3 Common Career-Wrecking Stories We Tell Ourselves (and How Not to Derail Yourself) - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 3 Common Career-Wrecking Stories We Tell Ourselves (and How Not to Derail Yourself) - Introvert Whisperer 3 Common Career-Wrecking Stories We Tell Ourselves (and How Not to Derail Yourself) Introverts aren’t the only people to create stories about their behavior in order to rationalize it and make it “OK.” We all love rationalizations soooo much; we don’t go a day without a few. The problem is that if we keep listening to these career-wrecking stories about what’s going on in our career, we won’t get the pay and recognition we deserve. Are you mysteriously stalled out in your career? You might want to pay attention to some of these stories I’ve heard Introverts tell to see if they match up with you. I Don’t Speak Up in Meetings Because I’m Polite by Letting Others Talk Don’t fool yourself. We were all taught manners; whether or not people are polite or courteous is another matter. If everyone took that point of view, no one would talk. You will be viewed as passive and not gain the respect needed to be supported for upward career growth. Solution: First, lose the story. It’s simply not true. Second, yes it’s hard to make yourself speak up, but you need to. Consider simply injecting your opinion about the topic being discussed, even if that opinion has been offered up a dozen times. It’s your opinion and it has as much value as anyone else’s.       My Industry Has Bad Management Because I Have a History of Not Getting Along with Management But I Get Along With Everyone Else The joke’s on you for not developing strategic relationships with your management. You might not like to follow their direction, but guess what? They’re in charge. And until you are, it’s their opinion that will sway the direction of your career. Solution: If you can have good relationships with most people but not your management, that alone is an indicator that you have work to do. Spend time with your management. Figure out what’s important to them and then deliver well. Then, communicate what you’re up to. Don’t make your management pull things out of you about your stellar performance â€" because they won’t. (Like this thought? Tweet it!) Office Politics Doesn’t Affect Me So I Stay Out of the Fray and Focus on My Work. Wanna bet? You can choose to ignore the politics of your organization but it will impact you. A big part of your ability to get the support you need to make your star rise is how well you influence those around you at all levels. Politics happens anytime a group of people assembles. It’s about who can make decisions, who can influence who along with rewards and punishment. Solution: Don’t ignore who has influence other than management. These are good people to form alliances with. Every group has them. It’s simply a person who has chosen to form relationships â€" therefore gain support â€" to advance their agenda. You can learn from this type of person as well as bask in the glow of their organizational pull. Go to top Have you been telling yourself one of these stories? Share your experiences in the comments! Image: Flickr Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

French Pronunciation Guide Best Tips for Mastering French Vowels

French Pronunciation Guide Best Tips for Mastering French Vowels Sign up successful There are four key defining “characteristics” of sound that each French vowel symbolizes: 1. L’aperature This correlates to the “height” of a speaker’s tongue. A “high” vowel is pronounced with your tongue located close to roof of your mouth, whereas a “low” vowel requires you to keep your tongue located close  to the bottom of your mouth. 2. L’antériorité This correlates to the “backness” of your tongue. A “back” vowel means your tongue is positioned close to the back of your throat versus a “front” vowel, which means your tongue is located close  to your mouth’s opening. 3. La rondissement Literally meaning “roundness,” this term signifies whether or not your lips are rounded when articulating a vowel. 4. La nasalité Some vowels are pronounced through the nasal cavity. This means that air flows  through both your mouth and through the passageway that connects your throat to your nose.  There are three nasal vowels in French. Each vowel in French contains a unique combination of the four characteristics mentioned  above. For example, the characteristics of the vowel written “u” in French can be summarized  as follows: u = (high, front, rounded, non-nasal vowel) Hearing the combination of these four characteristics is what makes a listener know, “Oh, that  speaker just used the sound [u] in that word!” Every French vowel has a combination. Using  these guidelines, you can figure out where your mouth, tongue and lips should be when you  pronounce a vowel. Here is my favorite video on French Vowel Phonetics for you if you want  more information: 2. Learn Pronunciation With Spelling Now that you understand the four characteristics of sound that French uses to create vowels,  you can then begin training your brain to read French. French is a non-phonetic language that  has complex spelling rules, which basically means that it’s not always spoken how it is written. Sometimes, three written vowels such as “eau” in French equal merely one spoken vowel, and  sometimes a vowel sound can be represented by a single vowel. You have to work to memorize  what sequences of letters create what spoken sound if you want to be able to speak, read and  write French correctly. I included a table I created of common French spellings for its vowels. This is so that you can  associate each individual pronunciation of a vowel with how it is spelled in French. For example, if  you have been pronouncing the written vowels “ou” and “u” the same, then you can use this  table to see that “ou” is pronounced with your tongue positioned at the back of your mouth,  whereas “u” is pronounced with your tongue positioned at the front of your mouth, but both  sounds are high vowels (the tongue is close to the roof of your mouth for both vowels). All  spellings within a single box represent a single vowel, and so you can see that all spellings  within a box are pronounced the same. 3. Practice Makes Perfect This is where many students of French drop the ball. You now have the tools you need to fine-tune your