6 Things ALL Great Musicians Should Have

6 Things ALL Great Musicians Should Have Suzy S. As a budding musician, you already know that reaching your goals requires a quality instrument to practice on, a positive mindset, and a commitment to hard work. But beyond the obvious equipment, there are several things some of them intangible that can make a big impact on your progress. Heres our list for success: 1. A practice log or journal. A practice log is absolutely essential to your success!  Keeping track of what youve been working on, what your next goal is, and what you need to practice to get there will help you avoid idle, ineffective practice sessions.  For TakeLessons students, your teacher will complete a journal entry after each lesson, which can be viewed in your online account.  Some teachers may encourage you to keep a written journal, as well.  Either way, your journal is an invaluable tool for staying on track at all times. 2. A great teacher. No matter how much natural talent you think youre born with, every successful musician has a great teacher behind them at some point. With a trained ear and professional experience, a great teacher will be able to help you focus on your goals, recognize bad habits you might be overlooking and best of all, will keep you motivated and having fun! (Dont have a great teacher yet? Search for a teacher near you and book your timeslot with TakeLessons!) 3. Sheet music (and an understanding of how to read it). Sheet music or guitar tabs are a given, but its the latter part that is a controversial topic for some musicians.  Is learning how to read music really necessary? We say yes.  With an understanding of music theory and how chords are created, your skills as a musician will improve drastically.  Youll be able to improvise easier, improve your sight reading and ear training abilities, and ultimately increase your options as a professional musician (imagine composing your own tune and having a large orchestra perform it!). (Having trouble getting the sheet music you need?  Here are our favorite resources for finding sheet music online.) 4. A metronome. Practicing with a metronome albeit a bit  monotonous will help you a ton as you are learning difficult time signatures, mastering tough passages in your music, and learning to play faster and more efficiently.  Dedicate a portion of your practice time to the metronome, and you may find yourself hitting the notes with much better accuracy. Using a metronome is especially important for learning jazz styles and other syncopated rhythms. 5. Recording device. Recording and listening to yourself is helpful for all musicians, from brass players to singers.  Similar to the role of a teacher, listening from a third person point of view can help you determine areas that need more practice and other subtle nuances.  Note: This doesnt mean you need to run out and buy expensive recording equipment; many mobile phone apps and computer programs, such as Garage Band, have recording and playback abilities. 6. Inspiration. Alright, so this one may seem like a bit of a stretch, but it is something all great musicians needs to have.  Without inspiration, your practice sessions will become dull, and your motivation may decline. But the good news?  Inspiration can come from anywhere.  So listen to music whenever you can, and listen to every genre.  Keeping your creativity intact can be especially difficult if music is a side hobby, so make sure you continue stimulating that creative side at every opportunity. Suzy S., TakeLessons staff member and blogger Havent subscribed to our email list yet?  Get even more insider tips and music advice, straight to your email inbox!  Subscribe here! You might also like Stop Stressing: 3 Remedies for Musical Frustration How to Audition Like the Pros: 5 Secrets Excel at Music By Acting Like a Child Photo by Finding Josephine.

