Spanish Tutoring At Smith College

Spanish Tutoring At Smith CollegeSpanish tutoring can be found at Smith College. The staff there works with students to teach them the art of speaking and writing in Spanish. The knowledge of speaking and writing in a second language are very important in order to succeed in the world today.Students in Smith College speak English, but they do not speak only in English. Instead, they can pick up words and phrases from several different languages. So, they know how to communicate with other people, but they do not necessarily know how to communicate with native speakers of Spanish or any other languages.All students at Smith College take Spanish courses. Some are taking it as a first language, while others are just taking it for fun. They learn from listening to the professors and from reading the books. These books are full of easy lessons for people of all ages to read and follow.Many young people who are taking Spanish classes at Smith College are fluent in Spanish. Others find it v ery difficult to understand other people in a foreign language. However, these students at Smith College will see the same thing as someone who is studying at their high school or college.Even if the student takes Spanish tutoring at Smith College, they will have access to other students who also take Spanish classes. And, they can get help from teachers, but they are going to learn with the help of other students who are learning the language. This gives students a sense of community and having their peers support them as they learn Spanish.At Smith College, they do not focus on one subject area and move to another one. They mix subjects up and cover everything that a student needs to learn to improve their life. This means that students learn how to deal with college life, but they also get to learn how to handle life outside of school.Smith College will encourage students to apply to internships. They also encourage students to get a job. This way, they can start to build a netwo rk of contacts who can help them with the language.The knowledge of a second language is not only important to young adults but also to adults who are retiring. That is why many teachers at Smith College will encourage their students to pursue a second language when they graduate. Having a second language, like Spanish, gives students the opportunity to see the world from a different perspective.

The Pros and Cons of 7 Leading Online Language Courses

The Pros and Cons of 7 Leading Online Language Courses The Pros and Cons of 7 Leading Online Language Courses Weighing one online language course against the many others.Spending hours sifting through facts and making comparisons.Only reading positive reviews that dont tell you the real ins and outs of each course.Wondering about scathingly negative reviews that are outliers among many 5-star reviewsâ€"but do seem to raise some good points.And that, friends, sounds like a drag, doesnt it?Would-be language learners often put off trying to choose the perfect online language course because the above becomes so darn exhausting.A fundamental fact is that time is of the essence for everyone. It’s just a fact of our super busy lives: We’re all crunched for time.So, how best to cut through the clutter and choose the course that suits your needs? It just so happens there’s a good answer to that time-conscious question!I can help you find the best method for your learning styleâ€"before you waste precious time on something that doesn’t work well.Spend time learning, not looking! What Makes a n Online Course Worthwhile for You?Let’s face it, we all have different needsâ€"there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to almost anything in life. Language learning is no different.That means you need to choose an online course according to your own unique needs and learning style. Makes sense, doesn’t it?Now lets address the elephant in the room, discovering how you learn. What style are you?Lets find out!Of course, the usual approach is to discuss classic learning styles, like visual, auditory or kinesthetic. Here, were only interested in teasing apart whats best for you in the online language course market, which means were going to focus more on characteristics of digital resources: CostMobilityGamificationInteractivityStructureCost and the Cash-conscious LearnerAre you at a point in life where the day-to-day grind pays the basics and not much else? Are your purse strings tight? Just dont feel like shelling out for anything you dont have to?There’s a fix for thatâ€"i t’s entirely possible (easy, actually) to find a course that’s not a budget-buster! Many online language courses are free or very cheap.Mobility and the Globe-trotting LearnerNot in one place for too long, are you? Do you always have a suitcase packed and that passport by the door? Never quite sure if youll have solid Wi-Fi? Or maybe youre just always on the move in your hometown, commuting to work, hanging out in different places or going for long drives.Then you need mobility in your course. Learn anywhere, anytimeâ€"and never leave home without your language lessons!Gamification and the Competitive LearnerSome learners want concrete validation that information is actually being absorbed.And some of us just like the thrill of playing a good game and seeing progress, right?Good news! There are courses that play almost like video games. They have levels to track progress, dole out points, have bonuses to unlock and some even give out virtual awards. What’s not to love about th at kind of fun?Interactivity and the Interactive LearnerVideos, grammar modules and vocabulary tools that engage while teaching can be wonderfully effective. Yes, it’s amazing how much language learning takes place while you’re casually, passively watching a videoâ€"and the cultural knowledge gained is priceless.But interactive learners, who like lots of hands-on practice to learn, will want to seek out courses with loads of interactive elements. By encouraging you to think, type, click and speak, interactive elements keep you in the game.Youll also want to seek out social tools like forums, tutors, language exchange partners and learning groupsâ€"or