Japanese Weaponry

Japanese Weaponry The Weapons Used by Japanese Warriors ChaptersLonger Japanese BladesShort Japanese Bladed WeaponsJapanese Ranged and Mêlée WeaponsThe Weapons of Okinawan KobudoJapan is a country with an extremely personal and specific culture. Whether it’s martial arts, samurai, food, manga, or video games, there are so many reasons to be interested in Japanese history and culture.Throughout this history, there have been several conflicts, including those between Japanese medieval clans. Before gunpowder and firearms in the 16th century, Japanese warriors would use blades to fight. Some of these weapons are quite famous in the West through combat sports that use them.When you think of Japanese weapons, you probably think of ninja gear like throwing stars or throwing knives, a grappling hook, and all manner of concealed weapon used by the shinobi or ninja warrior. However, don't forget that there's more to the weaponry of feudal Japan than this.In this article, we’re going to have a look at some of the famous weapons that were used in Japan. Between steel blades, wooden weapons, and deadly projectile weapons, here are some of the tools of war that helped the Japanese army secure victories over the years. 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 tutors 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 tutorsLonger Japanese BladesThe KatanaOf all Japanese swords and blades, the most famous is probably the katana sword, a favourite among samurai. The katana is a sword with a long, thin, and curved blade with just one cutting edge. It’s wor n on the belt with the blade upwards. The katana is arguably the most famous Japanese sword. (Source: stux)There are several uses for the katana: cutting (with the blade), stabbing (with the point), and symbolism. During the Muromachi Period, there were famous smiths known for their legendary katanas.There are many terms relating to the katana:Saya: the sheath made from lacquered magnolia wood.Tsuba: the sword guard.Tsuka: the katana’s handle.Mono-Uchi: the end of the blade with which cuts are made.Bokken: a wooden version of the sword used in the martial art kendo.Shinai: a bamboo version of the sword used for training.Shinken: a modern version of the katana.Among the most popular blacksmiths, you might hear the names Masamune, Kotetsu, Kunimitsu, or even Muramasa. Furthermore, the katana is a weapon present in many contemporary works inspired by Japanese folklore such as Kill Bill, Ruroni Kenshin, or the video game Musashi: Samurai Legend, for example.TachiThe tachi is a Japanese sword that was used until the 13th ce ntury (Koto Period). It was favoured by horse-mounted samurai, hung from the belt to the side, with the blade downwards. It measured around 70cm in length.There are two types of tachi, the decorative tachi (kazaritachi) and the jintachi, which was used for battle. The tachi is used as much for ceremonies as it was used by the shogun in battle.The tachi is an ancestor to the katana and the preferred weapon of Japanese horse-mounted warriors until the 13th century.WakizashiThe waizashi is a sword that’s quite similar to the katana with the main difference being that is only measures between 30 and 60cm. It’s not used for stabbing, but rather for close combat in which a katana would too long or alongside a katana in ceremonies.The samurai were authorised to carry a wakizashi alongside a katana, with the pair being referred to as the daisho. Those who didn’t have the right to carry a katana would carry a wakizashi instead. Some combat styles use a wooden wakizashi, known as a shot o.Wakizashi were used for the seppuku ritual as their size allowed them to easily cut open the stomach.Short Japanese Bladed WeaponsTantoThe tanto is a Japanese blade measuring less than 30cm. It was used by the samurai as an armour-piercing blade or by women in combat. There are two main types: the hamidachi (with a small guard) and the aikuchi (without a guard and a handle made from fish skin).These blades were sometimes used to perform jigai, ritual suicide. They’re similar to Western daggers but with a Japanese touch and a marvellous sheath.TessenThe tessen is a weapon unlike no other; a steel fan. While many fans are decorative, some are deadly. Not this one, though. (Source: Nope2601)There are many tales about the use of the tessen. Here’s one of them:When Araki Murashige was invited before Oda Nobunaga (the “Demon King), he left his sword at the entrance, as was the custom. As he performed the traditional greeting, Nobunaga had planned to decapitate him by closing the sliding doors on his neck. Fortunately, Araki used his tessent to block the doors from closing.Another legend during the Sengoku Era states that the warlord Takeda Shingen survived a horse-mounted attack from Uesugi Kenshin by using a tessen. The tessen can be used as a shield in self-defence or as an offensive weapon when other types of weapon were forbidden.Interested in Japanese culture?Find out more about geishas.Japanese Ranged and Mêlée WeaponsNaginata and YariThese two Japanese weapons are types of lances. The naginata first appeared in Japan in the 10th century having originated in China. This lan ce has a curved blade at the end. It’s light and manageable and was used by several types of warrior:Horse-mounted warriorsWarrior monksFemale guardsLadies of lordsToday, naginata is a martial art predominately practised by women.  The yari is a lance that measures between 2.5 and 4m in length. The blade at the can be double-edged or in the form of a cross (ju-ji). It’s useful for both cutting and stabbing, making the yari one of the most deadly weapons in Japanese history.  Furthermore, you can use the butt of the yari to strike your foe, a movement which features in many aikido kata.Torimono SandoguTorimono Sandogu designed three mêlée weapons during the Edo Period for law enforcement. These weapons include the sasumata (double fork), sodegarami (points), and tsukubo (t-shaped). They weren’t designed to kill but rather capture and were usually used to capture suspected criminals.Ninja Weapons: Yumi, Kunai, Senbon, Shaken, and ShurikenNinjas are shadow warriors who are famo us all over the world for their combat style, ninjutsu. These professional spies used a series of thrown weapons or strikes. Ninjas are very popular in the west. However, they were an important part of Japanese history and so were their weapons. (Source: MichaelWuensch)Firstly, the yumi is a Japanese bow. It wasn’t just used by ninjas but it did give these stealthy warriors an advantage. It wasn’t used as much as the kunai, though. This was a small dagger which worked both as a tool and a weapon.  