Singing Lessons for Kids Does My Child Have It

Singing Lessons for Kids Does My Child Have It Suzy S. Singing lessons for kids are the perfect way to support your little ones interest in music. But while you know its important to encourage him or her to dream big, how can you be sure your investment is worth it? Learn the answer in this guest post by Grand Rapids, MI voice teacher  Kelsey P... As a voice instructor, I am often asked by the parents of my students, “Does my child have ‘it’? Not always in so many words, but when a young ambitious student declares that they want to be the next Katy Perry in the first lesson (this has happened on more than one occasion), parents want to know how long to encourage their child’s dreams, and at what point to steer them in a different direction. While I understand the desire to have a professional tell you where your childs skills really lie, my response is usually not what they want or expect. This is not American Idol. I am not Simon Cowell. I teach singing lessons for kids with various levels of skill and talent. Some of them may actually find careers in music, most of them probably won’t. My point of view isthat’s not the point of taking music lessons. Let me explain. Most of my students are young like 10 years and under. They don’t know what they want to be when they grow up. Even if they want to be Katy Perry now, they may change their minds five more times before they actually are old enough to really make that decision, so it wouldnt do any good for me to judge them so harshly and force them to make that decision prematurely. My job is to help my students have fun learning how to get better at singing. If youve ever worked with children you know that they are usually learning the most when they are playing. So, we play singing games, music games, and we sing songs the kids are interested in. I allow them to have guided fun, and encourage them to practice so they can get better. Any instrument gets more fun when your skill improves, so practice is key to having fun! Not only are kids learning about music in their singing lessons, they’re also learning about setting goals, work ethic as they practice, and how hard work can actually be enjoyable. Not to mention all the studies that show how music education improves math skills and can help students with so many other areas in life. So don’t worry so much about whether your kid has “it” or not. Let them develop naturally as little musicians without the pressure of a career hovering over the both of you. Investing in music education is always a good choice for your child’s development. Kelsey P. teaches singing, songwriting, and guitar lessons in Grand Rapids, MI.  I have a Bachelors in Music from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI and I have been a full time working musician for two and a half years. Learn more about Kelsey here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  orangeacid

Starting ESOL Courses Finding an English Tutor

Starting ESOL Courses Finding an English Tutor How to Find the Best ESOL Tutor for You ChaptersMaking Your ESOL Course Cost-EfficientHow to Choose the Right ESOL Teacher for YouEnglish as a Second Language Tutors for Parents Who Don’t Speak EnglishHow Long Does it Take to Learn English with a Private Tutor?You never stop hearing that you must learn how to speak English in order to be able to communicate with the rest of the world.Being able to speak English as a foreign language is a personal and professional asset â€" so don’t miss an opportunity to learn it!So how do you find a way of learning English and practising it as a non native speaker?Should you find an English school, private educational institution or a personal tutor?Here is our advice on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).The Cost of ESOL ClassesWhat is the normal hourly rate for English tuition?Taking a language-learning course comes with a price. Learning foreign languages is becoming trendy as more and more learners see the benefits of being a linguist.Whether you want to improve your E nglish for personal or professional reasons, you’ll have to make the same decision: which teaching organisation to choose.As you will probably know, a Google search for “English courses” will produce a number of tutoring companies and private organisations.A quick glance at websites such as Wall Street English will tell you that studying English can be costly.So what are the alternatives?Turning to a one to one tutor is a good option.You will find courses for beginners, intermediates and for advanced speakers who wish to improve their language skills.Superprof offers a large choice of qualified and experienced private tutors. Read their tutor profiles and take a look at what other students think in the reviews section.Prices vary depending on the level of the student (beginner, intermediate or advanced), as well as the length of the course and the tutor’s level of qualification.So, why not search for a tutor in your area and see if you can be persuaded by the other studentsâ €™ reviews.Prices for one on one English classes vary from city to city.Tutors in Paris charge far more than tutors in the French countryside.It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the general tariffs in your nearby towns before making a decision!If travelling a few more miles for your lessons means you save money, why not take advantage?Make sure you shop around when looking for an English tutor ¦ source: Pixabay - loufreYour tutor’s hourly rate will vary depending on their profile.This means you can learn from an undergraduate for cheaper tutoring services.If, on the other hand, you are an advanced learner who wishes to improve their usage of idiomatic phrases or learn to speak British English, choose a highly experienced or native English speaking tutor. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1 st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsMaking Your ESOL Course Cost-EfficientDo you doubt the value-for-money aspect of your private tuition?Benefit from the full attention of a one to one educator to improve your English fluency.Discuss your doubts with your tutor. Why not write down some questions to ask before each lesson?Learning a language requires commitment â€" so take your lessons seriously. Make sure you set out a learning plan with specific goals and deadlines to give yourself the motivation to work hard.Here is all you need to know to get the most out o f your English lessons online.Focus on Your WeaknessesWhat do you struggle with in English? It could be verb conjugation, reading and writing skills, English listening skills, vocabulary or even tricky pronunciation.Ask your tutor to concentrate on the specific area of difficulty.This is the first step in optimising your English lessons.Do Your HomeworkIf you’re still at school or in college, you’ll have homework to complete for your teachers.For your language lessons, your homework may be based on comprehension or helping you improve your vocabulary.You can ask your private tutor to help you with your school homework by helping you with difficult questions or explaining things further.If you have an upcoming English test or exams, take advantage of your tutor by asking them to help you with your test preparation.Your tutor can also help you prepare for the Test of English for International Communication or TOEIC.Speak EnglishSpeaking English with your tutor will help you get us ed to confidently using your oral skills. Having any conversation in a foreign language is good for helping improve your fluency.Actively practising your English speaking skills will help your overall command on the language ¦ source: Visualhunt - Kevin CurtisIn addition, good pronunciation is essential to becoming a skilled English speaker.So, put the effort into speaking and work hard to perfect your English pronunciation so that one day, you may be truly fluent!How to Choose the Right ESOL Teacher for YouThere are thousands of personal english tutors around the world, but how do you choose the right one?First of all, taking supplemental English lessons is a brilliant way to make rapid progress.This is because your language lessons can be personalised according to your needs.It is also more enjoyable to involve another person in your learning rather than teaching yourself.With private tutoring, the choice is yours. You can take lessons in person or online â€" telephone English le ssons are also available!Making the Choice Between a Certified Teacher and a StudentIt all depends on what you’re looking for.Maybe you feel more at ease with a student, or perhaps you feel reassured with the experience of a school teacher.You should equally ask yourself whether you prefer a more academic approach, or if freedom helps you learn.If you prefer more freedom in your learning, choosing a native English speaker is probably the right option for you.It is important that you make potential tutors aware of your availability so you can get into a routine with your learning.Deciding on an ESOL tutor depends on the type of English you want to master.For example, if you want to learn business English, opt for a professional English course where you will be taught by business English specialists.When the time comes for job interviews, don’t be afraid to emphasise your linguistic skills â€" this will make you an attractive candidate!Set Out Your Must-Haves in a TutorYour tutor must be patient, know how to adapt their methods to your personal learning style, speak as much English as possible, listen to you, help you overcome any difficulties and encourage you!But where should you look for tutors? Local adverts, tutoring agencies, and word of mouth are a good place to start.Tutoring platforms  such as Superprof are as equally as popular among tutors who want to advertise their services. Choose Superprof for competitive prices and the ability to find the best tutor for you down to the very last detail.English as a Second Language Tutors for Parents Who Don’t Speak EnglishSome parents of pupils learning English do not speak it at all and cannot, therefore, help their children with their learning.  Here is our advice for parents who don’t speak English:Try to learn at the same pace as your childEncourage your child to speak English to youDon’t attempt to translate word-for-wordHave a meeting with the tutorBuy English textbooks relating to your course con tentTake evening classes or online lessons to learn EnglishHow Long Does it Take to Learn English with a Private Tutor?The time you take to improve your English skills depends on several factors:Your Starting LevelBeginners will need a few months to a year, whereas if you already know the basics, you can improve your English proficiency in just a few weeks!Your Choice of English TutorYour private tutor is useful for learning English in a methodical way so that you will no longer need to rely on dodgy online translation tools.If you are looking for english courses london, don't hesitate to check our platform!Choose your tutor wisely for the best results ¦ source: Visualhunt - Masaru GotoIt is important that you choose a tutor who can help you make significant progress.Many tutors offer a free first lesson  which gives you the chance to find out whether their learning strategies suit you.In addition, tutors who speak a language fluently will be able to help you with your pronunciatio n and accent, so native speakers can understand you.Lastly, make sure your tutor uses resources and worksheets which suit your level of English so you’re not overwhelmed or bored with your lessons.Your Personal InvolvementYour determination is a crucial aspect of achieving success in your learning.Private tutors can also be used to provide intensive courses.Shakespeare’s English is far more complex than it appears. There are certain things you must learn by heart such as English vocabulary, grammar and irregular verbs.If you want to learn English quickly, why not try an intensive course?Reaching a good level of English demands regular practice.Set yourself one goal per week. The progress you make will be noticeable after just a few months.If you overhear a stranger speaking English, try to start a conversation with them!You can also learn English with online tutoring.Online learning means you can work from the comfort of your own home whenever you want. Feeling more at-ease with your learning will help with your overall confidence in English.There are also plenty of opportunities to learn English for free online with apps like Duolingo.You can also have a look at British websites such as the British Council or BBC Learning English.The internet offers a fantastic way to learn to read and write in English outside of your private lessons.Finally, why not look into spending some time in an English-speaking country? Immersing yourself in the native culture is the best way to improve quickly.Studying English has never been so accessible! And what’s more, it can help you to make new friends.You could stay with an English-speaking host family as an au pair, for example.Studying abroad is also available at many universities and higher education institutions, so explore your options!Leaving for a foreign country will give you lots of valuable experience and looks great on your CV. So, England or Australia?

