The Best Way to Learn Portuguese

Have you ever wanted to learn a new foreign language? Did you consider attending a professional and certified Portuguese course? If so, then here are some of the things that you need to know about this language, the beautiful country it comes from and how to learn to speak like the Portuguese in no time. Officially called the Portuguese Republic, this country has a vast history and has played a tremendous role in the colonization of the American continents, especially on the south of the Equator. Its language is spoken in many countries across the globe, including, but not stopping at : Mozambique, Brazil, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau and Angola, which have all adopted it as the sole official language. Although it is so popular, make no mistake, Portuguese can be a difficult and complex topic to study, but if you have the right guidance, it can become one of the easiest things you have ever learned. In the opinion of experts, if you really want to learn to speak Portuguese, then you must start a dedicated course that provides you with all of the essential materials and feedback you need.

Although self learning is important and many people boast with achieving great success when they attempted unusual or creative methods of learning, in the case of taking on a new foreign language things will always be the same. The classical recipe of learning a foreign language involves a fine balance between grammar and vocabulary, reading and listening, writing and speaking. In the case of Portuguese and its dialects, a strong emphasis must be put on the audio courses because they help define your accent and improve your speech.

The number one concern that people have is where to find a good quality course that is also within their budget and can fit into the already busy daily schedule that most of us have. In order to assist all of the persons in this situation, a number of online platforms are beginning to offer free Portuguese lessons on the web to anyone who is interested in them. Be careful, though, because there are many websites out there that promise more than they have to offer. In order to truly set apart the professional learning platforms from the amateur ones, one must first take a look at what that particular website has to offer to its users. Any decent platform must contain a large number of lessons and different categories for each type of them. In addition, if a particular website is solely dedicated towards the Portuguese language, then it is likely that the content and courses you will find on it are appropriate and useful. Furthermore, if you see a category for vocabulary of phrases, then your searches can stop because it is clear that you have found a great learning website.

Another section you have to be on the lookout for is the one dedicated to quizzes, which will come in handy whenever you plan on testing the knowledge you have accumulated up to that point. Last, but not least, the best way to learn to speak Portuguese is by listening to it, so turn your attention towards those platforms that provide a multitude of audio books or lessons. The language has a particular set of pronunciation and diction rules, so listen carefully and you will understand exactly how to speak like a true resident of the Portuguese Republic.

Learning Hiragana, A Short Introduction

Hiragana, the Japanese syllabus.

Make sure you learn Hiragana before attempting to go any further in your Japanese study. Hiragana is the basic building block that the rest of the journey to fluent Japanese will build upon! It is akin to learning the alphabets in the English language. Work hard and memorise them before moving on.

Basic Hiragana

Basic hiragana is made up of 46 characters with different sounds, pretty much like the alphabets in the English language.

I found that it is easier to break the Hiragana chart into smaller bits while learning, focusing on each of the small bits each day. Here's how I memorised it ;

Grab a generic hiragana chart by doing a quick search online.

Start from the 1st row with the basic vowels (a), (i), (u), (e), (o)

Work your way down the rows. I started out by memorising just 3 rows per day, and it was done in a week!

Focus on learning the correct pronunciation.

The pronunciation of Hiragana is important as Hiragana will be used to form words in the Japanese language. Therefore, master the correct pronunciation to avoid sounding like a gaijin (foreigner)!

To determine the pronunciation of the Hiragana, refer back to the Hiragana chart. Combine the alphabet on the left column (k, g, s, t, etc) with that on the top row (a, i, u, e, o). However, the pronunciation for certain characters do not follow the regular match up. For example, the pronunciation of 'CHI' (rather than 'TI'). These special characters usually have their pronunciation indicated on the Hiragana chart.

Alternatively, you can use Google Translate, or search the interweb to listen to the native pronunciation!

Additional Hiragana

Combinations

Additional Hiragana builds on the basic characters we have memorised previously. By adding two lines or a circle, we get more characters!

The g- characters involve adding two lines at the top right corner of the k- characters.

The z- characters involve adding two lines at the top right corner of the s- characters.

The d- characters involve adding two lines at the top right corner of the t- characters.

The b- characters involve adding two lines at the top right corner of the h- characters.

The p- characters involve adding a circle at the top right corner of the h- characters.

More combinations

The (i) characters can be combined with the (ya), (yu), (yo) characters for more combinations. The three characters are usually added to the bottom right of the (i) character.

And that's all for Hiragana! at least for now!

Geography in Today's World

Geography has been something of an enigma to much of the world, ubiquitous and yet rarely understood in its complexity. It is woeful that this fundamental subject to humans is not exactly the choice of fields. In today's age of instantaneous gratification by technology and search engines, the phenomenon of the annihilation of distance is ever the more creeping up on us. This death of geography implies that the world is so interconnected and integrated that differences in ways of life between geographical boundaries is increasingly blurred. The pertinent question, then, is whether Geography is still worth poring over given its decreasing appeal to many.

I believe that Geography will always be a vital aspect of knowledge that will do justice to the intricacies and nuances of the wonder that is the world. I feel that it would be incredibly dull doing any other subject whose specific topic of study neglects to account for variations in our world. Our planet today is evolving in ways historians have not been able to postulate. It prevents an overly simplistic mind from looking at things in a stereotypical view without evaluating the subtle deviations in between. The beauty of it lies in its innate dynamism which renders it as ever-changing and an area of interest which fails to become obsolete. Even more, the subject encompasses virtually all aspects of the physical and human environment we could possibly analyse, giving us a plethora of knowledge superior to many other fields. While the skill of solving mathematical equations remains fixed and specific, the skill of a geographer goes beyond that to a diverse set from interpretation to judgment.

Imminent changes in our world, all the more, call for strong application of geographical concepts. The apparent homogenization of culture preceding the concept of " Mcdonaldization " in the world over demands to be examined carefully by the conscientious and discerning mind, rather than dismissed casually as a given trend. The alleged political hegemony of China over Asia and now even the USA, especially where economic transactions are involved, are most closely linked to varying circumstances of each country. An understanding of cultural geography for instance would help to account for such significant alterations to the power imbalances of countries. Contrary to being inapplicable, this subject is most germane to civilization.

Geography to me is food for the soul. An awareness of cultural differences and environmental conditions globally will help us attain an international view, that of the new " global citizen ". It is fundamental for a cultured, well-mannered society who can get along harmoniously. By fostering understanding of various practices, we learn to adopt a plethora of perspectives in relation to the same thing. The mind develops critical thinking skills to accommodate more than one's inherent point of view. In other words, the subject might work to reduce the extent of narcissism and individualism today to contribute to a well-rounded society that never fails to consider the well-being of others.

Increasing Popularity of Animation

Animation is a challenging method of creating a series of static images that minimally differ from each other.

From previous times to this new generation, animation has always been an important part of television. Remember your favorite cartoon shows of childhood. The skill of animation was something that drove you towards them. Animation has now become an important part of our lives. From kids to budding youngsters, you can see everyone enjoying animated cartoons and movies, as they are funny and entertaining.

Animation in games is an interesting topic to discuss. Do you remember the computer games that you played in your childhood? Earlier were the days of black and white video games. Yet, the moving sequence of images and the cool characters was something very new and interesting. The fact that we are the ones who are going to control the character was something that was very cool and exciting. The next era was that of computer games. These games were just simple pixels with black and white colors. Then came the colored versions. Later on, some efforts were made to introduce some realistic images into these games. Today, video games is something that has taken the world by storm. With the introduction of computer graphics, 2D, 3D and some realistic animated characters, gaming has not just remained a time-killing activity but a different world in itself. Many youngsters are today planning to pursue a career in gaming. Animation has played an important role in this transformation.

Animation industry is now witnessing a drastic change due to the rapid rise of graphics processing power. There are many players in this industry who have changed the face of animation. Thus, Animation has now opened a new door for creative budding youngsters to pursue their careers. They are various institutes who are coming up with some exciting animation courses. However, if you are planning to pursue a career in animation you are advised to pursue it from a reputed institute. The advantages of pursuing a career from a reputed institute are :

You will get to learn animation from faculty who have a thorough experience of the animation industry

You will learn about all the latest software and tools that are used in animation

Reputed institutes have tie-ups with renowned companies throughout the world, further increasing exposure to the right people

With all these characteristics, animation seems to be a career option with a tremendous scope in it. From the looks of the game to its graphics, structure of building, costume, lighting, etc. it seems to cover everything.

