Learning English From Portuguese - The Lowdown

Learning English From Portuguese - The LowdownLearning English from Portuguese is not hard. In fact, learning a new language can be a lot of fun when you are not only learning the language but also expanding your social life as well. I have never met anyone who has not wanted to learn a new language. With that being said, let's take a look at why it is so easy to learn a new language.Since there is no perfect language, every language has its own way of being spoken. For example, in the English language, you will hear many different ways of saying different words. These words have varying degrees of meaning and don't all mean the same thing. Because of this, you will be faced with many language conundrums when trying to communicate with someone who speaks English differently than you do.However, with Portuguese, you will experience a language that uses the same words, but doesn't sound the same. The reasons for this are varied but you can boil it down to a few. In Portuguese, they put emphasis on the first letter of each word, which allows it to sound more unique than English.You may be learning English from Portuguese and not realize it because you are probably doing it in a different way than the first person you learned with. You could be doing it by going to your computer and picking up a phrasebook. This method is fine for memorizing and playing around with words, but it won't help you out with improving your comprehension skills.Another method of learning English from Portuguese is to watch TV or listen to podcasts on how to use the language. These formats are great because you have a context to help you remember the various words you learn. This keeps your mind sharp and works to your advantage as a native English speaker because you already have knowledge of words that you can use.Of course, the most common way of learning English from Portuguese is by learning in person. A good way to start your journey is by going to the place where you live and doing as much as you can with other people who speak the language. This can be a lot of fun if you want to explore all aspects of the language and build a foundation in it before moving on to learning how to communicate in Portuguese.Learning English from Portuguese can be a lot of fun if you are willing to invest the time to make it happen. You have to believe in yourself and your abilities and be willing to put in the work to achieve your goals. Don't underestimate the possibilities and make the most of what you are given.

Bonne Fête des Mères! French Vocabulary for Mothers Day

Bonne Fête des Mères! French Vocabulary for Mothers Day Sign up successful You might also want to celebrate your grandmother, or grand-mère,  when  la  fête des mères  comes around. If you want to be less formal, you can address your grandma as grand-maman, gra-mère, or even  mémé or  mamé.  If you have a stepmother, you can celebrate her as well on Mothers Day. In French, you call your stepmother, ma  belle-mère. French Gifts for Mom Just like in America, French moms love to start their special day with le  petit déjeuner au lit, or breakfast in bed. You should also be sure to get a nice present, or un cadeau, for maman. Some popular gifts for maman include les fleurs (flowers), un collier (necklace), le chocolat (chocolate), les livres (books), and le parfum (perfume). Often, young children in France will make craft projects at school to bring to maman for  la fête des mères.   Finally, you cant go wrong with a handmade  carte de vÅ"ux, or greeting card, with a heartfelt message of love and gratitude for your mom. Dont forget to write, je taime, which means, I love you. In French families, it is traditional to present maman with a cake resembling a bouquet of flowers and to prepare a lovely diner for her and the whole family. French Translation Practice for Mothers Day Now that youve studied a little bit of French vocabulary for Mothers Day, see if you can translate this paragraph from French Etc.: La fête des mères est fêtée une fois par an, le dernier dimanche de mai ou le premier dimanche de juin â€" ce n’est pas à la même date dans tous les pays â€" par tous les enfants des écoles. Dans toutes les classes, les travaux manuels vont bon train. On travaille secrètement ; qui, au collier de nouilles ; qui, au livre de recettes écrit à la main. Le matin du Jour J., on récite un compliment et on offre son cadeau fait amoureusement. Les plus grands lui offrent un plus grand cadeau, bien sûr. Et toute la journée, la maman est la reine. On lui fait tout, on la chouchoute, on la cajole, on lui prépare le dîner, etc. (You can check your work here, or find a French tutor to help you continue your studies.) Will you be celebrating Mothers Day with the French this year? What are your family traditions? Share them with us in the comments below! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

