How to Improve Your English Spelling

How to Improve Your English Spelling How to Get Better at Spelling in English ChaptersCoach Yourself to Success in Your English LearningTrain Your Brain with Regular English PracticeInvent Mnemonics to Jog Your MemoryWhy Having Fun is Key to Success for ESOL LearnersRegardless of whether they are a native or non-native English speaker, everyone who knows the language can agree that English spelling is frustratingly difficult.English is anything but phonetic when it comes to spelling, english lessons will teach you that.This means that those learning to speak the language can rarely rely on English pronunciation to help them spell a word.‘Though’, ‘through’ and ‘who’ a just a few examples of problem words which cause a lot of unwanted hassle for any English learner.How can the first two words look nearly alike but not rhyme, whereas ‘through’ and ‘who’ look completely different and yet sound incredibly similar?As frustrating as it may be, spelling is essential to good reading and writing communication, and it is impossible to achieve a high level of English without it.Being fluent in any language is much more than just speaking fluently.Achieving fluency includes working on your English listening comprehension, literacy skills and knowledge of English grammar rules in addition to your English conversation.Since writing skills are such a large part of communication, they must not be neglected.Regardless of how good your English accent is, whether you speak English fluently, or your knowledge of common English phrases and idiomatic expressions, you won’t reach complete proficiency without conquering English spelling.Mrs D, Mrs I, Mrs F. F. I.Mrs C, Mrs U, Mrs L. T. Y.However, mnemonics don’t always have to include a rhyme.Acronyms can also be a helpful way of remembering spellings like ‘because’:Birds Eat Crumbs After Uncle Stops EatingMnemonics are playful reminders which can make a big difference to your writing, and can keep you motivated to learn the most complex of spellings.Why Having Fun is Key to Success for ESOL LearnersTime and time again, studies find that people make the most progress in their learning if they’re enjoying themselves.This is exactly why having fun is essential to improve your English spelling.There are endless amounts of spelling-based games on the market, such as Scrabble.The aim of the game is to make the longest word you can out of the seven letters you are given â€" and your spelling must be correct!Scrabble is a great way to make yourself think critically about how letter combinations could form part of a word all in the name of good old-fashioned competition!Scrabble: big points for big words spelt correctly! ¦ source: Pixabay - EstateAgentNetworkingBoggle is another fantastic game for those aiming to improve their quick-fire spelling skills.Players have to write down as many words as they can from a table of letters against the clock.The player with the highest number of words wins the round.Once again, every word must first exist and be spelt correctly .The nature of boggle means that you must be quick to spot words amid a sea of letters, and you can pick out useful combinations of letters to form other words.For example, if you see the word ‘can’, you may look for a ‘T’ nearby which would give you ‘tan’, or an ‘F’ to give you ‘fan’.If you’re not in the mood for competition and need to relax, great news! You can also learn whilst you’re sat in front of the TV.If, like many people who study English as a foreign language, you enjoy English TV series and films, you can also turn this into a learning exercise.Just like reading English literature, this is also a more passive yet effective method of learning, and will benefit your listening skills as well as your spelling.All you need to do is turn the English subtitles on.And that’s it!Watching your favourite shows with the subtitles will expose you to new words in English literacy and help you get used to the look and sound of the English language.Being able to spell is a more important part of language learning than people think.It shows skill in your written communication and brings it up to par with your spoken English.So read, write, quiz and enjoy!

