How WebEx Can Help You Make Time For Your Child

How WebEx Can Help You Make Time For Your ChildWebEx Online Tutoring can be a great way to help prepare your child for tests, college, and more. It is even possible to take part in a career as a teacher in the future. Using WebEx will allow you to provide some extra assistance to students and provide work at home jobs that you can work from home while you are still in school. All it takes is a high-speed Internet connection, a webcam, and a smart phone to access all the video tutorials.WebEx makes it easy for parents to access video tutorials from their children in real time. The video tutorials come from top teachers and can be helpful in many ways. Parents are able to help their children study for tests, help them get prepared for college classes, and answer questions about subjects that they are having trouble with. You can also watch and interact with students and be able to provide them with personalized tutoring based on your own knowledge and experience.Students are learning o nline at a high-speed Internet connection. So they can get the benefit of interacting with their peers and instructors in real time. Being able to get help in class or online through this instant messaging is really helpful to any student. When students are preparing for tests, college, or career selection, the lack of access to a tutor or instructor can really hurt them. With WebEx Online Tutoring, you can provide personalized help and tutoring to students.The best thing about WebEx is that all students can view the tutorial at the same time and that allows students to take advantage of voice chat with instructors when they are having problems or are just need a little bit of advice. If you are worried about safety, you can find videos or written content about safety and privacy online. Since you can speak to your student, they can see how well you understand their problem.Online tutoring is a good alternative to using traditional teachers and educators in order to help your child learn. It is a good way to get your child prepared for test, college, and career. It is a very easy and affordable way to provide high-quality tutoring to any student who needs it.Nowadays, we see a lot of schools and colleges using WebEx. Because of its instant messaging facility, teachers can communicate with students and share ideas with them about the subject matter. They can use voice chat and also see what their students are working on. It will also be easier for the teachers to provide feedback on how well their students are learning.There are many schools and universities offering online tutoring. They have some of the best teachers on the planet and they are very dedicated to giving their students the best and most effective way to study. Using WebEx can be a wonderful way to get the information that you need to better your education and the career that you want for yourself. Although this form of tutoring is not for everyone, it can be a great way to give your child or you r children a quality education. With WebEx Online Tutoring, you can have all the flexibility and convenience that you need to get some personal tutoring without needing to go out of your house.WebEx is a great way to get some extra tutoring or an interactive class where you can get more help from other students. You can also work online and get your hands on some time to complete some school work that may be stuck in your brain. With this form of tutoring, you can also develop the personality of your child's classmates or friends.

Getting Started with Portraiture

Getting Started with Portraiture How Do You Draw a Face? ChaptersWhat Are the Characteristics of a Portrait?Tools for Drawing a PortraitDrawing Construction Lines for the FaceDrawing the Main Facial FeaturesLearning to Draw HairThe Background of a PortraitTwo More Techniques for Drawing a PortraitLearning to Draw Faces“A good sketch is better than a long speech” - Napoleon BonaparteYou can say a lot through a drawing. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, just take a look at the Mona Lisa and you’re bound to feel something. This is why an increasing number of people are learning to draw. A lot of Brits enjoy creative hobbies.So, with that in mind, here’s how you can learn to draw a portrait. FernandoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidDrawing Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenDrawing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Julia janeDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvelinaDrawing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Are the Characteristics of a Portrait?Whether it’s a painting or a photograph, a portrait is defined as “a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, especially one depicting only the face or head and shoulders.”.We tend to think that a portrait is just a simple drawing of a face. However, a portrait can go beyond the head. If could be from head to foot or just the head and shoulders.Portraits can be notoriously difficult to get right. (Source: fxxu)Each artist can decide how they want to draw their portrait.  A portrait is a person on their own. Otherwise, it’s a group portrait.A portrait doesn’t even need to be head-on, however. While a front view is the most common type of port rait, the subject’s head can be turned away from the artist or even a side view of the subject. In this case, you'll need to pay particular attention to the face shape, the bridge of the nose, the upper lip, the eyebrow, and facial features that you'd usually draw differently.In any case, a portrait needs to represent the subject’s physical traits. Portraiture can also represent a person’s profession, etc. The goal is to better understand the subject through the piece.  Of course, if you want to do a portrait, you need to learn how to draw a face, how to shade it with a graphite pencil, and how to make it expressive.Learn how to draw manga.Tools for Drawing a PortraitTo start drawing portraits, you’ll have to first choose somebody to draw. It's not easy learning how to draw faces or capture somebody's likeness in your sketchbook. However, you don’t need to draw somebody in front of you to do a nice portrait. You might want to avoid this if you’re just getting started.The easiest way for a beginner to start drawing portraits is from photos. You can draw a portrait of a stranger or use a photo of somebody you know.  