Five Tips For Writing A Jazz Song On Guitar

Five Tips For Writing A Jazz Song On Guitar Sign up successful I refer to the first one as the “L.” It looks like this: Although it can be strummed, the “L” chord sounds best when plucked (with your thumb, index, and middle fingers to be specific). When plucked, it makes an attractive “thumping” sound. When multiple “L” chords in different positions are played in quick succession, they can imitate walking bass patterns which are common to jazz. I refer to the other triad as the “triangle.” It looks like this: The “triangle” is a five (not six) string chord (ADGBE). Like the “L”, it can be easily transposed anywhere on the neck just by sliding it up or down. While writing a song, I recommend experimenting with both formations in as many different positions as possible. Combine Them With Barre Chords Jazz chords are typically more complex than the common first-position chords (C, D, E, F, G, A, and B7th). Sevenths, minors, and other chord variations are common. These two barre chord formations can easily be switched from major to  seventh if you remove the note marked with an X. They can also be changed from major  to minor by moving the Y back a half step. As with the triads, I recommend experimenting with barre chords in different positions too. Add Pentatonic Notes The pentatonic scale (“penta” meaning “five”) is comprised entirely of notes that make up the circle of fifths (C, G, D, A, E, B, Gb/F#, Db, Ab, Eb, Bb, and F): If you havent already done so, practice these scale patterns. Use the notes in these scales to improvise. Keep Your Progression Simple Although may be familiar with complicated-looking jazz guitar scores (and, yes, many of them contain laundry lists of intricate chords), youll benefit more as a songwriter by keeping your chords trim. Start with a I-IV-V pattern (such as A, D, and E7th) and embellish it with the suggestions above. Remember, your objective is not to win a prize for complexity. Its to make memorable music. The easier it will be to learn to play, the more memorable it will be in the long run. Keep Your Subject Material Light Heres the fun part writing lyrics. Compared to other American genres, jazz involves soft and gentle themes. “Grab your coat. Grab your hat. Leave your worries on the doorstep,” is a good example of a great jazz lyric. So is “Stars shining bright above you. Night breezes seem to whisper I love you. Birds singing in the sycamore trees. Dream a little dream of me.” Forget angry topics. Youre not out to take your audience on an emotional roller coaster. If youre writing a song about heartache, it should be sad and not vindictive: Willow weep for me Willow weep for me Bend your branches down along the ground and cover me For me, jazz is a basically joyful-sounding music. Its free from the raw exuberance, aggressive sounds, and gritty topics common to Chicago and Texas blues, contemporary country, and metal. Its music and lyrics should both reflect this by having been written in a peaceful state of mind. Working with a private guitar teacher is a great way to build your jazz guitar skills fast. Find your guitar teacher today! Samuel B. teaches beginner  guitar lessons in Austin, TX. He teaches lessons face-to-face without sheet music, which is his adaptation of Japanese instruction (involving a call-and-response method).  Learn more about Samuel 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

