10 Problems Only Bass Players Will Understand

10 Problems Only Bass Players Will Understand Megan L. Dont let anyone tell you the bass is easier than a regular guitar just because it has less strings! Bass guitar teacher  Kevin S.  shares the unique challenges you face as you learn bass guitar 1) Capos are Misleading Victor Wooten, Photo by Alexandre Janini Any bassist who has regularly played with a guitarist who  uses a capo has discovered that this simple tool can be confusing to deal with at first. This is a where good transposing skills come in handy, especially if the guitarist is referring to the chords they are playing by shape. For example, you may hear “It’s a D chord” when in fact the guitarist is playing a ‘D’ chord shape with capo on fret 2, resulting in a E chord. 2) The Need for Compression Kim Gordon, Photo by NRK P3 Compression is an effect used in live performances as well as on studio recordings that minimizes the dynamic range of an instrument. Compression is most often used on drums, vocals, and bass. Many bass players struggle with the uncompressed nature of the instrument. Some notes are inherently louder or softer than others, which can make producing a consistent volume challenging. 3) Heavy and Big Nate Mendel, Photo by Scott Barlow Lower frequencies require larger instruments to produce them, and larger amplifiers and speakers to push them. Not only is the bass guitar longer and heavier than the guitar, but bass amps tend to be larger and heavier as well. There are many ways you can counteract this physical issue. Short-scale bass guitars, chambered bodies, and wide, heavy-duty straps can help manage the weight of the instrument. In regards to amplifiers and speakers, neodymium speakers, class-D amplifiers, and casters or wheels are great options for reducing weight. 4) Soloing Challenges Jack Bruce, Photo by Heinrich Klaffs In addition to the creative and technical challenges of improvisation, soloing on the bass comes with some acoustical challenges as well. Unlike a guitar solo, whose notes reside on top of the mix, a bass solo has to punch through the mix, since the instrument itself resides in the low end of the frequency spectrum. Soloing on the bass can be a frustrating endeavor if the rest of the band doesn’t come down in volume to make room for the soloist. Depending on the style, it can also be difficult to produce the necessary volume to compete with ambient noise of the venue. As luck would have it, the bartender often fires up the blender when its time for the bass solo. 5) Playing with Drums Geddy Lee, Photo by Nick Arguably the most important relationship between instruments in a band is the relationship between the bass and the drums. When the bass and drums are tight and working together, the effect is fantastic. However, playing with an inconsistent drummer, or even worse, a drummer who doesn’t listen, can be a frustrating endeavor. If you find yourself in this situation, it is best to take a step back and simplify. If you are struggling to make a good connection with a drummer, relax, focus on beat one, and build from there. 6) Bass Strings Flea, Photo by Stephen Eckert Compared to guitar strings, bass strings are longer and thicker, and as a result, more expensive. A typical set of 6 guitar strings will cost around $10, whereas a set of 4 bass strings will cost around $25. 5- and 6-string sets will cost even more. Fortunately, bass strings do not need to be changed as much as guitar strings, but it can still be frustrating to see your guitarist friends leave the music store with more cash in their pockets. 7) 4-, 5-, and 6-string Basses John Paul Jones, Photo By Craig One challenge facing bassists is choosing a proper number of strings. The standard bass guitar has four strings, but five and six string models have become increasingly popular over the past few decades. Choosing a proper number of strings is purely subjective, and is mostly affected by what styles you are interested in playing. For country, blues, jazz, and rock music, a four string bass will work great. For other styles, such as metal, fusion, latin, and solo bass playing, a five or six string bass may be preferable. 8) Building Calluses Rob Pope, Photo by starbright31 The bass guitar is a physically-demanding instrument. The first parts of your body that will suffer heavily from playing the bass are your fingertips, especially if you play fingerstyle. The best advice I can offer is to focus on multiple, short practice sessions instead of long ones. This will allow your fingers time to harden without risking blowing through a callus altogether, requiring you to start building from scratch. 9) Using Effects Marcus Miller, Photo by Guillaume Laurent Effects are not meant for just guitar. They sound great on bass too! However, there are some special considerations when applying effects to bass. The most important consideration is frequency-based effects, most notably wah-wah. Effects that are designed for guitar will at times not work on bass, simply because they are designed for the frequency range on the guitar, and therefore do not effect notes in the lower range of the bass very well, if at all. Distortion, delay, and  reverb can all sound great on bass, but if not used properly, they can muddy things up quickly. 10) Not in the Spotlight Weezer, Photo by starbright31 Of all the instruments in a standard band, the bass is the one that goes unnoticed most often. This is not because it is unimportant, but because it is so foundational. To the average listener, the bass is certainly there, but is not as discernible as a guitar, voice, or horn. It can be frustrating to feel like the audience isn’t aware of your invaluable contribution to the group. Remember though, that without you there, the audience would certainly notice something lacking! Despite the challenges, its definitely worthwhile to learn bass guitar! A great bassline can make a song funky, heavy, or just plain danceable! Find your bass guitar teacher today and start playing the bass! Kevin S. teaches bass guitar, piano, ukulele, and upright bass in Salt Lake City, UT. He began studying music at age 4 and graduated from the  University of Utah with a  Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance. Kevin regularly performs in Salt Lake City and Park City and spends time as a studio musician and producer.    Learn more about Kevin here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  BAG Blues Association of Geneva

Paper Writing English Writing Online Tutorpace

Paper Writing English Writing Online Tutorpace Writing papers is crucial part in English classes. There are many types of Writing assignments assigned to the students depending on their course level. Some kinds of essays given are descriptive, argumentative or narration. Depending on the type of the essay the writing is constructed. For example in a descriptive essay the given topic is described in the best possible way by the writer. For writing an essay the given topic should be well analyzed. Articles, quotes used in the essay should be recited. The outline of the essay helps to construct an essay. For a good essay the presentation is very important. The students should use their ideas and creativity to present an impressive essay. Mentioned here are the some useful steps to write an essay. These steps should provide an idea and guideline to present a good essay. First step is the introduction of the essay. The student can use relevant quotes sometimes to start the essay. The introduction of the essay contains the thesis statement. The Thesis statement should be picked very carefully as the whole essay revolves around it. Then the main body of the essay. There can be required number of paragraphs depending on the content. The students can use their thoughts and ideas to elaborate the essay. The paragraphs can contain some relevant examples and some good research content. The last step is the conclusion of the essay. Its very important to conclude meaningfully. The conclusion of the essay gives the summary of the essay.

