Using PDF Files For Your Students

Using PDF Files For Your StudentsEvery teacher wants to know more about how to best use PDF files in the classroom and beyond. This article provides a few tips that can make using PDFs in the classroom a much more rewarding experience for teachers, students, and parents.PDF files can be very educational and yet still easy to read, understand, and use. As you can imagine, a large number of teachers are not computer experts. Some have never used Microsoft Word. Others have never owned a PC. Still others have never really gotten around to learning the basics of using computers and their Internet.The best thing you can do for your students is to get them to learn something using a PDF file. Online teaching with a PDF file offers a perfect way to get your students excited about learning. As you can imagine, this is the best way to reach a large number of students in a short period of time.When using a PDF file in the classroom, the more 'elements'whole' of a lesson that the student is lea rning, the better. Good examples of whole lessons include discussion boards, how-to information, summaries, and word processing documents. If you know a little bit about the different types of websites that you can use to create these resources, you can easily see that the more pieces of an online lesson the student can grasp, the better.Tutoring Books: Many teachers prefer to teach from printed resources like handouts or posters, instead of using an online class web site. If you want to continue using a printed resource for your classroom, consider using a PDF file to supplement the printed resources. These books can be even more valuable to the teacher if they are printed on a variety of paper types, including, but not limited to, glossy, matte, and glossy cover paper.Printable PDF Files: You may be surprised to find out just how many printable PDF files are available for use in the classroom. Many of these sites offer just the basic curriculum outlines as well as practice tests a nd review questions. Even some of the full study guides available in printable PDF format can be used online with great effect.Also, many of the search engines available offer links to some of the best sites on the web that offer printable PDF files. These can be downloaded instantly and printed out, which makes these extra resources even more useful.Tutor's Database: If you're looking for ways to enhance the effectiveness of your online class, consider adding a member's database to your site. Access the databases of top teachers in your area and find out what works and what doesn't. If you're in a difficult or controversial subject, consider adding your own observations and opinions to the databases of experts in your area.

How Does a Chemistry Tutor Help Students?

How Does a Chemistry Tutor Help Students?A trigonometry organic chemistry tutor is an excellent resource for those learning these subjects. They may be able to assist in helping you in answering the many complex problems that arise when learning how to combine and use these sciences.One of the first problems encountered by anyone entering a science course is the question of whether or not they will have to memorize the units, a concept called units of measurement, and the various terms that make up the science. For instance, is it unit-theory or is it unit proof? Unit-theory focuses on defining units, but it can also rely on mathematical proofs to prove different parts of a problem.An organic chemistry tutor can provide support and assistance with these questions as well as the units of measurement. Some examples of what one might encounter are getting taught to set up units, finding out what units one should use, and how many units should be used for solving a problem. Other example s of topics include teaching students to use the exact units, determining if different units need to be used, and showing how an entire chemistry-related term is represented by only using a few numbers.In addition to helping a student with their units, an organic chemistry tutor can also help with the other components of chemistry, including the chemical equations that describe the reactions that occur between the components of the chemistry. One of the most common problems faced by a student in this field is working with unfamiliar terms. Chemists can be unsure of how to use certain combinations of equations or how to think about a single equation as a whole. A trigonometry organic chemistry tutor can be the answer to these problems, as well as helping to show students how to solve these equations.There are many types of units of measurement in chemistry, and they can be associated with different units of length, volume, weight, or temperature. Students who are interested in this a rea can find themselves confused about which units they should use to relate their units of measurement to the units that they learn about. An organic chemistry tutor can provide assistance with various issues like this. They can guide students through the steps required to make the most out of a science class, and can help them understand these terms.An organic chemistry tutor can help students learn the math involved in the various calculations that one must perform in this field. Some examples of these include solving for solutions of partial differential equations, using stoichiometric coefficients, and working with conversions of units. They can even help with formulas for working with mass ratios and can teach students how to calculate the mass ratios required for some reactions.These are just a few examples of how an organic chemistry tutor can be helpful. In this field, the concepts of measurements, units, and formulas can be difficult to get used to. However, a trigonometry organic chemistry tutor can help students in understanding these concepts, as well as help them with the units that they need to relate to the units that they learn about.

How to Be Successful Even in a Career Change - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Be Successful Even in a Career Change - Introvert Whisperer How to Be Successful Even in a Career Change How to Be Successful Even in a Career Change Success rarely happens overnight. In most cases it takes years of hard work, gathering experience and building up knowledge and skills to succeed in anything. Even when it looks like somebody simply appeared and reached the top instantly, you probably aren’t aware of the blood, sweat and tears behind that person’s accomplishments. But what happens once you reach the level of success you wanted and you realize that your career choices haven’t made you happy or that they no longer work for you? Does a change in career mean that you have to throw all those long hours and enormous effort away? There are ways to switch between careers and still remain successful, but there are certain steps you have to take and things to consider. Here are some of them. Figure out the ‘why’

The Mayans

The Mayans Taking a Look at the Long History of the Maya People ChaptersThe Mayan TimelineGeography of the Maya TerritoryMayan PoliticsThe Mayan Social StructureMayan Religious and Spiritual BeliefsAncient Maya AcademicsMayan CalendarsThe Mayan CivilisationDo you remember the Mayan calendar freakout of 2012?December 20th, 2012 was the date that the Mayans presumably predicted the world would end.In stores around the globe, survival supplies were snapped up. Building contractors specialising in underground shelters were triple-booked; they couldn’t work fast enough to meet demand.Everywhere, people alternated between hosting extravagant parties and hunkering down in fear.And then, at the stroke of midnight on that day... the Mayan calendar regenerated and lots of people felt just a little foolish at having stockpiled emergency candles and tinned food.This incident is a testament to the power, impact and genius of the Mayan civilisation, even centuries after its waning.They were a people both religious and superstitious, human characteristics see mingly at odds with their scientific nature.Equally at odds were their artistic abilities and their brutality â€" not just ritual sacrifices but in everyday matters, such as torturing and beheading their losing ball team.Yes, the Mayans loved to play ball, just like we do!Let us now take a trip to Mesoamerica, where the Mayan civilisation flourished for so long. We’ll find out what life was like in those times, what marvels they achieved and what happened to them. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistor y Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Mayan Timeline Beware of playing ball with ancient Mayans; you may end up losing your head! Image by ecalbz2005 from PixabayAlthough the region occupied by the Mayans shows evidence of having been inhabited some 8,000 years ago, the time frame of Mayan civilisation is contested to this day.Nevertheless, the eras of a few major events are generally agreed upon.Most archaeologists put the start of Mayan civilization around 1,800BC, when actual settlements arose and the people started cultivating maize, beans, squash and chilli peppers â€" ingredients that remain staples of their diet still today.One of the most impactful events in the Mayan timeline happened in the 9th Century AD: a political collapse led to a migration away from the southern lowlands, leaving their cities and fields behind.Nobody is sure what brought on that migration or the sudden change in political winds.A combination of factors such as drought and overpopulation â€" which led to environmental degradation, coupled with civil war is universally accepted as likely factors.By the start of the 16th Century, there were hardly any Mayan warriors left to fight against the Spanish; in 1697, Spanish conquistadors attacked and took the last independent Mayan city.The longevity of the Mayan civilisation â€" in spite of her collapse in the 2nd Century she kept on going, has caused scholars to categorise date progression into 5 discrete eras:Archaic: from 8,000 to 2,000 BCPreclassic: from 2,000 BC to 250 ADClassic: 250 to 950 ADPostclassic: 950 to 1539 ADContact Period, the times of Spanish activity: 1511 to 1697Within those divisions, there are further distinctions: early, late and terminal. We also note that the date ranges may fluctuate by up to a century as there is no definite way of assigning dates to specific events.Discover amazing facts of the aboriginal Australian timeline.Geography of the Maya TerritoryThe Mayan civilization developed within the Mesoamerican culture area which extended from the northern end o f today’s Mexico into Central America.In their heyday, the Mayans occupied the entire Yucatan Peninsula as well as southeastern Mexico and northern South America â€" the region we know today as Belize and Guatemala, as well as western Honduras and El Salvador.The Mayans enjoyed a generous coastline. Inland, their terrain was generally flat with few hills, except for what was known as the Mayan Highlands, the mountain range that extends into Guatemala.In all, they had plenty of arable land and water was not necessarily difficult to come by... at least, if the population had not boomed. The Mayans generally lived on flat terrain with abundant water Image by MarkgCap from PixabayMayan PoliticsAlthough the region was vast and well-populated and all Mayans shared a common worldview and ideology, they were never consolidated into a single empire.Mayans lived in nation-states, each governed by their own political hierarchies. These states were connected by trade relations, diplomatic alliances and tribute obligations.Tribute obligations: more powerful states would exact payment from weaker neighbours, generally as a gesture of submission. Such a tribute could be in the form of currency or goods.Initially, Mayans were governed by tribal chiefs but, by the Classic period, leadership had become more centralised and much more powerful.Leaders justified their position through lineage or by divine right; political connections with other leaders also helped enforce a leader’s tenure.The Mayan culture enforced loyalty and obedience to rulers; they felt it was absolutely necess ary to maintain social harmony.Those who chafed under leadership were harshly punished.  By the Classic Period, human sacrifice had become a well-established tool for social control. Political and religious leaders had no issue with performing ritual sacrifice as a way of demonstrating their power.Are you familiar with the burial customs in ancient Greece?Besides ancestor worship, Mayans had more than 200 gods. The most important ones were of creation, fertility, rain and thunder, and death.As in society, so in the pantheon of gods: there was a hierarchy, with some gods being more powerful and revered than others.Some gods existed to be disliked, mocked and tricked.Throughout the vast Mayan territory, most everyone revered the same gods but some polities had gods specific to their region or concerns.It is difficult to assess exactly how many gods populated their belief system because the same god may have a different name in another region or may have several names within the same r egion.One remarkable facet of Mayan gods is their potential for ruthlessness and cruelty.For instance, Zipacna, a god instrumental in creating the earth, killed 400 boys in a single, cleverly-engineered move. The Tikal pyramids in Guatemala were more ceremonial in nature Image by Albert Dezetter from PixabayAncient Maya AcademicsFor a people obsessed with bloodshed and warfare, ancient Mayans were surprisingly academic, making significant advances in a variety of fields.TechnologyShould you be in doubt about Mayan technological know-how, you only need to look at their leftover structures and city ruins. Their symmetrical layout and precise lines indicate that they knew a bit about land surveying and measurement.What is even more remarkable is that they cut stone and transported it without any metal tools or any wheels.Another amazing advance was their use of glittery paint to adorn their buildings and to create art.  Mixing standards colours with mica, a mineral abundantly available in the area, they decorated everything from their walls to themselves.Do you think of ancient Mayans when you wear your wellies?Researchers have discovered that the Mayans perfected the process of combining ra w rubber with other materials to make it more durable â€" a process called vulcanisation, some 3,000 years ago.Among the products they fashioned out of vulcanised rubber were water-resistant bags and clothing, binding for their books and balls to play pok-a-tok with.Remember, earlier in this article we said that the losing ball team would be beheaded?AstronomyThe Maya civilization was agrarian, meaning it depended on natural elements â€" rainfall and auspicious planting times for the bulk of their food production.Furthermore, they believed in cosmological influence; the pull and power of the heavens on everyday affairs.  To derive the most benefit possible, they set out to understand the power of the stars and planets.Through their study, they gleaned an advanced understanding of astrological cycles and how they could help plan harvesting and planting schedules.Unlike the sun and moon, stars had no special divine meaning; however, they were significant for agricultural planning beca use their changes indicated a change of seasons.Venus was another important celestial body.  Ancient Mayans associated Venus with war so battles were planned and fought according to Venus’ movements.If that planet was not in the right position to guarantee favour from the gods, sacrificing war prisoners would be delayed until such a time that the gods would be likely to smile.Mayan knowledge of astronomy even influenced their architecture; perhaps the most famous example of such is the positioning of the pyramid at Chichen Itza.Upon the spring and autumn equinoxes, the waning sun’s light casts a shadow onto a climbing wall which forms the staircase to the top of the pyramid.Projecting the undulating shape of the edge of the structure, the shadow appears to meld with the carved snake head that adorns the base of the stairs, making it appear as though a giant snake were slithering down the side of the pyramid itself.Such a degree of precision is astounding, especially considering that the ancient Mayan had virtually no tools or instruments with which to measure.Even more jaw-dropping: this entire structure is a calendar!Mayan CalendarsWhereas we have two calendars by which to track our days, Julian and Gregorian â€" and we don’t much use Julian dates anymore, the Mayan had several and used them all.Their shortest cycle calendar was called Tzolkin; a 260-day count. It was used to determine when agricultural activity should take place and to plan religious ceremonies.  It also represents roughly the duration of a human pregnancy.The Haab calendar is 365 days long, like ours, but is broken down into 18 months of 20 days each.If you’ve done the math, you know that 18x20 is only 360. The last 5 days were considered so unlucky, they were given their own name: Wayeb.  During that time, Maya people stayed home and avoided most activities, lest disaster befall them.The long-count calendar was used to count all of the days since the beginning of time. This calenda r is both cyclical and linear, meaning that one can consult it to look forward and back in time, and that it regenerates.At its base is the 360-day Haab year minus the 5-day Wayeb period and, to explain it properly, we have to understand Mayan mathematics.MathematicsUnlike the Mesopotamian civilisation numbering system which was based on a value of 60, Mayan numeracy was base 20 or vigesimal.They devised a counting system using only 3 symbols and, most critically, they implemented the use of zero as a place holder.In Mayan numeracy, a dot represented a single unit, dashes had a value of 5 and, usually, a clamshell depicted zero.In the same way we teach our young students how to add by arranging the values vertically and to first add the ones, then the tens and so on, the Mayans used the same structure â€" except for their groupings were by 20, not 10.Using sticks, pebbles and perhaps a bone fragment to signify zero, everyone could use maths in everyday transactions.Now that we under stand that their counting system was based on 20, we see that their long-count calendar was simply the Haab calendar times 204.360 x 204 = 57,600,000 â€" which is exactly the number of days that elapsed by December 21st, 2012, after which the calendar restarted!Did the Inca also have a sophisticated system for counting? After centuries of exposure to the elements, Mayan glyphs are a little hard to read Image by Albert Dezetter from PixabayWritingThe Mayan writing system includes more than 800 symbols. Some are logosyllabic, meaning that a single drawing represents an entire word â€" a lot like Japanese or Chinese writing.Other Mayan script involves writing words out syllable by syllable. About 300 Mayan glyphs are considered syllabic.This writing system was the most developed in pre-Columbian America but, for as developed as it was, only the nobles were permitted to learn it.That means that the workers who chiselled hieroglyphics onto walls, sculptures and pottery had no idea what they were writing!On the other hand, scribes, religious and military leaders used their writing skills to draft many of their accounts on tree bark, which they then bound in animal hides.These books described life in the Maya culture, military action, politics and social events such as ball games and festivals.When the Spa niards invaded, they interpreted these books as pagan and evil. They burned the heap of them... but, fortunately, four have survived.The Mayan CivilisationIncomprehensibly brutal yet devoutly religious, firmly grounded in science but awash with superstition: the complexity of the Maya culture enthrals still today.Unlike other ancient civilisations, the Maya have left such a long history; a past littered with so much yet to be discovered and understood.Why did Mayan noblewomen file their teeth down to points? Why was being cross-eyed a mark of distinction?Why, when there was so much knowledge to be shared, was a substantial portion of the population denied education?There were no schools, as such, to teach people how to read, write and do maths. Withholding education was a way to maintain the class structure; to ensure the Mayan way would continue forever.Although there are still Mayans inhabiting the Yucatan peninsula and scattered throughout the region, their way of life is, for th e most part, gone for good.Done are the bloody wars and the brutal sacrifices; finished are the egocentric kings and the malicious nobles.Echoes of their gods are still there, though.If you happen to find yourself in the northern part of the Yucatan peninsula, sometime around the 20th of September, you may just catch the shadow of a Mayan feathered snake slithering down from the heavens.Now discover the similarities between Mayan and Aztec cultures...

Geometry Tutor - Quadrilateral

Geometry Tutor - Quadrilateral A 2-dimensional four sided polygon is called as a Quadrilateral. Different types of Quadrilateral are Opposite sides are parallel and equal. Area = base x height Two pairs of adjacent sides are equal. AB = BC and AD = CD Diagonals intersect at right angles. Area = (AC x BD)2 Opposite sides are parallel and equal. Each angle in a rectangle is 90. Area = Length x width All the four sides are equal. Diagonals are perpendicular. Area = (PQ RS)2 A pair of sides is parallel. Area = (a+b)h2 Here a, b are length of parallel sides And h is the height. All the sides are equal. Diagonals bisect each other. Each angle in a square is equal to 90 Area = side 1) A parallelogram with all sides equal and angles as right angles is a (a) Rectangle (b) Square (c) Rhombus (d) Kite Answer: b 2) Select a regular quadrilateral from the following (a) Rectangle (b) Parallelogram (c) Square (d) Rhombus 3) Statement I: A square is also a rectangle. Statement II: A rectangle is also a square. (a) Both I II are true (b) I is true, II is false (c) I is false, II is true (d) Both I II are false Answer: b 4) Sum of interior angles in a quadrilateral is (a)180 (b) 360 (c) 90 (d) cant be determined

3 (Fun!) Summer Activities That Help Your Child Grow [Infographic]

3 (Fun!) Summer Activities That Help Your Child Grow [Infographic] Natalie Hagen Summer is here! With school out and the temperatures rising, no doubt your kids are excited to play. But beyond the summer camps, sleepovers, bike rides, and water balloon fights, stealthy parents know how to encourage activities that can actually help kids grow  and learn! Dont worry that doesnt mean workbooks or summer homework. Weve got three fun summer activities in mind that kids will be excited to participate in, and ones that will build confidence at the same time. First up? Music lessons! If your son or daughter loves to sing along to songs  when you turn on the radio, music lessons are a natural fit. And there are so  many different lesson types to consider, from piano to guitar to saxophone. For the more introverted or bookworm types, learning a language like Spanish or French might be a great choice. Of course, your child wont become fluent over the course of one summer but it can be a fun introduction to new cultures! Plus, its easy to find fun games and apps that support  language learning. Finally, if your child cant stop moving, sports like soccer and softball are a great way to keep him or her busy. Theyll never know theyre actually improving their  teamwork and goal-setting skills! Heres a recap of all the surprising stats you need to know about these fun summer activities for kids. Whether your child is athletic, musically inclined, or interested in learning another language, summer is the perfect time to enroll them in classes and nurture a new hobby. And knowing your son or daughter is also  growing and learning, you can sit back and relax this summer just as the season was intended for. Ready to get started? Search for fun summer activities,  classes, and lessons near you! Photos by  Philippe Put,  Dark Dwarf, and  l. c. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How Much Do Portuguese Lessons Cost

How Much Do Portuguese Lessons Cost Finding Portuguese Classes For The Best Price ChaptersHow Much Do Portuguese Lessons Cost On Superprof?Is There A Way To Reduce The Cost Of Portuguese Courses?Other Factors To Consider When Looking For Portuguese LessonsIf you would like to learn a new foreign language, there are often two barriers that frequently arise:Do you have the necessary time to study the language and improve your skills; andDo you have the money to afford to pay for a foreign language tutor?When it comes to the amount of time you have available to learn a second, third, or even fourth language, the good news is that you can usually make solid progress, even if you’re time-poor, just by committing to learning on a daily basis, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Ideally, if you can spend longer on your language studies, then that’s even better.When it comes to the cost of a language tutor, there are a lot of different variables to take into account, such as your budget and what you’d like to get out of any tuition courses.Below we provide a brief o verview of what you could expect to pay for Portuguese lessons, along with some tips and tricks to get the costs of tuition down.Knowing how much you can afford to spend on Portuguese lessons is very important. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, JamesQube, Pixabay)The tutor has many years of experience in tuition and/or has a graduate or postgraduate qualification in Portuguese.Generally speaking, you can expect to pay between £15 and £25 per hour for a Portuguese tutor, based on a variety of factors, including those discussed above.Superprof has a wide network of language tutors, including Portuguese tutors, which means that you should be able to find a tutor willing to provide online or in-person Portuguese lessons at a price that suits both you and your budget.Having online-only Portuguese classes can be a way to save money. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Pixabay)Is There A Way To Reduce The Cost Of Portuguese Courses?If the average rates listed above make you shudder, then there are of course ways that you can try to reduce the average hourly cost of Portuguese lessons.For instance, you could try one or more of the following things:Have online-only classes;Consider taking group lessons if you want classes in-person; orLimit how long your lessons last.Let’s look at each approach in a little more detail below.Online-Only ClassesAs mentioned above, online classes tend to be cheaper overall than classes that involve you meeting someone in person. This can be down to a variety of factors, including reduced travel time or lower overheads in terms of hiring a space for lessons.If you live in a particularly expensive area, such as London, then it can really save you some cash to take up online language classes. In the capital, language courses can often be found at a premium, and one way to avoid the hefty price tag is to turn to online courses that are held via Skype or webcam. This way, you can still see and interact with your tutor, and you can also practice your Portuguese speaking and listening skills.Consider Group LessonsIf you really don’t want to have online-only Portuguese lessons, then there are other ways to cut down how much money you spend on language tuition.For instance, one way to cut down the cost of in-person courses is to simply attend a group class or workshop, rather than have one to one tuition. There are a few benefits to having group lessons as well. For example, you could get a group of friends to have the lessons with you if you are all interested in learning Portuguese, or equally, you’ll have a great chance to make new friends with the people that attend your Portuguese class!Additionally, group classes can be a great forum to ask each other questions about your language learning journeys and it can also be very helpful listening and speaking with a variety of different people in Portuguese.If you do decide to opt for group lessons, try to ensure that group sizes aren’t too large â€" you don’t really want to be sitting in a room with 30 other people vying for the teacher’s attention! Ideally, smaller class sizes are better, as that way the teacher has more time to spend with each student, and you’ll likely have more opportunity to ask the tutor any questions as you progress through the class.Superprof tutors are able to cater for both individual and group tuition, so it’s just a case of finding your ideal Portuguese tutor in Superprof’s database and setting up your first class!Limit How Long Your Lessons LastAnother way to reduce the cost of Portuguese lessons is to simply reduce how long you spend with your tutor. If your budget is particularly tight, then it may be worthwhile only having 45-minute sessions each week rather than the usual hour-long class.This way, you’ll be able to save some money, but will still have enough time to practice and develop core skills, such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking in Portuguese.Reducing how long your Portugue se classes are can be another way to save money. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, nattanan23, Pixabay)Other Factors To Consider When Looking For Portuguese LessonsWhile cost is extremely important when it comes to finding a new Portuguese tutor, there are some other factors that you need to bring into consideration to make sure you get the best return on your investment.A good tutor can teach you the basics and beyond of Portuguese much quicker and in a much more enjoyable way than a tutor who you don’t particularly engage well with, or who has a teaching style that is not compatible with your preferences.When it comes to pricing though, the main thing is to be realistic. If you’re set on having one to one tuition in a large city such as London, then you’ll have to accept that you’ll likely pay a premium for your Portuguese lessons compared to someone who lives in London but is prepared to attend group classes or have Skype lessons with their tutor.You should also think about your wi der goals when it comes to learning Portuguese, and whether you think your prospective tutor is best-placed to help you achieve them.For instance, have you considered whether you would rather learn Portuguese from a native speaker from Portugal, or would you rather learn Brazilian Portuguese from someone who lived in Brazil?Tutors, such as those on Superprof, often clarify whether they are experienced in teaching Brazilian Portuguese or European Portuguese, so it’s easy enough to find out which teachers would be the best fit for the type of Portuguese that you would like to learn.Whether you’d like to learn Portuguese to help you when you’re next travelling around Portugal or want to learn Brazilian Portuguese for work purposes, a great tutor can help you get there. Just make sure that, whichever tutor you select, you’re comfortable with their hourly rate and you have an idea of how long you’ll likely have lessons with them for.It’s not worth stretching your budget too t ight when learning a new language, especially when there are different approaches available that can help to keep the cost of lessons down.A good tutor should be able to teach you what you want to know without costing the earth. So whether you're a new learner and would like to expand your knowledge of Portuguese phrases, expressions or verbs, or you just want someone to communicate in Portuguese with and revise key aspects of grammar, a good Portuguese tutor should be able to improve your overall learning experience.

The Stages of a Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Stages of a Japanese Tea Ceremony What Happens in a Japanese Tea Ceremony ChaptersThe Stages of a Japanese Tea CeremonyThe Tools Used During a Tea CeremonyThe Different Types of Tea Ceremony in Japan“I say let the world go to hell, but I should always have my tea.” - Fyodor DostoevskyWhile India is arguably home to the world’s greatest tea lovers, Japan isn’t far behind. The Japanese tea ceremony is very formal and the rules originated with Buddhist monks and samurai.The first tea ceremonies took place in the 8th century and kept evolving until the 16th century according to Sen no Rikyu’s influence.Do you know exactly what happens in a tea ceremony?Here’s everything you need to know. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tuto rs JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Stages of a Japanese Tea CeremonyThe Japanese tea ceremony is a heavily codified part of Japanese culture. Some steps and rules need to followed including aspects of making tea, tea-drinking, the tea caddy, the powdered green tea used, and the ceramics from which the tea is consumed. There are a lot of formalities that have to take place before and after tea ceremonies. (Source: xiehanxin)Preparing for a Japanese Tea CeremonyThe tea master can prepare for the ceremony weeks in advance. Spiritually, they need to prepare their soul and achieve balance and equilibrium within themselves.  Don’t forget that the ceremony originated through Buddhist religious practices with cleansing in mind.On the practical side, the master of tea needs to choose the right equipment according to the season or time of day. They’ll also clean the entire tea room where the ceremony will take place. The utensils will also need to be cleaned and the tatami changed.The ceremony may also include a meal that the host will have to prepare in advance.The Arrival of the GuestsTraditionally, the guests must also prepare themselves spiritually for the ceremony. They need to leave their problems at the door to make the most of the ceremony and ritual out of respect of each person in attendance.W hen they arrive at the tea room, they must wash their hands which also serves as a symbolic gesture to rid themselves of the “dust” from the outside world. The tea room is a sacred and pure place. The tea master will indicate when they may enter.Each guest will enter through a small door, forcing them to bow as a sign of respect for the host and the preparations they’ve made. The tea master will greet their guests by bowing whilst standing.Cleaning the ToolsThe host will clean the tools in front of their guests. There are rules for cleaning to utensils and equipment that will be used. While this may differ from ceremony to ceremony, it’s always very graceful and methodical.During this time, not a single guest nor the host should speak.Preparing the MatchaTraditionally, matcha from gyokuro tea is consumed. It’s an expensive tea that comes from a fine powder from the green gyokuro tea leaves. For the ceremony, the powder is often presented in balls. You don’t need to infus e this tea or put it in a bag; the fine powder will dissolve directly in water.The master of tea will take three scoops of matcha per guest and put it into the bowl. They’ll then add hot water (at around 80 ºC) and whisk the mixture with a whisk and bamboo. A bit more hot water is then added to create a frothy blend.Serving the MatchaGenerally, only a single bowl is passed around. The master will present the bowl to the first guest to admire. They’ll turn the bowl before drinking from it. These bowls often have engravings that are filled with gold powder.The guest takes two and a half sips from the bowl and wipes it off before offering it to the next guest who’ll do the same thing. Once the last guest has drunk from the bowl, they give it back to the host.The host may offer a cup for each guest. In this case, you always need to take two and a half sips before placing your drink down.The End of the Tea CeremonyAt the end of the ceremony, the host will clean the utensils and pre sent them to their guests. They can also present any decorative pieces in the room to the guests.The guests have to examine the utensils out of respect and admiration for their host. This is all done carefully with respect for the tea master.Learn more about attending a Japanese tea ceremony.The Tools Used During a Tea CeremonyThe equipment used in a tea ceremony is known as dogu in Japanese. There’s a lot of equipment used in these ceremonies. This can vary according to the ceremony but there are several utensils common to every type of ritual. The tools and products used are very important. (Source: A_Different_Perspective)The Tea CaddyThe cha’ire, as it’s known in Japanese, is a ceramic or porcelain tea caddy with a sometimes ivory lid. A golden lead is generally drawn onto the inside of the lid.This caddy is used to prepare the matcha. As a sign of respect, the principal guest is asked to admire the cha’ire.The Tea WhiskThe chasen is a whisk made from a single piece of wood and bamboo. It’s used to mix the water and matcha. There are different types of chasen for different consistencies of matcha. The tea in a tea ceremony comes in a powder and is whisked rather than brewed in a bag like in the UK. (Source: dungthuyvunguyen)The SpoonIf the matcha isn’t in balls, the spoon, known as a chashaku, is used to serve the powder. It’s a single piece of bamboo and is hidden from the view of the guests during the ceremony. The shapes and colours depend on their use in the ceremony.The Tea BowlThis replaces the cups commonly used for infusions. Known as a chawan, it’s essential for any tea ceremony. There are different sizes and colours for use in different types of ceremonies and with different thicknesses of matcha. In winter, the bowls are deeper to retain more heat.Bowls with imperfections are considered more valuable than newer ones as they have a long history and are deserving of the guests’ respect.The Silk ClothThis is used for handling hot receptacles. It’s usually a plain silk square. It’s red or orange for women and purple for men.The Iron PotFor a tea ceremony, th ere’s no teapot or kettle, just a kama, an iron pot used for heating water. This is normally a pot that’s been passed down from generation to generation. The name will vary depending on the family that it belongs to.Discover the different types of tea in Japan.The Different Types of Tea Ceremony in JapanThe tea ceremony is often done with matcha and not black tea, white tea, or iced tea. However, the ritual can vary from season to season. Here are the different types of tea ceremony in Japan.Hatsugama: The first boil! This is the first ceremony of the year in January. This is a tea ceremony in which the tea master guides their students.Akatsuki-no-chaji: literally the dawn tea ceremony in winter. It takes part early in the morning at the start of winter to enjoy the first sunlight coming into the tea room.Yuuzari-no-chaji: the early-evening tea ceremony. This tea ceremony takes place at sunset during the warm summer months.Kuchikiri-no-chaji: This takes place in November to cele brate the breaking of the seal on a new jar of tea. Green tea leaves are usually harvested in spring before being reduced to a powder. The tea is then stored in a closed jar. This ceremony is usually accompanied by a meal.Yobanashi: This is a candlelit ceremony that takes place in winter evenings. The best places to attend Japanese tea ceremonies are (unsurprisingly) in Japan. (Source: 12019)Would you like to attend a tea ceremony?Learn more about the history of it.If you'd like to learn the language before you go to Japan or a Japanese tea ceremony, you should get in touch with one of the many talented and experienced private Japanese tutors on Superprof. With three main types of private tutorial available, face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials, there's a solution for every type of learner and budget.Before you decide upon your tutor, remember that many of the tutors on Superprof offer free tuition for the first hour. Try a few of them out and see who you get along with, who offers the best tuition, and ask them about their teaching approach, rates, and what you'd like to learn.Personally, when you first start learning a language, you might want to start with the cheaper option of group tutorials and move onto online or face-to-face tutorials once you start to get a better idea of what you want to learn. However, at the end of the day, the choice is yours.

Russian Culture at a Glance

Russian Culture at a Glance The Most Important Aspects of Russian Culture ChaptersThe 10 Most Famous Russian SongsFamous Russian Figures to KnowThe Best Russian SeriesWhat Are the Most Famous Russian Radio Stations?“The whole world recognizes Russia's cultural achievements. It is impossible to imagine the world culture without Russian culture, without our music and literature.” - Vladimir PutinWhen we talk about Russian culture, we also are referring to famous people like Chekhov and Tolstoy, as well Russian history, the Russian revolution, the Russian president, and the Orthodox Church. For example, an important part of Russian culture is the 11 national holidays such as International Women’s Day (????????????? ??????? ????, 8 March), Orthodox Christmas (????????? ????????, 7 January).In this article, we’re going to have a look at Russian culture, famous Russian songs, Russian celebrities and figures, Russian TV shows, Russian radio stations, what you need to know about Russian culture, and how this knowledge can help you study the Russian languag e.So are you ready?Let’s go! LavaRussian Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LarisaRussian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors InaRussian Teacher 4.88 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IrynaRussian Teacher 5.00 (8) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EvgeniaRussian Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnastassiaRussian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NikolaRussian Teacher 5.00 (4) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MargaritaRussian Teacher 5.00 (3) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe 10 Most Famous Russian SongsWhat would a patriotic Russia be without its famous music?From Katioucha to Kalinka, here are the most famous Russian songs! It goes without saying that traditional Russian music has had an important influence on modern Russian popular culture. In fact, traditional Russian music covered plenty of topics, even war.Not all Russian music has a balalaika! (Source: falco)The song “Kalinka” is essential. It’s a metaphor for women’s natural beauty, something which made the song hugely popular. It was composed by Ivan Petrovich Larionov in 1860 and was performed by many, which eventually led to its folk music version.The song “Katioucha” is a traditional Soviet song, just like the song “Kombat”, the song created by Igor Matvienko in 1996. The same is true with “Farewell of Slavianka”, a patriotic Russian war that honours events from the First Baltic War (1912-1913).Russia hasn’t always been so serious, though. The “Trololo” song showed a more playful side to Russian culture. The iconic singer Eduard Khil showed the smiley side of the Russians with his non-lexical vocable version of “I Am Very Glad, as I'm Finally Returning Back Home”.There’s also “Podmoskovnye Vechera”, which was written by Mikhail Matusovsky in 1955 and became the theme tune for Radio Moscow, which h elped people hear the song regularly. It was performed by Vladimir Troshin and the words were changed following a request from the Minister of Education as it talked about Leningrad rather than Moscow.There are plenty of songs that were composed in Russia that were unexpected successes. The song “Dorogoï Dlinnoyu” is a traditional Russian gipsy folk song. It was translated into French, Spanish, German, Italian, Persian, and Hungarian and was famously covered by Paul McCartney and Dalida.Symbolism is never far away in Russian culture and the song “Alyosha” was composed in 1966 by Eduard Kolmanovsky. The song is about the Alyosha monument in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The monument