The Guide to Drawing Houses

The Guide to Drawing Houses How to Draw a House ChaptersWhy Draw a HouseWhere to Begin when Drawing a HousePerspective: The Key to Drawing a Good HouseAdding Colour to Your HouseLearning How to Draw a House“Drawing includes three and a half quarters of the content of painting… Drawing contains everything, except the hue.” - Jean-Auguste-Dominique IngresA lot of people would admit that they don’t know how to draw. However, creative pastimes are amongst the most popular. Artistic pursuits (including drawing, painting and sculpture) are the most popular to have been taken up in 2019.   Creative hobbies are becoming increasingly popular.Would you like to learn how to draw a house?Vanishing points, linear perspective, colouring, etc., discover all the different ways to improve your drawing.In this article, we'll look at the reasons for drawing a house, where you can get started, the keys to drawing a good house, how to add colour to your drawings, and where you can learn all this. FernandoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st les son free!Discover all our tutors EmmaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidDrawing Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenDrawing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Julia janeDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvelinaDrawing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Draw a HouseDrawing a house is something that most of us will have done as children. In nursery, many children are asked to draw their house and their family. Some draw their house accurately and others not so much.Each young artist can improve, that’s for sure. There are some interesting houses you can draw to test your skills as an artist. (Source: FrankWinkler)However, most artists learn to draw their house in their childhood. We draw a square with a triangle on top and we’re done. As simple as this is, it can be quite useful for learning shapes.As we grow up, some of us continue to draw regularly and some even continue to draw their house. Whether you live in the country or the city, houses can be the object of fine art. Painting pictures of houses has been popular among many great artists.Drawing a house is also very common among decorators and architects, of course. They need to draw rooms, layouts, etc. This type of drawing can be useful for decorating houses or getting work done or even designing the house of your dreams. But you can’t do this type of drawing without learning about one-point perspective. Getting the basics right is essential.  Whether you’re drawing the outside of your house or a particular room, the perspectiv e will give your drawing depth.Perspective is particularly important if you want to create something more like a work of art and less like a design. It can also make your work more realistic.Learn more about drawing nature and landscapes.Where to Begin when Drawing a HouseThe first thing you need to do when drawing a house is to choose an example to work from. When sketching a house, you don't need to make an architectural drawing. (Source: ElasticComputeFarm0)You can choose your own house or any other house you like the look of. The advantage of this is that you can see it with your own eyes and have a look at the different aspects of it. Having a look around is also useful for perspective.Of course, you can draw a house from an example. To do this, you can just take a photo from the internet. Whether it’s from a search or social networks, there are plenty of pictures of houses online.You might even choose to draw an imaginary house. In this case, you won’t need to look for a model. Your imagination will do all the work.To get started, you first need to choose the medium you want to work on. If you’re working on canvas, you’ll want to make sure that you have an easel to paint almost anywhere. That said, if you’re working on paper, you’ll still need something to support the paper while you work.You’ll want to start with a ske tch. Almost every drawing starts with a sketch. You need to start with the basic outlines. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. This is the whole point of starting with a sketch; you can make mistakes and rub them out.Don’t rub something out immediately just because you think you’ve made a mistake. Leave all the marks there until you’ve finished. Your sketch will start to take shape even with all these erroneous lines.Learn more about drawing mountains. FernandoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidDrawing Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenDrawing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Julia janeDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvelinaDrawing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all ou r tutors ZangmoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsPerspective: The Key to Drawing a Good HouseAs we explained before, you can’t draw a realistic house without perspective. Perspective can give depth and relief to art. It’s one of the fundamentals of drawing. Perspective helps your drawing appear more three-dimensional. (Source: stux)To add perspective to your drawing, you can use one or several vanishing points. Vanishing points usually have several lines radiating from them. The lines are there to show you how an object placed along them would vanish on the horizon.For example, the walls of the house may follow a couple of vanishing points.  You need to know that vanishing points vary according to what you’re drawing.Perspective didn’t appear in art until the Renaissance alongside techniques like sfumato, which was made famous by Leonardo da Vinci, particularly in the Mona Lisa. Nowadays, almost all artists use perspective in their work to add depth to it.Learning to portray perspective realistically is the first step towards drawing a good house.  Once you’ve got your vanishing points and your lines, you’ll start to see where you can put the objects in a room or the outside of the house.Discover how to draw a beach.Adding Colou r to Your HouseOnce you’ve got the main lines down, the next step is inking. This is where you go over the right lines, ignoring the mistakes in your sketch, with a pen, Indian ink, marker, or even coloured pencils if you want.If using a wet material, make sure you allow it to dry before you start erasing the mistakes in your sketch. You’ll be left with a clean outline of your house.Each artist can choose whether or not they want to add colour to their picture. A drawing can be left without colours. It depends on your goals and what you plan on doing with your work.To add colour to your picture, you can use watercolours, gouache, acrylics, coloured pencils, etc.You can also colour your image by scanning it and colouring it digitally using special computer programmes. These allow you to use digital versions of charcoals, markers, special brushes, etc. You’ll even have a palette with every colour imaginable. That said, you will need to be handy with a computer.Whatever technique you choose, have fun with it and practise regularly to get better.The way you add colours will express your style so don’t hesitate to try out different things. Even if it doesn’t produce the desired effects, it’s all part of the learning process.Find out more about drawing gardens in parks.Learning How to Draw a HouseThe right advice will go a long way when it comes to improving your drawings. You can get this advice from a teacher or tutor. Teachers will help students with the basics of drawing and their projects, particularly in private drawing tutorials. While becoming an architect can take years, you can learn to draw a house much more quickly than that. (Source: Wokandapix)Learning to draw can be quite complicated. Each student has different objectives and won’t want to specialise in the same things. In private tutorials or a workshop, you’ll be able to let your teacher know what you want to learn:SketchingPortraitsDrawing contoursDrawing with dotsThe human body and life drawingsPencil drawingDrawing charactersEtc.If you're interested in drawing lessons, figure drawing, perspective drawing, how to draw animals, or even just simple shapes, get in touch with one of the talented and experienced tutors on Superprof.You can get either face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, or group tutorials. Each comes with its pros and cons so take your time when deciding what's right for you, your learning style, and your budget. Face-to-face tutorials are more cost-effective but also more costly while group tutorials tend to be cheaper but yo u won't get as much one-on-one time with your tutor.In private tutorials, you can also choose the tutor who’s suited to helping you learn exactly what you want to learn. Architectural drawings, interior design, sculpture, there are art tutors of all kinds.Keep in mind that many of the tutors on Superprof also offer the first hour of tuition for free. You can use this time to get to know them, discuss what you want out of your tutorials, and agree upon the conditions of your private tutorials. Try out a few different tutors before you decide on the one that's perfect for you.You can also teach yourself how to draw. Whether it’s drawing a face, animals, or a house, there are plenty of video tutorials and guides available online. They can guide you through each step of learning a new technique. There are great tutorials on using watercolours, pastels, etc.You just need to go for it!

