Master French Pronunciation Ten Most Common Mistakes

Master French Pronunciation Ten Most Common Mistakes Do You Pronounce These Words Incorrectly? ChaptersMastering the French UPronouncing the French RHow to Say Double L WordsOther Common French Words Often MispronouncedOur Bit of EncouragementThe French language is rhythmic, mellifluous, a treat to the ear... if spoken correctly.You, the beginner French learner, have yet to be assailed with anything that would hinder your progress at learning French words and phrases.Speaking French words and phrases, on the other hand...The fact is, French vocabulary is made up of sounds that simply don't exist in English, such as their U sound.Turn about being fair play, English speakers excel at the TH sound, that doesn't exist in French, so we're even, right?WRONG!While both languages make ample use of the letter R, the French speak it as though they were getting ready to spit on you!Considering their ill-founded reputation for rudeness, that is perhaps not a good visual.Still, a poll of people studying French report that that guttural R is near impossible for them to master.Should we coun t all of the words with those two letters in our survey of most mispronounced words?To do so wouldn't be fair, as there are far more than ten of them, but we can discuss all of those words as categories of themselves.Are you ready? Allons-y!Practice your fish face in front of a mirror to master the phonetics of the French U Source: Pixabay Credit: CFVI le bût! - is for you to practice that particular letter's sound in French.You did notice that two of the words on that list are the same, but for the accent, right?Accents do not change the way that letter or word is spoken; it only changes the meaning of the word itself.But = purpose; bût = goalDu = some; dû = owedSuch distinctions are very important to your comprehension of written French!Pronouncing the French RIn some French regional dialects, the more guttural the R, the more eloquent the speaker.As in English: the more explosive the P, the better the diction!Thus it should come as no surprise that some native French speakers sound as though they intend to clear their throat mid-word.To properly pronounce the letter R in English, you must arch your tongue to the roof of your mouth, its sides touching your molars, and its tip pushed down below your lower front teeth.The position of your tongue in saying the French R is nowhere near there. In fact, your tongue is not involved in making that sound at all!Unlike in English, or even the Spanish R, which is frontal â€" using the front of your mouth and tongue, the French R is all in your throat.The French R is quite similar to the Scottish ch sound, as in Loch.It might help for you to take in a drop or two of water, but try not to swallow it. You will use it to help keep your throat closed to the proper position in order to make the sound correctly.Once you've gotten that down, try to say these words, some of which you might recognise from your early French lessons:pèrefrèremèresoeurcoeuramourbonjourtourarrièreAs with every aspect of language learning, cor rect pronunciation takes time and practice. In the case of these two French letter sounds that don't exist in English, it might take a lot of practice!The French word for frog is spelled with a series of vowels followed by a double L Source: Pixabay Credit: WikiImagesProperly said, it should sound like: rrr ooo ahn.2. Bouilloire, the French