The Role of the UMN Chinese Tutor

The Role of the UMN Chinese TutorUMN Chinese tutors provide excellent instruction in Mandarin Chinese and have training in the Chinese culture, many of which are very special to their students. They also offer personal attention and a personal approach to teaching. Chinese tutors can prepare you for your tour of China and will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct business in the country.UMN Chinese tutors can teach you not only how to read and write Chinese but also the culture and etiquette of the country. Chinese is spoken in both official and informal settings and is not only spoken but written as well.They can also conduct private teaching to provide you with the skills and language that you need in your business trip to China. Many foreign companies hire tutors to help their employees learn the language so they can do their work in Mandarin. It can be a very worthwhile investment.UMN Chinese tutors are well trained and well versed in the Mandarin langua ge. Their mastery of the Chinese language is one of the most sought after requirements in tutoring services. They will provide you with exceptional and specialized care in the training of students and improve your skills and knowledge of the language. You will learn about the major Chinese holidays and offer you the most up to date information about the country.UMN Chinese tutors work closely with you to establish a strong relationship of trust between yourself and the tutor. Your personal encounter with the tutor can take place when the course is still young. If you are happy with the relationship that has been established then you can move forward with an even closer relationship between you and the tutor.All students enrolled in UMN Chinese lessons get started with individual tutoring sessions, which will last an hour. They have many pre-arranged, organized and personalized lessons with each tutor on a daily basis. As your Chinese improves and you feel comfortable with the guidan ce you receive from the tutors, they will find time to review your notes, greet you in Chinese and meet you in person.You will be able to communicate more easily and express yourself with ease in an integrated environment of UMN Chinese teaching. The UMN tutors work in pairs and will conduct one-on-one tutoring sessions. This will include language practice, speech exercises and group discussions in order to help you improve your Mandarin and create you a more comfortable communication.Tutoring through UMN Chinese Tutors is all about taking your time and working in small groups. With this in mind the teachers make sure that you are confident and ready to speak Chinese with anyone in the class. You will benefit from a traditional and interactive approach to teaching and learning as well as the genuine personal attention of the UMN Chinese teacher.

Tutoring Agencies In Manhattan Beach, Florida

Tutoring Agencies In Manhattan Beach, FloridaTutoring agencies offer a solution to the problems of students in New York City's Manhattan Beach, Florida. A year before the holiday season, many students are thinking about their applications and how they will prepare for school in the coming semester. This is where tutoring agencies step in and help students avoid common mistakes and make the best use of resources available to them.Tutoring agencies have students on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, through the weekend. With all this free help, students have no reason to worry about missing a class or not getting the help they need to make a grade. In addition, tutoring agencies can help students prepare for the upcoming examinations or tests that they will have to take. Students can work with the tutors to make sure they don't panic if something goes wrong or that they are prepared to solve the problem. The tutors can also help students navigate through the complex and c onfusing exams that are required to earn a degree.Tutoring agencies are willing to invest time and money in helping students gain the knowledge and skills that they need to graduate from college. Whether the student wants to go to medical school or an accounting program, the tutors at the tutoring agency will offer all the services that will make a big difference in their success. Students who want to pursue a degree in business or government or even want to study Spanish will find that they can learn a lot from tutoring sessions. As an added bonus, students who need a little extra motivation will have the advantage of being able to see themselves in a place that is very familiar to them and where they feel good about themselves.Tutoring agencies work with all the schools in Manhattan Beach, Florida. They will help students from junior high up to the university level. Even students who don't intend to attend college, but need extra help with their homework or something they may be h aving a problem with, will find that tutoring will be helpful. There are also some students who just want to improve their grades so that they can get into the college they want but will need tutoring services on a regular basis.Tutoring agencies are available 24 hours a day seven days a week. Students will never miss an appointment with a tutor and will always be able to contact the tutors through their phone. They can also receive reports and feedback in writing and view updated materials as needed. If students miss an appointment, they can schedule another and the services will continue to come to them. It is easy to find out when an appointment will be held because most tutoring agencies will post these times on their websites.Tutoring agencies offer professional help for all the students at any age. They are available to every type of student, whether they are a senior high school a beginner, or a first-timer. Even parents who have experienced the problems of a student with edu cational problems can be helped by tutoring agencies because they know the importance of learning and gaining knowledge.With tutoring agencies, a student never has to miss an appointment because he or she will never run out of students to help. Even if students need extra help, they can be provided with information and resources that will be useful for their future as well. Those who need assistance with their homework or issues with any kind of classes can use tutoring services to help their children keep up their grade-point averages and even get into college. They can also be the help that their students need to graduate from college and join the career they want.

