Price For Tutoring Per Hour Can Make Or Break Your Education

Price For Tutoring Per Hour Can Make Or Break Your EducationPrice for tutoring per hour is an ever increasing factor in private educational institutions in the United States. In recent years, the cost of tuition has increased by approximately three-quarters while the price of tutoring per hour has increased by an equal amount. Although the results of tutoring per hour may not be the focus of student tutors, parents and students are faced with financial constraints when looking for a private school.Private institutions are able to retain their tuition levels because they are required to take part in Federal research funding programs that allow private high schools to participate in the Federal Pell Grant program. Since competition for the Pell Grant program is so fierce, there are fewer grants available each year. This means that private schools must compete against other private schools that are willing to offer even less funding. This results in higher tuition costs and a decreased ability to maintain affordable fees.There are other private schools that are completely dependent on the student's ability to perform in a structured environment for high school students. All private schools are not created equal.In addition to other aspects of the program such as large attendance centers, smaller campuses and program structure, students should consider their own high school experience and school costs before selecting a private school. The classes they took, the programs they participated in, the private school they attended, the experiences they had in common with other students in the class and the experience they had while attending the school are all factors to consider.The most important factors to consider for private schools are the amount of time they have available for students to return for an in-depth study of the program. Large, rural schools do not have much money available to be allocated to extra-curricular activities; therefore, the cost of private tutoring per hour may be prohibitive. In addition, small, rural private schools can't afford to continue extra-curricular activities when there is so little available money to pay for them.The main feature to look for in private schools is the ability of the college to provide extracurricular programs. If the school offers a number of courses in addition to the traditional curriculum, this can bring down the price of tutoring per hour. The less the school can offer the student, the less likely the student will become dissatisfied with the program.Whether you choose a small rural private school or a large urban private school, make sure that the school's financial circumstances are better than your own. Price for tutoring per hour can be high or can be affordable depending on the quality of the educational program and the personal traits of the student.

4 Unconventional Ways to Get Better at Singing

4 Unconventional Ways to Get Better at Singing Suzy S. Did you know there are ways you can get better at singing that DONT involve singing? Find out the ideas in this guest post by professional  voice teacher  Molly R... The obvious thing to do when you want  to get better at singing is, of course, to sign up for voice lessons! You may have even found that teacher right here on TakeLessons.com. But singing is so much more than what goes on with your vocal cords. We also have to exude confidence and connect with our audience. We can’t always get the help we need to become dynamic performers from voice lessons alone. Here are some suggestions for  other classes that will  take you from a good singer to an unforgettable one! Dance  Lessons No one’s looking for you to become the next Fred Astaire, but it’s essential that you move well if you plan on singing on any stage. Any  type of dance lesson  will do: ballet, salsa, ballroom, and more. When the body’s more relaxed and agile, not only do you look more polished, your voice will be a lot more free. Gone are the days of “park and bark,” where you just stand there and open your mouth. To use your space effectively, you have to be comfortable with your body. Fear not, non-dancers: There are plenty  of lessons  out there that cater to beginners. I plan on taking a swing dance workshop this summer, and I am encouraging all my students to join me! Tai Chi and Qigong This is super simple, yet so very beneficial. Master the eight brocades in Qigong, and you have a marvelous way to connect with both body and  breath! Tai Chi and Qigong lessons help us conquer nerves, get better sleep, and move with more grace. Yes, many of us have heard how yoga does all these things, too, but many people would prefer something easier and gentler. Plus, Tai Chi and Qigong are perfect  for kids and senior singers! In addition to your private lessons, I recommend following Jesse Tsao on YouTube for tips  and inspiration. Acting  Lessons A great  voice becomes a spectacular  voice when the audience believes you know  what you’re singing about. One of the best ways to develop  your performance skills  is to take acting lessons. Even if youre new to acting, beginner acting lessons  abound.  You can even find teachers through TakeLessons (I happen to teach beginning acting, too!). Remember, each song you sing is a monologue set to music. Finding ways to express it dramatically, as well as musically, will set you apart from other  singers  who are  only focused on sounding good! To help you get better at singing, an acting coach will challenge you to create a character for each song, thus making each of your performances more meaningful to both you and your audience. To supplement your lessons, I also recommend reading the book “What Do I Do With My Hands?” by Rhonda Carlson, who has coached many Broadway performers. Improv  Lessons This one changed everything for me! These days, improvisational comedy workshops are offered everywhere, including at corporate events and schools to make employees and students feel more confident. Plus,  it’s plain fun! Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for any sort of performer. By taking improv lessons, you’ll strengthen your creativity by learning how to  think on your feet and to trust your instincts. You’ll also learn how to “play well with others meaning your fellow performers  and the audience. And did I mention just how much fun it is? Go for it! After performing in any improv situation, recitals, musicals, and  open mics will seem so much easier! So, what are you waiting for? As a voice student, you will always be learning something new to  help you  get better at singing â€" but, surprisingly, it’s not always about vocal technique! So  go sign up, and have a blast. When you’re having fun on stage, so is the audience! Post Author:  Elaina R. Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013.  Learn more about Molly  here! Photo by Nick Page 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

