7 Tips for Working as a Freelance Musician

7 Tips for Working as a Freelance Musician Suzy S. Last nights 84th Annual Oscars paid tribute to the best of the best of the past years big screen efforts and, of course, the music involved.   Out of the two music categories, The Artist won for Best Original Score, and Bret McKenzies Man or Muppet won for Best Original Song. So what can the Oscars, more prominently known for recognizing great films, actors and directors, teach the modern day musician?   Lucky for you, as a musician there are several different paths to take.   Whether you see yourself on lead guitar, behind the scenes in the recording studio, as concertmaster in the Philharmonic Orchestra, or penning an Oscar-winning film score, a passion for music can take you to many different careers. For most, freelance work is part of the journey at some point.   Its a great way to establish a network, get your name out there and earn some extra cash.   If youre just getting started, check out these great tips from Ultimate-Guitar.com about surviving as a freelance musician: 1. At least in the beginning, you will need a day job: This is the part that nobody likes, but you will most likely not be able to support yourself by playing music alone. The thing about the music business is that it really is all about who you know. Its such a tight-knit, close community, and a lot of your credibility will come from people you know and recommendations from your peers and other clients. When youre first starting out, you have none of that credit, and may not be called about very many gigs. You may have to solicit yourself to play for things, not the other way around. 2. Make yourself marketable: As odd as it sounds, you are a product that your clients have to buy. Just like an advertising campaign makes a certain product stick in the minds of consumers, you have to work to stick in the minds of your potential clients. And the best way to do that is not through crazy costumes and ridiculous stage antics. Make business cards (you can do this at home with Microsoft Office and other programs) and hand them out any time you have a gig. That way, your name will always be available when people ask for a guitarist. Make sure people know that youre available and willing to play gigs. Be polite, be reliable and work hard. 3. Professionalism, professionalism, professionalism!: This may be the most important aspect that will help your career. Just like with any other job, you will not be hired again if you make the experience an unpleasant one for your employer, nor will you be recommended for any other job. But make it a happy, comfortable experience, and you have a shot at more gigs. Always be on time, always have everything youll need for that day of playing, and always have your parts learned. If for some reason there is a part you cant play at the first rehearsal, make sure that its flawless by the next rehearsal. Take criticism, dont ever lose your temper, and always be the kind of person that people want to work with. 4. Never, ever complain about the check: This isnt the marketplace. You dont get to haggle. What you get paid is what you get paid. If you dont think its fair, then just dont take gigs from that person anymore. Making a scene burns a bridge, and someday, you might need that bridge to get jobs. Of course, if somebody says theyre going to pay you a certain amount, and then the check comes and you get shorted or not paid at all, then you have every right to (politely) discuss the discrepancy just be careful not to lose your temper. 5. Be versatile: You might love to play metal, but if you can play rock, country and jazz, too, youve got a much better shot at getting gigs.   The more things you can do, the more jobs youre going to get. And never turn down a gig just because it isnt your kind of style. When youre making the big bucks, then you can be as picky as you want. 6. Be proactive: If you hear about a gig, pursue it. It is perfectly acceptable to call somebody and say Hey, I heard you might need a musician on such and such a date. Well, my name is such and such, Im very capable, and if you need somebody, heres my number. It cant hurt, as long as youre polite and professional. 7. Dont give up: Even if you cant make a full-time job out of being a musician, continue to take gigs and put yourself out there. You never know which gig could be the break youve been looking for! What have you learned from your own experiences freelancing?   Leave a comment below and share your tips and expertise with the community! Like these posts?   Sign up to receive daily updates right to your inbox!   Click here to subscribe. You might also like: 5 Things to Avoid for Aspiring Musicians How to Break into the Music Biz Without Even Playing a Note More Than Just Music: 7 Secrets of Successful Musicians Photo by Universidad de Navarra.

