Youth Literacy Tutoring Software

Youth Literacy Tutoring SoftwareThere are quite a few choices available when it comes to the various types of youth literacy tutoring software, but each of them has different elements that may make them suitable for different types of learning abilities and experience. Here is a brief overview of some of the more popular selections, as well as their pros and cons:The most popular choice among youth literacy tutoring software programs is Moodle. This program was created by Michael Eldridge, who holds a PhD in education from Boston University, and has helped students succeed in school and on college campuses. It provides students with a wide variety of learning styles and can be programmed to meet the specific needs of the learner.The program features are designed to encourage a student to think about concepts and to be creative in his or her approach to solving problems. It also features a number of visual aids to enhance visual learning and interpretation skills. The program also inc ludes a lesson builder which allows the student to create assignments that come from his or her own experiences. Moodle features an interactive web-based interface, which allows the student to easily view multiple items at once.Another popular program is Roc Education Software. It is recognized by educators as a high quality choice for a variety of situations. It is programmable as it can be programmed to provide for various learning styles and experience. Roc also includes a learning management system and allows the student to easily understand his or her progress as well as keep track of which areas need improvement.The program features are designed to allow the student to maximize the educational experience by combining relevant concepts with practical applications and tools. It also includes text integration that allows the student to review items before class and utilize the materials during the actual lesson. Moreover, this program is user friendly. It also has a large databas e that includes state-specific courses, tests, and worksheets that the student can take at his or her convenience.Another program that is very similar to the Roc is Match. It is programmable to meet the needs of individual learners. Match was designed by Dave Jeffries, who has held teaching positions in schools in Massachusetts and Wisconsin. It also features a variety of visual aids, and can be programmed to meet the specific needs of the learner.There are quite a few youth literacy tutoring software programs available, and each program will have different strengths and weaknesses. It is important to consider which programs will best fit the learner's learning style and specific learning needs before choosing a program.

Proportions 1

Proportions 1 Proportion in math is defined as the similarity while comparison between two quantities or substances. Proportion can also used between two geometric objects where the shapes, sizes, lengths can be compared. When things are in proportion their relative sizes are the same. Proportion is a fixed ratio between two objects. Proportionality always maintains a fixed ratio or fraction between two quantities. For example, a / b = c / d. It can be written as a : b = c : d. Example 1: Solve for u in the proportion 12/u = 6/5. Solution: Here u is the unknown in the proportion 12/u = 6/5 Now multiply both sides of the equation by u; this gives 12 = 6 u /5. Now multiply both sides of the equation by 5; this gives 60 = 6 u. Now divide both sides of the equation by 6; So u = 60 / 10. Hence the value of u for the given proportion = 10. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) Find the w in the proportion w : 6 = 2 : 3? a) 9 b) 12 c) 4 d) None of these. Correct answer: option c Explanation: Here the given proportion is w : 6 = 2 : 3. It can be expressed as a fraction in the form. This gives, w/6 = 2/3. Now multiply both sides of the equation by 6. This gives 6(w/ 6) = (2/3) * (6); w = 12/3 4. Hence the value of w for the given proportion is 4.

