Saturday, March 28, 2020

Edman Degradation - Organic Chemistry With the Help of the Cytoplasm

Edman Degradation - Organic Chemistry With the Help of the CytoplasmEdman degradation is one of the most recent advances in organic chemistry. It can be termed as a drug metabolism that converts harmful compounds into forms that can benefit the organism. In this process, the metabolites of the compounds are actually transferred to the cytoplasm of the cell. Thus, the waste is degraded into harmless substances that can then be metabolized for their beneficial properties.In the cytoplasm, the growth of the nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins and amino sugar molecules can occur. The same thing happens with oxygen. When it comes in contact with oxygen, the oxygen molecules bond with the protein residues found in the cytoplasm. Thus, the whole metabolic process can take place through the transfer of these molecules from the cytoplasm to the cell.Since it is hygroscopic, it can absorb water that may come into contact with it. Thus, the means can be created to remove water from the cyto plasm of the cell and transfer it to the cytoplasm of the cell.It is often referred to as an amine, which is the chemical name of glutathione. It is the antioxidant that can prevent the free radicals in the cell. It can also repair cellular damage caused by free radicals. Since it protects the cells from oxidation and inflammation, it can promote better health.In the case of degradation, water is transferred to the cytoplasm and there can be two steps in this process. First, water is absorbed by the cytoplasm and second, it is transported out of the cell. Thus, the hydration of the cytoplasm is enhanced by its hydration.There are two methods of detoxification: the folic acid detoxification and phytochemical detoxification. Folic acid detoxification is done by giving this compound to the cells through different methods. Some of the methods include oral administration, injection, or anemia in the patients that cannot take other ways of taking the folic acid.Cytoplasm can get damaged b y the amount of heavy metals that exist in the body. To combat this, detoxification can be done by giving the heavy metals through different methods. Such detoxification methods include organic chemistry, phytochemical treatment and other drugs.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Online Content, Conventional TV, and the Golden Age of Television

