15 Great Reasons to Take Singing Lessons

15 Great Reasons to Take Singing Lessons Why Hire a Voice Coach for Learning to Sing Chapters1. Learn to Sing Covers of Your Favourite Songs2. Make a Career of Singing3. Learn to Sing and Appear on TV4. Learn to Harmonise with Other Singers5. Cure Your Tone-Deafness with Vocal Training6. Learn to Develop Your Own Vocal Style7. Find Love Through Song8. Sing and Play the Guitar9. Sing and Play the Piano10. Learn to Sing to Help with Language Learning11. Learn to Sing to Improve Your Public Speaking12. Improve Your Physical and Mental Health by Learning to Sing13. Learn to Sing and Explore the History of Music14. Discover New Musical Genres by Taking Singing Lessons15. Get Voice Coaching to Increase Your Chances of Being Accepted at a ConservatoireWith a large number of global singing successes including The Beatles, Oasis, Shirley Bassey, Adele, and Emeli Sandé, it is clear that the UK is an incredibly musical nation.However, for a nation of music lovers, too many of us are overcome with embarrassment when it comes to the idea of singing in public.Taking singing lesso ns with a teacher who can adapt lessons to your personal needs and goals is an effective way of gaining confidence as a performer and improving tone quality.If you’re yet to be completely sold on the idea of singing lessons, here are fifteen reasons to convince you to take a leap of faith! TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors1. Learn to Sing Covers of Your Favourite SongsWhether it’s in the car or while taking a shower, none of us seem to have a problem with singing our favourite songs in private.It could sometimes even be considered a shame that the songs we know by heart are never performed even though singing them fills us with joy.This is where voice training comes in. Singing teachers are experts at instilling confidence in their students whilst developing their vocal skills so that they can fulfil their singing potential.Once you have learnt about warming up, breath control and how to use your diaphragm, you will be better-equipped to record and perform your favourite songs with confidence.Overcoming your stage fright is all part of the process of learning to sing, and as a seasoned professional, your voice coach will help you feel comfortable as a soloist.2. Make a Career of SingingMeeting the big stars of the moment, appearing on TV, signing autographs, living a life of luxury… becoming a famous singer appeals to many of us at some point in our lives!Where could voice training take you? ¦ sou rce: Pixabay - StockSnapThe world of singing offers a multitude of career opportunities. You could make your way in the world as a:Professional musician (solo or with a group)Voice coach at a prestigious arts schoolSchool music teacherPrivate singing teacherMusic researcherSongwriter or composerThe skills you acquire in your singing lessons, such as a knowledge of music theory and performance skills, will equip you for a career in music.3. Learn to Sing and Appear on TVFrom Leona Lewis to James Arthur, the world of music is full of stars who began their singing careers on TV talent shows.You don’t need to win one of these competitions for a successful music career â€" just one appearance on The Voice could get you spotted and help you advance as an artist.So, if you like the idea of being in the public eye, why not sign up for some auditions on programmes such as The X Factor, The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent?4. Learn to Harmonise with Other SingersKnowing how to harmonise is essential if you want to sing most types of music, including classical, opera, choral and pop.Harmonies are made from breaking down chords and using them to create cadences, which are what give songs their musicality.During your sessions with your singing teacher, you will learn about finding harmonies within arrangements and using them to make a piece richer overall.5. Cure Your Tone-Deafness with Vocal TrainingSigning lessons could relieve your loved ones from the agony of listening to you massacre perfectly good songs.The good news is that, despite what most people believe, anyone can learn to sing well, even if they have no natural singing ability!Be tone deaf no more! ¦ source: Pixabay - PexelsThe inability to reproduce melodies accurately usually stems from a lack of strength in the part of the body which contribute to the voice. Provided you choose the right singing teacher for your needs, with enough encouragement and regular practice of vocal warm ups and breathing exercis es, your body will get used to singing and you will start to find it easier to carry a melody â€" so, learning to sing is far from impossible!6. Learn to Develop Your Own Vocal StyleEvery voice is different, and this is why it is almost impossible to produce covers of songs which are identical to the original versions.Many singers enjoy getting creative and finding a way to make an existing song ‘their own’ by applying their own musical style to the lyrics and the melody.Some of the most famous singers started out at cover artists on YouTube, including Justin Bieber, Cody Simpson and Lana del Rey.Taking online singing lessons will help you identify the timbre of your voice and develop your own singing techniques which you can apply to your performances.7. Find Love Through SongHave you ever thought about serenading the love of your life with a romantic song?Finding a singing teacher will not only help you to improving your vocal ability, but it will also give you a good idea of the types of songs which suit your vocal style, so you can choose the perfect song to declare your love. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors8. Sing and Play the GuitarTo improve your singing technique and make sure that your voice is warmed up properly, it is advised that you use a musical instrument to guide you.Playing your own accompaniment will give you the skills to lead a band ¦ source: Pixabay - Free-PhotosPlaying the gu itar is not only perfect for finding a certain pitch and keeping you in key, but also for playing the chords to a song as an accompaniment â€" so you can perform as a solo act.9. Sing and Play the PianoThe piano is the most common instrument used during music lessons.Everyone from singing teachers to opera soloists to conductors to comedians uses the piano in their work.Like learning any musical instrument, learning the piano will help you with your understanding of music theory as you learn to read a musical score.Playing the piano is beneficial in the same way as learning the guitar, and once you start singing as you play, you will discover the true benefits to learning to sing.10. Learn to Sing to Help with Language LearningIn his 2007 report on the learning of foreign languages, the French minister for education explained:The practice of singing promotes the acquisition of musicality of language. It helps in the identification of the sounds that make up language. Syllables and r hymes set the internal rhythm of phrases and help the child to repeat them.In some languages, such as Japanese, pitch indicates the meaning of a word, so having a good awareness of the musicality of language can make it easier to learn new languages.11. Learn to Sing to Improve Your Public SpeakingAre you all-too-familiar with the overwhelming feeling when your voice is trembling and you want the ground to swallow you up?Giving speeches in front of an audience is a fear-inducing experience