The Most Amazing Places for Wildlife Photography

The Most Amazing Places for Wildlife Photography Practise Wildlife Photography in these Amazing Locales ChaptersReelfoot Lake, TennesseePhotographing Wildlife at the PolesThe Galapagos IslandsPhotograph the Wild Animals of BorneoPhotograph the ‘Big Five’ in AfricaGiant Pandas in the Chengdu ReservePhotographing the Canadian Brown BearHave you ever flipped through National Geographic or some other nature magazine and wondered how the photographer got close enough to take such a clear shot of the animal s/he photographed?Or were you taken away by the breathless expanse of Antarctica's penguin colony, of which a single puffin, nestled between its parents, commanded the photographer’s lens?In the mountains and by the streams; on plateaus, highlands and in seemingly barren deserts; even in our oceans, our world is full of beauty and creatures begging to be seen.That subtle, wistful longing whispers through photography clubs and major publishing enterprises alike but only those with an ear tuned to the craving heed the call to venture forth and photograph.Are you among those numbers?Do you, too, wish to see for yourself whether a seal’s pelt truly looks luxurious, a tiger’s stripes are indeed symmetrical and whether elephants in fact do revisit their ancestors’s graves?Your desire to understand, see and capture the animal world could take you to places of terrible beauty; it is our pleasure to highlight just a few of them for you. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsReelfoot La ke, Tennessee Reelfoot Lake is a place of haunting beauty and eagle pairs. Source: Wikipedia Credit: Jeremy AHugging the northwest corner of this US state, Reelfoot Lake is a treasure for anyone pursuing landscape photography as well as those who photograph wildlife.Reelfoot Lake is known both for its bald cypress trees and for being the winter home of bald eagles.As legend tells it, a Native American warrior wanted to marry a woman from another tribe but was forbidden to. He nevertheless captured his bride and ran away with her.Upon hearing of this treachery, the Devil grew so angry he stomped his foot on the soil where the warrior lived. The nearby river rose up to flood the land and, when that water receded, a shallow footprint lake remained.In fact, this part-marsh, part-bayou natural lake is one of the bald eagles’ favourite winter nesting homes.  They start migrating from the north sometime in late November and, unlike other raptor birds, will mate as early as February.Time to plan for: so metime between November and May.Wildlife to photograph: beavers, eagles and deer.If you don’t mind going a bit further, to the neighbouring town of Kenton, you could also photograph white squirrels.Photographing Wildlife at the PolesRecently, scientists were appalled to discover plastic embedded in what they thought was the world’s last pristine wilderness.For all that they are remote and have exposure to some of the most extreme conditions on the planet â€" and are now afflicted with plastic waste, the North and South Poles support an amazing abundance of life.Among other species, we find penguin colonies and   curiously-engineered fish in Antarctica and bears, arctic foxes and hares on the globe’s northern cap.Those creatures make either of the poles dream destinations for new as well as seasoned wildlife photographers.Note: if you do plan to head to one of the poles to take pictures of wildlife there, be sure to plan your trip carefully; it takes a bit more preparation to t ake photographs of animals in such extreme conditions!The Galapagos IslandsAs one of the most biologically diverse regions of the planet, this archipelago is home to species found nowhere else on earth.Best of all, because they have been protected for over a century, the wildlife does not see humans as predators; they are completely unafraid of us!What can you photograph in the Galapagos that you cannot take a picture of anywhere else?You may catch a hawk in flight in any nature reserve but Galapagos hawks are unique. Endemic to just a few of the islands, capturing the image of such a raptor would be a rare treat!The same could be said for the short-eared owl and the Galapagos mockingbird.If you are more into ground-level creatures, you can capture a giant tortoise or any of the colourful species of iguanas.Although wildlife there is abundant and not shy at all, you may still want to bring your bean bag camera rest or, if you really want to do Galapagos properly, bring your tripod w ith its gimbal so you can move your camera as needed.Find out what other equipment you should bring with you on a photoshoot... Challenge your photography skills with the Borneo orangutan Source: Wikipedia Credit: Frank