The Write Tutoring Program Is a Good Way to Improve English Writing Skills

The Write Tutoring Program Is a Good Way to Improve English Writing SkillsWe all have heard of the Write Tutoring Program, but what exactly is it? The program has been in the NYC system for years and is a great way to help a student with their writing and spelling skills. It provides an individualized approach to the different aspects of English and helps students improve in almost every aspect of their English writing skills.At the bottom of the most talented student, there is often a Jane. In fact, many students have no idea that they have Jane in their head and for years their English writing skills had been poor because they had been focusing too much on the Jane. This is a common problem, which becomes much worse when a student loses his or her Jane.English Tutors can provide more than just tutoring. One of the more interesting parts of the program is the mentoring of junior and senior English tutors, as well as in-house writing instructors. Most of the classrooms are small and one to two-person rooms. This way students are able to get the writing tutoring they need, at the pace they need.This is really a good way to train students with Jane. Many of the students who receive the tutoring will go on to take a college level English writing course. The more people who take an English writing course, the better the chances that the teacher will have Jane on their side.Language programs have become very popular, but also, English has become very popular, because so many Americans and Canadians are fluent in English. New York City is one of the largest bilingual cities in the country. The New York City tutoring program allows students to express themselves in a much more creative way, by not only speaking English, but also using English as the primary language.Language is important, but writing is even more important. When students are writing papers or essays, they can use English to 'speak' the English, and not only speak the language. In the beginning, many s tudents are skeptical of this approach, but once they get into the habit of speaking English as their native language, then they start to use it in their writing. It has many benefits for the student, not only because it is effective in teaching English, but because it allows them to express themselves in their own language.Overall, the Write Tutoring Program is a great way to improve the English skills of students. It is also a good way to teach the importance of communication in all areas of life.

Introducing Teach Aways first annual international education recruiting trends report!

Introducing Teach Away’s first annual international education recruiting trends report! “What matters most to candidates looking to teach abroad?” At a time when hiring international educators is more competitive than ever, knowing the answer to this question is critically important. That’s why, to shed light on the evolving international education hiring landscape, Teach Away recently surveyed more than 10,000 teaching candidates from our extensive community of international educators, to better understand their key career motivators and job search preferences. Their answers can be found in our annual International Education Recruitment Report for 2017. hbspt.cta.load(2736097, '7f899091-104b-40c4-ac00-7892e8fcb303', {}); The Teach Away International Education Recruitment Report is filled with international education industry dataand actionable takeaways. Featuring data-driven insights and hiring strategies from leading experts in international education recruitment, our report will arm international school leaders with the information they need to continue attracting and retaining the best international teachers in an increasingly competitive landscape, including: What motivates candidates to teach abroad. What makes them happiest at work. How to avoid common frustrations that they have when looking for jobs. Where to look for great teachers and how to attract them to your school. A big thank you to our respondents for contributing to this research. Be sure to check out the recruitment report and share with your colleagues on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn!

