Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Afrikaans For English Speakers - Learning The Language

Afrikaans For English Speakers - Learning The LanguageWhat is so great about learning Afrikaans for English speakers? It is an easy language to learn. You will be able to understand people, learn to understand them. You will be able to understand the spoken language of many people in the country that you want to live in for the next few years.But language is not everything. What about pronunciation? Most English speakers have their speech accents and in order to get into those types of accents, they have to take lessons in pronunciation. Afrikaans speakers do not need to have a high level of English to be able to speak the language fluently.The correct pronunciation is important in order to sound like a native English speaker. If you were to have a regular job as a security guard in an apartment building in a large city, how would you be able to communicate effectively? You wouldn't because you wouldn't be able to properly communicate your needs and wants to the security guards that are supposed to help you.Because of that, you have to be able to communicate in Afrikaans. And it only takes two weeks to go from knowing nothing about the language to being able to communicate effectively in the language. That is what is so great about learning this language.There are many reasons why you should learn the language. Some of them include learning another language just because you enjoy doing it or you want to make new friends. That is why you should learn the language.But another reason to learn the language is for business reasons. Some businesses are able to do very well with the use of the language. If you are in one of those businesses, you should definitely consider learning this language just because you would be able to help your customers understand your product and also be able to sell it in a way that helps those customers make more purchases.If you are thinking about the time you will spend on learning the language, there are some things you should be awar e of. The language is quite fast to pick up and can be challenging at times. So make sure that you will take enough time to learn it and that you will be willing to learn.There are many reasons to learn the language. Many of them include; communication, business, and even security reasons. If you are planning on going to South Africa for business or staying for a vacation, you should definitely consider learning this language.

Friday, March 6, 2020

The Benefits of Medical Tutor Jobs

The Benefits of Medical Tutor JobsOne of the largest and most sought after jobs in the field of medical training is medical tutor jobs. It is a very good choice for someone who wants to learn about the clinical sciences and other health care related fields. Tutors usually work as clinical instructors in medical schools, in clinics, and in other health care facilities.Clinical instruction is basically anything you see when you're walking into a clinic or hospital. You might hear a doctor's voice, see a nurse while working with patients, see an intern, or even someone on a stretcher. All of these could mean that you are being taught by a clinical instructor. What you do in these situations is to be able to learn something about the way the medical field operates. A clinical instructor is the person who can help you learn more about the field.Tutors have to be able to deal with medical procedures, medications, diagnostic equipment, and lab settings. Being able to go through these areas can greatly increase your knowledge about the field. It also allows you to experience everything from different procedures to laboratory work and more.Medical tutors need to be trained in order to be certified. There are various certification programs offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. By becoming certified, tutors are then able to secure a great job and a nice salary.The next step is going to be a medical college training program. By going through a formal training program, students are able to gain a lot of knowledge. It will show them how to conduct clinical experiments, how to use lab instruments, and how to learn about the clinical sciences.Next comes licensing. Most people who earn this certification have a certificate and a license to practice. To find out if you are eligible for these certifications, consult with your state's board of medical licensing. If your state allows you to work as a medical tutor, then you will need to complete the certifica tion and take the licensure exams.It is also possible to pursue a degree in clinical studies. This will allow you to study other facets of the field. Once you graduate, you will be able to secure a job. It is something that is very rewarding.

Finding an Organic Chemistry Tutor

Finding an Organic Chemistry TutorIt may be difficult to find an organic chemistry tutor but you can do so. And, when you do find one, you need to make sure that you hire someone who has previous teaching experience in the area of organic chemistry. You should also make sure that he or she is willing to help you with your problem and that they have time to teach you every single lecture that is required for the organic chemistry syllabus. When you hire a tutor, you must ensure that you use the same tutor for all of your lectures in Organic Chemistry.All physics books contain the prerequisites and materials for the first and second year, so you will not need to buy a separate book for each year of study. The best option is to teach from one book and review from another. You will get a much higher grade and better lecture time by following one book than by trying to learn everything from the different books.If you want to take advantage of online research tools such as equation solvers , you should take advantage of classroom exercises. This is how you get the best use out of your tutor.Classroom exercises include problems that you can choose from, sometimes when you are able to create one yourself and other times when you are presented with problems on a test that the teacher will solve for you. You should know how to choose the problems to solve when it comes to taking notes so that you will remember what the teacher is saying.The only time that the teacher may not be able to solve a problem for you is when you do not have access to the chemistry syllabus or textbook that you are using. The instructor is not always available, so you must make sure that you find a tutor who can solve the problem for you.Synthesis and reactions play a major role in all classes. It is vital that you understand the relationship between these two concepts and you should always work on these concepts before proceeding into chemical synthesis.Synthesis and reactions are the key concept s in all of the chemistry syllabus and if you do not understand these concepts, you will not be able to do well in chemistry. There are many individuals who go through many years of schooling but never understand the concepts and techniques behind synthesis and reactions. When you find an organic chemistry tutor that you can trust, you will notice that you will gain a lot more from them, not just in your studies but in your life as well.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

