How Do You Sing with Vibrato Tips for Beginners

How Do You Sing with Vibrato Tips for Beginners Suzy S. How do you sing with vibrato? Find out how to develop your technique in this guest post by Hayward, CA teacher  Molly R... One of the main things beginning singers tend to worry about is lack of vibrato.  â€œHow do I make it happen?” they ask sometimes at the first lesson. I usually make it very clear right away that you cannot force vibrato! If you do, you can easily damage your voice or create a very ugly “wobble. Vibrato is something you have to LET happen. Here are some tips on how to sing with vibrato: 1) Just like with your finances, you must first check your balance! Are you standing or sitting up straight? Head and shoulders level? Weight in the balls of your feet? Good you’re ready! Make this a habit every time you sing. Step #2 can’t happen without having the body ready first! 2) Pay attention to your breath!  Are you keeping your breathing tension-free? Think of your breath as circular. Vibrato will not develop if you hold onto your breath for any reason as you’ll be trapping your sound! 3) Dont forget support! We breathe low in proper singing, but we must also SUPPORT from below! A helpful exercise to practice is to sing (anything!) while resisting against a wall or a flat surface. This engages the lat muscles and deters you from taking a shallow breath. All of this is strength building with your core muscles, which will also help you learn how to sing with vibrato. 4) Practice really does make perfect. But patience is also key.  Don’t expect to learn how to sing with vibrato overnight. Your body must get used to these new habits it’s all a part of muscle memory. The muscles you use in singing are no different than any other muscles you train. Make time for consistent, proper practice and you will eventually develop vibrato in your voice! Do not overdo it, as enthusiastic as you may be about singing. Listen to your body! Lastly, study with a good voice teacher! If you feel you are trying all of these things and nothing seems like it’s working just yet, you probably hold some sort of tension you’re unaware of. Another set of eyes and ears is the ticket to pinpointing the issue and helping you free your natural voice! Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013. Learn more about Molly  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  Alexandruworld

