The Best Karaoke Apps for Learning to Sing

The Best Karaoke Apps for Learning to Sing Learn to Sing on your Smartphone with Karaoke Applications ChaptersWhy You Should Use Karaoke AppsAre Mobile Apps and Vocal Coaches Compatible with One Another?There are very few people who’ve ever taken a singing lesson. However, how many of you have done karaoke or had a karaoke evening at yours? With games like SingStar, everyone can be a famous singer for a song or two. While most of us are pretty awful singers and struggle to sing in tune, it doesn't matter how limited your vocal range is when you're singing karaoke!However, have you ever considered practising your singing with karaoke videos or  using apps on your smartphone or tablet to practise singing on your own and with your friends in order to improve your singing voice? You’ll kill it at your next karaoke night!Here’s how to do it: check out some of the best karaoke apps in order to learn how to sing and hit those high notes!Android and iOS.“This app is great! I love it! Smule and Yokee have everything but this app has the most important thing: You can choose songs from your own library of music! Even though the vocal effects aren’t as good as those on Smule, you save a lot of time and storage space on your phone by not having to download extra files” - Redolenze, SingPlay User.Get ready for a singing competition! (Source: picjumbo.com)The Voice: On StageAre you a fan of The Voice and do you dream of taking part? This smartphone app puts you right there on the stage in front of the judges.  There are several tracks available in the beginning including Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars and you can sing along to the words, modify your voice, and try to convince the coaches. You can also record your own version of the songs.The best thing about the app? The more you sing, the more songs you unlock.  While the pro version costs a couple of pounds, it is one of the best Android and iOS apps.“It’s an easy way for amateurs to record and listen to themselves instantly and for free. You can even use vocal effects to improve your voice on your smartphone. In terms of songs available, the options are limitless: there’s something for everyone!” Pearl, The Voice: On Stage UserYokeeWhen you download Yokee on Play Store or the App Store, you can start being the star you’ve always dreamt you were. While the free version is only available for a week, you’ll need to pay a few pounds to continue using all the songs on the app.There’s a good range of songs that are updated regularly. Since it’s based on YouTube videos, you can imagine how many titles are available.  You can sing and record your performance while adding effects like echo or reverb if you want. You can then share your performance on Facebook with your friends and let them rate you.“The sound quality is good. The timing of the words and the music are good, too. Then you record yourself and realise what a terrible singer you are. Fortunately, there are vocal effects to minimise the damage. One thing: You have to pay for this “free” app after 7 days.” Themightymosh e, App User.Sing with apps on your tablet or smartphone. (Source: picjumbo.com)Are Mobile Apps and Vocal Coaches Compatible with One Another?As you can see, there are plenty of karaoke apps and audio files available. Can these apps really replace a genuine vocal coach?Yes and no.For those just starting to sing, I’d say no. Even a really good app can’t replace everything you can learn about singing: key, how to not damage your vocal chords, learning to breathe correctly. If you're serious about learning to sing, taking online singing lessons is a good starting point.For experienced singers, a karaoke app could be useful practice when you can’t get to a singing lesson. If you already know how to sing, you just need to practice a few songs, listen back to them, and work on improving. Recording yourself singing is recommended by voice coaches as part of your vocal training.When you first start singing, a simple app won't be enough. You'll have to enlist the help of a professional. (Source: pixabay.com)Karaoke is a great way to practise singing a huge variety of different songs in your own style.A good app (free or otherwise) could be a great addition to singing lessons and help you learn to sing, too. If you record your singing exercises on the app, you can send it to a teacher who'll give you singing tips and vocal techniques you can use for your next audition.Practising karaoke online could help you practise while having fun. Just don’t use the effects to hide your mistakes from your singing teachers!Recording yourself is a great way to get better at singing. You can also see how you perform or show the video to your tutor for feedback during your voice lessons. They’ll be able to see where you’re going wrong and help you with your warm up exercises, breath control, posture, and put you on the path to singing success.You can also take singing lessons online.In short:An app is much cheaper than singing tutorials. While it’s difficult for beginners t o learn with just an app, more experienced singers can use them as a tool for improving.If you’re making mistakes, it’s easy to cover them up. Isn’t that cheating? It depends how you use it. Think of it like makeup.You can sing whatever song you like. If you don’t like that one, choose another.Sing! Karaoke by Smule seems to be the most popular app. It also seems to be the most complete app.Finally, don’t forget that if you want to learn to really sing, an app can’t do everything. However, when combined with regularly singing lessons, this could really help you to progress.Are you an aspiring vocalist? You should also check out the best tools for recording your voice.Find  singing lessons in the UK with Superprof. Whether you're taking  Singing lessons London,  Singing lessons Edinburgh, or  Singing lessons Manchester you can find the best vocal coaches in the UK with us.

