How Many BBC English Learning Videos Do You Think Your Child Has?

How Many BBC English Learning Videos Do You Think Your Child Has?How many bad English learning videos do you think your child has? I would guess that most children do not have more than one or two. This is because kids grow out of reading and speaking quickly.There are so many different kinds of online games that children play these days that when they have a problem with English, it is very easy to go online and find the best online lessons and practice sites. So they have their own online practice even as they grow out of reading and speaking English. You need to find the best sites and lesson plans that will help your child and help them grow through those years of learning English.Parents are not very happy when their children are learning too much and wasting all their time in front of the computer playing games, but what can they do? If you want to help your child learn English as quickly as possible then you need to find an online learning site that is top notch and is going t o help your child master the language faster. One of the best ways to do this is to find a free download of a good bbc English learning video.The free video courses that are available to download on the internet today are great for the parent to take advantage of. There are videos that focus on words, sentences, and paragraphs. These videos can be found at many different sites and some of them are free while others have payment required.It is important that you find a site that offers more than just one video. You want to watch the videos on a regular basis in order to really pick up on your child's English skills. By doing this you will be able to see if your child is catching on and making progress or if it is just going at a snail's pace.You want to also make sure that the video is interactive. The interactive video sites are great because the learning material is placed right on the screen where you can actually read the words and see the sentence and paragraph type work. This w ay you can get the most out of your child's English skills possible.Make sure that the site allows you to ask questions to your child and answer them. This way you can make sure that the video is right for your child and you can help them as much as possible. With an interactive site you also have the ability to know how fast your child is picking up on English.Another thing that is very important is that you find a site that offers English practice sites for your child. These sites are great because they will allow you to see if your child is getting everything that he needs to know about how to speak English effectively. You can use these sites to help your child build his confidence so that he is ready to start practicing in front of others in his own language.

Math Homework Study Techniques and Across-Discipline Skills

Math Homework Study Techniques and Across-Discipline Skills When it comes to discussing homework, many parents (and their children), as well as more self-driven high school and college students, would consider mathematics - such as algebra, trigonometry, calculus or simple multiplication and division - to be one of the more difficult subjects, or even the most difficult subject required for completion of general ed’s. Not everyone suffers with their math homework, and those that do struggle seem to find it greatly difficult, and grind their wheels to a halt quickly, while those who succeed apparently possess an innate talent for the matter, and stride forward easily. So how to get around this impasse?Why It Pays to do Your Math HomeworkWell, the good news is that studies have shown there is a correlation, between doing your math homework and achieving a better grade in the class, that is higher than for any other subject. So it pays to do your math homework, to do it well, and to do it repeatedly. In this first, introductory program, I’m going to outline some math homework study skills that you can use regardless of which subject or level you are approaching.The first objective of approaching any math problem, or page of problems, should be to construct an overview of the terms, the functions and operations being shown on the page, and from the chapter in the textbook it is drawn from. It is important to develop your basic math vocabulary, so that you can easily identify the system being displayed and the appropriate steps to be taken. Often, on long standardized tests, it is the math section that confounds, disrupts and impedes a student’s progress; so it is necessary to learn how to identify quickly which type of problem you are dealing with, and to apply the correct method to find the solution.VocabularyIn statistics, you will need to become familiar with mode, median, standard variation, expected value, conditional probability and discrete variables, for example; in algebra, you will need to know complex fract ions, binomials, dependent variables and exponential growth. Facility with the important vocabulary of the topic will enable you not only to swiftly move through the problems as they are presented, but will also allow you to communicate with your teacher, your tutor or your parent about the material being presented. Not all of these terms will be relevant for each math homework assignment, but it is important to get a lay of the land and an understanding of what you are being presented with before diving into the intricacies of the problems.Answer ReviewChecking your homework answers is also a two-way process, in which you can either scan the answers beforehand, to get an idea of what kind of solutions you will be generating, or you can review each answer individually to make sure you do not proceed without a correct method. Or, you can self-test by checking all the answers only after you have completed the total assignment. That way, you will prepare for an eventual quiz and you wi ll get an idea of which math homework problems you tend to struggle with, and which problems you find to be a breeze.ConclusionMath homework is certainly subject-specific, and will vary in complexity depending on grade level and sequence within the course. However, using these strategies for vocabulary retention and answer review, you can self-assess and determine what skills you need to develop, which problems present challenges for you, and what concepts or terms you are unfamiliar with.