Back to Basics Review Present Simple and Modals

Back to Basics Review Present Simple and Modals I dont know if youve heard, but a has started, and its amazing.  So, in the spirit of great David Attenborough documentaries, our listening exercise today is a clip from another one of his  incredible  shows-Africa.  Before we watch the clip and complete the exercises, lets review some basic grammar concepts: present simple and modal verbs.  Sometimes, when youre  learning a language and improving a lot (thanks to our talented LOI instructors!), its important  to make sure you  have a solid base.  Even advanced students need reminders about these conjugations at times.  As always, we love to hear from you, so write your answers in the comments section below!Present SimpleForm: (I/You/We/They) + (verb)     (He/She/It) + (verb)srepeated actions (hobbies, habits, daily events)  facts, generalizations  events in near futurenow (non-continuous verbs: be, have, need, want, like, hate, and more.)Practice:He (is not needing/does not need) help right now.My flight (leave/leaves) tomorr ow at 11:00.New York (are/is) a big city.I (wake/wakes) up at 7:00 each day.I (is/am) at your apartment now.Click here for more present tense conjugation practice.Modal Verbs:Form: (Subject) + (modal) + (base verb)Uses:Practice:You (could to be/could be) right.He (couldnt find/couldnt found) his car keys.Could (you gives/you give) me a ride to school?She  (cans watch/can watch) the game tonight.They (must to go/must go) to the repair shop.He (doesnt must go/must not go).The Drongo __  the Kalaharis greatest _________, and these ___ his victims.After warming  up in the morning sun, the meerkats _____  their search for breakfast.The Drongo ___ now _____ his tricks, but he _____ first ___ the confidence  of his victims.He _____ an eagle on the hunt and ______ a warning, one that _____ the meerkats gratefully scurrying to safety.Now, he ___ their trust.He ______ another warning, but this time, ___ a false alarm.The meerkats fell  for it.  The idiom, to fall for means to believe somethi ng without reservation.  Do you often fall for someones tricks?How is  the Drongo a trickster?This all _____ too easy.  He _____ the same trick again.The meerkats arent stupid.  Theyll only ____ for it once.No meerkat ___ _______ that.  Sentries never ___.  But, the sentry ____ no danger.Of course, ___ the Drongo.Now, he ___ _____ his prize.timelines source

5 Tips for Getting Organized in 2020

5 Tips for Getting Organized in 2020 The start of a new year, a holiday seasons worth of clutter, and stores offering deals on every kind of bin and container imaginable is inspiring many of us to get our homes organized. Its no secret that getting and staying organized is a challenge for kids with ADHD and for many of their parents. Unfortunately, the same executive functioning challenges that make it difficult to get organized also make it harder for kids with ADHD to function in a disorganized space. When a home is more organized and less cluttered kids with ADHD lose things less often, have an easier time making decisions about what to wear or what to bring to school, are better able to follow through on their routines in the morning and before bed, and can get homework done with fewer distractions. While its important to teach kids with ADHD organizational skills, the first step in helping your kids stay organized is to first become more organized yourself. If this sounds easier said than done your not alone. While most parents of kids with ADHD want to create an organized environment, following through and actually creating and maintaining organization at home is a challenge that can sometimes feel out of reach. In fact, staying organized when you have a child with ADHD is hard! Why? Well, many parents of kids with ADHD have at least some symptoms of ADHD themselves, and difficulty with organization may be one of those symptoms. On top of this, having a child with ADHD puts extra pressure on parents, often leaving them without the time or energy needed to maintain a complicated organization system. And keeping up with extra clutter and mess that a child with ADHD might create at home can wreak havoc on even the most organized among us. While your home may never look like the cover of a home organization magazine, it is possible to create and maintain an organized enough home even when your family is affected by ADHD. Here are 5 tips to get you started: Start small and go slowly. Resist the urge to do everything at once, and view getting organized as something that will happen slowly, in chunks of time spaced out over weeks or months. Tackle one area of your home at a time this may mean starting with one corner of a room, or one drawer in a dresser. Really, no area is too small as long as it feels manageable. Assess your stuff. Resist the urge to run out and buy the bins and organizers that are tempting (or taunting) you in the stores. Instead, start by pulling everything out of the space you plan to organize and assess what you have. Group similar items together in piles and throw away anything that you dont absolutely need. Buy storage containers and organizers that are a good match for your stuff and your needs. You will probably need to purchase a few bins or drawer organizers if you want to stay organized long term. So, make sure the things you buy will actually fit the stuff you have. Focus on organizers that will help you keep the things you use every day accessible and will allow you to store the things you use rarely out of the way in labeled bins or boxes. Keep the solutions simple. The best organization systems are the ones that you and your family can maintain quickly and easily. So, keep it simple and choose function over appearances. Little things can make a big difference, like storing frequently used items in open bins on a floor or bench instead of in bins with lids stacked in a closet. Why? Kids (and adults) will ADHD often struggle to follow-through on anything that requires multiple