How to Discover Your Personal Brand and Tweak if for Career Advancement - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Discover Your Personal Brand and Tweak if for Career Advancement - Introvert Whisperer How to Discover Your Personal Brand and Tweak if for Career Advancement It is seldom discussed on how to define your personal branding and what the process is. Firstly, in order to discover your personal brand you need to understand who you are, what motivates you, and what elements are important in your career. Your personal brand is a reflection of whom you already are, and not a creation of whom you want to be. In other words, you discover and not create your personal brand. Personal branding should convey your talents, values, current skills, personal style or personality. The specific qualities you possess articulates a personal brand and sets you apart from others and competitors. Define what is unusual and unique about you by answering these questions: What is your core essence? What type of person are you like to work with? How would people describe their experience working with you and what would they most remember about you? For decades, we have all been talking about personal branding which year ago was a relatively obscure concept until recently in spite of the essential insights being more or less the same. Personal branding means: Being your own corporate brand Can and should be entirely owned by you This is an on-going process that continually evolves It defines how you live and engage in your personal life and professionally Discovering your personal brand will take time, and of which is a well worth investment. Once you have defined your brand and align it with who you are, then only will your life both personal and professional become valued, happy and fulfilling. Remember the best investment in your life is you, and there is no time like the present to invest in yourself. If you want to advance in your career, one of the essential tools is defining and utilizing your personal brand. Personal branding is creating a personal statement of who you are and what you can offer and do for your audience. This sets you apart from your competitors and allows you to express your uniqueness which in turn will emotionally connect your target audience that will want to work alongside you. Here are some simple steps to help you how to discover your personal branding: Self-Assessment â€" the key element to personal branding in knowing exactly who you are. Analyse the various aspects of who are you, what motivates you, your behaviour and what you want to achieve. For instance, look at what type of personality you are and your values and interests, your skills and experiences of which are both noteworthy and memorable. When defining these critical elements, you need to be completely honest with yourself. Define your Unique Qualities â€" look at yourself as a whole, your preferences, hobbies and interests and define what qualities are unique. For example, what do your favourite songs, movies and books say about you? What would your friends and others learn by knowing your taste in sports, food or music? What do your favourite interests say about you? How does what you do define your uniqueness and set you apart from your peers in your field of expertise or profession. Real-Time Feedback â€" the way we see and assess ourselves is not always the way other people see us. The best way to find out how other people assess you is to get feedback from a selection of people such as close friends, family members, previous employers, teachers and fellow students, people that have worked alongside you and co-workers. Ask these people to asses you using words and phrases, describing your strengths and weaknesses and ask them if they can identify you with a fictional, historical or famous character. Identify Commonalities â€" analyse all the assessments you received from your friends and colleagues and see if there is any particular ideas, words or images that are similar with your own assessment. When reading the feedback see if there are any themes or words that accurately describe you and any similarities between the feedback and your own assessment. Take the theme and words you have extracted, and see which ones align with your experiences. Focus on Your Key Elements â€" come up with 5 top brand elements and try and rank them. Use the following steps to help you put these elements into perspective: Define your value and what you are best at. Define your target audience and selling proposition. What is your belief, purpose or cause that inspires you? What audience are you targeting and why do you think you are the best person to satisfy their needs. Write a list of these qualities and create a profile that exemplifies the qualities of the audience. Rank the list of qualities in an order that is most important to you. Define why you are uniquely in a position to satisfy this specific audience’s