5 Guaranteed Steps For Easy Essay Writing

5 Guaranteed Steps For Easy Essay Writing 0SHARESShare Essay writing skills help you down the life in career and other areas of written communication. Here are 5 guaranteed writing steps as a start up for you. Step 1 Purpose Start with personal essays. Spot out your favorite areas like gardening, music, sports, cooking and pick out your fit. Put your idea into a statement and there your thesis statement is ready. With the thesis statement your writing begins. Learn English In A Funny Way With The Help Of Online English Tutor http://t.co/2po1hZSlrl â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) July 22, 2015 Step 2 Title Title is the one that hooks the readers. It should be one such your reader wants to read the essay. It should convey the purpose of your essay. Some of the good titles are Who is the She- Conomy? What is new about Kung Fu Panda 3? Multi tasking scenario of preset generation- good or bad? Roof Gardens-aesthetic and useful! You can choose your title and start writing or vice versa. Step 3 Introduction Your introduction should be short and sweet. It should focus on the thesis or topic directly to arrest the attention of the reader. Here are some catchy introductions Women are today’s chief buyers. Have you missed them? Then you are to market to them. How many of you have a garden at home? One at the top? Mine is one and I boast of it to everyone. Why you know? Step 4 Body of the essay Now you have come to the main aspect. Have you notes researched upon the topic? Choose the best 3 or 4 ideas out of your notes and write them down separately on clean papers. Search for ideas that come under each main idea. Write them down under each main idea. Now your body of the essay is ready with 3 or 4 paragraphs with topic sentences and the supporting ideas for them. Check out Write Effective #Essays With An Online #English Tutor at: http://t.co/MvwohxWAYr via @StreetArticles â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) July 22, 2015 Step 5 Conclusion Last one is conclusion. It also should be short and relevant like introduction. Here you summarize your key points to make your stand clear. Well, your essay is ready and you would do more when you practice these basic steps in writing an essay. For more help, contact Tutor Pace’s online English tutors who help you with more strategies. [starbox id=admin]

