Sunday, March 22, 2020

Find a Personal Trainer in Leeds

Find a Personal Trainer in Leeds Where Can You find Functional Fitness in Leeds? ChaptersLeeds' Best Workout CentresGet in Shape for Less MoneyOnline Sites for Getting FitWhere to Hold Personal Training Sessions Outdoors?Loiners love lacing up their trainers for a fitness session outdoors! Or indoors, as the case may be.Through a sheer accident of geography, this third-most populous city in our country enjoys less rainfall than elsewhere, meaning more people head out of doors for fitness and fun, especially in these coming summer months.Perhaps you have in mind to holiday on the beach, and want to tone your body before slipping into swimwear?Or maybe you're inspired by the recently completed London marathon â€" you have actually envisioned yourself crossing that finish line!Getting fit for any reason, including better health overall, is best done under the guidance of someone who is trained and competent at discerning your current level of personal fitness and formulating a personal training plan to lead you toward achieving your fitness goals.Let Superprof help you find the personal trainer that is right for you!As applied to gyms and fitness factories, the term best is subjective.What makes any facility good: the equipment? The location? The ambiance, atmosphere â€" amenities? Price?You could say that the number of sweaty bodies occupying the space would be a testament to its worth: people wouldn't go there if they didn't like it, right?We prefer basing our opinion on glowing reviews.After all, everyone currently groaning and grunting in any one fitness centre may simply regret spending so much money on a membership, and are intended to get the most for their money.And, there are those who maintain that franchise gyms are the way to go, contending that if those brands weren't popular, they wouldn't have franchised.We'll gloss over such big names as Anytime Fitness and Xercise4Less to focus on homegrown facilities exclusive to our city, such as...Find out where you can find a personal trainer in Belfast...or find a personal trainer in Card iffThe EdgeIf you are a student at the University of Leeds, you most likely already know about this fab fitness facility, located on campus.You do not have to be enroled at U of Leeds to become a member of this most highly rated gym!Its astounding array of equipment includes more than 250 machines: no waiting for your rower or treadmill!If you are more inclined toward stretching routines or aerobics, you may check out an exercise program, held during every semester. Pilates, Zumba and Yoga are all on the curriculum!After your intensive workout, how about a few laps in their pool, access to which is free with your paid membership?Their most unique feature is that they do not have any generic personal trainers. Every certified personal trainer specialises in one particular aspect of fitness training:nutritioncore strengthCrossFitcircuit traininghigh-intensity interval training, or HIITsenior fitnessThese are just a few of the areas you could target on the way to your fitness goals!You could have all of this and more for £49 per month.Implexus GymThere you will find a wide range of free weights and fitness machines, but the personal trainers are more focussed on functional training, meaning you will get a workout tailored to toning and strengthening your body, rather than sculpting and defining muscles.Of course, if bodybuilding is your ambition, there is support and equipment for you, as well!If a sound cardio workout is your aim, you may try their rowing and cycling machines. Not only will they work your cardiovascular system, but you will tone your upper and lower body in the process.Perhaps the best aspect of this facility is its outdoor training program. In this sheltered area, you will find free weights, medicine balls and other resistance training kit.That is where they hold their group fitness sessions, too!At £42 per month for unlimited visits, it would be hard to find a better value for your fitness goals.You would have to pay a bit more for personal training and group training â€" above your monthly membership, but judging by the glowing reviews, doing so would be well worth your money.Get in Shape for Less MoneyNot everyone has tons of spare cash laying around to invest in health and fitness.However, everyone should consider the long-term benefits, on their life and wallet, that wellness can bring.In that light, and considering the national concern for England's challenging obesity problem, we present these no-frills facilities for getting fit in Leeds.Camp DetoxThis low-key fitness facility deals only with ridding you of excess body fat and your mind from lack of confidence.Equipped with everything from kettlebells and free weights to elliptical machines and stair steppers, their personalized approach to physical training is sure to maximize your motivation to get fit.First, your fitness