pronunciation, and you have the tools to figure out what spellings match up with each vowel. However, we have to tie the two together to be able to read, speak and write French correctly. There’s no way around accomplishing this task than to practice listening to each vowel, repeating that vowel, comparing your pronunciation to what you heard and physically seeing the vowel’s spelling. To keep practicing, you can watch more videos about French pronunciation on YouTube. Heres one of my favorites- If you are serious about learning French, I would practice at least three times a week. It won’t be long before you notice that you have more confidence in your speech and that you can understand how to correct your pronunciation. It takes weeks or months to become a master of French vowels, but you will be proud and feel accomplished when you realize that your efforts took your French from a beginner’s level to the advanced level. For more help with French pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, taking private lessons with French tutor is the best way to make progress fast! French tutors are available to work with you online via Skype or in-person depending on locations and availability. Search for your French tutor now! Tyler S. teaches in-person Spanish and French lessons in Minneapolis, MN. He received his Bachelors degree in German and linguistics from the University of Minnesota, and has experience working as a teaching assistant and private tutor with TakeLessons since 2008. Whats more? He can speak 7 different languages! Learn more about Tyler here! 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 Photo by  Luka Knezevic Strika

Find An Online Hindi Teacher

Find An Online Hindi Teacher Learn Hindi With The Help Of An Online Hindi Tutor ChaptersLearning Hindi OnlineHindi Lessons OnlineLearn Hindi Online FreeLearn Hindi Online For A Small FeeA Quick Note For Those Seeking Hindi Teaching JobsSo, you may have tried to pick up some Hindi words and phrases online, with the use of apps or even by listening to podcasts, but perhaps these haven't worked for you. Every learner works differently and gains knowledge at a different pace so, particularly if you're in a hurry to learn a new language, then you may need to turn to lessons with a real-life instructor.When we say 'real-life', we mean human as opposed to digital!However, you can still get help from a human personal tutor online, without the need to actually travel to a class. Online learning is one of the most convenient and cheapest options for many students these days, saving precious time and money and meaning that second language lessons can be conducted to fit your lifestyle.Online learning is a convenient way of acquiring a new skill around your busy life. Photo on Visualhunt.com GiusyHindi Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnchalHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NehaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AkshayaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuhaniHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MedhaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PriyankaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaurabhHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearning Hindi OnlineLearning Hindi online is, in fact, easier than trying to learn Hindi at school in the UK - simply because few educational establishments offer Indian languages as a subject.For example, your average public school will offer subjects on the UK curriculum like English, French, Spanish, and German.With the wide reach of the Internet, however, we have access to a range of courses a nd tutors originating from all over the world.Your options for language learning online are to sign up to an online study programme, use online learning materials to educate yourself, or find a private tutor who can motivate and guide you on your language learning journey.So, where do you start when looking for Hindi lessons? How do you syphon out those free courses from the paid ones? Below we will take a look at online study options, and help you to identify the best path for you.Take a look at our Hindi learning apps guide.Hindi Lessons OnlineIf you are looking for a course that you can dip in and out of online, then there is no use in going to your local library or college as they will most probably only be advertising courses that take place in your region. Also, think how much more scope you'll have to find an array of courses if you don't restrict yourself to courses in your village or town!For you digital learners, the best place to start, as usual, is by searching the Inter net for suitable lessons.Firstly, use your search bar to look for online courses, tutors offering online services and more, and once you have a feel for what is out there, then we suggest you sit back and think hard about what it is you want to gain from the experience.You might like to search for keywords like 'teaching excellence', 'Hindi candidate', 'Hindi for secondary school', 'become bilingual in Hindi', 'diploma in Hindi', 'language pupil', or Hindi grammar and vocabulary workshops'.The best place to start your search is by browsing the Internet! Photo on VisualHuntAt this point, you should be able to reconsider your reasons for learning Hindi, how quickly you wish to master the language, what sort of timetable you can commit to, how much you can afford to pay, and whether you want one to one tuition (whether by video call or email) or if you are happy to follow a virtual set up and solve problems on your own as you go. GiusyHindi Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Disco ver all our tutors AnchalHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NehaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AkshayaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuhaniHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MedhaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PriyankaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaurabhHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearn Hindi Online FreeWith some resources like DuoLingo, Rocket Languages, Babbel and HindiPod101, you can benefit from some free lessons, with the opportunity to pay for a subscription if you wish to advance further.There is no better option, as each tool is different to the other and may have features that appeal to some