If You Dont Like Your Job Situation-Change One Thing Today

Introvert Whisperer / If You Dont Like Your Job Situation-Change One Thing Today If You Don’t Like Your Job Situation, Change One Thing Today What gives you a deep sense of satisfaction in your career? Is it hitting milestones on a project? Seeing someone else succeed because of your efforts and impact? Our ability to feel successful comes from regularly having a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. It’s knowing that what you do makes a difference. It’s growing and learning as a person and as a professional. If you check in with yourself on these questions and you find that you are less than satisfied, then it’s important to start figuring out what needs to change. It may not be finding a new job. It could be changing something that you do or how you do it. It could be as simple as enrolling in a class to help you improve how you do your job â€" or buying a book. We are interesting creatures. Statistically, we find changing our relationships (divorcing) easier than changing our job or how we approach it. I’ve never figured this out. I say that because when you look at the data from studies, our divorce rate is higher than voluntary termination (meaning we leave a job voluntarily). And that is in spite of the data also showing that between 60-70% of all workers are not satisfied with their job. You’d think if we aren’t happy, we’d leave but we don’t. I’m not advocating that anyone resign but I am saying there are things you can do to greatly improve how you feel about your job right now. You have to figure out what that is. A good place to start is by listing all the things that aren’t working for you right now. From there, create an improvement action plan with specific steps you will take to improve the various issues on your list. You may have things listed that you think you have no control over like the boss or a troublesome peer but that’s not true. You can change how you work with them, or how you communicate. Sometimes all it takes is changing one simple thing to make a huge difference. Most of all, I want you to like your work and I know it’s possible. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

How to Find an English Tutor Near Me

How to Find an English Tutor Near Me Learn How to Find the Ideal English Tutor for English Classes ChaptersWhy is English Tuition So Important?Is It Worth Learning English with A Tutor For Anything Pre-A Levels?What To Expect From English TuitionWhere To Find An English TutorWhat To Know When Looking For An Online English TutorThe growing importance of good English reading, writing and comprehension skills for employers and further education institutions is just one reason why English tutors are in such high demand.For school pupils preparing to sit their GCSE English exams as well as university undergraduates looking for help with their essay writing skills, having support from an English tutor can make all the difference when exam results day comes around.Tutoring is available for all ages and abilities when it comes to learning English, from pre-school children as well as working adults and everyone in-between!However, being spoilt for choice might leave you feeling dizzy.It’s always helpful to save yourself the hassle of trawling through endless lists of tutors by planning y our search.Before you begin looking for your ideal tutor, think about what you want them to be like. Make a list of their ideal qualities (for instance, someone who delivers their lessons in your home and has formal teaching experience) which will help you make the most of your time by helping you rule out any tutors who do not fit your criteria.As the market for private tuition grows, it is becoming even easier to receive one to one tuition wherever you are! This is all thanks to online tutoring, where tutor and tutee work together via a webcam.Online tutoring means that you can find and hire your ideal tutor without having to worry about geographical location.So, you can access the best teaching without moving from your PC!If you prefer to keep your tuition traditional, there are plenty of effective ways to find the best English tutors  to optimise your language skills in your local area without too much hassle.So, whether you prefer to stay local or search worldwide, this guide s hould make your quest for the ideal tutor as stress-free as possible.You can start your search with this checklist of criteria for tutors  and start refining your English today! CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our t utors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy is English Tuition So Important?English stands alongside maths and science as one of the core subjects in schools, but what makes it so important?The academic subject we call ‘English’ represents everything from learning to spell to knowing how to structure an essay, but the skills we acquire by studying English are useful for more things than we appreciate as schoolchildren.As a native speaker of English, having a go od command of English grammar, punctuation and writing confidently are all skills which are central to being a good communicator, yet which we often take for granted.The fact is, studying English teaches you valuable transferable skills which you use every single day.So, the next question is surely: what makes English tuition different from school English?The nature of private tuition means that the student has the full, undivided attention of their tutor, and there are no other pupils to distract them.Because of this, the tutor can focus on helping their English learner student overcome their specific problems at a pace that suits them.Individualised learning for individual learners ¦ source: Visualhunt - TakenSo, unlike classroom teaching, in private lessons, there is no risk of the tutee becoming bored with easy course content or being worried about being left behind, as the tutor will adapt their teaching to the student’s learning pace as well as their individual learning sty le.Finding a one to one English tutor could well be the answer for those slipping through the net in school and need someone to focus on providing individualised help for English, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.The reasons people hire private tutors are many and varied, as is the type of tuition available.So, what are the aims of one to one tutoring?One of the most common reasons for finding a tutor is to give children support alongside their formal education.English is an especially tough subject if you’re struggling in some areas, so tutors are there to fill in the gaps left by a national curriculum which moves too swiftly over key points for a certain pupil, or which is not broad enough for another.But let’s not forget that English tuition isn’t just about improving your grades in English at school â€" it can come in handy for a range of subjects.Learning how to structure an essay with an English tutor can help you in subjects like history or religious studies, and developing revision methods for your personal learning style can help across the board at exam time.Working on your reading comprehension skills could even help you process maths word problems!Studying English in school is essential to improving your communication skills in adult life, and the possibilities really are endless.Is It Worth Learning English with A Tutor For Anything Pre-A Levels?Of