needs. Develop Your Personal Brand Statement â€" once you have completed all of the above steps you are now ready to attempt defining a personal brand statement that says who you are, how you do it, and critically important, why you do what you do. This statement is what delivers a message to your targeted audience and is a consistent piece that most people will agree on. Once you have created good imagery, words or emotions that will help people visualize your brand, you are well on your way to success. One of the most powerful expressions is words which are a powerful beacon for you and others when personalizing a brand. Just know who you are and what you want and then make a positive impact with your legacy, promise and brand. In order to connect deeply with your targeted audience, commit to your brand on an emotional level. Your personal brand must depict your creativity, inspiration and passion to curiously engaged audiences in order to create a memorable experience and in turn they will share it with their friends, family and other communities. Congratulations! You have now defined your personal brand that crystalizes the essence of who you are and it is clear to your target audience why they need you. With social media platforms, you have the ability to manage your own personal brand and reputation, both in real life and online. Once your personal brand is well established, spend time mastering the basic tactics and how to tweak it for career advancement, where you allow your actions to speak. This will showcase what sets you apart from competitors as well as describes the added value you bring making you look more attractive to employers and other prospective audiences. Another important question, is your appearance current? Yes, this is important, and if it does not then take a look at the 10 tips to make a first great impression that will help you shift your minds set and establish a professional image. Bear in mind, if you do not brand yourself, others will brand you. You may presently be secure and happy in your current position; however, you never know when things can turn around. Here are some valuable tips using your personal brand and how to tweak it for career advancement and prepare for possible future changes: The first step is to start thinking and talking differently about yourself and your future. No matter your age, do not use this as an excuse not to get the career opportunity you want. Focus on the wealth of experience you have already gained and your past accomplishments which are the foundations of your career brand in comparison to other people. You need to focus and plan on what you want your career brand stands for and then devise a strategy in order to gain additional experience by taking on new challenging assignments that will not only build your brand but cover any weaknesses. A minimum amount of education is necessary for most careers, and to excel you may need to complete additional education, training, or certifications. Your career brand can be greatly enhanced by furthering your education. Ask for advice from a mentor that has already branded themselves well and is highly respected in their field. If you have an amazing brand you need to promote yourself. If no one knows about your brand, you are not going to have any success with your career development. A good place to start is listing all your key accomplishments, education and skills on your Resume, which is the oldest tool used for promoting career brands. Your brand needs to have a very strong presence both on and off the line. Include all important information in your resume such as a list of detailed accomplishments, honours and awards, mission statement, samples of work, speech transcripts, working papers and more, which will afford you a strong on and off-line presence. Establish yourself as an expert in the field that will increase your career brand credibility. Play up your recognition and awards as that will verify your expertise. Construct a website or blog and publish your articles on there. Last but not least, one of the most powerful tools of promoting your career brand is building a strong network community online and word-of-mouth. Once you have identified the above info, remember to continue protecting and strengthening your career brand as there will always be competing brands ready to fill any gaps you may leave behind. Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.   I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.   In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression.   Get your copy now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential. Guest Author: Author bio:  Adam Saleh has worked in a broad range of marketing and communication roles and developed a solid understanding of personal branding principles and how to apply them in the workplace and business world. He is now developing a passion for writing so he can share his expertise with those in need.