Even if a movie or a game has a great story or unique characters, it is animation that adds a sense of realism to the game. If you ever study the role of animator behind a movie or a game, you'll be surprised to see his efforts of constantly striving to add liveliness to their characters.

There is a lot that goes behind even a simple animation. Animation is an industry of the future and now is the right time to explore this field.

Professional Driving Lessons - Behind the Wheel Driving

Getting behind the wheel and taking a drive is one of the most refreshing accomplishments of the modern day life. It grants one a taste of freedom and a feel of confidence to explore and tour the world and discover at one's will. However, it is an undertaking that bears a great responsibility on the side of the driver, and getting professional driving lessons is a major step in sealing this accomplishment.

As much as behind the wheel driving is an enjoyable experience, it is a task that requires a high level of discipline from all users. Once a person gets behind the wheel to take a drive, it literally becomes a matter of life and death. This is especially so as a slight error may lead to an accident resulting in life-long injuries and even worse, fatalities. It is therefore of great importance for one to undertake driving lessons that are offered professionally.

Professional driving lessons equips the driver with the necessary skills to safeguard his life and the lives of other road users effortlessly. It grants one the right attitude to handle different situations that arise on the road every other time that the driver gets behind the wheel. Having the right attitude while on the road is a trait that every driver ought to nurture in the long run. This is due to the fact that driving requires one to have much patience, as well as develop a high degree of understanding of others, and tolerance. It is important for one to acknowledge the fact that, the road is a public utility, and once in a while, you are bound to bump into a rogue driver who gives no regard to the drivers' and highway code. As such, it is best for one to remain professional, and keep a clean record of their driving career.

Over time, one may feel the urge to hone their skill the more and remind themselves the codes and practices of good driving. As such, it is best for one to consider going back to a professional driving school and have their driving skill better streamlined. It additionally serves to increase their confidence while on the road, as well as ensure safety for all road users. Having a larger number of drivers, who adhere to set road regulations, is a major step in safeguarding life and making driving a much enjoyable and lasting experience.

Factors Influencing the actual Quality Of Education

The quality of education is variable from country to country. It depends upon several factors such as the historical background, political conditions, status of economic development, cultural factors, etc. Some backward countries of the world have been hiring the qualified and skilled teachers from other developed countries to enhance the quality of education. For instance, the teachers from many developed economies do serve and thus impart a better quality of education in the educational institutes of several poor countries of the world. The economically backward nations have also been taking assistance from the united nations organisation to improve the quality of human resource in their countries.

There are also educational exchange programmes among the countries of the world. Such interactions among the educators of the world are meant to improve the standards of education.

The more the economic development of any nation, the better the quality of education. Most of the developed nations do allocate higher amounts of their budgets for the development of education. Hence, such countries do have superior infrastructure, highly qualified teachers, better management methods, etc. The quality of human resources does determine the destiny of any nation.

Some countries of the world do lag behind in imparting high quality education due to several reasons such as : the lower amounts allocated for the educational development, corruption in implementing education development programmes, lack of political will, ignorance among the implementing authorities, lack of professionalism among the teachers, poor quality of the infrastructure, lack of accountability among the educators, etc.

In most of the poor nations of the world for instance, the higher educational authorities do not show much sincerity for the development of educational quality.

For some of the private educational institutes in many countries of the world, the imparting of education is a business. In other words, such firms are concerned more about the profits rather than improving the quality of education!.

Still in other countries, the teaching profession has become just an another money earning occupation. The teachers themselves in such countries do not get satisfactory training and other skills required to become a true teacher.

The countries which are free of political and bureaucratic corruption such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, etc seem to have achieved a considerable success in imparting higher quality of education.

The developments in science and technology are responsible for increased awareness among the teaching community in the backward nations, about the teaching skills.

Countries of the world have been striving very hard to enhance the quality of education. There has been a competition among the private educational institutes to attract the students.

Expert Advice On How To Homeschool Your Child

Private schools are getting ever more expensive, but what can we do instead? Homeschooling is one option. The decision to remove your child from a formalized learning environment is not one to ever be taken lightly. Read on for some insight and advice that can help you decide whether you want to homeschool your child.

Homeschooling doesn't mean you have to be their only teacher. Involve other experts, be it the Baker at the local bakery or your nearby librarian. Family members and friends can step in and help, too. The more teachers you provide, the broader the knowledge base your children will end up with.

Find out what your state has in place as far as homeschooling regulations. Some states have very strict rules with many hoops you have to jump through, so you must find out what your state requires of you before you get started. Some states are more lax, so start researching today!

Find an ideal spot at home for your school work space. You will need a place that your child is comfortable in, but is not filled with distractions. Your child should have enough room to act, dance, do some arts and crafts, relax and of course read and write. You should also have the ability to check on them at all times in the area.

Can you afford to quit your job and homeschool? Have you created a budget to find out? Draft a budget of your current income and expenditures. Now, remove the income of the person who will be staying home. Also, include the cost of supplies, such as lesson materials, writing equipment, paper, etc. Can you afford it now?

Don't forget the 'social' side of school. A child gains much more from school than simply academics. Make sure that your child is involved in activities that a school offers such as sports and music. This can be achieved by meeting other homeschool parents and organizing extra curricular activities at the end of the school day or the weekend.

If you have kids in the home that are not yet school age, spend some quality time with them prior to starting the day's lessons with the older kids. If they can get their fill of attention time before you get busy with the older kids, they are likely going to be able to entertain themselves while you work.

Determine which approach to homeschooling you will follow. You may decide to follow a traditional curriculum, setting up a " classroom "  within your home. On the other hand, you might decide to " unschool, "  allowing your kids to play a large role in defining their educations. Take your kids' learning styles and personalities into consideration when choosing an approach.

Be sure that you learn what your state's requirements are in regard to homeschooling. This will ensures you to remain in compliance in the grade level that you are teaching and fulfill the number of hours that you must teach. When you are not in compliance, you risk your child's ability to get accepted into college.

The goal of homeschooling is to instill knowledge in your child or teen, but it should also be viewed as something more. You have a rare opportunity to use learning as a means of bonding and interacting with each other in a way most parents never get. Highlight the student's accomplishments in your " classroom " just as you would for those earned in a traditional learning environment.

Getting the best education for your child can feel daunting. Public and even private schools may not give your kids what they need. After reading this article, however, you can create an educational plan and carry it out. Just remember the advice you read here. It is also very important that you learn everything you can about homeschooling.

A Typical Day for any Dental Hygienist

There are so many wonderful medical jobs, and among the best are those in the dental field. Becoming a dental assistant might be appealing because the schooling doesn't take long and the pay is good ; however, a dental hygienist only has to attend school for a year longer and the pay is almost twice that of a dental assistant. The hours a dental hygienist works are usually flexible. Here is what you can expect from your daily work as a dental hygienist :

See Patients for Cleanings

The primary function of a dental hygienist is to provide dental cleanings. This is usually done prior to a scheduled dental exam with the dentist, but it doesn't have to be. During a cleaning, a hygienist will scrape away plaque and other deposits that are on the teeth. They may also floss the teeth during this type of appointment.

Check for Diseases

Dental hygienists help dentists in identifying gum diseases and other problems in the mouth. During a cleaning, a hygienist may take note of serious problems and notify the dentist prior to an examination.

Prepare Patients for Dental Examination

More and more, hygienists are doing the preparatory work for visits for the dentist. In addition to cleaning the teeth, a hygienist may also take X-rays of the teeth. This will allow the dentist to see where cavities and cracks are, and it will save time for the dentist.

Assist Dentists During Surgeries and Exams

Although dental assistants are usually the helping hands during surgeries and exams, sometimes the hygienist will be asked to help. Most dental hygienists are trained in the basics of dental assisting and may be required to help in that capacity when a dental office they are working in is short staffed.

What is Required in Dental Hygienist Training?

Most dental hygienist training programs are two years. There are expedited programs out there. If you want to work with a particular dentist or clinic in town, you may want to ask for a recommendation on the school or schools they like to hire people from. This will show your interest in working for them, and it will help you land a job later on.

