5 Basic Guitar Chords 20 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners

5 Basic Guitar Chords 20 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners Sign up successful How to Play 20 Guitar Songs with 5 Basic Chords Smart Practicing If you’re just starting out on the guitar, it’s good to be aware of some of the challenges that every new player faces. The fact is that everyone’s fingers feel awkward the first time they try to learn the guitar, but it’s important to stick it out at least until you have the basic chords down. Your fingers need to develop some strength and dexterity in order to switch between chords quickly, and the only way to do this is to keep on playing. Even five minutes a day for a couple of weeks will make a huge difference! Understanding Chord-Grid Notation Along with guitar tablature (or tabs), chord grids are an important shorthand method of notating guitar music. Although it is important for all guitar students to learn to read music notation eventually, tablature and chord grids are usually a better option for beginners who just want to learn simple rock, pop, or folk songs quickly. Remember, the notation is just a means to an end, and just another way to learn something youll play on your guitar. With chord-grids, you are looking at a simple diagram, or snapshot, of the guitar neck. The guitar is oriented so that the headstock is pointing upward; horizontal lines represent the fret-wires that separate the frets (spaces), and the vertical lines are strings. Dots inside the diagram represent left-hand fingers, which are placed over the string inside the indicated fret. For the A chord pictured here, all three fingers sit inside the second fret. Set your fourth (pinky) finger on the 2nd string, your third (ring) finger on the 3rd string, and your second (middle) finger on the 4th string. Often the left-hand thumb will stay anchored on top of the neck to deaden the sixth string. Alternatively, the edge of a fretting finger can be used to mute an adjacent string. This is called a flesh mute and allows the guitarist to strum all six strings so that only five strings are heard. 5 Open-String, Easy Guitar Chords for Beginners Once you understand the notation, the next step is to get the chords down by memory. In some cases, these basic guitar chords can be remembered easily by comparing them to geometric shapes. If you connect the dots inside each grid, youll see that the A is a straight line, the C is a diagonal line, the D is an equilateral triangle, and the G chord forms an isosceles triangle. After you have the chords memorized, its time to check each chord string-by-string to ensure all the notes are sounding. Pick through each string going downward from the bass strings to the treble strings. Listen closely to verify each note. If a string is muted, try resetting the fingers so they sit higher on the fingertips. Make sure the fingers do not touch against any open strings, thereby dampening them. Chord Change Drills Practice changing between any two chords using this simple drill. Play each chord on beats 1 3, lift the fingers completely on beats 2 4, and repeat. Make sure to set and remove all the fingers together (simultaneously). By doing this for a few minutes each day, you will learn to do fast and clean chord changes in the left hand, which is key to being able to play songs well. 20 Beginner Guitar Songs Using Only A, C, D, Em, and G Chords Now that you’ve mastered the easy guitar chords for beginners, you can move on to learning dozens of new songs. When taking on a new number, start slowly and work your way up to the tempo of the song. Once you’ve got it down, try playing along with the recording or grab friends and ask them to sing along! Many songs will have small variations in how the chords are played, and you can explore that after you’ve got a grip on the basic chords. Here’s a list of 20 easy guitar songs that use only these five chords: 1. Bad Moon Rising (Credence Clearwater Revival) 2. Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles) 3. Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison) 4. Catch the Wind (Donovan) 5. Clementine   6. Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd) 7. Lightly Row   8. Amazing Grace   9. Time of Your Life (Green Day) 10. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star   11. Heart of Gold (Neil Young) 12. Old MacDonald   13. Story of My Life (Social Distortion) 14. Louie, Louie (The Kingsmen) 15. What I Got (Sublime) 16. Free Fallin (Tom Petty) 17. Anything, Anything (Dramarama) 18. Rockin in the Free World (Neil Young) 19. Mary Had a Little Lamb   20. Viva la Vida (Coldplay) These songs are just the beginning! If you need help mastering these chords or want to add more difficult chords (such as the  F Chord) to your repertoire, the best way is to work with a  guitar teacher  near you. Taking guitar lessons is a great way to ensure that you’re building your skills on a solid foundation. Now go have fun rocking out! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of prescreened teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for safe, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by BrianYuen .paszone-container-74612 { display: none !important; }.paszone-container-74612 ~ .paszone-container-74612 { display: block !important; }

12 of the Best Apps to Learn French

