How to Calculate your Metabolic Rate

How to Calculate your Metabolic Rate A Personal Trainer Talks about Daily Calorific Intake and Base Rate of Metabolism ChaptersWhat is Base Metabolic Rate, Anyway?Causes of Slow Metabolic RateWhat to do About a Slow MetabolismVariations on BMR CalculationsBuilding a Health and Fitness PlanCalories and Special PopulationsThe human body is a sophisticated organism that, even today, with all modern diagnostic and imaging capability that permits real-time viewing of functional organs, still holds us enthralled.Imagine how the physiologists of yesteryear would feel if resurrected for just one day, to view human anatomy through modern technology?In their day, a body at rest was considered the same way as a body at work.No one considered the energy expenditures of the body supine: indeed, the most learned of physicians may well have proclaimed that no calories were being burned at all.That is, if they knew about calories, let alone how the body uses them.Even at rest, our bodies need energy to keep fundamental systems going.In fact, this inconspicuous calorie consumption comprises up to 70% of our daily ene rgy use.By contrast, physical activity lays claim to only 20% of our energy stores, with the remaining 10% attributed to our digestive system.Knowing one's base metabolic rate â€" or BMR is indispensable: it permits a more or less exact calculation of how many calories our bodies need just to survive.For athletes who wish to lose weight, or by contrast: want to gain muscle mass, knowing one's BMR is vital.Let us now learn more about our bodies, our metabolism, and what we can do to become the best and fittest version of ourselves.balanced meal versus empty calories, is crucial.Keeping one's body mass stable and eating as much of anything you want must be most everyone's gustatory dream!Confess: do your workmates talk about juicing and detoxing while looking over selections on the light menu at lunch?Aren't they the very same ones that you know brunch expansively after a pious Sunday morning, in the pews or at the pool.And there you are, feeling like you are packing on the pounds, no matter how skinny your meal selections are.Maintaining your current weight, and even losing any pounds, is not commensurate with how many desserts and sweets you turn away from.In fact,  food fads  and Draconian deprivation diets will go further to undermine your weight loss efforts than to facilitate them.Likewise: cutting out meals will have the undesired effect of putting your body into starvation mode, effectively slowing  down your metabolism.A slow metabolism = fewer calories burned = more body fatSkipping meals will virtually guarantee that you will not lose the weight you want in the time frame that you target.Could a health fitness professional set you on the right track, metabolically speaking?We can assure you that eating right, coupled with any sports program will indeed help boost your energy levels and assist in your weight loss efforts, but why take our word for it?If you would calculate your own BMR, you could track your success by yourself!There is quite possibly a medical reason why you are feeling like a lump on a log Source: Pixabay Credit: Chado NihiCauses of Slow Metabolic RateYou eat right, take the stairs to get to your office and take the dog on long walks at night.You snack sensibly, avoid fizzy drinks and birthdays are so great because that is the only time you ever eat cake.In short, you are a nutrition and fitness specialist's gold standard.You don't feel ideal, though. You feel tired and heavy, and stepping on the scale reveals that you are in fact gaining, rather than maintaining your weight.After taking variables such as age and gender into consideration, you would almost have to conclude that you are the victim of a slow metabolism.This condition can be brought on by any of these factors, or a combination  of them:too much cortisol, brought on by chronic stressCushing's Disease can also overstimulate adrenal glands, producing excess cortisol.Too much insulinhere too, stress can play a role in producing undesired levelsa thyro id imbalancelow estrogen / testosteronepoor body compositiona high ratio of fat to musclenatural agingAnd, of course, the aforementioned starvation diets â€" the only factor contributing to your metabolic rate that you truly have control over.online BMR calculator.Once you know your specific BMR, things get really simple...Building a Health and Fitness PlanLet's see where you are in your fitness career:been to see the doctoreliminated any serious health concerns (or are under treatment for them)taken a physical assessment testCalculated your base metabolic rateNow what?The next step really depends on what your fitness goals are.Weight Maintenance and Muscle Toning1. To keep your current weight and tone your body overall, a fitness business expert would recommend resistance training.Using bands, weights â€" dumbbells, barbells or kettlebells; assorted gym equipment and gravity, your fitness instructor would prescribe a routine that would help build muscular endurance while reinforcin g connective tissues and joints.2. If you want  to become a bodybuilder, strength training is the regimen for you.Rowers, ellipticals and pull up bars â€" you will find it easy to bulk up with this type of regimen.Your training program could include isometrics,  interval training or crossfit.3. Proper nutrition â€" fuel is important at any phase of sports conditioning.  and should be targeted to your desired results.To that end, consulting with a registered dietitian or fitness nutrition specialist is always advisable.Your personal  trainer most likely works with such an expert â€" or has undergone certification programs himself, so that s/he is qualified to counsel you on food choices.Don't reward yourself with food after a workout! Source: Pixabay Credit: Ryan McGuireCalories and Special PopulationsOne third of all UK  children, and a quarter of the overall population are obese.Nationally,  a whopping three-quarters of Britons are overweight!Of those, we find that seniors, the eco nomically disadvantaged and the disabled are the most likely to struggle with obesity.In spite of programs targeted to senior fitness and even sports events exclusively for disabled athletes, Britons of every stripe  continue live in the shadow of this health threat.And if our children continue on this path, we can only expect that shadow to grow.Youth fitness programs and group exercise classes might not be the only solution.Of course, personal fitness training is paramount, but perhaps we should instruct our young on practical skills with regard to diet and nutrition.Food gardening is an excellent way to get kids involved in nutrition: planting and caring for food stocks can forge a mind body connextion that could revolutionise they way they think about eating.And it is a great way to get them up and moving: off the sofa and away from the gaming console, too!As long as they are out of doors, how about squeezing some functional training in?This type of physical exercise program  pr ovides an individualized focus on meaningful tasks, such as walking, climbing stairs and carrying (book bags, groceries and the like).Functional training builds the muscles that support the body's core, otherwise known as the torso.Motivating your child (or parent) to get moving can be difficult, but you should never offer food as an incentive to working out!The goal of functional training is to build strength and flexibility, and to move on to the next level of health and wellness.Don't defeat all of that hard work by rewarding the least bit of effort with a treat!Once your little trainer (or senior trainer!) is motivated and ready to take the next step, place accountability for his caloric intake back on him.It is at that point that you should share knowledge of how poor food choices affect one's body and well-being.A fitness and nutrition education will serve your child, parent and you better than any amount of exercise science or interval training  ever could.As long as you know about calories, how they are used and how many you need, you could help others get fit.We're talking about the work mates who drizzle dressing on their salads at lunch, naturally.

