Learn a New Skill this Summer for Free!!

According to the countdown clock on the right, you have about 70 days and none hours of summer left. Why not spend some of that time learning a new skill, something you enjoy, could use, and will help you as you get older.  I have a few suggestions for you with some websites to learn your skill. It's all free, and you really have no excuse to ever say you're bored.  There's tons of things to do and learn; here's a few:

Learn A New Language  

You probably won't be speaking fluently after this summer, but here's a few sites that will get you on your way.  You can learn in the privacy of your own home without the embarrassment of saying a word completely wrong. Go at your own pace, hear the word, then say it. Buona fortuna!

BBC Languages 

Great beginner's courses for French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and others. Many users say they love the site.

LiveMocha

Log in with your Facebook account and dive right in.  Lots of different languages to choose from and real people from around the world trying to learn the same language as your choice. Practice with them if you like!

Babbel

Another popular site. Has a greater number of languages to choose from, but pretty much the same concept as the others.

Skritter

Finally, there's Skritter. This site is a bit different in that it will help you learn to write Chinese or Japanese characters. You might not remember what they mean, but you'll be able to impress your friends!

There are many more sites to learn a foreign language, but these are free and easy to set up and get started.

Learn How to Tie Knots

Knowing how to tie a few basic knots won't make you a lot of money, but the skill will come in handy whether you're on a boat, preparing for a typhoon, towing a car, and many other times.  Watch and learn!

I Will Knot!

Videos for every type of knot...and there's a lot! All you need is a piece of rope or string. Worth a few minutes of your time.

Animated Knots

Wow!! Plenty Knots!!  Step by step video instruction.  Get your Knot on!

 

20-20 Site

This site has many how-to categories, knots is one of them.  They do a good job explaining, and they also have some knots the others do not.

Tie a Tie

You know, the kind that goes on a shirt.  Learn how to do it, and you're ready for that special occasion.

Learn to Touch Type

Nothing, I mean nothing, will save you more time in school than learning how to touch type. I'm talking about keeping your hands still, looking straight ahead, memorize the keys, touch typing.  By the way, this is a major part of your 8th grade computer class. Here's some free sites to make it happen:

Peter's Online Typing Course

Simple, but I like this one. Starts at the beginning and takes you through all the keys and all the fingers.

 

  

Typing Test

Best for figuring out your true WPM (Words per Minute).  After a few lessons at Peter's, head over to typing test to check your speed.  Keep your hands still, do not move them around!!!

Keyboarding Games and Exercises

Have some fun while you learn.  Head over to this site and save the Universe as you shoot down letters and numbers from the keyboard.  Good Luck, our lives depend on you!!




Learn How to Bake Bread

Do you know how easy, how much cheaper, and how much better home made bread tastes??

Flour, Salt, Yeast, and Water, that's all folks! Try it, you'll love eating the bread you made yourself.  Here's some sites with basic bread recipes:

Click here, or here,  or here,  or here.  Actually, check out all the links, then decide.

 

These are just a few things you can do to learn a new helpful skill and have some fun along the way.  It's impossible to be bored!!

Enjoy the summer.

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