Studying Japanese with a Japanese Teacher

Studying Japanese with a Japanese Teacher Learning Japanese with Japanese Tutors ChaptersHow to Choose Your Japanese TutorHow Much Do Japanese Teachers Charge?What Are some Tips to Prepare Your Japanese Tutoring Session?How Can Your Teacher in Japanese Prepare you for a Japanese Test?Have you been a part of the manga world since childhood? Do you love Japanese cuisine? Are you fascinated by life in Japan?The Land of the Rising Sun interests people in more than one way...An often perceived insurmountable task, Japanese is taught worldwide which reflects the importance of the language in the modern world.It is a language that requires a specific approach, but has many advantages for its learners: no conjugation, no feminine or masculine genders, no plural, no unpronounceable sounds...No exceptions like in English!The best way of learning any new language is through immersion. Moving abroad to Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka will allow you to develop your proficiency a lot quicker than studying in a classroom at home because of the ample opportunities to practice with Japane se people.However, downing tools and living in Japan isn't always possible. Therefore you are left with studying at a language school, in one of a number of universities around the world, or with your very own Japanese teacher. The latter is our personal favourite as it is the most efficient and effective way of learning Japanese.Tutoring sessions can help everyone; people who already have some language skills, complete beginners who want to have a conversation, or those focused on Japanese grammar in order to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).In this article we will look at what you need to think about as you embark on your voyage to becoming fluent in Japanese.a Japanese student,a fluent speaker of Japanese as a foreign language,a native Japanese speaker.These are not the only reasons why the rates fluctuate. There are also some disparities according to the region. Yes, classes are generally more expensive in bigger cities, but the teachers registered on Superprof , for the most part, offer a first free course. So that you can test out their services with no strings attached!There is another possibility to save money: Japanese lessons via webcam. This solution means the tutor avoids travel expenses. For this reason the tutor will usually offer a suitable rate.Apart from private tutoring at home, you can also opt for specialized language training centers offering group lessons or an intensive course. This is another way to learn Japanese which does not offer the personalized approach of a tutor however.And for those of you who dream of learning Japanese in context, there is  nothing like a linguistic study trip to Japan. You will take courses with native speakers while experiencing Japanese culture, especially if you are staying with a host family.As you will have more time, whilst you are there you can travel to places that are not usually visited by people who travel to Japan on holiday, such as Hiroshima, Nagoya, the Kansai region and the K agawa prefecture. You could even visit other parts of Asia, such as Korea, if you fancy.Many people offer them courses like this, such as the Japanese Institute.What Are some Tips to Prepare Your Japanese Tutoring Session?Finding the best way to learn Japanese is one of the keys to being successful. You will need a method that suits your learning style at the very least. But whatever type of Japanese courses London you are taking, it is important to do work at home in between each session so that you can progress.If you arrive to each class having forgotten all that you worked on the previous lesson, you might as well stop immediately!Yes, to learn Japanese, or any language for that matter, there is no secret: you will need to put in time and work!So how can one progress quickly?Daily work: even if it's only 5 to 10 minutes a day, revising your notes regularly makes memorizing easier.Put into practice what you have learned: practice, do exercises. It is very important to acquire the se skills.Learn kana and kanji: study Japanese syllabaries, a must for learning to read and write in Japanese.Repeat what you've learned orally: learning a language is first and foremost about talking. Revise aloud to improve your pronunciation and gain fluency.Do not skimp on vocabulary: to speak you have to know words. Make vocabulary sheets and read them daily.For once your phone will come in handy. Why not learn how to trace kana using an app for example?This means lots of time for studying, yes. However, it is possible to exercise in a fun way to prepare a Japanese course!Find the method that's right for you. By introducing a small ritual, you will not even realize that you are working:Mobile applications: there is an app for every aspect of Japanese learning. To learn vocabulary, work on pronunciation, write kana...Among these, you can download Ja Sensei, Obenkyo, Nihongo na kana, Skritter...The list is long so do not hesitate to test several different options.Videos: Watching videos of Japanese lessons or Japanese VO movies will immerse you in the language. Gradually, you will better understand dialogue and develop your Japanese ear. Hayao Miyazaki's animated films are pure magic!Find a penpal:  this can be a good solution to force you to communicate in Japanese. Rest assured, it is no longer necessary to write long letters, you can simply chat or exchange e-mails. Visit MultilingualNetwork, Ojapon or Japan Guide.How Can Your Teacher in Japanese Prepare you for a Japanese Test?When you have already started to learn the Japanese language, you may find that you need some tutoring. This is particularly the case when preparing for a test in Japanese.You can stay zen knowing you have progressed so much on your Japanese!It is important to be well prepared. There are multiple requirements depending on the test that you want to take, but you will likely be tested on your abilities with regards to:Written comprehension,Oral comprehension,Written expressionWith a private tutor, you will be able to set specific goals for your Japanese test. Your Japanese teacher (or remote tutor via webcam) will make an assessment with you to determine what is the best way for you to progress. You can then define your priorities to progress quickly. For example :Know the kana and kanji that will be required of you,Train yourself orally,Enrich your vocabulary,Organize your study time,Draw Japanese characters,How to structure your essays,...The benefits of tutoring go beyond just passing a test, however.  The more you progress during your lessons, the easier things will go afterwards.This is the case for any language. The most tedious period is always when you start. You know, those frustrating moments where you want to say things but every sentence makes you hesitate because you don't have the words.Once this stage of embarrassment is over, the mastery of the language becomes a perpetual source of enrichment...You start being able to do almost everything!watc h movies in VO (and understand them!),read foreign authors in the native text,know what your favorite songs are really saying,take a trip to Japan without feeling completely isolated and unable to communicate...Check out  Japanese lessons online.Despite the difficulties, you will not regret having taken Japanese classes when you are finally bilingual!

