Tutoring Volunteer Opportunities in Chicago

Tutoring Volunteer Opportunities in ChicagoThere are a lot of good tutoring volunteer opportunities in Chicago. If you are a dedicated person who is willing to give your life to helping others, then you can be very successful in this field. Here are some of the best tutoring volunteer opportunities in Chicago.One of the best tutoring volunteer opportunities in Chicago is with Special Needs students. There are a lot of children in Chicago that have special needs and this can be very difficult for teachers to work with. If you are a teacher who wants to help, then this can be the perfect opportunity for you.Another good way to help others is through great community programs. These are offered by many non-profit organizations in Chicago. If you help them, you can get to experience helping others as well. This can be a very rewarding experience and you will love it when you find yourself out in the community helping others with their needs.Another way that you can help others through gre at community service is through the community colleges in Chicago. There are a lot of great programs that you can participate in that will make a difference in people's lives. It is important to remember that your services are needed so make sure that you focus on what your specific skills are.Counseling Volunteers can be a good option for you. They work with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, and other difficult emotional issues. There are a lot of challenges that counseling volunteers face and if you have the skills and are willing to be patient with those who need help, then you should consider this option.Tutoring volunteers in Chicago have the ability to help people with reading, writing, and math. Many people struggle with these skills in their everyday lives and if you are able to help people through tutoring, then you can provide them with the things that they need to succeed in life. You can become the champion of their education as well as help them make positive changes in their lives.Tutoring volunteers in Chicago also get the chance to have face to face conversations with children. This means that you will be able to go and talk to these children who are struggling. This is an opportunity that is perfect for everyone because it allows you to bond with other people who are having similar struggles.Tutoring volunteers in Chicago have the ability to help individuals of all ages. They get to be the people that they would want to be in many cases. Being able to help people out is something that many people are passionate about and this is why you should be passionate about helping others as well. You can make a big difference in people's lives and if you want to do this full time, then you should think about taking this route as you will never know if it will lead to something more.

Why Do You Want to Pursue a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry?

Why Do You Want to Pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry?Why choose a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry? Is there a reason other than to get into a solid and reliable job with a stable salary? Many people who may consider this as a major career are looking at the job prospects for those who already have an advanced degree and decide that the education of some chemistry is only a stepping stone to success in a different field.Yes, it can be a practical basis for a Bachelor's degree in the different branches of science or any other major program in a higher education institution. But there are also several other possible reasons that we could point out why you would want to pursue this as a career. In fact, it may be a good career that will enhance your life experience and life style. We cannot leave out the potential opportunity of getting paid quite well while pursuing a career in chemistry.In addition, the pay for those who have pursued a Bachelor's degree in the field can be quite rewarding. As mentioned earlier, it does not include the salary that could be made as a part-time job. It can be an excellent way to get your doctorate degree.As a plus, it has a solid relationship with other important fields and is not just about chemistry alone. The other branches of physics, biology, and chemistry can be helpful in other areas of your life as well.Besides, if you are interested in pursuing a career in this field, the Bachelor's degree may even provide opportunities that are helpful for advancement in your career and life. This means that you will surely feel accomplished after graduation.Most students believe that just because the science focuses on how elements are formed and how they bond with each other does not make it a science related to a specific field. However, when this is taken to its extreme, it becomes more of a branch of chemistry. Ifwe look back at what scientists know today, we may discover that some things that can be achieved through chemistry can not be done with the help of any other science field.If you have your Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and are planning to further your studies, you need to make sure that the school that you enroll in can give you the right education and training for a career in this field. We cannot blame you if you choose to attend a course that you find appropriate for your interests.