So You Think You Can Sing

So You Think You Can Sing Image by Gabriele Ottich from Pixabay First, you dont have to buy an instrument. The member fee or class cost is the only thing youd pay for, but asides from that, just bring yourself, the music, and a pencil. Typically, the group meets for an hour, sometimes two depending on if theres a concert coming up or not. The music isnt overly difficult, and if youre not sure about what to sing, to mouth the words until you start learning to blend your voice in with everyone else. Theres some brain work to do in the midst of rehearsals, but once you start hearing each piece of music come together, you can relish in comfort of knowing youre helping produce something amazing. Joining a choir is a long term commitment, but when you hear the results, youll be glad you joined. Anyone can sing. Simple as that. It can take a few years of practice, and you have to keep at it until you hear it. But, when that moment hits and you hear yourself matching pitch with your favorite artist, youll be glowing for days. So while you may think that the person next to you in a choir sings better, remember that you will one day sing so perfectly, folks will crack a smile when they hear you rockin a familiar tune and even join in. The moment could turn into a musical for all I know. Why not, though, join a band if you want to just play music with others? Singing is on a different level of musicianship. If you sing a song with two or more people, you all share in the tonality of a song, matching pitch, harmony, and rhythm. But most importantly, its that natural sound coming from your vocal cords that makes singing so special. You feel it as much as you hear it. Two guitarists doing the same only hear it by extension of their instrument and self-sense of tonality. This, in turn, makes singing a much personal experience, one which you can and should share with others. As a bonus, after you pick up singing, learning another instrument will be ten times easier since youll a working knowledge of pitch. Theres little reason for you to not join in a choir. Im sure you would love to belt out dont stop . . . BELIEVING when that banger shows up in your Spotify playlist. And why not? Its a collective moment when everyone stops what theyre doing to sing it. Dont let your doubts stop you from enjoying the little things in life. Sing. And sing louder and louder. As Sophie Develyn puts it in her interview with   Georgina Jones of  Turn Lights On, if you’re singing Queen every day you’re gonna be happier in work, and if you’re happy you do better work, and if you do better work the company makes more money â€" it’s easy! Literally, everyone benefits from your decision to become a singer. But it all needs to start somewhere. So whaddya say? How about you consider joining a choir this year and let your inner self ring loud.

How Does a Video Tutor Session Work?

How Does a Video Tutor Session Work?A video tutor session is a teaching tool that is used in science and education for a student to master a certain subject. The tutor will play a video of the subject being taught or provide other materials to aid the student in learning the subject.The video tutor session will often be done with a screen. The screen will have words on it or graphics to display on the screen as the subject is discussed. The tutor will then guide the student through the entire lesson to help them learn. The tutor will use some lessons and practice activities to help the student understand.In a video tutor session, the subject is usually presented either in a lecture or in an interactive format. In lectures, the subject is shown as if it were a text, without any accompanying graphics or words. This is different from an interactive version, which uses real-time computer programs for the presentation of the subject.The video tutor session provides a space for students to put notes, create charts, compare notes with a teacher or other students, and look at pictures. Students are able to watch the video or read the text material but are not able to interact with the tutor during this time. Students do not need to answer questions that the tutor may ask or give answers as a response to the tutor's questions.Teachers who work with students can use video tutoring sessions to enhance their teaching techniques. The teacher can show a video and speak to the class in the class as if they were in front of a classroom. When students have questions about a lesson, they can look at the screen and see the tutor giving a lecture and can simply look up answers to their questions using the tutor's computer interface.A video tutor session allows students to do more than watch a lecture. They can take notes, compare notes with a teacher, and even look at the website on the video. A tutor who uses a video session provides interactive online lessons, which allows the s tudents to learn while doing something completely different. The computer interface makes the student feel like they are sitting in a class with the teacher.A video tutor session gives the teacher a hands-on opportunity to conduct a more active lesson. The tutor can use the video to demonstrate how a particular lesson should be done. The teacher can give students multiple options, which allows them to use the lessons at home to practice their own lessons while improving their understanding of the subject.

My Mastering Chemistry - How Does It Work?

