6 Helpful Diction Exercises for Singers [Video]

6 Helpful Diction Exercises for Singers [Video] Suzy S. Improve your technique (and your next performance) by working on diction! In this article, singing teacher  Liz T.  shares some great exercises to try out Imagine youre  at a concert, and your favorite artist gets up on stage to sing. You recognize a popular song from her  album starting, but when she opens her mouth you cant decipher any of the lyrics. As a singer, paying attention to diction   that is, the way you enunciate your words can  make a big impact on your performance.  It’s a crucial part of connecting with your audience and even having proper vocal health! If you struggle with you diction when you sing, though,  dont be ashamed. It is truly something all singers struggle with! It doesnt mean you are a bad singer but the better diction you have, the more your audience will be able to enjoy and appreciate your performance. There are tons of diction exercises you can try, which will help you train yourself. Start adding these to your practice sessions, and youll notice a difference! 1) Practice Tongue Twisters Try  speaking your favorite tongue twisters first, and then try singing them! I recommend focusing on ones with letters or syllables that are more difficult for you. Start slow, and then work up to a faster speed. Really make sure you are articulating each sound. You can also  try speaking  or  singing the alphabet to get the shapes ingrained in your muscle memory. Here are a few tongue twisters that are great for improving your  diction: She sells seashells by the seashore. Red leather, yellow leather. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. Who washed Washington’s white woolen underwear, as Washington’s washer woman went West. Mommy made me mash my MMs. 2) Study  Phonetics (IPA) For this exercise, take a look at the song youre currently working on, and break down each word in the  lyrics. Break apart the vowels, consonants, and diphthongs. Feel free to write in your score, if you need to spell a word differently for it to make sense in your singing. Many singers refer to the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) when singing. This is a system derived from Latin that is used today as a standardized representation of sounds. It’s a great tool for singers to use and study! 3)  Practice Vowels Take some time focusing on each of the vowels:  ah, ay, ee, oh, and oo. Add a consonant at the beginning (such as mah, may, me) and sing through the list, making sure each one is clear. 4) Practice Consonants Next, focus on consonants, like D, T, and N. Practice  speaking  the different sounds, repeating each a few times. 5) Do Some Lip Buzz/Trill Warm up your lips, tongue, and teeth with simple lip buzzes and tongue trills. 6) Incorporate Breath Support Pick one of the tongue twisters above, and practice saying it all in one breath. Whether you are performing live on stage (using a microphone or not) or singing in a studio, you should always use clear and accurate diction! And if youre struggling,  remember that clear diction may  not happen overnight. Keep practicing these diction exercises, and work with your voice teacher to improve your technique. Good luck! Post Author:  Liz T. Liz T. teaches singing, acting, and music lessons online.  She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal performance and currently performs/teaches all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, RB, and Country. Learn more about Liz here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