Best Bassists Ever

Best Bassists Ever The Top 10 Bassists of All Time ChaptersCliff BurtonMichael Balzara aka Flea, The Red Hot Chili PeppersPaul McCartney, The BeatlesJohn Paul Jones, Led ZeppelinRoger Waters, Pink FloydJaco PastoriusRex Brown, PanteraTom Hamilton, AerosmithDuff McKagan, Guns N’ RosesMarcus Miller“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent” - Victor HugoWhether it’s rock, jazz, soul, punk, blues, or folk, every genre of music has its legends. While we often remember the great guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page, we can’t forget the great bassists.The bass guitar is both rhythm and melody and the foundation of every song. Bassists are often excellent musicians and composers.Would you like to learn how to play the bass? What about learning your favourite musicians’ basslines?Here are our top 10 bassists of all time. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover a ll our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsCliff BurtonBorn 10th February 1962 in Vastro Valley, California, and died aged 24 on 27 September 1986, Cliff Burton was Metallica’s second bassist. Cliff Burton performed on Metallica's first three studio albums. (Source: jonathansautter)While originally attracted to jazz and rock, Cliff Burton didn’t seem destined to join a heavy metal band.Replacing Ron McGovney, he recorded through albums with the band including some of the band’s most famous songs. Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, and Master of Puppets.He’s known for his unique approach to bass playing, playing melodic and soloist roles while creating the harmonic and rhythmic foundations for songs.  Cliff Burton has appeared as one of the best bassists of all time in several lists.When the band was touring in Sweden to promote the Master of Puppets album, the tour bus crashed and flipped over.  Cliff Burton was sleeping in his bunk at the time and was thrown through the window of the bus and subsequently crushed under the weight of the bus.He’s famous for having composed the song Orion which was hugely successful.Learn about the history of the bass guitar.Michael Balzara aka Flea, The Red Hot Chili PeppersFlea (real name Michael Balzary) is an Australian-American a bassist, pianist, trumpet player, and actor.Born 16 October 1962 in Melbourne, Australia, he’s one of the founding members of Red Hot Chili Peppers along with Anthony Kiedis.  According to Rolling Stone, he’s the second-best bassist of all time.His basslines are enchanting and he’s on every RHCP album including Freaky Styley, Mother’s Milk, Blood Sugar Sex Magic, One Hot Minute, Californication, and By the Way.He’s nicknamed Flea due to how small he is and how often he jumps about on stage.He was heavily influenced by jazz as a child and later discovered rock music through Jimi Hendrix, Kiss, and Led Zeppelin.  He met Anthony Kiedis, Hillel Slovak, and Jack Irons and created the band Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1983.His playing style is influenced by jazz and bassists like Jaco Pastorius.Learn more about the role of the bass guitar.Paul McCartney, The BeatlesWho hasn’t h eard of The Beatles?Born in 1942 in Liverpool, Paul McCartney is an author, composer, and performer. While he doesn't just play bass, Paul McCartney is probably most famous for being a bassist and the writer of most of The Beatles' hits. (Source: seriouslycr8ive)He was The Beatles’ bassist from their inception to their breakup in 1969.  He recorded 12 albums and nearly 200 songs with the band in just 10 years.  A symbol of the 1960s and the McCartney/Lennon writing were globally successful.He met John Lennon in the summer of 1957 and joined his group The Quarrymen as a bassist.  With George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they created The Beatles and shaped rock ‘n’ roll history.Paul McCartney was “just” the bassist.  As the bassist, he recorded hundreds of songs including Love Me Do, Please Please Me, Ticket to Ride, Help!, Yellow Submarine, Penny Lane, Revolver, All You Need Is Love, Hello Goodbye, Hey Jude, and Let It Be.Discover the best basslines.John Paul Jones, Led ZeppelinIt takes a great bassist to play alongside amazing guitarists like Robert Plant and Jimmy Page.Born 3 January 1946 in London, John Baldwin aka John Paul Jones was the bassist for Led Zeppelin from its creation in 1968 until its breakup in 1980.He learnt the piano from a young age and started playing bass as a teenager.With Led Zeppelin, he became one of the most famous rock bassists and performed on some particularly famous songs: Stairway to Heaven, Immigrant Song, Whole Lotta Love, Black Dog, All My Love, Good Times Bad Times, Your Time is Gonna Come, and Dazed and Confused. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all o ur tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRoger Waters, Pink FloydHow can we talk about the best bassists in the world without mentioning Roger Waters from Pink Floyd?Born 6 September 1943 in Surrey, Roger Waters is the bassist and a founding member of Pink Floyd. Roger Waters also wrote music for Pink Floyd. (Source: meisjedevos)He founded the group with Richard Wright, Nick Mason, and three other musicians in 1964. After members left the bed, Syd Barrett and Bob Klose joined Wright and Waters.With Nick Mason, the group took the name Pink Floyd in 1965 and with the addition of David Gilmour, moved in a prog-rock and experimental direction.In 1973, Roger Waters and Pink Floyd became internationally renowned for their album Dark Side of the Moon.He composed all the band’s songs including Dogs, Comfortably Numb, Money, Wish You Were Here, Have a Cigar, Welcome to the Machine, Shine On You Crazy Diamonds, In the Flesh,  Another Brick in the Wall, Mother, Empty Spaces, and Hey You.Jaco PastoriusBorn 1 December 1951 and died 1987, John Francis Anthony Pastorius III aka Jaco Pastorius was a jazz and jazz-rock bassist.He’s largely known for playing the electric bass as both an accompaniment to other instruments and as a soloist.He’s famous for playing a fretless bass and was the last 20th-century jazz musician to have influenced subsequent generations according to guitarist Pat Metheny.In the 1980s, he played with great musicians such as Brian Melvin, Mike Stern, and Biréli Lagrène.Rex Brown, PanteraBorn in Texas 27 July 1964, Rex Robert Brown is the bassist of the heavy metal band Kill Devil Hill. However, he’s most famous for being the bassist of Pantera from their founding in 1982 until their breakup in 2003.Rex Brown may only be known amongst metalheads, but here’s your chance (if you’re not one) to appreciate his bass playing, especially on songs like Five Minutes Alone.You’ve got to appreciate his playing even if you’re not a fan of the music.If you’re learning to play the bass, it’s a good idea to observe his technique and bass riffs in the song. Five Minutes Alone is proof that metal music requires excellent musicians.Tom Hamilton, AerosmithBorn 31 December 1951 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, Thomas Hamilton is the bassist for the band Aerosmith.He composed three masterpieces for the group, the basslines for Sweet Emotion, Janie’s Got a Gun, and Jaded.Influenced by Paul McCartney and John Paul Jones, he formed Aerosmith in 1970.The rock group sold 150 million albums across the world and 97 million in the US and is one of the most successful rock groups of all time.Duff McKagan, Guns N’ RosesBorn 5 February 1964 in Seattle and part of the same generation as Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) and Chris Novoselic (1965- ), Michael Andrew McKagan aka Duff McKagan is a guitarist, singer, and bassist. Too many people overlook Duff McKagan's contributions to Guns N' Roses. (Source: meisjedevos)He played bass for Guns N’ Roses from 1985 to 1997.  An iconic member of the group, he played alongside the guitarists Slash and Izzy Stradlin, Axl Rose and Steven Adler.They’re his basslines you can hear on the albums Use Your Illusion I and II and Appetite for Destruction.Amongst his best works, we find: Don't Cry, November Rain, You Could Be Mine, Sweet Child O' Mine, and the famous Bob Dylan cover Knockin On' Heaven's Door on the guitar.Duff McKagan is also an excellent guitarist.Marcus MillerA little bonus for you here.Marcus Miller, born 14 June 1959 is another bass virtuoso. He was a jazz fusion, jazz, and funk bassist.Born into a family of musicians, he learnt to play the guitar around the age of 12.He worked with Miles Davis in the 1980s, which gained him global notoriety, as well as with Claude Nougaro and Aretha Franklin.No doubt that he deserves his place amongst the best bass ists.Looking for more bassists?If you'd like to learn more, consider getting tutorials from one of the many talented bass tutors on Superprof. They can offer you one of the three main types of bass tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials are your traditional private tutorials between the student and a tutor. They're great if there's something specific you'd like to learn as the lessons will be tailored to you and your learning style. However, this bespoke service comes at a cost, meaning that this type of tutorial is usually the most costly.Online tutorials are also just between a single student and their tutor but their tutor won't be there in the room with them. Instead, they'll provide their tutorial over webcam. While this isn't always ideal for hands-on subjects, if you have a decent mic, a talented tutor can teach you how to play bass without even being in the room with you.Finally, you can also get group tutorials. With several paying students attending the tutorial, this type of tu torial tends to be the cheapest per person per hour. Of course, the tutor's attention is also divided amongst the students and they won't be able to tailor the lessons to a single student.