My Mastering Chemistry - How Does It Work?So what does My Mastering Chemistry really do? You're probably wondering about some of the basics here. What exactly does it do? Is it a long term program for advanced students or is it a one time thing for those who want to get a good grasp on this subject?The idea behind Masters is quite simple and will appeal to any type of chemist. It is a group of learners who have undergone a program that is similar to an advanced chemistry course. This is done with many small group discussions on a particular topic. Usually a question is asked by one of the participants, the response is a quick and basic answer and then the question is followed by another answer from the rest of the group. The process repeats over until all the answers are prepared.This process has been shown to greatly increase the speed at which new knowledge is acquired. This is not always the case in an actual chemistry course, especially if the actual class size is much larger. Th e group format works well for this and makes learning much easier and more efficient.If you've never taken a course like this before you should at least go for the sample course as it is best to see if it suits your needs. The sample has questions that the learner can answer and be sure to follow the normal course instructions. The main thing to remember is that you will need to spend some time to learn the techniques used in this course. Once you know how to do this, you will understand that the entire course is one big step forward.My Mastering Chemistry is a five day course with a lot of time for you to really dig into the material. By the end of the course you should have a better understanding of any subject that you've been studying.Overall you will get the same results from this course as you would from any other such course, just in a shorter period of time. The one thing that makes this program so popular is that you get to learn all you need to know in this short amount of time.At the end of this course you should feel confident in your ability to understand chemistry more thoroughly. You will be able to tackle new subjects and more difficult chemistry problems much more easily. This is a great way to get a jump start on whatever it is you may be working on.

Career Development Is Online Learning Right for You - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Career Development Is Online Learning Right for You - Introvert Whisperer Career Development: Is Online Learning Right for You? Once youve started working, it can be difficult to advance in your career. Between family obligations and working at your current job, you likely wont have the time or the money to head back to a college campus to improve skills. Without furthering your education, youll likely find yourself stuck in the same position without a chance for promotion or advancement. Forbes reports that over 6 million people are taking one or more classes online as part of their continuing education. This is according to a 2011 report from Babson Survey Research Group. For those who dont have the time or budget to take traditional courses, you have continuing education available in an online setting. Even though there are a variety of online classes and educational opportunities, it might not be suitable for everyone who wants to continue learning new skills. When it comes to career development tips, the biggest one is heading back to school to improve your skills. To find out whether online courses are suitable for you, lets look at some advantages and disadvantages to a continuing education online. Pros of Taking Online Classes Lower Costs Overall: The tuition costs of your online education might not be lower than a traditional physical campus, but the overall costs will be lower. Along with those workers who telecommute to their job, youll save time on travel too. Youll save money on your car as well as gas. You could even save on clothing since you could spend time in your pajamas all day if you wanted. No Commute: Along with the savings youll get from an online class setting, you wont have to worry about the time it takes to commute, or driving during dangerous conditions. Many people live in areas that see terrible rain and snow storms, but they are still required to drive to their classes. Online students never have to worry about missing a class due to bad weather. Variety of Courses: You can get a degree online, but you can also take courses to enhance your career. If the campus doesnt offer the class you want to take, you can easily choose another portal for your learning. Many people believe that online classes are only available for courses that involve the computer or an office like accounting or business. While online business classes boost skills, there are other careers that can boost your skills like nursing classes and certificate programs for criminal justice. Improve Your Current Career: When you improve your skills, youre also getting an education that can boost careers. Its a great way to increase your chances for a promotion, or to give yourself enhanced skills to enter a completely new job market. In many careers, people find themselves stagnating in a certain position because they dont have time to return to school. Online classes are a terrific way to advance your career. Credits: While many colleges and universities offer classes with credits online, there are now free massive open online courses or MOOCs that are offering credits that can be transferred to physical universities and colleges. Free online entrepreneurship training is available for people who wish to start their own business and need a boost to their current skills. Class Discussions: Many students find online classes to be a place where they dont see much interaction between themselves and the teacher as well as other students. Some shy or retiring students are much more comfortable interacting when they are taking classes online instead of inside a classroom. These same students might find the ability to take classes online to be less of a distraction than trying to learn in a classroom setting. Convenient and Flexible: After working all day at their regular job, many older students have a hard time returning to the classroom. They dont have enough hours in a day for their full-time job, family obligations and spending hours in a classroom at night. This is especially true when the schedule puts the class directly in the path of family time. Many older students taking online classes can do all their work at night after their kids are in bed. Extra Time in Your Day: All the extra time available that youre not using to commute to classes or spending three hours listening to lectures can be used for furthering your career too. You could join a club or volunteer in the industry in which youre trying to further your education. If you want to be a writer, you could join a writing club while taking classes. A nursing student could volunteer at a local hospital to gain experience. Cons of Taking Online Classes Engaging with Others: When you attend a physical classroom as opposed to an online class, you are able to interact with your teacher and other students. You can bond with them over study groups and receive help after class from the instructor. With online classes, you can certainly interact with the teacher and ask for extra help, its a bit harder to get intense help if needed. Reliable Technology: Taking classes online means downloading lecture notes and taking quizzes and important exams on your computer. Youll have to have a reliable computer as well as a strong Internet connection. If youre unable to take a quiz because your Internet is slow, you could end up failing your class. Students are expected to have technology that is up to the task. There are numerous benefits of online learning. Some of them can be seen listed above, advancing your career online is a viable option for most people. Youll gain extra time not spent in the classroom to enjoy other pursuits whether its more family time, time to volunteer or join a club. Whether youre thinking about taking classes to gain new skills or improve ones you already have, online classes are a terrific option for people who dont want to enroll in traditional college courses. Author Bio With many years of experience in marketing communication and strategic planning, Alicia Hill began her career as a class consultant for the training centre for sales business development and now works for National Real Estate Learning, a company which offers real estate courses online. Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Where to Find IT Courses in Belfast.

