Accounting Tutor is the best way to learn accountancy with TutorPace

Accounting Tutor is the best way to learn accountancy with TutorPace Knowledge is very important for everyone’s life. Literacy helps in building up lives in a more compact and a better way. With the help of knowledge things can change into better and in a progressive way. Today every child needs to go through the process of education as it has become one of the basic amenities of life after food, clothing and shelter. The requirement of this is such that parents are ready to invest a good lump sum of amount for the education purpose of a child. But after good and proper related things even the child fails to deliver his or her best. This upsets the parents and they end up beating or scolding the child which is of no help. For a good and proper education you need to have all the proper ways of lives including good school, better teachers and proper teaching. If all these factors are available with a child, it is for sure the child will be flourishing. Good school is available easily as everyday new schools are growing up and all the new school helps in providing the best services to their students. But still after so many facilities in the school, the child is unable to perform better. There may be some problems regarding it. It is for the parents to find out what the child is lacking. If parents are unable to track the problem then let me tell you that your child is facing the problem with properly understanding the concept that is taught at school and thus they need external assistance as well. Private tutors are a way through which students can get help. Private tutors can help the students to understand the subject properly and can also help them clear their doubts. But today no private tutor is willing to devote enough time on any single student and thus they have arrived in with the concept of coaching classes. In coaching classes things are smaller as compared to school classroom but the problem remains the same. If you have to get help for any tough subjects then what will you do? Such a tough subject is accountancy that requires a good teacher who can help the students to reach the depth of the subject. It is a part of commerce which is interesting as well as very tough. In general I have noticed that all the interesting subjects are tough, but I am unable to fetch any answer for it. Anyways, for accountancy you need to have a good grip over the subject from the very initial days so that you can carry on further with the subject in the long run. Online tutoring services can be useful If you are not getting satisfactory help from private tuitions, then you need to think about taking up another step that will help you in a better way. So, why don’t you go for online tutoring services? This is a entirely new way of learning that is said to effective as well as easy even. Every student can use it and can take help from it. The process is too easy and smooth that will attract the student’s attention in lot more ways with its features and benefits. The process of online tutoring is conducted through the help of internet. Having internet connectivity at your reach can help you to come across this great service with ease. The online tutoring process is much easier and accessible than any private tutoring as well. The whole process is conducted through internet via online chats, emails, tele conferencing and video conferencing as well. It saves a student’s time and energy that can be easily utilized in some other work as well. Now for the new arrivals let us discuss some of the benefits or features of online tutoring institute that will help you to know about the process in a better way. This way you can easily take help from it if required. Features of online tutoring The teachers who are present in the world of online tutoring are very much efficient with their specific subject. This is one of the best services as the teachers who are appointed in the world of online tutoring are very much efficient with the subject that they are teaching. The interview process is held in such a manner that helps the selection procedure of a teacher to be the best. Only qualified and appropriate teachers are appointed for teaching at any reputed online tutoring institute. Having a good teacher beside you can help you to acquire and learn more as compared to other situations when the teacher is not efficient enough with the subject. The efficient teachers first take a good look on the depth of the student with the subject. Once they have got an idea about it they start with their structured plan to teach the student. The online tutoring institutes have the service of providing their classes all round the clock and throughout the year. This is a service that neither school nor any private tutor will be able to provide. This helps the student with the relaxation that they can attend the classes anytime they want as per their wish and need. The place also is not at all an issue as the student can sit at any place and take up the classes, only computer and internet connection is required. The one on one service is also available with online tutoring institute. Have you heard about this? If not then read on. One on one tutoring service is having a single teacher to help you out and teach you throughout the session of the service. In this time no other student will be included in the class neither the teacher will be changed. This helps the student to learn better and also develop a self confidence in themselves. TutorPace can help you with all the possibilities of online tutoring services. Accounting Tutor is one of them.