steps. Using our bins with lids example, a bin stacked in a closet represents a 5-step solution that requires your child to: (1) get the bin out of the closet, (2) take off the lid, (3) drop the item in, (4) replace the lid, and (5) put the bin back in the closet. Instead, if the frequently used item is stored in an open bin on the floor or a bench, your child will simply need to complete 1 step and drop the item in the bin. So, the lidded bin in the closet may look more organized at first, but its not something that will be maintained long-term. Spend a few minutes each day maintaining the solution. Even simple solutions take some time to maintain. Fortunately, most organization solutions can be maintained in just a few minutes each day. During this time replace misplaced items and make adjustments to the system if theres room for improvement. Getting and staying organized may feel like a challenge when your family is affected by ADHD. But if you start small, take it one step at a time, and keep it simple you will end up with a home that functions and works well for your family. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

6 Clever Tricks to Learn Any Language on a Busy Schedule

6 Clever Tricks to Learn Any Language on a Busy Schedule 6 Clever Tricks to Learn Any Language on a Busy Schedule Want to speak another language?Having trouble finding the time to learn?What if I told you that with a little creativity and planning ahead, you could  work language learning into a busy schedule?Thats rightâ€"language learning is not just for  students, retirees and the independently wealthy!While getting comfortable in a  whole new language takes a substantial time investment, its definitely doable.The trick is to weave as much of your language learning  as possible into mundane daily activities that you perform regularly. This gives yourself an opportunity to practice without having to find an extended period of uninterrupted time to devote to language study.This approach not only cuts back the amount of dedicated language learning time youll need, but also has the added benefit of turning many of lifes blander everyday moments into interesting and productive steps on your language learning journey.So here are six tricks to learn any language on a busy scheduleâ€"or, if you want t o look at it from the other side of the coin, six tricks to spice up any daily routine with a little language learning! 6 Clever Tricks to Learn Any Language on a Busy Schedule1. Snooze Your Way to Foreign Language FluencyYouve probably heard that its a good idea to work on your new language right before bed so your brain keeps processing what youve learned during the night and you wake up a bit more fluent than you were before you went to sleep. But have you ever tried doing a little language learning immediately after waking up?Yes, I realize that at first glance this seems like an absolutely terrible idea. If youre anything like me, your state of mind immediately after waking is such that brushing your teeth is mildly challenging, preparing a decent cup of coffee makes full use of your mental faculties and learning a new language is completely out of the question.However, consider that you can start your day off with some language learning without even having to get out of bedâ €"thats starting to sound better, right? If you have an alarm clock or, more likely, a smartphone that lets you use custom alarm ringtones, simply create some voice memos involving new vocab words, grammatical structures or whatever else you want to “study” while cowering in bed and wondering how it can be morning again already.By using these memos as alarm sounds, youll have your brain fired up for language learning right from the break of day. This moves a little slice of your language practice into that gap between the time your alarm gets going and the time you get going. The best part of this technique is that the more times you hit snooze, the more you learn!There are several smartphone apps that let you set voice memos as custom alarms. For instance, the Wake Up Babe iPhone app allows you to “wake up to the sexy sounds of your boyfriend or girlfriends voice, while a romantic song plays in the background”â€"or, for our purposes, wake up to the sexy sound of new foreign language vocab words while a romantic song plays in the background.My Voice Alarm is another iPhone app that lets you record our own alarm sounds. Over in Android land, apps like Recording Alarm Clock and Voice Alarm will do the trick.If youre an iPhone user and dont feel like downloading any new apps, you can also just create voice memos and add them as alarms using iTunes. Doing these in batches is a good way to avoid having to sync up through iTunes every day. Or, if you want to take your learning-while-snoozing game up a notch, you can buy this alarm clock that lets you add custom sounds. It has the bonus feature of being able to actually leap off your nightstand and roll around your floor when it goes off (although, personally, the idea that my alarm clock could spontaneously come to life and begin moving around at its own discretion is enough to keep me from falling asleep at night).Even if youre like me and feel little inclination to do anything other than guzzle coffee most mornings, give this technique a shot. You might be surprised to find that you can actually get some language learning done even while hitting the snooze button like your life depends on it. At the very least, youll get some speaking practice in just recording the voice memos!2. Link Language Learning to Everyday TasksThe average person drinks about half a gallon of water a day. If you think about it, half a gallon is a lot of water, and drinking this much water a day is a significant commitment. It would take a fair amount of time to drink half a gallon of water in one sitting!But you never hear anyone say “Oh, Id like to drink half a gallon of water a day, but Im just too busy!” or “My schedule is packedâ€"I think Im going to have to skip my