even a very responsive support staff.Structure and Classic Classroom LearnerClassroom learning is still legit. After all, it’s what keeps brick-and-mortar colleges and universities in business.Some people learn best the way their formal educations began: in a classroom.Excellent auditory skills are a plus for classroom learning. A bonus? Most people who prefer this experience possess a hefty attention span which lends itself to drill-type exercises. Those skills worked when we were in grade school, and they still work now.The Pros and Cons of 7 Leading Online Language CoursesLanguage learning is in part about community, understanding and socializing, so take some hints from those who have successfully done this.Gather tipsâ€"but make your language learning experience your own!Here, well introduce you to seven of the leading online language courses that you can work with. Youll likely recognize all these names because they carry some hefty onlineâ€"and real-worldâ€"clout. The pros and cons are presented for each course, as well as a note about who the course tends to work best for.BusuuBusuu declares it only takes 10 minutes a day to learn a language, so they offer short lessons and interactive learning with learners across the globe. Speaking and writing exercises are corrected by native speakers which encou rages cultural interaction.If youd like to  sample  any of the 12 language  courses offered, just sign in and look one over for free.Best ForThe classroom-style learners who also enjoy socializing with their peersâ€"so will appreciate the forumsâ€"but can basically work solo.ProsTheres a  free option which uses flashcards, writing exercises  and corrections from native speakers. Additionally, the premium option isnt overly pricey but helps you reach some great ends. The site claims that 22.5 hours of their premium course equals one college semester of language study.Socialization is emphasized using community forums. You can chat with other learners to stimulate those vocabulary and conversation skills.ConsThis course is too structured for anyone who likes more freedom and immersion. The language used here can feel formal and textbook, rather than natural and authentic. You wont get much in the way of authentic resources here, so you wont necessarily feel immersed in the way modern native speakers use their language.Plus, the free option isnt mobile, which may not suit everyone.BabbelBabbels foundation is the idea that language learning occurs best when  we  just begin  to speak a language so thats what they do, they get the words flowing! Speech recognition technology helps get pronunciations on point.  Learners choose from a variety of topics, ranging from business to travel, among other things.The main focal areas of this course are lesson modules, vocabulary practice and social learning (where you can hook up with friends and fellow learners online).Feel free to check out one of the dozen courses available from Babbel before deciding if this option appeals to you, like the courses for Spanish, French, German, Russian and Italian.Best ForThe interactive learner who benefits from short bursts of learning.ProsThe first lesson in every language is free and the individual lessons are short (10-15 minutes) so they fit into any schedule. Its a mobile method taugh t by native speakers, so pronunciation is on point.For most offered languages, the modules cover a lot of ground, from the basic language lessons to business language, culture, travel, geography and tongue twisters.ConsWhile theres a nice feature for recording your voice, it still needs some development to achieve full accuracy.Since this course is quite immersive, the avalanche of vocabulary that youre exposed to right off the bat might feel overwhelming for some learners, especially those who are more classroom-oriented.The language youre learning might have more lackluster material than the most popular languagesâ€"English, Spanish, German, French, etc.â€"so the free course is worth your while to take.FluentUFluentU is real-world language learning, based on the premise that learners learn most easily when offered rich, engaging, memorable and authentic experiences. If a subject interests you or if it touches your heart, youre more likely to retain whatever knowledge is gained by that lesson.The program currently offers six language courses (English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin Chinese) to learners, and five more are in the works.  FluentU can also be used  from  iOS  or  Android  devices with the app.    If youd like to see how this course works, take a peek.Best ForAny learners with a globe-trotting, culturally-conscious, interactive learning style. Its gamified and addictive.Learning is done through language immersion via native videos, so the world comes to the learner. Its culture on your doorstep, no travel required!ProsThe real-world video content is beyond fun. Who doesnt want to be entertained while theyre learning? Its a natural way to learn a language, through immersion via video that does not include dull, repetitive lessons. And youll almost feel like youre procrastinating while checking out movie trailers, music videos, interviews, comedy skits, YouTube channels, cartoons and more.Theres something for everyone, with videos on all sorts of topics, so this course appeals to all personalities and language levels. The cost is reasonable, and you can try it  for free before  you decide if its right for you.ConsThere are courses which provide direction and structure in the less advanced levels, but after the intermediate stage youre left to your own devices.This is also a highly immersive program, so youll find yourself swimming in new vocabulary and grammar every day. Youll likely encounter a lot of vocabulary and grammar that you wont fully learn how to use properly for a good whileâ€"which is good for some, but perhaps not all.This can be an amazing way to gain exposure and familiarity with a language, but can admittedly be challenging for classroom-type learners who need more structure and guidance.DuolingoLooking for fun? A cute little green companion bird wholl nudge you toward a daily language learning commitment? Then