5 Contemporary Songs for the Piano, Guitar, and Voice

5 Contemporary Songs for the Piano, Guitar, and Voice Megan L. Practicing any song on the piano can be fun at first, but after a while playing the same songs by yourself can be a bit boring. Why not find some songs for the piano, guitar, and voice? You can perform for others in a talent show or an open mic night, or just for yourselves and have a good jam session! With any of the songs for the piano, guitar, and voice, your music teacher can help you with some pointers, and might even be able to teach you the chords by listening to the song. Be sure to ask your instructor before setting out to practice one of these songs by yourself, because there might be certain techniques that he or she wants you to focus on within the song. Here are a few ideas to get you started! OneRepublic If I Lose Myself While this acoustic cover of OneRepublics song also features a violin part, you can easily do without it and still get the same feel. This might not be one of the newest songs for piano and guitar, but its still out on the radio now and then and youll have no problem getting into the groove of it. Decide which parts each instrument will take, as the song has a few different riffs that happen simultaneously. The guitar player should be able to pick a fairly fast rate, as the riffs can get going pretty fast! Miley Cyrus Wrecking Ball If your singer really likes to croon, this is the perfect song to try! With a melody that is fairly slow and methodical, you wont have to worry about things picking up speed and getting left behind. Both the piano player and guitar player should be prepared for powerful chords throughout the chorus, and lighter playing during the verse. You can mix it up and make this one of your own songs for the piano and guitar if youd like though, by making a few simple changes here and there. The YouTube video above does not feature any vocals, but that just means that the melody is picked up by the piano and guitar. In the long run, having someone sing along with the piano and guitar parts can make things easier, as they can concentrate on the harmony and rhythm of their own playing, and the singer can carry the melody! Coldplay A Sky Full Of Stars The YouTube video for this song again has no vocal part, so the melody is covered by the piano and guitar. Both this Coldplay song and the Miley Cyrus song can be much easier songs for the piano and guitar if the vocal melody is actually sung instead of played! The guitar part for this song is mostly chords above the 12th fret, so be sure youve got those polished up! The piano part has many staccato chords scattered throughout the song. The vocal part is picked up by the piano, so the right hand octaves the melody. Adele Skyfall If you havent seen the latest Bond movie, the opening credits alone are definitely worth watching. Adele lends her signature sound to the James Bond saga, and definitely does it justice! If youre looking for songs for the piano and guitar with soaring vocals, look no further than this tune. This is another song thats a little bit more contemplative and dramatic than just upbeat and fast-paced. While it might be easier to learn, be careful, as the slower pace of the song leaves more space between notes. And its easier to notice your mistakes with this pace, if you happen to make any! The vocal part is played by the guitar in this particular cover (above), but doubling the vocals and guitar is a great way to add some depth if your guitar player also sings (otherwise any late or early notes on the guitar would sound well out of place). You could also make this song a duet for piano and either guitar or voice, if youd like. Maroon 5 Payphone This final song is a great closing number. It can really rock, and most people know the words, so its good for a crowd sing-along at the end of a set. In the video, the piano plays chords and doubles the vocal melody, and the guitar doubles the chords played on the piano. While this isnt one of the most complicated songs for the piano, guitar, and voice, it is a crowd favorite. If youre playing an open mic or talent show, sometimes thats the best way to leave things, with a familiar tune that everyone can enjoy and hum or sing to even after the show is over! Dont stop there!  Check out our list 400+ songs to sing here. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of prescreened teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for safe, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher  Photo  by Glen Darrud

Where to Find A Photography Course in Glasgow

Where to Find A Photography Course in Glasgow Find Photography Lessons in Glasgow ChaptersLearn Photography Skills from a Professional PhotographerTaking Pictures During Photography LessonsAttend Photography School in GlasgowOnline Photography ClassesSituated on the River Clyde â€" perfect for trade and industry, Glasgow's expansion into Scotland's largest city was inevitable.Sadly, very little of Glesga's medieval architecture remains. Still, there are some stunning edifices to be captured, either on film or digitally... or by a hybrid camera.Are buildings not your preferred photo subject?Perhaps you would rather wield your camera at any of Glasgow's numerous festivals: the Glasgow Fair, Celtic Connections, the Merchant City Festival among them.If your shots really merit, you may display them during the biannual International Festival of Visual Art!Maybe you prefer capturing people, in the full of life, enjoying the sights and the feel of the city deemed the friendliest in the UK.With such a reputation, it would be no stretch to imagine all of the tourists who fl ock to the city, either for the sights, sounds and tastes, or to witness for themselves the Old Firm.How much do