How to Be a Computer Tutor

How to Be a Computer TutorIf you are interested in teaching the next generation of computer-savvy adults and young professionals, then learning how to be a computer tutor may be a possibility for you. The sooner you get started, the more time you will have to help in this dynamic area of education.Teachers may find it difficult to pass on their passion for teaching and use it to their benefit as the demand for teachers who can teach computers is on the rise. In fact, you may be able to find great pay as well. This can be a viable career choice as well as the personal dream of many a teacher.If you want to teach and become a computer teacher, then there are two things that you must know in order to start your journey. First, you need to be very sure about the level of computer savvy of your students. Secondly, you need to train in computers before teaching. Following these two tips will make teaching the computer easier.As you want to teach students with greater computer savvy, you wi ll need to work on preparing them for this. You will need to show them the applications that they are going to need in order to be successful in the future.You will need to use an online program that will show you how to use your software properly. They will also show you how to avoid the common mistakes that you see teachers making. As this is the first step, then you will want to get started right away. This will help you focus on helping your students.Once you have helped your students with computer tutorials, then you need to start teaching. You will need to spend time with your students to help them take the courses and do the assignments. They will also need to participate in classroom discussions and reviews as well. There are a number of ways to start your education with how to be a computer tutor. Starting with the basics will go a long way in being successful. Whether you want to work as a private tutor or join a professional company, then you will need to follow these tip s in order to start your education.

Want to Someday Star On Broadway 3 Tips from an Expert

Want to Someday Star On Broadway 3 Tips from an Expert Sign up successful But that’s every performers job to make it look easy. Because of this, its the strong, the tenacious, the hard-working, and the incredibly lucky ones who make it to the Broadway stage. I began my dance training at the age of two and a half. Sure, back then, my parents werent thinking about molding me to be a professional Broadway dancer, but this is just an example of how far back training goes for many professional dancers. Then, as my interest and passion continued, I began ballet training at six, singing lessons at eight, and began working in professional theater productions at age 13. I continued training all throughout high school and moved to New York City at the age of 18. I was fortunate to be just 20 years old when I was cast as the leading lady of my first national tour; but even then, I still had five more years before I got the chance to fulfill my dream of actually starring on Broadway. But, within those five years, I was working every day on my singing, dancing, and acting skills to carry a show as a leading lady. If youre like me, you see Broadway performers as the best of the best! And to be ready for that competition to be prepared to actually star on Broadway is something that performers train for YEARS to achieve. And, even after all that training, its very rare that you get the incredible chance to actually star on Broadway. You never know when that “luck” will roll around. So, what I teach my students is to concentrate on what they can control and to always be prepared for when that luck comes! If youre interested in learning how to become a Broadway star, heres what I did to prepare to star on the stage: 1. Put in hours of work, outside of auditioning for shows. Artists take voice lessons weekly, sometime more than once a week, depending on the role theyre playing. They’re also taking yoga, meditation, dance, and exercise classes to keep their bodies healthy. This is a daily occurrence. Performers should be working and training daily before they even get to the theater to do their shows. Also, networking is important, because the more youre mingling with artists in your field, the more people get to know and like you. Booking a show isnt always just about skill a lot of times it can come down to skill and a choreographer or director knowing and liking you. 2. Remember that what a star eats makes a huge difference! Broadway stars must watch what they eat to be aware of what foods work for them and energize them. Your voice and body can change depending on fatigue, hot or cold weather, and the theater environment, and you have to know how to adapt to that. If youre doing a tremendously physical show, you have to know that you cant truly be full at the beginning of it.  When I was starring in 42nd Street, I had a rule that I couldnt be full past 6:30 for an 8pm curtain.  I would eat sushi a lot of times between shows because I knew it was good for my energy and digestion. And I always had a banana or an apple in my dressing room to eat before the last 20 minutes of the show, which was the hardest for my role. I learned to never eat nuts or granola, because the pieces got stuck in my teeth, and I almost choked on stage when I started singing. A lot of Broadway performers eat dinner after the show, and knowing what food is best for your body and what doesnt create acid reflux is also important, because that affects your vocal cords. Every body is different, and like an athlete, you have to know your body and what fuel works for you to be your best eight shows a week. 3. Have a spiritual or mental practice that helps you balance your body, mind, and soul. The demands of a Broadway performer are very intense. Not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. The emotional ups and downs are a part of your life, even if youre extremely successful. Rejection is a part of every performers life. For every job you get, there are 50 you didnt get. So, finding a way to achieve balance is crucial. Ive turned to meditation, yoga, and rules for myself that have helped me lead a full and balanced life outside of the entertainment industry. For example, I used to tell family and close friends when I got an big audition because I was so excited at the fact that I got a chance! Then, if I got a callback, the pressure was on, and everyone I told would ask, Did you get it? Very soon, I realized that if I didnt get the part, not only would I have to feel the disappointment, I also would have to explain what happened to friends and family over and over again, re-living the rejection. So, one of my rules now is that I dont tell anyone until I am signing the contract for the role. This rule might not work for every artist, and I believe balance is about bio-individuality. As a holistic health counselor, I help performers find body, mind, and spiritual practices that promote balance and work for them. Even after ascending to the top of a Broadway marquee, the work continues. Anybody passionate to learn how to become a Broadway star should constantly be taking voice lessons, acting classes, and dance classes. Take a theater dance class, a ballet class, and a tap class. Even when you’re a star, you should still be taking lessons. The best, most successful stars never stop training. Ever. Meredith P. teaches acting, singing, and dance in Los Angeles, CA. She has performed on Broadway, acted in television shows, and even recorded her own jazz albums! She studied at the AMDA College Conservatory For The Arts and the Institute For Integrative Nutrition in NYC.  Learn more about Meredith 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  Eva Rinaldi

