Singing Basics Do I Need to Take Voice Lessons to Improve

Singing Basics Do I Need to Take Voice Lessons to Improve Suzy S. Singing is a hobby that people of all ages and ability levels can enjoy. And if you really want to improve, working one-on-one with a qualified teacher can take you the next level even faster than teaching yourself how to sing. Whats the difference? What can a teacher give you that you cant learn yourself? Here are seven important skills that you will gain when taking voice lessons: Establishing Good Habits From the Start Everyone knows the saying practice makes perfect, but its not exactly true. While its inevitable that youre going to make mistakes from time to time, the way you practice is how you will continue to perform. Perfection does not just require practice it requires perfect practice. By taking private voice lessons as a beginner, you will learn the proper vocal techniques from day one, rather than potentially learning bad (or even dangerous) singing habits that can take months or years of hard work to break. These habits include correct posture and effective breathing, which can make a huge difference to your tone. Learning How to Warm Up Just like an athlete needs time to warm up before exercising, your voice needs to warm up before you start singing. Warm-up exercises are one of the first singing basics that you will learn during your lessons. These simple patterns are performed slowly and methodically before singing, and should be performed comfortably in the middle of your range. As your vocal cords warm up, you can slowly work your range higher and lower. Your voice teacher will teach you several different warm-up exercises as part of your singing basics foundation. Developing Your Ear Unlike an instrument where you can press a key or a certain combination of keys to create a specific note, your voice has a much wider range of flexibility. Your voice can hit notes, as well as the half, quarter, and smaller fractional steps between them. While this flexibility can be skillfully harnessed for accents or stylistic choices, it can be quite challenging for the beginning singer to hit each note precisely. To help with this, the first singing basics step you must master is training your ear. You need to learn how to hear the difference between hitting the note perfectly and when you are sharp (above the pitch) or flat (below the pitch). Until you can recognize these subtle differences for yourself, you will not be able to perfectly replicate a tune.  Your private teacher will guide you through listening and vocal exercises until you can notice the difference. One of the most common exercises to work on ear training is to listen to a tone played by an instrument or sung by your teacher and repeating it. Exposure to a Wider Variety of Music Different genres of music require different techniques and skills. Think about the contrast between the power behind Whitney Houstons iconic I Will Always Love You with the sultry sensuality displayed in a fabulous jazz piece youd hear at your local coffee shop, for example. Consider the big personalities and stylistic quirks in big Broadway hits in contrast to the round, harmonious sound of a classical choral ensemble. These different and distinct sounds make music the beautiful art form that it is. And unfortunately, there are many singers with gorgeous voices who severely limit their options by only perfecting one genre.  In your private lessons, your teacher will work with you to determine which styles interest you the most and best fit your voice. Many factors will come into play here, including the tone of your voice and your vocal range. You will learn which sounds and techniques to use to portray different genres. Learning How to Read Music While many singers go their whole life without ever knowing how to read a note of music, learning how to read music is a valuable singing basics skill. Most choirs and choral groups require at least a basic understanding of music notation, especially note count values (so you know how long to hold each note for) and intervals (the distance between two notes). Learning how to read music is very much like learning how to speak a foreign language. While you may be able to learn some of the basics on your own, you will gain a much deeper understanding by working with a native speaker your teacher, that is! Once you have learned how to read music, you can begin to practice sight reading exercises, which many singing auditions require. You will be handed a sheet of music and given a starting pitch. After just a few minutes of practice, the starting pitch is played once again and you will sing the notes as written to the best of your ability. Although it is a challenging exercise that requires a lot of skill, it gets much easier with practice! Learning How to Sing in Harmony While a solo a cappella voice can make beautiful music on its own, there is something magical about the music created when multiple voices sing in harmony with each other. Harmony is when different notes that are complementary to one another are sung or played at the same time. Most people are so used to listening to the melody, or the main tune of a song, that they find it quite challenging to sing the harmony line. While some singers seem to be born with an ear for harmony, most singers must work to develop this skill. Not only can a private vocal teacher show you how to sing harmony, youll have a built-in duet partner to sing with! Avoiding Injury Although people have made music since the beginning of time, it is possible to injure yourself when singing. One of the singing basics that your teacher will show you is how to take preventative measures to avoid injuring or permanently damaging your vocal cords. Staying well-hydrated and not straining your voice, for example, are very important to help you avoid nodules, polyps, and cysts on your vocal cords. These conditions can make it difficult or painful to sing and may change the sound of your voice. In severe cases, surgery may be required. No matter how old you are, its never too late to learn singing basics and start enjoying the art of singing. The more you practice, the more skilled you will become. Good luck! 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  Photo  by Chris Tse

