ICAEW Chartered Accountant Qualification

ICAEW Chartered Accountant Qualification Who Is The ICAEW? ChaptersWhich ICAEW Exams Do I Need To Pass To Become A Chartered Accountant?Why Study A Course From The ICAEW?The Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, known as the ICAEW for short, was founded in 1880 and is, according to their website, “a global professional body for chartered accountants”.In the UK, it’s worth noting that an “accountant” is not a term that is specifically regulated. This means that, in practice, anyone can claim to be an accountant, even if they have very limited numerical skills and have no awareness of accounting standards such as UK GAAP or IFRS.Thankfully, there are bodies such as the ICAEW in the UK that operate as regulatory bodies and provide qualifications that lead to a chartered accountancy designation for successful individuals. Members of the ICAEW are known as an ACA (Association of Chartered Accountants).Having such a designation means that the individual has completed all examination, practical work experience, and othe r membership requirements of the ICAEW. What’s more, it means that the individual is sufficiently experienced and trained in matters relating to accountancy.Having such a qualification can really help an individual to stand out from the pack and can really help boost your career prospects within the accounting industry.What’s more, having a chartered accountant designation also helps the general public to determine whether an accountant or accounting practice is suitably qualified and as such it provides an extra level of reassurance to potential clients.Audit;Business strategy;Management accounting; andFinance.This means that anyone with an ACA qualification should be well-rounded in terms of their accounting and business knowledge, which is crucial in today’s business environment.In total, students undertaking the ACA qualification would be expected to sit and pass 15 exams. Understandably, it can take students time to study each examination module, and it’s not uncommon f or students to take a few years to complete all the exams, especially if you are also working with your employer while studying.Discover everything you need to know about sitting the CPA exam...It can take some time for students to pass every single exam from the ICAEW if they are looking to obtain the ACA qualification. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, jairojehuel, Pixabay)Breaking Down The ACA ExamsAs noted above, there are 15 exams to complete as part of the ACA qualification. These exams are split across three separate levels:The certificate level;The professional level; andThe advanced level.The certificate level is the first set of exams that students will usually tackle. There are six exams at this level, including:Accounting;Assurance;Business, Technology and Finance;Law;Management Information; andPrinciples of Taxation.These exams, as their titles suggest, cover a wide variety of topics that form the basis for subsequent exams at the other levels.Even if you’re not sure if you wou ld like to complete all of the exams required in order to obtain the ACA, then it’s useful to know that completing the six exams at the certificate level will put the student one step closer to obtaining the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB).Although completing the CFAB on its own does not entitle you to call yourself an ACA or a chartered accountant, the CFAB certification is still an internationally recognised qualification, which shows potential or existing employers that you have knowledge of a broad range of areas, including accounting, finance, and business.The CFAB can also usually be completed within a 12 month period, which is good for those who may not have the time commitment available to continue with the full ACA course of study.Find out also how you can become a Certified Management accountant...What Happens If I Fail An Exam?It’s important to note that, while you are permitted to re-sit examination modules if you fail an exam, exam sitti ngs only happen at set times each year. What’s more, if you are able to pass every ACA exam first time, this can be a real selling point on your CV when the time does come to find a new role.That is an excellent reason to work with an accounting tutor!However, don’t be disheartened if you aren’t able to pass your ACA exams the first time â€" they are tough to get through, and having passed all of them, even with re-sits, is still a major achievement in itself!It's great if you can pass all your ICAEW exams the first time, but don't worry too much if you do fail one or two - there are a lot of exams to pass in order to become ACA exam-qualified! (Image Source: CC0 1.0, PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay)Practical Work ExperienceEven once you’ve passed the above exams, the hard work to become ACA qualified doesn’t stop there.This is because there are other requirements that students must meet in order to apply to become a member of the ICAEW.For instance, in addition to the exami nation requirements, there is also a requirement for students to complete a set amount of relevant practical work experience. This helps to ensure that ACA chartered accountants have enough experience working within industry or practice before carrying the ACA title.The amount of relevant practical work experience you’ll need to have accumulated prior to applying for membership to the ICAEW is significant but very achievable. This is because the number of days of work experience is in excess of a year’s worth of experience.For example, if, alike many ACA candidates, you find yourself working for an employer that offers you an ACA training contract, you’ll find that often such training contracts run for a period of three years or so, however, the exact length of any contract will be dependent on the individual and their employer.Join the discussion: is it a good idea to obtain Certified Fraud Examiner credentials?Many ACA students find that, within this three year period, they have plenty of opportunities to accumulate the required amount of work experience by the ICAEW, even when combining their work with time out of the office for examination revision and study.In terms of the nature of the work that you have to perform for it to be considered relevant, the type of qualifying work from the ICAEW’s perspective is very broad and can involve tasks such as undertaking audit work  or completing a client’s corporation tax return.Ultimately, if you have any concerns about the practical work experience requirement, it’s best to raise any issues you may have with the ICAEW, as well as your employer if possible so that you can get the answers and the reassurance that you need.Do you know what the Certified Financial Analyst Institute is for?Becoming a member of the ICAEW can be great for your career prospects. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, geralt, Pixabay)Why Study A Course From The ICAEW?Whether you’re looking to become ACA qualified, or would prefer to comple te a less intensive certification such as the CFAB, the ICAEW is an internationally recognised and highly-regarded body that has equipped hundreds of thousands of its members with the knowledge, skills, and continuing professional development tools needed to be successful in their careers.If you are considering a career in accountancy, the qualifications offered by the ICAEW are certainly worth exploring in further detail. In fact, if you know of someone who has studied the ACA or the CFAB previously, it may be worth speaking to them to hear what their thoughts and experiences of working towards the qualifications were.Although it's worth noting that the syllabus of some of the exams may have changed, particularly if your friend or contact studied the ACA a while ago, it's still worthwhile hearing what their experience was of getting the qualification and whether they would recommend that you pursue it.If you think that a career in accounting may be for you, but you’re unsure of w hether you have the mathematical or accounting skills needed to succeed, then you can always check in with an online accounting tutor at Superprof for any help you may need to improve your mathematical prowess.Equally, if you're currently studying accounting at a university as either an undergraduate or a postgraduate, then an accounting tutor can help answer any questions that you have, or provide you with helpful study tips for how to approach your exams in a calm but focused way.Whether you’d like to have a one on one lesson or would prefer working with a tutor in a small group, Superprof offers a range of study formats to suit students. Just enter your postcode to find a mathematics or accounting tutor near to you. Equally, if you prefer to have tuition lessons online, perhaps through a channel such as Skype, there are also Superprof accounting tutors near me who are happy to provide lessons remotely.Now discover the many ways you could put your accounting degree to work...