Helping Your Child be More Organized

Helping Your Child be More Organized Helping Your Child be More Organized Good study habits and organizational skills can mean the difference between a successful student and a poor performer. A student who possesses the intellect to do well in school but lacks the organizational skills may easily fall behind and suffer from poor gradesespecially as the workload in school increases and his or her schedule becomes more demanding. On the other hand, a child who struggles in school already and has trouble keeping track of assignments or is constantly losing things may find school challenges even more insurmountable. Here are a few tips to help your child become a more organized student: Establish a homework routine. Studies show that set routines and schedules are positive for children. Your after-school and evening routine should include a set time for homework, dinner, extracurricular activities and bedtime. During homework time, your child should begin by making a to-do list of his or her top priorities for the session, and he or she should check off items as completed. Your childs study space should be free from distractions and stocked with the supplies needed so that your child can quickly dive into each homework session. Make use of a planner, homework notebook or planner app. One of the most common issues with disorganized students is not that the students are incapable of doing homework, but rather, they forget or lose track of what they are supposed to work on each evening. Your child should have a simple notebook in which to write down the followingeach and every day: Each class/subject Homework assigned for each class (or no homework) Upcoming test/quiz dates or projects mentioned by the teacher Check this notebook every night to ensure all work that is assigned is being completed at home. If your child is old enough to make effective use of a planner/calendar, teach him or her to block out time on the daily calendar for all commitments (school, activities, work, studying, dinner and sleep) and write down all upcoming tests, quizzes and projects on the appropriate calendar dates. For students who use smartphones or tablets, consider a student planner app such as myHomework or iStudiez Pro, which each allow students to track homework, tests, projects and lessons, receive reminders for upcoming tests and assignments, and manage their class and life schedules. The better your child is at time management, the more prepared he or she will be for high school and college academics. Make checklists. Introduce routines for all chores and tasks in your household and create checklists to help your child get familiar with the necessary steps. This also will help your child become more independent and confident and give him or her a sense of responsibility and fulfillment. For example, a morning checklist might include picking out clothes and getting dressed, brushing teeth, making the bed, putting pajamas in the laundry basket, brushing hair, preparing the backpack, refilling the water bottle, making lunch and so on. Show your child that good organization is important in everything that he or she does. Make tidying up a nightly activity. Every study or homework session should be followed by five minutes of putting away supplies, straightening the desk and getting the backpack ready for the next day. Get your child into the habit of finishing each homework period this way. Effective organization is an asset that will help your child as a student and a person throughout his or her life. Work on this skill at home and talk with your childs teacher about the specific areas that seem to need the most improvement. As your child embraces this skill, studying and homework will become much more fluid processesand your child will have the tools to be a more independent, successful student.

New Series 7 Exam Partnership

New Series 7 Exam Partnership Improving Academic Performance MyGuru is proud to announce a new partnership with Michael Weiss, founder of Series 7 Exam Tutor.The Series 7, and other licensing exams, is a test prep area in which we don't specialize. We do offer private, 1-1 Series 7 tutoring in Chicago, but we don't have any Series 7 exam tutors in Boston, New York, or Minneapolis, our other key locations. As a result, we've partnered with Michael to offer licensing exam tutoring on our behalf. Michael built Series 7 Exam Tutor to help people pass difficult licensing exams, having passed many difficult exams throughout his professional and academic career. He passed the Series 7 Exam on his first try with a score 94% and was awarded the CFA charter in 2002 after passing each of the three exams on his first try.He holds an M.B.A. in Finance Investments from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College and a B.A. in Finance Economics from the City University of New York.Michael has worked in finance for 20 years with the majority of this ti me focused on investment analysis and portfolio management. He's worked at institutions such as Merrill Lynch and Evergreen Investments, as well as a variety of smaller firms. He also founded Timeless Capital Management, a firm which specialized in mutual fund research.Michael is a great example of the type of tutors and partners MyGuru works with - experienced individuals with impressive academic backgrounds who share a vision for high quality, yet affordable tutoring and test prep. To learn more about MyGuru's private Series 7 exam tutoring, click here (coming soon). To contact Michael Weiss directly, you can visit his web-site Series 7 Exam Tutor.

