What Is A Tutor Whiz?

What Is A Tutor Whiz?So, you want to become a tutor whiz Corona? Well, if you are ready to take the risk of having a full time job, then you need to know that it can be a very rewarding profession. Because of its benefits, many people have taken on this part time work.Tutors have many different jobs, one of which is to tutor. Tutors are responsible for tutoring students, sometimes up to two classes a day. This helps with the learning process for students who may not know how to take notes or read comprehension. Teachers rely on tutors for many reasons, including the fact that tutors can help them improve their teaching skills, because tutors can help make sure that students can take lessons and have fun.Tutors often work at daycares, universities, as part of a school study group, in a parent-teacher association, or as an independent tutor. Many tutors work from home and other homes, because tutors receive payment from their students. Many teachers also take on tutors, because it is i mportant for students to learn from tutors and are not self-centered.Tutors can earn as much as over $200 per hour, depending on the location of the tutoring job. You can make more money working full time, but for the most part, you need to work just part time. Part time jobs can pay anywhere from half to four times more than your full time job.Tutors often go to work by showing up at your home every day, and tutoring, on a daily basis. Most tutors also do freelance work, such as working with companies. Some tutors become so well known in the tutoring community that they have been able to leave their day job and have their own business.If you are interested in becoming a tutor whiz, you need to understand that there are many different factors that you need to consider. First, you need to find out what type of tutor whiz, and where you would like to work. You need to think about what kind of education and experience you would like to get. There are many different tutoring jobs out th ere, and you need to be flexible with the job you choose.Most tutors choose to work in their local area because this is the place they grew up, and it is their hometown. You need to make sure that you will have a good income and that you will be able to teach your own schedule. These are some of the things that you need to think about before you decide to become a tutor whiz.