How to Learn Maths Easily

How to Learn Maths Easily How to Become a Maths Expert! ChaptersWhy Learn Maths?The Best Methods for Learning Maths QuicklyCan You Really Teach Yourself Maths?Start Learning Maths“Without mathematics, there's nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers.” - Shakuntala DeviIt would be handy if maths was easier, though... Maths is about so much more than just the result, you need to understand how to work it out and apply theories to a given problem if you want to be a mathematician.Despite how difficult maths can be, it’s not going anywhere and will probably never be removed as an obligatory subject on the national curriculum.Kids are taught about maths from a young age. They start counting before learning to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. As they go through school, they'll learn to do more challenging maths problems.In this article, we’re going to have a look at why maths is important (both in and outside of the classroom) and how you can learn it (even if it's been years since y ou last studied it!).Find a reputable maths tutor on Superprof. MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5.00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GowsikaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Learn Maths?At first glance, you might think maths is discrete like some of the other subjects you have to study at school.You use maths in more than just your maths classes. (Source: sandid)Students generally fall into one of two categories: those who love maths, physics, chemistry, etc., and those who love English and the arts. Only a very small fraction of students love both.However, unlike what we sometimes think when we’re in school, maths can be really useful in life, whether at the checkout in the supermarket or just working out the bill at a restaurant. There’s no age limit, either. Students of all ages can work with the maths tutors on Superprof and get some extra instruction to help them.There are several reasons as to why people need maths tutoring:To get a good result on their courseworkTo pass a certain maths exam or qualification (such as the GRE).To impress during an interview in a job that involves a lot of mathsTo change careersIt can also be useful to brush up on your maths before going to university by studying certain maths topics like:AlgebraArithmetic (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, etc.)Analysis (statistics, graphing, etc.)CalculusTrigonometrySearch algorithmsGeometry (shapes, size, position, measurement, etc.)Mathematical logicAt the same time, learning math s can also help you develop certain skills that you can use in a huge variety of situations:Solving complex problemsImproving your short-term and long-term memoryImproving your cognitive reactionsBroadening your skill setLearning to use different programmesLearning maths can be like learning languages: you need to be motivated, give yourself achievable objectives, and study the different methods for solving problems. Remember that everyone’s different when it comes to their maths abilities.Which is the right method for you?The Best Methods for Learning Maths QuicklyTo motivate yourself to learn maths quickly, there’s nothing better than getting in touch with private maths tutors if you need someone to teach you maths! They’ll be able to:Help you deal with maths problems when you’re stuckGive you the tools you need to achieve your objectivesHelp you improve your memory and manage your time when studying for maths examsShare tips, tricks, and methods for students wanting to le arn maths methods more quicklyGive you an explanation of word problemsWho doesn't love pi? (Source: geralt)Whether you’re learning your times tables or studying the complex elements of maths, your private maths tutors can help you.They can tailor their tutorials and use various methods for effectively learning maths:Theory classes and homeworkMonitoring your progress with exams and testsTips and tricks for solving maths problemsGames for learning mathsExercises, activities, and worksheets to help you understand certain maths problemsQualified and experienced maths tutors are the best option for speeding up the learning process. They’ll each have their own ways of preparing their tutorials, which they’ll adapt to your needs, especially if you need to learn something quickly. Some of their favourite methods include:Repeating formulae aloudExplaining concepts back to them in your own wordsGiving you advice for studyingAsking you to summarise what you’ve learnt after each sessio nIf you have to brush up on mental arithmetic, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, or memorise times tables, etc., a maths tutor will be your coach. They’ll keep you motivated, make sure you’re focused on your objectives, and effectively manage your time to help you get the most out of your study programme.On Superprof, students can leave reviews of their tutors so you can see if they’re any good.  A lot of students get tutors to help them studying maths at GCSE or A Level. That said,  you can also learn maths on your own.Can You Really Teach Yourself Maths?You can learn maths in the same way you’d study English or history: go back over the past papers and pick up some good study guides.Don't be scared of numbers! (Source: geralt)Of course, it’s not quite that simple: you have to visualise the problem you’re presented with and also choose the right approach to solving it.There are plenty of people who struggle with maths, confuse prime numbers and rela tive numbers, and lack the necessary mastery of maths to do any real problem-solving. That’s why it’s essential for those who are learning maths on their own to use the right methods.Do you know if you’re a visual or auditive learner?If you do, you can choose learning methods that’ll help you learn maths really quickly:If you’re an auditive learner, focus on repetition, repeating things aloud like you did with your multiplication tables at school.If you’re a visual learner, you’ll probably want to focus on using visual resources and looking at brightly-coloured diagrams and seeing fractions as graphs in textbooks and on websites.You’ll need to remain motivated in order to reach your goals. Mathematics requires a combination of several things:Work focusing on the foundations of maths knowledge (learning tables off by heart, memorising the rules of arithmetic)An understanding of how to solve problems by using logic and critical thinking.While you can learn the former i n books, it’s more difficult to learn the latter in this way. Your teacher’s or tutor’s teaching skills will help you work out the reasoning. That’s why there are several things you’ll need to consider if you’re learning maths on your own:Focus on mnemonics: a lot of the formulae can be illustrated in easier ways.Use games to learn maths: you can play maths games on your mobile on the bus, on your iPad in the house, or even get printed maths games and puzzles to do on long flights.Make the most of all the tools at your disposition: you can access MOOCs whenever you want online, there are online calculators, and you can find websites with maths exercises to help you learn more quickly.Study maths on your own: However, this isn't the most effective method if you’re looking for really quick results. Of course, it does mean that you can revise how and when you want.It can be useful if you’re studying GCSEs or A Levels. A private tutor will encourage you when you’re fee ling demotivated, but if you’re learning on your own, you’re going to have to put a lot of effort in.Learn Maths Easily with these resourcesDon't forget to check out some of these maths websites and apps:ResourceProsConsSudoku, Chess, and Board GamesEasy to learnNot for specific maths skillsMontessoriMulti-platformJust for kidsiToochPositive reinforcement, progression, built-in calculatorRigid structure, American school systemBBC BitesizeWide range of subjects, activities, levelsBritish curriculum onlyAB Math LiteBright and colourful app, freeMostly arithmetic,Start Learning MathsSo how do you choose the right learning method for you?Ask yourself a few questions:What type of learner am I? Visual, aural, or kinesthetic?How much time can I spend studying maths per week?Do I want to learn by using resources other than textbooks?How urgently do I need to learn maths?“My child was struggling with their maths homework in primary school. This trend continued into secondary school. He had a good memory but struggled to concentrate on maths problems. Given he wanted to study the sciences, it was important that he was good at maths and he needed some help! Then we hired Baptiste to teach him. He focused on his strengths and weaknesses and helped build his confidence.”It’s important considering your strengths and weaknesses before you start any revision programme:If you’re easily distracted, stressed during exams, or you’re not sure how you’re going to improve your results, a private tutor can help you consolidate everything you learn each lesson with interactive activities.If you’re more autonomous, you could do online exercises, print out a worksheet, do some quizzes, or play maths games on your computer and soon you’ll have mastered what you need to learn.Learning depends on your personality, how you learn new information, and how you take notes.It all depends on how you want to learn. If you’re focusing on whole numbers, decimal numbers, or poly nomials, you should focus on trying to consolidate all your knowledge.If you want to become good at maths, you’re going to have to focus on clear objectives. So are you ready to learn the secrets of exponential functions and right triangles, etc.?Fire up your neurons and start learning! You can even learn whilst playing games...

