Watch Now Knucklebuster Guitar Exercise

Watch Now Knucklebuster Guitar Exercise Suzy S. As a guitar player (at any level!), one of the most important things you can work on is conditioning your finger strength and stamina.   Once you can train each of your fingers to work independently, youll have an easier time with your accuracy and proficiency. The following knucklebuster tutorial from Pompano Beach guitar teacher Steve G. is an excellent way to work on this technique. (Bonus: Use a metronome while youre practicing for even more precision!)   Grab your guitar, and watch the tutorial here: Want even more expert advice from our teachers?    Sign up for email updates here! Steve G. teaches bass guitar, guitar, mandolin, music recording, music theory, ukulele and banjo lessons to students of all ages and levels in Pompano Beach, FL. Steve joined the TakeLessons team in May 2012, with several years of experience in performing, teaching, audio recording and more. Sign up for lessons with Steve, or visit TakeLessons to search for a teacher near you! You might also like Watch Now: How to Tune a Guitar Watch Now: How to Play Pumped Up Kicks Videos We Love: Man With No Hands Plays the Guitar 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

Certify Your French Language Skills Through DELF

Certify Your French Language Skills Through DELF How to Test Your Level of French with the DELF ChaptersEarly Certification Through DILFDELF: a French Language Exam for EveryoneA Word on DALFTips for Successful DELFLet us suppose your favourite pastime is perusing eclectic book collections along the Seine. After selecting one  you wander to your favourite café or bistro for a cuppa, crack open your coveted Sartre or Zola...And you can read and understand every word!But does that prove your ability to use the French language effectively, in every situation?Unfortunately not.To get that proof, you would have to submit to official testing, and have your ability to use French measured and categorised by the Ministry of National Education in France.We're not talking about parlaying your GCSE foreign language test scores into an approximate equivalent, here.Our French neighbours have considerately divided their language certification exams into three segments, each corresponding to one or more portions of the Common European Framework of Reference for Language, or CEFRL.In case you are not familiar with said framework:Level A1 represents basic knowledge of the language; C2 represents fluency. B1 and B2 exams are designed to test and certify intermediate language learners' abilities.Please refer to the table at the end of this article for a correlation between the French exams and their CEFRL counterparts.Where francophones are concerned, those exams are called DILF, DELF and DALF.Let us now take a closer look at them.Or click here to find out about the cost of French tutoring. E represents études â€" studies, in French.Thus, it stands to reason that those sitting DILF are beginners; just starting their forays into French vocabulary and French grammar.The DILF is an official qualification awarded by the French Ministry of Education that recognises a basic level of competence in French â€" one that corresponds to A1.1 on the CERFL scale.Nevertheless, all four areas of language competence are tested: reading, writing, speaking and listening.The reading portion w ould include understanding simple instructions and basic information.The writing segment calls for the candidate to fill out a form or write a simple message. The ability to understand and write numbers correctly is also challenged.The listening part revolves around understanding a public message or simple instruction. Here again, the use of numbers is specified.The speaking portion consists of an interview with a panel of examiners, as well as various conversational activities, like introducing people and making a doctor's appointment.Speech and listening comprehension rate higher for this exam than do writing and reading â€" whose total points tally up to 30.Overall, the candidate would have to score a total of 50 points out of 100 to earn a pass.For the oral portion, a 35 out of 70 would be considered satisfactory.It is important to note that there are no questions specifically about grammar and verb conjugation; every phase of the exam is geared toward pragmatic concerns.The DIL F is considered the initial step toward a later DELF ordeal.However, as it is only offered in France, you may consider an immersion curriculum in your favourite French province in anticipation of this exam.Check for the best French lessons here.the DELF exams are progressive, with some reserved exclusively for the youngest learners Source: Pixabay Credit: KhamkorDELF: a French Language Exam for EveryoneJust to clarify this point: although there is a progression in these language proficiency exams, you are not required to take the elementary level exams prior to testing at intermediate or advanced level.The DELF offers a wide range of tests designed for any French language student, from DELF Prim â€" for students as young as seven, to DELF Pro, the test geared toward business professionals.The most commonly administered exam is called DELF Tout Public, or public access DELF.These four exams, each increasingly more difficult, test the same aspects of your second language as DILF does: reading, writing, speaking and listening.However, the subject matter covered and the intensity varies greatly. That can be evidenced by the time allotted for each exam.Whereas the A1 exam lasts one hour and twenty minutes, the B2 exam demands over two hours and topics of discussion range