course, college level A Levels are an extremely important time in terms of your education, with your results defining your future - which university you might get into and opening up job prospects - but surely each preceding year sets out your long-term path to success when studying English?It's really important to get your level of English up at an early stage so that you have less work to do when you arrive at your A Level college, as this will make your English learning journey much easier. However, it's not just your English studies that benefit from hard work from the start , improving your English skills offers you a number of key transferable skills that will dictate how you do in other lessons too.You could leave it until you reach A Levels to consider a tutor to get your studies on track, but you are better off thinking about it as soon as you notice any signs of struggle. This way, you may even need fewer sessions with a tutor than if you were to let your lack of understanding get out of hand!While some parents of younger pupils feel torn between allowing their son or daughter to continue down a path of confusion or risk upsetting their teacher and school by paying for private tuition, this extra service does not have to spell dissatisfaction with their English teaching.If a child is having particular problems in a class, it is not always possible (no matter how good and dedicated the teacher is) to get the instructor's full attention and to iron out any difficulties due to the professional being in charge of 30+ students in some cases. If your sc hool does take offence to you hiring extra help, then this defensive attitude is a sign that they may not have your best interests at heart.The reason why tutoring at any age, and why schools should support this, is the best way forward is that tutoring can really boost a child's confidence in the subject which can, in turn, be projected onto other subjects. For those who are struggling, it offers them a chance at success and for those who are already on track, it allows them to fine-tune exam technique and revision methods so that they can achieve even greater heights.Furthermore, tutoring takes away the pressure on students and, in some ways, on their English tutor.Take A Level students, for example, who want to achieve a specific grade in order to get accepted on their first choice university course. Having that extra bit of help means they can be more optimistic about their grades and perhaps even set their sights higher than if they hadn't been on a tutoring programme.Similarly , teachers who are invested in helping their pupils get the places they want at universities across the country can feel at ease knowing that their students are well-equipped to face the exams and get a positive outcome.As we can see, the benefits of hiring a tutor at any stage of education are undeniable. Students gain from extra knowledge and schools also have the advantage of better-performing students to enhance their place in the league tables!Tutoring is also incredibly useful for boys and girls with special needs or for those who require help with work discipline, as this can make their entire experience of school much more positive. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChines e Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £3 5/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat To Expect From English TuitionEntering an agreement with an English TutorHiring a tutor hasn't got just one possible outcome - to get a better grade.Private tuition offers a number of great benefits. Indeed, tutors aim to help you achieve a higher grade but aside from the obvious academic advantage, a good tutor will motivate you to learn and help you to develop confidence in many areas of the classroom.Before you go and pick any old tutor, you really should consider a few things first.For instance, discuss your expectations with prospective instructors first. What are your goals? Do you want support in your current level or do you want to advance from an intermediate level to a higher level within the academic year? Do you want help specifically with homework tasks? Do you/your parents want feedback on your performance and improvement during tutoring sessions? It's getting these questions out in the open from the start that will enable you to get the most from your tutor.There is nothing wrong with asking for help when you are struggling. Although you might not be too thrilled about needing the extra tuition to practice English, especially if your friends are all doing fine in class, then remember that this very minor disruption to your life outside of school will help to make you more self-sufficient, meaning that you'll be mentally stronger and super focused when it comes to taking exams whereas they might not have the same tools to approach the English test with such positivity.What to do once you've picked your private tutorAs soon as you have started up a relationship with your external English teacher, be sure to tell your instructor from your English class at school or college so that they are aware and can be involved in making plans. It may be that they can offer you some suggestions on areas that you are weaker in and that need to be covered. Obtain details of the syllabus, assignments and, where possib le, lesson plans to share with your tutor and be sure to check if they wish for you to buy any learning materials like textbooks for the sessions.Make sure you have a nice, quiet and comfortable zone in which you can carry out your learning.The best way to get your tutor to target these troublesome areas is to take any work or vocabulary exercises to them which you found hard. They can come up with strategies to help you overcome any obstacles and will begin to understand and get to know what it is you are good at and what areas you need a confidence boost in.Being open and honest is the best policy as you ultimately want your tutor to get to know your personality as well, and the ways you like to work. Inform them of any extra-curricular activities you do (these could even be brought into your private tutoring lessons in some way). Tell them your career goals. Show them books and photos that you like and try to generally establish a connection.However, don't befriend your tutor too much and bake them cakes to eat when they are on the clock with you. You must make sure that you have already eaten so as not to be distracted by hunger! Focus  and concentration are really important if you want to gain the most from tutoring and to remember the materials addressed in class.Just some of the key areas in which a tutor can help you to improve your English are:-Grammar (grammar rules)-Vocabulary (distinguishing adverb, idiom, preposition, noun etc...)