The Beginners Guide to Starting Cross-Training

The Beginners Guide to Starting Cross-Training How Can You Prepare for Intense Physical Exertion? ChaptersThe Necessary Equipment for Cross TrainingA Cross Training Session for the First WeekA Cross Training Session for the Second WeekA Cross Training Session for the Third WeekA Cross Training Session for the Fourth WeekBeyond the First Four WeeksA Word on Nutrition“Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.” - Mark TwainOf all the sporting activities in the world, cross training, sometimes wrongly referred to as CrossFit, is one of the most complete workouts you can do.In this article, we are going to have a look at the key exercises of cross training, the non-branded version of CrossFit, the equipment you'll need for it, and some sample sessions that you could do.yes, there is a difference!Others who have started working out for a short-term goal such as losing weight or because of a health scare soon abandon their resolution because getting fit was not their overall goal.Still others are tempted by their lifestyle: a night out with friends, the call for overtime at work, the impatience with repetition... there are also those who rapidly get bored and those who have no clear direction in their fitness plan.If you have stuck with your workout for four weeks, you are to be congratulated: a large percentage of fitness hopefuls don’t make it even this far into their lifestyle change!So, now that you are well on your way to becoming a lean machine, what should you do next?  That’s what we now take a look at.Workout StrategiesEven if you are burning with passion for your personal fitness, you are not immune to feeling the crush of repetition. In other words, you are at risk for boredom - not through any fault of your own, you can rest assured on that.As you well know, physical exercise releases endorphins in the brain that makes us feel so good! In part, that is what keeps people working out in the early stages of establishing a regimen.However, your body soon hits a balance: the amount of those feel-good chemicals in our brains is evened out so that we don’t quite get the rush that we experienced when we first started our routine.Also, after the initial ‘water loss’, that period early in one’s regimen when those who exercise are bound to see inches and possibly weight melt away, your body’s metabolism adjusts to its new level of activity and those losses taper down to about a pound or two per week.Note: losing a pound or two per week is a healthy amount; any more than that would be a cause for concern.You can see why some would quit exercising, don’t you?Increasing your reps and adding resistance to your workout does not make for a brighter burn; in fact, dramatic increases could actually damage your muscles and connective tissues!That is why experts recommend diversifying your workout.Once you have your body conditioned to working out through the outlined routines above, it is time to take your physical training to a new level.Cycling, whet her indoors or out, is excellent aerobic exercise! Source: Pixabay Credit: 12019The Aerobic WorkoutWhile it is true that any workout will work your heart to a certain extent, activities specifically designed to speed up your heart rate with get your body’s most important muscle in optimal shape.You may consider adding an aerobic class such as Zumba or step aerobics to your fitness repertoire.If you have no time for an extra session at the gym for such a class â€" or, now that warmer weather is here, you wish to take your workout out of doors, you might like to walk, jog, run or dance your way into heart health.You might even consider cycling to work and back!To avoid the issue that plagues every workout, namely burnout, try to switch your activities up. You might go biking one day, dance the next, and try out Nordic walking before the week is up.Note: swimming is also a great workout for your heart and it comes with the added benefit of being no-impact, meaning your joints won’t suffer while you work your muscles!StretchingWhile building endurance and gaining muscle tone are important to weight loss and fitness goals, equally important is flexibility.If you lack the range of motion necessary to perform such manoeuvres as a squat, plié or even a sit-up, you may injure yourself rather than help yourself get fit.It is therefore vital to warm up before any workout. Such a warm-up should include stretching.Even before you engage in the jumping jacks or deadlifts mentioned above, make sure your joints and muscles are properly conditioned by stretching them before you get started.A good stretching routine may include:Arm lifts: feet shoulder-wide apart, raise your arms above your head while inhaling. Hold for a slow count of five; exhale on the release. Repeat 10-20 timesSpinal stretch: with feet planted, lace your fingers behind your head; elbows out. Gently turn from side to side for a count of 10 per side.Alternately, you may place your hands on your hips wit h your knees slightly bent. Pitch forward while releasing your arms, allowing them to hang down. Pull yourself back up to standing position; repeat 10-20 times.Leg stretches: these warm-ups may include hurdler’s stretches, leg lifts and calf muscle stretches.Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips. Raise yourself on your tip-toes, release. Repeat 10-20 times.Another great way to work on your flexibility is through yoga.You may enjoy a particularly vigorous Bikram yoga workout, opt for a more relaxing Hatha regimen or sweat it out in a hot yoga session.Whichever type of flexibility training you choose, make sure that it becomes an integral part of your workout!A Word on NutritionYou have revolutionised your entire life: working out is a vital part of your lifestyle and your health â€" perhaps an area of concern before your turnaround, is now better than it’s ever been.As your body becomes leaner and burns more efficiently, the next step in your fitness crusade is to c onsider and, if needed, change your nutritional intake.Obviously, you will not have the same nutritional needs as when you started your fitness regimen; in fact, you may need to eat more in order to maintain your target weight and muscle mass.Furthermore, depending on what your fitness goals are, you may need to adopt one or another food plan.The essential guidelines for Crossfit are 40% carb intake, 30% protein and 30% fat.You may have heard of The Zone diet or the Paleo diet; both of those plans approximately reflect the recommended diet for those who are intent on optimal fitness.The key to these nutrition plans’ success is avoiding processed foods and high-glycemic carbohydrates.You might wonder about the 30% fat. Isn’t fat touted as bad for you?Indeed, certain fats are bad for you and counterproductive to your fitness goals. However, not all fats are bad fats; in fact, we need fats to keep our bodies functioning properly.The fats you should incorporate into your diet come f rom oily fish, coconuts, olive oil and avocadoes, just to name a few sources.Crossfit, Nutrition and Weight LossLet us say you have decided on a Crossfit plan to lose weight and get in shape. Obviously, by this regimen’s very nature, you will lose a certain amount of weight but, here again, it all comes down to what you eat.The simplest weight loss solution is to take in fewer calories than you expend.  That simplistic assertion is rooted fact but omits one critical aspect: what kind of calories are you taking in?Not all calories are the same, nor do they burn in the same way.Protein, for example, increases how much energy your body uses to break it down and absorb it. By contrast, it takes only a little energy for your body to crack open and absorb carbohydrates.So, if you eat the equivalent of 100 grams of protein, you will have consumed around 75 net calories  that will need to be burned off.Eating 100 hundred grams of carbs, on the other hand, results in about 94 net calories  to burn off.Applying the philosophy above - take in fewer calorie to lose weight, can you see where it is more difficult to burn carbs than protein?  If your short-term workout goal is to lose weight, you may consider shifting the 40/30/30 guidelines mentioned above into higher protein and fats intake while lowering your carbs.Eating more protein will help you feel fuller for longer, causing you to not feel hungry as quickly and to reduce your overall food intake at mealtimes.Please note that this is not a permanent arrangement! As soon as you’ve hit your stride in weight loss, you should revert to the more healthy balance of protein, carb and fat intake.Crossfit, Nutrition and Muscle MassIf you are interested in gaining muscle mass, here too your food intake will play a large part in your success in achieving your goals.By dialling back on your fats intake and increasing protein and carbs proportionately, you will soon see gains in your musculature.Bear in mind that this too sho uld not be a permanent condition.After years of touting low-fat diets as healthy, both medical and fitness experts stress that a certain level of ‘good’ fats intake is necessary for optimal health.In fact, low-fat diets have been proven to reduce testosterone in males which could lead to muscular atrophy â€" the exact opposite of the condition you are working towards.So, once you’ve kick-started your performance, you should go back to the optimal 40/30/30 ratio mentioned above.This short guide is by no means a complete digest of everything you need to know. For more information about CrossFit and cross training, don't hesitate to get advice from some of the coaches or tutors on Superprof.

