What Is The Best Way To Learn Spanish For Complete Beginners

What Is The Best Way To Learn Spanish For Complete Beginners How to Learn Spanish for Beginners: Some Tips to Get Started ChaptersWhy Should You Learn Spanish?Different Ways to Learn Spanish for BeginnersGeneral Tips for How to Learn SpanishStarting out on your Spanish language learning experience can sometime seem a bit daunting. For a start, you'll need to know what are the best ways to learn Spanish, and how doing so will benefit you.You can take comfort from the fact that one major decision is already out of the way; you have decided to learn Spanish so you are no longer thinking about the pros and cons of each individual language.If you have absolutely no Spanish experience at all, then let us first begin by saying   ¡Bienvenidos!  Yes, welcome to the world of the Spanish language! You are probably dreaming of being fluent and conversing freely on the streets of Madrid. Whilst it is great to have objectives and goals, please bear in mind that at this stage it is baby steps which will ensure you keep progressing towards your goal.By learning Spanish, you will expand your horizons and enter into the second most spoken native language in the world, after Chinese. This means that any level of Spanish will be advantageous to you.Having a conversational level will allow you to learn the basic greetings and phrases to speak to locals whilst you are on holiday in Mexico. Having an intermediate level will allow you to move abroad to countries such as Spain, Argentina, Peru, and Chile, but to name a few.In this article, we will explain why, as a beginner, you should learn how to speak Spanish, how you should go about it, as well as giving you some tips to keep you on track, and make sure you keep progressing on your Spanish speaking journey.Spanish and English are two of the languages that dominate the AmericasThis means that if you speak Spanish as a second language, you can communicate with a native speaker in Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, and Uruguay, showing that if you learn to speak Spanish, you will be opening up your travel prospects enormously.This is great news when you consid er that Chile was named number 1 travel destination for 2018 by the world's largest travel guide book publisher,  Lonely Planet. What's more, Sevilla in Spain, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Guanajuato in Mexico, all featured on their list of the top 10 cities to visit in 2018. Baja California in Mexico, Bolivia's capital, La Paz, and Lanzarote in Spain, were all included on their list of destinations offering the best value in 2018.Spanish speaking countries offer some of the most beautiful and amazing places to visit in the world, and this is without even considering the rich and distinct history and culture that each one can boast. Speaking Spanish is the key to unlocking the full potential of each destination, and doing so will enrich the authenticity of your experience as you will be able to interact with the locals which could take you to cafes and restaurants not frequented by tourists.Use your Spanish to explore the local cuisineYou are probably thinking that this all sounds g reat, but perhaps you are still worried about how difficult it is to study Spanish. You can be reassured that the Foreign Service Institute placed Spanish in the category of the easiest languages to learn for English speakers. This doesn't mean you should take your Spanish lessons lightly, but it does mean that with a little bit of dedication and personal motivation, you should see results and progress quicker than with languages such as Arabic, Russian, or Chinese.How Will Learning Spanish Benefit You?The sheer number of native Spanish speakers has converted the language into one that people want to learn to speak. As a result, it has taken on increased importance across the globe. Not only is it one of the official languages of the UN, it is also important in the world of business. This means that speaking Spanish can increase your employability immensely, as companies are constantly looking for Spanish speakers to help them do business in Latin America.Many Spanish speaking count ries have seen periods of increased economic growth at various periods over the last two decades, helped by economic agreements such as NAFTA and Mercosur.What's more, many Hispanic countries are seeing a rise in their middle classes, which means that, in general, people have more disposable income to spend on goods, holidays, and non-essential items. Western businesses are keen to tap into this growing market, but having a Spanish speaking workforce is crucial to their success.Outside of the economic benefits to you, you will also see a growth in personal development by studying the language of Cervantes. Just by learning a few words and phrases, Spanish speaking cultures will become more accessible to you. Aside from watching movies in Spanish to learn the language, you will be able to better appreciate the cultural meaning behind them. The same can be said of songs and books. After all, a translated book can never truly convey the exact same meaning as it does in the language in which it was written.There are loads of Spanish speaking films for you to appreciate!An increased cultural understanding will give you a different perspective on the world. You will understand things that happen around you better as you will gradually be able to apply a different way of thinking about them.Ultimately, learning a foreign language, such as Spanish, will open a variety of doors to you. These will be in your professional life through job opportunities, and in your personal life through opportunities to travel and an increased cultural awareness and understanding.Different Ways to Learn Spanish for BeginnersThere are plenty of different ways for beginners to pick up the Spanish language. You will see Spanish courses being advertised at a local language school, options for learning Spanish online, as well as private classes with a Spanish teacher.There is no correct way to study Spanish. In fact, the best way to learn Spanish will involve a variety of different approaches which you mix together. It would be advisable to find some Spanish classes. This