Famous Black Musicians From Then Til Now [Interactive Timeline]

Famous Black Musicians From Then Til Now [Interactive Timeline] Jessica Dais Black History Month is an excellent time to highlight the many famous black musicians who made their mark in American history. The music of these talented composers and performers transcended cultural borders and inspired many to follow in their footsteps. Some of these musicians overcame obstacles throughout their careers to raise awareness of black music. Others used their skills to fight social injustice and make a positive impact on society. Although they came from different backgrounds and musical styles, each of the artists below contributed to the music we know and love today. *Click the “Play” button next to each artist to hear a sample of their music!* Inspiring, World Famous Black Musicians From Different Eras James Reese Europe (1910s) James Reese Europe is referred to as the “Martin Luther King of music” because of his contributions during the early days of ragtime. Europe, who was born in Alabama in 1880, became the first black bandleader to perform at Carnegie Hall. He later led his band to France, where they performed for Allied armies during World War I. Europe’s bands were full, symphonic ensembles a contrast from the smaller groups of New Orleans that became the face of early jazz. Instead, Europe brought ragtime together with the military band tradition of John Philip Sousa and other composers. This hybrid style led to Europe’s appeal with multiracial audiences in a segregated society. Historians now refer to Europe’s style as “proto-jazz” or “hot ragtime.” His work introducing white audiences to the skill and creativity of black composers and performers helped create an environment where jazz could thrive. William Grant Still (1930s) William Grant Still created the first symphonic work by a black composer that was performed by a major orchestra. Still was born in 1895 in Mississippi, and he grew up surrounded by music. His stepfather took him to symphony performances and Still learned to play both the cello and clarinet. After serving in World War I, Still became an arranger for some of the most famous jazz acts of the 1920s. But his true passion remained symphonic work. His first symphony was written in 1930 and premiered the following year by the Rochester Philharmonic. Although the piece is for a traditional orchestra, it includes blues idioms and music from Still’s childhood. There were many famous black musicians by the 1930s in jazz music, but Still inspired other black composers to focus on symphonic music. He demonstrated that traditional black music was as powerful with a symphony as with a jazz band. Berry Gordy Jr. (1950s) Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of Motown, was born in Detroit in 1929. Gordy’s leadership of Motown Records led to the success of many famous black musicians including Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Gordy got his start as a songwriter who specialized in crossover hits. In the 1950s, Gordy wrote songs for Jackie Wilson and Etta James that reached the top 10 on both the RB and pop charts. This convinced Gordy that black musicians needed their own national record label to produce and promote their work to a larger audience. Over the course of the 60s and 70s, Motown would become a major force in the recording industry, exposing the country to black musical groups and helping launch the careers of many famous artists. Gordy’s ability to find, develop, and promote musical talent led to Motown being among the most successful African-American owned businesses of the 20th century. Nina Simone (1960s) As a child, Nina Simone dreamed of being a classical concert pianist. She began playing piano at the age of three and with the help of her family, she enrolled at Juilliard for a summer to prepare for classical piano program auditions. Her family moved to Philadelphia to help support her, but she was not accepted to the prestigious piano program at the Curtis Institute. Instead, she began performing jazz at cocktail bars to make money and during this time she also began singing. Simone performed songs based on her African-American heritage as well as her classical background. During the 1960s, she became known for her protest music, releasing original songs that specifically addressed the civil rights movements. Simone began to speak and perform at civil rights rallies and events, including the Selma to Montgomery marches. Her music directly addressed social injustice while combining jazz, classical, and spiritual influences. In 2018, Simone will be inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Afrika Bambaataa (1980s) Afrika Bambaataa not only transformed hip hop culture, but he used music to turn a street gang into a positive community force. Born Lance Taylor in the Bronx in 1957, Bambaataa grew up in the projects and eventually became a warlord of the Black Spades gang. However, a trip to Africa led him to change his name, and his worldview. Upon his return he began transforming the Black Spades into a group focused on positive community impact. Bambaataa saw hip hop music as the vehicle that his new group could use to create socially aware communities like the ones he saw in Africa. In 1982, Bambaataa took his hip hop group on a national tour to begin spreading his approach outside of New York. Bambaataa’s music combines early forms of rap, sampling from disco and funk, and advanced turntable techniques. Bambaataa focused on social messages in his music, referencing American leaders from Thomas Paine to Malcolm X. Without Bambaataa’s work, hip hop would not have the international appeal it has today. Get Inspired Each of these famous black musicians overcame obstacles to create music with a lasting impact. Let us know which musicians you find the most inspiring in the comments section below. If these stories inspired you to grow your own musical skills and talents, check out the free music classes at TakeLessons Live today! Guest Post Author: Ryan Sargent is the Vice President of the Technology Institute for Music Educators.  He is also Social Media Manager at SmartMusic, where he shares music education tips with teachers across the country.

