Learn Hindi Tools for Improving Hindi Conversation Skills

Learn Hindi Tools for Improving Hindi Conversation Skills 6 Tips for Improving Your Hindi Conversation ChaptersWhy Can’t I Speak Hindi?Practise Your Listening Skills in the Hindi LanguageLearn to Speak Hindi With Conversation PartnersImmerse Yourself in Hindi Language and CultureSo you’ve signed up for Hindi language courses, you’ve learned the Devanagari alphabet, practised your vocabulary, done all your grammar exercises, but your conversation is limited to the basic words and phrases covered in your beginners’ textbook?Despite all the time you have put aside to study Hindi verb declensions, you still aren’t able to communicate fluently?Here are some Superprof tips and tricks to improve your conversational Hindi. GiusyHindi Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnchalHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NehaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AkshayaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuhaniHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutor s MedhaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PriyankaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaurabhHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Can’t I Speak Hindi?How is it that, even though you have been learning your vocabulary religiously, done all the written exercises to learn sentence structure and basic phrases, you still can’t get out more than simple greetings in spoken conversation?That is because you learn languages on several levels. They can be divided into:Written and oral comprehensionActive and passive vocabularyWritten versus Oral ComprehensionReading something - whether in the Hindi alphabet or transliteration - and hearing it are two different things. Unless you really have an excellent ear, there will always be a certain variation in what you hear when you read a vocabulary list and what you hear when the words are spoken by a native speaker.For one thing, someone with Hindi as his mother tongue will probably be speaking faster than you. When you read, you have all the time you need to consider the Hindi words and figure out their meaning. For another, he or she might be speaking a dialect that pronounces things slightly differently, whereas the words will always look the same when written down.Understanding each other and having a conversation in Hindi is essential for good international relations! Photo credit: UK in India on Visual huntActive versus Passive VocabularyThen there is the difference between passive and active vocabulary - the difference between understanding and speaking.It’s easier to understand something that is said because all you need to do is remember the vocabulary. Hopefully, your grammar lessons included enough examples of Hindi phrases that you can eventually automatically comprehend which word is the subject, object and verb.However, when you try to speak yourself, you not only have to find the right words but also:arrange them in the ri ght orderdecline the verb tenses,use the right gender,match adjectives in number and gender to the nouns, etc.This may come easily when faced with words on paper, but in front of a live person who is waiting for an answer, perhaps impatiently, whom you feel might be judging you, you often freeze up. Maybe you’re also afraid of getting it wrong and being misunderstood, of your pronunciation not being up to par.All this comes together to make having a conversation in the Hindi language more difficult than reading or writing. It’s also why it’s often easier to speak a language while drunk - while you still need to call forth the words from your passive vocabulary, you stop overthinking things and simply get the words out.But since we at Superprof cannot condone drunken language learning, here are some tips for improving your ear and improving your conversation.Practise Your Listening Skills in the Hindi LanguageThe first part of a conversation is understanding what people are tel ling you. This means improving your listening skills and learning to understand Hindi spoken as a native language.How to learn Hindi through audioOne way to get used to the tones and rhythms of the Hindi language is to listen to an audio recording.   It frees you from visual stimuli and lets you focus on the rise and fall of the language.This is a good solution for learning Hindi on the go. You can listen to audio files almost anywhere - on your daily commute, while out jogging, while doing grunt work or just before going to sleep. Just remember: safety first! You need to be able to hear your surroundings if you are outside or working.So what kind of audio files are good for practising your Hindi?listening to Hindi music.Tuning in to a Hindi online radio station or podcast.Downloading your favourite Hindi books as audiobooks.Learning Hindi in a classroom is the first step - immersing yourself in Hindi language and culture is the next! Photo credit: WorldLitToday on VisualhuntLearnin g Hindi through Hindi videoBut while listening to the Hindi language is good for learning the rhythm of Hindi, the best way to get used to Hindi conversation is to actually see someone speak - after all, the Indian culture is different from ours. There are going to be different visual cues and body language.For example, where we might nod to show we understand or to punctuate a sentence, in many parts of India they dip their head slightly to the side.Body language and facial expressions are as important a part of learning a new language as knowing your Hindi vocabulary by heart.For that, you need to see people speaking Hindi. And there are several ways to do that:Learn Hindi online with video blogs, tutorials and YouTube videos. They don’t have to be about learning Hindi, you can watch videos about anything that interests you.Watch Indian TV via satellite or online libraries.Watch Bollywood movies. Not only will you have fun and learn about the Indian culture, you will also practi ce your Hindi through listening to dialogue.Careful, though! Not every Indian video will be in Hindi - they could be in Nepali, Kannada, Gujarati, Tamil, Punjabi, Marathi or Bengali.Learn to Speak Hindi With Conversation PartnersBut though improving your listening skills is a good start, it’s not quite enough for your conversation skills. For that, you need the give-and-take of an actual conversation. This is the best way to learn Hindi expressionsBut how can you speak to a native speaker without going to India?The best way is to hook up with a language partner.Often, this takes the form of a language exchange. You find someone who speaks Hindi and who wants to learn to speak English, and you each spend some time talking exclusively in each language.There are various ways you can get in touch with a potential language partner.Finding the right Hindi language exchange partner is the first step to improving your Hindi conversation! Photo on Visualhunt.How to learn Hindi with live la nguage partnersA nice way to learn Hindi and make new friends is to meet up with a language partner in person. There are several websites that can pair you up with a native Hindi speaking course near you.Or you can see if your local university offers Hindi as a subject. If it does, you can go there and put up a notice on the message board if they have one, advertising for someone to speak Hindi with.You can also ask local Indian restaurants if you can put up a