A Very Useful Way to Learn English

A Very Useful Way to Learn EnglishLearning English through Telugu means learning the language by mastering the local dialects. The fact that you are able to understand local names and expressions in Telugu helps you get accustomed to the language sooner and easily. In fact, because you are conversing in the local language, you will get acquainted with the culture, social life and history of the place where you live. Your daily language needs to be flexible, so that you can switch easily between Hindi and Telugu.I am really glad that I took up learning English through Telugu so that I can progress towards a well-formed English vocabulary. However, when I want to learn English I always come across two types of questions. Some people who have decided to learn English through Telugu tend to go for one of two options. They either look for a way to study English as a subject, or they simply memorize a few words and phrases and try to use them. There is another approach to learning a langua ge, which will surely be a better option for you.For you to do something useful and beneficial for yourself, you should at least attempt to learn English through the local dialect of the place where you live. Once you are able to understand the local expressions, you will definitely have much more success than people who are still trying to memorize words and phrases.The reason why this method works so well is because you will be able to be more flexible in your choice of subjects in English. In the long run, you will learn the fundamentals of the language much faster and easily, and you will also have a larger vocabulary that you can use in conversation. This will definitely be more useful for you and also beneficial for your career.The advantage of learning English through Telugu is that you will be able to pick the right subject that suits you best. It will give you more flexibility and room for improvement. And in the long run, you will definitely be much more skilled at the lan guage. You will also have many more chances to learn from the country's leaders, or even take advantage of the other opportunities that the country offers you.Another advantage of learning English through Telugu is that it helps you build your social skills and diplomacy skills. In fact, it gives you much more opportunities to interact with your peers. When you are able to acquire the local expressions, you will also be able to communicate easily with locals and foreigners alike. This is because you will have a greater knowledge of common expressions that the locals use in their daily lives.And last but not the least, in my opinion, learning English through Telugu is a great way to learn English because it teaches you the basics and also teaches you how to be a good conversationalist. The more you understand the local language, the easier it is for you to develop a language that you like to speak. In other words, you will be able to understand the culture and the people living in th e place where you live better. So in the end, it is more important to learn the language than to memorize some words and phrases.

Heres What an Introvert Can Teach You about Success - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Here’s What an Introvert Can Teach You about Success - Introvert Whisperer Here’s What an Introvert Can Teach You about Success By definition, an introvert is someone who gains energy by spending time alone and loses energy in an overly social, stimulating environment. Introverts promote qualities of introspection, a love of solitude, a more sensitive or empathetic approach, and a focused communication style heavy on listening rather than talking. Some may think that these qualities do not fit a leadership or successful professional role. However, an introvert possesses a number of positive traits that aid in pursuing a successful and fulfilling lifestyle.   Stay Focused  An introvert has a tendency to stay with a goal until completion. They can begin with an idea, flesh it out, and follow it to completion with no problem. They ensure that single goal is done satisfactorily and to the best of their ability. Instead of working on several projects at once with shared effort and mediocrity, this trait allows them to do one thing really well, turning out a high-quality end result.   There’s No “I” in Team    In a group setting, an introvert appreciates the value each member brings to the team. They do not seek credit or glory for accomplishing their part of the task but find reward in sharing in a team success. They are able to identify their strengths and weaknesses with their highly intuitive self-awareness. This leads to better division of tasks and a more streamlined process in successfully completing group assignments, with the recognition of each members contribution equally acknowledged. Let Creativity Shine    Introverts make up a large portion of the group known as “The Creatives.” They are the musicians, artists, authors, and inventors. They’re the thinkers who communicate through artistic and thought-provoking means rather than relying on personality and general communication. They achieve success by their ability to tune into their deep introspection and thought processes, freeing their creativity to be shown in beautifully unique ways. By embracing their natural gifts, they are able to follow a sometimes “out-of-the-box” path to success. Listen and Learn    Introverts tend to take a backseat in conversations, especially in overly social situations. They listen more than they speak, allowing them to absorb more information and thoughtfully consider it. They tend to choose their words carefully so what they say has meaning and importance to the conversation. This leads to deeper relationships with those around them as they are able to form personal connections from the information they learn. And deep, personal connections can lead to success in networking and new opportunities. Be Independent    Although introverts work well within a group, their skillset can really shine when working independently. By working in solitude, an introvert can spend less energy on draining social situations and more on the project at hand. With no need for supervision or outside encouragement, an introvert can focus on the task at hand and achieve quality results in less time.  