12 of the Best Apps to Learn French Sign up successful If you’ve embarked on a journey to learn French, there are some apps that will support you in your endeavor. Here are 12 of the best apps to learn how to speak French. 1) TakeLessons For easily accessible French lessons on the go, the TakeLessons app is the perfect resource no matter your skill level. You can also join free online group classes for your first month as a new student. With the TakeLessons app, you can learn French from a professional no matter where you are. The app is available for both  Android  and  iPhones. 2)  SpeakEasy This offline book of phrases comes in handy when you’re learning French. Use flashcards, basic phrases, numbers, days, greetings, and more. SpeakEasy has a simple and appealing interface that just about any user can navigate. 3)  French Translator Dictionary +   VidaLingua offers the #1 French-English translator and dictionary on iPhones and iPads with advanced features and bonus content. The app also includes a phrasebook, verb conjugator, vocabulary quizzes and flashcards. It allows users to attach notes, audio, and images to dictionary words. This app will become your new favorite learning companion! 4)  Open Language French If you plan on using French in a more formal setting, Open Language French will be the ideal app for you. Geared more toward internationally-accepted foreign language teaching guidelines, you’ll follow a course of instruction thats more linear in nature. It may not be as fun as playing games, but Open Language French is one of the most comprehensive language learning apps out there. 5)  MindSnacks MindSnacks has won awards for best educational app, and it continues to delight users with a fun and lighthearted teaching style. Designed by experts, MindSnacks manages to make learning French exciting and addictive. Grammar, context and real-world vocabulary has never been so entertaining. 6)  FluentU One thing often heard from foreign language learners is how much TV, movies, and videos helped them learn a new language. Maybe it’s seeing things acted out as they’re spoken, or perhaps it’s the nuances in peoples expressions. Whatever the reason, FluentU is a video-based learning app that teaches language through cool real videos from around the world. 7)  MOSAlingua There are over 3000 phrases to learn on MOSAlingua’s app. The timed repetition has proven effective for many users, and you can easily change levels as you progress. The app was designed to save time, money, and keep you motivated. Think of it as a personal language coach in your pocket. 8)  Memrise Are you someone who likes to laugh and finds humor the best method for learning? If you are, Memrise is probably the ideal foreign language app for you. It uses quirky concepts and hilarious images to get you speaking French in no time. You can even compete with friends to see who can reach language goals first. 9)  Busuu Busuu is basically a social network for learning French and other languages. There are both adult and kid versions to download. Use the games and audio grammar lessons, or reach out to someone in the Busuu community for help. 10)  HiNative Not every tip is available through learning courses. Sometimes the best answers come from those who actually speak the language. Get the HiNative app so you can receive answers to all your French language questions from the people who actually speak it daily. 11)  Brainscape Flashcards can be an incredibly useful tool for learning a new skill. If you want to create your own French flashcards, Brainscape is an app that will allow you to do so. You can also look for already-made flashcards that work well for you. Use the app for French, or any other subject you’re interested in learning. 12)  Babbel Babbel combines its mobile app with its website to form an excellent foreign language learning platform. You’ll be able to polish your pronunciation, learn new phrases, conjugate your verbs, and more in this top-rated program. The goal is to retain the information in your long-term memory so you can use your new French language skills for years to come. Technology brings forth innovative ways for all types of students to learn and acquire a new language. Use these best apps for learning French in your daily life when you have a spare moment. It’s a great way to support learning French. Between classes, private lessons, conversational meet-ups, and a few apps, you’ll have French down before you know it. Bonne chance! What helps you study French? Share  your favorite apps, games, and study guides in the comments below! 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

A Day in the Life at Williams College

A Day in the Life at Williams College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Drew is a Chicago tutor and 2013 graduate of Williams College. He holds a Bachelors degree in French Literature English Literature and specializes inmany subjects including French tutoring, ACT prep tutoring, AP U.S. History tutoring, and much more. Check out what he had to say about Williams College: 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? Drew: The campus is self-contained in a rural setting. While this can make it difficult to travel to and from Williamstown, the college ensures that everything we need is available on campus. Everything is in walking distance, and Williams College provides ample dining options and events. The gorgeous mountains and the attachment to a campus social life is what makes Williams College so special, so there is really no need for a car or for mass transit. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Drew: I found my professors to be very approachable. The small class sizes ensure that professors and students interact, and after class they are just as willing to meet and help with whatever issues you may have. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Drew: I loved the social life at Williams College. Almost every single student lives in a dorm and eats most of his or her meals in a dining hall, which leads to a terrific atmosphere. School-sponsored functions are open to all students, and it is easy to make friends and find groups to be a part of. 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? Drew: As a liberal arts school, Williams College places emphasis on a well rounded education, and I found that the school did a good job encouraging students to try new subjects and departments regardless of their academic background. 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? Drew: One of my favorite things about Williams College was the freshman entry system, which provides layers of support and attempts to expose students to geographic, socioeconomic, and racial diversity. Our junior advisors (JAs) are not like resident assistants you see elsewhere. Instead, this highly coveted position goes to those who want to mentor and dedicate their time to freshmen. They are given extensive resources just to plan events and to help new students feel at home. I loved it. There is no Greek life. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Drew: Career Services is great. I did not end up taking advantage of them until senior year, but when I did, I found the staff incredibly approachable. There were also numerous workshops, career fairs, and companies recruiting on campus. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Drew: The study areas are great. As I have mentioned, the social life is self-contained, so libraries and the student union are the places to gather, work, and spend time. Williams College does a good job of providing work space. Also, they just opened a gorgeous new library. 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? Drew: The downtown area, Spring Street, is right in the middle of campus. For those looking to get off campus, Williams College is not the place to go. However, the town is lovely, with great restaurants, and the Berkshires are gorgeous. It is not uncommon to go on hikes and jogs and to cross many other students enjoying the scenery, as well. Lastly, there are several fantastic art museums in the area. So between all of that, the work, and Williams College events, I never felt bored. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Drew: The student body is small. I was incredibly pleased with the class sizes and the professorial interaction afforded by them. By the time I graduated, I was taking several classes with no more than ten people. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Drew: My senior year I took a Molire class that included acting out scenes across campus in front of a crowd. As a French Literature and English Literature major, I had written my share of papers and was used to discussing literature. However, I had never dreamed of acting. Even though it was terrifying, I had a blast. And more importantly, by approaching drama in a holistic way, as opposed to just as a reader, I gained further insights into the drama theory we discussed in class. It was a fun activity that ended up giving me more insight into readings and theory than I had ever dreamed of having. Check out Drews tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Monocot Root Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Monocot Root Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace The parts of the plant which are seen under the soil are called the roots. They absorb water and minerals from the soil and fix the plant firmly to the soil. Monocot roots are fibrous roots. The radicle gives rise to the main root soon replaced by a cluster of roots from the base. The transverse section of monocot root shows three distinct region-piliferous layer, cortex and stele. Piliferous layer: It is the outermost layer, made up of single layered thin walled living cells. The stomata and cuticle are absent. Cortex: Immediately beneath the epidermis is a massive cortex lies consisting of thin walled parenchyma cells having sufficiently developed intercellular spaces among them. The sclerenchyma cells are commonly found in the cortex of monocotyledons. The inner most layer of the cortex is the endodermis which is composed of barrel shaped compact cells having no intercellular spaces among them. The endodermal cells possess casparian strips on their anticlinal walls. The cells opposite to protoxylem cells remain thin walled without casparian thickenings and are called passage cells. The passage cells allow the passage of water from the cortical cells to the xylem. Stele: The stele consists of pericycle, vascular tissues, conjunctive tissue and pith. The pericycle is single layered and parenchymatous.The cells in the pericycle contain abundant protoplasm. The lateral roots are originated from the pericycle. Vascular tissues are xylem and phloem. In monocot root the xylem and phloem occur as separate bundles. The xylem and phloem bundles are equal in number. They are arranged on different radii. Such an arrangement of vascular tissue is called radial. The xylem bundle consists of protoxylem and metaxylem.Protoxylem lies towards the periphery and metaxylem towards the centre.This condition is called exarch. The number of xylem vessels in each bundle is limited. The conjunctive tissue and pith are seen. The pith is parenchymatous and, large and well developed.