more than others.HindiPod101 is a podcast-style website which additionally offers you the opportunity to work with and talk to a dedicated online tuto r, which could be hugely advantageous to those who respond well to a bit of one-to-one tuition.All of the above, however, are general language courses which don't necessarily take into consideration your unique circumstances, preferred learning methods or prior knowledge.Tailored Online Hindi Lessons Don't Come FreeWhile you can find resources like the above, along with free international blogs offering you mini-tutorials, no teacher is going to be able to offer their full teaching services without some remuneration. Therefore, unless you are lucky enough to know someone who speaks Hindi fluently and is willing to tutor you for no charge at all, or you are able to learn a language swiftly by simply chatting online to a person who has Hindi as their mother tongue, then you will need to accept the fact that you must pay for language lessons.Learn Hindi Online For A Small FeeVerbal PlanetVerbal Planet is a website and flexible learning tool which helps new starters to grasp the Hindi l anguage.Like many online resources, this website allows you to learn around your own schedule, offering you a variety of lessons to pick and choose from to fit your lifestyle. No more rushing around to get to class on time!You don't have to commit to a whole programme of study all at once either, you can choose to pay for a single class or book an entire course depending on your preference, financial situation, and your goals.The success of this website is most of all down to its native, experienced Hindi teachers who can offer lively, fun and interesting conversations in their mother tongue language.  The interactive lessons make it so that you are never left wondering if a pronunciation or meaning is right!Finally, the language learning tool allows you  to customise your learning experience by creating tailor-made lessons to match your goals and individual priorities.SuperprofOne of the best ways to find an experienced Hindi tutor is to consult Superprof, a leading platform for tu tors and students to connect and form working partnerships. With the use of Superprof's user-friendly website, you can instantly locate tutors offering Hindi language services in your area, as well as those who are able to offer online tuition.A private tutor may be willing to hold group lessons or can provide webinars for varying numbers of pupils. Photo credit: cambodia4kidsorg on Visual huntFurthermore, you can filter your search to show only native speakers, if you so wish, and can choose which level of education you require (i.e. primary school, college, adult education etc...) or simply which level you believe you are working at (beginner, intermediate or advanced).The average rate per hour for a Hindi tutor is £11, but prices range from around £5 per lesson to £30 per hour.Be sure to read about your prospective tutor and take advantage of the one free lesson policy so that you can get a feel for their teaching methods and work out if you think you will get along in a profe ssional student-teacher manner. Remember, the cost does not always reflect the person's experience and qualifications (the cheapest tutors are not necessarily the least successful at teaching learners and the pricier ones are not always the top teachers) but, that said, you do get what you pay for so don't be reluctant to pay for a good tutor and then complain that you haven't learned what you had wanted to!Just like when you seek quotes for work being done in your house, it is a good idea to pick around three tutors who you are drawn to and give each of them a chance to become your tutor. Be up front and tell them that you are unsure of your decision so that this gives them the opportunity to tell you why you should pick them and how they may be able to help you. It may be that they have a trait or have experienced something that really speaks to you.It is important to have a good relationship with your tutor so that you look forward to your lessons with positivity instead of dread ing each time you come into contact.If you choose a tutor who does not live nearby, the chances are that they will set you work by sending you documents, and will also schedule some face to face catch ups via Skype or  video call to ensure that you benefit from speaking and listening exercises as well as reading and writing work and quizzes.Take a look at our complete Hindi language learning website  guide.A Quick Note For Those Seeking Hindi Teaching JobsWith very few opportunities to become an  elementary school teacher in England with Hindi as your top discipline, many professionals wishing to teach Hindi will often have to turn to online teaching. That said, there is no harm in looking at vacancies for teaching jobs specialising  in part-time student teaching of uncommon languages.Alternatively, you may wish to consider a teaching career as an ESL teacher, enabling you to mix your love for Hindi with English and be an English teacher to native Hindi speakers.However, if Hindi is the only subject you wish to teach, then you might like to consider teaching abroad. While staffing for the Hindi language is sought after in many countries other than India itself, places like Australia may soon be on the lookout for more accredited and passionate Hindi language teachers in the future.Keep an eye out for openings at an  international school to see what opportunities lie ahead of you.Finally, if teaching abroad isn't something that particularly appeals to you and you would prefer to stay put in England where you can speak English and a bit of Hindi here and there, then you may wish to set up your own tutoring service or sign up for teaching jobs on online platforms like Superprof and other sites for teachers.In the meantime, you could look at vacancies for substitute teachers or even return to educate yourself to gain another diploma in a different area of further education.As a teacher, the Internet can be equally useful for you too! For more information on contin uing your teaching career in Hindi, why not try searching keywords such as 'become a teacher of Hindi', 'staffing', 'hiring teaching assistant', 'language academies', 'looking for jobs as a qualified teacher', 'teacher certification', 'education jobs', 'job fair', and 'seeking professional development'.