Find a private English tutor, a young entrepreneur, or a museum curator. They are all remarkably self-reliant and their ability to focus leads to improved results in a timely manner.   It’s All About the Work    It’s difficult to be successful if you allow yourself to get in the way of your work. Problems can arise when the attention is more focused on the producer than the product. A handful of famous CEOs and company owners live in the spotlight, making their product or service a sideshow attraction. And this can work, unless they disrupt the narrative of their brand or company. Many more CEOs and owners take a backseat, pushing their product or service to the forefront and allowing it to shine on its own. An introvert lets the work speak for itself while maintaining a productive and fulfilling spot behind the scenes.   Sensitivity is a Plus    In today’s busy and fast-paced world, generic, blunt, and impersonal statements and attitudes are becoming the norm, both online and in real life. However, humans crave personal connections, and no one may be better suited to provide that than an introvert. Many introverts are in tune with their sensitivity, allowing them to show compassion and empathy to those around them. Successful people care about those they work with and they value the relationships they have with those who support and help them. Being sensitive and in tune with others’ emotions and feelings helps to create loyalty and a great work ethic, resulting in more effective production and success. Final Words    Success has a different definition for everyone. For one person, success can mean running a profitable Fortune 500 company. For another, success can mean getting published by a well-known magazine or newspaper. The steps you take toward your definition of success are defined largely by the above-mentioned traits and qualities. Adopting the mindset of an introvert, even just for a short time, can be highly beneficial in aiding you in your accomplishments. Author Bio: Rait is a full time online marketer, freelancer and tech lover from a tiny country called Estonia. As an introvert, he strives to speak less and do more. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Education By Numbers

Education By Numbers For some teachers its becoming what can I do to make my numbers better. Those numbers are of course their students. Numbers and students are not synonymous, but the new federal-funding, education allocation is placing them in the same sentence. An increasing amount of schools are implementing a value-added program to systematically determine how effective their teachers are, according to an article in The New York Times. Schools are receiving mixed reviews on this program. Some believe its an accurate way to measure a teachers ability. Critics, however, contend that its not accurate and shifts a teachers focus from what is best for the students to what is best for them. This system calculates a teachers value by comparing his/her students current test scores to previous years and other students in the same grade. Data analysts can then rank teachers based on this formula. For example if a third grader scored higher than 60% of his/her peers on a state-administered test, then he/she is predicted to have that same score during the fourth grade. If that student scores higher than 70%, the increase in achievement is attributed to his/her fourth grade teacher. The Obama administration has encouraged states to implement more precise methods for evaluating teachers. Many schools have already joined this value-added system bandwagon and even more expected to join soon. Traditionally, teachers have used similar programs to improve classrooms. However, the stakes are much higher now. Administrators are using this program to decide which teachers receive raises and which ones are fired. Michelle A. Rhee, the schools chancellor in Washington, recently fired about 25 teachers for poor evaluations. The Los Angeles Times published an online database that ranked area teachers from the most effective to the least effective. This piece resulted in the further evaluation of 6,000 teachers jobs. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said that The Los Angeles Times work was an exercise in healthy transparency during a recent speech. There are real issues and competing priorities and values that we must work through together balancing transparency, privacy, fairness and respect for teachers, Duncan said. I dont advocate that approach (The Los Angeles Times) for other districts. Some experts claim that this program is unreliable and inconsistent. They state that a teachers effectiveness will be all over this chart because of outside influences. They believe that this program should not be considered the ultimate form of evaluation. It does not account for tutors, transfers, changes in state tests or students motivations or abilities. The program does not reward teachers for maintaining higher-achieving students academic success. It only rewards for growth. Other experts, however, disagreed and claim that the outside influences can be controlled and accounted for. They believe that this system separates the effective teachers from the average and ineffective ones. Some believe that schools will attempt to adjust their teachers value levels to attain more federal funding. They believe that this could corrupt the value-added program.

Ask a Law School Admissions Expert Jens K.

