Learn How to Sing Vibrato

Learn How to Sing Vibrato Singing Lessons in Voice Vibration ChaptersWhat is Vibrato?What’s the Point in Vibrating your Vocal Cords?Advice for Achieving Vocal VibratoHow Can You Master Vocal Vibrato?Examples of Inspirational SingingIn this article, we’re not going to tell you about the rise and fall of famous opera singers but rather tell you what you need to do to learn an essential part of singing opera.  Vibrato is to singing well as Yorkshire puddings are to Sunday lunch, after all.  To go from a total unknown to a famous singer, you’re going to have to master a number of singing techniques, including vibrato.  Without it, you’ll never be able to break into the world of opera or be able to make a dent into the competitive world of televised singing competitions.However, don’t lose hope! We’re going to have a look at vibrato and vocal techniques as well as some important approaches to working on your vocal coaching.The first question you need to ask yourself is: How can you sing well? Only after you’ve answered this question c an you delve even further into the idea.It’s not always easy to gain a perfect control of your sternum and hold a consistent note. In addition to learning how to do this, you’ll also need to know how to modulate your voice.  This isn’t about warbling like little old ladies who think they’ve got the voice of an opera singer but are actually making their audience’s ears bleed.To avoid being booed off stage, you’ll need to be in complete control of your windpipe and produce a constant and harmonious modulation of the frequencies being made.  If you can’t manage this, you may as well remain silent since this isn't something you can emulate.Do you have aspirations of singing? Would you like to be a soloist or part of a vocal ensemble? (Source: Thibault Trillet)Vocal vibrato is reserved for the very best singers regardless of their tessitura: soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, bass.  While vibrato is often thought of as an innate skill, this doesn’t mean t hat an aspiring singer isn’t able to learn all the different facets of the human voice. A good healthy voice, after all, is capable of learning such skills.It’s not always about finding your natural vibrato but rather finding a way to create it. It’s all a matter of airflow rate; artificial vibrato is possible although it’s not as beautiful as natural vibrato.  It’s the tensing of the thyroarytenoid muscle to change the pitch multiple times a second. This normally involves between 4 and 7 oscillations per second.If your vibrato is too slow, you’ll sound just like your grandmother (unless she was a famous opera singer, of course!).  Younger singers shouldn’t worry. Vibrato doesn’t really exist until you come of age and it develops.  In fact, you’ll need to wait until your voice breaks. Private singing lessons will be great for helping you to prepare for becoming an opera singer.A flexible head voice and the help of a singing school can also do wonders.  If despite a ll your efforts over the years, you’re still struggling to find your vibrato, you may have a problem in terms of your subglottal pressure.What’s the Point in Vibrating your Vocal Cords?It’s not just singers who work with vibrato: there are a lot of different instruments that can modulate the pitch in such a way.  String, woodwind, and brass instruments are common examples of instruments that are capable of recreating the vibrato effect. No matter which instrument you play, a private tutor will be able to help you learn these kinds of techniques.However, you should never confuse vibrato with trill. Trill is when the note is changed whereas vibrato makes semi-tonal  modifications to the note being produced.Karaoke could be a way to get over stage fright or just practise a few new techniques. (Source: pixabay.com)Vibrato can be found in choral and solo singing as well as in a variety of different styles of music like jazz, gospel, opera, etc.  The key to vibrato is maintaining a regular and sustained frequency to your vibrato.  While there are a number of important advantages to mastering vibrato, the main one is adding it to your repertoire of skills and making you more desirable as a singer.Find some online singing lessons and get help on your vibrato practice.Open your mouth as if you’re yawningRelax your muscles completely (especially your larynx)Stand up straight (your vertical posture is very important)Control your breathingSing with your diaphragmRelax your muscles completelyTry to be subtle. The best vibrato is always subtle.Gradually improve your vocal technique.Be proud of your voice.Keep in mind that a light variation in pitch is the natural way to produce a beautiful note.How Can You Master Vocal Vibrato?Where possible, this should start with musical education from a young age. Have you considered prenatal singing? There are also group classes and singing workshops you could consider.You should always warm up vocally before any kind of singing . This will help you be in full control of your voice since warming up will also ensure that your voice is in its best possible condition.  