Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Lateral Area of a Cylinder

Lateral Area of a Cylinder The lateral area of a cylinder is the area of the curved surface of the cylinder. If we unfold the lateral surface of the cylinder, we get a rectangle. The measure of the area of the rectangle is the lateral area of the cylinder. The lateral area of the cylinder can be found by using the formula L.A. = pi * r2 * h where r is the radius of the cylinder, h is the height of the cylinder Example 1: What is the lateral area of the cylinder with radius equal to 6 cm and height equal to 14 cm. Solution: Lateral area of the cylinder can be found using the formula, L.A. = pi * r2 * h = 22 / 7 * 62 * 14 L.A. = 11088 / 7 = 1584 Thus the lateral area of the given cylinder is 1584 square centimeters. Example 2: The lateral surface of a barrel in the shape of a cylinder is to be painted. The height of the barrel is 7 feet and radius is 2 feet. What is the cost of painting if cost per square foot is $1.5. Solution: The lateral area of the cylinder can be found using the formula, L.A. = pi * r2 * h = 22/7 * 22 * 7 = 616 / 7 = 88 square feet Cost of painting one square foot of the area = $ 1.5 Cost of painting the lateral surface of the cylinder = 88 * 1.5 = $132.

Friday, March 6, 2020

24 Smart Study Tips to Get an A in Spanish Class

24 Smart Study Tips to Get an A in Spanish Class Suzy S. Want to get a better grade in Spanish class? If youre struggling with homework, tests, or classroom participation, its time to figure out a strategy for success! In addition to our top tips for getting an A in Spanish class, this article will also help you learn how to study for a Spanish test without cramming. Ready for the insider secrets on how to pass Spanish with flying colors? Here are suggestions from some of the best Spanish tutors online. Study Tips for Spanish Class Spanish class isnt the time to zone out! Make the most of class time with these helpful tips. Silently answer every question that the teacher asks the class, then listen for the correct answer from your teacher. If youre constantly staying engaged by mentally  answering every question your teacher asks, youll be reinforcing grammar, vocabulary, and general fluency. Then, when you really need the answer (for example, when your teacher calls on you), the answer will already be on the tip of your tongue! Treat every class exercise like a Spanish quiz, and keep track of the answers you didnt know. A big part of studying successfully is using your time wisely. Be sure to keep track of what you dont know, so that if you only have a short time to study, you can immediately zero in on these areas. Use any extra time in class to study your vocabulary. Keeping up with memorizing Spanish vocabulary is a key method to progressing in the language. As your vocabulary list keeps growing, study it consistently, and it will be much less overwhelming. Youll become a more natural Spanish speaker, too! Ask your teacher questions when you dont understand something. The old adage about there being no stupid questions really is true. In fact, teachers love it when students ask questions, because it makes it clear to us whats still confusing to our students, so were in a better position to help them. Anytime you ask a question, youre also doing a favor to the countless other students who are wondering the same thing, but are too afraid to speak up! Teach a concept to a classmate. When a classmate doesnt understand something and youre able to explain it, do so. This helps cement the concept in your brain. Teaching someone else will help you figure out any fine points you may be still working out. If you can explain something and answer any questions that arise from your explanation, you have also maximized your understanding of the concept. Mimic your teachers Spanish accent and other natives speakers. A large part of sounding like a native speaker of a language is speaking confidently and convincingly, so envision yourself in a Spanish-speaking country, and play the part! Use your time wisely in the classroom this helps minimize your study time at home. As a student, it can be easy to fall into the hole of using class time to socialize or zone out. The smartest students, however, are those who realize that if you spend your class time in maximum focus and concentration, youll have much less work to do at home! How to Study for a Spanish Test The learning doesnt end when Spanish class gets out! Make sure you really understand how to study, especially if you have a test coming up (so you can avoid cramming). Here are the essentials. Always translate your homework to be sure you know what things mean. This is a form of studying, and it will save you time in the long run. You can translate the meaning verbally or write it down on a separate sheet of paper. Study a section of vocabulary every day, focusing on the words that were introduced in class that day. If youre having trouble memorizing some words, make flashcards for them. This ensures you wont fall behind in vocabulary memorization and have to cram before your Spanish test. Be very focused in class; you can learn most of the material just by paying close attention and staying on task. This means you will be in reviewing mode before a test instead of cramming mode. Write down grammar concepts and examples on index cards, and review them every couple days. Trying to comprehend too many Spanish grammar concepts in a short amount of time can leave you confused. This method will ensure you have plenty of time to digest each concept. How to Pass a Spanish Test Its go-time! Now that you know how to study for a Spanish test, youll be well-prepared come test day. Heres what to keep in mind as you take the test. Check to make sure your nouns and adjectives agree in number and gender. Dont forget to use the correct plural, masculine, or feminine form of the word! Your verb endings should match the subject of each verb. Be sure to double check your conjugations! Look at the previous sentence and the sentence that follows when filling in blanks. These sentences usually contain clues that as to which vocabulary word you should use. Reread your answers all the way through once youve finished the exam. If you have the time, this will save you from making simple mistakes! With each of these tips, you should be able to easily improve your grade in Spanish class. Try to implement one suggestion per week, and youll see a noticeable difference in your overall skill level! Need  some extra help with your Spanish classes? Working with a private tutor can be an excellent way to learn how to speak Spanish both in and out of  the classroom. Search for a Spanish tutor today! Post Author:  Joan B. Joan B. lives in  Carmichael, CA and has been teaching high school Spanish for more than 18 years. Joan helps students improve on tests and increase their conversational ability. Learn more about Joan here! 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 Special thanks to the following bloggers, who contributed to this list: Caleb Howard,  Señor Howard Elizabeth Detlinger,  La Clase de la Señora Detlinger Carrie Toth,  Somewhere to Share Dustin Williamson, Williamson CI TPRS Justin, SpanishPlans.org Photos by: University of Central Arkansas