What are the Best Drawing Pencils

What are the Best Drawing Pencils How to Choose your  Artist Pencils ChaptersA Brief History of the PencilChoosing the Right Pencil TypesArt Pencils: Brands and QualityRound Out Your Drawing SkillsA man is only as good as his tools - Emmert WolfeDoes that mean that top quality pencils will guarantee you a masterpiece pencil drawing?Not necessarily.You won't find any art teacher recommending magic charcoals or paints, although plenty would recommend taking art lessons.That is where you will find magic!A few art classes will most certainly help you learn basic drawing and art fundamentals.Before you enroll â€" or just after, you might consider investing in a few implements every visual artist requires for his métier. You may wonder:What would be considered a suitable starter kit for an absolute beginner drawing class?Which pencils should you select?Should you buy a kneaded eraser or an ordinary rubber?What tools are used to create shading? A line drawing? A pen and ink drawing?What size and type of graphite pencil would be best?Oh, the questions a burg eoning artist might ask!Posing them to any art supply store clerk might yield dubious results: is s/he there to sell things, or might she be an artist herself, and therefore knowledgeable on the topic of art supplies?It is almost endemic to the field that each artist has his favourite brand of colored pencils and drawing paper.You, the novice artist, have not yet developed such fetishes. You are still at the doodle stage, trying everything out, on the quest to see how this medium or other works for you.As long as you are open to suggestion, let Superprof offer up a few...A pencil used for writing is substantially different than one used for art Source: Pixabay Credit: StockSnap there are no hard and fast rules on how to contour or outline, and there are no exact shading techniques to recommend.As your style evolves from doodles and stick figures to pencil portraits, you will discover the right pencils for your style: for contour drawing, for shading, for outlining and for cross hatc hing.Art Pencils: Brands and QualityIt is important to choose a well-known, reputable brand of pencils and colored pencils for your basic drawing lessons.  Just as a painters need great brushes to make the most of their  paints, a pencil artist needs good pencils to make great art.Some 'leads' may be exceedingly grainy, inadvertently making tiny furrows on your drawing paper. Later, as you paint your drawing with watercolors, these lines would be revealed, creating an undesirable effect.Another reason to invest in quality pencils is that the lead is less likely to break off, saving you money in the long run.No two pencils will have exactly the same hardness, even if they are from the same manufacturer.It is therefore important that you spend a bit of time trying out various pencils before settling on any particular ones.While shopping around for pencils, you may benefit from sellers' advice.Or, if you are wary of sellers â€" whose primary job is to move inventory, you could talk to other portrait artists or art school enrollees in the store, who might have more experience buying quality goods.If you are an absolute beginner, you might investigate a few name brands with strong tradition and good reputation in the art world.These are a few name brand art supplies that have stood the test of time and proven themselves repeatedly:Faber Castell: these pencils should be a part of any artist's basic kit, especially the 6H and the 8BDerwent also offers quality graphite pencils. These graphite pencils are available from 8H to 9bStaedtler: the Mars Lumograph models are particularly high-end. The 6H and 8B are especially sought after, in art circles.Kooh-I-Noor: Also a well-known brand in art instruction. Their 1500 series makes any perspective drawing a work of art.H-type pencils are generally used for technical drawings Source: PixabayRound Out Your Drawing SkillsIf graphite pencils are elemental in any artist's arsenal, other implements are equally essential, to draw anything from simple shapes to the human form.With other media, from charcoals to hematite, you can learn other drawing and sketching techniques.Hematite PencilsThese pencils are pigmented with varying degrees of iron oxide found in the same-named rock.Colours derived from this type of rock range from ochre to beige, including orange. You can buy hematite in pencil form; also as chalks and pastels.This type of art instrument is recommended in drawing portraits of a living model, because it allows for deep, rich textures.You might be interested to know that the great master, Leonardo da Vinci, was a proponent of using hematite when creating his works of art.Why not have a framed painting of his on your wall, to inspire you?CharcoalThis medium is an absolute must if you are learning how to draw!As their name implies, charcoal â€" pencils, sticks or crayons, is made by thoroughly charring wood in a form.This char is then combined with gum or wax binders, to achieve varying degrees of h ardness and darkness.The more binder content, the less dark the markings.A charcoal pencil makes for great crosshatching. Depending on the type of paper used, it will also be possible to obtain the finest lines.Rough texture will retain more charcoal. Charcoal on toned paper, especially when used in conjunction with Conté crayons, provides brilliant contrast. Drawing with charcoal makes it possible to get a realistic design and work facial expressions.Once finished, you will have to use a fixative to ensure the holding of the drawing in time.The main drawback of working with charcoal: it is messy.The Pierre NoireMade of ampelite, otherwise known as cannel coal, this black stone pencil yields a deep, dark and dull black effect.This drawing tool was very popular during the Renaissance art movement.It is excellent for face drawing, dimensional drawing and any type of drawing that calls for refinement and precision.Used for figure drawing, its effect is comparable to charcoal, while be ing less messy and offering more exactitude.Non-Photo Blue PencilsA drawing rendered with such a blue pencil has the unique property of disappearing when scanned or copied.These are the pencils of choice for the illustrator or cartoonist.Step by step drawing done in blue line prior to the inking of sketches makes those first, tentative strokes invisible once the   drawing is scanned into a computer for rework.Another advantage of the blue pencil? It is easy to erase and disappears completely, even without being scanned or photographed. Ideal for creations you want to share over an  interactive whiteboard application!Mechanical PencilsWe would be remiss if we did not mention this alternative to the graphite pencil that you have to sharpen.The 'leads' for these pencils are available in different hardnesses and thicknesses, to suit all pencil drawing techniques.However, the time consuming task of changing leads during your drawing tutorial would serve not just in foreshortening your in spiration, but in taking time from your lesson.Still, some who are learning to draw prefer mechanical pencils. You might be one of them but, remember: in the long run, this writing instrument can be more expensive than simple graphite pencils.Finally, to maintain your pencils, do not forget to invest in a good sharpener, but also a tool to blur, the appropriate gums and a sketchbook.With all of this drawing material, you will have no issues with indecision.You will be able to draw a landscape, draw a face, draw animals, draw a still life, draw the human body and even draw cartoons.You only have to learn drawing basics; and then, you can create paintings on canvas!Happy Drawing!Looking for drawing classes in the UK? Search for a private tutor on Superprof:Drawing class London.Drawing lessons BirminghamDrawing lessons Glasgow