Online Resources to Help You Develop Interpersonal Skills

Online Resources to Help You Develop Interpersonal Skills The Best Places to Develop Your Interpersonal Skills Online ChaptersWhat are Interpersonal Skills?Why Develop Your Soft Skills?Where to Develop Your Interpersonal Skills OnlineOnline Courses and Tutorials for Developing Your Interpersonal SkillsBlogs and Articles Aimed at Enhancing Your Social SkillsYeah, we know. Learning interpersonal communication skills online seems a little, well, odd â€" to say the least. How can you possibly learn to communicate and interact with others â€" and to get along with them â€" online?Well, it was a question that we asked ourselves, in all honesty. But the power of the internet these days is that there are opportunities to learn anything you might fancy. And that includes interpersonal skills, verbal communication and nonverbal, body language, assertiveness, and everything else you might need to communicate effectively.Obviously, you might have, ultimately, to go out into the world to practise your new personal skills â€" unless you want to practise things like your active listening, your eye contact, and you r tone of voice in front of the mirror at home. Yet, the internet has so many great places to get a grounding in all of these techniques â€" and the theory of why they are important.So, here, we’re going to show you some of the best of the places that give you training in non-verbal communication, in conflict resolution, in work ethic, in empathetic management skills â€" and in all the other things that make up strong interpersonal skills.We’ll be looking, primarily, at blogs and at online courses. So, strap in, and let’s check out what’s on offer. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.92 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover al l our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliverPersonal development Teacher 4.33 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat are Interpersonal Skills?Firstly, though, let’s look again at what we mean by great interpersonal skills.Coming actually with many different names â€" from good communication skills to people skills or soft skills â€" interpersonal skills are those competencies that enable people to effectively communicate and to work effectively with others.And before you ask: yes, these are skills that we develop naturally from birth, and that are an essential part of socialisation and becoming an adult.However, some people are much better at these than others. And, in a working environment in which communication as a skill is one that employers value most, it’s really crucial for both you and your workplac e that you get ensure that you get these down. You can't get by in business without some interpersonal skills.What are Types of Interpersonal Skills?In the online resources for developing interpersonal skills that we list here, some of the skills that appear most commonly range from communication skills through to emotional intelligence:Communication skills are those that facilitate effective communication between people. Yet, these are not just the ability to speak clearly or in full sentences. Rather, they are usually divided into verbal and nonverbal communication skills â€" one when speaking and the other when doing literally anything else. Both are equally important.Listening skills are something that are also essential to communication skills in general â€" because no-one wants to feel as though they are not being listened to.Negotiation and public speaking skills are a specific sort of communication that require a different skill set. This revolves around notions of self-confidence and persuasion.Emotional intelligence is the competency that involves your ability to be aware of and manage your emotional reactions to events. This involves your positive attitude, for example. Because everything interpersonal begins with a relation to the self.There are loads more interpersonal skills that you might be interested in hearing about â€" yet we don’t have space to cover them here. Check out our article, What are Interpersonal Skills?, for more information.Why Develop Your Soft Skills?Whilst you might believe that your communication skills might be sufficient, it is worth everyone paying a little bit of attention to the way that they interact with those around them. It is not something that we should take for granted.This is precisely why we suggest that you develop your skills as a communicator. Because, given that these skills are seen as so obvious, they are often overlooked in the business skill set.As we showed you above, communication skills are really highly valued by employers. And, you might well point out that, if every knows how to communicate effectively, this skill wouldn’t be in so high demand.The bottom line is then, you should develop your soft skills because they have the power to turn your career into something much more successful. And to turn your application for a job into a sure-fire win.Here's more on why you should develop your interpersonal skills. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.92 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliverPersonal development Teacher 4.33 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhere to Develop Your Interpersonal Skills OnlineYou might think that the internet is only a good place to learn those hard skills, those quantifiable technical skills learned through the transfer of information.This isn’t exactly true. And the things you’ll learn about your interpersonal skills online have the power to change your thinking dramatically.Here we have online courses â€" lectures and videos designed to enhance your interpersonal relations â€" and blogs and guidance on specific subjects. Think conflict management, leadership skills, written communication.Let’s take a look. You can look at how to develop your interpersonal skills generally! Grow your business along with interpersonal skills.Online Courses and Tutorials for Developing Your Interpersonal SkillsThe benefit of online courses and tutorials for interpersonal skills is that you can cash these in and use them on CV or resume.Offered by many of the major providers of online courses around, video lessons in interpersonal skills are usually short, lecture-based programmes designed for you to take your skills into the wider world.Check Out Udemy to Learn Emotional Intelligence and Communication Skills OnlineUdemy is a market-leading provider of online courses â€" and it boasts a large range of training videos in communication and interpersonal skills.From written communication in emails to using nonverbal communication to make a good first impression or settling a business deal, the courses on Udemy have been used by thousands of people.Try Coursera to Develop Your Interpersonal SkillsCoursera is another massive online course provider, teaming up with different uni versities across the world to offer everything from casual training to fully fledged online degrees.With courses in interpersonal skills aimed at all sorts of different roles â€" from managers to university students to engineers â€" Coursera provides a tailored education to suit your needs.Head to Study.com for People Skills Training OnlineStudy.com’s aim is to make learning accessible for everyone. A noble aim. And, to meet that aim, it provides thousands of educational videos to people all over the world.As regards interpersonal communication skills, Study.com provide substantial courses that cover the length and breadth of this topic.‘Developing Interpersonal Communication Skills for Work’ is one such course. Here, you’ll be watching short videos, taking quizzes to ensure that you are following, and sitting an exam at the end.Teachers, Head to LearnHigher to Focus those Strong Communication SkillsIf you are based in the UK and you work in higher education, LearnHigher hav e a range of resources available for you and your students.Everyone agrees that teachers really need stellar communication skills â€" and with these handouts, documents, and resources, you’ll find everything you need to ensure that you have them.Find out everything about interpersonal skills!Blogs and Articles Aimed at Enhancing Your Social SkillsBesides the courses, there are heaps and heaps of different resources for people interested in enhancing their communication skills.Whilst these won’t get you any qualifications or credits, they will give you a brilliant introduction to the concerns and theories surrounding interpersonal skills, their importance, and the best ways to go about developing them.Read MindTools for Heaps of Information on Levelling Up Your Interpersonal SkillsMindTools are an organisation that provide information online that will help you develop further in your career. It’s all about professional development and, as they claim to teach nearly three thousa nd specific skills, it might be something that you need in your life.From leadership strategies to communication tools, they provide a comprehensive coverage of everything you need to bring a change to your interpersonal skills. Start flourishing with your social skills.Find Out More about Effective Communication at MindValleyMindValley works on a similar basis, providing educational opportunities in those skills that are usually overlooked in mainstream education.They have a huge number of videos, articles, and opportunities for mentoring that can bring out the best of your interpersonal skills. And they provide sessions for different types of organisation, so if you want something a little more hands on, get in touch.Try Communication Beyond Words for Help with Social Skills in Your OrganisationJolynn Chow writes the Communication Beyond Words blog, for help in developing your nonverbal communication skills specifically.It is an exhaustive, engaging and incredibly encouraging place to find help developing your communication skills.Jolynn works with companies across Asia to help them to develop their interpersonal skills â€" and it seems to have worked wonders.Visit Mark Sanborn’s Blog to Develop Your Int erpersonal SkillsMark Sanborn is a writer and consultant specialising in leadership skills, public speaking, and communication. And his blog is crammed with insights on how to bring out your own interpersonal skills.A hugely valuable read.

