Online Tutoring Where to Start

Online Tutoring Where to Start Online Tutoring: Tips for Effective Learning ChaptersWhat Can Be Learned Online?Overcoming Obstacles for Successful Online LearningWhat Do You Need to Take Courses Online?Online Tutoring with SuperprofWhere Else Can You Turn for Private Lessons?Top Benefits of Online TutoringAccording to a report published in The Daily Telegraph, a whopping 72% of students in the UK have had private tutoring in preparation for their Common Entrance Exam.A survey done for the Sutton Trust discloses that 24% of all students in Britain have benefited from one on one tutoring at some point during their academic career. That figure jumps to 40% in London.With the proliferation of Internet-based teaching materials and tools such as virtual whiteboard, online tutoring has seen a 500% growth rate over the past year.More and more tutoring centers are riding this wave by helping students improve their study skills online.A few mouse clicks can uncover a certified teacher of practically any discipline from science, math and English to niche skills, offeri ng tutelage online.Let us now discover how we can get help from online tutors.Hint: there is a lot more out there than academia!Overcoming Obstacles for Successful Online LearningIf you are a digital native - someone who has always had the Internet in the palm of your hand,   you may have tried taking lessons online and found them satisfactory.On the other hand, there is a substantial portion of the population who has had less than stellar experiences.The main reasons are:Technical issues: poor or dropped connections, screen freezes and not hearing tutors' instructions clearlyLack of personal connection withe the tutor: this remains a challenge in spite of the relative proximity in age.A large part of effective tutoring is patience, empathy and support - all rather hard to feel from a distanceEffective communication: without being able to read body language and other non-verbal clues, it is more difficult for both the tutor and the student to build a productive learning environmentT utors are supposed to 'be there' for you, right?That very principle begs the question: how can they be there for you if they are not physically there?Fortunately, the best tutors are aware of your sentiments in that regard and they go the extra mile to ensure that you enjoy the most positive learning experience possible.There is new technology on the market seemingly every day that permits you and your tutor to work closely together to reach your learning goals, be they academic, artistic or holistic - understanding nutrition better and learning yoga, to name just two examples of such.Long gone are the days when the only tools in a tutor's arsenal are books and talk!These days, savvy tutors use interactive whiteboards and digital pens; screen sharing functions that are built-in to most videochat software and they recommend their students use Google Docs or Dropbox, rather than email to upload assignments.You may even find that your tutor has built up Quizlet study sets for you to le arn on the go!Quizlet is a web-based learning application that takes a multi-pronged approach to presenting study materials. From any study set you may use their flashcards, the writing quiz to test your knowledge; you may even enjoy playing the games associated with your lessons.You may use such applications online, while sitting at your home computer, or you may download study apps that your tutor recommends so that you may learn on the go!A quality webcam is essential for online learning. Source: Pixabay Credit: VitaminOf the millions of apps floating around cyberspace - more than two hundred thousand of them dedicated academic study, it is likely you will use either  Skype or Google Hangouts,  or a combination of both.You might already be familiar with these  video chat platforms. They are the most commonly used applications for online instruction because they have a screen share function that allows your tutor to see what you are doing while you're doing it.For example, after a vocabulary session during your Spanish lesson, your tutor announces a short dictation exercise. You would engage 'screen share' so that s/he can see what you are typing as you type it.Isn't that convenient?Hangouts provides the additional benefit of allowing several participants to join a conversation.That is an excellent feature that allows your tutor to teach you and a small group of your schoolmates at the same time. How does that help you?For one, you may be more receptive to instruction if your friend is included in your extracurricular learning. For two: your tutor might give you a lower hourly rate!Online learning is no longer the wave of the future; it is here to stay! Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltOnline Tutoring with SuperprofHistorically, one of the greatest challenges for tutors to overcome was advertising their services in such a way that they would be absolutely indispensable to students' learning. After all, they are teachers, not marketing experts!Unless, of course, they teach marketing, in which case they would be experts!That problem was compounded by the lack of any outlet dedicated to learning that would permit prospective tutors to write an inclusive bio: what their educational background is and all about their teaching experience.Naturally, tutors could and did place adverts in local papers and, later, as online advertising grew in popularity, a well-written ad was sure to get results - especially if it included a picture.Still, those outlets put forth only a little information; not much more than the tutor's name, minimal educational background information; the subject(s) they would tutor in, and contact details.Superprof came online in 2013, effectively giving tutors a way to market their skills effectively and permitting students and their parents a much wider selection of teachers to choose from.Every tutor gets his/her own page to expound on everything from their educational background to their teaching philosophy and methodology.On e glance at any Superprof tutor page will reveal whether they would travel to your home for lessons or welcome you into theirs, and even if they give lessons by webcam - to individuals or in small groups.Perhaps the best part of Superprof tutor pages is that you are treated to reviews left by previous students. These testimonials are meant to help you decide whether that tutor would work well with you, and also speaks to the depth of experience s/he has to offer you.Obviously, you would want to work with a tutor who has a measure of experience in his/her field; one who charges a reasonable rate and who is responsive to your needs. Thanks to Superprof tutor profile pages, you can deduce all of that! Take, for example...Myriam, who is in London on an Erasmus exchange, has been tutoring maths for several years and has earned such a stellar reputation that she has been named a tutoring ambassador!Benjamin teaches English in person (if you live in London) or by webcam, anywhere in the co untry. His students have left him 5-star ratingsAndy works with students who have special needs; he also teaches Mandarin and English to students up to 16 years old. Testimonials indicate that he is a supportive, nurturing and passionate educator!By skimming through tutor profiles on Superprof, you are sure to find at least one tutor who can help you get an academic leg up.Superprof has:Math tutors  â€" KS1-5, SAT, GCSE and A Levels test prepScience tutors â€" biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciencesEnglish tutors â€" vocabulary, grammar, spelling, ESOLForeign languages â€" French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, German, ItalianComputers and digital technologyEngineering tutors â€" civil, electrical, mechanicalMusic â€" piano, guitar, drums, singingEconomics â€" macro and microeconomics, econometricsStatistics and ProbabilityHistory tutorsArt tutors â€" sculpting, drawing, actingYoga and fitness training tutorsCollege level tutoring in all subjectsYou can even learn how to cook, sew a nd swim  and do yoga while face to face with a Superprof tutor!Should there be any shred of doubt whether any given tutor is the ideal tutor for you, rest assured that most Superprof tutors give their first hour of lessons for free - just to see how well you would work together.With more than a million active tutors registered to the site, Superprof has a tutor for every student, anywhere in the UK.Superprof certifies that every tutor is properly  qualified to teach in his/her field, something you can verify yourself: every tutor page indicates their profile and credentials have been vetted to provide you with the best possible learning experience, in the most capable hands.Don't let the myriad of choices for online tutoring boggle your mind. Source: Pixabay Credit: PezibearWhere Else Can You Turn for Private Lessons?A survey done for the Sutton Trust discloses that 24% of all students in Britain have benefited from one to one tutoring at some point during their academic career. The figure for private tutoring jumps to 40% in London.Where is everyone finding these private lessons from?Tutoring Agencies that offer Private Lessons OnlineKeystone Tutors has a London-based office that provides home tutoring in the city and online tutoring all over the UK. As well as college entrance and national exam preparation, these tutors provide academic support  and homework help from KS1 to GCSE.In addition to videos and instruction via webcam, Keystone tutors use whiteboard  and digital pens to ensure an interactive experience with their tutees.These dedicated tutors include your parents and other caregivers in the learning process