Monday, March 23, 2020

The Best Spanish TV Shows

The Best Spanish TV Shows Are Any Spanish Shows Worth a Watch? ChaptersSpanish Series: La Casa de PapelSpanish Series: Las Chicas del CableSpanish Series: EliteSpanish Series: The Red Band SocietySpanish Series: Vis a Vis“Hope is kind of like dominos. Once one falls - the rest follow.” - Tokyo, Money HeistWith 120 million subscribers, Netflix is the most watched media (at least in the US) ahead of television and even YouTube.Since Un Paso Adelante (One Step Forward), the series covering a dance school in Madrid, ended, more and more Spanish series have started making their way into the UK.Netflix has purchased the rights to plenty of series (Black Mirror, Vampire Diaries, Downtown Abbey, etc.) including series from Spain. Thanks to streaming services and all the TV shows on Netflix, you can discover new shows, classics, comedy series, animated series, miniseries, and catch up on shows you've never seen before that final season airs.With that in mind, here are some the best TV shows on Netflix that you could be binge-watching this weekend to help you with your Spanish! Since all TV viewers are different, we've tried to include a variety of different types of shows including comedies, primetime shows, and television shows about all sorts of things!The goal is to break in and print €2.4 billion in €50 notes. The challenge is that they have less than 11 days to do it and they can’t spill the blood of a single hostage.  The Professor will conduct the operation externally.There’s a strong symbol of dissent; the group won’t steal from the people and they don’t want to kill anyone. They wear red jumpsuits like Guantanamo Bay prisoners and Dali masks like the Anonymous group.Cast:El Profesor (Sergio Marquina/Salvador “Salva” Martin), Alvaro Morte.Tokyo (Silene Oliveira), Ursula Corbero.Berlin (Andrés de Fonollosa), Pedro Alonso.Nairobi (Agata Jimenez), Alba Flores.Rio (Anibal Cortes), Miguel Herran.Denver (Daniel Ramos), Jaime Lorente.Monica Gaztambide (Stockholm), Esther Acebo.Moscow (Agustin Ramos), Paco Tous .Helsinki (Yashin Dasayev), Darko Peric.Oslo (Radko Dragic), Roberto García.Raquel Murillo, Itziar Ituno.Our opinion:The plot is a bit dull but you’ll soon get drawn into the suspense. The characters are charming and each has their own personality. You learn more about them throughout the episodes. It could be interesting to dive a bit further into the stories behind Oslo and Helsinki in particular.Was a third season really necessary?Find out more about Spain in our guide.Spanish Series: Las Chicas del CableLas Chicas del Cable (Cable Girls) is a series created by Ramón Campos and Gema R. Neira and available on Netflix.Las Chicas del Cable, set in Madrid, is definitely worth a watch. (Source: Donations_are_appreciated)The plot:In Madrid, in 1928, four women become operators for a telephone company.  Each has their own story and they’re in a growing company that’s obviously dominated by men. The series has the women trying to gain some independence and the main goal seems to be to make the audience see the characters as strong and independent women.They struggle to get divorced even in cases of domestic violence or get money from the bank without the written consent of their husband.Las Chicas del Cable echoes the fight for women’s rights, a subject that can only have more light shed on it, don’t you think?Cast:Alba Romero Méndez/Lidia Aguilar Dávila, Blanca Suarez.Carlota Rodríguez de Senillosa, Ana Fernandez.Ángeles Vidal interprétée, Maggie Civantos.María “Marga” Suárez , Nadia de Santiago.Sara Millán/Ã"scar Ruiz, Ana Maria Polvorosa.Francisco Gómez, Yon Gonzales.Carlos Cifuentes, Martino Rivas.Our opinion:Homosexuality, polyamory, feminism, etc. This series covers a number of important themes. While not very original, it does what it does quite well.It’s positive, funny, and aware, and promises to captivate the viewer and is full of cliffhangers. So even though there are quite a few clichés, it’s still quite addictive.If you'r e interested in Spain's past, read our quick guide to Spain's history. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSpanish Series: EliteThis Spanish series created by Carlos Montero is in the same vein as Gossip Girls but with a thriller side to it.Elite, with its secondary school setting, is definitely for teenagers and young adults. (Source: elizabethaferry)The plot:The series takes place in the country’s most prestigious secondar y school, Las Encinas. It’s the elite who have the opportunity to take lessons there.Three young working-class students have received a scholarship to attend the school, but the other students don’t see them in a good light due to their social standing.Between the bullying and humiliation, one of the teenagers is killed.Who did it?Cast:Marina Nunier Osuna, Maria Pedraza (Alison Parker in Casa de Papel).Samuel García Domínguez, Itzan Escamilla.Guzmán Nunier Osuna, Miguel Bernardeau.Christian Varela Expósito, Miguel Herran (Rio in Casa de Papel).Fernando “Nano” García Domínguez, Jaime Lorrente (Denver in Casa de Papel).Polo, Alvaro Rico.Our opinion:As a mix between Gossip Girl and How to Get Away with Murder, this series is interesting. Cultural differences, love, sex, scandal, and crime, there’s everything in this shocking series. The main cast (the three new arrivals) are more authentic and interesting than the supporting cast.A good series for the target audience, t eenagers.Find out more about the most famous Spaniards!Spanish Series: The Red Band SocietyWhile there is an American remake, the original, Polseres Vermelles, is a Spanish series with the dialogue in Catalan. The original aired on TV3 between 2011 and 2013. The remake was aired by Fox in the US.The American version just isn't as good as the original. (Source: 1662222)The plot:It covers the story of a group of teenagers living in a paediatric ward in a hospital. The American version ran for one season.The name comes from the bands the patients wear on their wrists.You should probably watch the original version dubbed into Spanish rather than the remake.Cast:Lleó, Àlex Monner.Jordi, Igor Szpakowski.Roc, Nil Cardoner.Cristina, Joana Vilapuig.Yanis, Mikel Iglesias.Toni, Marc Balaguer.Our opinion:Based on the story of the show’s creator Albert Espinosa (who survived 3 cancers), the show mixes tenderness and humour. The real heroes are the young patients and not the doctors, unlike w hat you’re probably used to in series taking place in hospitals.The characters, despite their situation, are full of hope and life. As Albert Espinosa put it, “You don’t die in hospitals due to illness, but boredom”. This isn't a sitcom but rather a dramedy! The way it blends comedic elements with the drama in a dysfunctional social environment is incredible.TV not your thing?Check out some of the best Spanish music.Spanish Series: Vis a VisCreated by Alex Pina (La Casa de Papel), this series was broadcast on Antena 3 in 2015. Antena 3 cancelled the show but it was picked up by Fox Spain in 2018.The plot:A young woman falls in love with her boss and ends up imprisoned for committing accounting crimes because of him. She ends up in the Cruz del Sur Prison for four different crimes.She needs to learn more about life in prison. She learns that there’s a large sum of money hidden somewhere that was never found. One of the culprits of this crime is in prison with her.Without tr ying, she ends up finding a clue. She needs to try to deal with this while surviving life in prison.Cast:Macarena Ferreiro, Maggie Civantos.Zulema Zahir, Najwa Nimri.Fabio Martínez, Roberto Enriquez.Antonio Palacios, Alberto Velasco.Miranda Aguirre, Cristina Plazas.Dr Carlos Sandoval, Ramiro Blas.Our opinion:This series, which is a bit of a mix between Orange is the New Black and Prison Break, mixes suspense and far-fetched twists. It’s fun with some good characters, but the plot sometimes leaves a lot to be desired.Make sure you watch the original version and not a dub. With more and more foreign series coming to Netflix, you can stop watching American movies on Netflix or TV series like Daredevil, Breaking Bad, House of Cards, or It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and instead, binge watch some of the great Spanish series or new TV shows streaming on Netflix or HBO. Don't forget you can also watch on mobile devices, meaning they're great for practising on your commute, for exampl e.While most of the best new TV shows and best movies that you've heard of are American, don't forget that you can get a Spanish sketch comedy, scripted drama, detective and crime series and that you can also find the best shows from Spanish primetime TV and stuff for both the big and small screen.Of course, keep in mind that Spain and Latin America don't have the financial clout behind their series or movies so don't expect these shows and films to be like the Sopranos, Sense8, Bloodline, the Good Wife, Arrested Development, Jessica Jones, or even Bojack Horseman!You should understand that you won't get the polish in Hispanic series and movies that you do from Hollywood blockbusters. They won't be starring big names but you'll soon be surprised that some of the best movies on Netflix are actually in Spanish!So which Spanish series or movies are you going to watch tonight?