Youre Never Too Old to Start Yoga.

Youre Never Too Old to Start Yoga. Yoga for the Older Folks Among Us. ChaptersA Brief History of YogaWhy Do Yoga?What Is a Senior When it Comes to Yoga?Yoga for Seniors: Adapt Your ObjectivesAdapting Yoga to SeniorsChair YogaYoga Poses that Older Yogis Should AvoidChoosing a Yoga Instructor for SeniorsHelpful Things You Might Need for Yoga.Some Tips that Elder Yogis Should Remember.A Yoga Glossary“Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese.” - Luis BunuelYoga is an activity that many people are familiar with and that many people practise, regardless of their age. In fact, whether you’re doing a sun salutation, mindfulness meditation, or twisting, we can work on our body, mind, and spirit whether we’re 7 or 77.However, age does play a role in your ability to let go and in the effectiveness of certain yoga poses.  Annoyingly enough, there is more to it than just thinking positively! Yoga requires balance, strength, and flexibility - all things that diminish as we get older - and, although it may look like people making poses on the floor, it's an activity that can cause injury if you throw yourself into it with too much enthusiasm.Luckily, though, yoga improves all these things too - and it can be both a great work out and a de-stressing activity. Yet, it's worth knowing some different things if you are approaching the activity as an older person - and that's what we are going to talk about here.So at what age are you considered a senior?In the world of sport, you can very quickly be considered a senior. In athletics, a senior can be in their early 20s! Of course, it’s all relative. When it comes to the stretches, alignment, and warming up of yoga, everyone can do it as long as they adapt it to their age.In this article, we're going to look at senior yoga. People can still attend a yoga near me class, do yoga postures, and enjoy the restorative benefits of yoga well into their twilight years.Building from these works, many different scholars and 'yogis' built upon the ancient scripts and teachings. Over the years, they eventually developed a form of yoga known as Hatha Yoga. This is generally what we know as yoga these days - with its salutations, and its attention to body awareness and breathing - in which the physical body becomes the important aspect in spiritual enlightenment and enrichment.Twentieth-Century YogaInto the twentieth century, yoga practitioners travelled to the west, and some of them began to combine traditional yoga techniques with western exercises. One of the major minds in what came to be known as the 'Yoga Renaissance' was  Swami Kuvalayananda, who practised long into his senior years.And if you are looking for inspiration, you might want to look at Tao Porchon - the world's oldest yoga teacher, who turned 100 last year.  Based in New York, she still teaches up to eight classes a week - and attributes her old age to the fact that she has been practicing yoga since she was six!Why Do Yoga?People do yoga for a whole load of reasons: to reduce stress, to develo p physical fitness, flexibility, and core strength and it's a particularly good supplement to other exercises too. Yet, there is a lot of research that suggests that yoga also combats pain, irritable bowels, obesity, and asthma.Among older people, it's a fantastic way to develop health and well-being in a low-impact and social way. Keeping active is important at all ages - particularly when you are older. Exercise in general helps your mental health and your mood - and can contribute greatly to improved sleep patterns.The majority of people that commit to yoga find that the spiritual aspects of the discipline become ever more interesting. So, if you are into that, you may find that you find greater inner peace by dedicating yourself to the exercise.And finally, as one of the most in-vogue exercise disciplines in the world, you are sure to look super cool whilst doing it too!What Is a Senior When it Comes to Yoga?Whatever discipline you practise, be it yoga or otherwise, there is an age when you’ll be considered a senior. This is the age when you’ll need to adapt certain exercises to match your age and your fitness. However, this is a generalisation, as there are some people of a certain age who’ll be fitter and more capable than their younger counterparts.Age is just a number, after all. That said, there are things that are easier to do when you're younger. (Source: aunhtet0)Of course, not every yoga posture is the same and time takes its toll on parts of your body such as your spine, hips, knees and problems like arthritis can make it seem that the yoga practice has an age limit.There are specialised yoga courses for senior citizens since most people of a similar age will have a similar level when it comes to doing sporting activities such as yoga. For the purpose of this article, we'll consider a senior to be someone who’s approaching retirement whose physical prowess