How to Speak the Queens English

How to Speak the Queens English Learn to Speak The Queen's English ChaptersEnglish Lessons: What is 'The Queen's English'?Learn English: What is BBC English?The Queen's English vs BBC English: What Defines Them?How to Speak English Clearly and EffectivelyWhere to Find a Suitable English Language TutorHow to Learn New English WordsIs Speaking English with an Accent really Important?At the start of your English learning adventure, choosing a speaking style - American English versus British English for example, has great significance and relevance.The worst consequence of choosing badly depends on where you will eventually live, study, and work. For example, adopting a north American vocabulary could risk your not being well understood anywhere in the UK or Australia.Throw it all against the wall and see what sticksThat is a slang phrase that means “try every avenue and method to see which one will yield faster, better results.”Many non native English speakers hoping to study outside of their home country avidly apply at every possible institute of higher learning that recruits international students, regardless of what country, in the hopes of being accepted at any one of them.Such a practice puts the English learner at a disadvantage because, in anticipation of IELTS or TOEFL results, s/he does not know which style of English to increase competency in.Assuming that you have selected Britain as your destination of choice and have only sat IELTS, you might ponder which accent and style of British English you should cultivate in order for your speech to be effective.Many non-native English speakers logically aim for the poshest sounding tone but is sounding posh vital in everyday English?Let us explore why the Queen's English is revered, BBC English is lovingly mocked and whether either one of them are actually ever used in ordinary English conversation.The King (or Queen, if there was no king) routinely addressed his/her subjects in public speeches, putting their ability to speechify on display for all to see. The general sen timent was that the sovereign was an educated, talented, knowledgeable and revered being.“Why, just listen to him speak! So refined, so smart...” they must have said.The Queen's English (or the King's English, if there is a male ruler in place) represents the epitome of education, polish and poise.The Oxford Dictionary of Living English defines Queen's English as:The English language, as written and spoken by educated people in Britain.They are not suggesting that people who speak Welsh, Scottish or Cockney are uneducated.    Rather, that statement is a reflection of the long-held tradition that the British ruler represents the ultimate in social refinement and therefore, the highest level  of education.To speak English like the Queen, you must first slow your speech. While many native English speakers tend to speak relatively fast and inject a lot of slang phrases, the  Queen's English is thought to be free of colloquialisms and deliberately, exactly articulated.The phrase Quee n's English does not refer to accent or regional variations of English in general. Her particular brand of English speaking mainly involves alterations of vowel sounds.We also note that analysis of her recorded speeches over the years has demonstrated a shift toward the more popular Estuary English, a London accent from counties adjoining the river Thames.BBC English is a cultivated accent (Source: Pixabay Credit: DesignFile)Learn English: What is BBC English?IELTS candidates and those learning English as a second language often find that listening to BBC Radio or watching popular British television programs helps in learning English pronunciation and honing English listening skills.It is never a bad idea to improve your English by emulating native English speakers.  However, you should be aware of what exactly you are copying.Is BBC English a good model for ESL  students to follow?Let us delve again into the history books to see why this style of spoken English features so prominen tly in ESOL courses  all over the world.The BBC starting broadcasting radio programmes in 1922, under a Royal Charter.  The trouble was, not everyone spoke or understood BBC presenters' spoken English.To this day, Britain has more than recognises  fifty-six regional dialects, with the London accent and expressions having always been thought as the most popular.Because the BBC was headquartered in London, radio hosts cultivated an exaggerated manner of speaking that regional banter, to better be understood over the tricky wireless airwaves.In keeping with the demonstrated example of properly spoken English transmitted on the air and heard all over the world, the teaching of grammar,  vocabulary and especially pronunciation in UK schools was revolutionized.It is not uncommon for a country to formulate a standardized version of its native language, all while maintaining local dialects.To standardize the English language in the UK, school curricula were modified to teach Received Pronun ciation, sometimes to the detriment of the existing national language, such as Irish.English Language StandardizationGlobal  broadcasting of BBC English, or RP â€" as Received Pronunciation is often called was, in fact, the beginning of standardization of the English language in the UK.Standardization of any language including English involves:Codification â€" how standard language is validateddictionaries, grammar and vocabulary textbooks, style and usage guides.Dialect levelingLanguage ecology and planningUsageThe English language is currently undergoing further standardization because of the popularity of movies and music in English.This time, the shift is more toward a north American accent, or a neutral accent.What does that mean for all of you, who are developing English language skills? The Queen's English vs BBC English: What Defines Them?The Queen's English is not an accent. It is a slower