How to Find Childrens Dance Classes

How to Find Childrens Dance Classes Finding Dance Classes for Children ChaptersCheck with your Local GovernmentFinding Dance Classes in a SchoolDance AssociationsWhere Can You Find Private Dance Tutors?Finding Dance Classes through Word of MouthFinding Dance Classes OnlineCheck Out the Classifieds“In a society that worships love, freedom, and beauty, dance is sacred. It is a prayer for the future, a remembrance of the past and a joyful exclamation of thanks for the present.” - Amelia Atwater-RhodesStereotypes can be hard to break. There’s still the common misconception that dancing isn’t for boys. Be it break dancing, tango, dance hall, whatever, every style is open to every child, regardless of their sex.So to improve their choreography, rhythm, or motor skills, here’s how you can find dancing classes. SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teache r 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsCheck with your Local GovernmentYou’d be surprised at some of the places you can find dance classes. Local leisure centres often have many dance classes. First, find the nearest place that offers dance classes in your town. Check with the local government for dance lessons. (Source: sobima)Of course, not everyone lives in a big city.  This means that you mightn’t have every style on offer. Don’t get discouraged. Just because they’re not offered at the leisure centre or by the local government, that doesn’t mean they’re not available.In smaller towns, there may be one activity available in your town and the dance class you’re looking for in the neighbouring one. Check to see if you can find anything in the neighbouring towns.  A quick phone call should do the trick.They should be able to give you all the information you need or, at the very least, the contact details for who you should be speaking to. Be it swing, ballet, or Oriental dance, you should be able to find somewhere in the region offering dance classes to children, teenagers, and adults.Learn more about the benefits of children's dance classes.Finding Dance Classes in a SchoolSome cities are lucky enough to have schools dedicated t o dance. Keep in mind that this doesn’t necessarily mean a large building dedicated to dance. You won't struggle to find dance schools in most cities. (Source: Jenco215)Sometimes there will be a huge building, complete with its theatre, dance hall, etc. However, most of them will be in smaller rooms such as a dance studio. The teachers there may share rooms throughout the week.No matter what type of dancing you’d like to do, get in touch with dance schools and dance studios and ask them about their class schedule.Some dance schools can be quite costly, after all. Do your research to see exactly how much everything will cost including the equipment that you’ll need to get.Conservatories are also great places to learn how to dance. However, they can be demanding and require an advanced level before children can attend. This is a great option if your child takes their dancing very seriously and would like to do it professionally in the future.Get help choosing the right dance lessons for your kids.Dance AssociationsDance associations are great if you’re on a budget. You ma y find dance associations or groups in smaller towns where there aren’t dance schools.  There may be a few dance teachers who offer classes.  Some may be volunteers whereas others may be paid.In some cases, they may be even more demanding than conservatories. However, make sure that your child enjoys their classes. Some of the classes will depend on what the students are after. Generally speaking, they’re quite flexible. Furthermore, they may be able to offer classes and sessions for things like birthday parties, etc. Similarly, they also put shows on for members.You may also be able to discover less common dance styles that aren’t often offered at schools. If you're looking for ballroom dance, Latin dance, bachata, west coast swing dance, or just an introduction to dance, your child might be able to learn to dance with them.  You should have a look around for sporting groups or dance associations online. You just need to get in touch with them. SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £ 25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhere Can You Find Private Dance Tutors?You mightn’t have thought of getting in touch with a private tutor. However, if you can’t find an association or school that you like, you might want to get a private tutor for your child. A private tutor doesn’t necessarily mean that your child will be alone. For specialised tuition, you should look for dance tutors. (Source: sobima)This is just one of the options when it comes to private tutoring. You can also get group tutorials with several students attending. Your child can progress while having fun with other children their age.  