I recommend starting with black and white portraits to bet understand light and shadow. It’s a useful exercise in understanding depth.Once you’ve chosen your model, you need to choose the technique and medium. If you start with a black and white portrait, you can opt for graphite, charcoal, or pens, which can be good for portraiture.You’ll just need a sheet of paper. The sheet of paper needs to be quite thick so that it doesn’t crease when you use a rubber. However, you can always grab some printer paper if you’re on a budget or just getting started.If you’d like to do a colour portrait, you have a few options. Coloured pencils, markers, acrylics, gouache, watercolours, oil paint, etc.  If you’ve opted for oil paint, you'll need a canvas. When it comes to watercolours, there’s special paper you can get. Each artist needs t o choose before they draw their portrait.Find out more about how to draw anime and manga.Drawing Construction Lines for the FaceOnce you’re sitting comfortably with your art supplies, you can start by drawing a circle, then drawing intersecting curved vertical and horizontal lines to turn it into a sphere.You can check for good drawing classes here.Before you try and do anything, you should start with construction lines. (Source: Marty-arts)The horizontal line will half the sphere, like the equator on the earth. The second line will also cut the sphere in half. These lines will help you correctly position the facial features.  The eyes sit just above the horizontal line and the nose and mouth will sit on the vertical line.You can alter the positions of the lines (while always ensuring they divide the sphere into two equal parts) to change the orientation of the head.  Of course, a face isn’t a perfect sphere. Once you’ve placed the facial features, you can start by creating th e jawline.  This will work for most portraits and you can also use this technique to draw your own characters.Find out how to make your own comic. FernandoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidDrawing Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaDrawing Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenDrawing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Julia janeDrawing Teacher 5.00 (5) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvelinaDrawing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoDrawing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsDrawing the Main Facial FeaturesNow that you’ve got your construction lines, you can draw the outline of your model’s face before adding the features (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, etc.).You can then do your subject’s jawline. The hairline is also important because you’re going to have to go back over it once you add the hair.Ensure you practise as often as you can. (Source: pixel2013)Once you’ve got the outline drawn, place the ears just above the horizontal line. Pay particular attention to the space between the eyes. Carefully look at your model to get the proportions right. There is no one-size-fits-all mathematical rule for faces. Each face is different, after all.Once you’ve got the eyes, you can add the eyebrows, eyelids, and pupils. Keep in mind that a face will never have perfect symmetry. Ensure that each detail is as realistic as possible. Details can change everything (beauty spots, scarring, etc.).Move onto the nose and then the mouth. The latter needs to be about halfway between the horizontal line and the bottom of the jawline.Start by placing the ears at the same level as the eyes. You might need to practise how to draw eyes, eyelashes, the eyelid, and the human head in general before yo u start. Human faces are notoriously difficult to get right and you might want to use construction lines rather than doing it freehand.Learn how to create a caricature.Learning to Draw HairFor the next step, you’ll need to add hair to your sketch. Hair is an important part of a portrait but it’s difficult to draw. You need to work out where the hair starts on the forehead so that you can set the limits.You can then draw the outline of all their hair and don’t hesitate to add some movement. Trace a few lines and defining features of the hair but don’t overdo the hair else you'll be closer to drawing a caricature than being a portrait artist.Practising how to draw hair is particularly difficult and private art lessons could help you draw it.The Background of a PortraitTo finish off your portrait, you’ll need to add a background. It could be in the countryside or a town. It could also be basic shapes, animals, or whatever.The background can add important information about you r subject. It could represent their loves, hobbies, etc.Two More Techniques for Drawing a PortraitWhile we’ve gone through the basics of drawing a portrait, these aren’t the only techniques you need to use.You can also draw on grid lines. This technique involves drawing lines on the source photo and then replicating these lines on your blank sheet of paper. The grid lines will help you faithfully position parts of the drawing. This is also useful if you’re changing the scale.You can always draw portraits of multiple people. (Source: OpenClipart-Vectors)Some artists prefer to draw their portraits with no grid lines or construction lines. These artists can do this from feeling alone and replicate a face just as it appears in the photo. You can start with just an eye, then align the second, sketch the nose, mouth, and the outline of the face.There are no rules. Just trust yourself and practise regularly.Learning to Draw FacesThere are several ways to learn the fundamentals of dra wing and you can always teach yourself. Get a lot of source material and practise regularly to get better.  You can also attend an art school, art workshops, or hire a private art teacher. No matter how you choose to do it, drawing has to be enjoyable first and foremost.If you want to learn how to draw people, how to sketch simple shapes, how to draw an eye or do a quick pencil portrait, you can always get in touch with one of the many talented private tutors on Superprof!There are three main types of tutorials available: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials, and each comes with its pros and cons in terms of learning and cost-effectiveness.Face-to-face tutorials are taught with one student and one tutor and they tend to be the most cost-effective type since every minute in the lesson is spent focusing on you as the student.Online tutorials are similar to the face-to-face tutorials but take place either on a call or via webcam. Online tutorials are usually ch eaper than face-to-face tutorials.Finally, group tutorials are classes with one teacher or tutor and multiple students and these tend to be the cheapest per student per hour.