Trumps Administration Why the Controversy

Trump's Administration Why the Controversy pexels.com So, for your benefit, here is a quick summary of who to be on the lookout for following Friday’s inauguration: The New Team: Senior Adviser: Jared Kushner What’s his role? There’s a lot that goes into the role, but he’s essentially a part of domestic and foreign policy. Why he’s controversial? He’s married to Trump’s daughter, Ivanka. It’s debatable as to whether or not this breaks anti-nepotism laws (basically, the laws that state the president can’t appoint family members). It’s also controversial because he’s the CEO of the family’s real estate business (though he will be supposedly stepping down to take on the role). Chief Strategist: Steve Bannon What’s his role? He’s basically the lead adviser to Trump. Why he’s controversial? He ran a media outlet (Breitbart News) that leaned very far to the right. For Democrats, this is a bad thing. For Republicans, not so much. Chief of Staff: Reince Priebus What’s his role? Called the president’s “gatekeeper,” he will essentially supervise the staff in the White House. Why he’s controversial? Just another Republican. In fact, he was a Republican National Committee chairman. Counselor to the President: Kellyanne Conway What’s her role? She would essentially be the president’s top adviser, working on his top priorities with lawmakers. Why she’s controversial? She was Trump’s campaign manager. In other news, she was the first female in that role to win the presidential election. An odd bit of irony for you, huh? National Security Adviser: Michael Flynn What’s his role? He keeps us safe. Kind of. He’s an adviser to the president on issues such as military and foreign policy. Why he’s controversial? He’s anti-Islam. Or at least, pro-aggression towards Islam. He’s a retired general (served in both Iraq and Afghanistan) and he’s ready to turn up the heat. Press Secretary: Sean Spicer What’s his role? Exactly as you’d think: he manages the relationship between the White House and the press. Why he’s controversial? He was the head spokesman of the Republican National Committee (just another Republican). But I think we’ll learn rather quickly that he’s going to have one of the toughest jobs over the next four years. That is if recent events have anything to say about it. Secretary of State: Rex Tillerson What’s his role? He’s the main go-to on foreign policy. He’s basically going to be managing our international relations. Why he’s controversial? He was the CEO of ExxonMobil. He also has ties with Russia and Vladimir Putin himself. So for a president that’s rumored to have a similar relationship, this is a questionable choice. Defense Secretary: James Mattis What’s his role? He’s the go-to man on defense. In other words, he runs the military. Why he’s controversial? He’s clashed with the White House previously under the Obama administration, though he has served for over 40 years in the Marines and has led forces in both Afghanistan and Iraq. So he’s qualified, but things will be very different than they were under Obama. UN Ambassador: Gov. Nikki Haley What’s her role? She’s the go-to for the United Nations. She’s going to be a foreign policy adviser to the secretary of state and the president himself. Why she’s controversial? She’s probably best known as the South Carolina governor that took the Confederate Flag down after a shooting in order to stop division, and she’s been a big advocate against some of Trump’s plans. So we’ll likely see some head-butting there in the future. CIA Director: Mike Pompeo What’s his role? You guessed it he’s in charge of CIA operations. He’s also going to advise Trump on CIA intel to keep the U.S. safe. Why he’s controversial? For a brief history lesson, he was on the committee that investigated the Benghazi attacks. In future tense, he’s dealing with a president that’s been fairly anti-CIA. So again, head-butting could be in the near future. Attorney General: Jeff Sessions What’s his role? He’s going to be running the Justice Department. So he’s basically the top law enforcement officer in the U.S. Why he’s controversial? He’s got a “spotty” civil rights history. Especially surrounding the police and Black Lives Matter issues that are ongoing, this is going to be quite a problem moving forward. Don’t be too surprised if this comes up frequently. Treasury Secretary: Steve Mnuchin What’s his role? He’s our money man. Basically, he’s in charge of U.S. debt and updating the president on our finances as a country. Why he’s controversial? He has no government background. Oh, and he’s exactly the type of person that Trump said wouldn’t be appointed under his presidency. So already, some red flags are flying high. His plans will likely only help the financial elite, according to many sources, which is a bummer for middle-class Americans. So these names will come up again be on the lookout! And at least now you have some background information for the next time you hear their names.