University of California-Berkeley A Student Interview

University of California-Berkeley A Student Interview The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Rohaum is a San Diego tutor and 2014 graduate of University of California-Berkeley. He holds a Bachelors degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and tutors several subjects, including Biology tutoring, French tutoring, and Pre-Algebra tutoring. Check out what Rohaum had to say about his time at University of California-Berkeley: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Rohaum: In my opinion, the campus setting is a blend of an urban environment and a natural atmosphere. There is a lot of greenery on campus, as well as a lot of shops and restaurants around the campus. The campus itself is relatively safe. I have walked alone through campus late at night several times, and I have never had any issues. However, in terms of the areas around campus, some parts are safe, while others are not. The area south of campus is known to be more dangerous, and I would not advise walking alone there late at night. The area north of campus is a very safe and quiet neighborhood (there are many families that live there in addition to students). A car is definitely not needed, as most places are either within walking or biking distance. BART trains can get you to other parts of the Bay Area. The bus system is also pretty extensive, and one of the benefits of the University of California-Berkeley is that the tuition includes a bus pass that is valid for the whole semester. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Rohaum:The availability of professors varies heavily based on the class and the department. In my experience, the professors who teach humanities courses are more accessible than those in the maths and sciences, since there are generally fewer students trying to go to their office hours. For example, I tried to attend several of my professors office hours in order to get to know them so I could ask for letters of recommendation for my medical school applications. Unfortunately, about 20-30 other students had the same idea, so office hours were very crowded, and it was very difficult to speak one-on-one with professors. In general, though, availability depends on how large the class is, how many students try to go to the office hours, and how much of an effort the professors put into trying to be available for as many students as possible. The same applies for teaching assistants. In regard to academic advisers, it can be difficult to get appointments, and sometimes you have to wait a couple of weeks before you can speak with an adviser. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Rohaum:There are multiple dorms, each with its own vibe. For example, there are dorms that are more social, one that is more for students in the sciences, one for athletes, a boys-only dorm, and a girls-only dorm. I stayed in a triple, which was pretty small and cramped. But I have seen suites and doubles which are large and look nice. It all depends on the building you end up in and what kind of room you get. Most of the dormshave co-ed bathrooms, which was a shock to many of us at first. However, using co-ed bathrooms is something that most students become accustomed to within the first few weeks. The dining is fine. The food is not amazing by any means, but there are enough options provided so that everyone is able to have a decent meal. And in terms of socialization, many dorm buildings encourage an open-door policy so that everyones room is open to any student who would like to come in and talk. (Of course, this is not mandatory, so you can keep your door closed if you prefer privacy.) The resident assistants also plan numerous socials to help people living in the same building get to know one another. 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? Rohaum:From what I saw, the most represented majors were Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science. That being said, I did not feel that there were any majors that were necessarily under-represented. University of California-Berkeleydid support my Biology major well (especially since it was one of the most popular majors on campus). There were plenty of different classes to take, and there were many research positions open to students. The main drawback was that I did not feel that there were as many resources dedicated to helping pre-medical students as there could have been (which may be linked to the fact that the university does not have a medical school). 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? Rohaum:It was relatively easy for me to make friends as a freshman. I was fortunate because the friends I made during orientation shared several of my classes with me. In general, however, it can be difficult for people to make friends considering how large the student body is. But there are a lot of different clubs and events that people can participate in if they feel like they are having a hard time finding strong friendships. (For instance, there is a day during the first week of classes where all the clubs set up tables on Sproul Plaza to advertise themselves, which is the perfect opportunity for someone to look for a crowd of people with similar interests to him/herself). Greek life does play a somewhat significant role in campus social life (they are always hosting events), but it is very easy for those who do not want to be associated with Greek life to have a strong social life on campus. I personally went to very few Greek events during my time at University of California-B erkeley because there were so many other fun activities both on and off campus. VT: How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Rohaum:The Career Center provided a lot of useful services, such as resume building, mock interviews, and advice on how to apply to graduate school. The only issue was that there were a lot of students who were in need of their services, so there was sometimes a long waiting time to get an appointment. For example, at one point, when I wanted a pre-medical advising appointment, the earliest open time slot was in three weeks. VT: How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Rohaum:There are multiple libraries on campus, a large student union, and multiple student lounges in each dorm building. The libraries all have multiple study areas, as well as private study rooms that you can reserve. There is usually plenty of room on campus and in the dorms to study. The only time when it might be difficult to find a spot is during finals week. 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? Rohaum:There are many amazing restaurants, including several that are not very common in other areas (Salvadoran, Indonesian, Peruvian, Ethiopian, and Caribbean cuisine). Besides restaurants and bars, there are not too many activities to do in Berkeley itself, but it is very easy to get to other parts of the Bay Area, such as San Francisco (where you could go to places such as Chinatown and Fishermans Wharf), Oakland (where you could go to Jack London Square), or Emeryville (where you could go shopping). A big part of the Berkeley experienceis exploring the Bay Area, and I highly encourage students to take advantage of Berkeleys closeness to all of these great places. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Rohaum:The student body is very, very large. My classes generally had about 100-150 people in them. However, the numbers varied widely. Some of my courses had less than 10 people, while others had over 500. It was a big shock for me initially, since I came from a small private school where there were only 100 students per grade. Still, I became accustomed to it after a couple of weeks. I was surprised by the fact that it was easier to make friends in large classes than I thought it would be. Almost everyone feels overwhelmed by the large class size, and they are all looking for friends to help make the size feel more manageable. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Rohaum:My best experience in a class was when I took MCB 150L, which was an immunology laboratory class. I had heard a lot of horror stories about how difficult the class was and how many hours had to go into it, so I was very intimidated when I walked in on the first day. However, the professor was very friendly, and he and his teaching assistants approached every student individually while we were conducting our experiments to see how we were doing and to answer any questions we may have had. And while the class did require a lot of work, some students formed a study group that always got together outside of class to work on lab reports and to help each other study for midterms. I had a great time with my study group, as we found ways to have fun while working on this class. It made me realize that one of the best ways to make a difficult class fun is to find a great group of people to form a study group with. Check out Rohaum's tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