speech pattern distinguished by elongated vowel sounds.The Queen's (or King's) Englis h is considered Standard English that is not necessarily spoken in conjunction with RP.BBC English, or Received Pronunciation is considered a cultivated accent, not a natural speech pattern developed by a segment of society, as other dialects are.Only about two percent of Britons speak RP in its purest form. - David Williaminspires more confidence when spoken.You only need to study English with the end goal of becoming fluent.Apply pronunciation rules to any new words you learn (Source: Pixabay Credit: Alexa Photos)Where to Find a Suitable English Language TutorYou might wonder about that ‘suitable’ qualifier. Isn’t anyone who speaks English qualified to tutor in the spoken language?In theory, yes. Practice is a different kettle altogether, for several reasons.Depending on where in the world you live, you may not have access to native English speakers and, if you do, they might not speak the type of English you are striving to learn.In spite of global gravitation to a ‘regio n neutral’ adaptation to the English language, there are still distinct accents, dialects and vocabulary to contend with.A good example of variances in vocabulary is the word ‘jumper’.In British English, a jumper is a knit garment that covers the torso and arms; in other words: a sweater.In other English speaking countries, that same article of clothing would simply be called a sweater, while a jumper would represent a sleeveless dress worn over a blouse.Turnabout is fair play! In Great Britain, such a dress is called a pinafore.You can see where the confusion would start... right?This trouble is exacerbated by the policy of some non-English speaking countries to learn and teach both British and American English and blending the two.If you live in Poland or India, two diverse examples of situations that involve English learning, most likely you will be exposed to and have access to British English speakers.However, if you live in China, Japan or South Korea, your English curri culum at school may consist of a mix of the various styles of English. You may, for example, use a textbook that reflects American English but any recordings or videos could be in British English.Furthermore, your school’s curriculum may place less emphasis on your learning and practising pronunciation, favouring instead your acquisition of vocabulary and your understanding of grammar rules, proven through rigorous exams.Finally, any Native English speaker working as a foreign teacher you encounter in your country might speak with either British, Australian or American pronunciation.Remember: the most important criterion in finding an English teacher to learn with is what your purpose and goals are with regard to your use of English.With all of the factors to consider, how can you find your ideal English teacher: one you click with on a personal level â€" a very important aspect of taking lessons, and that you can learn well from?First, ask around.If you have a native English spea ker for a teacher in your classes, ask him or her if s/he may give private lessons. If s/he doesn’t, ask if s/he has any friends or colleagues who are local that might be interested in taking you on.It is not recommended that you approach random English speakers on the street to ask them if they might help you practise your spoken English.One reason is that you do not know that person. Will s/he have time and interest in teaching English pronunciation outside of class? Is s/he a good teacher, one who cares about your learning or someone who might charge you a high price and not do much to help you improve?Yes, such teachers do exist!Another reason is that foreign teachers hear such requests all the time! Many expatriate teachers report burnout, in part because of the excessive demands from virtually everyone they encounter to help them learn and practise speaking English.So, be considerate! Let those foreign teachers go about their business; there are other ways for you to find a teacher to help cultivate your English pronunciation.Students of all types make use of online learning tools; so can you! Source: Pixabay Credit: RawpixelTake a look online.Because learning English is a global undertaking, there are tons of resources online to help guide your English pronunciation and more are added seemingly every day.None would be better than having a regular chat with an English speaker who is invested in your learning. In other words: a tutor.Finding a tutor to work on your pronunciation has never been easier, thanks to platforms such as Italki, LiveLingua and Tutoroo.Italki is a language learning website where you get to choose your teacher. After signing up (it’s free!), you simply scroll through teacher profiles until you find the teacher most suited to your English learning goals.Take a quick look at his/her calendar: does s/he have open time slots that correspond with your schedule? You are in luck! Mark your place and, at the appointed time, join your te acher online for a lively chat.On Italki, you only pay for the sessions you participate in. There are no other fees, no membership costs and no overhead costs.And, if you’d like to be an ambassador for your native language, you could sign up for language exchange and let people find you! You would teach your native tongue to interested parties and they, in turn, would help you cultivate your English pronunciation. Participation in this programme can offset your costs of mastering English pronunciation.LiveLingua also enjoys a great reputation for online language learning.One of their best selling points is that they have native English speakers from each of the four most sought-after regions: Canada, the UK and US, as well as Australia.Here again, you select which teacher you’d most like to work with and meet on Skype for your lessons, according to the schedule you outlined!There are so many language exchange platforms