isn’t what it once was during their younger years.When it comes to breathing tech niques, alignment, muscle toning, improving flexibility, and managing stress, there are certain considerations that need to be made for older yogis. You can’t do all of the above with the same intensity as you would with a group of 20-somethings. However, there’s nothing that can’t be altered to work for older participants. You just need to modify the energy and intensity of the courses.If you’re pregnant, you’ll probably want to consider prenatal yoga, a type of gentle yoga that women in the first or second trimester of pregnancy can do.Yoga for Seniors: Adapt Your ObjectivesYoga is a great discipline but you need to manage your goals and adapt them to your own capabilities. There are plenty of reasons and goals for doing yoga:RelaxExerciseMeet new peopleUnderstand a new way of lifeChange how you eat and exerciseHarmonise your mind, body, and spiritStart meditatingLearn to control your breathingAnd many others!Once you reach a certain age, you'll have to change how you do sport. (Source: HoliHo)Thus, there are plenty of reasons for seniors to start doing yoga. Throughout your life, these goals and reasons will change and there’s nothing wrong with deciding to start doing yoga later on in your life.Don’t forget that those with physical disabilities can also do yoga!Adapting Yoga to SeniorsWhether you’re 50 or 100, as we age, our bodies become less responsive and it’s more difficult to certain things once you reach a certain age. This isn’t necessarily a problem. However, you do need to take this into account in order to enjoy all the benefits of yoga and do your breathing exercises or poses like the sun salutation.There's no age limit when it comes to being active. (Source: Ellen26)As you get older, you’ll need to consider attending yoga classes that are adapted to your age and your fitness rather than practising on your own as you run the risk of injuring yourself. The idea is to harmonise your body, mind, and spirit regardless of your a ge. After all, yoga is a way of life that’s open to everyone!Look up for yoga London now.There are a number of different types of yoga which are good for older yogis:Nidra yoga which can help those who struggle to sleep manage their concerns.Yoga for back pain.Laughter yoga, a type of yoga that’s aimed at those who are feeling sad and only, something which can happen as we get older and approach retirement.These aren’t the only examples but they do show that regardless of your age, you can still do yoga. You just need to listen to your body and find out which type of yoga is best for you.Find out more about yoga for couples.Whilst that is sort of the essentials, you may want also to consider the following:Yoga brick.  - These are blocks of foam that you can use to position yourself better when following your yoga workout. They also double up as seats that you can use during moments of rest.Yoga blanket.  - Any blanket will do, but these are designed to maintain your core body temperature when you are in between routines.Otherwise, some proper sports gear is recommended. Whilst it may look relaxed, yoga is a workout, so swap those jeans for some leggings.Some Tips that Elder Yogis Should Remember.It is worth pointing out a few things that might be helpful to know about yoga. There are ways to practise that may be more beneficial and others that are less so. And, whilst yoga might not seem like a particularly grueling discipline, it can hurt you if you are doing it wrong.So, here are a few things to remember when you are starting off with yoga - things that will keep you motivated, improving, and safe.Start slow. - When learning a new discipline, sport, or even just a pose, it is important to start off slowly: don't rush into any yoga pose, as you don't want to strain yourself.Practise regularly.  - Just because you are starting slowly, it doesn't mean that your yoga has to stay slow for long. Instead, the more you practise, the sooner you will improve you r flexibility, your balance, your strength, and the sooner you will see the health benefits.Be honest about your ability.  - Be honest with yourself about the amount of exercise you can do and about the way your body feels whilst doing it. It's okay, when starting off, not to be amazingly competent nor super strong - but don't push yourself harder than you can go.Perform the poses correctly.  - Beginners yoga is fairly undemanding. However, it is really important to try to do the poses as correctly as possible. If you do them wrong, you may not get all of the intended benefits - and you may even end up hurting yourself!A Yoga GlossaryAsanathe poses adopted in yogaVinyasathe movement between poses.Kripalua type of yoga focused on physical healing and spiritual transformationKundalinidivine energy thought to reside at the base of the spineNamastea greeting in Hindi, but heard everywhere in yoga circles.Pranayamabreathing control