Attractions in the Vatican

Attractions in the Vatican What Is There to Do in the Capital of the Catholic Church? The Top Sites in the Vatican ChaptersSaint Peter's SquareSaint Peter’s BasilicaThe Sistine ChapelThe Twelve Vatican MuseumsThe Vatican Gardens“I'd love to go and visit the Mosque in Mecca again, just for the sheer beauty of it, not for God - much the way a non-Catholic might go to Vatican City because of the beauty of the buildings and the artifacts.” - Ayaan Hirsi AliIf you visit Rome, you’ve got to visit the Vatican, the world’s smallest country. Whether you’re Christian or not, the Vatican is worth a visit, especially if you enjoy history or art.It’s effectively an open-air museum sitting atop 20 centuries of history and it’s hardly surprising that the Vatican is visited by between 5 and 6 million tourists every year.With a population of only 799, the Vatican City State is an enclave within Rome and covers just 44 hectares. It’s the world’s most visited sovereign state in terms of the visitors-to-inhabitants ratio.As the head of the Catholic Church, the Vatican is regularly visited for the beautiful architecture and extensive art collection dating back to the Antiquity.In this article, we’ll look at the monuments you have to visit when you’re there. DanielaItalian Teacher 5.00 (9) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuciaItalian Teacher 5.00 (4) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarilùItalian Teacher 5.00 (8) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarcoItalian Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GiusyItalian Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EnricoItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FedericaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSaint Peter's SquareThis Baroque-style square is located in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Saint Peter's Square and Basilica are probably the first things you'll see as you approach the Vatican City. (Source: martieda)This is probably one of the most regularly visited parts of the Vatican and you’ll regularly see large crowds of pilgrims and tourists waiting to get a glimpse of the pope.The Square was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1656 at the behest of Pope Alexander VII.  It was built between 1658 and 1667. The goal was to make the most of the space in front of the basilica so that it could welcome as many people as possible to see the pope.  Bernini designed the square in a Baroque style with a colonnade reaching out like to arms in an elliptical shape as if embracing the crowd.Nowadays, visitors arrive from the Via de la Conciliazone, complete with a statue by Michaelangelo, and a view of the basilica and the Episcopal Palace.  It’s hard to miss the huge obelisk in the middle of Saint Peter's Square. This is an Egyptian obelisk that was erected in the 19th cen tury BCE and brought to Rome in 37CE at the beginning of the Roman Empire.  It was originally part of the Circus of Nero. It’s been at the centre of Saint Peter's Square since 10 September 1586.Find out more about visiting the Vatican.Saint Peter’s BasilicaYou can’t miss Saint Peter’s Basilica when you visit the Vatican. It was built between 1506 and 1626 in a Baroque and Renaissance style.  This is the largest Catholic building in the world and it overlooks Saint Peter's Square and the banks of the Tiber.The basilica is one of the most visited monuments in the world, one of the finest buildings of its time, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It welcomes 150,000 people each Sunday for the Angelus Blessing and is also the burial site of Saint Peter.  Similarly, several popes are buried here. Whether you’re Christian or not, it’s hard not to be impressed by this ornate church.  Furthermore, it’s free to visit! However, you can wait up to an hour just to get in.Before you leave the monument, you might want to visit the dome, which costs €5 to visit using the stairs and €7 using the lift. Again, you’ll need to wait in a queue for between 30 and 60 minutes, but it’ll be worth it for the view of the centre of Rome, Roman ruins, and the rest of the Vatican. DanielaItalian Teacher 5.00 (9) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuciaItalian Teacher 5.00 (4) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarilùItalian Teacher 5.00 (8) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarcoItalian Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GiusyItalian Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EnricoItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FedericaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Sistine ChapelVisiting the Vatican and not visiting the Sistine Chapel would be a shame. It’d be like visiting Rome and not seeing the Colosseum or Roman Forum. Of course, there’s almost always a queue, unless you get up