Online Content, Conventional TV, and the Golden Age of Television image via http://likealady.bg/ Television advertising  became prevalent  in the 1950s, when companies like Kraft and General Electric  sponsored entire television shows. NBC revolutionized the concept in the 1960s with “TV Spots,” which we all know today as commercials. Advertising went from taking up 9 minutes of an hour-long program in the 1970s all the way up to 19 minutes in the ‘90s. Once advertisers were able to gain information regarding the demographics of different shows’ viewers thanks to Nielsen Ratings (the data collection system on the ages and amounts of people watching a given network show), they utilized product placement. Different series became vehicles for certain products, intertwining the characters’ choices and the plotlines with commercial goods. In my opinion, this poses a risk to the creative control of the show.   The advertisers are funding these shows, and since the series are operating on the given company’s dollar, which parts of the show are generated without profit-oriented bias, and which are forced upon the writers from the promotional demands and financial motivations of the corporation? image via http://protoepicnews.blogspot.com/ A show that does a great job of making fun of this is 30 Rock. The series focuses on a fictional NBC television show run by Liz Lemon (Tina Fey).   In the first few seasons, General Electric owns NBC, and Jack Donaghey (Alec Baldwin) plays the overbearing president of NBC who wants to assume control over Lemon’s creative choices. Each episode is speckled with jokes about vertical integration and product placement, with clear wisecracks at GE, who owned NBC in real life at the time. In one scene, Lemon is in Donaghey’s office. She gives a spiel about how great Verizon Wireless is, then looks directly at the camera and says, “can we have our money now?” A show like 30 Rock that actively draws attention to the commerciality aspect of network TV is the exception to the rule. Since network TV depends so much on corporate funding, the shows try to cater to the masses, which makes sense: the more viewers, the more ad spots are worth (since more people are seeing them and are likely to buy the product), so, the more money the show makes. This is where it gets problematic for me again, from a creative standpoint. For example, a comedy that tries to make everyone laugh will probably be less substantial of a series than one with a unique tone, catered to a certain taste. This could be why shows like Arrested Development didn’t do well initially. Fox cancelled the show after just three seasons, even though it won an Emmy. Arrested has dry, quick humor and expects the viewer to be smart enough to catch onto jokes, rather than dumb itself down for the sake of getting more viewers. This juxtaposes against series like Two and A Half Men,  which has  been called “mindless” comedy, yet has been on the air for 12 seasons and peaked at over 24 million viewers. In fact, the success of Arrested Development after its original run, and its subsequent Netflix season four revival, is a good example of the payoff of an online television medium compared to the traditional network model.  After working under the Netflix umbrella for the fourth season, the cast members criticized the show’s former network, Fox, regarding the conflict between airing a quality, creative show, even if it wasn’t a moneymaker for the network. David Cross, the actor who plays Tobias Funke, denounced the network: The networks were still behind in figuring out how people were watching TVâ€"they were still in that antiquated way that started in the 50s with a Nielsen Box. You cant look at the Nielsen ratings just because theres a family in Rhode Island that wasnt watching it at the timeâ€"thats not how people are watching TV anymore . . . The worst thing that happened to Fox was Arrested  winning the Emmy, cos they had to keep it on. Fox didnt have any real guts, but its a business [and] theyre not in the business of putting out great TV; theyre in the business of making as much money as they possibly can for Rupert Murdoch. Cross goes on to discuss how Netflix allowed Mitch Hurwitz, the show’s creator, to take creative control of the show and supported his decisions, whereas Fox would normally fight with Hurwitz and give him notes to change certain things. Where Fox was like “a girl you were dating who didn’t quite get you,” Netflix was “overly gracious and supportive.” When you think about harboring a creative environment necessary for a great television show, which one seems like it would produce higher quality content? image via doseoffunny.com Online mediums like Netflix and Hulu can’t use Nielsen Ratings for their shows; there are no time slots for these series, so theres no way to calculate how many viewers are tuned in since people watch on their own time. Ted Sarandos, the Chief Content Officer at Netflix, discussed the company’s own method of “ratings” when it comes to original content creation.  He specifically referenced House of Cards: “We read lots of data to figure out how popular Kevin Spacey was over his entire output of movies. How many people actually highly rate four or five of them? If you liked The Social Network, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button  and Fight Club, you’re probably a Fincher fanâ€"you probably don’t know it, but you are.” Sarandos continues that once the company has a sense of how many fans are out there, it can “more accurately predict the absolute market size for a show.” When you can predict a market size, you don’t have to cater to the masses. So where Nielsen measures an arbitrary rat race for the highest volume of viewers, Netflix utilizes a calculated forecast based on viewer preference and artistic style and genre. Again, which method seems like it would keep a show afloat based on real merit? The growing artistic diversification of online television is becoming more and more apparent. Choosing a TV show to watch is becoming more like browsing a library with endless material of all types and genres, rather than a passive activity mottled with infrequent, arbitrary channel surfing. The Internet is an interactive tool, one where the users actively seek out content they want to watch. Predetermined time slots don’t hold the clout they once did. Mass-market appeal is no longer the winning strategy. Don’t get me wrong: broadcast television is the best medium when it comes to time-sensitive, cultural content, like the news. It can be a unifying medium in times that call for national involvement, like when the first plane hit the World Trade Center on 9/11, or when the news broke that Osama Bin Laden was captured and killed.   However, scripted series seem to be a different story altogether. Television is in its Golden Age, and it is thanks to these online mediums who are providing the creative freedom and creating premium content funded by subscription dollars, rather than bowing down to advertisers. Television is reaching its peak quality. You might be wondering why this is all of any importance. It’s just TV, after all. However, television is an integral part of our culture, whether we realize it or not. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, TV unified our nation through shows like I Love Lucy, The Brady Bunch, and Friends.  People identified with it, and it became a representation of our culture. The thing about appealing to the masses (read: most network television) is that many aspects of our culture get overlooked, and minorities are often underrepresented or not represented at all. Online mediums like Netflix have been able to break this barrier in recent years. Series like Orange is the New Black, with an almost all-female cast in a women’s prison, probably wouldn’t last on traditional television. The show stars white, black, Latina and Asian women, depicting many minorities all at once. The diversification of TV on these online mediums will only increase a more diverse representation of America. Tim Wu of The New Republic magazine said it perfectly: “A culture where niche supplants mass hews closer to the original vision of the Americas, of a new continent truly open to whatever diverse and eccentric groups showed up. The United States was once, almost by definition, a place without a dominant national identity. As it revolutionizes television, Netflix is merely helping to return us to that past.”