Ask a Law School Admissions Expert Jens K. Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Jens K. holds a graduate degree from the London School of Economics and a J.D. from NYU Law. Since then, he has worked for international law firms in both New York and China and has taught law as an adjunct professor as well. He is the co-founder of Advantas Group, an international team of admissions experts who help students worldwide get into the graduate programs of their choice. VT: How much time should be set aside to adequately prepare for and complete a Law School application? Jens: It depends. An applicant with high grades, a strong LSAT score, and good writing skills might be able to prepare an application in one to two months. Others will want to spend more time fine-tuning their personal statements and customizing them for specific schools. Applicants with demanding full-time jobs should make sure to set realistic expectations in terms of how much time they can devote to their applications. There is, however, one general piece of advice that applies equally to all applicants: start early. Take the LSAT as early as possible and allow for sufficient time to track down academic transcripts and letters of recommendation. VT: What is the single most important thing applicants should focus on with this application? Jens: Be yourself. Let your application reflect who you are. A personal statement that doesnt match a letter of recommendation or the writing style of the LSAT writing sample is a sure way to guarantee a rejection letter. VT: What are the biggest mistakes one can make on a Law School application? Jens: Dishonesty and sloppy mistakes. Always, always be truthful in all your application material. For example, a poor grade or a criminal record can almost always be addressed adequately in a personal statement and in many cases create the basis for a lesson learned or personal transformation theme. Less serious but just as damaging are typos and other careless mistakes. At a minimum, you should have a friend look through any written material you submit. Otherwise, consider using a professional service to review and polish your application materials. The money you spend on application services will be a fraction of your overall law school budget and can pay for itself with even a small scholarship or an increase in the ranking of the schools you are admitted to. VT: What do Law School admissions officers look for most in an applicants essays/personal statements? Jens: Admissions officers want to be certain that the applicant is making the right choice by choosing to become a lawyer, and also that the applicant will be a good fit for a particular law school and student body. For example, regional law schools will often look for a commitment to the local community in addition to the applicants academic interests. In addition, admissions committees are always interested in learning about how an applicant has dealt with past challenges and obstacles. VT: Is there anything on a students application that would automatically disqualify them from being considered for the program? Jens: Lying, dishonesty, and concealing information the applicant is required to disclose. Even if an admissions committee doesnt uncover any comprising inconsistencies or information in an application, this could come back to haunt the applicant during the state bar admission process and even result in the withdrawal of the graduate's law school diploma. VT: What about the Law School admissions process differs the most from undergraduate admissions? Jens: The emphasis on how well the applicant does on a standardized test. Compared to undergraduate admissions and even most other graduate and professional programs, the LSAT score can truly make or break an application. VT: What kinds of things (experience, grades, etc.) might a student lack that would lead you to advise them not to apply? Jens: A spotty academic record or a very poor LSAT score would make admission to most law schools an uphill battle. In particular, an applicant with a very low LSAT score should seriously consider whether law school is the right choice. Ethical transgressions such as a history of academic dishonesty will also create challenges for an applicant and would have to be addressed directly in the application. VT: Is there anything you might see on a students application that would quickly put them ahead in the running? Jens: LSAT scores in the top one percentile. Things get less competitive at schools outside the top ten, but even then an applicants LSAT score remains the single best predictor of how successful a law school applicant will be (and, incidentally, of how they will do in their first year of law school, according to the ABA). Outstanding performance on college-level debate and mock trial tournaments can also give students a significant boost, although they are generally coupled with very high LSAT scores. VT: What advice do you have regarding LSAT test prep? Jens: As with all parts of the application, start early. Anyone seriously considering law school should take a sample test as soon as possible. Except for the most exceptional applicants, enrolling in an LSAT prep course or working with a tutor is sure to pay off. An improvement of a few points on the LSAT can be what it takes to get into a higher ranked school or to secure a scholarship. VT: What do law school admissions officers look for in recommendation letters? Jens: Recommendation letters are important in supporting and corroborating various other parts of the application--in particular, the personal statement. It is far better to select someone that knows the applicant well and provide a strong recommendation than one with an impressive title who will do a perfunctory job. The recommender should know the applicant's story and should ideally echo its key themes in the recommendation. To help ensure that this happens, we advise our clients to actually include a paragraph summarizing the important aspects of the application in an email to the recommender. Visit Advantas Application Consulting for more information.