6 Tools to Learn Spanish (and Other Languages) During Your Commute

6 Tools to Learn Spanish (and Other Languages) During Your Commute Sign up successful For an engaging plot line, get hooked on the Destinos Spanish soap opera series provided through  Annenberg Learner. Similarly, BBC’s mystery series “Mi Vida Loca” targets beginner Spanish speakers. Whether you listen to instructional lessons, enticing mysteries, or pop culture Spanish podcasts, you will be flooding your brain with contextualized Spanish and building your language skills. See also: 10 Cool Sites to Learn French by Podcast, Video, or Blog 2. News Sites In addition to following the news in English, find a local news station or newspaper in your target language. If you are familiar with daily news topics in English, you will be able to recognize names of culturally and politically relevant people and places. By already knowing the main concepts surrounding key people, events, and topics, you will slowly be able to translate specific words. Having trouble finding Spanish radio stations? The BBC and CNN are available in Spanish here or here. Try listening to video clips or print articles ahead of time to read during your commute alongside the English articles. 3. Radio What is a better memory tool than music? If listening to the news is too tedious for your morning commute, sing along to a Spanish radio station. The good thing about music is that lyrics repeat the same words and phrases. Many songs, regardless of language or genre, share common topics and themes. As those hit songs play again and again, you may find yourself inferring the meaning of those loving adjectives and verbs. 4. Audiobooks Listening to audiobooks is a soothing and educational way to enjoy your commute. Make the most of your audiobook experience by downloading a book you are already familiar with in English. If you know the story of “The Giver” or “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, you will pick up on vocabulary  words quickly as the plot unfolds. Better yet, download an entire series of books! With familiar characters and settings, you will expose yourself to more words in less time. You can easily find audiobooks in other languages, including Spanish, at Audible.com. If you commute via public transportation, you can use the same strategy with hard copy books. 5. Free iTunes Downloads You can find a wealth of free lessons, audio clips, podcasts, and radio shows to stream or download from iTunes. For example, “Coffee Break Spanish” is a podcast series ranging between 15 to 30 minutes, designed to  help you learn Spanish in the car as you drive. For shorter clips, search for “Five-Minute Spanish” to download 36 free five-minute Spanish lessons from the University of Arkansas. Similarly, “Discover Spanish” offers 44 free 15-minute lessons. “One-Minute Spanish” and “One-Minute Latin American Spanish” will each get you 17 audio clips to learn on the go. If youd rather listen to conversational Spanish , check out the free clips from “Notes in Spanish”. Finally, you can download a free Spanish textbook by searching “Español I” by David Vance. This requires iBook software and is obviously more appropriate for public transportation commuters, not drivers! 6. Language-Learning  Apps If you are a public transportation commuter, try using a fun language-learning app or game while youre in transit! Whether you want to learn and practice new vocabulary words, complete grammar drills, or watch videos in your target language, there are tons of great apps to choose from. Here are some more tips for learning languages with your smartphone, including recommended apps. Editors Note: See our other Spanish app recommendations here! Even though it is difficult to commit to second language acquisition, its easy to make the most of your time with these six tools to learn how to speak Spanish in the car during your commute or any other language, really! Of course, these should supplement the time youre spending each week with your private tutor. And with many tutors offering lessons via online platforms, its easier than ever to find a teacher who fits with your schedule. Book some lessons, practice during your commute, and youll be speaking Spanish in no time. Not signed up for lessons yet?  Find a Spanish tutor in your area here!   Lauren tutors various subjects in New York, NY. She has her  Masters Degree in Education (with a concentration in students with learning disabilities), and is a certified NYC Special Education teacher. Learn more about Lauren 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 Chris Goldberg