Improve Your Acrylic Painting with These Tutorials and Resources

Improve Your Acrylic Painting with These Tutorials and Resources Improve Your Acrylic Painting with These Tutorials and Resources ChaptersMaster the BasicsStep Up Your Acrylic Painting GameWherever you’re currently at with your acrylic painting, there’s always room for improvement. If you’re looking to brush up on your technique, and take your painting to the next level, then you’re in luck.We’ve gathered some of the best acrylic painting tutorials and resources out there, to give you the best chance of success in your painting endeavours, whether you’re just starting out, or proficient in the craft.Before we get stuck into the resources that will prove invaluable in your quest to become more adept with acrylics in your work, we’re going to briefly go over the basics to get you up to speed. FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tut ors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsMaster the Basics What’s painting if not a little messy at first?Like with any skill or hobby, with acrylic painting you’ll need a solid grasp of the basics in order to reach any level of proficiency. To learn the basics you might find luck in a variety of sources, ranging from beginner video tutorials online, to lengthy written guides, or a good old-fashioned instruction book to take you through the paces.We all have our own unique learning styles, so the efficiency with which we can pick up a new skill or hobby can often depend on the type of resources we consume. Some thrive off consuming multimedia sources like videos and audio, while others prefer understanding the material cognitively through text and written guides.With that being said, let’s dive into some of the different approaches to picking up the basics in acrylic painting.Multimedia SourcesOne of the most popular ways to acquire new skills in this modern age of technology is through multimedia sources such as the huge video sharing platform YouTube, or online course websites like Udemy, or Skillshare.Being able to see a skill demonstrated visually through the form of video is hugely helpful when it comes to replicating it yourself. For some people, myself included, written instructions are far more difficult to act upon than an instructive video.Will Kemp Art School Free VideosOne such source for acrylic painting tutorials is the Will Kemp Art School. Established by award-winning, English-born artist Will Kemp, the art school has plenty of videos to get you started out in acrylic painting, and help you get the basics down from the get-go.The astounding library of free video tutorials covers everything from still life painting to landscape painting, so whatever it is you enjoy painting, you’ll find a class for you.Udemy: Acrylic Painting for Beginners CourseAnother way you can dip your toes into the world of acrylics, is by investing some money in a prestigious online course like this one on Udemy.Although s ome of the courses on Udemy can seem pricey, there are frequent discounts and sales throughout the year, and you are getting great value for your money. In addition to an extensive video library, you’ll also have an established art teacher talk you through the basic supplies you’ll need to get started, various techniques, and the many applications of acrylic paint.This more thorough approach will see you making great strides in no time, provided you put the work in. This is definitely one of the best ways to get a head start in acrylic painting should you wish to become proficient in the field within a relatively short period of time.Written GuidesIf your preferred method of learning is through written word, then you’ll likely be best served seeking out a through online guide which can talk you through the basics of acrylic painting so you can wrap your head around the core concepts.Will Kemp Art School Written GuideProving to be a great resource for all styles of learning, th e Will Kemp Art School is home to a fantastic written guide in PDF format.This 50 page guide will lay out the fundamentals of acrylic painting in a clear and concise manner; perfect for those who want to sit down and get a clear idea of what’s involved in the craft before getting started.Covering basic supplies, core painting principles, and some of the best paid painting courses out there, this guide should have plenty of content to get you off the ground.Jackson’s Art Acrylic Paint GuideA lengthy online article, the acrylic paint guide from Jackson’s Art (a large fine art supplier based in the UK) provides plenty of value to the reader and the beginner acrylic painter.Nicely laid out, the article details the history of acrylic painting, the science behind why they dry so quickly, as well as some of the techniques you can use.This guide can serve as a nice introduction into acrylics, and give you a great starting point, or helpful refresher.Illustrated Books You just can’t beat a coffee and a good book.Lastly, there are those of us who like nothing more than to sit down with a nice hardback book and a cup of coffee before diving into a new hobby.Learn to Paint in Acrylics with 50 Small PaintingsAvailable for purchase on Amazon, this well-rated acrylic painting book for beginners is a fantastic way to get up and running and figure out the basics of the art medium.Taking a hands-on approach, this book by Mark Daniel Nelson will have you attempting to recreate 50 impressive acrylic paintings. Perfect for anyone who enjoys following along and practising the new skills they’re learning on the fly, this book provides an entertaining introduction into working with acrylics.Step Up Your Acrylic Painting Game Working on the finer details.After getting the basics down, you’ll probably find yourself wanting to challenge yourself further. It’s often the case that after working hard at a skill for a long time, we reach a plateau, or a stage in which we feel that progress is coming much slower than before.It’s at this point that many people choose to tap out or begin to lose interest as progression seems so difficult. For that reason, it’s important to enjoy the hobby of painting without worrying too much about the end result, since this can be discouraging at times since we’re very critical of our own work.If you’re still plugging away at it though, then here are some handy resources and tutorials that could re-invigorate your progress and give you some extra motivation.Intermediate and Advanced Video TutorialsThe following video tutorials take a more in-depth approach to acrylic painting with a view to helping you make the jump from intermediate to advanced, and beyond.YouTubeYou Tube is a true goldmine for acrylic painting, with a wealth of video tutorials and step by step guides which will give you plenty of material to work with.If intermediate and advanced acrylics tutorials are what you’re looking for, this YouTube playlist from fine art painter and experienced art instructor Angela Anderson contains over 60 videos falling in the intermediate and advanced levels of difficulty.If your acrylic painting is good, but you want it to be great, then these lengthy video tutorials can help you step up your game and master more advanced skills and techniques.Before long, you’ll be painting everything from boldly coloured Cardinals, to intricate flowers, and floral deer with these videos.There are plenty of other great YouTube channels out there too offering so much free value that can take your acrylic painting to the next level.ColorByFeliks does incredibly detailed step by step tutorials so you can impress your friends with amazing landscapes or other natur e scenes using acrylics.Another channel of note is Acrylic Painting Techniques, which, as the name suggests, demonstrates many different techniques in the medium.This channel will familiarise you with a variety of techniques which could be just what you need to break through the plateau and make progress with your acrylic painting work.Skillshare Acrylic Painting CoursesI won’t single out a specific acrylic painting course on Skillshare since there are a variety of great courses to choose from on the popular online course platform.Depending on your interests, you could take a course in everything from modern acrylic painting techniques, master abstract painting with acrylics, or become proficient at painting flowers and floral designs.These courses are great for zeroing in on a niche within acrylic painting and truly honing your skills.SuperProf Online ClassesFor something a bit more personalised, you can use the find a tutor near me function on our website to see if there are any art tutors able to help in your area.Even if there aren’t, you can learn from our fully qualified and experienced tutors online, which can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and work towards making solid progress in acrylic painting.Written Word MaterialThere are plenty of great acrylic painting books and guides that will provide you with a solid knowledge of how to improve in the medium.Complete Guide to Painting in AcrylicsThis book is a comprehensive guide to everything related to acrylic painting and working with the medium.Any question you have about the medium will be answered in this book, along with step-by-step guidance to help you master the techniques that can prove so difficult to grasp.Invaluable: 14 Acrylic Painting Techniques Used by the MastersThis simple guide of advanced acrylic techniques will give you a good idea of some of the effects you can achieve when you get to a more advanced level.Complete with illustrated examples, the article makes for a great read for anyone looking to up their game by exploring the many techniques accessible through the use of acrylic paints.

How to improve writing standards of 10th grade student

How to improve writing standards of 10th grade student 0SHARESShare Writing standards defines the knowledge and skills required for proficient writing at particular grade level. If the student understand these standards well in advance, may help them to concentrate in English writing and be effective to meet expected grades in the test. The writing online standards of 10th grade students are like he/she should be capable enough to plan, draft and complete written compositions on regular basis. To improve their writing skills, they should practice various types of writing. They are expected to produce error-free essays that demonstrate their skills of writing about a specific purpose and for targeted audience. They should learn to edit their comprehension to deliver better clarity, correct use of conventions, engaging language. The student should emphasize writing logic with focused intention to convey well-defined view on the subject matter. The writing standards are specific with detailing every aspect of what standards students should attain in each grade. Online tutoring focus on five key areas to help students improving writing skills: writing process, purpose of writing, writing evaluation, writing conventions and research of content delivered in writing. Typically, these five standards are considered as a benchmark in writing proficiency for 10th grade students. Online tutoring targets fundamentals of writing, is excellent option to improve writing skills. Ask for a trial session to experience the realm of English writing. [starbox id=admin]