-Adjectives-Verbs (Tenses, infinitive, irregular verbs, simple past, simple present, present simple, and so on)-Spelling-English Writing skills (Basic English or Conversational English vs Business English)-English reading skills-English listening skills (listening comprehension, understanding dialect)-English speaking skills (English conversational speech)-English pronunciationWhere To Find An English TutorFinding an English Tutor in Your AreaAs more and more people begin to appreciate the applications of a good command o f English and the skills it teaches, demand for English tutors is on the up, and luckily, there are plenty of motivated educators willing to meet it.But just how difficult is it to find a Private English tutor near you?From retired teachers to PhD students, the tutoring community shares a wealth of knowledge and skill to be shared with learners â€" you just need to know where to find them!The key is to keep it simple â€" you don’t need to contact every English tutor in a 20-mile radius to find one that suits you.Start by consulting your local press and looking for tutors advertising their services.In the modern age, it’s far too easy to head straight to the internet to find what we’re looking for â€" but when it comes to finding an English tutor in your area, the traditional approach often triumphs.By simply flicking through the advertisements in your local newspaper, you’ll be able to find out tutors’ names, contact details and some information on their services.Supermark ets and convenience stores often display advertisements and offer flyers from people in the area including tutors.Contact tutors in your area today! ¦ source: Visualhunt - colorblindPICASOSo next time you pop to the shop, why not take a look at the notice boards and see what you find?Seek Out A Tutor OnlineNevertheless, if you’re a fan of modern technology, finding a tutor who is local to you is still possible!The World Wide Web provides a wealth of information on the tutoring companies in each city as well as platforms to find individual tutors within a certain radius.Superprof is just one of these platforms.We provide both online and in-home tutors with a means of putting their services on the market and gaining an online presence to find customers whilst making it as easy as possible for students to find their ideal tutor â€" let’s take it as an example.There are three simple steps to finding English tutors around you:Go to the Superprof UK homepageFill in the relevant infor mation (e.g. English lessons in-person in London)Click ‘Find a Tutor’Here, you’ll see a list of tutors that fit your search criteria.You can narrow down your search even further by adjusting the filters on the left-hand side of the page.So, looking for an English tutor who is local to you is less restrictive than you may initially think - there are plenty of avenues to be explored!As for questions of cost, you might find your answers here!What To Know When Looking For An Online English TutorUnlike searching for a face-to-face tutor, looking for an online English tutor for language learning is only really possible with the help of the internet.In many ways, learning English online by finding a tutor who teaches via webcam is easier than searching for someone who teaches locally.This isn’t surprising, and another advantage to online tutoring is that there are no restrictions based on where you live, since there is no need to make travel arrangements, so you can focus on the qu alities of each tutor rather than the practicalities of hiring them.Using the internet is the best and only way to find an online tutor ¦ source: Pixabay - 422737So, when the time comes to start looking for an online tutor, the process is much the same, except there’s no need to even leave the house!All of your research will be done online.Not only is the internet a brilliant place to learn more about tutoring through articles and blog posts such as this one, but it offers many tools to filter and target your research so you can find exactly what you’re looking for in as little time as possible.Online tutors usually advertise their services on the type of tutoring platforms we mentioned above, and the search process is almost identical, except you’ll search for online tutors exclusively.There are many pros and cons to both online and in-home tutors, and the type of tuition should be chosen by weighing up the positives and negatives with the learner in mind.Whichever path you choose to follow, there are plenty of resources both online and around your local area to help you first find suitable tutors before choosing one.

12 Idiomatic Expressions with Way - English Lesson via Skype

12 Idiomatic Expressions with Way - English Lesson via Skype Today, lets look at some English idiomatic expressions with WAY.We usually use WAY when talking about direction.Which way is out?How can I find the way?Can you show me the way to the hotel or city centre?However, the word WAY can be used in other ways in English!!Here are some idiomatic expressions with WAY and common phrases. Idiomatic Expressions with Way IN A BAD WAYWhere somebody is sick or involved in an accident and injured the relatives will be anxious to understand how they are. Sometimes the news is not so good.Example: The doctor said he is in a bad way and it may be a few days before they know how sick he really is.ALL THE WAYWe use it when we want to show support or understanding, it means that we completely support someone.Example: If you want to bring it up with Carol, I’m with you all the way.TO GET HIS/HER WAYThis concerns children usually but not always.It means to do what you want or to get what you want.Example: Paulss daughter is spoilt. Every time she wants something she begins to shout. She is always getting her own way.TO GET SOMETHING UNDER WAYto start something; to make progress with somethingExample: For students who have not yet applied for admission, now is the time to get the process under way.Everyone was looking for greater opportunity as the century got under way.ON THE WAY OUTgoing out of fashion, not in demand anymoreExample: Skinny jeans are on the way out.IN A ROUNDABOUT WAYWhen someone does not tell you in a straightforward or direct way or takes a long time to get to the point, we can say that they have a roundabout way of saying things.Or when something is not straightforward and simpleExample: You can add new fonts to your mobile phone, but you have to do it in a roundabout way.Dont give up, scroll down for 6 more expressions with Way. Idiomatic Expressions with Way - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here's what you can do next: GIVE WAY ON SOMETHINGUsually this refers to someone who might be a little stubborn and never compromises or accepts he/she is wrong.Example: Michael likes to discuss and argue. He is good at debating but he is not always right in his views. However, even when he is wrong he will not give way on something and accept his is incorrect.  CHANGE YOUR WAYto stop behaving in a certain way, to stop doing what we are doing and improve our attitude or mannersExample: Moving abroad will teach you lessons and change your way of thinking.HAVE A WAY WITH SOMEBODYto have a talent for or a skill in dealing with somebodyExample: Tracey has a way with animals, and our dog loves her!WHERE THERES A WILL THERES A WAYif someone wants something very much, they will alway find a way to make it possible. You can achieve anything you set your mind to.Example: Sarah really wants to learn how to draw, but she hasnt got enough time to do it. Well, where theres a will, theres a way. Im sure shell make time.HAVE I T BOTH WAYSyou have to choose something, you cant have avantages from two contradictory things at the same time  Example: But he cant have it both ways. He cant live with her and with you. He needs to decide.THATS THE WAY THE COOKIE CRUMBLESit is what it is; something undesirable has happened, and things must be accepted the way they areExample: Sorry to hear that Manchester United didnt get into Champions League next season. But hats the way the cookie crumbles.