AN INTROVERTS GUIDE TO ACHIEVING JOB SATISFACTION - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / AN INTROVERT’S GUIDE TO ACHIEVING JOB SATISFACTION - Introvert Whisperer AN INTROVERT’S GUIDE TO ACHIEVING JOB SATISFACTION It is common for most introverts to try to become more extroverted in order to achieve career satisfaction. But why? Very often introversion is seen by executives as an obstacle to better performance and career development; this can sometimes force introverts to become more active and present. So most introverts decide that being more present means being an extrovert. And what happens next? Some introverts succeed in turning themselves into extroverts but they end up pushing themselves too far outside of their comfort zone, but in most cases introverts simply shut down. The real problem behind all of this is that many introverts grow up without knowing how to truly embrace their introversion, which eventually causes a great deal of stress. Many introverts end up in careers that do not really suit their personality traits and strengths, whereas some of them find themselves in careers that suit their strengths but where they have a hard time achieving job satisfaction. There are many good resources online about jobs that suit best the introverts, but there is very little information on how to achieve job satisfaction as an introvert. To fill this gap, here are 3 essential steps you should follow in order to feel satisfied with your work as an introvert. 1. SAY GOODBYE TO THE “INTROVERTS VS. EXTROVERTS” BATTLE There is a fair amount of debate about introverts vs. extroverts. Most of it does not bring any substantial value. On the contrary, it creates a lot of confusion as to what introverts are and what they are not. Surprisingly, most of this talk comes from introverts and extroverts themselves. What will help you on your way to achieving job satisfaction is to dissociate yourself from that never-ending battle, especially at your work. Remember that your extrovert colleagues are not in any way superior to you in work ethics, effectiveness or value they bring to the company. You just do not even need to compare because it is like comparing apples and oranges, or bicycles and scooters. They are just different. Full stop. Important note: if that “introverts vs. extroverts” battle comes is initiated manager, take your time to be vocal, explain your point of view on the issue and how it affects your work. Being transparent about what makes you feel uncomfortable is key to job satisfaction.   2. KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS AS AN INTROVERT There are many strengths that introverts bring to the team that extroverts simply cannot. What will help you achieve job satisfaction is to know your strengths and learn to embrace them. Two of the most common ways to identify your strengths: ask your friends and colleagues or take one of the many strengths tests online. When I was looking to understand my strengths, I came across HIGH5, a free strengths finder that helped me identify my top 5 strengths and also let me ask my friends to evaluate my strengths via the same platform. Knowing your strengths gives you an indication of areas and activities that invigorate you and are in line with the way you perceive the world. When you utilize these strengths as an introvert at your everyday work, your satisfaction grows because you are actually applying what you are good at.   And when you do so, it actually increases your self-confidence. Important note: knowing and applying your strengths might take some time, but eventually it will bring you a lot more satisfaction at work than you thought. If you are looking for some motivation boost, take a look at one of my favorite TED Talks from Susan Cain, The Power of Introverts. 3. KNOW THE STRENGTHS OF YOUR COMPANY Ask yourself, “What is my company good at? What is it known for? What is that one strength that company’s most employees have in common?” Understanding the strengths of your company can give you a clearer indication of the way it works and what it actually believes in. If you work at a research company, two things that might pop out as company’s strengths will be written communication and independent work. Boom! Those are the strengths of almost any introvert. So knowing the strengths of your company helps you better comprehend its working style and increases your motivation when your strengths match with those of your company. Important note: Even if the strengths of your company do not completely match your own, you should concentrate on the value you bring to the table. In any type of company, things should be getting done and introverts are those who actually get things done instead of just talking about it. Experienced managers know that in order to create highly-effective teams, a good mix of introverts and extroverts is indispensable. Each group will excel in their respective areas and will feel happy once they feel accepted the way they are. But remember that there is no perfect job until you find your own strengths, understand what makes you happy, what motivates you and what is important for you. From there on, the choice becomes easy! In case you want to know how to build your dream career, take a look at this guide to first steps in your dream career building. About the author: Anatoli Chernyaev is a content marketing manager born in Armenia and currently residing in Lyon, France. Being an introvert himself, he writes about various topics such as self-awareness, positive thinking, personal development, and career advice. 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