5 Careers for Those Who Prefer Crunching Numbers to Crashing Parties - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 5 Careers for Those Who Prefer Crunching Numbers to Crashing Parties - Introvert Whisperer 5 Careers for Those Who Prefer Crunching Numbers to Crashing Parties Let’s face it: Not all of us want to climb the career ladder by working closely within teams, socializing every day, and trying to schmooze with the boss. Many of us introverts would rather clock in, sit down, and get to work. We’d rather crunch numbers and use hard data in our day-to-day work than get caught up in interpersonal concerns. If this sounds like you, you might want to investigate careers that allow you to impress your employer with your strengths â€" and deal with a lot less stress due to social demands during work. It’s important to find work that suits your strengths, rather than struggle to fit the mold your current employer needs filled. As noted by career advice author Jessica Kay: People are increasingly realizing that we are multi-potential and have many skills and strengths that we can turn into careers. So, knowing what your strengths are and what to do with them to turn them into viable careers in the (next) 2-3 years … is more important than ever in today’s workforce. Not only can doing this help you find a career that leads to personal fulfillment, it may also lead to higher pay and greater job security. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), mathematicians and statisticians in a wide range of career fields make an average of $84,760 per year. Furthermore, such careers are growing at a rate of 33 percent per year, which is substantially faster than most positions. Ready to get started with your career search? This is a great place to start. Using job growth and salary statistics from the BLS, as well as data from leading universities, let’s take a look at five excellent careers for those who prefer to crunch numbers rather than crash parties: Marketing Analyst Marketing analysts, also known as marketing research analysts, are responsible for gathering and studying data to help an organization promote its goods and services. This data includes consumer behavior, information about competitors, and other market conditions. Analyzing this data, often with the assistance of recent big data innovations, can provide organizations with powerful insights that can inform future decisions. Marketers need data to effectively do their work. By doing effective research, you can help amplify your organization’s voice â€" even if you aren’t interested in using your own. Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in market research (or a related field) is necessary to become a marketing analyst. If you aspire to fill a senior position one day, a master’s degree is a smart choice. Average Pay: About $62,000 per year. Career Outlook: With an estimated growth of 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, this is the fastest-growing career in this list. As noted by Villanova University, marketing analysis is “projected to grow twice the rate of many other fields that are technically oriented.” Those seeking a career in market research analysis have many career opportunities ahead of them. Financial Analyst A highly desired career, financial analysts are much like marketing analysts in that they are responsible for gathering data about a business and current market conditions in order to help an organization make smart decisions. However, they are primarily concerned with finances. They learn as much about the company’s financial situation and niche in the market as possible in order to synthesize this information in comprehensive financial models. Using this informed outlook, they often make specific recommendations to the business. If you enjoy burying yourself in research and finding solutions to financial puzzles, this work is for you. Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in a finance-related major, though a graduate-level degree is preferred. If you want to become a financial analyst, it’s wise to get a degree in a versatile major such as accounting. In addition to preparing you to become an analyst, it can set you up for a number of different positions in the finance world, making you a versatile candidate. Average Pay: Around $84,000 per year. Career Outlook: 11 percent growth, which is higher than average. Financial advising is a growing field with many opportunities for graduates. Health Information Manager Information is the foundation of healthcare. Thorough, up-to-date, secure health information is essential. Health information managers (HIMs) are the constructors of this foundation, responsible for ensuring that patient records are updated and safely stored. They have to stay informed about recent developments in information management technology and cybersecurity risks in order to work effectively. While the specific duties of people in health information management can differ from position to position, they all play an integral role in patient care. Your work will ensure a smooth and secure transfer of information to those who need it, but strong social skills are not required for this work. Education Requirements: A minimum of a bachelor’s in health informatics is necessary to gain employment as a health information manager, but a master’s in health informatics is recommended for a competitive edge during recruitment. Also, as noted by the University of Cincinnati, “To qualify for an HIM position, certification as a Registered Health Information Technician or Registered Health Information Administrator is also critical.” Average Pay: Pay varies depending on your specific position. Entry-level positions pay approximately $30,000 to $50,000 per year, though upper-level roles can pay well over $80,000. Career Outlook: The BLS estimates 20 percent growth for the field, which is much faster than average. With plenty of positions opening each year, this is a strong field to get into. Public Auditor Public auditors work to determine if organizations are compliant with laws and regulations. They research law, do thorough investigations, and inform others about any discrepancies. From building codes to employment policies and beyond, they regularly do audits to gather information and recommend improvements. This involves digging through documentation, crunching numbers, and formulating cost-efficient solutions. Given the nature of this work, public authors are held to strict standards in regards to confidentiality. While you may need to convey your findings to others, the bulk of your work will consist of research and ensuring compliance. Education Requirements: At minimum, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in accounting to work as a public auditor. However, a master’s in this field is necessary to be a competitive candidate. Furthermore, some employers will prefer that you have taken the steps necessary to become a certified public accountant. Average Pay: Approximately $60,000 per year. Career Outlook: 10 percent growth, which is higher than average. This makes this field reasonably secure in terms of employment. Entrepreneur If you want to take your future into your own hands, consider becoming an entrepreneur. Organizing your own business can be a financially risky move, but it also opens doors to new opportunities. Do you have a unique idea for