Woutersthird-largest island, located just at the edge of the Pacific ocean, is home to a wide variety of unique animals to photograph.There, you may concentrate on photographing only orangutans or you could widen your focus to include gibbons and proboscis monkeys.If bird photography is more to your liking, only on Borneo could you find a red-breasted partridge or a mountain serpent-eagle. Imagine entering those shots in a photography contest!What about macro photography?If you wanted to try your talent at capturing the smallest creatures, the Borneo Rainforest is an amazing ecosystem where you could find (and shoot) a huge assortment of insects, many of them in the same general area.Also, if you wanted to cross disciplines and try your hand at nature photography, you could not do much better than in Borneo.Photograph the ‘Big Five’ in AfricaThis could hardly be called a list of amazing pl aces to photograph wildlife if we left off Africa.The Big Five we refer to are elephants, buffalo, black rhino, lion and leopard, all of which make their home in the Kalahari national reserve.If you had your heart set on capturing big cats like the cheetah or leopard, you can find them there, too.However, if you wanted to photograph a herd of elephants, wilderbeest or zebra, you would have to plan a trip to the Serengeti.The world’s second-largest continent has such a diversity of life, you may find yourself returning to capture it on film (or memory card) again and again.Giant Pandas in the Chengdu ReserveDid you know that the giant panda is considered a living fossil? They have been around for thousands of years. With an average lifespan of only 20 years, that is a remarkable statistic.Even more remarkable is the fact that there are fewer than 2,000 of them left.These solitary, reclusive animals are far from the fun, cuddly creatures they are portrayed to be but every bit as pho togenic.The Chengdu research base is one of the world’s foremost conservation projects. They have worked extensively to study and preserve this amazing animal... and now they’ve opened their park to permit viewing and photographing them.It’s best to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon as that is when the pandas are most active.You should bring your telephoto lens and tripods because, as you walk through the park, you will come upon pandas lounging in trees or in the underbrush.As well as the renown black and white giant pandas, you will see red pandas â€" a relative of the raccoon, and a generous population of birds and insects, all available for you to photograph.Here too, you may consider taking pictures of the panda’s natural habitats; the bamboo forest is magnificent!And, if you have a bit of extra time, you may want to dash over to nearby Le Shan to take pictures of the world’s largest Buddha statue.True, it’s not wildlife but it is outdoor photography and the statue, carved out of the mountainside, is quite remarkable to behold. Can you see the resemblance between raccoons and red pandas? Image by Pexels from PixabayPhotographing the Canadian Brown BearLike the panda, Canada’s bear population has somehow gotten a reputation for being adorable and cuddly. We don’t recommend you putting those ideas to the test.On the other hand, packing your photography gear and heading to Canada is advised.Canada is home not just to the brown bear but also grizzly bears, black bears and the unique kermode bear, also known as the Spirit Bear because of its white fur.Like the white squirrels mentioned earlier, these bears are neither albino nor are they related to polar bears, which you can also find in Canada.Apart from grizzlies, which will attack rather than retreat when confronted, bears are generally fairly shy creatures, preferring to avoid conflict... unless they are hungry, it is mating season or they are protecting their cubs.For safety’s sake, it would be best to stay out of the bears’ habitat.Photographing th em from a distance with a super-long lens and setting your camera’s shutter speed accordingly could still yield an image worthy of entry into a photo contest.Ours is a magnificent world full of amazing creatures; in fact, we’ve not even touched on underwater photography in this article even though there too are breathtaking life forms.For all of you combing the earth to bring us images of seldom-seen creatures: thank you for photographing them and sharing your work. We wish we could go with you.If we failed to mention your favourite place in the whole world to photograph animals, we would love to hear from you.For all of you only just beginning as a wildlife photographer: we hope this short list of amazing destinations gives you a place to start.Now pick up on these tips and tricks to becoming the best wildlife photographer.