You should then think about relaxation. Relaxing your muscles and glottis. You’ll need to be ready and flighty if you’re going to keep up with your vocal colleagues.Wouldn't you rather really know how to do vibrato than just imitating it? (Source: pixabay.com)You’ll quickly hear the difference between a tense singer and those who know how to sing the piece without tiring themselves out or getting frustrated: your throat quickly becomes a worse instrument when overexerted.Singing a song will always rely on human physiology. You’ll have to work really hard since singing a song without due care and attention will quickly result in a terrible performance.Theatre classes or public speaking classes can help even the shyest singers to get over their fear and sing well in any given performance hall or room.  They can also help you articulate bet ter, regulate the tone of your diaphragm, and better perform consonant sounds if you’re singing a capella.If you really want to unwind, you should consider drum classes! Of you could consider working on your own style while playing the guitar at the same time.The third rule is to breathe correctly. Abdominal breathing is the heart of choral singing. Skimping on your breathing exercises will only make your problems (and your singing) much worse.Learning to sing in group workshops isn’t the only effective option for those wanting to train their musical ear and ensure their breathing and abs are working alongside the sounds they’re trying to produce with their mouths.The best option is to enlist the help of a voice coach who, as a quality educator, will be able to use their knowledge of music theory or speech-language pathology to help you improve.  At-home tutorials can act as a metronome for your learning process and the progress you’re making.A quality singing coach will be able to show you the best breathing exercises to accompany your music training as well as the music lessons you should use to ensure your knowledge of the theory is top notch.  Most of the tutors on Superprof offer free tutoring for the first hour of lessons so that you can see whether or not they’re the right singing tutor for you. The same goes for tutors offering tutorials for other musical instruments.There’s nothing stopping you looking for choir masters who have the same vocal range as you. e.g. soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass.  As we already said, vibrato often requires the natural and innate understanding of how to use your chest. After all, the main skill is knowing how to control the balance.Finding the right expressive range and making the vibrato second nature could be one of the goals of your private singing tutorials.  A few exercises after an intensive course of lessons could help any type of singer achieve this goal.  If mak ing your head voice ring out beautifully is one of your goals, you should consider getting in touch with a private music tutor today.Even if you living in the Midlands, you can find singing lessons Manchester.Examples of Inspirational SingingEveryone has that one song or piece that inspires them when they sing. “Nessun Dorma”, anyone?  These are the kinds of pieces of music that are so powerful nobody can dislike them...However, not all singers are created equal. You’ll need to have a perfect ear, at least, and a solid foundation is musical theory in order to separate the operatic wheat from the chaff.Having a good voice and good vocal techniques could lead you to becoming a star. (Source: Thibault Trillet)Listening to the classical hits is a great way to inspire aspiring singers and help them to project their voice.  If you’re working on a voice for opera or taking opera singing lessons, you should consider the vocal techniques used in The Barber of Seville by Rossini, The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart, or Der Ring des Nibelungen by Wagner.  You’ll also find Handel’s vocal ensembles really useful for learning to sing. More recently, you should also check out singers like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Susan Boyle. Their vocal performances have moved audiences around the world and made them superstars.  You could be the next Luciano Pavarotti or Maria Callas. You just have to take that first step!

