The Best Chefs at the Moment

The Best Chefs at the Moment The Most Famous Chefs Today ChaptersAlain Ducasse, the Michelin-starred ChefJamie OliverEmeril LagasseBobby FlayGordon RamsayRachael RayPierre GagnaireMario Batali“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” - George Bernard ShawA lot of people work in the restaurant industry around the world. Among them, you’ll find the greatest chefs.  There are plenty of famous chefs who’ve left us but there are also a lot of great chefs who are still alive and kicking. In this article, we're going to look at chefs from all over the world who've made their mark on the world of cooking. GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsAlain Ducasse, the Michelin-starred ChefAs the son of farmers, he grew up on a farm. He never got his chef’s diploma, having dropped out a few months before graduating.  That didn’t stop him making a name for himself alongside Michel Guérard and Gaston Lenôtre, the famed pastry chef.Michelin doesn't just do tyres, they also award restaurants stars. (Source: Toby_Parsons)He has been given Michelin stars three different times for three different restaurants. As the boss of 20 establishments and over 1,400 staff members, Alain Ducasse is a real businessman. He was also included in Forbes’ most influential people.He was given the Legion of Honour by Jacques Chirac in 2009.  His signature dish is spelt wheat and winter vegetables.Jamie OliverJamie Oliver started out as a pastry chef for Antonio Carluccio at his Neal Stre et restaurant. He was discovered while working at the River Café as a sous chef and made his first television show, The Naked Chef.His Feed Me Better campaign was aimed at ensuring that schoolchildren ate healthy meals at school. That said, he's been no stranger to controversy. From using chorizo in paella to his restaurant chain being contaminated with E. Coli, he's a divisive character despite his somewhat charming personality.While advertising for Sainsbury's supermarkets, he openly criticised the products of supermarkets around the UK, putting an end to 11 years of working with the chain.He also had some success across the pond as he tried to change the way Americans eat. However, his efforts to show people how easy it is to cook food on a budget has been criticised for overestimated how cheap some ingredients actually are.Emeril LagasseEmeril Lagasse is an American chef, James Beard Award winner, and restaurateur famous for New New Orleans cooking style. He's also the executiv e chef of thirteen restaurants in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.He's the son of a French-Canadian father and Portuguese mother and learnt he had a gift for cooking while working in a Portuguese bakery as a teenager.He attended the JWU culinary school and later became the executive chef of the Commander's Palace before eventually opening his own restaurants.His restaurant in New Orleans has won awards and he's even helped NASA improve the food they give to astronauts.His first television show was Great Chefs and he hosted Essence of Emeril on FoodTV. He also hosted a culinary travel show, cooking competitions (notably Top Chef), and even appeared in Disney's The Princess and the Frog (which was set in New Orleans).His cooking style takes traditional New Orleans and Creole cuisine with influences from Asian, Portuguese, and Southwestern cuisine.Join in amazing cookery courses London thanks to Superprof. GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBobby FlayBobby Flay is another celebrated American Chef famous for his cooking  TV shows. He is famous for his Mexican and Southwest cooking style and is the executive chef of restaurants in Vegas, New York, and Atlantic City.Bobby Flay has picked Las Vegas as the destination for one of his restaurants. (Source: Pexels)He was born in New York and after dropping out of school aged 17, he worked in a pizza parlour. Later on, the owner of the restaura nt where he worked agreed to pay for him to attend the French Culinary Institute.Once he graduated, he started as a sous chef. He became executive chef at the Brighton Grill on Third Avenue just after a week of working there. However, he realised he wasn't ready to run a kitchen and subsequently quit.He presented many shows on the Food Network in the US and occasionally teaches in the French Culinary Institute when his schedule permits.Flay was also on Iron Chef America. While he lost in a battle against Masaharu Morimoto in New York, he later won the rematch in Japan.He's won many awards including the James Beard Foundation Award.Gordon RamsayThe Scottish chef Gordon Ramsay is known for his TV shows MasterChef in the US or Kitchen Nightmares.He’s one of only three chefs to have received three Michelin stars at once.  However, as a child, he was destined to become a footballer and was part of the Warwickshire team at the age of 12. A knee injury forced him to change his plans and after planning a career in the Royal Navy, he signed up to a cooking school.He learnt from Marco Pierre White and then learnt the basics of French cooking in Albert Roux’s restaurant in London. Two years later, he went to Paris and found a job with Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon.Gordon Ramsay learnt to cook in France. (Source: Free-Photos)In 1993, his former employer Marco Pierre White offered him the job as head chef. The Aubergine restaurant quickly earned its first Michelin star. After earning its second Michelin star, Gordon Ramsay decided to open his own restaurant. He’s continued to open restaurants and his most recent one is Le Pressoir d’Argent in Bordeaux.Beef Wellington is his signature dish.Rachael RayRachael Ray is another popular American TV personality and celebrity chef. In some respects, she's similar to Jamie Oliver in the way that she focuses on quick and easy cuisine rather than gourmet dishes.She was born in New York State and later moved to New York City. He r 30-minute dishes have been criticised for not taking preparation time into account.Despite appearing on cooking shows and writing many cookbooks, Ray regularly states that she's not a chef as she's had no formal training. That said, it doesn't matter how much training you've had if you know how to cook!Pierre GagnairePierre Gagnaire was trained by Paul Bocuse, took over his father’s restaurant, opened his own and got three Michelin stars.Following financial difficulties, Pierre Gagnaire closed his restaurant and went back to Paris where he’d quickly earn himself three Michelin stars. He loves cooking modest dishes and has opened restaurants in Tokyo, London, Las Vegas, and Dubai.A jack of all trades, he loves trying new creations and is considered one of the greatest chefs of all time.Since he's so creative, he doesn’t really have a signature dish.Find out more about the most popular dishes in the UK.Mario BataliMario Batali learnt to cook at a restaurant called “Stuff Yer Face”. However, he also received training at Rutgers University and Le Cordon Bleu.A Cordon Bleu is not just a dish but also a prestigious cooking school. (Source: ReinhardThrainer)He's famous for his Italian cooking style and has won many awards. His television career started on the Food Network in 1996 with the show Molto Mario where he toured Italy. He also appeared on Iron Chef America and won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant of 1998.Feeling hungry? Why not try some of the food in these famous chefs’ restaurants?If you want to learn how to cook like these chefs, you should consider getting help from one of the private tutors on Superprof. You can find tutors from all over the UK and all over the world offering different types of private tutorials: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials involve just you and the tutor. With bespoke lessons, these are the most effective type of tutorials. However, they also tend to be the most expensive as you're paying for a tailored service from your private tutor.Online tutorials take place via a webcam using a programme such as Skype. Since the tutor doesn't need to travel to their student, these savings are reflected in their rates. While you really want a tutor there with you for hands-on skills like cooking, online tutorials are a good option for those on a budget as you can learn from tutors from all over the world.Finally, there are group tutorials. While you won't get as much one-on-one time with your tutor, you'll probably pay much less than the other types of tutorials since the cost is shared between you and your fellow students. You could always get a group of friends together and learn a new skill together.Each type of tutorial has its advantages and disadvantages and it's up to you to decide which one works for you and your budget. One thing's for sure, with the right tutor and tutorials, you'll soon be cooking like a pro!