How Parents Can Help with Elementary Homework Challenges

How Parents Can Help with Elementary Homework Challenges Elementary homework can quickly become a challenging task for your student to complete. No matter the age, balancing several classes at a time can become taxing for many elementary students. It can become easy for them to question the importance of these assignments, but it is vital for parents to remember the purpose of elementary homework: to assist their students in fine-tuning skills learned in the classroom. While dealing with common elementary homework challenges, a lot of different complaints can arise in a studentall of which are totally normal. Parents can help with elementary homework challenges by utilizing certain techniques, such as establishing a homework schedule or reviewing sections of the textbook with their students. Here is how you, as a parent, can help resolve homework challenges your student might be facing: When elementary students feel they have too much homework On the surface, this can appear to be a simple excuse of not wanting to complete the assignments. It can, however, be a sign of something else: that the homework is feeling too hard for your student. Every student learns differently, and sometimes, an assignment may take different amounts of time for different students to complete. Also, it could be due to the student not having enough time to fully understand the concepts prior to the homework being assigned. This could simply mean your student needs to take some extra time before beginning the assignment to reread over the concept to get a better grasp of it. It could be helpful to have a designated, distraction-free, homework area in the house for your student to concentrate better. Remember, when your student says there is too much homework, there could be underlying issues that you can work together to solve. If your student feels a concept or class is consistently too hard, there are a few things you can do: Read through the textbook or handouts with your student Clarify things that might not be clicking Talk to the teacher to see if there are any extra materials he or she can provide [RELATED: How to Help Your Elementary School Student Cope with Test Anxiety] Make an elementary homework schedule with your student If your student feeling too tired to complete homework is a common occurrence, it may be time to reevaluate his or her scheduling. While extracurriculars are important to your child's growth and development, homework does come first. Examine your students agenda to see if there are better ways in which homework can be scheduled to help with this challenge. Perhaps completing assignments earlier in the evening can help prevent exhaustion from extracurriculars before homework. If your student has a lot of activities going on, working homework into that weekly schedule ahead of time can help your student learn to prioritize and balance tasks. Encourage your student to ask teachers about homework challenges Your elementary student not knowing what the teacher wants is oftentimes a large complaint. It can become frustrating to have your student come home with a lot of assignments and have no idea what to do for them. If this is a common occurrence, have your student begin to have conversations with teachers in an effort to better understand assignments and concepts. This is also a good habit to instill in your student at a young age; the earlier he or she knows how to approach teachers to ask for clarification, the better luck your student will have with assignments throughout his or her education. [RELATED: 5 Questions to Ask Your Student's New Teacher] Also, if a child doesnt seem to like a specific teacher, it can definitely become another factor that contributes to a lack of desire to complete the homework. Ask your student to explain further where the dislike is stemming from. It could be a case of not liking the amount of work assigned or certain classroom rules, for instance. Encourage your student to have an open, honest conversation with you about these concerns; they may end up being minor issues that you can help him or her work past. If, however, you find there is a deeper issue of disrespect or negative behaviors in the classroom, it is important to speak with the teacher personally. Request a meeting with him or her to find out if it is simply a misunderstanding or if higher action needs to be taken. [RELATED: Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences: What to Ask] At the end of the day, homework is a necessity in your student's life. It exists for many reasons, but primarily to help strengthen skills learned in the classroom. There may be challenges or long nights, but the important thing is to stay focused on encouraging your childs ability to complete the tasks at hand. Staying motivated and focused will help both you and your child progress toward a positive educational future. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

5 Tips for a Successful Finals Week

5 Tips for a Successful Finals Week Dont let finals week get the best of you! The following five strategies are smart tactics that can greatly aid you during the course of your final exams. Ultimately, the key to success goes beyond simply studying hard. 1. Dedicate each day to a single subject Instead of reviewing for several different exams within one timeframe, devote each day to preparing for a single test. The material you discuss in the latter half of a semester or term is often a continuation of information presented early in the course. Do not yet switch to studying for a second exam when you have established a solid rhythm reviewing for the first test. Remain on one subject per day in order to build on the course material and focus your efforts. Doing so will feel much less chaotic than jumping from one courses notes to the others. 2. Review course notes in advance Do not delay until the evening before the test to review your class notes. What if you discover that you cant read what you wrote, or you just dont understand the material? Study your course notes several days before the scheduled final. This will allow you time to ask your teacher or classmates for clarification if you have any doubts. Consistently skim your notes along the way and you will familiarize yourself with the content effectively. These are some great tips to help you organize your notesthat you may find useful as well. 3.Study in small groups When reviewing in small groups, it is recommended that the group have between two and four members. Even if you are an individual who doesnt mind preparing by yourself, you can gain a tremendous amount of knowledge from studying with others. Perhaps another student has notes on a topic you forgot to jot down or can explain a concept you find difficult. Verbalizing information strengthens memory. Here are a fewof the benefits of group study. However, study groups with more than four members can become disruptive and easily sidetracked. A smaller group allows each of you to more easily bounce ideas off of each other and come to quicker conclusions on class material. 4. Record important dates It is an excellent idea to maintain an agenda pad where you write down your obligations. Write the exact dates and times of all upcoming final exams, deadlines for essays, and review sessions you plan to attend. It would be a shame to spend hours studying and then miss the test because you forgot when it began. Keeping a thorough record of test dates and times as well as study dates and times is the simplest method to ensure that youre on track and aware of your responsibilities. 5. Treat your body well A healthy mind and a healthy body are crucial to success during a stressful week like this one. Your diet during finals week can have a significant impact on your performance during exams; feeling hunger pains while taking an important test is never a positive experience. During this crucial portion of the semester, its best to select food that will provide you long-lasting energy, such as complex carbohydrates (found in bread, cereal, etc.) and proteins. Caffeine and simple sugars may result in an initial rush, but this type of energy is short-term and will lead to a crash before you know it. When your brain must absorb a significant amount of information, it requires a greater caloric intake and additional hydration. Ensure you drink ample amounts of water in order to prevent headaches, cramping, and other negative side effects of dehydration. Taking good care of your body will bring you advantages during the test days you may not have even imagined. Feeling well and strong is half the battle to acing your final exams. You may also want to take a look at this information on the importance of sleep!