The Advantages of Learning Sign Language

The Advantages of Learning Sign Language How Learning Sign Language Can Help You ChaptersWhat Is Sign Language?Incorrect Perceptions of SigningReasons to Learn Sign LanguageAdvantages of Knowing How to SignMost people think that signing is something that deaf people do.That is true but such an assertion misses a whole swath of the population that communicate in sign while being perfectly capable of hearing. Furthermore, it overlooks the fact that there are many reasons for signing beside the inability to hear.And, it focuses on only one aspect of sign language while totally disregarding everything that sign language represents.If you count yourself among the hearing population, you may never have given any thought to learning how to sign. We’d like to challenge that position with a few, well-laid-out arguments. Points that you possibly hadn’t considered until now.Today, Superprof raises the topic of sign language, with the hearing and the deaf, to get a better understanding of this often marginalised form of communication.As always, you’re invited to chime in; we have a whole comment section below waiting for your thoughts!their article on the topic but it is not the first reason given for people to sign.Clearly, we have our work cut out for us if we’re going to impress upon you that learning how to sign is a good idea if every knowledge outlet proclaims signing is for deaf people. There are few external signs that show someone is deaf: a graceful fluency of movement is one, as is heightened receptive skills, and maybe a service dog Image by skeeze from PixabayThe best place to start is by outlining what sign language is â€" beyond the limiting definition it’s given.Sign language is a means of communicating that generally involves using one’s hands, arms and sometimes upper body to convey ideas.The gestures and movements of sign language each have a specific meaning and, for the most part, are language-specific.For example, someone who is proficient in American sign language might sign ‘where?’ by holding up their index finger while frowning, appearing for all the world like a focused academic getting ready to make an important point.By contrast, someone signing in BSL or British Sign Language would hold both hands, palms up and fingers splayed, with an open facial expression if s/he wanted to ask ‘where?’.Signing should not be confused with body la nguage, the subtle form of communicating context and mood on a subconscious level that humans excel at, whether they want to or not.However, it can be compared to being in a loud, crowded market and signalling to your partner who is further down the aisle than you that you have found the bananas and will buy three pounds’ worth, followed by a raised eyebrow in askance.When seen in that context, we can assure you that sign language has been around since before spoken languages.Did you know there are apps and resources available to help you learn sign language?Incorrect Perceptions of SigningBesides the grossly limiting belief that signing is only for the deaf and hard of hearing, there are many misperceptions about sign language that persist still today.One we touched on already is that signing is signing, regardless of the languages represented. We talked about ASL versus British sign language but the disparity goes even further.Just as there are many different types of English, F rench and Spanish, there are an estimated 300 sign languages in use around the world, yet they are all represented by graceful, expressive movements that anyone signing executes.That fact rather begs the question: is there a universal sign language? Yes… and no.Gestuno is not a language in itself; rather it consists of a set vocabulary, established by the World Federation of the Deaf, that participants use at international meetings.So, if a Chinese signer meets someone who uses French sign language, there would be barriers to their communication… just like there would be if they communicated verbally in their indigenous languages.People for whom sign language is their primary method of communication routinely connect with spoken language by reading lips and by reading and writing.For all of that, signing is not a word-for-word mirror of spoken language; even the grammar differs between signed and spoken languages. Deaf education has come a long way since the deaf schools of the 19th century Source: Wikipedia Credit: Library of CongressA Word on Sign Language InterpretersOften, we think that sign language interpreters function