9 Must-Read Career Books for Professionals - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 9 Must-Read Career Books for Professionals - Introvert Whisperer 9 Must-Read Career Books for Professionals Who does not want to be successful in life? But success does not come easy. It comes only to the most dedicated and the perseverant of professionals. No, you do not have to be a workaholic to taste success in your career. A professional has to be sincere and hardworking enough and most importantly, he or she should be alert and dynamic. Many of the young professionals these days fret about the wrong things in life. As a result, their work suffers, and they end up being depressed. What I have noticed is that this young generation is very impatient. Professional life is not a click away, and success never has a shortcut. In school, you could turn to someone and ask them, “Could you do my assignment for me?” But in your work life, there is no such shortcut available. There are several other aspects of life that make us better professionals and help us have a successful career. Although you can resort to a life coach or a career counselor, books can be your best friend too. There are several books that can guide and inspire you to become a great professional. These books will help you tap your potential and will help you make it big in your career. If you are dreaming of making it big in your professional life, then here are nine career books that are sure to give your professional life a boost.   1. So Good They Cant Ignore You by Cal Newport This book is a gem of a book that tells you more than the flowery aspects of professional life. Quite often, you will find books that will just give you a heads up and motivate you to take the plunge but will refrain from telling you about the dark secret of the world that awaits you out there. Being an author and a professor, Cal Newport reveals and talks about the many hurdles that you will have to pass before you taste success in your field. While inspiring you to follow your dream, he warns you about the reality of the world too. So that once you find your passion, you do not have to look behind again. It teaches you how to survive in the rat race and be brilliant in what you do, so that your efforts do not go unnoticed. 2. Zero to One by Peter Thiel Peter Thiel, a legendary entrepreneur and an investor in startups is the best person to tell you how to make it big as a young entrepreneur. The world is advancing towards better dawn where young entrepreneurs are achieving beyond the conventions and replacing some of the Wall Street gurus. The book serves as a concise guide and will tell you the formulas to establish a game-changing business. 3. How to Win Friends Influence People by Dale Carnegie A favorite among professionals for a long time, several career coaches recommend this book for its treasure box of wisdom. Written by Carnegie, the book gives us an insight into the more subtle working that goes in inside an office. The book talks about the human interactions and the meaning behind it. In the end, Carnegie tells you how to understand human behavior and use it to your benefit to emerge as the leader. The language used in the book is personal, and you can connect to it despite the fact that the book dates back to the time of the Great Depression. 4. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg We already know how difficult it for a woman to survive in a workplace. With all the sexism and the patriarchy around, women can barely breathe in their professional life, let alone climb up the ladder of success. But most often, what we forget is that a woman herself can be her enemy and can, therefore, hamper her work. Lean In tells all the young women professionals out there that despite the bias and favoritism, women can be great leaders and influencers too. Through brilliant storytelling, Sandberg picks out instances from her own life and sites them as examples to tell you how to achieve professional progress. 5. Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath Most of us suffer from an inferiority complex which makes us magnify our flaws. Tom Rath’s Strengths Finder 2.0 reminds us of the potential each one of us has that can help us to soar higher to gain career success. The book motivates you and tells you to focus on your qualities and what you are good at, instead of spending time assessing your weaknesses. The book gives you a much-needed morale boost, and the book helps young professionals in determining their strengths and teaches them to convert their strengths into action. If you are feeling lost about selecting a job that you think is the right one for you, then this book is a must-read for you. 6. Getting Things Done by David Allen This book is an absolute personal favorite, and Ill tell you why! If you are just a college graduate and have started working very recently, then this book is ideal for you. Allen who has been working for Essayassignmenthelp.com.au tells you about the basics of the professional life that however trifling it might seem to be; it can help you have a satisfying life. From how to be better at time management, to maintaining work-home harmony, the book has it all. The author tells you what to do and what not to do, so that you can achieve your goals on time. 7. Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader by Herminia Ibarra When you start your career, it is crucial that you start with the right mindset. It is in your early stages, that you develop your take on leadership and success. The book Act like a Leader is just the right kind of a career book that gives you advice on all the things that may help you in having a better work life. The book will inspire you to achieve success and satisfaction in a rapidly evolving workplace. As the name suggests, the book by Ibarra will train your mind to think like a leader so that you realize the potential that you have within you. 8. Unfinished Business by Anne-Marie Slaughter Former director of policy planning for the US State Department under Hillary Clinton, Anne-Marie Slaughter talks about how difficult it is to achieve a balanced life in between work and home. She cites examples from her own life too. She has been a constant supporter of the protection of rights of women workers, and her book is just about that â€" the struggle of a woman at her workplace. The book talks about how to establish gender equality and how a woman can make work-life harmony a possible thing. 9. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson Steve Jobs is a name that is an epitome of success. Now which person does not want to become like him? In the biography, Isaacson talks about what made Jobs tick. When you read about Jobs, you will find how important it is to change in order to keep up with the fast-paced world. This book is sure to inspire you and make you dream big. After a read, you will want to give it your all to achieve what Jobs had. The fact that Jobs was turned down by several investors before he went on to become the magnate that he is will give you a much-needed morale boost.   Professional life is hard. But the above career books act as mans best friends and save you from the stress and give you some valuable insight into the mechanics of a workplace. These books will train you in a way that nothing can stop you from attaining success in life. So what are you waiting for? Get hold of these books and set yourself to conquer the world! Good luck, you young gun! Author Bio: Nathan William is a writer and an editor who also provides assignment help and all other kinds of homework help to students through MyAssignmentHelp.com. Besides being a voracious reader, he loves to backpack around the world. Bonus suggestion:   Accelerate Your Career (Even with a Bad Boss) by Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

How To Improve Your MCAT Score

How To Improve Your MCAT Score The MCAT is the cornerstone of your entire med school application process. Its where your acceptance conversation begins. And it may be the most important factor in your application. You can actually improve your MCAT score. Its not easy, but it can be done. The following tips can help: Practice tests: Youve probably heard it before, but this is THE BEST WAY to improve your MCAT score. Practicing helps your brain organize and structure its thinking around the format and rigor of the MCAT. Practice tests can also rapidly improve your speed, allowing you to answer more questions. Click here for free practice tests from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Pace your practice tests: The way you practice can make a huge difference. Try to take one practice test a week, every week preferably every Saturday morning because thats when youre going to take your real test. Its the same idea as cramming for a test versus studying in smaller increments. Pacing yourself gives your brain a chance to learn and process the information presented on the MCAT, rather than memorizing concepts and patterns. Maintain consistency: Your brain likes sameness; so try to emulate the real test as much as possible. Take full-length practice tests when you can. Also do not take breaks longer than youre given on the test and take the test at the same time in the morning. Do this for 12 weeks, and you will boost your mental endurance. Then you will begin to see rapid improvements. Answer every question: There is no penalty for an incorrect answer; so make sure you have an answer to every multiple choice question before time runs out. If youre going to flat-out guess, select B or C because there are more correct answers for those options. Learn howMCAT tutorscan help you improve your chances of acceptance into a top med school. Do not dwell on questions: Youre not going to get every question right. So, dont spend lots of time on challenging questions. If its a tough, time-consuming question you may not even get it right in the first place. Answer the easier, less time-intensive questions first; then move on to the more difficult ones. Use a MCAT study book: They are not difficult to find, and nearly any book can help improve your score. The books will show you patterns, common pitfalls and skills you need to perform better on the MCAT. Also, buy the most recent edition of the book because test makers are constantly updating the MCAT, and a new edition can reflect those updates. Work with a one-on-one tutor: Its really easy to figure out where you struggle. Anyone can do that by taking a practice test. But, then how do you improve in those areas? Thats the real challenge to raising your MCAT score. Working with a tutorcan help you rapidly improve in your most problematic areas; so you can fine tune your skills on other sections. Taking classes on the MCAT could also be a good idea, but a tutor can tailor each session to your specific needs. Balanced diet: Everybody says you should eat a big breakfast the day of the test. Well, everybody is wrong. Eating a gigantic breakfast is only going to make you tired during the test. Your body will be using energy to break down your food, energy that should be spent focusing on the MCAT. Eating a smaller, high-protein meal of eggs, nuts, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc and lots of fruit can help give you energy for the big test. Set a routine: How early will you need to wake up on test day to eat a well-balanced meal, get your mindset right and be ready for the test? Say, its 7 am. Then, you should wake up every day at 7 am 7-10 days before the test. Eventually, your body will be used to getting up that early, and you wont feel as tired. Also, dont pound Red Bulls in the morningunless thats what you do every morning. Try to mimic the exact same morning for 7-10 days, and you will feel great on test day. Flash cards: Make these your best friend while you are preparing for your MCAT. Write down any concepts, equations and other information you are struggling with and carry your flash cards anywhere. Constantly review these before class or work or while youre working out/walking around. This will give your brain a chance to spread out its learning. Do not try to cram your studying for the MCAT please this isnt your freshman biology class. Keep confidence: Not everyone takes the exact same test, and by nature some tests are more difficult. There can be up to 10 variations of the MCAT on test day, and each is graded on its own curve and scored differently. So, dont get discouraged if your questions seem incredibly difficult. For example, eight correct answers on a difficult test may yield a higher score than 11 correct answers on an easier test. About the test: The MCAT is a 5.5 hour, computer-based test. You can only take it three times in one year. The test is scheduled to undergo minor changes in 2015, as the questions will be updated to reflect advancements in the medical field. It is designed to measure your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The test is comprised of four sections: Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, Biological Sciences and WritingSample. Each section (except writing) has 40-52 questions and is 60-70 minutes long. Sections are scored 1-15, and the writing section is scored alphabetically from J (lowest possible score) to T (highest possible score). The writing section is not as important as the other sections, but you can draw attention (positive or negative) if you have a really high or low score.