you want to bet that every one of them brings a camera, of one sort or the other?Do you fret because you don't have an eye for composition?It's OK, not everyone does!Are you delaying investing in quality photographic equipment until you know exactly what metering means, in reference to photography?Metering is just one term applicable to the art; in fact there is an entire lexicon pertinent to photography.Perhaps you have already conceded that such things are best learned from a master, or at least a professional photographer.If that is the case â€" and if it is not yet the case, allow us to direct you to photography classes.Find photography courses Glasgow. Or if you live in the capital, learn about London photography classes.fifty types of image capturing specialties, each require individualised technique and equipment.Although you could use base equipment, such as a cam era body and certain lenses â€" provided they are suited to the job at hand, for the most part, you would need to invest in specific tools to ply your exacting art.With that thought in mind, we choose two of the most popular (and lucrative) aspects of professional photography, and present qualified teachers you could select to learn from.Read about learning photography in Birmingham.Wedding photography has proven to be most lucrative! Source: Pixabay Credit: Gloria AgostinaGordon McGowan: Wedding PhotographerA fellow with the Master Photographers Association, this wedding and portrait photographer now turns his passion to teaching aspiring photographers how to compose a photo, conduct a shoot and the particulars of studio lighting.He offers courses for beginners, intermediate photographers and those with substantial experience behind the lens.He conducts workshops in elementary subjects such as 'Get to Know Your Camera', all the way to 'The Creative Use of Backgrounds'.Throughout hi s courses, he emphasises the importance of the least little pose detail, ensuring a perfect and memorable capture of each photographic moment and setting.Mr. McGowan is one of only three wedding photographers with fellowship in all of the major professional photography associations.You can rest assured this instructor is fully qualified to instruct on everything from the  basics of photography to digital enhancement of your best shots.A full day master class will set you back £395,  or £600 for two people attending together.These workshops are generally student-led: you would pose your questions and receive detailed answers, complete with examples and workarounds to your particular situation.They are meant to improve your skill base by creating a cooperative learning environment, exposing you to queries over situations that you've maybe not yet encountered in the course of your photographic adventures.If a day-long commitment doesn't suit you, perhaps the half-day course ( £150) o r beginner's course ( £50) would fit the bill.What we really like about Gordon McGowan's workshop is that students walk away feeling they were heard, understood and empowered.Being behind the lens can sometimes be more daunting that being in front of it, especially where wedding and fashion photography are concerned.Professional photographers have a duty to capture not just the moments at hand, but the mood of that singular point in time.Gordon  effortlessly teases out innate skills of burgeoning photographers â€" the keen eye, the ability to compose a shot and preserve the moment.What we like less: fees are fairly stiff, especially if you request models, which costs £50 extra per model.Learn photography in Edinburgh too, or join a photography class in Belfast.Photography Training with Going DigitalRemember the selfie stick craze of a few years back?These days, anyone walking around with a SmartPhone is armed with a camera, whether s/he uses it or not.Judging by the millions of sna ps on social media, the supposition that said cameras are not being used is ludicrous.Still, there are photography buffs and â€" to a degree, purists who believe that only a genuine camera can render a quality photograph, suitable for framing and displaying.And selling!We'll leave aside the debate on whether digital or analog cameras are best, to focus exclusively on a photography courses meant for the digital camera owner.Going Digital's most popular one-day workshop is titled Get off Auto â€" the setting a surprising number of beginner photographers seem stuck on.While there is nothing wrong with auto for general shots, a photographer would need a completely different aperture and shutter speed to shoot an action photo or for night photography.Under their guidance, you can learn basic photography skills in picture-worthy settings, such as the Botanical Gardens.If you sign up for their beginner photography course in conjunction with their more advanced lesson, Developing Skills, yo u can benefit from a price discount  as well as expanded knowledge of how to use your camera.Through their photography workshops, you will get hands-on experience, plying your camera on such diverse subjects as flowers and insects.Those lessons would be especially valuable to anyone endeavouring to specialise in macro photography!Or, you could turn your lens up to any of the glass houses, to capture the sparkle of light on the panes.Whether you aim to branch out into commercial photography of any type, or if you just want to capture all of the smiles at your next big event, knowing all you can about the art of photography is a necessary step.Taking your photographing to the next level with this group would set you back £85  for the photography basics course.Signing up for both  of their Explore Your Camera courses would run you £155.What we really like about this photography class is that you learn, in depth, the many features