Friday, March 6, 2020

Reasons To Learn The Globally Popular Language Spanish

Reasons To Learn The Globally Popular Language Spanish A Rich History Is Why Spanish Is So Popular Today ChaptersWhy Is Spanish So Widely Spoken?  What Should We Know About Spanish?The Benefits of Learning SpanishResources for Spanish StudentsYou may not know this, but  Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, by the number of native speakers, behind only Mandarin Chinese. This means that  there are more people who speak Spanish as their first language than those whose mother tongue is English.There are 20 different Spanish speaking countries around the globe that use Spanish as an official language, account for around 440 million native speakers. Spanish is even one of the UN'S six official languages. The importance of Spanish is obvious, and anyone who can improve their skills in this language will set themselves apart from the crowd. You don't need to necessarily be fluent. Even having a conversational level would be an asset.The benefits of learning Spanish are becoming more and more apparent, and it is, therefore, no surprise that it is increasing in popularity arou nd the world.But how did Spanish come to take on such important, and why is it so widely spoken? How did it become the world’s second most spoken language by the number of native speakers?The history of the Spanish language is a fascinating tale that dates back hundreds of years. In this article, we will look at how the history of Spanish has shaped its standing as one of the main languages in the world today.You just have to subscribe to a channel or download recordings, and listen to them where and when you want (when on the train, out jogging, in the car, etc...), meaning that you can learn at your own pace.News in Slow SpanishThis is definitely one of the best podcasts for learning the Spanish language.It offers high-quality Spanish classes for beginner to advanced levels. This podcast allows you to listen to useful subjects and master Spanish vocabulary that covers a variety of themes, including:economypoliticsecologyleisureSo you’ll absorb a wealth of relevant information each week (which is a great help if you intend to travel to the country) all in a clear, simple and “slow” rhythm.What’s more, on the website of the  podcast, you can find vocabulary sheets and complete texts for each show available. This will be useful for going back and checking that you heard the right Spanish words and phrases.Coffee Break SpanishThis is a podcast that offers 80 shows for beginner Spanish speakers, each between 15 and 20 minutes long. There are also some for more intermediate level speakers to improve their vocabulary and conversational Spanish.This podcast is unique as it’s presented by two people: Kara, a student who is learning at the same time as you, and Mark, your teacher. This teacher/learner format is ideal language learning training and is particularly useful for children learning Spanish. The scenarios are also a lot more realistic because the set-up is so relevant.Apps For Learning Spanish On The GoDuoLingo: Learning While Having FunDuoLingo m akes learning Spanish easy and fun. If you already have some experience of learning Spanish, you can take a placement test when you begin to see where to start, or you can simply start from the very beginning.The idea is to have fun by answering questions and earning points by responding as quickly as possible to go to the next level.Each lesson allows you to work on several aspects of the Spanish language, from pronunciation to listening and translation with instant correction.What's more, for those of you who are looking for an app to learn Spanish, you should note that DuoLingo is available on your smartphone or tablet. So you could be learning Spanish whilst killing time on your commute to work, or at the departure gate whilst waiting to board your flight!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Painting Classes Glasgow