by providing them with a monthly report that details:the focus of that month’s tutoringthe form of assessment usedthe student's achievements and areas for further workthe focus for the coming monthSimply Learning Tuition â€" or SLT is a London-based agency that offers online tutoring across the UK. They also provide in home tutoring and lesson s for home-schooled students.This organization functions as an academic consulting agency, performing an initial assessment exam and a family interview, after which they select the tutors most suited to your child's temperament and scholastic needs.SLT embraces standard academic tutoring subjects that reflect national curriculum demands, as well as SAT, GCSE and A Levels test preparation. Their mentorship extends to tutoring at college level and for International Baccalaureate prep.Websites that Provide Tutoring OnlineTLC Live is a tutoring website based in East Anglia and staffed by certified teachers, for students from KS1 to GCSE.Since their inception in 2003, they have worked closely with schools to develop a bespoke curriculum   of supplemental instruction that ties in with national education requirements. Because of their close association with formal learning, they tutor using the most up-to-date classroom textbooks and exam criteria.The Khan Academy is another great learning portal if you are struggling academically.Created in 2005 with the aim of producing online tools for academic support, their site consists of a series of YouTube videos, organised by subject and grade level. There are also exercises that correspond to each lesson as well as a short test for you to take once you feel you have mastered the material in that lesson.Although initially meant just for primary and secondary school students, the utility soon expanded to include college-level study materials. Today, they include tutorials for college graduates, job seekers and young professionals.Their videos are hosted by real teachers with classroom experience and experts in the discrete fields of study.Two aspects of Khan Academy to keep in mind: the site originates in America, meaning the grade levels would be different than our curriculum.If you are looking for videos to get a better understanding of GCSE maths, it might be easier to find the specific topic you are looking for by its ca tegory - calculus or linear equations, for example, than to look for the lesson you need among the 10th grade math videos.Another, more vital distinction to keep in mind: this is not a tutoring website in the sense that a tutor will work with you one on one. It is a video bank replete with admittedly excellent teaching material that you may refer to for an extra boost in understanding the subject material at hand.You may even want to talk it over with your tutor; see what s/he thinks about it!Finding Your Online Tutor Through AdvertsEvery UK city has their own Freeads. You can conduct a search for tutors of subjects you are interested in, from reading and writing to Algebra and Trigonometry. And then, you only need to read through your search results in order to decide who would best suit your learning needs.At Gumtree you can conduct a search by typing in what  you need help with â€" academic, sports or music, and what city you live in. The adverts are listed in no particular order , so it might take a while to find the best tutor.The benefit of these types of tutor adverts, as well as the next few we cover, is that you are virtually guaranteed a tutor who is local to you.Your local newspaper may list tutor for hire adverts! Source: Pixabay Credit: StevePBWhat About Your Local Newspaper?Diversifying is one of the best ways to achieve results, be it in investing, eating and nutrition and, especially in advertising.The best tutors are aware of that fact, so they take a multi-pronged approach to announcing their services -not just online but by other means as well.Even in these digital times, you can still find one to one tutoring services listed in the classified ads section of your local or regional paper. With a bit of time, you may well find a good match to your educational needs.Another reliable tactic tutors employ is posting fliers in high-traffic areas, such as your local newsagents, supermarkets, libraries and community centres.Most such places - cafés and restaurants included, hang bulletin boards expressly for such notices. In fact, you may consider posting an advert there yourself so that tutors may find you!One more means of finding quality tutelage that has little or nothing to do with technology is word of mouth advertising.Let's say your mate has suddenly started getting good marks on his school work. Naturally, you would want to now how he got so good, so fast... right? That's when he tells you about this great tutor he's been working with and passes on that worthy's number.In the digital world, student testimonials serve the same purpose!While it is true that, these days, such approaches could be considered low-tech, do such adverts necessarily mean you will be divorced from your beloved electronics while being tutored?Not at all! As previously mentioned: savvy tutors employ a range of advertising tactics. They are not necessarily a reflection of said tutor's supposed aversion to digital self-promotion; s/he most likely a dvertised online, as well.As you can see, tutoring in general and, specifically  online tutoring services are not difficult to find. But what does all that searching boil down to?Online lessons will not squeeze your wallet! Source: Pixabay Credit: stevepbTop Benefits of Online TutoringThe benefits of tutoring have long been established and acknowledged by the educational community worldwide.Since the advent of the Internet, especially as it became more than an object of curiosity - as it evolved into an integral part of our lives, the inevitable extension to traditional classroom learning  became learning online.That truth is borne out by the number of colleges and universities offering online courses and even entire degree plans online.Likewise, distance learning has become a staple of professional training and continuing education, as well: rather than employees losing valuable time commuting to overcrowded, expensive seminars, they simply log in to their company's training websit e for instruction, right from their work station!The natural complement to online learning is tutoring online.Just as retail outlets are migrating to the digital realm, so too is the business of education - and for many of the same reasons!The benefits of private tutoring online are numerous.Lower Cost; Less Time!Before enlisting the help of a tutor for academic success, perhaps you could benefit from free tutoring.  Taking lessons or seeking homework help online is cost-effective and time-saving, especially because online tutors are particularly adept at delivering quality instruction via webcam.Besides your study materials, you shouldn't need any more than a computer with Internet connexion, a webcam and a headset.Conferencing software allows for several people to be on the same 'call'. The tutor might suggest group learning with his/her other students, who are all studying the same topic and are at approximately the same level as you are.Peer tutoring is a great way to build conf idence while helping others learn.Doing so will save you even more money. Online tutoring in general and Superprof tutors especially are great at giving lower rates to students who participate in group studies.ConvenienceAccording to a study conducted in 2014, average commuting time throughout the UK clocked at 54 minutes per trip. That is nearly a full hour that you could be increasing your competencies. Nearly a full hour tutors to spend traveling rather than instructing.With tutoring live online, the only traffic is what you and you teacher send back and forth... and that's nearly instantaneous!Through online tutoring, geographical restrictions are eliminated.You could join study groups  in Scotland or Wales â€" or any other (English speaking) country with no worries about where to meet or paying extra for your teacher to come to your home.Furthermore, because of the wealth of tutors advertising their services online, you can easily find a tutor  you would like to work with.If yo u live in a remote area or want to learn a niche skill, you are much more likely to find the best tutor  over the web than a home tutor in your corner of the world.Learning in ComfortStudies show that learning is best done in an orderly environment. If you have joined a learning center  online, that orderly space should include the desk you are sitting at and the room it is situated in.However, nothing says you can't benefit from E-tutoring in your pyjamas or other such comfortable garb.Besides, as someone who has never known a world without a digital presence, chances are you are completely at ease using technology and would most likely embrace the use of any educational platform your tutor might suggest.Breaking from Traditional Learning ModelNew studies in cognitive behavior indicate that changing instruction delivery methods can improve how much pupils retain. By engaging in online learning, you eschew the traditional image of teacher-before-student, effectively exposing yoursel f/your child to the very change that top psychologists recommend.By learning from a tutor online, you are embracing the very latest educational theories for success.The latest data conclusively prove that students involved in online learning tend to outperform their peers in scholastic aptitude tests.  Aren't you eager to drop in on your tutor?If I'm searching for tutors near me, I always use Superprof. With over 1000 subjects and 10,000 tutors, you can learn anything you want.