Why English Help is a Must for Success for Businessmen in the Business World

Why English Help is a Must for Success for Businessmen in the Business World 0SHARESShare English is a language without which survival and identity in business world is out of question. Proper English help to attain fluency in the language is a must to improve your business circles. Why you need English language fluency to shine in your business? English is the official language of many countries and is believed to be the effective medium of communication by businessmen of various countries. Hence, it is a common platform to communicate with different countrymen. Lack of knowledge in spoken English would pull your down and make a drop in your business communication, which, in turn, would cause lapse in extending your business circles. What can an English tutor do for you in this matter? An online English tutor can teach you how to use the language as a potential medium to carry on your message when you have business meetings with people of other countries. His teaching of proper pronunciation, strong and apt vocabulary and native fluency in speech with right phonetic patterns would show you apart from others and enhance your image in the business crowd. The audio drills and visual representations of those audio drills used in English tutoring would help you perfect the spoken language with effective speaking skills. Tutor Pace renders online methods for improving communication levels of business people with its selective programs and schedules. Get English Tutor Online Now! [starbox id=admin]

3 Questions to Ask Your High School Guidance Counselor This Month

3 Questions to Ask Your High School Guidance Counselor This Month The start of the spring semesterregardless of your high school gradecan be a pivotal time in your college admissions journey. You likely have a plethora of questions, most centered around what progress you should be making by this time in your high school career. In order to ensure youre on track, meeting with your high school guidance counselor can be immensely beneficial. Questions to ask your guidance counselor include verifying that your class schedule has you on the right track, understanding which standardized tests are best for you, and learning how your extracurriculars factor into college admissions. Hoping to start the spring semesterand continue your college searchon the right foot? Here are three questions to ask your high school guidance counselor this month: Question #1 to ask your high school guidance counselor: Is my high school schedule fully supporting my college admissions chances? Its vital that you follow a high school schedule that will set you up for success in the long-term. While there are likely a list of required courses you must take, be sure that your selected electives and subject-specific course choices will ultimately promote a well-rounded academic profile. Review your remaining required courses with your guidance counselor, as well as any opportunities your schedule may offer for you to complete classes that will best reflect your academic abilities to prospective colleges. Additionally, discuss with your counselor any dual credit options your school may offer so that you can potentially enter your freshman year of college with credits in hand. [RELATED: 4 Small Ways to Strengthen Your College Applications This School Year] Question #2 to ask your high school guidance counselor: Which exams will set me up for college admissions success? This month is an excellent time to create a test prep plan for the year. Deciding which standardized tests to take, however, can be more complicated than you might initially believe. Its important to research whether the schools youre most interested in have a preference between the ACT and SAT, and make your plan accordingly. In addition, your guidance counselor can help educate you on other testing options that may further bolster your application. These options may include: AP and IB courses SAT Subject Tests If you feel particularly strong in a specific subject, for example, an SAT Subject Test or enrollment in an AP course may help your college application stand out. Your guidance counselor can help you analyze your academic profile to decide what testing options will be best for you. [RELATED: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself When Narrowing Your College Search] Question #3 to ask your high school guidance counselor: How do admissions officers view high school extracurriculars? In addition to ensuring youre taking the right exams and courses that will showcase you as a well-rounded applicant, its key to participate in extracurriculars while in high school. School-sponsored clubs offer the unique opportunity to enhance your college application while participating in activities you enjoy. Your guidance counselor can help you discover what groups are available at your school surrounding your interests. In addition, your counselor may be aware of community organizations that you can join that will elevate your college application. [RELATED: What to Do After Youve Submitted Your College Applications] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