Question Formation Errors

Question Formation Errors Question forms in English can be tricky.Most questions require the inversion of the subject and the auxiliary. There are a number of auxiliaries to choose from, and auxiliaries must agree with their subject. This handy guide will help you eliminate common errors and ask correctly formed questions. The Virtual Writing Tutor grammar checker can catch many question formation errors. Study each one below carefully so that you can eliminate these question formation errors from your writing and speaking. For extra practice, try the grammar practice activities here. 11 Common question errors RULE: Don’t use do for all questions. A progressive verb form requires a form of the verb TO BE as its auxiliary. Useam, is, are,in the present tense orwas, werein the past tense. INCORRECT: Do I am saying it correctly?CORRECT: Am I saying it correctly? RULE: Don’t forget to use an auxiliary with progressive tenses. INCORRECT:Whyyou spending money on things you dont need?CORRECT:Why are you spending money on things you dont need? RULE: Conjugate your DO auxiliary for the third person singular in the Simple Present. INCORRECT:Do he need help?CORRECT:Doeshe need help? RULE: Make sure that your verb TO BE agrees with your plural subject. INCORRECT:How wasyour classes yesterday?CORRECT:How were your classes yesterday? RULE: When no auxiliary is needed because the question word is the subject of the verb, conjugate the verb for the third person singular. INCORRECT:What make you smile?CORRECT:What makes you smile? RULE: Invert the subject and auxiliary verb. INCORRECT:Why you do not likeEnglish classes? CORRECT:Why do you not like English classes?CORRECT:Whydont you likeEnglish classes? RULE: Use only one auxiliary. INCORRECT:Why do you dont like salad?CORRECT:Why dont you like salad? RULE: Dont double your subject. One is enough. INCORRECT:What its your favourite sport? CORRECT:Whats your favourite sport? RULE: Use the Present Perfect when asking about the past leading up to the present with how long or how many years. INCORRECT:How many years do you play soccer?CORRECT:How many years have you played soccer? RULE: Use an article or plural noun in questions with countable nouns. INCORRECT:Do you have uncle or aunt?CORRECT:Do you have uncles or aunts?CORRECT:Do you have anuncle or an aunt? RULE: Do not invert your subject and verb when you embed a question in a sentence. INCORRECT:  The About page explains what is the Virtual Writing Tutor. CORRECT:     The About page explains what the Virtual Writing Tutor is. 50 more common errors and how to eliminate them from your writing Question Forms Tense ?Aspect ?PastPresentFutureSimpleDid I make mistakes?Did you make mistakes?Did he make mistakes?Did we make mistakes?Did they make mistakes?Do I make mistakes?Do you make mistakes?Does he make mistakes?Do we make mistakes?Do they make mistakes?Will I make mistakes?Willyou make mistakes?Willhe make mistakes?Do we make mistakes?Willthey make mistakes?ProgressiveWas I making mistakes?Were you making mistakes?Was she making mistakes?Were we making mistakes?Were they making mistakes?Am I making mistakes?Are you making mistakes?Is she making mistakes?Are we making mistakes?Are they making mistakes?Will I be making mistakes?Will you be making mistakes?Will she be making mistakes?Will we be making mistakes?Will they be making mistakes?PerfectHad I made mistakes?Had you made mistakes?Had he made mistakes?Had we made mistakes?Had they made mistakes?Have I made mistakes?Have you made mistakes?Have he made mistakes?Have we made mistakes?Have they made mistakes?Will I have made mistakes?Will you have made mistakes?Will he have made mistakes?Will we have made mistakes?Will they have made mistakes? Adding Question Words Tense ?Aspect ?PastPresentFutureSimpleWhat did I do?What did you do?What did she do?What did we do?What did they do?What do I do?What do you do?What do she do?What do we do?What do they do?What will I do?What will you do?What will she do?What will we do?What will they do?ProgressiveWhat was I doing?What were you doing?What was he doing?What were we doing?What were they doing?What am I doing?What are you doing?What is he doing?What are we doing?What are they doing?What will I be doing?What will you be doing?What will he be doing?What will we be doing?What will they be doing?PerfectWhat had I done?What had you done?What had she done?What had we done?What had they done?What have I done?What have you done?What have she done?What have we done?What have they done?What will I have done?What will you have done?What will she have done?What will we have done?What will we have done? Please follow and like us:

How to use So and Such in English (video and exercise)

How to use So and Such in English (video and exercise) Do you know when to use So and Such in English? We hear our English students confuse the two words often, because their meanings seem to be similar. The words are useful when used correctly. Look at this example:She speaks (so/such) quickly.She has (so/such) nice clothes.Watch the video below to get the correct answers to the questions above. Now try the exercises below. If you write your answers in comments, we will correct them.1. I get (so/such) many emails everyday that it takes me all day to answer them.2. Answering emails all day is (so/such) a boring thing to do.3. I talk to my brother on the phone (so/such) often that my bill is very high.4. But we have (so/such) good conversations.5. I drank (so/such) much beer that I danced on the bar top.6. It made me look like (so/such) an idiot.7. This has been (so/such) a long week!8. Why did this week seem (so/such) long?9. Because I was (so/such) sick, I couldnt do anything.10. Thats (so/such) a shame! karma 1 so2 such3 so4 such5 so6 such7such8 so9 so10 such LOIEnglish Very good!

10USD Referral Promo Month of May Only!

10USD Referral Promo Month of May Only! Hurry this  offer is only valid during the month of May!   Give your friends 10USD to learn a language! During the month of May, italki is running a very special referral promotion.  Simply invite your friends to join italki  and take an online lesson  with any of our 1000s of online language teachers teaching any of 100+ languages,  and  they’ll get 10USD in italki credits. Best of all,  youll get 10USD in italki credits  too! Heres how it works: There’s no limit!    Tell all your friends  about the gift of language that gifts you back! Click Here To Give Your Friends 10USD in italki credits (ITC) Keep Track Your Referrals One of the great things about our referral program is that you can keep track of your referrals.  Youll know which friends have signed up, which ones have gone on to purchase ITC so youll know exactly who will receive the italki credits! On your Referral Page, simply click on View your Referral Account and it will show you the status of everyone who youve referred! 10USD Referral Promo Month of May Only! Hurry this  offer is only valid during the month of May!   Give your friends 10USD to learn a language! During the month of May, italki is running a very special referral promotion.  Simply invite your friends to join italki  and take an online lesson  with any of our 1000s of online language teachers teaching any of 100+ languages,  and  they’ll get 10USD in italki credits. Best of all,  youll get 10USD in italki credits  too! Heres how it works: There’s no limit!    Tell all your friends  about the gift of language that gifts you back! Click Here To Give Your Friends 10USD in italki credits (ITC) Keep Track Your Referrals One of the great things about our referral program is that you can keep track of your referrals.  Youll know which friends have signed up, which ones have gone on to purchase ITC so youll know exactly who will receive the italki credits! On your Referral Page, simply click on View your Referral Account and it will show you the status of everyone who youve referred!

Memrise vs Duolingo Which of These Popular Language Learning Programs Is Right for You