a product or service that you think has potential? Are you so passionate about something that you want to leave your mark on the industry surrounding it? Doing research about the market will allow you to make inferences about the viability of your potential business venture. A deep understanding of market forces and data will be essential to minimize risk and maximize profits. While some social finesse will be needed to convince others to invest in your idea, rock-solid hard data and research will convince investors more than any rhetorical move could. Education Requirements: Obviously, starting your own business venture doesn’t require a specific educational background. However, having a bachelor’s or master’s in a business-related degree can help you when it comes to securing funding. Furthermore, education in the specific niche you intend on marketing within can prove to be invaluable. Average Pay: According to research, the average entrepreneur makes approximately $68,000 per year. However, this number can vary wildly depending on your venture’s success. Career Outlook: Your chances at a secure income are dependent on the viability of your idea, whether you can secure adequate funding, and the integrity of your business practices. While pundits argue that becoming an entrepreneur is becoming harder in this day and age, the right idea, at the right time, with the right execution, can land you in an enviable position â€" but it’s important to be realistic with yourself about your prospects. Tempted to look deeper into these careers? Or do you want to keep exploring more fast-growing careers that introverts can excel in? Leave your thoughts in the comments below! Author Bio: Frankie Wallace  is a freelance writer from Boise, Idaho and contributes to a wide variety of blogs online. Wallace writes about many different topics, from education to the environment. Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What is Diplomatic History

What is Diplomatic History The History of Diplomacy ChaptersOf Marriages and MergersDiplomacy Through Gift ExchangesTreaties: the Bureaucracy of PeaceFeudal Diplomacy: the Game of ObligationAlliances and ConsequencesMutually Assured DestructionOf the many aspects of political history, diplomatic history focuses on the relations between political entities that don’t involve pointy objects or guns. Generally, the role of diplomacy is the avoidance of conflict and the safeguarding of boundaries by securing allies.We tend to think of diplomacy in terms of men in grey suits discussing foreign policy, but often forget that international relations are not merely a thing of the twentieth century. Here are a few of the many ways diplomatic relations have influenced global history. 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 les son 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 SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsOf Marriages and MergersOne of the sad truths of diplomatic history is that important women were frequently bartered as commodities. In monarchies, a royal woman was an important asset if you used her correctly.Royal hostagesIn the early Middle East and Ancient Egypt, alliances were cemented by marriages. With polygamy a common factor among ruling families, it was common to send a daughter to the court of your new ally as a bride. The family would get regular reports through their embassy - usually a single official envoy with an entourage - and she could be held as a hostage against the opposite number’s good behaviour.In China, the occupied territories would, for much of its history, provide daughters from influential families for the Emperor’s household as either wives or concubines in order to curry favour.In Christian Europe, polygamy was officially condemned, meaning that while the mistresses of European kings definitely had influence, they came from the local aristocracy and were pawns in internal affairs more than international ones. The fact that they only had one official consort made the choice of partner all the more important. All the European royal families vied for each other’s sons and daughters as means of forging alliances.Though the women had very little say in these matters, many of them used their charisma and sexuality to pursue their own goals and influence politics both internal and external. Among the many influential queens of European history, some of the most famous is Eleonore of Aquitaine, a French princess who married an English king and became the mother of Richard the Lionheart and John Lackland in the Medieval Period for England or Catherine de Medici   - an Italian noblewoman who became queen of France in the sixteenth century.Eleanore of Aquitaine came from a French kingdom and married an English king. She was the mother of Richard Lionheart and John Lackland. Photo credit: tnchanse on Foter.comMarrying into the familyAs an early chief seeking to expand your territory, you had several options for expanding your territory. You could take it by force of arms, of course. But if you were lucky, your neighbour lacked a male heir - in which case you could offer him one by marrying his daughter. The resulting children would rule over both kingdoms, thusEarly ivory labels from Ancient Egypt show diplomatic marriages between chiefdoms that helped expand a small territory in order to encompass a large part of the Nile valley - changing North African history forever.Diplomacy Through Gift ExchangesOf course, not only women were exchanged. Many societies practised elaborate gift exchanges to cement relationships with other groups. Ancient Egyptian diplomatic correspondence mention the elaborate gifts exchanged between Egypt and Mitanni, including horses, golden chalices, weapons and statues.Throughout social history, some societies present gifts to other chieftains or kings during elaborate feasts in the expectation that there would be a return ceremony in the future with gifts of equal or increasingly higher value. From the point of view of economic history, gift-giving could represent the main form of economic exchange between one nation and another.Most people in the Middle Ages never saw an elephant - except maybe in Charlemagne's menagerie. Photo credit: peacay on Foter.comEven in societies where gift-giving was not the main form of international relation, it remained usual for a long time for diplomatic envoys to bring gifts from their respective nations. This is how, for example, Charlemagne received an elephant from the Caliph of Baghdad. The gifts were meant to show appreciation for the high status of the receiver while flouting the wealth of the giver and presenting them as economies to be reckoned with.Read more about Ancient civilisation history. 