How Much Does Studypoint Tutoring Cost?

How Much Does Studypoint Tutoring Cost?Are you wondering how much does studypoint tutoring cost? There are many ways to find out. First, you will need to determine the age of your child as he/she will require some form of ongoing attention throughout his/her academic experience. This will be very helpful in estimating how much does studypoint cost.If your child is a toddler, then you will not have to pay that much to enroll him/her in studypoint lessons. Kids at this age can learn at their own pace, so there are no fixed costs involved. They may take a lot of time and get distracted by extraneous things. Because of this, this type of teaching will not be as efficient as an older child. But, the great thing about it is that you don't have to shell out a lot of money for tutoring.If your child is an adult, then you will need to pay more than the usual cost for tutoring. This is because they will have greater demands on their time, and their concentration level will be higher. It is com mon for adults to become confused during their lessons, and so they may not learn as much as they normally would have. In other words, adults who are enrolled in studypoint lessons will not be able to absorb the lessons to the fullest. One solution is to join a class for children who have the same interests as yours, so you can learn at the same time and solve problems in tandem.For students who need tutoring in the middle or even for students who are already with a college or university, you may want to find out how much does studypoint cost. You can find this information by asking the guidance counselor or the school administrators. Most schools and colleges will provide you with a list of tutors. If you ask around, you can also find the tutors' names, telephone numbers, and even home addresses. Once you know all this information, you can evaluate which tutors are worth the price and which are not.What will be the best way to compare studypoint tuition fees between different tutor s? The simplest way to do this is to look online. You can do this through several different websites, such as StudypointCollegeReviews.com, TutorCompare.com, CollegeBoard.org, and Yahoo Answers. When you use these resources, you will come up with all sorts of different prices that you can compare.You will also want to find out how much does studypoint costs if you just want to start tutoring. You will be able to assess this by doing your homework. Look into the testimonials given by other students who have used study point. Ask them how much did they charge and how they managed to help the students at that point.When you shop for a tutor, be sure to look into all the details. Even if you are using these tutors for one or two sessions, make sure that you take a look at the fees. You will only want to spend that much on tutoring if you truly think that you will benefit from it.