notice, or in shops that sell Indian products.Be certain that you first meet in a neutral location, such as a café. Ordering food is also a good way to break the ice!A good way to make sure you have something to talk about the first few meetings is to both read an article or book or watch the same Hindi movie and discuss it.Language partners onlineThere are a number of apps and websites that let you chat with people from various countries - whether you want to learn Portuguese, learn Korean, learn Arabic or learn Chinese. Mos tly, it’s written - so they are not necessarily ideal for practising speaking. However, this is a good intermediate solution for learning the give-and-take of conversation while still leaving you time to order your thoughts.A few apps and websites where people can post their interest in language chats are:Conversation ExchangeItalki  My Language ExchangeSome of them, though, offer written or face chats on-site (or in-app) such as:Open Language Exchange  Scrabbin  Tandem (app)HelloTalk (app)Another option is to get a private tutor in Hindi, either live or via Skype.Immerse Yourself in Hindi Language and CultureThe best possible way of learning a language, though, is through immersion. And that means going to India.When choosing where in India you want to live, be sure to choose someplace where Hindi is the main language. For while Hindi is the official language of India for many purposes, it is only one of many. Mostly it is spoken in northern India, in the following states:BiharCh hattisgarhDelhiHaryanaHimachal PradeshJharkhandMadhya PradeshRajasthanUttarakhandUttar PradeshThere are some other places, such as Mumbai, where Hindi is spoken, but there it is very much influenced by the Marathi language, so unless you have an internship at a Bollywood studio, you should stick to the areas above.It’s even better if you can take a language course at the same time to improve your knowledge of grammar rules and pronunciation.Take an immersion holidayThere are a number of companies that offer immersion holidays, or you can plan your own. The idea is not to stay in the tourist hotels, but somewhere you will be forced to interact with locals, going to the market, maybe even taking on a small job for a few weeks.This means that in that time you will be speaking nothing but Hindi, hearing nothing but Hindi and reading nothing but the Hindi script. The phrase: “Do you speak English?” is taboo on an immersion holiday!Immerse yourself in Indian culture by learning Hind i in India - during an immersion holiday. Photo credit: Claudio Nichele (@jihan65 on Twitter) on VisualHunt.comBecome an au-pair in IndiaIf you want to stay a bit longer, becoming an au-pair is a possibility.As an au-pair, you will live with a Hindi-speaking family and help around the house (au-pairs are often used as nannies, so getting on well with children is a plus!). In exchange, they will speak Hindi to you and you will live in India with free room and board.You will generally have a little bit of pocket money and some au-pair agencies will also offer Hindi language classes to help you with your possessive pronouns and subjunctive.Or why not try a private tutor to learn Hindi, and get support both in grammar and conversation!

How To Answer What Is Your Greatest Weakness - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How To Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness” - Introvert Whisperer How To Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?” Last week, we helped you answer the interview question, ”  tell me about yourself,” so this week we wanted to tackle another classic question â€"  What do you think is your greatest weakness?  This is a hard question to answer, and according to  90%  of job seekers on  Big Interviewer, they have the same question for their  interview coach. The pressure of this question is real, especially when you are interviewing for a position you feel like is your dream job. The dilemma  that arises is that you don’t want to seem to like you can’t qualify for this position but on the flip side, you don’t want to look arrogant by saying you don’t have any weakness. As your  career sidekick,  we have a 2 -step process for you leverage this question to help you land your  dream job. Step 1: Choose Your  Weakness This is a pretty obvious step, but this process takes some time and self-reflection. It’s important that you prepare your answer prior to your interview. Trying to find your weakness on the spot will cause you to freeze and make you seem unprepared. Look through your past   Your main goal is to leave a solid  impression on your interviewer, and the only way to do that is to by being  genuine and authentic. Think of past jobs that you have had and where you feel like you could have improved in those positions? How does it relate to the job? Know what you are interviewing for and the skills that are needed for that position. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by choosing a weakness that is needed for the position you want to fill. A perfect example is if you are interviewing for a sales position, don’t say that your biggest struggle is building relationships  with people. Make sure the weakness is fixable You want to make sure that your weakness can be something that can be improved on with your professional development. Remember this question isn’t supposed to stump you in an interview but highlight your skills as a team member and your ability  to grow. Keep It Brief After you have pinpointed your weakness now you need to just keep it short. Just like how you would have answered  â€œTell me about yourself”,  you need to organize your thoughts and remember the relevant information that your interviewer wants to know. Doing this will help you compile your weakness in a way that best highlights the next part of your answer. Step 2: Show that you’re working on it After you provide your answer, you need your follow up with how you are combating this weakness. leverage is a great time to show your  motivation and your willingness to grow in your professional development. For example: if you struggle  with time management the best solution  for you is staying organized, have a planner and make goals for the next day. This is the most important part of your whole answer because this is where you can leverage your weakness into a positive. Interviews are a difficult process and can be very stressful when you are not prepared. For more guidance on interviewing, check out our  interview prep guide  to make sure you have all of your bases covered way before the interview and you can land your dream job. This article was originally published on SkillGigs. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

