How to Find the Best Tutoring Services

How to Find the Best Tutoring ServicesThe best tutoring services are those that are going to provide you with a one on one tutor that will focus all of their attention on your academic needs. There are many different tutoring services that can give you the support that you need at any point in time during your education, but you have to make sure that you find the services that will meet your needs. This article will help you with a few different things so that you can find the best services for your needs.One of the things that you may find when looking for tutoring services is that there are many different types of tutors. While some tutors may offer more advanced tutoring than others, you may not know until you begin to look around that you have many different options to choose from. For example, some tutors will teach a basic language or math while others will offer other advanced lessons.When you are searching for tutors, it is important that you look for a service that offers a basic form of instruction, but also has a focus on an important part of your learning. For example, you may not want to receive basic instruction when you are teaching English, but you may want to receive a basic lesson when you are taking Spanish. However, a service that offers specialized instruction such as an English tutoring service may have more advanced lessons for your students that may help you with your needs.You may also want to check into the different tutoring services that you are able to use while away from home. For example, you may want to enroll your child in a service that provides you with lessons while they are on vacation in another country. While this may seem like an unusual way to get services, you may find that they can help you with your child's education. A service that teaches all of their lessons from home may be able to have the same information that you receive from the student at home.Finally, you may want to look at the many different tutoring serv ices available. Many of the tutoring services that you find on the internet, or even in your local library will all offer different benefits. You may find that some of these tutoring services will only offer tutoring services that are based on the level of your student's academic success, and some of them may offer less expensive tutoring that can be a great benefit for you.There are many different services that you can look at when looking for tutoring services. Each service may offer different things, and it is important that you find a service that will help you meet your needs. While you may not see that many differences between tutoring services, there are many different things that may help you get the tutoring that you need.Finding the perfect service for your needs will depend on your particular needs and what they are. You may find that you are able to find a service that you will be happy with, or you may have to look around for a bit before you find the perfect one. Eithe r way, when you do find a service that is going to help you meet your needs, you will find that it is a benefit that you will appreciate.

Slope Point Formula Online Tutoring - Maths Tutors - Tutorpace

Slope Point Formula Online Tutoring - Maths Tutors - Tutorpace Slope is defined as raise over run. Slope is very useful for finding the equation of the straight line. Slope can be calculated given two points on the straight line. If (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are the two points passing through the straight line, the slope point form of the straight line is given by (y - y1) = m(x - x1). Here m is the slope of the straight line. Example 1: Find the slope point form of the straight line passing through the points (1, 1) and (2, 3). Solution: Given are two points on the straight line (1, 1) and (2, 3). The slope of the line = 3 -1/2- 1 = 2/1 = 2. The slope point form of the straight line is given by (y - y1) = m(x - x1). Here the point (x1, y1) = (1, 1). The line is (y - 1) = 2(x - 1); 2x y = 1. The equation of the straight line is 2x y = 1. Example 2: Find the slope point form of the straight line passing through the points (0, 5) and (3, 8). Solution: Given are two points on the straight line (0, 5) and (3, 8). The slope of the line = 8-5/3-0 = 3/3 = 1. The slope point form of the straight line is given by (y - y1) = m(x - x1). Here the point (x1, y1) = (0, 5). The line is (y - 5) = 1(x - 0); x y = -5. The equation of the straight line is x y = -5.