You can find private dance tutors in cities and the country.Start by having a look on Superprof. There are plenty of tutors offering dance tutorials all over the country. The advantage is that you can choose the best tutor for your child. Different tutors specialise in different types of dancing such as ballroom dancing, hip hop dance, jazz dance, waltz, Zumba, or the Lindy hop.You can also find tutors through word of mouth, online, social networks, or classified ads in local businesses.Learn more about what children's dance lessons are like.Finding Dance Classes through Word of MouthWord of mouth is often the most effective way to find dance classes. Talk to your child about what they want to learn, tell yo ur friends and family, and word of mouth can do the rest. Of course, sometimes your words will get twisted.Tell your family, friends, other parents. Other parents might already know who you need to talk to to find tutors or a dance school. If this isn’t the case, their friends might know exactly what you’re looking for.  Dancing is quite common so it’s pretty easy to find classes.Word of mouth not only helps you find potential teachers and tutors, but you’ll also undoubtedly hear opinions on them. They’ll never recommend a teacher that they were disappointed with. If they’re being recommended to you, that generally means that they’ve impressed someone in the group. Keep your ears open!Finding Dance Classes OnlineThe internet is a goldmine for resources, no matter what you’re looking for.So why not use it to find dance classes near you? Thanks to the internet, it's never been easier to find classes. (Source: StartupStockPhotos)Just type “dance classes”, “dance lessons”, “dance instruction” into a search engine with the name of your town and see what comes up.Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll immediately get the answer you’re looking for. You’ll still find sites for dance schools and private tutors, though. You might also find articles on dance classes in the area.Have a look on social networks, too. Let people know that you’re looking for dance lessons. You’re bound to get a response.Check Out the ClassifiedsClassified ads still exist! Even if the internet has become the best way to find people, there are still classified ads. Whether it’s for babysitters, academic support tutorials, or personal trainers, you can still find classified ads and posters around.  Keep an eye open at local businesses like bakeries, florists, butchers, etc.Some larger supermarkets also have loc al noticeboards where customers can put up ads. You’ll probably find an ad for dance classes, an association, or private dance teachers.  Be it contemporary dance, modern jazz, tango, dance fitness, modern dance, or an introduction to dance, you’ll be surprised at what you can find.These ads will generally detail what’s included in the lessons. Stretching, improv, choreography, footwork, etc.Similarly, there are also sites like Craigslist and Gumtree.Perhaps you’d also like to learn how to dance?You can find a private dance instructor or tutor on Superprof and get private lessons for you and your child. Whether it's Argentine tango, tap dance, or ballet classes, many of the tutors offer the first dance lesson for free so you can talk to them about what you're after, how you like to learn, and what your goals are.There are many talented and experienced dance tutors offering face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, or group tutorials. Each type of tutorials comes with its pro s and cons so it's up to you to choose the one that's best for you, your preferred learning style, and your budget.Face-to-face tutorials are the most cost-effective because you're the only student but they also tend to be the most costly per hour. That said, you do get a completely bespoke service.Online tutorials tend to be cheaper per hour than face-to-face tutorials as the tutor doesn't have to pay travel costs and can schedule more tutorials each week. This increased earning potential and fewer outgoings allow them to charge more competitive rates.Group tutorials are usually the cheapest per person per hour as the cost of the tutor's time is shared amongst each of the students in attendance. Of course, this also means that tutors time has to be shared between each student so they won't be able to offer as much one-on-one time as in private tutorials.