Where to Find Singing Lessons in Edinburgh

Where to Find Singing Lessons in Edinburgh It’s Easy to Find Singing Lessons in Edinburgh! ChaptersLearn to Sing in a Music SchoolFinding a Choir to Learn Singing WithTake Private Singing Lessons with a TutorRinging in the New Year, you made a silent resolution: you would take the stage at The Fringe this August and sing your heart out. You didn’t tell family or friends; nobody knows of your secret ambition.While it’s been relatively easy for you to wow the crowds at karaoke you realise that, if you’re going to be a smash at Edinburgh’s most popular performing arts festival, you’d better make sure your vocal skills are in tip-top shape.That means it is time for you to find a voice coach.Of course, you needn’t have planned to stake your entire career and reputation on such a public display of singing talent to need voice or singing lessons. It could be that you’ve been promoted at work and now have a team to lead.The boost in confidence that you’d get from voice training fairly guarantees your leadership skills will also benefit from those vocal lessons â€" to say nothing of how improving your posture and speaking in a warm voice would help you present yourself as supremely assured.Whether you want to learn how to sing for the health benefits you could derive, for advancement opportunities at work or to sing, loud and proud, in public, you have many choices when it comes to taking singing lessons in Edinburgh.Institute for Vocal Advancement is a global network of singing teachers who constantly strive for excellence both in the production of music and the development of singers.To that end, they host seminars and administer proficiency exams to music teachers around the world to ensure that they are up to date on the latest in vocal pedagogy.Your Voice Studio is home to the only Certified IVA instructors in all of Scotland.If you’re thinking lessons there would be pretty pricey... think again! A one-hour session with Tom, the facility’s advanced IVA instructor, is about the same as you would pay for an hour with any other voice tea cher: £45.Additionally, you can purchase a block of lessons and receive a discount that averages to £6 per lesson.  Students enjoy a discount too, by the way, whether they pay on a per- lesson basis or buy a block of time.What will you get for your money?First, your vocal coach will assess your voice: what is your vocal range? This will be determined through structured vocal exercises suited to your voice.Next, you will pick out a song to work on â€" your voice instructor will not dictate which musical style you should embrace.You will leave your first lesson with a recording of your session and recommendations to improve your voice.That initial meeting will set the pattern for subsequent lessons: learning new vocal techniques and mastering breath control, ear training and improving your tone quality.Through it all, there will be a focus on vocal health.Take your singing talents out of the shower and into singing lessons! Source: Pixabay Credit: EfesSing for Smiles“Whether you a re a complete beginner or a serial shower singer...” from the school’s web page.Just the name of this music school evokes glee... but don’t let their name fool you: they are very serious about teaching people who want to learn how to sing.If your voice always cracks as you attempt to hit the high notes or if you run out of breath while trying to hold a note as long as your fav recording artist does, the voice teachers know just what you need to do.Especially if you are preparing for a university entrance exam or other singing audition, going ‘round to Smiles is advised.Those teachers customise their lessons to your individual needs and, should the aspiring singer in question be younger than 16, they have special music programs for them!For adult students, the price for one on one lessons is £33 per hour, but if you purchase a block of lessons you will receive a £3 per lesson discount.Likewise, students may benefit from a block of 10 lessons costing £260 or pay £29 per ho ur of instruction.Visiting the extended list of places you could improve your voice has been a lot of fun; too bad we don’t have room to feature all of them!With no particular endorsement or recommendation, we now list other singing schools you might train your voice at in musical city:more informal coaching: you would be mentored by the choir directors as well as membersless on theory; more on ear: most choirs do not require their members to read music or have formal trainingmore performance opportunity: as a choir member, you would perform with the group rather than looking for your own gigsless performance anxiety: singing in a group is far less stressful than taking centre stage!community and fellowship: singing together is a great way to forge lasting friendshipsWhether you are new to the city or a lifelong resident, you could surely find a place among any of the choirs so prevalent in this city.The Edinburgh Contemporary ChoirYou might worry that, in singing with a choir, yo u will have to wear a robe and sing classical music. Let us put those fears to rest: this dynamic group’s repertoire consists of pop/rock tunes that they