Exam anxiety

Exam anxiety With exam time just around the corner, many students will begin to suffer with exam anxiety during the next few weeks. There are four main areas that can contribute to exam anxiety: lifestyle issues information needs studying styles psychological factors You may have tight muscles, constant low grade headaches, insomnia and/or an upset stomach. These symptoms can in turn affect your behaviour. You may find that you are unable to concentrate or focus when studying. Many students neglect their normal routine near exam time. Some may turn to binge eating or constant snacking. Others will drink coffee or take other stimulants thinking it will help them concentrate for longer periods of time. Fear, worry, frustration or panic are all symptoms revealing that you maybe under exam stress. Anxiety reduction techniques can help reduce the above symptoms. If you find yourself confronted with constant negative thoughts, you can use thought replacement techniques to overcome this problem. Try interrupting negative thoughts with the following statements: I can do this! I will do my best I can pass this exam I will focus only on the question in front of me. Irrational thinking is not reality. It is your preconceived perception of yourself or your abilities. Put yourself into a positive frame of mind by imagining how you would LIKE things to go. Imagine yourself turning up for the exam feeling confident and relaxed. A good private tutor can help you organise your study skills, focus on aspects that need the most attention and also boost your confidence in your own abilities. If you know you will start to panic near exam time, talk to your tutor, explain what issues are worrying you the most. Experienced tutors know too well what students go through near exam time; not just because they have other students who suffer similar issues but from their own personal experience! If you have studied hard for your exams but feel you lack confidence and need that extra boost until exam time, click here to find the perfect tutor for your needs. Best of luck!

4 Simple Strategies to Read in a Foreign Language Like a Native

4 Simple Strategies to Read in a Foreign Language Like a Native Do you ever struggle to read in your target language and wish the words would just translate themselves?I know I do.But short of a magic wand (or a translation app), thats not going to happen, and magic is not always helpful for developing reading skills over the long term.The best way to improve your reading skills is by, well, readingâ€"which takes time and effort.Fortunately, techniques exist that make learning to read in a foreign language not only easier, but more fun too.Lets take a look at the best tips available to help you read like a pro. Why Learn a Foreign Language by Reading?If you want to become fluent in a language, youre going to have to be able to read it. Whether youre looking at a restaurant menu, perusing the newspaper, or following directions on a map, reading is fundamental to learning and living in your target tongue.Depending on the content, reading also provides a chance to get more attuned to the way native speakers talk and write. How often in traditional language learning settings do we recite sentences like, You and I eat hamburgers on the beach, and how often do native speakers say such a thing?Exactly.In other words, reading allows us to dig deeper and challenge ourselves. Much like impromptu conversation, we are often thrown into the deep end while reading, forced to learn complex words and phrases we might shy away from in a different context.Reading lets us get to the real meat and potatoes of a language. It allows us to ingest the grammar conventions naturally, without fear of a slap on the wrist from teacher.Whats more, the benefit of reading is that we control the pace of learning. If you prefer the faster route, you  can barrel through a text without looking up every word you dont know. Or you could also pick it apart piece by piece, taking careful notes. Both approaches have their benefits.Now lets take a look at some effective strategies for learning to read like a pro.4 Simple Strategies for Reading in a Foreign Langua ge1. Choose What to Read CarefullyToo many language learners skip over one of the most important parts of reading practice: choosing what to read in the first place. Many of us have experience in a classroom where a teacher barks out phrases and chooses reading texts for us, often with not-so-helpful results (see hamburgers on the beach, above).Its time to free yourself from the shackles of this approach and make your own destiny. First, we can divide books and other texts into two broad categories: academic and non-academic.Academic writingPros: typically follows all grammar rules, more likely to be focused on a particular subject area, useful for learning specialized vocabularyCons: specialized vocabulary can create a hurdle to learning, less likely to resemble everyday usage of the language, not always appropriate for beginning language learnersNon-academic writingPros: has more in common with everyday usage of the language, vocabulary more likely to include common words and phra ses, readers are more likely to be able to place the reading in contextCons: may contain colloquialisms and be less representative of the universal usage of the languageWe can see that both types of texts have their place, and deciding what you want to read is a matter of what you want to get out of the process.For example, if youre an engineer and your firm is opening a branch in a foreign country, read an engineering-oriented handbook in the target language.Of