The 5 Best Destinations to Learn Spanish

The 5 Best Destinations to Learn Spanish Learn Spanish in Spain and Beyond: The 5 Best Places ChaptersThe Best Ways to Learn Spanish in BarcelonaHow to Learn Spanish in ArgentinaLearn Spanish for Beginners: Costa RicaLearn Spanish in Dominican RepublicLearn Spanish in CubaLanguage learning should be a fun process. Spanish isn't just about how to conjugate a verb, what a perfectly structured sentence looks like, or extensively studying grammar.Without question these things are important, but speaking a second language such as Spanish, is equally about being able to communicate with another person in a way that expresses exactly how you feel, as well as understanding the language and the culture that will influence their reply. It is about understanding the history of the language, and the processes which have shaped it.It is possible to learn Spanish online, or to take a Spanish course at a local language school, but for this reason, the most effective way to learn the language of Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, and Diego Maradona, is to fully immerse yourself in a Spanish speaking country.By doing so, you will develop your knowledge of Spanish grammar and expand your Spanish vocabulary. With each conversation that you have, you will learn new Spanish words as they are used by everyday people, in everyday life, in a way that language courses struggle to match.This is not to mention how your Spanish pronunciation will improve as almost everyone you speak to will be a native speaker.Learning Spanish while travelling  doesn't even just limit you to Spain, either. Spanish is an official language spoken in an incredible 20 different countries, across 3 different continents. So what are the best options available to you?The chances are, if you want to learn Spanish in Spain, you are trying to choose between Barcelona and Madrid. Madrid has a number of advantages, but in this article we are going to focus on the Catalan capital.Barcelona is a city renowned throughout the world for its charms and culture. In Spain, Barcelona has a very specific status, and is well kn own for its welcoming atmosphere and for being a mixing pot of people from different countries.Located on the coast, the people of Barcelona speak Spanish, as well as Catalan. You will find a variety of options when it comes to choosing a Spanish language school, but you will also be able to learn Spanish with the natives in the street simply by talking to them.Why is Barcelona a Good City to Study Spanish?If Barcelona is so popular among tourists and students, it's for its warmth. Indeed, like many cities across Spain, Barcelona enjoys warm weather for long parts of the year.Thus, you will often want to have a drink on the terrace, or to relax on the beach (located a few minutes by transport from the center of the city). It's a hard life, but you will learn to enjoy it!And to become bilingual and get used to the Spanish culture, moving around the city and discovering its heritage is sometimes a more effectively done on a beach, rather than in Spanish lessons or online Spanish cours es where your teacher will try to teach you about Spanish through academic-styled grammar lessons, or with some Spanish verbs that you might not use again.Discover the magnificent architecture of Barcelona!In addition, Barcelonans are known for their open-mindedness and hospitality. It's a fact: in Barcelona, you will never get bored.If you are still undecided, then why not check out this guide to the best student cities in Spain.Some Useful Tips Before Heading to BarcelonaFirst and foremost, you need to find a place to stay. An ideal Spanish immersion would involve living with Spanish people.One of the most efficient way to learn how to speak a new language is to immerse yourself intensively in the culture and the language.By living with Spanish people in a Spanish city, you will find your Spanish roommates to be the best Spanish teachers! You could learn to speak Spanish over breakfast, simply by conversing with them. Fluency also comes much naturally through immersion. That's als o because you have no choice other than to be in the position of a learner every second of every day, without even noticing it.It is true that rents are relatively high in Barcelona, so you will find that the cheaper options involve living with other people. Many announcements are posted at the University of Barcelona.Speaking of university, do you know that you can learn Spanish without paying?Indeed, the government of Catalonia offers free Spanish classes to those who request them.This is certainly an opportunity not to be missed. You will learn how to speak Spanish by having the opportunity to study with a native Spanish teacher, and get the best Spanish lessons to learn vocabulary, grammar, conjugation and tenses, as well as the correct pronunciation of key words.Remember, if you want to work in Barcelona, you will need to get a foreign worker identification number. You can do this at a police station in the coastal neighbourhood of Barceloneta. Once this number is in your posse ssion, you can look for a job on dedicated websites such as: Infojobs.net, loquo.com or laboris.net.How to Learn Spanish in ArgentinaOur second destination that we would recommend for learning Spanish abroad is Argentina.It's the perfect country if South America is your passion.Why Should You Choose to Live in Argentina?It is interesting to point out that life is not expensive in Argentina, when compared to countries in Europe and North America. Thus, with an average salary, you should be able to live comfortably.In addition, Argentina offers many outdoor activities and life is really enjoyable. Whether in terms of cuisine, entertainment or the arts, Argentina offers you many of Latin America's hidden treasures. Patagonia is a particular highlight, with its snow covered peaks, glacial lakes, and stunning views.Discover the glaciers of southern Argentina!Learning Spanish in Argentina: Some Practical TipsFor citizens of almost all western countries planning to spend less than 90 days in Argentina, you won't have to worry about a visa (although Canadians and Australians have to pay a reciprocity fee before arrival). All you need is a valid passport that will be stamped upon arrival. However, if you wish to stay for longer, consider getting information on how to obtain a Working Holiday Visa (PVT) quickly.This type of document allows you to live and work in Argentina for a maximum of one year.If you are a student, technician, journalist, contract