from politics to other hotly debated subjects.There is no placement test to determine which exam you should sit.However, the French Ministry of Education provides sample tests to help you establish where you are in your French studies, and which certification exam you should take.The DELF is a pass/fail proposition. If you score above the threshold indicated for the exam you sit, you will be certified at that level.Should your pronunciation, for example, be deemed insufficient â€" resulting in a failure to certify, you may resit the exam, but only after 60 days.Unlike other language assessment programmes, you cannot retake only the portion you did not demonstrate proficiency in; you must redo the e ntire exam.The cost of the exam depends on what level you sit. The latest pricing table, from last year, indicated that: sitting  A1, or Basic Level, would cost £70; high intermediate, or B2, would run £105.You will be charged a fee each time you sit the exam, even if you are taking the same exam again.Check for French lessons online here.A Word on DALFLet us say you have been taking French lessons for most of your academic career. In fact, most would consider you bilingual, and you even anticipate sitting French A Levels... in other words, you are well advanced in French speaking, reading and writing.Your language training may qualify you to sit DALF: a thorough examination of your ability to discourse and write about humanities, social studies and current events through French conversation and composition.The C1 exam takes a little over four hours, and costs £145.Testing your knowledge of French language and culture at the highest level, C2, would take three and a half hours, a nd set you back £170.Now that we have a breakdown of test levels, let us take an in-depth look at language learning geared to the level that would likely be most beneficial to you; the ones included in étude programme.No need to paint flags on yourself as proof of speaking French! Sitting the DELF will do nicely. Source: Pixabay Credit: IcarrissimiTips for Successful DELFDetermine Which ExamFor the adult francophone, the choice is easy: s/he can sit the aforementioned Public Access exam, or DELF Pro: the one meant for those whose level of expression is suited to the business world.If you hope to work in France or any French speaking countries, that would be the exam for you.Both require you to demonstrate proficiency levels in the range of A1 to B2, but the nature of the discussions and materials are slightly different.The Pro exam includes more business terminology.The young  French learner has a greater choice of exams:Prim â€" for primary school students. Levels tested are A1.1 to A2Junior: for kids and teens in secondary school; they can test from Level A1 to B2the levels are the same as tests for adults, but topics discussed are relevant to people of that age groupScolaire: Same tests/levels as the Junior category, but administered in a classroom, through a French language learning center.If your child takes classes at the Alliance Francaise in Cambridge or Cardiff, for example, s/he may be encouraged to sit DELF on recommendation of her teacher.Contact Your Closest Testing CenterIf you do not live in France and are not enroled in a French language school, you may have to find a language testing center close to you.Even if you are enroled in a language school, it may not be certified to officially administer the exam.There are only a baker's dozen certified testing centers, scattered throughout the UK. Contacting them to find the next available test dates and the most up-to-date  criteria for testing is essential to securing a seat.Knowing when and wher e to test will eliminate the possibility of confusion and frustration, thus increasing your chances for a good evaluation of your linguistic abilities.You can engage a Superprof French tutor online to help your French pronunciation! Source: Pixabay Credit: JeshootsPractice, Practice, PracticeFrom the moment of your enrolment into the test of your choice, you should speak, read and listen to French every chance you get.Participate actively in your French courses; query your French teacher over any aspect of the language that you have difficulty with.You may consider engaging a Superprof tutor to give you an extra boost of confidence!Attend all of the French cultural activities you can; be sure to speak French to anyone who says bienvenue  or bonjour to you.Check with your local library: perhaps they will host a French movie night. If not, maybe they have a few titles for rent.Or, you could stream French television and music.All of these suggestions might appeal to your child or child ren, who might be taking French language courses in preparation for their ordeal.There is no accredited or recommended manner of immersing yourself into French language studies â€" short of living in France for full immersion into the language and culture.However, taking language classes, followed up by reinforcement activities is sure to prepare you well to sit DELF, at whatever level you choose!Learn more about practicing your French skills and find french courses london.We now leave you with a breakdown of how the French language certification exams correlate to the European language certification framework. Bonne chance!DELF PrimPrimary school students aged 7 to 12Levels tested: A1.1; A1; A2DELF JuniorSecondary school students aged 12 to 17Levels tested: A1; A2; B1; B2DELF ScolaireSecondary school students aged 12 to 17Levels tested: A1; A2; B1; B2DELF Tout PublicAdultsLevels tested: A1; A2; B1; B2DELF ProAdultsLevels tested: A1; A2; B1; B2DALFAdultsLevels tested: C1 and C2