What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Singing Tutor

What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Singing Tutor Where Should You Train to Become a Voice Coach and Start Singing Tutoring Jobs? ChaptersDo You Need a Degree to Teach Singing?Studying A Level MusicCan You Study to Become a Voice Coach at University?Joining a Music Teaching ServiceHas music always been a passion of yours? Do you consider your singing voice to be one of your greatest assets? If the answer to both of these questions is ‘yes’, then you have two fantastic reasons to become a vocal coach!Singing is a daily activity for many people, whether it’s in the shower, doing the dishes, rehearsing with a choir or taking part in musical theatre productions.For those who make a career out of their passion for song, helping others who are learning how to sing is a fabulous opportunity to share a passion and enthuse others.So, which qualifications are required of aspiring singing teachers? CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st less on free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover a ll our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsDo You Need a Degree to Teach Singing?From a legal perspective, the simple answer is no.It all depends on the way in which you want to teach singing.If you want to give private lessons in singing, you’ll need to register as self-employed, but no degree is necessary.Accomplished musicians can teach privately without a university degree ¦ source: Pixabay - KrimifreundinIf you’d prefer to work in a state school as a music teacher, you’ll need to have achieved at least a grade C in your GCSE maths and English exams and have earned a degree in a relevant subject in addition to gaining a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).Before we look at specific qualifications for becoming a music teacher in more detail, it is important to note the necessity of a good knowledge of music theory and a good musical ability before launching your career in vocal training.Graduating from a conservatoire will give you the highest level of qualification in your chosen area of music. However, musical conservatoires are notoriously selective when it comes to their applicants and aspiring music teachers usually apply to study music at a university instead.A degree in music is probably better suited to the chosen career paths of those who aim to get into vocal coaching at a school, as conservatoires generally provide training for aspiring professional musicians.Studying A Level MusicFor those who know that they want to work towards a career in music very early on, options begin opening up from the end of their academic careers. One major step on the path towards teaching singing professionally is choosing your A level options at the end of year 11.Here are some recommendations about how each option can help you on your way to teaching.A Level MusicGaining an A level qualification in music is an essential step for anyone looking to become a professional musician or school music teacher.The course content for music at A level is varied and offers plenty of opportunity for self-expression. For example, A level music students are assessed in their ability to perform on one or more instruments (including voice) as well as their composition skills and their understanding of musical theory and their level of musical ear training.A level music courses usually also involve the close study of a particular musical work. For instance, this could be the first two movements from Ludwig van Beethoven’s first symphony. The students’ knowledge of the piece is assessed in written form as they are asked to answer a question on the piece in the format of an essay.Aside from the written part, A level music exams also involve a test of the students’ musical listening skills, as they are played chords and asked to identify their relationship to a piece of music as well as their makeup.The varied nature of A level music courses ensure that students end their study with a well-rounded knowledge of the world of music as well as an appreciation and understanding of the intricacies of musical composition.A Level Drama and BTEC Performing ArtsSixth-form students who choose to pursue studies in drama or performing arts are also likely to work with music as part of their studies, particularly if they take an interest in musical theater.Performing arts tends to focus more on singing than playing instruments, and performers have a better opportunity to develop their stage presence as well as becoming confident in their own abilities.Studying music or performance at school will set you up for professional success ¦ source: Pixabay - BarnImagesThis is especially useful for aspiring teachers, who can experiment with their personal performance style and learn how to help others do the same.A level and BTEC courses in music and performing help prepare students who are looking to study music at degree level. The breadth and method of assessment give students a flavour or what may be to come in the future and can help them to overcome obstacles such as stage fright.Can You Study to Become a Voice Coach at University?Even though it isn’t essential for tutoring jobs as a voice teacher, musical training at degree level is advised.When you’re heading towards a musical career, studying music at a high level will open you up to a wider knowledge of the art of music and give you a deeper understanding of the musical disciplines that interest you.Exploring the wider world of music may confirm your desire to pursue a career in teaching, or it could also help you discover a new passion.At universities and conservatoires, like lower down in each student’s educational career, teaching focuses on the practice of an instrument (including voice) as well as musical theory.In addition, you may also study:The history of musicMusical compositionOrchestral or choral arrangementConservato ires are notoriously strict when it comes to their admissions, and even for universities, your level of ability in your instrument is expected to be very high.As a degree subject, music is incredibly practical to study. Students are required to perform, as well as lead performances as conductors or choirmasters. The musical leadership skills demonstrated at university are useful for future teachers who can see themselves leading ensembles.Learn how to set your rates for Singing lessons.Joining a Music Teaching ServiceAnother option for those who would like to teach singing is to join a music service. Regional music services provide musical instrument and voice lessons to primary and secondary school children all over the UK, with teachers visiting schools in the area.Lead a school choir and inspire a generation of singers ¦ source: Pixabay - GemmaRay23Music service teachers are trained professionals who often lead local ensembles and play for orchestras in addition to teaching in t heir career.Depending on the local authority they are associated with, music teaching services offer a range of options, which may include:Listening and introductory sessions for young childrenPrivate instrument instructionGroup instrument lessonsClass choirsThe wide range of services offered by such organisations  means that its teachers must be adaptable in their approach to teaching, whether their services are required as part of the national curriculum or as an extra-curricular activity. Learn how to prepare you singing lessons  and get the right singing equipment for singing classes.As professional musicians, music service teachers should be able to prove their competence in their chosen instrument with certifications such as ABRSM grades and diplomas.The possibilities for teaching singing are vast, regardless of the teacher’s level of qualification.In order to fulfil your potential as a home singing teacher, it is a good idea to make the most of your personal experience (as a student of music, a choirmaster or a performer) and take inspiration from the parts of music that you love, including your preferred musical styles (such as jazz, classical, or gospel).This will keep you motivated in your work to help your students with breath control, vibrato, moving from chest to head voice, using their diaphragm and improving their tone quality and overall confidence in themselves as they learn to sing and blossom as a vocalist.Singing teachers in particular also have a responsibility to teach their students about maintaining their vocal health with appropriate warm-ups,  breathing exercises and singing techniques to avoid the risks of straining the voice by trying to reach too high a pitch. This is proving an attractive option for former music teachers searching for jobs for ex teachers.Being a teacher is all about putting your students at the forefront of your expertise and giving them the knowledge and skill they need to succeed in their musical careers.So, the answer to the question about whether any certain qualification is required to teach singing depends on the chosen field and aspirations of the teacher. One thing is, however, always the same: your own musical ability must be fantastic  if you want to help other achieve singing success.