worker, trainee, you can also obtain a resident visa (or temporary visa) valid from 6 months to 3 years. With this type of document, you obtain a DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) for the same period.Once there, you will need to find accommodation. Some choose to stay at the hotel or at the residence while waiting to find an apartment. However, we advise you to call a real estate agency before your arrival. Thus, you will not have a housing problem once there. For this, you will obviously need some basic Spanish, so c omplete beginners with no knowledge at all will need to enlist the help of a Spanish speaker.Costa Rica is a dream destination for taking a Spanish class or two.Located in Central America, the country has a majority Spanish population that will allow you to improve in the language.Why Travel to Costa Rica to Learn Spanish?In addition to sublime landscapes and pleasant weather, Costa Rica is a warm country. The inhabitants are all open to discussion, and it is very easy to approach a variety of subjects.Speaking Spanish will be a part of all aspects of your life, which is maybe the most efficient way to learn Spanish and become bilingual. Think of each conversation as a series of free Spanish lessons; talking with the natives will teach you the real conversational Spanish and an unlimited amount of vocabulary.Costa Rica: a beautiful and natural ecosystem!Moreover, it is interesting to note that the country is widely seen as one of the safest in Central America, and is largely able to avoid the problems that plague its neighbours, which in turn helps to attract a large number of tourists every year.Some Tips Before Going to Learn Spanish in Costa RicaSince 2010, it has become more difficult to travel to Costa Rica, unless you already have a job. If you don't, you will have a hard time finding a certificate of temporary residence.The best way to stay permanently in Costa Rica is to be married to a Costa Rican, to have Costa Rican parents, or to give birth to a child in the country.That being said, to go to this country easily, we advise you to start volunteering on behalf of a humanitarian organization. Thus, you can easily return to Costa Rica. In addition, you will be in direct contact with the local population. Not to mention feeling useful. If you learn the language in this way, you will develop your linguistic skills, as well as your personal ones.In our opinion, it's the best (and easiest) thing to go to learn Spanish on a Costa Rican vacation. To learn Spa nish fast, you need to spend more time outside of the classroom environment of language lessons, and more time talking to the locals. You can do this perfectly whilst on holiday in Costa Rica.Learn Spanish in Dominican RepublicWe continue our tour of the best destinations to learn the Spanish language with the Dominican Republic. Indeed, looking at the pictures and seeing the beautiful landscapes, who would not dream of going there? And why not live there for a while you learn Spanish abroad?Why Go to the Dominican Republic to Learn Spanish?The Dominican Republic is a real dream destination. Indeed, this country offers pleasant weather, long sandy beaches and above all welcoming, stressless and warm people.Learn Spanish under coconut trees!It's a well-known fact that in order to live in the Dominican Republic, you have to love improvisation, parties, and have a certain openness about you. If this sounds like you, the Dominican Republic is the perfect place to enhance your learning e xperience in Spanish.Some tips before leaving to learn Spanish in the Dominican RepublicAs we have already emphasised, learning a language requires spending time in a country where that language is spoken. If you wish to live in the Dominican Republic for a long time, you will need a work visa. With this type of document, you can obtain a local driver's license and open a bank account at the same time. To do this, you will need to find, at least, a fixed-term contract there. It is also possible to obtain a student visa, which you will have to renew each year.Note: the language spoken by locals differs a little from classical Spanish. You will probably need a little bit of time to adapt at the beginning.For this reason it is probably advisable to  learn Spanish before travelling  to the Dominican Republic, or at least some phrases and expressions so that you language skills can cope with this change. This is a good destination if you are already approaching intermediate Spanish, but perhaps not the first choice for a complete beginner.Learn Spanish in CubaFinally, we also want to talk about the country of the cigar: Cuba. It is also an incredible destination to learn Spanish.Why go to Cuba to learn Spanish?Cuba is a country with a rich history, and proud people. Everything in this country tells a fascinating story; from the embargo with the United States, to the communist domination of the time of Fidel Castro.The streets of Havana are a great place to learn SpanishCuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, so you can enjoy the island life at the same time as exploring a large variety of different places and landscapes.Cuban people are among the most social and eager to share their culture, an ideal opportunity to practice your Spanish everyday.What You Need to Know Before Setting Off for CubaOnce there, nothing beats the casas particulares  as places to live with the local residents. By doing so, you will have the opportunity to meet Cubans who will rent you rooms directly within their home.Regarding visas, the Cuban government places different specifications on people of different nationalities, so check with the Foreign Ministry in your country before you travel.Note finally that it is always interesting to revise your Spanish before the holidays ...!You get it now; if you want to learn Spanish, you have a large choice of destinations. If you want to take Spanish classes London or anywhere in the UK, Superprof is ready for you!Discovering the language and culture of these countries is an important part of the discovery when you visit each place.One huge advantage is that a large amount of Spanish speaking countries are idyllic places to spend some time whilst learning a language spoken by over 440 million native speakers worldwide. It's up to you to make your choice according to your preferences. In any case, prepare yourself to have an unforgettable experience.By the time you start thinking and dreaming in Spanish like a native spea ker, you will be able to tell yourself: my task is complete.