your camera has, shooting in a live setting, and captu ring any type of flora you like.What we like less is the fact that there is little studio photography involved.Still, if you intend to capture images on location, maybe as a photojournalist, these would be fantastic tutorials for you.If you're a Mancunian, this article on photography in Manchester is for you.Known for it's similarity to Hogwarts, Glasgow University is a great spot to snap some photos. Source: VisualhuntTaking Pictures During Photography LessonsA quick glance online reveals that Glasgow has more than ten associations, groups and/or clubs dedicated to photography.Whether you know all about digital SLR or you just want to learn how to photograph, surely any of the camera clubs around town would benefit you.Here we present two that took our fancy.The Penilee Camera Club, now in its fourth decade, welcomes those learning photography, as well as those whose technical skills behind the camera afford them the career of their dreams.Listed both with the Scottish Photographic Federation and the Glasgow District Photographic Union, Penilee routinely sponsors members' artistic efforts in regional competitions.They make available a digital darkroom and a colour printer, as well as a studio, complete with lights and backdrops â€" should portraiture be your specialty.We like that they have a well-projected syllabus on their website, so that you can pick and choose which events to attend, schedule permitting.Of less appeal to us is that their focus is overwhelmingly on digital imaging, with less attention given to film photography.Not so with Eastwood Photographic Society!Based in Scotland, this is a club for anyone interested in photography: young and old, DSLR owners and legacy Leica lovers alike.The eight months' activity their calendar advertises is jam-packed â€" with tutorials, workshops, guest speakers and outings.Are you a fan of landscape photography? Go with them to learn how to use your filters for optimum results!Furthermore, senior members of EP S espouse a mentoring environment to any who want intensive photography lessons.Would photography classes in Leeds suit you better? Read our blog.That is what we love about this organization: that more experienced members coach and counsel those who have only just gotten their introduction to photography.What we're less fond of is the limitations on the schedule: they only meet one night each  week, and they are not open year-round.Meaning: you may not have access to the club's equipment throughout the year.Still, when friendships are forged, you don't necessarily need a clubhouse to go to, do you?Find a photography course in Cardiff!Attend Photography School in GlasgowAnsel received his first camera on his seventh birthday. Film was expensive, so he quickly learned to shoot only unique subjects, taking his time, framing his shots with painstaking care.That would be Ansel Adams, arguably the world's  most renown landscape photographer.If you too want to learn everything from the fun damentals of camera operation to lighting techniques, enroling at Glasgow School of Art would be the perfect way to get your photography degree.Unlike the impoverished Mr. Adams, who could not afford to attend school; who had to discover everything about his art by himself, you would benefit from group sessions and gain tips from teachers.  This all-inclusive course of study includes everything from the history of photography, all the way to new technologies to enhance your images.Too far away from Glasgow? Learn about photography courses in Liverpool.How to shoot and retouching photographs, both digital and film, are a part of the curriculum, as is a segment on Fine Art Critical Studies.Glasgow School of Arts' four year Bachelor of Arts programme was the first of its kind in all of Europe.It covers all aspects of photographic art, from  photography of  architecture to capturing all of the fantastic scenery in and around the city.This is a good example of the bit of ancient architec ture left in Glasgow Source: Pixabay Credit: BrigsteerOnline Photography ClassesIf you wish to pursue photography as a profession, your education could start with The Photography Institute, a strictly online instruction platform.Their curriculum consists of twelve modules that address everything from camera components to advanced photography techniques and specific shooting instances, such as documentary photography.Their course is meant to be self-paced, which removes the obligation to rush off to class after tea or on your lunch break.Their expectation is that you dedicate a minimum of four hours per week, completing the course in approximately six months â€" family and work obligations notwithstanding.And why wouldn't you want to get your certification as soon as possible?Whether you have only ever wanted to see the world through a camera lens or if you are contemplating a career change â€" to macro photography in the Amazon basin, for instance, online photography courses  might be the right fit for you.What if photography workshops and photography schools simply aren't for you?Superprof boasts a cadre of trained photography professionals who are all ready to impart photography tips, one on one, via webcam.From questions about exposure timing to how to use Photoshop, our tutors will deliver the instruction you need, when you need it, in the comfort of your own home.Whether you want to learn commercial photography or artistic composition, for pleasure or for profit, you now know of a multitude of ways to learn photographic techniques in Glasgow.Do you now feel confident in your desire to move beyond point and shoot?Find photography courses throughout the UK on Superprof or read more about finding photography courses  with our dedicated blog.