word for kettle, is a similar tongue twister.It is based on the verb to boil â€" bouiller, with -oire added: bou-y-oir-reuh. Try to say it yourself!3. Pneu: this French word for tire is the root of what we know as an English word; pneumatic.When you speak English, the P is silent, making it new-matic. When you speak French, you must pronounce that first letter, making it uniquely difficult to say it correctly.You must be careful to not utter only one or the other starting consonant, lest you risk your sentence meaning little to nothing.Peu means little and neu means nothing.4. Froid: oddly enough, this basic French word meaning cold is often mist aken for foie, which means liver.No doubt that pesky R has something to do with that common mistake; surely getting good at saying the French R will remedy that situation.5. Grenouille, and other words ending in -ouilleAgain it seems the collection of vowels all in one place is doing its best to stump those determined to learn French!The French word for frog is not that hard once broken down into syllables: gre-nou-ille, in other words, grr-new-yeuh.As for other -ouille words, perhaps that is why the French usually eat pâtes instead of noodles!The first word is more directly translated as pasta; noodles in French is nouilles.Now, for our prizewinning word that even a native speaker of French is sure to mispronounce...6. Serrurerie, the French word for locksmith, boggles the mouths of nearly anyone who grew up speaking the English language. Why?Not only does this terror of a word contain four of those guttural Rs but, smack in the middle of them, comes that confounded French U!Could there be a more cruel word the French could throw at us?Please don't decide to learn Japanese or learn Chinese simply because a few letters cause your mouth to work in ways it never has before!Practice French phonology by singing the alphabet song Source: Pixabay Credit: Victorian LadyRead our article to learn the ins and outs of French grammar.Our Bit of EncouragementThe thing about French phrases you learn â€" from your every French lesson, even  from dictionaries is that so many new words look like English words.The important thing to remember is that spoken French involves a distinctly different accent; French pronunciation not the same as English pronunciation.The best way to speak your second language with the maximum of fluency is to apply yourself to it as much as possible.Listen to French audio: music, podcasts, movies; the BBC has a very helpful collection of French lessons that you can avail yourself to for free! Learn how to speak those difficult letters and words: soun ding them out is a good way to start, but practicing your fish face in front of the mirror might work too!You may even sing the French alphabet as you drive to work; that will help you practice those difficult letters â€" there are plenty of French video on YouTube for you to sample.French speaking is not terribly difficult.How to learn it is up to you; you know your learning style best. However, we would urge you to practice, practice, and practice some more, until you can find French people to speak with.Bet they don't give you any strange looks when they hear your speech patterns after all that work you've done!Learn about the top 10 most common French grammatical errors made in spoken French.Don't worry, search for and get yourself down to 'french classes london' and you will improve your accent in no time!