The 5 Fastest Growing Careers for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The 5 Fastest Growing Careers for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer The 5 Fastest Growing Careers for Introverts As an introvert, finding the right career can be a challenge. Matching your skillset with your personality type can be especially tough. Finding the right balance is what every introvert is looking for. When considering beginning your career or looking for a career change, a good place to start might be to look at what careers fit well with introverted personality types. Jobs that have a lot of independent work with minimal large team projects are usually a fit. With that in mind, the next step is to look at which introvert-friendly careers are on the rise. Statistician The fastest growing job field for introverts are statisticians. The field is projected to experience a 33 percent growth rate between 2016 and 2026, significantly higher than average. The statistician profession is one that is very attractive to introverts, in that the job involves a lot of independent research and creative problem-solving. Some of the duties that a statistician can expect to carry out include: Develop mathematical rules, theories, and concepts Decide what data is needed to address specific problems or issues Design surveys and experiments to collect data Develop statistical models to analyze data Interpret data and draw conclusions to solve problems and inform business decisions The job market for statisticians is highly competitive. Most statisticians pursue undergraduate degrees in fields such as mathematics, economics, computer science, or other related fields. Although some entry-level positions will consider candidates with a bachelor’s degree, most statistician positions require a master’s degree in statistics or a related field. Information Security Analysts Another job field that is currently experiencing a lot of growth is information security analysts. Employment of information security analysts is expected to grow by 28 percent by 2026, making it one of the most attractive careers on the job market. Information security analysts typically work independently or with a small team to prevent, assess, and fight cyber attacks. This makes it an attractive career for introverts. An information security analyst can expect to have the following responsibilities: Monitor an organization’s networks for security breaches Install and use software that protects sensitive information Compile reports documenting security breaches and the extent of damage caused Develop standards and best practices for security Simulate attacks to look for vulnerabilities in systems Though there is high demand for information security analysts, the field is expected to remain competitive. A master’s degree in cybersecurity or an MBA with a concentration in information systems can help distinguish a prospective candidate from the pack. Operations Research Analyst Introverts looking for careers that involve using quantitative methods to help organizations solve complex problems should consider becoming an operations research analyst. The field is expected to yield high growth; current projections estimate 27 percent growth by 2026. Similar to information security analysts, operations research analysts typically conduct independent research while sometimes working in small teams. The job duties one can expect as an operations research analyst include: Collect and organize information from databases, sales histories, customer feedback, etc. Gather information from stakeholders to help solve issues Analyze this information and determine what is relevant to the problem at hand Use statistical analysis, simulations, or predictive models to develop solutions to complex business issues Compile reports and other documents explaining findings and providing solutions for problems Though a bachelor’s degree is often the minimum requirement for an entry-level position, many employers prefer to hire candidates with master’s degrees, due to the high-level analysis that the job requires. There are not very many operations research degree programs, so candidates typically hold degrees in a related field such as engineering, analytics, or mathematics. Software Application Developer Demand for software application developers is expected to grow by 24 percent, making it one of the fastest growing careers across all industries. This huge growth can be largely attributed to the widespread adoption of mobile devices, which are in constant need of new app development. Software application developers usually spend their days writing code, or managing a small team of programmers that write code. The job function of a software application developer includes the following responsibilities: Understand user needs and design, test, and develop software to meet the needs of the user Create models and diagrams that show programmers the code needed for an application Design the individual pieces of the application and ensure that they will work together Ensure that the application functions properly through testing and maintenance Recommend software updates for customers’ existing programs Most software application developers are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in a field such as computer science or software engineering. Like most professions, a master’s degree can make a candidate more qualified. Keeping up to date with new tools and programming languages is essential for any software application developer. Actuary Actuaries typically work for insurance companies to analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. The actuary job market is expected to grow by 22 percent by 2026. Though the field is relatively small, the fast growth rate is something to keep in mind for prospective actuaries. Introverts have often gravitated toward this career as the job entails a considerable amount of independent work. Actuaries can expect to have the following responsibilities: Compiling statistical data and other information for analysis Estimate the probability and cost of an event such as death, sickness, accident, or natural disaster Design, test, and administer insurance policies, investments, pensions, and other business strategies Produce charts, tables, and reports that explain proposals and calculations Explain findings to executives, government officials, and shareholders Because the field is relatively small, the market for actuaries is extremely competitive. Actuaries need a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, or another related field. Actuaries may also need to pursue professional certifications. Though there are many careers that would be a fit for introverts, these five careers offer professionals a lot of room for growth. The challenge will be matching your skillset to the right career. Author: Tim Ufer Tim currently works with university graduate programs as a community outreach manager. Tim has developed a passion for career advancement and professional development. Tim’s expertise includes career advice, higher education, and entrepreneurship. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What Is The Best Way To Learn Spanish For Complete Beginners

