Tuesday, March 24, 2020
How Much Do Portuguese Lessons Cost
How Much Do Portuguese Lessons Cost Finding Portuguese Classes For The Best Price ChaptersHow Much Do Portuguese Lessons Cost On Superprof?Is There A Way To Reduce The Cost Of Portuguese Courses?Other Factors To Consider When Looking For Portuguese LessonsIf you would like to learn a new foreign language, there are often two barriers that frequently arise:Do you have the necessary time to study the language and improve your skills; andDo you have the money to afford to pay for a foreign language tutor?When it comes to the amount of time you have available to learn a second, third, or even fourth language, the good news is that you can usually make solid progress, even if youâre time-poor, just by committing to learning on a daily basis, even if itâs just for 10 minutes. Ideally, if you can spend longer on your language studies, then thatâs even better.When it comes to the cost of a language tutor, there are a lot of different variables to take into account, such as your budget and what youâd like to get out of any tuition courses.Below we provide a brief o verview of what you could expect to pay for Portuguese lessons, along with some tips and tricks to get the costs of tuition down.Knowing how much you can afford to spend on Portuguese lessons is very important. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, JamesQube, Pixabay)The tutor has many years of experience in tuition and/or has a graduate or postgraduate qualification in Portuguese.Generally speaking, you can expect to pay between £15 and £25 per hour for a Portuguese tutor, based on a variety of factors, including those discussed above.Superprof has a wide network of language tutors, including Portuguese tutors, which means that you should be able to find a tutor willing to provide online or in-person Portuguese lessons at a price that suits both you and your budget.Having online-only Portuguese classes can be a way to save money. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Pixabay)Is There A Way To Reduce The Cost Of Portuguese Courses?If the average rates listed above make you shudder, then there are of course ways that you can try to reduce the average hourly cost of Portuguese lessons.For instance, you could try one or more of the following things:Have online-only classes;Consider taking group lessons if you want classes in-person; orLimit how long your lessons last.Letâs look at each approach in a little more detail below.Online-Only ClassesAs mentioned above, online classes tend to be cheaper overall than classes that involve you meeting someone in person. This can be down to a variety of factors, including reduced travel time or lower overheads in terms of hiring a space for lessons.If you live in a particularly expensive area, such as London, then it can really save you some cash to take up online language classes. In the capital, language courses can often be found at a premium, and one way to avoid the hefty price tag is to turn to online courses that are held via Skype or webcam. This way, you can still see and interact with your tutor, and you can also practice your Portuguese speaking and listening skills.Consider Group LessonsIf you really donât want to have online-only Portuguese lessons, then there are other ways to cut down how much money you spend on language tuition.For instance, one way to cut down the cost of in-person courses is to simply attend a group class or workshop, rather than have one to one tuition. There are a few benefits to having group lessons as well. For example, you could get a group of friends to have the lessons with you if you are all interested in learning Portuguese, or equally, youâll have a great chance to make new friends with the people that attend your Portuguese class!Additionally, group classes can be a great forum to ask each other questions about your language learning journeys and it can also be very helpful listening and speaking with a variety of different people in Portuguese.If you do decide to opt for group lessons, try to ensure that group sizes arenât too large â" you donât really want to be sitting in a room with 30 other people vying for the teacherâs attention! Ideally, smaller class sizes are better, as that way the teacher has more time to spend with each student, and youâll likely have more opportunity to ask the tutor any questions as you progress through the class.Superprof tutors are able to cater for both individual and group tuition, so itâs just a case of finding your ideal Portuguese tutor in Superprofâs database and setting up your first class!Limit How Long Your Lessons LastAnother way to reduce the cost of Portuguese lessons is to simply reduce how long you spend with your tutor. If your budget is particularly tight, then it may be worthwhile only having 45-minute sessions each week rather than the usual hour-long class.This way, youâll be able to save some money, but will still have enough time to practice and develop core skills, such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking in Portuguese.Reducing how long your Portugue se classes are can be another way to save money. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, nattanan23, Pixabay)Other Factors To Consider When Looking For Portuguese LessonsWhile cost is extremely important when it comes to finding a new Portuguese tutor, there are some other factors that you need to bring into consideration to make sure you get the best return on your investment.A good tutor can teach you the basics and beyond of Portuguese much quicker and in a much more enjoyable way than a tutor who you donât particularly engage well with, or who has a teaching style that is not compatible with your preferences.When it comes to pricing though, the main thing is to be realistic. If youâre set on having one to one tuition in a large city such as London, then youâll have to accept that youâll likely pay a premium for your Portuguese lessons compared to someone who lives in London but is prepared to attend group classes or have Skype lessons with their tutor.You should also think about your wi der goals when it comes to learning Portuguese, and whether you think your prospective tutor is best-placed to help you achieve them.For instance, have you considered whether you would rather learn Portuguese from a native speaker from Portugal, or would you rather learn Brazilian Portuguese from someone who lived in Brazil?Tutors, such as those on Superprof, often clarify whether they are experienced in teaching Brazilian Portuguese or European Portuguese, so itâs easy enough to find out which teachers would be the best fit for the type of Portuguese that you would like to learn.Whether youâd like to learn Portuguese to help you when youâre next travelling around Portugal or want to learn Brazilian Portuguese for work purposes, a great tutor can help you get there. Just make sure that, whichever tutor you select, youâre comfortable with their hourly rate and you have an idea of how long youâll likely have lessons with them for.Itâs not worth stretching your budget too t ight when learning a new language, especially when there are different approaches available that can help to keep the cost of lessons down.A good tutor should be able to teach you what you want to know without costing the earth. So whether you're a new learner and would like to expand your knowledge of Portuguese phrases, expressions or verbs, or you just want someone to communicate in Portuguese with and revise key aspects of grammar, a good Portuguese tutor should be able to improve your overall learning experience.
