Find IT Courses in Birmingham

Find IT Courses in Birmingham Where To Find The Best Computer Courses In Birmingham ChaptersWhat Can You Learn From An ICT Course Or Other Resources?Find An IT Course Near YouAre you interested in becoming more literate in the world of information systems? Do you want assurance on what more you could be doing with apps? And use Internet shopping to find great bargains? Do you just want to build on the knowledge you acquired during your communication technology module studied at college?In this fast-growing digital world, information is being driven by technology and we rely on it for almost everything - paying our bills, setting our favourite TV programmes to record, switching our heating on when on the train home... some houses are even fully automated with apps controlling the doorbell, lights, and household appliances!Since there are still many things we do manually, though, a vast understanding of technology isn't required just yet, but wouldn't it be nice to keep up with the trends and to not be taken by surprise by all of the magnificently wonderful (and somet imes scary) things that technology can do?!You can find IT courses everywhere in the UK!a weekly wage of £274.00 (i.e. a five digit salary!) over the course of two years whilst you carry out leaver tasks, assist with the upkeep of the Higgs IT asset location register, undertake any other relevant duties as may be reasonably requested by the IT Manager/Director and any other duties deemed commensurate with this role.You could be starting your next adventure as early as September 2018 so get applying now!An apprenticeship can prepare you for life in the professional world. Photo credit: SurfaceWarriors on Visualhunt / CC BY-SADiplomaSouth City College BirminghamIn figures released by the above institution, there are about 1.2 million Brits working in an IT occupation, with 87,000 of those being in the West Midlands. Since Information Technology is central to global economy, the IT field is highly relied upon by many businesses.The sector expects a growth of nearly five times faster than the UK average over the next ten years, which will in turn provide more jobs in the West Midlands and across the whole of the United Kingdom.  There is a wide variety of career options within the industry, from computer programming courses, computer networking, data processing, internet servicing provision, web development, and more. For example, the college suggests that you might work as:-IT security coordinator -Network engineer -Systems analyst -Computer repair technician -Helpdesk professional -Technician -Web designer -Web developerJust a few examples of IT course offered by South City College Birmingham equipping you with a diploma are:Business Information Technology Diploma Level 3 Level: 3 | Location: Digbeth CampusComputer Science A Level Level: 3 | Location: Bournville CampusComputing and Cyber Security Level 3 Level: 3 | Location: Digbeth Campus|Bournville CampusElearningFurthermore, if your circumstances means that you cannot commit to a full-time course spanning across the academic year, then you may like to consider discovering some online courses. This doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice getting a recognised qualification or accreditation, you can undertake online degree courses (undergraduate and postgraduate) or college level tutoring taught in a distance learning format.Not all courses cost the earth, you can also find a range of courses for free, teaching you fundamental technical skills like an Introduction to Computer Science. Free college courses may be offered with some kind of government funding scheme, or via a scholarship. Meanwhile, some are set up by local authorities like your local library with the incentive of upskilling people in the area.If you want to stay at home, check these online computer courses.

The 5 Fastest Growing Careers for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The 5 Fastest Growing Careers for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer The 5 Fastest Growing Careers for Introverts As an introvert, finding the right career can be a challenge. Matching your skillset with your personality type can be especially tough. Finding the right balance is what every introvert is looking for. When considering beginning your career or looking for a career change, a good place to start might be to look at what careers fit well with introverted personality types. Jobs that have a lot of independent work with minimal large team projects are usually a fit. With that in mind, the next step is to look at which introvert-friendly careers are on the rise. Statistician The fastest growing job field for introverts are statisticians. The field is projected to experience a 33 percent growth rate between 2016 and 2026, significantly higher than average. The statistician profession is one that is very attractive to introverts, in that the job involves a lot of independent research and creative problem-solving. Some of the duties that a statistician can expect to carry out include: Develop mathematical rules, theories, and concepts Decide what data is needed to address specific problems or issues Design surveys and experiments to collect data Develop statistical models to analyze data Interpret data and draw conclusions to solve problems and inform business decisions The job market for statisticians is highly competitive. Most statisticians pursue undergraduate degrees in fields such as mathematics, economics, computer science, or other related fields. Although some entry-level positions will consider candidates with a bachelor’s degree, most statistician positions require a master’s degree in statistics or a related field. Information Security Analysts Another job field that is currently experiencing a lot of growth is information security analysts. Employment of information security analysts is expected to grow by 28 percent by 2026, making it one of the most attractive careers on the job market. Information security analysts typically work independently or with a small team to prevent, assess, and fight cyber attacks. This makes it an attractive career for introverts. An information security analyst can expect to have the following responsibilities: Monitor an organization’s networks for security breaches Install and use software that protects sensitive information Compile reports documenting security breaches and the extent of damage caused Develop standards and best practices for security Simulate attacks to look for vulnerabilities in systems Though there is high demand for information security analysts, the field is expected to remain competitive. A master’s degree in cybersecurity or an MBA with a concentration in information systems can help distinguish a prospective candidate from the pack. Operations Research Analyst Introverts looking for careers that involve using quantitative methods to help organizations solve complex problems should consider becoming an operations research analyst. The field is expected to yield high growth; current projections estimate 27 percent growth by 2026. Similar to information security analysts, operations research analysts typically conduct independent research while sometimes working in small teams. The job duties one can expect as an operations research analyst include: Collect and organize information from databases, sales histories, customer feedback, etc. Gather information from stakeholders to help solve issues Analyze this information and determine what is relevant to the problem at hand Use statistical analysis, simulations, or predictive models to develop solutions to complex business issues Compile reports and other documents explaining findings and providing solutions for problems Though a bachelor’s degree is often the minimum requirement for an entry-level position, many