Learning the German Mentality at Work

Learning the German Mentality at Work The Differences Between British and German Work Ethic ChaptersGerman Discipline: Fact or Fiction?German Business CultureExperience or Qualifications?Working in Germany: Don’t Let Things Drag OnGerman Workers' RightsFinding A Job In GermanyDo I Need To Speak German To Work In Germany?“Germany is an anatomical oddity: it writes with its left hand and acts with its right.” â€" Kurt TucholskyIs Germany an occupational utopia for Brits?  It definitely seems to be for those that live in Germany. In addition to low unemployment, according to a study in 2015, of those in work, 78% of them are “happy at work” in their home country.Of course, they are! 73.1% of them earn over €31,000 gross/year and the national average is €20,670/year.However, working in Germany isn’t as easy as it might seem. While the UK is still in the EU, Brits don't currently need a residence permit, work permit, or visas to go to Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, or Munich in Bavaria. You can currently go wherever you want in Deutschland!If you've got a job offer and are moving to Germany, you might think your biggest hurdles are going to be the language, German culture, dealing with the German embassy or German government, or getting health insurance but you'd be wrong.Almost every foreigner currently living abroad in Germany, even those with advanced language skills, will mention the culture shock they were met with when it came to the German mentality regarding work. It can be difficult to integrate into the heart of a German company and anyone wanting to work or study in Germany needs to prepare themselves for the Germany philosophy when it comes to their job (and learn German Phrases, too).Here’s everything you need to know about the German work mentality...The idea of the disciplined German is one of the oldest clichés in the book.From overseas, Germany is seen as a country where the people are far more disciplined, ordered, strict, and unwavering than other EU countries.  Why is this image so lasting?Germans aren't as strict as ste reotypes would have you believe. (Source: pixabay.com)For one, Germany broadcasts this image of themselves because the workers in German companies are so competitive and effective. German businesses look for diligence and consistency when it comes to their workers, making Germany 4th in terms of global economic powers and the most powerful in the European Economic Area (EEA). This also means it can be easy to find a job.In an interview on the French show 20 minutes, Katja, a French-German living in Paris explained:“We only cross the road when the light is green and in business we respect contracts scrupulously.”Has Germany always been the “good student” in a class?  This isn't always the case.Even though plenty of countries think that Germans seem to sometimes be too disciplined, they also like to promote externalising feelings.This is true in their schools, as Katja explained:“[School in Germany] promotes personal expression and debate. We don’t learn things off by hear t.”It’s this mix of diligence and assertiveness that helps the Germans be so effective in their work! If you're considering working abroad and want to see it for yourself, why not start by learning German in a university or German school in Berlin or learn German online?German Business CultureWhat are the advantages of working and living in Germany?We tend to think that finding a job and working in the Federal Republic of Germany won’t be so different to working in the UK since we live in an increasingly globalised world.  However, it’s not true.The cultural differences at work can end up being a roadblock when it comes to recruitment in Germany and integrating into a German workplace. In fact, studies by the Goethe Institut have shown that a large number of businesses think the differing mentalities can be a source of tension at work.You can't be like the White Rabbit. You can't be late. (Source: rawpixel.com)In order to avoid this, don’t be duped by the illusion.  Here a re a few key differences between the two countries:In the UK, your professional life tends to dominate your personal life ? In Germany, your private life is essential. Working at home is even encouraged.In the UK, we prefer originality ? In Germany, they prefer utility and profitability.In the UK, we prefer creative employees ? In Germany, they prefer employees who focus on the quality of the work they’ve been asked to do.In the UK, we aim for a company that works well ? In Germany, they aim for a company that works perfectly.In the UK, we encourage movement ? In Germany, they encourage consistency and continuity.In the UK, companies love to rise to new challenges ? In Germany, companies like to play it safe.Work in Germany is monochronic, too. This means that they like to complete tasks sequentially and put a focus on timeliness and avoiding delays.  Germans like to be on time at all times.German workers are also more aware of the big decisions being taken by their company. It’ s the famous notion of “Wir-Gefühl” where Germans are part of the whole and are therefore involved with their company.Before setting off on a German adventure, you need to be aware of all these differences.  This means that you can start integrating into the German work ethos from the moment you sit down at your interview!If you're thinking about studying in Germany, you should check out the 5 best student cities in Germany!Experience or Qualifications?When it comes to qualifications, the UK puts far too much importance on them. We believe that our futures are made for us the second we pick up our degree certificates.  