How to Learn Japanese Through Textbooks

How to Learn Japanese Through Textbooks What Are the Best Books to Learn the Japanese Language? ChaptersLearn Japanese with the 'Japanese Manual'Japanese in 40 LessonsJapanese for Busy PeopleJapanese For Dummies1001 Japanese ExpressionsIf you want to speak Japanese, you will first of all need  to define your own Japanese language learning project.How to learn Japanese is therefore a key question that you need to answer. There are a number of different methods for learning Japanese, but one of the most popular ways to learn basic Japanese is to get hold of a textbook.But before you dive straight into buying a book from Amazon, you need to know why you want to learn Japanese.Indeed, there is not much of a point getting into a 500-page manual if you just want to go to Tokyo for a few days, and only need to know some greetings and how to introduce yourself. For this, Japanese learning tools such as mobile or iPad applications (or a Japanese course) may be enough!You may not want to leaf through a Japanese beginner's manual if you already have a solid foundation in Japanese and your goal is to work in the land of the rising sun.But if you want to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), you will need to learn the intricacies of Japanese grammar, and not just have a conversational level. In such a case, you will need a more substantial textbook to help you as you learn to speak Japanese.As you will have understood, your profile and your expectations dictate which method and manual will be best for you.This article will help you to understand the different methods of learning Japanese.Many people who have learned Japanese using these manuals point out that despite the fairly high price, the book is of exceptional quality and will allow you to make great strides in learning the Japanese language.  This is important for all beginners because Japanese writing is very complex for English speakers.Japanese in 40 LessonsTake the 40 Japanese Lessons Book with you everywhere--it's as light as a manga!Just as learning Japanese via an app  will focus on nihongo , books for studying Japanese will do the same. You will still be able to communicate with a native speaker, but nihongo is generally the form of Japanese learnt by any new learner as a second language, and therefore differs slightly from what Japanese people learn at school.This book has the advantage of being a paperback book and is much more transportable than some other options. It is for those who want to learn this new language on their own.And let's not forget why you may be wanting to learn Japanese to begin with!  Japanese cultural exports are exploding.  From anime to sushi bars, karaoke to manga, bonsai to origami, Japanese culture has become part of international culture.A knowledge of the language will give you direct access to Genki video games,  Japanese film, animations, and comic books.  Speaking Japanese will set you apart from the crowd. The majority of people who learn a foreign language choose a European language like Spanish, French, German, or Italian. Choosin g a less commonly learned language will pop out on your resume and differentiate you from the crowd.Also, Japanese is a stepping stone to learning other Asian languages, such as Korean or Mandarin. Like other Southeast Asian languages, Japanese is a highly analytical language, relying heavily on function words rather than extensive systems of inflection to denote linguistic properties.These languages also share a similar subject-predicate sentence structure. Though Southeast Asian languages are distinctly different among themselves, as a group they are clearly different from geographically more distant language families, such as Indo-European and Afro-Asiatic languages.From an organizational point of view, each of the 40 lessons is separated into four sections. For each lesson, you will also find themed exercises and  pages on civilization, Japanese culture, and  the history of Japan with beautiful texts on the Emperor, the Second World War, or the samurai.This is a very useful book if you are  preparing a trip to Japan and want to go further than just learning the basics as you can simultaneously study the language and culture.The grammar you will find in the book is relatively simple, so that you can use it in conversation and concrete examples.It is the same for the vocabulary and additional lessons, where you will learn Japanese words and Japanese phrases.Concerning writing Japanese and the Japanese alphabet, you will have access to 20 lessons in order to learn each kana:10 lessons to master basic hiragana and their variations10 lessons to learn basic katakana and their variationsBonus detailed Japanese lessons.The other 20 lessons will serve as an introduction to learning the different kanjis.The box-set, consisting of the book and two CDs with audio recordings, allows you to work on your written Japanese and refine how to pronounce certain words and other types of oral expression. In doing so, your ability to hold a Japanese conversation will improve dra matically.Why not go through the 40 lessons with a Japanese tutor via webcam?Or search for an online Japanese course here.to define your priorities and your learning objectives when it comes to learning Japanese. If the idea is to go sightseeing, spend a few yen in Kyoto or in the capital, your learning method is going to be different when compared to someone looking to work or study in Japan.You can figure out what method would be best via questions such as:What basic level do I have in Japanese (beginner, intermediate, advanced)?How much time can I devote to learning?How often am I willing to invest in Japanese lessons?What is my ultimate learning goal?These questions can help you find which book to guide you to:For a beginner or intermediate, and for someone  who is not necessarily in a hurry, your best bet is going to be the two Japanese Manuals as well as the Japanese Exercise Handbook, to complete the oral part of the learning.For someone wanting to learn expressions in order to communicate before going on a trip to the country of Mount Fuji, we recommend the pocket size Japanese for Dummies, or Japanese in 40 lessons.Finally, for someone who is fluent in the language, the Japanese Handbook remains a safe bet. You can become even more fluent thanks to the 1001 Japanese Expressions textbook, which will teach you some idiomatic expressions and allow for greater immersion in the Japanese tradition and customs.