Top Five Things To Look for In An Online Algebra Tutor

Top Five Things To Look for In An Online Algebra Tutor Maths is always a matter of concern for maximum parents. Students generally develop a phobia for the numbers and it becomes more traumatic for students when alphabets are added onto them in the middle school. Get help of online algebra tutor to overcome this fear. There are very less number of pupils who actually enjoy this section of maths. Even if the students have a lending hand for homework, maths often becomes a problem for them. This is because; this particular subject needs some definite logic behind making it understandable. It would be beneficial for the student if he/she gets a good guidance from a professional. These numbers with alphabets often become nightmare for students. Therefore, the parent must appoint a perfect professional in this field to make it beneficiary for the student. However, the parents must keep in mind before appointing them for their kids. How To Sort And Solve Elapsed Time Story Problems http://t.co/j3zGC5Q6m8 #algebra #backtoschool #homeschool pic.twitter.com/dzdb9M73Rl â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 4, 2015 Why parents should opt for online algebra tutor? In this rush of knowing everything, students are also over-scheduled with their tasks. Regular classes in school with extracurricular activities, any child does not really have a quality time to study. But, unfortunately one has to run to be successful in the near future. An online algebra homework help can be very beneficial for students in mid school. There are certain aspects that need to be kept in mind before appointing an online tutor. The First Ladder To Success In #Algebra Is Right Tutor http://t.co/WHQqrujiah #backtoschool pic.twitter.com/RyHhluTBVn â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) September 2, 2015 Five such important points are: The teacher should have a background on maths or science and not any other arts major. You also need to find out whether the teacher has any definite experience or not on being a  online algebra tutor. All the more, it should be noted whether the teacher has fine techniques of teaching. However, many teachers holding big degrees in maths and having done specialization on algebra may not be of great help to the students. Whereas, somebody who knows the basics of algebra can make a student absolutely phobia less in this subject for the rest of their lives. The teacher should also be flexible in changing their techniques while teaching. These online tutors are also handy for the college students who are doing a specialization paper on algebra. They may appoint a good professional for algebra assignment help. They can be guided for their assignments, dissertation papers and for seminars through these online tutors. The next point is to note whether the teacher has right access to online teaching. The tutor should have advanced software to be accessible to students. Will they be able to conduct online tests? Will they be accessible when the student needs help with his/her homeworks? Or whether they can provide your child with proper chat room that may help in the learning process etc.? There should also be safety assurance from the tutor to the child. Parents should be properly acquainted with the background of the teacher before the teacher comes in contact with the child. There are also rules where the parents can undergo solid character check before appointing them for the students. The fees that becomes the major issue in these online courses, needs to be handled carefully. There are many such fraud cases that gets reported with the names of online teaching. Therefore, the students , if matured enough and understands the online payment procedures should handle it very carefully only after getting proper authentication. If they are unable to understand that, they may take the help of their parents to ensure a secured payment.