What Is The Best Way To Learn Spanish For Complete Beginners How to Learn Spanish for Beginners: Some Tips to Get Started ChaptersWhy Should You Learn Spanish?Different Ways to Learn Spanish for BeginnersGeneral Tips for How to Learn SpanishStarting out on your Spanish language learning experience can sometime seem a bit daunting. For a start, you'll need to know what are the best ways to learn Spanish, and how doing so will benefit you.You can take comfort from the fact that one major decision is already out of the way; you have decided to learn Spanish so you are no longer thinking about the pros and cons of each individual language.If you have absolutely no Spanish experience at all, then let us first begin by saying   ¡Bienvenidos!  Yes, welcome to the world of the Spanish language! You are probably dreaming of being fluent and conversing freely on the streets of Madrid. Whilst it is great to have objectives and goals, please bear in mind that at this stage it is baby steps which will ensure you keep progressing towards your goal.By learning Spanish, you will expand your horizons and enter into the second most spoken native language in the world, after Chinese. This means that any level of Spanish will be advantageous to you.Having a conversational level will allow you to learn the basic greetings and phrases to speak to locals whilst you are on holiday in Mexico. Having an intermediate level will allow you to move abroad to countries such as Spain, Argentina, Peru, and Chile, but to name a few.In this article, we will explain why, as a beginner, you should learn how to speak Spanish, how you should go about it, as well as giving you some tips to keep you on track, and make sure you keep progressing on your Spanish speaking journey.Spanish and English are two of the languages that dominate the AmericasThis means that if you speak Spanish as a second language, you can communicate with a native speaker in Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, and Uruguay, showing that if you learn to speak Spanish, you will be opening up your travel prospects enormously.This is great news when you consid er that Chile was named number 1 travel destination for 2018 by the world's largest travel guide book publisher,  Lonely Planet. What's more, Sevilla in Spain, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Guanajuato in Mexico, all featured on their list of the top 10 cities to visit in 2018. Baja California in Mexico, Bolivia's capital, La Paz, and Lanzarote in Spain, were all included on their list of destinations offering the best value in 2018.Spanish speaking countries offer some of the most beautiful and amazing places to visit in the world, and this is without even considering the rich and distinct history and culture that each one can boast. Speaking Spanish is the key to unlocking the full potential of each destination, and doing so will enrich the authenticity of your experience as you will be able to interact with the locals which could take you to cafes and restaurants not frequented by tourists.Use your Spanish to explore the local cuisineYou are probably thinking that this all sounds g reat, but perhaps you are still worried about how difficult it is to study Spanish. You can be reassured that the Foreign Service Institute placed Spanish in the category of the easiest languages to learn for English speakers. This doesn't mean you should take your Spanish lessons lightly, but it does mean that with a little bit of dedication and personal motivation, you should see results and progress quicker than with languages such as Arabic, Russian, or Chinese.How Will Learning Spanish Benefit You?The sheer number of native Spanish speakers has converted the language into one that people want to learn to speak. As a result, it has taken on increased importance across the globe. Not only is it one of the official languages of the UN, it is also important in the world of business. This means that speaking Spanish can increase your employability immensely, as companies are constantly looking for Spanish speakers to help them do business in Latin America.Many Spanish speaking count ries have seen periods of increased economic growth at various periods over the last two decades, helped by economic agreements such as NAFTA and Mercosur.What's more, many Hispanic countries are seeing a rise in their middle classes, which means that, in general, people have more disposable income to spend on goods, holidays, and non-essential items. Western businesses are keen to tap into this growing market, but having a Spanish speaking workforce is crucial to their success.Outside of the economic benefits to you, you will also see a growth in personal development by studying the language of Cervantes. Just by learning a few words and phrases, Spanish speaking cultures will become more accessible to you. Aside from watching movies in Spanish to learn the language, you will be able to better appreciate the cultural meaning behind them. The same can be said of songs and books. After all, a translated book can never truly convey the exact same meaning as it does in the language in which it was written.There are loads of Spanish speaking films for you to appreciate!An increased cultural understanding will give you a different perspective on the world. You will understand things that happen around you better as you will gradually be able to apply a different way of thinking about them.Ultimately, learning a foreign language, such as Spanish, will open a variety of doors to you. These will be in your professional life through job opportunities, and in your personal life through opportunities to travel and an increased cultural awareness and understanding.Different Ways to Learn Spanish for BeginnersThere are plenty of different ways for beginners to pick up the Spanish language. You will see Spanish courses being advertised at a local language school, options for learning Spanish online, as well as private classes with a Spanish teacher.There is no correct way to study Spanish. In fact, the best way to learn Spanish will involve a variety of different approaches which you mix together. It would be advisable to find some Spanish classes. This will give your learning some structure, as well as offering the chance to interact with other people in the same position as you. Having a tutor there at the beginning is also a good idea for when you run in to difficulties and you need certain things clarifying.A Spanish teacher can give you guidance in your language learning journeyHowever, you should not just rely on Spanish lessons as your sole approach to learning the language. You should use other methods, such as using books for learning Spanish. Research which is the best book to help you begin learning Spanish before you rush out to buy one as you will need one that perfectly suits you.Learning Spanish with an app  is another good way that beginners can support their overall learning experience. Apps have the advantage of being on your smartphone or tablet, meaning that you can use them of the go. They are often also designed for complete begi nners and back you along the way as your develop your language skills in Spanish.You can work on things such as grammar and vocabulary, whilst other apps focus on verbs and their conjugation.As with any new language, you will naturally start by focusing on the basic Spanish that you'll need to hold an introductory conversation. This means that Spanish vocabulary is more important than Spanish grammar at the start. This is because vocabulary makes up the building blocks of how to construct a sentence.Making a correct sentence is more important at the beginning than knowing the grammar behind it. And by making complete and correct sentences, you will start to give to give basic meaning.So it is therefore essential that you commit the new vocabulary you learn (and there will be a lot!) to memory. Start by making lists of new Spanish words, and then try to memorize them. The first list that you will learn will more than likely be numbers, as learning a new language normally starts here. Counting in Spanish is one of the first things you will learnBut once you have the numbers assimilated, try with other lists of vocabulary. If you can, group words together. For example, you could have one list of colours, and another for physical features. These are the