A Santa-Approved Voice Exercise

A Santa-Approved Voice Exercise Suzy S. Gifts?   Check.   Eggnog?   Check.   If youve completed your to-do list, its time to sit back and take a deep breath.   Youve made it Christmas is just around the corner, and its time to celebrate (and relax!) with family and friends.   From all of us here at TakeLessons, we hope youre enjoying the holiday season and making the most of it! One of our favorite parts of the season is all of the holiday music, and sharing that gift of music with others.   And of course if youre heading out caroling this weekend, make sure to warm up your voice, as with any practice session or performance.   Heres a simple voice exercise sure to get you on Santas Nice list, courtesy of Performancehigh.net: You have probably heard many times that singing is all about breath support and airflow. And you may think youre singing with good breath support and airflow.  But if youre getting tension in your neck and are unable to sing past a certain ceiling without flipping into the next higher register, you probably still have some work to do with breath.  Lets get down to the basics for a moment. Put your hand on your belly. Spread your fingers wide so that you cover as much vertical area as possible. Now, say Ho! Ho! Ho! in a percussive way. Dont worry about hitting any particular pitch.  Just focus on feeling your stomach muscles actually act, and expel air with each syllable.  Your throat is simply a passage the air goes through.  Let the air pass through without trying to grip it or control it with your throat muscles. Your belly should go in, not out, with each syllable. This is completely natural for some people, but not for everyone.  Just check to make sure.  (If youre pushing your belly out with each syllable, how in the world are you pushing air up and out through your throat as well? Think about it) Once you are doing Ho! Ho! Ho! correctly, then do a variation:  Ho! Ho! Hooooo Hold out that last syllable for a second or two, making sure that you are still supporting your breath from your belly and not moving the compression and effort up into your throat just because you are now singing a sustained note. How did the voice exercise go for you?     What other tips would you add?   Leave a comment below! Like these posts?   Sign up to receive daily updates right to your inbox!   Click here to subscribe. You might also like Using Scales to Improve Your Vocal Range and More Can Yoga Help You Sing Better? Fine-Tune the Way You Learn Music Image courtesy of http://www.singingsantaclaus.com/

Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences What to Ask

Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences What to Ask This year, as you sit down with your childs elementary school teacher during conferences, think of both of you on the same team rooting for your child. The conference is an especially great time to discuss how each of you can best help your child, as well as to get to know the adult whom your child spends much of the day with! Here are five topics to discuss with your childs elementary school teacher during parent-teacher conferences: 1. Your childs strengths and challenges You know what these are at home, but youll want to ask the teacher what he or she observes in the classroom. Do those strengths and challenges look the same in the classroom, or do they translate differently based on the setting and peers? Focus on core subjects, but youll also want to know if theres an elective or another class that your child has particularly taken to. In addition, ask the teacher about your childs work habits, including how your child approaches school work during independent class time, as well as turning in homework assignments on time. [RELATED: What to Ask at Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences] 2. Your childs social development Social development can be easy to forget amidst the academic requirements of school. School is one the primary places where kids naturally learn about socialization, so ask the teacher about your childs social behavior. How does your child get along with other students? Does he or she participate often in class discussions? Does your child generally appear engaged, even if not vocally? Does he or she express frustration in the classroom, and how? You may be able to offer what works for your child at home as an added perspective even if the teacher cannot react in the same way at school. In addition, knowing how your child behaves socially at school can give you ideas of what you may want to discuss with him or her at home. 3. Classroom norms and environment Each classroom has its different rules and regulations. Discuss with the teacher what his or her policies are for turning in homework (including late work), as well as make-up assignments and tests. What happens if your child is absent or needs to leave early or arrive late? What can you expect in terms of homework? Additionally, ask if there are any class rules that differ from typical classrooms. If your child struggles with getting used to class norms, youll be able to reinforce them at home and be on the same page as the teacher. 4. How you can support at home Ask the teacher how else you can help your child adjust to any school challenges. This can include setting up homework space, prioritizing homework time, encouraging time management throughout the week, as well as any resources the teacher can suggest. You might be looking for online resources or book recommendations for your child. If youre interested, you could also ask if the teacher knows of community activities, like events at the local library, that would benefit your child. The teacher may also have some good tips for studying or seeking tutoring. 5. Preferred method of communication Depending on the school, youre likely to have a handful of required parent conferences. Beyond those, however, ask the teacher how to best contact him or her, as well as how the teacher will contact you if needed. Often, teachers provide general info through letters, online announcements, or assignment notebooks know what to look out for. In addition, some teachers prefer email (nowadays, some may even text!), while others prefer phone conversations. Ask your childs teacher what the protocol is for setting up meetings with him or her outside of conferences. [RELATED: What to Ask at High School Parent-Teacher Conferences] For your parent-teacher conference, use the guidelines above to come prepared with a few insightful questions youd like to ask the teacher. Take notes if you like. A clear and open line of communication will put your mind at rest, and it can help you help your child. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