Algebra 1 Text Book

Algebra 1 Text Book Solving problems using the principles of Algebra can be fun only if a little care is taken to register the correct sign of either a number, or an alphabet or a combination of both. The correct signs should be assigned to the numbers as per the rules of Algebra. The rules written in textbook shall be followed with due consideration. Algebra 1 text-book is very useful in the sense that it not only provides the solution but it also provides the detailed description of basic knowledge to do or solve the task or problem. Let us take some examples from Algebra 1 text for our better understanding purpose. Example 1:- Solve (3x-7y+6z) (x-7y-4z) Solution: - First step is to open the parentheses with due consideration to the negative sign. 3x-7y+6z-x+7y+4z (Explanation: - Presence of a negative sign before the parentheses alters the signs of all the numbers inside the second parentheses so x becomes x, -7y becomes +7y, -4z becomes +4z. Or in other words if there is a ve sign before the parentheses it is same as multiplying each number inside the parentheses by -1.) Now we need to combine the same variables, = 3x-x-7y+7y+6z+4z = 2x+10z Example 2: Find x and y, If 4x+ 2y=16 and x + y =1 Solution:- Tw equations are:- 4x+ 2y=16 ..equation x + y =1 .. equation 2 Now multiply equation 2 with 2 and then subtract from equation 1 Therefore, 4x+2y 2x- 2y = 16 -2 2x = 14 Therefore x = 7 By substituting the value of x =7 in equation 2, we will get 7+y = 1 Therefore, y = -6 So x = 7 and y = -6 is the solution