Practice is the Key to this Young Cello Players Success

Practice is the Key to this Young Cello Players Success Practice is the Key to this Young Cello Players Success Keya, 11-years-old, Math Level K “Mastering music is more than learning technical skills. Practicing is about quality, not quantity. Some days I practice for hours; other days it will be just a few minutes.” â€" Yo-Yo Ma, Cellist Yo-Yo Ma is considered one of today’s most recognized classical musicians. A testament to his ability as a cello player, Ma has recorded over 90 albums and  is a 19-time Grammy Award Winner. Long before the awards and world-renowned performances, Ma was often referred to as a “child prodigy” â€" a title that has been given to classical music legends like Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn. Ma began playing the cello at the age of four and recalls integrating a daily routine of rigorous practice early on. It’s no wonder he had memorized three of Johann Sebastian Bachs solo suites by the time he was five. Today, he attributes his success and fame to practice and perseverance through rigorous study. Taking a page out of Ma’s book, 11-year-old Keya has discovered that practice is the key to unlocking her success as a budding cello player. She first discovered the importance of practice when she enrolled in the Kumon Math Program at the age of nine. Through daily practice and perseverance, she quickly advanced through the program and is currently studying three years above grade level. She was able to apply some of those key skills in her music. “Kumon has taught me patience and resilience,” said Keya. “I apply this same perseverance when I am practicing solo pieces on the cello. If I don’t know how a melody is supposed to sound l, I work through it and find that it’s helpful to learn from my mistakes.” Outside of the classroom, Keya enjoys practicing Bharatanatyam (a form of Indian classical dance), writing for the school paper, and swimming. From years of horseback riding, Keya formed a love for animals. Her passion will fuel her future aspirations of becoming a veterinarian. Keya’s hard work and discipline didn’t go unnoticed, as she was one of 55 students selected to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had the opportunity to speak to Keya about her Kumon journey. How has Kumon helped you inside of the classroom? Kumon has helped me understand math theories that are far above my grade level. I owe many of my academic achievements to Kumon. My peers often come to me for help with their homework, and I’ve joined advanced math clubs in school. What is the most beneficial thing you’ve learned in Kumon? Aside from all the advanced math concepts I have learned through Kumon, the most beneficial thing I’ve learned is to believe in myself. I never get upset when I don’t understand a new concept right away, because I know that with practice and guidance, I will master it. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Inspiring. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? What I enjoy most about Kumon are the challenges it presents. If it wasn’t for Kumon, I truly believe I would not be working on advanced math concepts. My Instructor Mrs. Nakanishi really makes my experience at Kumon enjoyable. Her goal is to help all her students realize their full potential. What did it mean to you attending the Student Conference? Attending the Student Conference was such a spectacular experience! I was humbled by this opportunity, and loved hearing the student speakers’ many accomplishments. I really enjoyed the conference and am so grateful to be a part of it! What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? You will feel so prepared when you’ve already worked through math concepts in Kumon before learning them in school! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Increased Confidence has Inspired this Young Girl to Take on any Challenge Young Pianist Proves Practice Makes Perfect Passion and Dedication are the Key to this Young Computer Coders Success SUCCESS IN KUMON INSPIRED THIS YOUNG STUDENT TO EXCEL IN THE POOL Practice is the Key to this Young Cello Players Success Practice is the Key to this Young Cello Players Success Keya, 11-years-old, Math Level K “Mastering music is more than learning technical skills. Practicing is about quality, not quantity. Some days I practice for hours; other days it will be just a few minutes.” â€" Yo-Yo Ma, Cellist Yo-Yo Ma is considered one of today’s most recognized classical musicians. A testament to his ability as a cello player, Ma has recorded over 90 albums and  is a 19-time Grammy Award Winner. Long before the awards and world-renowned performances, Ma was often referred to as a “child prodigy” â€" a title that has been given to classical music legends like Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn. Ma began playing the cello at the age of four and recalls integrating a daily routine of rigorous practice early on. It’s no wonder he had memorized three of Johann Sebastian Bachs solo suites by the time he was five. Today, he attributes his success and fame to practice and perseverance through rigorous study. Taking a page out of Ma’s book, 11-year-old Keya has discovered that practice is the key to unlocking her success as a budding cello player. She first discovered the importance of practice when she enrolled in the Kumon Math Program at the age of nine. Through daily practice and perseverance, she quickly advanced through the program and is currently studying three years above grade level. She was able to apply some of those key skills in her music. “Kumon has taught me patience and resilience,” said Keya. “I apply this same perseverance when I am practicing solo pieces on the cello. If I don’t know how a melody is supposed to sound l, I work through it and find that it’s helpful to learn from my mistakes.” Outside of the classroom, Keya enjoys practicing Bharatanatyam (a form of Indian classical dance), writing for the school paper, and swimming. From years of horseback riding, Keya formed a love for animals. Her passion will fuel her future aspirations of becoming a veterinarian. Keya’s hard work and discipline didn’t go unnoticed, as she was one of 55 students selected to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had the opportunity to speak to Keya about her Kumon journey. How has Kumon helped you inside of the classroom? Kumon has helped me understand math theories that are far above my grade level. I owe many of my academic achievements to Kumon. My peers often come to me for help with their homework, and I’ve joined advanced math clubs in school. What is the most beneficial thing you’ve learned in Kumon? Aside from all the advanced math concepts I have learned through Kumon, the most beneficial thing I’ve learned is to believe in myself. I never get upset when I don’t understand a new concept right away, because I know that with practice and guidance, I will master it. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Inspiring. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? What I enjoy most about Kumon are the challenges it presents. If it wasn’t for Kumon, I truly believe I would not be working on advanced math concepts. My Instructor Mrs. Nakanishi really makes my experience at Kumon enjoyable. Her goal is to help all her students realize their full potential. What did it mean to you attending the Student Conference? Attending the Student Conference was such a spectacular experience! I was humbled by this opportunity, and loved hearing the student speakers’ many accomplishments. I really enjoyed the conference and am so grateful to be a part of it! What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? You will feel so prepared when you’ve already worked through math concepts in Kumon before learning them in school! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Increased Confidence has Inspired this Young Girl to Take on any Challenge Young Pianist Proves Practice Makes Perfect Passion and Dedication are the Key to this Young Computer Coders Success SUCCESS IN KUMON INSPIRED THIS YOUNG STUDENT TO EXCEL IN THE POOL