If you are looking to take a journey on a different career path, look at schools that offer dental hygiene before you consider dental assisting. The difference is more pay and a better position in the dental field.

Using Astrology For Predictions

Using astrology for predictions is a practice that has been around for years - centuries in fact. There are many tools that psychics use to look into the future, astrology being just one them. Can astrology offer you something the other skills and practices cannot? Many people think it does as it offers a unique snapshot for that one person ; rarely are two people astrology charts identical.

What is involved in using astrology for predictions?

The planets are not still ; stars come and go, the universe lives and breathes, ebbing and flowing and these paths, or transits as they are known, affect us. Some will challenge us in our lives, some transits force us into states of change, as well bringing great joy and sorrow.

Predicting and casting where these transits will be, is a way of planning for less enjoyable times in our lives as well as looking forward to new opportunities. Taking note of these transits will see an astrologer identify trigger points...

And so, in using astrology for predictions, the outer planets are 'read' first...

The outer plants have a slower moving path and can give the astrologer a sense of where a 'person is at' in the time of their life. They will identify the position of Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, as well as other planets in relation to the person's 'house'.

Looking at these outer layer, give a broad overview and a sense of context for the more detailed information that will be gleaned from the inner planets. These outer planets coming close or into a certain house will sow the seeds of either happiness or conflict, the details of which are contained within the inner transit.

This outer layer affects us greatly. Using astrology for predictions relies heavily on the information given by this outer layer, with many people reporting a great sense of relief when transits move away from houses ; resolutions seem imminent and for those experiencing negative difficulties feel a sense of release.

Using astrology for predictions looks at the inner layer of planets

There is so much more information available to the astrologer from reading the activity of the inner planets. Mars has a strong impact, known as the '2 year Mars Cycle'. Mars is the bearer of personal energy ; as it approaches your house and your mars, your energy increases but as it detracts away, your energy levels fall.

This inner transit can have a massive impact on someone's life. Using astrology for predictions can give someone an accurate picture of when life will seemingly 'pick up', leaving behind negativity and stress. Many people seeking help of this kind do so at a time in which they feel it is a time to change.

When change is on the horizon, people need energy and keeping an eye on where Mars is in relation to your chart is one way of predicting when this wave of positivity will start to make an impact.

Many people feel comfortable using astrology for predictions within their life and sphere, relying less maybe on the unexplainable psychic powers of a medium but feeling that there is skills and ability involved.

Successes and Failures of the Great Inventor

Thomas Edison was almost certainly most prolific inventor of all time. He is best remembered for three inventions : the incandescent lamp, the Kinetoscope (peep-show ancestor of the cinema) and the phonograph. But in a long life, lasting from 1847 to 1931, he patented more than 1300 inventions in the United States and abroad. At the height of his powers, in the 1880s, he was filing a patent every five days on average.

Needless to say, not all his ideas were successful. His first patented invention, devised in 1868, was an electric system to speed up the cumbersome process of recording votes in the United States Congress. Each Congressman was to be provided with 'yes' and 'no' button linked to an automatic central display. This eminently sensible system worked - but Congress was hostile to the innovation and declined to buy it.

Word power

One of Edison's most bizarre ideas was the phonomotor, a spin-off from his famous phonograph. This 'vocal engine' attempted to harness the energy of sound vibrations from the human voice to drive machinery. Thus a sewing machine would be powered, not by a pedal or electricity, but by the seamstress talking in a loud voice. However, the device proved impractical.

Also related to the phonograph were the talking dolls made in the 1880s. Each tin doll contained a small phonograph cylinder with a recording of a nursery rhyme or other text, operated by turning a key.

When Edison focused his attention on the building industry in 1908, he was, as usual, startlingly innovative. He proposed replacing slum tenements with cheap new housing using concrete. Each house would be made in one piece, by simply pouring concrete into an iron mould - the whole process taking only three hours. Edison's proposal was much ridiculed, but he proved it actually could be done by casting a concrete house himself. While the use of concrete in buildings continued to increase throughout the early 20th century, Edison's single mould houses did not catch on.

His curiosity stretched beyond the bounds of the material world. In his later years, spurred on by the millions who had lost relations in the First World War, he applied his skills to attempts to contact the dead. Skeptical of Ouija boards (a board on which are marked the letters of the alphabet. Answers to questions are spelt out by a pointer or glass held by the fingertips of the participants, and are supposedly formed by spiritual forces) and other standard spiritualist equipment, he sought to invent a machine to amplify whatever weak vibrations might emanate from beyond the grave. Unfortunately, this last quest of the great inventor's lifetime proved a failure.

Factors Influencing the particular Quality Of Education

The quality of education is variable from country to country. It depends upon several factors such as the historical background, political conditions, status of economic development, cultural factors, etc. Some backward countries of the world have been hiring the qualified and skilled teachers from other developed countries to enhance the quality of education. For instance, the teachers from many developed economies do serve and thus impart a better quality of education in the educational institutes of several poor countries of the world. The economically backward nations have also been taking assistance from the united nations organisation to improve the quality of human resource in their countries.

There are also educational exchange programmes among the countries of the world. Such interactions among the educators of the world are meant to improve the standards of education.

The more the economic development of any nation, the better the quality of education. Most of the developed nations do allocate higher amounts of their budgets for the development of education. Hence, such countries do have superior infrastructure, highly qualified teachers, better management methods, etc. The quality of human resources does determine the destiny of any nation.

Some countries of the world do lag behind in imparting high quality education due to several reasons such as : the lower amounts allocated for the educational development, corruption in implementing education development programmes, lack of political will, ignorance among the implementing authorities, lack of professionalism among the teachers, poor quality of the infrastructure, lack of accountability among the educators, etc.

In most of the poor nations of the world for instance, the higher educational authorities do not show much sincerity for the development of educational quality.

For some of the private educational institutes in many countries of the world, the imparting of education is a business. In other words, such firms are concerned more about the profits rather than improving the quality of education!.

Still in other countries, the teaching profession has become just an another money earning occupation. The teachers themselves in such countries do not get satisfactory training and other skills required to become a true teacher.

The countries which are free of political and bureaucratic corruption such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, etc seem to have achieved a considerable success in imparting higher quality of education.

The developments in science and technology are responsible for increased awareness among the teaching community in the backward nations, about the teaching skills.

Countries of the world have been striving very hard to enhance the quality of education. There has been a competition among the private educational institutes to attract the students.

How the Science Fair Can Enhance a Child's Learning Experience

Hypothesis, discovery and research - three ideologies important for kids to learn in science. One of the best place to learn these lessons? The Science Fair!

Entering a project at the Science Fair takes planning and should enhance a child's imagination at the same time. Once you get a kid hooked on this type of scientific learning, you will see creative juices flow and a more objective and clear-headed child emerge.

Teachers and parents have perfectly sound reasons for wanting kids to enter a Science Fair - gaining logical skills is at the heart of this education but, what makes a youngster want to create a project?

First and foremost, the project should not seem like drudgery but, instead, science should seem like fun! Short attention spans are part of a kids' DNA so let the child's creative juices flow with these ideas for creating a memorable Science Fair Project.

What get's a student's attention? Is it something newsworthy, funny or could it be the trophy at the end of the competition? If your child is the Drew Carey of the household, let those types of topics flow - scientifically of course! If your kid is a techie, perhaps something in the field of Robotics! HEre are a few suggestions from previous science fair entries :

" Robots to the Rescue! Build & Test a Search-and-Rescue Robot "
For the Future Chef - " When Science is Sweet : Growing Rock Candy Crystals "
For kids who love animals - " When Science is Sweet : Growing Rock Candy Crystals "

Identifying where a kid's enthusiasm bubbles is where you should always begin the journey.

What happens if kids just aren't embracing entering the Science Fair? Not everyone is an Einstein so here are a few " motivators ".

Some kids are motivated by more daily enjoyment, perhaps a possible mention in the school paper or the ability to let the child choose from a variety of topics that they create. Allowing a bit of freedom to direct their own learning may enhance the student's creativity as well as helping the student to learn their strengths.

Does the reward at the end of the journey mean more to your child than the project? Let kids know that there are trophies and medals awarded to not only the winner but to those students who are in 2nd and 3rd place. Some kids like the bling of the trophy and the ability to show it around to friends - holding an award also gives students the feeling of accomplishment - letting them know that the can win may get interest peaked.