The Best Ways To Learn Dutch

The Best Ways To Learn Dutch Is There A Best Way For Beginners To Learn Dutch? ChaptersMastering Dutch Native TongueThe Dutch LanguageLearn A Foreign Language With Dutch ClassesDutch Language Acquisition With Private TutoringTrue Immersion With Dutch HolidaysDutch Self-StudyIn regards to languages, the only thing that I can agree on is that it is essential for everyone across the board to learn a second language. The benefits of learning a second language are only in part down to the communicative aspects.For example, you also learn to:Master your own native language skills.Improve your memory.Support your self-belief in achieving a goal.These are just a few of the benefits of learning a language. However, when looking for the best way to learn Dutch or any language, there really is no 1 answer that fits all. We are all too different, and we all have different strengths, preferences and different skills when it comes to how we learn.My personal preference for learning language is complete immersion usually by visiting the country regularly or moving to the coun try where the language that I want to speak is spoken. Immersion is hard to beat, and it is the way that we learnt our mother tongue. But not many people can move their entire life to a new country just to learn a language.So when thinking about the best way to learn Dutch I can agree that the best way is subjective and should be selected based on each person's goals, interests, and preferences. Let's take a look at some ideas for learning Dutch.language videos are high up there on the list of things that you can use to learn. Every language is supported, and many channels speak in dutch natively without trying to teach you which can be very useful too.Netflix is one of the best online sources to learn. The main reason for this is that they offer Dutch films in their native language, they provide dubbing to languages other than English, and they provide subtitles in other languages too. So you can watch a film in Dutch with English subtitles which is a handy learning tip that is als o lots of fun.Using private online tutors is one of the most robust methods to learn Dutch because you can attend your classes from anywhere in the world. But you do need a wifi connection and a device that can connect to the wifi. Private tutors have all of the same skills that a face to face tutor but they are slightly more cost-effective.If you are very good at motivating yourself and like to study alone that this could be the best way for you to learn Dutch.As you can see the best way to learn a language changes depending on what your goals are, what you are doing and what you enjoy. But one thing is for sure that when learning a language you must be active and engage with your learning.The great news is that as long as you are active, you don’t have to pick one learning style or the other. If you have the time to, incorporate all of the language tips and if you have less time just pick the ones that you think would work best for you. The world is literally your oyster, and yo u can do anything that you put your mind to.Succes (This means Good Luck in Dutch)

Learn to Play Guitar 4 Common Myths Debunked

Learn to Play Guitar 4 Common Myths Debunked Suzy S. Always wanted to learn to play guitar? Sometimes the first step is the hardest one just simply getting started! Here,  Philip R.  shares the top myths and realities when it comes to playing Not me, I cant, but you dont understand. How many times have these phrases held us back? How many plans were scrapped by us over the years, as negativity held its death grip around our throats? Answer: too many. As you learn to play guitar for the first time, most students are susceptible to such doubtful thinking. We marvel at musicians as doing something magical. But it is imperative that you remember they ALL started somewhere. That being said, there are several nagging myths the newcomer to guitar struggles with before even holding the instrument. I am here to debunk some of the most common myths I usually hear as students learn to play guitar. I believe overcoming these persistent myths is the first step to learning the guitar. So, without further adieu, here they are: Myth #1: “My hands and fingers are too small.” Simply NOT true. I personally have small hands and fingers and it hasn’t held me back or been a detriment to my playing guitar. In full disclosure, it does help to have long fingers but mostly for very technical tricks you will learn much later on in your development. Please remember, it is not VITAL to playing the guitar and you can play thousands of songs with short fingers and hands. Don’t let this common myth hold you back from as you learn to play guitar. My fingers aren’t much bigger than my nine-year-old nephew’s fingers. Myth #2: “I am tone deaf.” This one can be overcome easily, if you find the right guitar teacher who knows how to  train your ears to hear and distinguish tones and more importantly changes in tones. This is a skill that can be learned, like riding a bike or tying your shoelaces. It is best achieved through tuning exercises, practiced again and again, as well as comprehensive ear-training drills. It is necessary of course to be able to tune your guitar. I have personally helped my students overcome, in nearly every case, their perception of being tone deaf in a few short months. These students even went on to listening to a song and recognizing the chords and notes BY EAR, without the aid of tabs, sight reading or YouTube videos. Myth #3: “I don’t have the time to practice.” Well, I have to admit it; in our busy world this is a big one. However, I have always recommended to my students, at all levels, that they put aside only 20 minutes to a half-hour of time. Two to three times a week of slow, deliberate practice is all you need to grasp the concepts and techniques required for playing the guitar. Now granted, practice is repetitious. There is really no way around this. Guitar is learned through repetition but the rewards are so great. Imagine being able to put a CD into your stereo, listening to a song for 15-20 minutes, writing down the chords you hear as you go along, and then PLAYING that song you love. It can happen. I’ve seen it with my own students, mostly within the first five months, if they met me halfway and practiced regularly. It is always a two-way street. Myth #4: “Guitars are really expensive.” These days a new, decent quality guitar can be had for $99. I don’t recommend spending a ton of money up front until you see if you like playing the guitar first.  Of course, you get what you pay for, but remember you can learn on cheaper  guitars just as well as on expensive ones. My first guitar was $40 and was purchased out of a catalog. I had it for years and that was the guitar I learned on.  Besides, you can always get a better guitar as you progress on the instrument.  Just be patient. You have to start somewhere, but you can do it. Well, there you have it. Four guitar myths debunked and up in flames. Please don’t let these or any guitar myths hold you back from taking guitar lessons. You can do it! Make the  most of your life and have fun. You deserve to play your favorite songs on guitar. It will be a skill that lasts a lifetime. Philip R. teaches online guitar lessons. In beginner lessons, students will learn how to tune a guitar, change strings, strum, scales, finger exercises and 28 chords used in today’s most popular music. Book lessons with Philip here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Simon White

