Find Out Why Tutoring From Concrete Is Such An Easy Option To Consider

Find Out Why Tutoring From Concrete Is Such An Easy Option To ConsiderIf you are looking for the absolute best in non-physical education, then you should consider your options when you go with concrete tutoring. The company was established in 1997 and it is one of the most popular tutoring organizations in the United States. In fact, they have been awarded the distinction of being one of the top schools in America by American School Counselor Magazine for years now.What they offer is a unique approach that helps students develop confidence while learning how to reach their academic goals. Many of the students who are given the opportunity to learn with concrete are able to improve not only their academic performance but also their overall success as well. The teaching methods used by the company also help the students focus on areas where they are having difficulty in certain subjects and find new and better ways to make the most of their studies.The company's goal is to offer its tu tor's a very challenging yet rewarding environment to teach their students. The students who take advantage of the tutoring program are able to learn at an accelerated rate, often in as little as five days. This is all because of the rigorous training and assessment process that all of the teachers that work at concrete undergo.Students who are looking for concrete tutoring can find the company in almost every area of the country. The most popular locations include the following:This is just a sampling of the many places where the company offers services. Of course, there are also locations that the company does not operate from. The instructors who work with the tutoring program are aware of the various locations and can work out arrangements if they think a particular location would be suitable for their students.With their efforts, students are offered the opportunity to come into contact with a wide variety of people who are well versed in different subjects. Thisis exactly what the school hopes to achieve. It allows the students to gain great insight into the work environments of other employees at the company.Students who are working towards getting their high school diploma should consider concrete tutoring for their needs. The reason why this option is so important is because the company is able to provide the necessary assistance that will help their students improve their grades. Once the students have completed the required work for their diploma, they can begin taking courses at any time.The company also offers its tutors the ability to hire additional employees to help them supplement their classes. There are lots of people who have the capabilities to help the students learn more about the subject matter that they are trying to learn. For students who are interested in attending classes to improve their grades, there is no reason why they should not consider getting tutoring from concrete.

Growing Stars Tutoring Jobs - Know How to Apply For It

Growing Stars Tutoring Jobs - Know How to Apply For ItIn case you're working on your way to becoming a professional tutor, growing stars tutoring jobs are available for you. The best part is that you don't need to necessarily be in the business of teaching students. You can start as a tutor and help others with their own issues.Tutoring has been a way of life for a long time, but it has only gained popularity in recent years. It involves teaching students all about various subjects at different levels. It can be the most challenging profession to work in, however. One reason is because it requires students to pass certain tests.Tutoring has always been based on a project. Students need to get through the subject they have chosen. They also need to learn how to do so with the help of their tutor. The role of the teacher is generally to make sure the student learns the lessons properly.There are times when it needs more than one person to teach a subject, and students need the assistan ce of the coach as well. But these jobs involve a lot of demands, so if you think that this will be something you'd like to try, you should consider making a career out of tutoring.If you're familiar with the latest trends, you'll have noticed the popularity of the popular internet career. When you want to apply, you need to be honest in your answers. In order to get accepted, you have to work very hard.Tutoring could be your perfect choice. You'll have the opportunity to make money on the side. The right tutor can earn you a lot. Some tutors can even help people find their ideal jobs.A good job that could give you a great income is tutoring. It's not easy to find a good job these days. Although the internet is a boon to those who want to find tutoring jobs, the problem is that there aren't that many jobs that need tutors. To find tutoring jobs that are available for you, all you need to do is search on the internet.

What Does Q Mean in Chemistry?