Cosmetic Chemistry Internships - The Science Behind a Facial Treatment

Cosmetic Chemistry Internships - The Science Behind a Facial TreatmentCosmetic chemistry internship programs offer aspiring students an excellent opportunity to study under a professional and respected chemistry professor. This is perfect for high school students who have recently graduated or those who simply want to make new friends and learn more about the world of chemical science. A chemistry internship would be a great way to get your hands on all that is involved in the chemistry process. Just by working at a lab with chemicals and lab instruments you will quickly learn about how they are made, used, and stored.As you read the following paragraphs, you are likely aware that 'skincare' is one of the hottest industries in the world today. More people are choosing the cosmetics industry as their primary avenue for purchasing products for themselves and their loved ones. If you enjoy natural skin care products, and other chemical based products, it would be best for you to conside r studying at a chemistry lab.Your internship could even go as far as helping to create new and innovative skincare and skin care products. Make up artists and even hairdressers are often hired from the chemistry department at universities and colleges. This is a great job for someone who is passionate about beauty and also knows a lot about science.In addition to being able to master the principles of the sciences, you may learn the necessary skills and abilities to work with a number of different types of chemical compounds. Chemists use them to synthesize skin care and cosmetics products, by mixing them together with different amounts of other substances. Your work will take place in a chemical laboratory, with potentially hazardous and potentially explosive substances. But it is important to note that the laboratories are cleaned regularly and are monitored by safety guards.For someone who is looking for a career in chemistry, especially cosmetic chemistry, it would be good to h ave some type of hands-on experience. You can volunteer at a clinic or hospital, or you could work in the office of an expert cosmetic chemist. This could be the beginning of a long and rewarding career as a cosmetic chemist. With a hands-on experience and a decent salary, you could very well decide to stay on after you graduate from college to work in the same profession.A career as a cosmetic chemist is a great choice for someone who is interested in becoming an educator or a business owner. It would not only be great for the future of cosmetics, but for the future of your entire country as well.One great thing about makeup, and other related products, are that many companies offer organic chemistry internships to high school students who can work in an effort to improve the production of organic and natural products. You could learn everything from the theoretical foundations of chemistry, to the practical work involved in creating new organic products.