This stuff is archaic.-Burton Guster And really old.-Shawn Spencer - Private Tutoring

This stuff is archaic.-Burton Guster And really old.-Shawn Spencer BobbiM May 23, 2014 Its important to learn these words so you dont embarrass yourself when you are on your TV show.  Just kidding it was part of the script, but still learn these words so you catch all intentional mistakes in TV shows? Neophyte; n. A recent convert; a novice or beginner. Though I am merely a neophyte in this church I am eager to learn. Neoteric; adj. Of recent emergence; beginning; modern. The ideas were neoteric and because they were in the beginning stages of production, they werent of much use to us. Postulant; n. New to a situation; a petitioner or someone who is starting out on a new endeavor. The postulant girl was confused with her new schools rules. Proselyte; n. A newcomer or someone newly converted; novice or beginner. I am a true proselyte with this new change of policies. Raw; adj. Uncooked or untried; inexperienced; unpracticed; experimental. I was raw in the marines and the work was killing me. Rudimentary; adj. Elementary; being in the earliest stages if development. My knowledge is rudimentary but I am willing to learn. Shaver; n. Informal, somewhat colloquial expression used to describe a young boy; one without experience. He was a young farming shaver, yet he thought he could write a book about his farm life. Stripling; n. an adolescent male. The stripling warrior fought valiantly. Untried; adj. Not tried or experienced; fledgling; without skill or knowledge. The young police force dog was untried and violent. Antiquated; adj. Too old to be fashionable or contemporary in thinking or style; very old or aged. The antiquated clothing sat in the attic and collected dust. Archaic; adj. Out if date; old; out of style, fashion, or contemporary thinking. The equipment was archaic and needed a replacement. Dateless; adj. Having no date; so ancient that no date can be determined; having no limits in time; timeless. The woman wore a dateless dress that left everyone in awe. She looked refreshingly classy. Fossilized; adj. Converted to a fossil; made outmoded or inflexible with time. The fossilized mosquito in the amber looked interesting. Full-fledged; adj. Fully developed mature; attaining full rank, status, or experience. The full-fledged bird flew away from the nest, never to return. Geriatric; adj. Of or related to the aged or the aging process. The doctor continued his study in geriatric research. Gerontic, gerontological; adj. Of or relating to very old age; having to do with the last stage of life. All the gerontic men were knowledgable of the old war. Hoary; adj. White or gray, as with age; old and venerable with wisdom and age. The old man shook his hoary head as he told me I couldnt enter. Obsolescence; n. Something out of use or need; a dying breed or of unnecessary or unimportant need. The appliances obsolescence was the reason they were in the dump. Outmoded; adj. Out of fashion; of no more use, need, or practicality. Last years fashion may be outmoded but surely the styles will come back eventually. Passé; adj. Out of mode or fashion. To some people, it is passé for the man to open the door for the woman, but it isnt for me. Prehistoric; adj. Of or relating to prehistory; slang-old and out of touch. That man is so old he is prehistoric and not worth listening to. Primeval;  adj. From the earliest times or ages; original or ancient. The primeval need for man is to survive. Primitive; adj. Primary or basic; of or relating to an earliest or original stage or state; primeval. I still own a primitive record player. Primordial; adj. Early in the developmental stage; basic and ancient. Many people know the primordial feeling of loving a child. Seasoned; adj. Characterized by experience, skill, or practice. I am a seasoned hockey player, Ive played for 10 years. Superannuated; adj. Retired or outmoded; no longer in use or need. During spring cleaning, I discarded all the superannuated things Ive collected. Venerable; adj. Worthy or respect or reverence; honorable. My grandmother is a venerable person full of wisdom. Veteran; n. A person who is long experienced or practices in an activity or capacity; often associated with past military personnel. My grandfather is a veteran who served in World War II.

