How to Get Gigs Life as a Guitarist for Hire

How to Get Gigs Life as a Guitarist for Hire Sign up successful They had worldwide smash hits in the 70s, such as “When Will I See You Again,” and “Dirty ol’ Man.” They formed out of the Philadelphia music scene in the 1960s and were on the same label as famous  artists such as Patti Labelle and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. As a group, theyve been together for a long time and know exactly how their music should sound. Therefore, its my job as a hired gun to deliver exactly what they want, but at the same time, try to add some of my own flair and style into the mix. Where to Find  Guitar Gigs The first step in landing your next big gig is knowing where to look. You can find guitarist wanted ads in your local classifieds or on Craigslist, or on websites like Gigsalad  and GigMasters. How to Get Gigs for Guitarists When you respond to that musicians wanted ad, be sure to put your best foot forward. If youre sending an email, include video of yourself performing live as well as a resume listing your past gigs and other musical accomplishments. You should also ask the band which songs they would like you to learn for your audition, and then really learn them! This shows that youre a team player with the dedication and commitment a gig like this requires. Playing With a Group You may play a musical passage  exactly as youve heard it on record, but until you start playing with the group, you don’t know if thats exactly what they want. For example, I was playing a guitar riff  and the band members told me they wanted it to be “less choppy,” meaning that they wanted it smoother and with less complicated rhythms. As a hired musician, its your job to make sure you interpret the artists  requests accurately and come up with a suitable alternative part. Therefore, creativity is an important and essential element when being used as a hired gun. Its never your place to question their authority, simply because its not  your band. Therefore, you must do as they request and do a good job of it. Letting go of your ego is essential when playing for someone. If you don’t like authority, or someone telling you what to play, then this guitar gig  is probably not for you. If you approach things with the right attitude, its one of the most fun and rewarding experiences youll ever have. Musical Terminology for Hired Guns Understanding musical terminology is an essential part of being a hired musician. Here are some terms that are frequently used: Push Anticipated syncopated rhythm. Stab A rhythmical accent played together as a band. Repeat markers The markers that indicate the start and end section of a loop. 1st and 2nd time ending Inside the repeated section, there are subsections that vary depending on whether you are playing the 1st time round or the 2nd. Soli Musical phrase played in unison as a band. Coda The last section of a song indicated on the sheet music by a coda sign. Reprise When the music comes back in after being  finished. Understanding these terms makes it easier for the musicians to communicate with each other and be on the same wavelength. A lack of understanding will slow down the whole band. Its impractical to do this, so  learning the lingo is really an essential part of being a good gigging musician. Learning the Music A certain amount of detective work may be necessary when learning the songs. When I toured with The Three Degrees, I ended up learning 3 versions of every song. I was sent the original MP3s  of the songs, along with  live versions that are often in different keys than the originals and may even have a different feel or different guitar parts. I had to learn an approximation of both of these versions so that Id be well-equipped during rehearsals to play whatever they requested of me. However, a certain amount of personal taste may be required in determining the appropriate parts. During our first rehearsal (and there was only one), things were changed around. Ultimately, the final version may turn out to be different from both the live and studio versions always be prepared for change. How to Choose a Guitar Your  choice of guitar is also more important than you may think. It wouldnt be a good idea to show up to a gig with The Three Degrees with an Ibanez Jem, for example. For this gig, I chose more traditional guitars that I love   my Stratocaster and Telecaster. These guitars not only fit appropriately in terms of sound, but also in terms of look. If youre going to get into the professional realm, its good to have some classic guitars that can fit into many different genres. The Strat, for example, can be used in funk, pop, rock, soul, blues, country, and even jazz.  