American Idol Season 12 Not What it Used to Be

American Idol Season 12 Not What it Used to Be Sign up successful In my opinion, Ms. Minaj has been anything but professional.  After storming off the set like an attention-seeking child,  inexcusably  showing up late to a live taping and then later threatening to quit the show, its no wonder why ratings have dropped dramatically.  Its questionable if FOX is feeding the outlandish behavior of Nicki Minaj simply in order to gain viewers.   The whole point of American Idol is to tune in twice a week to support and vote for your favorite contestant.  Using violence and immature outbursts as means to boost ratings on a television show designed to inspire and unify American pop culture fans during the process of  determining the next winner is counterproductive. American Idol is clearly going through some major growing pains and Minaj may just be the shows teenage antics.   For a reality show that once pulled in 37.44-million viewers, Idol has a lot of making up to do before Season 12 closes. In other Idol news, the results show on March 28, 2013, marked the shows 450th episode.   The singing competition inspired many other reality shows with the same idea, including   NBCs The Voice, currently in its 4th season, and FOXs X-Factor, moving into its 3rd. While no other singing competition show has seen American Idol-level ratings, if viewership continues in the same downward direction, I wouldnt be surprised if  Idol was surpassed as the #1 singing competition show. What do you think about American Idol Season 12? Do you think show is measuring up to past seasons? Leave a comment below! Dylan M., TakeLessons staff member and blogger  You might also like Nail Your Audition for X-Factor and More 5 Insider Tips for The Voice Auditions How Can American Idol Help in Music Lessons? Photo by CHRISTOPHER MACSERAK

Why I Volunteer - Fiona Ss Story

Why I Volunteer - Fiona S's Story Meet triple-threat Fiona S: volunteer, tutor, and qualified teacher. Before volunteering at Deptford Green School with Tutorfair, Fiona worked at the school as a secondary maths teacher. We help her tell the rest of her story below. I begin my chat with Fiona by admitting that I don’t know much about her volunteer experience. She kindly fills me in, “I’ve been tutoring at Deptford for probably a year now, after school on Mondays and during lesson time.” I go to scribble this down quickly when she continues, “I also tutored at a local charity in Camberwell [the Southside Young Leaders Academy] for probably six months, supporting talented black boys in the area. Then I volunteered with the On Track Project, teaching maths to students who are at risk of being permanently excluded, probably for another three months.” While I’m amazed at the time and energy Fiona has dedicated to the education of young people, Fiona herself doesn't appear fazed. “It’s just nice to keep my hand inâ€"to keep connected to schoolsâ€"and to teach on my own terms. It’s a system that allows me to give back and not tear my hair out,” she jokes. It’s a system that is easier for many students, too. As a tutor, Fiona is able to focus on those who most benefit from the extra tuition, but she doesn’t make the sessions mandatory. “I really like that balance; you don't have to be there, but if you want that extra help, then come,” she explains. “I think it's very refreshing to have a bit more freedom. It’s more of a choice, and that creates a very different balance between you and the students.” I ask Fiona if she can think of a particularly exceptional tutoring moment that was fostered by this new relationship between her and her students. “Oh, I’ve got loads. I’m just trying to choose one,” she answers easily. “I really like working with small groupsâ€"that's the fun of teachingâ€"and tutoring back at Deptford Green it gave me the opportunity to tutor students that I’d taught before. There was one student who was very disruptive in class, but being able to work with him one on one, he was a completely different child. That’s what I enjoy the most, working with the students who are really difficult in class, but then they get to be treated differently, and show how special they are.” I know I should let Fiona get back to her fantastic work, but I have one more question. Although it doesn’t sound as though she needs another reason to volunteer, I ask her if there is anything she would like to say to someone who is thinking about volunteering. She says, “I’m really interested in working more with children in care, and volunteering allows me to gain more experience with this group of young people. That’s how I feel about volunteering in general: it's just an amazing way to get experience in a sector you want to work in. You get to specialize and it's on your own terms.” We couldn’t have said it better. Thanks, Fiona! If you're a tutor, teacher or an aspiring educator looking to make a difference, visit the Tutorfair Foundation to find out how you can join the future of tutoring.

