An Easy Beginners Guide to Learn English Quickly

An Easy Beginner's Guide to Learn English QuicklyLearning English is a lot of fun and a lot of people seem to take it much more seriously. There are lots of different ways to get started but a simple basic step in the process can save you a lot of trouble later on.To begin with, you need to identify what you are actually trying to learn. This is a fairly easy task to do when you learn English from an online course. The course you are on will usually tell you exactly what you are trying to learn and how you will learn it.The reason for this is that you don't really know what you are trying to learn and by not knowing what you are trying to learn, you don't know what you will be doing and that is a sure fire way to fail at English. In fact, the courses will even help you identify the tasks that you need to complete to learn English. So why not get started right away.Next, you need to decide what is going to be your focus of study. For example, if you want to start learning the English language for work then you will need to decide if you are going to learn vocabulary and grammar first or if you are going to concentrate on writing. While learning vocabulary is helpful to anyone who wants to communicate effectively, it isn't going to help you learn the rules and structure of the language unless you learn grammar as well.Once you have decided what you want to do, then it is time to choose the method you are going to use. You may find yourself having a hard time deciding which method you would prefer. There are a lot of things to consider.For example, it is better to learn English from a book or a good example rather than using methods such as using instant messengers and chat rooms to communicate. These methods don't provide you with the type of feedback you need to learn the language.By taking the time to learn English you can enjoy the language for years to come. Your teacher may be able to help you with different grammar problems or even answer any questions you have.

How to Play Ukulele Easy Chords to Get You Started

How to Play Ukulele Easy Chords to Get You Started Sign up successful Ready to learn your first chord? Great! First step: grab your ukulele. Next, hold down the bottom string on the third fret with the ring finger of your left hand. Finally, strum. Congratulations, you just played a C chord! Heres what the chord chart looks like for the C chord you just played: Chord charts are always written such that the bold line at the top represents the head of the ukulele. The vertical line on the far left represents your top string, the G string, while the line on the far right of the diagram represents the bottom string, the A string. Each horizontal line represents a fret. Some chord charts also include numbers, like the one above. The number on the diagram, three, represents which finger on your left hand should be used to fret that particular string. In this case, the chart indicates that you should use your third or ring finger. The left hand fingers are numbered one through four, starting with the index finger. Many chord charts dont include finger numbers. Once you get more comfortable playing ukulele, you will likely find you no longer need to see instructions for fingering on the left hand as it becomes more natural to you. If youre having trouble learning chords from charts, you might want to check out some video tutorials or schedule private lessons with a ukulele teacher. More Chord Charts Now that you know how to read a ukulele chord chart, here are some of the basic chords that you will need to know in order to start learning songs: When youre just getting started, focus on learning two or three chords and switching back and forth between them. One very common sequence of chords is C, D, and G. First, practice switching between the C and D. Next, try switching from D to G, and then from G to C. Get even more out of your practice time by adding a metronome to the mix. Start slow, maybe at 60 or 70 beats per minute. Practice switching between C, G, and D chords while staying on tempo. Try to play each chord for four beats and then switch as smoothly as you can to the next chord. Once you get comfortable switching chords at a slow tempo, start to increase the speed of your metronome in increments of 5 or 10 more beats per minute. Once youre able to change chords with confidence, youre ready to start learning some easy ukulele songs! 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