employers prefer to hire candidates with master’s degrees, due to the high-level analysis that the job requires. There are not very many operations research degree programs, so candidates typically hold degrees in a related field such as engineering, analytics, or mathematics. Software Application Developer Demand for software application developers is expected to grow by 24 percent, making it one of the fastest growing careers across all industries. This huge growth can be largely attributed to the widespread adoption of mobile devices, which are in constant need of new app development. Software application developers usually spend their days writing code, or managing a small team of programmers that write code. The job function of a software application developer includes the following responsibilities: Understand user needs and design, test, and develop software to meet the needs of the user Create models and diagrams that show programmers the code needed for an application Design the individual pieces of the application and ensure that they will work together Ensure that the application functions properly through testing and maintenance Recommend software updates for customers’ existing programs Most software application developers are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in a field such as computer science or software engineering. Like most professions, a master’s degree can make a candidate more qualified. Keeping up to date with new tools and programming languages is essential for any software application developer. Actuary Actuaries typically work for insurance companies to analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. The actuary job market is expected to grow by 22 percent by 2026. Though the field is relatively small, the fast growth rate is something to keep in mind for prospective actuaries. Introverts have often gravitated toward this career as the job entails a considerable amount of independent work. Actuaries can expect to have the following responsibilities: Compiling statistical data and other information for analysis Estimate the probability and cost of an event such as death, sickness, accident, or natural disaster Design, test, and administer insurance policies, investments, pensions, and other business strategies Produce charts, tables, and reports that explain proposals and calculations Explain findings to executives, government officials, and shareholders Because the field is relatively small, the market for actuaries is extremely competitive. Actuaries need a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, or another related field. Actuaries may also need to pursue professional certifications. Though there are many careers that would be a fit for introverts, these five careers offer professionals a lot of room for growth. The challenge will be matching your skillset to the right career. Author: Tim Ufer Tim currently works with university graduate programs as a community outreach manager. Tim has developed a passion for career advancement and professional development. Tim’s expertise includes career advice, higher education, and entrepreneurship. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What Is The Best Way To Learn Spanish For Complete Beginners

What Is The Best Way To Learn Spanish For Complete Beginners How to Learn Spanish for Beginners: Some Tips to Get Started ChaptersWhy Should You Learn Spanish?Different Ways to Learn Spanish for BeginnersGeneral Tips for How to Learn SpanishStarting out on your Spanish language learning experience can sometime seem a bit daunting. For a start, you'll need to know what are the best ways to learn Spanish, and how doing so will benefit you.You can take comfort from the fact that one major decision is already out of the way; you have decided to learn Spanish so you are no longer thinking about the pros and cons of each individual language.If you have absolutely no Spanish experience at all, then let us first begin by saying   ¡Bienvenidos!  Yes, welcome to the world of the Spanish language! You are probably dreaming of being fluent and conversing freely on the streets of Madrid. Whilst it is great to have objectives and goals, please bear in mind that at this stage it is baby steps which will ensure you keep progressing towards your goal.By learning Spanish, you will expand your horizons and enter into the second most spoken native language in the world, after Chinese. This means that any level of Spanish will be advantageous to you.Having a conversational level will allow you to learn the basic greetings and phrases to speak to locals whilst you are on holiday in Mexico. Having an intermediate level will allow you to move abroad to countries such as Spain, Argentina, Peru, and Chile, but to name a few.In this article, we will explain why, as a beginner, you should learn how to speak Spanish, how you should go about it, as well as giving you some tips to keep you on track, and make sure you keep progressing on your Spanish speaking journey.Spanish and English are two of the languages that dominate the AmericasThis means that if you speak Spanish as a second language, you can communicate with a native speaker in Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, and Uruguay, showing that if you learn to speak Spanish, you will be opening up your travel prospects enormously.This is great news when you consid er that Chile was named number 1 travel destination for 2018 by the world's largest travel guide book publisher,  Lonely Planet. What's more, Sevilla in Spain, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Guanajuato in Mexico, all featured on their list of the top 10 cities to visit in 2018. Baja California in Mexico, Bolivia's capital, La Paz, and Lanzarote in Spain, were all included on their list of destinations offering the best value in 2018.Spanish speaking countries offer some of the most beautiful and amazing places to visit in the world, and this is without even considering the rich and distinct history and culture that each one can boast. Speaking Spanish is the key to unlocking the full potential of each destination, and doing so will enrich the authenticity of your experience as you will be able to interact with the locals which could take you to cafes and restaurants not frequented by tourists.Use your Spanish to explore the local cuisineYou are probably thinking that this all sounds g reat, but perhaps you are still worried about how difficult it is to study Spanish. You can be reassured that the Foreign Service Institute placed Spanish in the category of the easiest languages to learn for English speakers. This doesn't mean you should take your Spanish lessons lightly, but it does mean that with a little bit of dedication and personal motivation, you should see results and progress quicker than with languages such as Arabic, Russian, or Chinese.How Will Learning Spanish Benefit You?The sheer number of native Spanish speakers has converted the language into one that people want to learn to speak. As a result, it has taken on increased importance across the globe. Not only is it one of the official languages of the UN, it is also important in the world of business. This means that speaking Spanish can increase your employability immensely, as companies are constantly looking for Spanish speakers to help them do business in Latin America.Many Spanish speaking count ries have seen periods of increased economic growth at various periods over the last two decades, helped by economic agreements such as NAFTA and Mercosur.What's more, many Hispanic countries are seeing a rise in their middle classes, which means that, in general, people have more disposable income to spend on goods, holidays, and non-essential items. Western businesses are keen to tap into this growing market, but having a Spanish speaking workforce is crucial