Guitar Theory Basics Understanding Keys

Guitar Theory Basics Understanding Keys Sign up successful Just as words describe what we see, music theory describes what we hear. Your ears already know it, the theory just gives it a name. See? That wasn’t so bad. The Tonal Center Of course, chords aren’t played on their own. We usually hear them in the context of a piece of music. Try playing these chords in this order, one chord per bar (bass players play arpeggios or roots): | G / / / | C / / / | D7 / / / | G / / / | The G major chord, being our first chord and having no context, sounds relatively neutral. When we change to the C chord the tension increases a bit because we have moved away from G, which our ears have started getting used to. The D7 brings even more tension before finally resolving back to G. Can you hear the resolution of the G major chord? The chord that provides the strongest resolution may be referred to as the tonal center. This means that the combination of notes played throughout the music make the G major chord sound and feel the most resolved. Therefore, we are in the key of G. (Technically speaking, the tonal center refers to the root of the chord, but let’s not split hairs.) The resolution of the tonal center should feel like “home” for the song, providing a feeling of stability and conclusion. So WHY is this music in G? Because it SOUNDS like it! Let’s play another example: | Am / / / | F / / / | G / / / | Am / / / | | C / / / | F / / / | E / / / | Am / / / | The A minor chords in this progression give that feeling of resolution, so I’d say this piece is in A minor. Looking for Clues “That’s all well and good,” you say, “but can’t I figure out the key without playing every single chord?” My thoughts exactly. It’s true that the conclusive evidence to tell you what key you are in is always “because it SOUNDS like it.” However, there are a couple of easy clues you can look for to point you in the right direction. Check it out… 1) The Key Signature The key signature is the collection of sharps or flats that appears at the beginning of each line in your sheet music. This will tell us which notes will be sharp or flat throughout most of the piece. It is your first big hint as to what key you are in and will point to both a major AND a minor key as probable candidates (we’re narrowing it down here). For example, a key signature with 2 sharps will probably be in the key of D major or B minor because both of those keys have 2 sharps in them. Always check your circle of fifths to find your major and minor key candidates. A key signature is like the mark of Zorro â€" it’s the key saying, “I was here!” What about when there is no key signature? Good question. Remember, the keys of C major and A minor have no sharps or flats, so none will appear in the signature (think of it as the invisible key signature). 2) Beginning and Ending Here’s a real giveaway: the song usually STARTS and ENDS with the chord of the key you are in. Notice how our example in G major both started and ended with a G chord. It was the same with A minor. But don’t count your chords before they hatch, because this is not always the case. Always check your key signature and listen for the resolution. Summary While knowing what key you are in is not strictly necessary, it is extremely useful. Keys are your starting point to understanding music and making more informed choices as a player. Musicians ultimately define keys based on sound, NOT based on theory. This can lead to some ambiguity over what key a piece of music might be in. Two competent and informed players may have a legitimate disagreement about keys. That is to be expected because those players might hear resolutions differently. However, nothing is worse than a bar fight over what key you are in, so let’s be civil about our musical differences. There is a multitude of other arguments that one can make to define the key you are playing in. And while I have oversimplified a complex topic, this statement always holds true: “This music is in this key because it SOUNDS like it.” Now lets rock! Looking for more help understanding guitar theory? Search for a private guitar teacher near you or online! Alexander A. teaches guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, upright bass, and music theory in Tacoma, WA. He earned his bachelors degree at Berklee College of Music in bass performance and composition. Alexander offers lessons in-person as well as online via Skype. Learn more about Alexander. 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 Joe Strupek