Learn to Sing with the Vocal Range of a Tenor

Learn to Sing with the Vocal Range of a Tenor Singing Lessons to Get a Tenor Vocal Range ChaptersWhat is a Tenor Singer?Famous Tenors throughout the History of MusicThe Different Categories of TenorsMusic Exercises for Working on a Tenor’s Voice“A superb tenor voice, like a silver trumpet muffled in silk.”  Alec GuinnessLearning to sing is a good start. Now you just need to get to grips with the voice you've got (your voice type) and the vocal physiology that gives each singer their operatic singing voice.On a piano, the farther a note is to the left, the deeper the note is. On the other hand (literally), the farther a note is to the right, the higher the pitch.The human voice can make musical notes. After all, that’s what the art of singing is.  Handel, Mozart, Gounod, Wagner, Donizetti, Purcell. So many great composers have helped choristers and singers refine the art.  However, not everyone has a voice beautiful enough or capable of perfectly reproducing an opera.Even if everyone could reproduce a given note, they wouldn’t be able to reproduce every octave a cross the range of every musical instrument since such a range is huge.  That’s why voices are classified according to their range or tessitura, the range of notes and pitches they can perform from the lowest to the highest.The male voice generally covers bass, baritone, tenor, and countertenor while the female voice covers contralto, mezzo-soprano, and soprano. Within these classifications, there are also subdivisions depending on the role played and also the quality of the voice.The term “tenor” generally refers to male singers. This was the highest male voice in classical music with the exception of baroque music which included falsettos.If you want to be an opera singer, you should start young. However, girls won't ever be able to become a tenor. (Source: pixabay.com)When referring to women, we can talk about soprano or mezzo-soprano as the female counterpart to the male tenor.Intensity, range, rhythm, and timbre are the four main qualities of any voice.  Let’s look more closely at a tenor, how you can tell what it is, the best ways to get such a voice without hurting yourself, and how vocal training with a voice teacher can help any male singer (given that their natural voice is suited to the role) can become a tenor.Since we’re not talking about just changing your voice for the fun of it but rather for the love of music, we’ll try to remain as academic and realistic as possible.In terms of sound, the tenor (there was also the haute-contre and the baritenor) is a type of opera voice whose range is between the baritone and the alto and is considered the tip of the traditional male vocal range.In fact, due to the romantic music and operas of the 19th century, tenors are generally considered a chest voice while countertenors (the higher range) are considered to part of a head voice range.The range of opera singers' voices correspond to a range of notes like they do on a piano. (Source: freestocks.org)In most opera singing, the male melodies are f or tenors, like those of Giuseppe Verdi, whose Rigoletto is a perfect example.By making the most of their natural gifts, technically training as a tenor can be done as early as adolescence and young adulthood as long as they have a musical ear.It’s easier to slide from high to low or from a head voice to a chest voice. You’d rarely call the latter your voice “breaking”, after all.You’ll have to be able to sing in key before you can start working on these sorts of techniques. Otherwise, you should come back after a few catch up singing lessons.  The tenor is characterised by his dynamic support and diaphragmatic breathing.  This is what you’ll have to be able to do if you want to belong to this group of singers.While it may seem weird, it may be worth visiting a speech-language pathologist in certain cases. However, a good private tutor could also help you find your voice in certain cases.Of course, you have to know music theory if you want to be able to decipher the musi c you’re going to sing.  Being able to play another musical instrument like the piano, guitar, saxophone, cello, clarinet, etc. can also help you a lot when it comes to understanding the music theory and when you inevitably hit that false note in a song.Famous Tenors throughout the History of MusicSince the 19th century, tenors have been the pinnacle of the history of singing.  The French tenor Gilbert Duprez, who pioneered the delivery of a high C from the chest, is a name that should be remembered.  He was famous in the Barber of Seville in Paris as well as in Othello and William Tell in Italy.  These revolutionary elements were also taken on board, perhaps subconsciously, by the verismo Puccini.Humans have performed in front of one another for hundreds of years. (Source: Ugur Ugur)These historical elements allow us to better understand the kind of work that a tenor does. Something that we’ll see later on in the article.More recently, tenors like Pavarotti, who was both a legg ero and lyric tenor at the same time, have been very popular amongst music lovers, Roberto Alagna seems to be his “musical son” by performing the big roles in Rigoletto and Der Freischütz as well as being able to brilliantly perform modern and traditional songs, too.Plácido Domingo is another example with a deeper tessitura who’s great at playing roles like Don José in George Bizet’s Carmen, Calaf in Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot, and Manrico in Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore.While it’s quite the task trying to imitate these greats, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try!Look for singing lessons online.The Different Categories of TenorsWhile the tenor is a completely separate category to other vocal ranges (such as baritone and bass), it’s also a family of different ranges and types.No matter what type of tenor you are, you can probably expect to be backed by a full orchestra. (Source: pixabay.com)Generally speaking, musicians classify tenors into five different grou ps from the highest to the lowest ranges:the tenore di grazia, whose range is between C3 and E?5 (and occasionally all the way up to a high F like that in Bellini’s Credeasi Misera.the leggero tenor, with a wider rangethe lyric tenor, similar to the previous but with a wider range ( from C one octave below middle C (C3) to the D one octave above middle C (D5)The spinto tenor is similar to the lyric tenor but has a heavier timbre capable of more dramatic moments.the dramatic tenor has a range from the B one octave below middle C (B2) to the B one octave above middle C (B4) as well as a powerful voice capable of reaching up to 120dB.Each of these types of tenors can vary depending on the role being played, the age of the singer himself (a voice tends to get deeper as it ages), training, and practice.  You’ll see that the power of a voice, which is largely innate, can lead to a tenor being classified as one of the sub-types.Music Exercises for Working on a Tenor’s VoiceThere are several fundamental vocal techniques that any singer can use. For this, you should probably look for a specialised vocal coach to help you.  For example, without a quality voice coach, learning vibrato can be demoralising. Taking vocal classes online might be necessary before you end up practising certain types of singing.Vocal coaching, which can be quite physical, is there for those who want to refine their singing technique.The first thing you need to work on is your body: you need to ensure your chest and sternum are in the right posture as you vocalise.  Such bad habits can be rectified (once you’ve warmed up) by working on your posture and using breathing exercises.Similarly, the tenor should fight against the natural tendency to raise their throat and breathe with the top of their lungs.  For a real chest voice, you’ll need to focus on diaphragmatic breathing. Diaphragmatic breathing is one of the main goals rather than just a stage of learning to sing. If you want to be a soloist, you’ll have to have a nice timbre, not get stage fright, confidence, and a taste for improvisation.  A good singing lesson doesn’t just focus on your vocal cords, after all.You'll also have to work against losing your voice.  One thing that’s unique to tenors is the work they have to do because of their high range. Bit by bit, you’ll come across a number of exercises and get used to your own vocal range.The important thing is that you don’t skip any of the steps. You can’t start working on high notes if you haven’t even mastered the lower notes. You need to get the head voice before you move on to the chest voice. Patience and perseverance will take care of the rest.Daily exercises are necessary to stop you from stagnating but you’ll need a professional to help you master the physiological aspects.Find out more about how to sing as a mezzo soprano.If you're looking for vocal coaching, voice training,  Singing lessons London, Singing lessons Manchester, Sin ging lessons Edinburgh, you'll find what you need on Superprof.