half-gallon of water today” or “I really want to drink half a gallon of water a day, but I guess Ill have to wait until I retire.” The one ingenious trick used by billions of people who manage to fit drinking half a gallon of water a day into their busy schedules, of course, is that they take many smaller helpings of water at regular intervals throughout the day.So if you want to fit half a gallon of language learning into your daily routine, why not use the same approach? One easy way to do this is to link your language learning to the little tasks you perform dozens of times over the course of a day. Promise yourself, for example, that youll learn a new vocab word every time you take a drink of water.Your thirst will then act as a periodic reminder not just to get a drink of water, but to keep on top of your language learning. Plus, youll be doing part of your language learning in frequent little sips rather than trying to find time in your busy schedule to gulp everything down at once. (This language learning strategy can also double as an educational drinking game, although not one Id necessarily recommend.)By binding your language practice to repetitive everyday tasks, youll turn routine daily chores int o powerful language learning tools and get in your half-gallon of language study before you even know it. The power of this technique is limited only by your imagination and the repetitiveness of your daily routine!Heres a place where being addicted to checking your smartphone can actually work to your advantage. If you commit to, say, learning a new word and using it in a sentence every time you look at your cell  phone, youll be amazed at your progress (or, worst case scenario, youll start thinking twice before reaching to see if you have any new text messages).3. Use Flashcards Without BordersIf youre a flashcards kind of person, you probably already know that flashcards are great way to integrate language learning into your everyday life. Theyre portable, convenient and extremely powerful. (And if youre not a flashcards kind of person, you should think about becoming one.)But if youre trying to learn a language on a busy schedule, sometimes just having flashcards isnt enough. So metimes you need a reminder even to look at your flashcards in the first place.And this is one place where going old-school and making some actual paper flashcards can help. Once youve written up your flashcards, distribute them across different places where youre bound to run into them as you go about your daily business. Put a couple in your kitchen to find when you wake up in the morning, leave a few in your car, place some on your desk at the office, and so on.Then as you go through your day, youll have regular chances to review a few vocab words at a time (or whatever else you decide to put on the flashcards) without having to make any effort whatsoever to schedule in your language learning. When you finally lie down to go to sleep at the end of your day, youll be surprised at how much youve learned with so little effort. And you may be equally surprised to find a few more forgotten flashcards lurking under your pillow, so you can get in some last-minute vocab review before sli pping off into dreamland.4. Immerse Yourself with FluentUAnother perfect way to get daily language practice is with FluentU. Whether you prefer using the website on your computer/tablet or the app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store, this powerful language immersion platform makes it easy to fit entertaining learning into your day.FluentU provides you with a huge collection of authentic videos  that span  a variety of topics and levelsâ€"from complete newbie all the way to native.  Whatever youre looking forâ€"whether you love cartoons, wildlife documentaries, news features, blockbuster hits or pop musicâ€"FluentU has it. And the collections always growing!FluentU isnt just watching videosâ€"its about learning and actively practicing the language you hear in videos. Use the interactive subtitles, flashcards, downloadable audio/transcripts and vocabulary lists to learn native phrases better than ever!  Get the most out of your listening by spending time in FluentUs unique learn mode to learn all that the clip has to offer. Learn mode takes your learning history into account, asking questions based on what you already know, which  sets  you up for success.FluentU knows exactly when its time for you to review a term, so  it does all the tracking for you. Even just five  minutes  a day reviewing or learning on FluentU will keep you constantly progressingâ€"watch as your number of words learned climbs!5. Narrate the World Around YouFor a language learning strategy that you can use literally anywhere, try practicing your new language by keeping a running narrative of the world around you. Besides giving you a chance to review all the words and grammatical structures you know, and to build fluency by keeping a running monolog, this technique is infinitely adaptable.Walking down the street? Try narrating the things happening around you.Waiting in line? Talk about the other people you see and even make up stories about them (using your inner voiceâ€"not out loud, of course!).Stuck in a boring meeting? Maybe describe what the meeting is about and try translating some of whats being said.In addition to being a useful tool to help you learn any language on a busy schedule, narrating the world around you is a great way to practice thinking on your feet in a new language. Responding to the things happening around you will help you get better at drawing on your new language on the fly, and having all the new words and grammatical structures youre learning ready at your fingertips.6. Write on the GoOne of the best tricks to learn any language on a busy schedule is to start a language learning notebook and make it your bester Freund. If youre already keeping a vocabulary book, all the betterâ€"just block off a section you can use to start building your written fluency while youre