How to Develop a Growth Mindset

How to Develop a Growth Mindset What You Need to Know about Developing a Growth Mindset ChaptersWhat are the Key Aspects of a Growth Mindset?Strategies to Develop a Growth MindsetHave you ever tried to learn a new thing and stopped, thinking ‘oh, I’ll never be able to do this â€" I’m just not made for it’. Have you ever described someone else as being ‘naturally clever’? Have you ever shied away from doing karaoke, say, because you claim that ‘you just can’t sing’?If you have done any of these things, you may well have what the Stanford University psychologist, Carol Dweck, calls a ‘fixed mindset’, an attitude towards or an outlook on the world that tells you that your intelligence â€" as well as your character and your creative ability â€" is innate and that it is set in stone.Such a belief has a variety of ramifications that you can read in our article on fixed vs growth mindsets. However, briefly, the fixed mindset makes us more averse to take risks, less appreciative of the success of others, and less willing to put in effort and to persevere.W e All Have a Growth MindsetDweck tells us that we all have a bit of a fixed mindset. All of us sit on a continuum between a fixed mindset â€" the conviction that we have an unchangeable, innate ability â€" and its opposite: a growth mindset, which gives all those who have it in their possession a belief that intelligence is, in fact, a process, something that you can learn and grow. Hence the name growth mindset.Yes, despite much of the stuff that you will read about this online, there is a continuum between a growth and a fixed mindset. It’s that continuum that prevents people from harbouring the possibility of learning how to fly, or from thinking that all guitarists were born being able to play the guitar.We all have a bit of the growth mindset in us. Yet, in order to increase our chances of success in life, it is worth trying our hardest to develop this to the greatest extent that we can.Because whilst the fixed mindset tells us, when we suffer a setback, to give up, the growt h mindset tells us that every failure, every challenge is an opportunity for personal growth. It helps us in cultivating perseverance, and it helps us to praise others in their achievement and success.So, whilst you may once have thought ‘oh no, I’m not a natural singer!’ or ‘I’m just not a maths person’, it’s time to change that. Because we all can.Check out our introduction to growth mindset first if you need to - but here’s how to develop your growth mindset! Teach your child a growth mindset from an early age.The Importance of Praising and Being Able to PraiseDweck’s theory was born from the studies that she undertook in the education system as a professor. Here, on returning test scores to students, she either praised their effort or their intelligence. Those whose effort was praised went on to much greater academic achievement than those whose intelligence was flattered.The theory of the growth mindset came from this finding. Because drawing attention to the level of effort rather than the amount of intelligence drew attention to the process of learning rather than the starting point.Throughout schools in the UK, effort is one of the basic qualities to be measured in schools, rather than their ‘natural’ talents and abilities.Failure and PerseveranceOne of the defining characteristics of the growth mindset is its attitude to failure. Whilst fixed mindsets take failure badly â€" as an indictment of their natural, innate ability â€" people with growth mindsets are more likely to see failure as an opportunity for learning and growth.The fixed mindset’s belief in the way our brain works is more than just an epistemological assumption. Rather, according to Dweck, it involves all other aspects our lives too.Find out the difference between a growth mindset and fixed mindset! Develop your growth mindset in the classroom.Strategies to Develop a Growth MindsetSo, how do you go about developing your growth mindset? How can you go from believing that intelligence is innate and immovable to believing that one can develop it?The most important answer to that is that a mindset is not just an opinion you consciously hold. Because, according to Dweck, your mindset is shown through your actions: your habits of mind, the ways you respond to making mistakes, the simple ways that you go about living your life.Just as intelligence is not a static thing, nor is your mindset. And changing our mindset needs to be conceived of as a process too: you do it through your daily behaviour, not through a simple change of opinion.Having said that, let’s look at some ways in which you can change your mindset.Rethink What It Means to Be a GeniusWhat do you understand geniuses to be? People who were born smart and who changed the world just through easy thoughts and actions? Or peo ple who worked hard, who gave their life to a love of working?The stereotype of the genius is wrong â€" and you need to relearn this. Geniuses don’t have innate genius; they work at it. And you can too.Remember that Being Clever is Worth Less than Becoming BetterTo develop your growth mindset, stop that pose in which you believe you are clever and want everyone to know it.Great, you’re clever â€" who cares? Now what? Success doesn’t come through being clever at all, but what you can do with that and where you head with it. Rather than focusing on being anything at all, focus on becoming something better.Take Criticism Well (It’s Not an Attack)People with a fixed mindset are generally not very good at taking criticism. It rings in their ears like something of an attack.This shouldn’t be the case. And if you are hoping to develop your growth mindset, this is something you need to work on. If someone gives you advice, don’t get defensive. Take the value from it and use it t o help you to become a better person. Stay curious about learning with your growth mindset.Turn Failures into LessonsFailures aren’t reasons never to try again. That’s what the fixed mindset tends to convince people of.Rather, you should see failures as lessons â€" as reminders that you are not perfect, as mistakes that you never need to make again.So, when you fail â€" which you will, inevitably â€" pick yourself up and keep on keeping on.Share Your Successes â€" and Those of OthersDweck suggests that people with a fixed mindset do not like to acknowledge the successes of others. Rather, they feel intimidated or threatened by successful people.Rather, in your pursuit of a growth mindset, you should find ways to see that which is inspiring about other people. Always look for what you can learn from in others.Ditch the Desire for Instant ResultsPart of the growth mindset is knowing that results never come quickly.  And so, if you are after instant wins, remind yourself to slow down.Check out growth mindset resources!