like any other interpreter: they convey into speech a word-for-word translation of what is being signed. Some perceive this act to be without special cognitive input; merely a matter of converting one form of ‘speech’ to another.Now that we know that sign language does not mirror spoken language, we have to realise that there is a fair bit of intellectual activity behind the act of ‘translating’ sign language.Moreover, the act of voicing â€" speaking aloud what is said in sign, often bolsters the perception that the hearing impaired need to be given a voice.Could it be that those in the deaf community already have a voice and we, by not learning how to sign or understanding sign language, are effectively shutting their voices out?If ever anyone needed a reason to learn sign language…Reasons to Learn Sign LanguageStrangely enough, while most people would take up language studies for a variety of reasons â€" travel, work or to exercise their brain, many do not contemplate learning sign language unless they’ve had an intimate brush with deafness.Deaf children exemplify this statistic.Parents of children with intact hearing and no other barriers to communication seldom give much thought to learning sign language, much to their and their children’s detriment.Studies have shown that the Terrible Twos are made so terrible because those toddlers have ineffective communication skills. Not through any fault of their own, of course; they are simply too young to have developed expressive skills.They are not too young to sign, though. You can teach your baby basic signs for ‘more’, ‘drink’, ‘sleep’, ‘food’ and other words.By establishing this early means of communication, you will provide your child with a way to forestall frustrati on at not being understood, all while jumpstarting the language learning processes in his brain.Your child will continue to reap the benefits of baby sign language well into his academic career; studies have shown that those taught to communicate at an early age have an expanded vocabulary and generally score higher on exams.Learning sign language helps your brain, too!Just like anyone who is bilingual, you will become a better multitasker, more focused and a better listener. You may even get a boost in salary for knowing how to communicate in another language!Whether your child is a baby or falls on the autism spectrum â€" another great reason to learn sign language, you should follow these tips for learning sign language… Smart phones with video technology has helped deaf people be more communicative over long distances Source: Wikipedia Credit: David FulmerAdvantages of Knowing How to SignThe preceding segment might have already highlighted reasons to learn sign language but, in case you need more, we now present advantages to signing that have nothing to do with the deaf or hard of hearing.New professional opportunities: besides increasing your employability with a genuinely marketable skill, you can work as a sign language interpreter.Discover new levels of expression: visual language compels its users to dig deep into expressive means of communicatingLearn about deaf culture: far from being recalcitrant about speaking with hearing, people who are deaf are happy to welcome people into their world.Sharpen your spelling skills: fingerspelling is not language any more than spelling orally equates to speaking but it is a way to reinforce the connection between signing and conventional spellingYou may f inger-spell your name until you are given a name sign â€" a sign that represents you.Have secret conversations: nobody will overhear you say anything in sign language!Sign language is an oft-overlooked branch of linguistics because many believe it only applies to the deaf.It might take a while for mainstream society to acknowledge that learning a sign language is a form of language acquisition, as valid as learning any other foreign language, and that it offers benefits similar to learning French, Spanish or Mandarin.As you learn sign language, you will find your facial expressions become more targeted, mirroring what your speech is saying and that your gestures will become more graceful and fluent than when speaking your first language.You may even be given a whole new name â€" a name that better reflects who you are than the standard names we’re given by our parents. In fact, you may be given many names; one for each social situation you may interact in using sign language.Arenâ €™t you keen to find out where you can find sign language courses so you can get started signing?