on the go.Depending on your personal preferences, there are a few ways to do this. If youre the practical type, you can integrate your language practice into everyday orga nizational tasks by using your language learning notebook mainly for to-do lists and notes-to-self. If youre more introspective, you can start keeping a diary in your new language, writing down your experiences and thoughts whenever you have a chance. If youre feeling creative, you can even try maintaining a notebook of stories and poems. Or, if you like variety, you can go for some mixture of all three!Writing on the go is basically the written equivalent of narrating the world around you. Its a highly adaptable technique thats great for fluency-building. If you use these strategies to integrate writing and speaking practice into your daily routine, plus  the other strategies listed above, youve already relocated a huge chunk of your language study into the little empty spaces that recur throughout everyday life.In the end, you wont be able to get rid of dedicated language study time altogether. To return to the nutritional analogy: Even if you drink your half-gallon of water in li ttle sips over the course of the day, youll still want to eat dinner at night (its just not practical to eat your dinner in periodic bites over a span of 12 hours).But the trick is to make sure you dont have to eat your dinner and drink half a gallon of water at the same time. Use these techniques to integrate a good portion of your speaking/writing and vocab practice into your everyday routine, leaving only the essentials for your dedicated language learning time.And before you know it, “I wish I could learn a language, but I just dont have time” will become “I didnt think I had  time to learn a language, but I learned one anyway cause Im a boss!”

What the Filibuster is Going on in D.C.

What the Filibuster is Going on in D.C. Photo from Calwatchdog.com If youre like most Americans  youre probably wondering why things on Capitol Hill have gotten so dysfunctional recently. After all, the current 112th congress has only passed 200 public laws, the lowest level since World War II. So, what could possibly be the cause of this abysmal output? The short answer is: the filibuster, an endless debate on the senate floor to keep legislation from being put up to a vote. If youve ever seen the movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, his speech at the end was a typical filibuster. How is this causing all of the gridlock? Its a bit of a fuzzy picture, but in order to get past a filibuster, the senate must invoke something called cloture, which  forcibly  stops all debate, by a three-fifths majority or 60-40 assuming all senators vote. The process of invoking cloture takes up a lot of time by itself and even if a cloture motion passes, there are six other points in the process at which an opponent of the legislation can filibuster. Now, one might argue that the filibuster is a crucial tool for the minority to check the power of the majority and I would completely agree. The problem with the filibuster stems from the fact that there arent really any criteria limiting the filibuster. Any senator can filibuster any bill for any reason and most of the time the filibuster is applied to a motion to proceed, which is how bills make it to the floor, so most filibustered bills arent even debated, undermining the very concept. Until recently, filibusters were extremely rare and when they did come up people took notice because these senators were talking for  over 24 hours. Why then arent we hearing about these marathon speeches day in and day out? Photo from ncpeaceaction.org Because theyre not happening. There isnt a lot of filibustering going on in congress but there is much threatening to filibuster. These silent filibusters happen before the bill makes it to the floor.  The reason threats of filibustering are just as effective as actually filibustering has to do with senate majority leaders of both parties wanting to get things done. If a senator informs the majority leader that he or she intends to filibuster, normally the majority leader will just remove that from the agenda because a 60-vote majority for cloture is rarely attainable in congresses as divided as in recent times. How should we go about fixing this problem? Recent efforts of Democrats in the senate have shown a desire to reform the rules of filibustering so that any work can get done in congress. By October of 2012, this congress had only passed 2.8% of the bills that made it to the floor as illustrated in the graph above. Congress works based on simple 51-49 majority most of the time; requiring a super majority of 60 votes or more is only called for in very specific circumstances.  Due to the current abuse of the filibuster, however, the minority party has the power to make a 60 vote majority the de facto requirement to getting any legislation passed. Democrats are proposing a change to the way filibusters happen in order to restrict the number of opportunities to filibuster, especially concerning filibustering a bill before it reaches the floor, and filibustering a bill before it goes to conference committee. The biggest proposed change is to require what proponents are calling a talking filibuster wherein a senator who wants to block legislation must stand on the floor and make their case for as long as they want to block the bill, or, to put it another way, filibuster exactly the way senators used to filibuster. Are the Republicans okay with these proposed changes Dont be silly! The Republicans are pretty upset by these proposed changes.  The current senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) says that his partys opposition to the filibuster change comes from their frustration over being denied the opportunity to add amendments to bills because all the available slots had been filled by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nv.).  He says that because of this amendment tree filling the filibuster is the only way Republicans have their voices heard.  