English for Kids

English for Kids A Guide to Learning English for Kids ChaptersWhat Age Should Children Learn to Speak English?English Lessons for KidsThe Benefits of Learning English as a ChildAdvice for Teaching English to KidsHelp with DyslexiaEnglish Games for KidsA child can learn a foreign language and become fluent in it without any real problems. In fact, a young learner is usually better than an adult when it comes to learning a second language due to the way their brain is made for learning language at this stage of their life.Would you like your child to learn to speak English as well as a native English speaker?Here’s some advice on how to go about teaching English to children! JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teac her 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Age Should Children Learn to Speak English?If you’re wondering about when your child should start learning English, have a look at our article on the best time to start their English lessons.Language learning and gaining fluency is a life-long journey. Don't ever expect miracle overnight results!Young learners can improve their lives in a number of ways:A broader view of the world,Cultural sensitivity and understanding,An ability to learn other languages more easily,A competitive advantage when it comes to work.English Lessons for KidsThere are several ways to teach English as a second language. There's no perfect method as it completely depends on the learner and th eir environment.How do you teach children English?Make sure they have fun while they learn.Easy does it. Don't rush anything. As we said, learning a language can take a very long time.Children have to have fun while they're learning. (Source: Unsplash)Start by progressively working on their comprehension and speaking skills in a fun way with educational games and activities. You could even start simply by singing the alphabet in English.If your child’s in primary school, you can teach them to speak English as a foreign language by playing memory games with flashcards and pictures.English for children doesn’t really differ from English for adults. The principle is the same: you need to get used English listening, English vocabulary, and English grammar. However, for children, English learning needs to be so fun they don’t even realise they’re working!Find good English lessons for you.English Movies for KidsWhy not let them watch their favourite shows in English? These can act as free English classes where they get to listen to spoken English! Every kid remembers their favourite parts, after all.English Songs for KidsIf your child is very young, English lessons mightn’t be the best answer since they probably won't want to concentrate on conjugating verbs or learning vocabulary.Instead, why not check out all the different online resources for children that offer activities in English. There are even musical games that can teach them about both English and music at the same time!Learning music has never been so easy!Check out Pili Pop, a site that focuses on immersion and practising the English language. They won't even realise that they're learning English. They'll just think they're playing!You can also try it for free if you’re not sure. If the method works for you, why not continue for another week or a month?  There are a variety of exercises including ones for progressing quickly and seasonal exercises including Santa Claus and advent calendars.Y our child will love becoming bilingual while doing puzzles with Santa’s elves!English Stories for KidsIn this day and age, many people seem to forget books exist. While we have smartphones, tablets, and computers, sometimes something as simple as a book will provide a child with hours of entertainment while they learn.Online English Activities for KidsIf you’re on a tight budget, remember that there are free English resources! The internet is brimming with sites where you can learn English such as Duolingo, for example.Here you’ll find a variety of exercises to help you complete your training.  If you’ve got an iPad, download the free app from the App Store. Soon your child will be learning English by reading and speaking.Don't forget about speaking. Thanks to voice recognition technology, speaking is now also child’s play!English Tutors for KidsIf you feel that tutorials are the way to go, look for a tutor today!A tutor can help even the youngest children get ahead in pri mary school.If you want to improve their level, it’s going to have to be intensive: language schools, private tutorials, and dedicating the summer holidays to learning language skills.Establish a good routine, lessons with educational games every week. Don’t forget that English has to be fun, too! JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Benefit s of Learning English as a ChildLearning English is highly recommended because of all the benefits it can bring.Even a child that’s too young to study can always start learning the language from birth.A baby is capable of learning vocabulary from two different languages. So speak to them in both! This is really beneficial.Learning English can start at birth. (Source: Milliondepixels.fr)At school it will help them advance beyond their classmates.It will improve their mental capabilities.You’ll stimulate their cultural curiosity.So start teaching