Where Can I Find Tutoring Jobs as a Voice Coach

Where Can I Find Tutoring Jobs as a Voice Coach All of the Ways You Can Teach Singing ChaptersTeach Singing OnlineBecome an In-Home Singing TeacherTeaching Singing at a Music CollegeBecome a Music Teacher in a State SchoolStarting Your Own ChoirThe musical score is one  thing  and the  singing part  is  another. If you have the music in your head, and you  sing  it with your  body, you'll be all right.We owe these words to Luciano Pavarotti.Are you passionate about singing and do you dream of turning this passion into a career?Do you wish to share your knowledge of music and singing?Are you keen to accompany your students in their learning of vocal techniques and performance skills?Helping students to find their voice, develop their vocal technique and believe in themselves are all key roles for singing teachers.There are many ways you can become a singing teacher.Teach at home, at a music college or in a state school, according to what best suits you!So, what elements should you take into account before you make a decision on where to teach singing? 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 NicolasGuitar 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 tutorsTeach Singing OnlineThe simplest solution for starting out as a singing teacher is without doubt offering online tutoring jobs to teach singing online.The internet removes a lot of the usual obstacles when it comes to teaching.Even the art of singing can be taught via a Skype call just as it is face to face, as teacher and student have the means to directly communicate over the internet.This means that you can discuss singing techniques, exchange ideas, advise your pupil and teach them music theory without letting your geographical location stand in your way!Offering voice lessons online gives you access to thousands of aspiring performers ¦ source: Pixabay - SkitterphotoTeaching singing online offers many advantages for both teacher and student:Easy planning: internet gets rid of the problem of distance and travelling, so you have more time for teaching.An increased number of potential students: This is especially important if you live in a rural area as the internet puts you in contacts with students all over the world!Low running costs: Once you’ve invested in your own musical equipment, you’ll be ready to go with no need to lend any material to your students.However, teaching at a distance does come with some disadvantages. Firstly, online lessons necessitate a very specific approach to teaching. This means that you will have to learn to share your knowledge using only your voice.It's not always easy to explain the correct posture to a pupil using only words, nor the right way to breathe or how to control their vibrato. This means that you will have to find a way to adapt your teaching and make sure that your pupil has the correct resources.Become an In-Home Singing TeacherAnother option is to provide private singing lessons, which are also incredibly easy to organise!Becoming a voice teacher is a great way to turn your passion into a career and develop your own business whilst seeing your students blossom as performers.And, of course, there are many advantages to being an in-home vocal coach:Managing yourself as a self-employed teacherChoosing your teaching methodsChoosing your pupilsBeing able to work full or part-timePersonalising your lessonsChoosing the type of lessons you want to give and the areas you want to specialise inAs a private singing teacher, you can operate as self-employed. This means that you will be in full control of your pricing and what you earn.Inspire young minds and help build the confidence of each performer ¦ source: Pixabay - klimkinYou can teach in your home or travel to those of your students, depending on what works best for you.I t’s usually easier to deliver lessons from your own home, especially if you use a piano to accompany your students.You don’t need any specific qualifications to start out as a home teacher. All you will need to do is give your clients an indication of your experience so they can decide whether you are the right singing teacher for them. 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 tut ors NicolasGuitar 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 tutorsTeaching Singing at a Music CollegeDo you prefer the idea of becoming a full-time teacher in an educational establishment that specialises in music?If this is the case, applying for roles in music colleges and conservatoires will suit you.As a teacher at an establ ishment such as this, you will need the skills to teach a range of pupils of varying ages and abilities.The aim of music school is to give pupils a full experience of the world of music and a high level of knowledge about their instrument. Their approach is traditional yet well-structured and, most importantly, thorough.When it comes to the teaching of singing, as with any instrument, there is a great deal of music theory to learn as students’ ears become more musically intelligent.There are also several options for singing lessons:Individual vocal coachingGroup singing lessonsTraining in music theoryChoir rehearsalsSinging teachers who operate in music colleges are usually qualified professionals, however, the level of prowess varies from school to school.Become a Music Teacher in a State SchoolAnother possibility for aspiring singing teachers is becoming a teacher in a primary or secondary school.If you choose to follow this path, you should be aware that your lesson content may not be completely chosen by yourself.Music education, like education in maths and English, is taught according to the national