What is it Like to Attend Stony Brook University

What is it Like to Attend Stony Brook University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Tiffany is a senior at Stony Brook University studying Spanish Language Literature. She is a New York City tutor who specializes in SAT prep tutoriing, Literature tutoring, Essay Editing tutoring, and more. See what she had to say about her school: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Tiffany: The Stony Brook campus is very large and has a cosmopolitan, mature, and city-like feel to it. The student body is extremely diverse, which I love. It seems like almost every country and language in the world is represented here. I feel very safe on campus, and Security is easily contacted and always available. I commute from home via car. In fact, half of the student body also commutes. On campus, there are always buses running that bring students from one area on campus to another (since its so vast). And the buses run late, which is convenient. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants? Tiffany: My professors have always made themselves very available to me, but the Spanish department at Stony Brook is rather small. Ive heard from my pre-med friends that their Biology professors and such can be hard to contact. But the advising office is open all day long, and you can make appointments with them almost anytime. Some classes have teaching assistants, while others do not. Here, there are lots of tutoring options and a writing center, both in English and for the foreign languages. I tutor at the Spanish Writing Center. I can say that I never felt totally in the dark when I didnt understand a topic. There is always someone there to help; you just have to reach out and be heard. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Tiffany: Im a commuter, so I cant comment on the dorm life here. There are many, many dining options though Wendys, Mexican, Asian, and lots more. Even off campus, dining options are close by and plentiful. Stony Brook University is located right near the LIRR train station, so commuting and traveling is easy. There are also lots of clubs and organizations to join. Im involved in a few of them, including Sigma Beta Honor Society, which conducts community service events on the island. I transferred from a private school my sophomore year, and I honestly love it here. There are so many opportunities and ways to keep busy. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Tiffany: Stony Brook is renowned for its Premedical, Dental, Computer Science, and other Science programs. I chose to study Spanish because its what Im best at, and I find it to be unbelievably useful in everyday life. Im glad I chose Spanish as my major. Its not a common major here, but for that very reason, I was able to get a lot of individual care and one-on-one mentoring. I know all my professors on a first-name basis, which is awesome. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Tiffany: I found it very easy to meet new people, even as a sophomore, but Im a social creature. Joining clubs and going to campus events is a great way to get out there. Or you can just start talking to people, which is what I do. Ive made a few friends just by being friendly while sitting on the benches outside. To be honest, whether or not you meet people totally depends on your behavior. Potential friends are everywhere. You just have to get over being shy if you want to enjoy your college experience. And while parties are always fun, you generally wont meet people who have the same academic interests/passions as you at those sorts of events, so be well-rounded and maybe go to cultural events, too! Im happy to say that Greek life does not play a significant role in the social atmosphere of Stony Brook University. Actually, one of the reasons that I left my first school, a small private college in PA, was because I chose not to go Greek and felt like an outcast as a result of that choice. Thats so not the case at Stony. Here, there are people of every sort imaginable. There really is no excuse not to find a friend just like you. Jocks, nerds, exchange students, etc. were all here! VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Tiffany: Our Career Center is awesome. Theyre currently helping me search for teaching jobs in the states and abroad. Theyre very professional, too. I know there are many opportunities for internships here. Stony has an online program called Zebra Net where you can post your resume, and employers can seek you out electronically. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Tiffany: It totally depends on the time of day. Some study areas are always packed, which is why I choose to go to the less-known ones or walk a few flights up the stairs to find a quiet space. There are plenty of places to hide out in; you just have to know which are the hot spots and which arent. Stony Brook has a lot of computers for student use, though. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Tiffany: Stony Brook, NY itself is not a big, hopping town. There are little strips with restaurants, bars, and other establishments, but I would say that most students travel elsewhere for real fun or stay on campus. Once again, its a different experience for me as a commuter. But since the train station is so close to campus (and it actually is located right on the outskirts of campus), traveling is made easy. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Tiffany: The student body here is absolutely huge, yet Im always running into people I know on campus. Some of my classes were large (like Anthropology 200+ students), while some were very small (less than 20 students). It depends on the type of class it is. Math and Science classes (Bio, Physics, Calculus, etc.) are generally much larger here. But I feel like the classes get smaller the farther along you get in your degree track i.e., the more specialized the classes are. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Tiffany: My favorite class of all time was Spanish 393 Introduction to Spanish linguistics. The professor was Jose Elias-Ulloa, an incredible man. This class made me realize that I want to return to Stony Brook for graduate school, and that my calling in life is linguistics. He and I are still in touch. Ive had a few bad experiences here, but they are truly insignificant in comparison with all the good ones. I love Stony Brook. I wouldnt trade my time here for anything. My advice to new and prospective college students is this: get to know your professors on a personal level, build and maintain good relationships, and be friendly and kind to people. Youre going to need references someday. And if you have a 4.0 GPA, but nobody can speak about you as a person, youre going to face some serious problems in the professional world. Check out Tiffanys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Learn Hindi How To Speak Hindi Fluently

