Rosetta Stone - Learn English With a Powerful Program

Rosetta Stone - Learn English With a Powerful ProgramRosetta Stone is a great tool for learning English. This program has been specifically designed to help people from all backgrounds learn how to speak English without needing an instructor to guide them.I used this program in the past and found it was great at helping me learn English. There are some different things that I would like to talk about here, so I hope you will read on. In this article I want to talk about how the English section of the program works, as well as the way it helped me with my speaking ability.I have to say that I really enjoyed using Rosetta Stone. This software is very user friendly. You can learn quite quickly. It is certainly the best program out there for adults who want to learn how to speak English.The way it works is by having you select your native language and then lets you choose the language you would like to be able to learn in English. After you have chosen this, you can then learn through li stening exercises. After listening to the exercises, you will be given several dialogues to listen to.The dialogues I use for the exercises in Rosetta Stone are not even fully articulated English. I would find it hard to hear the words, but I would be able to understand what is being said. That's a good thing, because you will probably be going through the dialogues quite a bit, so you should be able to pick up the conversation.I can tell you that using the Rosetta Stone language materials was a great experience. It taught me more about the English language than any other course I have ever taken. And it was very easy to use, since I had to listen to a lot of audio. English I highly recommend this program for adults who want to improve their English. You can find out more about it at their website, which is below. Hopefully I helped you learn a little bit more about the program.

Learn How To Write In Portuguese

Learn How To Write In Portuguese Learn Portuguese By Mastering The Basics ChaptersLearn To Write In PortugueseLearn Portuguese In A Way That Works For YouLearning a new foreign language is an exciting event. Although it may take a lot of time, effort, and dedication improving  your proficiency level in a new language, there’s a lot of satisfaction to be gained from the fact that learning a new foreign language can bring a variety of benefits, including:Having something different and distinctive to put on your CV;Having the ability to communicate with millions of people across the world; andHaving the chance to make a new group of friends who share the same interests as you.Once you’ve decided that learning a new language is something you’d like to pursue, the next step is to actually decide which language is right for you! There are hundreds of languages out there to choose from, and often language learners tend to default towards more commonly-spoken or widely taught languages in the UK, whether that’s Spanish, French, German, or another language. One language that often goes overlooked in the UK is Portuguese. While it may not be a particularly popular language to learn at school compared to others, the fact is that learning Portuguese can be a fantastic idea, especially when you consider that over 200 million people speak the language across the world.Although Portuguese is often associated with being spoken in Portugal, the fact is that Portuguese is also spoken in many other countries, most notably Brazil. As a result, if you’re interested in Brazilian culture, or would like to travel to Brazil or Portugal at some point in the future, then learning Portuguese can be a great idea.There are different ways that you can improve how you write in Portuguese. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, 6689062, Pixabay)Listening skills;Speaking skills; andWriting skills.Being able to successfully develop each of these four skills is essential if you want to improve your ability in any language â€" regardless of whether you’re a complete beginne r or fluent. This general rule is no different when it comes to learning Portuguese.It’s worth bearing in mind that each of the four skills listed above tends to develop at different paces for most learners. For instance, many learners may find that their reading skills develop much faster than their speaking skills, as often speaking in a foreign language takes the longest time to develop.One of the key skills when learning any language though is learning how to write in that language. Today, with our increasing reliance on the internet and auto-correct tools, it can be all too easy to brush aside learning how to write a language properly.However, learning how to write correctly in Portuguese should not only help improve your own writing skills, but it also means that you won’t struggle should you find yourself without the aid of a spell checker on your computer.With that in mind, here are some tips below when it comes to learning how to write in Portuguese.Master The Portugues e AlphabetIf you want to learn how to write in Portuguese, then your very first step is learning the Portuguese alphabet. Naturally, the alphabet is the building block of any language, and you can’t be expected to write in another language until you’re familiar with the letters that feature in that language!You can find the Portuguese alphabet online relatively easily if you haven’t yet learnt it. If you are already familiar with the alphabet, then the key is to keep practising and testing yourself until you know the alphabet off by heart and can recite it in its entirety. You may also find it helpful to keep a sticky note of the alphabet up around your house, so you can quickly remind or test yourself on the alphabet when you’re at home.Know What Kind Of Portuguese You’re LearningThere are two main varieties of Portuguese â€" the Portuguese spoken in Portugal and the Portuguese spoken in Brazil.Although both languages are Portuguese, they do have their similarities and di fferences (just think of the differences between American, Australian, and British English for reference). Crucially, when it comes to writing Portuguese, it’s worth noting that Brazilian Portuguese and Portuguese do not share a common, standardised written language.As such, it’s worth deciding from the outset whether you’d like to write in Brazilian Portuguese (if you’d like to ultimately learn Brazilian Portuguese) or how to write in Portuguese, depending on your own preferences and circumstances.Having a Portuguese dictionary can improve how you write in Portuguese by expanding your vocabulary. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, PDPics, Pixabay)Expand Your VocabularyBefore you start writing in Portuguese, you’ll also have to know a few Portuguese words and know how they’re spelt (and, ideally, pronounced).If you’re a beginner, try to learn a selection of the following:Common verbs, both regular and irregular;Common words and phrases;Greetings and popular expressions;Pronouns a nd nouns; andNumbers.When learning new words, try to memorise how they’re spelt, so you won’t have to reach for a dictionary every time you’d like to write the word down. Equally, in the case of nouns, try to learn the gender of the noun as well and whether it is male or female.Put What You’ve Learnt Into PracticeWhen all’s said and done, you can learn as much as you like about the theory of a topic, but one of the best ways to consolidate what you’ve learnt is to put those skills into practice.When it comes to writing in Portuguese, this means finding the time to write in the language. There are a number of ways you can practice writing in Portuguese, such as:Searching for Portuguese writing exercises online;Copying passages in Portuguese from one of your favourite Portuguese books or novels and translating it into English;Potentially hiring a Portuguese tutor to help give you some pointers when it comes to improving your Portuguese writing skills through sites such as Superprof; orIf you’re fairly proficient in Portuguese, you could write your own creative writing pieces â€" perhaps in the form of a short story.The key is practice. When you first start writing in Portuguese you might find that you write in Portuguese much slower than how you write in other languages, such as English. However, with regular practice you should find that your speed, as well as accuracy, pick up, so don’t feel disheartened at the start if you are struggling.You can learn Portuguese in a number of ways, such as through watching Portuguese films or TV shows. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, 3dman_eu, Pixabay)Learn Portuguese In A Way That Works For YouOne of the most important things you can learn when developing your skills in a new language is the fact that learning a foreign language involves learning a mixture of different skills, including learning how to read, write, listen, and speak in that language.While you can do specific exercises to develop each of those skills in isolation, it’s worth remembering that true mastery of a language only comes when all four skills are developed to their highest level.Therefore, while it’s great to work on developing your writing skills in Portuguese, particularly if you know that you’ve previously struggled in this area, it’s also worthwhile setting some time aside to develop your Portuguese reading, listening and speaking skills too.For example, fun ways you can develop your Portuguese language skills include approaches such as:Watching to Portuguese films or TV shows and listening to what the actors are saying;Speaking with a Portuguese native speaker â€" perhaps someone from Brazil, Portugal, or elsewhere; andReading Portuguese novels.Reading works in Portuguese can be especially helpful, as not only will reading extensively in Portuguese help you to develop your range of Portuguese vocabulary, but it could also improve your Portuguese writing skills.This is because, by reading news articles, books , or other written mediums in Portuguese, you should gain a better understanding of how Portuguese sentences are structured, which could improve your own understanding of Portuguese grammar and syntax, and make your writing appear closer to that of a native speaker’s.If you’d like to have specific reading exercises in place to help you develop your Portuguese reading skills, or you’d like some help to improve any other area of Portuguese â€" whether that’s grammar, vocabulary, verbs and tenses, or conversational phrases â€" then you may want to consider reaching out to a Superprof tutor for help.A Portuguese Superprof tutor can help provide you with tailored exercises that can help improve your Portuguese proficiency, regardless of whether you’re a complete beginner, an intermediate learner, or have near-fluency in the language. What’s more, you can choose your tutor based on the type of Portuguese that they have experience with.So if you’d like to learn Brazilian Port uguese in particular, you can choose a tutor that has experience teaching this form of Portuguese.By entering your postcode and selecting the subject you’d like to find a tutor for, you can be matched with local tutors in your area that would be happy to assist you on your learning journey. Equally, if you’d prefer to have lessons conducted online, there are a number of Superprof tutors that offer online-only classes, as well as tutors that are happy to offer group or one to one tuition.