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Tips For Maintaining Your First Impression - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips For Maintaining Your First Impression - Introvert Whisperer Tips For Maintaining Your First Impression When it comes to beginning a new career, we all know the importance of making a first impression. From navigating the interview process to the often overwhelming first day, it can be difficult to find a balance between what society generally expects a professional image to be and something that shows off your own unique personality. Both are qualities viewed as important in the workplace, but as time goes on and you get more comfortable at your job, the level of care you put into your everyday look can start to dip. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re looking to both establish but also maintain a strong professional image. Be Better Than The Dress Code In 2019, it is not uncommon to find a place of employment with a “relaxed” dress code. The days of mandatory 3-piece suits and long dresses are fading fast. Younger companies or startups, may be perfectly ok with their employees showing up to work in jeans, t-shirts, leggings, or tank-tops. As beneficial as this can be for creating a casual and comfortable work environment, it can also cause the employees to feel more casual about the work they’re doing, sparking a lack of reverence for their job and quality of work. It also makes it easier for you to stand out. No matter what your company’s dress code, it’s always a good idea to go above and beyond. Consider the clothes you wore to your interview as a basis for what your work wardrobe should be. The interview is most likely where you’ll attempt to look the most professional, so it’s a good starting point for crafting the image you’ll want to be projecting in your day-to-day. Maybe you do prefer a more casual look or something in between. As long as you stay a cut above of the standard, you are sure to make the impression you’re shooting for. Embrace Your Halo The “halo effect” is a cognitive bias in the human brain which lets our overall impression of a person dictate how we feel about their character. Basically saying that if a person looks nice, we are likely to assume that they are, in fact, nice. While this may not always be true, it can surely be utilized as a tool to gain a positive reputation in the workplace. To take advantage of the automatic goodwill generated by the halo effect, you must focus on your appearance beyond clothing. Clear skin, trimmed nails, full and clean hair, are all qualities that your co-workers can, and will notice. Enhancing these grooming details will go a long way to boost your overall image, so it’s worth it to go the extra mile. Whether you’re trying out a new facial cleanser, or investing in hair loss treatments, developing a self-care routine will not only help you stand out at work but is also good for your overall levels of confidence and personal wellness. Professionalism A professional image is more than your appearance. All too often, the demeanor that one is taught to project during the interview process is thrown away after a few weeks on the job. Once comfort sets in, it can be easy to slip into your everyday mannerisms, which may or may not be suitable for your chosen profession. Manners, punctuality, a professional attitude these things matter. Especially when you consider that 85% of people believe a co-workers ability to be courteous has an effect on their career prospects. Believe it or not, there are still people out there who don’t see how their unprofessional behavior can negatively affect their co-workers. It should always be your goal to ensure you are not seen or thought of in this way. And you don’t have to be an extrovert in order to project a positive attitude in your work environment. Something as simple as a nod and smile from one employee to another can be enough to show that you’re a courteous, positive, person, deserving of recognition. Author Bio: Capri Fiello is a strong advocate for professional health and wellness. She believes that positivity and proactive self-care are the keys to success in career, relationships, and life. Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Learn To Speak Portuguese in Portugal

Learn To Speak Portuguese in Portugal How To Learn Portuguese In Portugal? ChaptersGoing to Portugal to studyAll The Formalities To Study In PortugalThe British Student Guide To Study in PortugalChoosing The Right Portuguese UniversityOne-third of former Erasmus students have a partner of another nationality and one million Erasmus babies were born since the education program began.Portuguese can be learned from Year 7 onwards when you have to choose which other languages you which to learn. From Grammar school onwards, you can learn to speak Portuguese to become a Lusophone, provided that the Portuguese language is offered in your secondary school.But to progress quickly in a foreign language, nothing beats total immersion.You can watch a Portuguese television channel or listen to Brazilian music, but the best way is to go on a language trip or to spend some time living in Portugal.Follow our guide to study Portuguese, we give you advice on how to go abroad to study.The Algarve is the southernmost region of continental Portugal. It has an area of 4,997 km2 (1,929 sq mi) with 451,006 permanent inhabitants, and incorporates 16 municipalities. IrineuPortuguese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GabrielaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouisePortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £27/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RodrigoPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BlancaPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolinaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (6) £11/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGoing to Portugal to studyWould you like to learn Portuguese to continue your studies abroad?First of all, it will be necessary to take Portuguese courses because Portuguese universities ask their candidates to take an entrance exam to check their language level.A beginner's level may not b e enough to enrol in a Portuguese university, knowing that the courses will most certainly be in Portuguese. Try to reach at least an intermediate level to better integrate and follow the courses you have chosen for your diploma or degree.In high school, you can already start with a language exchange with a native speaker to learn how to deal with real-life situations.If you are determined to leave for Portugal for at least one term, semester or academic year, you can get financial support through various scholarships. Starting with the Erasmus grant program.To apply for this bursary, it is better to do it one full year ahead of your intended departure date, by contacting the International Relations Office. You should also discuss this with your teachers as you will need a letter of recommendation from two of them.Then, all you have to do is register directly at your host university in Portugal. Admission conditions differ from one to the other, so it is better to ask the administra tion of the institution concerned directly.The Erasmus grant covers the student's tuition fees in Portugal and entitles them to a monthly grant of approximately £150.But other financial aid may be granted to the student such as a scholarship from your local council authority or local government.All The Formalities To Study In PortugalBefore taking the leap and going to a Portuguese-speaking country to study for your degree, as well as Portuguese grammar, phonetics and the sounds of the language, you will need to prepare yourself.Portugal is part of the Schengen area just like the UK, which means that you can go there freely, without a visa as long as you possess  proper international identification documents such as a passport.As the UK does not make it mandatory for its citizens to hold a national ID card, your alternatives will either be a passport or an international driver's licence.No visa is therefore required for British students, but if you stay more than one term and less than one year, you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit upon arrival at the competent authorities. After more than one year in Portugal, you will have to apply for a Portuguese residence permit.If you need to do an internship abroad, you only need a work permit as well.University registration requires the possession of an A-level or equivalent certificate of education and you will need to request an equivalence with the Portuguese Ministry of Education. The entrance exam depends on the university you are aiming for, but it is usually made up of 1 to 3 subjects.Depending on the length of your stay, you may need to open a bank account, sign up for a mobile phone number, electricity or water contract. Everything is done as in the UK, the same proof of address and identity documents will be requested.But if you want to be able to converse with your landlord, it is better to master Portuguese pronunciation, intonation and vocabulary by heart.The University of Coimbra is a Portuguese public university in Coimbra, Portugal. Established in 1290 in Lisbon, it went through a number of relocations until it was moved permanently to its current city in 1537, being one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world, the oldest university of Portugal, and one of the country's largest museums of higher education and research institutions.The British Student Guide To Study in PortugalTaking Portuguese language courses before leaving to study in Portugal is essential to enrol in universities.If you will find Portuguese people speaking English and even French, your courses will undoubtedly be in Portuguese.You can take intensive courses and take the opportunity to improve your listening and speaking skills. A fun course will allow you to accelerate your memorization and to dialogue easily and travel alone in Portugal.The cost of living is lower in Portugal. The minimum wage is €680, less than half the average wage in the UK and you will find the cost of living in Portugal more affordable than in the UK, especially if you are from London.Food is 30% cheaper on average in supermarkets but also in restaurants: you can buy a hearty dish for about less than ten euros.To find accommodation, get help from your university. In Portugal, the start-up Uniplaces specialises in student housing. Feel free to visit their website. For a shared room, it is possible to find one between 200 and 400 € per month depending on the location of the apartment and its standing.And don't forget to apply for a university residence. Spots are few but the rent is very cheap: 100 € per month. In the off chance that you get lucky and get one of the spots, you might be able to save a fair amount of money.The best advice you can get is to be open-minded. When you go to another country, you tend to compare it to your own. While natural, this habit does not help you to immerse yourself totally in the culture of the country, without any judgment.Portugal a nd Great Britain, though sharing a certain amount of European history, are two very different countries and some culture shock is to be expected but not at all feared.The Latin language is similar to the written language of Spanish, but in the spoken version of it is very different. The sounds are richer, the accent is singing and it will take practice to master the Portuguese conjugation.The personality of the Portuguese is also different from