Finding Pottery Classes Near Me

Finding Pottery Classes Near Me Where to Find Pottery Lessons Anywhere in the UK ChaptersPottery Classes in LondonPottery Courses in LeedsPottery Lessons in ManchesterFind Your Pottery Tutor in BirminghamThe Best Pottery Courses in GlasgowVery little of the way humans lived some 50,000 years ago remains today.They were nomadic hunter-gatherers; we mostly live settled lives. Very few modern humans from those time communicated in writing, let alone had seen any writing in any form. By contrast, our entire world is shaped by words, written or otherwise.Today, scientists estimate that the human capacity for language developed around 50,000 years ago.Early modern humans, the first homo sapiens, stood at the dawn of discovery â€" especially of the world around them. Today, we explore the earth and the cosmos at the quantum level.For all of the differences â€" the evolution and discoveries that humans have made along the way, it’s remarkable to note that the methods used to create some of the most significant expressions of the human experience have remained unchanged .The Lascaux Caves in France are an excellent example of the human need to beautify one’s surroundings and express one’s vision. Astonishingly, many of the pigments and techniques used in creating these works of art are not so different than the ones painters use today.Another fine example of an art practice that has continued virtually unchanged for millennia is pottery: the oldest clay figurine in history dates back 45,000 years.Clay was used then as it is today: to make bricks and mortar, to make food safe and as a medium in studio art.Today, creating works of art out of clay is enjoying a bit of a revival; many who seek to disconnect from the stress of modern life turn to the pottery wheel; a great outlet for tension as well as creativity.Have you been gazing longingly in the window of your local pottery studio? Have you too wished to get your hands on a lump of clay, be it ribbons forced out of an extruder or slip to pour into moulds?Have you too watched the pottery scene i n the film Ghost and wondered if you could make vases without them flopping?If any of these situations describe you â€" or if the thought of making pottery never entered your mind but now you’re curious, Superprof now discloses some of the best pottery courses in the UK.Grab your apron and clay tools; let's see what we can find! CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Nicola sGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsPottery Classes in London You too can learn to sculpt terracotta to make lovely accent pieces for your home or garden Image by Sharon Ang from PixabayThe trick to finding the right pottery lessons in London is to know what you’re looking for.In broad terms, you could say that clay art falls into two main categories: wheel thrown or from a slab. If you had a choice, which would you prefer?There is also slip casting â€" pouring liquid clay into a mould that we mentioned in this article’s intro but its processes are very different from the other two.Throwing and sculpting, the two main categories in terms of clay art, follow the same basic steps:Shaping the clay body: whether on a wheel or carved from a slab, you have to give the clay form.Firing: this is called bisquing or biscuit firing; you put the dried clay body into the kiln.Glazing: you may apply paint (called underglaze) to your bisque or only a clear glaze for more of a natural lookRefiring: another round in the kiln bonds the glaze to the clay at t he molecular level.There is quite a bit of science that goes into creating a beautiful earthenware work of art or a delicate raku piece. For that matter, the same applies to stoneware dishes and the fine china everyone in the family considers an heirloom.Before searching for a ceramic studio in London that you can take pottery lessons in, you need to ask yourself: do you want to learn everything about clay composition, kiln specifications and the unlimited potential for artistic expression using clay as a medium?Or did you just want to try things out to see if a life of clay is for you?Pottery Courses in Leeds Pottery painting is a popular activity in Leeds Image by Hans Braxmeier from PixabayIn lighthearted, fun-loving Leeds, the emphasis in on pottery painting. That’s not to say that Leodensians are incapable of being serious or taking a disciplined approach to ceramic art