Saturday, March 21, 2020

What Do You Think About Math Tutors?

What Do You Think About Math Tutors?A maths tutor is an important part of any school to ensure that the math is taught properly and efficiently. The primary purpose of these tutors is to help the students prepare for the exams. They should have sufficient knowledge of the subject and should also be able to draw the attention of the students to the implications of the lessons.There are many reasons that can be used for a tutor. One of the most common reasons is to prepare the students for the upcoming exams. In this context, they are able to assist the students in terms of theoretical study, and it can also help the students in solving the problems that they face during the examination.Another thing which a tutor can do is to improve their skills and in that way, help them pass the exams more easily. A tutor is also able to support the teachers in teaching the specific subject in a better manner. As a result, this can make sure that the students know everything that they need to know for the upcoming exams.Another reason for the students to seek for a tutor is to enhance their knowledge of the additional curriculum offered by the school. This is because of the fact that the students who have been tutored are able to work at the school that they are taught at. With this, the students are taught on a more efficient level.Apart from this, there are many other benefits offered by these tutors, for example, the improvement of the students' motivation and self-esteem. They can also have a positive impact on the student's behavior as well. In fact, this is one of the major reasons why many students prefer getting a maths tutor rather than those who are teaching themselves.It is also important to note that a good tutor has to be very patient and understanding towards the students. One should also be able to offer guidance on the students' mistakes as well. It can also help the students in thinking logically and coming up with a solution to the problem.All in all, the ma in benefit of getting a tutor is to help the students learn the subject at an effective level. This can help the students to grasp the key ideas better and in a better manner.

Friday, March 6, 2020

6 Ways To Navigate an Open Office As An Introvert - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 6 Ways To Navigate an Open Office As An Introvert - Introvert Whisperer 6 Ways To Navigate an Open Office As An Introvert If you’re an introvert, operating in an open office is probably more exhausting than the work itself. While open offices have valid reasons for redesigning the workspace, such as reducing the real estate footprint and facilitating collaboration, many introverts wonder what kind of sadist concocted the layout, gleefully corralling his employees into a single room so he could torture them with the three same mixtapes he made for that rodeo once in high school. When I first walked into my current work environment, I was warily excited this was a completely new atmosphere for me after all, and I thought it would be a good to experience the new, trendy “big cool tech company” vibe being pitched to me. However, a year later I’ve come to realize the physiological impacts of our office surroundings that many of my coworkers don’t quite understand, and so I rolled up my sleeves and sought to solve these problems on my own. Since there was no way I could drop in on a weekend with a haul from Home Depot and build myself a tidy little enclosure, I managed to work out a few ways to not only cope, but even enjoy my work in this new, wild environment. 1. Devise a way to show that you’re busy. You don’t need a giant stoplight hanging off the side of your desk to let your employees know that you’re unavailable for socializing. Simple things like wearing headphones (if your office allows them), or even a small sign resting at the top of your computer monitor reading “Busy Right Now.” The headphones are typically the better option, since they also serve as a way to block out the inevitable noise of a crowd of people fenced into a concrete cage together. Research suggests that background noise distracts introverts many times more than extroverts, and reducing that noise is essential to productivity. 2. Take time to recharge alone. Perhaps the most obvious, but easily overlooked tip. Short breaks throughout the day can help you handle the snowballing effect of stress that can come with the pressure to socialize with coworkers. I made it a habit to take two short walks outside the office twice a day to get away from the noise, but perhaps even taking a few minutes to lie down in your car or read a book a few times a week can relieve that pressure. 3. Note the quiet times in the office. An open office means being available to your colleagues at nearly all times of the day. After a couple of weeks however, you’ll likely notice a pattern of activity that you can take advantage of. Note these times to schedule your more difficult tasks to take advantage of the extra breathing room. 4. Find a way to make your desk more private. There is little to no privacy in an open office. A 2013 study reported that many workers within open offices were frustrated by distractions and the poor performance that resulted. Nearly half of those surveyed noted the lack of sound privacy was a serious problem, and more than 30% objected to the lack of visual privacy. Consider asking to have your desk moved to a wall, or perhaps insulate your space with plants or other barriers. 5. Book a conference room to work alone. If there are meeting rooms not being used, why not book one for a ‘meeting with yourself’ to take advantage of the quiet space it provides. If you have a particularly intensive task at hand, or when the open space environment becomes too much to handle, this option can be a valuable fix. Even relocating to the smaller rooms for more semi-private collaboration with a colleague can be much less taxing, and allow you to communicate in a way that is more conducive to your style and get work done without unpleasant interruptions. 6. Get support from your boss. Yeah, I know, trying to explain to your boss that you need quiet and calm to do your best work feels like you’re admitting that you’re not meeting expectations. More often than not however, your boss is on your side. If you have to, present your boss with the facts. In one study of 42,000 workers in 303 office buildings, all types of employees noted that enclosed private offices are superior to open-plan layouts “particularly in acoustics, privacy, and proxemics issues.” Bottom line: you don’t have to be aggressive or stage any sort of protest to overcome the stress that comes with the open-office. You can carve out your own pockets of time or space to breath and perhaps even enjoy your work again. 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

