offer any structured lessons, the members' wealth of knowledge about photography permits them to host lectures and illustrated talks.They even invite keynote speakers!Topics include: wildlife photography, how to shoot fireworks, and making the most of your panorama shots.You can also learn about exposure limits, aperture and shutter speed; and how to use them effectively.This convivial group even explores the burgeoning field of drone photography!That would be taking aerial photos using a remote-controlled device, not taking close-up pictures of male bees.Find a photography course in Cardiff!This is the drone meant when engaging in drone photography! Source: Pixabay Credit: AllesAdvanced photographers could benefit from their post-processing tutorials: how to add borders, and processing RAW files.If you are the type to press the shutter button with savage glee, capturing a one-of-a-kind shot, perhaps you would like to enter one of their friendly competitions.Your imagery would compete in-house, against other members of the Society, and externally: in regional and national showings.What we love about this group is their long-standing tradition, coupled with reasonable pricing: a £40 annual membership covers any lecture/tutorial fee, and the cost of outings.Yes, LPS goes on regular outings around the city!What we are less wild about is that their focus seems mainly to be on digital photography and processing â€" rather a letdown, considering how long the Society has been active.Still, evolution is never a bad thing!Another group of photography lovers in Leeds, that is keeping up with the times, is Aireborough Camera Club.They pride themselves on their informality, welcoming beginners to the world of photography, as well as professionals and those with artistic flair seeking an outlet  for their creativity.Their syllabus includes guest lecturers, competitions and members' events, with tutorials sprinkled throughout.They adopt a mentoring style, with more seasoned photographers guiding novices in developing their photographic skills.Joining them for an evening would run you £3, refreshments included.Should there be a tutorial, an extra fee would be levied for the use of the club's equipment and supplies.If you like what Aireborough Camera Club is all about, you can become a member for £40 per year.What we like about this photography club is that they have photo processing equipment available, and such an active programme.What we're less fond of is that their tutorials are done on an ad hoc basis: if you propose a topic that generates enough interest, a knowledgeable person will expound on it... at some point.Of course, that is offset by members' generosity in sharing information informally, so perhaps actual photography workshops are superfluous.If photo courses in Manchester would suit you better, take a look at our article.If you are seeking an education in the art, with the intent of becoming a professional photographer, the next section is for you.Attending a Photography Course in Leedsif you are indeed interested in professional photography, earning a Bachelor's from Leeds Arts University would be the sure bet way to achieve your goal.Their three-year programme will take you through the history of photography to technical skills, an d then drill down to specific aspects of photography as a career.Do you want to specialise in fashion photography? How about documentary photography, or fine art?If you have not yet invested in a camera, they are prepared to lend you a camera body and lenses, and the use of their studio and lighting equipment.Their curriculum includes instruction on 35mm film of various speeds, as well as how to photograph and process images using modern technology.Are you aware there is a healthy debate raging in photographers' circles about the merits of digital versus film photography?Leeds Art University has established itself as one of the foremost photography degree programmes by maximising graduates' employability in the field of professional photography.In the course of your three years with them, you will have the opportunity to build a substantial portfolio, including:black and white photographyportraitsheadshotsfashion shootsgraphic designWait... graphic design?More often than not, these days, photographers are called on to display their talent across several genres; with digital art being just one of them.Leeds Art Institute will prepare you for any branch of photography you hope to make your mark on.If you are undecided about which type of photography you could best express yourself in, or earn your living at, you would be able to try them all out, to see which is the best fit for you.Or, you could consider the photography courses at the University of Leeds.Theirs is also a three-year programme, with an additional focus on movies and film making.In fact, their syllabus prepares students for work in all communications and visual arts industries, from screen writing to advertising.Although their curriculum embraces digital photographic technology, they are much more interested in providing students with history and theory of the disciplines.This allows you to range among the various forms of the art, and choosing one that suits you best.They too foster a supportive environment, even after graduation, in the form of job placement.Who takes the pictures of graduates from photography School? Source: Pixabay Credit: PTKSGCOnline Photography CoursesWhat if, for whatever reason, you could not attend university?And don't have a great deal of time or desire to rush out for club meetings and the like?But you still want to learn photography: maybe as a career change, or simply to capture all of the special moments in your life.And if Leeds is slightly too far away, maybe looking for photography courses in Birmingham would suit you better.If pursuing photography is your greatest ambition, your education could start with The Photography Institute.Their programme runs strictly online