Ninjas could also use a ninja sword, which was shorter and easier to handle than a katana.Of all the ninja weapons, the shuriken (ninja stars), a metal star that could be thrown at foes and tipped with poison, was among the most famous. The star-shaped shuriken is known as the shaken. Senbon were another effective weapon for the ninja. These metal needles could also be tipped with poison.While ninja weapons are popular in manga such as Naruto, real ninjas had no magical powers but were still really effective.Learn about the world of sumo wrestling in Japan.The Weapons of Okinawan KobudoOkinawa is an archipela go that was annexed by Japan in 1879. At this time, the inhabitants of Okinawa were unsurprisingly unwilling to be invaded and had developed a range of weapons based on traditional agricultural tools. These weapons were integrated into Japanese martial arts and became known as kobudo.The most famous of these weapons is the nunchaku. Nunchaku are two batons held together by a cord or chain and are used similarly to a flail. While the nunchaku is now used more artistically, it served as a tool for self-defence against the invading Japanese armies.The sai is another of these weapons: an Asian dagger with three points that can be used to stab but not cut. It originated from an agricultural tool used to plant rice or pierce fruits. The sai is generally used in pairs but a third can be used as a thrown weapon. Many Japanese weapons evolved from agricultural tools as farmers defended themselves. (Source: steinchen)Okinawans also used a tunkunwa in combat, a type of tonfa with a perpendicular handle. This type of weapon came to be used by law enforcement all over the world but is also used in Japanese martial arts.A lot of Okinawan weapons were based on sickles, hoes, or hooks like the kama and the kue. Another popular weapon, especially in ninja folklore, is the kusari-gama, a sickle attached to a metal chain with a metal weight at the end.Finally, kobudo also features the eku (fishing oar), the bo (measuring around 1.8m), the hanbo (a half baton around 90cm long), the tambo (a short baton between 45 and 60cm) the jo (a walking staff), and the shakujo (a 1.8m staff with metal ends).Now you know a bit more about Japanese weaponry, swords, batons, mêlée weapons, and ranged weapons. If you want to learn even more, consider reading our other articles on Japan or getting Japanese language less ons from a private tutor on Superprof!

Accounting Homework Help Online-Gain Extensive Support on Time to Put down Accounting Tasks!

Accounting Homework Help Online-Gain Extensive Support on Time to Put down Accounting Tasks! 0SHARESShare Do Financial Statements and Balance Sheets not allow you to sit in comfort with their complex material? You feel nervous about producing Income Statement or Profit and Loss Report? Seek online support from Tutor Pace and find a way out for better performance. Accounting homework help online-need for excelling in Basic and Cost Accounting Accounting homework help online from Tutor Pace is the right solution for you to gain confidence to attempt any idea in Standard Costing or Variable Costing just like that. Your confusions about Assets and Liabilities vanish in the air and you are the number one to provide perfect financial information about any organization in academic terms. It is all possible due to the unique cloud based technology followed in Tutor Pace through white board writings, voice chat discussions and video presentations. The tutors are well qualified with proper background check to analyze any of the queries put forth by the students in Accountancy and they make sure that their students cross the river of difficulty with their help    without any struggle. Accounting homework help online from Tutor Pace is the ideal measure to overcome your struggles in Accountancy and earn great scores. [starbox id=admin]

A Guide To Learn Hindi

A Guide To Learn Hindi Learning Hindi: All You Need To Know ChaptersWhat Is The Hindi Language?How To Find A Hindi Teacher?What Is The Cost Of Hindi Lessons?Best Tools For Learning HindiIs It Hard To Learn Hindi?How To Learn Hindi On Your Own? 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 tutorsWhat Is The Hindi Language?With over 250 million speakers across the north of India alone, it is a wonder that Hindi lessons are not more widely accessible in schools in the UK and the rest of Europe. Especially, that is, when you consid er that statistics show that nearly 425 million people in the world speak this form of Indian language as a first language and around 120 million as a second language.Some Background Information On IndiaThe second most populous country in the world, India is a powerful Asian country in many respects. Not only is it a multilingual and multi-ethnic society, it is also a nuclear weapons state and regional power, it boasts the second largest standing army in the world and it is home to a variety of protected natural habitats and diverse wildlife.Ask anyone who has spent time in one of its 29 Arabic  states, and they will all tell you that India is a special place, and each for their own reason.The Importance Of HindiSo, whether it is spirituality, food, art, architecture or industry that takes you to this fascinating territory, wouldn't it be amazing to understand a little more about the culture and languages of India before you cross its borders? Furthermore, wouldn't you like to know why Hindi is such a good language to speak? Of course some residents you come across will be an English speaker, however, learning a language like Hindi doesn't have to be difficult and will help with your conversation skills.Make sure you practice those greetings!Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India and derives from Sanskrit, written in the Devanagari script.  Because of their similarities, learning how to speak Hindi will help you to speak  Sanskrit, Urdu, Nepalese, Bengali,  and Gujarati.Check here to find and take Hindi classes now.Hindi derives from Sanskrit, written in the Devanagari script. Photo credit: romana klee on Visual HuntHow To Find A Hindi Teacher?It may be stating the obvious, but the easiest way to find Hindi classes in your area is to do a search online and see what language lessons are being offered.While most results will come up on an Internet search, don't forget to consult local schools, colleges and universities to see if they offer any evening classes for adults. Alternatively, if looking for a child, there may be some weekend or after school classes available run by either trained teachers or parents of pupils.Just because Hindi isn't on the conventional school curriculum, it doesn't mean that educational establishments can't and won't offer lessons in this important language.If you don't have any luck finding group classes, then you may like to consider one to one tuition with the likes of a friend of a friend or a professionally trained private tutor. Of course, if you don't know anyone within your circle who has connections with the Hindi language, then you may be forced to look for a tutor with the help of Internet once again.Since finding individual tutors for private lessons can be quite hard (for instance, will they be listed on Yell, advertised on a community webpage or up for grabs 'Things for Sale' Facebook page?) be sure to look in the right place for your prospective tutor. There is no better place for this than Superprof.com.Superprof is an online tutoring platform for tutors to advertise their services and to connect with pupils. Here, you will be able to search for a tutor in your chosen subject, filter by area (however this may not be applicable if you are happy to carry out lessons via video call) and also sort in order of price.Learn Hindi online with one of their expert tutors and understand all you can want to know about Hindi as a beginner, like Hindi vocabulary, Hindi phrases and how to read and write the language. 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 tutorsWhat Is The Cost Of Hindi Lessons?Hindi lessons can cost just about anything, depending on a number of factors.Instructors will base their pricing on their knowledge, training, and experience, as well as on the length of the lesson or course, how many pupils are included in the session (this will determine how much one-to-one time can be spent with each learner) and perhaps the starting level of the learner(s) entering the language course.Teachers may also need to adjust their pricing according to what you want to gain from your lessons. For instance, if you want to learn technical language for business purposes fast, then they may have to prepare a whole set of new resources tailored just for you and the specified timeframe.Expect to pay around £20, give or take, for an hour's lesson.Best Tools For Learning HindiAside from purchasing dictionaries and finding some language te xtbooks at your local library or WH Smith, why not consider some interactive online tools dedicated to language learners? Duolingo is a popular language app, however, there are many more free language learning tools to choose from too.You may find n=books to help you learn Hindi in a library or book shop. Photo credit: The City of Toronto on Visualhunt.comRocket LanguagesRocket Languages is a website that offers free lessons in Hindi, including  Hindi common phrases, salutations, and pronunciation tools. As well as the many resources on offer, there's a forum for Hindi learners so you can speak to others in your position and exchange ideas and tips.The Hindi version of this 'Rocket Languages' series is called 'Rocket Hindi'.Glossika HindiGlossika Hindi is a product that helps learners progress in Hindi.By encouraging you to listen to Hindi spoken phrases and reproduce the sentences (and then repeat!), you can learn key grammar lessons and master your pronunciation.HindiPod101The Hin diPod101 course is part of the Innovative Language series which teaches students using a podcast-style format with videos to stream.All lessons can be downloaded to your device for use offline and include a range of features such as a database for vocabulary, a flashcards app, grammar lessons and more.There's a multitude of audio and video lessons available at various levels.Is It Hard To Learn Hindi?Hindi is unlike English in many ways, but that doesn't mean to say that it is difficult to learn.Hindi is written from left to right, which is something that English speakers are familiar with! It's also fairly easy to read Hindi as words are generally written as they are pronounced because each character of the alphabet has a different sound. This is quite refreshing for speakers of European languages who often have to learn words one at a time as opposed to chunks of sounds and memorise exceptions to the many grammatical rules!The other good thing about Hindi is that it doesn't have a rticles (i.e. words for 'the' or 'a'), yet all nouns have genders to remember (a bit like in French). It may seem like a minefield at first, but you will see that the genders do start to come naturally.How To Learn Hindi On Your Own?Acquiring a new language on your own is always going to be a challenge, so if after reading the above you still want to go it alone, then you may want a few tips to help you along.1. Look For Some Resources, Even If They Are FreeFirstly, you simply cannot learn this language without using some resources.If you don't want to spend money on books and student guides, then you can opt for free language resources like the lessons found on the BBC website, for example. The dedicated Languages page for Hindi features facts about Hindi, including where it is spoken and how to use the language respectfully, along with the Hindi alphabet, a list of key phrases and other useful guides to help with your language learning journey.Alternatively, if you want to immerse yourself in the Hindi language