Your Guide to Starting French Lessons

Your Guide to Starting French Lessons Aspects to Consider Before Starting French Lessons ChaptersHow Much Do French Lessons Cost?How to Find the Right French Teacher for Your Learning NeedsHow to Practice Your French Language Skills Between LessonsTesting Your Level of French Through Official Language ExamsIt is unlikely that anyone would decide to learn French in a fit of pique, or as an act of exoneration.Studying French as a conciliatory gesture, on the other hand, is not entirely out of the question.Any irrational reasons for learning the language of Molière aside, most people make a conscious decision to broaden their horizons by learning French a second language for a specific reason: they are aware of the health and financial benefits of being bilingualthey often sojourn in France or any other French speaking country, and feel they should move beyond bonjour and merci before their next tripthey intend to work in a great fashion house in Paris, or any other French businessthey are foodies: in pursuit of the perfect cuisine, they need to know how to read in French to follow gourmet recipes.For these reasons among others, more and more people are looking for French lessons online, in their community or at a language learning centre.Let us ignore the uneasy reports proclaiming lesser focus on learning any foreign language in British schools.Any francophone will tell you that opportunities to learn French abound!From French lessons online and language apps that anyone can use between lessons to practise their language skills, to language schools promoting French language and culture, all you need is a sincere desire to learn!In no way are we minimising the accomplishments of anyone who has invested years in learning French vocabulary.Becoming fluent in French is no easy task, and takes careful consideration of several aspects.For that reason, we offer this complete list of points to ponder before endeavouring to learn the French language. En route, les troupes!Follow these tips for the best French lessons to suit your budget Source: Pixabay Cred it: WolfblurShould you not have an Alliance branch nearby in order to partake of French lessons; you could attend a language school!It is important to find a cost effective French language school Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltLearn French through a Private OrganisationMastering la langue française is possible with any language learning concern that employs French teachers;  Cactus is a fine case in point.Their teaching corps consists of avid travelers and native speakers of the tongue they teach, whose only goal is to share their passion for language with as many people as possible.Their syllabus promotes a 10-week beginners course in French, periodically throughout the year, all across the UK.They also teach French at more advanced levels, should you already have grasped basic French vocabulary and are ready to move on to intermediate words and phrases.Should you not have ten weeks worth of evenings to spare in pursuit of perfection in French, you may consider their 5-week, intens ive programme that covers the same material.Or, you could marry your next French holiday to their immersion programme!Immersing yourself in the language and culture of France, surrounded by those whose mother tongue is French, is arguably the best way to learn how to parler français!Should none of these options fit into your calendar (or budget), you may talk with them about working with an in-home tutor.Some language learners feel more confident, and learn faster, with one to one attention from a dedicated instructor.You should regularly check their website or sign up for alerts because they always run promotions and offer discounts on most all of their learning programmes.Whereas Cactus has several learning options, Language Trainers are much more straightforward with their programmes.Whether you wish to study French in their offices or at your home, purchasing ten hours of lessons will cost £49 per hour.If you are perfectly happy meeting your French tutor via Skype, your hourl y cost would be £28 per hour.The more hours you pay for up front, the greater the discount.For example: if you opt for their most popular package, 30 hours of lessons, your hourly cost would be reduced to £35 per hour for face to face instruction.It goes without saying that no French course would be complete without study materials, so your tutor will be sure to recommend the proper materials to maximise your learning.Teachers are, by nature, a passionate group, most of whom hold a professional â€" and maybe even a personal goal of helping your succeed.However, not every passionate teacher leads a traditional classroom.You may find a tutor for your French learning needs on Gumtree or Freeads, but with no ratings left by previous students, how will you know what that teacher's methodology and success rate is?Superprof has more than 2,000 French tutors, just waiting for your call, ready to leap into action and ensure you can utter everything from French greetings to grammatical cons tructs correctly.If your best French phrases are greeted with puzzled glances, perhaps your spoken French needs more work.If you are confused about when to use the formal pronoun, vous, or are stymied over French verbs' 23 tenses, your Superprof tutor will undoubtedly set the record straight.At an average cost of £15 for each hour of instruction, that is a type of language course that would be hard to beat!To summarise the subject of lessons cost, please reference this handy table:EditNameIn OfficeIn Your HomeOnlineAlliance Française £52 £58Average £46Language Trainers £49 £49 £28Superprof(in a mutually agreed location) Average £15Average £15Average £15Language schools, textbooks, tutors, immersion learning: how can you find the teacher who will guide you through the complexities of learning French?It is vital that your French teacher have a firm grasp of the subject matter Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltHow to Find the Right French Teacher for Your Learning NeedsHave you ever had a teacher who neglected your learning needs? Who was attentive only to his/her preferred students, and left you feeling like you are not capable of learning?Finding a french teacher who is attuned to your learning style and flexible in her delivery methods; who is responsive to the subtle clues that you are sinking, rather than swimming along with the lesson, is no mean feat.It is of utmost importance to seek a French instructor whose teaching style matches your criteria exactly.Especially seeing as you are paying for this instructor's time and knowledge out of your own pocket!The first step in winnowing down the list of available teachers is to determine where you are at in your learning.Do you need someone with experience teaching French for beginners?Or have you taken French lessons before, and just need help sharpening your dialogue â€" deciphering a newfangled turn of phrase you heard during a podcast, and learning how to use it?Are you preparing to sit French A Levels or D ELF?Will your teacher be instructing you or other adults, or did you want your children to learn how to speak French?No matter who you want the French lessons for, you must hold out for a teacher who is:patientconfidentcompassionateunderstandingsupportivehas a passion for learning and for lifethe ability to see things from alternate perspectives, and explain subject matter in different waysable to adapt methodology to students' needsLet us hope you do not encounter any teachers such as the one who, upon her pupils' sniggering at some funny-sounding French words, went into a rampage, throwing textbooks about and proclaiming their naughtiness at the top of her lungs!It should go without saying that, besides the list of personality traits any instructor must embody, another essential quality a teacher must have is a firm grasp on the subject matter.Imagine asking your teacher a question about grammatical gender: why some objects are assigned  masculine articles and some are feminine.Wh at are the rules for determining how objects are assigned their gender?To these valid questions, you are promptly treated to an off-putting reply: we'll cover that later! Or: you'll understand as we go along.If you, like so many