Duolingo may be  what youre  after!The course uses the theory that daily language le arning is the way to go, and theyre making it fun to show up day after day. There are points for returning and completing lessons, and the daily streak (how many days in a row youve shown up for study) is a challenge unto itself.Would you like a little taste of a course? No problem! There are 21 to choose from. Choose a language and take the placement test to see where you fall.Best ForGaming types who crave immediate success or results.Its also a good fit for those suffering a time crunch. With just a few minutes a day to invest youll still get results and build a solid learning habit.ProsThe course was founded in 2012 by Luis von Ahn who was determined to make language learning available to everyoneâ€"thats why its free.Its interactive and fun, almost like playing a game rather than doing coursework. The method is to teach by context rather than memorization so theres some cultural references, which always make a course interesting.Its known to be extremely effective in getting to tal newbies off the groundâ€"and keep them hookedâ€"with its addictive, fun method. It will give you structure and introduce you to a ton of diverse linguistic topics.Another fun fact? There are six additional courses hatching, meaning that theyre in development, including Klingon!ConsThe program lacks a solid grammar base, something that might not appeal to a classroom-type learner. Its not super helpful for learners at the high-intermediate, advanced or nearly-fluent levels.While it provides an awesome bare-bones framework to drive your learning, it doesnt go very in-depth into any topic. Youll just get a taste of each grammar point or vocabulary theme, but youll need to seek outside resources to really, truly learn any given topic.FSI (Foreign Service Institute) CoursesThe FSI has been around a long time so theyve got a boatload of languages (40+) offered. If youd like to see how theyre structured,  this is  a great example of the  way theyve got things formatted.Best ForIndepend ent workers who don’t mind sorting through what does not seem necessary to their study. Also great for classroom learners who enjoy and benefit from drills.The courses were developed by the US Foreign Services to train diplomats. They teach basic comprehension and speaking.On a personal note, I became basically conversant in German in 28 days using the courses. They were a bit dry in spots but they work. I plan to use more of the courses available. Why not? Free and they work? Yes and yes!ProsThe courses are in the public domain so theyre free. Theres a huge assortment of languages and most languages have enough material to provide a solid learning opportunity.ConsThe courses arent new, so there are some out-of-date social references. If youre bothered by retro, these arent the courses for you.As noted earlier, the materials can be formal and dry, so its not a great choice for the interactive learner, or someone who craves the bells and whistles of gamification.Rosetta StoneUsing speech recognition software, native speakers and an immersive curriculum, Rosetta Stone teaches by building on vocabulary in an orderly method. The program is available in 28 languages, including but not limited to: Spanish, French, German, Japanese and Chinese.  If youd like to give it a go before committing, theyre down with that.Best ForClassroom learners, but also those on the goâ€"a handy, high-quality mobile app can be downloaded.ProsThis is an organized method of learning, relying on vocabulary building.There are pronunciation checks which help correct your language SNAFUs as they occur.And there are several options for purchasing the courses, including subscription and downloads.ConsThis coursework isnt ideal for learners who dislike traditional classroom settings.Another personal note? I’m currently taking the Irish course and progressing nicely despite having no prior experience with this language. The vocabulary-building facilitates rapid learning and the voice recognit ion response feature makes getting pronunciation down a snap.Will I be able to chat it up in Dublin in six weeks? Time will tell!FluenzFluenzs foundation is the thought that adult language learners learn best when they can relate a new language to the one they already know. They focus on lining up the structure (vocabulary, syntax and grammar) of a new language to English.The  coursework at Fluenz includes six languages and they offer the option to try before you buy.Best ForClassroom learners who like structure but want to be able to take the course on the go.ProsThis courses favored theory of learning is based on that of a typical, English-speaking classroom, using English as a foundation for learning new languages. This means that the course will feel quite familiar for native English speakers who learned a foreign language in their middle school or high school, with a teacher who used English to explain some things.The new language exposure will feel similar to whats already wor ked for you in the past.Once the program is installed, its not necessary to be connected to the internet. Additionally, theres an app for phones so language learning is mobile.ConsDownloads begin at $177 so, while its a very comprehensive program, this isnt for a budget-conscious language learner.Its also not the ideal choice for anyone who favors a more immersive method of learning, where youre surrounded by authentic language and constantly bumping into new linguistic challenges. It will probably feel like too much structure for a learner with this preference.In a NutshellSo there they are, the top online language learning courses all laid outâ€"pros, cons and everything in between. Theres no need to waste precious time doing research or weighing facts and figures. The legwork is done, and now its up to you to move forward with your language learning dreams!Identify your language learning style, then choose the course best suited to your needs.Charlemagne said, “to have another language is to possess a second soul.”So go for the new language, gain “a second soul” …then maybe a third and fourth.The possibilities are limitlessâ€"what are you waiting for?