What Is a Personal Trainer

What Is a Personal Trainer A Beginners Guide on How to Be a Personal Trainer ChaptersA Personal Trainer is Not a PE TeacherA Personal Trainer is Not a Sports CoachA Personal Trainer is Not a Gym InstructorA Personal Trainer is Not a Sports Professor“Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.”This quote from French writer Muriel Barbery does not apply to personal training. Rather, it’s important that a fitness trainer can actually do what he teaches. You will need a personal trainer certification and practise at least one type of athletic discipline - whether it be kickboxing, tennis or weightlifting.In-home personal training involves setting up a customized, individual fitness program designed to improve your clients’ performance. Personal trainers come to their clients' home or else have their own personal training studio (often shared with one to three colleagues). They are self-employed.Unlike a gym instructor, a sports coach or a PE teacher, a home personal trainer is a versatile professional well-versed in several different areas so as to best help their clients tone up, stay motivated and keep on track toward their fitness goals.Born in the US, personal fitness training crossed the Pond in the 1980s and is becoming more and more popular.Are you stressed out in the face of an exam or lacking in self-confidence?Are you having trouble with your weight loss goals and want to shed body fat?You want to change your lifestyle, improve your health and fitness or get back in shape?You have heard of the benefits of stretching or circuit training?You want to know more about home personal training?Superprof is here to help you out and explain what exactly a personal trainer is - and what he is not. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Yuwe iChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsA Personal Trainer is Not a PE TeacherThough personal trainers and PE teachers are both considered a fitness professional, they are radically different in the way they work.A PE teachers’ function is to educate about sportsWhile a PE teacher is there to introduce children to the world of sports, a certified personal trainer will meet with you at home or in a fitness studio to help you get fit and achieve your goals, whether losing weight or winning prizes in bodybuilding competitions.What does a personal fitness instructor have to offer that a PE teacher doesn’t?One on one coaching tailored specifically to you, to help you:Become more muscularGet in shapeLose weightStay motivatedEstablish a fitness routine that works for youTake care of your body by improving your nutrition habitsA PE teacher, on the other hand, is an educator working in a school. He or she operates in an entirely different way.Find information about online tutori ng jobs for personal trainers.A PE teacher's job is to introduce children to fitness and sports while a personal trainer focuses on the exercise needs of adult clients. Photo credit: USAG-Humphreys on Visual huntA PE teacher will need to create a curriculum of group training exercises to introduce students to sports theory (postures, rules of various sports disciplines such as rugby, football or boxing) as well as practice in each of the types of sports.A good PE teacher develops their students’ motor skills as well as their sense of initiative, respect toward other players and instils in them respect for the rules, team spirit and fair play.His or her role is that of instruction rather than the elaboration of individualized exercise programs.What essential qualities must a personal trainer embody?Certification and responsibilities of a PE teacherLike any English or maths teacher, PE teacher must go through Initial Teacher Education or Training (ITET), either through a university degree or work-based training.To become a personal trainer, you will need personal training certification. Ideally, this means a Level 3 Personal Training certificate. There are specialist schools with training programs for fitness instructors, or you can do on-the-job training at fitness clubs and gain your trainer certification through them.It is also imperative that you get a first-aid certification in CPR and learn how to deal with injuries. You might also want to get AED certification (Automated External Defribillator), especially if you plan on working in senior fitness.Other credentials you might consider adding to your portfolio are:A Kinesiology certification program on exercise physiologyA diploma in rehab training techniquesStudies in anatomyDietitian or nutritional specialist certification programsSports medicine (at a college or through a continuing education program)Additional skills will help you sell yourself as a personal trainer!A personal fitness instructor is muc h more than just a trainer. He is a fitness expert and a wellness coach, helping people by establishing a fitness plan exactly suited to their needs.Also check out this complete guide to personal trainer qualifications...A Personal Trainer is Not a Sports CoachThough certainly coaching is part of a personal