We seem to believe that our entire careers are decided between the ages of 18 and 21.While it can seem weird for somebody in the UK to go back to their studies, it’s very easy to do so in Germany.  Germans can improve their work skills at any moment through theoretical and practical courses.Speaking German is a must if you want to work in Germany. (Source: pixa bay.com)These courses give them a “plus” on their CVs without being the decisive factor when it comes to hiring them.Being a good student in Germany isn’t enough. The candidate has to prove themselves in the professional world.German businesses prefer:Speaking German and bilingualismProactive candidatesThe practical elements of qualificationsWork experience (internships, etc.)Professional skillsReferences.Digital skillsExperience “on the ground”...In Germany “Die Elitehochschulen” or “Eliteuniversität” aren’t as important. Further education is seen important when it brings something to the workplace rather than being just an accolade.  German businesses also consider older candidates. As of 2020, 40% of the German population will be seniors.By launching the “Perspective 50+” initiatives, German companies are looking towards hiring older employees and placing greater value on their experience and knowledge rather than their training.German philosophy is diffe rent to ours in that it doesn’t place as much focus on your academic background. Experience is more important and candidates without degrees are given a chance.Time is money” â€" Benjamin FranklinThe “Zeit ist Geld” is particularly important in Germany where workers are expected to be quick and effective.  You can’t procrastinate here!The German mentality is based on profitability: German workers look for well-paid positions which you can only get if you are diligent and dedicated.In Germany, employees need to trust one another. (Source: Marc Mueller)German businesses won’t give a penny to idle workers. It’s a relationship built on trust between the employer and the employee.  It’s the same between colleagues.German workers need to rely on one another in order to perfectly work together to optimise the company’s output. Every expat applicant or job seeker in Germany needs to keep this in mind.After an interview with Superprof, Stephanie from Ravensburg, who’s bee n working in France for 4 years, had this to say about the work ethic:“One of the biggest differences between France and Germany is in the world of work. Since I’ve been working in France, I’ve noticed one thing. In Germany, when we say “I’ll take care of that”, we do it. Most of the time we do it immediately. For Germans, these words come with an expectation to be counted on. In France (just like the UK), sometimes these words mean nothing. People have told me they’d take care of something and they didn’t.”If you want to last in the German job market, you have to rigorously make use of your time and complete every job on time. The same goes if you're on an internship or an international student in a German university. If you're studying or working in Germany, you've got to do as the Germans do.With our advice, are you ready to set foot on German soil?If you're not sure about Germany, remember that if you've mastered the German language, you can also consider other German speaking countries like Austria and Switzerland, although the latter isn't a member of the European Union.You can also check out the best German universities...German Workers' RightsWe've already discovered that German workers seemingly appear to work almost like robots, ensuring that every task they do is performed perfectly and on time. But do their rights at work reflect the effort and commitment they put into their jobs?Let's take a look at some of the benefits (or downfalls, as the case may be!) that German workers are entitled to.SalaryIn January 2017, the minimum wage rose to EUR 8,84 and any contract offering a cent less than this is classed as invalid by law. That said, the official minimum wage does not apply to trainees or those taking part in an apprenticeship, which is dealt with case-by-case as the employer and student see fit.With Germans being highly involved in the running of businesses, even at lower levels, bonuses are very common. Supplemental pay, which are funds offered in excess of ordinary agreed pay, can include profit sharing commission, incentives and staff bonuses.When it comes to sick pay, the employee is entitled to time off but must provide a doctor's certificate after 3 consecutive days of illness.The country's law indicates that employees must be paid their full salary during the first six weeks of any period of absence due to sickness, which can potentially be triggered more than once in a year. After this time, statutory or private insurance sickness pay kicks in and usually amounts to more than two-thirds of their basic pay (for a maximum of 78 weeks).WorkweekThe usual working week in Germany consists of 48 hours spread across Monday to Saturday, with any given workday not exceeding eight hours in length. Work on Sundays or public holidays is not generally allowed, but exceptions can be made for certain industries so long as the day is compensated for by time off during the fortnight that follows it.Working days of m ore than six, but no more than nine hours, strictly require a scheduled 30-minute rest break or two 15 minute breaks. A 45-minute break is then required after six hours of work if a working day lasts more than nine hours. At the end of the individual's working day, there must be a rest period of at least of 11 hours.HolidayIn Germany, workers are entitled to at least 24 working days a year as holiday, assuming they work a six-day week as set out above.  