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Essential Painting Equipment

Essential Painting Equipment What Should I Buy to Start Painting? ChaptersPick Your Favourite PaintKit Yourself out with the Right BrushesWhat Surface Should I Paint On?Other Useful Art AccessoriesWhere to Buy Your Art SuppliesManet, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Cezanne, Rembrandt, Munch, Courbet, do all these names make you want to paint? The road to becoming an artist, however, is a long one, paved with exhibitions, painting classes near me and hard-work.That's why all painters should have the best equipment possible at their disposal so they can express themselves and work to the best of their abilities. Painting on silk, painting on glass, painting on canvas, painting with watercolours, each artist has their own style.The equipment needed, therefore, will depend on the artist. Linen canvas, drawing material, paint tray, knives, fixative, painting kit, sketch pad, you choose according to what you want to learn to paint.Here are some ways to get the essential materials. FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Emma Painting 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 tutors 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 tutorsPick Your Favourite PaintHave you just uncovered a whole new passion for painting?Acrylics, oil painting, watercolours, does all of this make you want to get your hands on a paintbrush?Don't forget acyclic paint dries very quickly! Source: PixabayNow you have to go and practise. This is where things get complicated.You won't become Van Gogh overnight!To paint the most beautiful portrait of your little sister, you need to know what paint to use f irst.This depends entirely on your taste, your objective and your style of painting.Watercolour PaintingThis type of painting is often used by  artists on the move. A paint that's easy to carry and doesn't require a lot of equipment. All you need is a paintbrush and some water to use watercolour paints, even in the middle of the street!This type of painting, made from finely crushed pigment, is used on special paper. It must absorb the water without creasing. You can buy notebooks with this type of paper, which are handy for taking with you everywhere you go.The paint is sold in the form of small tubes or cubes which are stored in a special box that can also be used as a palette. Buying a set will cost you between 20 and 100 pounds. It all depends on the size of the kit.Make sure to check out the painting resources online  when choosing your equipment!GouacheGouache is a paint composed of pigment, the binding agent  gum arabic and  a solid white pigment. It is widely used in schools and is the easiest paint to use.Simply dilute it with water and then paint on any type of paper. Its appearance is much more opaque than watercolour paints. The price of gouache paint is relatively low because of its composition and the fact that it's intended for children.Acrylic paintingThis paint is a mixture of pigment, drying oil with a binder made of acrylic resin and water.Thanks to this water, acrylic is a paint that can be easily  washed when it gets on clothes.It also dries very quickly which makes it the perfect paint for painters who don't want to spend days on their artwork. However, this also means that you have to act fast when mixing colours.You should spend around £3 or £4 on acrylic tubes of paint.Oil PaintingMade with drying oil and pigment, oil painting is very popular among artists who like to take their time.It usually takes  three layers to achieve the right finish.The first layer is done with turpentine essence to get an outline. The following steps involv e applying different layers of paint by adding more and more oil. Each layer must dry for several hours before you can continue.Painting in multiple layers makes it easy to correct any errors you might have made.However, make sure to paint in a ventilated area as oil paint is rather toxic. It costs between £5 and £10 for a small tube of oil paint.For each painting, it may be wise not to go for the cheapest price.  Choosing good quality paint is the first step to a successful artwork.Discover also how to pick a painting technique!Kit Yourself out with the Right BrushesBrushes are essential for all artists. Even if some prefer to paint with their fingers, it's still common to have one or two brushes to create a masterpiece.The advantage is that there's more than just one type of brush. Brushes come in shapes and sizes.First, you have to choose the right handle.While short-handled brushes work well with watercolours, long handles are usually used for painting on canvas. Indeed, the l onger the handle is, the more it allows you to take a step back from your work.On the other hand, a short handle gives you greater precision.In terms of the material of the brush (birch, beech, oak, etc.), choose a handle which feels most comfortable.The brush is an extension of your arm, so you need to have the best tool possible.The bristles of the brush come in a variety of forms: natural extra fine, natural fine, ox, goat or pony hair, as well as synthetic hairs. Again, the choice will depend on the type of painting you do.Remember that painting kits