Painting Classes Glasgow Where to Find a Painting Class in Glasgow ChaptersChoosing the Painting Class that's Right for YouThe Most Common Painting TechniquesWhat Art Supplies Do You Need?Art Classes and Workshops in GlasgowArtistic expression has been evolving ever since the earliest cave paintings were drawn and continues to do so today. Thanks to social media, we can have even more access to artwork and galleries we do not, or would never be able to, access otherwise. These outlets have also given way to artistic expression itself in the form of videos, photography and more.If you’re interested in learning how to paint, you’ve probably already subscribed various art Instagram accounts or have found a couple of blogs that post content for aspiring painters. What most of these outlets don’t really mention, however, is how exactly you can start painting in your city â€" specifically, Glasgow.Whether you’re looking for art instruction for beginners, or looking for some basic drawing and painting workshops, it can be useful to start by underst anding the kinds of mediums you are likely to encounter in painting class.Learn to paint by starting to take art classes FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsChoosing the Painting Class that's Right for YouOil PaintingIf you know a bit about the development of painting, you’ll know that oil paints have, since the Renaissance, been one of the most dominant forms of painting. The reasons can be var ious and argued, but one of the most important ones is because of what its made of.Oil paint consists of pigment mixed with oil, which not only gives oil paintings their vibrancy but also allows artists to pile layer on top of layer, sometimes without even letting the bottom layers dry fully â€" a technique discussed later.While using oil paints can be extremely rewarding, the medium is taught normally in more advanced courses. Because it tends to be more expensive than its counterparts, and because it uses turpentine as a solvent, it can be a bit more difficult to use or less accessible. If you’d like to start to learn to paint with oil paints, however, just make sure that you keep these factors in mind.Look for art classes in Manchester.Acrylic PaintingAcrylic is a relatively new type of paint, having only been created in the mid-1900s. Since its introduction to the mass market, however, acrylic paint has become a popular medium amongst both beginners and professional painters. The reason why can be found both in its affordability as well as its fast learning curve.While this type of paint might not sound familiar to you, some of the most famous contemporary works have been painted in acrylic. In the UK alone, it has been used by the likes of David Hockney and Eduardo Paolozzi in the notorious pop art movement. Because of its popularity, if you’re looking for some art education involving acrylic around Glasgow, you’re in luck.Finding painting classes in Cardiff and painting workshops in Belfast!Watercolor PaintingPainting with watercolors can, at first, seem to be a pastime of only beginner artists or older folks. However, watercolor is not only the world’s oldest medium, but it has also evolved into one of the most dynamic mediums in the field of art.The best thing about watercolor, besides is portability, is the fact that the materials geared towards beginners are normally cheaper than most alternatives. If you’re looking for some inspiration in contemporary watercolor artists, check out paintings by Mary Whyte or Jose Apaza.Artistic technique is a skill that should be acquired earlyThe Most Common Painting TechniquesOnce you’re done understanding the different mediums you are likely to encounter in painting classes around Glasgow, you might be left wondering: but how do you actually paint?It can be overwhelming to try an navigate through the slew of terms, techniques and methods associated with painting, color theory and basic shading and sketching. Complicating this further is the fact that sometimes, the same techniques can be called something completely different in different mediums. Here’s some of the most common techniques you’ll find yourself utilizing in every class and how, exactly, they’re performed.Try a painting class in Edinburgh too!Acrylic PaintingWhether you’re painting a still life or working on depicting a human figure, knowing a variety of methods to employ while painting can go a long way. One method that can also be found in both watercolor and oil painting is known as wet on dry.This technique involves thinning the paint with water and applying it to a dry canvas. This is one of the most common ways of using acrylic and will probably a technique you utilize often. Taking this a step further is a technique known as washing.Washing involves thinning acrylic paint out to the point where its application resembles that of watercolor. Painting in this manner can be extremely useful if you’re looking for a watercolor effect with fast drying paint.WatercolorsSpeaking of watercolor, this highly versatile paint can be applied in a variety of different ways. One of the most important, besides the wet on dry already mentioned, is a technique called wet on wet. While the names of these techniques seem a bit uninspired, the process itself is actually quite amazing.Wet on wet involves mixing your watercolor paint with water and applying it to a canvas that is already wet. In order to prepare the canvas, simply apply a layer of water over the sections onto which you would like to paint. The effects of utilizing this method can often lead to some of the more intense color mixing apparent in portraits and scenes like those of Cheng Kee-Chee’s.Oil PaintingThe wet on wet version of oil painting, other than having a different name, is also slightly different than its watercolor counterpart. Known as alla prima, this technique involves painting on top of layers that have not completely dried. Doing this doesn’t just allow color to mix in interesting ways, as with watercolor, but it also allows for textures to build up.Underpainting and glazing are equally as important techniques to get familiar with that happen at the beginning and the end of the painting process, respectively. Underpainting is the process of painting a layer of a neutral color onto the entirety of the canvas before painting your subject on it. In some instances, you can also sketch your initial painting in a monochrome of that same base color before applying the colors you will eventually use.Glazing, on the other hand, is utilized at the end of the painting process and can be seen as a sealing layer on top of the finished product. The technique involves nothing more than applying a coat of transparent paint on top of your painting as both a protective measure and to enhance the effect of the colors.Find painting classes in Leeds.Learning to paint can even lead to careers in artWhat Art Supplies Do You Need?Deciding what painting materials you will be needing for self-practice, art school or workshops can sometimes be more difficult than finding the creativity and inspiration to paint a subject. This can be exacerbated if you’re dealing with a tighter budget â€" however, there’s no need to stress. Anyone involved in artistic endeavors is no stranger to financial difficulty.The best way to start is first by picking the medium you would like to work with. This will enab le you to not only pick amongst the vast variety of watercolor, oil and acrylic paint, but it will also help you arrive to the art supply store with an estimate of what you’ll be spending.When buying paint, its always good to ask the instructor for advice on which paints are necessary and which are optional. However, as a general rule of thumb, a variety of five different colors, including white and black, is a good place for a beginner to start.Find painting classes in London.Canvases and brushes are a bit more difficult to shop for, as this will also depend on what your medium will be and what exactly you’ll be painting. We recommend getting a variety of three or four brushes all of different widths. Start with a small tipped detailing brush and make sure to include a flat, wide headed brush for the times you’ll want to paint on large swaths of paint.Canvas will be different if you’re painting with watercolor, acrylic or oil paint. The three most common canvases you’ll l ikely encounter are either sketchbooks, watercolor paper, or linen and cotton canvases. The canvas you’ll be using for practicing and sketching in paint will likely take the form of a sketchbook while producing bigger, more detailed pieces will necessitate larger canvases. Make sure to get whatever you think you’ll need in your class or workshop.Art Classes and Workshops in GlasgowStudying art in Glasgow can be a rich, and sometimes interactive experience. If you're on of the many young artists interested in pursuing an art degree, some of the top art universities in the world can be found in the UK.If you're simply looking for kids art workshops or adult art lessons, starting by looking online can facilitate finding an experienced instructor. Signing up for courses online with the Botanics Glasgow art center or sites like Superprof can help you find the right class or setting.Whether you're learning studio art or life drawing, plein air painting can be an option for people who can't pay for painting classes or simply prefer to self-learn at their own pace. While this usually requires a stroke of good weather, it can be a great way to learn to paint.