How to Mentally Prepare for Test Day

How to Mentally Prepare for Test Day Its the day before your big test. Youve vigorously read through all the material, flipped over every flashcard, and memorized every fact. If you prepared adequately, youve been doing this for weeks (or months, depending on the test) and not just in the last 24 hours. Procrastination is not a method of choice for a task this huge that task being studying for an important exam. Assuming you did not leave it all to the last minute, the final day before you actually face the exam can be a little strange. Youll have those first-day-of-school butterflies and be unsure of how exactly you should go about your day. Should you cram some more? Should you completely distract yourself with something fun? Or should you just nervously wait and listen to classical music all day because it supposedly makes you smarter? Well, your goal is to ace this test, and half the battle is comprehending the material which youve already done so dont let that go to waste! Add a clear mindset and youll be ready f or test day. But how do you go about that? There are a few buzzwords or typical phrases people around you will say: Relax, dont make yourself crazy, no need to get stressed out, its not as big a deal as youre making it out to be. Although this is all substantial advice necessary to calm your nerves, the truth is that its difficult to relax, you probably are making yourself crazy, stress is inevitable, and it usually is a big deal. Being in denial of all of this wont help anything, and it certainly wont push you in the direction of a calm demeanor. Accepting these nerves is the first step in taming them, as well as the first step in clearing your mind for test day. Its okay to freak out a little and let your energy out better that than keeping it pent up to rage around inside your head, right? Acknowledging your fears and concerns will get you closer to overcoming them. Once youve gotten your emotions out of the way, incorporate a good balance of both reviewing test material and relaxing into your day. No need to choose between one or the other; simply combine them in a healthy way. Instead of going through every bit of studying all over again, just choose the areas that you most frequently had issues with and do whatever it takes to ingrain them into your mind. Bring the material around with you wherever you go throughout the day so you can take a look sporadically, rather than forcing yourself to take another crash course for six straight hours. As for where youll be going and what youll be doing, that is up to you and whatever activity puts you in a relaxed and content mood. This isnt the day to go riding rollercoasters or hitting up parties, but tanning at the pool or hanging out at the coffee shop. Do something that allows you to be comfortable, but still continue to soak everything up. Anything too stimulating will take your mind off the test material too much, yet being in an environment that doesnt comfort you at all will ensure your nerves get the best of you, so finding the perfect activity that balances these factors out is crucial.Lastly, get a great nights sleep and review significant material right before you go to bed. Typically, the things you think about just before falling asleep tend to resonate with you more than anything else when you wake up the next day. Especially if your test is early in the morning, this is a wonderful thing to do because it allows you to begin the day with the knowledge firmly placed in your brain, not leading you to panic about retaining it. Whether you are about to take an Algebra test, the SAT, or a college Philosophy final, these tips are sure to help you mold your mindset in the way you need. Embrace the feelings you are having and make of them what you want them to be.

Best Tutors Team Together to Help Others

Best Tutors Team Together to Help Others Last week,  Tutorfair’s  best tutors in London gathered together to participate in a workshop for year eleven pupils deciding on their future steps post-GCSE. As part of  Tutorfair’s  charity promise to provide tutoring to those who can’t afford it, we were helping out our friends at  The Access Project.    They are a fantastic charity aiming to open up access to top universities for students at state school. Fourteen keen tutor volunteers braved London’s ghastly weather and the tube strike to arrive at the Globe Academy ready to advise students on their future plans. Amongst this group of best tutors, lay a treasure trove of different skills and talents, ranging from professional actresses to university lecturers and from to businessmen to Russell Group university students and graduates. They were ready to share their knowledge and experiences at Globe Academy and felt privileged to be invited to this fantastic school. Based in one of the most deprived catchment areas in London, the tutors were inspired by the motivational teachers and impressive facilities the school had to offer, just as Obama and David Cameron were at their visit in 2011. The afternoon programme saw ninety pupils engaged in four different sessions which worked on a carousel. These were: Professionalism Led by one of  Tutorfair’s  best tutors,  Madeleine K,  (UCLA double major and Cambridge), this workshop emphasised the importance of professionalism in college and the workplace. Helping Madeleine was  Tutorfair’s  Andrew Ground who has recruited graduates from a range of universities. Routes and Pathways This session looked at the different paths that pupils could take to reach their desired career. It emphasised the value of higher education but highlighted the different routes to get there which tutors advised on.  With Laurence Olivier award winning actress,  Amanda H,  offering guidance on degree alternatives and graduates speaking about ways to get into university, the students were given a variety of different options to think about. Apprenticeships As well as outlining some of the apprenticeship options available, the lovely Flick from  Rate My Apprenticeship  provided more generalised advice on filling in a CV and performing at interviews. Flick’s workshop was very popular - surely not because of the chocolates she handed out? Advice from current students This session allowed year eleven pupils to chat to current students at college and university and ask any questions about A-Level and degree study.  One of our volunteer tutors,  Pablo D, a lecturer at King’s College London who also assesses UCAS applications, was therefore able to share his expertise from the teaching side of university and university admissions. Thanks to the tutors and teachers involved, the pupils were given the opportunity to start thinking about their future and the best ways to achieve their goals. The tutors loved giving their individual guidance but were certainly in need of a rest after this intense, tiring but extremely rewarding afternoon.