Photography Tips for Different Types of Photography

Photography Tips for Different Types of Photography Photography Techniques for Taking Different Types of Photography ChaptersWhat is Contemporary Photography?What is Humanist Photography?Landscape Photography TipsPhotographs that Have Marked HistoryThe Evolution of Food PhotographyPhotojournalism, aerial photography, landscape photography, portrait photography, digital photography, artistic photography… the art of taking photographs is anything but limited.Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur, every genre of photography is open for you to express your creativity!The profession of photography is also incredibly accessible thanks to the many avenues that can be pursued when it comes to training for a career in the area.But just how much do you know about the origins of the art and the cultures within it?To be a photographer is also to have an appreciation for the history of photography and bear it in mind when creating your own photographic art.If you’re a beginner and considering getting into photography, what do you need to know before you get started; what are the photogr aphy basics? AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is Contemporary Photography?Throughout the history of photography, the artistic styles used within the practice of taking photographs have been incredibly varied.From the emergence of photography towards the end of the 19th century to the growth in popularity of Instagram in the last few years, photographers have come a long way.So, what is meant by the term ‘contemporary photography’?Often referred to as modern photography by amateur photographers, contemporary photography corresponds to an era defined by precise dates.Contemporary photography includes every photograph taken from the year 1980 until the modern day â€" that’s quite a large photo album!Even the photographs you post on Instagram are classed as Modern Photography! ¦ source: Pixabay - Webster2703Sandro Miller, Sabine Pigalle, Thomas Ruff, Terry Richardson and Richard Avedon are just a few of the many contemporary photographers who have brought artistry to the world of photography.Any budding photographer must be aware of the different movements within contemporary photography.One such movement is that of fine art photography.This movement is defined by photographic works which are more creative than documentary photography found in the press. They exist to communicate the creative vision of their artists (or photographers), rather than to document specific e vents.Other contemporary movements within the discipline of photography include subjective photography, which is a depiction of the artist’s inner psyche rather than the outside world.Fashion photography is also a large part of photography in the modern age. This fashion photographer holds an extremely important position in contemporary society.What is Humanist Photography?Artists including Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Capa emerged as humanist photographers in France in the period between the world wars.During the aftermath of the Second World War, France was in a state of devastation.Its economy was in tatters and everything has to be rebuilt. The horrors of war had shocked and scarred the minds of many.Amongst the distress, certain photographers sought to capture the simple pleasures that they saw in life on camera.Robert Doisneau photographed a couple kissing in the street. This photograph became the symbol of the incredibly French artistic movement that is humanist photogr aphy across the globe.Artist puts Man at the heart of their creativity.The most popular subjects among humanist photographers are men, women and children going about their daily lives. Schoolchildren, labourers, housewives… everyone is important to the humanist photographer.This movement went strength to strength as more and more artists began to see art in the everyday.Some photographers were particularly interested in photographing the societies of certain defining periods of history.This style of photography is close to war photography and photo journalism.This era also saw the birth of the very first photography agency in 1947: Magnum Photos.Photographers became more independent in their work and had an opportunity to choose their own subjects and develop a personal style. Most of their photos were published in magazines such as Life and Paris-Match.Humanist photography remains a popular area for exploration among modern-day photographers.This documentary-style of photography is largely used in news articles, but it is also displayed in art galleries. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLandscape Photography TipsAnother popular genre is landscape photography.Landscape photography is as old as photography itself. Throughout the history of taking pictures, landscapes have fascinated professional as well as amateur photographers.Landscape photographers capture the essence of a landscape or scene. If you decide to learn more about photography in online photography courses or on beginner photography courses, you'll learn all about white balance, the aperture of a lens, shutter speed and editing images with photoshop.So, what do the experts recommend when it comes to taking photographs of landscapes?There are several things you should consider if you want to get the most out of the landscape and your equipment.Be inspired by nature as a landscape photographer ¦ source: Pixabay - bosmanerwinFirstly, you need to choose the right material. Choosing the right material doesn’t mean buying the best quality and therefore most expensive equipment. You need to define your needs as a photographer before you begin your search for equipment.Most photographers advise that you use a tripod. This will help to stabilise the camera, which will ensure sharper photos and give you the opportunity to take long-exposure shots.You should also work on your composition. To do thi s, you will need to practice choosing a good frame and working with the rule of thirds.As an amateur photographer, this is the best piece of advice I have ever been given: either rise early or sleep late.This advice is based on the fact that the sunlight at dawn and dusk makes for more aesthetically appealing photographs as sunrises and sunsets bring an aspect of originality to a scene, casting shadows and contrast.This can also be true for the weather.Thunder and lightning, rain, and fog can bring a particular ambience to a landscape which makes for interesting nature photography.So, zip up your coat and go outdoors, even when the weather isn’t so inviting â€" you will be rewarded!As a photographer, you should try to find inspiration in the everyday. Whether it’s looking for a good landscape photos while walking your dog or taking note of the best places to see the sun set, working within areas that are familiar to you will help you regularly practice your photography skills as well as expand your portfolio.You can also look to other photographers for ideas on the direction in which to take your work.Of course, taking inspiration from others doesn’t mean copying them, but understanding what you like about their style.Landscape photography is first and foremost about knowing how to observe and capture your favourite element of the scenery in a photograph.Photographs that Have Marked HistoryThere are many famous photographs which have captured the minds of the public.Whether it’s because they’re particularly striking or thought-provoking, these images span a variety of genres and carry different messages.So, what are the names of these big-impact pictures?The Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville - Robert DoisneauThe Vulture and the Little Girl - Kevin CarterAfghan Girl - Steve McCurryTank Man - Jeff WidenerHeart in Voh - Yann Arthus BertrandV-J Day in Times Square - Alfred EisenstaedtNapalm Girl - Nick UtThe Agony of Omayra Sànchez - Frank FournierManaus Woma n Resisting Eviction - Luiz VasconcelosSaigon Execution - Eddie AdamsThe Death of Aylan - Nilüfer DemirPortrait of Che Guevara - Alberto KordaThe Falling Man - Richard DrewBliss - Charles O’RearThe Burning Monk - Malcolm BrowneBehind each one of there photographs lies a story.The story of a man, of a woman, or the destiny of a Buddhist or revolutionary.These are unforgettable stories which have marked history and humanity by being caught on camera.The Evolution of Food PhotographyWe’ve all taken photographs of successful recipes and restaurant meals before.In recent years, there has been a surge in popularity of culinary photography for both amateur and professional photographers.Culinary photography is a type of commercial photography and a genuine profession â€" but who do you end up working for?Professional culinary photographers can work completely independently if they so wish. The main type of work you will find as a food photographer will be working with businesses on th eir advertisements.Good cookery books need good photographers to sell them! ¦ source: Pixabay - RitaEWhether you work with restaurants or producers, you’ll never be short of places to look for clients.It is also possible that you will become a full-time employee of a business as a culinary photographer. For instance, you may find yourself taking pictures to appear in cookbooks.After all, what would be the appeal of a recipe book without photographs to tempt you to try them?If you want to get into the business of culinary photography, all you have to do is take a photography course on the subject!Photography is first and foremost an art, and culinary photography is the still life painting of the photography world.By taking lessons in photography, you will learn about working with different photography techniques and learn to understand how natural light can affect an image.Once you have learned and mastered the basics of photography, you’ll be ready to specialise in any area you wish with advanced photography classes, which may include tutorials on portraiture, street photography or studio photography.Taking a photography class can give you the level of skill you need to learn how to shoot photographs professionally and pursue a career in your passion.It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on what other photographers are doing. Follow the Instagram accounts that inspire you as you improve your photography skills and develop your personal style.So, whether you'd simply like some home photography tips and tricks from a professional instructor, or you're considering a career as a photojournalist, taking photography lessons can help you take your shooting to the next level.