Words Paucity to Prodigious - Private Tutoring

Words Paucity to Prodigious BobbiM May 6, 2014 Use some of the words below to describe amounts: There are SO MANY ants in our yard!  Sounds much smarter when you say, Theres a plethora of ants in our yard!  Say that and youll get all the ladies, boys. Paucity; n. Smallness of number. Those in charge of the election were disappointed when they saw the paucity of voters that came. Scarcity of amount. There was a paucity of clean water which caused some panic. Petty; adj. Trivial; of little importance. I am in charge of many things an I must leave the petty details to be taken care of by others. Narrow-minded; shortsighted. Dont be petty and miss the big picture while being trivial over small details. Mean and grudging. Shes so petty that shes still mad at me for the wrong I did to her ten years ago. Pittance; n. A very small amount, often referring to an unusually meager amount of money. I only earn a pittance at my current job and that is why Im looking for new employment. Scant; adj., v. Adjective: Barely sufficient; falling short of a necessary amount; inadequately supplied. Because of the weather, only a scant amount of fans came to the baseball game. Verb: To shortchange or deal with something inadequately or neglectfully. Because of my demanding job, I scant on time with family. Mammoth; n, adj. noun: a great, hairy, prehistoric, elephant-like creature. I have seen a replica of the remains of a prehistoric mammoth. Anything if unusual size. Did you see the mammoth mosquito? Adjective: enormous; of great or unusual size or proportions. Driving the enormous truck was a fun experience for me. Monumental; adj. Resembling a monument. The monumental gathering for the opening or the store was really fun. Exceptionally large, sturdy, or enduring. It may seem like a monumental undertaking but I know it will be worth it to write a book. Plethora; n. An excessive amount; a surplus. We had a plethora of jelly beans left over from Easter. Prodigious; adj. Excessively great in size, force, or content. The tornado caused such prodigious wind that many trees snapped in half. Exceptionally talented. She is a prodigious student in her school. She especially excels in theater.

Event Celebrates Successes, Branding Changes

Event Celebrates Successes, Branding Changes Event Celebrates Successes, Branding Changes Event Celebrates Successes, Branding Changes May 6, 2015 From left: Emily Elliott, Heart Math Tutoring Executive Director; Shaina Ormsby, a teacher at Highland Renaissance Academy; Michelle G. Johnson, principal at Billingsville Leadership Academy, and Anne Leggett, Hearts Board of Directors Chair and host. Photos by Caitlin Fischer Supporters of Heart Math Tutoring gathered recently at a “Perfect Pairings” event to mark Heart’s growing successes and branding changes. Michelle G. Johnson, principal at Billingsville Leadership Academy, praised Hearts success in helping teachers fill the gaps in math education and lauded the impact of relationships with tutors has had on Billingsvilles young leaders. It is a legacy that is ongoing. Our students now know what it means to have someone come in just for them and serves as their personal cheerleader, Johnson said. Shaina Ormsby, a K-Grade 3 teacher at Highland Renaissance Academy, echoed Johnson’s remarks about the impact on learning and the power of the connections that get made. She shared the stories of three students who have benefited from the one-on-one relationships with tutors. The celebration, held at the home of Anne Leggett, Hearts Board of Directors Chair, featured Tuscan wines paired with antipasti. Thank you to our supporters for helping Heart Math Tutoring connect with students to create results that count. A very special thank you to the hosts of Perfect Pairing: Joanne and Steve Beam, Barbara and Roy Bissell, Laura and Sam Bowles, Carla and Matthew Clements, Ashton Colaianni, Lee and Andy Cooney, Patricia and Peter Daniel, Minna and Mike Elliott, Martha and Eric Eubank, Catherine and Mike Fischer, Anne and Reid Leggett, and Daniel Tanaka.