The Sumo Guide

The Sumo Guide Sumo and the Land of the Rising Sun ChaptersWhat is a Sumotori?Sumo Rules and RitualsThe Origins of SumoSumo Throughout HistoryJapanese culture is rich and varied. Those who travel to Japan can experience the customs, rituals, and delicious food.  In terms of Japanese culture, sumo is a martial art in which larger combatants wrestle as part of a sacred ritual. This is one of the most popular sports in Japan and for several centuries, its history was intertwined with that of Shintoism. If you go to Japan, you need to see what Japanese wrestling is really about!In this article, we’re looking at Japan’s ancestral sport, what it is, and where it fits in Japans rich and diverse culture. From the sumo wrestlers, known as a sumotori, to the ceremonies, you’ll learn about this popular discipline and the grand champions of it. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free !Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is a Sumotori?A sumotori needs to be large and capable of defeating their opponent in a gruelling fight. In Japan, the preferred term for a sumo wrestler is “rikishi”, which means “mister” and “strength”, showing their respect for the sacred combatant.Rikishi train from a young age in a heya, “stables” or “training quarters” where they also live. They’re used to eating food designed to gain weight. Most rikishi weight at least 22st but they can weigh as much as 34st, albeit while drastically reducing their life expectancy.Sumo wrestling is hugely popular in Japan. (Source: Wiki media Commons)The combatants fight barefoot in the dohyo (ring) wearing just a maetate-mitsu (codpiece) with a belt known as a mawashi. Each rikishi’s hair is styled in keeping with tradition and according to their rank. Furthermore, each rikishi has their shikona or ring name.There’s an established ranking for the rikishi from apprentice (uchi-deshi) to professionals (sekitori). However, there are ranks granted to great champions. The most important ranks are sekiwake, ozeki, and yokozuna, the grand champion.Here’s a list of some of the great yokozuna throughout history:Akashi Shiganosuke (1600-1649)Shiranui Dakuemon (1801-1854),Shiranui Kôemon (1825-1879)Jinmaku Kyûgorô (1829-1903)Kimenzan Tanigorô (1826-1871)Umegatani I Tôtarô (1845-1928)Tachiyama Mineemon (1877-1941)Tochigiyama Moriya (1892-1959)Tsunenohana Kan’ichi (1896-1960)Futabayama Sadaji (1912-1968)Tochinishiki Kiyotaka (1925-1990)Taihô Kôki (1940-2013)Wajima Hiroshi (1948-2018)Kitanoumi Toshimitsu (1953-2 015)Chiyonofuji Mitsugu (1955-2016)Takanohana Kôji (1972-)Asashôryû Akinori (1980-)Hakuhô Shô (1985-)Kisenosato Yutaka (1986-)Rikishi aren’t the most common type of athlete in Japan and there are only around 800 of them across all of Japan.Check out our article on Japanese weaponry.Sumo Rules and RitualsRikishi fight in the dohyo which represents the heavens and is 6m ². The match itself takes place in a 4m-diameter ring in the centre of the dohyo. There’s a ceiling hanging over the ring, making the arena a sanctuary and the match is dedicated to the gods. Sumo wrestling isn't just a sport, it's also a traditional ceremony and ritual. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)Before starting the fight, there are several rituals for washing the rikishi’s body and spirit. They’ll rinse their mouths with water and clean their bodies with a paper towel. To protect them from injury, they’ll purify the ring with salt.To win, the rikishi needs to push their adversary out of the ring of onto the floor of the dohyo. Only a rikishi’s feet are allowed to touch the ground. They also lose if they touch the bags of straw surrounding the combat area.In sumo, you cannot throw punches or kick above the hips, strangle, or pull hair. You cannot grab the maetate-mitsu of your opponent either. They fight by striking their opponents with an open palm, grappling, or using their weight or their opponent’s weight against them.Here are a few important sumo terms:Basho: sumo tournament.Chiri-chozu: the ritual before a fight.Danpatsu-shiki: a farewell ceremony during which a rikishi’s hair is cut by their friends.Dohyo: the area of combat.Fusenpai: when a rikishi loses for not being present for the fight.Gaijin: a foreign rikishi, generally any combatant not born in Japan.Gunbai: a wooden fan used by the referee.Gyoji: the referee.Hanamichi: the paths to the dohyo that run from east to west.Heya: the organisation and training room for the rikishi.Hiiki: the supporters.Intai: a rikishi’s retirement.Jungyo: an exhibition match outside of sumo tournaments used to recruit new rikishi and show them to the public.Keiko: a rikishi’s training in the