Simplifying Equations

Simplifying Equations Equations consist of one or more than one unknown variables with different coefficients and constant numbers. Exponent is the degree of the variable in the equation. The degree of the variable can be one or more than one. Equations are the very common and used in almost every topic in mathematics. There are various mathematical operations which are used to simplify and solve equations. Example 1: Simplify and solve for x in the equation 2 x 4 = 26? Solution: Given equation is 2 x 4 = 26. Here the unknown variable which needs to be solved for is x. First step: Adding 4 on both sides of the given equation. (2 x 4) + 4 = 26 + 4. This gives 2 x = 30. Now dividing both sided of the equation by 2. This gives 2 x/ 2 = 30 / 2. This reduces the given equation to x = 15. Hence the solution is x = 15. Example 2: Simplify the equation 5 (x 2) + 6 (x + 3) + 5? Solution: Given equation is 5 (x 2) + 6 (x + 3) + 5. Here the variable is x; distributing the number in front of the braces. This gives 5 (x - 2) = 5 x 10; 6 (x + 3) = 6 x + 18. Combining the similar terms in the equation. This gives 5 x 10+ 6 x + 18 = 11 x + 8 Hence the simplified form of the equation is 11 x + 8.

5 Ways To Build Strong Study Habits At An Early Age

5 Ways To Build Strong Study Habits At An Early Age It's no secret thatgood study habits are an integral component to academic success. Understanding effective study habits, ways to stay organized, and strategies for prioritizing work will help students lay a strong foundation for ongoing learning. These crucial skills should be developed at a young age, as early as the toddler years, instead of waiting until high school when the coursework is quite difficult. Young minds are like sponges and seek out things to learn and new activities to explore. Working with your child from a young age to buildgoodstudy skillswill pay off exponentially in future years. There aregood study techniques you can follow to build study habits regardless of your child's age, including: Starting youngIt'snever too early to exposechildren to academic work. There are avariety of academic activities toddlers can participate in, such as readalouds, puzzles, counting, painting, and educational games. The workshouldn't be frustrating or too difficult but should instead build foundational learning skills that will impact future achievement. Theseactivities may seem like play now but they'll certainly contribute togood study skills as your child gets older. Building strong homework habitsChildren often begin receiving homework assignments as early as Kindergarten. Work to devise a routine for completing homeworkthat is consistent and appropriate for your child's age and ability. Homework is a way of life for students but it doesn't have to be dreadedor frustrating. Find a quiet area of your home that can be dedicated to homework and study sessions. Stock the space with materials and ensure appropriate lighting. Set work expectations with your child and make sure that the routine isconsistently followed and meets your child's needs. Fostering independenceAs your child gets older it is important to participate in a gradual release of responsibility. Over time you should expect yourchild to take more responsibility for homework and studying. Check inoften with your child about good study habits and ensure the work is being done correctly,mistakes are rectified, and the assignment's objectives are met. Helping children identify resourcesA child has many different resources available if homework seems confusing or overwhelming. Even if you're expecting a child to take responsibility for a majority of the homework andstudyingresponsibilities you should remain a trusted resource.Encourage your child to talk to teachers, counselors, or other studentsabout homework and maintaining strong study skills. Another option is suggesting that they form study groups with their classmates. If you find that youneed additional support with developing study skills consider investing intutoring sessions. Huntington Learning Centers offers tutoring forstudents that is focused on importantstudy skillssuch as research, note taking, time management and organization. Making it a priorityFamilies are busy. There arework, school, and extra curricular schedules to juggle and family andhousehold priorities to balance. Don't let homework and the development ofgood study habits take a backseat to other commitments. Make sure thatyour child's homework and studying remains a priority, even during yourfamily's busiest times. If there is a significant change to your family'sroutine or schedule find ways to adjust the dedicated study sessions. Keepupdated on assignments, exams, and classroom expectations. Find times totalk to your child's teacher about any concerns you have or for additionalways to help your child. Huntington Learning Centershas a comprehensive study skills tutoring program designed for students of all ages. Depending on age, grade level, and ability the professional tutors at Huntington Learning Centers have a plan for every child. The skills covered in the tutoring sessions apply to a variety of subject areas and will help students as they advance grade levels and tackle tougher courses.

Learn English Words and Phrases connected with Healthy Eating ??