Thursday, March 5, 2020

5 things youll learn from teaching overseas

5 things you’ll learn from teaching overseas It’s not tough to see that teaching overseas can be a really rewarding experience. But beyond the usual things you’ll learn while living abroad (maybe a new language, for one), there are 5 other great lessons we wanted to share, as told to us by some of our teachers. Many of these lessons can only fully be realized when you step outside of your comfort zone and make some new experiences in foreign places. Read below! Many of us will cherish a change of routine If you live your life like a routine, the moments and memories begin to blend together and become indistinguishable. In fact, if you look at the whole of last month, you might only be able to identify one or two stand-out moments in your routine. Traveling and teaching overseas will break you from your everyday routine and force you to experience many more memorable moments. Maybe instead of walking to work in a daze, you’ll now look at your walk through a new set of eyes. And this is a real treat - being able to separate days from other days, months from other months. Otherwise, you’ll look back and everything will be a blur. The world really is your oyster We hear it all the time when we ask teachers why they decided to head overseas to teach: often, the answer is ‘to try something new’. And is there ever a better reason? There’s really no excuse to be bored when the world is ripe with opportunity for adventure. If you’re an educated, certified, experienced teacher, and you’re bored, it’s because you’re not exploring your full potential. So get out there! In the process of trying something new, you might have to jump through a few hoops. You may even have to do something scary like quit your teaching job that you’ve been at for years. But if you’re thinking you’d love a change, there’s no better way than diving in, headfirst. Trying something entirely new will make you a more confident person There’s no doubt about it: picking up and moving to a new country can be challenging at times. But challenging ourselves builds character, and indeed, when we’ve faced our biggest challenges is likely when we’ve grown the most. While teaching overseas, you’ll be faced with many daunting challenges. Things that wouldn’t have seemed like a big deal in your home country can feel as tough as climbing a mountain. Buying a ticket and getting on the right transit line could take you hours the first time you attempt it! Though it’s likely to test your patience once or twice (or more!), it’s a great character-building experience. Succeeding at even the most mundane things might make you want to pat yourself on the back, and it might also give you some perspective on how you handle tough situations. You might see that we’re not all so different after all We’re all guilty of living in our little bubbles. But one of the best things you’ll learn while living and teaching abroad is that there is more than one way of doing things. It seems so simple, but it’s also so easy to forget. And in a time where we see all sorts of discriminatory things happening the world over, it’s always priceless to open your mind a little broader and gain more perspective. We live in such a diverse world, and that’s what makes life interesting. But whatever way we choose to show the world who we are, we can often boil down our hopes and dreams to pretty similar pursuits: we all want to be happy, healthy, and safe. So realizing that at the heart of it, we’re all searching for the same thing, even in completely different corners of the Earth, can really move you to connect with people in a whole new way. You can learn a lot too - especially about yourself Meeting a whole slew of new friends and colleagues can be fun, refreshing, and even humbling. How’s that, you may ask? Making new friends can be challenging at times, and sometimes in our hometown, we tend to stick to who we know instead of venturing out and meeting new people. But when traveling and working abroad, sometimes you find yourself with a whole bunch of new friends that you may not necessarily have sought to connect with back home. This means you might have a whole new opportunity to open your mind to whole new aspects about yourself that you’ve taken for granted or never fully realized. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and see for yourself how living and teaching abroad can change your life! Explore ourjob boardand see what positions we're currently promoting that might interest you.