out there that we could write a separate article about them and still not cover them all!Learning English Pronunciation in EnglandIf you are already living in England and wish to improve your English pronunciation, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding conversation partners!The only aspect of selecting a tutor or teacher would be, again, whether you would learn Received Pronunciation or the Queen’s English.As mentioned before, our royals speak very well but not necessarily in an everyday vernacular. BBC English has its share of critics, too.Perhaps it would be best to adopt the accent, speech patterns and phrases particular to your area, at least initially, so that you can communicate and understand the people you deal with daily: shopkeepers, neighbours and maybe even your children’s school teacher.As such, you would need to narrow your search for a language teacher to your immediate area.Have you talked with anyone at your local community centre?Oftentimes, such facilities offer language classes and have contact informati on of teachers and tutors  who might live or work close to you, who would be happy to work on your language skills with you.You might also check in with your local library. It is fairly common for libraries to sponsor continuous learning programmes and, as such, likely keep a roster of training volunteers handy.If you’d rather not talk with anyone about your language learning needs just yet, how about scanning bulletin boards?Both your community centre and library have such boards, usually mounted by the entrance to the facility, with adverts from anyone offering services from car repairs to language lessons.You might also find such adverts at your local supermarket, petrol station and even on college campuses!And, naturally, you could search online for a tutor close to you.Your Superprof recommends against searching social media sites such as Facebook and services sites like Craigslist because you might be hard-pressed to verify any potential teachers’ credentials or experience in teaching.Likewise, you could search for an English tutor on Gumtree or Freeads but, again: how would you know such a teacher has the experience needed to help you master English pronunciation?The wise choice would be to head directly to a learning website; a tutoring platform where you can find everything you need to know about any tutor you’d like to work with.While there are plenty such sites to be found, obviously Superprof offers you the superior choice.You may search for a tutor in your area or work with a teacher strictly online â€" Superprof tutors work much like the aforementioned Italki teachers insofar as giving lessons online.Every Superprof tutor has their own profile page where they list their credentials and experience, indicate whether they would come to your home, or meet you out somewhere â€" or whether you would work together via webcam.Most importantly, you will be able to read testimonials from other students this tutor has worked with.Every tutor sets thei r own rates based on their experience and the level they teach at, and most Superprof tutors offer their first hour of lessons at no cost!Best of all: there are Superprof tutors available online just about anywhere in the world!Whether you are a postgraduate student preparing to sit IELTS in your native country or have recently arrived in the UK with the intent of making it your home, you should know that your English pronunciation will be of paramount importance.If you are newly arrived in London, you may be overwhelmed at how fast people talk! Source: Pixabay Credit: Free-PhotosThe debate continues: Queen’s English or Received Pronunciation? How about just speaking English in such a way that you will be understood?Next, we share some simple rules of English pronunciation  so that you can be ready for when your Superprof tutor expounds on them!How to Learn New English WordsMore important than adopting any particular accent is being able to speak English using the proper tone and stress.Inflexion is defined as stress or pitch in the voice when speaking.Like many other languages that use stress, tone or pitch to give meaning to their words, English also has rules for inflexion that you must follow.For two (spoken) syllable nouns, the first syllable is stressed: TA-ble, DRES-ser, WIN-dow, etc.PIC-ture and SYL-lable technically have three syllables but, because the last syllable is silent, it is pronounced as a two-syllable word.For two-syllable verbs, the rule is reversed: ad-MIT, pro-TECT, in-SERT, re-LAX.Two-syllable prepositions are spoken the same as two-syllable verbs.You should adopt and follow these principles as you practice English vocabulary, so that any native English speaker will understand you, every time, without the benefit of any regional  accent.Find a private tutor to help you with your ESOL courses.Is Speaking English with an Accent really Important?Finding quality programs to learn English online is not difficult and, more and more, online English is moving toward a neutral accent â€" neither British, Australian or north American.The British Council uses Standard English in its podcasts and lessons targeted at non native speakers who are learning English. The narrators use a variety of accents to teach English, edging ever more away from any affected speech.BBC reporters and  presenters will most likely continue to broadcast using a Received Pronunciation accent in spite of the mild ridicule that those who emulate that manner of speaking endure.The Queen will most likely continue to speak Standard English slowly and clearly, with drawn-out vowel sounds.How you cultivate your English language skills will depend on where you live, what your preference is and how your English teacher inflects.The important thing is that you are learning the language that more and more people of the world know how to speak.Learn how to perfect your English accent with our guide to pronunciation.