The Best French Learning Websites

The Best French Learning Websites Which Websites are Best to Learn French? ChaptersDetermining Your NeedOnline French Learning PortalsSurrounding Yourself with FrenchThe Real World â€" in FrenchThere are those who amass a certain amount of knowledge â€" perhaps enough to earn their living, and then put the brakes on any further formal learning.Informal learning goes on whether we like it or not, doesn't it?And then, there are those like you, dear French learner, whose agile mind and eagerness for more refuses to stop actively pursuing knowledge once the ink dries on your degree.It is quite unfortunate that our civilization's current social obligations â€" to the elderly and to the young, to the disadvantaged and to our very future, keep us from funding marvelous programmes that would ensure learning for learning's sake.So it comes to pass that, determined as you are to not stagnate intellectually, you take it upon yourself to learn French. Without formal classes, without a teacher; without even a tutor to ensure proper pronunciation of that tricky French U or the guttural R.Should you decide to engage a tutor, Superprof French tutors are always there for you!In fact, we want to help you along on your journey of learning, whether you seek a tutor for your  French courses or not.Please allow us to review some of the best websites to learn French from... or with, as the case may be.Determining how to learn French will save you a lot of time and frustration! Source: Pixabay Credit: Stuxresource for learning French, whether you are just starting out, or have a few words and phrases already under your belt.If you are a beginner, this page would be especially tailored to you as it will match your progress, from level to level, until you are ready to formally declare your French speaking abilities by sitting the DELF.At the outset, you would select where you are in your learning experience: beginners, intermediate, autonomous or advanced.From there, every lesson and activity, even the vocabulary and grammar would match your declared proficien cy and build on it.After each lesson, you would be provided with worksheets to reinforce newly learned grammar skills or, if it is new words you prefer to amass, you could head to those lessons by clicking on the corresponding link to the right of the page.There, you will also find:conjugation exercisesidiomatic expressionslessons in business FrenchFrench comprehension drillsFrançais precoce â€" lessons for young learnersDELF training materials and activitiesand much, much more!Each lesson is indicated to its level; if you only look at the welcome page, you might note that designation â€" in its corresponding colour, on the first line of each study unit.All learning need not be serious.Bonjour de France provides lighthearted learning activities in the form of games, where you can challenge your reading comprehension and vocabulary.In fact, this page has so much that you could embroil yourself with, we dare you not to learn from it!For some, how to learn French means a return to aus terity Source: Pixabay Credit: WeisanjiangLearn French Lab is a throwback to a more traditional style of learning.Its page, virtually devoid of colour, hammers the eye in stark black and white with every potential pitfall  of learning that might dissuade even the most eager French learner. Be it conjugating irregular verbs or the seeming illogic of grammatical gender; any trepidation you may have had in studying French grammar may be amplified by the austerity of this home page.Based on this ungenerous review, you might wonder why we even recommend it!There is plenty of good to be had from this page, if its initial appearance and disorder does not put you off of it.There is ample assurance that French grammar is a logical beast that can easily be tamed with just the right rules.There is the potential for one to one Skype chat with a native speaker of French!Most of their good stuff requires you to become a member, after which you may explore their vocabulary learning, phrases, and w orksheet tabs.If you are reluctant to register with yet another site, there are plenty of free French lessons to be had on this page â€" that is, they don't require a membership; among them the many forms of French greetings, and more than one way to say thank you.There are even basic French phrases for kids to study!If you are looking for sensible, concise answers to your French grammar woes â€" how does one conjugate  the verb avoir, anyway?, there might be a lot of value in this page for you.Surrounding Yourself with FrenchFirst things first: we did not say immersion into French because that would require you to be in a French environment, to speak French with others who also communicate in that language, and further: to think in French, to hear in French...If you are learning French, thinking in French as much as possible is a great way to build your confidence in using the language you are working so hard to become fluent in.Should a move to France not be in your immediate futu re, we can direct you to a few places where you might have opportunity to tune your ear to idiomatic expressions and even verlan; what we know as French slang.My Canal is a fine collection of films, television shows and interviews, all in French. You can watch documentaries or series from the telly, possibly some that you've not yet heard of!Naturally, they would be in French, but some have subtitles, both in French and in English.There is even a channel to help your youngest speakers learn language faster!If listening comprehension is indeed a concern for you, you may want to listen to the news or commentary in French as your drive to work or cook dinner.Downloading any French podcast would be your ideal solution!This iconic French sweet inadvertently provides free lessons in reading French! Source: Wikipedia Credit: Jiel BeaumadierThe Real World â€" in FrenchLanguage and culture are intimately intertwined. Thus, it should come as no surprise that there are websites dedicated entir ely to learning French through exploration of contemporary, and traditional, culture.Standard French courses touch on cultural aspects in the process of teaching French vocabulary. That is a great way to learn every new word as pertained to living, working and learning in France.However, depending on the curriculum, French teachers may not discuss any current events, or taboos of French culture.Where can you learn about those?Se Coucher Moins Bête, or SCMB, as it is called, is a moderated French website where anyone may post on any topic of current event or cultural significance.You may find posts about history, philosophy or society â€" be it human or animal, and you are always welcome to read, if not participate in the discussion. If you are not yet speaking French at an advanced level, you may have to keep your dictionary close by, or perhaps make use of online translations.This forum makes for interesting reading anyway, and if it stretches your knowledge of the French language , all the better!We thought you might want to know what the name of this website translates to: go to bed less stupid. What a name!There likely won't be much on that page your younger learners could keep up with, though...For them, we would recommend Blagues Carambar.Have you ever eaten such a treat? Delicious, gooey goodness, wrapped in a wax wrapper, itself invariably imprinted with a riddle, joke or pun!To date there are 88 such jokes on the page, but looking to the links on the left, your beginner French learner will discover several categories s/he can explore.You might task him/her with choosing one per day to tell at dinner time!As you surely know, learning a language is one of the best ways to keep your mind as fit as the rest of you.Practicing French pronunciation en famille will no doubt accelerate everyone's learning, and promote family fun.But, best of all, if you learn French fast through these websites, the sooner you can learn a new language!How would you like to lear n Japanese? Or learn Russian, or Mandarin, or...When looking for French lessons or language lessons London, Superprof is always at the top of the queue!