types of words that are useful when you start out learning Spanish.General Tips for How to Learn SpanishSpanish is a language that can be learnt by anyone. Obviously each student will require a different approach to learning the language. For example,  teaching Spanish to a dyslexic child  will require a different approach to that of an adult taking an intensive course. But in general, here are our tips for learning the Spanish language.FlashcardsFlashcards are a great way to learn vocabulary. You should write down one word per flashcard, with English translation on the other side. To begin with, just see if you can say way the English word is when you see the Spanish word. As you grow in confidence and your level i ncreases, see if you know the Spanish word when you see the English word.Another thing you could do which words in a similar way is to label everything that surrounds you. For example, in your kitchen you could put a little sign on the fridge that says la nevera, and one on the microwave that says el microondas.Practise Makes PerfectTake every available that you can to practice. If you have a Spanish speaking friend, practise what you learn in your classes with them. If they are a native speaker, they can help you with your pronunciation.As a new learner, you need to be practising as often as possible. This will help solidify what you learn in your classes, and through practising you will pick up the patterns in the sentence structure and grammar.Use Different Ways of Learning SpanishAs we have previously suggested, you should try to utilise as many different ways of learning Spanish as possible so that they compliment each other. This is especially important if you want to teach yo urself Spanish.There is a wealth of resources out there (websites, apps, books, videos etc) so make sure you use them all to practise and learn. Videos in particular are a great way to learn and improve because they deal in depth with specific topics, such as the one below which looks at phonetics.Patience is a VirtueDon't expect your fluency to be flawless after just one less. Language learning is a long process. There will be highs and lows. Some times you will think you are progressing really well, and at others you will think that you have ground to a halt.Don't lose faith in what you can achieve, just remember that ups and downs are natural. If you persevere, you will more than likely come out of the other side. If you do find yourself in a difficult moment, try going back and looking at previous notes and what you have learnt.Reinforcing things that you might already know well can instil the confidence that you need to make the breakthrough that you crave.Vocabulary is KingYou will never stop learning new vocabulary. This is often the case in your native language too. You often come across new words which you don't necessarily know what they mean. The building blocks of any language are the words, so try to learn a few new words each day. Once you have learnt them, try to use them in a sentence to reinforce that you know them.Spanish is a language which relies on around 1,000 common words which you will use day in day out, but once you reach this level, know that there is always more that you can learn.When you learn new words, right them down! Try to group them together so that you can see patterns and common themes in what you are trying to learn.Writing down key words is a good way of memorising what you learnImmersionThe best way to learn any language is through immersion. The more you surround yourself with a language, the more you will absorb. The best example of this is by going to spend an extended period of time in a Spanish speaking country. Ev en when you think that you aren't learning, you will be absorbing what you hear on the radio, or during a conversation in the supermarket.Even if you can't go abroad, listening to Spanish speaking music will help you tune your ear in to the Spanish pronunciation, even if you don't understand every thing that is being said.What a great way to prepare for your Spanish lessons London or Glasgow!

4 Chinese Recipes Made Easy

4 Chinese Recipes Made Easy Why Is Learning To Make Chinese Food Worth The Effort? ChaptersPopular Chinese Cooking Techniques For Chinese RecipesThe Essential Chinese Food  Ingredient ListPopular Items On The Chinese Food Menu.Easy Chinese Recipes You Can Make At HomeFaster Than Calling Your Local Chinese Food TakeawayFocused on minimal fuzz and maximum impact, all Chinese recipes incorporate seasonal and fresh vegetables, fish/meats, rice, and noodles. The result is perfectly balanced, flavourful, delicious, fragrant and wholesome meals, which keep you coming back for more, no matter how many times you have eaten it.It is for this reason that the popularity of Chinese food has spread rapidly worldwide. With the Chinese takeaway being the ethnic staple on the high streets of cities internationally.So when you pick up the phone, to call your local Chinese restaurant, with your stomach rumbling and preparing for the joys of the meal to follow, it is unlikely that you think about when the dish was invented.Much of China's cuisine has been cultivated over thousands of years and has now created a melting pot of cooking styles, techniques, and flavours.Steaming; which is considered to be an extremely healthy way to cook is used in many recipes such as Dim Sum.Boiling; which is one of the simplest ways to cook creates dishes such as Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce.Deep frying; is the key to tasty and crispy textures and creates dishes like spring rolls stuffed with veggies or fried noodles.Roasted meats; done over a hot fire or in the oven reveal crispy skin and soft succulent meat beneath such as the famous Peking duck.Fast Chinese food ready in minutes. Photo source Unsplash.The Essential Chinese Food  Ingredient ListChinese cuisine is full of a diverse collection of unique flavours, which blend together and enhance each other to create the delicious Chinese recipes that we have come to know and love. When eating Chinese food you may not always recognise the different tastes but some of the essential ingredients are:Essential Chinese Ingredient s:Dark Soy sauce, which has a slightly sweeter and less salty taste than other kinds of soy sauce. Made from soybeans.Fresh Ginger adds heat to your dish, tenderises meat and deodorises fish.Chilli sauce, adds a spicy kick to your meal.Toasted sesame oil is the key flavour of many dishes most commonly drizzled sparingly to garnish a dish.Black Vinegar which has a colour close to that of soy sauce but it has a woody, malty and pungent flavour.Oyster sauce is a popular Chinese sauce that has unique fragrant flavour enhancing properties, used often in marinades.Chinese Five-spice powder has a powerful flavour.Monosodium glutamate a natural flavour enhancer.Ingredients for Chinese cookingThe rich flavours in Chinese food recipes which were once a mystery, difficult to buy and intimidating to cook, are no longer restricted to just to the Chinese restaurant, takeout or kitchen. You can now buy previously top-secret ingredients at your local supermarket. Chinese pre-prepared meals and off the shelf products are fast and make it easy to recreate the takeaway experience at home.A favourite on the Chinese food Menu. Photo source Pixabay.My parents were much more experimental. They would order lots of new things from the menu like flavourful