other French learners, cannot find the logic in French grammatical gender, perhaps this page might help you.Here are the best French lessons online.How to Determine if a Teacher is Right for YouAnyone can sift through a bevy of adverts, read French teachers' bios and lists of qualifications. What really matters is talking with that teacher, one on one.Interviewing prospective French teachers is a most sensible step before engaging anyone for your French courses, no matter if you will learn French online or welcome them to your home.The qualifications question of teachers leading a classroom is moot, as the school or learning centre will have vetted each instructor prior to them teaching the first lesson.Naturally, you would ask the obvious questions of exper ience and qualifications. But then, it would also be a good idea to ask:do you prefer teaching younger or older  students? What about adults?What methodology do you embrace in your teaching?What do you feel are the most important aspects of language learning?Some teachers emphasise reading and writing, while others' focus is on listening comprehension or pronunciationDo you provide learning materials? What textbooks do you recommend, or work from?Have you ever worked with someone who is learning disabled?That last question is designed to glean your prospective new teacher's patience levels, rather than announcing any disability you or your child may have.Overall, asking questions is a way to understand how receptive your future teacher would be to your queries during lessons.Did you know that every Superprof French tutor, for the most part, offer their first hour of instruction for free, just to see if you will work well together before any cash outlay?You can download French podcas ts for listening on the go Source: Pixabay Credit: PIX1861How to Practice Your French Language Skills Between LessonsWorking with a tutor, from one French class to the next, is an excellent way to get multiple inputs on learning the French language.If your child is taking French in secondary school, you may want a tutor to help him or her prepare for GCSE level French!Formally committing yourself to language learning by taking classes is a great start to learning la langue française. However, most academics will tell you: for every hour spent in the classroom, you should dedicate an additional two hours to independent study and practice.Does that mean you have to sit at a desk in a silent room, with no distractions from the French workbook in front of you?Absolument pas, mon cher!We find the belief that  practicing French seriously can only happen via traditional means quite limiting.What about listening to podcasts, watching French TV programmes and French films; dancing around to French music or finding native French speakers to chat with?How can you, who might live far from any metropolitan centre, find such opportunities?Finding French Materials OnlineAs long as you have a reasonably fast Internet connection, you can make use of many online avenues to, at the least, hear spoken French.Youtube has several channels, with or without English subtitles, where you can watch and hear native speakers expound on mastering difficult language concepts in French.You can even stream live news broadcasts at any time of the day or night!If international news is indeed your bailiwick, or whether you prefer sports or lighter fare, streema is the perfect outlet for French broadcasting online. Besides news and sports, you can search for podcasts; some designed expressly for French learners such as yourself, and others targeted to advanced learners of the language.We urge you to beware in selecting such materials: not because of questionable veracity, but because of where th ey originate.You'll remember that French is the official language of more than one country.The French spoken in Canada is a bit different from the one spoken, say, in Belgium which, in turn, varies just a tad from the one spoken in France.There is enough of a variance in these regional tongues that, should you learn Canadian French, you may not be fully understood in Switzerland â€" where French is also an official language.Thus it might behoove you to listen to french French: what is called metropolitan French, spoken in Paris, Bordeaux, and everywhere else in France, and adaptable worldwide.If you intend to sit any official French language exam, your focus should be on Metropolitan French!That takes care of French audio; what about speaking French?A good site for online chat with native speakers is wespeke. Unlike other language learning sites, this is a social networking platform that lets you connect with a francophone for one to one conversation.Besides permitting you to exerci se your conversational French, this site has several language learning tools, such as a notebook for you to compile all of the tips for improving your French that you new French friends will surely give you!While we're at it, let us introduce you to Conversation Exchange, a fantastic language exchange site.There, you would have the opportunity to help non native people learn English while they help you learn to speak French.You will need to have sharp speaking skills if you want to sit the DELF!Too bad you cannot determine your level of French learning by eating delicious French food! Source: Pixabay Credit: PDPTesting Your Level of French Through Official Language ExamsWhether you are learning French for professional reasons â€" you wish to work and live in France, or to attend a classical theatre course at the Sorbonne online university, you must first demonstrate your ability to speak and understand French.The only way to obtain this proof of your French language ability is to su bmit to official testing and have your ability to use French measured and categorised by the Ministry of National Education in France.This series of decidedly French exams mirror other European language exam structures.At the lowest level, A1, the francophone demonstrates basic capability of French reading, writing, speaking and listening.At the highest level, C2, the bilingual French speaker is capable of any conversation and able to decipher any document.As an added consideration to professionals, the DELF includes an exam especially for them: all text and terms include a more business French vocabulary.No matter which exam you sit, at every level and even DELF Pro, you will be tested on all four language aspects: reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension.None of these exams pose questions of grammar, vocabulary or tenses of verbs.These aspects of language learning are assessed within your use of the language, not as individual components.If you are preparing to sit t he DELF, there is no need for you to repeat je suis, tu es ad nauseam; nobody will ask you to conjugate any verb during the course of this exam!Rather, what the examiners look for is fluency at whatever degree you are testing at.DELF is a pass/fail proposition.If your efforts meet at least the minimum criterion, you will be deemed suited to speaking French at the level you test.Although the structure of the DELF exams is progressive, you do not have to sit each exam in turn. You may select the test that corresponds to your level of French learning straightaway.The question remains: how to do you assess your level, before having your level of French officially assessed?Here, the Alliance Française comes into play. Their website's homepage has a link to a quiz, wherein you estimate your ability to speak French, and subsequently are presented with questions that will affirm your appraisal.You can also analyse your French language strengths and weaknesses by taking placement quizzes ri ght from the French DELF page. Whether as a prospective tourist to any French speaking country or hopeful of enrolling at a French university for your undergraduate or graduate degree; and certainly, if you intend to work and live in France or any French speaking country, learning how to speak French is the necessary first step.Now you know where you can take French lessons and practice your French pronunciation; how to find exciting broadcasts to train your ear to the rhythm of the French language, and what to look for in a French teacher.Now that you know where to learn, how quickly to learn is all up to you!