Online Tutoring Where to Start

Online Tutoring Where to Start Online Tutoring: Tips for Effective Learning ChaptersWhat Can Be Learned Online?Overcoming Obstacles for Successful Online LearningWhat Do You Need to Take Courses Online?Online Tutoring with SuperprofWhere Else Can You Turn for Private Lessons?Top Benefits of Online TutoringAccording to a report published in The Daily Telegraph, a whopping 72% of students in the UK have had private tutoring in preparation for their Common Entrance Exam.A survey done for the Sutton Trust discloses that 24% of all students in Britain have benefited from one on one tutoring at some point during their academic career. That figure jumps to 40% in London.With the proliferation of Internet-based teaching materials and tools such as virtual whiteboard, online tutoring has seen a 500% growth rate over the past year.More and more tutoring centers are riding this wave by helping students improve their study skills online.A few mouse clicks can uncover a certified teacher of practically any discipline from science, math and English to niche skills, offeri ng tutelage online.Let us now discover how we can get help from online tutors.Hint: there is a lot more out there than academia!Overcoming Obstacles for Successful Online LearningIf you are a digital native - someone who has always had the Internet in the palm of your hand,   you may have tried taking lessons online and found them satisfactory.On the other hand, there is a substantial portion of the population who has had less than stellar experiences.The main reasons are:Technical issues: poor or dropped connections, screen freezes and not hearing tutors' instructions clearlyLack of personal connection withe the tutor: this remains a challenge in spite of the relative proximity in age.A large part of effective tutoring is patience, empathy and support - all rather hard to feel from a distanceEffective communication: without being able to read body language and other non-verbal clues, it is more difficult for both the tutor and the student to build a productive learning environmentT utors are supposed to 'be there' for you, right?That very principle begs the question: how can they be there for you if they are not physically there?Fortunately, the best tutors are aware of your sentiments in that regard and they go the extra mile to ensure that you enjoy the most positive learning experience possible.There is new technology on the market seemingly every day that permits you and your tutor to work closely together to reach your learning goals, be they academic, artistic or holistic - understanding nutrition better and learning yoga, to name just two examples of such.Long gone are the days when the only tools in a tutor's arsenal are books and talk!These days, savvy tutors use interactive whiteboards and digital pens; screen sharing functions that are built-in to most videochat software and they recommend their students use Google Docs or Dropbox, rather than email to upload assignments.You may even find that your tutor has built up Quizlet study sets for you to le arn on the go!Quizlet is a web-based learning application that takes a multi-pronged approach to presenting study materials. From any study set you may use their flashcards, the writing quiz to test your knowledge; you may even enjoy playing the games associated with your lessons.You may use such applications online, while sitting at your home computer, or you may download study apps that your tutor recommends so that you may learn on the go!A quality webcam is essential for online learning. Source: Pixabay Credit: VitaminOf the millions of apps floating around cyberspace - more than two hundred thousand of them dedicated academic study, it is likely you will use either  Skype or Google Hangouts,  or a combination of both.You might already be familiar with these  video chat platforms. They are the most commonly used applications for online instruction because they have a screen share function that allows your tutor to see what you are doing while you're doing it.For example, after a vocabulary session during your Spanish lesson, your tutor announces a short dictation exercise. You would engage 'screen share' so that s/he can see what you are typing as you type it.Isn't that convenient?Hangouts provides the additional benefit of allowing several participants to join a conversation.That is an excellent feature that allows your tutor to teach you and a small group of your schoolmates at the same time. How does that help you?For one, you may be more receptive to instruction if your friend is included in your extracurricular learning. For two: your tutor might give you a lower hourly rate!Online learning is no longer the wave of the future; it is here to stay! Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltOnline Tutoring with SuperprofHistorically, one of the greatest challenges for tutors to overcome was advertising their services in such a way that they would be absolutely indispensable to students' learning. After all, they are teachers, not marketing experts!Unless, of course, they teach marketing, in which case they would be experts!That problem was compounded by the lack of any outlet dedicated to learning that would permit prospective tutors to write an inclusive bio: what their educational background is and all about their teaching experience.Naturally, tutors could and did place adverts in local papers and, later, as online advertising grew in popularity, a well-written ad was sure to get results - especially if it included a picture.Still, those outlets put forth only a little information; not much more than the tutor's name, minimal educational background information; the subject(s) they would tutor in, and contact details.Superprof came online in 2013, effectively giving tutors a way to market their skills effectively and permitting students and their parents a much wider selection of teachers to choose from.Every tutor gets his/her own page to expound on everything from their educational background to their teaching philosophy and methodology.On e glance at any Superprof tutor page will reveal whether they would travel to your home for lessons or welcome you into theirs, and even if they give lessons by webcam - to individuals or in small groups.Perhaps the best part of Superprof tutor pages is that you are treated to reviews left by previous students. These testimonials are meant to help you decide whether that tutor would work well with you, and also speaks to the depth of experience s/he has to offer you.Obviously, you would want to work with a tutor who has a measure of experience in his/her field; one who charges a reasonable rate and who is responsive to your needs. Thanks to Superprof tutor profile pages, you can deduce all of that! Take, for example...Myriam, who is in London on an Erasmus exchange, has been tutoring maths for several years and has earned such a stellar reputation that she has been named a tutoring ambassador!Benjamin teaches English in person (if you live in London) or by webcam, anywhere in the co untry. His students have left him 5-star ratingsAndy works with students who have special needs; he also teaches Mandarin and English to students up to 16 years old. Testimonials indicate that he is a supportive, nurturing and passionate educator!By skimming through tutor profiles on Superprof, you are sure to find at least one tutor who can help you get an academic leg up.Superprof has:Math tutors  â€" KS1-5, SAT, GCSE and A Levels test prepScience tutors â€" biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciencesEnglish tutors â€" vocabulary, grammar, spelling, ESOLForeign