Who Were the Tudors

Who Were the Tudors What You Need to Know about the Tudor Period ChaptersWhen was the Tudor Period?The Start of the Tudor DynastyHenry VIII (1509-1547)The Reformation and the TudorsThe Tudors after Henry VIIIThe Tudors are almost certainly the most famous dynasty of monarchs in English history. And with good reason.With some of the most seismic shifts in British history occurring under their reigns, with the consolidation of the English state, and with all sorts of debauched, philandering behaviour going on in the royal court, there is a lot to be interested in and excited about.But, apart from a certain King Henry VIII marrying plenty of women â€" a number of whom he then beheaded â€" and maybe the Spanish Armada, not much about this fascinating period is incredibly well-known.Because the importance of the House of Tudor in the history of English kings and queens is not really about the wives so much as the politics. This is the real contribution of Tudor history to the contemporary world as much as to the that of the sixteenth century.And whilst you can find out about the lives and personalities of the Tudor monarchs in another article, here we’ll be looking at the changes that they made to the Tudor era in general.Let’s take a little look. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhen was the Tudor Period?The answer to the question, ‘who were the Tudors?’, starts with another question: ‘when were the Tudors?’. Because the particular time in which this most famous of dynasties rule d is largely the reason why so much of significance happened â€" and why we endlessly return to the Tudors throughout school.The ‘Tudor times’, as they are often referred to, lasted between 1485 and 1603, from the coronation of Henry VII â€" or Henry Tudor â€" and the death of Elizabeth I. This long sixteenth century came after a period of extended war â€" the Wars of the Roses â€" and before the consolidation of the first British Empire.Generally speaking, it was in this period that England prepared itself for the period of global power that began in the seventeenth century.Who were the Tudors?Long before the period which took the family’s name, the Tudors were an aristocratic family from the north of Wales.They came into importance during what we now know as the War of the Roses, a series of civil wars throughout the fifteenth century between the House of York and the House of Lancaster (the former with being identified by a white rose and the latter by a red one).These wars kicked off due to the perennially problematic monarchical issue of heirs â€" i.e. which son of whom was actually entitled to be the king. Throughout history, there have been too many similar conflicts on this matter to count â€" but, generally speaking, a lot of people died because of these disagreements.Given that the War of the Roses lasted some thirty-two years â€" through the reigns of Yorkist kings Edward IV and King Richard III â€" not many of the people who started the war in 1455 were there, in 1487, to see it finish.And this is precisely why Henry Tudor, the descendant of an obscure Welsh aristocratic line, became the leader of the Lancastrians and a claimant to the throne: simply because everyone else in the Lancastrians with a stronger claim had already been killed in the war.Find out more about the Tudor period!The Start of the Tudor DynastyAs we all know, the Lancastrians â€" led by Henry Tudor â€" ultimately won the war, at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1487. Henry Tudor therefore became Henry VII.This moment started the Tudor monarchy, which managed to retain power for over a century due to the actions of Henry VII â€" an often-underrated king. He, through threats and a strategic marriage to Elizabeth of York, managed to unify the two warring houses â€" and he brought the two symbols together as the Tudor Rose, both red and white.Nonetheless, Henry VII had plenty of rebellions on his plate throughout his reign, despite forbidding the private armies of lords and dukes across the country. None of them, fortunately, caused him too much trouble. The unified Tudor Rose, using the two roses from the Wars of the Roses. Image from WikipediaHenry VII’s SuccessesThe early years of the Tudors was characterised primarily by Henry’s financial shrewdness and diplomatic pragmatism.Throughout his reign he managed to secure treaties with the French, with the Holy Roman Empire, with Spain, and even with Scotland â€" the long-standing enemies of the English.Meanwhile, under his leadership, he built up the government treasury â€" by means of heavy taxation and through his determination to see a healthy wool and fabric trade in England.Although he wasn’t the most exciting person to have ever existed â€" and although his reign didn’t see half as much of the drama as those of his descendants â€" all of these things would be massively important for the rest of the Tudor dynasty.Discover fun facts about the Tudor era! MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesso n free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHenry VIII (1509-1547)Let’s quickly run through the reign of Henry VII’s son, Henry VIII, probably the most notorious of the Tudor monarchs. Sure, he had six wives. Sure, he died an obese and grumpy man. And, sure, he was probably quite a charismatic bloke in his time, jousting and writing poetry and music.But what is important about his reign, really, is the much greater power that he held over the England and Wales than any other king previously had. He made this happen â€" and it certainly couldn’t have happened at any tim e other than the sixteenth century.We generally know that the Break with Rome â€" in the early 1530s â€" was due to Henry’s desire for a divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and that it caused a whole load of trouble with European powers afterwards.Yet, this is only half of the story. Because all of the stuff that happened in England in the 1530s â€" the dissolution of the monasteries, the establishment of the Anglican church separate from the Pope, etc â€" was the result of all sorts of different pressures and ideas that were coming from elsewhere.The Reformation and the TudorsWe said earlier that the most important part of knowing who the Tudors were is knowing when the Tudors were. And whilst the facts and events of the War of the Roses makes up part of this ‘when’, the other part comes from elsewhere.Generally, that other part comes from Europe, where all sorts of different ideas were being spread around as a result of dissatisfaction with the Pope and with th e Catholic Church in general.Such dissatisfaction came from the vast wealth of the Catholic Church, the fact that the clergy did not fulfil the roles that they were supposed to, and the fact that many of the ceremonies in church were facilitated by monetary exchanges â€" at the expense of the poor.These issues were widespread. Yet, it wasn’t until theologians such as Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin and many others started speaking out about it, that sentiments against the Catholic church had much political impact.Find out what life was like in the Tudor period. One of the monasteries that suffered under Henry VIIIThe Reformation in EnglandWhilst Henry VIII’s search for a divorce from Catherine of Aragon was the spark that set off the English Reformation, these ‘protestant’ ideas had been in England for a while. Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, was known to hold Protestant ideas â€" as well as Thomas Cromwell, Henry’s most important advisor.It was these two forces â€" alongside Henry’s personal desires â€" that lead to what we know as the Tudor Reformation, and to the Anglican Church.And whilst many historians hold that Henry VIII died a committed Catholic, the significance of his actions for the future of England were huge. He brought much more money to the crown than before, through seizures of monasteries and church property and the diversion of church taxes.This moment provided a key incident in the development of a central state in England â€" as the monarch became an absolute power in the land.The Tudors after Henr y VIIIThese actions of Henry VIII, however, caused all sorts of problems for the rest of Tudor dynasty, however.Edward VI, the young king who took the throne when Henry died in 1547, was a committed protestant. However, his half-sister, Mary I, or ‘Bloody Mary’, who succeeded him in 1553, was a devout Catholic.These monarchs’ personal religious convictions made life a little complicated for normal people during these years, as state religion â€" religion that you were allowed to practice â€" was not at all time entirely clear. Mary, in particular, developed the reputation for being profoundly authoritarian and murderous â€" a reputation that is, incidentally, increasingly challenged by historians. Mary I maybe wasn't so bloody as we like to thinkQueen Elizabeth I of EnglandAll of this toing and froing ended with Queen Elizabeth, whose reign is known for religious compromise, cultural brilliance, and increasing diplomatic strength.