ours. Without making any generalizations, the Portuguese are colder and less extroverted than their Spanish neighbours. They attach great importance to decorum and reverence. They also have great difficulty saying no, which can cause some problems on a daily basis.On the other hand, if they seem withdrawn at first glance, all you have to do is break the ice and discover people who are welcoming, helpful and warm.As in Spain, the Catholic religion occupies a considerable place in Portugal, as does football, to which they are truly committed.As for mealtimes, you won't be too disoriented, however, they don't live on Spanish time, even if they still like to party.Feel free to immerse yourself in Portuguese culture by listening to fado, tasting the typical dishes and travelling through the country to the Azores, Lisbon and Faro.The Belém Tower is situated on the northern bank of the Tagus River in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém, municipality of Lisbon, accessible at the western end of the Avenida de Brasília by a small bridge.Choosing The Right Portuguese UniversityBefore you take off on a trip to Brazil to learn Brazilian Portuguese and get drunk on Brazilian culture, you can take advantage of Erasmus to learn Portuguese words and become bilingual.You can then use Portuguese to travel to Macau, East Timor, Rio de Janeiro or Guinea Bissau.But first, you have to choose your university in Portugal.Portugal's school system is gradually adapting to comply with the European LMD system. The country's public and priva te universities are already up to date. Only polytechnic institutes are still in the process of standardization.Thus, a semester validated in Portugal can be used to obtain your diploma in the UK. All credits are transferable. The LMD system corresponds to three cycles: bachelor, master, doctorate.Public or private universities provide theoretical and general education, while polytechnics prepare for a profession and offer professional training to students.The top 5 universities in the country are as follows:The University of Porto with its 13 faculties, its Institute of Biomedical Sciences and its Business School, The New University of Lisbon (NOVA): best faculty of economics, The University of Coimbra, the oldest in the country, The University of Lisbon, the largest in the country, The Portuguese Catholic University, a renowned business school. If you visit the universities of Porto or Coimbra, you will surely find that students wear a special outfit: black suit for men, black tai lor for women, all decorated with a tie and a black cape.This is what inspired the capes that students wear at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter saga, with J.K. Rowling having lived in Porto for a few years.So, ready to study in Portugal?

Our Guide to Oil Painting for Beginners

Our Guide to Oil Painting for Beginners Everything You Need to Get Started with Oil Painting ChaptersWhat is Oil Painting?Find Your Inspiration: Some Famous Oil Painters and PaintingsOil Painting Techniques You Need to KnowThings You’ll Need to Start Oil PaintingThere’s nothing better than the feeling of sitting down with your brushes before your canvas and starting to paint. The time sort of flies away, as you become absorbed in the palette of colours, the slow development of the composition, the gradually appearing image.That’s the dream of many who paint for fun: to get lost in the details of the landscape, the movement of the brush strokes, the meditative process of painting on canvas.However, not everyone enters that zone. Particularly those who are just starting to learn to paint. You might not know how to mix colours effectively, or you might be too overwhelmed by your comparison of yourself with the Old Masters (we all do this silly thing). Otherwise, faced with a blank canvas, it is often the uncertainty â€" the sort of lack of conviction in what they are doin g â€" that obstructs the inexperienced oil painter.Unfortunately, this is just part of the game of learning. But, in learning how to paint with oil effectively â€" in learning the principles, techniques, and history of this wonderful art â€" you can overcome this uncertainty in no time.Let’s have a look at how you can do it. Here’s our beginner’s guide to oil painting.You can find a general introduction to oil painting too! FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2them oonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is Oil Painting?So, firstly, what is oil painting â€" and how is it different from other types of painting? That’s the first question we’re going to be looking at here.Because oil painting has its own history â€" along with its own techniques, materials, and styleSimply put, oil painting is a type of painting that uses pigments suspended in drying oil. Obviously, the oil here is important: whilst it takes really quite a long time to dry, it dries incredibly hard. In fact, it keeps on drying â€" and getting harder â€" for years after it is applied. This means that painters can create layers in their paintings and make corrections or changes if required.The other important aspect of oil painting is that the colours can be mixed very easily, creating an infinite number of different shades. And, obviously, this can be quite handy for painters. Learn how to paint - and put your own work up for exhibit!Tempera, Acrylic Painting, and WatercolourBut, for greater clarity on what oil paintings are, let’s compare them to other painting techniques.By the Renaissance period, oil had pretty much taken over as the medium for painters in Europe. Yet, before this, the medium of choice was tempera.TemperaTempera was the most popular of painting media for an awful long time, with paintings found in tempera in all sorts of places â€" from Egyptian sarcophagi to Byzantine manuscripts, and medieval church paintings.It was made usually of egg yolk, milk, or