What Does Q Mean in Chemistry?If you are new to the science of Chemistry, you might be having some trouble understanding some of the symbols and terms. Although the structure of each element is explained here, the way it interacts with the rest of the world, and how it relates to energy are not easy to understand, but the concepts are quite important to have a better understanding of the nature of the elements, and their relation to energy.Science is not a formula, but a process of discovery and investigation. To develop and learn these principles of Science, you will need a lot of reading and practicing, which is why this is a very interesting field. Today, there are numerous ways to learn more about Chemistry. You can study Chemistry at school, but of course, it is better to learn these principles by yourself.The first thing you need to know about Chemistry is that it is a branch of science which focuses on the study of chemical reactions. At its simplest chemical reactions involve an element or compound that is atomically bound with another one, and has an external reaction to cause the two elements to mix. When this happens, a chain reaction takes place. Chemists also study the effects of the reactions on the properties of the substances involved.Chemical reactions involve the atoms and molecules of the molecules of an element or compound, in which there is an energy flow from one chemical bond to another. These bonds are of different types, such as covalent bonds, ionic bonds, covalent-bonds, and so on. The bonds are responsible for the properties of an element or compound. They can be changed from one type to another, by the actions of an external agent.As we know, in our bodies, energy can flow in different directions. When the body uses up oxygen, the whole organism will use energy in order to get rid of the waste products. This can happen in any part of the body, such as the heart, or the brain. When it comes to Energy flow, different elements and comp ounds have their own properties, and are in different stages of change and energy flow, depending on their properties.The act of using energy in the body is what makes us the person we are, and it is this factor that drives us to learn about these different elements and compounds. From the earth to the stars, the human body and its use of energy are crucial to our existence. In many cases, by studying the properties of molecules, we can discover more about our own body and ourselves.Now, you may be wondering, why study Chemistry? This is one of the most important processes in the physical world. It is a combination of technology and learning, and if you want to understand the power of the human body, you have to study its mechanisms, and learn how the interaction between these different things works.

A Guide to English Language Certificates

A Guide to English Language Certificates How to Choose your Certificate of Proficiency in English ChaptersTOEFLTOEICGMATAre you learning English? How good is your grammar? How do you know if you need to improve your English?Could you have an interview fully in English? If so, get on the phone and organise one!When you learn English, there are plenty of qualifications you can use to prove your proficiency or fluency in English. However, if you want to learn English for work, showing off your language skills on your CV is difficult since different people accept different exams.Taking the right one can open doors for you. Once you have your certificate, you can put your results on your CV and most employers around the world will immediately understand what your level of English is without having to ask any more questions.There are a number of educational systems around the world whose English classes aren’t recognised or would be disregarded when it comes to an interview. At least when talking about the English you learn in school. Don't worry, employers still tend to recognise de grees in English!Unfortunately, not every English course is recognised. Even if you can speak English well, have amazing listening skills, and know every idiom under the sun, you'll probably still have to look at specialised English courses just to sit one of these exams.However, thanks to increasing globalisation, these exams are becoming more and more widely accepted and internationally recognised.Whether working or studying, you'll probably need English. (Source: Unsplash)Furthermore, the English language is almost everyone's second language when it comes to business. If you're travelling, most tourist areas use the native language of the destination or English with tourists who don't speak the local language. Love it or hate it, the English language is here to stay so there's not much point in avoiding it any further.If you’d like to be accredited for your written and spoken English, there are a number of different examinations you can consider, each with their own set of adva ntages and disadvantages.In this article we’re going to have a look at a number of these and which are recognised and where, tell you which ones test your English grammar, writing skills, listening skills, and which ones include conjugating verbs, or deciphering specialised English vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.Listening, 60-90 minutes;Speaking, 20 minutes;Writing, 50 minutes.Speaking can also be done separately as the TOEFL Academic Speaking Test (TAST).Scores are out 677 for the paper exam, 300 for the computer exam, and 120 for the online exam.Vocabulary and grammar are essential linguistic skills. (Source: Visual Hunt)One disadvantage of the TOEFL is that it's only valid for two years. This is because language competency can change very quickly over time if the user isn't practising their language.However, this is also probably a very good way for ETS to get customers coming back, right?Most universities accept a TOEFL exam and it's also often used to check graduates’ and interns’ English level.There are also plenty other disadvantages of the TOEFL:For one, it’s a multiple-choice format exam. This isn't considered to be completely representative of language abilities and probably oversimplifies the whole language-learning process.Additionally, it’s often criticised for how costly it is and the spoken part isn’t ideal, either.Younger students can opt for “Junior” version if they're aged 11 and over. This can be a good way of gauging a student’s level and also evaluating the education system.See where you can learn English online.TOEICThe Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) is also available from ETS. However, this one focuses on business English rather than general English.The TOEIC was created in 1979.  