for many people.The problem usually stems from a lack of self-confidence on the part of the speaker â€" something that singing lessons can help remedy!Overcome your fear of microphones and crowds and develop a stage presence ¦ source: Pixabay - FotocitizenIn addition to learning about using breathing techniques to stay calm, singing students will become more aware of how their voices work as they learn to sing in the three vocal registers:Chest voicePassagioHead voiceYour singing teacher will be able to help you with your posture, listening skills and diction so that you can feel confident singing as well as speaking to a crowd.12. Improve Your Physical and Mental Health by Learning to SingRegardless of whether you receive formal voice training, singing is a sure-fire way to lift your spirits.It may surprise you to know that singing offers a physical workout, too. Exercising and strengthening your voice by training your diaphragm requires a lot of energy.So, if you’re put off by the gym, simply exercise your voice!13. Learn to Sing and Explore the History of MusicIf your singing teacher has been professionally trained, they will not only be able to teach you how to sing, but they can also help you understand the ins and outs of the musical world.Whether you’re interested in singing pop music, classical pieces or you dream of performing in musical theater, your teacher will be able to help you broaden your knowledge of the evolution of music.14. Discover New Musical Genr es by Taking Singing LessonsOriginality is often the best way to capture people’s attention â€" and this especially applies to singing.Instead of focussing on pop or jazz, some singers make the decision to specialise in little-known musical styles.If you’re a curious person and you want to stand out from the crowd when it comes to talent shows and auditions, why not see how your voice sounds for a range of musical genres?You live outside the capital and want to find a private teacher: Superprof has loads of tutors offering singing lessons Manchester.15. Get Voice Coaching to Increase Your Chances of Being Accepted at a ConservatoireSinging can take you a long way!If you’re already a serious musician, and you’re looking to take your training to the next level by auditioning for a conservatoire, singing can help you make use of your natural abilities and give you an edge over the competition.Bear in mind that the voice is an instrument that you can add to your repertoire!Click here to find out about the cost of voice training.

Change Is Not a Four-Letter Word - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Change Is Not a Four-Letter Word - Introvert Whisperer Change Is Not a Four-Letter Word Don’t you just love your habits? You must love them, because they are a big part of who you are, right? You have a habit of twisting your hair, sniffing, or eating when you’re tense. You do it without thinking about it, and that’s the great thing about a habit. It’s the robot part of living. It’s autopilot. The problem with a habitâ€"either one you want to get rid of or one you want to startâ€"is that you have to… change. Ick! We live in the midst of urban myth about change. The myth is we are resistant to change, yet we change all the time in every way and have from the moment we were born. We believe change is impossible, but that’s not true either. The one thing that is true is while there is expert knowledge about how to effectively make change, very few of us know about this information and subject ourselves to a lifetime of “do-overs.”  It’s not surprising our myths about change persist. In order to avoid being in the 70% of people who fail when making any type of change, there are a few things you can do. You must deploy all of these things: Plan to fail.   As negative as that sounds, it’s not. It means in our effort to change a habit, we will stray at some point. You might stray more than once. Make your strategy ahead of time and use it guilt-free. An example is eating. If you are dieting and can’t resist having some birthday cake, then recognize what you did and cut back your intake on the next meal. It works for anything, but do figure out where you might stray and know what you will do ahead of time. You need help. As a nation of cowboys, we’re prone to not ask for help. If you’re making a change, you need help. You need a person to hold you accountable, cheer you on, and keep you focused.   It often helps if that person is an expert in whatever habit you are working on, because they will have specific insight you need to know. People that attempt to make changes without another person in the mix, won’t succeed. You have to have an emotional need to change. You can’t logic your way to a change. If you don’t have an emotional connection or reason, you will lack the internal drive to push you forward. Think of this: If logic worked, no one would smoke or do drugs. We start for an emotional reason, and it takes an emotional reason for us to stop. The problem may be you haven’t connected to a deep-rooted emotion. Until you do, don’t start down the path of change, because you will quickly get derailed. It’s going to be uncomfortable. Part of the beauty of a habit is we don’t have to be conscious of what we’re doing. It’s a way to save energy. We do something and don’t burn one brain cell in the process. With change, you have to become conscious about your behavior, and that isn’t comfy, because it requires energy and focus. You have to keep doing something new in its place long enough to ultimately turn it into a lifestyle habit. Developing new behavior requires your time and attention far longer than you’d like. (Experts say repeated behavior for 21 days.   I think that is the bare minimum.) It’s a lifetime commitment. Many people make the mistake of thinking they will “do something until…”   In other words, they have a point out in time when they can take their foot off the gas and relax about the new behavior. Don’t plan on that working for you. You’ll notice people who go through 12-step programs to stop drinking refer to themselves as an alcoholic even when they haven’t drunk in years. It’s a way to maintain a level of consciousness as well as vigilance for the hard-fought-for change to stay in place. If you’re planning to change a habit, you don’t want it to be temporary. Tomorrow morning when you brush your teeth, be grateful your parents taught you so many good habits when you were young. Because now that you’re an adult, you realize how habits conserve your energy and how challenging it is to change them. This article was originally published on Evolving Magazine. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What Test Do I Take A Guide to the Testing Acronyms