Learn to Speak Mandarin Chinese with Private Tutors

Learn to Speak Mandarin Chinese with Private Tutors Learning Chinese with a Private Tutor ChaptersWhere Can You Find Chinese Private Tutors?How Do You Choose the Right Private Chinese Tutor?The Advantages of Private Chinese TutorialsHow Much Do Chinese Tutorials Cost?How Can You Make Your Private Chinese Tutorials More Affordable?How Many Tutorials Does It Take to Speak Chinese?“Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself” - Chinese ProverbWith over 955 million native speakers, Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world. Spoken in China, Taiwan, and Singapore, Chinese is the language for those who want an international business career.So why not get started today?Private tutorials can help you learn to speak Chinese fluently. Keep in mind that for the purpose of simplicity, when we say Chinese, we mean Chinese Mandarin Londonand not the other Chinese languages such as Cantonese or Wu, for example. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChin ese 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 tutorsWhere Can You Find Chinese Private Tutors?Learning Chinese isn’t very common. Most students learn French, Spanish, German, or Italian. That said, this was the first year where more students decided to learn Mandarin than German at A Level!However, being able to speak Chinese is a huge advantage if you want a business career or just to travel and learn more about Chinese culture.Notice boards are still a really useful way to find private tutors. (Source: Pexels)Getting a private Chinese tutor who lives near you might be the perfect solution.But how do you find one?The tried-and-tested met hod is to have a look at the classified ads on notice boards in local businesses. While these have become less common in the internet age, they still exist.You can find out a little bit about the lessons they offer (Mandarin for beginners, private tutorials, intensive courses, etc.) and get a contact telephone number for them.Word of mouth also works really well when it comes to finding private tutors. Talk to a few friends and your family and you’ll soon find someone.Going online and searching  on social media is another great way to find people. This system is very effective because word spreads very quickly on the internet. You can also have a look for tutors by using search engines like Google.You’ll come across platforms like Superprof. These platforms help students get in touch with suitable private Chinese tutors. You just need to have a look at their profiles and choose your favourites.How Do You Choose the Right Private Chinese Tutor?How can you be sure you’ve chosen the right tutor as soon as you start your Chinese lessons?You need to get on well with them and be left wanting to learn more about Chinese and to progress.Everyone’s had a teacher that’s helped them fall in love with a subject. This is essential when it comes to learning languages.Learning Chinese is far less stressful with a private tutor! (Source: JESHOOTScom)In order to find the perfect tutor, you need to spend some time thinking about exactly what you want so that you can find the profile that corresponds to your wants and needs. Your reasons for learning Chinese can be professional or personal (travelling to China, learning about the culture, etc.).Would you like to learn a lot about Chinese culture or focus on the technical aspects of the Chinese language (Chinese grammar, pronouns, numbers, adjectives, tenses, etc.)?You can learn how to introduce yourself, have a simple conversation, and ask for directions after just a few lessons with a private tutor.There are plenty of different types of tutors when it comes to private tutorials. They might be students, retired teachers, or native Chinese speakers. The latter can be really useful if you need to focus on your pronunciation and accent.In any case, make sure you talk to any potential tutor before getting lessons with them. A lot of the tutors on Superprof offer free tuition for the first hour so you can work out the details of your lessons and see whether you get along or not. Make the most of this!You may also be interested in knowing where you can study Mandarin... 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 Tea cher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Advantages of Private Chinese TutorialsThere are plenty of advantages to getting private tutorials, regardless of what you’re learning. Academic support isn’t the only reason to get private tutorials. A lot of people use private tutorials to learn a new skill or do something enjoyable.Your tutor can also help you see China in a different way. (Source: bartwrite)Private Chinese tutorials allow you to progress at your own pace. You don’t need to worry about keeping up with the rest of the group or being held back by them. If you want to take your time going over something because you haven’t understood it, you can whenever you want. For example, if you're interested in Chinese speaking tutorials, your language learning can focus on the conversational aspects and speaking Chinese rather than getting bogged down with really dry grammar rules.Furthermore, you g et to choose when and how often you have your private tutorials. If you’re really busy, you and your private Chinese tutor can work out a schedule that works for both of you.You’ll also get tailored feedback with a private Chinese tutor. This can help you progress more quickly.If you’re more interested in a certain topic, you and your tutor can focus on that. Whether it’s Chinese calligraphy, learning Pinyin, Chinese characters, speaking, translation, pronunciation, or listening, you can choose exactly what you want to learn.Learn also what you need to prepare yourself for Chinese lessons...How Much Do Chinese Tutorials Cost?The cost is going to be an important thing to consider when learning Mandarin with private tutorials.Travelling to China can also help you learn Mandarin pretty quickly. (Source: Jing)You’re going to have to invest in textbooks or pay a private tutor (or both).  You need to know that your tutor also has to prepare your tutorials. This time will be fact ored into their hourly rate.  As private tutors are self-employed, they also need to budget for any other expenditures involved in helping you learn Mandarin Chinese. The amount you pay doesn’t go directly into their pocket.You need to know that the rates will change according to your tutor’s experience and qualifications. If you’re a beginner and just getting started with Chinese, you could opt for a student to help you learn the basics. Their rates will be lower than a retired Chinese lecturer or native speaker. Even though they're also a learner, if they're better at Chinese than you, they can teach you!However, if you need to focus on Chinese pronunciation or a particular dialect, you're going to need to invest in a native speaker or maybe even immersion!You also need to consider the type of tutorial and where it takes place.  On Superprof, the average cost of Chinese tutorials in London is £23 per hour. However, that means that there are tutors charging more and less tha n this figure.How Can You Make Your Private Chinese Tutorials More Affordable?Private Chinese tutorials might seem quite expensive at first glance. You need to consider whether you’ll progress more quickly with a private Chinese tutor or by attending Chinese classes in a private language school.  Here are some tips for getting the most out of your tutorials.Speak Regularly with Your TutorHaving a private tutor for learning Chinese is a great way to quickly advance. However, you have to be honest with your tutor. Don’t hesitate to talk to them if you’re having difficulties or have any doubts about the tones, certain phrases, or how to put together a sentence in your new language.  