Following the demands of globalisation and the Japanese Minister of Commerce and Industry.More than 14,000 businesses across 150 countries are happy to take your money to sit a TOEIC exam.TOEIC testUnlike the TOE FL, this exam doesn't cover language creation. It's only really interested in understanding and includes just listening and reading parts, making it ideal for those that hate English speaking and writing exams.It doesn’t differ too much from the TOEFL and even follows the multiple-choice format.The listening part includes photographs, dialogues, and monologues, lasts 45 minutes, and contains 100 questions.The reading part (gap-fill exercises, texts) also contains 100 questions and lasts an hour and 15 minutes.The exam is out of 990 and is graded according to a colour.The lowest grade is orange (10-215), then brown (220-465), green (470-725), and blue (730-855). The highest grade is gold (860-990).If you want to speak English, why not go to Bath? (Source: Pixabay)In order to complement these comprehension activities, there is also the TOEIC Speaking and Writing with a 20-minute speaking part and an hour-long writing exam. Each of these parts is graded out of 200 points.Finally, the ETS launched the TOEIC Bridge in 2001 in order to validate the abilities of intermediate non-native English speakers. While not as widely recognised, it focuses on secondary-school students or professionals just starting out in English. It can be useful for those wanting to take the TOEIC further down the line who'd like to see the format of these styles of exams.There are a few tools to help you get ready for the TOEIC. The ETS also has a number of resources as part of the the TOEIC Official Learning and Preparation Course and there are also plenty of centres and private tutors around the world that would be happy to help you prepare for it.Want to become an english tutor yourself? Find our what certificates you'll need.GMATLet’s have a look at an exam not involving ETS.While the TOEFL focuses on academic abilities and the TOEIC focuses on business English, the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is for those who decided to study English (or are currently taking English le ssons) because they'd like to get into business management.This certificate is required for anyone who’d like to study an MBA or go to business school. It  was created in 1953 by the Graduate Management Admission Council in Virginia, USA.It’s available in 3,000 business or management schools across 96 countries. Over 200,000 students take the exam and you can only take the exam a maximum of 5 times in a given year.You need to be at least 13 years old to sign up and you’ll need to hand over around £200. You’ll need to be IT literate since the test takes place on a computer.You should read the answers before the question. Then, after having read the question, eliminate the answers that are obviously incorrect before choosing the most logical answer. This technique can save you a lot of time in an exam where you have to be fairly quick.GMAT testThe test lasts 4 hours but as I said before, you’ll have to carefully manage your time.The results are split across several sections :AWA (Analytics Writing Assessment): 30 minutes: 6 points.IR (Integrated Reasoning): 12 questions, 20 minutes: 8 points.Quantitative Section: 37 questions, 1 hour 15 minutes, 60 points.Verbal Section: 41 questions, 1 hour 15 minutes, 60 points.The final results will be on a scale between 200 and 800.The GMAT results consider every GMAT a given candidate has sat over the last five years!This means your score could either go up or down. It’s an interesting aspect of the GMAT that separates it from the other English language exams available.Remember that most MBA programmes at the top universities require a GMAT score of at least 650.English grammar, irregular verbs, and spelling can be complicated. Be careful! (Source: Stocksnap)In the event of tough competition, you’ll have to differentiate yourself from other candidates with your English abilities and your fluency in the language.  Depending on your situation, you’ll have to choose which English test is for you.While we’ve l ooked three of the most common exams: TOEFL, TOEIC, and the GMAT, there’s also the IELTS by the British Council.All your linguistic abilities will be tested in practical and professional exams.  Literary aspects, such as writing style, are largely ignored. However, that doesn’t mean you need to ignore all English literature in your personal life.There's also Cambridge English tests, which offer internationally-recognised exams for almost everyone. Children can do the YLE (Young Learners) while teens and adults can get qualifications from A2 (KET) to C2 (Proficiency).Make sure that you consider all your options before taking an English exam. Think about why you need a qualification in English and whether the people you need to prove your level to are going to recognise it!