italki Team Language Challenge Week 4 Update

italki Team Language Challenge â€" Week 4 Update The italki team is taking  the 2015 New Years Language Challenge How much Chinese can they learn in 20 hours? 3 members of the team at italki are taking the language challenge to improve their skill in Mandarin. Each of them will have 20 hours of lessons between January and February. Can you do better than them?  Check out their original Public Video Pledges that they made at the beginning of the Challenge here. Week 4 Updates Week 4 for the Team #italkichallenge is getting competitive! Aimé is about to finish and Josie is doing her best to #support him. #sabatoge #italki #learningchinese #bringit #skype #almostdone A photo posted by Italki (@italki) on Feb 12, 2015 at 9:36pm PST Aimé, Intern Week 4 After 4 weeks I have completed 17 hours of Chinese lessons with my teacher Lea. I must say I feel very happy with myself about the progress I was able to make this week. My goal was to be better at comprehending when my teacher asked me questions which I feel like I really improved on. Mind you this is the 4th week of learning the same things but I’m finally catching on to keywords in order to understand questions. With only 3 more hours of lessons left, I feel like I will be able to meet my goal of introducing myself but I highly doubt I can a conversation with a native Chinese speaker. Nonetheless, I am very proud of the progress I have made, especially with my pronunciation even though it still has some improving to do. For this upcoming week, since I’m leaving back to America, my goal is to speak very well in Chinese in my final video to show everyone how much progress I’ve made. Josie, Services Week 4 After 4 weeks I’ve have managed to get 11 hours of Chinese lessons. Unfortunately this has been a tough week for me in regards to the challenge, I was sick the beginning of the week and had to go to Hong Kong on the weekend. I was only able to look at my vocabulary once, which means I did not meet my goals. Seeing as we are halfway through the challenge it’s not looking like I’ll be able to have a 5 minutes conversation like I had originally intend. However if they speak very slowly and we discuss the things I have been learning about then I can do it. This week I need to complete my sessions and study my vocabulary regularly. For the next 2 weeks I need to practice more out loud. I have many friends that speak Chinese so I should practice out load with them even though I get embarrassed. I’m really hoping to get over being embarrassed while speaking Chinese because I know it will help tremendously. Karthik, Data Scientist Week 4 This week was very busy for me so I could only complete 1 session, which gives me 6 hours overall. I had previously set an ambitious goal of 4 sessions for this week but I wasn’t able to meet it. I’m very behind on sessions but I still think I can meet my initial goal. Imagine if I had been taking my lessons regularly! This upcoming week I need to take more sessions! I have to schedule them sooner because the longer I wait to schedule, the harder it is for me to finish sessions. My goal is to take 5 sessions, it’s a lot but I need to step up my game if I want to be successful in this challenge. italki Team Language Challenge â€" Week 4 Update The italki team is taking  the 2015 New Years Language Challenge How much Chinese can they learn in 20 hours? 3 members of the team at italki are taking the language challenge to improve their skill in Mandarin. Each of them will have 20 hours of lessons between January and February. Can you do better than them?  Check out their original Public Video Pledges that they made at the beginning of the Challenge here. Week 4 Updates Week 4 for the Team #italkichallenge is getting competitive! Aimé is about to finish and Josie is doing her best to #support him. #sabatoge #italki #learningchinese #bringit #skype #almostdone A photo posted by Italki (@italki) on Feb 12, 2015 at 9:36pm PST Aimé, Intern Week 4 After 4 weeks I have completed 17 hours of Chinese lessons with my teacher Lea. I must say I feel very happy with myself about the progress I was able to make this week. My goal was to be better at comprehending when my teacher asked me questions which I feel like I really improved on. Mind you this is the 4th week of learning the same things but I’m finally catching on to