Tips for Learning the Piano Quickly

Tips for Learning the Piano Quickly How Can You Optimize Your Piano Learning? Chapters Learning to Play the Piano: Using Both Hands Independently Learning to Play the Piano: Understanding Theory Learning to Play the Piano: The Rhythm Learning to Play the Piano: Reading and Playing at the Same Time Learning to Play the Piano: How to Position Your Body How Long Does it Take to Learn to Play the Piano? Learning to Play the Piano as a Child What if You’re an Adult? Playing the Piano with YouTube Videos! One Last Thing...Along with the guitar, the piano is one of the world’s most recognizable instruments.  There are so many people that want to learn how to play it. Learning how to play the piano can take a lot of time.It’s a demanding activity. Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic way to learn the piano by snapping your fingers. You need to practice whenever you can and put the time and effort in.How Can You Learn the Piano Properly?Over the course of this article you’ll find out some important information about learning to play the piano (choosing your sty le, the right tutor, the basics, getting piano lessons near me, etc.). When you start learning to play the piano, you’ll quickly come up against a number of challenges such as playing with both hands, for example.You’ll see that it’s not as easy as it looks and overcoming this challenge is the first thing you’ll spend most of your time doing.Generally speaking, when you play the piano, your right hand tends to play the melody while the left hand harmonizes with said melody. Put simply: melody on your right hand, chords on your left.However, it’s not always that simple. Contrapuntal music, for example, doesn’t tend to follow this pattern.If you’re right-handed, you’ll probably also notice that it’s much easier to play with your right hand than your left. Your left hand is pretty useless and weak. Right from the start, you’ll tend to only use your right hand.It’s not a problem if you start out like this. The melody is what you’ll usually learn first, anyway. Ho wever, to really play the piece, you’re going to have to incorporate your left hand.Anyone who’s started out by teaching themselves a few things will have also started out in this way. Once you’ve got the melody down, it’s time to start working on the chords.  There’s no right way to do this. Everyone learns a bit differently, after tall. However, you’ll have to use both hands eventually.Before you’re able to play using both hands, you have to be able to use both hands. How can you play the piano with your left hand? Or rather, how can you learn to play the piano with your left hand?To overcome this first challenge, you’ll need to start playing with just your left hand (by practicing scales, for example). You need to be doing this as soon as you start learning to play the piano! Don’t wait two months before you start using your left hand. Don’t waste any time!Once you’re beginning to feel more comfortable with your left hand, you can then move on to using them both at the same time. The key here is to master using both hands and then bring them together.Learning to use both hands at the same time can be a nightmare! (Source: Jason Plant)When you first start, just work on playing the same notes with one hand at a time. Then do it again with both hands. Then learn to play a very simple piece where each hand has a different part. As always, learn each part independently. This is the first rule to follow: never start by trying to use both hands at the same time.Deconstruct the piece and think about the sound. Over time, your brain will start doing this automatically. Believe me! You don’t need to rush.You’ll see that playing different parts with both your hands is getting easier and easier. This may take some time, but eventually your hands will remember their individual parts. At this point you’ll be able to start playing pieces with both hands from the offset.Don’t forget to pick easy pieces in the beginning. Make sure they’re sui ted for beginners. You’ll probably need at least a year before you start getting comfortable with playing using both hands independently.Don’t get discouraged at the beginning. You won’t become the next Mozart overnight.Discover our top tips for learning how to play the piano! Learning to Play the Piano: Understanding TheoryThe second problem you’ll come up against is music theory.Learning to play the piano requires a good understanding of music theory. This isn’t usually the most fun part of learning to play an instrument but it is incredibly useful whether you’re playing a keyboard, electronic, upright, or grand piano.You could learn to play the piano without learning any theory, I suppose. However, you’ll quickly find your abilities limited, especially when it comes to playing classical pieces or creating your own.Fortunately, there are plenty of books dedicated to the subject. There are plenty of piano tutorials on YouTube to help you get started. However, they can only take you so far without any understanding of music theory.Music theory can be difficult when you’re first starting out. However, it’ll help you learn pieces much more quickly in the future. There are two things you should know about music: notes and rhythm. You need to learn about both of them.  You’re probably familiar with the notes in one way or another. There are seven of them. A to G. You’ll need to be able to read them on a staff.  You might even remember some of these from school.Being able to read these notes is usually quite simple. You’ll see that you only need a few minutes (or hours) to work them out.  However, rather than working them out, you should be able to recognize them the second you look at them. If you have some music in front of you, you should be able to name every note you see as you look at it.By learning about music theory at a music school or with the help of a private tutor, you’ll progress much more quickly. Understanding music theory is the quickest way to mastering your instrument.  However, you should probably also be familiar with music terminology when you’re talking about it.Don’t forget that the piano is an instrument that uses both the bass and treble clef. This means you’ll need to be familiar with both. The notes on one clef are different to the notes on the other. This means that a “C” on the bass clef won’t be in the same position as a “C” on the treble clef would be.Learn how to play the piano faster with these top books! Learning to Play the Piano: The RhythmOnce you understand the notes, you’ll need to move on to studying the rhythm.  Music is basically notes in a particular rhythm, after all.  You can’t separate the two.Without rhythm, there's no point in learning to play the piano. (Source: TecnoVortex)Rhythm is also an important part of music theory. You need to be able to read what the notes are but also how long they should be played for (you can use a metronome to help you , too). This means you need to know the note value: whether it’s a whole, half, quarter, eighth, etc.We recommend working on the note value without thinking about what note it represents. You need to have an understanding of the different values before you can move on. You can’t just learn their values, you have to learn how they interact with one another. You need to know that a whole note lasts the same as four quarter notes. This is important when practicing. You should also make sure you’re familiar with measures.  A piece of music is divided into units known as measures. Generally, a measure is four quarters.  However, this isn’t always the case. This might seem completely alien to you at the moment but once you get started, the idea of time signatures will become second nature to you.The time signature will tell you exactly how you need to read each measure. Once you’ve mastered this, you can even play around with it a bit.  It’ll be great for improvisation. Learni ng to Play the Piano: Reading and Playing at the Same TimeOnce you’ve mastered your music theory and reading music, there’s one more thing you need to do. You’ll have to play the music. This is something that’s really difficult in the beginning because you’ll need to do a lot of things at the same time.You’ll have to work a lot in order to be able to read and play at the same time. This will require a lot of practice and a lot of training.  