How to Increase Your Vocal Range

How to Increase Your Vocal Range Broaden Your Operatic Vocal Range with our Vocal Training Tips Chapters What is Tessitura? The Main Types of Tessitura Before You Start Your Singing Lessons... Exercises for Reaching those High NotesThe terms used by musicologists and music lovers can sometimes surprise and disorientate novices, especially when talking about voice types.  Even the vocabulary in both Italian and French can make opera feel unwelcoming for younger fans of modern music. However, there are a few ways to work on your singing voice in order to make yourself a better singer.Valour, power, volume, warmth, colour, clarity: there are so many terms to describe the different types of voices that choral singers and opera singers will be very familiar with them.  Today, we’re going to have a look at tessitura and range, some of the most important aspects of the human voice.With that in mind, let’s have a look at the answer to a question that most opera divas would probably ask: “Can I increase my vocal range and, if so, how?”  These are very important questions that ar e not just for operatic singing but also for modern music. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors What is Tessitura?When talking about music and the sounds made by the human voice, instruments and singers can be classified in terms of the range of different frequencies they can produce.  Naturally, the human voice is somewhat limited and you could say that most of its abilities are innate: surgery can’t turn an aspiring singer in to Luciano Pavarotti with the click of their fingers, for example.Tessitura basically refers to the range in terms of notes and octaves that a voice produces naturally without too much effort.  Before you undertake any vocal training, you should study at least the basics of music theory as you would before you start playing a violin, oboe, french horn, accordion, bass clarinet, trumpet, guitar, trombone, or alto sax.Being able to read sheet music would be really useful for deciphering any given piece. This is something that would really help if you were playing Kaufmann in The Tales the of Hoffman.You can't improvise when it comes to learning music theory. You need to study and practise regularly. (Source: pixabay.com)As you probably know, human voices tend to change over the course of a person’s life. There are certain key moments, too. During puberty, for example, the voice breaks during and your range will become deeper. Additionally, women’s voices also change during menopau se.At the height of a signer’s career (often between 25 and 45 years of age), they’ll need to work tirelessly on their voice in order to break into the world of opera as well as  broadening their range in order to improve their chances of landing certain roles.The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute requires a total mastery of the upper ranges of the human voice and tenors get their chance to shine in Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. The Main Types of TessituraWhile there is some overlap, the voices of men and women are generally classified differently and are part of a scale from the lowest vocal ranges of men to the highest vocal ranges of men.  Within these ranges, there are also several subdivisions.From the lowest male ranges to the highest, the male vocal ranges are as follows:The bass range goes from E2 (the second E below middle C) to E4 (the E above middle C).The baritone range goes from A2 (the second A below middle C) to A4 (the A above middle C) like Marcello in La BohèmeThe tenor range goes from C3 (one octave below middle C) to C5 (one octave above middle C). A good example is Almaviva in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville.The countertenor is usually the highest male vocal range and include Handel’s oratorios and in the baroque music of Purcell.Birds are very famous for having beautiful voices. (Source: Iva Castro)Each of these groups includes subdivisions and certain singers, such as Roberto Alagna, are able to be classified as several different ranges and can play a multitude of roles without ever struggling to hit every single note.Similarly, the female voice has three main roles defined by the range of notes they perform.The contralto range goes from F3 (the F below middle C) to F5 (the second F above middle C) and includes roles like Erda in Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold.The mezzo-soprano range  goes from A3 (the A below middle C) to A5 (two octaves higher) like Carmen in Bizet’s work of the same name.The soprano range goes from C4 (middle C) and C6 (high C) and includes Brünnhilde in Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen. Before You Start Your Singing Lessons...If you want to succeed in music as either a classical or modern singer, you have to at least have a good voice.After that, you’ll have to study some music theory in order to have a deeper understanding of music just like an instrumentalist would and work out your voice type in terms of pitch, timbre, and the songs you're capable of singing.Your musical ear needs to be worked upon regularly as well as studying the main composers in terms of vocal music: Beethoven, Britten, Gluck, Gounod, Rameau, Vivaldi, etc.  There are also a number of radio stations and places you can go to if you enjoy religious music.With the right singing teacher, you never know where your performances will take you. (Source:  pixabay.com)You should also ensure that you can sing in key before you even consider trying to expand your range.   Additionally, you’ll also need to have good elocution and chest voice and have mastered vibrato and diaphragmatic breathing.  It’s important that you train yourself to sing without having to force yourself.Your abdominal muscles and nasal cavities can be just as important as your ears and throat when it comes to becoming an exceptional singer.  Additionally, you’ll need to have stage presence and be able to act as well as you can sing.That said, you’re not going to just burst out of a music workshop and start and start singing motets under the direction of a famous composer in the world’s most famous opera houses.  There’s a huge difference between singing your first light opera and performing the biggest roles on the best stages. Additionally, there’s also opéra bouffe. Learn to Sing the Low NotesAs with all art, you need to do things in order.  Before you start trying to learn to reach the high notes, you need to cover the basics. The low and middle notes. If you do n’t do this, it’ll be a disaster. All your hard work will be for nothing if you don’t do things in the right order.If you run before you can walk, you’ll end up with ugly and weak high notes and your voice will waver and you’ll struggle to improve. You need to start with the main notes of your range and only start to broaden your range once you’ve learned to masterfully perform these notes.Once you’ve managed that, you can more on to more complex exercises. A singing course or singing lessons could help a lot at this stage.Before you perform any music, you have to make sure you warm up your voice: make sure your throat and mouth are ready for singing so that you can perfectly operate them in order to sing in key and have the kinds vocal qualities that move people.You should drink a lot of water and avoid dairy products so that your body is completely ready to sing. Exercises for Reaching those High NotesA knowledge of keys, a metronome, and singing lessons are all real ly useful to make sure that when you’re singing, you’re singing correctly and not picking up any bad habits before you put on your big show.The amplitude of your voice comes from your throat which needs to remain low. You can do this by making sure it remains relaxed. Never move your jaw forwards as this amounts to exertion. Make sure than when you sing, you remain relaxed, composed, and in key!You should also work on deep breathing and your posture in order to reach some of those high notes successfully.You should also consider vocal warm up exercises for the vowels you’re going to sing. There are a number of singing exercises that you can use daily and your private tutor will probably suggest their favourites. The vocal cords need to be able to tense and relax without too much difficulty.You should consider vocalising. First start with a low note and go up in semitones. You can use a piano to help you do this.It’s also important to ensure that your vocal cords are comforta ble. The vibration of your vocal cords is at the heart of having a voice like your favourite singing stars.There’s a “lift” exercise you could consider which uses a rolled “r” to continuously go up a scale before going back down to the original note.  This vocal exercise can help you improve your voice without having to resort to going to see a speech-language pathologist.In any case, make sure that you do have a vocal professional with you so that your vocal cords are in their best condition and you won’t lose too much time working towards your goals.Find Singing classes across the UK with Superprof. Whether you're looking for  Singing lessons London, Singing lessons Manchester, Singing lessons Edinburgh  or online singing lessons you'll find them with us!