Staying Motivated - Private Tutoring

Staying Motivated BobbiM Mar 31, 2014 Getting motivated is one thing; staying motivated is another. Which one is harder for you? In order to stay motivated you should give yourself checkpoints on the way to reaching your goals. These checkpoints might include: -Monitoring your motivation for learning just as you monitor your comprehension when you read. Each time you sit down to study, ask yourself about the level of motivation for what you are doing. You have an internal body clock, which means that you will find that certain times of the day are more conducive to learning than others. Try to plan your study sessions around those times. -Studying the subjects you find the most difficult, or are least motivated to learn, first. Then move to the subjects that are easier, or those that you enjoy more. In that way you will be more likely to stay motivated to study the subjects you find the most interesting. -Planning some breaks in your study time-dont try to study for more than one hour without a short break because you will find it difficult to maintain your motivation. But what if you find yourself losing motivation? Its important to have strategies to follow in this scenario as well. It might help if you: -Take a break and come back to what you were doing at a later time. -Switch topics every hour or so. -Work with a study group. Misery loves company and others can often demotivated you. -Plan to study in the library or another quiet place if you find that your social life is interfering with studying because your friends are calling you or dropping by. Find somewhere to study where you will be free from distractions and temptation. Excerpt from  College Success Strategies  by Sherrie L. Nist and Jodi Patrick Holschuh.

Skype English TV Comparatives and Superlatives

Skype English TV Comparatives and Superlatives Hello! This is our first video recording of our Skype English Classes. In this video you will see Frank using comparatives in English. He is comparing his daughter to his son. Watch the video below, then read the notes to learn more about comparatives and superlatives in English. In English we use comparatives by adding an ER at the end of an adjective or adding the word MORE in front of the adjective. How do you know when to add ER or when to use MORE? Easy, for short adjectives (fat, thin, tall, rich, smart) we add ER. For long adjectives (intelligent, extroverted, beautiful, stupid) we put MORE in front of the adjective.We use than as our connecting word.Some common comparative mistakes:using BOTH more and er: Frank says, “My daughter is more taller than my son.” Incorrect. Correct, “My daughter is taller than my son.”using that instead of than. “My daughter is 3 years older that my son.” Incorrect. Correct, “My daughter is 3 years older than my son.using THE with co mparatives. Frank says, “The Peru is better than Chile.” Incorrect. Peru is better than Chile. We don’t use The with formal nouns unless it is part of the name: The United States, The Dominican Republic, The European Union.using the superlative rather than the comparative, “Peru has the best food than Chile.” Incorrect. “Peru has better food than Chile. Remember we use the comparaitives with ER or MORE when we are comparing 2 things, people, or places. We use the superlative when we are comparing 3-999,999,999,999 things, people, or places.If you have any more questions or would like to take a class on comparatives and superlatives please contact us.

Three Key Ways to optimise how the Brain Learns

Three Key Ways to optimise how the Brain Learns Guest post by David Morgan. Children spend so much of their life in a classroom. The average person spends fourteen thousand, one hundred and forty-five hours of life at school! But there are a few key ways that help the brain learn more easily and make that time better spent: 1. Prioritizing play Learning is optimized for children and many adults in an active, play-based learning environment. I think we would all agree that boredom is the death of learning! When schoolchildren are actively engaged in completing a learning task, it is more likely that the knowledge acquired will be retained by the brain. Numerous pedagogical studies have proven this principle over the years; trawl through your search engine to find many pages of relevant results! Children that are primarily kinaesthetic learners should have an extra emphasis on this kind of active learning, though all learning styles can benefit from it. 2. Shrinking Stress If boredom is the death of learning, then stress is the enemy of education. Neurologically, stress elevates your levels of cortisol and adrenaline which in turn reduces peripheral brain activity. You may have heard of this effect before: when the brain interprets there being a threat or risk of some kind, it shuts down all higher functioning and addresses the stressful situation at hand through the classic fight, flight or freeze response. All kinds of knowledge acquisition involve higher brain functioning, so any activities which create anxiety in the classroom environment will actually prevent learning. If a child is overly anxious, then it is important to focus on increasing his or her confidence through short learning exercises where failure is an unlikely outcome. 3. Mobilizing Emotion Emotion is one of the most prominent players in memory creation. In fact, selecting which memories to retain is one of the crucial roles of our emotions. As you might expect, when your emotions are disengaged, memory retention is much reduced. In an interesting paradox, the standard Victorian method of creating an atmosphere of fear or punishment in the classroom would have reduced the ability of the students to perform due to stress, but counteracting that, it might have helped them remember some knowledge taught. As a rule, however, scare tactics in the classroom are unadvisable! Positively enforced emotions lead to optimum performance AND good memory retention. David Morgan is Managing Director of Oxford Learning Solutions, creators of the Easyread System, which teaches struggling learners how to read. Easyread specializes in cases of dyslexia, highly visual learning styles, and auditory processing deficits. Find out more at www.easyreadsystem.com and follow the latest literacy news at www.facebook.com/easyreadsystem