will give your learning some structure, as well as offering the chance to interact with other people in the same position as you. Having a tutor there at the beginning is also a good idea for when you run in to difficulties and you need certain things clarifying.A Spanish teacher can give you guidance in your language learning journeyHowever, you should not just rely on Spanish lessons as your sole approach to learning the language. You should use other methods, such as using books for learning Spanish. Research which is the best book to help you begin learning Spanish before you rush out to buy one as you will need one that perfectly suits you.Learning Spanish with an app  is another good way that beginners can support their overall learning experience. Apps have the advantage of being on your smartphone or tablet, meaning that you can use them of the go. They are often also designed for complete begi nners and back you along the way as your develop your language skills in Spanish.You can work on things such as grammar and vocabulary, whilst other apps focus on verbs and their conjugation.As with any new language, you will naturally start by focusing on the basic Spanish that you'll need to hold an introductory conversation. This means that Spanish vocabulary is more important than Spanish grammar at the start. This is because vocabulary makes up the building blocks of how to construct a sentence.Making a correct sentence is more important at the beginning than knowing the grammar behind it. And by making complete and correct sentences, you will start to give to give basic meaning.So it is therefore essential that you commit the new vocabulary you learn (and there will be a lot!) to memory. Start by making lists of new Spanish words, and then try to memorize them. The first list that you will learn will more than likely be numbers, as learning a new language normally starts here. Counting in Spanish is one of the first things you will learnBut once you have the numbers assimilated, try with other lists of vocabulary. If you can, group words together. For example, you could have one list of colours, and another for physical features. These are the types of words that are useful when you start out learning Spanish.General Tips for How to Learn SpanishSpanish is a language that can be learnt by anyone. Obviously each student will require a different approach to learning the language. For example,  teaching Spanish to a dyslexic child  will require a different approach to that of an adult taking an intensive course. But in general, here are our tips for learning the Spanish language.FlashcardsFlashcards are a great way to learn vocabulary. You should write down one word per flashcard, with English translation on the other side. To begin with, just see if you can say way the English word is when you see the Spanish word. As you grow in confidence and your level i ncreases, see if you know the Spanish word when you see the English word.Another thing you could do which words in a similar way is to label everything that surrounds you. For example, in your kitchen you could put a little sign on the fridge that says la nevera, and one on the microwave that says el microondas.Practise Makes PerfectTake every available that you can to practice. If you have a Spanish speaking friend, practise what you learn in your classes with them. If they are a native speaker, they can help you with your pronunciation.As a new learner, you need to be practising as often as possible. This will help solidify what you learn in your classes, and through practising you will pick up the patterns in the sentence structure and grammar.Use Different Ways of Learning SpanishAs we have previously suggested, you should try to utilise as many different ways of learning Spanish as possible so that they compliment each other. This is especially important if you want to teach yo urself Spanish.There is a wealth of resources out there (websites, apps, books, videos etc) so make sure you use them all to practise and learn. Videos in particular are a great way to learn and improve because they deal in depth with specific topics, such as the one below which looks at phonetics.Patience is a VirtueDon't expect your fluency to be flawless after just one less. Language learning is a long process. There will be highs and lows. Some times you will think you are progressing really well, and at others you will think that you have ground to a halt.Don't lose faith in what you can achieve, just remember that ups and downs are natural. If you persevere, you will more than likely come out of the other side. If you do find yourself in a difficult moment, try going back and looking at previous notes and what you have learnt.Reinforcing things that you might already know well can instil the confidence that you need to make the breakthrough that you crave.Vocabulary is KingYou will never stop learning new vocabulary. This is often the case in your native language too. You often come across new words which you don't necessarily know what they mean. The building blocks of any language are the words, so try to learn a few new words each day. Once you have learnt them, try to use them in a sentence to reinforce that you know them.Spanish is a language which relies on around 1,000 common words which you will use day in day out, but once you reach this level, know that there is always more that you can learn.When you learn new words, right them down! Try to group them together so that you can see patterns and common themes in what you are trying to learn.Writing down key words is a good way of memorising what you learnImmersionThe best way to learn any language is through immersion. The more you surround yourself with a language, the more you will absorb. The best example of this is by going to spend an extended period of time in a Spanish speaking country. Ev en when you think that you aren't learning, you will be absorbing what you hear on the radio, or during a conversation in the supermarket.Even if you can't go abroad, listening to Spanish speaking music will help you tune your ear in to the Spanish pronunciation, even if you don't understand every thing that is being said.What a great way to prepare for your Spanish lessons London or Glasgow!