Online Ratio to Percent Tutors

Online Ratio to Percent Tutors Ratio is the quantitative comparison between quantitates or numbers. Ratio is a very commonly used operation in mathematics. The symbol of ratio is : Percentage means per hundred. The symbol used for percentage is % . A ratio can be expressed in a percentage form. For example, a / b can be written as a : b. Here a / b is fraction form and a : b is the ratio form. To convert to percent the fraction is multiplied by 100. Example 1: Simplify the given ratio 4 : 8 and express the answer in the percent form. Solution: Here the given ratio is 4 : 8. The given ratio can be expressed as an fraction from by writing 4 : 8 as 4 / 8. Now the fraction form can be further simplified as 4 and 8 are both divisible by 4. This reduces the given fraction to 1 / 2. Converting into a fraction gives 1/2 * 100 = 50%. Hence the percentage of the given ratio is 50 %. Example 2: Simplify the given ratio 5 : 20 and express the answer in the percent form. Solution: Here the given ratio is 5 : 20. The given ratio can be expressed as an fraction from by writing 5 : 20 as 5 / 20. Now the fraction form can be further simplified as 5 and 20 are both divisible by 5. This reduces the given fraction to 1 / 4. Converting into a fraction gives 1/4 * 100 = 25%. Hence the percentage of the given ratio is 25%.

Learning Math

Learning Math Mathematics often looks like a collection of symbols. But Mathematics is logical. Learning Mathematics will enable us to use it in Engineering, Physics and Chemistry .All the major discoveries and inventions, theories and applications would never be possible without learning Mathematics. It is widely used in both Information Technology and Communication; .Accountants, Economists and Business people use it every day. Learning Mathematics is an just like adventure; there are always new things to discover and it will never cease to amaze us how neatly and beautifully it all fits together. Example1: Alice went shopping on Saturday for a dress at a store where everything was on sale for 30% off the regular price. If the dress she bought had a regular price of $37.50 and the sales tax is 8%, how much did Alice pay for the dress on Saturday? Solution: Amount she saved from the 30% off sale. $37.50 0.30 = $11.25 Then the sale price will be $37.50 - $11.25 = $26.25 Now, find 8% tax on $26.25 $26.25 0.08 = $2.10 Add the tax. $26.25 + $2.10 = $28.35 Alice paid $28.35 for the dress she bought Saturday. Example 2: Nancy is taking an online survey with 300 questions. She is able to respond to 15 questions per minute. How long will it take Nancy to complete the entire survey? Solution: Let x = the amount of time 15 questions: 1 minute = 300 question: x Cross multiply and solve for x 15 * x = 300 *1 So x = 20 Nancy will take 20 minutes to complete.

