7 Top-Rated Apps to Learn Italian Like a Pro

7 Top-Rated Apps to Learn Italian Like a Pro Jessica Dais If you’re looking to pick up some basic Italian or advance to the next level of fluency, there are many useful apps that can help you achieve this goal! The flexibility and convenience of downloading an app on the go makes learning fun and affordable.   It’s important to keep in mind though that apps shouldn’t be your sole method of learning a language. No technology can beat the personalized instruction and guidance of an experienced language teacher. (Apps aren’t a substitute for real-life conversation practice either)! With that in mind, here are the 7 best Italian apps to supplement your learning. The 7 Best Apps to Help You Learn Italian 1. Mondly With a 5-star rating, Mondly allows you to study Italian vocabulary and phrases through interactive games and graphics. The app is free for In-App purchases and also available for the Apple Watch! Mondly allows you to collect points and compete with other users from across the globe. Students who face challenges learning Italian verbs can also benefit from the app’s 3D conjugation tables. 2. Busuu Of all the apps to learn Italian, Busuu was the first one to allow users to have verbal conversations with native speakers from all over the world. The app offers students direct communication with new pen pals right from their phone or iPad. Busuu also teamed up with McGraw-Hill to enable students to obtain an official learning certificate. The app has a  4+ star rating and allows for family sharing! 3. Learn Italian, Speak Italian This helpful app was rated by Google as the “Must have app for Android.” Lessons are created by a team of language experts and teachers, with over 150 topics and over 3,000 vocabulary words. If you’re a beginner, tourist, or business traveler, use this app to test your knowledge with fun quizzes. The Android app also allows you to record yourself so you can keep track of your progress! SEE ALSO: 10 Podcasts for Learning Italian 4. Italian by Nemo This app allows for hands free interaction, so you can practice your Italian skills while you walk, exercise, cook, or commute! Italian by Nemo is the perfect companion for busy students who only have a minute or two to spare throughout their day. You can download the app for free in either the Apple store or Google Play. It has a 4.3 star rating from users. 5. Learn Italian by Bravolol Learn Italian features a friendly, animated cartoon parrot guiding you on your way to mastering Italian. With engaging and interactive flashcards, this app will help you pick up commonly used Italian phrases and words. An awesome perk of the app is that it can be used without an internet connection! If you are traveling to Italy, make sure to bring this fun app with you on the plane to brush up on your skills. It’s available in the Apple store and Google Play. 6. Easy Talk The Easy Talk app comes with an Italian travel phrasebook, sample dialogues based on real life situations, and multiple search functions to select and keep track of your favorites. Another perk there aren’t any drills or boring grammar exercises! The app can also be used as a personal, pocket translator. It’s available for Android phones for a purchase of $3.99. 7. TakeLessons For easily accessible Italian lessons on the go, the TakeLessons app is the perfect resource no matter your skill level. Find experienced Italian teachers in your area, or connect with one digitally via the app’s video chat feature. With the TakeLessons app, you can learn Italian from a professional no matter where you are. You can also join in on free, group classes for your first month as a new student. The app is available for both Android and iPhones. It’s often said that when learning a new language like Italian, practice makes perfect. Any one of these apps to learn Italian would make an excellent tool to help you practice your skills! Impress your language teacher and your friends with how quickly you’ve learned. Ready to get started with private lessons? Schedule a one-on-one lesson with an Italian teacher today to start speaking, writing, and reading Italian! Need Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Post Author:  Liz T. Liz T. teaches Italian, ESL, as well as a variety of musical subjects! She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal Performance and she currently performs all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, RB, and Country. Learn more about Liz here!