Top 5 College Study Tips

Top 5 College Study Tips Carving out study time in college can be tricky because there are often more distractions than in high school. There are always people around, events to attend, social activities to partake inin addition to a schedule with more freedom to control. Build upon some of the study methods you used in high school to implement these top college study tips: 1. Make a study plan As soon as it makes sense to youa week out, a month out, etc.make a study schedule for yourself for the days leading up to a test. This can be extremely helpful in spacing out your studying so you wont have to cram the day before and pull an all-nighter, which often causes more stress. You can decide to study an hour or two each day, or choose which concepts or units to review per study session. Remember to include breaks, as well! While studying straight through for two hours might work for some, a lot of us truly benefit from scheduled breaks. This helps us double down on the actual study time, minimize distractions, and better enjoy the breaks themselves, as theyll feel more earned. 2. Find settings that suit you A popular location to study may of course be your campus library. Its well-liked for good reason: it stays open late (and sometimes 24/7), offers print and electronic resources, and is quiet. Check out the librarys study rooms, which you may need to sign up for ahead of time, as they can provide a bit more silence and privacy. Top floors can be great for this as well. Your school might have other designated quiet spaces; perhaps a campus art museum or a certain area of the student union that you could take advantage of. However, if you like working with more background noise, such as music or the hustle and bustle of people around you, consider a local coffee shop or your dorm common area. You might even bump into a friend from the same class, which can help refuel you for more studying. Also, if you have access to a car or other transportation, you may wish to explore what other hidden gems are available near your college town; this can provide much needed different scenery. 3. Rewrite notes or make flashcards Writing down key concepts from a textbook or rewriting your noteson the page or on flashcardsare excellent ways to better cement information into your mind. The act of writing slows you down, allowing you to be with the concepts longer and spend more time actively focusing on them. The process is effective, as well as the productyou can take your page of notes or flashcards with you as portable study guides whenever you have a free moment. Waiting in line at the bank or at the DMV? Both great times to whip out your study aids and make the most out of a few stray minutes. 4. Prioritize your best time of day Think about what time of day you have the most energy, and schedule your study time accordingly. Are you one of the few college early birds? Do you like mid-day studying or do you slide into an afternoon slump? What part of nighttime works for you, early evening or closer to midnight? Once youre aware of this, youll want to use your most energetic hours for your most difficult subjects, which can help you make the most of your time. Also, as a college student, your schedule is likely to vary greatly day-to-day, so dont be afraid to try different things throughout the week and see what suits you best! 5. Visit office hours A unique aspect of college, and of school in general, are the professors with open doors to help you. Take advantage of this by visiting them during their scheduled office hours or possibly setting up a separate appointment if you have time conflicts. Meeting with a professor a week or two before an exam can be useful in directing your study plan or clarifying a confusing concept. If you wait until the last day before your test to meet, your discussion may not be as helpful, as youll have less time to process the take-aways from your conversation. You might consider attending office hours on a regular basis; youll get to build a professional relationship with your professors and the one-on-one setting is one of the easiest and best ways to learn. [RELATED: Set Up a Study Plan with Your Tutor that Works for You] These college study tips, as well as others youve picked up in high school, can help build your confidence as a college student as you become more aware of who you are as a learner. While repetition of study strategies builds stamina and helps you make the most of it, keep in mind that one strategy may work for you better at one point in your life, and not so much in another. To that end, keep trying new things and talk with classmates and professors for new suggestions. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Strategy for College Applications and Admissions