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 SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTreaties: the Bureaucracy of PeaceOf course, the rise of literacy means that there was eventually a desire arose to write down the exact conditions of treaties and other points of foreign affairs. The earliest surviving recorded peace treaty of modern civilization dates to about 1276 BC and gives a point-by-point list of all the articles of the bilateral agreement between the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II and Hittite ruler Hattusili III.The Hittite version of the Treaty of Kadesh. Photo credit: Steven Tan (maethlin) on Foter.comThe text has survived in both Hittite and Egyptian versions and includes articles devoted to mutual financial/humanitarian aid (put into effect about a generation later when Ramses’ son Merenptah sent grain to help stem a famine in the Hittite Empire) and extradition of political criminals fleeing to one or the other country. The continuing relations between the two kingdoms are also interesting for the history of medicine, as the Hittite king asked for help from Ramses’ court physicians.Since then peace treaties have encompassed a number of different postulations, have been signed between equal partners and peoples that had no idea what they were signing, were signed between two co nsenting parties and under duress. Peace treaties have actually promoted peace and cooperation between two countries, while others have resulted in more war.When peace treaties go wrongMany “peace treaties” between European nations and indigenous people in the seventeenth century stole their self-governance from native populations leading to their disenfranchising and the spread of poverty and infectious disease. In some cases, the treaties of European imperialism condemned the natives to little more than slavery.And at least one peace treaty in modern history led to a world war. After the submission of Germany at the end of the Great War, the various diplomatic corps that sent a delegation to the summit to draft the Treaty of Versailles imposed extremely heavy sanctions as well as arms control on Germany, feeling threatened by its influence on world affairs during the war. Economic history shows that the sanctions led to rampant inflation, paving the way for the strategic rise of nationalism and a power play by an intellectual elite bent on the subjugation of Europe through questionable ethics and the rise of the imperial German regime.Feudal Diplomacy: the Game of ObligationOne of the most fascinating and complicated means of keeping an equilibrium of power is the complicated web of feudal obligation that characterised much of the Middle Ages. In some cases, the borders of countries changed depending on the allegiance of feudal underlords.The idea was that a smaller lord would put himself under obligation to a feudal overlord. He would provide men and resources, and the overlord would use his greater resources - expanded by the men and taxes of his other underlords - to defend his underlords from threats and help them in times of need. Everything from economics to agricultural labour was somehow embroiled in the feudal system.Though we tend to think of Europe in relation to feudalism, but other cultures had similar systems. Photo credit: Okinawa Soba (Ro b) on Foter.comOver the centuries, feudal obligations were passed on from father to son and the feudal hierarchies became more rigid.Absolute monarchies arose that put most of the aristocracy on the same level underneath the king, and the complex give-and-take of international affairs under the feudal system gave rise to single powers who dealt directly with each other through means of embassies and variations on the foreign service - until the wave of revolution in the eighteenth and nineteenth century introduced democracy onto the diplomatic stage.Alliances and ConsequencesFrom another perspective, some wars started from diplomacy in an indirect way. Any historian will tell you what an odd cascade of circumstances started the Great War. It has occasionally been compared to a bar fight between pub buddies. The actual crisis seemed at first to be a matter between two nations - or at least, between the emerging Serbio-Yougoslav nationalists and Austria - Hungary.But after the wars of the nineteenth century, countries began forming alliances to promote peace and trade. Unfortunately, by the twentieth century, this system of alliances formed two main blocks in Europe. When the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire was killed, their allies were drawn into the war, each of them bringing their own baggage and enemies, setting off a chain reaction of conflicts that would lead to one of the most gruesome wars in history - one in which even the Holy See took an interest. The Vatican tried in vain to initiate an attempt at negotiation between the international community.Delegates leaving after signing the treaty of Versailles. Photo credit: Archives New Zealand on Foter.comBut it wasn’t until the Vienna Convention in 1969 that an attempt was made to regulate the international law on treaties and provide rules as to how foreign relations should handle the breaking of them.Mutually Assured DestructionAny undergraduate of cultural history will tell you that possibly the mo st important war of the twentieth century was the one that never happened. The interesting thing about the Cold War was that a balance was achieved entirely without diplomacy, but instead with the constant threat of war between Russia / the communist nations and the US / the Western world. The threat of mutually assured nuclear destruction prevented all-out conflict for decades while making a contribution towards advancing technology at an astounding pace.However, true peace wasn’t achieved until the Cuban Missile Crisis forced the two factions to ignore criticism by their more strident members and re-establish lines of communication. Though the Cuban government under Cuban president Castro remained shut off and it only became possible to visit Cuba recently, the events of that day convinced both sides to actually sit down and talk. This is what gave the world a real hope for peace, proving the importance of negotiating versus simply having bigger guns.Read more about what studyin g History really is about.

Mollusca Examples Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Mollusca Examples Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace In general molluscs or mollusks are invertebrates that has hard external shells on their outer body.The various examples of Mollusca are Pila globosa, Unio, Mytilus, Pinctada, Teredo, Loligo, Octopus etc. Pila globosa: It is common fresh water.In water they respire with the help of gills and on land with pulmonary sacs or lungs. The body is divided into head, visceral hump and foot. Head has a pair of stalked eyes and two pairs of tentacles.The body is enclosed by protective shell. Unio or fresh water mussel: It is a common bivalve .The outer surface of the shell is marked by numerous concentric linescalled lines of growth. Head is absent. Foot is the locomotory organ. The respiratory organs are the gills. Mytilus or sea mussel: It is the common edible mussel. It is a sedentary form and remains attached to rocks and other solid objects with the help of bunch of adhesive threads called Byssus threads. Pinctada or pearl oyster: They are pearl producing bivalves commonly found in the seas. The valves of the shell are unequal and their free margins are characterized by finger like processes. The foot is reduced. Terredo: It has an elongated soft body covered by a tough mantle. At the anterior end is pair off reduced shells with which the mollusk bores into the wood, turning it into saw dust. Respiration through gills. Loligo: it is a marine edible mollusc.The body is narrow elongated showing two regions the head and the trunk. Octopus: It is a marine bottom dwelling mollusc.The mouth is surrounded by 8 long arms bearing two rows of suckers. Tentacles are absent.