your child English today!Make sure it’s fun: English lessons can be enjoyable with English films, stories, games, and songs. Don't forget to vary the methods, too! Try taking English lessons online or on your phone with apps.Advice for Teaching English to KidsHere’s some advice for starting to learn English for kids.Speak to them regularly in English.Your child will get used to hearing English words and sounds. They’ll quickly learn English vocabulary and their pronunciation will be great.Learn English while having funIf you want them to learn English easily, you have to make sure it’s fun! Use English lullabies, role-playing games, or educational English games! If they're enjoying themselves, children will learn astonishingly fast.Why not find an English pop song that they can sing along to?Or an English story book? A bedtime story in another language is a great idea.Get them an English au-pair or babysitter.If your child is regularly interacting with English speakers, they’ll learn the language very quickly.Travel to an English-speaking country.Immersion is still the best way to learn a language. Why not go on holiday to an English-speaking country?You could choose a bilingual school.An English-language school is a great way to ensure that they’re using English in their everyday life.Your child could practice English while enjoying themselves. Make sure you choose the right school with the right teache rs.  After all, it depends on the level of English you’d like your child to have.Your child won’t be able to start learning business English at this level but you’ll be giving them all the tools they’ll need to further down the line!When your child’s older, they’ll have no problems when it comes to passing English tests like the TOEIC or the TOEFL.Recruiters’ doors will open to them once they’ve mastered the international language of business. They’ll be able to speak with English-speaking customers easily and take part in professional English business meetings.Help with DyslexiaTeaching English to dyslexic children isn’t easy as they can struggle in school.When it comes to English or any other language, they can be at a disadvantage.So how do we get around this.Choose an English private tutor.Make sure you choose the right one. Explain to them the issues your child has.The tutor must be able to alter their teaching approach to help them by introducing fun activi ties and using colour association, for example. Everything must be used to help the student to learn.Play with colours to highlight important English words. (Source: Learning World Childcare)There are several ways to help dyslexic children:Choose varied resources: English films with subtitles, printed press, and audio.Travel!We can’t say this enough! Linguistic tourism is by far the best method.  Immersion is a great way to progress. You can go to the UK, the US, Australia, or anywhere where English is spoken.A child in contact with native English speakers has only one choice: They have to listen, understand, and speak!This is great way to learn English and broaden their cultural understanding.English Games for KidsIf you want your child to improve their English quickly, you need to choose the right English resources!There are various fun methods that are highly recommended for children.English music.Studying English through song can help children to remember new information more easily. (Source: Events Flow)You’ll remember having learnt the alphabet by singing the song. Singing helps memory.Singing grammatical rules can help you remember them.Fun English games.There are plenty of sites and apps that can help you learn English. Your child won’t even realise that they’re learning because they’re having too much fun.English on the Internet.There are plenty of specialised websites for learning English.  They can help a child to study using the right approach.  Don’t forget you can also hire private tutors over Skype or find a language exchange friend their own age! Your child can learn to count, read, and speak with other children. Whether using a computer or a tablet, your child can learn while they play, too.

History Courses In Birmingham

History Courses In Birmingham Finding History Courses In Birmingham ChaptersWhy Study History?Benefits Of Studying In BirminghamHistory Courses In BirminghamAre you interested in studying History as an undergraduate at university? or are you an adult learner looking to get back into the subject? Maybe you're an A Level student looking to get some extra revision classes in before your exams. Whatever your relationship to history, you're going to find the course that suits you here.As you may have guessed, in this article we are looking at the courses on offer here in the wonderful city of Birmingham. However, you may wish to consider courses in the following places too:LondonLeedsManchesterGlasgowWhile historical events are factual, not all History courses are the same and cover the exact same content. Photo on Foter.comBirmingham universities offer first class History degrees, as well as excellent study programmes, and historical training. But the nice thing about Birmingham is that it does all these things whilst at the same time offering a strong c ultural scene, its own special history, and a lot of wonderful things to do and see.So, let's see what the city has to offer.