What To Know About The Writing Section Of The ACT

What To Know About The Writing Section Of The ACT The ACT Plus Writing includes an optional supplement to the standard exam. The half-hour test assesses your writing skills especially those writing skills emphasized in your high school English courses and in entry-level college composition classes. Well go over if you should register to take the additional Writing Test, what the prompt looks like, how to optimize your exam grade, and exactly what the ACT scorers are looking for when they read your essay. If you think you need additional assistance, you may want to contact an ACT tutoror review an ACT prep book.What does the Writing Test look like? The writing portion of the ACT gives a single prompt that describes an issue and the opposing points of view on the subject. You will be asked to state your position and adopt one or more of the stances described in the question. Your score will not be affected by your viewpoint.Since the Writing Test is optional, do I actually need to take it? It depends on where you are applying. Some c olleges and universities have decided to either require or recommend their ACT-taking applicants (as opposed to the SAT) opt for the Writing Test. Others have decided that Writing Test scores are not necessary. In other words, you should decide if you want to take the writing portion based on the requirements of the colleges to which you are applying. For example, Princeton and Yale both require the ACT Plus Writing, while Notre Dame and Johns Hopkins University recommend it, and Georgetown University has decided the supplement is not needed altogether. If you are planning on applying to multiple schools, contact the admissions office or check online to find out their preferences when it comes to the writing exam. Even if they do not require it, most colleges will accept scores from the ACT Plus Writing.But my dream school doesnt require the Writing Test. So do you really, really need to sit through another 30 minutes of the ACT? Unless you think youll do terribly, its safest in the long run to take the writing exam in case you change your mind, apply elsewhere, or are not accepted to your first choice school. If youre planning on applying to school(s) that dont require the writing supplement, but change your mind and decide to apply to one that does, you wouldnt want to have to retake the entire ACT just to include the Writing Test. That said, its best to take the ACT Plus Writing so you are not limiting yourself in the college admissions process. Does it matter when I take it? It actually doesnt - the ACT Plus Writing exam is offered on all national test dates in the United States, US territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada. It is also available on four international test days in other areas, and for Special or Arranged Testing.Does taking the ACT Plus Writing affect the price? Yes. Taking the standard ACT (with no writing) is $34 and taking the ACT Plus Writing is $49.50. The extra price tag includes score reports for up to four colleges when you list a valid code when you register online. However, the extra $15.50 writing exam fee is refundable on request if you are absent or decide to take the standard ACT (with no writing) before test day. What exactly am I being scored on? The ACT raters have a set of criteria that they use to judge each individual essay. Grades are given based on how well you articulate your perspective, use supporting evidence and logic, and maintain an emphasis on your position throughout the essay. Your ability to organize ideas logically and how well you communicate your argument through writing are also judged. How can I optimize my score? Make sure you understand the prompt and the issue at hand its okay to take another minute and reread the question. Be careful when picking a stance and remember that you dont necessarily have to take the position you believe. Instead, argue the perspective that you can give the best evidence for.Before beginning, use your Writing Test booklet to jot down some notes, organize your essay or create a brief outline. Brainstorm some reasons and examples you can use to explain your point of view on the topic. Keep in mind how others could respond to your viewpoint and how you could disprove their arguments. Spending a few minutes planning the layout of your essay ahead of time will help keep you on track and organized while youre writing. In your introduction, explain the issue and your position in a clear and rational way. In the next paragraph or two, elaborate on the topic in a larger context or describe the implications and why it is especially problematical. Be persuasive and address how those in opposition could respond to your viewpoint and provide a convincing counterargument. Stay focused on the subject and present specific examples. Your essay will be stronger if you clarify logical relationships by employing transitional phrases and words, varying sentence structure, and using precise and diverse word choices. Wrap up your essay with a powerful co nclusion that summarizes or reinforces your argument.Time is short on the Writing Test, so make the most of the 30 minutes. While you may also use ACT practice teststo prep for the rest of the exam, don't forget to prepare accordingly for this portion as well. On the test, remember to recheck your work before time is up, and fix any errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling, and make sure that all words are easy to read.

4 Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job