Learn Hindi How To Speak Hindi Fluently Getting Fluent in Hindi ChaptersA Guide to the Hindi AlphabetHow To Learn Hindi PronunciationImprove Your Hindi Conversation With These TricksLearning Hindi with Hindi FilmsHave you decided to discover the language and culture of India and learn Hindi?Hindi is an Indian language of the Indo-Aryan family spoken in the northern part of the country. It is spoken by over 500 million people worldwide and is one of the main languages in India. Many (though not all!) Indians who might have Gujarati, Punjabi, Kannada, Tamil, Bengali or Marathi as their native tongue speak Hindi as a second language.But it’s one thing to learn grammar and set phrases, and another to learn to speak like a native speaker. Here are a few suggestions to help you improve your conversational Hindi. GiusyHindi Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnchalHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NehaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AkshayaHindi Teac her £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuhaniHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MedhaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PriyankaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaurabhHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsA Guide to the Hindi AlphabetThe Hindi script is called Devanagari and was first used to write Sanskrit.It is a little different from our alphabet, in that each consonant is actually a syllable: its phonetic value consists of a consonant sound + a.To write consonant sound + other vowel sound, you must modify the consonant using diacritic signs.Vowels also exist as independent signs, but these are only used if a vowel stands on its own or at the beginning of a word.In other words, when learning the Hindi alphabet, you not only have to learn the Hindi letter for the consonant and vowel sounds but also how each consonant is modified depending on the vowel f ollowing it.To further complicate matters, frequent consonant combinations are often slightly modified and written as one letter, so-called ligatures.All this makes learning Hindi vocabulary all the more challenging!Learning the Devanagari script will help you get around in India. Photo credit: Nick Kenrick.. on Visual HuntWriting Hindi in transliterationThere is a way to write Hindi with the Latin alphabet, called transliteration. Unfortunately, it is not normed, so that different teachers and even native speakers of Hindi will write the same words slightly differently in the Latin alphabet, depending on what system they are using.For example, some write long vowels by doubling them, others by adding an “h” at the end and still others by putting a dash above the letter.Thus, the long “a” can be transcribed variously as:aaahaThis is why it is better to write your vocabulary flashcards in Devanagari. That way you can practice writing the Hindi alphabet while at the same time always being certain of what sound you are writing down!Remember, though: if you are learning Urdu (the version of Hindustani spoken in Pakistan), you will need to learn the Nasta’liq script, a Persian calligraphy writing based on Arabic.Don’t forget to learn how to write the Hindi numbers, too!How To Learn Hindi PronunciationLearning a new language means not only learning grammar and vocabulary but also being understood. This means that you need to pronounce Hindi common words properly. No-one expects you to have a perfect accent, but the better you can approximate the correct way to pronounce Hindi words, the better you will be able to communicate.After all, you have had to deal with tourists sometimes who are trying to speak English - the easier you can understand them, the better you can help them.Learn to pronounce the Hindi words for colours properly! Photo credit: Marco Bellucci on VisualHuntSo how can you improve your Hindi pronunciation?You can listen to native speakers say the words and phrases you are learning to hear how they are pronounced. Many an online Hindi dictionary has a feature that lets you hear the words spoken, or you can watch films or listen to a Hindi podcast or watch a Hindi video.Then, try and pronounce the word yourself - but record yourself (on your phone, laptop, wherever…)Listen to your recording, then to the original again. Find out where you are sloppy, or what sounds you have trouble making.Record again and see if you have made any improvement.Beginners can work on individual sounds first, then move one to individual words, then Hindi phrases.Remember, pronunciation is not just about sounds, but about rhythm, too. Listen to people speaking Hindi and hear which syllable they emphasise in a word and which words in a sentence.Also, listen to tone - Hindi speakers tend not to lower their voices at the end of a sentence like the English. Watch out for other differences in intonation within the Hindi Language.Improve Your Hi ndi Conversation With These TricksYou know the Hindi alphabet by heart and can pronounce it perfectly - but you freeze up whenever you have to have a conversation in Hindi? Here are some ways you can improve your Hindi and learn to speak Hindi fluently.Learning Hindi will help you communicate with a lot of people in India - though perhaps not the snake. Photo on VisualHuntSpeak with native Hindi speakersWhen learning Hindi, the best way to practice conversations is - to have them. And the ideal way to improve your language skills is to talk with someone who:is a native speakercan correct you when you make mistakesThere are two ways you can do this:Find a language partner for a language exchange: he or she will teach you Hindi in exchange for practising their EnglishLanguage tutors who can speak to you in Hindi as well as help you learn new words and expressions, teach you Hindi verb tenses and how to recognise masculine and feminine nouns.You can also learn Hindi online through Skyp e - for example, a language partner or tutor actually living in India!Learn Hindi with language immersionEven better than simply talking with someone from India is to go to India yourself. While staying there, you can interact with native Hindi speakers on a daily basis and in a variety of situations. You will constantly have to call on the vocabulary you learned in your language course in Hindi and be confronted with new words. If you stay more than just a few weeks in a country, you can become fairly fluent in any foreign language - including Hindi.There are several ways you can immerse yourself in India to learn a new language:Take an immersion holiday. They are generally at least a tad longer than your usual two-week holiday, might include language courses and try to get you out and talking, or at least listening. You will be exposed to a lot  of Indian culture - for example, you might go see a play or a Bollywood movie.Become an au-pair. As an au-pair in a foreign land, you wil l be expected to work for a guest family. In return, they provide food and board and some time off to take language classes.Learn Hindi and find out what this girl's headband means! Photo credit: sandeepachetan.com on VisualhuntLearning Hindi with Hindi FilmsIf you can't make it to India, you can still practise your Hindi listening skills with the best Bollywood has to offer.Careful - not every Indian movie is in Hindi! Here are a few to get you started.A Hindi romance with Guide (1965)Based on the novel by R.K. Narayan, Vijay Anand’s Guide is the tale of a Raju (Dev Anand), a tour guide who falls in love with Rosie (played by Waheeda Rehman) the wife of an archaeologist. She was a dancer who was forced to give up her career when she married and is unhappy. Raju convinces her to leave her husband and take up dancing again, but her rise to fame does neither of them good…Learn a new language with the Hindi action film Sholay (1975)This classic film (”Embers” in English) follow s two criminals, Veeru (Dharmendra) and Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) who are hired by a police officer (Sanjeev Kumar) to help him capture the renowned dacoit (a bandit chief) Gabbar Singh (played by Amjad Khan). Despite negative reviews on opening, this film was an audience favourite and has made it to the British Film Institute’s top 10 list of the best Indian films. It’s of a type called a dacoit western - using many of the tropes and storytelling methods of classical Western films juxtaposed onto the Indian dacoit bandits.Acquire proficiency in Hindi with the Hindi drama Dangal (2016)This sports film loosely based on a true story documents the path of two sisters whose father, a former wrestler (Aamir Khan), decides to train them for the women’s wrestling team in the hopes of finally winning an international title for India.A great sports film and an interesting social commentary.Enjoy all the advantages of a native speaker AND a grammar coach with a Hindi tutor!