Why Is Online Accounting Needed For Your Business Expansion

Why Is Online Accounting Needed For Your Business Expansion This year has seen tremendous growth in the accounting industry, and there aren’t any signs of slow-motion in the graph. For strengthening the system, accounting trends showcase new additions with every passing year. There are more people going into online accounting as xceptional accounting trends are ruling the chart these days. Xero saw a growth of 51% subscribers, whereas Intuit observed 41% of increase for their individual cloud-based accounting software. This all belongs among the great providers. When you’re eager to explore new technology, your company business surely requires reflecting upon the latest online accounting system, if you haven’t yet tried till now. The free online tutoring service will always guide you to provide better accounting trends. Let’s check out why one should focus more on online accounting! Peace of Mind After observing that your documents are disrupted you may some time or another face an office catastrophe where youll be blown back on. Suddenly you stand in the mid of a problem of catching fire or heavy flood. Or a crooked employee or burgling in the office, and you seem completely blank on solving it. You might come across such situations where you dont need to get scared. There is a much safer way than getting your front door locked when you start using online accounting, your business will have an approach towards the latest data security and software. Thus, the homework help chats help in giving you a peace of mind. Unique Convenience While having books in the cloud signifies that the company accounts can easily log into their work without even arriving at their offices. They can raise the invoices and expenses when they require doing so and no one to interrupt them. An incredible convenience will allow you to run a number of projects, even when you are walking on the road. It will be valuable to you when you can easily check out accounts and invoice, right from smartphone/tab/laptop, from anywhere you stay, instead of office-based. In this way, you are working for office tasks on your palm. Xero is that kind of a provider which imports useful information automatically from the small business’ bank accounts. It signifies that one doesn’t need to manually resolve account matter for the hard copy statements. The bills are pretty well scheduled, the latest transactions are classified rightly, inventory, customer relationship, and time sheets are tracked effortlessly. This will show a great difference to your accounting systems. On the other side, you can pay online bills and also store any kind of receipts in the cloud. You can even take the aid of accounting tutor and check out your client’s accounts by logging into it. Time and cost savings When you’re switching to online accounting, you easily save on printing costs, storage expenses, and paper costs. This saves your time too and you don’t need to go through various papers. You don’t have to spend on pricey software packages and today no large capital outlay is needed for such handiness. It has become a better available, streamlined system, and you don’t need to sit on Sunday evening for two-hours to handle your accounts. You can copy earlier quotes, craft new quotes, and even change them into invoices by taking the advantage of online accounting. In fact, from the start itself, the procedure is quick for your business improvement. Work-life Balance Well, you get the opportunity to work from anywhere as you can balance your work-life as per your choice. At the same time, it lets you offer productive work related to accounting. Even if you’re waiting for someone or sitting in a car, you can use that time productively. The accounting tutor will provide you full assistance in fulfilling the tasks regarding online accounting. Hence, with the help of accounting tutor, you can be benefited by offering more effective value to your clients and stay updated with online accounting practices.

Using Spanish Podcasts to Learn Spanish

Using Spanish Podcasts to Learn Spanish How Can a Spanish Podcast Help you Learn the Spanish Language? ChaptersListen to Spanish to Learn the LanguageWhy Opt for a 'Learn Spanish Podcast'?The Best Podcasts for Learning Spanish: Coffee Break Spanish and Many MoreAlternatives to Spanish PodcastsAn estimated  440 million people on our planet speak Spanish as their first language â€" in Spain, and in the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America. Another 80 million or so individuals also speak Spanish as a foreign language.Spanish is one of the most widely taught languages in schools worldwide. This is due to the number of Spanish speakers in the world, and the importance that they hold internationally.Do you dream of a cultural trip to Spain or South America, but don’t know how to speak Spanish?Before you start, there are some things that you'll need to know about improving Spanish skills. One of the most important is that, to become bilingual in English and Spanish,  an effective and fun method available to all levels (absolutely beginner, basic Spanish, intermediate level and advan ced) is essential.There are many different fun and effective ways of learning Spanish, but there is one that often doesn't get the same attention as the rest; the podcast.But what are the most interesting Spanish podcasts, the most popular, and the best suited to learn about the Spanish language and culture?Here at Superprof, we have put together this handy guide to answer these questions for you, and to suggest some other ways that technology can help you learn Spanish in an innovative way.This means that listening to Spanish is a great way to improve your other competencies, and subsequently your overall Spanish level. But how can you go about listening to Spanish?Instead of walking around with dozens of CDs â€"  and who even listens to CDs today? â€" not to mention heavy books and magazines for your Spanish classes,  the “invisible” podcast  could revolutionise  your linguistic training.Why? Because it’s simpler, faster, more fun, more interactive and infinitely lighter to transport!Why Choose a Podcast in Spanish?It gives you access to a large variety of free shows and channels in SpanishIt gives you the possibility of learning how you want, when you want, wherever you wantYou can benefit from the off-line option, which allows you to download Spanish audio shows in advance to listen to them with no Internet connectionThe focus on listening will improve your listening comprehension, pronunciation and accentDiversity in language learning resources will prevent you from becoming boredYou’ll have the opportunity to revise your Spanish courses in your free timeYou can learn without having the impression of making an effort or workingAlso, podcasts work as a complementary resource for other ways of learning Spanish. For example, you might do the majority of your Spanish learning with a Spanish tutor or through Spanish YouTube videos, but podcasts can add another way of practising and learning which could benefit you in the classroom or at home.How to Use a Podcast in SpanishDiscover the best free podcasts to learn Spanish! source: visualhunt.comPodcasts allow you to become your own Spanish teacher and to study Spanish through a variety of digital mechanisms; tablets, MP3 players, Smartphones, and computers.You just have to subscribe to a channel or download recordings, and listen to them where and when you want, peacefully, and at your own rhythm.Here is a  guide on how to subscribe and have access to the latest available shows. All you have to do is click on “Play” and start the lesson that you want!It’s practical, fun, and most of all, you can enroll and listen to a large number of Spanish classes. You can multitask: listen while you cook, go jogging, shopping or driving, etc.It’s ideal for listening regularly to the language of Miguel de Cervantes and Pablo Picasso, which could subsequently help you to hold conversations in Spanish with a native speaker and attain fluency!Why Opt for a 'Learn Spanish Podcast'?Sevilla, An dalusia… if you go, you’ll need to interact with the locals! source: visualhunt.comIf you’re wondering whether it’s important to study Spanish everyday, then we can reassure you that  speaking Spanish is the key to opening many doors. As we have already mentioned, Spanish figures today as one of the most widely spoken languages.Whether you’ve never spoken before, your memories of 9th grade Spanish class seem like a far flung memory, or you constantly seem to be getting nowhere with your Spanish course, there is ALWAYS a means to improve your Spanish learning experience.If you don’t have the time to go to school to learn Spanish (or even take free Spanish lessons), podcasts are a valuable tool to extend your linguistic skills, and provide you with ‘tricks’ for speaking the Spanish language fluently.Since Spanish is a ‘living’ language, it must be spoken and lived! This is why podcasts and videos are an ideal method for learning how to speak Spanish.Podcasts help y ou learn Spanish fast because you can:Say good bye to paper: sonic memorization is often more efficient than visual memoryWork your ear and active listening by immersing yourself in the spoken Spanish languageLearn conversational Spanish by listening to other Spanish conversations and picking up the pronunciation and way of expressing yourselfAchieve a Spanish cultural immersion from the comfort of your homeDiscover popular Spanish and Latin American expressionsPretend a podcast is your private Spanish teacher:  each listening session replaces a home tutoring sessionMix learning with pleasureDownloading Spanish podcasts also brings numerous other benefits.You hear native speaker interlocutorsYou simply have to repeat the sounds you hear to perfect your accentYou can choose the subjectYou’ll learn about all sorts of other disciplines while learning Spanish online (science, astronomy, arts, humanities, etc.)You make your own schedule!The Best Podcasts for Learning Spanish: Coffee Br eak Spanish and Many MoreIf you want to improve your Spanish skills, you can rely on a plethora of podcasts that exist on the web. It’s not always easy to separate the good from the bad to find the right podcast to learn Spanish fast. So Superprof has made a selection for you!News in Slow SpanishThis is definitely one of the best podcasts for learning the Spanish language.It offers high quality Spanish classes for beginner to advanced levels. This podcast allows you to listen to useful subjects and master Spanish vocabulary that covers a variety of themes, including:economypoliticsecologyleisureSo you’ll absorb a wealth of relevant information each week, all in a clear, simple and “slow” rhythm, for a better assimilation. No need for those flashcards anymore!What’s more, on the website of the  podcast, you can find vocabulary sheets and complete texts for each show. This will be useful for making sure you heard the right Spanish words and phrases.Notes in SpanishThis podca st offers progressive classes with a larger selection of courses for an advanced level. It’s ideal if you are looking to assimilate Spanish vocabulary and grammar to attain a better level in spoken Spanish, even fluency. Your knowledge of conjugation and tenses should already be intermediate.Coffee Break SpanishThis is a podcast that offers 80 shows for beginner Spanish speakers, each between 15 and 20 minutes. There are also some for more intermediate level speakers to improve their vocabulary and conversational Spanish.This podcast is unique as it’s presented by two people: Kara, a student who is learning at the same time as you, and Mark, your teacher. This is ideal language learning training for children in particular.Free Spanish apps are great, but have you considered listening to a podcast?ATTENTION:  some content might require payment such as PDF cards for vocabulary, Spanish audio exercises on grammar points.Showtime SpanishThis podcast is a logical suite to Coffee Brea k Spanish, addressing people who already have a solid Spanish foundation. You’ll find the two professors of Coffee Break Spanish in these shows of about 25 minutes or so, very practical for learning to speak Spanish!Audio-linguaThis podcast offers very short recordings (no more than two minutes at most). Led by native Spanish speakers, it presents pertinent content that you can download or listen to in a podcast. We think it’s a fun and interactive site, as users can add to the database by sending in their own MP3 recordings.Audiolibros AlbalearningThis is another high quality site that site that proposes completely free audio files, which include Spanish literary extracts (especially poetry). You’ll be sure to impress your date with some romantic Spanish conversation now!Proyecto SherezadeThis is an entertaining website that allows you to listen to and learn tales and stories in Spanish. Also, each file comes with exercises and quizzes, to test your listening skills.Radialist asThis podcast is by the Ecuadorian association “Radialistas apasionadas y apasionados” and also offers a wide array of audio files in the Spanish language.These files address many themes from daily life, especially concerning Latin America and the Caribbean: history, geography, civic education, biology, etc. The text of the files are also available on the website, so you can make sure you got all those Spanish verbs and adjectives just right!SSL4You (Spanish Segunda Lengua para Todos)This is the blog, entirely presented in Spanish, is by Teresa Sanchez, and it proposes different thematic