It is important not to allow kids to stress over the Science Fair - the work can be done over several months and even as a team. A group of kids working together can create a wonderful result as well as form a bond which can last a lifetime.

While it's true the top prizes go to a handful of students, science fair trophies and medals can and should be distributed to many participants. In fact, students report that getting awards simply for participation still gives them an intense sense of achievement.

When your children or students put extra work into a science fair project, show them that science professionals, teachers, parents and more appreciate it the effort.

Why You May Need English On The Job

Students preparing for Trinity exams should take extra time to prepare for all types of questions. Is it worth spending additional time to study for a Trinity exam? In today's economy and job market, knowing how to speak English may be an important and critical job asset. This is especially true if students want to work overseas in International business. Students may find it difficult to excel in today's job market if they find themselves incapable of communicating effectively with potential clients.

What tricks can students use to improve their speech and also increase their skills, while preparing fora Trinity exam? Is it important to study the semantics of the language? Studying the semantics isn't just a study of the origins of the language, it is important for students who want to improve their overall skills.

IELTS tests help students organize their thoughts and become better communicators

Students who have to take these tests may feel uncomfortable if they have to complete a written test. However, students who have difficulty with written tests shouldn't panic. Hiring a professional tutor or going on a refresher course can help students perform better at their IELTS test. Having good organizational skills can help a student improve their career prospects and open the door for career advances. This is why doing well on these exams is not just about exam scores or bars on IELTS testing.

Taking written essay questions in exams, allows students to improve their speech. This is important when students enter the business industry. Speech is more than just improving vocal communications. It is also learning the nuances of the language. Knowing sentence structure and forming proper sentences, can help a student to achieve a job raise once they land the career in their chosen field.

Trinity testing prepares students to be Successful

Good English skills, can translate into bigger job raises, more financial stability, and also greater overall success. This will open the door for students to pursue and obtain management positions. However, it takes more than book learning. Tests give students a drive and determination to get where they want to be in their career and also in their life.

Some people do not realize that doing these exams are not just a reflection of current skills and current goals in their life. These exams are also an indication of the future goals that a student may be capable of, following an IELTS exam. Testing may help a student discover his/her career path. However, can students afford to take this testing? The bigger question students should be asking is how can they afford not to take this type of testing? While this type of testing may cost students, this is a cost that is well worth the price because it offers students intangible value. This is why the real price of IELTS testing and also a Trinity exam is hard to measure.

Things You Should Know to Become a Chemical Engineer

Chemical engineering is a field for those, who love the idea of mixing different chemical components to come up with new and useful scientific formulas. This arm of engineering deals with the usage of chemicals, energy and their usage for different industrial processes. As the name suggests, it does not only deal with the core principles of biotechnology but also involve the study of design, manufacturing and operations of plants and machinery used in industrial chemical processes. Besides biotechnology, medicine and food processing, it is also applied in industries like electronics, polymers and environmental health & safety. If the idea of working in any of these fields lure you, chemical engineering is the course you should opt for.

Try to Know all About The Course

To go ahead with this, you first need to know about the future prospects associated with this course. You even need to be aware of the reputed companies operating in this field along with the cities that house maximum number of biotechnology companies. This little information can help you decide whether you should go ahead with your decision of opting for this course or not. Once you complete the research part, you can move ahead with registering yourself for engineering entrances in reputed institutions. As different institutes have their own procedures, you need to check with all of them to go ahead with the admission process.

Are You Eligible?

To be eligible to appear for these entrance exams, you should have appeared for your 10+2 examination with mathematics, chemistry and physics. Once you are clear with the eligibility criteria, you can either choose to pursue diploma or the degree course. If you wish to specialize in this field and are considering the long-term prospects, opting for a degree course would be a wise decision.

Research About the Scope of Chemical Engineering

Coming to the scope of this course, it would be justified saying that it lets you work for various sectors. It is one of the broadest engineering streams and is coveted in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, design and construction, pulp and paper, food processing, electronics, polymers, and environmental & safety sectors. A chemical engineer can be hired in any of these industries for designing and enhancement of chemical processes. They are also involved in the extraction of chemicals out of waste materials and conversion of raw materials into chemicals. Besides, they play a vital role in health and environment safety sectors. They are the people who come up with innovative ideas and processes to maintain the safety of nature. These engineers also help in processes like water & waste treatment and energy conservation. Owing to their suitability for all these tasks, these professionals are highly coveted in both private and public sector organizations. Thus, for all the students who have made their minds to specialize in this stream, there is a lot to explore. As per their interests and skill set, they can choose to work with different industries.

Psychic Readings - How to Choose the actual Best Type for You

You have a lot of choices when deciding to get a psychic reading, and it isn't always easy to choose which type of psychic reading is the right one for you. The type of reading you pick depends upon what you want to get out of your reading, how simple or complex your questions are, and how quickly you need your answers.

When most people think of getting a reading, they envision sitting down face to face with a psychic or medium. Which is why you might be surprised to learn that some psychics also offer readings by phone and by email.

Psychic Mediums are blessed with the gift of connecting you with the energy of your loved ones in Spirit and communicating their messages of love and support to you. They also share Divine Guidance in response to your questions concerning your future path, including your relationships, your career, your health, your finances, or any area of your life that you seek spiritual guidance about.

The wonderful part of this process, is that the Divine energy they connect with, the Divine energy that you are made of, has no limits. It doesn't matter whether you are sitting in an office with a psychic, speaking on the phone with one from the other side of the country, or writing your questions to one through email from anywhere on the planet, a true psychic is able to connect with Spirit, with you, and with your loved ones who have passed, and share with you the messages and insights they receive.

In person readings are great if you live close to a psychic and are able to meet in person. They allow you to be more interactive during the reading and let you connect on a more personal level than other types of readings. You can ask questions and explore areas in greater depth.

You might choose to have your psychic reading by phone - even local clients sometimes choose phone readings - because it is simpler and more convenient than getting yourself dressed and ready and driving to an appointment across town. And while you and the psychic are not physically with each other during a phone reading, the connections and messages they share with you are the same.

Email psychic readings are a good choice if you have a few simple questions that you need answered. One of the benefits of getting your reading through email is that you can order any time of the day or night. But email readings can be slow. It takes time to write back and forth. If you need a reading sooner than that, you are better off with either an in person or phone reading, both of which can often be booked for the next day with most psychics.

Whichever type of reading you choose, rest assured that a good psychic will share all messages they receive from Spirit with compassion and empathy, giving you validation and confirmation that your loved ones are still with you, loving and supporting you.

The Purpose of an Oil and Gas Well Casing

When oil is to be extracted from the earth, wells are required. The act of well drilling, however, will only take place on a site that has been selected as a location for oil. Geologists who specialize in this field often use a seismograph, as well as other types of equipment, to determine the geological structure of the ground being investigated.

A well that is drilled in the correct location will then be used for production. However, certain things need to be done in order to ensure that the well does not collapse. A well on its own, even though it may have been cut through rock or other sturdy material, will not be strong enough. A well casing is therefore used to support the sides of the hole. Casings can be compared to the spine of a human. Just as the spine protects the spinal cord, a casing provides support to a well.

Quite a complex process is used to case a well, but those experienced are capable of completing the task in a short period of time. Tubing, or pipes made of steel, will be placed alongside the inside walls of the well. The pipes that are used are fastened to the well with cement. Cement will fill the gaps between the tubing and the walls of the well.

The type of casing used will mainly depend upon the structure and depth of the well. A simple metal pipe that stretches from the top to the bottom of the hole may be adequately used for smaller wells, however, most wells need more complicated casings for better support. Wells considered as particularly unstable, or those that may have pressure problems, will require many pipes of different widths. The pipes at the bottom are narrower than those at the top.

Since there are pipes of different diameters, there are multiple sections within a single casing. These sections can also be referred to as joints, and each is often about forty feet in length. The pipes that are all screwed together form what is known as a casing string.

The pipes within the casing string are able to fit together tightly because they have male and female threads that interlock. A thread protector is also another part of the casing pipes, and it serves the purpose of protecting the male threads. To ensure that the threads are well secured, a thread compound is used.

A well casing will begin at the bottom of the bore hole and end at the top, where its entire weight is transferred to casing hangars. The joints are connected one by one, and they get progressively wider as they near the surface. Once the pipes have been put into place, a cement slurry fixes them to the inside wall of the well.