Friday, March 6, 2020
What Type of Summer Course is Right for Me
What Type of Summer Course is Right for Me The college summer term can offer many benefits, such as increased flexibility and course options that you might not otherwise have during the spring and fall semesters. While summer term varies from school to school, its key to understand what type of summer class is right for you, such as short vs. long sessions or in-person vs. online. Keep reading to identify the right type of summer class for you: The short vs. long(er) summer course During the fall and spring semesters, college classes typically run for the full duration of the semesterabout 15 weeks. During the summer term, however, schools offer courses in a variety of lengths. Harvard University, for example, has in-person classes with sessions that range from three to seven weeks. Its important to note that the length of the course will often influence the frequency of sessions. At Harvard University: The four-credit three-week class meets four days a week for three hours per day The four-credit seven-week class meets twice a week for three hours per day The eight-credit seven-week class meets five days a week for three to five hours per day. The frequency of course sessions can be a significant factor in what type of summer class is right for you. If you have other responsibilities, such as an internship, one style may fit your schedule perfectly, while another may not. While you may not always have control over the length of the summer course, its important to understand what it entails so you are fully prepared to tackle it. [RELATED: What to Know About College Summer Classes] The in-person vs. online summer course Another style to examine when choosing a summer class is in-person vs. online. Everyone learns differently, and its important to identify which learning modalities will work best for you during the summer term. For instance, if you have responsibilities this summer that will make an in-person class difficult or impossible to attend, online may be the best option for you. The University of Missouri markets its summer courses with the tagline, Take Mizzou with you this summer, illustrating the schools willingness to host summer learning that fits your schedule. The university offers two four-week sessions, as well as a self-paced class that you can complete on your own time in anywhere from six weeks to six months. Be honest with yourself about your summer schedule and your preferred learning style when selecting a summer course. If online courses haven't worked well for you in the past, you might prefer the in-person option. Alternately, if you think youll have trouble focusing in class for three hours a day several days a week, online could be the ideal fit. [RELATED: 4 Tips for Connecting with Your Online Instructor] The immersive field study summer course Summer courses can provide a unique opportunity to carry your learning across the globe. Some colleges offer immersive field courses that last anywhere from two to eight weeks, allowing students the opportunity to experience the subject firsthand in another country. Hampshire College, for example, provides students with a variety of short field courses that individuals can enroll in during the winter and summer terms. Whatever your interest may be, from filmmaking to perfecting a foreign language, a short-term summer field course allows you to take what you would typically learn in a classroom and experience it in the real world. The summer term may also offer unique classes that you may not find during other semesters. For instance, The University of Rhode Island offers summer field courses in marine biology. When creating your course schedule, inquire if any of your gen. ed. requirements can be substituted with a unique summer course. [RELATED: 5 Myths (and Realities) About Study Abroad] Summer courses can provide students with many benefits. When considering this option, its key to be honest with yourself about what you want to get out of your summer term and how to best make this a reality. 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.