Freshmen Yields At Top Colleges

Freshmen Yields At Top Colleges Elite colleges are all in competition with each other, and the one statistic they can brag about is how many high school students who received acceptance letters actually commit and attend that college. Many top colleges believe that this figure is the ultimate sign of how prestigious and respected that certain college is. This is how colleges compare themselves to one another. Harvard, Dartmouth, Cornell and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill all had more accepted high school students actually commit to them than in previous years, according to an article in The New York Times. Harvard reported about a 75% positive freshman yield, which was a slight increase from last year. Dartmouth had a 55% yield, an increase of 7%. North Carolina had a 53.3% yield, compared to last years 53.9%. However, North Carolina has not heard back from its 350, accepted, wait-listed students. The university believes its yield will increase dramatically. Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania both had similar yields, compared to last year. Cornells was at 49%, and the University of Pennsylvania was at 63%. Most of the colleges freshmen yields are expected to rise after wait-listed students are accepted. What this means for wait-listed students: Bad. These elite colleges are receiving more commitments from originally accepted students. Therefore, the enrollment for the incoming freshman class is already much higher than expected. So, colleges will not need to pull as many students from waiting lists. Harvard estimated that it will accept only 75 students from its waiting list because of higher freshmen yields. Dartmouths freshmen yield grew increased 7%, and the university stated that it might not accept any students from its waiting list.