On occasion, a well is not completely drilled at one time. For this kind of well, a casing program is used. Each casing is then set into place before the next section of well is drilled.

Online Medical Technologist Training Programs : Are They For Me?

Medical technology is special in that plenty of programs are in fact readily available via the internet. There are a variety of reasons you may approach the courses on the internet, which is the main topic of this article.

In general, on-line medical technologist schooling programs are appealing for many who will need to work full time as they go to university. Nearby, on-site programs have some advantages, which includes more time invested with hands on learning, however this happens in the daytime. Internet based programs are good for individuals who require a adaptable schedule.

A number of people really don't learn well in a didactic, educational centered environment. Those who study significantly better from reading or internet based discussions will benefit from an online study course.

You will find things that web based programs can't do to suit your needs, however. It is crucial that we do away with a few common myths concerning web-based medical technologist programs. Internet programs typically are not :

Less time consuming in order to complete
Simpler as opposed to classic on-site programs
Generally fully web based (some on-site work may still be needed)
Cheaper
Most programs may take 4 to 5 years to finish. With internet programs, you need to initially complete a Medical Laboratory Technician program (about 2 years) in advance of getting into a Medical Laboratory Technologist program (close to 2 yrs). The Technician program can be finished on the web or on-site.

You need to take into consideration all the facts, plus your requirements ahead of deciding to go with a program. Do not forget to check the details about any web based program and ensure you are aware of whether or not there'll be any on-site responsibilities. It's also important to be certain that you're going through an accredited organization. This means that the accreditation board has considered the program and regarded its curriculum suitable for accreditation, and the program is held in high regard. This ensures that programs are creating high-quality trainees.

Because certain on-site work is necessary (for example laboratories along with real-life experiences) with lots of the internet programs, the distance of the internet based school's offices have to be a factor in the selection process. There's a chance you're in charge of your own travel and hotels, this means you have to always remember that. Luckily, the on-site requirements usually will not be incredibly extensive and the majority of the course load is totally web based.

We hope this clears up some things in relation to internet schooling programs. What's important in picking a program is deciding on the one which you sense is the perfect match for you including your situation.

5 Tips for More Effective Emergency Response

Life-threatening emergencies happen every day. 99% of these emergencies go largely unnoticed by news organizations and the general public. The reason for this is because the responders are well prepared and able to quell any potential tragedy. As a lifeguard, you are bound to experience your fair share of emergency situations and are responsible for being the first to respond to them. The biggest key to a successful response is good preparation. Keep these tips in mind as you are preparing your responses to emergency situations. 

1. Make Sure Your Have Back-Up : Unless you work at a single-guard facility, chances are you will be responsible to watch only a portion of the water at your facility. When emergency strikes while you are on duty, it is your responsibility to ensure you have back-up coverage in your zone. It is common for the other guards on duty to pick up portions of your zone when you have to leave your chair. Another common practice is to have an off-duty guard, take the chair and scan your area. You will also need to be prepared to take over for another lifeguard that leaves their chair for a rescue. Make sure you build good rapport with the other guards and know your facility's Emergency Action Plan (EAP). 
2. Clear the Water : Another possible response to an emergency is to clear the swimming area. If the water is very crowded or the bystanders are put in danger by the emergency, you will want to have everyone evacuated out of the water. This responsibility may fall on the lifeguard who isn't the primary responder. Make sure you communicate with them to inform them if the water needs to be cleared. Another reason to consider clearing the swimming area is if the emergency will require multiple lifeguards to respond. If multiple lifeguards need to assist and there are not enough guards to watch the adjusted zones, you will need to clear the water. 
3. Call for Additional Help : There may be a situation that calls for care that you are not certified to administer. Any time there is a situation that involves a life-threatening emergency, you will need to contact local EMS. You may work at a facility that employs EMS personnel, such as a nurse, and you will want to contact them before dialing 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. If you don't have professional emergency personnel on site, you will need to dial your local emergency number. There should be contact information posted next to every telephone on site with detailed instructions. 
4. Controlling Crowds : When an emergency occurs at crowded facilities, you will need to control the crowds so that you can provide the proper care. An area may need to be roped off or a barrier set up using available chairs. If you sense that you and the other lifeguards alone will not be able to section off an appropriate area, recruit a bystander to help you with controlling the crowd. If your facility has a public address system, make sure to utilize this. In any situation, you will need to speak clearly and firmly to ensure that you get the proper space you will need. Make sure there is a clear path when EMS arrives and keep children and bystanders out of any additional danger. 
5. Evacuation : If you watch the news for 10 minutes every night, you may think that severe weather and violence is becoming more prevalent in society. The truth is that these threats have always been there. Being the lifeguard on duty, you must be ready to respond should one of these emergencies occur. Your facility's EAP should give you detailed instructions on how to respond to these situations. Be prepared to use the predetermined signal to clear the water and instruct patrons to safety whenever these emergencies occur. When it is necessary to evacuate the facility, make sure you are checking all areas for guests and patrons that may be out of plain sight such as in locker rooms or in concession areas. You will want to make sure that local emergency responders are contacted by calling 9-1-1 or dialing your local emergency line. It is important that you not let any guests return to the facility until it is cleared by the local emergency response team. 

When Things Go Wrong in Translation

Translators are humans, just like the next person and this should not be surprising. Every client wants perfection, all the time. And that is fair enough, because after all, that is what they pay you for.

However, it's not just a saying : No one is perfect. Mistakes do and will happen and over the years I have learnt how to deal with the situation when things go wrong. Here are my top tips :

1. Be kind

I know this may sound odd but it's the way forward. Your client may be agitated by finding this mistake in the translation. They may even be angry. They may even shout at you. Do not go to that level, because it helps no one. Be kind. Offer to have a look, work on a solution.

2. Don't get defensive

Someone tells you are wrong and your first reaction is to defend yourself. I tell you don't. There is nothing worse than trying to solve a problem with someone who goes immediately into the defensive mode. Your client will not remember what you said, but how you made him/her feel. So make them feel like they can talk to you.

3. Ask to check the error

Mistakes happen, yet sometimes what the client sees as a mistake is actually correct. You are the expert, that's why they hired you. Check it, provide an explanation, be confident but not cocky.

4. Own up

Once you checked the translation and it was indeed your fault, own up and apologize. Rectify the mistake and thank them for helping you to become even better at the job. This has the most outstanding effect on the majority of people and in my case has been the start of some amazing working relationships.

5. You cannot argue on taste

If your client wants to change something that is right, because he prefers a different version better, then go for it - as long as it is correct. Point out that your version was also correct, but that there are many ways to say the same thing.

6. Don't put yourself down

Just because you made a mistake does not mean you are a bad translator. You are not. I don't know about you, but I have not read a book in recent history in which I did not spot at least a few spelling errors and erratic punctuation. Learn from it, get better and be proud of what you do.

Melanie Martin runs Tailor Made Translation, a UK based translation service provider. We work with small and medium-sized engineering and technology companies who either already export or want to export.

What separates our services from other translation agencies is that we are able to manage the client's entire workflow.

Online Examinations - A Pacing Trend

Nowadays, every other competitive examination or entrance test is being conducted online where candidates are required to attempt it using a computer system backed with internet connectivity. The process sounds half easy from what it actually is. There are still millions of students who don't know even the most primitive of computer operations, let alone giving an examination.

Various reasons attributed to conduction of these examinations online are described in the following article. Also, a brief tutorial summary has been given to those students who don't know the correct method to attempt the online test. This in particular will help the candidates who are attempting Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test and Joint Entrance Examination this year.

The major reason behind online conduction is that several incidents have been reported in the past which involved rigging of the examination centers and bribing of invigilators as well as inspection team. Students have been found carrying unfair means in digital and print form, which resulted in better marks. As a consequence, heavy turnout of candidates in the merit list even after applying higher cutoff marks.

Another reason is that conducting an examination in physical method is an expensive and effort consuming task. Printing of question-papers, answer sheets, optical recognition sheets are a troublesome task because it involves heavy expenses. Also, physical mode of examination demands a lot of efforts in secrecy and safekeeping. The chances of leaking of question paper are alarmingly high in physical mode in comparison to online mode.