creation; quite to the contrary!We suspect that it is Leeds' status as ‘second city’ - being our country’s second centre of finance and law that shapes the need for relaxing, amusing activities.In fact, most of the ‘paint your own pottery’ venues we investigated placed their emphasis on creating a fun, unforgettable experience for their visitors.One remarkable standout to these pottery painting offerings was the number of clay artists whose studios feature corporate team building events â€" a telling indication that the corporate culture dominates life in Leeds.Naturally, those same venues also host girls’ night out events and birthday parties; not everything in this Yorkshire city is targeted to people's working lives.There are even wheel throwing classes and pottery taster sessions for those who’ve never had the joy of working with clay; you can learn all about them in our companion article.Did you know that Royal Doulton’s original studio was in Vauxhall and only later moved to Stoke-on-Trent, to compete with the other ceramics works based there?Particularly this time of year, when the weather turns gloomy and cold, it is a fine time to head into the ceramic studio. Not only could you make one of a kind ceramic gifts for everyone on your holiday list but the warmth generated by the kilns is sure to keep you cosy as you work.You could make holiday ornaments, too...Our investigation of pottery studios in Manchester turned up several enticing possibilities to learn ceramic art in a working studio. A shining example of such is The Potters Barn.There, you can find all manner of ceramics classes, from wheel throwing to raku pottery. If you prefer hand-buildling â€" working the clay by hand, they will be happy to teach you those skills, too.Manchester ceramic artists do not assume that everyone entering their studio wants to dedicate their life to the visual arts (or maybe they are aware that people might not be sure pottery is for them).To that end, the studios we looked at all offer tasting sessions, one-off pottery classes and workshops. Discover them all in our in-depth article on pottery classes in Manchester! Remember to bring your apron and a towel to clean up with after your taster sessions! Image by Jenny Shead from PixabayFind Your Pottery Tutor in BirminghamDid you know that, during the Industrial Revolution, Birmingham (and especially nearby Stoke-on-Trent) were known as The Workshop of the World?Big-name ceramic and porcelain factories fired the finest bone china pieces there; everything from serving platters to teapots were â€" and continue to be turned out there.Taking a pottery class in Birmingham does not automatically put you in competition with the likes of Spode; indeed, their very proximity might spur you to create unique underglazes to adorn your ceramic art with.To find the best classes for pottery making, we direct you to the best resource available: the Midlands Potters Association.This is a group of experienced ceramic artists who can help you find exactly the courses you’re looking for, be they to learn wheel-thrown pottery, ceramic sculpture or glazing techniques.O therwise, you might direct yourself to our expanded list of resources to make pottery in Birmingham.The Best Pottery Courses in GlasgowThe art and craft of pottery has deep roots in Scotland.Archaeologists have unearthed decorated pottery that dates back to the third millennium BC in the Orkney Islands. Various settlements, such as Skara Brae and Knap of Howar reveal intricate knowledge of building techniques as well as pottery art.Two distinct styles of pottery from that region have been catalogued: grooved ware and Unstan ware, each bearing recognisably different markings.Granted, Glasgow is not exactly next door to Orkney but Glaswegian potters uphold the tradition of Scottish pottery nevertheless.To find the best adult classes in Glasgow â€" or, for that matter, classes for kids, you would be well served by checking in with the Scottish Potters Association.If you’re serious about learning and practising the ceramic arts in Glesga, you may even consider becoming a member!Plenty of UK cities have ceramic artists, hard at work and keen to share their knowledge.The five metropoli featured in this article are just the tip of the iceberg; with a bit of luck, you too may fulfil your dream of sitting at a potter’s wheel and reaching your full creative potential.Let us know how you get on, will you?