The Top 10 Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Users

The Top 10 Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Users Computer Courses: The Keyboard Shortcuts for Typing More Quickly ChaptersWhat’s the Point in Windows Keyboard Shortcuts?The 10 Best Windows Keyboard ShortcutsShortcuts for Managing WindowsA Few More Bonus ShortcutsIn terms of desktops in 2017, Windows had a market share of 83%, Mac OS X accounted for 13%, Linux 1%, and less than 1% used Chrome OS.While smartphones and tablets have been increasing their market share in the last decade, desktops and laptops are still regularly used in the world of business.Put simply, typing on a touchscreen keyboard on your smartphone or tablet isn’t effective enough when it comes to forging customer relations, brand communication, or even creating text for Indesign or Photoshop projects.  This means that the qwerty keyboard still remains one of your PC’s most important peripherals.Writing texts in Microsoft Office, editing images in Adobe Photoshop, developing web sites, etc. all require that you can type quickly and effectively.  In order to do this, you’ll need to learn a few important keyboard shortcuts for Windows.Are you sick of right-clicking on the mouse to open a context menu and then left-clicking to choose the option?Did you make a mistake? It only takes a second to accidentally select a load of text instead of a word and delete everything.  Don’t worry, though! Everything can be undone with a quick press of ctrl + z.Here are Superprof’s 10 best keyboard shortcuts to speed up your work on Windows.To put it simply, shortcut keys are useful because they help you to do things more quickly. This might seem obvious, but you’ll soon see how useful they can be and how much time they can save you. You've probably noticed that your keyboard layout includes a lot more than just letters, numbers, and a spacebar. Your keyboard has function keys, esc, ctrl, alt, and the Windows key (Command if you're using Mac). They're there for a reason, after all.Check out some coding courses here.If you work in IT, productivity is hugely important. (Source: Jay Kunwar)The digital revolution ha s turned workplaces on their heads. Across the channel, the French journal Sciences Humaines had this to say:“In the years to come, 42% of jobs are at risk of being transformed by digitalisation. 3 million jobs could be eradicated. Robotisation continues to deeply destabilise the [French] middle classes.”The same could happen here! Everyone will therefore be required to be familiar with computers and how to operate them effectively if they’d like to keep working. Mastering shortcuts when interacting with computers is therefore seen as a must for all users.  It’s a quick and easy way to increase your productivity.In fact, knowing the shortcuts can save valuable seconds every time you use them and, over the course of a day, drastically improve how much work you output.From simple operations like opening a window to editing texts (copying, cutting, and pasting), opening windows explorer, placing an image into a text, editing and developing websites, you can use keyboard shortcu ts to reduce the time it takes to carry out a number of different digital tasks.Another important thing about these shortcuts is that if your mouse, trackpad, touchpad, or wheel stop working, you can still operate the computer effectively without them.You can carry out most tasks on your computer using just the arrow keys, escape, enter, ctrl, alt, and the number pad.Not convinced? Here’s a quick test for you:Do the following operations by just using your mouse, then try it again using mac keyboard shortcuts. You can save around 50% of the time taken by using the latter method.Open your browser.Search something on google.Click on an article.Highlight a paragraph.Copy and paste that paragraph into Microsoft Word (or OpenOffice).Select all and change the colour of the text.Open the file explorer.Choose an image and import it into the text document.Save the file and then export it as a .pdf.Send the file by email to another computer.Not know the shortcuts for any of these? Why not st art with a few computing tutorials for beginners?Here are some of the most important keyboard shortcuts you should learn...The 10 Best Windows Keyboard ShortcutsWhile these shortcuts are incredibly simple, they’re also incredibly useful and everyone should know them.Copying and PastingInstead of right-clicking and choosing “copy” then going to a new part of the document and right-clicking again to choose “paste”, you can carry out these operations by holding down the ctrl key (the command key is used on Macs) and pressing:Crtl + cCrtl + vThis is useful for anyone who wants to edit document more quickly. When you copy or cut, the computer saves the text temporarily to the clipboard. You then just have to scroll to where you want to insert it and use the paste shortcut.Cutting and pasting is something you need to do quickly if you work with Word a lot. (Source: kaboompics.com)Cutting and PastingSo what does ctrl + x do?When you press on cntrl and x, the text or image you’v e highlighted will disappear. This isn’t used for deleting your selection, it stores your selection you can paste it elsewhere in your document by pressing “ctrl + v”.UndoHow many of you have accidentally deleted something by mistake?When you’re editing a text, if you accidentally select a whole line or paragraph instead of a word, you might end up deleting the whole thing.  A quick press of ctrl + z will undo the last step you made.Useful, isn’t it?SearchingThis is a great shortcut if you want to know how many times you’ve used a specific word, find a specific part of a text, or see if a text talks about a certain topic:In Windows, you’ll need to use the shortcut ctrl + f (for find). You can also use this function in browsers, too. Keep in mind that this isn't the same as the search you use online. This function is used solely to find exact matches within a text or browser window.Select AllRather than scrolling from the very top of a page to the very bottom while left -clicking with your mouse, you can use the keyboard shortcut ctrl + a to select everything. This is really useful for formatting an entire text if you've ended up with a lot of different fonts being used.Opening the Task ManagerDo you need to lock your computer or close a programme that’s stopped functioning?The famous shortcut ctrl + alt + del will open the dialogue that you need.  You can consider the shortcut ctrl + alt + del as your panic button for when your computer starts bugging out.Shortcuts for Managing WindowsIn this day and age, it’s very common for computer users to get lost in the various windows and tabs they have open. Finding the page you want to look at can end up like trying to find a needle in a digital haystack.We’ll save you the price of a private IT tutorial with this little tip - though you might want to consider taking programming courses if you want to delve deeper into the world of computers!Changing WindowsPressing alt + tab will quickly take you to your next active window. If you hold down alt, every time you press tab, you’ll move to another window.  This is very useful when you have a lot of windows open like your settings, a database, image editing software, webpages, etc.Before you know it, you can end up with too many windows. (Source: snapwiresnaps.tumblr.com)This can save you a lot of time against finding a stack of windows on the task bar.Minimising All Windows and Returning to the DesktopIf you want to go straight back to your desktop, you just need to press Windows + d. This will minimise all windows to the task bar and you’ll find yourself back on your desktop. Pressing Windows key + d again will maximise all the windows.  This is useful if you end up with tonnes of windows stacked on top of each other.Additionally, simply pressing the Windows button will open the start menu (which is the Windows logo in newer versions).Moving Windows AroundHere’s a shortcut that I like: especially when you’re working with multiple screens. This can be used to move windows around:  Windows + Shift + arrow keys (left or right)Create a Virtual Desktop If you’re working on a small screen, like a 10” or 13” laptop, you can create a virtual desktop.  A virtual desktop will be created to the right of your current desktop. The command is simple: Ctrl + Windows + d. This means you can juggle several desktops without any of them getting too cluttered. You can navigate between desktops as you wish and remove them when you're finished.  As you’ve probably gathered, there are plenty of different shortcuts on Windows.A Few More Bonus ShortcutsHere’s a list of other useful keyboard shortcuts:As you can imagine, we haven’t included all of them. There are literally hundreds of them...Thanks to shortcuts, you can navigate web pages as quickly as you can regular pages. (Source: Tirachard Kumtanom)Move an active window: Alt + Space Bar + l + arrow keysFullscreen mode: F11Open the file menu: Alt + fChange tab s: Ctrl + 1, 2, 3, etc.Update the page/refresh: F5Delete a file directly without sending it to the recycle bin: Caps lock + delNew tab: Ctrl + tNew file: Ctrl + nPrint: Ctrl + pClose the window: Alt + F4Bold: Ctrl + bItalics: Ctrl + iShow the properties of the selected file: Alt + returnIn the special characters window in Microsoft Word, you can also find the shortcuts for the characters you want to use. This is especially useful when typing in foreign languages as the English keyboard doesn’t tend to have accent keys.For example, if you want to put an acute accent on the letter “E” (like in the words café or cliché), you just need to type: Alt + 144 (on the touchpad).Finally, keyboard shortcuts are essential if you want to work with Photoshop and edit photos.  If you want to work effectively, keyboard shortcuts can make both Macs and PCs far quicker than a simple typewriter.Ready to find out how to type faster?