Where to Find IT Courses in Belfast. Your Guide to the Best IT Lessons in Belfast. ChaptersWhy Study IT in Belfast.What You Can do with an IT Certification.The Best Places for IT Courses in Belfast.So, you’re living in Belfast and want to work in computer network administration? Are you looking for a web design course or interested in knowing what the web management courses in town are like? Do you want training toward a graduate certificate in tech, or learn with subject matter experts?Luckily enough, you’ve come to the right place.So, let’s take a look at the IT courses available in Belfast. These are limited to the courses available in the city. So, if you are looking for an online course in computing, check out Udemy or Udacity, Coursera or Courseware. But we reckon it’s best to go local.Find information on IT courses across the UK and IT classes in London. 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 YuweiChinese 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 tutorsWhy Study IT in Belfast.Right now, Belfast, quite simply, is one of the best places in the UK to study and work in IT. London besides, Belfast claims to be the number one city in the United Kingdom to work in tech, with opportunities for the IT professional growing year on year, and the average salary for a career in IT increasing annually too.The benefits of taking an IT course in the capital of Northern Ireland consequently speak for themselves: with the high demand for people in the IT industry in Belfast, the possibility of starting a new career, taking your new computer skills into a different field, or generally upskilling is huge.And it sure helps that there are plenty of IT training courses available in Belfast to facilitate your journey into your new business position.From free courses in your local library to private tuition, degree level courses in information technology to certification courses in professional computing, there is really an incredible amount of options available in Belfast to those interested in learning about technology management, computer systems and information systems, or software development.Try IT courses in Manchester or learn IT in Birmingham.What You Can do with an IT Certification.The question â€" why take information technology courses? â€" is an incredibly legitimate one in this age of the digital native.Yet, anyone with a shred of knowledge about information and communications technologies will know that the difference between sharing something on Twitter or using the Microsoft Office suite and actually having the IT skills of web development or database design is really something quite massive.Because certificate courses in IT, like all courses in any subject are useful for two reasons: they provide you with the technical skills a nd knowledge that you need to have a successful career in information technology management, but they also give you the IT certifications that you will need to prove those skills to future employers.As, when you have completed a course in the IT field, you’re going to have plenty more to think about. With your new IT degree, your IT career is may be in all sorts of different things. From Microsoft training to Java programming, from IT service management to business analysis, from systems analysis and design to information technology support.With the right training and certification, you can go into all sorts of different fields.Find IT courses in Leeds and IT classes in Glasgow. Make sense of IT with Belfast's classesOr with Just a Bit of IT Knowledge.And for those of you who aren’t so much interested in administering an IT service as just getting a solid foundation in digital literacy, the benefits of this are huge too.With so much in the world these days happening online â€" from politics to news to entertainment to shopping â€" without the computer skills that many of us take for granted, you risk being left a little bit behind.There is so much to learn on a computing course â€" and there is so much to do on a computer â€" that even if you think that this world is not for you, there’ll certainly be something that you love.Learn IT in Edinburgh or find IT courses in Cardiff!The Best Places for IT Courses in Belfast.So, let’s crack on with it. Here are some of the best IT courses to join in Belfast â€" from online courses and online classes to class- and lab-based training.Pick the one that works best for you. There is a range for a very good reason. We hope that you find it helpful!Choose from a Massive Range of Computing Courses at Belfast Met.The Belfast Metropolitan College â€" more commonly known as Belfast Met â€" is one of the largest further education colleges in the UK, with nearly forty thousand students who enrol in the college every year.In terms of what we are interested in here, the range of different computing courses offered by Belfast Met is hugely impressive, covering the extent of subjects and specialisms that you can imagine from such courses.From programming courses to CompTIA network