8 Beautiful Opera Arias for Beginner Singers

8 Beautiful Opera Arias for Beginner Singers Suzy S. It is always exciting when a vocal student is ready to start studying his or her first operatic aria! One of the best things about being a classical singer is knowing you have so many great years ahead of you. After all, you’re considered in your prime in your 40s. That being said, realize that the voice you have now and the repertoire you’ll first study will be very, very different from  what you sing later on in your career. It’s absolutely crucial that you sing repertoire that is not too heavy for your young voice, or you may damage it. Fear not here is a list of some of the most beautiful opera songs, organized by the different voice types. Keep scrolling below the video to find even more options! Opera Arias for Sopranos “L’ho perduta” This cute little aria is from one of Mozart’s greatest hits, “The Marriage of Figaro”. The character singing it is Barbarina. Believe it or not, the soprano who first sung this role was 12 so this is indeed suitable for a young singer with operatic aspirations! “O mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” This is another short but wonderful aria that everyone knows and loves. It’s beautiful and perfect for a lighter, lyric voice. Do be careful to avoid dragging the tempo: many sopranos have taken it too slowly. Opera Arias for  Mezzo-Sopranos “Voi che sapete” from “Marriage of Figaro” This charming aria, sung by the page boy Cherubino, is a terrific intro to the “trouser roles” often sung by mezzos. With a lilting melody and a chance to show off some chest voice, it’s a true winner. “Must the Winter Come So Soon?” from Barber’s “Vanessa” This is a beautiful  aria from an American opera that  is not performed too often. It may not be a long aria, but the vocal line is gorgeous. It’s essential that young singers prepare a few arias that are in English. SEE ALSO: Its Time to Refresh Your Arias When   Opera Arias for Baritones “Se vuol ballare” from the “Marriage of Figaro” Lets face it: this opera has an aria for everyone! This aria, sung by Figaro, is a solid choice for beginning baritone. Its a perfect moderate tempo and also has a few high notes. “Vecchia zimarra” from Puccini’s “La Boheme” It may be another short aria, but it packs a powerful punch since it’s from a very dramatic opera! This one is a favorite for a reason. Puccini didn’t write an awful lot for baritones! Opera Arias for Tenors “Quanto e bella” from Donizetti’s “ L’elisir d’amore” This moderate tempo aria is ideal for a light lyric tenor! The character is the lovestruck Nemorino, and this opera song  has been sung by many of the greats, including Luciano Pavarotti. “Lonely House” from Kurt Weill’s “Street Scene” Weill’s music may be challenging to learn, but this haunting aria suits a young singer’s voice. This aria will also give a strong actor a chance to set himself apart from other tenors that just want to stand there and sound pretty. Want more song recommendations by voice type, beyond opera? Check out our song ideas  here, including best picks for auditions, talent shows, and gigs. Your voice teacher is another great resource for suggestions. He or she will undoubtedly have many more ideas  for you. If classical singing interests you, its very important to be working with a voice coach, as opera is a lot tougher to sing than many other genres. Have fun exploring the rich and wonderful world of opera! To continue learning, check out our Ultimate Guide to Singing Styles and Genres! Readers, what are your picks for the most beautiful opera songs? Let us know in the comments!   Post Author:  Molly R. 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  Jas?n