Working Online Protecting Your Identity And Your Work - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Working Online Protecting Your Identity And Your Work - Introvert Whisperer Working Online: Protecting Your Identity And Your Work Ashley Andrews January 6, 2017 Adaptability, Career Development No responses Working from home is every introvert’s dream. Not only does it take away the pressure of having to deal with your co-workers in person, it’s cheaper and you will get a lot more done! Of course, working from homewhether it’s  running your own business  or telecommuting as an employeedoes present some unique challenges. Most notably, you have to be more vigilant about protecting your work and your identity than you do when you work out of someone else’s company space. Keeping Private Data Private Whether you are working as an employee or are building your own business, it is incredibly important that you not leave proprietary information digitally lying around. For example, don’t keep financial information in an easily accessible cloud folder or on a computer without malware and hacking protection. Instead, keep important documents on a  SecureUSB  that you only plug into your device when you absolutely have to. This way, even if someone does break in and take a stroll through your files they won’t find anything. And, of course, having a backup of your backup is always a good idea. Just Say No to BYOD If you are telecommuting as someone else’s employee, ask that your employer provides the machine on which you will be doing your work. Supplying your own computer opens up your personal information to whatever prying eyes might be trying to take advantage of your employeror that one coworker who isn’t exactly subtle about wanting your job. If your employer is hesitant, remind them that there are many advantages to their providing you with the computers and devices you’ll need for work. For instance, they can install monitoring software that will track whatever you do while using that device (allowing them to keep tabs on your productivity). They can also decide which malware protection and software will be downloaded. They won’t have that level of control if you’re using your personal device! Protecting Personal Devices If you lose that battle with your employer or if you are building your own business, you will need to take some extra steps to protect your company as well as your personal information. Basic malware protection isn’t going to be enough. Here are some extra steps you can take: Email Encryption: encrypting your email doesn’t have to be complicated or require extensive knowledge of coding like it used to. Today there are a  bunch of different plugins  that you can download and install that will do all of that work for you. Obviously, if you want to learn the code yourself, that’s great! But if your brain doesn’t speak code, a plugin will work just fine. File Encryption: In addition to encrypting your communications, you should also use drive and file encryption to thwart any jerks who are able to skirt your malware protection protocols. File encryption is usually built into most computing these days but if you want to add some extra protection, using independent encryption is better. These codes are updated far more frequently than built in encryption is updated by manufacturers. Password Protection: You likely already know the basic rules of creating a really good password. And you also likely already know that you need to create multiple passwords and you need to change them often. Doing this can eat up a lot of your time and still leaves you slightly vulnerable. A better option is to use a password protection program that uses two-factor authorization for use. This way you don’t have to remember or manually enter your passwords and the two-factor authorization will prevent data breaches from compromising your information. Two Factor Authorization: Speaking of  two-factor authorization, turn on this feature on every account that offers it. Two-factor authorization, or TFA, is where an account requires a second form of authorization from you before it will allow you or anyone else access to an account. This second form of authorization might be a code that gets sent to your cell phone via text. Sometimes it will be a regenerating code that you access via a key like Google Authenticator. Some companies will even send you physical “keys” that you plug into your USB ports. Not only does TFA keep your accounts secure, it will let you know immediately if someone is trying to access those accounts without your permission. Remember, working from home has a lot of perks but that doesn’t mean that you can be complacent when it comes to your privacy and proprietary data. Use the tips we’ve shared here to make sure you’re as safe as possible and that sensitive information doesn’t fall into nefarious hands. Ashley  Andrews is an entrepreneur and blogger.   She now lives in San Diego, CA and is happily self-employed.   She enjoys writing about anything that catches her interest, especially business and entrepreneurship. Go to top CAREER ACCELERATION Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