How to Measure the Success of Your Childs Tutoring Program

How to Measure the Success of Your Child’s Tutoring Program Suzy S. How do you know if youve chosen the right tutor for your child? Check in with these helpful guidelines from  San Diego tutor  Natalie S If you’ve arranged for your child to receive academic tutoring, you’re already well on your way to ensuring your child’s success in school. But how can you tell if your child’s tutoring session is on track, or if you are wasting your time and money? Whether your child is working with a tutor in one specific subject, for a particular test, or just for general upkeep and review of material, it can often take a while for you to see tangible results. Here are some quick, monthly check-in tips to help you identify if your child’s tutoring program is a success. One Month After initially finding a tutor, one of the first things you and your child should do is create a list of realistic and specific goals. For example, if your child is getting assistance with essay writing, one of the goals might be to clearly write a thesis that includes all of the necessary elements for a cohesive statement. At the one month mark, check in to make sure your child is making progress toward these goals. Having a physical list of what your child wants or needs to accomplish will help you determine if your tutor is truly helping. Three Months Check your child’s academic grades, and review your tutor’s study tips and teaching process. Part of the reason you initially started to work with a tutor is presumably to improve your child’s grades or test scores. After he/she has spent a few months with the tutor, take a look at exams, essays, and homework during that time. Are your child’s scores improving? Does your child connect with and respond to the tutor’s teaching practices? If so, then your child and tutor are probably right on track. Remember to be realistic with the amount of improvement you expect after only three months. Remember, academic improvements take time! Six Months By this point, the majority of your child’s major tests, homework assignments, or classes are close to finishing for the school year. This is a good time to revisit that list of goals your child made at the beginning of the tutoring process. Has your child accomplished or come close to accomplishing all of the goals? Has your child been able to implement on his/her own a few of those study tips that the tutor has provided? If not, discuss with your child and his/her tutor, and make a plan together for how to successfully move forward and accomplish all of the goals. One Year The number one way you can check the success of your child’s tutor after a year of working together is to simply talk with your child. Ask him/her if the last year’s worth of tutoring sessions was helpful, and check in to see if he/she is interested in extending the sessions into the next academic year. Subject matters change from school year to school year, and it’s possible your child won’t need a tutor anymore. However, if they find having an outside source to be helpful, then you know that your child’s tutoring program is a success. Ready to connect with a tutor now? Check out TakeLessons  to  find a tutor with the qualities and credentials that meet your and your child’s needs. Natalie S. tutors English, ESL, History, Phonics, Reading, andTest Prep in San Diego, as well as through online lessons. She received her BA in English Education at the University of Delaware, and her MA in English Literature at San Diego State University.  Learn more about Natalie here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  wecometolearn

Phylum Mollusca

Phylum Mollusca Mollusca is an ancient group of animals which have lived on earth since the last 500 million years . It is the second largest phylum and includes more than 600,000 species. They are soft bodied animals. General characters: 1. Mollusca are essentially aquatic, mostly marine, few fresh water and some terrestrial forms. 2. The body is soft, unsegmented, triploblastic, bilaterally symmetrical, and consist of head, foot, mantle, and visceral mass. 3. The body is clothed with a one layered often ciliated epidermis. 4. Body is commonly protected by an exoskeletal calcareous shell of one or more pieces, secreted by the mantle. 5. Head is distinct, bearing the mouth and provided with eyes, tentacles and other sense organs. 6. Ventral body wall is modified into a muscular flat or plough like surface, the foot which is variously modified for creeping,burrowing and swimming. 7. Mantle is a fold of body wall that leaves between itself and the main bod mass, the mantle cavity. 8. Visceral mass contains the vital organs of the body in a compact form taking the form of a dorsal hump or dome. 9. Body cavity is haemocoel; the true coelom is generally limited to the pericardial cavity and the lumen of the gonads and nephridia. 10. Digestive tract is simple with an anterior mouth and posterior anus. 11. Pharynx contains a rasping organ the radula. 12. Circulatory system is open except in cephalopods which show some tendency towards a closed system. 13. Respiratory system consists of numerous gills or ctenidia usually provided with osphradium at the base. Lung is developed in terrestrial forms. Respiratory pigment is haemocyanine. 14. Excretory system consists of a pair of metanephridia. 16. Sexes are separate but some are hermaphrodite. 17. Fertilization is external or internal. 16. Development is either direct or with metamorphosis.