Russian Geopolitics
Russian Geopolitics The Strategies That Define Russian Geopolitics ChaptersThe Politics of Imperial RussiaRussia During the Cold War and BeyondTearing Down the WallRussian Geopolitics TodayTo a certain demographic â" those aged enough to have experienced Cold War tensions, Russia is never thought of without a sense of unease.Stories of the gulag and the KGB; the GRU and NKVD â" names of agencies upon which many stories of intrigue are built, generally send shivers down the spines of those exposed to such tales.And with good reason! Narratives detailing such experiences paint a terrible assault on humanity for all to see.But do they accurately describe the Russia of today? That is a difficult call to make.Recent tales of social unrest in Russia clash with the Kremlinâs unforeseen diplomatic outreach in the Middle East and Latin America.Hosting the World Cup last year and the Winter Olympics four years before were designed to show that Russia intends to become a front-and-centre player on the world stage.Such ambitions contrast vividly with the Ru ssian annexation of Crimea, which took place at the very time that world unity was on display in Sochi, during the Winter Olympics.One might find it difficult to divine Russian machinations and motivations, especially when constantly assailed with its positive and negative political aspects; often at the same time.To understand them, we have to dive deep into the history of Mother Russia, review past diplomacy and calculate the rationale that drives the politics of the one individual leading that vast country.Essentially, his series of political missteps, at home and abroad, brought the Russian Empire to its end.In this brief history, we see that Russia, vast in her land holdings and full of people, nevertheless was never really powerful in her own right. Much of her might was illusory.Discover the subtle might of Asian geopolitics...Following the Cold War initiation, barriers between east and west were hastily erected Image by Hans Harbig from PixabayRussia During the Cold War and BeyondAfter the Tsar was deposed, a provisional âPeoples Governmentâ was established, which was quickly overthrown by Vladimir Lenin.Quickly, under his leadership, various government agents set about establishing a barrier between Russia and western European powers by unifying with countries that we know today as Belarus, Latvia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and others.During the Second World War, any territories to the west that were overtaken by Russiaâs army became satellite states, further serving as a buffer between powers.Later, during the division of Europe into capitalist versus communist... there is just no nice way of saying it: the Soviet Union engaged in a land-grab.Seizing control of half of Berlin, as well as the territory that called itself the German Democratic Republic is what caused the political and military tension between the Soviet Union and the U.S.Those two powers, formerly allies but now bitter foes, with their respective allies, circled each other war ily in a decades-long dance we know as the Cold War.Significant elements of that era include:The âLong Telegramâ, a magazine article by an American diplomat in Russia, advocating for containment to avert the spread of communismThe Truman Doctrine: the American foreign policy to counter Soviet geopolitical expansionThe Warsaw Pact: a collective defence treaty ratified by the Soviet Union and seven satellite states in the East BlocCOMECON: an economic assistance organisation designed to support the East Bloc and communist regimes throughout the worldThe Iron Curtain: a figurative (and later, literal) line of demarcation dividing Europe.âThe Westâ, meaning western Europe and the United States, were treated only to sparse reports of torture and imprisonment, authoritarian rule and mass killings in the Soviet Union.In the rare occasions that eyewitness accounts were made possible, either through news broadcasts or through networks of spies, the impression of power â" through the police or the military, was strong.And with the defection of athletes and artists, we were treated to first-hand accounts of what life was like... but what was really going on behind that Curtain?What was the extent of communist reach in Latin America?Tearing Down the WallIt is important to understand that, although economics is considered separate from geopolitics, a regimeâs economy plays a role in the extent it can engage in world affairs.Once sequestered from global affairs, it was all the Soviet Union could do to manage their internal affairs.As the regionâs economy stagnated for so long, no expansive military dreams could be entertained, let alone could any large-scale lending be done to any other country, such as China or North Korea.Soviet regions embellishing reports of grain output certainly did not help matters, and Americaâs grain embargo, in retaliation for the USSR meddling in Afghanistan brought them no benefit either.On paper, everything looked great but the r eality was that the people of the Soviet Union were hungry, frustrated and tired of being bound to a regime that no longer served them.A series of revolts ultimately brought the end to this painful time in Russian history.However, this period reveals why Russia has such an interest in Afghanistan; you can learn more about it in our geopolitics in the Middle East article.Today, the Russian president walks a fine line between being personable and being authoritarian Image by klimkin from PixabayRussian Geopolitics TodayTo truly understand how Russia operates on the world stage, we need only to look toward history.In spite of her reputation as a mighty world power, Russia, historically and today, has merely cultivated and projected the illusion of power... and apparently engages in bluster to maintain that image.While it is true that her space programme initially led the world, even those efforts could not be sustained in the long term.What really hurt Russia is the loss of those âbu ffer landsâ - the countries that separate her from the rest of Europe.What really did damage to Russiaâs hopes for a strategic alliance with them was when they and the Balkan states became NATO members â" essentially pledging themselves against Russia.The lone exception was Ukraine... weâll go a bit deeper into that situation in a mo.Painfully aware of how quickly the political tide can turn in Europe as well as with their ally, the United States, Russia knows that she is strategically vulnerable at this point.Even worse: in the event of a crisis, not many nations would leap to help defend her.Finally, the global lack of trust in Russia, of her motivations, actions and goals, leaves her diplomats and president constantly working to regain ground.That is why we see Mr Putin reach out beyond his countryâs nearest neighbours for diplomatic opportunities, overlooking former ally China and bypassing Europe altogether.He is using soft power to build long-distance relations in Afr ica, the Middle East and in Latin America.Are you curious about how geopolitics play out in Africa?Still, the Russian political machine does nothing to dissuade global powers that Russia is still to be feared and that her reach is long. In fact, they encourage