for children not only have proper brushes but also various essentials such as:Pastels,Glazes,Cotton canvas,Linen canvas,Synthetic canvas,Frames,Tracing paper,Graphite pencils,Acrylics,Watercolours,Etc ...Round tip, flat tip, fan brush, all brushes have different shapes. Opting for a set of different brushes allows you to use each brush for different effects: fine lines, paint a surface, etc.How to Choose a BrushIf you go to an art s hop, ask the shop assistant to show you a selection of brushes according to your requirements.For example, polecat or ox hair is recommended for watercolour painting  whereas stiff brushes are good for oil painting.Art shops sell all sorts of brushes! Source: PixabayStay clear of cheap brushes that are usually for children. Synthetic hair come out very quickly and your brush won't last very long if you use it regularly.How Much Should I Pay?The price of brushes varies enormously according to the type.The main reasons for an expensive brush can be the type of wood and the type of hair used. If you're working with a small budget, try to find a compromise between quality and price.Find out where you can take private painting lessons!   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 Te acher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors 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 tutorsWhat Surface Should I Paint On?Many artists choose to paint their artwork onto canvas. These give you a large surface to paint on and are strong enough to be exposed.But of course, several types of canvas are available.Some canvases are made of linen. This material is perfect because it's solid and absorbent. However, linen canvases are often the most expensive.The most commonly used is the polyester canvas. It is reasonably priced and is good quality. This type of canvas does not crease too easily, unlike cotton fabric.Indeed, the latter is the cheapest, but the quality often leaves something to be desired. Th e surface loosens over time and with changes in temperature. This is not ideal when a professional painter or art student wants to exhibit their works in a variety of places.Check out these painting classes London.Painters often use a canvas for their masterpieces. Source: Visual HuntIf your preference is watercolours, you probably prefer using paper. In this case, you need to look at the thickness and the grain. Some paper is smoother than others, they snag the brush less.And for the most original artists out there, why not get creative and try using wood or even porcelain.Join the discussion: can painting be learned online?  Other Useful Art AccessoriesTo paint the most beautiful portrait, you might want to add a few more accessories to your kit. Equipment that will still serve you well when it comes to painting your great-grandchildren.The EaselPainters who like using a canvas must find a stand to support it so they can easily exhibit their creations.Inwood or metal, the price of an easel ranges  between £20 and £100.The PaletteOften forgotten about, a palette can be very helpful for painters.It is very hard to work on a piece of paper. Most pallets are, therefore, made of wood.Some shops also sell a whole pad of special paper in the shape of a palette. This may be preferred by painters who don't like to overlap several layers of paint.On the other hand, if you don't have a palette, cardboard always comes in handy to remove excess paint from the brush.The Art BoxOnce you have all the right equipment, you'll need to take care of it.Especially since your brushes can be kept for many years if they are looked after. A small case or box is perfect for protecting your art equipment.A good protective case will keep your brushes in good shape and prevent any mess! Source: Visual HuntYour painting kit can hold a number of accessories, there are no limits (extra fine brushes, casting, special-effect paints, gilding, decorative painting, painting on fabric, etc.).So me people like to use a pot of water, others a cloth to clean their brushes, ...It all depends on your painting techniques (porcelain painting, watercolour painting, painting on glass, Ink wash painting, ...).Every artist has their own unique way of painting.Where to Buy Your Art SuppliesWatercolour paper, white spirit, painting palettes, linseed oil, dry pastels, Canson paper, graphite pencils, paint stripper, thickening agent, varnish, Sienna, paint thinner, canvases, fine art materials are all easily found in specialised  art shops.Case Art and Hobby Craft are examples of good art shops, popular with art students and even professional painters.Here you will find a wide range of painting and drawing supplies:Charcoal,Stencils,Mechanical pencils,Markers,Colouring pencils,Spraypaint,Drawing paper,Paint pots,Painting surfaces,Paint rollers,Brushes, etc.If you take painting classes, your teacher will surely encourage you to go to one of these stores to find good quality materials.Of c ourse, you can also buy online or at  large retailers but you won't get the same advice or selection. On the other hand, it be a good way to get the basic supplies at an affordable price.Whatever way you decide to paint, you now know what you need to get going!Now learn more about how you can become a painter...