Happy Lantern Festival and the Year of the Tiger

Happy Lantern Festival and the Year of the Tiger We just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Lantern Festival and Year of the Tiger. The Lantern Festival is traditionally the last day of the Chinese New Year Holiday (also known as the Spring Festival Chunjié ??), and it is a festival that is supposed to bring good luck and hope. We hope that everyones 2010 is off to a great start. At italki, were really excited about this year, because there is so much to do. Well be putting a lot of effort this year into improving the site, and building features to make it easier for you to learn a language. Thanks again for being part of the italki community, and well work to make the Year of the Tiger our best year yet. The italki Team Happy Lantern Festival and the Year of the Tiger We just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Lantern Festival and Year of the Tiger. The Lantern Festival is traditionally the last day of the Chinese New Year Holiday (also known as the Spring Festival Chunjié ??), and it is a festival that is supposed to bring good luck and hope. We hope that everyones 2010 is off to a great start. At italki, were really excited about this year, because there is so much to do. Well be putting a lot of effort this year into improving the site, and building features to make it easier for you to learn a language. Thanks again for being part of the italki community, and well work to make the Year of the Tiger our best year yet. The italki Team

4 Great Ways to Boost Your Student Resume

4 Great Ways to Boost Your Student Resume Fullerton College Admissions Consultant Tips: 4 Great Ways to Boost Your Student Resume GPA and test scores are just part of the college application process. Most colleges and universities want to see a well-rounded student who can add to the community once theyre living and learning on campus. Students are encouraged to think about what they can do to improve their student resume and stand out among the crowd while also exploring personal interests. When students do volunteer work or community service they also have a chance to figure out what they want to study while in college and want to do for a job once they graduate our private Fullerton college consultants are here to help you succeed. 1. Get involved in your local community Each community has different needs, which provide varying options for students in different areas. High school students will have a wide variety of opportunities to get involved in the world around them outside of the school environment. Students are encouraged to pick something theyre interested in because they will be spending a substantial amount of their free time on this activity. A future veterinarian can volunteer at a local animal shelter, and a future teacher can participate in peer tutoring. Of course, not every student knows what they want to do at this stage so they can take the opportunity to try several different things before settling on long-term volunteer activity. 2. Start a club or organization after school Its a good idea for students to get involved in extracurricular activities. Students who are especially motivated can even start their school club. Founding an organization shows a ton of initiative to get something started from scratch and demonstrated excellent leadership skills. High school students will need the help of motivated peers and a teacher, but they should be prepared to do a lot of the work themselves. Students who dont have enough free time to start their organization should consider joining an existing club that fits their interests. 3. Apply for an internship Most people think internships are just for college students, but many high school students will have the opportunity to work at a professional organization over the summer. They may be doing this on a volunteer basis, or they might be getting paid, but they will learn valuable lessons about the workforce. Just the process of applying for an internship will help students understand what it’s like to apply to college and a full-time job in the future (READ: 5 Great Ways to Help Pay for College). 4. Improve your work ethic Its essential for college-bound students to have an excellent work ethic. Once they get into the college environment, they will have a lot of responsibilities but little supervision. Universities know this and want to see that students can handle the workload and follow through on their responsibilities. Students can demonstrate this by improving their work ethic at school, resulting in higher grades and positive teacher recommendations but they can also get a part-time job over the summer. When students maintain a part-time job, they are demonstrating that they can show up on time, follow directions, learn from mistakes, and work successfully with others. Theres no mistaking the value of part-time work at this stage in a students life. Need help with your college applications? Our private Fullerton college admissions consultants are here to help. Call us today for more information.