Between 25 and 30 days per year is common practice for most employers.During the vacation period, employees are paid in full and, quite often, their employer also grants a special vacation bonus.In general, employees must take their annual holidays/vacation during the calendar year or see it forfeited. In some cases, however, like if there was a particular reason the holiday could not be used up during the previous year, unused holiday can be carried forward until the 31st of March of the next calendar year.Self-EmploymentTo be self- employed in Germany it is necessary  that you have some sort of residence permit. Before contemplating moving to Germany to work on a self-employed basis, it is strongly advised to consult with experts in the field of residence permits, labour, business and tax.If you meet certain criteria, then you may find you are easily issued a residence permit for both you and your family, particularly if you can show that your business will have a positive effect on the German economy, which is ultimately determined by local authorities.  These criteria would normally be related to the type of business, your qualifications and experience and whether or not the work you are proposing could be done by a German national.Your work classification, i.e. trade or craft, is important because it could affect your tax liability and some documentation you may need to source before you start.It is so important to get expert advice about being self-employed in Germany, as the laws, rules, regulations and p rocedures are always undergoing change and are very different from those in the UK.Maternity/Paternity PayIn Germany, the law is quite generous when it comes to maternity and paternity leave and pay.Mothers are allowed six weeks leave at full pay ahead of giving birth, followed by eight weeks at full pay afterwards. For multiples, 12 weeks' paid leave is granted.The mother or father is then allowed up to three years of unpaid leave to stay at home with the child, whilst retaining job security.Recently, the German government initiated a scheme that allows direct subsidies to new parents too, funded by the federal tax system and lasting between 12 or 14 months following the child's birth. The amount offered is based on the after taxes income of the parent who is out of work and caring for the newborn child.Finding A Job In GermanyIf the sound of all of the above gets your heart racing and you can't wait to get settled in work in this European country, then check out this advice on act ually finding work that will suit you in Germany.If you are already in Germany, then you may find it easier to find work through networking and attending meetings and interviews, however, you can still find work in Germany from your base in the UK. Technology has made things much easier in this sense, as you can easily apply electronically for jobs and even participate in interviews via Skype without needing to travel to the company to meet with the employer.There are various websites that can be used to search for jobs, not just company sites but job sites dedicated to roles in Germany.Another option is looking at ads in newspapers, on ex-pat website, or by placing a job wanted ad yourself and promoting yourself through social media. LinkedIn is a great way to reach out to contacts anywhere in the world.You may choose to look for temporary work in Germany, which can be done by joining a temping agency based in the country. These companies supply numerous workers to many companies t hroughout the country and they can advise you on some of the legal requirements that you may need to consider before starting work.If a German company is interested in you and wants to see your resume, know that they will expect a very detailed account of your experience and skills (as you'd expect!) with complete and accurate information on your education and any professional work you have done previously.If you have any, send in references and other documents you think will impress the potential employer immediately along with a recent photograph of yourself. This will avoid them having to chase you for further information and will prove from the offset that you are diligent, reliable and thorough.At an interview, be prepared to answer questions about your health and criminal record, if any, and dress to impress as most interviews are highly formal in German businesses.Do I Need To Speak German To Work In Germany?Germans have a reputation for speaking excellent English, but does t his mean that we Brits can move into their country and expect to get along as if we are living and working at home?Indeed, some businesses in Germany use English as their working language but don't forget that it is not just about the external people you are going to be dealing with. You must consider things like relationships at work, Human Resources, tech support, etc. While the staff may speak English to a certain degree, they will expect you to have a level of understanding of their language in order to get by and to gain their respect.It is only right to learn the local language when residing in a particular country, isn't it?Many locals will give you the benefit of the doubt if you are new to the country but two/three years in? They would probably expect you to have put in more effort by then to learn their way of speaking...Aside from your day to day work, you absolutely require at least some German for other things, like basic living.Finding a house or an apartment, setting up the Internet and home appliances, opening a bank account, going to the supermarket, making friends, being promoted... all of these will be very hard if you don't have at least a basic or intermediate level of German language.Are you interested in learning to speak German? Find German lessons throughout the UK and German lessons London.