keywords in order to understand questions. With only 3 more hours of lessons left, I feel like I will be able to meet my goal of introducing myself but I highly doubt I can a conversation with a native Chinese speaker. Nonetheless, I am very proud of the progress I have made, especially with my pronunciation even though it still has some improving to do. For this upcoming week, since I’m leaving back to America, my goal is to speak very well in Chinese in my final video to show everyone how much progress I’ve made. Josie, Services Week 4 After 4 weeks I’ve have managed to get 11 hours of Chinese lessons. Unfortunately this has been a tough week for me in regards to the challenge, I was sick the beginning of the week and had to go to Hong Kong on the weekend. I was only able to look at my vocabulary once, which means I did not meet my goals. Seeing as we are halfway through the challenge it’s not looking like I’ll be able to have a 5 minutes conversation like I had originally intend. However if they speak very slowly and we discuss the things I have been learning about then I can do it. This week I need to complete my sessions and study my vocabulary regularly. For the next 2 weeks I need to practice more out loud. I have many friends that speak Chinese so I should practice out load with them even though I get embarrassed. I’m really hoping to get over being embarrassed while speaking Chinese because I know it will help tremendously. Karthik, Data Scientist Week 4 This week was very busy for me so I could only complete 1 session, which gives me 6 hours overall. I had previously set an ambitious goal of 4 sessions for this week but I wasn’t able to meet it. I’m very behind on sessions but I still think I can meet my initial goal. Imagine if I had been taking my lessons regularly! This upcoming week I need to take more sessions! I have to schedule them sooner because the longer I wait to schedule, the harder it is for me to finish sessions. My goal is to take 5 sessions, it’s a lot but I need to step up my game if I want to be successful in this challenge.

The Physics Tutoring University

The Physics Tutoring UniversityPhysics Tutoring UF is one of the most popular Universities in the country. And what better way to help your child and yourself reach their college degree than to enroll them in the Physics Tutoring University?Here at Physics Tutoring UF, we understand that what a parent wants more than anything else is for their child to succeed in their studies. If you are just starting your career in teaching, then don't worry because we have a few easy steps that will help you reach your goals. The first step is to get in touch with your local Physics Tutoring University to see if they have an in-house tutoring program.Once you have found the Physics Tutoring University, then the next step is to sign up as a tutor. For this step, all you need is a valid photo ID with you; as well as your high school diploma. Once you have these two things ready, you can then register with Physics Tutoring UF. The next step is to start with a lesson plan that you can complete on your own.The next step in Physics Tutoring UF is to find a qualified physics tutor who is experienced. The step that you should take is to call around to a number of Physics Tutoring Universities to see if you can get a free lesson plan or perhaps a live tutor session. If you do not get this advice, you will be wasting your time and money and you are definitely missing out on a great opportunity.With the guidance of the experienced Physics Tutor, you can make sure that you have met all the prerequisite qualifications and have completed all the prerequisites for Physics Tutoring UF. If you have any doubts or questions, you can always email the Physics Tutoring University or ask a Physics Tutor to help you out.Physics Tutoring UF also offers free newsletters that help to guide you and provide a good overview of how to go about Physics Tutoring UF. This newsletter helps to make sure that you are able to develop your own teaching strategies, know the curriculum and student habits, as well a s knowing the support you will get when working on your Physics Teaching Aptitude Test.The Psychology Department is another department of Physics Tutoring UF. Here, they will help you formulate a plan for your child to succeed in the real world after you have completed your education.