What are the Benefits of Using the ACT Website

What are the Benefits of Using the ACT Website 0SHARESShare ACT website is rich with information about various aspects of the ACT exam. You can know about ‘How to improve ACT scores?’, Online ACT preparation resources, ACT registration procedure, Career streams after ACT and in general also, courses that you can take up and many other such important guidelines. The following are a few important benefits of using the ACT website: Detailed information about career streams, job analysis tools, measuring effectiveness of college success, work ready certifications, communities for career success and many more of such important topics. This information is extremely useful in making career decisions. In addition, you can always get in touch with a Tutor Pace counselor to use this information in the best possible manner. You can also find information about how to find out about college readiness, career readiness and ACT college readiness. There are various reports available on the ACT website to guide you on this. This knowledge will help you evaluate issues such as ‘when is the right time to take the ACT test?’ And How to make yourself college ready? ACT website has also published the standards on which the score range is applied for each of the SAT subject tests. This information is available for English, Mathematics, Reading, Science and Writing. Tutor pace online tutors uses ACT website and also recommends the students to use it for any information that they may need about the ACT exam. [starbox id=admin]

Thursday, March 5, 2020

What is it Like to Attend Virginia State University

What is it Like to Attend Virginia State University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Carla received her bachelors degree in computer engineering from Virginia State University. She is currently a tutor in Richmond specializing in English tutoring, geometry tutoring, Spanish tutoring, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at Virginia State University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Carla: Virginia State University has a large campus that is expanding even more every year. In my first year, 2011, I saw two new dorms in the process of construction and a new cafeteria, Gateway Cafeteria, had just been inaugurated. The year I graduated, 2014, three new dorms had been added to the expansive architecture. The campus is very safe. I never had any problem walking around at night or in the day. We used to have security issues in the past due to the campus being open to the community, but yesterday when I went there to meet with one of my students, most of the campus was fenced, and I noticed the campus police monitoring activity constantly. The campus is located in Petersburg, Virginia, which is a very underdeveloped city. However, the Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights is only five minutes away from campus, and Virginia State University transportation is provided for all students. Right next to the mall, there is a Walmart which comes in handy for stocking snacks! Tran sportation is free with your student ID card. There is a tight schedule for the buses, but they come three or four times during the day. The buses also go to other housing facilities that Virginia State University provides for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. These facilities are studios, apartments, and even hotels where students are picked up by the buses every morning. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at Virginia State University? Carla: My favorite part about Virginia State University is the faculty. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a concentration in Mathematics, and I could not have done it if it were not for the amazing support I had from all of my professors. Because Virginia State University is still relatively small compared to other institutions, our classes are closer in size to those at a community college. You still get to have one-on-one help when needed, and, most importantly, the faculty will constantly encourage you to get internships over the summer. This is the perfect environment for self-driven students, because you have absolutely all the help and tools you need to excel. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Carla:There are plenty of socialization opportunities that are promoted and encouraged all the time. The dorms are very nice, clean, and spacious. Rooms are offered as one room for two, suites of two rooms with a shared bathroom, or a single suite with a mini lounge room that has a microwave, a couch, and a mini fridge. As for the dining options, there are two cafeterias that operate daily, Gateway and Jones. On the weekends, Gateway is closed. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported at Virginia State University? Carla: Virginia State University offers many programs, some of which have grown tremendously in the last couple of years. Some of the most popular programs that Virginia State University is known for are in the agriculture and business departments. However, one of the programs that is increasingly gaining more support and reputation is engineering. I chose Virginia State University because they have a very strong partnership with NASA and VDOT, two reputable government agencies. Virginia State University also offered me a full ride, and this was one of the definitive factors that I weighed in choosing this institution over others. I always had a passion for science and chemistry, especially in the nano-engineering aspect of it. Virginia State University did not offer this program, so I knew I needed to eventually go for biochemical engineering in graduate school. Therefore, my strategy was to have an engineering background in my undergraduate years. Now that I had a plan, my new dilemma was gravitating towards which engineering major would best fit my ultimate goals. When it was time to pick one, I had a hard time making up my mind. I liked manufacturing engineering and computer engineering a lot. My main reason for finally choosing computer engineering was the fact that computer knowledge is increasingly necessary nowadays. Ha ving a computer background could help me understand computer software that every branch of engineering deals with. I also liked the idea of learning how to code. The university did an amazing job in supporting me. From day one, my professors would offer office hours and help with homework, labs, and projects. On top of the faculty assistance, I had access to the computer labs even over the weekend if I needed to use MATLAB, SOLIDWORKS, or any other software program. Finally, the engineering department would provide internships led and taught by the faculty every summer for those students who were freshmen and may still have a hard time getting hands-on experience. Also, every year, four to six students were chosen to work at NASA on a current NASA project. Needless to say, the idea of doing something for NASA is amazing on its own! Unfortunately, I was not eligible to be part of this due to my international student status, but my professors offered me a research assistant position. 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? Carla: I did not start at Virginia State University as a freshman. I transferred from Northern Virginia Community College, so my classification was sophomore. However, I was excited to make friends, and I did right away. I also joined two organizations, IEEE and NSBE, and I played a leadership role in them from the start. This gave me an opportunity to engage with campus activities and network with professionals all over the nation. Greek life does play a significant role on campus, though I never got involved. They have campus parades and work along with athletes to promote our sports and games to the community. Greek societies also have a great impact on the local community. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Carla: I never got actively involved with the Career Center, but all of my friends used their services to write their resumes and cover letters. The Career Center staff would come every spring semester and introduced themselves to all of us, offered us their help, and coordinated workshops on interviewing skills, elevator pitches, etc. Many reputable companies came to our career fairs. From the engineering point of view, we had Lockheed Martin, NASA, Boeing, the CIA, the FBI, and many others. Many of my friends got hired right away once they graduated. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Carla: The library has a basement and two floors. The basement is pretty crowded sometimes, especially when midterms and finals are just around the corner. This floor is crowded mostly because it has 24/7 access to a computer lab and printers. However, the library has many other sections where it is quiet and easy to study, especially on the second floor. Dorm lounges can be crowded, but most of the time they are not too bad. If one lounge is crowded, you can walk to the next, and it is probably not bad. Describe the surrounding town at Virginia State University. Carla: Like I mentioned before, there is a neighboring mall, the Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights. This mall has a Macys, JCPenney, Regal Cinemas, Dicks Sporting Goods, and many other great places to shop. There are also grocery stores like Walmart, Target, Sams Club, and a few others. There are restaurants like Olive Garden, Applebees, Ruby Tuesday, Texas Roadhouse, IHOP, and many others. Students go to these places all the time. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Carla: My classes in sophomore year were about 20-30 students. However, my senior classes were a lot smaller, with about 15 students in most of them. I was very pleased to have a one-on-one relationship with my professors and a closer connection with my peers. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Carla: My most memorable experience was in my senior year. I was determined to build a robot for our senior design project, but I had to figure out what it was going to be. My best friend and I became really close friends with some international students from Brazil. Because most of them were either in computer science or computer engineering, we were able to create a team for this project. At the time, I was chair of the IEEE chapter at Virginia State University, so I knew of their annual Southeast Conference, where up to 50 to 60 universities compete in many areas of engineering: robotics, programming, web development, ethics in engineering, etc. This was our perfect excuse to be funded by the university to participate in the robotics competition and to still work on our senior design project. It was an intense year that helped me and everyone else learn a lot. From technical things to teamwork skills and communication, it was an incredible experience. It also helped me gain more c onfidence in myself, and strengthened my belief that where there is a will, there is always a way. Check out Carlas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

