Top 8 Reasons Why You Need Online Help For Writing Assignments

Top 8 Reasons Why You Need Online Help For Writing Assignments Writing is an art and it comes naturally to a person if he has a flair for it. Even such a person needs to gather good writing skills to excel in his write ups and jump unto the spotlight of fame. Students stacked with piles of writing assignments have no time to gather such skills or they may not be masters in writing. In such a scenario, getting outside help is good for getting their academic assignments done with professional parameters and thus they could have an edge over others in their scores. Reasons why students need some online help for writing assignments Lack of time When there are lots of assignments in various subjects hanging over the minds of students, they could not find sufficient time to browse the material, pick out references and write the assignment in the manner which meets the expectations of the teacher. Lack of guidance Classrooms sizes are large and teachers attend to the calls of many students at a time. Individual attention to the student queries is out of question in this scenario and 90% of the students need guidance to understand the guide lines, concept of the topic, writing methods and so on. Lack of professional touch Professional writing skills matter a lot in writing assignments. It is not just assembling the matter and presenting it in the form of an essay. One needs to look into grammatical patterns, syntax, and vocabulary and right communicative language to get across the ideas. That way, professional experts from online centers could help students write with a professional touch and they also provide write ups that suit the requirements of the assignment. Lack of suitable research material Many students could have a motivation for writing an assignment. But searching out the theme sentence of the topic, researching it on Google, getting unto the right material and putting it across in the right format- all these may not be everyone’s cake and it also needs good grounding in writing skills. Online writers with their expert skills could offer assignments which are100% guaranteed with good material and excellent research work. Lack of knowledge about writing standards A research paper demands certain writing standards in a typical format like referencing , citation work, writing style etc to stand up to the stipulated rules of writing a paper. Students need to work hard towards these patterns of writing to get their papers approved by the teachers. Or else, all their work would prove futile. Plagiarism free content This is also a cause of concern for many students while writing assignments. They need to prove their originality in writing with a good flow of language and unique ideas. Plagiarism free content is an issue for students as it demands original writing flair from students. Lack of tips for writing assignments in a presentable manner As above mentioned, teachers have a large number of students to individualize their attention to students. Students need some personal guidance to know how to embellish a paper, improve the spontaneity of language and explain the topic in a logical manner. Such tips they could gain from online tutors for writing and make their writings exemplary ones and get fabulous scores. Lack of knowledge about proof reading and editing Proof reading is a great skill and copy editing is also equally important. If students do not know enough about all such aspects of writing a paper, half of their work is at a loss since they would not be able to sketch the final draft of their writing with 100% success. Tutor Pace Austin tutors are available with excellent services for subjects like Math, English, Science, Accounting and Computer Science for students of all Grades. We offer tutoring benefits from Kindergarten through K-12 to college. Our online Tutoring in Austin is great fun with instant solutions for homework assignments and test prep. We are mobile friendly with easy access to tabs, I pads, laptops and desktops. 24/7 availability with flexible timings at affordable rates is what we offer to every needy student. Grab the opportunity and get the most from us. Conclusion In the background of students being piled up with lots of writing assignments, they may not have adequate knowledge about writing a paper. They lack time to gather knowledge about writing skills also. Online writing help could be the suitable measure for them to get through writing assignments with expert guidance and score fabulously in their writing assignments.

How Many Private Classes Must I Take To Learn Arabic

How Many Private Classes Must I Take To Learn Arabic How Many Arabic Lessons Are Required to Master This Semitic Language? ChaptersThe Reasons for Learning ArabicHow Long Does It Take to Learn Arabic?: Each Student Is DifferentHow to Learn Arabic Fast Depends on the Quality of Your TeacherThe volume of private lessons also depends on your ambitionsLearning a language is always expensive, and taking private lessons to learn to speak Arabic also costs quite a bit.It is a financial and personal investment as you will be spending part of you salary on Arabic classes, as well as dedicating part of your leisure time to the process.As a result, each student expects to receive rapid and significant results from their private teacher in return for the money spent.It's stupid, but it's like that: when you pay for something, you often expect a satisfactory return on your investment.You may be one of those wondering how long you will have to pay for private Arabic tuition to learn the Arabic alphabet, or to learn to read and write Arabic script.There is no miracle recipe. Learning Arabic - like any other discipline, linguistic or musical - responds to several factors:The motivation and the time devoted to itThe budget that is mobilizedThe cognitive dispositions of eachHere are our tips for finding out how many private lessons you will need to get a good level in Arabic.First and foremost, you need to know why you're going to get a private teacher before taking your first lesson.Learning the language of Ishmael nowadays has more and more benefits. Many possibilities open up to you personal, social and professional levels.Learning Arabic extends your geographical and professional mobilitySo why take private Arabic lessons?Because speaking Arabic literature makes it possible to have conversations with the populations in most of the Arabic-speaking countries without going into English.Speaking Arabic, the world's fifth most spoken language, and an official language in more than twenty countries, opens up professional opportunities (diplomacy, trade, tourism, advanced technologies, etc.).Speaking A rabic also makes it possible to become a teacher and give private lessons (on Superprof, for example), or teach in private or public schools.Knowledge of Egyptian Arabic - the most widely spoken Arabic dialect - helps us to understand Arabic language and culture.Learning modern standard Arabic, like any other dialects, stimulates your cognitive abilities and delays the onset of neurodegenerative pathologies.The study of Arabic exists at the university level and contributes to the development of the students' abilities of concentration, rigor and reflexive skills.Thus, extending one's linguistic skills from childhood improves one's academic performanceToday, Arabic represents and carries the legacy of the great civilizations of the Middle East.Knowing how to speak Arabic helps to understand history and to acquire a greater general knowledge.At the crossroads of civilizations (Europe, Asia, Africa), speaking Arabic can be seen as a strategic asset.Speaking Arabic can help new immigran ts to you country