Theres More to Getting a Promotion Than Great Results - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / There’s More to Getting a Promotion Than Great Results - Introvert Whisperer There’s More to Getting a Promotion Than Great Results A tough lesson many Introvert Leaders sometimes don’t learn is that getting a promotion is much more than simply performing well. If you think about what I’m saying for a minute, you’ll realize that it’s true. What other reason can you possibly come up with for seeing unqualified or lesser skilled people get promoted ahead of you? Performing well is not enough to get you a promotion. (Tweet this!) Do I have your attention? Many of us introverts seem to think that to hunker down and deliver amazing results is enough. To make matters worse, when we see self-promotion or sucking up to the boss, we get self righteous about the dynamic, thinking we’re above it all. Is this you? If so, you’re in for a disappointing and frustrating future. You MUST Create Value for the Boss Of course delivering well in your job is important. You also have to be savvy enough to realize the other things to keep your eye on. There are several moving parts to creating value in the mind of the person who holds power over your next paycheck. You understand their priorities. If you don’t spend time learning what is most important to the boss and then delivering, you fail. Those priorities may or may not have much to do with your job responsibility but it’s your job to find out. You have their back. The boss is between a rock (upper management) and a hard place (you, your peers and the business results). They have a cast of characters to make happy and they’re out there on their own. Are you helping them look good up the food chain? Are you supporting them? Or just doing your job? You are a whole-system thinker.  If all you do is think about you and your work without looking at the bigger picture of what the “right” thing is, the boss will move on. Getting an employee to think beyond their office is hard to do and usually impossible to accomplish. The boss will simply move on to someone who can think that way. You have a personal relationship. People hire people they like. They also promote people they like. Are you likeable? How would the boss know if you don’t spend time connecting with them? Do you have a good attitude or one they can relate to? You have to help them understand your value. Yes, performing well is important, but you have to help the boss understand the eloquence of what you accomplished. Have you done that? You can think it’s their job to know what you’re doing all day long. Does that ensure they really know? No, that’s your job to constantly be informing the boss what you do, why it’s great and why they should care. The person that creates the greatest value in the mind of the boss will get paid more and get the promotions more frequently. That is the point of your career, isn’t it? You can call this being a suck up, boss’s favorite or whatever label you want to put on it. The point is that in order for you to make the climb up the leadership ladder, you have to give management a reason to help you climb. Go to top What’s the hardest obstacle for you to overcome when it comes to working with your boss? Let us know in the comments! Image: Flickr Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Common Problems in Interviewing from the Interviewers Perspective

