What You Can Expect From Montgomery College Tutoring

What You Can Expect From Montgomery College TutoringMany students who were unable to pass their Montgomery College math course got a number of benefits by enrolling for the tutoring. The student's grades also improved and their grades got better as well. Not only that, but the student's grades got good enough to help them qualify for federal financial aid.This is what many people needed after they failed to pass their course. They had to start the process all over again by taking another single class. That's why the quality of tutoring is important, because if they have the right services then they can accomplish their goals easily.Since so many students struggle in math, the Montgomery College offered the tutoring service. These tutors are often college counselors or tutors that went through a program offered by the college. The campus offers you this service, and therefore it was no doubt that many students had benefited from it. If they did not have a tutor, they may have failed t o graduate and this would not have helped them in getting a decent paying job.When enrolling for this program, you would need to do some research before enrolling. The best way to look for such tutors is to look for it on the Internet. The main thing to remember when looking for a tutor is that there are a lot of good tutors online. You just need to be cautious about the tutor's credibility because it's not easy to recognize a good tutor.Montgomery College, like any other college, offers tutoring service. The students who could not pass their math course were among the first group to get tutoring. These students will definitely benefit from the tutoring.Of course, even after you got ahigh grade credit you still need to graduate with a decent grade. And the best way to do this is to take up jobs. This is especially true if you are a recent graduate and you need a job quickly.Even though these students did not get their desired grade credit, they were able to pass their course success fully and become graduates of Montgomery College. They got a good education and learned much more about life and other subjects, and that makes them successful in life.