to their success.Outside of the economic benefits to you, you will also see a growth in personal development by studying the language of Cervantes. Just by learning a few words and phrases, Spanish speaking cultures will become more accessible to you. Aside from watching movies in Spanish to learn the language, you will be able to better appreciate the cultural meaning behind them. The same can be said of songs and books. After all, a translated book can never truly convey the exact same meaning as it does in the language in which it was written.There are loads of Spanish speaking films for you to appreciate!An increased cultural understanding will give you a different perspective on the world. You will understand things that happen around you better as you will gradually be able to apply a different way of thinking about them.Ultimately, learning a foreign language, such as Spanish, will open a variety of doors to you. These will be in your professional life through job opportunities, and in your personal life through opportunities to travel and an increased cultural awareness and understanding.Different Ways to Learn Spanish for BeginnersThere are plenty of different ways for beginners to pick up the Spanish language. You will see Spanish courses being advertised at a local language school, options for learning Spanish online, as well as private classes with a Spanish teacher.There is no correct way to study Spanish. In fact, the best way to learn Spanish will involve a variety of different approaches which you mix together. It would be advisable to find some Spanish classes. This will give your learning some structure, as well as offering the chance to interact with other people in the same position as you. Having a tutor there at the beginning is also a good idea for when you run in to difficulties and you need certain things clarifying.A Spanish teacher can give you guidance in your language learning journeyHowever, you should not just rely on Spanish lessons as your sole approach to learning the language. You should use other methods, such as using books for learning Spanish. Research which is the best book to help you begin learning Spanish before you rush out to buy one as you will need one that perfectly suits you.Learning Spanish with an app  is another good way that beginners can support their overall learning experience. Apps have the advantage of being on your smartphone or tablet, meaning that you can use them of the go. They are often also designed for complete begi nners and back you along the way as your develop your language skills in Spanish.You can work on things such as grammar and vocabulary, whilst other apps focus on verbs and their conjugation.As with any new language, you will naturally start by focusing on the basic Spanish that you'll need to hold an introductory conversation. This means that Spanish vocabulary is more important than Spanish grammar at the start. This is because vocabulary makes up the building blocks of how to construct a sentence.Making a correct sentence is more important at the beginning than knowing the grammar behind it. And by making complete and correct sentences, you will start to give to give basic meaning.So it is therefore essential that you commit the new vocabulary you learn (and there will be a lot!) to memory. Start by making lists of new Spanish words, and then try to memorize them. The first list that you will learn will more than likely be numbers, as learning a new language normally starts here. Counting in Spanish is one of the first things you will learnBut once you have the numbers assimilated, try with other lists of vocabulary. If you can, group words together. For example, you could have one list of colours, and another for physical features. These are the types of words that are useful when you start out learning Spanish.General Tips for How to Learn SpanishSpanish is a language that can be learnt by anyone. Obviously each student will require a different approach to learning the language. For example,  teaching Spanish to a dyslexic child  will require a different approach to that of an adult taking an intensive course. But in general, here are our tips for learning the Spanish language.FlashcardsFlashcards are a great way to learn vocabulary. You should write down one word per flashcard, with English translation on the other side. To begin with, just see if you can say way the English word is when you see the Spanish word. As you grow in confidence and your level i ncreases, see if you know the Spanish word when you see the English word.Another thing you could do which words in a similar way is to label everything that surrounds you. For example, in your kitchen you could put a little sign on the fridge that says la nevera, and one on the microwave that says el microondas.Practise Makes PerfectTake every available that you can to practice. If you have a Spanish speaking friend, practise what you learn in your classes with them. If they are a native speaker, they can help you with your pronunciation.As a new learner, you need to be practising as often as possible. This will help solidify what you learn in your classes, and through practising you will pick up the patterns in the sentence structure and grammar.Use Different Ways of Learning SpanishAs we have previously suggested, you should try to utilise as many different ways of learning Spanish as possible so that they compliment each other. This is especially important if you want to teach yo urself Spanish.There is a wealth of resources out there (websites, apps, books, videos etc) so make sure you use them all to practise and learn. Videos in particular are a great way to learn and improve because they deal in depth with specific topics, such as the one below which looks at phonetics.Patience is a VirtueDon't expect your fluency to be flawless after just one less. Language learning is a long process. There will be highs and lows. Some times you will think you are progressing really well, and at others you will think that you have ground to a halt.Don't lose faith in what you can achieve, just remember that ups and downs are natural. If you persevere, you will more than likely come out of the other side. If you do find yourself in a difficult moment, try going back and looking at previous notes and what you have learnt.Reinforcing things that you might already know well can instil the confidence that you need to make the breakthrough that you crave.Vocabulary is KingYou will never stop learning new vocabulary. This is often the case in your native language too. You often come across new words which you don't necessarily know what they mean. The building blocks of any language are the words, so try to learn a few new words each day. Once you have learnt them, try to use them in a sentence to reinforce that you know them.Spanish is a language which relies on around 1,000 common words which you will use day in day out, but once you reach this level, know that there is always more that you can learn.When you learn new words, right them down! Try to group them together so that you can see patterns and common themes in what you are trying to learn.Writing down key words is a good way of memorising what you learnImmersionThe best way to learn any language is through immersion. The more you surround yourself with a language, the more you will absorb. The best example of this is by going to spend an extended period of time in a Spanish speaking country. Ev en when you think that you aren't learning, you will be absorbing what you hear on the radio, or during a conversation in the supermarket.Even if you can't go abroad, listening to Spanish speaking music will help you tune your ear in to the Spanish pronunciation, even if you don't understand every thing that is being said.What a great way to prepare for your Spanish lessons London or Glasgow!