How To Master Portuguese Pronunciation

How To Master Portuguese Pronunciation Looking For Tips On How To Speak Portuguese? ChaptersLearn The Portuguese Language Basics â€" Starting With The AlphabetImproving Your Portuguese PronunciationLooking For More Tips When Learning Portuguese?Portuguese is a wonderful foreign language to learn, for so many reasons. For example, Portuguese is:One of the most widely-spoken languages across the world, with over 200 million native speakers in countries including Portugal and Brazil;One of the romance languages, along with Spanish, French, Italian, and Romanian. This means learning Portuguese can make it easier to learn another romance language;A brilliant language to have on your CV if you want to stand out from the crowd, as Portuguese is not widely taught in the UK compared to other languages such as Spanish.If you have decided to take up Portuguese, then there’s plenty to learn on your way to fluency. However, what’s worth realising from the outset is that every language comes with its own set of challenges that non-native speakers may struggle with.For an exam ple, take German. For an English speaker, some aspects of German are relatively straightforward â€" for instance, some words are very similar (die Hand / the hand). However, German has four different cases â€" the nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive â€" which English speakers often struggle to master.Although English speakers will not find the exact same difficulties when learning Portuguese, there are some unique challenges to be aware of. One of the main issues English speakers face when learning Portuguese is conquering Portuguese pronunciation.With that in mind, this article provides some tips when it comes to getting a hold of Portuguese grammar and pronunciation so that you can improve your Portuguese speaking skills.Before you can learn to speak Portuguese you should learn the Portuguese alphabet. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Pexels, Pixabay)It helps you spell and write down common words.Portuguese has 26 letters in its alphabet in total and those 26 letters are the same as in English. Specifically, Portuguese comprise 23 letters that historically were part of the language, while 3 additional letters â€" K, W, and Y â€" were introduced into the official Portuguese alphabet in 2009.While it might be reassuring to know that you don’t have to learn any new letters to learn the Portuguese alphabet, it’s vitally important that you learn how each letter, and in fact combinations of letters, are pronounced in Portuguese.This is because Portuguese isn’t a phonetic language. A phonetic language is one where you know how to say a word just by reading how it is spelt. English, like Portuguese, isn’t phonetic.To give that statement some context, take the following examples of the difficulties of English pronunciation:Words spelt similarly - such as tough / through / though â€" are all pronounced in very different ways; andEven native speakers differ in how they pronounce certain words â€" for example, how would you say the word scone?Although Portuguese pronunciation doesn’t have the exact same issues that are present in the English language, many non-native Portuguese speakers do struggle with how to pronounce certain Portuguese words.As a result, some tips are provided below for how to improve your understanding and knowledge of the nuances of Portuguese pronunciation.You can improve your Portuguese pronunciation by speaking Portuguese regularly with native speakers. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Alanyadk, Pixabay)Improving Your Portuguese PronunciationAs mentioned above, it’s important to identify early on how each letter in the Portuguese alphabet sounds and to also try to get a handle on how common combinations of letters are pronounced.Some common letter combinations include:CH;LH; andRR.However, while learning how these letters are pronounced is a very important first step to take when learning Portuguese, it will only take you so far. This is because one of the best ways to improve your overall Portuguese speaking skills, an d your pronunciation, as a result, is to put what you’ve learnt into regular practice.Converse As Much As You Can With Native Portuguese SpeakersThe best way to improve your Portuguese pronunciation is to understand how native speakers speak Portuguese.Whether you’re just listening to Portuguese through mediums such as films, radio, and TV, or you’re actively speaking with Portuguese native speakers, the more you hear in Portuguese the more you’ll come to recognise how certain words are pronounced, which should, in turn, improve both your Portuguese listening and speaking skills.When listening to Portuguese, it’s equally important to consider the type of Portuguese that you’re listening to. For instance, if you’d like to learn Brazilian Portuguese, then you’d be better off trying to speak with a native Brazilian Portuguese speaker than someone who has lived in Portugal their entire life.This is because Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese do have some differences when it comes to things such as how certain words are spelt and pronounced, so it’s best to learn about those differences early on as you progress through your proficiency in the language.Practice Using Common Words and PhrasesAnother way to improve your Portuguese pronunciation is to get on top of how Portuguese speakers say common words, expressions, and phrases.While non-native Portuguese speakers will likely be easily forgiven for saying a particularly obscure word incorrectly, learning how to say the most common or frequently used Portuguese words correctly can make life much easier for you when it comes to making yourself understood in Portuguese.For instance, you could try to ensure that you’re comfortable pronouncing the following common phrases:Olá (oh-lah) â€" hello;Bom dia (bom dee-ah) â€" good morning;Obrigado/ Obrigada (ob-ree-gah-doh / ob-ree-gah-dah) â€" you’re welcome; andDe nada (de na-dah) â€" thank you.Once you’ve got the handle on how to pronounce the most c ommon sentences in Portuguese, you can then move on to mastering how to say more complex or longer words.Get A DictionaryDictionaries are a language learner’s best friend. They come in all kinds of sizes, from compact to absolutely huge, and give you the ability to translate unknown Portuguese words back into English, or to find the Portuguese equivalent of an English word.What’s more, good dictionaries usually contain some pointers when it comes to how to pronounce words in Portuguese, such as outlining the pronunciation next to the word in question. This can be a real help if you want to quickly find out how a certain word should be pronounced.Good dictionaries often outline how to pronounce Portuguese words, which can improve your Portuguese pronunciation. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, stevepb, Pixabay)Looking For More Tips When Learning Portuguese?Portuguese isn’t known as being an easy language to learn and one of the many issues that non-native Portuguese speakers face when le arning the language is how to get to grips with the language’s pronunciation. This is because Portuguese words aren't pronounced the same way they are written.As a result, to pronounce a word correctly in Portuguese for a non-native speaker you usually need to have a combination of knowing how letters and combinations of letters should sound and also recognising and remembering how native speakers pronounce certain words.Provided you regularly practice your Portuguese speaking skills, you should find that your Portuguese pronunciation improves. If you’re lucky enough to have a friend who’s a native Portuguese speaker, ask them to let you know when you’re saying a word incorrectly, as this may help you learn how to improve your pronunciation as well.Don't feel disheartened either if you do find yourself making a multitude of  mistakes when it comes to pronouncing words in Portuguese. Speaking any foreign language is difficult, and learning how to pronounce words in Portuguese is not a skill that is likely to come to you automatically. This is why regular practice is important, as is the belief that if you keep practising then your level of Portuguese should improve.If you don’t currently have a Portuguese speaking partner, but would still like to improve your Portuguese speaking skills, then you could look into hiring a Portuguese tutor from Superprof.Having a Portuguese tutor should give you the opportunity to practice speaking in Portuguese on a regular basis, while also giving you the chance to improve your overall proficiency in Portuguese through other exercises that aim to develop your Portuguese reading, writing, and listening skills.You may also find that having a tutor gives you sufficient motivation to continue learning Portuguese, and may also inspire you to keep learning and try to improve your spoken Portuguese even more.Enter your postcode to find Portuguese tutors located nearby or equally to find tutors that are happy to provide Portug uese lessons remotely. What’s more, Superprof also has a range of Portuguese tutors, so whether you’re a beginner and would like to improve your knowledge of Portuguese, or you’re an intermediate or advanced learner who wants to improve their Brazilian Portuguese speaking skills, there should be a tutor out there for you.

How to Give and Receive Critical Feedback - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Give and Receive Critical Feedback - Introvert Whisperer How to Give and Receive Critical Feedback We are entering into a phase in our society where every action demands some form of feedback. If you go to a restaurant, then youre encouraged to share your Yelp reviews. If you buy something from Amazon, then youre asked to rate that product. Even a post on Facebook allows for an instant Like or corresponding emoji response. How many Likes do you give out in a day? How sad do you feel when you dont get as many Likes in return? But even outside the ever-expanding cyber walls of social media, critical feedback is a vital aspect of the workplace and academia. We all need to know how were doing, and we’re often called upon the share our critiques of someone elses performance. What often gets lost in that sea of Likes are the responsible ways to give and receive critical feedback. Here are some helpful reminders to improve your critiquing skills. When Giving Feedback: Ask the Recipient to Rate Themselves Before delivering your honest assessment on something, ask the recipient of that review how they would rate themselves. This can open the door for a positive exchange, especially if that person recognizes they could have done a better job right from the start. It might also support your criticism if you are merely building upon something they already see as a problem area to work on. Find the Good A tenet of professional review writing is that you should try to find something positive to say about the piece, even if it’s a small something. When presenting a critique to a specific person, it would help to follow your criticism with praise. This doesnt mean you have to make things up, but you should try to find some words of encouragement to layer in with the corrections. This will help promote a sense of cooperation between you and that person. You dont ever want to send anyone away completely demoralized. That’s not good for the workplace or the classroom. Base Your Critiques on Actionable Substance A critique should serve as the foundation for improvement. If someone follows your sage advice, then it should make whatever theyre working on better. It will help if the critique is based on actionable substance, as opposed to vague sentiments. You merely have to watch the Judges Table critiques during any episode of Top Chef. Those judges dont just say, “I didnt like the chicken.” Instead, they say, “The chicken lacked seasoning or was undercooked.” The next time that chef prepares a chicken, you can bet theyll be busting out the salt and meat thermometer. Also notice how that statement focuses on