15 Great Reasons to Take Singing Lessons

15 Great Reasons to Take Singing Lessons Why Hire a Voice Coach for Learning to Sing Chapters1. Learn to Sing Covers of Your Favourite Songs2. Make a Career of Singing3. Learn to Sing and Appear on TV4. Learn to Harmonise with Other Singers5. Cure Your Tone-Deafness with Vocal Training6. Learn to Develop Your Own Vocal Style7. Find Love Through Song8. Sing and Play the Guitar9. Sing and Play the Piano10. Learn to Sing to Help with Language Learning11. Learn to Sing to Improve Your Public Speaking12. Improve Your Physical and Mental Health by Learning to Sing13. Learn to Sing and Explore the History of Music14. Discover New Musical Genres by Taking Singing Lessons15. Get Voice Coaching to Increase Your Chances of Being Accepted at a ConservatoireWith a large number of global singing successes including The Beatles, Oasis, Shirley Bassey, Adele, and Emeli Sandé, it is clear that the UK is an incredibly musical nation.However, for a nation of music lovers, too many of us are overcome with embarrassment when it comes to the idea of singing in public.Taking singing lesso ns with a teacher who can adapt lessons to your personal needs and goals is an effective way of gaining confidence as a performer and improving tone quality.If you’re yet to be completely sold on the idea of singing lessons, here are fifteen reasons to convince you to take a leap of faith! TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors1. Learn to Sing Covers of Your Favourite SongsWhether it’s in the car or while taking a shower, none of us seem to have a problem with singing our favourite songs in private.It could sometimes even be considered a shame that the songs we know by heart are never performed even though singing them fills us with joy.This is where voice training comes in. Singing teachers are experts at instilling confidence in their students whilst developing their vocal skills so that they can fulfil their singing potential.Once you have learnt about warming up, breath control and how to use your diaphragm, you will be better-equipped to record and perform your favourite songs with confidence.Overcoming your stage fright is all part of the process of learning to sing, and as a seasoned professional, your voice coach will help you feel comfortable as a soloist.2. Make a Career of SingingMeeting the big stars of the moment, appearing on TV, signing autographs, living a life of luxury… becoming a famous singer appeals to many of us at some point in our lives!Where could voice training take you? ¦ sou rce: Pixabay - StockSnapThe world of singing offers a multitude of career opportunities. You could make your way in the world as a:Professional musician (solo or with a group)Voice coach at a prestigious arts schoolSchool music teacherPrivate singing teacherMusic researcherSongwriter or composerThe skills you acquire in your singing lessons, such as a knowledge of music theory and performance skills, will equip you for a career in music.3. Learn to Sing and Appear on TVFrom Leona Lewis to James Arthur, the world of music is full of stars who began their singing careers on TV talent shows.You don’t need to win one of these competitions for a successful music career â€" just one appearance on The Voice could get you spotted and help you advance as an artist.So, if you like the idea of being in the public eye, why not sign up for some auditions on programmes such as The X Factor, The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent?4. Learn to Harmonise with Other SingersKnowing how to harmonise is essential if you want to sing most types of music, including classical, opera, choral and pop.Harmonies are made from breaking down chords and using them to create cadences, which are what give songs their musicality.During your sessions with your singing teacher, you will learn about finding harmonies within arrangements and using them to make a piece richer overall.5. Cure Your Tone-Deafness with Vocal TrainingSigning lessons could relieve your loved ones from the agony of listening to you massacre perfectly good songs.The good news is that, despite what most people believe, anyone can learn to sing well, even if they have no natural singing ability!Be tone deaf no more! ¦ source: Pixabay - PexelsThe inability to reproduce melodies accurately usually stems from a lack of strength in the part of the body which contribute to the voice. Provided you choose the right singing teacher for your needs, with enough encouragement and regular practice of vocal warm ups and breathing exercis es, your body will get used to singing and you will start to find it easier to carry a melody â€" so, learning to sing is far from impossible!6. Learn to Develop Your Own Vocal StyleEvery voice is different, and this is why it is almost impossible to produce covers of songs which are identical to the original versions.Many singers enjoy getting creative and finding a way to make an existing song ‘their own’ by applying their own musical style to the lyrics and the melody.Some of the most famous singers started out at cover artists on YouTube, including Justin Bieber, Cody Simpson and Lana del Rey.Taking online singing lessons will help you identify the timbre of your voice and develop your own singing techniques which you can apply to your performances.7. Find Love Through SongHave you ever thought about serenading the love of your life with a romantic song?Finding a singing teacher will not only help you to improving your vocal ability, but it will also give you a good idea of the types of songs which suit your vocal style, so you can choose the perfect song to declare your love. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors8. Sing and Play the GuitarTo improve your singing technique and make sure that your voice is warmed up properly, it is advised that you use a musical instrument to guide you.Playing your own accompaniment will give you the skills to lead a band ¦ source: Pixabay - Free-PhotosPlaying the gu itar is not only perfect for finding a certain pitch and keeping you in key, but also for playing the chords to a song as an accompaniment â€" so you can perform as a solo act.9. Sing and Play the PianoThe piano is the most common instrument used during music lessons.Everyone from singing teachers to opera soloists to conductors to comedians uses the piano in their work.Like learning any musical instrument, learning the piano will help you with your understanding of music theory as you learn to read a musical score.Playing the piano is beneficial in the same way as learning the guitar, and once you start singing as you play, you will discover the true benefits to learning to sing.10. Learn to Sing to Help with Language LearningIn his 2007 report on the learning of foreign languages, the French minister for education explained:The practice of singing promotes the acquisition of musicality of language. It helps in the identification of the sounds that make up language. Syllables and r hymes set the internal rhythm of phrases and help the child to repeat them.In some languages, such as Japanese, pitch indicates the meaning of a word, so having a good awareness of the musicality of language can make it easier to learn new languages.11. Learn to Sing to Improve Your Public SpeakingAre you all-too-familiar with the overwhelming feeling when your voice is trembling and you want the ground to swallow you up?Giving speeches in front of an audience is a fear-inducing experience for many people.The problem usually stems from a lack of self-confidence on the part of the speaker â€" something that singing lessons can help remedy!Overcome your fear of microphones and crowds and develop a stage presence ¦ source: Pixabay - FotocitizenIn addition to learning about using breathing techniques to stay calm, singing students will become more aware of how their voices work as they learn to sing in the three vocal registers:Chest voicePassagioHead voiceYour singing teacher will be able to help you with your posture, listening skills and diction so that you can feel confident singing as well as speaking to a crowd.12. Improve Your Physical and Mental Health by Learning to SingRegardless of whether you receive formal voice training, singing is a sure-fire way to lift your spirits.It may surprise you to know that singing offers a physical workout, too. Exercising and strengthening your voice by training your diaphragm requires a lot of energy.So, if you’re put off by the gym, simply exercise your voice!13. Learn to Sing and Explore the History of MusicIf your singing teacher has been professionally trained, they will not only be able to teach you how to sing, but they can also help you understand the ins and outs of the musical world.Whether you’re interested in singing pop music, classical pieces or you dream of performing in musical theater, your teacher will be able to help you broaden your knowledge of the evolution of music.14. Discover New Musical Genr es by Taking Singing LessonsOriginality is often the best way to capture people’s attention â€" and this especially applies to singing.Instead of focussing on pop or jazz, some singers make the decision to specialise in little-known musical styles.If you’re a curious person and you want to stand out from the crowd when it comes to talent shows and auditions, why not see how your voice sounds for a range of musical genres?You live outside the capital and want to find a private teacher: Superprof has loads of tutors offering singing lessons Manchester.15. Get Voice Coaching to Increase Your Chances of Being Accepted at a ConservatoireSinging can take you a long way!If you’re already a serious musician, and you’re looking to take your training to the next level by auditioning for a conservatoire, singing can help you make use of your natural abilities and give you an edge over the competition.Bear in mind that the voice is an instrument that you can add to your repertoire!Click here to find out about the cost of voice training.