4 Chinese Recipes Made Easy

4 Chinese Recipes Made Easy Why Is Learning To Make Chinese Food Worth The Effort? ChaptersPopular Chinese Cooking Techniques For Chinese RecipesThe Essential Chinese Food  Ingredient ListPopular Items On The Chinese Food Menu.Easy Chinese Recipes You Can Make At HomeFaster Than Calling Your Local Chinese Food TakeawayFocused on minimal fuzz and maximum impact, all Chinese recipes incorporate seasonal and fresh vegetables, fish/meats, rice, and noodles. The result is perfectly balanced, flavourful, delicious, fragrant and wholesome meals, which keep you coming back for more, no matter how many times you have eaten it.It is for this reason that the popularity of Chinese food has spread rapidly worldwide. With the Chinese takeaway being the ethnic staple on the high streets of cities internationally.So when you pick up the phone, to call your local Chinese restaurant, with your stomach rumbling and preparing for the joys of the meal to follow, it is unlikely that you think about when the dish was invented.Much of China's cuisine has been cultivated over thousands of years and has now created a melting pot of cooking styles, techniques, and flavours.Steaming; which is considered to be an extremely healthy way to cook is used in many recipes such as Dim Sum.Boiling; which is one of the simplest ways to cook creates dishes such as Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce.Deep frying; is the key to tasty and crispy textures and creates dishes like spring rolls stuffed with veggies or fried noodles.Roasted meats; done over a hot fire or in the oven reveal crispy skin and soft succulent meat beneath such as the famous Peking duck.Fast Chinese food ready in minutes. Photo source Unsplash.The Essential Chinese Food  Ingredient ListChinese cuisine is full of a diverse collection of unique flavours, which blend together and enhance each other to create the delicious Chinese recipes that we have come to know and love. When eating Chinese food you may not always recognise the different tastes but some of the essential ingredients are:Essential Chinese Ingredient s:Dark Soy sauce, which has a slightly sweeter and less salty taste than other kinds of soy sauce. Made from soybeans.Fresh Ginger adds heat to your dish, tenderises meat and deodorises fish.Chilli sauce, adds a spicy kick to your meal.Toasted sesame oil is the key flavour of many dishes most commonly drizzled sparingly to garnish a dish.Black Vinegar which has a colour close to that of soy sauce but it has a woody, malty and pungent flavour.Oyster sauce is a popular Chinese sauce that has unique fragrant flavour enhancing properties, used often in marinades.Chinese Five-spice powder has a powerful flavour.Monosodium glutamate a natural flavour enhancer.Ingredients for Chinese cookingThe rich flavours in Chinese food recipes which were once a mystery, difficult to buy and intimidating to cook, are no longer restricted to just to the Chinese restaurant, takeout or kitchen. You can now buy previously top-secret ingredients at your local supermarket. Chinese pre-prepared meals and off the shelf products are fast and make it easy to recreate the takeaway experience at home.A favourite on the Chinese food Menu. Photo source Pixabay.My parents were much more experimental. They would order lots of new things from the menu like flavourful black bean duck, roasted crab, Chinese fried rice and there were always cashews, veggies like bok choy, cabbage, broccoli, chestnuts and bamboo shoots. Not to mention the different kinds of sticky rice, sweet and savoury.The taste of the red glistening sweet and sour sauce covering Chinese, makes my mouth water even now, it could perhaps be my favourite Chinese sauce. I always took hours to eat my saucy chicken, and taste every last drop. 4The interesting thing is that when I went to my friends or families house’s, I noticed that when they ordered Chinese food, they always ordered similar items to my family.Chinese restaurants have filled our bellies with delicious Chinese food for centuries. Photo source Pixabay.There was always t he fried rice dish like egg or chicken fried rice, the fried noodle dish like prawn chow mein, the starter like spring rolls, the saucy dish like sweet and sour pork or prawns, and who can forget the thick chicken and corn soup. My mouth is watering again just thinking about it.Learn more thanks to  cooking courses London.Chinese menus are full of delicious selections. The mix of diverse ingredients being turned into any number of new dishes has secured the flavourful Chinese food menu, as a firm favourite on the tables of people worldwide.Easy Chinese Recipes You Can Make At HomeEven if you are not a confident cook, these recipes are easy quick and taste great. All of the ingredients will be available at your local supermarket or your local Asian supermarket and after you have made it once you will be able to gain confidence to make it time and time again. You will be the talking point of every dinner party when people taste your authentic Chinese food flavours and want to know you r 'secret'.If you enjoy these recipes and want to try even more Chinese food recipes, visit the BBC, They offer Chinese recipes  that you can try at home.Recipe for Chinese Chicken And Sweetcorn Soup1/2 a boiled or steamed chicken breast1 can of  green giant sweetcorn1 beaten egg with a pinch of salt300ml water1/4 cup of cornstarchSalt, pepper and/or MSG to tasteOptional: Garnish with Spring onions (scallions) and toasted sesame oilOptional: Add some rice noodles to have more of a noodle soupCooking Time: Less than 10 minutesServes 2 peopleCooking Instructions for Chicken And Sweetcorn SoupAdd a tablespoon of oil to a hot wok or frying pan over a high heat.The chicken should be stir fried but not browned.Add the water to make a broth.Add the sweetcorn and the seasoning then Boil for 3-5 minutes.Add the cornstarch very slowly until it becomes a loose thick paste.  Stir well.Add the egg bit by bit, stirring infrequently until egg ribbons are formed.Remove from the fire.Top with sprin g onions (scallions) and drizzle a few drops of sesame oil on top.You will now enjoy one of the most satisfying textured Chinese soups. If you want to be creative you could also use this as a Chinese sauce for veggies or rice.Simple Chinese recipe ready in less than 15 minutes. Photo source Pixabay.Recipe for Chicken Chow Mein (Fried Noodles)400g cooked egg noodles or rice noodles1/2 small white onionChop a vegetable or two (optional)1 boiled or steamed chicken breast1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon of MSG (or 1 small spoon of light soy sauce)A hand full of bean sproutsVegetable oilChilli flakes to garnishCooking Time: Less than 30 minutesServes 2 peopleCooking Instructions for  Chicken Chow MeinAdd oil to a hot wok or frying pan over a high heat.When you have hot oil add the onion and make sure it is stir fried well.Add the chicken. Fry for 2-3 minutes.Add the salt and the noodles. Fry for a few minutes until loose.Add soy sauce or MSG and the bean sprout s.Garnish with spring onions.Another easy chicken dish, these chicken noodles will have you wanting seconds so double the recipe so you don’t miss out.How can you resist trying to make Chinese food recipes. Photo source Pixabay.Recipe for Sweet and Sour  Chinese PorkPork Marinade - Prepare the Pork 1 day before250 grams of your favourite cut of pork1 tbsp of dark soy sauce1/4 tsp of salt1/2 tsp of baking powderFor the stir-fried ingredients2 Eggs1/2 cup of plain flour1 tbsp of garlic1 cup of your chosen vegetable2 cups of a colourful bell pepper2 cups of pineappleSweet and sour Chinese Sauce1/4 cup of ketchup1/4 cup of water1/4 cup of sugar1/4 cup of vinegar2 tbsp of plum sauce1 tbsp of cornstarchPinch of salt or to tasteIf you like it spicy you can add some chilliCooking Time: Less than 10 minutesServes 2 peopleTip: If you want to replace the Pork and make sweet and sour chicken you need to follow the same process.Cooking Instructions for Sweet and Sour Chinese PorkCut the pork i nto small cubes and add to a bowl.Add 1 tbsp soy sauce. 