it, notably during two brazen poisonings of former Soviet agents on British soil!Most political analysts suspect that Mr Putin likes for the world to believe that he has influence over the United States and that the American president is working on his behalf.The likelihood of that being true is minimal but, in continuing to portray Russia in as sinister a tone as possible, that countryâs leader expends virtually no resources and loses little diplomatic goodwill, all while maintaining an image of power.The proof of this analysis lies in the Ukraine.That countryâs 2004 presidential election results were met with widespread demonstrations and accusations of corruption and fraud: voters contended that the election was rigged in favour of the Russian-backed candidate.Outrage over the alleged duplicity fanned the flames of public revolt and the outcry caused the election results to be scrapped and a new one held.This time, the election was deemed impartial by a combined body of national and international observers.The Orange Revolution played out on the world stage, forcing a high-profile reckoning between historical foes, Russia and the U.S. It took ten years for the situation to play itself out.That democracy-friendly Ukrainian president served a six-year term, after which the Russian-friendly candidate took office. Four years later, in 2014, he was ousted in a bloody clash.Sensing that Western allies had a foothold in Ukraine, one of the last bastions of Russian security, Russia promptly annexed Crimea â" both as a show of force and to reestablish some buffer between themselves and western powers.In spite of fierce sabre-rattling, neither side was willing to engage. Tensions were diffused through a no n-aggression pact, leaving the Ukraine with democratic support from western countries but no military reinforcements.Having taken Crimea as their security buffer, that was a deal the Russians could live with.Canât get enough of geopolitics? Discover how geopolitics play out all over the world.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Tutor Best Practices Credentials Folder
Tutor Best Practices Credentials Folder Here at Tutorfair, we like to spread good ideas. One thing that might not be obvious to those starting out their tutoring journey is the importance of having a folder to keep all of your credentials papers in. When you go to your first lesson with a new client, itâs best to have the following documents to show them, in a presentable format. Identification (copy of passport) Educational Certificates (Degrees, A Levels etc.) DBS Certificate (formerly CRB check) We recommend having these in a display folder such as the one below. The one that Hannah is modelling costs a little over £4 from Rymans, and is something that the best tutors on our site are using already. It will demonstrate professionalism to the client, keep you more organised, and give additional reassurance to the customer, especially if they havenât asked to see it. DISCLAIMER: Tutorfair is giving this recommendation independently, and earns no commission on sales of Ryman folders⦠yetâ¦
SAT Tips That Will Ensure You Are Fully Prepared For Test Day
SAT Tips That Will Ensure You Are Fully Prepared For Test Day Get Ready for the SAT: Five Simple Tips Preparing for the SAT is more than just practice questions and memorizing vocabulary words. Proper SAT practice should follow an SAT study guide that is focused on comprehensive preparation that helps ensure students are ready for exam day. Using past performance data, applying current skills and knowledge, and understanding SAT testing conditions will maximize your potential and help propel you toward your academic future.This SAT study guide is focused on maximizing available test prep resources and helping you to improve your understanding of various concepts prior to test day. You'll quickly understand how preparing wisely now will pay off when you feel confident about your preparation and are pleased with your performance.Prepare your mind AND bodyPreparing your mind for the SAT without also taking care of your physical needs is not ideal. Your brain can only work as hard as your body allows. During the entire SAT preparation you should also focus on proper nutrition, getting pl enty of sleep, and finding time for physical activity. If you expect your brain to be in great shape for the SAT exam you also need to carefully prepare your body for the big day.Don't cram Cramming rarely works. Trying to prepare for a high stakes test in a small window of time will likely only leave you frustrated, confused, and overwhelmed. The best means of preparation is to carefully plan your studying to ensure you have plenty of time to cover all assessed subject areas. It is imperative that you take practice exams and these should be taken under testing conditions. Doing this will improve both your overall knowledge and test taking skills. Set aside specific blocks of time each week that are dedicated to SAT prep and ensure you meet a minimum amount of study time each week.Increase your academic vocabularyPossessing a wide range of academic vocabulary is an essential part of doing your best on the SAT. Not only will increasing your vocabulary help with vocabulary test sectio ns, it will also boost your understanding of reading passages, refine the content of your written essays, and increase your chances of correctly answering a wide variety of test questions. If you are looking for additional ways to improve your academic vocabulary, the professionals with Huntington Learning Centers can help! Part of the SAT tutoring sessions available through the learning centers focuses on increasing relevant academic vocabulary. Source content for the essay portionThe prompts used on the SAT utilize general topics accessible to all exam candidates. Because the writing time is limited on testing day it is vital to source evidence and content before you begin the test. Take the time to gather scholarly examples that could be used to answer a variety of prompts such as novels or literary characters, current news stories, global or national issues, and historical events. Sourcing and studying this content ahead of time will allow you to focus on writing a thoughtful es say instead of racking your brain for applicable content.Practice under testing conditionsPreparing for the SAT exam is all about understanding what is expected of you on test day. Don't leave anything to chance. While you are studying it is important to spend time adhering to the actual testing conditions you'll encounter on exam day. Turn off your cell phone, ensure your calculator is an approved model, use only questions released by the SAT and the College Board, and take at least one practice exam while following the specific testing conditions and time guidelines.If you are feeling overwhelmed by preparing for the SAT exam consider contacting the professionals at Huntington Learning Centers. The highly skilled tutors are specifically trained to help students prepare for the SAT while focusing on the areas of the exam that provide the most opportunity for growth. Each individual tutoring session will be carefully designed to meet your individual needs and will help you in your p ursuit to achieve the highest score possible.