perform in a variety of places, wearing coordinated clothes â€" not robes.This choir is currently looking for new members!You may join them for a free taster session; membership for a 10-week term is only £25.Find out if Belfast also has such a magnificent choir!You too could smile big when you sing with friends in a choir! Source: Pixabay Credit: RawpixelsSing in the CityWith 14 active groups across the greater Edinburgh, this is not so much a choir as a choir collective, whose focus is jointly on community outreach and charity.That’s right! You too could sing to raise awareness or money for a cause!They too offer a free taster session, so whether you are looking for a friend or wanting to sing great songs in good company, singing with an ‘in the City’ group might just be the place for you.The Got Soul ChoirThey describe themselves as passionate, fun, energetic and raucous. If you describe yourself in those same terms, you may have just found your singing outlet!With a songbook that includes hits by Stevie Wonder, the Pointer Sisters and Chaka Kahn, it would be a sure bet that you won’t be singing any show tunes or ballads.Their focus, besides having fun, is community outreach â€" making sure nobody feels the sting of loneliness or the pain of isolation.Now, that’s something to get passionate about!Revelation Rock Gospel ChoirHere, you’ll find no conductor or music director, and no songbooks. This choir is democratic; if you wish to sing a particular song, suggest it! There’s a good chance it will make its way into their next performance.Are you ready to solo? With RRGC, that option is open to you. How about conducting? Of course, you can take your place as the leader!In learning to sing with a choir, all but one of your options are open.Take Private Singing Lessons with a TutorSo far, we’ ve discussed one obvious and one not-so-obvious path to learning how to sing. Neither of them offers the benefits that taking singing lessons with a private singing tutor could bring.For one, the choir won’t come to your home... but your tutor will.Let’s say you are truly intent on keeping your artist development a secret until you explode onto the music scene and take everyone by storm.You would stand a better chance of doing so if your music teacher came to your house... or, better yet, gave you online singing lessons via webcam!The voice teachers at Your Voice Studio, mentioned above, offer lessons via Skype, as do countless other singing teachers throughout Edinburgh.And then, there’s Superprof voice and singing tutors.In person or online, Superprof singing teachers present you with a wide range of skills and experience sure to boost both your repertoire and your ability to sing it.With Superprof, you get individual instruction from a professional musician or someone train ing to become professional.Currently, there are a dozen Superprof music tutors in the Edinburgh area and countless more standing by, ready for your request for lessons â€" either online or in person.What are you waiting for? August is only a few months away and The Fringe won’t wait for you...Find out also where you can find singing lessons anywhere in the UK.  You might engage with a singing tutor in  Cardiff, Glasgow, Bournemouth, Liverpool, Manchester  or the capital  for example!!

A Day in the Life at Tulane University

A Day in the Life at Tulane University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Joseph is an Atlanta tutor specializing in French tutoring, World History tutoring, ESL tutoring, and more. He graduated from Tulane University in 2013 with a Bachelors degree in International Relations Art History. Check out his review of his alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Joseph: Tulane University is found in the heart of uptown New Orleans, in the appropriately named University section of the primarily residential neighborhood. It immediately borders Loyola University New Orleans, which means that Tulane students have the opportunity to not only befriend fellow Tulanians, but students from Loyola, as well. Shuttles serve the uptown campus, the medical campus downtown, and other offices and off-campus housing complexes throughout the neighborhood. The St. Charles Streetcar also stops immediately in front of the campus, and it runs all the way downtown and towards Lake Pontchartrain. The school also prides itself on keeping its students and other affiliates safe by offering Safe Ride, a shuttle that operates exclusively at night, and maintaining a professional police force that has authority within a one-mile radius of the campus. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Joseph: I found that all my professors were extremely accessible. Each instructor prominently listed his/her office hours on the syllabus, and every one of them would remind students of their hours when exams or important assignments (e.g. papers) were approaching. Many professors offered special one-on-one consultations during research projects. Furthermore, every professor was keen on communicating with his/her students via email whenever class was cancelled or assignments were changed. Finally, my academic advisers (I had two advisers during my college career) were genuinely interested in helping me finish my two majors and minor and making sure I was on the right track. It was incredibly simple to schedule an appointment, and I was never left confused after our meetings. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Joseph: Dorm life at Tulane was varied in that students had many options to consider when choosing housing accommodations. Freshmen were required to live on campus, which was a sensible and important policy. The leadership dorms housed fewer students and were more modern, but one had to apply and be accepted in order to get in. These dorms were community-based and enjoyed certain programming that other dorms did not have. Dorm leaders created programming that allowed people to represent their dorms in friendly competitions across campus in order to foster an idea of loyalty to ones community. In the dorms themselves, floor meetings were excellent opportunities to meet people who lived on the same floor, as well as to get to know the RAs. All dorms are found relatively close to each other and are in close proximity to the dining hall and student union. The dining hall, which also held student P.O. boxes and the postal center, is going to be remodeled, and there are plans to build anot her dining hall in a brand new dormitory too. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Joseph: Tulane has a nationally renowned medical program specializing in public health and tropical medicine. Tulanes law program is also top-notch, as is its business program. I was enrolled in the School of Liberal Arts, which is a remnant of the female-only Newcomb College absorbed by Tulane University in the mid-20th century. The School of Liberal Arts is represented by the largest number of students because it offers so many majors and concentrations in these majors. I spent most of my time in the buildings that housed the political science program and the art program (I studied International Relations and Art History), but I often had classes that took me beyond my comfort level into the sciences. I was so attached to the School of Liberal Arts that I helped re-establish the Liberal Arts Student Government (LASG) and was the organizations first secretary. To this day, LASG represents the concerns of students in the liberal arts among the representatives of the other schools in the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Joseph: I made most of my friends in Tulanes comparatively smaller classes that were geared toward freshmen. There were, however, numerous opportunities to join clubs and social organizations, and it is relatively easy to establish new organizations. This has led to a proliferation of unique organizations that cater to the interests of large groups of diverse people. Greek life is greatly represented at Tulane. There are no less than 20 Greek organizations represented on campus. Greek organizations are great networking groups that provide members with many opportunities to fraternize with people from the entire school and the greater New Orleans community, often through special service projects. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Joseph: The Career Center is helpful in providing fundamental knowledge for starting a career. They provide help with creating impressive rsums, teaching interview skills, and networking with national companies. The Career Services Center has a compartmentalized approach to helping students with post-collegiate life in that they consider what students need to know to succeed in their field of interest (e.g. architecture, business, law, science, etc.). They are also responsible for coordinating career fairs and recruitment opportunities, which are attended by many renowned companies and organizations, including the Peace Corps, the U.S. Department of State, and others. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Joseph: Practically every building on campus has clean, spacious, comfortable places to study. The library is the most popular place for students to study with its massive collection of books, manuscripts, microfilm, music, and film. In fact, the four-story Howard-Tilton Memorial Library is expanding by two floors to make room for study areas, as well as stacks for media. Many dorms, especially those currently under construction or planned for the near future, feature study rooms with large desks perfect for work on group projects. Despite being a hive of student activity, the Lavin-Bernick Center (LBC or Student Center) has numerous study rooms and lounges cut off from the noise and activity of the rest of the building. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Joseph: New Orleans is a fabulous town, and I can hardly do it justice in just a few sentences. New Orleans can be anything you imagine it to be. Few people imagine it as a college town, yet within its urban confines sit five post-secondary institutions. New Orleans is a crucible of culture; people flock to the city to absorb the palpable feeling of exoticism. Some of the best art, music, food, and festivals keep the city a juggernaut of enjoyment and romance. All these activities draw students further into the cityscape and make the city feel like home to so many. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Joseph: The entire student body counting undergraduate and graduate students amounts to no more than 12,000 enrolled students. There are about 6,000 undergraduates and a little more than 5,000 graduate students. Since Hurricane Katrina, admissions levels were up to about 1,600 students a year, but they have started to return to previously lower levels. This has meant that class sizes have been relatively small. My largest class had a little more than 100 students, but it hardly felt that large. The high number of advanced faculty means that more sections of classes are possible, so even the classes that everyone has to take are considerably smaller than at other schools. Even mid-level classes appeared to be like graduate-level seminars, which meant that professors were more approachable and students received more personal instruction. This is exactly what I looked for when applying to college. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Joseph: My most memorable class was one that was actually mandatory. Upon entering Tulane University, every freshman is required to take an introductory class that concerns a specific topic designated by the professor. Class sizes are kept to no more than 25, and class meets only once a week. My freshman TIDES (Tulane InterDisciplinary Experience Seminar) class was entitled, Folk Traditions of Louisiana, and it was taught by a professor from the Art History department, my academic field. There was honestly no better way to introduce me to college life and the city of New Orleans than this class. As a class, we met local craftspeople and leaders, including: a Creole man from a family of multi-generational traditional plasterers, a traditional sausage-maker and butcher, a participant in the female Mardi Gras Krewe of Muses, and a neighborhood leader interested in the preservation of African-American folk traditions and costumes. We learned that what makes this city great is its collect ion of hard-working, passionate, down-to-earth citizens who love life and wouldnt live anywhere but New Orleans. I learned what it meant to fit in to a city that could seem overwhelming and even a bit hostile in its rawness. In reality, this class appropriately summed up the universitys informal motto, Only at Tulane, Only in New Orleans. Check out Josephs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Singing Lessons - Yoga for the Voice

Singing Lessons - Yoga for the Voice Suzy S. When I first began my professional singing career, still in my teens, I was extremely dissatisfied with the explanations I had been given for how and why the singing voice works. I just couldnt make my voice do the things I wanted it to. Admittedly, I had pretty high expectations. Fortunately, I went to my public library and happened on a copy of Science and Singing by the late, great Ernest George White of London, England. After decades of scientific research, White discovered how the voice and vocal tone actually originate in the four sets of sinus cavities in the head, not in the throat/vocal cords, as was previously believed. White taught people to speak who had had their vocal cords surgically removed just by training them in controlling the air in their sinus cavities. He explains in his book that the air vibrating in an enclosed space (the head) acts as a musical instrument, similar to a flute or a recorder or even air moving through a keyhole and producing sound. He felt that the vocal cords, or vocal folds as he preferred to call them, merely aided in regulating the flow of breath from the lungs up to the head, where the sound was actually produced. Unfortunately for me, White had already passed away in 1940, so I began my own attempts at playing with the air in my sinus cavities. After many months of study, pretty much by trial and error, I found that I was actually a first soprano, not a second soprano, as I had thought. I found that it took much less air and a lot of control to maintain my high notes, but that I now HAD control. And I really began to develop my own unique singing voice, after years of trying to sound like everyone else that I admired. Wow even my high expectations had been reached. When I moved to Austin a few years later, I began teaching singing lessons in Austin (and piano) as my day job. I taught all kinds of people how to sing and speak, from age 8 to age 72. Many of my students found great success with playing with the air in their sinuses remarking that, although they hadnt had success with traditional exercises, they could now make their voices sound clearer and they could control the voice. There is a lot of joy in learning that what was once a mystery can be placed under control in a fun and musical way. But what actually ended up putting the true icing on the cake for what I now call Yoga For the Voice technique was my study of kundalini yoga, and subsequent training as a kundalini yoga instructor. I found that by incorporating yogic breathing and exercises, and sometimes even chanting yoga mantras, my students and I were able to make even more progress in controlling our vocal instruments. Not to mention the improvements in health, speaking voice, keeping