black bean duck, roasted crab, Chinese fried rice and there were always cashews, veggies like bok choy, cabbage, broccoli, chestnuts and bamboo shoots. Not to mention the different kinds of sticky rice, sweet and savoury.The taste of the red glistening sweet and sour sauce covering Chinese, makes my mouth water even now, it could perhaps be my favourite Chinese sauce. I always took hours to eat my saucy chicken, and taste every last drop. 4The interesting thing is that when I went to my friends or families house’s, I noticed that when they ordered Chinese food, they always ordered similar items to my family.Chinese restaurants have filled our bellies with delicious Chinese food for centuries. Photo source Pixabay.There was always t he fried rice dish like egg or chicken fried rice, the fried noodle dish like prawn chow mein, the starter like spring rolls, the saucy dish like sweet and sour pork or prawns, and who can forget the thick chicken and corn soup. My mouth is watering again just thinking about it.Learn more thanks to  cooking courses London.Chinese menus are full of delicious selections. The mix of diverse ingredients being turned into any number of new dishes has secured the flavourful Chinese food menu, as a firm favourite on the tables of people worldwide.Easy Chinese Recipes You Can Make At HomeEven if you are not a confident cook, these recipes are easy quick and taste great. All of the ingredients will be available at your local supermarket or your local Asian supermarket and after you have made it once you will be able to gain confidence to make it time and time again. You will be the talking point of every dinner party when people taste your authentic Chinese food flavours and want to know you r 'secret'.If you enjoy these recipes and want to try even more Chinese food recipes, visit the BBC, They offer Chinese recipes  that you can try at home.Recipe for Chinese Chicken And Sweetcorn Soup1/2 a boiled or steamed chicken breast1 can of  green giant sweetcorn1 beaten egg with a pinch of salt300ml water1/4 cup of cornstarchSalt, pepper and/or MSG to tasteOptional: Garnish with Spring onions (scallions) and toasted sesame oilOptional: Add some rice noodles to have more of a noodle soupCooking Time: Less than 10 minutesServes 2 peopleCooking Instructions for Chicken And Sweetcorn SoupAdd a tablespoon of oil to a hot wok or frying pan over a high heat.The chicken should be stir fried but not browned.Add the water to make a broth.Add the sweetcorn and the seasoning then Boil for 3-5 minutes.Add the cornstarch very slowly until it becomes a loose thick paste.  Stir well.Add the egg bit by bit, stirring infrequently until egg ribbons are formed.Remove from the fire.Top with sprin g onions (scallions) and drizzle a few drops of sesame oil on top.You will now enjoy one of the most satisfying textured Chinese soups. If you want to be creative you could also use this as a Chinese sauce for veggies or rice.Simple Chinese recipe ready in less than 15 minutes. Photo source Pixabay.Recipe for Chicken Chow Mein (Fried Noodles)400g cooked egg noodles or rice noodles1/2 small white onionChop a vegetable or two (optional)1 boiled or steamed chicken breast1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon of MSG (or 1 small spoon of light soy sauce)A hand full of bean sproutsVegetable oilChilli flakes to garnishCooking Time: Less than 30 minutesServes 2 peopleCooking Instructions for  Chicken Chow MeinAdd oil to a hot wok or frying pan over a high heat.When you have hot oil add the onion and make sure it is stir fried well.Add the chicken. Fry for 2-3 minutes.Add the salt and the noodles. Fry for a few minutes until loose.Add soy sauce or MSG and the bean sprout s.Garnish with spring onions.Another easy chicken dish, these chicken noodles will have you wanting seconds so double the recipe so you don’t miss out.How can you resist trying to make Chinese food recipes. Photo source Pixabay.Recipe for Sweet and Sour  Chinese PorkPork Marinade - Prepare the Pork 1 day before250 grams of your favourite cut of pork1 tbsp of dark soy sauce1/4 tsp of salt1/2 tsp of baking powderFor the stir-fried ingredients2 Eggs1/2 cup of plain flour1 tbsp of garlic1 cup of your chosen vegetable2 cups of a colourful bell pepper2 cups of pineappleSweet and sour Chinese Sauce1/4 cup of ketchup1/4 cup of water1/4 cup of sugar1/4 cup of vinegar2 tbsp of plum sauce1 tbsp of cornstarchPinch of salt or to tasteIf you like it spicy you can add some chilliCooking Time: Less than 10 minutesServes 2 peopleTip: If you want to replace the Pork and make sweet and sour chicken you need to follow the same process.Cooking Instructions for Sweet and Sour Chinese PorkCut the pork i nto small cubes and add to a bowl.Add 1 tbsp soy sauce. 1/4 tsp of salt. 1/4 tsp of baking soda.Mix and let it marinade overnight to make it tender.Whisk 2 eggs. Dip each piece of tender pork cube into the egg and then coat it with flour, do this twice.Heat the oil in the deep fryer (preferable) Wok or Frying pan to 350 Degrees until you have very hot oil.Deep fry your pork twice.Remove from the fire.Add all of the ingredients for the sauce to a pan.Cook on medium heat whilst stirring.Once it is bubbling, turn the heat to low, until it feels sticky.Remove from the fire.Heat up your wok (Frying Pan).Add 1 tbsp of oil, and 1 tbsp of garlic.Add the bell peppers and pineapple. Stir for 3 minutes.Add the pork and the sauce.Mix well and remove from the fire.Your Chinese pork dish is servedA popular Chinese pork recipe is sweet and sour Pork. Photo source Pixabay.Recipe for Vegetarian Egg Stir Fried Rice250g of Leftover riceDark Soy SauceYour choice of chopped vegetableAn EggTofu (optional )Salt, pepper and/or MSG to tasteCooking Time: Less than 10 minutesServes 2 peopleCooking Instructions for Egg Stir Fried RiceAdd some dark soy sauce to your day old rice.Mix very well until all of the leftover rice is coated.Whisk your egg.Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to a hot wok (frying pan) over a high heat.The pan needs to be extremely hot for best results.Add the egg and scramble it quickly. Add your rice and chosen veggies.Must be stir fried energetically for 5 minutes, make sure all of the rice gets heated by moving it actively in the pan.Remove from the fire.A flavourful Chinese dishPerfectly balanced Chinese food - Egg fried rice. Photo source Pixabay.Faster Than Calling Your Local Chinese Food TakeawayMany of the Chinese dishes and recipes can be made in less than 20 minutes, so it is perfect for a treat after a hard day at work  because it is so easy. Or why not surprise your family or friends, no matter what the occasion. Have a look around your local supermarket for some of the ingredients listed above, experiment with texture â€" crispy, crunchy, Chinese sauce, dried ingredients, toss in nuts like peanuts and cashews, go with what you find, taste everything and enjoy the journey.All you need is a love for food, confidence that anything you make will be great and the assurance that you will get better with practice.  With this mindset, you cannot fail to create delicious and authentic better than takeout Chinese recipes.For a truly authentic experience eat your meal with chopsticks.It’s time for a feastEnjoy!Learn more about Asian Cooking with our guide.Panorama of Asian cuisine  The best Asian food blogs  Easy Asian recipes  Asian Cooking in a Wok  Why is Asian cooking different to Western cooking?