How to Give and Receive Critical Feedback - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Give and Receive Critical Feedback - Introvert Whisperer How to Give and Receive Critical Feedback We are entering into a phase in our society where every action demands some form of feedback. If you go to a restaurant, then youre encouraged to share your Yelp reviews. If you buy something from Amazon, then youre asked to rate that product. Even a post on Facebook allows for an instant Like or corresponding emoji response. How many Likes do you give out in a day? How sad do you feel when you dont get as many Likes in return? But even outside the ever-expanding cyber walls of social media, critical feedback is a vital aspect of the workplace and academia. We all need to know how were doing, and we’re often called upon the share our critiques of someone elses performance. What often gets lost in that sea of Likes are the responsible ways to give and receive critical feedback. Here are some helpful reminders to improve your critiquing skills. When Giving Feedback: Ask the Recipient to Rate Themselves Before delivering your honest assessment on something, ask the recipient of that review how they would rate themselves. This can open the door for a positive exchange, especially if that person recognizes they could have done a better job right from the start. It might also support your criticism if you are merely building upon something they already see as a problem area to work on. Find the Good A tenet of professional review writing is that you should try to find something positive to say about the piece, even if it’s a small something. When presenting a critique to a specific person, it would help to follow your criticism with praise. This doesnt mean you have to make things up, but you should try to find some words of encouragement to layer in with the corrections. This will help promote a sense of cooperation between you and that person. You dont ever want to send anyone away completely demoralized. That’s not good for the workplace or the classroom. Base Your Critiques on Actionable Substance A critique should serve as the foundation for improvement. If someone follows your sage advice, then it should make whatever theyre working on better. It will help if the critique is based on actionable substance, as opposed to vague sentiments. You merely have to watch the Judges Table critiques during any episode of Top Chef. Those judges dont just say, “I didnt like the chicken.” Instead, they say, “The chicken lacked seasoning or was undercooked.” The next time that chef prepares a chicken, you can bet theyll be busting out the salt and meat thermometer. Also notice how that statement focuses on the chicken, not the cook. Spin It Back to Yourself We all make mistakes. Although it could help the person youre sharing feedback with to hear that, it might be stronger if you can relate to them by sharing some of the mistakes youve made in the same area. This will make what you have to say more relevant and wont alienate that persons feelings about their own shortcomings. When offering advice, it’s also helpful to use statements like “I would” rather than “you should.” When Receiving Feedback Take It All In Unless prompted, you dont really need to defend your actions. It is clear something went amiss, at least as far as the perspective of your critic is concerned. You can only understand where they are coming from if you take it all in. If youre formulating a response in your head, then you might miss half of what theyre saying. Active listening is a skill that can change all your relationships for the better. Focus On the Benefits Writers are constantly being critiqued by their peers, editors and even family members who they share their work with. When several people point out the same failings on a particular project, then it would appear that there’s something worth looking into. If the reworking of the project makes it better, then the feedback was really helpful. Stay focused on the goal of making improvements, and youll soon forget all about the negativity of a critique. Ask for Clarity After reading this post, youre going to be a brilliant critical feedback giver and receiver. However, not everyone will have the benefit of this sage advice. You might need to ask for clarity to better understand the critique coming your way. Go back to the Top Chef example. If someone merely says, I didnt like it, then ask them to dig deeper and get specific. Two things might happen. They could land on a specific point to help with those improvements, or they could discover that their criticism lacks merit. Yes, that can actually happen, and it’s something else to take in. It’s also helpful to ask an open-ended question for direction, like “What can I do to improve?” Or “How would you have handled this situation?” Finally, you want to thank the person for providing feedback. However painful it might have been to hear it, they still took time out of their day to give the review. That time has value, and they should be thanked for sharing it. Guest Author: Sarah Landrum Guest Author Bio: Sarah Landrum is a business and career writer with a background in Marketing and Economics. Her blog, Punched Clocks, helps professionals find happiness and success in life and at work. Be sure to subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on social media for more great tips! 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: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