Learn English Words and Phrases connected with Healthy Eating ?? Apart from the weather we always seem to have a fascination  (focus on something for a long time)  with our weight and diets. Here are some English words and phrases connected with healthy eating  and diets. And no it is not just women who obsess about their weight it is a man thing also!Unfortunately, I am now jumping on the bandwagon  (getting involved in the debate) following a  visit to my doctor. It is never an enjoyable experience to be told you must lose weight or you have  to slim down.However, it is important so we reduce the risk of  health problems at a later age. For some people it is due to simple over eating, for others it is a life  style issue  and for some it is the problem of middle age spread. The secret to losing weight is often a combination of some very simple rules and if you follow them it  is not so difficult to get into shape. These rules include: increasing  your daily exercise,  cut down  on  alcohol consumption, particularly beer and cut out  (stop  eating) fast foods and sugar. It sounds easy but changing a habit of a lifetime  takes time and effort.All the experts talk about a balanced diet. You must eat your five a day  (five portions of fruit and  vegetables). So in order to avoid the threat of obesity  you need to follow a  low calorie in-take (eat less bread, red meat cakes, pasta) and avoid the temptation to comfort eat  (eat what you shouldn’t eat) when you are feeling stressed or depressed.People often make the mistake of going on a crash diet  in an attempt to lose  weight quickly. This can work but it seldom lasts and the weight can often re-appear when you  lose  impetus  (lose interest or motivation). So change your eating habits not for a short pe riod but over a  longer time frame  (longer period of time) keep an eye on  (watch) what you eat. English Vocabulary connected with Diet To slim down   a nicer way to say to lose weightLife style issue the way we live, driving, sitting, etcMiddle age spread putting on weight simply as we get olderTo get into shape to lose weight and look goodTo cut down on something to reduce, to eat (or drink) less of a particular foodTo cut out to eliminate, to avoid eating somethingCrash diet very severe dietHabit of a lifetime something you have  been doing for a long timeObesity (noun) the state of being seriously overweight. Obese (adjective)To comfort eat to eat food that makes you feel better, usually it is unhealthy items such as biscuits, chocolate, crisps, etc We can alsouse an expression  comfort food. English Words and Phrases connected with Healthy Eating Enjoyed this infographic? Here's what you can do next: Other English Words and Phrases connected with Healthy Eating TO HAVE A SWEET TOOTHto enjoy eating sweet things.Example: I cannot resist going into the cake shop and choosing a delicious cake I have such a sweet tooth.WATCH YOUR FIGUREliterally to look at yourself in the mirrorSomeone wants their figure to look good. They want to have a slim waist and no belly. You usually hear this expression when someone is turning down something sweet to eat.Example: Would you like another slice of cake. No, please do not tempt me. I am watching my figure and I do not want to put on any weight before my holiday.LOSE THE BELLYcan sound a bit rude. However, where men have a large or fat stomach it is usually a good idea to reduce the alcohol consumption.Example: The doctor told me I had to lose my belly as it is effecting my blood pressure. He told me to stop drinking beer and no fast food!