Common Problems in Interviewing from the Interviewer’s Perspective The following piece was written by Jason Lum. Jason has been featured in our Admissions Expert series and is a former application reviewer for the Harvard University Admissions Office. He is the president and founder of ScholarEdge College Consulting. I have conducted alumni interviews with prospective students at Harvard University and Washington University in St. Louis for many years. For me, it is a labor of love; I enjoyed attending both schools. Moreover, I find it enjoyable to volunteer my time to help students learn more about these universities, as well as to help the admissions offices of both institutions learn more about their applicants. Even though fall is my busiest time of year, interviewing students is something I greatly look forward to. However, many students are terrified by the prospect of these interviews. This has absolutely nothing to do with the students stories they usually have great stories to tell about their lives in school and outside the classroom. In addition, interviewers want students to succeed in their interviews. So whats the problem? For starters, many students have never been told what to expect, how to prepare, and what impresses and irritates alumni interviewers. For both parents and students, here are some things to watch out for, based on my 15 years of experience interviewing students. Problem #1: Each interviewer is different There is a fundamental misunderstanding about who becomes an alumni interviewer. You become an interviewerby simply volunteering to do so. The only thing many interviewers have in common is that they happen to belong to a given colleges local alumni association. Interviewers are not paid. As volunteers, they agree to interview a certain number of applicants each fall, given their usually frenetic schedules. So what does this all mean to the student being interviewed? Parents and students think that we are employees of the college or university who have gone through extensive, annual training to be very, very good at what we do. The truth is that we get little to no training just guidelines about what to ask in general and how to conduct the interview. We are always taught what not to ask about (e.g. religion or sexual orientation), but we have wide flexibility in terms of what we want to ask. This is exactly why students will have no idea about the interviewing style of the interviewer. You may have an interviewer who does all the talking. You may have an interviewer who hardly says anything. The interviewer could be an attorney, homemaker, surgeon you name it. For students, this means that you need to be prepared for a wide variety of interview styles. You will also need to learn to adapt to these different interviewing techniques. Problem #2: Students sometimes dont take the interview seriously Im continuously shocked by how a small minority of students dont seem to take the interview terribly seriously. How can I tell? They will dress like they are going to the beach. They dont even try to establish and maintain eye contact. Some even create problems in setting up the interview. Even though my time is valuable and scarce, a recent student forced me to dramatically rearrange my schedule to accommodate a local, regular-season hockey game that happened the day before. Other examples that Ive seen in recent years: I had a student who met me during my lunch break wearing torn jeans, a faded t-shirt, and a backwards baseball cap. He was also 10 minutes late to the interview. On another occasion, one of my interviewees looked out the window for most of the conversation. No matter who your interviewer is, that volunteer is at least worthy of your attention for half an hour, especially if youre applying to a world-class university. Problem #3: Students may be struggling with shyness Almost all students are initially shy during a college interview, and many students are petrified about this. Thats a shame; as alumni interviewers, we expect our interviewees to be shy initially. Its normal most 17- or 18-year-olds dont have much experience in an interview setting. If the alumni interviewer is doing a good job, he or she should make you feel at ease right from the start. However, if shyness is preventing you from doing a good job, just remember that many college interviews are entirely optional. Its usually a better idea for a student not to interview if he or she is going to be shy and unresponsive for 30 to 40 minutes. That being said, I find that virtually all students I work with can be coached to do very well during the interview even if they are extremely shy in what they perceive to be a high-pressure situation. Problem #4: Students may not anticipate whats going to be asked The most important thing that Im shocked by is the utter lack of anticipation of what might be asked during the interview. An alumni college interview is not a high-pressure interview with a management consulting firm or with Google. Its meant to be conversational. It should be a back-and-forth conversation about why the student wants to go to the school, and a place for the alumni to give the student information about the great things the school has to offer. Spending just a few minutes with pen and paper will probably reveal 90% of the questions youre going to be asked. You can take it as a given that the interviewer is going to ask the student about their best classes, favorite activities, whether they play a sport or an instrument, how they volunteer their time, and all sorts of things about the students hobbies and interests. These questions arent difficult when you know they are going to come up in the interview. Yet students sometimes sit in front of me and pause to think about answers to what are virtually guaranteed questions. Remember that you only have about 40 minutes to talk to your interviewer. That time will seem like five minutes. Dont waste time during the interview searching your mind for an answer to a relatively easy question. A final piece of advice With the advent of smartphones, it is now easier than ever to record yourself doing an interview. A good idea is to have someone with experience interviewingdo a mock interview with you. It may be a high school guidance counselor, a private education consultant, or your favorite relative. Whoever that person is, just set up your phone to record the mock interview. Once the interview concludes, sit with the person and go over every question and how you answered it. Never rehearse your answers: you dont want to come across as staged. This is ultimately a conversation. What the video or soundbite will do is show you any nervous mannerisms that you may be committing unconsciously. Maybe youre tapping your fingers. Maybe youre looking at the ceiling as you answer a question. Maybe youre playing with your hands in a distracting way. Perhaps youre interrupting the interviewer when he or she is asking a question. Ive been doing interview prep for students for such a long time that I can tell you that students never notice these things. They will do things during interviews that they are completely unaware of only because they feel like theyre under a lot of pressure. They focus on their thought processes, not their mannerisms. An experienced interview preparer will walk you through the mock interview, pinpointing all your strengths and weaknesses. In short, do the college interviews because they do add value to your application to a college or university but be sure to engage in some preparation before the interview. Work with people who know how the process works, record yourself practicing, and anticipate the questions. And please, no torn jeans and t-shirts even if the interview is in Florida in August. Check out ScholarEdge College Consultingfor more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