How to Ensure Healthy Eating at Exam Time - ALOHA Mind Math

How to Ensure Healthy Eating at Exam Time Exams for kids can turn out to be a time of stress and food might either be exploited or ignored at such a time. While handing out that pack of chips might seem like the easiest solution, it is definitely not the healthy one. Here are some tips on how to help your kids eat smart and fuel their body and brain at exam time: Eating at regular intervals: Rather than 3 heavy meals a day which will leave the kids in a sleepy state after each one, aim to give them smaller but more regular meals over the course of the day. This ensures that they receive the dose of energy and nutrition that you need, but keeps their brain alert as well. Stock up on fruit: Fruits could serve as the easiest form of a healthy snack at the time of exams. A banana is just about a perfect snack with the amount of energy that it provides at one go through its natural sugars. Some other options are blueberries, apples, prunes and raisins. Nuts like almonds and walnuts, or a bowl of yogurt could serve as good additions to the fruit. Pic source: http://bit.ly/1vSSqaG Keep easy recipes and ingredients handy: A loaf of multigrain or whole-wheat bread is a great base to keep around for kids to make into a snack when they need one. You could also freeze some prepped and individual meals for them to easily reheat and use when needed. Some other easy meal ideas include whole-wheat muffins with veggies in them, baked potatoes and cottage cheese. Don’t forget the fluids: It is very important to stay hydrated especially at times of high intensity like preparation for exams, as dehydration can cause a loss of concentration as well among other physical symptoms. Keep bottles of water and fresh fruit juice at your child’s side at all times, and remind them to drink a glass regularly. It is recommended that your child consume between 1.5 to 2 liters of fluids in the course of a day. We hope that these easy eating tips should help you make your children eat healthy at times of stress and stay well-prepared to face the next exam. About ALOHA Mind Math ALOHA Mind Math has been guiding children between the ages of five through 12 years to achieve academic excellence since 2007. The interactive learning process is proven to enhance a child’s math, reading and writing capabilities. The teachers also assist children in developing skills and abilities such as observation and listening that result in the overall growth of the child. ALOHA Mind Math is currently training children all over the United States of America with more than 150 centers. For more details on this unique program, please visitalohamindmath.comor search for the center closest to you by using our locatoralohamindmath.com/locations/.

Sign Up for the italki 2014 October Language Challenge

Sign Up for the italki 2014 October Language Challenge Sign up for the italki 2014 October  Language Challenge! Take the October Language Challenge!  This is a short, one-month Challenge where you give your language learning a quick boost! Our  last Language Challenge, the World Cup Language Challenge was  a tough Challenge!  25 hours in 2 months is very difficult to do but we still had over 55% of our Challengers who finished it and many of the winners  made huge improvements in their language learning. For those of you who felt that the last Challenge was a bit too Challenging, the October Language Challenge  might be just right for you as it is  just for the month of October.  For those of you who finished the last Challenge, the October Language Challenge should be easy to finish! To take the Language Challenge, you will need to follow these steps: 1. PLEDGE 100 ITC (10USD) You will get this pledge back when you complete the Challenge. Deadline to take the pledge is October 7th, 2014 2. TAKE 12  HOURS OF LESSONS  DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER With any Community Tutor or Professional Teacher from October 1st untilOctober 31st (think ~3 lessons a week) 3. WIN 200ITC (20USD) Youll receive your 100 ITC pledge back AND 200 ITC for a total of 300 ITC!. We are paying you to learn a language! Click here to Sign Up for the italki 2014 October Language Challenge now! And finally become fluent in a new language! Still have questions about the Challenge?  Click here to read the Official Rules and FAQs. What Previous Challengers Say! I always wanted to learn French but always had an excuse to never put in the time to truly learn it. The italki Language Challenge was the perfect opportunity to finally start learning French. It was tough but it worked! Lexi You can do it! See Before and After Videos ( 1 | 2 ) from Winners of our previous Language Challenges! Sign Up for the italki 2014 October Language Challenge Sign up for the italki 2014 October  Language Challenge! Take the October Language Challenge!  This is a short, one-month Challenge where you give your language learning a quick boost! Our  last Language Challenge, the World Cup Language Challenge was  a tough Challenge!  25 hours in 2 months is very difficult to do but we still had over 55% of our Challengers who finished it and many of the winners  made huge improvements in their language learning. For those of you who felt that the last Challenge was a bit too Challenging, the October Language Challenge  might be just right for you as it is  just for the month of October.  For those of you who finished the last Challenge, the October Language Challenge should be easy to finish! To take the Language Challenge, you will need to follow these steps: 1. PLEDGE 100 ITC (10USD) You will get this pledge back when you complete the Challenge. Deadline to take the pledge is October 7th, 2014 2. TAKE 12  HOURS OF LESSONS  DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER With any Community Tutor or Professional Teacher from October 1st untilOctober 31st (think ~3 lessons a week) 3. WIN 200ITC (20USD) Youll receive your 100 ITC pledge back AND 200 ITC for a total of 300 ITC!. We are paying you to learn a language! Click here to Sign Up for the italki 2014 October Language Challenge now! And finally become fluent in a new language! Still have questions about the Challenge?  Click here to read the Official Rules and FAQs. What Previous Challengers Say! I always wanted to learn French but always had an excuse to never put in the time to truly learn it. The italki Language Challenge was the perfect opportunity to finally start learning French. It was tough but it worked! Lexi You can do it! See Before and After Videos ( 1 | 2 ) from Winners of our previous Language Challenges!