5 Good Audition Songs for Musicals by Voice Type

5 Good Audition Songs for Musicals by Voice Type Sign up successful For some initial pointers check out the video below, then keep reading as we share 20 more good audition songs for musicals. Well include selections for each voice type, representing a mix of both classic and modern shows! Good Audition Songs for Musicals Sopranos This Place is Mine from “Phantom” by Maury Yeston. Everyone sings from the OTHER “Phantom” don’t make that mistake! Funny divas can really sell this song. It’s as big as anything you’d find in the major hits from that era (and you know what they are!) but this song is hardly overdone. “To Keep My Love Alive” from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” by Rodgers and Hart. So outrageously funny! This is for the soprano who’s also a comedienne. Plus, it’s always good to have some Rodgers and Hart in your repertoire! “Unexpected Song” from “Song and Dance”. This is an absolutely beautiful ballad from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lesser-known works. You can’t go wrong with a single song in the show, in fact; it’s a one-woman show and you have a lot of great audition songs to choose from! “One More Kiss” from “Follies”. It’s not always a good idea to bring in Sondheim unless they specifically ask for it (too complicated for many accompanists), but this is a simpler tune in the style of song from an old operetta. Belters/Mezzos “How ‘Bout a Dance?”  from “ Bonnie and Clyde” by Frank Wildhorn. This is a sassy and fun song perfect for a younger actress that belts. This musical is fairly recent, but due to the fact it was not a hit well, chances are not too many other people will be walking in with this one! “Wherever He Ain’t “ from “Mack and Mabel”. What a score! This is an up-tempo, rag-timey song that is just plain fun to sing by a spunky leading lady. While “Mack and Mabel” is respected for its glorious score by Jerry Herman, this show never took off! “Home “ from “The Wiz”. This a pop-like song that builds. Memorable melody and you can really put some emotion behind it. Perfect if you’re auditioning for something like “Dreamgirls” (but again, it’s best to avoid those songs unless they specifically ask for them). “All Falls Down” from Chaplin.This song is sung by the character of Hedda Hopper in the show. It’s a real scene stealer! Another modern (2006) musical that was not a hit, but has a marvelous score (see a theme here?). “The Music That Makes Me Dance” from “Funny Girl”. We all know that Barbra owns “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade”, but this lesser-known ballad from the show is gorgeous and a solid choice. Tenors “A Bit of Earth” from “Secret Garden”. If you need something a little more modern that’s a moving yet simple ballad, this is a great choice. “When I’m Not Near the Girl I Love” from “Finian’s Rainbow”. This is a mid-tempo song for a tenor with charm and personality, from a more “classic” show. “Seeing is Believing” from “Aspects of Love”. Another one of Sir Andrew’s flops but what a score! This may be a better choice than “Love Changes Everything” from the same show, which many performers tend to oversing. “Shiksa Goddess” from “The Last Five Years”.  This is for a comedian! A mid-tempo number from another more modern show with very clever lyrics that will leave the audition panel rolling. “You are Beautiful” from “Flower Drum Song”. Ballad for a young lyric tenor from one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s lesser known shows. Baritones “C’est Moi”- from “Camelot”. Need something classic? Are you a solid actor? This one’s for you. “Gonna Be Another Hot Day” from “110 in the Shade”.  Mid-tempo as well as lyrical, and could suit a variety of types. “I’ll Be Here”- from “The Wild Party”. Wonderful song from another more modern show for a baritone who is a bit more pop/jazz-like and comfortable with some vocal improvisation. “Love Sneaks In” from “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. Need something current that’s also a ballad? Perfect choice! “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway”- from “Spamalot”. Perfect for the man who is an “actor first, baritone second”! Very patter-like and needs a comedian to sell it but that goes without saying, doesn’t it? See Also: Best Audition Songs for Baritones [Video] Repertoire selection becomes a piece of cake once you establish who YOU are (comedian, ingenue,  baritone, belter, etc.). After knowing your type, it’s all simply a matter of two really big things: what shows are being cast (all modern? All classic? A mix of the two?), and what YOU truly enjoy performing. There is so much out there that theres no excuse for using a song you think is just okay as an audition piece. The audition panel will always be able to tell! Have fun discovering new shows and songs are one of the best parts of being a “musical theatre geek”! Want even more audition  song ideas?  Check out our list of 400+ songs to sing,  and our newest article the 50 best audition songs for musicals. Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013. Learn more about Molly  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Rande Archer