What Brazilians Hate Hearing

What Brazilians Hate Hearing LOI English has many  lessons  that discuss cultural differences, from how they can affect  our business negotiations to simple things like saying hello. Today I was discussing the cultural difference regarding age and independence. The typical age for someone in Spain to move out of the family house versus the United States and why this difference exists. When discussing cultural difference we often talk about stereotypes. Are all Americans fat? Are Spanish people lazy? Are Brazilians all supermodels? Are Germans always on time? Do Greeks really have huge weddings? Are the British cold and unwelcoming? Are Australians all drunk convicts? Are Argentineans all womanizers?This is a very funny video that talks about how Americans view Brazilians, or should I say how North Americans view South Americans;)Man, I thought you were just a regular white _______.List three misunderstandings that his colleagues have about his country?How did you ____ ____ all that violence?What did she watch to get the above question?What languages does his co-worker confuse?What animals does she hope he had as pets?What does he think is the capital of Brazil?What are some of the most pervasive stereotypes of people from your country? Why do these stereotypes exist?

Becoming a Maths tutor

Becoming a Maths tutor There is lots of work about for Maths tutors, especially now that children are tested at many points during their academic careers. Understandably, parents want their children to do well in Maths in their Key Stage tests as well as in their GCSEs and A-levels. Accordingly, many if them are in search of good quality Maths tutors to help their children through the exams. Generally, Maths is one of those subjects that people of all ages need an extra hand with. For some reason, people feel as though Maths is one of those subjects they either can or can't do. That's just not true, as you'll know if you're a Maths specialist. Sometimes, all it takes is a little care, attention and one-to-one tuition to give somebody the understanding and confidence to shine at Maths. So what does it take to become a Maths tutor? Well, a specialist understanding of the subject along with some teaching experience. Many of First Tutors' Maths tutors are already teaching Maths in schools across the country. There are lots of good reasons for signing up with First Tutors as one of our Maths tutors. Why not get in touch with us to find out more?

Have Words, Will Travel The Ultimate Guide to Useful Languages for Travelers

Have Words, Will Travel The Ultimate Guide to Useful Languages for Travelers The Ultimate Guide to Useful Languages for Travelers Travel and language were made for each other.One doesnt necessarily require the other, but either one is  infinitely more enjoyable and worthwhile  when paired with  the other.If you needed any more reasons to learn a foreign language, travel is definitely a good one. Travelers preparing for a round-the-world gap year or a long weekend away in a neighboring  country often pack  a phrasebook or even take a few classes in the foreign language with which theyll need to navigate their foreign travel.Those spending a year teaching overseas or working as expats may even consider learning the local language to be a fundamental  requirement of a respectful visitor.Chances are, if youre traveling soon, you could at least benefit from learning a few friendly phrases or more in your destinations language. In fact, travelers have more reason than just about anyone else to learn a new language. Why Travelers Make the Best Language LearnersThe world is unthinkably vast, and so are its cultures a nd languages.Its estimated that there are over seven thousand languages spoken on Earth today. While you certainly dont need to learn every one of them, any traveler ought to view a new language as a key to a treasure chest full of authentic cultural experiences and new friends all over the world.Anyone planning on spending more than a few days in a foreign region  should devote some time to learning at least a dozen or so polite phrases in the local language.Its not just your best shot at meeting locals and finding out what any given place is  really  like, but its also a way of being a respectful traveler. Despite the fact that many people around the world speak English, most will be quite insulted if they feel visitors in their country expect  them to speak and understand English. Even just learning simple travel phrases like  Im sorry, I dont speak your language, do you speak English? will distance you from off-putting images of rude, entitled tourists.Most importantly, learning about a regions local languages should be a key factor in any travelers language learning decisions.  Learning Mandarin Chinese is great, but maybe not the most practical choice for your summer abroad in Hong Kong or Guangzhou. Swahili will offer you a super authentic safari experience, but dont expect to speak it during your South African backpacking trip.This definitive guide breaks the world up into culturally and linguistically similar regions that correspond well with the usual itineraries of backpackers, expats and holiday-goers. Well give a quick mention of how much you can plan to rely on English in each region, offer a few of the most useful  languages for travelers and end with a few quick suggestions of other travel-friendly languages for narrower regions or more culturally ambitious trips.The Ultimate Guide to Useful Languages for TravelersThe Languages of Eurasia: Talking the Talk on Your EurotripFirst-time travelers and even seasoned veterans are usually surprised to hear that Europe is, by a wide  margin, the least linguistically diverse  continent on our planet (not counting relatively quiet Antarctica). With a mere 286 languages spoken by its inhabitants, Europe makes up a puny 4% of world languages.While traveling from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains, from the northernmost points of Scandinavia to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, from the former Soviet states of the Caucasus Mountains and into Central Asia, a handful of geographically extensive  languages will get you around  conveniently and enjoyably.English: The European Travelers Best FriendThanks to high levels of  education and