[Infographic] American vs. French Culture 8 Things Every Traveler Should Know

[Infographic] American vs. French Culture 8 Things Every Traveler Should Know Sign up successful Share this Image On Your Site pstrongPlease include attribution to TakeLessons.com with this graphic./strong/pbr /br /br / pa href=https://takelessons.com/blog/french-culture-differences-z04img src=https://takelessons.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/america-vs-france-infographic.png alt=American culture vs. French Culture width=720px border=0 //a/pbr /br /br / p American Culture vs. French Culture: Things You Need to Know 1. Driving America:  The majority of Americans travel by automobile, even in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. In fact, three out of four Americans drive to work, while a mere 5.2 percent take mass transit. France:  You won’t see roads full of  SUVs in France, as the country is known for having an excellent public transportation system. Most people use the underground subway systems and tramways to get around. 2. Dining France:  In France, there’s no such thing as a meal on-the-go.  Rather, people take their time eating and typically don’t eat dinner until around 8 p.m. America:  It’s not surprising to see someone eating a slice of pizza while rushing to get to their next destination. Typically, Americans eat much earlier and faster than the French. 3. Fashion France: The French wouldn’t be caught dead wearing sweatpants and sandals in public. People take pride in their appearance and dress more moderately compared to Americans. America: While every city has its styleâ€"for example, New York is more high-fashion, while California is laid backAmericans are all about comfort and being casual. Swim trunks and a t-shirt on a hot day are A-OK in their book. 4. Drinking America: Americans are more apt to reach for a refreshingly cold beer. Over the past years, however, wine has become increasingly more popular. While not celebrated, public intoxication isn’t rare. France: The French have a reputation for drinking in moderation and their drink of choice is typically wine. After all, you can find a wine bar at just about every corner. In French culture, public intoxication is heavily frowned upon. 5. Dating America: Americans are all about playing the field. It’s not uncommon for a stranger to ask someone  out on a dateâ€"which typically includes some sort of meal or outingâ€"if he or she is interested. France: The French don’t date. In fact, there is no real word for “date” or “dating” in the French language. People get to know each other through social circlesâ€"and exclusivity is always implied. 6. Communication America: Americans are super friendly and outgoing. They are likely to greet friends and acquaintances with a big hug. You could say that communication is very informal, whereas the French are more formal. France: Hugging is sometimes considered more intimate than kissing in France. The French don’t use the first name of a person unless they are invited to do so. What’s more, speaking too loud is considered a sign of anger and impoliteness. 7. Body language France: When it comes to body language, the French are quite reserved. Placing your hands in your pockets or slouching are big no-nos.     America: Oddly enough,  both American and French culture are very similar in this category. Americans value their personal space and don’t respond well to unnecessary fidgeting.   8. Small Talk America: People in the U.S. are very open and polite. It’s not uncommon for someone to ask  his or her  mailman or pharmacist how his or her family is doing or what his or her plans are for the weekend. France: Stick with small talk. It’s okay, for example, to talk about the weather, but anything beyond that isn’t normal in the French culture. Tip: 50 French Phrases You Need to Know Before Your Trip to France Happy Travels! Now that youre up to speed on the French culture, youre ready for your trip. Dont shy away from meeting locals, as immersing  yourself in the French culture will ensure that you make the most of your trip! Do you live in France? If so, share your advice for traveling in the comment section below. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

English Conversation Class Can Art Change the World

English Conversation Class Can Art Change the World The topic for our first group English conversation class is, which will take place on Wednesday, March 16 at 9 PM GMT, is: Can Art Change the World?This topic was inspired by the 2011 TED Prize winner, semi-anonymous French street artist JR. JR started out as a on the streets of Paris, where he began photographing fellow graffiti artists, and posting the photos in public spaces as illegal street exhibitions.His projects became more and more ambitious over time. In 2006, he enlarged photos of thugs from the suburbs of France after large riots there, and posted them on walls in wealthy neighborhoods.A photo of JRs Face to Face project in the Middle East. © jr-art.netIn 2007, he created the largest illegal photo exhibition ever, entitled Face to Face. For this project, he photographed Israelis and Palestinians that worked in the same professions, then posted the portraits next to each other on either side of the wall that separates Israel and Palestine.Since then, JR has continued to c reate interesting and daring art projects around the world, often in places that are considered too dangerous to visit. After winning the TED Prize, the TED Foundation gave JR one wish, which it then uses its resources to help fulfill.JRs wish is to do a massive art project, in which people from all over the world can send him photos, that he will then have printed, and mail back for people to create their own JR-like street art exhibitions.Below you can watch a video in which JR himself explains his work and the project. Youll also find several links to additional reading about his work and the TED project. Click here to register for a group English conversation class about JRs work, and the question: Can Art Change the World?Read more about JRs work, and the TED Prize here.Click here to become part of his art project.