How Will the AP Physics B Exam Change in May 2015

How Will the AP Physics B Exam Change in May 2015 In May 2015, the Advanced Placement (AP) Physics B exam will undergo some change. Reviewing the breakdown of these changes below will help students to ensure readiness for the new exam when it premieres. The need for change The National Research Council (NRC) recently determined that the AP Physics B course covered too wide a breadth of material so wide that students were not developing a deep enough understanding of concepts. To improve exploration of such materials, and to expand the scope of knowledge covered, the NRC made a recommendation that AP Physics B be divided into a two-year course, effectively doubling its length. Content is now divided across two years, the first of which is the equivalent of a first college semester of algebra-based physics. The class will cover: Newtonian mechanics; work, energy, and power; electronic circuits; and mechanical waves and sound, with an emphasis in inquiry labs and physics state standards. The second course will serve as a second semester college-equivalent course and will cover fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Splitting the course into two separate entities will provide for more hands-on learning, as well as a greater overall understanding of the curriculum. These are some great tips on how to ace your AP courses. Changes in learning objectives When the AP Physics B course becomes two courses, the learning objectives will also change to reflect the new organization. These objectives will now fall under seven categories, which outline the framework of introductory physics. The learning objectives are presented as a checklist that provide exactly what a student is responsible for knowing and demonstrating in order to receive college credit. The learning objectives also define what will be on the exam; questions that do not match up with one or more objectives will not be on either test. Each objective is associated with both knowledge of physics and basic foundational science principles. Course vs. test While the AP Physics course is recommended to be taught as two courses, each lasting the duration of one year, each school is responsible for setting their own AP schedule. Students who do not take AP courses are still eligible to take AP exams. This means that the exam can be taken, no matter how you have prepared for it. While it is recommended that students and teachers follow the approved exam schedule, a student has the opportunity to try their hand at the test under any circumstances. To be more prepared for the exam, it is recommended that students take Physics over two years, on the same lines as the AP Physics course. Here are 3 questions to ask yourself before taking an AP course. The test The AP Physics exam will be offered in two exams: one for AP Physics 1 and the other for AP Physics 2. Each exam requires three hours, and both can be taken in one year. Like the previous exam, the two will require students to complete both multiple choice and free response questions. Questions on the new tests will assess how well students understand physics conceptually, which means test takers will be required to demonstrate understanding by applying science practices. This involves more writing in free response sections, though the tests will contain fewer of these questions. The free response questions will focus heavily on qualitative and quantitative explanations, reasoning, and justification of answers given. The changed tests will also include a question focusing on experimental design. This question will require students to demonstrate a full range of knowledge in order to explain the various steps of an experiment. Also, while the old test emphasized the use of mathematics to solve problems, the new test will be more cumulative in its approach, asking students to rely on a breadth of knowledge involving math, reasoning, knowledge of the scientific method, and so on. These are 3 common mistakes to avoid on AP exams. Test format The former AP Physics B exam involved 70 multiple-choice questions over a 90-minute time period and six or seven free response questions over a 90-minute time period. Now, the AP Physics 1 exam will have 50 multiple-choice questions over 90 minutes and five free response questions over 90 minutes. One free response question will deal with experimental design, another will deal with qualitative/quantitative translation, and the remaining three will take the style of short answer. The AP Physics 2 exam will follow the same format, but will limit the number of free response questions to four, cutting out the third short answer question. While these changes may seem significant, they will ultimately leave students better prepared for college physics. Working with AP Physics B tutors can be of great help in this process as well. By spreading the acquisition of knowledge over two years, students will be more knowledgeable, prepared, and confident in their abilities to perform advanced physics.