What Test Do I Take A Guide to the Testing Acronyms The world of academia can be a confusing one especially for new students. Deciding which test is right for you is a hassle in itself, but determining what test is meant to be taken at what time, what test measures what subject, and so on, can be quite complex. To choose the test that is right for you, youll probably have to do a little extra reading. However, having a basic understanding of the types of tests and their names will at least start you down the right path. Here is a guide to the testing acronyms to help you decide which test you should take and when. ACT ACT stands for American College Test, and it is meant to establish whether a high school student is equipped to enter college-level courses. Usually taken in a students junior or senior year, the ACT is required for admission to many colleges. SAT and PSAT The SATis the Scholastic Achievement Test and serves a purpose similar to that of the ACT. It also measures college readiness and is taken during the junior or senior year. You may also hear the PSAT referenced. As you may imagine, the PSAT is meant to be taken before the SAT in 10th or 11th grade. AP AP is short for Advanced Placement and is used to identify classes for which there are aptitude tests available. If you take an AP class, youre eligible to (potentially) test out of a subject and avoid taking a particular course in college. These classes are more challenging than other high school courses and typically require more work. GRE The GRE is the Graduate Record Examination and is required for admission to many graduate schools. Like the SAT and ACT for high school, the GRE determines readiness for graduate school. GMAT The Graduate Management Admissions Test is basically a GRE for business school. Taken during your senior year of college or, if you take some time off, before entering business school, the GMAT evaluates preparedness. LSAT The Law School Admission Test is administered to students who wish to enter law school. It is offered at specific times during the year (fewer than most other tests) and evaluates reasoning instead of actual knowledge. Like all of these tests, the LSAT can be retaken if your score is lower than you had hoped. MCAT As you may have guessed, MCAT stands for Medical College Admissions Test and looks at whether or not a student is prepared to enter medical school. Like the LSAT, it requires reasoning skills, but also looks at overall knowledge. TOEFL The TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a test used to determine a students ability to read, write, and interpret the English language. The test is given to many international students from non-English speaking nations before they can enter U.S. schools. Obviously, if you happen to fall within one or more of these categories, it is worth giving the test some additional research. Theres a wealth of information available for all of them, so did deeper into those that apply for you. Seek out guidance online from fellow students, tutors, and guidance counselors, and soon youll have the answer to the question, What test do I take?

Manchesters Best Geography Courses

Manchesters Best Geography Courses Getting to Grips with Geography: The Best Courses in Manchester, at Every Level ChaptersGeography Revision Courses in ManchesterTaking a Course in Geography at one of Manchester’s CollegesGeography at Manchester’s Supplementary SchoolsFinding a Private Geography Tutor in Manchester through SuperprofContinuing Professional Development in Geography at MMUSee what Geography has to Offer with the Manchester Geographical SocietyDegrees in Geography at Manchester’s UniversitiesConclusionAre you a student in Manchester with a passion for geography? Have you been looking for ages to find a geography course that is right for you? Are you a little sick of trawling through the internet to find information on GCSE modules, A Level topics, or degree programmes?Here, we’ve tried to make things a little easier, by bringing the best that Manchester has to offer in terms of geography education all into the same place. (You can see the same information for different cities in our series on geography education across the UK.) So, whether you are a GCSE student struggling i n meteorology, or an adult learner with a particular interest in geology, you’ll find the best options here to succeed.Manchester is a fantastic place to study geography, with a world-class university, lots of sixth-form colleges, and an array of alternative educational possibilities â€" for whichever level and age of learner you may be. So, have a look below, and let’s get learning! SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MatthewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGeography Revision Courses in ManchesterWe can all get a little stressed before our exams â€" not least in geography. And, if you have been studying for ages but you still can’t crack the analytical aspects of the discipline, you might be seeking some geographical assistance.Luckily enough, Manchester is a city with a whole load of opportunities for revising the diverse subjects that geography has to offer â€" from small classroom-sized seminars to large-scale group revision lectures and presentations.A Level Revision UKA Level Revision UK is an organisation that, as the name suggests, runs A Level revision sessions across the country, in all subjects you could possibly imagine. In Manchester, they are based in the Manchester Metropolitan University, and run courses there during the February half-term and the Easter break. The first is a two-day session, whilst the other, closer as it is to your exams, runs for four days.The courses this organisation offers are based around the syllabus from the Edexcel exam board, so if you study this, you will be familiar with the topics such as Globalisation, Coastal Environments, and Geopolitics. The teaching is of a high quality and, whilst there are no group size limits, personalised assistance is guaranteed for every child.Justin Craig EducationJustin Craig Education has run revision sessions for students up and down the UK for over thirty-five years, and they offer guidance with GCSEs and A Levels in small centres dotted around the country. The organisation conducts revision sessions during every school holiday throughout the academic year, and they even offer residential courses. They’ve honestly become something of an institution for revision â€" and they keep the class sizes down to keep the teaching quality high.In Manchester, Justin Craig take over St Bede’s College and Chetham’s School of Music for revision courses of all levels and subjects â€" and whichever exam board or elective module you are studying, you will find the guidance you need. Of course, they offer geography courses too. (And you can see more on them in our piece on geography opportunities in Leeds.)Revise your geography, and keep your exam period free from the storms of anxiety!Taking a Course in Geography at one of Manchester’s CollegesBefore you’ll require revision courses in Geography, it would probably be worth enrolling onto a Geography course first! In Manchester, if you do not want to continue at your school, the opportunities are plentiful for studying A Levels at a further education college.The Connell Sixth Form College and the Abbey College Manchester both offer the Edexcel A Level in Geography, and, depending on which is more convenient for you, one of these could be a great option. Whilst at both colleges you will study hydrology, the geographical and biological effects of climate change, migration, and the interrelationship between humans and our world more generally, at the Abbey College the emphasis is more on independent research into a nd fieldwork on a geographic subject of your choice.The Manchester College offers a wider range of qualifications in geography and the social sciences more generally. Whilst you can take A Levels in Sociology, Psychology, and Geography, you can also take Access to Higher Education Diplomas in Social Science. This award is perfect for older learners who do not yet have many qualifications, but who want to apply for admission to university in