early to visit the chapel when it opens. The Sistine Chapel is famous for its painted ceilings courtesy of the Renaissance painter Michelangelo. (Source: waldomiguez)You might want to consider getting the OMNIA Vatican and Rome Card which allows you to visit many of the sites without having to wait in the long queues.Built between 1477 and 1483, the Sistine Chapel is one of the rooms in the Apostolic Palace. Since the 15th century, this has been the place where the cardinals meet to elect the new pope. It’s the largest chapel in the Vatican and is famous for its ornate arch decorated with frescoes painted by Michaelangelo between 1508 and 1512.On the back wall, there’s Michaelangelo’s The Last Judgment, which was unveiled on 1 November 1541. There are paintings by Perugino, Sandro Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Rosselli, and Pintericchio. A victim of its success, it attracts between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors a day, making it particularly difficult to preserve the murals since the carbon dioxide produced damages the art.In addition to The Last Judgment, there’s also the north and south walls that depict the lives of Jesus and Moses, including the Punishment of the Sons of Corah (Boticelli), Temptations of Christ (Boticelli), Baptism of Christ (Perugino), and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.The Twelve Vatican MuseumsThe museum complex is another great reason to visit the Vatican. The Vatican Museum contains 12 museums that house sacred and profane art from the Antiquity, Egyptian, Etruscan, and Roman eras to the modern-day. The Vatican City is home to several museums and collections. (Source: DEZALB)The popes were among the largest collectors of art in Europe. During the time of the Papal States (752-1870), over 1,000 years of art was collected.You can get queue-jump tickets to visit the Vatican and avoid the crowds during the high season.  The museums attract up to 6 million tourists each year, making it the fourth most popular museum in the world and the most popular museum in Italy.The museum came about when Pope Julius II (1443-1513) installed the Apollo Belvedere and Laocoon in the Cortile del Belvedere.The complex includes the following museums:The PinacothecaThe collection of modern religious artThe Pio Clementino MuseumThe Ethnological MuseumThe Gregorian Egyptian MuseumThe Gregorian Etruscan MuseumThe Gregorian Profane MuseumThe Christian MuseumThe Vatican Apostolic LibraryThe Carriage PavilionThe Chiaramonti MuseumThe Philatelic and Numismatic OfficeThe Sistine ChapelThe Pauline ChapelThe Nicc oline ChapelThe museums are home to five galleries that you shouldn’t miss: the Lapidary Gallery, the Braccio Nuovo, the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Vatican Gallery of Maps.  The museums are closed on Sundays.The Vatican GardensTo the west of Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, there are the Vatican Gardens, an unmissable part of any visit to the Vatican. Covering 23 hectares, the Vatican Gardens cover half of the country. (Source: Frank_P_AJJ74)The gardens were created back in the Middle Ages where there were orchards and vineyards to the north of the Apostolic Palace. In 1279, Pope Nicholas III decided to change his residence to the Vatican. He installed a meadow, a garden, and an internal vegetable garden. The gardens were filled with shrubs, pine, and cedar from Lebanon.  The 23-hectare space perched on the Vatican Hill and included a 3-hectare woods.  The gardens offered a green space to the complex of Medieval monuments and statues. You can now see:The Square GardenCasina Pio IVThe Eagle FountainThe Lourdes GrottoThe monument to the assassination attempt of John Paul IIThe Vatican Radio BuildingThe nearby Vatican Train Station allows you to take the train to the Italian coast to the Castel Gandolfo, the property of the Holy See outside of the Vatican.Visiting the Vatican Gardens is a way to see three distinct styles of gardens: Italian, English, and French.  You can either go as part of a guided tour with someone from the gardens, a private guide, or an open-top bus tour with an audio guide.It’d be a pity to miss all of this, wouldn’t it?Find out more about planning a trip to the Vatican.Before you go to the Vatican, consider learning some Italian. While Latin is also the official language of the Vatican, you'll get much farther with Italian. There are plenty of talented Italian tutors on Superprof who can help you with this.With three different types of tutorial available, face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials, each with their pros and cons, you need to carefully choose which one is right for you and your learning objectives.Face-to-face tutorials take place with just you and the tutor. Since this involves a lot of extra work for the tutor outside of the tutorials, you'll pay a premium for these types of tutorials. However, with the tutor's undivided attention, these tutorials are also the most cost-effective tuition you can get.Online tutorials come with a lot of the same benefits as face-to-face tutorials but your tutor won't be there in the room with you. While this works fine for academic subjects, these types of tutorials aren't always as effective for hands-on subjects. With fewer travel expenses, though, your tutor can charge less for the tutorials.Finally, group tutorials involve several students and one tutor. You won't get as much one-on-one time with your tutor but you won't pay as much per hour as the cost tutor's time is shared amongst all the students in the tutorial.