training, from Cisco CCNA and CCNP courses to cyber security, games development, and software applications development, with these general and specialist courses, you’ll learn everything you need to know to excel in your future IT career.Do an Essential Skills Courses â€" Including IT â€" at One of Belfast’s Colleges.Essential Skills courses are education courses offered by the state to learners over the age of sixteen. The y don’t come in any virtual learning package and don’t offer online study strictly â€" but rather offer basic introductions to numeracy, literacy, and IT.These are part-time courses for which you can study at your own pace, and the courses are designed to be practical and applied.They are offered all over Belfast, at different further education institutions and community centres â€" and you’ll get a qualification at the end. The IT courses in particular are very handy for those looking for a basic qualification, a springboard, to take a step into a work placement or apprenticeship or further study. Learn everything about your computer!Take a Professional ICT Course with Train IT.Train IT are a private computer training organisation that offer courses in business skills, management skills, and in business information technology. Besides their accredited diploma courses in bookkeeping and accountancy, they have a lot of courses in IT systems and office administration.Along with training in Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Access â€" which, by the way, are not Microsoft certified, but are taught by a Microsoft Office specialist â€" you can take courses in Sage technologies, data protection, and photo editing.They are a really reliable provider of learning courses and can provide courses tailored precisely to your business.Join a Free Computer Course at Belfast’s Libraries.Northern Ireland’s library service has a great selection of courses in computer information and use, from entry-level classes in online learning to more specific classes in everything from online busines s computing to social and creative media. The handy thing is that they are completely free â€" and there are no prerequisites at all.For those starting their own business, there is specific training for that. For those looking to find online education on copyright, business processes, and all sorts of other things besides, there is training in all of this too!Find a Private IT Tutor at Superprof.Here at Superprof, we offer the platform through which enthusiastic students can meet the friendly, passionate, and knowledge private tutors they need. Offering every subject under the sun, from the social sciences to legal studies and sports management, we guarantee that, with us, you’ll find the tutor that you need.This includes in IT â€" and, in Belfast, we have eleven awesome computing tutors available to support your learning in all things IT. Whether that’s in web design or Prince2, Dreamweaver or the Microsoft SQL Server, you’ll find with us the tutor that meets your needs.We’ re talking any level at all by the way â€" from GCSE to an advanced diploma to a Bachelor of Engineering or a Bachelor of Business.   Just enquire with one of our tutors! IT has come on a lot in recent years!Receive Accredited IT Training with Mullan.Mullan Training are another private supplier of training in information and communication technology, specialising in Microsoft and Adobe softwares, report writing applications and cloud-based technologies.With Mullan, you can take certification exams in Sage and Microsoft â€" and the course materials will be directed towards these qualifications.One-to-one, based in your company, or in Mullan’s own labs, they offer an all-round great service.Learn Computing with Belfast City Council’s IT Training.For those over eighteen and living in Belfast, the Belfast City Council offers a great service in IT training. Through their short course provision, the council provides training and certification in Microsoft, customised training, skills counselling, and much more.They also run certified courses in ECDL â€" the European Computer Driving Licence â€" which is recognised all over the continent.Study for a Degr ee in Computer Science at One of Belfast’s Universities.For those totally committed to technology, there is nowhere better to study than at university.As you’ll know, Queens University and Ulster University are the best places for an undergraduate degree in town, and both offer undergraduate courses in computer science.Both offer four-year university courses â€" with a year in industry â€" and both offer industry standard training. They are quality, widely renowned, and rigorous courses, and will prepare you either for postgraduate courses in computing or else a tasty job in the IT industry â€" as a project management professional, say, or a Cisco certified network associate.Obviously, these require a little more commitment than the other options listed here, but it’s worth every moment.Check out their respective websites for info on enrolment.