professional would listen to your concerns and help you establish reachable goals.Next, s/he would conduct a fitness assessment to determine where best to start.You should not jump on a stationary cycle and pedal 10 km without first ensuring your heart can stand that workout!Finally, your coach would guide you through a warmup routine, and then into your actual workout, finishing your session with a few cool down moves.Should you wish to try yourself at some extreme sport such as boxing, Detox has a coach to train you!Other clubs have outdoor exercise areas, but this one blows them all away: there are ropes to climb and obstacles to scale; tires and weights for functional training.The course looks more like a giant playground than any formal fitness facility!For only £26 per month for unlimited visits, you could hardly claim you didn't get your money's worth, working out with these fitness instructors.Your fitness trainer should plan a program design that will minimize the risk of injury Source: Pixabay Credit: Nattanan23The Gym Health and FitnessA bit retro and a tad on the quiet side, at The Gym you will find everyth ing you need to work out, even during peak evening periods.Members report that equipment is so plentiful, there is never a wait for any piece of fitness equipment, but that's not their real rave...Testimonials from participants of their Zumba classes indicate that the instructor is particularly knowledgeable of all aspects of this aerobic sport.Should you sign up for their Zumba toning class, you would dance to a Latin beat while heaving dumbbells to shape and sculpt your arms!If you wanted to steer your young ones onto an early path to fitness, The Gym offers karate classes to students as young as 5.Their monthly membership of £22.05 shouldn't set you back too much.It is true that engaging in a fitness program in a gym or other facility works wonders to keep you motivated, you may not have the time or inclination to reveal your Sweaty Betty clad body to all and sundry.To that end, allow us to now present alternate means of getting fit with a personal fitness trainer, without havin g to traverse the city.Online Sites for Getting FitAny glance at Gumtree or Freeads will disclose any number of personal trainers willing to visit your home or help you train via webcam.The trouble with those is that you cannot necessarily assure yourself that such fitness professionals have the proper personal trainer certification to work with you at home.However, going through a website specifically dedicated to fitness programs; platforms that verify credentials before publishing any profiles...With such a personal training program, you could work out with a personal trainer in Glasgow, or find your ideal fitness trainer in Manchester!Instructor LiveIf you are among those who fervently wish for a gym experience but can't seem to get there, you can stream any of their live or pre-recorded 45-minute sessions on any of your devices.If you are really short on time, try their condensed classes: Pilates, yoga, aerobics or toning.For £5.99 a month, this work out anywhere/anytime servi ce really serves!SuperprofThis site might just be the solution to all of your fitness instruction woes.With more than 2,000 personal fitness training instructors standing by, any of whom would come to your home, your favourite gym or even work out with you outdoors...Whether your athletic passion is running or stretching, kickboxing or just burning fat, you will be sure to find the instructor perfectly suited to help you achieve your fitness goals on Superprof.Most Superprof fitness professionals give their first hour of instruction for free. Furthermore, with sessions starting at £15, you will surely find the personal trainer that is both cost-effective and right for you!Are you looking for a personal trainer in Edinburgh?With its miles of green acreage and oceanic climate, Leeds is the best city to lace up outdoors! Source: Pixabay Credit: HolihoWhere to Hold Personal Training Sessions Outdoors?As mentioned at the start of this article, Leeds lying west of the Pennines gives us a n unusually mild climate.Hence you may consider taking your workout, and your fitness instructor outdoors.Perhaps you'd like to join a running Bootcamp, or a boot camp to test your endurance.Lucky Loiner! You are so much better off than those who work out with a personal trainer in London, or anyone looking for an outdoor course in Manchester!Because Leeds lies within a green belt, you have more open spaces to flex your fitness muscles, such as Temple Newsam Park or Park Square!Why not venture along Leeds Country Way or power walk your way along the Meanwood Valley Trail, find other fitness enthusiasts and talk with them about their workouts?You may find a total change of lifestyle and new friends to motivate you in your quest for a healthier you!Check out fitness in Birmingham.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Charcoal Drawing