It’s a lot harder than it looks.It'll be difficult to coordinate your hands at the start. (Source: Piano Learning)Here’s some advice: read the notes and don’t even touch the piano. Then work slowly with each hand individually. Your hands and your brain need to get used to recognizing the notes on the paper.Another piece of advice: start doing this with slower pieces of music. Don’t even consider doing this with faster pieces. Bit by bit it’ll become second nature. Keep this in mind every time you type something on the comput er. Remember when you used to peck and seek with your two index fingers (I hope you still don’t do this!). Just by using your computer every day, you probably don’t even look at the keyboard anymore when you’re typing and probably use all your fingers when you do. The piano's the same. Just be patient!Working on your scales is a good way to do this as you’ll associate the notes on the keyboard with the notes on the page. We’ll talk more about scales later on.There’s no other secrets: you’ll need to practice to get better. It’s normal to make lots of mistakes when you’re a beginner. Stick with it and you’ll soon start progressing faster and faster.You don’t just use your hands when playing the piano and you don’t just use your mind, either.  Playing the piano uses your entire body. To play the piano, you’ll need to be sitting comfortably since a good posture is essential for playing the piano as well as you can.You need to be well positioned in front of the keys.Sit directly in the middle of the keyboard in front of Middle C. Your arms need to be almost perpendicular to the keys. Your elbows need to be at the same height as the keys or slightly above this level. Of course, this depends on how tall you are. A private tutor will be able to help you work on your posture and decide on the best way for you to be when you play the piano.Poorly positioning your elbows and your fingers is not only detrimental to your playing but also your health. If your elbows are too low, your wrists won’t be in the right place and you won’t be able to press on the keys as much as you’d like to. Make sure to get a piano stool to ensure you’re sitting in the right place.On the other hand, having your elbows too high is also a bad idea. Your forearms will be above your fingers.Your back must be straight. Beginners tend to lean towards the piano. This can result in back pain. Make sure your stool is big enough so that you can comfortably turn towards th e highest notes and the lowest notes.Your body also needs to be in the center of the piano so that you can reach the pedals more easily. The pedals are located right in the middle of the piano.Become a piano expert by playing with both your hands. (Source: Superprof.ch)Being in the center also means you can reach all the keys more easily. This also means you can play with four hands (using two pianists, of course). In this case, the piano is split into two. The first pianist plays the chords on the lower end of the piano while the second plays the melody on the higher end.And, of course, your hands need to be on the keys. It’s suggested that your fingers are curling slightly downwards. Imagine you’re holding an apple in your hand. However, this will depend on how big your hands are. A pianist with big hands won’t adopt the same position as a pianist with small hands. It’s best to ask your tutor about the best position for you or even have a look on the Internet for examples. Make sure you’re also doing breathing and relaxation exercises to help you. Think about loosening up your body (especially your wrists and shoulders). You need to make sure you don’t have any stiffness. You’ll play much better if you’ve taken the time to loosen up and warm up than you would if you’re stressed and tight.Playing the piano is a bit like dancing. Your entire body is involved musically. Your feet are using the pedals while your fingers are touching the keys.Relaxation is important because playing the piano can also be “tiring”. Playing the piano is like exercise for some. Make sure you also relax your muscles after having played the piano (and after your lessons). You don’t need to keep pressing down on keys that are already pressed down, either. It doesn’t change how a note sounds and it means that you’ll save energy.Master these tips for piano improvisation! Learning to Play the Piano: Working on Your ScalesWe mentioned them earlier in the article. Scales are one of the most popular piano exercises in the world.  In addition to being used as a warm up, scales can be used for a number of reasons. In recent years, scales have become decreasingly popular to the point where some teachers completely avoid them altogether.So what are scales? Scales are a series of notes played in succession with a predefined interval between said notes. A scale usually gets its name from its first note. The number of notes in a scale can also vary. Some have ten notes while others only have five.Scales can be used to improve how quickly you can play. Most songs are built around them, too. Scales have another use: learning to play in time. Using scales can help to develop your rhythm. They can also help you when it comes to positioning your hands and fingers.Scales are also useful when you first start out as they can help you recognize different harmonies. If used correctly, scales can help you understand music theory better, recognizing the element s that make up a major scale or a minor scale, for example. A student learning a piece in a certain key will learn it much more quickly if they’re familiar with the scale.In fact, it’s highly recommended that students learn a given scale before they start learning any piece utilizing it.  There are plenty of resources on scales, too.If you’ve already learned to play another musical instrument, you’re probably already familiar with a number of scales. How Long Does it Take to Learn to Play the Piano?This is an important question. Like we said before, learning to play the piano can take a lot of time.  How many hours a week should it take?There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. This depends on a number of factors and which methods are being used to learn to play. Firstly, not everyone can practice two hours every day and also study music theory. You need to take into account their other commitments.Furthermore, it completely depends on why you’re learning to play the piano: if you’re wanting to master Liszt in two years, you’re going to have your work cut out for you. You could commit several hours a day. Some people can get better at the piano by spending only a few hours a week, too.Whether you practice ten hours a week or two hours a week, you need to practice regularly. Make sure you always put aside some time to practice playing the piano.It's important to take the time to consolidate your music lessons. (Source: PB Security)Starting out isn’t going to be pretty. You might think you’ll learn an incredible piece in a few weeks but you probably won't. Don’t get frustrated! You’ll get there. You just need to be patient and get used to playing regularly.Don’t forget to practice technique as well as playing.Alternate between playing a piece and practicing scales and techniques, etc. This will help you to progress much more quickly. You’ll go from beginner to intermediate in no time.There are other things you need to tak e into account, too: how you work, your concentration, and how often you practice. Don’t forget that you only need to practice for four or five hours a week. That’s one hour a day, not including the weekends.  However, it’s difficult to get any better at the piano if you’re only practicing one hour a week. Learning to Play the Piano as a ChildA lot of parents ask: “What age should are child start learning to play the piano at?”On the other hand, adults ask: “Am I too old to learn how to play the piano? How long will it take?”So is this important? Age is an important factor given how hard your brain has to work when playing the piano. Brain development slows down with age.Let’s have a look at different age groups and their growth.From 0-6:  Perhaps a little young. Let them discover it naturally.Music can act as a supplementary stimulus for babies and young children.Every parent should have a good collection of piano music, orchestral music, piano and violin concert os, and operas, etc. and let their child to listen to them in their room or around the house.Lots of parents tiptoe around and whisper while their baby is sleeping even though they really shouldn’t. Babies will learn to sleep in a normal environment (complete with various noises).From 6-12: Learning music in stages.This age group usually undergoes significant brain development. Learning seems almost effortless at this age.From 13-19: The age at which pianists mature.  This is the age at which pianists can delve into advanced music theory and play complicated pieces.A pianist at this age will start developing their own styles and tastes, make sure you’re encouraging them! What if You’re an Adult?Lots of adults who want to learn the piano are asking this question. Adults don’t learn as quickly children, right? In some ways that’s true. We memorize things more quickly as children and this works as much for learning languages as it does for playing the piano.However, if we del ve a little deeper, you’ll see that you needn’t lose all hope!You can learn to play the piano at any age and become an excellent pianist by starting at 30, 40, or beyond. Some start learning to play the piano when they retire and become surprisingly-good pianists a few years later.  