Should I Go to the University of Texas at Arlington

Should I Go to the University of Texas at Arlington Ayona earned her bachelors degree in English from the University of Texas at Arlington. She specializes in American literature tutoring, writing tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at the University of Texas at Arlington: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Ayona: The University of Texas at Arlington is a very academic campus that provides a variety of transportation options. The UTARI shuttle bus is very convenient for students who need a ride to class or want to tour the campus. In addition, the Mavs Courtesy Escort is very helpful when traveling on campus after hours to ensure the safety of students. One day after leaving the library at 2 a.m., I had to walk back to my car which was parked in a garage on the opposite side of campus. I felt safe because I was able to use the courtesy shuttle. Due to the surrounding neighbors and local school districts, UTA is a very rural campus. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Ayona:The professors have scheduled office hours where they are available to assist students. In most cases, they are willing to schedule a meeting outside of their office hours to meet the needs of a student. To set up a meeting with an academic adviser, you are able to go online, which was very convenient. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ayona:Although I lived off-campus, I have heard from friends that dorm life is very beneficial. Living on campus helps to expand social life, because you have more access to events and social gatherings. Many guest speakers and concerts are held on campus as well. UTA has a dining hall that provides a buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are also restaurants available, such as Pie Five, Chick-fil-A, Bombay Chopsticks, Panera Bread, and many more. There are three Starbucks located on campus, which is where I spent a lot of time and money. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Ayona:Engineering and nursing are the top two majors at UTA. I received my bachelors degree in English. I chose this degree because of my strong passion for education reform. I want to teach English language arts and reading, improve education in low income schools, and progress toward becoming a college professor. The university was very supportive in helping me reach my goals. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Ayona:Although I was not involved in Greek life, it does play a major role in social life. I was able to meet new friends in most of my classes, because many of my classes involved group projects. How helpful are the Career Centerand other student support services? Ayona:The Career Center is very helpful for students who are looking to begin work in the corporate world. They connect you with many employers, help you develop skills to succeed as a professional, and host many job fairs on campus. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Ayona:There are many areas for students to study, including the library, the UC (University Center), or in each academic building. The library has six floors and offers a variety of seating and computers designated for study. The UC not only has dining, but provides an abundant amount of space to study. Since the UC is also used for dining, it does get crowded around lunchtime. Any other time, seating is easily available. There are also many study areas outside to enjoy on a nice sunny day. Describe the surrounding town. Ayona:UTA is within a few minutes of theme parks such as Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor. Many sporting events also take place locally. Although we are located in Arlington, the campus is only about a half hour from downtown Dallas, where you can enjoy museums and performing arts centers. If you want to enjoy a night out with friends, there are many exquisite restaurants to choose from. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ayona:UTA has over 30,000 students from many different backgrounds. I was always pleased with the class sizes because they were never over-crowded. They usually consisted of 20-35 students. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Ayona:I really enjoyed Dr. Rambsys English courses, because we were able to combine literature with pop culture. I took a literature course dedicated to the rapper Jay-Z where we analyzed his lyrics, had class discussions about meaning of texts, and presented our findings using graphs and other online tools. Our findings included data such as the number of metaphors or slant rhymes that were used in his lyrics. We also compared Jay-Zs lyrics to the Autobiography of Frederick Douglass. Typically, literature courses engage students in close reading of poets from Emily Dickinson to John Donne. However, if you really think about it, rap is also poetry, which makes it relevant in the academic world. Check out Ayonas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Online Vivid Verbs List English Writing Online Tutorpace

Online Vivid Verbs List English Writing Online Tutorpace Verbs are the words which define the action in the sentence such as walking, singing, dancing, talking, eating and may more. Vivid verbs are the word which are more interesting and engaging that the commonly used verbs. Vivid verbs hold the same meaning to their common verbs. Mention here are some examples of vivid verbs in different sentences Abandon (Sentence: The puppy was abandoned on the middle of the street.) Act (Sentence: Serena try to act wise every time she faces some difficulty.) Add (Sentence: What you are saying only adds to their problems.) Admire (Sentence: I admire flowers in a garden.) Admit (Sentence: Lisa admits she likes to play in water.) Amuse (Sentence: Beautiful mountain views amuse me.) Bind (Sentence: Friendship binds two different kinds of people.) Boosts (Sentence: Good makes boosts every students confidence.) Blink (Sentence: The dust in my eye makes me blink.) Burn (Sentence: The paper was burned by the candle flame.) Blend (Sentence: The dishes at the birthday party blend well with the theme.) Chase (Sentence: She was chased by the dog in the park.) Cheer (Sentence: The morning sun cheers me every day I wake up.) Calculate (Sentence: Ben calculates his marks for each test and tries to work harder the next time.) Cross (Sentence: Its difficult to cross a busy road.) Disagree (Sentence: Jane disagrees with her brother about the field trip.) Greet (Sentence: Sam greets her teacher daily before the class starts.) Handle (Sentence: Chef can handle cooking for large crew very well.)