4 Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job The following is a guest post written by Caitlin Grove, an Associate Content Coordinatorfor Varsity Tutors. When you start to see the light at the end of the college tunnel, one particular question may cross your mind: How do I land my dream job? The idea of exiting the college journey and moving directly to your dream career is enticing. The harsh reality is that it isnt a simple process. Before I landed my current position as Associate Content Coordinator with Varsity Tutors, I had to be honest with myself about what the term dream job meant for me and how I would ultimately get there. In some ways, securing your dream job is like apartment hunting. Youve likely lived in several places by now, and you know what your must-haves are. You also know your criteria for your dream job. If youre confident in your vision for a fulfilling career, dont settleinstead, take these four steps to land your dream job. 1. Attend recruitment events at your dream companies Chances are youve wondered what it would be like to work at your dream company or companies, but short of securing an employment offer, how can you find out? In two words: recruitment events. Companies often host recruitment events like open houses for potential employees, sometimes in their headquarters or in a local office. These events give you the opportunity to decide if a companys mission, vision, and culture are right for you. The organization's culture, or the values and behaviors of the workplace environment, will be a significant factor in whether or not a particular job is right for you. Personally, I was looking to work for a company with a collaborative and supportive culture after I graduated college, which is exactly what I found in my current role. Realize that you might love a company based on its social presence or products, but the culture might be a negative environment to work in. Be honest with yourself about this aspect when attending recruitment events. Its important to consider these events mini-interviews. Dress professionally, research the company in advance, and prepare a short list of key qualities you possess that will make you a great fit for the organization. In short, come equipped with your elevator speech. Use this time to showcase why you mesh with the company's culture and brand. 2. Use social media as a networking tool The same social media accounts that you use daily can play a part in landing your dream job. As you likely know, social media is a great platform for connecting with others, including those individuals who work for your dream company or companies. Maintain a professional, active presence on your social channels to illustrate what you bring to the tableaim to post relevant and engaging content several times per week. On LinkedIn, join groups in an effort to connect with like-minded individuals in your field. Start a conversation on Twitter by commenting on or retweeting posts that are relevant to your desired profession. You can also join arranged Twitter conversations (or Twitter chats). When it comes to networking on social media, you can establish a rapport with individuals in your field with just a bit of effort. So long as you are contributing value to the conversations you enter or begin, networking through social media can help you land your dream job. Keep in mind, however, that while social media can be a great way to network, it can have a negative impact on your job search if used incorrectly. [RELATED: What College Students Should Know About Social Media] 3. Review your current skill set What skills and knowledge are central to your dream job? Do you confidently possess these attributes? Now is the time to ask yourself these questions, and, if necessary, find ways to improve your dream job toolkit. My current position, for example, requires copy editing skills and familiarity with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. While in college, I chose classes (like Writing for the Corporate and Institutional Market) and on-campus jobs that would help me build these skills before graduation. I also surrounded myself with professors and classmates who could provide support. For instance, if you have a friend whos a computer science major and you want to strengthen your coding skills, see what they can teach you. Keep in mind that you dont have to be outstanding in every single skill required by your dream job. The important thing is to showcase that you have a base level of knowledge and the drive to continue learning new skills once you begin employment. [RELATED: 4 Career Skills for Students to Develop] 4. Gain experience in your desired field prior to graduation Youre probably attending college with the end goal of pursuing a specific career, so why not show your future employer just how serious you are about the field? You can gain experience in your desired field via internships, on-campus jobs, research opportunities, and volunteer positions. [RELATED: How to Get Real-World Experience in Your College Major] These types of experiences can help you immensely when attempting to secure your dream job. They can put you in contact with industry connections, help you develop new skills, and demonstrate that you have real-world experience in your dream job. If you are still committed to your dream companies after attending recruitment events and networking with individuals within the organizations, pursue internships at those businesses. This can be a great way to get your foot in the door and to further discover if this is the right position and company for you. Use this experience, along with the other efforts described above, to illustrate to potential employers why you deserve your dream career. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Popular English Christmas Idioms and Sayings ?? - Upgrade your English