Age isn’t important, motivation is.  That’s what drives you towards becoming a better pianist.Even at 90, you can start having piano lessons. (Source: Steamline 365)No matter how old you are, you need to be motivated in order to learn to play the piano. It requires a lot of work and effort. If you’ve already learned to play another instrument, you’ll know how much hard work it can take. Getting better takes time so don’t get discouraged.On the other hand, it is true that adults tend to have less free time to dedicate to this pursuit. Our working lives take up so much time if can be difficult for adults to practice as often as they should.The only way to get better at playing the piano (and learning without getting bored and giving up) when you’re an adult is to give yourself goals, schedules, and stick to them.Regularly practicing is the most important thing. Even if you’re up to your neck in work, you can always find 30 to 40 minutes to practice playing the piano. Especially given that the average American watches over 5 hours of TV per day!Practicing the piano is an even better way to relax. Music is great for your brain. It improves your concentration and alleviates stress. In fact, music can also alleviate stress from our bodies. Do you need another reason to start playing the piano when you get home?Should you learn on your own or with a tutor?There are several ways to learn how to play the piano: alone, with a private tutor, or at a music school. There are no wrong answers. Some people learn brilliantly on their own. However, others may need structured lessons and advice in order to improve.It really depends on your goals. If you just want to learn how to pl ay a few songs for your friends, without studying any theory, learning on your own is more than possible. If you want to learn how to play some of the world’s most difficult pieces, you’re probably not going to manage that without outside help. Don’t forget that you can also look for resources and tutorials on-line.If you’ve decided to learn on your own, you should probably get the right tools for the job. There are a number of ways to learn how to play the piano without the help of a tutor.Once again, perseverance and motivation are going to be key. Without a tutor driving you forwards, it can be very easy to cut corners or even given up as soon as you encounter any difficulties.It’s very difficult to stick to a schedule when you’re the only person telling you that you have to. Not having a set time to practice will also make it harder to get into a routine. If you’re great at procrastinating, it’s probably not the best idea in the world to teach yourself.In this ca se, you should already be looking at hiring a private tutor to help you. This may be costly but it’s better than buying a piano and giving up.A piano tutor is so much more than just somebody who tells you how to play the piano. They’ll also motivate you, give you a study and practice schedule, and help you fall in love with learning about music.  A piano tutor loves their instrument and their passion for it is usually contagious, meaning that sooner or later, you’ll end up loving the piano, too. Don’t forget that you can find plenty of piano tutors on Superprof!Going to a music school is also another option if you don’t feel like getting a private tutor or learning on-line. There are plenty of different classes available:beginners pianoprivate tutorialstheorymusical awakeningjazz pianoclassical pianomusic trainingmusic historysinging lessonsTaking a class could help you find private tutors. They’re often cheaper if you’re working to a strict budget.Whether you’re wor king on your own or with the help of a tutor, you have to work in order to improve. It’s worth it in the end. If you want to play your favorite pieces, you’re going to have to regularly sit down in front of your piano.With Superprof you can find a tutor that works for you. As well as helping you discover new types of musics, your private tutor can adapt the piano lessons near me to suit you and make sure you get the most out of every hour together.Some tutors love classical music, others love cinema, and some prefer jazz or blues piano. Make sure to check out which before you make your decision. If you get along, it’s probably a good idea to keep having tutorials.Private in-home tutors are often fantastic teachers who might even teach another instrument you’re interested in. For them, teaching is a way to share their passion with their students. They use classes to delve deeper into their passions while exploring techniques they love. Before you start learning in a particula r way, you’ll learn to enjoy learning about music.Why should you learn the piano?Your lessons will quickly become one of the most enjoyable things in your life. If you’re motivated and determined to learn to play the piano, don’t waste any more time!Join the conversation: is learning how to play piano as an adult more challenging? Playing the Piano with YouTube Videos!This certainly isn’t the best way to learn to play the piano or read sheet music but it is worth mentioning. Why not check out the thousands of videos available on YouTube?Every day thousands of pianists all over the world upload video tutorials of them playing their own versions of famous pieces by Bach, Chopin, and Mozart, etc.Can you become a pianist with YouTube? (Source: YouTube)You’ll come across two main types of piano videos on YouTube:Synthesia: where you can watch the color-coded notes play out on the screen. It looks a bit like Guitar Hero if you’re familiar with video games.Videos where the pian ist films themselves playing the piece.Neither of these are ideal for beginners. Why? Simply because neither of them technically tell you how to play the song. They don’t tell you the rhythm, the rests, or the phrasing: things which have taken these pianists years to master.However, that doesn’t mean they’re any less fun:you can learn without the sheet music,it’s a new interpretation of the original piece,you can learn modern songs like TV or movie themes, or songs from current singers,You can take inspiration from the way the song is played in order to drive your own creative.If this seems interesting, we should also recommend that you use YouTube for help with your music theory. Remember: you can’t skip any steps. You need to start with a strong foundation.Remember that we’re recommending YouTube tutorials here for those who can’t take private tutorials. Furthermore, the Synthesia videos are useful for showing budding pianists where they should be putting their hands .  This is very useful for those visual learners.These videos also open up a whole host of possibilities. Once you’ve found one of these videos, a whole heap of suggested videos will be there on your right. You might find yourself spending hours practicing.Make sure you check out different genres and styles, songs that you wouldn’t normally listen to or learn how to play. Go explore YouTube. Listening to different styles of music is great for encouraging creativity and giving you some inspiration.Don’t forget a simple search is all it takes to find plenty of resources on how to play the piano. You can also search how to play a particular song, too. You’ll no doubt get plenty of interesting results!Learning piano on-line isn’t always the easiest thing. While you may enjoy the freedom of learning whatever you want, it’s hard to establish the routine and discipline you need to really improve when it comes to playing the piano.For this you’ll need a private tutor or lesson s at a music school, especially when you’re first starting out. No matter what instrument you play, having your own personal tutor gives you an opportunity to ask questions and clarify things you don’t understand. You don’t get this from in front of a screen. One Last Thing...The best way to learn the piano, I believe, is with the help of a qualified piano tutor.  Tutors are always available to guide you better than any book or YouTube video ever could.However, I understand that you might still be asking the following question:  â€œHow can I learn on my own?” If your mind is made up, then here’s something I’d recommend:  Follow Andrew Furmanczyk on YouTube.He’s a piano tutor who’s produced around 200 free videos on how to play piano and music theory.  He starts with the basics and things you should know about the piano and music theory.  He’s a good tutor who explains everything for beginners.However, if there’s something you don’t understand, the only thing y ou can do is watch the video again (as many times as you want). At least it  won’t cost you a penny.Discover how you too can tune a piano...