Charcoal Drawing An Introduction To Drawing with Charcoal ChaptersCreating Highlights Using CharcoalSketching With CharcoalChoosing And Sticking With The Best BrandsThe Benefits Of A Simple Medium For BeginnersCharcoal is a dry art technique often made from natural or organic resources like wood. Some vine charcoal is literally made by burning willow. Just like graphite pencils, charcoal can be used on a smooth surface. However, for best results, charcoal should be used on textured paper.Charcoal is an art medium that is made from natural sources like wood. Photo on VisualHuntThe Freedom Charcoal Offers To NovicesLearning to draw with charcoal is very fun as the key to this style of art is to make big, bold, sweeping movements across your surface, and it doesn’t matter how messy it gets! The various types of charcoal are great for creating highlights and shadows to give the illusion of basic forms and light.The technique comes in either sticks, which you can break down as you so wish, or in pencil form. As you can imagine, the raw sticks of charcoal offer you more flexibility as you can either draw straight onto your surface, scratch the pigment off of them to blend on the paper, or rub them on their side to create large blocks of colour.Keeping On Top Of The MessWhile charcoal drawings are intended to look rough and ready, one thing to remember is that you too will get a bit messy - it has that in common with pastel and chalk drawing. If you don’t want to end up with dirty prints all over your clothes, house or, worse, your piece of art, then make sure you keep some cleaning wipes close by and regularly wash your hands.It can be so disappointing to create a wonderful piece of art that you are really happy with and then ruin it with silly mistakes like leaving grubby fingerprints on it! A blessing is that charcoal doesn't require much, if any clearing up afterwards like paints and clay. You just put your charcoal pencils or sticks away ready for the next drawing session - no having to wash up endless paintbrushes in the sink!Charcoal is a low-maintenance medium but it might leave your hands a bit messy! Photo credit: Scott Woods-Fehr on VisualhuntImportant Questions To Ask Yourself Before You StartBefore you begin to sketch with charcoal, you will need to think about a few things like what you want to draw, what equipment you will need and what surface you will use.There are three types of charcoal: pencil, vine and stick.Pencil charcoal offers a finer point and is cleaner to apply, plus pencils come in a range of styles from hard to soft, just like normal pencils. Vine charcoal, meanwhile, is a soft form of the medium that will create very solid black lines, getting inside the grooves of your textured paper.The last, however, offers the deepest black but it can also come in other colours too. You can find hard or soft charcoal sticks and use them to create the darkest shadows of your piece.You can create highlights and definition in charcoal drawings by applying pressure and using a rubber to take colour away. Photo credit: Neil Tackaberry on VisualHunt.comSo when we said that you could create highlights with charcoal, that was a small white lie! You will need a secondary tool like a rubber (or another medium like white chalk) to add this definition in to your shading.Choosing And Sticking With The Best BrandsYou can research the best brands of mediums online or ask someone who has experience using them, but the best way to decide which is right for you is to actually try them yourself. Get a good feel for what they are like to hold, their smell, how smooth the application is and so on. Even the tiniest elements can make a big difference in how happy you are drawing with them.If you feel comfortable using a particular brand, then you will be more confident and this will be reflected in your drawing.Canson Mi-Teintes, Canson Ingres, Strathmore 500 Series and Fabriano Tiziano are popular choices of charcoal, while good pencil forms are often from firms that also make co loured pencils or crayons  Conte and Faber-Castell Pitt, Grumbacher, Winsor Newton, Derwent and Coates.The Benefits Of A Simple Medium For BeginnersOne thing to remember is that, as its name suggests, charcoal is a simple and often monotone material. Yet, it can still be used to produce some fantastic pieces of work. Impressive drawings have been created by artists all over the world displaying landscapes and portraits in both traditional and contemporary styles.If you want to see just how far the technique can be manipulated, search 3D charcoal drawings on your Internet search bar to find clever images that quite literally jump out at you.You wouldn’t have believed it possible to create such life-like drawings with just your hand and a piece of charcoal!Another big draw is that charcoal is cheap to buy and is a low-maintenance medium. All you need is some paper, your charcoal pencils or sticks, a chamois and a rubber and you're ready to get started!Some artists choose to lock th eir final image in place with a specialist a fixative spray.  You can find this product in most art shops.Find drawing classes with a tutor on Superprof -Drawing courses LondonDrawing courses EdinburghOnline drawing lessons