Memrise vs Duolingo Which of These Popular Language Learning Programs Is Right for You Memrise vs Duolingo: Which of These Popular Language Learning Programs Is Right for You? Tesla or Edison?Coke or Pepsi?Superman or Batman?Marvel or DC?The world is full of tough choices.And in the field of language learning, in this clash of titans, which should you pick: Memrise or Duolingo? It is a tough decision!By the end of this post, we will settle the scores so that you will know which program you should choose.Are you ready to dive deep into each platform?Let’s begin with Memrise. Memrise vs Duolingo: Which of These Popular Language Learning Programs Is Right for You?MemriseAvailable: iOS | AndroidWhat Is Memrise?What would you call an app that is designed to help you remember words?Rightâ€"Memrise seems like the perfect name! It seems even more so when you realize that one of the apps founders, Ed Cooke, is himself a memory grandmaster.The other two masterminds behind the project are Ben Whately, who studied experimental psychology at Oxford, and Greg Detre, a neuroscientist who studies the science of remembering things.So, the very first thing you need to k now about Memrise is that it was shepherded by guys who know what they are doing.The next thing you need to know is that Memrise is a flashcard app/software on steroids. These are not your grandmother’s flashcards where she writes Spanish words on one side and their English translations on the other. Memrise works with audio, video and text. When you are looking at video clips of native speakers (and replaying them as often as you want), rifling through a bunch of audio samples and typing your answers on a keyboard, you know you have come a long way from grandma’s ol’ school flashcards.Memrise uses spaced repetition to help users remember vocabulary. This means that difficult words show up in the exercises more frequently while those that you have already mastered are replaced by newer words. Memrises algorithm “knows” the words you are struggling with because of instances when you make errors while the app is testing you on a particular word.Say you are given an audio cli p of the Spanish word “ ¡Hola!” (Hello!), and the app then asks you to pick its English translation from the given choices. If you answer, “Thank You,” for example, Memrise thinks, “Hmmmm, he got that one wrong. I better drill him more on this.”On the whole, Memrise is an excellent app for learning target language vocabulary. It offers plenty of languages, including Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Italian. The basic app is free, but a premium subscription is $8.99 for one month, $5 per month with an annual subscription and $99.99 for a lifetime subscription.The Memrise InterfaceMemrise is available both as an app and as a website. The two interfaces are intuitive and sleek. You will not have too difficult a time navigating them.The app and website do vary a bit in terms of what is available and what can be done on each platform (and sometimes they do not sync perfectly).With its “flashcard” technology, Memrise can do more than teach you a language or help you me morize new words. It can basically help you memorize anything: trivia, capitals of the world, currencies, geography you name it! It can also teach you the vocab for any subject: design, history, science, etc.And, with this “flashcard” technology, Memrise users can personalize decks. As a matter of fact, a lot of content on Memrise is user-generated, and this is one of the programs strengths. You can learn so much just by clicking around and exploring their “Courses” section.The website reflects this and shows you the many things outside of language that you can learn with Memrise. The app, on the other hand, seems to focus on language learning. (It also prompts you to upgrade more often than most users would like.)Below, we will look more closely into what is under the hood of this great learning tool.FeaturesMaking Words and Phrases MemorableThere are two main activities that can be done in the Memrise app. The first is “Learn,” and the second is “Review.”The Learn section is further divided into “Words and Phrases” and “Learn Grammar.” These divisions are self-explanatory. You will probably spend most of your time initially in the “Words and Phrases” subsection, drilling new vocabulary, looking at videos, listening to audio clips and tapping correct answers for any given task.The “Learn Grammar” subsection is where you get a little bit of grammar instruction. The operative phrase here is “a little bit.” Do not expect too much handholding. You will get grammar highlights but not the deep instruction that some students may be looking for. (But for the grammar concepts that they do tackle, expect the same engagement and finesse offered in the vocabulary section.)The second main section of the app is the “Review” section, which is further divided into six different activities: “Classic Review,” “Speed Review,” “Difficult Words,” “Learn With Locals,” “Pronunciation” and “Listening Skills.”You will ha ve already encountered most of these activities when you initially learn words and phrases. But here, they are split into specific categories for further focus. If you want to specifically review pronunciation, for example, head to “Pronunciation.”Here is a quick look at what each of these subsections offers:Classic Review This drills you on the words you have already learned (no new words are introduced). You will once again take on different tasks that allow you to engage and work with the vocabulary. You will do back-and-forth translations, type words into boxes, listen to audio clips and arrange phrases in their proper order. This is where your learning is cemented.Speed Review This is a run-through of all the words you have learned, but with the added pressure of being timed. For example, you will see an English word and four options. Your job is to tap on the correct translation of the English word before the allotted time expires.The longer you take, the more your screen will be taken over by the color red. The speed review is an important gauge of how well you recall learned words under pressure, which reflects how deeply embedded the vocab is in your memory.Difficult Words A session here will give you the chance to really drill those words marked by the app as “difficult.” Maybe you made multiple mistakes during the learning session. Those relevant items are added to the Difficult Words section. Another way of populating this subsection is by marking the words yourself.If you encounter a word which, at first sight, sends a chill up your spine, you can preemptively mark it as difficult and it will be added to this section. This will afford you more opportunities to practice the word.Listening Skills This has everything to do with sounds and how you are able to make out the different words of the target language. Some words in languages like French have pronunciations that are quite different from how the words are spelled. This subsection lets you listen to audio clips and hone your ears to the tonal flow of your target language.Pronunciation Just because you have consistently tapped on correct translations does not mean you know how to actually say a word. This section prompts you to pronounce the words and phrases you have learned.So, speak up on your phone’s mic and say the word or phrase just like the native speaker does. Memrise’s technology will “listen” and determine if you have done it reasonably well. If not, do not worry, you can always try again.Learn With LocalsNow, this is where the platform really shinesâ€"even the spokespeople for alternative Memrise programs would probably agree.Here, you work with short