IELTS or TOEFL Frequently Asked Questions

IELTS or TOEFL Frequently Asked Questions Choosing an English proficiency test for immigration or university entrance can be a challenge. Two of the most popular tests are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS). They have similarities and differences you need to know about before you choose so that you make the choice that suits you best. Use the following frequently asked questions and answers to help inform your decision. Good luck, no matter which test you choose! Which is easier, TOEFL or IELTS? That depends. They are both very challenging English proficiency tests. However, the IELTS might be more difficult for you if you’re unfamiliar with British accents and only used to American accents. Both tests may involve accents from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.K., but the TOEFL usually focuses on American English. Also, if you are not comfortable writing on a computer, you may find the online version of the TOEFL test a little more daunting. If you are concerned about the relative difficulty of each exam, consider taking practice tests for both the IELTS and TOEFL to see which one yields a higher score. If your prospective university doesn’t have a preference, go with the one that makes you look the best. Check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation for free. How much do the IELTS and TOEFL cost? Although the exact price will vary by country, in the United States the IELTS costs around $215 to $245 to take, while the TOEFL usually costs less than $200. Depending on your country, taking the TOEFL could cost between $165 and $300. How long do the IELTS and TOEFL tests take? The TOEFL is about four hours long. It is the most common test colleges and universities request for non-native English speakers. The IELTS takes about two hours and 45 minutes to complete. It is more common as a proficiency test for immigration purposes, but many colleges also accept the IELTS. A minute-by-minute breakdown of either test is as follows: Reading: TOEFL 60-80 minutes, IELTS 60 minutes.Writing: TOEFL 50 minutes, IELTS 60 minutes.Listening: TOEFL 60-90 minutes, IELTS: 30 minutesSpeaking: TOEFL 20 minutes, IELTS 11-14 minutes What is the order of the skills tested? Each test is different: reading, listening, speaking, writing for the TOEFL, and listening, reading, writing, speaking for the IELTS. However, students have the option to take the speaking section before the other three sections during the IELTS, if desired. You may take the speaking portion of the IELTS up to a week before or after the other three sections of the test. You must take all four sections of the TOEFL at the same time, but you have a 10-minute break between the listening and speaking sections. Which test is available near me? The IELTS is a paper exam that requires students to go to a specified testing location to complete the test. Although, the TOEFL iBT is available online, you also must visit a testing center to take it. Most people choose the online version of (TOEFL iBT), but you can still take the paper-based test if you can type faster than you write. Consider your writing speed vs. typing speed when deciding whether to test online or in person. The paper-based TOEFL might be the better choice. Find out more here. You can register for the paper-based TOEFL here. In terms of availability, the TOEFL has more than 4,500 testing locations throughout the world and 500 in the United States. The IELTS is available at only 900 locations worldwide and 59 in the U.S. If you live near a big city, you probably won’t have any difficulty finding a testing center. The IELTS runs 48 test dates per year, while the TOEFL offers more than 50. Conduct a search for testing locations near you for both tests. Your ability to take the test in person at a center near you may decide which test is best for you. What do the IELTS and TOEFL test? The TOEFL focuses only on academic English skills, while the IELTS is a more comprehensive English proficiency test. Both tests include the same four sections: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. However, the IELTS’s format has different listening and speaking sections than the TOEFL. The IELTS also tests for general listening and speaking capabilities, not only academic. What should I expect from both tests? Both the TOEFL and the IELTS will test your English language proficiency for all four skills. The reading section on the TOEFL is all multiple choice, while the IELTS will ask some other types of questions, such as fill in the blank and true/false. The listening section on the TOEFL is twice as long as on the IELTS. You will hear a range of difference accents on the IELTS, while the TOEFL only tests for Standard American English. The speaking section on the TOEFL involves explaining your opinions and summarizing information from sources given to you. The speaking section on the IELTS is in person and requires you to prepare to give a short speech, as well as take part in a conversation. In this way, the IELTS is a more interactive test. Correct your IELTS and TOEFL essay writing errors here What is the writing section like on either test? Both written exams have two questions. In the TOEFL, you must read a passage, listen to a two-minute lecture on the same topic, then write a short response to a related question. The second written question on the TOEFL is an opinion essay about a specific subject. In the IELTS, you will have the choice to write either an academic paper or a general training paper. Both take one hour. In the academic paper, you will have to write a short essay about a map, chart, or process before writing an opinion essay. The general training IELTS requires students to write a letter, then write an opinion essay on a subject. Depending on which you choose, the general training IELTS or the Academic IELTS, you should practice writing letters or practice explaining the information in maps, charts and diagrams. What scores do I need to pass? The IELTS scoring system ranks from zero to nine, while the TOEFL’s top score is 120. Each university will require a different score to fulfill its requirements; however, the average scores needed for acceptance into national universities is a 6.3 for the IELTS and a 78 for the TOEFL. The average required scores for national liberal arts colleges is 6.5 for the IELTS and 82.2 for the TOEFL. Find out the minimum passing score required from the organization requiring the test. When will I get my IELTS and TOEFL test results? You