oil, and it dried exceptionally quickly (unlike oil paints). However, oil paint provides much more vibrant colour, as the oil can hold much more pigment.WatercolourWhilst oil painting started gaining use in the Renaissance, watercolour has been around for millennia.This is because it is much more easily produced: it only requires pigments and water to function. However, unlike oil paint ing, watercolour is translucent; it doesn’t have the full opacity and richness of colour that oil paintings have.Acrylic PaintAcrylic paint is a more recent invention â€" made, as it is, out of plastic. The cool thing with this is that it can be made to look like a watercolour, tempera, or oil paint â€" depending on how much you dilute it.However, where oil painting takes a long time to dry, acrylic paint is super-quick. This means that it isn’t really the best option for beginners â€" because if you paint slowly, your composition will be dry by the time you have finished it!It also doesn’t have the same vibrancy of colours as oil painting.What is Oil Paint Made Of?We’ve had egg yolk, acrylic, and water. But what is oil paint made of?Usually, it is made of the oil from seeds â€" such as linseed oil and poppy seed oil. Walnut oil is also used â€" and it can be boiled be a resin to give the dried paint a glossier finish. Learn oil painting!Find Your Inspiration: Some Famous Oil Painters and PaintingsOne of the best bits of advice a student of painting and art can receive is to look for inspiration everywhere. Quite predictably, the best, most inspiring places to find it are in the works of other artists who have come before us.Yes, we’re talking about the Old Masters â€" from Rembrandt to Vermeer. We’re talking about Impressionism and post-impression. And we’re talking about all sorts of different painters right up to the present.As a painter, you should be interested in the works of other artists. You should be interested in art history and techniques. And you should be looking at how other painters have used oil paint in the past.Let’s take just a couple here.Leonardo Da VinciLeonardo Da Vinci may well be one of the most famous painters in art history. And he was working at a time at which oil painting was finally booming.The majority of his most famous paintings â€" including the Mona Lisa , the Salvator Mundi, and Saint John the Baptist â€" are all works with oil paint. This gave the paintings the incredibly lifelike effect for which they are famous.Wassily KandinskyWassily Kandinsky is famous for his theories of colour â€" and for his abstract paintings that make use of deeply saturated, contrasting colours.This was all made possible by his use of oil on canvases.Vincent Van GoghVan Gogh, the virtuosic post-impressionist painter, was highly prolific in his creation of oil paintings â€" painting almost nine hundred compositions in oil over the space of nine years.His particular style of painting uses bold colours and the prominent brushstrokes for which he is easily recognised. Without oil such effects would not really have been possible.Check out some handy oil painting resources!Oil Painting Techniques You Need to KnowNow you are inspired, it’s time to start attempting your own composition. However, if you are serious about your art, you aren’t just going to go at the canvas with nothing planned in your mind.The techniques that you will need to nail your oil painting are not just about painting per se. Rather, you’ll need to practise all of the following stages of the compositional process.1.             Drawing / ComposingStart to paint with a pencil. Visualise the shapes that you will want to render in paint later on.If it is a landscape, consider the dimensions of the sky, the shape of a tree, etc. If, rather, you are working on a portrait, sketch out the ways in which all of the features will fit together.The same applies for any other image you are aiming for.2.             Considering TonesIf you have the shapes down, great. But before you go for the paint, get the tonal scheme down. With a pencil or charcoal, arrange the contrasts between dark and light before any colour is added.These first two take more practice than you might expect. But beautiful images start from these two stages.3.             Preparing Your ColoursYou stil l haven’t applied paint to canvas. Good. Hold back still more.Before starting to paint, you need to prepare your colours. On your palette, you’ll be mixing different shades to produce the exact tone and contrast that you want.Get all of the colour ready before you begin applying them.4.             Begin to PaintOf course, there are plenty more techniques that you will need to get down when you are oil painting. And you can read all about these in our article on oil painting techniques.Find out more about important oil painting techniques! Start oil painting today!Things You’ll Need to Start Oil PaintingFinally, here are some of the essential things you will need before you can start painting at all. Yeah, a paint brush and a canvas. But really, there’s a lot more than that too.Oil PaintsFirstly, there are your oil paints.Whilst you’ll only need the basic colours to begin with, it is important to feel comfortable with the texture â€" and the cost too.Some of the best brands out there are Winsor and Newton, or Van Gogh.BrushesIf you are serious about your oil painting, you’ll need a range of different brushes.Flat brushes are good for moments in which you want a whole layer of a colour. Meanwhile, round brushes are good for the details.Remember size matters, so pick wisely.PaletteOil painting is all about mixing things up. And so, you’re going to need a palette on which to mix your colours.Without that, there’s not really any point in using oils at all.CanvasTry painting without something to paint onto.A can vas is generally what painters go for. It is durable, it holds the paint well, and it’s generally pretty iconic too.