Adults vs. Kids Can Adults Learn a Second Language

Adults vs. Kids Can Adults Learn a Second Language Children are like sponges.They  can  absorb foreign  languages  so quickly.How many of you have heard this before?Society is flooded with messages telling you who is and who isnt good at learning a language.And if you asked any random person walking down the street who the champion of language learners are, they would probably  say children.This seems like such an obvious truth that its hardly ever challenged.Clearly everyone can speak their native language fluently,  which they learned as a child, but loads of people have trouble getting a grasp on a second language (or third if they grew up bilingual).So it must be that children are the  perfect language learners, and all adults can hope for is to achieve some fraction of their  success, right?Wrongâ€"theres a fatal flaw in this logic. Children live very different lives from adults and their reasons for learning a language  are often just as disparate. In fact, there are many reasons to believe that the popular opinion about how po orly adults learn languages is fundamentally flawed.From the lack of physical evidence for the superiority of language learning in children, a new system of beliefs is beginning to sprout through the cracks of the old, oversimplified model of age and language learning.But where did these beliefs come from in the first place? The Critical Period Hypothesis and Popular BeliefThe Critical Period Hypothesis is the academic name for what most of us have come to believe about adults and language learning. Its basic outline is that theres a fixed period of time in which you can really learn a language and learn it well. After that good luck. Maybe you can aspire to be like Luigi Risotto, the Italian chef from The Simpsons who speaks fractured though understandable English, but dont get any hopes of sounding like a native.This critical period is supposed to run from when youre born to sometime during adolescence, when youre around 15 years  old.  In other words, this is the scientific bas is of  our poor opinion of  adult language learners.But the question everyone wants to know is: Is it true? The answer: Maybe. Theres quite a bit of debate over the topic, and it would be hard to say that anything is settled. But many researchers have come out against the theory, some denying that a critical period exists at all.Take David Singleton for example, a professor of linguistics at Trinity College Dublin. In his papers he regularly criticizes those who side with the Critical Period Hypothesis and  in one of them  he reviews the relevant literature on the biology of the brain only to conclude that theres nothing solid about the science of a critical period. Thats right. No one has landed any fatal evidence that this period exists in our brains at all.So take a breath and let go of all your age-related anxieties.But surely adults and children arent the same, you might say. Well of course not.Whats the Difference Between Kids and Adults Anyways?I think we can all makes some s tabs at the general differences between adults and kids in how they learn. Ive seen very few  toddlers sitting at a desk diligently reading a grammar textbook for hours at a time, though Im sure theres probably one somewhere.But beyond the obvious differences, such as adults being more willing and able to learn in a formal learning environment, there are some hen children learn new things about language, they use the same part of their brain that they use for motor control. Adults, on the other hand, make use of the part of their brain in charge of higher cognitive functionsâ€"the part of the brain that develops later.Ah hah! you say. So there are differences between their brains!  But remember this simple means that  how  we use our brain  changes as we age. It doesnt mean that how  well we can learn things also changes.How else do adults differ? Well, they have  a ton of knowledge already. And that can be both a bad thing and a good thing. Sometimes  the sounds and words weve lear ned when we were little make it much harder to pick apart the words from other languages because were trying to force them into the mold of our first language.But sometimes its the exact opposite. If youre a good reader in your native language, those skills usually translate into good reading skills in a foreign language. Sometimes even the sounds in your native language can  give you a leg up in foreign language pronunciation, as this study on Korean speakers learning English has shown.So Whos Better at Learning a Second  Language: Kids or Adults?Even if the theres no critical period to learn a language, theres still the question of who can learn faster. We can break this down into several categories for ease of digestion.PronunciationAs adults or young adults,  pronunciation is our weak point. Most sources tend to agree that while it is possible in rare cases for adults to gain a completely native accent in a new foreign language, it just doesnt happen that often. Kids are more ad ept at learning and using the sounds of a language.But for most adults, this doesnt really matter. Its more important to be understood than to sound like a perfect native.  After all, isnt that why youre learning a foreign language in the first placeâ€"to communicate with others?And on that score theres a long track record of people who can communicate quite well in a second language learned later in life. Plus,  if you really want to speak like a native, go for it! Its still possible that you could be one of those few adults who really nails the pronunciation in their second language.Grammar and vocabularyIn grammar and vocab, adults and adolescents actually significantly outperform very young children in the short-term. In the long-term, young children will eventually overtake the older age groups, but only if theyre exposed to the foreign language enough.In fact, if a young child is being taught in a formal setting, he or she may never catch up to the  adult at all. You heard tha t right.  Sometimes adults really can outperform children when it comes to foreign language.Reading and complex thoughtI said it before, but Ill say it again: If youre a good reader in your native language, youll probably be a good reader in a foreign language. Thats because adults are good at taking knowledge they already have and applying  it to  very similar new knowledge that theyre trying to acquire. Why reinvent the wheel when you can just make a few adjustments?And in fact, reading and anything dealing with complex thought is  where adults really shine. The critical period in no way applies here, and in fact the oppose could be said: The older the better.  5 Reasons  Adults Can Definitely Learn a Second LanguageIf youve read this far and still find yourself worrying about how well you can learn a language, then lay back, relax and read on to let go of the last of your worries.1. Age is only one factor.We like to worry about age because it seems like theres an obviously better position to be in: being a child. But since this is something beyond our control, we should instead  focus on the myriad of other factors that affect our learning.For example, factors like motivation, personality, the learning environment and learning strategies are all things we can control which have a huge impact on your success as a language learner.2. Children arent as strong as they seem.Everyone loves to heap praise on children. Whether its a mom or dad doting on their own kid or a child that gets random affection from strangers just for being cute, children tend to get a pass for things that adults would never get away with.The same is true for language. Children may sound like great speakers, but usually we have low expectations for them.  Kids  tend to speak in simple sentences using only  very basic vocab. This is perfect for a child that doesnt yet have a need for complex language, but it also means that kids are not really the language superstars we take them to be.3. Even full-grown adults can reach near-native level.This was mentioned earlier, but some adults  do  learn a second  language and sound like a native. If your goal is to move to Mexico, buy a farm in a backwater village and blend in with the natives, dont let anyone dissuade you.With enough practice under your belt and a can-do attitude, in time youll be able to boast about your perfect Mayan grammar.4. Language learning has health benefits.Forget about your ineradicable foreign accent. All that work you spend  learning a new language will keep your brain healthy for years to come. What does a little imperfection in speech matter when your entire clarity of thought is guaranteed to stay sharp well into old age?5. Language learning is about connecting.What is language for? Communicating to other people, of course. Perfection doesnt need to be our endpoint. In fact, we can just as easily choose an entirely different goal, like making friends in a foreign language.Language exchanges or  individual language partners are an excellent way to expand your social circle. Most people will be quite happy if you can speak just well enough to  hold up your end of the conversation.These are just a handful of the most obvious reasons to not pay attention to age. With so many great possibilities available through learning a foreign language, why should you let a social myth about age and language learning hold you back?There are lots of things people miss about being a kid, but being able to learn a new language doesnt have to be one of them. And One More ThingIf youre excited to learn a language as an adult, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive c aptions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.