The Surprisingly Effective Language Learning Method that You Must Try Now

The Surprisingly Effective Language Learning Method that You Must Try Now 3 Cool Language Learning Methods: Translating Children’s Stories Back and Forth So, you think youve tried every language learning strategy?Think there are no stones left unturned?Lets go to the checklist:Flashcards? Check!Follow-along podcasts? Check!Books and e-books? Check!Cooking shows? Check!Foreign movies? Check!Foreign songs? Check!Skype with native speakers?  Check!Well, I’m here to tell you about a cool, fresh way to learn that I bet you havent tried before: translating children’s stories.Yup. You’re not just a listener of podcasts now. You’re not just a simple reader of grammar books. You’re gonna be donning your translator’s hat and bridging two languages.What say you? Do you think you have what it takes?More importantly, do you think its possible to learn a  new language by translating children’s stories?Well, let’s find out, shall we? Why Children’s Stories? How Do They Help You Learn a New Language?Children’s stories have characteristics that make them ideal tools for learning a new language. These features make them “approac hable,” within reach for  even the most beginner of learners.Don’t be turned off by the fact that you’re gonna do some translating. Nope, it’s not just for UN  diplomats or the Question Answer portion of the Miss Universe competition. It’s for mortals like you and me.And don’t worry. Because of the nature of children’s stories, you will find translating a breeze. Here’s why:Vocabulary Is RudimentaryWriters of children’s books expect their readers to barely have the manual dexterity to turn the pages. So they specifically use words that can be understood by somebody who has only spent a few years on this Earth.You probably won’t find words that will score high on Scrabble in these texts.Instead, you will find words that are about the weather, animals, family, friends, fruits, colors, kites, shapes and creatures of the imaginationâ€"all very basic, and yet very interesting.  Also, you will find concrete verbs that pertain to running, jumping, swimming, playing, cr awlingâ€"anything that can easily be drawn by a book illustrator and imagined by a youngster.So what is the advantage for you, you ask?Well, you get to learn the easiest words of your target language. And often, those are also the most useful words. You’re learning beginner-appropriate words that don’t get you discouraged because they don’t overwhelm you with unneeded intricacies.  So you’re getting eased into the language.In addition, because the topics addressed by children’s stories are practically universal, you can be sure that there will be equivalent words in the language you are translating them into. Let’s say you wanna translate a Spanish text to English. How fruitful will the activity be for a beginner if half the Spanish words don’t even have a natural and corresponding translation in English?  With children’s stories, you are practically assured of a word-for-word correspondence.This is also useful for intermediate and advanced learners who want to try t heir hand at translating texts. Before moving on to advanced texts with more abigiuous and artistic meaning, childrens books will let you build up your translation skills with the training wheels on. Dont forget that childrens books cover a wide range of age groups, from infants to 6th graders. Books for older children will have longer sentences, along with more complex grammar and vocabulary! That means that, somewhere in this literary category, you will find the right difficulty level to help you start translating.Sentences Are Short and SimpleThere will be no nesting of sentences in these texts. Nor will there be complex or compound structures.  For our purposes here, the shorter the sentences, the better.  Not only because they make translating easy. Short sentences illustrate with simple clarity the grammar rules that exist in the language. They model how the different parts of speech relate so that patterns can readily be observed.For example, Subject-Verb agreement is  easier to distill in sentences like:The cat is black.New marbles are shiny.My pet dog is sick.Ants are small.A beginner, for example, can form  some  initial impressions about Subject-Verb agreementâ€"even without explicitly knowing the actual rules.In complex and nested sentences, the grammar rules become too convoluted and overwhelming to be appreciated by anybody, much less a beginner.So let me give you some tips for  choosing your very first children’s book to translate:1. Choose a book that contains only one sentence per page.2. Choose a book with sentences made up of 8 words or less.3. Choose a book with a large font size.The Story Makes the Language Lessons More MemorableDo you know why rote memorization rarely results in long-term learning?  It is because the whole exercise is devoid of context. And if there’s anything that can help the human brain remember more, it’s context.Remember that seminar you attended last year? You probably forgot what the speaker’s main points w ere. But you might still remember his stories. (Just as we remember the stories of our childhood even up ‘til now.)  Stories are that sticky. They are so powerful that they were used by the ancients (effectively) to preserve tradition from generation to generation.By packaging the lessons in a delightful and engaging story, you are ensuring that your  brain efficiently stores the language lessons in your long-term memory. Embedding the lessons in a plot makes them much more memorable.So by translating children’s stories, you get a much-needed boost in your learning. You are not just memorizing things from a list or out of thin air. You actually got the whole process of translating to back you up.Let me illustrate. Suppose you’re trying to remember the Spanish for the word “yellow.” Instead of your brain trying to remember the list of Spanish colors that you got on a piece of paper, it is thinking along the lines of, “wait, I’ve translated this word before! I think it w as in the story about the monkey and his yellow bananahmmmplátano amarillo. Right! The word is amarillo!” Now, is that not a much better way of storing things in your memory? If I were you, I’d translate plenty of stories. The lessons will quickly build up and compound. Before long, you wll not only have plenty of story lines in your head, but a formidable grasp of your target language.Learning-by-Using is a Proven TechniqueMany years ago, it was only the natural travelers who were notoriously good at picking up new languages. They would go to a foreign land, spend years there, interact with the locals and leave the country with a certain adeptness in the language. They did not even go to language classes. They only went to the market.We call that method of learning immersion. If you wanna learn a language, one of the best ways is to keep using it. And what better way than to actually go to the place where people use your target language?  Immersion is about practice. It isnt a bout just about memorizing vocabulary, but rather it is about using it to get around a place or to buy some food at the supermarket. It is about standing in front of native speakers and interacting with them.And this is what is actually happening when you are translating a book. It is almost like talking to a native speaker. He tells you something, and then you look down to your dictionary to make out what he was saying. After figuring that out, you are searching for words in your dictionary that will help you in composing an appropriate response.In short, translating a children’s book is a form of immersion. You are actually actively employing your lessons. You are practicing the target language. Your mind is hard at work looking at proper word use and appropriate word relationships.  So just as walking into the city center and interacting with native speakers is a vehicle for language learning, translating a book is a vehicle as well. And just as the more you interact, the bette r you getâ€"the more you translate, the better you become.So what are you waiting for?In the next sections, we will look at the different ways of learning a language via translating children’s stories.3 Cool Language Learning Methods: Translating Children’s Stories Back and ForthI. Translating Children’s Stories from Foreign to Native LanguageSkills developed:  By translating children’s stories from your  target language to  your native language, you not only add loads of vocabulary  to  your bag, you also learn how the different parts of speech interact with one another.Guess what? You’ll also learn what the most basic sentences in your target language look like. You’ll notice patterns and have models to examine how grammar rules apply in sentence construction.  