Get A Biology Tutor Online

Get A Biology Tutor Online 0SHARESShare Do you find Biology as a labyrinth of words, concepts, diagrams and theories? Want to make a way out? Tutor Pace comes to your rescue and relieves you of all your worries, doubts and confusions about the subject of Biology and get best biology tutor. Biology Tutor- Finding The Right Online Tutoring Base Tutor Pace’s team of biology tutors is ready to help you online around the clock in any of the subjects related struggles like assignment, lab reports or tests. They lend their helping hand to solve the mysteries of Biology in Cell theories, Digestive systems or Genetics. Their support is 24/7 to help you get on with your class work or go further deep into the subject to enjoy its cream. Biology Help The Need For it Doing biology by yourself is at your own risk, since the subject is vast and complex. You need good guidance and assistance to get over the troubles you come across in your class work, lab experiments, worksheets and problem sets. Tutor pace is before your eyes to enable you to catch up with all the subject related works and assignments and ensure that you excel in the subject and get ahead of others Biology Homework Help- Pick Up The Right Place For Help Homework completion is an essential aspect of schooling and you cannot pile up your homework for the fear of losing your grades and missing the links in understanding the subject. Homework help online is an outstanding feature of Tutor Pace with its recorded sessions, chat online and browsing window. Avail our affordable packages and experience the fun of learning Biology online. [starbox id=admin]

How to Become Fluent in Spanish

How to Become Fluent in Spanish A Learning Guide for Becoming Fluent in Spanish ChaptersYou’ll Need a Positive Attitude to Learn Fluent SpanishFind the Right Tools to Learn Spanish QuicklyBecome Fluent in Spanish by Immersing Yourself in Spanish CultureChoosing the language of Cervantes as a second language in high school is a popular choice. Spanish classes at school can help you to hold a conversation when you visit one of the twenty Spanish speaking countries worldwide, but they sometimes don't equip you sufficiently to become bilingual.There are certain things that you need to know to improve your Spanish. But once you do, you will be well on the road to communicate both verbally and on paper, as well as being able to converse with around 440 million people who speak Spanish as a native language.If you are reading this and thinking we are getting well ahead of ourselves by talking about bilingualism, we recommend drawing on different tools to perfect your written and oral understanding of Spanish.To become bilingual, improve your fluency, and learn Spanish fast, you must deepen your knowledge â€" tenses, adjectives, grammar, conjugation, Spanish vocabulary, etc. â€" and immerse yourself in the Hispanic culture.Whether you are taking Spanish classes for your own personal use, for work or future holiday plans, patience, a positive attitude and efficient resources will facilitate your linguistic training!From television, radio and books to conversations: don’t hesitate to vary the learning materials you use! Superprof, a global resource for learning, is happy to provide you with a range of options available to you for becoming bilingual in Spanish…Whether you are taking free lessons, speak basic Spanish, have an intermediate level, or know just a few Spanish words, this article can help you learn Spanish with gusto. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutor s LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsYou’ll Need a Positive Attitude to Learn Fluent SpanishIt doesn't matter if you’ve want to become bilingual in Spanish for personal or professional reasons, learning a different language should be, above all, a pleasurable activity.Learning Spanish must remain a fun and positive endeavor, so you don’t get the impression that you are working too much as you study Spanish.Stay positive and don't give up on your Spanish courses!To improve your Spanish skills whilst keeping it a fun exercise, we recommend that you adopt some new habits:Make Your Own Spanish GuideDon’t hesitate to create a notebook dedic ated to Spanish. Fill it with personal commentaries, write about your language learning experience, life or travels, or summarise your day, noting words you’re having trouble with in your Spanish class or new phrases you’ve learned… this notebook will be a sort of guide or personal journal that helps you work on your written Spanish and improve your vocabulary each day.Think in SpanishBy now you’ve realised that the ideal way to progress quickly in Spanish is to speak Cervantes’  language every day, ideally with native Spanish speakers. But if no one is around with whom you can speak or you’re not at home to train yourself in front of the computer, nothing should stop you from thinking in Spanish!Are you humming a song? Are you thinking out loud? So do it in Spanish! By practicing these exercises daily, you will adopt reflexes and habituate your brain to think and reason in Spanish. It’s a great way to improve your spoken skills and learn conversational Spanish.Find th e Right Tools to Learn Spanish QuicklyThere are many tools available to learn to speak Spanish well, from flashcards to videos. Whether they are available online (via YouTube) or at your local library, videos will be very useful