Trigonometry help can make your pressure with the topic less

Trigonometry help can make your pressure with the topic less Every parent wants their child to have some of the best things in their life. They want to give their child all the facilities that are possible for them within their reach. They want to give the best to their child and so that in some cases they have to make many sacrifices as well. Good school and proper education is the main necessity of any of the child in the present generation. For good and proper education it is very necessary that one should go to a good teacher and also attend good school. School plays a very important role in our lives. Most of our teenage life goes in our school lives. School is such a place where we come in contact with various types of things in life. Even the subjects that we learn are started up with school. While we are in school we learn many subjects. All these subjects help in making the professional person who we are. It is good to have some of the best teachers in our lives that help in providing you with the best learning facility. School today cannot provide you with every kind of help that you need to have. Teachers are efficient but they do not have time for each student and thus student lacks to get the most help from schools. For that you need to have a good teacher apart from school teaching who will help you to deliver some of the best facts related with the subject. Private tutoring is the way through which you can learn better but it is not that best as per today’s demands. The teachers have become enough professional and so they do not make any interest to teach a student with utmost dedication. Thus due to this many students who are weak enough have to suffer a lot. People think that private tutoring can be an easy way but things have changed largely. Today everything is very professional. One of the best and easiest ways is through the online tutoring facility. This facility is new and thus very few people know about the entire concept. When you have installed yourself in any of the online tutoring institute then things change largely. The teachers apart from other facilities are very much of good and provide you with each and every detail related with the subject. Just for example think about mathematics. Mathematics is said to be one of the toughest subject and thus a good teacher is needed to understand the subject in a much better manner. It has many layers in which each topic holds some or the other kind of knowledge and this every topic needs to have good grip over it. One such topic in mathematics is trigonometry which is related sin, cos, tan and various other formulas through which every sum can be completed. Online tutoring can lead you to some of the best teachers who will help you to cope up with the subject in ease. It is better that you should know about the various benefits that online tutoring has. It has a long list of advantages that can make you go gaga over the entire concept. It is new, effective as well as unique. So, for now you can check the advantages that will help you to know about the topic more. Features of e-learning tutoring courses Every parent wants that their child should have a teacher who will guide them in a much better way. Online tutoring can provide you with every kind of facility that a parent can never imagine about. The teachers who are in these online institutes are very much hard working and efficient. The interview process is very tough and thus the teachers who crack the interview can be said to be the best as they have the potential to crack this tough interview and enter into the world of such online tutoring. They can understand the needs and queries of a student and can easily lead them towards success. A strategy is planned by the teacher for the student to make them learn in a better manner. The courses that the online tutoring institutes offer are very apt and thus every student can easily connect with it. Many subject is been taught with same care and same efficiency. Every teacher is well efficient with their particular subjects and so knows the subject well so that they can pass off that efficiency to their students as well. The online tutoring institutes do not have any time limitation. The students are free to attend the classes anytime and every time they want. There is no limitation on the time neither on any student. Every student as per their wish can attend the class and they can take up the classes till that time they want. It is a great facility for any student who remains busy the entire day with many types of work and this way they can get their time to learn in a better manner. The service of one-on-one service is always available. This service helps you to get an individual teacher for an individual student and this is one of the best and the most convenient way through which a weak student can grasp the chapter in a much better way. The students can take the help of the teacher whenever they want and thus it is the best way through which learning can be easy and better. Tutor Pace can be a good way for online tutoring Among the long list of various types of online tutoring institutes the best one can be said as Tutor Pace. It is a good institute with some of the best facilities. The reputation is also high and the teachers that are involved in this institute are much efficient as compared to many other online institutes that are available. Trigonometry help is a part of the big facilities or services that Tutor Pace provides.  