ESOL Learn English through Literature, Film Pop Culture

ESOL Learn English through Literature, Film Pop Culture Literature, Film and Popular Culture: Free ESOL Courses Lessons at your Fingertips ChaptersEnglish learning through LiteratureHow to Learn English by Watching FilmsListen to the Radio to Improve English ComprehensionPopular Culture, Featuring EnglishLearn English Online via PodcastsUnless you've dwelt on a remote island for the last ten years or so, you could hardly miss the global influence of English language entertainment in all forms.Movies, music, and books now have the freedom to travel globally, more or less without restrictions, thanks to the World Wide Web. Even classic literature such as Lord of the Rings and Wuthering Heights are devoured and discussed by students of English everywhere!In some countries â€" not just Britain, J. K. Rowling and Harry Potter are household names.Even though some great music comes out of African nations, the Caribbean and Asia, overwhelmingly, the singers' names on people's lips the world over are either American or British: Taylor Swift and Adele being examples of such.How does this abundance of entertainment help you learn English? Let's find out!Librivox. Neither site costs any money. Jane Austin, the renegade writer of her time, is currently enjoying a resurgence of popularity. Her novels have seldom been out of print, even though most of her work was published more than two hundred years ago.She only wrote six books, but they have often been turned into movies, sometimes with modern themes.Watching films is an entertaining way to learn English (Source: Pixabay Credit: Geralt)How to Learn English by Watching FilmsMovies give you a triple exposure to the English language and its culture: listening, reading (if you have subtitles turned on) and seeing how the actors are speaking.Native English speakers make exaggerated mouth movements to teach their children how to form words properly. Actors copy that technique in order to enunciate â€" speak each word clearly.You can benefit from actors' diligence by imitating the way their mouths move, as well as their tone and inflection.Arguably the best movie of all time is Citizen Kane. Although a product of American movie studios, even the British Film Institute finds it top-notch.This film is notable for, among other things, extended monologues â€" one person talking at length.Although American cinema is quite popular the world over, both their classic movies and new releases, Britain herself is famous for a substantial number of hits.Do you like comedy? Monty Python movies highlight social absurdity.How about action and intrigue? James Bond is the man for you.Would you like a dose of sorcery? Two words suffice: Harry Potter.Movies, especially new releases, are a great way to pick up on slang and idioms. Pause the movie to write them down for later study!Be sure to use them in conversation once you have mastered them, preferably with native speakers of English.Sites such as Primewire permit you to watch movies for free online, but they do not include subtitles. Still, watching them can help you improve your English comprehension as well as sharpen your listening skills. You might be surprised to know that many Esl teachers recommend watching movies in English. Some teachers even show films in class! One film you might watch if you are taking English courses is The King's Speech, the true story of George VI, who was expected to address the British public via radio. However, his spoken English was marred by a terrible stammer!He employed a speech tutor to improve his speaking skills. After several lessons, he became proficient in English conversation, speaking with a fluency that belied his speaking problem. Naturally, his first broadcast was a hit.You can copy the king's determination to achieve fluent speech by using some of the techniques shown in that movie. programmed to help you learn and improve your English. If you are preparing for Ielts or you wish to develop your business English skills, you can visit their site to get helpful study  hints, take quizzes and register to learn Business English online. Learn about how English can benefit your career in business here.Seek out icons of pop culture to help you learn English (Source: Pixabay Credit Geralt)Popular Culture, Featuring EnglishTo date, Dr. Who has been broadcast in fifty countries around the world â€" from Algeria to Zambia, a country for just about every letter of the alphabet.The Mysterious Doctor, as he is known in China, has such a loyal, global fan base that the show has endured for more than fifty years.He is the crown jewel of English television!Strange as it sounds, the appeal of this face-changing alien lies in his being so down to earth. He even helps non native speakers learn English! Beware, though: not everything The Doctor says is general English. Tardis is an acronym describing his flying machine, and nouns such as Dalek and Cybermen do not describe real creatures.The Doctor uses a lot of slang, and the idiom features heavily in his speech, as do similes.The British Council records podcasts for English learners ( Source: Pixabay Credit: Florante Valdez)Learn how to make English learning easy with our guide to simplifying ESOL Courses.Learn English Online via PodcastsNothing is more fashionable than boarding the tube or bus with earbuds in. You might listen to music, but more and more these days, people are downloading and listening to podcasts to learn English online.Podcasts are short monologues or discussions that you can download from the Internet and listen to as often as you'd like. You can subscribe to a podcast (usually for free) and receive new segments as soon as they are available.Here again the British Council serves its non native community, through their Learn English podcasts. Rather than broadcast on random topics, such as the significance of  prepositional phrases and the proper use of pronouns, each segment is a continuation of the previous lesson involving the same native speakers, who are engaged in ordinary, everyday activities.Subscribing to these podcasts can help you:u nderstand verbs and their tenses, and conjugate properlylearn the difference between an adjective and an adverbrealize the importance of proper punctuationimprove your vocabularyunderstand and use comparatives and superlativesstudy tricky grammar rulesThe English speaking on these recordings is standard Oxford English, spoken clearly and relatively slowly, so that you can follow along â€" the perfect way to improve your English pronunciation.Besides recordings, there are transcripts of the podcast conversations for you to print out and follow along. Doing so will greatly increase your reading proficiency.Copying the podcast text is a great way to improve your writing skills!Books, movies, music and television: a treasure trove of materials that you, who are learning English as a second language can use in your English learning adventure and make English learning fun.Get access to online educational materials and university education with the English language.