How Tutors Can Encourage Higher-Order Thinking Skills

How Tutors Can Encourage Higher-Order Thinking Skills Higher-Order Thinking: How Tutors Encourage Students to Think ChaptersMarking the Path Toward Higher-Order ThinkingActivities That Promote Critical Thinking SkillsCultivating Problem Solving SkillsYour assignment: homework help.This particular student has trouble grasping aspects of an academic subject. S/he is not motivated to do any independent study and any prescribed assignment garners poor marks, either for its incomplete answers or for not being done at all.Desperate for academic success, this pupil’s caregivers envisage your supervising his/her work, both the accuracy and completeness thereof.Is there any room for you to do more?Might you perhaps find time and opportunity, in your weekly sessions with that student, to foster thinking skills? To plumb his/her depth of thought and bring to light previously untapped cognitive skills â€" skills s/he might not even know s/he possesses?Should you go beyond what you have been contracted to do â€" ensuring that homework gets done and is correct?Whether you are a classroom teacher who moonlight s as a tutor or someone who earns a living strictly by providing academic support outside of school, surely you know that encouraging students to think through their assignments rather than just doing them is an essential part of your function as an educator.Doing so might already be an integral part of your pedagogy.On the other hand, if you are new to tutoring or are undecided over whether to follow your clients’ wishes to the letter, working in the best interests of your students’ college and career prospects, you might revise your lesson planning and teaching strategies  to also impart thinking skills.Your Superprof now lays out tips, strategies and learning activities that will help you guide your charges to becoming higher-order thinkers.From whomever the saying originated, there is substantial truth in the idea that, if you handicap someone by limiting their access â€" to food, to work or to knowledge, that person will soon hunger again.However, arming people to provide f or themselves, be it in physical sustenance or intellectual curiosity permits them to be self-reliant in achieving their goals.This ethical reflection makes the case for educators’ efforts at instilling higher order thinking skills in their students.According to Bloom’s Taxonomy, three interrelated learning domains underpin a learner’s academic career. They are:the cognitive domain, which encapsulates knowledge â€" analysis, synthesis and comprehension of study materialthe affective domain is emotion-based, which triggers the responding to and valuing of information, as well as the characterisation and organisation of suchthe psychomotor domain includes guided response â€" maybe executing a math function through step by step prompts and complex overt response, such as those needed for 21st century skills.General education has traditionally only addressed the cognitive domain.Pretty much since the inception of compulsory education, it has been the foundation upon which learning objectives are set, the curriculum is structured and assessments are conducted.That means that fully 2/3 of Blooms Taxonomy is not even addressed which, in turn, means that a substantial portion of the student population’s learning needs is not being met.That leaves ample room for tutors to help their students develop higher level thinking... with a caveat!As we pointed out in a companion article, it is entirely possible to push students too hard in fostering higher-order thinking abilities.The net result of doing so could have disastrous consequences for both your mentoring relationship and on your pupil’s academic success.That is why it is best to start slowly...Teaching your students to think critically will make them star pupils! Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltActivities That Promote Critical Thinking SkillsWho, what, when, where, why and how.These types of questions are a great way to start your students on the path to thinking critically - bearing in mind that doing so doe s not imply that criticism and finding fault  are the order of the day.Of the six questions featured in the 5W+H above, the last W, ‘why’, is perhaps the most critical.“Why do you think that?” “Why did that happen?” “Why is that answer the right one?” â€" should you be going over a just-completed multiple choice answer sheet, for instance.Simply asking ‘why?’ is an easy way to prime your pupils for thinking and it only takes a few times of your doing so for him/her to anticipate your question and have the answer ready.It is also an excellent way to assure student engagement â€" both with you and with the subject material.Once s/he becomes adept at answering those questions, you can take that game to the next level by having them write down all of the steps they took in arriving at their conclusion to a question you pose.Not only does that address the psychomotor domain outlined by Benjamin Bloom but it also calls for the student to outline any prior knowledge of the topic in question and fosters metacognition â€" the understanding of one’s own thought processes.If you are a school teacher, surely you know how limited opportunities such as these are in class!Once you are assured of your student’s ability to render reasoned conclusions to questions you pose, you might move on to debating: offering up a topic for discussion and allowing time to prepare arguments.You may perhaps task him/her to compare and contrast aspects of the topic and explain how s/he arrived at the conclusion s/he reached.Naturally, debating works better with study groups, where there would inevitably be several opinions offered up.Once assured that your charges are capable of thinking critically, it is time to tackle the second major branch of higher order thinking.Use sticky notes to organise facets of a problem Source: Pixabay Credit: BluebudgieCultivating Problem Solving SkillsCritical thinking skills are only half of the equation representing higher order thinkin g. The other half is problem-solving skills, and fostering those requires finesse as well as a bit of educational psychology.Educational