During, For, and While Problem words for English Language Learners

During, For, and While Problem words for English Language Learners There are some words that are difficult to use and easily confused by English language learners. I know from learning Spanish that time expression words can be especially difficult. To add further complication, Spanish and Portuguese have a word durante that sounds similar to during but isnt used in exactly the same contexts. If you find yourself using during a lot you may want to ask yourself if you are using it correctly.Look at this sentence:During many years she worked at the factory.  Correction:  For many years, she worked at the factory.During she was speaking I got a phone call.  Correction:  While she was speaking I got a phone call.During the break I ate lunch and had a coffee.  YES!Do you know the difference between the above sentences? Watch the video and do the exercises to test your knowledge of during, while, and for.Write your answers in comments and we will respond. 1. Angie has been waiting ______ me at her house and Im stuck in traffic.2. I went running _______ h e was making dinner.3. We lived in Argentina ________ two years.4. My sister came to stay with us _____ 10 days _______her winter break.5. Janet called me ________ I was on the other line.6. ________my holidays I like to hike and camp. Jefferson 1- For 2 While 3 For 4 For During 5 While 6 During LOIEnglish Nice work! Pedro Messias Lopes 1. for 2. while 3. for 4. forduring 5. while 6. during LOIEnglish Good! Guto-Carlos Augusto Ferreira B 1. For2. During3. For4. For While5. While6. During LOIEnglish You are still confusing during and whileNumber 2: I went running while he was making dinner. -You have 2 actions so you need while. Also, while is followed by a SUBJECT + VERB whereas during is followed by a NOUN PHRASE.Number 4: My sister came to stay with us for 10 days DURING her winter break.HER WINTER BREAK-this is a NOUN PHRASE; there isnt a verb involved.I hope this helps! JG 1 for 2 while 3 for 4 for / during 5 while 6 during LOIEnglish Good work! cleriston 1 . for - initially the best 2. while 3. for 4. for, during (not sure about during) 5. while 6. During LOIEnglish Excellent! Number 4 is correct. You should use during for the last gap because it is followed by a noun. Rafa 1. Angie has been waiting for me at her house and I’m stuck in traffic.2. I went running while he was making dinner.3. We lived in Argentina for two years.4. My sister came to stay with us for 10 days during her winter break.5. Janet called me while I was on the other line.6. during my holidays I like to hike and camp. LOIEnglish Nicely done! Patty Mares Angie has been waiting for me at her house and Im stuck in traffic. I went running while he was making dinner. We lived in Argentina for two years. My sister came to stay with us for 10 days during her winter break. Janet called me while I was on the other line. During my holidays I like to hike and camp. LOIEnglish Excellent Patty! I think you have it. Lenka 1. Angie has been waiting for me at her house an d I’m stuck in traffic.2. I went running while he was making dinner.3. We lived in Argentina for two years.4. My sister came to stay with us for 10 days during her winter break.5. Janet called me while I was on the other line.6. During my holidays I like to hike and camp. LOIEnglish Good Lenka! LOIEnglish Good !

