Complex Fractions Solver - Online Maths Tutoring

Complex Fractions Solver - Online Maths Tutoring Complex fraction solver is a useful tool. It helps to convert a complex fraction into simplified fraction. Afraction in which both numerator and denominator or either one contains a fraction is known as a complexfraction. The complex fraction may contain algebraic fractional expression or just a fraction. There are 2methods to solve complex fractions. One is finding common denominator for each expression and simplifying. The 2nd method is to find common fraction that we multiply with all the terms to simplify. This tool complexfraction solver is also an online calculator that intakes complex fraction and converts them into simplefractions. Example 1: Simplify by complex fraction solver (6 + 1/x) ------------------------- 8 + (4/x^2) Solution: We will simplify numerator 1st ; 6 + 1/x = (6x+1)/ x (Now simplify denominator) 8 + (4 / x^2) = (8x^2 + 4) / x^2 Now inverse the denominator fraction and multiply numerator and denominator we get, ((6x + 1) /x ) (x^2 / (8x^2 + 4)) (6x+1 ) x = -------------- = (6x^2+x) / (8x^2+4) 8x^2 + 4 Example 2: Simplify by complex fraction solver 1 + 20/2 divided by 14/5 Solution: We have 1 + 20/2 divided by 14/5, so we can inverse the denominator and then multiplythe 2 fractions (1 + 20/2 )x 5/14 (we simplify 1 + 20/2, we get 11/1) 11/1 x 5/14 (11x4)/(7x2) 11x2 / 7 22/7 The final answer will be 22/7.

How to Learn Chinese Fast

How to Learn Chinese Fast How to Learn Chinese Quickly Chapters Learn the Basics of Chinese Get Help Working on Your Chinese Build Your Chinese Abilities over TimeWhile most people might think English is the most spoken language in the world, it’s actually Chinese. In fact, with 1.35 billion speakers, Chinese is miles ahead.  Spoken by locals in mainland China or Taiwan, Chinese immigrants in other countries, tourists, and businesses, the Chinese language is spoken all over the world to some degree.  It’s probably a good idea to learn the language for both your career and to generally get a better understanding of this global culture.How can you learn Chinese as quickly as possible? Can you learn Chinese London? Is Chinese grammar difficult? You probably have a lot of questions about Chinese language courses and learning Chinese in general. Let’s imagine that you only have somewhere between 30 minutes and an hour every day to dedicate to language learning. What are the best ways to make sure you’re getting the most out of every m inute you spend studying?Learning a language quickly doesn’t necessarily mean learning the new language in a sloppy or shoddy way.  That’s why in this article we’re going to show you some tips and tricks that will help you reach your ambitious goals of learning Chinese in a structured and organised way. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Learn the Basics of ChineseThere are several “Chinese” languages but not many of them are used globally. When we say Chinese , we generally mean “Mandarin Chinese”. However, there are around 7 main modern Chinese languages.If you want to become fluent in Chinese, you have to learn the basics first. (Source: pixabay.com)You should distinguish between Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese, for example. Cantonese is spoken by around 71 million people in places such as Hong Kong, Macau, and around South East Asia. However, we’d recommend learning Mandarin Chinese specifically before trying to tackle Cantonese.Why?  Because Mandarin Chinese is the official language of the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, and Singapore. You can also speak Chinese in parts of Vietnam, Cambodia, and a number of different regions around the globe. Mastering every aspect of Chinese would take years and hundreds of hours of classes.By focusing on Mandarin Chinese first and foremost, you’re less likely to become demotivated and, as a result, increase your chances of success.  This will ensure that your studies remain condensed and structured.Discover how you can teach yourself Chinese...  Buy an Adequate BookEven if you’re really motivated, you shouldn’t just buy the first book on Chinese that you see.  We recommend doing some research on which books will be best for you. Since Chinese is quite different to European languages like English, French, German, and Spanish,  you should invest in good resources that cover all the basics.If your goal is to master Chinese and you’re just starting out, the previous advice is hugely important.  Here are a few books you should check out:Integrated Chinese - Yuehua LiuChinese for Dummies - Wendy AbrahamNew Practical Chinese Reader - Xun LiuUse On-line Learning ToolsWhen it comes to sharing information, the Internet is an invaluable tool. You can find some really interesting resources for learning Chinese effectively.  There are a plenty of websites and mobile apps that can help you learn and practice Chinese:Audio: This site can help you to learn Mandarin Chines e by using Pinyin. Pinyin is a system for romanising Chinese words.Chineasy: This is a fun way to learn Chinese while having fun. It will also help you better recognise Chinese characters. You’ll soon be able to read Chinese characters thanks to Chineasy.Anki: Anki is a great system for working with flashcards and is great for anyone struggling with reading Chinese characters. You’ll soon see that there’s more to this system than meets the eye!Learn Basic Chinese WordsIf you want to make learning Chinese easier, you should always start with some useful words and expressions.  