Common Wrong Answer Choices on the SAT and ACT Reading

Common Wrong Answer Choices on the SAT and ACT Reading ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog Many to-be ACT and SAT takers absolutely dread the Reading section for a series of totally fair reasons. The passages can be mind-numbingly boring. Questions about tone and author’s purpose seem cruelly subjective. So many of the questions have various answer choices that seem fine. The fact of the matter is that Reading sections on standardized tests tend to be more intimidating than they are legitimately difficult. Sure, the people who write these tests design the Reading section to be dry, but they also write questions and answer choices following some easily identifiable tropes and patterns. Oh, by the way, real people write these exams! There are only so many tricks that test writers have available when coming up with incorrect answer choices. This guide will help you identify the answer choices you should be suspicious of, helping you feel more in control when confronting an unfamiliar reading passage. But First: Why Identify Common Wrong Answer Choices? Many test takers tend to approach the reading comprehension questions on a standardized test the same as they would ordering lunch. They read through all of the whole menu of options for each question and then choose the one that seems most appealing. The people who write these tests hope that’s exactly what someone taking the test will do. A big part of their game is providing test takers with a number of answer choices that look appealing on first glance. Basically, the people who write these tests are banking on the fact that you know the clock is ticking and you have to choose whatever you think is the best choice fast enough in order to get a shot at the remaining questions. Identifying common wrong answer choices is a great way to beat these standardized tests at their own games. Sometimes, this will help you choose between two answer choices that look equally appealing. Sometimes, it will help you make snap judgements on a question you find really difficult, and therefore help you increase your chance of guessing correctly by eliminating an answer choice you know likely isn’t correct. Identifying common wrong answer choices helps a lot as part of a good process of elimination strategy. Common Wrong Answer Choices, Explained Too extreme: This can apply to questions asking you to describe characters in a story or ones asking you to draw conclusions about a study described in an expository passage. Take answer choice B in this problem: Scary things come to mind when you hear global catastrophe. Always ask yourself if it’s easier to support the more extreme answer choice or the less extreme one. Here we also have answer choice D, which reads political problem. A more extreme â€" and therefore harder to prove â€" statement is not as good of an answer as an equally accurate and more flexible one. Generalizations: Similarly, beware of answer choices that allow for too much interpretation. You will need to choose an answer that is reasonably specific. Answer choice A from this question is a good example of such a generalization: The phrase “always largely fictitious” sticks out like a sore thumb. Always is in and of itself a generalization and you want to be wary of any answer choice that starts that way. Always is hard to support unless explicitly stated in the page. Even worse, though, is this part of the phrase largely fictitious. What does that even mean? Is it totally fictitious or largely, but not entirely, fictitious? How could something be always mostly but not entirely fictitious? Half right means all wrong: Watch out for answer choices that contain some valid information alongside something that doesn’t really match the passage. These tend to be the most tempting wrong answer choices, since they look appealing when you’re just trying to pick something and move on. This is a hard one to provide an example question for since you really need the context of the passage. But remember, if just part of an answer choice can be supported by the passage, it should always be tossed out in favor of an answer choice that can be entirely supported by a passage. The better answer choice should be the one that’s hardest to eliminate. Off-topic: Sometimes an answer is bad because it really has nothing to do with the question being asked or the information in the passage. Looking for this type of common wrong answer choice can prove helpful on science-oriented passages, where lots of jargon and unfamiliar science concepts make things confusing. Consider this one: The question asks about small comets, but answer choice A talks about the sun and electricity. It doesn’t make any sense that electricity or the sun would have anything to do with comets, so you can just eliminate that one. Definition is too literal: This one will either apply to vocabulary in context questions or to ones asking what a phrase means. Take this question: Without having read the passage, the most alluring answer is B, since a movie projected in a dark theater is “a show in light.” That’s why this answer choice is here! It doesn’t actually make sense given the passage, but if you skimmed or didn’t really understand what happened in the story then it might make some sort of sense to you. Avoid answer choices that define a word or phrase too literally without any support from the passage. Conclusion Being able to identify common wrong answer choices is an important part of your overall test taking strategy. This skill will improve your time, your accuracy, and lessen stress. When you're able to glance at previously confusing and distracting answers and identify them as incorrect right away, that's one less obstacle to overcome on your way to a fantastic SAT and/or ACT score. About the Author Mike S. is one of our most experienced test prep tutors. Click below for moreinformation on our SAT/ACT test prep packages: SAT ACT