How to earn more if you refer more!

How to earn more if you refer more! Here at Tutorfair, we want to encourage our tutors to go the extra mile to support clients by referring other tutors for work they can’t do themselves. What’s more, tutors can receive referral commission on these bookings. We recently spoke to one of our top tutors and 11 Plus experts, James M, who gave some top tips on how he earns more from Tutorfair through referral commission… Why refer a client to another tutor? James has   found referring tutors an easy way to help potential clients and earn some hassle-free extra commission on the side! How to refer a client to another tutor James found the best way to refer clients was to first, politely inform the client that you are unable to help them and then refer others tutors that you think might be able to help.  It is always a good idea to keep up a good rapport with a client even if you are unable to help them at that time- you never know, they might look into booking you in the future! How do you choose who to refer? This is dependent on where the client is looking for tuition.   It is good to know a couple of tutors in other locations who are good and reliable and you can easily recommend. There are multiple networking events and workshops where you can meet other tutors in your field. James found that if he didn't know any tutors in the area, he would try running a search as though you are a client. Not only is this a quick and simple process but it also gives you an insight into the process clients go through when looking for a tutor. Who else can I refer?   Another excellent way to earn more through Tutorfair is to refer yourself to clients who are not yet on Tutorfair. Having more lessons going through Tutorfair will  improve your ranking on the site (total number of hours is one of the things we track). For more information on referrals and how you can earn more, visit our handy support centre article. James M is one of our top tutors. With over 10 years of experience, James has prepared students for some of the most competitive schools, including Westminster, Eton, Latymer and St Paul’s. Interested in booking a lesson with James? Click here to visit his Tutorfair profile and find out more!

What is the Difference between Job and Work - English Lesson via Skype

What is the Difference between Job and Work - English Lesson via Skype Here you will learn about the difference between Job and Work and how you can use these confusing English words in a sentence.Watch this short video lesson or scroll down and read the transcript. Difference between Job and Work Hi there,  Im Harry and welcome to English in a Minute brought to you by englishlessonviaskype.com  Today we want to talk to you about the words job and work. And how they are the same but also how they are different. And how we use them so we look at them in terms of their synonymous features.  They can be both used as nouns.  Job as a noun and work as a noun.  I love my job. I love my work.  Exactly the same.   I am looking for work.Im looking for a job.  Exactly the same.  The work is done.The job is done.  Exactly the same.  The work is finished.The job is finished.  Exactly the same.  So we can see here as a noun they are exactly the same.  However, when we want to use work as a verb, which it is to work.  We cant use job as a verb.  We cant say to job  Ok. So we can only say:  I have to work today.I have to work tomorrow.I have to work next week.  But we cant say:  I have to job today. I have to job tomorrow. I have to job next week.  Job is only a noun.  So they are similar wh en we use them as nouns.  But when were using as a verb, we can only use to work.Ok.  So remember, asalways subscribe to our   Channel and join us on www.englishlessonviaskype.com  Oh and I have a really important message for you that I have just launched a very good Grammar Course and Ive got a special offer foryou at $9.99 and you can get the link here below and thanks again for watching. Difference between Job and Work Don't keep this to yourself, tell the world:

5 things that frustrate job-seeking teachers (and what you can do about them)

5 things that frustrate job-seeking teachers (and what you can do about them) In many industries, employers can get away with an uninspired recruitment process. But with skyrocketing demand for international educators, international schools have little room for error. If your recruitment process isn’t up to par, you run the risk of losing out on top talent. To help you avoid the most common complaints, we asked our extensive network of educators to tell us what frustrates them the most about the job search process. Here are five recommendations based on their feedback: 1. Don’t leave your recruitment tillthe last minute. Today’s candidates areserious about their careers and aretaking their time to find the right opportunity. According to our recent survey of over16,000 international teaching candidates, 71% told us that they’re beginning their job search anywhere from three to over nine months in advance of their desired start date. This means it's essential to take a more proactive approach to your recruitment. Teachers shouldn't be a last-minute hire. More and more, recruitment is becoming a year-round process. Candidates are beginning their search earlier and earlier, and you should be too. 2. Be clear about responsibilities and qualifications. Few things frustrate candidates more than finding out they aren’t qualified for a job they spent hours applying for. When drafting your job postings, clearly outline the responsibilities and qualifications you’re seeking without leaving room for interpretation. This way, you’ll attract more qualified candidates and save yourself time screening out unqualified applicants. 3. Include salary and benefits information in your job description. Salary and benefits are key pieces of information for prospective teachers. Omitting compensation details is a huge red flag for candidates, who willlikely assume your package isn’t competitive and move on to other opportunities. A comparatively lower salary can be overcome for the right situation, but candidates won’t waste their time applying to postings that don’t provide the information they need to make an informed decision. 4. Keep candidates up to date on their application status. A positive first impression starts with communication. At a minimum, candidates want to be kept up to date on the status of their application and be aware of the next steps in the process. Using an applicant tracking system,will enable you to automatically acknowledge receipt of an application, notify candidates of a change in their status and let them know to pursue other opportunities if they’ve been screened out. 5. Speed up recruitment time for a better candidate experience. To maintain your candidate’s interest, you need to move quickly. An inefficient, slow-moving hiring process will result in a disengaged candidate pool and promising applicants moving on to other opportunities. Again, using an applicant tracking system with built-in tools to sort, filter and screen out candidates that don’t meet your requirements is an easy way to speed up your recruitment process. The bottom line? Making minor tweaks to your hiring process to prevent these common frustrations can go a long way towards improving the quality of your candidates, saving youtime and providing candidates with a positive experience. It could also make thedifference betweensecuring andmissing out on your school’s next great teacher. So, there's no time like the present to make sure your recruitment process is satisfying candidates. Updated for2019, this article originally appeared in the Fall 2018 edition ofNESA News, the bi-annual magazine of the Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA).

Niepubliczna Polsko-Angielska Szkola Podstawowa Vancouver Schools

Niepubliczna Polsko-Angielska Szkola Podstawowa Vancouver Schools Niepubliczna Polsko-Angielska Szkola Podstawowa Vancouver Schools We are a small bilingual elementary school located in a residential district of Warsaw called Wlochy. We conduct the Polish and Canadian curricula for grades 1 to 8.Our program offers children the opportunity to learn Polishand English simultaneously. Daily classes in English are conducted in accordance with the proven method of Immersion using modern Canadian and British materials. The primary aim of the school is to prepare the children to cope in the modern world. In addition to their ability to function and learn in two languages ??simultaneously, of great importance to us are other aspects of the child’s development such as: social and emotional development ability to think independently and to experiment ability to take risks ability to seek for and analyse information independently confidence building assertiveness and ability to speak in public ability to cooperate, negotiate and make decisions together Equally important is the physical health of the child, therefore, the aim of the school will be to develop healthy habits such as: daily exercise in the fresh air proper sitting principles of healthy nutrition ecological attitude