integrate into society if you can communicate with them in their native language.Arabic is the source of great philosophical, scientific and literary movements throughout history.If you are from a Muslim family, learning Arabic can represent being closer to an Islamic education that brings you closer to the culture of your ancestors and to share their stories.There are, therefore, many reasons for learning the Arabic language.The list is not exhaustive and it is possible to learn Arabic by different means:At school or in high school, in language schools, private lessons, online Arabic classes, talking to relatives of whom Arabic is the mother tongue, etc.Now that we know that it is good to learn this idiom shared by more than 270 million people in the Arab world, how many private courses should we take to speak it well?How Long Does It Take to Learn Arabic?: Each Student Is DifferentIt is difficult to quantify the volume of courses needed to learn to speak Arabic w ell. But it is well known, we are not all equally efficient in learning languages.For some, one or two years of courses will be enough, while for others it will take up to three or four years.It all depends on the age at which you start Arabic classes, the skills of each person, motivation, and what you do with your lessons: whether you work regularly or not, wether you practice in an Arabic speaking country, etc.If the student is highly motivated, they will learn faster and will require less Arabic lessons than another person.The Class Frequency Varies According to Each Person's Cognitive AbilitiesEveryone wants to make the most out of their Arabic language lessons. But some pupils learn faster than others, from the early days of kindergarten.Since we do not all have the same cognitive predispositions, some people will need more lessons than others in order to learn to speak Arabic with a good level.If you want to get an introduction to the Arabic language, one hour a week for your Arabic course London is the minimum required, if only to learn pronunciation, phonetics and some Arabic words.This is the minimum for anyone who wants to fully optimize their learning experience.The Arabic dialect is very complex and the process of assimilation can be long. First, learn the Arabic alphabet, pronunciation, and learn to read and write Arabic.The learner will have to learn Arabic grammar. Finally, assimilating Arabic words will be used to understand the reading of Arabic.For students who want an intensive program of Arabic private lessons to help pass high school tests, exams or job interviews, they will have to multiply their efforts and have more hours of language learning.The Frequency of Private Lessons Varies According to Your MotivationLike piano or guitar lessons, taking Arabic lessons requires an investment and an important workload.There are techniques and advice to work your Arabic between two courses and keep yourself motivated.It is important to regularly revise your private lessons during the week, from the beginning of the school year to the holidays.Better to do the exercises given by the teacher for half an hour a day or an hour every two days rather than the same day as the private class.Learning a language, such as Arabic, must always be above all a pleasure.As soon as it becomes a hassle, even if it has been a long day, then you have to stop because the courses are very likely to become inefficient in terms of progress made, and you would be wasting your time and money.So you have to be motivated, but you still have to find a good Arabic teacher ...How to Learn Arabic Fast Depends on the Quality of Your TeacherThe necessary number of language courses that will allow you to acquire a good level of Arabic to speak like an Egyptian or a Moroccan, will depend on your linguistic progress rate.As a result, this varies depending on the teacher you have.Having a good Arabic teacher will speed up the learning process.If they are a nati ve teacher, whose mother tongue is Arabic, they will be able to teach you modern standard Arabic as it is practiced in his country of origin.This can be considerably time saving compared to an American university student offering his services.Also, the method and pedagogy used by your Arabic tutor will strongly impact your learning pace and level. The price of Arabic classes also depends on the professor's experience.A good Arabic teacher is a teacher who meets their student's expectations and is someone who loves to convey, explain, and teach.Since the private lesson is a privileged moment where the tutor takes care of their learner and not of a whole group, it is important that the teacher is attentive to the needs of their pupil.Ask your teacher to have conversations in Arabic during the course. This should significantly boost your level of oral expression.Finally, assimilation may be slower if the teacher improperly teaches his private courses: if his level of knowledge of the A rabic language is low and he offers courses for adults, you may be disappointed.So the volume of language courses to be taught to learn how to speak Arabic also depends on the level of your teacher.But normally, he will have three to five years of practice, or more, than his or her pupil. This is the case on Superprof, where professors are all native or experienced, or both.The volume of private lessons also depends on your ambitionsIt is also according to your personal goals that you will set the schedule of your private Arabic language courses.  It is your ambitions that command the volume of Arabic lessons you will require from your teacher.In the end, the number of private lessons you order from your Arabic teacher also depends on your personal goals:If you have an Arabic exam to pass in the near future and you have to practice, intensive courses for five or six hours a week will probably help you.Choose the best teacher; a native or a graduate in Arabic language and literature. If you plan to become bilingual, you will need a lot of hours, perhaps intensive courses of three or four hours per week.If you're aiming for an intermediate level, good but no more, then maybe one hour a week will be enough.If you are learning Arabic just for your enjoyment and your general knowledge, but with no professional goal and becoming bilingual is the least of your worries, perhaps a one hour and thirty minutes class every two weeks will correspond to your needs.In order to improve your level in Arabic, you can also go abroad to take your private lessons in a language school.Go to Cairo in Egypt, Rabat, Morocco or Beirut in Lebanon to learn modern standard Arabic.The Sprachcaffe school offers a quality teaching team to teach Arabic to foreigners, to assimilate this dialect quickly and in a pleasant way.Last resort, leave for an Arabic-speaking country in the Maghreb for a stay of several months (Morocco, Tunisia, Qatar, or wherever Arabic is the official language).You will then be in a linguistic and cultural immersion among Arabs. A great way to work on your vocabulary and pronunciation, and much quicker than private classes at home!Know that you can also learn Arabic online, if you have neither the means to subscribe to private lessons, nor to travel to Rabat, Cairo or Beirut.Whatever it is, studying even basic Arabic so that you have some phrases, expressions and Arabic verbs so that you have a conversational level will look great on your resumé. And if you want to study classical Arabic further to get a better understanding of the Quran, you will stand out even further.Have you determined your optimal course volume according to your linguistic objectives, and your preferred structure that will put you in contact with the best professors?Well then you just need to get started!