Top 10 Career Mistakes Introverts Commit - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Top 10 Career Mistakes Introverts Commit - Introvert Whisperer Top 10 Career Mistakes Introverts Commit The climb up the corporate ladder is never easy.   As introverts, people might see you at a disadvantage; but they are undoubtedly wrong. Introverts are known for being great listeners, focused, observant, and committed, which are all great qualities that executives must possess. If you are an introvert with career plans, here are the top ten mistakes that you should avoid so you wont trip on your way up. 1. Isolating Yourself Some people thrive on social interaction compared to others. Too much isolation is not healthy, and most jobs require associating with people. Even introverts need face to face time every once in a while, so try calling a friend, or having lunch out. If having a companion is too much for you, having a stroll at the park or doing groceries can be a great help instead of locking yourself in your room. But it would be better if you talk even with one single person: little efforts to connect can go a long way. 2. Exhibiting Terrible Body Language Introverts can get stressed and anxious when encountering unfamiliar situations, but you can try being a master of disguise. Look at how you usually exhibit yourself with others. You can try the following modifications to your body language. Avoiding crossing your arms Not fidgeting Nodding at the right times Having a relaxed posture Leaning in towards the sleeping someone 3. Exhibiting A Lack of Confidence Introverts are confident people, but sometimes, being around extroverts can dial down that feeling. If you are not feeling confident, you can fake it till you make it. Pro tip: maintain eye contact with the person you are speaking with. You can even wear prescription contacts to make your vision sharper, better, and any color that you would like. Other confidence tips are: Practice smiling Study some power poses Have a strong handshake Dress to impress 4. Not Asking for Help Introverts lean toward working alone. Some are even more staunchly independent compared to the others. If you are one of those stubborn introverts, it might be quite hard for you to admit that there is something you cannot do alone. Here is how you can start: just ask for help. Its as simple as that. Talk to your coworkers or your direct supervisor if there is something that you cannot do. This will avoid trouble with making costly errors or going beyond the deadline. 5. Letting Your Mouth Run Away with You Small talk is inevitable, and you have to master the art of it. The problem with introverts is that they either have their lips glued or they babble the nerves away. It is a common problem that people chatter when they feel awkward or nervous, but remember, it is like running down a hill, once you begin, slowing down is near impossible. To avoid that, try talking slower when you are making small talk. Remember your pauses and breathing in and out clearly. If you have some trouble and you think you are rambling, observe the reaction of people around you and take your cues from there. 6. Confusing Your Introversion with Fear No one can escape having to do things that we do not like. Thats just how life works. But if you see yourself not being able to do things like returning a call, attending a party, or joining a conversation every single time, what you might have is fear and not just introversion. If you see this fear interfering with your life and you always regret things that you havent done, maybe you should try talking with a therapist to figure out your psyche and create plans to help you. 7. Always Expecting Others to Begin the Conversation Even though statistically, extroverts outnumber introverts, there are millions of people like you, that are scared of opening up conversations as well. Not all extroverts are also stereotypically bubbly, social, and talkative people like you think. Remember, there is a difference between talking in front of other people and having to talk to just one. If you are in a gathering, most likely somebody else is feeling as awkward as you, so be brave, for once, and rescue them from boredom. 8. Not Standing Up for Yourself As introverts, people tend to exhibit tendencies to let more dominating people push you or other people around. In dealing with confrontation and conflict, most introverts keep quiet and just ignore. Bullying, discrimination, and power-tripping happen in the corporate jungle so you have to make sure that you can handle it. A simple statement of I disagree would be more than enough to stand up for yourself. 9. Failing to Recognize Personal Accomplishments Are you shy about being proud of your victories? Many introverts tend to dislike bragging and get scared about seeming too full of themselves. In the workplace, you should be proud of all your accomplishments. In climbing up the corporate ladder, you should know how to market your skills to show people that you can face the challenges once you get promoted to a higher role. 10. Getting Lost Inside Your Head Being alone gives people the time to introspect and get to know themselves better. On the darker side, though, it can give you too much time to overthink and overanalyze things. Even when surrounded by people, some introverts can still zone out and get lost inside their minds. What should you do? Make a conscious effort to be present when you are with people or when they are things that you need to do. BONUS TIP: Take the Time to Recharge All introverts can get drained by social situations, but you have to socialize every once in a while. What you can do is to schedule an alone time before or after a social event. This will assure your self-preservation and protect you from imploding and getting stressed out. Introverts Can Do It, Too. Introverts have the power to excel in the corporate world, as much as extroverts and ambiverts can. Every individual has their own strengths and weaknesses, and this makes the journey more exciting. As introverts, a key to achieving your career goals is acknowledging your points to improve and starting from there.     Author Bio: Lydia Lee Lydia Lee is a fashion blogger. She works at a Tech company and writes as a freelancer for several fashion magazines both local and international. She has a pet terrier named Fugui.

Podcast #2 Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

Podcast #2 Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Academic Performance Explained Podcast In the second episode of our new podcast, MyGuru founder Mark Skoskiewicz shares some of Carol Dweck’s research about how mindset affects performance. He explains the difference between two mindsets about intelligence â€" the fixed mindset and the growth mindset â€" and how these different viewpoints can affect academic performance. Key Insights from Podcast #2 1. There are two common ways people think about intelligence. The first mindset is the “fixed” mindset. People with this mindset believe that your level of intelligence is mostly a result of your genes. They believe that everyone is born with an innate set of talents that they need to learn to work with. The other common mindset is the “growth” mindset. People with the growth mindset believe it is possible for them to become good at anything. They strongly believe in the power of learning, understanding their mistakes and improving over time. 2. Mindset matters more than you think People with the fixed mindset tend to shy away from things they believe they aren’t good at. They try to focus on things they are good at and avoid the rest. For instance, if someone with a fixed mindset believes that he or she is bad at math, that person may avoid taking challenging math classes. In contrast, people with the growth mindset are more likely to take risks and try things they don’t know how to do, because they see this as a learning opportunity. Because of this, people with the growth mindset are more likely to improve over time in areas they were initially weak in. As a parent, you can cultivate a growth mindset in your kids by praising them for effort instead of intelligence. Promote the idea that they can improve and grow by putting in effort, and they will reap the benefits of the growth mindset.