Which are the Spanish Speaking Countries

Which are the Spanish Speaking Countries Where is Spanish Spoken? ChaptersThere are around 440 million Native Spanish SpeakersCountries Where Spanish is SpokenInternational Organisations that Use the Spanish LanguageSpanish: A Cultural LanguageSpanish: The Language of a Growing RegionLearning Spanish is almost essential given how widely the language is spoken. In fact, the Spanish language is probably more popular than you think it is.  It  is the 2nd most spoken language in the world  (in terms of native speakers), and it is  spoken in an official capacity in 20 different independent countries.It's also a language with a broad influence in a lot of different places around the globe. For example, many international organisations use Spanish as an official language, such as the UN, the EU, and the WTO.There are a wide range of benefits of learning Spanish, and if you've been researching different Spanish courses at university or are considering taking a few Spanish lessons near me to get to a conversational level, these facts and figures should make it clear how important learning Spanish as a second language might be. Let's take a look: TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThere are around 440 million Native Spanish SpeakersSo why should you study Spanish? Well the following numbers should go some way to showing the importance of the language:Around 440 million people know how to speak Spanish as their first language, making it the second most spoken native language afte r Mandarin Chinese.It is the third most popular language in the world after Chinese (Mandarin) and English.It ranks inside the top 10 in terms of the number of people who speak it as a second language.It is an official language in 20 countries.Such figures have elevated Spanish to having the status as one of the most important languages in the world. The shear number of native speakers and the number of countries where it is spoken are just some of the reasons to learn Spanish.Spanish is spoken in some of the most remote parts of the world. (Source: Irtaza Ali)The history of Spanish has made it widespread, and while Spanish is obviously spoken in Spain, it’s also spoken across most of Central and South America. In fact, when talking about the number of speakers, Spain isn’t even the country with the most Spanish speakers:121 million people speak Spanish in Mexico. This means that most Spanish speakers are from there.Although Spanish is not an official language in the U.S.A (ther e is no official language recognised in the constitution), there are 53 million Spanish speakers there, with 41 million speaking it as their mother tongue. This is a substantial figure given that the US is home to around 320 million people. According to the Cervantes Institute, this figure is set to go up to around 128 million Spanish speakers by 2050.Colombia is home to around 48 million Spanish speakers.There are 46 million Spanish speakers in Spain.Why is Spanish so common in the Americas? It all started with journeys by Christopher Columbus and the colonisation of the Americas at the end of the 15th century. During the time of the Spanish empire, a lot of territory in this part of the world came under the control of the Spanish royalty.Countries Where Spanish is SpokenSpeaking Spanish is a must if you love travelling. Not only is it a language that is spoken in Spain, but it spoken the whole length of Central and South America, from the U.S-Mexican border in the North, to the Us huaia at the southern tip of Argentina. Spanish is spoken as an official language in the following countries:ArgentinaBoliviaChileColombiaCosta RicaCubaDominican RepublicEcuadorEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaGuatemalaHondurasMexicoNicaraguaPanamaParaguayPeruSpainUruguayVenezuelaSpanish is mainly spoken in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. (Source: pixabay.com)This wide range of countries gives you plenty of options for your holidays, but also if you are looking to do an immersion course in a Spanish-speaking country in order to learn the language of Miguel de Cervantes.After all, it’s much easier to learn about the Spanish language and culture if you’re surrounded by native speakers and speak the language with a high degree of fluency.If you don't, it’s probably a good idea to have learned the basics and studied a bit of Spanish grammar before you go. After just a few weeks of immersion, you'll find yourself learning far more Spanish than you ever imagined.If you’re still looki ng stuff up or relying on automatic translation software to express yourself, you really should take a few classes before you go anywhere!Have you ever dreamed of immersing yourself in Spanish culture? Being able to speak directly to foreign people? Ordering food without looking foolish? Why not learn more about Spanish customs and traditions before you go. They're fascinating!From the list of countries that speak Spanish that we have just named, you could visit a number of different destinations that you hadn't previously dreamed of. In fact, if you want to work in a Spanish-speaking country, then one of these could even be your new home!Learning Spanish will allow you to visit so many amazing places and maybe meet some very famous people. If you read celebrity magazines, you'll know that plenty of Spanish-speakers are Hollywood stars.  In both movies and TV shows, there are Spanish-speaking stars like Mar Anthony, Salma Hayek, and Penelope Cruz, to name a few. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsInternational Organisations that Use the Spanish LanguageThe importance of Spanish on the world stage extends way beyond the number of native speakers that there are, and the number of countries where it is spoken. Some of the world's most powerful and influential international organisations use Spanish as an official language to conduct their business.As you would expect, international organisations which oper ate in the Americas often use Spanish alongside English, and sometimes French and Portuguese. For example, the South American trading bloc, MercoSur, uses Spanish alongside Portuguese. The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) also uses Spanish as one of its four official languages.But international organisations beyond Latin America see the importance of Spanish in their day-to-day activities. In the sporting world, football's world governing body, FIFA, and Rugby's equivalent, World Rugby, both use Spanish in an official capacity.But perhaps the power of Spanish is best exemplified by its use by some of the most important international organisations in the world. With Spain being a member of the European Union, Spanish is used as one of its official languages.But Spanish really comes into its own when you consider that it is one of only three languages used at the International Labour Organisation and the World Trade Organisation, and one o f six languages used by the United Nations.These organisations wield considerable international influence, and they do so, in part, by using the Spanish language. That is why it is such a good idea to take Spanish lessons London or Birmingham...Spanish could be help you navigate your way through your careers. (Source: Ingo Joseph)The widespread use of Spanish in such organisations means that if you learn business Spanish, or a form of Spanish that is specific to a particular sector, it could open up a number of different doors from a professional point of view.Learning a specific form of Spanish will be essential as everyday Spanish won't teach you the vocabulary that you need to operate in the world of international business or international politics.But once you have achieved this, and as a bilingual English-Spanish speaker, you will improve your employability enormously. This is because a lot of the aforementioned organisations use English as one of their official languages, too. Therefore, they often look to recruit people who are fluent (often native speakers) in one of their official languages, but who can also speak another language to a high level.Spanish: A Cultural LanguageSince Spanish evolved from Latin, and half of English vocabulary comes directly or indirectly from Latin, there are plenty of words in Spanish that will look similar to English words.While this makes Spanish easier to learn than a language such as Chinese, it can still be a challenge. Just when you think you've mastered one conjugation, you find out there are seemingly hundreds of tenses in Spanish! There are a lot of reasons to learn Spanish at school, and this is one of them. By starting early, you can get ahead of your classmates and have a sounder grounding in Spanish grammar by the time you need it to apply for university or jobs.The challenge of learning Spanish is ultimately worth it for the cultural exploits. These include:LiteratureArchitectureDon Quijote still remains the most popular Spanish novel of all time and is the second most translated book of all time after the Bible.If you want to read the original version, you’ll have to learn Spanish and enjoy it as it was meant to be read. Remember, there are advantages to all Spanish learning methods, so the key is to find a method that works well for you.Spanish architecture is also a sight to behold. There are so many Spanish cities where you can enjoy Gothic architecture, especially when it comes to cathedrals. Spain's numerous old universities are also marvels of architecture.  You can find completely different architectural styles next to one another in your typical Spanish city.If you want to visit an architecturally-rich city, Barcelona is a good place to start. Whilst there, you can visit the Sagrada Familia, the famous unfinished cathedral designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. The country's capital, Madrid, is also home to plenty of architectural wonders.Barcelona is home to so man y artistic wonders. (Source: pixabay.com)There’s also plenty of other cities with architecture of note: The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, and the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, for example.If you want to enjoy this kind of cultural diversity, Spain is the place to go. So why not get started with your Spanish tutorials today and plan a trip to Spain?Spanish: The Language of a Growing RegionFor a long time, Latin America was criticised for its slower levels of growth and high levels of poverty.  However, in recent years, its economic growth hasn’t showed signs of stopping any time soon.  In fact, since the global recession in 2008, it’s grown with capital from Europe and Chinese investment.Brazil as well as Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru are becoming some of the most interesting countries in terms of economic growth. They are subsequently becoming important strategic partners, in terms of trade, politics, and security, for many west ern powers.Mercosur and numerous other treaties such as ALADI and CACM between South and North America have helped the countries in South America to grow. What's more, a variety of trade agreements, association agreements, global agreements, and economic agreements tie the EU and a whole range of Latin American countries together. This helps to facilitate trade and cooperation between both sides, which has also helped both sides to benefit and grow.Although there is a long way to go, poverty is starting to decrease rapidly in a lot of these countries. Many jobs have also been created as a result of the growth.  Thus, despite certain inequalities that still remain, the quality of life is increasing. Since the global recession in 2008, poverty has decreased on the whole by 15%.South America is also becoming more popular with tourists wishing to learn more about Latin culture, so learning the Spanish language could set you up perfectly if you want to work in tourism, business, or polit ics, or simply if you fancy a holiday to a slightly different location this year!