Solving Absolute value equations

Solving Absolute value equations Absolute value of any number whether its negative or positive represents only its positive version. Absolute value is actually the distance of the number from the center and is denoted by | |(modulus sign). Hence absolute value is never negative. Absolute value is the magnitude of the number not the sign. Absolute value equation contains the variables and numbers with the absolute value sign in it. Example 1: Solve for the variable x in the equation | x 1| = 5? Solution: Given is the equation |x 1| = 5. Here the unknown variable which needs to be solved for is x. First step: The absolute value gives two cases; x 1 = 5; x 1 = -5. Adding 1 on both sides of the given equation. (x 1) + 1 = 5 + 1; (x 1) + 1 = -5 + 1 This gives x = 6; x = -4. Hence the solution is x = 6 or -4. Example 2: Solve for the variable x in the equation | x + 6| = 6? Solution: Given is the equation |x + 6| = 6. Here the unknown variable which needs to be solved for is x. First step: The absolute value gives two cases; x + 6 = 6; x + 6 = -6. Subtracting 6 on both sides of the given equation. (x + 6) - 6 = 6 - 6; (x + 6) - 6 = -6 - 6. This gives x = 0; x = -12. Hence the solution is x = 0 or -12.

Algebra 1 Online

Algebra 1 Online An algebraical problem may be solved by expressing correctly the condition of the problem by means of signs and symbols and by converting it to an algebraical equation. The quantity which is to be found out in the problem is to be represented by x, then the conditions of the problem to be expressed in terms of x. Thus an equation in x is obtained. Finally, solving this equation the value of x is found. If there are more than one or two variables or unknown quantities in the given algebraic problem then the quantities are represented by x and y etc. Thus the simultaneous equations in x and y are obtained. Examples of algebra 1 online: - Question 1: - Divide 60 into 4 parts, such that if the first diminished by 3, second increased by 11, third multiplied by 4 and the fourth divide by 2, the results will be all equal. Solution: - Let the parts be a, b, c, d Then according to the problem, A + b + c + d = 60 (1) A 3 = b + 11 = 4 c = d / 2 (2) Now from (2) A 3 = b + 11 = 4 c = d / 2 = k (suppose) Therefore A 3 = k, a = k + 3 B + 11 = k, b = k 11 4 c = k, c = k / 4 D / 2 = k, d = 2 k Putting in (1) (k+3)+ (k-11) +k/4+2k=60 17k=272 K=16 Other example is: - 2x+5 = 4

Tips on Managing the Stress of Your First Day at a New Job - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips on Managing the Stress of Your First Day at a New Job - Introvert Whisperer Tips on Managing the Stress of Your First Day at a New Job Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Why is Personal Development So Important