When we say basic words, we mean everyday words that you can use in almost every situation.Flex your mental muscle by learning new Chinese vocabulary. (Source: www.gratisography.com)You’ll need to learn words and expressions like “ni hao” (hello), “zai jian” (goodbye), “wo de ring ming shi” (my name is...), “duo shao qian” (how much is it?), “chi fan” (eat) and “qu” (go).It’s w orth noting that the words “yes” and “no” don’t really exist in Chinese. In fact, you have to use expressions like “hao ah” (that’s good) and “bu xing” (that’s not good).Discover more ways to  make learning Chinese easy...  Build On Your Chinese BasicsTo learn Chinese quickly and effectively, you should know the following rules. There are certain words in English that don’t exist in Chinese and vice-versa.Here are a few key rules:In Chinese, you don’t conjugate verbs.“Yes” and “no” don’t really exist.To make Chinese sentences, you need a personal pronoun and a verb. Unlike other languages, you just put the pronoun with the one form of the verb.There are four different tones. This means that each word can have four different meanings depending on how it’s pronounced. However, you can make yourself understood without perfectly mastering the tones.When it comes to negations, the word “bu” is usually used for most verbs but some do use “mei” .Make Word ListsOne of the best ways to effectively learn a foreign language is to put together word lists to help you better memorise vocabulary. While  Chinese is often thought of as a difficult language,  you shouldn't make things even more complicated by having to look a word up in a dictionary just three days after you thought you’d learnt it.  Organise your vocabulary and word lists thematically to help you remember the words better.  We recommend writing your words on card stock and organising certain groups of word by colour, for example.Groups could include:Basic wordsThe environmentCookingTravellingTime (months, days, seasons, etc.)LeisureUncover more basics of learning Chinese...   Get Help Working on Your ChineseIn order to effectively improve your Chinese, we’ve put together a couple of ways that could really help you make significant improvements in a short amount of time:Make sure you do everything you can to learn as effectively as possible. (Source: freestocks.o rg)Take Chinese lessons: you could either go to a language school or university for group lessons. Most big cities will have a number of language schools or centres or a university where Chinese is taught. Whether you’re a total beginner, intermediate, or speak Chinese at an advanced level, you should be able to find a class or a teacher for your level. To make sure you’re choosing the right class or teacher, you should make sure to do a level test so that you’re not doing classes that are too easy or too difficult.Get a private tutor that can teach you Chinese at home: This means that you’ll be the only student in class and the tutor can dedicate all their time to teaching you. Just like they would at a university or language school, a tutor can evaluate your level and make sure their lessons are going at the right speed. They’ll also work out which methods work and which don’t so that you’ll get the most out of every hour you spend with them. Build Your Chinese Abili ties over TimeChinese is very different to languages like English, French, German, and Spanish. In addition to its history, China and other countries where they speak Mandarin Chinese have different religions, cultures, and norms that influence the language and make it even more different to European languages.This is why you should consider immersing yourself in Chinese culture to help you better learn the language. This can also help you to master the four tones more quickly.Find out how you can have fun while learning Chinese...  To Improve Your Chinese, You Have to TalkWhile memorising new Chinese words is a good start, you have to start speaking Chinese as soon as you can.Get in touch with Chinese associations in your region. There are Chinese institutions in almost every region in the country and they're a great way to learn more about the culture from people who can speak the language perfectly.If you’re a student, you could even consider getting in touch with foreign stude nt groups. There are around 90,000 Chinese students currently in higher education in the UK.  This means you’ll have plenty of chances to find Chinese-speaking students.Reading is also a great way to improve your Chinese. (Source: freestocks.org)Get Your Brain Used to Chinese by ReadingAs we said earlier in the article, books are an important resource when it comes to learning languages.  While you will need to get books  on Chinese when you first start learning the language, you can soon move onto books in Chinese.The more you read in Chinese, the more your brain will become accustomed to the language and its lexicon. You’ll soon find identifying the four tones much easier and you’ll have a better understanding of how the words are used and pronounced.While there isn’t a perfect method, there are plenty of tips and tricks to help you speed up the process for learning Chinese. It doesn’t really matter which language you’re learning since you can use a lot of these tips a nd tricks for any of them as you make your way towards fluency.You should always start by building a strong foundation of basics (greetings and everyday Chinese phrases) in the language. Then, if you’d like to learn quickly and avoid picking up bad habits, you can get a Chinese teacher, attend Chinese classes, or get a private tutor offering online Chinese tutorials.Once you're conversational, you can immerse yourself in both the language and culture as much as you can and speak to Chinese people or anyone who speaks the language.Finally, once you've mastered Chinese pronunciation, grammar, and know how to speak well, you can start the long and arduous task of honing your language skills and becoming fluent! Good luck!Discover the many ways you could learn Chinese...  Take Mandarin classes London or throughout the UK with A Superprof tutor!