6 Quick and Easy Meals for Dorm and Apartment Life

6 Quick and Easy Meals for Dorm and Apartment Life pexels.com Wait, do not click away from this article. Stay with me now. Cooking does not have to be too much of a chore with the right recipes! Read on to find the best, quick and easy meals for college students. Breakfast Spicy Breakfast Burritos If you are craving Taco Bell, but lack the time or the money, cooking a quick and easy breakfast burrito will be muy bueno! You will need: •One egg •Baby tomatoes •Shredded cheese •Hot sauce •Tortilla 1. Spray down a pan with oil or Pam and put the stovetop on medium heat. 2. Slice the baby tomatoes into smaller portions. Sautee the spinach and baby tomatoes for a few minutes, then add salt and pepper, or whatever other seasonings you prefer. Pour this mixture into the tortilla. 3. Next, scramble an egg, or cook it sunny-side up whatever your preference is. 4. Place the cooked egg in the tortilla and sprinkle cheese on top. Use as much hot sauce as you would like. Wrap the tortilla together and say adios to hunger! Omelets pixabay.com If you have a little extra time to try something classy and sophisticated, making an omelet is the right choice for a top-notch breakfast. You will need: •Three eggs •Spinach •Baby tomatoes •Cheese 1. Spray down a pan with oil or Pam and put the stovetop on high heat. 2. Slice the baby tomatoes into smaller portions. Scramble three eggs together, but do not add milk. 3. Sauté the spinach and baby tomatoes for a few minutes, then pour the egg mixture in. Immediately lower the heat levels down to low or medium. Let the egg mixture cook, occasionally using a spatula to lift the cooked egg portion to allow the uncooked egg mixture to reach the bottom of the pan. 4. Once the mixture is solid enough, it’s time to flip it. If you are brave, try to flip the omelet using only the pan and your strength. If not, that’s okay, use the spatula to flip your omelet. Once your omelet is completely cooked, feel free to sprinkle some cheese in the middle and then close it up, allowing the cheese to melt on the inside. Bon appetit! Lunch Ramen Stir-fry Take a college classic and make it into something healthy and extraordinary. You will need: •Ramen noodle soup (any flavor) •One egg •Spinach 1. Take a saucepan, fill it with three cups of water, and place it on the stove to boil at high heat. Once the water is boiling, toss the Ramen noodle block in the saucepan and allow it to cook for three minutes. 2. Spray down a pan with oil or Pam and put the stovetop on medium heat. Sautee the spinach for a few minutes, then add salt and pepper, or whatever other seasonings you may prefer. 3. Scramble an egg in the same pan as the spinach. Once the Ramen noodles are done, drain the saucepan completely of water. Pour the noodles into the pan and mix them with the spinach and egg, while mixing in the Ramen noodle seasoning, or seasoning of your own choice. 4. Continue to mix and sauté the mixture until the seasoning has been equally dispersed. Enjoy! Caprese Salad Image via: Wikimedia Commons Take a classic Italian dish and bring it into your dorm for an excellent, tasty lunch. You will need: •Mozzarella cheese •Basil leaves •Tomato(es) •Balsamic vinegar dressing 1. Slice up a block of mozzarella cheese and a tomato, or tomatoes, depending on how many people you are serving. 2. Layer the slices of mozzarella and tomato one by one, including a basil leaf in between each. 3. Drizzle with Balsamic vinegar salad dressing and enjoy! Dinner Bagel Pizza Put your local pizza delivery order on hold and make your own savory pizza dish today! You will need: •One bagel, sliced into two •Shredded mozzarella cheese •Pepperoni slices 1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (or opt to use a microwave whichever is more convenient!). 2. Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese onto your two bagel slices. Toss as many pieces of pepperoni as desired. 3. Bake for 10 minutes for ultimate crispiness, or microwave until the cheese melts. Remove the bagel pizzas and allow them to cool for two minutes. Enjoy! Quesadillas Image via: www.pexels.com This fun dish is easier to make than you might imagine! You will need: •Two tortillas •Shredded Mexican cheese 1. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded Mexican cheese mixture onto a tortilla. 2. Place the other tortilla on top and microwave for two minutes. If you would prefer a crispier quesadilla, pan-fry the quesadilla on your stovetop until the tortilla begins to lightly brown. 3. Slice into eight pieces, allow the dish to cool, then enjoy! Learn more about Kaplan’s test prep options and start building the confidence you need for Test Day.