Should I Go To University of Central Florida

Should I Go To University of Central Florida The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Lisa earned her bachelors degree in political science at University of Central Florida and is earning her masters degree in secondary education at Grand Canyon University. Shelivesin Orlando and specializesin French tutoring, history tutoring, geography tutoring, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at University of Central Florida: Describe the campus setting and transportation optionsat University of Central Florida. Lisa: The campus is covered in greenery and landscaping with a magnificent fountain and has a city-wide shuttle connected to all of the university housing. It runs on 15-minute routes. On campus there are more than 50 food vendors to choose from, including a Barnes and Noble with a Starbucks! You can also purchase any of your student supplies or grocery needs in the Breezeway shopping street. Biking is also a valid option because of the accommodating pathways off and on campus with many available bike racks. The campus is an urban city scape with its own patrol and Orange County Police Department right on campus! That being said, watch out, because you will get city code-enforced tickets for parking or driving infractions; also, dont jaywalk! Another safety measure is emergency polls throughout the campus; just push the button the response time is under 90 seconds. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Lisa: I rarely had teaching assistants in my classes at University of Central Florida. Although we are the second largest school in the country by students, only a few core classes are in an auditorium of 100-300 students. The program classes have anywhere from 12-40 students. So, there is no major need for a teaching assistant. However, the professors are friendly and wait after class for a brief time so you can talk to them. They have office hours throughout the week and have an open door policy. The academic advisors are also available five days a week, full-time, with an open door policy. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Lisa: Dorm life is a great way to feel home at University of Central Florida. We have brand new dorm facilities that are very posh, like living in NY or LA. There are eateries, shopping and cafes below the housing, but there is so much more! A Resident Assistant is living on each floor and takes care of all the students. There are so many events year-round to socialize. There is a carnival, a grand student hall with many ballrooms, a campus activity board with hundreds of clubs and events promoted every day outside the student union area, free concerts, and outdoor movie nights. The dining hall offers the best food with more than 50 options every meal. Which majors/programs are best represented and supportedat University of Central Florida? Lisa:University of Central Florida is known for engineering, research and bimolecular technology, and there are opportunities for students to intern with facilities like Lockheed Martin and the military. I graduated with a degree in political science international relations and comparative politics and minored in French. The classes taught me more than I could have ever asked for, and I am very happy with my education. I did not feel that in this particular area there was a great opportunity for internships or job placement. There are career fairs year-round, but they did not really accommodate my major. 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? Lisa: It is very easy to meet friends on campus because everyone hangs out around the dorms. We have a two-story gym with an Olympic-size pool and rock climbing wall with over 20 free classes each day, like yoga and kick-boxing. Through all these hang out spots you are bound to meet people with your interests. Greek life is a part of university life. University of Central Florida has a Greek Row of mansions set on the far end of campus. The Greek life does not highlight the overall culture, but rather positively contributes, to the university life. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Lisa: The career center is available every day of the week. They have many resources and available staff, but have generally been unhelpful by just sending me to resources. There are career fairs year-round, but the representatives do not accommodate all available majors. There are reputable companies with the engineering and technology fields. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Lisa: The student union is a busy and noisy place to study, but there is outdoor seating there, which is nice. The library is five floors and has many available private rooms where you can also rent a laptop. There are many students, over 80,000 at the university, but there never seems to be overcrowded space because of the spacious campus and facilities. We have a free print lab which is saturated with students, and the wait is incredible. The dorm rooms all have a study lounge, and it is never crowded. Describe the surrounding town. Lisa: The surrounding town is Orlando! There is every kind of food or restaurant you can imagine on the connecting University Blvd. We have an amazing caf two minutes walking distance off campus. There are many clubs and bars as well. We have all the theme parks and tourist attractions. It can be very fun, but also expensive! University of Central Florida has a ticket booth for discounted student tickets for all attractions, including Cirque du Soleil and dinner theaters. There are over 10 natural springs and parks 15-45 minutes away. You can never be bored in Orlando. How big or small is the student body at University of Central Florida? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Lisa: We have the second largest campus and student body in the country (about 80,000). Class size is always under 300 in general education classes and typically 12-40 in program classes. There is never a feel of an overcrowded classroom. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Lisa: A memorable class I had was Advanced French Conversation. As a class, we had a project to take a trip to Paris from our classroom. We each needed to research an apartment for rent and contact them about the price as if we were going to rent it. In order to pick the correct French Paris district, we planned our living around a school we would choose to study at, like La Sorbonne. It was a fun experience learning about the different areas of Paris and communicating with the Parisians as if we were really living there. Check out Lisas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Video Tutorials 4 Songs About School

Video Tutorials 4 Songs About School Suzy S. For many, Labor Day marks the last day of summer vacation tomorrow its back to the grind with new classes, new schedules and new subjects to learn. To get you into the spirit, weve scoured YouTube and compiled a list of 3 video tutorials and 1 awesome cover of songs about school. Enjoy! ABC Jackson 5 (bass line) I Can Tell That We Are Gonna Be Friends the White Stripes No Such Thing John Mayer Campus Vampire Weekend (not a tutorial, but a great acoustic cover nonetheless, plus a link to the guitar tabs) Looking for guitar lessons in your area? Use our search tool to find a teacher near you, and book your lessons today! Like this post? Join the TakeLessons community and receive exclusive updates, expert advice, tips and more!  Sign up for email updates here! You might also like Get Creative and Get Inspired: Fingerstyle Guitar Video Watch Now: How to Play Pumped Up Kicks Watch Now: How to Tune a Guitar

Shoes for Ballet

Shoes for Ballet Ballet: The Best Pointe and Demi-pointe Shoes ChaptersWhich Type of Shoe Should You Get?Which Slippers Should You Choose?The Best Pointe Shoes for BalletWhich Pointe Shoes Should You Choose?How to Choose Your Ballet Slippers or Pointe Shoes“We dance to seduce ourselves. To fall in love with ourselves. When we dance with another, we manifest the very thing we love about ourselves so that they may see it and love us too.” - Kamand KojouriWhile the number of students opting for arts A-Levels, there are still plenty of places where you can do an A Level in Dance. Over 1,000 students did an A Level in Dance in 2018 and 84.8% got a C or above.That said, regardless of your grade, you’re going to need suitable footwear. Here’s our advice on choosing the right shoes for both beginners and experts. SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDanc e Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhich Type of Shoe Should You Get?If you’re doing ballet, you’ll need some ballet slippers. There are different types in terms of the sole and the material they’re made from. There are different types of ballet slipper. (Source: indy0333)Demi-Pointe SolesYou can either get a split sole or a full sole which are usually made from leather or suede.A full sole will cover the entire bottom of the slipper and is recommended for beginners regardless of their age. This is useful as it’ll help steady you when you first start dancing. Your foot will be more stable and you’ll be less likely to roll over onto your ankle as you’re building strength in your heel and your feet.With a split sole, there’s a sole at the heel and the ball of your foot. There’s no sole under your arches. This allows for greater flexibility and to perfectly align your instep. However, you’ll need to learn some technique before you give it a go. You’ll need to reach an intermediate level and strengthen your heels before you try them.The MaterialThere are three main types of material for ballet slippers:Leather: your slippers will last longer as this material is more solid. Opt fo r a comfortable size as they won’t soften much over time. As they’re harder, it takes more effort to move your feet around.Canvas: this material is softer and you’re more likely to put holes in them. They’re also more flexible and cheaper than leather slippers but they do tend to deform over time. Some dancers find them more comfortable than leather slippers as they also let your feet breathe more.Satin: the material for pointe shoes. These are quite uncommon but some dancers love them.Some slippers have an elastic triangular band under the feet to bring flexibility and a better line when you’re pointing your feet. Even leather slippers can include this elastic band or canvas under your arches to help you move. To hold the slippers on your feet, there’s often elastic sewn onto the top of the foot.Find out more about ballet clothes.Which Slippers Should You Choose?There are plenty of different models of ballet slipper and you’ll need to choose the one that works best fo r you. To ensure a quality item, you might want to opt for a popular brand: Repetto, Bloch, Capezio, Merlet, Sansha, etc. However, even some of the lesser-known brands can offer quality slippers. You need to consider your level when choosing ballet slippers. If in doubt, ask your tutor. (Source: Jabore)When buying demi-pointes, the quality is important but not as much as when buying pointes. You’re unlikely to cause an injury by choosing the wrong ones unless you pick the wrong size.  