A Guide to Writing Drum Music

A Guide to Writing Drum Music Creating Your Own Music for the Drums ChaptersDrum Production and CompositionWhat Is the Magic Formula for Composing on the Drums?Start with the Foundations of Song WritingWriting Your Drum PieceListen to Your CompositionDrum Composition Vocabulary“Practising in your basement is one thing but getting to the point where you forget that you’re playing the drums and you find yourself in harmony with another world, that’s the coup de grâce...” André Ceccarrelli, Jazz DrummerMost people nowadays use the internet to listen to their music.Have you thought about using it to help you make your own music?For example, you can learn the basics of drumming and start composing your own beats for a funk, rock, or bossa nova piece.In this article, we’ve got some advice for aspiring musicians on how to write drum beats and drum rudiments.Learn about the different drum techniques.a good idea to  let people listen to your composition.  You should take a step back and get an objective look at your piece.You might think your piec e is absolutely amazing (even if it isn’t) or think it’s terrible when it’s actually quite good!Start by getting an expert, such as your drum teacher, another musician, or someone else in your class, to listen to it. Make sure you take the criticism constructively and use it to improve your song. It’s not about pulling you down but rather helping you to get better.An experienced drummer can give you some great advice on how to improve your arrangements, add interesting sounds and elements to your music, and techniques that will make them easier to play.Finally, let the general public listen to your pieces. This can really help beginners.  Concerts and performances are a good way to help people experience your music and see what their response is.Remember that you won’t become a great drummer overnight so don’t worry if you don’t get it right on the first attempt. This means that you’ve got a lot of work to do once you get started.Writing music is an ongoing process a nd with each attempt, you'll get better. You should write something, get feedback, improve, and repeat. By doing this, you'll be writing amazing music before you know it!Drum Composition VocabularyWhen you start learning to play the drums, you’ll need to expand your musical horizons (perhaps by listening to Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix, Phil Collins, and Ringo Starr) and learn new words, too.Heel UpThis is a technique for playing the bass drum with your heel off the pedal. This is great for power and speed. However, in jazz music, you’ll want your entire foot on the pedal so you have more control.LickA lick is a small musical phrase with a few strikes on various drums (usually the toms) which doesn’t interrupt the main drum beats (unlike a fill).

How to Create a Pen Pal Exchange on the Virtual Writing Tutor

How to Create a Pen Pal Exchange on the Virtual Writing Tutor Click here to start a Pen Pal Exchange Click here to read about the features on the Pen Pal Exchange Step 1:  Click on “Templates.” Click “New” to create a template from scratch. Give your template a descriptive name. Pen pals will see the name on their dashboards. If you want to try a ready-made template, click “Import” from the example tab. Pen pal exchanges on VirtualWritingTutor.com are a series of writing topics with automatic scoring tools. As the teacher and moderator of a pen pal exchange, you must define the following: Your instructions to the student One or more topics The minimum number of words How many errors you will tolerateâ€"warning: foreign names can trigger false alarms, so it is wise to tolerate a couple. What target vocabulary you want to see and the minimum number of them you expect to see Whether you require or allow photos and audio recordings Step 2:  Click on “Groups.” Click “New” to create a group. Give your groups descriptive names. Pen pals will see the name of their groups and their pen pals’ groups on their dashboards. You will need to create one or more groups to deploy a template to. For example, you might want to have a Monday Group and a Wednesday Group if you teach two classes. You will then be able to send invitations by email to each set