The Parts of a Drum Kit

The Parts of a Drum Kit A Guide the Main Parts of a Drum Set ChaptersHistory of the Drum KitWhat are the Parts of a Standard Acoustic Drum SetElectronic Drum SetsIf you decide to study percussion, especially modern drumming, you will be confronted with drum kits - different types of drum set up so they can all be played by one drummer. drummers using it were called trap drummers. While the overhang pedal for the bass drum was known since the 1870s, it was not immediately popular, many drummers preferring to continue in the double-drumming style. As more and more companies offered solutions for a drum pedal, the bass drum became the kick drum, liberating the hands for more complicated fills and drum rolls with the snares.These pedals were often rather slow or unreliable in their timing until the Ludwig Ludwig Co. patented the first truly reliable bass drum pedal in 1909. Now nothing stood in the way of the full potential of the kick drum.Very often, early trap sets were set up by each individual drummer, and while the combination of instrument s - snare and bass - was fairly common, stands or traps could hold any combination of toms, gongs, tambourines… and, in fact, still can.Also discover the different components that make up a modern drum set!  A drum kit or trap set from a band in 1928. Photo credit: State Library of Queensland, Australia on Visual huntThe basic modern drum kit, though, arose in the 1920s vaudeville bands. Baby Dodds, a drummer playing riverboats on the Mississippi with Louis Armstrong, hung a side cymbal over the bass drum - the first ride cymbal. The Ludwig Company invented a lower version of the hi-hat after observing Dodds tapping with his left foot; Dodds then suggested it be raised so it could be easier to play.And so one man had a hand in the invention of both signature drum-set cymbals.Big-Band Era drum setsWith a new sound becoming popular in the 1930s - due in part to the popularity of radio - a new drum sound was needed, and drum kits expanded to include not only the snare and bass drums, but also tom-tom drums; a China cymbal and small crash cymbals became popular additions. But the basic big band drum set soon became established as:Bass drumSnare drumTom-tomFloor tomHi-hats in various iterationsEventually, the large floor toms got fitted with legs, and “consolettes” made it possible to add smaller drums (usually tom-toms called “ride toms”) above the bass drum.As be-bop evolved, the trend led away from the big drums toward a sound that wasn’t quite as loud. Mostly this meant smaller drum sizes and the popularisation of the ride cymbal. Be-bop bands also pioneered the use of a double bass drum.Discover famous drummers of rock and jazz that you could learn from!Rock drummingWith rock'n’roll, bigger drum kits became popular once more, many drummers, especially in the 1980s, using a highly-personalised drum kit with a great many different drums and cymbals.Drum kits can be expanded at will - with as many drums and cymbals as you like. Photo credit: kamalab oulhosn on VisualhuntWhat are the Parts of a Standard Acoustic Drum SetAs a beginner drummer, you won’t need to worry about unusual and eclectic drums such as timbales, congo drums or tambourines. You should start out with a basic drum set to learn your craft; you can always expand later on.The components of an acoustic drum kit are:DrumsStands for the drums, also called a rackCymbalsCymbal standPedalsSticks, mallets and brushesSeat for the drummer called the drum throne.A lot of children start out with a very simple three-piece drum set, comprised of:Snare drumBass drumHanging tomHi-hatsHanging cymbal(The “pieces” refer to the drums, not the cymbals).What easy drum pieces can beginners learn to play the drum to?A junior drum set with bas drum, snare and one tom, with a single cymbal - perfect when you are just starting out. Photo credit: mikecogh on VisualHunt.comThis is extremely basic, and while there are many easy drum songs you can learn that don’t go beyond that, if yo u take drumming and drumming lessons seriously you will eventually want to invest in a