Since you’re not in a group class, you can basically ask whatever you want. There are no stupid questions.Work On What You Find DifficultIt’s pointless spending hours studying something you’re already good at. To get the most out of each hour of Chinese tuition, work on what you find difficult w ith your tutor and try to structure your course around this.Prepare for Your Next TutorialTo make quick progress, you’ll need to work outside of your tutorials and study for your next session. Don’t wait until your next tutorial to do some work.  Go back over your previous tutorial, look at the exercises you did in class, or ask your tutor for homework to be getting on with.Speak Chinese!If you’re going to speak Chinese, you’re going to have to practise it.But with whom?Talk to your tutor, of course. Ask them if you can spend a certain part of the tutorial speaking in Chinese.You can also find someone to practise speaking with at language exchanges.Why not travel to China?This is a great way to motivate yourself. Having a conversation in Chinese is a great way to improve your pronunciation over time.Use Chinese CultureTo learn Chinese, you have to have fun. Watch Chinese films or read Chinese books. Music is also a great way to improve your listening skills.How Many Tutorial s Does It Take to Speak Chinese?It’s difficult to give a single answer to this question as it depends on the tutor and the student. There are a lot of criteria to consider when estimating how quickly a student will learn in private tutorials.Firstly, it’ll depend on your motivation. Those who are more motivated will spend longer studying Chinese characters and watching films and series in Chinese. They’ll be passionate about doing it, too.On the other hand, others may see Chinese as a new skill they have to learn without really wanting to become fluent in the languages. If you don’t study between tutorials, your progress will be slower.You also need to consider how much free time you have and how you can juggle your profession, family life, studying Chinese characters and vocabulary, etc. Furthermore, some people are really gifted when it comes to learning foreign languages. These people will make quick progress. It all depends on the type of person and their motivation.Don' t forget that if you can't find any tutors near where you live, you can always learn Chinese online. Thanks to the internet and video conferencing, you can arrange tutorials over Skype, for example, and a tutor anywhere in the world can teach you how to speak and write Chinese phrases, for example, at any time of the day.This is also a great option for those that work irregular hours or need to study at very specific times of the day as you can turn your study into a classroom for a few hours a week.Now discover other ways you could learn Chinese!

How to Help Math-Phobic Students This School Year

How to Help Math-Phobic Students This School Year This post is part of our 2017 Back-to-School Series. Throughout the month of August, visit the Varsity Tutors blog for back-to-school advice, tips, and tricks for all ages. Did you spend countless evenings arguing with your student over his or her math homework last school year? Dont worryyoure not alone, and the good news is math class doesnt have to be so painful this year. There are ways that you can help your child gain confidence in his or her math skills. For instance, you can help your math-phobic student this school year by understanding whats causing the trouble, learning what the math expectations will be this year, and dedicating time each day to math homework and practice. Understand whats causing your student trouble in math class Understanding the cause of your childs troubles is essential to helping him or her succeed this school year. Spend some time with your student leading up to the beginning of the school year, and listen to what exactly is causing the math struggle. It might take some time for the truth to come out, but pinpointing trouble areas will be helpful in the coming year. For example: Maybe your student isnt fully confident with the basic skills, such as fact families and times tables. Perhaps its a certain skill, like long division, that stops your child in his or her tracks. It could be that dreaded word problems constantly make your student scratch his or her head. Whatever it is (and it could also be a few different areas), make sure that you and your child are on the same page and can work toward strengthening those skills. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help with Elementary Homework Challenges] Spend a set amount of time every day on math Once youve figuredout the trouble spots, reach an agreement with your child about spending a set amount of time working on those skillseven ten minutes a day can make a difference. Perhaps your school sent home a math packet to work on, or perhaps you can review division flashcards together. Varsity Tutors also has an extensive collection of grade-appropriate online math help. Find a math tutor this school year Now might be a great time to find a math tutor for your student. The time right before school is crucial for getting your student back into the swing of things, as well as refreshed on concepts he or she has already learned. This sets your child up for immediate success. Finding a tutor now is also a good idea because by the time a student needs help, it is often a race against time to get him or her back on track. Being prepared before the start of the school year can eliminate stress and help your student feel more confident in math class. It can also help your child ace that first test, which is often a moment when confidence is either built or crushed. Learn as much as you can about this years math expectations Is there a math syllabus you can access on your schools online parent portal? If so, read about the upcoming year and know ahead of time what will be expected of your student. If the teacher has a strict homework policy and you know your student struggled with this last year, talk with your child about what can make homework a better experience. If your students teacher is basing the grade on only three tests per semester, talk with your child about how to work on test preparation and note-taking strategies. See how accessible the teacher is and prepare any questions for back-to-school night. Remember, everyone wants to help your student do well! Stay on track with math this school year Its wise to review and practice skill-building in the summer, but constantly communicating with your child throughout the year is necessary as well. There may be resistance and avoidance in trouble subjects for students. This requires even more checking in. This also means following up with the teacher if your student falls behind or is not understanding the material. It is possible to make this year less fraught with tension in the math arena. Good luck to you and your student! Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Solving Proportions - Maths Online Tutoring

Solving Proportions - Maths Online Tutoring Polynomial in math means an equation containing two or more than two term. The word poly means many. Each term can consists of one or more than one unknown variables with different coefficients and constant numbers. Each variable can have different exponent values. The highest exponent is called as the degree of the polynomial. There are various mathematical operations which are used to simplify and solve the given polynomial. Example 1: Simplify the polynomial expression, 5 x4 2 x3 + x2 3 x + 2 when given x = 1. Solution: The above algebraic expression contains variable x with different exponents. Degree of the polynomial is equal to 4. So substituting x = 1 in the place of x in the above polynomial expression, we get 5 (1)4 2 (1)3 + (1)2 3 (1) + 2 5 (1) 2 (1) + (1) 3 (1) + 2; 5 - 2+ 1 - 3 + 2 = 3 The value of the above polynomial expression is 3. Example 2: Simplify the polynomial expression, x5 5 x3 + x2 + 5 x + 1 when given x = -1. Solution: The above algebraic expression contains variable x with different exponents. Degree of the polynomial is equal to 5. So substituting x = -1 in the place of x in the above polynomial expression, we get (-1)5 5 (-1)3 + (-1)2 + 5 (-1) + 1 (-1) + 5 (1) + (1) - (5) + 1; -1 + 5 + 1 - 5 + 1 = 1 The value of the above polynomial expression is 1.