heya.Kimarite: one of 82 official sumo techniques.Kokugi: “national sport”, the term used to talk about sumo.Kokugikan: the main sumo stadium in Tokyo and home to the National Sumo Federation.Kyokai: the National Sumo Federation, also known as the Nihon Sumo Kyokai.Maetate-mitsu: the rikishi’s codpiece.Oshi-zumo: a combat style in which body weight is used to remove the opponent from the ring.Oze i: the grand champion after the yokuzuna and before the sekiwake.Rikishi: sumo wrestler.Sekiwake: the grand champion after the ozeki.Shingitai: the three principles of sumo, heart, body, and technique.Tachiai: the start of a match.Tsuppari: slapping the body or face with an open palm.Yokozuna: the grand champion. A title held until death.Yusho: the winner of a sumo tournament.Zensho-yusho: a tournament won without any defeats.There are 6 main sumo tournaments each year: 3 in Tokyo, 1 in Osaka, 1 in Nagoya, and 1 in Fukuoka. Each rikishi fights once per day for 15 days and the combatant with the best win/loss ratio is the champion. At the end of the tournament, the rikishi receives the emperor’s trophy.The Origins of SumoThe history of sumo is intertwined with Japanese history: the first mention of sumo wrestling can be found in the Kojiki, a chronicle of Japanese history dating back to 712. According to legend, a sumo match decided who controlled the Japanese islands. Sumo wrestling originated as a battle of the gods. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)The gods Takemikazuchi and Takeminakata fought on the Shimane beach. Outside of legend, it’s difficult to say exactly when sumo wrestling arose in Japan. It seems that sumo wrestling was used as an agricultural ritual to bring about a good harvest. There were no illegal blows and these fights were to the death.  In the Nihon Shoki, sumo was said to have begun between mortals around 23BCE. The first winner, Sukune, is said to be the father of sumo.Interested in Japanese culture?Find out more about geishas.Sumo Throughout HistoryDuring the Nara Period (8th century), sumo wrestling was introduced to the imperial court and an annual festival was organised. There were several festivals in the Imperial Palace of Emperor Shomu. Thus, sumo was no longer an agricultural ritual but a ritual for peace and prosperity. Sumo wrestling's history dates back over 1,500 years! (Source: Wikimedia Commons)Sumo became a martial art during the reign of Emperor Saga (9th century) and the warrior class practised the sport from the 12th century. Several great Japanese military chiefs were fans of sumo including Minamoto no Yoritomo and Nobunaga Oda.During the 17th century, the rikishi started becoming professionals and entertainers for the Japanese elite. This is also when the first rings surrounded by bags of straw. They started burying them during the 18th century.During the Edo Period, the great daimyos became the sponsors for sumos grand champions. In addition to a salary, the rikishi also earnt the title of samurai.Modern sumo wrestling was developed during the Edo Period: the Kanjin-zumo was used to raise funds for buildings, sanctuaries, repairing temples, bridges, and other public works.The official ranking system was also introduced during the Edo Period. Official organisations were formed and merged during the 20th century, leading to the modern Sumo Kyokai.Now you know a bit more about Japanese culture and the national sport. If you want to learn even more, consider reading our other articles on Japan or getting Japanese language lessons from a private tutor on Superprof!There are three distinct types of private tutorial on offer for Japanese students: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. Each type is different in terms of learning styles and cost, so what may be right for one student may not be right for another.Face-to-face tutorials involve just a single student and tutor and will include a bespoke programme or course that's being taught to the student. You will be getting a tailored service which is very cost-effective!Online tutorials also involve one student with a tutor but the two aren't physically in the same place. Thanks to the internet, you can be taught Japanese online via webcam. With fewer travel costs and the ability to schedule more t utorials each week, the tutor doesn't need to charge as much for their tutorials.Group tutorials are more like the classes you would've had in school with one teacher and multiple students. With each student footing the bill, the cost per student per hour tends to be less than the other two types of tutorial.  Don't forget that a lot of tutors on Superprof offer the first hour of tuition for free, too!