question

Common English Mistakes miss/lose, make/ask, doubt/question There are a couple words in English that my students misuse, mostly I believe due to language interference from Latin-based languages. Here are three incorrect sentences I hear often.I lost my bus.I need to make a question.I have some doubts.To speakers of Latin-based languages, these sentences may sound correct, but to English speakers theyre a little strange. When are not on time for a bus ride, a plane or an appointment, we say that we missed it. For example:He missed his bus.We missed our flight.I missed my appointment with the dentist.Saying that you need to make a question is similar. It may sound right, and even sort of make sense to an English speaker, but its not what we would say. Instead, we use ask. For example:I need to ask you a question.Finally, the overuse of the word doubt. My students are often telling me they have a doubt about something, when they mean that they have a question. It is possible to that you have a doubt about something, but when you use it that way in English, it means that youre not looking for an answer. For instance:I have some questions about my homework. In this case, you would follow by asking specific questions about the homework.I have some doubts about the presidents policies. In this case, youre expressing an opinion that youre not sure the policies are good, but you are not asking for any specific information. Heres a really terrible song form the early 1990s that will help you to remember to say that you missed the bus. If my students make this mistake more than once, they will be assigned to watch this video 10 times ??

Critical Reasoning Question 23 Heart Attack - Private Tutoring

Critical Reasoning Question 23 Heart Attack BobbiM Mar 25, 2014 According to a recent study, a diet that is free of meat and dairy products greatly reduces the risk of suffering a heart attack.   The study cites the fact that only 10% of those who consume such a diet suffer a heart attack at some point in their lives. Which of the following would  most seriously weaken the argument above? A.            Diets free of meat and dairy are low in calcium, which can lead to bone density decreases. B.              Those who consume only dairy but not meat are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack as those who consume neither meat nor dairy. C.           Some people who consume neither dairy nor meat suffer two or more heart attacks over the course of a lifetime. D.           Meat and dairy products are high in low-density cholesterol, which is known to harden arteries and cause other heart problems. E.             7% of those who consume dairy and meat regularly suffer heart attacks over the course of their lifetime. Think you know the answer? The correct answer is E. The conclusion here is that a diet free of meat and dairy products greatly reduces the risk of heart attack, based on the evidence that only 10% of those who omit meat and dairy from their diets suffer heart attacks.   The assumption is that more than ten percent of those who do eat dairy and meat suffer from heart attacks.   If we knew that those who eat meant and dairy are less likely to suffer heart attacks, the assumption would be contradicted and the argument weakened. (A)     is out of scope.   (B) nearly strengthens the argument.   (C) does little to affect the argument in either direction.   (D) strengthens the argument and (E) matches our prediction exactly.

How Can Tutoring Help You Print Beautiful 3D Designs With Confidence

How Can Tutoring Help You Print Beautiful 3D Designs With Confidence Everywhere you turn - from high-end furniture shops to more affordable dcor stores - 3D printed designs seem to be taking over, in everything from cute bear shapes to futuristic artworks, furniture and frames. The fact is that today, 3D printing is NO LONGER THE EXCLUSIVE REALM of a handful of designers. Rather, with home 3D printers costing as little as 160, it is possible for even beginners to create beautiful gifts and designer pieces for their own home, for next to nothing. If you have been curious about the world of 3D, private tutoring is a great way to select the right machine, learn how to convert 2D into 3D designs, and begin bringing YOUR MOST UNIQUE DESIGNS to real, three-dimensional life. Choosing The Right Machine A tutor SPECIALISING IN 3D ART will probably have a machine of his/her own. It is a great idea to play around a bit with your tutor's machine before making a purchase, and your tutor will be giving you invaluable insight on the pluses and minuses of different models. Run a few suggestions by them and see if they can recommend a reasonably priced, environmentally friendly, easy-to-use machine. Some of the best-reviewed machines for BRINGING 3D DESIGNS TO LIFE include the Vincci Mini Wireless (which uses filaments derived from cornstarch - a very environmentally friendly material indeed), the Collido (which is simple to use, even for beginners), and the Up Mini 2 (ideal for children because it has en enclosed frame and is made with sustainable materials). Learning To Convert 2D To 3D Designs Your first lesson with your tutor will probably involve converting 2D to 3D designs. Create a file with a few potential designs you think you'd like to print with your tutor. The first thing they will do is teach you how to convert your image into the required 'SVG' format using a site like Convertio. Next, you will have to create an account on Tinkercad to import your SVG file and scale it to size. On Tinkercad, you can change the width of your design, stick it onto another layer, and change colours and other small details. Your tutor will be of great help in teaching you how to scale and move designs, add layers and crop your design. Once your design is set, you will need to export it as an STL file, and then place it into your machine's software - where you can see exactly the size your design will print out on, scaling it up or down so it fits into your machine. 3D printing is simple, but it does have specific steps that you can learn quickly and seamlessly with the help of a tutor. From experimenting with different machine types to working out which 2D designs will look best in 3D, a seasoned tutor can make the process quicker and cheaper, by suggesting various solutions to common problems. Before your first class, select a few 2D designs that tickle your fancy, and think of the way in which you intend to use and DISPLAY YOUR WORKS OF ART.