the chicken, not the cook. Spin It Back to Yourself We all make mistakes. Although it could help the person youre sharing feedback with to hear that, it might be stronger if you can relate to them by sharing some of the mistakes youve made in the same area. This will make what you have to say more relevant and wont alienate that persons feelings about their own shortcomings. When offering advice, it’s also helpful to use statements like “I would” rather than “you should.” When Receiving Feedback Take It All In Unless prompted, you dont really need to defend your actions. It is clear something went amiss, at least as far as the perspective of your critic is concerned. You can only understand where they are coming from if you take it all in. If youre formulating a response in your head, then you might miss half of what theyre saying. Active listening is a skill that can change all your relationships for the better. Focus On the Benefits Writers are constantly being critiqued by their peers, editors and even family members who they share their work with. When several people point out the same failings on a particular project, then it would appear that there’s something worth looking into. If the reworking of the project makes it better, then the feedback was really helpful. Stay focused on the goal of making improvements, and youll soon forget all about the negativity of a critique. Ask for Clarity After reading this post, youre going to be a brilliant critical feedback giver and receiver. However, not everyone will have the benefit of this sage advice. You might need to ask for clarity to better understand the critique coming your way. Go back to the Top Chef example. If someone merely says, I didnt like it, then ask them to dig deeper and get specific. Two things might happen. They could land on a specific point to help with those improvements, or they could discover that their criticism lacks merit. Yes, that can actually happen, and it’s something else to take in. It’s also helpful to ask an open-ended question for direction, like “What can I do to improve?” Or “How would you have handled this situation?” Finally, you want to thank the person for providing feedback. However painful it might have been to hear it, they still took time out of their day to give the review. That time has value, and they should be thanked for sharing it. Guest Author: Sarah Landrum Guest Author Bio: Sarah Landrum is a business and career writer with a background in Marketing and Economics. Her blog, Punched Clocks, helps professionals find happiness and success in life and at work. Be sure to subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on social media for more great tips! Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

A Guide to Learning Business English

A Guide to Learning Business English Want to Learn Business English? Here’s All the Important Stuff ChaptersBusiness English Courses across the UKImportant Vocabulary for Business EnglishBusiness English Exams You Might Want to ConsiderHow to Learn Business English? Some Books and ResourcesEnglish remains the most popular language in the world to learn. One and a half billion people are learning the language. The second highest, by the way, is French â€" which eighty-two million people are learning.This is because English is still one of the world’s most important languages for diplomacy, culture, and â€" importantly here â€" business, being something of a lingua franca across all of the regions of the planet. So, when you are considering whether or not to learn English, this might be something you’ll want to remember.Learning Business English?Whilst the English language is hugely important generally, we’re going to look specifically at the specific niche field within English language learning. That’s what we call ‘business English’. And whilst it in no real sense const itutes a separate language, it does have its own vocabulary, contexts, and manners of speaking.What is appropriate on the street in England is not necessarily appropriate language in the business context. So, if you are looking to improve your English specifically for business purposes â€" to find employment in the UK or US, to seek a promotion, or to deal with English businesspeople internationally â€" it is worth homing in on business language skills when learning.You’ll be covering the basics of the language here too â€" as grammar and pronunciation, along with your speaking skills and listening skills, reading skills and writing skills, can all be learned alongside the specific business vocabulary and concerns. So, don’t you worry about not getting a proper linguistic education when learning business English.Here, we’re going to be looking at all of the things you will need to ensure you get a proper education when learning business English. We’ll share the best places f or you to look for English lessons, we’ll share some handy resources, and we’ll give you a guide to the exams for business English too.Have fun! Welcome to the world of business English.What You’ll Learn in Business EnglishBusiness English is the particular training English language learners receive if they are preparing for â€" or hoping to develop â€" a career in business. There is obviously no specific language as ‘business English’ â€" although it does have a few quirks that you’ll have to add to your English skills.Business English courses are intended to have you speak English fluently in the contexts that business requires. You’ll be developing your presentation and negotiation skills. You’ll be preparing to contribute effectively in meetings and other business discussions. And you’ll be getting to grips with the appropriate language to use in business telephone calls and emails.Alongside this, you’ll have to learn specific English vocabulary that, really, is only used in business contexts: the specific terms in finance, economics, and management â€" as well as the more casual office slang.All of this w ill help you fit in and flourish. And if there is ever a reason to learn something, it is this. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBusiness English Courses across the UKAcross the UK, there are so many opportunities for learning English as a second language. In every major city in the country there’ll be at least one language school â€" and prob ably many many more besides.However, there are different ways that language courses work. Some are directed towards an exam â€" such as the IELTS or, as you’ll see below, the BEC â€" whilst some are purely conversational. Then there are the private English tutors too, who can teach you pretty much anything you like.Business English Classes LondonIn London, anyone who wants to learn to speak English is spoiled for choice. With its eight million inhabitants, there is enough stuffed into the great British capital for it to appeal to anyone.For those who want to develop their business English language skills, try the London School of English â€" which has been going for over a century â€" or St George International. Both do very effective business English teaching.Learn Business English in ScotlandIn the most beautiful region of the UK, there is a wealth of opportunity too. Let’s take an example from Edinburgh.ECS Scotland, which is based in Charlotte Square, is a reputed institutio n that teaches business English. You’ll be writing emails and answering phone calls â€" just as exercises obviously â€" whilst practising your negotiating.These are intensive courses running weekly. Tutors are the best way to learn business EnglishThe Beauty of a Private TutorAnother option, anywhere in the UK, is to find yourself a private English tutor. If these are native English speakers, you are really onto a winner â€" as conversations with native speakers are your best way of learning a language.Whether you want to just use your new language or work to an exam, a tutor can get you learning.Find out more about business English courses!Important Vocabulary for Business EnglishAs we said, there are many bits of new vocabulary that you will have to learn in your development of your business English. Whilst business English obviously isn’t a different language, there are many people who complain about the obscure jargon and slang that businesspeople use.So, good luck! It really isn’t that bad â€" and you’ll be using these words and phrases happily yourself in no time.Find out more about them in our article on business English vocabulary!Basic Business TermsAs you’ll kn ow from glancing at any business newspaper, the business world likes its idioms. This is fair enough, honestly: every discipline or niche in the world develops its own specific words for things.When you are developing your business English fluency, you’ll need to nail the basics. Do you know what a business plan is, or a forecast? Could you tell a merger from an acquisition?These are the things that you’ll need to know.Office LingoMeanwhile, there are particularly expressions that fly around most office spaces. It’s unclear where people got all these from â€" however, it’s this really that gets people outside the business world laughing.In business, you don’t do something; you action it. You don’t so much consider what will happen tomorrow; you consider what you’ll action going forward.It’s confusing maybe â€" but you’ll get the hang of it.AbbreviationsFinally, there’s the shorthand that you will need to pick up.Do you know the difference between HR and PR? The d ifference between vbw and AOB? The subtleties of ASAP and ETA?In any language, there are senses to words that you can only pick up through use and practice. Just keep up your speaking and you’ll be there.Business English Exams You Might Want to ConsiderMany students of English are concerned about the examinations and qualifications they will take or pick up during their studies. They are right to be: qualifications open doors â€" and they give you the learner the sense of achievement and continuing progress. They are good things â€" if sometimes a little expensive.The qualifications for business English come in two different shapes. The main ones are provided by two different accreditors. Firstly, there is Cambridge Assessment, who, alongside the British Council, are the big dogs of English language teaching. Then there is Pearson.BECsThe Cambridge Assessment qualifications in business English are known as BECs â€" Business English Certificates. There are three of these, of progre ssive difficulty â€" and they are internationally recognised by businesses and universities across the world.You can expect each of the examinations to take you over two hours â€" and they will take place in an accredited testing centre.LCCI QualificationsThen there are the qualifications from Pearson and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These were developed by businesses themselves â€" so the content is sure to be super on-point.There are more of these qualifications. However, luckily enough, the important ones can be sat online.You can find out more about all of these qualifications in our article on business English exams! Learn business English properly.How to Learn Business English? Some Books and ResourcesFinally, how are you going to practise your business English at home? How are you going to keep developing your knowledge even when you are not in class? What do you need to make the most out of your study?The answer really is effective resources â€" and the internet is actually full of them. We’ll give you a brief run-through of the big ones here â€" but you can find more information in our article on business English resources.One website that is helpful is actually called just Business English Resources â€" and it is heaving with different exercises, word banks, and grammar rules that will keep you going.Otherwise, explore the British Council’s Learn English website, which is similarly rich in helpful material.Resources are not just those things specifically designed for your learning, however. Newspapers such as the Financial Times are incredibly helpful in showing you authentic language. A nd your native English speaking friends too!