will receive your test scores approximately 10 days after taking the TOEFL, or 13 days after the IELTS. Note that your score for either test will expire after two years. Make sure to use your test score within two years of taking the test to avoid having to do it over. Which is better? Most people will do better on one test than the other. The right choice for you depends on your goals. If you need to pass an English proficiency exam to apply to an American university, the TOEFL will probably be the right choice for you, as it only involves academic English. If you’re doing it for immigration reasons, the IELTS might be for you, because you have the choice between the academic and general test. If you want to get into the British education system, do the IELTS academic test. If you are applying to a university abroad, first find out which test your academic institution prefers. Many universities will specify which test you must take. More than 9,000 organizations globally (and 3,000 in the U.S.) accept the IELTS, while more than 10,000 organizations (5,000 in the U.S.) accept the TOEFL. If the organization doesn’t specify a test for you, you’ll have to decide which one you have better odds of passing based on your English background. How can I improve my chances of passing? Practice makes perfect. The more you study, train, and practice for either test, the better you’ll do. If you need help with the written portion of the TOEFL or IELTS, use the free grammar check or proofreader from Virtual Writing Tutor. Check your English proficiency for free using a variety of helpful tools. Sources: https://magoosh.com/toefl/2013/toefl-vs-ielts/ https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2017-02-16/ielts-vs-toefl-what-are-the-differences https://www.ieltsadvantage.com/2015/06/17/ielts-vs-toefl-which-is-easier/ https://www.prepscholar.com/toefl/blog/toefl-vs-ielts/ https://www.quora.com/Which-one-is-easier-IELTS-or-TOEFL-How-much-time-is-required-for-the-preparation-if-I-have-good-English https://www.quora.com/What-is-difference-between-IELTS-and-TOEFL https://www.quora.com/Should-I-take-IELTS-or-TOEFL https://www.quora.com/Which-is-better-IELTS-or-TOEFL Please follow and like us:

The Sutton Trust praises Tutorfair

The Sutton Trust praises Tutorfair Private tuition remains to be the “hidden secret of British Education” says the Sutton Trust. The social mobility think tank, founded by Sir Peter Lampl, annually polls young people and educators through Ipsos MORI on their experiences of private tuition, helping to lift the curtain on tutoring. In this year’s report the Sutton Trust has also worked closely with Tutorfair, a website where parents can find and book a local tutors. With 40,000 tutors on their website, Tutorfair holds some of the most extensive data available within the tutoring industry, and this information was shared with the Sutton Trust in order to help inform the Trust’s findings. Almost 25% of 11 to 16 year old state school students have received private tuition - that’s over 700,000 young people in England and Wales. In London this figure rises dramatically to 40% of students. Tutorfair reports that the most popular tutored subjects are Maths and English (in that order), followed by science, musical instruments and foreign languages. The Sutton Trust’s report reveals that nearly half (43%) of state school teachers have tutored outside of their main teaching role at some point in their career. Top Tutorfair tutor and qualified teacher, John N comments, “I was a teacher on the Teach First programme, teaching in a challenging school in Kent. However, I've found tuition far more rewarding as a career in education. I love teaching, but the reality of teaching in schools is that too often there is a lack of respect and appreciation for teachers. Too much time is spent dealing with behaviour, social care or superficial bureaucracy, and academic rigour comprises a remarkably small part of the job. Tuition is entirely different, where academic rigour is a core aspect of the role and the focus is truly on high performance teaching and learning. Tutorfair represents the most socially responsible way of providing tuition, enabling tutors to help students whilst also providing support to students from less privileged back grounds who really appreciate and benefit the support that tutors can offer”. A meta-study into one-to-one tutoring by the Educational Endowment Foundation, shows that it provides 5 months additional progress over untutored pupils. This makes it one of the most effective forms of education that parents and teachers can use to support learning. Although tutoring is incredibly effective, it remains to be the most expensive, with tutors across the UK costing on average £27 per hour. Therefore, private tuition is mainly accessible to be those who can afford it. Privately educated students are almost as twice as likely to receive tutoring as state-educated students. So students who receive private tutoring disproportionately come from families that are already advantaged. Both the Sutton Trust and Tutorfair want to highlight that there are many important social mobility issues caused by this inequality within the industry. The Sutton Trust calls on more tutoring agencies to follow Tutorfair’s example and offer free tuition to disadvantaged students â€" with the aim of “levelling the playing field within education”. Andrew Ground, founder of Tutorfair “We welcome the Sutton Trust’s findings. Tutoring is very beneficial but action is needed to ensure it’s fair. We welcome more positive engagement on how tutoring can be good for everyone.” Tutorfair includes a donation from their paying students’ lessons, and develop free tuition programmes to support disadvantaged students. Their website cites the DfE 2012/13 figures that “61% of children on free school meals received a “D” grade or lower in their mathematics and/or English GCSE” and Tutorfair call for change. Tutorfair partners with schools that have a high proportion of students on free school meals, and gives free one-to-one and small group tuition to their students. They have so far helped 5,562 disadvantaged students, involving 675 tutors across 14 partner schools. Make a difference by recommending Tutorfair to students, parents, teachers and schools. Tutorfair’s socially responsible mission shines a light on the ‘shadow education’ industry, making tutoring both fair and transparent for all. If you would like to know more about Tutorfair and their mission, please contact them on support@tutorfair.com