A Guide to Learning Business English

A Guide to Learning Business English Want to Learn Business English? Here’s All the Important Stuff ChaptersBusiness English Courses across the UKImportant Vocabulary for Business EnglishBusiness English Exams You Might Want to ConsiderHow to Learn Business English? Some Books and ResourcesEnglish remains the most popular language in the world to learn. One and a half billion people are learning the language. The second highest, by the way, is French â€" which eighty-two million people are learning.This is because English is still one of the world’s most important languages for diplomacy, culture, and â€" importantly here â€" business, being something of a lingua franca across all of the regions of the planet. So, when you are considering whether or not to learn English, this might be something you’ll want to remember.Learning Business English?Whilst the English language is hugely important generally, we’re going to look specifically at the specific niche field within English language learning. That’s what we call ‘business English’. And whilst it in no real sense const itutes a separate language, it does have its own vocabulary, contexts, and manners of speaking.What is appropriate on the street in England is not necessarily appropriate language in the business context. So, if you are looking to improve your English specifically for business purposes â€" to find employment in the UK or US, to seek a promotion, or to deal with English businesspeople internationally â€" it is worth homing in on business language skills when learning.You’ll be covering the basics of the language here too â€" as grammar and pronunciation, along with your speaking skills and listening skills, reading skills and writing skills, can all be learned alongside the specific business vocabulary and concerns. So, don’t you worry about not getting a proper linguistic education when learning business English.Here, we’re going to be looking at all of the things you will need to ensure you get a proper education when learning business English. We’ll share the best places f or you to look for English lessons, we’ll share some handy resources, and we’ll give you a guide to the exams for business English too.Have fun! Welcome to the world of business English.What You’ll Learn in Business EnglishBusiness English is the particular training English language learners receive if they are preparing for â€" or hoping to develop â€" a career in business. There is obviously no specific language as ‘business English’ â€" although it does have a few quirks that you’ll have to add to your English skills.Business English courses are intended to have you speak English fluently in the contexts that business requires. You’ll be developing your presentation and negotiation skills. You’ll be preparing to contribute effectively in meetings and other business discussions. And you’ll be getting to grips with the appropriate language to use in business telephone calls and emails.Alongside this, you’ll have to learn specific English vocabulary that, really, is only used in business contexts: the specific terms in finance, economics, and management â€" as well as the more casual office slang.All of this w ill help you fit in and flourish. And if there is ever a reason to learn something, it is this. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBusiness English Courses across the UKAcross the UK, there are so many opportunities for learning English as a second language. In every major city in the country there’ll be at least one language school â€" and prob ably many many more besides.However, there are different ways that language courses work. Some are directed towards an exam â€" such as the IELTS or, as you’ll see below, the BEC â€" whilst some are purely conversational. Then there are the private English tutors too, who can teach you pretty much anything you like.Business English Classes LondonIn London, anyone who wants to learn to speak English is spoiled for choice. With its eight million inhabitants, there is enough stuffed into the great British capital for it to appeal to anyone.For those who want to develop their business English language skills, try the London School of English â€" which has been going for over a century â€" or St George International. Both do very effective business English teaching.Learn Business English in ScotlandIn the most beautiful region of the UK, there is a wealth of opportunity too. Let’s take an example from Edinburgh.ECS Scotland, which is based in Charlotte Square, is a reputed institutio n that teaches business English. You’ll be writing emails and answering phone calls â€" just as exercises obviously â€" whilst practising your negotiating.These are intensive courses running weekly. Tutors are the best way to learn business EnglishThe Beauty of a Private TutorAnother option, anywhere in the UK, is to find yourself a private English tutor. If these are native English speakers, you are really onto a winner â€" as conversations with native speakers are your best way of learning a language.Whether you want to just use your new language or work to an exam, a tutor can get you learning.Find out more about business English courses!Important Vocabulary for Business EnglishAs we said, there are many bits of new vocabulary that you will have to learn in your development of your business English. Whilst