Thursday, March 5, 2020

How to make changes that stick - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to make changes that stick - Introvert Whisperer How to make changes that stick Change is really at the heart of any goal if you think about it and making a change is tough for many reasons.   First, you have to be motivated enough to tackle an issue that you’ll take action on.   But, if starting isn’t a challenge, keeping the momentum and focus can be the place where all good goals meet their death. How do you avoid derailing your goal?   Glad you asked! :- You have to plan for failure, diversion or loss of focus.   You can call it whatever you want but you have to realize that in all goals or changes, the initial enthusiasm will evaporate so you have to plan ahead before you even get started. We have to build structures to help us stay on course.   By a structure, I mean to devise things in your environment to help you keep going.   We all need them, but few people pursue them.   Here are some structures that work: A person â€" This can be anywhere from a spouse to a friend to a hired person like a trainer or coach. The power of another person to help you stay accountable to help you focus on the end result is the very best structure you can have. Put some skin in the game â€" I have found both as a business owner and personally that when a person has to shell out money, they are more invested in their outcome. Give yourself reminders â€" If you have too many sticky notes, you become “blind” to them so be cautious of using a stick note to remind yourself to do something. You could use an app to send you weekly reminders or put notes in your calendar. Physically change something â€" One of the things I do to remind myself to pick up my supplements is to put the bottle with my purse. I never leave home without it and the bottle sitting there serves to remind me to get them.   Maybe you have a project folder that you lay on the floor by your desk.   You can get creative. If you thought your goal was important enough to start, then make it important enough to finish. 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

Effective Strategies That Students Should Adopt During SAT Test Preparation

Effective Strategies That Students Should Adopt During SAT Test Preparation 0SHARESShare Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is widely accepted test requires preparation to obtain higher score for students to gain admission in good universities. The student requires adopting effective strategies to strengthen mathematics, reading and writing abilities. The SAT test score is valid for five years in most of the universities. Online tutoring websites shows amazing results in planning out effective strategies that students should adopt during SAT preparation. Here are important factors to be taken care while preparing for the SAT: Study SAT syllabus: Before you start planning, you should do a complete research of subjects and topics that forms the syllabus. This will give a clear idea about the test and rule out any misconception to prepare for the test. Plan out study: Know the importance of each topic and weight that it carries in the SAT test. Accordingly, work out your study plan deciding the subject to start with and how to start with it. Decide Routine: You must have your routine set to work for any kind of test preparation. Plan regular routine with regular breaks to keep you fresh and maintain the same concentration level every time you sit for the preparation. Practice and Revision: Practice and revision are the most important part of test preparation. It helps you better understanding the concepts and sustain in your memory for a long time whatever you study. Develop strategy in a way that you get enough time to revise and practice the subject. Study Question papers: Develop a strategy to work out question papers of last five years. It helps you to understand the pattern. Keep sharp eyes observing small changes in the style of asking questions. Decide the topics which are important and kind of questions can be dug from such topics. Often rare questions surprise you in your attempt. Another most important strategy to score better on SAT test is working out test taking strategies. These strategies help to make students learn about how to narrow the choices. How to read each question that brings you very near to the answer. Tutoring online serves best SAT preparation programs. [starbox id=admin]

Do You Want to Understand Math with the help of a Free Online Tutor - Find Out How

Do You Want to Understand Math with the help of a Free Online Tutor - Find Out How 0SHARESShare Low pricing or high pricing, tutoring bills have become an indispensable part of every household expenses. How to cut down the learning expenses and look for free online services that offer assistance in a difficult subject like Math? Approach your teacher at school, who may be aware of the best free online tutoring services in your vicinity to help you with extra Math content, which you can access with the aid of multimedia tools. The contents, which are available free online, can help you understand the concepts of Math with an in-depth study of the material at your pace and according to your personalized interests- Your interest in Calculus may be more overwhelming than in other aspects of Math. You can browse and pick out videos and animations that focus on that particular area of Math, free of cost, to help you do well in Math. If you have peer mentoring organizations or Church groups near your home, that is a great blessing for you with free online math tutoring -You are open to the forums, where you can discuss and arrive at conclusions of Math with your peers through interactive tools. That helps you a lot in doing your assignment and test papers. Go to a local library and search for interactive puzzles, stored exercises, and practice tests with a test generator, which will enlighten your knowledge of Math concepts and guide you well in learning aspects of Math. You can seek the help of a Math tutor, who renders free tutoring online, after school hours to improve the foundation of Mathematical knowledge trained in your school curriculum. Most of them render that extra bit of help that is necessary to boost your understanding of Math sums. Many positive measures are available to strengthen your concept of Math with free tutoring services online. Enjoy learning Math, without shrinking your pocket. [starbox id=admin]