languages â€" French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, German, ItalianComputers and digital technologyEngineering tutors â€" civil, electrical, mechanicalMusic â€" piano, guitar, drums, singingEconomics â€" macro and microeconomics, econometricsStatistics and ProbabilityHistory tutorsArt tutors â€" sculpting, drawing, actingYoga and fitness training tutorsCollege level tutoring in all subjectsYou can even learn how to cook, sew a nd swim  and do yoga while face to face with a Superprof tutor!Should there be any shred of doubt whether any given tutor is the ideal tutor for you, rest assured that most Superprof tutors give their first hour of lessons for free - just to see how well you would work together.With more than a million active tutors registered to the site, Superprof has a tutor for every student, anywhere in the UK.Superprof certifies that every tutor is properly  qualified to teach in his/her field, something you can verify yourself: every tutor page indicates their profile and credentials have been vetted to provide you with the best possible learning experience, in the most capable hands.Don't let the myriad of choices for online tutoring boggle your mind. Source: Pixabay Credit: PezibearWhere Else Can You Turn for Private Lessons?A survey done for the Sutton Trust discloses that 24% of all students in Britain have benefited from one to one tutoring at some point during their academic career. The figure for private tutoring jumps to 40% in London.Where is everyone finding these private lessons from?Tutoring Agencies that offer Private Lessons OnlineKeystone Tutors has a London-based office that provides home tutoring in the city and online tutoring all over the UK. As well as college entrance and national exam preparation, these tutors provide academic support  and homework help from KS1 to GCSE.In addition to videos and instruction via webcam, Keystone tutors use whiteboard  and digital pens to ensure an interactive experience with their tutees.These dedicated tutors include your parents and other caregivers in the learning process by providing them with a monthly report that details:the focus of that month’s tutoringthe form of assessment usedthe student's achievements and areas for further workthe focus for the coming monthSimply Learning Tuition â€" or SLT is a London-based agency that offers online tutoring across the UK. They also provide in home tutoring and lesson s for home-schooled students.This organization functions as an academic consulting agency, performing an initial assessment exam and a family interview, after which they select the tutors most suited to your child's temperament and scholastic needs.SLT embraces standard academic tutoring subjects that reflect national curriculum demands, as well as SAT, GCSE and A Levels test preparation. Their mentorship extends to tutoring at college level and for International Baccalaureate prep.Websites that Provide Tutoring OnlineTLC Live is a tutoring website based in East Anglia and staffed by certified teachers, for students from KS1 to GCSE.Since their inception in 2003, they have worked closely with schools to develop a bespoke curriculum   of supplemental instruction that ties in with national education requirements. Because of their close association with formal learning, they tutor using the most up-to-date classroom textbooks and exam criteria.The Khan Academy is another great learning portal if you are struggling academically.Created in 2005 with the aim of producing online tools for academic support, their site consists of a series of YouTube videos, organised by subject and grade level. There are also exercises that correspond to each lesson as well as a short test for you to take once you feel you have mastered the material in that lesson.Although initially meant just for primary and secondary school students, the utility soon expanded to include college-level study materials. Today, they include tutorials for college graduates, job seekers and young professionals.Their videos are hosted by real teachers with classroom experience and experts in the discrete fields of study.Two aspects of Khan Academy to keep in mind: the site originates in America, meaning the grade levels would be different than our curriculum.If you are looking for videos to get a better understanding of GCSE maths, it might be easier to find the specific topic you are looking for by its ca tegory - calculus or linear equations, for example, than to look for the lesson you need among the 10th grade math videos.Another, more vital distinction to keep in mind: this is not a tutoring website in the sense that a tutor will work with you one on one. It is a video bank replete with admittedly excellent teaching material that you may refer to for an extra boost in understanding the subject material at hand.You may even want to talk it over with your tutor; see what s/he thinks about it!Finding Your Online Tutor Through AdvertsEvery UK city has their own Freeads. You can conduct a search for tutors of subjects you are interested in, from reading and writing to Algebra and Trigonometry. And then, you only need to read through your search results in order to decide who would best suit your learning needs.At Gumtree you can conduct a search by typing in what  you need help with â€" academic, sports or music, and what city you live in. The adverts are listed in no particular order , so it might take a while to find the best tutor.The benefit of these types of tutor adverts, as well as the next few we cover, is that you are virtually guaranteed a tutor who is local to you.Your local newspaper may list tutor for hire adverts! Source: Pixabay Credit: StevePBWhat About Your Local Newspaper?Diversifying is one of the best ways to achieve results, be it in investing, eating and nutrition and, especially in advertising.The best tutors are aware of that fact, so they take a multi-pronged approach to announcing their services -not just online but by other means as well.Even in these digital times, you can still find one to one tutoring services listed in the classified ads section of your local or regional paper. With a bit of time, you may well find a good match to your educational needs.Another reliable tactic tutors employ is posting fliers in high-traffic areas, such as your local newsagents, supermarkets, libraries and community centres.Most such places - cafés and restaurants included, hang bulletin boards expressly for such notices. In fact, you may consider posting an advert there yourself so that tutors may find you!One more means of finding quality tutelage that has little or nothing to do with technology is word of mouth advertising.Let's say your mate has suddenly started getting good marks on his school work. Naturally, you would want to now how he got so good, so fast... right? That's when he tells you about this great tutor he's been working with and passes on that worthy's number.In the digital world, student testimonials serve the same purpose!While it is true that, these days, such approaches could be considered low-tech, do such adverts necessarily mean you will be divorced from your beloved electronics while being tutored?Not at all! As previously mentioned: savvy tutors employ a range of advertising tactics. They are not necessarily a reflection of said tutor's supposed aversion to digital self-promotion; s/he most likely a dvertised online, as well.As you can see, tutoring in general and, specifically  online tutoring services are not difficult to find. But what does all that searching boil down to?Online lessons will not squeeze your wallet! Source: Pixabay Credit: stevepbTop Benefits of Online TutoringThe benefits of tutoring have long been established and acknowledged by the educational community worldwide.Since the advent of the Internet, especially as it became more than an object of curiosity - as it evolved into an integral part of our lives, the inevitable extension to traditional classroom learning  became learning online.That truth is borne out by the number of colleges and universities offering online courses and even entire degree plans online.Likewise, distance learning has become a staple of professional training and continuing education, as well: rather than employees losing valuable time commuting to overcrowded, expensive seminars, they simply log in to their company's training websit e for instruction, right from their work station!The natural complement to online learning is tutoring online.Just as retail outlets are migrating to the digital realm, so too is the business of education - and for many of the same reasons!The benefits of private tutoring online are numerous.Lower Cost; Less Time!Before enlisting the help of a tutor for academic success, perhaps you could benefit from free tutoring.  