video clips featuring native speakers to learn the most basic expressions. The advantage here is that you are not just seeing pictures or hearing audio. You are actually seeing short clips of native speakers demonstrating how words and phrases sound. So, you have the benefit of both audio and movin g visuals working together to make the vocabulary really stick.This is where the target language comes alive through you observing facial expressions. For example, you see a smile when a native French speaker says, “Merci!” (Thank You!) or pursed lips when she says, “Non” (No).In the “Learn With Locals” subsection, you really begin to understand the communicative aspect of the language.If you think videos are great, then FluentU is right up your alley! FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into language learning opportunities. You will gain access to a vast collection of videos that are specifically chosen for language learners like you. The videos are ideal for both vocabulary and grammar practice.Each video clip on FluentU uses interactive transcription technology. The subtitles you will see do not just help you follow along but also give you the opportunity to click on any word to find out more a bout it. You can see words and phrases broken down and used in example sentences and other videos.FluentU also offers fun quizzes, customized vocabulary lists and dynamic flashcards for additional learning.Do not just take my word for it. Check out FluentUs free trial and see for yourself!Mem CreationWith Memrise, you can personalize each flashcard by creating a “mem.”“Mems” are mnemonic devices in the form of text or pictures that help make the words and their translations memorable to you.For example, for the Spanish word “Hola,” you might add a picture of a bearded man holding a donut in one hand and waving “Hi!” with the other. So, in your head, you are thinking, “There is a hole in the donut and it could be the letter O in hola.  And, the guy holding it is waving hi or hello. Perfect!”So, for you, that picture makes “hola” stick in your head. You decide to make it a “mem” so that each time “hola” is presented, the donut guy also appears.How are y ou going to set that up?Well, making one is really easy. (Note that it is much better to use the web version of Memrise for this.)As the words are initially presented to you during the learning phase, there is a “Help me learn this” button. This is your first step to mem creation. Click on it and you will get to see if other people have already created a mem for the word or phrase. Some words may already have several mems created by other users, and you might decide to use what is already there. Or, you can add your own mem by clicking on “+ Add a mem.”You will then be given the chance to upload the picture that you want and even write a caption or accompanying text. Anything goesâ€"you can choose any picture or write any text.  Think of something that is going to make the word stick for you.“Mems” are highly personal. Since you make them yourself, they are meaningful and memorable to you. But, that does not mean you cannot share them. Other users can also benefit from t he mems you make.Some learners forgo this feature and simply make do with the standard Memrise presentation, thinking it takes too much time to find that perfect picture or write that ideal caption. I think this is a big mistake. In order for something to be memorable, you need to wrestle with it. You need to invest time and effort into it.The very act of creating a memâ€"searching for the picture and thinking of a good captionâ€"is a memory-enhancing process. Yes, it is time-consuming, but it will also embed the word in your memory. As a result, you will be much more likely to remember the vocab.In other words, your brain becomes actively involved in the learning process instead of just passively memorizing things.Chatbots and GrammarbotsMemrise Pro, which is available for $8.99 a month, comes with two additional “techie” features: the chatbot and grammarbot functions.ChatbotIf your imagination works just fine, you might enjoy the journey this feature offers. The goal here is t o let you practice the target language without the stress of embarrassing yourself in front of a real person.The chatbot transports you to the country where your target language is spoken. He then lets you “interact” with the locals.What actually happens is that you will be placed in an imaginary situation, say, a “Meet Greet,” with a friendly local (a bot). You will be given options of what you can say in a standard back-and-forth conversation. For example, you can pursue an interaction by saying, “ ¡Hola!” back to a stranger who is trying to get to know you, or you can click “Adios” to extricate yourself from the scenario.This feature resembles a choose-your-own-adventure game in a chat environment. It is only available with the later levels of major languages, though.GrammarbotThis is a chatbot that focuses on grammar and parts of speech.This is essentially the “Learn Grammar” section but in chat form. The grammarbot will send you messages that explain differ ent grammar concepts. It will then test your comprehension of the lesson. For example, it will ask you to arrange words in the correct order.These two features obviously offer a number of possibilities for improvement. However, more content needs to be developed so that users do not cycle through the same lessons over and over again.You now know the ins and outs of Memrise.Next, we will head over to the green corner and look into the language learning platform Duolingo.DuolingoAvailable: iOS | AndroidWhat Is Duolingo?Offering more than 30 language courses, Duolingo is a behemoth of a learning platform. The app alone has already been downloaded over 100 million times. You cannot get into language learning without coming into contact with, or at least reading or hearing about, Duolingo. (The discussions from its forums alone can often crop up in your Google searches.)Duolingo is the brainchild of Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker. The former invented the “Captcha,” and the latter is a multi-awarded entrepreneur and brilliant Swiss computer scientist.Duolingo is a language learning platform that shares a lot of the features we have already talked about with Memrise. That is why these two programs have naturally been pitted against each other. Duolingo offers language exercises and drills that train users in both vocabulary and grammar. It engages learners through tasks like translating between languages, identifying pictures, listening to audio and typing on a keyboard.Duolingo bills itself as “the new way to learn a language,” incorporating game elements into its standard operation.The first “F” of the Duolingo philosophy is that language learning should be “fun.” Later we will talk about exactly how Duolingo injects this into every lesson.The second “F” is that it is “free.” (Isn’t everything though, these days?)Duolingo earns its keep some other way, so you get a ton of material without ever spending a dime. Not much is hidden behind a payment wallâ€"no new content or intrinsically advanced features are offered. The most you get by upgrading is that ads magically disappear. You even get the sense that Duolingo is not really pushing very hard for Duolingo Plus, its premium subscription option, which costs $6.99 a month.The Duolingo InterfaceLike Memrise, Duolingo is also available as a website and as an app.Whether you are working on your computer or going mobile, you get to experience the same instinctive interface. The layout is easy to navigate and you should not have any issues getting where you want to go. But, just like with Memrise, the