SAT II Test Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace

SAT II Test Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace SAT II is a group of 20 standardized tests taken by high school students in 20 different subject areas. SAT II is also known as the SAT II Subject tests, where students take the tests in specific subjects of their choice. SAT I and SAT II differ from each other in various aspects as SAT I examines the ability of the student in general reading, writing and math skills. However, SAT II measures the academic knowledge of students in various specific subjects such as Mathematics, Sciences, Social Sciences, History, Foreign languages etc. High school students take these subject tests to gain admission in their desired colleges or universities. Students can choose the subject they would like to get tested on depending on their knowledge in that subject. However, sometimes certain colleges and universities prefer students taking the subject test in few specific subjects only based on their requirement for admission criteria. Therefore, it is recommended for the students to first find out if there is any entrance requirement of the colleges only on particular subjects, so that the students can take only those subject tests. An SAT II subject test consists of multiple choice questions and students must choose the right answer from the given set of options. Students should be careful while answering questions because there is negative penalty for wrong answers. Therefore it is better for the student not guess many questions cause if they are wrong, then the points will be deducted from the already existing score.

Start to Learn the Guitar Some Tips!

Start to Learn the Guitar Some Tips! Wondering How to Learn Guitar? Read On. ChaptersThe Desire to Play Guitar is the Only Motivation Needed to LearnWhy Do You Want to Learn Guitar?A Few Additional Questions Before You Start to LearnYou’re Ready to Begin Your Lessons: Do You Need a Teacher?Learning to Play the Guitar Without a TeacherLearning to Play the Guitar with a Guitar TeacherThere is Always a Way to Learn the GuitarThe guitar is definitely one of the instruments that most fascinates and attracts music amateurs - due, generally, to both its cool and its ubiquity.At first, it seems easy to learn how to play the guitar. And damn right. You have the basic chords down, you can play songs that go down well with a little audience, and you've even tried some fancy guitar tricks.Your fingers are itching, you want to play your idol’s solos, whether to impress your girlfriend or simply for your own enjoyment.Except that you’ve never learned guitar before formally and you don’t know how to do it: do you need to get a guitar lesson or two? Or can you learn the guitar yourself with a book, a guitar course, a DVD, or with free guitar lessons near me? Or else seek help from a friend, who might show you a few guitar basics?In this article we'll try to answer some of these questions - and show the beginner guitar enthusiast that they too can learn how to play guitar beautifully and impressively.But, honestly, there ain't no 'best guitar method' for you to learn the fretboard, guitar chords, and all those songs to learn. Sorry, that's a lie. The only guaranteed method is practice, practice, and more guitar practice.Before learning how to play the guitar, it is essential to be in a good state of mind: not only the desire to play, but above all being prepared to learn, because practicing guitar, like any musical instrument, requires hours of learning and with that all of the highs and lows, its moments of joy and its difficulties.Nonetheless, fun remains an important vehicle: if there is no joy in playing the guitar, there is no reason to con tinue. It’s only by being enthusiastic, passionate, and invested in the learning process that you will progress and play those classic blues guitar or rock guitar songs.Honestly, what's even the point otherwise? If you can't sit for hours enjoying practising your barre chords or power chords, why are you even bothering? If you don't enjoy learning new guitar licks or guitar songs, what are you doing it for? If you don't care to learn fingerpicking or the pentatonic, why are you even here on this page?Why Do You Want to Learn Guitar?That is the first question you must ask yourself before learning how to play the guitar. Before taking guitar lessons or watching tutorials and other videos on the Internet, ask yourself one sole question to save time: Why do you want to learn to play guitar?Is it to play Bach on a classical guitar?Do you want to learn to play chords, rhythm guitar, and fingerstyle to accompany your singing?Do you want to learn to play your favorite songs and play the a mazing guitar solos and guitar music by your favorite star (Slash for example)?Become a guitar virtuoso and strum at full speed on the neck like Satriani?Play folk music to have a nice time with your friends?In answering these questions, you will determine the musical style you want to learn. Depending on your tastes and your likes, you have the choice of rockabilly, grunge, or punk, but also traditional blues, rock blues, electric blues, gypsy jazz, pop, country, reggae, free jazz guitar, etc.Once this first essential question has been answered - and you have considered the option of beginner guitar lessons - you can move on to serious matters: learning how to play the guitar.A Few Additional Questions Before You Start to LearnHow Do I Choose my First Guitar?To learn to play the guitar, you have 3 main options in terms of the instrument: classical guitar, folk guitar, or electric guitar (there are other guitars, but we will focus on these three in this article).The classical guitar is an acoustic guitar with nylon strings, which are good for beginners who experience finger pain. The other advantage of the acoustic guitar is that it is easily transportable, without needing an electrical hook-up. A guitar like the Yamaha C40 A is ideal for a beginner.The folk guitar looks like an acoustic guitar except