10 Essential Songs You Need on Your Halloween Playlist

10 Essential Songs You Need on Your Halloween Playlist Megan L. Whether youre turning your house into a creepy haunted mansion, heading to a rockin Halloween party, or getting the kids dressed up for trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, these Halloween party songs are the best way to get into the spirit. No playlist fit for consumption by ghouls and goblins is complete without these 10 essentials. Turn it up, and have a happy and safe Halloween! 1. Thriller Who doesnt love the Thriller dance? 2. Candy Because its not Halloween without plenty of candy. 3. I Put a Spell on You For extra bonus Halloween points, check out Bette Midlers version of this classic tune from the movie Hocus Pocus. 4. This is Halloween Another great Halloween movie, Nightmare Before Christmas, is full of great songs by Danny Elfman, perfect for this scary season! 5. Dead Mans Party Speaking of Danny Elfman, throw a Dead Mans Party with this 80s favorite. 6. Time Warp Rocky Horror is always appropriate. 7. Somebodys Watching Me This tune is perfect for a Halloween dance-off! 8. Ghost Riders in the Sky Johnny Cash brings the spooky vibes in this golden oldie. 9. Psycho Killer Run, run, run! 10. Monster Mash Because its not Halloween until youre doing the mash! Whats your favorite Halloween party song? Tell us all about it in the comments below! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

9 Unusual Love Songs That Are Almost Romantic

9 Unusual Love Songs That Are Almost Romantic Sign up successful *This list is in no particular order. 1) Computer Love by Zapp and Roger (1985) Overview: The singer  seeks a romantic partner  through his computer. Why its unusual: Given the time period, this was  quite the unconventional love song. The internet didnt become a household commodity until the early 90s when the first commercial internet service providers (e.g. AOL) came about. The band, also known as Zapp, was certainly ahead of its time,  credited  for the inspiration behind the early 90s G-funk sound of hop hop. Finding love through the internet  must have seemed like a strange, distant concept when this song was released. Example lyrics: You know Ive been searching for someone Who can share that special love with me And your eyes have that glow Could it be your face I see on my computer screen Need a special girl, ooh yeah To share in my computer world, my computer world I no longer need a strategy Thanks to modern technology 2) Cupids Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes (2005) Overview: The lead singer goes through trials and tribulations finding the right girlfriend. Why its unusual: The ease at which the singer is able to gush about one girlfriend and move on to the next is astounding. In the music video, Cupid attempts to match the singer with a few different girlfriends. Whats most unusual about this concept is the chorus, in which Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy sings, Take a look at my girlfriend, shes the only one I got. Not much of a girlfriend, I never seem to get a lot. Even though the singers  verses sound sweet and romantic toward his  new love interests, one cant help but feel cheated by his  kind words. Example lyrics: Its been some time since weve last spoke This is gonna sound like a bad joke But Momma, I fell in love again Its safe to say I have a new girlfriend And I know it sounds so old But Cupid got me in a chokehold And Im afraid I might give in Towels on the mat, my white flag is wavin 3) Whats New Pussycat by Tom Jones (1965) Overview: A man sings relentlessly about the facial features of a woman. Why its unusual: A catchy melody cant mask the lyrics of this unusual love song. While many love songs attempt to make the love interest sound appealing in terms of personality or temperament, this one makes no attempt whatsoever. The singer goes on and on about the nose, eyes, and lips of a woman he finds beautiful. By the off-chance a woman DOES finds these lyrics appealing, well be sure to take this off of the unusual list. Example lyrics: Pussycat, Pussycat Ive got flowers And lots of hours To spend with you So go and powder your cute little pussycat nose! Pussycat, Pussycat I love you Yes, I do! You and your pussycat nose! 4) She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5  (2002) Overview: A man sings about his  obsession with making a sad girl happy. Why its unusual: The singer drives miles and miles to wait outside the house of an insecure, vulnerable 18-year-old woman. Regardless of how the woman feels, the singer says he wouldnt mind  standing on her street corner in the pouring rain, waiting for her to approach him. Even though the sentiment of sweetness is there,  the imagery of a street stalker sours this unusual  love songs mood  a bit. Example lyrics: I know where you hide Alone in your car Know all of the things that make you who you are I know that goodbye means nothing at all 