Here are three different shoes that we recommend for different levels, budgets, and preferences.Dancez Vous - Vanie: These are elasticated canvas split sole ballet slippers that you can get for around £15. Crossed elastic straps. The size tends to be on the smaller size so you might need to get one or two sizes up from what you regularly get.Capezio - Satin Daisy: This model has a full suede sole, an elastic strap, and is available for £15.50. There are two width options when buying.Bloch - Ladies Proflex Leather: You can get these ballet slippers for £29 from the manufacturer. There’s on the arch so that the ballet shoe follows your instep more easily. They’re available in two widths. SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Best Pointe Shoes for BalletTo move up a level in ballet, you may want to invest in some pointe shoes. However, never do this without your dance teacher’s blessing. They’ll tell you when you’re ready to move onto pointe shoes. Pointe technique is much more difficult with pointe shoes so it shouldn’t be taken lightly.Much like with ballet shoes and slippers, there are several criteria to ta ke into account. Most of the time, there’ll be a full leather sole. However, there are split sole models available. In terms of material, pointe shoes are made of satin and so are the ankle straps.Find out more about the cost of ballet clothing.The WidthWhile the width won’t be too important when it comes to ballet slippers and dance shoes, when it comes to pointe shoes, it’s essential. You’ll have a choice of three widths:NarrowMediumWideIf it’s too tight around your joints when you put a pair of pointe shoes on, you’ll need to go up a width. On the other hand, if you feel your foot sliding to the bottom of the pointe shoe, it’s too wide.The Strength of the ShankPointe shoes are reinforced at the shank which supports the sole. There are different levels available from soft to extra strong. Beginners, who tend to lack strength, will opt for a soft shank. Strong experienced dancers will tend to go for a strong shank.The shank needs to bend slightly and follow the arch o f your foot. If it bends too much, your shank is too soft, but if it doesn’t bend at all, your shank is too hard. In the first example, you’ll ruin your pointe shoes in 3 or 4 lessons and the second example, you’ll hurt your toes.  Each time you buy some pointe shoes, you need to think about the hardness of your shank.Learn more about makeup for dance performances.The Length of the UpperThis is how much of the shoe covers the top of your toes and foot. It needs to be long enough to cover your toes up to the joint on the pointe. However, if it’s too long, it’ll cover the pointe. which you don’t want.The Shape of the InsideYou also need to choose pointe shoes whose insides match the shape of your foot. Generally, these shapes are either square or conical.There are three types of feet: Greek feet where the second toe is longer than the big toe, Egyptian feet where the big toe is the longest and each subsequent toe is smaller, and Peasant foot where the toes are all the same size.If you’re in the third category, things will be easier for you.If you feel all your weight on your big toe, the inside of your pointe shoe is too square. If your toes feel crushed, then the inside is too triangular.Which Pointe Shoes Should You Choose?Don’t hesitate to ask your dance teacher for recommendations on pointe shoes. Here are three models that are great for beginners:Repetto - Julietta: Flexible sole, low upper, high heel. Different widths are available: narrow, medium, large. They tend to be on the smaller size so you may need a size or two bigger than what you usually get.Bloch - Amelie: Medium strength shank, shallow box, medium sides. Three widths are available.Wear Moi - La Pointe Beginners: A square box for those with Peasant Feet. There are six widths and six hardnesses available. It can be difficult to work out which are the right pointe shoes. (Source: MichelleHaswell)How to Choose Your Ballet Slippers or Pointe ShoesBudding ballerinas, in addition to choosing their tights and leotards, should probably try their shoes in-store. We wouldn’t recommend buying your shoes online unless you know your exact size for a particular model. The best ballet slippers for you mightn't be the best on the market. (Source: indy0333)For Ballet SlippersYour toes shouldn’t slide around but they also shouldn’t be squashed together. When you try them, don’t hesitate to test the flexibility and make sure that the shoes don’t move around too much.For Pointe ShoesTake your time when choosing pointe shoes. It doesn’t matter if all your friends if your friends have Repettos if they don’t work for you. Don’t hesitate to try different brands and models. You must try your shoes first so that you know they won’t cause an injury.Don’t buy used pointe shoes! Pointe shoes will adjust to a dancer’s foot. After you buy your pointe shoes, you need to break them in before you can do anything with them.In terms of colour, you’ll usually have a choice between pink or black. There are other colours available but you might want to check with your teacher if there’s going to be an end-of-year show where you need to wear a parti cular colour. The rest is up to you!Whether you're in the market for jazz shoes, tap shoes, ballet flats, or any kind of dance shoe, you should consider asking your teacher or instructor for advice.