Listen Up The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a Language

Listen Up The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a Language Its time to get back on the right track.As an adult, you might find it frustrating to struggle with language learning while  young kids become fluent just like that  .Youve probably heard people  say, Kids absorb knowledge like a sponge.So why cant it be that easy for you?Well actually, it sort of can.Maybe not exactly as easy, but close to it.Back when your vocabulary was limited to mama and dada, listening  was how you learned new words and phrases.Anything you overheard, your brain soaked up, and eventually you repeated it back.The same method will work for you as an adult, because that’s how your brain is wired to learn a language. There are plenty of other benefits to learning a language through listening, too. Why Learn a Language Through Listening?Learning a language by listening can greatly improve your success in speaking like a native and the speed at which you achieve your language goals.Lets take a look at some of the reasons for this.Some of us just learn better that wayDo you learn best by listening?If so, youre not the only one. A lot of us are the same.While some learn most efficiently by reading books and using flashcards, others are more attuned to aural learning (just a fancy term for learning by listening).For these people, using an audio CD or MP3 program is one of their best bets for becoming fluent.  It’s also a great way to practice speaking the language by responding to audio prompts.In fact, for people who learn best by listening, using other methods can be quite frustrating!So if you know youre an aural learner, don’t worryâ€"there are plenty of resources out there for you, even if your brain is a little slower than when you were three years old.Its a scientifically proven way to learn a language (for all of us)According to science, listening may be the best way to learn a language for everyone, regardless of their usual preferred language style.So its not just those who consider themselves aural learners who can benefit from listening. The rest of us can, too.Studies have shown that being exposed to the spoken language helps the brain absorb it,  even if you don’t understand what’s being said!Research on how the brain processes language has led to the revelation that hearing a language could very well be the most important aspect of a language learning curriculum. It helps our brains adapt to unfamiliar pronunciations and new grammar structures.We may even be able to learn a language in our sleep just by listening to it!Still, you probably already know that learning a language takes a lot of time and dedication, so its important to know youre putting in time and energy where its going to pay off the most. Its good to realize that learning by listening is sure to bring about results.There are lots of great resources out thereIf an aural language learning experience is what gets you to fluency, then audio CD and MP3 programs are the resources that can take you there. In these programs, you hear words , phrases and sentences spoken to you. Practices and exercises give you the opportunity to use  them yourself. These lessons increase in difficulty and complexity in a natural progression.This provides you with constant feedback about how to properly pronounce words and create sentence structures.The best thing about audio programs is that you can start learning by listening at any level. No experience in the language? No problem! By listening to audio resources, your brain will start to pick it up right away.You can easily mix audio with other methodsWhile listening may be a scientifically proven key to learning a language, combining audio programs with other methods will give your brain an extra boost.A comprehensive language learning curriculum may also include textbooks, written exercises, in-person language practice, TV programs, computer tutorials and others.FluentU  combines audio with elements of all of the above by taking real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailer s, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turning them into personalized language learning lessons.Using a combination of different approaches forces you think about language in different ways. It helps you master the breadth of language skills, from writing to participating in real conversation. Try different approaches and see what works for you. It’s not necessary to do everythingâ€"just what helps you make progress learning the language.You can learn at home, during your commute or on the goLearning a language using audio CD and MP3 programs is one of the most convenient ways to boost your fluency. You can listen to them practically anywhereâ€"whether it’s in the car, during your workout or while doing chores around the house.Bored on your commute? Waiting in line at the DMV? Sitting at home with nothing better to do? Turn on your audio language program and get learning! If you have a CD player, or a mobile device that plays MP3s, you can make the most of your do-nothing time with t hese programs.Even if youre just passively listening, your brain will still pick up the language. So if you want to learn a new language, you may as well listen to your audio language programs whenever you find yourself idle. You may be surprised how much learning you can squeeze in!Listen Up: The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a LanguageAt last, we reveal the top audio language learning programs that will skyrocket you to fluency! We carefully considered the options and selected these resources for their value, effectiveness and entertainment.These audio resources are highly valuable for any type of learner. In order to really understand a language, you have to practice your ability to hear it and speak it, which are exactly the skills that audio programs test you on.So listen up, and start acing your language now with audio language learning programs!PimsleurThe gist of the Pimsleur approach is this:You hear the words and phrases in the target language.You hear them in your mo ther tongue.You translate the word from your mother tongue to the target language.The course is based on research by Paul Pimsleur, a linguist who sought to discover the fastest way to learn a language. The length of each course varies from around 15 to 45 hours, depending on the language. The courses are broken up into half-hour sessions. Nearly everything is audio-based, and even the provided reading material is meant to be read along with the audio lessons. More