Online Statistics Tutoring Get Everything in a Click

Online Statistics Tutoring Get Everything in a Click Statistics is a subject that has a combination of mathematics, statistics and economics. The branches go hand in hand. It has a wide application in all the works. No matter what stream you choose, stats will be always complimentary! Data, raw figures, constants, the X’s and Y’s, styles of presentation of facts and pinch of economics is all that statistics consist of. Don’t be afraid, it’s not that tough as it seems. With the online statistical tutors  available, statistics becomes an easy to go subject. The online tutors are always present to teach you the basic concept of mathematical statistics. They engross you with various easy going methods and inculcate the base of statistics in the initial practices. The online statistical tutorial  consists of the polished ways to teach you the methods used for the representation of data. The tutor teaches you in an audio-visual mode along with the basic graphs and figures, without which statistics cannot be taught. Your screen will also consist of a portion where you can type your queries which will be resolved by the tutor then and there itself. Statistics tutors covers following topics: The average Variance of a population Standard deviation Mean, mode and median Probability and statistics Sample variance The best part of online tutorial is the two-way communication that is possible between you and your teacher. Plus the experienced tutors teach you in an easy way that can be understood even by a fresher. So don’t wait, register yourself with the online masters and make the best of your time!    

Microeconomics Concepts Do They Decide Individual Markets

Microeconomics Concepts â€" Do They Decide Individual Markets Microeconomics is the base for gauging individual consumer behavior in the market. Behavior in the areas of demand and purchase of goods. Other factors like supply, opportunity cost, etc depend on the demands of the purchasers. And thus Microeconomics concepts like demand, supply, elasticity and opportunity cost are the factors. These factors decide the individual markets. Which, in turn, decides the economy of a country. What are important Microeconomics concepts? Microeconomics Laws form the base of consumer behavior and supply of goods in turn. The determinants of demand and supply are the core concepts in Microeconomics learning. And these concepts are better explained by the demand curve. Concepts are also explained by supply curve. Other concepts like equilibrium, elasticity, opportunity cost, measuring market value are equally important. They are important in explaining the factors that decide the individual markets. Read More:  The 51 Key Economics Concepts Learning Microeconomics with online Microeconomics tutors Microeconomics deals with firm production, profit maximization. Also deals with effects of government regulation upon individual markets. It also deals with laws- which are tough to understand if not explained in proper context. Without understanding these concepts, passing Microeconomics classes is out of the question. Learn Microeconomics with Online Microeconomics Tutors to understand the topics with proper insights. Top 5 Education Apps To Learn #Science With Ease https://t.co/AEwQAsDn4x pic.twitter.com/38TxGZpnHQ â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) January 14, 2016 Proper elucidations for demand and supply concepts. These are necessary for understanding consumer behavior. And also understanding the factors of production. Online tutors help you with the whiteboard. interactions and real-life explanations. Their citations from life situations make students understand the concepts with ease and without fault. Microeconomics homework-can it be hassle-free? When you approach virtual tutors for Microeconomics homework help, they showcase details which upgrade your knowledge in subject concepts. And they also keep you abreast of the latest government regulation on individual markets. Help you do your homework with knowledge that is relevant and valuable. Read More:  Microeconomics: 7 Core Principle + 64 Key Concepts Microeconomics online tutoring- excellent coaching If students miss the essence of Microeconomics concepts, they may go down in their grades. Microeconomics online tutoring puts the students back in track with one on one session from tutors. Tutors who make customized solutions to student needs. Their latest tech tools pave the way for easy interaction with students. Which also helps them learn intricate concepts at any time as per their convenience. The tutors with their subject expertise are able to handle any challenging query without hesitation. They handle it for better explanations to students and thus satisfy their demands and expectations. Tutor Pace- the hub of excellence for Microeconomics tutoring Try tutors of Tutor Pace for maximizing scores in Microeconomics. The cloud-based technology and the seamless services of tutors. All these are the hallmarks of this tutoring site. Tutor pace, which has established a reputation for rendering successful tutoring and homework help in all subjects. Students of Microeconomics can approach Tutor Pace for any kind of query. Query with any level of difficulty. This helps get clarifications that are unique and par excellence.