The Two Weak Spots in Career Planning - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The Two Weak Spots in Career Planning - Introvert Whisperer The Two Weak Spots in Career Planning When it comes to Career Planning, most people don’t actually have a plan.   Planning your career must be one of those things like doing taxes only without government accountability, as it seems to be fairly common.   It’s also why I spend so much time nagging you to have one.   If I don’t, who will? If that sounds like you to any degree, I’d like to issue a challenge.   Instead of waiting to “shape things up” with your career plan for some flimsy reason: Start now. You can easily use this coming week and weekend to sit down and figure out what your next couple of steps need to be and how to get you where you want to go. This week is as good as any other because if you delay now, you’ll never get to it. There are two weak spots with any endeavor: Starting â€" more people than you’d realize talk a good game but never take the first couple of steps to get started. My philosophy on starting is to start right now.   I think if you delay it can cause you to lose focus and get distracted by other things.   To quote a friend: “Do this before your head hits the pillow tonight.” Finishing â€" In the knitting world there is the term “U.F.O.” It is an Unfinished Object.   There’s actually an acronym for not finishing things you start.   Oftentimes, we do get started but we don’t finish for various reasons.   Maybe we lose our inspiration or something comes up.   My tip for finishing is to plan to get sidetracked and build in some accountability.   The best accountability plan is to have someone keep you accountable but if that doesn’t work for you try putting reminders on your computer. Trust me, you’re not going to miss anything critical by taking the step of planning and the actions you have planned.   When you’re done, you’ll be more focused and actually have a destination to work toward. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What to Ask Private Schools

What to Ask Private Schools No two kids are exactly alike. No two schools are, either. When looking at private schooloptions at any grade level, it's important that parents ask questions that help them identifythe key differences that will help determine what private school is best for their child. Knowing the right areas to ask questions about is an important step going into private school interviews and tours. As you dive into your exploration of private schools, keep these thoughts in mind: 1. What do you really want to know about this private school? This is different than what you think you should ask. You may feel that asking about test scores or admission rates is what's expected, but it will be most beneficial to everyone if you ask about the areas that truly matter to you. Dont shy away from tougher questions if theyre important to you, but also try not to delve too deeply into uncomfortable areas that put the admissions officer on the spot, such as those regarding your childs specific chances of getting into the school. 2. How is this private school uniquely positioned to help my child? Think about how your child learns and thrives, as well as his or her strengths and weaknesses, and focus your questions according to those needs. Is your son an excellent writer but struggles to work with others? You might want to ask about how the school promotes teamwork. Or, say your daughter has an interest in engineering or mathare there robotics teams or other extracurricular offerings that will boost her learning beyond the typical curriculum? Think about whether the schools overall mission fits the goals you and your child have. Goal Example Question To increase your child's socialization opportunities What kinds of group and teamwork opportunities do you provide? To expand your child's music education Are band, orchestra, and/or choir offered? What are the programs like? To prepare your child for college admissions How early doguidance counselors and teachersstart providingsupportforcollege applications? 3. Tell me more about As with a job interview, you want to go in with as much knowledge as you can glean from the schools website and other available references. This will help you ask better questions and prevent you from looking like you dont care, which is the impression youd likely give by asking for information you could have easily gotten online in five minutes of research. Identify something the school succeeds at that coincides with your goals, and then dig deeper to show your interest. 4. How does this private school keep up with emerging technology? Its no secret that edtech is growing rapidly. How are teachers at this school able to use technology in the classroom to enhance learning and introduce students to new skills? Do they utilize digital textbooks? What is the policy on student smartphone use? On a related note, how is the overall curriculum reviewed, and how often does it change? 5. Does this private school approach the arts from a global, multicultural perspective? Whether or not your child is artistically inclined, a broad education in music, art, theater and cultural differences is invaluable in a time of increasingly global higher education and professional opportunities. If your child does have a specific interest in an artistic area, find out how that can directly be supported by this school. Some areas you might want to inquire about include the following: band orchestra choir acting drawing/painting dance 6. What is the philosophy on athletics at this private school? Many private schools require all students to participate in athletics or some other form of physical education. The lessons in teamwork and health can be invaluable, but if this is an area where your child particularly excels or struggles, you may want to find out more about what his or her experience will be like. 7. How do teachers and administrators at this private school communicate with parents? Many private schools have sophisticated websites, blogs, or social media pages, but how are individual teachers communicating with parents about the classroom and their individual students? What systems are in place for emergency notifications? 8. What support does this private school offer forcollege applications and preparation? Rather than asking where most graduating students are accepted to college or what their test scores are, dig deeper to find out specifically how the schools guidance staff would eventually help your child through the college admissions process. It may seem far away, but it can never be too early to prepare. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

How Often Should You Change Your Guitar Strings

How Often Should You Change Your Guitar Strings Suzy S. Are you wondering how often you should be changing your guitar strings?   Its a common question for beginner guitarists, and it goes hand-in-hand with general guitar maintenance.   Read on for some great advice from one of our office rock stars, Megan L Learning how to take care of a guitar can seem like a mysterious and difficult undertaking. When I was first learning to play, I was surprised at how much care and attention goes into keeping this instrument sounding great. Between tuning, cleaning and changing strings, at times I felt more like I had invested in a strange new pet than in a guitar. Over time, I found that learning when to change my strings actually made my guitar sound a lot better, which helped me to become a more confident player. Many factors go into determining how often you should consider changing your guitar strings. Dirt and oil from your hands can build up on the strings, causing the sound to become sort of flat or dead. (Learn how to clean your guitar strings here!) Strings stretch out as they are played and eventually do not hold tune well any longer. Additionally, steel strings can rust, which not only affects the sound of your guitar but also makes it kind of gross to play. If you are playing for several hours every day, you might want to change your guitar strings as often as once a week. If you arent quite ready for that much string-changing, washing your hands before you play can help reduce the amount of dirt and oil from your skin that gets onto your strings. However, if you have extra sweaty hands when you play, you might want to change your strings more often. If you notice your guitar doesnt hold tune as well as it used to or the tone sounds less rich, you might see a vast improvement if you just change your strings. Personally, I like to change my strings a day or two before a performance. Not only does it make my guitar sound better, but it helps me feel more prepared to succeed. Megan L., TakeLessons staff member 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 meddygarnet