Find An Economics Tutor

Find An Economics Tutor The Benefits of Economics Tuition ChaptersImprove Your Performance in Economics LessonsLearn More Than You Could in Economics ClassesPersonalised Exercises with an Economics TeacherFurther Your Career with an A Level Economics TutorFind Economics Tutors OnlineEconomics continues to be a popular A-level subject across the UK, and it’s easy to see why. Economics provides students with a solid overview of the world around them and how it can be shaped by economic policy. Additionally, it compliments other popular A-level subjects, such as maths, very well.Whenever a course is popular, there is always going to be increased competition among students to achieve the best possible grades. Those grades can be crucial to securing your place at university.As a result, students increasingly are on the lookout for ways to improve their confidence and academic performance, and tutoring is one such way of improving your knowledge of a subject.There are so many reasons why getting an economics tutor can be beneficial. For example , an A level economics tutor can:Provide tailored teaching that suits your own learning style;Give you revision techniques and study strategies to help you succeed in exams;Let you learn at your own pace; andEnsure that you learn in an environment that’s free from distractionsAdditionally, putting the discipline and hard work in now when it comes to improving your grades in economics can pay off in the long run. For example, if you’re considering a future career in economics or a related area, such as accounting, you can give yourself the best possible start  academically by equipping yourself with a private tutor.Let’s take a look at each of these benefits in further detail below.Your A-level results are important for future job applications; andYour university place is dependent on all your subjects’ results.So even if you’re not going to study economics at university, if you need to improve your grades in economics to go to your first-choice university, then private tut oring can help that dream become a reality.Any Superprof economics tutor online understand how important getting good grades at AS and A-level are, and always strive to help students achieve their desired grades across all their subjects, including economics.A tutor can supplement what you learn in economics lessons. (Source: CC0 1.0, mcmurryjulie,   Pixabay)Learn More Than You Could in Economics ClassesThere’s a common problem that both secondary teachers and students face: what do you do when half of the class easily understands a topic, but the other half struggles to understand its basic concepts?If the teacher decides to revisit parts of the lesson to make sure no-one is left behind, then they run the risk of boring those students that already have a grip on the material. However, if they just move on to the next topic on the syllabus then that teacher risks losing those that were struggling.When you have your own economics tutor, problems like the ones above go away. A tutor gives you more freedom  and guidance than you have in economics classes, as a tutor gives you coaching and evaluation on topics that you need the most support with.For example, it may be that you are very knowledgeable on macroeconomics, but have struggled in class on microeconomics. When you have a tutor, you can have suitable supplemental instruction to catch up on topics that you are less confident with. This means that when you come to revise the topic in class, you won’t be one of the students that are struggling.Alternatively, you can also choose to use an economics tutor to study a topic in even greater depth. So if you already know a lot about monetary policy, for instance, you can use your time with a tutor to learn more advanced aspects or improve your essay writing skills, which may give you an extra edge in those all-important exams.Tutors can also help you cover any areas you would like to concentrate on, regardless of awarding bodies. So whether you’re following t he OCR syllabus or the AQA course, an online tutor can provide exercises individually or in a small group that compliments your course curriculum perfectly.Superprof has a range of tutors that have experience in teaching all the main awarding bodies, so you can rest assured that they will be familiar with your course’s content. Find out more about the cost of economics tutors.It's important to know how much an economics teacher costs. (Source: CC0 1.0,  George Hodan, Public Domain Pictures)personalised feedback on what topic areas you need to improve on; andtips for achieving  exam success, including time management.Further Your Career with an A Level Economics TutorPeople choose their A-level subjects for a number of reasons. Some students choose their subjects because they enjoy them or they are good at them, whilst others pick subjects that they think will help them in their future careers.Although you may have chosen to study economics for any of the above reasons, it is also true that it is a great subject to have at AS or A-level if you think you will pursue a career in business at some point.For example, studying economics at A-level can be great to have if you’re thinking about a future career as:An economist;A chartered accountant; andAn investment analyst, among others.Furthermore, an economics A-level is a great stepping stone to pursuing an economics degree at university, maybe even at Oxford or Cambridge, which will take you one step closer to your dream career.So if you want to pursue economics at university, and you currently study the subject at A-level, then there’s no better time to look out for the best tutors. Any head start you can give yourself in terms of your knowledge of the subject will pay off dividends when you attend university for your undergraduate degree.At Superprof, I found a great tutor for Economics tuition!Improve your grades in economics classes and you could go to Cambridge. (Source: CC0 1.0, Ricardo Mateos, Public Domain Pictures)Find Economics Tutors OnlineWe’ve seen how economics tutors offer students a variety of benefits. Not only can a home tutor help you to improve your grades in the classroom, but online tutoring can also help prepare you for those all-important A-level qualifications. This is because tutors can employ one on one study tips and techniques that help ensure academic success, whether that's in your homework marks or in exams.So, once you’ve decided to engage an economics tutor, the question then becomes where can you find one? There are a few ways that you can find one on one tutoring for your economics course.The first method is to ask your teacher directly for some extra or intensive help with your studies or coursework and see whether they would be willing to tutor you.The benefit of asking your teacher to teach you in the capacity of your tutor is that they will already be familiar with your capabilities as a student. As a result, they should know how to ignite yo ur passion and get the best out of you at each home tutoring appointment.However, teachers are usually exceptionally busy, and may not have the availability to tutor you or give you an extra assignment. If this happens, you can always ask whether your teacher could recommend an educator for you.However, there is another easy way to find a tutor. Many sites, such as Superprof, provide online tutoring services. Such sites give students access to a range of tutors across a number of subjects, including economics. If you decide to find a tutor online, then you have a wide database of tutors to choose from, at any time during the academic year. This means that:You can pick a tutor that you think you will really get on with;Your tutor can give you assignments designed to improve your learning process;You can find a tutor who can make your course  enjoyable; andYou can find a tutor who will help give you the best one to one learning experience.What’s more, tutoring services can be online -only or can be a physical meeting, so you have the power to decide how you interact effectively with your tutor. With so many tutors to pick from, it’s not surprising that students often choose to find their tutor online. So why not try and boost your academic performance today and find a tutor?