TOP 5 Latest Trends in Online Education

TOP 5 Latest Trends in Online Education 0SHARESShare Web based-learning with the advent of educational technology has brought innovations in the knowledge delivery process of schools and colleges. The education system is highly focused on creating ways to provide effective learning tools and techniques in the most cost effective way. The 5 latest trends of online education in K-12 schools are: Concept of Blended Learning: Blended learning has gained tremendous growth in recent years. A lot of schools and colleges in urban areas have accepted blended learning to get know-how before investing in implementing learning management system. Competency based Learning: Competency based learning enables students to receive individualized instruction and opportunity to learn at their convenience. E-learning modules are gaining ground these days. Mobile based Learning: The mobile based learning has given the opportunity to utilize each second and minute learning new thing. Academic experts predict that mobile learning will grow quickly as other elements like online and blended learning. The extensive use of a Smartphone, notebooks and all other handy on-the go devices are leaning forward mobile-based learning. Instructional Content: The use of educational technology is not sufficient for an effective learning process. Technology facilitates the way of learning and not actual content that serves learning. The traditional way of learning through the curriculum is not enough. The portable learning encourages the growth and extensive use of instructional content. Learning Management System: Learning management system has given new dimension to the growth of online learning. Both online tutors and students get a convenient platform for effective sharing of knowledge. It is especially used by online tutoring and distance learning program where organizers analyze tutor and student performance and drive the development and growth towards improving overall performance of the students. [starbox id=admin]

University of Wisconsin-Madison A Student Interview

University of Wisconsin-Madison A Student Interview Samantha earned her bachelors degree in microbiology and genetics from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She specializes in algebra tutoring, anatomy tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Samantha: The campus is very easy to navigate, and is right next to the state capitol and downtown. Madison is very bike-friendly, and theres a bus system that can get you anywhere you need to go. The university provides students with bus passes each semester. Its very difficult to own and use a car on campus, simply because theres nowhere to park. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Samantha:Ive been able to forge wonderful relationships with my professors because theyre so personable and accessible. They really care about their students, and many of them have open door policies. My advisers have been great and have done their best to help me sort out requirements for my double major. Most of the TAs Ive had have been good as well. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Samantha:I lived in the only all-freshman dorm on campus, which was very social. Everyone was in the same boat of not knowing anyone and made an effort to reach out. The dorm administrators also put together countless activities for us and tried their hardest to make the dorms feel like home. Other dorms have different vibes depending on how many upperclassmen are living in them. The dining halls on campus are good, fairly priced, and easy to get to. I remember running across the street from my dorm in the middle of winter to grab some ice cream at the dining hall because its just so good. There are always more events happening on campus than you can attend, and there are definitely many clubs and organizations to join. The student organization fairs are a great place to see whats happening and find people with similar interests. Its so easy to get involved because theres something for everyone. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Samantha:UW is definitely a STEM school. The humanities are also very well represented and very diverse, but most of the funding goes to STEM programs. Madison has a reputation to uphold in the biological sciences, and as such, the biochemistry, genetics, and microbiology departments are very well respected. Engineering and computer science also have a significant presence. I studied genetics and microbiology because of my interest in disease. My departments are very well funded because of the impacts they have made in the field of scientific discovery, and I believe they use their funding wisely. We have fantastic labs with new, up-to-date equipment, and we learned cutting-edge techniques to use in research. 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? Samantha:Greek life is definitely present on campus, but it isnt overwhelming at all. It isnt as large as it is at many other universities, and most of the Greek housing is sequestered to a specific part of campus.I thought making friends as a freshman was relatively easy. I joined a student organization filled with outgoing people, and I made an effort to find people in my dorm to befriend. How helpful are the Career Centerand other student support services? Samantha:I havent had to use the Career Center services on campus, but Ive only heard good things. Each college on campus tends to sponsor a career fair every semester, and some big names show up including Google, Microsoft, Promega, and DuPont. Its a really great opportunity to network and find a job or internship. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Samantha:We have many different libraries on campus that are great for studying and group work. Theyre also scattered all over campus, so you never have to trek too far to get to one. The student unions on campus arent great study spots, but they are used for group work or just hanging out with friends. The Union Terrace during the summer becomes a hotspot for social gatherings and fun in Lake Mendota. The dorm lounges will vary greatly depending on the dorm, but plenty of people use them to study in. Describe the surrounding town. Samantha:Madison is a fantastic city with a distinct personalityit captured my heart the first time I visited. Madison offers plenty of opportunities to go sailing and swimming in the summer. As the capital city of Wisconsin, theres always something going on in town. The music scene is great and everyones always friendly. Off the top of my head, I can think of six significant venues that are always hosting some sort of entertainmentwhether that be a band, comedian, play, or orchestral performance. Finding things to do in winter gets a little more difficult simply because you wont want to walk anywhere in the cold weather, but there are certainly still things going on. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Samantha:Madison has about 30,000 undergrads, which is fairly sizeable. Depending on your classes and class standing, they can range from 15 individuals to about 300. The larger classes are always taught by a professor and usually have smaller discussion sessions once a week led by a TA. I never felt like the class sizes were an issue because the professors are still very accessible via email, office hours, and review sessions. You tend to lean on your TAs more in the large classes because you interact with them more, despite the fact they arent doing the teaching. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Samantha:Honestly, choosing one moment is a struggle for me because my experience at UW was so wonderful. As a microbiology major, I was required to take a laboratory course that taught us many modern research methods, and at the end of the semester we were taught how to brew beer from start to finish. Each lab group was assigned a different yeast, and we were to make one proper brew and one improper brew by changing fermentation conditions. At the end, we sampled the beer using gas chromatography to analyze its contents, and those of us who were 21 also used sensory analysis. We also compared the differences in taste and gas content in the proper and improper beers to learn what different brewing conditions can cause the yeast to do. It was an incredibly gratifying experience, despite the fact our beers werent very good! Check out Samanthas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