trainer’s job, they do not prepare athletes for competitions or bring a sports team up to par.Though the prerequisites and goals are similar - a sports coach needs a good knowledge of anatomy and exercise science and will have to motivate their athletes to give their best - sports coaches will have set up a training program to meet their own goals or that of the sports club (as opposed to the athletes’) and will generally train in group fitness sessions.A sports coach will help the sports club and trainer find the right exercises to reach their goals and motivate the athletes, but will not offer tailor-made solutions to each individual athlete of a team.While personal trainer s might train professional athletes, they do it on a more personal level than sports coaches. A personal trainer won't train a whole team. Photo credit: Chris Hunkeler on Visual HuntA personal fitness trainer or fitness instructor, on the other hand, can offer his services “à la carte”.Indeed, after a first consultation with the client, he or she will find out what their fitness goals might be:They are interested in cardio exercisesThey want to learn PilatesThey want postnatal exercises to lose pregnancy weightThey want the burn of aerobic exercises without the pressure of group exercise classes at fitness clubs.They are struggling against depression and want to take up climbing or weight lifting to boost their morale.A sports coach might be working for a club or be self-employed, training a local children’s team or a national team, but either way, his functions and responsibilities differ from those of a personal trainer.In terms of qualifications, a sports coach will need n ational governing body-approved certification specific to the sport he or she is coaching, either through a university program or directly through his sports’ NGB.Some venues expect you to have a degree in sports medicine or in sports coaching and development.Join the discussion: how should you train to become a personal trainer?A Personal Trainer is Not a Gym InstructorThe role of a personal trainer is also different from that of a gym instructor, though both work in the fitness industry.So what is the difference between a gym instructor and a personal trainer?A gym instructor will work in gyms or other fitness centres as a group fitness instructor. He or she is charged with introducing people to various sports disciplines.In a gymnasium, a sports instructor might give youth fitness lessons and try and encourage a love of sports through fun, physically energetic games.For adolescents and adults, the goal is to improve muscular strength and flexibility. It favours more gentle, rhy thmic exercises to keep people fit and healthy.Here, the spotlight is not on achieving certain fitness goals but simply on having a healthy body and feeling more dynamic. It’s more recreational than competitive, and the workout is not as high intensity.You will notice a big difference between learning boxing in a gym class of twenty people and with a one-on-one personal trainer. Photo credit: steele_chas on Visual huntSome are geared toward a specific demographic: youth programs, handicapped, senior citizens etc.A home personal trainer, though, will help people build core strength and gain muscle mass, with a personal training program geared toward their strengths and endurance all the while scheduling around the client’s busy life. They will craft challenging personal training sessions that will keep them motivated.Note that some gyms offer personal trainer services who will work with clients much as a home trainer will - only at the gym itself. Some gyms even specialise in off ering one on one training.A Personal Trainer is Not a Sports ProfessorA personal trainer won’t give a lecture on the benefits of Crossfit for scoliosis. He is not a teacher, but a coach.A professor for sports medicine or exercise science will most likely be attached to a university or other institute of higher learning. He or she will likely have a diploma or  PhD in a sports subject.A sports professor’s role is to impart theoretical knowledge and recruit the next generation of fitness professionals. They will encourage and motivate the students, including on a physical level in group sports lessons, but not in the sense of setting up daily exercise routines and accompanying a weight loss or muscle-building journey.While a certain knowledge of anatomy is useful for a personal trainer, they won't be teaching it at Uni. Photo credit: Rob Swatski on Visualhunt.comThey will also be active in promoting sports and fitness - a more political than a physical role.Basically, what separat es personal trainers from other fitness and sports specialists is the emphasis on a personalized, 1 on 1 guidance throughout the workout, but also in other areas of the client’s life, such as giving nutritional advice.The workout is also adapted to the client’s level and fitness goals. A constant fitness assessment will aid him in improving the client’s performance, general fitness and health.Now discover how best to market your skills as a personal trainer...