a related subject.Geography at Manchester’s Supplementary SchoolsManchester is a city known for its broad diversity and its multicultural heritage. As such, there are a whole load of options for people who speak English as a second language to supplement their mainstream education with classes in their first language. There is a wide range of cultural schools across the city that hold supplementary classes at the weekend or the evening, and extra courses in geography â€" as a fundamental subject in both the humanities and social sciences â€" ar e offered widely.To give some examples, the Libyan, the Bosnian, and the Ukrainian Supplementary Schools are all prepared to teach core school subjects, which are studied in the respective language of the school. The benefits of these classes is that they can introduce children to and aid them in the language of their community â€" whilst giving them knowledge of the breadth of geographical themes too.If you are interested, get in touch with your local community, and examine what opportunities are on offer! SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MatthewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover a ll our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFinding a Private Geography Tutor in Manchester through SuperprofWhilst you can track down the right course, college, or revision session for you, you could also just visit Superprof and find, easily and quickly, a geography teacher that is perfect for you.Superprof connects pupils to tutors across the world, and right now it hosts tutors teaching over a thousand different subjects. Geography, of course, is one of them. And whilst you can connect to over two thousand geography tutors for online tuition, there are also twelve geographers in Manchester waiting to help you study â€" at an average rate of £15 an hour.We all know it can be a little frustrating if you attend a class but are secure on all the content you are covering. Superprof offers the opportunity for learning which is at precisely your level, your pace, and in your style. Check it out now: you’ll find graduate students and qualified geog raphy teachers ready to help you from the comfort of your own home.Continuing Professional Development in Geography at MMUContinuing Professional Development is a scheme to promote lifelong learning and professional growth. The Manchester Metropolitan University, or MMU, offers courses in this to anyone looking to develop their skills.CPD courses include the Environmental and Geographical Sciences, which are broken down here into Environmental Management and the Geography of Health. If you continue with these short courses, you can earn yourself enough credits to get a proper qualification at the end.See what Geography has to Offer with the Manchester Geographical SocietyIf London has the Royal Geographical Society, Manchester is the home of the Society for the north east. And if you have a passing interest in the subject, but don’t want to commit all of your time to it, the Manchester Geographical Society might be a great place to start.In aiming to promote geographical knowledge in general, and to promote geographical interest in north-east England in particular, the Society runs events and a lecture series to enable a public engagement in the subject. The lectures are free and open to all and feature major geographers, alumni, and professors in geography.If you are looking just to dip into the subject, the Society’s series is well worth your time.Attend a lecture at the Manchester Geographical Society.Degrees in Geography at Manchester’s UniversitiesIf, having gone through school, you have decided to pursue the life of the geographer, you will need to apply to a geographer degree at university. Each different university has different approaches and focuses, and these are things you will be encouraged to consult if you are considering progressing to an undergraduate degree in the subject.The University of ManchesterThe University of Manchester is ranked very highly in the UK for geography, and you will notice that the university offers two different ba chelor programmes in the subject. Depending on whether you are more interested in studying Human Geography and Cultural Geography or Physical Geography, you will have to choose between the BA or the BSc.If you are looking for a postgraduate geography degree, the University’s options are still strong, with Master’s programmes in Geographic Information Science, in Environmental Studies, and in Research Methods. A PhD or doctoral research project in Geography is also possible at this university.Manchester’s Other UniversitiesThe University of Salford and the Manchester Metropolitan University also offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in geography.Study geography at the University of Salford, based near the spectacular Salford QuaysConclusionAnd that's your lot! Find out more about geography in the UK by checking out pieces on learning geography in Glasgow and studying the subject in Birmingham!

How can I automate essay evaluation for free

How can I automate essay evaluation for free Many teachers would like to give better, more detailed feedback to students on their writing assignments but realize that there are not enough hours in the day to do so. With the arrival of artificial intelligence, faster feedback on essay writing tasks is now possible. The Virtual Writing Tutor offers six types of automated writing evaluation for free. For formative cover letter evaluation, see here. Automated IELTS Essay Evaluation Click here to evaluate an IELTS essay If you would like your students to practice describing a chart or graph or practice writing short academic opinion essays, there are a number of Task 1 and Task 2 automated IELTS essay evaluation tasks to choose from. These eight tests score academic essays on the 9-point scale used by the British Council to measure English proficiency and college readiness. Automated IELTS essay evaluations You can find the link to the tests on the navigation menu on Virtual Writing Tutor using the IELTS link. No login is required. Each test comes with a timer to help simulate the writing conditions of the official IELTS exam. If you would like to test the system with sample IELTS essays, there are a couple of texts you can use in an earlier blog post I wrote when I first launched the IELTS band score calculator. Automated Paragraph Evaluation Click here to evaluate body paragraphs Sometimes you will want students to write their body paragraphs before they write their introductions and conclusions. In this situation, you cannot use an essay checker. You need a body paragraph checker. Have students paste their body paragraphs into the paragraph checker. The system will generate feedback on the topic sentence, evidence, support, and grammar. If you prefer, you can have them test the system with these sample body paragraphs. Automated Opinion Essay Evaluation Click here to evaluate an opinion essay Once the students have their body-paragraphs ready, you will want them to add introductions and conclusions. At this point, they will be ready to submit their opinion essays for formative evaluation. Have them submit their writing to the opinion essay checker. There is a sample essay to explore the system with here. The system gives feedback on each paragraph based on its position in the essay. For example, it will check the last sentence of the first paragraph for a