The Foundation for Hispanic Education

The Foundation for Hispanic Education The Foundation for Hispanic Education Latino College Prep Academy (LCPA) is a charter high school with oversight provided by the Eastside Union High School District. LCPA focuses on providing its students with a rigorous curriculum, a strong faculty and an environment made up of high expectations and community a middle college experience. LCPA has created a ten-year educational track that has enhanced Latino students chances of succeeding academically and completing a college degree. With its innovative curriculum, capable faculty and nurturing environment, LCPA has become a viable educational option for each and every student, especially English Language Learners. With its focus on bi-literate educational programs, LCPA fills a unique niche in providing these students the time and focus to reach the academic level of English that is critical for academic achievement, passing standardized tests, and pursuing postsecondary educational opportunities. Vision The vision of the Latino College Prep Academy (LCPA) is to be recognized as the premier provider of High School English Language Learner educational programs, thus ensuring innovative, successful leaders with critical thinking, decision-making, information technology, and communications skills. Mission The mission of the Latino College Prep Academy is to enable underserved high school English Language Learners to become bi-literate in English, Spanish, mathematics, and science. These skills will ensure their ability to successfully complete requirements for a high school diploma and pursue post-secondary educational opportunities of their choice. Our Graduates Graduation is the major milestone in our path towards success. By graduating our students from LCPA, we celebrate the successful placement of 92% of our students at a college of their choice. In May 2009, 51% of our graduating seniors were accepted into a post-secondary institution Class of 2010: 52% were CSU Eligible; 28% were UC eligible Class of 2011: 54% are attending an institution of higher education Class of 2012 : 51% of our seniors are CSU Eligible; 31% UC eligible Teacher to Student Ratio: 1:20 24 of 32 staff members are bilingual

Discover the Newest Digital Chemistry Study Course For Chemistry Tutors

Discover the Newest Digital Chemistry Study Course For Chemistry TutorsOrganic Chemistry Tutors is a new product developed by Professor David Kreis to help students learn the system of Chemistry that you have been studying for the past year. There are other programs available on the market, but when it comes to their ability to take students to the next level in Chemistry, Kreis' program is a serious contender. There are some interesting features included in Organic Chemistry Tutors that sets it apart from the competition.One of the most unique features of the Organic Chemistry Tutors, however, is that they conjugate systems. You may have seen these systems in the television programs, and if you haven't, you may want to get familiar with them right away because this feature is something that is going to help you a lot when you are taking your exams.I am going to explain conjugation to you in a little more detail, because it is something that is very important when it comes to solving problems and understanding systems. To do this, you will need to learn the conventional chemical formula, the standard unit, and some more intermediate units. After that, Kreis' formula will make learning all the information that you need quite easy.For the sake of this demonstration, I am going to use a chemical formula to explain conjugation, which is the system of joining the units together to form a single unit. For this example, let's use carbonic acid as an example. In the traditional formula, carbonic acid is represented by the symbol C(H2O).The only way that we can solve the problem is if we are able to use both the standard unit and the chemical formula. By using both these different representations of the same elements, you can learn the properties of the elements that you are dealing with and can also use them to solve problems that are related to those properties. When you try to take tests on Chemical Formula and Conjugation by using the Organic Chemistry Tutor, you wi ll notice that there are several different tests that you can take. These tests include problems that require you to learn the properties of the compounds, and also problems that are based on the conjugation of chemical formulas.Hopefully, you have realized the value of the Organic Chemistry Tutor by now. If you haven't, now is the time to get online and start taking tests using Organic Chemistry Tutors.

The Future of Learning

The Future of LearningEducation in a modern era is still largely conducted in the traditional, hierarchical way, and often with too much paperwork. For this reason, many schools have resorted to implementing a Progressive Learning Tutoring System (PLT). A PLT can benefit an educational establishment as it teaches flexibility, independence, creative problem solving skills, and improves communication, all within a highly structured environment.Learning is the ultimate outcome of an education process, and it's important to have teaching methods that suit each individual student. The progressive learning approach is widely used in today's educational sector as there are numerous advantages but also disadvantages that needs to be considered before it can be implemented.Learning is not linear; it's an evolving, unfolding process. Each individual learns differently. Learning evolves as a result of a number of factors, such as academic achievement, self-confidence, personal growth, and perso nality. In the same way, a PLT system will help you to tailor the education to your child's needs.A progressive learning system is generally structured around an individual's learning goals. It has a step-by-step plan that you can follow to develop your child's skills and develop confidence. The best part is that you can use the same system for more than one child at a time - and it's much cheaper to use than a traditional classroom system.A PLT will help you address your child's learning needs and motivate them through an exciting and challenging course of progressive learning. In fact, it can even encourage your child to undertake more than one subject! It also gives your child the opportunity to explore the entire world of learning through an interactive approach, which is a better option than conventional teaching.The first step towards implementing a progressive learning system into your educational setup is to make your child aware of it. Even if it's not on the curriculum, yo u must let them know about it in some way. Make sure you explain what the system is and how it helps them learn. This will enable them to get the most out of it and implement it effectively.Another vital step towards implementing a progressive learning system is to have a practical learning approach. You must explain to your child how his or her progress is measured, and how they can use this to their advantage. It can greatly improve the quality of the learning experience, allowing your child to develop into a well-rounded individual.

How To Choose Your Portuguese Tutor

How To Choose Your Portuguese Tutor Top Tips When Looking For A Portuguese Language Tutor ChaptersLooking For An Online Portuguese TutorChoosing A Portuguese Tutor Based On ExperienceChoosing A Portuguese Language Tutor Based On Your Own Experience LevelFinding The Right Portuguese Tutor For YouIt’s no secret that having a good teacher can often be the difference between a pupil’s potential success or failure when learning a subject.If you have a bad teacher or tutor, for instance, then there’s a good chance that you won’t fully understand what you’re being taught, and you may also lose interest midway through a lesson as it’s difficult to follow what the teacher is saying.Conversely, a good tutor or teacher can inspire you to learn more about a subject and should lead you to be more engaged during a lesson. This means that ultimately, you should remember more information about that subject, and perform better when it comes to exam time.Foreign language tutors are no different to the above, and as such it’s vitally important that you find the best foreign la nguage teachers available who can help encourage you to learn about all the various aspects of language learning, including:Verb conjugation;Common phrases and words; andThe alphabet and good pronunciation.If you’re looking to study Portuguese therefore, doing some research in advance to find the best tutor for you is essential.  Below are some tips to help you with your search.There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a Portuguese language tutor. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, 3dman_eu, Pixabay)You can learn from the comfort of your own abode; andOnline courses may be cheaper in the long-run compared to in-person courses.If you’re thinking about hiring an online Portuguese tutor based solely on price, however, it’s worth taking into consideration that the price of a tutor can fluctuate significantly.This is due to a number of factors, including the tutor’s experience level (which is discussed in further detail below) as well as factors such as how long your lessons will last and what you want to achieve from your lessons.If, for instance, you’d prefer to learn just the fundamentals of Portuguese, then it’s unlikely to take too long for a tutor to give you this knowledge. As a result, the cost of your lessons is likely to be lower than someone who, for example, needs to undertake an intensive Portuguese course in order to speak the language at a high level for business purposes.When looking for a tutor online, make sure to check their experience and that their offering aligns with your own learning goals. Equally, never feel pressured to go over your budget â€" know how much you’d like to spend on a Portuguese tutor, research what the average rates for tutors are, and you’ll be well-equipped to find a tutor that can give you the best value for money.Where Can I Find Portuguese Classes Near Me?While online Portuguese classes may be popular with some, others may prefer to learn Portuguese in the company of others.There are some benefits to st udying Portuguese in group workshops or through attending in-person tuition sessions. For instance, if you study Portuguese in a group, it can be a good way to make new friends who share a common interest, and it can also give you a chance to practice your listening and speaking skills, which may be harder to practice if you study on your own.Superprof has a number of Portuguese tutors that are happy to offer either remote, in-person or  online Portuguese tuition courses. If you’re looking for in-person courses, Superprof tutors can offer either one-on-one Portuguese classes or group workshops, so you’ll be able to learn Portuguese in an environment that you’re comfortable with.Knowing your budget can also help when looking for a Portuguese language tutor. (Image Source: CC0 Public Domain, Nikon D5100, Max Pixel)Choosing A Portuguese Tutor Based On ExperienceIt almost goes without saying, but the more experienced a teacher or tutor is, the more likely that their hourly rate wi ll be higher than a tutor who is currently:A student at a university; orA recent graduate in Portuguese as a foreign language.This principle also applies to Portuguese teachers, so it’s important to have a think about what you’d like from your Portuguese tutor so that you end up paying a reasonable price for the service you’re provided.If, for instance, you’re a highly experience Portuguese speaker, but you’d like an opportunity to practice speaking Portuguese more often and would like to learn more about particularly difficult aspects of the language, then it’s likely that finding someone with extensive experience in teaching Portuguese would be the right option for you.However, if you’re only starting out learning Portuguese and consider yourself a novice or intermediate learner, then having a tutor who has only a few years of experience, or who has an undergraduate degree in Portuguese may be a more sensible option for your budget.Only you can make the decision of w hich tutor is right for you, but giving some thought as to the kind of tutor you’d like can cut down the amount of time you spend searching for a tutor, and ultimately make your search much less stressful.Choosing A Portuguese Language Tutor Based On Your Own Experience LevelAnother way to find a Portuguese language tutor that is in line with your expectations is to spend some time thinking about your own experience with the Portuguese language.When it comes to learning a new language, there are four important skills that need to be developed:Listening skills;Reading skills;Writing skills; andSpeaking skills.Usually, people find it a lot easier to develop their reading and writing skills, while speaking skills may be one of the last skills to develop.If you find that you have this problem (i.e. that you can listen to and understand Portuguese well, but you have difficulty communicating in the language when you speak it) then try to focus on finding a tutor that can help develop yo ur pronunciation skills and who can work with you regularly to give you an opportunity to speak the language with them.Equally, you may find that you prefer to learn from a tutor whose native language is Portuguese, as you may find it easier to learn the intricacies of Portuguese pronunciation. If this is the case, it’s worth giving some thought as to whether the tutor comes from Portugal or from Brazil, or elsewhere.The pronunciation can be very different between the two countries, and ideally, you’d like to learn from a native speaker who came from the country you will be visiting, travelling to, or learning more about.Knowing what your current level of proficiency is in Portuguese when it comes to your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills can be helpful when looking for a Portuguese tutor. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, epicantus, Pixabay)Finding The Right Portuguese Tutor For YouUltimately, there’s no single best way to find a Portuguese tutor.Finding a good tutor may take some time, or you could find one very quickly. The key is to know what you’d like to get out of your lessons and to have a think in advance about things like:What your current level of Portuguese is and where you’d like it to be;What your budget is;How often you’d like to have classes; andWhether those classes will be online, in-person, or as part of a group.Finally, think about the kind of tutor you’d like to have. Do you think you’ll do better with an experienced university lecturer or school teacher, or would you be just as comfortable learning with a recent Portuguese graduate or university student?Finding a tutor can be stressful, but once you’ve found the right Portuguese tutor, it should really help you in your language learning journey, and help develop your skills to help you, whether you’re planning on travelling to Brazil or Portugal in the near future, or need to learn Portuguese for work.If you’d like to choose between a selection of Portuguese tut ors, then you can also turn to Superprof to help make your search that bit easier. By entering your postcode you’ll be shown tutors in your local area that can provide lessons, as well as tutors who can provide remotely-held Portuguese classes. You can also view each tutor’s experience level and rates, helping you to compare between tutors and find the one that’s right for you.A Portuguese language tutor can help improve your proficiency in Portuguese in a number of ways, for example by improving your knowledge of grammar, Portuguese vocabulary, or by helping you grow in confidence when speaking the language. Whether you'd like one to one classes or would prefer to work through your personalised curriculum through Skype, you should be able to find a Superprof Portuguese tutor through Superprof's database.