It isn’t totally necessary to have tons of guitars, but its nice to have some of the main classic guitar types. I always take more than one guitar with me on tour in case a string snaps on stage. That way I can quickly change guitars without having to spend time changing strings on stage, which is too time consuming in a live situation. Its also good to carry extras of everything in your guitar gig bag. Being On Time The last piece of advice I can give is extremely important always be on time! Remember, if youre not early, youre late. Make sure you get to the sound check early to set up any amps or pedals and to also get your guitar in tune. If  theres something wrong with your amp, youll have time to get it fixed before the singers get there. Selecting  the right amp initially will reduce any errors you may encounter later. I always say that its better to be two hours early than two hours late! Also, dress well, polish your shoes, and iron your shirt â€" oh, and don’t forget to shower! With all of this in mind, you should be all set for a glittering music career. Post Author:  Nick K. Nick K.  teaches guitar, acoustic guitar, and music theory in Pasadena, CA. Hes been playing guitar for over 20 years and has taught at some of the topmost music schools in London and New York City. Learn more about Nick here! Photo by Gary Knight 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

Nationwide Reading And Math Abilities

Nationwide Reading And Math Abilities 12th grade students reading/math scores increased slightly, since their record lows in 2005, according to federal results released November 18th, cited by an article in The New York Times. These reading and math tests comprise the National Assessment of Education Progress test. The Department of Education administered this test to what it determined to be a representative sample of about 50,000 12th grade students nationwide in the spring of 2009. The Department of Education stated that the average 12th grade student scored 288 on the reading assessment portion on a 500-point scale marking a slight increase from the average 2005 score of 286. Roughly 38% of 12th grade students scored at or above the tests proficiency level. If we go back almost 20 years and compare todays national reading results, these scores are not quite what they should be, said Steven Paine, a member of the National Assessment Governing Board. Paine noted that these increases represent mild short-term improvements but long-term decreases. The average test score dropped four points from 292 in 1992 to 288 in 2009. Naturally, students who said they read a lot scored much higher on the reading assessment test than students who said they read little. Students who said they read 20 or more pages every day for school scored 25 points higher than those who reported only reading five or fewer pages a day. For the math assessment test, average 12th graders scores increased from 150 in 2005 to 153 this year. The math assessment is scored on a 300-point scale. Twenty-six percent of 12th graders scored at or above the proficiency level in 2009. These scores cannot be compared to any test scores before 2005 because the governing board changed the test that year. However, in comparison, the 2006-administered national assessment of economics test showed that 42 percent of 12th graders were proficient. On the most recent science and history assessments 18 and 13 percent, respectively, of 12th graders scored proficient. Educators and school policy makers closely examine the assessment test scores, looking for slight nuances of improvements. However, officials have not yet determined if these improvements are significant. Significance depends on the tests margin for error, which increases as the number of test takers decreases. Test administers noted that it is a big challenge within itself simply to persuade high school students to take the test seriously, performing to the best of their abilities. Students are not scored individually; so there is no incentive to perform well and no consequences of performing poorly.

What Science Tells Us about Playing the Guitar.

What Science Tells Us about Playing the Guitar. Scientific Reasons for Playing Your Guitar. ChaptersThe Guitar Creates Real PleasurePlaying the Guitar Helps StressGuitars Removes PainThe Guitar Boosts Your Brain's ActivityPracticing Guitar Trains your HeartThe Guitar Boosts Self-ConfidencePlaying Guitar Improves Your Creativity and ConcentrationGuitars Improve Your Appeal.You wonder why guitarists seem so relaxed and calm on stage?  Why they seem so cool when playing guitar chords on their acoustic guitar or playing guitar solos on their electric?Do they have a better GP? Better health and fitness? (We doubt it.) Do they all do crazy amounts of yoga between practicing their music theory, fingerstyle, or barre chords? Do they all practice mindfulness whilst working on their fretboard, power chords, or guitar tricks? Sort of.Discover how a Fender can stimulate gray matter, annihilate stress and even boost your sex appeal! It's not all about tablature and chord progressions!Throughout time guitars has been a musical instrument that attracted, even fascinated.  For a child or t eenager it's the ideal partner to seduce and express oneself freely through personal compositions, picking up the great hits of our favorite guitar players.There's no age to play guitar: whether you are 8, 18, 38 or 68 years old makes no difference. From that moment you want to play the guitar, as soon you're motivated, is the right time to get started.You can also play all styles of music on the guitar that you enjoy such as blues, rock, pop, reggae, funk, punk or classical music.  You'll just have to choose the corresponding guitar.  