that it has metal strings. It allows you to play different musical styles, including rock, folk, blues, country, jazz, or pop. Why not try the Cort Earth Acoustic model?Finally, the electric guitar: it needs to be plugged in to an amplifier to be played. Equipped with metal chords, you can play all styles of music with it, including blues and especially purely electric styles like metal or hard rock. The GRG 170M is perfect for beginners.How Do I Buy My First Guitar?To buy your first guitar, the ideal situation is to be able to try it out in a music store; however, if you don’t know how to play at all, ask a salesperson to play a few chords so that you can hear the sound.It’s an excellent occasion to begin to exercise your guitarist’s ear and to give yourself a better idea about your preferences. There are also very nice used guitars on the Internet that are less expensive, but you will not be able to benefit from the advice of a knowledgeable professional.Concerning the price, it’s pointless to pay a fortune for your first guitar. Your tastes and your level will evolve with time and practice.To start out, a first guitar that costs between $100 and $200 will do quite nicely.Do not go for the cheapest price because it will not be of sufficient quality: a $50 guitar is more of a toy than it is a real musical instrument.Today, thanks to the Internet, there are online guitar lessons, videos, tutorials, and ebooks that show you how to begin the guitar. It is possible to learn how to play without an teacher, but you run the risk of adopting bad habits and not being corrected.Another questions arises: do you want to just practice when you have an itch or do you have a real desire to learn to master, as much as possible, this incredible musical instrument?In choosing between the two options, you’ll be able choose the type of teaching best suited to you.If you just want to strum your guitar for your own enjoyment, your approach to the guitar will be simpler: you will learn a few basicsâ€"how to position your fingers on the neck, how to hold your pick or play with your fingersâ€"and you will learn the principle guitar chord shapes, the major and minor chords, and then you will be free to play guitar as you like.If you have a real desire to learn and master the guitar, your learning process will demand more rigor, more discipline. If you want to learn complex chord progressions, ear training, and fingerstyle guitar, generally, with a teacher, you will increase your knowledge of the instrument and get advice on how to play (the positioning of your hands, your back, corrections on your rhythm, etc). You will benefit from personalized attention from a professional who will follow your progress. If this is you, guitar lessons for beginners are probably the best option.No matter your choice, just know that you’ll get nowhere with the guitar by snapping your fingers; you will have to work at it. Also, your choice of learning style will depend on your personality, your taste, and your desire to progress with the guitar.Learning to Play the Guitar Without a TeacherThe Autodidact RouteNumerous artists were self-taught (Eric Clapton, Slash, Hendrix, and even Joe Perry) but it should be noted that at the time, the network of teaching methods and education was much less developed than today, and numerous schools of teaching specific to the guitar didn’t exist then.Bear in mind: autodidact does not necessarily mean learning on your own.The majority of musicians cited above learned at the feet of other musicians. By joining a group, playing with more experienced guitarists, they were absorbed into the univ erse of the guitar: they observed, listened, discussed their experiences, and this considerably enriched their knowledge of the guitar as well as their practice. Guitar instruction is not only given by formal teachers.Playing in a group, they trained their musical ears to correct their errors.Being exposed to other guitar players is an incredible learning opportunity. It's one of the most inspiring parts of the guitar.Learning to Play According to a Particular Guitar MethodToday, if you decide to work in a completely autonomous fashion, there are methods; your work can be simplified through numerous online courses, audio and/or video.No matter your level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced), there is a guitar course made for you - and often even free lessons for guitar online.These “methods” have a downside: they require great discipline on your part.If you can’t manage to choose a method that works for you, plan out your practice time, and organize yourself, you will will fa il somewhere along the way.It’s up to you to decide whether you are capable of self-discipline: if you are not, it’s better to avoid that option so that you don’t run straight into the wall.Learning the guitar without a teacher means spending even more time working, in order to obtain the same result, than if you have someone to correct you.The Main Risk is Abandoning the Guitar while You are Still LearningOne of the biggest dangers when we learn alone is getting discouraged: you have no one to support you, to assist you, or to tell you “come on, concentrate, it’s normal, that’s part of learning!”Do not abandon your guitar lessons.It’s not that you need more time to learn more quickly: even the the guitar masters say that learning a musical instrument like the guitar can take a lifetime.The important thing is to make a plan for yourself and to follow it: no need to force yourself to play one hour every day (unless you want to!) because you will get tired quickly, but try for between 15 and 30 minutes each day (or every other day), at a set hour, and you will see progress.Finally, learning the guitar means combining practice and theory with dexterity.Even if it’s possible to skip theory at the beginning (learning the notes, music theory, reading the chords, reading the tablature), there inevitably comes a moment when you have to learn it.Some Advice for Learning the Guitar on Your OwnLearning to play the guitar without taking private lessons is always possible.But very often, beginners abandon the guitar through lack of self-confidence, lack of time and availability, lack of conviction or motivation, or because their fingers hurt from practicing.Yes, you can learn the guitar practising solo!But to learn to play the guitar, especially when you want to do it on your own, there is just one way: you must practice, over and over.1. The Internet has it all: the bad and the good.Start by researching the different online teaching sites, there are doze ns that offer guitar lessons.They will be an excellent addition to your regular training.There is also more of a chance of finding precise answers to your questions on those sites. 