Why Take an ESOL Course to Help you Learn English

Why Take an ESOL Course to Help you Learn English What Are the Benefits of Learning English with an ESOL Tutor? ChaptersLearning English as a Second Language on a One to One BasisFocus on Your Difficulties in ESOL Courses with Your English TutorHire an English Tutor for Homework Exam Preparation HelpPractice Speaking  English with Your ESOL TutorTaking an ‘English MOT’ at the Start of Your ESOL ClassTaking English lessons is a brilliant opportunity.Being able to learn to speak English is a luxury that isn’t available to everyone â€" so don’t throw your chance away!Superprof is here to explain how to get the most out of your one to one English tuition.There are two main objectives when you begin any  esol courses. The first goal is to grasp the concepts you find difficult, and the second is transform this new knowledge into improved grades. You can’t achieve one without achieving the other.Private tutors actively encourage their students to succeed in reaching these goals.ESOL tutoring can give you the boost you need ¦ source: Pixabay - tookapicOver the course of one academic year, you will likely sit several exams including one in English which may test your ability to conjugate irregular verbs, correctly use grammar, or your English reading and writing skills!We recommend that you take advantage of your English tutor by getting them to help you with exam preparation â€" revising alone is not as fun, nor is it as effective as working with someone else.You need to be organised when exam time comes around. It is difficult to find a better revision tool than a personal English tutor who has a perfect knowledge of your subject, your goals and how to use your learning strategies to overcome any obstacles along the way.The personalised approach of private lessons is what makes them so effective.Of course, this applies to any major English exams, whether they’re at high school or university. These exams are usually made up of at least two parts: an oral exam and a written exam.This means that the grade for your work will inform potential employers of your ability to communicate in English â€" and is therefore incredibly important.If you still have these important exams ahead of you, it can be helpful to get ahead in your learning with a few private english lessons online or face to face.Private English tutors are used to being brought in to help students in the run-up to exams, and are therefore accustomed to test preparation and helping students with their exam technique.This means looking at the course content and goals of each individual and getting them ready for whatever they may be faced with on D-Day.Practice Speaking  English with Your ESOL TutorAs we have already mentioned, national education systems do not always provide enough opportunities for pupils to practice their English speaking skills.Oral fluency often takes a back seat to learning the basics of the language, but at what point does speaking practice become more important?Very rarely during your academic career will you have the opportunity to engage in direct conversation with a native English or bilingual speaker for a sufficient amount of time.Your tutor, who may be a native speaker themselves, will help you get into the habit of regularly speaking English to improve your fluency.In the beginning, even if you have a good knowledge of topic-specific vocabulary and complex grammar, speaking will be quite slow. ESOL learners often pause between words and sentences to think about their grammar and pronunciation.At this point, you won’t be fluent.However, the good news is that fluency is something you can develop through conversation which allows you to get used to English phonetics and be able to fully express yourself in English.Conversation is the best way to see yourself make rapid improvements in your spoken English. Talking with other pupils and teachers in English will mean that you use your language to discuss your interests, as well as learn to confidently explore a variety of topics in conversation.By speaking with a native English speaker  in particular, you can work on your accent,  learn to identify those of others, learn English slang phrases and how to use idiomatic expressions - these are all things that will help you learn to speak English fluently.Make progress by getting together to speak English with your friends ¦ source: Pixabay - StockSnap`Get used to English or Scottish pronunciation, and learn about differences in vocabulary between British English and American English.After all, being able to understand what others are saying is central to communicating in a language!Bit by bit, English learners acquire the skills to be able to share their thoughts in a foreign language, even acquiring the relevant language skills to express humour and tell jokes in English.All of this comes with practice â€" which you can get with a tutor!Taking an ‘English MOT’ at the Start of Your ESOL ClassIn the context of tutoring an ‘English MOT’ means revisiting the basics of English with your private tutor, and seeing how you perform - even if you consider yourself to be an advanced speaker.Sometimes, a mediocre performance in English is the result of poorly executed learning strategies (this could be by the teacher or student).Nevertheless, if there are gaps in a student’s knowledge of the basics, it is difficult to build up an advanced understanding, and students may face obstacles when they come to study English at a higher level.Superprof therefore recommends that students do all they can to get the most from their private tuition by asking their tutor to help them consolidate their basic knowledge of English.Equally, it’s up to you to choose an English tutor who suits your individual needs.Compared to many other languages, English conjugation is relatively simple, so you should know it like the back of your hand â€" this includes irregular verbs too!Relearning basic sentence construction and grammar may seem tedious, but a good understanding is essential to a good command of English syn tax.Speaking good English with few mistakes means you will be able to adapt your spoken register to each situation, who will make you more attractive as an employee.Learn about taking ESOL courses as an adult here.