psychology concerns itself with cognitive development, learning methods and student assessment.Specifically applied to problem solving, cognitive development addresses how your students process information and how creatively they approach ‘problems’.The problem may be an open-ended question you pose, a word problem in their math homework or a social problem with other students at school.Yes, even those can impact student learning!Let’s assume, for the sake of this discussion that you have posed a challenging question that requires some thought. You get to see their critical thinking skills at work!1. You might suggest s/he  â€˜play’ with the problem. This encourages him/her to look at the issue from many different perspectives; you could even suggest a few.2. Break the problem down into component parts. What is involved? Who is involved? Wh ere did it happen? Why? How? You could then guide him/her to determining the biggest aspect of the problem or the aspect easiest to solve.5W+H is an excellent tool to use in problem solving activities!3. Get verbal! Reasoning through a problem out loud helps to slow down thought processes so that students don’t feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the issue.Perhaps, if your student is a kinesthetic learner (or particularly agitated), you might suggest s/he write down the main components of the problem on sticky-notes as s/he talks. One sticky for each aspect, and then organise them in order of importance.4. Focus on the process, not the answer: believe it or not, there is more satisfaction to be had by discussion of all that a problem entails than by arriving at a conclusion.5. If your student is a bit older (or more cognitively developed), you might try giving only pointed suggestions rather than guiding them to the desired response. Guiding is an effective technique if your stude nt is younger or less intellectually mature.No matter what the outcome of the problem-solving exercise is â€" whether or not s/he has arrived at a satisfactory conclusion, positive reinforcement is vital to student success.After all, the point of such exercises is to think more so than to solve, at least at the outset of this phase of intellectual development, right?Naturally, once s/he has mastered these skills, s/he would actually have to solve problems and come up with workable solutions.The good news is that, once you’ve helped your students train their minds to think effectively, coming up with answers to higher order thinking questions will be child’s play rather than a stress inducer.Does cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills take a lot of time and effort?Surprisingly not!As a part of your initial interview with students and their caregivers, you would naturally form an idea of that pupil’s cognitive abilities (and preferred learning style!) so that y ou can determine exactly what is needed from you.Armed with that background knowledge, as you work together you would continuously gauge his/her progress as a thinker through formative assessment.The insights you glean through these processes will give you an idea of how you should proceed with fostering higher-order thinking skills.Will that take you beyond the homework help you were hired to give?That depends on whether your pupil’s caregivers advocate for giving a man a fish versus teaching him to fish...We intuit that you stand firm on the side of teaching.Join the discussion: is it more vital to be a problem solver or a critical thinker?

IPad

The Best French Learning Apps for Your IPhone/IPad Load Your Iphone/IPad with These French Learning Apps ChaptersIPhone or IPad? Or Both?Apps for your Language Learning PleasureThe Best Way to Learn a New LanguageLately, there has been a lot of noise made about people constantly, obstinately working their mobile: in traffic, on the bus, on the tube...We could hardly dispute the research â€" after all, such groups have vast resources to expend on gleaning and analysing information. However, what if all of that time people devote to their screens is a means to an end?What if people fixated on their phones are actually doing something productive, like learning a language?Of all the downloaded applications from the Apple store, educational apps â€" including language learning tools, come in third on the list of most downloaded, behind business and games.By comparison, social networking and shopping apps rank 17th and 20th, respectively. Perhaps all of the blather about hanging on social media is inaccurate?You surely know that there is a wealth of language learning websites and applications for learning on the go; some you have to pay for and some that are completely free.And some that you can use for free, only to an extent. If you want the good content, you have to pay.Here now, an interesting side note...While conducting our own, decidedly unscientific research on which French learning apps are best, we found plenty of websites that had top ten lists on the topic, but none of those lists matched up!And some did not even feature the same apps.So we render onto you our own list of best IPhone and IPad apps to learn French with, compiled by exhaustive trials, and ranked by their comparative merits.IPads have better graphic resolution and are more adaptable for games Source: Pixabay Credit: FirmBeeYou can sync your devices so that you have the same applications on one as you do the other.Different:While you can make phone calls with your IPad over wireless networks by using an app, only the IPhone can use cellular networks to make calls.Because of the bigger screen on the Pad, apps have more versatility and higher resolution graphics than on the smaller phone screensAny IPad can operate any application meant for either the pad or the phone, but the IPhone can only operate apps meant for the smaller sized device.Should you use a phone application on your Pad, you will likely find that the graphics are distorted and won't necessarily work right.These distinctions are relevant to our topic. In fact, app designers usually create twin apps; one for each device.If you are the proud owner of both, you are most likely aware of these divergences.For anyone contemplating investment into Apple products, hopefully