Becoming a Russian Teacher

Becoming a Russian Teacher How to Become a Russian Teacher ChaptersPostgraduate Qualifications for TeachingApplying to Teacher Training ProgrammesDifferent Teaching Training ProgrammesTeaching Russian PrivatelyTeaching Russian as a Private Tutor“It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently.” - Fyodor DostoyevskyThere are around 280 million Russian speakers in the world. Russian is an East Slavic language and is an official language in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Moldova. In fact, Russian is the biggest member of the Slavic languages.The language was the official language of the Soviet Union (USSR) and as a result, became an essential part of politics in Russia and Eastern Europe.  Nowadays, the language is still widely spoken and has become very important in language learning. You can learn more about Russian online.Learning Russian is a great way to discover a new culture, a new civilisation, and Russian literature.Would you like to travel from Moscow to Saint Pete rsburg?Would you like to teach Russian language courses?That could be a good motivation for learning Russian. Once you've been studying Russian for a while and have gained proficiency, you can start passing on your language skills to other people interested in speaking Russian.Have you thought about teaching Russian?In this article, we'll be looking at the PGCE, how to get onto a course, some other teacher training programmes, and becoming a private Russian tutor. LavaRussian Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LarisaRussian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors InaRussian Teacher 4.88 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IrynaRussian Teacher 5.00 (8) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvgeniaRussian Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnastassiaRussian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NikolaRussian Teacher 5.00 (4) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MargaritaRussian Teacher 5.00 (3) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsPostgraduate Qualifications for TeachingJust being able to speak Russian won’t be enough to teach it to secondary school students. You’ll need a teaching qualification.There's no simple way to become a Russian teacher. You have to work at it. (Source: freephotocc)The most common way to teach in secondary schools is through the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).  As the name suggests, this is a qualification you do once you’ve completed your degree. Usually, a teacher will complete a degree in the subject they wish to teach and then complete the PGCE to gain the necessary teaching skills to teach it.During your undergraduate degree, you’ll focus on understanding Russian grammar, Russian culture, vocabulary, pronunciation, speaking, listening, reading, and writing.  Your degree will help you become a master of the language. You’ll also probably have an opportunity to spend some time in Russia to further your understanding of the language and culture.Of course, you may want to consider doing another language alongside Russian since very few schools teach the language and it’s always a good idea to have another foreign language on your CV.  Once you’ve finished your degree, it’s time to start looking at teacher training opportunities.As we said, the PGCE is the most common. This is the programme that includes university tuition as part of the teacher training.  The first part of the application through UCAS is called “Apply 1”. There’s also “Apply 2” for those that are rejected, withdraw from their offers, etc.The application process is long and complicated (like all application processes of this nature), but there are plenty of resources out there, especially those provided by UCAS themselves, to help you with this.  Once your application is successful, then the real work can begin.Applying to Teacher Training ProgrammesIf you want to teach Russian (or any other language) in a secondary school, you’ll need to be a qualified teacher.Make sure you practise for your interview. (Source: StockSnap)This means that you’ll need a teaching qualification and qualified teacher status (QTS).  To get this, you’ll need to do a teacher training programme. Before you can do a teacher training programme, you’ll need to apply to one.As we said earlier, there are two application statuses: Apply 1 and Apply 2. During Apply 1, you can make 3 choices for training programmes you’d like to do.These choices need to all be made at the same time as you can’t add further choices under Apply 1. Training programmes have academic and non-academic criteria that need to be met.Apply 1Three choices. Any route, subject, age group, etc.You don’t have to use all three choices but you can’t add to them.Make your choices carefully.Apply 2One choice at a time.Unlimited choices.Occurs if your Apply 1 choices were unsuccessful, declined, or you withdrew from them.You can still apply for a programme you were unsuccessful for in Apply 1.You’ll have to attend an interview before you can be offered a place.  You’ll have ten working days to respond to offers. In Apply 1, this ten-day period starts once you’ve had responses from all your choices.  Of course, working in a secondary school isn’t the only way to teach foreign languages or Russian. LavaRussian Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LarisaRussian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors InaRussian Teacher 4.88 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IrynaRussian Teacher 5.00 (8) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvgeniaRussian Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnastassiaRussian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NikolaRussian Teacher 5.00 (4) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MargaritaRussian Teacher 5.00 (3) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsDifferent Teaching Training ProgrammesJust like teaching in secondary schools isn’t the only way to go, the PGCE isn’t the only way to become a teacher.The PGCE includes a lot of work and study. (Source: StockSnap)There are over a dozen different ways to get qualified teacher status (QTS) in the UK.  You can find teacher training programmes in England through the Department for Education.  If you’re looking for programmes in Wales and Scotland, you can search using UCAS’ own search tool.  The process is a little different in Northern Ireland.Once you’ve found the right training programme for you, you’ll need to get your application ready. Take your time comparing different programmes and doing your research.Of course, you don’t need to teach as part of the national curriculum. There are plenty of other ways to teach Russian. You can teach in private language schools, associations, or as a private Russian tutor.Teaching Russian PrivatelyIf y ou don’t fancy being a teacher in a state school, you can take your teaching to private institutions or even work for yourself.Outside of the national curriculum, there are fewer formal qualifications required to teach Russian. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can just walk through the door and start teaching. You’ll need to be good at both Russian and teaching and be able to prove it. While qualifications are always a good way to prove this, experience, references, and even the interview are also good ways to prove yourself worthy.The advantage of working in language schools or at associations is that you don’t need to find your students.  Additionally, the students will have chosen to learn Russian and will have more enthusiasm than secondary school pupils who may be being forced to study a given subject.Of course, that doesn’t mean that all your students will be nice and you won’t get to choose them like you would if you were a private Russian tutor.Find good Rus sian courses London on this platform.Teaching Russian as a Private TutorIf you decide to become a private tutor, you’re the boss. You don’t need any formal qualifications in Russian or teaching.Work, work, work! (Source: Free-Photos)Of course, you’ll be operating within a free market and you’ll need to prove yourself to your students through your teaching. Word of mouth, reviews, and recommendations will be your best friends when it comes to finding students.In this line of work, you can choose your rates, your timetable (given it works with your students), and what and how you teach.  You can teach general Russian tutorials or specialise in certain aspects of the language such as:Russian GrammarThe Cyrillic AlphabetRussian conversation skillsGrammatical conceptsRussian verbs, adjectives, nouns, adverbs, etc.Russian sentence structure, syntax, and words and phrases.So are you ready to start teaching Russian?Before you start helping students with their language study, think c arefully about the type of language course you want to teach.Would you prefer teaching Russian as a second language in a school or would you prefer tailoring Russian courses to private students?Do you want to teach Russian in the UK or abroad?While western European languages are commonly taught here in the UK, in places like Ukraine, Ukrainian and Russian are both used.  If you want to teach Russian courses, you should think about going to places where it's a common second language.There are no official requirements for private tutors so if you want to start teaching Russian vocabulary to beginners, you can start teaching your Russian language lessons while studying Russian as an undergraduate at university, for example.Even if you're not doing Russian studies, you can always teach people about the Russian alphabet and Russian speaking culture with intensive private tutorials. As long as you know what you're teaching and are good at teaching it, you can teach whatever you want as a private tutor.While being fluent in Russian will help, if you don't use the right teaching techniques, it won't matter if you know every conjugation, personal pronouns, and tonnes about the language of the former Soviet Union.If you want to become a private tutor, consider making your profile on Superprof today. You can offer both one-on-one tutorials and online tutorials!