75 Songs Sure to Make You Happy

75 Songs Sure to Make You Happy Sign up successful Weve included a handy Spotify playlist at the bottom of this article so you can listen to all 75 songs on the list.  Click below to scroll right to it. Spotify Playlist The following songs range from the 1960s up until now, which means weve got a music for every generation. Take a look at our list and  see if you recognize any of these foot-tappers! 75 Songs Sure to Make You Happy  75. Sunshine On My Shoulders by John Denver 74. Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves 73. All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow 72. O Happy Day from Sister Act 71. Happy Together by The Turtles 70. I Wanna Hold Your Hand by The Beatles 69. Happy Days Are Here Again by Barbra Streisand 68. Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus 67. Don’t Worry be Happy by Bobby McFerrin 66. Just Got Paid by  *NSYNC 65. This Will Be by Natalie Cole 64. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel 63. September by Earth Wind and Fire 62. Feeling Good by Michael Buble 61. Macarena by Los Del Rio 60. What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong 59. Spice Up Your Life by Spice Girls 58. Wouldn’t It Be Nice by the Beach Boys 57. Fame by Irene Cara 56. Footloose by Kenny Loggins 55. Smile by Nat King Cole 54. Singing in the Rain by Gene Kelly 53. Don’t Stop Believin by Journey 52. The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow from  Annie the Musical 51.  The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens 50. Put On a Happy Face by Dick Van Dyke 49. I’m a Believer by The Monkees 48. Love Shack by the B52’s 47. YMCA by The Village People 46. Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder 45. Blue Skies by Frank Sinatra 44. Beautiful Day by U2 43. Best Day of My Life by American Authors 42. Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield 41.  Lovely Day by Bill Withers 40. Turn the Beat Around by Gloria Estefan 39. Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez 38. Dancing Queen by ABBA 37. I Want You Back by Jackson 5 36. What the World Needs Now by Dionne Warwick 35. Bubbly by Colbie Caillat 34.  Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles 33. The Remedy (I Wont Worry) by Jason Mraz 32. Don’t Worry by Madcon feat Ray Dalton 31. Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis 30. Hey Ya by Outkast 29. Forget You by CeeLo Green 28. The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson 27. Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations 26. All Star by Smash Mouth 25. Party Rock Anthem  by LMFAO 24. Baby by Justin Beiber feat. Ludacris 23. Come On Over (All I Want is You) by Christina Aguilera 22. Independent Women Pt. I by Destiny’s Child 21. MMMBop by Hanson 20. Mr. Saxobeat by Alexandra Stan 19. You Light Up My Life by LeAnn Rimes 18. 9 to 5  by Dolly Parton 17. Last Dance by Donna Summer 16.  You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder 15. Hot Hot Hot by The Merrymen 14. The Best is Yet to Come by Frank Sinatra 13. L-O-V-E by NatKing Cole 12. Steal My Sunshine by LEN 11. Music by Madonna 10. Who Let the Dogs Out by Baha Men 9. Mambo No.5 (A Little Bit of) by Lou Bega 8. Troublemaker by Olly Murs feat. Flo Rida 7. Price Tag by Jessie J feat B.o.B 6.  My Girl by The Temptations 5. Love Train by The O’Jays 4. Livin La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin 3.  Dont Stop Me Now by Queen 2. Get Lucky by Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams 1. Happy by Pharrell Williams Spotify Playlist The End There you have it 75 songs sure to make you happy! Do try to listen to them all when you get the chance. If you want to learn more about music like this, be sure to ask your private music teacher more about it. Maybe youll discover how to write your own songs like the ones on this list. Happy learning! Know anymore songs that make you happy? Comment below and share with us! Post Author:  Liz T. Liz T. teaches singing, acting, and music lessons online.  She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal performance and currently performs/teaches all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, RB, and Country. Learn more about Liz 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

An Introduction to Drawing

An Introduction to Drawing Learn How to Draw ChaptersMastering the Art of MangaGetting Started with ComicsDoing CaricaturesHow to Draw PortraitsLearning to draw isn’t as easy as you might think. You can’t just pick up some pencils and do a quick sketch to create a comic or manga. While some people opt for drawing lessons, others teach themselves. Anything is possible!There are plenty of tutorials online that can help amateur artists hone their creative skills. Each drawing lesson will help you to learn new drawing techniques, the materials you use, and whether to opt for pencils, charcoal, or felt tips.However, each drawing style is different and there’s a wealth of possibilities in each. In this article, Superprof is looking at the different styles of drawing, be it portraits, comic books, manga, the specifics of each, and how you can get started with each.Don’t forget that each face is different and if you’re trying to make it too symmetrical, you’ll lose realism. You need to study every detail on your model’s f ace and include each imperfection.  Take the time to focus on your model’s hair and the background, too. This will make your portrait more believable.Now that you’re familiar with the main styles of drawing, you can get started with a few basic sketches. You could also learn more with private tutorials from one of the many talented tutors on Superprof!There are three main types of tutorials available: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials, and each comes with its pros and cons in terms of learning and cost-effectiveness. What's right for one student may not be right for another so take your time to find the right kind of tutor and tutoring.Face-to-face tutorials are taught with one student and one tutor and they tend to be the most cost-effective type since every minute in the lesson is spent focusing on you as the student. Additionally, the tutor will also spend time outside of the lessons finding resources and planning the time they'll spend with you.On line tutorials are similar to the face-to-face tutorials but take place either on a call or via webcam. Since the tutor won't have the travel costs to worry about and can fit more students into their schedule as a result, online tutorials are usually cheaper than face-to-face tutorials.Finally, group tutorials are classes with one teacher or tutor and multiple students. However, with group tutorials, you and a group of friends could get in touch with a private tutor to plan lessons that you'll all attend together. These tend to be the cheapest per student per hour.