this breakdown will give you food for thought.Now, on with the list of apps for optimal French language learning experience!Apps for your Language Learning PleasureIn 24 Hours Learn to Speak FrenchWould you believe that you can start learning a foreign language within such a short time frame?According to testimony from any language learner currentl y using the app, it works well by itself or in conjunction with other tools to learn French.Enroling in a language course takes time and money; commodities that can be in short supply â€" especially time.Not so with 24 Hours!Its audio feature permits you to learn on the go by playing recorded words and phrases, first in English, and then in French.If you have occasion to focus on your screen as you listen, all the better: what you see will be what you hear.The best features of this app are: emphasis on conversational phrases, spoken by a native speaker.Downsides: no repeat function, and the lessons will not continue automatically.  Once you've finished a lesson, you must manually engage the next learning unit.You may sync your devices so that you will have the same applications on both Source: Pixabay Credit: Rani_RamliLearn French Vocabulary and Grammar with BusuuUsed by over 80 million language learners worldwide, this app has won awards for its ease of use and breadth of language instruction.As a member of this learning community, you will be guided by native speakers toward proper pronunciation of words and how to say frequently used phrases.You can challenge your language acquisition by taking quizzes, built right into the app!Even better: the software developers have recently added a progress bar so that you can track your learning and gain a fluency score.And, as you learn new language, you can help others learn your native language because Busuu works as a language exchange platform!We've found two downsides to this app:You would have to pay for more in-depth lessons once you've mastered the language instruction that is available for free.For some reason, downloaded lessons have trouble staying downloaded. Some users even report that the app is not available for use offline.Nevertheless, you could gain a lot of language skills with this app.Learn Play Languages BeginnerFor some people, learning is most effective when it is fun!This app combines audio and visual, along with games to help you learn language faster.One of its best features is that it teaches by word grouping. For example, you will learn all of the basic words for greetings at once.You can then make flashcards of them before you play the app's games, or note them in your phrasebook, if you so choose.Trying to teach yourself a second language is never an easy prospect, especially if there is no external motivation, such as an upcoming holiday or learning French for business.That is why this software strives to make studying feel more like playing!Their quick-start programme is free, but more in-depth learning will require a small fee. However, you can use this app on- or offline, and it even doubles as a translator!If you're looking for a good  French English translator, click here!In keeping with the fun theme, allow us to introduce...Learn French with MindsnacksAs language courses go, this one rates high for its engaging games and challenging quizzes.While it doesn 't get heavily into verb conjugation, you will certainly find listening to each new phrase, and the activities that go with it, stimulating.You will of course have the opportunity to memorize verbs and their endings, but you won't have entire sessions that focus exclusively on such repetition.Perhaps the best part of this app is that you can challenge your friends through its family sharing feature!If we could think of language learning apps as cars for just a moment, the last two applications might be comparable to a Mini â€" kicky and fun to drive. Others are more like Land Rovers: a bit bulky, but useful nonetheless.When it comes to the following one, it might be considered the Rolls Royce of language lessons via app.Memrise Language LearningThis language learning software has games, ways to practice your speaking and plenty of new words on the ever-ubiquitous flashcard â€" a lot like the other featured systems.What Memrise has that the others don't is videos: thousands of videos of native speakers â€" not teachers!, introducing and drilling on new vocab. They even take you through the learning materials you're about to study.And that's not all!You have chat bots, you have object recognition: snap a picture and the app will store it, along with the name of what you've captured, for you to refer to any time you want!Learning a new language has never been more technical... or more versatile.You may download two or more French learning apps to your IPad Source: Pixabay Credit: FirmbeeHonourable Mention ApplicationsEach of the apps highlighted here brings a new dimension to learning languages. Yet, we've barely scratched the surface of utilities available for learning languages!Now, we mention a few that you may already know:Duolingo â€" a free language learning platform that includes a proficiency assessmentBabbel: a subscription-based app and e-learning platformRosetta Stone â€" more than a quarter-century of experience in how to learn a languageRocket French was voted the best quality, most comprehensive audio programmeWhen I was looking for French lessons, Superprof found me several great tutors. I started learning in no time!The Best Way to Learn a New LanguageSome believe that quality, effective learning can only be had in a classroom, with a certified teacher.Others are not fond of classrooms and would never sit in one again if they didn't have to.Far be it from anyone to presume what your learning preferences are, but you may find value in this tip:Make use of free trials to discover the right app for your learning process.You may realise that using two apps â€" a fun one and a more traditional-style approach will make you bilingual faster.And what if you don't have two Apple devices?Every app to learn a foreign language featured in this article is formatted for either IPhone or IPad; you simply choose which platform you will download to.Read about learning French online.