podcasts accompanied by a transcription. Each podcast addresses a particular aspect of daily life such as rites, meals, and traditions, as well as current affairs topics such as ecology.This is an efficient blog with which you can learn Spanish online. It offers an excellent way to complete your training before you visit one of the 20 Spanish speaking countries worldwide, such as Spain, Argenti na, Colombia, and Mexico!How about a trip to Bolivia to improve your Spanish?AudiriaThis site proposes files in “baladodiffusion”: they are easily accessible, free and downloadable. Several themes are offered such as daily life, food, culture, geography, arts, and history.Furthermore, each file includes targeted exercises to work your oral comprehension for optimal Spanish conversation skills. You will work on your pronunciation via active listening and be able to revise Spanish vocabulary words, idiomatic expressions, short phrases, all while following your progression online.ComunicandoThis site proposes podcasts centred around technologies, the internet, video games and cyber culture. All the audio files are downloadable as MP3s. This one is perfect for the tech savvy Spanish online learner!Online TVThis is a very practical directory with hundreds of TV and radio channels, which you can listen to and watch live or download from the internet.Each channel is sorted by theme, an d a search box is there to help you make a selection quickly. With 140 radio stations and over 900 TV channels online, you’ll have a lot to stimulate your Spanish linguistic knowledge, whatever your level.FluentuThis site lets you learn Spanish with total cultural and linguistic immersion for free, online! After quickly creating your own personal account, you can access a mosaic of videos that you choose according to your taste! We think this is much better than free lessons!English conversations are often subtitled in Spanish, which pushes you to perfect your Spanish reading skills, while you watch the video.Just like learning Spanish through Spanish films, you can pauses and rewind the videos to catch any bit that you may have missed. If you become lost at any point, the site allows you to click on each word, and a pop-up box appears with explanations (i.e. definition, translations, illustrations). What a great way to learn a new language!The Internet is today’s temple of know ledge. It’s a goldmine of free access, with thousands of sites being created daily.The Internet opens the doors to the world: studying a language for free has become easy!This is not an exhaustive list, however. Here are 13 more of our favourite podcast channels:Hablemos: English and Spanish podcast: it’s a Mexican’s account of his new life in the United States. You can download files in MP3 format.Canciones de tuna: an immense repertoire of hundreds of Spanish songs, of which you can download the music scores and texts.Ivoox: Hispanic podcasts that are organised by themes, such as sports, health, blogging, technology, games, and the arts, etc.Spanish Audio Gazette: this provides podcasts read by narrators native to Latin America.Lengalia: these are podcasts with audio and video files in Spanish, perfect for the average learner.Radipaz: this is a Latin American radio station that partners with UNESCO to deliver news of peace culture.Tiflolibros: this renowned digital library h elps you learn Spanish with texts read by the author and recordings of well-known authors including Borges, Cortazar and Benedetti. This is a fantastic way to learn a new language!Spanishpod 101: This site offers access to over 1620 Spanish courses in audio and video formats, with vocabulary and listening comprehension exercises in Spanish.Nomadas: These podcasts are selected for those for whom Spanish is a second language. Picking up on various subjects, including travel, nature, music, history, they allow listeners to discover the different Spanish accents from around the world.Fallo de sistema: These weekly podcasts propose scientific and science fiction content, including debates, interviews with writers, researchers and philosophers.Futuro abierto: This site provides podcasts with a broad interest in society in general, with different themes each week, including urban sidewalk interviews created by Hispanic journalists.La historia del mundo  (History of the world): this is a ch annel with shows dedicated to the history of Asian, African, European, North American and Latin American history.Edufone: This provides free Spanish courses each day made by native Spanish teachers. A list of downloadable podcasts allows users to learn grammar and tenses (present, imperfect, subjunctive, past, simple past), as well as discovering the culture of Central and Latin America. The files are aimed at all levels, from beginner to advanced.Alternatives to Spanish PodcastsHave you skimmed the essentials of the downloadable files and acquired a higher level in your Spanish language training?Felicitaciónes! However, you can always go further in any foreign language instruction.Are you looking for another way to learn and practise? Well there are many other digital resources that you can try out to perfect your Spanish!Watch Hispanic TV OnlineIf you want to learn Spanish quickly, you'll need to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Thanks to the internet, you ca n now watch international TV from the comfort of your home, as well as listen to radio shows from around the world.So why not bring Spain to your living room! There are loads of Spanish language television channels from Spain and Latin America.However, please be warned that if your grasp of Spanish is not the best, this may not be the best way for you to learn the language. This is because, depending on your television and its set up, you may not be able to get subtitles, meaning you will need to understand everything just from the audio.YouTube VideosThe main advantage of learning Spanish with Youtube videos is obviously that they are numerous and free of charge.The sheer number of YouTube videos dedicated to learning Spanish means that you can find something that you are looking for, to help you learn at at rhythm that you want.Often, these videos are created by native speakers so you can pick up a lot about the use of vocabulary, and more importantly, the pronunciation.You will f ind videos that give classes, and others which focus on a specific part of grammar or vocabulary. This makes them extremely accessible to all audiences.What's more, the can offer a great compliment to the Spanish podcasts, too. This is because of the different approach to teaching and learning offered, meaning that your studying is kept fresh and engaging, and thus reducing the chance that you'll get bored.You can also sign up for Superprof's Spanish courses London or Spanish classes Glasgow!