IELTS English Sports Vocabulary - Sports Expressions and Words

IELTS English Sports Vocabulary - Sports Expressions and Words The following short text includes many words from the IELTS Sports vocabulary. You can find some of the words explained at the end of this text. If you scroll down further, you will also find English Phrasal Verbs related to Sports.Scroll down and watch a video lesson that will help you learn verbs for talking about SPORTS in English. Sport is one of the most popular topics discussed by men and women all over the world. Sport is an important   event or past time to improve our health and help us to forget about the stresses and strains of our busy lives. We also like to get our children involved as early as possible so that they too can benefit from an activity that they may well continue into their adult lives. Most sports are done by people in an amateur capacity and only in their recreation time after work or at weekends.However, professional sport is a big money business all over the world with sports such as Football, Golf, Tennis and Baseball offering big paydays for those gifted participants. Spectators of these sports also generate large amounts of money when they attend the games and buy replica jerseys and other  memorabilia connected with those sports.The pinnacle of an athletes career is to participate in some of the   worlds’ biggest sport events. These can include the Olympic games (both Summer an d Winter games), the football world cup and the major tennis and golf competitions held throughout the year. Athletes often   train for many years in preparation for such tests and the make huge personal sacrifices in an attempt to achieve their goal. The award of a “big cheque” is usually of secondary importance to the prize of lifting a trophy hearing the crowd cheer them on or indeed breaking a record. Competing against a clock or defending their number one position against other contestants is often the only motivation needed. IELTS Sports Vocabulary Words and Phrases Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next Sports Vocabulary Words MEMORABILIAItems linked to a sport that people like to collect such as jerseys, bats, photos, caps etcex. He attended his first baseball game on his visit to America. He went to the gift shop and bought some memorabilia connected to the game.SPECTATORSpeople who watch a sport.ex. The game was a sell-out. The organisers were expecting a full house. Approx 20,000 spectators were expected to turn up on the night.AMATEURA person who takes part in a sport and receives no money or payment.ex. He liked to play football with his friends at the weekend. They played for fun, they were amateurs and did not take it too seriously.TO BREAK A RECORDTo beat a previous time in a sporting event. The time has to be recognised and accepted by the people who control that particular sport.ex. The sprint record had stood for 4 years. However, on the last day of the games he ran a really fast time and broke the record by 1 second. The time was confirmed by the marshalls and was an official new world record. Sports Vocabulary Words TO CHEER ONTo shout, cheer and support your team or sporting hero.ex. John went with his father to watch the game and cheer on his local team in the cup final.  Other Sports Vocabulary words you need to know:UMPIRES (REFEREES)These are similar roles in most sports. They are the  officials  usually in the centre  of the field who ensure that the rules are obeyed and followed and to ensure both teams play fairly.In English football the main official is referred to as a  referee  and he has  two assistants  (referees assistants)  who run along the lines and a  fourth official  off the field who is responsible for the time keeping, substitutes etc.In American baseball the officials are referred to as  umpires. In American football the officials are also called  referees or judges  and in English cricket there are  2 umpires  on the field at all times.ex. The umpire told her that she was 5 minutes late and she was getting 2 penalty points.TROPHIESthese are the prizes teams or individuals compete for in their different sports. Trophies can also be referred to as  Cups, silverware, plates  and in one sport the winner is awarded a  green jacket  to wear. So normally in English football teams play in several competitions each year and the winner of each competition receives a trophy known as a cup.  The FA cup,  for example. Traditionally,  the winning team fills it with Champagne and each of the winning team enjoy a drink from it.In other sports the trophy may have a different shape. For example,  in Wimbledon (Tennis)  the winners receive a large circular trophy in the shape of a  plate or shield.FOOTBALL PITCH BADMINTON/SQUASH/TENNIS COURTthe surface where these sports are playedFOOTBALL FAN or SUPPORTERA  person who supports a particular football team, attends all the games and usually cheers up loudly. Since 1960s British football fans have a bad reputation around the world and often are referred to as “hoolifans” a mix of hooligans and fans.PERSONAL BESTYou have achieved the best result so far in a particular sportex. He achieved his personal best time for the 800 metres.BLOW THE COMPETITION AWAYEffortlessly win a competitionex. In their first year they literally blew the competition away at every level.THE MATCH WAS FIXEDThe result of the match have been already predetermined, one of the teams (or athletes) were paid to lose the match. Sports Phrasal Verbs TO DROP OUTTo leave a race or competitionYou can also drop out of college or university.TO GIVE UPStop doing, trying to do somethingTO WARM UPTo take gentle exercise to prepare for somethingTO GAIN ONTo get nearer to someone/somebody one is chasingTO CATCH UPTo reach somebody ahead of you by hurryingTO SAIL THROUGHTo pass something easilyTO BREAK AWAY FROMTo stop being part of something. To break away from the competition, for example. Verbs for talking about SPORTS in English - Video Lesson