for progressing in Spanish and becoming bilingual, along with your determination, motivation and patience.Find Spanish Resources at the LibraryOnce people graduate and leave education behind them, they tend to forget all about libraries!Discover Spanish literature! Source: visualhunt.comBut remember, you can get information from your library to see if there is a discussion club or learning program in place to improve your Spanish.Once there, you’re also in a good place to discover other educative resources, such as books and even podcasts to help you learn Spanish. Remember to always keep a “learner” attitude! This way you’ll be perfectly positioned to learn a new language.Take Private Lessons to Become BilingualTaking private Spanish lessons will al low you to progress quickly while going at your own personal rhythm. At home or in another quiet place, you can take Spanish lessons adapted to your level and budget.Whatever your expectations and objectives, you can decide to work on your pronunciation, study texts by Spanish authors or improve your conversation skills. Your Spanish teacher will personalize the lesson plan to suit your needs.What’s more, if you wish, you can choose to work with a professor who is native to a Spanish speaking country such as Argentina, Spain, Peru or Colombia… Guaranteed progress at less cost!Why not learn Spanish online with a Spanish course from Superprof? They are an international reference for language learning, in addition to a range of other subjects!Take Spanish ClassesYour Spanish level, even if it is very good, might not be good enough to consider yourself bilingual.Taking classes is always a great method to improve, whether that means learning new Spanish verbs, or improving your Spani sh conversation skills! To perfect your Spanish, classes can be efficient and even obligatory.With night classes at a specialised school, or with an association, or on the net, you can choose from a large range of Spanish courses (the large majority have a cost, but there are some free Spanish classes). But note that while free Spanish lessons sound like the perfect option, some things are too good to be true. You might want to spend a little bit to ensure that you can learn how to speak Spanish effectively.Download Spanish Apps on your PhoneRemember that your Smartphone can be your friend when it comes to your Spanish training. Available for free or in paying versions, there are numerous apps for perfecting your Spanish language skills, such as Busuu, Duolingo, Babbel, Memrise or even Rosetta Stone.They include many fun tools for reaching your objectives and progressing naturally â€" voice recognition for improving your accent, rewards as you attain the next level… Quizzes no lon ger have to be a drag. And they are always at your fingertips and can be used wherever you want, while riding the bus to work, or taking a bath…Listen to the Spanish RadioDo you like to keep informed of international news, listen to music, or follow debates to widen your general culture knowledge? Why not kill two birds with one stone and do it in Spanish (or any other new language)!Spanish radio stations available online include Cadena100, Cope, and Radio nacional de Espana,  and they all provide news, interviews and free podcasts.Catching the best Hispanic waves could show you how to speak Spanish fluently! source: visualhunt.comListening to the radio in Spanish is a fun and educational habit you can take up for your linguistic training.Perfect your Spanish with podcastsLearning Spanish with YouTube is a well established way of using your smartphone to learn the language, but have you considered using your smartphone to download a podcast to help you learn?News in Slow Spanish, Notes in Spanish,  Coffee Break Spanish  or even Ivoox  are some great examples. Organized by themes (arts, games, health…), they are available for free online and will help you improve your Spanish every day.Learn Spanish online with podcasts. You have so many resources to choose from!  Become Fluent in Spanish by Immersing Yourself in Spanish CultureWatch Spanish Films and SeriesWhen you want to perfect your mastery of a foreign language, watching films in that language is an excellent means of linking learning with pleasure! Spanish learning does not have to be boring. In fact, watching Spanish films to learn Spanish is probably something that you hadn't really considered doing.If your linguistic level allows it, avoid subtitles in English to improve your speaking and listening skills in Spanish. This way, your ear will get used to hearing Spanish, and new expressions will come more naturally to you. The Spanish language sounds better in your favourite film!Movies with subtitle s: a soft immersion. source: visualhunt.comAnd if you don’t know many Spanish TV series, just do a Google search.Find a Spanish Pen-pal to Write toIf there’s no one around you to chat with from time to time in Spanish, you can opt for exchanges with a pen-pal.By mail or email, fun exchanges allow you to create links with a new person, discuss subjects of your choice in Spanish, learn new Spanish phrases and improve your writing and spelling. Websites including NekoPlaza  will help you to meet pen-pals from all over the world.Learn Spanish via SkypeWith Skype, there are now no more excuses! From now on you’ll have access to conversations, messages and videos in Spanish from all over the world that are completely