The Forgetting Curve

The Forgetting Curve I have an awful memory. Seriously! I can barely recall what I had for breakfast yesterday. While my memory is probably below average, I’m not alone in my struggles with recollection. As humans, our minds are not designed to store and retain every piece of data that enters through our senses.We forget approximately:50% of new info we encounter within an hour70% within 24 hoursAnd 90% within a weekIt’s important to note that our forgetfulness is a highly beneficial trait. Imagine if you could remember the color of every car you passed this morning, or last week, or ten years ago! We forget the vast majority of what we experience because most of the data is inessential. Forgetting is an active, adaptive, and desirable process.That said, we are often called upon in our academic and career journeys to remember important concepts and information. To do so, it’s crucial to understand our psychology and that of our students, so that we can learn and educate with our forgetting in mind. What can we do to help students remember better?Tips for overcoming the forgetting curve1. Have a focusKnowing that memory is selective and limited, it’s crucial to pick 1-2 key topics and focus on them during a class or training. Walking through myriad details and minutia is hopeless because the learner can only really keep a couple of big ideas in mind for the long term.2. Space it outOnce you’ve picked a most important idea to hone in on, you must hammer the message home over time. Our SAT test prep students often report that their tutors will repeat the same strategical pointer, such as “read the question carefully and annotate”, so frequently throughout the prep that the tutor’s voice can be heard in the student’s mind when they are taking the actual SAT. That means the tutor has done a good job of stressing a certain concept’s importance.3. Make a connectionA common memory enhancement technique is to connect a new idea to an old one. Connections are used to great success in history tutoring; by linking newly-learned events and people to more familiar ones, students can begin to think in terms of trends and retain core historical ideas and concepts for the long term.4. Say it first, say it lastDue to primacy and recency biases, we often remember the first and the last things said by a speaker.5. Deliver it in multiple waysBecause we all learn differently, explaining an idea in multiple ways is most effective. For example, one student might grow to understand the graph of a line visually, while another prefers the abstraction of an equation, and still another might best digest the concept by having it explained verbally. For many students, it will be ideal to have the algebraic concept of a line explained in all three ways, repeated over time, and reinforced through practice.6. Revisit the information frequentlyLuckily, while forgetting is a pervasive process, it is not random. It is possible to signal the brain that a particular piece of inf ormation is important and that it should be retained. Thus, this tip is the most crucial. When you force a learner to revisit information in the hours and days after training, they are much more likely to retain that information in the long run.If your goal is to produce long-term retention and behavior change, then what you do after training is more important than what you do during training. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help your student!