5 Tips for Creating a Rock Solid Foreign Language Reading Habit

5 Tips for Creating a Rock Solid Foreign Language Reading Habit Wanna get hooked on phonics?Its easier than you might think!Reading in a foreign language can be intimidating at first.Thats understandable.The good news is that once you start reading in your target language every day, you wont want to stop.Many  language learners get discouraged at the beginning, and avoid reading practice at all costs.Theres a reason why: they didnt have us to start them off on the right foot.Weve got some awesome tips, resources and habit-forming activities thatll get you in the foreign language reading zone, permanently! 5 Tips for Creating a Daily Foreign Language Reading HabitThese tips will help you steer clear of common pitfalls, and head towards all your language learning goals faster than ever. Theres nothing too complicated about them they might almost seem too easy. You might be left wondering, hey, why didnt I think of that?Well, thats the way it should be. Were going to get you reading in a way that feels simple, natural, fun and easy. Before you kn ow it, reading in foreign language wont be a chore or an obligation itll be your daily dose of entertainment!1. Choose Fun Things  Youd Read in Your  Native  LanguageDon’t force yourself through boring materials you think are “important.”One of the most common mistakes I see language learners make? When it comes to reading in a foreign language, theyre always forcing themselves to read  through uninteresting topics and materials that theyd never consider reading in their native language.For example, Ive had many English students who painfully work their way through difficult articles in The Wall Street Journal or The Harvard Business Review because they think these materials are important for their English abilities, even though the content bores them to tears.While such resources certainly offer exposure to lots of business-specific vocabulary, the value of this input is extremely low if one looks on the task as a chore instead of a treat. Our understanding and retention ten ds to be much higher when we read content we genuinely enjoy.Which leads to the next pointFind foreign language reading material about your  existing  interests.Perhaps you (unlike some of my former English students)  love The Harvard Business Review  and are already a regular subscriber.For you, it would make perfect sense to find a business-centric magazine in your target language. But if biz articles arent your jam, dont feel obligated to read them. Youre in control of your language learning journey, so find reading materials that fit  your  unique interests.Look at the blogs, magazines, books, cartoons and other materials that you read already and try to find foreign language equivalents. Read food and cooking blogs from Taiwan. Get yourself some Japanese car magazines. Buy a German book on carpentry. You name the interest, and theres bound to be a blog, magazine, book or other piece of reading material that serves it in most major languages.Learn a new skill or hobby in your ta rget language.In addition to finding materials about your  existing  interests, another great strategy is to pick up a  new  skill or hobby through your target language. The highly contextual nature of such learning will help you make lots of new linguistic connections without having to constantly rely on a dictionary, and will fill in gaps in vocabulary much more quickly than more passive forms of learning.2. Choose Digital Materials Whenever PossibleI freaking love the look, smell and feel of physical books. But when it comes to learning a foreign language, the advantages of digital materials far outweigh the sensory advantages of print.Digital materials are  faster.One of the  greatest advantages of digital materials in language learning is the ability to instantly look up unknown words or characters, saving you precious study time that would be wasted looking up words in a paper dictionary. Paper books also require you to  carry around a separate dictionary, a weight disadvantag e I discuss more below.If reading articles online, install a pop-up dictionary  browser extension like the Firefox extension  Pera Pera Kun for Japanese or the Chrome extension Zhongwen for Chinese.In the Kindle app (available for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and more), you can download dictionaries for most major languages. As you read Kindle books in your target language, you can then just hold a word to reveal its definition and pronunciation.On  iOS, select a word and then tap Define from the contextual pop-up. If no definition is shown, tap Manage and then download whichever additional dictionaries you want.On OSX, select a word and tap with 3 fingers to bring up its definition. To add  additional dictionaries, open the built-in Dictionary app, go to preferences and check whichever you want to add.Similarly,  saving  new words and phrases for later review is much faster when reading digital materials:The pop-up dictionary Pera Pera Kun, fore example, allows you save words you loo k up so that later they can be downloaded.Some online dictionaries,  Tangorin.com for example, allow you to save words you look up and categorize them in  different lists, which can each be exported in a format that easily imports into the Anki flashcard app. Lots of exporting and importing involved there, but you catch my drift.More simply, you can always just copy and paste words or phrases into an app like Evernote  for later review.MosaLingua, which offers apps for Spanish, French, Italian, German and Portuguese, has a web version that gives you access to specially-selected online native materials, such as e-books. In addition, you can easily take words and phrases you come across that you dont know and make them into flashcards, which you can then review on the mobile app as well.Last but not least, digital materials are faster than print since they allow you to instantly find specific words or passages using the search function. Instead of wasting hours flipping through a prin t book to find that quote you loved or that word you wanted to look up, you can just type in the search field and tap  Find. Ah, modern convenience.Digital materials are cheaper.In addition to being faster than their print counterparts, digital materials are also  cheaper, if not free:Kindle books are  usually fairly inexpensive on Amazon, while paperbacks tend to be twice the price.Many international magazines and newspapers offer their articles for free online.Books in the public domain are available as free eBooks  from sites like  Project Gutenberg.You can then put all the money youve saved towards tutor fees  or a plane ticket abroad!Digital materials are lighter and take up less space.Bits are lighter  than atoms.  