How to Talk about Winning in English - English Lesson via Skype

How to Talk about Winning in English - English Lesson via Skype Everybody like to win whether it’s a football game or a game of cards. You get an adrenalin rush (good feeling) and it lasts a long time. There are many ways of how to talk about winning in English, to express those emotions and to congratulate other winners. How to Talk about Winning in English BEAT vs WIN Common mistakes made are with the verbs TO WIN and TO BEAT. These mistakes are made by native  speakers and those learning English as a foreign language. For example, you can say:I won the match yesterday.I will win tomorrow.I am winning at the moment.BUT  you cannot say:I won the other team.We will win the other team tomorrow.We are winning the other team today.Instead you can say:I beat the other guy.We will beat that team tomorrow.We are beating them at the moment.Example: My team were playing a big game and at half time (interval) we were winning 2-0. However, in the second half we lost our momentum and the other team scored 3 goals. We were beaten 2-3. Difference between BEAT and WIN - Video Lesson Here are some other words and phrases to talk about winning in English:COME OUT ON TOPto be victoriousExample: Michael was boxing a much bigger kid. He was taller and heavier.He eventually came out on top and won the fight.GET THE UPPER HANDto get an advantageExample: It was a struggle for both competitors but the guy from Turkey eventually got the upper hand and won the fight.TO SEAL VICTORYto make a victory inevitable (certain)Example: It was a very even contest of rugby. Both teams were giving it everything (100% effort). However, the team in Red sealed victory with a last minute goal.KNOCKOUT PUNCHan action or event that causes defeat or failure  This also has a literal meaning as in a boxing match where one boxer knocks out his opponent and wins the fight or we can use it metaphorically.Example: Both teams were trying to win the game in normal time to avoid extra time. United in black shirts provided the knock out punch deep into injury time when they scored a penalty after a ha ndball incident inside the penalty area.Spectators are always more anxious than the players or competitors. They are always relieved when  their team is number one stay top of the league and remain ahead of the posse (one step ahead of someone or something)!Phrases and words like WELL DONE  or CONGRATS  (congratulations) are common expressions used  for the victors (winners) or a US term YOU’RE THE MAN  is heard at lots of sports events like golf and  tennis.Spare a thought  (think for a little while) about the unfortunate loser.For every winner there is a  loser or runner up and they are soon forgotten.HARD LUCK  or BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME  or TOUGH  are all the loser hears.Remember that great song by Queen We are the Champions, We are the Champions English Vocabulary about Winning - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here's what you can do next:

Does Your Child Have Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Does Your Child Have Oppositional Defiant Disorder Kids with ADHD are often labeled as having behavior challenges, which usually means that their behavior is more difficult for teachers, parents, and peers to cope with than it is for kids without ADHD. In reality, not all kids with ADHD have truly challenging behavior. Some kids with primarily inattentive symptoms of ADHD have very few behavior challenges. Their difficulties only show up when they need to follow through on instructions, stay focused on a task, or organize their materials. Kids with ADHD who have hyperactive or impulsive symptoms do display some challenging behaviors at home or at school. These behaviors are primarily related to acting without thinking or struggling to control their overly active bodies. While frustrating, these behaviors dont often truly cross over into the realm of being oppositional or defiant. When a child with ADHD is regularly oppositional or becomes so defiant that they experience problems in their relationships with family and friends, then AD HD may not be the only culprit. They may also have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (or ODD). In fact, up to 40% of kids with ADHD also meet diagnostic criteria for ODD. What is ODD? ODD is characterized by a persistent angry and irritable mood, behaving in ways that are spiteful or vindictive, and argumentative and defiant behavior that often includes lashing out at others, blaming others for their own mistakes, deliberately annoying other people, and refusing to follow instructions from adults. These symptoms represent a persistent pattern of behavior in kids with ODD and arent something that only show up occasionally when they are tired or have had a bad day. Unlike ADHD, which causes challenges at home and at school, ODD may only be a problem in one of these settings. For example, its not uncommon for kids with ODD to display symptoms at home, but not at school. How is ODD Diagnosed? Like ADHD, ODD can only be diagnosed by a licensed clinical psychologist or medical doctor (usually a psychiatrist or a pediatrician). Making a diagnosis of ODD can be difficult in some cases, because symptoms of depression, anxiety, or trauma can lead to similar oppositional behavior in kids. So its important that the provider evaluate a childs complete history and symptom profile before making a diagnosis. How is ODD Treated? Treatment for ODD is typically focused on behavioral interventions. Medication can be helpful if poor impulse control or other symptoms related to ADHD or a mood disorder are contributing to the oppositional behavior. One of the most effective behavioral interventions for ODD is Parent Child Interaction Therapy (or PCIT). Typically used with kids between the ages of 3-6 years old, PCIT involves therapy sessions that include live coaching which walks parents through the use of effective behavior strategies focused both on child-directed interactions (where the child takes the lead and the parent follows) and parent-directed interactions (where the parent gives instructions and the child follows). Many parents who participate in PCIT find that it truly transforms their relationship with their child. Some practitioners have also adapted PCIT for use with children over the age of 6. In addition to PCIT, behavioral parent training, similar to the behavioral parent trai ning used for ADHD, has been found to help with ODD and can be used with kids of all ages. Collaborative Problem Solving, where kids and parents learn specific strategies that can be applied to solving problems that come up in daily life, can also be effective. What should you do if you suspect that your child may have ODD? If you suspect that your child may have ODD, reach out to your childs pediatrician or therapist as soon as possible and request a referral for a full evaluation. Like many mental health challenges, the sooner you begin treating ODD, the better the long-term prognosis for your child. 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.