20 Spanish Hispanic Culture Traditions from Spain, Mexico, Latin America

20 Spanish Hispanic Culture Traditions from Spain, Mexico, Latin America Maile Proctor One of the best ways to improve your understanding of the Spanish language is to learn more about Spanish traditions. A major aspect of any culture is its traditions. Spain, and other Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico, have very unique traditions that are fascinating to learn about, and they might just inspire you to plan a visit soon! No matter where you are in your Spanish lessons, you will love learning about the Mexican and Spanish traditions, holidays, and customs on this list. Click through this table of contents if youre looking for something specific: Spanish Traditions Mexican Traditions Christmas Traditions Holiday Traditions Spanish Customs Superstitions Spanish Traditions Piñatas You may have already seen cardboard piñatas decorated in brightly colored paper-mâché at childrens birthday parties. Blindfolded participants try to hit the piñata with a stick, to break it open and spill out fruits, candies, and other treats hidden inside. Theres a lot of speculation about the true origin of the piñata.  Some believe they  originated in China,  in animal shapes like cows and oxen. Other reports claim that piñatas  originated in Mexico  with the Aztecs and Mayans, and were originally clay pots made in the shape of the gods. When piñatas first came to Spain, the first Sunday of Lent was called the Dance of the Piñata.  While the first piñatas  in Spain were made of clay, decorations and bright colors were eventually added to the design. Even though the history of the  piñata  has spiritual significance, modern-day piñatas are mainly used for games during parties and celebrations. Its also one of the most widely popular Mexican traditions.  Quince Años For girls in Hispanic countries, the 15th birthday signifies a coming of age. The family throws a big party, called a Quinceañera, which begins with a Misa de acción  de gracias, or giving thanks for completing childhood.   The festejada (birthday girl) wears a formal dress and receives gifts from family members. Common  Quinceañera  gifts include tiaras, bracelets,  and earrings. A  traditional Quinceañera begins with a church ceremony, followed by a party with food, music, and dancing.  This is also one of the most common Mexican traditions. Carnival In Spanish-speaking countries,  Carnival celebrations are held between late January to early March, the time leading up to Lent. Carnival is generally recognized as the final chance to celebrate before Lent. There are many festivities, including dancing and music, throughout the day and night. Spanish traditions for carnival also include dressing up and wearing masks. SEE ALSO: 50 Interesting Facts About Spain Mexican Traditions Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe Devout Catholics in Mexico make a pilgrimage to the Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City every year on December 12th. The date commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego in 1531. According to the story, no one believed that Juan Diego had seen the Virgin and asked him to return with proof. The Virgin reappeared and told Juan Diego to collect flowers in his coat. He returned to see the archbishop of Mexico City and dropped the flowers. A miraculous picture of the Virgin had formed on the material, which today is displayed in the Basilica. Many Mexican traditions such as this one have religious significance. Día de la Independencia Dia de la Independencia  (Mexican Independence Day) falls on September 16th, but begins the night before when the President of Mexico rings the bell at the National Palace in Mexico City and shouts  Viva México! This is one of the most widely celebrated Mexican traditions. There is a national military parade ever year on September 16th, and to celebrate Mexicos independence from Spanish rule, people decorate their homes,  dress in the colors of the flag, throw confetti, and hold parties where they feast on traditional foods. San Judas Tadeo This is another one of the many Mexican traditions with spiritual significance. San Judas Tadeo (St. Jude Thaddeus) is known as the Saint of Lost Causes. On the 28th day of every month, people gather at  San Hipólito Church, the church dedicated to St. Jude in downtown Mexico City. People bring icons and statues of St. Jude, and  ask  for his blessing and help in difficult circumstances. The same events are held every October 28th, which is St. Judes saints day. Spanish Christmas Traditions  Posadas Originally Spanish Christmas traditions, Posadas  are now also Guatemalan and Mexican traditions. In Spanish, posada means inn, and in Mexico,  people  hold candles and sing songs as they  reenact Mary and Josephs search for shelter in Bethlehem. Christmas Posadas last from December 16 until Christmas Eve. Nochebuena Nochebuena (the Good Night/Christmas Eve)  is a family event, celebrated with a feast. Traditionally, families would have lechón (pork) for dinner on Nochebuena, but in more recent times, the meal varies depending on the region. Dinner generally incorporates music and gifts, and many families also attend Misa del Gall0 (Midnight Mass) on Nochebuena.  Misa del Gallo Another one of the religious traditions in Spain, the midnight mass on Christmas Eve is called Misa del Gallo  (The Mass of the Rooster). This event is known as The Mass of the Rooster because its believed that a rooster crowed at midnight the day that Jesus was born. In Spain, attendees first light small oil lamps in their home before setting out to the church. In Bolivia, people only eat after mass, usually a traditional dish of picana de pollo, a  chicken stew with carrots, peas, and potatoes. Reyes Magos Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) starts on January 5th with a reenactment of the arrival of the Three Kings. The Spanish Christmas tradition features a parade,  Cabalgata de los Reyes,  where the Three Kings arrive on horseback or on decorated floats, and throw treats and presents to the children. Before bed that evening, children leave goodies for The Kings, and leave their shoes out for The Kings to fill with presents. Spanish Holidays Día de los Muertos In Hispanic cultures, its important to remember family members and friends who have passed. Día de los Muertos is a particularly significant holiday in Mexico, where its observed on November 1st and 2nd. Mexican traditions for  Día de los Muertos combine Catholic elements with Aztec rituals. People create altars in their homes with photos, foods, and other objects that have some link to the deceased. They also visit the graves of their loved ones, where they may spend hours or even the entire day. Art related to the holiday depicts skeletons enjoying life on the other side. Semana Santa Semana Santa (Holy Week) runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, and is one of the most important events of the year in Catholic countries. While all of Mexico celebrates Semana Santa, different regions have different events. Many Semana Santa celebrations include cascarones (colored egg shells), church services, and the Passion Play the reenactment of the Passion of the Christ. Spanish Customs  Las Serenatas One of the more romantic traditions in Spain, this unique custom involves hiring a band of mariachis, or arriving with a group of friends, to play music below a lover’s window. Traditionally, the recipient of the serenata keeps the light off during the first song, turns the light on for the second, and comes out to the balcony (or at least opens the window) for the third song. “Provecho” This is the Hispanic tradition or custom  of wishing someone a good meal. Its similar to bon appétit in French, but its not restricted to fine dining. You can say provecho when you sit down to a meal with family or friends, or you can use it in passing, if you see someone you know who is about to eat. RELATED: 20 Easy Spanish