Accounting principles

Accounting principles Financial accounting is a branch of accounting where businesses are required to keep their financial transactions. These transactions are recorded, summarized and presented in the form of statements called financial statement or financial report and income statement or a balance sheet. In United States, these documents can be prepared according to the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Financial reports are prepared for use by external customer like investor, banker and internal customers like company shareholders and employees. Topics covered: Accounting basics Accounting equation Accounting principles Income statement Balance sheet Bank reconciliation Bills Payable and accounts receivables According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a publicly traded company is required to file financial reports every quarter. The purpose of filing these documents is not to report the value of company but to provide sufficient informations to others to assess the value of company.

Simple Tips for Getting Ahead as an Introvert - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Simple Tips for Getting Ahead as an Introvert - Introvert Whisperer Simple Tips for Getting Ahead as an Introvert Between working your 9-5 job, running endless errands, and visiting family and friends, day-to-day life is exhausting. Finding the time and energy to work on your personal development can seem like a nearly impossible feat at times, and for introverts, these barriers to success are only heightened. That’s why I’ve come up with a few simple, proactive ways to help introverts get ahead without becoming burned out or defeated. Create a Concentrated Network of Impactful People You probably see it all the time, both online and in person. Your extroverted coworkers are constantly chatting and reaching out to people, wielding their skills in small talk and complimenting to create a large number of surface-level connections with others in your field. In their minds, it’s a simple formula: more connections = more opportunities. Although building and fostering your network is important for personal and professional growth, playing the numbers game is counterproductive. Remember: quantity is not always greater than quality. Properly managing a large network will cost you time and energy that could be devoted to more relevant pursuits. And networking poorly is worse than not doing it at all. That’s why you should forge connections that prioritize relevance and a genuine relationship, as this will yield opportunities that better align with your own personal interests and goals.   Look to the Future Instead of Reflecting on the Past Nearly every introvert knows the dread that comes after a social interaction. Did I say the right things?   Was the conversation boring?   Did I speak too much? Or not enough? Overcoming your self-doubt is one the best and most simple ways to get ahead. Not only will you become more confident in your decisions and interactions with others, but you’ll also end up saving time and operating more efficiently. To successfully let go of your doubt, practice looking toward the future by writing down large-scale goals for the year and smaller ones for the upcoming months, weeks, and days. By reflecting on your performance in previous years, you’ll also be able to acknowledge and let go of the things in your past that hold you back. Find Your Method of Communicatingâ€" And Excel at It Successfully conveying information in your workplace will be essential to moving upward. But becoming a better communicator as an introvert isn’t necessarily about improving your areas of weaknessâ€" a better angle to this challenge is to identify the different ways of communicating and determine the ways you are already successfully exchanging ideas with others. If you’re better at dealing with people in more intimate situations, ask to work on smaller teams at work or schedule 1-on-1 meetings with your higher-ups. Maybe you like keeping comprehensive, personal notes; take that skill and share relevant information with your team in the notes sections of documents and databases. Or, if you like to take time to think before you share, emailing should be your best friend. Realize whatever methods work best for you and use them to your advantage. Share Your Successes Although telling others about your accomplishments may feeling like you’re seeking attention, it’s often crucial to ensure you get the credit and praise you deserve. Bragging about your achievements or causing a scene is definitely not the way to approach sharing successes, but there’s no shame in highlighting something important that you’ve achieved. Your boss won’t be able to see the accomplishments of everyone they oversee; that’s why it’s important to make sure you get the spotlight when you deserve it. You may struggle with verbalizing your own successes or sharing them widely, so instead try CC’ing your management team on important correspondence, calling out the successes of your department as a whole, or sharing ideas in team meetings (while making sure you get credit for them).   Get Smarter with Your Money Here’s an undeniable fact when it comes to getting ahead: having money will open up time, resources, and opportunities that can give you the extra boost you need to advance in life. Thanks to the internet, there are plenty of ways to make money after your workday that have little or nothing to do with socializing or working with others. And when successful enough, these enjoyable side gigs can eventually become your primary source of income. If you don’t have time to pursue a side hustle, focus on places where you can cut down on spending and drive down monthly costs. Perform a personal financial audit by evaluating your income and expenses at least once a year to see areas of your spending that are unnecessary and could be reduced. Since debt is one of the main reasons why people aren’t able to get ahead, concentrate on finding opportunities to consolidate and save where you can. If you are someone with any amount of student debt, do your research and take advantage of student loan refinancing solutions. An even easier avenue would be to stop spending money on frivolous things like coffee every day and only using your credit card to purchase the essentials.   Give Yourself Some Downtime The main way you can avoid burnout, fatigue, and discouragement is by always keeping you and your needs in mind. For introverts especially, it’s important to give yourself time alone to reflect and recharge at the end of each day. From reviewing your week’s productivity to curling up with a great book, downtime helps you take a step back from your daily routine and figure out what the next step is for you. As counterintuitive as it might initially seem, be sure to budget time into your schedule that is specifically dedicated to resting and planning your next steps toward success. When you arrive at work the next day, this time of rest will give you the patience and stamina you need to survive and thrive in a world of extroverts.   AUTHOR ATTRIBUTION: Kathy Philipson is a content creator who enjoys writing on career and financial advice, especially for entrepreneurs and go-getters. When she isn’t writing, Kathy enjoys thumbing through her Instagram feed, attending to her two cats, and watching the Game Show Network. 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