Financial Literacy Math Skills

Financial Literacy Math Skills Before parents send their children off to college and into the real world, there are many skills they must ensure they have. With so many academic skills taking front and center, Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center says that financial literacy isnt always top of mind for parents. Managing personal finances is a skill that children need in life, Huntington says. The great news is that when parents make the effort to educate their children about saving, budgeting, spending, credit and more, theyre also building their childrens practical math skills. She offers parents these ideas: Open a savings account for your child. Take your child to the bank to open his or her first bank account. Show your child how to record deposits, withdrawals, and interest in the register and explain how compound interest works as the account grows. Check with the bank on whether they offer any handouts or workshops for children who are just starting to save and learn about money basics. Give an allowance. An allowance is one of the best ways to give children practical examples of what their relationship with money will be like in the future. Perhaps you can establish that different types of chores earn different wages and leave it up to your child how much money he or she wants to earn each week. Then, encourage your child to set aside money for saving, investing, and spending, and take him or her to the bank every month to make a deposit. Discuss the difference between saving and investing. Speaking of saving and investing, talk with your child about what each of these means. Explain that saving is setting aside money for safekeeping for the future while investing is trying to grow that money. Talk about the various ways to grow money. Explain how certain investments are riskier, and thus, earn greater returns. You might even share your monthly savings account statements vs. your monthly 401(k) statements to show your child the difference. Have your child help you update the family budget. If your family uses a budgeteither a spreadsheet or through an apphave your child help you update it each week or month. Alternately, have your child create a budget of his or her own, starting with all income sources (e.g. allowance, birthday money, part-time job income) and listing out any expenses (e.g. clothes, gas money). Share a high-level version of your household budget and how you decide how much to save and invest every month. Just as children need to think about career paths and their viability before they go to college, they also need to build their financial literacy. When parents teach their children about budgeting, credit, income, and paying different expenses, theyre also strengthening their money math knowledge, including concepts like decimals, percentages, and reasoning, says Huntington. These are skills children will put to use and appreciate in adulthood, and the earlier you teach these ideas, the better. For more information about Huntingtons math and other subject tutoring programs, call 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Critical thinking behind math skills reading skills

Critical thinking behind math skills reading skills Common Core and Critical Thinking: Helping Students Hone This Important Skill The Common Core State Standards are intended to help students prepare for college and the working world, wherein they must think critically and apply the skills they learn in the classroom to a variety of real-world scenarios. The buzz about the standards is that they go much deeper into all math and English-language arts areas and emphasize comprehension and building understanding more so than rote memorization. The standards are meant to strengthen students ability to think, analyze, comprehend, defend and support ones ideas, and much more. According to the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, the Common Core State Standards weave such aptitudes throughout the standards. Here are a few examples: Reading Reading comprehension is top of mind at all levels. As students read a variety of textsboth literature and nonfictionthey will be expected to make logical inferences, express their insights, explore ideas, and think about topics from many different viewpoints, among other objectives. Speaking and listening Through speaking and listening (and through media), students must assess and offer complex information and ideas. The classroom will focus on smaller group discussions as well as one-on-one discussions as a way to encourage students to think critically, work together to develop ideas and answer questions, and more. Writing Students are expected to write thoughtful, logical arguments, express their opinions, reason, and conduct focused and in-depth research. Media and Technology A huge part of 21st-century learning is knowing how to use, critically analyze and produce media and technology. Technology and media are woven throughout the standardsfrom teaching students to present ideas and knowledge in various media formats to using technology to develop mathematical models that link classroom math to everyday decision making. Mathematics High school students will be expected to apply mathematical ways of thinking to real-world issues and challenges and think and reason their way through math problems. The elementary and middle school standards help prepare students for this type of thinking. There are many things you can do to help your student build his or her critical thinking skills, thereby equipping him or her for the curricular changes resulting from Common Core. Here are a few simple ideas to help your student engage in critical thinking each and every day. Ask your student questions that confirm his or her understanding of the texts that he or she reads. Encourage your child to analyze what he readswhether thats newspaper or magazine articles or fiction stories and books. Ask questions about the main idea of the story such as what the authors purpose is (to entertain or persuade, for example), whether a piece is opinion or fact and how he or she can tell, and what clues he or she can identify about a storys plot, main message or takeaway. Ask your child how he or she feels about texts and readings and why. Why does he or enjoy a story or not? Why does he or she think a certain event or point is the most important in a passage or story? Why does he or she like certain characters? When using measurement in math homework, encourage your child to think about how and where measurements are used in life. As your child completes math problems, have him or her explain how he or she reached an answer and why he or she thinks that approach makes sense. When using graphs in homework, encourage your child to carefully interpret data, think about how graphs make it easier to represent data (versus communicating data in a different way), and consider how he or she might collect and show data in a different way. In math word problems, have your child talk you through the information provided and explain how he or she will use such information to solve problems (as well as what information might be missing). Encourage your child to notice patterns in the real world. Have your child point out the use of fractions in everyday use. Critical thinking is an important life skill that is now becoming a focal point in math and English-language arts curriculum. Talk with your childs teacher about how you can support his or her development of such higher order thinking abilities. Also, throughout your childs daily life, encourage him or her to think, reflect, make decisions and develop opinions.