Tips and Tricks to Make Your Final Year of College Less Stressful

Tips and Tricks to Make Your Final Year of College Less Stressful For many students, the final year of college marks a period of great transition. As such, it can also be a highly stressful timeclasses must be passed, employment applications must be submitted, and student loan paperwork must be completed. While it may feel like an enormous burden at times, a bit of planning can help to ensure that your senior year is rich with enjoyment, personal development, and reflectionas well as far less stressful! Plan your year Yes, your college or university career may have been easier had you planned your years from the beginning, but it is especially important that you do so now. If you begin to struggle, seek help, whether in the form of a professors office hours, a study group, or a tutor. Your selected graduation date likely depends upon successfully completing your final year of classes, and remaining organized is key. Here are 6 habits to help you become a more organized student. Create a calendar (electronic or physical) with your deadlines clearly noted. This is especially useful for tracking activities specific to senior yearordering your cap and gown, mailing graduation invitations, and turning in final paperwork. You will also wish to ensure that you meet with your academic advisor to review your course history and transcripts early in the year. Realizing in February that you have neglected to fulfill a requirement will not make your final year of college less stressful. Remain diligent You may remember that disinterested, restless feeling from your senior year of high schoolyour final year of college is similar, but worse. While you will want to expend the least amount of effort, resist that urge. Your senior year grades will affect your final GPA, andperhaps more importantthey may represent subject matter that is central to your career. If possible, complete more difficult work in the fall semester so that the end of your college experience is less stressful. The same is true of your extracurricular activities. It is simple to forget about them as college or university concludes, but the connections you form as part of these activities may be instrumental in securing a position in your field. By maintaining your membership responsibilities, you open yourself up to new opportunities that may benefit you professionally. Remember extracurricular activities can boost college success! Your continued focus will aid in your transition from college to professional life. Create a to-do list A significant source of stress for many seniors is the overwhelming feeling that they have not accomplished everything they believed they would. Writing these items down can be a helpful way to move past or even complete several of them. While it may be too late to study abroad, you may be able to experience international travel with a student clubor arrange a celebratory vacation after graduation. Ensure that your list includes activities that are entertaining and relaxing, qualities that are easy to forget during your final year of college. But they are so crucial to your mental well-being! There are numerous unique opportunities available to students, so take advantage of them while you can! Perhaps your goals are academic, or perhaps they are community-driven or socialeither way, crossing several off your bucket list will relieve stress and provide much-needed balance. Visualize your future By setting aside the time to ask yourself what it is that you desire, you narrow your options and reduce your stress. You will also be able to formulate steps to plan for the future you want. This might mean graduate school, an internship, or relocationchoosing a possible path (or even two) will give you peace of mind as you begin the next phase of your life. Here are some great tips on how to prepare for your first internshipwhich you may find helpful! Be flexible Finally, embrace the chance to be flexible. All the planning in the world may not be sufficient to arrange every facet of your final year of college, and you are likely to experience some stress. Remain open to new opportunities and practice saying yeslife has a great deal in store for you.

Our Guide to Oil Painting for Beginners

Our Guide to Oil Painting for Beginners Everything You Need to Get Started with Oil Painting ChaptersWhat is Oil Painting?Find Your Inspiration: Some Famous Oil Painters and PaintingsOil Painting Techniques You Need to KnowThings You’ll Need to Start Oil PaintingThere’s nothing better than the feeling of sitting down with your brushes before your canvas and starting to paint. The time sort of flies away, as you become absorbed in the palette of colours, the slow development of the composition, the gradually appearing image.That’s the dream of many who paint for fun: to get lost in the details of the landscape, the movement of the brush strokes, the meditative process of painting on canvas.However, not everyone enters that zone. Particularly those who are just starting to learn to paint. You might not know how to mix colours effectively, or you might be too overwhelmed by your comparison of yourself with the Old Masters (we all do this silly thing). Otherwise, faced with a blank canvas, it is often the uncertainty â€" the sort of lack of conviction in what they are doin g â€" that obstructs the inexperienced oil painter.Unfortunately, this is just part of the game of learning. But, in learning how to paint with oil effectively â€" in learning the principles, techniques, and history of this wonderful art â€" you can overcome this uncertainty in no time.Let’s have a look at how you can do it. Here’s our beginner’s guide to oil painting.You can find a general introduction to oil painting too! FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2them oonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is Oil Painting?So, firstly, what is oil painting â€" and how is it different from other types of painting? That’s the first question we’re going to be looking at here.Because oil painting has its own history â€" along with its own techniques, materials, and styleSimply put, oil painting is a type of painting that uses pigments suspended in drying oil. Obviously, the oil here is important: whilst it takes really quite a long time to dry, it dries incredibly hard. In fact, it keeps on drying â€" and getting harder â€" for years after it is applied. This means that painters can create layers in their paintings and make corrections or changes if required.The other important aspect of oil painting is that the colours can be mixed very easily, creating an infinite number of different shades. And, obviously, this can be quite handy for painters. Learn how to paint - and put your own work up for exhibit!Tempera, Acrylic Painting, and WatercolourBut, for greater clarity on what oil paintings are, let’s compare them to other painting techniques.By the Renaissance period, oil had pretty much taken over as the medium for painters in Europe. Yet, before this, the medium of choice was tempera.TemperaTempera was the most popular of painting media for an awful long time, with paintings found in tempera in all sorts of places â€" from Egyptian sarcophagi to Byzantine manuscripts, and medieval church paintings.It was made usually of egg yolk, milk, or oil, and it dried exceptionally quickly (unlike oil paints). However, oil paint provides much more vibrant colour, as the oil can hold much more pigment.WatercolourWhilst oil painting started gaining use in the Renaissance, watercolour has been around for millennia.This is because it is much more easily produced: it only requires pigments and water to function. However, unlike oil paint ing, watercolour is translucent; it doesn’t have the full opacity and richness of colour that oil paintings have.Acrylic PaintAcrylic paint is a more recent invention â€" made, as it is, out of plastic. The cool thing with this is that it can be made to look like a watercolour, tempera, or oil paint â€" depending on how much you dilute it.However, where oil painting takes a long time to dry, acrylic paint is super-quick. This means that it isn’t really the best option for beginners â€" because if you paint slowly, your composition will be dry by the time you have finished it!It also doesn’t have the same vibrancy of colours as oil painting.What is Oil Paint Made Of?We’ve had egg yolk, acrylic, and water. But what is oil paint made of?Usually, it is made of the oil from seeds â€" such as linseed oil and poppy seed oil. Walnut oil is also used â€" and it can be boiled be a resin to give the dried paint a glossier finish. Learn oil painting!Find Your Inspiration: Some Famous Oil Painters and PaintingsOne of the best bits of advice a student of painting and art can receive is to look for inspiration everywhere. Quite predictably, the best, most inspiring places to find it are in the works of other artists who have come before us.Yes, we’re talking about the Old Masters â€" from Rembrandt to Vermeer. We’re talking about Impressionism and post-impression. And we’re talking about all sorts of different painters right up to the present.As a painter, you should be interested in the works of other artists. You should be interested in art history and techniques. And you should be looking at how other painters have used oil paint in the past.Let’s take just a couple here.Leonardo Da VinciLeonardo Da Vinci may well be one of the most famous painters in art history. And he was working at a time at which oil painting was finally booming.The majority of his most famous paintings â€" including the Mona Lisa , the Salvator Mundi, and Saint John the Baptist â€" are all works with oil paint. This gave the paintings the incredibly lifelike effect for which they are famous.Wassily KandinskyWassily Kandinsky is famous for his theories of colour â€" and for his abstract paintings that make use of deeply saturated, contrasting colours.This was all made possible by his use of oil on canvases.Vincent Van GoghVan Gogh, the virtuosic post-impressionist painter, was highly prolific in his creation of oil paintings â€" painting almost nine hundred compositions in oil over the space of nine years.His particular style of painting uses bold colours and the prominent brushstrokes for which he is easily recognised. Without oil such effects would not really have been possible.Check out some handy oil painting resources!Oil Painting Techniques You Need to KnowNow you are inspired, it’s time to start attempting your own composition. However, if you are serious about your art, you aren’t just going to go at the canvas with nothing planned in your mind.The techniques that you will need to nail your oil painting are not just about painting per se. Rather, you’ll need to practise all of the following stages of the compositional process.1.             Drawing / ComposingStart to paint with a pencil. Visualise the shapes that you will want to render in paint later on.If it is a landscape, consider the dimensions of the sky, the shape of a tree, etc. If, rather, you are working on a portrait, sketch out the ways in which all of the features will fit together.The same applies for any other image you are aiming for.2.             Considering TonesIf you have the shapes down, great. But before you go for the paint, get the tonal scheme down. With a pencil or charcoal, arrange the contrasts between dark and light before any colour is added.These first two take more practice than you might expect. But beautiful images start from these two stages.3.             Preparing Your ColoursYou stil l haven’t applied paint to canvas. Good. Hold back still more.Before starting to paint, you need to prepare your colours. On your palette, you’ll be mixing different shades to produce the exact tone and contrast that you want.Get all of the colour ready before you begin applying them.4.             Begin to PaintOf course, there are plenty more techniques that you will need to get down when you are oil painting. And you can read all about these in our article on oil painting techniques.Find out more about important oil painting techniques! Start oil painting today!Things You’ll Need to Start Oil PaintingFinally, here are some of the essential things you will need before you can start painting at all. Yeah, a paint brush and a canvas. But really, there’s a lot more than that too.Oil PaintsFirstly, there are your oil paints.Whilst you’ll only need the basic colours to begin with, it is important to feel comfortable with the texture â€" and the cost too.Some of the best brands out there are Winsor and Newton, or Van Gogh.BrushesIf you are serious about your oil painting, you’ll need a range of different brushes.Flat brushes are good for moments in which you want a whole layer of a colour. Meanwhile, round brushes are good for the details.Remember size matters, so pick wisely.PaletteOil painting is all about mixing things up. And so, you’re going to need a palette on which to mix your colours.Without that, there’s not really any point in using oils at all.CanvasTry painting without something to paint onto.A can vas is generally what painters go for. It is durable, it holds the paint well, and it’s generally pretty iconic too.