Taking lessons or seeking homework help online is cost-effective and time-saving, especially because online tutors are particularly adept at delivering quality instruction via webcam.Besides your study materials, you shouldn't need any more than a computer with Internet connexion, a webcam and a headset.Conferencing software allows for several people to be on the same 'call'. The tutor might suggest group learning with his/her other students, who are all studying the same topic and are at approximately the same level as you are.Peer tutoring is a great way to build conf idence while helping others learn.Doing so will save you even more money. Online tutoring in general and Superprof tutors especially are great at giving lower rates to students who participate in group studies.ConvenienceAccording to a study conducted in 2014, average commuting time throughout the UK clocked at 54 minutes per trip. That is nearly a full hour that you could be increasing your competencies. Nearly a full hour tutors to spend traveling rather than instructing.With tutoring live online, the only traffic is what you and you teacher send back and forth... and that's nearly instantaneous!Through online tutoring, geographical restrictions are eliminated.You could join study groups  in Scotland or Wales â€" or any other (English speaking) country with no worries about where to meet or paying extra for your teacher to come to your home.Furthermore, because of the wealth of tutors advertising their services online, you can easily find a tutor  you would like to work with.If yo u live in a remote area or want to learn a niche skill, you are much more likely to find the best tutor  over the web than a home tutor in your corner of the world.Learning in ComfortStudies show that learning is best done in an orderly environment. If you have joined a learning center  online, that orderly space should include the desk you are sitting at and the room it is situated in.However, nothing says you can't benefit from E-tutoring in your pyjamas or other such comfortable garb.Besides, as someone who has never known a world without a digital presence, chances are you are completely at ease using technology and would most likely embrace the use of any educational platform your tutor might suggest.Breaking from Traditional Learning ModelNew studies in cognitive behavior indicate that changing instruction delivery methods can improve how much pupils retain. By engaging in online learning, you eschew the traditional image of teacher-before-student, effectively exposing yoursel f/your child to the very change that top psychologists recommend.By learning from a tutor online, you are embracing the very latest educational theories for success.The latest data conclusively prove that students involved in online learning tend to outperform their peers in scholastic aptitude tests.  Aren't you eager to drop in on your tutor?If I'm searching for tutors near me, I always use Superprof. With over 1000 subjects and 10,000 tutors, you can learn anything you want.

How to Make the Most of Your Gap Year

How to Make the Most of Your Gap Year Youve made the big decision to take a gap year, and its time to create a plan to make the most of this experience. Its key to remember that a gap year isnt simply a time for relaxing and having fun. Instead, its to explore various interests you may have in order to start the next step of your life on the right foot. Examine what you really hope to get out of this year, and sit down to establish a plan to accomplish it. You can make the most of your gap year by choosing smart travel destinations and finding creative ways to document your experience. Create a plan to capitalize on your gap year Once you decide to take a gap year, the next step is to plan how youll fill the time. Your gap year technically begins the summer after high school graduation, so make the most of every second you have. If youve decided to travel or volunteer abroad, you may have a set time frame for these actions that was determined by an external source. If youre staying home to pursue work opportunities and to save money for college, you may need to exercise your planning skills a bit more. Consider questions such as: How will you fill the time when youre not working in a way that will further your goals? Can you volunteer or pursue a new hobby that you havent had time to try in the past? Once youve decided how to fill your time and have established specific goals for your gap year, create a detailed agenda to help hold yourself accountable. [RELATED: Should I Take a Gap Year?] Choose a smart gap year travel destination Make sure the travel destination you choose for your gap year will expand your knowledge in areas that are specifically helpful to your future goals. If you think a particular language will be useful in your prospective career, consider spending time somewhere that will immerse you in that language and culture. There are certain careers that you can do almost anywhere in the world, so put some thought into the location you choose and examine how it may come into play later down the road. [RELATED: 4 Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job] Seek out relevant job experiences during your gap year Since the goal of a gap year is to gain valuable experience, it may be ideal to find work opportunities that fit with your future career goals. For example, if youre eventually headed to law school, seek out work as an assistant at a law firm to give yourself a taste of the environment. Additionally, you may make connections with people who will be valuable resources later, especially if you impress them with your work ethic. If you want to become a teacher, find an opportunity to work with children and discover what age groups you might want to gear your studies toward. The experience youll gain is valuable, but perhaps even more so is the chance to get real world experience before you commit to a college major. Find a way to document your gap year experiences A great way to showcase to potential school administrators what you accomplished during your gap year is to find a way to document your experience. Options could include starting a blog or creating a special social media account detailing your gap year activities. You will both preserve your memories and establish a clear location that others can reference to learn what your gap year meant to you. [RELATED: How Social Media Affects College Admissions] 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.