Popular English Christmas Idioms and Sayings ?? - Upgrade your English Christmas is the most popular holiday celebrated in the UK. There are lots of customs and traditions including nativity plays, decorating our homes, singing carols and having a traditional roast turkey dinner on Christmas day. Here are some popular English Christmas idioms and sayings that can be used during the holiday season. 11 English Christmas Idioms and Sayings Christmas comes but once a yearAs it only happens once a year we should treat people less fortunate than us a bit better in the Christmas season.Example: Jane went to the charity shop and made a large donation of cash for the homeless people. After all Christmas only comes once a year.To cancel someones ChristmasWhen a person threatens to cancel someones Christmas, it means he/she wants to kill or destroy someone (not literally, of course!) as the dead person will miss Christmas.Example: If Sam keeps bugging me, Im going to cancel his Christmas this year. All my Christmases have come togetherTo experience an event of extreme good luck or happiness, something happened that you were dreaming about.Example:  Last week I received an amazing job offer and yesterday my boyfriend proposed to me! It feels like all my Christmases have come together.To light up like a Christmas treeSomething had a dramatic effect on someones mood. Some event or situation made someone very happy.Example: Sarah saw a box of chocolates on her desk, and she lit up like a Christmas tree. Eat, drink and be merryEnjoy yourselves with good food and drink.Example: Welcome to our party! Eat, drink and be merry.Trim the treeto add decorations to the Christmas tree like ornaments, ribbons, baubles, or lace.Example: It was a longterm tradition for the whole family to trim the tree together.White elephanta gift exchange in which people bring unwanted itemsExample: Where did you get that ugly vase? Oh, I got it at a white elephant at work.Pigs in blanketsA variety of sausage-based foods in the UK, USA and Ireland. In the USA pigs in blankets are small sausages wrapped in croissant rolls.In the UK the ‘blanket’ is bacon. Pigs in blankets are a perfect   accompaniment to the traditional Christmas dinner. 11 English Christmas Idioms and Sayings Like turkeys voting for ChristmasTurkeys are the favourite choice of food for the Christmas dinner. When people accept a decision which is not going to work out well for them it is like turkeys voting for Christmas.Example:  The teachers agreed to accept the introduction of larger class numbers without any increase in their pay. It was like Turkeys voting for Christmas.To ring in the New YearTo have a party on New Year’s Eve (31st December) to welcome the New Year. When the church bells ring everyone wishes each other a happy New Year.Example: May and Christopher invited their friends to their home for a New Year’s Eve party to help them ring in the New Year.Christmas has come earlySomeone gets a welcome surprise they were not expecting.Example: Jonathan got a letter from his boss on the 1st December telling him that he had been promoted and was to receive a bonus. Indeed Christmas had come early for him.Bah, HumbugEbenezer Scrooge, the main character of Charles Dickens novel Chr istmas Carol used this term quite often. This expression is often used in the context of someone who shows a lack of Christmas spirit and ruins  other peoples enjoyment.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! From everyone at AJ Tutoring, we wish you peace and happiness at your table this Thanksgiving!For us, the holidays are all about community and giving back. At AJ, community is one of our core values, and we are proud to partner with the local community to provide free or reduced-cost academic and test prep tutoring to students of all backgrounds. Please find below a brief snapshot of what we’ve done recently.Last year we worked with over 1000 students on a pro-bono or reduced-cost basis.We partnered with 18 non-profit organizations to provide top-quality instruction to underserved communities.Our team spent 1400 hours volunteering in the local community. 45% of AJ team members participated in our company-sponsored volunteer projects.AJ at Second Harvest Food BankAJ at Hidden VillaThrough our outreach efforts, we have partnered with local nonprofits and school groups in order to provide:SAT/ACT prep classesHigh School Entrance Exam ClassesAcademic Homework HelpSeminars on navigating the test-taking processSeminars on Study SkillsTeacher TrainingsStudent scholarshipsSupport of local community service effortsHere are just a few of our non-profit partners:SAT at Foundations for College EducationACT at Foundations for College EducationACT with AVID Los AltosSAT with AVID Mountain ViewISEE with Peninsula BridgeAcademic Homework Club with Peninsula BridgeAcademic Homework Club with Peninsula BridgeAcademic Homework Club with Peninsula BridgeWe look forward to another year of getting to know the Bay Area better and to furthering our educational mission! If you are interested in learning more about our educational outreach, you can reach out to AJ’s Social Outreach Director: Chelsea Greene!

Deus Ex Cinema The Best Foreign Films for Language Learners