Intangible Skills Learned in Kumon

Intangible Skills Learned in Kumon Intangible Skills Learned in Kumon So, you’re considering enrolling your kids in Kumon. Maybe they need a little extra help in reading, or you want to get them ahead in math. What a lot of prospective Kumon Parents don’t realize is that their child(ren) will attain intangible skills throughout the program. Kumon doesn’t just develop a solid foundation in math and reading. It also cultivates important work and study skills necessary to succeed in today’s world. We combine advancing their math and reading skills with instructing them how to become even better students. The objective of Kumon is to instill in students the skills and mindset for self-learning. Through continuous Kumon study, students become self-motivated, independent problem solvers. Kumon helps children of all ages: Improve Focus and Concentration. The Kumon Program can help your child improve focus and concentration through daily practice. Your Kumon instructor will identify the “just-right level” for your child(ren), keeping the student(s) engaged and motivated. The Kumon learning materials are designed to build on a series of steps, encouraging self- learning. Cultivate Confidence. Kumon fosters confidence, self-esteem and a love of learning that can last a lifetime. The act of achieving something, no matter how big or small, gives children a sense of accomplishment. With each learning milestone, children develop a belief in their own abilities. With ongoing praise, recognition, rewards, and our curriculum, students can reach their maximum potential. Develop Time Management Skills. Because the worksheet-based program requires daily study, it can instill discipline, and time management skills in your child(ren). Each subject, math or reading, requires about 30 minutes per day. Setting that time aside daily, can become a (positive) habit. Once the habit becomes second nature, confidence and independence naturally set in. Become self-motivated, independent problem solvers. The biggest difference between Kumon and your typical tutoring service is the style of learning. A tutor often sits with a child and explains how to solve a problemâ€"making the student a passive learner. Kumon goes beyond tutoring by actively developing critical thinking skills as children progress independently through a carefully crafted math and reading curriculum. Each lesson is planned and individualized by the Center Instructor for your child(ren). The worksheets are designed to provide examples of the problems to be solved. The student is challenged to follow the example, try to solve the problem on their own and only when they’ve tried, they can ask for “help”. They are learning by doing, not watching. With long term study, problem solving skills often become second nature for Kumon students. If you browse through the Kumon Student Success Stories, you will find many examples of how the intangible skills acquired through Kumon Study can transcend to other areas of a child’s life. Eleven-year-old Jai performs in a youth orchestra and has secured the position of first violin. Morgan, also eleven years old, started a non-profit with her sister to provide treatment for patients with parasitic infections in Africa. At thirteen years old, Hargoun has achieved MVP status for his hockey team. If you read what these students have to say about Kumon, they refer to things like being introduced to goal setting, sticking to something (commitment), self-confidence and time management skills, to name a few. Would you like your child(ren) to develop any or all these skills? In the words of our founder, Mr. Toru Kumon, how about you schedule a free orientation today and “give it a try?”. You might also be interested in: 4 Ways Kumon Helps Preschoolers Develop Important Handwriting Skills This Student Learned the Power of a Routine with Kumon How One Student Learned to Love the Kumon Program How this Aspiring Hockey Pro Applies What He Learned from Kumon Intangible Skills Learned in Kumon Intangible Skills Learned in Kumon So, you’re considering enrolling your kids in Kumon. Maybe they need a little extra help in reading, or you want to get them ahead in math. What a lot of prospective Kumon Parents don’t realize is that their child(ren) will attain intangible skills throughout the program. Kumon doesn’t just develop a solid foundation in math and reading. It also cultivates important work and study skills necessary to succeed in today’s world. We combine advancing their math and reading skills with instructing them how to become even better students. The objective of Kumon is to instill in students the skills and mindset for self-learning. Through continuous Kumon study, students become self-motivated, independent problem solvers. Kumon helps children of all ages: Improve Focus and Concentration. The Kumon Program can help your child improve focus and concentration through daily practice. Your Kumon instructor will identify the “just-right level” for your child(ren), keeping the student(s) engaged and motivated. The Kumon learning materials are designed to build on a series of steps, encouraging self- learning. Cultivate Confidence. Kumon fosters confidence, self-esteem and a love of learning that can last a lifetime. The act of achieving something, no matter how big or small, gives children a sense of accomplishment. With each learning milestone, children develop a belief in their own abilities. With ongoing praise, recognition, rewards, and our curriculum, students can reach their maximum potential. Develop Time Management Skills. Because the worksheet-based program requires daily study, it can instill discipline, and time management skills in your child(ren). Each subject, math or reading, requires about 30 minutes per day. Setting that time aside daily, can become a (positive) habit. Once the habit becomes second nature, confidence and independence naturally set in. Become self-motivated, independent problem solvers. The biggest difference between Kumon and your typical tutoring service is the style of learning. A tutor often sits with a child and explains how to solve a problemâ€"making the student a passive learner. Kumon goes beyond tutoring by actively developing critical thinking skills as children progress independently through a carefully crafted math and reading curriculum. Each lesson is planned and individualized by the Center Instructor for your child(ren). The worksheets are designed to provide examples of the problems to be solved. The student is challenged to follow the example, try to solve the problem on their own and only when they’ve tried, they can ask for “help”. They are learning by doing, not watching. With long term study, problem solving skills often become second nature for Kumon students. If you browse through the Kumon Student Success Stories, you will find many examples of how the intangible skills acquired through Kumon Study can transcend to other areas of a child’s life. Eleven-year-old Jai performs in a youth orchestra and has secured the position of first violin. Morgan, also eleven years old, started a non-profit with her sister to provide treatment for patients with parasitic infections in Africa. At thirteen years old, Hargoun has achieved MVP status for his hockey team. If you read what these students have to say about Kumon, they refer to things like being introduced to goal setting, sticking to something (commitment), self-confidence and time management skills, to name a few. Would you like your child(ren) to develop any or all these skills? In the words of our founder, Mr. Toru Kumon, how about you schedule a free orientation today and “give it a try?”. You might also be interested in: 4 Ways Kumon Helps Preschoolers Develop Important Handwriting Skills This Student Learned the Power of a Routine with Kumon How One Student Learned to Love the Kumon Program How this Aspiring Hockey Pro Applies What He Learned from Kumon