English Listening Exercise Will You Be Buying The iPad 2

English Listening Exercise Will You Be Buying The iPad 2 Apple’s iPad 2 went on sale last week in the US. While similar in style to the original iPad, this version comes with two camera lenses, a Video Graphics Array (VGA) webcam (video with nice resolution) as well as HDMI capability (meaning you can now watch your iPad content on television as well).Will you be buying the iPad 2?Yes It is an improvement on the previous model.It is lighter than the original.With two cameras, I can use it for web-conferences.It has improved multimedia features from the first iPad.I like that I can connect it to my flatscreen tv.I’m obsessed with latest gadgets.I think it is a versatile device.It will be a cool diversion for long trips.No It’s too expensive for me.I already have the first iPad and that meets my needs.I don’t think all those extra features are necessary.OrI still don’t think the iPad has been perfected since it does not come yet with USB.Let’s watch a video about consumers waiting for the iPad 2 to go on sale in Boston and answer the questions that follow it.The first consumer asked about the iPad 2, Chris Francis, says he had two complaints about the original iPad. What were these?What does the second person asked, Paul Pezone, say is promising about the iPad 2, from his point of view?What does the first person in line hope from the iPad 2?Where did Whitney Conkling get her iPad 2?Apart from books, what else does Conkling hope to store on her iPad 2?What was different about this launch to other Apple launches?Did you find this lesson interesting? Feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter.