Noncount Nouns Video and Exercise

Noncount Nouns Video and Exercise Noncount nouns, or uncountable nouns in English are nouns that dont have a plural form, and literally cannot be counted, at least in the normal way. Native English speakers know which nouns are noncount instinctively, but most people learning the language have to study the rules a little to understand.For instance, you cannot say, Give me 2 breads. Bread is a noncount noun. To count it, you have to divide it into a unit, so you can say, Give me two slices of bread, Give me two loaves of bread, or Give me a piece of bread.The video below will explain the different kinds of noncount nouns. After the video try the exercise.All but one of the sentences below contains a mistake with noncount nouns. Find the mistakes and correct them. If you write your answers in comments, we will respond.Example:Can I have a bread please? = Can I have some bread please? (also: Can I have a slice of bread please? Can I have a loaf of bread please?).1. Our plane has arrived, but we cannot find our baggages. 2. I need sugars to make this cake.3. Dont forget to pack all of the equipments.4. He only has 2 furnitures in the house.5. Go to the store and buy some meat, please. Marco 1. Our plane has arrived, but we cannot find our baggage.2. I need some sugar to make this cake.3. Don’t forget to pack all of the equipment.4. He only has 2 furniture in the house.5. Go to the store and buy some meat, please. LOIEnglish You had some difficulty with number 4. Furniture is uncountable. It needs the word pieces added to it. He only has 2 pieces of furniture in his house. Furniture is a category and usually categories are uncountable. For example: clothes or food. I hope this helps!