2. If you want to copy the style of your favorite guitarist, learn to identify his level.If after a few weeks you are at the level of your favorite guitarist, either you have a gift, or it would be better to pick a more competent musician. 3. Explore the instrument itself.Learn the names and functions of each of the parts that make up your guitar, discover for yourself how these parts interact with one another, discover how your guitar works.The more familiar you are with your guitar, the better you’ll be at mastering it.4. When you decide to learn a chord, try to do it in all possible ways.By performing this exercise of playing the same chord in different ways, you will improve in speed and in finger agility. 5. Practice for a minimum of thirty minutes a day if possible, 4 or 5 days a week.In order to progress and continue, your brain needs to be fed the guitar day in and day out.This will develop your ear, your concentration, and you will improve the technique and coordination of your left hand in relation to your right hand, as well as the muscle memory of your left hand in relation to the guitar.No need to really play each chord: try practicing them in silence, try new hand positions, for example, while you’re watching TV.Since memorization is more difficult for the left hand than it is for the right (if you’re right-handed), it’s recommended to practice with both hands regularly.When you aren’t concentrating on your hands (the example of the TV is perfect for this), you are more relaxed, less tense.Once you’ve memorized the finger positioning for a chord, reproduce it on the neck of the guitar and check to see that the position is correct.With time, you will look at your left hand less and less and you will gain confidence.6. Reinforce the muscles in your left hand if you’re right-handed and do the opposite if you’re left-handed.To do this, squeeze a tennis ball or a similar object for 5 minutes.By exerting small amounts of pressure like this daily, you will strengthen your forearm and all of the muscles that make up your hand.Goodbye to after-practice cramps!7. Learn to accept frustration.Why not get on stage yourself? It's a great way to see how much guitar you have learned.As with all learning, you’re going to have highs and lows with the guitar, encountering the intoxication of the perfect chord progression, that beautiful sound, and the hell of stagnation, where you feel like you don’t know anything. Unless you’re an ultra-gifted guitarist, you’re going to need to learn that there are, like with everything, many steps to be taken to become an excellent guitar player.Whatever happens, keep practicing, don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by this negative feeling. With the guitar, it’s the same thing; you will need to work, wor k again and again in order to get to a higher level.If you like precision, quality, you must concentrate every day in regular practice.Feel free to work on different aspects of your instrument, like tonality, speed, finesse, precision, the chords.Little by little, you’ll succeed in perfecting your mastery of the guitar.8. Take a piece that you listen to a lot, put it on in the background, and try to play the guitar parts.This is one of the best approaches to take pleasure in playing the guitar.For those who can’t read sheet music or don’t know music theory, learn to decipher the tablature, it’s a proven technique that will help you tremendously.9. Develop your ear and test your ability to recognize when you play out of tune and when it sounds right.This takes a certain amount of time, but with mastery of your instrument, you will improve your hearing little by little. Learn to identify your mistakes, to notice when you play out of tune or when you’re no longer playing at t he proper rhythm. Don’t hesitate to take notes or ask for outside advice. 10. If you have a friend who’s a guitarist, try to meet regularly to play together.Even if he’s better than you, you will learn a lot by playing side by side, both in terms of technique and your overall understanding of music. Watch him play, listen to him, ask him questions. Try to imitate him, pay attention to his movements and ask him to correct you if necessary.11. If you have audio editing software, select certain parts of your favorite pieces in order to work on them.With Audacity (the most well known) or even GarageBand, you can take advantage of the best free sequencers to make guitar recordings and a proper program that allows you to create and edit music.Beyond that are multi-track recording studios.12. Why not whistle or sing while you play guitar?This will develop your musicality, your sense of rhythm, and your hearing.Replay the tunes you’ve learned, try to achieve the same tonality, the s ame rhythm.Feel free to use a metronome to fix your playing.  