The Critical Language Scholarship Program and You A Guide

The Critical Language Scholarship Program and You A Guide The Critical Language Scholarship Program and You: A Guide Americans arent exactly known for their foreign language prowess.If youre an American and have ever actually mastered a language youve studied, congratulations, youre in an elite club.For a variety of reasons, many Americans simply arent motivated to learn foreign languages.Compared to Europeans, for example, theyre less likely to pick up a second, third or fourth language.But Uncle Sam wants to change that.Foreign languages arent going away, you see.Thats why theres a U.S. government scholarship program to send bright American students overseas to learn some of the most important languages for American relations abroad.Its called the Critical Language Scholarship Program, and it could be your ticket to a life-changing summer experience. The Critical Language Scholarship Program and You: A GuideWhat Are Critical Languages?The languages deemed critical by the U.S. government change from time to time, but these are some points youll find they generally have in common:Less commonly ta ught in U.S. schools.Often outside the boundaries of Europe and the Americas.Often related in some way to U.S. diplomatic missions abroad.Here are  the ones currently offered as part of the scholarship:AzerbaijaniTurkishPersianArabicHindiUrduBanglaPunjabiIndonesianJapaneseChineseKoreanPortugueseRussianSwahiliAs you can see, none of these languages are necessarily easy to learn. If they were, they wouldnt be so critical!Again, the languages offered have been known to change from year to year. 2019, in fact, is the first year that Portuguese has been offered.The Critical Language Scholarship Program: The BasicsWhat Do You Have to Do?Each program is different for each student, every year. The U.S. government works with various host schools to place current U.S. college students in 8-10 week programs.If you apply (see below) and are accepted, youll have a top-tier orientation.  The orientation is extremely thorough, which is really very helpful for taking such a big leap into a new plac e. Theyll make sure you know what to expect.Then youre off, and you hit the books. Actual requirements for the classes vary from school to school, but in general youll be a full-time student with at least 20 hours of classes per week.Even though youve only got 8-10 weeks, theres still plenty of time for homestays and travel around the country. Participants invariably return knowing a great deal about not only the language itself, but also the experience of using it in all kinds of places.Does the Language You Choose Matter?Yes and no. For certain languages, theres a prerequisite of either one or two years of university study.Currently, two previous years of study are required for Chinese, Japanese and Russian. Youre expected to be an intermediate to advanced learner if you apply to study these languages.To make sure that your language skills for any of these are up to the task, you can brush up with FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news a nd inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.One year of language study is required for Arabic, Persian and Portuguese. All the other languages consider learners from beginner to advanced.Also, you should be aware that sometimes you wont actually be in the country you might associate with a particular language. In the past, Persian learners have been placed in Tajikistan, for example. This is just because of certain political issues that cause the government to pick a nearby country with a similar culture and language.When it comes to actually getting admitted or not, there are no quotas set for the different languages. Some languages may have tons of students and others may have only a few dozen.What Do You Get?Virtually everything.Your flights, your books, your classes, outside tutors, food and accommodation are all covered. If you need to renew a passport or undergo any medical exams, those are the only things youll have to open your wallet for.But remem ber, youre applying for a language study program, not a vacation spot.Each city in the program is going to have a different curriculum, different excursions and different costs of living. Rest assured, you wont have to worry about a thing once you get there.How Competitive Is It?Only about 500-600 students are usually accepted from a possible annual applicant pool of more than 5000. However, the admissions committee makes an effort not to play favorites. People from all types of backgrounds really do get in.How to Get InWrite the Perfect Application Essays Using Your Experience and Your GoalsCLS wants to get students from all kinds of different backgrounds. Just because youre a beginner at your language doesnt mean youll be disqualified, unless you actually fail to meet the basic requirements for that language.Now, if youve been failing all your language classes for eight years, that wouldnt necessarily send a great signal to the recruiters.Furthermore, if youre the type to learn a couple of phrases in 20 languages just because you like the way they sound, that doesnt show that youll be able to keep up   with a rigorous courseload either.Basically, the ideal applicant is going to devote a good part of their energy solidly to the language and end up using itâ€"in any fieldâ€"to do something good for the world. That doesnt necessarily mean working for the government itself. They just want you to have some kind of impact that strengthens U.S. soft power in some way.And they want their applicants to represent the enormous diversity of the United States. There may even be a slightly better chance to get in if you havent ever done a language program abroad before. After all, most Americans havent.This video gives you a quick overview of the essay requirements.The main thing to remember, as you write your three application essays, is that youre not applying for charity.Youre convincing the U.S. government to invest in you and your skills.So you dont need to say anyth ing about how much you would be honored to be chosen, or how important languages are in the world or how much intercultural communication can help build bridges.Talk about your own goals and your own specific interests, and give a strong idea of why you want to learn this language.Even if youre just starting out with the language, talk about why its so important for you that you go abroad  now, instead of continuing to learn the language over time and on your own.In the same vein, why is an intensive immersion program right for you? Mention why that unique in-country experience is going to be the extra kick you need to develop this language into a real career asset.Get Expert GuidanceIts very possible that someone from your university has already gone through the CLS program.Campus newsletters love to publish stories about their students who went abroad through CLS. If you get in touch with them through your alumni or study abroad offices, theyll probably be happy to talk to you abo ut their application and study experiences.And get thisâ€"theres a whole network of volunteer advisors easily searchable through the CLS website. Enter your university name here, and youll get all the contact information you need.When you contact program alumni, remember that this is such a popular program that they might get regular questions during application season. Be polite and make your questions specific. For example, Was there anything that really shocked you about the experience? or What was the biggest language-related challenge?The admissions process is lengthy, and to be honest, it can be pretty stressful to have to not only write powerful statements of purpose but also possibly undergo an over-the-phone language test.But you see, they really just want to make sure theyre picking the right people.And all you have to do is be honest about your passion.Because if youre chosen, you have an amazing chance to channel that passion into a set of skills that can help people all over the world and, eventually, even contribute to world peace.Its a big deal.Good luck!