if youre just starting out and want to fully immerse yourself, read your favorite book translated into your target tongue. Books like Harry Potter and Alices Adventures in Wonderland have been translated to scores of languages. Dont forget the power of enjoying what you read.How do you find these materials? Here are a few resources to get you started:Newspapers    |  Books   |  MagazinesAlso, dont forget to  try your local library for all of the above. The content is free, and those with e-readers can often access extensiv e digital archives with just the click of a button!If you want book recommendations and language-specific reading tips, check these out:Chinese:  Chinese graded readers | magazines |  novels |  best textbooksFrench: easy-to-read books  | childrens books  | comic books |  great books  | advanced books  | reading tipsJapanese: childrens picture books |  best language learning books |  manga  | steps to readingGerman: childrens books for beginners  | popular classics  | best textbooks  | German reading strategiesSpanish: easy-to-read books  | e-books  | best textbooks | novels for intermediate learners2. Read Before You Read: The Importance of Pre-learning StrategiesOnce youve decided what to read, take the opportunity to brush up on background and mentally prepare for the material. The range of activities involved in this are called pre-reading or pre-learning strategies.These techniques help create context for what youre about to read, a scaffolding on which to hang the words, phrase s and sentences, and ultimately to understand them.Effective pre-learning techniques include:Read related articles in English first. Reading an academic article on nuclear proliferation? Find English-language materials about the key issues.Nail down the meaning of the materials beforehand. Tackling a classic novel written in a foreign language? Read a synopsis in English first.Brainstorm. Alone or in a group, think critically about the content youre about to read. What issues might come up? How do they affect you in your daily life?Skim. Take a dip into the material by skimming it first and taking note of any unfamiliar words or phrases. Then look them up before you start reading in earnest.Incorporate one or more of these strategies into your learning practice, and youll see the results for yourself!3. Vocabulary: How to Take on the Hardest Part of Reading in a Foreign LanguageAh, vocabulary. The language learners arch nemesis.How many times have you said, Im so close to being flue nt, if only I knew more words?For better or worse, vocabulary is a constant in the struggle to read proficiently. What you choose to read should dictate your strategy, which can often include variations of the pre-learning techniques above:Starting small with your target languages version of The Cat in the Hat? Read the English version first to refresh your memory of the words used.Remember that nuclear proliferation article? While youre pre-learning the main  issues, look up key words in your target language.But where can you  find a reliable dictionary?Remember the digital library archives I mentioned above? Many have expansive dictionaries you can use free of charge.Another free tool is  WordReference.com, which includes forums that come in handy for defining idioms or other colloquial usage.Searching for something even more language-specific? Check out Pleco for Mandarin Chinese, or these awesome dictionary apps for German,  Japanese  and Spanish.Okay, so youve found a dictionar y or dictionary app, but now what? How do you actually use it while reading?Look up key words beforehand. After you use the pre-learning strategy of skimming (see above), look up any words that stand out as unfamiliar and important. Focus on words that appear in headings or that show up repeatedly throughout the text.Dont look up other unfamiliar words as you read. Instead, underline them to look up later. This promotes a fluid reading style and pushes you to use context clues to understand the content.After reading through the first time, look up all underlined words. If possible, avoid using English when making note of the definitions. Instead, use related words in the target language or pictures/icons. Remember, your long-term goal is to read with understanding while thinking in the language rather than simply translating the words to English.And how about retaining all of this vocabulary?FlashcardsFlashcards remain one of the most tried-and-true methods. Spaced Repetition techno logy (SRS) used in flashcard apps  greatly increases learning efficiency.Contextualize new vocabularyPlace new words in their element using drawings (see above) and as many of your senses as possible. To memorize the Spanish word el bombero (firefighter), you might first draw a firefighter and fire station.But try to also visualize the firefighter sliding down a pole, think of the smell of smoke, hear the crackling of a fire and feel the spray of a fire hose. The more contextual elements you can draw in, the better youll be able to retain and recall the vocabulary.FluentUFor  the most memorable context, the most useful flashcards  and  a complete language learning platform, FluentU is  one of the best ways to learn a foreign language online today.FluentU is an online immersion platform that takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.  