than 50 languages are offered.Pros: With the Pimsleur method, the pressure is on you to respond with the correct translations. This provides a built-in motivation system that inspires you to do better with every attempt. The material from previous lessons is repeated in subsequent levels, so there’s a lot of reinforcement.Cons: There’s limited context provided in the lessons. Most of the vocabulary seems to be oriented toward people traveling for business. Youll learn select words and phrases, but not necessarily thos e that would be most useful to you.Levels:  There are typically up to three or four levels, with 30 lessons per level.Cost:  Price varies by language and format. German, for example, is $450 for a four-level course on MP3 ($970 on CD). All prices are listed on the Pimsleur website.iSpeakiSpeak is an MP3 language learning program from McGraw-Hill that focuses simply on learning new words. The package for each language includes 1500 high-frequency words and phrases, all in MP3 format. Each comes with a visual cue to associate with the word that appears on the screen.Simply load the program onto your MP3 player and select the word or phrase you want to hear. On an iPod, youd find this by going to “Artist” and selecting from a list of themes, then to “Audio” and selecting from a list of topics.Pros: iSpeak is compatible with iPod and most other MP3 players, so no matter your preference of device, you can use iSpeak to help you with your listening skills in the target language. T he portability and simplicity of the program make it a perfect choice for travelers.Cons: The program is limited, with just 1500 words and phrases. It doesnt do much for improving grammar and building conversation skills. There are only a handful of languages available. Still, it’s a convenient way to pick up new terms in select languages, especially if youre a beginner.Levels:  There are no distinct levels. Programs focus mainly on beginning-level vocabulary.Cost:  Programs are reasonably priced.Michel ThomasThis audio-only method provides an opportunity to learn from a “teacher” who reads a lesson and asks you to repeat it. Youre “in class” with two other students also heard on the recording. The course introduces words and phrases that are explained in detail, which you later (along with the other two students) use to construct simple sentences. The total course for each language consists of 12 hours of audio.Michel Thomas was a linguist and language teacher who spoke m any languages and developed a system for rapid language learning. He was highly successful, with diplomats and celebrities numbering among his clients. These audio CDs are based on his methods.Pros: Because there are other students recorded on the lessons, you get to feel like youre really in class, and the progression seems natural. The Michel Thomas method is a more economical alternative to the Pimsleur method. The structure of the course gives you the tools to make real conversation in a short time.Cons: The Michel Thomas method uses a lot of mnemonic devices to help you remember words and phrases. If this doesnt work for you, it may seem tedious. For some, the pace might be too slow, since it’s dependent on the progress of the other two “students.”Levels:  There are no distinct levels, but the program progresses to intermediate difficulty.Cost:  The entire series of each language will run you about $75-100.Living Language Drive TimeThe Living Language Method prides itself on giving language lessons that involve multiple senses. Its regular offerings include CDs and a book in multilevel packages that encompass audio, visual, written and interactive approaches to language learning. The company’s Drive Time series is an audio-based program designed for commuters and anyone looking for language lessons on the go.Each language comes with eight conversational lessons that guide you through vocabulary warm-up exercises, examples and opportunities to practice. You also get a CD of vocabulary words and a listener’s guidebook with vocabulary lists, dialogue scripts and summaries.Pros: The Drive Time series gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Youll progress rapidly through increasingly challenging lessons for a fraction of the price of many other programs. If you like thorough explanations of new material, this course is for you.Cons: It’s not as immersive as some other programs. The structure is very traditional, and with the explanations, there’s a lot of English on the recordings. Some learners may find the pace to be a little on the fast side.Levels: The entire eight-disc series take you from Beginner to Advanced.Cost:  The price is generally in the double digits.BerlitzA well-known name in the linguistic world, Berlitz offers a variety of language learning programs, including those that focus on audio CDs. The focus of their programs are typically conversation-based and centered around real-life conversation. Theres less focus on vocabulary and grammar lists.Berlitz has one-CD sets, like  Spanish in 30 Days, that can get you started for an upcoming trip, as well as multi-CD sets like  Italian Berlitz Basic  that give more in-depth lessons. The contents of each CD can be easily downloaded to an iPod or MP3 player.Pros: There are a lot of different Berlitz products to choose from. Using Berlitz means youll be able to get high-quality books published by the company to complement your audio learning. Berlitz uses the “direc t” or “natural” method that emphasizes learning a language to be able to communicate. For those who want to start using a language right away, Berlitz gets straight to the point.Cons: The quality of the materials on the audio language programs can vary from language to language. With more than 30 language offerings, you might not get what you expected.Levels: Most of their audio-focused products are for beginners. Their Confident series caters to “advanced beginners.” Their textbooks, which come with a CD, come in beginner to advanced levels.Cost:  Price varies widely, but expect to spend in the double digits.Audio CDs and MP3s for language learning can be the next best thing to a personal tutor.Theyll talk to you, prompt you and guide you along as you master speaking your new language. Plus, you can take them wherever you go!Your language learning doesnt have to stop in the classroom or at home.Take it with you, increase your practice time and see your efforts pay off!And One More ThingIf you dig learning real languages, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you ’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.