3 surprising scientific facts about intrinsic motivation - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 3 surprising scientific facts about intrinsic motivation - Introvert Whisperer 3 surprising scientific facts about intrinsic motivation Home to office and office to home â€" that is what life is these days. With our days being so mundane and monotonous, it sure becomes challenging to stay motivated. And if that wasnt enough to make you sulk, the superficial and condescending world out there is waiting to get your blues up and your morale down. Personally, Ive always struggled with motivation â€" be it in my career as a writer or at the gym while doing a lap. Thanks to the saturnine cloud of pessimism that hovers over me, I have always been the under-confident one. But I never wanted to be that way. None of us does actually. We all want to feel up and about and enjoy life. We all want to leave our houses every morning with the zest to conquer the challenges that the world throws at us. We all want to grow an appetite to learn more from life. So where do we drive inspiration from? Well, thanks to groundbreaking research on the science of motivation, we now have a more logical and practical answer. 3 SCIENTIFIC TRUTHS ABOUT MOTIVATION Let us unravel the mysteries of motivation and delve deeper into the enigma that motivation is. 1. It is all in your head The sceptre rests in your hand. How you perceive a task and think about it has a lot to do about how you deal with it. Telling yourself that you do not want to do the job, and then goading yourself to do it brings down your level of enthusiasm. In the book Science of Motivation, author and motivational keynote speaker Brian Tracy explains the three primary factors that come between us and motivation. It is upon you to identify these factors and change your thought processes to feel the positive push. They are: I have to If you think that you are being forced to do something, it naturally brings down your level of gusto. Sometimes, you may have to do certain things as a workplace or domestic obligation even when you are not exactly keen about it. Remember one thing â€" it was you who had made the choices because you wanted the perks and benefits. You get up every morning and go to your workplace because you need financial security. I don’t feel right If a task is opposed to your values or beliefs, you are less likely to find enough zeal to do it. Back when I had my 9 to 5 job, this often happened to me. Every time I was asked to work overtime, I sulked at my workstation, which brought down my productivity by notches. With time, I learnt the art of realigning my tasks so that I was at the winning end. Wondering how? The next time you had to work some extra hours, try to trade it for some time off  on another day. And if you are a money person, then you could use the financial incentive on a nice vacation or a nice dress that you had your eyes on. I can’t do this Confidence and motivation go hand in hand â€" that is no rocket science. If you are engulfed with self-doubt and feel that you would surely fail if assigned the task, things would go even more downhill for you. And how can you possibly know that you would fail if you don’t take an attempt at solving it? So consider it as one of the many challenges that life hurls at us and try to beat it. If you need help, ask for it. Tell a colleague to help you out with the work reports. Take assignment help if you cannot understand how to go about the essay. But do not stop yourself from doing it. 2. Dopamine has a role to play Although usually associated with pleasure, Dopamine  has a more significant role to play when it comes to motivation. Scientists have found that Dopamine responds to emotions other than pleasure. The neurotransmitter generally goes down at times of pain and loss as opposed to firing up when one is happy and confident. But it isn’t as easy as it seems. A behavioral neuro-scientific research found out that Dopamine is independent and dynamic. To put it in simple words, the organic chemical acts up differently in different kinds of people according to the choices they make. In the research, neurosurgeons used brain-mapping technology to analyze the brain patterns of several human subjects and found out that there were two kinds of people. They are: The go-getters are people who are willing to work for rewards. The research team observed that such people had higher levels of Dopamine in the striatum and ventromedial prefrontal cortex â€" the area in the brain that is responsible for practical and rational thinking. The slackers are the people who arent affected by materialistic rewards. On the other hand, they are more moved by recognition. In the case of the emotional section of people, the higher level of Dopamine was associated with the anterior insula â€" the area responsible for emotions and risks. This makes it imperative to understand how to target the right areas of the brain for dopamine production according to the kind of person one is. 3. Right eating habits can motivate you