However, to be sure to make the proper sounds and not get your family or neighbors screaming, it's recommended to learn the basics of this instrument by taking guitar lessons - with a qualified and reliable guitar teacher.Whether you take online courses, classes with an independent teacher or guitar lessons in a music school doesn't matter, so long as it's right for you. Once you acquire the early guitar basics, you'll discover that you can start play ing many pieces - and you'll even be able to teach others how to play guitar.But beyond that pleasure of playing or reproducing songs, playing guitar has many other implications for you, including your well-being and your health.It's perhaps the essence of any musical practice, and the guitar is not exempted from providing a genuine pleasure.According to a neuro-scientific study from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, listening to and playing the guitar will release wellness hormones including the famous dopamine, commonly called the happiness hormone.Playing the guitar can help your mood!Strangely, and according to the same study, playing the guitar and listening to music would trigger the same chemical process in our brain as sexual intercourse.Some will readily say that playing the guitar is a sort of musical masturbation. The word is maybe a bit strong but the facts are there: the more you listen to music, the more you go at it with your guitar, the more you take pleasure in doing it. That's why your brain will secrete this Hormone that is dopamine.Maybe this explains why guitarists look so damn cool when they play songs on stage!Playing the Guitar Helps StressWe all have busy days. And, whether it's in our private sphere or in the workplace, there are always moments when we get more tense. We're sure you know what we're talking about.Between upsetting bosses, bills that fall at the wrong time, traffic jams, bad weather, an appointment you don't want to face, there are a thousand reasons get stressed during the day.Luckily, once you take possession of your Gibson Les Paul guitar or your Telecaster, plug in your guitar to the Marshall guitar amp, tune your guitar, play the first guitar strings, strum a few chords â€" all these stresses seem to all fade away in no time.Whether you're taking guitar lessons with a teacher or playing in your room by yourself, the result is the same: you're going to relax by playing your 6-strings (this is also true for clas sic bass or acoustic bass!).According to a double study by the University of Loma Linda in California (USA) and the School of Medicine and Applied Biosystems, it has been proven that stress is significantly reduced as soon as one plays an instrument â€" guitars are amongst these.The guitar is good for your health and your mood.  Believe it or not, the guitar's virtues have been known since it's origins, at least instinctively. Blues guitar emerged historically from a time of immense pain for the black community in the United States - and it was felt as both a lament and a community support.And many of your favorite songs will have been written by musicians in moments of difficulty. In this sense, music - and even those small motions of fingerpicking, or concentrating on moving from one guitar chord to the next - is profoundly therapeutic.Also, it seems a lot of this is played out directly on the genetic level, the musical vibrations act on our immune system in response to blood pres sure, which allows us to fight against viruses. Remember this when you are next ill: get playing your pentatonic or major scale, or those songs by Clapton or Hendrix, and maybe you'll feel a little better.Some essential small accessories related to guitar like the pick, the capo, a metronome, just in case and you're ready!Guitars Removes PainIf you have chronic pain, suffering, whether physical or psychological, learning to play guitar and listening to music can disconnect your mind and thereby greatly reduce pain.Destress by playing the guitar!Concentrating on the intonations, the musical vibrations, on the atmosphere rather than on pain, while listening to music helps your body to relax and your mind to escape.This is a study by the University of Utah (United States) in connection with the Center for Research on Pain which was able to demonstrate these effects of music on our body.Think about this when you are feeling lazy and don't want to go to your guitar lesson. Think about th is when you are struggling with a difficult chord progression. Consider this when you are practicing your guitar tabs or your ear training. All of this will help you in the long run - and not just in your ability in how to play the guitar.A recent Scottish study has shown that if you play the guitar - but it works just as well with any musical instrument - you are more able to sharpen your brain functions and activity.This would particularly favor the fight against mental degeneration in the medium and long term. Meaning, simply, by getting yourself on to a guitar course, by whacking through those basic chords and fret positions, by practicing rock guitar, jazz guitar, or rhythm guitar, you are actually staving off conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's.So don't take pills to increase