My back still doesnt forgive me for all the harm I did hauling around textbooks, manga  and massive dictionaries back in college. Had I begun learning a language today instead of in the relative Stone Age of the late 90s, I could have carried all the reading and ref erence materials I ever wanted right in my pocket on a smartphone or tablet.Today, you never need to choose which books to take and which to leave on the shelf as you can  take them all with you wherever you go in digital form.3. Listen to Materials Youve Previously ReadReading alone won’t improve your listening and speaking skills.While reading is extremely important, its imperative that you keep your reading time balanced with the other three core language skills: listening, speaking, and writing.While teaching English in East Asia, I observed that most students felt much more comfortable reading and writing, while they struggled greatly with listening and speaking. This makes perfect sense since language classes in that part of the world (if not the world over) tend to focus most of their time on reading tasks, translation and so on with very little time spent actively  listening and speaking.We get better at what we practice most, so naturally reading will make you better at r eading but will do very little for your listening and speaking abilities.Youll improve retention when you consume the same content in multiple formats.In addition to helping improve both your listening and reading skills, consuming the same material in more than one form of input will increase  your retention of new words and build stronger connections between previously learned materials. Its also more interesting to repeat the same content in multiple formats than it is to simply reread the same passage over and over again.Listen to the content youve been reading.So whats the best way to  listen to content youve previously read? Here are 4 suggestions:Watch videos with subtitles. FluentU  has huge collections of real world videos in multiple languages, and we even kick things up a notch weve made our subtitles interactive so you can view definitions of individual vocabulary words on-screen  while theyre being spoken. Youll be sure to never miss a thing!  You can also use  DVDs an d Netflix movies with subtitles in your target language, YouTube videos with CC captions and so on.Find podcasts with transcripts. Podcasts are some of my favorite language learning tools as they cover a wide range of interests, tend to be short and are almost always  free. Many podcasters include show notes or transcripts right alongside the MP3 file that can be revealed with just a tap on your smartphone or a click on your computer.Get both the ebook and audiobook version of your favorite books. While this may be an expensive proposition if buying copyrighted books, the benefits are well worth the cost. But keep in mind that you can also try finding ebook/audiobook pairs using Project Gutenberg and Librivox.Get custom audio recorded. You can ask a native speaker friend or tutor to record a given piece of text, or you can use the power of crowdsourcing with a site like Rhinospike. You simply submit some text you want read aloud in your target language, you record something for some one learning your native language, and then you can download the MP3 you requested when your submission is ready.4. Dont Linger Too Long Over DetailsStopping and starting is difficult for building smooth comprehension. Try reading an entire page or paragraph before stopping to look up any words.Avoid the dictionary black hole.”As I mentioned above, being able to quickly look up new words is a major advantage of digital materials. But this  pro can quickly become a con if you allow yourself to fall into the dictionary black hole. This is when you look up a word which leads you to a related term, and then another and another, until you forgot what you were doing in the first place.Dont break the  semantic flow.Stopping to look up every other word not only makes it more difficult to follow the flow of a story, but it also significantly slows you down. While skipping unknown terms may mean that you miss a little of whats going on, it offers many advantages:It increases your reading sp eed.It builds fluency.It encourages you to make educated guesses.5. Commit to a Painless Minimum Page Count Per DayYou are more likely to procrastinate on bigger goals.As I discuss in my post on self-teaching languages like a rock star, simply setting goals isnt enough. To have any chance of success, your goals need to be S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound).To this end, I recommend starting with an  absurdly small daily reading commitment.For example, I commit to reading  1 paragraph every day. Youll likely go on to read much more on most days, but starting with an easy task helps ensure completion. If you were to commit to reading an entire  article per  day, on the other hand, chances are good that youll put off the task, fearing the time and work involved.Read small chunks any chance you get.Just as you should commit to a tiny daily reading goal, you should use any tiny chunks of free time you find each day to fit in a little reading:If you take public transportation to work or school, use that time to read in a foreign language.If youre waiting in line at the store, whip out your smartphone and read a few sentences of a blog post.If youre stuck in a boring meeting, read a few news headlines from your favorite online foreign language newspaper while pretending to stare at the mind-numbing PowerPoint.Don’t let yourself miss a day.A key part of making reading a part of your daily routine is to not let yourself miss a day. The longer your unbroken chain becomes, the more youll want to keep going. But when you let yourself miss just one day, youre that much more likely to miss the next day, and the next, and the next, until your reading habit has completely fallen out of your life.So, keep the ball rolling with consistently good work!See my article  5 Killer Language Learning Strategies Guaranteed to Help You Make Time for more about habit formation.