five-piece kit or another drum set.A five-piece kit includes:Bass drumSnare drumThree toms of different sizes: low, middle and high pitch. All can be hanging toms, or one can be a floor tom. The exact constellation will depend on whether you want to play jazz, rock or fusion music.2 crash cymbalsA hi-hat standEffects cymbals (optional)Let’s have a closer look at the individual drums and the different sounds they contribute to the kit.Snare drumsSnare drums are double-headed drums with wires strung under the lower drum head and tensioned. Also called side drums, snares have drum shells that can be made out of wood, metal, acrylic or fibreglass. Drum skin tension is achieved by the use of tensions rods.It is very sensitive and responsive and can be played very subtly to great effect, but also produce loud cracking sounds, especially if hit on its metal rim. It is often used for the backbeat.You ca n play the snare with sticks, brushes or mallets.There are almost infinite variations on the snare drum, from the Highland snare, piccolo snare to the tarol snare.Do you know where the snare fits into the history of drums and drumming?Bass drumsBass drums are generally double-headed. They have a cylindrical body where the diameter is greater than its depth.Bass drums come in three main variations:Concert bass drums usually mounted on a stand  where the angle of the drum can be adjusted.Kick drums mounted vertically on a floor stand and beaten with a bass drum pedal.Pitched bass drums tuned to a specific pitch and generally worn in a harness in marching bands. Often a single cymbal is attached to it.The bass drum is stricken by a heavy felt-covered mallet; two matching mallets or a double-headed mallet is used for drum rolls. On kick drums, this mallet is attached to the foot pedal.When hung vertically, it might be played with a mallet in one hand and a rute in the other.Bass drums h ave a deep sound. It is often played on beats one and three, contrasting with the backbeat (two, four) of the other drums.Tom drumsA tom-tom (a term that supposedly comes from India) is a cylindrical drum. Unlike the snare, it has no snare wires; there are one-headed and two-headed variations.Toms are usually used for fills.A nice view of well-loved drums: hanging toms, snare and a floor tom (and tons of cymbals). Photo credit: Travis Estell on Visual huntThe first examples had no rims, but as metal tensioning elements appeared, so did, eventually, the rim.Hanging toms or rack toms are mounted on high stands; racks can take more than one drum. Floor toms are set on short feet. A floor tom is not quite as deep as a bass drum, but more resonant.CymbalsA drum set typically has several cymbals; at least two, with any number of additions:A hi-hat cymbalA crash cymbalA ride cymbalEffect cymbalsElectronic Drum SetsElectronic sets have the advantage of full volume control - you can get the energy of hitting hard  without blowing away the ears of little old ladies intent on their afternoon tea. You can even listen to them with headphones.They include:A drum module that processes the data and turns it into sound.Drum pads with trigger pads that can be programmed to the sound you want. This is not necessarily a version of acoustic drums, but can be any sound you want. Rhythmic squeaking mouse is seldom called for, but it is possible on an electronic drum. They are usually organised the way the drums would be on an acoustic drum rack.Rubber cymbals.Electronic drums are particularly useful if you want absolute control over the volume of your drums or if you want to reproduce a sound that cannot be made by other modern instruments.Electronic drum sets are made to look a lot like acoustic kits. Photo credit: Christian Steen on Visual HuntHowever, tapping the trigger pads does not have exactly the same feel as drumming on acoustic drums. You will be lacking feedback from your sticks.It is possible to attach specially-made trigger pads to a traditional drum set for a hybrid drumming experience.In the course of your drum lessons, your Superprof drum instructor may recommend such a kit!Now learn more facts about drums...