business English obviously isn’t a different language, there are many people who complain about the obscure jargon and slang that businesspeople use.So, good luck! It really isn’t that bad â€" and you’ll be using these words and phrases happily yourself in no time.Find out more about them in our article on business English vocabulary!Basic Business TermsAs you’ll kn ow from glancing at any business newspaper, the business world likes its idioms. This is fair enough, honestly: every discipline or niche in the world develops its own specific words for things.When you are developing your business English fluency, you’ll need to nail the basics. Do you know what a business plan is, or a forecast? Could you tell a merger from an acquisition?These are the things that you’ll need to know.Office LingoMeanwhile, there are particularly expressions that fly around most office spaces. It’s unclear where people got all these from â€" however, it’s this really that gets people outside the business world laughing.In business, you don’t do something; you action it. You don’t so much consider what will happen tomorrow; you consider what you’ll action going forward.It’s confusing maybe â€" but you’ll get the hang of it.AbbreviationsFinally, there’s the shorthand that you will need to pick up.Do you know the difference between HR and PR? The d ifference between vbw and AOB? The subtleties of ASAP and ETA?In any language, there are senses to words that you can only pick up through use and practice. Just keep up your speaking and you’ll be there.Business English Exams You Might Want to ConsiderMany students of English are concerned about the examinations and qualifications they will take or pick up during their studies. They are right to be: qualifications open doors â€" and they give you the learner the sense of achievement and continuing progress. They are good things â€" if sometimes a little expensive.The qualifications for business English come in two different shapes. The main ones are provided by two different accreditors. Firstly, there is Cambridge Assessment, who, alongside the British Council, are the big dogs of English language teaching. Then there is Pearson.BECsThe Cambridge Assessment qualifications in business English are known as BECs â€" Business English Certificates. There are three of these, of progre ssive difficulty â€" and they are internationally recognised by businesses and universities across the world.You can expect each of the examinations to take you over two hours â€" and they will take place in an accredited testing centre.LCCI QualificationsThen there are the qualifications from Pearson and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These were developed by businesses themselves â€" so the content is sure to be super on-point.There are more of these qualifications. However, luckily enough, the important ones can be sat online.You can find out more about all of these qualifications in our article on business English exams! Learn business English properly.How to Learn Business English? Some Books and ResourcesFinally, how are you going to practise your business English at home? How are you going to keep developing your knowledge even when you are not in class? What do you need to make the most out of your study?The answer really is effective resources â€" and the internet is actually full of them. We’ll give you a brief run-through of the big ones here â€" but you can find more information in our article on business English resources.One website that is helpful is actually called just Business English Resources â€" and it is heaving with different exercises, word banks, and grammar rules that will keep you going.Otherwise, explore the British Council’s Learn English website, which is similarly rich in helpful material.Resources are not just those things specifically designed for your learning, however. Newspapers such as the Financial Times are incredibly helpful in showing you authentic language. A nd your native English speaking friends too!

10 Guitar Exercises and Tips for Building Muscle Memory

10 Guitar Exercises and Tips for Building Muscle Memory Sign up successful 3. Practice placing chords shapes one finger at a time Analyze what each finger has to do between each chord. Make those movements with finger one finger at a time, then two at a time, and eventually place your fingers in the whole chord all together. Eventually the entire chord movement will become an automatic move into place with simultaneous finger movement! 4. Practice the chord “shapes” without strumming Place your fingers in a chord and then change to the next. Try practicing chords in sequences of three or four at a time. These should be chords that you have already learned, so you can make the shapes while watching TV or having a conversation. Taking out the variable of strumming is a great way to isolate and improve your left-hand technique! 5. Pay attention to what changes from one chord to the next Sometimes a finger does not have to move very far to get to its next location. Sometimes it is already where it needs to be! Be conscious of these situations to make sure you are moving efficiently from chord to chord without extra movement. 