Duolingo Review A Close Look at the Popular Language Learning App

Duolingo Review A Close Look at the Popular Language Learning App Duolingo Review: A Close Look at the Popular Language Learning App In any field, some individuals rise to the top.There are lots of great soccer players, but you might not notice them when Cristiano Ronaldo is on the field.Plenty of singers have phenomenal voices, but do you really care about them when  Beyoncé drops a new album?Were not saying Duolingo is the Ronaldo or Beyoncé of language learning programs, but its undoubtedly an icon in the field and one of the most popular language-learning apps.And Duolingo enjoys a strong reputation for a reason!For starters, you can access all of Duolingos most  beloved features for free, so its a popular choice for language learners looking to test the waters or those seeking a free way to strengthen their skills.Duolingo Plus, the paid subscription option, is also available and removes ads, allows for lesson downloads to mobile devices and more.Duolingos main focus is gamified learning that aims to develop multiple skills, including reading, writing, speaking and listening.But is Duolingo all its cracked up to be?Below, well weigh the pros and cons. Duolingo Review: A Close Look at the Popular Language Learning AppDuolingos Key FeaturesOrganized, Progressive LessonsDuolingo is formatted into organized, progressive lessons.This organizational scheme provides a clearer route toward improved language skills.While some learning programs have you select what you feel like learning and when, Duolingo takes some of the guesswork out of what you need to work on. New levels open up as your skills progress, ensuring youre prepared to approach the new material.Additionally, lessons are broken down into small chunks, making it easier to work a little learning into  even the busiest schedule.Option to Strengthen SkillsWhile you can continue pressing forward to learn new vocabulary and skills, Duolingo also allows you to linger on what youve already learned to further strengthen your skills.The practice option shows you material that Duolingo suspects you may need a refresher on.This is a helpf ul way to avoid forgetting basic material as you progress towards more advanced levels.The Strengths of DuolingoA Wide Array of LanguagesDuolingo doesnt skimp on the language options.In fact, it offers over 30 language options, including popular choices, like Arabic, Chinese, English, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.It also offers some less widely-studied options, like Indonesian, Navajo and Welsh.Because it offers such a large selection of languages, most language learners are likely to find that the language theyre studying is available on Duolingo.Goal SettingResearchers have suggested that setting goals may increase motivation.  Not only that, but  studies about goal-setting  have linked it to language achievement.With Duolingo, you can have streaks. That means that youve completed at least one lesson a day every day.This challenge may serve as a valuable motivational tool since you might not want to ruin your streak. One study about Du olingo even suggests that the programs winning streaks may boost motivation, particularly for more advanced learners.GamificationLearning a language can be challenging, and conventional study techniques can seem stale and dry.Gamification essentially makes learning a language more like a game. Studies conducted on mobile language learning suggest that gamification can improve the language learning experience, provide motivation and lead to real learning.Duolingo has several features that could be classified as gamification.The winning streak, while also important for goal setting, can be considered a game element. Additionally, learners can earn virtual coins by playing and see their fluency score improve as they go, which further adds to the game-like feel.The artwork and rapid-fire questions also make Duolingo seem more like a game than a traditional language learning program.Because of Duolingos gamified approach to learning, many students find it more fun and approachable than o ther language learning tools.Duolingo Targets Multiple SkillsWell-rounded language learning requires multiple skill sets.Not only must students learn vocabulary and grammar, but they must also develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.Because it can be challenging to fit all of these skills into one program, many language learning tools focus on just a couple of skills.However, Duolingo aims to develop well-rounded skills in all areas. Grammar and vocabulary lessons provide essential foundations. The apps activities target reading, writing, speaking and listening skills while using the necessary grammar and vocabulary.Because Duolingo focuses on multiple skills, its approach to language learning could be considered more well-rounded than many other language learning programs.Duolingo Features That Could Be BetterOptions for More Advanced SpeakersWhile Duolingo has a huge selection of lessons, its resources may not be vast and varied enough to propel advanced students t owards full fluency.Once a learner has completed a Duolingo program, they may go back and redo lessons and/or strengthen their skills. While its possible to reinforce what theyve already covered, forward progress is much more limited.If youve plateaued with Duolingo or want a different approach to learning, you might try  FluentU.FluentU aims to help you improve your language skills by turning real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"into language lessons.Since the material is authentic, it may be particularly helpful for advanced students who want to speak and understand more like a native speaker.While FluentU has a lot to offer advanced students, its appropriate for any level language student.Each video is captioned, and the captions are annotated. You can easily access any words definition, example sentences, associated images and more using the interactive subtitles. If you want to see a word used in a different context, FluentU can even provide you with other videos on the site that use that same word.And if you love Duolingos gamification, FluentUs quizzes may also be right up your alley. After watching a video, fun exercises will put what you learned to the test.As you watch and play, FluentU tracks your learning to present you with level-appropriate questions that build on what you know to keep your learning progressing without throwing you in over your head.Since you can use FluentU online  or download it to your  iOS  or Android  devices, this app can accompany you wherever you go.Conversation PreparationConversation skills are one of the most important language skills, but theyre also one of the most difficult skills to develop.Duolingo offers speaking and listening practice, which are good stepping stones towards conversation skills.However, holding a real conversation in your target language may be more stressful and time-consuming than the exercises on Duolingo can prepare you for. This is not really Duol ingos fault, as computers can attempt to replicate real-world conversations but theres nothing quite like the real thing.If youre planning to hold conversations in your target language, you might want to supplement your Duolingo learning with conversation practice.You can find language exchange partners through websites like MyLanguageExchange.com, an online exchange community.Or, try using a program like italki, which connects you with professional teachers based on your language goals and interests.This app allows you to pay per lesson, and you can attend these lessons anytime, anywhere. Getting individual instruction in these one-on-one classes allows you to focus on the skills you specifically need help with.Visit their website to check out current plans and pricing and connect with a great teacher for personalized language lessons.Having real interactions in your target language can help reinforce what you learned through Duolingo and put your skills to the test. You may even n otice weaknesses in your grammar or vocabulary that youd like to go back and work on again using Duolingo.Duolingo has a lot to offer language learners. Perhaps best of all, you can enjoy it without spending a dime.While Duolingo may not be a one-stop route to full fluency, few (if any) programs are. What Duolingo does, it does very well, so we recommend giving it a try!