Preparing for Guitar Lessons

Preparing for Guitar Lessons What to Do Before You Get Guitar Lessons ChaptersChoosing Between a Folk Guitar and a Classical GuitarHow to Hold a GuitarHow to Clean a GuitarLearning the Notes on a Guitar Neck“The time I burned my guitar it was like a sacrifice. You sacrifice the things you love. I love my guitar.” - Jimi HendrixYou might feel like you’re at a crossroads when it comes to starting to play the guitar. You need to choose your guitar (acoustic guitar, folk guitar, electro-acoustic guitar, or electric guitar), learn how to hold, play, and maintain it.In 2019, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd auctioned off 126 guitars and raised £16.5 million for charity. His black Stratocaster sold for £3m.Initially valued at £75,000, the instrument bought in May 1970 became the world’s most expensive musical instrument and surpassed the Stradivarius Hammer from 1707 which sold for £2.7m in 2006.  The stars’ guitars are worth their weight in gold.Are you just learning to play a few chords?Here’s what you need to know about playing the guitar! Peter Guitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsChoosing Between a Folk Guitar and a Classical GuitarTo get started, you’ll need to pick the type of guitar you'll play.Which type of guitar will you play? What’s the difference between a folk guitar and a classical guitar? There are several differences between folk and classical guitars. (Source: Couleur)The answer depends on the type of music that you’ll want to play with it.You can recognise classical guitars from their strings; they’re made of nylon. The three highest-pitched strings are made of nylon while the three lowest strings are made of nylon wrapped in metal. There’s also a difference in terms of the sound box’s size: a classical guitar's soundbox is bigger than that of folk and electro-acoustic guitars.Classical guitars, also known as Spanish guitars, have the strings farther apart, meaning your fingers won’t be as close together when playing. Classical guitars are great for playing classical guitar music and flamenco, for example.On the other hand, a folk guitar is more imposing than a flamenco guitar.  While the soundbox is smaller, it’s bigger overall and has six metallic strings. While this might hurt your fingers at first, you’ll very quickly gain callouses. A folk guitar has 14 frets on the neck and 7 on the body itself whereas there are only 12 on a classical guitar.The different strings will also make a very different sound. These strings are better for playing rock, pop, blues, or jazz music. Of course, there’s also some subjectivity at play here and you’ll need to decide what you like.It’s recommended that you start with a classical guitar as the sound is initially more pleasing and you’ll be able to learn about fingering, strumming, and arpeggios.Nevertheless, the sound of a folk guitar is more percussive; opt for this if you want to play barre chords or sing along with popular styles of contemporary music (blues, pop, rock).How to Hold a GuitarAfter you’ve picked up your guitar, you’ll have to learn how to hold it. One of the first things you should learn is how to hold a guitar. (Source: Pezibear)How can you hold your guitar and play some chords, melodies, or arpeggios?  Classical position, relaxed, sitting, standing, how do you hold a guitar?The first thing you need to know about playing your acoustic or electric guitar is that you need to be relaxed. Playing in the classical position will quickly make you sore if you’re not doing it right.Finding the right position means stabilising your guitar and having it in the right position for both your right and left hands.As a general rule, beginners will learn sitting down.  