4 Must-Have Apps for Guitar Players

4 Must-Have Apps for Guitar Players Suzy S. Excited about learning how to play the guitar? Awesome! Youll need the perfect beginner guitar, a great teacher by your side, and a personal commitment to learning and improving. Using extra resources like smartphone or tablet apps to help you practice efficiently in between lessons can help a ton, as well. But with so many apps available these days, you may feel a little overwhelmed when youre trying to find one to download. Below are a handful that we really like. TakeLessons Live TakeLessons Live offers online classes that are led by live guitar teachers. With the free membership option, you can join a variety of classes from anywhere in the world.  Topics covered include guitar exercises, music theory, scales, song tutorials, and more. If you’re looking for a fun way to practice your skills while getting feedback from a real instructor, this is the app for you! TakeLessons Live is available for both iOS and Android and is free. Guitar Toolkit For any guitar player, having an app that can function as one of the many tools needed for practice and performance is always nice. There are a lot of apps for guitar that serve as metronomes, tuners, and chord reference charts, but what makes Guitar Toolkit stand out above many of the other apps for guitar is that it combines all of these tools and more into one slick interface. If you need to tune your guitar, this app makes it easy, whether youre looking for standard tuning for a 6-string, or an alternate tuning for anything between 7 and 12 strings. It can also help you practice scales and arpeggios to get ready for your next lesson! The Guitar Toolkit app is available in the iTunes App Store for $9.99 from Agile Partners. The cost is a little daunting compared to other apps, but if youre willing to pay for efficiency and not having to switch apps every time you need to reference a chord chart or switch tuning, this is the best option. The Gibson Learn Master Guitar Application The reputation of Gibson in the guitar-playing world is second to none. So it goes without saying that when they create a mobile app to help with mastering the guitar, it would be an excellent resource as well. This app has it all: a fully functional tuner for either chromatic or standard guitar tuning, a metronome, a chord reference chart, and even video lessons. You can also use the in-app links to get to Gibsons website, where you can stay updated with the latest news in the guitar industry. The Gibson Learn Master Guitar Application is available in both the iTunes App Store as well as the Android Market from Legacy Learning Systems, and is free to download and use. Lick of the Day There are a lot of apps for guitar out there that show you how to play guitar  solos and popular riffs. What makes this app different is that a lot of the licks showcased in the app are taught by the guitar players that wrote the riff themselves. Its not every day that you can learn from Joe Satriani! The Lick of the Day app for guitar is free, but the Lick Packs cost $4.99 each. However, you can still get a lot of the features for free, such as a new free featured lick each week! The app is available in the iTunes App Store from Agile Partners. Bonus: Ultimate Guitar Tabs You might already know that Ultimate Guitar has a huge database of online guitar tabs for you to browse through. So it should come as no surprise that one of the most essential apps for guitar is their mobile app, which features the entire library! You can search quickly by song title or artist, or you can narrow your search by a multitude of different parameters, such as difficulty, tuning, and overall rating. And if youre at a loss for what to play next, you can always use the random tab button to find something new! The Ultimate Guitar Tabs app is available in the the iTunes App Store, Android Market, and Windows Phone Store from Ultimate Guitar USA, LLC. It costs $2.99, and there are numerous in-app purchases for add-ons, such as a metronome or tuner. Dont Forget the Best Resource of All! These mobile apps for guitar are fantastic for helping you practice, but dont forget that your private instructor is your best resource of all! He or she will guide you through lessons at a pace appropriate for you, keep you motivated, introduce you to new songs and genres you may not have considered playing, and show you exactly what to practice to improve your skills. Have fun and keep up the great work! 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  ljguitar

Six Things Students and Tutors Should do BEFORE an Initial Tutoring session

Six Things Students and Tutors Should do BEFORE an Initial Tutoring session Improving Academic Performance Six Things Students and Tutors Should do BEFORE an Initial Tutoring Session The initial tutoring session is perhaps the most important tutoring session. It’s a critical opportunity to establish good rapport, set expectations, develop a study plan, and set a precedent for constructive sessions. Waiting until the second or third session to truly establish expectations or a study plan can lead to students feeling as though the tutoring isn’t proving productive. In fact, in many cases, the primary reason a tutoring session “fails” is because objectives weren’t set in advance and thus expectations weren’t aligned. Here are six things that you can do to ensure that an initial tutoring session is highly effective and productive. 1. Share details on the student’s (or your) situation for full context Before you arrive to the initial tutoring session, your tutor will try to get as much academic information and context about the student’s situation as possible. Make sure to discuss with your tutor why you are seeking out tutoring and what you hope to gain from tutoring. Be prepared to answer the following questions during your initial tutoring session. Providing answers to the following questions will help your tutor get a good sense of what’s going on with you and will provide a solid basis for how your tutor should prepare for the initial tutoring session, and develop study plan. What course are you struggling with now? Do you struggle with the course content? Or is your academic performance based on test-taking anxiety, lack of confidence, attention deficit, etc? What is your learning style? Do you have strong auditory skills? Or are you more of a visual or kinetic learner? What is something you like about the course that you are struggling with? What is something that you dislike about the course? How do you take notes and prepare for tests/quizzes for this course? Having the answers to these questions will allow your tutor to prepare a strong lesson plan for the initial tutoring session, and will allow more time for learning course content versus diagnosing the situation during the tutoring session. 2. Share materials electronically or provide an overview of current class topics (to help the tutor prepare) Be prepared to provide an overview of your current class topics so that your tutor may get a sense of the content you are learning about in your course. Tests, quizzes, past homework assignments, and projects help your tutor get familiar with the course and how it’s being taught. It provides insights into what a teacher expects you to know, how tests and homework assignments are designed, and how well you answer short-answer or essay based questions. Based on the provided information, the tutor can review content that you should know (based on the covered topics) and work up to content that you are currently learning in class, or struggling with. 3. Set clear objectives for the sessions and articulate a good outcome In order for tutoring to be effective, you must dedicate time to reviewing material and completing tutoring assignments outside of tutoring lessons! It is a good idea to outline the expectations that your tutor has specified in order for the lesson objectives to be met and for you to advance towards your academic goal. While your tutor is specifying the amount of work and time he/she expects you to dedicate to completing tutoring assignments each week, make sure to you let your tutor know whether or not you think that their expectations and objectives are reasonable for you to uphold based on your availability outside of school, extracurricular activities, and time need to complete school assignments. If you do have a limited amount of time to dedicate to completing tutoring assignments, try to work with your tutor to adapt tutoring assignments to fit your availability. It is imperative that you have this conversation during the initial tutoring session with your tutor so that you understand what needs to be done in order to reach your academic goals. 4. Establish a specific place and time - and don’t be late It goes without saying that you and your tutor should have clear communication about where and when the initial tutoring session will take place. If the tutoring session is to take place in the your home, make sure that the area where you will hold the tutoring session is clean and quiet to promote a good learning environment. If the tutoring session is taking place at a public space, such as a library or cafe, your tutor should try and arrive a few minutes earlier to secure a workspace in a quiet corner that is away from any distraction or loud noise. While this may seem obvious, you’d be surprised how many students and tutors we’ve worked with at MyGuru who call us frantically asking for the other party’s cell phone number, because they are running late, lost, or at the location, but realize they don’t know what their tutor or student looks like or where exactly they are meeting 5. Discuss cancellation and rescheduling policies Before the initial tutoring session takes place, you should make sure to understand your tutor’s cancellation and re-scheduling policies. It’s best to discuss these policies before the first session, as opposed to when a cancellation occurs, so as to avoid an awkward conversation. It’s also a good idea to ask your tutor to send an email communication documenting his/her cancellation and rescheduling policy so that you have a copy that you can refer to at anytime. 6. Share contact information to communicate in case one party is late/lost, etc. This one is, again, obvious, but so important that we call it out separately. Go back to #4 above. If you are late, or you are lost, or you don’t know where to meet your tutor, the situation is much less stressful if you’ve shared your respective phone numbers. It’s best practice to share your email address and your cellphone number with your tutor, and obtain their contact information so as to communicate effectively. By having each other’s contact information, you can quickly notify your tutor if you are running late, if you are lost, or if you have to cancel a tutoring session at the last minute. Taking the time to do these six simple things will ensure that you and your tutor are prepared for the initial tutoring session, and it will set a good precedent for accomplishing your academic goals.