Deus Ex Cinema The Best Foreign Films for Language Learners Deus Ex Cinema: The Best Foreign Films for Language Learners Out of nowhere, here it is.The answer to your language learning prayers.Its a regular  deus ex machina, and a valuable one at that.You might have heard this Latin phrase if youre really into cinema or theater.Literally, it translates to god from the machine. It originated from a Greek phrase that was used to describe a character (usually a god or demigod) appearing via a crane device in a Greek playâ€"much of the time, they would literally swoop in at the last minute to save the day!The Latin phrase has come to describe any plot device that provides a miraculous solution to any situation a character is in.The aim of this article is to act in a similar way and miraculously provide you with the ideal solution to help you learn a foreign language: The best foreign films.Yes, films!Films and movies are fantastic learning resources for learners of any languageâ€"not only for learning vocabulary and grammar, but also for learning about other cultures and perspectives. Why Learn a Foreign Language Through Films?Films are a great way to get a taste of a different culture or place.Theyre not always completely accurate representations of people or culture, but oftentimes they do a great job at capturing the essence of both. Whats more, they have enormous value for language learners.If youre a beginner or an intermediate learner, films are a great way to see how conversations actually flow in your chosen language. And if you dont understand everything, you can usually use subtitles to help bridge a few gaps.In fact, studies have shown that learning through films can help in ways beyond just subtitles. People tend to become a lot more motivated when it comes to learning anything with movies. Thats the reason why you probably got so excited as a kid when the teacher would wheel a massive television into the classroom.Theres also the exposure to different cultures. Films are a great way to peer into the heart of a culture youre unfamiliar with. Foreign films usually featur e the people, real-life places, traditions and even traditional music found in the cultures they explore. If youre unable to travel abroad, its worthwhile to watch a foreign film just for that experience.A Few Things to Remember About Using Foreign Films to Learn a LanguageWatching films might seem like the best method in the world to learn anything, but take all this advice with a grain of salt. There are no perfect methods when it comes to learning anything.Films are certainly no exception. Although theyre great resources, they do have disadvantages such as the fact that theyre made to entertain first and foremost. That means that what you see in a film will never be 100% accurate in its depiction of people or cultures. Everything in film is slightly exaggerated.You might have guessed this after watching a Bollywood film before visiting India, and then feeling disappointment when you realize that no one actually breaks into song and dance after resolving a personal crisis.So how s hould you use films to learn languages?First of all, its going to take some work. Being a couch potato wont cut it. You really have to pay attention to the film. You dont have to understand every single word, but you should try to grasp as much context as you can from whatever youre watching.Try not to dive into overly complex films. Stick to films that you know feature relatively linear plots. When youre still just learning a language, you probably wont be ready for that indie-art film with abstract meanings. That means its probably best to stick with simple action, drama, romance or comedy, which leads us to the whole reason why youre reading this.You want to know the best foreign films for learning languages. Look no further than this useful list below. These films are fantastic for those who are just beginning, as well as intermediate learners who want to get a proper feel for the culture behind the languages. These films do just that.And if you find that you adore this learning method, youll want to check out FluentU.FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.  You can browse videos  by difficulty (beginner to native), topic (arts and entertainment, health and lifestyle, etc.) and  format (video blog, news,  shows, etc.).This program really kicks the experience of watching foreign language movies up a notch. Its more than just watching videosâ€"its about learning and actively practicing the language you hear in those videos. Use the interactive subtitles, flashcards and vocabulary lists to learn phrases better than ever!Start using  FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the iTunes store  or from the  Google Play store  to access material on your Android and iOS devices.Now, onto the movies!Deus Ex Cinema: The Best Foreign Films for Language LearnersForrest GumpLanguage: English (Ame rican)Year: 1994Based on the novel of the same name by Winston Groom, Forrest Gump (directed by Robert Zemeckis) tells the story of Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks), an intellectually disabled man with a goodhearted nature, who recounts his life to a stranger at a bus stop. Its a life full of heartache, war, valor and accomplishment.So why is this a great film for English learners?If you want to focus on language, the film will give you several different types of American English to listen for, which is useful for English learners who are looking for some way to grow accustomed to the varying accents across America.Through the titular characters travels, youll also see a lot of Americas culture. Youll see the passion surrounding football, music and its vast history with music and warfare. Its part of what made the film so great and so interesting.SnatchLanguage: English (British)Year: 2000You might be looking to adapt your ears to the rougher British dialects. If thats the case, h ave a look at Snatch (directed by Guy Ritchie). The film is about a diamond, a group of thieves and a boxing promoter named Turkish (played by Jason Statham)  who finds himself indebted to a dangerous gangster.Its an extremely exaggerated look at the British underworld so the film features some great examples of different English accents and dialects. Some are easier to understand, such as the southern dialects, and there are harder ones like those from the north. Then there are near-impossible onesâ€"like the bizarre accent Brad Pitt uses.We did say to be careful. This film is a great way to train your ears but you have to keep in mind that its a comedy film, so not everything will be 100% true to the culture its depicting.????  (Xìngfú Shíguang  Happy Times)Language:  Chinese (Mandarin)Year: 2000Directed by Zhang Yimou, Happy Times begins as a comedy but quickly shifts to drama as it showcases the desperation of a former factory worker, Zhao (played by Benshan Zhao), who opens up a very small hotel in his attempt to regain a life of relative comfort and happiness. He unintentionally finds himself caring for an orphaned girl, Wu Ying (played by Jie Dong). Together, they work to make the hotel a functioning business.The film is great for Mandarin learners who want conversational language. Its also fantastic for those who want to see the heart of China in the present day. The film focuses on characters who have fallen victim to the nations move toward capitalism.Its not a happy movie but everything from the cinematography to the dialogue strives to showcase what living in China is like for those with less than others, which is something no one should ignore.Infernal AffairsLanguage:  Chinese (Cantonese)Year:  2002Revolving around the Hong Kong Triads and the police force, Infernal Affairs (directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak) focuses on two people, Chan Wing-Yan (played by Tony Leung), an undercover cop in a triad gang,  and Lau Kin-Ming (played by Andy Lau ), a triad member who has infiltrated the Hong Kong police force.If the plot sounds familiar, its because Infernal Affairs was remade as Martin Scorceses 2006 film, The Departed, but dont be tempted to use that to work your way through the dialogue and plot because for the most part, the two movies are vastly different.With Infernal Affairs, you can pick up both formal and informal Cantonese conversations. Its also a great way of showcasing Hong Kongs darker side, the one you wont see as a tourist. But to understand the culture of Hong Kong, thats the kind of thing you have to keep in mind, and the film helps with that by capturing the spirit of the city and the westernized culture.Volver  (Return)Language:  Spanish (Castilian)Year: 2006Directed by  Pedro Almodóvar, Volver starts off with Sole (played by Lola  Dueñas) returning to her small village for the funeral of her Aunt Paula. On her way back to Madrid, Sole discovers the ghost of her mother, Irene (played by Carmen Maura), stowing away in the trunk of her car. Meanwhile, Soles sister and niece, Raimunda (played by  Penélope Cruz) and Paula (played by Yohana Cobo), must deal with a murder and their discovery of the truth about Paulas father.Its a fantastic comedy for Spanish learners as it uses various characters and places to showcase different aspects of Spain. Youll see the countryside life and youll be able to compare it to the more urban environment of Madrid. Youll get a great sense of the architecture, the people and, of course, the Castilian dialect of Spanish, which is quite easy to understand in this film.Libertador (The Liberator)Language: Spanish (Venezuelan)Year: 2013This movie by Alberto Arvelo  tells the story of Simón Bolívar (played by  Ã‰dgar Ramírez), a great Venezuelan historical figure. He was  a 19th century military leader who fought against the Spanish monarchy. Through his campaign across South America, he helped to bring independence to Venezuela and several other Latin Am erican countries.The Spanish in the film is Venezuelan and for the most part, the conversations may seem a little formal, which might be a great thing for language learners. You wont see modern-day Venezuela in the film but you what you will get is an invaluable lesson in Latin American history, which will no doubt help you understand their culture a little better.Diarios de Motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries)Language:  Spanish (Rioplatense)Year: 2004If youre interested in history, you should also check out The Motorcycle Diaries (directed by Walter Salles). It tells the story of a young medical student who travels through South America, contemplating the poverty and suffering rampant throughout the continent. That student eventually becomes the Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara (played by Gael García Bernal).The film largely contains Rioplatense, which is a dialect spoken in the areas surrounding Argentina and Uruguay. The language may be slightly difficult if youre just a langua ge learner trying to pick it up, but thats not where the value in this film lies. The Motorcycle Diaries does a fantastic job at showcasing Latin America and the history behind many of the countries, as well as the life and personality of one of its most important historical figures.Aquele Querido Mês de Agosto (Our Beloved Month of August)Language: Portuguese (European)Year: 2008Filmed across Portugal, Our Beloved Month of August (directed by Miguel Gomes) is a docu-drama in which a father, obsessed with his daughters resemblance to her mother, begins to grow wary as she develops an infatuation of sorts with her cousin.Its more a collection of clips of people just being people, which is perfect for those who are just looking to pick up on more basic aspects of Portuguese such as colloquialisms, grammatical structure and the like.Its also a wonderful exhibition of Portugals lush countryside and people. If all you want from a film is the language and an honest depiction of culture, then this is the film for you.Pane e Tulipani (Bread and Tulips)Language: ItalianYear: 2000After being left behind by her husband and her son, Rosalba (played by Licia Maglietta) hitchhikes her way to Venice, where she begins a new life working at a flower shop.The premise is quite simple, as is any premise for a romantic comedy, but dont let that fool you. Bread and Tulips (directed by Silvio Soldini) is an excellent example of what Italy is all about: romance, beauty, great food and the enjoyment of life.Of course, Italian language learners will benefit greatly from