Words and Phrases Siestas A siesta, or afternoon nap/rest (between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.) is one of the classic traditions in Spain and other Hispanic countries. The three-hour siesta doesnt necessarily mean nap time for everyone. Some people will take a long lunch, while others will  use the  break to spend time with their family. La Mordida La Mordida is one of the Mexican traditions for birthdays. While friends and family sing La Mordida, the birthday boy or girl must take a bite of birthday cake without using his or her hands. This generally results in a face full of cake. Spanish Superstitions  Mal de Ojo Theres a great fear of the mal de ojo (evil eye) in some Hispanic traditions. The superstition dates back to medieval Europe and the belief that a look can curse people, or cause children to become ill. There are different remedies, like amulets and bracelets, for mal de ojo, and some more specific cures in different regions. For example in Central America, people believe that mal de ojo can be cured by rubbing around the eye socket with an umbilical cord. La Mal Sal La mal sal  means bad salt or bad luck. Many people refuse to take a saltshaker, when its handed to them, as this is seen as receiving someones bad luck. Instead, you must place the salt shaker on the table, within reach of the person who wants it. Sweeping Over Feet Some Hispanic traditions say that if you sweep over someones feet, that person will never marry. Also, it is believed that leaving an upside down broom behind your door can ward off unwanted visitors. Cutting Babies Hair You may want to think twice before cutting your babys hair. According to Spanish superstitions, cutting a babys hair before he or she learns to walk, will prevent him or her from learning to do so. Also, if you want your son or daugther to learn to speak in Spanish, do not cut his or her hair before they turn one. If you want to experience these Spanish traditions firsthand, consider taking a trip to a Spanish-speaking country soon. To get ready for your trip, you can also take some free  online Spanish classes so you know how to communicate with the locals. Do you know of any other customs or traditions in Spain? Share them with us in the comments below! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. 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English Food Adjectives ?? - English Vocabulary related to Food

English Food Adjectives ?? - English Vocabulary related to Food Let’s face it we all love ?? our food. Cooking is a pleasure but eating it is even more pleasurable. Here are some English food adjectives you might need to describe how you like your food or how you might described what is served to you in a restaurant. Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: English Food Adjectives When we are talking about MEAT we can use the following English food adjectives:Chewy a bit difficult to eat and requires a lot of chewing Tough like eating leather impossible to bite Tender perfectly cooked and very delicateJuicy nicely cooked that melted in your mouthUsually, in a restaurant you will get asked how youd  like your  meat (or steak) cooked. So next time you could answer:blue completely red on the insiderare 75% red on the insidemedium-rare 50% red on the insidemedium a little bit pinkmedium to well done nearly cookedwell done very well cooked and often chewyFor vegetables we can use the following English food adjectives:over cooked soft and watery or mushyal dente perfectly cooked; a little bit of bite when you chewed themMUSHY is usually used to refer to food that has been over cooked particularly vegetables. They absorb a lot of water and become very soft and mushy when pressed. However, a very favourite English way to eat peas is known as mushy peas and are often served with the traditional fish and chips. English Food Adjectives The potato chips/fries/french fries were: crispy a little overdone, firm, and usually make noise when you bite them crunchy   a nice bite, perfectly cookedgreasy and fat too much oil or fat used in the cookingSTALE is used to describe food that is no longer fresh. More often we refer to old bread as stale when it becomes dry and hard. But many foods can become stale when they are past their sell by date. Milk that is old and not drinkable, however, is called sour milk not stale milk.REMEMBER: We say  STALE breadSOUR milkROTTEN fruit, vegetables or meatRANCID butterWe all like sweet things, biscuits and cakes. However, when referring to certain fruits like lemons and limes we use the word bitter which is the opposite of sweet. The lemon adds a bitter taste .Most recipes now include several references to teaspoons of herbs and spices. This is to add some much need colour or flavour particularly if you are cooking middle eastern or Asian foods.Spicy, however, usually means the food i s quite hot and likely to make your eyes water if there is too much spice added such as chili or ginger. They make a big difference in the taste when the right amount is added but for me it spoils the experience if over used.One of my favourite words to describe food is gooey. It reminds me of a chocolate brownie. Yummy. ??Gooey  stands for food  that is kind of hard on the outside but  inside its sticky and soft.  There are many ways to prepare food. In relation to most meat dishes we can:boil cook in in water that is boiling (100 C)steam cook vegetables, fish or chicken over boiling water roast meat in the oven fry cook in a pan on the stovestew slow cook in a pot for several hoursbake to cook bread, cakes, biscuits in an ovento grill to cook under a grillto heat up to make something hot that is already cookedto microwave to cook something in a microwaveto steam to cook with steam produced by boiling water Cooking Verbs in English Facebook Share on email Email Share on twitter Twitter Share on linkedin LinkedIn Phrases to Describe Your Meal in English When the food is cooked just the way you like it we can describe the meal as TASTY. When you were not so happy with the meal you might say    ah it was alrightit will do!Enjoy the cooking and the eating!!!

Parent-Teacher Conference Stress

Parent-Teacher Conference Stress End-of-year parent-teacher conferences can make some parents nervous and they might be stressful for you too, particularly when meeting with parents of students who are struggling. Here are a few tips to put parents at ease and make conferences constructive: Be prepared. Know exactly what you want to discuss, and have a timeline to cover the essential topics. Provide parents evidence of their childrens progress and performance (e.g. a portfolio of recent work and test scores) to keep the conversation focused. Share efforts since your last meeting. If youve talked with parents previously about any issues, address what youve worked on since your last conversation/conference. Ask parents what theyve tried at home as well. Communicate your goals. Its not easy for parents to hear that their children are having problems. If you have to broach this topic, do so in an action-oriented, confident manner. Let parents know youre committed to helping their children, share your plans to do so and ask for their input. You might already know about some of the contributing factors that are causing a student to struggle. Making parents feel heard and understood will go a long way toward moving things in a positive direction. Listen well. Many parents expect you to do most of the talking during conferences, but its important to let them talk too. Ask if they have concerns or ideas as you approach the end of the year. This information will help you make arrangements for a smooth transition to the next grade and future teachers. After conferences, follow through with any next steps you discuss, whether thats connecting parents with additional school resources or executing an action plan to finish the year strong. Need support? Call Huntington to learn more about how we work with teachers to help children learn.