You can browse videos  by difficulty (beginner to native), topic (arts and entertainment, health and lifestyle, etc.) and  format (video blog, news,  shows, etc.).Every word comes with an in-context definition, image, audio and multiple example sentences. You can even click on a word to see how its used in other videos across the site. Add any word to your own vocab lists with a single  click.Get the most out of your listening by spending time in FluentUs unique learn mode  before or after  watching a video to learn all that the clip has to offer. Learn mode takes your learning history into account, asking questions based on what you already know, which  sets  you up for success.Mnemonic devicesUse mnemonic devices for difficult words. All of us who learn languages know the frustration of vocabulary that just wont stick. For these problem words, try breaking up the syllables into a story of pictures.For example, you can remember the German word wahrscheinlich (probably) by visualizing a war between pirates during which one crew member shines the captains shoes while battling a blood-sucking leech. Sound crazy? Maybe, but the crazier and more vivid the image you create, the easier it will be to recall the vocabulary.Finally, repetition is key. Come back to those words every once in a while to freshen up and give yourself an ego boost!4. Complement Your Reading with Other Learning TechniquesSure, reading is essential to learning any language, but its not the whole picture. You can capitalize on the exercises above by pairing them with other techniques.Think of these strategies as one-two punches of language learning.SpeakingWhen learning to read, many of us practice subvocalization, the internal speech of sorts where our mind pronounces the words as we go along. Subvocalization can improve our command of the way a language sounds, especially when accompanied by actual speaking.The next time you sit down to read in your target language, take subvocalization further and try reading aloud. This will help ingra in proper pronunciation, and build confidence in both reading and speaking.When you get the hang of this, try recording yourself as you read aloud. Then listen to the playback, and take notes on words and sounds that need work. Bonus points if you can find a recording of a native speaker reading the same text!ConversationA language is nothing without at least two people to speak it. You can talk to yourself all day long, but its even better to find a speaking partner to share in conversation.Find a reading partner and practice reading aloud together. Take notes while your partner is reading. What can you learn from the way they speak, and vice versa? Youll be surprised at how effective two heads can be instead of one.Join a book club to increase reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. The ultimate goal of reading, of course, is comprehension. You can find an existing group through Meetup.com or create your own.You might think this technique is best for advanced learners, but try to think critically about what youre reading from the very beginning. This will help you engage with the text, bring meaning to the act of reading, and make the whole process seem less like a chore.The next time you set out to read in a foreign language, remember these four simple strategies. Let them be your magic wand, and watch how fast your reading skills improve!Nathan Heggem is a language enthusiast, cheesemonger and cinephile. He spends his days singing the praises of Portuguese cheese, watching as many Brazilian movies as possible and practicing his vowel sounds. Nathan writes about food and film on his blog, CineMunch. And One More ThingIf youre digging these strategies, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web serie s, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.

Kip McGrath Education Centres

Kip McGrath Education Centres Kip McGrath Education Centres Kip McGrath The Specialists in English and Maths Tuition Over the past 40 years, we have helped hundreds of thousands ofchildren improve their skills in English, reading, writing,comprehension and maths skills. The first Kip McGrath Education Centre opened its doors in NSWAustralia in 1976. Founded by school teachers Kip and DugMcGrath, that first tutoring centre has grown since then into aglobal franchise. We currently have over 500 centres globally. We are looking for enthusiastic teachers to join our small and friendly team at Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi. Our teachers have a maximum of 6 students per session so we can offer all of the benefits and joys of teaching without the difficulties/admin that mainstream teaching brings. If you are looking for an alternative to teaching in a mainstream school and want to teach students who choose to attend lessons then get in touch to find out more. At Kip McGrath EducationCentres, we aim tocomplement the work beingdone in schools so thatstudents can find successthere too. There is a definiteneed and our centres helpto fulfil that need. Kip McGrath Al Raha Mall is the UAEs first Kip McGrath centre. Located in a safe, friendly environment inside Al Raha Mall near Khalifa City A. All of our teachers are fully qualified from the UK and the USAand we have specialists in English and mathematics for students aged 5-18 years. We create personalised learning programmes to suit the needs of our students. The duration of each tuition session is 80 minutes. We have been thrilled with the welcoming response from Abu Dhabi and its community. The parents have been supportive, the schools collaborative and most importantly our students have made huge improvements in their learning whilst under our guidance. We look forward to connecting with the wider community and see our students continue to grow. At Kip McGrath Al Raha Mall, we aim to complement the work being done in schools so that students can find success there too. View our Brochure