curriculum.Having an official curriculum ensures that every child across the UK receives the same level of education in each subject. Though music, by nature, is still quite free, you will have to adapt your own knowledge to fit this system.Among the main objectives of music education in schools are:Musical ear trainingLearning about cultural and artistic movements throughout historyLearning to play an instrumentLearning to play as part of an ensembleIf you’d like to take your passion beyond the classroom, there’s always the school choir! Most schools have a choir, and if yours doesn’t, why not set one up?Challenging though it may be, teaching in a school comes with a host of rewarding opportunities ¦ source: Pixabay - coyotIf you decide to teach in an educational establishment, you’ll not only be expected to teach your pupils about your area of ex pertise but introduce them to the world of music on a wider scale.You should also bear in mind that teaching in a school means that all of your pupils will be children and teenagers.This is important as you will need to rely on your previous teaching experience and adapt it to the school environment.You may find that the difficulties you encounter as a school teacher are different to the ones you experience as a private singing teacher. In school, you may have to deal with:a lack of motivation from the students, who are required to be in your lesson by law and not by their own desirehaving a large number of students in each class which may make for a bigger challenge in terms of individual learningHowever, with enough experience and appropriate training, you can easily overcome the challenges of life as a school teacher and appreciate the benefits of the profession.One of these benefits of working full-time in a school is the stability of the pay. Unlike working as a self-employed s inging teacher where your pay depends on the number of clients, your salary as a teacher is guaranteed.If you want to teach music in a school, there are a few qualifications you need. Firstly, you’ll need to have achieved at least a grade C in your maths and English GCSEs, and you’ll need to have graduated from university with a degree relevant to your subject. The final requirement is that you have a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which is a certification of your teacher training.Starting Your Own ChoirTeaching ensemble singing is a brilliant opportunity to share your passion for music with others.According to a survey conducted by Singing Europe, there are 37 million collective singers in Europe!Choirs play an important role in school and community life. And for singing teachers, they mean an opportunity to:Develop a choral style and showcase their arrangement skillsChoose a musical genre (classical, jazz, gospel, etc.)Work with a team of musiciansEnter into com petitions and win prizes for your workGetting together and working with your own choir is an exciting and rewarding challenge.It requires that you hold auditions, identify vocal styles and find your soloists.You could also open your choir to amateur singers without an audition to help more people discover the wonder of choral singing.Member of your choir will be able to work on their own vocal technique and as the choirmaster, it’s your job to oversee the development and progress of the group.Regardless of your teaching and rehearsal methods, by joining a choir, your students will quickly learn the basics of singing and performing, including how to warm up their voices, controlling their breathing and mastering their vibrato.

Joyeuse Fête des Pères French Vocabulary for Fathers Day

Joyeuse Fête des Pères French Vocabulary for Fathers Day Madalyn Danielson Whereas France and the U.S. celebrate  Mother’s Day  on different days in May, both countries celebrate Father’s Day on the same day every year: the third Sunday of  June. Known in France as Fête des Pères, young children often show appreciation for their fathers by making crafty items, such as ties and bow ties made out of paper and cardboard picture frames made from cereal boxes. Older children, like those in the U.S., will often buy their father a gift that they know hed  love. Needless to say, Fathers Day is the perfect opportunity to show your dad how much you appreciate  all that he does for you. And if you want to celebrate this holiday in the French fashion, you will need this  French vocabulary for Father’s Day to show your father how much care you for him! French Words  to Describe Your Family Just like in English, the French have two words to describe fathers. Père is the French equivalent of father,. The less formal version (or the same as the English word “dad”) is actually one that we often use in English: papa. It is just one of the many words that the English language has borrowed  from French. When a father talks about his children, he refers to his son as mon fils. For a daughter, he will say ma fille. Finally, if the children’s mother was involved in helping the children prepare gifts, the father would thank ma femme, or “my wife.” French Gifts  for Fathers Day Sometimes it can be tricky to find a gift for your dad  on Fathers Day, but France has several customary gifts  that are frequently shared for  this special occasion. Here is a bit of  French vocabulary for Father’s Day that will help you talk about the gifts that you can give to your father. A  stereotypical French gift is the tie (or necktie), known as a  cravate. Additionally, the French give roses to their fathers. If your father is still alive, you give him roses rouges, or red roses (actually, the direct translation is roses red). If your father has passed away, you deliver roses