Language Learning 101 Top Strategies and Tools

Language Learning 101 Top Strategies and Tools Language Learning 101: Top Strategies and Tools Kató Lomb is my favorite polyglot.She was, to put it mildly, a total badass.She became one of the first simultaneous interpreters  and learned 16 languages.The primary part of her learning method involved reading books.Let me say that again: She taught herself languages to the point where she was able to do the most mind-bogglingly difficult kind of interpretation, by reading.But how? Like, what exactly did she do?Id love to know, because Id like to do it, too.Lombs book  How I Learn Languages  goes into some detail about her methods, but not as much as you might expect considering the sheer level of awesomeness she achieved.Polyglots today, too, willing as they may be to share their language learning philosophies and opinions, can often be difficult to emulate.It can even seem like many people who have learned languages have basically no idea how they did it.Thats not to say you shouldnt try to gain useful tips from language learning superstars. And yes, there are strategies that h ave actually been shown to be effective for language learning.But more importantly, there are multiple strategies that seem to be effective for language learning.As a learner, you owe it to yourself not to be limited by any one persons idea of what works.Today, were going to take a long, relaxed look at some tools, strategies and resources that seem to be helpful for learners. Well also see what research and science have to say about them.Consider this post a sort of dashboard you can use to maximize the comfort, efficiency and fun of your personal language learning.Ready to get started? Language Learning 101: Top Strategies and ToolsThe Best Way to Learn a Language: What Language Learning Strategies Really Work?Below are some language learning methods that show promise.Its important to remember that no study about something as subjective as language learning will be 100% definitive.Its also worth mentioning that one approach probably wont do everything for you. In fact, theres ev idence that using more strategies can mean more successful language learning.And one more thing before we begin: We talk about learning styles in the language learning community a lot, with the best of intentions. But you should know that, scientifically speaking, the idea of learning styles is bogus.Sure, you may prefer certain ways of learning to other ways of learning, and if they help you feel inspired to study, great! But again, theres no reason to limit yourself based on a preconceived idea of how you learn best. This is an open bar, so help yourself.Spaced RepetitionYou may have seen some language learning programs advertising that they use some form of SRS, meaning a spaced repetition system or spaced repetition software.  Simply put, the idea behind spaced repetition is that when youre studying to memorize something, reviewing the material at spaced intervals is more effective than mashing it into a single session.Spaced repetition isnt just about algorithms in apps, its a broader concept thats been shown to be generally effective. What this means in plain English is that regular review is important and helpful.Many hardcore learners swear by the flashcard system Anki, which has become a staple of input-based learning. Some use it as their regular method of study and to learn a lot of vocabulary very fast.Heres something to keep in mind, though: Its not necessarily important to make SRS-based learning your main study approach. For many people, thats not even realistic, especially if youre making your own flashcards. Continually creating your own learning system is a lot of work.Thankfully, you dont have to be an input hound to take advantage of SRS. In fact,  using SRS for review for just a few minutes a day can improve your retention by leaps and bounds. One study involving EFL students showed that students who spent as little as three minutes a day on computer-generated spaced repetition exercises  retained nearly three times as much vocab as other students.Later on in this post, well look at some specific SRS-based tools you can use for your learning.Comprehensible InputComprehensible input is a term used by linguist Stephen Krashen to describe a concept that means pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Its the idea that learners need to be able to understand the material theyre reading or listening to in order for natural learning to take place.This doesnt mean that you cant be taking in material thats a bit over your head. In fact, thats part of the idea: By deducing the parts you dont know from what you do know, you learn the language.Comprehensible input  seems to be  effective for vocabulary retention. Theres additional evidence that input-based study can have many positive effects on language acquisition.So thats all well and good, right? But it may not immediately be obvious how you can apply this to your own studies. How can you ensure your study material meets comprehensible input standards?Here are a few ideas:Use graded readers. These make it easier for you to select and read more material at your level, which gets you more appropriate input, faster.Learn core vocabulary first.  This doesnt directly provide you with level-appropriate material, of course. But learning the most common words in a language first will give you a greater variety of texts and listening material to choose from. Which will, in turn, give you more input.Listen to and read your input extensively. In order for comprehensible input to be effective, it doesnt just need to be comprehensible. You also need to actually take in a substantial amount of it.For some insight on what exactly extensive reading and listening is, read on.Intensive and Extensive Reading and ListeningYou can read for enjoyment over a longer period of time (extensive), or read in shorter bursts in order to more closely analyze and interact with the material (intensive). You can do the same for listening.Both of these types of input are important and ca n help your learning in different ways.Theres evidence that extensive reading can not only aid in vocabulary retention but also increase motivation. Extensive reading may be more effective overall because it provides exposure to more material. However, intensive reading may be more important at the lower levels of learning  (the article in this link downloads automatically).As with extensive reading, there are indications that extensive listening may not only increase proficiency, but also motivation. Intensive listening may have its own distinct benefits. In one study, students who did a series of dictation exercises even discovered that  their speaking capabilities were positively affected by the listening exercises.Weve already discussed some ways to implement extensive reading above, including using graded readers. If you find readers that include reading comprehension questions or exercises for short texts, you can use these for intensive reading as well. Otherwise, try searchi ng [your target language] reading comprehension practice to find online reading exercises.For intensive and extensive listening, you may want to try keeping