a decidedly global outlook, youll find that English is handier here than in just about any other non-native-speaking corner of the world.While you shouldnt expect English to get you into deep philosophical debates  with strangers in Italian coffee shops or Russian bars, you can count on finding enough English speakers to at least give you basic assi stance and a little company in nearly every large city and university town throughout the continent.In general, the farther north and west you go, the larger the city and the smaller the global reach  of the local language, the more English youll find. But dont forget that English  is only native to the United Kingdom in this region, and that by relying exclusively on  widely-understood English travel vocabulary, youre missing out on the deeper cultural layers of  each country you visit.German: Your All-access Pass to Central Europe and BeyondGermany is close to  the geographic, political and financial center of Europe, so it makes sense that this powerful countrys equally powerful language penetrates far and wide. Your native-speaking countries are limited to Switzerland, parts of Belgium and Luxembourg, Austria and mother Germany herself, but the German language will come in handy  far beyond these borders.Young people throughout the Netherlands, the UK and Central Europe are lear ning German more and more as its namesake country increasingly offers jobs and opportunities to young Europeans, but the youths arent the only ones who know a bit of Deutsch. Huge guest worker populations from Eastern Europe and the Balkans spent several decades working in Austria and Germany, leaving many members of the middle generation of these countries fairly proficient German speakers.A few well-used phrases will be sure to to make your Central European tour  sehr  gut.Russian: The Travelers Tool for Traversing EurasiaThe official language of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will see you from the Baltic Sea all the way to the Bering Strait. While the Soviet Union has never existed in many young travelers lifetimes, one of its convenient legacies  is the widespread use of the Russian language it left behind.Aside from the countries in which its an  official state language, theres a long list of other Eastern European and West Asian countries that  formally recognize R ussian as a minority language, including Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Georgia, Romania and Norway.While not official, its important role as a significant minority language or inter-ethnic language will assure Russian-speaking travelers that theyll have easy communication in part or most of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Mongolia and Uzbekistan.Other Useful Languages for Traveling in Europe and EurasiaFrench isnt only a good choice for  France, but its  also still popularly learned by educated people of all generations throughout Europe.Spanish is another handy world language for travelers in Europe. Outside Spain, its commonalities with Portuguese and Italian will help you get through its southern European neighbors as well.Additionally, the Serbo-Croatian dialects of the Balkans are all mutually intelligible, and  will give you a priceless opportunity to ditch the resorts and explore natural beauty that cant be beat in the rest of Europe .The East Asian Languages That Open Doors for TravelersEurope was once the whole worlds go-to destination for vacations and backpacking trips, but these days travelers are looking farther and farther east. China, Japan, the Koreas, Taiwan and autonomous Hong Kong and Macau together contain over one-fifth of the worlds people and a bottomless  trove of travel treasures.This regions colonial history and a couple centuries of mutual resentment  between peoples and governments has made sure that no one countrys official language has evolved into a regional language.For a trip through the whole region, English will afford  the most geographic reach, as its learned nearly everywhere by the highly educated and those who work in the tourism industry. But beyond English, try a few local languages on for size.Mandarin: One Country, a Billion People and a Lifetime of Travel OpportunitiesAs not only the language with the most speakers  in the world but also the official state language of the la rgest country in this region, Mandarin is the obvious big name on this list.Most  visitors to China arrange to take organized tours, often  led by Mandarin-speaking officials. While English tours are certainly available, speaking a bit of  Chinese will almost certainly ingratiate you to your guide and any locals you get a chance to meet. And for the even more adventurous, a sturdy level of Mandarin will help you navigate the enormous country more independently (although many people in its Western provinces dont speak the state language).Mandarin is also the official language of Taiwan, a radical travel alternative to Mainland China. Although the island nation doesnt technically exist according to most of the world, a little Mandarin will help you enjoy its tropical weather, high level of development, and relatively cheap cost of travel and living.Cantonese: Taking Travelers to Southern China and BeyondSometimes  forgotten in the shadow of big brother Mandarin, Cantonese is another e normous world language spoken in China and beyond its borders. As the most prestigious variety  of the Yue language, Cantonese (along with other  languages with which its mutually intelligible) is used by  60 million speakers spread across southern China, Hong Kong and Macau.Cantonese has a bit more geographic reach than Mandarin, as the vast majority of Chinese expat communities in East and Southeast Asiaâ€"and in most of the world beyondâ€"are Cantonese speakers. From the Yokohama Chinatown on Tokyos south side to the capitals of Southeast Asia, in almost any big Asian city, youll find at least a small community of Cantonese speakers.Other Handy Languages for Travelers in East AsiaJapanese is another enormous world language, with its 125 million speakers, but its limitation to travelers is that it doesnt go very far outside Japan.Korean is similarly large and confined, but the gradual growth of the North Korean tourism industry may offer enough incentive for the most adventurous o f travelers to invest in the