Barrons SAT Subject Test Chemistry Free Download

Barron's SAT Subject Test Chemistry Free DownloadSo, is Barron's SAT Subject Test Chemistry free download available? While there are different options that you can download, some of them might not be as good as others. If you would like to find out if this website will work well for you, you should look at the free section first.The main section of the SAT that the website is focused on is Algebra. Most colleges use this section in the admissions process to make sure that students have the fundamentals that they need. Therefore, if you are attending a college or university in which they are using this SAT subject test chemistry free download, it might not be worth your time. However, with this website, you will be able to see if they have any sort of database of resources that might help you study for this test.If you happen to be wondering about the resources that Barron's SAT Subject Test Chemistry free download offers, it will give you four of the key ingredients that you need to study. The first one is a review of three of the most common forms of this subject. This includes Gas Law equations, Thermal Equation and Gas Equilibrium. Then, there is an explanation of how many different forms of Potassium Hydroxide and Potassium Carbonate are used in the final grade of the chemistry.Then, there is the calculator for the test Chemistry. This works by giving you a score and you will know if you can take the SAT Subject Test Chemistry online or not. You will be able to use it to practice and gauge your skills with the calculator. Also, if you would like to be able to practice before the actual test, there is a practice test available that you can use.If you decide to buy a book to learn the test Chemistry, then this is the last option that you can do. With this free download, you will be able to get the Chemical Formula Algorithm Review to learn the Chemistry materials. This is an easy review of this mathematical formula so that you will be able to remember the mat erials that you need to learn. It is also easy to read because it has a high-quality print.Now, if you do purchase a study guide to teach you the test Chemistry, then you should know that there are some things that you should look out for. One thing that you need to do is to make sure that the authors of the books are actually professionals in the field. This will help you avoid any confusion that could arise from using the material in a book that is just another marketing product.So, if you are looking for a free SAT subject test Chemistry resource, this is the best one out there. It gives you all the tools that you need to test your knowledge and help you test for success.

Right Communication Its all About the Way You Think - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Right Communication Its all About the Way You Think - Introvert Whisperer Right Communication Its all About the Way You Think Right Communication Its all About the Way You Think Do you think that mental hygiene is important for one’s health and progress? How do you feel about interpersonal communication skill seminars and some other similar ones? No matter what your agenda is on these topics, you can’t deny the fact that they all have a purpose. That purpose is to upgrade our social skills, teach us how to communicate properly and expand our social circle. Surely you’re aware that these things are important in life and that they determine, in a way, how successful a person is. If you’re not quite ready to attend a seminar or a group training regarding communication skills, you’ve come to the right place as here you will get a taste of the lessons taught there. Listen before you speak

The Ultimate Guide to Overcoming Stage Fright

The Ultimate Guide to Overcoming Stage Fright Suzy S. Stage performance is a challenging art form. Whether youre acting out a role in a musical theatre setting, giving a speech in front of a crowd, or even playing a solo at an open mic night, the experience can be nerve-wracking even for seasoned performers. It can be even more anxiety-inducing if youre a perfectionist, as that can breed a fear of failure and from there, performance anxiety can feel even stronger. Performance anxiety (commonly  referred to as stage fright)  can devastate a performer’s career and enjoyment of their craft, but it doesn’t have to  performance anxiety is a normal human reaction and a completely curable condition if given the right resources, patience, and support system. This article is a guide to learning how to overcome stage fright, for anyone who may experience it  musicians, actors, dancers, speakers, educators, and students. If you wish to understand and improve anxiety issues that are holding you  back from giving your  best performances, read on! What is Stage Fright? Lets start with  anxiety, which  is defined as a feeling or worry, nervousness, or unease about an upcoming event. Most people have experienced some level of anxiety before, during, or after a performance, speech, sports game, or test. Anxiety differs from fear in that fear addresses a present threat, while anxiety is typically felt in relation to something in the future. Anxiety is a normal, healthy human experience and, in small doses, is beneficial in making decisions and in achieving peak success. Performance anxiety (stage fright) in particular is nervousness or unease about a specific future event in which you will be required to execute a task, such as a song, a scene, speech, or test and usually when you’ll be in front of an audience. Symptoms may be present during the task, for weeks or months leading up to it, and sometimes after the event is over. So, how do you get over  stage fright? Even most experienced performers feel anxiety, so its more a process of learning how to deal with stage fright. Here  are the steps  I recommend. Knowing if you are truly experiencing anxiety is critically important, as it’s the first step toward