21st Century Learning 4 Smart Strategies to Master a Foreign Language Online

21st Century Learning 4 Smart Strategies to Master a Foreign Language Online 21st Century Learning: 4 Smart Strategies to Master a Foreign Language Online Mastering a foreign language requires access to the best language instructors, curriculum and exchange partners.Whats a modern language lover to do?Why, turn to the Internet of course!With its dizzying array of educational blogs, entertaining videos and training sites, the web offers avowed linguaphiles countless resources for learning a foreign language.Before you set off on a road trip to fluency, however, its important to plan your voyage efficiently.From studying the grammatical principles of your chosen language to reinforcing your vocabulary through word exercises, building a study map will help ensure you reach your final destination. Use the following essential tips to learn a foreign language online successfully. 21st Century Learning: 4 Smart Strategies to Master a Foreign Language Online1. Choose the Right Instruction ToolsA veritable embarrassment of riches awaits the modern pupil looking to the net for learning resources.  Of course, not all training programs and teach ing tools provide the right keys for achieving your language learning goals. As you embark on a quest to learn a new tongue, youll want to search out two different forms of learning materials: educational programs and source content.In a case study conducted in 2012, researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered that the way were exposed to a language determines whether or not we achieve native-level brain processing. Both classroom learning and immersion methods contribute toward this goal, but immersion has been shown to be more effective at mirroring the brain activity of native speakers. This is an important caveat youll want to consider when searching for instructional tools.A fantastic learning platform for online language immersion is FluentU.  FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.It lets you  browse videos  by difficulty (beginner to native), topic (arts and entertainment, health and lifestyle, etc.) and  format (video blog, news,  shows, etc.). And FluentU isnt just watching videosâ€"its about learning and actively practicing the language you hear in videos. You can use  the interactive subtitles, flashcards, audios and vocabulary lists to learn modern languages better than ever!Of course, one of the driving factors in any self-study learners ultimate success is ongoing motivation. Unlike classroom students who are expected to show up for class each day, the online learner has to remain proactive. The internet is awash with source content that would make the language learners of yesteryear salivate. From viral videos to web series, blogs and forums, its simple to access content that correlates with your personal interests.Ready to get started but not quite certain where to start? Consider the following links for learning tools in your chosen language:English: cartoons |  Facebook  | karaoke songs |  memes |  social med ia sitesChinese: audiobooks | Disney movies  | internet slang |  online radio  |  talk radioFrench:  blogs |  hashtags | online immersion  | online radio  |  radioGerman: audiobooks  | audio dramas |  blogs | online radio | pop bands  |  TwitterJapanese: Netflix movies | online TV |  Twitter | song lyricsSpanish: advanced practice  |  blogs  |  BuzzFeed  |  Facebook  | Pinterest  | online radio  |  Twitter2. Find a Language Exchange PartnerIts not usual for language teachers to ask their pupils to spend some time conversing with one another, but the power of the World Wide Web opens doors in a whole new way. Fortunately, its not that difficult to find a language exchange partner, but you should think carefully about how to maximize the fruit of your discussions.Making small talk and chatting about current events offers a simple way to expand your vocabulary and get your verb conjugations down pat, but dont shy away from creating a more structured exchange with your partner. Why not attempt to replicate the experience you might otherwise share in a classroom? For example, ask your friend to role play as a shopkeeper and act out a scenario at the checkout line. Let your imagination run wild!It might feel a little silly at first, but sharing a few laughs together can help break the ice. Youll probably want to use Skype for your video exchanges, but dont discount the long form letter altogether. Pen pals have long served as a resource for language learners, and sharing written correspondence can still pay a valuable role in a language exchange.Why not make an effort to email each other once a week, and use simple word processing tools to make corrections for each other? It takes a bit of extra effort to sit down and write a message, but doing so will ensure you dont neglect the written word, which plays an equally important role as the speaking portion of a language.Finding a language exchange partner is a free solution, but if you really want to supercharge your learning prowess, you might also want to work with an online language tutor. With a tutor, you wont need to focus on correcting or teaching someone to better speak English, but you can instead work to fine tune your language skills exclusively. Tutors may also be better able to explain complicated linguistic principles. Many different websites offer tutoring solutions, including