thesis sentence and the first sentence of the last paragraph for its reformulation. Body paragraphs are checked for topic sentences. Automated Argument Essay Evaluation Click here to evaluate an argument essay With intermediate-level students, you might want to ask them to express an opinion on a controversial topic and refute the usual counterargument. In that case, have students find the Tests dropdown menu on the navigation bar at the top of the page on VirtualWritingTutor.com, click on Actively Engaged in Persuasion (a college-level textbook by the same name is forthcoming). A button will take them to an argument essay evaluation that can provide feedback on argument essays about abortion, climate change, animal rights, body image, feminism, immigration, internet censorship, or a fast-food tax. The automated argument essay evaluation has detailed instructions and a sample essay that you can use to test the system. Automated argument essay evaluation Before students rush headlong into drafting an essay, it is worthwhile asking students to research arguments for and against before using the argument essay outliner on the Virtual Writing Tutor, which walks them step-by-step through the outlining process. With a detailed outline in hand, students will be then well-prepared to draft an essay. Argument Essay Outlining Tool In the introduction, students should write an attention grabber, some context explaining the controversy, and a thesis containing two topics. In the first two body paragraphs, students should write supporting arguments with transition words and citations. In the fourth paragraph, students will give a counterargument, a concession, and a refutation. In the conclusion, they should reformulate their thesis and make a recommendation and prediction. Automated Film Analysis Essay Evaluation Click here to evaluate a film-analysis essay The response has been good from students and their teacher Frank Bonkowski who collaborated with me on the development of this writing task. I can say with some confidence that advanced students will probably appreciate how well the Virtual Writing Tutor gives students feedback and a score on a film critique in just two seconds. I recommend asking students to write an essay on a film based on a book. Youll want to be sure that students can use literary analysis terms in their essays. Teachers in Quebec, Canada might like to order the textbook that goes with this writing task: Actively Engaged in Academic Writing. Automated film-analysis essay evaluation When they submit their essays, the Virtual Writing Tutor will generate feedback on four aspects of an essay: the structure, the vocabulary, the scholarship, and the grammar. It’s free and no login is required. Simply find the Tests link on the navigation bar and select Actively Engaged in Academic Writing. Again, you don’t need the textbook by the same name, but it helps. The instructions explain exactly what to do, and there is a sample essay on Blade Runner to demonstrate how the system works. The Virtual Writing Tutor will analyze the introduction for a question, some background information about the film, and calculate the strength of the thesis statement. Similarly, the system will check body paragraphs for topic sentences, cohesion words, and citations. In the conclusion, it will check that the thesis has been reformulated and not just repeated, and then checks for a recommendation and a prediction. Students must include a Works Cited section and eliminate any grammatical or punctuation errors to maximize their scores. Because the automated film-analysis essay evaluation is self-access, students can keep submitting their essays for feedback until they get the score they want. Self-scoring Pen Pal Project Click here to create an essay exchange Pen pal messages are not essays, but the pen pal system can be used as a social essay exchange. Instead of setting up an automated email message evaluation system to instantly evaluate students messages about their neighbourhood, exercise routine, and holidays, you can set up an essay writing pen pal exchange. The pen pal scoring system is much less sophisticated than the other essay evaluation systems listed above. It simply attributes points for writing the minimum number of words, for using topic-related vocabulary, for eliminating errors, and for commenting on other students essays. But as a project to give essay writing practice and for rewarding that effort before a final exam, it could be very useful. Automated pen pal exchange evaluation Please follow and like us:

How to Agree and Disagree in English - English Lesson via Skype

How to Agree and Disagree in English - English Lesson via Skype There are several ways you can agree and disagree in English.In every language we need to know how to express your opinion. Not being able to say what you mean is no fun.  Scroll down and watch a video lesson on Ways of Giving Your Opinion in English. How to Agree and Disagree in English Don't keep this to yourself. Tell the world! How to Agree In English If you agree with someone else you could say:Yes, I think so too.I agree with you.That’s a great idea.Fair enough!CorrectThats trueExactlyI feel/think the sameYou are absolutely right 22 Ways of agreeing with someone in English Don't keep this to yourself. Tell the world! How to Disagree in English However if you disagree, or have a different point of view, then you might say:No, I don’t agree with that.That’s not right.I see things differently.Im afraid, I cant agree with youThats a good point butI dont think soI doubt it Different ways to express an opinion in English If you want to express your opinion in English, you can start with:I thinkI supposeFrom my point of viewIt seems to me thatPersonally, I think thatIn my opinionI believe How to Give Your Opinion in English - Video Lesson In this video lesson you learn more phrases on how to express your opinion in English: Finding Things in Common in English I am a bit nervous.So am I.Oh, I am not.I cant speak French.Neither can I.Oh, I can.I have a cat.So have I.Oh, I havent. I have a dog.I dont go out much.Neither do I.Oh, I do.I had a great time.So did I.Oh, I didnt.I am vegetarian.So am I.Oh, I am not.I love travelling.So do I.Oh, I dont. Different Ways to Agree and Disagree in English - Infographic How to Agree and Disagree in English - Examples 1. Four friends are discussing who should do the housework.MARTINA:  I think men and women should share jobs around the house, such as cleaning.SARAH:  Yes, so do I.DAVE:  I agree with that.CLARE:  That’s a great idea.2.  Sam and his friends are talking about the cost of fuel.SAM:  I’d like to see the government raise taxes on petrol.JEFF:  No, that’s not a good idea.PETE:  I don’t agree with that at all.3.  Tina has been watching a TV programme about benefit cheats*.TINA:  I think people on benefits should be made to work for free.GRACE:  So do I. That’s a really good idea.PAT:  I think so too.ROBIN:  No, I don’t agree with that idea at all.*benefit fraud4.  Tom wants your vote in the next election. Here are some ideas from his speech. I believe speed limits on motorways should be increased to 80 miles an hour. I believe rubbish bins should be emptied every week, not every 2 weeks. In my opinion schools should provide all children with a healthy lunch every day.Its your turn now! Check if you can agree and disagree in English now. Have a go at agreeing or disagreeing with Tom on each of these topics?