Bridging the Gap From Amateur to Professional Musician

Bridging the Gap From Amateur to Professional Musician Suzy S. Dreaming big? Keep it up! The road to becoming a professional musician is usually full of ups, downs, victories and frustrations and its up to you to stay focused. Whats the key? Here, Oakland teacher Arrica R. shares her strategy for success I’ve often been asked how I transitioned into being a professional musician, how I was able to license songs as well as open doors that helped me begin to make a living off of music. Being a musician is not a straight and narrow path though and Ive struggled with the answer to that question that is, until I reflected upon the best advice I was given: be prepared, as you never know from where the opportunities will be. Most opportunities I’ve had came from friends, friends of friends, or someone who came to a show after finding my music or seeing a favorable review online. You may never know when to expect it, but what you can work toward is preparing yourself for when it does. First and foremost, being a professional musician involves working on your craft. Educating yourself, bettering yourself and practicing regularly are at the top of the list. You must be as good as you can possibly be at any given moment. Youll always be learning and growing as an artist, but you must put in the time and effort for this to occur. Second, explore new avenues and spread your wings. The more you understand about music the better. If you are a great bass player and an average singer, continue working on your bass skills but you might want to work towards becoming a better singer as well. A bass player who also sings harmonies is invaluable. If you are a phenomenal singer but understand little to nothing about songwriting or you don’t play an instrument, it might be a good idea to learn. Even if you dont think you’ll ever be a great songwriter or instrumentalist, a basic understanding will allow you to contribute when working with others and also make you a better performer. Lastly, always have a product. A businessman won’t leave home without a business card and an actor can’t get by without a headshot. If you don’t have a huge budget that affords you time in a professional studio with expensive gear, find a way to record yourself even if you’re only recording demos at home. One of the most important steps I took was learning how to record quality demos of my songs and then having a product to help me get to the next level. I grew as a performer, and my songwriting improved dramatically once I learned basic pro-tools and could experiment with songs. In short, the best advice I can offer is to prepare yourself for everything you’ve ever hoped for in regards to a music career. The more prepared you are, the more opportunities will be yours for the taking. Never forget that you play music because you love it, but also don’t forget it’s a craft that you must work at diligently if you hope to turn your love of music into a career path. Join the TakeLessons community and receive exclusive updates, expert advice, tips and more!  Sign up for email updates here! Arrica R. teaches singing, music performance, music recording, and songwriting lessons to students of all ages in Oakland, CA. She joined the TakeLessons team in July 2012, with over 25 years of experience studying music.   Her music has also been featured and licensed by Starbucks, NBC, the CW Network, NikeWomen.com and MTV. Sign up for lessons with Arrica, or search for a teacher near you today! Photo by rocketjim45.

What is it Like to Attend Loyola University Chicago

What is it Like to Attend Loyola University Chicago The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Julie is a Chicago tutor and 2010 graduate of Loyola University Chicago. She holds degrees in both History and Secondary Education. Julie specializes ingeneral History tutoring, European History tutoring, Government tutoring, and World History tutoring. See what she had to say about Loyola: 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? Julie: Loyola is located on two campuses. The main campus is in Rogers Park and the downtown campus is located near Michigan Avenue. The main campus gives students the feel for what it is like to be on a college campus in an urban setting and the downtown campus gives students the chance to be in the heart of one of the largest cities in the United States. Loyola offers shuttle transportation between the two campuses on weekdays and since it is located in an urban environment, there are many ways to get around the city. The el or buses are only walks away from each of the campuses. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Julie: Loyola has the advantage of being a relatively large university, but still has classes and professors who understand the importance of individualized attention. The class sizes are smaller and professors are readily available during office hours, before and after class, as well as through email. Academic advisors are highly regarded at Loyola because they truly understand each of the programs. Students are not left wondering what classes need to be taken each semester because the advisors create individual plans for each student. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Julie: Loyola dorm life is one that centers on community. Freshman dorms encourage socialization and the RAs help plan activities. For upperclassmen, the dorms are converted apartment buildings, which give students the chance to still have campus housing, but explore what it is like to be in an apartment setting. Dining options are always available to all students and are easily accessible at both campuses. 