Using the Pomodoro Technique for Effective Studying

Using the Pomodoro Technique for Effective Studying Do you struggle with focusing on a single task for a long period of time? Do you find yourself getting distracted when working on a calculus problem set, crafting a literature essay, or reviewing for a history exam? We all do! Welcome to the club.Understanding how your mind focuses and works is key to maximizing focus, which is itself key to success in academics and beyond. Perhaps surprisingly, working hard is often a function of how well you take breaks and rest. In the 1980’s, a time management coach named Francesco Cirillo developed a method for breaking down bouts of studying or working to include time for breaks. Pomodoro, from the Italian word for tomato, derives from the timer Cirillo used as a college student, as it apparently resembled a tomato.Here are the steps in the Pomodoro Technique:Pick which tasks you need to complete.Set the timer (ideally tomato-shaped) to 25 minutes.Work.End when the timer goes off.Take a break for 5 minutes.Repeat steps 2-6.After 4 rounds, tak e a 30 minute break.By setting a specific time limit on your work and then trusting the alarm to let you know when it is complete, you are free to engross yourself completely in the task without checking your phone for time or worrying that you’ll become bored by spending too long working. A break is always on the horizon!Success (and enjoyment!) when engaging with a complicated subject is all about reaching a flow state in which you forget everything but the matter at hand. While the Pomodoro Technique works for some, it’s important to try out different methods to find one that works best for you.Our 1-on-1 study skills tutoring is designed to build students’ confidence and competence with academic organization in a highly customized way. Each student is different, and it’s important to find the best studying habits and techniques for each unique learner.If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your student reach his or her academic potential, give us a call toda y!