the dialogue, but youll also get a glimpse of what Venice is like and how people there really liveâ€"taken with a grain of salt, of course. Much of it is still highly romanticized.?????????? (Stalingrad)Language:  RussianYear: 2013If youre a lover of films about war and romance and you happen to be learning Russian, we have the perfect film for you: Stalingrad (directed by Fedor Bondarchuk), a war film set in 1942 duri ng the Battle of Stalingrad. That was the battle where the Soviet Union fought to defend Stalingrad against the Nazis and their allies.The film doesnt paint either side as being particularly heroic or villainous as other war films do, but instead attempts to remind viewers that every soldier fighting, regardless of their allegiance, was a human being capable of immense love as well as horrific violence.The battle of Stalingrad was an important point in Russias history and while the film does take certain liberties with its source material, it still manages to embody the intensity of it. Theres also a fantastic amount of Russian with both informal and formal conversations taking place, which language learners will undoubtedly benefit from hearing.A Coffee in BerlinLanguage: GermanYear: 2012Fans of dark comedies might enjoy A Coffee in Berlin (directed by Jan-Ole Gerster), a black and white film which follows Niko (played by Tom Schilling), a college dropout who wanders Berlin, encoun tering one eccentric person after another.The film might not be great for those who want to see what life in Germany is like, but its great at showcasing the spirit of Berlin and German humor (yes, Germans  do have a sense of humor), as well as the grittier aspects of German cultureâ€"the things they probably wont show you in the brochures.For language learners, its a fun film with which you can learn German because theres a lot of informal conversationâ€"curse words and everything.La Vie en Rose (Life in Pink)Language: FrenchYear: 2007Edith Piaf was a musical icon in the mid-20th century and La Vie en Rose (directed by Olivier Dahan) adapts her life to the screen. The film stars Marion Cotillard as Piaf and follows the singers tragic life from childhood to the peak of her singing career, and then to her fall.This movie is a must for any fan of Edith Piaf. The songs are all sung by Piaf, while the rest of the film shows audiences just a little bit of French history and how their vib rant culture survived some very dark times, while acknowledging that theres more to it than just the romanticized aspects you see on television. Theres also the wonderful language present throughout the film. Its more or less what youll hear in modern-day France, if not just a little more refined to fit the film.Le Mirage (The Mirage)Language:  French (Canadian)Year: 2015This French-Canadian film, directed by Ricardo Trogi,  depicts the life of Patrick (played by Louis Morissette) as he goes through a midlife crisis. Its a film full of drama, laughter, sex and growth, relatable for pretty much everyone who isnt too put off by more mature themes.The French-Canadian language is a little different from European French and The Mirage is a great exhibition of the dialect. Youll also get a sense of life in Quebec as well as an idea of what the people are like.Its a dark comedy, so expect almost everything to be exaggerated for the sake of shock and humor. You may also notice a bit of soci al commentary in the subtext of the film, so its a really great one to watch if youre trying to challenge your language skills.?? (Tenten  Adrift in Tokyo)Language: JapaneseYear: 2007Based on a novel by Yoshinaga Fujita, Adrift in Tokyo (directed by Satoshi Miki) follows a lazy student, Fumiya (played by Joe Odagiri), who owes a lot of money to loan sharks. One day, a man named Aiichiro (played by Tomokazu Miura) comes to collect and of course, Fumiya cannot pay.Fortunately, Aiichiro agrees to consider the debt paid if in return, Fumiya accompanies him on a walk across Tokyo.The film is wonderful for Japanese language learners who want an example of conversational Japanese thats easy to follow. Its a beautifully written film that encapsulates the spirit of Japanese customs and traditions as well as the darker side of Japanese society.It takes audiences across Tokyo, giving audiences a fantastic look at life throughout the city. So if youve ever wanted to visit Japan but could never find the time or money, Adrift in Tokyo would be a great place to start.?? (Myeongryang) (The Admiral: Roaring Currents)Language: KoreanYear: 2014In 1597, a battle took place between Japan and the island of Jindo, in the Myeongnyang Strait. On one side was a Japanese fleet of more than 300 ships to support their invasion of Korea.Against them was Korean admiral, Yi Sun-sin (played by Choi Min-Sik), with a fleet of just 13 ships. The Admiral: Roaring Currents (directed by Kim Han-min) tells the story of that battle and the admirals  brilliant defeat of the Japanese navy.Its an incredible bit of Korean history and will only help to shed more light on the historic relationship between Japan and Korea. Of course, the language will be slightly different from modern-day conversations in Korean, which makes it better for Korean language learners who want a film free of colloquialisms.Now, Start Watching the Best Foreign Films!These are some of the best foreign films to help you learn mor e about different cultures and languages. So get to watching!But remember what weve said about taking these depictions at face value: Dont do it. As long as you do that, youll be fine and youll walk away with a sense of what you can expect when you actually visit that foreign country youve been meaning to travel to.Because in the end, theres no better way to learn about a culture or language than actually visiting the countries in person and seeing for yourself.