Learn English Vocabulary Idioms and Phrases related to Thanksgiving

Learn English Vocabulary Idioms and Phrases related to Thanksgiving Improve your English and learn idioms and phrases related to Thanksgiving. Well kick off with phrases. Scroll down to learn Thanksgiving idioms and share an infographic.By the time you read this post Halloween will have come and gone (arrived and departed) and  thoughts will turn to the next holiday if any before Christmas and New Year. Traditionally in America (and also Canada) they celebrate Thanksgiving Day (thanksgiving always written as one word) near  to the end of November.The exact date changes every year because Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 4th Thursday in November.There appear to be different ideas as to when was the first Thanksgiving day but generally most  believe it was officially decided by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.As the words suggest people  gathered (came together) to offer thanks for the giving of the harvest. People wish to thank God for  the safe collection of the harvest and the rain to help the crops grow.In those days it was celebrated  in Church es as a specific religious festivity (celebration or feast day) but now it has developed (like  most traditions) in to a commercial holiday.Families traditionally come together for a family dinner which will always include some of the food  they celebrated way back when (hundreds of years ago) so turkey, potatoes and pumpkin pie will  be high on all menus. Usually, the beginning of the meal starts with a Blessing (words of thanks. Dear  Lord we thank you for giving us this fine meal and bringing all the family together on this special day  etc,etc).The Thursday is a national holiday with many people also taking the Friday as an extra day  so that thanksgiving day is actually in reality a 4 day holiday .In the cities across America parades will be held on or around Thanksgiving day. Today it represents  the official opening of the shopping season and traders (shop owners) count the number of  weekends between thanksgiving and Christmas to estimate how good their shopping season will be.  Depending on the day that Christmas day falls (occurs) there may be one extra weekend or one less.For example, if Christmas Day (25th December) is on a Saturday or Sunday then normally they will have one less shopping weekend. This is really crucial (very important) for the big stores and retail  shops. That extra weekend can mean the difference between a successful season or not 6 English Idioms and Phrases related to Thanksgiving Don't keep this to yourself, tell the world: Here are some English idioms and phrases related to Thanksgiving:A BLESSING IN DISGUISE   Usually when something unfortunate happens but actually turns out to be to  our advantage we say that was a blessing in disguise.ex. He says  it was a blessing in disguise, because it forced him to focus on growing different revenue streams.COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS Be grateful for what you have. If something bad happens to someone and we  are moaning someone may say to us.Stop moaning you should count your blessings.ex. We may have had a bad week in work and we are complaining when your partner says you should  count your blessings. Our neighbour lost his job yesterday!TALK TURKEY A very American expression. Usually means we should start talking seriously. You often  hear it in American detective films.ex. Ok you guys we need to hear all the facts. You need to start  talking turkey now otherwise we will lock you up!!COLD TURKEY When someone gives up a bad habit very quickly they often suffer with drawal  symptoms and go cold turkey.  For example, when you give up smoking you will feel very bad for  several days and wish you had a cigarette. You get headaches as part of your withdrawal symptoms.ex. Im  so  impressed  that  you  stopped  smoking  cold  turkey!FALL IS IN THE AIR of course nothing is actually falling in the air but the air and the atmosphere has changed with the cooler air comes the change in leaf colour. Pumpkins are everywhere and theres a renewed interest in hot drinks, fuzzy sweaters and cozy fires. All of these things make people say that fall is in the air.ex. This morning I woke up and it felt like Fall was in the air. It was cool out, a little breezing, I actually wore a fleece zip up jacket.  IM STUFFED my stomach is so full of food that I cant eat anymore. Im like a stuffed turkey.ex. The meal was good, and I was stuffed. After dinner, we went back to the room. Idioms related to Thanksgiving

The Rookies Map for Learning a New Language How to Start in 5 Steps

The Rookies Map for Learning a New Language How to Start in 5 Steps The Rookies Map for Learning a New Language: How to Start in 5 Steps A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.Weve all heard that one, right?But lets be honest.As far as advice goes, that saying is about as useful as, to borrow an expression from Dodgeball, a poopy-flavored lollipop.Think about it. If youre stranded in a foreign wilderness with no idea about  how to get where you want to go, youll have an extraordinarily difficult time getting there.But if youve got a map and compass, as well as some decent navigating skills, youre likely to be on your way faster than Donald Trumps hair blowing off in a strong wind.In the same way, when youre starting a new language, it helps to have a road map to both guide you along and guarantee that youre still headed in the right direction.And just like physical maps, a map for language learning should be based on what other people have seen. There are a number of polyglots and dedicated language learners  out there who have become the cartographers of the linguistic frontier.Lets take this collect ive language learning experience, along with some scientific know-how, and set out on the path to learning a new language in double time.Heres not just one, but five steps to get you started in a clear direction on your language learning journey. The Rookies Map for Learning a New Language: How to Start in 5 Steps1. Become your own coach: Develop goals and strategiesA lot of the time, when we start something new, we make vague statements like I want to be able to speak well as quickly as possible or Im going to study X language as much as I possibly can.This can be a problem because when we create such vague goals it can be very difficult to achieve any sort of meaningful result. Thats why orienting your language learning odyssey should start with the use of two techniques:  SMART goals and metacognitive strategies.SMART in this case is an acronym which you can see spelled out here. The short and skinny of it is that you need to make  really, really concrete goals that can actuall y be achieved.Instead of I want to be able to read childrens books, say I will study vocabulary every day for an hour and basic grammar every other day for an hour with the goal of being able to read X book in three months time.If you write out something like the second one for yourself it will be blindingly obvious for you whether youre succeeding or failing with your goals.Setting goals like this is an essential skill for anyone studying by themselves, as well as anyone who wishes to maximize their study time.If a fancy business world acronym doesnt impress you then maybe  the evidence of the effectiveness of metacognition  will.  