What You Need To Know About The Cambridge Analytica Controversy
What You Need To Know About The Cambridge Analytica Controversy via Pixabay Facebook maintains that they had no idea this was going on and that Cambridge paid them to collect data for academic purposes. However, what Cambridge Analytica did was analyze peoplesâ Facebook pages to see what they liked in order to identify personality traits that were then combined with algorithms created to predict peoplesâ political views. For example, if you liked something posted by Kim Kardashian West, researchers used that information to identify your personality traits, such as how extroverted you are, how conscientious and how open-minded you are. That data combined with information about other interests indicated on Facebook can be plugged into their algorithm in order to predict your political views so campaigns can target you with advertisements more effectively. Cambridge Analytica adapted this approach of personality modeling from studies done by researchers at Stanford University and the Psychometrics Center at the University of Cambridge. The studies relied on data collected by a Facebook app called myPersonality which was a quiz developed to assess a personâs openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. When respondents took the quiz, they authorized researchers to gain access to their profile data and information about their friend network. Researchers were then able to cross-reference the results of the quiz with the usersâ likes on Facebook and build a model from the correlations. Once patterns were found, researchers could make accurate guesses about users personalities without the help of the quiz. How does this tie in with President Trump? President Trump recently named John Bolton as his third national security adviser. John Bolton has been heavily involved in politics throughout his career and ran a super PAC during the 2016 election. Super PACs are independent committees that raise money for political campaigns. They can raise unlimited amounts and are virtually unregulated since they are not directly affiliated with a party or person. According to Cambridge Analyticas company documents and employees, Boltons super PAC was one of their first customers. Cambridge Analytica was hired by Bolton to specifically develop psychological profiles of voters from data collected off of Facebook. While this was also going on, Robert Mercer was financially supporting Boltons super PAC and donated $5 million between April 2014 and September 2016. Why should you care? Whether you support President Trump or not, its important to be aware that his campaign hired a foreign firm to collect private information from Americans Facebook accounts. Cambridge Analytica was not authorized by Facebook or its users to collect the information it took and use it the way it was used. Legal investigations are going on currently in England as well as the United States to see if laws have been broken. It was reported that Cambridge Analytica board members did receive warnings from lawyers that it is illegal to employ foreigners in political campaigns. However, there might be a loophole since Cambridge Analytica does have ties with the Mercer family and Robert Mercers daughter, Rebekah is a board member. Whether it is determined if laws have been violated or not, what Trumps campaign and Cambridge Analytica did was unethical and unfair.
National Apprenticeship Week 2015
National Apprenticeship Week 2015 This week was National Apprenticeship week. One of the options open to students after the age of 16 is to train through an Apprenticeship scheme. In short, Apprenticeships are available across a range of sectors and at levels to suit all abilities. They aim to improve your skills, measure your capabilities and provide you with a nationally recognised qualification. This is a way of learning the skills necessary for various careers while earning at the same time. An Apprenticeship will often suit young people who do not want to go into full-time further or higher education, but still want to gain extra qualifications that are work related. There are more than 190 different occupations in which you can train through an Apprenticeship, from animal care to building trades, from administration to catering. For a level 2 apprenticeship you may need some GCSE subjects at grades A - C. For a level 3 programme (called an Advanced Apprenticeship) you will normally need five GCSEs, often including English, Science and Mathematics, or have already completed A-Level 2. To find an apprenticeship in your area head over to www.apprenticeships.gov.uk for more information.
How to Learn a Language in 3 Months 3 Swift Strategies for Rapid Fluency
How to Learn a Language in 3 Months 3 Swift Strategies for Rapid Fluency How to Learn a Language in 3 Months: 3 Swift Strategies for Rapid Fluency Theres more than one way to learn a language quickly and effectively.As with any other learned skill, theres no secret formula for learning a language. Theres no rule that specifies that learning takes exactly 3 years, 280 hours, 6 months or 10,000 flashcards.So, anyone can learn any language in three months under the right conditions.Its not about having the right genes or the most expensive course, but instead about adopting the right language learning mindset and putting energy into your studies.Depending on your motivation and your circumstances, the path to casual comprehension and conversational confidence may look quick and easy. You might want to learn a language in this specific amount of time because youre planning a trip, entering the job market or any of a million other reasons. For someone with less immediate motivation, the path may look arduous and following it may take more time.So, instead of telling you the way to learn a new language in three short months, we ll give you three different and highly flexible ways you can go. Well focus on the core features of these strategies that will translate into success for any three-month language learning mission. Learning a Language in 3 Months: What It Means and What It DoesntBefore embarking on your linguistic journey, ask yourself what you mean when you say you want to learn a language in three months.Youll need to set reasonable, concrete goals. Fluffy words like fluency with abstract, subjective meanings, make for equally fuzzy motivation. Instead, try to define your goals in terms of linguistic feats youd like to be able to perform 90 days from now.Are you looking to be able to have pleasant everyday conversations? Read the news? Make new friends? Give a rousing speech, pen a great novel or pass through society masquerading as a native speaker?In thinking about goals like these, try to form them in terms of your four core language skillsâ"listening, speaking, reading and writingâ"and o n linguistic actions rather than arbitrary benchmarks (e.g., being able to talk to strangers at the bar, rather than something like learning 500 vocabulary words or memorizing the past