Why is Personal Development So Important What Makes Self-Improvement Helpful? ChaptersWhat is Personal Development?How to Start Practicing Self-DevelopmentPick a Personal Development Plan That's Right for YouHow to Tap Into Your Human PotentialIn a world that is clogged up with advice on time management, self-confidence and self-awareness â€" it can be difficult to know what strategy will be best to implement in your life. Personal development is a concept that spans human history, which can make it even harder to sift through all the books, podcasts and data about management skills, communication skills, or emotional intelligence.Whether you’re looking to boost the soft skills on your CV or simply want to enhance your life, personal development is a great starting point. This guide will walk you through some of the most important aspects of sharpening your development skills, from tips and advice to resources you can check out.Find personal development courses with a coach on Superprof.Growth and development is a great personal journey TraceyPersonal develo pment Teacher 4.92 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliverPersonal development Teacher 4.33 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is Personal Development?Self-development is a subject that has, in the last couple of years, gained a lot of traction both in society and in economics. While the shift towards developing more complex indices of wealth and well-being has been in the process for a while now, many of us are sti ll confused on how to emphasize personal growth in our own lives. The biggest reason for this can be found in the fact that much of society still struggles to define what exactly skills development is.The idea of developing yourself can be easily understood, actually, by looking at the first rule of investing: invest in yourself first. This can take on a wide range of different “investment” ideas, such as:Skills training in subjects you have a passion forPracticing your leadership skills by taking on a personal projectDeveloping an exercise routineLearning a new languageThe basic idea underlying all of these examples is that in actively goal setting for activities that make you happy, you will not only improve your personal skills but also, simply, be happier and healthier.Another great benefit in starting to take some time to develop scientific, theatrical or technical skills is the upgrade you will give to your career development. While personal development can increase your e mployability by heightening your interpersonal skills as well as non-verbal skills, it can also lead you to discover different career options.If you’re still a bit confused on what exactly personal development skills and plans are, you’re not alone. While the traditional vision of personal development seems to only include improving your abilities in effective communication, conflict resolution or verbal communication â€" this subject also has a lot to do with physical health as well.While it may not be as explicit in a job interview or CV, working on your physical and mental health can have many benefits on your career as well. There are two main routes this can take on: fitness or meditation. Many experts believe that sports combine both fitness and meditation. Included in these are:YogaMartial artsLong distance runningHow to Start Practicing Self-DevelopmentWhile there are many theories on personal development, one of the most popular bodies of thought was established by psyc hologist Abraham Maslow. What became to be known as the hierarchy of needs was originally established by Maslow as a simple representation of how humans develop life skills. While many have responded to Maslow, even delving into more experimental methods, this hierarchy of needs is a helpful starting point in understanding how you can implement self-assessment skills to improve your development progress.Starting at the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy pyramid of needs, any development goals should be met after basic physiological and safety needs have been met. These cover necessities like food, shelter, exercise, security, routine.Development courses can be done individually or with a groupThe next rung on the pyramid deals with love and belongingness. While these two concepts might not seem as concrete as hard skills like programming or fluency in a language, it can actually be an important stepping stone towards accomplishing your personal goals. Feeling a sense of belonging to a g roup, whether that be social, work-related or family, is a vital form a psychological standpoint.This step goes hand-in-hand with the next component of Maslow’s pyramid: esteem needs. Self-improvement cannot be defined without confidence and self-respect. For example, something as simple as working on your presentation skills can be majorly improved by, simultaneously, building up confidence in yourself.Cognitive needs is the third to last element on Maslow’s hierarchy. People crave knowledge, which is why personal development should not be a short-term but long-term commitment. This can include taking development courses, which can be anything related to acquiring new skills. Having a mentor can also be extremely important in developing personal or professional skills. While many do find satisfaction in self-knowledge, or self-teaching, the majority of people enjoy learning from those that are masters in their field.The penultimate step is labeled aesthetic needs, meaning the n eed for order, symmetry and beauty. While accomplishing any of your development goals, such as running a marathon or learning excel, it is also important to develop the environment around you. Actions such as living in a city you enjoy or organizing your home into an personal space can be a major part of your development plan.The last step involves self-actualization, which basically translates into someone accomplishing everything they set out to be. Contrary to popular belief, however, undertaking personal development is something you should implement every day of your life and shouldn’t be viewed as a final destination.Pick a Personal Development Plan That's Right for YouLearning about personal development can often inspire you to start implementing it into your own life. While this is a great way to kick-start you into achieving your goals, relying on this feeling alone will not bring you any closer to improving your personal or employability skills. What will help you, on the other hand, is goal setting.Many of us have been taught from an early age to set goals that are achievable. The problem with this is bit of advice is the fact that many people don’t exactly know how to define what is achievable and what isn’t. While whole swaths of the population simply want to achieve not-binge watching series every weekend, or set vague goals like starting to exercise more â€" these may not be the best ways to expand your skill set.According to studies conducted by professors Locke and Latham, the more difficult and specific your goals are, the more likely you are to work with more determination and for more time. To give one example that can apply from your transferable kills to your stress management, setting a goal with the “do your best” or “try your hardest” mentality isn’t as effective as more concrete challenges like “beat your best score” or “work for two hours more than yesterday.”While this isn’t an exhaustive guide on how to pla n your growth and development, here are some tips on how to get started on formulating a personal development plan.Develop a GoalEvery successful personal and professional development journey begins with those who set goals. Personal development goals should be difficult but achievable targets is an effective way of determining what aspect of your life you’d like to work on.Plan Your DevelopmentWhether you’re taking part in development programs, career planning or personality development â€" development plans should begin by defining each step you will have to take to achieve your goals. This process should involve outlining what resources you will need and how much time it will take for you to accomplish each step.Start the ProcessYou don’t need a life coach to reach your human potential. Whether you’re turning to personal development for career exploration or simply want to learn new skills, don’t wait until tomorrow to start implementing your personal development plans. Time management can provide you with career guidanceHow to Tap Into Your Human PotentialImplementing the new habit of practicing self-help everyday is not an easy one. While you may have the passion to achieve your goals, procrastination caused by a lack of direction can often lead to an indefinite delay of your development process. While this is definitely not an exhaustive list of the advice you can implement during your journey, here are some tips and materials to keep in mind.Develop Self-Care RitualsIt’s not as complicated, nor as pseudo-scientific as it sounds. Personal development can be as simple as prioritizing some time every day to taking care of your fitness, mental health and career. Practicing mindfulness, which is the act of meditation, can take on many different forms throughout your week. Here are some examples on how you can develop yourself personally and professionally with the aim to relieve overall stress.Create a to do list for every day of the weekPartake i n job shadowing for other areas of professional life you’re interested inTry journaling every morning before starting your daySelf-help MaterialsSelf-improvement resources come in a number of different guises, all depending on what kind of development you seek. While the sheer volume of self-help books and courses can be startling, narrowing a couple of materials down can be made easier by picking which aspect of your life you’re looking to improve: professional skills, personal goals or self knowledge.