The Myth of Multitasking

The Myth of Multitasking “Supertutor” Mark Maclaine is Tutorfair's Co-founder and Director of Learning. Mark is currently working on his new book which is based on a series of real life clients and the experiences he has gained over his many years of tutoring. The first snippet of this series looks at how tutors can create engaging and memorable lessons and also examines how effective multitasking  really is.   The Myth of multitasking Simon had been struggling to get his homework done on time, and his grades were slipping. His parents complained to the school that he was getting too much homework, and they called my tutor friend Andrea to help. In their first lesson, Simon insisted on putting music on in the background. Suddenly his mobile phone chirped with a message. Andrea protested and Simon said “It’s ok, I can multitask.” He stopped writing and responded to the message. In the next few minutes his computer screen lit up with a few more messages and he answered his brother on the home intercom. By the end of the hour he had done less than half of what they’d expected to cover. The  Science behind multitasking   He believed that he could multitask without a dip in productivity but his brain did not play along. The sticking point was the anterior prefrontal cortex, the brain’s control centre. It monitors activity within brain and information from the external world, and decides what is most urgent and relevant at a given moment. Then it activates and suppresses appropriate parts of the brain so the information can be processed. This is what happened in Simon’s brain as he started to write his essay and then got interrupted: In the time it took Simon to respond to the message, the information relevant to his writing had faded somewhat, or had been replaced by information from the message. Thus, returning to the task, he virtually had to start over: “Now, where was I?” Switching tasks releases dopamine, which serves to momentarily increase brain performance, and also makes multitasking a bit addictive. Researchers at Stanford University spent years looking into the benefits of multitasking, and failed to find a single one. They concluded that if you attempt to do two tasks at the same time it takes about 50% longer than if you do them sequentially. Moreover, in numerical and letter-based tasks you are likely to make twice as many errors. Top tips to help your students leave multitasking behind   Hide mobile phones from view: researchers from the University of Texas found that people who had a smartphone within view are worse at conducting tasks and remembering information. If devices have to be used, notifications should be turned off, and they should only be checked at set times Have students ask family and friends not to disturb them when they’re working. Take regular breaks (to avoid boredom which can lead to the desire for distraction)

The Importance of a GMAT Score

The Importance of a GMAT Score GMAT MBA Admissions Blog If you are applying to an MBA program, you probably already know that the business school admissions committees will look at a number of elements in your application, but also that not all components are made equal in this process. One of the most important factors when applying to business school is your score for the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), which is a standardized exam developed specifically for business school applicants, intended to measure their capability in pursuing an MBA program in an objective way. Applicants to MBA programs often think that the GMAT is only important in the admissions process, to get admitted to their dream business school, but that is actually not true. Instead, it is likely that you will be asked to disclose your GMAT score after graduation, as many prospective employers, companies and talent scouts will want to see these to evaluate how suitable you are for specific jobs. In this post, however, we will be focusing on the importance of a GMAT score for MBA application purposes, as we know many MBA applicants are wondering: just how important is the GMAT score? And is it worth retaking the exam, should you get a less than perfect score? The answer to these questions is that it depends where you will be applying. Not all business schools place the same importance on the score. It is known, however, that many of the top business schools use the score to weed out applicants, before looking closely at other parts of their application. It is also said that even in cases where they do look carefully at the application as a whole, a lower than average GMAT score can often be such a hurdle that the applicant needs to be extraordinary in other areas in order to overcome the low score and even be considered for admission. Some of the top business schools known to place a lot of importance on GMAT scores are Wharton, MIT and Stanford. That doesn’t mean it is unheard of for an applicant with a low GMAT score to be admitted to these schools, it just means they will have to make up for that score in a big way in the rest of their profile. Applicants applying to such GMAT-heavy business schools may want to consider retaking the test if they end up with a less than desirable GMAT score to improve their chances of admission, and repeat if necessary. On the other hand, there are plenty of other reputable business schools that just see the score as one part of the application and are looking for a well-rounded application instead. Applicants applying to these schools need not worry as much about their GMAT score and may want to consider other ways of boosting their profile (excellent recommendations, strong essays, etc.) instead of retaking the exam. What is a “good” GMAT score then? Again, this really depends on the business school in question but for most top ranked business schools, a score above 700 is considered to be a good thing, meaning the applicant will probably not be rejected on the basis of the score alone. Anything under 700, however, for the top 10 or even top 20, and the applicant may want to consider retaking in order to maximize their chances of admission. For lower ranked business schools, the definition of “good” will vary considerably but keep in mind that an above average score may really boost your chances at these schools, including for scholarships. About the Author Michelle Miller is the CEO ofARINGO Americas, an MBA admissions consulting firm specializing in assisting candidates gain entry to the top MBA programs around the world. Michelle has worked in higher education for over 10 years and is currently writing her PhD dissertation.