What Does Origami Symbolize

What Does Origami Symbolize The Clever Symbolism Hidden in Origami Folds ChaptersTatsu, the Origami DragonChocho: the Origami ButterflyKaeru, the Origami FrogNeko, the Origami CatHakucho, the Origami SwanTsuru, the Origami CraneFolding origami is fun, engaging and constructive - to say nothing of its educational benefits. One must have discipline to precisely execute folds and creases; paper art such as origami appeals to those with a meticulous nature.Even toddlers can make a paper plane or a paper boat (yes, they are also origami!) while being, for the most part, the complete opposite of careful and precise.We do know of some fun origami for kids but the constructions we describe in this article might be a tad too complex for little ones. On the other hand, they may enjoy helping you make paper if you wanted to try your hand at that...For the most part, origami animals demand precision in their creation; they involve a far more intricate construction and substantially more attention to detail.Modular origami uses multiple sheets of paper to create one d esign. Attaining this level of skill at folding paper is and achievement for kids and adults!Besides simple constructions with obvious meaning - such as an origami boat or ninja stars, the art of folding we call origami is full of representation â€" not just in the figures origami artists delight in creating but in the very methods and traditions embodied in the practice of creating.For example, did you know that the Japanese Shoguns of Japan’s Edo Period tasked their junior men with hours of origami? In fact, it is generally thought that Japanese origami truly got its start during that time.Back then, besides folding paper along a certain crease pattern, it was permitted to cut the paper to suit the model, a practice called kirigami. Today, the more elaborate paper sculptures allow for cutting the paper but, strictly speaking, origami is made only by folding.So, as you get ready to fold square paper into your favourite origami designs, consider the fact that you are carrying on a long tradition in the art of paper folding.That might be enough to fire your enthusiasm but before you pick up your first sheet of paper, there is just one question left that needs asking: what do all of those origami models mean?That’s where Superprof comes in... NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTatsu, the Origami Dragon If you have any spare cash laying about, you could make money origami Image by jordandemuth from PixabayDragons are powerful creatures in Asian folklore; the Japanese dragon incorporates elements from Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese dragons while still remaining its own beast.Unlike the imagery of dragons in the west, Asian dragons have long, snake-like bodies and several limbs. They generally do not have wings or breathe fire.The Japanese have no fewer than five dragons in their mythology but in origami, there is only one dragon: Tatsu.You may fold it out of shiny foil paper to give the illusion of shimmering scales or a piece of solid green paper to reflect its swampy origins.Did you know that just about every hobby and crafts store carries several types of Japanese paper? Still, no matter which paper you choose, your dragon will symbolize power, wisdom, mastery and success.Whether you attach it to a gift or give it away unattached, you will convey to the recipient that they will en joy good fortune and strength.You can learn how to fold your dragon in our companion article.Chocho: the Origami ButterflyTwo butterflies dancing around each other is a sign of marital bliss; that is why paper butterflies usually feature at Japanese weddings.Now, for a disclaimer: in spite of the Japanese words commonly used to describe paper crafts, this art form is not exclusively Japanese.Whereas butterflies generally symbolise a soul set free, here, in the UK, we have rather more ominous superstitions about butterflies.Some areas of our country hold that butterflies contain the souls of dead children, while in other places, superstition dictates that one must kill the first butterfly s/he sees or have bad luck throughout the year.Should that butterfly be yellow, woe to the whole family! It means everyone will be plagued with illness.Scotland and Ireland are mercifully kinder to these delicate flyers: they believe that butterflies near the grave of a loved one symbolize their dea r departed one has found their place in heaven.The paper butterfly has a decidedly different meaning than any of the above. It represents the hopes and dreams of young girls as they blossom into beautiful young women.That being the case, you may choose delicately-coloured origami paper to make your first mountain fold and reverse fold...  but, please: no yellow!Do you need folding instructions? There are plenty of step by step instructions on YouTube...So, if you wish to make a tiny frog to tuck into your wallet, you will have to practise your folding technique on very small origami paper.On the other hand, if you have kids heading off into the world, gifting them a brightly-coloured origami frog will serve to remind them that they should return home to visit, occasionally.You could pass such frogs to other dear ones who