then see if you can get hold of some newspapers for Hindi communities. Newspaper articles are good practice because the content is usually quite basic and easily understood by foreigners.As well as written resources, you should never forget to find tools that help you listen to spoken Hindi.To hear natives talking in Hindi (remember, however, that the different regions have different dialects so be sure to stick to one form of Hindi wherever possible), try tuning into an Indian radio station or finding a TV channel dedicated to Hindi speakers. Most people with Sky TV will have access to such programmes broadcast in India.2. Don't Give Up Too QuicklyAs a solo learner, it can be really easy to become despondent and lose all faith in your ability to pick up the language. If you get off to a slow start, then don't get down about it. It is probably just down to the fact that you are still learning how to learn Hindi, whereas others who are being led by a l anguage instructor will have the advantage of being led down the easiest and most direct path to language acquisition.If you struggle to pick up key phrases, then take a step back and try to break the language down into smaller, more digestible chunks. For instance, go back to the start and learn how to conjugate your verbs, revise nouns and their gender, and build up your learning from here.Just think to yourself, what kinds of things did you learn first as a child picking up your mother-togue, or what were your first lessons in French / Spanish about? While sentence structure is different in Hindi to that of English and other European languages, remembering to focus on the basics can be key.3. Travel To IndiaIt may seem incomprehensible that a stay in India could teach you more than a dozen lessons with a professional, but visiting a country and practicing immersion can teach you so much in the way of language and culture and thus facilitate your language acquisition.Imagine being stood in a village in northern India with all of the conversations around you, signs written in Hindi, local traditions taking place... there's nothing quite like it and you can't replicate this.To learn more about Indian culture, visit the country yourself and witness their traditions. Photo credit: Arian Zwegers on Visual Hunt / CC BYThe younger you are, the easier it is said to be to pick up a foreign language yet if you leave yourself completely open to learning and are willing to show yourself up by trying to communicate with the locals, then you will pick up the language in no time.You just need to be brave in taking that huge step of settling in an unknown country first!

Buying Your First Ukulele 3 Things to Consider

Buying Your First Ukulele 3 Things to Consider Suzy S. Thinking about buying a ukulele? Learn the ins and outs of finding the best ukulele for you in this guest post by Casselberry, FL teacher Laurie K... So you are ready to buy your first ukulele! Awesome, step one is complete Decide to play the uke! I am going to go over three basics when considering this new and fun instrument, in order to find the best ukulele for you: Size Prices Styles Size There are four sizes for ukuleles: Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone. Most likely you are reading this article with an image of the soprano in your mind. Soprano ukuleles are the more popular size and come in more variety. The concert and tenor sizes are also tuned like a soprano ukulele, but are slightly bigger in their bodies, with longer necks and more frets. This makes them popular among professional players. The baritone ukulele is actually tuned to the the lower strings of a guitar (D, G, B, E). So, youll have a one-up if you are already a guitar player! The baritone ukulele is fun but is much bigger in size and has a lower tone overall… which goes against the two main reasons people are attracted to ukuleles: size and sound. So my guess? Youre looking for a soprano. Prices Ok, yes, you can buy a ukulele for $12. But I caution you to only buy these for your toddler children… they do not stay in tune! The cheapest ukuleles are going to be around $20-30 and they will be a much different sound and material than ukuleles priced at $50 and up. My recommendation is to go for the $50-up price range. Youre going to get a nicer material and most come with Nylgut strings. If you buy cheaper, youll most likely end up spending on new strings, which can definitely upgrade a plastic uke. So to save you that trouble, go a little higher. If youre on the fence about being able to play, its fine to go with a cheaper uke too; you can always upgrade later! Styles The cheaper styles are Mahalo and Makala ukuleles. These brands are mostly made of colorful plastics and can sound alright if re-strung with Aquila strings. I personally bought a Makala Dolphin bridged uke that was a light blue color. It was super fun to play but was a challenge to keep in tune. You can watch my YouTube review of it below: My first ukulele was actually a gift. It is an Ovation-style uke the Applause by Ovation UAE20 Soprano Ukulele and its an acoustic/electric, meaning I can play it unplugged and also plugged into any amplifier. I own a small Vox amp and it sounds amazing both ways. I was a lucky girl to start with this uke and I have to say its probably in the range of $120-160, but very worth it! I have performed many shows and it barely ever needs to be tuned, the material keeps it from being affected by humidity, and its beautiful! (To watch my Ovation Applause ukulele in action, check out my video  here!) For the best beginner ukuleles, I suggest the following brands: Lanikai LU-21C, Kala KA-C, Cordoba 15CM Concert Ukulele.  I have not tried them all, so I do suggest going to a local music store like Guitar Center to try some different brands. You can also search for online and YouTube reviews. Have an awesome time finding the perfect ukulele for you! Mine has been with me from the beginning and Ive continued to add on to my collection. Let me know if you find something new and exciting! Id love to hear from you. Happy uke-ing! Laurie K. teaches ukulele, songwriting, painting, and more in Casselberry, FL. She received her Bachelors degree in Visual Arts along with a minor in Music, and her experience includes leading  Music Together classes with families and children aged from 1-5. Learn more about Laurie 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  William Bigelis