language.Traveling Through the Backpackers Paradise: Handy Languages for Southeast Asia and OceaniaEven more than the tourism giants in the northeast part of the continent, Southeast Asia is the number one backpacking hotspot these days. Cheap accommodation, spectacular food and the growing presence of backpackers is creating a touristic snowball in this region. Many travelers continue from Southeast Asia proper into Indonesia, the Pacific islands, Australia and New Zealand.Because of the areas  popularity with travelers and the influence of Australia, English is becoming common in tourist hot spots, but it doesnt look like itll penetrate farther than the biggest cities and tourist-crowded beaches any time soon (other than in Australia and New Zealand of course, where its the native language). Until it does, think about studying up on one of these languages for your Southeast Asia trip.Thai: The Language Thats Begging Travelers to Become ExpatsThailand i s currently one of the most popular destinations for Westerners (and people from all over the globe) who work remotely from their laptops, the trendily named digital nomads who roam around and freelance or manage businesses online. If youre looking to go location independent or just want to spend a few months in one of the cheapest expat-friendly countries in existence, then some Thai lessons would help you get a deeper and more authentic experience of the country.Beyond Thailands borders, some Thai speakers will also understand  Laotian, spoken in its even cheaper but less developed neighboring country, making a Laotian vacation an excellent option for Thai-speaking expats based in popular cities like Chiang Mai or Bangkok.Indo-Malay: The World Language to Carry You through the Rest of OceaniaThe fuzzy boundary between the Indonesian and Malaysian languages coincides with the fuzzy geographic boundary between whats conventionally known as Southeast Asia and Oceania. Largely  becaus e of those fuzzy boundaries,  learning the language referred to in Malaysia as Malay and in Indonesia as Indonesian will put you in touch with about a quarter of a billion locals scattered across these thousands of islands.Also helpful is the fact that its incredibly easy to learn: Indo-Malays  lack of verb tenses and simple grammar means a couple weeks of intensive courses at the beginning of your trip should leave you reasonably prepared for everyday basic communication, and if you stick to it your skills will only improve as you make your way from island to island!Other Helpful Languages for Travelers in Southeast Asia and OceaniaTagalog is the official language of the Philippines, and Spanish speakers will find it easy and even familiar. Throughout mainland Southeast Asia, older, educated citizens of the former French colonies of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are likely to speak some of the colonial language.South Asia: Languages for Traveling the Indian SubcontinentEvery country o f modern South Asia once formed part of the British Empire, which is why youll find that English will be exceptionally useful in this region, although itll be a very different English than the varieties Brits and Americans are used to.Modern day India, with its one billion inhabitants, is now the second-largest English-speaking country in the world, with the official state language being used for inter-ethnic communication between different groups in the linguistically super-diverse country.While the inherited colonial  language will certainly serve you well here, dedicated travelers should consider learning a bit of the other important local languages.Hindustani: The Superlanguage of India and PakistanIndia is already a hot backpacking and luxury travel destination, and Pakistan is  steadily  climbing its way up as it improves its security and infrastructure. Between these two giant countries, four hundred  million native and second language speakers use Hindi or Urdu, two standard dialects of the giant language linguists call Hindustani.Throughout North India and most of Pakistan, Hindi or Urdu will be spoken by nearly everyone you meet, and for many people this will be their native language, not the English that they learned in schoolâ€"English takes the back seat as a third or fourth language for most.  A few well-placed phrases in Hindi or Urdu are your best shot at charming your way into the hospitality and natural beauty of India and Pakistan.Bengali: For Travelers on the Cutting EdgeSandwiched between  giant names like India and China and the tourist attractions of  Southeast Asia, 200 million speakers in Bangladesh and Indias Bengal province are buzzing with the worlds seventh largest language. Bangladesh and its neighboring Indian province  are densely populated parts of the Bay of Bengal, with some of the most beautiful and undiscovered wildlife in the world.Bangladesh hasnt really reached the mainstream travel itineraries as of yet, but its tourism industry is growing. If you want to get there before it gets cool, brush up on your Bengali  and book a flight!Other Languages to Think About for Your South Asian TravelsIf youre more focused on the southern parts of India, a language like Telugu would be especially handy, as its spoken and understood throughout several of the southern states.If you want to trek into the remote regions of Tibet in the north of the subcontinent, Tibetan will give you priceless access to cultural opportunities most travelers only dream of.The Middle East and North Africa: Languages for Traveling the Arab WorldWhen most people think of the Middle East and the Arab World, Arabic is, pretty reasonably, the first language that comes to mind. The only problem is that there isnt really a language called Arabic, or at least not one thatll do you much good.What we call Arabic might refer either to the written literary language that children learn in school throughout the Arab world but is rarely used for ora l conversation, or to a loose collection of related languages, many of which are mutually unintelligible, across the Middle East and North Africa.English is fairly useful in Israel and in capitals and wealthy cities in Egypt, Iraq, Turkey and the Gulf Countries. A few other languages, both native and colonial, will get you even farther through North Africa and the Middle East.Egyptian Arabic: Talk Like an