website and app do not always perfectly sync. (This is what naturally happens when tech teams are tinkering behind the scenes and trying to make the product a little better.)In terms of fonts, colors and graphics, Duolingo is a little bit more playful than Memrise, as it features cartoon-like images. And, of course, do not forget Duo, the lovable green owl who is the face of Duolingo. This cutie peaks out from your screen every once in a while to cheer you on.There are also plenty of dings and dongs, sounds that tell you each time you get a correct or incorrect answer. The app is pretty vocal, meaning that introduced words and phrases often come with an audio componentâ€"which you would do well to repeat after.So, for best results, even if you are on your phone and using headphones, it is better to be somewhere private where you can say the words aloud. Duolingo would not mean very much if you just master tapping on the right answer without ever opening your mouth.That said, let’s dive a little deeper into Duolingo and see what it brings to the language learning table.FeaturesBuilding Memorable SentencesAs mentioned earlier, many of the mechanisms for learning that we have talked about with Memrise also exist with Duolingo.Your language course is one, long learning “tree,” which is divided into numerous mini-sections that go from the absolute basi cs to an intermediate level. Each mini-section has an over-arching theme, like sports, recipes, couples, etc.There is a set sequence to these sections, and each one is locked until you complete the previous sections satisfactorily.Duolingo gets you to perform different simple tasks, like matching words and their translations, matching images with their foreign language names, saying a word or phrase presented on the screen, listening to audio or typing on the keyboardâ€"practically the very same type of exercises in the “Words and Phrases” section of Memrise.They drill the vocab items over and over, from English to the target language (and vice versa!) so that what you are learning becomes firmly embedded in your long-term memory.Duolingo starts with vocab and slowly builds words into phrases until you get to full sentences. There is a seamless transition between old words and new ones because they are presented side-by-side. The mastered words are slowly phased out while the ne w ones are gradually worked in. Before you know it, you have already picked up several new German words by simply working on pint-sized tasks. (The grammar-heavy elements eventually come at later parts in the course.)Admittedly, Duolingos sentence examples do have a lot of room to improve. Sometimes they can be funny, sometimes even downright weird. Users might find that the sentences they are working on are not especially helpful in actual conversations.Duolingo also has a “Stories” feature, which can easily rival Memrise’s chatbot function. The stories also happen in a chat environment. You are taken to a specific scenario where you need to answer comprehension questions in order to move the story along. For example, in a French dialogue between a husband and wife, you might be asked to choose the correct topic of their conversation.So far, Duolingo “Stories” are only available for major languages.Gamified Language LearningDuolingo says it only takes five minutes a day t o learn the language. But, you can bet your bottom dollar that they want you in the Duolingo ecosystem for the long haul.Look at how the whole experience is set up: The platform has poured gaming elements into every lesson, making it fun and motivating. There are also game elements in Memrise, but it just seems that Duolingo has the high ground on this one.Each move you make in Duolingo is recorded. Each correct answer has a corresponding number of Experience Points (XPs), and the longer you work on tasks, the more XPs you earn.Reaching a certain number of XPs increases your level, which soon leads to “lingots.” They are the virtual currency of the platform that you can use for things like buying bonus skills and power-ups. You can even give lingots to other users and spread goodwill. You can also use lingots at the virtual store to buy different costumes for Duo, the mascot.In my opinion, Duolingo has not really tapped the full potential of their lingot system. If they add more uses for these, it could potentially be a game-changer.Another metric to watch out for is your “Streak.” This refers to the number of days that you have met your daily XP goals. (You can set your goals in the “Settings” section.)There are progress bars all over the place, telling you how you are doing with the lessons. These bars go down the longer you do not practice. So, you have to go in and review the lessons in order to keep those bars at 100%.There are also leaderboards that tell you your position vis-à-vis others.I think the most important metric is the “Streaks” number, the number of consecutive days you have worked on Duolingo. Language learning needs consistency. If you work at it erratically, you will never reach fluency. So, you better make those “Streaks” as high as you possibly can.Lively Forum DiscussionsOne awesome thing about Duolingo is that you can post a comment at practically any point in your session. Every time you see the message icon, it me ans there is already a discussion happening about that particular question. These threads are fertile with insights from native speakers and fellow language learners.Duolingo has some of the most active language forums around. They are wellsprings of insight and information. That is what happens when you have around 300 million users worldwide. There are bound to be interesting and engaging discussions all around.While Memrise makes the platform social by making “mems” shareable to others, Duolingo can boast of these lively conversations going on between learners who are sharing language resources, asking study advice or just engaging in a random conversation between kindred spirits. You will never feel alone.Check out this even deeper look at Duolingo  and whether it works or not.Memrise vs Duolingo: Who Wins?So, after all has been said and done, which one is the better platform: Memrise or Duolingo?Memrise Pros:Free!User-friendly interfaceElegant vocabulary-learning toolAbilit y to incorporate user-generated contentVideo clips featuring native speakers make the language come aliveMemrise Cons:Too much push for the upgradeDoes not have many grammar lessons or much content for advanced learnersDuolingo Pros:Free!User-friendly interfaceCan teach you grammar and sentence structuresGamified learningActive language forumsDuolingo Cons:Needs more relevant sentence examplesDoes not have much content for advanced learnersSo, who wins?!Clearly there is only one winner and that is you, the language learner!You have access to two of the most technologically-advanced language learning systems developed by folks who love what they are doing and who have learners’ interests at heart.For instance, if you want to learn vocab, maybe you can start with Memrise to get the ball rolling, and when you want to graduate to sentence structure and grammar, you can opt for Duolingo. (You can take Duolingo’s placement exam and skip to the later lessons.)These platforms are certai nly not mutually exclusive. They nicely complement each other.And, on that note, I would like to add FluentU to the mix. This platform, which focuses on language learning videos and helps learners every step of the way, can easily go hand-in-hand with Memrise and Duolingo.Take advantage of the free FluentU trial and see for yourself.I salute all of your efforts and wish you the very best on your journey to learn a new language.Good luck!