A Day in the Life at Rice University

A Day in the Life at Rice University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Ankita is a Houston tutor and a junior at Rice University. She is majoring in Cognitive Science and specializes inmany subjects such as Trigonometry tutoring, Biology tutoring, ACT prep tutoringand SAT prep tutoring. Check out her review of Rice: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Ankita: Rice is really special in that it is one of the few universities that has completely balanced a beautiful, spacious campus in the middle of an urban city. Walking beneath the trees that form a canopy above you, it is very easy to forget you are in a city. But one step beyond the hedges you are a two-minute walk from the metro, allowing you to easily get to museums, concerts, and restaurants. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Ankita: It is almost overwhelming the number of resources you have, but in a good way. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ankita: Rice is set up Hogwarts style, which means we are randomly divided among 11 residential colleges where we will spend our four years at Rice. The result of this is mini representations of the student body, a close-knit community that creates a unique atmosphere at Rice. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Ankita: The Sciences and Engineering are really strong at Rice, with tons and tons of opportunities. Rice is also a great place to be a pre-med student, with the largest medical center in the world literally right outside. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Ankita: Rices Orientation week is one of the most important weeks of the year. Advisors are hand picked to create a team of friendly, knowledgeable people who will gladly devote their time to learn the name of each freshman at the college before they arrive. As a result, the freshmen are quickly integrated into their college, and before O-week is over are convinced their college is the best. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Ankita: Yes, they constantly have fairs with companies coming to visit. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Ankita: Other than finals week, I think it is easy to find space to study and hang out. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Ankita: Houston is great! And with our location, the zoo, museum district, and downtown can be accessed by the metro which, thanks to Rice, we ride for free. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ankita: I think Rice is a perfect size. Its on the smaller end, but you dont feel lost, and I still walk around campus and see new faces. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Ankita: I took a class on Pediatric Global Health, a seminar series that I do not think I could have taken anywhere else. Every week we had visionaries that advocated for Global Health come from the medical center and around the world to share their work. Check out Ankitas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