perfect tense).Most learners who are able to study their language full-time (or close to it) for three months can reasonably aim to navigate everyday conversations successfully, understand the majority of what they hear, be able to express themselves clearly in simple terms and be able to engage with media like TV and newspapers.Every learner and situation is different. Whats important is that you focus on your defined goals, use your language every day and take an approach that works for you as an individual learner.Here are three of those possible approaches.How to Learn a Language in 3 Months: 3 Swift Strategies for Rapid Fluency1. Take a 3-month Language Immersion TripImmersion learning is popular for a reason: It works.For most aspiring language learners, and especially those who want to make gi ant leaps in progress in just a few months, it doesnt get better than immersing yourself in your target language. Not only will you be presented with endless daily opportunities to strengthen your speaking and listening skills, but youll also have an unrivaled chance to amplify your language skills by learning about the culture surrounding the language.Before starting an immersion trip, do a bit of initial research into your target language. Learning strategies can differ greatly depending on how closely related your target language is to your first language or one that you already speak well.So, if youre heading off to spend three months in French immersion and your native language is English, start by brushing up on the similarities in sounds and word parts between your two languages. If youre studying Chinese or Arabic, on the other hand, start by learning about the most challenging differences between these languages and those familiar to you, like their different written scri pts and difficult sounds.And then fasten your seat belt, put your seat back in the upright position and prepare for takeoff.Month 1: getting comfortable with your languageIn your first month of immersion language learning, your main objectives are learning to recognize words and phrases in your language, overcoming the initial anxiety and discomfort of speaking and starting to use your language right away.The primary goal is to become more familiar and comfortable with the language.So, heres your game plan:Begin with a basic vocabulary list and start learning the essentials of everyday communication immediately.Hang out in parks, cafes and restaurants, spending as much time as you can listening to people talking in public places.Immediately get started watching TV, movies and other videos to see and hear what your new vocabulary actually sounds like and how its used.Watch childrens shows where the characters speak slowly and articulately about practical topics like shapes, colo rs and animals. Want an alternative to the purely authentic? Muzzy BBC has created animated video series for children that teach a variety of languages, and they may just be a great option for adult learners who enjoy going the fun and colorful route.Put yourself in situations where you have to navigate typical customer service conversations.Seek out at least one conversation partner early in your first month who has the patience to have slow, simple conversations with you as you build your skills.Most important of all in your first month is to make mistakes freely and overcome your speaking anxiety. The shy and the introverted can find this part more challenging, but youll never start truly learning your language until you accept that youre going to be making a lot of mistakes in the next three months. Each mistake is a crucial step in your learning process.Month 2: structure and experimentationBy the start of the second month, you should have a few hundred words and several doz en handy phrases youre able to use confidently in one-on-one conversation. Take a moment to congratulate yourself on your first linguistic baby steps, and get ready to break into a jog in your second month.As soon as you feel like youre understanding a (slight) majority of what you hear on your childrens shows or other beginner TV shows, raise the bar.Try out some documentaries and familiar animated films dubbed into your target language. The documentaries will usually employ a slow, exaggeratedly articulate speech thats easier for learners to understand, and revisiting your favorite childhood Disney movies will help your comprehension by letting you hear your target language in a very familiar context.As your vocabulary grows, pay closer attention to grammar and basic rules that will help you be better understood. Refer to a good book or website to learn basics like the past tense or noun gender, but try to do most of your learning by actively paying attention to native speakers and making mental notes about when they use different verb forms or articles.Strive to have new and different conversations every dayâ"repeating the same coffee order every morning is good for warming up, but it doesnt count as learning anymore when youre just repeating it over and over again. Try ordering some new things off the menu every day!Input-based learning is the priceless result of immersion. You get to soak your brain in linguistic material every day, and opportunities to listen and speak are unlimited. Since by now you should be completely unfazed by making mistakes, push yourself harder and abandon your remaining conservative impulses.Month 3: sprinting to the finishBy now youre used to speaking your target language every day. Even though you still make errors at nearly every turn, and even though youre still fuzzy on the details a lot of the time, you get the gist of whats said to you more often than not, especially when someones speaking to you clearly without to o much background noise or other distractions.The third month of immersion is all applied learning. Youve been soaking up the language for two months and practicing it as you go, but now its time to start really using it organically like a native speaker would.Heres what youll be doing in this third month:Totally shut down your first language, both inside and outside your head. Switch all your electronics to the language youre learning, forego your favorite English-language series, go on a social media hiatus and strive to think in your target language whenever possible.Soak your ear in your language every single day. Watch TV, listen to the radio and continue eavesdropping in public parks.Strive to find TV and video content that challenges you. If you understand more than about two-thirds or three-fourths of whatever youre watching or listening to, its time to bump up to the next level.Most importantly, seek out conversation at every turn. Find as many one-on-one conversation pa rtners as will have you, and when youre feeling extra ambitious, sit down in a small group conversation and do your best to offer some on-topic interjections while you follow along.After three months of immersion, some learners will still struggle to understand rapid native speech or to express