1 Sqare Meter - Maths Online Tutoring

1 Sqare Meter - Maths Online Tutoring Definition: - The area of a surface, whose each equal side is equal to one meter is called square meter and it is also known as meter square (m^2). This figure shows a square where all the four sides are equal to 1 meter. Hence the area of surface enclosed by four sides is 1 square meter or 1 meter square. 1 square meter is the standard international (SI) unit of measuring area of a surface. Sub- multiples of standard unit area: - 1 square centimeter (cm ^2) Hectare One square kilometer (km ^2) Relation between 1 square meter, centimeter square and hectare: - 1 m^2 = 1 m * 1 m = 100 cm * 100 cm = 10000 cm^2 = 10 ^4 cm^2 Therefore, 1 m^2 = 10^4 cm^2 1 hectare = 100 m * 100 m 1 hectare = 10000 m^2 1 hectare = 10^4 m^2 Therefore 1 m^2 = 10 ^ (-4) hectare 1 km^2 = 1000 m * 1000 m =1000000 m^2 = 10^6 m^2 1 m^2 = 10 ^ (-6) km^2 Question 1: - A school hall measure 20 m in length and 12 meters in breadth. Find its area in square meter. Solution: - Area of school hall = length * breadth = 20 m * 12 m = 240 m^2 Question 2: - The length of a school compound is 450 m and breadth is 145 m. find the area of the compound in square meter. Solution: - Area = length * breadth = 450*145 m^2 = 65250 m^2