Reasons to Study Geography

Reasons to Study Geography Why You Should Study Geography ChaptersThe Study of GeographyWhat a Degree in Geography Will Prepare You forGCSE Geography is of Vital ImportanceWhy Study Geography?A show of hands, please: how many of you know anyone who is a geographer? We’re guessing there are no hands waving in the air... right?That is because so-called geographers go by many other names; names we are much more familiar with, such as ‘oceanographer’ or ‘climatologist’ or ‘GIS specialist’.Most people believe attaining a geography degree will not provide competitive job opportunities.In fact, some people think that, now that the entire world is mapped, geography should be relegated to an academic exercise and nothing more!Nothing could be further from the truth...Geography is regarded as the mother of all sciences both for its far-reaching subspecialties and for its long history, which began as simply as someone thinking ‘What lies on the other side of that hill?’Have you ever done that? Been somewhere, in an urban landscape or on holiday in unfamiliar territory and been beset by the urge to explore and discover?Superprof taps into that very human urge to prospect, to examine; to investigate and uncover reasons why the study of geography is as vital today as when the first humans migrated out of their Cradle of Civilisation.eruption of Anak Krakatoa in Indonesia makes a timely and excellent case for the need to study landforms and coastlines.Since the eruption, the island has been reduced to about a quarter of its size, clearly proving that our earth is dynamic rather than static.That being the case, shouldn’t such changes, no matter how incremental, be studied, recorded and compiled?Another phenomenon that illustrates this point succinctly is Italy’s disappearing coastline.That observation was not casually made by avid beachgoers disappointed that the sea has taken over their favourite sandy strand but by people qualified to compile and analyse data.That eroding coastline surrounding the world’s bi ggest boot is attributed in part to global warming: the melting of polar ice caps causing sea levels to rise.That would mean then that climatologists and oceanographers should jump in the fray and work on solutions, right?However, the main cause of that coastline’s erosion is human activity: taking sand from the beaches to build ever more.The government is surely at fault here; allowing city planners to build so much!Would you be terribly surprised to know that all of the career fields mentioned above are  subspecialties of geography?Through a variety of disciplines, cataloguing earth’s natural and man-made changes is the purview of geographers.A background in geography will provide you with a steady career in regional planning Source: Pixabay Credit: Paul Br 75What a Degree in Geography Will Prepare You forGeography is a social science with many divisions.Studying geography as an undergraduate will indeed prepare you for a lot of different careers, but which branch of geography would you undertake?You may, for example, decide to specialise in physical geography; to learn about:Climatology: the study of weather conditions over long periods of time to provide predictionsMeteorology: analysing weather processes for short-term forecastingHydrology: studying the amount and quality of water; in a specific region or across the planetBiogeography: the pattern of species distribution and their effects on the environmentOceanography: the study of oceans and seasEnvironmental geography: studies the spatial aspects of humans’ interaction with the environmentThe flipside of physical geography is human geography; the study of people and their cultures, communities, economy and environment.An undergraduate degree in this discipline could lead you to a satisfying career in urban geography; laying out roads or mapping future factories.Other branches of this far-reaching humanities study include economic geography, cultural geography, social geography and applied geograp hy.Whether you relish the prospect of travelling all over our world or plan on staying local with an office career, as a geography major, you would certainly have a wide range of choices when it comes to working.Why just see how the study of geography has evolved from the days of Sir Francis Drake:If computers are your bailiwick, you could train as a geographical information systems specialist, a career in which you may opt for fieldwork or stay in an office, conducting an analytical study of datasets.In short, there is no shortage of career fields for anyone taking a geography course of study!GCSE Geography is of Vital ImportanceLondon is in... France, right? Eleanor Clarke, bank tellerConsidering how all-encompassing the field of geography is, it seems rather astounding that the subject is not a part of the core curriculum in our schools' later years.And it’s not just UK schools that have forsaken geography courses!A look at schools in America reveals the same state of affairs: the study of world regional geography, let alone learning about one’s own natural environment has taken a back seat to other sciences.The truth is brutal: no education in earth science will result in nobody being qualified to staff the many positions calling for such training. Who will manage earth systems for generations to come?Conservation and environmental problems are very real issues facing humanity today. Learning how to resolve them requires ongoing effort; a chain of dedication that involves everybody.Exposing our youth to the challenges they will face, such as climate change and environmental management, is the best way to introduce and engage them early in a strategic concern for the world they will inherit.Another reason to encourage environmental studies is to understand how common events impact different regions of the world.We are quite fortunate that we have many systems in place to protect us from natural disasters such as floods. Other parts of the world are not so lucky; their physical environment is impacted by environmental change, sometimes severely.In order to become well-educated global citizens, our students must have more than a passing acquaintance with the challenges that beset our and other societies.It is not enough to view documentaries such as the Blue Planet series or bandy about words such as sustainability and ecology.Our students need to understand the interrelationship of these concepts as well, so that they may be inspired to seek a science degree and work toward better earth stewardship for centuries to come.Let Superprof help you find a geography tutor!Consulting a GPS does little to develop your spatial analysis skills! Source: Pixabay Credit CFVIWhy Study Geography?With satellite-generated GPS, what do we need maps for?Perhaps people think that, because the world has been completely discovered and mapped, explorers are no longer needed and cartography is a dead science.Nothing could be further from the truth! Cartogr aphic skills are still highly in demand; classroom maps and atlases will never go out of style.Who do you think draws all of those maps and inputs geographic information for display on your GPS? Geographic information systems specialists, that who!Besides, it is a bad idea to rely exclusively on your GPS â€" which, again makes the case for studying geography!Doing so will help you develop exquisite navigation skills by helping you to build spatial relationships.Just as explorers of old navigated by astronomy â€" the position of the stars relative to their current place, you too could cultivate such a geospatial intelligence by studying the unique features of any environment you find yourself in.Let us say you are a graduate student preparing to study abroad. How would you get ready for such an adventure?Might you consider the cost of a geography tutor in your plans?You would listen to news reports, become more than mildly curious about other cultures and develop a fascination for en vironmental science with regard to the new region you will find yourself in.Will there be a lake to swim in? How about hiking trails? What about urban development: are you going to a big city or a smaller town?By the time you return from you stay away, you will have surely realised that your experience and geographical studies have helped you understand the phenomenon of globalization on a deeply personal level.Which, in turn, furthers your grasp on world geography and cultural consciousness... and that is exactly the type of understanding we need to cultivate!The study of geography represents humanity’s future safety in a changing environment as well as an understanding of our history.If you want a better grasp on world history, you should start by digging into geography!A geography program of study promises career stability full of excitement and engagement as well as an understanding of global ecological systems and how we humans impact them.For better or worse...Why wait? Lear n more about what geography courses can do for you and for our world!