understanding and overcoming it. If you have experienced a few or many of the following symptoms before or during a performance situation, you are experiencing stage fright: Excessive sweating (typically in the palms, feet, armpits or face, but could be anywhere) Increased heart rate Chills, hot flashes, or sudden changes in body temperature Shallow breathing, tightness in the chest, or hyperventilation Feeling dizzy Racing thoughts, obsessive fear of failure during the task Inability to concentrate or process logical information Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Loss of appetite Frequent urge to use the bathroom Inability to make small talk or hold a basic conversation Shakiness, especially in the hands Sensitivity lights, sounds, or textures in the environment As you can see, this list of sensations is not only unpleasant, but makes performing at your best nearly impossible. Fear of failure becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Look at the list of anxiety symptoms, and make a mental checkmark next to the ones that you have felt during performance situations. Note when it happened, how often, and any other details you remember. Are your symptoms limited to a specific few, or all of them? Are there symptoms you’d like to solve first as a priority, before others? Now go back next to each symptom that you’ve checked, and rate it on scale of 1-10 as to how severe it felt (1 being hardly felt it, 10 being you felt it so much you couldn’t concentrate on anything else). If you are seeing numbers in the 1-4 range, it’s likely that you are experiencing normal, healthy jitters that can actually add to your performance by making you more focused. If you are seeing numbers in the 5-10 range, you are experiencing moderate to severe stage fright  and should read on to discover strategies for improvement. Before you can properly map a route to overcome stage fright, it’s important to know where you’ve been and what has caused stage fright in the past. Let’s look at some of the reasons why you are experiencing stage fright, how they might contribute to your present challenges, and how you can utilize them most effectively. Start by asking yourself some questions about your performing career, starting from the very, very beginning, which might include childhood memories or more recent situations depending on your age. Recall the first time you performed for an audience, formally. Who was there? What thoughts and feelings do you remember? Were you happy with the outcome of the performance? Was it a positive or negative experience, was it stressful or relaxed? Recall the first time you performed and experienced anxiety (if different from above). What were the circumstances? Who was there? Did you practice or prepare, and how much? If different from #1, what do you think sparked anxiety if there were previous performances that didn’t? Recall the next few times that you performed, after #2 above. Ask yourself the same questions and look for patterns. Recall the 2-3 most recent times you performed. How recent was it? Have you purposely avoided performing in recent circumstances due to fear? Were you with a large group, small ensemble or solo? Were there any post-performance experiences worth noting? From the above questions, look for patterns. Are there any pivotal events that dramatically changed the course of your performance history? Are there any key people, venues, or pieces that contributed to where you’re at today? The next step is re-contextualizing key anxiety triggers so that they don’t continue causing problems. Most people can identify one or two key incidents that left a large impact on their self-esteem. Maybe it was a teacher giving an aggressive critique, a family member telling you not to quit your day job, or a performance in which you froze on stage and ran off crying. At the time you may not have realized the impact of this key event, but in hindsight you can see that it has undermined your confidence and affected your ability to perform ever since. The mind is powerful and can distort memories, making them seem bigger and nastier than they really were in real life. As far as exercises that can help you deal with stage fright, this is a great one to try. Pick one of your key incidents that is particularly painful or memorable and jot a few notes about it to the facts: What venue were you performing in? What piece were you performing or practicing? Who was watching? What feedback were you given, either verbal or non-verbal? How did you react? Did you shout, cry, freeze up, or laugh it off? If you responded verbally, what did you say? What did you do after the event? Re-Contextualizing the Event Now let’s bring some imagination to it: sometimes taking the gravity out of a memory and bringing it into a lighter, if not humorous, context can be extremely healing. By re-contextualizing this event, you are not dismissing it or minimizing its impact, but re-framing it in a more positive, lighthearted perspective. By giving your brain a new way to interpret it, you will begin to move past it and no longer allow it to block your present performance opportunities. Jot a few notes in response to the following: If you could go back and re-live this event, what would you do differently? Is there anything positive that has come out of the negative memory? We’ve spent the preceding sections of this guide  processing your past. Now it’s time to move into the present and start thinking about what you can do now, and in the near future, to overcome stage fright. There is no magic formula, unfortunately; you must expose yourself â€" you must perform, perform, perform, and this is known as exposure therapy. Exposure therapy is a fancy name for the common-sense approach known as “facing your fears,” a technique commonly used by psychiatric doctors to treat phobias of all kinds. However, there is an art to exposing yourself to your fears, and it should be done in careful, small, planned