Newsletter August 2012

Newsletter August 2012 TutorZ.com is a nationwide network of tutors. We match students and parents with the best tutors for their specific needs. Summer school at TutorZ.com meant to improve the safety and security of our customers information. TutorZ has deployed SSL certificates enabling the encryption of data sent between browsers and TutorZ’ secure server. You can see this protocol in action when you look at the left corner of your browsers address bar. There it says https and probably shows a lock symbol too. Moreover, in August 2012 TutorZ has made social sharing of our blog articles super easy. Our readers can find the Facebook Like, Google +1, and the AddThis buttons right below the articles. Happy Sharing! Find me a tutor Featured Tutors Dr. Sener Minneapolis, MN Teaches: Applied Math, Biophysics, Science, Calculus, CLEP, GED, GMAT, GRE, ACT, MCAT, NCLEX-RN, PRAXIS, SAT, Turkish, USMLE My teaching style is EXAM-oriented. Ill show you why you dont need to spend hours on unnecessary parts of a subject. Dr. Jenny Bremerton, WA Teaches: ACT, ADD-ADHD, Algebra, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Science, Psychology, Chinese, Elementary, Piano, Swimming Jenny is an excellent communicator, adept at sizing up situations, independent worker, determined, self-motivated, detail-oriented. Prof. Bruce Brentwood, NY Teaches: Computer, Python, Logic, Java, Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Essay Writing, Proofreading, History, English, Elementary Focus on understanding concepts and developing skills and strategies to solve problems. Sunny New York, NY Specializes in Chinese and the Mandarin Dialect Im patient and humor and have special ways to make my class easy and fun. My time is flexible and can give you the class in your best time. Prof. William Ivy League Bethpage, NY Teaches: Biology, Chemistry, CLEP, English, French,   German, Grammar, Greek, History, Latin, Math, MCAT, Philosophy, Physics, PRAXIS, Science, Spanish, TOEFL Students can expect to gain a practical sense of how these three are essential for reading, arguing, and, ultimately, thinking critically. Armyl Joseph (AJ) Jersey City, NJ Teaches: Medicine, Nursing, NCLEX-RN, TOEFL I do personalized teaching which means that I am assessing the areas which the students are having difficulty, giving them personalized exams and drills; and personalized lectures well. Read with TutorZ Best Articles from our Blog We invite tutors, parents and students to enjoy our articles on some interesting education-related topics: Lincoln, NE â€" The Premier Educational Center in the Midwest Lincoln is a wonderful city that remarkably combines the amenities of a small regional city with the benefits of a fast growing metropolis. It presents brilliant business development, cultural, employment and education opportunities. As a college town, Lincoln offers a wide choice of good universities and colleges. It is a perfect place to raise a family, be a college student or just visit for some fun. TutorZ.com Improves its Social Media and Payment Functionality “We want to make it easy for our customers to stay in touch with us and to be well-informed about all our  recent  updates. That is why we are happy to implement these new social media tools which bring us closer to our highly estimated users.” says Dariya Lopukhina, Marketing Director of TutorZ.com. Education â€" a Milestone on the Way to the American Dream (dedicated to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 65th birthday)   Arnold Schwarzenegger’s biography is a brilliant example of a true American success story. Hard work and self-confidence may help to realize even the most daring dreams. However, proper educational background is also one of the main catalysts of the individual progress. New Video in TutorZ Youtube Channel Hola! Here in the first video you can learn some basic phrases in Spanish, so that you could easily greet someone and introduce yourself. Spanish Basics Part 1 The second and third videos show you Spanish words and word combinations for traveling, so youll never get lost in the airport. Spanish Basics Part 2 Spanish Basics Part 3 Spanish is spoken by more than 300 million people worldwide, and is the official or national language in a number of countries. It is widely spoken in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Antonio, among other cities, and is used officially as a second language in the state of New Mexico. In this video, we have converted English basic words to Spanish which are useful at the time of traveling. Sincerely, The Tutorz.com Team Email: contact@tutorz.com Phone: (805) 288-7338

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?