5 POPULAR CHILDRENS BOOKS-TURNED-MOVIES TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER

5 POPULAR CHILDREN’S BOOKS-TURNED-MOVIES TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER 5 POPULAR CHILDREN’S BOOKS-TURNED-MOVIES TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER Summer â€" the time of year your children have been waiting for! As they soak up the sunshine, help them avoid the summer slide by encouraging your kids to keep an enjoyable book in tow. Reading books is also the perfect rainy day activity or indoor alternative to braving the unbearable heat.  Add a fun factor by suggesting books that are also movies. After reading the book, watch the film together and then discuss similarities and differences between the two to practice reading comprehension and literary criticism. Not only is this an enjoyable activity, it will also expose your children to different literary works and films. Here is a list of five Kumon Recommended Reading List titles that are also popular movies. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett Readers between 1st and 2nd grade This silly story tells the tale of a small town, Chewandswallow, and its delicious weather patterns. Three times a day, it rains a variety of yummy food. All is well until the portions get larger and begin to wreak havoc in Chewandswallow. The book has sold more than 1.9 million copies, and the Sony Pictures movie has warmed the hearts of parents and children worldwide. Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg 4th grade readers Jumanji is a thrilling story of a magical board game that comes to life. The dangers of a jungle and its inhabitants become a reality for the game players. In 2017, a modern version of the 1995 film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was released, earning great reviews and  success in the box office. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl 5th grade  readers This sweet story centers around the main character, Charlie, and his trip to the famous Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory, open to the public for just one day. However, not all the public. Only 5 Golden Ticket winners accompanied by one guest are permitted to enter. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired the films Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in 1971, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory released in 2005. Both movies are full of adventure and wonder â€" perfect for a summer movie! Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll 6th grade readers The timeless tale of Alice in Wonderland has inspired people of all ages since 1865. Carroll tells a story about a girl, Alice, who falls through a rabbit hole to an imaginary world and her adventurous journey throughout. Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, a cartoon movie of the story was released in 1951 and has been an enduring film for children. In 2010, a more modern version of Alice in Wonderland was released featuring actors Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway, stunning us all. Regardless of which movie you choose to compliment the book, you cannot go wrong. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen High school readers Pride and Prejudice, a beautifully written novel by Jane Austen, speaks to the importance of marrying for love as opposed to wealth. The protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet is faced with the pressure to marry into money, to help support the rest of her family and her five sisters. This romantic novel has been named one of the most “beloved books” and has sold over 20 million copies. The film adaptation featuring Kiera Knightly was released in 2005, and has equally become a sensation. A perfect romantic-drama for a summer night! You might also be interested in: 6 Simple Ways to Make Learning Fun this Summer Booklist to Celebrate Chinese Culture Soar Past the Summer Slide with Kumon’s Summer Learning Roundup 6 Practical Tips for Summer Parenting 5 POPULAR CHILDREN’S BOOKS-TURNED-MOVIES TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER 5 POPULAR CHILDREN’S BOOKS-TURNED-MOVIES TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER Summer â€" the time of year your children have been waiting for! As they soak up the sunshine, help them avoid the summer slide by encouraging your kids to keep an enjoyable book in tow. Reading books is also the perfect rainy day activity or indoor alternative to braving the unbearable heat.  Add a fun factor by suggesting books that are also movies. After reading the book, watch the film together and then discuss similarities and differences between the two to practice reading comprehension and literary criticism. Not only is this an enjoyable activity, it will also expose your children to different literary works and films. Here is a list of five Kumon Recommended Reading List titles that are also popular movies. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett Readers between 1st and 2nd grade This silly story tells the tale of a small town, Chewandswallow, and its delicious weather patterns. Three times a day, it rains a variety of yummy food. All is well until the portions get larger and begin to wreak havoc in Chewandswallow. The book has sold more than 1.9 million copies, and the Sony Pictures movie has warmed the hearts of parents and children worldwide. Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg 4th grade readers Jumanji is a thrilling story of a magical board game that comes to life. The dangers of a jungle and its inhabitants become a reality for the game players. In 2017, a modern version of the 1995 film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was released, earning great reviews and  success in the box office. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl 5th grade  readers This sweet story centers around the main character, Charlie, and his trip to the famous Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory, open to the public for just one day. However, not all the public. Only 5 Golden Ticket winners accompanied by one guest are permitted to enter. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired the films Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in 1971, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory released in 2005. Both movies are full of adventure and wonder â€" perfect for a summer movie! Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll 6th grade readers The timeless tale of Alice in Wonderland has inspired people of all ages since 1865. Carroll tells a story about a girl, Alice, who falls through a rabbit hole to an imaginary world and her adventurous journey throughout. Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, a cartoon movie of the story was released in 1951 and has been an enduring film for children. In 2010, a more modern version of Alice in Wonderland was released featuring actors Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway, stunning us all. Regardless of which movie you choose to compliment the book, you cannot go wrong. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen High school readers Pride and Prejudice, a beautifully written novel by Jane Austen, speaks to the importance of marrying for love as opposed to wealth. The protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet is faced with the pressure to marry into money, to help support the rest of her family and her five sisters. This romantic novel has been named one of the most “beloved books” and has sold over 20 million copies. The film adaptation featuring Kiera Knightly was released in 2005, and has equally become a sensation. A perfect romantic-drama for a summer night! You might also be interested in: 6 Simple Ways to Make Learning Fun this Summer Booklist to Celebrate Chinese Culture Soar Past the Summer Slide with Kumon’s Summer Learning Roundup 6 Practical Tips for Summer Parenting