blanches, or white roses, to his grave. Of course, the best gift for Father’s Day is to give  him your time, or temps. There is nothing like taking your dad out to a nice French meal and telling him how much you love and appreciate  him! French  Phrases for Fathers Day What all fathers really want to hear is that you appreciate their efforts on your behalf. To thank your dad  for everything he has done, you would say, “Merci beaucoup.” To tell your father that you love him, you would say, Je t’aime, papa. And last but not least, an  important phrase for the day will be  Joyeuse Fête des Pères, or Happy Father’s Day! To show your dad what you have learned from your French studies, impress him with more than just the typical present. Tell him what he means to you using French vocabulary for Fathers Day! Feature photo by  Roadsidepictures 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

Listening and Writing Exercise Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Listening and Writing Exercise Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the U.S. today we are celebrating one of the greatest American citizens of all time, the honorable Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In celebration and remembrance  of this great man we have a listening exercise based on an interview he gave.This interview highlights  what an amazing and intelligent individual he was. Dr. King continues to be a hero in the U.S. Not only does he hold an important place in American history, but he is also an example of the best  of what Americans can accomplish.Watch the interview with Dr. King below, then try to answer the questions.  Answer the questions in comments below, and well respond.Where is Dr. King located and where is the panel located?What was the purpose of the March? What happened that was tragic?What did Governor LeRoy Collins hope for after the demonstrations?How long will the demonstrations continue?Dr. King thinks there are a lot of good white people in Alabama. T/FWhat is the most essential thing for King to end the demonstrations?What is the 3rd problem that Dr. King wants to address?The questions from the panel reflect their personal views. T/FWas the marching demonstration illegal?What two types of laws does Dr. King observe?Kings Letter From The Birmingham Jail is one of the best examples of essay writing in English. Weve created an exercise using the text below. In the first part, choose the word that  best completes the sentence. In the second, choose the correct definition of the words in purple. Finally, answer the three questions at the end.My Dear Fellow Clergymen: While _________ (a. visiting, b. staying,  c. confined) here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities unwise and untimely. Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructiv e work. But since I feel that you are men of ________ (a. genuine, b. mostly, c. some)  good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.I think I should indicate why I am here in Birmingham, since you have been influenced by the view which argues against outsiders coming in. I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization ________(a. controlling, b. protesting, c.operating) in every southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. We have some eighty five affiliated organizations across the South, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. Frequently we share staff, educational and financial resources with our _________(a. enemies, b. affiliates, c. friends). Several months ago the affiliate here in Birmingham asked us to be on call to engage in a nonviolent direct action program if such were deemed necessary. We readily consented, and when the hour came we ________ (a. lived up, b. lived in, c. lived for) to our promise. So I, along with several members of my staff, am here because I was invited here. I am here because I have organizational ties here.But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their thus saith the Lord far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.Home Towns   a. Place where you were born and raised. b. Where your parents live. c. Town your ancestors are from.Compelled a. Someone asks you to do something. b. A sense of duty. c. To be forced to do something.Aid a. Justice. B . Compliance. c. Help.Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial outside agitator idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.Dr. King feels that they should wait for justice patiently to come to all states and countries. (T/F)You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham. But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations. I am sure that none of you would want to rest content with the superficial kind of social analysis that deals merely with effe cts and does not grapple with underlying causes. It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the citys white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative.What reasons does Dr. King give for the demonstration?In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action. We have gone through all these steps in Birmingham. There can be no gainsaying the fact that racial injustice engulfs this community. Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known. Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in the nation. These are the hard, brutal facts of the case. On the basis of these conditions, Negro leaders so ught to negotiate with the city fathers. But the latter consistently refused to engage in good faith negotiation.Is Birmingham during Dr. Kings time a peaceful city?You can read the full letter here.

Making Learning a Foreign Language Fun!