Why Learn Spanish 9 Great Reasons

Why Learn Spanish 9 Great Reasons 9 Reasons to Learn Spanish ChaptersWhy Study Spanish: To Visit SpainThe Benefits of Learning Spanish: One of the Most Spoken Languages WorldwideSpanish Speaking Countries Are Some of the Most Desirable Destinations to VisitSpeak One of the World’s Most Beautiful LanguagesSpanish Can Be Quite an Easy Language to LearnWhat Business Opportunities Does Spanish Hold?Job Opportunities Are Endless if you Speak SpanishLearning Spanish Exercises Your BrainMissing Out of a Rich Hispanic CultureThere are a number of different advantages to language learning. On a very basic level, learning a foreign language allows us to travel more easily, as well as making us more employable in the eyes of many different companies and organisations around the world.When it comes to the Spanish language, this couldn't be more true. In fact, Spanish regularly features highly on lists of the most useful languages to learn.But developing your language skills in Spanish has a lot more different benefits and advantages than just learning b usiness Spanish to enhance your career prospects.With this in mind, here are our 9 reasons for speaking Spanish as a second language: TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Study Spanish: To Visit SpainFirstly, it would be a real shame if you never visited Spain.  Our first major reason to speak Spanish is that you can get more out of visiting Spain. After all, Spain is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations and there are plenty of flights to the country every day from all around the world.You'll have to get used to eating later in the day if you're living in Spain. (Source: pixabay.com)There are a lot of reasons that so many people travel to Spain for their vacations. You could go to Madrid, Barcelona, or even Ibiza, if you like partying. The list of great Spanish destinations goes on and on.If you like sun, sea, and sand without having to go too far, Spain’s got it all. If you speak Spanish, you’ll have a much better idea of what's going on (it's not always obvious) and you'll be able to chat to the local people, too.If you want to stay in Madrid or Barcelona, learning Spanish will make everything much easier. If you spend time in Spain having taken Spanish courses beforehand, you can use your conversational Spanish in order to gain a deeper understanding of both the Spanish language and culture.In fact, your trip to Spain could even act as a sort of immersion course whereby you can p ractise and build on the Spanish that you have previously learnt. After all, the key to developing in any new language is practising, so where better to do this than in the Spanish capital? You will improve your pronunciation by listening to the locals, and even learn some more Spanish words and phrases.The Benefits of Learning Spanish: One of the Most Spoken Languages WorldwideDo you really want to spend your entire life without understanding a large portion of the planet?Did you know that Spanish is spoken in 20 different countries by 440 million native speakers. This makes it the second most spoken language in terms of the amount of people who speak it as their mother tongue (only Mandarin Chinese has more native speakers).In terms of the countries where Spanish is spoken, there’s Spain, most of South and Central America, as well as a few countries in the Caribbean, and Equatorial Guinea in Africa. If you love travelling, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to Spanish-spe aking countries you can visit.Spanish history has made it widespread because of the Spanish empire and the navigators of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. What they did all those years ago has left us with a large proportion of the world that speaks Spanish as a first language.So if you’ve got itchy feet, it would be a shame if you didn’t speak any Spanish.  By studying Spanish, you could be opening up your horizons to a whole world of interesting cultures and traditions that you probably hadn't given much thought to previously.Spanish Speaking Countries Are Some of the Most Desirable Destinations to VisitIt is not just the fact that Spanish is very widespread throughout the world that makes it a language that you should learn, it is the fact some of the most desirable destinations on the world are located in Spanish speaking countries.For example, Machu Picchu in Peru and Chichen Itza in Mexico are two of the new 7 wonders of the world, and Iguazu Falls in Argentina and the A mazon which straddles swathes of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil, are two of the 7 wonders of nature. On top of this, Barcelona and Madrid were both named in the top 30 most visited cities in 2017.Even outside of these well established tourist destinations, locations such as the walled city of Cartagena in Colombia, the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, and the ancient ruins at Tikal in Guatemala, are all worth a visit in their own right.In fact, the guide book, Lonely Planet, named 3 Spanish speaking cities in its top 10 cities to visit in 2018, whilst Chile was on its list of top 10 countries to visit.Outside of living and working in a Spanish-speaking country, the attraction of such destinations for holidays appears to be unparalleled. Fluency is not essential, but being able to at least communicate with the Spanish speakers in these places will enhance your experience when you visit.Spain is also home to some of the best beaches in the world. (Source: Flo Dahm)Speak On e of the World’s Most Beautiful LanguagesThe benefits of learning Spanish are well documented, but one reason that isn't often suggested is that it is one of the world's most beautiful languages.Spanish is a rich, beautiful, and melodic language. Whether it's one of the beautiful varieties of Latin American Spanish, or Castilian Spanish from Spain, Spanish can make your heart melt.Have you ever heard somebody speaking Spanish? Just like French and Italian, Spanish is a Romance language and is famous for being pleasant on the ears.In fact, by travelling, you’ll notice that Spanish is arguably one of the most beautiful languages in the world. There’s a reason Hispanic music is so famous across the globe.There’s a certain enjoyment that comes with speaking Spanish. Whether you’re just starting out or already know a bit, most people will agree that speaking Spanish is really enjoyable. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish T eacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSpanish Can Be Quite an Easy Language to LearnWhy learn a difficult language when you can learn an easy one?With similar roots in terms of vocabulary, Spanish can be quite simple for an English speaker to learn (as opposed to say Russian or Chinese).Over half of English vocabulary has similar roots to Spanish vocabulary. That’s because over half of English words are from Latin or French. Since most Spanish words are of Latin origin, too, this means that there is a high degree of lexical similarity in comparison to other languages.That said, you still have to put the work in. You can’t just say that because half your vocabulary shares the same roots that you’re already 50% fluent in Spanish. There are plenty of exceptions and false friends that will show you that it’d be foolish to underestimate how difficult Spanish can be.In any case, if you’re looking for one of the easier languages for an English speaker to learn, it would be foolish for you to pass up on Spanish.So if you are thinking  why learn Spanish, the comparably easy nature of the language for English speakers means that you could see quick progress in your Spanish course, or your private Spanish lessons with a Spanish teacher.What Business Opportunities Does Spanish Hold?Not learning Spanish could severely hinder you when it comes to doing business with a number of huge markets.While English still remains the language of international business, Spanish isn’t far behind. In fact, there are plenty of massive Spanish-speaking companies.That is why I started Spanish courses London with my Superprof tutor!Spanish is a huge advantage when it comes to finding a job. (Source: pixabay.com)The growth of Latin American economies, such as in Chile, Mexico, and Colombia, has led to an increase in trade. For example, the EU is in advanced talks to finalise a trade agreement with the Mercosur countries, which will make it one of the EU's biggest market opening agreements. The bloc already has a deal in place with the Andean countries of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, whilst it is close to updating a trade agreement that it has had in place with Mexico since 2000.You get the picture: If you want to do more business, it's probably best that you start learning to speak Spanish. The good thing is that you can easily learn Spanish online. Furthermore, if you’re a business owner, there are a lot of opportunities that you might be missing by not speaking Spanish. Speaking Spanish migh t even create opportunities you didn’t realize were there.Job Opportunities Are Endless if you Speak SpanishWouldn’t you like to add something interesting to your résumé?If you speak Spanish, you will stand out from the crowd. There are far more interesting positions available for those who speak Spanish and English.Let’s not forget that it’s going to make finding a job much simpler, too. Spanish-speaking countries are developing fast. Make sure that you’re ahead of the trend!If you are looking for reasons to learn Spanish at school, then the job opportunities that you will be presented with later on in life is surely one of the biggest. Starting language courses earlier on in life will keep you ahead of the trend when it comes to grammar, verbs, and their conjugation at university.If you’re struggling to find a job back home, why not look for work in a Spanish-speaking country? Plenty of people nowadays are jetting off and working abroad. Why? Because the cost of livi ng is cheaper elsewhere.  In fact, retiring in the sun isn’t a bad option, either! You could live like royalty.Spanish speaking countries make up 4 of  the top 5 destinations for retirees, and Malaysia, Portugal, and Malta are the only non-Hispanic countries in the top 10!   If retirement isn’t currently on the horizon, there’s nothing stopping you visiting these countries. You might not want to come home after, though...Learning Spanish Exercises Your BrainIt’s proven that learning a language is a stimulating activity for your brain.  Learning a language like Spanish is a great way to keep your brain young and provide excellent mental stimulation.Speaking Spanish is like working out for your brain. (Source: pixabay.com)Thus, if you have the free time to learn a language and would like to do something interesting, you should try out Spanish. You won’t be disappointed. It doesn’t really matter what age you start learning Spanish. Taking Spanish classes in a group is a gre at way to meet people and feed your curiosity.The are advantages to all Spanish study methods, but the one that links them all in the impact that they have on the brain. As science has shown us: the brain is an organ that requires daily training. Learning Spanish is a great way to stay mentally active and may even encourage you to learn another language once you’ve finished. If you’re asking yourself whether you’re too old to learn Spanish, the answer is a resounding “no!”.Missing Out of a Rich Hispanic CultureTaking Spanish classes is a great way to learn more about other cultures.Do you like learning about new cultures and traditions? It’s great, isn’t it? Everyone has their own culture and traditions. It’s fascinating learning about them, too. Learning Spanish will give you an opportunity to get even closer to these cultures.Furthermore, learning about other cultures can teach us more about our own. “Travel shapes youth” as the saying goes. The more you know, the bigger your world becomes.Now that you have 9 reasons to speak Spanish, why not get started?  Look for Spanish tutors on our site and find a language that is as enriching as its culture.