free! Also, the video is an excellent format to improve your Spanish, as it familiarises you with the body language, facial expressions and Spanish accent of your discussion partner.To get started and find opportunities, post messages on language exchange forums or ads in universities or libraries in your town noting your wish to have a discussion in Spanish via Skype…Travel to a Hispanic CountryThere are a number of tips to learn Spanish quickly, but perhaps the best is to travel to a Spanish speaking country. Travel is the best way to immerse yourself completely in a culture in order to learn a foreign language. Numerous Spanish-speaking destinations are waiting for you throughout the world where you can learn  to speak Spanish rapidly!Discover Spanish as you travel.Practising Spanish in Spain or South America will help you improve your level considerably.Converse with Spanish speakers, take part in local events, become a couchsurfer, share a drink or meal with locals, get lost in a city… whether you are travelling alone with your backpack, with an international educational program, or on a working visa, you will be sure to create links with inhabitants, which is the best way to improve!To sum up, numerous methods are available to help you b ecome bilingual in Spanish but you may not like all of them… So it’s up to you to experiment throughout your training, to know which ones are right for you, and which ones you can say “adios” to!As we’ve expressed in this article, becoming bilingual is not an easy task. But by taking part in regular training using several resources, adopting daily habits and conversing with native Spanish speaking people, you will start to feel much more confident with both your written and speaking language skills.Remember that learning a foreign language must before all else be fun! If it's not then you will not learn as quickly and you will be more likely to give up, so follow our advice here to keep yourself engaged and entertained whilst you learn Spanish!

5 Top Homework Tips for Parents

5 Top Homework Tips for Parents Homework should reinforce learning in the classroom, as well as giving students the opportunity to learn independently and develop research skills. How can you help your child when it comes to homework? Helping your child with their homework doesn’t mean doing it for them! Here are our 5 top homework tips for parents. 5 Top Homework Tips for Parents   The time and the place Establish a structured routine, and designated place for your child to do their homework. Free from distractions, such as the TV, their phone and their siblings! You’ll know which time would work best for your child. Most children are more productive earlier in the evening, and not too close to bedtime. Some children like to have a break and a snack before hitting the books after school, others prefer to get homework out of the way first and relax after. Either way, ensure you schedule a regular time. Even siblings who are the best of friends will distract each other. If you have more than one child, we suggest trying to find a homework space for each of your children. Also, try to ensure if one child were to finish their homework before the other, to encourage quiet time, reading/playing quietly - as to not distract their sibling who is still working away. Set an example Demonstrate to your child that homework is very much part of adult life too! When your child sits down to do their homework, you could also sit and read a book or work on your accounts. This will help to normalise the process of homework, your child will then see that everyone does it!, and that they aren’t being singled. Offer guidance, not the answers! Try to avoid giving your child the answer, as then they won’t fully understand the material, and this could set your child back in class. It could also prevent your child from developing independent, lifelong learning skills. However it is a great idea to speak to your child about their homework. Through explanation and teaching it to you, reinforces what they’ve learnt in class. Showing an active interest in your child’s work can also give them a boost and much needed motivation! Help your child with time management Encourage your child to plan homework time, all homework isn’t due the next day! Help your child manage their homework diary, and plan to make time for bigger projects. Help your child figure out what they feel is more difficult homework and which homework they find easy. Encourage your child to tackle the tougher homework first, ensuing they are fresh for the challenge!   Look out for signs of frustration Check in on your child every so often, and look out for signs of struggle or if they’ve been on the same question for a while. Encourage your child to take a break and come back with fresh eyes. Be available to offer guidance and help break down the problem into smaller sequential steps (if possible), otherwise be supportive! Share with your child’s class teacher any concerns you may have about the amount or type of homework assigned. Be sure to let the teacher know if your child is regularly having difficulties or unable to complete the work on their own. Arrange a small homework club with your child’s friends once a week. Peer to peer learning is incredibly effective, sometimes a classmate is better at explaining a tricky problem than you are. A study group with friends can also help make homework a more positive experience!