Introvert Entrepreneurs, How to Prevail past Likely Limitations - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Introvert Entrepreneurs, How to Prevail past Likely Limitations - Introvert Whisperer Introvert Entrepreneurs, How to Prevail past Likely Limitations It is obvious that introverts, by nature, are hesitant when it comes to human interaction. They are more shy and tend to get anxious when it comes to being the center of attention. These qualities are perceived as limiting when it comes to entrepreneurs, however, there are many qualities of more introverted people that important for climbing the corporate ladder. While there are likely limitations to being an introverted entrepreneur, here are some ways you can overcome the challenges. Talking to Vendors An entrepreneur has an idea for a company, product, etc. and this idea is one that they need to sell to others. Unless one comes into a large amount of money, those looking to start a business will need to have investors fund their company. This means talking to multiple lenders to sell your thoughts and ideas, as well as to ask for their financial support. This is can ultimately seem like a hurdle for those looking to be a “behind the scene” style leader. However, there are ways to work around this. Most introverted entrepreneurs find other ways to market themselves. With the business world being so digitally based, most entrepreneurs use the internet and social media to get in contact with vendors. Sometimes all you need is a good promotional campaign. Another option would be to hire a marketing consultant to help talk to vendors on your behalf. Finding someone who is just as passionate about your ideas as you are is a great idea. That way that can expressively communicate your company as you would naturally. Misjudgement from Others Most introverts can unfairly be labeled as weird, snobbish, insecure, or antisocial. This is something that introverted entrepreneurs have struggled with in the past and it makes it hard to relate to others. This can be a problem when trying to relate to vendors but it can be a roadblock when trying to collect a workforce of employees. In startup businesses, many candidates going for a position at the company like to be able to relate to the owner/creator. This is understandable because they want to make sure the organization is a good fit for them and their professional personality. This is a struggle for introverts because they are misjudged and can be portrayed as standoffish. One way to overcome this is to be open and honest that you naturally a quieter person. Let them know this is your way of communicating or have another person working for you fill the interviewee in. That way they are fully prepared and can adapt for how to interact with you and they will be aware that you ar e just a quieter person. Public Speaking Public Speaking classes or a presentation in school was very difficult for introverts. Entrepreneurial introverts might have to present their ideas to others who work for them or to vendors in order to present their good ideas or wins for the company. This is something that so many successful introverts have struggled with but find different ways to overcome. Many prominent company owners are trained to speak publicly in the proper way and this is something that is necessary when speaking on behalf of a company professionally. While an introvert may be extremely nervous to talk in front of a crowd, with the proper training, the introvert can know the right tricks to make it seem as if he or she is an eloquent speaker. If this does not make them comfortable, they can choose to have a partner or another trusting colleague be the face of the company and give these talks. If you want to be an entrepreneur but you have a shyer personality there is hope for you. Working on trying to improve your interactive skills and being more personal is one option, but there are many other options one has, including using social media and other technology to market one’s company. Take into account that there are other successful introvert leaders of the world, such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. If introverts try to find creative ways of interacting and follow other famous introvert examples, they are sure to be successful. Bio: Amanda  Peterson is a contributor to the site  Enlightened Digital  and a software engineer from New York City. Her aim is to explore how changes in technology affect personal business growth and professional development, especially for women.   Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Professores da LOI English Kathryn Johnson