of students so that they can join up and you can track their progress. Later, you will be able to share groups with another teacher so that they can match your students with pen pals in their groups, and vice versa. Step 3:  Click on “Groups” again. Click “Deploy template.” Select a template from the dropdown list and click “Auto deploy template” so that every new member of the group automatically receives a pen pal exchange based on the template you selected. Step 4:  Click on “Invitations.” Click “New.” Select a group from the dropdown list, personalize your message and click “Save.” Your invitation will appear in your list. You can right-click on the link to copy the URL and send it to your students via email, Facebook, or whatever method you want. Here are some PowerPoint slides showing students what to expect when the join a group on the Pen Pal Exchange. Optional:  Click on “Groups” again. Click “Share link.” This will generate a link that you can send to another teacher. That teacher will be able to import the students from your group to match them with pen pals in his or her groups. In this way, you can create meaningful exchanges between students at other schools taught by different teachers. Step 5:  Click on “Groups” again. Click “Assign pen pal guests.” This is how you match up pen pals within a group or from different groups. A pen pal “guest” is a student who can reply to a post written by a pen pal host, the student who hosts the exchange. In other words, you will be able to add one or more students as guests to each exchange. Guests and hosts will be notified by email of any new messages posted on the exchanges they are assigned to.   Step 6:  Click on “Groups” again. Click “View scores.” This is where you can review your students’ progress and interaction with their pen pals. Please follow and like us:

Three Reasons You Need a LSAT Prep Class or Private Tutor

Three Reasons You Need a LSAT Prep Class or Private Tutor LSAT Law School Blog The LSAT bills itself as a test that does not require preparation. Technically, they’re correct. You don’t need to memorize math formulas or vocabulary words. The questions ask you to reason answers based on the information provided. However, taking a prep course improved my score nearly 10 percentage points over the first time I took the test without a prep course. You can see why I’m convinced that preparation helps, from those who know the test. Here’s why: 1. Nearly everyone else gets help â€" If you’re striving for a competitive school, nearly every one else will be taking at least one prep class, if not more, and working with tutors.One of the biggest advantages of working with someone who knows the test is confidence when approaching the day. You know what to expect. You have a strategy for each section, and a strategy for the whole day. You know what to do if you’re running out of time. 2. There are patterns to be learned - You don’t have to pay for the hideously expensive Kaplan, and you don’t have to stop working. I found a course atSan FranciscoState that ran four Saturdays while I worked full-time. Others like to choose private tutors to work on their weak areas or learn specific techniques. Do find a teacher who has studied the LSATs. No one can predict the exact questions. But, e.g., in analytical reasoning, there are certain types of games that will be repeated. In reading comprehension, there are certain tricks the testers like to use. Certain kinds of logic questions reappear. You benefit from “insider’s knowledge” about test procedures. 3. Techniques for each section â€" Problem solving techniques are hard to teach yourself. This is where specialized classes and tutors excel. They have sophisticated techniques to solve the questions in each section, and they will help you develop a sub-strategy to approach each section. If you can’t/don’t want to pay for private help, the single best way to prepare is to order the official old LSAT tests. Get at least four. You want to study the types of questions with some. You want to time yourself with others. With at least one, you want to take the full test under timed conditions exactly like test day. Your goal should be to go into test day with a comfort level with that exam booklet.