The 10 Best Guitar Brands for Acoustic Electric Players

The 10 Best Guitar Brands for Acoustic Electric Players Jessica Dais Many beginning guitarists ask the same question: which are the best guitar brands? Is there a particular brand that outshines the others? Finding the best guitar really comes down to your interests and determining the type of music you want to learn. Although the material you’ll learn for electric, classical, and acoustic is very similar up front, certain guitars are more appropriate for specific genres of music. In this article, we’ll dive into several top guitar brands to help you decide which guitar is right for you, no matter your style. Top 10 Best Guitar Brands Most guitar brands offer a variety of different types of guitars. However, each company is most likely known for a particular style. Here are some of the best guitar brands to get you started! Best Acoustic Guitar Brands Taylor Taylor is a brand known for high quality instruments and well-defined tone. They have been building guitars since 1974. Many of their top-end guitars are made in the United States, while cheaper Taylor models are made in Mexico. While Taylor guitars are very nice, this particular brand comes with a fairly hefty price tag to match. If you’re ready to invest in your first long-term acoustic guitar, then this is an excellent option! Breedlove Breedlove is a lesser-known guitar brand that emerged just a few years ago. Their acoustic guitars offer a great sound, while their process for sourcing materials and testing for quality is a key aspect that sets them apart from larger companies. Instead of mass producing factory-made guitars, every Breedlove guitar is unique in its own way. The Passport Dreadnought Mahogany guitar has become one of Breedlove’s most popular models because of the rich tone produced by its dark wood. You can see in the video above how the Breedlove style truly sets them apart from the rest of the industry. Yamaha You may know them for their motor division, but Yamaha was originally founded as a music company. They began with pianos and after being successful in that market, they built their guitar brand. Today, they’ve been building guitars for over 50 years and are still going strong. Yamaha manufactures guitars that start in a very reasonable price range and end in the upper levels of the atmosphere. If youre looking for variety, look no further. The various types of guitars that Yamaha offers have consistently good reviews and are great for all occasions. Martin If you have spent any time in the guitar world, you’ve definitely heard of Martin. They have been one of the top guitar brands, in the acoustic space, far longer than anyone else. In fact, theyve been building guitars since the 1830s! Many of Martin’s antique models have sold for thousands of dollars, even with some damage. Martin guitars have always been lauded for their perfect tone and comfortable feel. These guitars will definitely require more of an investment to purchase, but they are well worth the cost in the long run. Arcadia On the other side of the spectrum from Martin, Arcadia is a company that makes very good beginner guitars. Their focus is on providing you or your child with an affordable guitar to begin learning. Their models range from the DL41 (a full-size acoustic guitar) to the DL36 (a ½ size guitar). These guitars are very affordable and can be purchased for $100 or less on Amazon. Eventually, you will want to upgrade to one of the other top guitar brands on this list. However, if you’re just starting out on the instrument, Arcadia is a good way to go! Check out the DL41 in the clip above. Best Electric Guitar Brands Fender Fender is a guitar brand that has risen to legendary status in the electric marketplace. While they are primarily known for their Telecasters and Stratocasters, they also offer some unique solutions for the acoustic guitar player as well. Of the Fender electric guitars, the Stratocaster is a fan favorite. If you’re looking for a dirty blues sound like Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix, you can’t get anything better than a Strat! Gibson Because of their unique innovations like dual-coil pickups, the Gibson sound has developed into one of the most recognizable tones available. This is one of the many reasons Gibson made our list of top guitar brands.   The Gibson Les Paul is probably one of the most iconic guitars to emerge during the rock era. If you prefer the modern rock sound of Slash and his peers, then the Gibson Les Paul is the way to go! The only big drawback of Gibson guitars, for most beginners, is their price tag. Epiphone If you would like a Gibson-esque sound but are just starting out on the guitar, you need to check out Epiphone, a company that is owned by Gibson. Their guitars follow many of the same processes as the traditional US-made instruments, however they are made overseas. This allows them to sell at a much more budget-friendly price. Ibanez For all the shredders out there, Ibanez is the perfect fit for you! Players like Joe Satriani, Paul Stanley, and Steve Vai all use Ibanez guitars because of their unmatched hard-rock capabilities. Along with a Floyd Rose tremolo system, Ibanez electric guitars give you the ability to do things other guitar brands simply do not. In some ways they are a cross between Gibson and Fender. They have a similar body style to a Stratocaster while using the dual-coil pickups of a Les Paul. These guitars are primarily for rocking out and testing the limits of guitar engineering. If you want to shred with the best, go ahead and try one! Jackson Jackson is another brand that has re-interpreted the nature of guitar music. This is a brand you will rarely find outside of the metal and rock genres. Their guitars are designed to sound great with heavy distortion or on a clean channel. If you want to play modern rock, a Jackson guitar is a great choice. Famous for their Floyd Rose Tremolo system, they offer guitars that range from $199 to $1,299 so there is something for everyone. Ready to Start Playing? Hopefully you found this list of the best guitar brands helpful. By now you know where to shop for guitars, but have you found a place to advance your playing skills? TakeLessons offers private, one-on-one guitar lessons with experienced and qualified teachers. If you’re not ready to purchase private lessons yet, check out the free online guitar classes at Takelessons Live. At no cost, you can join a group of like-minded learners and begin taking classes on your own schedule. Did we leave any notable guitar brands off this list? Let us know who you’d add in a comment below! Post Author: Donnie E. Donnie teaches acoustic, electric, and bass guitar online, as well as locally in Nixa, MO. He has a Bachelor’s from Liberty University and has been teaching since 2015. Donnie enjoys rock, jazz, blues guitar, and more. Learn more about Donnie here! Need Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Checkmate Talking About Overcoming Adversity in English