10 Common Italian Stereotypes That Are Actually True

10 Common Italian Stereotypes That Are Actually True Brooke Neuman Italy, the land of contemporary fashion, historical art and men who adore their mothers, hand-gesturing enthusiasts, and gatherings about Dante? Actually, yes! While most Italian stereotypes are inaccuratefor example, all Italians are not mobsters and the men dont look like Super Mariothere are  a handful of stereotypes that hold some small kernel of truth. Below are the  10 most common Italian stereotypes that are actually true. 10 Common Italian Stereotypes 1. Italians Cant Live Without Pasta Italians live for foodin particular pasta. In fact, Italians consume the most pasta in the world, averaging 60 pounds a year for every man, woman, and child in the country. While most Americans cook dry pasta out of a box, Italians make pasta with precision from scratch. This dedication to quality plus the fact that Italians are the top consumers of pasta, makes Italy the champion of pasta. 2. Italians  Talk With Their Hands What if you could  communicate with someone only through hand gestures? Well, in Italy, you can! Italians use hand gestures to  enliven conversations, strengthen their point, and communicate on a non-verbal level. Theres a running joke in Italy that you can understand a conversation thats out of hearing range just from watching  someones  hand gestures. This endearing habit makes Italians some of the most expressive and passionate  speakers in the world. 3. Italians are All About La  Famiglia Family is so important in Italy that youll find that many Italians either live close to their parents or in the same house. In fact, its common for adults in their  20s and 30s to live with their parents. The  ties that bind families together are undeniably strong. Families often gather weekly for a meal or  stay in close contact. And yes, mamma rules the roost. 4. Italians are Habitually Late Everything in Italy happens on its own timeline, including work and appointments. If you comment on someones tardiness, most Italians will tell you that they just wanted to stop for  a coffee or smoke a cigarette before arriving, and that they were in fact on timeItalian time! This relaxed mindset can also be seen on the streets, as most people walk at a relatively leisurely pace. While habitual lateness is viewed as a negative thing in the United States, in Italy it is a reflection of taking life slowly and appreciating the moment. 5. Italians are Die-hard Football  Fans Juventus, Milan, Interâ€"these are just a few of the most famous names youll hear being thrown around when Italians are discussing football. Italians take soccer very seriously, and when theres a game on, all attention is directed toward it. Italians cant get enough of football because its a  chance for them to unite with their local team and express their regional pride. Since Italy was first composed of individual regions, Italians mostly identify with their regional culture rather than with Italy as a whole. 6. Italians Love a Good Cappuccino Breakfast in Italy is sacred. Unlike a  typical American breakfast, which includes eggs, bacon, and toast, an authentic Italian breakfast usually includes a cornetto (similar to a croissant) and a cappuccino. The quality of cappuccino in Italy, and coffee in general, is taken very seriously as well. Italians love the mix of coffee, milk and foam, and its an art in itself. Italians will travel blocks to find the best cappuccino. 7. Italians are Obsessed with Fashion Like coffee, fashion is wildly popular in Italy. Just look at all of the famous designers that hail from Italy, including Prada, Armani, Versacethe list goes on. Italians feel an obligation to fare la bella figura, or appear nicely in all respects, and fashion is a big component of that. While everything doesnt have to be designer, Italians like to wear high-quality fabrics.  Individualism is also valued in Italy, and men arent afraid to wear bright colors. In fact, dont be surprised if you  see men wearing orange, blue, or pink pants. 8. Italians Arent Scared of Public Affection Italians are no strangers to affection. In fact, its very common to see lovers embracing and kissing one another in public. Whats more, dont be  surprised to see two male friends expressing affection by walking closely together, perhaps with one arm across the others back for a few moments as they talk  and stroll. The warmth and outgoing nature of Italian culture encourages the expression of emotions, whether its crying, screaming, or showing affection. This is one of the reasons why Italians greet one another with the  classic kissing of the cheeks. 9. Italians Love  the  Opera A nation riveted by Puccini, Rossini and Bellini, Italians love the opera. Hordes of people  attend outdoor performances in amphitheaters, and its not surprising to find people discussing their favorite opera composer or the last performance they saw. Italians are very well-versed in opera and have strong opinions about the art form. Opera is similar to soccer in terms of  its widespread appreciation, attendance, and passion. It also showcases the beauty of the Italian language, which is another reason why it is beloved throughout Italy. 10. Italians Cant Get Enough of Dantes Divine Comedy Ask any Italian to recite the Divine Comedy and chances are they will be able to recite at least  some, if not a substantial amount. Italians are required to dedicate a significant amount of time studying each part of the Divine Comedyâ€"Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Dante is idolized in Italy for writing in the most purest form of Italian, the Tuscan dialect.  The famed poet  is so popular youll  find societies devoted to studying the  medieval text. Well, there you have it. Can you think of any more Italian stereotypes we should add to the list? Do you agree or disagree with some of them? Let us know in the comments below! Post Author:  Nadia B. Nadia B. teaches Italian in New York, NY. She graduated summa cum laude from New York University, with a double degree in Italian Language and Literature and Classical Music Performance.  Learn more about Nadia here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Instilling a Drive to Learn into Your Student