We often don’t pay heed to our lifestyle and eating habits. You need to remember that the food you eat has a more critical role to play in your overall life than just acting as the fuel for your body. Junk food doesnt just mess up your metabolism. It affects you mentally too. The right kind of food can help you control stress and fight depression, thus boosting your willpower. Here are some of the doctors-prescribed food items that have been scientifically proven to boost your morale. Tuna The sea-based protein contains B6 â€" the vitamin that is used to prevent and treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Since tuna helps to keep inattention and impulsivity in check, it automatically helps you in staying more focused, thus motivating you to accomplish your tasks faster. Spinach The Harvard Medical School has proved that green leafy vegetables such as spinach improve learning capacity and motor skills. With better skills, you become more confident, thus providing you with more motivation. Blueberries Blueberries can act as one of the most lethal weapons when it comes to gaining focus and engagement. And when you are more engaged with your work, it becomes easier for you to stay motivated throughout. Pecans A favorite among sportspersons (who need motivation more than anyone else!), pecans can help you deal with depression and post-workout fatigue due to its high levels of choline levels. It also increases endurance levels, which in turn, motivate you to work more. Greek Yogurt All types of yogurts are rich in the amino acid called tyrosine that produces Dopamine. And you already know what Dopamine can do to your levels of motivation and energy. However, I suggested the Greek version because its packed with protein and calcium too. Green Tea Green tea is like the mom in the family â€" one who has a solution to all your problems. Thanks to catechins, green tea helps you reduce mental stress. A cup of the green manna can also help you develop a positive outlook, thus boosting your morale. Coffee Your morning cup of joe just doesn’t wake you up. The caffeine present in coffee can increase levels of Dopamine in your brain and gives you that extra push. So every time you feel low, just hit the cafeteria and drink up! Avocado A research by Kansas State University has proved that avocados keep brain cell membranes flexible, which in turn regulates healthy blood flow. So, dip deep into the guacamole spread next time you sulk. Dark Chocolate Dark chocolate is the MVP here. It prevents cancer, promotes weight loss, is an aphrodisiac, and it tastes yum. And that is not where it ends. The content of cocoa helps produce endorphins and serotonin in the brains, which not only makes you happy but also helps you stay focused. Water So you know what happens to your body when you dont drink enough water? You become lethargic and distracted, which of course, messes up your zeal. So make sure you drink  at least  2 liters of water each day. Staying motivated is a choice that you need to make. And now that you know the things that can help you retain your gung ho attitude, better get moving! So start over anew and make it fun this time. And in the end, always remember that you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. Author Bio: Sienna Brown is a behavioral analyst and a self-growth writer. She also acts as a student’s counselor for academic sites like MyAssignmenthelp.com. She is an active blogger and certified yoga instructor. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Essay Writer English Writing Online Tutorpace

Essay Writer English Writing Online Tutorpace Essay writing is very important in English. Writing an essay usually plays prominent role in almost every English class. In essay writing the student needs to first understand the given topic. Its always recommended to have a rough draft of the essay before presenting the final essay. Research the topic before starting the essay. Uses reliable sources which provide good academic content. If any of the research or article is used in the essay do not forget to recite the source to make the content trustworthy. Analyzing the topic is very important as well. Analysis helps to add the students ideas and imagination into the essay. This makes the essay different of any other article and add individuality to it. The main step in essay writing is finding the thesis statement. The thesis statement should be relevant to the topic and very specific. The student needs to keep in mind that the essay is constructed on the basis of the thesis statement. A good essay has a well written thesis statement. The next step is to use the rough draft as an outline to the number of paragraphs required. The main points and the description of the topic is written in the following paragraphs with well supported statements. Then the conclusion of the essay. Conclusion is the summary and the wrap up for the essay. A conclusion that ends well signifies a good essay. Presenting an essay keeping all these key points in picture shows the students potential in writing.