American English or British English Divided By A Common Language

American English or British English Divided By A Common Language Difference in British English and American English Biscuits or Cookies?By Peter BallHave you ever asked yourself ‘Did I just walk on a colorful sidewalk, or have I just walked on a colourful pavement?’ Well, if you have then you are probably noticing (and getting confused by) the differences between American and British English.At LOI we have staff from both sides of the Atlantic and teach both varieties â€" but what are the differences? How important are they? And which form should you use?I can’t give you a detailed account of all the differences here â€" I don’t have the time, space or expertise. But I will try to outline the basic differences and give you a few clues about usage â€" and hopefully that will be enough to start you off!Difference in British English and American English Pronunciation difference between British and American English.The main difference between British and American pronunciation is that American accents tend to be far less varied than British ones. It’s a really noticeable contrast; here are a few numbers to think about:There are about 230 million native English speakers in the USA (64% of the total number of native speakers around the world) living in an area of over 9 million km2, but speaking only about 10 major dialects between them. Now compare that to Britain where 64 million native speakers (16% of the global total) live in an area of 242,500 km2 (about the size of Michigan) and between them speak a bewildering 50 different versions of the language!Of course, these differences are not confined to accent but include other features such as unique vocabulary and non-standard grammar. I don’t have space to describe this variety but you can find an interesting and entertaining introductory guide to British accents here.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrmfnYTOKFAThis huge variety is the reason why we need to have something called ‘Standard English’ â€" it acts as a baseline against which we can describe other accents. If we had no standard to consider and to use i n public broadcasts, newspapers and books, the language in Britain would simply diverge and fragment to leave us in our own tower of babel!So, right here, we can only consider the differences between Standard British and Standard American English. Thankfully these two forms are pretty similar and native speakers rarely have problems understanding each other when they use these forms. I am just going to look at the one major difference that I think everybody notices.The ‘Rotic’ /r/Now, we all pronounce Rs at the start of words like regular or rectangle â€" right? And we also pronounce the R sound when it is part of the first syllable as in pretend or pronounce. However, things get more interesting when we consider Rs in the middle of words such as garden or energy, and words that end with the letter like teacher or November.If you pronounce the R in the middle or final position in a word you are using a ‘rotic’ R and this is prominent feature of American English â€" because i t was a common feature of the English spoken by the early British settlers. This R has now been lost to Standard British pronunciation (and also to most â€" but not all â€" regional British accents).So in the sentence:Our regular teacher practised perfect proseThe bold Rs are rotic â€" and most British people won’t pronounce them, while most American speakers will.So, while there are a few noticeable differences in pronunciation, most native English speakers, from either side of the Atlantic, can understand each other’s pronunciation most of the time.Some people feel quite strongly about the way we pronounce things and my personal favourite comment on the subject is the song ‘Throw the R away’ by The Proclaimers; you can listen to it here.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUE2jeSaHeMInterestingly, one thing that always stands out in a really good English student is the way that they have native-speaker pronunciation for words and expressions that they learnt for the first time while living in Britain or Ireland. It shows that having ‘a good ear’ is an essential element to language learning.I think that when a student says ‘I don’t understand British accents’, or ‘Americans talk too fast’, what they are referring to is connected speech. Unfortunately, I don’t have the space here to deal with this topic (and it isn’t a difference between American and British speakers anyway â€" as we all do it!) perhaps it is a topic for another blog post… Spelling difference between American and British EnglishLike all other native speakers at the time, Americans in the 17th and 18th centuries used a wide variety of spellings, some of which differed from spellings common in Britain. The first attempt to standardise American spelling was also an attempt to ‘rationalise’ the spelling â€" to make it more ‘phonetic’. This process was largely the work of one man; Noah Webster, who published The American Spelling Book in 1783. Coming at the end of th e War of Independence, he saw it as an important political gesture ‘to have a system of our own, in language as well as government.’This book, and his dictionaries that followed, presented the more rational spellings that typify American spelling, here are a few of the main ones:BritishAmerican-re becomes -erCentre, Fibre, LitreCenter, Fiber, Liter‘-our’ becomes ‘-or’Colour, Flavour, HumourColor, Flavor, Humor‘-ise’ becomes ‘-ize’Realise, Advertise, IdealiseRealize, Advertize, Idealize‘-yse’ becomes ‘-yze’Analyse, Paralyse,Analyze, Paralyze‘ge’ becomes ‘g’Ageing, JudgementAging, Judgment‘-ence’ becomes ‘-ense’Defence, Licence, OffenceDefense, License, Offense‘ll’ becomes ‘I’Travelling, FuelledTraveling, Fueled‘l’ becomes ‘ll’Appal, Distil, SkilfulAppal, Distill, SkillfulOxford Dictionaries provide a useful summary here:http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/british-and-american-spellingAnother good summary herehttp://www.s pellzone.com/pages/british-american.cfmAnd you can find an exhaustive list of all the US/UK ‘pairs’ herehttp://www.tysto.com/uk-us-spelling-list.htmlSpelling Standardisation So what spelling should you use? The important thing is to choose a standard and to stick to it all the time:If you write, ‘There is a drop-in centre in our neighbourhood,’ you are using good British spelling. And if you write, ‘There is a