1/4 tsp of salt. 1/4 tsp of baking soda.Mix and let it marinade overnight to make it tender.Whisk 2 eggs. Dip each piece of tender pork cube into the egg and then coat it with flour, do this twice.Heat the oil in the deep fryer (preferable) Wok or Frying pan to 350 Degrees until you have very hot oil.Deep fry your pork twice.Remove from the fire.Add all of the ingredients for the sauce to a pan.Cook on medium heat whilst stirring.Once it is bubbling, turn the heat to low, until it feels sticky.Remove from the fire.Heat up your wok (Frying Pan).Add 1 tbsp of oil, and 1 tbsp of garlic.Add the bell peppers and pineapple. Stir for 3 minutes.Add the pork and the sauce.Mix well and remove from the fire.Your Chinese pork dish is servedA popular Chinese pork recipe is sweet and sour Pork. Photo source Pixabay.Recipe for Vegetarian Egg Stir Fried Rice250g of Leftover riceDark Soy SauceYour choice of chopped vegetableAn EggTofu (optional )Salt, pepper and/or MSG to tasteCooking Time: Less than 10 minutesServes 2 peopleCooking Instructions for Egg Stir Fried RiceAdd some dark soy sauce to your day old rice.Mix very well until all of the leftover rice is coated.Whisk your egg.Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to a hot wok (frying pan) over a high heat.The pan needs to be extremely hot for best results.Add the egg and scramble it quickly. Add your rice and chosen veggies.Must be stir fried energetically for 5 minutes, make sure all of the rice gets heated by moving it actively in the pan.Remove from the fire.A flavourful Chinese dishPerfectly balanced Chinese food - Egg fried rice. Photo source Pixabay.Faster Than Calling Your Local Chinese Food TakeawayMany of the Chinese dishes and recipes can be made in less than 20 minutes, so it is perfect for a treat after a hard day at work  because it is so easy. Or why not surprise your family or friends, no matter what the occasion. Have a look around your local supermarket for some of the ingredients listed above, experiment with texture â€" crispy, crunchy, Chinese sauce, dried ingredients, toss in nuts like peanuts and cashews, go with what you find, taste everything and enjoy the journey.All you need is a love for food, confidence that anything you make will be great and the assurance that you will get better with practice.  With this mindset, you cannot fail to create delicious and authentic better than takeout Chinese recipes.For a truly authentic experience eat your meal with chopsticks.It’s time for a feastEnjoy!Learn more about Asian Cooking with our guide.Panorama of Asian cuisine  The best Asian food blogs  Easy Asian recipes  Asian Cooking in a Wok  Why is Asian cooking different to Western cooking?

Setting Language Learning Goals

Setting Language Learning Goals Why You Need Language Learning Goals ChaptersThe Difference Between Goals and DreamsGoals Make It Easy to Get StartedGoals Help You Take ControlIncrease Your Focus With GoalsGoals Help You Monitor Your ProgressGoals Maximize Your ResultsGoals Define Your ProcessGoals Protect You From ProcrastinationGoals Hold You AccountableGoals Keep You Motivated and Provide MomentumGoals Minimize Your FrustrationLanguage-Learning Goals Guide You to SuccessDo you really need goals if you want to learn a new language? It can seem excessive if you’re just starting out on your path to reach fluency. Why waste time planning out a language learning strategy when you can just download an app and start taking lessons, right? The truth is that setting goals is the first (and most crucial) step to achieving fluency in any foreign language.PixabayGoals Make It Easy to Get StartedSometimes, all we need in life is a little extra push to get started. Language learning goals can do just that. When you sit down to put those ideas on paper, so to s peak, you’re making them real. Tangible. The process of setting up goals, especially S.M.A.R.T. goals, requires you to really think out your language-learning. After working to set up your language goals, you’ll know exactly how to begin and where to begin. And that makes getting started much, much easier.Goals Help You Take ControlWithout language-learning goals, your efforts won’t get you very far. One day you may feel like reading in your target language for 10 minutes, the next day, you may want to try speaking the language. Some days you’ll put in 20 minutes, others an hour, others, not at all. Sadly, these inconsistent efforts won’t lead to much. You’ll just end up spinning your wheels, wasting time.Having language learning goals puts you in control. They give you something to work towards. And every time you make progress and accomplish one of those goals, you’ll feel successful. That feeling helps you take control and continue to push forward because you’ll f eel more responsible for your own success.Increase Your Focus With GoalsIf you imagine that learning a language is kind of like climbing a mountain, then goals function as the path for you to walk on to reach the summit. Do you need a path to reach the top? Not necessarily. But having one keeps you from getting lost, or worse, having to turn back along the way. With goals, you can focus on the steps you need to take to reach fluency, saving you time and money in the process while increasing the likelihood of success in the end.Goals Help You Monitor Your ProgressGoals don’t just function as a path to guide you to fluency in a foreign language, they also serve as goal posts along the way. If you’ve ever gone on a challenging hike, you know that when the terrain gets tough, you pause every so often along the way to catch your breath. In those moments, you gaze back the way you came, seeing how far you’ve progressed.Language-learning goals allow you to do the same. Each and every day that you spend learning your target language moves you closer to the fluency’s summit. But each day is also a small step forward. These days build on top of each other. And before long, you can stop, look back, and see how far you’ve come.English has a whole host of words that can be very funny. Photo Source: Unsplash JulianESOL (English) Teacher 4.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EugeneESOL (English) Teacher 4.90 (58) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HelenESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (20) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SuzanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (2) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (8) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelESOL (English) Teacher 4.83 (41) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanneESOL (English) Teacher 5.00 (43) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGoals Maximize Your ResultsSuccessful people tend to have goals. That’s because success feels good. And when you accomplish a goal, you want to recreate that feeling, and so you go after another goal. This continuous process of setting out and achieving to recreate that feeling fuels progress.The same is true for success in language-learning. With clear goals in mind, you won’t simply stand around waiting for something to happen. You’ll get out there and make it happen. It will feel good. So, you’ll want to keep making that happen, pushing yourself forward to conquer new goals.Goals Define Your ProcessHow you learn a new language matters just as much as the tools you use to achieve it. When you have your process clearly lined out: you’ll know what