Strategy for College Applications and Admissions The following piece was written by Dr. Joan Martin, Ph.D. Joan has been featured in our Admissions Expert series and is the founder of CollegeStartOnline.com. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Harvard University, and MIT. The Stealth Applicant: What Not to Do Travelling incognito, this new type of student who applies to colleges without much contact other than the application has a new name Stealth Applicant. The Common Application and the internet have fostered the phenomenon of these faceless applicants, and admissions offices are bombarded with their applications. Admissions officers continually face the question: do we accept the stealth applicant with the high SAT/GPA or the one who has demonstrated unusual enthusiasm through visits, interviews, and continued contact with the geographic representative? As a rule, if two students with similar GPAs/SAT scores, extracurricular activities, and strong essays are competing for the same spot, the one with the strong connection to the campus will always win out even if the academic index is a bit lower. How to Create a Strong Connection Be Proactive! Research each college on the website prior to any contact so you can determine your fit with that college. Fit is defined as finding specific programs, departments, courses, professors and their research that fulfill your academic and intellectual pursuits. If you can make a connection here, you are on your way to outdistancing any stealth applicant. Even if you do not know what you are going to major in, just find something that piques your interest. Take the information in #1 and start making your connections. Email a professor about your interest in his/her courses and research. Ask if you could see a reading list from those courses. Ask if there are any links to his/her research. If the professor emails back, continue the correspondence with the professor by asking more detailed questions and ask if you could meet him/her when you visit the campus. Come prepared with even more dynamite questions. It is a good bet that the professor will CC your correspondence to the Admissions Office. Now, email the geographic representative for your area and describe your interaction with the professor. Or if there has been no interaction, describe in detail your connection to the college, the information gathered in #1. At your interview and in your application, refer in some way to this active involvement. You have now demonstrated fit, perhaps the most important element of acceptance. Demonstrate Enthusiasm! If the geographic representative visits your high school, be the first person in the room, introduce yourself, and present him/her with your resum, if you have one. Send an email to that person thanking him/her for the presentation; attach your resum. Attend any Road Show of that college that may come to town. Again, introduce yourself and send an email. Seek out alumni in the area. If you do not know anyone personally, then check with the college for an alumni chapter in your area. Email the president and ask if you could meet with members to talk about their experiences at the college. Document this meeting by sending an email to the geographic representative. The Ping Letter Send an email to the geographic representative by November 10th, if you are applying Early Decision/Early Action, and March 1st if you are applying Regular Decision. In the email, update the representative with any new activities, increase in grades and scores, and anything else that is academically exciting to report, like a new award. If you participate in Theater or Band, send the representative information about any new plays or concerts. If you do not have anything new to report, send an email stating your enthusiasm for the college and something that demonstrates your fit even better. Recap The point of this blog posting is to show you, the prospective student, how to stand out against all the other students. Applying to college is a strategy; most students only think about sending in their grades and scores and then writing the application essays. But there are so many other ways that a student can present his/her case to the admissions committee. If you make connections with professors and geographic representatives, you will stand out. Be a giraffe or a peacock and leave the stealth to Jason Bourne and the CIA. VisitCollegeStartOnlinefor more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Learning Guitar Understanding Minor and 7th Chords