their thoughts clearly, while others may have more trouble with reading instructions or writing texts and Facebook messages. Thats normal!Remember that your goal was never to be perfect at the end of three months. Check back in with the goals you set before starting, then give yourself a giant pat on the back for the past three months.At-home alternative: living room language immersionJumping up and spending three months in a foreign country might not accommodate everyones schedule, budget or life all of the time, but thankfully there are a few substitutes that offer a viable alternative for the most motivated and dedicated.Jump into the 21st century and take advantage of all the digital and analog hacks available today for creating a language immersion environment without leaving home.2. Spend 3 Months Learning a Language with Authentic VideoNot so long ago, time and money were the biggest roadblocks cutting off would-be polyglots from their language learning dreams. Then the Internet came along and basically took care of those two things, just like that.If you like the structure of a formal course but relish the freedom of individual study, learning online could be right for you.If you need the flexibility of studying whenever your hectic schedule coughs up 20 free minutes or if you cant justify spending hundreds of dollars on language courses, its time to think about learning a language online.FluentU uses real-life video to help you learn vocabulary and usage in context, which is exactly how you learned your first language. FluentU takes real-world videosâ"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ"and turns them into personalized language lea rning lessons.As you browse and watch video content sorted into six levels (from Newbie to Native), you can click on the interactive subtitles to view in-context definitions of unfamiliar words. Enter the learn mode for each video for dynamic, memory-boosting activities. Practice the words youre learning with FluentU flashcard decksâ"you can even import your own vocabulary and design your own digital flashcards.FluentU goes beyond grammar and vocabulary to help you actually learn to speak and use a new language naturally, and its an effective, efficient and enjoyable strategy for learning a new language in a matter of months.Month 1: getting your newbie feet wetIn your first month using FluentU, start out with some of our Newbie videos and get ready to start exposing your ears and brain to your new language.Before watching your first videos, be sure to review the Vocab tab beneath each video, where youll find key words and phrases from the video along with their definitions.If it helps you getting started, download the video transcript and read along with it. You can even print it out and take notes on it.Review your vocabulary in video flashcards, where youll find short video clips with transcriptions in your target language and English, along with contextualized definitions above.Find speaking opportunities and start practicing what youre learning early! Check out our essential guide to Skype language exchange for tips on where to find conversation partners online.Once youve spent a few weeks calibrating your ear to recognize the sounds and words of your target language and have tried it out yourself in a few Skype sessions, its time to start putting your language to work.Month 2: exploring real-life situations and developing real-life skillsIn your second month of using FluentU, fast-track language learners can bump up from Newbie to Elementary videos. As you strive to become competent in understanding and using your language, try to focus on videos o f real people in real-life situations, and imitate their language use when youre practicing.Start challenging your ears by watching some of the Newbie and Elementary level videos without subtitles. Dont worry about understanding every single word, but do strive to follow the main ideas and the flow of the conversation.Beef up your vocabulary by developing a reading habit in your target language. Weve got all the best recommendations.Ramp up your conversation time and aim to speak your language for an hour or more multiple times a week (or more whenever possible). If youre getting burnt out on Skype exchanges, try finding local language exchanges through websites and social networks like Meetup and Couchsurfing.You could also consider finding a language tutor for extra practice. WyzAnt is a great option for finding a tutor in your area. You can see how much each tutor charges per hour as well as some of the ratings that other people have given them. If youre all about online langua ge learning, check out Verbling. It allows you to explore hundreds upon hundreds of language teachers from all over and find the one whoâs perfect for you.In the second month of online language learning, youll want to find as much conversation time as possible alongside your continued study through video and vocabulary lessons on FluentU. This should be the period where you feel that your vocabulary and listening comprehension both really take off, preparing you to jump into the deep end in your third month.Month 3: applying your intermediate skillsAfter two months of FluentU, you should be more comfortable hearing and understanding your target language than you ever were after two tortured years of high school language classes. Pushing through to the intermediate level will depend on constantly and actively exercising your language muscles and doing heavier lifting every week.Start watching Intermediate level videos on FluentU, and make a point to explore the menus and watch v ideos on multiple topics (like arts and entertainment, business and health and lifestyle) and all formats (such as music videos, news and TV shows).Turn off the English subtitles. After watching each video once with the target language subtitles alone, watch again with all the subtitles off.Make sure that you play your way through each videos learn mode, learning new words in context as you go.Use your active skills every single day. Speak or write in your language as often as possible to exercise the part of your brain that produces (rather than interprets) language. For feedback on your writing from native speakers, try a penpal exchange site like Lang-8. LingQ is another great online practice option that provides you with the support of native speakers, who can give you feedback on your writing or pronunciation.Find a series in your language to get way too into. Whether its a sitcom, drama or thriller, getting emotionally involved in the characters and their storylines helps yo ur brain process the language more naturally and gives you a fun way to use your language skills.The fantastic thing about FluentU is that it doesnt matter how fast you progressâ"you can move easily from Newbie to Advanced and everything in between according to your own pace and interests. The interactive subtitles make any video at any level approachable to every learner!It works because its organic. Memorizing