Because of all these brownie points, translating children’s stories can be a seriously productive use of your time.1. Translate each  wordThe key in translating children’s stories is to start one word at a t ime. Begin by using free translation apps online (if necessary) to translate individual words.  Suppose you want to translate this Spanish sentence:  La casa es grande.Translating each word, you will get: The house is big. Youre already done in this case!  Working with individual words alone will give you a lot of information about the sentence, and it will be enough for a translation. Isn’t that neat, when English and your target language neatly correspond?2. Translate each sentenceWords alone are  not always enough. Sometimes, you need to do some transpositions. For example, look at this Spanish sentence:  Maria es una bailarina apasionada.  Translating the words individually, you’ll get: Maria is a dancer passionate.After working the individual words into your native language, you now have a general idea of what the sentence is about. The sentence’s meaning will be easy enough to divine from this, if it isnt already completed translated. In this step, finish translating tha t whole sentence using your own words and phrasing. It wouldn’t take much for you to get  the above sentence translated into English: Maria is a passionate dancer.If you’re keen, with this sentence alone, you’ll get an inkling of the noun-adjective sequence in Spanish. Give yourself some slack and do not worry too much about whether or not  you will get the perfect translation. It’s more important that you get into the swing of things. So have at it!3. Milk the sentence for the basics of grammarAfter translating the statement into English, you’ll want to milk it of language lessons.  For example, I want you to take notice of the different parts of speech and ask yourself some of these questions:Which part of speech (noun, adjective, verb, etc.) comes first? second? last?Which words are used to connect the main words in the sentence? (eg. conjunctions, linking-verbs etc.)How does the sequence of words compare/contrast with English?Answering these questions, you now have an initial look into how the grammar rules of the target language differ from the rules of grammar of the language that you know bestâ€"your native tongue.II. Translating a Children’s Story into a  Foreign  LanguageIn this section, we do the complete reverse and translate stories from your native language to the target language. This route usually comes second to translating stories from the target language.  That is because you can make use of the skills gained from the previous strategy.Skills developed:  One of the advantages of going from your native language  to your target language is the bag full of synonyms you will pick up along the way. Moreover, you will be more sensitive to the nuances between synonyms. Over time, you will be more skilled in picking the right word for the specific context at hand.This route will also give you the chance to practice the lessons you’ve learned in the previous section. Most language learners stop at translating texts into English. But that is clearly not enough. That is like using a flashcard but looking at only one side of it. It doesn’t really make any sense.  You have to come  full circle.This wise advice comes from the famed polyglot Luca Lampariello. By translating to the target language, you learn to pick up the nuances between your native language and your target language. You notice how they interact and overlapâ€"what makes them similar and what makes them different. This kind of flexibility is only developed when you come “full circle.”1. Translate individual words into the target languageThis is where you will get the building blocks for the words that will compose your sentence.  You will quickly notice that, when working word-by-word, there are many translations for a single English word. So how do you choose the best fit?Besides looking at context, you should also go for simplicity. That means if a cognate is available, choose the cognate as the translation. For example, for the word “abundant† you can choose from the Spanish words: abundante, colmado, lleno or caudalosoâ€"which all signify abundance. In this case, it would be better, more often than not, to choose the cognate abundante to capture the complete sense of the word.In addition, avoid being too specific or being too general with your translations. Being too specific or too vague, you will leave out some nuance in your translation and you will end up with a word that doesn’t fully capture the sense of the original word.  Your skill with these things will come with experience. I encourage you to cut yourself some slack. Don’t go for 100% accuracy. But definitely know that as your practice time increases, your accuracy will increase as well.2. Translate the whole sentence into the target languageThis is where those skills from the previous section come in. Remember the grammar nuances you’ve milked by translating the target language into your native language? Put them to good use here.Let’s say you’re going from English to Spanish.  The sentence I like red flowers  will be translated into Spanish as  me gustan las flores rojas.  Notice the Spanish transposition we’ve learned earlier where the adjective (rojas) comes after the noun (flores)? We will get a chance to apply it here.III. Writing Your Own Children’s StoriesSkills Developed:  Besides acquiring the skills previously mentioned in the two sections, writing your own stories is the best use of your translating time. You are not bounded by the topics and themes of the stories of others. You are laser-focused on the very topics that you wanted to learn.Last but not least, you will have made gains on creativity that improve your capacity for language learning as a whole.Especially for creative types, writing your own children’s stories will be the best and most fulfilling use of your time. Here, you are free to explore themes that resonate with you and learn all the relevant vocabulary. Let’s say you want to master the German numbersâ€"write a story about that. If you fancy learning about the French days of the week, then write about that!1. First, write your story in  your native languageThis will allow you to crystallize the plot and figure out which necessary elements of language you will need. If you decided to write about German numbers, then incorporate them carefully into your story. (If you’re good enough, you can skip this first part and write directly in your target language.)2. Second, write your story in the target languageBe flexible when you do this. If you discover that the native language  version you have written is too hard, go back and make it a little bit easier. Students often discover that their perfect story is impossible for them to translate. This is normal. You will definitely have some starts and stops. Translating will be awkward at first. You will feel like a baby learning a new language. But push on, don’t give up.3. As a check, try translating your story back  I know this sounds a bit redundant, but looking at things in reverse will show you the holes in your translation. You have no idea how things look when you do them in reverse. (Try it. You’ll be surprised.)  In addition, it will cement your learning. Working on your story forwards and backwards, from one language to another, will strengthen the neural connections in your head.And there you go!We have learned here that translating children’s stories is actually a great from of immersion. Since you are actively learning and using the language, it is like conversing with a native speaker. It is very possible to get proficient in the language just by translating stories from a target language to your native tongue and vice-versa.But hey, if you want to take a break from translating and hear how actual natives talk, you’re standing in the best possible place.  FluentU is the leading provider of language learning videos in the internet. Here, youll be treated to immersive lessons for different major languages of the world. With FluentU, you get a 24/7 multimedia education right in your own bedroom.So what are you waiting for?