Arab Movie StarWhile there really isnt a spoken Standard Arabic, Egyptian Arabic may be the closest thing to it. This isnt just because of its relative economic and political power in the Middle East, or the fact that Egypt is the most populous Arab country, but because the Hollywood of the Arab World is in Cairo, the heart of both Arab cinema and the place where most foreign films are dubbed into a distinctly Egyptian Arabic.While it may not help you to understand far-removed dialects of Arabic, it will ensure that you can at least get your point across in most places.French: For Travel on the Southern Side of the MediterraneanLarge parts of North Africa and the Middle East were parts of the French Empire before World War II, and the French language remains prominent and even official in many of the former colonies. The vast majority of middle class people in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Lebanon still speak fluent French.Very many people you meet in cities will be fluent in French, and you may find that many are happy to chat with a curious traveler, so make sure you learn at least the must-know French phrases for navigating these parts.Farsi: The Prince of Persian TravelAmericans may still have more trouble getting visas than others, but Iran is a rapidly up-and-coming travel destination. Ask any backpacker whos been there and theyll rave about hospitality, openness and well-educated people. Imagine how much more of that you could soak up with some basic Farsi!The same language, under various different national names, is spoken in Afghanistan and parts of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. While the first name on that list wont be a popular vacation destination any time soon, the latter two are becoming more and more common legs of Central Asian tours.Other Languages for Travelers in the Middle East and North AfricaGulf Arabic is one of the widest-reaching Arabic dialects, understood throughout the Gulf States and in large swaths of Saudi Arabia.Turkish will help you not only in Turkey but in regions that speak similar Turkic languages in Iran and Central Asia.Sub-Saharan Africa: Languages for  Traveling Far Off the Beaten PathAfrica is the second largest, second most populous and second most linguistically diverse continent on the planet, but as a travel destination its nothing but first rate.Colonial European empires divided the entire African continent up with the exception of unconquered Ethiopia. Thats why French will take you through most of Western and Central Africa and English will work for a large part of whats left. You could trav el overland from Cape Town to Kenya, crossing through anywhere from five to ten different countries without ever crossing through one where English isnt an official language.While  many travelers are happy getting through Africa with more familiar European languages, several native African languages are worth investing in for your trip as well.Swahili: The East African Lingua FrancaWhile native to only a small population of five million or so, Swahili is spoken and understood by one hundred and fifty  million people, stretching from eastern parts of the Congo to the Indian Ocean shores of Tanzania and Kenya.Most of the most spectacular safari countries are situated in the Swahili language area, so  speaking the language might allow you to take a more authentic safari or other tour thats more geared towards locals.Shona:  For an Authentic Southeast African ExperienceSoutheastern Africa, while among the poorest regions of the entire earth, is also raved about by visitors  as one of th e friendliest and most welcoming. From the hippo-filled Okavango Delta of Botswana, throughout Zimbabwe and to the remote northern beaches of Mozambique, Shona is the mother tongue of most locals youll meet, and even simple phrases like thank you or your country is beautiful is sure to endear you to everyone you meet.Learn a few words of  Shona and visit the nature of the  Zimbabwean countryside, or surprise yourself with the well-maintained roads and highly developed cities of Botswana.Portuguese: For the Hardiest of TravelersPortuguese is spoken in a geographically scattered collection of African countries: Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau and the island nation of São Tome and Principe.Angola is notoriously stingy  with its tourist visas, making it nearly impossible for most Western travelers to even get in, and thus leaving  it an internationally undiscovered gem. Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau wont be as difficult to get into, but youll find their infrastructure reflects the fac t that all three are among the least developed countries in the world.Other Practical Languages for Travelers in Sub-Saharan AfricaHausa in West Africa is a  large Bantu Language with many millions of speakers and lots of mutually-intelligible dialects.Amharic is spoken by nearly 22 million people in Ethiopia, arguably the African continents most culturally distinct country due to  its unique history.The Americas: Languages for Traveling the Western HemisphereMore so than maybe any other part of the world, the colonial history of the Americas has left it for the most part neatly divided between a handful of large European world languages.Two main languages can get you uninterrupted from the northernmost reaches of the Yukon to the southern tips of Tierra del Fuego, and two more will put you in contact with the overwhelming majority of the population of North and South America.English: The Language of American Pop Cultural ImperialismThroughout the last century English has grown in i nternational importance, but the source of that wasnt its namesake, England. Most of global English has been propelled by Hollywood movies and Wall Street banks spreading their language, culture and money throughout the world. As a result of that, not just in the Americas, but throughout most parts of the world frequented by tourists, people understand at least a few basic English travel phrases.Compared to other parts of the world, English is less varied throughout North America, and most speakers should understand just about everything they hear from the most remote parts of Canada to either coast  of the US.In more developed countries and those with strong ties to the US and