Studying Strategies to Help Students with Learning Differences

Studying Strategies to Help Students with Learning Differences Whether or not students have diagnosed learning differences, every student has a unique learning process. Here at AJ Tutoring, we work to leverage student’s strengths and create individualized learning plans to best meet their needs. Some students may have a 504 or an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) to help meet their needs at school, but there are also studying tips and tricks to improve learning at home. We want to offer parents some suggestions to unlock the hidden potential of their child’s abilities. As always, its important to maintain a Growth Mindset.Students with learning differences (LD) are just as capable as everyone else. In fact, learning differences also carry significant strengths. For example, people with LD often have a greater capacity for empathy; people with ADHD are excellent creative problem solvers; people with dyslexia excel at spatial reasoning, and so on.After navigating an education system that wasn’t designed to work with their strengths, kids w ith LD frequently internalize their struggles in school. This can lead to anxiety and depression, which further exacerbate the problem. Therefore, it is crucial to build a student’s confidence and their motivation to succeed. Specific, immediate, and positive reinforcement for a students effort is key. Remind your student that they have unique strengths, and it is normal to sometimes need help adjusting your learning techniques.Some learning differences that AJ Tutoring frequently encounters are ADHD/ADD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia. Whether or not your child has one of these, if they fidget, have trouble concentrating, reading, or writing, there are things you can do to help!Here are several at-home accommodations that could benefit every student. Again, each learner is unique, and sometimes it takes testing several strategies to find out what works best for him or her. If your student has a significant impairment, it may be useful to see a educational psychologist for further testing and to help create an individualized plan for them. Here is a list of AJ Tutoring-recommended psychologists.Trouble ConcentratingAlways study in the same area, so that you associate that space with productivity.If you are losing motivation, change up the space you choose can also help.Take 5 minute “brain breaks” every 25 minutes you study. These can be shorter, longer, or more or less frequent based on your  student’s needs.Play “beat the clock” and set a timer and assign a specific task this simulates the adrenaline and motivation that are tied to procrastinating.For homework that requires a computer, turn off the Wifi or using a website blocker such as “Stay Focused” to inhibit distracting websites.If possible, work while it is still light out and in a place with natural light.Trouble Sitting Still, or FidgetingUtilize stress balls, silly putty, fidget cubes, or other things that you can do with your hands while you study.Stand up and walk around wh ile you study.Chew gum.Use special pens and doodle while listening.Trouble with Writing: Handwriting Use special pencil grips to increase dexterity.Use a tablet/ computer when possible.Use a smartpen.Trouble with Writing: Written Expression of Ideas Allow and encourage the student to come up with their own abbreviations for note-taking.Use a speech to text program for writing papers (i.e Dragon).Trouble with ReadingUse a bookmark to follow along on a page.Use a text reader.Some textbooks are available as audiobooks.Have instructions read aloud and talk through the problem verbally.Use a text magnifier for small text.Check for understanding after a student reads instructions to themselves.General Learning TipsMake sure that you get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and are not hungry when you study.Study at the same time each day, and schedule when you are going to complete assignments.Add structure whenever possible, such as to-do lists, schedules, and specific and measurable goals .Study in a clean space with minimal distractions and all necessary tools at hand.It is crucial, especially with students with learning differences, to provide as much positive reinforcement as possible to help build their confidence in their ability to succeed. Here at AJ Tutoring we weave these study skills and confidence-building strategies into all of our work with students. Our tutors provide much more than content expertise; they help their students have a positive educational experience, increase their motivation and build lifelong habits.

Short Sightedness - Tutor Hunt Blog

Short Sightedness Further education increases the risk of short sightedness Further education increases the risk of short sightednessUniversitiesA study conducted by the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences at Cardiff University, and recently published in the British Medical Journal, makes an astonishing claim. The longer you spend in education the greater chance you have of developing myopia. Put in simple terms, this means that the more time you spend at school or university, the greater the chances are that you will need to wear glasses. Professor Jez Guggenheim, who was involved in the study, was quite frank about the link between schooling and short sightedness: `Our study provides strong evidence that length of time spent in education is a causal risk factor for myopia.` `Policymakers should be aware that the educational practices used to teach children and to promote personal and economic health may have the unintended consequence of causing increasing levels of myopia and later visual disability as a result.` Since there is a known link between severe myopia and loss of sight, the result of the study allows this astonishing statement to be made: the more time you spend in education, the more likely you are to go blind. The study also predicts the rate of ocular deterioration, and actually says that if a student has 20/20 vision at the age of 16, by the time they graduate from university they might well need glasses to legally drive. Ask people what they think an intelligent person looks like, and they will probably describe a range of physical characteristics. Tall, thin, perhaps wild unruly hair might be amongst the characteristics cited - but most people will say the person wears glasses. The bespectacled boffin is a of course a cliche - one that features prominently in movies. Woody Allen, the intelligent, neurosis ridden character, can hardly be imagined without his thick black spectacles. Dr. Egon Spengler, the smart one out of the four ghostbusters, is another glasses wearer; and of course superman has to do little more than put on his spectacles to become the nerdy, anodyne Clark Kent. The cliche continues into the world of cartoons: Velma from Scooby Doo - is the only character in the show wearing glasses, and the only character, so it seemed to me as a child, possessing a modicum of sense. Professor Frink and Professor Farnsworth, from the Simpsons and Futurama respectively, sport eyeglasses so thick as to be completely opaque. Millhouse, another Simpsons character, and