the sinuses free and clear, and gains in personal confidence. Some of the benefits we discovered: You learn exactly what your vocal range is and why your vocal range is determined by the shape, number and quality of the sinus cavities in your head. You discover how to create the very best tone your voice is capable of making when you can keep as many muscles as possible out of the way of creating a pure tone in the head, you have the basis of beautiful, unencumbered musical sound. You feel the difference in your own body singing feels healthy, beautiful and under your control. If it feels right, it actually is right. The reverse is true as well if it feels wrong, then there is some work to be done, usually in releasing some tension and muscular effort that is getting in the way of the tone. A side benefit includes keeping the sinuses free and clear it actually helps your overall health in addition to your vocal health. Ernest G. Whites sinus exercises have been used solely for the purpose of keeping the head cavities clear, and can be helpful for people with allergies and other problems which create mucus in the sinuses. Whites exercises can be used to improve your speaking voice and your vocal projection they are excellent for actors, teachers and public speakers as well as for singers. In general, if one is just using the exercises for speaking purposes, the vocal range is more limited and focused on the actual speaking voice than in singing training. For children, I tend to break it down to very basic, easy-to-understand exercises. I think the sinus concepts are too difficult for most children to grasp, so I try to give them exercises they can easily understand and have fun with. In the beginning stages of vocal training, a typical Yoga For the Voice lesson will consist of three parts. First I teach the student two different kundalini breathing techniques that have proven useful to the singing student. We next begin the sinus exercises from Ernest George Whites teachings, starting to find what I like to term the musical architecture inside the voice students head, i.e. her/his particular set of sinus cavities. The last part consists of integrating what we have learned into full body exercises, which enable the student to start to experience her/his full vocal instrument, from the solar plexus to the top of the head. I sometimes use traditional vocal exercises for this step or, depending on the student, chanting exercises. If you are interested in exploring Yoga For the Voice further, my voice lessons are available privately at my music studio in Austin, Texas. See voice lessons in Austin TX. ABOUT gfire gfire is a Kundalini yoga instructor, and a professional singer-songwriter, DJ, voice and piano teacher in Austin, Texas. She has taught literally hundreds of students how to use their voices more effectively.

Are You Prepared for the SAT Physics Subject Test

Are You Prepared for the SAT Physics Subject Test The SAT physics subject test is an hour-long algebra-based physics exam with 75 multiple-choice questions. It covers a broad range of topics, primarily: Mechanics ElectricityMagnetismWavesOpticsThermodynamicsModern physicsIf you want to take the SAT physics subject test but aren’t sure if you are going to be prepared for it by the end of the school year, then you might want to start by comparing the course syllabus for your physics class in school with the topics on the SAT physics subject test.The AP ExamNotably, the AP Physics 1 exam tests Mechanics, some Waves, and some Electricity. It does not test Magnetism, Optics, Thermodynamics, or Modern Physics, and only tests some of the Electricity concepts that can appear on the SAT physics subject test. So, if you are in an AP Physics 1 course that will be covering only content tested on the AP Physics 1 exam, then you will have been taught roughly 50% of the content tested on the SAT physics subject test by the time you take the AP P hysics 1 exam in May.On the other hand, if you are taking an AP Physics 2 course, you will likely have been taught all of the content tested on the SAT physics subject test by the time you take the AP Physics 2 exam in May. The AP Physics 2 exam tests essentially all of the topics on the SAT physics subject test (plus fluids) except mechanics and some wave concepts, which students are expected to have learned prior to taking an AP Physics 2 course. Lastly, the two AP Physics C exams cover mechanics (with calculus) and electricity and magnetism (with calculus) respectively. If you take an AP Physics C course that prepares you for both the AP Physics C mechanics exam and the AP Physics C electricity and magnetism exam and doesnt cover additional topics, then you will have learned roughly 60% of the content tested on the SAT physics subject test by the time you take the AP Physics C exams in May.Further ReadingThe official College Board links to pages with information about topics test ed on both exams can be found below:SAT Physics Subject TestAP Physics 1AP Physics 2AP Physics C MechanicsAP Physics C Electricity and MagnetismIf you are interested in taking the physics subject test but have content gaps, please feel free to reach out to us for a consultation!