Errors and Mistakes in Language Learning A Field Guide

Errors and Mistakes in Language Learning A Field Guide Errors and Mistakes in Language Learning: A Field Guide You never see them coming.They get you LOLing and even ROFLing.Lets face facts: sometimes messing up is the highlight of your day.While some language mistakes are funny, if your goal is fluency, youll have to work hard to cut out mistakes and errors. Thats because errors in language learning  can have some serious consequences.Language acquisition  comes with a lot of laughs, but that doesnt mean its all fun and games.Linguists, psychologists and language teachers have studied language acquisition extensively, so if this is a topic that interests you, you might want to sample the abundant literature on the topic.For instance,  Second Language Acquisition by Wolfgang Klein discusses the process of learning another language.  Errors in Language Learning and Use by Carl James focuses more squarely on the role errors can play in language education.For now, though, lets dive in head-first with a basic primer in common mistakes and errors you might encounter on your learning journey. Why Its Important to Be Aware of Common Errors and MistakesFirst, its important to be aware of typical errors and mistakes in order to avoid falling into common issues. For instance, if you know that many language learners avoid difficult constructs, you can try to prevent this error by putting extra effort into studying the most difficult concepts, like the subjunctive mode.Think of errors and mistakes as potholes in the road to language learning. If you spot them up ahead, you can swerve. If not, youre in for a rough ride.Plus, being aware of common errors and mistakes will  remind you that youre not alone when you stumble upon them. Language learners can be pretty hard on themselves. When you encounter a roadblock, it can be easy to feel defeated.Knowing that a lot of learners encounter these problems will help you remember that it happens to nearly everyone. Even people who have  learned multiple languages  have likely stumbled into mistakes and errors at some point.Errors and Mist akes in Language Learning: A Field GuideColloquially, we might use mistakes and errors interchangeably, but in linguistics, theyre two distinct concepts.Mistakes entail failing to apply the rules consistently. This means you know the rule, you just dont always follow it. People often make mistakes in their native languages, too.Between errors and mistakes, errors are the more threatening adversary. Theyre a result of lack of proper knowledge.Lets look at mistakes first.Common Mistakes in Language LearningFailing to use proper verb tensesWhen conjugating verbs in a foreign language, students might stick with simpler verb tenses than are necessary since theyre more familiar. This usually means using the infinitive or simple present tense. For instance, students learning English might slip up and say I am sick even if the want to indicate that it has been ongoing, which would be better captured with I have been sick.Since important information such as time frames and conditionality can be conveyed through verb tenses, its important to use the right tense for your intended meaning. Completing verb exercises and using a wide array of verb tenses through speaking and writing practice will pay off in droves.Misusing vocabularyMany students often misuse vocabulary. You  memorize words  and chances are you really do know what they mean, but if youre speaking or writing quickly, you might sometimes slip up and misuse a word or forget it altogether.For instance, even when you know that the Spanish word embarazada means pregnant, you could slip up and try to use it to mean embarrassed.  Luckily, practice makes perfect. The more often you use the words youve learned, the less likely youll misuse them.Subject/verb agreementDepending on what language youre learning, there will be different verb endings to go along with different subjects. Ensuring that your subject and verb agree will help clarify which subject goes with which verb.For instance, a student learning English mi ght say they eats. However, learners may struggle with this due to lack of practice. The more writing and speaking practice you have, the less likely youll struggle with subject/verb agreement.Gender agreementMany languages have gendered nouns and adjectives. Since this is something that English lacks, students may find it a little tricky. To avoid mistakes with gender agreement, its important to make gender an important part of your word study. Another valuable trick is to pay attention to gender patterns.Often times, words of a particular gender will share a similar ending. For instance, someone studying Russian might not remember if ?????? is masculine or feminine. However, if theyve studied that the -???? ending is masculine, theyre less likely to slip up. Over time, studying endings will make it easy to identify the gender of a word without having to consciously think about it.Common Errors in Language LearningSecond Language Learning Errors Their