Learning Guitar Understanding Minor and 7th Chords Megan L. What are minor and 7th chords anyway? TakeLessons teacher Brian T. breaks down the music theory behind building these chords Learning guitar chords is one of the early challenges of learning the guitar. Very often a new student will find themselves presented with a host of fingering patterns that make little sense. Why this set of frets and not that one? the student wonders Why, when I move my E major down a string does it become A minor? With just a bit of music theory and a willingness to work things out, we can answer these sorts of questions on our own. With a bit of effort, we can even free ourselves from dependence on chord books and other reference materials! Finding Notes on the Guitar To make sure were all on the same page, were going to start by discussing the notes used in the western musical tradition and where they are found on the guitar. Western music is made up of twelve notes, which are commonly labeled in one of two ways: Observe that A sharp labels the same note as B flat, C sharp likewise labels the same not as D flat, and so on. For our purposes, we can treat these alternate labels as interchangeable. Lets review how we find these notes on the guitar. Moving one space to the right on the chart above (this is called, confusingly for guitarists, a half step) is the same as moving one fret up the neck of the guitar. If we start with the 5th (A) string open, we have an A. Moving to the first fret yields an A sharp; the second fret is B; we find C on the third fret, and so on. With the charts above and your the open strings memorized (E-B-G-D-A-E), you can find any note on the guitar! A Brief Overview of Chord Construction Though there are twelve notes available, any given song will stick for the most part to a set of seven notes that form the key of the song. For simplicitys sake, well look at the key starting with A and containing no sharps or flats; this key is known as A minor. Now that weve established our key, were ready to make some chords! Each chord has a root note which gives the chord its name. We start by labelling the root 1, and count up from it until all the members of the key have a number (we may need to loop around). If were making an A chord in our chosen key of A minor, it looks like this: To form the chord, we play the notes labeled 1, 3, and 5; in the case of our A minor chord, these are A, C, and E. Thats all there is to making a basic chord! Now of course, your guitar has more than three strings, so youll usually need to double up a few notes. Just make sure that the deepest sounding note is the root, and youll be good to go. Lets look at building another chord in A minor. This time well form a C chord. This time our 1, 3, and 5, are C, E, and G respectively. What Makes a Chord Minor If youve been playing along (and I hope you have, as this is the best way of learning guitar chords) you may have noticed that the A and the C chords we constructed above sound markedly different. The A chord sounds somber, even sad, whereas the C chord is cheerful. This is because the A chord is a minor chord, while the C chord is Major. Lets look at why this is: The distance between two notes, in half steps, is called the interval between them. As we saw before, each chord consists of a 1, 3, and 5. The interval between 1 and 3 is called, quite reasonably, a 3rd. Not all thirds are the same size. A look at the chart of the key of A minor shows that there are three half steps from A to C. There are, however, four half steps from C to E, which is also a 3rd. The smaller three half step version of the 3rd is called a minor 3rd, while the larger four half step version is known as a major 3rd. A minor 3rd leads to a minor chord, and likewise a major 3rd yields a major chord. We can see this using the two chords we built earlier, A minor and C major: A minor 3rd yields a minor chord. Thats really all there is to it! Adding 7ths to Your Chords We need not limit ourselves to chords with only three notes! If we wish, we can add another just as we did before by skipping one note in the key. We end up with a chord containing 1,3,5, and 7; not surprisingly this is called a 7th chord. Much like 3rds, 7ths come in two varieties: major and minor. The most common combination is a major chord with a minor 7th. This is usually formed on the dominant (V) member of the key, and heralds the return of the tonic (I/i). Lets look at an example, again from the key of A minor: E major 7(V7): Other combinations are possible, however try them out! I find that the major 7th on a major chord yields a warm, sweet sound, while a minor chord with a minor 7th sounds a bit gloomy. The minor chord with a major 7th inspires in me a sense of foreboding. What does it inspire in you? Conclusion Hopefully this post has given you a bit of a better sense of what minor and 7th chords are, and how to construct them. Ultimately, the best way of learning guitar chords is with fingers on the fret board. Name a chord, figure out what notes make it up, and find it on your guitar preferably somewhere down the neck where things are a bit less familiar! Brian T. teaches Economics, Geometry, Grammar, and Math in San Francisco, CA. He has been playing guitar for 14 years. He received his BA in Mathematics and Economics at University of San Francisco, where he studied Classical Guitar and Music Theory for three years.  Learn more about Brian T. 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  Dusty J

Volume Rectangular Prism

Volume Rectangular Prism There are different kinds of prisms depending on the type of base the prism has, and therefore the prism consisting of rectangular bases is known as the rectangular prism. All the surfaces of the rectangular prism are rectangles. Volume of any prism can be calculated by multiplying the area of the base with the height of the prism. In a rectangular prism since the base is a rectangle, hence its volume is given as the product of the area of the base rectangle and the height of the prism. Example 1: Find the volume of the rectangular prism whose length is 4m, width is 1m and height is 5m. Given the length of the rectangular prim, l = 4m Width of the rectangular prism, w = 1m Height of the rectangular prism, h = 5m Volume of a rectangular prism, V = (length) * (width) * (height) Hence, volume of the rectangular prism, V = 4m * 1m * 5m = 20m3 Therefore, the volume of the given rectangular prism = 20m3 Example 2: Find the volume of the rectangular prism whose length is 8cm, width is 7cm and height is 11cm. Given the length of the rectangular prim, l = 8cm Width of the rectangular prism, w = 7cm Height of the rectangular prism, h = 11cm Volume of a rectangular prism, V = (length) * (width) * (height) Hence, volume of the rectangular prism, V = 8cm * 7cm * 11cm = 616cm3 Therefore, the volume of the given rectangular prism = 616cm3