Why introverts are (really) better networkers - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Why introverts are (really) better networkers - Introvert Whisperer Why introverts are (really) better networkers Most advice articles about building a network start out with overused advice like “take lots of business cards!” and “go to as many events as possible!” and “try emailing strangers out of the blue to see if they’d like to get coffee!”   This is not one of those articles. I’m an introvert.   I’m not interested in talking to a lot of people.   I hate big events, and meetings with strangers make me nervous. I also understand that building authentic relationships is one of the most important things I can do for my career.   As a young professional, I know it’s important to start networking. But how can I do it in an authentic way, avoiding events and coffee with strangers? Through a ton of research and some uncomfortable experimentation, I’ve figured out a system that works for me to meet new people, have interesting conversations, and keep in touch with the people I like. If you’re ready to build a better network, I’ll walk you step-by-step through some of the challenges of introvert networkers and how to overcome them 3 Introvert Advantages to Use While Networking We’ve been led to believe that networking is an extrovert’s game.   The conventional wisdom says if you want to be good at networking, you’ll have to act like an extrovert. I simply don’t buy that. Introverts have been told that they’re inferior networkers.   I call this the Introvert Networker Myth, and there are 3 main reasons why I think it’s a myth: Introverts are better connectorsWe’re better at creating deep relationships. When we connect with someone, it’s powerful and we’re loyal. We’re selective about who we give our attention to, and we’re more skeptical of smooth talkers. We’d rather have one deep conversation than 20 instances of small talk. We love to help, and we only ask for things when we really need the help.All of these things aren’t true for every introvert, but as a whole, introverts have a real advantage at creating loyalty and connection. It’s time we recognized that advantage. The size of your network matters less than the quality of your relationshipsAlmost everyone agrees with this in principle. How many of us actually practice it? If you measure your networking success by the number of business cards you got or the amount of email introductions you’ve received, then you’re doing it wrong. I would rather (and I have) leave a convention center to buy one person a beer than spend all night drinking free beers at the evening event.As an introvert, find people you genuinely like or admire, and invest heavily in them. Jettison the acquaintances who don’t interest you. Events and happy hours are among the worst places to meet peopleThere’s a reason why so much of “networking” is based around events. Extroverts love events because they’re energetic, and you can talk to a lot of people at once.     The problem is at events everyone has rehearsed answers and asks the same questions over and over. You don’t create real connection until you get behind that facade.This morning, I met a guy in the locker room at the gym. It was the third day in a row I saw him in there, so we started talking about P90X. His name is Rich. I have no idea where he works, but I know his arms are sore as hell today. We know something personal about one another.   Because of that, Rich and I are already more connected than I will ever be with the people behind the business cards on my desk.   I’ll probably see Rich tomorrow, too, and we’ll get to know each other a little better.You can skip events and still build a great network. 3 limiting beliefs that stalled my career Okay, so if introverts really have all these networking advantages, why is networking still so hard? For me and for my readers I’ve found 3 main limiting beliefs (there are many others) that hold introverts back from meeting and connecting with new people: Belief: “Some people are born extroverts. I’m just not wired to be good at talking to people.” Reality: When I tested this belief, I found people actually prefer talking to introverts because of one trick up our sleeves: We LISTEN. My active listening made people feel comfortable and valued.   I realized what I thought was a weakness (not being able to think of a lot to say) was actually an asset (thoughtfulness, and good questions).My rule of thumb is to only talk 20% of the time in a conversation and to ask questions to get the other person talking as much as possible.   My conversations stopped being the trite “where do you work,” “what do you do,” etc as soon as I brought curiosity and generosity to the conversation. Belief: “If I try to start a conversation I’ll get embarrassed, or worse, ignored.”Reality: I did an experiment where I spoke to 5 random strangers every day. It was terrifying for me, but my fears were unfounded.   We talked about the weather, or where a stranger got his cool shoes.   I realized the stakes of starting a conversation were never as high as I was making them in my head.   Pro tip: people love to get compliments. Belief: “I just have to be myself, and eventually I’ll get noticed for x (a new job, a raise, a promotion, an award, etc)”Reality: I could write a whole article about this limiting belief alone. I wish we lived/worked in a society that spontaneously recognized great work and automatically gave promotions to those who deserve it most.   Unfortunately, we don’t.   I found I have to communicate to my boss and others what I’m doing well.   It’s not shameless self-promotion but making sure I’m valued at work.   For me, the best way to do this was in our weekly meeting, presenting metrics for the things I’ve accomplished. If you hate events, where do you meet new people? I meet new people in two main places. I suggest you try these, though your results may vary from mine: Ask the people you currently know who you should meet - Explain a project to a friend then ask who they know that could help. This has the benefit of getting a warm introduction and not needing a topic for conversation. Instead, you get to talk with someone about a project. The hard part? You need to be working on something interesting and worthy of talking about. Go volunteer on a committee, nonprofit board, etc This is great because you get to show off your expertise. Tons of organizations need volunteers to offer skills and/or time. You may be able to get to know organizers of events, work with high-profile speakers, or meet regularly with colleagues in your industry. The main benefit of this approach is that your hard work will earn you respect, and you’ll develop relationships around a common cause. These aren’t the only places to develop your network as an introvert. At your job, do your best to stay in touch with clients you’ve liked and former coworkers. Calling people on their birthdays is a great way to keep in touch. Networking as an introvert (for everyone, really) should be a long game. Of course, everyone’s network will be built on a combination of these and other tactics. Be genuine. Ask lots of questions. Stay interested in other people. Keep in touch with people you’ve liked, and with time you will build a great network. Over to You Today, I don’t have a huge network, and I don’t need one.   But I do have a small group of people I like and respect who I stay in touch with.   I know if I need their help, they’ll be willing to help me at a moment’s notice.   That’s my definition of a great network for an introvert. Maybe you see your own limiting beliefs above.   Or maybe you’ve thought of a different psychological barrier for introverts not on my list.   Share your #1 barrier in the comments below. Author Bio:

Videos We Love Awesome Guitar Pick Art!

Videos We Love Awesome Guitar Pick Art! Suzy S. We LOVE when musicians start getting creative with other art and mediums, and we couldnt get enough of this video!   Check out MysteryGuitarMan below as he uses thousands of colorful guitar picks to create a stop-motion masterpiece.   And then, like us, watch it again and again and again Want more? MysteryGuitarMan has a lot of other super creative videos on his YouTube channel that are definitely worth a look!   Check out the stop motion version of Dust in the Wind done backwards and 90s kids, the live action Doug intro will bring back some great memories.   We could watch these videos all day how about you? Visit us on Facebook and share your thoughts!  What other art could you create using only guitar picks? (Dont forget to Like us while youre at it!) Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

English Conversation Class Immigration and Emigration

English Conversation Class Immigration and Emigration Last weeks topic for our group English conversation class about travel naturally led us to a conversation about immigration and emigration. They are complicated topics, with potentially different meanings to different people.For some, immigration immediately brings to mind illegal immigration. This isnt just an issue between the U.S. and its neighbors to the south. When Teauna and I lived in Argentina, people were concerned about the illegal immigration of people from neighboring countries, such as Bolivia and Paraguay. While we lived in Argentina, we overstayed our visa by a few months, technically making us illegal immigrants for a short time.Both legal and illegal immigration bring a lot of issues. Whether youre from the U.S., Argentina, or almost any other country, I suspect that there are people who blame illegal and legal immigrants for economic and social problems. There are others who argue that immigration has positive benefits, such as bringing in more workers, and new idea s and culture.Emigration is also   interesting. In some countries, people talk about brain drains, i.e., when the most intelligent people from a developing country flee for more developed countries at the first opportunity. In the Americas most people have a history of emigration in their background.If you have already taken a group conversation class with us, you will receive your invitation to the class via email on Wednesday morning. If you havent taken a conversation class with us yet, click here to register.A few questions to think about for the class:How have immigration and emigration affected you personally?How have they affected your familys history?How does it affect your country? Your city?Are immigrants treated fairly where you live?Do you think immigration is good or bad for your country?Would you ever emigrate to another country?Here is a humorous look at the illegal immigration issue from the U.S. satiric news show, The Colbert Report:The Colbert ReportMon Thurs 11:3 0pm / 10:30cImmigration Protestswww.colbertnation.comColbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical Humor Satire BlogVideo Archive Euzeli Santos Jr. Interesting text and discussion about immigration and emigration. I just believe that people who are against the immigration forgot who they are, they are also decedents of immigrants. For instance, in US, whats the percentage of the real american people, maybe just the Indians could be considered as americans (real native people) Think about that!

Tips to Boost Your ACT Score

Tips to Boost Your ACT Score ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog Since the ACT Writing test is optional, many students question whether schools even care about it. With the ACT clocking in at almost three hours, it can be tempting to skip the essay instead of spending an additional 30 minutes on the test. However, many schools require you to take the ACT with Writing - and even if it is not mandatory at the schools you are applying to, taking it anyway may show initiative and make you a more attractive candidate. So, if taking the ACT Writing test can increase your chances of getting accepted, how can you ensure that you get a good score? In this section of the test, you must write a response to a given prompt. This prompt will present two sides of an argument (usually something related to school), and you are required to choose a side and defend it. For instance, you might be asked, “Should school uniforms be mandatory?” The side of the argument that you personally agree