English Tense Review Present Simple, Present Perfect, Future, and Past Simple

English Tense Review Present Simple, Present Perfect, Future, and Past Simple Often, when I am learning a language, I understand the tenses when I  focus on them one at a time. Then, when I have  a conversation, I get confused because we use more than one tense at a time in real life.  If this also happens to you, youll like todays mini-lesson, an English tense review. First, well do a short review  and complete an exercise.  Then, well watch  an interesting video about how China is Changing Hollywood and better understand those tenses and why they are used.  Lets get started!Present Simple I, you, we, they: (verb)   he, she, it: (verb)sUses:Action that always/often happens: I wake up at 8:00 each day.Fact/generalization: Snakes  scare me.Scheduled event in near future: Our flight leaves at noon.Now (non continuous verbs):  Im at your apartment.  Where are you?Present Perfecthave/has + (past participle)Uses:Experience: Have you seen Westworld?Change: He has lost weight since last year.Accomplishments: Scientists have found vaccines for many diseases.Inco mplete, expected action: Have you finished your homework yet?Several actions in the past at different times: I have tried that 20 times.Futurewill + (verb)Uses:Prediction: Who will become president?Promise: I will clean my room tonight.Volunteering for something: I will wash the dishes for you.Past Simple(verb)edUses:Completed action in the past: We rode our bikes home yesterday.Series of completed actions: We rode our bikes home, cooked dinner, and watched TV.Duration of completed past action: I lived in Santiago for one year.Past habits or hobbies: Where did you work in high school?English Tense Review Exercise:Part I.  Now, well take a look at a partial transcript from the video we are about to watch.  I have already written the use, and its your job to choose the correct tense and conjugation of the verb.  Dont forget to write your answers in the comments section!Fact/generalization:In the 4th Transformers movie, (theres/there was) a scene where a random guy in an elevator (h elped/helps) Stanley Tucci beat someone up.  That guy? (Turned/Turns) out (hes/he has been) a Chinese boxer, Zou Shiming, a world champion and gold medalist.Promise: Elsewhere in the movie (youll see/you see) product placement everywhere.Completed action:If you (didnt/dont) recognize these references, thats because they (arent/werent) meant for you.Accomplishment:The growth of Chinas middle class (created/has created) a massive new market.Prediction:Next year, Chinas box office revenue (likely surpasses/will likely surpass) the US, making it the largest movie market in the world.Accomplishment:China (has built/built) 27 new cinema screens per day on average this year.Fact/generalization:The problem (was/is), the Chinese government only (allows/allow) a certain number of foreign films to enter the country each year, and each one (have/has) to pass through the government censorship agency.Completed action:Before the 1990s, very few Hollywood movies (make/made) it to Chinese audiences .  The Chinese government (has/had) its own film industry, and they (used/will use) it to distribute propaganda.Completed action:In 1993, that (drops/dropped) to 5 billion, but in 1994 things (started/starts) to change.  The Fugitive (became/becomed) the first new American film set for general release to the Chinese public.  It (was/were) so popular that scalpers outside theaters were getting double the price of the ticket.Change:Since then, Hollywood (has pushed/have pushed) the US government to continually negotiate for higher quotas.English Tense Review:Part II.  For this part, the verbs are filled in for you, and its your job to decide why the tense is used.  Fill in the blank with the correct uses.__________These days, a US film typically makes it into a Chinese movie theater in one of three waysthe most common is the revenue sharing model where the studio gets 25% of the revenue.__________Over the last ten years, American films have strategically incorporated positive Chi nese story elements  to bolster their chances of being one of the films selected.__________In Red Dawn, the enemy was originally China, but changed to North Korea in post production.__________Its important to note, though, that studios dont have to do this.  Harry Potter is a great example.English Tense Review Continued__________There are two ways to get around the 34 film limit.  The least popular among big Hollywood studios today is the flat fee model because theyre selling the film at a fraction of the cost, and China gets 100% of the ticket sales.  The other option is co-producing the movie with a Chinese company so that its not technically a foreign film.  But, co-productions are the most tightly regulatedit also has to have at least a third of the cast be Chinese.  In short, China somehow has to play a significant role in the film, and it cant be as the villain.__________Before Looper was released, its director in studio partnered with DMG, a Chinese-based entertainment c ompanyDMG recommended that the script be rewrittenbut ultimately, separate American and Chinese versions of Looper were released because the Chinese scenes in the film didnt resonate with US and international audiences.__________Thats always the issueas important as the China market is, its not the only market.  Ultimately, China wants their own films to outnumber and outplay their foreign competitors, so theyre building their own Hollywood.  Its an 8.2 billion dollar investment.__________From the same company that actually bought AMC in 2012, and subsequently doubled their ticket sales.__________,__________Sure, China will share their facilities with US studios, but their doors are still only half open.__________,__________That film quota that has held the US at bay for the last two decades, will also apply  to Hollywood studios vying to book the state of the art facilities.Listening For English Tense ReviewGood work!  Youve already read most of the transcript from the video bel ow, so this will help  your listening comprehension too.  As you watch, make sure your answers for the above exercises are correct.Hopefully by now you have a better understanding of why the variety of tenses were used in this video.  Are you still confused?  Or, want to practice your new knowledge in a conversation with a native speaker?  Schedule a class with LOI now!  We have plenty of professional, friendly teachers who can help at any time thats convenient for you!