Professores da LOI English Kathryn Johnson Conhecer pessoas de todo o mundo é um dos benefícios de trabalhar e estudar online. É divertido falar com pessoas com experiências de vida diferentes, por isso muitos dos professores da LOI English dizem quem adoram conhecer pessoas novas e  Kathryn Johnson é um exemplo disso.Kathryn é natural dos Estados Unidos e é graduada em Estudos Latino-Americanos pela Universidade da Califórnia. Atualmente, ela vive no Chile e ensina Inglês para pessoas do mundo inteiro. Por norma, os alunos de  Kathryn são do Brasil, da Rússia e do Japão, mas ela também já ensinou Inglês no Chile, em um programa governamental que visava a melhoria no TOEIC.Ela contou que já tinha vivido no Chile em 2005, quando se certificou para dar aulas de Inglês, mas decidiu voltar para os Estados Unidos.  Kathryn acredita que ir para onde nos sentimos felizes é o mais importante na vida, por causa disso, quando ela estava se sentido estagnada, resolveu voltar para o Chile para viver perto da praia, melh orar o seu Espanhol e ensinar Inglês.A professora disse que acha que os problemas mais comuns dos estudantes que têm como primeira língua o Português são bastante semelhantes aos daqueles que têm como língua materna o Espanhol. Para ajudar esses alunos, ela usa os seus conhecimentos de Espanhol e de Português. Por exemplo, em uma aula com um aluno brasileiro,  Kathryn explicou a diferença entre  I am boring  e  I am bored  usando a tradução dessas expressões (Eu sou chato e Eu estou chateado/entediado).Quando questionei que tipo de materiais ela normalmente usa para ajudar os alunos a entender conceitos abstratos ou para ajudar a enriquecer o seu conhecimento da língua,  Kathryn confessou que não é muito de recomendar livros, mas que usa filmes para explicar alguns conceitos.  Em uma ocasião, a professora usou o filme Dick Tracy para explicar o significado da palavra mumble, já que um dos personagens do filme, representado por Dustin Hoffman, exemplifica perfeitame nte o que a palavra quer dizer. Segundo  Kathryn, ver filmes também ajuda a melhorar o entendimento e o uso apropriado dos tão temidos phrasal verbs.Ela também comentou que as diferenças culturais podem ser um obstáculo para quem está aprendendo Inglês. Por esse motivo, ela tenta incorporar os aspectos culturais no processo de aprendizagem, se assegurando que explica tudo de forma que seus alunos entendam e que dá referências de filmes alarguem o conhecimento da cultura dos países anglófonos.É super fácil falar com a Kathryn e a nossa conversa foi super divertida. Se você está procurando uma professora que fala sobre assuntos interessantes e deixa você falar do que gosta, a  Kathryn é definitivamente é uma ótima opção!

What Colleges Look for in Applicants Extracurricular Activities

What Colleges Look for in Applicants’ Extracurricular Activities College is on the horizon, but your teen is looking to do more than just get in. He wants to set himself apart with an impressive resume, and possibly earn a few scholarships while hes at it. Grades and strength of curriculum are top of the list of attributes that colleges look for in applicants, but there is no doubt that admissions officersespecially at highly competitive colleges and universitiesalso appreciate that something extra in students. Extracurricular activities are a great way for teens to build leadership abilities and fuel their passions. Your teen might be on a quest to identify the best extracurricular activities that will give her resume a boost. However, the reality is, college admissions officers arent partial to certain extracurricular activities. Theyre simply looking to see that students are committed to those activities. Here are a few attributes that colleges appreciate in extracurricular activities: Passion Above all else, colleges like to see extracurricular activities on resumes that demonstrate students excitement about something. So, whether your teen is an avid basketball player or a focused future engineer who founded the school engineering club, the key is that he is sincere about his enthusiasm for the endeavor. In fact, admissions officers would rather a student be committed to one or two activities than passively involved with six or seven. Leadership Admissions officers consider students with leadership aptitudes as positive contributors to campus life. Your teens involvement in a club or activity is much more meaningful when it is obvious how it made an impacton the school, other students, the community and/or the world. Being a leader requires ardor, vision and values, which are qualities that make strong candidates for college admission. Challenging In reality, your teen isnt likely to gain much from a club that doesnt ask much of her. Instead, your teen should seek out activities that push her to be better, acquire a new skill or set a goal to strive toward. The student with a fear of public speaking who gets involved in debate club stands to grow a great deal. Creative Theres so much benefit in being able to explore ideas and think creatively, both in school and the real world. Colleges value commitment to lifelong learning, self-discovery and self-expression. Career-Focused Some students know from a young age what they want to do with their lives. If this sounds like your teen, encourage him to get real-world experience in the field in which hes interested. If your teen goes to college with plans to major in biology and continue on in medical school, that volunteer work in the assisted living facility or part-time job as a nursing assistant will prove hes serious. What colleges especially want to see is that a student has selected certain activities for a reason. Encourage your teen to choose extracurriculars that mean something to her and dedicate her time and energy toward them.