ADEC, ADVETI, IAT - Whats the difference

ADEC, ADVETI, IAT - Whats the difference Abu Dhabi - and the UAE in general - is one of the most popular destinations for Teach Away educators, and the ADEC, ADVETI, and IAT programs hire hundreds of educators each year to teach in the UAE. It can be tough to keep these programs straight, so keep this quick guide handy! ADEC ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council) is Abu Dhabi’s ministry of education, the entity that oversees public school education in the emirate. Students in Abu Dhabi public schools receive English-medium education (English immersion) in certain subjects and grade levels. What positions are usually available? Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School Math, Middle School English, Middle School Science, High School Science, Vice Principal, Principal, higher level administration Do I need a teaching license? Yes What are the other requirements? All candidates for teaching positions must have a minimum of two years of experience in that specific subject and grade level. Requirements for higher level administrators vary by job, but candidates will need several years of previous experience in that position. Where are schools located? All schools are located within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain, or Al Gharbia. ADVETI The Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI) is a highly esteemed public vocational institution. Students are at the high school or university level and training in a variety of diploma or certificate programs. What positions are usually available? Many! Current job openings will always vary, but in general, expect to see the following: English, Math, Natural Sciences, Computer Sciences/Engineering, Business, Health Care, Visual Arts, and more. Do I need a teaching license? Not for most positions, although it is preferred What are other requirements? All applicants will need a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject field, and a Master’s is preferable. The academic subjects (English, Math, Science) will require a minimum of 3 years of previous teaching experience. Other vocational subjects (Health Care, Business, etc) usually require three years of experience, although this can be a mix of teaching and industry experience. Where are schools located? ADVETI institutes are located in Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain, Al Gharbia, or in the emirate of Sharjah. IAT The Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) has campuses across the United Arab Emirates. High school- and university-aged students attend for the chance to receive a career-focused technical education in a largely English environment. What positions are usually available? IAT positions include English, Math, Natural Sciences, and Computer Sciences/Engineering, as well as a varying number of specialized positions. Do I need a teaching license? No What are other requirements? Candidates will need a Bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject field (a Master’s is preferred). English, Math, and Science teachers will need at least 3 years of teaching experience at the high school or college level. Engineering teachers will need either 3 years of teaching experience or 3 years of industry experience. Where are schools located? IAT has campuses in several emirates in the UAE: Dubai, Abu Dhabi (including Abu Dhabi City and Al Ain), Ras al-Khaimah, and Fujairah.

3 Challenges English Speakers Face When Learning Chinese

3 Challenges English Speakers Face When Learning Chinese Learning a new language can always be a challenge, there are new sounds, words, and so many other things to memorise. It is one thing to learn a language that is similar to your own, but it's another thing to learn a language which is dramatically different from your own. Chinese is one of the languages that is very different from the English language. Therefore, English speakers hoping to learn Chinese can face a whole different set of challenges that an English speaker learning a similar language may not. There are some things to consider if Chinese is your language of choice. Chinese letters are completely different from English Chinese language is represented in symbols and different characters. It is not represented with English letters. For a lifelong English speaker, this might prove to be very challenging. To the trained eye and a native Chinese speaker, it's no problem. However, to someone with little experience with the Chinese language, it can be a real obstacle, since you will not only be learning a different verbal language, but also a different written language. This part of learning Chinese might very well be the most time consuming and the portion of learning that will require the most attention to detail. Picking up the dialect and accents of the language It is said that very young children, if exposed early, can later in life pick up on the different accents in different languages. As we get older the ability to do so becomes much more difficult. Listening for the dialect and accent of a new language will help you be able to speak the language appropriately. Since Chinese is so dramatically different to English, it can take an English speaker a very long time to learn how to speak the language. Putting your skills to practical use Another challenge of learning Chinese, or any language, is being able to put your skills to practical use. You may or may not live in an area with a strong Chinese population. If you are lucky enough to live in a culturally diverse area, specifically one concentrated with Chinese culture, you will be able to practice your skills with other Chinese people and Chinese speakers. If you don't live in such an area, you will find it much more challenging to use your skills. Perhaps consider forming a study group, seeking out Chinese cultural events, or making a friend who is Chinese to help you keep your language skills sharp and allowing you to practice often. Search for a CANTONESE TUTOR or a MANDARIN TUTOR.