New Years 10 Day English Challenge

New Years 10 Day English Challenge As we begin a new year, we might  reflect on the past year and look forward to the next one.  For many people, this means thinking of what they would like to do better, or something they want to accomplish in 2019.  Im a fan of small, achievable goals for my New Years resolutions.  So, I thought of a fun, achievable goal for all you English learners out there: a ten day English challenge.  All you have to do is spend 10 minutes learning English  for 10 days.  Luckily for you,  Ive compiled ten  fun, 10-minute learning experiences.  Some days well practice grammar, some days listening, fluency, reading and more.  You might see topics youre already familiar with, but extra practice never hurts.   Are you ready to set 2017 off on the right foot by improving your English?  Happy New Year, and happy learning!DAY ONE: LISTENING EXERCISEThis interesting video explains  why many people (including myself) dont care much about NYE.  The narrator speaks very quickly, so pay close atten tion, and share your thoughts on this holiday and your answers in the comments section!83% indicated they felt let down.  Not because of their actual plans, but because they ended __ having less fun than they expected.To end  up is a common phrasal verb that means to finally be in a particular place or situation.  What did you end up doing at 12:00am on January 1st, 2019?Reflection can cause existential crises, and __________ on negative events ___ also ____ shown to increase stress.Since we wouldnt  want to increase stress, what has been a positive event for you in 2018?Prone is an adjective that means likely to do/experience/suffer from something negative.  What are we prone to when we drink alcohol?If _____ ___  someone particular on this already angst-ridden evening, a midnight kiss may not be so bad.What have you got to do in 2018?DAY TWO: MODALS WITH CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORYWhat to know about modals:Do not use s in third personHe cans run fast.She should eat health ier.Use not to make them negativeYou should not be rude.  They might not come over tonight.Usually, we cant use modal verbs in future or past tensesShe will can take me home from work.We musted finish our project.You Try:  take a look at these common modals, choose five to  say an example sentence of your own.  Or, even better, write your sentences in the comments below!Sentence structure: (Subject) + (modal) + (base verb) + (object/adj).Question structure: (Modal) + (subject) + (base verb) + (object/adj)?CanCouldMayMightMustOught toShallShouldWillWouldListening Practice:  watch the video and fill in the blanks with the modal verbs.Veruca.  ___ you _____  that for us, please?As soon as little Veruca told me she had to have one of these golden tickets, I started buying up all the Wonka bars I _____ ___ my hands on.From now on, you ___ ____ shelling peanuts and _____ shelling the wrappers off these chocolate bars instead.I vowed I _____ ____ up the search until I _____ ____ her wh at she wanted.We knew Augustus _____ ____ the golden ticket.DAY THREE: FLUENCY FUNSinging is known to help fluency, build vocabulary, and be fun!  So today, I found this song listed as a top song of 2016.  Its easy to sing along to, so its a good one to learn.  Listen and read along a few times until you think youve memorized it.  For even more practice, put it on a playlist for your commute to work.  There are lyrics written in the video, or  you can read them below.Closer (feat. Halsey)Hey, I was doing just fine before I met you I drink too much and thats an issue But Im OK Hey, you tell your friends it was nice to meet them But I hope I never see them AgainI know it breaks your heart Moved to the city in a broke-down car And four years, no calls Now youre looking pretty in a hotel bar And I, I, I, I, I cant stop No, I, I, I, I, I cant stopSo, baby, pull me closer In the back seat of your Rover That I know you cant afford Bite that tattoo on your shoulder Pull the sheets righ t off the corner Of that mattress that you stole From your roommate back in Boulder We aint ever getting olderWe aint ever getting older We aint ever getting olderYou look as good as the day I met you I forget just why I left you, I was insane Stay and play that Blink-182 song That we beat to death in Tucson, OKI know it breaks your heart Moved to the city in a broke-down car And four years, no call Now Im looking pretty in a hotel bar And I, I, I, I, I cant stop No, I, I, I, I, I cant stopSo, baby, pull me closer In the back seat of your Rover That I know you cant afford Bite that tattoo on your shoulder Pull the sheets right off the corner Of that mattress that you stole From your roommate back in Boulder We aint ever getting olderWe aint ever getting older We aint ever getting olderSo, baby, pull me closer In the back seat of your Rover That I know you cant afford Bite that tattoo on your shoulder Pull the sheets right off the corner Of that mattress that you stole From your room mate back in Boulder We aint ever getting olderWe aint ever getting older No, we aint ever getting older We aint ever getting older No, we aint ever getting older (repeats)DAY FOUR: SECOND CONDITIONAL AND THE BIG BANG THEORY  Use: what we would generally do in an imaginary situation.If (subject) (past simple), (subject) would (verb).If this thing happened, that thing would happen.Would (subject) (verb) if (subject) (past tense)?Would that  thing happen if this  thing happened?Good to know:We can’t use ‘when’ since we’re talking about  imaginary situations that probably won’t happenIt is considered grammatically incorrect to use ‘was,’ in this conditional.  