the archetype nerd, wears glasses throughout the show; and Chuckie, the timid brainiac from Rugrats wears spectacles from infancy. It`s certain a hackneyed cliche that glasses wearers are more intelligent than those with perfect vision, but the Cardiff study suggests that myopia can be caused by long hours spent staring at text on screens, and scrutinising textbooks. With the growing prevalence of phones and tablets in people`s lives, surely today our eyesight is under greater strain than ever. It is estimated that by 2050 as much as half the world`s population, around 5 billion people, will be short sighted, compared to 1.4 billion people today; and about 10% of them will suffer from severe myopia, a condition that can lead to blindness. Though many might doubt the link between education and eyesight problems, one only has to look at countries like South Korea, China and Singapore - places that have an intense teaching schedule, including longer school hours, and evening study classes - where about 90% of students leave school at 18 with glasses. At the end of primary school as many as half of children in these countries suffer from myopia, compared to just 10% of British school children. The authors of the study were not too forthcoming in offering solutions to this problem. Other than saying children should be spending more time outdoors, they didn`t offer any practical methods of dealing with their rather dire predictions. Outdoor lessons may sound like a lot of fun - children out in the fresh air, surrounded by nature - but it really would be a logistical nightmare. As an ex teacher myself, I can testify to the necessity of having a class surrounded by four walls. Goodness knows how many children would be wandering off into the undergrowth during a taxing maths or English lesson. The study was certainly an extensive one, involving nearly 68,000 men and women who were registered with the UK Biobank programme. Drawing on a wealth of information, such genetic markers linked to myopia, and the amount of time subjects had been in education, the study concluded that more time spent in education leads to a `rising prevalence of myopia.` I have read through the study, and confess that it is a little too technical for me. I do wonder how anyone can ascertain a `genetic predisposition to higher levels of education,` but I must bow brighter minds than my own. Perhaps the study will have ophthalmologists around the country rubbing their hands in glee, but we certainly should not let it be used as a tool to detract from the importance of education. 20 months ago0Add a Comment

12 Language Learning Websites in a Special 3-course Menu

12 Language Learning Websites in a Special 3-course Menu 12 Language Learning Websites in a Special 3-course Menu Wouldnt it be nice if you could just order a language?If you could be served up Russian fluency within minutes of deciding, Hey, I think Id like to speak Russian?If you could say, Hmm, Spanish sounds good, then have it brought to you on a silver platter?Sadly, it doesnt work like that.Instead, you google the fastest way  to learn ___. You settle on something that seems worth it. You sign up. Then you have to sit down and do the work.Learning a language can be like a full-time job, and youll probably need as much help as you can get.But remember what Jimmy told Dottie in A League of Their Own:The hard is what makes it great.Its a counterintuitive truth: If it doesnt take work, it probably aint worth it.And that said, learning a language can still be a good time. Plus, you can get lots of assistance without even leaving the room.Theres probably never been a better time in history for language learning. There are resources everywhere, especially online.The internet provides access to a smorgasbord of courses, groups, apps, articles, blogs, dictionaries, translators and pretty much anything you need when you want to get started learning a language.Its now easier than ever to connect with people who share your interests, and to truly enjoy the learning process.All this connectivity can be overwhelming, however, and not all language learning websites are made equal. So were here to help. Once you get serious, it doesnt have to be a solo struggle.The worlds literally at your fingertips, and were going to help you navigate it.While learning a language may not be as easy as ordering off the menu at your favorite restaurant, it can still be a satisfying, guided experience.So heres your online menu to language learning success. 12 Language Learning Websites in a Special 3-course MenuCourse 1: Start with the Nitty Gritty and Practice, Practice, PracticeIt all boils down to the basics. In order to master a new language you need a foundation, and to build on that foundatio n, you need practice. You may think this sounds tedious, but it can lots of be fun, especially with the availability of apps and websites that turn language learning into a game. When youve decided that youre ready to get going, you can start guided practice on any of these sites within minutes, maybe even seconds.BabbelBabbel is considered the worlds first language learning app. It offers 14 languages, ranging from Spanish to Indonesian. Babbels goal is to get you speaking, reading and listening right away. Some users claim to be able to have small conversations in their target language within hours of starting their program.Babbel uses real voice recordings, so youll hear how to properly pronounce and understand words. Its tailored to your native language and starts you with vocabulary thatll be easy to recognize. It also allows you to choose topics that are relevant to you, so that it sticks.Its a great resource for starting strong in your language learning journey. Its also avai lable for both desktop and mobile devices, so you can learn anywhere.DuolingoAh, the ever-popular Duolingo. Youd be hard-pressed to find any list of language learning sites without Duolingo. Its currently the reigning champion of apps in the language learning community, due to its accessibility and simplicity. Available on both your computer and your phone, its 100% free and ready to help you kickstart your language learning immediately. Currently, its host to many language courses, with others in beta or still hatching.The way it works: You set up your account, choose your target language(s), set your daily goal and off you go. Youll be taken through a cluster of modules that are designed to get you acclimated from the ground up. You start with the most basic of words and phrases, and they become increasingly more challenging as you complete each module.There are a host of features to keep you motivated, such as clubs, lingots (Duolingos currency), a weekly leaderboard (to see how much practice youve had compared to your friends) and badges. Theres also a discussion board if youre still unclear on something.Duolingo really is a great tool for someone who wants an intro into a new language. Itll give you a solid base and get you speaking and reading at a basic conversational level. However, if youre aiming for fluency, youll still need to supplement with reading, speaking and listening with outside sources.Duolingo is available on the web as well as on iOS and Android devices.FluentUFluentU is a fast-growing website for language learners that takes a different approach from most of whats out there. Simply put, if youre into interactive lessons, videos, TV, YouTube or all of the above, then this is the place you need to be. Even if you dont think youre into any of those things, you may be surprised how fun learning a language this way can be. With a free trial, you can check out full access to tons of content, including movie trailers and music videos, all spok en in your target language.Whats great about this is that youll hear actual, real speakers.  