Connect Two The Easiest Way to Learn a New Language?

Connect Two The Easiest Way to Learn a New Language? Making Meaningful Connections: The Easiest Way to Learn a New Language Do you ever feel lost and alone?If so, thats okayâ€"we all feel like that sometimes. Humans are social creatures, and we have a built-in need for human connection.When we try to learn a new language, that feeling of being lost can definitely flare up in new and strange ways. But that feeling is also normal, and theres even something you can do about it: You need to make a meaningful connection with both the language youre learning and the people who speak it.Making a personal connection is not only a great way to get rid of loneliness, its also the easiest way to learn a new foreign language.If youre not yet convinced, allow me to persuade you. Ill give you four easy yet important things you should know in order to learn a new language by forging a meaningful personal connection, along with plenty of tips and ideas to help you get started and continue on your road to success. Making Meaningful Connections: The Easiest Way to Learn a New LanguageWhere Do I Begin?Many people want to learn new languages for various reasons, but knowing where and how to start is very important.Nowadays there are many different ways to learn a new language, like taking a class,  downloading the latest language app  or  watching a movie in a foreign language.While its true that everyone learns in different ways and some ways work better than others, I believe the  easiest  way to learn a new language is to  create a personal connection with people who speak the language youre trying to learn.Creating a personal connection with people by spending one-on-one time with them is the most natural way to learn a new language, and my tips below have that crucial idea as their foundation.Making foreign friends and connecting with children are two of many ways to create a personal connection with people who are fluent in the language you want to learn, so well look at those ideas first.Youll Get By with a Little Help from Your Foreign FriendsOne of the easiest ways to learn a new language is to learn from (or together with) friends you already haveâ€"or to make new friends specifically so you can learn a language.Obviously, if you want to learn a language, its especially great if you make friends with native speakers of the language youre trying to learn.There are many great ways to make foreign friends. You can go on an overseas humanitarian trip. If youre planning a trip abroad, you can use a website like Meetup.com  to meet local people who speak the language you want to learn. You can join a club or take up a hobby that has meetings about things youre interested in. There are nearly as many ways to meet new friends as there are new friends to meet.Once youve made your new foreign friends, you need to practice, practice, practice.Not only is learning a new language through your foreign friends a great way to make your friendship even stronger, youll also learn things from them you probably wouldnt learn by taking a language class or by reading a  textbook.These thin gs include elements of language that carry cultural baggage, like figures of speech, jokes and idioms. Learning a new language is much more than just learning about grammar and how to structure a sentence. Its about  learning how a culture thinks and immersing yourself into that culture  through their language. Most of us would agree that its more fun to learn a new language through a friend than it is to learn it  through a complete stranger, and that makes the entire process much easier.One of the biggest advantages to learning a new language through your foreign friends is that  theyll most likely have more friends who speak the same language they do. This is a good thing because itll be easy for you to ask your foreign friend if they can introduce you to their friends, and that will be a great way to practice the language with them as well. The more friends you meet, the larger your friend network becomes, and it will naturally become easier and more enjoyable to learn their lan guage.Learn to Learn a Language Like a Child DoesIts been said that children are able to learn a language much faster than an adult, but why is that?Well, if youve ever noticed, children arent capable of taking a course at the local community college, downloading the latest language app  by themselves or pulling all-night study sessions to learn a language.According to a  Standford University study, children learn a language fastest by simply hearing their parents talk to them in a relational way.So in the case of learning a new language, rather than focusing on growing up, we actually need to grow down to match the simplicity of a childs thinking. Kids dont know anything about the language theyre trying to learn, and thats why theyre always asking, Whats that?Another thing that holds us back from learning a new language is our  fear of making mistakes. Most young children arent afraid of trying something new or making mistakes because they havent experienced failure yet.If