your brain activity: take guitar lessons, compile your tabs, work your scales, study them and play - and your brain will thank you.Learn how to play these distinct styles of guitar!Practicing Guitar Trains your HeartDid you know that rockers have a fascinating cardiovascular system?Indeed, researchers in the Netherlands have revealed that musicians and people who practice a musical activity such as playing guitar for at least 100 minutes a day have a significant drop in blood pressure but also heart rate compared to a person who would not play music.This was reinforced by another study from the Berklee School of Music in Boston, USA, led by the Chair of the Department of Music Therapy, Mrs. Suzanne Hanser.Playing music has a real impact on our health, especially for the elderly. As the heart slows down, stress is decreased as well as anxiety and depression.While you're totally absorbed by your guitar playing, as you forget yourself to the music, blood pressure at the heart drops to completely normal levels, you feel more relaxed. This is why, after a solid time of guitar practice, you might feel less worried about life.And if, by chance, you take guitar lessons where you learn to sing at the same time, it will also have a positive effect on your lungs, making them work their oxygen capacity.Maybe that is why these top guitarists enjoy such longevity...The Guitar Boosts Self-ConfidenceThe guitar is an excellent outlet.Even if singing brings an immediate benefit, playing and creating your own music allows you to express yourself fully, to show others who you are, the emotions you feel, to convey a message, ideas.By expressing yourself totally and without any censorship with the guitar, you will release a strong emotional charge, which will increase your confidence.Singing a song, playing a song, can be easy for some, but creating, composing, inventing a piece is a personal challenge, and once you have achieved it, you will have gained self-confidence.You will know that you are capable of inventing something unique.Developing any old skill can help your confidence. But when you are learning such things as improvisation, complex lead guitar passages, and perf ormance, you'll be showing the world - and yourself - that you can do something really excellent.Find out all of the different ways a good guitar player can earn a living...Playing Guitar Improves Your Creativity and ConcentrationThe more you play the guitar, the more your brain stores information. Once you have acquired all the basics of the guitar - like the main chords, alternate picking, placing your fingers to perform chords or make your first solo - you'll realize that you'll want to learn again and again. The open chords won't be enough: you'll want to develop the range of advanced guitar techniques!It's as if you had put your finger in a gear and could no longer undo it.Are you a beginner guitar player? You need this 'everything guitar'guide...With the guitar, it's a bit like this: after freeing yourself of the techniques you acquired through lessons, you'll access the creative part of the guitar.According to a very serious study of the very serious University of Cambridge, musicians and guitarists continue to be creative even when they stop playing their instrument.They have invested so much in their music that their whole environment becomes a pretext for composing or making changes to their music.It's often during a walk, on a tour, in the evening with friends that you'll hear a sound, a rhythm or that you will feel a certain emotion and want to put it into music.Guitars Improve Your Appeal.It is cliché but nevertheless proven scientifically. The guitar enhances your attractiveness. Ah, the guitar and guitarists!Psychology researchers have done music-related studies that show that women more easily associate musical ability with intelligence, but also with commitment, the notion of hard work and physical prowess.Learn to play these sexy guitar-based songs to seduce your crush!Playing the guitar boosts your confidenceWhy do people like guitarists?Here are two or three reasons that will make you want to take guitar lessons to pull.The guitarist is su pposed to be more creative and more imaginative than other men.The music and the guitar are addressed directly to people's brains: the American neuroscientist Daniel Levitin explains that music played on the guitar solicits almost all areas of the brain and the emotions it generates imply structures around the primitive brain, namely the seat of all our emotions. In short, guitar music comes into contact with our oldest emotions and it's impossible to control them.The guitarist has a transgressive side: myth of the bad boy or not, the guitarist is synonymous with freedom, the man who frees himself from society's rules to make his own way.What if the guitar was the remedy for old age?In conclusion, it can be said that the guitar is the best medicine against boredom and depression.It relieves guitarists and brings many physical and mental benefits.So enjoy your neurons by strumming your Gibson strings like the best guitarists!Quickly take your dose of serotonin, endorphin or oxytocin. Now go with your Superprof as we debunk popular misconceptions about the guitar...