6. Make the switches between chords a fast snap Even if you are waiting four beats between chords or just switching chords freely when you can, try to start quick “snaps” to prepare and think ahead to the next chord. With four beats for instance, you should be thinking about the next chord as fast as possible or on the second beat of the group of four. 7. Counting and closing-in exercise This is one of my favorite guitar exercises for when you are building up a specific chord change, but you need to be able to do it faster. Example: playing C to G is a challenge for you. Put a metronome on at a very slow and attainable tempo and the first time think in groups of 4 clicks. Play the chord only on the first click of four while counting out loud and changing the finger positions as fast as possible. Feel good after a while? Next try changing the chord within three clicks. Can you move right after the second click? Finally, when youre up to speed, you can move the chord on each click and the counting and closing in exercise is complete. 8. One finger can get there before the others When you are learning new chords, you have a chord change that is usually challenging to get in time, or you have a fast tune; you may still be able to make the chord! Remember that one finger could get to the next chord before the other fingers trail along, so you could strum a few strings that include the finger that has made it, position your fingers that are late, and then complete the strumming when all fingers are positioned. Try it out! 9. Focus on your fingertips You might be noticing buzzing or strings that sound weird for certain chords. It could be that you are half-muting a string with part of your finger! Make sure to arc your fingers and use just fingertips on the fretboard for some chords and you can avoid the extra contact with the open strings underneath those fingers. Practice placing each finger down on the fretboard, being mindful to only press through the tip of your fingers. Boom. Problem solved. See Also: Exercise that Builds Strength, Stamina, and Accuracy 10. Think ahead As soon as one chord or note is placed, strummed or plucked, think ahead to the next necessary movement and make it. Then as soon as that chord is placed, do the same. We will always be thinking ahead until the end of a piece. Now, I am just thinking ahead about the next article I might write! Learn more guitar exercises and improve your skills by taking lessons with a private guitar teacher. Guitar teachers are available to work with you online via Skype or in-person depending on locations and availability. Search for your guitar teacher now!  Michael N. is multi-instrumentalist and instructor in Oak Creek, WI. Available for lessons in person or online, Michael teaches guitar, drums, singing, and piano, as well as trumpet, marimba, and kazoo! Teaching for more than 7 years, he earned his Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting and is even the current Youth Percussion Ensemble Director at UW Milwaukee and the Percussion Coach at Oak Creek High School.  Learn more about Michael 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 Photo by Alan

Step Away From You Screens Tips To Get Comfortable Talking To Other People - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Step Away From You Screens Tips To Get Comfortable Talking To Other People - Introvert Whisperer Step Away From You Screens: Tips To Get Comfortable Talking To Other People For an introvert, working in an office where you’re expected to socialize with other people may be the closest thing to hell you’ll ever experience. Unfortunately, for many of us, learning how to get along with people can mean the difference between success and failure. Here are a few tips to help introverts get more comfortable talking to other people. Be Prepared This is probably everyone’s nightmare, whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert â€" you show up at a social event or walk into an office full of socializing friends and find you don’t have anything to talk about. You’re reduced to talking about the weather and making comments about the local sports teams. You don’t need to have detailed notes for every conversation you have during a social situation, but if you know you’re going to be talking to people, consider preparing some talking points beforehand. Work-related topics â€" current projects, upcoming clients, etc. Not everyone wants to talk about work all the time, but it does give you common ground to start a discussion. A local attraction â€" Is there a new restaurant or attraction you’re interested in, but haven’t had the chance to check out yet? Make it a conversation topic! Ask questions â€" Have a few questions handy to ask if the conversation starts to fall off. People love to talk about themselves, after all. Any other topics you can think of â€" You know your situation best, after all. Prepare some questions specifically for the people you know will be there. Does a colleague have a new pet or a new baby on the way? There’s no better way to start a chat than getting people to talk about themselves. Don’t worry if the conversation starts to slow down â€" enjoy the break before it picks up again! Disconnect It’s tempting to revert to forms of communication like text, chat, and email that don’t require meeting someone face to face, but it’s not always possible, and it can actually be detrimental. First, it’s prone to misunderstanding. You can’t convey tone or mood effectively with text-based communication. Even adding a smiley face to the end of a sentence can be misunderstood as sarcasm or being unprofessional. Second, it can be harmful to your mental health. Being constantly