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? Julie: Loyola offers a variety of majors and programs for all interests. Many students study biology and pre-med because of the opportunities for the medical school after graduation. I studied History and Secondary Education. The History Department is ranked 6th in the nation and the professors encourage students to explore topics that interest them in history. The School of Education provided me valuable experience in an urban setting that I still use in my teaching today. 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? Julie: It is very easy to meet people and make friends at Loyola. All freshmen attend an orientation the summer going into their freshman year. This gives students an opportunity to meet their classmates and explore the campus. There are many organizations on campus that help students become involved and living on campus helps create that sense of community. Greek life does not play a significant role in campus life, but there are organizations to join if students are interested. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Julie: The Career Center offers many services to students throughout the year. There are rsum building sessions and opportunities to attend job fairs. Each college has their own job fairs throughout the year as well. There are also a variety of student support services, such as tutoring, to help students academically. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Julie: Loyola has a variety of study areas throughout campus. Besides the lounges in the dorms, there is an Information Commons, which is part of the library, and there are study rooms for groups, as well as individual areas for quiet studying. The library at the downtown campus also has ample study space that students can use in-between classes and on the weekends. There is always a space at one of these for students to use and they are open late. 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? Julie: Since Loyola is located in the city of Chicago, there are constantly things to do both on and off the campus. Loyola encourages students to become involved with local organizations, but also provides on-campus events too. Loyola has a strong dedication to service so many organizations, such as local soup kitchens, schools, and libraries that like to have students volunteer with them. The chance to be in a city setting is a wonderful opportunity to explore the culture of Chicago. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Julie: There are roughly 15,000 students at Loyola. It is a nice size because it is in the middle. You still have the chance to get to know your classmates, but it is not an overwhelming size where you can become lost. The classes are average size where the professors know who you are and you can still receive attention. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Julie: One of my most memorable classes at Loyola was a history class I took for the Honors in History program. The entire class was dedicated to writing a research paper that you presented to the history department. This was an amazing opportunity for me because the paper was my own work and then I was able to prove my thesis to the faculty. This encouraged me to be confident and proud of my work. Check out Julies tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Quem fala inglês ganha mais

Quem fala inglês ganha mais Isso parece óbvio, mas merece ser quantificado. Uma recente pesquisa da Catho mediu o quanto faz a diferença de dominar o inglês, idioma internacional do mundo dos negócios.Os rendimentos variam de acordo com a posição. A exemplo, um presidente corporativo que fala com fluência o inglês ganha em média 4,6 vezes mais que um colega sem domínio na língua. Em níveis mais subalterno a média de diferença nos vencimentos é de 50% a mais.Uma das causas do “apagão de mão-de-obra“ no Brasil é a falta de competência linguística. Não existe um país tão grande quanto o Brasil onde, no dia a dia, se fala uma única língua. Esse monolinguismo deixa a economia brasileira vulnerável, perdendo competitividade e oportunidade no mercado internacional. A conseqüência é que quem possui total conforto em expressar em inglês é promovido, contratado, assume posições mais bem pagas.Recentemente visitei a trabalho uma empresa multinacional de logística. Fiquei espantado. As instalações são faraônicas e o pessoal bem-educado, líderes e envolvidos no mundo dos negócios. Todavia, para uma empresa que lida com exportação e importação com clientes em todo mundo, a hesitação em falar inglês é enervante.Conversei com vários analistas e executivos e quase todos me segredaram a falta de autoconfiança de expressar-se em inglês. Alguns possuíam um vocabulário até vasto, mas pecavam na pronúncia. Vários me disseram que usam sites de tradução para ler e mandar e-mails. Um técnico de TI aprendeu inglês de jogar online, apesar da boa pronúncia e gramática praticamente ignorava o vocabulário focal do inglês para negócios.Um simpático executivo me contou sua trajetória. Seu currículo não era tão impressionante, se formou em uma faculdade não lá muito conhecida e não fez MBA, em compensação falava inglês com ginga que parecia um falante nativo. Atribui sua ascensão na empresa à fluência da língua e entendimento cultural adq uirido em viagens pelo mundo. Ainda estava em um cargo júnior quando começaram a chamá-lo para intermediar negociações com executivos japoneses. Em pouco tempo seus superiores viram que seria melhor promovê-lo e dar autonomia de negociação, pois usar um intérprete não transmitia tanta confiança para seus interlocutores.Conhecer bem o inglês dá retornos como maior compensação salarial, reconhecimento, ajuda no crescimento interno, aumentam chances de networking.