Different Ways to Say NO in English - Learn English with Harry

Different Ways to Say NO in English - Learn English with Harry English native speakers like to be polite. If you havent already visited How to say sorry in English, go and do it now. Here Im going to teach you different ways to say NO in English. Learn formal and informal ways of saying NO.  The word NO is very short and negative and emphatic. However, sometimes when we wish to say NO  there are more polite ways to do it. I have set out below a number of different ways to say NO in English  that you can use in different circumstances. Examples are given to help to explain the meaning  better. Sometimes when we want to say NO we try not to be rude or to hurt someone’s feelings so we  prefer to use a variety of words that still mean NO. Here are some useful English words and expressions that mean NO. Polite Ways to Say NO in English I AM AFRAID NOT This is probably one of the most polite ways to say NO in English. You may be asked to go to a party or meet your friends for something to eat. You  would like to go but for some reason you are unable to attend. In this situation you can turn down  the invitation in a polite way.For example,   your friend Mary asks: Are you going to come to the party  tonight in Ian’s house? I am afraid not I promised to babysit for my Aunt and I cannot let her down.NOT REALLY Not quite, not particularly. In this situation you are asked what you might like to do. You would prefer to do  something else or indeed you might prefer to do nothing. Here you can use the phrase Not Really.For example, Irina asks whether you would like to go to the cinema to see the new James Bond movie. You would  prefer to stay in . You reply not really I would prefer to stay at home tonight I have an early start  tomorrow. Ways to Say NO in English - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: Facebook Reddit Twitter Vkontakte POSSIBLY/PROBABLY NOT Where you may not feel that you are likely to succeed but you are still going  to try then you can use either Probably or Possibly not.For example, you are about to take your  driving test. Your friend asks you whether you will pass it. You can reply probably not but I will try  my best. You can also use perhaps not with the same meaning.For example, will Javier pass that  maths test? I am not sure, perhaps not but he is studying hard.NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE This is a much more formal denial. This would be best used in a business  context where you do not really know the person, to whom you are talking, very well.For example, David comes into your office to ask if the latest shipment from London has arrived. Not to  my knowledgebut I was away yesterday so it could have come in when I  was not here. I will check and get back to you. Less Polite Ways to Say NO in English CERTAINLY NOT This is a much more firm denial or refusal and can be used when you want the person  you are talking to, to be clear as to what you mean.For example, your son asks you if he can cycle  to his friends house to watch the match. You reply: Certainly not. The match ends at 11 pm and you  have school tomorrow and it is too dangerous to cycle back home so late. There is no doubt that you  mean no.YOU MUST BE JOKING When you cannot believe that someone is serious about something you can  use the phrase you must be joking or you’re joking? (no !).For example, your wife tells you that your neighbours are getting divorced. Wow, you’re joking ? They only got married 2 years ago. What happened?NO WAY! Sometimes said as a joke or also as a more serious statement. Usually used to tell  somebody that you cannot agree with what they have said.For example, your friend asks you to  lend him €50 . You reply: No way! I still didn’t get back the last €50 I lent you last month!! orYour friend Michael calls you to tell you he is leaving his job to go back to University to become a pilot.  You reply: No way! That is great news. It’s what you always wanted to do. English Vocabulary Phrases to Learn to turn down to refuseto let somebody down to disappoint somebodyshipment deliveryThats it for today. Make sure to use other ways to say NO in English in your next conversation.

Happy Holidays from all of us at italki!