connected wears out your brain and can even cause psychological problems. Face-to-face communication, on the other hand, has been found to help reduce the risk of depression. Face-to-face communication is more effective in professional situations, even if all you’re doing is gossiping around the water cooler. Don’t Go Alone As an introvert, you’ve probably already identified friends you can be around without needing to take a break and recharge. They don’t drain your introvert batteries, so to speak. If you find yourself in a social situation, make sure you’re not there alone. One of these friends can be invaluable in a busy social situation â€" even if you’re having a great conversation, having somewhere or someone you can retreat to can be essential. No Obligation Your entire team is getting together for happy hour or at the local bowling alley and has invited you along, so you’re obligated to go, right? Nope. One of the hardest parts of learning how to talk to people successfully is learning when to say no. You might be afraid of missing out on whatever experiences these get-togethers offer, but you know you’ll be exhausted by the end of it and probably won’t be able to enjoy yourself. Even if you’ve already said you’ll try to make an appearance at one of these events, it’s OK to beg off with an excuse, or just say you’re not coming. Talking to people face to face is a skill you will practice throughout your entire life, both in work and social situations. While you may never perfect this skill, taking the time to learn how to talk to people as an introvert is something you should focus on for improved mental health and success at work. Kayla Matthews is a self-improvement writer contributing to publications like The Daily Muse, MakeUseOf, Lifehack and The Huffington Post. To read more professional development posts from Kayla, check out her blog, Productivity Theory. Go to top NETWORKING Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Inspiring Better Writing and Communication Through Blogging

Inspiring Better Writing and Communication Through Blogging Good verbal and nonverbal communication is a critical skill that your teen will use for the rest of his or her life, but for many students, writing is a difficult task that they are not eager to practice. One great way to get your teen working on those writing and communication skills is by encouraging him or her to start a blog. For today's social-media-savvy students, blogging is a natural fit with the things they enjoy. And as an added benefit, it's a wonderful way for students to learn to express themselves better through writing. Here are several things to keep in mind to help your teen enjoy-and gain the most from-blogging: Your teen should blog about something he or she is passionate about. Forcing your teen to blog about his or her English class may backfire on you, but if your teen loves movies, why not create a movie review blog? If he or she is on the road to college, how about a blog about those adventures? Fun is the key, as your teen is unlikely to keep up a blog that feels like homework. Blogging is a chance to express one's views. Teens have opinions, and a blog is a great way for them to share those viewpoints. As with in-person discussions and written reports, your teen will learn through blogging that articulating his or her ideas to others takes focus and effort. Blogging can help your teen with the brainstorming process. Just like a writing assignment for school, each blog post that your teen develops will require thinking and planning. This is a beneficial process-to identify a topic, distill it down into the key points to cover, and communicate those points thoughtfully. A blog may even strengthen your teen's research skills. The more your teen gets into blogging, the more likely he or she is to delve into the topics he or she writes about. For example, if your teen blogs about music (favorite bands, perhaps), writing quality blog posts will require him or her to research those bands, cite sources and the like. Blogs will gain feedback. Because it is a public and interactive forum, your teen's blog may develop a following of readers who offer their compliments and opinions in the blog's comments. They may challenge your teen's ideas, make suggestions, or make your teen think about things in new and different ways. Writing for an audience in this way will help your teen learn to reflect on his or her writing and strive to write better each and every time he or she posts. Quality writing rules apply. Well-written blogs speak to their audience. They put forth compelling ideas in a clear way. They are concise, not wordy, and they keep people reading. Whether your teen is writing an essay for English class or a college application essay, these are valuable lessons on what it takes to write well. Keep it clean. Remind your teen that a blog is public and visible to anyone-including college admissions officers, future employers, teachers and others. It's fine to express him or herself, but he or she should do so in a tasteful, tactful and professional way. A good rule of thumb is to never post anything on a blog (or anywhere online) that he or she wouldn't want one of those people to read. Blogging has many educational benefits and may be a lot of fun for your teen. Most importantly, it can help your teen hone his or her communication and writing skills and learn to enjoy writing as a form of self expression.