When was the last time you thanked a teacher

When was the last time you thanked a teacher While we’re all aware of America’s teacher shortage, Fareed Zakaria shines some light on the roots of the problem in Fareed’s Take (see the video below). Zakaria summarizes the problem as follows: Teachers today are significantly less appreciated than they were in the past. Teachers in America are five times as likely to have a second job than the average full-time worker. Teacher pay has declined over the past 15 years when adjusted for deflation - teachers earn 60% of what a professional with comparable education makes. American educators are quitting the profession at double the rate of teachers in leading nations. Since 35% fewer people have studied to become teachers in recent years, more than 100,000 unqualified teachers were hired across the US this year, including teachers from low wage countries. While education is a complicated issue that is not entirely money driven, other countries are able to recruit top college students into the profession because they pay well and show deep respect for the profession. Fareed concludes his take by stating, “Being a teacher in America has become a thankless job, and yet, teaching is the one profession that makes all other professions possible.” Regularly expressing our gratitude for the work that teachers do is a step we can all take to change the tone around the profession in America. To all of the teachers in the Teach Away community, thank you for all you do! Whether you’re teaching in the United States or somewhere else, we appreciate your significant contributions. See Fareed's Take on teachers in today's America.

Marin Taught Education

Marin Taught EducationMarin tutoring can provide a great service to your child. This form of learning has been around for many years. It is no secret that the world of education needs many more teachers and it will be up to parents to use the resources that are available to them to find the most qualified teacher for their child.Many students who attend elementary schools do not learn how to read or write. Even when they start school they are able to learn to count at this early age, but they have difficulty in completing simple tasks such as writing a sentence or reading. These basic skills that your child needs to learn will not come through in traditional school and you need to get involved with an educational program that can assist your child in these areas. Marin tutoring can help improve reading, writing and other types of education.There are many wonderful tutors that offer tutoring services through Marin. These tutors are trained to work with students of all ages. These clas ses can range from formal classes that will be taught on a formal schedule, to more informal classes where there will be more interaction between the student and the tutor.Marin tutoring also has many times provide musical performances. These are often offered through parent participation and can include different musical groups such as choirs and other entertainers. These are open to all students in your child's grade.Many people enjoy Marin tutoring because it offers a great variety of classes to choose from. For example, you can find tutors that are certified by teaching agencies. You can also find tutors that have been practicing their craft for a number of years.Students that attend Marin tutoring classes are evaluated based on a variety of factors including individual skill level, special needs, and academic performance. Marin offers a variety of programs so you will be able to find the class that will meet your needs. When deciding what course to take for your child, make sur e that it is one that will improve their school performance.Marin tutoring can greatly enhance your child's learning experience. As parents try to look for ways to keep their children in school, Marin tutoring can be a wonderful resource to use to help your child reach their full potential.