live far away, too.Unlike quilling, which is an involved process that calls for a variety of materials, you only need a square piece of paper - and of course, you h ave to know how to make an origami frog!A Word on KawaiiAlthough origami is not only an ancient Japanese art, invariably, everything origami is attributed to Japan. As such, you should be aware of another aspect of Japanese culture: they love anything cute!Whimsy permeates virtually every aspect of Japanese society, from their ultra-popular anime to their clothing.Anything â€" a drawing or a person that is shy, vulnerable, childlike and charming is adored in Japan; such is the essence of kawaii.For that reason, most origami paper is double-sided, and sometimes shows fantastic designs - a tessellation or bokashi. It may be shiny and feel delicate to the touch, belying its resilience... another aspect of the kawaii culture of Japan.Now that you know about the joy of cute, you may understand why the cat is another popular origami animal. These 3D origami pikachu creatures prove the Japanese obsession with cute! Souce: Pixabay Credit: Level17Neko, the Origami CatSo enraptured with felines is Japan that they celebrate National Cat Day each year on February 22... makes one wonder if they also celebrate International Cat Day, which is feted on the 8th of August.As the Japanese people have dedicated an entire day to the glory of cats, it stands to reason that cats are a popular origami creation.We love our cats as well, so learning how to make origami cats may become our national pastime!Cats are seen as mysterious and elusive, independent and wise. Cats are strong and self-assured; they never ask anyone for anything. They are also rapacious hunters all wrapped up in a coating of silky fur.If you need ideas for easy origami â€" maybe to get the kids settled down on a rainy day, you could hardly do better than a cat: the folding technique is simple and it does not take a lot of time to make.Once you get good at making cats , you can incorporate tessellations into your designs to give them some depth!  Hakucho, the Origami SwanIn many cultures, swans represent majesty and tranquillity, loyalty and strength. Because swans mate for life, they also represent monogamy and fidelity.Unfortunately, they don’t have any special meaning in Japanese culture, but then again, we’ve already determined that origami is not only a Japanese art.As origami projects go, swans are easy to fold and, because they can be freestanding, you might use them to decorate a picnic table or liven up a birthday party.It all starts with a diagonal fold and, 13 steps later, you are ready to decorate your swan... or leave its features up to the imagination.How about trying your hand at napkin folding? Before paper folding became popular in Europe, people would enjoy folding their napkin into various configurations, the swan being among the most popular designs.Naturally, you cannot fold a napkin the same manner as folding paper; unle ss it is starched, cloth simply won’t hold a crease. That is why it is best to make your swans (and other designs) out of coloured paper.This simple origami is a great way to get started practising paper craft.Did you know that the Lewis Ginter botanical garden in the US has an ‘origami in the park’ programme? Visitors there are treated to an assortment of paper sculpture installations, including swans.Wouldn’t it be great if our gardens also had such a display? Would you fold a thousand cranes to get your wish for peace? Image by 1278956 from PixabayTsuru, the Origami CraneIn Japan, the crane is the bird of peace, majesty, long life and fidelity â€" maybe that is why, for them, the swan pales in comparison.Origami cranes just might be the most renown origami bird; indeed, of all the origami figures to learn to fold, this one has the most meaning.Japanese tradition has it that, if one folds 1,000 paper cranes, what is wished for will come to pass.So it was that a young girl, stricken with cancer in the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing, endeavoured to fold origami birds, as many as needed to cheat death.Realising that her hopes were in vain, she nevertheless continued to fold each paper crane, this time with a wish for peace and hope. So the symbolism of the origami crane changed, from one of personal hope to one of global yearning.Learn of other reasons why origami is so important in Japanese culture...If you aim to learn origami folding, a good figure to aim for is the crane - mastering it would mean you have attained an intermediate level of folding skill.We recommend Washi paper for folding cranes; that brand is the top of the line, meaning your cranes will turn out beautifully. Once you've mastered how to fold this flapping bird, you could try your hand with the dragonfly or cicada, a pinwheel or even an origami box.What about origami flowers?You could start very simply, making an origami flower with just four petals and progress to an origami rose.Who knows? You may even create a kusudama â€" an origami model made up of origami flowers, sewn or glued together to make a ball.It will certainly put your childhood fortune teller or paper airplane to shame...Now learn more about the history of this fascinating and ancient art.