French Pronunciation Guide Avoid These Common Mistakes!

French Pronunciation Guide Avoid These Common Mistakes! Sign up successful 1. “E” instead of Schwa What do Americans say when they’re at a loss for words? Uh…yep, that’s it! Say “uh” a few timesâ€"this is more or less the French schwa. The schwa, or neutral vowel, appears wherever there is an unaccented E: je, me, and seraine are a few examples. Do not pronounce these as regular American E vowels; it could change your meaning entirely. 2. Diphthongs Speaking of the French schwa, lots of Americans mess them up by adding diphthongs. In English, we close our mouths at the ends of vowels. For example, an American pronounces the word I by saying something like “aaee.” French, like other Romantic languages, does not have diphthongs. If you want a terrible American accent, go ahead and pronounce “je, the French word for I, with a diphthong. You’ll get something that sounds like “jay,” along with an eye roll from native French speakers. 3. Silent Final Consonants Many French words end with unpronounced consonants. Take, for example, the title of one of my audition arias: Les Oiseaux dans la Charmille. In this short phrase two word have silent endings: oiseaux and dans. When spoken, this phrase sounds kind of like “lez wazo da la shar meal.” Pronouncing the ends of the words ruins the smooth lilt of the French language. 4. American R instead of Uvular R In American English, we pronounce the letter R by drawing our whole tongue up to the roof of the mouth. The French, especially in Paris, use a uvular R instead. Only the back of the tongue (the part near the uvula, that dangly thing in the back of the mouth) goes up. Try doing it in front of the mirror and making sure the front of your tongue stays down. 5. French Combination Vowel U In the U.S., we often pronounce the letter U as a schwa (as in uh). In French, the letter U, as in “tu,” is a combination vowelâ€"the lips form one vowel while the tongue forms another. We don’t have combination vowels in English, so this can be especially confusing for native English speakers. There are actually several combination vowels in French, but this is the most pervasive one. The French U is a combination of the vowel “ooh” (as in room) and the vowel “ee” (as in bean). The “ooh” happens with the lips; the “ee” happens with the tongue. To form this vowel, try saying “ee.” Keep your tongue in the “ee” position while changing your lips to form an “ooh.” 6. Aspirate Consonants In English, we put emphasis on words using consonants, especially aspirate consonants like T and C/K (take that cat out!). Aspirate simply means that the vowel is followed by a little puff of air, as in the English letter H (hurry, half). French is centered around vowels, and there are no aspirate consonants. The letter H is silent (as in hiver). T and C/K consonants are pronounced dentallyâ€"farther back in the mouth than we say them in English. Place your tongue right behind your front teeth and practice saying these vowels there. For even more tips on how to perfect your French accent and pronunciation, check out this quick video lesson. Ze Tip of Ze Iceberg This is hardly an exhaustive list of the many French pronunciation rules, but it is a start. Avoid these common mistakes and you’ll already be better than most Americans who study French. By ensconcing these rules in your memory and continuing to learn more, you might get rid of that pesky American accent altogether. Elaina R. teaches opera voice and  singing in Ann Arbor, MI, as well as through online lessons. She studied French diction for a year as part of her opera voice training. She is currently  working on a Master of Music at the University of Michigan, and she has a B.M. from the University of Southern California.  Learn more about Elaina here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  Jason OX4