and repeating verb conjugations from a workbook is helpful for some, but any learner learns better and more efficiently when they engage with the natural language just as its native speakers use it every day.Throw in a couple cool mini-movies and TV shows and youve got a language learning program youll actually look forward to working on every day.3. Mix and Match Language Learning Strategies with Self-studySometimes youre your own best teacher.Theres no rule out there that says you must follow one particular program, trademarked method or exact formula to learn a language. Especially for experienced language learners and those in touch with their own preferences and learning styles, cherry-picking the best parts of existing programs, websites, apps, books, podcasts and social networks to design an individual learning plan can be the best way to go.You know how you learn best, but keep in mind that youll want to address a few key areas if you want to reach overall competence and comfort with your language. Focus on training yourself in your four main linguistic skills:1. Listening. A good listener is a good language learner. If you hope to use a language effectively, youll need to train your ear and brain to recognize things like unfamiliar vowels and identifying where one word ends and a new one begins in everyday speech.2. Speaking. Use it or lose it. As you listen and take in more linguistic input, using that new knowledge to form your own words, sentences and conversations is the practical application that makes the learning stick.3. Reading. The emphasis on reading in a second language will differ from learner to learner. For some, learning to read captions and public signs will suffice, and others may want to be able to follow a trending Twitter hashtag or read the latest political news in their target language.4. Writing. Like reading, the amount of time you devote to writing in a foreign language will differ based on your own learning style and preferences. For most, chatting on Facebook and keeping a daily journal are good ways to ensure you practice your active skills every day.As you design your own language learning routine, keep these four skills in mind, never neglecting the first two. Heres an example of how you might piece together a self-study routine to learn a language in three months.Month 1: laying your linguistic foundationsIn the beginning stages, build up the basics.The basics include recognizing and understanding spoken sounds, using your guidebook phrases and working towards mastering the basic vocabul ary of 500 or so words you need to navigate everyday life successfully.Start out with Duolingo or a flashcard app like Memrise to begin building your basic vocabulary, and be sure to practice every dayâ"even if its only for a few minutes. You need to start building a habit at this stage.Soak your brain in the sounds of your language. Explore language learning channels on YouTube, watch simple childrens shows and listen to podcasts.Start speaking the language daily within your first week. You can find conversation exchange partners on sites like iTalki or ConversationExchange.com.Read a Wikipedia page about your hometown, your favorite band or your professional field. Use your familiarity with the subject to learn as many words as possible in context and look up the rest.By the end of the first month, hopefully you will have rooted out the parts of your routine that arent working for you, identified the areas that challenge you most and gone Googling for extra online resources to help get the language down. Then its time to take your basic vocabulary and finely attuned ears into month two.Month 2: picking up the paceWhile you continue studying your language from every angle, its time to focus on speaking and conversation and let the rest follow.Speak your language daily or as close to it as possible. Aside from online exchanges and social networks, you can check around places like your local university or community college or immigrant resource center to search for more real-life conversation partners, or you can post ads on sites like Reddit or Craigslist.Create a customized feed with Feedly to follow your favorite blogs and websites in your target language.Prime yourself with periodic grammar lessons from books or web pages, but dont try to memorize the rules you read about. Instead, try to notice when native speakers use the forms or words discussed, look for patterns related to when they do or dont use certain verb endings or definite articles. Then i mitate them.When youre studying on your own, you can make people and social interaction the focal points of your learning rather than learning a certain number of vocabulary words or a particular verb tense.In the second month, challenge yourself to understand as many new kinds of input as you can.Then comes the home stretch.Month 3: broadening your linguistic horizonsYour focus in your third month may depend on your particular goals with the language (like whether youre prepping for a backpacking trip, a job interview or an exam).Even so, all learners will benefit from getting as much speaking and listening time as they can.Broaden your linguistic horizons with these tips in your third month of self-study:Widely diversify the kinds of video content youre watching by using a site like Streema to find and watch local TV stations all over the world. Be sure to include videos of real people having realistic conversations like on talk shows or sitcoms (as opposed to animated cartoons o r newscasts).Continue to speak every day via Skype or other exchanges, and focus on using what youre learning from your TV and video time. Discuss topics youre learning about on TV shows or in documentaries. Strive to use the new phrases and words youve learned while watching them.Add to your Feedly feed some news sites, pop culture blogs and other written material that challenges you. Practice writing about these topics by chatting with native speakers on an app like HelloTalk.How to Keep Learning After 3 MonthsRegardless of the method you choose, your language learning will hardly be done after three months.After those first three months, youll still find yourself frustrated that you cant understand whats being said at times. You might find yourself speaking beautifully and confidently one day only to return to stammering and struggling the next.Even though you can certainly learn a language in three months, the truth is that youre never really finished. As you continue on your l anguage learning journey, remember to use the same principles discussed here to keep building on your progress.Keep watching TV and movies, use the best websites and apps for refreshers and, above all, keep using your language, listening to it and speaking it whenever you can.If done right, learning a language in three months will just be the beginning of a lifelong linguistic journey, the benefits of which will continue to grow throughout your multilingual life!
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