Making Learning a Foreign Language Fun! Learning a foreign language can be a huge challenge for students. There’s vocabulary to learn, a plethora of tenses to absorb, and a whole new accent to perfect. Often, students can get lost in the minutia and details, losing engagement to the broader picture of cross-cultural connection and the enjoyable challenge of language learning. At AJ Tutoring, our tutors can help students cultivate an interest and appreciation for the languages they are learning while also showing great progress with class assignments and tests.Click here to learn more about our foreign language programs! Quite often, a student comes to AJ disliking the language she’s learning because she feels overwhelmed by all of the new vocabulary, verbs conjugations, and syntaxes to memorize or the stress of preparing for a high stakes exam like the AP Exam or SAT Subject Test. Parents want to help their student be successful, but they don’t know how because most adults haven’t studied a new language since high school.When learning a foreign language, it is important to constantly remember the bigger picture. Each lesson and each year a student is expected to learn new grammar concepts and new vocabulary. Think of those as lego pieces. As time passes, a lego masterpiece starts to form. The learning curve can be frustrating, but it helps to know that, as the years pass, the journey gets more rewarding because the fruits of labor can be harvested. Envisioning a trip to a foreign country or even a fluent conversation with a foreign language-speaking friend can make the rewards of language learning feel more concrete.  In the meantime, practicing the language with classmates, parents, and friends or watching movies in the target language can remind students of the benefits to their study. Always knowing that there is a bigger picture and there are reasons we are learning each concept helps with wanting to master the language.Here you can find some helpful online resources to aid with practice for languages commonly taught to students at Bay Area schools: http://www.wordreference.com/ https://studyspanish.com/ http://www.bonjourdefrance.co.uk/ https://newsela.com/articles/#/rule/spanishWith language learning, targeted practice and 1-on-1 coaching are highly effective. Private tutoring is commonly thought to be the most impactful way to improve reading, writing, and speaking skills. At AJ, our tutors come to us with a breadth of experience and background in helping students progress with their studies of foreign languages like Spanish, French, Latin, and Mandarin. Our educators are able to bring perspective to everyday lessons and turn the most difficult parts of learning the language into more enjoyable and engaging activities.Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help your student with foreign language study!

Parkway Schools

Parkway Schools Parkway Schools Welcome to Parkway - a district that has educated and shaped the lives of students and their families for more than 50 years! We are extremely proud of our schools, our students and staff along with our strong community. Parkway is a prestigious district in St. Louis County that is regularly at the forefront in education across the state of Missouri. Many see Parkway as not only the place to be but the school to emulate and we often serve as a benchmark for others in the state. Parkways 28 schools and Early Childhood Center are renowned for their achievements, with 17 Blue Ribbon Awards from the U.S. Department of Education and 19 Gold Star Awards from the State of Missouri. Parkway consistently ranks among the top 10 districts in Missouri on the state report card for large districts. All four traditional Parkway high schools were among countrys Best High Schools byU.S. News World Reportin 2015. Additionally, five Parkway schools are National Schools of Character - Ross Elementary, Oak Brook Elementary, McKelvey Elementary, Craig Elementary and Barretts Elementary. Parkway has consistently earned a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting. Our residential tax rate is among one of the lowest in 23 St. Louis County districts. Parkway is one of only four school districts in Missouri to earn the Standard and Poors AAA bond rating. For the past three years, Parkway was selected as a Top 10 workplace in St. Louis by theSt. Louis Post-Dispatchbased on surveys of employees. We believe that setting higher expectations creates brighter futures. Parkway is well known for preparing students for college. Just under 90 percent of graduates go on to attend colleges and universities. Parkway is committed to promoting high achievement for each student. A comprehensive curriculum personalizes learning by offering 14 subject areas, online courses, real-world, experiential learning, English for Speakers of Other Languages, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), gifted and special education. At the high school level, there is a strong emphasis on advanced placement and honors courses. We fully expect this trend to continue and believe Parkway could be a place for you to call home. Thank you for your interest in the Parkway School District. We invite you to join us in the journey of our mission to ensure all students are capable, curious, caring and confident learners who understand and respond to the challenges of an ever-changing world. View our Brochure

8 Virtual Language Schools for Accelerated Learning