Pull Out - Phrasal Verb of the Day

Pull Out - Phrasal Verb of the Day Todays phrasal verb of the day is: Pull OutInfinitive form: Pull OutPresent Tense: Pull Out/ Pulls Outing form: Pulling OutPast tense: Pulled OutParticiple: Pulled OutPull out is a separable English phrasal verb. It can be used in different ways:When something or someone leaves a place.1. We can pull out by noon if everyone is ready.2. Jack saw the train pulling out as soon as he got there.In the context of vehicles, it means leaving a parking space and entering the street or other driving area.1. They say that prevention is better than cure; therefore, it is a good idea to wear your seat belt before you pull out of the parking space.2. The robbers pulled out of the driveway so fast that it left skid marks!When you draw (weapons) or take/remove something.1.  When Detective Jones pulled his pistol out, the townspeople fell silent.2. What do we have here on the bill? This service is pulling money out of my account every month!When someone wants to cancel an arrangement or agreement or to stop being involved in something.1. The businessman pulled out of the deal at the last minute because he realized that its not really worth it.2. The clients are pulling out of the original agreement to start a new campaign.When soldiers are removed from a location as needed; a retreat.1. The president pulled most of the troops of Iraq in order to help the Typhoon victims in the Philippines.2. The soldiers were pulled out almost as soon as they arrived in the battlefield.Note: Pullout (n.) when used as a noun, means soldiers were being removed from  a place.i.e.: The pullout happened as ordered by the president.Watch the movie clip below for an example of Pull Out being used in a sentence. It only gets used twice in this clip from Old School, but the clip is really funny, and worth watching.Exercises: Write your answers in comments and we will correct them.Fill in the gap from the video above:1. You should ____ that ____.2. Wait, wait, ____ what ___.Why is Will Ferrells charact er so confused?Complete the sentences below with the correct form of Pull Out.1. Please do not ____ of this wonderful deal without thinking deeply about it first.2. If you dont stop _____ money ___ of my bank account right now, Im going to file a complaint.3.  Does this have anything to do with the soldiers being ____ ___ of the country?4. Dont even think about ___ __ your wallet. The police might think its a weapon and end up shooting at us.5. I wish you could ____ __ of the driveway without destroying  my lovely plants.

Six Tips for Building Your Teens Confidence

Six Tips for Building Your Teen’s Confidence The teen years can be exciting, tumultuous and full of change. Some teens take it all in stride while others struggle with the impending life decisions and the overall stress of school. One of the best things you as a parent can do to help your teen is build his or her confidence. Confident teens have a good attitude about school, are persistent and tend to weather the ups and downs effectively. What can you do to bolster your teens confidence? Here are six tips: Let your teen struggle. Often, learning occurs when teens have to muddle through things and figure them out for themselves. Resist the urge to step in and fix problems for your teen. Over-helping with homework and problem solving does your teen no favors in the long run. Encourage goal setting. Goal setting is a valuable process for many reasons. It gets your teen thinking about the future, keeps him or her focused on how to achieve important endeavors, and guides your teen toward personal growth. That said, it is important that you let your teen own this process. Its fine to get your teens wheels turning and offer ideas and support, but the goals themselves should be your teensnot your goals for your teen. Teach your teen to care about what he or she can control. Everyone tries and fails sometimes. Remind your teen to take pride in his or her efforts and diligence rather than focus solely on desired outcomes. Acknowledge the development that occurs when your teen puts in the work. Nudge your teen toward taking risks. Playing it safe all the time limits growth. Your teen might one day go on to start a business or have a job that requires frequent decision making based on different pros/cons and risk factors. Taking calculated risks and pushing oneself to try new things have advantagesand your teen will learn from any missteps. Put your teen in charge. Hopefully you have given your teen the opportunity to make decisions often throughout his or her life, but this is especially important in high school. Your teen needs to learn how to weigh options and be decisiveand also how to pivot to try new approaches after making poor decisions. Be a good role model. Mom and Dad, dont underestimate the influence you can have on your teen every single day. Take pride in your accomplishments. Try something new and give it your best. Learn from your mistakes and share with your teen how you do soand how you grow from the experience. Confidence isnt something that you can simply give to your teen, but you are in a great position to help him or her nurture and develop it. Believe in your teen and express that faith in his or her abilities. The long-term benefits of a confident mindset are so great that your efforts are definitely worthwhile.