5) Ben by Michael Jackson (1972) Overview: A boy sings about his new friendship and how it makes him feel. Why its unusual: Its not a traditional love song, but it  exhibits many qualities of one; loneliness, insecurity, and understanding. What makes this love song unusual is the fact that its about a boy professing his admiration for his pet rat. It was originally written for a movie about a rat named Ben, but it eventually sold itself as a single, even ranking #20 on the Billboard Top 100 during its release. While its still a nice song about a childs  love for a pet, its not as deep as a traditional love song  would usually permit. Example lyrics: Ben, the two of us need look no more We both found what we were looking for With a friend to call my own Ill never be alone And you my friend will see Youve got a friend in me 6) Mirrors by Justin Timblerlake (2013) Overview: The singer professes his love for someone because they remind him of himself. Why its unusual: While couples usually thrive because they share common interests, the singer  here thrives off of dating a carbon copy of himself. Its nice to admire the qualities of a person who  you think reflects your own traits, but calling them a mirror  voids them of any individuality. Play this song for someone you love when  youre feeling especially narcissistic. Example lyrics: I cant ever change without you You reflect me, I love that about you And if I could, I Would look at us all the time 7) Sweet Tangerine by The Hush Sound (2006) Overview: A desperate ex-boyfriend pleads for his girlfriend to come back to him. Why its unusual: Upon first listen, you  may be too distracted by the upbeat nature of the song to  really listen to the lyrics. The lyrics start with the singer trapped outside, freezing in the rain, hoping to be let inside by his ex-girlfriend. He made a mistake in their past relationship and tries to justify it by saying, Without the sour, the sweet wouldnt taste as In just a couple verses later, the song  quickly turns into the tale of a desperate stalker breaking into his  exs house and  waiting under her bed until she wakes up. Can you see  how its  one of the more unusual love songs? Example lyrics: Crept through the curtains, as quick as the cold wind Slowly exploring the room where you sleep The stare of your portrait, the passing of your scent Left me no choice but to stay I will dissolve into the dark beneath your bed My hands will wait for a taste of your skin  8) These Foolish Things by Sam Cooke (1962) Overview: The singer thinks about his lover every time  he experiences certain phenomena. Why its unusual: Its a sweet song to sing to your lover but only after theyve passed away.  In the singers everyday life, he sees, hears, and smells things that remind him of his former sweetheart. If you choose to ignore  the lyrics about the ghost, you can get away with singing this to  someone you love! Example lyrics: The sigh of midnight trains in empty stations Silk stockings thrown aside dance invitations Oh how the ghost of you clings These foolish things Remind me of you 9) What Makes You Beautiful by One  Direction (2011) Overview: The singers are infatuated with a girl they deem as insecure and unaware of her beauty. Why its unusual: No matter how many compliments you give someone on their physical appearance, it wont change their internalized insecurities. The singers in this song seem to think otherwise, noting that what makes the girl beautiful is the fact that she doesnt know shes beautiful. Its a concept that makes sense if you dont think about it much. Example lyrics: If only you saw what I can see Youll understand why I want you so desperately Right now Im looking at you and I cant believe You dont know, you dont know youre beautiful Thats what makes you beautiful BONUS: Every Breath You Take by The Police (1983) Overview: A singer  vows to look after his love interest in an obsessive way. Why its unusual: If you listen to this song once, itll become immediately apparent that the singer is actually a stalker.  No matter what the love interest does in their everyday life, the singer wants to watch them do it.  Even Sting, the lead singer of The Police, said that the song was deliberately about a stalker.  Its certainly not the greatest song to sing at a wedding. Example lyrics: Every breath you take Every move you make Every bond you break Every step you take Ill be watching you Every single day Every word you say Every game you play Every night you stay Ill be watching you Conclusion See what we mean about unusual love songs? Trust us, there are PLENTY  more of these out there! If youre interested in songwriting but arent sure how to  begin, consider scheduling a private lesson with a songwriting teacher. With some practice, maybe youll make the next list of unusual love songs! Were any of these  unusual love songs surprising? Know any more? Comment below with your thoughts! 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