I take issue with this stance for many reasons. The amendment tree  has been filled by Reid during this congress but it has only happened 22 times. To further confound the issue, Reid claims to have filled the tree because the amendments the republicans wanted to add were so called poison pill amendments designed to make the legislation unacceptable resulting in its failure to pass. To me, the idea that the filibuster is how Republicans currently  get their voices heard is laughable because a bill can be filibustered before its debated, ensuring  nobodys  voice is heard regarding that bill. What I think is perfectly clear to anyone who looks at the congress today is, something absolutely has to be done. If the minority party (though both parties are guilty) cant be trusted with the power of the filibuster, then rules need to be adopted that facilitate debate without derailing the legislative process. Our senate was intended  to work with a simple majority, its time we do away with this partisan tactic that necessitates a supermajority. The filibuster is important and gives the minority ample opportunity to give their side of things and stir up debate but thats only when they actually make use of the filibuster instead of just threatening it in order to stall legislation. Besides, it would be a tragedy for them to throw away something thats as much fun to say as  filibuster.

How to Decide What Classes to Take Online and When

How to Decide What Classes to Take Online and When Image via Pexels Deciding What to Take Online Talk to An Advisor: Diving into the uncharted territories of course catalogs on your own can be scary and confusing if you don’t know what to look for or even where to look for it. If you’re having trouble deciding whether or not to take online courses, which courses to take online, when to take online courses, etc., talk to an academic advisor! Some people stray from talking to academic advisors, but doing so can only be to your benefit. Academic advisors are on campus for a reason to help you succeed and assist you with anything you may need! When it comes to selecting courses and registering for classes, reaching out to an academic advisor is a great way to go. Micha Sabovik, the Assistant Dean at Boston University’s College of Communication, comments on the effectiveness of academic advisors, stating, “A quick 15-minute appointment with an advisor can set you on the right track for the semester and beyond.” Get in touch via email or phone call and set up an appointment with an advisor as soon as you can! Image by Alicia Geigel via Canva.com Review Your Requirements (Gen Ed or Core):  One of the most important elements of registering for courses is reviewing your requirements and taking the appropriate courses that correspond with those requirements. Doing so ensures that you’re taking the right classes and are on track to graduating on time. For all college students, there are specific classes to take called “Gen Eds” or general education courses that typically include an English or literature course, a math class, a history course, etc. Other courses are centered around your major and correspond with major requirements. When deciding what classes to take online, consider seeing if you can opt for taking a more laid-back course like a Gen Ed to lessen the load of your daily classes, or see what the options are for fulfilling core major requirements online. Regardless, it’s important to know what you’re working with so you have a solid idea of what to look for when registration comes. Consider Your Major: As stated earlier, it’s obvious (and important) to consider your major when picking courses, both in the classroom and online. When I say, “consider your major” I don’t mean in the traditional, simplistic way like “I have to take x class to fulfill y credits for my major.” Instead, I’m more leaning toward the idea of incorporating key elements of your major into your search of other classes. For instance, I was a Political Science major in college, a major that was writing intensive. So, when looking at classes, I picked courses that had stronger foundations in English and writing, to correspond with my political science courses and also improve those same skills that I would be using so much in my major. Look into courses like these when considering classes online! If you’re undecided: Not everyone in college comes into it knowing exactly what they want to do or what they want to major in. Before I was a political science major, I was a Film and Screen Studies major, so even I had a period of time where I didn’t know what I wanted! Despite this, the great part about college is that you’re exposed to so many new ideas and things you didn’t know about. I ended up learning about how politics influenced film in Latin America while being a Film Studies major, which ended up influencing my decision to switch majors! If you are undecided, explore courses that are of interest to you and test the waters while you have the time and opportunity! It’s ok to not know what you want to do, just give yourself a chance to try new things and discover what your passions are! Evaluate your Schedule: When thinking about taking classes online and when to do so, evaluating your schedule is important. Are you balancing school, a job, and extracurriculars? Do your current home/work circumstances require you to be away from campus more frequently? These are important questions to ask yourself, as they will help you decide whether or not to take online classes and when to take them. If you are away from campus and need more freedom when it comes to classes, online courses may be the best option for you. The convenience of taking online classes is that you don’t have to make the trip to campus, you can learn right from the comfort of your own home. Take risks/Have Fun: College is not solely about working hard and getting the greatest grades, it’s also about expanding your knowledge, ideas, and perceptions