drop-in center in our neighborhood,’ you are using good American spelling. But if you write, ‘There is a drop-in centre in our neighborhood,’ you are mixing the styles and it looks like you just don’t know what the correct forms are!So Remember:US English for the Americas and Asia, but British English for EuropeSet your spell checker to UK or US as appropriateIf in doubt ALWAYS check your dictionary â€" it should give you the alternative spellings (if it doesn’t then throw it away and get a better one)Keep a note of words that you typically spell wrong â€" it’s great to know your enemies!Grammar difference between American and British EnglishLuckily, there are not too many differences between American and British grammar â€" let’s look at the main ones.I love listening to, and talking about, rock music â€" but which of the following sentences are correct?Queen was a band from England.U2 are a rock group from Dublin.In American English collective nouns are treated as singular, as in the sentence about Queen, and in British English they are treated as plural, as in the one about U2.There are similar small differences in how we use prepositions, for example British speakers will say that they studied at university, whereas American speakers will say they studied in university. Also, a British speaker might say he plays football at weekends, but an American speaker will say he plays soccer on weekends.English speakers often use noun phrases, rather than verbs, to describe actions. If I tell you about my daily routine I might say somet hing like: ‘I shower every morning before breakfast.’ There’s nothing actually wrong with this sentence â€" but it sounds a little strange. I am far more likely to use: ‘I have a shower every morning before breakfast’. In this sentence have is a ‘delexical’ verb which means that is has no literal, concrete meaning and is just there to allow the noun phrase to describe the action.These expressions are extremely common in English â€" but where British speakers use have, American speakers use take: I’m overworked â€" I need to take a vacation. (US)She can’t come to the phone because she’s having a bath.(UK)Grandma usually takes a nap around now. (US)We used to have a walk in the forest every morning. (UK)We spoke above about how American English has attempted to introduce more ‘rational’ spellings â€" this is true with many verbs which have irregular past tense forms in British English, for example:The irregular British burnt, dreamt, learnt, smelt, spilt, and s poilt become the regular American burned, dreamed, learned, smelled, spilled, and spoiled.However, American English isn’t always the most logical form â€" the regular British dived, fitted, sneaked, and wetted, become the irregular American dove, fit, snuck and wet!The Present PerfectStudents often ask me which of the following are correct?‘Did you finish it yet?’ or, ‘Have you finished it yet?’Well, as I’m sure you are beginning to realise reading this article, they are both correct â€" they are just examples of American or British usage.The present perfect exists on both sides of The Atlantic and both American and British speakers use it to say things like, ‘I’ve never been to Africa,’ or ‘Have you ever broken your leg?’ However, there is a difference in usage with the adverbs just, already and yet.Did you finish that report yet? (US)I’ve already told you twice! (UK)He just arrived â€" he’s waiting in reception. (US)Sorry if I seem groggy â€" I’ve just got up. (UK)I haven’t finished reading it yet. (UK)I won’t join you for lunch â€" I already ate / I ate already (US)In Britain, and across all of Europe, we listen to American music, watch American TV shows and read American books. This means that expressions like ‘I just did it’ are quite common in spoken English â€" even if they are not considered as ‘standard,’ or actually taught in any textbook. When writing, as with all the other comments in this article, it is important to keep to one standard in you work â€" mixing your grammar is almost as bad as mixing your spellings!Before I finish this section, I should tell you that gotten â€" something many of us associate with American English â€" comes from old English and is still very widely used in Northern England and Ireland.You can find a good detailed summary of the points in this section here.http://www.onestopenglish.com/grammar/grammar-reference/american-english-vs-british-english/differences-in-american-and-brit ish-english-grammar-article/152820.articleFinally, a phrase like ‘Tell me what you already did’ has great immediacy â€" and sounds cool, here the Fountains of Wayne contrast this usage with less certain expressions!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xwqIeiqO2EVocabulary difference between American and British EnglishThe word ‘Americanism’ first appeared in Pennsylvania in 1781, coined by a Scottish minister who was comparing it to the word ‘Scotishism’. By 1806 Noah Webster, compiling the first dictionary of American usage defined the word as meaning ‘love of America and preference of her interest.’ Today the word refers to any word or phrase which is used in standard American usage â€" but not in standard British English.The earliest Americanisms were nouns for things which didn’t exist in Europe, like Skunk, Hickory and Opossum. Americanisms include some old English words that arrived with the earliest British settlers but later became obsolete in Britain, for inst ance Faucet, Diaper and Candy. These were added to by words imported by non-English speaking settlers such as Prairie, Chutzpah, Ranch, and Sauerkraut.Many common, everyday items have different names in American and British English, for example the American Elevator, Sidewalk and Pants are the British Lift, Pavement and Trousers. These words are so common that we soon become familiar with the differences. The main problem comes when words we think are familiar change their meaning when they cross The Atlantic! Words like braces, bog, pants, rubber, dummy, trolley and chips cause real problems because they are so common and familiar to us that we often forget that they have a different meaning! Here is a great summary of the main ‘problem’ words.http://www.bigstockphoto.com/blog/20-british-words-that-mean-something-totally-different-in-the-usIn some situations the differences in vocabulary are particularly striking. When we discuss our cars the British boot, bonnet, windscreen, p etrol, torch and gearstick become the American