English Food Phrases and Idioms Advanced English Expressions

English Food Phrases and Idioms Advanced English Expressions We all love food.We love eating it of course but we also like cooking it and talking about it. Here are  some English Food Phrases and Idioms for advanced English learners.There are many English expressions linked to the theme of food. Of course,  they are metaphorical  meanings and have a very different meaning than the food items that they may refer to.Scroll down to watch a video lesson. English Food Phrases and Idioms AS EASY AS PIEWhen we are planning a task or have a job to do perhaps that we are not looking forward to  someone may tell us  â€œdon’t worry it won’t take you long,  it is as easy as pie”.  (this expression has a similar meaning to  a piece of cake   something is easily achieved)A pie is a very  popular and common dish in England.Pies come in all shapes and sizes and are made with different  ingredients. We have fish pie, shepherds pie and steak and kidney pie which the most well known.  (this expression has similar meaning to a piece of cake something is easily achieved).My favourite has always been Shepherds pie! If I can cook it anyone can!THE APPLE OF ONES EYEWhen someone has a favourite person (for example, a child or grandchild) who they are very proud of and always happy to see, we refer to this person as the apple of ones eye.Example: The grandfather had four grandchildren. Two boys  and two girls. He was fond of all of them but the first born grandchild was his favou rite and he  always told her (Mary)  that she was the apple of his eye.SPILL THE BEANSBeans are a favourite food of many. Easy to make.Tasty to eat and cheap to buy.However,  if you  drop them or spill them it can be a little bit messy  (tomato sauce everywhere!)  When some one has  a secret or some information that we really want we keep asking them to tell us. We ask them to  â€œspill the beans” or give us the information.We constantly urge them  (encourage them):“Come on, spill the beans, you know you want to!” English Phrases about Food - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: FULL OF BEANSStill on the theme of beans.  Lots of food is well known for giving us energy.  Beans in particular offer one of the best sources of energy.If someone is full of beans, it means they are full of energy, they are very active.Example: When children are jumping and running and screaming and shouting we often hear the parents saying: “Don’t worry, they are full of beans”.BUTTER SOMEBODY UPSometimes it is difficult to persuade someone to do what you want them to or to get them to agree  to your request.To help we often have to find their “good side”  (something that will help in  persuading him/her more easily).Often praising them or flattering them works quite easily and we refer to this as buttering them up  (like putting lots of butter on toast.it makes the toast very  smooth).Example: Juan wanted Ana to cook his favourite meal  (paella).  Ana said she was busy and did not have the  time. Juan told her over and over again that she was a great cook and her paella was well known to  be the best in the family. “Come on, you know your paella is the best. Let’s  have a beautiful evening paella,  wine and music”. He continued this for several minutes until she  eventually agreed. His buttering up  had worked. He got his paella. HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT ITWe all love cakes. The sweet taste of a rich chocolate or gateaux is a very warm experience. To have  your cake and eat it is used when somebody wants everything.Not happy with one thing he/she  wants it all.Example: Michael had been asking his boss for many  months about promotion. When finally his boss called him in and told him he was  being promoted he was of course very happy. However,  he immediately asked for an increase in his  salary and a company car. His boss was a bit surprised. “You really want  your cake and eat it don’t you.”  TO BE IN A PICKLEWhen we want to preserve some vegetables (like cucumbers or onions) we often use vinegar.  These are then referred to as pickled.We all have difficulties at times in our lives. Some are more  difficult than others. When we have a problem that is not easy to solve we say “oh we are in a pickle  here.”  Example: David had a problem. He had lost his job and needed to repay his bank loan. He owed th em  money for his car loan. He phoned his father to see if he could help. “Dad sorry to ask but I am in a  bit of a pickle. I lost my job and need to repay my bank . Could you help for a few weeks please?”

Summer Study Programs Can Improve Many Academic Skills

Summer Study Programs Can Improve Many Academic Skills Let Summer Study Programs Work for You! If your study habits have you worried about the upcoming school year it is a great time to take advantage of summer study programs. Spending a part of your summer dedicated to improving your study habits will help you better prepare for the courses on your fall schedule and can boost yourconfidence. Gaining the academic knowledge, and mastering the cognitive skills, is just one part of finding true success in school. Efficient study habits are equally important and will help prepare you for future learning. Summer study programs can benefit your academic preparation next term in a variety of ways, including:Improved test taking skills The reality of today's educational landscape is that students are required to pass a variety of high stakes tests. Refining your study skills will help regardless if you're preparing for end of course assessments, state proficiency tests, or college entrance exams. Preparing for an exam is all about mastering these test taking skills so you can focus on the subject areas being assessed. When you enroll at Huntington Learning Centers your tutor will not only focus on academic content but will also help you boost your test taking skills. The results of your academic evaluations will be used to present you with a customized program that strengthens these skills before progressing to the next skill level. Greater organizational efficiency Part of developing solid study habits is creating strong organizational systems that benefit your learning. When you have a fixed amount of time to study you don't want to waste valuable minutes searching for assignments, deciding which are the most current lecture notes, or fumbling through class materials looking for the most recent lesson. Maintaining an organizational system will allow you to focus on the subject area content and put every minute to good use. There are a variety of methods to organizing your materials that will aid your studying. Some students find that a daily inventory is helpf ul to not losing valuable classroom materials and study aids. Each time you leave a class, make sure everything is properly stored. At the end of each day spend a few minutes making sure that no materials are left unfiled in your locker or in your bag. Returning all materials to the proper place, either in a folder or binder, will prepare you in advance for your next study session. More efficient time management An important part of any student's study habits is the ability to efficiently manage available time. You may feel like there is never enough time to study, or that your study sessions are unproductive, but there are certain things you can do to boost your time management. Consider creating a consistent weekly schedule of dedicated study blocks. Evaluate your family, extra-curricular, and work commitments to find set times that can be dedicated to studying. Build in a few extra blocks of time to compensate for unforeseen circumstances. Over time compare this weekly schedule t o the expectations of your classes. Do you have enough time to prepare for upcoming exams, projects, or papers? If your class requirements don't correlate with the amount of time you have committed to studying you will likely need to rearrange your schedule and add more blocks of dedicated study time. The professional tutors with Huntington Learning Centers are specially trained to help students reach their full potential. Our carefully designed tutoring sessions will help you better prepare for next school year by improving your current study habits. These skills are carefully woven into a customized tutoring plan that builds on your strengths while reinforcing your identified areas of weakness. The carefully designed instructional program is tailored to your exact needs. Have you participated in summer study programs before? What benefits did you experience?