Language Marketplace Two Months Later

Language Marketplace Two Months Later Its been two months since we launched the open beta of our Language Marketplace (announcement), and we wanted to say weve been very pleased so far. The Language Marketplace is where students can pay for online lessons and teachers can get paid to teach a foreign language. In this short time, weve already had over 2500 teachers register to teach 70 languages online! Of the teachers, over 20% are professionals, meaning we have over 500 experienced language teachers ready to teach you on italki. Through looking at our marketplace, weve also learned a lot about paying students. Its not a surprise that English is the most popular language to study. Over 50% of the sessions taught have been for learning English. Given that most non-native speakers have a general desire to learn English, we think this is a sign of how much unmet demand there is for English language teachers. Interestingly, learning Chinese Mandarin is the second most popular choice, followed by learning Spanish. As Chinese Mandarin grows in importance, we believe more and more people will look online to find a teacher. In many areas around the world, Chinese teachers may not be available, and online teaching rates seem very reasonable. Weve also found that many students are using the Free Trial feature to find the right teacher for them. This is a great way for students to test out a couple of teachers and find the one that has the most compatible learning style. Its also a good opportunity for teachers to get a better understanding of how the system works, and a students particular needs and ability level. Overall, we think the growth in the number of students purchasing italki credits and bookings sessions with language teachers is a sign that people are getting more comfortable with the idea of learning online. This should be good news for all the internet startups in this space (Edufire, WizIQ, ForteMall, Sclipo, and Moontoast) who have a similar vision that education will eventually come from many sources. Keep telling us what you think about the site and our Language Marketplace. And keep following the blog well keep you updated as we put up new features. The italki team Language Marketplace Two Months Later Its been two months since we launched the open beta of our Language Marketplace (announcement), and we wanted to say weve been very pleased so far. The Language Marketplace is where students can pay for online lessons and teachers can get paid to teach a foreign language. In this short time, weve already had over 2500 teachers register to teach 70 languages online! Of the teachers, over 20% are professionals, meaning we have over 500 experienced language teachers ready to teach you on italki. Through looking at our marketplace, weve also learned a lot about paying students. Its not a surprise that English is the most popular language to study. Over 50% of the sessions taught have been for learning English. Given that most non-native speakers have a general desire to learn English, we think this is a sign of how much unmet demand there is for English language teachers. Interestingly, learning Chinese Mandarin is the second most popular choice, followed by learning Spanish. As Chinese Mandarin grows in importance, we believe more and more people will look online to find a teacher. In many areas around the world, Chinese teachers may not be available, and online teaching rates seem very reasonable. Weve also found that many students are using the Free Trial feature to find the right teacher for them. This is a great way for students to test out a couple of teachers and find the one that has the most compatible learning style. Its also a good opportunity for teachers to get a better understanding of how the system works, and a students particular needs and ability level. Overall, we think the growth in the number of students purchasing italki credits and bookings sessions with language teachers is a sign that people are getting more comfortable with the idea of learning online. This should be good news for all the internet startups in this space (Edufire, WizIQ, ForteMall, Sclipo, and Moontoast) who have a similar vision that education will eventually come from many sources. Keep telling us what you think about the site and our Language Marketplace. And keep following the blog well keep you updated as we put up new features. The italki team

How to Be a Feminist Man and NOT a Misogynist Boy

How to Be a Feminist Man and NOT a Misogynist Boy From flikr, by John Oxton Natural selection and evolution is the clearest and best theory for the development of life and specifically humans. This can be seen greatly in the realm of sex and relationships. It touches everything from the origins of feminism, the phenomenon of violence by men against women, and the post-modern problem of disenfranchised emasculated men who blame society for their loss of masculinity. Thinking about these problems from the perspective of natural selection reveals the true origins of these behaviors. For example, women are the means by which humanity procreate. Without them, we would die off. It, in cold, unemotionally logical terms, makes sense to cultivate women as a resource and to fight over them for survival. Morally, it engendered an innate misogyny. It made men associate the amount of women and power over women with superiority and security, regardless of what the women themselves wanted as fellow human beings. Now, that system is gone, women are finally asserting themsel ves as able to do whatever they want to. Men in response overreact to this feminism by ostracizing them, demonizing them, and blaming them because it threatens their identity. It is a base reaction to a progressive solution. Men are still struggling with not being alpha males who need to protect women and kill for their food. The problem in our current patriarchy is that it was developed for survival. But in this current world, we don’t need it anymore! Survival has been rendered moot because of a variety of factors, from technology, morality, and increased civility. The struggle in men nowadays is between our innate aggression, developed over thousands of generations, and our desire to live by what is generally agreed upon to be a “good” life: freedom, equality, peace, love etc. The struggle between the animal in us and our, for lack of a better word, humanity is the core of specifically men’s psychological dilemma. Men need to realize and fight their violent urges. THAT is now the new male identity. Because it  doesnt  take a man to INDULGE in his fantasies, but it takes one to RESIST them.