trunk, hood, windshield, gasoline, flashlight and stick shift.Confusion becomes a lot worse when we discuss our education. At school, it seems like nearly everything has a different name; the British break time, marks, staff room, rubber, holiday and glue become the American recess, grades, teachers’ lounge, eraser, vacation and gum. Also, the phrase public school refers to state education in America but private education in Britain â€" pretty much the opposite meaning!This confusion is made worse by the fact that the education systems in the two countries are very different. In Britain we all love High School Musical â€" but where are those children and how old are they? Are they at school or university? We simply have no equivalent institution in the UK.My advice for dealing with vocabulary problems is to always check with the person you are talking to, check the context if it is a written form, and always keep a list of ‘problemâ €™ words. Here is a complete list of the main vocabulary differences.http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/british-and-american-termsIdioms â€" The Icing on the CakeIdioms are a minefield! They are fixed expressions with a figurative, rather than literal, meaning and do not translate into other languages. They are used to emphasise and illustrate, and create a high level of fluency when used correctly. These phrases express much about the culture and history behind the language â€" but also a lot about the background and attitude of the speaker. This could include their sense of humour, feelings at the time of speaking, and attitudes to things like politics, religion, profanity, swearing, bodily functions, the weather, and sport â€" the source material for idioms endless!Interestingly, an American speaker doesn’t need to have a knowledge of, or interest in, baseball to use an expression like ‘home run’ just as a British speaker can understand that an ‘own goal’ is an uni ntended negative result without being football mad. This means that students don’t necessarily need to know the origin of an expression to be able to use it.For students, there is little point in studying or comparing the differences between American and British idioms. This is because idioms have more than one meaning and can be used in different contexts so that we can’t translate an American idiom into a British idiom â€" or into a non-English one. Also, British and American speakers share some idioms, but not others. Finally, there are far too many idioms for you to study and learn by heart â€" it is far better to deal with them as you find them, and use a few that you are confident with.Here’s my advice for dealing with idioms:Think â€" Idioms are unusual expressions. So ask yourself why that person is using an unusual expression. The reasons are likely to be connected with emphasis, exaggeration, or a high state of emotion! So check the context â€" and the facial express ion!Ask â€" this is what native speakers always do when clarifying meaning with someone from the other side of the pond (Atlantic Ocean â€" a great example of idiomatic understatement). Use expressions like ‘- so you’re pretty angry about that right?’ or ‘OK, you mean that you’re too busy at the moment.’Be honest â€" Try using ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you mean.’Never translate â€" Idioms from your own language may use the same imagery and concepts, but they are unlikely to translate word-for-word into English.Tolerate your mistakes â€" You will definitely make mistakes and create confusion when you use idioms, so be brave and allow yourself the space to try, fail, and try again.Listen and notice â€" British people NEVER say ‘it’s raining cats and dogs’ â€" so why should you? Listen to what native speakers actually say in a given situation, and copy.Notes â€" Keep a notebook of your favourite expressions and add anything new that you hear. Try to us e new expressions soon after you learn them, this is called ‘use it or lose it.’Here is a reference for common British idiom.http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/And here is a much better resource, about American idiom, organised around topics and including discussion questions.http://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/in_the_loop_pages.pdfStandardisationOne version of English is no better or worse than another â€" so it doesn’t really matter which one you choose. Some people say that one version is easier to learn or understand than the other â€" but no research has ever proven this. This means that the version you choose should be based on your needs â€" for example most non-native speakers in South America use American English, and this is true throughout the Asia-pacific region. However, in Russia and all of Western Europe British English is standard.Mixing things up is generally a bad idea. If you mix American and British words to describe your car you could conf use anyone who is not a mechanic. A sentence like; ‘My favourite color is red’ is just bad spelling whichever way you look at it. And if you are mixing US and UK forms then how am I to know what you mean when you say ‘I’ve lost my pants’ or ‘can I borrow your rubber?’English is a wonderfully expressive language, and easier to learn than many others, it is spoken all over the world and can be a door to success in so many parts of your life. At LOI, we see it as our mission to help you achieve your goals with whatever form of English you choose!  ReferencesOnestopenglish / Wikipedia / The British Council / BBC Learning English / Oxford Dicionary / Cambridge Dictionary / Merriam Webster Dictionary / David Crystal â€" The History of English in 100 words / Plus the links provided in the textQuizWhat Form of English are the following?1                   I’ve never learnt to spell properly.2                   Sorry I’m late, which team is winning?3                   Jane usually goes hiking at the weekend.4                   You should always take a shower after exercise.5                   That’s a dangerous sport â€" have you ever gotton injured?6                   I like to have a walk with the dogs in the morning.7                   Did John arrive yet?8                   Who spilled that milk on the carpet?9                   Ireland are going to win the next World Cup!10               You never listen â€" I’ve already told you twice!Now translate them from American to British or vice versa â€" but make only the smallest possible changes!