And improvise!Learning to Play the Guitar Alone: the Online Course ApproachThanks to many possibilities available on the web, you will be able to start with the guitar as well as perfect it.Be aware, however, that even if the videos are well made for the most part, this doesn’t replace the presence of a professional guitar instructor who would be there to correct you and watch that you’re doing the right thing.Online videos are very well made, but be careful not to automatically go to YouTube channels where you will find both good and (more often) the not so good.With online videos, you can learn pieces by your favorite bands and singers, such as U2, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Oasis, The Beatles, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Blur, etc.The advantage of online guitar courses is that the playful aspect remains intact: you can accept challenges, follow a curriculum, earn rewards, get a report on your progress, etc.Most of the time, each online course is given by an expert in his specialized area.Nonetheless, this approach also has its inconveniences: for one thing, as the courses are online, you must have a broadband Internet connection or access to 3G at a minimum, otherwise the quality of the videos will suffer.The other downside is the subscription: generally monthly, you must have one to take advantage of the long term course programs.But there is some good in this negative point, in the need to show perseverance: by paying, you will perhaps have the feeling that you must “get a return on your investment,” so you’ll hang in there a little longer.And lastly there’s an economic aspect: paying $20 monthly on the internet or taking a weekly course with an teacher, the cost isn’t the same.Learning to Play the Guitar with a Guitar TeacherIt’s important to choose the right guitar teacher for you.The Classical WayHaving a teacher as you learn an instrument like the guitar is like having a gui de; that’s why it’s important to truly find “your” guitar teacher, one who suits you, one who understands your desires, your expectations, your style of music.There’s no reason to meet with a teacher of classical music if you want to play rock or blues, you will waste your time and your money, as well as the teacher’s. And, in the end, you will lose your motivation and you’ll abandon the guitar.It’s important that the teacher is attentive to the sensibilities of the student, that he employ pedagogy to lead the student towards meaningful progress.Music, and especially for the guitar, needs to be a partnership, the kind of association between devotees where each will develop and at the same time contribute to the evolution of the others.By finding your guitar teacher, your style of learning the guitar will completely change in relation to someone learning on their own. It’s in the very structure of the teaching that the changes will take place.With the Internet, wher e you’re holed up in your room, you take the risk of being distracted, of turning towards any number of things that have no connection to your original plan.Once you have learned to play guitar, you can busk too!The teacher is going to give you directions to follow but these directions will be modular according to your desires, your progress. This is the added value that a teacher represents in learning the guitar: he’s going to deliver an effective work method, teach you to concentrate, know how to lift your morale if you face setbacks or if you stagnate.Returning to this idea that learning the guitar is a partnership, the relationship between the guitar teacher and the student is formed like this: between the two, there is a constant exchange, questions and answers that will enrich one another.A teacher who gives guitar courses delivers adviceâ€"some of which you might be able to find on the Internet but in a one-dimensional wayâ€"in which theory is connected to action right a way.The guitar teacher explains, demonstrates, plays and the student reproduces, practices, and, gradually, he will start to become an accomplished guitarist who, no matter what level he reaches, will have strong foundations.With a teacher, you will benefit from tips that help you simplify your life and more than anything else you’ll have a reliable outside opinion; instead of concentrating on yourself, which prevents you from seeing your inevitable faults, a teacher will point what is wrong and, to the same extent, further encourage you if everything is going well.This process of emulation, this awareness, this encouragement, will enable you to progress more than any online course you might do alone in your home.Another positive point is that you learn much more quickly next to a professional than alone.Nonetheless, learning the guitar with a teacher can also also have its negative points: you should understand that this instruction has a cost and represents a significant persona l investment to pay for it.Another negative point is that there are not always teachers available in every city in the United States and perhaps not near you; you’ll need to travel many miles to learn to play your guitar, but your passion is worth a few small compromises, right?Learning the guitar at a conservatoryThere are dozens of respected music conservatories across the U.S. (Julliard in New York, Berklee in Boston, Cleveland Institute of Music, etc.), and the degree-granting institutions offer multi-year programs to those who get in. They are often very competitive.Many medium to large cities also have smaller conservatories that offer guitar lessons to the public, and generally last 30 minutes to 1 hour.There is Always a Way to Learn the GuitarNo matter what, learning the guitar is always possible; if you want do it in your home, by playing with friends, or by carrying your case to a teacher who gives specialized courses or even going to courses at a music school (or even a conservatory), there is always a way to combine the practical with the enjoyable in playing the guitar.The constant is that you must continue working at it, whether you go it alone or accompanied by a teacher.Everything goes well as you learn to play the guitar when you are passionate and motivated, so it’s important to find the right approach that serves you best in terms of learning.If you truly want to learn to play the guitar, feel free to ask around, especially at the instrument stores, where you’ll find the obligatory little guitar course announcements, and if you’re still hesitant, ask for advice from a salesmen, who can point you to a professional.