What Should You Look for in a Piano Teacher

What Should You Look for in a Piano Teacher Who Teaches Private Piano Tutorials? ChaptersPrivate Piano Tutors: What You Need to AskPiano Tutors: A Student JobIndependent Music TutorsRetired Piano TeachersSelf-taught Piano Teachers“The musician is perhaps the most modest of animals, but he is also the proudest.” - Erik SatieA lot of people know how to play the piano. It’s one of the most common instruments played.But how can you choose the right tutor to teach you how to play it? LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teacher £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsPrivate Piano Tutors: What You Need to AskWhen you learn to play the piano with a private tutor or piano teacher, you’ll have the opportunity to form a bond with your tutor. To make sure that you get along with your tutor, you’ll need to have a look at your potential tutor’s profile first.Your piano tutor will play a huge role in your musical development. (Source: MichaelGaida)A lot of teachers in music schools and conservatoires have similar profiles because they all require a certain qualification or amount of experience in order to teach there. This means that most of them have followed the same path to becoming a teacher.However, when you get in touch with a private music tutor, you need to be aware that absolutely anyone can do it, whether they have a degree or taught themselves.This means you should find out exactly how they learn to play the piano to make sure that they’re the right teacher for you.You’ll need to ask them the following questions:What is your musical training?Which are your favourite musical genres?How long have you played music?Do you play any other instruments?Which teaching methods do you employ?If you choose a private piano tutor on Superprof, you’ll benefit, in some cases, from a free taster session.This is an opportunity for both of you to work out what your level is, what knowledge of music theory you have, and what your objectives as a musician are (join a band, become a professional musician, play for fun, etc.).Cello, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, clarinet, saxophone, flute, etc., you can learn to play several different instruments if you want.InstrumentAverage CostPiano £35Acoustic Guitar £25Electric Guitar £27Violin £36Drums £29Bass £29Saxophone £35Cello £40Percussion £28Flute £35Accordion £30Ukulele £38Piano Tutors: A Student JobOn tutoring platforms, notice boards, and the web, you’ll find plenty of students who are looking to earn some extra money by providing piano tuition on the side.When it comes to learning the basics, students can mak e great tutors. (Source: StockSnap)It’s a great job for students because it allows them to teach something that they enjoy. A lot of students are teaching piano and musical skills. Whether they play the guitar, banjo, accordion, ukulele, harmonica, drums, or piano, any student can teach people how to play a musical instrument.Just because they don’t teach full-time doesn’t mean that they can’t teach you the basics of playing the piano.  A lot of students are very familiar with teaching as they’re still being taught themselves. Some are even studying music at the same time.  Some students are even launching their own careers as private tutors before they finish their studies and are very professional. This could be a great option for kids or young adults who want to learn how to play the piano.The advantage of choosing a student is that you can pay a lot less than you would if you’d hired an experienced private tutor. That said, if you’re still getting a student to teac h you advanced techniques such as using your left hand and your right hand in unison or complicated music theory, you’ll probably pay a higher rate.Of course, you’ll need to work around their timetable, which means they mightn’t always be free at the exact time you’d like a lesson.You can often find students offering music tuition on notice boards, social media, or tutoring platforms such as Superprof. LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teacher £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsIndependent Music TutorsOf al l the tutors you can find for learning how to play the piano, you could also opt for an independent private tutor who teaches private tutorials full-time or as their main source of income.Some tutors prefer to teach students how to play the piano outside of strict establishments like music schools and conservatoires. This is why they teach private lessons and opt to be self-employed.A lot of independent private tutors can be found on tutoring platforms looking for regular students to fill up their timetables.Independent private music tutors or piano tutors will often have a lot of experience teaching and some have even already taught in music schools and conservatories.This means that they’ll already have a good understanding of effective teaching techniques that work with their students’ strengths and weaknesses.However, by hiring an independent private tutor, you’ll end up paying more than a private tutor who only teaches part-time. Of course, this does mean that you’ll ge t a quality tutor who’ll be full of advice for helping you to progress.Whether you want to learn jazz piano, chamber music, rock, or classical music, your tutor will probably be familiar with a variety of styles and be able to work with all sorts of students. These types of tutors often have many a ribbon in their bows!So how can you find them?While this information isn’t often provided on their tutoring profile, you can get in touch with them and ask them about their experience as a piano tutor, whether or not it’s their main job, and any other relevant information about their teaching.Retired Piano TeachersAfter a career of teaching music, it can sometimes be difficult to leave teaching behind. After all, music is a passion and this passion doesn’t just stop once you stop working.Some teachers find it hard to leave the music behind. (Source: Pexels)Some music teachers have decided to continue teaching once they retire by becoming private music tutors.When it comes to retir ed teachers, there are lots of different types. They might have previously worked in a conservatoire, for example. These teachers tend to be the crème de la crème in terms of music tuition and will offer tuition on complex music theory and advanced techniques.Students can make the most of their musical knowledge and their knowledge of music history while learning their piano-playing secrets on a grand piano, upright piano, or electronic piano. It’s a good idea to opt for former conservatoire teachers if you’re interested in becoming a professional pianist or a music teacher yourself.There are also music teachers who previously worked in schools. After all, all students have to learn music in secondary schools and it was their job to introduce them to the basics.As they have to keep teenagers interested, their teaching style will be less strict than you’d find in a conservatoire or music school.Music teachers may have also taught music at A Level to students interested in car rying on their music education into university.In any case, music teachers know how to work with students and how to play the piano. They’re known for having an understanding of effective teaching techniques while making lessons fun and engaging.Similarly, there are also music teachers from dedicated music schools.  Whatever their background, retired music teachers are a great way to learn about music without breaking the bank.Self-taught Piano TeachersNowadays, there are a lot of students teaching themselves new skills without the help of any teachers.In some cases, you can teach yourself to play the piano. (Source: Pexels)People are learning how to speak languages and play musical instruments without anyone to help them. That said, once they’ve learnt their new skill, many are finding ways to pass it on.It’s often difficult for self-taught musicians to prove their level as they’ll have no qualifications. They’re completely different to the teachers you’ll find in music schools or conservatoires. That said, these musicians can be just as good at playing their instrument and teaching students how to play it as a music teacher from a school.The only difference is that because they taught themselves how to play the piano, their methods and techniques mightn’t be the same as those taught in a traditional piano lesson.  However, some students can really respond to original ways of learning how to play the piano. Not everyone is suited to scales, arpeggios, and music theory, for example.Tutors who taught themselves how to play will often use techniques that are vastly different to those taught in conservatoires, for example. This is great for students who find piano lessons London too technical or unwelcoming.Whether you want to learn about music theory, classical piano, improvisation, the fundamentals of music, reading sheet music or sight reading, piano techniques, or a particular style of music, self-taught piano tutors can offer a refreshing appro ach to piano instruction.They can teach Bach, Liszt, Beethoven, Schubert, or even U2, Korn, and Nightwish!Are you ready to become a great musician and pianist?