GET A RUNNING START ON THE SECOND LEG OF THE ACHIEVEMENT RACE

GET A RUNNING START ON THE SECOND LEG OF THE ACHIEVEMENT RACE Indicator #1: Grades and teacher conferences Listening, following directions, putting forth enough effort and completing classwork neatly and on-time all have an impact on grades. Conferences with teachers are a good way to determine your child's performance in all of these areas. When you meet with your child's teachers, ask for suggestions of specific activities you can undertake at home to support efforts at school. It's also important to tell the teacher about any issues that may affect your child's academic success. Family tension, financial concerns, health issues or marital problems directly impact a child's ability to concentrate in school. Indicator #2: Standardized test results In recent years, parents and students have paid the most attention to standardized tests during the spring - when many states and districts administer exams that now determine a student's ability to graduate or move on to the next grade. But you can get a good idea of which skills should be strengthened in advance of these tests by taking a second look at the results of other standardized exams that may have been given during the fall. This is particularly true in school districts that administer tests at the beginning of the year and then again at the end of the year to measure students' progress. If your child scored less than satisfactorily in reading or mathematics at the beginning of the year, for example, you might pay particular attention to these areas as he or she prepares for the high stakes tests that will be given in just a few months. Indicator #3: The Work/Life Balance Take a look at your child's academic success during the first half of the year and weigh it against all of the extracurricular activities that filled his or her schedule. Were there enough hours in a typical day last semester to keep up with schoolwork while enjoying every activity? Working collaboratively, parents and students should prioritize activities that are most important, and create a schedule that strikes the right balance.

How Can You Help Your Child Sidestep the Summer Slide

How Can You Help Your Child Sidestep the Summer Slide Summer is a welcome break for families, but it can cause problems when it comes to the long-term retention of academic skills and knowledge. Many experts report that summertime regression is a significant problem for students of all ages, with children losing several months worth of reading and math skills over break. Heres the good news: its not as hard as you think to minimize the problem. Here are a few ways you can help your child avoid the summer slide: Read every day. A regular reading habit is a valuable part of a good bedtime routine anyway, but best of all, it is one of the easiest ways for your child to keep up those literacy skills. Make frequent visits to the library and encourage your child to get involved in any book clubs or summer reading programs offered. Let your child explore other formats in addition to books. The point is to get him or her reading. Review past work. It might take a little convincing, but even ten minutes a day spent looking over old worksheets, math problems, or other assignments is time well spent. This will help your child keep fresh on the skills learned last school year and ensure he or she is ready to pick up where the teacher left off when the fall semester begins. Plan writing activities. Have your child continue to strengthen those writing muscles by embracing fun activities like journaling, creative writing or even blogging. If those things dont pique your childs interest, consider weekly themes for inspiration. For example, one weeks theme might be favorite people, and each day children could write about a celebrity or professional athlete they admire, a friend who means a lot to them, or another role model. Go places. Many families use their childrens summer break as a chance to take vacations. Why not transform those road and plane trips into educational opportunities? You and your child should check out travel guides from the library and do some online research together to learn more about wherever youre headed. Have your child choose a few cultural attractions to enjoy and share what he or she wants to discover while visiting them. Catch up or get ahead. Summer is the best time to close any skill gaps and correct any problems that arose during the school year. Its also a great chance to get ahead if your child is gearing up to take several challenging classes next year or wants to solidify knowledge built during the prior school year. If youd like help creating a targeted summer learning program that meets your childs goals and helps him or her flourish, call Huntington. Well help your child retain those important skills he or she learned throughout the school year. By the time next fall comes around, he or she will be ready to hit the ground running and keep building that knowledge base. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN today. About Huntington Huntington 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 succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2018 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

American School of Marrakesh

American School of Marrakesh American School of Marrakesh At ASM, we work with each child to help her/him grow and develop to his/her full potential. We hold high expectations for all students and work, in partnership with parents, to see that each child meets or exceeds our expectations. For the majority of our students, English is a second or a third language. They gradually learn their new language and are quickly able to study any subject in English. Our focus on educating the whole child includes the teaching of values such as honesty, integrity, kindness, and responsibility. The development of respect for ones self and others is a major goal for all members of the ASM school community. These values guide our efforts as educators and help our students to become true global citizens. The school is organized into two sections: Lower School (Grades PK-5); and Upper School (Grades 6-12). The educational program at The American School of Marrakesh is based on U.S. standards and benchmarks. Students in grades K-12 receive instruction in Engl ish in the areas of language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Beginning in Grade 1, all students study Classical Arabic for one period each day. Beginning in Grade 5, students also have French classes for one period each day. Our students also attend physical education, music, and art classes each week. The computer lab at ASM is available throughout the week for students in Grades K-12. Children in grades K-5 have regularly scheduled library visits on a weekly basis. ASM is accredited by MSA (Middles States Association).