Physical question papers are distributed to various exam centers and there's a high possibility of leaking of question paper in the transit. Whereas, online question papers are stored and kept centrally under various passwords and secure gateways. So, it is a little tough to crack all the levels of secure logins and eventually, obtain the paper. Another benefit is that the online question paper is far more easier to maintain and doesn't even require unnecessary costs of printing and delivery.

The process of conducting an online examination has another advantage over physical mode i. e. the evaluation of answer sheets and result becomes easier and quicker. All the correct answers are fed into the centralized software which calculates the marks by matching student's responses. In this way, the results are announced in less than a week in comparison to physical mode where the result declaration can take even a month!

All the students who are giving the online examination this year are advised to read the examination pattern thoroughly beforehand. Also, they must try to solve the mock online tests beforehand which will introduce them to the method of attempting questions and giving answers. Usually, the questions are in the form of multiple choice and candidates will have to mark the correct option using the mouse.

How Mobile Apps Are Helping to Improve the Student;s Experience

How can a mobile app help to improve student experience?

There is an expectation among students that their university will provide them with information using technology they are comfortable with. Combine this with estimates of 62 million smartphones in the UK by 2015, it is clear that the mobile app is a technology most students will be comfortable with and have access to. Importantly, a mobile app is typically an additional service rather than a replacement, as the information available can also be accessed via different methods if needed i. e. via the web or on campus.

Access to information is a big incentive when considering a mobile app. The Open University, recently won The Guardian University Award for its app that enables students to access course information, materials and even text books using their mobile app wherever they are. Other universities such as Manchester Metropolitan University enable their lecturers to provide their students access to teaching material and support resources such as reading lists, online articles, audio and video clips etc using their university mobile app wherever they are.

All university mobile app's provide slightly different core information, but the basics are typically a combination of timetables, campus maps, staff contact details, library search option and event notifications. Each helps the student to find out what they want to know without having to find a PC/laptop or come onto campus, all helping to ensure the student can engage when they want to, where they want to.

A mobile app also opens up extra possibilities for student engagement with universities such as Manchester Metropolitan University enabling students to access chat rooms and discussion boards. Students can therefore continue discussions outside of the teaching room, without having to be on campus. Typically staff are also active in these chat rooms/discussion boards, providing advice and answers to questions. Queens University mobile app NPulse, allows students to ask live questions, hold in-class discussions, record lectures and even rate their classroom experience in real time. Having this type of online live environment, including both staff and students, helps to improve student engagement in and out of the classroom and improve the student experience.

Some universities have added something different, by providing information that isn't necessarily focussed towards their studies, but does still benefit the student experience. Oxford University's, Mobile Oxford, provides information on travel and events within the city, whilst others such as the University of Westminster's iWestminster allows students to find each other using GPS.

Something that has already been touched on (but is worth repeating) is how the information is presented. A mobile app, enables a university to choose what information it displays as well as tailor the design to suit the student. These two aspects are very useful in helping to improve engagement between the university and the student, as only student focused information is made available.

This article has concentrated on current students, but the mobile app can also be useful for attracting prospective students as it provides the opportunity to familiarise with student events and the community prior to becoming a student at the university. In addition to prospective students, it can also be focussed towards alumni to keep them informed of news and events as well as a providing way to keep in touch with each other. A good example of this is Aberystwyth's AberWorld.

Further Comments

There are clearly possible advantages of having a university mobile app, particularly the positive impact it can have on student engagement. Its quite likely that one of the first thoughts is cost - whether this be time or money (or both!). However as highlighted by the Guardian article, the cost and time involved isn't necessarily as great as you may think and the possible advantages are surely worth the time and investment spent.

Do Real Birds Get Angry?

Have you ever been dive-bombed by an angry bird? Were you ever a witness to one bird attacking another? You better believe birds get angry! They become agitated in several different situations, and to diverse degrees ; most notably in defense of their :

· Territory

· Family

· Food source or sources

A tufted titmouse has defined his territory by declaring his claim from the treetops of that area. In doing so, he's attracted the attention of a potential mate. She likes his vocalizations, and the cut of his jib. Then in flies another male tufted titmouse ; this will never do! Our intrepid little friend got there first, and he will dispatch the intruder post haste.

Titmice tend to be quite feisty, even though they are diminutive birds. Our hero has proven his prowess to the female, and in fact has sealed the deal! He has demonstrated to her that their offspring will carry the same traits and be able to take care of themselves when the time comes.

Our happy couple has built a cozy nest, and their clutch of eggs has hatched. Mr. Titmouse stands guard at different points around his territory. He's vigilantly watching for four-footed or winged critters that would dare to approach his family. Any such attacker would be met with the wrath of this warrior male! If loud scolding doesn't do the trick, he will go so far as to peck at them with his beak, snatch at them with his talons, and bang into them with his body, despite the possible danger to himself.

Food sources are guarded like gold bullion. You can imagine how you would feel should someone try to break in and steal the contents of your fridge and pantry. Providing nutrition for a growing family is strong motivation to defend those reserves. The same is true in the animal kingdom. It's hard work finding enough food for a bunch of big, wide open beaks. Tiny birds have such big mouths!

American crows tend to be hot-headed and easily irritated when they perceive possible dangers to their family, province or food supply. Being very large birds, they will not hesitate to attack any would-be interloper. If necessary, they will muster their gang to assist in the assault.

Not all birds react violently when a threat is perceived. Just like humans, they all have distinct personalities as well as differing thresholds of anger responses. Some species are naturally docile and not prone to violence at all. Eastern Bluebirds, for example, will stand by while another bird moves into their bird house and destroys their nest!

So then we need to know why some birds 'back off' and wait until other birds fly away. Or, if two birds of the same species come to the feeder at once, why does one go sit on a perch and let the other one eat its fill before it can dine?

When birds meet, markers visible to them in the ultraviolet light wavelength transmit information letting other birds know who's who, so to speak. These markers define higher-ranking birds, those of other species that are known to be easily riled, more senior aviators, and so on.

Hierarchy isn't just for royalty in the human realm. Class distinction and seniority rule in the bird world as well. Younger birds must wait for older birds ; less intensely-colored birds must yield to those with richer hues, etc. If a bird should attempt to 'buck the system', you can be sure that it will be met with an angry come-uppance from its 'superiors'.

Who would have thought that such avian goings-on occur on a daily basis around the globe. It's tough out there in the wild world of birds. As always, in the natural world it is 'survival of the fittest', and sometimes angriest, that determines the victor.

Why Extracurricular Activities Are an Important Part of Your Child's Education

It is strongly believed, and rightly so, that the most important part of your child's education is getting good grades in maths, English, science and other subjects that they enjoy. Good grades open many doors and are seen as the standard way that children progress onto university and beyond, even leading them to be successful in the career of their choice.

However, it should not be forgotten that extracurricular activities are also an important part of everyone's education. Whilst in the classroom your child might learn algebraic equations or chemical formulae, it is extracurricular activities that add enrichment to your child's education. Universities often give precedence to applicants who have numerous extracurricular activities on their UCAS application and personal statement as well as having the necessary grades to get onto the course of their choice.

Team sports, such as hockey, netball and football for example teach us Parenting. org says that being part of team sports is important because involvement in sports does far more than just keep children busy ; it teaches them three skills essential for success in life.

Goal Setting Sports give children a safe place to set goals and experience the thrill of achieving them. Kids can strive to set personal bests and gain confidence in their abilities. That confidence helps them achieve success in school and in their personal relationships, and help prepare them to find success as adults. Overcoming Adversity As the American football coach Kevin Kush writes in his book, the 100-Yard Classroom, " The greatest gift of sports to its participants is the opportunity to learn how to overcome adversity in a safe and controlled environment. " By encouraging your child to make and keep a commitment to a sports team or other extracurricular school activity, you are teaching him how to overcome adversity, which is critical for success in life. Building Character Michael Jordan once said, " I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. " Not allowing your child to give up when she is afraid of failing or being rejected by friends, or is tired of working hard builds character that can propel your child into life as a successful, productive adult.

If your child isn't sporty, there is a plethora of extracurricular activities they can take part in. Becoming part of a drama group for example can take them out of their comfort zone and help improve their confidence and public speaking. These are great traits for the next CEO of a multinational corporation that won't be learnt in the physics laboratory.