Switch Off - Phrasal Verb of the Day

Switch Off - Phrasal Verb of the Day Todays phrasal verb of the day is: Switch OffInfinitive form: Switch OffPresent Tense: Switch Off/ Switches Offing form: Switching OffPast tense: Switched OffPast Participle: Switched OffSwitch Off is a separable English phrasal verb. It is used in the context written below:When you change the controls of a mechanical device such as light switch, and stop it from doing something. It is synonymous to Turn Off. The antonym of this phrase is Turn On or Switch On1. Leizyl cant sleep with the lights on, so she makes it a point to switch the lights off before she goes to bed.2. Its a good thing indeed, that Jean had switched off the fire alarm before everyone starts to panic. After all, there wasnt any fire at all.iframe width=560 height=315 src=//www.youtube.com/embed/Ucl39bzzd-M?rel=0 frameborder=0 allowfullscreen/iframeExercises: Write your answers in comments and we will correct them. Fill in the gaps from the video above:I must ____ ___ the appliances.  My employees are most anxious a bout the size of their footprint.Based on the short clip, why is there a sense of urgency? Whats happened?Complete the sentences below with the correct form of Switch Off.1.I dont believe in monsters! says Eric. Oh yeah? So why do you freak out when I start  ____ the lights ___?  asks his sister.2. Well, I thought I saw something! Eric replied. Ill leave the lights on, then. You can ____ them ___ when youve calmed down, okay? his sister said.3. Eric thought that it would be a good idea to sleep with the lights on, so he ____ ___ the main light but kept his bedside lamp on.4. Dont just press the power button to ____ the computer ___. It helps if you shut it down properly by pressing the Shut Down button.5. Did you know that you can reset or powercycle your phone by ____ it ___ for a few minutes, then turning it back on?Change the example sentences above to negative sentences (or positive, if the sentence is already negative). Then change them to questions.

How to Get an A Before the End of the Term - TutorNerds

How to Get an A Before the End of the Term - TutorNerds How to Get an A Before the End of the Term: 4 Steps Many students find that they are just short of an A at the end of the semester. This is especially frustrating for students who worked extra hard in hopes of getting an A on their final grade report. Its also frustrating for parents who want their children to have excellent grades when applying to college. How can students push through these last couple weeks of the term in order to push that C to a B or that B to an A? 1. Schedule extra time with a tutor Tutors are generally the most busy the two weeks leading up to the end of the term and the two weeks leading up to a standardized test. Most students are advised to ask their Orange County academic tutor well in advance if they are available for extra study help. Its important for students to be organized in advance of their study time and tutors can often help determine how much time to allocate to particular subjects. For example, if a student has a 99% in French and 89% in calculus, the tutor can definitely point their student towards extra calculus study (READ: 3 Warning Signs of Senioritis). Tutors can also help students determine which assignments are worth a large amount of percentage points and which assignments are nominal. However, sometimes those nominal half percent assignments can push a B+ to an A-. Students should discuss with their tutor what their goals are and how much time they’re prepared to spend on self study leading up to finals week. 2.  Self-study Students who complete their homework assignments but dont necessarily spend a lot of time studying for tests and quizzes are advised to abandon that train of thought leading up to finals week. Students who do not participate in regular self-study will be much less likely to turn a B into an A (READ: 10 Study Tips from an Irvine History Tutor). In general, students who spend five hours per week on self-study should be prepared to spend seven or eight hours minimum during finals week. Students wishing to get an A will probably spend up to 20 hours a week outside of school preparing for their exams. This is, of course, a crazy amount of time to spend on studying but expectations for high-schoolers get crazier every year. 3. Academic socialization Students often complain that they dont have a chance to see friends the two weeks leading up to finals. This is a valid complaint however, students who over-socialize during this time will probably end up with a C+/B+ as opposed to the B-/ A- they were hoping for. A good solution is to participate in academic socialization. Students who meet their friends at a coffee shop to study can still enjoy spending time with their peers but also use the time as a productive educational tool. In high school, our friends are our cheerleaders and can provide us with both the self-esteem and the drive to work hard and pursue our goals. On the other hand, friends who lead us away from these goals should be avoided towards the end of term. 4. Open communication with the teacher Students who are between 1 and 3 percentage points away from receiving an A should definitely talk with their teacher after class. Many teachers would like to be able to give all of their students an A, but they need to be fair and make sure that each student is deserving of such a grade. Some teachers will offer extra credit to students who take the time to ask for it towards the end of term. Teachers appreciate that their students took the initiative to do well but will not reward students who dont ask in advance. The worst that can happen is the teacher says ‘no’. Almost every student, at some point in time, has been in a situation where they didnt quite make the grade (READ: College Application Decisions: Food for Thought). These are great learning experiences to help determine what we can do to improve in the next term. Its a good idea for college prep students to look towards the past and figure out what they can change to make that A grade in the future. Finals are just around the corner, good luck! All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by TutorNerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about.

World Teachers` Day 2015

World Teachers` Day 2015 World Teachers` Day is on October the 5th every year. It is a very special day. It celebrates some of the world`s most important and valuable to society people teachers. Today I want to thank all teachers for our greatest achievements. Because they teach us much more than just science, math, and language.  They teach us how to live, how to tell right from wrong, and show us the right way. Teachers might play different roles in our life: mother, nurse, mentor, tutor, guru. They are knowledgeable, patient, enthusiastic and kind. Good teacher can completely change our life. Teachers show us each day how to be kind to each other and to ourselves. Teachers motivate and inspire us, and give us strength to succeed in life. Teachers teach us idea that with hard work there is nothing impossible. They give us the chance of a better future. Teachers make the great contributions to education and the development of societies and nations. Teachers are true heroes! To show the power of the teachers, I want to quote Henry Brooks Adams: A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. TutorZs team congratulates all the amazing tutors who work with us! Happy Teachers Day!