Improving Your GMAT Quant Score Mental Math [Part 2]

Improving Your GMAT Quant Score Mental Math [Part 2] GMAT MBA Admissions Blog In a previous post on improving your GMAT Quant score, we discussed how certain GMAT Quant concepts are difficult because you may not have been exposed to them for many years â€" or you may never have learned them at all. If the latter case, it’s critical to invest the time and potentially money to learn these concepts via online videos, book, classes, or GMAT tutoring. Simply trying to do practice problems and then reading the answers as a learning strategy can be frustrating. In this post, we’ll cover the second proven way to increase your GMAT quant score â€" build your mental math skills. We’ll address the importance of mental math on the GMAT and provide some easy-to-implement ideas and tips for improving your mental math skills. The Importance of Mental Math on the GMAT We don’t need to spend a lot of time explaining why mental math is important on the GMAT. It’s a timed test, and most of us do end up pressed for time at the end. You also don’t have a calculator. If you need to know 40% of 70, it won’t take that long to write out 70 x 0.40 on a piece of paper, multiply 7 x 4 to get 28, carry the two, get 280, move the decimal, and feel confident that the answer is 28.0. However, it will take less time to say “10% of 70 is 7, and 7 times 4 = 28. 40% of 70 is 28. I was not good at this type of thing, but it pays to practice to get good at it, because those dozens of seconds of extra time you lose when you don’t use mental math turn into tens of dozens of seconds, and ultimately you have 5 fewer minutes at the end of the test, causing you to quickly guess on the last few problems. You want to avoid guessing on the GMAT. However, I’d also argue that Ideas for Improving Your Mental Math Skills When it comes to improving your mental math skills, here are some ideas: - Prime factor every number you see Calculate your tip by hand Check out mathfactcafe.com, and Memorize all the facts below: Prime factoring Innumber theory, theprime factorsof a positiveintegerare theprime numbersthat divide that integer exactly. The process of finding these numbers is calledinteger factorization, or prime factorization Squares Memorize squares from 2 through 25 (i.e., 2^2 = 4, 25^2 = 625) Cubes Memorize cubes from 2 through 11 Prime Powers: Definition: A prime number is a positive integer greater than 1 which is only divisible by itself and 1. For example, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11 are prime numbers. Fact: There are an infinite number of prime numbers Definition: Two integers are relatively prime if they have no common factors greater than one. For example 2 and 7 are relatively prime while 8 and 12 are not (they have common factors 2 and 4). Fact: A prime number is relatively prime to any integer except itself. Fact: The least common multiple of two relatively prime integers is their product. The greatest common divisor (greatest common factor) of two relatively prime integers is 1. Three Irrationals: In general the GMAT sticks with rational numbers (Fractions, Decimals, Percents, and Integers â€" the kind of numbers we’ve been seeing since grade school). Occasionally, the problem writers go rogue and introduce an irrational number, so it’s good to know a few useful approximations: Divisibility Rules: (2) A number is divisible by 2 if it ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. That is, it ends in a number divisible by 2 (4) A number is divisible by 4 if the last two digits form a number that is divisible by 4. A number is divisible by 4 if it is divisible by 2 twice (8) A number is divisible by 8 if the last three digits form a number that is divisible by 8. A number is divisible by 8 if it is divisible by 2 three times. (3) A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3. For example 729 is divisible by 3 because 7 + 2 + 9 = 18 which is divisible by 3. I you have any doubt you can repeat the process â€" 1 + 8 = 9 which is divisible by 3 …and more Summary Improving your mental math will improve your GMAT Quant score. Discover Business has some helpful, quick mental math tips for saving time on the GMAT as well. If you’ve having trouble on GMAT quant, contact us for more ideas on how to prep. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

Teach Away Telegram - August 2011

Teach Away Telegram - August 2011 In the August edition of the Teach Away Telegram, we discuss whether or not international teaching is a feasible long-term career option. We also have a look at a very exciting teaching program that recently launched in the Republic of Georgia. And finally, one teacher shares what he learned while teaching in the United Arab Emirates â€" and why he is going back this fall!If you have any feedback on the Telegram, or if there is a particular topic you would like to see featured in an upcoming issue, please feel free to drop us a line. We love hearing from you.Happy reading! - The Teach Away TeamIn this issue:Teaching Overseas: A Long-Term Option?Georgia On My MindTwo Years in the UAE: A Teacher's StoryTeaching Overseas: A Long-Term Option?Teaching overseas for a year is often considered something one does after graduating university. Let’s face it, if you’re a native English speaker, possess a Bachelor’s degree, and you are open to new countries and cultures, teaching English ab road for a year is one of the best ways to get some of that desperately needed experience - and money - after university.As the emphasis on English language learning extends to more and more countries around the world, the need for English teachers grows in unison. Many governments have recognized that in order to develop as a nation, communication in English is key. Because of this, these governments have initiated education reforms - the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia are two countries that come to mind - focusing on introducing English to their youth, and in some cases, through immersion with other subjects like Science and Math. Private organizations have also used these government initiatives to develop their own English schools to not only teach English to children, but also to adults.All this growth is great, but can you teach overseas and still raise children, stay connected with friends and family, or even save a substantial amount of money? Is a long-term career