Angry Birds Help Parents to Entertain Kids this Summer

Angry Birds Help Parents to Entertain Kids this Summer Desperate to drag your kids away from the game console? They just adore Angry Birds? There is a solution! Last time we had fun with the flying kite. Today you are like a magician can bring your kids favourite game Angry birds to real life for fun all summer long. All you need a few plastic balls, permanent marker and many cardboard boxes. Of course you can buy angry birds outdoor action game. But if you want to have real fun with your kids try to create home-made Angry Birds game. They can help you to paint on the bird and pig faces with the permanent marker, build a castle using cardboard boxes in your backyard. In order to make the game more colourful, you can paint some boxes in different colours. For those who need expert help find a drawing sketching tutor. The kids have to toss the angry birds at the pigs and to knock the structure down. And everyone else will have fun watching them play or playing as well. Angry Birds Help Parents to Entertain Kids this Summer Desperate to drag your kids away from the game console? They just adore Angry Birds? There is a solution! Last time we had fun with the flying kite. Today you are like a magician can bring your kids favourite game Angry birds to real life for fun all summer long. All you need a few plastic balls, permanent marker and many cardboard boxes. Of course you can buy angry birds outdoor action game. But if you want to have real fun with your kids try to create home-made Angry Birds game. They can help you to paint on the bird and pig faces with the permanent marker, build a castle using cardboard boxes in your backyard. In order to make the game more colourful, you can paint some boxes in different colours. For those who need expert help find a drawing sketching tutor. The kids have to toss the angry birds at the pigs and to knock the structure down. And everyone else will have fun watching them play or playing as well. Angry Birds Help Parents to Entertain Kids this Summer Desperate to drag your kids away from the game console? They just adore Angry Birds? There is a solution! Last time we had fun with the flying kite. Today you are like a magician can bring your kids favourite game Angry birds to real life for fun all summer long. All you need a few plastic balls, permanent marker and many cardboard boxes. Of course you can buy angry birds outdoor action game. But if you want to have real fun with your kids try to create home-made Angry Birds game. They can help you to paint on the bird and pig faces with the permanent marker, build a castle using cardboard boxes in your backyard. In order to make the game more colourful, you can paint some boxes in different colours. For those who need expert help find a drawing sketching tutor. The kids have to toss the angry birds at the pigs and to knock the structure down. And everyone else will have fun watching them play or playing as well.