10 Guitar Exercises and Tips for Building Muscle Memory

10 Guitar Exercises and Tips for Building Muscle Memory Sign up successful 3. Practice placing chords shapes one finger at a time Analyze what each finger has to do between each chord. Make those movements with finger one finger at a time, then two at a time, and eventually place your fingers in the whole chord all together. Eventually the entire chord movement will become an automatic move into place with simultaneous finger movement! 4. Practice the chord “shapes” without strumming Place your fingers in a chord and then change to the next. Try practicing chords in sequences of three or four at a time. These should be chords that you have already learned, so you can make the shapes while watching TV or having a conversation. Taking out the variable of strumming is a great way to isolate and improve your left-hand technique! 5. Pay attention to what changes from one chord to the next Sometimes a finger does not have to move very far to get to its next location. Sometimes it is already where it needs to be! Be conscious of these situations to make sure you are moving efficiently from chord to chord without extra movement. 6. Make the switches between chords a fast snap Even if you are waiting four beats between chords or just switching chords freely when you can, try to start quick “snaps” to prepare and think ahead to the next chord. With four beats for instance, you should be thinking about the next chord as fast as possible or on the second beat of the group of four. 7. Counting and closing-in exercise This is one of my favorite guitar exercises for when you are building up a specific chord change, but you need to be able to do it faster. Example: playing C to G is a challenge for you. Put a metronome on at a very slow and attainable tempo and the first time think in groups of 4 clicks. Play the chord only on the first click of four while counting out loud and changing the finger positions as fast as possible. Feel good after a while? Next try changing the chord within three clicks. Can you move right after the second click? Finally, when youre up to speed, you can move the chord on each click and the counting and closing in exercise is complete. 8. One finger can get there before the others When you are learning new chords, you have a chord change that is usually challenging to get in time, or you have a fast tune; you may still be able to make the chord! Remember that one finger could get to the next chord before the other fingers trail along, so you could strum a few strings that include the finger that has made it, position your fingers that are late, and then complete the strumming when all fingers are positioned. Try it out! 9. Focus on your fingertips You might be noticing buzzing or strings that sound weird for certain chords. It could be that you are half-muting a string with part of your finger! Make sure to arc your fingers and use just fingertips on the fretboard for some chords and you can avoid the extra contact with the open strings underneath those fingers. Practice placing each finger down on the fretboard, being mindful to only press through the tip of your fingers. Boom. Problem solved. See Also: Exercise that Builds Strength, Stamina, and Accuracy 10. Think ahead As soon as one chord or note is placed, strummed or plucked, think ahead to the next necessary movement and make it. Then as soon as that chord is placed, do the same. We will always be thinking ahead until the end of a piece. Now, I am just thinking ahead about the next article I might write! Learn more guitar exercises and improve your skills by taking lessons with a private guitar teacher. Guitar teachers are available to work with you online via Skype or in-person depending on locations and availability. Search for your guitar teacher now!  Michael N. is multi-instrumentalist and instructor in Oak Creek, WI. Available for lessons in person or online, Michael teaches guitar, drums, singing, and piano, as well as trumpet, marimba, and kazoo! Teaching for more than 7 years, he earned his Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting and is even the current Youth Percussion Ensemble Director at UW Milwaukee and the Percussion Coach at Oak Creek High School.  Learn more about Michael 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 Alan

How to Mentally Prepare for Test Day