of things you otherwise wouldn’t have known about. With that being said, when reviewing what classes you want to take, take some risks and have fun! If you can take a film course or art course that fulfills one of your requirements, go for it! My junior year, I took a course that was about the science in science fiction films! It was so much fun- we got to watch a lot of cool movies, all while learning some interesting things about science, and it was online! While in college, you’ll have so many opportunities to learn and engage in fun ways, so don’t hesitate to explore fun courses when looking for online classes. You won’t regret it! Read Student Reviews: Before signing up for a class, it’s smart to read different student reviews of the course and the professor so you can get an understanding of the material and teaching, and determine whether it matches your learning style. Jan Holloway and Chris Foley of U.S. News write, “Student reviews can answer questions about interaction with classmates, time management and required technology. The range of experiences they convey will broaden your awareness of the challenges and benefits of online learning, answer questions and debunk common myths.” So, dive into some student reviews or even ask your peers about the classes you’re interested in before signing up- it will help out in the long run! Things to Keep in Mind     Distractions:  Because the online instructional method is different than being in a classroom, your obligations and priorities are different. You are more vulnerable to distractions because of the mere fact that your class is online and requires you to be on a browser. Unfortunately, there are many distractions that can be super tempting when you’re working on schoolwork for your online course, such as: engaging in social media, texting, listening to music, and watching TV. To help minimize distractions, set yourself a timer for 10-15 minutes, indulge in your Twitter feed or texting your s/o, then get back to work. Once you set a time limit for yourself, you’ll not only feel better after your break but you’ll also be able to jump right back into work. Attendance: Part of the reason why online classes are so great is due to the fact that attendance is not as strict and rigid as regular classroom attendance. In contrast to the traditional classroom method, most online courses do not typically hold attendance. Instead, credit is given in the form of either weekly quizzes, discussions, or assignments. Some online courses, depending on which kind you choose, can hold sessions weekly at a specific time, which in that case, attendance would be mandatory in order for you to engage effectively in the course. Regardless of the online course you select, you are in control, which means you can decide whether you want a more open course or rigid one with exact times! Image via Pexels Evaluate the routine of your teacher/course: Not all teachers run their courses the same way, and when it comes to online courses, you will find that some teachers hold virtual meetings while others encourage discussion board participation. Evaluating these differences is important when it comes to your learning style because you can distinguish which kind of approach works best for you and which ones don’t come as easy. Because of the nature of online courses, teachers and professors have to be mainly available through email or some other form of contact, which allows for you to get in touch with them at any time to voice any questions or concerns you have about your learning pace or your progress in the course. Being in contact with your professor in an online course is especially important since they aren’t physically there all the time to notice if you are struggling and/or what you are struggling with. Hours Spent Online: Just like a regular classroom course, an online course requires hours of invested time. For example, almost all online courses have some form of classroom engagement, whether that is through a voice-thread post or discussion board entry. Discussions allow you to share your knowledge of the topics and lessons of the week as well as bring forward any questions you wish to ask fellow students. In most cases, instructors will ask a prompt and require you to answer the prompt based on the knowledge of the lessons given that week. Following your response, instructors typically request that you respond to another student’s answer to the prompt with either an agreement, disagreement, or another question.   In addition to discussion posts, Stephanie Larson of US News states that your teacher may require you to watch/listen to lectures, participate in group projects and complete other assignments such as a quiz, homework exercise, or exam. Transfer Credits: One very important thing that many students forget to take into consideration when looking into online classes is whether or not the credits will transfer to their institution. Now, this is only the case if you were taking a course(s) at a different school than your main, however, it is still knowledge that all students should know. Perhaps you’re taking a course over the summer to lessen the number of credits you take in the fall, or maybe you need an easy course to take to fulfill certain criteria in your major- regardless, connect with an academic advisor before enrolling to make sure that the credits transfer correctly and how you expect them to. You don’t want to waste time or money on a course that doesn’t count toward anything! Deciding what classes to take online and when to take them can be difficult without the proper help. When considering to take courses online, reach out to an advisor and review your requirements and student reviews to help you decide, but don’t forget to have fun too! Always remember that taking courses online does not make you any less of a student or whatever criticism you may have heard before. Everyone has different wants and needs, and online courses can be a great option to balance your classes and college life!