It is extracurricular activities that help your child to develop a well-rounded education, to network in different groups of friends and to test the water to see what they would like to become when they have finished their academic schooling.

Many schools boast great grades at GCSE or A level. Whilst this is not to be ignored, make sure you see what else they offer your children. What happens when the school bell rings? Do all the children rush out home to do homework and watch TV, or are most off to participate in other activities?

4 Reasons to Learn More About Psychology

Psychology provides the potential for understanding yourself and others as well. As such it should be clear that there are benefits to studying it. Among the topics we can learn more about include how we form ideas, how we perceive the world around us, how our ideas can influence others, how we can persuade others, and very common thinking errors that we are susceptible to making and how to avoid them. Let's look at some other benefits to studying psychology.

Self-Help : Clearly the ability to work through one's own emotional difficulties is a useful benefit to the study of psychology. The insights available from the study of psychology are particularly useful in sorting through the various approaches to find one that is most compatible with each individual's needs.

Self-Knowledge : With the rise of self-help has also come the potential to increase one's self knowledge. Indeed, a good knowledge of the self is critical to the successful use of most self-help techniques. Psychology encourages the kind of reflection that one needs in order to gain a better sense of self.

Reason and Feeling : An important benefit to the sty of psychology is the recognition of the distinction between reason and feeling in thinking. While the two function together there is an important difference in their role in thinking. How they are understood separately and how they work together are both often misunderstood and the study of psychology helps to clarify these questions.

Metaphysics : At the root of every approach in psychology is a set of presumptions about how the mind works and how it is related to the brain. Too often this important aspect of the subject is ignored and consequently many people misunderstand the role of the brain in our thinking. While psychology has advanced well beyond the insights of the 17th century philosopher Rene Descartes, many people still have a basically Cartesian dualist view of the mind and the brain. But, there is much that we now know about this subject that is both interesting and useful.

At its most fundamental psychology is the study of the mind and how it works. Given the central importance of thinking and information processing in our world today the benefits of studying psychology are numerous. Given that much of what we think about how we think is wrong the study of psychology is also necessary to correct some of these mistaken intuitions. It is perhaps these less obvious benefits which are the most valuable insights we can gain from the study of psychology.

Improving IELTS Vocabulary

Vocabulary is an important aspect of all parts of the IELTS exam including the speaking, writing, listening, and reading test. Getting a high score in the speaking exam requires you to not only avoid errors but also show talent. In addition, it can be useful to learn phrases for the three different parts of the speaking exam, in order to increase your fluency and coherence. Getting a high score in the writing exam requires you to not only avoid errors but also show talent. In addition, it can be useful to learn linking phrases for the writing test, in order to increase your coherence and cohesion. Linking words help increase your score for fluency and coherence in the speaking exam and help you to get a higher score for coherence and cohesion in the writing exam. They are also useful in the listening and reading test to help you see how ideas are sequenced and to catch the main ideas.

In terms of the IELTS speaking and writing test your lexical resource (vocabulary) accounts for 25% of your score. Therefore, part of your preparation for the exam should be to improve your range of vocabulary. Idiomatic expressions are extremely important for the speaking exam I suggest you learn some and get into the habit of using them as this is important to get to seven and above for that lexical resource. In order to achieve this I suggest you learn about 20 idiomatic expressions can be used for a wide range of common topics. Try to learn a few well rather than focusing on learning as many as you can. This is because this approach often results in not being able to use them correctly or forgetting to use them.

For the writing test, start by learning vocabulary under common topic areas. Some of the most useful areas are as follows :

1. Education

2. Health

3. Media

4. Technology

5. Crime

6. The Environment

It may be helpful to keep a vocabulary notebook and write down new words that you learn along with sentences that use these words so that you can remember the context to use these words in. The key point about learning vocabulary is to make sure that you revise it and use it. Trying to memorize hundreds of words without revising them or practising using them will result in poor retention of these words and you will be unable to remember them when it comes to the exam.

Four Things That Would Change The World

Free Internet Access for All 
According to the internet world statistics it's estimated that there are two and a half billion people who use the internet. The world population is 7 billion, leaving five billion people still not online.

Most of this is the developing world and remote areas. Imagine if getting online was free just a normal part of society? It would literally change the world.

For example a farmer in a third world country would be able to discover better ways of raising his crops.

The world could freely share its knowledge, ideas and values. This indeed would change the world.

Upgradeable Mobile Phones 

According to digital trends it is estimated in 2014 the amount of mobile phones in the world will exceed that of the population.

That is over 7 billion phones on the planet most of the obsolete handsets end up in landfill or recycling centres.

What if the mobile phone was upgradeable just like computers? When screen size and quality cannot get any better. Why not have the ability to upgrade the processor, memory and hard drive along side the software when extra functions and features are needed.

This would change an industry and the demand on the world's natural resources.

Artificial Intelligence 

Technology that can learn is a fascinating area that was previously only discussed in science fiction books is becoming closer to be a reality.

A great example of the beginnings of this is internet search engines, mobile devices and computers. Real world applications could be self-driving cars automated home appliances and companion robots the possibilities are endless.

It would have a profound effect on society if machines could train themselves, it would indeed change the world.

Renewable Energy 

It is estimated with an increasing world population that the World's gas and oil supplies will not last for ever. Production peaked in 2010 and a declined is expected in 2050 with production in Europe finishing by then.

That is only thirty six years away the fact is for the sake of our children and next generations it cannot be ignored. Harnessing energy from wind and sun is a massive challenge at the moment only because we have an alternative. When this alternative ceases to be available resources and intelligence will have to shift its focus into renewable energy.

Improvements in renewable technologies will be the key to the future of the human race on earth.

Top Three Things To Consider When Looking For Math Tutors

Most kids who tend to do better in higher education are those who performed well in their early education. As soon as your kids do amazingly in higher education, they are well equipped for the loads and pressure of the workplace. Every single stage your kids go through in school helps them manage and succeed in life. And one of the more challenging stages that kids need to surmount is learning and developing skills in Mathematics.

If you have ever overheard your kids complain and whine about despising Math, such reactions will translate to poor grades, it ought to be a perfect period to start considering Math tuition. At this point, the top three things you need to reflect about when looking for the finest Math instructors for your kids are as follows :

1. Specialization and proficiency in math

Always focus on tuition centers that specialize exclusively in Math. There are several tuition centers all over the region but do not get overwhelmed with the number. You need to search for tuition centers that have recognizable, distinct and established method for coaching the usually multifaceted and generally dreaded subject. Refined or sophisticated practices that make kids learn around Geometry or Algebra in the utmost clear and brilliant manner will empower them to quickly comprehend complex calculations and concepts.

2. Access to a personalized math program

The ultimate Math tutors have a duty to be able to create a distinctive program that will meet the tuition necessities of your kids. Every single kid has a diverse learning technique (e. g, oral, visual, or written) ; in isolation, teaching techniques ought to reproduce the precise learning style. Such a tailored Math program may be developed through a wide-ranging evaluation, which could associate both oral and written diagnostic assessments. This will conclude the best credible curriculum along with teaching tools that will let your kids to appreciate Math theories, from number concepts to laws of Mathematics, and increase solid skills that convert to excellent results in school, starting with problem solving towards algebraic thinking.

3. Schedule Flexibility

Several tuition centers incline to bid a rigid program schedule, which can be obstructive - restraining your kids to postpone for their following session with their math tutor. Tuition centers that afford flexible schedules to respond to every time your kids might require assistance with future algebra assessment or particularly multifaceted math homework would be the ultimate choice to make.

Teachers Knowledge and Skills Improvement Methods

As are the teachers, so are the students. The quality of the teachers does determine the quality of their students. If the teachers are highly knowledgeable, determined, and skillful in imparting knowledge to their students, it is obvious that the students too would become the highly talented citizens.

Based on the feed back from the students and their parents, the quality of the teachers can be assessed. The teachers are also assessed while recruiting in to any school or college by the managements of the institutions.

The educational institutions do make several efforts to enhance the quality of their teaching staff. The qualifications and experience of the teachers too would be thoroughly checked while recruiting them. In some instances, even the highly qualified teachers might be lacking in some or all of the required skills and thus need to under go some sort of coaching or training.

Some educational institutes do conduct teaching skills enhancement training at regular intervals depending upon the requirement. Such training sessions would be conducted by very well experienced teaching staff.