to study, when, and how. This means you won’t be wasting time when you sit down to learn a new language. Instead, you’ll get right to it, achieving results faster.Goals Protect You From ProcrastinationThere are a lot of reasons people procrastinate. But you can avoid that mindset with clear goals in mind. When you’re dreaming of learning a new language, you never really take a step forward to make it happen. Instead, it just sits on the back burner of your mind. Waiting. But once you put those goals into writing and define your process, you begin moving towards the goal of eventually achieving fluency. You stop procrastinating and start making it happen.It’s important to note, though, that long-term language-learning goals can lead to procrastination. It’s much easier to push efforts down the road when we think we have more time. If you think you have 1 year to learn a language, for instance, you may be more willing to procrastinate. That’s why it’s important to set both short and long-term goals.Goals Hold You AccountableOnce you make language-learning goals, you have to deal with the psychological impact of failure. Saying, “I’m going to reach an A2 Level of Spanish in 3 m onths” means that if 3 months pass and you’re not at A1, you will have failed to reach your goal. People don’t like a failure. We don’t like letting ourselves down.Having goals in place keep us accountable, driving us to spend time practising our foreign languages. You clearly know when you fail to reach what you set out to do. So, even if you’re not in the mood to study or practice speaking in your target language, your desire to achieve your goals can move you to make those lessons happen. After all, we want to feel good about our progress, not frustrated.Often the way people speak in English is not the same as what is taught in class. Photo Source: UnsplashGoals Keep You Motivated and Provide MomentumWhen you know where you’re heading and what you need to do to get there, it’s easier to sit down and make it happen. Deadlines push people to get work done. And with clearly defined language-learning goals, you’ll know where you need to be and how you’ll plan on get ting there.If you miss a language-learning lesson, you’ll know that you’re behind. That thought will linger in the back of your mind until you make the effort to catch back up. And with each small win, you’ll gain momentum. Momentum builds on momentum. So, with clear language-learning goals in place, you’ll make increasingly greater progress over time.Goals Minimize Your FrustrationWe all have weaknesses. And the longer we have to deal with them, the more difficult it is to move past them. Often, frustrations that linger can tear us down. When you set language-learning goals, however, you can target your weaknesses, rapidly improving your abilities.Let’s say you have anxiety about speaking a foreign language. You can read and write well, and you listen with decent understanding. But when it comes to speaking, you freeze. As a solution, try creating a goal around it. Each day you start working towards improving that skill, slowly progressing towards your goal. In time, youâ €™ll improve, leaving you feeling less frustrated.Language-Learning Goals Guide You to SuccessAny time we work toward trying to achieve something incredible and challenging, we need goals. When the journey is long and complex, it’s easy to end up floating along without a clear vision of what we want to achieve. Language-learning goals make that happen. They push you forward and keep you on track so you can rapidly achieve fluency in any foreign language.On a final note, nothing works unless you put the effort into it. Language learning goals will help reach fluency faster. But at the end of the day, you’ll still need to put in the hours to make it happen.

12 Other Ways to Ask for Help in English - English Lesson via Skype

12 Other Ways to Ask for Help in English - English Lesson via Skype Here I will give you 12 other ways to ask for help in English.  Avoid using the same words and phrases over and over again, increase your English vocabulary and speak better English. 12 Other Ways to Ask for Help in English Hi there. This is Harry. And welcome back to our English lessons. Were going to talk to you today about the word help and look at different ways in which you can ask for help.But before I get onto that, just want to remind you all to subscribe to my channel as always. And if you want to keep up with news, then you should join me on www.englishlessonviaskype.com with, theres lots of helpful information, online English courses and everything that can  help you improve your English.Lets look at the ways in which we can say or ask for help.Help is the very short word and we can just say help. Somebody would come running or somebody would  say: ‘Whats wrong, whats wrong?’Just very simply to say Help.Just put a little bit of stress on it to show that you need some help. Either youre going to drop something or youve tripped or fallen or something like that.So instead of just screaming out, what other ways to ask for help in English you can use? We can just simply say to somebody:Can you help me,  please?Very simple. And instead of can, you can replace it with one of the other modal verbs.Could you help me,  please?Will you help me,  please?Exactly the same meaning, but just different ways to to, to express it.I need some assistance.A little bit more form. It could be in an office situation. The bosss struggling. He said:I think I need some assistance with this problem or this spreadsheet or my computer. Somethings happened so I need some assistance.Could you give me a hand?It means will you please help me?This is heavy. Could you give me a hand?I need to shift the bed so I can hoover, could you give me a hand?I need to move the TV into the other corner to put the Christmas tree. Could you give me a hand?So just different ways to ask for help. 12 Other Ways to Ask for Help in English Help other students to improve English Could you hold  that?This is another way to express it. You have something that you you have  in your hands and you want to do  something elseso you  say:Could you hold  that,  please?Meaning could you help me? Just hold that while I work out this  other problem or  while I pay. Hold my bag or hold my  coat or hold something. Could you hold  that?  I need your supportAgain  another way to ask for help.  Perhaps theres a vote coming up  and youre involved in the vote youre  standing for election to a little group  or a committee or something more  important and you ask somebody for the  help:I need your support. Will you vote for me? Will you get your friends to vote for  me?Would you mind helping me,  please?Again a little bit more formal.  It is a  bit more polite.  Adding would or could in front of is making it less direct and more  polite. Another one  isCould you do me a favour?Will you do me a  favour?Can you do  me a favour?  Could you pick up my laundry  when youre going past the shop?Could you do me  a favour  asking for somebody to give you  a little bit of help.  Something a little  less formal and even less informal bit  of slang:Could you give me a digout?Very British English.  To dig out  means  to help literally when you dig a hole is  to take somebody out of a problem.Could  you give me a digout meaning could you  help me with this.  Often that is used  when somebody wants to perhaps borrow  some money from you. Could you lend me a hand?Meaning just help  me for a few minutes or 20 minutes or  whatever it might be,  lend me a hand.Or you could just simply say without asking  a question:I need a helping handI need somebody to  come into the kitchen and help me with  this dinner.And then finallyCould someone help me, please?  So lots and lots of different ways  in which you can ask for help.Let me  just give them to you again:Help the simple scream for helpCould/can/will  you help me, please?  I need  some assistanceCould you give me a hand  Could you lend me a handCould you hold  thatI need your supportWould you mind  helping me?  Could you do me a favour?Could  you give me a digout?I need a helping handCould  someone help me,  please  Okay.  Join me again soon.  Thanks  