Happy Holidays from all of us at italki! When italki was created way back in 2007  ,  our vision was to create a world in which everyone can be fluent in another language by  connecting with people. When you create a community that spans the world, you’ll end up hearing lots of stories. What starts with strangers learning from each other, can ultimately lead to many unexpected experiences. One of our favorite stories is when one our italki Community Moderators, Jura, actually published a book because of her interactions with our community.  Well, our Christmas gift came early when we received her book. Actually many our users have written into us to tell us their stories of how italki has helped them learn a new language.  We decided that we should have a place to tell the rest of the world what is happening on italki so we created a special website just for this purpose.  We hope these stories will inspire and motivate you to learn a foreign language, and connect yourself with the world! (Click on the link below to read all the stories!) stories.italki.com So as we head into the last few days of 2013, everyone here at italki (all the way out in Shanghai, China) wants to thank every single one of you for making italki into one of the best places to learn a foreign language. Stay tuned for some amazing new developments from italki in 2014! Happy Holidays from all of us at italki! When italki was created way back in 2007  ,  our vision was to create a world in which everyone can be fluent in another language by  connecting with people. When you create a community that spans the world, you’ll end up hearing lots of stories. What starts with strangers learning from each other, can ultimately lead to many unexpected experiences. One of our favorite stories is when one our italki Community Moderators, Jura, actually published a book because of her interactions with our community.  Well, our Christmas gift came early when we received her book. Actually many our users have written into us to tell us their stories of how italki has helped them learn a new language.  We decided that we should have a place to tell the rest of the world what is happening on italki so we created a special website just for this purpose.  We hope these stories will inspire and motivate you to learn a foreign language, and connect yourself with the world! (Click on the link below to read all the stories!) stories.italki.com So as we head into the last few days of 2013, everyone here at italki (all the way out in Shanghai, China) wants to thank every single one of you for making italki into one of the best places to learn a foreign language. Stay tuned for some amazing new developments from italki in 2014!

Finding a Tutor at the Beginning of a New Semester

Finding a Tutor at the Beginning of a New Semester via Pexels Why should I get a tutor? Some of you may be wondering why you should find a tutor in the first place. You might even think college students don’t normally get tutored which couldn’t be further from the truth. Many college students, no matter what year they are in or what class they are taking, greatly benefit from getting tutored by someone who is more experienced and more knowledgeable about a given subject matter. There are some college classes you’ll have to take that are just unavoidable, and when push comes to shove, you’ll realize that having a tutor around is a great help to you. That said, it could be best to push your pride and doubts aside and seek out some help if you truly feel you need it. When should I find a tutor? While it’s great to seek help with your classes when you recognize you need assistance, it’s even better to get an early start. Getting a head start right at the beginning of the semester, and working with a tutor regularly as the school year progresses, can make a huge difference in your academic performance in that particular class or subject. That’s because you need time to truly learn and build up your knowledge of a certain topic or concept. Being proactive, especially for a class or subject that you expect to be challenging, will help you create a solid basis for understanding later concepts. Particularly if you have taken similar classes in the past and struggled with them, it is a good idea to seek out a tutor as soon as classes begin. That way, you’ll be sure to build up a strong support system and make sure you won’t fall behind. via Pexels What are some other benefits of having a tutor? One of the great things about having regularly scheduled appointments with a tutor is that he or she can keep you accountable for your schoolwork. If you have a test or quiz coming up, your tutor can help you prepare by creating a schedule to follow with structured study times throughout your days. If you have assignments due in the near future, your tutor can help you complete them thoroughly, correctly, and on time. As a result, having a tutor around can definitely help you learn important study techniques, including time management skills. Another super helpful aspect of having a tutor is that you’ll receive regular feedback on your schoolwork. Sure, you can always go to your TA or your professor’s office hours to ask for help and advice, but they can often become busy meanwhile, it’s your tutor’s entire job to provide you feedback on your work! Regular meetings with a tutor will ensure that you get the attention and help that you need to excel. How and where can I find a reliable tutor? You might have some friends or acquaintances who are particularly skilled or knowledgeable about a certain subject, and they could certainly serve as good tutors as long as both of you are able to focus and stay on task when it’s time for your tutoring session. If you find it difficult to be productive with your friend as your tutor, it may be a good idea to move on to someone else. So where else can you find a reliable tutor? One option is to turn to the tutoring center at your college or university. Most schools offer peer tutoring, for which you can schedule an appointment or walk in. Many students find that receiving tutoring assistance from a peer can be super helpful, as the peer tutors have already taken the class they are tutoring for. What can be even more helpful is if your peer tutor had the same professor when he or she took that same class. That way, your tutor might have some information on what the professor is like or how the class normally runs. There are many benefits to getting a tutor early in the semester. Make use of your time and resources to excel in your classes!