50+ Language Exchange Topics to Keep the Conversation Flowing for Days

50+ Language Exchange Topics to Keep the Conversation Flowing for Days 50+ Language Exchange Topics to Keep the Conversation Flowing for Days Oh no what do I say now?!Avoiding awkward silences can be tough enough in your own language, let alone a language exchange.Sometimes, youre scrambling for a polite response.Sometimes, youre not sure you actually understood what your conversation partner said.Sometimes, youre left wondering if it was really appropriate to mention your intense feelings on hummus.But worst of all, sometimes the conversation just runs dry.When it comes to learning a language, a conversation exchange is one of the best tools out there. Its an  interactive language learning resource  you can easily set up through  language exchange apps  or video call programs like  Skype.On the surface, it seems like all you need to do is find an interesting enough chat partner who speaks your target language and is learning your native language.But if youre having an off day or have been doing language exchanges for a while, chances are strong that at some point, youll be fresh out of topics to discuss. Why Is It Impor tant to Prepare Language Exchange Topics?If you do much of any language exchange, youll probably run out of ideas of what to talk about at some pointâ€"which kills your momentum and eats into your language practice time. Having more topics ready to go ensures that you dont have to miss out on valuable practice just because youre drawing a blank.So if you have an allotted time for your language exchange, why waste it trying to brainstorm topics on the fly? Having topics ready will help you  prepare for any gaps in natural conversation.Youll also want to have language exchange topics ready in order to learn thematic vocabulary. By focusing on specific discussion topics, youre essentially selecting what sort of vocabulary you want to practice. For instance, asking someone about their favorite foods will help you practice food-related vocabulary.Finally, having language exchange topics ready will help get you comfortable holding  a conversation on any topic. The more you practice discus sing a wide array of topics, the easier itll be to understand and respond to native speakers in any real-life situation.When the conversation fizzles out, look no further than these 50-plus language exchange topics to recharge your conversation engine!50+ Language Exchange Topics to Keep the Conversation Flowing for DaysWeve compiled more than 50 language exchange topics you might want to try out. Remember to always base your questions on what you know about your partner and what he/she will be comfortable with. Whats appropriate to ask can often vary by culture, so always take that into consideration.FluentU is a great way to get familiar with authentic, native conversations in your target language, for newbies who are still a bit nervous or experienced exchangers who just need a little break from social interaction. FluentU provides real-world videos like movie trailers, YouTube clips, news broadcasts and more thatve been transformed into a language learning experience.Youll absor b your target language the way native speakers really use it, as well as the cultural topics that are most relevant to them. Better yet, each video comes with interactive captions, flashcards and exercises to help you instantly learn and then retain any unfamiliar words. Videos are organized by learning level and genreâ€"check out a free trial and learn how native speakers discuss the topics below as well as many others that may interest you.This list is meant to inspire you, so dont hesitate to come up with your own questions. You can certainly ask the obvious questions in any category, like how old are you? or what do you do for a living? To get your creative juices flowing, though, weve included some unexpected questions you may never have considered.Getting to Know YouThis topic is a mainstay of any language exchange. After all, it provides you with varied vocabulary practice and helps you get to know your partner better.However, lots of new exchanges peter out after the basics have been covered. Here are some getting-to-know you questions you may not have considered. Translating and using these phrases will also help you discover more unique and nuanced ways to describe yourself to native speakers.AgeIf you could be the same age forever, what age would you choose? Why?How old were you when youlearned to drive?moved away from home?had your first kiss?got your first job?How old do you think youll be when youget married?have children?retire?FamilyWhat do you think is the ideal family size? Why?Do you want to have children? If so, how many?If you want children, would you prefer boys or girls? Why?How close are you withyour parents?your siblings?extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins)?What do you do when you get together with your family?JobsWhat do you like most about your job?What do you dislike about your job?If you could have any job, what would it be? Why?What job would you most hate doing? Why?If you could go back and choose a different ca reer, what would you choose? Why?EducationWhat was your favorite subject in school? Why?What was your least favorite subject in school? Why?Looking back, what subjects do you