Writing Tips for Kids

Writing Tips for Kids In todays competitive school environment, its critical that students know how to write effectively. Especially as children approach the higher grades, it is expected that they are not just capable writers, but that they are also able to research and gather evidence, communicate their thoughts and ideas in writing, and make connections between what they read and write. As children move through school, how can parents help them strengthen those all-important writing skills? Below are some effective writing tips for your children: Emphasize good organization. Whether children follow a loose or detailed outline, its wise to at least make sure an essay or story follows a logical flow from introduction to making its main points to drawing a conclusion. Children who follow a basic structure when writing essays and other assignments will find that their finished products are more cohesive and clear. Encourage children to break up ideas appropriately. Long, drawn-out paragraphs make for difficult reading. Children can organize their thoughts by breaking ideas into separate paragraphs. Each paragraph needs to have a focus, and when its time to venture into a different idea, its time for a new paragraph. Before starting a new paragraph, children should include a transition sentence to bridge ideas together. Teach them how to edit. Every writer will agree that editing is a vital step in the writing process. Children must review each and every sentence they write with a critical eye to identify wordy places and unclear messaging. This involves more than simply replacing a few words here or there. A good edit takes a piece from weak to strong and tightens every sentence so it is meaningful and easy to understand. Talk about sentence and word variety. Nothing makes a piece of writing more lackluster than using too many sentences with the same structure and length. When writing, children should try to use different sentence starters (as opposed to beginning every sentence with The or It). Its also a good idea to mix in simple sentences with longer, more complex sentences. Stress the importance of the final review. Fresh eyes can do wonders for the editing process. Children should make it their practice to write first drafts, set them aside, then return to them for a thorough read-through. The final review needs to include checking for spelling and grammatical errors, and children can ask themselves questions while reviewing like: Does this piece make sense? Is the flow logical? Did I follow the directions? Can another reader easily grasp what Im trying to articulate/communicate? Discuss active vs. passive voice. Strong writing uses active voice, wherein the subject of a sentence performs the action (The car hit the tree). Passive voice, on the other hand, is when the subject of the sentence is acted upon (The tree was hit by the car). Passive voice is harder to understand, as the sentences do not flow as easily. Its best for maturing writers to avoid these types of sentences. Writing skills are essential in school, and the more parents can do now to help their children improve them, the better off their children will be by the time they get to college. When writing is a source of struggle for a child, Huntington can help. Call 1 800 CAN LEARN to learn more about the Huntington program and how we help children become stronger, more confident writers. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2018 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

How to get started with Online Tuition via Skype

How to get started with Online Tuition via Skype Have you ever thought about Tutoring from the comfort of your own home? Online tutoring is an ever-growing field as more and more people are finding the ease of being taught in the comfort of their own homes more viable. Online tuition connects students with private tutors via the internet and the lessons are carried out in real time.This guide is aimed at tutors hoping to set themselves up as an online tutor; widening their student scope and making themselves more available. Installing Skype The first (and most fundamental) thing is to have a computer that is linked to the internet with a good broadband connection. It is also important to invest in a microphone headset as the sound quality will be better than a built-in webcam and microphone that many computers come with today. The microphone headset will usually cost around 10 to 15. The next thing to do is make sure you have Skype on your computer. Skype is basically internet based communication software by Microsoft that specialises in providing free video chat and free voice calls for users from all over the world. Skype users will only require Skype credit (where you will need to pay) when calling landline or mobile numbers. Setting up a Skype account is an easy task and many tutors will already have a Skype account ready. But for those that don't here is a quick and easy guide for setting up a Skype account: First you'll need to download and install the latest version of Skype. It's a very easy process and it is completely free. Just follow these nine simple steps: Type www.skype.com in the address line of your internet browser. Click the download button on the home page and Skype will begin to download. (If the download doesn't start automatically you can start it manually by clicking Start Download Again). If you are prompted to save or open the program always choose save the file to your hard drive. Do not open or run the program during the download process! . Choose an easy to remember