Instilling a Drive to Learn into Your Student Instilling a Drive to Learn into Your Student In the era of the Common Core State Standards, one thing is certain about the way students will be taught moving forward: teachers will expect more. Skills such as critical thinking and problem solving are integrated into every aspect of Common Core, and teachers are working to facilitate students deeper comprehension of concepts and ideas in both English and mathematics. Ultimately, the new standards will help students be prepared to succeed at college and in their careers. Without a doubt, students and parents will find the new standards more rigorous than in the past. These heightened expectations of students will definitely pose challenges; however, you can greatly help your child by igniting his or her inner learner. Here are several tips to help fuel your childs motivation and drive to learn: Teach your child to embrace challenges. Talk with your child about something that he or she wants to achievewhether thats raising a grade or learning something new. Set goals together and help your child define the steps to achieve those goals. And no matter what types of challenges your child faces, teach him or her about the importance of perseverance. A big goal may take a lot of work and he or she may fail sometimes, but sincere effort and a good attitude generally yield positive results. Encourage your child to ask questions. The Common Core State Standards go deeper in all areas and expect students to understand the why and how of problems and concepts and not just the what. So, as you work through homework, urge your child to take ownership of his or her learning. Children should be capable of explaining how they arrive at answers to questions and discussing why they feel the way they do about certain topics. Encourage your child to think through homework and speak up when he or she has an idea, opinion or question. Nurture your childs interests. Nothing intrinsically motivates a child more than discovering a passion. Give your child opportunities to try new things and explore his or her interests. Have your child build upon his or her strengths and help him or her find ways to do so outside of the classroom. Emphasize the importance of learning, not grades. While you might love to see your student achieving high grades on every test and report card, your child should believe that his or her hard work, effort and persistence are more important than his or her achievements. Teach your child to value the step-by-step method of tackling homework and the overall learning process. Ideally, grades will reflect effort, but they should not be your only measurement of your childs school success. The Common Core definitely changes the way teachers approach teaching and should also change the way you view your childs education. Your child will need to master skills that fall outside of content acquisitionskills such as problem solving, real-world application of classroom knowledge and of course, critical thinking. Teaching your child to take initiative and embrace learning will benefit him or her in the short and long run.

Happy Spring! or Fall! English Weather Vocabulary

Happy Spring! or Fall! English Weather Vocabulary Well, today is the first day of spring for me and all of us who live in the Southern hemisphere, it is fall to all the Northern hemisphere folks (slang for people). As I was taking my daily subway ride to the school where I teach I noticed that everyone had flowers, except me (boo!). I asked at the school, and I was told that in Argentina the first day of spring is marked or celebrated my giving flowers and having a picnic. What a nice tradition! So I thought that I would take this occasion to talk about the weather.The table below will explain the basic English Weather Vocabulary.[table id=2 /]Note that we always use THE when we talk about the sun.We treat the active weather like rain and snow differently than the inactive weather.Below is a poem about spring. All of the words related to weather have been underlined. Not all are explained in the table, but can you understand what they are from context? Are they adjectives or verbs of weather?I thought I had forgotten,But it all came back againTo-night with the first spring thunderIn a rush of rain.I remembered a darkened doorwayWhere we stood while the storm swept by,Thunder gripping the earthAnd lightning scrawled on the sky.The passing motor busses swayed,For the street was a river of rain,Lashed into little golden wavesIn the lamp lights stain.With the wild spring rain and thunderMy heart was wild and gay;Your eyes said more to me that nightThan your lips would ever say. . . .I thought I had forgotten,But it all came back againTo-night with the first spring thunderIn a rush of rain.What is your favorite season? Does your country have any special traditions to mark or celebrate the first day of every season?Email us if you have an questions, or contact us for Skype English classes (cursos de inglés).