4 Homework Tools to Keep Children on Track

4 Homework Tools to Keep Children on Track Homework is a great way to reinforce what children learn in the classroom and provide opportunities to practice skills independently. Unfortunately, it can be a source of stress for many childrenespecially those who are naturally disorganized and tend to spin their wheels at homework time. Luckily, there are lots of aids that will help keep children on task and focused on what they need to accomplish. Here are some of Huntingtons tried-and-true homework tools for students: Homework completion chart Perfect for younger children who do not get a lot of homework but still need a simple way to mark off when they are complete with it, a homework completion chart teaches children good habits like writing down assignments and managing their tasks. Your child can keep this chart on hand during homework and check off subjects as finished. Heres an example of what this chart might look like: Week of: February 12 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Math X Spelling X Reading X Subject homework checklist For children who struggle to keep track of multiple subjects, a weekly by subject homework checklist is a good way to keep tabs on what they need to do each night and what is coming up. One weeks sheet should list out each subject (math, reading, science, etc.) and have five boxes underneath for the days of the week. One subject would look like this: Subject: Math Day Homework Monday Workbook p. 12-13 Read Math text p. 25-27 Review todays notes X Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Daily assignments sheet For those who like having the big picture, the daily assignment sheet is an invaluable tool. You can make copies for each day of the week. The idea is to get your child into the habit of recording to-dos at the end of each class and using that as his or her guide at homework time that night. Heres an example: Date: Monday, March 10 Subject Assignment Anything coming up? English Read text Chapter 2 Worksheet Test Friday Report due March 22 Math Text p. 14-17 Science Read text Chapter 3 Review notes from today Quiz Thursday on Chapter 3 History No homework, but study flash cards Test Thursday Spanish Worksheet Paper due March 25 Project plan For times when children have bigger projects to work on over the course of a few weeks, its a smart idea to break up the assignment into manageable tasks with deadlines. Encourage your child to create such a project plan as soon as the project is assigned. There are many ways to create a project plan, but heres one possible structure: Class: Social studies Assignment or project: Research paper Task Start date Deadline Done Select topic October 1 Create outline October 2 October 4 Research sources October 5 October 6 Narrow down to best materials October 7 October 7 Revise outline October 8 October 8 Rough draft October 10 October 12 Brainstorm visual aids October 13 October 13 Draft #2 October 14 October 15 Choose visual aid and start collecting materials October 14 October 16 Draft #3 October 16 October 17 Finalize visual aid October 17 October 18 Finalize report October 18 October 19 Proofread final report October 20 October 20 Turn in paper October 21 One of the keys to homework success is to stay organized, and charts and checklists help children do just that. In combination with use of the day planner, have your child try a few different methods and tools to discover what helps him or her be the most successful. Embracing such methods will give your child a sense of responsibility and ownership, help him or her stay focused on what he or she must do and when, and put those goals front and center.

100+ international schools hiring. Apply now!

100+ international schools hiring. Apply now! Good news: over 100 of the world’s top-tier international schools are looking to meet and hire teachers for the following school year at Teach Away’s international job fairs in Bangkok (January 5th - 8th, 2017) and San Francisco (February 9th - 12th, 2017). Even better news: if you’re a certified teacher with a Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of teaching experience, these awesome schools are looking to hire teachers just like you! School heads from international schools in exciting destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa will be attending the job fairs, looking to fill vacancies across all grade levels and subjects, including early childhood teachers, elementary teachers, math teachers, science teachers, english teachers, as well as support staff and specialist educators (including drama, dance, art, languages, music and more). The list of international schools hiring at the job fairs is growing daily, so be sure to check it out here. Ready to make your move? Click here to apply to attend!