Types, Causes, and Treatment b y Hanna Y. Touchie identifies several of these common errors in language learning. For additional details on their causes and treatment, you might consider referring back to this helpful study.Applying rules from your native language (also known as L1 interference or language transfer)Its widely accepted  that language students take some elements of their first language and apply it to their second. While the exact nature of the transfer varies between languages, it may often include grammatical rules.Its only natural. Since youre more familiar with your native language, it can be easy to transfer rules from one to the other.What can you do to prevent it? Sadly, the verdict is out on this. Researchers continue to study L1 interference/language transfer looking for a solution.Inaccurate or incomplete educationWhether its from faulty teaching or simply not learning enough, a flawed education can result in errors.To avoid this, be sure to use quality resources and/or seek a well-prepar ed teacher. To ensure you have sufficient education, you can continue taking courses or using other learning materials until you reach your desired level of proficiency.If youre studying a language yourself, you might consider an online language teacher to help fill in the gaps or clarify certain concepts.AvoidanceAvoidance occurs when a language structure is particularly difficult. For instance, native Chinese and Japanese speakers often avoid relative clauses when speaking English.Ironically, avoiding difficult structures is self perpetuatingâ€"they wont get easier if you dont practice themâ€"so try to use the most appropriate structures possible even if they require extra effort. Set a timer and plan on spending 15 minutes a day studying this topic. Soon youll find that it isnt as overwhelming as you once thought.SimplificationSimplification is similar to avoidance in that it often stems from a structure being to difficult. Learners use a simpler form in place of complex structur es because they dont quite get it.For instance, some learners may consistently use simpler verb tenses in place of more challenging tenses. While using a wrong verb form can also be a mistake (when a learner has the knowledge, but fails to implement the rules correctly), consistently choosing simpler verb forms is an error of simplification.OvergeneralizationOvergeneralization occurs when a learner incorrectly applies a rule to a situation in which that rule does not apply.  One study  indicated that this may be more common in elementary students than intermediate students.For instance, if a Spanish student conjugated the present tense  yo (I)  form of  estar  (to be) as  esto, this would be an error of overgeneralization. While a similar conjugation would work for most verbs,  estar  is irregular and doesnt follow standard rules.To avoid overgeneralization, it helps to pay particular attention to exceptions to rules, such as irregular verbs.HypercorrectionHypercorrection (also call ed induced errors) occurs when students have been over corrected, ironically pushing them to make new errors.For instance, since many Spanish words begin with  es, you may hear some Spanish speakers begin English-language words with a similar sound. For instance,  especial. However, native Spanish speakers who are diligently studying English may go to the extreme to avoid this, hypercorrecting by avoiding  es even when English words call for it. For instance, they may say sential instead of essential.FossilizationLike fossils, fossilization errors occur when something has been around for a long time. In this case, fossilization refers to how errors that have been repeated over and over can become fossilized, and therefore hard to get rid of.Remember: Language learning builds on itself, so starting out with a strong foundation is important.False concepts hypothesizedFalse concepts hypothesized refers to errors that stem when learners make incorrect assumptions about their target lang uage. Because they believe these assumptions are correct, errors will consistently occur.For instance,  one example  would be a student learning English who thinks is is necessary to indicate present tense. Therefore, he/she might say She is read book.Obviously, avoiding assumptions is helpful, but having a teacher or tutor who can correct you before these habits become ingrained is also useful.Remember, dont take yourself too seriously, but keep an eye out for these mistakes and errors on your path to fluency! And One More ThingSo now you know what not to do in learning a language, but what should you do?Authentic media like the kind on FluentU helps you avoid and train yourself out of common errors and mistakes over time, since it gives you important context you cant ignore along with the language.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, including 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 over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive Transcripts You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz 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.