5 Keys to Effective Online Calculus Tutoring

5 Keys to Effective Online Calculus Tutoring Improving Academic Performance Sam Ribnick is an online MyGuru tutor for calculus and physics. He attended MIT where he received a Bachelor of Science in Physics, and is a high school physics teacher in Boston Public Schools. He has tutored students online and in person on subjects including AP calculus, AP and IB physics, multi-variable calculus and introductory college physics. Last semester I worked with a student taking a college multi-variable calculus class, and it was one of the most successful and fulfilling tutoring relationships I have had. We “met” two times a week using MyGuru’s online meeting system, and I was able to help her understand the concepts behind double integrals, Green’s Theorem and partial derivatives. Done right, online tutoring can be even more effective than face-to-face tutoring. The most important thing is finding an excellent tutor, but there is a lot you can do as the student to get the most out of your online tutoring. Here are 5 keys for you to keep in mind: Send a link to the class website. First thing, send the tutor a link to any class websites or textbooks available online. You may need to send your login information. Remember to set the password to something different from your usual password (use something simple like “tutor123”). If the textbook is not available online, send the tutor the title, author and edition - sometimes the tutor will be able to find the book online or in a library nearby. Take notes! The tutor will be writing on the screen, but you will still need the old-fashioned pen, paper and calculator. Prepare for an online session the same way you would for face-to-face. Have your textbook, notebook and other materials handy. And when your tutor shows you how to calculate that tricky volume integral, make sure you write it down! Try the problems and share your work. Just like with face-to-face tutoring, the amount you learn depends on how much effort you put in! If you struggled to understand partial derivatives in lecture, make sure that you attempt a few problems before you meet with the tutor. Then use your phone’s camera to snap a photo of the work and email it to the tutor before the session. The tutor will be able to give you more specific help after seeing what you’ve tried and where you got stuck. You talk, the tutor writes. The tutor can’t see what you write on your paper, so you will need to explain your steps out loud while she writes on the screen. It might sound complicated to explain how you did an integral, but it actually can be a huge boost to your learning. When you explain your steps out loud, you clarify your own understanding, and you give the tutor insight into your thinking so she can correct any misunderstandings. Stay focused! Are you easily distracted by facebook and online games? Keep them closed!! If you find you are getting lost or bored, tell your tutor or even request a different tutor. With a good tutor, calculus should be interesting and engaging, but it’s your job to stay focused! Meeting online is not the same as meeting face-to-face, but I have found that online tutoring can have a lot of benefits over face-to-face. With online tutoring you can usually record the session, or have your tutor send you the notes after the session. This is a great way to get the most out of your tutoring time, giving you a chance to review that tricky triple integral one more time! Click here to see the specific types of online tutoring we offer! hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

Four Important Considerations for Teens When Choosing College Majors

Four Important Considerations for Teens When Choosing College Majors Maybe your teen has been planning on a particular career since fourth grade. Maybe your high school junior is just now starting to contemplate the future. Or perhaps your teen has a few ideas of possible college majors and hasnt yet decided which one to go with. The college major decision is a big one, and your teen could surely use some guidance. Here are four considerations for your teen to keep in mind: Interests Make sure your teen thinks about his or her interests. Maybe thats being outside, working with children, helping others or working with numbers. Encourage your teen to talk with adult family friends and neighbors about what they do, and to start paying attention to the different types of fields and careers out there. It is fine for your teen to go to college with several ideas in mind, but its also good to start exploring fields and job duties that sound enjoyable and interesting. Academic strengths Your teen needs to do some research about the types of classes that different majors will require. If medicine appeals but science has never been your teens best subject, it might not be a great choice. Struggling through required courses could lead to a difficult college experience. That said, academic strengths alone shouldnt drive your teens choice in majorand your teen should keep an open mind. Perhaps your strong math student has no interest in majoring in math. That doesnt mean other math-related or math-adjacent disciplines arent worth a look, like medicine, healthcare, engineering or architecture. Soft skills Every job is different, and theres so much more to a career than the day-to-day job duties. Your teen would be wise to reflect on what he or she is skilled at other than school subjects. For example, your teen might be great with people, an excellent communicator, a leader who is skilled at taking charge or an analytical thinker. Similarly, your teen needs to acknowledge that there are skills he or she doesnt have or wish to strengthen. Someone who is people-driven and team-oriented, for example, might not be a good fit for an isolated job. Stability Salary matters, but stability matters more. Is projected demand for the fields and jobs in which your teen is interested strong? Realistically, most teens probably cannot visualize life 10-20 years after college, but they might one day have children, own homes and have a variety of financial responsibilities. It is smart to research the jobs for which each major will prepare your teen (and the career trajectory of those jobs) and how easily your teen will be able to support him or herself. Despite all of this effort, your teen might go off to college without a clear plan. Dont worrythe first year of college consists largely of general education classes and lots of opportunities to explore. Its still worthwhile to think about now, but there's no reason to push your teen into something that he or she will regret or end up changing later. This is your teens future, and the decision deserves plenty of attention. Open the lines of communication with your teen about college majors sooner than later. Youll be glad you did.