Wake Up to Justin Bieber Baby A Lesson on Positivity - Private Tutoring

Wake Up to Justin Bieber Baby A Lesson on Positivity BobbiM May 6, 2013 Something dawned on me recently: how you begin your day can (and usually does) impact the rest of your day. Then I thought to myself how do I wake up? and the answer was sobering: I wake up to a loud and irritating beep, beep, beep from my alarm. Thats not good because the sound of that alarm and the feelings it creates can already set the mood and tone for the rest of my day. So, what did I do? I turned to Justin Bieber for the answer. Justin Bieber Baby I programmed my iPhone (which is my alarm clock now) to go off at 6 AM, but instead of an irritating alarm, I have the alarm set to Justin Biebers Baby song. And, I have to say, after a while, Justin Bieber has made a big difference. So, here are the lessons learned: How you begin your day can determine the rest of your day. Start strong and positive. Drink water and eat well. Wake up with Gusto. Consider the small habits you have, such as the alarm you use. Make small changes tiny changes can make a big difference. Yes, Im talking to you Tutor, Parent, and Student. This article is for all of you. Take it as a good advice from someone who learned the hard way and who has missed out on the joy of Justin Biebers Baby for years.

Who Won E3 2013 - A Students Perspective

Who Won E3 2013 - A Student's Perspective Sony at E3. Photo via Flickr user tarciltarcil At E3 2013, June 11-13 this year, gamers everywhere got a glimpse of the near future in video game tech and software. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, the big three gaming companies, all strutted their soon-to-come line up of new games and consoles. When it comes down to it, who won? Cost/Value: Nintendo For a student, one of the biggest things we worry about is money. As students, many of us dont have time to work to put moolah in the bank and many of us are just learning how to get a grip on our finances. We look for value per dollar in a gaming console since we have relatively few to spend. Nintendo wins here. Their Wii U is $100 or more cheaper than Sonys PS4 launch price of $399. Sony almost won here, but we have yet to see the Vita really build itself a reputable library and $399 is still a steep price for a college students wallet. Convenience/Size: Sony and Nintendo tie PS4 controller, photo by Flickr user technomcr Having had to move all my worldly possessions twice a year since I began college and having had to live in small dorm rooms, I can safely say that size is a big concern for college students. Consoles require a TV, which in of itself is a huge hassle to have, but the build of the consoles themselves should also be considered. While it is true that the Wii U is smaller than the other next-gen consoles, it also comes with a tablet controller that is roughly twice the size of a normal gaming controller. Sonys PS4, while somewhat boxier, is still considerably slim for a gaming console and the controllers are smaller and therefore easier to store in small spaces such as a dorm room. Microsofts Xbox One came in last for convenience, with considerably larger dimensions and assumingly heavier build since the Kinect One is built into the Xbox One. Games: Microsoft When it comes down to it, E3 is about the games, and on that front, all of the Big Three came out swinging. New Halo? New Halo. Commence the fangirling. Photo via Flickr user BrickUltra Microsoft had a very strong conference of games, having come under fire for the hardware and entertainment focused Xbox One reveal. Appealing to its fanbase of first-person shooters and action games, Microsoft revealed trailers and gameplay for an exclusive Killer Instinct reboot, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, a gorgeous Forza Motorsport for racing game fans, Dead Rising 3 and Quantum Break (both exclusives), and Witcher 3 and more. And who could forget that astonishing Battlefield 4 and Titanfall trailer. and new Halo teaser? Microsofts conference was jam-packed every which way with games that (while not my favorite genre of games) would appeal to a lot of college gamers looking to blow some steam after class. While Microsoft came out strong, thats not to say that the other two big gaming companies didnt have amazing game line-ups as well. Nintendo went for its