How Can Parents Unfamiliar with the Common Core Help their Children at Home

How Can Parents Unfamiliar with the Common Core Help their Children at Home How Can Parents Unfamiliar with the Common Core Help their Children at Home? The Common Core State Standards were developed by an independent coalition of education professionals to prepare students for a 21st century global workforce. The standards outline the skills that students should acquire at each grade level, and are specific to reading and math. The objective of Common Core State Standards is to create greater consistency among school districts, so that any two students in a grade level should have the same basic foundation for success. Parents will have a significant role in helping their children meet those standards, which has created some anxiety because many parents feel the standards are more rigorous. According to a Gallup Poll conducted in April 2014, 35 percent of parents had a positive impression of the new standards and 28 percent of parents had a negative one. The remaining 37 percent didn't know what the Common Core State Standards were. Because the Common Core State Standards are relatively new to everyone involved students, parents, and teachers there will be a learning curve. Parents must take an active approach in order to help their children with homework and learning skills at home. Here are several tips that will help parents to get started: Review the Standards for Your Child's Grade Level: There are a number of different resources that provide easy-to-follow guides on the math and reading standards. The Common Core website is a good place to gain information. Here you will find the standards, links to each state's educational website, FAQs, a history of the standards, and more. The PTA website is another good resource for standards basics, and has several short guides specifically for parents who want to help their children at home. Be Prepared: A key element of the Common Core State Standards is analysis. Students are not expected to simply know an answer; they should also be able to explain how they came to it. Some parents who are new to the Common Core State Standards may need to take extra time to review what their children are learning in order to help them succeed. Seek Help when Necessary: A common misconception is that the standards are the curriculum. The standards are only goals, and how those goals are reached is determined at the local level. Therefore, parents should speak with their children's teachers in order to learn more about what is going on in the classroom and ways that they can help at home. In addition, extra help can be obtained through tutoring. A Huntington Learning Center tutor can develop a personalized lesson plan and monitor success through ongoing assessments to ensure that your child is making a smooth transition to the standards. For more information on the Common Core State Standards, please contact us today at 1-800-CAN-LEARN or visit a Huntington Learning Center near you.

2015 Volunteer Drive Recap

2015 Volunteer Drive Recap 2015 Volunteer Drive Recap 2015 Volunteer Drive Recap September 24, 2015 Tutors Exceed Goal And Will Serve More Students By Emily Elliott, Executive Director On Sept. 17, Heart tutors and staff celebrated the end of the “official” 2015 Volunteer Drive and the beginning of programming in schools. As of Sept. 17, 425 weekly volunteers were signed up as tutors, enough to serve  almost 370 students, exceeding this years goal of recruiting to serve 350 students! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for community members’ willingness to spend one hour per week helping Charlotte students build foundational skills and academic confidence. Volunteers are still needed at the times and locations listed  at www.hearttutoring.org/become-a-volunteer. To our tutors, supporters, and partners: you have been Heart’s biggest champions, spreading the word to your friends and colleagues, inviting them to build a relationship with an elementary student and to make a difference in his/her life. Thank you! We also want to thank the businesses, faith groups, and other organizations whose leaders have generously hosted presentations and events in support of Heart’s Volunteer Drive. Thank you to these groups for hosting recruitment lunches in support of Heart’s Volunteer Drive: Global Endowment Management McGuireWoods Pamlico Capital Wake Forest University Womble Carlyle Sandridge Rice Thank you to these groups for inviting Heart to speak to your members and for endorsing Heart as a volunteer opportunity: Amec Foster Wheeler Bank of America â€" MAPs Patterson Pope Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church St. John’s Church The Charlotte Woman’s Club Charlotte SouthPark Rotary Club Wells Fargo â€" Operations Group Thank you to additional volunteer partner organizations for your work publicizing Heart to your members. Those include First Presbyterian Church, Social Venture Partners, Teach for America, Belmont Abbey, and others. A grant from Reemprise Fund has been instrumental in our ability to share Heart’s message this year. Many thanks to From The Hip Communications, Walker PR Group, Spiracle Media, and Big House Marketing for your support of Heart’s volunteer recruitment efforts. We also want to thank our funders, who allow us to provide the structure necessary to place tutors with students and ensure the experience is impactful. This includes our institutional funders and many generous individual donors supporting this year’s operations. Thank you for believing in Heart’s work and for providing the financial resources to make it possible. Good luck to all of the volunteer tutors beginning in schools â€" this week with training and next week to meet their students! For students, the months ahead will be filled with steady progress towards recovering foundational math skills ­â€" and lots of high fives. Thank you for making Heart’s 2015 Volunteer Drive a success!