HEART Tutoring Program Hires First Executive Director - Heart Math Tutoring

HEART Tutoring Program Hires First Executive Director - Heart Math Tutoring HEART Tutoring Program Hires First Executive Director HEART Tutoring Program Hires First Executive Director July 17, 2013 HEART (Helping Ensure Academic Results through Tutoring), a program developed by the non-profit Social Venture Partners (SVP), is proud to announce that following a national search, Emily Elliott has been named as the program’s first Executive Director. Elliott’s unique background in both business and education will bring strength to HEART’s management team and provide the organization with solid leadership for expansion and growth.  Elliott began her career as an investment banking analyst with Wells Fargo before moving to California where she taught math for an intervention-focused middle school in San Jose for two years. She went on to become a Financial Strategy Associate with Rocketship Education, a national non-profit school system that operates public elementary charter schools in low-income areas. Bill Anderson, Executive Director of MeckEd, comments, “HEART and SVP are very fortunate to have hired Emily Elliott as their new Executive Director. Emily’s teaching experience with Teach for America provides her with unique insight and ability to effectively address the challenges faced by those students, families and schools as HEART strives to support Charlotte’s most challenged school communities.” Read the full press release here. This post is in: Blog, Heart News next post: Malleable intelligence

Thank you for your time Making your first business call in English

Thank you for your time Making your first business call in English by Muireann PrendergastThe idea of making your first business call in English is not just unsettling, but terrifying for most students of English. However, with some work beforehand and plenty of practice, there are ways to prepare for it. Here are five of them.1. Prepare your introduction and possible introductions from the speakerIt’s a good idea to prepare your opening sentences of introduction before you dial that number.For example:             Good morning/Good afternoon.             This is Pedro Rivas from Google Argentina speaking.             May I speak to Mr. John Daly, please?If the person is expecting your call, it is helpful to say this.             Mr. Daly is expecting my call.It is also useful to prepare yourself for what the speaker might say in return.If the person who has answered the telephone is the person you have asked to speak to he/she will say:             This is she/he             or             SpeakingHowever, if you are calling a big company or mul tinational it is likely that the person’s secretary or personal assistant, PA, might answer the telephone. He/she might say the following:             Can you hold the line please while I transfer you to Mr. Daly’s office or             I’m sorry, Mr. Daly is not available at the moment, may I take a message?or             I’m sorry, Mr. Daly has stepped out of the office, can you call back later?Or, if the lines are busy, you might hear: All of our operators are busy at the moment, can you please call back later.2. Practice saying your number and email and noting down numbers and emails in EnglishFor business calls, you can be sure you will have to leave your own telephone number or the number of your office at some point. For this reason, it is necessary that you be confident in saying your number in English. You should practice saying it beforehand:Remember, it sounds more fluent to say your number two-digits at a time.For example, if your number is 6554389887, you should read it sixty-five, fifty-four, thirty-eight, ninety-eight, eighty-seven.Also, practice saying your email address in English.@ = at.com = dot comAlso, business calls will also require you to hear and note down telephone numbers. It is helpful to practice listening to numbers and writing them down from English-language television and radio news reports.Also, brush upon on your alphabet in English for noting down email addresses. If possible, ask native English speaking friends to call out their email addresses to you and practice writing them down.3. Leaving a message on an answering machineLeaving a message on an answering machine for work purposes in English can be a scary experience. However, once you have clear what you want to say you can practice it beforehand, writing down the information if it helps.Here is an example:Good morning/Good afternoon. This is Paul Garcia from Garcia Associates architects in Madrid. I am calling to confirm my video conference call for 4 pm Tuesda y afternoon next, May 16, with David Lloyd. Should Mr. Lloyd be unable to receive the call, I would appreciate it if he would call me on my direct line at 065 3453432 to reschedule it. Otherwise, I look forward to speaking with Mr. Lloyd on Tuesday. Until then, thank you and goodbye.4. Tips to help you understandIf you feel overwhelmed and cannot understand the speaker, don’t worry. There are ways to get out of difficulty:If you can’t understand what the person is saying say:             I’m sorry, could you repeat that please?If you think the person is speaking to fast:             I’m sorry, would you mind speaking slower, please?If you can’t catch a place name or person mentioned:             I’m sorry, could you repeat that please?If you can’t hear them properly             I’m sorry there is interference on the line, can I call you from different phone?Or I’m sorry there is a bad connection can I call you back later?5. Finishing the callWhen it is time to fini sh the call you can say             Alright then, I think that’s about it for now.or             I’m happy that we have covered all the bases.It’s also a good idea to thank the person for their time.             I appreciate you taking the call and thank you for your time.Establish how you would like to follow up after the telephone call-I look forward to speaking with you again next week.-I will send you an email with the details we discussed attached.-I look forward to speaking to you personally next week.While you think about what you are going to say and how you want to say it let’s listen to the best known pop song in English about stressful telephone calls, Blondie’s Hanging On The Telephone:

The Top Five Video Games for College Students

The Top Five Video Games for College Students Super Smash Bros. Brawl photo via Flickr user J from the UK. 1) Super Smash Bros. Nintendos all-out brawler for the Wii lets up to four people duke it out in a cartoony way that seems deceivingly simple. A strategic fighter game that many college students have played at some point or another before college, Super Smash Bros. is one of the best video games to play with roommates, floormates, new friends, and even your RA (speaking as an RA, I can attest to going a few rounds with residents). Anyone can pick up and button-mash, but those with more practice can really go at it, making this the perfect video game to grace a college dorm room. 2) Halo This Xbox-exclusive series which may very well be the Xbox Ones last vestige of hope (oops, sorry not sorry) is widely popular as a somewhat more casual first-person shooter. You play as a Spartan, a super-soldier sent to fight against aliens from the Covenant using all manner of futuristic guns, grenades, and laser swords. Whether through a pick-up cooperative game with a friend or two either online or in person, or a fast-paced multiplayer versus game online, Halo effectively entertains the easily-distracted college student. The Sims box photo via Flickr user joshwept 3) The Sims 3 The Sims have been around for-flipping-ever and are still, believe it or not, successful enough to still be coming out with new expansion packs for their latest installment, The Sims 3. I mentioned in a previous article about the best PC games for non-gamers  that The Sims 3 is a god game. You control your Sims every move (*cue Every Breath You Take*) and have endless possibilities at your disposal to micro-manage your Sims lives. What makes The Sims super appealing towards college students, perhaps, is that feeling of being in control while in the real world, we are learning to take control of  our  lives. Just a theory. 4) Left for Dead 2 Havent you heard? Zombie is the new vampire craze. Or maybe its always been about zombies. Left for Dead 2, an oldie but goodie, is a cooperative first-person shooter game for PC and Mac that pits you and three other survivors against zombie hordes. Almost anyone can play since its for both PC and Mac and its usually pretty cheap during Steam sales. Since it relies on online play, you can team up with friends sitting right next to you or across the country. Ive played Left for Dead 2 in my dorm and at home with my college friends, making it an easy, great way to game with friends no matter where you are. Animal Crossing New Leaf box art, via Amazon.com 5) Animal Crossing: New Leaf Animal Crossing launched way back when on the trusty Gamecube.  Animal Crossing has a simple premise you play a villager who comes to a town populated by animal inhabitants and work to repay your mortgage while making friends, collecting bugs and fish, pulling weeds to maintain the town, and the like.  The latest installment, Animal Crossing: New Leaf for the 3DS has been making rippling waves in the gaming community, placing you as the mayor of your  new town and as such have many more responsibilities and privileges.. While I havent yet played New Leaf, I am a huge fan of the series and many of my college friends have been waxing poetically about the game. What makes Animal Crossing: New Leaf great for college students is firstly, the ability to share friend codes with others and visit each others town and secondly, the ability to close and open your 3DS anywhere and play for just a few minutes or a few hours. With the mobility of a college students life, Animal Crossing is a gre at game to consider, one that I hope to get my paws on soon. Do you have favorite video games for college students? Let us know in the comments!