The beginners guide to teaching abroad in Europe

The beginner’s guide to teaching abroad in Europe Interested in teaching in Europe but not sure which country is right for you? Europe is a varied continent, offering lots of different career opportunities for both ESL teachers and certified teachers. That’s why it’s worth doing your homework before you start applying for teaching jobs in Europe. Whether you’re looking for teaching jobs in Spain, Italy, France, Turkey or the Czech Republic, our handy table below will help you along in your research. We’ve included details on the average teacher salary, benefits, typical start-up costs, cost of living, as well as the most popular areas to find teaching jobs in each country. Country Average Teacher Salary Benefits Start-up Costs Cost of Living Teaching job hot spots (urban/rural) Spain €700 - 1,800 (approx. $750 - 1,950 USD) Paid vacation Airfare, initial daily expenses, travel insurance Lower in rural areas Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid Italy €900 - 1,600 (approx. $970 - 1,720 USD) Paid vacation Airfare, initial daily expenses, travel insurance Low in rural areas Milan, Naples, Rome, Turin, Palermo, Genoa, Bologna, Florence France €1,400 - 1,700 (approx. $1,490 - 1,800 USD) Paid vacation Airfare, initial daily expenses, travel insurance, housing High in urban areas Paris, as well as smaller cities and rural areas Turkey $1,000 - 1,800 USD Paid vacation Airfare, initial daily expenses, travel insurance, housing Very low Ankara Czech Republic 18,000 - 24,000 KC Housing allowance Airfare, initial daily expenses, travel insurance Very low Prague

Looking For a Chemistry Tutor in Orlando, Florida?

Looking For a Chemistry Tutor in Orlando, Florida?When you are looking for a chemistry tutor in Orlando, Florida you should choose the right tutor. You want someone who will really get you going and keep you learning even after class is over. Choosing the right person will mean the difference between keeping your mind sharp and staying awake at night.Make sure the tutor you choose is certified and ready to take you through your first chemical reaction. This is the foundation that will help you tackle many complex questions. It is the foundation of chemistry, and without it there is no real chemistry.The best option when looking for a chemistry tutor in Orlando is to choose a woman. When you meet a chemistry student, she will already have the confidence to answer all your questions. She will not be intimidated or shy. She will have the attitude of a confident woman ready to take on any challenge.Chemistry tutors will also be able to give you advice when you need it. This is one of the main reasons why you are looking for a tutor. A chemistry teacher will be an expert on the subject. They will know the correct answers to any question that you may have.The best advice that you can get from a tutor is to make sure you make the most of your class time. Some tutors cannot seem to find the right time to give you the answers that you need. It may not be in class time, but a tutor can always come up with a way to schedule a class in your schedule that will give you the time you need.No matter how well you do in your chemistry class, you need to find a tutor that can get you through your test. Test-taking is important in high school. It is an exam that sets you up for college. If you get a good tutor, you can get through the test just fine.Just remember that chemistry is about understanding and this is how you will improve and get better. Choose a tutor that has your best interests in mind.