photography courses, with no deadlines to meet or classes to attend.Through them you would learn everything from camera components to advanced photography techniques, in twelve compact modules.Do you want to learn how to photograph babies, or would you prefer documentary photo graphy?Their syllabus is self-paced, which removes the obligation to dash to class in the evenings, or on weekends â€" time no doubt reserved  for other pursuits.The expectation of The Photography Institute is that you dedicate at least four hours per week, completing the course in approximately six months â€" in spite of outside obligations.Naturally, it would be possible to extend the course duration, as needed.What if you feel that photography workshops and photography schools reduce this art to so many technical details, with neither heart nor soul?Maybe you contend you only need a few tips â€" loose instruction, to set you on the path of photographic genius.Should that be the case, Superprof boasts a cadre of trained  professionals who are all ready to impart photography tips, one on one, via webcam. Find  a photography course in Leeds. Or if you're in the South, why not ready about learning photography in London?You could even widen your search and look for online photography courses given by teachers all over the world!From questions about exposure timing to how to use Photoshop, our tutors will deliver the instruction you need, when you need it, in the comfort of your own home.Photography is so much more than simply pointing and shooting.If your aim is to make a name for yourself behind the lens, it would be best to understand every feature of your image-capturing  devices, and earn an official certificate for your efforts while you're at it.Should you have a passion for photography, you could learn more about it among those who share your feeling, by joining a camera club.Whether photography is your future or your first love (or both!), now you know where to take photography courses in Leeds.Find out more about photography lessons across the UK  or serach directly for photography courses on our site.

Helping Your Child be More Organized

Helping Your Child be More Organized Helping Your Child be More Organized Good study habits and organizational skills can mean the difference between a successful student and a poor performer. A student who possesses the intellect to do well in school but lacks the organizational skills may easily fall behind and suffer from poor gradesespecially as the workload in school increases and his or her schedule becomes more demanding. On the other hand, a child who struggles in school already and has trouble keeping track of assignments or is constantly losing things may find school challenges even more insurmountable. Here are a few tips to help your child become a more organized student: Establish a homework routine. Studies show that set routines and schedules are positive for children. Your after-school and evening routine should include a set time for homework, dinner, extracurricular activities and bedtime. During homework time, your child should begin by making a to-do list of his or her top priorities for the session, and he or she should check off items as completed. Your childs study space should be free from distractions and stocked with the supplies needed so that your child can quickly dive into each homework session. Make use of a planner, homework notebook or planner app. One of the most common issues with disorganized students is not that the students are incapable of doing homework, but rather, they forget or lose track of what they are supposed to work on each evening. Your child should have a simple notebook in which to write down the followingeach and every day: Each class/subject Homework assigned for each class (or no homework) Upcoming test/quiz dates or projects mentioned by the teacher Check this notebook every night to ensure all work that is assigned is being completed at home. If your child is old enough to make effective use of a planner/calendar, teach him or her to block out time on the daily calendar for all commitments (school, activities, work, studying, dinner and sleep) and write down all upcoming tests, quizzes and projects on the appropriate calendar dates. For students who use smartphones or tablets, consider a student planner app such as myHomework or iStudiez Pro, which each allow students to track homework, tests, projects and lessons, receive reminders for upcoming tests and assignments, and manage their class and life schedules. The better your child is at time management, the more prepared he or she will be for high school and college academics. Make checklists. Introduce routines for all chores and tasks in your household and create checklists to help your child get familiar with the necessary steps. This also will help your child become more independent and confident and give him or her a sense of responsibility and fulfillment. For example, a morning checklist might include picking out clothes and getting dressed, brushing teeth, making the bed, putting pajamas in the laundry basket, brushing hair, preparing the backpack, refilling the water bottle, making lunch and so on. Show your child that good organization is important in everything that he or she does. Make tidying up a nightly activity. Every study or homework session should be followed by five minutes of putting away supplies, straightening the desk and getting the backpack ready for the next day. Get your child into the habit of finishing each homework period this way. Effective organization is an asset that will help your child as a student and a person throughout his or her life. Work on this skill at home and talk with your childs teacher about the specific areas that seem to need the most improvement. As your child embraces this skill, studying and homework will become much more fluid processesand your child will have the tools to be a more independent, successful student.