Using English Dictionaries

Using English Dictionaries Why Should You Use an English Dictionary? ChaptersThe History of English DictionariesDictionaries for Different PurposesChoosing a Dictionary to use When Learning EnglishDictionaries are a fundamental tool in learning a language, whether it be your native tongue or you're learning English as a foreign language.You can use them to check your spelling, look up a definition, and verify etymological variations of a word, as well as find out the equivalent term in another language.But there is so much more to the world of dictionaries than meets the eye.English dictionaries, in particular, have a rich history from their origins as glossaries or ‘word lists’ which were used by churchgoers to translate biblical texts from Latin into English, to their more recent history concerning regional variations in vocabulary and the entry of new words and phrases.There are also several types of dictionary, which are compiled according to a certain purpose.Some dictionaries are purely for checking spellings and whether words exist, and so, they don’t feature any kind of definition alongside the featured words, whereas others show a detailed definition with examples of usage.As you learn English, it may be helpful to use a monolingual English dictionary alongside as a bilingual one. This will help you move away from learning new words as translations, and broaden your understanding of the English language in the target language.Of course, the type of dictionary you choose to use will likely be different to those of other English learners, as your choice will depend on your needs and goals.So here is a guide to English dictionaries: their history, their uses, and how each type may be useful to you as a learner of English as a second language. JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) T eacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe History of English DictionariesThe first ever dictionaries are thought to have come about in what is now Syria, in around 2300 BC.These tablets were, in fact, bilingual word lists, but they are nevertheless classed as dictionaries.This is because such word lists which were used to help readers translate and understand texts in the same ways that modern dictionaries are used in English today, until the publication of the world’s first formal dictionaries thousands of years later.In medieval Europe, Latin glossaries were among the first books to be printed and became widely adopted as a tool to aid in the interpretation of the bible.Both monolingual and bilingual dictionaries and word lists became popular across the world for a range of different purposes.Dictionaries: older than the printed word ¦ source: Pixabay - wilheiAccording to Wikipedia, the earliest English dictionaries were compilations of words from Latinate languages and their translations into English, however, entries were not listed in alphabetical order until later on in Robert Cawdrey’s A Table Alphabeticall, an English monolingual dictionary which was written in 1604.From this publication, the world of English dictionaries began to develop over the years that followed as others put forward their suggestions and ideas of what a dictionary should be.Versions of everything ranging from general glossaries to etymological reference books came and went as each author tried to earn the glory of having their publication accepted by the British population.However, it wasn’t until 1755 - 150 years after Cawdrey’s work - that a simpler, more trustworthy dictionary came to the fore with the publication of Samuel Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language.This work was a sort of ‘best-of’, taking the most useful characteristics from the proto-dictionaries that came before it such as alphabetical organisation and textual references.Because of its usability and helpful features, Johnson’s Dictionary became widely regarded as the standard in its field.Sadly, for Johnson, however, his masterpiece did not stand the test of time, and the Oxford University Press stole the limelight with their take on the English Dictionary, which began to be published in short volumes from 1884.This masterpiece known as the Oxford English Dictionary, which was 50 years in the making and finished in 1928, is still regarded as the most comprehensive and reliable work of its kind today.This enormous guide to the language from the Early Middle English period to modern slang was revised and r e-published in 1989, and a new revision is currently under way.The OED has also stayed up-to-date and taken advantage of modern technologies by developing an online presence and promoting itself as a go-to online resource for English speakers everywhere.Whilst the Oxford English Dictionary is the respected dictionary of the English-speaking world, regional variations do exist. The most major of these is probably Merriam-Webster, which claims to be America’s most trusted dictionary.In 1806, Noah Webster, a US citizen, published his first American dictionary.His goal was to reform English spelling to simplify it for the English learner as well as the native English speaker.Although relatively few of his suggestions made it into everyday US English writing, his legacy lives on in Merriam-Webster, which bears his name.Dictionaries for Different PurposesThe origins of the modern-day dictionary as bilingual word lists and biblical glossaries to suit the needs of their users are still pr esent in the dictionaries of today.Modern dictionaries are split into their own families depending on their purpose, the information they provide, the way in which they deliver the information and where their information is taken from.Firstly, dictionaries belong to one of two categories: prescriptive and descriptive.Prescriptive dictionaries define words and explain how to use them based on what is considered