Are Kids with ADHD at Risk for Becoming Overweight as Adults

Are Kids with ADHD at Risk for Becoming Overweight as Adults The term ADHD often invokes images of hyperactive children who rarely sit still and have endless amounts of energy. Think about what these children may be like as adults, and youll likely picture individuals who are always on the go and maintain a relatively average weight because they are so active. Of course, today we know that ADHD is associated with much more than hyperactivity, and that some kids with ADHD experience difficulties with inattention and/or impulsivity without being at all hyperactive. However, even for non-hyperactive kids, parents, teachers, and mental health professionals have historically not considered ADHD to be a risk factor for obesity. Yet, recent research has in fact shown that adults who were diagnosed with ADHD during childhood are more likely to be overweight or obese than adults without a history of ADHD. There is also evidence to suggest that kids with ADHD are more likely to be overweight or obese than kids without ADHD (although additional research is needed to confirm these findings). Why are kids with ADHD at increased risk for becoming overweight or obese in their lifetime? At this point, researchers arent sure, but they do have some theories. Preliminary studies suggest that dysregulated eating patterns, decreased physical activity, sleep problems, genetics, and the executive functioning deficits associated with ADHD may be some of the factors driving the connection. Studies also suggest that treatment of ADHD symptoms with stimulant medication significantly reduces obesity risk. While there is little specific guidance currently available for parents of kids with ADHD around obesity prevention, targeting factors that may underlie the connection between ADHD and obesity is a good place to start. Helping your child learn to regulate his or her appetite and eating habits, develop healthy sleep patterns, and become physically active will make it much easier for him or her to engage in a healthy lifestyle as adults. For kids who respond well to stimulant medications, including medication in their ADHD treatment plan may also be an effective preventative measure. Making lifestyle changes to support your childs eating, sleeping, and physical activity habits can be challenging, and it can be hard to know where to start. In general, its best to start small and target one or two areas at a time. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Help your child regulate his or her appetite and eating habits. Help your child regulate his or her appetite by providing meals and snacks on a consistent schedule (on both weekdays and weekends). This will help ensure that your child is hungry when mealtimes come around. Your child will eat more of the healthy foods on his or her plate and will develop an improved awareness of his or her bodys hunger cues. Avoid letting your child graze on food throughout the day or engage in mindless eating while watching TV or playing videogames. Encourage your child to eat (and enjoy) a range of foods. Kids will be more likely to be on board with broadening their meal options if they are involved in choosing which foods they will eat, and in preparing their meals. If your goal is to have your child eat more vegetables, allow to choose from 2 or more veggie options, and/or a selection of relatively healthy sauces that he or she can add to enhance the flavor. Involve your child in meal prep activities when time allows, and plan some fun cooking and healthy baking activities during weekends and school breaks. Encourage physical activity through participation in sports. Kids, teens, and adults are more likely to be physically active if they are participating in athletic activities that they enjoy. Help your child find a sport that he or she loves and provide him or her with the opportunity to participate regularly. It doesnt really matter if its a team sport or an individual sport, as long as its something he or she looks forward to doing. Your child will be building skills that he or she can apply to other athletic pursuits as he or she grows, and he or she will develop a positive association with exercise that will stay with him or her as he or she grows into adults. Prioritize sleep. Sleep can be a real struggle for many kids with ADHD. With busy schedules, it can be easy to allow kids to stay up late and get less sleep than they really need. But the cost of insufficient sleep is high for kids with ADHD it makes their symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity worse in the short term, and can interfere with their ability to regulate their emotions and appetite now and in the future. So, make your childs sleep a priority by creating a sleep schedule and sticking to it. Be a good role model. Kids will have the most success with regulating their eating habits, activity levels, and sleep patterns if they see their parents engaging in these healthy behaviors too! If making any of these changes feels overwhelming, or your child shows persistent difficulties with eating, sleeping, or engaging in physical activity, reach out to your pediatrician and ask for extra support. Even small steps that you take now will go a long way in helping your child develop healthy lifestyle habits that will benefit him or her throughout his or her lifetime. For a summary of the latest research on the link between ADHD and Obesity, check out the following article: Cortese, S. Tessari, L. (2017). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obesity: Update 2016. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19, ePub. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0754-1 ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Five Powerful, Free Resources for Improving Performance in School

Five Powerful, Free Resources for Improving Performance in School Improving Academic Performance In the past few years, I’ve read a lot of articles and visited many web-sites to learn more about what drives academic performance and to identify mutually beneficial partnerships. I have chosen one web-site, one “app,” one blog, one online course, and one podcast. I believe any given student should at least be familiar with many of the ideas covered by each of these resources. As such, parents, high school, college, and graduate students, as professionals of any age, could benefit from spending time exploring each resource below. #1. Web-site: www.mindsetworks.com â€" a web-site about a powerful but simple idea; your intelligence is like a muscle that grows with use. It’s not a fixed trait that you inherit. I list this resource first because if your goal is to improve performance at school or on standardized tests, becoming familiar with the “growth vs. fixed” mindset concept is critical. Many people assume that IQ = Intelligence and that you are given