niche of dedicated first-party games, announcing new installments in fan-favorite franchises such as Pikmin 3, a new Super Smash Bros., Pokemon X/Y, and Mario games. While Nintendo did bring out the inner fangamer in everyone with its clips of Megaman, the WiiFit Trainer, and Animal Crossing Villager entering the Smash arena and had an overall strong conference at E3, those less interested in Nintendos first-party games walked away less satisfied. Sony sent some gamers squealing with their announcements of the long-awaited Final Fantasy XV and longer-awaited Kingdom Hearts 3, and announced Infamous: Second Son, showed Destiny gameplay, announced new games The Order and Transistor, and showcased the work of many indie developers bringing their games to PS4, supporting their dedication to the independent game developers. However, when it was announced that FFXV and Kingdom Hearts 3 would not be PS4 exclusives, those big announcements were somewhat lost. Microsoft won this round by bringing out plenty of enticing One-exclusives that will definitely help sell the console. Policy: Sony Policy-wise, Sony wiped the floor with Microsoft When it comes down to the features that the college gamer wants, Sony was the clear cut winner, and they knew they were. At the end of their E3 conference, Sony had some not-so-subtle jabs at the Xbox-One, which has endured weeks of criticism for its many restrictive policies, including a necessary online connection at least every 24 hours, always-on Kinect, necessary Xbox Live Gold subscription to access many of the advertised features of the console, and extremely restrictive policies on used games and trading with friends. On top of all this, Microsoft slapped at $499 price tag on the package, sealing the deal as a no for many gamers. Sony directly addressed these concerns in their E3 conference and a seriously hilarious if somewhat gloating Youtube video  by announcing no online connection required for the PS4, no restrictions on used games which alone earned a standing ovation from the E3 crowd, a whopping $399 price tag (and another standing ovation), and PSN+ subscriptions and games announced as carrying over to the PS4 as well. For college gamers, swapping games with friends is almost a fact of life. To have that taken away makes Xbox One extremely unappealing to a lot of students. Also, the always-on Kinect is plain creepy. With all of these policies in place, it seems clear that Sony won by a landslide. Xbox One might be needing some ice for that burn. Conclusion While in the end, it will be up to each gamer to decide which console to go with for next-gen gaming, I think that Sony won E3 just with its unrestrictive used-game policies and solid lineup, though its games were not on the exclusive level that Nintendo or Microsoft had. Sony created the largest ripples in the gaming community, in my college community, and on the interwebs. I, and probably a great majority of college gamers, will be leaning towards the PS4 for my next-gen console. Though I may consider getting a Wii U just for that Super Smash Bros. because of all the glorious memes that have surfaced. No. No, it does not.

My Little House House of Knowledge Schools

My Little House House of Knowledge Schools My Little House House of Knowledge Schools My Little House schools School Type: National /International School Curriculum: We offer diverse curricula: Saudi National Curriculum for the National Department UK IB Curriculum for the International Department School Age Range Nursery Reception (3-5) years old Primary(Junior)(Year 1-Year 6) 6-11 years old Senior-(Key Stage 3: Year 7,8 9) 12-15years old (Key Stage 4: Year 10,11) 16-17 years old (IB or A level: Year 12 13)17-19 years old Student Nationality: The majority are Saudi Student Number (total of students) 800 Student Brief Description Education in Saudi Arabia is segregated. Name of our Girls School: My Little House Name of our Boys School: The House of Knowledge GM Proprietor: Mrs.Awatif Murad My Little House is both National and International school, enrolling 800 students in grades 1 through 12. The school opened in the spring of 1982 as Nursery and Kindergarten and graduated its first senior class in the summer of 1994. My Little House is accredited by University of Cambridge, The British Council, CIE and The Northwest Accreditation Commission NWAC