Degree in Chemistry - Things to Consider Before You Apply

Degree in Chemistry - Things to Consider Before You ApplyWhen you want to study and obtain a degree in chemistry, there are many things you need to do before you get the degree. One of these is to consider where to apply for the degree. Before you apply, it would be helpful if you know which school to apply to in order to get the degree.Chemistry is one of the branches of science that can be learned in an undergraduate program or a PhD program. A degree in chemistry may be pursued by a student at the undergraduate level or by the PhD. There are two main branches of chemistry: organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry.Organic chemistry deals with the study of matter. An example is the chemical formula for benzene. Inorganic chemistry on the other hand deals with the study of the properties of matter and its properties. Examples of properties of matter in this branch are the concentration of specific isotopes of elements.In order to get a degree in chemistry, students must take courses that are related to the area of chemistry they wish to pursue. This includes chemistry that are usually at the undergraduate level. The classes which are required for a student in order to get a degree in chemistry are listed in the table below. The courses usually consist of prerequisite, lab or clinical, elective, and a thesis or dissertation topic.If you want to study in an on-campus chemistry lab, it would be best if you first find out what is expected from your degree in chemistry. If you do not have a lab experience, it would be best if you take a course in experimental chemistry. If you are at the graduate level, then you can opt for an elective course in organic chemistry, general chemistry, or research chemistry. On the other hand, if you are at the undergraduate level, you can choose to take elective courses in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, and chemistry.Once you have decided on the course to take, you need to decide on the program. There are many sch ools offering various programs for the MBA students and for postgraduate students. It would be better if you have a career plan as soon as possible. You can also choose to take the program from either a traditional college or a nontraditional school. However, you need to consider certain factors before you decide to go to a nontraditional school.Students who wish to pursue a program in chemistry should consider the following: for whom the program is intended, how it is offered, the qualification requirements, the cost, and the faculty. The degree in chemistry should be attainable for someone who has the right environment to succeed in the program. There are some universities that offer the degree in chemistry in the second year of undergraduate studies. There are also institutions that offer the degree after attending a bachelor's level degree program.

GRE Tips for Test Day

GRE Tips for Test Day Youve selected a date, youve registered for the GRE, and youre ready for your GRE test day! But waitwhat should you do to ensure you perform your best on test day? GRE tips for test day range from practicing Issue and Argument essays, to memorizing GRE vocabulary words for Verbal Reasoning, to determining probability and standard deviation for Quantitative Reasoning. Needless to say, there is plenty to keep track of. How can you make the process run as smoothly as possible? Here are five simple GRE tips for test day: GRE Test Day Tip #1: Thoroughly prepare beforehand This is an obvious one, but it must be saidstudy for the GRE! Do not go into this exam cold; the odds will not be in your favor. Take several GRE practice tests, and consider a GRE prep book if youd like an additional resource. The ETS website also provides a Math Review document that helps you prepare specifically for the material covered in the Quantitative Reasoning section. Learn the structure of the exam and the material covered in each section so you know what to expect on GRE test day. Additionally, visit the test center ahead of time. Prepare alternate routes to the location, and account for traffic. When you arrive, introduce yourself to the person in charge. Familiarize yourself with the resources, including parking if necessary, lockers, restrooms, and water fountains. Ask if there is any other information about the center that you should know before your GRE test day, so that you wont be thrown off on the day of the exam. GRE Test Day Tip #2: Save time to relax Get a good nights sleep the night before, and the night before thatthis means two nights of sleeping well so that you have the energy necessary to do your best on the GRE. Do not try to memorize a ton of new information the day before your exam. Cramming extra GRE vocabulary words or geometric formulas into your brain that you havent studied previously will be unlikely to help your performance, and it might actually fill you with anxiety. Instead, spend this time doing something you enjoy. For outdoorsy students, take a hike, ride your bike, or go for a jog. For students who prefer indoor pursuits, read a favorite novel, draw in a coloring book, or listen to music in a peaceful environment. Set up your mind and body for success the following day. GRE Test Day Tip #3: Know all the details of your testing center and time In many ways, this is the most important step: if youre not at the test center, then you cant take the GRE. Arrive early, at least 30 minutes before your scheduled test time. Wear comfortable layers incase the room is too hot or too cold for your liking. Bring your photo ID and your confirmation email. Know which graduate schools you would like to send your GRE scores to so you can submit that information at the end of the exam. Also, bring water and a snack to store in your locker to consume during your break. This can help provide you with energy to perform well on the second half of the exam. GRE Test Day Tip #4: Get comfortable When you sit at your assigned computer, get your bearings. This will be your GRE home base for the next four hours. Arrange your pencils and paper on the desk, raise or lower your seat, and adjust the monitor if needed. Then, start the test and take the tutorial section. This will help you acclimate to the environment, get accustomed to the computer, practice typing on a new keyboard, and relax for a few minutes. Finally, take a deep breath, and begin the GRE. GRE Test Day Tip #5: Focus on one question at a time During the test, pace yourself. Here is a breakdown of how the test is split up: Analytical Writing 30 minutes for the Analyze an Issue essay 30 minutes for the Analyze an Argument essay For each essay, consider spending five minutes brainstorming and outlining, 20 minutes writing, and five minutes editing. Verbal Reasoning Two sections Each section consists of 20 questions to answer in 30 minutes Quantitative Reasoning Two sections Each section consists of 20 questions to answer in 35 minutes Focus on the section and the question on the screen, one at a time. It is advised to select an answer for each question, even if you have to make an educated guess, since there is no penalty for wrong answers. Dont let yourself get stuck on any one question for too long; keep moving through the exam. After each section, ask for new pencils and new paper if you need them, and dont forget to take your breaks! This is a marathon, not a sprint. There are no bonuses for finishing early, so use all of the time available to you. [RELATED: How is the GRE Scored?] Remember, the way you practice for your GRE test day is likely the way youll perform, so incorporate these five tips into your study plan. If you prepare for all aspects of the GRE, relax the day before, and focus on what is in front of you, you will be on your way to a promising GRE test day. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