with may not always be the easiest one to defend. For instance, you may dislike uniforms but find it difficult to think of any argument besides “I just don’t like them.” In that case, you might be better off writing an essay in favor of uniforms. You may want to start by making a list of pros and cons. Come up with arguments for both sides, and figure out what evidence you could use to support these points. Then, when you have an idea of how strong an argument you could make for each side, decide which point of view will make for a stronger essay. Your ACT essay score is primarily based on the strength of your rhetorical skills (i.e., how well you can argue a point) and the organization of your essay. Your essay should contain an introduction, a conclusion, and at least two body paragraphs. Make the structure very clear to your reader by using transitions and sticking to one topic per paragraph. The best way to ensure that your essay will be effective and well-organized is to plan it out before you start to write. Come up with an outline: a good essay might have an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Decide what point you will make in each paragraph and what evidence you will use to support it. In addition to arguing your own points, you should dedicate one body paragraph to picking apart the other side of the argument. The prompt will usually reference at least one argument for each side (e.g. “Students believe uniforms restrict their freedom, while administrators argue that uniforms remove distractions from the school environment”). The people who grade your essay will be very familiar with the prompt, and they will definitely notice if you all your arguments are taken directly from it. Try to come up with your own arguments, and if you must use the same ones that are mentioned in the prompt, make them your own by supplementing them with compelling, original evidence. Each point you make should be thoroughly backed up. It is not enough to simply say, “Without uniforms, students’ clothing choices can be a distraction.” You should go one step further to explain why someone’s clothes may be distracting. Use specific examples - if you can, try to draw from personal experience. For instance, you might strengthen the argument about clothing being a distraction by adding, “Students might wear T-shirts with sayings or slogans that offend their peers. At my school, two students actually got in a fistfight once because one of them wore a T-shirt that other students felt had racist connotations.” In order to form a fully effective argument, you will also need to address the other side. Mention a point that someone might make in favor of the other side of the argument, and then refute it. If there is an obvious counter-argument to one of the points you have made, it is especially important to address this in order to strengthen your argument. The rubric that graders use to score your essay has three main components: prompt, support and organization, and language. There are three main requirements in terms of the prompt: you must stay focused on the prompt, demonstrate that you fully understand it, and use critical thinking skills. Your score for “support and organization” is based on five main things. You should develop your argument in a logical and specific way, use relevant and well-developed examples, organize your essay clearly, present your ideas logically, and use transitions effectively. Transitions are one of the easiest ways to clarify the structure of your essay, so take advantage of them. In terms of language, your vocabulary should be appropriate and varied. Try not to repeat any words excessively, and throw in a few college-level words (but make sure you use them correctly!). You will also be graded on sentence structure - vary the length and structure of your sentences to make the essay smoother and more interesting. Finally, try to keep errors to a minimum. It is okay to make a few mistakes, but you may lose points if there are a lot of errors - especially if the errors affect the clarity and readability of your essay. A good guideline is to spend 6-7 minutes of the Writing section reading the prompt and planning your essay, then write for 21-22 minutes, and finally spend the last 2 minutes proofreading. At first, you may be intimidated by the thought of writing an essay in 30 minutes, but if you practice and follow these guidelines, the results may surprise you! hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'f08a3c58-464f-4164-a82e-313b7951bbb2', {});