Setting Language Learning Goals

Setting Language Learning Goals Why You Need Language Learning Goals ChaptersThe Difference Between Goals and DreamsGoals Make It Easy to Get StartedGoals Help You Take ControlIncrease Your Focus With GoalsGoals Help You Monitor Your ProgressGoals Maximize Your ResultsGoals Define Your ProcessGoals Protect You From ProcrastinationGoals Hold You AccountableGoals Keep You Motivated and Provide MomentumGoals Minimize Your FrustrationLanguage-Learning Goals Guide You to SuccessDo you really need goals if you want to learn a new language? It can seem excessive if you’re just starting out on your path to reach fluency. Why waste time planning out a language learning strategy when you can just download an app and start taking lessons, right? The truth is that setting goals is the first (and most crucial) step to achieving fluency in any foreign language.PixabayGoals Make It Easy to Get StartedSometimes, all we need in life is a little extra push to get started. Language learning goals can do just that. When you sit down to put those ideas on paper, so to s peak, you’re making them real. Tangible. The process of setting up goals, especially S.M.A.R.T. goals, requires you to really think out your language-learning. After working to set up your language goals, you’ll know exactly how to begin and where to begin. And that makes getting started much, much easier.Goals Help You Take ControlWithout language-learning goals, your efforts won’t get you very far. One day you may feel like reading in your target language for 10 minutes, the next day, you may want to try speaking the language. Some days you’ll put in 20 minutes, others an hour, others, not at all. Sadly, these inconsistent efforts won’t lead to much. You’ll just end up spinning your wheels, wasting time.Having language learning goals puts you in control. They give you something to work towards. And every time you make progress and accomplish one of those goals, you’ll feel successful. That feeling helps you take control and continue to push forward because you’ll f eel more responsible for your own success.Increase Your Focus With GoalsIf you imagine that learning a language is kind of like climbing a mountain, then goals function as the path for you to walk on to reach the summit. Do you need a path to reach the top? Not necessarily. But having one keeps you from getting lost, or worse, having to turn back along the way. With goals, you can focus on the steps you need to take to reach fluency, saving you time and money in the process while increasing the likelihood of success in the end.Goals Help You Monitor Your ProgressGoals don’t just function as a path to guide you to fluency in a foreign language, they also serve as goal posts along the way. If you’ve ever gone on a challenging hike, you know that when the terrain gets tough, you pause every so often along the way to catch your breath. In those moments, you gaze back the way you came, seeing how far you’ve progressed.Language-learning goals allow you to do the same. Each and every day that you spend learning your target language moves you closer to the fluency’s summit. But each day is also a small step forward. These days build on top of each other. And before long, you can stop, look back, and see how far you’ve come.English has a whole host of words that can be very funny. Photo Source: Unsplash JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGoals Maximize Your ResultsSuccessful people tend to have goals. That’s because success feels good. And when you accomplish a goal, you want to recreate that feeling, and so you go after another goal. This continuous process of setting out and achieving to recreate that feeling fuels progress.The same is true for success in language-learning. With clear goals in mind, you won’t simply stand around waiting for something to happen. You’ll get out there and make it happen. It will feel good. So, you’ll want to keep making that happen, pushing yourself forward to conquer new goals.Goals Define Your ProcessHow you learn a new language matters just as much as the tools you use to achieve it. When you have your process clearly lined out: you’ll know what to study, when, and how. This means you won’t be wasting time when you sit down to learn a new language. Instead, you’ll get right to it, achieving results faster.Goals Protect You From ProcrastinationThere are a lot of reasons people procrastinate. But you can avoid that mindset with clear goals in mind. When you’re dreaming of learning a new language, you never really take a step forward to make it happen. Instead, it just sits on the back burner of your mind. Waiting. But once you put those goals into writing and define your process, you begin moving towards the goal of eventually achieving fluency. You stop procrastinating and start making it happen.It’s important to note, though, that long-term language-learning goals can lead to procrastination. It’s much easier to push efforts down the road when we think we have more time. If you think you have 1 year to learn a language, for instance, you may be more willing to procrastinate. That’s why it’s important to set both short and long-term goals.Goals Hold You AccountableOnce you make language-learning goals, you have to deal with the psychological impact of failure. Saying, “I’m going to reach an A2 Level of Spanish in 3 m onths” means that if 3 months pass and you’re not at A1, you will have failed to reach your goal. People don’t like a failure. We don’t like letting ourselves down.Having goals in place keep us accountable, driving us to spend time practising our foreign languages. You clearly know when you fail to reach what you set out to do. So, even if you’re not in the mood to study or practice speaking in your target language, your desire to achieve your goals can move you to make those lessons happen. After all, we want to feel good about our progress, not frustrated.Often the way people speak in English is not the same as what is taught in class. Photo Source: UnsplashGoals Keep You Motivated and Provide MomentumWhen you know where you’re heading and what you need to do to get there, it’s easier to sit down and make it happen. Deadlines push people to get work done. And with clearly defined language-learning goals, you’ll know where you need to be and how you’ll plan on get ting there.If you miss a language-learning lesson, you’ll know that you’re behind. That thought will linger in the back of your mind until you make the effort to catch back up. And with each small win, you’ll gain momentum. Momentum builds on momentum. So, with clear language-learning goals in place, you’ll make increasingly greater progress over time.Goals Minimize Your FrustrationWe all have weaknesses. And the longer we have to deal with them, the more difficult it is to move past them. Often, frustrations that linger can tear us down. When you set language-learning goals, however, you can target your weaknesses, rapidly improving your abilities.Let’s say you have anxiety about speaking a foreign language. You can read and write well, and you listen with decent understanding. But when it comes to speaking, you freeze. As a solution, try creating a goal around it. Each day you start working towards improving that skill, slowly progressing towards your goal. In time, youâ €™ll improve, leaving you feeling less frustrated.Language-Learning Goals Guide You to SuccessAny time we work toward trying to achieve something incredible and challenging, we need goals. When the journey is long and complex, it’s easy to end up floating along without a clear vision of what we want to achieve. Language-learning goals make that happen. They push you forward and keep you on track so you can rapidly achieve fluency in any foreign language.On a final note, nothing works unless you put the effort into it. Language learning goals will help reach fluency faster. But at the end of the day, you’ll still need to put in the hours to make it happen.