Pop Musicals

Rock/Pop Musicals The Best-Loved Rock/Pop Musicals ChaptersThe Genesis of the Rock/Pop MusicalsThe Difference Between Rock Musicals and Rock OperaRenown Rock/Pop MusicalsAny Broadway producer could tell you that musical theater is not everyone’s cup of tea. So could any West End theatre show director.Too bad he likes musical theatre â€" Tallulah, from Dr Who, episode The Daleks in ManhattanBy that statement, ‘the showgirl’ presumes that one must be of a certain type to enjoy musicals; an idea that may have been quite prevalent in the 1930s, when that episode was set.Today, we know all types of people enjoy show tunes and entire shows… probably because of the sheer variety of theatre fare to be enjoyed.By the way, did you know that the Dr Who writers drew on Phantom of the Opera for inspiration while writing that episode? Did you also know that Phantom is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best-known and best-loved musicals?Back to the subject at hand, now…Let’s say you don’t like soaring vocals and sobbing violins and you a re really not down with anything that smacks of West Side Story or Lion King.We’ll take that postulate even further by saying that, as far as you’re concerned, there is no difference between an opera, an operetta, and a musical â€" in short, the entire spectrum of musical theatre is bunk to you.I get off on ‘57 Chevys / I get off on a screamin’ guitar â€" Eric Clapton, Rock’n’roll HeartIf yours is a heart like Slowhand’s, it’s no wonder you don’t queue to buy tickets for Cats or Fiddler on the Roof, but you should experience musical theatre â€" yes, it is an experience.The ambiance, the atmosphere, the intricate weaving of song, sight and deed, and how it speaks to its audience on a visceral level…You know how, just a few sentences ago, mentioned the extraordinary diversity of musical theatre?Your Superprof assures you there are playwrights, producers, directors and even the occasional choreographer putting shows together expressly for those with rock’n’roll hearts.Let’s go find them, shall we? CarlActing Teacher 5.00 (5) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaActing Teacher 5.00 (8) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ElifActing Teacher 5.00 (10) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CalumActing Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChristopherActing Teacher 5.00 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriActing Teacher 5.00 (8) £85/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielActing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CiaranActing Teacher 5.00 (5) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Genesis of the Rock/Pop Musicals By the mid-20th century, audiences wanted something more than standard Broadway shows Image by WikimediaImages from PixabayYou might intuit that music has been a part of theatre production since such productions entertained society, thousands of years ago.Likewise, you must certainly know that, over the last 200 years or so, such entertainment has changed dramatically.Musical theatre splintered into many different types of musicals, with the rock/pop musical gaining a foothold in the late 60s, in the US.Much like the incorrect assumption Tallulah (of Dr Who) made, writing teams like Rodgers and Hammerstein (one of Broadway’s premier composer duos, best known for The Sound of Music â€" among others) believed that theatre-goers were the type that wanted happy endings and uplifting melodies.In the UK, Noël Coward and Ivor Novello filled that role.No matter which side of the ocean, audiences appeared fed up with such fare; ticket sales on both sides of the ocean went on a gradual decl ine… until Hair.Hair was outrageous! Hair was new! Hair was a musical the likes of which had never been seen before. It came complete with drug usage, promiscuity, profanity and a racially integrated cast.It hit Broadway like an unstoppable force, running for a record 1,750 performances and then, it crossed the pond to shock and awe audiences in London during its nearly 2,000 shows.Hair was My Fair Lady on steroids; far from pining for something that might be ‘loverly’, Hair characters told ‘Enry ‘Iggins exactly where the bus stops and how to get on it.And then, they broke that hateful phonograph and used the pieces to light a fire.In short, Hair broke the mold of traditional musical theatre, flinging open the floodgates of style with such abandon and glee that show writers were tripping over themselves to come up with the next bawdy, raucous hit.Andrew Lloyd Webber soon followed up with Jesus Christ Superstar â€" although, because it incorporates no dialogue, it is more o f a rock opera than a musical.Still, Superstar’s success conclusively proved that rock music belongs on the London stage (and the Broadway stage, too!)Throughout the 70s, rock musicals continued to thrill audiences:The Wiz: Wizard of Oz revisited, this time with a lively dance scoreDreamgirls tells the story of the early days or Motown; this musical was later made into a film of the same name.Grease: the rollicking saga of life in a 1950s American high schoolPippin takes a stab at weaving history with fictionLittle Shop of Horrors â€" who wouldn’t thrill at a carnivorous plant?Little Shop sang us into the 80s, a time when rock and pop music was undergoing significant changes â€" the death of disco and the birth of synthesizers; at times it seemed that music itself didn’t know which way to turn.In all of that turmoil, rock musicals’ popularity waned. The jukebox musical