One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language Learning

One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language Learning One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language Learning Reading a full-length book in a foreign language without much prior reading practice?Thats like trying to run a marathon without any training.Sure, it’s a great idea in theory, but youre unlikely to reach your end goal without petering out from pure exhaustion.We know academic research backs up the undeniable benefits of immersing yourself in a foreign text. For example, one study conducted at the Monterey Institute of International Studies showed that students acquire and retain verb conjugation skills through repeated exposure in written texts.And yet, so many of us find cracking open a massive volume of text nearly impossible. What if one simple tool could completely rewrite how you think about reading foreign materials?Instead of spending long hours trying to deduct meaning from confusing words youve yet to master, you could speed through pages and pages of text in about the same time it takes you to read in English. Think this sounds like nothing more than a pipe dream?Prepare yourself for a revolutionary technique thatll change your whole approach to learning through books. One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language LearningAfter that massive buildup, brace yourself for this one word solution: e-books.Yeah, I know, it sounds super anticlimactic. After all, an e-book is just a physical book in digital form, so what’s the big deal? You see, e-books have one incredible advantage over physical textsâ€"most e-readers support in-line dictionaries.Do you see where this is headed?I stumbled upon this incredible language learning hack a few years ago, and I can honestly say it has changed my whole approach to reading in a foreign language. Simply install a foreign dictionary on your e-reader, download a book in your target language and start reading.As you encounter words youre unfamiliar with, click the text and an English definition (or, if desired, a definition in your target language) will be displayed immediately. Best of all, many e -readers will automatically save searched  words for later reference, making it super simple to engrave those new terms in your brain.Ready to get the ball rolling? Follow the 3 simple steps below to optimize your e-reader for your language learning needs and goals. I personally use this technique on a Kindle device and it works like a charm, but the approach is similar for all e-readers. Stop dreaming about the benefits of mastering a new language and start actually doing it.1. Procure the Right DictionaryIf youre anything like me, youll probably find modern literature a tad bit more stimulating than stuffy prose scribbled down two centuries ago.Yes, theres a time and place for Victor Hugo’s long-winded descriptions and colorful speech, but youll likely enjoy a recent novel more than Notre-Dame de Paris. Not only do contemporary writers tend to keep their stories moving more quickly, but they frequently use slang and everyday language you wont find in the tomes of the celebrated authors of the 1800s.While there are plenty of great dictionaries available to today’s language learners, you need to find an option that includes the commonplace words used by modern speakers. In an ideal world, youd be able to look up WordReference translations  and forum comments in a split second, but e-books havent quite made it to that point yet.Fortunately, you can locate a recent edition of a popular dictionary in most e-reader stores. Be sure to read over reviews from other buyers in order to find the right book for you. Also, keep in mind that you may want a dictionary that provides definitions in English! This could be key to helping you speed through your reading. If youre more advanced or if you feel like challenging yourself, try using a monolingual dictionary (all in the target language).As an aside, its worth mentioning that you can get in-line definitions for text on the web using WordReference’s engine! Plugins are available for both Chrome and Firefox. Feel ov erwhelmed by news stories or foreign