My Week 2 Progress learning Korean

My Week 2 Progress learning Korean Amelia  from the UK is currently taking the italki World Cup Language Challenge to learn Korean.  She uploaded a Public Video Pledge  and even started a personal blog site to help motivate her Hallyu to ???.   We were so impressed with her efforts that we asked if we could repost what she had written on her personal blog as she gives weekly updates on her progress.  Check out her latest post reposted with permission. italki World Cup Language Challenge Week 2 Okay, so we are now into the 3rd week of the italki World Cup Challenge so it’s time for an update on my week 2 progress. Hours completed so far: 6hrs 15mins Hours scheduled this week: 4hrs 30 mins I’m meant to have done 6hrs so far so I’m still on track ?? I am finding the lessons very useful and can feel myself gradually starting to pick up things even in this short period of time. I think it has been a great experience for me to see that I can have a stressful and tiring job but still put in the hours to learn a language properly if I have something motivating me to do it. Obviously language learning has to be fun, especially as it is mainly a hobby for me, but it still requires a lot of dedication otherwise words are learnt and immediately forgotten â€" which is kind of a waste of time! I’m doing my lessons around 11pm on workdays due to the time difference but somehow it doesn’t feel like a chore, especially when I can see myself beginning to learn new grammar and vocab and it actually sticks. I go to a language meetup once a week and although I’m still a little shy about talking in Korean myself unless pushed (the level of people’s English is much higher!), I could understand conversations around me this week. Even if I don’t know specific vocab, I could recognise enough basic grammar to get the gist â€" I think it surprised people! The only thing I would say is that these lessons are cutting into my self-study time which means I don’t spend as much time going over grammar, and have to try and fit it in at the weekend. However, that is something you can always re-visit, and I hope that building it up through conversation will help me to contextualise in a way that a textbook doesn’t. In the space of a few weeks, I have gone from having never heard of italki to recommending it to anyone I can. I’m most definitely a fan! Amelia x My Week 2 Progress learning Korean Amelia  from the UK is currently taking the italki World Cup Language Challenge to learn Korean.  She uploaded a Public Video Pledge  and even started a personal blog site to help motivate her Hallyu to ???.   We were so impressed with her efforts that we asked if we could repost what she had written on her personal blog as she gives weekly updates on her progress.  Check out her latest post reposted with permission. italki World Cup Language Challenge Week 2 Okay, so we are now into the 3rd week of the italki World Cup Challenge so it’s time for an update on my week 2 progress. Hours completed so far: 6hrs 15mins Hours scheduled this week: 4hrs 30 mins I’m meant to have done 6hrs so far so I’m still on track ?? I am finding the lessons very useful and can feel myself gradually starting to pick up things even in this short period of time. I think it has been a great experience for me to see that I can have a stressful and tiring job but still put in the hours to learn a language properly if I have something motivating me to do it. Obviously language learning has to be fun, especially as it is mainly a hobby for me, but it still requires a lot of dedication otherwise words are learnt and immediately forgotten â€" which is kind of a waste of time! I’m doing my lessons around 11pm on workdays due to the time difference but somehow it doesn’t feel like a chore, especially when I can see myself beginning to learn new grammar and vocab and it actually sticks. I go to a language meetup once a week and although I’m still a little shy about talking in Korean myself unless pushed (the level of people’s English is much higher!), I could understand conversations around me this week. Even if I don’t know specific vocab, I could recognise enough basic grammar to get the gist â€" I think it surprised people! The only thing I would say is that these lessons are cutting into my self-study time which means I don’t spend as much time going over grammar, and have to try and fit it in at the weekend. However, that is something you can always re-visit, and I hope that building it up through conversation will help me to contextualise in a way that a textbook doesn’t. In the space of a few weeks, I have gone from having never heard of italki to recommending it to anyone I can. I’m most definitely a fan! Amelia x

5 more Math tricks to Amaze your tutor

5 more Math tricks to Amaze your tutor Numeracy in the mind its not a talent, and not a gift. It is simply knowledge of some mathematical tricks. Now you will have additional knowledge that will help you use your mental abilities a bit more efficiently. Trick #1  Tip counting. If you need to leave a 15% tip, there is a simple way to do it. Calculate 10% (divide by 10), and then add the resulting number to its half and get the answer: 15%  ?f  $25 = (10% ?f 25) + ((10% ?f 25) / 2) $2.50 + $1.25 = $3.75 Trick #2 Division by 5. Actually dividing large numbers by 5 is very simple. All you need just multiply by 2 and move the decimal point: 195 / 5 Step 1: 195 * 2 = 390 Step 2: Move the decimal point: 39.0 or just 39. 2978 / 5 Step 1: 2978 * 2 = 5956 Step 2: 595,6 Trick #3  Subtraction  from 1000. To perform subtraction of 1000 you can use this simple rule: Subtract from 9 all the numbers except the last. And the last digit subtract from 10: 1000 -648 Step 1: subtract 6  from 9 = 3 Step 2: subtract 4  from 9 = 5 Step 3: subtract 8  from 10 = 2 352 Trick #4. Fast squaring, better method: a^2 = (a-b)(a+b)+b^2 So, e.g: 291 = (291-9)(291+9) + 9^2 = 282*300+81 = 84600+81 = 84681 With a little practice, you can do this in your head. Trick #5. Calculating 10 x, where x is a non-integer. The first thing is that x can always be broken down into x = k+y, where k is an integer and y is between 0 and 1. Then, obviously, 10k+y = 10k *10y. So the question becomes how do you do 10 y where y is between 0 and 1? Well, you can figure it out using some tricks when y = 0.1, 0.2, , 0.9, and then interpolate between those. For example, say you need to get 100.3. Then 210 = 1024 ~= 103.  So 210/10 ~= 103/10 = 100.3. So 100.3 ~= 2 (correct answer is 1.99). Then knowing 100.3 makes figuring out 100.6 and 100.9 easy. Also, 100.5 is easy, because 210 ~= 103, so 25 ~= 103/2 so 25 /10 = 3.2 ~= 100.5.