Ask a Private School Admissions Expert Emily Glickman

Ask a Private School Admissions Expert Emily Glickman Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Emily Glickman is the founder and president of Abacus Guide Educational Consulting, a leading private school consulting service in New York. She currently serves as an alumni admissions interviewer for Columbia Universityand is a vastly well-known expert on private school admissions. Emily has also been featured in several prestigious publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. VT: What is the typical timeline for private school admissions? Emily: Families should start to think about private school admissions about a year and a half before a child starts a new school.While the private school admissions process officially starts right after Labor Day, advanced planning means you have more time to research and sometimes visit schools, study for required exams, and improve your familys and students admissions profile. If your child applies to private school, plan for a busy fall!Usually, private schools upload applications to their websites in late August or early September.Then its a sprint:essays, interviews, testing, references, and transcripts.Before you know it, its the New Year and its almost time for February or March decisions. VT: What is the typical process that admissions officers go through to evaluate applications? Emily: Private school admissions directors review a students whole profile: parent and (for middle school and high school) student essays, interviews, school reports, and teacher recommendations. VT: What are the most important things children need to have represented on their applications? Emily: Kids need to seem like they will be successful in a new school.Every admissions officer likes an articulate, friendly, easy-going student with a solid academic record. VT: What are common mistakes parents make when applying to these programs? Emily: Sometimes parents think they need to snow admissions directors with extensive talk about their vast real estate holdings, multiple doctorates from the worlds best universities, and thirty board memberships.While private schools like generous, community-minded people, nobody likes a showoff. VT: How should parents go about determining the culture of a private school, and whether it would be a good fit for their children? Emily: When parents evaluate private schools, they should start with an open mind and a willingness to look at a number of schools. In New York City, its a sellers market, so buyers need to give themselves many possible options.Families should go to school-sponsored events and talk to current parents. Some of my clients have found YouTube videos of school events and the school newspaper to be good ways to ferret out real information that you dont get from marketing materials. VT: How important are standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Emily: For NYC kindergarten admission, ERB scores are critical.I find that for middle school and high school, students grades carry more weight and sometimes will mean more than a disappointing ISEE or SSAT score. VT: What tips do you have in regards to ISEE prep, SSAT prep, and preparation for other standardized assessments that private schools might require? Emily: If students want to have the best possible choice of schools, they should prep.In my experience, prepping can dramatically improve students scores.That said, some parents want to prep years in advance!That is too much.Children are only children for a short period.Test prep should be practiced in moderation, and only when it is productive. VT: What are the most important things parents need to have well represented about themselves when meeting with admissions officers? Emily: Parents need to seem like pleasant, community-minded, thoughtful people who will reflect well on the school. VT: How does networking and having in-school connections affect one's chances of admission? Emily: At almost all schools, some more than others, networking matters.Connections help, especially when a student is qualified. In many ways, NYC private schools are like country clubs.If you know someone there, youve proven yourself to be their kind of person. VT: How can a student best prepare for admissions interviews? Emily: I work directly with students and coach them on how best to answer questions.For kids who want to prepare on their own, my best advice is to show your best self.Its not the admissions officers business if your favorite activity is playing Xbox while scarfing nachos. Instead, discuss your favorite school subject or your interest in American biography. Check out Abacus Guide Educational Consulting for more information or get in touch with Emily at info@abacusguide.com The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

ACT Science Extracting Signals Through Noise to Improve Your Score

ACT Science Extracting Signals Through Noise to Improve Your Score ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog “Ever thought about taking the ACT?” “Yeah, I've thought about it...the questions are supposed to be more straightforward than the ones on the SAT.” “Then why not give it a shot?” “It has that Science Section! There's no way I can get through that!” The ACT Science Section is perhaps the most misunderstood section on any of the main college entrance exams, and it's intimidating enough to scare many students away from taking an otherwise very manageable test. But it doesn't need to be. Perhaps the most insidious aspect of the ACT Science Section is actually something very simple: its name. In fact, the Science Section is barely about science at all, but about data: charts, tables, graphs, and your ability to read them. In much the same way as a reading comprehension question or a long word problem in math, the Science Section tests your ability to extract signals through noise. Can you quickly find your way through a mess of informationâ€"information that you may or may not needâ€"to find the pieces of data that give you the right answer? From CollegeVine: The Science section of the ACT consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that you’ll answer over the course of 35 minutes.Just like the other sections of the ACT, the score that you receive on the Science section of the ACT will be a scaled score ranging from 1-36. This number is scaled from your raw score, which is the number of questions that you got correct on the Science section and each section of the exam is weighted equally. Let's look at a sample ACT passage: See how “noisy” that passage is? Charts, graphs, tablesâ€"all thrown at you at once, and it's almost a guarantee that you've never encountered this science before. To make matters worse, there are unfamiliar terms, acronyms, all sorts of chaos that you need to filter out in order to make sense of the passage. So how do you do that? First, you don't really need to “read” the passage straight through at all! (For more info on how to manage your time on test day, see this post on Albert). The trick is to do a quick survey, to identify what may be important. Look for terms that may be important, so that you can find them later. For example, RCRF seems important. So does cosmic ray flux. Look at differences in the tables and figuresâ€"low clouds, middle clouds, high clouds. Timelines occur on the X-axes of the 3 figures. Also see if you can spot trends or patterns. For example, in Table 1, both flux in the first column and Low Cloud Cover in the second column show a simple upward trend. None of the trends on the Science section will be complicated, but it's important to be able to spot them. Now that we've found some important signals buried in all the noise of the passage, let's try a questionor two. Look at Question 15 first (this is a mid-level questionâ€"questions in each passage tend to get a bit more difficult as you move on, but not too much!) Here we have a couple of “signals”: low and high clouds and relative cosmic ray flux (RCRF). So we need to zoom into figures and tables that address this information. We also need to find a graph that pretty clearly shows direct correlation. With just a glance, we can see that Figure 3 shows a strong correlation between cloud cover and RCRFâ€"the graphs are almost exactly the same! And what kind of clouds are shown on that graph? Low ones. The graph for high clouds in Figure 1 doesn't show a clear correlation at all. So we know that the statement is consistent with Figure 1 and 3. Answers A and B both assert that the statement is correctâ€"but only A correctly states why: because the graphs for low clouds and RCRF are almost exactly the same. Let's try a slightly harder question. Question 17 is the last question for the passage, and the ACT Science Section sometimes asks you to use a tiny bit of basic scientific intuition for these questions. Again, you want to use High and Low clouds as signals. But now it's introducing some new informationâ€"some clouds are made up of ice crystals, and some of water droplets. But there's nothing about water and ice in the passage! No worriesâ€"all you need to know is the simple scientific concept that water freezes and turns to ice as the temperature gets colderâ€"basic stuff! So if high clouds are made up of ice, and low clouds are made up of water, clearly the higher clouds are colder. So that rules out A and B. To choose between C and D, look at the altitudesâ€"C asks us about the 3.2-6.0 km range (middle clouds), while D asks about the 6.0-16.0 km range (high clouds). Since only D pertains to high clouds, D is the correct answer. See how easy it is? Signals through noise. Once you practice a few of these, it becomes much easier to see how to navigate your way through the ACT Science Section. And ultimately, although this isn't really a science test at all, the skills you acquire from mastering this test will be extremely helpful in college and beyondâ€"whether you're taking science classes, or doing anything else that involves sifting through large amounts of data to find the information that really matters. About the Author Steve Markofsky is one of our most experienced and qualified test prep tutors. For more information on ACT/SAT tutoring and to see profiles of tutors like Steve, click here.

Happiness, Fears, Loves Talking About Existential Questions With Help From Gillian Anderson

Happiness, Fears, Loves Talking About Existential Questions With Help From Gillian Anderson When were you happiest? What is your greatest fear?In English we call these existential questions or questions about the meaning of life. They are  issues we all  ponder (think about)  at some point.Let’s see some interesting responses to  some existential questions with Gillian Anderson, better known as Scully from the X-Files, in an interview published in the UK’s Guardian newspaper in March, 2011. Afterwards lets answer some questions together.When were you happiest? In the womb.What is your greatest fear? Insanity.What is your earliest memory? One year old in Puerto Rico, my feet in the sand, wearing only a nappy, and cradling eggs in the crook of my  arm.Which living person do you most admire, and why? Obama, because against all odds, hes getting the job done with grace and integrity.What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Sabotage.What is the trait you most deplore in others? Bullying.What was your most embarrassing moment? Thinking I was doing Victoria Beckham a fa vor by putting her shirt collar down. It never occurred to me she might want it that way. Needless to say my charitable act did not go down too well.What is your most treasured possession? My children â€" Piper, Oscar and Felix. Obviously I do not possess them, but saying anything else would seem plain wrong.What makes you unhappy? Me.What do you most dislike about your appearance? Its length.If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you  choose? The Amazon.Who would play you in the film of  your life? Johnny Depp.What is your guiltiest pleasure? Not exercising.To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why? My high school geography teacher, for putting gum on her chair and ruining her favourite skirt.Have you ever said I love you and not meant it? Yes.What is the worst job youve done? Pilot of The X-Files.How do you relax? Beating myself into submission.What is the closest youve come to  death? A bull elephant in Kenya moving towards our car as we tried to do a  three-point turn in a dead end.What keeps you awake at night? My two-year-old.What is the most important lesson life has taught you? That Im not in charge.QuestionsWhat impression do you have of Gillian from her answers?Can you tell what kind of a child she was from her answers?Are you surprised by any of her responses?What is her self-image like? Do you think it is mostly positive or negative?At what point in your life were you happiest?Do you ponder  life’s existential questions regularly or do you try not to think about them?What do you do when you feel a little down or sad? Do you watch movies or read a book to feel better?Did you find this blog helpful? Please share it on Facebook and Twitter.