For example:If he were rich, he’d buy a car.You try: watch the video for examples of second conditional, then answer the following questions with your own examples.  Dont forget to share your knowledge in the comments section!If you had your own video game character, what would they be like?If you were to ask som eone out on a date, where would you take them?If you made a robot, what would it do for you?If you had  a time machine, where would you go in time?What would happen if everyone was like you?DAY FIVE: ADVERBSadjective + lyUses: we use adverbs toModify verbs: Usain Bolt ran quickly to the finish line.Modify adjectives: Usain Bolt can run  impressively fast.Modify other adverbs: Usain Bolt ran  incredibly quickly.Irregulars:good-well, fast-fast, hard-hard, late-late, straight-straightYou try: start the following video at 3:10.  Listen to the examples of adverbs.  Choose 5 out of the 7 adverbs and create sentences of your own.  Remember to post your ideas  in the comments section!DAY SIX:  TONGUE TWISTERSTongue twisters are a great way to practice pronunciation and fluency.  Take the next ten minutes to read the following tongue twisters several times.  The first time, read them nice and slow, focusing on good pronunciation.  Then, pick up speed.  Youll want to say them as fast as possible in the end, while also using correct pronunciation.   You can even memorize them and practice throughout the day!This one is a personal favorite and common tongue twister:Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Wheres the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?This helps with pronunciation of /sh/, and is particularly difficult for me:I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop. Where she sits she shines, and where she shines she sits.For those of you who have trouble with /r/ and /l/ pronunciation:How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?This helps with people  who have trouble with the /w/ pronunciation (many people mistakenly pronounce it like /v/) as well as the /r/ and /l/  sounds:Why do you cry, Willy? Why do you cry? Why, Willy? Why, Willy? Why, Willy? Why?(source)DAY SEVEN: IMPERATIVESForm: we start an imperative with the base verb.Uses:  we use imperatives for    Direct orders: Chew with your mouth closed.Instructions: Complete the exercise.  Invitations: Come on over.Signs:  StopYour turn: listen for the imperatives in the following video clip, and write them in the comments section.  Can you find all 6?DAY EIGHT: READING COMPREHENSIONToday well focus on reading.  So, even though this video has sound, try turning it off  for this exercise.  Press play to read this inspiring story, then answer the comprehension questions.  Remember to answer with complete sentences, making sure to use correct verb tenses and sentence structure!How is the dance company empowering people with disabilities?What does it mean to empower?What is the companys mission?Why did Hamamoto start the dance company?What did the doctors think Hamamoto would never do again? (2)Why did she think her life was over?How does she adjust her choreography (dance routine)?How long ago was Hamamoto told shed never dance again?DAY NINE: PRESENT PERFECThave/has + (past participle )Uses:Experience: Have you seen Human?  Its a long movie, but its so good!Change: He has lost weight since last year.Accomplishments: Scientists have found vaccines for many diseases.Incomplete, expected action: Have you finished your homework yet?Several actions in the past at different times: I have tried that 20 times.You try: check out this clip from a great movie, Freedom Writers, and fill in the blanks with examples of  present perfect.How many of you ____ ____ Boys in the Hood?How many of you ____ ____ in juvenile hall or jail for any length of time?Stand on the line if _____ ____ a friend to gang violence.Stay on the line if _____ ____ more than one friend.DAY TEN: QUIZCongratulations!  Youve made it to the final day of the ten day English challenge!  Pat yourself on the back for starting 2019 on a positive note  by improving your English skills.  Lets finish off the challenge by completing this short quiz.  Dont forget to continue your learning with our friendly, exper ienced English teachers  at  LOI.What did you end up doing last Friday night?Finish the sentence: You are  prone to get sick if youWhat should you do before bed?What can you do well?Sing the song from day 3 again.What would you buy if you won the lottery?If you had time off, where would you travel?Use an adverb: He sings _____.Do a tongue twister from day 6 as fast as you can.Write an imperative.What have you accomplished since January 1st, 2019?