Sweet Deal! 15 Online Language Learning Tools Thatll Make You Feel Like a Kid in a Candy Store

Sweet Deal! 15 Online Language Learning Tools Thatll Make You Feel Like a Kid in a Candy Store Sweet Deal! 15 Online Language Learning Tools Thatll Make You Feel Like a Kid in a Candy Store Theres no denying it.Technology just makes things easier.Did you ever have the experience of  hearing  a song that just blew you awayand then not being able to find out what it was?It was frustrating, even painful. But now we have smartphones!With  the right app, your phone can tell you whats playing in the grocery store, a hipster cafe in Brooklyn or your siblings car (which can be annoying when you dont want to admit you have the same taste in music).Unsurprisingly, technology offers the same convenience for language learners, only in a far more significant way.It can take thousands of hours to learn a foreign language.Obviously, thats a lot longer than it takes to write down some lyrics and type them into Google. So theres already a lot more potential for saved time.But technology provides more than just time-saving resources. It provides learning opportunities where previously none were possible.So if youve been feeling trapped lately, like youre sure theres a way out of the lang uage maze to real fluency but you cant seem to locate it, then here you are.These are the language learning tools that will blow your path to success wide open. Sweet Deal! 15 Online Language Learning Tools Thatll Make You Feel Like a Kid in a Candy StoreOld-school learning: Tools for a free college educationWhile the United States tends to have a fairly flexible university system, allowing you to learn from many disciplines, for many of us its impossible to pack in everything we want to learn in a few years. And while you can always go back for a second or third round to earn your masters or Ph.D., many of us dont have the time or money to do so. Especially not for subjects that we love dearly but that remain hobbies.Thankfully, we have other options. That wonderful thing we call the internet has gone above and beyond once again. This time it has become a platform for resources that offer a free college-level education. Lets look at how these resources can be useful for language learners in particular.CourseraFirst off, we have Coursera: Teachers, classmates, lectures, homework and group discussions, all online.The courses offered on Coursera are run by professors from world-renowned institutions, and its even possible to earn a certificate from many of the courses if you want to pay.Coursera, another big name in online education, also maintains a Language Learning section under its online catalogue. Many of the courses will be geared toward beginners, like First Step Korean, and others will engage more generally with language learning, like the Miracles of Human Language course from Leiden University.And it also offers a multitude of classes that are  in foreign languages,  and for advanced learners, learning about something that youre interested in through a foreign language is an excellent way to boost your skills.On Coursera, there are currently  122 classes taught  in Chinese, the second most common language after English, and a long list of other lang uages trail after. Spanish has 79 classes. French has 41 classes. You get the idea. There are a ton of classes out there for you to try. You can even learn about entrepreneurship in Khmer!edXMuch like Coursera, edX  is an open platform for a  smorgasbord of different classes that include video, teachers and fellow students.Its actually one of the biggest MOOC websites out there. It was created by Harvard and MIT, two very famous and expensive universities in America. You can find a lot of college-level courses here, created and taught by actual professors from top universities.EdX has a few more language courses than Coursera. Mandarin is there as well as a Spanish class offered by the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Theres also an AP French class offered by a high school if youre willing to go in for that.On the flip side, edX has fewer classes that are in foreign languages, but there are still a significant number. There are 44 classes in Spanish, the second most common langua ge after English. You can also learn astrophysics in French and seismology in Chinese.Compared to Coursera, edX is slightly more focused on the sciences than the humanities. EdX also feels slightly more challenging than Coursera at times, with faster pacing and questions that come straight from on-campus problem sets, but hey, that might be just what you need.The best part?  You can actually earn college credits on EdX, through Arizona State University, and most of the courses have certificates you can get for completing them. It’s not free, but it’s cheaper than being in an actual college.MIT OpenCourseWareMIT OpenCourseWare  is a great option for language learners. OpenCourseWare  provides lecture videos, tests and homework assignments. The only thing youre really lacking is a teacher. The site more than makes up for this, though, in the sheer diversity of courses available.All of the most common languages learned today are there: Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish, German and even Portuguese. There are also more advanced levels for each language.For example, there are seven different classes for Chinese, so youre not stuck with nowhere to go once youve finished the beginner course.With all these courses on hand, all youll need is a little determination to get a world class education in the language of your choicefor free!Tools to animate your educationBut perhaps old-school learning isnt quite your thing. Listening to lectures? Memorizing for tests? Come on, hasnt anyone come up with a workable alternative?Funny you should ask. Within the past decade or so, a slew of different language learning programs have been unleashed upon the market, just waiting for the would-be polyglots of the world to take advantage of them. Here are the best.DuolingoDuolingo is one of the most intuitive and popular apps out there. It aims to teach you the language in a way similar to how a child would learn it. Grammar is usually not explained straight out. Instead, the exerc ises gradually build and build until you go from saying I like apples to translating entire documents on the Duolingo website.The only drawback is that the app is aimed mostly at beginners, so it might not be as much help if you already have a strong base of knowledge in a language.FluentUFluentU  allows you to select a video in the language of your choice and watch it with optional subtitles in your target language or English. What really makes FluentU unique is that it takes authentic videos from all over the webâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.Too many difficult words? You can simply pause the video and get a translation for any word that appears in the subtitles. FluentU keeps track of all the words youve learned, so you can always be assured youre spending time on the areas you need to work on. It also provides material for every level, from complete newbie all the way up to native.If you like the idea of learning a language with the same content