rose up to take its place on centre stage. Pink Floyd's The Wall is music theatre, but it is a rock opera, not a rock musical Image by K-H. Leuders from PixabayThe Difference Between Rock Musicals and Rock OperaEvery opera is musical theatre but not every musical is opera â€" is that a case of splitting hairs?While the rollicking shows listed above wowed audiences and won Tony Awards, The Who were crafting Tommy, the fatalistic story about a boy who was born supposedly deaf, dumb and blind.Once every note was in place and every piece rehearsed, the band recorded it and took the show on tour. Neither critics nor bewildered audiences knew quite what to make of it, with some raving it was a masterpiece and others getting downright hostile about it.Nevertheless, the story took on a life of its own. In spite of the band proclaiming it would never be played again, it caught the attention of several show developers, who went on to adapt it to the musical stage.What makes Tommy an opera is the lack of dialogue.In a similar vein comes The Wall, another exploration of isolation and emotional trauma. Here again, the music tells the story; very little is said. By the end of the show, the audience has experienced everything from the trauma of war to the crushing guilt of failed relationships.Both Tommy and The Wall started out as concept albums, meaning that every song relates to an overarching theme â€" or, if you like, is another brick in the...Now find out how the concept musical differs from concept albums.Renown Rock/Pop MusicalsBesides the shows mentioned so far, the list of rock and pop musicals is fairly long and certainly well-populated.The Rocky Horror Show is a rock/pop sensation written by Richard O’Brien. Meant to be a tribute to the B-grade horror movies of the 30s with a bit of sci-fi thrown in, it has since developed a cult following.Chess, written by Lloyd Webber collaborator Tim Rice with ABBA’s Bjorn and Benny describes a chess face-off during the Cold War. It enjoyed a three-year run in Londo n but fizzled on Broadway.Admittedly, it had been largely altered to appeal to American musical audiences. Surely it didn’t lose much of its magic in the rewrite… maybe US audiences just didn’t like the concept?Starlight Express more than made up for the lukewarm reception Chess received. Andrew Lloyd Webber, creator of Starlight Express, is one of musical theatre's most prolific composers! Image by Erich Westendarp from PixabayThis Lloyd Webber/Stilgoe collaboration currently holds eighth place on the list of longest running musicals both in West End and on Broadway. Even more impressive: it is the most successful musical in Germany, having run continuously since 1986 in its own, purpose-built theatre.The story has been told a million times: a steam engine races against newer, sleeker models in the hopes of impressing Pearl, a first class carriage… no double entendre there!This show’s novelty is that, not only do the performers sing and act, but they do everything on roller skates!Imagine A Chorus Line or Mean Girls on roller skates… that might make for a pretty terrific musical comedy!Rent: if you haven’t at least heard about this theatrical sensation, we would sadly have to conclude that your name must be Tommy, or maybe Pink (from Tommy and The Wall, respe ctively).Inspiration came from La Bohème but show writer Jonathan Larson gave the story a modern day twist. The end result is a cast of struggling artists trying to make it in New York’s East Village, under the spectre of AIDS.It started on a small stage in Broadway’s theatre district, eventually moving to a larger stage and playing for 12 years. It took the Tony Award for best musical in 1996, and the Drama Desk Award for best director.It is unfortunate that Mr Larson died before he could collect his award; he was only 35 years old. Who knows what new musical he could have treated us to had he not been so tragically stricken?If you missed your chance to see a live performance of Rent, you may consider renting/streaming it. Far from being a film musical, it is a recording of the last time it played on Broadway.Are you still not convinced you too could become a fan of musicals? Do you need to have ‘rock’ in the title to believe the music and lyric will be rock-flavoured (or pop flavoured, as you wish)?Try these on, then:Rock of Ages: often considered more of a jukebox musical because none of its music was written expressly for the show, it features songs from the likes of Twisted Sister, Pat Benatar and Styx, among others.There is a story connecting all of the songs; in fact, it may also be considered a book musical because the songs are so well integrated into the story.We Will Rock You â€" need we even mention Queen?Bat Out of Hell: as an updated turn to the classic Peter Pan set in a post-apocalyptic New York, Jim Steinman definitely hit his mark. Although this show enjoyed a relatively short run, it nevertheless won several awards.School of Rock: following the famed film’s storyline, Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music for the stage show; JoAnn Hunter choreographed it. Guess what? It’s still playing in the West End, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre!We don’t want to give too much of the story line away; maybe by now you’ve had a change of heart, decided musical theatre could indeed be your thing and you want to buy ticket for this show!Now that you’re keen to know more about the type of music and lyrics that go into making a smash Broadway musical, you should check our list of revue musicals…