Guidance, counselling, seminars, workshops, symposium, visiting other institutions both local and foreign to exchange ideas, etc, are some of the methods to enhance the knowledge and skills of the teaching staff.

The teachers can also enhance their skills by reading the most popular research articles published in international and national journals, research thesis, watching the programs on television related to educational development, listening to radio programs, reading educational magazines, collecting and reading data from several education related web sites, leading news papers and the books related to the field of education.

The inter school or college or university teachers interactions to enhance the knowledge and skill levels are also being conducted professionally in several institutions.

To enhance the quality of the teaching staff, the management does guide and counsel the teachers by finding out their weaknesses.

Some educational institutions do supply soft ware and other useful materials to their teaching staff to encourage them to upgrade their knowledge levels related to teaching.

The heavy competition among the educational institutes has been responsible for finding out the innovative methods to improve the quality and thus the reputation of the educational institutes. This is evident by the fact that some institutes do not even hesitate to send their faculty to several foreign institutions for training in various teaching methods and thus facilitating the interactions among the teaching staff too.

The teachers are the future citizen makers. Their over all proficiency determines the destiny of any nation.

10 Most Common Idioms in English

English is a language that inspires. Every English learner should know that only developing speaking English skills will fetch you barely any polish. A well-polished speaker is someone who knows and understands the in and out of the language. It should be 'a piece of cake' for you. Confused? Well, 'a piece of cake' is a famous idiom in the English language. It is used to state that 'it is that simple/easy'. This article will help you learn and understand the ten most common idioms along with their meaning to simplify it further for you.

Ten common idioms used in English :

1. Piece of cake- As mentioned above 'a piece of cake' is referring to something that is very easy or doable. You use it when you find something extremely light and distressful.

Usage- That class test was a piece of cake for me.

2. Break a leg- It might sound funny yet it isn't the literal meaning. Break a leg means good luck or do well. It's used as a well wish in situations that need it.

Usage- Oh! You've got an interview? Make sure to break a leg!

3. Hit the books- Have you heard native speakers in your class use this idiom? If not, here's the meaning. It means to study. Baffled? Let the example ease your confusion.

Usage- I'm going to sleep for now mom. I will definitely hit the books in the evening.

4. Let the cat out of the bag- Why would anyone put a cat into the bag in the first place? Well, worry not ; the cat is safe! Let the cat out of the bag actually means to reveal a secret that was supposed to be kept a secret.

Usage- Let's not tell Reena, she always lets the cat out of the bag.

5. Hit the nail on the head- Sounds violent, doesn't it? Hit the nail on the head is used to say that the person is precisely right.

Usage- When he said he wouldn't drink and drive, he hit the nail on the head.

6. Don't judge a book by its cover- Sounds complicated, but gets simpler as and when you understand it. It simply means stop being judgmental, especially by just looking at the external of the individual.

Usage- Don't judge a book by its cover Jake, she's a decent girl with a great personality.

7. Bite more than you can chew- This is a famous idiom that is used when a person takes up more responsibility than he/she can carry out.

Usage- John always bites more than he can chew and lands himself in trouble.

8. Hear it from the horse's mouth- This is a smart idiom that means to hear the news straight from the source's mouth.

Usage- Wait for a while, you'll get to hear it straight from the horse's mouth.

9. Speak of the devil- When the person you have just been talking about arrives.

Usage- Rita is such a Shopaholic. Oh! Speak of the devil and here she is.

10. Feeling under the weather- This idiom is used when you feel a bit low due to health reasons.

Usage- I can't make it today, feeling under the weather.

English is a simple language if learned with a fun factor. Make sure to use the above mentioned idioms while speaking in English. It's not only impressive but will also help improve your spoken English communication skills, making you more comfortable while using the language. Embrace the language and watch your English communication skills travel from average to excellent in barely any time.

3 Easy Ways to Learn English

English learning could become a tedious process, however, it all comes down to whether or not you can converse in the language. Understand the fact that going through the learning process haphazardly will get you nowhere ; instead the ideal way of learning English is having it all chalked out (planned out). Here is a secrete guide to help you improve your knowledge of the English language as well as improve your spoken skills quickly.

Tips to improve your English fluency

1. Know your grasping power- It is important for you to analyze and understand which category you really fall into. This means that you should know whether you find it easier to understand or is it easier for you to mug up. Whether you like learning English online or whether a friend is enough for you to grasp the language ; whether you are an amateur speaker or an advanced one. All of the above-mentioned questions will impact your ability to learn and hence they are vital.

2. Zero down on a learning strategy- Having answered all of your queries, it is essential for you to decide on a learning strategy. For starters, you will need to get into the habit of speaking in English more often than possible. You should also try and extract which form of studying helps you learn better. Ask yourself the following questions and you will find the apt learning strategy for you in the answers :

• Do you study better when alone?
• Do you prefer taking an English speaking course instead of self-study?
• How much time do you have to dedicate to the language?
• How serious are you about learning and acquiring the language?

3. Focus on mastering speaking skills- Planning is a great step towards learning anything. Therefore, it is vital for you to design a plan around which you will work. Some of the crucial tips to keep in mind include being vocal and loud, irrespective of whether you're reading, writing or speaking. To improve English speaking, you should consider getting proactive by choosing a topic and speaking about it for a minimum of one minute per day. If you've enrolled in an English speaking course online you could reap the benefits and use online exercises to help better your spoken skills.

Tips :

1. Keep a dictionary handy for as and when you need one.
2. Get pronunciation right, no matter how many times you need to repeat one word.
3. Learn a minimum of three new words a day to develop and improve your vocabulary.

Lastly, if you really wish to learn English speaking fluently, you should also be concerned about reading and writing. You could also consider writing short texts or blogs or even comment on your friends Facebook profiles. Also, leave some scope for error, as you learn best from your mistakes. Whatever you do, ensure to keep it simple and not give up at any point. Keep an end goal and continue working towards it.

Is It Homework or Busywork?

Introduction

The majority of the parents are of the opinion that homework done by their child is not up to the mark. They do not complain about the efforts on the part of their children, however, rather on the homework which is being assigned to them. They are not happy about the kind of homework which is assigned to the children according to a research done by Met Life Survey. Actually, it has been revealed after the survey that forty percent of the parents think that their children were asked to perform busy work and not homework.

What is Busy Work?

This is a kind of assignment which might take plenty of time to finish, however, does not convey anything which has learning value to a student. It means that apparently your child would seem to be very busy ; however, actually he or she remains occupied in work only and learns nothing from the same. Busy work sometimes becomes beneficial inside the classroom. Lesson plans of replacement teachers frequently contain work, particularly at a time when any teacher had thought about initiating new ideas to the class and rather would wait in anticipation of her returns for doing so. This kind of work helps the students to remain occupied and practicing skills which they have learnt already, though does not impart anything new.

What is Homework?

On the other hand, homework altogether serves a dissimilar purpose compared to busy work. Useful assignments of homework help to integrate and practice and learn new type of skills. Homework enables students to find for themselves about the concepts which they have mastered and which they are yet to resolve. On few occasions may appear like busy work, especially in math and vocabulary. It is because of the fact that some skills are there which are adopted by repetition. Thirty problems of math utilizing the similar procedure might appear as busy work, however, with the twenty-sixth problem majority students would observe that the process of solving the problem has become habitual. Homework for spelling can be repetitive and boring also, though some excellent means are there to practice spelling which can turn it a bit more exciting.

Is it homework or busy work?

The parents very often find it difficult to answer a question about the definition of an assigned work whether that is actually homework or a busy work. On many occasion the answer is clear. Till your child requires improving her skills, asking her for doing the homework to cut, colour and glue does not at all have a learning value. Only exception is the occasion when an assignment has to be done as a family. Family projects educate about the significance of teamwork and help children realize that parents are also a significant part for their education.

The answer varies depending on the concerned child. When it relates to skill practice, what seems learning value to one kid, in case of another child it may appear as busy work. For learning effectively few children need repetition while in case of others it is grasped very easily. Few teachers are of the opinion that each student should do the similar type of homework, while few of them are in favour of assigning individualized homework. Parents should not request the teachers for no homework ; however, consulting them regarding the difference between providing " equal " learning experience and being " fair " is a good approach.