your fir st language is English, then the way you think about how a sentence should be structured  will be based on English sentence structure. The problem with this way of thinking is that the rules of grammar and sentence structure are different in every language. In Spanish, for example, el  gato  negro means the black cat. But for native English speakers, they might be tempted to say that phrase as  el negro gato.While that would be a direct translation, thats not the correct way to say it in Spanish because the Spanish rules of grammar  are  different. But those differences dont seem to faze children.One reason children are able to learn languages so quickly is because they dont need to unlearn a previously-acquired sentence structure so they can relearn the process of structuring sentences in another language. Its important when we learn a new language to disregard (or at least view with a healthy dose of inquiry) everything we think we know about things like sentence structure, gramma r and pronunciation.Thinking like a child can also help you to connect personally with children, and connecting with a child in a personal way helps you to learn like a child. While thats certainly much easier said than done,  we can definitely learn a thing or two from children about learning a new language more effectively.Now that weve seen the importance of making personal connections and why its important to learn like a child, lets consider some ways to put those connections and approaches to use.Make a One-on-one Connection with a TutorNow you might be thinking, Doesnt tutoring fall under the same category as taking a class?Well kind of, but not really. The big difference between the two is that tutoring is  one-on-one, and taking a language class often involves 30 or more students trying to learn from one teacher who has a limited amount of time to spend with each student. Many people may think tutoring is not a realistic option because its expensive, but thats not true.In t his day and age there are plenty of  one-on-one online tutors  who offer very low-priced language learning services. For example, a site like  Wyzant  will let you review the profile of your potential tutor to make sure theyre the right fit for you.There are multiple benefits to having a private tutor. Two of the most important benefits  are  that you can receive one-on-one  dialogue  and get an understanding about proper  grammar  as well. These two things are important  because, as I mentioned above, adults need to unlearn the grammar rules of their mother  language before they can  learn a foreign language. Having a private tutor can help to make this unlearn/relearn process much easier by giving you the undivided attention you need to  learn  quickly.Another potential benefit to having a private tutor is that they can be  like  a  personal coach. For those of you  who have trouble  motivating yourselves to connect with other people, let alone those who speak a foreign language, having a personal tutor will help give you the motivation you need to open up and learn a new language as fast as possible.Lend a Hand: VolunteerDepending on the type of charity or organization and the services they provide, volunteering for a humanitarian aid group is a great way to learn a new language by directly connecting with people in need.  For example, I just recently signed up to volunteer for  World Relief  in Sacramento.In this type of organization, Ive discovered that learning a new language doesnt have to be a  one-way  street. Not only does it give me the opportunity to help refugees from other nations learn  English,  but it also opens up the possibility for me to learn their language as well.You can take a similar approach and volunteer where you live, or you can go to a new place to volunteer right in the middle of the actionâ€"where your target language is spoken. Most foreigners  will naturally want to help you learn their language if you take the first step by h elping them with something they need.There are many, many options for learning a language while volunteering, depending on where you live and what language you want to learn. If youre interested in Spanish and live in the US, for example, there are lots of opportunities right at your doorstep.But dont let geography limit you: you can always travel to a new place to volunteer and learn. Doing so will let you experience a new culture, learn a new language and, most importantly, make a personal connection with new people.There are many good ways to learn a  language,  but  building  a real  connection with people who are  fluent in the language you  want to learn  is  the easiest way.For many of you, it may be  challenging to put yourselves  out there and build a real connection with new people.While  taking a  risk  and  getting and to know people who speak a foreign language  isnt  always  easy, youll discover  that this process gets much easier over time.Learning a new language can be challenging but if you take the time to personally connect with the people you want to learn  from,  youll  end up with a much easier, richer,  faster and more enjoyable language learning experience.Ernesto is an author, blogger and freelancer writer, and he is  passionate about helping refugees and the poor. If you would like to  connect with him, you can find  him at ErnestoAragon.com