English Reading Exercise An Interview With Alexa Chung

English Reading Exercise An Interview With Alexa Chung When are we masters of a language? For many of us, this moment occurs when we can lift up a newspaper in the language we are learning and read the articles, almost forgetting that they are not in our native language. English reading exercises can help you get there.Lets read an interview that was published in Englands Guardian newspaper this month and see if we can answer the questions afterwards.Alexa Chung: My most unappealing habit? Littering the floor with clothes. Photograph: Dave M Benett/Getty ImagesAlexa Chung, 27, was raised in Hampshire. She became a model at 16 and in 2006 co-presented Channel 4s teen music show, Popworld. She went on to become a presenter on T4 and MTV, and is a contributing editor for British Vogue. She has a Mulberry bag named after her. On 1 April at 7pm, she presents Gonzo on MTV Music. She lives in London with Alex Turner, the singer in Arctic Monkeys.When were you happiest? Playing ping pong in LA.What is your greatest fear? Frogs and public speakin g.What is your earliest memory? Waving my brothers and sister off to  school as my mother held me.What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Forgetfulness. I leave valuable possessions scattered around the  globe.What was your most embarrassing moment? I trip over on an almost daily basis. Getting sleeves hooked on door knobs is another classic.Property aside, whats the most expensive thing youve  bought? Chanel 2.55 handbag at Heathrow airport during a hangover.What is your most treasured possession? My photographs. Ive been documenting everything since I  was  a teenager.Where would you like to live? In the treehouse I saw in Todd Selbys book.What would your super power be? Ability to shoot spiderwebs.What do you most dislike about your appearance? My ears and my incredibly fine hair  that goes flat despite hours of  back-combing.What is your most unappealing habit? Littering the floor with clothes.What would be your fancy dress costume of choice? A palm tree. Im obsessed wit h them.What do you owe your parents? My father taught me how to draw horses â€" for this I shall be eternally grateful. My mother does a great line in self-deprecation; she taught me about humility.What or who is the greatest love of  your life? Alex Turner.What does love feel like? Like theres nothing you can do about it.What has been your biggest disappointment? Realising adults dont know everything.If you could go back in time, where would you go? Im obsessed with the 60s. Everything looked great.How often do you have sex? Does anyone ever answer this?What single thing would improve the quality of your life? A walk-in wardrobe!What do you consider your greatest achievement? At school, a careers adviser asked me what I wanted to be and I said fashion journalist, so writing for Vogue has provided me with the opportunity to fulfil a dream.What keeps you awake at night? Im scared of the dark.How would you like to be remembered? As someone who inspired women to  dress for themselves.W hat is the most important lesson life has taught you? Not everything happens for a reason. Sometimes life just sucks.QuestionsAfter reading this interview, how would you define Alexas personality?From her replies, what do you think is Alexas attitude towards the interviewer?What do you both like and dislike about Alexas answers?What is the most important lesson life has taught you?Who do you consider to be a fashionable celebrity?Alexa uses some difficult words: trip, self-deprecating, spiderswebs, back-combing. Do you know what they mean? No, then take some classes with us and we will be happy to help you out.Did you find this blog interesting? Feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter.