Tutoring For Autistic Child - Making Sure That You Get The Best

Tutoring For Autistic Child - Making Sure That You Get The BestWhen choosing a tutor for an autistic child, there are some things you need to be aware of. Because you want to make sure that the person you choose can provide the sort of tutoring that will suit your child and his or her needs, you need to know the ways in which this will be done.There are many ways in which parents can help their autistic children to improve their ability to communicate and interact with other people, but often this is not the best approach to take. However, if you work alongside a tutor for autistic child you can actually find a unique way to make it easier for your child to communicate, adjust and cope with life in general. Below we will look at how parents can use a tutor for autistic child in order to improve their communication and social skills.There are many aspects that affect a child with autism. This is why finding the right help is so important. If you go out looking for a tutor for an autis tic child, you are likely to find one that works with different autistic children. The child will need to be assessed by the individual who is tutoring them.Firstly, it is important to check the individual teaching your autistic child about him or her. There should be a thorough explanation of the child's unique symptoms and the types of learning they need to be doing. This will give the parent an idea of what your child needs to be doing in order to improve his or her progress and make them more able to cope with life.You also need to make sure that the tutor is working with a child that has the ability to be engaging and enjoyable to work with. Sometimes parents end up frustrated when they cannot work with a child that is unresponsive or is too difficult to get to grips with. Having a good tutor for autistic child means that they will be able to work with children that are friendly and responsive.Most parents would love to have their autistic child learn in a group setting, but so metimes that is just not possible. For these reasons it is very important to make sure that you check the tutor for autistic child before you sign up. By being sure that they are the right tutors for your child you will make sure that you get the most suitable tutor for your child.The other thing to check when you are choosing a tutor for autistic child is to make sure that they are really doing what they say. Parents can often feel too worried about the quality of tutoring when it turns out that it was not done by the tutor they had been told was good. This could be a great disappointment for a parent. Therefore, it is best to make sure that you check out the tutor first.When you are considering how to get your autistic child to improve their communication and social skills, it is a good idea to consider a tutor for autistic child. It is easier to find a tutor for autistic child than any other situation in life and therefore it is important to consider all of the factors when you a re making your choice.

What is a Root Computer Tutor?

What is a Root Computer Tutor?In order to know if your website is ready for the Web 2.0 revolution, you need to have a professional, up-to-date, root computer tutor in place. Many home based businesses are really getting into the business of web design with great success and most owners of these businesses would not be using their websites if they didn't have a system in place to help them in the early stages of the design process.The first step to take is to create a program guide or an outline for your website. You can either have a user manual or a program guide that will help you start making changes to your website. It's a good idea to create a program guide as a download for your customers so they can get all the help they need and ensure that the website is exactly what they want.If you don't have an HTML or CSS programmer on staff, you can hire one to come in and build the website as part of the design process. Many website designers are more comfortable in this style of work than building a site from scratch, because they already have a system in place and know how to follow a system, especially in the beginning stages of designing a website. They also have the benefit of not having to learn to program and can make much more effective, precise changes to the website design without having to start from scratch.When hiring a programmer to work on your website, make sure that they are familiar with the concept of front-end designs as well. They must have the ability to use the appropriate browser for you and they must be able to adapt the user interface to fit your needs.A computer tutor should also be a technical person who understands HTML, CSS, PHP and other programming languages and has experience in web design and development. A good candidate for a root computer tutor is someone who has previously worked in this field, has knowledge of design tools and understands how to manage your website.In order to make your website more visible to visitors, you need to optimize it so that it's search engine friendly. You will need to hire a professional web designer to help you with your website's SEO campaign. Having a professional review your site and help you make the changes necessary to ensure that your website is search engine friendly and adds value to your customer's browsing experience.If you want to get your website known as 'the go-to website' for your customers, it's important to find a professional WordPress developer to help you create your site. A WordPress developer will help you with the technical aspects of setting up your website such as creating the database and customizing the look and feel of your website.

What is it Like to Attend Adelphi University

What is it Like to Attend Adelphi University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Wendy is a New York City tutor who graduated from Adelphi University in 2011. She acquired her Bachelors degree in Biology, andshe specializesin Biology tutoring, Anatomy tutoring, Literature tutoring, and more. See what she had to say about Adelphi: VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. Wendy: Adelphi is a pretty small campus and it's really easy to get around. There are no hills. There are plenty of bike racks in case you want to bike. The campus is beautiful because Adelphi gets some funding from the NY Botanical Gardens to they keep the landscaping gorgeous. Also, there are many sculptures and art pieces on the grounds that are created by members of the Adelphi community, so that makes it even more enjoyable to walk on campus. There is a shuttle bus that goes to various points on campus as well as nearby bus and train stations. Many people that attend Adelphi commute (the LIRR has a stop just a few blocks away) so the shuttle buses help those who take public transportation get around. The shuttle buses are free and come very regularlyand often. VT: How helpful are the academic advisors? Wendy: The academic advisors are great. You must meet with an advisor before registering so that they can help you plan out your schedule and make sure that you are covering all of your requirements. It's easy to switch advisors also if you find one that may know more about your particular career or educational interests. If you are a part of multiple programs (i.e. Honors College, STEP Education Program, etc.), the various departments try to make sure that they assign you an advisor that is familiar with the curricula of all of the programs that you are enrolled in so that they can best help you plan your schedule. VT: How would you describe the dorm life? Wendy: Adelphi is primarily a commuting school. I commuted for my 4 years there, but I had some friends who resided at the University. From what I've seen and heard, the residence halls are very nice and they have a lot of options for what every individual student is looking for. The RA's are very helpful and the Resident Life association is veryaccommodating. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Wendy: Adelphi has a big liberal arts program, but there is truly something for everyone. Our performing arts program has a big representation and the facilities that they use are newly renovated and gorgeous. There are regular performances by the music and theatre departments that are phenomenal. There is a big interest in the STEP program. STEP is a combined Bachelor's/Master's program for people interested in going into teaching. Students can complete both degrees in 5 years. There is also a program in the Physics department that is a combined BS/MS with Columbia school of engineering where students complete a BS and MS in 5 years but they finish their final 2 years at Columbia. There is a big adult student population (the ABLE program) for various programs. There are a considerable number of master's programs offered at the University (Biology, Psychology, Speech Language Pathology, etc.). There is an Honor's College that has a wonderful curriculum modeled on that of Harvard Univ ersity. In order to be enrolled, students must achieve a minimum score on the SAT, have a minimum GPA in high school, and complete a one-on-one interview with the deans of the program. The curriculum incorporates a well-rounded education complete with science, music, art, foreign language, philosophy, and classical literature requirements as well as having special seminars offered by various professors from the different departments at Adelphi. Students must complete and defend and Honor's Thesis on the approved topic of their choice before graduation. Even though it is a very rigorous program, I found it to be a really fantastic experience-the deans are amazing, the curriculum is wonderful, and the doors that the curriculum and professors open up for the students are numerous. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Wendy: I didn't find it difficult at all to make friends. There are many student organizations that help bring together students with different interests- the radio station, Honor's program, Greek life, intramural sports, dance teams, honor societies for various subjects and programs, the newspaper, and many more. The programs range in size but the classes in general are small enough to allow students to both get to know each other as well as the professors teaching them. VT: How helpful is the Career Center? Wendy: I found the Career Center to be pretty helpful. I used the Career Center to help me find jobs on campus. After visiting the career center, I had a job within 2 weeks. I enrolled in medical school after I completed my undergraduate education so I didn't use the Career Center to help me find a job after graduation. I instead relied on the pre-professional office and committee as well as the advice and help of my advisors and mentors in the Biology program and the Honors College. The Learning Center helped me prepare for my medical school application process by helping me write my resume, personal statement, and essays for application. They have a wonderful group of people who meet with students individually to go over graduate school applications and prepare for interviews. They have people that will comprehensively help you prepare for the interview process by doing mock interviews and workshops for application and resume writing as well as interview preparation. VT: How are the various study areas? Libraries? The Student Union? Dorm lounges? Wendy: The library is beautiful and huge. The hours are very friendly for studying and they have a setting for every student- quiet study rooms that can be reserved by individual students, quiet study areas and cubicles, and group study areas. I didn't live on campus so I don't have much experience with the Dorm Lounges and Student Unions. As a member of the Honors College, honors students have 24 hour swipe access to honors college computer lounges and study areas that are perfect for group or individual studying. VT: What is the surrounding town like? What are the best local attractions that make it unique? Wendy: Adelphi is in the heart of Garden City, which is a very nice, quaint town. It's easy to walk around in and grab lunch or coffee. There are many small cafes and places to get lunch from or just hang out in. There is a mall nearby that has any store you could possibly want. Shuttle buses can take you to the mall to see a movie or do some shopping. The beach is ~20 minutes away and is always nice to visit. Adelphi is a 5-10 minute walk from the LIRR station which is a ~30 minute ride to Penn Station in NYC. Shuttle buses also will take you to the train station if you don't feel like walking. VT: How big or small is the student body and how does that affect your experience? Wendy: The student body is a decent size and I personally found it the perfect size for getting to know people without it being too smal so as to prevent you from branching out. The individual programs vary in size, but there is plenty of interaction with people in different schools or programs. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you dreaded the most. Wendy: Personally, the best part about Adelphi for me was the professors. Whenever I had a problem or concern, I had 2 go-to professors to help me. One was my mentor in the Biology Department. I did research for 2 years on plant genetics with him and he helped me every step of the way with applying to medical schools, deciding which locations and programs were best for me, counseling on writing and completing my thesis, preparing and presenting at research conferences, and outlining and completing my requirements for graduation. The other person that would always help me when I had a crisis was one of the deans of the Honors Program. She was there to help me decide what I wanted to do after graduation and how to go about combining my interests of writing and science so as to find a career that would make me happy and explore all of my interests. She helped me get in touch with my mentor in the Biology department and put me in touch with alumni and professors that I could talk to abou t my interests and professional concerns. I had a great support network in Adelphi of people that would go out of their way to stop everything they were doing to help me figure out my professional concerns. Check out Wendys tutoring profile.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Food Groups Fat

Food Groups Fat The Fat Myth ChaptersSaturated and Unsaturated FatMonounsaturated and Polyunsaturated FatOil for CookingKeeping a Healthy BalanceFat is one of the three main nutrients required in equal balance within the body alongside protein and carbohydrates.Like the word carbohydrates, the word fat is full of contention but also stigma. And just like carbs, fat is a nutrient that many fad diets have pushed us to avoid in order to lose weight fast.Fat has received a bad reputation because of the lack of understanding of what our bodies need and a superficial idea of what being healthy means.Although we know that consuming too much fat is not good for our health, the word fat, especially in relation to our bodies, is still misunderstood: not all fat is bad for us; some fats are in fact extremely good for us. Eating healthy fat in the right quantities can help our overall health in many different ways.Because there has been a significant rise in these fat-free diets, many food products in the last 20 years have removed fat entirely and, for flavour, added sugar. Even more recently, due to further focus on the effects of consuming too much sugar, sweeteners now replace sugar. These sweeteners are often created synthetically. Consequently, certain foods and diets are left depleted of nutrients.Removing fat altogether from our diets isn't healthy. (Source: Rawpixel on Unsplash)one way to do so is to take a nutrition course.Walnuts provide essential fatty acids. (Source:   Tom Hermans on Unsplash)One thing to take away: fat is not the enemy, it is how we consume it that counts. When it comes to our diets, having small amounts of unsaturated fat throughout the day will keep our bodies functioning at their best. This, coupled with moderate exercise throughout the week will also help keep our hearts and minds strong.If in doubt, check the labels on packaging. It is not always easy to find the right nutritional advice online as there are many conflicting arguments about what is good for us and wh at is not. When it comes to fat, however, the difference between saturated and unsaturated is a good place to start.Knowing the difference and required quantities will make a real difference whether it is to lose weight or be more conscious of the natural benefits of food and general wellbeing.Read more about fruit and vegetables in the diet here.Read more about dairy in the diet here.

What I Wish I Knew When Graduating High School

What I Wish I Knew When Graduating High School The following is a guest post written by Tiffany Sorensen, a tutor and contributing writer with Varsity Tutors. Congratulations on graduating high school! Sure, you may feel tired of being lectured by your elders on what to do nextbut for me, there are a few little pieces of advice I wish someone had given me during my last months of high school. You may be surprised by what they are... 1. I should maintain a professional network Depending on the experience you had, you may look at high school as a chapter of your life you would like to close. But the truth is that you will probably be thankful if you maintain relationships with certain teachers, advisors, and coaches from high school. Networking is an excellent way to land jobs and internships both during college and after. For instance, I was glad that I stayed in touched with my Spanish teachers from high school because they informed me of district openings for substitute teachers. One teacher even wrote a recommendation on my behalf, which I am fairly certain helped me to secure the job. Having to transfer colleges is not a situation most students want to imagine. However, this is a reality for nearly one-third of college students; it was a reality for me, too. Transfer applications often require recommendations from high school teachers. For this reason also, it is wise to keep in communication with instructors from your high school. You may be able to ask college professors from your first school for recommendations, but you should only do that if you feel they know you well enough to fairly discuss your academic abilities. 2. I should not agonize over low grades or SAT scores At this point, there is no sense in torturing yourself over grades or test scores you wish would have been higher. Most likely, you have already received admissions decisions and have accepted or declined those offers. Look at college as a fresh start: a blank canvas you can make into anything you like. You will have a chance to rebuild your GPA from scratch, and if you apply to graduate school later on, those schools will be interested in a different standardized test score; the SAT will not be as relevant as it once was for you. Depending on the program you apply for, you will likely have to take the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, or another exambut you have plenty of time before you need to think about that! 3. I should make the most of the summer Many of my classmates spent the summer after graduating high school preparing for their first semester of college. This included reading books about college life, shopping for cool gadgets for their dorm rooms, etc. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to arrive ready for college, you will never be totally prepared for this big step in your life until you actually live it. Reading college students blogs is vastly different from experiencing college first-hand. Your first week at college may feel like a culture shock, but you are sure to get into the groove before you know it. Just believe in yourself. [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew Before My First College Class] I was pleased that I decided to enjoy to the utmost my last summer before college. For me, this meant spending time with my classmates at graduation and farewell get-togethers, as well as doing some traveling. I went to Europe with my siblings for the first time and was able to practice my Spanish naturally with native speakers. I took classes and worked internships during my summers in college, so I would not have had the time to see my high school friends at that point. It is normal to grow apart, move away, and go down different paths, so this might be your last chance to see high school friends regularly. Take advantage of it. These three simple suggestions can help you have an enjoyable and gratifying break before it is time to start college. Maybe you were expecting the advice to solely be college study tips, but keeping in touch, having a healthy outlook, and using your time wisely is just as important as academics. Check out Tiffanys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Everything You Need to Know to Learn Chinese

Everything You Need to Know to Learn Chinese Get to Grips with the Complex Linguistic History of China and Learning Mandarin Chapters What Languages Do the Chinese Speak? The History of Languages in China Which Variant of Chinese Should I Learn? The Influence of Chinese in Asia Focus on Mandarin Chinese What’s Pinyin? Tones in Chinese1.3 billion inhabitants and one sixth of the world’s population. 8 urban areas with over 10 million inhabitants and around 30 with over 2 million. 10 million kilometres squared...China is the third largest country in the world, one of the world’s biggest economic powers, and one of the UN Security Council’s five permanent members.  It’s also the world’s largest exporter, home to the world’s largest army, and second in terms of military spending.  These are the kinds of figures that should grab the attention of students and businessmen, alike!Over the course of this article, you’re going to find out everything you need to know about learning Chinese and why you should consider moving to China! NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors What Languages Do the Chinese Speak?Perhaps you’re itching to put that you can read, write, and speak Chinese on your CV.Mandarin is the most widely spoken variety of Chinese. (Source: Sindhu Wijaya)But did you know that there are 81 different languages spoken in China?Which should you choose?Mandarin?Cantonese?Wu?Let Superprof point you in the right direction.  As we said, there are 81 different languages in China. 49 of them share their name with the people that speak them.Han is spoken by the Han.Z huang by the Zhuang.Buyei and Dai by the... you get the idea!The 32 remaining languages aren’t named for ethnic groups.  For example, there are 90,000 Tibetans who speak rGyalrong rather than “Tibetan”.Generally speaking, there are more minority languages and dialects in Southern China while there’s a greater degree of similarity between the dialects spoken in the North.Let’s have a look at the 3 main languages of China.Mandarin ChineseIt’s the most spoken language in China.  Mandarin Chinese or ???/??? putonghuà (“common speech”) is spoken by around 955 million people.Mandarin Chinese has been the official language of the People’s Republic of China since 1956 and is generally the language you’ll learn if you study “Chinese”. If you want to go to China, this is the language you should learn since most of China can speak standard Mandarin Chinese.You should also know that it's spoken in Taiwan and Singapore.CantoneseCantonese is spoken by over 71 million peop le. The language is spoken in Hong Kong, Macao, and a number of regions in Southeast Asia. There are some that say that the language is too simplistic in comparison to Mandarin Chinese and some Chinese people even consider it an ugly language.  However, Cantonese is the second most spoken language in China in terms of native speakers.  In Hong Kong, choosing to speak Cantonese or Mandarin can be a huge political statement.WuThere are 77 million people who speak Wu, a language spoken predominantly in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. This is where things might get a little confusing. For some Chinese people, Wu is the country’s second language, not Cantonese!Why is this? Even though the language is made up of various languages and dialects, just like Mandarin Chinese, it’s considered more prestigious than Cantonese.  Unfortunately, “Wu” is not accepted in Scrabble! If it was, it would be worth 5 points... The History of Languages in ChinaChinese belongs to the Sino-Tibetan lan guage family. This group includes 10 Sinitic languages (with around 1.35 billion speakers) and 330 Tibeto-Burman languages (with around 70 million speaks).Mandarin Chinese, much like a unified Chinese identity, has been promoted across the nation by the Chinese government. (Source:  Zhang Kaiyv)The Chinese writing system, along with Sumerian and Egyptian writing systems, is one of the world’s oldest. This is often referred to as “Old Chinese” or “Archaic Chinese”.  The writing system was logographic which means that the characters represent words or phrases rather than sounds. This can make it as hard to read as hieroglyphics for those not familiar with it. Those who spoke the language in the North are more closely related to Mandarin Chinese while in the Southeast, there are a number of different dialects and languages including Cantonese (Yue), Min (Fujian, Taiwan), Wu (Shanghai).Mandarin ChineseMandarin’s most famous time was probably in 1956 when it became the standa rdised official language of the People’s Republic of China.  The reform modified 2,300 complex ideograms in order to make them easier to learn for both the Chinese and foreign speakers.  This language originated from the different dialects spoken in the North with the one from the capital, Beijing, being its main source of inspiration.As a symbol of China’s economic growth, the language has become an important part of business and is the most spoken language in the world.CantoneseThe word “Cantonese” comes from “Canton”, the Western word for Guangzhou, the capital of the Guangdong province, which is considered to be the home of the language itself.  While some see it as a less prestigious Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese has strong roots in the region and has made it difficult for any other language to usurp it.It’s also spoken in a number of other places such as:Malaysia (750,000 speakers)Vietnam (500,000 speakers)And North America, where there are 180,000 speakers of the language in the city of San Francisco alone.The words “wok”, “dim sum”, and “mahjong” are all of Cantonese origin. Which Variant of Chinese Should I Learn?When it comes to business, speaking Mandarin Chinese would be hugely beneficial and with around 20% of the world’s population speaking it, there are literally thousands and thousands of jobs that require it.As the world’s 2nd biggest economic power, China is Europe’s second most popular trading partner, just after the United States, and accounts for around 160 billion Euros in trade.  Hopefully this makes your decision much easier.This is one of the main reasons that more and more students are signing up to take Chinese classes and it’s currently estimated that around 30 million people are currently learning Mandarin.  It should also be noted that there are plenty of international employers looking for skilled employees who know how to read, write, and speak Mandarin Chinese.In terms of demand, Cantonese is jus t after Mandarin Chinese. The language spoken in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia is currently also very popular among young students from the West. In fact, as trade with Hong Kong increases, more and more employers are looking for employees from the West who can speak their language. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors The Influence of Chinese in AsiaThere are plenty of Asian countries far and wide that are influenced by China.60% of Japanese vocabulary is of Chinese origi n. (Source: Manuel Joseph)JapanThe influence of the Chinese language on Japan can be seen quite clearly.  In fact, 60% of modern Japanese vocabulary is of Chinese origin.The presence of a Chinese army in the Land of the Rising Sun had a profound effect on the country’s linguistic landscape. You can find a number of Chinese characters being used in Japanese. These Chinese characters, known as Kanji in Japanese, are used alongside Japan’s two other writing systems: Hiragana and Katakana.However, the Japanese government likes to downplay China’s effect on the country as they believe China is still trying to exert their influence on them.KoreaAs early as the 5th century BCE, the Chinese Empire was seen as a model civilisation by the Koreans and a number of Chinese influences can still be seen to this day.  Culturally speaking, the Middle Kingdom influenced the Koreans in the following ways:Agriculture: through the different technologies of the time for cultivating rice and barley. Law: the drafting of the first civil code and the adoption of an administrative model.Just like in Japanese, Chinese characters also found their way into Korean and it’s thought that between 60% and 70% of Korean’s vocabulary is made up of Sino-Korean words.VietnamWhen speaking about the relationship between China and Vietnam, you have to be careful as it’s quite difficult to find trustworthy information on the subject.In terms of linguistics, we know that Chinese and Vietnamese belong to two different language families.  However, there are phonetic similarities between the two languages!  In fact, while there are also certain grammatical similarities between Mandarin Chinese in some cases, the phonetic similarities between Cantonese and Vietnamese are even greater.While the language is more similar to ancient Chinese, there is a clear Cantonese influence on Vietnamese due to the historical relationship between the two regions.SingaporeOf all the ethnic groups in Singapore, th e Chinese population is the biggest.  The country's comprised of four main linguistic groups: one for each of the country’s official languages. Mandarin Chinese is the language spoken by most of the Chinese-speaking inhabitants.While there’s a tendency for Mandarin households to also speak English, we can confirm that Mandarin makes up part of the city-state’s multilingual landscape Focus on Mandarin ChineseMandarin Chinese is spoken by 955 million people. With so many speakers, it’s worth focusing on this variant of Chinese.Mandarin Chinese is spoken by 955 million people! (Source: Dom J)What are the main things about Mandarin Chinese?Firstly, Mandarin is a tonal language. This means that the pronunciation can completely change the meaning of certain words even if they’re written completely the same.There are 4 tones in Mandarin:The first tone is the high-level tone.The second tone is the rising tone.The third tone is dipping tone.The fourth tone is the falling tone.Gramm atical rules:The determiner always comes first regardless of whether it’s part of a sentence (adverb before the ver), a subordinate clause, or a noun consisting of several sinographs.Negatives are made by putting a grammatical element before the verb. The character ? bù is used in the present of future before all verbs except ? you (to have) which is preceded by the character ? méi.When referring to a discouraged or forbidden action, the negation is expressed using the character or ? bié or biè before the verb.Of course, if you’re going to learn Mandarin Chinese, you’ll need to know how to count, too!One: ? or yi, pronounced [yi]Two: ? or èr, pronounced [ar]Three: ? or san, pronounced [sahn]Four: ? or sì, pronounced [seu]Five: ? or wu, pronounced [wou]Finally, as you probably know, both Japanese and Chinese follow a strict set of rules when it comes to being polite.If you want to mingle with the Chinese, you’ll need to learn how to say:Hello = nihao, pronounced [ni hao ]What’s your name? = nín guì xìng, pronounced [nin gouay shing]Yes = shì, pronounced [shu]No = bú shì, pronounced [bou chi]Thank you = xiè xiè, pronounced [chi chi]If you know the basics of Mandarin Chinese, you’ll be able to progress quickly and settle in China. What’s Pinyin?As you probably know, China has been looking beyond its own borders in recent years. This can be very clearly seen in Pinyin, the system for transcribing the Chinese language in the Latin Alphabet.Invented by Zhou Yougouang, it wouldn’t be until 1982 that the International Organization for Standardization in the People’s Republic of China recognised it as the official system for the romanisation of Mandarin Chinese.In addition to being a huge step towards the west, this system has also helped improve the literacy of the Chinese population (which is at 95% according to UNICEF).The Chinese can now also benefit from 25 of the letters in the Latin Alphabet. V is not included. You’ll also see th at Pinyin includes 5 tones. Tones in ChineseYou may have learnt during your studies of foreign languages that the English language is not tonal. Despite how well some speakers of our language can sing, tone barely plays a role in English.However, the use of tone in Mandarin Chinese is really important as well as being the stuff of nightmares for those trying to learn the language.There are actually 5 tones in Chinese:The first tone is high and level.The second tone is a high and rising.The third tone is much like a wave: a mid-range tone that falls then rises.The fourth tone starts high and then descends.The fifth is the neutral tone.Are you looking for a private tutor to help you with your Chinese?  Mandarin classes London? Search for a private tutor on Superprof.

Cities You Have to Visit in Spain

Cities You Have to Visit in Spain The Top 12 Cities in Spain ChaptersMadridBarcelonaSevilleCordobaSamalancaValenciaGironaToledoLas PalmasPalma de MallorcaGranadaMalaga“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Lao TzuMost people would love to go on a big trip.Why not visit the Iberian peninsula?From the Mediterranean coast to the Portuguese border, plenty of tourists are spoilt for choice when it comes to destinations in Spain.  Whether you do a pilgrimage to Santiago de la Compostela or just fancy travelling to Spain to learn Spanish, here are the most beautiful cities in the country and where you should go when you visit Spain. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsMadridIn the heart of the country, Madrid is the centre of Spain. As a capital city, it’s full of big streets and traffic jams. Fortunately for you, it’s also home to beautiful parks like El Retiro Park.There are plenty of places to enjoy the sun in Madrid. (Source: Donations_are_appreciated)You can also discover great museums like the Prado, where you can see works from Dalì, Goya, and Velasquez, as well as the Reina Sofia museum where you can see Picasso’s Guernica.Like most other countries in the world, the capital of Spain is top of the list of places to visit in the country.BarcelonaIf you head to Barcelona in the height of summer, you’ll probably find more tourists than locals. For the most part, visiting Barcelona outside of summer is a good way to avoid crowds and sweltering heat. While Barcelona is next to the sea and has a beach, it’s still very hot in the summer. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying the city streets, the Sagrada Familia, and Catalan art.With Barcelona being in the heart of Catalonia, there's a lot to differentiate it from the other cities in Spain. For one, both Catalan and Spanish are spoken in the region so get used to seeing words you didn't come across in your Spanish lessons. Secondly, the Catalan region has its own culture, history, art, and identity, giving you something new to discover if you think you've seen everything Spain has to offer.SevilleSeville is certainly one of the first cities people think of when talking about Spain. As the capital of the region of Andalusia, this is one of the most beautiful cities with its Moorish architecture such as the Royal Alcazar.After visiting the Plaza de España, head over to the archaeological site Italica or the María Luisa Park. What better way to enjoy the s unshine in the south of Spain.Finally, there’s nothing better than spending the evening in a tapas bar or watching a flamenco show. If there was a single city that could represent what most people think of when they think of Spain, Seville would be it.CordobaCordoba is another city in Andalusia that had a tumultuous history. It was an important city in the Roman Empire before becoming an Islamic city in the Middle Ages. You can see its history represented by its most famous building, the Mezquita, which was built in 784.  There are also Byzantine influences in this building.  The interesting thing about this building is that it was originally a mosque before becoming a Cathedral.If you're heading to visit the Mezquita, you should definitely make your way via the Calleja de las Flores, arguably the most famous street in all of Cordoba.You'll love the architecture in Cordoba. (Source: campunet)With the Plaza de la Corredera, Viana Palace, Plaza de la Tendillas, you won’t be bored walking around Cordoba. This is a beautiful city that really deserves more attention than it often gets.SamalancaIn the heart of Spain, Salamanca is a treasure trove of architectural delights. Its sandstone buildings make the city look like its made of gold and resulted in the city being nicknamed The Golden City. These buildings are particularly impressive when viewed either during sunrise or sunset.Spending a few days or weeks in Salamanca is a great way to get the most out of this city’s student vibe. You’ll find one of the country’s oldest universities here. Both Spanish and international students spend their evenings having a drink at the Plaza Mayor. Salamanca is listed as a world heritage site and is an unmissable destination in Spain. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Tea cher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsValenciaIf you love paella, you’ll love Valencia. In fact, you’ll find the best paella in all of Spain here as that's where the dish was originally created. Of course, paella isn’t the only reason to go to Valencia, though.The City of Arts and Sciences is a fine example of modern architecture. (Source: papagnoc)The city is famous for the City of Arts and Sciences. The city is also home to a mix of small streets, modern western architecture, and the Mercado Central where you can find local produce.Similarly, the city is famous the Fallas festival, when local artisans craft magnificent floats before burning them at the e nd of the festival. Only the floats that are deemed worthy of Fallas Museum are spared from the flames.Make sure you include a visit to the City of Arts and Sciences in your travel budget.GironaGirona isn’t Spain’s most famous city but its historic charm makes it one of Spain’s most beautiful. This town has plenty of great places to walk around.You should definitely see the “Tapestry of Creation” in the cathedral at the top of 90 steps. You can also enjoy the view from here. The city is most famous for its historic ruins that line the streets. Roman city walls, Gothic churches, the blend of eras makes walking around Girona like travelling through time.ToledoAs a town that was home to Jews, Muslims, and Christians, Toledo has earned its name as The City of Three Cultures. This mix of cultures also means that you can visit synagogues, cathedrals, churches, mosques, and also Roman buildings. It’s the difference between all these things that makes Toledo so fascinating to vi sit.With so many architectural and artistic wonders, you really have to spend several days in Toledo. Tourists visiting Madrid often take some time out to make their way to Toledo and they're rarely disappointed.Find out more about accommodation in Spain.Las PalmasDon’t forget that the Canary Islands are also part of Spain. In the Atlantic Ocean, these islands are a popular destination for foreign tourists. Las Palmas is arguably one of the most beautiful cities. It’s famous for being a destination visited by Christopher Columbus as he set off on his journey to India. We recommend that you visit the Casa de Colón, a museum dedicated to the man.Just like any other big city, though, Las Palmas is sometimes too busy to enjoy. Try to visit outside of the busy periods to really make the most of the city and its beaches.Palma de MallorcaPalma de Mallorca, on the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, is not just a city for parties and nightclubs. While these are all very popular, there is another way to enjoy the city if you head out of the centre. The old town (Casco Antigo) has its quiet spots where you can find charming small streets by the sea.Don't forget to visit the Spanish islands, too! (Source: Walkerssk)Don’t forget to visit the breathtaking Gothic Santa Maria Cathedral while you're there, too!GranadaMedieval cities always draw in crowds of people looking to learn more about the age of knights. Both adults and children can enjoy Granada. This Andalusian city is home to plenty of monuments including the world-famous Alhambra. The Albaicín neighbourhood is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.You can see Granada’s Arab and Catholic history in its streets. As you walk around the city, you can enjoy Medieval, Renaissance, and Western architecture. Granada is also a great place to attend exhibitions, festivals, and concerts, too.Find out more about Spain's best monuments.MalagaMalaga is a popular destination for foreign tourists and Spaniar ds looking to enjoy the sun all year long. However, the beautiful Spanish beaches aren’t the only reason to visit the city.In Malaga itself, you can also enjoy museums, especially those dedicated to Picasso since he was born in the city. While the coastline around Malaga has been welcoming tourists from all over the world, the city itself is also starting to become a popular destination for tourists looking to see an authentic Spanish side to the Costa del Sol.The combination of typical beach getaways and cultural tourism make Malaga an ideal place to spend excellent vacations!That said, there are also plenty of beautiful villages in every corner of Spain, too. Whether you're in the Basque Country, Catalonia, Andalucia, or in Ibiza, there are plenty of places to visit.Before you go to Spain, you might want to learn some Spanish (or Catalan). Just do a quick search for Spanish tutors on Superprof and you'll find the right teacher for you in no time!

Italian Films You Must See

Italian Films You Must See The Best Italian Films to Learn Italian ChaptersThe Last Kiss (L’ultimo bacio)The Girl by the Lake (La ragazza del lago)The Great BeautyThe Good, the Bad and the UglyLife is Beautiful (La vita è bella)Can you remember your language or  Italian lessons from school? You almost certainly had to listen to recordings or watch videos.  Can you learn Italian in the same way by watching films?Of course, you can! While we’re focusing on Italian in this article, this method can work for any foreign language. If you're an amateur filmmaker or critic, you should combine your love of cinema with your language learning.We’ve picked out the 5 best Italian for beginners films that could help you improve your language skills.You should watch them as follows:Firstly, watch the Italian version of the film with English subtitles.Next, watch the film again with Italian subtitles.Finally, watch the film without any subtitles.This will help you work on your reading comprehension and listening. You’ll also pick up some of the grammar, to o.Of course, you can repeat each step multiple times if you aren’t yet comfortable with moving onto the following step. Make sure you take things at your own pace. If you're watching films to learn Italian online, you have to watch actively. This means that if you don't understand something, don't be afraid to rewind the scene and listen to the same piece of dialogue repeatedly until you understand exactly what they said. You can also keep a notepad next to you and write down words to look up later or make a note of expressions you like.With that said, let’s get back to the 5 films you should watch to improve your Italian. DanielaItalian Teacher 5.00 (9) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuciaItalian Teacher 5.00 (4) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarilùItalian Teacher 5.00 (8) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarcoItalian Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £14/h1st lesson free!Dis cover all our tutors GiusyItalian Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EnricoItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FedericaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Last Kiss (L’ultimo bacio)The Last Kiss is a 2001 Italian film directed by Gabriele Muccino. It stars:Stefano AccorsiGiovanna MezzogiornoStefania SandrelliMartina StellaThe original L'Ultimo Bacio is better for your Italian than the remake. (Source: snapwiresnaps.tumblr.com)The Last Kiss was Gabriele Muccino’s 3rd shot at directing and while it didn't take home any Oscars, it did win a number of prizes including five David di Donatello awards which are basically the Italian Oscars, anyway.Best DirectorBest EditingBest SoundBest ProducerBest Supporting Actress (Stefania Sandrelli)NB: There was an American remake of the film also titled “The Last Kiss” starring Zach Braff which wasn't as good.The plot is fairly simple: we follow the story of a couple of 30-somethings in the middle of a crisis. After several years living together, adultery looks set to tear the couple apart.According to critics, the film is a realistic portrayal of modern relationships. You can relate to the characters and their shocking-yet-touching stories.  The film stays away from the trite clichés that tend to plague most films with a romantic plot.You should certainly check it out! You should also check out our list of the most important Italian writers and painters, too.The Girl by the Lake (La ragazza del lago)The Girl by the Lake is Andrea Molaioli’s first feature film. The 2007 film is an adaptation of a novel by the Norwegian author Karin Fossum.It stars:Toni ServilloValeria GolinoFabrizio GifuniAnna BonaiutoOmero AntonuttiIf you like thrillers, you’ll love The Girl by the Lake.The story takes place in a small town in the north of Italy. Anna, a 17-year-old girl, is found drowned by the side of the lake.The film was ba sed on a book by Karin Fossum. (Source: Jonathan Petersson)Other than a blue cover, the girl is completely naked. It seems that the killer put this there.We follow detective Sanzio’s investigation as he attempted to unravel the mystery of the drowned girl. The death of this girl uncovers a lot of secrets.The variety of characters in this film is particularly interesting.  The two suspects said to have been Anna’s lovers despite Anna still seeming to be a virgin.The detective and his family are also fascinating. The detective has neurasthenia and his wife suffers Alzheimer’s, doesn’t recognise their daughter, and is getting worse by the day.The director seems to have used the investigation as a means to introduce us to the interesting people in the film.The film took home 10 David di Donatello awards including:Best FilmBest Actor (Toni Servillo)Best DirectorBest New DirectorBest ScreenplayBest ProducerBest CinematographyBest SoundBest EditingBest Visual EffectsYou can learn m ore about this film on IMdB. DanielaItalian Teacher 5.00 (9) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuciaItalian Teacher 5.00 (4) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarilùItalian Teacher 5.00 (8) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarcoItalian Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GiusyItalian Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EnricoItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FedericaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Great BeautyThe Great Beauty was directed by Paolo Sorrentino in 2013. It stars Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, and Sabrina Ferilli.When it comes to dramatic comedies, you have to watch The Great Beauty.In addition to being nominated at the Cannes Film Festival for the Palme d'Or, this masterpiece won plenty of awards, including:The Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Foreign FilmBAFTA for Best Film not in the English LanguageBest European Film at the Cinema Bloggers Awards in PortugalBest Foreign Language Film at the Golden GlobesBest European Film at the Cinema Bloggers Awards in PortugalDavid di Donatello Award for Best Actor (Toni Servillo)David di Donatello Award for Best DirectorDavid di Donatello Award for Best EditingWe obviously can’t mention them all!This film takes place in Rome and follows the story of Jep Gambardella, an ageing writer who still remains popular and influential in Roman high society.  As a leading socialite, he enjoys Rome's dolce vita and attends all the parties in the city. This is all thanks to his one and only novel. On his 65th birthday, he starts looking for meaning in his life.Loved by critics and viewers alike, The Great Beauty is a mesmerising and witty film.  The protagonist is a modern-day Casanova trying to escape the superficial world of socialites he lives in.The film beautifully portra ys its main character the way the city of Rome has been filmed is incredible.The characters are funny, moving, proud, miserable, and lively at the same time.In short: The Great Beauty is a masterpiece of Italian cinema.You can find out more about the film on IMDb.The Good, the Bad and the UglyItalian filmmaking was at its peak in the 1960s and this film is a fine example of the popular Spaghetti Western movies of the time.Italian directors helped define a genre. (Source: Urbex Clan)Thanks to Sergio Leone’s cinematography, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is timeless. The kind of film you can watch again and again and again.All the actors in the film speak their mother tongues: Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef speak English while Eli Wallach speaks Italian.This means that some people will think that it’s an English film. Others will say it’s an Italian film. Either way, the director was Italian and it’s not hard to find an Italian version of the film.Released in 1966, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is famous for being one of the best Spaghetti Westerns of all time. It’s the last film in the Dollars Trilogy.The film takes place during the American Civil War. Three gunslingers are looking for a hidden treasure: Two of them have important information about where the treasure is buried. One is a bloodthirsty brute who’s willing to do anything it takes.Whether you like Westerns or not, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a masterpiece that you should watch at least once in your life.Excellent dialogue, brilliant music, and a fantastic cast: the film’s a masterpiece.Find out more about the film on IMDb.Life is Beautiful (La vita è bella)Let’s finish with one of Italian cinema’s most moving pieces: La vita è bella.The film came out in 1998 and was directed by and stars Roberto Benigni (is he one of our 16 famous Italians?) and is both a drama and a comedy.We find ourselves in 1939 at the start of the Second World War and Italy under the control of a fa scist government. Since they’re Jewish, Guido and his son are deported to a German concentration camp.Since the protagonist is an optimist, he does everything he can to convince his son that they’re playing a game. This is to hide him from the horrors of the concentration camp.The prize in the fictional game is a tank. (Source: skitterphoto.com)As funny as it is tragic, La vita è bella is a film that you have to see. It’s the kind of film you can watch again and again and critically acclaimed.Find out more on IMDb.Of course, this isn’t every single Italian film you should watch. There are plenty of both older and newer films that you can watch if you’d like to improve your Italian. Whether you like a thriller or or a comedy, there'll be an Italian film director you should check out.However, these 5 are films you should watch as soon as you can. You can kill two birds with one stone by watching a critically-acclaimed films while improving your Italian.Why not learn more wi th Italian tutorials and learn more about Italian culture?Soon you’ll be speaking Italian fluently!Check out Superprof to find your ideal private tutor to help you master the Italian language:Italian lessons LeedsItalian courses LondonLearn Italian online

How to Reduce Test Anxiety Through Increased Mindfulness

How to Reduce Test Anxiety Through Increased Mindfulness Academic Performance Explained Podcast In this episode of our podcast, MyGuru founder Mark Skoskiewicz interviews John Hankey, a performance/life coach based in California. John Hankey helps students of all ages use mindfulness techniques to overcome their test or performance anxiety, which usually subsides within three to five sessions. This is a slightly longer podcast than usual; it is packed with helpful information, and John even walks through a guided meditation for listeners. We highly recommend that you listen to the full episode on iTunes, but here are some of the highlights.What is mindfulness? What is the difference between mindfulness, meditation, and hypnosis? Mindfulness consists of any act of being present and aware of what is happening in your body and mind. It is an umbrella term that encompasses meditation, yoga, and some forms of hypnosis.What are some of the benefits of mindfulness? Over time, you can strengthen your ability to relax and become able to relax more deeply. This relaxation can have far-reaching benefits, including improving your circulation, boosting your physical health, clearing your mind, stabilizing your emotions, and connecting you to your intuition. How does relaxation affect your ability to learn? Often, when you are trying to remember important information, it is natural to tense your body or strain your mind, but this actually impedes your ability to recall information. In fact, a deeply relaxed state can enhance your ability to access memories in the moment. No matter your skill level, going into a standardized test relaxed instead of stressed will probably earn you more points. It also helps to be relaxed when you are learning new information or studying for a test; this will help you absorb and retain the information better. How can mindfulness be used to overcome test anxiety? When John meets with a client, he usually spends the first 10 min getting that person into a state of deep relaxation with a technique called “progressive muscle relaxation,” which involves relaxing each part of your body one at a time. Next, students imagine that they are taking the test, creating a very vivid mental image. Usually, for students who have test anxiety, visualizing a test scenario will cause their bodies to tense up. Because the subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality, these visualizations bring up all the same stresses, anxieties, and tensions that the students experience when they are actually in that situation. This allows them to access and address their typical test-taking behavior outside of an actual testing situation. Finally, they are coached to relax until they are able to experience themselves taking a test while keeping their bodies totally relaxed. --- For more information, you can email John Hankey atinfo@johnhankey.comor check out his radio show, “The Power of Presence, onwww.voiceamerica.com.