Parenting Tips - How to Find Quality Educational Programs That Allow You to Customize For Your Child

Parenting Tips - How to Find Quality Educational Programs That Allow You to Customize For Your ChildSo, you've seen the value of using a program to enhance your child's academic success, but not every program offers 240 tutoring reviews. To be fair, when I say a program, it can be anything from a one-on-one tutor to a combination of in-person and online tutors.When I say 'good program,' it means something else. A good program allows for individualized attention to the specific needs of each student. A bad program fails to meet the particular needs of a particular student.The better programs give a student the freedom to make individualized schedule changes based on their own particular needs. The better programs allow for individualized learning style, which is the best way to make progress and reach your goals.Many training programs are run by well-respected private and/or public schools. When I say that the best programs allow for individualized attention, I'm referring to the type of personal attention that your child needs. Private tutors are able to see what your child has already learned and they are willing to put in the extra effort to help your child in these areas.Usually, an individualized program allows you the freedom to set up an appointment with the school counselor who is accountable for the students' education. So, you have a relationship with the school counselor that is different than with your own school counselor. Your children are getting the attention they need while you are getting the attention you want.Private tutors are much less expensive than traditional public school programs. And, most of the private tutors provide more than classroom instruction. The programs are designed to give your child individualized attention, plus teaching their child how to use the Internet to market their education and show off their accomplishment.The best programs allow you to focus on building relationships with your child. They offer personalized ass istance that meets your specific needs. They do not, however, guarantee success because that is an individual effort.