Listen Up The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a Language

Listen Up The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a Language Its time to get back on the right track.As an adult, you might find it frustrating to struggle with language learning while  young kids become fluent just like that  .Youve probably heard people  say, Kids absorb knowledge like a sponge.So why cant it be that easy for you?Well actually, it sort of can.Maybe not exactly as easy, but close to it.Back when your vocabulary was limited to mama and dada, listening  was how you learned new words and phrases.Anything you overheard, your brain soaked up, and eventually you repeated it back.The same method will work for you as an adult, because that’s how your brain is wired to learn a language. There are plenty of other benefits to learning a language through listening, too. Why Learn a Language Through Listening?Learning a language by listening can greatly improve your success in speaking like a native and the speed at which you achieve your language goals.Lets take a look at some of the reasons for this.Some of us just learn better that wayDo you learn best by listening?If so, youre not the only one. A lot of us are the same.While some learn most efficiently by reading books and using flashcards, others are more attuned to aural learning (just a fancy term for learning by listening).For these people, using an audio CD or MP3 program is one of their best bets for becoming fluent.  It’s also a great way to practice speaking the language by responding to audio prompts.In fact, for people who learn best by listening, using other methods can be quite frustrating!So if you know youre an aural learner, don’t worryâ€"there are plenty of resources out there for you, even if your brain is a little slower than when you were three years old.Its a scientifically proven way to learn a language (for all of us)According to science, listening may be the best way to learn a language for everyone, regardless of their usual preferred language style.So its not just those who consider themselves aural learners who can benefit from listening. The rest of us can, too.Studies have shown that being exposed to the spoken language helps the brain absorb it,  even if you don’t understand what’s being said!Research on how the brain processes language has led to the revelation that hearing a language could very well be the most important aspect of a language learning curriculum. It helps our brains adapt to unfamiliar pronunciations and new grammar structures.We may even be able to learn a language in our sleep just by listening to it!Still, you probably already know that learning a language takes a lot of time and dedication, so its important to know youre putting in time and energy where its going to pay off the most. Its good to realize that learning by listening is sure to bring about results.There are lots of great resources out thereIf an aural language learning experience is what gets you to fluency, then audio CD and MP3 programs are the resources that can take you there. In these programs, you hear words , phrases and sentences spoken to you. Practices and exercises give you the opportunity to use  them yourself. These lessons increase in difficulty and complexity in a natural progression.This provides you with constant feedback about how to properly pronounce words and create sentence structures.The best thing about audio programs is that you can start learning by listening at any level. No experience in the language? No problem! By listening to audio resources, your brain will start to pick it up right away.You can easily mix audio with other methodsWhile listening may be a scientifically proven key to learning a language, combining audio programs with other methods will give your brain an extra boost.A comprehensive language learning curriculum may also include textbooks, written exercises, in-person language practice, TV programs, computer tutorials and others.FluentU  combines audio with elements of all of the above by taking real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailer s, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turning them into personalized language learning lessons.Using a combination of different approaches forces you think about language in different ways. It helps you master the breadth of language skills, from writing to participating in real conversation. Try different approaches and see what works for you. It’s not necessary to do everythingâ€"just what helps you make progress learning the language.You can learn at home, during your commute or on the goLearning a language using audio CD and MP3 programs is one of the most convenient ways to boost your fluency. You can listen to them practically anywhereâ€"whether it’s in the car, during your workout or while doing chores around the house.Bored on your commute? Waiting in line at the DMV? Sitting at home with nothing better to do? Turn on your audio language program and get learning! If you have a CD player, or a mobile device that plays MP3s, you can make the most of your do-nothing time with t hese programs.Even if youre just passively listening, your brain will still pick up the language. So if you want to learn a new language, you may as well listen to your audio language programs whenever you find yourself idle. You may be surprised how much learning you can squeeze in!Listen Up: The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a LanguageAt last, we reveal the top audio language learning programs that will skyrocket you to fluency! We carefully considered the options and selected these resources for their value, effectiveness and entertainment.These audio resources are highly valuable for any type of learner. In order to really understand a language, you have to practice your ability to hear it and speak it, which are exactly the skills that audio programs test you on.So listen up, and start acing your language now with audio language learning programs!PimsleurThe gist of the Pimsleur approach is this:You hear the words and phrases in the target language.You hear them in your mo ther tongue.You translate the word from your mother tongue to the target language.The course is based on research by Paul Pimsleur, a linguist who sought to discover the fastest way to learn a language. The length of each course varies from around 15 to 45 hours, depending on the language. The courses are broken up into half-hour sessions. Nearly everything is audio-based, and even the provided reading material is meant to be read along with the audio lessons. More