a listening journal. An article by Anthony Schmidt  details suggestions for engaging in and tracking intensive and extensive listening using a journal. These involve using sites like FluentU (more on this below) and TED Talks. The article is written from the perspective of an ESL teacher, but the activities can easily be adapted by independent learners for their own studies.ShadowingShadowing revolves around a pretty basic concept: You read along with an audio resource, matching its pace, intonation and pronunciation as closely as you can.It was introduced under the name shadowing by polyglot Alexander Arguelles. In its original, now rather quaint incarnation, shadowing is weirdly specific. Youre supposed to go outside with a text, corresponding recording and headphones. Then, you stand up straight while walking around, blasting yourself with the language and speaking along with it as simultaneously as possible in a loud voice.Arguelles is another one of my favorite polyglots and I love that this technique is a thing. However, Ive tried shadowing the old-school way and Im not entirely convinced that the fresh air and exercise part of it is in any way crucial.Look, it makes logical sense to me that attempting to speak along with a recording could be really effective for pronunciation. It also makes sense that occupying yourself with walking and reading while also speaking might help override your normal inhibitions and allow a deeper level of learning.But sort of like with making large amounts of SRS-optimized vocabulary input ones primary learning method, I dont think its a realistic option for the average person. I get stressed out having to go to the grocery store some days; Im not going to be out in a park seven days a week yelling in Korean and opening myself up to any number of awkward interactions.Ho wever, multiple studies have shown the basic technique of shadowing to be an effective learning method. And its simple enough to do the reading and listening part on your own, indoors or wherever you want. Its also simple to alternate shadowing with any listen and repeat prompts you encounter in language learning materials.Speaking of types of learning materialsLearning with Authentic MaterialsThere are certain advantages to using materials specifically designed for language learners. As weve explored above, learner-based content can better aid comprehensible input by better pinpointing a certain level.But there are marked advantages to using authentic materials, or materials intended for native speakers, too.From the study mentioned in the extensive reading section above, we already know that extensive reading itself may increase motivation. However, a separate study on extensive reading with online content showed that  authentic texts, specifically, may be motivating for students. Also,  the value of learning with authentic materials is somewhat self-evident. After all, interacting with authentic material is the goal, the dream. Its the ideal outcome, something that any learner will need to do eventually.The trick is balancing the need for authenticity with level-appropriate material for comprehensive input. To an extent, this is a balance you can achieve as a learner. There are some sites or programs that sort out authentic material for you. You can also use certain tricks to find level-appropriate content.Once you get to an intermediate or advanced level, the exact level of authentic material tends to be less of a concern. When youre still a beginner, however, you may find appropriate authentic material on:Shopping sites.Travel or real-estate sites.Childrens educational sites.Wikipedia.Some Wikipedia articles contain more complex sentences, sure. But they also tend to contain more cognates than your average reading material, making them easier to decipher. Additionally, they follow a certain basic format of headings and subheadings that can help you make more accurate guesses at what youre reading about.Learning with FeedbackThe importance of feedback, especially early in your learning process, is also somewhat self-evident. If you dont have any opportunity or capability to correct your mistakes, its tough to improve your language skills. The question surrounding feedback is more a question of when and how much.Feedback in the language classroom is a complicated and delicate subject. There are ongoing discussions about exactly how corrective feedback should be applied. As a learner, you dont necessarily have control over how any tutor or teacher you work with might choose to incorporate feedback. (Though you should certainly feel okay about taking some control over your own lessons.)When you learn independently, however, you dont have the potentially extremely valuable personalized feedback that a teacher can give you.But theres also something to be said for taking responsibility for your own learning.  One study  showed that students who worked out the correct answers to their own errors with other students and a teacher improved their language skills more than those who were only given corrections and a possible follow-up to ask a teacher questions.Whether or not youre primarily learning with a teacher, it may be beneficial to go over your wrong answers from tests, quizzes or apps with others. You could do this with friends, or you can get in touch with native speakers  through HiNative or another language exchange app.If youre learning on your own and have questions that require more detailed explanations, you may want to get an online tutor, even if only temporarily.Now that weve looked at some strategies you can apply to your language learning, lets look at some resources that align with them.Are Language Learning Apps and Online Programs Actually Beneficial?The short answer is yes. Heres the long answer:In 2018, The Atlantic published a piece by David H. Freedman titled How to Almost Learn Italian,  which details the authors experience using the popular language app Duolingo.In the article, Freedman talks about how he was sucked in by Duolingos addictive features but found, a week before leaving for Rome, that he didnt have the Italian language skills necessary for basic interactions. He quickly grabbed some other resources, including a phrasebook, and found he was able to cram practical language pretty effectively.In other words, it seems Duolingo hadnt given him the exact vocab he needed, but it had given him an understanding of the language that made vocab memorization easier and faster. He later got in touch with the CEO of Duolingo, Luis von Ahn, who verified that the way the app had worked for Freedman was the way it was supposed to work.This story illustrates a couple of important aspects of language apps. One is that theyre still new enough that we often dont really know what to expect from them.Another is that its only logical to assume that an app that drills you with complete sentences and gets you to study every day would be effective up to a point. It doesnt make sense to expect a language app to do everything for you, no more so than expecting a textbook to do everything for you.That doesnt mean, though, that we cant expect greater and greater developments from language apps in the future. It also doesnt mean that they arent already