oversea s feasible?In short, yes.Since the need for teachers is always growing, many international teaching programs now offer longer-term renewable contracts, as well as family allowances in order to attract a larger pool of qualified teachers. Opportunities allowing family visa sponsorship and comfortable accommodations are becoming more common; some also subsidize schooling for children.Staying connected with family and friends back home shouldn’t be much of a concern, especially considering the technological era in which we live. An internet connection and a webcam, along with some well-timed scheduling, are all it takes to see and talk to those you miss.Now, after considering family and friends, many people think about finances. Initially, teaching overseas may not seem to be the most lucrative option, but the cost of living is much lower in many countries, and this can add up to substantial savings for teachers. With the appropriate credentials and experience, more lucrative program s with salaries approaching $6,000 US/month are also accessible.Let’s think about all of this for a second:Teaching overseas provides you the chance to travel and experience another culture, learn a new language, build upon your resume, earn a steady income, live comfortably, bring a family in some opportunities, and still stay connected with family and friends. And of course, you’ll be able to meet new people, many of whom are teaching overseas and connecting via social networking pages like Teach Away’s Facebook page. So, what may have once been considered as a quick stint to build some experience and earn some money after graduation has quickly blossomed into a very feasible career option. Adventure and stability now co-exist teaching overseas.  Georgia On My MindHave you heard of Georgia? No, not the US State home to Coca-Cola’s headquarters, CNN, or any one of Ted Turner’s moustache-sporting enterprises; but Georgia, the country positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.Ever since prying itself free from Soviet reign in 1918, the country has been trying to re-establish itself as the world power it once was during the reign of the Roman Empire. The country’s economy has recently experienced a major shift since the government announced an initiative to focus on building English language skills through the Teach and Learn with Georgia Program (TLG).This program, aimed at public schools from the primary to secondary levels, allows native English speakers from Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa to work alongside a local Georgian teacher to teach English. As education is a priority to the Georgian government, resources and support for teachers in this program are on the rise. In fact, Georgia’s Ministry of Education has given so much attention and funding to the program that at present, 75% of all classrooms now have computers and high-speed internet.But the focus is not only on classes and student success. Teac hers are being supported as much as possible as well. Foreign teachers are provided the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Georgian culture by staying with a host-family, traveling to famous areas including the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains via organized tours, and dining on delicacies including khachapuri (cheese bread) and khinkali (a Georgian take on dumplings).With 6-month and 12-month teaching contracts available that offer stipends equal to what many local Georgians earn per month, this is a great way for anyone with the minimum of 2 years of post-secondary education to travel, teach, and experience life overseas.For more reasons why Georgia should be on your mind, contact us here at Teach Away, or better yet, apply online.  Two Years in the UAE: A Teacher's StoryThis month, we spoke to Milad Mazaheritaghizadeh, who recently finished a 2 year contract in the United Arab Emirates. Milad taught grade 2 in Al Sameeh, Al Rahba, about 30 minutes from the city of Abu Dh abi. While Milad is currently enjoying some time in North America with friends and family, he is gearing up to return to teaching in Abu Dhabi this fall.When we asked Milad why he applied to teach overseas 2 years ago, he cited the need for a new challenge as his primary reason. “My friends were talking about this opportunity in the Middle East. After some time, I thought why not?” He had been teaching in Toronto for 2 years and the drastic change of pace the United Arab Emirates seemed to offer appealed to him; he was ready to try something new.Despite being ready for a change, Milad admits, “The UAE was not what I expected. I thought it would be more traditional, because it’s a Muslim country. It was much more Westernized than I expected, and it definitely caters to expats. In terms of the actual classroom experience, I didn’t know what to expect.”As it turns out, Milad suggests the best attitude is to expect the unexpected. When he first started teaching in the UAE, t he education reform project in Abu Dhabi had just launched. Resources were scarce and most classrooms were bare. Now, schools are improving the number of resources available to students and teachers, and there is an increasing amount of support available to staff.“The worst thing a teacher can do, in my opinion, is expect teaching in the UAE to be like teaching in Canada or in the US. There is definitely a different way of life, and you learn to adapt to it. You learn to go with the flow. Don’t ask why the little things are the way they are; you’re just there to do the best job you can do. You have to see it for the great opportunity it is.”While many teachers make the move to the UAE for the lucrative tax-free salary, in order to gain more teaching experience, and to experience teaching in a different setting, Milad says that teaching overseas can definitely advance one’s career. “Teaching in the UAE allowed me to experience new things, grow as a person, experience diff erent teaching styles and different education systems, and develop my adaptability as an educator.”When asked why he will be returning to the UAE this fall, Milad talks about the best part of the job: improving student achievement. “It’s a great feeling to see an actual change. You see a substantial change in the kids, whereas in North America, results aren’t that dramatic. You’ll see kids make huge strides in their language ability level, and that’s the best part.”