than 50 languages are offered.Pros: With the Pimsleur method, the pressure is on you to respond with the correct translations. This provides a built-in motivation system that inspires you to do better with every attempt. The material from previous lessons is repeated in subsequent levels, so there’s a lot of reinforcement.Cons: There’s limited context provided in the lessons. Most of the vocabulary seems to be oriented toward people traveling for business. Youll learn select words and phrases, but not necessarily thos e that would be most useful to you.Levels:  There are typically up to three or four levels, with 30 lessons per level.Cost:  Price varies by language and format. German, for example, is $450 for a four-level course on MP3 ($970 on CD). All prices are listed on the Pimsleur website.iSpeakiSpeak is an MP3 language learning program from McGraw-Hill that focuses simply on learning new words. The package for each language includes 1500 high-frequency words and phrases, all in MP3 format. Each comes with a visual cue to associate with the word that appears on the screen.Simply load the program onto your MP3 player and select the word or phrase you want to hear. On an iPod, youd find this by going to “Artist” and selecting from a list of themes, then to “Audio” and selecting from a list of topics.Pros: iSpeak is compatible with iPod and most other MP3 players, so no matter your preference of device, you can use iSpeak to help you with your listening skills in the target language. T he portability and simplicity of the program make it a perfect choice for travelers.Cons: The program is limited, with just 1500 words and phrases. It doesnt do much for improving grammar and building conversation skills. There are only a handful of languages available. Still, it’s a convenient way to pick up new terms in select languages, especially if youre a beginner.Levels:  There are no distinct levels. Programs focus mainly on beginning-level vocabulary.Cost:  Programs are reasonably priced.Michel ThomasThis audio-only method provides an opportunity to learn from a “teacher” who reads a lesson and asks you to repeat it. Youre “in class” with two other students also heard on the recording. The course introduces words and phrases that are explained in detail, which you later (along with the other two students) use to construct simple sentences. The total course for each language consists of 12 hours of audio.Michel Thomas was a linguist and language teacher who spoke m any languages and developed a system for rapid language learning. He was highly successful, with diplomats and celebrities numbering among his clients. These audio CDs are based on his methods.Pros: Because there are other students recorded on the lessons, you get to feel like youre really in class, and the progression seems natural. The Michel Thomas method is a more economical alternative to the Pimsleur method. The structure of the course gives you the tools to make real conversation in a short time.Cons: The Michel Thomas method uses a lot of mnemonic devices to help you remember words and phrases. If this doesnt work for you, it may seem tedious. For some, the pace might be too slow, since it’s dependent on the progress of the other two “students.”Levels:  There are no distinct levels, but the program progresses to intermediate difficulty.Cost:  The entire series of each language will run you about $75-100.Living Language Drive TimeThe Living Language Method prides itself on giving language lessons that involve multiple senses. Its regular offerings include CDs and a book in multilevel packages that encompass audio, visual, written and interactive approaches to language learning. The company’s Drive Time series is an audio-based program designed for commuters and anyone looking for language lessons on the go.Each language comes with eight conversational lessons that guide you through vocabulary warm-up exercises, examples and opportunities to practice. You also get a CD of vocabulary words and a listener’s guidebook with vocabulary lists, dialogue scripts and summaries.Pros: The Drive Time series gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Youll progress rapidly through increasingly challenging lessons for a fraction of the price of many other programs. If you like thorough explanations of new material, this course is for you.Cons: It’s not as immersive as some other programs. The structure is very traditional, and with the explanations, there’s a lot of English on the recordings. Some learners may find the pace to be a little on the fast side.Levels: The entire eight-disc series take you from Beginner to Advanced.Cost:  The price is generally in the double digits.BerlitzA well-known name in the linguistic world, Berlitz offers a variety of language learning programs, including those that focus on audio CDs. The focus of their programs are typically conversation-based and centered around real-life conversation. Theres less focus on vocabulary and grammar lists.Berlitz has one-CD sets, like  Spanish in 30 Days, that can get you started for an upcoming trip, as well as multi-CD sets like  Italian Berlitz Basic  that give more in-depth lessons. The contents of each CD can be easily downloaded to an iPod or MP3 player.Pros: There are a lot of different Berlitz products to choose from. Using Berlitz means youll be able to get high-quality books published by the company to complement your audio learning. Berlitz uses the “direc t” or “natural” method that emphasizes learning a language to be able to communicate. For those who want to start using a language right away, Berlitz gets straight to the point.Cons: The quality of the materials on the audio language programs can vary from language to language. With more than 30 language offerings, you might not get what you expected.Levels: Most of their audio-focused products are for beginners. Their Confident series caters to “advanced beginners.” Their textbooks, which come with a CD, come in beginner to advanced levels.Cost:  Price varies widely, but expect to spend in the double digits.Audio CDs and MP3s for language learning can be the next best thing to a personal tutor.Theyll talk to you, prompt you and guide you along as you master speaking your new language. Plus, you can take them wherever you go!Your language learning doesnt have to stop in the classroom or at home.Take it with you, increase your practice time and see your efforts pay off!And One More ThingIf you dig learning real languages, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you ’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.