proper â€" that’s to say that even if words take on slightly different meanings or English grammar rules based on the way they’re used, prescriptive dictionaries will focus on the original meaning and usage.Descriptive dictionaries, on the other hand, define words based on their popular usage, even if it is not deemed ‘correct’.Today, the majority of popular English language dictionaries are regarded as descriptive, and usually indicate proper use alongside modern alternative definitions marked as ‘informal’ or ‘vulgar’.Dictionaries are also either bilingual or monolingual, and this is a large part of their purpose.Bilingual dictionaries provide translations of words and may feature information on their gender (for nouns) as well as their transitivity (for verbs). Some dictionaries go as far as pointing out irregular verbs â€" which is particularly helpful for language learners.Monolingual dictionaries, however, only feature information on the vocabulary of one language. Given the fact that no translation is needed, monolingual dictionaries can go into further detail in their definitions, providing information on synonyms, variants, and pronunciation.Surprisingly, monolingual dictionaries often feature words which are borrowed from other languages yet are in common use in their language. For example, the French word ‘cliché’ may appear.So, here are some examples of types of dictionary as well as the type of information they provide and how it can be used for different purposes.General Purpose Dictionaries General purpose dictionaries are the most popular types of dictionary, as they can deliver a wide range of information on day-to-day language.While some general dictionaries provide comprehensive definitions for each word, including information on etymological roots and pronunciation, others are more basic and focus on providing a concise definition for each word.When it comes to polysemy (words which are spelt the same but have different meanings), some dictionaries list several definitions under the same entry while others have several entries, each with their own definition.The choice of general dictionary is ultimately down to the user.Many people keep a more comprehensive and detailed dictionary at home and use a pocket dictionary for their day-to-day use such as checking spellings.However, with the rise of the World Wide Web and online dictionaries, it’s becoming far easier to access a range of information at the touch of a button.ThesaurusThesauri are all about synonyms and are generally used by peopl e looking for a ‘better’ word to use in a given situation.They provide a list of words with identical or similar meanings under each entry and are particularly useful for finding a word of the same meaning which may be more or less formal.Specialist DictionariesSpecialised dictionaries are not so common in everyday usage, as they exclusively feature specialist terminology for use in a specific field.For example, medical dictionaries may be used to check usage of medical terms in certain publications.The world of dictionaries is vast ¦ source: Pixabay - StockSnapSpecialised dictionaries may also bilingual as well as monolingual, so they can be used in the world of specialised translation.GlossariesGlossaries can be likened to a very basic version of a general dictionary, where words only have a definition.Their purpose is to provide a reference for its users in context.However, they may also be similar to specialised dictionaries, since they may define a specific area of languag e or the vocabulary from a certain publication.Monolingual Learner’s DictionariesSince learning a language is about more than learning words as translations of those of your native language, monolingual learner’s dictionaries are a valuable tool for those who have a good enough knowledge of the target language to be able to use monolingual resources.Using a monolingual dictionary provides an opportunity for each English learner to get the information they need as a non native speaker whilst learning how to learn to speak English in English.Choosing a Dictionary to use When Learning EnglishThe first English dictionary you encounter will likely be bilingual, since you will only have a knowledge of basic English. A great tool for eradicating mistakes in spelling.As you improve your English vocabulary and language skills, you can move on to a monolingual English dictionary.Learn from the best sources whilst having fun! ¦ source: Pixabay - PexelsThe first important point to make whe n it comes to choosing a monolingual dictionary is the type of English you wish to use.Due to regional variation in spelling and usage, most notably between UK and US English, it is important to choose one system and stick to it to ensure consistency in your English writing.Your choice may depend on your situation as well as personal preference.English learner’s dictionaries aren’t hard to come by, and the giants of the dictionary world lead the field.Both Oxford and Cambridge Dictionaries have their own online resources specifically for English learning, and the OED even offers language learning apps!Apps provide the perfect opportunity to learn English Spelling and practise your English skills including pronunciation, fluency and knowledge of idiomatic expressions through grammar exercises, quizzes and mini exams to assess your comprehension so you can improve your vocabulary, spoken English, writing skills and listening skills to eventually speak English fluently.So, the dict ionary you choose is down to your preferences and your goals. As you study English to a more advanced level, your needs will change in line with your proficiency and new dictionaries will become appropriate.Are you looking for a tutor to give you some extra support for your English lessons? Browse our range of private tutors on Superprof  or look for english lessons online.