What Are the Most Beautiful Pieces of Portuguese Music

What Are the Most Beautiful Pieces of Portuguese Music The Most Famous Portuguese Songs and Folk Music ChaptersPortuguese Ballad: Amalia Rodrigues - Fado PortuguêsRua da Saudade (Susana Felix) - Canção de MadrugarPortugal Music: Salvador Sobral - Amar pelos doisMal por mal - DeolindaPortuguese Canto: Canção do Mar - Dulce PontesPedro Abrunhosa - BeijoPortuguese Songs: João Pedro Pais - MentiraGaivota - Amalia HojeMadredeus - Haja O Ques HouverMusic and foreign languages are two areas that are often linked. The first impulse, of course, is to think of English and its impact on popular music throughout the world, and the impact of English-language music on those who want to learn the English language.According to some studies, up to 93% of the population listens to music, illustrating just how deeply this art form has permeated our lives and our daily lives. Portuguese is one of the 10 languages most commonly spoken in the world - so what kind of music can you listen to in order to learn Portuguese?Music is very much part of the Lusophone cultural heritage, whether it is folk or t raditional music or Brazilian beats. In this article, we won’t be focusing on instrumental pieces - obviously, since you want to learn Portuguese through music - but on some of the most inspiring vocal pieces composed by Portuguese musician IrineuPortuguese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GabrielaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouisePortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £27/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RodrigoPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BlancaPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolinaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (6) £11/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsPortuguese Canto: Canção do Mar - Dulce PontesIf you are a fan of French chanson and love Hélène Segara’s Elle, tu l’aimes? you will love this Portuguese song, which had become a classic. Cançao do Mar is nothing more or less than the Portuguese version of the French song. Proof that even French vocal music can be influenced by traditional Portuguese songs.Dulces Pontes has some beautiful Portuguese songs to study the Portuguese language. Photo credit: adewale_oshineye on VisualhuntAll of Portugal is bundled into one song: love, poetry, ambiance, lyricism and a beautiful voice to deliver it. Far from gospel or children’s rhymes, this song includes many of the distinctive aspects of Portuguese composition.Pedro Abrunhosa - BeijoA music hinting at saudade, but somewhat more festive and rhythmic, more modern - like this classic of Portuguese music.Beijo is a melancholic tune, simple, without unnecessary embellishments, the vocals accompanied by (almost) nothing but an acoustic piano with just a touch of electronics - that’s the type of music Abrunhosa delivers.Pedro Abrunhose was born in Porto in the 1960 s and is well known in the Portuguese music scene today. Among other things, he founded a school of jazz. His songs tell stories that speak to all of us, whether happy, sad, dramatic or joyful. This local artist makes you eager to learn Portuguese and enter a whole new musical world.Portuguese Songs: João Pedro Pais - MentiraAgain, it’s all of Portugal’s sensitivity anchored in our time and modernised. Between chanson full of saudade and a large, popular voice that - most notably - produced one of the most successful albums in the history of the Portuguese music industry, João Pedro Pais represents Portugal in all its splendour, emotional and lyrical, sweet and engaging at once.Some hits, but more than that - Pais’ music paints a portrait of Portugal, his home country which propelled him to stardom thanks to the television show Chuva de Estrelas. Accompanied by piano as the sole instrument, there are no unnecessary embellishments, just the Portuguese language and the accents and intonations it brings to a strong music.Gaivota - Amalia HojeAmalia Hoje is a Portuguese artist who decided to expand her repertoire to reflect the most typical music of Portugal. In fact, she decided to create a new album that was a compilation inspired by icons such as Amalia Rodrigues. To be influenced by Amalia Rodrigues’ musical style is one thing, but Hoje took it further: this vocalist took well-known songs such as Gaivota  and modernised them, to reflect the tastes of a pop audience.As a way to popularise Portuguese history and the Portuguese language, referencing well-known Portuguese figures people know and love and which stayed in people’s minds. When history merges with the present, a beautiful composition ensues - such as this song, an example typical of vocal superstar Amalia Rodrigues.Madredeus - Haja O Ques HouverMadredeus is a group that takes its name from a neighbourhood in Lisbon east of the Alfama. First performed in 1997, the vocals of this song are su ng by a woman who takes us far, far away…Madredeus is known throughout the Portuguese-speaking world for their beautiful Portuguese songs. Photo credit: Olaer / Elmer Anthony on Visual huntA mixture of fado, folk music and popular music, Haja O Que Houver is a perfect accord between vocals, guitar and various string instruments including guitar, cello, and accordion. Language in the service of emotion - that’s what this song is about.Portugal is not lacking in beautiful songs to showcase its fascinating language and show exactly what it can do. It can be old-fashioned or modern, soft or strong, lyrical or powerful.Look for these songs in your usual streaming sites or download them from iTunes or Amazon. Or look at Portuguese film and videos of concerts on YouTube, try out online Portuguese radio stations, or even go old-fashioned and by a CD.Discover the rich diversity of Portuguese culture and music, beyond what you might imagine. No flamenco or gypsy music, just the intangible strains of a beautiful canto or the haunted melodies of fado. And if you ever make it to Portugal itself, why not attend a music festival to discover small orchestral pieces or unusual and diverse vocals, and all of the best music Portugal has to offer.Search for portuguese lessons london or brazilian portuguese lessons london to see what's on in the capital.