honours the Soviet soldiers who died during the occupation of Bulgaria during the Second World War.Speaking of symbolic songs, there’s also the song “Rumka Vodki na Stole” (Glass of vodka on the table) which is both unusual and very cliché. Vodka is an essential part of Russian culture and the song d escribes it perfectly. It was written and performed by Grigory Leps and was a success in Russia, especially at the end of the soviet era.Finally, some songs like “Ostrov Nevezeniya” (The Island of Misfortune), a popular song that’s been performed by several groups.You can check here for a Russian language course London.Learning a Russian song can help you improve your Russian.Of course, when you want to learn about the civilisation itself, you should probably read a history book.Famous Russian Figures to KnowBy looking more closely at the history of Russia, you’ll see that the country isn’t as far from Europe as you might have first thought. For example, the Countess of Ségur and Alexander Pushkin were both born in Russia but spent a lot of time in France. The people who are famous in a given culture can tell us a lot about the culture of the country, especially Russia.As the world's largest country, Russia is home to a lot of people and a lot of famous people. (Source: s hbs)Let’s start with Russia’s imperial history, Ivan the Terrible, an important historical figure who started the Tsarism in Russia.Then there was Peter I (or Peter the Great), became the Tsar of Russia in 1682, then the Emperor of all the Russias in 1721.Catherine II, nicknamed “Catherine the Great” was Empress of all the Russias from 1762 and was part of the Romanov Dynasty.Finally, Nicholas II or “Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer” was the last Tsar in Russian history and reigned from 1894 to 1917 when the revolution began.Russia is the “Land of the Tsars”, after all.After the Tsars, Vladimir Lenin, a Marxist political theorist, led a revolution that brought communism to Russia and spelt the end of the Russian Empire and its monarchs. This was followed by Stalin’s dictatorship and the creation of gulags.Mikhail Gorbachev is also well known as he was the last president of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) before it collapsed in 1991. Gorbachev’s Pe restroika movement and his glasnost (openness) policy reform brought Russia closer to the West.Politically-speaking, Russia is a Federal Republic with a President who works at the Kremlin.There are plenty of famous Russians in the world of arts and literature:Alexander Pushkin, a poet.Nicolai Gogol, a dramatist.The Countess of Segur.Olga Khokhlova, a Russian ballerina.Rasputin, a Russian mystic.Andrei Sakharov, a physicist and human rights activist.Who are your favourite famous Russians?Find out more about famous Russian figures.The Best Russian SeriesWhether you want to improve your language skills or learn more about the history of the Russian Federation, there’s nothing better than watching famous Russian films or TV series.Russia has a lot of popular TV shows. (Source: Pexels)If you’re starting out with Russian, you could check out “???? ? ???????” (Masha and the Bear). There are three seasons of the show and a total of 75 episodes for you to help you learn everyday Russ ian vocabulary. Since it’s for kids, the language is at a more basic level.Those who like comedy will enjoy “???????” (Interns) which follows in the footsteps of Dr. House or Scrubs and is one of Russia’s biggest comedy shows.If you want to learn more about Russian literature, there’s the series “Dostoevskiy”, which provides a realistic portrayal of the life of the author. A great show to watch if you want to become bilingual in Russian.There’s also Fizruk, another Russian sitcom. This is the story of a man who was once the security director for Russian businessman who now finds himself working as a PE teacher in a Russian secondary school.See some recommended Russian lessons here.What Are the Most Famous Russian Radio Stations?Whether you want information or to listen to music, Russian radio is still one of the best ways to do it. It’s also a great way to learn more about Russian culture. There are international networks like RT or Sputnik Radio.There are plenty o f radio stations around Russia. (Source: Pexels) So which radio stations should you listen to?You won’t miss a beat by listening to local Russian radio, especially stations that only operate in certain towns or cities. These stations will help you get local news and information on local events.These kinds of stations include:Russkoie Radio, ??????? ?????, for learning juicy details about Russian stars, fashion, or the winners of the Golden Gramophone Awards (??????? ?????????).Moskva FM or Peter FM, which has an online platform that can be accessed anywhere in the world to find out what’s going on in Moscow or Saint Petersburg.Most Russian radio stations also broadcast in the Causcasus (Georgia, Armenia) and the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania).There are also international Russian radio stations such as:AvtoRadio, ?????????, a station that is 10% speech and 90% music.Radio Echo Moskva, ??? ??????, which broadcasts 24/7 covering a range of different topics.Radio Mayak, ????? ????, a station that’s been around since 1964 and offers music and talk shows.There are also entertainment stations, like Russkie Piesni, ??????? ????? or Anekdoty, ????????, a station hosting debates.Whether it’s music, cinema, history, or art, you now know a few places where you can find it.So would you like to visit Russia?It's a big country that covers stretches from Eastern Europe across Asia and has interesting politics, history and culture. Whether you're interested in visiting near the Caucasus, Siberia, or the larger cities bordering Europe, Russia is a fascinating place.Before discovering all this Russian culture, you might want to consider getting Russian private tutorials so that you have a better understanding of the language since language and culture are inextricably linked and it's hard to understand one without understanding the other. You can visit Superprof today and start your search.