Prioritizing Your Commitments For Health And Happiness

Prioritizing Your Commitments For Health And Happiness Image via Pixabay This is one of the largest, most common distortions college students have. True, we are powerhouses and we are at an age where we are most efficient and capable of doing a lot. Doing a lot in college is not a bad thing at all in general, until it becomes too much. The question of “what do you really have time for?” does not mean “how many activities can you fit into 18 hours before and after a six-hour sleep?” It means “what do you comfortably have time for?” Students burn out when they least expect it sometimes, and it can take a toll on mental and physical health. Be realistic when thinking about how much you can take on in a given term, and make sure to say no if you need to   even if you’re saying no to yourself. College students who know their limits and approximate energy levels will be better able to gauge the number of involvements they can comfortably handle in addition to their college coursework. It’s a horrible feeling to overcommit yourself to the point where you truly don’t have time to complete all your work and still feel in command of your life. What makes you excited? When you’re involved in a lot of organizations, chances are some of those involvements make you more excited than others. Maybe you’ve been executive director of your university’s television station for two years and you’re just now realizing that you lost interest after one year, or maybe something that you used to enjoy doing just isn’t working for you anymore. Check in with yourself to see which voluntary involvements you have that aren’t making you excited for life, and consider cutting back your time with that organization (or cutting it out of your life altogether). If you find yourself having trouble with this question, pose scenarios in your head where you imagine not doing one of the primary activities you’ve been doing for awhile. Does it make you sad to imagine not being part of the counseling center’s student advisory board? What about if you didn’t go to senate meetings anymore? Image via Flickr Testing out hypothetical scenarios against your feelings is a good way to intuitively get a sense of which activities mean the most to you. You’ll enjoy your days much more if you weed out activities that bring you down, stress you out excessively, or bring inconvenience to your schedule. What makes you grow? What develops you personally? Staying stagnant in the same position for four years is a lot less valuable than being in two dynamic environments that challenge you over the course of four years. Think about all the activities you do, the jobs you work, the organizations you work for, and consider whether those positions are actively helping you grow or pushing you in any effective or useful ways. If your answer is no, you might consider resigning from that activity or reassessing what you’re getting out of it. Additionally, if you ever feel (even unconsciously) that you’re doing a certain activity just for an item on your resume, know that this won’t be a good use of your time. Anyone looking at your resume likely assumes that whatever they see on there is something you invested yourself in out of personal interest. Plus, wouldn’t you rather have a resume full of involvements you’re proud of? Are you letting your health slide? Here’s an important truth we often forget: if your body isn’t well, you can’t work, go to meetings, go to classes, or do anything you enjoy. This should put things in perspective for students who have been putting their health secondary to their calendars. Consider reprioritizing your time if you find yourself without enough time to cook healthy food for yourself or sleep enough that your eyes don’t sting in the mornings. A healthy balance of positions and obligations in your life should leave you with a comfortable amount of time to stay rested and devote time to meal planning. The sooner you prioritize your commitments as a college student, the more quickly you’ll find yourself enjoying every day of your life you’ll be doing the things you want to be doing (for the most part), or at least less of the things that don’t serve you constructively or capture your interest. No matter which activities you do or how packed your schedule is, remember how important it is to carve out time to relax and maintain your well-being.