Canada, like Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, you stand a better chance of finding English speakers than in other parts of Latin America.Spanish: The  Language of Latin AmericaSpanish is the unifying force from the Rio Grande to Patagonia and beyond. Additionally, most Spanish-speaking travelers will fin d Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California and South  Florida all relatively easy to navigate without English, and all large North American cities have sizable Hispanic populations.Dont get discouraged if you learn the language and cant understand it in some regions. Parts of the Caribbean and the Southern Cone of South America are notoriously difficult for non-natives and even some native Spanish speakers to understand. But do be forewarned that remote areas of the Americas, especially in southern Mexico and Andean countries, may lack Spanish speakers entirely and instead have large populations of people who speak an indigenous language as their first (and possibly only) language.Some pre-trip classes or just a few important Spanish phrases will be majorly helpful in these parts of the world.Other Useful Languages for Exploring the AmericasPortuguese is the next best language for this region. While its limited to one country in South America, it happens to be the fifth-largest countr y in the world, full of some of the most appealing tourist destinations in the world. French will serve well in Quebec, French Guiana and the Caribbean Islands, and might open up some interesting chats in southern Louisiana, where Cajun French still runs strong.Dutch is the national language of Suriname and six Caribbean Islands.Quechua is one of the biggest indigenous languages of the Andes, and will get you far in more remote areas in the region.Learn a Language, Travel the WorldYou may have noticed that a lot of the benefits of the languages mentioned here have to do with connecting with locals. While its true that hordes of backpackers struggle through Southeast Asia every year on English alone, those who spent a month studying Vietnamese before starting their tour of the country will tell you how even the most basic communicative skills open up entire countries of new possibilities.To prepare yourself for any trip abroad, prepare yourself ahead of time by reading travel guides and phrasebooksâ€"youll arrive knowing about the destinations, local language, culture, etiquette and customs. Lonely Planet has travel guides and phrasebooks for virtually every region and language under the sun, so its a great place to start learning.Anything you can do to prepare yourself before traveling makes a difference.We know there are a ton of benefits for learning a language, but no one benefits from it as much as a world traveler. If youre planning a big trip in the near future, its time to start brushing up on your language skills today!Jakob is a full-time traveler, obsessive language learner and dedicated language teacher. He writes about language, travel and the many places they meet on the road at his blog Globalect. And One More ThingSo, about brushing up your language skills for that foreign adventure youve come to the right place!FluentU takes real-world videos like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks, and turns them into language learning ex periences, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the iTunes store  or Google Play store.

Tips to Help your Kids Handle Exam Stress - ALOHA Mind Math

Tips to Help your Kids Handle Exam Stress 1 Like Exam time is upon us, and all parents know that it could herald some stress. Here are some easy tips to help kids handle stress of tests and exams, which would help ease our state of mind as well: Effective study and revision: Work out a study timetable for exam preparation, with inputs from your child. Their participation in planning ensures that they would be equally invested in being responsible and sticking to the study schedule. Encourage your child to be independent and study on their own as much as possible as it is unlikely that you would be able to spend hours every day sitting by their side. You could help them with the final revision if you think it’s necessary, but try to ensure that your child’s studying is not dependent on your presence. Pic source: http://bit.ly/1oSPwwz Taking breaks: Any study plan should include breaks after every hour or half-hour depending on the age and attention span of the child. This could just a 5- minute snack and water break or a longer one where he or she could do something completely for entertainment. Such breaks are essential for the study time to be effective, as your child would then be able to concentrate better while studying. Giving importance to food, fitness and sleep: Healthy food is a basic need for energy and focus at an intensive time like exam preparation. Ensure that you have nutritious snacks readily available for the child to pick up and eat when he or she needs an energy boost. A good amount of sleep has a positive impact on the child’s focus and attention span. Fitness and exercise should be a part of any child’s schedule and during exams they help blow off a lot of steam too. Minimize external pressure: Some children report that it is the additional pressure put on them by parents or family that stresses them out more than the actual exam preparation. Provide your child enough support and encouragement that they would feel at ease to share with you not just their successes, but any reasons for failures and bad performance as well. Our programs at ALOHA Math could help improve focus and attention span and make the job of exam preparation a lot easier on your child and you. About ALOHA Mind Math ALOHA Mind Math has been guiding children between the ages of five through 12 years to achieve academic excellence since 2007. The interactive learning process is proven to enhance a child’s math, reading and writing capabilities. The teachers also assist children in developing skills and abilities such as observation and listening that result in the overall growth of the child. ALOHA Mind Math is currently training children all over the United States of America with more than 150 centers. For more details on this unique program, please visitalohamindmath.comor search for the center closest to you by using our locatoralohamindmath.com/locations/.