Learn Spanish Grammar Intro to the Subjunctive Mood

Learn Spanish Grammar Intro to the Subjunctive Mood Sign up successful So, whats next once  you can communicate the basics comfortably and confidently? Advanced students who want to take their knowledge beyond basic communication can now begin learning about the Spanish subjunctive, usually taught in the third, fourth, or fifth  year in schools or universities. To speak Spanish well, knowing when to use the Spanish  subjunctive is indispensable. Why the Subjunctive is Important to Learn It’s ubiquitous in the language. Using it makes you sound like you really know how to speak Spanish competently. It enables you to tune into and express beautiful subtleties of the language that aren’t so clear or simply don’t exist in English. It allows you to express your point or opinion with more specificity. It has been referred to as a key indicator that distinguishes a fluent speaker who merely “gets by” learning the language from  one who speaks it well. You cannot speak as proficiently as native Spanish speakers without learning it. So, What is the Spanish Subjunctive? Although its commonly referred to as the subjunctive tense in Spanish, its actually more of a mood, which acts as a category of tenses. Youll know when to use Spanish subjunctive when youre trying to imply an uncertainty about a given situation (more on this below). Conjugating the Spanish Subjunctive Conjugating the subjunctive is  similar to forming  formal commands  in Spanish. The steps are outlined below: Additional Examples To clarify and provide a reference point, let’s compare subjunctive verb conjugation to present indicative (normal) verb conjugation. Here are some key examples: hablar (to talk) vivir (to live) Here’s another example with the  slightly irregular verb llegar, meaning ‘to arrive.’ Here the a  turns into  ue,  instead of just e. (See my previous post on Spanish stem-changing verbs to clarify this.) llegar (to arrive) When to Use  the Present Subjunctive Llegar  will be the example used throughout the following 10 key contexts for using the  present subjunctive. Context #1:  When the subordinate clause has elements that express doubt or negation Es difícil que lleguen a tiempo. (It’s hard for them to arrive on time.) No creo que lleguen a tiempo. (I don’t think they’ll arrive on time.) Dudo que lleguen a tiempo. (I doubt they’ll arrive on time.) Context #2:  When the subordinate clause has elements that express desire, fear, judgment, or other emotions/feelings Ojalá/espero que lleguen a tiempo. (I hope they arrive on time.) Temo que lleguen a tiempo. (I’m scared they will arrive on time.) Es triste que lleguen a tiempo. (It’s sad they arrive on time.) Estoy feliz de que lleguen a tiempo. (I’m happy they arrive on time.) ¡Qué bueno que lleguen a tiempo! (It’s good they arrive on time!) Quisiera que llegaran a tiempo. (I would like them to arrive on time.) Es raro/extraño que lleguen a tiempo. (It’s odd they arrive on time.) Context #3:  When the subordinate clause has elements that express possibility Es probable que lleguen a tiempo. (It’s probable they arrive on time.) Es posible que lleguen a tiempo. (It’s possible they arrive on time.) Quizá lleguen a tiempo. (Maybe they arrive on time.) Puede que lleguen a tiempo. (It could be that they arrive on time) Note:  Many competent Spanish-speakers don’t employ the subjunctive in these contexts to consciously or unconsciously communicate less doubt in the possibility. Context #4:  When the subordinate clause has elements that express need Es necesario que lleguen a tiempo. (It’s necessary they arrive on time.) Necesito que lleguen a tiempo. (I need them to arrive on time.) Es preciso que lleguen a tiempo. (It’s essential they arrive on time.) Context #5:  When the subordinate clause has elements that express an expected pattern Es normal que lleguen a tiempo. (It’s normal that they arrive on time.) Es lógico que lleguen a tiempo. (It’s logical that they arrive on time.) Es frecuente que lleguen a tiempo. (It’s frequent they arrive on time.) Es razonable que lleguen a tiempo. (It’s reasonable they arrive on time.) Context #6:  When the subordinate clause has elements that express specificity Quiero una novia que sea guapa. (I want a girlfriend who  is pretty.) Context #7:  When the subordinate clause refers to a past event before it occurred [past subjunctive] Ya supe eso antes de que viniera Juan. (I knew that before Juan arrived.) Context #8:  When the subordinate clause introduces depends on the main clause Eso depende de qué hora lleguen. (That depends on what time they arrive.) Context #9:  When the subordinate clause directly causes or affects the main clause El clima hace que no lleguen a tiempo. (The weather makes them not arrive on time.) El clima permite que lleguen a tiempo. (The weather allows them to arrive on time.) Context #10: In some cases, when the subordinate clause introduces a fact El hecho de que lleguen a tiempo significa que  son  punctual. (The fact that they arrive on time means they are punctual.) It’s important to note that there are other important contexts where the subjunctive mood is employed that I didn’t mention here. Also, the subjunctive follows a whole new set of rules in the past tense (i.e. the past subjunctive). My goal here was to highlight the most common contexts for using the present subjunctive. A Spanish tutor  can really help you master this tricky yet indispensable aspect of the language. If you’ve learned the Spanish subjunctive, you clearly know your Spanish! Post Author:  Jason N. Jason N. tutors in English and Spanish in Fairfax, CA.  He majored in Spanish at UC Davis, lived in Mexico for 3 years where he completed a Masters degree in Counseling, and studied Spanish Literature and Psychology at the University of Costa Rica. Learn more about Jason here!   Photo by  Bill Dickinson 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