7 Ways to Take a Bite Out of the Intermediate Language Level

7 Ways to Take a Bite Out of the Intermediate Language Level 7 Ways to Take a Bite Out of the Intermediate Language Level The sweet center of language progress isnt always all its cracked up to be.Thats not to say theres anything wrong with the middle.Some might even say its the best part of a smore or a sandwich cookie.But if youre stuck at the center level of language proficiency, chances are youre eager to get out of that messy middle once and for all.Regardless of what language youre studying, as an intermediate learner, there are certain challenges youll face.Whether youre an intermediate Spanish learner  or an intermediate German learner, the road ahead probably looks quite similarand sometimes quite daunting.But this means that once youve wised up to what intermediate language proficiency is like, what setbacks youll face and what youll need to do to get out of it, you can wiggle your way out of the middle and on towards advanced study.But before we look at ways to do that, lets see how you can identify whether youre an intermediate learner in the first place. What Is Intermediate Level Languag e Proficiency?If youre unsure of what proficiency level youre at, the  ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines  can help you determine it.You can also get a good general idea of whether youre at an intermediate level by considering some basic questions.Can you speak and write on familiar topics? For instance, if you were asked to write a paragraph on your favorite hobby in your target language, could you do it? If not, you might not be at an intermediate level yet. On the other hand, if you can speak on the spot about much more complex topics, you may already be advanced.Can you put together previous learning to create new meaning?  If you rely on specific words and phrases youve memorized, youre probably still a beginning learner. However, if you can put together words to create new meaning, youve probably reached the intermediate level.Can you put together sentences? If so (and if applicable to the language youre learning), what verb tense do you use? Intermediate learners can put together b asic sentences but usually use present tense verbs.What Challenges Do Intermediate Language Learners Encounter?If youre at an intermediate level, youve probably already faced some of the challenges below. Dont feel discouraged, however, as identifying these problems now will help you start to work on fixing them!Insufficient vocabulary.  While intermediate language learners have a good amount of basic, generic vocabulary, they still lack more specialized terms, and this can make clear communication difficult.Inability to use language in native-level contexts. Intermediate language learners often struggle to apply book learning to real-life situations, so they struggle when they try to watch authentic media or interact with native speakers.Lingering grammar issues.  Whether a grammar rule was learned incorrectly or simply not learned thoroughly enough, grammar questions or misinterpretations often crop up and hinder intermediate learners overall fluency.Difficulty expressing complex ideas.  While intermediate learners can cover basic ideas, they struggle to express complex ideas. This is due in part to limited vocabulary and lingering grammar issues.Lack of confidence. Unlike beginners,  many intermediate learners are advanced enough to be acutely aware of their own limitations, and this hampers their confidence. Intermediate learners have acquired some valuable skills, but they also know that theres a lot they dont know. Sadly, this can slow down the learning process by making learners more hesitant to use the skills they do have!Now were going to look at how you can take the awesome intermediate skills youve already acquired and apply them to moving up to the advanced level.7 Ways to Take a Bite Out of the Intermediate Language Level1. Take lessons that target your specific weaknessesPursuing  intermediate language lessons  will address many of the main setbacks intermediate learners face.There are a wide variety of courses available online or in personâ€"the important thing is to make sure you find one that caters specifically to the intermediate level and specifically to your needs. Some may require you to complete an assessment first to ensure theyre an appropriate level for you. If a course doesnt require this, you might want to ask to see the lesson plan or syllabus to ensure the topics that will be covered are right for you.Otherwise, you might consider taking private lessons. Private lessons may be especially helpful at an intermediate level, as they allow you the flexibility to target material and topics youre struggling with. There may be tutors available in your area, or you can find one though online services.coLanguage is a great resource for finding a qualified, pre-screened private tutor to teach you online at the intermediate level. They use material and testing based on the CEFR levels, and youll get regular feedback pertaining to your progress. They currently offer lessons for 28 different languages.If youre interested in finding a tutor near you, Wyzant can help you locate the perfect qualified teacher close to home. You can browse all sorts of info on teacher profiles like hourly rates, how far theyre willing to drive to meet with you and even feedback left by students.Personalized, targeted lessons can help build your vocabulary and fix lingering grammar issues. In turn, they can help