native speakers watch, but with a multitude of help right at your fingertips, you can start using FluentU on the website  right now, or better yet, download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.Mango LanguagesIf youre looking for an app that will get your conversation skills going, you may want to check out Mango Languages. This app provides lessons centered around various topics, such as love, travel and law, that help you get the feel of real conversations in your target language.This is done by listening to recorded conversations of native speakers, breaking down the conversation so that you understand even the smallest part and then working your way back up so that you could have that conversation yourself.But it doesnt end there. Mango Languages also strives to cover all elements of language learning (including pronunciation, vocab, grammar and culture) so that youll have a high potential for being a well-rounded language learner.MemriseAnother option thats great for learners of any level is Memrise. Memrise uses spaced repetition to help you keep those pesky vocab words in your head, minimizing the amount of time you have to spend staring at a list of words you need to know.The courses are also user-created, so things as exotic as languages from the Elder Scroll video games or Lord of the Rings have a spot on the site.MindSnacksIf youre really into gamifying your language learning, give MindSnacks a go. The interface is cute and entertaining, allowing you to really enjoy the time you spend learning vocab, grammar and spelling.Each mini-game included in the app is unique and focuses on a different skill, so you get anything from learning word recognition while keeping a fish afloat to identifying antonyms with the help of a Bigfoot lookalike.Rosetta StoneIf youve heard of any pay-to-use language learning program, its probably Rosetta Stone. Rosetta Stone strives for that old ideal: immersion. Everything that youll be learning will be in your target language.For instance, when you learn the word for cow in Mandarin, youll only see a picture of a cow with the Chinese above it, not the English word. The newest version of Rosetta Stone also comes with a personal teacher included in the price who you can have a 50-minute session with at the end of each lesson.You may still have Rosetta Stone stuck in your mind as that yellow box in the airport, but it has come a long way in recent years to integrate online language learning. Rosetta Stone includes online classes, games and mobile apps, hopping on board with a lot of recent language-learning trends. Recommended for long-term learners rather than quick phrase-building. It’s available for many languages, including:SpanishFrenchGermanJapaneseChinese…and more!Be sure to take a look at the Rosetta Stone offerings in your language today, and dont rule it out based on price aloneâ€"youll get your moneys worth in terms of polish, professionalism and effective language lessons that seriously stick in your brainâ€"for good!PimsleurPimsleur  has a much stronger auditory focus than some of the other programs above. Much of language learning with Pimsleur means listening to a conversation and then repeating parts of it, gradually building up knowledge until you can recall the phrases that have been said when prompted.Pimsleur does come with a reading component, too, but this is secondary and not heavily focused on. The audio is the huge selling point for themâ€"you can use this program to learn easily and effortlessly, wherever you go. Many people use this program for learning while driving!Just let the teachers guide you from basic phrases to complete sentences. It always prompts you to listen, repeat and respond, making it highly interactive. Each new lesson builds on the previous ones, cleverly weaving what youve already learned into new concepts. All in all, this program can help you make a seamless transition from newbie to fluent, with plenty of time and practice.FluenzThe creators of Fluenz  take a somewhat different methodological approach from more immersion-heavy programs, insisting that adults learn faster when they get the grammar explained to them in their own language. Thats the main thing that sets it apart from some of the programs above. That, and youll have a pre-recorded instructor onscreen at the beginning of each lesson.With so many language learning programs to choose from, its hardly a question of whether theres something for you. Its just a matter of finding out which one you like.Online language reference toolsOkay, so youve got your big guns. Your power drills and your chainsaws. But sometimes you just need a little piece of sandpaper and nothing else will do. Thats your reference tools.The reference tools from the old days seem to be gathering dust. When was the last time you saw someone flip through a real, physical dictionary? But online, refer ence tools are as important as they ever were.ForvoThe best inter-language dictionary tends to be specific to each language, but the best pronunciation dictionary for every language can be found in one place: Forvo.Having trouble grasping the sound of a specific word? Just seen a new word and have no clue how to pronounce it? Just load up Forvo and type the word you want to hear in the search box. If they have itâ€"and they have most common words for a large selection of languagesâ€"you can listen to audio recordings from a variety of different speakers, each one with their country of origin clearly labeled.Open CultureWhether youve just started a new language or are well on your way to being fluent and just looking for some new tools, give Open Culture a once-over. The Open Culture page on language learning provides access to great reference resources as disparate as help with writing the Russian alphabet to links to the Foreign Service Institutes textbook for Amharic.Open mediaMay be youre not looking for language learning tools per se. Is what you want more of the bread and butter of language? Places to read, watch and listen to source material at your level? Then youll enjoy the following sites.BBC LanguagesOne of the prime resources for source material is BBC Languages, which provides access to news, television and games in a variety of languages. Having a morning cup of coffee and need a nice morning radio program to fill the background? They have it. Want to have a peek at what French speakers in Africa are watching when they watch the BBC? You can.Lingua.lyBut if reading is more what youre looking for, then youll want to head over to Lingua.ly. This unique website functions by finding a selection of reading options based on the vocabulary you want to learn.All you have to do is  select a word pack and the site will return reading material that includes the vocab youll be studying. The site is updated regularly, so youll be reading news stories from the same day while you practice.To someone new to the game, all these resources can be a bit overwhelming.Maybe youre even tempted to just chuck the tech and go back to good old blood, sweat and tears.But bear with it. Give a few of these tools a go. Youll find a handful you like, and some you even love.And before you know it, youll be wondering how you ever learned without them.