Many websites teach with computerized audio, which doesnt lend itself to being very helpful for when you finally listen to native speakers. In fact, many people feel a bit discouraged when they encounter native speakers of their target language after hours of computerized audio, because it turns out they havent really learned anything applicable to the real world.FluentU gets you started with real speakers, and matches you with videos based on your experience level. After the video, youll go through a set of lessons based on what you just watched so that you get repeated exposure to these sometimes difficult-to-grasp words and phrases. Its really worth the time and money to get your fluency to the next level. Also, FluentU caters to all levels from newbie through native and personalizes your learning, so you can use it all through your journey to fluency.FluentU is available on the website o r in app form for iOS  and Android.CourseraCoursera is much like an online classroom. Classes here are taught by professors from some of the top institutions around the world through pre-recorded videos. Classmates can communicate with each other in the class forum.Coursera covers the most widely spoken languages, such as Spanish, Mandarin and more. Whether you opt for  Chinese for Beginners or  Spanish Vocabulary, you can use Coursera to begin with the basics and get the foundation you need.If you happen to be a little further along in your studies, you might want to check out one of the classes that are actually taught  in a foreign language. For most courses, youll have free access to the course material for seven days, and if you like what youre seeing you can pay for full enrollment and receive a certificate once youve passed the class.People who love Coursera are people who love classroom settings. Youll have a clear lesson plan from start to finish. You get quizzed at the end of lessons. You get a real teacher whos able to clarify some of the nuances in language that sometimes confuse us. You wont be able to raise your hand and ask a question, but you can always pose questions on the forum so that your teacher or other students can respond.Whereas with some of the automated language apps, youre learning on your own, with Coursera youve got a network of others who are doing the exact same thing as you, so its a little less lonely and can be quite collaborative depending on how social you are.LingQLingQ is one of the most robust online language learning systems out there and comes with lots of perks: It includes a foreign language library with audio and transcripts, special vocabulary tools, a great global online community and more.Its easy to get started, and with their method, youll begin learning a language quickly through loads of input, including authentic web content, as well as practice with native speakers, all while tracking the vocabulary youve learned.The unique standout aspects of LingQ are its community, organization and flexibilityâ€"as with Coursera, the ability to communicate with other learners is a big plus, only that communication isnt confined by a specific period of time and can be ongoing. Also, you dont only have access to other learners but also native speakers of your target language. You can use the forum to ask any questions you have about your target language and get responses from native speakers. You can also customize your approach while still keeping a firm handle on your progress.LingQ is available on the web and also for iOS and Android.Course 2: Get Motivated and Enjoy YourselfWhen were learning something, a little moral support can go a long way. Luckily, the language learning community reaches far and wide. There are a number of internet gurus who know exactly what youre feeling and are happy to share their experiences and offer up practical advice as well as more concrete resources. With the web sites in this list, youll not only find further resources and communities you can directly apply to your learning, but youll learn how to organize your own learning and eventually move into the advanced levels. This list is by no means exhaustive, but below are the essential fan favorites.Fluent in 3 MonthsIf you havent already heard of Benny the Irish Polyglot then youre welcome. Bennys website is built on a concept that would excite any language learner: speaking from Day 1.The idea behind Bennys philosophy is that if you truly want to learn a language, you cant hide behind books and apps. You have to get out there and just do it. That doesnt mean do away with books and apps. You definitely need them. However, many of us decide that we should wait until were at an acceptable level of fluency to begin speaking. With Benny, that just doesnt fly.If youve been struggling with learning a language, or if youre just starting, then this is a great place for insight. Benny had similar stru ggles. He spent years trying to learn Spanish to no avail. Now, he speaks seven languages fluently.There are tons of resources on Fluent in 3 Months, from success stories to books, courses and advice. When you enter the website, you can sign up for Bennys free Speak in a Week email course. Youll receive tips and advice to start speaking any language right away. You can also head over to the blog section where youll find articles such as  16 Must-know Words and Phrases for Any Language  that will let you prepare yourself to have an easier time getting comfortable with your target language.You should also read about how one contributor chronicled his mission to speak only German in the course of 30 days. Its quite inspiring and offers a lot of advice on how to get through such a nerve-wracking challenge. You can find the posts here:  New Mission: One Month Without English,  Nerves, Tears and a Breakthrough: 2 Weeks Without Speaking English [Mission Update]  and The Amazing Moment Spea king German Finally Clicked [Mission Completed].Language SurferLanguage Surfer is another great site for language learners that has a slightly different approach. According to Ron, the site creator, no one can ever truly master a new language. Thats not to say you should throw in the towel and take up knitting instead. However, the idea is that one must get comfortable with the idea of imperfection.Languages are something to enjoy, like a surfer riding waves in the ocean. With many things in life, we dont strive to be the absolute bestâ€"like with cooking or riding a bike. Some of us do, but most of us just get good enough for survival, and if were a little more ambitious we strive to impress.Rons advice focuses on getting language learners to a level where they feel comfortable and confident. He