doses that gradually lead up to a major milestone. Create an Exposure Ladder Exposure ladders are a technique used widely by the medical psychiatric community to treat generalized anxiety, panic disorders, and phobias of all types. An exposure ladder is a list of activities that lead you gradually to a big goal (such as performing on your citys biggest stage, for example), with activities ranked from least to most anxiety-provoking. An individual will work up the steps of the ladder, moving on to the next step only after mastering exposure to the current step with little or no anxiety. You’ll need to create your own customized exposure ladder, starting with #1, which is your first, tiny little step toward performing something that you could handle right now, today, with little or no anxiety symptoms. Then you’ll move on to #2, and so on, gradually making steps more anxiety provoking as you go, until you’ve reached a final step which is your final performing goal. You can make your final step as big or small as you want, just be honest with your true performing goals. One precaution: be careful not to create too big of a jump between steps on the exposure ladder. You can repeat a step as many times as needed, in order to master that level with little to no anxiety. Depending on how often you are working on the steps, it might take months or years until you feel you’ve mastered a step, and that’s just fine. Study the example below to help you brainstorm ideas for your own ladder. Example Exposure Ladder 1. Imagine yourself performing. 2. Perform alone. 3. Record  yourself performing a scene or song and watch it without critique. 4. Perform for  a supportive partner or friend. 5. Perform a duet or ensemble in front of family or friends at an informal gathering. 6. Perform solo in front of family or friends at an informal gathering. 7. Perform a duet or ensemble at a venue that is higher caliber, like a talent show for your class at school, a neighborhood barbeque, or karaoke at a bar. 8. Perform solo within the same circumstances in #7. 9. Perform with a semi-professional ensemble, such as an audition-only community chorus  or  community theatre. 10. Arrange an opportunity to perform solo for your peers or an audience, within the group you’ve identified in #9. 11. Enter a  competition. 12. Continue finding opportunities similar to #11 with gradually higher caliber venues (or even paying gigs!). Once you start working the steps on your exposure ladder, there are going to be successes, and also setbacks. It’s important to arm yourself with relaxation techniques so that when setbacks occur, you have a strategy in place to deal with them  in a healthy way. Try these: Meditation Find a quiet space, sit or lay in a position that is comfortable enough to sustain for 10 minutes minimum, close your eyes, and stop thinking. It’s as simple as that; meditation is simply a state of thoughtlessness. Your mind will wander, and when it does, just bring it back to a blank space. If you can commit to meditation as a daily practice for 10-20 minutes, over time you will be able to push aside thoughts that distract you during performances, including anxious thoughts. Progressive muscle relaxation Find a quiet space and lay down with your arms naturally at your sides and legs fully extended. Close your eyes. Prepare with three slow, deep breaths. As much as possible, focus all of your attention on the task at hand; don’t let your mind wander. Tense your forehead muscle, holding it as tight as you can for about five seconds. As you do this, inhale and hold the breath while the muscle is tense, and then exhale and breathe normally as you let the muscle relax. Enjoy the relaxed position for about five seconds. Repeat the above process with the following muscle groups: your face/cheek muscles, neck muscles, shoulders (pull them up and tight), back muscles (pull your shoulder blades back and in), abs/stomach muscles, arms and hands (make a fist while you do this and tense it all the way down to the fingers), glutes, thighs, calves, and then finally feet. Acceptance is a final and critical step in learning how to overcome stage fright, as resistance will only make a problem grow stronger. It’s important that you stop criticizing or judging yourself for having fears or challenges on stage, as it is one of the most common types of anxiety, and you are definitely not alone! Acceptance is not declaring that stage fright  is “just a problem you have” and that you’ll have to deal with it for the rest of your life. Acceptance is realizing you have some uncomfortable symptoms that are occurring and allowing the process of change to unfold, even if the process is difficult. Acceptance is allowing setbacks to happen, refraining from self-criticism when they do, and celebrating the small successes along the way. Conclusion Public speaking and performances of all types continue to be the number one fear of most adults. By reading this article, you have embarked on a journey that very few are brave enough to take â€" congratulations are due just for starting! Your reading has given you initial tools for understanding what stage fright  is, how you experience it personally, how your past is affecting your present, and  beginning to learn how to deal with stage fright. Performing is one of life’s great joys and you too can enjoy sharing your unique gifts and stories in front of an audience, free of fear, paralysis, or uncomfortable feelings. Don’t give up, and remember that psychological change is a gradual process. Good luck, and happy performing! Readers, what other ways have you learned how to overcome stage fright? Let us know in the comments! Post Author: Erin R. Erin teaches acting, singing, speaking voice, and more in San Diego, CA. She holds a B.A. from University of Minnesota in Vocal Performance, a M.A. in Education from National University, and has been teaching since 2007. Learn more about Erin here! Image credit: Kian McKellar