italki October 2015 Language Challenge BEFORE and AFTER videos !

italki October 2015 Language Challenge BEFORE and AFTER videos ! Check out Videos of Students Who Completed the October 2015 Language  Challenge! So, first of all we would like to thank everyone of you who have joined the October 2015 Language Challenge. Whatever your reasons of learning languages, we hope that by doing this challenge you will have a consistent language learning habit throughout 2015! Here are some of the best videos that we received for this challenge: Alex Barnes from United Kingdom completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning German! In July Alex already did italki language challenge in Chinese and this time he would like to do it in German. He studied Chinese and German at University in England but last year he was in China, so he has forgotten a lot of German. Alex has no particular goals but he wants to improve his pronunciation and accent and to be a bit more fluent when he talks. He has finished his October Language Challenge. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Alex Gureev from Russia completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning English! He decided for this Language Challenge to improve his English skills. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Blair  from the United States completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Dutch! Blair wants to improve his target language that is Dutch. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Israel  from China completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Swedish! Israel decided to learn Swedish because he is leaving in Sweden right now! He has finished his italki October Language Challenge! Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Helga  from Russia completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Italian! Helga was  going to learn Italian. She speaks Italian quiet well but she was so struggle with propositions, articles and talking about the past. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Jesper  from  Denmark  completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Japanese! Jesper has just completed the italki October Language Challenge where he was studying Japanese! And here is the video after challenge: Pierre Bredel from Brazil completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning English! Pierre is learning English. This was his fifth italki Language Challenge. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Zeeshan from the United States completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Spanish! Zeeshan is learning Spanish. This time he was going to a continue practice in his Spanish because he wanted to achieve a really high level. His goal is to able to sustain high level conversations and more advanced topics such as global warming or alternative energies. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Ric from the United States completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Spanish! The main goal for Ric was to be able to speak Spanish faster! Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Jonathan from the United States completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Spanish and Italian! Jonathan is learning Spanish and Italian. He wanted to improve his Spanish also because his family speak Spanish. Moreover Jonathan wanted to improve his Italian because he travels frequently for work in Italy! Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: We really do hope that after the challenge you will not stop learning languages. We hope that this challenge gives you that extra push  to keep learning languages throughout the year! italki October 2015 Language Challenge BEFORE and AFTER videos ! Check out Videos of Students Who Completed the October 2015 Language  Challenge! So, first of all we would like to thank everyone of you who have joined the October 2015 Language Challenge. Whatever your reasons of learning languages, we hope that by doing this challenge you will have a consistent language learning habit throughout 2015! Here are some of the best videos that we received for this challenge: Alex Barnes from United Kingdom completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning German! In July Alex already did italki language challenge in Chinese and this time he would like to do it in German. He studied Chinese and German at University in England but last year he was in China, so he has forgotten a lot of German. Alex has no particular goals but he wants to improve his pronunciation and accent and to be a bit more fluent when he talks. He has finished his October Language Challenge. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Alex Gureev from Russia completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning English! He decided for this Language Challenge to improve his English skills. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Blair  from the United States completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Dutch! Blair wants to improve his target language that is Dutch. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Israel  from China completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Swedish! Israel decided to learn Swedish because he is leaving in Sweden right now! He has finished his italki October Language Challenge! Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Helga  from Russia completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Italian! Helga was  going to learn Italian. She speaks Italian quiet well but she was so struggle with propositions, articles and talking about the past. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Jesper  from  Denmark  completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Japanese! Jesper has just completed the italki October Language Challenge where he was studying Japanese! And here is the video after challenge: Pierre Bredel from Brazil completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning English! Pierre is learning English. This was his fifth italki Language Challenge. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Zeeshan from the United States completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Spanish! Zeeshan is learning Spanish. This time he was going to a continue practice in his Spanish because he wanted to achieve a really high level. His goal is to able to sustain high level conversations and more advanced topics such as global warming or alternative energies. Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Ric from the United States completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Spanish! The main goal for Ric was to be able to speak Spanish faster! Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: Jonathan from the United States completed October 2015 Language Challenge learning Spanish and Italian! Jonathan is learning Spanish and Italian. He wanted to improve his Spanish also because his family speak Spanish. Moreover Jonathan wanted to improve his Italian because he travels frequently for work in Italy! Here is the public video pledge that he made before the challenge: And here is the video after challenge: We really do hope that after the challenge you will not stop learning languages. We hope that this challenge gives you that extra push  to keep learning languages throughout the year!