Ways to Give News in English - Secrets of a Good Conversation

Ways to Give News in English - Secrets of a Good Conversation Learn different ways to give news in English and improve your speaking skills.News is something most of us can not live without. Whether it is the local, national or  international news we crave it (really want it). However, not all news, as we well know, is  good news and often we receive bad news. So here are some ways for talking about the news in English. These expressions will help you in English conversation when you either have to deliver  (give)  good and bad news or receive it.There are many different ways to give news in English whether it is good or bad. Some people are better than others at delivering bad news and normally most people do not have a problem giving good news. Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: Ways to Give News in English I have listed below the expressions we can use to give both  good and bad news followed by a quick situation that may give rise to such a statement.  Then I have followed that with typical responses we use for both bad and good news with  some appropriate words. In many situations where the news is not seriously bad or so  excitingly good then more reserved or calmer responses are more appropriate (like too  bad, how awful or that’s unfortunate) but where the news is extreme then the response is  usually similar:wow, that’s wonderfulamazingoh poor youI am really really sorry… Giving Good News in English I’M REALLY PLEASED TO TELL YOU…you have been awarded a bonus by the  management in recognition of your achievements this year.I’VE GOT A BIT OF GOOD NEWS TO TELL YOU…  we are going to have a baby! Isn’t  that wonderful. I am so excited.I’VE GOT SOME GOOD / BRILLIANT / GREAT / WONDERFUL / SPLENDID NEWS FOR  YOU…depending how big the news is you can use a number of adjectives  and their superlative form to pass on (give) your good news.YOU KNOW WHAT! I’VE GOT A BIT OF GREAT NEWS FOR YOU…you know that old car in the garage that we have been trying to sell for months? Well someone at last has seen the advert came around earlier today and offered us the price we were asking!!GREAT NEWS FOR YOU…you are in the team for the next match.You played  well last week and you deserve your place. Ways to Give News in English Giving Bad News in English I’M AFRAID I’VE GOT SOME BAD NEWS FOR YOU…you are not being considered for  the vacancy in the accounts department. I am really sorry but another  candidate with more experience has been offered the job.I’M SORRY I’VE GOT A BIT OF BAD NEWS TO TELL YOU..I had an accident in the car  on the way to work today. It wasn’t really my fault and there was nothing I  could do. The car in front of me stopped suddenly .I braked and the car  behind me ran in to the back of me and has damaged the bumperI REALLY DON’T KNOW HOW TO SAY IT, BUT …I am sorry I don’t think we can be  together anymore. I have met someone else and I think our relationship has  gone as far as it could go..I’M SORRY TO HAVE TO SAY THIS, BUT …your work is just not good enough. You  work hard but there Are too many mistakes and we constantly have to  correct it. We feel it would be better for you and us if you moved on and  found another job.I REALLY FEEL BAD TO HAVE TO SAY THIS, BUT …its either me or t he cat! The cat  does not like me and I am constantly cleaning hair off my clothes. It is old  and smells and I am not comfortable with the way it looks at me. I know you  have had it a long time but.. Ways to Reply to News in English Responding to Good News in English WOW, THAT’S SOUNDS EXCITING!When do you move? What are you going to do  with your apartment and car? Have you told your parents yet?THAT’S GREAT!I’ll book the hotel now and the flights and we can look on  line to see what we can do when we get there. It will be great to have a  break.HOW FANTASTIC!Wow, a baby. After all this time.  I cannot wait to tell my  friends.WHAT FANTASTIC / GOOD / BRILLIANT / GREAT / WONDERFUL / SPLENDID NEWS!I am  sure you are thrilled. When did you hear? How did you react when you  heard?THAT’S GOOD / BRILLIANT / GREAT / WONDERFUL / SPLENDID NEWS!Same as above.THAT SOUNDS LIKE GREAT NEWS!you must be over the moon. It’s a great  opportunity for you and your family.CONGRATULATIONS!It could not have happened to a nicer person. Well  deserved.THAT’S WONDERFUL / FANTASTIC!We must go out and have a few beers to  celebrate. You are buying!I’M GLAD TO HEAR THAT!I needed some good news to start the week. Let’s  hope this continues for the rest of the year!Great news!Incredible!Superb!Sounds great!Lucky you!Oh, how wonderful!I can’t believe that!All of these single word responses can be used in any good news situation no matter what the occasion is. How to Respond to Good News in English Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: Responding to Bad News in English I’M AWFULLY SORRY THAT…it had to be you that had to tell me.  I know it cannot  be easy. What happened exactly?I’M SORRY TO HEAR THATWhen are you leaving? Where will you go? Will you  write to me and keep in touch?I’M SORRY TO HEAR SUCH TERRIBLE NEWSIt must be very upsetting for you. Is  there anything I can do to help? If you need anything all you need to do is  ask and I will be happy to help if I can.MY GOODNESS!I was not expecting that. Don’t you think you are over  reacting a little? It’s only a cat!I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!Your work was always good and your boss always seemed  happy with you. Are you sure there was no other reasonPOOR YOU!you must me devastated. But you know you will get another job  quickly. You are too good at what you do.I DO SYMPATHIZE WITH YOUIt’s not easy to hear bad news like that but you  seem to be taking it as well as could be expected under the circumstances.PLEASE, ACCEPT MY DEEPEST SYMPATHYLosing a parent is never easy even at  such a gre at age. At least it was pain free in the end.I KNOW HOW YOU MUST BE FEELINGI lost my father a few years ago and I still  think of him a lot.THAT MUST BE AWFULHow did it happen?  Did they break in when you were  asleep or when you were out. My god at least you were not injured.OH, DEAR!That’s too bad and we were looking forward to meeting up with you. Never mind we can re arrange it when you are feeling better.TOO BAD!We would all have enjoyed meeting you. But look we are going to  meet up more regularly now and so there will be another chance to catch  up next month.THAT’S AWFUL / A PITY / UNFORTUNATEBut if there is not too much damage  perhaps it won’t cost so much and the insurance will pay for most of the  repairs.

Are unconditional offers a blessing or a curse - Tutor Hunt Blog

Are unconditional offers a blessing or a curse Are unconditional offers a blessing or a curse? Are unconditional offers a blessing or a curse?UniversitiesI can remember receiving an unconditional offer from my chosen university, and joking with my parents that I didn`t need to revise for my exams. `Whatever I get they have to admit me!` I thought, believing this was a licence to relax in my studies, and perhaps work on my computer game technique. Thankfully my parents made sure I knuckled down and got to work, and in the end I actually chose to go to another university after receiving my grades - but receiving the offer felt like a golden ticket. There has been concern over the precipitous rise in unconditional offers granted during the last 5 years. In 2013 the number of unconditional offers granted to 18 year olds was a modest 3000. In 2018 however the number had risen to a staggering 117,000! Quite an increase there, nearly 40 fold by my calculations. There has also been a huge growth in the so called `conditional unconditional` offers, which didn`t actually exist in 2013, but were granted to 66,000 students in 2018. I wasn`t actually aware of the `conditional unconditional` category, but have since learnt that it means the student is granted the place without question, with the stipulation that they make that university their first choice. Concerns have been raised by both schools and colleges that those students granted such guarantees are underachieving in exams, spending less time revising by taking `their foot off the gas,` according to the Office for Students (OfS). Researchers also found that those with unconditional offers were likely to miss their predicted marks by as much as two or three grades. It is disquieting to think that there may have been many A-Level students who were on course to receiving A grades, but after being granted unconditional offers became less studious, and ended up getting only C grades. OfS chief executive Nicola Dandridge has expressed serious concern about the huge rise in unconditional offers, in particular critiquing those `with strings attached, which are akin to pressure selling`. With the introduction of university fees the students, as opposed to local councils, now pay the majority of the bill, and securing placements may have become more of a commercial enterprise. Indeed, the Office for Students has likened the commonplace use of unconditional offers to `pressure selling,` and has said that universities may even be contravening consumer law. This is hardly the language one would expect when discussing the education sector, but the simple truth is that university places do need to be `sold` for the institutions to remain functional. Despite these concerns there are many who are of the opinion that unconditional offers have a vital role to play in ensuring everyone has a chance of going to university. Chris Husbands, vice-chancellor of the OfS has said that these offers give a chance to those students who `might otherwise not have the opportunity to study at a very high level`. `What unconditional offers can do when used in this way is to remove one element of pressure from the system and then ideally help students to achieve their potential and to thrive.` The Office for Students has said it will be monitoring the situation closely, and will be looking for a correlation between unconditional offers, and students not attaining their predicted grades, or dropping out soon after beginning their courses. They will also be encouraging students to be aware of any `pressure selling practices,` and have said they will take regulatory action, which may include fining universities, and forcing changes in their internal practices. The Student Room, an online forum where students can discuss all matters relating to university, has been discussing the pros and cons associated with unconditional offers for some time. In one post a student said they had received four unconditional offers out of their five applications, but each had the stipulation that they had to be selected as the first choice. This left the student rather disillusioned, feeling that `the universities do not actually care if I get the grade, instead, they just care about how many places they fill and want to guarantee as many as possible with the appeal of an unconditional offer.` Universities should only admit students onto courses who are academically suited for them. But with the growing commercialisation of the education sector, it is inevitable that the primary concern of universities will be ensuring their courses are fully booked up. Empty seats in the lecture hall means a loss of income. For many receiving an unconditional offer will be confidence boosting, and galvanise them to get the best grade they can; for others though it may mean they get a place on a course not suitable for them, and end up dropping out of university all together. 13 months ago0Add a Comment