Checkmate Talking About Overcoming Adversity in English Ugandan girl, Phiona Mutesi leads chess revolution from the slums Whenever we read the paper, we generally extract the information we need without being moved by many, if indeed any, of the articles. Today, however, was an exception for me as I was genuinely touched by a piece I read in the UK Guardian newspaper about an Ugandan girl of humble origins who is on her way to becoming one of the finest chess players or Grandmasters in the country.Before we read the article, lets think about some of the issues it raises:Discussion Questions  Have you ever overcome a situation of adversity?Do you think women have achieved full equality with men in the country in which you live?Is there a group in your country you feel are unrepresented and maybe even that their rights are denied? If so, what can be done to improve the situation of this group?Grammar Questions:  In journalism this is called a color piece, meaning that it focuses on descriptions and impressions rather than analysis. As a result, the article in rich in adjectives. See if you can spot ten ex amples.Pick out one example of a comparative adjective and one example of a superlative adjective?What is the  most used tense in this article: Past simple or present simple?Pick out two examples of direct and two examples of indirect speech in the text.Find two synonyms for the word adversary in the text.Ugandan girl, Phiona Mutesi leads chess revolution from the slumsby Xan Rice in KampalaDespite background the 15-year-old girl is already countrys number two player and has competed at World Chess Olympiad.Photo of Phiona Mutesi by Xan Rice for The Guardian. In a rickety church in a Ugandan slum, a girls hand thrusts forward and a black bishop falls. The girl shows no emotion, though she knows the end is near. Striking quickly, silently, the black queen is toppled, and then the king. Only then does she smile.You attacked too much, she tells the boy sitting opposite her on the wooden bench, a homemade board between them.Phiona Mutesi is 15. She has just finished primary school and i s still learning to read. Her family is so poor they have been evicted from tiny, rented shacks more times than she can remember. She is about as far as you could get from the typical chess player in Uganda â€" doctors, bankers, and their children who attend elite schools.Yet Mutesi already has a strong claim to be the best female player in the country. Last September she competed in the World Chess Olympiad in Siberia as Ugandas No 2, the only girl in a team of university students and working women. On her return she triumphed in the richest and most prestigious local tournament, defeating the countrys top-ranked player along the way.So unlikely and swift has been her rise â€" she has had little formal training and plays largely on instinct â€" that some of Ugandas chess officials are now whispering that Mutesi may not be being unrealistic when she says in a soft voice: I want to be grandmaster. That is still a long way off. But it may not be as improbable as the achievements that she and the other children of Katwe slum in Kampala have already achieved.Theyve caused a chess revolution here, says Godfrey Gali, general secretary of the Uganda Chess Federation.Born in 1995 in Katwe, a vast slum where streams of sewage crisscross the dirt paths, Mutesi was three when her father died. Her sister died soon afterwards. Mutesis mother worked hard, rising at 3am to go the market to buy avocados, eggplants and pumpkins to resell, but money was always tight. After one year of primary school Mutesi was forced to drop out, along with her brothers, and sell boiled maize in the slum.They were just a few of many children in Katwe compelled to work rather than learn â€" children that Robert Katende, a 28-year-old Ugandan employed by the US charity Sports Outreach Institute, was trying to help. Realising his football project was not for everyone, Katende decided to teach chess to a few children. Mutesis brother was among them. One day she followed him to Agape church, where t he games took place. She was nine at the time.I had never heard of chess. But I liked how the pieces looked, she says.Mutesi was a quick, determined learner. Every night she practiced against her brothers, a kerosene lamp in their shack illuminating a board borrowed from Katende. Within a year she was regularly beating Coach Robert. He was impressed â€" I could see how she planned many moves ahead â€" but not surprised. Other children in his class had already proved that growing up poor was no hindrance to being a good player, and may even have been an advantage. These kids in the slums are used to thinking How will I get through the day, Katende says. They are survivors, and chess is a game of survival.After initial resistance from the chess federation, which had insisted that the national junior championships were for schoolchildren, but not children from the streets, Katende was allowed to enter a team from Katwe in 2005.For most of the children it was the first time they had lef t the slums.At the tournament they were isolated, and some of the other competitors thought they were dirty, Katenda recalls. In fact they were wearing their best clothes and looking as smart as they could.In 2007, aged 11, Mutesi entered for the first time. Some of her opponents were twice her age. She won the competition. She defended her title the following year. Though tournaments have not been held since, Mutesi and some of her Katwe team-mates were moving on to bigger things. In 2009 she and two boys from Katwe travelled to Juba, in South Sudan, for a regional childrens tournament involving 16 countries. It was the first time she been to an airport, had her own room, or ordered from a menu.She won all her games, and the girls title. The boys were undefeated too; together they won the team prize. That alone was not groundbreaking â€" though a minnow in world terms, Uganda is rated third among the chess-playing countries in sub-Saharan Africa.But the fact that Mutesi and her two team-mates were all from very poor backgrounds, with little or no access to theory, was unprecedented.In Uganda chess has always been seen as a game for the rich, like golf, says Gali. Now the kids from the slums are among the best players in country.At the Olympiad in Siberia Mutesi was trailed by American and Dutch television crews who had been alerted to her remarkable story. She struggled, losing her first four games â€" opponents included the Canadian No 1 and an Egyptian grandmaster â€" before managing a win. Her consolation was meeting her chess hero, Gary Kasparov.I performed badly, but next time will be better, says Mutesi.Signs are good that it will. She was undefeated at the year-end tournament in Kampala, beating most of her Olympiad team-mates, and taking the first prize of £130. Some of it she used to buy hair extensions and some to pay off her school fees. The rest she offered to Katende. He refused it, but helped her to buy four mattresses and a quadruple bunk bed. Now, for the first time, Mutesi and her family dont have to share two flimsy mattresses on her floor.Phiona has become something in the country, from nothing, her mother, Harriet, says.Katende smiles and says: In chess, it does not matter where you come from. Only where you put the pieces.Did you find this article interesting? Feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter.