English Prepositions The Difference Between In and On

English Prepositions The Difference Between In and On As always, I learn the most about teaching English from my students. Last week a student from Brazil asked me for help with his prepositions in English. Prepositions are considered one of the most difficult aspects of learning English and many other languages, partially because it can appear that there are no clear rules for their use.My student pointed this out by asking why we say, that we read something on the internet, but in a book. At the time, I didnt have a good answer.English Prepositions In or On?After talking about this with some of our other LOI English teachers, we came to see the pattern. We read something in an object that can be physically opened, like a book or a newspaper. We read something on anything that cant be physically opened, such as the internet, a sign, or a particular page of a book i.e. I read it on page five.The conversation with my student went on to prepositions regarding places and time. Why do we say I live in Montana, but on 8th Street? Why do we meet at 5 pm but in 1996.There is a mostly logical way of remembering this. Basically, it depends on size or detail. For very definite places and times, we say at. For instance: Lets meet at 5 pm. or Let meet at the bar. For a little less definite times and places, we say on, this specifically applies to street names and days of the week. For instance: Lets meet on 8th Street. or Lets meet on Monday.And for much less specific places and times, such as states, countries, months and years, we use in. For instance: We met in California. or We met in 1998. Ok, thats all for now. I hope this helps you clear up some issues with English prepositions. If youd like to take an English lesson with us on prepositions, or any other subject, please contact us.If you enjoyed this post, please share it! Iman Very intersting and somehow rare explanation. Thanks very much.

Listen Up The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a Language

Listen Up The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a Language Its time to get back on the right track.As an adult, you might find it frustrating to struggle with language learning while  young kids become fluent just like that  .Youve probably heard people  say, Kids absorb knowledge like a sponge.So why cant it be that easy for you?Well actually, it sort of can.Maybe not exactly as easy, but close to it.Back when your vocabulary was limited to mama and dada, listening  was how you learned new words and phrases.Anything you overheard, your brain soaked up, and eventually you repeated it back.The same method will work for you as an adult, because that’s how your brain is wired to learn a language. There are plenty of other benefits to learning a language through listening, too. Why Learn a Language Through Listening?Learning a language by listening can greatly improve your success in speaking like a native and the speed at which you achieve your language goals.Lets take a look at some of the reasons for this.Some of us just learn better that wayDo you learn best by listening?If so, youre not the only one. A lot of us are the same.While some learn most efficiently by reading books and using flashcards, others are more attuned to aural learning (just a fancy term for learning by listening).For these people, using an audio CD or MP3 program is one of their best bets for becoming fluent.  It’s also a great way to practice speaking the language by responding to audio prompts.In fact, for people who learn best by listening, using other methods can be quite frustrating!So if you know youre an aural learner, don’t worryâ€"there are plenty of resources out there for you, even if your brain is a little slower than when you were three years old.Its a scientifically proven way to learn a language (for all of us)According to science, listening may be the best way to learn a language for everyone, regardless of their usual preferred language style.So its not just those who consider themselves aural learners who can benefit from listening. The rest of us can, too.Studies have shown that being exposed to the spoken language helps the brain absorb it,  even if you don’t understand what’s being said!Research on how the brain processes language has led to the revelation that hearing a language could very well be the most important aspect of a language learning curriculum. It helps our brains adapt to unfamiliar pronunciations and new grammar structures.We may even be able to learn a language in our sleep just by listening to it!Still, you probably already know that learning a language takes a lot of time and dedication, so its important to know youre putting in time and energy where its going to pay off the most. Its good to realize that learning by listening is sure to bring about results.There are lots of great resources out thereIf an aural language learning experience is what gets you to fluency, then audio CD and MP3 programs are the resources that can take you there. In these programs, you hear words , phrases and sentences spoken to you. Practices and exercises give you the opportunity to use  them yourself. These lessons increase in difficulty and complexity in a natural progression.This provides you with constant feedback about how to properly pronounce words and create sentence structures.The best thing about audio programs is that you can start learning by listening at any level. No experience in the language? No problem! By listening to audio resources, your brain will start to pick it up right away.You can easily mix audio with other methodsWhile listening may be a scientifically proven key to learning a language, combining audio programs with other methods will give your brain an extra boost.A comprehensive language learning curriculum may also include textbooks, written exercises, in-person language practice, TV programs, computer tutorials and others.FluentU  combines audio with elements of all of the above by taking real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailer s, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turning them into personalized language learning lessons.Using a combination of different approaches forces you think about language in different ways. It helps you master the breadth of language skills, from writing to participating in real conversation. Try different approaches and see what works for you. It’s not necessary to do everythingâ€"just what helps you make progress learning the language.You can learn at home, during your commute or on the goLearning a language using audio CD and MP3 programs is one of the most convenient ways to boost your fluency. You can listen to them practically anywhereâ€"whether it’s in the car, during your workout or while doing chores around the house.Bored on your commute? Waiting in line at the DMV? Sitting at home with nothing better to do? Turn on your audio language program and get learning! If you have a CD player, or a mobile device that plays MP3s, you can make the most of your do-nothing time with t hese programs.Even if youre just passively listening, your brain will still pick up the language. So if you want to learn a new language, you may as well listen to your audio language programs whenever you find yourself idle. You may be surprised how much learning you can