Seek First to Understand... - Heart Math Tutoring

Seek First to Understand... - Heart Math Tutoring Seek First to Understand Seek First to Understand November 29, 2018 Seek First to Understand… InStephen Coveys“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, Habit #5 is Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. Heart Tutorings Program team recently spent the weekly training time seeking to understand more about our students, most of whom are growing up in various levels of poverty. “Locate a resilient kid and you will also find a caring adultâ€"or severalâ€"who has guided them.”- Invincible Kids, U.S. News World Report “School is the single context within which the combination of skill and relationship development occurs on a regular basis.”- Adolescents at School, Sadowski, 2008 We discussed the quotes above and the role relationships play in learning and the importance of the one-on-one relationships Heart volunteers create. Deposits and Withdrawals Drawing from Ruby Paynes book, “A Framework for Understanding Poverty”, we talked about the long-term impact of relationships. It is critical that those relationships are built on emotional deposits and that emotional withdrawals are avoided. Deposits include seeking first to understand, keeping promises, kindness, courtesies, clarifying expectations, apologies, and openness to feedback. Withdrawals would include seeking first to be understood, unkindness, violating expectations, and rejecting feedback. Heart Tutoring volunteers have plenty of opportunities to make deposits in our students! Every day, we see tutors thanking students for working with them (courtesies), explaining changes in schedule (clarifying expectations), showing up as promised, and taking interest in our students’ day/week/life (kindness). Final Thought: Relationships Count When students who have been in poverty (and have successfully made it into the middle class) are asked how they madethe journey, the answer nine times out of ten has to do with a relationshipâ€"teacher, counselor, or coach who made a suggestion or took an interest in them as individuals.” Excerpt from A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne, 2005

Getting Your Child Ready for Middle School

Getting Your Child Ready for Middle School The start of a brand new school year is always a little exciting, yet anxious, for most students, but if your child is about to begin middle schoolor already has it may be even more so. The move from elementary to middle school can feel like an enormous leap to a child and includes a variety of academic, social and other changes. Here are six tips to prepare your child for a smooth transition to middle school and set the stage for a great yearand overall middle school experience: Promote organizational skills. Work with your child to establish and maintain a solid organizational system. If your child has historically kept a messy desk, room or backpack (or all of the above), its important to correct those bad habits by creating some ground rules on keeping the desk tidy, where schoolwork goes when it comes home and where to keep important school paperwork. Remember: your child may take up to eight different classes with eight different teachers. That means significantly more homework and paperwork to keep track of. Good organization is critical in middle school. Work on time management. In middle school, your child will be expected to manage his or her own schedule, which means keeping track of assignments, handing in homework on time and more. Teach your child to use a planner or notebook to write down each days to-dos and responsibilities and keep track of longer assignments. At home, keep a family calendar in an accessible place and encourage your child to write important due dates, activities and other obligations on it. Teach your child to prioritize. Along with time management is the essential ability to prioritize. In addition to requiring much more from your child academically, middle school offers many new social and extracurricular opportunities. It may be difficult for your student to decide what to get involved with, so help him or her learn to set goals and rank priorities from the very first day of school. During homework time, your student should make a list of the most important tasks in order to keep him or her focused and on task. When it comes to choosing outside activities, have him or her create a schedule that allows sufficient time for homework and sleep and teach him or her now that it is important not to overcommit oneself to too many things. Hand over the reins. Like many well-meaning parents, up to this point in your childs school career, you may have helped him or her stay organized on all fronts by giving frequent reminders and other help. Now is the time to communicate to your child that just like you have a job, his or her job is school. Your child must take ownership of his or her school work and grades, and he or she must understand that the choices he or she makes will have consequencesgood or bad. Help your child discover how he or she learns best. Middle school is a time for your child to more closely examine how he or she learns. Perhaps your child has already begun to think about this in elementary school, but if not, help him or her recognize what subjects and lessons are easier and harder and why. Talk about the various learning styles and help your child begin to appreciate his or her own preferences. Knowing this information will help him or her greatly as he or she begins to take a more active role in his or her education and learning. Encourage your child to speak up. Middle school teachers are charged with helping students become more independent, critical thinkers and inspiring them to be engaged learners. Your child will gain the most from his or her middle school experience if he or she puts effort toward getting to know his or her teachers and showing initiative in the classroom. He or she can do this by asking questions, seeking help after school and being an active participant in the classroom.