8 Virtual Language Schools for Accelerated Learning 8 Virtual Language Schools for Accelerated Learning Theres nothing quite like the feeling of pure, unadulterated freedom.The sun in your face, the wind in your hair and your computer on your lap?Yes, you can use your technology to gain your freedom, especially when it comes time to learn a language.Do you long to learn a language, but fear the commitment of formal course enrollment?Yearn to learn, but dont want to compromise your schedule and independence?If the answer to anything above is yes, then please keep reading.  You’ll like what’s in store for you here.If you said no, well, keep reading anywayâ€"I bet I can prove the immediate value that online learning can bring to your life.There are numerous  virtual language schools  out there, where those who want to learn foreign languages can attend no matter where they are in the world. All you needs an Internet connection, and youre on your way.However, these schools arent all made equal. This posts mission is to provide you with a few terrific leads to help you get started learn ing any foreign language online.Sounds like a dream come true? Here are our most highly recommended  language schools for learning  new languages on your own time, wherever you wantâ€"even the bathroom (hey, we wont judge). 8 Virtual Language Schools for Accelerated LearningVerblingIs it your dream to learn foreign languages from actual native speakers? If this is your ideal way of learning new languages, then Verbling might be for you.This unique site allows users to have access to both private tutoring and group classes 24/7 via two-way video chat. Youll have professional, highly qualified native teachers from all over the world delivering your lessons to you.Want to know another reason why Verbling rocks? In addition to the live, one-on-one video lessons you can take with native teachers, you can also learn foreign languages via group classes streamed live (for English and Spanish only). You can also take the plunge and explore Verblings entire language learning community throu gh their forums and postings.With Verbling, the languages available to learners are English, Spanish, Italian, German, Arabic, Portuguese, French, Russian and many, many more.Plans and Pricing: Prices vary based on the instructor.FluentUFluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.Using FluentU, students will be more engaged and learn better. Not only does FluentU offer video, but it offers scaffolding that isnt available anywhere else; students will find authentic content approachable and within reach.There are a few different ways you can go about learning with this fun virtual school. After choosing an individual video based on your skill level and personal interests, youll be prompted to choose between watch and learn modes.If you opt for watch, youll watch your videos as normal with interactive subtitles that are translated both by word and by sentence. Simply hover ove r any word to see a definition, pronunciation and in-context usage examples on your screen.Perhaps the most interesting part of FluentU is its learn mode. Learn mode takes videos and turns them into fully interactive language lessons. The lessons are 100% personalized, so that the students learning history is taken into account when presenting questions. FluentUs algorithm sets students up for success by teaching them based on what they know.There are currently programs for English,  Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Italian,  French  and German.Additionally, there are individual blogs that focus on the following languages.  The asterisks next to languages indicate programs that are currently in development on the main FluentU site, but the blogs are all up and running.English  (and another blog dedicated to  business English)*ArabicChineseJapaneseKoreanSpanish*PortugueseFrenchGermanItalianRussianHere, users can learn useful tips, resources and strategies to help them wit h their language learning no matter what, when, where or how they choose to learn.The best part? The blogs are all available for free, and you can try FluentU completely  free.Start using  FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU App from  the iTunes store  or Google Play store.Plans and Pricing:  There are Basic and Plus plans for individual learners, as well as Teacher accounts so whole classrooms can learn together. Learn more about FluentU plans and pricing here!Mango LanguagesYouve got to love doing  business with professionals  who show true passion for their work. Mango Languages definitely stands out in this department!Mango Languages employs people from various backgrounds (linguists, programmers, educators and so on) who all have one thing in common: Their love of language learning and appreciation for the worlds cultures.Mango Languages has been around since 2007 and has skyrocketed thanks to their passion and dedication, now offering culture-oriented learning programs in over 70 different languages. That’s right. No matter which language you’re trying to learn, there’s a good chance that you’ll find a course for it on their site.Plans and Pricing:  Basic  access is free through your local library, unlimited access is $20/month or $175/year.Net LanguagesWhat Net Languages has been around for 17 years, and has become an expert resource in its area of focus. Net Languages only has two languages available to learners, English and Spanish.However, they guarantee that people who use their services will be able to learn either of them well.  