squeeze in!Listen Up: The 5 Best Audio Programs for Learning a LanguageAt last, we reveal the top audio language learning programs that will skyrocket you to fluency! We carefully considered the options and selected these resources for their value, effectiveness and entertainment.These audio resources are highly valuable for any type of learner. In order to really understand a language, you have to practice your ability to hear it and speak it, which are exactly the skills that audio programs test you on.So listen up, and start acing your language now with audio language learning programs!PimsleurThe gist of the Pimsleur approach is this:You hear the words and phrases in the target language.You hear them in your mo ther tongue.You translate the word from your mother tongue to the target language.The course is based on research by Paul Pimsleur, a linguist who sought to discover the fastest way to learn a language. The length of each course varies from around 15 to 45 hours, depending on the language. The courses are broken up into half-hour sessions. Nearly everything is audio-based, and even the provided reading material is meant to be read along with the audio lessons. More than 50 languages are offered.Pros: With the Pimsleur method, the pressure is on you to respond with the correct translations. This provides a built-in motivation system that inspires you to do better with every attempt. The material from previous lessons is repeated in subsequent levels, so there’s a lot of reinforcement.Cons: There’s limited context provided in the lessons. Most of the vocabulary seems to be oriented toward people traveling for business. Youll learn select words and phrases, but not necessarily thos e that would be most useful to you.Levels:  There are typically up to three or four levels, with 30 lessons per level.Cost:  Price varies by language and format. German, for example, is $450 for a four-level course on MP3 ($970 on CD). All prices are listed on the Pimsleur website.iSpeakiSpeak is an MP3 language learning program from McGraw-Hill that focuses simply on learning new words. The package for each language includes 1500 high-frequency words and phrases, all in MP3 format. Each comes with a visual cue to associate with the word that appears on the screen.Simply load the program onto your MP3 player and select the word or phrase you want to hear. On an iPod, youd find this by going to “Artist” and selecting from a list of themes, then to “Audio” and selecting from a list of topics.Pros: iSpeak is compatible with iPod and most other MP3 players, so no matter your preference of device, you can use iSpeak to help you with your listening skills in the target language. T he portability and simplicity of the program make it a perfect choice for travelers.Cons: The program is limited, with just 1500 words and phrases. It doesnt do much for improving grammar and building conversation skills. There are only a handful of languages available. Still, it’s a convenient way to pick up new terms in select languages, especially if youre a beginner.Levels:  There are no distinct levels. Programs focus mainly on beginning-level vocabulary.Cost:  Programs are reasonably priced.Michel ThomasThis audio-only method provides an opportunity to learn from a “teacher” who reads a lesson and asks you to repeat it. Youre “in class” with two other students also heard on the recording. The course introduces words and phrases that are explained in detail, which you later (along with the other two students) use to construct simple sentences. The total course for each language consists of 12 hours of audio.Michel Thomas was a linguist and language teacher who spoke m any languages and developed a system for rapid language learning. He was highly successful, with diplomats and celebrities numbering among his clients. These audio CDs are based on his methods.Pros: Because there are other students recorded on the lessons, you get to feel like youre really in class, and the progression seems natural. The Michel Thomas method is a more economical alternative to the Pimsleur method. The structure of the course gives you the tools to make real conversation in a short time.Cons: The Michel Thomas method uses a lot of mnemonic devices to help you remember words and phrases. If this doesnt work for you, it may seem tedious. For some, the pace might be too slow, since it’s dependent on the progress of the other two “students.”Levels:  There are no distinct levels, but the program progresses to intermediate difficulty.Cost:  The entire series of each language will run you about $75-100.Living Language Drive TimeThe Living Language Method prides itself on giving language lessons that involve multiple senses. Its regular offerings include CDs and a book in multilevel packages that encompass audio, visual, written and interactive approaches to language learning. The company’s Drive Time series is an audio-based program designed for commuters and anyone looking for language lessons on the go.Each language comes with eight conversational lessons that guide you through vocabulary warm-up exercises, examples and opportunities to practice. You also get a CD of vocabulary words and a listener’s guidebook with vocabulary lists, dialogue scripts and summaries.Pros: The Drive Time series gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Youll progress rapidly through increasingly challenging lessons for a fraction of the price of many other programs. If you like thorough explanations of new material, this course is for you.Cons: It’s not as immersive as some other programs. The structure is very traditional, and with the explanations, there’s a lot of English on the recordings. Some learners may find the pace to be a little on the fast side.Levels: The entire eight-disc series take you from Beginner to Advanced.Cost:  The price is generally in the double digits.BerlitzA well-known name in the linguistic world, Berlitz offers a variety of language learning programs, including those that focus on audio CDs. The focus of their programs are typically conversation-based and centered around real-life conversation. Theres less focus on vocabulary and grammar lists.Berlitz has one-CD sets, like  Spanish in 30 Days, that can get you started for an upcoming trip, as well as multi-CD sets like  Italian Berlitz Basic  that give more in-depth lessons. The contents of each CD can be easily downloaded to an iPod or MP3 player.Pros: There are a lot of different Berlitz products to choose from. Using Berlitz means youll be able to get high-quality books published by the company to complement your audio learning. Berlitz uses the “direc t” or “natural” method that emphasizes learning a language to be able to communicate. For those who want to start using a language right away, Berlitz gets straight to the point.Cons: The quality of the materials on the audio language programs can vary from language to language. With more than 30 language offerings, you might not get what you expected.Levels: Most of their audio-focused products are for beginners. Their Confident series caters to “advanced beginners.” Their textbooks, which come with a CD, come in beginner to advanced levels.Cost:  Price varies widely, but expect to spend in the double digits.Audio CDs and MP3s for language learning can be the next best thing to a personal tutor.Theyll talk to you, prompt you and guide you along as you master speaking your new language. Plus, you can take them wherever you go!Your language learning doesnt have to stop in the classroom or at home.Take it with you, increase your practice time and see your efforts pay off!And One More ThingIf you dig learning real languages, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you ’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.