Benefits of Active Learning - Private Tutoring

Benefits of Active Learning BobbiM Mar 25, 2014 Whoever said active learning was dumb? Definitely NOT me. Okay, Ive heard from some folks that learning can be boring. Well, thats just because theyre doing it super, hecka wrong. Active learning is the real deal. Why? Well, when you are actively learning you are actually more engaged, interested, and you actually retain the information much better. So, when that big test or standardized exam comes up, you are ready to smack that test right up where the sun dont shine. So, what are the Benefits of active learning, exactly? 1.   Active learning leads to higher grades, increased time to pursue extracurricular and social activities, and most importantly, gained knowledge. 2. Active learners tend to earn higher grade point averages, seek more involvement with their professors, and like to learn new things. 3. And while active learners certainly all dont believe that they are studying simple for the love of learning, they are more apt to find learning new things more of a challenge than a chore or a bore. 4.   Once active learners experience academic success, they want to continue along this path of success. Being successful makes them feel good about themselves, get positive feedback form family, and often influences future goals. Everyone knows that its much easier to continue to use the skills you have acquired if you get positive feedback about how you have applied those skills. Excerpt from College Success Strategies by Sherrie L. Nist and Jodi Patrick Holschuh.

6 Entry Level Restaurant Jobs

6 Entry Level Restaurant Jobs pexels.com 1. Hostess If you are a people person, being a hostess might be a good position for you. You are the face of the restaurant, the first thing that customers see, so you have to be good with people. Being a hostess is a great way to meet people and start their dining experience off well. A good hostess should be bubbly but not too chatty. No one wants to stand chatting with a hostess for too long when they could be eating. 2. Busser Dishwasher Being a busser involves clearing tables, cleaning them, and filling water glasses for guests. This is different than being a dishwasher which involves actually cleaning the dishes that the busser brings back. These are both good jobs for people who arent as excited about interacting with customers as the hostess but still are looking to work in a restaurant. You have to have some communication skills to be a busser, but there really isnt much interaction with the customers when you are a busser. To do either of these jobs you have to be willing to get dirty. If this doesnt bother you, then these jobs could be perfect for you. 3. Server This is probably the most well-known job in the restaurant industry. Like the hostess, a server has to be willing and eager to interact with customers. Different than a hostess, however, you have to be able to balance managing orders and food on top of being friendly with guests. Being a server involves a lot of different things: being friendly with guests, taking orders correctly, transporting food from the kitchen to the table, and preparing checks and payment. Its a hard and multifaceted job, but if you are someone who thrives on constant action and a dynamic environment, being a server is for you! 4. Food Runner Oftentimes this job is merged with the job of a server, but in some restaurants, the two jobs are separated. If you are someone who is quick on your feet and enjoy moving on the job, being a food runner could be great for you. Your main job is to transport food from the kitchen to the guests tables;  however, you are also responsible for communicating with servers and expediting the process of getting food out of the kitchen. You will also sometimes be responsible for helping to clean tables, but this job is secondary to making sure the food is transported efficiently. 5. Bartender You might only think about bartenders in the context of bars, but bartenders are needed in almost any restaurant that sells alcohol. As a bartender, you are responsible for taking drink orders from servers or guests directly, and making and pouring drinks. Being a bartender is also a multifaceted job that requires a lot of knowledge and experience. To be a bartender, you should have a good handle on drink recipes as well as alcohol in general in case guests ask for questions or recommendations. 6. Chef Last but not least, you could be a chef! Chefs are the core of a restaurant with no chef, no food! Being a chef, however, does take some experience and training;  however, you dont have to jump right into an executive chef position. To be a chef, you have to be willing to be on your feet for long hours as well as have a love for food. If you have both of these things, the rest will fall into place!