How To Find New Interesting Guitar Chords Using a Capo

How To Find New Interesting Guitar Chords Using a Capo Suzy S. So youve memorized the basic major and minor chords, and learned a few easy guitar songs. Whats next? Check out what a capo can do for you in this guest post by Perth Amboy, NJ teacher  Jeff S... In case youre unfamiliar with a capo, theyre those metal devices that clip onto the neck of a guitar, as you see in the photo above. If youre a guitarist and you dont own a capo yet, but are curious about them, my hope is that youll want to get one after reading this article. And for guitarists who already own a capo but havent fully exploited its potential, this article should tweak your interest. What Exactly Can a Capo Do For Me? Capos come in incredibly handy in instantly providing a one-step solution to play along with songs written and sung in keys unfriendly to guitar (such as Ab, Bb, Eb, Cm, Fm, etc.). For instance, if you wanted to play Adeles Rollin In The Deep on guitar so that it matches up with the recording, all youd have to do is put the capo at the 3rd fret and play Am, E, G, and F chords (that you likely already know in 1st position). Simple, huh? There are countless other songs you can use capos for to play on guitar, even if they werent written on guitar or if theres no guitar in the recording. All you need is basic guitar chord knowledge. How Does It Affect the Sound? Depending on how far down the neck the capo needs to be placed to match up with the key of a song, it can either subtly or drastically alter the personality of them. The results will vary from song to song, but capos will immediately render new tonal colors, increasing the brightness and making your playing and songwriting more diverse and engaging. If you want to hear some amazing examples of how magical songs can sound with capos, listen to the Beatles classic Here Comes The Sun, written by the late great George Harrison. The capo is on the 7th fret, which creates a feeling of optimism and sparkle that would be completely missing without the capo. The use of the capo has increased exponentially since then and just about every artist (or their guitarist) has one and uses it extensively. Check out the incredibly mood-inducing and engaging capoed guitar on Passengers Let Her Go and the guitar work on Taylor Swifts Safe And Sound, for example. If youre still in doubt about the power of the capo, try playing those songs without the capo and listen to the difference. What If Im Not Super-Knowledgeable About Keys and Chord Names? You can effectively integrate the capo into your playing even if you know little to nothing about music theory and dont know too many chord names. Let me illustrate: say you want to create a higher-pitched G chord. Just clamp your capo on the 5th fret and play a conventional D chord form (see chart below) and you will instantly hear it in a crisp and refreshing new way. Next, lets say you want to brighten up the otherwise deep and dull E chord in first position. Just clamp your capo on the 7th fret and play a standard (1st position) version of an A chord (again, see chart). Voila! Youve instantly brightened the previously low-end E chord. Play that while your jam partner or singer plays the conventional E chord and youve got a very rich tonally-diverse sound. Familiarize yourself with all the capoed versions of the major and minor chords in the chart and soon youll be thanking the capo gods every night. Is There an Easy Way to Get Started With My Capo? You bet! I suggest you pick out two or three of your favorite guitar songs  that  youre really comfortable with and can almost play blindfolded. Then use the chart below to find different places further down the neck to play the chords that youve been playing in 1st position. Try several voicings of the chords until you find one youre drawn to. Relearn the song using a capo and these new chord shapes. Just doing this will widen your tonal range on the guitar without you having to play (much more challenging) barre chords, and it will also add a new chordal dimension to your playing. And the added benefit is that these new capoed versions of your favorite songs will make your future jams much more interesting. All you really need to get started on your capo adventure is a little time, an open mind, and (of course) a capo! Jeff S. teaches guitar, ukulele, speaking voice, songwriting, and more in Perth Amboy, NJ, as well as online.  Jeff has created and taught songwriting and music business classes at colleges, universities, and music schools throughout the country for many years. Learn more  about Jeff 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 James Kim