So, what lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality.With access to hundreds of various course material and interactive language learning videos, individuals, schools, companies and government institutions worldwide can all use Net Languages services for guaranteed, quality language learning.Even potential language school start-ups can get good deals from Net Languages.Plans and Pricing:  Plans range from about $120 to $500, based on level of access desired.Apex Learning Virtual SchoolApex Learning Virtual School is unique in that it’s an accredited, private, online school for high school age children.Yes, this is a specific recommendation for specific students, but it might be just what youre looking for. If youre homeschooling your kids, its an ideal choice. Its also a great option if youd like your kids to get supplemental language learning time outside their high school courses, or if theyre dying to learn a language not offered by the local high school.There are also handy AP review courses here, to help high school students prepare for their big exams.Although this option isn’t for everyone who’s seeking to learn other languages, if you know someone who would qualify for their programs, then you should consider having them become a part of the Apex Learning School program.After all, most physical high schools only offer a sm all selection of languages such as Spanish and French, and possibly  German, Chinese or Japanese. Apex Learning Virtual School offers these languages and many, many more. So, having students enroll in this online school might open up more opportunities for them.Plans and Pricing:  $350/semester.eBerlitzThis is a well-known language education company with a long, long history of success.Berlitz is often considered one of the top dogs of foreign language learning. It boasts a massive number of satisfied language learners to this very day.  Seriously, theyre all about languages.If you need a virtual language school that has a long, reputable history, then this should fit the bill.For courses of study, they go a bit beyond basic linguistics. They offer language learning, leadership and cultural training programs, all of which have been around since 1878 and are offered offline (through brick-and-mortar Berlitz establishments) and online (through their virtual platform, known as eBerlitz ).EBerlitz, being the online version that they call their virtual classroom, takes their program soaring far and wide. While its rooted in their more formal, traditional classroom learning methods, it has been nicely adjusted to suit the modern age of learning, and its always expanding its list of offered programs. Not to mention, this online platform is  a hub for topical, language-related news and information.Plans and Pricing: Prices vary based on language, location, time-frame and more.VerbalplanetAt first glance, Verbalplanet might look to be a bit outdated, but lets say its old-school or classic. Yeah, classic. They deserve this more positive description, because they definitely take the quality of their services seriously.It would appear that theyre more focused on quality learning than absolutely anything else.To get started, users must sign up for a free account where theyll be able to select their tutor based on certain criteria such as their availability, pricing and prof ile. Once a tutor is selected, the student gets to choose the time that best fits into their lifestyle.Throughout the learning process, students can track their progress and receive instant feedback from Verbal Planets online analytic system. Another plus is that Verbalplanet offers free trials and discounts aplenty to help learners save money.Plans and Pricing:  Prices vary  by instructor.LearnCubeHave you ever thought about  starting up a language learning school of your  own? Fortunately, this is where this wonderful site comes in.If you know multiple languages and actually want to start a virtual language school, then LearnCube can help make your dreams come true.What’s so unique about LearnCube is that it allows to create their own courses online. Although their main language specialty is English, they provide online support for teachers of any foreign language.Plans and Pricing:  After an optional 14-day trial, plans for LearnCube range from free to $119 USD a month. Larger enterprises can contact LearnCube to determine custom price quotes.More Great Virtual Language SchoolsIn addition to the eight main  language schools found in this post, we have here a brief list of additional online language learning resources that might appeal to you.Hello! Mandarin  â€" This virtual school specializes in Mandarin Chinese, as you may have guessed, and offers a useful array of classes for children, adults and professionals.VU Global Languages  â€" Try out the English, Chinese, French and German courses here, brought to you kindly by the Virtual University of Pakistan.Coursera  â€" You may already know about Coursera, but you might not have considered them for online language learning yet! They not only offer courses of instruction in various foreign languages, but they also have subject  courses taught in different languages. For example, you could try learning about history or science in Spanish or Chinese here! Neat, right?As always, good luck on your language le arning journey!