How to Choose The Right Online Language Teacher for You

How to Choose The Right Online Language Teacher for You Did you know that nobody in human history ever learned a language without a “teacher”?Yep, somebody taught us.And the thing is, we didn’t learn our first language from books,  nursery rhymes,  flashcards  or from our teachers lecturing. (Heck, we were already chatting up a storm before the teacher even entered the classroom!)We were taught language by the first people around us: our parents, our siblings, the uncle who laughed hardest after teaching us dirty words.They were our first “teachers.” We learned by imitating  and listening to them.Then came the need to learn a second language. And this time, as adults, we initially ran to books, enrolled in courses and listened to audio. We probably did this because there were  no people around us who could  teach. Uncle Joe knows only the dirty English words, not their Italian ilk.Then came the internet, which was a major game changer. It altered our possibilities for learning another language. Now, through Skype, we greatly bro adened the scope of “those people around us.” We can now get native speakers, from miles away, to teach us their language.Next comes  the question: How do I choose the right online language teacher?Which brings us to  this post. The Advantages of Having an Online Language TeacherWith an online language teacher, your own room can become the classroom. You don’t have to wake up early, brace the traffic and sit in a noisy class. You don’t have to compete for attention with 20 or so classmates in order to ask your teacher something that’s been bugging you for the past 30 minutes. And most importantly, you won’t feel the anxiety of your classmates judging you when you finally get to voice your query.An online language teacher can even one-up Google. You could search Google, open several tabs and spend a few minutes reading up on the different meanings of the Spanish word hecho  (made, done, fact, complete or event), or you can ask your online language teacher and get an ins tant answer. They  can even give you the nuances of usage and give plenty of real-life examples.And another reason why  an online language teacher can be an efficient transmitter of knowledge is that they  can tailor the lessons just for you. It’s a one-on-one type of learning. They  can give you dedicated attention and pace the lessons just for you. That means you don’t get bored out of your skull waiting for somebody to absorb the lesson you understood ages ago, and you don’t feel harassed playing catch up with lessons that disappear like a speeding bullet.With an online teacher, the lessons are just right.Moreover, an online language teacher is a powerful immersive force. It’s like being in the country of interest, talking with a native speaker, while sitting in the comfort of your room, wearing your most comfortable clothes. And while online language teachers come with fees, theyre still a tiny, tiny fraction of the cost of a plane ticket or university.Actually, there ar e even plenty of native speakers who are so proud of their native tongues, you can ask them to give you lessons for free. There are also fellow language learners who will gladly help you learn their native tongue, so long as you also teach them yours.You can find these like-minded souls on sites like Verbling, where with the click of a button youll find professional, hand-picked language teachers who can provide immersion.Verbling might just be the best choice available to you for finding a teaching online. You’ll be able to explore hundreds upon hundreds of language teachers and find exactly the one who’s right for you. When you search, you’ll get to search based on prices, availability and even the other languages they speakâ€"so if your native language is Chinese or German, you can find a French teacher to teach you in that language. Plus, the technology here makes accessing tutoring sessions extra smooth! You don’t need Skype or another third-party program. It’s all he re!Another good option is WyzAnt. The goal is the same, you can go there to find a nice, professional language teacher, but theres a twist. This ones all about finding a teacher in your local area who you can meet up with for in-person, hometown learning.And here are a few other places you might look for your online language teacher:Busuu  (Award-winning content and home to 50 million native speakers.)italki  (Excellent language teachers and  an online community that provide you with all the practice that you need.)Easy Language Exchange  (Learners of Asian languages feel at home here.)Conversation Exchange  (Where native speakers not only talk, but write as well.)But remember, you can only have the aforementioned benefits if you land the right online language teacher.So next, we look into the details and talk about seven  ways  to choose the right one. Because make no mistake about it, just like students, not all teachers are the same. There are good ones, and there are those that flash great smiles via Skype.How to Choose the Right  Online Language Teacher for You1.  Perform Due Diligence ActivitiesChoosing a language teacher requires an investigative journalist’s hat. You have to learn as much as you can about them. And since you’re probably living miles apart, having a cup of coffee (that functions also as an interview), is easily out of the question. You have to be creative and resourceful with your information gathering.So here’s what you do:Read the teacher profile and reviewsRead each  teachers profile carefully. Know that this is how the person  sees themself. You can find out so much about your potential candidate by reading between the lines. Go beyond the information written. Yes, she has taught the language for over 10 years. But does she have a sense of humor? Can you sense warmth and care between the lines? Does she take herself too seriously? And the like.Look at the  profile picture (and its background). The teacher may  probably never l ook as beautiful or as handsome during the sessions, but do their  smile and pose encourage learning? Or does the photo  have the countenance of doom? A picture can indeed speak a thousand words.Read the teacher’s reviews and scores. Again, read between the lines. A teacher might get great scores, but ask the question: Why? Is it because he’s really good at teaching or because he’s very kind? Or funny?Read the reviews carefully and theyll give you a sketch of what a teacher is like. These data will be important come decision time.Ask for teacher recommendations in forumsNext, go to the forums and ask for teacher recommendations from people who have  been taking online lessons for some time. Don’t just ask about who you should get, ask also who to avoid. Even better, if possible, ask for the strengths and weaknesses for the different teachers. People will be glad to recommend a few who are quite good. Youll also know (through the way they write) how passionate people  are in recommending the teacher.The feedback may not be 100% correct because we each have our own personal biases, but it’s a good place to start.Message your teacher and ask lots of questionsFinally, as part of due diligence, message the candidate and ask lots of questions. Ask how they  conducts their sessions. What activities are in store for you? From the  answers, you can glean what type of teacher they are, what their  linguistic beliefs are and what the learning session would be like.If at all possible, ask if you two can Skype. Take note of the interaction and get a feel for your teacher’s personality. Gauge the chemistry between you two. Ask plenty of questions and get to really know the person on the other side of the webcam. Only then can you gain a sense of confidence in the decision that you have to make.2. Be Open-minded (Some Things Are Not Actually Deal Breakers)An ideal teacher would be a native speaker whose wall is decorated