What is it Like to Attend The CUNY College of Staten Island

What is it Like to Attend The CUNY College of Staten Island The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Maria graduated from The CUNY (City University of New York) College of Staten Island in 2012 with a degree in History. She is currently New York City tutor specializing in Phonics tutoring, Spanish tutoring, World History tutoring, and more. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Maria: The campus is set off of Victory Boulevard, which is one of the main streets in Staten Island. Therefore, there are many options to use public transportation from different areas of all five boroughs and a short drive from the NY/NJ border. There are two entrances into the college. There is the main entrance on Victory Boulevard, and the south entrance which is easily accessible by public transportation. A student can also ride their bike into campus, and secure it near the library. There are express buses that drive to the entrance of the college, a FREE shuttle that picks up students from the Staten Island Ferry and drops them off inside of the campus, an internal bus service within the campus grounds, and a bus that comes from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The campus is extremely safe with many public safety officers in almost every building, especially in the Campus Center, the administration buildings, and the library. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Maria: Professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants are readily available in person, with or without an appointment, and most conveniently by email. Most professors are available before and after class for any questions regarding course material and assignments. Advisors are available anytime throughout the year, and are extremely knowledgeable. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Maria: Dorms will make their grand debut beginning this coming fall semester (2013), therefore, I have no direct experience concerning dorm life. However, the establishment is going to be very spacious with suites that contain even up to 4 bedrooms. There are many opportunities for socialization, with two cafes and a restaurant available on campus. There are also many student activities such as clubs, a radio station on campus, student leadership development programs, study-abroad opportunities, and many other opportunities to travel the country and the world. The campus is smoke-free, eco-friendly, and even has a garden, a college newspaper and a journal. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Maria: I obtained a Bachelor's Degree in History, in which The College of Staten Island did a great job in supporting my academic career. I received academic advisement and counseling throughout the year, and many advisors and professors were readily available. The college has many programs from Associates Degree to Doctoral programs. They are well-known for their Education, Finance, Biology, Chemistry, Social Work, Accounting, History, Philosophy, Astronomy, African Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Nursing, and Media-Communications departments. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Maria: It was extremely easy for my to make friends my freshman year in college. Students are extremely approachable and your best tools to socialize are clubs and Greek Life on campus. Greek Life is active on campus. They even have clubs. They also participate in charity work and other fundraisers. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Maria: The Career Center is extremely helpful and helped me find a work-study program that best suited my needs and interests. There are also many employment opportunities available through the college such as the Teaching Scholars program, work-study program, and Liberty Partnership. The college also hires students as tutors. Many reputable companies from city jobs and other highly-recognized organizations recruit from job fairs which are held on campus. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges?Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Maria: The library, Campus Center, Green Dolphin Lounge, and Sleeping Dolphin Lounge are each unique in their own ways. The library has floors designated for different sound levels. The first floor is designated for normal socializing, all the way to the fourth floor, which is completely silent and regulated by public safety officers. The Campus Center is where all the clubs meet, and where Student Life offices and conference rooms are located. The Sleeping Dolphin Lounge is designated for those who need a power nap before, in between, or after classes, and the Green Dolphin Lounge provides refreshments, a spacious sitting area with tables and couches, along with a mini-cafe that is open when movies are being shown. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Maria: There is a mall, various shopping centers, and diverse restaurants located near the college. There are also bowling alleys, a public library, and Manhattan is about 30 minutes away via public transportation. New Jersey is also a ten-minute car ride away from the college. The Jersey Shore is about 30-45 minutes away (by car) from campus. In the surrounding area, there are also buses that ride to Atlantic City (casinos, boardwalk, etc.). VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Maria: The student body is made up of a few thousand students, taking classes throughout the day. As of right now, they are all commuter students, however, I do not know what their prospective student population will be once they open their dorms. Class sizes vary from 10 students in a class, to 150-200 students in a class. Class sizes vary depending on the academic level of the course, and if it is a lecture or not. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Maria: Every experience has been pleasant except for one. But the experience I loved the most was with my senior thesis professor who guided me and was an immense help when I was writing my final thesis. She helped me acquire resources and helped me in the beginning. She gave me the advice and confidence to help myself be able to complete my 35-page thesis at the end of the semester with confidence and efficiency. Check out Marias tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