offers articles on why making mistakes is good, and advice on how listening can help move you along to reach your goals faster. If youre new to language learning, go straight to the  New? S tart Here!  section of the website. From there, you can get started with a  language learning roadmap,  or if youve had some experience already you can check out  what the next steps are after Duolingo.Rons laissez-faire approach to language learning can be a great relief to those of us who put too much pressure on ourselves to be perfect. Check out his complete philosophy here. Its quite good.Itchy FeetSometimes we need a giggle. Cue Itchy Feet. If you havent started already, youll soon find out that sometimes learning a new language will make you want to bang your head against the wall and beg the language gods for mercy. FYI, they never listen.Itchy Feet pokes fun at the peaks and pitfalls of both learning a language and travel abroad. Also, the comics arent just offered in English, but also in Spanish, Russian, Greek, French and more. All you have to do is scroll down to the bottom and select one of the 18 languages available. This will lead you to a Facebook page and youll have access to all of the comics in that language.So even while youre acknowledging the woes of language learning, youre still able to get some reading practice in. A good way to know if youre making progress is if you read a foreign language comic in your target language and actually start laughing.Course 3: Find and Master Speaking PracticeSpeaking is key to comfort in language learning. That is to say, you probably wont be comfortable at first, but the more you do it, the easier it gets and the closer youll be to fluency.But Im learning Romanian, and there arent any Romanian speakers where I live. How can I practice speaking?The internet has heard your call and has answered in overabundance. There are several language exchange sites and practice groups that will have you speaking from the word hello. Here are some of the very best.italkiThe popular site italki offers live, face-to-face conversations with a certified instructor. Its a great way to start speaking right away with native speakers. Even when youre using apps, books or whatever your preferred learning resource, you need to add speaking to your schedule. Italki will get you speaking with the benefit of formal instruction. Speaking is a great way to gauge your progress. With each session, youll see that it becomes a little bit easier. Also, if you dont have access to native speakers of your target language in your current location, then italki is gold.Users are able to navigate through the list of instructors and choose based on personality, country, fluency, price and even schedule. If you want to give a teacher a test run, most offer trial lessons for much cheaper than their typical price. The website also has instructors that offer instant tutoring if you want to dive into lessons right away.If you cant afford the certified instructors, italki offers a community of tutors whose prices are substantially lower than the instructors. You typically wont get formal instruction with a tutor, but most of th em are native speakers of the language they advertise, so their lessons can be just as effective as those of the certified instructors.If youre really unable to spend money, then you can opt for a language exchange with other members. Youll have to split the time so you both get practice in your target language, but if youre comfortable with this, then go for it!SpeakyIf the name of the site isnt clue enough, this is another speaking website. Its completely free and simple to use. Once you register you fill out a profile detailing the basics: name, age, geography. Then, youre prompted to identify your native language(s), the language(s) you would like to learn and your current level of fluency.From there, users have access to a large network of language learners who are all there for the same reason (mostly), which is to take part in a language exchange. The coolest things about Speaky are the video chat and text features. The video chat is offered in-house and includes note-taking, it suggests topics of conversation and even has a timer if youre strict about keeping the language exchange fair.You can always go to Skype if youd like, but why would you when Speakys video chat is made specifically to enhance your learning experience?The chat systemâ€"another cool featureâ€"is like any other, except as a language learner youll find the correction feature quite handy. Users have the ability to go directly into the chat bubble to correct each other so that you can learn from your mistakes on the spot.Speaky can be really fun, because there are so many users and people always jump at the chance to start an exchange. It can be a little overwhelming, but its a better problem to have than not having anyone at all. Its not uncommon to go through a number of conversations before you find someone you truly click with. However, once you connect with the right person, you could possibly be on your way to a lasting relationship that will benefit you in more ways than you can imagine!VerblingVerbling is a streamlined, all-in-one option for those specifically looking for online teachers. You can sort through hundreds of teachers, searching by factors like price, availability, skills, where theyre from and more. You can see how many lessons a teacher has taught, how theyve been rated by other students and check out all kinds of other detailed information on their page, including their education, experience and qualifications.If having a sense of structure makes you feel more secure, you can take pre-arranged one-on-one courses on specific topics, like Italian pronunciation, Chinese characters or Spanish conversationâ€"all for a set price.Once you find a teacher you like, you can book lessons with them right there. Like with talking to an exchange partner on Speaky, you dont need an extra video chat program hereâ€"its all in-house. The site itself has a smooth, intuitive designâ€"perfect for those looking for a comfortable online space to jump into remote learning.MeetupWhile this isnt a site that youll primarily benefit from online, its the next step. If the other sites above provide live-action conversation, then Meetup is your 3D, HD, IMAX.If youre looking for in-person conversation this is the place to go. On Meetup, linguaphiles gather to share their passion at local venues in small intimate groups to large, party-sized group. Groups offer a wide range of activities, from conversing in coffee shops to museum trips and more.If youre a social butterfly who enjoys meeting new people while actively pursuing your goals, then Meetup is probably right for you. All you have to do is sign up, search for your target language, and browse. Since there are so many groups out there, youre sure to come across something suitable for you. Also, the gatherings are generally free, so if youre on a budget this is a great learning option.The internet is vast and theres an endless supply of websites thatll help you get started learning a language.Tak e the time to find the ones that work for you. Itll be one of the greatest steps youve taken to reach your goals!