a certain amount of each when you are born. By working hard, you can reach your “potential,” but can’t go any farther than that. The implication of this line of thinking is that, if you are finding a class extremely difficult, it may just be that you “aren’t wired” to be able to excel in that particular subject area. For example, you just “aren’t a math person.” However, there is another mindset called “growth.” In this mindset, you naturally assume, or train yourself to believe, that intelligence is something you build, not a trait you inherit. When you challenge yourself and struggle to understand something new, you’ll slowly become smarter or more intelligent over time as you build new connections in your brain. Now, the extent to which measured IQ can change significantly over time is debatable. But, a Stanford Psychologist named Carl Dweck developed, tested, and has designed practical applications around the insight that people who believe in the growth mindset are, basically, correct, and those with the “fixed” mindset are wrong. So much of what we accomplish in school, at work, in athletics, and in life is based on skills that we build with practice, and a growth mindset encourages us to keep trying, practicing, and building these skills. Dweck also wrote a book called Mindset: The New Psychology of Success By visiting www.mindsetworks.com you’ll be able to explore the fixed vs. growth mindset science and read case studies that show students who simply adopt the growth mindset perform far better in school without additional training or instruction, and much more. #2. Blog: http://danielcoyle.com â€" a blog built around the idea that deliberate practice is the key to getting really, really good at anything If you adopt a growth mindset, you believe that you can build your intelligence and your skills over time. By simply making it more likely that you’ll work hard and try to improve, you are far more likely to improve and perform better. But, Daniel Coyle’s blog and his book, the Talent Code, reveal the science behind specific strategies for practicing and studying more effectively that lead to more rapid improvement. It reveals how to build skills. The book and his blog cover many different topics and domains, but academics is certainly one of them. #3. Online course - Learning How to Learn: Powerful Mental Tools to Help You Master Tough Subjects â€" an online course that teaches you how to become a more effective learner through a mixture of neuroscience, psychology, and education theory, as well as practical advice about how to apply the theory. If you are already in high school or college and taking a full course load, it might seem crazy for me to suggest that you take an additional course in your spare time. However, having taken the course myself, I can tell you that if you did invest the time in the course, you’d likely pick up a few study techniques that will improve your ability to master tough material so much that ultimately, the time you’d save in the rest of your education would far outweigh the time you spend taking the course now. What types of things are covered in the course? Here are some examples: the two fundamental “modes” of learning your brain uses, how to “chunk” information to better understand it, creating frequent “mini tests” to improve your ability to learn new material, how to deal with procrastination, memorization tips, counterintuitive test taking strategies, and more. The author of the course, Dr. Barbara Oakley, also wrote a book about learning strategies if you prefer that to taking the course. #4. Podcast: http://thepsychologypodcast.com â€" a podcast by Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman where he will “give you insights into the mind, brain, behavior and creativity.” I think it’s rare to find a podcast that finds a way to cover highly academic and intellectual material in accessible, entertaining way. As the description suggests, Dr. Kaufman covers a variety of topics that are relevant to learning how to enjoy your academic life and perform better in school. #5. Smarphone app: https://evernote.com/ - a note-taking app that lets you “capture, nurture, and share your ideas across any device.” One of the keys to a successful academic and professional life is organization and prioritization. For example, in my view, the key to being a successful entrepreneur is learning how to manage your time and effectively prioritize across competing obligations and activities. Effectively capturing your thoughts and designing a system of notes on key projects and key “to-dos” is critical for me, and indeed for any student as well. Having my information and ideas captured and organized electronically is made possible through the system I have designed in Evernote. I can create notes, put them in folders, and organize by topic according to due dates and importance. Designing your own organization system for getting things done is very important. I designed my system after reading Getting Things Done by David Allen. Interestingly, science suggests that when it comes to taking notes on academic material, you’ll typically retain more by using pen and paper. Evernote allows you to type notes directly via computer or smartphone application, but also to upload images or videos and categories them as notes. These uploaded files can be tagged and are often searchable. So, sometimes I’ll take handwritten notes, snap a picture, and upload to Evernote to incorporate into my overall system. I hope you find some time to explore these resources. You won’t be disappointed.

TutorZ Works Well for German Tutor Walter Bachmann

TutorZ Works Well for German Tutor Walter Bachmann TutorZ works well for German and French tutor Walter Bachmann of  Clarkston, MI. In an email to TutorZ founder Dirk Wagner, Walter writes: Im getting quite some requests trough tutorz.com, so therefore I invested $20.00. Your website works and gets attention! Thank you. Kind regards, Walter B. Thank you very much for your nice words, Walter. Being a fellow German tutor I like to addEs ist uns bei TutorZ eine Freude Ihnen zu Diensten zu sein. Walter is located in Clarkston, MI. Should you be looking for a German tutor elsewhere find a good German tutor nearby your home. Auf Wiedersehen TutorZ Works Well for German Tutor Walter Bachmann TutorZ works well for German and French tutor Walter Bachmann of  Clarkston, MI. In an email to TutorZ founder Dirk Wagner, Walter writes: Im getting quite some requests trough tutorz.com, so therefore I invested $20.00. Your website works and gets attention! Thank you. Kind regards, Walter B. Thank you very much for your nice words, Walter. Being a fellow German tutor I like to addEs ist uns bei TutorZ eine Freude Ihnen zu Diensten zu sein. Walter is located in Clarkston, MI. Should you be looking for a German tutor elsewhere find a good German tutor nearby your home. Auf Wiedersehen