wish youd studied?Do you value university education? Why or why not?Who was your favorite teacher? Why?Languages SpokenWhat languages do you wish you spoke?What languages do you think would be hardest to learn?What languages have you tried to learn?What are your favorite words or phrases in languages youve studied?Living Situation (Where, with Whom, etc.)If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?Describe your ideal apartment/house.Do you have roommates? What are the best and worst things about having them?PetsIf you could have any animal as a pet, what would you choose?What names would you consider giving a pet?Life Where You LiveDiscussing life where your partner lives not only helps you understand his/her life, it also gives you valuable cultural insight, making this topic ideal for lang uage exchange. You might even consider looking at the CIA World Factbook to learn some information you can ask follow-up questions about.CultureCulture is fairly all-encompassing,  so here are a few questions that dont quite fit into other categories.Do you have any good jokes you can share?What sorts of stories did your parents tell you when you were little?How important are good manners?What sorts of things do you need to do to be considered polite?How do you greet strangers?How do you greet your friends and family?FoodWhats your favorite food?Whats your favorite dish to make? How do you make it?What foods do you hate?What sort of food would you most like to try?What foods are popular where you live?ReligionOf course, its wise to tread lightly around this topic.  This Jezebel article gives some tips on how approach the topic.What religion is most common where you live?What other religions are practiced where you live?How is religion viewed where you live?HolidaysWhats your favorit e holiday?What holiday do you think is least important?If you could start your own holiday, what would be celebrated? How would you celebrate?Whats your favorite holiday tradition?What holiday do you think is most popular where you live?Popular PastimesWhat do people do for fun on nice days?What do people do for fun when the weather is bad?What do people like to do when they get together with friends?What do people like to do when they get together with family?What do you do for fun by yourself?Society and GovernmentThis is another topic to tread lightly aroundâ€"some people will avoid topics that could make them look like political dissidents, so try not to put them in an uncomfortable position.Do you vote? If so, how often? How do you place your vote?How is your town/city run?(E.g. mayor, council, etc.)What problems is your community/city/country facing?What problems are you most concerned about?EconomicsWhats a comfortable wage in your country?How much does an apartment/house cos t?Do people where you live put money in the bank or keep it at home?Do people often invest where you live? If so, what do they invest in?Is it important to save money? Why or why not?HealthcareWhere do you receive most of your healthcare?Who pays for your healthcare?SchoolingFor how many years do most people go to school in your country?How long is a standard school day?What subjects do students study in school?Whats school lunch like?GeographyWhats the terrain like where you live?(E.g. deserts, plains, forests, mountains, lakes, etc.)WeatherWhat sort of bad weather do you have? (e.g. blizzards, thunderstorms, monsoons, tornadoes, tsunamis, droughts, etc.)Whats your climate like?City LayoutTell me about your city.How are city streets organized?(E.g. grid, winding, etc.)Where arebusinesses located?factories located?neighborhoods located?What part of town is busiest?LifestyleLifestyle can give you a lot of insight into how your partner lives and how others in his/her community live. P lus, its always super fun to consider what life is like around the world.Home LayoutHow many bedrooms are in apartments/houses where you live?How many bathrooms do apartments/houses usually have?How many people usually share an apartment/house?Whats in a kitchen where you live?Do most apartments/houses have outdoor space?Daily ScheduleWhats your average day like? How does it compare to an average day for others in your country?What time do people wake up?What time do people go to bed?What do people do on weekends?FashionFashion varies wildly between countries and even regions within countries. Discussing fashion can provide you with thematic vocabulary and also prepare you not to look like a total dork if you ever choose to visit. If you need a little more prep work, you can always look at photos of international fashion shows from Elle to get an idea of the world fashion scene.Personal StyleHow would you describe your personal style?What fashion trends do you like?What fashion tren ds do you hate?If you could only wear one outfit everyday, what would it be?What outfit do you think looks best on you?If you could copy someone elses style, would you? If so, whose?Do you prefer formal or informal dress? Why?ShoppingWhere do people like to shop?How much do people buy in one shopping trip?How do people pay for their purchases?Is shopping fun or a chore?Tell me about the most popular stores where you live.Personal GroomingWhat do you do each morning to ensure you look your best?If you had to change your hairstyle, what new hairstyle would you choose?HobbiesA