a wonderful tool to use now. In general, studies have linked positive results to popular language apps (well look at some in a moment).They may offer some unique positive benefits as well. For example,  researcher Fernando Rosell-Aguilar suggests  that learners may find apps useful for making errors privately and quelling performance anxiety.Here are some apps (also available to use online) you may find useful for your own learning.FluentUFluentU is unique in that it already brings together many of the strategies discu ssed above, and gives you material to practice all of them.FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news, commercials, vlogs, speeches, comedy skits and moreâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.The program sorts these authentic videos into six levels and gives you interactive captions, customized quizzes and multimedia flashcards that can be used in a variety of ways.All of this means that you getThe opportunity to use authentic materials early on, and comprehensible input via authentic materials.Level-appropriate materials and features for both intensive and extensive reading and listening.Corrective feedback through quizzes, along with explanatory grammar notes.SRS that helps you know when its time to review words, but that you dont have to adjust yourself or think about too much.Audio that can be used for shadowing.FluentU is a great way to consolidate your learning and to hit a lot of important points in your studies. Plus, it keeps tr ack of all the vocabulary you learn, so you get a 100% personalized experience.DuolingoA study done with learners of Spanish  suggested that for beginner learners, an estimated average of 34 hours with Duolingo was roughly equivalent to a semester of college. It was found to be more effective for beginners than advanced students. It was also more effective for those who were motivated by the prospect of using the language for travel.This all seems consistent with the story linked above, and probably with what most of us already know about Duolingo: Its fun, its popular, its geared towards earlier learners and you have virtually nothing to lose by using it.Getting started is easy, and the format is simple. You work your way through a variety of quiz-like exercises that serve as lessons, and there are grammar explanations available if you need them.With Duolingo, you get corrective feedback that you can explore further on your own. Input should be fairly comprehensible since its doled out by level.Duolingo tests both your reading and listening skills, though the robotic audio can sometimes give you pronunciations that sound a bit off. It also spaces out your learning by letting you know when its time to review material youve learned.Youll eventually need more, but Duolingo has likely gotten a lot of people learning a language who wouldnt be doing it otherwise. For more on what you can expect from Duolingo, check out this New York Times article on the subject.BabbelQueens College conducted the study on Duolingo above and did a similar one on Babbel, which showed that Babbel may be even more effective than Duolingo. It was found that beginner users only needed 15 hours with Babbel to cover the equivalent of a college semester of Spanish.Ive tried Babbel myself and I havent found it as engaging as the two apps above. However, thats not the same as saying that its not effectiveâ€"in fact, I understand why it would be. Babbel is a bit more sophisticated than Duolingo and some similar apps. It focuses on practical language and situations. It allows you to interact with the language through a variety of exercises, some of which include voice recognition.With Babbel, you get intensive work with the language. You get native speaker audio thats comprehensible for your level. As with most apps, you get  corrective feedback.What you get with Babbel is probably more like what you get with classroom learning than any of the other apps on this list. If youre more of an independent learner like me, you may find that stifling, but if you want a lot of guidance, you may find its perfect for you.busuubusuus lessons are topic- and communication-based. The program covers level-appropriate material and prompts for  reading, writing, listening and speaking. With busuu, you can easily track your progress and test your level at any time. I think this is all fantastic.Personally, however, I find busuu a bit too involved for my tastes. There are different stages of each lesson you have to passâ€"there are activities and rewards and opportunities to connect with native speakers, too.For me, that feels like a bit much for one app. I enjoy gameification, but I like to have more control over my learning than busuu offers. That doesnt mean that it doesnt have advantages for those who want it all, though.Im bringing up my personal feelings about busuu and Babbel to show that, regardless of whats supposed to be efficient or effective, individual preferences can make or break whether youll actually get any studying done.On the other hand, you can miss out on a lot if you just listen to what other people say about a given product. If I wanted, I could gripe about how these apps are actually bad for language learners just because I dont prefer them myself, when solid research suggests exactly the opposite  is true.busuu has also gotten high marks in the efficacy department, falling between Babbel and Duolingo in terms of how good it is at replacing coll ege coursework (which, it should be stressed, isnt everything). Like Babbel, Im including it here because research indicates that it gets results and that a lot of people like using it. You could very well be one of them.50LANGUAGESI dont have a study to cite for this app. Im including it here because, like FluentU, it offers content that aligns well with some of the strategies discussed in this post.Its pretty basic, but its free and includes great material for beginners. Lessons are vocabulary-based, with complete sentences for context and audio recordings of each word or phrase that can be played separately or together.This makes it compatible with shadowing, comprehensible input for earlier learners and material for intensive reading and listening.It also offers corrective feedback in the form of flashcards and quizzes.Online Language Learning Course Resources: Your Structure and SupportOnline language courses come with their challenges and may not give you as thorough of an exp erience as an in-person class. However, they may still be a good option for learners who arent currently in a college class, due to the low cost and accessibility.The main catch to taking online courses may be that it takes self-discipline to actually finish them.  