Tips for Reviewing the Midyear Report Card

Tips for Reviewing the Midyear Report Card The school year has reached the halfway mark, which means it is report card time. Co-Founder and CEO Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center says that while some parents and children dread this time of year, report cards present an opportunity to make adjustments if needed and get children back on track. The midyear report card is a great chance for parents to assess their childrens strengths, weaknesses, progress and study skills, she says. Parents should open the lines of communication with their children and childrens teachers and guidance counselors and formulate a plan for the rest of the year to address any parent concerns. Huntington offers parents these tips when reviewing the report card: Its important to focus on progress. Too often, parents jump to the letter grades and dont spend time looking at much else. What you should look for is your childs progress toward mastery of grade-level standards. How is your child growing this school year? Pay attention to progress indicators and benchmarks. Effort matters most. Parents who are involved in the homework routine at home should have a good sense of how their children are doing on school work, but the report card will shed additional light. Look for marks and comments on the report card that highlight your childs effortand whether that effort is reflected in his or her grades, as it should be. Look for common warning signs. Low grades are one problem, but keep an eye out for other common red flags, including any indicators that your child has poor study skills, lacks focus, struggles to keep up or has difficulty with essential skills like organization and time management. If youve noticed a change in your childs demeanor and these kinds of issues are showing up on the report card, a discussion with the teacher is a good idea before the crisis period worsens. Content knowledge is just one measure. Yes, it is important to review your childs grades on content knowledge in the core subjects, but in todays education landscape, there are many other measures of students performance. Review the report card for comments and marks on your childs higher-level thinking, problem solving, comprehension and other similar abilities. Attitude is everything. Childrens attitudes about school are very tellingand a child who seems indifferent or angry about school is likely dealing with low confidence and feelings of hopelessness. Pay attention to any comments from the teacher (and probe further during the parent-teacher conference) on your childs motivation and overall attitude about learning and his or her grades. Report cards are a valuable tool for parents to gain a detailed understanding of how their child is performing in school. And no matter what the midyear report card looks like, Huntington encourages parents to keep in mind that no problem is insurmountable. If your childs midyear report card highlighted areas of concern, call Huntington, she says. There is plenty of time to address and correct issues before the end of the year, and help your child re-build his or her self-esteem and finish the year strong. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2019 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.