Ive talked about metacognitive strategies before, but to summarize very quickly, metacognition for language learning involves three steps:First, you plan. Ask yourself what your specific goals are and what strategies youre going to use to achieve them.Second, start learning and keep track of how well you do every day. Are you having problems that need ne w solutions? Write that down. Are you consistently succeeding or failing in a certain area? Keep track of that, too.And the third and final step, after a few weeks to a month, maybe, is to evaluate yourself. Were you able to achieve your goals? If not, why? What strategies did and didnt work? Then the whole process repeats again.These two techniques naturally fit together quite well and theyre both indispensable for making sure youre cooking with gas every time you sit down to study.2. Hit the booksBut what should I do about the meat of language learning? you say. Should I pick up a textbook and get a teacher, or should I just book a flight to a country that speaks the language?While immersion is great at any level, and is certainly the ultimate goal to strive for, most of us arent free to move from country to country as we please and must make decisions about when the best time would be for us to go to that oh-so-wonderful country weve been daydreaming about for countless hours.Wit h that in mind, the truth of the matter is that full immersion is far more helpful when youre an intermediate to advanced speaker.This is because we develop by hearing a little bit of something we dont understand within a lot of other stuff that we do understand. You still do this in English. For instance, if youre reading a newspaper or textbook and you come across an unknown word, the first thing you try to do is infer its meaning from context.Luckily, FluentU lets you start learning this way sooner with guided video immersion.  FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons for all levels.But whats it like when you go to a country where you dont understand a word? Well, you may as well be trying to understand the language of radio static because youll be bombarded with so many unknowns that picking up on anything just from hearing or seeing something will be quite a struggl e.Consequently, its not such a bad idea to go for the old textbook, classroom or online course option to start with.3. Meet face-to-faceTaking an in-person class as soon as possible can be especially useful. People are social animals, and nothing motivates a social animal quite like peer pressure. If youre learning a new language, peer pressure can really be a useful tool.Once having joined, youll feel a pleasant pull to continue on with your language learning to see your peersâ€"assuming you make friendsâ€"and also a bit of a rougher push to keep you going when the going is tough, such as at one of those times when youre exhausted or even feeling slightly under the weather.Someone studying at home with just a textbook might easily throw their hands up and relax for a day in a situation like the one above. But thats a much more difficult prospect when you know people are expecting you to be somewhere and youll have to explain any excuse to their face.Even beyond the advantage of pee r pressure, theres also the fact that meeting face-to-face facilitates language learning specifically to no end. Thats because one of the best ways to learn is to role play everyday situations.In  meeting up with a class, or even just a teacher, a round of role play with a set of props can easily be  arranged  and got going in no time at all.4. Become immersedAssuming youve had some self-practice and classroom experience, the next step is language immersion. But whats so special about language immersion, anyway? Why is it so talked about?The reason is simple. People placed in immersive environments are likely to learn faster than students taught in the traditional manner and achieve a more native-like understanding of the language. What more could you possibly ask for?The question then becomes not why you should try to become immersed, but how.The obvious choice is to move to the country of your language by any means necessary. But be careful. There are plenty of expats who have liv ed in a foreign country for decades, never to pick up the language.The real key is interaction with the local populace.  One option that I have seen work wonders for my students of English is to join a company where your target language is spoken. If you need your new language to survive, to handle basic everyday tasks, youll progress faster than you ever thought possible.If, however, for some reason going abroad is simply not in the cards for you, there are a couple of different ways to get your immersion fix right in your home country.Perhaps the best option, though also the most expensive, would be to attend one of Middleburys esteemed summer language programs where you take a pledge to speak only in your target language for three months.A less intensive option would be to create something close to immersion yourself via in-person or Skype language pals, local language exchanges with partners or groups and replacing all your usual activities with the equivalent in your target lan guage.For instance, if you like to read, dont buy or borrow any books in your native language(s). If your only option is to read in your target language, youll be much more likely to do so. And in fact, if you take this option to its logical extreme, youll be learning everything new in your target language.Are you a chemist? Read scientific journals in your target language.Are you deeply inspired by history? Read history books in your target language.Its been shown that learning about something outside the language itself, that is to say, not just reading about grammar all the time but studying something youre interested in, can be one of the most effective ways to learn a language.5. Enjoy yourselfLanguages can be quite the untamed beast. Even the easiest of languages for English speakers can take 600 hours to conquer according to the Foreign Service Institute, and perhaps much more than that if you want to do something with it professionally. This is not something you can do day i n, day out without getting some pleasure out of the whole ordeal.Thankfully, language is as human a thing as it gets and is naturally tied to bountiful rewards. Language is the thing that connects us to other people and social rewards are extremely powerful.Just think about how often you check Facebook. Why are social networking sites so popular? Because any information connected to other people is inherently seductive. So from the get-go, make sure that you use your language skills for what they were made for. Socializing.Sometimes, when your schedule is crazy, youll be tempted to jettison the fun things that made you attracted to the language in the first place in order to get some regular practice in. Maybe youll skip your favorite foreign TV show because you cant understand it without subtitles yet, or youll forget to keep up with the newest news on your favorite foreign band.But make time for the things that got you started. Theyre what motivate you and push you through when la nguage learning just seems like a brutal punishment.In reality, its all about balance.The steps are all here, laid out for you.But only by starting out on the journey yourself will you gain that intuitive control, a sense of masterful dexterity like that of a professional athlete.You have your map.Now you just need to take those first steps.