How One Girls Love for Reading Led Her to Become the Scripps National Spelling Bee Winner

How One Girl’s Love for Reading Led Her to Become the Scripps National Spelling Bee Winner How One Girl’s Love for Reading Led Her to Become the Scripps National Spelling Bee Winner “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”â€"Emilie Buchwald Anupama began reading to her daughter, Ananya, as a baby. She would take her to the public library every week to pick out books to take home. Reading became a special bonding moment between the mother and daughter. Little did Anupama know, she was helping Ananya develop a love for reading that would eventually play a role in her becoming the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee Winner. Ananya, now 12 years old, credits her interest in spelling to her love for reading. Through books she discovered many genres, which opened her eyes to the world around her at a very young age. She really enjoys reading Greek myths. The stories help her find an interesting way to remember a lot of different words. She particularly likes the word ‘mnemonic.’ It comes from the Greek Goddess Mnemosyne, the Goddess of Memory, and refers to any learning technique that aids information retention in human memory. It’s safe to say that Ananya has a pretty good memory herself. We had the unique opportunity to talk with her about her whirlwind national spelling bee experience. What was it like to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee? It was a culmination of all of my hard work. My dream came true and I was really happy when it happened. When I heard the final word, I immediately knew I was going to win. It just took me a little bit to process the fact that I had actually won. What did you do to prepare for the competition? There are published lists online that are good resources, so I started studying those words to get the experience that I needed. I studied for about two to three hours every day. At first, I read the words from the list and then read and listened to the pronunciation. As I improved, I changed my method to something that would help increase my retention of the words. I would type up the words from the dictionary into a document, listen to the pronunciation, read over the information to understand the language of origin and how that or the root of the word affected the spelling. Were you able to pull upon your experience in Kumon throughout the process? Kumon taught me a lot of words, but that was just one aspect. The daily discipline I learned in Kumon really helped me in my training. The repetition and the process you take for each task translated into how I prepared for the spelling bee. What did you enjoy most about Kumon? Because of my love for reading, the Kumon Reading Program was definitely my favorite. It really intrigued my initial interest in books and helped develop my passion for reading even further. I really liked all of the reading excerpts that were included in the program because it was a great way to introduce me to even more words and new books. I’ve pretty much read all of the books on the Kumon Recommended Reading List. How did Kumon’s advance study help you in school? I started doing Level J in the 5th grade. Doing high school math at that time was really challenging, but it helped me in school because I had already seen all of the concepts. The practice just reinforced them. I was already used to thinking critically when it came time to do certain critical thinking and analysis in school. Because of that, it wasn’t hard for me to think deeper about text or language. Because I was so advanced in Kumon, I was able to do a lot of my homework at school, which freed up a lot of my time to study for the spelling bee when I got home. Ananya said that spelling to her is like an adventure sport. There’s fun, exhilaration and tension at the same time. Now that she’s won the Scripps National Spelling Bee, she wants to start focusing on her next adventureâ€"math and science competitions. We look forward to following her continued success. “I know it’s only a small victory in the grand scheme of the things and I may not save the world, but I would like to take this as a new beginning.”â€"Ananya You might also be interested in: This Regional Spelling Bee Winner is Motivated by Success This Young Reading Program Completer Developed a Love for Literature in Kumon Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities Three-Time Spelling Bee Champion Always Welcomes a Challenge How One Girl’s Love for Reading Led Her to Become the Scripps National Spelling Bee Winner How One Girl’s Love for Reading Led Her to Become the Scripps National Spelling Bee Winner “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”â€"Emilie Buchwald Anupama began reading to her daughter, Ananya, as a baby. She would take her to the public library every week to pick out books to take home. Reading became a special bonding moment between the mother and daughter. Little did Anupama know, she was helping Ananya develop a love for reading that would eventually play a role in her becoming the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee Winner. Ananya, now 12 years old, credits her interest in spelling to her love for reading. Through books she discovered many genres, which opened her eyes to the world around her at a very young age. She really enjoys reading Greek myths. The stories help her find an interesting way to remember a lot of different words. She particularly likes the word ‘mnemonic.’ It comes from the Greek Goddess Mnemosyne, the Goddess of Memory, and refers to any learning technique that aids information retention in human memory. It’s safe to say that Ananya has a pretty good memory herself. We had the unique opportunity to talk with her about her whirlwind national spelling bee experience. What was it like to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee? It was a culmination of all of my hard work. My dream came true and I was really happy when it happened. When I heard the final word, I immediately knew I was going to win. It just took me a little bit to process the fact that I had actually won. What did you do to prepare for the competition? There are published lists online that are good resources, so I started studying those words to get the experience that I needed. I studied for about two to three hours every day. At first, I read the words from the list and then read and listened to the pronunciation. As I improved, I changed my method to something that would help increase my retention of the words. I would type up the words from the dictionary into a document, listen to the pronunciation, read over the information to understand the language of origin and how that or the root of the word affected the spelling. Were you able to pull upon your experience in Kumon throughout the process? Kumon taught me a lot of words, but that was just one aspect. The daily discipline I learned in Kumon really helped me in my training. The repetition and the process you take for each task translated into how I prepared for the spelling bee. What did you enjoy most about Kumon? Because of my love for reading, the Kumon Reading Program was definitely my favorite. It really intrigued my initial interest in books and helped develop my passion for reading even further. I really liked all of the reading excerpts that were included in the program because it was a great way to introduce me to even more words and new books. I’ve pretty much read all of the books on the Kumon Recommended Reading List. How did Kumon’s advance study help you in school? I started doing Level J in the 5th grade. Doing high school math at that time was really challenging, but it helped me in school because I had already seen all of the concepts. The practice just reinforced them. I was already used to thinking critically when it came time to do certain critical thinking and analysis in school. Because of that, it wasn’t hard for me to think deeper about text or language. Because I was so advanced in Kumon, I was able to do a lot of my homework at school, which freed up a lot of my time to study for the spelling bee when I got home. Ananya said that spelling to her is like an adventure sport. There’s fun, exhilaration and tension at the same time. Now that she’s won the Scripps National Spelling Bee, she wants to start focusing on her next adventureâ€"math and science competitions. We look forward to following her continued success. “I know it’s only a small victory in the grand scheme of the things and I may not save the world, but I would like to take this as a new beginning.”â€"Ananya You might also be interested in: This Regional Spelling Bee Winner is Motivated by Success This Young Reading Program Completer Developed a Love for Literature in Kumon Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities Three-Time Spelling Bee Champion Always Welcomes a Challenge