Singing Tips to Improve your Voice

Singing Tips to Improve your Voice How Can You Learn to Sing Fine Tune Your Voice? Chapters So What is Timbre? Three Tips for Finding Your Singing Voice The Top 5 Tips for Improving the Quality of Your VocalsArtistic and creative students are often left stupefied when faced with all the Greek symbols and equations you find in your normal science or maths classes.  The same is true when the scientifically-minded venture into classical music or even just certain aspects of music and the arts in general.After all, a lot of the terms and vocabulary used are hardly the kind of things you’ll hear every day. A lot of them even seem like a foreign language!Surely these musicologists are just being pedantic, right? Of course not! In fact, there’s a good reason they need to use all the pretentious-sounding words!After all, every single musical instrument requires different techniques and skills in order to be played. The same can be said when you learn how to sing. When it comes to the world of singers, one thing is far more important that you’d first think, timbre.Whe ther you dream of becoming a tenor or a soprano, or want to be successful as a contemporary singer, you can’t ignore how important timbre is. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors So What is Timbre?This is a word that often comes up when we speak about sounds since it can refer to any sound made by anything.This means that you can use timbre to talk about the sounds instruments make as well as the sounds the human voice makes (w hich is also an instrument in its own right). Make sure you don’t confuse the term with the idea of tessitura when you first learn to sing as this is the natural range the voice can make, in terms of notes and octaves.Tessitura is used to distinguish bass, baritone, tenor, alto, mezzo-soprano, soprano, etc. And during your vocal training, you'll be encouraged to sing in one of these ranges.With the right singing lessons, you'll be able to sing like a bird. (Source: pixabay.com)Timbre, on the other hand, is the character or quality of a musical sound or voice rather than its pitch and intensity.In short, it's the type of sound that allow us to identify a singer or an instrument. For example, both a guitar and a piano can play middle C but it's the timbre of each of these notes that help us know when the piano’s playing it and when the guitar’s playing it. The same goes for voices. This is also how you can tell different pianos apart. The timbre contains all the audio informatio n we need to tell one instrument from another and identify the unique aspects of every sound.Pitch, vibrato, amplitude, attack, these are the main elements that make up an instrument’s timbre.  Timbre allows us to experience all of humanity since every single voice is unique with its own personality.  This concept is a fairly recent notion which was developed in the fields of organology and pyschoacoustics (with the harmonic analysis of sounds) and orchestration in general.Timbre was understood to be related to the colour of voices and instruments. If somebody’s already said that you have a beautiful voice, you’ve already taken your first steps towards being a successful singer. Learning how to sing in tune is the next step.Modern singers sometimes talk about vocal colour when referring to their voice. A person’s speaking voice is usually their first vocal colour and it usually will mix low and middle notes at the same time. Three Tips for Finding Your Singing VoiceRemember that, for both men and women, a singer’s timbre and tessitura will change over time.  The change is generally towards the lower end of the spectrum rather than upwards.While it’s generally understood that your timbre occurs naturally (due to your larynx, pharynx, glottis, and vocal cords, etc.) and changes over time, you can work on your voice with vocal exercises as well as towards changing your timbre.You can see this in action when impressionists impersonate other people by changing their voice.  While you’ll never be able to fully change your timbre since it’s so complex, nuanced, and it changes over time, you can get a better knowledge of your timbre in order to better manipulate it. It’s not the easiest task and it will require a lot of work.There are three things you should know if you’re looking to attempt such a challenge.1. Identify Your Range and TessituraYou’ll need to determine the lowest note you can reach as well as the highest note you can reach.  Of co urse, in order to work out your range you need to consider the notes you can make perfectly with minimum effort in your chest voice. Then you can see which notes you can reproduce approximately with your head voice so you know which notes you’ll have to work on.This work will be incredibly easy if you’ve already got perfect pitch or an understanding of music theory and are able to push yourself to limit of your abilities.  If this isn’t the case, you should consider enlisting the help of a quality vocal coach.2. Take Singing LessonsLearning to sing requires a lot of hard work on both your singing and the vocal techniques used. You’ll also want to avoid picking up bad habits and ultimately wasting your time.  When it comes to singing properly, there’s not much better than a quality teacher.A singing school or music school is a great place to go to find contact details for teachers. However, don’t forget that you can also use Superprof to find tutors near you or tutors who offer private singing tutorials online.Find singing lessons London  or singing lessons anywhere else in the UK has never been simpler thanks to Superprof.3. Sing FrequentlyThere are always plenty of opportunities for you to sing whether you’re in the shower, doing the laundry, or out and about.In addition to working out your vocal chords, these exercises will also help you to familiarise yourself with your timbre, and work on your repertoire. This is especially useful during adolescence when your singing voice changes.This isn't the kind of place that would accept a false note. (Source: pixabay.com)Make sure that you keep track of all the work you’re doing so that you don’t overdo it or burn out. Don’t forget that you should always do warm up exercises before you sing, too. Singing teachers can give you useful singing exercises and techniques during your voice lessons in order to sing correctly without straining your voice. The Top 5 Tips for Improving the Quality of Your V ocals1. Improve your RangeYour vocal range includes all the notes you can comfortably perform and will change over time depending on the work you’re doing.Maria Callas was far from being content with being solely defined as a soprano. In fact, settling on a given range and believing that it’ll never change can hurt your future prospects.Working on scales and practising melodies at either extreme of your range is one of the best ways to improve. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect.You should also try to learn how to perform the notes you can in your head voice in your chest voice.2. Work on Your PostureBy its very nature, singing is a very physical activity and human physiology plays an important role as well as your posture and your attitude.  You should always remain relaxed since stress will negatively affect your performance and your voice.Additionally, you should stand up straight whenever you can. If you have to perform while seated, you should try to sit up to t he best of your ability.  An orthodox approach to music will make all the difference when it comes to the volume and how your audience perceives you.3. Improve Your BreathingConstant pressure is the best way to modulate your voice without too much difficulty. Finally, when you sing, you have to breathe in a very particular way.  Focus on diaphragmatic breathing. There are a number of exercises you can do to help you control your breathing in this way.Without using your diaphragm, it’s impossible to fully project your voice and you can end your dreams of ever becoming a soloist.4. Work on Your ElocutionArticulating well makes the difference between a good singer and a bad one. Every singer worth their salt needs to be able to pronounce every vowel perfectly.  Articulation exercises will help you better pronounce the lyrics and also help you when it comes to projecting your voice.Changing your vocal range isn't impossible but it can be very difficult. (Source: pixabay.com)This will help you to sing with presence without tiring yourself out. Singing and public speaking have more in common that you’d first think.  Public speaking involves pronouncing words clearly and opera, for example, has songs in a number of languages including Italian, German, and French.Learn more about  online singing lessons  here.5. Choose Your RepertoireThe songs you choose to perform are important when it comes to your future as a singer. You should choose the songs best suited to your tessitura as well as those in the ranges you’re working towards.  Regular vocal coaching can also help you avoid overexerting yourself and losing your voice.You’re not the first person to embark upon this journey, after all! Find out other ways you can work on your voice daily.