Following your dreams Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi

Following your dreams Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi Following your dreams: Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi “Sometimes there really is a whole other world out there, waiting to be discovered.” Escaping the Clouds by Roohi Sanka The most serendipitous moments can sometimes open possibilities beyond our imagination. When Roohi was six years old, an author visited her school and Roohi made up her mind to become a writer. As many parents know, aspirations are as fleeting as each new experience enters a child’s life. Roohi stayed true to her dream and at age nine, her first book, Escaping the Clouds was published. Her parents enrolled her in the Kumon Math and Reading Program to enrich her academic studies. “My Kumon Instructor made sure I was doing my work at a good pace for me and she made sure that I understood my (Kumon) homework,” says Roohi.   Now at age 10 and three years into Kumon, she’s two years above her grade level in both math and reading. “Kumon definitely contributed towards developing her time management and study skills,” said Anu Ganith, her Kumon Instructor. Publishing a book wasn’t her only landmark accomplishment. Roohi performed in a Bollywood troupe and danced at the NBA Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons game in 2015. Also in 2015, she and her team won second place in the Purdue University Indiana Academic Spell Bowl and fourth place in the Indiana State Spell Bowl. She also enjoys playing the piano, swimming, devotional singing, and foreign language classes, all while getting straight A’s in every subject at school. Roohi, a budding philanthropist, plans to donate a portion of her book sales to the Indianapolis Soup Kitchen, where she volunteers each month to prepare and serve food to those in need. Additionally, along with a group of school students, she makes origami, mini portfolios and dry erase games boards. The sales proceeds go to the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation. Roohi has her sights set on becoming a doctor. With a curious mind and great grades as a bonus, Roohi is well on her way to achieving all of her dreams. You might also be interested in: Meet Michael, a 12-year-old Studying Advanced Algebra after One Year in Kumon Meet Etash, a Kumon Program Completer Who is Using his Technology Skills to Teach Kids to Code Meet Tiffany, at 14-years-old, She Speaks Four Languages Meet Oliver, an Aquarist with Aspirations of Becoming a Marine Biologist Following your dreams Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi Following your dreams: Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi “Sometimes there really is a whole other world out there, waiting to be discovered.” Escaping the Clouds by Roohi Sanka The most serendipitous moments can sometimes open possibilities beyond our imagination. When Roohi was six years old, an author visited her school and Roohi made up her mind to become a writer. As many parents know, aspirations are as fleeting as each new experience enters a child’s life. Roohi stayed true to her dream and at age nine, her first book, Escaping the Clouds was published. Her parents enrolled her in the Kumon Math and Reading Program to enrich her academic studies. “My Kumon Instructor made sure I was doing my work at a good pace for me and she made sure that I understood my (Kumon) homework,” says Roohi.   Now at age 10 and three years into Kumon, she’s two years above her grade level in both math and reading. “Kumon definitely contributed towards developing her time management and study skills,” said Anu Ganith, her Kumon Instructor. Publishing a book wasn’t her only landmark accomplishment. Roohi performed in a Bollywood troupe and danced at the NBA Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons game in 2015. Also in 2015, she and her team won second place in the Purdue University Indiana Academic Spell Bowl and fourth place in the Indiana State Spell Bowl. She also enjoys playing the piano, swimming, devotional singing, and foreign language classes, all while getting straight A’s in every subject at school. Roohi, a budding philanthropist, plans to donate a portion of her book sales to the Indianapolis Soup Kitchen, where she volunteers each month to prepare and serve food to those in need. Additionally, along with a group of school students, she makes origami, mini portfolios and dry erase games boards. The sales proceeds go to the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation. Roohi has her sights set on becoming a doctor. With a curious mind and great grades as a bonus, Roohi is well on her way to achieving all of her dreams. You might also be interested in: Meet Michael, a 12-year-old Studying Advanced Algebra after One Year in Kumon Meet Etash, a Kumon Program Completer Who is Using his Technology Skills to Teach Kids to Code Meet Tiffany, at 14-years-old, She Speaks Four Languages Meet Oliver, an Aquarist with Aspirations of Becoming a Marine Biologist