5 Keys to Mastering Opera Singing Technique

5 Keys to Mastering Opera Singing Technique Jessica Dais Opera singers are known as the true “vocal athletes” in the music world. They must rely entirely on their body to be heard: no microphones allowed. (Unless they’re performing in a stadium, of course)! Operatic singing requires voices that can easily be heard over a full orchestra in very large houses. Although pop music dominates today’s televised talent shows and the radio, opera is still a celebrated art form that is more accessible than ever. Every year, many young singers begin their studies of opera singing technique in the hopes that they will have a successful career singing the music of composers like Mozart, Puccini, and Verdi. Have you always wondered what it takes to become an opera singer? Let’s take a look at the five keys to mastering opera singing technique so you can find out how to get started! How to Master Opera Singing Technique   1. Find the Right Teacher An opera voice teacher must have a strong knowledge of the “bel canto” technique, which means “beautiful singing” in Italian. Renowned opera singers such as Maria Callas and Jussi Bjorling knew the importance of bel canto and made it a point to study with such teachers often. When looking for an opera instructor on TakeLessons, you can easily find someone with experience who specializes in bel canto. See if the instructor lists who their teachers were, and what master classes or other programs they have attended. If you’re really serious about opera, you should study with someone who has learned from the experts. 2. Practice Opera Singing Technique Daily Yes, daily. Opera singing requires more than other genres, and to succeed you must have stamina. There are several helpful resources you can purchase that opera singers use, including the vocal exercise books by Vaccai, Concone, and Sieber. These books are inexpensive and can be used daily to improve your opera singing technique! It’s important that you spend time perfecting your arias. However, keep in mind that there is such a thing as practicing too much! While there isn’t a magic number of minutes that every singer should practice, listen to your body. If you feel any sort of fatigue, it’s best to stop for the day so you don’t strain or damage your voice. Check out the video below for more helpful tips, including some good opera songs for beginners that you can try. 3. Study the Greats The best opera singers were considered great because there was consistency in their voices, and they knew how to treat them! Watch them closely and youll start to notice things, like how they never “push” or put forth way too much effort when they sing. They also knew what roles were appropriate for them, as they were fully aware of what their voices could and couldn’t do. Dame Joan Sutherland was often approached to sing heavy Wagner repertoire, but she declined knowing it would ruin her voice. She instead stuck with the bel canto repertoire, which showcased her incomparable coloratura skills. There is a reason why people still talk about artists such as Sutherland and tenor Luciano Pavarotti to this day. Both were absolutely committed to the art of bel canto.  They both enjoyed long careers on the opera stage because of their reliable technique. Here is a YouTube video of them describing some of the basics of bel canto, along with revered mezzo-soprano  Marilyn Horne. 4. Take Care of Your Instrument You are the instrument! Unlike a pianist or guitarist, you can’t put your instrument away it is with you at all times and you must care for it almost obsessively. Opera singers should be sure to have an exercise regimen and a healthy diet.   Many famous opera singers practice yoga as it helps them breathe more effectively. It’s also critical that opera singers get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated at all times. As for your diet, it’s best that singers avoid caffeine and too much dairy, as it can cause acid reflux and excess mucus. Operas are not known for being short performances. As mentioned previously, you will need lots of physical and mental stamina to sing your role well! Keeping your body and voice in tip top shape is necessary to improve your opera singing technique. 5. Study a Few New Languages Americanized vowels, such as the diphthongs you hear in country music, are frowned upon when singing opera. This can be one of the biggest challenges singers face when learning opera singing technique, but a good voice teacher will help you master “pretty vowels” (which bel canto is all about)! The main languages to focus on for opera singing are Italian, French, and German. The more you gain basic knowledge of each language, the more beautiful your vocal lines will be in your arias. Beginning singers should consider taking classes in as many of these languages as possible. Depending on what happens with your opera career, you might be visiting these European countries and you’ll need to know how to communicate with the locals, too! So there you have it. If you can master opera singing technique, you can sing anything! Are you ready to get serious? The best place to start is TakeLessons. Find the right classically trained vocal coach for you today! Post Author:  Molly M. Molly M. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Schaumburg, IL. Her specialties include teaching Opera and Classical Voice to beginners, shy singers, children, and older beginners. Molly started teaching in 2002.  Learn more about Molly  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