with different types of language teaching certificates and an assortment of accolades. Even more, that  teacher  would be easy to get along with, funny, interesting and never run out of stories. Okay, okay maybe theyre  one in a million.But what if the candidate isnt a native speaker?What if they dont  have any teaching certificate?What if they  just started teaching language?What if you could very well be their  first student ever?While having the experience and the education is a good thing, don’t be so fast in disqualifying someone who doesn’t have the traditional credentials. Be open-minded. These things are actually not deal breakers.There are native speakers who can’t teach their native tongue even if their lives depended on it. There are credentialed educators who belong publishing in academic journals, not in the classroom, much less in a one-on-one situation with a private student. A teacher might have spent a decade teaching, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be any good at it.And then there are those who are just naturally good at teaching,  and can make the lessons come alive. They  may not be native speakers, but they  know every twist and turn of the journey and can warn you of the pitfalls and the sticky areas. This is a better pick than a native speaker who can’t understand why you’re having such a hard time with the  language.With  the remaining  tips in this post, you’ll be in an even better position to decide which language teacher to have.3. Find Someone with Energy and PersonalityThis one is an actual deal breaker. Seriously, what can you learn from a teacher whos so boring you’d rather be sleeping inside the classroom?Energy in teaching is very important. It’s not just about being alive and adjusting the mic so that you may be heard on the other end. It’s not just about the transfer of vocabulary or word meanings or translationsâ€"a student can get that from any Google search. Teaching isnt just a transfer of knowledge. It’s a transfer of passion.A teacher with no energy and passion for what theyre  doing will inevitably waste the time of their  students. Someone  may able to get some lessons across, but it won’t be much different from what a student might get from a cursory web search.There are many fish in the sea, so don’t spend more than one session with someone without the energy and desire to teach you.4. Find Someone Who’s Also Fluent in Your Language and CultureIf your teacher isnt  fluent in your first language, then how  will they teach you? If a Chinese person (who only speaks Mandarin) wants to start learning  German, then they  should find  someone who can explain German concepts in Mandarin. Otherwise, there’d be no way to effectively transfer knowledge.At least have one  common language with your tutor or teacher. Even if you have the best German native speaker teaching you, they can only do so much without sharing a  common language with you. (Sometimes it’s better to have a fellow with the same nati onality who can also fluently speak your target language.)The advantage of a teacher who understands your own culture is that they  can play off that knowledge and compare your culture with that of the target language. The knowledge will come in handy, for example, when your teacher  explains, “In the US, you greet acquaintances with ‘Hello. In Spanish, we say “ ¡Hola!” followed by a kiss on the cheek.” Or, “In English, adjectives often come before the nouns. But in Spanish, adjectives could easily come after the nouns they modify.”You can understand the target language better when it’s contrasted with what you know bestâ€"your first language.5. Find a  Teacher Who Can Deliver the Language Skill and Learning Level That You RequireWhat do you want to  learn?Do you want to  speak German? Write in German?  Understand German?Speaking and writing German, although about the same language, require different skills. Speaking a language requires that you master the proper pro nunciation, pace and cadence. You also need to familiarize yourself with the rise and fall of the tone  as you speak.Writing, on the other hand, is all about spelling and grammar. You need to master the different rules in constructing phrases, sentences and paragraphs. You need to know by heart which  rules govern the different parts of speech and what exceptions, if any, exist.Now, it would be such a shame if you really wanted to learn how to speak and the teacher you have is one who focuses on spelling and grammar. With that kind of teacher, youll indeed be great in chatting up someone in an online forum, but not chatting up a native speaker in real life.So ask yourself: What type of language learning do you want?Remember also, if you want to learn how to speak Russian, for example, you don’t need the top Russian linguists to teach you. (Maybe if you want to  learn, formal, high-brow, academic Russian.) But if you only need to survive the streets of Moscow and enjoy your trip th ere, youll do very well with a loquacious Russian chap who absolutely loves his culture.6. Find a  Teacher Who Challenges Your AssumptionsYou might have an idealized version of what your teacher should be. You might have an inkling of how the sessions should go. But if you find somebody who shatters those assumptions, I encourage you to give them  a try.For example, in the initial interview or in the trial session where you’re feeling out each other, you might discover that the teacher holds a different political view from you. You might sense them  being a true believer in big government, whereas you want it limited as much as possible. (Yup, it has nothing to do with language, but views  like these can surface during the lessons.)Don’t shut out differences like this, because you might get more than a language lesson from your online teacher. You might understand why big government works in their  country and why it’s different from yours.The point is this: If you discover yo ur language teacher isnt the idealized version you have in your head, don’t shut them  out. You’re in for a wonderful, horizon-expanding learning experience.And don’t shy away  from teachers who are thinking outside the box.A teacher who faces the webcam holding a guitar and who teaches the language through songs is a rare breed. Youll learn so much from this  creativity and skill. An Italian teacher who looks like the spitting image of Bob Marley might just be what you need to understand just how colorful the Italian language and culture actually is. A mother who teaches Spanish by taking you along on her errands is a breath of fresh air. You’ll not only learn what a  parada de autobús  (bus stop) is, you’ll actually get to see it on video.Widen your horizons and get more than a language lesson.7. Have the Guts to Follow Your GutAt the end of the day, there’s that small voice that tells you, “This will work.” Or “Nope. Maybe somebody else.”I want you to listen to that voice closely. Your gut is telling you something. So even if the teacher has all great reviews, looks like the poster of what a Chinese tutor should be, but if you’re not totally at peace with making them  your teacher, then don’t.Picking an online teacher is a little like going on a dateâ€"the chemistry has got to be there. A guy may look good on paper, but when there are no sparks during dinner, you’ll be better off as friends.In the same way, if you’re just not feeling the candidate, move along so you can find that teacher who will be your partner in learning the target language.I’m not saying that there’s just “the one,” I’m saying that you also need to factor in those things that are hard to explain, and listen to what your gut is telling you.So there. You’re now ready and well equipped to hunt for your online language teacher.Someone is  out there for youâ€"that’s a guarantee.As always, I wish you all the success in learning a second, a third, may be even a fourth language. You have my utmost respect.