There are a few benefits to sitting down:You don’t have to support the guitar’s weight as much.You can focus on your dexterity more.You can play chords without stretching as much.Here’s how you should sit down to play the guitar at home when you’re having a private guitar lesson.Sitting DownYou need to learn more than just how to play. You also need to learn how to pl ay properly.There are two main seated positions for guitarists:Classical positionRelaxed positionIn the “classical” position, a right-handed guitar is positioned between the player's legs with the guitar resting on their left leg. The guitar is played with the neck pointing upwards and the guitarist’s back straight.In the relaxed position, the guitar is placed on the right leg with the neck about 45 ° towards the ceiling. This is the position that most novices adopt when learning their first chords.Guitarists using the classical position will rest their left foot on a small stool or footrest in order to slightly elevate it above the other leg. This position frees up notes on the neck, making them easier to access.In the relaxed position, you may want to consider raising your right leg slightly. This will make the neck slightly more accessible but it will make the guitar slightly less stable.Standing PositionMost guitarists performing live will play the guitar whilst standing.  Sometimes they’ll play with just a strap supporting their guitar.That said, there are three main positions for where you wear your guitar:The high position with the guitar above your hips.The intermediate position with the guitar by your hips.The low position with the guitar below your hips.The intermediate position is the most common amongst musicians as it allows you to strum comfortably with a plectrum.  The low position isn’t very natural and the weight of the guitar is free to swing around.How to Clean a GuitarIt’s not enough knowing how to play scales, read tablature, learn music theory, and play whatever song you want... Your fancy soaps won't be any good for cleaning a guitar. (Source: Free-Photos)You also need to keep your guitar in good condition to keep it sounding good.  You can maintain your guitar on a daily basis, change the strings once a month, polish the body, protect the mechanisms, clean the bridge and the nut, etc.  This will ensure that your guitar lasts longer and plays better.It’s a good idea to clean the guitar with a soft cloth before playing.  Store your guitar in a dry place out of sunlight and away from humidity. Humidity and heat can be disastrous for the wood.A quick dusting off with a cloth will keep your guitar in good condition.Cleaning it can get rid of sweat and acid. The latter can cause metal strings to rust.So what do you need to clean your guitar?Here are a few things you can pick up:A cloth.Rubbing alcohol (if your guitar is varnished).Linseed oil to make unfinished wood shine.A tuner for new strings.Wire cutters for cutting new strings.A string winder.A pin remove r for acoustic guitars.Loosen the strings one by one to clean the neck and fretboard.Clean all the nooks and crannies from the fretboard, head, bridge, and machine heads.Then clean the body.After putting the strings back on, the sound should have improved.Learning the Notes on a Guitar NeckPlenty of guitarists haven’t learnt the notes off by heart. Learning what note each fret is will drastically improve your playing. (Source: Free-Photos)Some don’t even know how to read tabs. However, that doesn’t stop them from becoming virtuosos.  Nevertheless, you should know your way around the fretboard as it’ll help you with your playing.Knowing your way around the fretboard will help with improvisation, too, without having to look at chord dictionaries when learning new songs.You need to learn about intervals between notes.  Each fret is a semitone apart which includes sharps and flats as well as naturals.First, learn the notes on the deepest string’s first three frets. We know that the open string is tuned to E which makes the following three frets F, F#, and G.  The third fret is G, the fifth is A, the seventh is B, and the twelfth is E. Thus, you can transpose this to other strings.Here’s a general rule to help you:There are no semitones between E and F and B and C.All the other notes have a semitone between them.Scales are a great way to learn your way around a guitar’s neck.Would you like to learn even more?If you'd like to learn more about how to play the guitar, there are plenty of useful resources online. You can find tablature sites to show you how to play certain songs as well as video tutorials on sites like YouTube. However, if you prefer to be taught how to play, you should consider getting in touch with one of the many talented and experienced guitar tutors on Superprof.There are three types of guitar tutorial available: face-to-face, online, and group. Each of these come with their pros and cons and it's really up to you to choose which one works best with your learning style and your budget.