Harvard Business Review reports that only 4% of people who watch a Coursera lecture (see below) actually go on to do the whole course. However, many people who do complete courses report they experience practical benefits as a result.Heres where you can get your language learning course fix online.CourseraCoursera is a big name in online learning and currently has courses for Spanish, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, English, French and Russian.Its always worth checking the latest offerings. Courses are taught by professors from actual universities but can enroll thousands of people. You can generally join and complete open courses at any time for free, with certificates available for a fee.AlisonAlison is more of an all-you-can -eat buffet when it comes to language courses. You can pick and choose between specific subjects in a language, like tourism, dining out, writing skills, conversation skills, etc.They currently offer courses for English, Spanish, German, Irish, French, Chinese, Arabic, Swedish and Japanese. Like Coursera, Alison provides free materials to learners, but charges a fee for certificates.Open CultureHeres a list of free course resources that may be especially helpful if youre learning a lesser-taught language.Open Culture includes materials here for learning Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Luxembourgish, Maori, Urdu, Tagalog, Romanian and many more.Language Learning Podcasts: An Underestimated Study SupplementPodcasts can be fun, informative and, best of all, anyone can have one, right? As it turns out, the podcast format may be just as useful for language learning as for dispensing any type of information.  Multiple studies have shown podcasts to be a great all-around learning tool.Na tive-language podcasts are perfect for extensive listening practice, and some podcasts intended for language learners are great for intensive listening practice, particularly for beginners. Lets start with those.Innovative LanguageInnovative Language delivers some lessons that are available on their YouTube channels for free; others become accessible when you subscribe. Either way, you can carry engaging, level-appropriate audio featuring native speakers on your phone with you throughout the day. Lessons are currently available in 34 languages.Coffee Break LanguagesCoffee Break Languages gives you podcast-style lessons that teach French, Italian, Chinese, German and Spanish. You can access lessons for free on their website but have the option of signing up for additional content. Lessons include discussions of cultural subjects, grammar points and more.News in SlowThis collection of slowly-spoken news podcasts is fantastic for learners of Spanish, French, Italian and German.Simplifi ed audio based on cultural material is such a good language learning tool, especially around the intermediate levelâ€"though News In Slow is available for beginning, intermediate and advanced learners. Its essentially learner-friendly material with an authentic flavor.More Language Learning PodcastsLooking for more podcasts for a specific language? Here are a few lists to get you started:The 9 Most Riveting Korean Podcast Resources for Language Learners9 Elite Russian Podcasts for Winning Learners10 Awesome French Podcasts for French Learners9 Awesome German Podcasts to Accelerate Your Language Learning8 Japanese Podcasts for Accelerating Your Learning7 Italian Podcasts for Mastering the LanguageNative Language Podcasts and Radio: Necessary Language Listening PracticeSo now about that extensive, authentic listening. We already discussed why extensive listening is important. However, you may also be interested to know that even passively listening to speech while doing other activiti es  can be beneficial to your learning.Here are a couple of sources to provide you with a continuous stream of your target language.TuneInTuneIn gives you access to stations and podcasts from all over the world. Browse by language or location to find what youre looking for.RFI LanguagesDont want to spend time searching? RFI (Radio France Internationale) broadcasts world news in 16 languages.More Authentic Language PodcastsWant more? Below are some lists of radio stations and podcasts for specific languages:Authentic Brazilian Portuguese Listening in 11 Podcasts6 Native Chinese Podcasts for an Authentic Learning ExperienceThe 5 Best Spanish Talk Radio Stations to Give You Spanish Ears5 Great French Talk Radio Shows for Your Learning and Listening PleasureImprove Your German Listening with 9 Made in Germany PodcastsThe Best 3 Japanese Radio Stations and Their Top Talk Radio ProgramsTune In to the 6 Best Italian Radio Stations for Learning the LanguageLive and Breathe Russian? Check Ou t These 10 Radio Stations for Language LearningLearning Korean with Radio: 7 Essential Tips for Streaming SuccessYoull Need Lots of Foreign Language Reading Material, Too!And all the better if its free. Here are some accessible resources for your intensive and extensive reading needs.Project GutenbergYou wont find the freshest reads here, but you do get public domain texts in over 60 languages.The Foreign Language Library OnlineThis is a simple, non-intimidating resource you can use to read short articles in your target language, provided your target language is English, French, Spanish, German or Russian.You can search by language or topic category. Categories include Literature, Movies, History and In the News.Deutsche WelleHeres another news site offering up a linguistic smorgasbord. Choose from current events in 30 languages.Everything Else: Language Learning Websites for Additional Language PracticeSo at this point, weve covered almost everything in terms of language learning r esources you can access from a computer or phone, but not quite everything. There are always those resources that serve their own very specific purposes or are just handy to have bookmarked.Here are a few you might find helpful for practicing and testing your skills along the way.italkiOn italki, you can quickly find an online teacher and pay by the lesson with no long-term commitment. This makes it a convenient resource for getting speaking practice or having your language skills evaluated.Its also a great resource for  getting in-depth feedback or explanations of concepts youre struggling with.Lang-8With Lang-8, youre able to test your other language output skill: writing. On the Lang-8 website, you can write posts thatll then be corrected by native speakers, and you can provide the same service for others.Its like an open pen pal platform thats focused on corrections and more convenient for everyone. This is a good way to get personalized feedback without a teacher.Freerice.comHe res a straightforward vocabulary game that includes quizzes for English, German, Spanish, French, Italian and Latin. Theres nothing mind-blowing about it, but its an easy and fun way to memorize new words.If you play regularly enough, youll see some of the same words go by again as you work your way up through the levels, which will help you get in some review and repetition.Plus, as you play, youre earning donations for the World Food Programme.BBC LanguagesBBC Languages is just an all-around good free resource to be aware of. It gives you access to audio and video courses and links to sources for authentic materials.  Content is available for 40 languages.Whew, thats a lot! Hopefully, you see now that effective language learning isnt about any one big solution. Its more about applying certain key principles and strategies when and how you can.Most of the resources above are instantly accessible, and many of them are free. So theres no reason not to start building up a language rou tine that works for you right now.Happy learning, and have fun!