5 Graphic Novels that Will Help You Learn French

5 Graphic Novels that Will Help You Learn French Megan L. Learning to speak French  can be a daunting task, so why not make it fun? Watching and reading French material is a fantastic way to study the language. In this article, teacher  Walker P.  introduces you to the wonderful world of French graphic novels One of the biggest steps we can take in our foreign language learning is reading in French. But let’s be honest, sometimes we’d rather take just half a step and that’s okay! Instead of staring at a  block of text and feeling intimidated, we can begin our journey to literacy with the engaging world of comic books and graphic novels. Furthermore, France has a rich world of illustration that we can enjoy beyond our studies. Whether you want to help your child learn French or learn it yourself, these novels have something for everyone. Let’s take a look at five publications of different skill levels that all have a unique story to tell. 1. Histoire de Babar: le petit éléphant, Jean de Brunhoff The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant After his mother is killed by hunters, young Babar escapes the jungle and arrives in a city where he is befriended by an old woman. She hires him a tutor and dresses him with an heir of sophistication. What we end up with is a charming and refined young elephant who brings civilization to the land of elephants. This children’s book with full-page illustrations is perfect for beginners and anyone who wants a relaxed, immersive experience with French. 2. Les Aventures de Tintin: On a marché sur la Lune, Hergé The Adventures of Tintin: Explorers on the Moon, Hergé Tintin is an adventurous young reporter and main character of this very popular series. Loved for its slapstick humor, realistic world, and well-researched plotlines, this series is perfect for anyone just beginning to develop their French vocabulary skills. This time, on a trip to the moon to explore stalactite caves, Tintin and his companions face stowaways, depleting oxygen, and the challenges of survival in space. Its a simple and fun science fiction jaunt to warm up your brain to the French language. 3. Titeuf, Dieu, le sexe et les bretelles, Zep Titeuf, God, Sex and Suspenders, Zep The most popular comic series in France currently, Titeuf, stars an inquisitive eight-year-old who really just wants to understand life. Standing at the edge of puberty, Titeuf explores the questions of what lies ahead  and invokes a playful, honest attitude toward growing up. This series is perfect for younger French students that can relate, as well as for those more advanced who want to laugh as they learn. 4. L’Arabe du Futur, Riad Sattouf The Arab of the Future Born to a Syrian father and white French mother in the 1980s, Riad grows up between two cultures. Drawn to art and having a gentle disposition, the male-centered, aggressive worlds of Libya and Syria challenges Riad as a young child. This graphic novel is written from his perspective but makes many observations on the politics of France and North Africa, as Riad navigates the culture of his father and of Islam. A great choice for people at a high school or college reading level. 5. Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi Ranked by Newsweek as the fifth-best fictional book of the decade, Persepolis explores the childhood and adulthood of its author during and after the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The protagonist, Marji, fights for what she believes in and explores her cultural identity throughout this wonderful series. Anyone looking for a more advanced read and still wants an engaging, beautifully-illustrated experience need look no further than Persepolis. As an added bonus, once you finish you can watch the animated adaptation and practice your French listening skills and oral comprehension. Welcome to the world of French graphic novels, or as we would say in this case: bandes dessinées. Now take these skills that you learn from the novels and try to have a French conversation with someone. As always, practice with consistency, and study often! Post Author:  Walker P. Walker P. teaches English, Japanese, and French in Chicago, IL. He received a bachelors degree in English and French at DuPaul University. Walker has edited thousands of formal essays for his peers and enjoys one-on-one conversations to improve others English skills.  Learn more about Walker here! Photo by morebyless 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