blogs? This free tool is an absolute lifesaver.2. Choose a Well-liked BookLet me tell you a little secret: bad literature isnt any better in a foreign language.Don’t go through all the motions to optimize your e-reader only to discover youve picked up something truly atrocious.Instead, take your time reading the reviews for available novels and be sure to pick something from your preferred genre. For example, I eagerly devour mysteries and thrillers, which is why you’ll find my Kindle full of foreign titles in this niche. It’s much easier to push ahead if you enjoy the source material.By the way, if youre still unconvinced about choosing an e-book over a hard copy, I understand your pain. I still love and cherish my physical copies of my favorite books, and I completely sympathize with readers who feel hesitant to go digital.It’s worth noting, however, that unless you plan to make a quick jaunt overseas in the near future, youll likely ha ve some difficulty obtaining copies of recent books in your language of choice. Not only do you have to contend with limited distribution and international copyright issues, but many booksellers can’t justify importing large numbers of a book in a foreign language. Even if you can find a copy of what youre looking for, youll likely spend a small fortune to purchase it.E-books, on the other hand, are much more affordable and easily accessible to everyone. You may still encounter limited availability from time to time, but the problem is much less severe in the digital space. If youre a Kindle reader like I am, you might also want to give one of Amazon’s many independent publishers a shot.Im an avowed fan of many authors, both foreign and domestic, whove chosen to self-publish riveting stories you wont find on the shelves of traditional retailers. For example, if you were looking for a great French read, Id recommend that you check out Jacques Vandrouxs Les Pierres Couchéesâ€"thi s supernatural thriller was a favorite of mine last year.3. Practice Your New VocabularyLanguage learning is immensely enjoyable, but it does represent a certain time commitment.After becoming immersed in a fantastic foreign novel, I have often found myself guilty of speeding through the text rather than pausing to work on the new words Ive discovered. Dont fall prey to this trap, tempting as it may be to read your way to the final page in one sitting.Instead, try to work through your vocabulary in bite-sized chunks. Ive personally found it most useful to refer to my new vocab words after completing each new chapter. Many Kindle devices conveniently file every word you define into an app called Vocabulary Builder. You can refer to these words at any time and the devices even support flashcards for your vocab words.Your mileage may vary with other e-readers, so be sure to read up on the features of a potential device if youre considering a new purchase.As much as I appreciate the inn ovation of digital e-readers, I do have to admit that I still find it easier to retain words with physical flashcards.I simply copy my vocab words from my e-reader onto traditional index cards. And, of course, dont forget to feed your reading with other language development methods throughout your day. The ongoing exposure will help take your language skills into the stratosphere!Acquiring proficiency in a foreign language demands a hefty commitment of time and energy, but the satisfaction of speaking another language makes the sacrifice well worth it.As you use this simple reading tool to supercharge your retention skills, youre bound to notice a difference within a few months.The day you find yourself reading page after page without once referring to the dictionary translation, youll no doubt find yourself ecstatic with the progress youve made.Adam Zetterlund is a language enthusiast living in New York City. He spent five years honing his foreign language skills in Paris and Londo n, and he currently partners with a number of international clients in a marketing capacity. Learn more by reading his blog.And One More ThingIf youre digging these strategies, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more ex amples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.