Pimsleur Review An Honest Look at the Classic Language Learning Program

Pimsleur Review An Honest Look at the Classic Language Learning Program Pimsleur Review: An Honest Look at the Classic Language Learning Program Sometimes you dont feel particularly adventurous.You just want to order the burger and fries, stay in your pajamas all day  or re-watch your favorite movie.Pimsleur is like that.People may tell you its not particularly exciting, but theres something comfortable about it, even if youve never used it before.This isnt to say that learning a language with Pimsleur couldnt be the start of a fantastic adventure.Frodo and Sam had to do some walking just to make their way out of the Shire, after all.In this post, well look at the Pimsleur program, including the logistics of using it, who can benefit from it and how to get started. Pimsleur Review: An Honest Look at the Classic Language Learning ProgramThis post includes affiliate links that will earn us a commission if you click on them and make a purchase (at no additional cost to you). All products and services are thoroughly tested. We provide an honest review based on our experience and not influenced by commissions.Pimsleur language p rograms, which are based on a method of language learning developed by scholar Paul Pimsleur, have been around for a long time. They havent changed much and people still buy them.You could attribute this to the Pimsleur name having gained ground back when there was less competition in the language learning market and having just stuck around, sure. However, while name recognition probably figures into why people are drawn to the product, Im inclined to think that Pimsleurs continued popularity has more to do with the fact that people often prefer a very straightforward learning method.People dont always want the latest technology for everything, at least not all the time. For example, I spend plenty of time watching videos on YouTube, but if I click on a news article and a video starts playing as soon as I navigate to the page, I go nope and back out as quickly as I can. Theres a time and a place for everything, and sometimes its nice to know exactly what to expect.Lets look at what you can expect with Pimsleur.The Pimsleur Program: What You Get and How It WorksFirst of all, Pimsleur has traditionally been one of the pricier language learning options that you can go for, but they sometimes run sales with fairly deep discounts on their website, and they now offer monthly plans that make their lessons more affordable.You can either purchase lessons by the level or in smaller increments on CD or MP3, with one level of 30 lessons priced at around $120 on MP3 and CDs costing around three times that amount (CD level sets come with a reading booklet).Alternatively, you can access all audio lessons for a particular language for around $15 per month  and Pimsleur Premium, with supplementary materials like flashcards, for around $20 per month. These options, which come with a seven-day free trial, make Pimsleur more accessible to people who dont have hundreds of dollars to spend on language learning in the near future, and they also make it so you dont actually have to buy the products.The exact options available vary somewhat by language, though, as do the number of levels available.Regardless of how you access Pimsleur lessons, heres what you get:30-minute audio lessons. Pimsleur programs are split up into audio segments of around 30 minutes that focus on basic speaking scenarios. While you can theoretically go through these lessons however quickly or slowly you want to, I would say from my own experience that it makes the most sense to do one per day and to try not to skip days if you can help it. Pimsleur recommends that you master around at least 80% of the material in a lesson before moving on to the next one, and you can repeat lessons if you feel you havent mastered them sufficiently.Speaking prompts. The lessons contain speaking prompts that instruct you to repeat after a native speaker to learn the pronunciation of a word or phrase, to repeat a phrase youve learned earlier in the lesson or to try to construct a new phrase by piecing toge ther vocabulary youve learned. This integrates Pimsleurs principle of anticipation, the idea that systematic prompting and reinforcement of certain knowledge hardwires that knowledge into your brain.Core vocabulary. Pimsleur focuses on basic vocabulary first, operating under the idea that overloading on vocabulary slows down the learning process. This means that the lessons contain a lot of repetition and are more geared towards teaching you how to effectively use a limited amount of language than teaching you more words.Spaced repetition. Spaced repetition is a widespread concept that has to do with learning information at intervals spaced further and further apart over a period of time to aid memorization. Pimsleurs version of this is called graduated interval recall and is built into their lessons. Essentially, theres consideration given to the vocabulary you learn in each lesson and how often that vocabulary is repeated in subsequent lessons.Now lets look at some advantages of u sing the programs. Before we get started, Id just like to say that the observations below are based on my own experience using Pimsleur to differing degrees for different languages over a number of years.Ive generally found Pimsleur to be useful, but I havent often used it as a primary means of study. Others, especially those who have used it exclusively over a longer period of time, may have had different experiences, but Ive tried to consider as many angles as possible.Advantages of PimsleurIts hands-free and convenient.This might be a big deal if you just dont have the time to sit down and use a program that requires your hands and full attention. This isnt to say that Pimsleur programs arent mentally demandingâ€"they require a certain level of concentration, and you cant go on autopilot.However, you can use them while doing mindless chores, walking, driving or lying on a couch with your eyes closed. I would add that all of these scenarios might not be possible for everyone and y ou should probably consider how easily distracted you are before driving with Pimsleur, for example. But that goes for just about any kind of audio program or entertainment, and the convenience of the program may be a huge selling point for some people.Of course, because of Pimsleurs heavy focus on speaking, you probably wouldnt want to use the programs on public transportation or anything like that unless you want to be really annoying.Youll learn practical language.Pimsleur lessons generally revolve around common travel situations and use basic phrases that can be put to multiple uses.Theyre completely conversation-based  in that a lesson will begin with a dialogue, which is then dissected to teach the vocabulary in it so that you can understand the exchange by the end of the lesson. This means that youre not going to waste time learning isolated vocabulary or language that you wouldnt be able to use in an actual conversation.It can aid in speaking confidence.Perhaps the biggest a dvantage to Pimsleurs particular audio lesson format is that you can put yourself in a situation where youre forced to speak without actually interacting with anyone. The prompts make your physical reactions to the language more automatic, which makes you feel more prepared to go to places where you might need to use the language.Using Pimsleur can also feel exciting because you realize that with some relatively gentle direction, youre actually putting together the pieces of the language on your own as you speak it out loud. The program is teaching you, but youre doing the actual work of integrating the language into your speech patterns yourself, and when you see this, it can be a huge confidence booster.While, overall, Pimsleur is probably best used consistently and over a longer period of time, I think that even using it inconsistently or over a shorter period of time can be helpful in this regard.It can aid in long-term memorization.If you use Pimsleur consistently, it will help with the retention of words and phrases, and the nice thing about this is that you dont have to do your own planning or strategizing for how to memorize things. You can just commit to a certain amount of time spent with the lessons, and youll see progress that will likely stick with you.According to a study done at Columbia University, Pimsleur programs show major strengths in promoting noticing, awareness and longer memory retention (italics mine).Possible Downsides of Pimsleur (and How to Offset Them)Like any program, Pimsleur comes with its downsides, but many of these arent so much reasons not to use the program as factors to be aware of and take into consideration. Overall, Pimsleur is limited in what it teaches and does, but it can still be a very useful part of your language learning.There isnt much variety of speech, and you may not always find the material thrilling.One of the biggest general criticisms of Pimsleur is that its boring. Many of the scenarios, while useful, a re rather dry and can tend towards overly-formal.What balances this out somewhat is the excitement of getting to speak and seeing your speech and understanding come together as you learn to navigate your way around the language. Considering how intense the speaking requirements of Pimsleur are, Im not sure that youd necessarily want the subject matter to be too fascinating, as this might prove distracting and intimidating.At the same time, I imagine there might be room for them to improve the product in the future.However, Pimsleur gives you practical tools to apply elsewhere, and theres nothing stopping you from doing so at any time.This is why I would recommend combining or following Pimsleur with authentic materials, like those found on FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.FluentU offers exciting content through a vast video library and uses learning features, lik e interactive subtitles, to reinforce the material. You can click on any word or phrase to find out more about it and see it used in other videos. You can also add content to customized vocabulary lists and flashcard sets for further practice. Sign up for a free trial to see the program in action for yourself!Pimsleur is like the glue that holds the main materials, the real substance, of a language together. While the scenarios in Pimsleurs lessons are practical, they arent necessarily realistic, but they give you a foundational understanding of the language that you can take to programs and resources that are more in-your-face with the language as its actually spoken.It might be anxiety-provoking for some!Foreign language anxiety is real, and Pimsleur will ignite some learners tendencies towards perfectionism. The anticipation of being quizzed on the material and the mental scramble to remember what youve learned can cause you to tense up and worry about getting everything right. T he program makes some strides towards discouraging a perfectionist attitudeâ€"for example, with their assertion that you only need to master 80% of the material before moving onâ€"but its still easy to feel discouraged if you havent mastered that 80%.One thing thats helped me immeasurably with using audio-prompt programs in general is learning shadowing. The general concept behind shadowing, which I dont think of as a language learning approach so much as a language learning skill, is that rather than listening to a speaker and repeating after them, you just start repeating immediately. Rather than overdoing your pronunciation, you simply lean into the speakers voice and let your voice be guided by theirs. This can help your speaking become more relaxed and automatic.Another solution to audio-prompt anxiety might be to do something with your hands while listening to a Pimsleur lesson. Washing dishes, crocheting, playing a predictable and largely visual game on your phone These activ ities can all keep you from focusing on your own speaking too intensely and help you respond to the prompts as if they, too, are a predictable and inconsequential game, which isnt so far from the truth.It doesnt teach you grammar explicitly.Pimsleur gives you a good foundation of practical grammar usage, but it doesnt generally explain actual grammar rules to you.Of course, counteracting this is simple: There are plenty of good foreign language textbooks  out there that you can use as a supplement to a resource like Pimsleur.Also, how much this factor really matters may depend on whether youve studied other languages before and, if so, which languages. Before writing this review, I tried out a Pimsleur lesson for Brazilian Portuguese, a language Ive only studied very minimally and wouldnt say I knew at all. There were some concepts introduced within this lesson that mightve prompted questions for me if I hadnt already learned French and studied other Romance languages. But because I had, I didnt feel that I needed to have the grammar explained to me.On the other hand, the one time I did try to use Pimsleur as a primary means of study, it was for Russian, a language fairly unrelated to others Id studied before. While I did feel that it helped me build a foundation and an understanding of some basic phrasesâ€"and maybe helped me get started on the language in a less intimidating wayâ€"I definitely felt that I needed to buy some books and get into the actual workings of Russian after that.Ultimately, theres no simple answer as to whether a program should incorporate grammar directly, and its fine to wait and see how you react to a no-grammar approach before considering a change or upgrade to your learning method.Vocabulary is limited.Along with there not being much variety in the type of speech you hear, the actual number of vocab words in Pimsleurs programs is limited, which, as weve already touched on, is something that Pimsleur does intentionally. I dont think this is necessarily a problem, particularly for complete beginners, as theres only so much language you can absorb at once anyway. But, not having a broader range of vocabulary will ultimately limit how far you can progress in a language.The lack of input in the Pimsleur programs, along with a lack of actual interaction, is one of the downsides brought up in the Columbia University study mentioned earlier.Again, authentic materials can be a good way to combat this issue. You can also greatly supplement your Pimsleur learning and improve the interaction element by practicing your speaking with exchange partners.Even if you dont have a regular partner, you can always use language exchange apps to get in some quick conversation practice.Who Benefits the Most from Pimsleur?So, taking the above into consideration, who should Pimsleur work best for?Busy people who don’t have time to devote specifically to learning.Pimsleur is undoubtedly a time-saver if you can do it while driving, doi ng chores or doing any kind of work that doesnt require a lot of brainpower. For that reason, it can be a great option for people who are looking for a serious language learning program that doesnt require them to stop everything in order to use it.Those who need a regular language routine they dont have to figure out themselves.While creative and self-directed language learning can be a lot of fun, it can also take up a lot of energy. Not everyone wants to spend time planning or messing around with different learning methods. This isnt to say that Pimsleur is necessarily an all-in-one solution, but its a way to start learning a language that requires little thought outside of the actual 30 minutes you spend doing each lesson.Learners who are blind, have low vision or want to limit visual learning for other reasons.Obviously, audio programs in general are going to be a better choice for people for whom visual learning isnt an option. But, a lot of audio programs are paired with text or other visuals. With Pimsleur, visual learning is optional, and the audio is truly self-contained and comprehensive, making it a genuinely good choice for people who need to do all or the majority of their learning through audio.Aside from those who arent able to learn visually at all, people who suffer from migraines or other conditions that limit sight temporarily or are exacerbated by too much visual strain might find Pimsleur helpful.Limiting visual learning can actually be a good move for a number of reasons, even if its not something that you strictly need to do. If youre a really dedicated language learner or if you have a job that requires a lot of time reading or spent in front of a screen, integrating audio into your daily routine, even just for a half-hour, can give you a much-needed break that might prevent headaches and stress and even help you think more clearly.People who need to learn language basics for travel in a short period of time.Again, every language learn ing program has something of a limited range, and Pimsleur most benefits those who want to pick up the basics of speaking a language quickly. Phrasebooks, textbooks, classroom learning and all-around programs meant for long-term use all come with their own advantages but might not give you the laser focus on mastering practical speaking in a short(ish) period of time that Pimsleur does.Pimsleur is a solid classic for a reason, and for many people, it may be the simplest, most obvious and most comfortable solution.And sometimes its okay to just go with what feels right.Elisabeth Cook is a freelance writer who enjoys pondering how to make language learning more relaxing. You can find her on Twitter (@CooksChicken).

Students choosing to take a gap year after graduation - Tutor Hunt Blog

Students choosing to take a gap year after graduation Students choosing to take a gap year after graduation Students choosing to take a gap year after graduationUniversitiesBack in the dark ages when I completed my sixth form, it was fairly common for students to take a `gap year` before attending university. This entailed taking a year out of education, and going travelling, usually around Europe, though more intrepid individuals might venture as far as Asia and Australia. I recall there being something called an inter-rail card, that enabled under 20`s to travel the continent on certain train lines at a vastly reduced fare. You could fall asleep in comfort and safety, travelling at 140km an hour, waking up in a new city to explore. It all certainly sounded like a grand adventure, but was definitely something I was too peevish to undertake. `Maybe after university,` I told myself. My shame over having been too cowardly to embark on a gap year has been somewhat assuaged recently, by learning that there has been a precipitous drop in the number of students going on them. UCAS have just revealed figures showing that only 5% of students deferred their university place this year, compared with 8% last year. These statistics may sound marginal, but thats a fall of nearly 50% in the number of students choosing to take the time out to go on a gap year. What could be the reason for this sudden drop? A survey conducted by YouGov and London Stansted airport seems to point to the answer. They found that more students are now deciding to take their gap year after university. To me this certainly seems sensible - with their higher education complete, after three years of hard work, poised at the beginning of what may be a career lasting many decades, what better time could there be to take a year out? For the last five years, perhaps even longer, the students will have been studying for one important exam after another. Before they settle down into their careers it would be an apposite time to do some travelling. It also seems students are being more considerate and selective in their choice of destinations. Meandering aimlessly around Europe without any real plan or itinerary seems to be a less attractive option, with many now sagely looking for experiences that will augment their qualifications, seeking to gain real life knowledge on location. My friend`s daughter is planning to begin a career in charity work, having completed her degree last year, and is currently volunteering to work for amnesty international in her gap year, as part of a support camp working in Uganda. I`m sure this experience will be extremely valuable on her CV - perhaps being esteemed as highly as her degree - when she starts looking for work later this year. Many students planning to take a gap year will work during the summer after their final exams, saving up as much as they can. Others may try to secure bar or catering work during their travels. Some students choose to take a TEFL courses (teaching English as a foreign language), a short qualification that grants them the opportunity to be an English teacher in many foreign countries. This qualification can be completed in as little as 2 days at centres throughout most major cities in the United Kingdom. The time immediately after university is a vital juncture in life - it is a point that many will look back on decades later, and see the first steps being taken that have lead them to where they now stand. Such a decisive moment needs to be approached with mental clarity and sober judgement. A year travelling could facilitate exactly the right state of mind required to make the appropriate career choice. After so many years studying, what better reward could there be than a year out - a year broadening the mind with visceral, tangible adventures, as opposed to the necessary, but more academic edifications of the classroom and lecture hall. Many people look back on their gap year as the most exciting time of their lives, a time where, unencumbered by more adult constraints (mortgages, children) they travelled throughout many countries, went through a profound period of personal growth, while deepening the bond with a group of great friends. 7 months ago0Add a Comment