location (such as Windows Desktop) and click OK. When your download is complete double-click the Skype Setup program (or click Run if you have the option). When the installer program launches it will ask you to choose a language; select it from a drop-down menu. Read and accept the End User License Agreement to proceed. You may be asked to install certain other browser add-ons but if you don't want them just uncheck the box and click Next. Click the Options button. This page gives you the option to launch Skype as soon as the installation is complete. The box is already checked (just uncheck the box if you don't want it to launch right away). Click I agree - Install. Skype will ask you to set up an account by entering a Name, a Skype Name and Password. The next screen asks for your e-mail, country and city. Once you complete this Skype will automatically launch. And that's the installation process done! You are now well on your way to start the online tutoring process! Before that, let's take a look at how to get started with Skype. Getting Started With Skype Getting started with SkypeOnce the installation process has been completed a screen will pop up to help you get started exploring Skype. You'll be able to: See what you can do with Skype.Here you'll find information about both the free and paid features of Skype. Check that your sound functions.Test your speakers, microphone and Webcam to make sure they are all working properly. Find friends and import contactsYou'll be able to search for people and check whether your email contacts are on Skype. After you have explored and got to know a bit more about the program you'll want to set up your Skype name and password. Your Skype name is what other people on Skype see when they contact you i.e. GeographyTutorEmma133. Setting up your Skype name and password: Click the Don't have a Skype Name? (The Create a New Account page opens). In the Enter Skype Name box, enter the name you have decided to use. Skype names must start with a letter, be between 6 and 32 characters long, include letters and numbers and have no spaces. They should always be in lower-case. Choose a Password and enter it in the Password box. A Skype Password must be between 6 and 20 characters and must contain at least one number and one letter. All Skype passwords are case sensitive so make sure you pick a password that is easy for you to remember! Select the check box to accept the Skype End User License Agreement and Privacy Statement. Click Next to continue to another Create Your Account Screen and enter your email address. This is optional but recommended. Enter your country, region and city.Again optional but useful for when others search for you. Now that you have your Skype set up you are ready to start your online tutoring. It's a good idea to set up your Skype profile by providing some information that will help other users find you more easily. To do this just open your Skype Profile screen and choose Skype -Profile - Edit and fill out any relevant information you feel necessary. It would be a good idea to fill in the AboutMe section just to give students an overview of who you are and what you offer in terms of tutoring. Making A Skype Call Now let's take a quick look at how to initiate a Skype call so that you are ready to contact your student for their first online lesson. Double-click the student's Skype Name. This will open your contact's profile window. On the screen there will be a video and a telephone icon.Double-clicking the video icon you will initiate a video call with your student. By double-clicking the telephone icon you will initiate a call without video.3. When you student answers the call, just talk!And that's it! It really is that simple. Screen Sharing On Skype Skype also allows you to screen share which will be an essential part of your online tuition. Screen sharing basically lets you share your computer screen with anyone on Skype so you will be able to show presentations or information to your student easily. How to share your screen:1. Start a video call.2. After the call has started, click the button in the call bar and select Share screens.3. A dialog box will appear. Just click Start to share your entire screen.4. You can change your screen sharing options anytime by clicking this icon in the floating call window.5. You can stop sharing anytime by clicking the Stop sharing button in the floating call window. Now that you are setup with Skype and ready you'll need to get yourself some students. If you are new to tutoring, there are some great resources out there to help you out.First Tutors is a totally free service for tutors and at no point throughout the process will you have to pay a penny. It is a very simple and easy process and in no time you will be setup as a tutor ready to start taking enquiries from tutees to begin your journey as an online tutor. Remember to treat your students well, plan your lessons and keep your students updated with any reading or video homework they may need to do before the lesson so as to not waste their time and yours. Strive to constantly look for ways to improve your teaching and if you ever have any questions or need any information our friendly customer service team are always available to give you a helping hand; online tuition has never been easier. Post By: Anna MichaelidouAnna has been a private tutor of both English Literature and English Language for fifteen years having taught all levels from nursery school right through to university level. She is a writer, content marketing executive and a busy mother of four lovely children.