Verbalplanet.com and tutor.com.If youd like to get some extra help from a native speaker, but you dont have a large budget to work with, you might want to consider using a freelance site to connect with an independent worker. For example, Fiverr allows you to post one-off jobs at just $5, and there are many language teachers offering various services there. You might also want to consider posting a gig on Craigslist to find a language tutor on the cheap.3. Make Study a Daily HabitRemember when you had endless assignments, syllabuses and tests in school? As an online learner, you wont deal with any of those. Instead, youll need to find innovative ways to make your study habits part of your daily routine. If you find it challenging to keep yourself focused, follow this simple game plan to develop healthy study patterns:Set Mini GoalsYou might be surprised to learn the powerful potential of your inner voice. Research shows that nothing more than encouraging yourself to keep going can have a profound impact on your long-term stamina. Just as the age old expression goes, Rome wasnt built in a day, and neither is it plausible for you to become a world class linguist in a few short months.Instead, set mini goals you can achieve as you progress through your studies. These goals might look like:Master a challenging verb tense in both spoken and written form.Expand your vocabulary by memorizing 100 new words.Read a full novel in your target language.To successfully reach these goals, dont forget to break them down further into even smaller tasks. For example, if  youve chosen  a novel to read, s et smaller goals by chapter or even by pages (i.e. read two pages every morning and night). The feeling of elation you experience when you meet those goals will help propel you further.Eliminate Deterrents and DistractionsTuning out the outside world is hard enough with a traditional textbook, but the internet offers a tempting array of distractions that can keep you from focusing on your studies. If you find your study habits just arent making the cut, proactively examine where youre breaking down and try to work out how to overcome those obstacles.If you just cant seem to steer clear of social media networks or your favorite blog, use a tool like Anti-Social  to prevent your computer from accessing those sites. Its a simple fix that can keep you on track.Develop AccountabilityTry as you might to keep your studying in check, many of us still find it hard to stay motivated. When push comes to shove, sometimes its necessary to find a real-life accountability partner for your language learning.Why not make some new friends  through a service like Meetup and establish accountability goals? Celebrating your successes and working on your weaknesses with the help of a friend often proves immensely helpful in keeping learners focused.Or you could commit to practicing your target language  for 100 days, and track your progress  via 10-second daily videos on Instagram with  Give It 100. The supportive community will keep you motivated, as will the joy of actually  seeing  your progress over time.4. Put Your Skills into PracticeAs great as the internet can be for language enthusiasts, its only a tool for learning, not a magic potion. As you learn the various aspects of a foreign language, you need to put your new-found skills to work. Speaking the language will not only help you build confidence, but it also works to cement those ideas in your brain.In an ideal world, youd spend some time studying abroad.  Youll have no choice but to speak the language on a daily basis, and when surrounded by foreign speakers the real power of immersion becomes evident. If you have the means to do so, why not schedule an overseas excursion to coincide with an important language learning goal? When you know a trip is on the horizon, you may be more motivated than ever to keep studying diligently.Of course, classroom studies arent the only activity you can pursue abroad. Consider tapping into your benevolent side by volunteering with a non-profit, charity or religious group. If youre not already familiar with groups operating abroad, learn more by visiting a directory like  Go Abroad. For a really affordable way to spend a longer amount of time abroad, check out  HelpX  and  WWOOF, where you work in exchange for food and accommodation.If spending an extended period in a foreign country isnt a possibility, why not get involved with local organizations where foreigners tend to gather? Many communities have active cultural groups that sponsor events and meet-ups. If yo u live near a university, inquire as to whether the school sponsors any institutions that offer learning opportunities. Volunteering with one of these groups or attending special events can help you meet new people to speak to and learn from.Learning a new language takes hard work and dedication, and there really are no shortcuts to fluency. Nevertheless, the internet and its myriad resources can serve as an invaluable learning tool for the modern student. By procuring the right learning tools, finding practice partners, studying diligently and putting your language skills to work, youre bound to find success learning in the digital age.Adam Zetterlund is a language enthusiast living in New York City. He spent five years honing his foreign language skills in Paris and London, and he currently partners with a number of international clients in a marketing capacity. Learn more by reading his blog.