Meet Tiffany, at 14-years-old, She Speaks Four Languages

Meet Tiffany, at 14-years-old, She Speaks Four Languages Meet Tiffany, at 14-years-old, She Speaks Four Languages Tiffany first enrolled in Kumon at the age of five because English wasn’t her first language. With each step of improved confidence, she completed the Kumon Reading Program and today enjoys writing poems and short stories. You might also be interested in: Meet Elina, a Dual Program Completer Who Has Developed Independence in Kumon Following your dreams: Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi Meet Jessica, a Kumon Reading Program Completer Who Has a Way With Words Meet Etash, a Kumon Program Completer Who is Using his Technology Skills to Teach Kids to Code Meet Tiffany, at 14-years-old, She Speaks Four Languages Meet Tiffany, at 14-years-old, She Speaks Four Languages Tiffany first enrolled in Kumon at the age of five because English wasn’t her first language. With each step of improved confidence, she completed the Kumon Reading Program and today enjoys writing poems and short stories. You might also be interested in: Meet Elina, a Dual Program Completer Who Has Developed Independence in Kumon Following your dreams: Meet 10-year-old author, Roohi Meet Jessica, a Kumon Reading Program Completer Who Has a Way With Words Meet Etash, a Kumon Program Completer Who is Using his Technology Skills to Teach Kids to Code

5 tips for building reading skills

5 tips for building reading skills Reading can often be a chore especially as children read at school so many don't want to read at home. Whether you are trying to encourage your child to read to build their reading and vocabulary skills, to open up the wonderful world of books and their benefits or whether they need to read for homework, our tips will ensure that reading never has to be a chore again. 1. Create a reading routine Have a time in the day that is saved for reading and try to incorporate the same time every day. This way your child will get into the habit of reading every day and hopefully will start looking forward to that reading time. 2. Create a reading place Whether it be a pile of cushions and pillows, an indoor den or simply snuggled on the sofa under a blanket, creating a place where your child will feel comfortable and snug sets the perfect setting for some good reading time. 3. Vary the material There are so, so many things for children and adults to read that there will certainly be something that will interest your child. They can choose from hundreds of different reading materials including: cookbooks joke books social media magazines comic strips newspapers blog posts tablet apps Kindle books With such a variety your child will soon find something that they love to read, a great way to start their reading journey. 4. Let your child choose Take a trip to your local library or a charity shop and let your child spend some time looking through the different books and choosing one that really appeals to them. If your child has a particular interest you could go online and look at the different books available in that topic and order one that you have chosen together. Turn it into a sneaky reading experience by having your child read the reviews and synopsis of the books you are exploring. 5. Read aloud together By taking the time to read aloud with your child you can add all sorts of feelings and emotions to your text which will make reading even more fun. Take turns to read paragraphs or chapters and have fun making your voices sound different and creating an atmosphere. Encourage your child to increase or decrease their reading rate depending on which is needed and encourage them to add as much or little dramatic expression to their voices as they see fit. Your child will not only enjoy the reading session better but will also build up their imaginations and explore their senses.