How to Mentally Prepare for Test Day Its the day before your big test. Youve vigorously read through all the material, flipped over every flashcard, and memorized every fact. If you prepared adequately, youve been doing this for weeks (or months, depending on the test) and not just in the last 24 hours. Procrastination is not a method of choice for a task this huge that task being studying for an important exam. Assuming you did not leave it all to the last minute, the final day before you actually face the exam can be a little strange. Youll have those first-day-of-school butterflies and be unsure of how exactly you should go about your day. Should you cram some more? Should you completely distract yourself with something fun? Or should you just nervously wait and listen to classical music all day because it supposedly makes you smarter? Well, your goal is to ace this test, and half the battle is comprehending the material which youve already done so dont let that go to waste! Add a clear mindset and youll be ready f or test day. But how do you go about that? There are a few buzzwords or typical phrases people around you will say: Relax, dont make yourself crazy, no need to get stressed out, its not as big a deal as youre making it out to be. Although this is all substantial advice necessary to calm your nerves, the truth is that its difficult to relax, you probably are making yourself crazy, stress is inevitable, and it usually is a big deal. Being in denial of all of this wont help anything, and it certainly wont push you in the direction of a calm demeanor. Accepting these nerves is the first step in taming them, as well as the first step in clearing your mind for test day. Its okay to freak out a little and let your energy out better that than keeping it pent up to rage around inside your head, right? Acknowledging your fears and concerns will get you closer to overcoming them. Once youve gotten your emotions out of the way, incorporate a good balance of both reviewing test material and relaxing into your day. No need to choose between one or the other; simply combine them in a healthy way. Instead of going through every bit of studying all over again, just choose the areas that you most frequently had issues with and do whatever it takes to ingrain them into your mind. Bring the material around with you wherever you go throughout the day so you can take a look sporadically, rather than forcing yourself to take another crash course for six straight hours. As for where youll be going and what youll be doing, that is up to you and whatever activity puts you in a relaxed and content mood. This isnt the day to go riding rollercoasters or hitting up parties, but tanning at the pool or hanging out at the coffee shop. Do something that allows you to be comfortable, but still continue to soak everything up. Anything too stimulating will take your mind off the test material too much, yet being in an environment that doesnt comfort you at all will ensure your nerves get the best of you, so finding the perfect activity that balances these factors out is crucial.Lastly, get a great nights sleep and review significant material right before you go to bed. Typically, the things you think about just before falling asleep tend to resonate with you more than anything else when you wake up the next day. Especially if your test is early in the morning, this is a wonderful thing to do because it allows you to begin the day with the knowledge firmly placed in your brain, not leading you to panic about retaining it. Whether you are about to take an Algebra test, the SAT, or a college Philosophy final, these tips are sure to help you mold your mindset in the way you need. Embrace the feelings you are having and make of them what you want them to be.

Congratulations, Heart Students and Tutors! 98% Meet Growth Goals - Heart Math Tutoring

Congratulations, Heart Students and Tutors! 98% Meet Growth Goals - Heart Math Tutoring Congratulations, Heart Students and Tutors! 98% Meet Growth Goals Congratulations, Heart Students and Tutors! 98% Meet Growth Goals June 14, 2017 As summer begins, we celebrate what was accomplished in the 2016/17 school year by hundreds of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) students who were part of Heart Math Tutoring, supported by their tutors and schools. The following are some highlights: · 98% of 642 Heart Tutoring students met program growth goals in math, growing in two or more building block concept areas. · On average, students doubled the goal â€" growing in 4.9 concept areas. The goals were set with guidance from math specialists at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and UNC Charlotte. · Students grew from mastering 26% to 59% of the skills needed, based on grade-level standards; cutting the skills gap in half. · 94% of surveyed teachers observed conceptual growth in math, and 85% believe Heart Tutoring had an impact on class work and tests. · 94% of surveyed teachers believe students showed increased confidence/enthusiasm in math as a result of Heart Tutoring. · 64% of surveyed teachers said students became more confident and enthusiastic in subjects other than math as a result of the program. · 100% of over 500 surveyed Heart volunteers rated their experience as positive and 99% would recommend the program to a friend or colleague. “We are extremely happy for our students and thankful for Heart Math Tutoring volunteers, knowing that students are in a better place now than when they began at the start ofthe school year,” says Emily Elliott, executive director of Heart Tutoring. “These results are a testament to all the hard work and efforts of our volunteers, students, school partners, staff and supporters. The skills that students gain through our Heart program are proven to be critical building blocks for success in math, other subjects and for the future of these children.”