improve your confidence. After all, knowing more vocabulary and perfecting your grammar are huge confidence boosters.2. Use authentic mediaUsing authentic media is an ideal way to address an inability to understand language in native-level contexts. After all, you can work on understanding native speech without the intimidation factor of speaking to a native speaker.The problem with using authentic media at the intermediate level is that additional support is often needed. If youre already working with a language teacher, you may want to ask them to integrate more authentic material into your lessons.If you prefer an interactive online course to a live teacher, or if you just want a streamlined resource for real-life language practice,  FluentU is a great way to kill two birds with one stone. It provides a flexible course for intermediate learners and is based around authentic content.FluentU uses authentic, real-world videos like movie trailers, music videos, news and more. However, you wont be in over your head, since supportive learning materials are included. Each video is captioned and the captions are annotated, giving you easy access to a words definition, example sentences and an associated image. You can even click any word to see how its used in other videos.FluentU offers two different levels of learning for intermediates, but its also highly flexible and customizable. You select your videos and your pace, and FluentU keeps track of all the words you know for a 100% personalized learning experience.Use  FluentU online  or  download the FluentU app for iOS or Android devices.3. Spe ak oftenOne of the main reasons that intermediate students often lack confidence is that they simply dont have enough practice. The more you speak, the more confident youll get. Not only that, youll also find holes in your vocabulary (which youll then be able to fill) and become increasingly comfortable communicating complex ideas.To get your speaking time in, try speaking with friends who are also studying your target language. Better yet, interact with a native speaker you know, or find one through language exchange sites like Languing or HelloTalk.Interacting with a native speaker will also improve your ability to understand authentic language, so its a win on all counts.4. Teach others what you knowTeaching can help reinforce what youve learned, which will likely improve lingering grammar issues and help build your confidence. If you struggle with a particular conjugation or grammar rule, go over it, then try to explain it to someone else.To do this, it might help to find someon e whos a little behind you in learning the language. This way, you wont be in the position of having to explain something thats too advanced for you. You could even offer your services as a tutor for beginning students.LingQ is a language learning system and app that gives access to community forums where users can ask questions, giving you the opportunity to chime in with advice or insight on topics youre already familiar with. Since LingQ also focuses on learning with authentic content found on the web, its also another great resource for expanding your understanding of a language as its used by natives.5. Read a novelOnce youre an intermediate student, you know enough words and grammar that you can likely understand a novel, even if you struggle at times. Persevering through any struggles to complete your novel of choice will help you build your vocabulary and your confidence.You can find current books in almost any language on  Amazon. The Harry Potter series is a particularly g ood choice since its available in many languages and wont be too advanced for most intermediate students. Better still, you may already know the plot, so you dont have to worry too much about getting lost.Another good option is  Project Gutenberg, which offers free online books that are in the public domain in a variety of different languages. Childrens books are a good choice for intermediate students because they arent too complicated. You might also try reading classic works in your target language to increase your understanding of both language and culture.6. Jot down common and critical wordsWhether youre reading or listening to authentic media, youll probably encounter several words you dont already know. Thats okayâ€"it happens to most people even in their native language!Most words you can guess the meaning of or deduce based on context. Others, however, require a little more focus. There are some words that youll want to jot down, look up and study.Do you frequently encount er the same word that youve not yet learned? If so, thats a good cue to jot down the word and look it up. Does the meaning of one particular word seem critical to the overall meaning of a sentence? Thats another good word to jot down. If you focus on the most frequently used and/or critical words, youll be learning some particularly valuable vocabulary, and that will tend to be the vocabulary that helps you move forward the fastest.7. Think in your target languageWhenever you have a couple minutes to spare, try thinking about whatever you were already thinking about in your target language. When you realize you dont have the words you need to think about what you want, learn those words. Doing this will improve your confidence, your vocabulary and your ability to communicate complex ideas. Plus, it takes virtually no time out of your schedule.Its time to get out of the middle.With these tips and tricks, you can begin the climb towards advanced proficiency!