Bringing Up a Child to Become a Leader

Bringing Up a Child to Become a Leader In todays world, the conditions of competition, for many parents is to want their child to stand out from the middle peasant by a bright personality as a leader. With this image they associate many expectations. There is an idea from which leaders can earn a lot by achieving success in life and have access to all the benefits.  Somehow miraculously they are doing well in the family and in their careers.  This is the best future that parents wish for their children.  It helps to figure out how to make the leader out of the child, and, it ensures success is guaranteed to him. Therefore, here is the complete appropriate procedure to rise a leader in your child: From the Beginning There are several pitfalls on this good path, and if you basically think about how  to raise a child successfully  and not happy, you may have fallen into one of them.  Most often this trap of their ambitions. Therefore, the parents who have not achieved the life success that they thought for themselves, often  overload this task on the child  .They do not take into account its propensities and resources, impose their will, and together with it a hundred developing circles from early childhood.  Often already to school, these  children experience an overload  and they begin to have problems with the assimilation of information, even if before they had good data.  The child becomes distracted and inattentive, refuses to engage at all or begins to often get sick.  He seems to be dumb, parents are horrified, and their plan for intensive development for the next five years melts along with the image of a successful son or daughter.  Let us reformulate for the use of the business.  The id ea of ??making a leader out of a child it gives fanaticism, while developing leadership qualities in it is reasonable and useful. You can distinguish three key qualities of a leader that can and should be educated in a child: Initiative Responsibility Planning time and goals Bonus can be said about such a skill as the desire to exceed standards. Initiative Leaders can differ from ordinary people in that they do not swim with the flow, but themselves rule their destiny.  One of the main qualities to make life as you want is initiative. Initiative can and should be encouraged from an early age.  Its formation begins with the fact that you support the childs impulses to do something on your own: dress, sweep the floor, and go to the store- attention- even if it seems to you that he will cope with the task badly. Encourage important any attempts, regardless of the result, which they brought.  At such moments, keep in focus that you develop quality in the child initiative, and do not teach it a specific skill: clean sweep or immaculately nail the nail. Mastering a skill is a separate process and you can return to it at another time.  With the initiative this does not work you either support the momentum here and now, or suppress it, and with it the desire of the child to manifest itself in general. Support the initiative of the child and provide instructions: how it works, what options can be and how to do it optimally.  Together, discuss the result and say that the next time you can add to get better. Responsibility for selection That the child has  learned to bear responsibility   it is necessary for him to transfer this responsibility.  Responsibility always goes bundled with a choice.  What does this mean?  To demand responsibility from the child is possible only for those decisions which he has chosen independently. The algorithm for creating such a liability is as follows: In the first step, we give the child options: Are you going to be ice cream right now or in the evening?  Are we going to the park or to the playground? In the second step, we  explain what each option will follow: You can eat your ice cream now but then in the evening, when we eat everything together, your portion will not be there anymore. To be responsible for the chosen solution means to cope with the consequences of your choice.  (Here it is important for parents to be consistent and to act according to the proposed scenario) In the third step, we  explain to the child how to deal with the consequences of the choice that he made: If you are offended and sad in the evening while others are eating ice cream tell your friends that you ate your portion at daytime and call them to play with you sooner. Constructive sequence is mentioned below: we accept honesty if the child confesses we discuss why it happened, what motives, intentions we say how to eliminate the consequences send the child to eliminate the consequences responsibility Planning Absolutely accurately formed leadership skill is the  planning of time.  Its great if the parents themselves have this habit in this case the child adopts it organically and without special efforts. The most familiar and affordable option in time planning is the scheduling of the day.  What is important are mentioned below: 1. Make a schedule with the child, discuss how much time it will take, what to include in the plan necessarily, and what is optional. 2. Do not make a rigid per-minute sect.  It is enough to prescribe the sequence of actions and to designate check-points fixed points: the time of the beginning of classes, circles, going to sleep and so on. 3. On weekends, talk to your child about the plan for the day: what and when you want to do, so that from the very morning he had a basic picture of the day, or better both days off. 4. Give the child a simple mechanical timer teach him to pinpoint time, how much he spends on this or that thing. This is a great help in time management and self-discipline.  Agree on an approximate amount of time for each case.  I began to do my homework 30 minutes.  I sat down to play fixed an hour.  Time is up the timer has rung a signal to change activities.  Here an important point: the timer should really be mechanical, and not built into the phone or tablet.  Do not exacerbate the attachment to gadgets. Planning goals  is a task that can be put to children, starting from 10-12 years. Before undertaking any business, say what result you would like to receive.  As in all other qualities, this is the case when children ideally learn from their parents. The characteristic of a leader as the desire to exceed the standards Pay attention to the childs ability to perform some tasks (those that seem interesting to him), especially well, above the standard requirements.  Consider here two points: It is important to choose the tasks that are really of particular interest to your child. It is important to stimulate it to show creativity, when the average result is achieved, ask questions, come up with: how it could be improved-deepened, making the result more interesting. Imperative steps for educating a leader Parents, of course, need to lay the resource of forces and time on special attention to the formation of these qualities in the child.  Keep in mind, the best thing is that children learn by observing their parents: effective, who value and rationally use their time, plan and achieve the goal. Education of these qualities may not make the child a superman, but will definitely help him in solving life problems. Provided that in the first place parents accept and unconditionally love their child, and only in the second that they bring up.