lot of people spend their free time engaged in hobbies, and theyre a popular topic of conversation when getting to know someone or making small talk. They can reflect both cultural and individual preferences.SportsIf you could play any sport professionally, what would it be?What sport do you like the least?If you could create your own sport, what would it be?MusicWhat instrument do you wish you could play?ArtWhat style of art do you like best?If you could hang a famous painting on your wall, which would you choose? Why?GamesHave you ever made up a game? If so, what was it like?What game would you choose to play to liven up a party?TechnologyWhile technology has made an undeniable impact on the world, its usage and purpose isnt consistent among different regions. Discussing technology will help you learn some valuable terms that may not be in conventional language textbooks and understand the role technology plays in your language exchange partners life.Computer UsageWhat do you use your computer for?If you had to go a week without a computer, could you?Phone UsageWhat do you use your phone for?Whats your favorite feature of your phone?What do you find most annoying about your phone?Social MediaWhats your favorite social media channel? Why?Do you feel social media has improved the world? Why or why not?Popular TechWhat tech gadget is your favorite?What new tech gadget would you most like to own?What new technology would you most like to become available?(E.g. time travel device, another new iPhone, self-replenishing ice cream tub, etc.)EntertainmentEveryone enjoys some form of entertainment, so why not talk about your favorite entertainment with a language exchange partner? Youll pick up some common vocabulary and your conversation partner might even turn you on to some great entertainment youd never considered, so its a win-win!MoviesWhats the worst movie you ever saw?Who would you want cast as you in a movie about your life?If you see a movie in a theater, do you purchase snacks? If so, what?TVIf you had to watch one TV show on repeat for the rest of your life, what would it be?What TV character do you wish you could hang out with?MusicWhat singer/musician could you listen to all day without getting annoyed?BooksWhat book genre is your favorite?What book protagonist do you have the most in common with?Going OutIf you want a night out, where do you go?When you go out with a group, who pays?Travel and TransportationYour conversation partner might walk, bike, drive, take a bus, ride a train or fly on a regular basis.  Discussing travel and transportation can help you learn vocabulary related to getting around and preferred destinations. You never knowâ€"the conversation might even inspire you to book your next trip!Favorite VacationsWhat was the most relaxing place you ever traveled to?What was the most exciting place you ever traveled to?Where do you like to stay when you go on vacation?(E.g. hotel, hostel, short-term rental, etc.)What was your favorite thing you ever did on vacation?DestinationsIf you won an all-expenses-paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?If you had to choose only one location to take every vacation for the rest of your life, which would you choose?Modes of TransportWhat mode of transportation do you use most often in your daily life?What mode of transportation do you find most comfortable?What mode of transport ation do you find most frustrating? Why?Do you prefer a window or aisle seat?NatureThe natural world surrounds us and influences our daily lives, even if we dont always consciously consider it. This topic will open you up to vocabulary that isnt always prioritized by language learners, but is surprisingly common in everyday life.PlantsDo you keep any plants in your house?What type of flower do you like best?Do you have a garden? If so, whats in it?If you could plant a dream garden, what would be in it?AnimalsWhat animals are you afraid of?What animals do you think are the cutest?What sorts of animals do you see frequently?SeasonsWhats your favorite season? Why?Whats your least favorite season? Why?If you could stay in one season all year, would you? If so, which season?Environmental IssuesWhat environmental issues concern you most?Current EventsWarning: like politics and religion, this can get dicey. Pay attention to political sensitivities, and if your partner seems uncomfortable, change the topic.International RelationsWhat international news concerns you most?How do you think governments could create better understanding between nations?Weather DisastersWhats the worst weather disaster thats affected your country in recent years?What weather disasters do you see on the news that scare you?Popular Human Interest StoriesWhats the most uplifting news story youve heard recently?Goals and AccomplishmentsWhat Youre Proud OfWhats your greatest accomplishment in life?Of your accomplishments, what do you think made your parents most proud?What You Hope for the FutureWhat do you hope to do career-wise in the future?Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years? In 20 years?So when you need a new topic to liven up your language exchange, pick and choose from this list. You may never want your conversation to end! And One More ThingLet FluentU inspire your next language exchange. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.