A Day in the Life at University of Houston

A Day in the Life at University of Houston The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Pooja is a Houston tutor specializing in Biology tutoring, Geometry tutoring, History tutoring, and a number of other areas. She is currently a junior at University of Houston majoring in Biology and History. See what she had to share about University of Houston: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Pooja: The campus is relatively small and easy to navigate, as all the buildings are at a maximum 10 minutes away from one another. The campus is very bike-friendly, and many people are seen biking to and from classes. University of Houston also offers a campus bus route that goes between most of the buildings, as well as to the stadium and parking lots that are farther away from campus. The METRORail was also extended to the university this past semester. It will be operational in the fall, which will be great for commuters! VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Pooja:Professors are always available during their office hours to answer any questions you may have. Although it may seem intimidating, I have found that professors are much more relaxed during office hours, as well as personable. They love having students visit them, which is what office hours are for, after all! The academic advisers, however, are usually hit or miss. Your meetings with them may only be about 10 minutes long, and they are just to make sure you are on track. I would much rather talk to a professor concerning any academic questions. The teaching assistants are for the most part helpful. They are picked to be in that position because they have previously done well in the course. It really depends on how dedicated they are to their job. I have had great teaching assistants, but also ones who did the minimum, which was very frustrating. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Pooja:There are many dorms on campus, and I would highly recommend partaking in dorm life as a freshman. You meet so many people that you can form close bonds with for the rest of college. There have been studies that show that those who participate in college life tend to graduate happier and more quickly than those who do not, so getting the full college experience is crucial! Most of the rooms are for two people, although some are suites (where two two-person rooms share a bathroom). Many of the newer dorms also have study lounges on each floor, which is a huge benefit when you need to do some late-night studying away from the temptations of your bed! There are also many dining options on campus that fill a variety of cravings and that are open relatively late. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Pooja:Bauer College of Business is definitely hugely supported by alumni and is now recognized nationwide. I am pursuing a double major in History and Biology. I picked History initially because I absolutely love the subject. I had a wonderful AP United States History teacher in high school who made me love the material, and it has stuck with me ever since. As for Biology, I decided that I wanted to go into the health field when I am older, and as a result, I realized that I would need to take the MCAT. As I began taking the requirements for medical school, I noticed that I almost had enough hours for a major in Biology and decided to go for that as well. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Pooja:Freshman year I went to a school out of state, but I am sure my experience there was similar to what it would have been at University of Houston. Although it may not seem like it, most people are just as nervous as you are about meeting new students. My advice is to take the risk! I went to a new state knowing no one, and the girl who lived across the hall ended up becoming one of my closest friends. College is like a new slate, and you should take every chance you can to meet new people and have new experiences. At my first school, Greek life played a huge role in campus social life, and I myself was in a sorority. However, at University of Houston, Greek life does not play as big of a role as it did at my first school. But there are many fraternities and sororities to join, and there are also tons of other student organizations as well. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Pooja:The Career Center offers many workshops on interview preparation and how to ramp up your resume! Although I have never personally gone to one of these workshops, I have heard that they are quite helpful. Many reputable companies, especially those in the Business field, do recruit on campus, including Accenture and KBM Group. Many of these companies come to career fairs, so it is a benefit to attend those as much as possible! I have many friends in the Bauer College of Business who have obtained internships and even jobs from these career fairs. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Pooja:Finding a place to study on campus can be challenging, especially during finals. I usually head to the library to study, but I try to avoid the crowded areas. There are sections of the library where there are individual study carrels, and I usually head there since it is much quieter and less distracting. Most of the buildings on campus have ample study space, so it is really just about exploring and finding somewhere that is comfortable for you. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Pooja:University of Houston is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Houston. There are tons of museums and restaurants nearby, as well as the zoo and the Toyota Center, where many concerts are held. There are also many coffee shops near campus which I absolutely love! One of my biggest hobbies is checking out new coffee shops as potential study spots, so going downtown is pretty common for me. Besides downtown, nothing else is too close to campus. University of Houston is right off of three different freeways, which makes traveling to different parts of Houston fairly easy. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Pooja:University of Houstons student body is quite large, although it does not seem like it, since over 50% of the students commute. Introductory classes are generally pretty packed, but not to the point that it was uncomfortable for me. Professors are always more than willing to answer any questions you may have in office hours if you feel uncomfortable asking in front of many students. As you take more and more upper-level courses, you find that your class size shrinks significantly. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Pooja:My favorite professor, hands down, was Dr. Vida. The first course I took with him was a genetics lab, and although it was extremely difficult and time-consuming, it really pushed me. Through it, I realized that I was capable of so much more than I had previously thought. Dr. Vida was also not only a professor, but a mentor as well. He deeply cared for all of his students and their success, so much so that he remembered over 300 names and actually took the time to get to know his students. I am taking him again this semester, and although the course is extremely challenging, it is about so much more than just receiving a good grade. Dr. Vida stresses the importance of learning to learn and not just to make an A in the class. He is truly what any educator should be: passionate about the subject and patient. Check out Poojas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.