Italian Pronunciation Tips on How to (Almost) Speak Like a Native

Italian Pronunciation Tips on How to (Almost) Speak Like a Native Brooke Neuman Mastering Italian pronunciation is often the hardest thing about learning Italian. Dont get discouraged if youre having a hard time pronouncing words and phrases as it takes time and a lot of practice to get it right. Below, Italian teacher Delilah B.  provides some tips on how to speak like a native Italian A lot of students ask me what is the best and easiest way to pronounce Italian words.  While Italian pronunciation can be difficult for beginners, its actually quite easy to pick up once the rules are understood. All it takes is some practice and perseverance! Italian is a phonetic language, which means  its spoken the way its written. Luckily, Italian and English share the Latin alphabet; however, the sounds represented by the letters often differ. To help you understand more, check out this video from Italian teacher Liz. T on  the basic rules of Italian pronunciation. Well dive deeper into these rules below the video. Consonants In Italian, the consonants B, F, M, N, L, T, and V are pronounced the same as there are in English. The following consonants, however, are pronounced slightly different. Read the examples below and practice saying the consonants out loud, making sure to concentrate on the pronunciation of each letter. C before  a, o, u and consonants is pronounced like the k in kite, whereas c  before e and i  is pronounced like the ch in chin. G before a, o, and u and consonants is pronounced like the  g in good, whereas g  before e and i is pronounced like the  g in generous. Gli  is pronounced like the y in yes, and Gn is pronounced like the  ny in word canyon. H is silent. P is pronounced almost the same as it is in English, but without the aspiration. Qu is always pronounced like the qu in question. R is  pronounced with a roll of the tongue similar to Spanish. Initial S before vowels and unvoiced consonants (c, f, p, q, s, t) is pronounced like the s in sunburn. S between vowels is pronounced like the s in rose. Z can be pronounced like the ds in pads, or like the ts in bets. Vowels Italian has seven vowel sounds (one each for  a,  i  and  u; two each for  e  and  o). When two or more vowels occur in a row, theyre always pronounced separately. Also, vowels (a,e,i,o,u) always retain their value in diphthongs. Below is how you would pronounce the Italian vowels. Review the list  and practice saying the vowels out loud, again making sure to concentrate on the pronunciation of each vowel. U:  sounds like the  u in rude or the oo in food. A: sounds like the long a in “father.” I: sounds like the ee in meet. E: has two sounds: e (open) sounds like the e in set, while e (closed) sounds like the a in say. O: has two sounds: o (open) sounds like the o in pot, while the o (closed) sounds like the o in post. Accents Acute (á, é, í, ó, ú) and grave (à, è, ì, ò, ù) accents are used in Italian to indicate where the voice should stress when pronouncing a word. The grave accent mark is used to mark stress on open vowels, while the acute accent mark is used to stress on closed vowels. Its important to note that there are many cases in which a grave accent is used on closed vowels. See examples below: Grave accents: città morì portò Acute accents: perché poté nonché Grave accents on closed vowels: diè là làncora Hopefully, these tips will help you to better understand how to properly pronounce Italian words. In addition to taking Italian lessons, one of the best ways to learn Italian pronunciation is to have a conversation with a native speaker and listen to his or her pronunciation. Watching movies in Italian is also a great way to learn. You can find a large selection of great Italian movies with English subtitles on YouTube or you can ask your Italian teacher to provide you with some suggestions. Delilah B. graduated from the University Federico II Napoli with an associate degree in Italian Literature. She  is an Italian and violin instructor living in Culver City, CA. Learn more about Delilah 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  Ed Yourdon