Case Study How EF Hangzhou found a teacher recruitment service flexible enough to fit their needs

Case Study How EF Hangzhou found a teacher recruitment service flexible enough to fit their needs Background Part of a global school chain operating in over 60 countries, EF Hangzhou is one of the largest regional English First franchises in China. Providing English lessons for kids, teens and adults across nine centers (with two more in the pipeline) is no small feat. At any one time, the centers employ 200 teachers, 100 of whom are international. Although most international teachers sign up with EF Hangzhou for 15-month contracts, and over half extend to two years, International Recruiter James was always on the lookout for promising new candidates for his schools. Teachers can be hired (and leave) at any point during the year, meaning staying on top of staffing in his nine busy centers was a constant challenge. The Challenge EF Hangzhou were looking for teachers with Bachelor’s degrees (essential for Chinese visa requirements), who were English speakers with a 120-hour TEFL certification, or equivalent experience. From experience, James knew their positions and the lifestyle in China typically appealed to teachers in their 20s or 30s without families. Each year, James aimed to get 100 candidates to sign letters of intent to work in his schools. Although this averaged about 10 signed letters of intent per month, in reality, recruitment needs varied with the ebbs and flows of the school year. In quiet months, the school had to be wary of having a surplus of teachers, and in busy months they needed to hire quickly. Their overall goal was to maintain a steady flow of applicants throughout the year to ensure teacher numbers reflected demand for classes. With targets changing month-by-month, James needed a highly flexible recruitment solution and he was always looking for new and innovative ways to source candidates and establish interviews. His existing strategy meant nearly 50% of candidates came through recruitment agencies, and he was left to fill the gaps with teacher referrals and headhunting on social media. While broadly successful, this strategy could also lead to high-stress recruitment periods when EF Hangzhou needed teachers quickly and the recruitment agencies didn’t have any candidates to offer. So when Teach Away reached out to James, he decided to give our platform a try. Our Solution Teach Away provided flexible, fast and large-scale access to applicants that EF Hangzhou needed. After talking to our team, James came away confident that he’d found a company that understood his needs and signed up for a monthly subscription on our platform. Happy with this initial experience, he then decided to try a three-month subscription in spring to boost recruitment before their busy summer period. These flexible teacher recruitment packages were an effective way for James to get his vacancies in front of a large audience during peak hiring periods. “Teach Away is great because it has a large database and talent pool. They are good at marketing vacancies and it’s a convenient way to access a wide scope of teachers, who you can speak to in a relatively quick time frame. As candidates have registered their interest in EF through the job posting, when I reach out they are responsive and I can quickly proceed with an interview.” EF Hangzhou was also happy to find that Teach Away’s solutions were more cost-effective than the agencies they had been using previously. With no per-hire fees and unlimited teacher recruitment services included in each Teach Away subscription, they quickly found that the more teachers they hired through Teach Away, the more money they saved. The Impact Since starting a three-month subscription in March, EF Hangzhou has hired eight teachers through Teach Away and expects to hire two more, fulfilling their recruitment target for the month. “After recruiting through Teach Away for one year, we’ve hired some excellent teachers and really like the service. It’s become one of our main channels for sourcing teachers and finding candidates to interview.” According to James, his experience with Teach Away has been so positive because we are: User-friendly The platform has a clean layout with all the relevant information he needs, allowing him to find candidates quickly. Attentive Our team is communicative, supportive and always looking for new ways to improve his service. Innovative Teach Away is open to finding new solutions to make life easier for their clients, such as online job fairs. As a company that’s always on the lookout for new recruitment solutions, EF Hangzhou has found one they plan to stick with in Teach Away. They have been so pleased with their results they have decided to extend their subscription with us for another three months, and plan to use our platform throughout the coming school year.